tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-305758692024-03-13T10:58:59.495-05:00Tara's WorldTarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.comBlogger280125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-74271108919459659082014-01-02T09:52:00.000-06:002014-01-02T09:55:09.623-06:00Freezer Cooking for January 2014These are the recipes I'm planning to make. These are not unique to me, I've seen them in various places around the internet and am being lazy in finding the links and credit. If they are yours, please forgive me and let me know so I can give credit where credit is due!
Broccoli Cheddar Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe
3 cooked, shredded chicken breasts
2 boxes of pasta (penne), cooked and drained
2 cans of Campbell’s cheddar soup
2 cups of chicken broth (I used the broth from cooking the chicken)
2 bags of frozen broccoli
1 Tablespoon Salt
3 cups of shredded cheddar
Combine all ingredients except shredded cheddar into a bowl, divide out into three pans, the top with cheddar cheese. When ready to cook, bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes, until warm and bubbly.
Basic Chicken Casserole Recipe
(makes 3 casseroles)
4 shredded, cooked chicken breasts
5 cups of cooked rice
2 cans of cream of chicken condensed soup
1 cup of chicken broth
2 bags of frozen peas and carrots (I used mixed, but you could use one bag of each)
1 Tablespoon of salt
1/2 Tablespoon of black pepper
3 cup of French’s onions
3 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
In a small bowl, combine the cheese and onions together – set aside (for the topping)
In a large bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients together, then separate into pans. Top each one with 1/3 of the topping mixture and freeze. When ready to cook, bake at 350 until thoroughly warm and cheese is melted (everything is already cooked in the casserole.)
Tex Mex Chicken Casserole
(makes 4 freezer meals)
4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
8 cups of cooked rice
2 can of Rotel tomatoes
2 packs of taco seasoning
2 cans of whole kernel corn, drained
2 cans of black beans (undrained)
1 small can of black olives, drained
6 cups of cheddar cheese, grated
Mix together all of the ingredients in a bowl, except the cheese. Divide out into four pans, then top each with the cheddar cheese and top with cardboard topper. To cook, remove cardboard piece and bake at 350 until thoroughly heated and cheese is melted (all ingredients are already cooked, so it’s just a matter of heating it well.) I serve with sour cream and salsa on top and tortilla chips on the side.
Santa Fe Chicken
Ingredients
4 -5 boneless chicken breasts
1 (15 1/2 ounce) cans black beans
1 (15 ounce) cans corn
1 (15 ounce) jars salsa, any kind
1 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
Directions
1. Take 4-5 frozen, yes, frozen, boneless chicken breasts put into crock pot.
2. Add 1 can of black beans, drained, 1 jar of salsa, 1 can of corn drained.
3. Keep in crock pot on high for about 4-5 hours or until chicken is cooked.
4. Add 1 package of cream cheese (just throw it on top!) and let sit for about 1/2 hour.
5. All done and enjoy!
Crockpot Beef Tips
1 - 3 lbs stew meat
1 can 7up, Sprite or other lemon-lime soda (can be reg or diet)
1 pkg Onion Soup Mix
1 pkg Brown Gravy Mix
1 can Condensed Mushroom Soup
1 can Mushroom pieces (optional)
Mix all together and cook on low for 6 - 8 hrs in slow cooker. Serve over buttered egg noodles
French Dip Sandwiches
Ingredients:
2-3 lb beef chuck roast
2 cans (14.5 oz each) beef consomme (it is right next to the soups and beef broth)
6-8 hoagie buns
Directions:
Place roast in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag and pour beef consomme on top.
When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 8-11 hours (or HIGH for 5-7 hours). Remove roast from slow cooker and save extra juice for dipping! With 2 forks, shred roast and serve meat on buns. We also love to melt Provolone or Swiss cheese on top.
Chicken Broccoli Alfredo
Ingredients:
1 ½ pounds chicken breasts
1 (16 oz) bag frozen broccoli florets
2 (16 oz) jars Alfredo sauce (I use light)
1 large green pepper, chopped
1 (4 oz) can sliced mushrooms, drained
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag and mix together.
When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 4-6 hours.
Hearty Beef Stew
Ingredients:
1 pound beef stew cubes
4 carrots, sliced
4 red potatoes, cut into large cubes
1 package dry onion soup mix
2 cans 98% fat-free cream of mushroom soup
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (10 oz) package frozen green peas
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Mix together and zip bag closed. When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 7-10 hours (or HIGH for 5-6 hours).
Black Bean Taco Soup
Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef (or ground turkey works too!)
1 medium onion, chopped
1 package mild taco seasoning mix
1 (16 oz) bag frozen corn
1 (16 oz) can black beans drained and rinsed (you could use kidney beans or pinto beans)
2 (14 oz) cans stewed tomatoes
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (4 oz) can diced green chilis
Directions:
Brown meat and onion, drain. Let meat cool for a minute, then dump into a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag.
Dump the remaining ingredients into the bag, mix together, and zip bag closed.
When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on HIGH for 1-2 hours or LOW for 2-3 1/2 hours.
Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.
Maple Dijon Glazed Chicken
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts
1 cup Dijon mustard
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Mix together and zip bag closed.
When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 8 hours (or HIGH for 4 hours). Sprinkle with fresh or dried rosemary for serving.
Cilantro Lime Chicken w/ Corn and Black Beans
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts
Juice from 2 limes
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
1 (16 oz) bag frozen corn
2 minced garlic cloves
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 tsp cumin
salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a resealable gallon-sized freezer bag. Mix together and zip bag closed.
When ready to eat, remove from freezer and thaw in fridge for 24 hours. Cook on LOW for 8 hours (or HIGH for 4 hours).
Serve with tortillas and toppings such as with sour cream, guacamole, salsa, and cheese.
PW Sour Cream Noodle Bake (PioneerWoman.com)
Ingredients
1-1/4 pound Ground Chuck
1 can 15-ounces Tomato Sauce
1/2 teaspoon Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
8 ounces, weight Egg Noodles
1/2 cup Sour Cream
1-1/4 cup Small Curd Cottage Cheese
1/2 cup Sliced Green Onions (less To Taste)
1 cup Grated Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Preparation Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Brown ground chuck in a large skillet. Drain fat, then add tomato sauce. 1/2 teaspoon salt and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Stir, then simmer while you prepare the other ingredients.
Cook egg noodles until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine sour cream and cottage cheese. Add plenty of freshly ground black pepper. Add to noodles and stir. Add green onions and stir.
To assemble, add half of the noodles to a baking dish. Top with half the meat mixture, then sprinkle on half the grated cheddar. Repeat with noodles, meat, then a final layer of cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until all cheese is melted.
Beef Stroganoff
2 pounds of cubed beef stew meat or 4 cups of cooked ground beef
4 cans of cream of mushroom soup (recommend golden mushroom soup if your store carries it)
1 cup chopped onion
2 T worcestershire sauce
1/2 c water
1 c. sour cream
2T minced garlic
packet of onion soup mix
egg noodles (to serve over & cook that day)
optional (chopped mushrooms)
Mix all ingredients in freezer safe bag except egg noodles. Freeze as flat as you can. Remove and defrost night before if possible. Put in crockpot on low for about 6-8 hours or if meat is precooked, 3-6 hours. Serve over egg noodles.
BBQ Meatloaf
1 lb ground beef
1 egg
¾ C. milk
1 C. shredded cheddar cheese
½ C. oatmeal
½ C. onion chopped
1 tsp. salt
BBQ Sauce Ingredients:
2/3 C. ketchup
½ C. brown sugar
1 ½ tsp mustard
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all the meatloaf ingredients in a bowl and mix together well. Next mix the BBQ Sauce ingredients in a separate bowl. Place the meatloaf mixture in a bread pan or individual muffin cups, I spray these with some cooking spray so they don’t stick as much. Top the meatloaf with the bbq sauce and bake for 45 minutes or until the middle is cooked through.
Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie
4-5 potatoes, peeled or scrubbed, then diced
3-4 cups baby carrots, halved
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2- 1 tsp salt
Pepper to taste
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1-2 cups frozen peas
Biscuits, toast, or pie crust
Place all of the veggies in a large crock pot (mine is 6 quarts). Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place chicken on top of veggies and cover with soup. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours. Add frozen peas and cook 20 minutes longer or till heated through. Serve over toast, biscuits, or pie crust.
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="background: transparent; border: none;" /></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-65167178982235963632013-02-01T15:55:00.000-06:002013-02-01T15:55:08.588-06:00Reviving the Blog for a Book Review!Hello, Dear Neglected Blog!
While another outlet has been slowly eating away at my blog (hello, my name is Tara and I'm a Facebook junkie!) I was given the opportunity to write a book review on my blog.<br />
<br />
A couple of weeks ago I received a copy of Vicki Tiede's book "Parenting On Your Knees: Prayers and Practical Guidance for the Preschool Years". I wish I had received this book several years ago when my house was full of preschoolers!<br />
<br />
Vicki weaves personal stories from parents of preschoolers together with wonderful and practical parenting tips. At the end of each chapter readers can join in with the author in prayer for their own children. There are also plenty of blank spaces for readers to write prayers and responses to prayers. As a bonus to each chapter, Vicki also includes read along book suggestions for children and for their parents!<br />
<br />
Each chapter is only a few pages long. Long enough to sneak in during nap time, but engaging enough to feed your soul for the day. These short chapters are packed with fun stories, scriptural insights, parenting tips as well as a call to remember to bring our children before the Throne of God on a daily, if not moment by moment basis!
I strongly suggest this book as a companion to any new mother. It would make a wonderful baby shower gift, a giveaway at your moms group or a great gift for yourself as you travel the road of bringing up your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord!
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-28810500158910089712011-10-19T07:34:00.001-05:002011-10-19T07:36:30.313-05:00WFMW: Break the DawdlingI have an idea that has worked wonders for my dawdler and thought I'd share.<br /><br />Toby (6, 1st grade) is a dawdler. He would literally take 8-12 minutes or more just to get his pajamas off in the mornings. DH asked me to come up with something to encourage him to get a move on! Truth be told, our first inclination was to punish for dawdling. I never really fleshed that out, but who wants to wake up to potential discipline every morning before school? So instead we're rewarding for being fast. <br /><br />I created the "Toby's 10 and Under Time Sheet" and hung it on the wall. Toby has 10 minutes for each of three tasks (get dressed, eat breakfast, wash and brush) and then (because there were 4 slots on the premade sheet) he gets a bonus point if he does all three things under time. For the last two days Toby has been able to get his stuff done in far under the time allotted!! Added bonus? Aidan (8, 2nd grade) took it upon himself to run the timer and draw the stars on the chart. Aidan and Toby are my two who have the most friction. Aidan has been Toby's timekeeper AND chief cheerleader! Double bonus points for that! :) Most surprising thing? I didn't even specify an incentive. It's enough for Toby to get the points and stars on the chart. <br /><br />So that's what works for me this week! See if you can find something that works for you at <a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/2011/10/wfmw-an-awesome-tradition/">We Are That Family</a>!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;" /></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-40337400249878248412011-01-19T00:01:00.000-06:002011-01-19T00:01:01.335-06:00WFMW: Laundry updateBack in the spring I started a laundry system to tame the monster that was my laundry room. I wrote about it <a href="http://minnesotamamma.blogspot.com/2010/05/works-for-me-wednesday-im-back.html">*here*</a>. I have since made a few tweaks to the system and have found that it works even better for us! <br /><br />Here's what I do now. I still use the triple laundry sorter. I have made a few adjustments to the "laundry buddies".<br /><br />Monday: Dad and Aidan <br />Tuesday: Mom and Toby<br />Wednesday: Evan and Avery<br /><br />Basically I've split the uniform wearers up a little better and made a much more noticeable distinction between sizes. I have also given up on doing towels and such on Thursday and just throw them all in when needed; often I can do the entire towel stock on Tuesday or Wednesday thus being totally done with laundry from Thursday through Sunday! How many other families of six can say they don't do laundry four days out of seven? <br /><br />And how many loads do I have to do Monday through Wednesday? Usually two or three. That's it. A couple loads a few days a week and then I'm free!!!<br /><br />And THAT, my friend, works for me!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;"/></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-58466007961538525462011-01-05T14:38:00.002-06:002011-01-05T14:50:15.969-06:00Lengthening the LeashI have a parenting theory; I never do for a child what that child can do for himself. For the past few months I've given my three-year-old daughter my library card and stood a few feet behind her while she checks out her books at the desk in the children's section of the library. This morning I decided to take it a step further. I was out of sight of the desk, yet my daughter was ready to check out her books. I gave her my card and told her to go check out her books (I did tell her to make sure she got her "ticket" receipt so I would know she completed her mission.) She took the card and confidently strode off in the direction of the check out desk.<br /><br />My little daughter was positively beaming from ear to ear when she returned from her little errand! She then trotted off happily to an area of the library where older kids (elementary aged usually) sit and read. I guess she thought if she was old enough to check out her own library books without mommy right behind her she was old enough to sit where the big kids sit! :)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" /></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-85745091382431332702010-10-02T08:09:00.002-05:002010-10-02T08:17:29.820-05:00My Free Range Mom MomentLately I've been enjoying the blog, Free Range Kids. The basic premise of her blog is that we hover (helicopter parent) over our children and they don't get to experience life as we did. Kids need to be free to experience a few bumps and scrapes. They need to get dirty and entertain themselves. <br /><br />So, last night I had a "Free Range Kid Moment". Jim was planning on taking the boys to a family friend's house for a camp fire. Evan asked if he could ride his bike. The friend lives about a mile away. 90% of that mile is a medium busy street (though partway down it does have a sidewalk). For a brief second I was about to say no. Then my Free Range Parenting skills kicked in and I said he could do it. He is ten. When I was ten I rode all over town on my bike with no helmet and the only expectation was that I'd be home when the street lights came on! So, with his helmet on, I sent him on his way. I also told him that he had to call me when he got there, to which Jim asked, "should we send the cell with him?" I told Jim that Evan wouldn't need the cell. He could use the house phone at the friend's house just like we did! :)<br /><br />I encourage you to read the blog <a href="http://freerangekids.wordpress.com">Free Range Kids</a> and think about how you can loosen the apron strings a little and let your kids have some freedom today!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;"/></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-21979615052857793442010-08-18T08:57:00.003-05:002010-08-18T09:06:29.463-05:00Computer time for kidsAll summer I've been chasing my kids off the TV and off the computer. It drives me nuts. I devised a simple way to keep track of how much time each child spends online and which kid has had his online time!<br /><br />I gave each child a post-it note with his name on it. I also wrote how much time each child has on this post-it. Evan (9) gets 30 mins/day. Aidan (6) gets 25, Toby (5) has 20 and Avery (3) has 15. These post-its are stuck to one side of the monitor. I also have a timer sitting on the computer desk. When the child has his time he moves his tag to the other side of the monitor and sets the timer.<br /><br />No, there are no roll-over minutes. This ain't AT&T! <br /><br />Also, if the child forgets to start the timer he gets booted off as soon as Mom figures it out. And if they go over their time? They lose it all the next day.<br /><br />Yup. I'm so mean.<br /><br />So far it's worked great! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;"/></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-47744056246189791962010-06-15T09:30:00.002-05:002010-06-15T09:33:48.847-05:00VBSJust a couple quick bullet points.<br /><br />1. I am so thankful for Vacation Bible School! The boys are all old enough to go this year, so for several weeks this summer they will be, in no particular order, Evangelical Free, Baptist and Presbyterian. I think Avery will also be old enough to be Presbyterian, but don't quote me on that. I just love the break in the routine, the lessons and songs the kids learn and the Truth that they are being taught. <br /><br />2. I just got back from my pre-screening appointment at Mayo to determine if I'm a good candidate for a research study in the endocrine department. Turns out I am, so I'm now up for four overnight visits over the next four months. It's a paying gig, so we're not complaning.<br /><br />3. Evan and I are taking a little vacation starting on Saturday! We're traveling to Florida to visit my sister/brother-in-law and Mickey Mouse. :) So exciting!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;"/></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-52807636096273298432010-06-10T07:44:00.002-05:002010-06-10T07:51:43.102-05:00Time for my monthly posting!A bunch of women from our MOPS group got together the other night to celebrate the end of another ministry year. The conversation ranged from the state of various organizations to laundry. One of the things that women with pre-schoolers eventually have to deal with is how to school their kids. In my circle of friends it seems to be quite a difficult decision. Some of course see the sticker shock of private school and opt for public school. Some see the state of the public schools and opt for homeschooling. Some think they could never do homeschooling so opt to sacrifice in other ways to send their kids to private school. The circle continues on and on. So many women struggle with this decision that I am very thankful that my decision is made based on my husband's job at the best Christian school in town!!<br /><br />When the conversation turns to the struggle of how to educate these little people, I always remember a conversation Evan and I had the summer after his kindergarten year. He came to me one day and asked if I could homeschool him for first grade. When I asked him why he wanted to be homeschooled he answered, "because I don't want a mean and bossy teacher!" My next question? "Are you new? If I homeschooled you you would definitely have a mean and bossy teacher!"<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;"/></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-88005051898142954882010-05-12T06:57:00.003-05:002010-05-12T07:07:36.404-05:00Works For Me Wednesday! I'm back!!!I'm coming out from my blogging rock to bring you an idea that has worked for our family this week. I have four kids. Naturally that produces a lot of laundry! I would let the laundry mound up, take a day (or two or three) and DO LAUNDRY. I would wash and dry and fold and wash and dry and fold and wash and dry and fold until I thought my machines would go on strike and the mounds of now clean laundry took over my house until I would get up the gumption to put them away. Sound familiar???<br /><br />So, one night while awake instead of asleep I developed a plan. I know some larger families sort their laundry not by color but by person. I have a triple laundry sorter and many laundry baskets. I figured that if I did each person's laundry one day a week and towels on one day I would be doing laundry every day. Not so much fun. :) So, I doubled them up! Now my laundry schedule looks like this:<br /><br />Monday: Dad and Avery<br />Tuesday: Mom and Toby<br />Wednesday: Evan and Aidan<br />Thursday: Towels, sheets, etc<br /><br />Notice a couple of things. I have big clothes mixed with small clothes thus making for easy sorting once the things are done. I've split up Aidan and Toby who are just one size apart thus eliminating the "he has my shirt" "well it was in my drawer" mistakes. An added bonus that Jim appreciates is that since I'm only doing two people's laundry I have room and time to sort like into like as I fold thus saving him the step of sorting out his shirts, pants as he puts them away (this sentence isn't making much sense, but oh well, if you want to know more ask). And the most impressive part of all? I don't do laundry on Friday, Saturday or Sunday. :) Woo ho! So far this has worked very well for our family! <br /><br />(Linked in with <a href="http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2010/05/wfmw-internet-safety-softwareapps.html">Works for me Wednesday here</a>!)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: medium none ; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" /></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-86501285859666456852010-03-03T07:20:00.002-06:002010-03-03T07:36:18.892-06:00Where I announce a winner!Thanks so much for all the great ideas and resources for my political fundraiser lunch! I think I was supposed to announce a winner to the contest sometime last Monday. I have a good excuse. <a href="http://www.medicinenet.com/norovirus_infection/article.htm#1whatisa">Norovirus</a>. That's all I'm going to say about that. Except that I'm really glad I only have four children and not <a href="http://www.duggarfamily.com/">nineteen</a> or something. :)<br /><br />So, I went to random.org which chose lucky number four! <a href="http://sortafrugal.blogspot.com/">Mom2Fur</a> is the lucky winner! I've contacted her via her blog and hope to hear from her soon. If for some reason she is unable to fulfill her role as winner I'll pick someone new. :)<br /><br />Thanks for playing!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: medium none ; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" /></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-43428802767968784252010-02-24T07:47:00.004-06:002010-02-24T07:52:12.142-06:00Works for Me Wednesday and GIVEAWAY!I have been involved in <a href="http://mops.org/">MOPS</a> for over nine years. Yesterday our main speaker spoke on the importance of having girlfriends you can go to when you need to ask for help. Well, this morning I need help (and not just because I was up last night literally every 10-30 minutes with a newly three-year-old Avery with the stomach bug).<br /><br />I'm linking to an earlier this week blog post in hopes that you can help me. See, Jim's invited a congressional candidate to host a fundraiser luncheon at our house! <br /><br />You can read all about it <a href="http://minnesotamamma.blogspot.com/2010/02/hospitality-review-preview-and-giveaway.html">*here*</a>. Please comment either here or there with any fancy luncheon recipes you may have to be entered into a drawing for a fun kitchen gift!<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />(And of course you can always click on over <a href="http://http//www.wearethatfamily.com/2010/02/wfmw-traveling-without-my-family.html">*here*</a> to look for more ideas for what Works for others!)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: medium none ; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" /></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-13239491646335457602010-02-22T09:00:00.004-06:002010-02-23T13:48:03.724-06:00Hospitality, Review Preview and Giveaway!Recently Jim has gotten Evan interested in politics. They've been to caucuses, attended breakfasts to meet candidates (Aidan went, too) and most recently Jim volunteered our home to host a fundraiser luncheon for someone running for congress! Needless to say this has gotten me a little stressed about the menu! It has also gotten me thinking about different types of hospitality styles and recipes. I know some women have big fancy houses where they can cook gourmet meals and serve fancy drinks from their <a href="http://allbarstools.com">home bars</a>. That is not me. We have a modest home where I cook home style meals and serve drinks in glasses that do not match. :) <br /><br />As I mentioned in an <a href="http://minnesotamamma.blogspot.com/2010/02/coming-soon.html">earlier post</a>, I've been invited to host a review on my blog. The review could not come at a better time! I will be testing <a href="http://www.allbarstools.com/Rachael-Ray-51765-RRY1085.html">these</a> and <a href="http://www.allbarstools.com/Rachael-Ray-51204-RRY1064.html">these</a>. And here is where you come in! <br /><br />I need some new recipe ideas; ideas suitable to serve to a future congressman at a fundraiser luncheon. <br /><br />Leave me a comment with your favorite fancy, yet simple recipe and I'll randomly draw a name and send you a fun kitchen gift!<br /><br />Edited to note: I will be putting together a kitchen gift package for you; it will not be coming from the above mentioned store! I will select a commenter at random on March 1. Let's get cooking!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;"/></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-19121006370630649922010-02-16T16:40:00.003-06:002010-02-16T16:56:55.197-06:00Coming soon!Fun stuff to come soon! Let's just say I've been contacted by an <a href="http://csnstores.com">online store</a> to do a product review...and possibly a giveaway! :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: medium none ; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" /></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-67422641298223014142010-02-04T07:27:00.004-06:002010-02-04T07:37:51.417-06:00Texting While Driving-Anything<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f-NjiwQkM_g/S2rNAYHr03I/AAAAAAAAARI/B7cKGWyotPA/s1600-h/child-cell-phone-md.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 153px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_f-NjiwQkM_g/S2rNAYHr03I/AAAAAAAAARI/B7cKGWyotPA/s200/child-cell-phone-md.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434381306734302066" border="0" /></a><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ADMINI%7E1.USE/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" />Coming out of hiding (much like the groundhog!) to bring you a public service announcement about kids and cell phones. While this isn't a rampant problem right now here in the nation's icebox, it will be once we all thaw out!<br /><br />A fellow MommyBlogger, <a href="http://www.fiddledeedee.net">FiddleDeeDee</a> wrote <a href="http://fiddledeedee.net/2010/02/03/are-cell-phones-putting-our-kids-at-risk/">this</a> this morning. I'm copying it here with her permission. Please go to her blog <a href="http://fiddledeedee.net/">*here*</a> to read more of her writing!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I had a scare a couple of weeks ago. I was driving my van down my street, and as I came around a small curve, a young girl of about 10 was riding her bike straight towards me. I stopped, thinking that she would look up and get herself back up on the sidewalk. But she never looked up. Her eyes were cast down, and she was texting on her cell phone.<br /><br />When I realized that she was going to run right into the front of my van, I honked my horn. The sound startled her enough so that she looked up just in time, and she swerved around me. And no, she was not wearing a helmet.<br /><br />Had she hit me, even though I had stopped, she would have suffered a good deal of injury. Had she been heading toward someone who may have been distracted, or driving at a faster rate of speed, she could have been killed.<br /><br />I couldn’t shake that thought. We have a number of residents who drive far faster than they should on our street, given that it is a very narrow street, and is shared by bicycles and children.<br /><br />I knew where this little girl lived, but I did not know her parents. I debated going to her house and speaking with her parents. If it were my daughter, I would want to know. But, you just never know how something like that is going to be received.<br /><br />A few days later, the little girl was playing outside at a neighbor’s house, a few houses down from us. I walked down and introduced myself to her. She knew immediately who I was, and that I was the lady in the van. I asked if I could speak to her, and she said yes. And I held her hand and talked to her about how dangerous the situation was that she placed herself in. I knew that the experience had impacted her, by the look of fear on her face when I honked my horn. She was very polite and remorseful, and I felt like I had gotten through to her. A few feet away, some of her little friends overheard our conversation, and I directed a brief “please don’t text while riding your bikes” speech. In my nicest mom voice. Which by the way, is not the voice that I would have used if I were giving the same speech to my own children.<br /><br />I went back home feeling that I had done some good.<br /><br />But then a few days ago, when I was leaving the house to go out, I saw another little 10 year old girl riding her bike down the street. This was one of the children that had overheard my texting speech. She was chatting on her cell phone, driving in the middle of the road, then up on the sidewalk, then back to the middle of the road. And then she stopped talking, looked down at her phone, and began texting.<br /><br />I am a loud proponent of banning texting and even cell phone usage while driving an automobile. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think it would be an issue with children riding their bikes.<br /><br />This is not going to be a judgment against parents that allow their children to carry cell phones. I know there are circumstances that call for it, I get that. But I wonder if these parents understand the danger that their children are putting themselves into by allowing them to carry cell phones while they are out riding their bikes.<br /><br />I now regret my decision not to go down and speak to the first little girl’s parents. I’m going to give the moms and dads the benefit of the doubt, and believe that they have no idea their children are putting themselves in harms way.<br /><br />But you can bet that I’m going to be taking to my keyboard to get the word out. Here, and in my neighborhood.<br /><br />Have you seen anything similar in your neighborhood? I fear that I won’t hear anything in the media, until something tragic occurs.<br /><br />Please. If your children carry cell phones, talk to them about the dangers of texting and driving.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: medium none ; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" /></a></span>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-2617971494377504092009-12-17T10:04:00.004-06:002009-12-17T12:21:14.810-06:00Hello dear neglected blog. I'm sorry. I have lots of excuses! :)<br /><br />This morning I had three extra kids, and wanting to have something for them to do, I sent Jim to the store last night to purchase ingredients to make cinnamon Christmas tree ornaments.<br /><br />Here's the recipe:<br /><br />4 cups cinnamon (get the dollar store version, MUCH cheaper!)<br />2 big spoonfuls of cloves (or not, whatever)<br />3 cups applesauce<br />1/2 cup glue (more or less)<br /><br />Mix the ingredients together. I was sneezing like a crazy lady as the cinnamon wafted up my nose. :)<br /><br />Mix and mash and knead the dough. Roll it out in small batches and use cookie cutters to make shapes.<br /><br />Put the ornaments on a cookie sheet, poke holes in them and let them dry. The recipe I found says to bake them at 200 for 6 hours or let them dry on the counter for four days! **Note, I did this this morning and it didn't take NEARLY 6 hours. Mine were dry in 1-2 depending on the thickness of the ornament. Check on them after about an hour, if they still have a little give when you squeeze them let them dry longer. If they're all dry, they're all dry. <br /><br />We plan to leave some plain, paint some with craft paints and use some glitter on others. <br /><br />If I ever had two batteries full of juice at the same time or the ability to load pictures on this borrowed bare bones computer I'd include pictures! <br /><br />A word of warning, your house will smell REALLY strongly for hours after. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;"/></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-20028186514883965262009-11-18T08:45:00.001-06:002009-11-18T08:49:56.150-06:00Ten Questions answer one, question twoYesterday I posed the following question, "What's the one thing you would have done differently as a mom?"<br /><br />My mom's response and one I hope to emulate was, "Spent more time making memories with my children and less time cleaning." <br /><br />Today's question is, "Why did you choose to be with my father?"<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;"/></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-54285325213656199222009-11-17T07:31:00.002-06:002009-11-17T07:34:33.551-06:00Ten Questions, Part OneLast night I was reading an article in an old <a href="http://realsimple.com">Real Simple</a>. Since the magazine was from May the article was fit for Mother's Day and gave ten questions to ask your mother. I'm planning on asking my mom all ten questions, perhaps sharing an answer or two here. <br /><br />I'm also challenging you to ask your mother these questions if you can.<br /><br />The first one is, "What's the one thing you would have done differently as a mom?"<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;"/></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-30087914489711465302009-11-11T07:30:00.002-06:002009-11-11T07:44:01.491-06:00Mystery GiftLast Saturday I took the three littles to Home Depot for their kids' workshop event. While Aidan, Toby and Avery were all making a trivet (yes, they all did 90+% of the work themselves, even Avery!) Evan was home alone. He's nine and we let him stay home alone once in a while; usually for no more than an hour or two.<br /><br />When I got back he asked me if I'd ordered some flowers. "No, not that I know of, why?" "Some flower shop called and asked when they could deliver. I told them you'd call them back, the number is by the computer." I was shocked and proud of him for not accepting a delivery when I wasn't home (and that he had no knowledge of!)<br /><br />So I asked Jim if he'd sent the flowers. He denied it (no surprise there!) Toby piped up from the table and told me that he'd ordered them! "Really?" "Yup, it was me." And he said it with this cute little face which was a cross between so serious because he was trying to convince me and a spark of mischief because he was trying to convince me! He kept up his story, elaborating as the day went on. When asked how he paid for the flowers he replied, "when I didn't have enough money they gave them to me for free!" And he decided that "Evan helped me make the phone call because I didn't know the number." (That morning Evan had a lesson in using the phone book to call a business.)<br /><br />When the flowers finally arrived I was of course eager to read the card! It turns out that the lovely bouquet was an early birthday gift from my parents and brother. As I was pouring over how lovely they were Toby confessed, "I'm sorry I tried to trick you about buying the flowers." I hugged him and reassured him that it was okay and that I knew if he could he would have done it!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;"/></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-84144164086321547262009-10-24T09:22:00.001-05:002009-10-24T09:24:00.639-05:00PSA time!PSA for Moms or anyone who's purchased Baby Einstein DVDs in the last 5 years. Baby Einstein is issuing a refund or exchange for their DVDs. The FTC has issued a complaint because of the movie's "educational" claims. Children under the age of 2 (the intended audience) are recommended to have zero screen time.<br /><br />Print out the following form <a href="http://www.babyeinstein.com/(S(3qnoffi1whnnnt55h2ljk355))/parentsguide/satisfaction/upgrade_us.html">*at this link*</a>, send in your movies and receive a B.E. book, CD or refund!<br /><br />Unfortunately we have all VHS Baby Einsteins and can't take advantage of this. But we'd be willing to accept any donations from your refunds! :)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;"/></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-50829393574250700542009-10-04T14:32:00.002-05:002009-10-04T14:50:41.565-05:00An old story revisitedThis morning our pastor spoke on a select few chapters of the book of Joshua. He briefly touched on the story of Jericho, but those brief moments were enough to bring back an unforgettable story from Evan's early pre-school years.<br /><br />One spring our church offered a parenting class. Jim and I signed up, partly to try to gain new insights, but partly because they also offered free child care for the all day seminar! Evan and his friends had an entire unit that day on <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%206:4-20">Joshua and the Battle of Jericho</a>. They had the Bible story, they sang songs, they watched the Veggie Tale version of the story, they built a wall of cardboard and made horns to knock it down, the whole nine yards. By the end of the day the boys were thoroughly immersed in the tale of Joshua!<br /><br />A few weeks later I was watching two boys about Evan's age who had also been in that class. With three boys in the three to four-year-old bracket eventually the noise and squirrliness level got to the point where I sent them outside. I gave them the following instructions, "go outside and march around the garage seven times shouting the entire time and see what happens!" <br /><br />A little while later one of the boys came back in the house and told me that the garage window was broken! It turns out that God did not move the garage in the same way He moved the wall of Jericho so the boys took matters into their own hands. They found some plastic toy golf clubs and started trying to break down the "wall"! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: medium none ; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-49908299297887227142009-09-30T09:23:00.002-05:002009-09-30T09:32:23.744-05:00Works for me Wednesday!Hello all! I'm back. Well, we'll see about that. I'm doing some part time day care here in the house of Kluth so I've been a little busy to blog. At any rate, this morning as I was working on getting Aidan's uniform together I thought, "this would make a good Works for me Wednesday" but it didn't dawn on me that it was actually Wednesday and that I could write it!<br /><br />I actually got this idea from a more seasoned mom of many. Aidan and Toby are in nearly the same size pants. Evan and Aidan are both in unform and some of their shirts are really close to the same length. It's hard to tell from looking at them whos are whos and since sizes aren't universal that doesn't help either (I once put Aidan in an 8 and Evan in a 6 and the shirts fit both boys perfectly!) <br /><br />So, the simple solution would be to label the boys' clothes, but how to do it so the clothes can be easily handed down to the next one without scribbling out the previous boy's name? Here's my solution: I put one dot on Evan's clothing tags, two on Aidan's and three in Toby's. Then as I pass Evan's down to Aidan or Aidan's down to Toby I just add a dot and the label is current! Makes quick work of sorting the laundry and getting it to the correct closet.<br /><br />Hope this idea helps with hand me downs! Head over to <a href="http://http://www.wearethatfamily.com/2009/09/wfmw-how-to-pick-preserve-pumpkins.html">*We Are That Family*</a> for more ideas that may work for you!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: medium none ; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-30448387245193451482009-09-10T21:26:00.001-05:002009-09-10T21:28:18.019-05:00Pray for BethanyWithout lengthy introductions, I'm asking you to pray for a little baby girl named Bethany. You can read her story <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/bethanyfayemonson/journal">*here*</a>. I can't say much else but to ask you to pray and pass her information along. Because of my own <a href="http://minnesotamamma.blogspot.com/2008/08/six-years-ago-today.html">loss of twins</a> at just 13 weeks gestation this family is particularly close to my own heart.<br /><br />If anyone knows how to format code for a blog button for my sidebar let me know and we can talk about it!<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: medium none ; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" /></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-23713463539917959692009-09-08T15:10:00.003-05:002009-09-08T15:15:17.596-05:00An Avery StoryIn my life as a stay at home Mommy I have had many stories that I tell laughing hysterically only to a girlfriend, my mom or my husband. There are some that just should not be blogged about to protect the innocent even though the tale is JUST that funny!<br /><br />If I knew how to categorize my posts into a nifty system on the side I would categorize this under "Things I'm not sure I should have blogged about".<br /><br />One morning I was on the phone with Mel. Avery found a small square piece of cotton batting from a jewelery box. She lifted up her dress, pulled down her unders, placed the cotton in her unders and pulled them back up again, reminding me that perhaps it is time to insist on my own privacy in the bathroom not only with the boys! This few sentences long description does not do justice to the hilarity that it struck in my heart!<br /><br />Monkey see, monkey do is an understatement! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;"/></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30575869.post-56584701271299165722009-09-04T15:07:00.002-05:002009-09-04T15:10:32.089-05:00September bullets* Aidan started kindergarten.<br />* Evan started 4th grade.<br />* Jim started year 15 of teaching.<br />* Avery's staying dry more than getting wet and had two poops in the potty today.<br />* I'm starting day care for 3-5 extra kids for the next six weeks.<br />* Toby LOVES doing his homeschool preschool.<br />* We got a hamster which takes our "no pets" household up to two cats (got rid of all the kittens) two fish and a hamster.<br />* Oh, and I've also really riled up a bunch of my facebook friends talking about health care reform! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/341/9ED3C643564317D4F93F9DF474802609.png" style="border: none; background: transparent;"/></a>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09327853756206724940noreply@blogger.com2