It's coming!!

My Chef Boyardee House Party!!

I'm super stoked for this!! I hope many people come and share this with me!  :)   If you're interested or want info /recipes, let me know!!!

Lessons in Life:

Me and the kiddos had a date. Some people get all weirded out when I call it a date. But that’s what it was. A parent and children, out on the town, living it up.

McD’s style. Playland, yo!

Of course on this date, dinner was bought. Along with the ever popular, collectible Happy Meal toys. Can I just tell you how many of these things are lying around the house? Scattered under the couch. More likely than not, wedged in the couch cushions. Probably buried in the back of my car, plotting their revenge.

More than I can count, that’s how many.And I swear to you, SWEAR, that we don’t go to McD’s, that often.

Once a week isn’t often is it?

On this particular date (now I’m saying it just to annoy people) the toy of the evening was from the Strawberry Shortcake collection. This group of young ladies includes the most talked about 'super hero' in our house: Strawberry. She is coveted.

Now, we don’t actually own many Strawberry toys. 

Anyway, back to my story. As we walk up to the counter at McD’s, the toy display loomed, beckoning to the kiddos. They put it there on purpose, in the direct sight-line of kids. Just in case their parents were even considering ordering something other than a Happy Meal, this display seals it. With whines and cries and big, giant puppy-dog eyes, no parent can resits the call of a child who wants a Happy Meal. Scratch that, a child who can not live without a Happy Meal.

Smack dab in the middle of this display is Strawberry. Calling out to the kids. Breathing their names. Promising hours upon hours of adventures. If we would just order a Happy Meal.

Only Strawberry lied. The kiddo got Blueberry Muffin. Lame old Blueberry. Not nearly as cool as Strawberry.

For the rest of the evening, that was the theme. “I really wanted Strawberry, but they didn’t have her, and I got Blueberry instead, but I really wanted Strawberry, so we’ll have to go back and get her next time.” Now imagine this on repeat about a million times in a munchkin’s voice.

On repeat, without even a pause button. Ten minutes in, it finally dawned on me: teachable moment! Teachable moment! And these oh-so-wise words tumbled out of my mouth:

“Well kiddo, we don’t always get what we want. We just have to be happy with what we have.”

Brilliant, I know.

I was so proud of myself, taking the moment to teach, or begin to teach, such an important life lesson. Learning to be happy, love and appreciate what you have, instead of focusing on what you don’t have.

Then, as I was telling friends about my mom-of-the-year moment, someone slapped me in the face. With words. Not hands.

This great life lesson isn’t something that we necessarily follow.

Damn. Right.

How many times do I fall down the well of self pity because of something that we don’t have? We don’t have a giant house with rooms to spare. We can’t afford two mortgages so we’re stuck in our ever-shrinking house. We don’t have the latest and greatest technology (hello iPad2 envy). We can’t go out for dinner every week. We can’t buy the kiddo toys every time we’re at the store. 

I couldn’t…

We can’t…

We don’t…

The list gets longer the more I think about it. Too many have-nots. Too many disappointing Blueberry Muffin toys. Not enough Strawberry Shortcake Dolls.

This is by far one of my favorite moments in motherhood: When a lesson shared with my kids is actually a lesson for myself. And really, for everyone.

Be thankful for what you have. Focus on the love surrounding you.

And let all of the other things melt away.

Apple time!

Recently, I was standing in front of a beautiful display of apples at a local grocery store. A very puzzled gentleman asked me which apples were for pies. His wife had given him the shopping list, but had not explained which type of apple to buy. If this sounds familiar, then read on. 

Fall, the apple-picking season, is here! Whether you pick your own at an orchard, support your local farmer’s market or shop at the grocery store—with so many varieties available, anyone can get confused. Here’s an easy guide to help choose the best apples for your needs, whether baking, cooking, or just simply eating. 

• For eating straight from the basket, crisp, juicy, and tangy varieties are best. Red Delicious is the most popular eating apple, but if you prefer a denser, tarter snack, try a Granny Smith, or a softer-fleshed McIntosh. Or check out the distinctive tastes of local farm varieties like SweetTango, HoneyCrisp, etc.
• To make applesauce, McIntosh is moist and flavorful. Cortlands and Braeburns also make good choices.
• When baking, Rome apples are recommended because they hold their shape well. You can also try Fuijis, which are sweeter, wetter, and have a spicy flavor.
• In pies, a mix of apples is best. Include Golden Delicious for sweetness and good shape, a tart apple like Granny Smith, and some flavorful varieties like Pippin, Winesap, Crispin and Jonagold.
• To check out the entire world of apple varieties and usage, as well as delicious recipes, click here.

When selecting apples look for a shiny skin. Dull appearing apples will not be as crisp or as tasty. Your apples should be firm and free of bruises and punctures. Once you bring them home, keep your apples refrigerated. Fruit bowls are beautiful, but your apples will not stay crispy for long on the countertop. In fact, they will last 10 times longer when refrigerated. 

Prepare your apple dishes just before serving to minimize browning. Protect cut apples from oxidation (which causes them to turn brown) by dipping them into a solution of one part citrus juice and three parts water.

And if by chance your apples should become soft and mushy, don’t throw them out! Peel, core, and slice them. Place the apple slices in a microwave dish. Sprinkle lightly with some brown sugar and cinnamon. Cover and microwave on high for 3-5 minutes, until your desired degree of tenderness is achieved. Serve warm. YUMMY!

And finally…does an apple a day really keep the doctor away? Perhaps! Apples are filled with disease-fighting properties. They can help lower blood cholesterol, improve bowel functioning, and reduce your risk of stroke, prostate cancer and diabetes. So get your fill of apples this Fall, while they’re bountiful, affordable, and in-season. Warm cider, anyone?

Ways to cut your energy bill....

It's the time of year when we start to roll out the clear plastic sheet and get out the trusty blow dryer to prep windows for winter. Did you know? Heating accounts for almost 29 percent of the energy use in a typical American home. And, a poorly sealed home can waste 10 to 15 percent of your heating dollars. Even though it is the largest energy expense, weather-stripping and caulking are probably the least expensive, most effective ways to cut down on heating waste.
I have compiled a list of things that are fast and free to help your home fight off winter energy demands more efficiently and more affordably. Whether or not you rent or own, you can take steps to make your home energy efficient with little or no expense.

The following list is like sit-ups for your home:  

• Set your thermostat to 68 degrees.
• Set your water heater to 120 degrees.
• Good morning sunshine -- Open window coverings on south-facing windows to warm your home, but remember to close them at night.
• Keep it shut -- I don't care how much you love that fireplace, traditional fireplaces are not efficient. When not in use, shut the damper and make sure it stays closed.
• Plug leaks -- Install weather-stripping or caulk leaky doors and windows. Did you know a 1/16th-inch unsealed crack around a window lets in as much cold air as leaving the window open 1/2-inch? Yikes.
• Use cold water when you wash your clothes. They won't know the difference.
• Dry your clothes outside (Okay it's not ideal, I get that.) or buy a drying rack.
• Change out your light bulbs to compact fluorescent bulbs or LEDs.
• Install a low-flow shower head.
• Buy your water heater a blanket. If your water heater feels warm to the touch it is losing heat and needs a blanket.
• Don't forget to replace your furnace filter -- remember that a dirty filter for your furnace is like you trying to breathe through a waffle.
• Ceiling fan -- Turn the blades clockwise in the winter!
• Install clear, plastic sheets in the windows. Remember to seal the plastic tightly frame to frame.
• And my personal favorite, make sure you don't have a piece of furniture or a big, fluffy cat blocking a vent! This will ensure that the air is evenly distributed throughout the-house and not inundated with cat hair.

The good news -- You can take most of these energy-efficiency shape-ups with you when you move to your next home or apartment -- your home will be an energy efficiency knock out in no time. 

HAHAHAHA...

Joke is on me... I THOUGHT I'd have time... Let's try it again ;D