O-B-E-D-I-E-N-C-E
Since we have young children, this is such a relevant topic in our house right now. Both of our boys are defiant, headstrong and stubborn. Extremely so. (and we fear that our daughter is probably the same way!... but what did we really expect since we are both defiant, headstrong and stubborn. Extremely so.) Being consistent in teaching them obedience is really important, especially at this stage. One of the things we are working with our kids on is that obedience is only true obedience when we obey...
ALL the way
RIGHT away
and with a HAPPY HEART
Usually when they do what we ask, they are still not doing it by the above qualifications. They obey begrudgingly, or they dawdle or they don't finish the job. Obeying this way is not true obedience.
Hmm... starting to sound convicting? It is to me. I started thinking about this today...
Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you..."
Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, be subject to your own husbands..."
1 John 2:15 "Do not love the world nor the things of this world..."
These are some of the commands that God expects me to obey. Easy? Definitely not. And then today I started thinking... am I really obeying God with the same qualifications that I require of my children?
ALL the way
RIGHT away
and with a HAPPY HEART
Definitely convicting...
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Monday, September 5, 2011
Quick and easy breakfast ideas!
Now that we've started school again (I currently homeschool my oldest), the mornings always seem to be rushed. I try to get up, get myself ready, get the kids ready and get them breakfast by a reasonable time so we can get started on schoolwork. Some days the mornings can be a little stressful, yet I still desire to give my kids a hearty breakfast in the middle of the rush. Does this sound familiar? Are mornings like this at your house?
I recently came across some quick and easy breakfast ideas on moneysavingmom.com. (By the way, if you like to follow blogs... this is definitely one you should check out. It's my fave!) Here are two genius ideas for quick, easy and filling breakfasts (and kid friendly!)
Freezer Oatmeal: Bear with me... this sounds gross, and it doesn't look appetizing either, but it's great! Make up a big batch of oatmeal (I love old fashioned, following the recipe on the side of the oats container, plus adding cinnamon). Place it on "clumps" on a cookie sheet (about a serving size per "clump") and freeze for 30 minutes to an hour. (Otherwise known as "flash freezing".) Once the oatmeal is fairly frozen, remove from the cookie sheet and put in a freezer bag. When you're ready to eat, just microwave and add milk (and whatever else you want... think raisins, craisins, nuts, fruit, maple syrup, brown sugar, etc.)
Fruited Pancake Muffins: This is such a great idea! Make up pancake batter however you like (from scratch or a mix). Fill greased muffin cups halfway, then put some cut up fruit on top. Top with a little more pancake batter. (Optional: Put cinnamon, sugar or a cinnamon/sugar mixture on top) Bake at 350 for 15-25 minutes. We had these for breakfast this morning and they were a big hit! (Don't forget that you can freeze extra muffins and pull them out for another easy breakfast some other time!)
Need other quick and easy breakfast ideas? Try freezing extra pancakes, waffles, or French toast then reheating them in the toaster!
I recently came across some quick and easy breakfast ideas on moneysavingmom.com. (By the way, if you like to follow blogs... this is definitely one you should check out. It's my fave!) Here are two genius ideas for quick, easy and filling breakfasts (and kid friendly!)
Freezer Oatmeal: Bear with me... this sounds gross, and it doesn't look appetizing either, but it's great! Make up a big batch of oatmeal (I love old fashioned, following the recipe on the side of the oats container, plus adding cinnamon). Place it on "clumps" on a cookie sheet (about a serving size per "clump") and freeze for 30 minutes to an hour. (Otherwise known as "flash freezing".) Once the oatmeal is fairly frozen, remove from the cookie sheet and put in a freezer bag. When you're ready to eat, just microwave and add milk (and whatever else you want... think raisins, craisins, nuts, fruit, maple syrup, brown sugar, etc.)
Fruited Pancake Muffins: This is such a great idea! Make up pancake batter however you like (from scratch or a mix). Fill greased muffin cups halfway, then put some cut up fruit on top. Top with a little more pancake batter. (Optional: Put cinnamon, sugar or a cinnamon/sugar mixture on top) Bake at 350 for 15-25 minutes. We had these for breakfast this morning and they were a big hit! (Don't forget that you can freeze extra muffins and pull them out for another easy breakfast some other time!)
Need other quick and easy breakfast ideas? Try freezing extra pancakes, waffles, or French toast then reheating them in the toaster!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
My Pinterest Addiction
I must confess that I am addicted... to Pinterest. If you are a fellow Pinterest user I'm sure you know what I mean... you can easily lose track of time looking through pins and getting fabulous ideas. Never heard of Pinterest? Well, you're kind of missing out. But let me warn you... it's addictive!
If you're interested in checking out my current pins, check out http://pinterest.com/grace37/
(If you aren't a current Pinterest user, you may have to sign up for an account first.)
If you're interested in checking out my current pins, check out http://pinterest.com/grace37/
(If you aren't a current Pinterest user, you may have to sign up for an account first.)
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Corndog Muffins
My kids now think I'm cool. This wasn't my goal in life, but I sure don't mind it. =) Why am I so cool? Because I made them corndog muffins. I took something they love (corndogs) and made a muffin out of it. Yep, they love them!
If you'd like to try this, here's how:
Mix up some cornbread batter (from scratch or a mix... I've tried both.) Put it into sprayed muffin tins.
Cut up hotdogs into thirds (if you have the bun length variety, you'll want to cut them into fourths).
Place a hot dog piece on top of the cornbread batter and lightly press down.
Bake according to your cornbread recipe. (Probably at about 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.)
Enjoy! Pretty easy, and they're much cheaper and healthier than actual corndogs.
(I got the idea and recipe from here.)
Hint: These freeze pretty well, which makes for quick and easy lunches! Just heat them in the microwave for a few seconds and they're as good as fresh from the oven!
If you'd like to try this, here's how:
Mix up some cornbread batter (from scratch or a mix... I've tried both.) Put it into sprayed muffin tins.
Cut up hotdogs into thirds (if you have the bun length variety, you'll want to cut them into fourths).
Place a hot dog piece on top of the cornbread batter and lightly press down.
Bake according to your cornbread recipe. (Probably at about 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.)
Enjoy! Pretty easy, and they're much cheaper and healthier than actual corndogs.
(I got the idea and recipe from here.)
Hint: These freeze pretty well, which makes for quick and easy lunches! Just heat them in the microwave for a few seconds and they're as good as fresh from the oven!
Saturday, July 30, 2011
I Scream, You Scream
We all scream for ice cream! We are having fun making homemade ice cream this summer! The ice cream machine that I got for free at a yard sale a few years ago finally died on us, so we replaced it with a smaller model that allows us to use the ice from our freezer instead of store bought ice. Yay! After trying several different recipes, we have found a favorite. The best thing about it? It's not only the yummiest and healthiest recipe we've tried, but it's also the easiest!
Want to know it? Well, of course! I wouldn't dream of keeping such a wonderful thing to myself! :)
Easy Homemade Ice Cream
1 can of sweetened condensed milk (you can use fat free!)
4 cups of half and half (once again... fat free! 4 cups is the equivalent of a large carton of half and half)
2 Tbs of vanilla
Mix ingredients together (yes, that's it... just those three ingredients!) and add in whatever mixins you like. Pour into your chilled ice cream maker container and freeze it in your machine. (That's it folks! No cooking over the stove or keeping it in the fridge for hours before you can freeze it!)
Our favorite thing to mix in? Butterfingers! We've also tried and liked peaches and cinnamon (tastes like peach cobbler!), Oreos, and cocoa powder and chopped chocolate chips. The next things I want to try are strawberries and cream cheese and root beer extract! Want to join us?
Want to know it? Well, of course! I wouldn't dream of keeping such a wonderful thing to myself! :)
Easy Homemade Ice Cream
1 can of sweetened condensed milk (you can use fat free!)
4 cups of half and half (once again... fat free! 4 cups is the equivalent of a large carton of half and half)
2 Tbs of vanilla
Mix ingredients together (yes, that's it... just those three ingredients!) and add in whatever mixins you like. Pour into your chilled ice cream maker container and freeze it in your machine. (That's it folks! No cooking over the stove or keeping it in the fridge for hours before you can freeze it!)
Our favorite thing to mix in? Butterfingers! We've also tried and liked peaches and cinnamon (tastes like peach cobbler!), Oreos, and cocoa powder and chopped chocolate chips. The next things I want to try are strawberries and cream cheese and root beer extract! Want to join us?
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Double Coupon Tuesdays at UV Walmarts!
A few months ago I started really getting into couponing. I have always kept an eye out for restaurant and entertainment coupons in order to stretch our budget for being able to get out and do fun stuff, but I'd never really paid much attention to grocery coupons before. Man, I was really missing out! I'm saving money and having tons of fun at the same time! There's nothing quite like walking out of the store with items that you actually got for FREE because of coupons. Yep... now if only I had more storage to be able to put everything I'm stocking up on. =)
I have learned to be careful because couponing can take up tons of time. You might save money with coupons, but time is money. Finding a good balance and not going overboard is important. (Anyone seen TLC's "Extreme Couponing"? Yeah, I'm not into spending 30 hours a week clipping coupons and clearing the shelves in the store.)
Many of the websites I look at mentioned being able to double your coupons at certain stores, and I was sad that we didn't have stores that really did that around here. Well, that has changed now! On Tuesdays, our local Utah Valley Walmarts are now doubling coupons (up to $1.00!). Up until today, I hadn't actually tried to venture out and try it for myself yet. But, with some extra time last night to search out deals and clip my coupons, and with my sister visiting today (so I had some help with the kiddos), I decided that today would be the day.
How did it go? The shelves were still fairly well stocked, the kids behaved better than expected, and we got some great deals! Some of the items I got for free are: Sensodyne toothpaste (trial size, but still... free!), Curad bandaids, M &M's, 3 Musketeers candy bars, etc., along with many other things that I got for less than one dollar! Success!
One of these days I plan on blogging about some of my couponing tips that you might find helpful if you'd like to get more into couponing or if you're an average, non-extreme couponer like me. =)
I have learned to be careful because couponing can take up tons of time. You might save money with coupons, but time is money. Finding a good balance and not going overboard is important. (Anyone seen TLC's "Extreme Couponing"? Yeah, I'm not into spending 30 hours a week clipping coupons and clearing the shelves in the store.)
Many of the websites I look at mentioned being able to double your coupons at certain stores, and I was sad that we didn't have stores that really did that around here. Well, that has changed now! On Tuesdays, our local Utah Valley Walmarts are now doubling coupons (up to $1.00!). Up until today, I hadn't actually tried to venture out and try it for myself yet. But, with some extra time last night to search out deals and clip my coupons, and with my sister visiting today (so I had some help with the kiddos), I decided that today would be the day.
How did it go? The shelves were still fairly well stocked, the kids behaved better than expected, and we got some great deals! Some of the items I got for free are: Sensodyne toothpaste (trial size, but still... free!), Curad bandaids, M &M's, 3 Musketeers candy bars, etc., along with many other things that I got for less than one dollar! Success!
One of these days I plan on blogging about some of my couponing tips that you might find helpful if you'd like to get more into couponing or if you're an average, non-extreme couponer like me. =)
Monday, July 4, 2011
Summer Sides
If you're like me, coming up with dinner ideas is a lot more difficult in the summer. It's hot outside, so who wants to be in the kitchen when you could be out doing fun "summery" things! For me, the main dish is easy (grill something!), but the question of "What do I serve with this?" is a bigger one. Here are two quick and yummy recipes that I've found that go with many different summer dinner meals...
Homemade Potato Wedges
5-8 potatoes (washed, with skins still on)
olive oil
vegetable cooking spray
seasoned salt
grated Parmesan cheese (I use lowfat)
Line a large pan (I use a cookie sheet with sides) with foil. Cover the bottom of the pan with a light coating of olive oil. Cut potatoes into wedges and put them on the pan, skin side down. Spray the wedges with the cooking spray, then sprinkle with seasoned salt and the Parmesan cheese. Bake for 35-50 minutes (usually 45 minutes makes them perfect for me). Easy and SO good!
Sweet Coleslaw
1 bag of coleslaw mix (16 ounce)
2/3 cup mayo or Miracle Whip
3 T. vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 T white vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
Mix the last five ingredients in a bowl, then add the coleslaw mix and combine well. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. (NOTE: This recipe is really yummy, but it gets kind of runny. It will seem too dry at first, but you'd be amazed at how the time in the fridge really helps make it creamier. Actually, I think it's a little too creamy for me. The last time I made this, I mixed up the dressing part, then divided it in half and kept the other half to use in the fridge a few days later. I just used half the dressing with the entire bag of coleslaw and it turned out great! Seemed way to dry at first, but was just right after a little time in the fridge.)
ENJOY!! Let me know if you try either of these!
Homemade Potato Wedges
5-8 potatoes (washed, with skins still on)
olive oil
vegetable cooking spray
seasoned salt
grated Parmesan cheese (I use lowfat)
Line a large pan (I use a cookie sheet with sides) with foil. Cover the bottom of the pan with a light coating of olive oil. Cut potatoes into wedges and put them on the pan, skin side down. Spray the wedges with the cooking spray, then sprinkle with seasoned salt and the Parmesan cheese. Bake for 35-50 minutes (usually 45 minutes makes them perfect for me). Easy and SO good!
Sweet Coleslaw
1 bag of coleslaw mix (16 ounce)
2/3 cup mayo or Miracle Whip
3 T. vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 T white vinegar
1/4 tsp salt
Mix the last five ingredients in a bowl, then add the coleslaw mix and combine well. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving. (NOTE: This recipe is really yummy, but it gets kind of runny. It will seem too dry at first, but you'd be amazed at how the time in the fridge really helps make it creamier. Actually, I think it's a little too creamy for me. The last time I made this, I mixed up the dressing part, then divided it in half and kept the other half to use in the fridge a few days later. I just used half the dressing with the entire bag of coleslaw and it turned out great! Seemed way to dry at first, but was just right after a little time in the fridge.)
ENJOY!! Let me know if you try either of these!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Best Trade Ever!
I just made the best trade ever! You should do it too! Head over to your local Krispy Kreme store this Father's Day weekend...
Hopefully the store in your area is participating in this. And if you don't have a Krispy Kreme store close by, I'm sincerely sorry for you! Couldn't find any more info about this deal on their website, so you might want to call your local store to see if they're participating.
 |
| take in one of dad's old ugly ties... |
 |
| and trade it for a dozen glazed donuts... FREE! |
BEST TRADE EVER!
Hopefully the store in your area is participating in this. And if you don't have a Krispy Kreme store close by, I'm sincerely sorry for you! Couldn't find any more info about this deal on their website, so you might want to call your local store to see if they're participating.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Diaper Deal from Walgreens!
If you or someone you know has a baby in diapers, then head over to Walgreens... now! They have Walgreens brand diapers on sale for $4.99. If you check out at the cosmetics counter and ask for the coupon from their Infant Care Booklet, you'll get another $2 off, making them just $2.99! (Hint: If they are out of the size you need, get a different size and exchange them later.)
I got size 4 diapers (31 diapers in the package), making them just under 10 cents per diaper. Of course, if you needed a smaller size diaper, you'd get more per package making them an even better deal!
(Don't need diapers right now? Buy some anyway and donate to your local Pregnancy Resource Center!)
In the beginning
So, here it is. The very first post in what I hope will be a wonderful blogging experience. I have high hopes and lots of ideas, but not much spare time. Being a mom of 3 kids under 5 years old makes my life a little crazy... and very messy. Yet in our messy life, there are moments of pure beauty. Those are the moments I hope to capture here in cyberspace. Since I've let my love of scrapbooking fall to the wayside, I'll collect my thoughts, memories and pictures online! (Oh, and I'm sure you'll find recipes, coupon deals, etc. on here from time to time as well.)
So in between diaper changes and kissing boo-boos, after I feed the baby and before I make dinner (or maybe after all the kids are finally in bed!), there might be a few spare moments to blog. This will be my outlet, my diary, my hobby. And it would thrill me to no end if there were a few people out there who followed along with me for the ride... so, enjoy!
So in between diaper changes and kissing boo-boos, after I feed the baby and before I make dinner (or maybe after all the kids are finally in bed!), there might be a few spare moments to blog. This will be my outlet, my diary, my hobby. And it would thrill me to no end if there were a few people out there who followed along with me for the ride... so, enjoy!
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