Monday, October 26, 2009

Chocolate Eggnog

I haven't made this in a couple years but I am going to dust off this recipe this year and make this yummy goodness, so I figured I should share it with my dearest friends.

Chocolate Egg Nog

INGREDIENTS:

* 1 cup milk
* 1 1/2 cups chocolate milk
* 5 eggs
* 1/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
* 1/2 cup whipping cream
* 1/2 cup Kahlua (or strong coffee)
* 1/2 cup dark rum
* 1/2 tsp ground cinammon

PREPARATION:
Combine milk and chocolate milk in a saucepan and scald (do not boil). In another bowl, beat eggs and sugar together until thick. Add about 1/2 cup of the hot milk to the egg mixture and mix through. Then stir the egg mixture back into the hot milk, and place over low heat.

Add whipping cream and Kahlua. Cook and stir until mixture thickens. Do not boil. Remove from heat and add rum and cinnamon. Let cool and refrigerate until chilled. Serve with a sprinkling of grated chocolate and nutmeg.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Facebook and Hellmann's have teamed up to Feed America

How? might you ask. Facebook and Hellmann's Mayonnaise have created an application on facebook where you can create your perfect sammie to share with all your friends. For every sandwich created Hellmann's will donate 7 lunches to the Feed America program.

AND....

If that isn't enough to get you to click over right now, you just might win something, too! Each sandwich created will automatically enter you for a chance to win a $250 grocery store gift certificate.[2] And for every friend on Facebook®[3] that you share your sandwich with, Hellmann's® and Best Foods® will donate an additional 7 lunches to the charity.


So head over to facebook.com/hellmanns create a sandwich, share it w/ your friends, encourage them to do the same, and get a chance to win $250 in free groceries. And you get the extra feel good of knowing you are helping to feed people right here, in the US, who need our help.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Here is a chance to when a Wii

Yes you heard me right, but the giveaway isn't here so listen up.

Wow, what a great giveaway that is going on over at Christian Personal Finance. It is their 2 year anniversary and they are celebrating it in big style. Not only can you win a Wii you can also win an Ipod. So head over there and check it out. And while you are there be sure to check all the other great info too.

Be sure to register soon, the contest ends Today (yikes I just realized that)!!! Thursday June 4th at 11:59pm CST.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Amazing and Delicious dinner courtesy of Hillbilly Housewife.

Tonight's dinner was fabulous, so I had to be sure to share. I was checking out the Hillbilly Housewife site the other day and found that she actually has a "healthy" site too, Healthy Hillbilly Housewife. I had no idea this site existed, so I am sorry if you already knew. If you did, why didn't you tell me. lol
So, I had to give some of her recipes a try, after all I am attempting to lose some extra weight and always in search of low cost healthy recipes. This one will go in my list of favorites, but probably won't get cooked much if the girls don't show more interest (unfortunate for me, because I am truly excited about this recipe, can you tell).

So here it is. No longer a hidden secret.

Brazilian Coconut Chicken, Brown Rice
Yogurt, Sliced Cucumbers and Tomato Wedges
Iced Lemon Zinger Tea
336 Calories

6 servings

1teaspoon EACH salt, ground cumin, red pepper, tumeric and coriander
(I used 1 tsp curry powder for the tumeric and coriander)
1/2 teaspoon EACH ground ginger and garlic powder
1lb boneless, skinless, chicken breast, cut into strips
1 Tablespoon Olive oil
1/2 c thin sliced onions
1 EACH red, yellow and green pepper, thinly sliced (I only used a yellow, it was all I had)
14 oz can of light coconut milk
3 tablespoosn minced jalapeno peppers (I didn't use these) or others as desired
2 teaspoon honey
1/4 c chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

(Be sure to start brown rice early as it take approximately 45 min to cook).

1. Place seasoning in large ziploc bag or other large sealable container. Mix to combine. Add sliced chicken pieces and toss to coat. Heat oil in large skillet, add onions and allow to cook briefly. Add chicken and sauté until no longer pink, approximately 5-10 minutes. Add the sliced pepper strips and fry briefly. Add the coconut milk. Stir. Add the minced peppers and honey. Simmer gently for about 5 min to blend flavors. Add cilantro or parsley and serve over rice.

To serve according to nutritional suggestions, serve 1/3 c brown rice with 1/6 of the chicken mixture. Scoop 1/3 c plain yogurt on to plate and arrange with 1 c sliced cucumbers and 1 medium sliced tomato.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Wanna Win some super cute kids books, I do that is why I am blogging today!

Brandy over at Not So Average Mama is hosting a give-away for some super cute kids books. Not only are the books cute but they are about animals who are sick w/ common kids illnesses. So your child can read about animals that are sick when they are sick too. I could so use this right now as all 3 of my girls are dealing with strep throat this week.

So be sure to head over to Brandy's blog and sign up for the give-away. But if you don't that is ok, makes my chances of winning even better. But if you do, be sure to sign up by May 27, 2009.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Need some crochet teaching help

I know some of you are yarn experts so I need some help. Samantha want to learn to crochet and she is working on making a chain right now but she is getting it soo tight that sh won't be able to do anything with it later. I don't know how to teach her to loosen up. I have taught and re-taught her how to hold her yarn and needle. She is doing the stitches correctly but they are just so stinking tight. Any suggestions?

Monday, April 20, 2009

Get a chance at a Gift Certificate to RG Natural Babies



Click on the button above to find the giveaway of a $25 gift certificate to RG Natural Babies. My dear friend Michelle is the WAHM behind RG Natural Babies and is celebrating her 1 year anniversary soon. Check out her store and be sure to enter the contest.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Giveaway at Not So Average Mama

Brandy at Not So Average Mama is having a giveaway that I hope to win. This is a potty training set that should get most potty learners totally excited about using the potty.

This looks like an awesome prize, especially if you have a little one reluctant to use the potty. So far Grace has been doing pretty good, but I think this would seal the deal for her.

So head over to Brady's Blog and check out the cool giveaway. This contest will run until Tuesday April 14th, 2009.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Lost my temper, definitely shouldn't have

You know, one thing that frustrates me more than anything is when non-Christians bash Christians for their beliefs. Ok it doesn't just frustrate me, it infuriates me. And being part German and part Irish, I have a bit of a temper (ask my family and they will tell you it is more than a bit of one, haha). I try hard to hold my tongue and allow God's words to flow, but you know, sometimes you say things before you can stop them from coming out. And I did just that yesterday. And the only reason I am mad at myself is because even though I was defending my belief in God, I didn't do it in a way that brought him Glory. Not long after it blurted out I knew what I said was not right. Thankfully we have a merciful God who forgives my wrongs and loves me in spite of them. But this is only where my thoughts begin today.

This year in CBS (community bible study if you aren't familiar) my eyes have really been opened to what has been missing in my life. I have been a Christian my entire life, I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior when I was about 11 years old and grew up in church. My great Grandfather was a pastor, my grandfather a deacon. I always loved the Lord and knew Jesus died for me. But as an adult I began to realize knowing and believing wasn't enough. I needed to really LIVE FOR JESUS. I mean I wasn't a terrible person, but I was just getting by, you know. I needed to put God first again. And as I have begun to do that, I am seeing God work in my life and family. Am I perfect, NO, far from it, but I am trying hard. And as I see God work in my life I also see where he could be working in our world if people would open their hearts to him. I see it in my friends and just the world in general. I know that God doesn't want me going around bashing people for not seeing where He is missing, but that is what I want to do. So I try to reach out when I see a friend grasping for peace and tell them were my peace comes from. And darn it, if Satan doesn't grasp at any opening he can find.

Stubbornness and pride seem to be the toughest, especially among my group of friends, most of whom are strong military wives. Women who have held their families together through deployments and separations. Women who have had to be independent when they didn't want to be, and don't see a reason to be submissive (they see that as weak) to their husbands. I was that way too, I know how they feel. Somedays I still don't want to be submissive but I have seen the good God brings when I do HIS WILL, not mine. I have seen that good comes to me when I put God first, husband 2nd, family 3rd and so on. You know what surprises me is that no where on the list is ME, I don't put myself before anyone, yet I get what I need. God provides for us when we follow his word.

I know this probably went into a jumbled up rant, but I just needed to get it out.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I was a BIG winner! You could be next!!

So a few weeks ago I told you all about Instant cash, don't remember it here is the post. At that time I hadn't won anything, but that all changed last night. Every week there is a drawing and you get entries based on the number of "tickets" you get from all the surveys you fill out for the week. The drawing is random, and guess whose name was pulled from the hat. Well the title of this post gives that info away, it was ME!! I won $250 and my friend Michelle got a matching prize because she recruited me. So if that doesn't convince you to sign up I don't know what will.I cashed in my prize last night and woke up this morning to 250.00 in my paypal account, doesn't get much better than that. I promise these aren't those 400 question surveys, in fact you can do 5 surveys at a time and they are 3 questions each. It seriously takes about 3 minutes to do them. They are fun! And you can win lots of money, if you are lucky like I was last night. So Thank you Michelle for the referral, and thank you Instant cash for the $$$$$$$$!!!!!! I

If you want to sign up, use my referral code so that if you win, I win too. It is a great way to take care of your friends. http://www.instantcashsweepstakes.com/invitations/ref_link/8760

Monday, March 16, 2009

Great Craft ideas for kids

I love Michael's for craft ideas and projects. Occasionally we head in and do a craft in the store, usually it cost $5 for the kit, but you get to leave the mess there which is a plus. Rarely they have free projects and demos as well for the kids, but I haven't seen these much lately. I was just looking to see if they had anything planned for this weekend and instead found these projects to do at home. I haven't looked at them all yet, but I did find this one that is really cute and very cheap to make. Butterflies and Dragonflies!!! We are going to modify them and glue the wings to popsicle sticks instead. We probably won't get them done until tomorrow, so I will get some action shots then. Here is the link.

http://www.theknackkids.com/ProjectView/Code/kn0570.aspx#

I am also a huge fan of the Lowe's Build and Grow program. On the 28th I am going to send DJ out w/ the girls to build Yard Mobiles. I figure he is going to need something to keep them busy that weekend, I will be away at a women's retreat. YAY ME!! But the girls love to get out their aprons and eye protection, grab a hammer and build these cute kits. So that will be a great project for them to do together (and a good time for dad to see what I do when I have to take all 3 of them by myself).

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Another alternative to Dishwasher detergent

I have used this recipe as well and I like it a lot for washing dishes. I think the salt adds an abrasive that helps get things clean.

In a plastic container with a firmly fitting lid, mix:
1 cup borax (20-Mule-Team Borax, available in any supermarket)
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup citric acid (available in brewing stores among other places--if you haven't tracked it down yet but must try this formula, use two packets of Lemonade-Flavored Kool-Aid, ONLY lemon, or you'll dye your dishwasher! and ONLY unsweetened Kool-Aid!)
30 drops citrus essential oil--lemon, grapefruit, orange, tangerine, or a mixture
Put all of it in the container, shake it up.
To use, put a tablespoon or so into each cup of your dishwasher. I've found I no longer have to use the scrubbing cycle but can get by fine with the short cycle, thus saving even more money. On average, it looks like this is about 8 cents a load compared with Cascade at 22 cents a load. Compare it with EcoVer or Seventh Generation and it's a steal. I have also started putting some of this in a shaker canister--the one I have we got at a restaurant supply, it's aluminum and was made for popcorn salt. I use it to clean my sink and anything else that I'd normally use Bon Ami on. Works great, and the essential oil makes it smell fantastic.

Cream Soup Base Mix

I made this a while back and it has been such a great thing to keep stocked in the pantry. What an easy and inexpensive alternative to cream soups. I also want to add that I have never found the dried vegetable flakes so I just don't use them, I am sure they would add more flavor, but this is great w/o it.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Homemad...ix/Detail.aspx


INGREDIENTS
  • 2 cups instant nonfat dry milk powder
  • 10 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup mashed potato flakes
  • 1/4 cup chicken bouillon granules
  • 2 tablespoons dried vegetable flakes
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon white pepper

Directions
  1. In a food processor or blender, combine all the ingredients; cover and process until vegetable flakes are finely chopped. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 1 year.
Editor's Note: Use as a substitute for half a 10-3/4-ounce can of condensed cream of chicken, mushroom or celery soup. For half of a can of soup, in a microwave-safe dish, whisk together 2/3 cup water and 3 tablespoons soup mix. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 2 to 2-1/2 minutes, whisking occasionally. For mushroom soup, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup sauteed sliced mushrooms. For celery soup, add 1/8 teaspoon celery salt or one sauteed sliced or chopped celery rib.

Cleaning to save money and the enviornment!

All those chemicals, they can't be good for us or the enviornment. Plus they cost so much money. Why spend so much money on cleaning supplies when you can use a few basic things and clean your whole house. So what do you need?

Baking soda, Washing soda (also called soda ash or sodium carbonate) vinegar and Borax. I promise you can clean your whole house with those 4 things.

Lets start in the kitchen. Washing dishes in the dishwasher, mix equal parts of baking soda and borax, add 1 Tbls of the mixture to the machine. Put vinegar in the rinse-aid compartment and start 'er up!

Use that same Washing soda and Borax mixture (or use baking soda--Washing soda can be found in the laundry detergent isle) to wash your laundry, 2 Tbls will do the trick. Vinegar makes a great fabric softener. Add it to your downy ball or the fabric softener dispenser of your washing machine. I promise your clothes won't smell like vinegar when they are finished.

Now for the hard stuff. Got soap scum in your bathtub. I have found that the easiest way to get rid of it is to pull on some rubber gloves (my skin is super sensitve) pour a handful of Borax in one hand and rub it all over the tub. The powder does the scrubbing, you are just pushing the stuff around and you can feel where you have or havent been (even w/ the gloves on). When you are finished rinse it all out and spray w/ vinegar to get rid of any water spots. Do the same for any sinks and vinegar is great for shining up the faucets and cleaning mirrors. A spray bottle of vinegar and water also make a great substitute for that daily shower spray.

Back to the kitchen, sprinkle baking soda in the sink and add a little dish soap (like seventh generation) and scrub that around your sink, counter top or stove top to get rid of and greasy grimy buildup. Baking soda followed by a rinse of vinegar will help keep your drains from getting stinky and are also good at breaking up the burnt on food in your oven.

Now to the floors. Want to freshen up your carpet? Sprinkle on baking soda, let it set for a few minutes and then vacuum up, soon the room will be fresh and clean. To mop I swear by adding a cup or so of vinegar to a bucket of hot water, nothing cleans a floor better, and did you know vinegar will kill germs, so feel free to use vinegar and water to wipe down your counter tops and cutting boards.

I guess the only thing left (that I can think of as I write, I am sure I will think of more later) is dusting. Add 1 tsp olive oil to 1/2 c vinegar. Mix in a small bowl and then apply w/ a soft cloth.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Free Science website

So this may be old news for some of you, who knows but I am so excited we found this. S. loves to do science experiments so I was searching for one she could do today and came across this site, and it is FREE to sign up. http://sciencecastle.com/sc/index.php/home/index Of course they also have a version that you can pay for and get more stuff, but you can access a lot just through the free stuff.

If you do one of their experiments you can type in your results and then they will give an explanation for why you saw what you did. And they have online instruction and help available. We will be on this site often I have a feeling. I am so excited! I hope S. is too.

Today we are doing a penny cleaning experiment. On the site they say to use vinegar or lemon juice. We decided to try both of those as well as ketchup and just soapy water. The pennies are soaking now.


After the pennies soaked for about 15 minutes (it was supposed to be 5 but we forgot what time we started them). The picture is kind of hard to see, but well that is ok, that way if you do the experiment we haven't give it all away (hopefully).



On the website you can enter your own results and your own explanation and then find out what the results were supposed to be and why it happened. Then you get a little certificate saying you completed the experiment. Some experiments require a kit, but there are several that do not. I just found another one where you can copper coat a nail so I think we will try that one soon. I will be sure to post about it when we do. :)

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Answer surveys get chances to win $$$$

Some of the surveys are serious, some are just for fun. But when you play you earn tickets for drawings to win $250 each week. Have I won anything yet? No, but I know people who have, and your odds get better if you get others to sign up under you. So sign up, using this link and you will give me a better chance to win. Oh and if you win, I win too, they will prize match the person who invited you. So once you sign up, invite your friends and increase your chances too. What the heck it is just for fun. http://www.instantcashsweepstakes.com/invitations/ref_link/8760

MMMMM, the Pie


So I actually made the pie and even though I didn't think to get pics of the girls helping me stir it up, I did take a pic of the final product (and a few drips from the cooking process--oops).

So the recipe is the in the previous post, but let me give a few tips, all of these came from the recipe review on allrecipes.com. After cooking the pudding I cooled it in a water bath in the sink for a few minutes, just until it was warm to the touch. Stir all the time to avoid that film that can develop on cooked pudding. After pouring the pudding into the pie shell, I put a piece of saran wrap on the surface of the also to avoid that skin. After it cooled in the fridge I pulled the plastic off and took the pic, and it looks soft, creamy and beautiful. We sampled the spoon when we were done and it is definitely yummy.

Just incase you haven't see the recipe yet. Here is a pic of the ingredients (Pioneer Woman style--gotta love her blog).



Maybe you are wondering what else have we done today. Well the girls decided (after helping me put ice water in the sink to cool the pudding) to see how fast ice would melt. So we did a little experiment. We put one piece of ice on a plate outside and kept one piece on an identical plate inside. While those pieces of ice sat, in a boring old plate, the girls took other pieces of ice and drew on the sidewalk, an activity that is much more fun when it is really hot outside, not so much today. The outside ice melted in 24 minutes while the inside ice was eaten when the outside ice was brought back in. Haha! so much for scientific, LOL, but we did figure it would have taken the inside ice at least an hour to melt since it was still pretty big and only had a small puddle around it.

So now you know what we have been up to. Exciting or not, that is our day. :) I spared you the details of our grocery shopping trip, be thankful for that. :-D

Monday, March 9, 2009

Homemade Chocolate pudding

Oh I have been wanting to make a chocolate pudding pie, FOREVER. And to be honest, boxed pudding just doesn't do it for me, like it did when I was a kid so I started looking for a good homemade recipe. I haven't tried this one yet, but from reading the reviews I can't wait to give it a whirl. And it seems like a very simple recipe, with simple, good ingredients. I found this at allrecipes.com After I make this I will be sure to post an update, an maybe for once I will get a picture too. :D

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

  • 1/2 cup white sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 2 3/4 cups milk
  • 2 tablespoons margarine or butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS

  1. In a saucepan, stir together sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt. Place over medium heat, and stir in milk. Bring to a boil, and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Remove from heat, and stir in margarine and vanilla. Let cool briefly, and serve warm, or chill in refrigerator until serving.

My poor baby and those darn escalators

Last night we were out and decided to go to Barnes and Noble to use a gift card I have been hogging since before Christmas. I was really hoping to buy myself some books, but well you how it is when your a mother, the kids always end up coming first.

So anyway, we head into B&N and of course someone has to find the potty, which is upstairs (conveniently w/ the kids books). We decide to take the escalator up, even though the girls are all a little scared of them. "1, 2,3 step" and B. steps out but the others stand still (like normal) so I hop on behind B and dad gets the other girls on. First G then S, while he is getting S on, G (she is only 2) loses her balance or tries to step down and takes a header down the escalator steps. The best we could tell she fell 4-5 steps, those hard and very sharp steps w/ the grooves. After I turn to see what happened, I turn back to see R. climbing further ahead of me, which wouldn't have been a big deal except she was reaching out with her hands for the next step. Instinctively, I start to panic and imagine her little fingers getting stuck and I start hollering for her to stand up. UGH, panic mode kicked in, but she stood up and got her hands out of the way just as she reached the top step. My heart almost stopped. So, poor G. is scraped up from head to foot, front to back. She really did a number. Poor dad, feels like a big jerk, scoops her up and takes her straight to the bathroom to look her over. I can hear her in there, "I want mama!" and feel helpless, because the other 2 have headed into the girls bathroom for the potty break that brought us upstairs to begin with. So I follow them in, all the while wanting to hold my baby.

By the time we get out, dad and G are checking out the books and doing just fine. G has a big scrape on the side of her face and lots of bruises this morning, but I think she will survive. But if you are wondering, we took the elevator back down and I spent all but $3 of my gift card on the girls. Next time I am going to B&N by myself.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Some new penny pincher Dinner recipes

Aren't we all looking for ways to keep our grocery bill low and still feed our family hearty meals. Well I have a couple great casserole recipes to share today that will do just that. And are delicious as well. The first one I kind of concocted from a few recipes based on what I happen to have on hand that night. I called it Tater Tot Frittata and if I do say so myself it turned out really good. The second is Cheddar Cheese and chicken casserole, and is a great way to use up leftover chicken and rice.

Tater Tot Frittata

1/2 a bag of Frozen Tater Tots
6 eggs
2 Tbs milk
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 c cottage cheese
1/2 c chopped onions (other veggies would be good too, like chopped peppers, spinach, broccoli)
1/2 c cheddar cheese

Preheat oven according to Tater Tot directions (I think mine said 425). Spray a 9x13 pan w/ oil and place tater tots in a single layer. Bake tater tots until done (about 15 min) following package directions (don't forget to gently turn them so they don't stick).
While tater tots bake, saute the veggies to soften.
In a med. size bowl whisk eggs, milk and seasoning together. Stir in cottage cheese and cooked veggies.
When tater tots are cooked pour egg mixture over tots and then top w/ cheddar cheese. Reduce heat to 375 and bake until eggs are completely set, about 20-30 min.

** I will say that you might beable to make this w/o baking the tots first, but I personally like them browned up a bit first. You could also panfry or deep fry them if you prefer, but I don't like to fry them (less fat that way).

Cheddar Cheese and Chicken Casserole

2 c cut up cooked chicken
2 c cooked rice
1/3 c chopped red bell pepper (any color would be ok, red for interest)
1-4oz can of chopped green chilies (optional)
1/2 c sour cream
1 8 oz pkg of Finely shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350

Combine Chicken, rice, pepper, chilies, sour cream and 1/2 of the cheddar cheese. Place in 1-1/2 qt casserole dish.

Bake uncovered 25-30 min. Top w/ remaining cheese before serving.

**this recipe comes from the back of a package of Borden brand cheddar cheese, go to www.elsie.com for more recipes.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Cinnamon Sugar Bread

We have been using this bread machine recipe for a while and the girls love it. I usually use a mix of AP and whole wheat flour instead of the bread flour and it turns out great. http://www.recipezaar.com/Cinnamon-Sugar-Bread-Bread-Machine-90502

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Place ingredients in the bread machine pan in the order suggested by the manufacturer.
  2. Bake using the sweet bread setting if your machine has it.
  3. If not, use white bread setting.
  4. When the bread is done, remove from the machine and let sit on a rack for 10 minutes before removing from the pan.
  5. If it sticks, just loosen the sides with a pliable, plastic spatula and it should slip out easily.
  6. This makes a 1 1/2 pound loaf that rose really nicely.
  7. I did check the dough about 5, 10 minutes into the kneading cycle; if you squeeze a good amount of the dough between your thumb and fingers and it seems a bit moist, and some dough sticks to your fingers, it should be just right; if not, adjust with water or flour accordingly.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Donut Math

I received this in an email from our Charter School and thought it sounded like a great recipe and learning experience for young cooks in the house. I hope you enjoy it too!

Donut Math


This recipe and worksheet are a creative way for children to learn math and enjoy the finish product. We all know kids love sweets, especially donuts. This recipe is easy to follow and the worksheet is a great way to incorporate math and life lessons. Enjoy!

Applesauce Drop Doughnuts
3 T. margarine, softened
¾ c. sugar
3 eggs
1 c. applesauce
1 tsp. vanilla
4 ½ c. flour
3 ½ tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ c. milk
Oil for frying
Additional sugar

  1. In a mixing bowl, cream margarine and sugar.
  2. Add eggs, beating well.
  3. Beat in applesauce and vanilla.
  4. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add to creamed mixture. Add milk. Mix.
  5. In an electric skillet, heat oil to 375 degrees.
  6. Drop teaspoonfuls of batter a few at a time into hot oil. Turn with a slotted spoon and fry until golden.
  7. Drain on paper towels. Roll in sugar.

Yield: 5 dozen
Recipe from Taste of Home Magazine


Cooking Worksheet
(just copy and paste into a new document)

Name __________________
Date ___________________

Applesauce Drop Doughnuts

How much or how many? Use the recipe to answer the following questions.
1. How much applesauce? 1 cup or 2 cups
2. How many eggs? 3 or 4
3. How much milk? ½ cup or ¼ cup
4. How much vanilla? ½ tsp. or 1 tsp.

Unscramble the words. Look back at your recipe.
1. kingab wopder ________________________
2. prod fulsspoontea _________________________
3. pleapsauce ___________________________
4. xingmi lowb ___________________________
5. tricelec letskil ____________________________

Spelling Cross out the word or words in each row that are spelled wrong.
1. salt silt salt selt
2. sugir sugar sugar suger
3. doughnuts doughnuts dougnuts doughnits

Worksheet created by Judy Brown

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Free Printable Writing Workbooks

I received this link today in an email and had to check it out. I had heard of the National Novel Writing Month this fall but I am not a writer so I didn't really look into that much. When I got the link for these workbooks though I was exited. Just what S. would love I knew. She is a aspiring writer and I knew she would love the writing exercises included in the link. She sat down at the computer with me and we scrolled through the pages. She was hooked. I told her I would print it off for her later and she said, "Mom why can't you do it now so I can start doing it now." Who can argue with that. So I printed, all 112 pgs of the elementary book(2-sided copies). S. kept coming over to see when it would be done, haha.

So what is it, you ask? It is a way for kids to write a novel. They build their characters by answering questions about them, develop the setting, the plot, learn how to create interesting dialogue and be descriptive in their writing. There are some descriptive writing opportunities toward the back. It seems great whether or not your child really plans to write a novel or not. I told S. she could write her own book, we talked about examples of how books that she has already read met the criteria that was talked about in the workbook. She can't wait to write her own novel now and I am just glad she has found something she is excited about.

So don't wait any longer, check out the link. ;)

http://ywp.nanowrimo.org/workbooks

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Safe Nail polish for kids--Wanna Win some

I am so excited about this giveaway. My girls love to have their nails painted but it makes me cringe thinking about how bad it is for them. I once tried to mix some polish colors on a styrofoam plate and it ate the plate, how scary. But Piggy Paints promises to be different, better. HOW exciting.

So do you wanna know how you can get in on a chance to win some? I know I was so excited about it I could hardly wait to enter. Just go here, http://preciouspeas.blogspot.com/2009/01/piggy-paint.html Be sure to complete as many entries as possible, you can get 3 without much effort. Good luck, but remember who told you about it, because I really want this stuff, haha.