A Proverbs 31 Kind of Day

This pasted weekend, our home was a host site for "Adventure Weekend."  They (the pre-teen ministry) bills it as a weekend discipleship for 5-6 graders.  Now that I look at the title; I've come to learn that it's code for:  an adventure for the parents!  We're obviously slow learners, because this was our second time to host the weekend!  But with our son being a 6th grader, we decided it was the "right" thing to do!  Well, let me tell you, I have that feeling out of my system!  OK -- just kidding!  We all know I'm a strings-attached kind of mom!  This year we had 11 6th grade boys and 2 leaders!  That's a baker's dozen that descended into our home for Friday and Saturday! The Mr. and I took our littlest cherub out of school early on Friday and met my mom 1/2 way -- that'd be in Oklahoma!  My sweet cherub had her Mimi to herself the entire weekend  . . . and that's another story!  You should have SEEN the tears we had ...

This morning I was watching "The Today Show" when a commercial came on advertising Sesame Street Live !  OH!!!!  I remembered taking our little cherubs to those shows -- how fun it was -- and how expensive it was too!  But I thought more about how fun it was -- and how cute they were (my cherubs, that is) -- and then again, how expensive it was!  But then I remembered what we used to do!  That's what I want to share with you!  I prefer not to think of myself cheap -- 'cause I don't really think I am.  What I do know is that we only have so much money, and I can cut corners here in order to have "full corners" someplace else.  Life is about a little give and take, don't you think!  Back to what I used to do.  Both of my cherubs L.O.V.E.D balloons.  Not just any balloon  --- yes, the plain ones were fun, but the shiny Mylar character ones were GREAT!  One time my son got a a mylar Elmo balloon from his Mimi....

Is there such truth to that?  "Kitchen work made easy?"  I may be a slow learner -- but once I get it, I'm there!  It dawned on my some time ago and I had this little conversation with myself.  "Self, why are you always chopping onion everyday?  I mean, Every Day!  Wouldn't it make sense to chop like a whole onion at one time and put it in a container with a lid so that it's done and it won't smell in the fridge?"  "Self, you are SO smart!  What a great idea!  It makes the same mess whether you chop a bit of onion or a whole onion.  So, knock yourself out and go wild -- chop the whole darn thing!" "OK -- let's see what I can put this onion in.  No, not that -- or that.  Oh, I need it to be something that will be 'the onion bowl' so that whenever I see it in the fridge, I know that's what it is -- and I don't have to always open the thing to say, 'oh!  that's the chopped onion!'" "Girl --...

Made ya look, didn't I?  You were thinking the sugary orange, yellow and white stuff!  Well, as much as I love that stuff -- I think I like this even better!  This is what my sister-in-law's looked like!  Cute! A couple of years ago, my sister-in-law had some "Candied Popcorn" that she got as a gift.  She's a teacher . . .need I say more?  Anyway, we all enjoyed it!  I kept thinking, "how would you make this stuff?!"  It was so good and crunchy and different! Guess what!  I have something similar!  It's not exact and if when I make it again, I'll make a minor adjustment or two, but over-all, this first batch has the potential of being gone before the kids even get home from school! The ingredients are simple and you've probably got them in your cabinet right now!  Try mixing up this little concoction and see what happens!  Wouldn't this be fun for a party, school treats, or holiday gifts?  Oh, the possibilit...

We were out of school the other day.  While one cherub was away playing with a friend, the other was at home.  She looked through her cookbooks, found a recipe, gathered her apron and we started baking!  We had a great time trying a new recipe.  Later that day, a friend came to play and they feasted on tea and cheese biscuits!  Cheese Biscuits Only a Princess Cookbook would have such royal ingredients!  Place the butter, cheese, and Worcestershire sauce in a mixing bowl and mix together well.  It will be start looking like the above picture.  Then add your flour, salt, and cayenne pepper.  The mixture was WAY TOO crumbly and wouldn't hold together to roll out.  So we added a few tablespoons of cream (milk would do).  Start with 2 Tablespoons and mix well.  You want your dough to hold together, sort of like a pie crust.  If you think you need a bit more liquid, add it.  I would recommend addin...

The other day, after making all of the decorated sugar cookies, my little cherub asked if she could have the left-over icing.  She had a plan . . .  . . .she wanted to practice with the icing!  I showed her how to twist the bag and hold it tight as she squeezed out the icing.  She started practicing on a piece of paper; writing and drawing scribbles and swirls.  She worked long . . .filling up the entire piece of paper with her creativity!  I think this is only the beginning! Here was my lesson:  I was so ready to clean things up.  I had worked several hours on the cookies and when you frost cookies, your kitchen has the potential of looking like an F1 tornado swirled through. But she wanted to "extend" the mess by using the left-over frosting for a craft project, as she called it!  Much to my dismay, I gave in and gave her a bag to use.   . . .and guess what happened!  There are 3 things...

My littlest cherub went for the homemade Valentine treat this year!  I was glad to help her do something different.  As you know, I'm not real found of the little Valentine cards that kids 'get' to sign and pass to their friends!  She decided on marshmallow pops!  This is a very easy treat to make.  The throw together relatively quick and they are cute when wrapped individually.  I always make extra and give her a little surprise in her lunch box!  After all, what are moms for? In case you're wondering why am I still talking about Valentine's Day -- which is so "yesterday!" -- this is a great treat for any reason! Marshmallow Pops Jet-puffed marshmallows, regular size small sucker sticks (found at your local craft store) almond bark, white or chocolate sprinkles cellophane bags ribbon  Place your stick in the center of the marshmallow, pushing all the way down, but not through the marshmallow.  If you'r...