We've been watching a bit of "Reality TV" here. We love Amazing Race and I love "The Bachelor." Not because I love the "love stories," but because I love the fact I will don't have to date anyone but my spouse.
It's so funny how even though it's "reality," it's not real. We always try to guess what the girl is going to say to Ben (this year's bachelor) before she says it. Some of it sounds like it's right out of a storybook. There is a silver lining to all this, what some consider garbage, on TV. Think about all the lessons you can teach your kids.
Like--don't drink and ride horses, or don't accept the fantasy suite room key unless you want your parents to know what you are doing and ask you lots of embarrassing questions. How about, if you don't have anything nice to say, just fake smile. And my favorite, this is not how things work in real life, this is still television.
I believe there's a silver lining to any situation, good or bad. Sometimes it's just hard to see. Teaching our kids, and reminding ourselves, to look for the good even when it's hard to find, is vital lesson. Remember "If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Free Fun and Stuff
I've been elected as the next PTO president for our local school. I am putting together my board and am so happy so many people want to help. Needless to say, I have been neglecting my "fun time" for other stuff. However, I do have some fun things for this week.
Free Redbox Game Rental
Free Redbox Game Rental
Now through March 1st, when you reserve any video game online at Redbox.com, you will get your first day rental FREE!
You will want to note, to get this freebie you will need to reserve your rental online first & then go pick it up at the kiosk you have reserved it at. You will not get this freebie if you just make a purchase at the kiosk.
If you are unfamiliar with the game option on Redbox, they have the newest released games for Xbox 360, Wii & PS3. So, you can rent a game & let your kids try it out before you purchase it.
(Thanks Coupon Pro)
Free Movie
Check out the $5 movie section online or in stores at Walmart. Many have a $5 coupons to see The Lorax in theatres. You can also ship free to store, however, not all the $5 DVDs will have this Lorax coupon.
Free Burt's Bees Lotion
“Like” the Burt’s Bees Gud Body Lotion page on Facebook and you can request a FREE Burt’s Bees Gud Body Lotion by filling out a short form. You can choose from: Orange Petalooza, Floral Cherrynova and Vanilla Flame. 6-8 weeks for delivery.
Free Chick-Fil-A Breakfast
Feb. 29 from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. you can get a 3 piece Chicken Breakfast bite, no purchase necessary. These are soooo good, you may want to get up and snag one.
Don't forget to check out your local libraries. There are many putting on Family themed magic, puppet and storytime shows. Locally you can check out http://www.slcolibrary.org/.
Have a fun free week.
You will want to note, to get this freebie you will need to reserve your rental online first & then go pick it up at the kiosk you have reserved it at. You will not get this freebie if you just make a purchase at the kiosk.
If you are unfamiliar with the game option on Redbox, they have the newest released games for Xbox 360, Wii & PS3. So, you can rent a game & let your kids try it out before you purchase it.
(Thanks Coupon Pro)
Free Movie
Check out the $5 movie section online or in stores at Walmart. Many have a $5 coupons to see The Lorax in theatres. You can also ship free to store, however, not all the $5 DVDs will have this Lorax coupon.
Free Burt's Bees Lotion
“Like” the Burt’s Bees Gud Body Lotion page on Facebook and you can request a FREE Burt’s Bees Gud Body Lotion by filling out a short form. You can choose from: Orange Petalooza, Floral Cherrynova and Vanilla Flame. 6-8 weeks for delivery.
Free Chick-Fil-A Breakfast
Feb. 29 from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. you can get a 3 piece Chicken Breakfast bite, no purchase necessary. These are soooo good, you may want to get up and snag one.
Don't forget to check out your local libraries. There are many putting on Family themed magic, puppet and storytime shows. Locally you can check out http://www.slcolibrary.org/.
Have a fun free week.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Parental Warning
If you knew how funny you sounded to a five year old, you'd keep your mouth shut. They are walking tape recorders. I have had a less than fun week with snotty noses, sleepless nights and serious tantrums.
With all this "fun" I have rediscovered a lot of little things, like how I sound to my kids. They use really big words, and know what they mean. D.'s favorite words this week are "actually" and "vomit." In fact she's so in love with her new vocabulary she fits it in wherever she can. Yesterday she asked if she could take vomit for the letter V on show and tell. Ummm...Actually, no you can't.
I gave her matchstick pretzels with her lunch and she proceeded to show me how she can "actually smoke" them. Ok, so she's 5 going on 25. Not a big surprise.
Today I dropped her off at preschool and a little boy was waiting for her. He's her newest love. He waited at the top of the stairs, took her hand and they walked into the school together. After school he was hanging out his car window screaming her name and telling her goodbye.
Somebody get me the name of a good gunsmith or European boarding school. We are going to need them.
With all this "fun" I have rediscovered a lot of little things, like how I sound to my kids. They use really big words, and know what they mean. D.'s favorite words this week are "actually" and "vomit." In fact she's so in love with her new vocabulary she fits it in wherever she can. Yesterday she asked if she could take vomit for the letter V on show and tell. Ummm...Actually, no you can't.
I gave her matchstick pretzels with her lunch and she proceeded to show me how she can "actually smoke" them. Ok, so she's 5 going on 25. Not a big surprise.
Today I dropped her off at preschool and a little boy was waiting for her. He's her newest love. He waited at the top of the stairs, took her hand and they walked into the school together. After school he was hanging out his car window screaming her name and telling her goodbye.
Somebody get me the name of a good gunsmith or European boarding school. We are going to need them.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Ya Take the Good, Ya Take the Bad....
Who can finish this title? Go ahead, you know you loved Natalie, Blair, Tootie, Jo and Mrs. Garett. Answer: "You take them both and there you have 'The Facts of Life.'" Remember that show? I loved that show. I felt so grown up when I got to watch it. Luckily lots of things went over my head when I was little. I was pretty naive until I was 12 or so. Not like today, where my kiddos can't even watch nighttime TV without me muting it at least a few minutes.
Part of life is looking at the glass half-full or half-empty. It's all about mindset. My grandma used to say, "If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." She was really smart. She always had the best advice for almost everything. She was awesome. She used to tell me that all the heroines she admired in books were strong, opinionated women who didn't need a man, and could more than take care of themselves. Maybe that sounds familiar.....
So now we enter the age of parenting tweens. Sucks. Don't do it. Except you don't have a choice. We have crushes, frenemies, zits, make up debates and crazy questions about periods, dating, sex and when can I....or why can't I....
It's true what people say. You never really appreciate your parents until you are a parent. Let it be known, that I appreciate my parents--all of them. I appreciate them not killing me when I was 13 and had my flair with attitude buttons, or when I thought curfews were dumb, or that one time I wanted to ....well, never mind.
The way I parent is all about time. The time I spend with my kids one on one; the time I spend at their school; the time I spend worrying if they'll make good choices and choose good friends; the time I spend cooking, cleaning and learning new things for their benefit; the time we spend watching movies, baking, doing crafts, shopping, reading or playing flys up.
As I take a deep breath and enter into the unknown tween world, I hope I have the endurance to pull it off. I know I will make mistakes, but the best lessons sometimes come from those "scars." I appreciate the opportunity to help them become who they are destined to become, and hope 20 years from now when they are where I am, they'll realize all the things I did was for their good. In the meantime, I am preparing for the eye rolls (mine mostly, but the girls can throw it too), looks of doubt, tears (again, mine and theirs) and other fun from my fabulous five.
Part of life is looking at the glass half-full or half-empty. It's all about mindset. My grandma used to say, "If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." She was really smart. She always had the best advice for almost everything. She was awesome. She used to tell me that all the heroines she admired in books were strong, opinionated women who didn't need a man, and could more than take care of themselves. Maybe that sounds familiar.....
So now we enter the age of parenting tweens. Sucks. Don't do it. Except you don't have a choice. We have crushes, frenemies, zits, make up debates and crazy questions about periods, dating, sex and when can I....or why can't I....
It's true what people say. You never really appreciate your parents until you are a parent. Let it be known, that I appreciate my parents--all of them. I appreciate them not killing me when I was 13 and had my flair with attitude buttons, or when I thought curfews were dumb, or that one time I wanted to ....well, never mind.
The way I parent is all about time. The time I spend with my kids one on one; the time I spend at their school; the time I spend worrying if they'll make good choices and choose good friends; the time I spend cooking, cleaning and learning new things for their benefit; the time we spend watching movies, baking, doing crafts, shopping, reading or playing flys up.
As I take a deep breath and enter into the unknown tween world, I hope I have the endurance to pull it off. I know I will make mistakes, but the best lessons sometimes come from those "scars." I appreciate the opportunity to help them become who they are destined to become, and hope 20 years from now when they are where I am, they'll realize all the things I did was for their good. In the meantime, I am preparing for the eye rolls (mine mostly, but the girls can throw it too), looks of doubt, tears (again, mine and theirs) and other fun from my fabulous five.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Honey Mustard Chicken
This was so easy, and J-Dog ate it! I liked it too, but not as much as the kids did.
6 chicken breasts, or 2 lbs. chicken strips
1/2 bottle of Honey Mustard Dressing (I like Newman's lite)
1 family can of Cream of Chicken soup
1 bag baby carrots
1 pkg of onion soup mix
salt and pepper to taste
Mix the dressing, soup and seasonings together and throw them in a crockpot on low for 8 hours; or bake at 350 deg. for 1 hour. The sauce combines to make a gravy and it's pretty tasty served with rice.
This can also be put together ahead of time and frozen in plastic bags. Just thaw, cook and serve.
6 chicken breasts, or 2 lbs. chicken strips
1/2 bottle of Honey Mustard Dressing (I like Newman's lite)
1 family can of Cream of Chicken soup
1 bag baby carrots
1 pkg of onion soup mix
salt and pepper to taste
Mix the dressing, soup and seasonings together and throw them in a crockpot on low for 8 hours; or bake at 350 deg. for 1 hour. The sauce combines to make a gravy and it's pretty tasty served with rice.
This can also be put together ahead of time and frozen in plastic bags. Just thaw, cook and serve.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Super Bowl Post-Snack Post
After a weekend full of ups and downs I am ready for a full week. Happy Giants fans at our house. I have to admit I didn't have a dog in the fight, even though I used to be a big Pats supporter. After Tommy married Gisele, it was over. And now maybe he is too. J-Dog kept looking for the Utes and kept asking why the RES looked different. We had to explain pro-ball, not college. I think the red/white Giants uniforms, threw him off.
Let's say I am probably in the minority of women who watch football. I actually watch the game, but love the food and commercials too. I didn't find the commercials anything extraordinary, but loved the Chrystler one. It says a lot about our country and where we need to be going.
The food here was great. 9 layer dip, ham and cheese ball, Superbowl Subs and minty-extra chocolate brownies. I found this great recipe about roasted chickpeas, after the fact, and wish I'd had it before to balance out the carb load. Maybe next year.
What else is on the menu?
Honey Mustard Chicken (if I get a sec I'll throw it on here)
Pizza-I got a new dough roller and it pokes holes in the crust as you roll
Dutch Oven Roast-hopefully this one won't burn
Tortellini
BBQ burgers-cuz I am dying for summer
Happy Eating
Let's say I am probably in the minority of women who watch football. I actually watch the game, but love the food and commercials too. I didn't find the commercials anything extraordinary, but loved the Chrystler one. It says a lot about our country and where we need to be going.
The food here was great. 9 layer dip, ham and cheese ball, Superbowl Subs and minty-extra chocolate brownies. I found this great recipe about roasted chickpeas, after the fact, and wish I'd had it before to balance out the carb load. Maybe next year.
What else is on the menu?
Honey Mustard Chicken (if I get a sec I'll throw it on here)
Pizza-I got a new dough roller and it pokes holes in the crust as you roll
Dutch Oven Roast-hopefully this one won't burn
Tortellini
BBQ burgers-cuz I am dying for summer
Happy Eating
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Smiley360
Smiley360 is a fun company. You answer simple surveys and get to try new fun products. A few weeks ago I got to try the new Pam Cooking spray--LOVE IT.
This week I got Knorr Homestyle stock and Infants' Advil. I have used the Advil before and it really works. I have lots of coupons to share if you want to try it out. My kids have texture and taste aversions to many things, medicine being one of them, and this does the trick and the baby doesn't whine, she just takes it. Which is great, because lately she's teething. Yeah....
The Knorr was great. It came with a bunch of recipes, but I like it in my Hamburger Stew, which is somewhere on this blog. If you need a sample, let me know I have a few left. There's tons of stuff you can use stocks for besides soup. Here's a link to other ideas www.facebook.com/knorr.
Happy Weekend
This week I got Knorr Homestyle stock and Infants' Advil. I have used the Advil before and it really works. I have lots of coupons to share if you want to try it out. My kids have texture and taste aversions to many things, medicine being one of them, and this does the trick and the baby doesn't whine, she just takes it. Which is great, because lately she's teething. Yeah....
The Knorr was great. It came with a bunch of recipes, but I like it in my Hamburger Stew, which is somewhere on this blog. If you need a sample, let me know I have a few left. There's tons of stuff you can use stocks for besides soup. Here's a link to other ideas www.facebook.com/knorr.
Happy Weekend
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Beef Wellington
1 box of pie crusts
1 lb. hamburger
1 egg, beaten
1/2 bag frozen peas and carrots
2-3 stalks of celery, chopped
1/2 onion, diced
1 med. potato, diced
1/2 c. mushrooms, sliced
2 Tbsp. Rosemary
salt and pepper
Cook all veggies and spices in 1 Tbsp. oil until tender. Cool in a bowl.
Mix egg and hamburger together, add cooled veggies.
Unroll pie crusts and fill with mixture. Half of the mixture goes down the middle of each pie crust. Pull the edges of the crusts to meet in the middle and pinch closed. Brush the top crust with egg if desired.
Bake for 50-60 min. at 350 degrees.
Serve with gravy if desired
1 lb. hamburger
1 egg, beaten
1/2 bag frozen peas and carrots
2-3 stalks of celery, chopped
1/2 onion, diced
1 med. potato, diced
1/2 c. mushrooms, sliced
2 Tbsp. Rosemary
salt and pepper
Cook all veggies and spices in 1 Tbsp. oil until tender. Cool in a bowl.
Mix egg and hamburger together, add cooled veggies.
Unroll pie crusts and fill with mixture. Half of the mixture goes down the middle of each pie crust. Pull the edges of the crusts to meet in the middle and pinch closed. Brush the top crust with egg if desired.
Bake for 50-60 min. at 350 degrees.
Serve with gravy if desired
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