A Bright and Happy Home

Paper Bag Tacos

2011-06-24T10:38:00.000-07:00

This week is crazy busy! Our Family Fun Friday will have to take place on Saturday instead, but it's the fun that counts! This time we will be making tacos in paper bags and having a picnic in the living room while we watch a movie.

Paper Bag Tacos:

-corn chips
- taco meat
- shredded cheese
- lettuce
-diced tomatoes

Place ingredients in a ziploc bag inside a brown paper lunch bag and enjoy!

Third time's the charm?

2011-06-22T15:07:00.004-07:00

I must admit I do this blogging thing in spurts...I start out strong and them life happens and I forget about blogging. I sure would like to have a blog and share and connect with so many of the other wonderful bloggers. Maybe I'm not meant to be a blogger, maybe I need to spend those precious minutes on other things. But what a gift it would be to be able to look back and recall some of the fun things my girls and I do together, and to share them with others. So here goes one more shot...

Make This Monday - Refried Beans

2011-01-17T06:44:00.000-07:00

This takes canned refried beans to a whole new level!

4 slices pre-cooked bacon
Several onion slices
2 cans refried beans
½ cup water

Cook onion and bacon together for 5 minutes. Add beans and water and simmer together until smooth.

Family Fun Friday

2011-01-14T06:42:00.000-07:00

This past summer we started haveing a few themed "fun days". Princess 1 really enjoyed them, and I did as well. A couple of themes that I used were lemon day, picnic day, and hula day. We would dress accordingly, do a craft, and have a related snack. Nothing fancy but it made for some great memories. I am working to implement some more of these days soon and would like to share them here to inspire everyone to take the time to make things extra special for your families. Check back next Friday for the first installment!

Thrifty Thursday - Hem Your Own Pants

2011-01-13T07:50:00.003-07:00

I am a petite gal, which is fine except when I need to buy pants. It is a rare occassion to find a pair of pants that aren't 4 inches too long. When we moved here, one of the wardrobe items I needed to purchase was a warm pair of workout pants so I could go for walks. I found a nice pair of fleece-lined columbia workout pants on clearance for $13, a pretty good bargain. But when they arrived, they were much too long. Our local dry cleaner charges $13 to hem pants, so that would have doubled the cost of the pants. I decided it was time for me to learn the skill myself. I am a novice sewer so I studied this tutorial, as well as calling my mom for advice. It turned out to be easier than anticipated and what a sense of accomplishment! Now I won't have to pay someone else to hem all my pants. If you are petite like me, give this a try next time you find a nice pair of pants on sale.

Building a new wardrobe

2011-01-12T08:12:00.002-07:00

So many things have changed sine we moved from Arizona to the Pacific Northwest - one of them being our wardrobe. My oldest daughter did not even have a long sleeve shirt when we moved and I had to buy her some warm clothes the day after we arrived. Our shorts and flip-flops are not going to see much use here and we need almost a whole new set of cothes for this new climate but we are trying to recover financially from the move. I have had some success finding a few pieces at Goodwill, such as winter coats for the girls and some light sweaters that will work well for me in the spring. So utilitizing Goodwill works for me, are there any other inexpensive ways to build a new wardrobe?

Making a happy home...in a new state

2011-01-10T16:51:00.002-07:00

So just as I was getting into the swing of blogging, life got flipped upside down. In a wild turn of events we wound up moving from the desert to the Pacific Northwest. It all happened rather quickly and was a very emotional and physically draining yet exciting time. It was so neat to watch how God orchestrated things, and just made everything work out for us.

I am finally feeling somewhat settled in our new home and would like to give this blog another go. Hoping that recording our adventures in discovering our new surroundings will give me the motivation to write :)

Thrifty Thursday - Keep a tally

2010-08-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

As we are saving up to purchase a new home, I have been keeping a detailed record of our monthly expenditures so that we have a very accurate figure for what we can afford, and how much we truly do spend each month. I have found this to be especially helpful in the grocery category. That is one of the few areas of most people's budgets that is not set it stone, leaving it easy to overspend. I have gotten in the habit of adding my total to the grocery column as soon as I get back from a shopping trip. Seeing the toal amount spent as we go through the month is helping me stay on track in this area.

What thrifty tips do you have to share?

Make This Monday - Cheese Enchilada Chowder

2010-08-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

This got rave reviews at my house and is so easy to put together.

1 can black beans
1 can diced tomatoes
1 tsp chopped jalepeno
Several slices of onion
1 can enchilada sauce
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups milk
1 cup each of shredded Monterey jack and cheddar cheeses

Add vegetables to crockpot. Combine enchilada sauce, soup, and milk in a bowl and pour over vegetables. Cook on low 6-8 hours. Stir in cheese until melted. Serve over polenta or with tortilla chips.

Thrifty Thursday - Rotisserie Chicken

2010-08-12T06:09:00.001-07:00

Our family likes to have roasted chicken. But I don't like cooking it, and most rotisserie chickens from the store are small and pricey. I recently tried one from Costco and was impressed. $4.99 for a good-sized chicken. I don't think I would be able to buy a whole roaster for much less than that, and they do the work for me. We prefer the white meat, so I shred that up along with a little of the dark meat to stretch it a bit further. Then I use the bones to make my own chicken stock, further increasing our savings. I have also found that I can make gravy from the drippings at the bottom of the container. For all that I am able to make from one chicken it is really a good value.

Please feel free to share any of your thrifty tips!

Mini-Sweeper

2010-08-11T06:02:00.003-07:00

Our dining room is carpeted. Not sure why the builder thought that was a good idea, but that's what we have to work with. Not the ideal set-up with two young kids. My youngest is still in her high-chair with a big rubber mat underneath to catch the spills. But it was still a pain to clean up after mealtimes until I bought a mini hand-held broom and dustpan at Target in the dollar section. Makes clean up much easier and my four year old can help. Works for me!

More WFMW here

Make This Monday - Cherry Cheesecake Muffins

2010-08-09T07:32:00.000-07:00

Batter: 1 box white cake mix, 8 oz cream cheese, ½ cup sour cream, 2 eggs, ¼ cup sugar

Filling: 8 oz cream cheese, ¼ cup sugar, 1 egg

Crust: 2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs, ½ cup sugar, 6 Tbl. Melted butter.

Additional: ½ cup cherry preserves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Beat batter ingredients for 3 minutes. Beat filling until smooth.

Make crust mixture. Pour batter into muffin tins and top each with 1 tsp cherry preserves.

Top with some filling and sprinkle with crust mixture. Bake for 25 minutes.

Family Fun Friday

2010-08-06T07:05:00.000-07:00

This weekend we are having a lemon party. We'll be dressing in yellow, making lemon slushies, and crafting lemon trees out of felt.

Blog Hop 2010

2010-08-05T07:21:00.003-07:00

Welcome to A Bright and Happy Home! Thanks for stopping by! My blog is meant to encourage others (and myself) in creating a bright, happy place for their families. I like to share crafts, recipes and natural/frugal living ideas. Take a look around and I would love it if you could leave a note to say Hi!

Visit other bloggers at the Blog Hop 2010!

Repurposing burp cloths

2010-08-05T06:25:00.000-07:00

When my babies were little, it seemed like we could never have enough burp cloths around. Now that we are out of the spit-up stage of life, I have come up with a few ideas for re-using the burp cloths and saving money in the process.

The heavy-duty flannel burp-cloths make great table-toppers for our oldest. I lay one down for a messy art project or messy meal, then just wash in my next load of cleaning rags.

The lighter weight burp cloths have been great for wiping my one-year-old's face and hands after meals. No more wasting money on paper towels.

Embracing It

2010-08-04T06:01:00.004-07:00

We live in the southwest and it is HOT here. We're talking 110 or more on most days throughout the summer. And summer lasts until mid-October. And I don't like the heat. Most years I complain about how much I hate it and count the days until we can go outside again. Makes for a long, miserable summer.

So this year, I am trying to embrace the season. Trying to join in with the rest of the country and their love of summer days. I am burning my summer scented candles - coconut, lemon meringue, etc. I am planning little summer - themed mini-parties for my girls ( although we have to do them inside). We have hit a few pools and splash pads, and hope to get to some more this month. I will be sharing a sponge-ball craft soon that will be a good way to have some fun while staying cool.

The shift in my attitude has really helped. It is August and I am still hanging in there! Embracing the season and trying to make the best of it works for me!

Get more great tips here http://wearethatfamily.com/

Picnic Party

2010-08-03T06:34:00.000-07:00

This weekend we had the latest in my installment of mini family parties. This time the theme was Picnic. On Saturday we spread a blanket in the living room for lunch. We made chicken salad sandwiches, carrots, juice and cookies. I let Krista help me pack it all into a basket and we used some of the leftover pink paper plates from her birthday party. Even Daddy joined in on the fun. It was a nice lunch and when we were all done my daughter looked at me and said "This was the best picnic ever. Thank you Mommy!"

What have you done to add some fun to your family's day lately?

Let's try this again

2010-07-28T13:23:00.002-07:00

This poor blog has been pushed aside by the buysness of life. For a while I honestly forgot it existed. But I'd like to start up again and use this as a place to organize and share my ideas. I so enjoy doing crafts and fun special things with my girls - but often I spend too much time planning and never get around to the doing. So, maybe this blog can hold me accountable and give readers some inspiration at the same time.

Make This Monday - Bisquick Oven Chicken

2009-09-14T09:09:00.000-07:00

1/3 cup bisquick
Salt
Pepper
Paprika
Garlic powder
Dash onion powder
1 tablespoon butter, melted
3 or 4 chicken breasts

Season bisquick to taste. Melt butter and pour into bottom of 13x9 baking pan. Dredge chicken in bisquick and place in baking pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 35 minutes. Turn over and bake for another 15 minutes or until cooked through.

Make This Monday - Mexican Pizza

2009-08-31T07:05:00.001-07:00

Hubby made this for dinner a couple of weeks ago and it was so delicious!

1 bag pizza dough
1/2 cup taco sauce
1/2 lb ground beef, seasoned with taco seasoning
1/2 cup pico de gallo
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup shredded lettuce
4 oz can sliced black olives

Brown ground beef with taco seasoning. Spread dough out on baking sheet. Top with taco sauce, then ground beef, then pico de gallo, and then cheeses. Bake 10-13 minutes, or until crust is golden brown and cheese is bubbly. Allow to cool for 5 minutes and then top with lettuce and black olives.

Kitchen implements on the loose...

2009-08-28T08:29:00.000-07:00

Missing: Black cheese grater and small pizza cutter. Last seen at the bright and happy home. If found, please contact owner.

I can not find my cheese grater or pizza cutter anywhere. How could these items possibly get lost?? I mean, they never leave the kitchen. Has it gotten to the point that my kitchen tools are feeling the need to run away from home?

Works for Me- Oven Quesadillas

2009-08-26T06:12:00.003-07:00

Want to make quick quesadillas? Preheat the oven to 425. Butter 4 tortillas. Place two butter side down on a baking sheet. Top with shredded cheese and the other tortillas, butter side up. Bake 6-8 minutes or until crispy.

Go here for more tips.

Bedtimes

2009-08-25T07:03:00.002-07:00

Bedtime for my 3 year old has been shifting around lately and I'm not sure what our best course of action is. She no longer naps, and is usually pretty ornery by 7:30 or 8pm. So we started putting her down around 8:30, but now she wakes up around 7-7:30am and is very cranky. I am afraid if we put her down any earlier she'll be up at the crack of dawn.

What do you all do with your little ones regarding bedtimes?

Make This Monday - Pesto Chicken Sandwiches

2009-08-17T09:13:00.001-07:00

This is great if you're in a hurry. Add a salad and you've got a nice lunch or dinner in 10 minutes.

1 loaf French bread, sliced
4 tablespoons jarred pesto sauce
1 cooked chicken breast, shredded
4 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced

Spread pesto onto bread and top with chicken and cheese. Broil for 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Works for Me: Instant Volume Control

2009-08-12T07:20:00.001-07:00

My daughter has aquired many toys that are LOUD. Most don't come with any form of volume control, and can really give you a headache after a while. So one day I covered the speaker with a piece of blue painters tape and presto - the volume is turned down to a more reasonable level. She can keep playing with her toys, and I can keep my sanity.

For more tips - click here

The Little Things

2009-08-11T07:32:00.001-07:00

Lately I have felt like God has been calling me to pray more about things, even the little ones that seem too trivial to bother Him with. I have had a had time finding clothing that fits right since having Princess2 - even though I am only a few pounds above my pre-pregnancy weight, my old clothes just don't fit right anymore. I was having an especially hard time finding something to wear to church the other day, and prayed that God would help me find something I liked that fit well and didnt cost too much. After looking through several stores yesterday and leaving empty handed, I stopped at Goodwill on the way home and found a cute skirt that fit me perfectly and only cost $2.49. I guess God does care about the little things after all :)

Make This Monday: Indian Chicken Curry

2009-08-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

1 lb diced chicken breast
1 Tbl. Cornstarch
1 1/3 c chicken broth
1/2 cup sliced carrots
1/2 cup coconut milk
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp curry powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp red pepper
salt to taste

Toss chicken and cornstarch together. Brown chicken in skillet. Add remaining ingredients and simmer until carrots are tender. Serve over rice.

Outside freezer- Is it worth the money?

2009-08-07T14:15:00.001-07:00

We moved into this house last summer, and brought our old refrigerator with us to keep in the garage. I have enjoyed being able to buy foods in bulk, and double meals when I cook and store them in the freezer for nights when I am too tired to cook ( which came in especially handy when Avalyn arrived).

Lately though I have been wondering if it is costing more in electricity than it is saving us? Our last electric bill was $274, and I think part of that cost is from trying to keep the fridge and freezer cold when it is 100 degrees in the garage.

It is about halfway empty at this point - should we try to eat everything out of it and then shut it off until the weather cools down? Or is the cost of running it nominal? I'd love to hear from anyone who keeps an outdoor freezer.

Italian Grilled Cheese

2009-08-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

Wow. I came up with this on a whim the other day and loved it.

2 thick slices sourdough bread
sliced fresh mozzerella cheese
olive oil
salt and pepper
1 clove garlic, cut in half

Brush bread with olive oil and rub with garlic. cook in skillet until bread is toasty and cheese is melty. Rub with garlic again and serve with a sprig of fresh basil.

Works for Me: Paying cash for groceries

2009-07-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Last week I tried something new - I only took cash to the grocery store for my weekly trip. It was a challenge to stay under budget, ad I was only able to buy the things I needed for our meals. But it worked, and how wonderful it felt afterwards to know that I didn't waste money on "extras" that are bad for our wallet and our diet.

I am planning to make this a regular thing in an effort to trim our grocery bill down. I know this isnt a new concept, but it is a new thing for me, and it really worked for me!

Go here for more tips.

Potty Training - What works for you?

2009-07-22T08:09:00.003-07:00

I'm having a reverse wfmw today - I need some potty training advice.

Princess 1 is finally potty trained, yay! But we still have one problem. She is currently using the little kid potty, meaning we have to empty it out all day long - yuck. We have tried two potty seats for the big potty and both are too hard for her to climb onto by herself, even with a stepstool.

How did everyone else enable their little ones to get onto the big potty?

Go here for more tips.

Make This Monday - Braised Beef with Sun-dried Tomatoes

2009-07-20T14:01:00.000-07:00

2 tsp. olive oil
1 lb beef stew meat
1/4 cup rough chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 Tbl. flour
3/4 c water
1/2 c red wine
1/2 cup beef broth
1/2 cup sundried tomatoes
1/2 Tbl brown sugar
1/2 Tbl. worcestshire sauce
3/4 tsp rosemary
1 bay leaf
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Brown beef in olive oil.
Add onion and cook 7 minutes.
Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
Add flour, cook 2 minutes.
Add remaining ingredients and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer 1 hour and remove tomatoes. Set aside.
Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.

Works for Me: Prepping breakfast the night before

2009-07-15T07:53:00.001-07:00

I'm sure many people already do this, but I just started and it has really helped my day get off to a better start.

The baby is usually awake and ready to nurse at the same time that Princess 1 and I are getting up and ready for breakfast. Any delay in tending to baby causes much screaming. So I have started doing the prep the evening before. I get the coffe pot ready to go and set the auto timer. I fill our cups with ice and stick them in the freezer. If I know that we are having cereal the next morning, I will pour it into the bowls and cover them with foil.

Taking 5 minutes to do these things the night before has really reduced my morning stress and helps set a calmer tone for the day. Works for Me!

Click here for more tips.

Make This Monday - Kielbasa and White Cheddar Pasta

2009-07-06T13:53:00.000-07:00

I came up with this while trying to use up leftovers and it became a family favorite.

1/2 lb lean kielbasa, sliced
6 ounces elbow macaroni
1 1/2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon butter
salt and pepper

Cook macaroni until tender. Add butter, salt and pepper and stir incheese. Warm kielbasa for 1 minute in microwave and add to pasta.

Random Questions

2009-06-29T15:34:00.001-07:00

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?

Cable, I feel like it is a waste of money and would like to turn it off.

2. Do you miss being a child?

Yes! no bills, no jobs, no housework.

3. What chore do you hate the most?

doing the dishes, because it has to be done every.single.day.

4. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?

A teppanyaki restaurant in may to celebrate our anniversary.

5. If you could go back and change one thing, what would it be?

Buying our first house - we settled for one we didnt really want.

6. Name of your first grade teacher?

Mr. Cummins

7. What do you really want to be doing right now?

staying at a cabin in the woods

8. What did you want to be when you grew up?

A mom. I’m not a career minded person whatsoever.

9. How many colleges did you attend?

One. Go Sun Devils!

10. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?

Because it’s easy to nurse in, and I spend most of the day nursing.

11. What are your thoughts on gas prices?

Way too high, but I doubt they'll ever go back down to a reasonable level. We are hoping to make our next car a hybrid.

12. Last thought before going to sleep last night?

Which time??? Baby woke me up countless times last night.

13. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?

I don't use an alarm clock...I have a human alarm that wants milk at all hours...

14. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?

Tom Hanks. He seems so nice and normal, I'd like to see if he really is.

15. Have you ever crashed your vehicle?

A few months after I got my license I made a left turn on a yellow light and a lady SPED UP to go through the light and hit me.

16. If you didn’t have to work, would you volunteer?

Probably at an animal shelter. I love animals.

17. Get up early or sleep in?

I like to wake up naturally, which is around 7 or 8 for me.

18. What is your favorite cartoon character?

I loved the wuzzles. Does anyone remember them?

19. When did you first start feeling old?

When I had my first daughter.

20. Favorite lunch meat?

Ham.

21. What do you get every time you go into Target?

Hmmm...I don't think there is any one thing I buy there...usually a gift or card for someone else.

22. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?

Nope. I think it was meant by God to be a permanent relationship.

23. Favorite movie you wouldn’t want anyone to find out about?

Don't know

24. What’s your favorite drink?

Margaritas! But I don't have that very often, so I guess Cherry Limeade would be next.

25. Who from high school would you like to run into?

My childhood best friend.

26. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?

Either alternative or Christian.

27. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?

Dating my ex for so long...not smart to drag out an unhealthy relationship.

28. Have you ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purposes?

Nope

29. Do you have a teddy bear?

Yes but I gave it to my daughter

30. Do you go to church?

I havent been since the end of my pregnancy, I need to get back into it.

31. How old are you?

28 - yikes!

Make This Monday - Lettuce Wraps With Dipping Sauce

2009-06-29T13:54:00.000-07:00

For Filling
3/4 cup chopped carrot
1/3 cup chopped green onion
3/4 cup water chestnut
1 lb ground pork or chicken
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 head iceberg lettuce
1 cup cooked jasmine rice (optional)

For Dipping Sauce
1/2 teaspoon hoisin sauce
1/4 teaspoon chili paste with garlic
2 tablespoons soy sauce

Add vegetables to food processor until roughly diced. Add to skillet with sesame oil and saute until tender. Add pork and cook through, adding soy sauce as it cooks. Serve with lettuce, rice and dipping sauce. If you have extra meat filling leftover, it freezes very well.

Getting Out

2009-06-25T12:37:00.001-07:00

So I braved the outside world today with both girls...a few mamas at church started a playgroup and I figured this would be a good way to start getting used to venturing out with two little ones. As must be required by the universe, baby had an explosive diaper just as I was strapping her into the carseat, and Princess 1 got quite upset at the delay as her sister screamed about the outfit change. We were half an hour late, but we made it, and I guess that is the important thing. Hopefully the more I do it the easier it will get.

Sisters

2009-06-18T08:11:00.001-07:00

It has been wonderful to watch Princess 1 interact with her baby sister. She loves to kiss her and stroke her head. So far there doesnt seem to be any jealousy issues at all. I am an only child and always longed for a sister, so I hope that my two girls will be close and I look forward to watching their relationship develop as they get older.

Works for Me: Co-sleeping

2009-06-17T07:17:00.002-07:00

Princess 2 arrived on June 1st! She is doing great and God has blessed me with an easy recovery from the c-section. I feel almost back to normal now.

But as we all know, anyone with a newborn is going to be low on sleep. With our first daughter,we had her sleep in a crib in our room. Hubby and I took turns getting up all night to feed her, rock her, and try to get her back to sleep. For three long months, we were both running on fumes.

This time we are doing thing differently. I am sleeping in our bed with the baby. She can nurse as she needs, and I can generally get back to sleep pretty quickly, averaging about 7 hours of sleep. Hubby doesnt mind sleeping in the guest room, as he is now getting at least 6 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. Not bad for having a newborn in the house.

So for getting some rest, co-sleeping is working for us! Visit Kristen for more advice.

Quick Update

2009-05-14T10:11:00.000-07:00

I'm still around, just have a serious case of writer's block. I can't come up with anything insightful enough to post...must be pregnancy brain.

18 more days to go until baby. I pretty much have everything ready, so now we're just waiting. Trying to enjoy this time of relative calm before the chaos. I'm more and more physically uncomfortable each day but trying to just grin and bear it.

One Month

2009-05-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

We are officially in the one-month countdown to baby! My c-section is scheduled for June 1st. I saw my perinatologist today for a doppler ultrasound and non-stress test and all looks well with baby. I will be going in for testing weekly now. A month still feels like such a long time to wait but our calendar for May is so full that hopefully the time will pass quickly.

Make This Monday - Cinnamon Banana Breakfast Sandwiches

2009-04-27T07:22:00.000-07:00

8 slices whole wheat bread
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 banana, sliced
4 tablespoons fresh whipped cream

Mix cinnamon and sugar. Brush both sides of bread with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon mixture. Broil for 3 minutes or until warm and toasty. Top half the bread with sliced bananas and whipped cream, and top with remaining bread. Yum!

Balsamic Herb Salad Dressing or Dipping Sauce

2009-04-20T08:01:00.000-07:00

The dipping sauce that they serve with bread at Carabba's was my inspiration for this salad dressing. If you prefer you can switch the amounts of oil and vinegar and use as a dipping sauce. I also like to pour this over slices of fresh mozzarella.

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 garlic clove, minced

Works For Me - Toddler Tray

2009-04-08T07:43:00.001-07:00

At my house it is a rare occasion if we all eat dinner together. As much as I would like us to, it just doesnt work out that way. Since the start of this pregnancy, I am starving by 5 and have to eat then. Hubby usually eats about an hour later after he returns from work. And my daughter is usually not ready to eat before 7 pm - if we try to feed her earlier we all get frustrated.

At 2 1/2 I feel that she still needs some supervision (and some company) while she eats. But we got tired of having to sit at the table for half an hour to watch her eat at night (our dining room chairs are NOT comfortable).

So last week a light bulb went off in my head. You've probably seen the plastic lap trays made for kids. I think they're meant for coloring and other activities, but she never used it for that. So I had her sit on the living room floor and served her dinner on the tray. She loved it because it was fun, and we loved that she can eat her dinner with us while we hang out in the family room. Works for all of us!

Visit We Are That Family for more tips!

Make This Monday: Chicken Souiza Cornbread Casserole

2009-04-06T14:30:00.000-07:00

1/2 c butter
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 15 oz can corn
1 15 oz can creamed corn
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 8.5 oz box corn muffin mix

2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
2 tbl canned green chiles
1 1/2 cups sour cream
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup shredded monterey jack cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Melt butter and saute onion and garlic. Set aside.

Combine corns, salt and egg. Beat in muffin mix. Fold in butter mixture. Pour into greased casserole dish.

Combine chicken, chiles, sour cream, salt and pepper. Spread over corn mix, leaving 1/2 inch border around edges. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake for 35 minutes.

Make This Monday: Beer Braised Beef With Italian Salsa Verde

2009-03-30T06:52:00.000-07:00

Salsa Verde:

1 cup chopped mint
2/3 cup chopped dill
1/3 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup minced shallot
3 tbl olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Beef:

1 lb beef stew meat
2 tbl. olive oil
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 cup beef broth
12 oz guiness

Combine salsa ingredients and chill one hour. Season beef with salt and pepper and brown in 1 tbl. olive oil.Remove beef from pan and saute onion in 1 tbl olive oil.
Add beef back to pan, along with broth and beer. Bring to a boil.Reduce heat to low and simmer 90 minutes or until tender. Shred with a fork.

Works For Me Wednesday - Oil Burner

2009-03-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

I love to have a candle going during the day to scent the house and make a nice atmosphere. However, I'm usually disappointed that the candle does not scent the house thoroughly enough. I recently bought an oil burner ($8 at target) and a couple of oils. This works much better! The scent fills the house quickly and lasts throughout the day. Works for me!

Go here for more great ideas!

Works for Me Wednesday - Buying in Advance

2009-03-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

As we anticipate the birth of our second daughter this June, I am trying to anticipate everything we may need to have on hand in the month following the birth. I know that I will be having a c-section, which will mean I am basically out of commission for a few weeks. In addition to stocking the freezer with meals, I have begun buying extras of our commonly used household items and some other things you may not think of buying in advance. Here's a little list for anyone who may want to try this as well.

- toiletries. Next time you buy shampoo, toothpaste, etc grab an extra bottle or two to set aside.

- Snacks and other non-perishable foods. In addition to stocking the freezer with cooked meals, I'm stocking the pantry too. I will be pre-portioning snacks for my toddler so that she can grab them herself when I am busy with baby.

- Birthday or other holiday gifts. We have several birthdays in our extended family that fall near the birth of the baby, so I have gone ahead and bought cards for those people and will have them addressed and ready to be mailed. This way I can ensure no one is forgotten and I won't have to stress about this at the last minute. Also, my daughter's 3rd birthday is about 6 weeks after the baby is due, so I am plannng and preparing for her party as well. I already have the invitations, and will be buying the remaining supplies soon. All we'll need to do at the last minute is the food.

If you have any other suggestions for things to be stocked up on please let me know!

Go here for more Works for Me Wednesday tips.

Works for Me Wednesday - Skin Cleanser

2009-03-11T12:13:00.001-07:00

As a teeneager, I started having trouble with eczema, which has been most troublesome on my legs. My eczema now remains mostly under control without any medication, as long as I avoid aspartame (one day I'll post about how I figured out the connection). Long ago, when my eczema started my dermatologist suggested I use Cetaphil cleanser to shave my legs with, and this has helped tremendously. But have you seen the price of that stuff? Over the years I have tried various shaving creams, but within a week or two my legs would break out again, even with the sensitive varieties. Looked like I was due to shell out the big bucks for Cetaphil forever...

Until I discovered Safeway Gentle Skin Cleanser. Basically a generic form of Cetaphil. It works just the same, and costs much less. My legs thank me and it doesn't bust my budget. If you have similar skin issues you may want to give it a try.

Visit We Are THAT Family for more great ideas!

Make This Monday: Apple Puff Pastry Dessert

2009-03-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

This was a little something I came up with when my parents were coming for dinner one night. It got rave reviews from everyone!Please keep in mind my measurements are guesstimates.

One sheet puff pastry, thawed
4 oz cream cheese
3 Tbl. sugar
3 Tbl. melted butter
2 apples, peeled and chopped
2 Tbl. cinnamon and sugar mixture

Brush puff pastry with 1 Tbl. butter. Beat cream cheese and sugar together until smooth. Spread on pastry. Toss apples with remaining butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Spread over cream cheese and fold pastry in half. Seal edges and brush butter on outside, sprinkling with more cinnamon sugar. Bake at 350 for 12 minutes or until lightly golden. Tastes great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Giveaway!

2009-03-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

The Farm Chicks are having a giveaway! Visit their blog to enter!

Terrible Two's?

2009-02-24T13:13:00.000-07:00

I could really use some advice from other mamas of little ones. My daughter is two and a half and is usually pretty well-behaved. She eats well most of the time, and is happy to read books, play with her kitchen or toys, etc.

But for the past week or two, she has been very difficult. She refuses to eat almost everything we put in front of her, even her favorite foods. She is also very whiny and has tantrum after tantrum all day long. Hubby and I are so frustrated by this!

She is getting plenty of sleep and not showing any signs of illness, so I don't think those are the culprits. Does anyone have any ideas of why she has suddenly turned into a very difficult child and how to get her back to normal?

Thrifty Thursday - Garage Sales

2009-02-19T12:44:00.000-07:00

I guess technically this is a way to make money, not save money, but it's all the same to me.

This past weekend we had a garage sale. We weren't sure we had enough to make a sale out of, so my mother-in-law was kind enough to donate some items she no longer needed to help fil out our sale. I placed a couple of free ads on craigslist, and hubby put 10 signs in strategic locations. Then we got up at the crakc of dawn and waited to see what would happen. We were blessed with LOTS of traffic, and sold almost everything! We made almost $200, which comes in so handy this month as we had an unexpected car repair bill.

So if you're short on cash this month or just looking to make some fun money, look around your house. You'd be surprised how many things you don't even use anymore - why not let them make you some money?

Make This Monday: Cappelini Pomodoro

2009-02-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

I had a chance to get a case of tomatoes for just $9, so I have been busy making spaghetti sauces to put away in the freezer. One of the easiest sauces to make is a pomodoro sauce. This tastes similar to a sauce they use at the Olive Garden, and it freezes well. Enjoy!

4 tomatoes, finely diced or pureed
1 tbl. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbl. fresh basil, chopped
salt and black pepper to taste

Saute garlic in olive oil for 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, salt and pepper and cook until tender. Add basil and cook for 2 minutes. Serve over angel hair pasta.

Make This Monday - Spinach Dip

2009-02-09T08:52:00.000-07:00

Let me say I am not a huge fan of spinach, and up until I made this I had never met a spinach dip that I liked. But this one is different than most, and I fell in love.

1 1/2 bunches fresh spinach, washed
3 Tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup white wine
1/3 cup chopped green onion
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup half and half
2 cups shredded italian blend cheese
1 cup shredded mozzerella
salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter and add spinach, garlic, and wine. Cook 2-3 minutes or until spinach wilts. Remove from heat and add remaining ingredients. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until brown and bubbly. Serve with tortilla cips, wheat crackers, or veggies.

Thrifty Thursday - Food Co-ops

2009-02-05T16:23:00.000-07:00

I try to feed my family as many fruits and veggies as possible. Hubby is a bit resistant ot the vegetables, but we go through fruit at an amazing speed in this house. I could easily spend upwards of $30 a week on produce at the grocery store.

Then my mom sent me a link about a local produce co-op. They have diferent pick-up sites around town. Basically you order a basket every other week, and it is filled with fruits and veggies. You don't get to choose what you recieve, but we are generally happy with the contents. The best part is it only costs $15 and although we usually run out of fruit a few days early, the veggies last us the whole two weeks. They usually offer bread as well, and occasionally other things like olive oil and spices.

Go online and search - there may be a food co-op in your area and they can save you a bundle.

Works for Me - Costco Pizza

2009-02-04T10:14:00.002-07:00

Yesterday I came down with a yucky cold. I am so miserable it is hard enough just to care for myself and my daughter, much less do any cleaning or cooking. So tonight hubby will be stopping to pick up one of the best quick and cheap dinner standbys I have found - a pizza from Costco.

Their pizzas are huge - 18" for only $10! You're not going to beat that at any of the major chains. And the quality is surprisingly good- not too thick, not too thin, and plenty of cheese. The topping choices are limited to cheese, pepperoni, or veggie but the convenience and the price are well worth it. So if you have a Costco membership and havent tried their pizza yet, give it a try for dinner this week.

Visit Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer!

Make This Monday - Linguine with Broccoli

2009-02-02T08:14:00.000-07:00

This dish is easy to make and full of vitamins and fiber. Also a good way to get some veggies into your kids.

8 oz cooked whole wheat linguine
3/4 cup cooked broccoli florets
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Combine all ingredients and serve.

Thrifty Thursday - Cleaning Rags

2009-01-29T09:08:00.001-07:00

I used to spend a fortune on Lysol or Clorox wipes to clean our kitchen and bathrooms. Not only was this costly, but I have serious concerns about the safety of the chemicals in those products. Then I began making my own natural cleaning solution (see previous post for directions) and using that along with paper towels to clean. But the cost of going through so many paper towels meant I had to find a better way. So I went through our overstuffed linen closet and found a few old towels. I cut them into squares that are roughly 5x5. I stitched two squares together and there was an absorbent cleaning rag. I keep a basket in my laundry room for dirty rags and do a wash for them about every 7-10 days. At about 10 cents per load it saves a bundle compared to paper towels or commercial cleaning products. Give it a try!

Works for Me - Sorting Laundry

2009-01-28T09:08:00.001-07:00

For me, Saturday is laundry day. And as much as I dread doing laundry all day, I really dread having to sort out all the clothes in the morning to get started. So last week I implemented a new rule for hubby and I: each laundry basket has a color designation - darks in one baskets, whites in another, reds in another. As we undress each day, the clothes go in the designated basket. Simple as this may be, it gives me a jumpstart on the sorting process and makes me dread laundry day just a little bit less. It works for me!

For more great tips please visit Rocks In My Dryer.

Make This Monday: Black Bean Hummus

2009-01-26T12:07:00.000-07:00

Try this for a different twist on the usual hummus:

1 can black beans - drain and reserve liquid
1 clove garlic
1 1/2 tsp tahini
3/4 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 Tbl. lemon juice

Mince garlic in food processor. Add black beans and 1 tbl. liquid. Add remaining ingredients and process until smooth. Serve with pitas or fresh veggies.

Burpcloth Tutorial

2009-01-25T09:04:00.001-07:00

When we had our first daughter, we spent too much money on uneccessary baby items. Like the first two packs of burpcloths we bought - some were so thin they barely absorbed a drop of water. Then a friend gave us a pack of large flannel burpcloths, and those were the way to go! They actually covered your whole shoulder - no more having to change shirts after baby spit up. Most of those have gotten lost since our daughter was a baby, so I decided it was time to make my own version. It is very simple and quick if you want to try it. All you need is a few yards of flannel to make burpcloths like these.

Instructions:

1. Lay out your flannel and fold it in half so that the printed part is on the inside, and you are looking at the backside.

2. Measure out the burpcloths- I make mine 17" long and 13" wide. This may seem huge, but it provides great coverage.

3. To sew them, just use a straight stitch (easiest on the sewing machine, but could also be done by hand)to sew the sides together. On the last side, leave a couple of inches unsewn.

4. Reach in the opening and turn the fabric right-side-out. Now you can stitch up the opening and voila! You have a burpcloth.

Let's try this again!

2009-01-23T16:00:00.000-07:00

Well as you can see I have gotten off to quite a slow start. Shortly after I decided to start blogging I learned that I am pregnant with baby #2! During those first few months my morning (and afternoon and evening) sickness made it hard for me just to get through each day, much less take on anything extra. But I'm 20 weeks along now and feeling much better, so let's give this another try!

For those mamas that can relate to feeling so badly during the first trimester, the one thing that helped me this time around was peppermint tea. Celestial Seasonings makes one that is pure peppermint leaves. It helped take the edge off the nausea.

Tomorrow I will be posting a how-to on making burp cloths - it is cute and so easy. I am a novice sewer, so if I can do it anyone can.

Natural Cleaning Solution

2008-10-21T16:50:00.000-07:00

One of first things I did to reduce the amount of chemicals in our home was to throw out the Lysol wipes and start making my own cleaning spray. Not only has this made cleaning my home safer, but it has saved money as well, and is so simple.

I take a large spray bottle and fill it 2/3 of the way full with white vinegar. Fill the rest with distilled water. Add 8-10 drops each of tea tree and lavender oils. The vinegar is a disinfectant, and the essential oils both have antibacterial properties.

Make This Monday

2008-10-20T14:37:00.001-07:00

Wondering what to make for dinner? This recipe is a favorite in my family. It will take about 25 minutes to prepare, and another half hour or so in the oven, but it is well worth it and we are usually able to get 2 meals out of it.

Italian Sausage and Penne Bake

3 links mild Italian sausage
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
salt, oregano, and red pepper to taste
8 ounces penne pasta, cooked
1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend

Directions

1.Saute sausage and garlic in olive oil until browned.
2.Add tomato paste, vinegar, tomatoes, and seasonings. Cover & simmer for 15 minutes.
3.Combine with pasta in 9x13 pan.
4.Top with cheese and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Welcome!

2008-09-27T15:14:00.002-07:00

Welcome to A Bright and Happy Home! I am starting a new blog to share some of the ways that I am working toward creating a bright and happy home for my little family. Hopefully I can add a little brightness to your day too.