tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60063519615910745642024-03-05T20:46:10.203-05:00Following her footstepsPACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-39068403814290761612010-09-15T08:27:00.000-04:002010-09-15T08:27:47.385-04:00Homemade Tortillas With A Side Of Ramblings...I know... I know... It's been a while since I have been keeping up with this blog on a regular basis. I have finally made it to full term in my pregnancy & can say with great relief that I am now FOUR days away from my due date! YAY! It's been a looooong pregnancy & I've felt pretty bad physically through the entire thing, which has been limiting my attention span & energy levels significantly, especially the last several weeks. Although I've missed keeping up with my personal blog reading & the updating of my own blog, it has been one of the things that has had to be put on the back burner. BUT... I plan to make a triumphant (haha) return in full force after the baby arrives & I get in a normal routine again. Until then, you can expect some random updates in random time frames from me for another several weeks. OK, enough of the ramblings! BRING ON THE RECIPE!<br />
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These tortilla's are GREAT! Although they are not considered traditional, they are light, fluffy & definitely a crowd pleaser in my home. These tortillas are not as thin & flexible as store bought. They have more of the texture of a Taco Bell "Chalupa", but aren't quite as thick. They can be used in any recipe from fajitas to quesadillas. I like to use leftover tortillas for breakfast wraps, too. They will store in the fridge for up to a week & can be stored in the freezer for a month. I hope you & your family enjoy them as much as mine did! <br />
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<strong><u>HOMEMADE TORTILLAS</u></strong><br />
Ingredients:<br />
* 4 cups white or whole wheat flour (I like to use half & half)<br />
* 1-1/2 teaspoons salt<br />
* 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder <br />
* 2 teaspoons of sugar (optional - helps bring out wheat flavor)<br />
* 1/3 cup shortening<br />
* 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 cups of water<br />
<br />
Directions:<br />
1. In a large bowl combine the flour, salt, sugar (optional) and baking powder.<br />
2. Cut the shortening into the dry ingredient using a knife or fork. The flour mixture should become "crumbly".<br />
3. Next, add the water a 1/2 cup at a time, until the dough forms into a ball. You may need to add a little more or less water depending on the humidity of your home.<br />
4. Knead dough 15-20 times, then let it rest in the bowl for about 10 minutes.<br />
5. Form the dough into 10 or 12 equal size smaller balls, then roll in a bit of flour to coat each ball evenly.<br />
6. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough on a well floured surface into 6-7 inch thin rounds. Roll out each ball using this method.<br />
7. In a hot, DRY griddle or pan, cook tortilla. You will know it's time to flip it over when the dough becomes fluffy & has some brown cooked areas on the underside. <br />
8. Stuff with your favorite fillings & ENJOY!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8W43Keh4jcN_1NAEVI-Y_ZLucFY3Lp6g1Yhg9zW9sHudxjWc8uqc2k1TKQn7AYgrpUFRfOB7lXmYXx_hf1OOIET6e62SB-5toNHBEOR9Ob9jnTuP_KcwM-PLQtKj-odZ2H-xkVsYjT8U/s1600/home_made_tortillas-300x187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8W43Keh4jcN_1NAEVI-Y_ZLucFY3Lp6g1Yhg9zW9sHudxjWc8uqc2k1TKQn7AYgrpUFRfOB7lXmYXx_hf1OOIET6e62SB-5toNHBEOR9Ob9jnTuP_KcwM-PLQtKj-odZ2H-xkVsYjT8U/s1600/home_made_tortillas-300x187.jpg" /></a></div>PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-24247949771430548822010-08-16T08:26:00.000-04:002010-08-16T08:26:52.707-04:00Tribute to ElvisWho better defines the golden era of days past than Elvis Presley? 33 years ago today, he tragically lost his life to a drug overdose and left behind a legacy that is still remembered today. Despite his rocky history, the image of Elvis Presley still represents all things that are good: an era of revitalization, prospering families, wholesome music & family friendly media. Whenever I watch his movies or listen to his music, I am immediately transported to a better time & place. That strong voice is the voice of generation who strived to live the American Dream to its fullest potential. Today, we not only mourn the life of Elvis, himself, but we also mourn those fabulous days of simplicity & beauty. In that spirit, I wish you a day lived with optimism, happiness & the remembrance of a much simpler time & place. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RqbEd5bSZTc5m_ZDTgSKRJZ0jZ-TsRf7KZKZu444O0_qaysEjLmrs8kFchzdbzssFY5LFFyXFO0_1Rw8JQLRg3HFfZa_GFCF2mTwGM2rZIaZyL_MKpOY84u2I55GCnPmUUt6x3Y4mwI/s1600/elvis-presley-hair-auction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RqbEd5bSZTc5m_ZDTgSKRJZ0jZ-TsRf7KZKZu444O0_qaysEjLmrs8kFchzdbzssFY5LFFyXFO0_1Rw8JQLRg3HFfZa_GFCF2mTwGM2rZIaZyL_MKpOY84u2I55GCnPmUUt6x3Y4mwI/s320/elvis-presley-hair-auction.jpg" width="272" /></a></div>PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-5199056731090297972010-08-13T08:23:00.000-04:002010-08-13T08:23:17.211-04:00I'M GONNA GO BROKE....I'M GONNA GO BROKE... if I don't learn how to crochet & sew! The problem with being on bedrest is that I have WAAAAAY too much time to surf the web looking for little pretty things to outfit our coming arrival in. I've managed to limit myself to only headbands for now, but I have a whole folder of saved items from Etsy & Hyenacart just waiting for their turn in line to be "checked out" and sent home to me! <br />
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To be completely honest, I CAN sew.. A LITTLE. I know the basics & have successfully made different things ranging from prom dresses to blankets, but the problem is that I am NOT good at it. I almost always need help and at some point I always have to pull out the seams & start a piece of my project over. Maybe it's a lack of practice or maybe it's because I'm a bad judge of distance & length (always have been), but I'm certainly gonna need to channel Grandma to learn these skills effectively & efficiently. She was always the one I would go to if I had a question about transforming a simple piece of fabric into something wonderful. Then, she would laugh at me as I told her about my idea to turn an old pair of jeans from the thrift store into a cool pair of vintage bellbottoms and give them new life. More than likely, she would laugh because she knew it would turn into a half completed project that she would end up finishing! <br />
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But, I am determined to learn how to do this, if for no other reason to be able to make my Little Miss Magic some beautiful things to wear. It will take some time & I'm sure that I won't be able to practice as much as I want to for a good while. With the baby coming soon, school starting, then the Holidays approaching fast, my education in sewing & crocheting will be a slow one. But maybe if I practice enough & if Grandma sends me some inspiration from above, I'll soon be able to make a few of these! :-)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dsYUgKD4_61_SypoRA45LPuq_kTDvgUmkzmJ4AqZyF3NgLz4A5jT9sfOAvRqOu4n8enCtkPpYwxP-ifNB70PS3Qv-hcmnjB_HRzlXecrQf7GpN6DtBa3fseZHftxihjYhsWuhfoOjfw/s1600/toile_booties.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dsYUgKD4_61_SypoRA45LPuq_kTDvgUmkzmJ4AqZyF3NgLz4A5jT9sfOAvRqOu4n8enCtkPpYwxP-ifNB70PS3Qv-hcmnjB_HRzlXecrQf7GpN6DtBa3fseZHftxihjYhsWuhfoOjfw/s1600/toile_booties.jpg" /></a></div>PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-34047272454811851922010-08-08T09:51:00.000-04:002010-08-08T09:51:55.036-04:00Eggless Cinnamon Pancakes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxw6eWCQfBAcKaAt6_jEM3PTS6V1wDFfO1JY73k9nBFdDX7gdasJK-40wlXDSkzZK2Gy7VvlZbGOyV_JR5NLdcS-aED_ULB__1QVSyVPgskaFb6mGTmElUL5C9HHCTCX-Qjsq-8RAMgc/s1600/Cinnamon+Pancakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxw6eWCQfBAcKaAt6_jEM3PTS6V1wDFfO1JY73k9nBFdDX7gdasJK-40wlXDSkzZK2Gy7VvlZbGOyV_JR5NLdcS-aED_ULB__1QVSyVPgskaFb6mGTmElUL5C9HHCTCX-Qjsq-8RAMgc/s320/Cinnamon+Pancakes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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HAPPY SUNDAY, EVERYONE! This recipe made it into my favorites folder one Sunday a few months back when I realized that I was totally out of eggs. Have you noticed yet that this a common occurence in my house? AAANYWAY.... This is a fabulous recipe that I have found myself using quite often. I love to make it with chocolate chips. Great recipe if someone in your family has egg allergies!<br />
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<strong>EGGLESS CINNAMON PANCAKES</strong><br />
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<b>INGREDIENTS</b><br />
(8 servings)<br />
1 cup all-purpose or wheat flour <br />
2 teaspoon sugar (1 tsp white/1 tsp brown is also good)<br />
1 teaspoon cinnamon <br />
2 teaspoons baking powder <br />
1 cup whole milk <br />
1 tablespoon vegetable oil <br />
1 tablespoon water <br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract <br />
2 tablespoons butter <br />
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<b>DIRECTIONS</b><br />
Combine dry ingredients and mix slightly. Add milk, oil, water, and vanilla. Whisk together then set aside to rest for a few minutes. Batter may be slightly lumpy. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. While pan is heating, add butter. As soon as the butter is melted, add melted butter to pancake batter. Return pan to stove and stir butter into batter. When pan is hot, with a measuring cup or ladle, pour 1/4 cup of batter into the skillet for each pancake. Cook until bubbles form on the surface. Carefully flip pancakes with turner/spatula and cook until golden brown. <br />
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<i>Recipe adapted from Food.com. Photo not original.</i>PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-46919461213147082242010-08-03T16:10:00.000-04:002010-08-03T16:10:45.619-04:00BEDREST!WOW! What a week it has been! Last week I was admitted to the hospital for pre-term labor & have been since been put on partial bedrest for the remainder of this week.<br />
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More blog updates coming soon! I will also be having our first product giveaway within the next few weeks! STOP BY SOON FOR UPDATES! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuomhE9XDK9WT3dhXmDPZIyquu-z73qmKxgluCL2Ucf-Tym_PRYR4p7r9nUpdCXrdqxjH1xyo9CwuXT8NHx-HPDFrqchb6oRIwOOKR2elkXmgC17-ZEgRuhHmbsRocc6NGA_wYEsYJr8/s1600/baby+feet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguuomhE9XDK9WT3dhXmDPZIyquu-z73qmKxgluCL2Ucf-Tym_PRYR4p7r9nUpdCXrdqxjH1xyo9CwuXT8NHx-HPDFrqchb6oRIwOOKR2elkXmgC17-ZEgRuhHmbsRocc6NGA_wYEsYJr8/s320/baby+feet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-17912477416488827092010-07-26T16:01:00.026-04:002010-07-27T18:02:22.858-04:00Is it REALLY the end of July???Oh, I suppose it is! The stores are stocked with backpacks & various sundries in preparation for Back to School. The craft stores & clothing shops are drowning in summer clearance. And Moms everywhere are "tweeting" that they just CANNOT WAIT for school to start back up again. I can feel it. The end of summer is near. <br /><br />For me, I feel like the summer has went WAY to fast & I haven't been able to accomplish many of the things I wanted to. I'm guessing I won't, either. But since it's been one of the hottest summers on record & I'm in the third trimester of my pregnancy, I am trying not to be too hard on myself. The last few weeks of summer are starting to be filled with preparing for the arrival of Miss Magic & for Smarty Pants to head back to school. Blue Eyes is rapidly making his way into the "terrible" toddler stage and is turning from a baby into a "big boy" right before my eyes. I am getting excited for this summer chapter in our lives to come to a close and a new chapter as a family of five to begin. <br /><br />Here's a few pic's of what we have been up to so far this summer.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ds9D_yigP4-Et3Z7MeodpMhHCSSl2gAIoLclybyCSN7jOExHaOZRnZnUf2MSElApV1PaIdN9uNK92vX2nNjpCtaYfnk9wzG35xKxwDYS_2fUJRFCsVycCDfBlXULVtka4-5nnTcoUs4/s1600/DSC00325.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ds9D_yigP4-Et3Z7MeodpMhHCSSl2gAIoLclybyCSN7jOExHaOZRnZnUf2MSElApV1PaIdN9uNK92vX2nNjpCtaYfnk9wzG35xKxwDYS_2fUJRFCsVycCDfBlXULVtka4-5nnTcoUs4/s320/DSC00325.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498703184359514594" /></a><br />LOTS & LOTS OF SMORES! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl1HlZWv7928dNeZ0oJxk_xvCO5O9Cr9q5eUC6NVB3hVirj5bwaNyr_5e9YkhTNIJpOTNyxzvQgoTmMR_8yEr_k0hjecaOwf3_fxuV3H77TpDPcjMxbYl6ppHZf9BNiMpck4nL_h3vWA/s1600/DSC00470.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfl1HlZWv7928dNeZ0oJxk_xvCO5O9Cr9q5eUC6NVB3hVirj5bwaNyr_5e9YkhTNIJpOTNyxzvQgoTmMR_8yEr_k0hjecaOwf3_fxuV3H77TpDPcjMxbYl6ppHZf9BNiMpck4nL_h3vWA/s320/DSC00470.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498702875196326802" /></a><br />My Brother in Law is a race car driver & instructor for PDA, so we braved the heat this month & went to the races! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovQ4sOXKMiwlYWYmh3SgBm8FNGWFkR0aSnVFvSJhAxOvldYTP7hxl7x7s0PxpfG7vQ2Jc7z1q8_YHyicpUw64E6G3PqM3Qli9vTS2ByRVq8iec1W8vOkldrh0YXfOOS_Tdb3lcsytH9M/s1600/DSC00343.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovQ4sOXKMiwlYWYmh3SgBm8FNGWFkR0aSnVFvSJhAxOvldYTP7hxl7x7s0PxpfG7vQ2Jc7z1q8_YHyicpUw64E6G3PqM3Qli9vTS2ByRVq8iec1W8vOkldrh0YXfOOS_Tdb3lcsytH9M/s320/DSC00343.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498703613199401682" /></a><br />Smarty Pants & Grandma loved riding on the carousel!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmBizsEiYbQolkLLNqADhmVGB0dHgUZjPlQ5fzfMZZZe3q3BVcKMW8HjsKvaC9666pFYOh4eUTf5zgwFoshabuD59AAqc8lNqHoH-vidKRlxJAdw5wYXEDYlca1ZTSaYYKUWJyxE62TM/s1600/DSC00386.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmBizsEiYbQolkLLNqADhmVGB0dHgUZjPlQ5fzfMZZZe3q3BVcKMW8HjsKvaC9666pFYOh4eUTf5zgwFoshabuD59AAqc8lNqHoH-vidKRlxJAdw5wYXEDYlca1ZTSaYYKUWJyxE62TM/s320/DSC00386.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498704050576348322" /></a><br />Had a blast at the Fourth of July parade!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNkUpNyTOUzLgGsGon4biOCIF6jQmaf9iO9V1xtPkiQ0JIh2oO43osX1ZrmPJ6knElMxX4H8SsFxVAQ3E25yI8AuqzBc5qP-MZfC4FdiyBMSrpfsTGn7TNqbg2PHR1sF8NSj1P-7XaZ0/s1600/DSC00370.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNkUpNyTOUzLgGsGon4biOCIF6jQmaf9iO9V1xtPkiQ0JIh2oO43osX1ZrmPJ6knElMxX4H8SsFxVAQ3E25yI8AuqzBc5qP-MZfC4FdiyBMSrpfsTGn7TNqbg2PHR1sF8NSj1P-7XaZ0/s320/DSC00370.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498704346674000530" /></a><br />Visited "Old Ben" in Philadelphia!<br /><br />What have you & your family done so far this summer? What kind of plans do you have for the last few weeks before going back to school?PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-28147177039001848132010-07-24T14:09:00.003-04:002010-07-24T14:13:59.432-04:00Free Sewing Patterns<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtqWssf5XbsuurCX3ThD3BqK2D_-zi3z_w1QCyLvAZeUiLzaNWNis6LtGD5z8vWUa0aVrt0ZahoznBUp-bvAV7HZQgfkYhzCjKoX1GyKGsrN3WyoFjZ_9gw_YopPV4NcCfmJRKCToV2s/s1600/Mary_Cassatt__Young_Mother_Sewing__.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 251px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtqWssf5XbsuurCX3ThD3BqK2D_-zi3z_w1QCyLvAZeUiLzaNWNis6LtGD5z8vWUa0aVrt0ZahoznBUp-bvAV7HZQgfkYhzCjKoX1GyKGsrN3WyoFjZ_9gw_YopPV4NcCfmJRKCToV2s/s320/Mary_Cassatt__Young_Mother_Sewing__.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497537594130453970" /></a><br />Anyone doing any sewing this weekend?? Here is a link to some free sewing patterns, including an apron, teddy bear & small purse. This would be a great indoor activity for you & your little girl to beat the heat this weekend, as well! ENJOY!<br /><br /> http://sewingpatterns.com/sewingframe.php?mdl=http://www.printsew.com/click2print/sewingpatterns/index.php?goto=free-neu10140PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-2323113530438773782010-07-23T08:24:00.008-04:002010-07-23T09:15:36.073-04:00Sweet White Bread & "Friendship Friday"Good morning! This bread recipe has quickly become one of my favorites. Not only is it super easy and tastes excellent, but it is very versatile. It has a great rise & has turned out fluffy & perfect every time I've made it. The flavor is similar to that of Hawaiian Sweet Rolls or Amish Sweet Bread. The dough is a great base to use for dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls/sticks or raisin & nut swirl bread. It also makes great sandwich bread, especially deli meat sandwiches. The possibilities to modify this dough are endless! <br /><br />SWEET WHITE BREAD<br />(Makes 2 loaves)<br /><br />INGREDIENTS<br />2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)<br />2/3 cup white sugar<br />1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast<br />1 1/2 teaspoons salt<br />1/4 cup vegetable oil<br />5 1/2-6 cups bread flour, depending on humidity & temp (I like King Arthur best!)<br />DIRECTIONS<br />1.In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam. <br />2.Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time (you may not need a full 6 cups). Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1-2 hours. <br />3.Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30mins-1hour, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans. <br />4.Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30-40 minutes. Halfway through cooking, baste top of loaf with egg wash for a beautiful shine!<br /><br />Some are some pictures of the bread I took last time I made it. SUPER YUMMY & LIGHT!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ywfW4mLkV9myG_COyjmdCp7RIQG4Yc7Zv_phd_N-sJFtVn7MFmLrl4YnT8Twd-24OakO62ugom1UGw1KExiVHS8iU6hkPxcurflFA9DgVhaqFg_NXv1ayc9Wjat6dwcC0HeNDGLF6kY/s1600/DSC00434.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0ywfW4mLkV9myG_COyjmdCp7RIQG4Yc7Zv_phd_N-sJFtVn7MFmLrl4YnT8Twd-24OakO62ugom1UGw1KExiVHS8iU6hkPxcurflFA9DgVhaqFg_NXv1ayc9Wjat6dwcC0HeNDGLF6kY/s320/DSC00434.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497087691968789490" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYtFPhsD4A8qxEjNhLL_VrJp7S5pZHfWTUdWcg8ThS-fhRSK2p7MadrWHbHlPdvKfc2jI5dlSrghdcZAsv99hxJnAA8lDAeJZveyIHcBl3KZikbOvDmdyQOwpuXvoUrN5Bl7Tm-JNpcg/s1600/DSC00435.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHYtFPhsD4A8qxEjNhLL_VrJp7S5pZHfWTUdWcg8ThS-fhRSK2p7MadrWHbHlPdvKfc2jI5dlSrghdcZAsv99hxJnAA8lDAeJZveyIHcBl3KZikbOvDmdyQOwpuXvoUrN5Bl7Tm-JNpcg/s320/DSC00435.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497087831122905506" /></a><br /><br />Also, one of my favorite blogs is hosting a "No Rules" Style Blog Hop today called Friendship Friday! Stop by "the hop" & make some new friends. There are no set amount of blogs you are required to follow. Simply follow the ones you would enjoy reading. THAT'S MY KIND OF BLOG HOP! Click the button below to get started!<br /><br /><center><a href="http://22yroldhousewife.blogspot.com/"><br /><br /><img src="http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g103/ARV2LC/laurenbutton-1.gif" /><br /><br /></a></center><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Thanks for stopping by today! Let me know if you try the bread & how it turned it for you! ENJOY!PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-75997804821257591652010-07-22T14:54:00.005-04:002010-07-22T15:13:38.699-04:00Blockbuster Express Kiosk - FREE RENTALS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbS7kJBXp3W4oxnsJrK4meDNt7CGYqToO6G6R6nMEJvKdUraIMsIK-og1XGpFqOY-R75qvAIQwghzlYoaL1IyZwb0W6Kx9QJZ_fmoF96OzhUTLBx51R0wdSg0Fj_98GRLO0fVuqRGnk0M/s1600/Movie+Reels.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbS7kJBXp3W4oxnsJrK4meDNt7CGYqToO6G6R6nMEJvKdUraIMsIK-og1XGpFqOY-R75qvAIQwghzlYoaL1IyZwb0W6Kx9QJZ_fmoF96OzhUTLBx51R0wdSg0Fj_98GRLO0fVuqRGnk0M/s320/Movie+Reels.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496809295810695058" /></a><br />Who doesn't LOVE a good movie? Who doesn't love it EVEN MORE when it's FREE??? It's the hottest summer on record in 20 years (Yes, really! I heard it on the news this morning!) and its just too plain hot to spend too much time outdoors. So whether the "Littles" are driving you nuts OR you need a romantic night in with your "Honey", here is the list of the current Blockbuster Express Kiosk Codes for a free one night rental. <br /><br />GL15A (expires on 7/30)<br />GT17A (expires on 7/30)<br />G418A (expiration not known)<br />SSD17A4 (expiration not known)<br />SSD17A3 (expiration not known)<br /><br />To find a Blockbuster Kiosk near you, follow this link:<br />http://blockbusterexpress.com/kiosks/<br /><br />Unfortunately, we don't have any in our area. We are a Redbox kind of town, I guess. But I do hope that some of you will get some use out of this.<br /><br />P.S. I realize this information is circling around the blog community like crazy already and you may have already seen it. But just in case you are one of my personal friends that only subscribes to my blog OR by chance you missed these, here they are! ENJOY!PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-28019751007814788712010-07-20T06:00:00.003-04:002010-07-20T06:12:32.885-04:00Tuesday Tag-AlongWELCOME TO FOLLOWING HER FOOTSTEPS - The blog about living the old fashioned way in a modern day world! Hope you enjoy your visit & come back often for recipes, discussions, homemaking tips, idea's for kids activities, frugal living hints & a few personal journals mixed in. <br /><br /><a href="http://tweepoppets.blogspot.com/search/label/tuesday%20tag-along"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/Weezarrgh/TTAButtonSize.jpg" alt="Tuesday Tag-Along" width="125" height="125" /></a><br /><br />To check out more fun blogs, click the picture above to get started on the Tuesday Tag-Along! HAVE A FUN MORNING OF READING & FINDING NEW FRIENDS!PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-70160897685479739192010-07-19T06:33:00.006-04:002010-07-19T07:05:17.983-04:00Zucchini Cheese PattiesLast week, my Mother in Law gifted us with a homegrown zucchini. Well, my boys don't particularly enjoy zucchini so I needed a creative recipe to sneak this beauty into. I borrowed idea's from several different fritter & patty recipes I found online & created this gem of a "sneaky" recipe. MY BOYS LOVED THEM! Hope that you do, too!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw984HMWW9Vc8_SzH1Cr_jPmYvUYZzVbw_nByNvK3bkJoUMj3M8aYnc-w8BcRAh9dY72a8PORRZ-RVZnvZTO3kD16GXGis494FndiwLpCrZm-ppsSgGHKoooCbkz2fMqhTvShyl_XW2g/s1600/DSC00464.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYw984HMWW9Vc8_SzH1Cr_jPmYvUYZzVbw_nByNvK3bkJoUMj3M8aYnc-w8BcRAh9dY72a8PORRZ-RVZnvZTO3kD16GXGis494FndiwLpCrZm-ppsSgGHKoooCbkz2fMqhTvShyl_XW2g/s320/DSC00464.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495571041739201490" /></a><br /><br />ZUCCHINI CHEESE PATTIES<br /><br />Ingredients<br />1 large zucchini<br />1 cup all purpose flour<br />1 cup Italian breadcrumbs (Panko is best!)<br />1/2 cup shredded cheese (I like cheddar!)<br />1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese<br />2 tsp garlic powder<br />1 tbsp minced onion<br />2 eggs<br /><br />Directions<br />Grate zucchini with a cheese grater or in a food processor. Place zucchini in paper towel or cheese cloth & wring out. Transfer to dry paper towel, spread out zucchini & let dry. Make sure zucchini is dried out enough, but still retains a little moisture. Too wet will make patties not form properly & too dry will require an addition of an extra egg. In a large bowl, mix together zucchini, egg, cheeses, garlic powder & onion. Once combined, stir in flour & 1/2 cup breadcrumbs alternately, reserving the other 1/2 cup. With your hands, shape palm sized patties. Dip patties into the reserved breadcrumbs to make a crunchy crust. Grease a large skillet with several pats of butter. Once skillet is greased, pour a little of your favorite oil in the skillet. After the oil is heated, lightly fry the patties until golden brown on each side. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HlMtEY9oFMrS3DOfGaySTgFNDVUiJan4RVko8Wlt7b5JhC0HGMiEVMz-fslpcmG1Xf6MYQzxSb1lOz4VWnO5I-nY_8pfI_ucgCotDMfct0LzTGrLjfxq5eBwimr9SBvE9kb5Tm6DaH4/s1600/DSC00465.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HlMtEY9oFMrS3DOfGaySTgFNDVUiJan4RVko8Wlt7b5JhC0HGMiEVMz-fslpcmG1Xf6MYQzxSb1lOz4VWnO5I-nY_8pfI_ucgCotDMfct0LzTGrLjfxq5eBwimr9SBvE9kb5Tm6DaH4/s320/DSC00465.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495571241595355570" /></a><br /><br />Note: I am sure you could probably bake these on a cookie sheet & have them turn them great, but I've never tried. My boys loved these dipped in sour cream. We served with soup on a cool, rainy day for lunch. ENJOY! <br /><br />And yes, the pictures are mine. This is exactly how they looked after cooking! YUUMMY!PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-40462711653843175422010-07-15T07:29:00.014-04:002010-07-15T08:02:51.780-04:00Modern Feminism? An article about the choices of todays woman.Good morning & Happy Thursday, everyone! Yesterday I came across this article and I just couldn't resist sharing it with you. Why? Because I LOVE the concept of homesteading! Like the author, so many strong, independent & educated (GASP!) women I know have been forsaking professional careers in favor of the noble pursuit of homemaking. Most of these women? Friends of mine from COLLEGE (BIGGER GASP!) Even a few of my strong, independent & educated MALE friends have begun to get in on the homemaking action (SHOCK!). Why?? Because I believe that America has finally had enough. Without getting too much into politics (because this is not a political blog, after all), many people today are seeing the benefits of removing themselves from the "rat race" and focusing their internal compasses toward home. Just as the below article points out, who better to survive a looming depression than a self-sufficient home?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsHs5QsnXaBtzc_JmoHMVEzGuWJ-CBNIEgRY-g2lW2FhtWaVME8oqswlwBThbQy9iaP07wlxpbEHy6wlSaInDGjwcGD3vtvHjs7HZltzlIN47f2e_b8SF8jpbgZHWQJL2tYor3_KCsJc/s1600/Eggs+%26+Coffee.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsHs5QsnXaBtzc_JmoHMVEzGuWJ-CBNIEgRY-g2lW2FhtWaVME8oqswlwBThbQy9iaP07wlxpbEHy6wlSaInDGjwcGD3vtvHjs7HZltzlIN47f2e_b8SF8jpbgZHWQJL2tYor3_KCsJc/s320/Eggs+%26+Coffee.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494099039765828018" /></a><br /><br />THE FEMIVORE'S DILEMNA<br />By PEGGY ORENSTEIN<br />Published: March 11, 2010 <br />Four women I know — none of whom know one another — are building chicken coops in their backyards. It goes without saying that they already raise organic produce: my town, Berkeley, Calif., is the Vatican of locavorism, the high church of Alice Waters. Kitchen gardens are as much a given here as indoor plumbing. But chickens? That ups the ante. Apparently it is no longer enough to know the name of the farm your eggs came from; now you need to know the name of the actual bird. <br /><br /><br />All of these gals — these chicks with chicks — are stay-at-home moms, highly educated women who left the work force to care for kith and kin. I don’t think that’s a coincidence: the omnivore’s dilemma has provided an unexpected out from the feminist predicament, a way for women to embrace homemaking without becoming Betty Draper. “Prior to this, I felt like my choices were either to break the glass ceiling or to accept the gilded cage,” says Shannon Hayes, a grass-fed-livestock farmer in upstate New York and author of “Radical Homemakers,” a manifesto for “tomato-canning feminists,” which was published last month.<br /><br />Hayes pointed out that the original “problem that had no name” was as much spiritual as economic: a malaise that overtook middle-class housewives trapped in a life of schlepping and shopping. A generation and many lawsuits later, some women found meaning and power through paid employment. Others merely found a new source of alienation. What to do? The wages of housewifery had not changed — an increased risk of depression, a niggling purposelessness, economic dependence on your husband — only now, bearing them was considered a “choice”: if you felt stuck, it was your own fault. What’s more, though today’s soccer moms may argue, quite rightly, that caretaking is undervalued in a society that measures success by a paycheck, their role is made possible by the size of their husband’s. In that way, they’ve been more of a pendulum swing than true game changers.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoB8Pu2hR3Rl2ep2EDVXelkJZlYup6nC5MQ4bRQY2wcJSKsGS4pSqaIOHLk5dPHMhMHia-Wj3vzakYD9wcKKGPg8GBUf-jIgPyFZH9nVLlt_hno4vYcLVXkX32qsA6-u_ISIIBRG5tzDQ/s1600/Canning.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoB8Pu2hR3Rl2ep2EDVXelkJZlYup6nC5MQ4bRQY2wcJSKsGS4pSqaIOHLk5dPHMhMHia-Wj3vzakYD9wcKKGPg8GBUf-jIgPyFZH9nVLlt_hno4vYcLVXkX32qsA6-u_ISIIBRG5tzDQ/s320/Canning.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494099651173349538" /></a><br /><br />Enter the chicken coop.<br /><br />Femivorism is grounded in the very principles of self-sufficiency, autonomy and personal fulfillment that drove women into the work force in the first place. Given how conscious (not to say obsessive) everyone has become about the source of their food — who these days can’t wax poetic about compost? — it also confers instant legitimacy. Rather than embodying the limits of one movement, femivores expand those of another: feeding their families clean, flavorful food; reducing their carbon footprints; producing sustainably instead of consuming rampantly. What could be more vital, more gratifying, more morally defensible? <br /><br />There is even an economic argument for choosing a literal nest egg over a figurative one. Conventional feminist wisdom held that two incomes were necessary to provide a family’s basic needs — not to mention to guard against job loss, catastrophic illness, divorce or the death of a spouse. Femivores suggest that knowing how to feed and clothe yourself regardless of circumstance, to turn paucity into plenty, is an equal — possibly greater — safety net. After all, who is better equipped to weather this economy, the high-earning woman who loses her job or the frugal homemaker who can count her chickens?<br /><br />Hayes would consider my friends’ efforts admirable if transitional. Her goal is larger: a renunciation of consumer culture, a return (or maybe an advance) to a kind of modern preindustrialism in which the home is self-sustaining, the center of labor and livelihood for both sexes. She interviewed more than a dozen families who were pursuing this way of life. They earned an average of $40,000 for a family of four. They canned peaches, stuffed sausages, grew kale, made soap. Some eschewed health insurance, and most home-schooled their kids. That, I suspect, is a little further than most of us are willing to go: it sounds a bit like being Amish, except with a car (no more than one, naturally) and a green political agenda. <br /><br />After talking to Hayes, I rushed to pick up my daughter from school. As I rustled up a quick dinner of whole-wheat quesadillas and frozen organic peas, I found my thoughts drifting back to our conversation, to the questions she raised about the nature of success, satisfaction, sustenance, fulfillment, community. What constitutes “enough”? What is my obligation to others? What do I want for my child? Is my home the engine of materialism or a refuge from it? <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7Aq5oiOSuLPhgmcawFaXPtEJDxjLeMUy2Jr9gSKsjrp-KiHmZgWvDcCGVYWKPeUQWgAtIx7VZFyeTLxEyaqP1Ib6SQQr7sIKVGwHhhoRoL4CX-AC2QH0w2WPzHmPf4ggNXMgvMUtW_0/s1600/earlyreader3-400x359.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7Aq5oiOSuLPhgmcawFaXPtEJDxjLeMUy2Jr9gSKsjrp-KiHmZgWvDcCGVYWKPeUQWgAtIx7VZFyeTLxEyaqP1Ib6SQQr7sIKVGwHhhoRoL4CX-AC2QH0w2WPzHmPf4ggNXMgvMUtW_0/s320/earlyreader3-400x359.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494099917287200034" /></a><br /><br />I understand the passion for a life that is made, not bought. And who doesn’t get the appeal of working the land? It’s as integral to this country’s character as, in its own way, Wal-Mart. My femivore friends may never do more than dabble in backyard farming — keeping a couple of chickens, some rabbits, maybe a beehive or two — but they’re still transforming the definition of homemaker to one that’s more about soil than dirt, fresh air than air freshener. Their vehicle for children’s enrichment goes well beyond a ride to the next math tutoring session. <br /><br />I am tempted to call that “precious,” but that word has variegations of meaning. Then again, that may be appropriate. Hayes found that without a larger purpose — activism, teaching, creating a business or otherwise moving outside the home — women’s enthusiasm for the domestic arts eventually flagged, especially if their husbands weren’t equally involved. “If you don’t go into this as a genuinely egalitarian relationship,” she warned, “you’re creating a dangerous situation. There can be loss of self-esteem, loss of soul and an inability to return to the world and get your bearings. You can start to wonder, What’s this all for?” It was an unnervingly familiar litany: if a woman is not careful, it seems, chicken wire can coop her up as surely as any gilded cage. <br /><br />Peggy Orenstein, a contributing writer, is the author of “Waiting for Daisy,” a memoir.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sNzmkJDfGo4H3B_X8DDP9_d0nRJLQFVfhRrBvGS2d4mwC5SqElL2twHfcwGeZ5nGbtchCBRJrqGp6cZfD3I58q8WJCo25BPvwewgHk7DjOSc45TCbcxJ-uI1gQqfcYDy8KIJEZhGaIw/s1600/chickens-urban-homesteading.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3sNzmkJDfGo4H3B_X8DDP9_d0nRJLQFVfhRrBvGS2d4mwC5SqElL2twHfcwGeZ5nGbtchCBRJrqGp6cZfD3I58q8WJCo25BPvwewgHk7DjOSc45TCbcxJ-uI1gQqfcYDy8KIJEZhGaIw/s320/chickens-urban-homesteading.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494099175798165074" /></a><br /><br />SO, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ARTICLE or ABOUT HOMESTEADING, IN GENERAL?PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-34912448116792123522010-07-13T07:40:00.003-04:002010-07-13T07:53:35.278-04:00Tuesday Tag-Along Blog Hop<a href="http://tweepoppets.blogspot.com/search/label/tuesday%20tag-along"><img src="http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/Weezarrgh/TTAButtonSize.jpg" alt="Tuesday Tag-Along" width="125" height="125" /></a><br /><br />WELCOME TO "FOLLOWING HER FOOTSTEPS"! This is the first week I am participating in the "Tuesday Tag-Along" Blog Hop. I hope to find some great new blogs & get to know some new people! Hope you enjoy the content of this blog & that you will visit back often! WELCOME!PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-75440122788737045662010-07-12T10:49:00.004-04:002010-07-12T11:51:58.814-04:00Old Fashioned Cleaning Tips<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIJlMNsiQvCeXEU0CyALRsWBZOWjptpVUg81wCJhE6sgqHrfp6FCpACs3y7rAaueMOa4LCnIL0kDCE99MGw-GwEFhstMg8jdF0vzkyzRl8cYLgBYbvcEftOZVccqVyLuC3PEFQ0pS56E/s1600/vintage-housewife-dishes.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJIJlMNsiQvCeXEU0CyALRsWBZOWjptpVUg81wCJhE6sgqHrfp6FCpACs3y7rAaueMOa4LCnIL0kDCE99MGw-GwEFhstMg8jdF0vzkyzRl8cYLgBYbvcEftOZVccqVyLuC3PEFQ0pS56E/s320/vintage-housewife-dishes.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493047855048859650" /></a><br />HAPPY MONDAY, EVERYONE! <br /><br />It's no secret that I am a BIG supporter of "green cleaning". And it's also no secret that I am of a BIG supporter of keeping to a budget. Name brand, eco-friendly cleaning products can get to be expensive and many times can be made yourself using simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry or cabinets. After all, do you think that Grandma or Great Grandma whipped out an array of cleaning products during the depression? No way! There wasn't any money for that! They relied on things they had around the home! And often times used the same ingredients to do "double duty" by using a single ingredient to perform multiple functions. So, if you are new to homemade cleaning supplies, I hope these few tips & recipes can help get you started on the path on an eco-friendly & less expensive cleaning lifestyle.<br /><br />GARBAGE DISPOSALS: Freeze white vinegar in ice cube trays. As needed, put two cubes down disposal & run disposable blade. The blades will get sharpened as they cut up the "ice" cubes & the vinegar cleanes the disposable. Rinse with hot water once done.<br /><br />WINDOW CLEANER: Fill empty, clean spray bottle with 1 part vinegar, 1 part rubbing alchohol & 1 part water. DONE! Now wasn't THAT easy??? <br /><br />MINTY SCRUB: 1 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup borax, 1 tsp Castile Soap (peppermint scent), 10 drops peppermint essential oil, 1/4 cup water. Mix together & use wherever you normally use "Soft Scrub". (P.S. If you are already thinking of homemade holiday gift idea's, this is a GREAT one to make with a pretty packaging!) <br /><br />SILVER CLEANER: Line a large bowl with aluminum foil. Add 6 cups warm water, 1 tbsp of salt & 1 tbsp baking soda. Mix salt & soda until dissolved. Soak silver items for 1 hour. Remove & rub dry with a soft cloth.<br /><br />ALL PURPOSE CLEANER: Fill empty, clean spray bottle 1/4 full with hot water. Add 2 tsp of borax & shake borax until dissolved. Next, add 1/4 cup white vinegar & 2 tbsp of your favorite dish soap (Dawn works best). Add several drops of your favorite essential oil (to your liking). Fill remainder of bottle with warm water & shake. Shake before using. Can be used for countertops, potty seats, sinks, on carpet for stains (test patch first) etc.. <br /><br />Hope these few idea's will get you started! More blogs to come on this subject in the future so keep checking back for new idea's!PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-76442311518994203422010-07-10T13:27:00.003-04:002010-07-10T13:27:38.639-04:0010 WEEKS TO GO!Oh that day! What an emotional mess I was! It was the first week of February & my little Blue Eyes was getting ready to turn a year old. I was knee deep in first birthday planning & up to my neck in winter bills wondering how I was going to get the two to happily marry without going broke. To make matters worse, my stomach issues & IBS always flare up when stress is high so everything I ate made me sick. I was sick for a several weeks before feeling like this was definitely the worst case of IBS I had to date & I swore I was finally going to start taking my medication (which I never do, of course!). Ahem! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscSfHYQzwFLgohP7RFVGVSXBM5fhkHTBNr1CdJzwCtTKB_0v6A4Sr-TiEP08ot_ugEYkVLF4i2t4BBQVe7fkZcPlt4sMVe4uM0vgAYB4mzKjLKSm7A70VQ28hNxLWx-HGqyXR1qiL1Hc/s1600/DSC00079.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjscSfHYQzwFLgohP7RFVGVSXBM5fhkHTBNr1CdJzwCtTKB_0v6A4Sr-TiEP08ot_ugEYkVLF4i2t4BBQVe7fkZcPlt4sMVe4uM0vgAYB4mzKjLKSm7A70VQ28hNxLWx-HGqyXR1qiL1Hc/s320/DSC00079.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492275256631795154" /></a><br /><br />Ever notice how Moms are always right? They are clued in to the mysteries of the universe, I am certain! That being said, my mother half serious & half with a giggle suggests I take a pregnancy test. Bah! I can't be pregnant! I am a seriously dedicated birth control pill taker! How could THAT be possible? Well at this suggestion, I quickly thumb through my calendar. A long list of explicitives run through my head & I grab my keys & notify my husband I am heading to the Dollar Store to buy a pregnancy test. I had my hair in a bun, my husbands dirty sweatshirt on, tears streaming down my face & yes, I also had started to break out in stress hives (ON MY FACE!!!!). I must've looked like a broke, knocked up teenage buying a pregnancy test & paying for it with the remainder of a gift card my mother had bought my son for his Christmas stocking. Because yes, that week in February I didn't even have a whole dollar to scrape together for a pregnancy test. Oh yes, and let's not to forget to mention there was close to 3 feet of snow on the ground that week! But no amount of the white stuff was standing between me & that Dollar Store!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-sUrP9zgRy8N7-f0xC81Or1J9cXkeJhzME_J-_UagjT7e9tc-FcatH7BEzm4LsU-dr1EO_LY4aDSLU9UWIbXQDpSkhl-p-3S4xoLXgT8e2PGBCn3pADDMEOwob1D1Pa5zvUaIS8V8Qw/s1600/SnowStorm-Mar06.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-sUrP9zgRy8N7-f0xC81Or1J9cXkeJhzME_J-_UagjT7e9tc-FcatH7BEzm4LsU-dr1EO_LY4aDSLU9UWIbXQDpSkhl-p-3S4xoLXgT8e2PGBCn3pADDMEOwob1D1Pa5zvUaIS8V8Qw/s320/SnowStorm-Mar06.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492283752864494978" /></a><br /><br />Well, I am sure you could guess the results by the title of this post! And tomorrow I will have only 10 weeks to go until my due date in mid-September. After the initial shock of being pregnant again finally wore off, we found out we are having a little girl. We also got a little more unexpected news when we found out there could be some potential complications. Nothing in this world is more scary then when you get that news. I "Googled" every term the doctor gave me. I surfed every forum that my web browser would allow trying to find any shred of information I could get. I cried for weeks over the information I found. I wanted to feel knowledgable. I NEEDED that information. I joined a few online support groups. And we did every test we could to try to find out what type of disorder our daughter could potentially have. If you're wondering, we really haven't gotten a good solid answer, even after an amnio. Trisomy 13, 18 & 21 have been ruled out, as well as Cystic Fibrosis. The amnio did produce a "positive" result for Spina Bifida, but since all 4 of my ultrasounds showed no sign of spinal defects, the doctor seems fairly certain it is more likely a "false positive". Of course, this gives me no confidence in the rest of the amnio results. We had the option of doing a broader range of testing for chromosonal defects, since that is what my highest risk is for, but we opted to decline all further tests. So, these last few weeks we are waiting it out & anxiously preparing for the arrival of Little Miss Magic. We have been so caught up in the testing, that we are frantically trying to pull together everything for her arrival. I pray for my daughter every day. I pray first & foremost that God's will be done in our lives. We are willing to accept the life God wants to give us. I pray for her to be healthy & that if she isn't, the complications would be minor. I pray that I can be the best parent that I can be to her & to her two big brothers. Nothing in this world is as precious as those three children are to me.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguval94FVkebIBrG9aDAe8j88pNKKWnHwHnUiJR6kw-MXUMd-InkpM6qma5uzcZ5s2bZURFlRBNTAR09cg4pnihokmYZQSHqRCo2QMtbPgn3I-LbYlIApmu80RaxwgHC7zWCIrO6gqO1U/s1600/DSC01525.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguval94FVkebIBrG9aDAe8j88pNKKWnHwHnUiJR6kw-MXUMd-InkpM6qma5uzcZ5s2bZURFlRBNTAR09cg4pnihokmYZQSHqRCo2QMtbPgn3I-LbYlIApmu80RaxwgHC7zWCIrO6gqO1U/s320/DSC01525.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492328707134498690" /></a><br /><br />So...Yes, 10 WEEKS LEFT! My mother is coming out to visit next week so we can do some organizing & shopping. She'll only be here two days so I am sure we will try to cram as much in as possible. HERE'S TO NESTING! <br /><br />Wishing my readers a blessed weekend & a productive week ahead!PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-81693922632292270812010-07-08T09:28:00.003-04:002010-07-08T09:34:16.633-04:00Keepin' Company Thursday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6BGVPwiVu8aK9pLCORT3_nCB5BxK9TrZZSYS14RjsHELXs9jDwFbQjYjFPVx6d4tPV8v6SltJcR_RgZ3C_CC3IYvPOf3EJJsLB-He561h4H9hQdJstI4Mx3JZIxOMx-SuRSOZnElwMk/s1600/lastkeepincompanylogo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 143px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6BGVPwiVu8aK9pLCORT3_nCB5BxK9TrZZSYS14RjsHELXs9jDwFbQjYjFPVx6d4tPV8v6SltJcR_RgZ3C_CC3IYvPOf3EJJsLB-He561h4H9hQdJstI4Mx3JZIxOMx-SuRSOZnElwMk/s320/lastkeepincompanylogo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491528002526071298" /></a><br />WELCOME! This blog is inspired by the old fashioned living of my Grandmother! She was a wonderful woman who taught me so many lessons about what is important in this life. I hope that you enjoy the content you see here & keep coming back to live the old fashioned way with me! Enjoy your blog hopping this beautiful (AND VERY HOT!) Thursday!PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-85655785648234475112010-07-08T08:35:00.004-04:002010-07-08T08:49:53.302-04:00Dairy Free Banana Bread Recipe<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbVKSCNfUfKhd4m_5GP26d1v5Pf-Y9006BSEgxmJSc9WQHd5sQs7mIgdHl2XE4HYzgN9LGycvK5f-A4tgCoMIajeaSrZYWeyB8BAKXS08LYj5ZunqMqaLEttTlgqLkpBKzs71ENe7jkg/s1600/banana-bread.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbVKSCNfUfKhd4m_5GP26d1v5Pf-Y9006BSEgxmJSc9WQHd5sQs7mIgdHl2XE4HYzgN9LGycvK5f-A4tgCoMIajeaSrZYWeyB8BAKXS08LYj5ZunqMqaLEttTlgqLkpBKzs71ENe7jkg/s320/banana-bread.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491516518602645266" /></a><br />Yup! I did it! I ran out of eggs. Oops! Looks like I also had no milk. Those bananas sure won't make their way into a banana bread without a run to the store for those precious ingredients, will they? Well, apparently they will! And they did! I searched online for several recipes and ended up adapting this one, which I originally found on Allrecipes.com. The great thing about this recipe is that is so versatile! It's vegan friendly. It's great for people with egg or milk allergies. And it's also a VERY frugal recipe. How does it taste? Pretty darn good. Of course, it does have a much more subtle flavor than banana bread with traditional ingredients, but it's still very good & moist. You can boost the flavor by adding nuts, cranberries, flavor chips (chocolate, carob, peanut butter, cinnamon) or whatever other yummy additions you might have hiding out in your pantry, as well. Anyway.. Enough rambling. Here it is. Go try it out!<br /><br />DAIRY FREE BANANA BREAD<br /><br />2/3 cup sugar<br />1/3 cup shortening<br />2 cups all-purpose sifted flour<br />2 teaspoons baking powder<br />1/4 teaspoon baking soda<br />1/4 teaspoon salt<br />2 cups mashed ripe bananas<br /><br />In a large bowl, cream sugar and shortening for about 5 minutes (mixture does not get smooth). Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with bananas, beating after each addition (the batter will be thick). Spoon into a greased 9-in. x 5-in. x 3-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until bread tests done with a toothpick. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-41562331708955974612010-07-06T08:18:00.012-04:002010-07-07T11:24:16.049-04:00FOOD, INC: A Simple Movie Review<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtuLGIYOu_nW_aay6Be7C7a7t4XrMkdsd1MvgiL057R64MrY7aHc6nweDhLFfhI3Rd4w32ZgyxuUS7wiRMTikoDZBSe_JFatwtv_okK9hm-UGtOCvpDjdhWLmfry4dPrHtCM5S_3MwPs/s1600/food-inc-poster.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWtuLGIYOu_nW_aay6Be7C7a7t4XrMkdsd1MvgiL057R64MrY7aHc6nweDhLFfhI3Rd4w32ZgyxuUS7wiRMTikoDZBSe_JFatwtv_okK9hm-UGtOCvpDjdhWLmfry4dPrHtCM5S_3MwPs/s320/food-inc-poster.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491185475107291906" /></a><br />It is no understatement to say that I've been avoiding this movie for a long time. I buy locally as much as I can. I buy organic as much as I can. I shop at Farmers Markets. I cook from scratch & limit meat intake. Still.. I was really worried about watching this movie. I was scared that the content would be more than I could handle. If you, too, have been intimidated to watch this movie, DON'T BE. Most of the information presented is pretty basic & it is not as gruesome as I thought it would be. The movie presents an honest look at how food production(and in particular meat production) has affected the overall economy & health of our nation. It also addresses the serious issues of fair treatment of immigrant employees, food related health costs & the rise of obescity & disease. The best part of the movie, in my opinion, are the interviews with a local farmer who practices "good moral" farming. His animals are grass fed and he takes conviction at putting out a healthier & better product for people to consume. His words are inspiring & I have to admit there are several moments I got a little teary eyed. If you haven't seen this documentary style movie yet, I highly recommend it. If the content isn't familiar to you, it will be a great opportunity to learn something new. If it is familiar, it's a good way to renew some passion for an very important topic! This movie IS NOT suitable for children, but would be excellent for your older teenager! (Side note: If your student has a summer project this would be a great subject!). If you've seen the movie, comment & let me know YOUR thoughts & opinions on it. If you haven't seen it yet, come back & visit after you've seen it to follow up with your opinion too!PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-49754142201532846802010-07-05T10:09:00.003-04:002010-07-05T10:21:56.817-04:00Only Three Hairs<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68F07JzRsFATwjZ_JVc3A7uI1L9DE7BmGAjbbxOawnGzedF8vngcitVXDxFkrK5u2EgpZVcrNtN_4nZyeGRunq5qONSOdUNwta9uHLbTI2K_jdstVNXSsAkVEsffbYBxyzJboaMG1x7k/s1600/Farmhouse.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68F07JzRsFATwjZ_JVc3A7uI1L9DE7BmGAjbbxOawnGzedF8vngcitVXDxFkrK5u2EgpZVcrNtN_4nZyeGRunq5qONSOdUNwta9uHLbTI2K_jdstVNXSsAkVEsffbYBxyzJboaMG1x7k/s320/Farmhouse.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490427140093645602" /></a><br />Good morning fellow blog readers! It's been a week since I've updated but I've had a lot going on with the holiday (haven't we all, right?). I've also been working on a few articles simultaneously & can't wait to finally share them with you. I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to plan to write this morning, but I ran across this little story & thought it had a very powerful message. I hope you had a fun Fourth of July weekend filled with many blessings! <br /><br />The Attitude of Three Hairs<br /><br />There was once a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the<br />mirror and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.<br /><br />"Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today," so she did<br />and she had a wonderful day.<br /><br />The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw she had<br />only two hairs on her head.<br /><br />"HMM," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle<br />today," and she did and she had a grand day.<br /><br />The next morning she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw she<br />had only one hair left on her head.<br /><br />"Well," she said, "Today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony<br />tail." So she did and it was a fun, fun day.<br /><br />The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that<br />there wasn't a single hair on her head.<br /><br />"YEA!" she exclaimed, "I don't have to fix my hair today!"<br /><br />Remember you may not be able to control what someone says or<br />does or some of the situations that life throws you, but you can<br />sure control the way you react.PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-2942585656948199652010-06-29T07:25:00.002-04:002010-06-29T07:31:42.201-04:00Follow Me Back TuesdayWELCOME TO FOLLOW ME BACK TUESDAY! <br /><br /><center><a href="http://www.reviewretreat.com/"><img border="0" src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu124/closet_rehab/fmbt.png" /></a></center><br /><br />Thank you for visiting my blog about family living the old fashioned way! I have been blogging for over a year but after a short hiatus reopened my newly designed blog "Following Her Footsteps". Hope you enjoy what you see! Thanks for stopping by!PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-82665433591590131132010-06-27T18:24:00.011-04:002010-06-27T19:06:41.530-04:00Independence Day DessertsTired of the same old boring berry topped flag cake? Here are some unique dessert idea's for your upcoming Fourth of July celebrations! <br /><br />FOURTH OF JULY LAYER CAKE<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-tpD8CDXnEIvuzI-WZCmgTg0gyjOCm3Hbb-S-yYd_NKIireceqWR4iwXXld3e-TgTEfgZEIUOb3hL3AL9YqKqom8V3uHsyDBRduiKKyQjHmmPugH5qx8_OOZSST3ADT4AVjV_6fJHqs/s1600/Flag+Cake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7-tpD8CDXnEIvuzI-WZCmgTg0gyjOCm3Hbb-S-yYd_NKIireceqWR4iwXXld3e-TgTEfgZEIUOb3hL3AL9YqKqom8V3uHsyDBRduiKKyQjHmmPugH5qx8_OOZSST3ADT4AVjV_6fJHqs/s320/Flag+Cake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487584996756261074" /></a><br />I AM SOOOO TRYING TO MAKE THIS CAKE NEXT WEEKEND! If it turns out looking decent I will post some pictures. Here is the link to the directions & a video on how to make: http://17andbaking.com/2009/07/01/a-little-taste-of-independence/. By the way, this is a great blog & you should definitely invest some time reading (and trying) some of the other recipes.<br /><br />LADY LIBERTY CUPCAKE TORCHES<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufEoCkxWMqLLpDF7AqksU295JrAnkuNPxTquKaEozxlFplNPYSCaf-adEyAQPA9qkbINLlqNpdgBAQr_p6pKRfslE3HamfRdWF8yBPr5h6TPhlebdYW3Db54f1XDUmJXszK8BqPIA5sk/s1600/lady-liberty-cupcakes-4th-of-july-recipe-photo-260-FF0603ALMAA02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhufEoCkxWMqLLpDF7AqksU295JrAnkuNPxTquKaEozxlFplNPYSCaf-adEyAQPA9qkbINLlqNpdgBAQr_p6pKRfslE3HamfRdWF8yBPr5h6TPhlebdYW3Db54f1XDUmJXszK8BqPIA5sk/s320/lady-liberty-cupcakes-4th-of-july-recipe-photo-260-FF0603ALMAA02.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487586577778688242" /></a><br />Such a fun idea if you are partying with kids! Here is the link to the recipe: http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/lady-liberty-cupcakes-685451/<br /><br />CHEESECAKE STARS<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYTHX-yg_gGgJ2Jnh_dSfXu05Q2eOtso3VDWRGAMxHzQ9njdGkhbZAywlOC4wLMZZKN_iOk63ANUYUTK2uAWBkz7ZfMS9Ca8L__QP_F3h-Kf0h7JufC_o7j42CkKG7rlJgMGVdOLLawI/s1600/Old_Glory_Cheesecake_Bars.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 307px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYTHX-yg_gGgJ2Jnh_dSfXu05Q2eOtso3VDWRGAMxHzQ9njdGkhbZAywlOC4wLMZZKN_iOk63ANUYUTK2uAWBkz7ZfMS9Ca8L__QP_F3h-Kf0h7JufC_o7j42CkKG7rlJgMGVdOLLawI/s320/Old_Glory_Cheesecake_Bars.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487587834619025602" /></a><br />WHO DOESN'T LOVE CHEESECAKE???? Great recipe from Kraft Foods! Here is the link: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/old-glory-cheesecake-bars-53445.aspx<br /><br />BERRY TRIFLE<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_3ifeOehufNpnvX4oQC1l75FpZXOnO0YD1LsTXTLbJ-33xBtHLYTg8-muTRnfTcN4AgBKkrUQQa7wv1FF6Nj3ZONL9TO_KkgJovWCt47F9M8N9nzJtd4ESlotL7KFT2KEwpACuFpaKk/s1600/summer-berry-trifle-recipe-photo-260-FF0603FRUITA09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 260px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_3ifeOehufNpnvX4oQC1l75FpZXOnO0YD1LsTXTLbJ-33xBtHLYTg8-muTRnfTcN4AgBKkrUQQa7wv1FF6Nj3ZONL9TO_KkgJovWCt47F9M8N9nzJtd4ESlotL7KFT2KEwpACuFpaKk/s320/summer-berry-trifle-recipe-photo-260-FF0603FRUITA09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487589829238911490" /></a><br />EASY! EVEN YUMMIER WITH FRESH LOCAL BERRIES! Here's the link: http://familyfun.go.com/4th-of-july/4th-of-july-recipes/4th-of-july-dessert/summer-berry-trifle-683851/<a href="http://17andbaking.com/2009/07/01/a-little-taste-of-independence/ "></a>PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-29463665972389209322010-06-26T14:36:00.010-04:002010-06-26T15:14:48.753-04:00Independence Day Inspirations!FOURTH OF JULY. My all-time favorite holiday. The fireworks, the patriotism, the parades, the food, family & friends, the warm weather... All these things make up the reasons why I LOVE Independence Day!! What are your plans for the Holiday Weekend? Whether you are throwing a big party or attending a small get together at your neighbors house, here are some photo inspirations for planning the bash! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRadR409AF7CyWGdgHvLcPp3q5i7_gOvIucS3zYuO4d726zOojj4isNDtnHScwlt0GxukCJ6s-0O5DRVDBgSE4AvERZJoIW5tBA_8O_0siac7VuYESUPchfin_Sayrf7PgCzUqQQdJYM/s1600/cupcakes_4th_of_july.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIRadR409AF7CyWGdgHvLcPp3q5i7_gOvIucS3zYuO4d726zOojj4isNDtnHScwlt0GxukCJ6s-0O5DRVDBgSE4AvERZJoIW5tBA_8O_0siac7VuYESUPchfin_Sayrf7PgCzUqQQdJYM/s320/cupcakes_4th_of_july.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487161729823174994" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYDs9Z6EtzT6xWaX-gcCHIvpmbzBlgtwnECsnJ7EBEPS_3aBrT1qZHJX2KSwkk1bB3Rfjex7NeZFLtqsBiU6-CgcV5qxaVwDyXnX-wOHXctplDnovbWcbyg46CMFusYbMwJSLmZDS0IU/s1600/FourthPorch.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYDs9Z6EtzT6xWaX-gcCHIvpmbzBlgtwnECsnJ7EBEPS_3aBrT1qZHJX2KSwkk1bB3Rfjex7NeZFLtqsBiU6-CgcV5qxaVwDyXnX-wOHXctplDnovbWcbyg46CMFusYbMwJSLmZDS0IU/s320/FourthPorch.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487161726492067058" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDvJat221xMY_vgrc9oUmAqu34dwY8q6WbLI3tZobaNxHQlhHPA7I6J1veTBzv-wSJYtwpPyAPK9xQ-u3xFgyZ4s0cLVIdk_T_NHUlUQg3TwewkBCou1VBM-GFeJ2JwvqgbxwsfXnong/s1600/AllAmericanFood.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 278px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifDvJat221xMY_vgrc9oUmAqu34dwY8q6WbLI3tZobaNxHQlhHPA7I6J1veTBzv-wSJYtwpPyAPK9xQ-u3xFgyZ4s0cLVIdk_T_NHUlUQg3TwewkBCou1VBM-GFeJ2JwvqgbxwsfXnong/s320/AllAmericanFood.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487161718612576642" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuSj-Un8mVK9fL2RoqwHoZJIDVnp3rNUs-CFa9WnA6x0BVS-KUKrksThfLH6j7Keuhiw-ImcPywoakTgNYSjmEet_TBiKDpMRydbawln3MTleg-XpR2tDFAcP_7_sUYanLJkh9QYkOwY/s1600/patriotic-house-s2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmuSj-Un8mVK9fL2RoqwHoZJIDVnp3rNUs-CFa9WnA6x0BVS-KUKrksThfLH6j7Keuhiw-ImcPywoakTgNYSjmEet_TBiKDpMRydbawln3MTleg-XpR2tDFAcP_7_sUYanLJkh9QYkOwY/s320/patriotic-house-s2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487161497846527298" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipH19eKMAHCG82qiN_2F179mJonUL7Upk0I-dJknLsAaqkN1k6khVaTEof_XRk1RfGJuZz9o7fK9twJxBQOvRP2gyqxtwVa5BG4XSWBrKZ2ER9KOPei9ag-eN9o32WIYJ-JSdQW-L0SeQ/s1600/FourthDrinks.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipH19eKMAHCG82qiN_2F179mJonUL7Upk0I-dJknLsAaqkN1k6khVaTEof_XRk1RfGJuZz9o7fK9twJxBQOvRP2gyqxtwVa5BG4XSWBrKZ2ER9KOPei9ag-eN9o32WIYJ-JSdQW-L0SeQ/s320/FourthDrinks.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487161489977463394" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxB7SZD2YOjScJqxAw8QPg-_nel79y3sjcOkJQS57c9mGVNLnWjm8FHrueg0i1gQMyMWaFomgD_rnKZ2xa4KlFSnMoHLAEh_70T80vfJDRwdmfNgUXwF7LPTrUnoif7SsEXouIfV-cJTA/s1600/ms_4th_decorations.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxB7SZD2YOjScJqxAw8QPg-_nel79y3sjcOkJQS57c9mGVNLnWjm8FHrueg0i1gQMyMWaFomgD_rnKZ2xa4KlFSnMoHLAEh_70T80vfJDRwdmfNgUXwF7LPTrUnoif7SsEXouIfV-cJTA/s320/ms_4th_decorations.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487162213166967090" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNLsZFfz76qRGFhWHXgvgmFbSz8-WdipGZBmAFR_dbjMWSxMlwEHOegQNyb7fJyIAMicygEUPc5dLJalZzwAsoisuU7CcY_gEvUKeUin4Tq8utCRRZC945EylCNKtLIkwPEn4SL-34Eg/s1600/americanaMelon.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNLsZFfz76qRGFhWHXgvgmFbSz8-WdipGZBmAFR_dbjMWSxMlwEHOegQNyb7fJyIAMicygEUPc5dLJalZzwAsoisuU7CcY_gEvUKeUin4Tq8utCRRZC945EylCNKtLIkwPEn4SL-34Eg/s320/americanaMelon.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487161481708042898" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIQXxk1QzlXT9rZEqCkNL3n0ZMkOo4EFY88xMiI06p5BndWfTfHRWsYqtG-A05SmP1tqYx9pSCQW4jSr08AwFdCcoj6EuOUUQnNRDAvXZPqLNjVpVUYfZcKIGN6S_5V4r7wPKlQo3A38/s1600/4th-of-July-crafts-718185.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 218px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIQXxk1QzlXT9rZEqCkNL3n0ZMkOo4EFY88xMiI06p5BndWfTfHRWsYqtG-A05SmP1tqYx9pSCQW4jSr08AwFdCcoj6EuOUUQnNRDAvXZPqLNjVpVUYfZcKIGN6S_5V4r7wPKlQo3A38/s320/4th-of-July-crafts-718185.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487161475704488610" /></a><br /><br />P.S. All photo's were found online from various websites & I do not claim to own the photo's or have taken them. Just so we are all clear ;-)PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-22793226155226147472010-06-21T05:37:00.007-04:002010-06-21T05:53:08.651-04:00Best Fudge Recipe EVER!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0Ltgj1YkSqMd8DJ1Qe-17sUeFo6npap55Jb4_-D7cOtmRgPIP1B2tNOTcjNJJFIqNzQTGuJqn361RjGU3SFq80aOo-eISP4d59hSbQp2NDKfs9Y7psMdQ94GzTwCJiVVCy0AE1Bbc1c/s1600/Fudge.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0Ltgj1YkSqMd8DJ1Qe-17sUeFo6npap55Jb4_-D7cOtmRgPIP1B2tNOTcjNJJFIqNzQTGuJqn361RjGU3SFq80aOo-eISP4d59hSbQp2NDKfs9Y7psMdQ94GzTwCJiVVCy0AE1Bbc1c/s320/Fudge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485162029293786626" /></a><br />Ummmm... Yeah. BEST FUDGE RECIPE EVER! And I recommend doubling it!<br /><br />DREAM FUDGE RECIPE<br />Ingredients<br />1 (7-ounce) jar marshmallow fluff. If you are doubling the recipe the big jar of 13oz works just fine.<br />1 1/2 cups white sugar <br />2/3 cup evaporated milk (1 can)<br />1/4 cup butter <br />1/4 teaspoon salt <br />3 cups of your favorite brand milk chocolate chips (1 1/2 bags)<br />2 teaspoon vanilla extract <br />Optional add ins: Nuts or raisins<br /><br />Directions<br />Line an 8 by 8-inch pan with aluminum foil & grease with non-stick butter spray. Set aside. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine marshmallow fluff, sugar, evaporated milk, butter, and salt. Bring to a full boil, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly until thick. Be careful not to boil too high or the marshmallow will burn in the bottom of the pan.<br /><br />Remove from heat and pour in the milk chocolate chips & vanilla. Stir until chocolate is melted then wisk mixture is smooth. Add raisins or nuts, if using. Pour into prepared pan. Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours or until firm (I like to chill & store in freezer, as this is a softer fudge, especially in warmer weather). Cut to small squares for serving.<br /><br />ENJOY! LET ME KNOW IF YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE & WHAT YOUR OPINION WAS!PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-8708276185041491672010-06-19T14:09:00.018-04:002010-06-19T15:06:00.861-04:00My Boys & the BayThere are some days I just want to crawl back into bed & hide under the covers until all my problems work themselves out without me. I felt like that EVERY DAY this week. Ever have one of those weeks where nothing seems to go the way you planned & you are left with emptiness, a tinge of regret & sprinkling of self loathing by week's end? Yeah... SOOO Me this week! Luckily, I am blessed & even when things seem at their worst I am reminded that it truly is the smallest of life's pleasures that are the most important. Yesterday I had a day that redeemed the whole week! My mother in law & I took my boys to the movies, because you just CAN'T miss the opening weekend of Toy Story 3 (GREAT, BTW! Go see it!). Afterwards, we had a lunch of delicious summertime treats under a shady umbrella at a bayside cafe. My boys enjoyed watching the boats sail by, all the while taking in deep breaths of salty ocean air. There is something about the happiness of your children & their enjoyment of the simple things that is just wonderful. AAAAAAHHH! My mood is rejuvenated! Here are the pictures to prove the reason why!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilliZBdC7Fw1F17ZiW1Uc7jExPcfw_AVdN2_COvVWqG99HXf9e-SszWmX7NRxMSQljObQyx6eaSpEBaDJu1Gcv0_Ykbp8Yae3LYvHFp4vXecIU1L80utpKB1I8Lqr-S5DPbN09Ptq4BBQ/s1600/DSC00302.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilliZBdC7Fw1F17ZiW1Uc7jExPcfw_AVdN2_COvVWqG99HXf9e-SszWmX7NRxMSQljObQyx6eaSpEBaDJu1Gcv0_Ykbp8Yae3LYvHFp4vXecIU1L80utpKB1I8Lqr-S5DPbN09Ptq4BBQ/s320/DSC00302.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484561260267919570" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvokEQtsPMsHThaEDaIL4k3kPjSi5tcEUowf5xEcxTxVbU0vm4pSjoWrJpagym-JLNW4fDDMnyRzLh9Iy1x2Z-7wUcEpfbyY6HZVKGTSnBE-QuHQ6VSW5_JMqU0aRLihX1L0ShTveuyw/s1600/DSC00309.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMvokEQtsPMsHThaEDaIL4k3kPjSi5tcEUowf5xEcxTxVbU0vm4pSjoWrJpagym-JLNW4fDDMnyRzLh9Iy1x2Z-7wUcEpfbyY6HZVKGTSnBE-QuHQ6VSW5_JMqU0aRLihX1L0ShTveuyw/s320/DSC00309.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484561280216605890" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiJBxFKJ4n1ikFdzr233bAIrXOrh6TlyCk22JKCda6ZBHeeUBX0n2OcfFsJhiR7QeRpq9zCMSZkC2d2Y2uthFnzIm4CoujVZTKo2TzOVoW-Xu1urmHILMEBQiK-B5gj4uUpRknp__1MA/s1600/DSC00313.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPiJBxFKJ4n1ikFdzr233bAIrXOrh6TlyCk22JKCda6ZBHeeUBX0n2OcfFsJhiR7QeRpq9zCMSZkC2d2Y2uthFnzIm4CoujVZTKo2TzOVoW-Xu1urmHILMEBQiK-B5gj4uUpRknp__1MA/s320/DSC00313.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484561296016485746" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFYfy6C2LCqN4EQ95_wgIR1zjpNJFamDF71fc3VRNNLJEEE2yCqAgs2ymcK6xBJVJhXif0AjsEyPLAXsaTIyWjcWKi68fyxWFbymTVSa3m7OEJmMxN-oOGRGUEzVgJqgeUOkazC1W0Vs/s1600/DSC00299.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtFYfy6C2LCqN4EQ95_wgIR1zjpNJFamDF71fc3VRNNLJEEE2yCqAgs2ymcK6xBJVJhXif0AjsEyPLAXsaTIyWjcWKi68fyxWFbymTVSa3m7OEJmMxN-oOGRGUEzVgJqgeUOkazC1W0Vs/s320/DSC00299.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484561271692419138" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDfNbyAvqf3uW6_WbrMAGJP0O6OgvVWMqvRrzQeEhSmk01SOIo1IskIYjnMPD0bc1XlsePgcC3bQnQt5asOxKLHyOJVZLoWTroKxPQGEa1Fq_zu76sRilEThYcuw_kX0KPcP6dtNywbc/s1600/DSC00300.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDfNbyAvqf3uW6_WbrMAGJP0O6OgvVWMqvRrzQeEhSmk01SOIo1IskIYjnMPD0bc1XlsePgcC3bQnQt5asOxKLHyOJVZLoWTroKxPQGEa1Fq_zu76sRilEThYcuw_kX0KPcP6dtNywbc/s320/DSC00300.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484561285773737554" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxo11uhIizMx9p2iruBr6U4RAWD58G56Opwba492S-MWBvimjWpA8agH6tVpmKYyNzahpGTyXJTdK80TWiqbtxBHGj_s60bxEZqIMCSt8XqwL1Ghh8wGbAbwn9CLHOV5T5jGmfiWI2Zdc/s1600/DSC00312.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxo11uhIizMx9p2iruBr6U4RAWD58G56Opwba492S-MWBvimjWpA8agH6tVpmKYyNzahpGTyXJTdK80TWiqbtxBHGj_s60bxEZqIMCSt8XqwL1Ghh8wGbAbwn9CLHOV5T5jGmfiWI2Zdc/s320/DSC00312.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484561521688560050" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2_XJYZdN85PdDxBwHqawx2mL-AU8-QT5cRkH-egPl4etuAXYGeG6nWsuCO8ouGX06YWgG-LO3l1DBlkqBl-pd43Cy3p9ebZnQ-CKBCjq5Yb8FSl1NRFAVvv8dOHhhxYOssiSmEZaBw0/s1600/DSC00318.JPG"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2_XJYZdN85PdDxBwHqawx2mL-AU8-QT5cRkH-egPl4etuAXYGeG6nWsuCO8ouGX06YWgG-LO3l1DBlkqBl-pd43Cy3p9ebZnQ-CKBCjq5Yb8FSl1NRFAVvv8dOHhhxYOssiSmEZaBw0/s320/DSC00318.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484561527962410626" /></a>PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6006351961591074564.post-50661428866549530452010-06-15T10:41:00.007-04:002010-06-15T14:21:46.286-04:00Free or Nearly Free Kids Summer Activities!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_mQxNLoDNqZdmn2krxB6CR0YPcK2Dbh8KLpLnKcHu0oFE5dnAYfWX5R_bU6plo2PN_ABPYCwBB4VN90zSsV-9RzMT0Cwx34G9awXEQnJFQ2V2_MQLHTunM3gdPvJpj-w__yrh6OVTdg/s1600/pinwheels2.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 288px; height: 288px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_mQxNLoDNqZdmn2krxB6CR0YPcK2Dbh8KLpLnKcHu0oFE5dnAYfWX5R_bU6plo2PN_ABPYCwBB4VN90zSsV-9RzMT0Cwx34G9awXEQnJFQ2V2_MQLHTunM3gdPvJpj-w__yrh6OVTdg/s320/pinwheels2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483015753284636258" /></a><br />Oh, what a crazy morning it has been! It's not even 11 am here & already we've had car trouble, 2 doctors appointments & been out to breakfast at our local diner. After a morning like that, I could easily spend the rest of the day snoozing in a lawn chair & working on my tan! However, when there are "littles" in your house, snoozing in a lawn chair & working on a tan is pretty much impossible! They want to do stuff! They want activities! They have endless expendible energy!! Well, just in case you need a little inspiration for channeling all that expendible energy too, here is a great list of low cost summer activities for the kids that I ran across online. Enjoy! And I hope you manage to sneak in a few minutes of doze time, yourself, today! <br /><br />90 Low Cost or No Cost Activities to Entertain Your Kids All Summer Long<br />*Article copied from www.destroydebt.com<br /><br />If you find yourself checking the calendar to see when the kids return back to school and it’s only a week into their summer break, you may want to check out this list of 90 Low Cost or No Cost Activities to Keep the Kids Entertained All Summer Vacation:<br /><br />Outdoor Activities<br />1. Make sailboats and race them. Put water in a plastic kid’s pool and race your handmade sailboats. Use only the natural wind power to make them go and see who makes it to the finish line first! (If you live near a ditch or other moving water source, you might consider racing them down the stream after a rainstorm!)<br /><br />2, Jump rope. This is fun for one child or a group of children. Learn a few songs and games to play for group jump roping, and try to see how many jumps each person can make before making a mistake.<br /><br />3. Puddle jumping. Nothing is more fun than getting to play outside when it’s raining. Summer rainstorms don’t always mean you have to head inside- put on bathing suits and rain boots and stomp in the puddles!<br /><br />4. Have your own drive-in movie. On a clear, dry night, bring the television set outdoors and let the kids watch a movie on blankets under the stars. For added fun, invite the neighborhood kids to drive-in on their bicycles to enjoy the movie, too. Don’t forget the popcorn!<br /><br />5. Plant a container garden. Many vegetables and herbs can be grown indoors or out inside containers. Let your children pick some varieties to grow and tend to them throughout the summer. It may even convince them to eat a vegetable if they know they grew it!<br /><br />6. Target squirting. Set plastic cups on the top of a fence, deck railing, or balanced on kids heads and let other children squirt them off with water guns or plastic water bottles. You can create points by writing on the plastic cups and keep score or just see who’s the fastest to knock over the cups.<br /><br />7. Car wash. Arm your kids with the hose, a bucket, soap and some sponges and set them to work washing the family car (and each other). You could let them hang a sign around town advertising their car wash service, as well.<br /><br />8. Dirt restaurant. Kids love to play restaurant , and who doesn’t love to play in the dirt? Send the kids outside with plastic cups and plastic spoons, a few dollar store dishes and see what kind of gourmet meals they come up with. They can make salads from leaves and flower petals, mud pies, and tree bark chicken. The kids can take turns making meals, being waiters and restaurant patrons.<br /><br />9. Water balloons. An always fun, but often forgotten activity, water balloons are easy to make and cheap! Fill some balloons with water and play water balloon toss- start kids standing close together and each time the balloon is caught without breaking everyone takes a step back!<br /><br />10. Go for a hike, walk or bike ride. Most towns have parks and areas that are perfect for this, but even if you have to make it a full day trip and travel a bit, this is a great activity to beat summer time boredom. Pack a picnic lunch and plenty of fluids and enjoy some exercise.<br /><br />11. Oversized painting. Tape several large sheets of paper together on the backside, and flip them over on the lawn. Fill a few containers with different colors of fingerpaints, and give the kids a box of strange items to make their painting with. Try: spaghetti strainer, a balloon, a mop head, sponges, rain boots and any other objects you see lying around!<br /><br />12. Bubbles. Just about every kid enjoys bubbles! Create your own bubble solution with dishwashing liquid, water, and a teaspoon of sugar. Pour into a shallow container with a wide open mouth and then use odd objects to create your bubbles. String, rubber bands, the spaghetti strainer, straws, slotted spoons and anything else you can think of make some fun bubbles!<br /><br />13. Bubble art. When the kids tired of making bubbles, add a few drops of food coloring to the bubble solution and have them blow bubbles that pop onto white paper. The result will be an artistic masterpiece made from the rainbow colored bubbles!<br /><br />14. Sand art. Use food coloring to color sand in ziplock bags. Pour the sand on paper plates to dry before using. Once dry, glue to paper to make cards and art; or fill plastic containers with your sand art creations.<br /><br />15. Make a sandbox. For whatever reason, kids like playing in the dirt! You can make an inexpensive sandbox by filling a kid size plastic pool with clean dirt you dig up from your yard, or from sand you purchase from the store. Fill with plastic trucks and plastic cups and let the kids go to town.<br /><br />16. Organize sports days. If you live in an area where there are many children, you may be able to organize a day every week to play sports. Set up a baseball team, soccer team or other sports team and get the kids active. Just be sure to have enough water near by- especially if it’s hot!<br /><br />17. Sidewalk Chalk. Drawing on the ground is always fun. You can let the kids make pictures and drawings, or use it to make hopscotch and other games to play on the sidewalk.<br /><br />18. Create race car track. If you have miniature cars (hot wheels and others), it can be tons of fun to create elaborate race tracks in the dirt, complete with jumps, water pits and crash areas.<br /><br />19. Water games. You can let the kids run through the sprinklers, wade in a kiddie pool, spra each other with the hose, or play with a bucket full of water and plastic cups. They’ll be creative with it; or they’ll just get each other wet but either way they’ll have fun doing it.<br /><br />20. Organize a bike parade. Gather as many neighborhood kids as you can, and have everyone decorate their bikes like parade floats. Parade around the driveways or through a bike path.<br /><br />21. Collect cans and bottles. Take your kids through the town and collect as many bottles and cans as you can. Return them to the store and give the kids the money to buy themselves a treat. It will take up an afternoon, give the kids exercise, and help the environment all at the same time.<br /><br />22. Scavenger Hunt. Create a list of 20 or more things that can be found naturally outside in your area, things like pinecones, specific flowers, nuts, etc. Send the kids on a scavenger hunt to try and collect one of each item on the list. This can be done as a group effort, or each child can compete with the other to see who can find the most objects, the fastest.<br /><br />Have a campout. You don’t have to actually go anywhere to go “camping”. Pitch a tent in the backyard, build a fire (if local laws allow), toast marshmallows and enjoy camping in the backyard.<br /><br />23. Set up an obstacle course. Turn your backyard into an amazing obstacle course! Let the kids create a course from toys, bikes, and other things found in your backyard. Just keep an eye on them so they aren’t doing anything that would be unsafe!<br /><br />24. Go to yard sales. Give each child a few dollars and allow them to make purchases at a few yard sales. The new-to-them items are always more fun than the items they already own (at least for a couple hours!) You could do the same thing at the dollar store.<br /><br />25. Go fishing. Borrow fishing poles if you don’t have any and spend the day fishing in a river, lake or pond.<br /><br />26. Visit every playground. Determine how many playgrounds are within a 25 mile radius of your home, and pick one day a week as playground day. Try to get a few other families to join you; and visit one park each week.<br /><br />27. Build a rock garden. For some reason, kids really enjoy rocks. Let them collect various rocks and arrange them in a nice garden. For added fun, they could paint the rocks.<br /><br />28. Visit a local farm. You can probably pick fresh berries at the start of summer, and apples towards the end of summer. Some farms have activities like hay rides, horseback riding and a petting zoo.<br /><br />29. Make a slip n’slide. Use an old tarp as a slip n’ slide, or buy one. The kids will enjoy this activity for a few hours on a hot summer day.<br /><br />30. Go to drive-in movie. While you don’t want to spend all day every day in front of the tv or movie theatre; there is no harm in catching a movie or two. Drive-in’s are less expensive and you can enjoy the outdoors while you watch the movie.<br /><br />31. Stargaze. Take a blanket out after it gets dark, a flashlight and an astronomy guide. See if you can find all the constellations. <br /><br />32. Go horseback riding. Most towns have a horseback riding center within a day-trip distance. It’s not a free activity (unless you know someone who owns horses and will give you a ride!) but it’s a very fun experience the entire family can enjoy.<br /><br /><br />Indoor Activities<br />33. Crafts. You can purchase a bunch of craft supplies and let your children’s imaginations lead them to the creation of masterpieces. The local dollar store often has a good selection of craft supplies, and if not- Walmart or the craft store have a good variety that won’t hurt your wallet too much. Alternatively, you can probably dig up enough craft-stuff from around your house for a few hours of creating: buttons, glue, string, macaroni noodles- if it can be glued, it can work!<br /><br />34. Indoor camping. Throw a sheet over your kitchen table and camp out underneath. You can sing campfire songs, make s’mores in the microwave, and pretend to go fishing. If you have a small pop-tent, these can be set up indoors temporarily, too and provide hours of entertainment.<br /><br />35. Make a puzzle. Draw a picture or cut one from a magazine. Cut it into puzzle shapes and then put it back together.<br /><br />36. Play volleyball. Yes, you can play this version of volleyball inside. You just need a blow up beachball and your couch. Pull the couch into the middle of the room so you can stand on either side of it, and use it as your volleyball net. (You could also drape a sheet over a couple of chairs to create your net)<br /><br />37. Papermache stuff. Mix water and flour in a bowl to create a paste. Cut up strips of newspapers and make papermache objects. You can make piñatas, decorative items or animal creations. Just remember it takes several days for it to dry before you can paint and decorate it (or before you can break it open if you’ve made a piñata!)<br /><br />38. Make puppets. Use socks and craft supplies from around the house to create puppets and put on a puppet show.<br /><br />39. 5-Minute Make-Your-Own- Ice Cream. In a quart ziplock bag, put in a cup of milk, a teaspoon of vanilla and . In a gallon ziplock bag, put in a 1/3 of a cup of salt and fill the bag ¾ of the way full with ice cubes. Place the smaller bag inside the larger bag, and shake for 5 minutes. Open and serve! <br /><br />40. Become a dancing fool. If you feel like you’ve been cooped up inside for too long due to bad weather or other reasons, put on some upbeat music and dance until you’re too tired to dance anymore! The sillier you are, the better!<br /><br />41. Create the beach. If the beach is too far away or the weather causes you to stay inside, turn your bathtub into the ocean! Younger kids will get a kick out of this activity. Fill your tub with some cool water, play some beach tunes and give the kids the sand toys to play with in the tub in their bathing suits. Blow up a beach ball for some extra fun.<br /><br />42. Café Kids. Let the kids create restaurant menu’s of items you have in your kitchen and then take turns taking lunch orders from each other (or you). Let everyone be the kitchen staff to prepare the lunches, and then switch to become the customers who get to eat the delicious meals they’ve ordered! <br /><br />43. Draw mazes. On paper, create mazes and let your kids try to get to the end point. If you have a hamster or guinea pig, create a maze out of cardboard and see if it can find the end of the maze.<br /><br /><br /><br />44. Start an activity co-op. If you are good at arts and crafts, your friend is good at yoga, someone else knows gymnastics or plays an instrument, etc- you could all get together and start an activity co-op. Once a week, each parent could host an activity at their home for everyone’s kids throughout the summer. It’s a low cost way to keep the kids involved in various activities.<br /><br />45. Indoor picnic. Spread a blanket out on the living room floor and have an indoor picnic. No bugs!<br /><br />46. Scrapbook. If you have a digital camera, consider letting the children take photos throughout the summer and get the best ones printed. Alternatively, you could buy a few disposable cameras for them to use. Using your craft supplies, create mini scrapbooks of what the kids did over their summer vacation.<br /><br />47. Put on a talent show. Let the kids practice their talents, create tickets and flyers to give to the neighbors, and invite everyone to watch their performance. Let the neighborhood kids participate in the talent show, too! You can hold it inside or out; and give every participant a certificate and a round of applause.<br /><br />48. Make a dream book. Using magazines, let the children cut out photographs and draw pictures of things they’d like to have someday, places they’d like to go, careers they’d like to have one day and glue them into a dream book. <br /><br />49. Start making holiday gifts for family. Use all the free time you have in the summer to start on your holiday gift list. The kids can make photo frames, mini scrapbooks, and craft items to give as gifts throughout the year.<br /><br />50. Tye Dye. You can buy a kit or just get the colors from the craft store (or department store). You’ll need socks or tee shirts or whatever else you want to tye dye, and rubber bands, as well as rubber gloves to protect your skin from the dye. Alternatively, you could try using berries to create your own dyes.<br /><br />51. Marble games. Buy a big bag of marbles (really inexpensive!) and make up games to play with them. You can also search online for marble games and learn a few new ones.<br /><br />52. Room rearranging. Let the children draw a new layout of their bedroom(s) on paper, and then help them move everything around into their new configuration.<br /><br />53. Go rollerskating. If you have a rollerskating rink in your town or near by, watch for special discounts. Many roller rinks offer $2 skating days, which would mean a very inexpensive outing that everyone can enjoy.<br /><br />54. Organize a block party. Get everyone on your street or block together for a block party. Have face painting, activities, music and dancing, karaoke, and food (pot luck works great!).<br /><br />55. Go swimming. If you aren’t lucky enough to have your own pool, you can visit the park pool on a day pass, visit a friend or family member with a pool, or go to the lake for a day of swimming. Beat the heat and get some exercise at the same time.<br /><br />56. Set up a net. Put up a badmitten or volleyball net, or create one from clothes line and a sheet. Use a blow up beach ball to play volleyball or get a badmitten set from a yard sale and play.<br /><br />57. Soccer bowling. Set up 10 empty soda cans or plastic bottles in a triangle or circle on a fairly level section in your yard or driveway. Give each child three tries to knock down as many "pins" as possible by kicking an inflated ball at them from at least 20 feet away. Keep score like bowling.<br /><br />58. Make fruit Popsicles. Make your own fruit juice Popsicles with juice in paper cups and Popsicle sticks in them. Pop in the freezer until frozen and serve.<br /><br />59. Host a sleepover. Let your children invite a few friends over for a sleepover. It’s a fun way to break up the routine. The kids can play boardgames, watch a movie, make and eat fun snacks and enjoy some social time.<br /><br />60. Act out your favorite book or movie. Get the family together and/or invite some friends over to help re-enact a fairy tale or favorite scene from a book.<br /><br />61. Learn a new language. Use the internet or rent videos and/or audio instructions to learn a new language.<br /><br /><br />Educational Activities Your Kids Will Actually Enjoy Doing<br />62. Write and Illustrate a book. With construction paper and some crayons, your children can become authors and illustrators. If old enough, let them write their own stories and illustrate them (either by drawing pictures or cutting photos out of old magazines) or for younger children, you can write down their story as they dictate it to you.<br /><br />63. Visit the museum. (or the planetarium, the botanical gardens, etc) Most locations have a museum or other low-admission attraction that would make a nice day-trip. Not only is it something you don’t do every day, but it’s fun and educational, too.<br /><br />64. Volunteering. The local retirement home and hospital often like when kids come in to help serve lunch, or read to the patients. Alternatively, your children could volunteer at the animal shelter- they always need help making sure the dogs get out for some exercise!<br /><br />65. Make your own board games. Playing board games is fun for all ages, but can get a little boring when you play the same games, over and over. Spend some time creating your own board game with cardboard, crayons and other objects- then play it! The real fun is the creation of the game itself, but you can play and save the game for future playtime as well.<br /><br />66. Lemonade stand. Turn your children into mini-entreprenuers! Teach them how to figure out their profits by subtracting the cost of their materials and supplies and how many cups of lemonade they sell. <br /><br />67. Yard sale. Help the kids organize a yard sale. They can price their unused toys and clothing and other items that it’s time to get rid of, set up the tables outside with the items to sell, and handle the “customers”. Anything that doesn’t sell can be placed on ebay or another online auction site; and the kids could use the money to buy themselves a new summertime activity.<br /><br />68. Make a Movie/Play. If you have a video camera, let the kids write, direct, act, and record their own movies. If you don’t have one and can’t borrow one, you can do the same thing but have a live performance- like a play.<br /><br />69. Treasure Hunt. Hide a small treasure (a bag of candy, new game, etc) some where in the house. Then use post-its to write clues. Each clue will lead to another clue, until finally the last one will lead the children to the “treasure”.<br /><br />70. Simulate Stocks. For older children, use the newspaper or internet to research stocks and pretend to buy shares. Monitor the stocks throughout the summer and see whether you make or lose money.<br /><br />71. Computer time. Find a few educational websites and let your children use them on a day when they can’t go outside to play or are looking for something to do. Most kids love computers and there are thousands of websites designed to educate and entertain at the same time. http://www.funbrain.com/ is a good source. (You could even enroll older kids into a summer online course if you wanted- they have courses in music, writing, as well as all the typical academics)<br /><br />72. Preserve the kids school work. Many parents like to keep some of the kids school work each year. Let the kids pick out a few favorites from each year they’ve been in school and create a book out of them. You can slide worksheets and artwork into page protectors to store in a binder; scan the documents into your computer to create a digital file, or glue a few pages onto construction paper and bind together into a booklet.<br /><br />73. Make music together. Write song lyrics and come up with a melody. Record on your computer, mp3 player or tape recorder as a special keepsake. <br /><br />74. Play store. Either purchase a toy cash register from the store, or set up a calculator at the check out station. Make or buy play money, and spend an afternoon buying items and making change. You could even make a pretend check register and write checks, depending how old your children are.<br /><br />75. Create a chore chart. On a dry erase board or piece of cardboard, design a chore chart with the kids and give stickers or stars whenever their chores are accomplished. Set small goals and rewards for each week, and it will give the kids something to look forward to, and responsibilities during the summer weeks.<br /><br />76. Teach children to cook. Use easy recipes, but take advantage of all the learning opportunities involved with cooking: creating the shopping list, sticking to a budget, using measuring cups and spoons, nutrition, and actually making the meal.<br /><br />77. Learn origami. Get a book that teaches origami, or look up origami instructions online. Learn how to make several origami shapes and animals.<br /><br />78. Cartoon flipbooks. Show your children how to staple paper together or use a notebook and draw images that are slightly different from one page to the next so that when they flip through the pages, they appear to be moving.<br /><br />79. Start a book club. Ideally, you could get a few kids around the same age to all read the same book and get together to chat about it; but if there isn’t enough participation, even a parent and child could read the same book and have a discussion about it.<br /><br />80. Color carnations. Buy white carnations from a florist or grocery store, and place them in cups with food coloring mixed with water. After awhile, the flowers will take on the colors of the water they’re in.<br /><br />81. Play school. Take turns being the teacher and the students, and make worksheets and activities for the students to complete.<br /><br />82. Zoos. Find a near by zoo and spend a day there. The admission may be a bit on the steep side, but you can often pack snacks and lunches to prevent having to pay for anything other than the entry price and the educational and fun opportunities at the zoo are endless!<br /><br />83. Geocaching: this is a free activity for older kids and teenagers- or the entire family can participate. Visit this website: http://www.geocaching.com/ and enjoy a high-tech treasure hunt!<br /><br />84. Keep a Journal. Have your children write daily in a journal. They can write about what they did that day, or what they hope to do the next day. <br /><br />85. Be a tourist. Pretend to be a tourist in your own town and near by locations. Use maps to discover landmarks, attractions and parks that you’ve never gone to, and plan family trips to visit each.<br /><br />86. Savings Account. Help your child learn responsible money skills by taking them to the local bank to open a savings account. Help them discover ways of earning money throughout the summer and teach them about saving and interest.<br /><br />87. Go to the library. Visit the library once a week and allow children to check out books to read. Check into activities – most libraries hold children activities or crafts throughout the summer.<br /><br />88. Toss a ball. Have everyone sit in a circle. Every time they have the ball, they say a name of a state (or animal, or food, etc) that starts with the next letter of the alphabet as they throw the ball to someone else.<br /><br />89. Google earth. Use google earth and maps to explore new territory.<br /><br />90. Get a Rubik’s Cube. Vow to complete it before the end of summer. You may have to spend time on it every day, and it can be an individual activity or one the entire family takes part in.PACountryMousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02192682310082182584noreply@blogger.com5