Stinky

Last night my husband and I were discussing our pet and that we had not smelled him lately and we thought he decided to move on. He must have heard us or else he doesn't like short grass because this morning we knew that he was still around. For those who don't know our only pet is a skunk that lives under our patio.

Sick Kids

I'm not sure exactly why but it seems to me that a illness gets past around with a new child getting sick every two days. So the more kids you have the longer it takes to go through them all. I still wonder why they all don't get it at the same time.

As you can guess mine have been sick, just a fever and no desire to do ANY thing. My little one has it now and I hope that he is the last. But the oldest hasn't gotten it so knock on wood. Maybe I will get some sleep tonight.

Favorite Friday Cheesy Apples

Today recipe was first brought into my house when I had my first little boy, by a wonderful neighbor. It has been a family favorite for almost 8 years now. It is great because it works for both a breakfast and a desert and I know people who serve it as a side dish.

Cheesy Apples

8 apples peeled cored and sliced
1/2 lb velveta cheese cubed
1 C sugar
3/4 c flour
1/2 c butter

Place Apples in a 9x9 pan
Mix remaining ingredients until soft dough forms, easily done with a mixer.
spoon topping over apples, Bake at 370* for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
Can be served right from the oven or cooled and is great with Ice cream.

I must admit that I have never made a single batch.

Snow Mornings

My Children did something today that they have not done for years. They woke up to snow. What a delight. They all came running into the room I am staying in and opened the curtains just to show me. I remember loving waking up to snow as a child and then playing in the yard. The only thing that was missing was waiting to see if it was a snow day for school but since we are on spring break they are already out and free to play in the wonderful white.

Kids Pictures

As part of my kids spring break for the last few years we have gotten their pictures taken. Some would ask why not just get the school pictures but I don't because of the price and I cant get the group shots that I want. I am very excited to do boys and girl separately now that I have 2 boys.

Picture time means new outfits and haircuts. Finding outfits for 6 kids that match is easier some years then others, depending on sizes needed. The older they get the harder it is. I decided to pick the color black this year but it still has had its challenges, finding black in 6-9 month boy has proven to be the hardest, but old navy came through last night and in the clearance section to boot. I now have 6 different tops and a hour and a half to get kids ready.

Dishes made easy

I have spent the last few days with extended family and have really enjoyed the time. I am every grateful to the modern invention of paper dishes. When you add me and my 6 to a group most times you at least double it and paper dishes have come in very handy. So I say yes it is OK to use paper plates when you have company. The meals have all been delicious and clean up very easy. So here's to paper plates and more time with family.

Dress up

My little girls love to dress up. I can't set my heals by the door on Sunday with out all of them trying them on and running around the house with them. Well my little two have been in heaven. We are staying with their cousin who has a treasure box of cool princess dress up.

Now normally I don't mind dress up but I wonder if there is a point where it is just too much? I don't let them leave the house in it, and you have to wear PJ's to sleep, but around the house its OK,at lease for a day or two. but all day every day?

My little 3 yr old has not worn normal clothes since we got here. That means from sun up to sun down. The shoes do come off while jumping on the tramp, but other then that she is a princess. Or at least one in training.

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

While I am away from home I decided to put a favorite recipe that I can remember without my cookbook. It is also a great recipe to make with kids, because it is so simple.

Pumpkin spice cookies

1 spice cake mix
1 14 oz can pumpkin

How easy is that. Optional ingredients are one egg, and my kids love to add chocolate chips.

Mix ingredients together and drop dough on a cookie sheet. bake at 350 for 15-20 mins.

I hope you enjoy.

Timing

Have you ever sat and thought about timing. How a chance meeting changed your life or how you get in line and all the sudden there are a million people behind you?

Some times I love my timing and that of those around me, and some times I don't. Like last night I started my whites in the washer and went and sat on the couch with my sick little one, when what happens she barfs all over me. Remember that laundry, well I'm on vacation and only have so many outfits and now they are all in the wash. I'm just glad I had a swimming suit to wear while I did another load.

Have you had your hug today?

As I sit and think about what to post tonight I am reminded of what is important to me and how quickly it can be taken from me. My family is my most treasured possession. I would like to encourage you to go hug the one that means the most to you and just say "I love you" I know its not hard and doesn't take much time, but worth it. Just imagine what it would mean to you if they came to hug you. So from the words to a song I grew up with "Have you had your hug today? If not then right a way, I'm the one so lets get to it."

Modern technology

Modern technology is a wonderful thing, sometimes I wonder how we ever lived with out certain things like microwaves for example. I love my microwave and how would I cook dinner if I couldn't defrost meat at the last minute?

In the last few month I have moved into the next age of technology, I now have a cell phone. One that even can take pictures, now to figure out how to get them on my computer? And for my birthday my sweetheart got me a Ipod nano, wow have I come far? It is so cute and pink, I now need to get one of my girl to teach me how to load it. I spent 20 minutes pushing the buttons before I realized you just rub your finger over them. That's OK baby steps and maybe I will be a listening soon.

How can I make my home a haven in this world?

I believe that a home should be a haven for our families against out side influences of this world. The best was I have found to do this is to invite the Spirit of the Lord. We can do this by doing the things that a wise man once said. “Home is a haven against the storms and struggles of life. Spirituality is born and nurtured by daily prayer, scripture study, home gospel discussions and related activities, home evenings, family councils, working and playing together, serving each other, and sharing the gospel with those around us. Spirituality is also nurtured in our actions of patience, kindness, and forgiveness toward each other and in our applying gospel principles in the family circle” President Spencer W. Kimball.

How to treat a Woman

I attended a ladies night at church last night and was was surprised to find men there in the parking lot as I drove. But grateful when one walked over as I was getting a box of dishes out of my car. He took the box of service for 8 in and to the right room, so I could set up the table I had signed up for. But it did surprise me almost as much as the fact that my husband had offered to carry the same box to the car at home. Do men really carry heavy boxes for women anymore?

As the night went on the men appeared again coming from the church kitchen with a cart full of soups. Where they really here to serve us dinner too? They did a wonderful job. Glasses were kept full, food delivered with a smile. At the end of the evening they appeared again to help clean up, they stacked chairs and took the heavy tables to a different room where they are stored. As I was walking back to my car my box was once again taken from me and placed safely into my car. I thought it would stop there, but once again I was pleasantly surprised. I was asked if I was leaving or returning to the church. I said I was leaving and he stood there making sure I was safe in my car and driving off before he returned back in to the chapel. As a side note the chapel is in a great neighborhood so it wasn't a scary place, they were once again just being nice.

I enjoyed the evening with other women and am very appreciative of the men who where there. Who do know how to treat a woman.

Favorite Friday

I will be doing a favorite recipe each Friday, or one that I have tried recently.

This year my church doesn't start until 1pm and lasts about 3 hours. Needless to say we are all hungry when we get home. I have found that crock pot meals are wonderful. I did need to go get a new one, my old one was small and old. I love my new one. It can hold 3times what the old one could and with a big family that has been great.



Now on to tadays recipe

Tortilla Soup

3-4 Chicken breasts
2 can 14 oz black beans or 1 can each black beans and kidney beans
2 can Mexican stewed tomatoes
1 can tomato sauce 14 oz
1 c salsa
1 can chopped chilies
Tortilla chips
Cheese

Combine first 6 ingredients in crook pot on high for 4 hours or low 8 hours

Shred chicken before serving
Serve with chips and cheese
You can also drain juice and make chicken tacos.

With the size of my crew I have to double this.


Enjoy

Kids need yards

I have lived in several places and houses. Due to the military, and I have come to realize that kids need a place to runaround and play. As a child I spent many happy hours out side playing in my yard which I remember to be huge. Whether it was swinging on a swing, climbing a tree, or rolling in the grass it wasn't just my back yard but a magical kingdom that turned into a castle, jungle or many other wonderful places.

As I have watched my own children play I have been very thankful to have good yards when I did and sad when my yard was a little too small.

So remember your youth and the time spent outside and open the door and kick your kids out.

Kids in th Kitchen

I am a firm believer that that kids should be in the kitchen both as cooks and cleaners.

My Kids have spent many hours sitting on, yes on the counter helping me mix this or that and are becoming great cooks, Last week my 11 yr old made dinner including a veggie and set the table while I was at a sports practice with another child.

This week my two little girls 3 and 5 smelled my toast and came looking for what they thought was muffins. Out came two mixing bowls and two packets of add milk muffins. Yes, they each made their own mix up. I put the mix in the papers they put in the pan and into the oven they went.

Last night my 5yr old wanted to help with dinner, we needed chopped green peppers and onions. Out came my chopper and she did it herself. I think that they children eat better when they help make it and when they help choose what to make.

Quilt not bags

I know I need to sew bags but sometimes I just want to sew something else. So I am putting the bags on order on the back burner and making quilts for my oldest twos room. Their old ones are light pink and baby blue, great for little girls but not to cool for preteens. Off to the fabric store I went and found a great print to be my main fabric. It is a brown background with turquoise, Pink, and orange flowers, with a few green leaves, It kind of reminds me of a Hawaiian print. Well on the next row there is a stripe with the same colors, I left the store with nine different fabrics that I love together. Now I really don't want to sew bags. After trying to talk myself into sewing bags for a few days and even cutting out a few liners I decided I might as well just sew what I want. I promise I will sew the bags as soon as the tops are done.

I have done the math for the pattern I want and cut out the squares, and am well into sewing the tops together. I love the way they are turning out and would post pictures if my camera worked. oh well tax refund is coming soon.