Time Saver

A lady I visit teach told me this trick. She said there was many a night she was able to get back to bed quicker because of it. The down side is you need to own or purchase 3 waterproof mattress pads. How it works is you make the bed (or crib) in this order: waterproof pad, sheet, waterproof pad, sheet, waterproof pad, sheet. This way, if there is night time accident, all you have to do is pull off the top sheet and waterproof pad, and you are good to go. Instead of having to find a clean sheet and pad and make the whole bed. She said it works great for babies who spit up a lot, kids who still have occasional bed wetting, or a sick child who you think could possible throw up in the middle of the night. If anyone has tried this trick, I would be interested in knowing how well it worked out.

Coupons

A friend of mine from church uses pinchingyourpennies.com. I've never used, but she loves it. Let me know how it works our for you guys.

Memory Box

by: Ann P. Lewis (Wondertime)

For some of us, keepsakes have to be easy or no keeping happens. My method requires 1) a pen, 2) paper, 3) a box. I simply scribble notes (see ideas below) and drop them, dated, in the box. Someday I may whip these choice scraps into an archival masterpiece, but probably not. I'd rather sprawl on the bed and read with my kids — no chronology, no calligraphy, no pressure.

Examples of what to write.

Direct quotes: "Mommy, how does the [childproof vitamin] bottle know a child is trying to open it?"

Snippets of overheard play monologues or child conversations
Clara: "I wonder who invented crayons." Freddy: "Someone who was very experienced with things rubbing off."

General descriptions: "Freddy went to school today in his new cowboy outfit: suede vest with fringe and a badge over his heart, matching chaps, boots, and a gigantic hat."

Lists (friends, visits, words, fears, etc.)
"What is in Clara's schoolbag: 2 rocks, 1 cotton-ball fairy pillow, 1 filthy stu­ed animal, 1 pair sparkly shoes, 1 newspaper."

Milestones: "Freddy lost his first tooth at 9 p.m., 5/11/05, while sitting in Daddy's lap in the striped chair in the playroom. One quick tug and out it came. Not a baby anymore. Think of all the action that little tooth has seen so far."

You could decorate a shoe box, tin, recipe box, or any other container you want. Make sure you leave the box somewhere you spend a lot of your time and it is very accessible, such as in your kitchen or family room. And make sure you keep a pen and paper near it. Otherwise you will plan to get the stuff out to do it, but never really get around to it. Then you forget exactly what was said or done.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin cookies are one of my favorites and I found an easy and really good recipe.

2 boxes of spice cake mix
1 large can of pumpkin (make sure it's not pumpkin pie filling)
1 bag of chocolate chip

Mix this all together. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. I think they taste just as good as the "from scratch" kind.

Hamburger Gravy

Maybe all of you have had this before. Everyone one at work seemed shocked I never have. It is way easy and not too bad either.

About 1 lbs of hamburger (I use turkey burger)
2 packets of gravy (white or brown)
mashed potatoes (I use instant to make it easier)

Season and brown your meat. Drain the extra fat off. Mix the gravy packets according to the directions. Add the gravy to your pan of meat. Simmer till it starts to thicken. You pour this over mashed potatoes. Easy, right? Russ and I liked it. Next time I'm going to try and add a veggie (mushrooms or maybe green beans) to the gravy mixture. This way we wouldn't have to eat our veggie separate. It will all be in one dish.

Peanut Butter Playdough

I have heard of this before and I saw it on someones blog, so I thought I would add it! It's fun to play with and completely edible! If anyone does it in the near future, please add a picture to this post to show what fun it is!!!

INGREDIENTS
3 1/2 cups peanut butter
4 cups confectioners' sugar
3 1/2 cups honey
4 cups dry milk powder

DIRECTIONS
In large bowl, cream together peanut butter and confectioners' sugar, then beat in honey and fold in milk powder. Divide into 15 equal portions and refrigerate or freeze until ready to use.
-Ashley Hancey

I'm a Little Teapot

I'm a Little Teapot
The traditional tune was written for these lyrics in 1939 by George Harry Sanders and Clarence Kelley.
Lyrics
I'm a little teapot,short and stout.
Here is my handle, (Put left hand on left hip.)
Here is my spout. (Put right hand out to the side, with elbow slightly bent to imitate a spout.)
When I get all steamed up, (Rise up on tiptoes, then come back down.) Hear me shout.
Tip me over and pour me out. (Bend sideways from the waist, toward the right, to suggest pouring.)

- Sara Phillips