Busy Day Recipes

This weekend the girls wanted a sweet snack so I pulled out an old favorite. Trailmix. It has such a great mixture of sweet and savory. There are so many good and healthy things about this treat, if you don't over indulge!

The girls, of course, put on their aprons and got to work. What better way to teach them, but to let them do it themselves.

No measurements to this recipe. Use dry roasted peanuts or cashews, raisins, and M&M's. Right now Easter candy is on the shelves and we choose pretty pastel milk chocolate and dark chocolate pieces. Dump and mix.
(Man I need a new camera)

This is daddy's favorite snack, so we always make enough for to take to the office for him to share with the guys. Christmas is a great time to have a dish of red and green colored trailmix on your desk or counter.

My suggestion to you is to make this and put it in cello bags with colorful ribbon and share it with someone to brighten their day.

Something we are wrestling with...

...well, to make a LONG story as short as I can- we are looking for a home to move into quickly! We live in a beautiful home right now on 72 acres and LOVE it. It's a medium sized home and it's very easy to maintain, and my kids love the freedom to roam, play, fish, and ride their dune buggies. The "perfect" home is not priced to sell right now and when it is it will be OUT OF THIS WORLD!

So according to OUR "plan" and our budget we aren't able to purchase a more permanent home until the first of next year. At least we have a plan, right? So it's been torturous to lease this home and "throw" the money away. I guess it's how you look at it. We've been looking and looking and haven't had any luck. We wanted to move before the new baby came and will have to extend or terminate our current lease May 31st. Jeff found a home with an owner who will be flexible and allow a lease to own option, Praise Jesus, but it has no backyard and a swimming pool. A pool usually would be a daydream for a big family, but it scares me to death with so many small children. The home is a fixer upper, but I enjoy that. It is in a wonderful small retired community, which sounds great to us, and it's only 1 mi. from Jeff's work and 2 mi. from the girls' school and church!

What to do, what to do? If any of my Arkansas friends read this, I'd love to hear you weigh in. Also, keep us in mind if you know of any properties that are available. We'd like to have four bedrooms and a backyard, not asking for much, but we'd also hope to have owner financing. We are flexible and are praying that God leads us where HE wants us.

M.O.P.S.

Yesterday I was blessed with the opportunity to share and network with a great group of ladies. I am a member of a club called MOPS. It stands for Mothers Of PreSchoolers. We get to meet, learn, and visit about family and children related topics. The presenter wasn't able to make it, so I agreed to be the back-up and I talked about ORGANIZATION, mostly pertaining to grocery shopping and the kitchen. I had SOOOOO much fun doing this!

Here are some of the tips that I shared with them.

*Make a list at home, never go to the store w/o one! Decide what you will be making all week, and ask the kids and the hubby what sounds good. Keep track of what's in your pantry. This will save your pocket book and space.

>Did you know that 1/2 of your purchases are "unplanned" and impulse buying and the stores bank on it, especially at the check-out counter. DO NOT buy anything there. They are priced to hit your hard. Go specifically to that isle if you need batteries and candy. Magazine subscriptions will cost you LESS than $20, if you buy them at the store you will quadruple your debt.

*Buy off brands. Most of them are made from the same people and if they aren't, taste test studies are showing that people CANNOT tell the difference. Don't be a name brand snob.

*Did you know that the eye level items on the shelves are the most expensive ones? Look above, but mostly below on the bottom shelves for the least expensive items. They know you don't want to bend down and hardly look that direction.

*Plan according to isle if you can, and if you can't don't just paruse every isle. Skip the ones you know you don't need items in.

*If you have to bring your kids, don't forget the snacks in your diaper bag or purse. This will help alot. I let my kids play with the calculator. Ammorae has to use it to help add up items and she is learning something very valuable!

*Buy with cash. If you can charge or use your debit/credit card you are ALWAYS more likely to spend more. If you are on a budget, this is a big MUST. If you know that you can not overspend you'll stick to your list and bargain shop.

*If you are going in for just one or two things, DO NOT pick up a basket or cart. You will only have room in your hands for what you came in for. Why do you suppose they have someone standing there to hand you one of those LARGE carts?

*Put leftovers on the same shelf everytime. Your family will know what to grab first, especially if you have hungry teenagers after school. You will get rid of them faster, instead of throwing them away. Also, cut up healthy snack foods, such as cheese and veggies and put them in baggies or dishes and put them on the bottom or at eye level for your little ones and they'll know that's just for them. That's where we put the yougurt and jello, yummy!

Last week I bought one bag of potatoes and I utilized every single one of them and they didn't grow eyes! I know that my little ones don't a lot of them so it's easy to determine how many to use. One night I made homemade chips, thanks Tamara, then the other nights we prepared, baked, mashed, pot wedges, and pot salad for sandwiches after church.

My passion lately is that I strongly believe that women need to work on networking! The blogging world has opened so many doors. I met one of the ladies yesterday who's blog I was reading and using her tips and I had no idea that she was attending the same church. If we are able to visit or share our thoughts then we will all be able to utilize the blessings that God has given us and we can work together to make our households an easier better place to live. Some of can inspire others to try something different or be creative. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut and need a boost. Most times you don't know when someone needs a pick-me-up or a good word and this is an easy way to serve and lend a hand. I can't emphasize how important it is to stick together and work together.

These are just a few things that I shared and I'll be back with some more soon! I'd LOVE to hear your tips! Send them my way!

Oh yeah, if you aren't involved in MOPS and want to be look online, email, or call me and I'll hook you up. It's definately worthwhile, if you are in that season of your life.

Busy Day Recipes

Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Crispy Treats

4 C. Rice Crispies 1 C. Sugar
1 C. White Karo Syrup 1 1/2 C. Peanut Butter
1/2 bag Chocolate Chips 1/2 bag of Butterscotch Chips

In a saucepan on low heat stir together karo syrup, sugar, and peanut butter. Pour over rice crispies in a large bowl.

When mixed well pour into a buttered or Pam sprayed cake or jelly roll pan.

In a microwave or double boiler melt chocolate and butterscotch chips together. Pour over the top of crispies.

Let sit in refrigerator for 15 mins. to set up. They can stay out at room temperature. I always make a double batch, and this will help you utilize your ingredients and I share them with everyone!

One of my best friends from Kiowa, Kansas (Jill Palmer) shared this recipe with me several years ago. Everyone loves it. When they put it out at the restaurant they are gone quickly. My kids and the guys at Jeff's office ask for them often. They are easy and are staple items that you have in the pantry! ENJOY!

A day right out of a bad movie script!

First of all, I'm not even going to talk about yesterday's day! My health issues kicked my butt and I'm still too damaged to talk about it.

Angela (Slaughter) your jaunt with Jeb and the season salt doesn't even come close to my MONSTER, I mean "angel" Ava! Ava is 19 almost 20 months old and I've NEVER really gone through the Terrible Two's with any of the other girls, but I think that I'm get hit quadruple with this one!!!

She started out the day getting into my dressing table and "applying" her own lipstick. Of course, I gasped, and then later had a little laugh. THEN, she opened a bottle of hot pink nail polish, while on my lap and painted herself, lips and all, and I didn't even notice. I had to scrub her from head to toe and parts of her are STILL stained. The ladies at church tomorrow are really gonna wonder.

After freaking out about that, I decided to take them on a picnic. While enjoying the fresh air and sunshine, the girls took their John Deere Gator powerwheels and rhode it around. I chose to close my eyes and rest on the blanket. Aydan and Addy put Ava in the back and she of course stood up, fell out, bruised her spine, and hit her head hard! Ammorae rushed her to me and within minutes she fell asleep. So, of course, I panicked and called my Nurse Practioner sister to see if I needed to haul her to the Dr. We decided to keep a close eye on her and wait. Jeff insisted on examining her himself, so I had to run her to town. She slept for three hours! Yeah, probably just to worry me.


After deciding that she was going to be alright, we settled in for a nice quiet evening, because Pam Hale took Ammorae and Aydan for a sleepover and leaving the two, usually quiet and calm, little ones with Jeff and I.

WELL, while preparing a lovely homemade meal, she comes in saying "uh-oh" and I dropped everything and ran following her. She, apparently very determined, had got into the trash and dug out the hot pink polish, opened it AGAIN, painted her hands and feet and swirled it on the living room carpet!!!

Can ANYONE top that? I don't even think that Leo could come close to that! Did I mention that Ammorae and I couldn't quit laughing during our picnic, because she kept falling off kilter, we were on a hill, and she stepped on the sandwiches and tipped the chips over. I have NEVER dealt with so much craziness with any one or all of my children put together, like this!

Isn't she a blessing. I was smart enough to get one pix, but the rest of the day I was too shocked to even consider it. Enjoy the one!

Size Matters

(One of my cooking helpers)
Well it's another update about ME! There are several contributors that might have made the effects upon me having anemia and gestational diabetes. One very important one (I imagine, although no one has said so) is being overweight.

I feel like it's a jolt and an opportunity all in one. I have done quite a bit of research, as well as my concerned husband, and I've found a good list of foods that are and aren't good for both of these illnessess. I have implemented new foods into my meal plan. I have been eating broccoli, asparagus, eggs, red meat, and dark salads in all of my meals. These are foods that I love and order when we go out, but have neglected to bring into my home. My excuses: I have young children who do not like eating these things and an anti-vegetable eating husband. We eat the run of the mill family friendly foods with canned veggies.


So I have been cooking and eating these foods as my main course and their dinner as my sides. Eventually, I feel like being an example and having them try them will spur some interest.
Also I have only gained 8 lbs. and I have 3 months left to go. I do realize that these are the "weight gaining" months, but I am inspired to do good and get through this in a more healthy effort. I have been exercising. When I first tried the Wii Active game, I was sooo sore for two days and never wanted to do it again, but now I realize that it was helpful and actually works, so while the weather is colder that is what I'll do and as soon as it warms up, awalking I will go. (a hint to my family; I need a new ipod)

I am also cutting sugar out of my diet. NO pop or iced tea either. And I figure if I can do this, than I can be well on my way to being couragous and disciplined for my future. (Well, we'll see)
(don't all of you cook in an apron and your panties?)

One more thing, I DO welcome advise!

Serving Others

Just a quick update: I am dealing with Anemia, but was not diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I was on the verge and so we are treating each day like I have it and are taking precautions. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

So many times throughout my week I witness and visit with people and when I talk about "Serving" so many people talk like it's completely up to our Pastors and Missionary type people. Some people think that our older generation that have retired and have "nothing better to do" are the ones that are beholden and in charge of serving.

I'm here to tell you to WAKE UP and read your bible! God charges ALL of with this task. My children have to serve, because God calls them to. If you are going to be faithful to God and to his word you will find a way, if not many to fullfill your obligation.

Stop right now and ask yourself, "What am I doing to serve God and others" If you are having a hard time answering I suggest that the first thing you do is pray and ask God to lead you. After you've done that, then start making a list of things that you think you can do and then one-by-one do them and check them off. If you are active in a church or your children's school then I imagine that things are thrown your way all the time. Be sure to participate. I see people that go to church say, "We are feeding the homeless...we are going to Haiti...we are gathering bottles for Loving choices..." but they themselves are not doing anything. If you can't think of any ways that you are purposefully serving or if you can't think of a way that YOU could serve than you are trying and you definately aren't obeying God.

God allows and make opportunities everyday for us to step forward and abide and honor him. So many people depend our faithfulness and generosity, and not our judgement and discrimination. If you've read, you know that God does punish disobedience and he will also punish your decendants, do you want to carry that load? Do you want your children, and their children to pay for your lack of caring? We MUST teach our children and do it ourselves as often as we can.


I want to express to you that there are many ways to serve others and most times it's a lot of fun and very rewarding.