Taking back my sanity

Perhaps I've been watching too much Dual Survival, but yesterday I decided my kids and I needed to have a little adventure. I was determined I would teach my kids to make a fire (with the motivation being s'mores at the end, obviously) so we collected tree branches, leaves and newspaper and our galvanized bucket and got to work. Being the trooper I am, I actually attempted the methods of rubbing two sticks together and using a knife and flint rock, to no avail. Meanwhile, as I was busy showing them the ropes, sweat pouring down my back, my children grabbed our bucket, turned on the faucet and played in the water.
Though we didn't make fire in the end, they had fun cooling off and we got our s'mores fix back in the house once we were all dried off. Today, with adventure fresh in mind, I had my hubby pull our tent out of cobwebs and it got quiet fast! I think the key to staying sane while staying home is maintaining that delicate balance between keeping your kids busy and allowing them to keep themselves busy for a while. How many times have you attempted writing an e-mail, paying bills or making a phone call only to hear a loud crash and screaming the second you walk away?? Too many to count. Gone is the luxury of using the restroom with the door closed! That's what crazy women do!
Finding quiet time is not as easy as suggesting your children go play quietly or read a book. Unless they are older and more self-sufficient, they usually want you to play with them, read to them or just be there...my son is scaling the kitchen chair right now to get to my lap, for example.
So the tent was put up. Sometimes you have to use a little ingenuity and trick your kids into submission. I loaded the tent with books, toys, a couple chairs, snacks and their sleeping bags and guess what? They didn't seem to notice that these are all the SAME things they normally have lying around, the tent just makes it fun and different.
So grab one yourself and set that sucker up in your living room. If you don't have a tent, you can fashion a mean fort out of blankets and chairs. And hey, while your kids are busy, sit down! Read a book or do your toenails! Maybe hit the treadmill like I plan to...I said maybe. But enjoy that quiet and don't feel guilty for doing so. While those bills call out to be paid, the chores pile up and laundry demands to be done, there's one more thing a little more important. Your sanity. Take it back.

Water play (pre- jumping in the bucket fully clothed!)

Chillin' in the tent

Yes, it takes up our entire living room

What's Cookin??

There is something magical about chicken, specifically chicken breast. It can be transformed into too many savory dishes to count, is inexpensive and readily available. It is the healthiest, leanest part of the chicken. A boneless, skinless chicken breast boasts a modest 250 calories and packs a protien punch. The best part? Most kids will gobble the poultry powerhouse happily. Here's where the best recipe for kid-friendly chicken I've ever made comes in! My kids LOVE chicken nuggets, specifically Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets. When I asked my four-year-old daughter, Jovie, why she likes them, she simply replied "Because I just like them." Enough said.
These are the only ones my kids will touch, probably because they are the only ones I will let them touch and so a refined palate was born! Don't get me wrong...I serve my fair share of frozen foods, pre-packaged snacks, and sugar-filled delights, but I do my best to make sure that when time and finances afford, they get the best.
There are many scary nuggets out there, some containing carcinogens, preservatives and tons of added salt! I don't want that stuff in my kids bodies so if it means making them myself, I will. Not only will you save time by making large batches of these and freezing for later, but you will save money too. A Chick-Fil-A nugget meal with a drink and fries is roughly $7. This one costs just around $2 (including fries) to make at home. Here's what's for dinner tonight, a copycat recipe from our favorite place! They taste darned close and the kids devour them:

2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
1 cup milk
1 egg
1 1/4 cup flour
2 tbs. powdered sugar (I started with 1 tbsp. and added gradually, to taste)
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper (optional...I omit as my picky ones would ask what the black stuff is!)
Canola oil for frying

****Whisk egg and milk together. Place chicken in milk mixture and let stand 2-4 hours in fridge.*** Yes, you have to plan ahead a bit. This step makes for a tender nugget but in a pinch, you can skip the waiting. I've done it...
When ready, place 2 inches of oil in deep pan and heat until bubbles rise to the surface. Place remaining ingredients in zip lock bag and shake chicken to coat. Place one layer of nuggets in pan and cook about a minute on each side, or until golden brown. Place on paper towel to drain oil. Let cool and enjoy!! (Serve with criss-cut frozen fries and your dinner will truly resemble Chick-Fil-A!)

My result ended up identical to the original...

To see this original recipe, check out http://www.mynameissnickerdoodle.com/2011/03/fabulous-food-friday-79.html

Cheap Dinner Tonight!!

This just in! My mom called to invite us out for dinner tonight and though karate class and an early bedtime for my kiddos make it a bit tricky, I'm up for the adventure. Tonight Don Jose's & Ricardo's Mexican Cafe is transporting it's patrons back to 1972 and serving up their signature enchilada/taco combo for just $2!! Take the kids out for a cheap meal or have an impromtu date night that will leave you a little left for dessert too! It looks like this meal-deal is one for Southern California readers only. Not to worry...I'm keeping my eyes peeled for more deals down the road! http://www.donjose.net/index.html

I'm bored!! The dreaded words...

With summer in full force, the days are feeling longer and longer. The sun sets later and kids seem to have more and more energy as the night wears on! My husband and I joke that while we're tucking our daughter into bed with the sun still shining and sounds of kids playing outside, we feel bad...but not too bad. Keeping a normal schedule during the summer can be hard but is important to do. Though kids thrive on routine, it's always fun to deviate a little and bend the rules once in a while. Here are some fun and fresh ideas to keep your kids busy while keeping your bank account intact!

1. Check out http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/. Every state offers 2 free games a day during the summer with some age restrictions.
2. Free or discounted movies! Edwards, Phoenix and Century stadiums, to name a few, offer discounted showtimes or even free movies all summer. One site to check out, that I use is      http://www.phoenixtheatres.com/summerkids.asp
3. Pack up the kids and head to the mall!! I know, malls are a breeding ground for spending but just strolling, getting a lemonade and looking at the puppies at the pet shop make for some good entertainment. Some even have play areas.
4. Go to the library! I take my kids almost every week and as long as you return your books on time, it's totally free. I've had upwards of $30 in late fees though, so watch out!
5. Hunt for change and head to Chuck-E-Cheese's. This place is great because the kids can run around safely (they won't get far as you are all stamped upon arrival and the entrances and exits are monitored), it's air-conditioned, and games only cost a quarter! It's not just for parties!
6.  Craft. Many stores like Target, Michael's and the 99 Cent Store have paints, stickers, construction paper..etc. for $1 or less. Let your kids loose and have them each choose things to paint or decorate. Or, if you don't even feel like leaving the house, do a treasure hunt for objects to work with. Old boxes, toilet paper and paper towel tubes can easily become works of art!

Here's my activity for today...cupcakes in a cone! It's the perfect handheld treat for a party, fun dessert or in my case, just because! I used a cake mix but prepare your favorite batter, fill cones halfway, follow baking instructions and decorate. Voila! A sweet dessert for any occasion.

Got the ingredients?

Fill about half-way

I baked slightly longer than regular cupcakes

The result? Yummy....

I hope you and your kids are having a wonderful summer! Stay busy, stay cool and have fun! What are your favorite summer activities on the cheap??

In Season

On the heels of a sweet date with my hubby last night, (we ended up at San Manuel Indian Casino!) I decided a batch of cookies was in order!
While flipping through Parents magazine, I came across a yummy looking strawberry cookie recipe. Although I don't normally choose fruit-themed desserts, (I go straight for chocolate!) this one looked too sweet to resist trying! This time of year, strawberries are abundant, making them very inexpensive. I found 1-pound cartons of them at Target for $1 each and stocked up! I sliced some to freeze and saved a few for this recipe.
Here it is, light and airy, tangy and buttery! Enjoy:

1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. finely shredded lemon peel
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup chopped strawberries, divided
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tsp. lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350° and in a mixing bowl, beat butter on medium to high for 30 seconds. Beat in sugar until fluffy. Mix in egg yolk, lemon peel and vanilla. Beat in flour and 1/4 cup berries. With your hands, work the mixture until a smooth dough is formed.
On a floured surface, roll dough to 1/4 inch thickness and use a cookie cutter to make rings and cut centers with 1-inch round cutter. (I skipped this step and made drop cookies, I just don't have the patience for the rolling and cutting but they were sooo good anyway!) Place rings on cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes or until edges are light brown. Remove and let cool. Puree and sieve remaining berries and stir the puree with powdered sugar and lemon juice. Drizzle over cooled cookies.
My son Logan wolfed them and daughter Jovie said "too sour" as she spit them out...you decide.

Chopped berries

Creamed sugar and butter

End result...not too shabby!

If you enjoy trying new recipes as much as I do, you're going to love my weekly dessert recipes courtesy of amazing pastry chef, Ellen (aka, my little sis) She is going to bring us new and exciting recipes to try. I'll attempt them and give you all a review. Welcome to A Sweet Bite, Ellen!

My beautiful sis graduating from Portland Culinary Institute!!

Date Night for Less

The countdown has begun...just a couple more hours before my fabulous parents show up and my hubby, Mike and I get to escape for the night! What couple doesn't jump at the chance for a night out with free babysitting?? So this week we began thinking of things we could do that were fun but wouldn't break the bank. Just dinner and a movie these days can easily cost fifty dollars...not to mention babysitting! We're lucky my parents are usually available (and willing!) to stay with our wee ones but I know not everyone is so blessed. We talked about going to a movie or dinner but I thought we should venture out a bit so the brainstorming began...
You don't have to spend a ton to have fun. Here are a few ideas for $10 or less...you have no excuses!!
1. Wait until the kids are in bed and send your hubby out to a Redbox! For $1, you can watch the newest releases in the comfort of your living room. Have him drive through for shakes or run into the store for some candy on the way home and you have a movie night!!
2. Have a dessert date or go to a local happy hour and share an appetizer or dessert. When you just want a night out, sometimes that does the trick!
3. Have a picnic. Cheese and crackers, wine and other snacks can be affordable and being somewhere with different scenery like a park or even your own backyard make for a nice escape.
4. Have a bonfire at the lake or beach. Bring the fixins' for s'mores, a couple blankets and you've got yourself a pretty cozy date night.
5. Go to a bookstore, order some coffee and browse!

These are just a few but I'm sure with some creativity, you can come up with many more great ideas under $10! Share them here!
I'll let you know how our date night turned out...

Home Sweet Home

I am NOT an interior designer by nature. My usual "look" is furniture covered with children's books waiting to be returned to the library, floors with piles of laundry ready to be done, and sticky fingerprints and dust everywhere! My kitchen counters are normally cluttered with magazines, mail, dishes- you name it...that counter space is fair game! Lately I have begun to feel like the walls are closing in on me. The kids do a pretty good job at keeping their rooms neat and there are always clean clothes to wear and mostly a clear path from here to there but was my standard slipping? I think so. Instead of appreciating my home and making it as presentable and enjoyable as possible, I have simply been getting by.
When things are neater, cleaner and smell and look good, I have more mental clarity and motivation. Who wants to sit in the living room and read with a cup of coffee when it's a mess or bake cookies in a kitchen that's filthy with no room to spread out? So, I got to work. Little changes can make a difference. You don't have to paint every room or spend a fortune; it's the small things that you notice the most. I took a few areas in my home that were nagging at me and turned them into my little spaces of calm. Here are a few tips to get started:

1. Choose a color scheme. I've chosen green, yellow, blue and white as a start. Choosing colors makes it easier to find pieces when out shopping.
2. Display items in groups of three and alternating height.
3. Make a list! This is so important because while out and about, especially with little ones in tow, it can become overwhelming to shop with no plan in mind.
4. Choose small areas you want to work on, say a powder room or shelf. It's easier to start with a corner than a whole room.
5. When on a budget, Michael's, Target and Kohl's are great places to start. My two favorite words? Coupons and Clearance!
First I decluttered! Then I repurposed a serving tray, hurricane and decorative basket that were collecting dust. Then I spent roughly $30 on 2 artificial plants, 2 pillar candles, a large bag of potpurri, 2 8X10frames and a candle holder. Here are a few before/after pictures from my home to inspire you!

   after

    Entryway table before

kitchen counter before

Linen Closet area before

After

after

Couch before

after



I Hope this has been helpful and I hope you got some ideas for your house too! It doesn't matter how big your place is or how much money spent, as long as it feels like home.