Posts

Top 10 After School Snacks (#4 is my favorite)

/2 Comments/in , /by

When I have kids in “school” I pick them up and bring them home–no bus service–so I like to have snack on the table when they come home.  If it is a year that I am homeschooling than we usually end our day with a snack and tea or juice from our juicer!

These are my top ten after school snacks:

  1. Leftovers from their lunch box!
  2. Veggies and Dip
  3. Apples and yogurt or another dip they like
  4. Pretzels with either mustard or chocolate dipped
  5. Cheese and crackers–I use cookie cutters to make flowers with the cheese–too cute–sometimes I even put a raisin in the middle of the flower!
  6. Celery and cream cheese
  7. Build your own nachos
  8. Mini cheese tortillas
  9. Muffins (just out of the oven before I go and pick them up)
  10. Cookies and milk!

IMG_5435 watermarked

I find that the kids like to do a little “food network” and build their own things as much as when I have it ready, so I like to mix it up a little bit.

If I have a later dinner because of practice or other commitments I start the crock pot at 3 for dinners to be ready at 7. 

TIP:  I also set the table before I leave.  When I come home I just need to plop the crock pot on the table, and by the time everyone is finished washing their hands dinner is ready!

How to Create a Living Centerpiece (Green in 365)

/0 Comments/in /by

Today I have the great opportunity to contribute to Live Renewed.  Emily has a fantastic series going–I have learned tons so far this year.  Check it out!

Green in 365 series

This is Day 92 of the Green in 365 series!

By Renee from Joyful Mom:

When my son was just an infant a Mom friend came over to visit. She looked with wide eyes at my very small table with a center piece of freshly picked flowers in a thrift store vase, resting on a hand embroidered doily–“you will NEVER be able to have a table like that when your kid gets older!”

How to Create a Living Centerpiece

That moment stayed with me. It worried me. Would I really need to give up a simple yet beautiful table when I had a house full of kids? The answer is of course “NO.” What I discovered (after many years) is that she wouldn’t want to have a table like that. In my growing pains as a new mother I learned not to let the style and choices of other moms influence my own.

Continue reading . . .
Life In Bloom  A Life in Balance


mop it up mondays

27/31 day of honesty: kitchen hub

/8 Comments/in /by

I get the mail, stop off at the recycling bin, unload the junk and bring the “important” stuff in.

Then where does it go?

In the old house–Oh, how I’m getting tired of hearing myself say that!  It is like trying to translate slang into another language . . . my old way of doing things is getting lost in the translation.

I love my new house–I’m feeling better as I get each room organized but . . .  areas still need help!

I’ve always wanted a “desk” in the kitchen and this kitchen certainly lends itself to having a desk area–I’m not at that point yet–but I do need a place to get my family organized.  I think I have found my solution!

This picture is a lie–I cleaned before I took it–normally it would have a few toys, library books to go back, maybe a couple of the kids sweatshirts . . . a dumping ground.

So on a typical day I open my blue organizational binder and it is open along with my paperwork for the day . . . or things that need to come and go.

BUT NOW

This is my new way of organizing all that stuff!  I did find a few treasures along the way!  I love finding things . . .

I love this! I purchased it from Ballard Designs and it is perfect–now I have room to make this space an office–except that I would need to stand . . .

I still get to keep all the little things that help make my days brighter along with the necessities of the job.  Next project here is the bill paying center . . . in the move I have lost my letter writing and my bill paying “centers”–

I’m thinking that I’m not the only woman drowning in papers and bit and pieces each day . . . feel free to share your ideas.

Be Blessed.

I’m linking up with Whatever Works Wednesday.