What's for breakfast?

Banana Pancakes

(sorry for the stinky picture...I need to work on my photog skills)

In a blender mix

2 eggs
1 large banana
pinch of baking powder

blend until mixture thickens

butter griddle or skillet and pour like "regular" pancakes

This recipe makes about 9 medium pancakes and it is so delicious!!!  

Stress reliever...painting?

This time of year is busy for everyone BUT we have 10 birthdays in our family between November and the end of December.  Plus, Scott and I have an anniversary November 9th.  It's cray-cray around here.  So what's my point?  I've been busy crafting the last 2 weeks and the only reason why that I can think of is it must be a stress reliever; because we all know ain't nobody got time for dat.  

I've been on a canvas kick.  This first one is around 14x20...I can't remember the exact size and I'm too lazy to go measure.  :)

This is a small one, 8x10, that I distressed.

This next one is the same size as the first one.  I experimented with colors and distress.  Brown and turquoise are my go-to colors.

With my Cricut, I can pretty much cut out any lettering or shape so the possibilities are endless.  I've had my Cricut for several years...not sure why it took me this long to get on this wagon but I'm here now!!!  

Etsy shop...hmmm, maybe so!  

Hybrid Schooling

I guess you can see from my lack of blogging that hybrid schooling has taken over my life.  While I thought I'd have some "free" time on campus days when the kiddos are away, that hasn't been the case.  Every week I feel the need to run a million errands while I have the freedom.  Blogging has taken a back burner but hopefully now that we are well into the semester I'll have more time for it.

So far we have sunk our teeth into Latin, ancient Egypt, multiplying and dividing fractions, biology, history of medicine, science experiments, essay writing, Middle East geography, states and capitals, Abraham Lincoln...I'm sure I'm missing something.  One thing's for sure, hybrid school ain't no joke.  ha!  Can I say ain't on a homeschool blog?!

Our current science experiment is algae growth in pond water.  Lucky for us, we have a pond in our back yard so we didn't have to go far to gather our materials.  We've had fun watching the little bacteria dart back and forth in the jar.  We are to check the growth after 7 days and then again at day 14.  After my 5th grader observes the jar on the last day, she will write up a lab report consisting of the Scientific Method.

Here is a peek at our jar on day 6

Our Homeschool Room

I'm going to preface this post by saying you do NOT need a special room to homeschool in and you certainly do NOT need all the extras you will see in my video.  

I lucked out and already had a space practically ready for us and I happen to have a mom who was/is (once a teacher, always a teacher?) a math teacher.  

You can certainly homeschool at your kitchen table with nothing but your books but I enjoyed getting all the cutesy stuff, posters, and supplies for our room so I *might* have gone overboard.  

As I get older, I'm realizing I have a tendency to be Type A and can only function if things are in order and organized.  I know my kids do better when we are on a schedule and they know the routine, too.  So, here it is...

Prepping for the school year...

Organized chaos!  That's how I'm feeling right now with our school supplies and books piled high on our desks.  

University style schooling is exactly what it sounds like.  The kids will attend school on campus 2 days a week with professional teachers, administrators , and Head Master and continue homeschooling 3 days a week at home with me, the unprofessional.  Ha!  Lesson plans are uploaded the Friday before so I will print it out and follow the plan all week.  This is such a relief coming off a year of ME planning every subject, every week.  I'm thankful for the reprieve.  

Once I get everything organized for real, I'll post another pic or video showing how we keep it all together.  Organization is the key to sanity.  Trust me.  

Has it really been that long?

Time flies, right?  

So much has happened since I last blogged yet everything seems the same.


One major change was the decision to pull our kids out of public school to join the homeschool team.  I fully intended to blog about that adventure but time got away from me.  This school-year, we are going on yet another adventure...Hybrid or University style schooling.  I found an amazing campus in Houston where the kids will go 2 days a week and continue homeschooling 3 days at home. 


My plan is to blog about our 2014-2015 school year.  Hopefully posting some videos of math lessons and any other interesting or exciting lessons we attempt.  I'll also post pictures of our school room and current curriculum.  I'm still trying to eat healthy(aren't we all...) and exercise so there will probably be some recipes thrown in from time to time.


I hope you stick around!  

Jenny

Snack Time

I have sweet tooth the size of Texas. My daughter inherited this gene and often times puts me to shame. haha! I've learned not to buy a bunch of junk food at the store because it will be us two chicas that scarf it down. Hubby and son can take it or leave it but my baby girl and I take it and take it when it comes to the sugary stuff.

My latest discovery came from the Schwan's man. Strawberry Cream Fruit Bars!! Yum!! It's only 100 calories and 11 grams of sugar so it's just enough to satisfy that sweet craving and it tastes just like strawberry ice cream.

Way to go, Schwan's!! These 2 sweet girls give it 2 thumbs up!

New Venture

For those of y'all that aren't on facebook or aren't friends with me on facebook, I'm now an Uppercase Living demonstrator. I mainly signed up so I could get discounts but the more I get involved the more obsessed with it I get! I have so many crafty ideas in my head and I'm constantly thinking of all the possibilities...doctor's offices, dorm rooms, classrooms, wedding gifts, birthday gifts. The list could go on and on!!

My first crafty project required a trip to Goodwill. Imagine that. :)

I found 2 identical black frames for $3.99 each. They were in pretty good shape but had a few scratches on them. After a fresh coat of black paint and a good wipe down on the glass they were ready to go.

The expression "Simple" was one of the freebies I got in my demonstrator kit. I love how it turned out!!!

Before:

After:

This would also be precious if I had "Mr." and "Mrs." to hang in our master bedroom.

Brown paper bag technique

I saw this technique on a blog I stumbled across the other day and was so impressed by the way it turned out for her that I knew I had to try it somewhere. She did it on her staircase going to her basement. (must not have been a southern gal) For a while now, I've been wanting to do something to the back of my island. Paint is usually my first thought but I decided to try the brown paper bag technique. It was easy peasy! And cheap, too!! I already had the roll of brown paper...I used it to cover the kids' v-day boxes, so all I needed was Elmer's glue, water and clear protectant.

That. Simple.

Before: not a very good picture, sorry!

After: still a little wet from the protective coat

Chair re-do

I heart Goodwill! You must think outside the box when you are shopping at the second-hand shop and once you do...the possibilities are endless!!

A few weeks ago I found this chair and immediately I knew I NEEDED it! :-)

Before

After

Happy Homemaker

My daughter is 7 years old and she's the reason for this post. Time is going by so fast, as most of you know! When she was 3 or 4 she would want to help me in the kitchen but I usually shewed her off because I didn't want a big mess or I was in a hurry. Oh, how I wish I could take those days back. She still wants to help but doesn't ask nearly as often. It's so hard to look at the big picture when you're in the moment. I want to raise a christian woman who knows how to cook and enjoys being a homemaker - what was I thinking!! After all, I count it the greatest blessing to be a full time homemaker. The house needs me full time and my kids certainly do.

The saying is true, "if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." If I'm always walking around griping about something or nagging them to do something - nobody is gonna be happy! I've got to do better.

Often times I catch myself being a drill sergeant around here. "Do your homework, clean up your room, don't do that, go brush your teeth - NOW!" I forget to stop and smell the roses. I enjoy being a homemaker, really, I do. I wouldn't trade it for a million dollars. I need to show my daughter the joys of being a mom and wife.

Phil. 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Life lessons

I'm teaching the infant class at church this quarter and I absolutely love it. I usually have 4 or 5 one year olds and while we don't do a standard lesson we sing our little hearts out. A few weeks ago, while we were singing "This Little Light of Mine" I thought to myself, "I really need to take these words to heart." Here I was singing a song that I've sung since I was a toddler and then BAM a wake-up call.

So many times I get caught up in the moment and I don't let MY light shine. We've all been in situations where we could've taken a stand for the truth and didn't or stood up for someone who was being bullied or just gone out of our way for someone and we didn't. Sometimes it's my attitude that gets me in trouble. And believe me, people are watching and listening to you even when you don't realize it.

Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light shine before men, so they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

As the second verse of the song says, "never let the devil blow it out." This week I'm going to work on shining my light and not giving the devil a chance!

Jenny

Shakin' it up

I've had this overwhelming urge lately to write about much more than just food. I'll still throw in the recipes when something spectacular shows up but this is mostly about being a better me. I'm a Christian, wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. I'm passionate about being a stay-at-home mom and I know this is where God wants me to be. I'm hoping that blogging about spiritual matters, being a happy (and healthy) homemaker and better servant will help keep me on track.

Tomorrow's blog...Lessons from the nursery Bible class! Come back and check it out!

What's for dinner? Poppy seed Chicken

Poppy Seed Chicken (minus the poppy seeds)

4 chicken breast cooked and shredded

1 can cream of chicken

1 can cream of celery

1 pt. sour cream

1 sleeve ritz crackers, crushed

1 stick butter

If you've never cooked your chicken in the crock pot you must try it. It just falls apart and makes shredding so easy. Cover it with water and put it on low if you need it to cook all day or high if you need it done in 3-4 hours.

Once your chicken is shredded, mix the 2 cans and sour cream together. Pour mixture in 9x13 and top with crushed crackers. Drizzle with butter and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. The original recipe calls for poppy seeds sprinkled on top but I never have them and don't plan on buying them. haha!

What's for dinner? Turkey Pot Pie

This Thanksgiving I decided to put my big girl pants on and cook a turkey. I've never done that before because the "adults" usually cook it and us "kids" bring the sides. My turkey came out great but we had a ton leftover. Tonight I made turkey pot pie...something else I've never made before. ha ha! I have to say, it was really pretty easy and the hubby gives it a big thumbs up!!

Turkey Pot Pie

1 or 2 cups leftover turkey

1 stalk of celery, chopped

1/2 small onion, chopped

6 or so baby carrots or 2 momma carrots, chopped

1/3 cup flour

1 can chicken broth

1 cup milk

1 pie crust

butter

salt and pepper

Saute the celery, onion, and carrots in the butter until they are tender. Add the flour to the veggies and stir in the chicken broth and milk. Add turkey and salt and pepper to taste. Pour mixture into casserole dish. I used a medium size pyrex bowl. Lay pie crust on top and flute the edges...as good as you know how. :) Cut 2 or 3 slits in the crust to allow for ventilation. Trim any excess off and bake on a separate baking sheet. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes or until the crust is done.

Enjoy!

Dessert Time

Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Bars

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 1/2 stick butter, melted

2 cups peanut butter

3 cups rice krispies

16 oz. semi sweet chocolate (I used Hersey's chocolate chips)

Mix powdered sugar, butter, peanut butter, and rice krispies together in a large bowl. Lightly butter a 9 x 13 pan and pour mixture into pan. Smooth out with the back of a spatula. Melt chocolate in your microwave for 15-20 seconds at a time until smooth and runny. Pour chocolate on top of the peanut butter layer and smooth out until every square inch is covered. Refrigerate for an hour or until chocolate hardens. Cut into bars and serve immediately.

You can thank me later. :)

Got Chaos?

If your family is anything like my family then you need all the short cuts and organization you can find. Between piano lessons on Monday, soccer practice on Tuesday, Bible class on Wednesday I'm looking anything that will make my life easy. My Food Saver has become a very good friend of mine. I buy 5 lbs. of ground beef at a time and set aside one day to cook it. I just eyeball a pound at a time and brown it then let it cool and package it up. Throw them in the freezer until the day comes when I realize at 4:30 that I have no clue what's for dinner. You can either defrost it in a pot of boiling water (like a bag of rice) or throw it in a skillet on low heat. At this point, you can add taco seasoning, spaghetti sauce, bbq and ketchup or put it in a casserole.

Also, if you're into buying your meat in bulk (which is usually wayyy cheaper) try different marinades and package your leftovers up for later in the week or month.

I love my Food Saver!!

What's for dinner? Quick and Easy Veggie Soup

Quick and Easy Vegetable Soup

1 lb. ground beef, browned

1 can sliced carrots, drained

1 can green beans, drained

1 can tomato sauce

1 can stewed tomatoes

1 cup water

dash of chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper

Put everything in a big stock pot and let simmer for 30-45 minutes. I told you it was quick and easy. :) Enjoy!

What's for dinner? Turkey Meatloaf

Body for Life Turkey Meatloaf

1 lb. lean ground turkey

1 onion, chopped

4 egg whites

1 cup salsa

3/4 cup quick oats, uncooked

1 sm. package italian seasoning

1/2 cup ketchup

In a large mixing bowl, combine everything except ketchup. Press mixture into 9 x 5 loaf pan and spread ketchup over the top. Bake at 350 for 1 hour. This serves 6 so once this is finished baking, go ahead and slice the whole thing. This will help with portion control. :)

You could make this up ahead of time and put in the fridge uncooked. When you get home from your crazy busy day just turn the oven on and it'll be done in no time.

I pair this with mashed red potatoes and green beans. I'll share my green bean recipe another day. YUM!

What's for dinner? Turkey Burgers

Ground turkey

1 onion

sliced cheddar cheese

Sandwich rounds

Everyone knows how to make a burger but too many people are putting way too many "extras" on them. Season with herbs and onions for a low fat/low calorie meal. I usually grate half the onion to put in the meat, 1 or 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder. Then I saute the other half of the onion to put on my patty once it's cooked.

An adult should have 25g. of carbs per meal so if you choose to eat the bread - skip the chips. Or if you're like me and like a little crunch with your burger, just eat the meat and splurge on baked chips. Remember to not eat the whole bag and keep in mind that you'll be eating again in 3 hours. :)