There’s no place like home (and the kitchen table!)

My kitchen is finally organized and stocked with the necessities, so I felt it was time to break out our favorite Saturday morning recipe: Egg and Sausage Bake. This is a staple in my mother-in-law’s breakfast menu, and my children will always request it if asked what they would like to eat. Doesn’t matter if it is breakfast time or not…..:-)

It is so easy to whip up, and with a side dish of fruit salad, you have a complete breakfast. Hope you enjoy it as much as my children do!

Egg and Sausage Bake

1/2 roll of ground sausage (we like the spicy kind)

1 cup shredded cheese (mozzarella and cheddar)

4 eggs

2 cups milk

1 cup Bisquick

Spray bottom of 9×13 pan. Cook meat and put in bottom of pan. Sprinkle cheese over meat. Mix together eggs, milk, and Bisquick. Pour over the top.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30-40 minutes. Let sit 10 minutes for serving.

I’m back, and ALMOST better than ever…..

Well, we made it! After several cases of strep throat (or something similar), a bout of flu, a lost cellphone, and a few wrong turns…..we have finally settled down in Colorado! I am feeling “at home” now, thanks to my mom who unpacked my kitchen for me, some new friends out here who stocked our pantry and fridge, and some old friends and family from Wisconsin who have called to tell us we are missed.

We received such a warm welcome out here and it made me stop and think: what is the best way I can help someone when they move in to a new place, especially cross country? It was definitely a blessing for me to have toilet paper and paper towels for our first night. A hot meal on our second night was great too.

What things have you done to help someone move in?

Out of commission….

Well, the big day(s) has/have arrived in ToddlerWorld. “Packing the truck day” is Thursday…. “Cleaning the nasty house day” is Friday. …”Moving day” is Saturday…. And what day is it today? Today is “Mommy is suddenly feeling frantic and panicked and unprepared day”.

So that is our schedule for the rest of the week. And it probably goes without saying that this will most likely be my last post until late next week. Then ToddlerWorld will become my more “commercial” blog, and I will begin our family webjournal. If you would like to be invited to our family blog, please drop me a note, letting me know who you are , and I will get you set up next weekend sometime. (oregongirl77-at-charter-dot-net)

Until next time…..

From a different part of the pig

Tomorrow, most people will be feasting on the traditional Easter dinner–a nice spiral ham, glazed in a honey sauce, served along side tender red potatoes, deviled eggs, roasted asparagus…..the list could go on and on.

Our family will be dining on bbq pork sandwiches. This may not seem odd to some of you; but for me, it is a very upsetting scenario. I do not consider myself to be a traditional person, but when it comes to traditional holiday meals, I stick with the “tried and true”. I like to dine on Reuben sandwiches on St. Patrick’s Day, watermelon and hamburgers on the 4th, and the whole turkey/stuffing/mashed potatoes combo on Thanksgiving. Likewise, on Easter, I really try to prepare the aforesaid Easter menu.

But the fact that we are moving in 7 days (aaaaahhhh!!!) throws Easter traditions out the window. As I came to grips with the fact that we would not be dining on the traditional fare, my mind began to contemplate the easiest slow cooker recipe I could think of. And the perfect one came to mind…..I think I can work through the steps to prepare it, and hopefully my family will not be as bothered as I am with the unconventional Easter menu.

Here is the recipe for Kimberly’s BBQ Pork Sandwiches:
1) Put one pork roast in the crockpot (or slow cooker, depending on how you were raised).
2) Turn it on low for 8-10 hours.
3) Shred the pork with a fork. (That rhymes!
4) Mix in one bottle of your favorite barbeque sauce.
5) Serve on your favorite rolls, with a salad and favorite veggie.

There you have it–the easiest Easter dinner I have ever made! And I have an excuse for this mediocre holiday meal–I just have to keep telling myself that. And I must remind myself that it is still from a pig.….just a different part of the pig……

Beyond the chocolate bunny……

I love Easter Sunday–not because of the fancy pastel clothing that I dress my family in, or because of the ham and mashed potatoes that we eat too much of, and not even because of the abundance of chocolate at my house. (Although that is exciting!

No, Easter has such a thrilling significance for me, as a forgiven child of Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday is an exciting reminder that Jesus did much more than die on the cross for me. That in itself is the very reason for my living–He set me free from the power of sin! But on that morning of the third day, He showed His power over death itself, and rose again and lives! How can I ever live a defeated or depressed life, when I remember the POWER that is wrapped up in my salvation???!!!

As Easter approaches, take time to meditate on the words of one of my favorite hymns. It sums up the entire story of my redemption.

He was wounded for our transgressions,
He bore our sins in His body on the tree;
For our guilt He gave us peace,
From our bondage gave release,
And with His stripes,
and with His stripes,
And with His stripes our souls are healed.

He was numbered among transgressors,
We did esteem Him forsaken by His God;
As our sacrifice He died,
That the law be satisfied,
And all our sin,
and all our sin,
And all our sin was laid on Him.

We had wandered, we all had wandered
Far from the fold of “the Shepherd of the sheep”;
But He sought us where we were,
On the mountains bleak and bare,
And bro’t us home,
and bro’t us home,
And bro’t us safely home to God.

Who can number His generation?
Who shall declare all the triumphs of His Cross?
Millions, dead, now live again,
Myriads follow in His train!
Victorious Lord,
victorious Lord,
Victorious Lord and coming King!

And this is one of my favorite Easter songs. (The video is a little graphic, so just be aware if you decide to watch it.)

Honey is good for kids

In college, I took a course entitled “Children’s Literature”. Simple sounding title, but I think it was one of my most enlightening classes. I have always been a lover of books–but this class opened my eyes to the profound effect literature can have in children’s lives. As I worked through the projects and reading assignments given me, I grew to love the different genres and authors that I was exposed to. I also became aware of the ways that good literature can affect children.

Now that I am a mother, my “recreational reading” has gone by the wayside and my book choices are mainly informational. I covet my reading times, and therefore choose books that will help me grow and develop as a Christian, wife, and mother. And the same should be true of my book choices for my children! Although I want them to have fun while reading, and I desire that they will choose books for themselves that they like, I want the books they read to cultivate them as people.

As I was packing, I ran across a book left from my Children’s Literature class. It is entitled “Honey for a Child’s Heart” by Gladys Hunt, and is a precious resource for mothers who desire to go beyond bedtime stories and really expose their children to good books. I am planning to re-read this book over the next few months, as I seek to fill my children’s hearts with the sweet HONEY of good literature.

One of the most thought-provoking paragraphs in the book is on page 21. Gladys states:

“The instruction to ‘train up a child in the way he should go’ encompasses so much more than teaching him the facts of the gospel. It is to train the child’s character, to give him high ideals, and to encourage integrity. It is to provide largeness of thought, creative thinking, imaginative wondering–an adequate view of God and His world.”

Mommy’s little helpers

I don’t know about your children, but my kids go stir-crazy in the winter. I guess it all depends on your area of the country….in the Midwest though, it is almost impossible to be outside during the winter (especially this winter!) for more than a few minutes. And in our small town, there is virtually nothing for kids to do indoors.
I say “virtually”–I should not complain because our city does have a family center that runs free playgroups and open gyms during the winter. But that means I have to bundle them all up, load them in the car, unload and unswath them, etc., etc. And as has been stated on this blog before, I am lazy!

Speaking of lazy, I fall short in the “creative mommy” department as well. Even though I have an early childhood degree, I am too lazy to come up with fun projects and activities to do with the girls. Sad, I know…..but honesty counts for something, doesn’t it???

So, when Usborne started selling these activity cards, I was very excited! There are a variety of topics to fit your child’s interests/age level and the projects are very easy to do. (Which is essential, in my lazy mind….) Each card is printed on heavy-duty, acid free, cardstock weight paper–for those of you whose books go through the ringer. They come in a convenient little box, and each card has a picture of the project on the front.
These activity cards are also great for teachers who need simple rainy day or “fill some time” projects. School-age children can pick a card and do the project or activity by themselves, if they have access to the proper supplies.

If you need a few minutes of peace from “Mommy, I’m boooored!” comments, check these packs out. They may be the help you need to keep your kids
busy and creative!

Just what he always wanted!!!!

Or at least you can hope……..
Many of you asked where I found the “My Wife Rocks” t-shirt. It took me a bit, but I located it–along with a few other cool shirts. You could buy him one for every day of the week!
If you do buy one, make sure you take a picture,post it on your blog, and let me know! And I will do the same. (Josh doesn’t have one yet, but when he does, you will definitely be seeing it!)

Today’s project: Answer life’s deep questions

I think one of the biggest controversies in life is over the issue of cookie textures. You are either a chewy cookie person or a lover of crispy cookies. I, personally, adore soft, chewy cookies. But my best friend and her family love to bake thin, slightly crispy cookies. It is a debate that can become quite heated, if held between the right people. I have learned to stay away from the topic, and just quietly sit back and savor my lusciously chewy homemade cookies.

Also, everyone has a different “secret” or tip for their cookies. Mine is Crisco Butter-flavored sticks…..my two favorite cookie recipes come from the cover of these wonderful creations. (I seriously think Crisco sticks are some of the best things invented–I always hated digging down into the Crisco vat and scooping out heaps of greasy lard.) My family is thrilled when I bake either of these cookies: Chewy Oatmeal or Chocolate Chip .

When I do bake cookies, I make sure that I have a reason to give some of them away—or we would eat them all in a matter of days (or even hours, if I am going to be honest with you.)
What are your best cookies?

He looks good in brown

I think I am going to buy this for Josh for his next birthday…..what do you think? (I think it is sums it all up perfectly.)

*EDIT: Josh claims he would actually wear this…..I think I have to buy it now. I will try to remember where I found it!*