Mama Knows Best - What to do with those apples!

We as mamas have to be innovative and thrifty all in the same beat. Somehow we find new ways of doing things that save us money, time and maybe if we are really blessed.... sanity!

My sons pre-school teacher just gave me this tip and it was too good not to share!

A couple of us room moms were talking about how we went apple picking, or were given an abundance of apples! I recounted my 4 hour struggle to core, peel and slice 20 lbs of apples. Then I soaked them in Fruit Fresh water and then bagged and froze them. WHEW!

My sons teacher said that her mama would fill a disposable pie pan with the apple slices and cover them with foil and freeze them right in the pie pans.

When she was making a pie, she would make her pie crust and place the bottom crust in a glass pie pan. Then she would remove the pie pan from the freezer and just pop the already pie shaped apples right into the crusted pie pan. (She had already mixed the cinnamon / spices into the apple mixture.) She would then cover the top with pie crust or pie dough cut into shapes of leaves. Wahlah- a pie ready to go!

Tip: If you are having trouble getting the apples out, then just soak the bottom in some shallow warm water in the sink!

Do you have a money/time/sanity tip to share? E-mail me at everythingmom@live.com !

Things you can only know if your a mama.....

There are certain things that you could only possibly know if your a mama!!

For Example....

Lost sippy cups found

The feeling in the pit of your stomach as you see a sippy cup under your car seat. You haven't seen that cup in a while and you start to pray you filled it with water. But you didn't.... of course. That funny smell you have been smelling in your car suddenly makes sense.

You reach for it and can see white chunks. You debate whether to try to wash it or just throw it away.

I am here to tell you that there are some smells that stay in your nose all day. Yep, this is one of them.

Binkies, Lovies, Blankies

You can just never, never, never have enough binkies or lovies.

I have spent many a night searching the Internet for another frog lovie that my child clings to. Now I just resort to hardcore prayer that we NEVER lose Frog or we are DONE.......

If you have a binkie baby you also know that no matter how many you own there are just never enough. My youngest has 10 in her crib right now as I type. If I could, I would put 231 more in there... just in case she would wake only to not be able to find one within her reach :)

Works for me Wednesday: Knowing there are cookies in that there Jar!

I looooooove to bake. My favorite things are cookies since they are mostly easy. (Except for the fancy smancy ones that my littles really don't like) I also love my cookie jars. They add some holiday flair to my kitchen, depending on the season. What I don't love so much is the fact that once said cookies go in the jar, people forget about them and they end up not being eaten!!!


To remedy the problem I have come up with this.



Its a simple photo/ place card holder. (This one is from our wedding) You can find them anywhere or make your own. ( I will be making one on the blog later in the month.) I then cut out a foam shape that I found in my craft pile. Oh the wonders of foam !!! But that's another post.... Its a green tree for Christmas or a red ornament, a leaf for fall, a heart for Valentines... you can use anything! They also sell pre-made shapes at craft stores if you are scissor challenged. :)

I write on the foam with a sharpie or gel pen and place it beside the cookie jar. I was amazed how well it worked! Now the sign catches the whole families attention. (Even visitors in our home asks for a cookie because they see the sign!) The cookies are eaten and nothing goes to waste! And that works for this mama....

To see more great WFMW ideas visit We are That Family!

And the Winner is.....

The winner of the $50 Bob Evans Gift Certificate is JANE BUCKEYE.

The Winner of the $25 Mimi's Cafe Gift Certificate is Jen.

I will be e-mailing you ladies today to get your address! (You have until Friday to respond to my e-mail :) )

Thanks for all those who entered!

Hey all !!!

Hey ladies! As you know I have been taking a little blogging break to reflect on where I want the blog to go. The fam and I have been in New York in the midst of beautiful trees, horses and best of all.....quiet.

I thought I would get the shakes being disconnected with the "real world". No e-mail, no phone ringing off the hook etc. To my absolute shock, I was so peaceful and at rest. My hubby and I talked about how much better we felt and how much more connected to one another we were. It made me sit up and take notice.

Maybe this is the message that I have been searching for.

To be still.

To be present.

To enjoy playing in the leaves with my cherubs.

To hold hands with my hubby on a walk.

And NOT to be a slave to the phone, computer or commitments.

So in honor of being still (very hard for me, I assure you) I am cutting back some.

I will only be doing the bargain recipe of the week for Kroger. ( The store that I grocery shop.)

I no longer feel the need for "stuff" to fill this blog. I would rather post stuff that I really care about and love. Such as kids crafts, organization and home things. I am going to start featuring more guy view articles and stuff just for moms. ( Including a monthly feature by a esthetician who will give beauty tips :) ) I mean what mama doesn't need some beauty :)

So I am excited....now I am getting off the computer now so that I can enjoy a cup of tea while my little ones sleep. Because one day they won't take naps anymore and I will do a mental head slap for not taking advantage of this time.....

Teacher Knows best: Halloween Costume

I am blessed to live next to a elementary school teacher who loves my kids and we love her!! She has multiple education degrees and is the first person I run to when I am worried about speech, development or anything learning related!! She has agreed to write a weekly post for me on some common concerns involving little ones and just great tips! If you have a topic that you would like to see addressed, please e-mail me at everythingmom@live.com.

Halloween Costumes

Confession: I totally stole this from Summer. She is the queen of kids Halloween costumes.

We are very fortunate to have a children’s resale shop within walking distance. When it’s warm, we often load up the stroller, hit the Mexican place for dinner, and then roll across the parking lot to see what treasures hang waiting inside. While the store does carry conventional Halloween costumes, we have found that the pieces to make your own can be obtained a whole lot cheaper.

For example, last year the Big One needed a flannel shirt to go with his cowboy outfit - $3. This year Small Fry is going as Little Red Riding Hood. Summer could have bought a flimsy costume or tried to make a hood herself. Instead, persistence paid off and she found a beautiful red cloak with a hood for, get this, $6. The good thing about buying resale is there is a chance your child will wear the item again, in a non-costume way. Then again, if you have to have cowboy boots and know your kiddo will grow out of them or never wear them again, you didn’t spend a small fortune. We have found that sometimes it takes multiple trips to find just the right items as new things come in everyday.

Some schools allow children to dress up for their classroom Halloween parties. Time is limited for these parties and we want to make sure kids have as much time as possible to party. If their costume doesn’t require them to physically change clothes, it saves them waiting in line at the restrooms to put the costume on and then take it off at the end of the day. Try a costume they can slip on over their clothes or that part can be worn during the day, such as the jeans and flannel shirt of a cowboy.

And the winner is......

The winner of the 6 months of Deluxe ice cream is....... Tammy!

Congrats!

Bob Evans....new changes and a GIVEAWAY!!

I was thrilled last week to be asked to come and view a new Bob Evans test restaurant! Basically they are going to be re-vamping and building some newly designed Bob's in the future and wanted to see what some everyday mamas thought!

Read about the changes and enter the giveaway here!

Deluxe Kroger Ice Cream : 6 month giveaway!!!

Y'all know that Kroger is my all time favorite store. I think I keep my particular store in business :) What I love the most about Kroger is the value that I feel I get with my money. So of course I did a happy dance when they asked me to try out their Deluxe Ice Cream.

Read more about it here.

Teacher knows best: Getting your kids to write!

I am blessed to live next to a elementary school teacher who loves my kids and we love her!! She has multiple education degrees and is the first person I run to when I am worried about speech, development or anything learning related!! She has agreed to write a weekly post for me on some common concerns involving little ones and just great tips! If you have a topic that you would like to see addressed, please e-mail me at everythingmom@live.com.

It Doesn’t Have to be Shakespeare

Writing is one of the subjects many kids struggle with. From “I don’t know what to write” to “I can’t spell this word”, teachers sometimes battle with kids to get them to write anything. One of my friends recently shared with me how she got her boys, 4th and 1st graders, interested in writing.

Over the summer, they both started online blogs. She had them choose the background they wanted, how they wanted it to be set up, helped them invite friends and family to follow their blogs, and sent them on their ways. The older one types his own entries then he and Mom edit them. The younger one dictates as Mom types. Both boys love seeing their work published instantly and the comments that follow.

Wordpress and Blogspot both offer free blogs with plenty of privacy features.

Some Changes are a'comin.....

Lately I have been convicted. This is not a far stretch for me. I feel convicted about a lot of things. This conviction, however is about this blog. Its going in a direction that I had not envisioned. I am writing, my love, less and finding recipes more. Which is fine.... but my creative outlet is not so creative anymore.

Its making me wonder about this blog and what direction and priority I am placing on it. I try to listen to the Lord's voice on the direction for my life and I am feeling like there are some changes a'comin down the pike. Which is exciting and scary at the same time.

I have decided to take this week and really search out HIS will for the direction in my life. So..... I will not be posting less this week. Although I will be having 2 awesome giveaways this week....so make sure you check them out!

I hope everyone has an awesome week!!!

Giant Eagle Bargain Recipe of the week: Crock pot Chicken Tetrazzini

I love chicken tetrazzini! Pair that with a crock pot and I am in! I am thinking I may add some Velveeta cheese to this as well to give it some zip. Happy Eating Y'all!

I will not expense spices/oils since most of us have them on hand. W/C means with coupon.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tetrazzini

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (On sale $1.79/lb) $2.69
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 (.7 ounce) package dry Italian-style salad dressing mix $.97
2 tablespoons butter
1 small onion, sliced and separated into rings (On sale $.99/lb) $.40
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup (Campbells on sale $1) $1
1/2 cup chicken broth $.50
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened (GE on sale $1) $1

Place chicken in the slow cooker crock. Top with 2 tablespoons melted butter; sprinkle with Italian dressing mix.

Cover, and cook on High for 3 hours.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Mix in the cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, and cream cheese. Pour mixture over the cooked chicken in the slow cooker.
Cover, and continue to cook on Low until chicken in fork tender and the sauce has thickened, about 1 additional hour.

Total Cost of Meal: $6.56

Add Steamfresh veggies (On sale w/c $.30) Total Cost of Meal: $6.86

For more great bargain recipes click on the icon above!

WFMW: Cookie dough help!

This works for me Wednesday is a little trick I stumbled across in haste. I love making cookies but sometimes I cannot stand the labor intensive recipes! Especially the ones that you have to chill the dough then try to scrap the cold goo off the bottom of the bowl. Or you have to roll the sticky mess into a log before you put it in the fridge ? Yikes!

Now when I make any cookie dough that has to be divided, shaped or chilled I have a trick. I place Saran wrap on the counter and scoop the sticky mess, that I really don't want to stick my fingers in , right on top of it. I then wrap it up and then shape it. I don't get the counters or my hands messy and it saves a ton of time.

After chilled, I can simply take it out of the fridge, remove the wrap and its ready to be rolled, cut and baked!

No goo all over me? That works for this mama!!

To see more great WFMW ideas visit We Are That Family!

Meijer Bargain recipe of the week: Smoked Sausage Fritatta

Sometimes when I have just had enough of cooking, I flip it and serve breakfast. I love this recipe because it combines a heartier meat and tons of protein. I hope it shakes things up at your house!

I will not expense spices/oils since most of us have them on hand.

Smoked Sausage Fritatta

1 1/2 cups smoked sausage, sliced (On sale $1.79) $1.79
1/4 cup diced onion (3 lb bag on sale $1.50) $.15
6 eggs $.48
1/2 cup milk (On sale gallon $1.59) $.13
1/4 cup sour cream (On sale Daisy $1.39)$.17
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese, divided $1.12

Preheat an oven to 400 degrees

Cook the sausage and onion in an oven-proof skillet over medium heat until the sausage has browned, about 10 minutes. Drain excess grease from the skillet. Whisk together the eggs, milk, sour cream, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the sausage with 1 cup of the Cheddar cheese, then pour the egg mixture overtop.

Bake in the preheated oven until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, about 18 minutes. Sprinkle with the remaining Cheddar cheese, and return to the oven until the cheese has melted. Cut into wedges to serve.

Total Cost of Meal: $3.84

Add toast (Meijer brand on sale $.98) Total Cost of Meal: $4

For more great bargain recipes click on the icon above!