Mama knows best - Cleaning the house!

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

I clean on Saturday mornings. Its a time that I can let the kids play and I can do what I need to do. When I was telling my best friend that the other day she wrinkled up her nose and said "Doesn't it take up your whole day?"

The truth is that I have such a routine it only takes me 2 hours... max. Another confession is that cleaning is one of my control things. I go to cleaning when life seems a little crazy. As a result, I have picked up some tricks and tips that help the cleaning go faster and be more effective.

* Save the all out, sweeping the ceiling, washing down the baseboards type of cleaning for spring and fall. (Or at least quarterly.) If you try to tackle this type of cleaning every week...it will take you all day!

* Do one task at a time. Not one room at a time. For example dust the whole house first or empty all the trashes in the house. That way if something comes up and you can't finish the house you feel like you have actually gotten alot accomplished.

What sounds better? I got the whole house dusted or I got the dining room cleaned. See??

* Do the things you hate the most, first. I hate bathrooms so I do those first. After those, the rest seems easy and I breeze thru them.

* Start off with a picked up house. I always, no matter how tired I am, pick up the house last thing on Friday night. If I have to pick up the house, putting things away, it will take me forever to clean!!

* Keep things freshened up throughout the week. I sure won't clean but I may run the sweeper or wipe out a sink here or there. It makes things look nice and it cuts down the cleaning time on my cleaning Saturdays!!

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

Pre-school days

My son came home from school proud as a peacock. He loves pre-school and is so excited to show and tell me what he has done...most of the time.

Sometimes he does the typical "man" thing. You know the one.

"How was your day, baby?"

"Good"

"What did you do?"

"I don't know."

Good times.

On this particular day in February he was brimming over with excitement. He had made his mama a Valentines day card and just had to show me.

After displaying the appropriate ooh's and aah's and maybe a few tears, I proudly displayed it in the kitchen.

My boy wasn't though, however. He was in a talking mood.

He then went on to explain to me that the teacher got out flashlights and let them play with them. (Now let me just tell y'all that I think we own the most flashlights in any household in the US. My little man is obsessed with them.) So you can imagine his joy at the flashlight teaching.

I was a little confused as to why the teacher would just get out some flashlights so I questioned my darling boy.

He shot a look at me that I translated as "Mama, you can't be that stupid." He then calmly explained to his dense mama that they were learning about shadows. How they are made with light and how you could re-create them.

He then added.

"You know..... in honor of Warthogs day"

I laughed so hard that I was crying in the middle of my kitchen.

Works for me Wednesday - kids clothes help!

I don't know about you guys but going through the kids clothes each season is comparable to taking a pencil in the eyeball.

Okay maybe I am exaggerating ....but I really do dread it! I have enough of a hard time getting my toddler to put his clothes on, much less trying on multiple outfits.

I hate to waste time or money. So I really do see the need to know what you still need to buy or what you already have!

So....now I save myself some eyerolls and ten counts. Each day while getting the kids dressed, I make them try on one pair of pants/shorts and a top. It only takes a couple of minutes and the kids don't get too grumpy :) In a couple of weeks I have a total list of what is still needed!

And that works for this mama!!

For more great WFMW ideas visit We are that Family!

Menu Plan Monday - I'm back!

This is my first week that I have actually gotten to go to the grocery store since my eat from the pantry challenge! WOOHOO!! I think my hubbie is just as excited because he asked me to fix a couple of his favorite dishes. :) Hubs is even going to attempt to make his own "skyline chili". (We will see how that goes....) Happy eating Y'all!!!

Monday: Chicken cacciatore, salad, garlic bread (Recipe follows)

Tuesday: Chili dogs, baked fries, mixed veggies

Wednesday: Stuffed green peppers, salad

Thursday: Grilled chicken over bed of rice, grilled asparagus, roasted carrots

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Leftover buffet - if its in the fridge you can eat it...but mama is not cookin!

Sunday: Broccoli chicken Alfredo, crescent rolls, green beans

Easy Chicken Cacciatore

1 tablespoon olive oil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed
2 cloves garlic, chopped, or to taste
1/2 cup red cooking wine
1 (28 ounce) can Italian-style diced tomatoes
8 ounces small seashell pasta
5 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet with a lid over medium heat, and cook and stir the chicken and garlic until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, 5 to 8 minutes. Pour the wine and diced tomatoes with their juice into the skillet, and bring to a boil over high heat while scraping any browned bits of food off of the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.

Stir in the shell pasta, and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the shells have cooked through, but are still firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Spread the spinach over the top of the pasta, cover, and simmer until the spinach leaves are cooked, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the skillet, and simmer until the cheese has melted and the pasta is bubbling, about 5 minutes.

Works for me Wednesday: storing sheets

You know that bottom sheet that goes on your bed? The one with the bunchy corners that won't fold quite right? Yep, that one.....

I have always had trouble with that black sheep sheet. I want to open my linen closet to see nice neat stacks of sheets, towels and washcloths. The sheet pile always ends up messy, no matter how hard I try and it drives me crazy!

So I now fold the sheet, whose name we will not mention, along with the top sheet and 1 pillow case. I stick the stack of sheets and pillow case into the very back of the other matching pillow case. I then fold over the remaining pillow case material so the decorative trim is showing.

You then have all the pieces of your sheet set, without hunting or losing pieces. You also have a very neat, visually appealing way to store your sheets!

And that works for this mama!!

Menu Plan Monday

I am finishing up with the eating from the pantry challenge so my menu looks kind of goofy. (I am loving those cleaned out shelves, however!!) I am also letting you in on my big secret french toast recipe. I always make almost a loaf and then freeze them in between sheets of wax paper. Who needs to buy frozen french toast when you can make your own!! Happy eating Y'all!!1

Monday: Breakfast for dinner.. french toast and sausage (Recipe at bottom)

Tuesday: Potato soup, homemade bread, salad

Wednesday: Leftover buffet- if its not movin, you can eat it!

Thursday: Pork chop rice casserole, grilled asparagus, corn

Friday: Pizza Night

Saturday: Club sandwiches, baked fries, pickle spears

Sunday: Pasta with tomato cream sauce (recipe follows), garlic bread, broccoli

Pasta with Tomato cream sauce

1 (28 ounce) jar tomato pasta sauce
1 cup half-and-half
2 cloves garlic, pressed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 (8 ounce) package angel hair pasta
1/8 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

In a large saucepan combine pasta sauce, half and half, garlic, salt, pepper, nutmeg and basil. Simmer over low heat for 45 to 50 minutes; do not boil.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.

Toss pasta with sauce and Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Super secret Everything Moms french toast

4 beaten eggs

1 cup milk

2 Tbs sugar

2 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp orange extract

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

Bread of choice

In shallow bowl beat together eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, orange extract, cinnamon and nutmeg. Dip bread slices in egg mixture, coating both sides.

In skillet or griddle melt 1 Tbs of butter over medium heat. Make sure skillet is heated BEFORE starting french toast. Add bread slices and cook until golden brown on both sides. Serve warm with maple syrup.

Mama Knows Best - Grab bags

Life comes fast. I am a total planner but sometimes things come up. Like last minute appointments and when the sitter cancels and you have to take your little one with you to get your annual OBGYN exam.

Good times.

And any Mama knows that sometimes snacks and juice are just not enough.

So I have started keeping several "grab bags" at the top of my coat closet. In them I include never opened happy meal toys, party favors, little notepads, crayons, stickers, lolipops, leftover holiday candy, granola bars, mini games and anything else we pick up along the way.

I try to keep 2 - 3 bags at the top of the closet so that I can grab it quickly and go. Its contained in a freezer bag so there is no chance of spilling and the stuff is either never been seen or forgotten so its new and exciting to a little one. (I can stuff the bag in any purse or bag that I happen to be taking with me.)

It keeps them entertained while I get to do what I have to do....and that makes this mama very happy!!

And the winner is....

The winner of the Bob Evans Fit for you Prize pack is ....... Holly!

Thanks for everyone who left comments!!!

Holly- I will be e-mailing you today girl!

Eating from the pantry- week 3

I was searching in my pantry for some things I could scrap together for a wonderful nurturing meal for my family.

Ok, I was searching for something easy so I could watch my DVR'd shows while the kids slept....

I found some cream a mushroom soup, onion soup mix and egg noodles. I then saw a dangerously close to frostbitten pot roast in my chest freezer. "Cook me" it screamed. I started to argue with it and then decided surrender was the best avenue.

I threw the roast in a crock pot with the soup, onion mix and some water and turned it on low. Oh my goodness Y'all!!! It made its own gravy. (No trying to mix flour in hot liquid without it splashing or getting lumpy.) It fell apart. It was the AWESOME!

I shredded the beef and served it with the gravy over hot egg noodles. It was so good I secretly started planning to serve it when my darling mother in law came to eat with us. She is the sweetest woman and I wanted to make sure that she knows that I can cook for her son :)

So in honor of this wonderful woman here is the recipe...enjoy Y'all!

Slap your mama in law beef and noodles

2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
1 1/4 cups water
pot roast

Egg Noodles

In a slow cooker, mix cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix and water. Place pot roast in slow cooker and coat with soup mixture.

Cook on High setting for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low setting for 8 to 9 hours.

Shred beef within gravy and serve over egg noodles.

How are you doing with your eating from the pantry challenge?

Menu Plan Monday - Lost and forgotten

I am still participating in the eat from the pantry challenge this week. I love getting creative and using what I have. As a result, I have been digging through my recipes and have found some that we had loved but forgotten about. One of my favorites is a Kraft Foods Pork stir fry recipe and zucchini chips. (Both are at the bottom of this post.) I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Monday: Grilled chicken breast w/onions and peppers, grilled asparagus, Roasted potatoes

Tuesday: Fried fish, perogies, salad, green beans

Wednesday: Leftover night- if its in the fridge, you can have it. But mama is NOT cookin!

Thursday: Pork stir fry with rice

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: BBQ pork chops, Asparagus, Zucchini chips, mac and cheese

Sunday: Spaghetti and mozzarella meatballs, garlic bread, salad


Zucchini Chips:

1/4 cup dry breadcrumbs
1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons fat-free milk
2 1/2 cups (1/4-inch-thick) slices zucchini (about 2 small)
Cooking spray


Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Place milk in a shallow bowl. Dip zucchini slices in milk, and dredge in breadcrumb mixture. Place coated slices on an ovenproof wire rack coated with cooking spray; place rack on a baking sheet. Bake at 425° for 30 minutes or until browned and crisp. Serve immediately


Pork Stir-Fry

1-1/2 cups instant brown rice, uncooked
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 cup KRAFT CALORIE-WISE Zesty Italian Dressing
1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips
1 red pepper, cut into thin strips
1/2 lb. sugar snap peas
3 green onions, diagonally sliced

COOK rice as directed on package.

MEANWHILE, mix soy sauce, cornstarch and ginger until well blended. Heat dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add meat; cook and stir 2 min. Stir in peppers and peas; cook 3 min., stirring frequently. Add onions; cook and stir 1 min.

STIR in soy sauce mixture; cook 1 min. or until sauce is thickened, stirring frequently. Serve over rice.



For more great menu Plans, visit Org Junkie!

Mama Knows best- Toilet cleaning

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

I have to say cleaning toilets is one of my least favorite things. I hate the whole thing....yuck! One of the things that I hate the most is that I getting the brush to and from the garage. (Where we keep the cleaning supplies.)

I can either..

1.) Try to run as fast as I can while the brush drips some yucky crude on my floor or worse me!

2.) I keep it in some toilet holder which makes me cringe. A nice little yellow crust begins to form on the bottom. I am gagging a little just talking about it.

My darling hubbie has come up with the perfect solution and I think I love him a little more for it!

He takes our Kroger milk jugs and makes them into disposable toilet brush holder.

It has a handle, there is no dripping and when it starts to get yucky, we throw it away.

Have I mentioned that I love my hubby? :)

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

Bob Evans helps you with your resolutions!!

If you are anything like me, you always vow to lose a little weight around the first of the year. Then real life hits. We are busy and life comes at you fast. We find ourselves staring down at nuggies and fries and vowing to do better tomorrow!

Go here to read all about it and to enter to win some great goodies!!!

Tales of a desperate housewife - They day I wanted to disappear

I have a strong willed child. He is not mean or a fit thrower. He is stealth strong willed. As in, I will plant my feet and smile at you sweetly but I am not changing my mind, sister. Its often a battle of the wills. Two firstborns having a staring contest. Scary stuff.

So when we were potty training, I knew it would consist of alot of prayer.

Number 1 potty training went surprisingly smooth. Like a chicken, I waited till the last possible minute before preschool. Like an answered prayer, he stepped up to the plate and cooperated.

I wish I could say the same for #2.....

For some reason, my beautiful boy decided in his mind that going #2 in the potty was simply not for him. We tried EVERYTHING.

We tried discipline, acting like we didn't care, Rewards, stickers, anything we could think of. NOTHING worked. We even used toddler peer pressure. "But, baby all your cousins and your friends use the potty!!" In which is reply was "Uh, huh that's good, you change me."

Preschool was really fun. At first I did what any mama would do... I sent him in pull ups and prayed like my life depended on it. Of course my boy could have cared less. If the urge hit, he went. Whether it was on the playground, sitting in the circle, in the car or home. No hiding in the corner, embarrassed. He just went on about his day, smelling up the place.

I have to tell you that I was half crazy. I dreaded preschool pick up time like I was marching to my death. I could tell by the teachers face whether he had went or not. We even had a "meeting" about it at parent teacher conferences. She was very very sweet but I wanted to crawl under the table. She then told me that he had to start wearing big boy undies...no pull ups allowed. I think I peed a little in my pants. I assured her that I didn't have a clue why he was having these "accidents."

Yes, I lied. I feel totally guilty about it but I 1.) knew that my little boy loved his school and would be crushed if he had to stop going. 2.) I really loved having those 2 hours with only one baby at home. I know it was bad. I am just keeping it real here.

In total desperation my hubbie and I pulled out the big guns. We took him to Toys R Us. We proudly marched him up and down every isle. We then bent down and told him that if he would go #2 in the potty we would buy him anything in the store. I pointed to a shiny Lightning McQueen bike. I smiled sweetly and said "Do you want a bike? Mama and Daddy will buy you any bike you want if you use the potty!"

His reply? A sweet smile right back with a "no, thank you."

I did a pretty good job at keeping it together until a couple weeks later. A couple of the lovely mamas from his preschool invited us to all go to lunch after we picked up the kids. We went to a restaurant that had a play area. The kids loved going to lunch together and we mamas got to talk!

The kids getting antsy, begged us to let them go play. As we were sitting there chatting about teachers, discipline and sleeping habits, I noticed one of the mamas look over and her face went white. She then whispered my name and motioned me to come over.

As I approached, she leaned over and said "I think Miles may have had an accident" and pointed down on the slide." I felt like I was swimming underwater as I looked down and saw sitting on the slide... a shiny poop ball.

Yep, you heard me right. A poop ball.

My darling boy had used the potty in his big boy undies and in his climbing lost some of his merchandise.

Can I just tell you in that moment I wanted to DIE!!! If I could have any superpower in the world, it would be invisibility and I never would be seen again.

Of course I cleaned it up and used alot of antibacterial gel but needless to say I was traumatised. The other mamas were lovely about the whole thing. They didn't even laugh... that hard.

I can also laugh now. A couple weeks later after the "incident" my little man woke up one school morning, came out and gave me a hug and announced the world. "Today I am going to use the potty." You know what? He did. He just decided that it was his time and he went. Its hard to believe but he has never had an accident since.

It gives me a clue on his personality and how my parenting may need to change as he gets older. I am thankful that he is not a peer pressure follower right now. One day the same quality that I am cursing right now will make a great man and leader.

I just hope I live to see that day :) Anymore poop ball incidents and I may not come out from under the couch.

Eating from the Pantry challenge- my new creation....

I have to tell you all that this week I really was trying some new things. To my delight I found that when I started thinking outside the box, the meals got really good. Sometimes I need a good kick in the pants to try new things and not get into a rut!

I found some bread crumbs, seasonings and noodles and some chicken tenderloins.

I put some of the bread crumbs in a bowl and added garlic salt and some Italian seasonings. I dredged the chicken tenderloins in egg white and then in the crumbs and fried them in a little oil. (Although I could have baked them and saved my hubby a cholesterol pill :) )

I then prepared a box of mini bow tie pasta. In the VERY BACK of my pantry I found some pampered chef pesto and tomato seasoning. I sprinkled some of that in the bowl and threw some butter in. I then put the hot noodles on top and mixed it together.

Oh MY GOODNESS Y'ALL!! It was delicious!!! No recipes, just trying different flavors and it worked out great! I plan to put it on our favorite rotation.

How was your week?