Eclectic Musings

Dr. Seuss's Birthday

2012-03-02T14:43:00.000-06:00

Today we celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday with a fun themed meal. We also read a couple of his books. We enjoyed One Fish Two Fish and Green Eggs and Ham.

For our meals, I made my daughter a Thing 1 and Thing 2 creme cheese and sprinkles sandwich. I carved her apple into the Cat's hat and gave her some some Pringles.

For my son, I transformed his bowl of yogurt into the Cat and he wore the carved apple hat and he also got some Pringles.

We had a lovely day and hope you are finding fun ways to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday.

Story Kits

2012-02-24T08:00:00.001-06:00

Does your library have story kits? They are really fun. Inside a big cinch sack are puppets, a fiction book, a game and a nonfiction book. Sometimes they come with a cd too. This was our first time checking out a story kit and they kids and I had fun with it for a couple hours. We chose Mrs. Honey's Hat...

First we read the story. My son and daughter took turns decorating Mrs. Honey's hat while I read the story. Next we enjoyed the nonfiction book about spiders. It was really a cool book with pop outs. After that we played a sweet game where we got to take turns drawing cards with items from Mrs. Honey's Hat until our card was filled.

To really bring the story to life, we gathered props and acted out the story with dolls and stuffed animals we made into little scenes. We made a mini movie of it and the kids just loved it! If your library has a kit, I would recommend trying it. If not, make your own!

Snoopy Starry Night!

2012-02-17T21:47:00.000-06:00

Finger Paint Fun

2012-02-17T08:00:00.003-06:00

We checked this book out of the library this week and had a lot of fun painting.

Below are our finished pictures. We used our thumbprints to make the bees and our pointer fingers to make the flowers. Our paintbrushes helped add the finishing touches.

My daughter and I chose to finger paint some bumble bees and flowers.

They turned out so cute.

We used a great tip I learned on Pinterest this week to keep a handle on the mess factor. We dabbed the paint on wet sponges and then simply touched the ones we needed to paint our pictures.

Happy Crafting!

Food for Thought!

2012-02-16T07:35:00.000-06:00

Am beginning a new plan for eating a more Real Food diet. As I am reading and absorbing all the information on this new way of living, I stumbled on this great quote. I simply had to share it with you! I found it on a website by author Michael Pollan.

“Never eat something that is pretending to be something else; e.g., no “textured vegetable protein” or veggie burgers (fake meat), no artificial sweeteners, no margarine (fake butter), no “low fat” sour cream, turkey bacon, no “chocolate flavored sauce” that doesn’t contain chocolate, no “quorn.” If I want something that tastes like meat or butter, I would rather have the real thing than some chemical concoction pretending to be more healthful.” Sonya Legg

What a great rule to live by!

Veggie Pancakes... one of many new foods on the road to a Real Food Diet

2012-02-15T22:37:00.001-06:00

I made something new for dinner tonight. It is veggie pancakes. I found the recipe on Pinterest. It looked tastey and healthy too. When I followed the link, it took me to a website called 100 Days of Real Food. I was impressed with the site and all Lisa Leake had to say about the food we are eating.

This idea of eating healthier than I have already been trying to has come along bit by bit. I have always been into vitamins and limiting junk food, but still had plenty of room for improvement, (as my midsection can attest too.) This past year, I had heard of the evils of canned goods and the nasty stuff lining them and have almost given up using them completely. And recently, I stumbled on a couple of Jamie Oliver videos about what is in our ground beef and even the chicken nuggets our kids eat at the golden arches. Needless to say, I was horrified. So, by the time I got to Lisa's blog, I was primed to make a new start.

While I haven't completely signed on for the 100% Real Food challenge, I am moving strongly in that direction. Visit here for the Real Food Rules. I did and have recently taken the opportunity to visit my local Whole Foods Market and replace some of the items in my pantry and fridge.

I will share this first recipe of many I have been collecting and plan to try. And no worries, I will only share the ones I like. LOL!

The recipe for Vegetable Pancakes:

2 cups of vegetables such as white potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots zucchini or squash.
2 eggs
1 tablespoon whole wheat flour
1/4 tsp. salt
olive oil for cooking

Combine the eggs salt and flour and whisk together. Set aside and begin grating desired veggies. I used potato, zucchini and 1 small carrot. I also modified the recipe by adding a rounded tablespoon of dried onion and a bit of extra salt. (As my first batch of pancakes seemed to need a bit more flavor.) Combine the veggies and the egg mixture and ladle onto a griddle or fry pan. Brown on both sides and serve with a dollop of sour cream. You may need to double this recipe to feed your family. I did as there are five of us.

They are very good with the 2 modifications I made. I hope you enjoy them too!

Valentine's Muffin Tin Meal

2012-02-14T21:53:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you! Today, I made a muffin tin meal for my daughter only, as my son is fighting a stomach flu and isn't eating much. I had fun making it all girly and valentine themed.

It was a Valentine's breakfast tin with blueberries, a Babybel cheese, milk, chocolate strawberry granola, and vanilla yogurt, some vitamins and a little Godiva chocolate heart (from the box Daddy had given me.)

For more inspiration visit the Muffin Tin Monday blog by clicking the button below.

Lego Birthday Party Fun!

2012-02-13T00:00:00.000-06:00

Every year my two kiddos with January birthdays get to have a birthday blowout with family and friends. It can be tricky to find something they both like. Last year we did Phineas and Ferb. This year, since both kids enjoy Legos, we decided to do a Lego themed party. It was a bit of a last minute idea so I had to throw things together quickly. I ran around and couldn't find any Lego party supplies except for the Star wars theme, so I had to improvise.

We got yellow cups and my 9 year old daughter helped me draw on the Lego faces. My son saw what we were doing and had to get in on the action. We all had a lot of fun!

Next I put my son to work decorating the table any way he wanted. He did a great job by the way!

Next I made cupcakes and mixed in food dye to get the colors I wanted. M&M's added the topping we needed to give our cupcakes that Lego look, so I put my daughter to work putting them on in rows of six.

We came up with three games for our Lego party. I filled a jar and all the kids got to guess how many Legos were inside. The winner received a mystery pack with a Lego character inside.

We also had two other games. For one game the kids had to drop Legos from a standing position into a coffee mug on the floor. The one with the most Lego pieces in the mug won. And the last game was a building contest. Each child received a ziplock bag full of Legos and had 5 minutes to build whatever they wanted. Three of our guests were designated judges. Each child received a prize for this contest, but the grand prize winner got to pick first. What a great time we all had!

It is amazing what you can create when you put your mind to it! Oh and don't forget to have your kids wear their favorite Lego shirts. Since my daughter didn't have one she wore a Lego lanyard necklace that we got at a Lego event.

Hope this party inspires you!

Some laughs!

2012-02-12T21:38:00.002-06:00

Smoked Sausage Hash

2012-01-30T12:02:00.000-06:00

This recipe is easy and yummy! It is a family favorite at our house.

This recipe starts with a bag of hash browns and a smoked sausage of your choice. I prefer to use the turkey smoked sausage. You will want to thaw the hash browns ahead of time or in the microwave. Next slice your sausage into small half moon shaped wedges. While your pan in warming (I set mine on medium), dice up half and onion. Place your sausage and onion in the pan to brown.

After browning, stir in the hash brown potatoes.

Brown potatoes with meat and onion til cooked through and tender.

When potatoes are cooked and the hash is warm, top with cheese and serve.

Yum!

Seven Lies about Homeschoolers Video... What a hoot!

2012-01-24T14:31:00.000-06:00

Muffin Tin Monday... In the mood for Valentine's Day!

2012-01-23T19:22:00.000-06:00

I have been away for a few weeks from Muffin Tin Monday, but I am glad to be back and making some Valentine themed Breakfasts for the kids and myself today.

For breakfast I prepared some homemade heart shaped Scottish Oat Scones. I made chocolate chip for my son and one raisin and one chocolate for scone for my daughter. I also gave each kiddos some of their favorite kind of cheese and some strawberries.

I made myself a Bento breakfast just for fun too!

Happy Muffin Tin Monday!

Sugar Plum Fairy played on glasses! Amazing!

2012-01-20T09:10:00.000-06:00

Wordless Wednesday... Lost Tooth

2012-01-10T06:47:00.000-06:00

I lost my tooth!

Look!

Maybe I will get a quarter?

Yay! A dollar!

Muffin Tin Monday... Lunch

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-06:00

Lunch today was snack crackers, a hot dog, carrots, vanilla yogurt and milk. I have been keeping it simple lately, although I do miss some of my more creative meals. Visit other muffin tin moms by clicking the link below.

Muffin Tin Monday... Holiday Fun!

2011-12-26T08:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Muffin Tin Monday dear ones! I hope you are enjoying time with your families and friends. We are having a fun break from homeschool and are enjoying making crafts and playing with new toys from Christmas. I want to wish all my Muffin Tin Mom friends a Happy New Year!

Today I made two lunches, one with cheese snowmen and banana snowmen along with snowflakes (pumpkin seeds) antlers (pretzels) and some holiday colored Spree candies.

My son had the same lunch accept for some holiday mac and cheese in place of the cheese snowmen. Lunch was a hit! To see what fun creations other muffin moms are making, click the button below.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T23:17:00.000-06:00

Personalize your own greeting

The Making of Christmas our church kids program...

2011-12-22T23:52:00.001-06:00

The Making of Christmas from dave doane on Vimeo.

Muffin Tin Monday... in the Mood for Christmas!

2011-12-19T07:43:00.001-06:00

Christmas is almost hear and we are really getting in the mood. I pulled out the gingerbread muffin liners and filled them with pumpkin seed "snowflakes," grapes and breakfast cookies. I then added some yogurt with sprinkles and a chocolate milk. To visit other Muffin Tin Moms please click the button below. You will truly be inspired by all their creativity!

Singing Saturdays... Where is the line to see Jesus?

2011-12-17T07:56:00.000-06:00

Potato Gnocchi Soup... soooo good!

2011-12-13T12:19:00.001-06:00

If you are looking for a delicious meal for winter, look no further! This soup is not only delicious, but it is nutritious too. I found the recipe on All Recipes Website and I just had to share it with you.

Recipe:

1 TBL olive oil
1 small onion diced
3 stalks of celery diced
2 carrots shredded
3 cloves of minced garlic
1 lb. of chicken
4 cups of chicken broth
1 16oz. bag of potato gnocchi
1 fresh 6 oz. bag of washed spinach leaves
2 cups of half and half
1 TBL cornstarch
2 TBL cold water

Set your broth on to simmer and add raw chicken. Add salt and pepper to taste. I used about a half a tsp. of salt. And a bit of ground pepper. When chicken is cooked through, cut it into chunks.

While chicken is simmering add celery, onion, carrot and garlic to a fry pan with 1 TBL of olive oil. Cook until tender and then combine with the broth and diced chicken.

After combining broth and veggies, add in potato gnocchi and cook on medium until the gnocchi is soft and begins to float to the surface.

After gnocchi is cooked add in the 6oz. bag of spinach and cook until wilted. Now combine half and half with the soup and add in the corn starch mixed with the cold water.

Simmer for about 5 minutes to thicken and serve with some crusty bread or a nice dinner roll!

Enjoy!

Muffin Tin Monday... Wintery Fun!

2011-12-13T09:33:00.000-06:00

We decorated the tree this week and couldn't wait til Christmas morning to eat our traditional once a year treat, cinnamon orange rolls. They are not the most healthy thing in the world, so we limit them to about once a year. Decorating put me in the mood and I simply could not wait til Christmas morning to eat them. LOL! So, I put them in a muffin tin meal and added some apple and cheese along with a glass of milk. To see what other moms are making click the button below.

Hope you are having a blessed Christmas Season!

Muffin Tin Monday... A Healthy Lunch

2011-12-05T08:00:00.001-06:00

Lunch was simple and healthy today. Our tin contains crackers, yogurt, tomatoes, carrots, broccoli and cheese with a glass of milk. What is for lunch at your place today? You may want to make a muffin tin meal. For more inspiration click the link below.