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Simple advise to get you through the holidays...

2011-12-18T17:54:00.000-08:00

The Christmas countdown is in warp speed at this point.

Hopefully you all have your shopping done and you are enjoying sitting by your fireplace drinking egg... OR you are out braving the crowds and getting it done now... OR you haven't even started yet and you are waiting to the last minute.

Either way, here is some fab advise to get you through the next few weeks...

Enjoy!

If you have snow globes and fish watch those kiddos they may get confused!

If you make snowballs.... make sure they don't contain rocks! No really, I am totally serious on this one.

Make sure to check those tires before you head out on your long trip, you don't want to be stuck out in the cold!

You know when you go to a party and everyone is pretending to be a wine critic?

Lastly.... loosen up a bit. Go ahead and laugh at yourself, and have some fun!

-Sister Pester
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Positive affirmation

2011-12-17T13:03:00.000-08:00

It as been a busy couple of weeks in both the Pester and Scrappy households!
Having 5 kids (here and 5 over there), and prepping for the holidays and having visitors does that to you that is for sure. We are working on some fabulous home organization ideas as well as recipes and classic kid stories so hang on for the ride this is going to be a fun new year.

AND we are working on a shiney new website that will make you go oohhh and ahhhh and make your navigation through our posts, recipes and do-it-yourself guides easier to access and find!

In the mean time, just wanted to leave you with this positive self affirmation.

Say it with me now peeps...

I am a strong, funny, kind and beautiful woman.

Loved by many, hated by a few.

I stand up for what is right, even when it is hard.

Don't be fooled and mistake my kindness for weakness.

I am a powerful force, a favorite child of God.

Now share this with all your lady friends! Lift them up, don't tear them down.

Remind them how fab you think they are. :-)

-Sister Pester
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Just a tiny glimpse into my random thoughts.

2011-12-07T06:46:00.001-08:00

Just wanted to spread some love and happiness your way!

Nothing makes me smile more than a hand written note...

(well there is an exception I guess, I hate when you get the notes addressed Dear Mrs. so and so, your child has been having gas issues in class, can you make sure they eat less beans at dinner. Signed desperate for fresh air).

No really it's not what it looks like!

(My kids say that all the time, especially when playing with toilet paper. Did she say playing with toilet paper? um yeah that is exactly what I think as I pick up mounds of it on the floor, oh and my favorite is when a whole roll is IN the toilet).

Bubba the Giraffe is saying 'Huh?'

(No not at the paper toilet antics. This often happens when watching me 'attempt' Yoga).

It really perplexes me why he would look at me this way....

Because I think I look like this, below....

Rockin the Momma body after babies doing yoga of course!

(Okay, I lie... I know I don't look like this, I only dream of it).

I really look like this...

(minus the hairy legs... oh heck, who am I kidding, yes, with the hairy legs).

Did you know it looks fabulous on resumes when you put that you stayed home to take care of the children after giving birth. Stay at home mom is a REAL career booster.

(in case you were wondering that is pronounced Sar-Ca-Sim).

-Sister Pester

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Scrappy Christmas Traditions

2011-12-07T06:24:00.001-08:00

We have a couple of traditions in our house for Christmas. The first is, we have two trees. The first tree, which is also the biggest is our "normal" tree. It holds all of our ornaments like Baby's first Christmas, every ornament the kids made at church, you know, all that cutesy stuff. It looks like this...

The other thing I do with this tree is put icicles on it. I used to have beautiful ribbon trailing down the sides, but as our family began expanding, so did the amount of ornaments. So now, we only do the icicles, which I love because they catch the light. Some are glass that I picked up in a neat little shop while Christmas shopping with my Grandma, and the rest are from the dollar store.

Which leads me to family tradition #2. When I was a kid, I had a best friend. Her family had these beautiful houses on their mantle. They collected one a year. I thought that is the coolest thing ever. So, that is what we have done. There have been years that were harder than others where we haven't been able to get a house...but what I love about this tradition, is the kids have ultimately picked out these houses.

Happy picked out the barbie one, Scooter picked out the crayola one, and Super picked out the candy factory. This year Scrappy-Doo picked out the train. Next year, we will let Screacher pick out one, this year the key is to keep her as far away from the prized houses as possible :)

Our third tradition is almost the most special tradition of them all. It is our second tree. This is called "The Jewel Tree". You see The Jewel Tree was my Grandma's. She made almost every ornament on it. She used to put it in her room every year, on a circulating white tree....away from all the little Grandkid hands. But we would oooohhhh and aaaaahhh over it every year. My Grandma died from Breast Cancer when Happy was two years old. I got the jewel tree. I remember her making ornaments, she taught my Mom and Aunt how to make them, and my cousins and I how to make them...so now, my Mom showed my kids how to make them...There are four generations of ornaments on this tree.

This tree hasn't been put up every year. For instance, when Super was little, that tree didn't see the light of day for 5 years. But, Scrappy and Screacher are a little more mellow, so the tree is up...and all my kids ooohhh and aaaahhhh over it every year. If anyone is interested in starting a jewel tree of their own, they still sell these ornament kits at craft stores like Michael's.

My Grandma made the first one, my Mom the second, and I made the third.

Scooter made this one.

Tradition #4 is a new tradition. Everyone is doing this Elf on a Shelf thing. As I was pulling out all my Christmas decorations, I found this...

A very old family elf, it belongs to my Mom, so I asked her if I

could keep it...and she said yes...so the kids are very excited what kind of trouble this little elf is going to make. This could make for a very exciting Christmas season.

-Sister Scrappy

What kind of family traditions does your family have? We would love to hear and maybe add to our own! Comment below!

Have you heard of Cimorelli?

2011-12-06T10:06:00.001-08:00

If you haven't you MUST go and check them out!

Who are they anyways???

Well they are a family that I know personally and just adore. Year's ago they were just merely a very large family on the swim team that I coached with very talented swimmers. I remember clearly one day Momma Cimorelli pulling up to pick up her older kiddos and I peaked inside her Suburban and I believe I counted no less than 4 carseats. (That was a long time ago).

Now who are they???

Well they are still a family that I know personally and just adore...
And they happen to be the next big singing sensation that is literally exploding on the charts and has a very large Youtube following.

I will tell you, I am not shocked! They were a driven family from the get go. Momma Cimorelli homeschooled them all. In fact she was my inspiration for homeschooling my crew and then it turned into Scrappy's inspiration for homeschooling... She had those kids in sports and theater and all sorts of great stuff. I saw first hand how well rounded they were, how social and friendly and POLITE each and everyone of the kids were that I fell in love with the idea of homeschooling. Then, I lost touch with them (my family moved to Hawaii and back), recently with my Facebook obsession I searched the family name and low and behold they are a singing sensation. I friended some of the older crew and the Momma of course and have told them just how proud I am of them and their achievements...

They just released a new album EP two days ago and it is already #6 on itunes US pop charts!!!

Click on picture to check out the new album!

Here they are doing their thing! Rock it girls!

Here they are at the WIN awards.

Here they are at the Justin Bieber "Never Say Never", premiere.

Here they are in the rapid Bieber crowd. See Justin up on the screen?

Yup... I knew them before they were famous. :-)
Now go and check them out. You won't be sorry.
Cimorelli Website Click Here
Cimorelli on Facebook Click Here
Cimorelli on Twitter Click Here
Cimorelli on Youtube Click Here
Cimorelli on Itunes Click Here to listen and download

-Sister Pester
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Anono-Momma - Mrs. Do-It-All

2011-12-05T07:39:00.001-08:00

Years ago when my kids wear younger I was so busy trying to 'do-it-all'. I was really busy doing Fly Lady, and trying my hardest to organize, declutter and 'Finally Loving Yourself'. I was also trying to get my five year old to be a bit more self reliant. AKA. not having mom do everything for her.

I was busily getting the house in shape before we left my part time job in the afternoon. I had the machines humming, was swifting away at the dust on the shelves when I told her to go ahead and change out of her play clothes into nicer clothing to go to Mommy's work. (She had been playing outside all morning and she had more than a bit of dirt on her current outfit.

I then got distracted decluttering a drawer and didn't realize what time it was....

Tick Tock
Tick Tock
Tick....

Next thing I knew, I looked up at the clock and we were due to be at my work in 30 minutes and it is a 40 minute drive with traffic!

'Quick!', I yelled.
'Get in the car, we are LATE!!!'.

My five year old scurried to the car as I swiped up my 3 year old from her nap and quickly buckled them into their seats and off we went on the highway to my work. As I am driving I realize that they had dirt smudges all over them from playing outside, so I quickly grab the wet-wipes from the front glove compartment and cleverly told them we were having a contest to see, 'who can show me the dirtiest wet wipe'.

I thought to myself I am so smart!

They quickly got wiping and had the shiniest faces, arms, hands, legs and feet!

I am in fact Mrs. Do-it-all!

I was excited to see that the traffic was light and we would make it on time.

YES! That's right... I have it all under control.

Get to my work, unload the kiddos, check them into the on-sight daycare and stroll off to work, in full knowledge that I have done everything I need to do.

When I get done with my job, just a few short hours later, I go to check the kiddos out of the daycare and I am met by the daycare director. She tells me that she needs to talk to me about a delicate subject.

We go off to the side so that the other parents could check their children out. And then she says, 'Can you please make sure to put underwear on your daughter before she comes to daycare. We had a very unfortunate incident where the children were play fighting and your daughters dress flipped up and she was wearing nothing underneath'.

O.M.G.

I apologized profusely and assured her that normally she DOES wear underwear but that she had gotten herself dressed and must have forgotten.

It was at that point that I made a mental 'Note to self'.
Always check your children before leaving the house, for simple things like...

1. Cleanliness
2. Shoes
3. UNDERWEAR!

-Mrs. Do-it-all
(Either Pester or Scrappy.... we will leave you to wonder).
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Blog-Fest-A-Pa-Looza The Progressive Parent

2011-12-04T10:57:00.000-08:00

We are always combing the web looking for new and exciting 'things' to not only spice up our lives but yours as well. We love to blog and we love reading blogs. You can get amazing ideas that you might never have thought of from blogs, some of them written by regular people just like you and me/us.

How about a blog about giving birth and progressive parenting? This blog might just be up your ally. Check it out and let Julie know we sent you. :-)

The Progressive Parent

Written by Julie
Santa Rosa, Ca, United States

I am a mother, first and foremost. I sing, hug trees, have living room dance parties and have no idea what I want to be when I grow up. I root for the underdog. I care about what is healthy. I write. I do the latter most, usually in pertinence to the former.

We just love our friend Julie who might just be in labor at this very moment with bambino number 4. She has just started out this new blog and we already love reading her thoughts...

"Well... where IS the beginning? For me, both the blog and the parenting start with giving birth; something I am set to do any day, hour, even minute from now. (And if it's not TMI right off the bat, I'm 40 weeks as of today, I've been 4cm dilated for a week and 3 since two weeks before!) Now, I'm no rookie at this- some may even call me a pro, being that this will be my fourth natural delivery. (I hope.) But each pregnancy & delivery, like each child, is different. Three births does not a master make- I know enough to know I won't know a thing until the labor and birthing begin! So what does birthing mean? The dictionary defines birth as "the process of bearing or bringing forth offspring; any coming into existence; to bear. (which, incidentally, means "hold up under") In my experience, parenting has given me ALL kinds of situations to "hold up under", all of which I want to try and touch on with an open mind here, pregnancy being the literal first. I walk around with my hands "holding up under" my belly all the time these days!"

-Pester and Scrappy
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World of Facebook - Modern Day Sitcom

2011-12-04T06:58:00.001-08:00

In this modern day sitcom,

our actors play out the drama that takes place every single day in the

World of Facebook....

1) The "Lurker" - Never posts anything or comments on your post, but reads everything, and might make reference to your status if they see you in public.

2) The "Hyena" - Doesn't ever really say anything, just LOLs and LMAOs at everything ...

3) "Mr./Ms. Popular" - Has 4367 friends for no reason.

4) The "Gamer" - Has a virtual farm and diligently plows their fields, Plays Words With Friends (while googling new words to play), is a gangsta in Mafia Wars, is Martha Stewart and bakes virtual cakes and on and on and on..... ALL DAY and NIGHT LONG.

5) The "Prophet" - Every post makes reference to God or Jesus.

6) The "Thief" - Steals status updates, picture quotes, and anything that might make them look funny, witty or wise...(and will probably steal this one).

7) The "Cynic" - Hates their life, and everything in it, as evidenced by the somber tone in ALL of their status updates.

8) The "Collector" - Never posts anything either, but joins every group, and becomes fans of the most random stuff.

9) The "Promoter" - Always sends event invitations to things that you ultimately delete or ignore.

10) The "Liker" - Never actually says anything, buy always clicks the "like" button.

11) The "Hated" - Every post revolves around someone hating on them, and they swear people are trying to ruin their life.

12) The "Anti-Proofreader" - This person would benefit greatly from Spellcheck, and sometimes you feel bad for them because you don't know if they were typing fast, or really cant spell

13) The "Drama Queen/King" - This person always posts stuff like "I can't believe this!", or "They are gonna make me snap today!", in the hopes that you will ask what happened, or what's wrong...but then they never finish telling the story.

14) The "Comedian" - This person consistently tries to be funny...but never is.

15) The "News Anchor" - Always updates you on what they are doing and who they are doing it with, no matter how arbitrary

16) The "Rooster" - Feels that it is their job to tell Facebook "Good Morning or Good Night".

*We are not sure where this originated, but thought it was too funny not to share! (We did edit it a bit). Please feel free to share!

-Sister Pester

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These kept me laughing all week...

2011-12-03T18:24:00.001-08:00

Here are a few laughs to share...these have kept me secretly smiling this week when I think back to them...so in my crazy head, I had to go back and find them, so that I could share the smiles with all of you :)

Okay, so this one isn't very nice...but it really hurts when you step on a lego, this is what I might say to Mister next time I am mad...

So, now that I have this great, witty response...ask me what I am doing at the grocery store...cuz I really wanna tell you!

Now that I think about it...I think I agree...

Because you know, everyone wears their pj's at walmart...get it?

This is Mister's Christmas present...LOL...no really, I just might get some, does anyone know how to crochet?

-Sister Scrappy

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Gooey Brownie Cups

2011-12-02T19:39:00.001-08:00

Okay, I admit it! I got this FABULOUS idea from Pinterest (click here to see our Pinterest page) and followed the most beautiful picture of the scrumptious brownie to the really great cooking blog Baked Perfection. I decided to give it a shot. The recipe looked so easy and heck, you really cannot go wrong with brownies!

I made my way to the market and bought all sorts of goodies to put into these brownie cups as I have a bunch of kiddos that have a varying ideas of what is good on chocolate (Persnickety perhaps)...
WHAT?
Yes... snobs!
I will eat anything with chocolate...
I am in fact the opposite.
I am a chocolate glutton.
<gasp>
Yes it is true!

Here is the basic recipe...

Ingredients:

1 box of your favorite brownie mix. (I choose fudge brownies).

1/2 cup peanut butter chips

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

*I also added coconut to some and also halved skinny pretzel sticks.

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Mix brownie mix in a bowl and spoon into muffin cups (1-2 heaping teaspoons).
3. Bake for 13-15 minutes (check by poking with a toothpick to ensure that it comes out slightly wet).
4. Take brownies out to cool, let centers drop (if they do not drop tap them down with the back of a spoon).
5. Place creamy peanut butter in a bowl and microwave for 45 seconds.
6. Spoon peanut butter into centers of each brownie.
7. Add your toppings of choice. (example: a few peanut butter chips and a few chocolate chips, or poke pretzel sticks in the center to make a 'campfire').
8. Cool completely on the counter top or place in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to set.

If you bake these let us know and if you feel adventurous snap a picture and share on our facebook page!
Click Here

P.S. The kids, Mister, and I LOVED them! Be sure to make a double batch, you won't be sorry.

-Sister Pester
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Medical Info Women Should Know about Pregnancy

2011-12-01T21:25:00.001-08:00

This goes out to all our soon to be mom's and also our been there done that Momma's!

*If you are a pregnant momma.... don't forget to capture those moments of yourself... even if it is on your cellphone in the mirror!

*We are not sure who wrote this but had to share because we both found it so funny!

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?

A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q : I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q : What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.

A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q ? : Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college

-Sister Pester

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Once a week cooking...Cheesy Chicken Casserole

2011-12-01T19:18:00.000-08:00

With my newly-found love of Pinterest, I began browsing yesterday for chicken casserole recipes. I stumbled upon this one.

It is called Cheesy Chicken Casserole

What you don't know is what is inside....

chicken

frozen hashbrowns

cheese

sour cream

cream cheese

Doesn't that sound fabulous? It is...Everyone loved it! It was a total hit! Click below for the recipe :)

http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/main-courses/cheesy-chicken-casserole/

I added more cream cheese, more shredded cheese and I used the whole milk instead of the creamer.

What I loved about this particular recipe, is this is one that you can freeze ahead in your casserole dish and pull out to cook later on in the week.

Happy cooking!

Did you see our other bulk cooking ideas? You can do once a month or once a week. Here are two blog posts packed full of great recipes!
Once a Week Cooking 1

Once a Week Cooking 2

-Sister Scrappy
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I am a "Noticer of Things"

2011-11-30T09:16:00.000-08:00

My Grandma is the original Martha Stewart. Sadly since we have moved away, I only get to see her about two times a year. She is always doing projects and every time I visit, it is a game to see if I notice a new couch, lamp or table. Because, I notice things.

My Mom...well she does not notice things. She is going to get mad at me for this post, but, it is funny. One year, while sitting around my Grandma's new dining table...my Grandma asks my Mom..."Notice anything different?" Of course, she looks around...and she does not. The thing about this new table is, my Grandma has had the SAME dining table since my Mom and Aunt were little kids...should she notice? Well, you know, personally...I think so...LOL. But my Mom is NOT a noticer of things...

I always tease her about this...to which, she teases me for my bad grammar. ( A noticer of things...is not appropriate grammar use) But it sounds cute and funny, so I coined it. My Mom is not a noticer of things...I, folks...am indeed a noticer of things.

So, to add to my little neuroses I like things "just so". Seems appropriate for a noticer of things. Mister likes to UN-MAKE my "just so" things just to get my goat...and he gets me every time. With my recent decorating for the holidays Mister has had a lot of fun seeing if I will notice that certain things are not the way I put them...Here are some examples...

You see...these "special" trees were chewed up by a dog long ago. I have not used them in my Christmas village for years, so I threw them away...Mister, who does not approve of me throwing virtually anything away...took them out of the trash...and

magically they re-appeared in my hutch...with all my "specials"...Ummm yeah.

I guess Screacher's toy duck needed to be with his bird friends...on my mantle.....

And this elf needed a nap from all her skating?

This one was the best....The parents are looking at thier child making snow angels waiting for the adult-human sized racoon to I suppose eat him??? Welcome to my world.....

-Sister Scrappy

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Pinterest Addiction

2011-11-29T06:54:00.000-08:00

Recently a friend sent me an invitation to Pinterest. I accepted the invite, looked around and thought..."How wierd, I don't get it...stuff you wish you had? What is this?" I got off the computer, completely perplexed.

Then the emails started coming in, so and so is following you on Pinterest. Then another, and another, and another. What? How can they follow nothing? I am not doing anything on Pinterest, I don't get it!?

What do I do? Well, clearly I must investigate the situation to see what is so great that everyone is on this Pinterest thing and wouldn't you know it? I found this great idea for a Thanksgiving craft. Then some great picture ideas ( I am a picture-taking junky) and recipes! Ohhhh the recipes.

That's it folks. I am hooked! Here are some of my latest

finds that pretty much sum it all up :)

-Sister Scrappy
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Anono-Momma...Kids and Anatomy

2011-11-28T16:33:00.000-08:00

Over this last Thanksgiving holiday, my kids and I went to go and visit some family. You know how it goes...

"Are we there yet?"

"I need to pee, Mom!"

"How much longer?"

And through it all...I am driving...

and driving....

and driving some more.

"Are we there?"

"Can we go home? This is taking forever!!"

Now, I actually have to pee, I am in the middle of nowhere and desperately looking for a bathroom. Can't find one anywhere...Ughhhh!

When my kids start talking about body hair...whatevs...bathroom! Yes! Jackpot!

I butt into my kids conversation and announce,"Everyone get their shoes on, we are stopping for a minute for a drink and to use the restroom." They all follow orders and are putting on their shoes. I pull in and get out. My two big kids get out of the car as I am unbuckling my 5 year old out of his car seat. He hops to the ground and asks me a question.

"Do you know what is REALLY hairy Mom?" Clearly forgetting their previous chatter...I ask "What,son?"

"V**inas!" he replies. "What? Stop it!" We are now walking into the gas station, and there are people around.

"V**inas are the hairiest things EVER!" he repeats. "Stop talking about v**inas!" I quietly tell him in a WAY stern voice. Because of course, now, people are looking.

"Do you know who has the hairiest vagina?" he asks...clearly not listening to my command of "Stop talking about va**nas"...

So I repeat..."Stop talking about va**nas!!!!"

"Daddy's v**ina is the hairiest!" he exclaims.

"Son! I don't want to hear about Daddy's v**ina right now!"

This is where the conversation FINALLY ended...BUT of course, at this point, we were IN the gas station. *SIGH*

-Mortified Momma of 3

Reader Submitted

*Have your kids ever said anything to embarass you? We want to hear about it :)

Scrappy-Doo's Room Makeover

2011-11-26T13:52:00.000-08:00

In my quest for a non-white walled kids room, I came across some great ideas with vinyl. I am huge on the wall words, which was how I stumbled upon this idea.

I wanted to create a "theme" that would captivate the attention

of a two year old, to make him actually WANT to sleep in his room....you know...and NOT mine? First, I painted the room, then put on the vinyl trees...and voila! A completely different room!

It didn't really work...but he likes to kiss the deer when we go in his room to get clothes out of his closet to change into.

Doesn't his bed look inviting? Maybe I will sleep in it tonight...at least ONE of us will get some sleep.

-Sister Scrappy

Post Thanksgiving humor bring on Christmas

2011-11-26T08:35:00.001-08:00

We hope you all survived Thanksgiving and Black Friday (or Black Thursday if you hit the early early early bird sales). The race to Christmas it on and it is on FULL BLAST. This weekend for some is full of shopping, organizing, baking and hopefully resting and enjoying family and friends.

Enjoy these post Thanksgiving and bring on the Christmas Humor!

Thanksgiving and Black Friday Funnies

2011-11-22T13:52:00.001-08:00

Just for fun! These cracked me up. Thanksgiving and Black Friday comics just to make you laugh. And if you intend on going shopping for the Black Friday deals, make sure you get out early...

How to cook a Thanksgiving meal

2011-11-21T22:54:00.001-08:00

Each Thanksgiving I would procrastinate and then run around at the last minute like a crazy woman. Then I would google my recipes or frantically look for the ones I had printed out the previous year and then send poor Mister out to get my ingredients.

This year is different, we are visiting The Scrappys!

So in honor of that I thought I would save you procrastinators out there the trouble and lay it out for you...

Thanksgiving Pester Style. Click on the link to go directly to the recipe.

Turkey - Done as Roasted Sticky (see previous mention of it here) BUT.... this is important! Follow the cooking directions of this guy... Click HERE

Spiral Ham - Yes we have both

Fresh Cranberry and Raspberry Vinegar Sauce- (nope the can does not do once you have had fresh)

Green-bean and French Fried Onions Casserole - (isn't this a staple)

Sweat Yams w/ brown sugar and butter - (I leave them chunky)

Strawberry Pretzel Jello Desert - This is AMAZING

Apple Blackberry Sour Cream Pie - MUST add the blackberries to make it extra special!!!

Spinach dip - I add artichoke to mine! (You can get canned or in a jar). Make sure to have plenty of sourdough chunky bread to dip in this!

Awesome Apple Cranberry Sausage Stuffing - I add walnuts and leave out the Chicken parts.

Pester's Twice Baked Potato Casserole - (my own recipe and YUM) All the goodness that is in a baked potato and MORE!

6 large Potato's (Wash, leave the skins, quarter and boil until drain then mash, but don't mix until completely soft land smooth leave a tiny bit chunky).

Mix in your favorite seasonings (our most favorite for this dish is Roasted Garlic Red Bell Pepper) Season salt is good if you don't have anything fancy and pepper.

Add milk and butter to help mix.

Spread into casserole oven safe dish.

Layer 1 large container of sour cream over the top of potato mixture

Sprinkle Bacon bits over the top of sour cream (we use fresh chunky type).

2-3 cups of cheddar cheese over the top of the bacon bits.

Heat in oven at 350 F. uncovered for 20 minutes

Sprinkle chives and more bacon bits over top and return to oven and broil for 2 minutes (or until golden brown, watch carefully so chives and bacon don't burn).

Black Olives - (to put on your finger tips)

Hawaiian Sweet Rolls - We loved them before we lived in Hawaii and LOVED them even more when we got there.

Gravy - a must have (I just buy he packets of turkey gravy from the store and add a small amount of drippings from my real turkey).

And if I am going to be honest here.... Last Thanksgiving SUCKED for the Pester family. We wanted to go and visit with family since we had a new baby and Momma wasn't in the mood to cook, (normally we have a big family gathering at our house). Our Suburban broke down on the side of the freeway and it was FREEZING. We spent 4 hours... yes 4 hours at a truck stop waiting for the tow truck to take our Suburban back to our house and for Mister to get our other vehicle unstuck out of the gravel in our driveway and drive the 1.5 hours back to pick us up. Yup. For reals!

This picture below is our do-over Thanksgiving the next month with just the Pester family in our own home. Not fancy but still very good! I didn't have the energy to make a fancy table.

I hope you are blessed this Thanksgiving with lots of good food, good friends and family and great memories.

Gobble... Gobble!

-Sister Pester

Anono-Momma Thanksgiving

2011-11-20T19:44:00.000-08:00

Let's just start this out by saying, I was young. I was sooooo young. I think I was only 21. My new husband and I were just starting out and we were enjoying playing house so much, I thought it would be fun to do Thanksgiving at our new place and invite my family to our house.

Doesn't that sound exciting?

We had just moved to another state, so the only people who could actually make the trip was my Mom and my Grandma. But still, so excited! My first Thanksgiving! I did so much research...looked in magazines...read Betty Crocker (this was before the internet folks). Made my list, and off to the store to get all my supplies.

Oh...and did I mention I was pregnant? With our first child...

My Mom and Grandma flew in on Thanksgiving Day. Dear Hubby tidied up the house while I tirelessly worked on dinner. Got the turkey in the oven, pies made the night before and we were off to pick up my Mom and Grandma from the airport.

Oh Joyous reunion! So happy! We must hurry home to our scrumptious feast! All I had left to do was make mashed potatoes and green bean casserole. The turkey should be just about finished by the time we get home. Perfect!

We got home, I rushed in the door, excitedly opened the oven to show my Mom and Grandma my newly discovered cooking skills and there it was!

Wait...what?

The turkey....it is still pink....and COLD.

Shoot! I need a diversion! Can't show THIS turkey...not now at least. "Wine anyone?" Oh, yes! Mom and Grandma happily accept. So, now as I begin peeling the potatoes I am updating everyone on everything hubby and I have done to the place, but in doing so, I am holding back hormonal tears as I am trying to not let on to what is going on with the turkey. At which point, my Mom offers her help. She opens the oven and seems perplexed.

She reaches in...feels the turkey. "Honey, this thing is COLD!" "I know" I reply, "It has been cooking since this morning, I think we are just a little behind schedule, maybe it will be done in an hour...just enough time for the potatoes and I will pop the casserole in afterwards."

"How long did you thaw it?"she asks. "Thaw it? I didn't thaw it, I put it in frozen this morning."

At this point, she tells me it will never be ready...well today at least. Who knew you were supposed to thaw a turkey? Why in the world would they sell it to you frozen? I never read about thawing it....Come on Betty Crocker...where was that in the book??? And now the tears are flowing. "Oh honey, it is okay....I will take care of this, sit down with Grandma." So, off I go, out of the kitchen.

As we are trying to figure out what we are going to do, Grandma starts telling stories. Apparently the glass of wine and lack of food are starting to get to her because her stories aren't exactly...how should I say it? "Grandma-ey stories" I am starting to get a little embarassed because my husband doesn't know her all that well yet....as she begins recalling one particular story about newly hatched chickens.

Meanwhile my Mom is frantically calling every grocery store, and restaurant in the area and nothing is open...nothing. Until she comes across a pizza place...pizza? L.A.M.E. I feel like such a total failure now.

Now, back to Grandma's story. It was winter and apparently it is too cold in the winter for the baby chicks outside. So they kept them inside, in the oven? This is going downhill and fast. They kept the oven on very low to keep them warm. When her Mom forgot. Yes, forgot. Turned the oven up to warm it up because she had some baking to do. When she felt it was sufficiently warm, she opened the oven to a tray full of fried chicks. And now Grandma laughs. Like big belly laughs. She spills her wine. Grandma is drunk. Dead chicks aren't funny. But Grandma is laughing.

What are we doing? Well, we are waiting for pizza and looking for some crackers for poor drunk story telling Grandma....

The pizza came....2 1/2 hours later....

Nobody has been to my house for Thanksgiving since.

(We also now wait for the food to serve the wine....)

- Betty Crocker Wannabe (reader submitted)

Anyone else have a horrible thanksgiving story they would like to share? Click comment below :)

OWC - Week 2 - Mexican Fiesta

2011-11-20T19:00:00.000-08:00

Once a Week Cooking (a take off of OMC Once a Month Cooking).
The beauty of this cooking plan is your food doesn't necessarily need to be frozen.

This is my general plan...

1 Crock-pot Meal
3 Casserole Meals
1 Oven Bake Meal
1 Stove-top Meal or Toaster Oven/Rotisserie Meal

I get my recipes ready, (trying to do some dishes that are a little bit the same to make it easier), check to make sure that I have my ingredients (if not I send Mister off to the store), and get started right after church.

OWC - DETAILS
Here is how this weeks cooking batch went. First I place my beef roast in the crock pot and poured barbecue sauce over the top (about 1 cup) and started it on high. I placed the ham in the oven. I took a full 3 pounds of ground beef and browned it and drained it. Then I cooked 2 pounds of bacon (crumbled the bacon and split into two servings), saving the grease. Then I sauteed 1 diced onion in the bacon grease and drained, split it into two servings. Then I boiled the frozen chicken breasts in a large pot on the stove top (until white and no longer pink inside). Then I assembled all the dishes, removed my ham (and upped the temperature) and then placed all my casserole dishes in the oven and cooked them. Removed them and placed refrigerator for the week! So easy... seriously.

Weekday Breakfast - Cheesy Breakfast Casserole
I decided to take charge of breakfast this week and make something that would give our entire family a jump start with lots of energy. I will be honest... it was so good I had it for lunch during the week two times! Another great addition would be eggs (we were out).

Ingredients

1 & 1/2 can of condensed cream of chicken soup.

1 & 1/2 (16 oz) container of sour cream

2 pounds hash browns (frozen type but let it thaw)

2 chicken breasts cubed (precooked)

1 & 1/2 cup diced ham (precooked)

1 pound of crumbled bacon (precooked)

1 package sausage (precooked)

1 cup shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 & 1/2 cup crushed potato chips

1/4 cup melted butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Combine hash browns, sour cream, soup, and meat. Mix thoroughly.

3. In 9x13 oven safe casserole dish spread mixture evenly.

4. Layer over top of mixture, cheese and then chips.

5. Drizzle butter over top

6. Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly.

Sunday - Spiral Ham

Nothing more pleasing to the nose than a honey ham in the oven warming. So easy. And makes fantastic cold cuts for lunches during the week.

Ingredients

1 spiral ham

1 can pineapple slices

1/2 cup brown sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 250 F.

2. Place ham in a deep baking pan (to collect the juices), cover with tin foil and place in oven. (Heat for 10 minutes per pound. Example -10 pounds = 1 hour 40 minutes.

3. 20 minutes before ham is done combine juice from canned pineapple and brown sugar and heat over medium low on stove top stirring constantly until bubbly, when thickened remove foil from ham and pour glaze carefully over the top. Finish baking.

4. Remove ham and let sit for 10 minutes.

Monday - Easy Mexican Casserole

I love that this recipe has the word easy in it! It has to be easy right? YES! It was in fact super easy and very good. Ground beef, chips, salsa, cheese and beans... how could you go wrong?

Ingredients

1 & 1/2 pound ground beef

2 & 2/3 cups chunky salsa

16 oz canned chili beans (drained)

4 cups tortilla chips (crushed)

2 & 2/3 cups sour cream

1 & 1/4 (2 ounces) cans sliced black olives (drained)

1/2 chopped onion

2 & 2/3 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Brown ground beef in large skillet on medium heat (until beef is no longer pink). Drain out grease into small sauce pan and saute onions. Then add salsa and onions to beef and simmer for 20 minutes add beans.

3. Spray 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.

4. Take chips and place them in a large ziplock back and crush into 1/4-1/2 inch sized chips, measure out 4 cups and place in bottom of pan.

5. Layer beef, sour cream, cheese and olives over chips.

6. Bake in preheated oven for 30 minute or until cheese is hot and bubbly.

Tuesday - Chicken Pot Pie Soup

We just LOVE Chicken Pot Pie's and this soup was not a disappointment. So creamy and perfect for a cold day. It had all the goodness of a Chicken Pot Pie and was a hit with each one of my kiddos.

Ingredients

4 chicken breast cubed (precooked)

2 (16 oz) packages frozen veggies (we chose corn and peas)

2 (10.75 oz) cans condensed cream of potato soup

2 (10.75 oz) cans condensed cream of chicken soup

4 cups skim milk

Directions

In a large pot combine chicken, mixed veggies, all soups, and milk. Heat thoroughly. Crumble your favorite crackers over the top and pepper to taste.

Wednesday - Beef Nacho Casserole

This dish was such a surprise!!! It seriously was so good, that Miss Queenie said it was the best dish so far! AND she actually had two huge helpings. It was gone in nothing flat and sadly not a drop of leftovers. I will be making a double dish of this next time. It had a surprisingly sweet taste to it and wasn't too spicy at all.

Ingredients

1 & 1/2 pound of ground beef

2 cups of chunky salsa

1 large (10 oz) can of corn (drained)

1 cup of (miracle whip or mayonnaise which ever one you prefer... we did mayo)

1 & 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder

2 & 2/3 cup crushed tortilla chips

2 & 2/3cup of Colby Cheese (shredded)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

2. Place ground beef in skillet and cook over medium-high heat. Cook until beef is crumbled and browned throughout. Drain.

3. Mix into skillet meat, salsa, corn, mayo and chili powder.

4. In 2 quart casserole dish layer beef mixture, chips and cheese (2x) ending with cheese on top.

5. Bake for 20 minutes uncovered until cheese is bubbly.

Thursday - Barbecued Beef

This is such a great dish because you can eat it plane or you can spoon it over sourdough bread open face or have it in a roll as a sandwich.

Ingredients

1 beef roast

1 cup of barbecue sauce

Directions

1. Place beef roast in crock pot and set to high heat for 6 hours

2. Pour 1 - 2 cups of barbecue sauce over top of roast.

3. 4 hours into baking shred beef with 2 forks, continue cooking or 2 more hours.

Friday - Teriyaki Chicken Parmesan Bake

This was tasted like an elaborate dish but was super easy and so good! Mister and I devoured our portions quickly and moved on to the kiddos leftovers. No really it was that good.

Ingredients

1 pound of bacon (precooked)

6 chicken breasts (precooked)

1/2 chopped onion (sauteed)

2/3 cup teriyaki sauce

1 & 1/3 cup Ranch style salad dressing

1 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 F

2. Place chicken breasts in oven safe cooking dish.

3. Crumble bacon over the top of each chicken breast

4. Over the top of each chicken breast pour ranch dressing, sprinkle cheese, pour teriyaki sauce.

5. Bake for 20 minutes.

6. When serving make sure to ladle out drippings and pour over the top of chicken breast.

If you have any questions on any of these dishes or how I do a big cooking job, please ASK! :-)
AND.... I would LOVE to hear about how your cooking adventure goes, how you liked the dishes or if you made any changes.

Happy cooking!
-Sister Pester

P.S. Once a month cooking is a big cooking project where you freeze meals. Once a week is a smaller version where you can actually keep the dishes in your refrigerator.

Quickest way to jump start your new YOU!

2011-11-18T22:19:00.001-08:00

New Year's is right around the corner...
and before that is the gauntlet of food and gorging.

Now I am not saying don't eat. In fact, heck go ahead and have a great time, knock yourself OUT!
BUT... do it with this (Metabolism Jumpstart Workout) in your back pocket and you won't be starting your New Year's resolution of 'get fit enough to wear a swim suit by summer' 10 pounds heavier than last year.

Did I mention that it only takes 4 minutes to speed your metabolism up?
Yup.
You heard it here... F.O.U.R. minutes baby... hey it takes longer than that to pull up facebook and scroll through/stalk everyone's facebook updates.

Here it is....

Get your timer out with stopwatch mode, (cause you will need the seconds timer) and start it!

Metabolism Jumpstart Workout
1. Step One: 20 seconds of Mountain Climbers
*Start this by being in a push-up position and then bring one knee as close as you can to your chest as if you are climbing up a very steep mountain. Now switch. Go as quickly as you can. REPEAT.

Mountain Climbers Visit www.Kathihorn.com for more info.

Now rest for 10 seconds

2. Step Two: 20 seconds of Squat Thrusts
*In a standing position place both feet together. Squat down and place hands slightly in front of and to the outsides of your feet. Quickly, keeping hands firmly on the ground, jump feet backs words until you are in a plank or push-up position. Then reverse and jump feet back to the squat position and stand up. REPEAT

Squat Thrusts Visit www.ce-fit.net for more info.

Now rest for 10 seconds

3. Step Three: 20 seconds of High Knees
*Jog in place lifting your knees up to the hip/thigh level. Make sure you are sucking your core in and you are also driving your arms. Do this quickly, but maintain control. REPEAT

High Knees Visit www.bodyrock.tv for more info.

Now rest for 10 seconds

4. Step Four: 20 seconds of Jumping Jacks
*Stand with both feet side by side hands down along your sides at your thighs. Jump and place both feet just slightly wider than hips out to the sides and at the same time bring hands straight out to your sides reachign up above your head and clap. Then reverse and bring hands down out to the sides clapping at your thighs as you jump and bring your feet back to the starting position. REPEAT

Jumping Jacks Visit www.coachingwithcory.blogspot.com for more info.

Now rest for 10 seconds

5. Repeat steps 1-4 above

20 seconds of Mountain Climber then rest for 10 seconds.
20 seconds of Squat Thrusts then rest for 10 seconds.
20 seconds of High Knees then rest for 10 seconds.
20 seconds of Jumping Jacks then rest for 10 seconds.

Total Time for the Metabolism Jumpstart Workout? Four minutes

To truly get fit and in shape it takes eating right, getting regular exercise and an overall changed lifestyle... however this 4 minute workout is a GREAT jumpstart. Have fun, try it and see how it makes you feel...

Now GO! But only if you want too... :-)
*(Disclaimer....First check with your doctor to see if you are well enough to do these exercises, we cannot be held responsible for injuries due to your attempts at any maneuvers explained on this site).

-Sister Scrappy

Crowd Pleasin' Taco Soup

2011-11-18T20:43:00.000-08:00

Just for posterity, I must state that this is the one recipe that I am CONSTANTLY asked to make. Why? Because it is good.....and because I am asked to make it frequently by friends...there are ALL kinds of stories based around this soup. One that may at some point even be an Anono-Momma...so you may want to be on the lookout :)

1 c. Tomato Juice

1 c. Black Beans

1 c. White Beans

1 c. Pinto Beans

1 c. Corn

1 1/2 lbs. Ground Beef (browned)

1 Packet Ranch Dressing

1 Packet Taco Seasoning

Shredded Cheese (any kind you enjoy)

Fritos (this is the key)

Brown your ground beef and drain the juices.

Put juice in a large stock pot

Put all beans in.

Add Ground beef.

Add both seasoning packets and let boil.

Reduce heat and simmer for 20

minutes.

If you do once a month, or once a week cooking, this is a meal that can be frozen!

Top with cheese and fritos and ENJOY!!

This recipe is Screacher approved!

-Sister Scrappy

Countdown until .....2011 Blogfestapalooza

2011-11-18T18:26:00.001-08:00

You asked for it (well not really but we are giving it to you anyways)...

Thanksgiving week FULL of great ideas for last minute meal ideas for your great feast to decorating ideas for your Christmas festivities, gift ideas, COOKIES and much much more!

That is right friends...

Oh and as a side note...

Pester and Scrappy will reunite after one entirely too long year! YIPEE!

Pictures, recipes, blog post to follow oh MY!

This is us last year! It had been 4 years before that!

And here is our entire brood.... and it IS the best picture we could capture!

Queenie, Super, and Miss Sassofrass

Scooter, Mega, and Scrap Happy

Scrappy is holding Scrappy Do and Bubba. Pester is holding Screacher and Pinty.

ahhh aren't they cute!

Yes, this is them in true form! BESTIES Sassofrass and Super!

And lastly the adorable couple! In fact they are engaged .

Due just one day apart but Miss Screacher couldn't wait and came 8... YES 8 weeks early!

Bubba and his girl Screacher.

We cannot WAIT!-Pester and Scrappy

*Tags Thanksgiving, recipes, 2011 and 2012 HOT Christmas lists, best toys, best friends, vacations, reunion, great decorating ideas, my online best friend.

White Bean Chili

2011-11-16T16:10:00.000-08:00

2 Tbs. Olive Oil

2 Onions (chopped)

4 Garlic cloves (minced)

1 1/2 lbs. Ground Turkey

3 c. Chicken broth

2 4oz. c. chopped green chilies

2 tsp. Cumin

2 tsp. Dried Oregano

1 1/2 tsp. Cayenne Pepper

5 c. Great Northen Beans (undrained)

Heat oil, onions and garlic over medium heat for ten minutes. Then add meat, broth, chilies and spices until boiling. Reduce heat to low, then add beans. Let simmer 20-30 minutes.

This meal can be made vegetarian by taking away the meat and adding more beans, and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

We topped it with Monterey Jack Cheese and Sour Cream. We also made cornbread to add some sweet to the spice.

This dish is Scrappy-Doo approved! And that is a huge stamp of approval folks!

-Sister Scrappy