The Fiskerelli Bellies

We Wish You a Merry Christmas...

2012-12-24T17:03:00.002-05:00

... and a blessed New Year!

I'm a Christmas Party Survivor!

2012-12-19T10:54:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday we had a full house as 38 of our dear friends joined the Fiskerelli Bellies to celebrate Christmas.

It was definitely a celebration, complete with twinkling decorations, very merry laughter, and food aplenty.

We lit the walkway to welcome our guests. We have several entrances and didn't want anyone attempting the steep stairs in the dark.

We put food in various locations for easy access. My kitchen is large, but narrow, and this helped with traffic flow. Plus, when you are very full of yummy appetizers, you don't want to hunt for your dessert!

Ice cream dishes and pedestal glasses set on a platter created a dessert display.

The garage was set up with crafts and snacks for our school-age guests to enjoy. My teenagers supervised, allowing the adults to relax and enjoy uninterrupted conversations.

(We did intervene when a game of "eat a cookie as fast as you can and then run around the table as long as you can" broke out.)

As for our Christmas Party Menu, it seems that was a success as well. Be sure to check back to that post as I've begun adding links to recipes. I'll be posting some new recipes from that list soon.

Say Thank You Today {and Every Day}

2012-12-17T12:29:00.001-05:00

While you are hugging your children close, and praying for the families that lost loved ones in Conneticut, there is one action you can take to make a difference.

Today when you encounter a teacher greeting children at her door, walk past a police officer directing traffic, bump into that volunteer fireman who is available at all hours of the day or night, pause to say thank you.

Let this be the action you take in memory of those lost ones and in honor of the ones who serve our communities every day.

Christmas Party Menu

2012-12-10T22:26:00.002-05:00

Today I'm sharing my Christmas party menu, but I ask you to remember three things.

First, I love the kitchen. I could spend days cooking and baking with no complaint. I love feeding people. It's one way I show love.

Second, I have three children who have been working alongside me for a few years. They are very capable of getting the house clean and assisting in the kitchen. That assistance makes this ambitious menu not just possible, but pleasurable to prepare.

Third, invite your friends into your home, even if just for coffee. While our friends certainly enjoy eating together, it's not essential to our fellowship. The only essential thing is the invitation.

Christmas Party Menu at the the Fiskerelli Bellies

Sausage Sandwich Wreath
Chicken Salad Croissants
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Sweet & Sour Fried Sausage
Cocktail Weenies
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Crack Bread
Popcorn Chicken with Dip
Stuffed Mushrooms
Veggie Tray
Cheese and Cracker Tray
Chips & Salsa
Cinnamon Almonds
Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Cookie Tray
Punch
Coffee, Cocoa, Tea

You'll note there are a variety of hearty finger foods. The party begins at 6:30, and many of our guest will have spent the day preparing for our church's Christmas program.

Plus, men like meat. That's just truth.

I'll be sharing some of the recipes soon, and will try to remember to include links here as well. In the meantime, offer an invitation and share some holiday fellowship.

Christmas Party: The Planning Stage

2012-12-04T14:08:00.001-05:00

It's t-minus 11 days to operation Christmas party, and I thought I'd share some of my advance preparations.

I have to lead off by saying I'm much less nervous, having successfully pulled off a Christmas party for about 40 guests last year. Plus, my preparations for this year began immediately after last year's party. That said, we could potentially have 10-15 additional guests for Christmas Party 2012.

Here's a quick rundown of steps we've already taken:

Purchased paper products. (After-Christmas sales netted 24 ct. packs of plates and napkins for just 35 cents each).
Purchased additional decorations and serving items. (Luminaries to light the walkway for just .19 per 6 pack, disposable platters for 10 cents, found days after Christmas in the clearance bin.)
Pulled out menu plan from 2011 (with notes I scribbled detailing popularity of each dish and quantity adjustment recommendations).
Gathered recipes into one folder, including a few new ones to keep the menu fresh.
Wrote a detailed grocery list and began shopping. (Most of my staples were purchased on sale with coupons during the baking sales leading up to Thanksgiving.)
Put everything into one bin, including grocery items I didn't want to be used by mistake.

Last year we set up tables in the garage for the kids to do craft projects. The parents really appreciated having their kids entertained so they could socialize. Crafts are on this week's "to do" list.

If you have any good ideas for small projects suitable for pre-school and elementary age kids please share!

Hopefully

2012-11-24T22:41:00.003-05:00

Hopefully, I will be blogging a little more regularly.

Hopefully, things have calmed down after a very busy fall.

Hopefully, you will get to see some of my Christmas party plans.

Hopefully, I will share some great recipes for gifts from the kitchen.

Hopefully, I will write some posts on cooking for a crowd.

Hopefully, you will bear with me if things don't go as planned.

Hopefully, I will have time to read some of my bloggy friends' posts.

Because I miss ya'll!

Everyone Needs a Mrs. June

2012-11-02T09:20:00.000-04:00

One of the first people we met when we started attending our church about 18 months ago was Mrs. June.

For those of you not familiar with southern speak, it's pronounced Miss June, but she's a widow so it's written Mrs. June. June is her first name. See how that works? Good for you, 'cause it took me a while!

Mrs. June has a special way of making you feel like the most special person in the room. She heard me sing and called me a songbird. She ate my cooking and called me a chef. She warns my kids, "I'm going to hug on your neck," and then she does just that calling them "the most wonderful children" as she squeezes. She pats hubby's cheek and tells me I'm blessed. She hugs him and tells him he's blessed. Finally, she turns to me for a squeeze and tells me that she hopes God keeps us here a long, long time.

It happens every time we see her. She hugs, encourages and compliments. And then she tells us that she prays for us, and that she knows that God hears and answers.

I think everyone needs a Mrs. June.

My Visual Learner

2012-10-18T21:26:00.001-04:00

My baby-boy-turned-young-man is about to get his driver's license. I'm not ready, but I think he is.

We've been having these one-sided conversations where I give him a whole litany of instructions for hypothetical situations.

If Car A arrives at the four-way intersection at the same time as Car B the vehicle furthest right enters first. There are many factors to consider when driving through standing water. When driving in fog use your low beams and the defrost setting on the climate controls. These are some of the more technical scenarios we've reviewed.

Then there are the conversations covering moral issues. You are responsible for the lives of those who ride with you. Passengers who refuse to follow the rules may not ride in the vehicle. You may only have one non-family passenger in the car at a time. If you have a young lady in the vehicle you must seek her parents' permission... in person (ugh).

And still I feel there is so much more we need to talk over. I could talk through another year. It's what I do.

"There's so much more I need to tell you," I lamented.

"But you don't need to," he answered. "You show me every day, and I'm a visual learner anyway."

And then I took a deep breath. He pays attention to what I DO as much as what I SAY. That's both reassuring and scary. I'm not ready...

Debatable

2012-10-17T09:08:00.000-04:00

I made the grave mistake of logging on to Facebook in the middle of last night's presidential debate. It got ugly. I realize that people are passionate about the future of our country, but I have my doubts that arguments on Facebook, or even a televised debate between the candidates, will create change.

Over the past few years I have begun to believe a systemic change is necessary. It's 2012, and essentially my primary vote did not count. I did not have a say in who is running for president. I went to the polling place to cast my vote anyway because I believe the very act of voting is important.

Growing up an east coast girl, I never realized the how much sway those of us on the Atlantic side of the country have on the outcome of elections. Think about how those evening voters on the west coast feel when projections from Virginia or Florida, the so-called battleground states, are reported. Does it discourage them from getting out to vote if they are told by the media that the states that "matter" have already been decided?

In a country where we can communicate with those on the other side of the world in real time and financial transactions happen instantly, couldn't we find a way for every vote to count? Equality means that every vote has the same impact on the outcome.

Oh, and maybe we could add a third party for a true three-ring circus!

Image Credit:

http://www.2012-world.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Electoral-College-Map-2012.jpg

Soapbox Saturday

2012-10-06T18:40:00.000-04:00

We're in the midst of a big time of the year for sports, and I am a serious sports fan. I've been known to wear the jerseys of favorite players, pump my fist in the air, and scream at the television. So, today I'm standing on my soapbox with my Yankees jersey over my Packers t-shirt and an orange Clemson hat.

Maybe you aren't a huge sports fan like me, but I'd bet you have overheard more than a few conversations about referees over the past few weeks. I'd also bet that there was a noticeable absence of kind words.

One of my biggest pet peeves in the world of sports is the blaming of referees for the outcomes of games. One blown call and suddenly nothing else either team has done matters to the outcome? Nevermind that your pitcher walked in two runs or your QB was sacked eight times. What a bunch of hooey!

So, quit blaming the refs, who are mere mortals after all, and start cheering on your team. Every team has a call go against them from time to time.

One Step to Save Big This Christmas

2012-10-05T08:40:00.002-04:00

I have heard the panicked whispers, "Christmas is only 11 weeks away!" I have witnessed the rearranging of store shelves to make room. I have seen the anxious clutching of wallets as people prepare for the pain.

So, why would I remind you and your bank account of this impending doom? I want to share my best tip for saving big this Christmas, of course! What could this best tip be, you ask?

Start now!

Whether you've decided to have a homemade holiday or you're planning to shop the stores, if you start now you can really rack up the savings.

Wondering where to start?

Make a list of gift recipients in order of priority. Jot in gift ideas.
Make a list of homemade projects and necessary materials.
Begin to clip coupons for craft stores. If the store is nearby, shop weekly to maximize coupon savings paired with sales.
Watch for online and store sales and coupons utilizing websites like Hip 2 Save and Money Saving Mom. Some of the best sales are offered weeks before Black Friday.
Don't forget the grocery store. Gifts of food or a bath & body basket can be assembled very inexpensively when you match coupons to sales.

Year after year I am shocked by how much people spend on holiday gift giving. Much of the expense of the holidays can be mitigated by simply planning ahead.

So, where are you in your holiday planning? Are you in a wild-eyed panic, or are you, list-written, shopping-started, projects-planned, prepared?

Host a Tasting! {Pulled Pork}

2012-09-17T21:59:00.000-04:00

One of the goals on my list for 2012 was to open our home to guests more often. I love to cook, and sharing a meal with an acquaintance is a great way to get to know people better.

While I love having guests, I don't want to be stuck in the kitchen distracted by meal preparations while everyone is socializing. So, when I saw a friend's post about hosting a tasting I knew that would be the format for our next gathering.

For this first attempt I chose pulled pork. It's popular in the south and each region has it's own unique sauce. And, (bonus!) it can be prepared in advance.

I started a day before our tasting with a bone-in pork shoulder/butt roast, and rubbed it with McCormick's GrillMates Barbecue rub. It cooked all day in the crockpot, literally falling off the bone. I put the roast, falling apart as I moved it, onto a cookie sheet and used two forks to pull it off the bone and shred it up a little. I saved a little of the juice and fat to pour over the meat to keep it moist.

The day of the tasting I put the pork with the juices into a foil pan (no clean up!) and let it heat in an oven at 250 degrees while I finished the rest of the meal.

We set up our meal buffet style with five varieties of BBQ sauce and some little 3 oz. cups for dipping. Everyone from ages four to forty (-one) loved it!

Now I'm thinking of other ways I could apply this fun dinner idea! Suggestions?

Fun with Photos (and a few extra kids and a bonus dog)

2012-09-10T09:04:00.000-04:00

Since my first days as a blogger, photography has been one of my weak spots.

My husband used to refuse to hand me a camera. There are years of family photos that are missing his handsome face because no one wanted to wait the 30 minutes it took me to finally capture an acceptable shot.

One of the things I really wanted to work on this summer was photo editing. It turns out I need a little skill in this area for my Jamberry business, too.

I tried several of the free online offerings, and finally learned to use FotoFlexer with some degree of proficiency. At least now if the composition of my photography isn't top notch I can add a little touch of interest.

Which leads me to the photo above. Do you know how hard it is to get seven kids and two dogs to pose for even a millisecond? Impossible!

We "borrowed" our pastor's kids and dog for a night so that he and his lovely wife could escape for a birthday celebration. What a hoot!

Do you use a photo editing program that might help this novice graduate to the next level? Do share!

101 Frugal Tips #30

2012-09-04T11:34:00.003-04:00

#30 Make it from scratch.

One of the most flexible areas of our budget is the grocery budget. If things get tight around here this is the first place I look to trim expenses.

Cereal costs $3-4/box, or if you match a coupon to sale you might only pay $1.50. Don't forget to include the cost of milk. For my kids the servings per box are only 6-8, regardless of what the box might say.

Instead of cereal bake muffins. My chocolate breakfast muffins cost about .75 for 12 servings. I use whole wheat flour and greek yogurt that, along with a little shmear of peanut butter, keep my kids feeling fuller much longer than a bowl of cereal.

We replace store-bought breads with healthier, less expensive homemade, and stock the freezer with homemade "convenience" foods for busy nights. Birthday cakes are homemade and pizza for pizza night is grilled on the back porch.

The grocery budget at our house hasn't changed in over two years, despite three children who now eat more than the adults and rising costs. I owe the ability to stretch our grocery budget in large part to making foods from scratch.

Even though I wasn't blogging much this summer, I certainly didn't abandon the computer. As a matter of fact much of what kept me busy was DOING the things I'd been reading about.

Today I'll share a few of my recommendations so you can get DOING, too!

Right after the kids got out of school Crystal posted a recipe for English Muffin Bread.

Years ago my Gram would buy English toasting bread every time I spent the night. I loved that bread so much that I would trek back to her house (just three houses away) to help her finish it up a day or two after my sleepover. She was really good about sharing.

I was skeptical that such an easy recipe could reproduce a bread that lived up to my memory, but to my great joy (and perhaps a tearful remembrance) this bread was as close as I could ever hope. It was quickly declared the new family favorite.

Give it a try. You'll come back and thank me.

Jen shared a guest post on DIY berets in late July. While these aren't something we'll be wearing in the 90 degree temperatures we're having, they sure will be cute this winter.

As I was DOING, I was doing some whining. And then I read Laura's post. I recommend it if you've been doing a lot of DOING.

I'll share some of my other recommendations soon!

{Updated}The Match

2012-08-29T09:09:00.001-04:00

One of the very special things that has been going on during my blogging absence was an opportunity for my husband and I to share the story of Allison's gift of bone marrow for Avery's bone marrow transplant.

About a month ago a man from our church reached out to us about bone marrow donation when he learned out he was a potential match for a young woman. He had registered as a donor years ago, and was contacted about undergoing some additional testing.

We had the opportunity to share our story and offer our support should his tests prove him to be the best match.

After additional tests, our friend learned he was the match, and today is giving a life saving gift. Hubby had the opportunity to take him to the hospital this morning for the procedure.

We feel so blessed to know that Allison's donation was an encouragement to our friend, and we are praying for the young lady receiving this gift and the speedy recovery of our friend.

If you would considering offering this gift you can find more information and register as a potential donor at marrow.org.

{Update: Our friend was home and resting yesterday evening. He was feeling a little weak and had a headache, but was otherwise fine. He continues to rest today. Please continue to pray for his recovery along with the young woman receiving his gift. This man runs a family business and has five children. He would appreciate your prayers! }

Homework

2012-08-28T16:49:00.002-04:00

The very first night of school, and they all brought home homework... for me!

So, I spent last night "writing." Just not for my blog!

Unexpected Hiatus & Back to School

2012-08-27T10:46:00.001-04:00

You were wondering where I've been, weren't you? I've been on the run, here, there, and everywhere! Or so it seems.

I {may have} bit off more than I could chew as the summer was drawing to a close, and blogging was on the list of things that needed to take a back seat.

However, here we are on the first school day for my 7th, 9th, and 10th graders {sniff}, and I'm ready to write!

Wait 'til you see what's been going on here at the Fiskerelli Bellies!

Soapbox Saturday

2012-08-18T07:28:00.001-04:00

A holier-than-thou attitude makes you anything but holy. There, I said it.

101 Frugal Tips #29

2012-08-09T22:06:00.001-04:00

#29 Leave them asking, "Where's the beef?"

How do you cut a grocery budget when you're trying to cut out processed foods?

Peace can be made in the healthy foods vs. the grocery budget battle. One way to ease the stress on a healthy foods budget is to reduce the amount of meat you serve at each meal.

This summer we committed to eat meat as the "main" dish just four nights out of the week. That's a big deal for my meat and potatoes clan! We serve a meatless meal once a week, and the other two days we make do with just one pound of meat cooked in a dish of mostly veggies and rice.

That one change in our menu has allowed us to keep the same food budget even as prices rise and our children grow.

A Use for Flattened Cupcake Liners

2012-08-07T22:32:00.001-04:00

I found the rolling pin sitting on the last of my cupcake liners.

This has happened before and I tossed the stack of liners in the trash. This time I learned that one of my children actually reads my blog and promptly got a lecture on cutting waste.

I think my Berry Bars look kind of cute sitting on the ruffly cupcake liners. Don't you?

I might want to move the rolling pin if I want to make cupcakes though.

Flavored Water

2012-08-03T10:24:00.003-04:00

It's been hot here in NC. That's kind of an understatement in a summer of record-breaking heat.

I make the conditions harder on myself by not drinking enough water, but I've found a way to make it more appealing.

Starting with an 8-12 oz. glass of water I add one of the following:

1 thin slice of lemon or lime
2 grapes cut in half
2 thin slices of strawberry
1 thin slice of cucumber
1 chunk of watermelon

There are many more possibilities, but these are some of my favorites.

Do you struggle with drinking enough water? What flavor would you add?

101 Frugal Tips #28

2012-08-01T08:49:00.000-04:00

#28 Use coupons judiciously.

Coupons are great... when you really need to buy something. If it's not something you need, and it's not free, the coupon does nothing to further your financial goals.

Coupons are great if you need to break out the cash to buy something. It's not so great if you are spending money on things you don't just because you can get it for pennies on the dollar. Those pennies add up!

With the advent of blogging came a multitude of couponing sites dedicated to helping you find a matching coupon for anything your heart desires. Blogs are a terrific source of information, but if you find yourself getting an adrenaline rush every time a coupon is posted, you might want to limit your blog time.

I'll admit to having little "talks" with myself over a potential good deal. If that debate takes more than a few seconds I need to walk away!

2012-08-01T08:42:00.001-04:00

Canning Banana Peppers

2012-07-30T11:17:00.000-04:00

My hubby requested that we make space for some banana peppers in our garden this year.

I decided to start small with just two sweet and two hot pepper plants. I have been so surprised at the volume of peppers those four plants have produced, and I knew I didn't want to let a single pepper go to waste.

I decided to go with a pickling recipe. These are the type of peppers my hubby orders on deli sandwiches. I have made some adjustments taking what I liked from each recipe I researched.

Pickled Banana Peppers:

3 c. vinegar

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. mustard seed

1 tsp. celery seed

banana peppers

Seed and slice enough banana peppers to pack into four sterilized 8 oz. canning jars.

Bring vinegar, sugar, mustard seed, and celery seed to a rolling boil. Fill packed jars to leaving 1/2 inch head space.

I use the easy canning method, and skip the hot water bath. Just put on a lid and ring and flip the jar until it cools.

Place any unsealed jars in the fridge to use first.

Leave the peppers in the brine for two weeks before eating.

While reading recipes I found several reviewers would mention canning jalapenos and chiles the same way. I think I may try it using half the sugar.

Anyone have another method to preserve banana peppers? 'Cause this momma's got some peppers!

The Fiskerelli Bellies

We Wish You a Merry Christmas...

... and a blessed New Year!

I'm a Christmas Party Survivor!

Say Thank You Today {and Every Day}

Christmas Party Menu

Christmas Party: The Planning Stage

Hopefully

Everyone Needs a Mrs. June

My Visual Learner

Debatable

Soapbox Saturday

One Step to Save Big This Christmas

Start now!

Host a Tasting! {Pulled Pork}

Fun with Photos (and a few extra kids and a bonus dog)

101 Frugal Tips #30

Recommended

{Updated}The Match

Homework

Unexpected Hiatus & Back to School

Soapbox Saturday

101 Frugal Tips #29

A Use for Flattened Cupcake Liners

Flavored Water

101 Frugal Tips #28

Canning Banana Peppers