Mommyhood & Mayhem

Menu Planning Monday's

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:14:00 +0000

I'm really looking forward to this week. Today is my last day of work until the 29th, which will allow me to relax and not worry so much about getting dinner ready in a short amount of time.

Plus I'll be starting my Christmas baking Tuesday morning....what's not to love about this week? :)

Monday 12-15:

Beef Stew & bread (not made last week)

Tuesday 12-16:

Mac N Cheese & veggie (DH School night)

Wed 12-17:

Chicken Tetrazzini

Thurs 12-18:

Pink Pasta

Fri 12-19:

Taco Ring

Sat 12-20:

Quick Easy Chicken Marinara w/mashed potatoes

Sun 12-21:

Chili w/corn bread

Craft of the Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:31:00 +0000

Martha always has fun stuff, and I like to go to her site for ideas. When I saw this one, I couldn't wait to do it. Both boys are good cutters, and I probably will have them help me with these. Best part is that I'm not going to use them as a place card, but as decorations all over the house.

Tree Place Card.

With all the cool retro looking cardstock out right now, these can be made so many different ways. :)

Random Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:22:00 +0000

Brrr!

It's cold outside right now, it's the kind of cold that just seems to soak up into your bones. Or the kind of cold that requires an extra blanket when you are sitting on the sofa.

Our house can be on the cool side, so when I have to bake with yeast-I always use a heating pad to keep the pan a level temp. It's amazing how it works. :)

This was supposed to be yesterday's tip, but the massive death of DH's car left us scrambling and walking around car lots yesterday. (Probably why I'm cold today) The good news is we did find a good car, and I'll be very happy when we pick it up tonight.

Menu Planning Monday's

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 20:03:00 +0000

This is my very first Menu Planning Monday and I"m looking forward to it. I had done something similar on my igoogle, but this looks like it will work much better for me. Plus I get to browse what other people are making to keep the ideas fresh.

Sunday-7th:

Crockpot Rotisserie-Style Chicken with mashed potatoes.

Monday-8th:

Beef Stew & bread.

Tuesday-9th:

Steak or Chicken, grilled, with a veggie.

Wednesday-10th:

Beef Noodle Bowl and oranges on the side.

Thursday-11th:

Grilled Cheese, animal crackers/fruit (easy meal for me and the boys. DH has a meeting that night)

Friday-12th:
Spaghetti and popcorn later(family movie night! or travel night depending....)

Saturday-13th:

No meals planned for today. Visiting my parents. :)

Sunday-14th:
Easy Way Lasagna with bread, veggie and maybe cookies. :)

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:11:00 +0000

Tis the season to do some Holiday baking! I've got 3 recipes to share with you today-2 are for Snickerdoodles done a couple of different ways, and the other is a low sugar Chocolate Chip cookie!

This weekend I'll be making one of the Snickerdoodle recipes and for sure the Chocolate Chip cookies. I've been hungry for both cookies for a long time, and the house always seems to run out of goodies the week before our grocery order comes in.

If you try these, don't forget to leave feedback on recipezaar!

Low Sugar Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Whole Wheat Snickerdoodles.
Snickerdoodles

Make It Yourself!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:51:00 +0000

I know I've said many times that my oldest son loves to do crafts. It doesn't matter much what craft it is, he just gets a kick out of tinkering and working with his hands.

When searching around for a project to do, I stumbled upon this crafting idea and just KNEW my son would love it. (the littlest son too!)

Beaded Napkin Rings. They look so fun and festive, and best of all there really isn't a way to goof it up, and your holiday table will look it's very best.

But why stop there. I can totally see doing these for different seasons, no one says you can't have a sparkle of color all year 'round!

Random Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:45:00 +0000

Happy Wednesday! I hope you like the new changes I've made to the blog. Things got quite stale around here, as I've not been updating like usual-but also because I've changed very little in the year since I've started TMS. I'm pretty excited about the changes, which help my life and hopefully will help yours as well.

I'm changing things mid-week here, but hey-that's half the fun!

Welcome to our first Random Wednesday! Today's randomness is a craft that I've had written up and ready to go for Make It Yourself Monday forever, but I never found the right time for it, until now! This would also make a neat Christmas gift as well.

There are times when I love getting back to the basics, or doing something retro.

I found this neat little idea, and I think I'm going to enjoy making some of these up for around the house. Something a little more fancy than just your normal plastic hangers.

Decoupage Hangers.

I was thinking of doing this on more than just coat hangers. I have an idea for the sprucing up those wooden peg coat hangers for the boys. Decoupage them, and hang it up in my entry way...that way the coats/bags won't be hanging out on the floor.

Make It Yourself Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:08:00 +0000

Cookie Cutter Clay

2 cups salt
2/3 cups water
1 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup cold water

Mix salt with water in saucepan. Stir and boil. Add cornstarch and cold water. Heat until mixture gets thick. Roll out dough on board floured with cornstarch. Cut shapes out with a cookie cutter, then let dry. When throughly dry, paint or decorate.

NOTE~make a hole so you can hang artwork/use as christmas decoration.

Low Fat Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 13:08:00 +0000

I think this would be a good drink to have during the holidays when company is coming over...or when you are in the mood for tea!

Raspberry Tea

Makes 6 serving

Ingredients

2 cups fresh or frozen red raspberries
4 or 5 tea bags
5 cups boiling water
Ice cubes

Place raspberries and tea bags in a glass bowl. Pour boiling water over raspberries
and tea. Cover, let stand 5 minutes. Remove tea bags. Strain berries from mixture. Cool several hours. If desired, chill. Serve over ice cubes.

POINTS: .5

PER SERVING: 12 Calories, 0 g Fat, 1 g Fiber

Make It Youself Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 12:53:00 +0000

I know Martha has this listed as a "Back To School" project, but I was thinking how wonderful it could be on the outside of something....like your holiday planner or any other book (knitting, crocheting, etc) where you need a pocket to hold stuff.

Check it out: Pocket Folder.

Make It Yourself Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:44:00 +0000

Break out those stamps and ink pads, and take a gander at the link below. Think how this could work with any holiday!

Wipe Off Samp Art.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm heading for the craft store. :)

Low Fat Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:08:00 +0000

Fake Ice Cream Sandwiches

Makes 1 serving

Ingredients

2 full sheets (4 rectangles each) reduced fat cinnamon graham crackers (2 points)
Fat free whipped topping

Sandwich the cream between the crackers and freeze until set.

This also tastes really good with the flavored whipped topping too!

Make It Yourself Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:38:00 +0000

I saw these, and the boys popped right in my head. They'd totally get a kick out of these, and they would be fun to make too! *for me, not them! LOL*

Tin Can Jack O' Lanterns.

Low Fat Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:08:00 +0000

I'm not sure where I got this, but it sounds really good!

Spicy Pumpkin Spread

Great on an English muffin or toast! Tastes just like Pumpkin Pie!
You can half this recipe.

Makes 48 tablespoons (3 cups)

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup apple juice (cold)
1 pkg vanilla pudding mix (instant)
1 cup pumpkin (canned) - [not the mix]
3/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice (1/2 to 1 tsp)

In a mixing bowl, combine apple juice, pumpkin and dry pudding mix. Beat
on low speed for 2 minutes. Stir in Pumpkin Pie spice. Let stand for
5 minutes. Serve on toast or English Muffin. Store in refrigerator up to 3 days.

SERVING SIZE: 4 tablespoons

POINTS: 1

PER SERVING: 50 Calories, 1 g Protein, Trace Fat, 121 mg Sodium,
0 mg Cholesterol, 1 g Dietary Fiber, 12 g Carbohydrate

Make It Yourself Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:52:00 +0000

I know they are not really Halloweenish in their current picture, but think of all you could do with Hallween themed paper (or any holiday for that matter!

Can Do Cans

Low Fat Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:08:00 +0000

Seasoned Salt:

Mix together:
1/8 c. garlic powder
1/8 c. paprika
1 Tbsp. salt
1/2 Tbsp. pepper
1/2 Tbsp. onion powder

Good with chicken, burgers, and steaks.

Words On Wednesday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:08:00 +0000

The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us.~~Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes

Give A Tip Tuesday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:08:00 +0000

Substitute half applesauce for the vegetable oil in your baking recipes~you'll greatly reduce the fat content!

(Example: 1/2 cup vegetable oil = 1/4 cup applesauce + 1/4 cup oil)

Make It Yourself Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:25:00 +0000

Halloween again. I know, I know but they are just too cute to pass up. Here are some wonderful templates for making tree decorations.

I think I'll have hubby look around for a bare branch in the next few weeks and start getting out my fall/halloween stuff.

Low Fat Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:08:00 +0000

Easy Peach Crisp

Ingredients:
2 cans (15.25 oz each) sliced peaches, drained
1/2 instant oatmeal, uncooked
1/3 cup flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/3 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place peaches into lightly
buttered 2 quart baking dish. Combine instant oatmeal, flour
cinnamon and nuts in bowl, stir in butter. Sprinkle over peaches.
Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with vanilla ice
cream, or whipped cream.

Make It Yourself Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:14:00 +0000

Just a couple of days ago I made the trip to our local Mega Mart, and to my great (un)surprise they were starting to get their Halloween stuff out and ready.

I know this craft idea is a bit early (thank the Mega Mart), but if you are like me with school, kids, that means that stuff is just nuts. If I want something ready, I have to think about it NOW.

So enjoy these Batty Bags, and smile....it's closer than you think.

Make It Yourself Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:57:00 +0000

Labor day is here, and here is a neat little idea for weighting down your table cloths!

Weight on Tables.

I know it's short and sweet today, and I hope you all are having a great Labor Day!

Make It Yourself Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:53:00 +0000

With school right around the corner, I thought this would be a good idea to use for a end of the summer celebration.

Ribbon Stars.

I know it's more 4th of July, then end of summer, just substitute out the color of the ribbons and Wa-La!

I'm planning a bit of a party, in honor of my 5 year old starting Kindergarten, and this will help make it so festive!

Gosh, Those Darn Days of Summer

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 18:50:00 +0000

They have gotten the best of me. I know I've not had much of a presence here the past month or so, and that's totally my fault. With both boys in some sort of activity, unforeseen work adventures, and life...my posting has ground down to a halt.

I do have 2 more Make It Yourself Monday's that are set to go out, having to do with School starting and Labor Day...but like the most of the summer, those will be about it. A lot of time has been spent getting my oldest son ready for Kindergarten next week. You wouldn't believe all the meetings both he and I have to go to. It's been pretty exhausting trying to figure out everyone's schedule and rushing from work to the activity and home.

I'm hoping to get some time soon to sit down and get this place going again, but until then it's going to be sparse around here. I do have a couple of days of down time coming up, and I'm going to sit down and get going.

Until then, bear with me. I'm sure we are all in the same crazy position right now with school right around the corner.

((Hugs))

Make It Yourself Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:19:00 +0000

A girl deserves some bling every so often right? Well here is a nice, yet cheap solution for your bling fixation!

Bling Bangle.

As with a lot of the crafts I post here, the possiblities are endless! Just think of how much fun you can have, blinging out some bracelets.