Kids Say the Darndest Things!

It's finally FRIDAY!  It's been another crazy week at our house and I'm happy the weekend has arrived!

Did you know that on average a child laughs about 400 times a day?  FOUR HUNDRED!!! To me that's a lot, I guess that's because I'm a boring adult.  Can you guess how often adults laugh?  According to this study it's a whopping 17 times a day. And I know there are days that I don't meet that quota. This makes me wonder what has happened to us humorless adults.  Somewhere on our journey we have lost some of the most basic simple pleasures in life, like laughing.  Not only is laughing fun but it's also good for us. Laughter releases the chemical serotonin into our brains which makes us feels good.  It also reduces stress, relaxes us and helps us feel more comfortable in uncomfortable situations.  I don't understand all the science behind it but there are a few things I do understand; laughing makes me happy and my kids make me laugh a lot.  Having young kiddos around can often make things more stressful but also very comical.  My son Jaxson in particular is quite the character (full of his share of ups and downs!)  He's often saying or doing some of the funniest things, we've started calling them Jaxsonisms.  I thought for this week's Friday's Five Favorites I would share with you a few of the funny things this kid has said.  Just thinking everyone could use a good laugh!  Maybe we can pump that 17 up at least for today!

(I apologize in advance for some potty humor!)

1.  A few summers ago we were driving through a canyon when Jaxson loudly declared he had to go poop.  Luckily we were able to find an outhouse in a campground because we could not convince him to go in the grass.  He had no problem with an outhouse and made himself at home.  He actually found the whole adventure quite fascinating, bugs and smells included.  Jax was almost three at the time and because it was he first time in an outhouse I felt it was my motherly duty to be in there, holding onto him so he wouldn't fall in.  (Can you imagine if he had fallen in? Yuck!)  I on the other hand wasn't fascinated with the bugs and awful smells and was trying to get him to hurry the process along.  I kept asking him "Are you done?" over and over.  Each time he's calmly respond  "No" and keep talking about the bugs that were surrounding us.  I asked again and when he said no, I feeling a little exasperated exclaimed "You are a slow pooper!"  He looked up at me and said with a quizzical look "I am?"  "Yes, you are."  I quickly replied.  Finally, we were able to finish up and leave the amazing place and get back on the road.  Later that day while I was introducing Jaxson to someone new he interupted me and said matter-of-factly "Hi, I'm Jaxson and I'm a slow pooper."  It was one of those times that everyone couldn't help but laugh.  I wish I could say that was the only time he introduced himself as a slow pooper but alas, I can't.

       (Yes, he's eating toliet paper.  All I can say is thank goodness that stage is over!)

2.  While we are on the subject of introductions we also went through a spell just recently where Jaxson liked to introduce his whole family.  He loves talking to whomever will listen and would introduce us to everybody possible.  So, people at the park, church, library and grocery store would hear about his family.  Luckily my husband isn't usually with us on most outings but when he is get often gets an introduction similar to this; "and this is my dad, he toots a lot."  Keith always appreciates when he adds that in there.

 

 

3.  We'll get all the potty talk done with this one.  Potty training was quite the roller coaster ride with this kid, but we finally convinced him that wet or soggy pants aren't fun. One day at church Jaxson's teacher asked if anyone knew what one of the ten commandments was. Of course, Jaxson's hand shot up and when he was called on he matter-of-factly said "Never poop or pee in your pants." And in our house that's pretty much true.

4.  One day when Jax was about 4 we were eating lunch and out of the blue he stated "Mom, sometimes girls make me fall down." 

A little confused I asked "why is that?" 

He then lets about a big sigh with a very slight smile and a dreamy look "because they're soooo beautiful."

I think we might be in trouble with this young Casanova on our hands.

5. When Jaxson was 3 we were going through our house and dejunking.  We decided we'd sell online his little kid basketball hoop that we had kept in our basement.  We figured he rarely used it anymore and would probably not even notice that it was gone. The day after we sold it as soon as he went downstairs to play he immediately noticed and was not pleased.  It seemed to take hours to calm him down after I told him we sold it.  He was not happy with us!  The next day he asked for some grapes and unfortunately we had just ran out.  When I told them that the grapes were gone he stared at me with disbelief and even a little hurt in his eyes and finally said in a very pouty voice "What!  You sold my grapes too!"

He sure is a character and we wouldn't have him any other way! I hope you enjoy a giggle.  Have a great weekend!

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Souper Dinners!

Welcome to this week's Friday's Five Favorites

When it's cold outside a bowl of soup is just what your family needs to feel warm all over!  I really enjoy a bowl of hearty homemade soup for dinner.  Served with cornbread or bread sticks and you got a great tasting, filling meal.  Most soups are full of vegetables so they're good for you.  Here are some favorites, starting with a new recipe.

1. Homemade chili  O.K. You might not call chili a soup, but it's served in a bowl and that's good enough for me.  Homemade is sooo much better than that from a can.

1 lbs. ground beef
1 medium onion
1 can tomato sauce (15 ounce)
2 cans beans (15 ounce each) with liquid (I used 1 can pinto beans and 1 can small red beans)
1/2 diced green pepper
1/4 cup diced celery (1 stalk)
1 can tomatoes (14 ounce)
1 teaspoon cumin powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar

Brown ground beef in skillet. Drain off fat. In large pot, combine the beef and all the ingredients. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 to 3 hours. Stir often to keep from scorching on the bottom. Or use a slow cooker, 8 hours on low 4 hours on high.



2. Tortilla Soup This is a really quick soup that will please your hungry family. Just open some cans! For recipe go here.

3. Minestrone Soup This minestrone is better than Olive Garden's, I'm not kidding. This recipe makes a lot, enough to share or freeze. If freezing don't add the pasta till you heat it to serve.
For recipe go here.



4. Broccoli Cheese Soup Creamy, cheesy, yummy need I say more? This is family favorite. For recipe go here.



5. Cream of Wild Rice Soup This is a flavorful, creamy soup, with a yummy chewiness of wild rice and a surprise crunch from the almonds. For recipe go here.

Enjoy!

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Birthday Traditions!

Welcome to this week's Friday's Five Favorites! 

I LOVE birthdays! When I was a kid my mom made sure our birthdays were a day full of fun and excitement.  She planned themed parties with homemade pinatas, games and a special homemade cake that went with the theme.  I always loved every minute of it and it always made me feel very important.  Now, that I'm a mom I also want my kids to feel that they are special on their birthdays.  At the same time I long for simplicity (or maybe I'm lazy) so I've tried to keep the balance between making birthdays special yet simple.  Here are our family's five favorite birthday traditions.

1. Balloons!

 

The night before the child's birthday we fill their room up with balloons.  This only costs a few dollars and some hot air, which my husband has plenty of. :)  Since he usually doesn't do much with the cake and hates wrapping presents the balloons are his job.  The next morning the special kid wakes up to their room full of fun.  It always makes for a great morning for the whole family.  To see more pictures and details on this fun tradition go here.

2. Birthday Book!
I love scrapbooks but I'm not on top of it enough to do a scrapbook for each of my kids, documenting their whole lives.  When my oldest was a baby I decided I would do a ABC Baby Book for each of my babies and then a family scrapbook, which mainly includes holidays and special vacations.  Then when my son had his first birthday I decided I had to add one more book.  I keep their birthday book very basic but something that is all about them.  Each year around their birthday I update their book with just a few pages. 

It includes a simple collage showing my favorite picture from each month during the last year.  It's so fun to watch them grow.

 I do a simple page showing their birthday celebrations.

An interview page.

 This book is also where I store the 8x10 photos I have of them that go on the wall after they get outdated.

And last but not least a I slip in a special letter to that child, one from me and one from their daddy. We keep the letter fairly short but tell them some of our favorite memories of them from the year and how much we love them. This doesn't mean much to them now but I know it will someday

3. Hunt for Presents!

This tradition is extremely easy but such a big hit with the kiddos.  We take the presents that family and friends have sent ahead of time and then the few we get them and hide them in the house.  We then make a very simple scavenger hunt and make them find their presents. 

 After all the presents are collected they can open them.  They LOVE it!

4. Food!

It seems as human beings we can't have a celebration without food.  In our house on someones birthday they get to plan the menu.  I ask them ahead of time what they want for their birthday breakfast and dinner.  They also get to eat off the special birthday plate that just joined our family this year. We often add candles to the breakfast and sing happy birthday to them in the morning. 

Of course it wouldn't be a birthday without cake.  Whether we have a friend birthday party or not I make the birthday cake.  I let the child pick what they want and I do my best to create it.  Thank goodness for the Internet!

5. Party Time!
My mom spoiled us by doing a big birthday party every year when we were young enough to want it.  My husband did not grow up that way and thought it a little too much.  We compromised by doing a friend party every other year.  I did a party for my son when he was three but I think that was a little young.  We have decided to start friend parties at age four from now on.  Last year Jaxson had a bug party with a few of his buddies and we all had a blast.

For more on his bug party you can go here.

On the years that we don't do a party we decided to make their birthday memorable for them by having them do thoughtful things for other people.  This was our first year doing it and it turned out to be awesome, even Jaxson thought it was great.  Since he was turning 5 we had him pick five nice things do to for someone else (with a little help from us.)

We ended up doing things like taking candy to our local firefighters.

And taking cookies, candy or flowers to other people that Jaxson chose.  He was so excited about it and loved every minute.  I love our new tradition!  I would also love to hear about your families birthdays traditions.

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Favorites From My Garden

Growing a vegetable garden is a lot of work.  The pay off is all the fresh vegetables you get to enjoy this time of year.  I LOVE vegetables so all the work is worth it to me. 
This week's Friday's Five Favorites are my favorite ways to eat what I grow.

 1. Garden Stir Fry

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 carrot cut into sticks and the into 1 1/2 inch pieces
1/2 onion
1/2 sweet red pepper opt.
1 small zucchini
1 small yellow squash
garlic salt
pepper

 

I like to use young squash.

 

 

Pour the olive oil into a fry pan, I like to use a non stick pan.  Cook carrot on medium heat for about 3 minutes.  While carrot is cooking cut half sweet red pepper into strips and then in half.  Cut half an onion into petals.  Add to cooked  carrots.  Cook for about 5 minutes.  While onions cook cut zucchini into fourths length ways, then into slices.  Add to onions. 

 

  

While the zucchini cooks cut yellow squash the same as the zucchini.  Add yellow squash to pan cook till vegetables are soft.  Season with garlic salt and pepper.  Serve hot.

 

2. Breaded Zucchini

1-2 young zucchini sliced 1/4 inch
1 egg
2 tablespoon milk
1 cup bread crumbs (I like plain)
vegetable oil
garlic salt
pepper

Beat egg and milk with fork.  Heat oil in fry pan (I use an electric fry pay).  Dip zucchini slices into egg mixture, then bread crumbs cook on one side then the other.  I season with garlic salt and pepper on both sides.  Drain on paper towel before serving.


3. Grilled Yellow Squash  

1-2 yellow squash sliced 1/4 inch
1/4 cup butter melted
garlic salt
pepper

Preheat grill on high for 5 minutes.  Reduce heat slightly.  Dip squash in melted butter.  Remove excess butter before placing on grill.  Season both sides with garlic salt and pepper.  Turn when squash has grill marks.  Squash is done when soft.

4. Cucumbers

I enjoy cucumbers in lots of different salads.  I use them in Turkey and Craisins Pasta Salad for example.  My favorite way to eat a cucumber is peeled, sliced with seasoned rice vinegar sprinkled on it.  It only takes about 1 tablespoon of vinegar for one cucumber.

5. Green Beans

My favorite way to cook green beans is to boil them.  I snip the stem end off and break them in half.  I boil them for 20 -25 minutes.  Drain off the water and season with butter, salt and pepper.  I've tried cooking them in a slow cooker with red potatoes and broiling them but truly, I like them best just boiled. 

I know these last two are boring but I guess that sometimes simple is best.
I hope you enjoy a bountiful harvest from your garden! 

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Q&E Cookies

Welcome to this week's Friday's Five Favorites!  This week (as they usually do) completely got away from me.  The days and nights all seemed to run together and I can't even believe the week is almost over!  Lately, it seems like there are never enough hours in the day to get everything I need and want to get done.  I think most people feel this way at some point, but at the same time we have a desire to do certain things, such as make a fun treat for an after school snack or family activity.  Because of this I decided this week's five favorites would be QUICK & EASY cookies for just such occasions.  I must add, that quick and easy are two of my favorite words in the dictionary!

1. We'll start with something new!  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip!  I know what you're thinking, "that's not a cookie" but remember this in my blog and I make the decisions! :)  This fun dip can be whipped up in 10 minutes and tastes a whole lot like cookie dough.  It's so good nobody is even going to notice the difference.

 Here's what you'll need:

1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 8 oz block of cream cheese
1/2 cup of powdered sugar
3/4 cup of mini chocolate chips

Start by melting the butter over medium heat, once the butter is almost completely melted add in the brown sugar and mix well.  Once the brown sugar has dissolved mix in the vanilla, then set it aside.  Next cream the cream cheese and powdered sugar together using a mixer.  Then add the butter/sugar mixture to the cream cheese and cream again.  Now all you have to do is finish it off by adding the chocolate chips! Piece of cake!

You can serve this divine dip with vanilla wafers, graham crackers, or almost any type of fruit.  It's the perfect after school snack or fun to take to a potluck party!


2. Easy Snickerdoodles!

Oh how I love the simplicity of these tasty treats.  They are made from a cake mix and need very little help.  They are soft and go perfect with milk!  In general cake mix cookies are always a great quick and easy cookies, you usually only have to add some oil and eggs and then you're good to go.  For this full recipe go here.

3. No Bake Oatmeal Cookies!

These were always my mom's go to quick and easy cookie, therefore we ate a lot of these growing up and I'm not complaining!  These are especially great for summer when you don't want to add to the heat in the house by turning on the stove.  Go here for the recipe!

4. Tortilla Cookies!

I'm not sure these could technically qualify as a cookie but at our house we call them a cookie and since this is my blog they will be considered a cookie! These are one of the best "quick treats"! You can throw one together in just a few minutes and they are also dirt cheap!  The full instructions are here.


5. Homemade Oreo Cookies!

These delectables are Many Many Hats most popular cookie and for good reason.  They are also made from a cake mix and if you want to make them even easier you can cheat and use a store bought cream cheese frosting as well.  These cookies are also always a hit at parties and bake sales! This is a recipe you won't want to miss out on, so go here!

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Tomatoes, Tomatoes, Tomatoes

I think almost everything tastes better topped with garden tomatoes.  Well not desserts, but everything else.  I truly wish tomato season lasted all year.  This weeks Friday Five Favorites is my five favorite ways to eat garden tomatoes.  I tried to put my favorite dish first but I truly love them all.  So I'll start with .......

1. Bruschetta
I buy a baguette and cut two pieces 3-4 inches long.  I then cut them in half long way making a top and bottom.  I butter each piece and place then on a small cookie sheet.

I toast the bread in the oven under the broiler.  Watch it closely because it doesn't take long, less than a minute. 

Top toasted bread with tomato mixture and then with grated mozzarella cheese.

Place in oven under the broiler till cheese is melted.

Tomato for bruschetta:

1 cup finely chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup finely chopped onion or green onion
8 leaves of fresh basil finely chopped or 1 tablespoon dry basil
garlic salt
black pepper

Combine all ingredients.  Let sit in stainer for about 10 minutes or more to strain off some of the tomato juice.  I like to use Roma tomatoes they are less watery.

2. Tacos, taco salad and potacos, what is a potaco you ask.  Well we live in Idaho, a potaco is a baked potato topped with taco fillings like taco meat, or browned ground beef, or chili; and cheese, salsa, sour cream and of course chopped tomatoes.   

3. Tomatoes and cottage cheese, if you like tomatoes and cottage cheese you've got to try these two together.  My mother served this combination and I love it.  My mother ran into one of my sister's old boyfriends at the store, he introduced my mother to his wife as the lady who taught him about tomatoes and cottage cheese.  It's simple but delicious.

4. Fresh Salsa, I make a traditional salsa from the tomatoes from my garden, which I bottle or freeze.  While tomatoes are in season I like to make fresh salsa like this one.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Fresh Salsa

1 15 oz. can white corn, drained 

1 15 oz can regular corn, drained
1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 2.25 oz can sliced black olives, drained
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 sweet red pepper, chopped
3 large tomatoes, chopped
½ bunch of cilantro, chopped
1 cup of Zesty Italian salad dressing
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

Mix all of the ingredients, chill for an hour or more. 

I drain off some of liquid before serving. 
I like to add a chopped avocado before serving if I have one.

 

5. BLT sandwiches.  Every one that likes tomatoes likes bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwiches.

It's hard to stop at 5, I haven't even mentioned hamburgers, omelets or pizza.  The list may never end so 5 is a good number.  Enjoy tomatoes while you can, I know I will.

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I'll take a side of that!

Welcome to this week's Friday's Five Favorites! 

 

 

Nothing is better for your meal than a good side dish.  Often we think certain foods have to go together.  I mean how good is turkey all by it's self, not that great, but add the stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy and you've got heaven!  This week I want to highlight some of my all time favorite sides.  Luckily most of these will go great with many, many meals! 

 

 

1. Let's start with something new!  I grew up in Idaho and in Idaho we LOVE our potatoes!  This is one of my favorite ways to eat them, especially new or red potatoes.  We call them Italian Potatoes, and I have no clue what the rest of world calls them.

 

They are quite simply delicious and a hearty side!  Of course they're not only oh so yummy but also very, very easy!

 All you need is 8 to 10 washed potatoes.

 Chop those babies up!

 Put the chopped spuds in a Ziploc bag and add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil and one packet of Italian seasoning.  Then you get to do the good old shake n' bake action. 

Once those taters have been well shaken, spread them out on your favorite baking pan.  Bake them at 350 for 30 to 40 minutes.  Yum-O! 


Here are 4 more amazing sides!


2.  Breadsticks!

We often turn to breads to complete our meal.  They are very satisfying and scrumptious!  These breaksticks come together really quick!  I love them with spaghetti, baked pasta or any other saucy entree.  You can go here for the recipe.


3. Southern Cornbread!

I really have an unhealthy LOVE for this stuff.  I can't get enough of it.  Who doesn't love a good bowl of chili and sweet cornbread?  Check out this recipe by going here.

4. Casserole Potatoes!

Like I said before I'm huge lover of potatoes but this is HANDS DOWN my very favorite way to eat them.  They are complete comfort food for me!  It's one of those recipes that will always bring back memories of Sunday dinners at home.  And nobody makes them as good as my mom!  Go here for the recipe!

5. Fun Fruit Salad!

 

I can't talk about side dishes and leave this baby out.  This is my go to side when I'm asked to bring something to a BBQ, party or dinner.  It's super, duper easy and a crowd pleaser.  I always make sure I keep the ingredients on hand.  It's also awesome because you can use any fruit you want.   Here is the full recipe.

And there you have it!  Have fun filling your tables and rounding out those meals!

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