Small Town Living

I went to our local post office on Saturday to mail some packages & buy some 2 cent stamps. The postal worker there was so friendly. There are only two different workers that are ever in the office, so you start remembering and appreciate seeing the same friendly face. {I even remarked to hubby afterwards how personal it felt & how you probably wouldn't experience that in a bigger town.} She handed me the stamps and I noticed that there was an actual sized picture of the same stamps on the counter. Somehow I got so mesmerized by trying to align my stamps with the picture {yes, I'm weird or maybe it's just the pregnancy hormones} that I ended up leaving the stamps on the counter. I realized the next day that I had left the stamps there. Lo and behold, on Monday morning, the stamps were in my mailbox with a little note that I had left them at the post office. The worker must have looked up my address and took it upon herself to make sure they got to me. I don't think you'd get that kind of service in a big city. Just one thing to love about small town living!

Crystal Light on the Go

I really like Crystal Light {or the knock-off} since I'm really drinking water, but with much more flavor and without all the calories. It helps me keep my fluid intake up, which is especially important now. I've heard people rave about Crystal Light on the Go, little packets which you dump into a bottle of water to make Crystal Light {$$$}. I like this idea particularly because I could alternate flavors without having to make a full pitcher at a time. I figured out how to make my own at home. Here is what you do:

Open your container of CL meant to make a 2 qt. pitcher. Get your standard size {16.9 ounce} bottle of water. Measure out 3/8 teaspoon CL mix & dump into bottle {I usually do 1/4 teaspoon plus a half of the 1/4 teaspoon to make 3/8}. Shake vigorously, enjoy! Depending on how full your bottle of water is, you may have to drink a little off the top to get it to shake well. I just put the rest of the container on a safe shelf in the cupboard.

So there's another money-saving homemade idea to begin your week. Hope your weekend was blessed!

P.S. My favorite flavors are raspberry ice, pink lemonade, and iced tea {which I shouldn't drink too much of now}!

Reader Poll

Here's another fun reader poll, since it seemed many people chimed in on the last one:

Do you continue to patronize a restaurant/store where you have received bad service?

Many of you know I'm a serious kind of a food snob, so if the food was bad {or even only decent}, I wouldn't go back again. Recently the family ate at a corporate-owned neighborhood bar & grill type franchise. I have been to this restaurant a bazillion times. I *love* the food. I have had bad luck with the service though. Seemed really slow this time...on a rainy Tuesday night! {I'm sure the fact that I felt like I could pass out from hunger at any moment didn't help!} I have worked many customer service related jobs {restaurant server being one of them} and have really high standards when it comes to customer service.There is one Woodstock restaurant that after receiving bad service there, we have never gone back. It's a shame too, since Woodstock isn't exactly overflowing in the restaurant department. Anywho, back to my original question.....

Leaving a Legacy

Even though I am a day late, I feel somewhat obligated to do a Mother's Day post {that's what good mommy-bloggers do, right?} So here I am. When I think about Mother's Day and what others write about it and my own mom, the thought that comes back to me again and again is leaving a legacy. Mother's Day usually offers a chance for us to reflect on what our moms did for us as children, the greatest lesson they taught us, what they mean to us, etc. summed up basically in the term "legacy". One definition of the word is "anything handed down from the past, as from an ancestor or predecessor". It was really hard to put into words and appreciate the legacy my mom has left me, especially since she was not a Christian while we were growing up, but here are the two things that I was able to formulate:

Legacy of the Strong Woman: My mom passed down to me the idea that women are strong physically and mentally. We can do much more than we believe we can. We should not be ashamed to express our own opinions or emotions. If life hands us something difficult, we can and should keep pressing forward, never giving up.

Legacy of the Big Dreams: My parents always encouraged my brother and I to dream big. Imagine what it is you want to be and go for it! You can have it all! {I've come to realize this isn't true, but their hearts were in the right place.} Whatever we wanted to be, they would support, as long as it made us happy.

To this day, I still consider myself to be strong and am always coming up with Big Ideas. Hubby jokes that I am a one-woman think tank. And so, I am left to consider what sort of legacy I am leaving my girls {children}. Some days I wonder if they'll just remember me yelling or always asking them to pick up their toys. Each day that passes is our opportunity to work towards that legacy. I want mine to be one of prayer, passion, and purpose. {That sounds so cliche, but it's what came out while typing.} Basically, I want to leave behind that I put God first in everything, that I was passionate about life {enjoying it to the fullest} and the things of God, and that I was meaningful and had reason for the things I did. I also hope they remember how loving I am, how much fun we had, and how much they truly enjoy being part of this family. I am always telling my oldest daughter how lucky I am to be her mom and I hope one day, she feels the same about being my daughter.

To all the moms I know, Happy Mother's Day! I pray the legacy you leave will span the generations, so make it a good one!

I just don't get it

I really don't. I came across this story of a 7 year-old Colorado boy who died from cardiac arrest due to undernourishment. The article claims he weighed 30 pounds. That is about the weight of my 2 year-old. What is going through your mind when you are starving a child, any child, let alone your own? What words do people use to justify that to themselves. I just don't get it. I also read the story of a Texas mom who sold her 15 year-old daughter to a sexual predator for $3000. Some of us recently had a discussion about internet/real-world safety regarding our children. Can you imagine literally feeding your child to one of these predators? I wonder if when these babies were born, their mothers cried for joy or held them tenderly or were amazed at their creation. I wonder if they ever felt unworthy to be blessed with the miracle of a child. If so, how did they get to the point of doing something so unthinkable? My heart is just wounded for these children and thousands of others who are abandoned in some way by their parents. Can you fathom living the rest of your life knowing that your mom tried to sell you or kill you? I pray for these families today. I pray that they would find healing in the One who loves them unconditionally and will never forsake them. And it leaves me wondering how many kids I have come across or who live in my neighborhood or in our county who are hungry or scared or abused.......

Frugal Inspiration

Need some fresh inspiration for your frugal lifestyle? Here are some blogs I have come across recently that I really enjoy:

The Family CEO - seems like she hasn't posted in awhile, but when she does, it's good. Lots of links to other frugal blogs as well.

Like Merchant Ships

the Abundant Life

No Limits Ladies - ok, not so much a frugal blog, but a blog about money sense. I *really* am liking this one.

I have enjoyed all the conversations regarding frugality that I have come across as well, like this one. I came to realize that frugality is not about paying less, it's about living with less. Sometimes I think I am being frugal, when in reality I am just buying cheap stuff that I really don't need. I want to live a simpler life. {I think this is why I enjoy doing some things the "old-fashioned" way.} I want to have control over my "stuff", not the other way around. If you have any frugal inspiration or thoughts, please share with the group!

Reaching Out

One of the down sides to being a Christian stay at home parent can be, unless we are purposeful about it, the lack of unbelievers who cross our paths on a daily basis. My spouse, working in a secular marketplace, undoubtedly has many more opportunities to build relationships with those who need Christ than I do, which is why I have to be more diligent about creating those opportunities for myself. I think sometimes it can be a tendency of us young moms {do I still qualify for this category??} to surround ourselves with Christian friends, while at the same time neglecting those who need to hear the Good News. After all, "it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick." {Mark 2:17} Here are some opportunities that you can create for yourself to try and reach out in love to those around you:

• Meet your neighbors! How many do you know? Make it a goal to meet one new neighbor a month {or every 6 months}.

• Talk to other parents at your child's sports practice/dance class/library story time.

• Myspace. It's there, let's use it. I've noticed quite a few of you joining lately. I purposely downloaded Myspace IM in hopes that I would reconnect with one of "my friends" who I know could really use a Godly influence in her life. Maybe after enough IMing I could invite her to a playdate or out to lunch. Use it for His Kingdom, instead of just for socializing.

• Connect with the parents of your child's school friends! Invite a couple kids & moms over for a playdate. I would totally be doing this if I had children in a public school. At dd's preschool I enjoyed talking with the moms & I think there would be a much bigger chance for relationship building when your child is attending with the same kids year after year. Seems like there is big opportunity here.

These are just a couple things that I have personally tried that I know God has blessed and are geared toward building relationships. Of course there are countless opportunities to reach out in love through random acts of kindness, but I was thinking more about long-term opportunities. Are you actively building relationships with those who need Him? Any other great ideas for creating opportunities for His glory?

Biding my Time

I have been biding my time, trying to think of anything I can blog about, other than the inevitable. Groceries. Warm weather. House-wifery. Anything. I guess I thought that if I went public, somehow things would be more real than they are now. For weeks now, I've been trying to pretend that everything is normal, ignoring the proverbial white elephant in my living room. My hand is being forced though. My cousin tells me that if I don't make an announcement soon, she will out me. Nice. I am still adjusting to my new version of life. I am trying to make sense of how one little line can alter my future. Forever. It just seems so inconsequential, that one little line. And then there are the three words that necessarily follow. The three words that are so exciting, joyful, nerve-wracking & exciting all at the same time. Do you know the three words I am talking about? Here they are:





I.

am.

pregnant.


So now you know.

You know it's warmer when....

...all the suburbanite homeowners start firing up their lawn mowers.

...I start drinking iced tea and iced chai {instead of hot tea & hot chai}.

...you open the windows to let in the breeze.

...no jackets!

...lemonade is really refreshing.

...flip-flops are {really} appropriate {as opposed to my wearing them when the weather is frigid}.

...no socs with my Crocs ;>)

...I feel like hanging my clothes out on a line {even though I don't have a clothesline}.

...you plan outdoor field trips, like the zoo!

...{insert your answer here}

How does your garden grow?

One of the great things about the official start of spring & the warming weather is thoughts about what I will plant this year. We are blessed to have had some nice landscaping to begin with, but I have really enjoyed adding my own personal touches. Since I love to cook, herbs are a must. Last year I transplanted chives from my grandma's garden and they grow like weeds. Really. If you want some, let me know. You can have 'em! I bought rosemary and thyme plants this season and have planted them in hanging planters on my deck. Now all I need is basil!! {Basil is my favorite herb. I think I may try to plant several varieties if I can find them.} I have strawberry plants that I transplanted from my grandma as well and they seem to be doing quite nicely, already having sent out runners and forming two more little baby plants. I have yet to decide what to do with my flower bed off of my patio. Last year I did annuals, but I am wondering if perennials mixed with a few annuals might be better for me. If you want a great plant that flowers throughout the summer & spreads very nicely, get a Wave Petunia. I loved how they overflowed the bed and spilled out onto the patio.

What are you growing {or planning to grow} this season? Here are some resources that I have been using lately to research plants:

Backyard Gardener

Gardenweb Forums

Illinois Best Plants

Money, Possessions & Eternity

...is the name of the book I am reading by Randy Alcorn. From the back jacket, here are some of the questions it address:

• Why is money so important to God?
• Is prosperity theology right or wrong?
• How can we be liberated from materialism?
• What should we do about debt?
• How much does God want us to give?
• How can we best help the poor and reach the lost?
• What about gambling? investing? insurance? saving? retirement? inheritance?
• How can we leave our children a true heritage?
• How can we use money in ways that God rewards?

It is not an easy read, that's for sure. I try to read a little bit every day & am only on page 52 (out of 447). There is a lot to digest. It is not your typical book on finances or budgeting or how to be frugal. It challenges your core beliefs about money. Here are a few quotes from the book:

When we look at money only as money, and not in light of its impact on eternity, we walk away with a cloudy and shortsighted vision.

The hardest part of dealing with our materialism is that it has become so much a part of us. Like people who have lived in the darkness for years, we have been removed from the light so long that we don't know how dark it really is. Many of us have never known what it is not to be materialistic. This is why we need so desperately to read the Scriptures, to grapple with the issues, bring them to God in prayer, discuss them with our brothers and sisters, and look for and learn from those rare models of non materialistic living in our Christian communities.

Seeking fulfillment in money, land, houses, cars, clothes, boats, campers, hot tubs, world travel, and cruises has left us bound and gagged by materialism--and like drug addicts, we pathetically think that our only hope lies in getting more of the same. Meanwhile, the voice of God--unheard amid the clamor of our possessions--is telling us that even if materialism did bring happiness in this life, which it clearly does not, it would leave us woefully unprepared for the next life.

Everyone that I know who has read this book says it has radically changed their views about money & possessions. Has anyone out there read it? If so, I would love to be able to discuss with you ideas I find interesting. The reason I decided to start reading is because if the (seemingly) ongoing struggle I/we have had with money. It seems like a monkey always on my back. I thought that maybe I have had the wrong perspective all along about money & possessions and if I could change that perspective, I could better live in light of the eternal instead of the temporal. Like the first quote alludes to, when we learn about things like budgeting, debt reduction, frugality, and other financial principles without addressing how our beliefs and use of it relates to God's kingdom and our treasures in eternity, we have completely missed the boat. It's like mowing over the weeds in the yard, if you know what I mean. It won't do any good unless you address the root. If you have the "money monkey" on your back, maybe it is time for you to shake up your money beliefs as well!

Reader Poll

Do you let your kids eat food at the grocery store that you haven't paid for yet?

For example, you give them a couple of cheese slices from your deli selection. Or get them a donut from the bakery {of course letting the cashier know when you pay}. Or open a bag or box of some snack food. Snag a couple of grapes from the bunch. Or is this just plain inappropriate? Share your {kind} opinion now!

Drudgery....well, kinda

I feel like a hamster on his little spinning wheel. I do, what seems like, endless amounts of housework, and yet, I have gotten nowhere. Forever spinning my wheel. Do you ever feel like staying at home is drudgery? Why is that I am always doing dishes, even though I have a dishwasher? Do the dirty clothes multiply at night while I am sleeping? {I am SURE that Polly Pocket accessories multiply.} I am convinced that full-time working career moms have houses that are 10x cleaner than mine, but this is probably because there is no one there to get them messy, eh? It's not something you hear moms ever talking about at playdates or over lunch: "Yeah. I'm just sick of picking up toys & folding clothes. I am worn out by the endless amount of work. Sometimes I yell at my kids because I get overwhelmed." Guess that conversation doesn't really leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling. Am I the only one who feels this way? Maybe other moms have children who always pick up after themselves, have clean faces & hands, and they themselves have a non-stop cheerful attitude when it comes to housework. Or is this some dirty secret that I am not supposed to mention? I am wondering if there is some sort of trick to not feeling this way. Don't get me wrong, I KNOW staying at home has it's benefits. For one thing, I never wake up with an alarm clock. {On the rare occasion that I have to, I sleep terribly & am in a panic because I am so not used to it.} I can take breaks when I need to {or even when I don't need to}. I can sneak in the occasional nap when all my ducks, er kids, are in a row. {Although I'm sure this happens in office life as well.} Every day is dress casual. I can make my own schedule. I can have breakfast & lunch outside. I can go for walks when the weather is nice. I get to see my children learn amazing things firsthand. I get lots of hugs & kisses. Lots of great things about staying at home.
And yet, sometimes I feel like the hamster......spinning, spinning, spinning.

A Frugal Girl's Guide to Wall Art

You don't even have to be terribly creative or crafty to spruce up your space with hand-painted art.

1. Select your space.
I am still working on giving Sienna's room finishing touches. I *love* her room. It's kind of like what I always wanted as a girl.

2. Select your art.
I wanted a whimsical saying on her wall {something that reflects her character}, but you could do a Scripture, your child's favorite movie character, their name or initials.

3. Decide how big the art needs to be.
I just stood back and tried to imagine the words on the wall & figured that my words needed to be about 5-6" tall for the best look.

4. Open your word processing program. Then type your phrase/name/quote. Select different fonts to get the look you want. Adjust the font size to the size that you estimated you need. Format the font so that it will just print the "outline". I only got about one word printed per page, sometimes only half a word. Then print out your phrase, selecting "mirror image" in your print options so that it prints your words in reverse. If you are wanting a character on your child's wall, try photocopying a coloring book & enlarging on your printer.
For Sienna's wall, I chose the font MA Sexy {downloaded from the internet} because I wanted something whimsical looking. The font size was probably about 200 or so.

5. Get out your pencil! Trace over each word with your pencil {just the outline}. Once all the words are traced it is time to transfer them to your wall. Place the paper on your wall, with your pencil markings touching the wall. Then go over the words AGAIN on the back of the paper, rubbing where your pencil marks are touching the wall to transfer the words on. Here is the mirror image traced:Here is the word after rubbing on the back side. You can kind of see how I used almost a crayon-coloring motion:

If your arms get tired like mine did, you can make a little pencil mark across the bottom & one side of the paper ONTO the wall, that way you can reposition the paper in the exact same place if you have to come back later. Here is the word after being traced on the wall. It was hard to get a good picture, but I think you can see the faint outline:

6. Get out your craft paints & a little paint brush. Start filling in each word with your desired color. I picked a darker green to contrast with the the pale green walls. Words in progress:

7. Stand back and admire your handiwork! Here is a close-up of the words:
The finished product:
The happy recipient of my whimsical creation:

Fairly simple way to personalize your space. How about adding some words in your kitchen? Or a welcoming Scripture in your entryway. This cost me nothing but my time as I already have plenty of pencils and paper, craft paints, and paintbrushes. With an unlimited number of fonts available on the internet, you can customize the size & look of your wall art. Happy crafting!

Another post...

...from the Pedaling Theologian. I have been trying to encourage him to post more often, but alas, time is short. Enjoy!

"Hello! Cooking Hotline......"

For English, press one. Para espanol, oprima el numero dos. You have reached the home office of the Cooking Hotline. How may I help you?

Apparently my passion for cooking & baking makes me a good target for cooking questions. I actually LIKE it when people call me asking how to make something or what to do now or for a recipe suggestion. Here are some real life examples of calls placed to my cooking Hotline:

How do I make chocolate curls to top a cheesecake?

Simple! With a Hershey bar & a vegetable peeler. Just run the peeler along the side of the bar. As the bar softens a bit in your hand, start running the peeler along the softened edge to make nicer looking curls.

How do I blanch a potato?

Blanching is just quickly cooking a {usually} vegetable in boiling water then putting it in ice water to stop the cooking process. Depending on the size of your potato chunks, they only need to be in the boiling water a minute or two.

I assembled {but did not bake} a ravioli casserole to deliver to a friend tonight, but she had to cancel. What should I do with it? Can it just be refrigerated? Freeze it?

{Apparently I have not talked enough to this friend about OAMC.....} I recommend putting the casserole in the fridge for delivery tomorrow. The raviolis are already cooked all the way through so freezing them in the sauce, dethawing & baking might lead to mushiness.

What should I make for dinner tonight?? I have chicken/ground beef/pork chops dethawed in the fridge.

This is actually one of the more exciting types of Hotline calls as it allows me to express my creativity. After asking the caller if they have other types of pantry staples on hand, I am usually able to come up with something quick & yummy. {Although if their freezer were stocked with meals.....}

Can I use stew meat for beef kabobs?

Um, no. Although it is cut into little chunks for you already {deceiving, eh?} stew meat is a tough cut of beef, meant to be tenderized during a long simmering time in a stew. For kabobs, use a cut such as top sirloin cut into chunks {recommended by several websites I polled}.

One repeat caller loves to call me while at the supermarket. She asked the kabob question & calls to tell me what she wants to make for dinner & asks the Hotline what ingredients she needs. Sometimes she asks other things such as, "Between a scallion & a scallop, which one is the seafood?" I believe it was she who wanted to make fortune cookies for her Valentine's Day dessert. I had to restrain myself from jumping through the Hotline phone & screaming "NOOOOO!" {It's important to know the callers' relative cooking skills & abilities here.} I've made fortune cookies before; it teaches you lots of patience & attempts to callous your fingers against high temperatures. Caller promptly crossed it off her list.

Thank you for calling the Cooking Hotline. I have enjoyed assisting you in your culinary endeavors. Please feel free to call again. Good-byeeee!

Knitting Minds Need to Know

Well, actually just my own knitting mind. If you are pregnant & received a knitted baby gift that was "hand-wash only", how would you feel about that? Would it be a terrible pain?? Obviously if it were a hat or mittens or booties you wouldn't have to wash them that often & a sweater only if the wee one puked on it or whatnot. I realize that something {especially like a sweater} that is machine washable probably would be a lot more practical, eh?? Would you even appreciate a knitted gift?? Be honest, please. Obviously if you are expecting & you know me in real life, there is a good chance that I might want to knit something for your newest peanut. Considering how many hours go into the knitting part {not to mention the agonizing over the perfect pattern & picking the yarn ~ OY!}, I just want to know if I should just pick up something for your babe at Target instead ;>)

I guess if you are not pregnant, you could chime in here too. Have you ever received a knitted baby gift? Did you like it? If not, was it because you are just not into hand-made items or maybe it was dorky/grandmother-ish {no offense meant to grandmothers here}?

Celebrating 100 days...

We are celebrating the 100th day of school this week!! Hip, Hip, Hooray!! Since we only school 4 days per week, it has taken us a little longer than the public schools to reach the 100th day. Today Tatiana made herself a crown to wear all week & I inscribed it with the words, "I survived 100 days of Kindergarten."

Of course, what's good for the goose is good for the gander, so we made little peanut a crown too that says, "Future Homeschooler".

The books I have picked out for this week are:

Mrs. Bindergarten Celebrates the 100th day of Kindergarten {read this one on Monday~perfect intro for this week!!}
100 Hungry Ants
The Wolf's Chicken Stew {read this one yesterday}
I'll Teach My Dog 100 Words {read this one yesterday}
Centipede's 100 Shoes

Yesterday we all made signs to hang on the homeschool wall that said what we each could eat 100 of. {Tatiana: 100 pizzas & 100 ice cream cones, Sienna: 100 french fries, Me: 100 cups of Chai, Rick: 100 hershey kisses} Here we are the happy students with their 100 Cheerio necklaces {ok, well by the time Sienna's was done it had about 90-something}:


I also have planned to discuss what life was like 100 years ago, make a list of what $100 could buy, see how far 100 steps takes us from our house, & end the week with a celebration with 100 balloons and a 100 piece snack {after which I should probably do 100 sit-ups}! It will be a fun last week of school before Spring Break. As for April, I am planning a "Easter" unit study for the first week {if I can get my act together, book recommendations anyone??} and we will be doing animal-related FIAR books for the rest of the month, capped off by a trip to the zoo on April 27th with my wonderful mother. I just love having school relate to other activities in our lives, especially since spring is {officially} here & al the little creatures are coming out to play. Makes so much sense that way!

I am already excited about the next school year & making plans for what sort of things to cover. I am thinking of adding cursive handwriting, some sort of creative writing/journaling, spanish & history. Sound like too much for a first-grader? We probably would not cover everything, everyday. For history I really like the idea of TruthQuest & using real books to teach. I especially like how this curriculum is about God's Hand throughout history. It seems like real books make things come alive for a child in a way that textbooks never can. Just yesterday we were reading the book Knitting Nell {about a girl who loves to knit!} and in one scene she is hugging a sheep. I asked Tatiana why she would do that. She said because wool comes from sheep & yarn is made from wool. {Insert jaw drop here.} I'm sure she remembered this from another awesome book we studied called "A New Coat for Anna". It was really cool. Well, we are off to homeschool group now for some friends, learning & fun. Hope everyone is having a lovely week!

What's in the freezer?

Beth's post inspired me to write this post & share what recipes I've recently put in the freezer. We mostly eat chicken, but I am thinking next round I will do some ground beef recipes. I can't wait until the weather warms up more so I can start grilling again. I *love* my grill!! {Probably should get the gas tank refilled so I can actually USE it.} Here are the items I made for my last session:

French Bread Pizzas w/Easy Pizza Sauce ~ this pizza sauce is SO incredibly easy....I added a pinch of sugar to sweeten it up a bit. I used a bag of french bread hoagie rolls from Sam's Club, $2.87 for 6 big rolls, which made 12 pizzas. Not bad, eh?

Honey Nut Chicken Strips from Rachel Ray's 365 No Repeats

Carribbean Chicken ~ light fruity flavor, probably will taste good grilled

Creamy Chicken Divan ~ this was yummy, but not super flavorful. More on the comforting side. I purchased a 4# bag of frozen broccoli florets at Sam's Club for $4.32. Seems like a great deal, especially considering that you've got only the usable florets & you don't have to spend any time chopping. I also used Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup & Lite Sour Cream to save on calories.

1 bunch broccoli ~ lightly steamed {or enough broccoli to barely cover the bottom of each pan}
1 can cream of chicken soup
4 c. cooked chicken, diced
1/3 t. poultry seasoning
16 oz. container sour cream
2 c. shredded cheddar
1 1/2 c. crushed Ritz crackers
3 T. slivered almonds
2 T. melted butter

This will make either two 8x8" pans or one 9x13". Place broccoli in the bottom of pan {if using frozen, no need to steam or dethaw}. In separate bowl, combine soup, chicken, poultry seasoning, salt, sour cream, and 1 cup shredded cheese. Spread mixture evenly over broccoli. Top with remaining cheese. Mix together crushed Ritz, almonds & melted butter. Sprinkle over the top of dish. Bake at 350° F for 35-40 or until topping is browned and filling is bubbly around the edges.

Pepperoni Ziti Casserole ~ I used whole wheat pasta & skim ricotta.

And then tonight for dessert I made Dirt Bombs, except I made them in mini-muffin tins {baking for only 13-15 minutes} so they'd be kid sized. {Seriously, can you really go wrong with anything dipped in butter then rolled in cinnamon-sugar???} Perfect for a play date snack, I think. {Little messy on the eating part though.} So far, two BIG thumbs-up from mom & daughter #2. YUM-O!!

The only thing I can't vouch for flavor-wise is the Honey Nut Chicken Strips. They seem like they're heavy on the spices, but we shall see. The only major problem I have been having for about the last 8 months is recipe storage. For the last 3 months I've actually been handwriting all the recipes I want to try out in a notebook!! I downloaded a free trial of Big Oven online, but then cheaped out when it came time to purchase the program. Also, I've read a lot of horror stories about computers crashing and entire recipe boxes being lost. I think I am just going to type out all my recipes into Word saving each recipe file, then print each one out and keep them in a binder. Kinda like my own personal cookbook. I really like something tangible that I can hold & see, as opposed to a computer database {which I have been using up until this point}. This way, I can easily share the recipes by copying & pasting from the Word file and I'll also have my "hard" copy for when I'm recipe planning. Whadda ya think? How do you store your recipes? I just love trying new recipes. I almost can't wait til the next round of OAMC. Guess I'll just start planning....

Even the Best Laid Plans....

....go awry. I had all these high hopes about house cleaning. {And house cleaning is definitely not near the top of my "Things I Enjoy Doing" list.} I was going to start with the kitchen. I even looked up a kitchen spring cleaning plan {which I still will use when the time is right}. Then my part-part-time job started again, with less time to complete my work than usual. My freezer stash was also rapidly dwindling. Throw in a cheerleading scrapbook that I've been helping my cousin with & the biggest wrench of all, a neck injury, and all my plans went out the window. I don't know how it happened, but one morning I woke up with a really stiff neck. I thought it was just body aches from the cold I had at the same time, but things only progressively got worse. I couldn't even turn my head. And then there was the chronic pinching/pulling pain. I found myself staring at a leftover Vicodin prescription wondering if I shouldn't just take one. I am not a big medicator though. Needless to say, I couldn't even keep up with the day-to-day housework, let alone some big cleaning endeavors. I am still not fully healed, but well on my way to recovery. Tatiana & I will be venturing into the City tomorrow so I can have another massage therapy treatment. She is well-versed in mass transit, but I think for a child, it is something that never quite loses its magic. So, spring cleaning is still on my to-do list, but I guess I will have to wait to begin until at least next week. Who knows? Maybe somehow this week I can squeeze in time to clean out a junk drawer or two. {Yeah, I know. Who else has TWO junk drawers??} I also have big plans for refinishing a used dresser, putting all Tatiana's clothes in it & putting a free new mattress in her trundle to use as a guest bed. My deadline for that will be March 29th when my niece and sister-in-law will be having their quarterly sleepover at our house. It will motivate me to git 'er done. What is on your March to do list? Spring cleaning? Projects?