Kids Chore sticks...a fun way to do those hated chores!

Like most parents in America I have problems getting my kids to do chores around the house with out threats, punishments or bribes. I am trying to teach them to be more responsible by taking care of their own rooms, but I am adding a daily chore list. To make it a little more fun and, hopefully, less arguing I am going to write some minor chores on color coded pop sickle sticks and put a point system on them. For the lower point sticks, they get to pick one dollar tree item a month, for the mid point sticks they get to choose two dollar tree items, and for the higher point sticks they get to choose a ten dollar item from Walmart. To collect these prizes they must do the chore correctly. They also must complete all the chores by the end of the month. I know this is considered bribery but if it works I am willing to do it.

Materials needed:

Monthly dry erase board and markers( or you can make your own with scrapbook paper, a picture frame with glass, Sharpie markers and a ruler. Use the ruler to draw a months worth of squares on the scrapbook paper with a line for the month name on top then place paper in the frame behind the glass and use the dry erase markers on the glass.) One for each kid so there is no confusion
A package of multi colored pop sticks (dollar tree has them in the craft section)
A black fine point sharpie
2 containers (I use short square candle holders I got from dollar tree)
Ribbon and scrapbook paper to decorate(no one wants an ugly container sitting around) and label (To Do and Done) the containers.

Then you need to figure how many times a week and how many chores per pull for them to do. If you have enough containers you can separate the colors and have them pull 2 hard (high point) a week, 3 medium (mid point) a week and 4 easy (low point) a week. If they do them correctly (lets face it, kids like to take short cuts) then they get the points, if not they have to go back in the to do container. I put them all together and give them the choice but they have to deal with their own decisions and once all the easy and medium are gone they still have to do the hard.

I guess it depends on the kids and the parents as to how this gets done and what the rewards are and there are many variations that can be done, but this is what works best for me. Hope this is helpful and your kids can have fun doing this.

Pizza Puffs for the family on the go

Have you ever wanted pizza but didn't want your little ones to make such a big mess??? Or maybe you don't like the grease on the top of the pizza from all that yummy cheese and toppings. I searched and searched until I found a solution...something yummy, fun and the best part, easy. Pizza puffs!!! These muffin size pizza puffs are easy to make and the kids have fun dipping them in different sauces and eating them. They are really great if you are on the go and have to feed the kids (without the sauce of course) in the car.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1Tbsp Italian Seasoning
Pinch of salt
Pinch of red pepper flakes
3/4 cup 2% milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup cubed pepperoni
(If you want to add sausage, onions, peppers or any other yummy ingredients, use smaller portions and make sure everything is already cooked well. Use your imagination and make this recipe your own! There are NO wrong answers!!!)

Preheat your oven to 375
Grease muffin pan
In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning, salt and red pepper flakes
Slowly whisk in the milk and egg
Stir in the cheese and pepperoni
let stand for 10 minutes

Stir the batter and divide among muffin cups (place directly in muffin tin, DO NOT use paper sleeves as they stick to the puffs and are hard to get off)
Bake 20-30 minutes or until golden and puffed

Serve with store bought pizza sauce, ranch dressing, or even honey mustard dipping sauce...anything that sounds good! ENJOY!!!

 YUMMY!!!!!

Big hit with the boy. We made the puffs and pizza bread together and had a great dinner that night!

15 Minute Home Made Chicken Noodle Soup

As a stay home mom and wife, I tend to think homemade food, especially dinner, is a must! Don't get me wrong, we do take out and occasionally fast food, but for the most part I like my children to eat home cooked foods. On nights where I need quick meals but forgot to get anything out of the freezer, I scour my cabinets hoping to find something quick and easy. One of the family favorites is chicken noodle soup. My son loves the canned variety but my daughter will only eat canned tomato and since I am a firm believer of one meal for everyone, I have to adapt my dinner ideas around everyone's taste buds. There are different variations of this wonderful meal, but my family likes the 15 minute pot of soup the best! Since it is such a hit in my family and I know how easy it is to make, I decided to share this recipe.


Ingredients;

2 Quarts chicken broth
4 cans cooked chicken breast meat
1 can carrots
1 can green beans
1 medium onion (I use  onion powder since we don't like onion)
3 stalks celery (I use celery salt)
1 bag Egg Noodles
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 chicken flavored bouillon cubes
1/4 tsp Oregano
Water
2 large pots

 You will need 2 large pots. In one pot, fill with water and put on stove to boil. This pot will be used for the noodles. In the other pot, poor both cartons of chicken broth, 4 cans of chicken breast meat, 4 chicken bouillon cubes (or the chicken flavor packets out of Ramen Noodles works also), and your canned veggies (if using fresh or frozen this meal should be cooked all day in the crock pot, but this way taste the same). Then add 1/8 tps celery salt (skip if using celery), 1/4 tsp Oregano, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper and let simmer. Once the noodles are done cooking, drain and add directly to the pot with the other ingredients. Then serve and enjoy!

I didn't have any carrots so we did without this time.

 The family still loved the soup and there wasn't much left when we left the table!

 I serve with crackers, the hubs likes Saltines but I like Ritz, your choice. This is also good served with a small sandwich or salad for lunch. It tastes as good as it looks!!!

Picture shooter

My husband is such a sweet man!!! In February 2012 he bought me a new camera...a huge upgrade from the point and shoot one I had been using for years. Now, as much as he regrets this purchase, I am always taking pictures. I am an amateur so I don't sell any photos or even try to, but my family pictures that are good (in my humble opinion) do get sent to the photo shop and are printed. My husband and children (including the 4 legged variety) are my favorite subjects and have been, on occasion, made to dress up for "photo shoots". My favorite pictures from said shoots get sent to http://www.nationsphotolab.com/ and are mailed directly to my house. The quality of these photos is outstanding and makes my pictures brag worthy.

 I edit and post my pictures for all of my loved ones to enjoy.

All of my families accomplishments and activities get photographically recorded for future pleasure.

Even FUN snow days spent outside with my children and hubs...I actually sprained my ankle right after taking this picture, but it was worth it to be able to get this wonderful shot of my boy being all sweet and innocent.

I love getting random shots when no one is paying attention...they make for the best candid shots.

 My husband is often a large part of my photo shoots even though he HATES when I have the camera in my hands. He has threatened many times to "throw it away"...but I can't resist, he just takes such GREAT pictures.

Even the dog is susceptible to these random shots of life. One of my favorite hobbies is looking at the world through a camera lens.

Fried Chicken

I think today is going to be dedicated to food. Yummy, southern, melt in your mouth fried chicken with all the sides. Food!!! Now, I was not born in Kentucky and I am no longer living there, but I was living there during my teen years and my early and mid twenties so I got most of my cooking lessons from there. In fact, I learned how to make this yummy fried chicken from an old cook that worked at my mother's restaurant and I have to say, this chicken kept the restaurant full after church every Sunday at lunch time. Not good for your hips but very good for your taste buds!!! I hope you like my recipe and instructions...Enjoy!

 I use a 3 QT skillet, veggie oil and a low heat on my gas stove.

In a medium sized bowl, mix together 4 eggs and 1/4 cup milk with a dash of salt and pepper.

In a large bowl, mix together 3 cups flour, 1/4 cup Italian seasoning,3 Tbsp garlic powder, 1/4 cup creole seasoning.

 I always use chicken drum sticks because that is all my family likes to eat so there is no arguing over who gets the drums. They don't take as long to cook and tend to be juicer also. I have also been known to use chicken strips with this recipe and serve with home made dipping sauces.

Check with a pinch of flour if your oil is hot enough. The oil will start to bubble once the flour hits it. If you have a thermometer the oil should be at 400 degrees. Once your oil is ready, take the chicken and coat them in a generous amount of the dry mixture then transfer to the wet mix and immediately put in hot oil. Cook slowly, turning multiple times. The drums should take 20-30 minutes but I always remove the thickest one and cut to check the center. Once they are removed, I sprinkle lightly with salt while still wet, then transfer to the table and enjoy!!!

 This meal was served with Kraft shells and cheese and frozen sweet corn but we also like home made mashed potatoes and green beans. If the meat is cooked and seasoned right the side dishes shouldn't matter since the chicken is the high light of the meal.

Craft projects

My nephew, Lane, will be so happy when he gets this for Christmas! I love Toothless...super cute and super easy!

 He looks like he is begging with those eyes.

 A small yarn wrapped wreath with feathers and baby roses...super cute!

 I hope my family member that gets this for Christmas likes it!

 My multi-textured pillow. Another gift...not sure for who yet.

 Large yarn wrapped wreath with feathers, book page roses and pink beaded stems. This one is my personal favorite!

 So pretty!

 Up close of book page roses. I am proud of this one.

The start of a peace sigh painting I am doing for Trinity's birthday .

 Not too bad for a person that can't draw...I am happy with it!

 A beautiful frame I salvaged from an old house my grandparents were tearing down. I am going to re-purpose it and make a necklace holder. Another possible gift.

 I just LOVE the worm holes in this old wood.

 I made this shadow box for my husband a few years ago after he got out of the Army. My Hero!!!

 A gift from Trinity!

 I made the net after getting tired of moving her stuffed animals off her bed once again!!!

 My first name painting ever.

My kitchen is a work in progress but I have a few pieces I love. One of them is this wine glass rack my hubs made me out of an old rake...Love that man. He can take my ideas and make them happen.


Plaid:Craft MS32310 Martha Stewart Pearl & Metallic Acrylic Craft Paint Set-10 Colors

Gifts already finished

 Using materials I have around the house to make beautiful painting sets for family...I love them and hope my family will too!

 Started a book page rose-wood wreath but it was too time consuming so I ended up quiting that one, but I did use the idea for other projects.

 I made this set for Gavin's birthday and they were a HUGE hit. I even have an order from my favorite cousin (in law) Tracy for a set for her son's birthday....They are in the works right now!

Christmas crafts

Being a family of four with limited funds, I have learned to get crafty and make a lot of our Christmas gifts for family and the kids. I have also found these gifts are the ones most remarked on and most remembered. I have a few projects in the works as we speak and a few I have finally finished. I am making this blog to keep my family and friends updated on the current ideas and projects and give sneak peeks to keep them guessing on who is the lucky one to get my loved crafts. Keep in mind I am only a mediocre handy women but am getting better the more I do. Have fun reading on my latest exploits and enjoy the pictures of the in progress and finished products. And remember that I will always answer any questions and comments to the best of my ability, but I will not accept any rudeness from anyone!!!