The Power of Seven For Homemakers

I was sitting here today content on not doing anything but relaxing. Then rushing around in a messy house later, trying to get everything ready for church tomorrow.  Then I was praying for energy because I'm tired today.  It's like my "get up and go" has "got up and went".   Then I God said "I created and rested in 7 days. What can you do with 7 minutes?"     WOW!  Powerful thought.
 

What can I do with the next 7 minutes that God gives me?

I'll take the challenge and see....

OK, in that 7 minutes (using the kitchen timer) I was able to put clothes in the dryer, new load in the washer, and swept carper of the movie area of our living room.  (Our living room is a great room divided in half: movie area & homeschool area).  Oh yeah you did read that right... I swept the carpet. My vacuum was broken in a recent move and I'm waiting to get it fixed. However, the sweeping quickly helped pick up my heart rate and I'm not feeling as sluggish. Of course, I was rushing to do as much as I could in 7 minutes. I'm a competitive person so I like a challenge.  My heart will be better now that I've got it pumping faster than if I had sat on the couch "resting".

Now let's see if I what else I can do in 7 minutes...

WOW!  I worked for 14 minutes. My oldest son (5) woke up and wanted to help me clean (RARE). So I kept working.  In the first 7 minutes, I finished sweeping the carpet in the living room, opened the curtains, and swept half the kitchen. In the second 7 minutes, I finished sweeping kitchen and the laundry room, which is behind the kitchen, and we cleaned off the table.


I think I will base my cleaning upon "7".   I have read and used the Flylady system, which is a good system but it doesn't work for moms of little ones. When the kids are awake, 15 minutes is a large amount of time for them to stay busy without bothering mom, whereas, 7 minutes is perfect. If they are loving what they are doing then I can keep going with another 7 minutes giving me 14 minutes total.  I get a better feeling of accomplishment.  However, if I try working for 15 minutes and get interrupted and don't meet my goal I feel like I'm defeated. I see a win-win with 7 minutes.


UPDATE:  I'm able to clean anything even lacking motivation when I tell myself it's only 7 minutes.  To get my house all clean I bounce around between rooms every 7-14 minutes depending upon the task I'm doing.  Plus 7 minutes helps me realize I can quit after the 7 minutes are up. Some days my energy is too gone because I'm feeling ill, one of the kids are sick, or I was up late at night for whatever reason.  The only tasks that I must devote more than 7 minutes to are planning (menu, homeschool, budgeting, etc),  cooking, and doing taxes.

MORE POSTS ABOUT THIS TO COME SOON!!!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Trying to save money? Trying to remove harmful chemicals from your home?

One way to do both is to make your own laundry detergent. It took me only 45 minutes the first time I made it. I made 5 gallons of laundry detergent a lot cheaper than store bought detergents.

This is just a rough detail sketch of the way I did it, I will post pictures and a instruction guide later this weekend.

Ingredients:

1 Bar Fels-Naptha Laundry Soap: GRATED (bought at Wal-Mart)
Approx 1 cup Pure Glycerin Soap: GRATED (1 small bar from the bag I purchased-see below)
1 Cup Borax
1 Cup Washing Soda
12 Drops Essential Oil (I use 10 drops of Lavender for a light scent.)

Costs:

• Fels-Naptha Laundry Soap (0.97)

$0.97 each at Wal-Mart

• 5lbs Pure Glycerin Soap ($0.24)

Hobby Lobby $18.50 (w/ tax) Regular Price however with the 40% off coupon it's $11.09 w/ tax. I used the coupon to buy this today. Inside this large 5lb bag are small bars of soap. I counted 46 bars in my bag. I used 1 bar grated. Using the cost per bag above each little bar either costs $0.40 each ($18.50) OR $0.24 each ($11.09).

• Borax ($0.30)

I'm estimating the cost I paid for the borax at the commissary on post. I'm thinking it was about $3.00 a box. Each box contains about 10 cups. Approximately $0.30 per cup.

• Washing Soda ($0.30)

Again, I'm estimating the cost I paid for the washing soda at the commissary on post. I'm thinking it was about $3.00 a box. Each box contains about 10 cups. Approximately $0.30 per cup.

• Essential Oils ($0.18)

The costs for essential oils will vary GREATLY depending upon where you buy it and they scent you buy. Vanilla is more costly than most other scents. I use lavender because it's soothing and relaxing. I paid $8.99 for a 1 ounce (30ml) bottle. This bottle contains approximately 600 drops with each drop costing about $0.015 each. 12 drops = $0.18

• Water.

Well, I don't know how much that is going to cost but I just use what comes out of the tap.

Approximate total costs of 5 gallons of laundry detergent: $1.99

Cheap pot

5 gallon bucket

My 1 time costs are for the bucket and the pan to melt the soap it. I didn't want to use my good pans for this. 5 gallon bucket with lid about $4.00 at Wal-Mart and the 1 time costs of a CHEAP pot at the Goodwill ($2.50).

Grated Fels Naptha

Grated Glycerin Soap

Directions:

1. Grate Glycerin Soap
2. Grate Fels-Naptha Soap
3. Measure 1 cup borax and 1 cup washing soda. Set aside.
4. Place 1 cup cool water in a bowl, add your essential oils to this water, set aside.
5. Add 4 cups water to boil for a small pan or 8 cups for a medium pan.
6. If available run several containers of HOT water. I use old clean tea jugs, clean milk jugs, my mixer bowl, and various size pitchers around my kitchen. Enough to have about 4.5-4.75 gallons ready to pour into the bucket.
7. When water is boiling, reduce heat and slowly add about half the amount of Fels-Naptha to the water. Stir until dissolved.
8. Pour off some of the water into the bucket. Then add more fresh water to the pan and add the rest of the Fels-Naptha to the water. (I had to do this because I have a smaller pan, if you have a larger pan increase the water amount to 8 cups and dissolve at once.) Once it has dissolved add the Glycerin Soap to the water. It will only take a minute or so to dissolve.
9. Add about half (2.5 gallons estimated) of your reserved water to the bucket. Stir.
10. VERY QUICKLY add your borax, washing soda, and your dissolved soap mixture to the bucket. Don't burn your hand with the soap mixture. You may need a second person's help to mix everything quickly.
11. Stir to combine, then quickly add the rest of the reserved water & ESSENTIAL OILS WATER (about 2 gallons water). Stir quickly! It will start to gel within seconds of combining it with water and cooling. Don't fill it all the way to the top. Leave room for the gelling to happen.
12. Cover bucket with lid. I cover it with a blanket as well. Let set overnight to 24 hours.

Water in pan

Before sitting for 24 hrs

Melting Soap

My Tips and Oops:

• Don't boil soapy water too much. Soap=bubbles; boiling water=lots of bubbles.
• Don't add essential oils to hot water. Always add it to cool water, then add it to the detergent mixture at the very end.
• I added the soap mixture to the bucket before adding anything else. It gelled so fast I had to use a stick blender to get the clumps out. So add about half the water first and work fast.
• Have everything measured out and in an area where you can quickly add it to the bucket.
• Several people have said their detergent separates. I'm trying to see of letting the cooling happen slowly will prevent the separation, like in making lye soap.

WILL POST MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FINISHED PRODUCT ALONG WITH PICTURES SUNDAY NIGHT!

Larger chunks of gelled soap

Smaller gelled soap

It's like a watery gel, kinda like egg drop soup. It works GREAT on our clothes and it smells amazing.

My Son+Dinosaur Train=Valuable lesson in Team Spirit

It's no shock that kids love cartoons, but have you ever paid attention to what they are learning. I'm against "stupid cartoons" like Spongebob and such that have NO educational value and NO social benefits. Shows like Dinosaur Train, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Special Agent Oso, Imagination Movers, Veggie Tales, Gigi, etc. have an educational value and show kids how to interact with others. YES THIS IS THE PARENTS JOB! No, I don't believe the TV should be a baby sitter. But let's be honest, if you have to balance the checkbook, pay bills, or make an important phone call it's a benefit to have their full attention engaged for 30 minutes.

The kids have found the show "Dinosaur Train" while visiting Nana and Papa. This show is awesome because the kids learn about Dinosaurs, they learn more phonics skills by learn multiple syllable words like "Daspletosaurus" "Tyrannosaur" "Stygimolchs" "Brontosaurus" "Corythosaurus". Plus they learn about the science of dinosaurs and what a palaeontologist does.

"TEAM PTERANODON" photo from www.poptower.com full credit is given to them for the photo.

From the "storyline" of the show, Matthias has learn something that I never paid attention to: "Team Pteranodon" (see Pteranodon for the pronunciation).  The mom and dad Pteranodon will say to their kids "let's go team Pteranodon" and "way to go team Pteranodon".

Matthias has said  "This is cool. I like the idea of brothers and sisters and mom and dad are a team. Mom are we a team? Can we be a team... like team matthias, halle, malachi, mom, dad? Oh wait.... we are Spurlock right? So we can be "TEAM SPURLOCK". Does that sound cool mom?"

 He didn't give me a chance to answer any question. He thought his questions out loud and solved them all  without help. So now we are "Team Spurlock". He really likes the idea of creating a team spirit in the family.

In businesses, they create a "team spirit" to accomplish goals and better the business as a whole. (Here's an article from the UK about Developing Team Spirit)  Motivational speakers encourage creating positive environments (Here's a blog by one of the nations' newest but most motivational speaker's I've heard: Matt Maddix). Tangent time: Use these "5 Things our kids NEED" to help you create that "team spirit".  Sports and other organizations will tell you that "Team Spirit" is a vital part of their achievements (See Importance of Team Spirit). I'm not a sports person but I'm sure my husband (Matthew Spurlock) can educate me on team building in sports and in the Army.

EVEN THE BIBLE SAYS:  Matthew 12:25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, "Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. (NLT) and Mark 3:25 And if a household is divided against itself, that household will not last. (God's Word Translation).

So by just the evidence the Bible presents: CREATE A TEAM SPIRIT=CREATE A FAMILY THAT WILL LAST. Create an environment that will bind everyone together in a loving spirit and keep the family strong.

Well, leave it to God to have a child and a dinosaur teach a mom a valuable lesson in creating a positive attitude in the home. Thank God for kids... a Pteranodons. Now introducing "Team Spurlock"

Motherhood is NOT "Identity Loss", It's Identity CHANGE AND GAIN!

To Misty on Mamapedia:

"........For weeks I’ve been milk maker, soother, diaper changer and occasionally ‘lady who showers and smells nice’… I stress “occasionally” here.


I was already a mother when this one came along. So prior to a few weeks ago, part of my consumer friendly label read: lunch maker, wound kisser, soother, protector, clothes washer, and occasionally ‘lady who brings cupcakes to my class’. But as my new role emerges, all other things become cloudy and less integrated and I begin to wonder which of them still constitute ‘shades of Me’.


The thing about this that sucks so much is that it is a very lonely place. This happens to you and only you, while the people around you go about their usual lives without question as to how and if anything has changed for them. While I’m concreted to the couch or the rocking chair for 45 minutes at a time to feed a new baby, everyone else in my world cruises by. Off to play or live or reconnect with old friends or simply enjoy the Independence that comes with not being affected by a life altering event.


So I try to remember who and what the ingredients are for a well made ‘Me’. I scan the pages of things I’ve done, stuff I’ve written and people I’ve loved. Somewhere, is the combination of things that light the center of me. Somewhere is a complete list of nutritional value, warnings and tips for best consumption."  Quoted from: Does Motherhood Equal Identity Loss?  http://www.mamapedia.com/voices/does-motherhood-equal-identity-loss

OK here I'm going to really make someone mad! Here are the 3 words that every woman needs to hear often: GET OVER IT or some say GET OVER YOURSELF!  In this I only hear the whining and complain that most women do 90% of the time. (I do it too)

Have I ever been there where I feel like I'm just a milk nurse, maid, and other not-so-glamorous things? YES I HAVE. We all have those moments BUT it is in those moments that our true identity, intergrity, esteem, and honor show forth.  It is our reactions that define us.

In June/July 2009, I was in the middle of my own personal pity-party. I had two children at home 23 months part (ages 3 and 17 months) and I was pregnant AGAIN (about 7-8 months along). I had been bitter about this pregnancy but knowing Abortion is a SIN (just because the gov't and women's lib says it's a "right" doesn't make it right), I wouldn't abort. I had pure hell with all three pregnancies...hospitalizations for dehydration, extreme hyper-emesis that shocked doctors, more IV's than you can imagine, to prevent my vains from blowing they put a "Pic-Line" in my harm and had me on IV fluid at home with a home health nurse coming to assist once a week. While in the hospital, I would blow vains and have to have new IV's inserted in my arms or hands every few hours.  This happened with all 3 children, except the pic-line was only with the last child.

I took my bitterness out on my family, then "put on face" in front of everyone else. It was in June or July, that while I was trying to get MY well deserved sleep, that my oldest kept coming to me wanting me to hold him at 0200 and saying his belly hurt. I kept putting him back into bed. Finally, I gave up and made a pallete in the floor near me, just so he could be near me and I could get MY sleep. As I watched him doze off, I closed my eyes and I heard him start to cry in his sleep. "Dear God WHAT NOW?" I prayed allowed. Then I looked at my son, his legs were curling up to his belly and he was grabbing his stomach. "Oh God! Help!" I cried quietly as I tried to assess him. Being the daughter of an RN, I knew enough medical info to be 'Dr. Mom'. As I checked him over, he showed all signs of appendicitis.

My need for sleep suddenly vanished! I quickly told my husband that I needed to take our son to the ER. He decided to stay home with our daughter who was sleeping and I would take our son. During the course of hours at the ER and ultrasounds, visit it was decided it was appendicitis. The military hospital we were at did not have a pediatric surgeon so we had to go by ambulance to the nearest hospital that could do the surgery. I tried to call my husband, his phone was on silent I tried for almost an hour to reach him. Finally I had to call a friend to go over and knock on the door to wake him and drive him down, since I had our only vehicle. When my husband arrived I was in tears and we started praying for a miracle.  I went in the ambulance with our son to the hospital while my husband and daughter followed in my van.

We got to the hospital and they decided to do a reassesment and CT-SCAN before the surgery. We were all praying and asking for a miracle. I remember one of my prayers in the ambulance "Ok God if you were trying to get my attention and humble me it has worked. Please don't let my baby go into a surgery that could harm him more." (My son has a lot of allergies, I was afraid of what could happen in the surgery room.)

During the time at the other hospital, God healed him. He started talking more, smiling, fever left, and the pain subsided. (Call it what you want but I give God the credit). The CT-SCAN showed no signs of anything wrong. My son was safe to come home.

That day I realized I HAD BEEN THE ONE WHO WAS CHILDISH. I kept focusing on me-me-me. I was pregnant and didn't want to be at time. (I'm so glad I had my baby now). It was all about how I felt and my needs, not my families needs. My husband had been faithly quiet and attentive to me like feminist say he should be...he performed like they wanted him to. Sometimes I wished he would have recorded one of my rants to give me a reality check!

Now I still have my "It's all about me moments" I think that is human nature.  But I realize that when it's all about me, it could take a life or damage someone else worse. What if I had just baby gated my son and ignored him? He appendix could have burst or he could have been worse or he could have died.

As for my feelings of just milk nurse, diaper changer, cook, maid: well IT'S ALL IMPORTANT. Every nose I wipe, every diaper I change, every boo-boo I kiss, every meal I cook, it ALL matters!

Each action is like the images below: 

 Each one seems like nothing, but they are each a cropped segment of the pictures below. Without each piece the following images would be incomplete:

Lilly Pond-Money, Sistine Chapel 3 images, and The Stroll-Monet.  All of these are beautiful images worth fortunes, but if you take part of the painting away it's worthless. Just a damaged piece of nothing.

It is the same with our children...each piece, each brush stroke-so to speak...is an investment in them.  The Bible tells us to die to ourself. In other words, don't focus on yourself all the time. Yes you must take care of yourself, but life shouldn't be all about you. If you are showering/bathing at mid-night, so what! Instead of thinking "oh poor me" think "oh yes, time in the still of the night". CHANGE YOUR THINKING. When you change your thinking habits you will be happier.

Sure it gets lonely at times, but when you are lonely. Encourage yourself some how. Call up a friend, husband or you mom and say "I've feeling down. I could use some encouragement. Do I really matter? Does all these diapers, dishes, snotty noses mean anytihng?" Get someone who will tell you the truth, not a friend who tells you what you want to hear. Keep books around your house that ENCOURAGES mothering...NOT FEMINISM. Get the magazines out of your house that tell you "You can have it all" because while you are getting it all, your husband and children are getting leftovers.

You call it Identity Loss... I call motherhood "A HUMBLING OF SELF AND A CHANGE IN IDENTITY"  Until you have a child (by birth or adoption) YOU ARE NOT A MOTHER! You cannot be IDENTIFIED as a mother until you ARE one. Sure it is a difficult change at times, but it's a change you have to make, unless you want to hurt your child's emotional well being or put it up for adoption.

(Yes you can hurt your child emotionally if you are always putting them off to the side like they are baggage. I will even go as far as to say that a child is better off in a poor family with love and attention than with a rich family that shoves them off to a nanny or fills their days with activities and things to substitute for parenting. These are the "real housewives" or the "desperate housewives" that the media falsifies to make the 'lowly housewife' feel worse... I say lowly housewife with ALL sarcasim. I don't have the things they have but I promise you this I'm happier and have more joy than all of them combined.)

If you are finding yourself in the middle of the struggle of motherhood vs self. GET ALL MEDIA OUT of your house...tv, magazines, website etc that promote having it all. Then listen to your maternal instincts...not your mind. Ask your husband what he thinks...listen to him without being offended.

(I'm not bashing those who must use daycare or a sitter to work. I understand 100% that circumstances can prevent women from being at home with their children. I am specifically talking about women who CHOOSE to have a career when they could scale down on spending and living, live in a smaller home, etc. I'm talking about those who CHOOSE me first. If a mother is working because withour the income, the family would starve or lose the house/car, then that is NEEDED. These are the women who can also work towards coming home. It can take years to be able to do but it can be done, with a lot of finacially planning and work.)

Laundry: Washing & Drying

1. Before washing close all zippers and AGAIN check pockets as you add items one at a time to the washer.
2. Next treat any stains with stain remover or laundry detergent. I prefer the stain remover. Follow instructions on the label of your stain remover/detergent.
• For baby stains (poo, spit up, peas, etc) I do use stain remover and soak it for the maximum time allowed on the stain remover label. Then I wash the baby clothes TWICE! Because the baby's skin is so delicate and sensitive, the chemicals can cause irritation.
3. Start washer to the right settings (reg., perm. press, delicate, etc) and the correct temperature. Add detergent according to size, as soon as you turn on your washer. Your water temperature will vary for the loads you wash. I rarely use hot water, I mainly use it on undergarments, towels, and whites that need bleaching. I use cold water for everything else because it saves on the gas bill and it prevents colors from bleeding and shrinkage.

What detergent to use?  Because we have a baby in the home and my husband is ACTIVE DUTY ARMY we use ONLY one type of detergent in our home: ALL FREE & CLEAR.  It is especially formulated for the new military uniforms because it contains NO Optical Brightners and since it is free of dyes or perfumes it is safe for baby's skin.

1. Add your liquid fabric softener if needed. Use either the 'Ball' like the one made by Downy or use the fabric softener dispenser in most washing machines it will usually be in the center of the washer's "turny thingy". (I'm bad with technical terms...LOL)/
2. Add bleach IF NEEDED-read your clothing labels! The bleach dispenser is usually located in the corner under the lid. Use the correct amount according to the bleach label. Allow it to drain into the water and mix...just a minute or two.
3. Add your clothes to the washer. CLOSE THE LID!
4. It will take 30-45 minutes to wash, depending upon your load size and if you have a second rinse setting turned on.

DRYING-Read care labels first!:

1. After your clothes are washed, dry according to your clothing care labels. Some items need to lay flat to dry; some need high heat like towels; some need low-no heat; some need to be hung to dry.

DRYING IN THE DRYER:

1. Put the clothes in dryer. Add a dryer sheet to prevent static. Some people use tennis balls or a special dryer ball. I don't do this because I don't like the noise it makes and I LOVE the scents in my laundry. However, on the baby's clothes I use either NO dryer sheets or ones made for the baby (or one that have NO PERFUMES OR DYES). I cut the dryer sheets in half for the baby because his loads are not large and it makes them last longer.
2. Remove any lint from the lint trap.
3. Choose correct drying temperature. Some dryers more dry/less dry settings along with timed drying. Read you users manual for the best choice. I personally use the more dry setting according to the heat needed for my laundry.
4. Drying can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour. Depending upon load, size, and temperature used..
5. Once clothes are done remove from dryer fold, hang or iron (if needed).

Laundry: Sorting

Sorting can be a difficult task for some and an easy task for others...depending upon your family size!  There are some homemakers who suggest washing it all based on lights/darks or other simple ways. However, to keep you clothes looking nice and lasting long there are certain "rules/guidelines" that must be followed.

Basic Beginnings:

1. Read the care instructions on the tags. Place all dryclean only items, handwash items, and other special care items into to piles of their own. 
2. DRYCLEAN Clothing: I don't take things to the cleaners unless they need a REAL hard pressing because the crease has worn away OR it is my husband's Military Dress Uniform. I use DRYEL for the regular dry cleaning.
3. REACH INTO EVERY POCKET! Don't settle for a simple pat down, you CAN miss something.
4. INSPECT: A) for repairs needed: ripped seems, loose or missing buttons, etc & B) STAINS
5. TURN items inside out that need it. Unless the instructions say to turn the item inside out it will wash just fine without turning inside out. BUT many housewives agree that turning items inside out prevents fading, wear from friction, snagging and piling.

Sorting:
You can either sort by color, clothing type, or family members

COLOR SORTING:        Sorting by color assure that colors won't fade on to lighter colors. Typical sorting of colors includes the following catergories-assuming the clothes have colorfastness! These may seem like alot of loads, but we don't wear something from every catagory everyday so it can take a while to build up a load of laundry.

• SOLID WHITES: These are all white items that are typically underwear, undershirts, socks, etc. These are the items that you can use pure bleach on.
• LIGHT WHITES: Light colored socks, underwear, undershirts. These may have other colors or prints on them.
• REDS: Reds are notrious for bleeding and turning other clothing pink. Reds can be mixed with BRIGHT oranges and pinks.
• PASTELS: These are typically the spring time colors or baby colors. As long as the item has colorfastness and they have the same washing care these colors can be mixed together.
• TOWELS: Because towels have so much lint, they always need to be washed seperately from the other types of clothing.
• SHEETS: Because of the size of sheets I recommend washing sheet sets as one small/medium load.
• BABY: Baby blankets, sheets, burp blothes, bibs and clothes can be washed together. I put baby items as one catagory because sometime these clothing needs special detergents, unless they are dark colors or reds
• BLACKS: Wash black together inside out to prevent fading and piling.
• MED-DARK BLUES: These include denims and dark purples.
• BRIGHT BLUES: These include bright purples too. (Light purples should be washed with pastels)
• DARKS: Some will combine ALL dark colors into one pile and this works well too.
• DIAPERS: For those who use cloth diapers and cloth wipes, these should always be washed seperately from other clothes.

CLOTHING TYPE SORTING:

• Towels & Lint Givers
• Sheets
• Jeans/Denim
• Khaki
• T-Shirts
• Dress Shirts/ Dressy Clothing
• Undergarmets
• Baby Clothing
• Heavy Weight Fabrics
• Light Weight Fabrics
• Uniforms

FAMILY MEMBER SORTING:
      Sorting according to each family member. Some prefer this method because it make putting away easier. It will work if all fabric is able to be washed and dried at the same temperature. I don't personally like this method.

The Way I Do It:
I use a mix of color sorting and fabric type. This way the fabrics won't wear each other out and the colors won't fade.

Laundry: Laundry Care Symbols

What are those symbols on the tags?

The symbols on the Tags are care instruction. Each symbol represents a special care instruction with variations of each one. These were created to help consumers in the North American Free Trade Agreement the ability to understand care instruction without having to write the instructions in written words.

More detailed list:

This is a more detailed list from TEXTILE INDUSTRY AFFAIRS. If you are new to the homemaking business print this out and place it in plastic page protectors and put in your laundry room. I prefer this chart.
GUIDE TO COMMON HOME LAUNDERING AND DRYCLEANING SYMBOLS (pdf)

Understanding these symbols and following their guidelines will ensure the quality and life-spam of your clothes.

Crock Pot Pizza

One bag of wide egg noodles
1 or 2 lb ground beef-depending upon how much meat you like
2 cans pizza sauce or 1- 32oz canof spaghetti sauce   {halved}
3-4 cups mozzarella cheese or 2 bags Kraft Italian/Pizza Cheese
1 can cream of mushroom soup, not watered down {halved}
Pizza ingredients (olives, Mushrooms, pepperoni whatever you like)

Crock Pot version: 3-4 hours
To make clean up easier spray crock pot with cooking oil before starting

1. Cook the egg noodles following bag directions.
2. Brown the hamburger.
3. Then layer the ingredients in the crock pot, mix the noodles with a half of sauce and cream of mushroom soup, next add in you ground beef top with the remainder of the sauce and soup, next add in your pizza toppings, and top with a little cheese.
4. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or until heated through and cheese is melted.

Oven version: 15-30 minutes

1. Cook the egg noodles following bag directions.
2. Brown the hamburger.
3. Then layer the ingredients in the crock pot, mix the noodles with a half of sauce and cream of mushroom soup, next add in you ground beef top with the remainder of the sauce and soup, next add in your pizza toppings, and top with a little cheese.
4. Cook on 350 until cheese is melted and slightly beginning to turn gold. Usually 15-30 minutes.

God's Message To Women

God's Message to Women


taken from "Desired By the King" by Ruth Rieder (Harvey)

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being.When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils.But you , woman, I fashioned. After I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are to delicate. I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you.

Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.

From one bone I fashioned you, and I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you were meant to do. Around this one bone I shaped you, I modeled you.

I created you perfectly and beautifully.Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body. You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side to stand beside him and be held close to his side as you stand beside him.

I have caressed your face in your deepest sleep. I have held your heart close to Mine. Adam walked with me in the cool of the day, and yet he was lonely. He could not see me or touch me but could only feel me. My presence. So I fashioned in you everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with Me: My holiness, My strength, My purity, My love, My protection and support.

You are special because you are the extension of me. Man represents my image - Woman, my emotions. Together, you represent the totality of God.

So man, treat woman well. Love her, respect her, for she is fragile. In hurting her, you hurt me. What you do to her, you do to me. In crushing her, you only damage your own heart. Woman, support man. In humility, show him the power of emotion I have given you. In gentle quietness show your strength. In love, show him that you are the rib that protects his inner self.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~

Did you know that woman was so special in God's eyes?

~Author Unknown~

Homemaking Is Profession

"The thing that is so important for us to keep before us is that if we choose not to do this very special job, it wll simply not get done. The mothering, the nurturing, the comforting and the caring that fills the committed homemaker's day will simply be lost, and society will be impoverish... ... See MoreWomen can give up their jobs as clerks, engineers, salespeople, doctors-other people will step in and the world will go on as smoothly as before... The groceries will still be sold, trucks loaded with merchandise will still roll across our highways, and Wall Street will carry on. Not with homemaking. We are special people into whose hands the homes of the country and the world have been entrusted. When we leave THIS job the world does not go on as before. It falters and begins to lose its way. We are homemakers are indispensible. HOMEMAKING IS MUCH MORE THAN A JOB....IT'S A PROFESSION: a profession which is venerable, honorable, and of the highest benefit to mankind. We must not forget this." ~Mary LaGrand Bouma-The Creative Homemaker

Chili with Chocolate

I always double my recipes because I like to cook and freez half for my "I don't wanna do anything" days. For a single meal cut measurements in half. Read recipe through before beginning.

2.5 lbs grounds beef
2 cups chopped onion
4-6 cloves garlic, minced, divided

Step 2
2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained (original recipe)
Or
1 can diced tomatoes and 1 can tomato sauce (my way)

2 cans chili beans in mild or spicy sauce (originial recipe)
or
2 cans beans (kindey, pinto, black, or mixed) and 1 package chili seasoning or add your own spices (I add my own)
{quick side note: I like to cook from my pantry so I learn to substitute and make good with what I have on hand}

4 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons grated semisweet baking chocolate (I use 54% cacao or higher I prefer 75% cacao)

Add last hour
3 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon talk
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (I use jalapeno sauce)

1) Brown & scramble beef, onion and 2 cloves garlic in large skillet. Drain fat.
2) Transfer beef mixture to slow cooker. DO NOT use spices listed under "Add last hour" here. Add tomatoes, beans, chili powder, chocolate and remaining garlic. (Add tomato sauce and other spices if you used a substitute in Step 2 ingredients.) Mix well.
3) Cook on Low 5-6 hours. (Or in a hurry on high for 2 hours and low for 1 hour)
4) During last hour add cumin, salt, pepper and hot sauce.

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese 3 Hr Recipe and a 30 minute Recipe

Copied from my facebook page

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese 3hr recipe & 30 min Recipe
Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at 8:02pm

Original from Paula Deen on Food Network (http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/creamy-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe/index.html) Cooking time 3 hours. Full credit is given to Food Network and Paula Deen for this Recipe and the inspiration for the recipes below.

Paula Deen's Creamy Macaroni and Cheese- 3 Hour Time

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (an 8-ounce box isn't quite 2 cups)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stuck) butter, cut into pieces
2 1/2 cups (about 10 ounces) grated sharp Cheddar cheese
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed Cheddar cheese soup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Boil the macaroni in a 2 quart saucepan in plenty of water until tender, about 7 minutes. Drain. In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Stir until the cheese melts. In a slow cooker, combine cheese/butter mixture and add the eggs, sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper and stir well. Then add drained macaroni and stir again. Set the slow cooker on low setting and cook for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.


My Modified Version: Matt went nuts for this on Christmas Day!

Creamy Dreamy Cheesey Macaroni and Cheese: 30 Min Baking Time

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (an 8-ounce box isn't quite 2 cups)
4 tablespoons (1/2 stuck) butter, cut into pieces
3 cups (about 10 ounces) grated sharp Cheddar, Coldy, & Jack cheeses - 1/2 cup seperated (topping)
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
1 (10 3/4-ounce) can condensed Cheddar cheese soup
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

~Heat oven to 350F.

~Boil the macaroni in a 2 quart saucepan in plenty of water until tender, about 7 minutes. Drain. Place in oven safe casserole, set aside.

~In a mixer, beat the eggs,then add sour cream, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper and mix well. Pour over macaroni, stir.

~In a medium saucepan, melt butter then add 2 1/2 cups of cheese. Stir until the cheese melts.

~Add cheese and butter mixture to macaroni mixture, combine well. Top with 1/2 cup cheese.

~Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbling.


My Over-The-Top-Cheese-Addiction version:

Made this tonight for Matt... Still waiting for his official comments but I will say half the pan is gone with just him and Matthias eating

~Use 11 different kinds of cheese from the pre-shredded Kraft bags: Five Cheese Italian, Swiss, Colby Jack, Cheddar, and Mexican Cheese (without the taco seasoning).

~Increase to 4 cups of cheese, and 5 tablespoons butter. Reserve 1 cup cheese for topping.

~To prevent burning in the bottom of the sauce pan since all these cheeses have different melting tempuratures add a splash of milk to the mixture.

~If the cheese absorbs all the milk before all cheeses have melted add a little more milk...just a splash.

Combine as above and bake until bubbling... 30-40 minutes.

The cooking times in my variations are for high altitude.

Household Planner-In Progress

I have begun my own household planner. I am working on it intensely, however, I do have to work around the needs of my family. But it is coming along nicely. I have many pages already complete from monthly through daily planners and chores list. I'm working on Homeschool Pages right now!

FlyLady Didn't Work for Me

I'm a stay-at-home-work-from-home-army-wife-homeschooler-mother-of-3 (all 4 and under). When it was just 3 people in our family it was easy to do the flylady system. But NOW with 5 of us. I just can't keep up with it all and the routines. So I am going to start my own blog and create a system that will suit me. I also tried the S.H.E method, which worked for a while, but I just couldn't get it going.

I'm a list-sticky note-cell phone reminder-date book-planner- person also known as absent minded. So I am thinking about what would work for me. I need my phone (Blackberry Curve). A notebook. Post it notes. Date Book/Planner. Hmmm.... The big calendar didn't work for me because I just didnt' like the format. I like having things in a time block format for each day. This is too many things to have out.

Let's put the post it notes by where we sit the most or buy our phone chargers. (BTW: I don't have a home phone, just my cell.) Cell phone, notebook and date planner.... that is what I will work with for right now. I'll see what I can come up with from here!

See you in a few!!!!