The Munchkins and Me

ChaCha Update

2009-03-30T19:56:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I started working part-time online as a ChaCha Guide. ChaCha has gone through a lot of changes since I last told you about this unique and very flexible job a few months ago!

ChaCha Guides (we do quick internet searches to find answers to questions that people text in to the company, send the answer to ChaCha, and ChaCha texts the answer back to the person inquiring) can now sign up for certain subjects that they know the most about. So, for example, I don't know much about professional sports, but I know lots about cooking, so I didn't sign up for sports-related questions, but I did sign up for cooking questions. There are times, when ChaCha is really busy, that I receive random questions of any subject, and so I do get a sports question or two from time to time. So, I've really learned all kinds of new things by doing searches! The payscale of ChaCha has also changed, so that the amount we get paid is based on the topic or category of the individual question.

I haven't really spent much time working for ChaCha lately, but that's the nice thing about it, I work only as little or much as I want, and exactly when I want-day or night. If you are interested in checking into working for ChaCha, you can go to their website (www.chacha.com), but I do recommend your getting in touch with me to find out more about passing the tests. It's not that they are that difficult, but it's good to know ahead of time what they will be like because you only get one chance to pass them, and the tests are timed! I'd be happy to help you out.

Copyright 2009 The Munchkins and Me

The Love of a Mother-in-Law

2009-02-25T18:33:00.000-08:00

I am so blessed to have a wonderful mother-in-law. I realize there are not a whole lot of people who can say that! My mother-in-law just spent the last two weeks with us, and we enjoyed every minute of it. I've thought a lot about my relationship with my husband's mother, and I have learned much about the type of mother-in-law I'd like to be one day to my future daughters and sons-in-law.

Over the years that I've been married, my mother-in-law has kept a polite distance when it comes to offering too much advice in regards to the life my husband and I lead together. In the rare times that she has had something to say, it has always been done with meekness and an attitude that does not make us defensive. It is very easy, because of how she has respected our privacy, to actually share with her and seek her opinion about issues that come up from time to time.

My mother-in-law has treated me like a queen! She has taught me how to make someone feel special-whether it is in buying me a new outfit I would not buy for myself, or in seeing a need I have and not just buying the basics, but buying the best, or more than I really needed. My mother-in-law is not wealthy when it comes to money, but she so easily gives away to others what she could have easily spent on herself for her own needs.

Much more could be said, but the last thing I'll mention is that my mother-in-law respects how my husband and I choose to raise our children. I know of so many people whose in-laws counter them with each and every decision they make in regards to the grandchildren. I know that when I leave my children with my mother-in-law, that she will respect our wishes with how they are cared for.

In the years I've known my mother-in-law, I have learned from her to be a more giving person. I appreciate the relationship I have with her, and make sure to tell her so in an occasional card, letter, or when we're speaking in person. I pray that I can be as sweet of a mother-in-law to my own son and daughter's spouses as my mother-in-law is to me. I certainly have a great example to follow!

Copyright 2009 The Munchkins and Me

Eat Your Vegetables! Encouraging Children to Eat Salad

2009-01-17T14:13:00.000-08:00

Fresh vegetables are so important in our diets for excellent health, and, while parents may enjoy digging in to a big salad, the munchkins are not always as enthusiastic to chew through all that roughage! It is possible, though, to teach children at a young age to eat their vegetables, and yes, even salad!

I have found a few things that have been helpful in encouraging my munchkins to be salad eaters. The biggest help has been simply chopping up the vegetables in to very small pieces. While dining at Outback Steakhouse awhile ago, I ordered their Chopped Salad. It was prepared differently than most restaurant salads which have big pieces of lettuce, a wedge of tomato and other largely cut vegetables. Instead, the lettuce and all other ingredients were cut into very small pieces, hence, the name of the salad. I thought this was a great idea to apply to not only my children's salads, but to my own, as chopping the vegetables into small pieces cuts way down on the time it takes to chew all those larger pieces- much of the work has been done for you! I've noticed, as well, that the quantity of salad we are able to consume has become much more--there's a lot less "fluff" on the plate, and a more dense serving of vegetables. The more vegetables the better, right?!

You may be thinking that it would take a lot of time to chop all those vegetebles. If you have a decent chef's knife and a cutting board, this really takes very little time--just watch those fingers while you chop quickly like the pros! One step further, having your children help to prepare the salad often makes them more enthusiastic about eating it- it's usually exciting to try something you've cooked yourself. Even a mature 2 or 3 year old can stand on a stepping stool at the sink and wash the lettuce. They'll love playing in the water while getting the lettuce clean. Then, have your munchkin tear the lettuce into pieces (we're not looking for perfection here, just a little help!), and you can finish it off by chopping it into the small pieces that I described above. Children who are a bit older can learn to peel the cucumbers or other vegetables, and as they mature can help you to cut them up.

Having a yummy salad dressing and other tasty salad editions like honey toasted sliced almonds (toaste the nuts with a little honey in a skillet, but beware, they burn easily!) can certainly help make the flavor of a salad more appealing. Ranch dressing seems to be very popular with munchkins. Storebought dressings are not the healthiest of things to consume, being full of chemicals and preservatives, so it's best to have homemade. But, in a pinch, I'd still go for the dressing in limited quantities to encourage little eaters to eat their vegetables. Here's a great Ranch salad dressing recipe you might like to try:

RANCH DRESSING

1 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 teaspoon dried chives

1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon dried dill

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Whisk all ingredients together in a large bowl. Refrigerate, covered, for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Another idea to help your munchkins eat their salads is to serve the salad first, and not move on to the rest of the meal until the salad is eaten. (For some of you when starting out, this may mean that your munchkins will only get a single tiny piece of lettuce or other vegetable on their salad plate, and gradually increasing the amount that needs to be eatern, before moving on to any quantity of salad!)

Why not make a simple salad a daily routine that you and your munchkins prepare together? It only takes a few minutes to make, and you will reap the benefits of a serving of great nutrition every day, and have children who have the healthy habit of eating their vegetables!

Online Degrees- The Future of Higher Education?

2009-01-05T22:10:00.000-08:00

It's funny how your view of things can change over time! Only a few years ago, I would never think of paying for something online by giving my credit card over the internet. It seemed to me unsafe and unsecure, and I bought most everything in person at an actual store. My ideas for the use of the internet back then extended to other areas as well: the thought of getting a college degree from an accredited online school seemed like a cheap and cheesey way to get an education.

Now, my ideas have changed and I purchase items online quite frequently (albeit from sources that I know and trust). And can even say that I would consider for myself or my children obtaining accredited online degrees (also choosing carefully from reputable schools). The internet certainly has changed over the years, much for the better!
I recently read about the advantages of taking clep exams to obtain college credit, being that it is often possible to learn and master material on your own much more quickly than taking an actual college course in a classroom. Couple that with taking classes through one of the accredited online schools in the comfort of your own home, during the times that are convenient to you, I can see a real benefit to getting an education in this way.

One place to research such schools is at elearners.com. If you know what subjects or degrees you are interested in you can search by that keyword. Or, you can simply read about the various accredited schools that offer online degrees. I'm bookmarking this site for future reference!

In a country where degrees are a dime a dozen, I think the earlier a pre-teen can develop his or her interest and pursue it in the "real" world, obtaining hands-on experience, the better. A degree can then become a doorway to a career, with the prior experience gained allowing him or her to outshine the employment competition on any resume and job interview!

Handmade Christmas Gifts: Felt Puppets

2008-12-10T13:55:00.000-08:00

My crafty daughter wanted to make her siblings something for Christmas this year. We came up with a cute, inexpensive idea that wasn't too difficult for her: felt puppets! We decided on the types of puppets to make by thinking of the interests of each person: her brother loves Curious George, so she made a Curious George puppet by looking at pictures of Curious George on the internet. Her sister loves dolls and dresses, so we came up with a cute girly puppet for her...

We traced around my hand to get the general puppet shape. My daughter hand-stitched around the puppet, and then cut out the details such as face, hair, hat, etc. We purchased wiggly eyes at the craft store, and glued everything on with fabric glue (regular school glue will not work!)

As you can see, they turned out so cute!

Felt is so inexpensive, does not fray, and comes in many different colors and patterns. The craft possibilities are endless!

Do your children make Christmas gifts for each other? Share with us the crafty things they've come up with to give!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Desserts and Cooking and Yum...Oh My!

2008-12-04T13:37:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows me, knows I love to cook- it is my creative outlet! I ran across From Ida's Kitchen, a blog which expresses Ida's true passion for cooking and International Recipes. This blog has some inspiration for creations that a professional chef might make, with instructions that even a home cook can follow.

I was especially fond of Ida's posting on How To Cover Cake With Fondant. I've watched Ace of Cakes on Food Network, and have always wanted to go beyond regular frosting in decorating cakes, but have never ventured out to try. There are so many things you can do with fondant that you just can't do with regular icing! Maybe I just might try a fondant covered cake on our family's next birthday! (You're sure to see pictures of that if I get up the nerve!)

Ida says she's not a professional chef but loves to cook like one, and with the yummy pictures and recipes on her blog, I believe she is! I'm looking forward to seeing her post more International Recipes, as this is a whole new world of exciting new flavors to try! Check out her blog sometime soon!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

New Ice Cream Flavor...Want a Bite?!

2008-12-02T20:25:00.000-08:00

Now, I know it's not the most healthy food in the world, but ice cream is one of my favorite desserts...it's my weakness! I enjoy ice cream any time of the year, be it sortching hot or freezing cold outside! Are you the type that likes to eat the same flavor every time, or do you like variety? I think one of the joys in life is trying out new flavors--the same old thing is boring to me! I was grocery shopping the other day and happened somehow find myself in the ice cream aisle perusing the latest flavors to hit the shelves. One in particular caught my eye, its limited edition flavor commemorates the holiday season that is almost here: Haagan-Daz Peppermint Bark Ice Cream. This cool and refreshing flavor has white chocolate ice cream with peppermint bark and peppermint candy pieces. Mmm...the peppermint candy pieces crunched like eating candy canes! With the chocolate peppermint bark pieces mixed in,the flavor combination was wonderful! My only complaint, as with most ice creams with mix-ins is that it didn't have enough chocolate and mint pieces! The white chocolate ice cream by itself doesn't hold its own, but all together, the flavors are delicious!

Have I given you a craving? Just talking about it makes me want to get another expensive pint...but then again, it's a tough call when there are so many other new flavors to be discovered!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Please Help! What is this Pyramid?!

2008-11-24T14:22:00.000-08:00

On our travels we were driving somewhere near Dallas, Texas (if my memory is correct), I opened my drowsy eyes from a nap to see a huge pyramid out the car window. I was able to grab the camera and snap a picture of it:

I tried searching the internet for the answer to what this incredible building is, with no luck. So, I'm asking for your input--what is this pyramid? Am I correct in thinking it is outside Dallas, or was I so groggy from sleep that I am completely wrong as to its location? Thanks for your help!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Thanksgiving Menu, Or Should I Say Feast?

2008-11-22T20:19:00.000-08:00

I have cooked a big Thanksgiving dinner by myself only once. Our family has always gone to my parents' or my inlaws for Thanksgiving, so I never actually had to host the dinner myself. The one time I did cook the whole meal, I loved every minute of the planning, organizing, cooking and serving. I thought I'd share the menu. It is mostly traditional, except for the lasagne. I cooked that, in addition to the turkey, at the special request of my husband!

Thanksgiving Menu:

Lasagne
Turkey Breast with Italian Herbs
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Stuffing in a Crock Pot
Homemade Yeast Rolls with Butter
Sweet Potato Casserole
Homemade Noodles
Corn Casserole
Sweet Tea
Lemonade
Pumpkin Pie
Buttery Cranberry Pie
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Egg Nog

Looking at this list I am amazed that I actually cooked all that food! But, organization was key, and because I had a step-by-step plan and did a lot of preparation in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, I truly was not stressed on the big day.

I wrote out a day-by-day schedule of things to do, starting on the week before Thanksgiving. I assembled and froze the lasagne ahead of time. I also made and froze the uncooked noodles, cooked the sweet potatoes for the sweet potato casserole, chopped vegetables for the stuffing, and put together parts of recipes that could be quickly thrown together on Thanksgiving day. I made out an hourly schedule of what needed to be done on Thanksgiving day, planning ahead of time what dishes could bake in the oven together and when each dish needed to be assembled and cooked. Because I was well organized, we were able to have a huge, completely home cooked meal that did not chain me for hours to the kitchen!

I want to share with you the Sweet Potato Casserole I adapted from the internet. Instead of using a nut topping, I substituted Vanilla Wafers in the topping recipe for a sweet, crunchy, absolutely delicious dish!

Sweet Potato Casserole

4 c baked sweet potatoes, mashed (bake medium sized potatoes 1 1/2 hours at 350 degrees)

1/2 c sugar

2 eggs

1/2 t salt

4 T butter, softened

1/2 c milk

1/2 t vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine all ingredients, mixing well. Pour into a greased 9x13" baking dish. Top with crumb topping(recipe below).

Crumb Topping:

1/2 c brown sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

3 T butter, softened

1/2 c vanilla wafers, coarsely chopped

Mix together sugar and flour. Cut in butter. Stir in vanilla wafers. Sprinkle over top of sweet potato mixture in baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Whether you are cooking up a feast, or keeping things simple, remember to keep your priorities in sight. A table full of food is not worth the effort if the cook is overburdened, upset and exhausted from cooking all day! Stressing over the food is never worth ruining a day in which we have so much to be thankful!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Great Giveaway-Amazon $50 Gift Card!

2008-11-21T21:51:00.001-08:00

I love giveaways, don't you? I just heard about a very generous giveaway that I wanted to tell you about at World of Mom's place. Stop by and sign up! The drawing will take place just before Thanksgiving, and is perfect timing to use it for Christmas shopping if you should win!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Warm and Comforting Ham and Bean Soup Recipe

2008-11-21T16:13:00.000-08:00

Our deliciously warm and comforting dinner tonight was a thick Ham and Bean Soup with cornbread. There's something about a crockpot of hot soup simmering on a cold day that brings anticipation for dinner as the aroma fills the house! The price of beans is very economical, and this makes a good amount (serves 7) and, depending on the size of your family, will be enough for leftovers. I want to share this tummy warming recipe for Ham and Bean with you!

Ham and Beans

1 pound dry Great Northern beans
1/2 pound cooked ham, diced
1 meaty ham bone
1 small onion, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 celery stalks, diced
1/8 cup brown sugar (optional)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
salt and pepper to taste

Sort and rinse beans, and soak overnight in a large pot with 8 cups of water. In the morning, drain and rinse beans. Place in crockpot with all ingredients except diced ham. Add just enough water to crockpot to cover the beans. Cook on low for 8-9 hours. Add water during cooking as needed. During last hour of cooking, add diced ham. If you prefer your ham and beans to be spicy, add 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper at the start of cooking.

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

The Butterfly Award

2008-11-20T23:10:00.000-08:00

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eSWimwG6noY/SSXfFCKDnaI/AAAAAAAAAAM/17q3Pcil6QE/s1600-h/award_butterfly.jpg

This award was given to me by Reality Check

Now, here are the *rules* that go along with this award:

1. Put the award up on your blog
2. Add a link to the person who awarded it to you
3. Nominate at least seven other blogs
4. Add links to these blogs on your blog
5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog

Now I get to pass this on to some other wonderful bloggers!

Smoke and Flames-Grilling in November

2008-11-20T00:03:00.000-08:00

Living in a warmer climate has it's benefits! While I lament not being able to see the beautiful autumn colors outside where we live, we are taking advantage of the wonderfully warm days by grilling outside! Imagine that, grilling in the middle of November!

I bought a Kingsford BBQ Bag-a one time use bag you throw on the grill and light on fire, bag and all! We rarely cook on the grill, so this was perfect for us. The last bag of charcoal we had sitting around for months, the puppy ate! (No negative side effects, thankfully!)

You can see in the picture above that it was still light outside when we lit the fire. We ended up having a bonfire as it turned dark. The BBQ Bag burned and burned...and burned some more!

After an hour of waiting for the flames to be gone (they had died down some), I gave up and threw on the burgers. Now, I don't claim to be an expert at grilling, but in only a few minutes time I went to check on the burgers, and they were burnt to a crisp on one side! I raced to flip the blackened burgers and only let them cook for a few minutes more, and then removed them, only half cooked on the inside. Needless to say, we picked through our burgers at dinner, trying to salvage what edible meat was left. It's a good thing there was macaroni and cheese on the menu as well, because this dinner was a flop!

Anyone have some tips to give me on grilling? I'd be most appreciative! The Munchkins love grilled hamburgers, but that's one thing Mama hasn't mastered yet!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

I'm Doing the ChaCha! Working at Home on the Internet

2008-11-17T15:04:00.000-08:00

No, I haven't become a dancer! I've started working for ChaCha, a company that provides a free service in which people all over the United States can call or text a question and, within a few minutes, receive an answer to that question via text message on their cell phone. I'm one of the many people who find the answers to those questions and form a short text message online back to the person with an answer that I searched for online! A few months ago, a friend told me about her experience with ChaCha, and, wanting to make some extra money, I applied and was accepted too!

ChaCha pays me for every answer I provide to the questions that are sent to me as I sit at my computer. Pay depends on how many answers you complete per week, and the quality of those answers. As long as I answer at least 200 questions per week, I make 20 cents per answer. When I get on a roll and can really focus on what I'm doing, I can find the answers quite quickly, and I've gotten faster the longer I've worked for ChaCha! It's really not bad to be making a dollar for every five questions I answer considering that I can do this at home in my pajamas if I wanted, at any time of the day or night, and answer as many or as few questions as I want.
I know of people who work for ChaCha to make a living, but I personally just do it to earn some extra cash! It is so nice to be able to have a little extra spending money each month!

In order to be accepted as a ChaCha Guide (finding and answering questions), you are required to take 3 tests. I highly recommend you not take the tests without preparing first, as I've known of many people who have not passed. If you are seriously interested in applying with ChaCha, feel free to contact me, and I'd be happy to give you some tips on how to prepare for the test!

Winter Is Coming!

2008-11-16T14:09:00.001-08:00

Even in the desert, there are signs of winter's approach! Nights are getting cold, and in the evening the comforting smell of smoke from a fireplace occasionally drifts across your nose.Even though Thanksgiving has not yet come and gone, signs of Christmas' approach are everywhere! Christmas music and decorations fill the stores, advertisements speak of holidays and family, and the musical performances of churches, ensembles, choirs and the Nutcracker are advertised throughout the city.Yes, hearts are a little warmer this time of year, as we think of the many blessings we have been given. I love this time of year!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

The Good Ol' Days

2008-11-15T22:29:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't it be nice to live in a simpler time and place. Not too far back to where there are no modern conveniences, but just enough to where the pace of life was just a bit slower?

The Munchkins and I watched the old black and white Disney movie The Absent Minded Professor this evening. The ladies dressed and acted like ladies, the men were gentlemen, and the humor clean and simple!

Times certainly are progressing! In so short a time we have become dependent on our cell phones and computers, when just a few short years ago there was no such thing! I can only imagine what the next 20 years will bring!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Call of Duty--to the Computer!

2008-11-11T15:49:00.000-08:00

Call of Duty's newest World at War was just released today, and the Munchkins and their daddy were right there at the store to be one of the first to bring it home! As much as I don't care to play most video games, they all love to get in on the action! Their assessment of this newest game: simply put, "Awesome!" Hey, this gives me a chance to sneak out of the room and do a little blogging!'

Don't you love those little unexpected moments when you can get away and indulge in something you really like to do?! As the Munchkins get older, I'm finding I have a little more time to do that here and there, although the time spent WITH them is truly what I love the most!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Invitations- For Free!

2008-11-07T21:09:00.000-08:00

Have you noticed in the past few years how the internet has become so central to most of our lives? Most everyone I know has an email address and internet access. So, for your next party, why not utilize this medium for sending out inviations, all for free?

Used to, I would design my own invitations on a word processor and e-mail the invitations myself. But, recently I received in my inbox an invitation to an event that had been sent from a free invitation service online. When I R.S.V.P.'d to the event by going to the link that was on the invitation, I could see who all was invited, who had replied and comments they had made about the upcoming party. There was even a link to get driving directions: everything I needed to know was all right there!

So, for the next event that I hosted, I decided to use Evite's free service myself. I chose a design for the invitation from among a good selection, and filled out the details of the party. The website took care of e-mailing out the invitation on the day I specified and kept track for me who had viewed their invitation, who had R.S.V.P'd, and any comments people made. You can even have a place for people to sign up to volunteer to bring something to the party. You can select to send a reminder e-mail about the party as many days in advance as you choose, and after the party, you can upload photos to share with those who were invited.

Checking at the Evite website to see who has viewed your invitation is very important because it is possible that the invitation could be sent to someone's spam folder and they may never see it. This very thing happened to me. I noticed there was one couple on my list that had not viewed their invitation, so I called them to tell them about the party and mentioned the invitation that had been e-mailed. For this reason, and just because for some events it's probably more appropriate to send a tangible invitation through the mail, I personally will limit my use of Evite to more informal type events.

For someone who is always on the lookout for a good quality bargain I can use in intertaining (and you can't get a better bargain than free!) I think this is a great find! Maybe you'll want to try this yourself for your next event!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Shortcut French Toast Recipe

2008-11-06T20:01:00.000-08:00

French toast is a breakfast item our family enjoys, but, if there's a way to keep from having to stand over the stove babysitting the multiple batches of French toast cooking, then I'm all for it! I doctored up this simple French toast recipe that eliminates this hassle, and, while it's nothing gourmet it does fill the growling tummies at our house! This is how we usually make it now:

photo copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

French Toast Casserole

6-8 slices whole wheat bread OR 10-12 slices white bread

4-5 eggs

1/2 c milk

1 T sugar

1/2 t cinnamon

1 T vanilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

Break bread into pieces and place in a greased 8"x8" pan.

In a mixing bowl, mix together the remaining ingredients.

Pour mixture over bread.

Stir together with a rubber spatula, then lightly press the top down with the back of the spatula. Cover with foil.

Bake 18-20 minutes, then remove foil and bake, uncovered, another 5-7 minutes.

Insert a toothpick in the middle of casserole. If toothpick comes out clean it is ready.

Cool slightly, then slice into bars.

You can sprinkle powdered sugar on top, serve with syrup, maple syrup or honey.

In the picture above, I was feeling creative and a little naughty and made a glaze out of powdered sugar, a splash of vanilla and a tiny bit of milk and drizzled it over the top.

Now, that's a satisfying breakfast sure to stop the gastric growls...at least for awhile!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

How to Make Your Pictures Load Faster on the Internet!

2008-11-05T12:04:00.000-08:00

I'll admit I'm somewhat new to having a blog and website, so I am always looking for helpful hints for creating great web pages. I was excited to run across a free way to make your photos load faster on the internet WITHOUT sacrificing the quality of those pictures!

The website is Web Resizer, and all you do is upload the photo you want to optimize for internet use, then re-save it back to your computer to place on your webpage. While you're online at the site, you can also perform some basic photo editing such as cropping as well. I use it with all of the photos I use on my webpages. I believe the program can also be downloaded to use off-line too!

So, now you can have a faster loading webpage, with lots of great-looking pictures...all for free!

Just thought I'd share!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Emergency Preparedness

2008-11-02T20:11:00.000-08:00

We see ads on TV suggesting we should have a plan in case of a disaster, and I wonder just how many people actually prepare ahead for the unknown? I mean, most do prepare when they know a hurricane is inevitable, especially when they've lived through a disaster and know the discomfort it can bring when you are not prepared!

For those of us who have fortunately not had to live through a disaster, but would like to be prepared for long-term power outages of a storm or what have you, here's a simple, budget-freindly plan to help! There's nothing like having a growling tummy in a bad situation and not having the food to feed it!

Here's what we've done, and it really has not been at all difficult, even on a budget! Each shopping trip we have simply bought a little extra of the non-perishable foods that we normally buy each week! Wow--that's not so hard, is it? I've added a few gallons of bottled water as well, so that if the water supply was not safe for a couple of days we'd have at least some that is drinkable.

Now, there are those who would suggest storing up food to last a year or more, but the type of preparedness I'm talking about is more for a short-term emergency. It would take much more money and planning to prepare for long-term survival! I'm sure there are websites out there that address those issues. What I'm talking about, rather, is to store up some food that you would normally eat, so that you can continue to use the older food and replenish your storage with fresher food. If you mostly buy that what you normally eat, you won't end up throwing out expired food that no one has an appetite for. Also, if there was an emergency, it will the be familiar foods that you already like that will be a comfort for you and your family!

Do you have some emergency preparedness tips to share? We'd like to hear!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Beet You'll Love These! Baked Beets Recipe

2008-11-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

Have you ever opened a can of beets, threw them in the pan to heat them up, and served them to your family only to receive an unfavorable response? Canned, or even boiled fresh beets don't usually have a lot of flavor. But, beets are really good for you, not to mention their deep red color is beautiful....and there IS a way to cook beets that result in a tender, sweet, flavor! If you know how to bake a potato, you already know how to bake a beet!

To bake beets, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If the green tops of the beets are still on, cut them off at the base and scrub each beet well, leaving the skin on:

Photo Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Wrap each beet well in aluminum foil. Make sure these are completely wrapped to avoid dripping beet juice in your oven!:

Photo Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Bake the beets for about an hour. Depending on the size of the beets, just as in baking a potato, you may need to bake these a little longer, until they are tender. As they cook longer the more carmelized the beets become and the flavor deepens and sweetens.

Remove beets from oven and carefully remove foil. Be careful, the steam in side is hot! With your fingers or a knife, remove the peel from the beets. Slice the beets and butter. If you'd like a little more "wow" to your beets, drizzle the beets with vingar---Balsamic vinegar is delicious with these!

It's good to try new foods, or even re-try them with your family from time to time. Just because something wasn't liked the first time around, doesn't mean it won't grow on them in time! Beets are a great place to start since they are sweet and don't have a strong flavor. Try baked beets soon!

Election Bus Sighting!

2008-10-30T13:56:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Presidential Elections are closing in on us quickly, and we were surprised, while running errands today, to drive past an election bus for John McCain!:

Apparently, the driver of the bus was en route transporting it to McCain's next stop--we didn't get to see the candidate himself.

So, here's one destination you should wander to on November 4: Exercise your Constitutional right and Go Vote! I know I will!

Squeeky Clean- Housekeeping 101

2008-10-29T20:16:00.000-07:00

The munchkins and I have been cleaning out the garage, getting rid of some things we don't need that were in storage, and reorganizing. Isn't it a good feeling when you lighten your load of stuff?

There is a website I came across a few years ago that has a whole housecleaning system of decluttering your home and keeping it clean...all for free! You can even sign up, for free, to receive daily e-mail reminders about what "zone" you're working on for the day and other daily helps. She's called Flylady, and the good thing about her system is that you don't have to burn yourself out getting everything perfect at the start...you just jump right in where you are. In time, as you work on different problem areas of your house along with the normal cleaning routine, you'll soon see such a difference! Is a wonderful feeling to have an organized house and home!

Flylady uses a timer a lot, so that you set your timer for, say 15 minutes, and work on a certain area in the house. When the timer goes off, you're done. I used to follow her routines pretty closely, but as I have gotten rid of much of our unused, unneeded things, I've found that I have been able to simplify my cleaning routine. If you're looking for something to help you be a little better organized in your housekeeping and your daily routine in general, then you should check out her site sometime!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Multi-tasking On the Road- The St. Louis Arch

2008-10-28T14:16:00.000-07:00

I'm a multi-tasker to the core! So, while we were driving across the country recently, it was my turn at the wheel, the passengers were asleep, and we were about to pass by a major landmark in Missouri...the St. Louis Gateway Arch! So, I quickly grabbed my camera, and snapped a shot of the Gateway to the West!:

Apparently, the Arch is the tallest national monument in the United States. It stands 630 feet high. I wish we had been able to stop and actually take a ride to the top, but, it wasn't meant to be that day. However, it was a treat for my road-weary eyes to drive past and see it!

It's the unexpected, fascinating sights on those long drives that wake you up and keep you going!

The Desert Blooms!

2008-10-26T22:06:00.000-07:00

It's strange that it's almost November, we just planted some flower seeds a few weeks ago, and low and behold, those little seeds are now flowering! The desert does bloom, even in late fall! In fact, it appears that early fall is the best time to plant a garden! I am thankful for the continuing warm weather and the opportunity to enjoy some brilliant color among the dust!

I attempted to plant a container vegetable garden this past February, when the weather had already begun to warm up, but the winds and burning sun all spring and summer were harsh. I harvested one green bean the size of my pinky, and a cucumber the size of my thumb! But, this beautiful flower is my gardening glory for the season!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me

Autumn Leaves in the Desert- A Decorative Craft

2008-10-20T20:27:00.000-07:00

In spite of the dry, brown desert outside, colorful autumn leaves have made an appearance at our house! I found a great autumn craft project at Mother Rising for the Munchkins and Me to remind us of home, where the leaves turn the most brilliant of colors!

We hung a cascade of leaves in the windows beside our front door:

A close up:

The leaves were made from inexpensive coffee filters, which diffuse either markers or watercolor paints when misted with water. (Using regular paper will cause the colors to run together into an ugly mess!) Before adding the markers to the coffee filters, I used a crayon to draw the veins on the leaves. Then, we traced around leaf-shaped cookie cutters, cut them out, and strung them on thread. The diffused light from the window really showcases their beauty!

Have you and YOUR munchkins made any fall crafts this season? We all love a great idea to try...tell us about it!

The Journey of Life

2008-10-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

Life is a journey...and it wasn't until I became a mother and had children that it really became interesting! These are the most meaningful, adventurous , and active years I've known, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. The Munchkins and Me is a place to commemorate that journey and spread a little fun along the way! Welcome...and enjoy your stay!

Copyright 2008 The Munchkins and Me