My little guy (6 years old) gets board sometimes between the minutes of....ohhh...let's see....3:30 and 4:00. Right after school, before everyone gets home...and sometimes he doesn't want to go outside or run around. He wants to veg in front of the TV or video games. Huh-uh! Nope...not gonna happen. So I have something fun for him in his "secret cupboard" that he loves to do during those few minutes of boredom.
I purchased some large construction paper at Target. It's the 9x12 size, thick and hardy just for him. He has his special box of markers, crayons, and stickers. He gets out 7 pieces of paper and makes homemade place mats for each person in our family. He draws pictures, puts stickers, and many times his pictures are "gratitude" pictures. He draws sweet little pictures of his sisters doing something nice for him, or him and his dad playing catch together. He then puts them all in their places around the table, and the twins even have one on their highchairs.
This is a great motivator for him to help set the table too. He's learning Mondays are his day to make place mats and set the table for the family. So go stock up on some large paper and let your little ones create personalized place mats for dinner...it's a sweet little blessing that everyone can enjoy!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Dinner Blessings #6
Monday, November 17, 2008
Dinner Blessings #5
One of my most favorite foods of all time has been and always will be.....
I know, of all the foods in the world...meatloaf? But it is. I love a few other things just as much, but this is one of my top favs. I'm a big-time carnivore. Had I lived 2 million years ago I would have been a T-rex. Seriously...
So I'd like to share my favorite meatloaf recipe with you.....and if you have one please share it using Mr. Linky on your blog or post it in the comment section. I'd love to see all the "meatloaf" recipes out there. I make it at least 2 times a month. So show me what you've got!
I wish I could give credit for this recipe, but I actually found it on a written piece of paper about 10 years ago in my church's kitchen. I snagged it...it look dusty. I don't think anyone was looking for it, but I took it, made it, and fell in love...so that's why I call it...
2 pounds ground beef
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup grated carrot
1/2 cup ketchup
1/4 cup BBQ sauce
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 pound bacon strips, uncooked
Sauce
2 cups ketchup
2 cups brown sugar
Combine all ingredients EXCEPT bacon, ketchup and brown sugar. Put in a large 9x6 loaf pan. Cut bacon strips in half and place on top of meatloaf to cover. Bake at 350 degrees for about an hour. Remove and drain excess juices (fat). Spoon ketchup/brown sugar sauce over the top. Save some for serving at the table too. Return to oven for about 15-20 more min. Let stand for a few minutes before serving. (I'm hungry just typing this!!!!)
Enjoy and please share yours! I can always use a new Meatloaf recipe....well, my family would love the variation!
Ps...don't forget Homemaker Monday over at 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Dinner Blessings #4
November has arrived, which means the holidays are officially underway! Days are getting shorter, nights a little cooler, and dinner options are endless!! I love warm comfort food and I love to "cook" or bake in the cooler months. Hotter summer months for BBQ'ing, thank you to my sweet hubby. For Dinner Blessings this week I'm sharing a family favorite: "Homemade Chicken Pot Pie". One of my best friends passed it off to me awhile back and now we have it at least 2 times a month. Everyone will love this!
2 Cans Cream of Potato Soup (or leftover Potato Soup)
1 Can Veg-All (16 oz) Or any veggies that you may have, just cook them first
2 Cups Cooked Chicken
1/2 Cup of Milk
1/2 tsp Thyme
1/2 tsp Pepper
Mix together and put in an unbaked pie shell. Top with a second shell and make air slots. Bake at 375 for about 45 min!
Please use Mr. Linky and post your favorite Homemade or Semi-homemade recipe today! Link back so we can share our favorites!!
This is also my post for Homemaker Monday. I'm trying to cook as "homemade" as I can on Mondays so I can start the week off on the right foot! To see lots more Homemaker Monday ideas visit 11th Heaven's Homemaking HavenMonday, October 20, 2008
Dinner Blesings & Celebrate Fall Extravaganza with....RECIPES & 2 GIVEAWAYS!!!!
Dinner Blessings will be tied in with Tiffanie's Fall Extravaganza!! I love the fall, I especially LOVE the food....and I really love the crock pot! It gives me more time with my kids in the afternoon and evening. The crock pot relieves me from having to scramble around and throw dinner together the last minute....not to mention that the crock pot puts out some yummy grub! So enjoy these recipes and your family tonight!
But wait!!! Lots of prizes going out today!! 2 ways to win Cherish Bound goodies!! Just one post and you could win my prize and Tiffanie's prize over at Three Peas in a Pod. Just post on your blog your favorite Fall recipe(s) and link back to my blog, comment and add to Mr. Linky. I'll pick a winner next Monday, October 27th...and the prize is a Cherish Bound Recipe Mini Story Starter and a $12 Designer Coupon towards the new Cherish Bound Recipe book!
Second way.....
Go see Tiffanie and Three Peas in a Pod and link your recipe and her cute little button on your 
blog linking back to her Fall Extravganza. Read through her post and follow her guidelines and you'll be entered to win.....yes, more Cherish Bound goodies!! Her drawing is TONIGHT!! You only have until MIDNIGHT tonight to enter her drawing for the Cherish Bound giveaway!
Tiffanie's first Celebration of Fall is a recipe exchange!! I have about 15 or 20 fall favorites! Hum....what should I share?? I'm going to with the warm comfort food of homemade Chili! Now I have two of those....so I'm going to share both because I can't decide! So hope you enjoy these yummy Crock-pot chili recipes that everyone will love!!
White Chili
1 lb cooked chicken cut into cubes
1 med. onion (or equivalent minced onions)
1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 T veg. oil
2 15.5 oz cans Great Northern Beans
1 14.5 oz can Chicken Broth
1 4oz can chopped green chilies
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (I use half the amount)
1 tsp. ground Cumin
Cook chicken in pan with onion, garlic powder and veg. oil. Add chicken, drained and rinsed beans and the remainder of the ingredients to the crock pot. Cook for about 4 hours. Just before you serving, add 1 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup whipping cream stir well and serve immediately.
Tara's Famous Chili (Can't remember who gave it to me...So I'm claiming it!)
1 1/2 lbs of lean ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 bay leaf
2 TBLS chili powder
1 tsp garlic powder or 2 cloves fresh (minced)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
16 oz can tomato sauce
28 oz can stewed tomatoes (chopped)
15 oz can black beans - drained & rinsed
15 oz can kidney beans - drained & rinsed
1 tsp cayenne pepper...or spice it up as you wish!!
Brown beef with garlic and onion. Drain fat, add to crock pot. Add rest of ingredients except for kidney and black beans. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Add beans about 1 1/2 hours before serving.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Dinner Blessings #3
This past week has been a whirlwind for my entire family. When mama is occupied things tend to go a little sideways. So our normal dinner schedule was thrown up in the air....and shattered into a few pieces, but we're picking the pieces up and getting back on track. Tonight was one of those nights that makes a mama smile.
My hubby is traveling this week, so aside from his absence all 5 kids and I we actually home together all afternoon and evening. It was nice to not have to run anyone around from here to there. We were able to make a hodgepodge dinner and sit around and enjoy each other's company. But that wasn't the best part.
My oldest daughter (almost 15) has been studying the New Testament in her morning church class. My little man (almost 6) asked her about what she learned today at school in his manly little voice. I was expecting to hear about how hard her math test was or about her soccer tryouts, but that's not what she talked about. She talked about the parables that Christ taught and about the 100 scriptures she's trying to memorize. She talked about how she enjoys reading about Jesus Christ every morning before she goes to school because it just makes her feel safe and better and gives her some peace. I just sat back and listened to her share this with her other siblings and couldn't help but smile.
It was a wonderful moment at the dinner table...that was a true Dinner Blessing that I will never forget.
Share your Dinner Blessings with us and tell us about a sweet moment that happened at your dinner table.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Dinner Blessings #2
Another Monday has arrived and another "Dinner Blessing" idea is waiting for you. This is a favorite for our family because we're HUGE sports fans and Monday nights bring us football during the fall and winter. So occasionally we'll do a fun "theme" dinner! And yes, tonight is MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL night!
Out here on the east coast football starts a little later then the rest of the country.... 8:30pm! So dinner is the "appetizer" to the football game. And obviously it's a school night so bedtime for the little ones is at kickoff. But that doesn't stop us from having a fun Monday Night Football Dinner! Here's a list of ideas that you can do for a sports-themed dinner. And remember....it doesn't have to be about football. Maybe you're celebrating your baseball team's playoff game, a basketball teams opening night, or your family's favorite NASCAR race. It doesn't matter....just do something fun with the family!
- Use decorated place mats made by the kids. My son likes to take the big white construction paper and makes everyone their own football places mats. Easy, fun, quick and can be thrown away when dinner is over.
- Serve dinner outside and let the kids in the back of the truck....good ole tailgate party!
- Put the drinks in an ice chest
- PAPER PLATES! Woo-hoo! No dishes tonight. Green paper plates or even football plates are fun. I always buy the clearance plates and napkins after the Superbowl each year...maybe spend 25 cents a package! Or you can always use your favorite team's colors.
- If dad's home in time, we BBQ hot dogs or hamburgers with all the fixings.
- Our favorite: The Nacho Bar! Crock pot cheese, chips, chili, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour
cream, avocado, salsa.....just a big giant nacho bar! Everyone loves the nacho bar. The kids think it's so much fun to make their plates and pick what they like. - Buffet style finger food with chicken wings, chicken strips, interesting dipping sauces, Swedish or BBQ meatballs, mini egg rolls, an assortment of sandwiches made on mini buns.
- Another fun favorite food...Pigs in a Blanket or little smokies in the crock pot with apricot/pineapple jam. Yes, sounds weird but it's incredible!!
- Creative Desserts! We love the "Football Cupcakes" or you can always make brownies or cookies cut out in the shape of footballs. Desserts are a great way to get the older kids involved.
It's no surprise to have one or two kids show up with their favorite team jersey on and I can recall at least 2 times when one showed up with a painted face! That's an entirely different story....but no matter what, find something fun to do with your family at dinner tonight. Whether it's swapping stories, celebrating an accomplishments among your family, or having a Monday Night Football Party...it doesn't matter! Just make some memories!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Dinner Blessings #1
Dinnertime for families is such a rare occasion and for many families it doesn't even exist. It's such an important part of life for children and parents and it provides a special time to talk, tell stories, laugh and connect in ways that can't be done anywhere else.
After my post last week about Family Day I couldn't let an entire year go by until the next celebration of "Family Day- A day to eat dinner with your children". We should be setting aside at least 3-5 nights a week (if not more) to eat and spend time with our children. Many families are too busy or have other commitments, but maybe it's time we all step back and take a good look at our family time. Are we sitting down together for meals? Do we allow our children the time and attention they deserve by having dinner together weekly? Whatever your answer may be I think we all know how important is and that it's a must to fit it into the schedule.
So that's why I decided to start "Dinner Blessings". My love for family, and the understanding I have about how important it is to sit down together as a family and enjoy each other's company is my reason behind "Dinner Blessings". Sometimes it's as simple as 10 minutes of chatting, joking and turkey sandwiches, and other times it's making time for a game after a 4-course meal. We are an extremely busy family, but each time we sit down together for dinner our children open up, they talk, they let us talk too, and we learn more and more about each other and how our family works.
Each Monday I'll share a "Dinner Blessing" that you can use in your own family. I'd love for you all to share your ideas too! Maybe it's a dinner tradition of cooking together on Sundays, dad BBQ'ing with the kids, storytelling, a creative activity or game the family can do at the dinner table, a surprise for special occasions, special desserts or even eating dinner together in the backyard. It doesn't matter. Just share it! Pass along your ideas and let's help each other create bountiful blessings for our families by encouraging each other to sit down and have dinner together!
I'll also be giving away some great prizes that encourage family dinner time & great meals! Just leave a post each week and I'll draw from the comments posted and you can add my button to your site and get 5 extra chances!! This week I'll be giving away the first prize!
It's a deck of Cherish Bound's Family Chat Cards. We use these in our family. As a family we LOVE to listen to each other's stories and we love that everyone has their own version too. Each card in this deck has a question or two on the back of them that helps get the stories flowing. It's fun to pick a card and tell, but it's also exciting to hear what everyone has to say. Some questions are "How do your mom and dad show you love" or "What is your greatest dream". We can spend hours at the table just story swapping from one single question. I love that my children would rather be at our kitchen table telling us a story than upstairs on a cell phone.
Use Mr. Linky and post a Dinner Blessing on your own blog! Add my button (over on left sidebar) and get 5 extra chances to win!! Don't forget to leave a comment for another chance to win!!!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children (TM)
Have you heard of this? I can't believe I missed this! I can't believe I've never heard of this! Yes, National Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children!
Their Mission:
"Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your ChildrenTM is a national movement to inform parents that the parental engagement fostered during frequent family dinners is an effective tool to help keep America’s kids substance free. Family Day reminds parents that Dinner Makes A Difference!"
I just spend an hour completely wrapped up in their website, scouring their ideas, and loving every part of it! However, National Family Day was on Monday, September 22! I never heard about this before and it's on it's EIGHTH consecutive year. And why was this day not posted all over the the news, blogs, websites!? This DAY should be given National Attention! Loud and clear for all to see!
Go check out the website and see how wonderful this movement is! This is something that every family can benefit from. What a powerful way to promote family time and traditions. Go take their pledge to become a "Family Day STAR". They have tons of information and ideas about family and how to get involved.
Here is a link to view President Bush's Proclamation about National Family Day.
They offer the following list of "Secrets" to help you have a Successful Family Dinner.
