tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67362782282409885642024-03-14T00:57:44.621-07:00Jen loves Free StuffJenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-9004386728108157282016-07-21T01:00:00.000-07:002016-07-22T09:12:43.043-07:00Ice Age: Collision Course<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Last Saturday my husband, four sons and I got to go see a screening of Ice Age: Collision Course and we loved it. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the 5th installment in the Ice Age franchise and it did not disappoint. All the same characters we've grown to love, plus some new ones. Here's the synopsis I was originally sent:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Scrat’s epic pursuit of the elusive acorn catapults him into the universe where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the Ice Age World. To save themselves, Sid, Manny, Diego, and the rest of the herd must leave their home and embark on a quest full of comedy and adventure, traveling to exotic new lands and encountering a host of colorful new characters. ICE AGE: COLLISION COURSE, opening in theaters everywhere July 22, 2016</span><span style="background-color: white;"> stars returning cast members Ray Romano, Denis Leary, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Seann William Scott, Josh Peck, Simon Pegg, Keke Palmer, Wanda Sykes, and Jennifer Lopez. Joining the herd are Stephanie Beatriz, Adam DeVine, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Max Greenfield, Jessie J, Nick Offerman, Melissa Rauch, Michael Strahan and Neil deGrasse Tyson.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We were able to see this movie in 3-D and I was impressed with the 3-D. I'll be honest, we haven't seen many movies in 3-D, mostly because they are more expensive and the little kids never keep their glasses on. The little one still had trouble keeping his glasses on, but the others did well. One of the early scenes shows Buck jumping and bouncing around and the 3-D was very good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My dad was a geologist and our family loves "geo-dramas." I think it's awesome that Ice Age has now made 2 "geo-dramas" for the kids to begin to gain the appreciation for our earth and for them to ask questions about how the earth was made and shaped into the way it is today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There were also some great themes in the movie such as the benefits of family and marriage (which are often not present in even animation these days) but lots of potty humor too which of course my young sons just love (although mom barely tolerates. But I still think it was very family friendly and a great addition to the Ice Age series. I'm grateful for the opportunity I had to preview it with my family. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One more thing, Fox just released this adorable website that allows you to uncover your pet's prehistoric past! Please check out the link below and be sure to share it with your readers!<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">URL: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.animalancestry.com/&source=gmail&ust=1468774394702000&usg=AFQjCNE0yWhoBqVYlFgNKbQOZXnlqG9EaQ" href="http://www.animalancestry.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://www.animalancestry.com/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Go check out the movie if you get a chance!</span></div>
Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-91910985909080968052012-10-01T06:56:00.001-07:002012-10-01T06:56:27.744-07:00Homeschooling–one month in (part 3)<p>The one topic I haven’t talked about is our Wednesday – Unit Studies day.  One of my selling points for homeschooling was that we could learn about whatever he wanted to learn about.  </p> <p>The first week he wanted to learn about….are you ready for this…video games.  Sigh.  So we checked out some books from the library about video games.  We read about the history of video games, which consoles came in what order, we learned about the positive and negatives of playing video games and then he was to write in his notebook about what he learned.  And he drew a blank.  He had no idea what to write.  I kept trying to give him hints and help him, but it was a struggle all day.</p> <p>So the next week I decided we would learn about cars all month long.  We read books, we looked at different models online, we read more books, I tried to get him to make a poster by cutting pictures of cars out of a car magazine (he cut out pictures of 20 steering wheels…why?), we watched a video about how cars are made, we made reservations at the Toyota manufacturing plant in San Antonio (which got canceled but rescheduled for Wednesday), a neighbor showed him the different parts of the engine and how a car works…theoretically this sounds like a lot of fun things to learn about.  But each Wednesday is still a struggle.</p> <p>I think it’s because I need things more structured.  I don’t want to abandon our unit studies, but what we’ve been doing has not been working for me.  Next week we are going to start doing a lap book about “Little House in the Big Woods” and it is a little more structured, so we’ll see if we enjoy that better.</p> <p>There are other things about homeschooling that I don’t love.  In general I don’t feel my house gets as clean.  I don’t think I pay enough attention to Christian.  He watches way too much PBS.  I have a harder time making freezer meals or other things on my to-do list.  I certainly don’t have as much “me” time.  Going out to lunch with friends or visiting teaching is more difficult because I have an 8yo with me.  </p> <p>But despite the things I complain about, I am still enjoying spending the one-on-one time with Aaron.  He loves learning which makes teaching him fun.  But mostly I just like getting to spend the time with him.</p> <p>Enough about homeschooling.  Back to posts about birthdays and fun things we do as a family!</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-48874970757949255582012-09-27T14:23:00.001-07:002012-09-27T14:23:59.775-07:00Homeschooling–one month in (part 2)<p>On Thursday and Friday we do Math and Science.  For Math we are using Singapore Math and he LOVES math.  He’s a total nerd.  Gets that from both Paul and I!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2LDj4ZdrKfs/UGTD60IVuqI/AAAAAAAAHno/c_MIvKcjhZE/s1600-h/IMG_5215%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5215" border="0" alt="IMG_5215" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-oBLtBMkk9y0/UGTD7syELXI/AAAAAAAAHnw/NzXgZ-YsMdI/IMG_5215_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a><sub></sub></p> <p><sub>Halloween 2010</sub></p> <p>Knowing that math is really easy for him I started him in <a href="<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=jelofrst-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=9810185057" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>">'>'>Math 3B</a> which is supposed to be the 2nd semester of the 3rd grade year. The program has an instructor book, a textbook and a workbook.  So far we’ve studied Mental Math Strategies, Length, Weight, Capacity, Graphs, Fractions and Time.  All that is left in the book is Geometry.  I don’t make  him do every single problem, because he “gets it.”  It’s really easy for him and I don’t need him to do busy work.  In an hour and a half we typically get through what the book says should take us a week or 2.  </p> <p>I’ve already purchased the Math 4A stuff and I assume we will continue to blow through the math curriculum really quickly because he enjoys it so much.  This is one of the reasons I chose to homeschool him.  So he could continue to learn new things at HIS pace.  </p> <p>When I asked him what he wanted to study for science he chose chemistry so I found him a chemistry book called <a href="<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=jelofrst-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=ss_til&asins=0766012247" style="width:120px;height:240px;" scrolling="no" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" frameborder="0"></iframe>">'>'>Adventures with atoms and molecules, Chemistry Experiments for Young People.</a>  We do one experiment on Thursday and then another on Friday and we’ve had a lot of fun so far with only one experiment not working so far.  For each experiment he writes in his notebook 1.  What did we use?  2.  What did we do?  3.  What happened?  4.  What did we learn?  Plus definitions of what we are learning about.  It’s pretty basic stuff, but I doubt he’d be doing more science in public school.  </p> <p>Both Math and Science have been pretty fun to teach him.  Sometimes it’s boring having to remind him to stay focused on the math problems or getting him to write in his notebook about the science because his easily distracted, but teaching him something he enjoys makes it all worthwhile.    </p> <p>I’ve got one more post about homeschooling then I’ll get back to pictures of the kids!</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-49167142393854956862012-09-24T16:29:00.001-07:002012-09-24T16:29:56.159-07:00Homeschooling–one month in (part 1)<p>The number one question I get these days is: “How is homeschooling going?”  (Either that or “Mom, can I have more milk?”-seriously, they drink a lot of milk these days…what is it going to be like when they are teenagers?  Maybe it would be less expensive to buy a cow!)</p> <p>But back to the real topic – I am enjoying homeschooling.  </p> <p>There are challenges I wasn’t totally prepared for, and it does make some things in my life more complicated, but I truly am enjoying homeschooling Aaron.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-_vtyYagkqrs/UGDs8C4nwrI/AAAAAAAAHnA/9tIkDptU0aU/s1600-h/IMG_86323.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_8632" border="0" alt="IMG_8632" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-k961dFU9KZE/UGDs8l9lh9I/AAAAAAAAHnI/MVrbJJReQVE/IMG_8632_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>Let me walk you through a typical week.  Mondays and Tuesday we do Grammar, History, Spelling and Handwriting.  Wednesday is our Unit Studies. Thursday and Friday we do Science and Math.  Every day he is expected to do a typing lesson on the computer, practice the piano, read something I’ve assigned him (usually corresponding to what we are learning in history or his unit studies), read his scriptures, and read for fun.  Things like art and PE are kinda hit and miss.</p> <p>For Grammar we are using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Language-Lessons-Well-Trained-Mind/dp/1933339071/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1348518294&sr=8-2&keywords=first+language+lessons+level+3">First Language Lessons</a> which has an instructor book and a student book.  It completely walks us through what the instructor needs to say, what the student should say, etc.  We do 4 lessons a week, 2 on Monday and 2 on Tuesday. So far we have been studying what the different parts of speech are and have started diagraming sentences.  It also has dictation exercises and poem memorization and I’m having him memorize scriptures too.  So far in this first month he’s memorized 2 scripture verses and one poem.  This is one of the things I’m enjoying teaching him.  We laugh together at me having to repeat the definition 3 times then him saying it with me 3 times.  I think it’s great and I’m having a good time teaching him this stuff.</p> <p>In History we are using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Story-World-Activity-Book-Earliest/dp/1933339055/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1348519048&sr=1-2&keywords=the+story+of+the+world+volume+1">The Story of the World</a> and are reading it out loud to each other.  Again, we do 4 chapters a week, 2 on Monday and 2 on Tuesday.  After reading each section we talk about it and then after we finish the reading I ask him to write down in his notebook at least 4 sentences about what he learned that day.  Again, the one on one of reading with him is a lot of fun.  I really like spending time with him and talking about history.  His grandfather in Utah loves history and has been sending him e-mails asking him about what he’s learning, so I usually ask him to type a few sentences each each day to Grandpa Thomas telling him what he liked learning about history that day.  More typing practice!</p> <p>Both Spelling and Handwriting are workbooks therefore I feel he should be able to do this independently and this is where I get frustrated sometimes.  He gets distracted.  I find myself nagging. This part of homeschooling is not so much fun. But it’s necessary because I can’t sit and give him my undivided attention all day every day.  </p> <p>The daily typing lesson is a free 12 stage program on the computer he’s done several times already, but both he and Brian are still really slow and I’m hoping to get them faster, so I keep asking them to do the lessons over again.  We’ll see.  </p> <p>I’m teaching him piano lessons and while I bet another teacher would get him farther, we get along and he is getting better, so we’re going to keep doing it.  He’s expected to work on it for 30-45 min a day. </p> <p>Now I gotta get more stuff done, so I’ll type about Wednesday, Thursday and Friday later.</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-25820671432216931712012-09-10T08:43:00.000-07:002012-09-10T08:43:02.738-07:00Eco Friendly Canvas reviewMy product review for <a href="https://www.ecofriendlycanvas.com/default.aspx">EcoFriendly Canvas</a> was posted on the <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/62305/personalized-eco-friendly-canvas-print-review-and-giveaway/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+5minutesformom+%285+Minutes+For+Mom%29">5MinutesforMom</a> site today! Go check it out!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-81369645416471896122012-08-30T19:38:00.001-07:002012-08-30T19:38:09.852-07:00Why I am choosing to homeschool Aaron this year<p>I have been asked this question by many people lately and I’m sure I’ll be asked by many more (not to mention those that wonder and don’t ask!)  So I decided I’d just answer this via the blog for those who were wondering.  Here goes:  </p> <p><strong>I see some potential in Aaron that I don’t feel the public school can adequately address and I’d like to try to meet his needs on my own this year.</strong></p> <p>I recognize that this sentence might not adequately answer everyone’s questions, so here’s a few more of my thoughts based on some questions you might have.  Oh, and by the way, Aaron is 8yo going into the 3rd grade.  </p> <p><font color="#0000ff">Have you really thought about this?</font> Of course! I have thought long and hard about this and fasted and prayed many times and I really feel this is the right decision for Aaron and me this year. Please don’t try to talk me out of this. That’s not very helpful. I may not totally know what I’m doing, but I honestly think I’m doing what’s best for us. </p> <p><font color="#0000ff">Where did you get this idea?</font> I happen to read a lot of blogs of people who homeschool. They write a lot of articles about homeschooling. The more I read, the more I felt “I could do that.” If you want to read some of the articles that influenced me I’d be happy to share them with you. </p> <p><font color="#0000ff">Don’t you like public school?</font>  I love our local elementary school!  Love the staff and all the teachers I’ve come in contact with.  All the teachers we’ve had so far have been great and have loved and taken care of our children wonderfully.  But even the best teacher of 20-25 students can’t give each child individual attention and meet all of their specific needs.  </p> <p><font color="#0000ff">Aren’t you worried about Aaron’s socialization?</font>  Of course I am.  Aaron has some inherent social awkwardness to begin with.  We’ve seen it ever since his first year of preschool when his teacher was concerned that he’d rather play by himself than with the other kids.  Being in elementary school hasn’t fixed or really even addressed the problem.  He is in cub scouts and interacts with kids at church and in the neighborhood, and we’ll probably try to involve him in another sport this year.  If we homeschool longer than a year we will look into co-ops and other programs to increase the amount of time he interacts with peers.</p> <p><font color="#0000ff">What curriculum are you going to use?</font>  After the third time I checked out the book “The Well Trained Mind” from the library I decided to buy it.  I am using a lot of the curriculum they recommend.  I’ve bought First Language Lessons For the Well Trained Mind: Level 3 to teach grammar, Spelling Workout Level B, Singapore Math 3B, Adventures with Atoms and Molecules: Chemistry Experiments, and The Story of the World. We will also continue to do piano lessons, typing lessons and he’s starting some computer programming online. (plus of course some religious education that he obviously couldn’t get in school.)</p> <p>One of the reasons I want to do this is to have the ability to advance him academically at his own pace.  When I first began looking into homeschooling I had him take some math practice tests to see which curriculum to buy.  One of the tests put him ready for 7th grade math!  He LOVES math.  I wouldn’t be surprised if he blows through the math books I bought and I buy him several more before the year is done.  If he wants to learn algebra, I want to teach him!</p> <p><font color="#0000ff">What will your day be like?</font> Probably pretty crazy! I’ll still have to pack Brian’s lunch and get him on the bus. Then I’ll still have housework to do and 2 little boys at home that need my attention. And I’ll need to teach school for Aaron! But I honestly think that it’ll work out pretty well. Both Aaron and I thrive on organization and I bet he and I figure it out pretty soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets his school work totally done by lunch time most days!</p> <p><font color="#0000ff">What about next year?</font>  I don’t know yet.  I am currently only thinking about this year.  I assume that he’ll go back to Stephens Elementary.  But it’s possible we’ll love it and want to keep doing it.  It’s also possible we will hate it and I’ll send him back in a few months!  At that point I’ll probably cry and feel like I failed, but Paul will buy me Ritters and that will help me feel better.  </p> <p><font color="#0000ff">What about Brian?</font>  Brian THRIVES in the normal public school environment right now.  He has LOTS of friends and would not want to be away from them.  This is also his first year in the Gifted program and he’s excited to be a part of that.  I assume I’ll still be the homeroom mom and teach Junior Achievement to his class too.  Maybe I’ll homeschool Brian for 3rd grade too?  Who knows!</p> <p><font color="#0000ff">Are there other reasons you haven’t listed?</font>  I feel like I’m missing important moments in his life.  One of the things I don’t love about public school is how much the boys are gone every day.  They get on the bus at 7:45am and get home at 4pm.  They are hot, tired, hungry and their eyes are glazed over with a need to relax when they get home.  Unfortunately, they then need to do homework which can often take an hour or so.  Then it’s dinner time, chores, and bed.  And I don’t feel like I really get to spend much quality time with them.  Aaron is 8 now and I think it’s a wonderful age.  He’s so inquisitive and fun to be around and I just want to treasure the time I can with him.  </p> <p>I could probably continue to write about my thoughts and feelings about this for another hour, but I bet many people stopped reading ages ago!  I’m sure many of you think I’m crazy, and hopefully some of you think it’s a great idea.  It’s an experiment we’re going to try right now.  I hope to continue to post about this as we continue.  Please wish us luck as we embark on this endeavor. </p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-54586592622050096042012-03-23T08:51:00.003-07:002012-03-23T08:55:43.740-07:00The Hunger Games–a movie reviewIn January it was my 12yo nieces turn to pick the book for our family book club and I was pleasantly surprised that she picked the book <u>The Hunger Games</u> by Suzanne Collins. I had heard all my friends talk about it for a long time, but just hadn’t picked it up myself and was glad for an excuse to. When I borrowed it from a friend she game me all 3 books in the series, knowing I’d want to read them all. And she was right. I read all 3 books in less than a week and impatiently waited for my husband to finish the first one, then the second, then the third so we could discuss it. <br />
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After reading the books I devoured the movie trailers online and began looking at who the actors were going to be and researching all I could about the movie. I could hardly wait for it to come out! My anticipation peaked as I was given the opportunity to go to the one advanced screening in the Houston area and was thankful they let me bring my husband and have a good date night! <br />
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Let me start my review by saying, “I loved it!” <span style="font-size: xx-small;">If you don’t know the premise of the movie/book there are about a million links out there to summarize it for you, so I won’t bore you with it here. </span>It followed the book very well and I feel that if you liked the book you will probably like the movie. Obviously there had to be some differences between the book and the movie, but in general I liked the changes made. <br />
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The book is written entirely from Katniss’s point of view, while the movie allows you to see some of what else is going on behind the scenes with some of the other supporting characters like Gale and Haymitch and President Snow and Seneca Crane. Some of the things I didn’t like about the book (like a specific mutation in the genetically altered dogs) didn’t make it into the movie either, so that made me happy. I was worried about how the violence would be handled, but was pleased that while it had to be there to stay true to the book, it was handled in a manner as not to be too gratuitous. <br />
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Part of what made the movie so well done was the casting of the supporting characters. Lenny Kravitz, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, and Elizabeth Banks really helped make this movie. And Liam Hemsworth who played Gale…he was nice to look at! I look forward to him playing a greater role in later movies so I can look at him even more! I did think Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson did a really good job too, but I don’t feel inclined to gush over them. <br />
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One of the things I was disappointed in was the lack of depth about how real or pretend the romance between Katniss and Peeta was at the end of the movie. I think the book handled that better, but I’m going to assume they are just waiting to flesh that out more in the subsequent movies. I also wished it had shown a little more depth with the relationship between Katniss and Rue, but I understand they can’t do everything with the time constraints of the movie. <br />
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I’m not sure that this movie will make the cut for movies I want to own in my video collection (we’re kinda picky), but it might. I do want to read the books again and yes, I would like to watch the movie again. <br />
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Basically, if you’ve read the book you’ll probably like it, and if you haven’t read the book and can get past the dystopia of the premise, you’ll probably like it too. <br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thanks again to Lionsgate for giving free movie passes to my husband and I and letting us see it before it officially came out. (Sorry to any of my friends who I bragged to! Now you can see it too if you want.) The review is my own and I received no other compensation for writing this post. </span>Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-59841120237163828942011-12-31T13:30:00.001-08:002011-12-31T13:30:05.465-08:00Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches–and $5 gift card offer<p>You know those days when you are super busy and haven’t planned anything for dinner.  Days when you just need to grab a quick dinner and run?  Tyson now has another product for those grab and go quick dinners and I was given the opportunity to try them out.  #Tysongoodness</p> <p>Thursday I began making my grocery list, then I took kid A with me to Walmart to go shopping.  We knew Tyson was having a demo of this new product, but we showed up at 9:30 in the morning, not realizing the demo wouldn’t be until lunch time.  Silly me!  We did look all over for the Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches and couldn’t find them though.  They weren’t with the other Tyson chicken products nor with the other Tyson appetizer products.  We asked someone who worked there and he didn’t know anything about them, and he even asked his boss, but no dice, so we went home with the rest of our groceries, but no Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a-dQ4f39A0I/Tv9-Nf-pjvI/AAAAAAAAFw4/royyJtQWKaY/s1600-h/IMG_6326%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6326" border="0" alt="IMG_6326" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-skRNXOy6xt8/Tv9-N6B3AkI/AAAAAAAAFxA/8x1116kNhLk/IMG_6326_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VOH9f3Npqmk/Tv9-Oj_zEXI/AAAAAAAAFxI/4jazdtqrRjE/s1600-h/IMG_6334%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6334" border="0" alt="IMG_6334" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-w8BrXAbjGxg/Tv9-PUWT8AI/AAAAAAAAFxQ/2xlVxNXFbOw/IMG_6334_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7iKK3sBGwqk/Tv9-QNKzSGI/AAAAAAAAFxY/MChuwYCeSX0/s1600-h/IMG_6337%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6337" border="0" alt="IMG_6337" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ivV2BtWINjU/Tv9-QoacgOI/AAAAAAAAFxg/BmeKZ5FnWw4/IMG_6337_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JviWRxQHsy8/Tv9-R4D0mkI/AAAAAAAAFxo/HHnjvTb5n5E/s1600-h/IMG_6339%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6339" border="0" alt="IMG_6339" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_tI-vlfLtB4/Tv9-SeNmDLI/AAAAAAAAFxw/NCY6YxJ69Wo/IMG_6339_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>So, kid B and I went back in the afternoon.  The demo was on, was easy to find and everyone was very helpful.  The demo lady helped me find the sandwiches in the freezer isle (near other chicken sandwiches, but not by any other Tyson products)and my son told her he loved her.  We both had a bite of the sandwich, took several pictures,  then we bought 2 boxes of the Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches, one regular, and one with cheese and headed home.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1JYzKZtpacU/Tv9-TYZqJmI/AAAAAAAAFx4/Uho7KQfs6so/s1600-h/IMG_6345%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6345" border="0" alt="IMG_6345" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BZrYu7YcOUg/Tv9-UE94IiI/AAAAAAAAFyA/TWXM9bZ6CP0/IMG_6345_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4CPlwwy1kyQ/Tv9-Uk2lPmI/AAAAAAAAFyI/AhqK9wtjUs4/s1600-h/IMG_6344%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6344" border="0" alt="IMG_6344" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rU5z79KOBTQ/Tv9-Vp3QqjI/AAAAAAAAFyQ/ibgas0SeZGY/IMG_6344_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pHz8vul_rNQ/Tv9-Wdhp-gI/AAAAAAAAFyY/No-K5LfL39U/s1600-h/IMG_6346%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6346" border="0" alt="IMG_6346" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kWZlD7LPcik/Tv9-XKUdB2I/AAAAAAAAFyg/_eHrEFFB_6k/IMG_6346_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="121" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OfjrINLs2YI/Tv9-YKTo6hI/AAAAAAAAFyo/rO0eMPTmc1M/s1600-h/IMG_6347%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6347" border="0" alt="IMG_6347" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Uh15oggpGEY/Tv9-YjujHeI/AAAAAAAAFyw/PRLamquz1CE/IMG_6347_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Xly_i2e6XCE/Tv9-ZREZNrI/AAAAAAAAFy4/mOu8FWZKnag/s1600-h/IMG_6348%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6348" border="0" alt="IMG_6348" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rtRoMzniqiQ/Tv9-ZxlBm0I/AAAAAAAAFzA/ebJ14dUAYdw/IMG_6348_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sxmnoJVg-9w/Tv9-aXUsksI/AAAAAAAAFzI/ixYiobeD1Mk/s1600-h/IMG_6351%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6351" border="0" alt="IMG_6351" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NumYTbEMQ_E/Tv9-bIZXyHI/AAAAAAAAFzQ/aPl_xPlqBdA/IMG_6351_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GlFdvuxcsJg/Tv9-cKDX-YI/AAAAAAAAFzY/2VxKMQzdCGE/s1600-h/IMG_6352%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6352" border="0" alt="IMG_6352" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UEyfB9COZbc/Tv9-cwrZ5XI/AAAAAAAAFzg/yy9ALL9MeOc/IMG_6352_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NCOcwAbaY6w/Tv9-eLJsDYI/AAAAAAAAFzo/CrdR2ELzlj8/s1600-h/IMG_6353%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6353" border="0" alt="IMG_6353" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RX_8AYLtbqY/Tv9-feB0yGI/AAAAAAAAFzw/Bx4K2GzYZXg/IMG_6353_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MVNYEYYpft8/Tv9-gK2MEeI/AAAAAAAAFz4/7rGiJoi1wsc/s1600-h/IMG_6354%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6354" border="0" alt="IMG_6354" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vstENyXFgkg/Tv9-hKScmsI/AAAAAAAAF0A/4GACusP4DPw/IMG_6354_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ttE4p05y4hg/Tv9-hzyBY3I/AAAAAAAAF0I/Hc9IBr8D9v8/s1600-h/IMG_6356%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6356" border="0" alt="IMG_6356" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9G2WZjsUIAg/Tv9-iS68n6I/AAAAAAAAF0Q/m7OJByqufOs/IMG_6356_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0EXiDDkDIUc/Tv9-ixFhiQI/AAAAAAAAF0Y/QF8qQ5D4Nuw/s1600-h/IMG_6358%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6358" border="0" alt="IMG_6358" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Ex5vfGNxeHs/Tv9-junAodI/AAAAAAAAF0k/y7QKtD86-HE/IMG_6358_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <p>Once we got home, Kid A was very excited that B and I had found the sandwiches and he wanted to help me make them for our lunch.  Each box has 4 packages with 2 mini-sandwiches each, which is a serving size.  I split them up so my husband and the 2 boys who were awake and I each got one regular and one with cheese.  Without even opening the plastic packaging you microwave the sandwich for 45 seconds one each side and voila, a quick bite to eat.  Super easy.  If my kids were taller and could reach the microwave they could do it themselves!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JgqJOl8MU6E/Tv9-kQqD6uI/AAAAAAAAF0s/RtdFdtKUY5Q/s1600-h/IMG_6362%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6362" border="0" alt="IMG_6362" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vtGwkUujlVY/Tv9-kymnHqI/AAAAAAAAF00/sQ20q-KGMvk/IMG_6362_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0z_vAgyL4Bs/Tv9-lu9wSZI/AAAAAAAAF08/3XYbcwYybLo/s1600-h/IMG_6360%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6360" border="0" alt="IMG_6360" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aKQlVCyoAF4/Tv9-mLOVkNI/AAAAAAAAF1E/b6cd_YHYuSQ/IMG_6360_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iJIEMvLGcY4/Tv9-mzk9pYI/AAAAAAAAF1M/hsWMmVzTou8/s1600-h/IMG_6363%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6363" border="0" alt="IMG_6363" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NYZfIkZaMRA/Tv9-n02iSmI/AAAAAAAAF1U/vGnAHT4rpGM/IMG_6363_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-2s1-jn5xxyc/Tv9-oSVLuFI/AAAAAAAAF1c/4Evo7Z0O75Q/s1600-h/IMG_6365%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6365" border="0" alt="IMG_6365" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cjxaSZxPXLk/Tv9-pYEr_JI/AAAAAAAAF1k/heqr7R68GmA/IMG_6365_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6Mwt-yzgAg4/Tv9-qLcwHXI/AAAAAAAAF1s/7Ypz7zJ04Dg/s1600-h/IMG_6366%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6366" border="0" alt="IMG_6366" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rzGBoOc54yQ/Tv9-rJUy9kI/AAAAAAAAF10/3ewPttD-BEk/IMG_6366_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-n9docKQjQKg/Tv9-sERFWrI/AAAAAAAAF18/BwbuHnb0bys/s1600-h/IMG_6367%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6367" border="0" alt="IMG_6367" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mTHjvOEKezY/Tv9-ttbc-JI/AAAAAAAAF2E/DKdWA1P78dg/IMG_6367_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZYfWOqtOUqQ/Tv9-uAaec3I/AAAAAAAAF2M/NEFzz-NrY1E/s1600-h/IMG_6368%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6368" border="0" alt="IMG_6368" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SiQAIccD2ME/Tv9-veMsKlI/AAAAAAAAF2U/QoP98EAJV8w/IMG_6368_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KDhvYrZBZeI/Tv9-v6RYqiI/AAAAAAAAF2c/wzffC3uTUYY/s1600-h/IMG_6369%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6369" border="0" alt="IMG_6369" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XPKd2oK_-s4/Tv9-wdMZ-8I/AAAAAAAAF2k/up-7XpgKql0/IMG_6369_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-IvVYwUesMaw/Tv9-xCTVZHI/AAAAAAAAF2s/MFcaWXZBnkw/s1600-h/IMG_6370%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6370" border="0" alt="IMG_6370" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lYRVVNGefFk/Tv9-yN5y00I/AAAAAAAAF20/XbV7d7OkMZU/IMG_6370_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LZkgtiMoXSA/Tv9-zqIm3tI/AAAAAAAAF28/U1kzKM7Ukps/s1600-h/IMG_6372%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6372" border="0" alt="IMG_6372" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WidyErXlRYc/Tv9-0gQKvcI/AAAAAAAAF3E/5hUblPhxRcE/IMG_6372_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>The sandwiches got mixed reviews.  The boys each gave a thumbs up, but my husband thought they were fairly bland.  Next time I serve them he thinks I should add lettuce and tomato.  The ones with the cheese had a lot more flavor than the regular ones.  I liked them well enough, but would probably do them more for lunchtime for the boys during the summer or for an afterschool snack.  I can’t imagine really serving them for dinner for my family.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G7M4O7-5kTo/Tv9-1KOC45I/AAAAAAAAF3M/HwTQFOheIvw/s1600-h/IMG_6381%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6381" border="0" alt="IMG_6381" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xjk64BVNsio/Tv9-1m19okI/AAAAAAAAF3U/V5cXZ58Ck_Y/IMG_6381_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YGjPkzDrpss/Tv9-2tIlMLI/AAAAAAAAF3c/wch8yo_E8HU/s1600-h/IMG_6373%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_6373" border="0" alt="IMG_6373" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--iJBvNs4Zao/Tv9-3BjT6-I/AAAAAAAAF3k/6wd9B5lE4k4/IMG_6373_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>I will buy them again though, along with other Tyson products since I think they make good stuff.  </p> <p>Do you want to try them?  Tyson and Walmart are teaming up again to help you buy some.  First of all, check out <a href="http://tysongoodness.com/locations/">this link</a> to find a Walmart near you that sells the Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches.  Then buy 2 packages of Tyson Mini Chicken Sandwiches at Walmart (keep your receipt of course), go to <a href="http://tysongoodness.com/tyson%C2%AE-mini-chicken-sandwiches-offer-details/">THIS WEBSITE</a>, then you can fill out the form to get a $5 gift card to Walmart.  At my store each package was $5.14, so once I submit the receipt I’ll almost be getting a box for free!</p> <p> </p> <p>I also posted this on google+  <a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/109486339814854904060/posts">https://plus.google.com/u/0/109486339814854904060/posts</a></p> <p><font size="1"><em>This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for</em></font><a href="http://www.collectivebias.com/"><font size="1"><em> Collective Bias</em></font></a><font size="1"><em>. #CBias As always, although I was asked to review this, all opinions are of course my own.  I wouldn’t write it if I didn’t believe it.</em></font></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-82636466726924307152011-12-18T20:44:00.001-08:002011-12-18T20:44:55.547-08:00My newest favorite food blog<p>I’ve been cooking a lot lately.  Not so good for my waistline, but really good for my mouth!  Along with a lot of cooking, I’ve been trying lots of new recipes.  I’ve made lots of freezer meals and lots of crock pot meals from some great websites.  (I’ll share with those interested)</p> <p>I was recently introduced to what is now my favorite food blog.  <a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/">Jamie Cooks It Up.</a>  </p> <p>I’m blogging about it because I like it so much!</p> <p>So far these are the recipes I’ve tried</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2011/07/smore-cookies-and-easy-indoor-smores.html">Smores Cookies</a></li> <li><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2011/10/soft-bread-bowls.html">Soft Bread Bowls</a></li> <li><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2009/10/quick-and-easy-breadsticks.html">Quick and Easy Breadsticks</a></li> <li><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2011/10/crispy-cheddar-chicken.html">Crispy Cheddar Chicken</a></li> </ul> <p>All four of these recipes were fabulous!  I can’t remember the last time I found a website where I actually tired multiple recipes and they all turned out great</p> <p>Here are the recipes I can’t wait to try!</p> <ul> <li><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2010/10/fluffy-dinner-rolls.html">Fluffy Dinner Rolls</a></li> <li><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2011/10/cinnamon-rolls-with-maple-frosting.html">Cinnamon Rolls</a></li> <li><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2011/11/butterflake-frozen-roll-dough.html">Butterflake Frozen Rolls</a></li> <li><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2011/12/crispy-parmesan-and-garlic-chicken.html">Crispy Paramsen and Garlic Chicken</a></li> <li><a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2010/05/chicken-cordon-bleu.html">Chicken Cordon Bleu</a></li> </ul> <p>I’m sure there are even more recipes on her site that would be fabulous and I look forward to finding and making more great meals.  </p> <p>Thank you Jamie for blogging.  I love your pictures, I love your step by step instructions, I love your “voice.”  Thanks for being real and thanks for sharing great recipes with me and my family.  </p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-11502903291013674972011-11-30T07:26:00.000-08:002011-11-30T07:26:18.217-08:00Post Thanksgiving soupOne of my favorite things about cooking up a turkey is being able to make turkey noodle soup the next day. I took home the turkey frame from my moms house and started it boiling on the stove Sunday. After letting it boil with a few spices for an hour or so, I took it out of the water and began picking off the meat. I was the one who carved the turkey originally and I had left a lot of meat on the frame! We used some for turkey sandwiches that afternoon, but all the rest of the meat went into my stock pot with onions and carrots and more spices.<br />
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When I got home from church I turned my pot back on, and cooked it until the carrots were tender then I added some egg noodles. The soup was delicious but I made a lot of it! Some of it I put in tupperware and I've been eating the leftovers for lunch this week. But I also took some of the soup and put it in muffin cups and froze it! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipadHFjfsXTr69nq4bMR50tGqx_PG79RtMZGfhaErQAe6fRIzoL4sx1bEra5kuoEvQX5MqGBGD4_PdG_4B03dpcTFWblE9-KxZ_nPXqcNkO9BpLM4-8t44Z14vcFg9chwDdqVs7AqjCz5/s1600/IMG_5839.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="267" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjipadHFjfsXTr69nq4bMR50tGqx_PG79RtMZGfhaErQAe6fRIzoL4sx1bEra5kuoEvQX5MqGBGD4_PdG_4B03dpcTFWblE9-KxZ_nPXqcNkO9BpLM4-8t44Z14vcFg9chwDdqVs7AqjCz5/s400/IMG_5839.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I now have a dozen soup disks for lunches later! I'll put 2 or 3 disks into a bowl and heat it in the microwave when I want soup later! There's my freezer assignment this week!Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-13582062057313363062011-11-24T03:00:00.000-08:002011-11-24T03:00:11.237-08:00Gratitude Thursday 4<p>Happy Thanksgiving!  Here are 5 more things I’m grateful for today!</p> <p>1.  Aaron</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5hC8vvWWKl8/Ts1K8hWvrbI/AAAAAAAAFig/HLM28uq7280/s1600-h/IMG_5344-13.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5344-1" border="0" alt="IMG_5344-1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q7KWx4KDZxE/Ts1K9QbsVaI/AAAAAAAAFio/rqwybmz0vwk/IMG_5344-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="242" /></a></p> <p>I am so impressed with Aaron.  He’s growing up to be such a wonderful boy.  I can’t believe he’ll be 8 in just a few months.  He’s so smart and is so kind and thoughtful.  His prayers are so sincere and heartfelt.  He is amazingly helpful (when he wants to be) and is polite as well.  He loves to read, play games, design games, make up math problems and play video games.  He made me a mom and I love spending time with him.  I’m really glad he’s mine!</p> <p>2.  My Testimony</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lFFXTyslmMM/Ts1K903_HvI/AAAAAAAAFiw/UsPyxhg91O0/s1600-h/jesus-christ-39623-gallery2.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="jesus-christ-39623-gallery" border="0" alt="jesus-christ-39623-gallery" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-D0gIamIzphY/Ts1K--Bou5I/AAAAAAAAFi4/2-pyAhJd3e4/jesus-christ-39623-gallery_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="170" height="244" /></a></p> <p>I am so grateful for my testimony of the fullness of the gospel restored to the earth today.  I know that my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, atoned for my sins and that I can return to live with him and my Heavenly Father someday.  I testify that God knows each of us personally and loves us and wants us to become the people he knows we can become.  I pray for His help to be able to become that woman someday.  I am very grateful for my own personal testimony.</p> <p>3.  Thanksgiving Dinner</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KryeBnnl23c/Ts1K_QOfP0I/AAAAAAAAFjA/8ZXgs1I4Z9I/s1600-h/turkey2.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="turkey" border="0" alt="turkey" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-sMFYgTyfXdQ/Ts1K_8AyEtI/AAAAAAAAFjI/sdgRLTnyvv4/turkey_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>I love to eat, lately I love to cook.  We will be eating with my mom and one other family that I’ve known most of my life.  7 adults and my 4 kids.  Should be fun!  I am really looking forward to the four new recipes I am making for todays feast.  (Homemade rolls – my friend Travis’s recipe, Green Bean Casserole – Pioneer Woman’s recipe, Sweet Potato Casserole – my sis-in-law Tiff’s recipe, and Chocolate Pumpkin Pie – from The Chew.)  My mom is in charge of the typical turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, a fruit salad and another pie.  It will all be yummy and I’m excited to eat it!</p> <p>4.  My Mom</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-9elqZBHTlRQ/Ts1LAnEnl3I/AAAAAAAAFjQ/LQxxF8Y3gi8/s1600-h/groups3.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="groups" border="0" alt="groups" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PQIVf16_y0U/Ts1LBIWQdxI/AAAAAAAAFjY/PTOSYopHzWY/groups_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="178" /></a></p> <p>My mom and I have always been close.  Don’t get me wrong, we’ve disagreed and had the typical mother/daughter fights from time to time, but even when I was in high school we mostly got along.  She taught me how to cook, how to sew, how to host a dinner party and how to be a mother.  She showed me by example how to reach outside myself and think of others.  She babysits my kids when I need her to and takes me shopping and buys me stuff just because!  I see her almost every week (often multiple times a week) and I talk to her multiple times every day.  I am very grateful that my mother is such an important part of my life and I love her a lot!</p> <p>5.  The temple</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-OkWsx-yszSM/Ts1LBw4NkmI/AAAAAAAAFjg/6eHiSjKNP0s/s1600-h/houston-temple-765125-gallery2.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="houston-temple-765125-gallery" border="0" alt="houston-temple-765125-gallery" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4-av0iuo4k0/Ts1LCcaLFrI/AAAAAAAAFjo/RtkQdJik0ro/houston-temple-765125-gallery_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Paul and I were married on the day after Thanksgiving 9 years ago in the Houston, Texas temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  We were sealed together as husband and wife for time and all eternity by someone holding the proper holy priesthood power.  Because of the promises we made in the temple with our Heavenly Father our four beautiful boys have been born in that covenant and are also sealed to us for eternity.  I am so grateful we have a House of the Lord in our city and that we are able to attend the temple often.  </p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-62396479038471404912011-11-23T12:51:00.001-08:002011-11-23T12:51:57.672-08:00DIY Go-Gurt and Instant Oatmeal Packets<p>Last week I worked on two projects, both of which I think turned out pretty well.  </p> <p>First, I made yogurt.  I initially heard about this when I followed <a href="http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-can-make-yogurt-in-your-crockpot.html">“A year of slow cooking”</a> and I thought it was interesting but never did anything.</p> <p>Then I heard about it again at a Relief Society activity and again ignored the idea.</p> <p>Then I saw it yet again on <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/10/homemade-go-gurts.html">Money Saving Mom</a> and finally decided I’d try it.  </p> <p>I followed the recipe shown <a href="http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/you-can-make-yogurt-in-your-crockpot.html">here</a>, starting with half a gallon of milk (I also added powdered milk as Money Saving Mom suggested) and my crock pot.  The next morning I had yogurt and I was surprisingly pleased at how it turned out.  It really did have the consistency of yogurt.  I basically made a half gallon of yogurt for about $2!</p> <p>But I didn’t stop there.  I froze 2 cups of it in ice cube trays to hopefully use in smoothies later.  We ate some for breakfast (added honey to some, raspberries to others).  The rest I made into go-gurt as suggested by <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/10/homemade-go-gurts.html">Money Saving Mom</a>.  I added a package of strawberry jello and put about 1/4 c each in a dozen snack bags and they are in the freezer now!  </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-C11dHo9Gxq4/Ts1c1BOT3AI/AAAAAAAAFlA/lRqKMUsKt2g/s1600-h/IMG_5636%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5636" border="0" alt="IMG_5636" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WEbAKZSgGy0/Ts1c2BvX74I/AAAAAAAAFlI/CBNyEav_xVA/IMG_5636_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0yA7CLTP8c0/Ts1c3EbEXfI/AAAAAAAAFlQ/lzH8-Hhl1Q8/s1600-h/IMG_5641%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5641" border="0" alt="IMG_5641" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fXGMCu5pDfY/Ts1c37K3kAI/AAAAAAAAFlY/EID88sducOQ/IMG_5641_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>The boys ate some for lunch this week and they liked it, but didn’t love it.  They didn’t like it so much for breakfast either, but I did.  I probably won’t make it again anytime soon, but I’m sure I will make it again someday!</p> <p>When I finished that I took a page from <a href="http://lifeasmom.com/2010/03/frugal-friday-making-my-own-instant-oatmeal.html">Life As Mom</a> and made my own instant oatmeal packets.  My boys love oatmeal and will each eat 2 packets in the morning!  Do you know how expensive that can be!  Well for the same price as a box of 10 generic instant oatmeal packets I can buy a container of quick oats and make 60 homemade packets.  (I didn’t make that many though!  I started with 20!)</p> <p>I combined a few recipes here…started with 2 cups of oats, then ground an additional 2 cups to powder.  Then I added dried milk, salt, brown sugar and cinnamon.  Then to half I added raisins and to the other half I added dried apples (which I’ve had for years in my food storage from the cannery.)  Each packet has a little more than 1/4 cup oatmeal and to that I added 6 Tablespoons of hot water to make our breakfast.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-yHoBVlKsk2o/Ts1c4h2WJsI/AAAAAAAAFlg/WL8ccRX02_Y/s1600-h/IMG_5644%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5644" border="0" alt="IMG_5644" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-W2WQ2TN1sE0/Ts1c555ySkI/AAAAAAAAFlo/bpdbsJCumWQ/IMG_5644_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-t2CuwDoYk2I/Ts1c6devToI/AAAAAAAAFlw/E4MtHedo29c/s1600-h/IMG_5646%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5646" border="0" alt="IMG_5646" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VfI7ajegNPU/Ts1c7BFCHzI/AAAAAAAAFl4/NzoujHnHHlk/IMG_5646_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>In hindsight, I added too much cinnamon…it’s fairly overpowering.  I might re-empty them all, add more oatmeal, and repackage them into more packets, but haven’t done it yet.  I really do hope to get this right because this will save me a lot of money!</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-47871315619020514442011-11-17T03:00:00.000-08:002011-11-17T03:00:01.244-08:00Gratitude Thursday 3<p>5 more things I’m grateful for this week</p> <p>1.  Brian</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Vs-OhTh3lAE/Tr821WhmkSI/AAAAAAAAFgc/93vcMQhUy1s/s1600-h/IMG_5541%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5541" border="0" alt="IMG_5541" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-l_KGl7o1Q_k/Tr822OtQtxI/AAAAAAAAFgk/P5VVEmfyKYI/IMG_5541_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a></p> <p>I have never met a child as loving as Brian.  If you’ve ever met him, he’s probably hugged you and told you he loves you.  He is so sweet to his baby brother and tries to cheer him up when he’s crying.  He loves to laugh and cracks me up often.  He probably infuriates me more than the other boys right now, but I can’t stay grumpy at him for long because when he smiles, his eyes twinkle and he knows it!  I am so grateful I get to be his mother and have his spirit in our home.  </p> <p>2.  My house</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ShDAti7czys/Tr822g3VK-I/AAAAAAAAFgs/RKYpSQMyV2E/s1600-h/IMG_9687%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_9687" border="0" alt="IMG_9687" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ojnL2OnqbxI/Tr823BSMhUI/AAAAAAAAFg0/0CDtMdFly7Q/IMG_9687_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>Years before we bought our house, the subdivision had a model home of this floor plan.  When I had friends in town I’d take them through the model just because I loved the floor plan so much.  We weren’t really in the market to move, we were happy in the house we were in, but when this house came on the market at a super low price we bought it.  I really do love my house!  There are lots of projects I want to work on, but it makes me so happy as it is too.  And I love that several families in our ward are also on my street and we have lots of great neighbors too.  I am so grateful for such a beautiful house in such a friendly neighborhood.  </p> <p>3.  The change in the weather</p> <p>There is a slight chill in the air. The sun is shining. It finally feels like fall. We had a miserably hot summer and I was very pregnant and grumpy. I’m loving being able to play outside with the boys before it gets dark. I’m grateful for this beautiful weather while it lasts!</p> <p>4.  <a href="http://ritters.com/">Ritters</a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s4QV-PHw6dc/Tr823tfjOqI/AAAAAAAAFg8/dRC0oG-LrZc/s1600-h/294870_10150368776476189_36207531188%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="294870_10150368776476189_36207531188_10252796_265808197_n" border="0" alt="294870_10150368776476189_36207531188_10252796_265808197_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-78ykSTlx25A/Tr824BeDC5I/AAAAAAAAFhE/m07hxYJ5cFY/294870_10150368776476189_36207531188.jpg?imgmax=800" width="84" height="244" /></a></p> <p>For those who don’t know about the Frozen Custard shop down the road from my house, let me introduce you to heaven in a cup!  My favorite is a small chocolate glacier with snickers mixed in.  Or a small cup of chocolate covered banana or strawberry romance.  And they do sell gift cards (hint hint!)  So yummy!</p> <p>5.  Anna</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-l_iTbtWr_yc/Tr824gTDBpI/AAAAAAAAFhM/GmNBZfanopY/s1600-h/IMG_52513.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5251" border="0" alt="IMG_5251" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bH21_zrnbcY/Tr825BYMLrI/AAAAAAAAFhU/o-ka4jDOqXY/IMG_5251_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>Our shared love of Ritters might be one of the reasons why Anna and I are such good friends.  We have kids the same age and serve in the Relief Society together, but those things wouldn’t automatically make us as close of friends as we have become.  I feel so blessed that I’ve had several best friends in my life.  Lindsay in high school, Melanie in college, Julie when I was single and now Anna as a mother of small children.  We talk almost every day and since our husbands and kids get along too we do things as a family together also.  Not only does she put up with me, she “gets me” too.  Thank you Anna for being my friend!</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-38728241026784488422011-11-10T11:17:00.001-08:002011-11-10T11:17:46.940-08:00Cooking up some chicken<p>I recently ordered 40 lbs of chicken from Zaycon foods.  It arrived for pick up this Tuesday (and the line was HUGE!)  but I waited until today to deal with it.  </p> <p>Inside this giant bag were 17 full chicken breasts which I cut into 34 breasts.  These breasts were huge.  My husband liked hearing me talk about each set of 2 big breasts…hehehehe.  Unfortunately these breasts had a lot of fat on them that needed to be trimmed.  But still, it only took me an hour and a half to trim, cut, and bag everything up!</p> <p>I took 18 breasts and put them raw into freezer bags.  The other 16 breasts I boiled then shredded.  I recently saw information online about shredding hot cooked chicken in a kitchenaid mixer.  I tried it and was amazed at how easily and quickly it shredded my chicken.  I put about 3 breasts in at a time, turned the mixer on to a 4 or 5 for about 30 seconds and voila!  perfectly shredded chicken.  So easy!  I put my shredded chicken into freezer bags (2 cups each).</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CZYD71JFJw8/TrwjUY-7bsI/AAAAAAAAFcA/XdfYtjgjvQc/s1600-h/IMG_5468%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5468" border="0" alt="IMG_5468" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-HEOiyq1VZwA/TrwjVLiO_cI/AAAAAAAAFcI/jjw-mGXvE0U/IMG_5468_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>I ended up with a full table of chicken for use in a myriad of recipes and amazingly enough I got them all to fit in my kitchen freezer!  23 bags of food calculates to $2.60 per meal and each meal will likely have leftovers.  I’m happy!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-NAo9LyBqaFk/TrwjVhW7XdI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/A_SXx3R6Ba8/s1600-h/IMG_5467%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5467" border="0" alt="IMG_5467" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qmsn-igsNAA/TrwjWc3xLlI/AAAAAAAAFcY/CWGJp8A7q1A/IMG_5467_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-91230493919406368102011-11-10T10:43:00.001-08:002011-11-10T10:43:05.102-08:00Gratitude Thursday 2<p>Here we go again with 5 things I’m grateful for today</p> <p>1.  This handsome boy</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dxd_B5If7vg/TrwbJ7aI4WI/AAAAAAAAFaA/fMPLw_YpAh4/s1600-h/IMG_5371-1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5371-1" border="0" alt="IMG_5371-1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Mo7TGiqFU7M/TrwbKbgHgzI/AAAAAAAAFaI/saUz6YsyMYQ/IMG_5371-1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="205" /></a></p> <p>Christian turned 2 yesterday and is my main companion during each day.  He doesn’t talk much, but he is amazing!  He loves to play with balls and cars, say “HI”, give kisses, have me read to him, and has quite a shoe fetish!  He goes to sleep easily and still takes great naps most days which allows me to get something done.  He cracks me up and I’m so glad that I get to spend each day with him.  </p> <p>2.  My Freezer</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cDT8fSXlSLc/TrwbK88ydSI/AAAAAAAAFaQ/Ba_onLX4PA8/s1600-h/freezer%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="freezer" border="0" alt="freezer" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P4yRJbtqpSE/TrwbMJCZHdI/AAAAAAAAFaY/FHAUjkf7dpQ/freezer_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="204" /></a></p> <p>I got an extra freezer about a year and a half ago and LOVE it!  I am currently trying to do “something” for the freezer each week.  Last week was egg rolls, this week I handled 40 lbs of chicken.  Next week I’m going to attempt homemade gogurt (including homemade yogurt in the crockpot).  Freezer meals rock and this makes it SO much easier!</p> <p>3. <a href="http://www.lds.org">www.lds.org</a></p> <p>I LOVE our church website.  They are constantly updating the content on it.  So much information and so helpful.  I use it almost daily.  Whether I’m studying my scriptures, looking up phone numbers, or reading about my responsibilities in the Relief Society, it’s fabulous.  If you aren’t using it regularly, I highly recommend it!</p> <p>4.  My Kitchen Aid</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JpdGbW9GHTk/TrwbMbD9ToI/AAAAAAAAFag/teZWDoZBizY/s1600-h/kitchenaid%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="kitchenaid" border="0" alt="kitchenaid" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LEk85ndr0bE/TrwbNPLiMmI/AAAAAAAAFao/Uqmw-VtDJtc/kitchenaid_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="222" height="236" /></a></p> <p>I got this for Christmas about 2 years a go and LOVE it!  Today I shredded cooked chicken in it.  (It was seriously SO EASY)  I love to make cookies and banana bread in it.  As I mentioned last week, I make bread in it now.  Technology is awesome!</p> <p>5.  My sister</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YLr6XWf0nH8/TrwbNv_YvAI/AAAAAAAAFaw/iXS1nL8BaAc/s1600-h/IMG_4323%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4323" border="0" alt="IMG_4323" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-_KSwKsKEfg4/TrwbOPqlSuI/AAAAAAAAFa4/IQyZhabecdo/IMG_4323_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="174" /></a></p> <p>I remember growing up and NOT being grateful for my sister.  We were not always the best of friends.  (Remember those fights driving to school…the hair pulling and everything?)  But now that we’re both moms we talk to each other almost every day.  Often multiple times a day.  She is one of my best friends and I’m so grateful that even though we live over 1600 miles apart we are so close.  (I can’t wait to see you at Christmas Sissy)</p> <p>I’m so grateful for so many things, it’s hard to pick 5 each week.  Maybe I’ll keep doing this ALWAYS! (maybe not!)</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-66383878100778479622011-11-03T06:59:00.001-07:002011-11-03T06:59:46.071-07:00Gratitude Thursday<p>My friend <a href="http://darkchocolatemusings.blogspot.com/"><strong><font color="#ff0000">Anna</font></strong></a> often does Gratitude Tuesday and I’ve been saying I’ll do it too, but I never do.  Today my friend<strong><font color="#ff0000"> </font></strong><a href="http://www.mydecoupagedlife.com/"><strong><font color="#ff0000">Brittany</font></strong></a> did a Thankful Thursday.  I think I’ll take her lead and try to post 5 things each Thursday that I’m grateful for.  And I’m going to post this on both of my blogs!</p> <p>1.  This guy slept through the night last night!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eh8EGPixaWY/TrKeN9LO4QI/AAAAAAAAFYw/jfjy7cnHrGg/s1600-h/IMG_5211%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5211" border="0" alt="IMG_5211" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G4mDp__bpmo/TrKeOo8PXDI/AAAAAAAAFY4/ZFJ4AAwwZwI/IMG_5211_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>Now I’m under no illusions that he will sleep through the night again tonight, and in fact yesterday evening he had a really rough time and both Paul and I paced the floor with him trying to help him finally fall asleep.  But a good night sleep feels WONDERFUL and I’m grateful that he did sleep well last night!</p> <p>2.  Yeast</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i09NozW4Cpw/TrKePakbvPI/AAAAAAAAFZA/PajcBaf13po/s1600-h/bread%252520bowl%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="bread bowl" border="0" alt="bread bowl" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JwHSIUALlG0/TrKeP3SthlI/AAAAAAAAFZI/e6RPem-n_4g/bread%252520bowl_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="168" /></a></p> <p>My sister told me recently that she’s afraid of yeast, and I used to be also, but I bought a large container of dry active yeast and now I’m using it!  I have a recipe that makes ONE loaf of bread.  It’s perfect for doing something special for dinner.  Tuesday I tried <a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2010/10/fluffy-dinner-rolls.html"><font color="#ff0000">THIS RECIPE</font></a> that makes 12 rolls and tonight I’m going to try to make <a href="http://jamiecooksitup.blogspot.com/2011/10/soft-bread-bowls.html"><font color="#cc0000">THESE</font></a> breadbowls to make with <a href="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/bacon-cheese-potato-chowder-107301.aspx"><font color="#ff0000">THIS</font></a> soup.  I haven’t gotten any of theses recipes to turn out as perfectly as I expected yet, but I’m trying.  I have a friend teaching a class on making bread in a few weeks, so maybe he can help my bread turn out better!</p> <p>3.  Good books</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tj3T8CGzryI/TrKeQIex3JI/AAAAAAAAFZQ/bw2nQrWi4xY/s1600-h/daughters-in-my-kingdom%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="daughters-in-my-kingdom" border="0" alt="daughters-in-my-kingdom" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qzGIJycahTI/TrKeRpMC1CI/AAAAAAAAFZY/GHdd-EbiweA/daughters-in-my-kingdom_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="242" height="186" /></a></p> <p>I love to read and always have.  I’m in 2 book clubs which both had their discussions last week.  We read <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5890.The_Woman_in_White">The Woman In White</a> and <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2657.To_Kill_a_Mockingbird">To Kill A Mockingbird</a>.  Both totally different from each other, but I really enjoyed reading them both.  I’m currently trying to get ready to teach Relief Society on Sunday, and I’m using <a href="https://lds.org/relief-society/daughters-in-my-kingdom/manual?lang=eng">Daughters in My Kingdom</a> as my text, so I’ve been pouring through it again.  I’m very grateful for books that inspire me.</p> <p>4.  Electricity</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QimnvsSg_qw/TrKeSOq2dII/AAAAAAAAFZg/_km5-SFaQw0/s1600-h/Light-Bulbs-7%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Light-Bulbs-7" border="0" alt="Light-Bulbs-7" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ggxw9GTIv-w/TrKeS9DXBxI/AAAAAAAAFZo/GYMcNptsRCQ/Light-Bulbs-7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>From the TV that’s entertaining my 2yo while I write this to the computer I’m writing this on, I am very grateful electricity.  I’m glad I was born in this day and age of modern conveniences.  I’m glad I can see in the dark.  I’m glad I can talk to my sister in New Jersey almost every day.  I’m glad electricity exists and that we know how to harness and use it to make our lives easier.  </p> <p>5.  My amazing husband</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QITGWI87lbE/TrKeTixQ4bI/AAAAAAAAFZw/pz0fQKHmE-Q/s1600-h/IMG_5196%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_5196" border="0" alt="IMG_5196" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bnl2ypF3NyY/TrKeUIZMPmI/AAAAAAAAFZ4/i1rEbRDa_eQ/IMG_5196_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>Not only does he support our family financially allowing me to stay home with our children, but he is an amazing support to us spiritually and socially.  He loves spending time with us.  He treats me wonderfully.  He’s everything I ever hoped to have in a husband.   He’s smart.  He’s funny.  He’s a great dad.  He’s athletic.  He’s handy.  Right now he’s in the middle of woodworking, making a Christmas present which I won’t talk more about so it can stay a surprise.  Now I’m not saying he’s perfect, but I feel so lucky to have him. </p> <p>I love the feeling I’ve had this morning as I composed this post.  I should write about what I’m grateful for more often.  I look forward to doing it next week!</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-11332623113878866322011-10-24T15:52:00.001-07:002011-10-24T15:52:06.234-07:00Crystal Deodorant Review<p>I’ve been wearing the same brand deodorant for YEARS now.  It works for me, no need to make a change.  But I was given the opportunity to try out the Natural Crystal Body Deodorant Roll-On and liked it well enough.  </p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uFAqjMD8Atc/TqXsEq3VwYI/AAAAAAAAFXM/nhjG4Be8tqw/s1600-h/300%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="300" border="0" alt="300" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rNAgFL4kqSw/TqXsE8vVV9I/AAAAAAAAFXU/e-QBGn3pi-s/300_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a></p> <p>October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and this product has the pink ribbon on the front and a note that it is endorsed by cancer treatment centers on the back.  That’s because this deodorant is made of natural mineral salts (only has 3 ingredients) and doesn’t have any aluminum chlorohydrate  and is paraben free, both which are causes of concern in the breast cancer research world.  It’s also hypoallergenic and fragrance free.  I think that’s pretty cool!  </p> <p>On the back of the bottle it says “It is non-sticky, non-staining, leaves no white residue and can be used by both men and women.”  Once I read that, I asked my husband to try it with me for a week.  I figured two opinions were better than one!</p> <p>We’ll start with my husband.  He wasn’t too impressed.  He said the roll-on caught in his underarm hair.  He also thought he had a mild body odor by the end of the day and definitely by the next morning.  He’d rather stick with his Degree deodorant that he’s been using for years.</p> <p>I on the other hand didn’t mind the change.  I hadn’t used a roll-on ever before and found it just fine.  It didn’t make a mess on my clothes which was important for me.  I don’t sweat a lot (and didn’t work out this week – just made and ate lots of cookies) and didn’t notice any body odor myself.  </p> <p>I liked the price (bought it at Wal-Mart for less than $4) and liked that it’s natural.  It won’t be long before my 7yo son starts to need to wear deodorant.  I wouldn’t mind getting something like this for him.  </p> <p>Overall, I think it’s fine, works well enough, and is worth a try, especially if you are trying to go the more natural route.  </p> <p><font size="1">Disclosure: This review has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for </font><a href="http://www.collectivebias.com/"><font size="1">Collective Bias</font></a><font size="1">. All opinions expressed are my own and may vary from others.</font></p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-6658750653104332342011-09-23T11:48:00.001-07:002011-09-23T11:48:53.774-07:00All My Children<p>While it may not be popular to admit, I have watched soap operas my entire life.  All My Children on ABC has been a staple of my childhood and adult life.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sBA4-355teU/TnzUk5WuZ0I/AAAAAAAAFNk/bcRKPLi5pa0/s1600-h/41590_80637253392_9370_n%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="41590_80637253392_9370_n" border="0" alt="41590_80637253392_9370_n" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-v3RVAwZkxh0/TnzUlHv6ECI/AAAAAAAAFNo/V-O6V7Lk5gw/41590_80637253392_9370_n_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="184" /></a></p> <p>And today it ended.</p> <p>And yes, it made me sad.</p> <p>Actually, I was really disappointed in the ending.  </p> <p>It was fun this past month seeing the cameos of those who I had watched over the years come back and the funny jokes tying in what they have done since then.  The last week as they tied up “MOST” of the story lines and took family pictures of the large families actually made me almost cry a few times.  </p> <p>Most people have heard of Erica Kane, one of the main characters of the show which has been played by Susan Lucci for over 40 years.  The “Gone With the Wind”-esque ending of her on again off again love interest walking out on her and telling her he doesn’t “give a damn” was funny and fitting.  </p> <p>But there were too many unresolved story lines.  To end the show with an unknown someone getting shot and still not knowing who else was assumed dead but was brought back to life was really annoying to me.  </p> <p>And now it’s over.  (There are talks of the show being continued online, but I can’t imagine it will really be the same.)  </p> <p>So please excuse me as I mourn the loss of my noon hour indulgence.  A moment of silence please!</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-32255543927196497572011-09-23T11:11:00.001-07:002011-09-23T11:11:28.026-07:00My first Bountiful Basket<p>I consider myself somewhat of a foodie.  I enjoy cooking, read lots of food blogs, and definitely enjoy eating!  (Dishes are a different story though – yuck!)  Several of my friends and the blogs I read talk about getting their fruits and/or vegetables through co-ops or CSAs or farmers markets and such.  I’ve always wanted to try one and finally did for the first time.</p> <p><a href="http://bountifulbaskets.org/">Bountiful Baskets</a> is a co-op that started in Utah, but has spread to several other areas of the country.  This past week was the first week they opened a location in Houston and it’s about 20 minutes away from my house so I signed up!  The first time you sign up you have to pay an extra $3 for the baskets, but typically it costs $16.50 for a basket full of fruit and a basket full of vegetables.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-39sUSed0Emo/TnzLzMMCcwI/AAAAAAAAFNc/Cv4uVXdsN24/s1600-h/IMG_49863.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_4986" border="0" alt="IMG_4986" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-n8olWS_FAvU/TnzLz9N2cLI/AAAAAAAAFNg/xcqzhcoqT40/IMG_4986_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>Here’s what was in my baskets this week:</p> <ul> <li>1 large head romaine lettuce </li> <li>2 heads broccoli </li> <li>5 green bell peppers </li> <li>10 roma tomatoes </li> <li>2 cucumbers </li> <li>7 potatoes </li> <li>1 cantaloupe </li> <li>1 bag of grapes </li> <li>1 pint strawberries </li> <li>4 apples </li> <li>1 bunch of bananas </li> </ul> <p>All pretty normal fruits and veges, nothing that I was like “what am I going to do with THAT?” Although 5 bell peppers is a few too many for my recipes, I’ll find someway to use them!  I went to my favorite grocery store with this list and figured out that it would have cost me over $25 for the same foods.  </p> <p>Right now the Houston location will have baskets available every other week, and I hope to buy one at least once a month.  The next time to sign up is this Monday at noon at <a href="http://bountifulbaskets.org/">this link</a>.  </p> <p>Who else has tried something like this before and have you liked it?  Do you think it’s worth the price?</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-81613845470245315822011-08-10T13:13:00.001-07:002011-08-10T13:13:30.332-07:00Movie Review “Glee: The 3D Concert Movie”<p>Last night my husband and I were given the opportunity to go to an advanced press screening of the new Glee movie.  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YLSKT_2cCY0/TkLmXbv-o_I/AAAAAAAAFFA/Yve4uamhBxg/s1600-h/Glee%2525203D%252520Concert%252520Movie%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Glee 3D Concert Movie" border="0" alt="Glee 3D Concert Movie" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WugXfmjQaDk/TkLmXyswlxI/AAAAAAAAFFE/34u25O_rGbM/Glee%2525203D%252520Concert%252520Movie_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="191" height="244" /></a>Let me preface this by saying that I DO watch Glee and enjoy it.  I’m not saying it’s the best show out there, and if I had teenagers I probably wouldn’t want them exposed to some of the subject material in the show, but I thoroughly enjoy the music and dancing and for that reason, I did like the movie.</p> <p>I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting when I went to this movie, but I wasn’t expecting it to be a concert movie…yes, I know…it’s right in the title…but I’m 9 months pregnant…give me a break!  I think I expected a little more of a story line like the TV show.  I did like the vignettes of other Glee fans – they discussed how the show has affected their life, and there was a great underlying theme of acceptance of yourself and others.  </p> <p>The music was GREAT (a little too much Rachel if you ask me) and the dancing was impressive.  I obsessed a little over how beautiful Britney was and her amazing flat stomach, but then again since I’m due to give birth to my 4th son ANY DAY NOW, I guess it just stood out to me too much. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dCBW2A8C76g/TkLmYiP_tLI/AAAAAAAAFFI/ltd6B2MyEZk/s1600-h/glee-heather-morris-britney-spears-slave211%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="glee-heather-morris-britney-spears-slave211" border="0" alt="glee-heather-morris-britney-spears-slave211" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lwq46t_oTP0/TkLmZkiplPI/AAAAAAAAFFM/WLg4v8owg4o/glee-heather-morris-britney-spears-slave211_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="162" /></a> I will NEVER look like that!  <img style="border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-sadsmile" alt="Sad smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2BvKyeEBmSc/TkLmaBCAMVI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/VwJwP2Zjjfk/wlEmoticon-sadsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" />  Oh well…maybe in my next life!</p> <p>As for the 3D effect of the movie, it’s still a novelty to me, I’ve only ever seen two or three 3-D movies.  I don’t think it really added much to the movie, unless you REALLY want to see Rachel up close!  I liked Britney’s comment that her boobs look great in 3D…that made me laugh!</p> <p>Overall I’m not sure I would recommend this movie to a friend, unless they really like concert movies and love Glee.  But if you do, then yes, you will enjoy this movie.  Hope this helps!</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-79304900713858417142011-06-16T12:22:00.001-07:002011-06-16T12:27:41.323-07:00Colgate Building Smiles Tour<p>I joined Collective Bias several months ago, but this is the first opportunity I was given to do something for them.  I volunteered and happily participated in the Colgate Building Smiles Tour today.  The Colgate Van pulled up to my local Wal-Mart today and was there from 10-1pm.</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B9woafs0FPw/TfpXySRX0NI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/HFySyrdkOW0/s1600-h/DSC00103%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC00103" border="0" alt="DSC00103" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-oDrrehp0JWI/TfpXzO-BV-I/AAAAAAAAE2c/mfvF6J3WIe0/DSC00103_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5acmySoVLb8/TfpXz8hC6SI/AAAAAAAAE2g/anf4ln3Gv4E/s1600-h/DSC00104%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC00104" border="0" alt="DSC00104" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CdBzpBf-154/TfpX0eM1PaI/AAAAAAAAE2k/fyaVb3mse4M/DSC00104_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>I got there just a few minutes after 10 and was greeted inside by 2 other local bloggers covering the tour and another friend from church.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ieaR2EDrL5o/TfpX1WlDRbI/AAAAAAAAE2o/LM6bO7wDBa0/s1600-h/DSC00105%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC00105" border="0" alt="DSC00105" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5NFryBFLu28/TfpX1oXc-kI/AAAAAAAAE2s/ubuQ1zmkS9E/DSC00105_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>The Colgate Van was a nice big RV with 2 dentist chairs inside.  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LFqGWMG6C2E/TfpX2dCajiI/AAAAAAAAE2w/okiIcbFzBqo/s1600-h/DSC00106%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC00106" border="0" alt="DSC00106" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-OBRbgwxVS98/TfpX2-3_RpI/AAAAAAAAE20/MX0HYKxMK6E/DSC00106_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p>The driver of the van was distributing balloons and “goodie bags” to the kids there.  I didn’t bring my kids, so I didn’t get one, but it looked like there were fun things for the kids and some coupons for Colgate products.  They also had a cartoon DVD on for the kids about fighting the plaque monsters and good oral care.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ye3SbKdWSxQ/TfpX3dw2jBI/AAAAAAAAE24/-My6aK4lKqc/s1600-h/DSC00107%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DSC00107" border="0" alt="DSC00107" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T7sTI-AS5mw/TfpX35JrAVI/AAAAAAAAE28/ydqGonAvQj4/DSC00107_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> <p>Those of us in the RV sat there and waited...and waited…and waited for the dentist to arrive.  </p> <p>Evidently there is a dedicated dentist for this RV, but she had another obligation and had made arrangements for a different dentist to volunteer his time.  Unfortunately, after waiting in the RV for 45 minutes then doing my grocery shopping for 30 minutes, the dentist still hadn’t shown.  It was pretty disappointing.  </p> <p>The normal dentist is scheduled to be at the next Wal-Mart down the road from 3-6pm and I hope that the experience is better for those who attend that one.  There were signs in the windows of Wal-Mart, but in general I don’t think it was very well advertised.  I think the Colgate Building Smiles Tour is a great program and probably helps lots of people with free dental screenings for those age 1-12, but it didn’t help a lot of people at my Wal-Mart from 10-11:15am.  </p> <p>I spent some time before, during and after, thinking about my family’s oral care habits.   About 6 months ago or so I really buckled down and made my kids have a better routine for oral care.  We started using <a href="http://www.myjobchart.com">www.myjobchart.com</a> around then and they became very motivated to get their points so I listed brushing their teeth as one of their morning and nightly chores.  While we still don’t floss as often as we should I’m proud to say my 7yo and 4yo have a pretty good brushing habit.</p> <p>Unfortunately, I don’t do a great job with the 1yo.  He got teeth really early (and surprisingly I still nursed him over a year!) and although he enjoys chewing on a tooth brush from time to time, I can’t get him to let me brush his teeth.  Not that I try very hard, but he is not a very cooperative 1yo!</p> <p>We do go to the dentist often (3 times a year, not just 2!) and my kids never put up a fuss, they are happy to go!  I hear of way too many adults who hate going to the dentist because they have had many bad experiences.  I hope I can teach my kids the importance of regular check-ups and that they never have a fear of the dentist or bad experiences.  </p> <p>I think the thing I learned the most from this experience was that although there are great programs out there to help those that need help, sometimes these things work better than others.  It’s still a good idea to evaluate your current oral care routine and try to make improvements.</p> <p><a href="http://intersect.com/stories/1Gz78GMYQ21Y">Intersect Story</a></p> <p>Disclosure:  This post has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for #CollectiveBias.  I was grateful to have the opportunity to work on something as important as oral care and hope other people who attended the tour learned a lot.</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-13414526384813128762011-06-13T19:34:00.001-07:002011-06-13T19:34:48.390-07:00Mr. Popper’s Penguins<p>Tonight I was given the opportunity to go to an advanced screening of <a href="http://www.popperspenguins.com/">Mr. Popper’s Penguins</a>.  My good friend Stacey of the blog <a href="http://treerootandtwig.com/">Tree, Root & Twig</a> was able to get several reserved seats for the advanced screening (it doesn’t open for real until this weekend) and I was lucky enough to score some for my family.  </p> <p>We left the baby at home with a sitter (it is his bedtime anyway!) and we took A and B with us.  We had a great time.  Other than my 4yo being way too loud in general, we loved the movie.  I was worried about exposing my kids to Jim Carrey being…well TOO Jim Carrey, but it never went over the top.  It was funny, cute, and very entertaining.</p> <p>Thanks Stacey for letting us go with you and watch this fun movie.</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-78225019158433900042011-04-17T18:45:00.001-07:002011-04-17T19:07:53.987-07:00Meal Plan–Theme Nights<p>Several of the food blogs which I follow have talked about having theme nights and how much easier it makes planning meals.  Recently I started watching “The Food Nanny” on BYU-TV (we just got U-verse) and she is all about theme nights.</p> <p>Last summer I started doing salads on Thursdays, but often just did the same chef salad week after week.  Luckily, my kids and husband never complained, and actually liked it.  This fall/winter I did less salads, but added several soups each Friday.  It did make things easier that I didn’t have to think as much about what to make for dinner those nights.</p> <p>Now I think I’m ready to try it each night.  We’ll see how it works.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TauXn8lv6GI/AAAAAAAAEvc/ZugiWsylQkU/s1600-h/IMG_2029%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-right-width: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2029" border="0" alt="IMG_2029" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TauXojG3slI/AAAAAAAAEvg/6hu4BGMTNJo/IMG_2029_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a>(Isn’t this a cute board I made!)</p> <p>As I tried to catalog my recipes I found MOST of my favorites fell into the category of Comfort Foods, so I’m putting that for 2 nights, plus we are often at my moms house for Sunday dinners.  </p> <p>I’m not so excited that for Monday night, my birthday, the boys picked mac & cheese & hotdogs, but I doubt I’ll want to cook much either, at least until Paul is done with school in a few weeks.  </p> <p>I’m curious, has anyone else tried theme nights?  If so, has it worked for your families?</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-77129217238370128542011-02-28T09:43:00.001-08:002011-02-28T09:43:42.790-08:00How to make 5 meals from 5 chicken breasts!<p>I haven’t tried this yet, but since this goes along with one of my previous posts, I had to post this too.  I will try this, but not today!</p> <p>Please take a look!</p> <p><a href="http://parentingthetiniestofmiracles.blogspot.com/2011/01/prepping-five-meals-from-five-chicken.html"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TWvey-Fb-NI/AAAAAAAAEmY/eiKtJpgg5-U/s1600-h/chicken%20breasts%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="chicken breasts" border="0" alt="chicken breasts" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TWvezYhq9XI/AAAAAAAAEmc/UyHYiyxkmL4/chicken%20breasts_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></a></p> <p>http://parentingthetiniestofmiracles.blogspot.com/2011/01/prepping-five-meals-from-five-chicken.html</p> <p>Any by the way…the baby has been sucking my brain power lately…hopefully I’ll get back to blogging often soon!</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6736278228240988564.post-73559760899448470372011-01-28T10:24:00.001-08:002011-01-28T18:24:36.207-08:00Cooking up a chicken<p>I try to be frugal, I try to cook homemade as much as possible.   I’ve cooked up several Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey frames to make soup.  I think once, years ago, I tried making my own chicken broth, but it didn’t turn out very well.  Then on Wednesday one of the blogs I read, <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/01/how-to-make-six-meals-out-of-one-chicken.html">Money Saving Mom</a>, had an article linking to another article from <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/how-to-stretch-a-chicken-to-make-six-meals">Heavenly Homemakers</a> whom I was previously unfamiliar with about using one chicken to make 6 meals.   </p> <p>I thought, WOW, I wonder if I can really stretch one chicken into 6 meals?  So today I bought myself a 5 lb chicken for $0.88/lb.  Using her recipe for making <a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/homemade-chicken-broth">homemade chicken broth</a>, I stuck it in a pot with half an onion, 2 stalks of celery and a dozen mini carrots.  A few hours later my whole house smelled heavenly. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TUN6UGaLjkI/AAAAAAAAElQ/Y-6ezYf1NYo/s1600-h/IMG_0839%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0839" border="0" alt="IMG_0839" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TUN6UgSo0kI/AAAAAAAAElU/aVV5-1D2cmg/IMG_0839_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>Oh how I love the smell of  homemade soup!  That reminds me…I should make some bread too!</p> <p>Once it was obvious that the chicken was done (ie falling off the bone) which took about 3 hours, I took my chicken out so I could pull the meat off the bone.   I let it cool first and burned my tongue eating some of the carrots I had put in to begin with.  I have no will power!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TUN6VbH-1sI/AAAAAAAAElY/AkCy9HtBbC4/s1600-h/IMG_0850%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0850" border="0" alt="IMG_0850" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TUN6V2w1c1I/AAAAAAAAElg/jJ4VZaxGpF8/IMG_0850_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>I ended up getting 6 cups of chopped chicken.  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TUN6WMvG9sI/AAAAAAAAElk/pyIL8rQ7YgI/s1600-h/IMG_0854%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0854" border="0" alt="IMG_0854" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TUN6Wfxvq5I/AAAAAAAAElo/CYpBGKhbvH0/IMG_0854_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>Most of my chicken recipes call for 1-2 cups of chicken.  But the recipes that use this great chicken broth I’m making I’ll probably put less chicken in since the broth is so rich and good.  <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TUN6WzZix9I/AAAAAAAAEls/NN6XV6uXvZE/s1600-h/IMG_0852%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0852" border="0" alt="IMG_0852" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TUN6XMJEwpI/AAAAAAAAElw/MotdPIJ5Jf4/IMG_0852_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>So let me think of what recipes I can make in the next few weeks or so with this 6 cups of chicken.  Chicken Noodle Soup today (3/4 c), Chicken Manicotti (1 1/2 c), Chicken Enchiladas (1 1/2 c), Chicken A La King (3/4 c), Chicken Quesadillas (1/2 c), Garlic Chicken Pasta (1 c).  That comes out to 6 meals!<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TUN6XT-oHbI/AAAAAAAAEl0/ZI4S4-wX4HM/s1600-h/IMG_0857%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0857" border="0" alt="IMG_0857" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TUN6XhtXC4I/AAAAAAAAEl4/YVAn94Ltrhk/IMG_0857_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>I put the meat into freezer bags and continued making more broth by putting the bones and skin back in the water to get all the good stuff out of them.  A few more hours of simmering and I ended up with 8 cups of broth.  (some for todays soup and some for later recipes)  I cried when I accidentally spilled a cup of it down the sink!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TUN6XwL_CFI/AAAAAAAAEl8/7w6rUqHcuEo/s1600-h/IMG_0859%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0859" border="0" alt="IMG_0859" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TUN6YNABZGI/AAAAAAAAEmA/i5WVDVENFDM/IMG_0859_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>Homemade broth, homemade soup, homemade noodles, homemade bread.   I bet some great-great grandmother is in heaven all proud of me right now!  I felt like quite the Homemaker today!</p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TUN6YteJcMI/AAAAAAAAEmE/_iwDbW0YLKA/s1600-h/IMG_0861%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0861" border="0" alt="IMG_0861" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_24ujCf5h6ZU/TUN6YyFCf5I/AAAAAAAAEmI/hwsYB5PxaWc/IMG_0861_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p>Now if only I had finished picking up the house or folding Monday’s laundry instead of playing online today!</p> <p>So my question to those of you who make this kinda stuff…what would you have done differently?</p> Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15767835230650294528noreply@blogger.com4