Lizzy's Lasagna

reflections

2010-04-16T22:26:00.002-04:00

So I am not really sure how it happened, but I have made it to this point in my life with 2 remaining grandparents. My grandfather pasted away today. I am not really sure how to feel yet, but I am so thankful that my children had an opportunity to know him. And that they will have memories of him. I actually was Daniel's age when my dad's grandmother pasted away. Kind of amazing how that works. I have fewer memories of her because she didn't live near by. But having the opportunity to be in Oscoda and Florida with Popi Jo as Daniel and Abby called him, was important. I think that the thing that I learned the most from all of this though is what an amazing and selfless person my mother is. She has with out complaint, given every moment of every day to him for the past 5 years. She truly has shown me what that is all about. I know that there are things that she has wanted to do, places that she has wanted to be, but she has been their for Papa. I also know that there is a reunion in heaven right now that is sure to include dancing. My grandparents loved to dance together and even did a few days before my grandmother died. So I am sure that they are waltzing in each others arms. That is the part that makes me the happiest is knowing that they no longer are a part. I will miss him. I will miss him sitting in his chair at the cottage. I will miss his laugh. I will miss him sneaking my kids candy. I will miss watching him enjoy a piece of pie. I know where I got my love of sweets! And will miss his spirit. But it is not here. And I know that I will see him again.

changes

2009-11-01T17:12:00.005-05:00

So we have moved. It has been alot harder than I thought that it was going to be. Not just physically, but emotionally. I am a wreck. I know that all of this if for the best, but is still is hard. I have no sense of direction. I don't have a job. I have few friends in the area and the ones that I do have, work. I am lonely. Dan has to drive double the distance now, and so time is limited each day.

But the schools are great. The ward is wonderful. And I know that we are being blessed, I just have to be patient.

Check out this giveaway!!!!

2009-10-07T16:17:00.002-04:00

Check out this giveaway!!! My sister's friend Barbie has the most incredible etsy shop!! Check out her giveaway, you won't be disappointed. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5517035

http://www.poshpetunia.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!!!

Limbo

2009-09-29T11:41:00.002-04:00

Man, I didn't think that it was going to hit me so hard but it has. I am having such a hard time with this move. You would think moving into my parents home, a home that I grew up in, living in a ward that I grew up in, in a town that I grew up in, would be so hard. But it is. I am struggling. Maybe it is because I have to go to the library to check my email for now and the internet is such a big part of my connection to the world. Maybe it is the lack of television right now. WWIII could have started and I wouldn't know! Just a little longer and I will have my things in our home. That will help but for now the limbo is killing me!

9 years

2009-08-20T07:52:00.003-04:00

9 years ago, Dan and I stood in one of my favorite places in the world... Oscoda Beach and were married. I was a beautiful day. A bit crazy, but beautiful. And our wonderful families helped to make it happen. I was determined that we were not going to get married in the church across the street. And the weather cooperated! I wanted to hear the water and have the sand on my feet so that every time I walked on that beach I could remember being married there. I am so lucky to have Dan in my life.

There were some things that I cared about, and things that I didn't and I am sure that I drove my mother crazy. My dress came from the same bridal shop that my mother and grandmothers dresses came from. It had to be different and it was. I wanted everyone in the bridal party to wear sandals, and we did, even the guys with their tuxes. I didn't want arranged flowers. So as the guests came to the beach, they were given a rose and when I went down the isle, I collected them and hugged everyone. I wanted to acknowledge everyone that was there prior to the ceremony. It was important to me. And my mom and my Aunt Beth made the best cheesecake in the world for our cake. It was SO good. I also wanted live music. So my friend Elliot Lui played the guitar and sang. It was so wonderful. Our pictures were the best. Dan was sick of it after about 2, but they turned out to be so perfect.
Especially the one of my grandma dancing on the beach! It is now a family favorite. People came from far and wide and it was wonderful to have them celebrate with us. There were a few hiccups in the whole thing, but don't most weddings have a few? It was a wonderful day and I am thankful for a wonderful man to spend my life with.

And 9 years later, we were able to take Daniel and Abigayle with us to the temple and be sealed for time and all eternity. It was another beautiful day. I am still thankful for a wonderful man to spend the rest of eternity with. I love you dude!

True Love Day

2009-08-01T18:18:00.003-04:00

Today has been a special day in the lives of the Shawl family. We were sealed for time and all eternity in the Detroit, Michigan Temple. It was a beautiful day. One that I have waited 9+ years for. When Dan and I met, he was not LDS. So we couldn't be married in the temple. We had an increadible wedding on the beach in Oscoda. It was a beautiful day too. But today as I kneeled across the altar, I knew that I had made the best choice in choosing to wait for him to be ready to be there with me. The room was filled with so many friends and family and family friends. And as the kids came in the room to be with us it was overwhelming. They looked so perfect in their white clothes. Abby asked me what we were doing and I told her that it was "true love day". Dad was my true love and we were celebrating true love day. (She loves to tell us that we are true loves. ) She accepted the explaination but still was not so sure about what was going on. I am so thankful for the opportunity that my family has to be a forever family. I am so thankful for the gospel in my life so that I know that this is possible. I am so thankful for a wonderful husband that asked me to be with him forever. And I said yes.

When life gives you lemons....go to Florida

2009-02-07T07:57:00.002-05:00

So, I went into work on Tuesday as part of my normal routine. And explained to my boss everything that I had done that day. I went on and on about everything and then she looked at me and said...I am sorry but I have to let you go. We dont have enough children participating in our program to cover payroll. I was in shock!!! I didnt cry, luckily. The bummer part is that I left my job that I LOVED for this job. The things that we do for free childcare!!!

So the next day we boarded a plane to Florida! The sun makes everything feel better. It hasnt been the warmest, but 56 degrees is better than -10! We have enjoyed not wearing coats and hats. And spending time with family always makes things better. And so does yummy food!!! We have been eating and chilling.

We went to the Roaring 20s. For those of you that remember, there used to be on in Okemos when I was a kid. We loved to go there and have pizza and listen to the organ play. The girls had a blast. They danced the night away!

Yesterday we were going to go to Busch Gardens, but Daniel was not feeling well and Jared missed his flight. So another day of chilling. So Dan and I went to the Salvador Dali museum in St. Petersburg. We had a great time! It was amazing how much different a print looks from an original painting. The detail was in amazing!!

Last night we had a Korean feast! Bulgogi, mandoo and tons of shrimp. It was wonderful!! Good food memories!

So today we are headed to Busch Gardens. It should be a good day. It is supposed to be a high of 75 today. Not bad for February!!!!

Menu Planning

2009-01-11T17:59:00.002-05:00

So in an effort to not go to the store every day, I have decided to make a dinner menu. This week went really well. I love the website www.mealsmatter.org. I found the BEST gyro recipe!!! So Dan made them on Wednesday and we had a wonderful dinner even though Dan couldn't taste them. They tasted similar to Olga's. My brother Greg has mastered their pita recipe. I will have to get it and try. But here is the recipe for the gyros. It is so simple, and good enjoy!

Ground Beef Gyros

3/4 lb. Extra lean ground beef, cooked and drained
3/4 c. Plain low fat yogurt
1/4 c. Cucumber, finley chopped- we love to use English/Hot House Cucumbers
1/2 tsp. Dill Weed
1 TBSP Oil
1 Medium onion, sliced into rings
1 1/2 tsp. Garlic powder (Dan used fresh garlic)
1/4 tsp. Dried oregano, crushed
6 Pita bread, warmed
1 small tomato, chopped

Combine yogurt, cucumber and dill weed. Cover and refrigerate. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 minutes. Add onions, cook for 2 mintues, stirring occasionally. Add beef, garlic and oregano; cook 4 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally.

Stuff beef mixture in warmed pita breads and serve with yogurt sauce and tomatoes.

YUMMY!!!

Christmas Greetings....

2008-12-22T16:03:00.005-05:00

Friends, Family, and all those in-between,

The time is upon us, once again, to send good tidings of great joy to all people. Well, not all people, just the ones we want to send a bit of Christmas cheer to…
If you live in Michigan and are getting this, a little cheer is probably much needed. Unemployment at almost 10%, a housing market that has fallen and can’t get up, and a winter that makes you wonder why the heck you never moved someplace warm. Why didn’t you, anyway? If you live someplace with a better climate, I’d like to say Merry Christmas, followed by a giant, slobbery raspberry (especially you Hippie).

2008 has been another interesting year for the Shawl Family. Daddy still works for CVS, and is currently running the store in Brooklyn (yes, that’s a city in Michigan). Mommy got a job as the director of the before/after school program at Daniel’s school. Daniel is now in a toothless first-grader, Abby is our strong-willed mini-woman (wonder where she got that from Potter Clan), and all is well in our little neck of the woods. Read more if you like, or just put this wherever you put the rest of you Christmas cards. For those who need more…

Abigayle is ornery, feisty, and defiant, but is balanced out with cuteness, politeness, and a sweetness that is going to be trouble for many years to come. If not for her lack of hand-eye coordination, she would already be completely self-reliant, which is good and bad, depending on the day. She’ll eat almost everything, loves weird things like broccoli and carrots, and still drinks milk like there won’t be any left tomorrow. Her favorite, though, is chocolate. She even went as far as calling chocolate “my best friend”. She introduced herself to her Uncle Greg as “Princess Abby”, which returns me to earlier point that she is going to be trouble for years to come.

Daniel is still the most talkative kid I’ve ever met. As a 1st Grader, he reads at a 3rd grade level, has been doing multiplication in his head, and has rudimentary logic skills (way off base sometimes, scary at others). He loves his Nintendo WII, but is sad that he doesn’t get to play as much as he would like (every waking moment). He has also found his fathers biting sarcasm. One day, Daddy was picking on him, and when asked why he thought Daddy would say such a thing, “Because he thinks he’s funny.” He also got to go to his first Metal concert when Dad took him to see Demon Hunter. Ask him about it sometime…

So there you have it, a year in a nutshell. If you want to hear more, call us. If we don’t answer it’s because we have caller ID. To everyone, we want to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year (not happy holidays, that’s just plain dumb).

Peace on earth and in your home,
Dan, Liz, Daniel & Abby Shawl

2008-09-07T07:44:00.001-04:00

Make a Smilebox greeting

2008-09-07T07:35:00.001-04:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

My life is a gift, my life has a plan....

2008-08-24T16:08:00.002-04:00

My life is a gift, my life has a plan,
my life has a purpose in heaven it began.
My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth
and seek for God's light to direct me from birth.
I will follow God's plan for me holding fast to his word and his love,
I will work and I will pray and I will always walk in is way so will be
happy on earth and in my home above.

This is the first thing that came to my mind as I was reading a blog of a perfect stranger that had been in a tragic plane crash a week or so ago. She had posted some amazing back to school tradition ideas that I wanted to look at again and when I went back to it, there was a notice from her sister with the information about her and her husband and what was going on with their kids.

The pouting that I have been doing about my life seemed so trivial once I read this. The fact that Dan has a job that makes him travel more and work on Sundays, is not as big of a deal. The fact that I am so busy that I have a really dirty house, is not as big of a deal. The things that I think are big deals, really are not. The woman from the blog has sustained burns on over 80% of her body and her husband sustained burns on 20% of his body. They have 5 children, all whom are living with different family members in different states. I was completely humbled to be an outsider and read of their struggles and determination. Their family rallied. They have been there for them and taken their children as their own and love them and care for them. I marvel at the strength that they have shown. It is going to be a long road for them. I just hope that given the same opportunity, I could be so strong. I know that they are being carried now, but they are giving their all as well.

I am so blessed to have my two monkeys with me. I am so blessed to have my husband with me. I am so blessed to have all that I have. I am blessed to have the gospel in my life. I am so blessed to know that I am a Child of God, and so are these people. And He cares for them. He loves them. I am so thankful for all of this.

After reading this I called my sister and told her that if anything ever happened to me and Dan she better take care of them. I know that she would with no hesitation. Which led me to think, Daniel doesn't have a brother, Abby doesn't have a sister, but they have each other and I am thankful for that too.

8 years ago today....

2008-08-19T06:40:00.011-04:00

8 years ago today, I was waking up at a bed and breakfast with my sister with my wedding dress hanging in the bathroom, hoping it wouldn't rain. Today is my 8th wedding anniversary. I doesn't seem like it has been that long, but it seems like we already have some wonderful memories together. The day was beautiful. Not a cloud in the sky. We were married on the beach in Oscoda, my favorite place to be in the world. We were joined by family and friends from all times in our lives. It was an incredible time. My grandma Jo was still dancing.. all over the beach. My uncle Larry even threw fake poop down the isle. As I walked down the isle each of the guests had a rose in their hand and I greeted them and collected the hugs and kisses and flowers. What more could a girl want? Our pictures were amazing from that day. (My scanner is having a tantrum so I can't add them) I have the best husband in the world for me. He truly is the one for me. And I am so blessed to have him.

Seven years ago today, we found out that we were going to be parents. It was a crazy 1st anniversary present. But we were overjoyed! He is a marvelous d ad! He has his rocker boy that he wanted. And we now have our princess that he is not so sure of most days. We are blessed to have them. They keep us wondering what could be next?

I must be the luckiest girl in the world because not only do I have a great husband and 2 crazy kids, this husband lets me travel the world, without him...for now. He gets that I need to go so that part of me won't die. And I am thankful that he loves me enough to make it happen.

Thank you dude for the best 8 years of my life. You endure my insanity with Primary, Habitat, and all of my crazy ideas. You put up with my messiness and love me in spite of my faults and flaws. I love you!

Back to School....

2008-08-15T07:58:00.003-04:00

So this year Daniel will be in 1st grade! Where did the summer go? My mom is already in Florida and had her Open House last night! AHHHHHHH!

I really want to create some family traditions for our children so that this time of year is not such a downer. I have been cruising the internet trying to come up with ideas. And trying to remember the things that made this time of year special when I was a kid.

Of course, the back to school shopping was always a big one. I was talking with Dan about this because he didn't understand why I was getting new backpacks and lunch boxes and shoes for the kids. This was not a real tradition in his family. I said, well, it will be in ours. Especially when I can get the backpacks on sale for $4! We will embellish them for fun and this weekend and everyone will be happy!

But the big thing that I remember is that when I was in 4th grade, it was a really hard year for me. I had to go to a new school. I had a new baby brother. My sister was in kindergarten and very sick, so she needed a lot of attention. I didn't feel like there was anything special for me. So my clever mother created the "Lunch Box Fairy". Up to that point I was responsible to make my lunch (I think). But mom would get up extra early, make my lunch and leave a note on a napkin, a special sticker, a special treat that was only for me. The other kids in the family were not given the same things. I felt SO special! Sometimes it is just the little things that our kids need. I think that that is hard to remember. We get caught up in the trendy things and forget that our kids are much more simple.

So I have a bunch of lunch recipes to share. I did a back to school enrichment when I was the enrichment leader and here is what I shared. Hope that you enjoy it!

Pizza Sub

sub roll
¼ cup pizza sauce
½ bell pepper, sliced (any color will do, but I like yellow!)
¼ - ½ cup sliced turkey pepperoni (Hormel makes some that tastes just like the real thing)
¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Spread the sub roll with pizza sauce. Top with bell pepper, meat, and cheese. The yummy sandwiches can be served cold for the lunch box or warmed in the oven at home!

Southwest Turkey Wrap
1 large flour tortilla
¼ cup cream cheese (low-fat works fine too)
¼ cup mild salsa
2-3 slices of deli turkey
shredded lettuce
shredded carrots

Mix together the cream cheese and salsa until creamy and spreadable (this mixture keeps well, so you can make extra and use it later). Spread cream cheese mixture on tortillas. Layer the tortilla with turkey and sprinkle with lettuce and carrots. Fold over ends of tortilla and roll up (cut in half before packing).

TIP – Replace the lettuce with raw, chopped spinach for extra nutrition!

Tuna
1 (6 ounce) can tuna
1/4 cup diced celery
1/4 cup chopped fresh dill weed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onion
3 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise
2 tablespoons plain low-fat yogurt
1/2 teaspoon prepared Dijon-style mustard

Drain tuna and mix with celery, dill, parsley, chives, mayonnaise, yogurt, and mustard. Mix well.

Cut the crusts off the wheat bread and make the sandwich. For a cute alternative, use cookie cutters to cut fun shapes.

Applesauce Treats
½ cup prepared applesauce
2 T “Red-Hots” candies
2 small flour tortillas
Cinnamon-sugar

Mix together the applesauce and Red-Hots in a small container with a lid, set aside. Mist tortillas with water and liberally sprinkle them with cinnamon-sugar. Slice tortillas into 1-2” strips. Place on cookie sheets and bake at 350° until crisp. Cool tortillas completely before packing.

Kids can dip the crisp tortialla strips into the applesauce mixture. This cinnamon-y dipping treat is a favorite for kids of all ages!

Super Easy No Bake Cookies
½ cup graham cracker crumbs
2½ cups oatmeal
1½ cups brown sugar
2 tbsp. cocoa
½ cup milk (lowfat is okay!)
½ cup margarine
½ cup peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine graham cracker crumbs and oatmeal – set aside.

Mix together next four ingredients (sugar-margarine) in a small saucepan; stir over medium heat until dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and margarine.

Blend in dry mixture, beating until thickened. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper and cool in refrigerator (best if kept cold)

Raspberry Granola Bars

¾ cup shortening
¾ cup sugar
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp almond extract
2 eggs, separated
1½ cup flour
1 cup seedless raspberry preserves
1 cup granola

Beat together shortening, ¼ cup of sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Add almond extract and 2 egg yolks. Slowly mix in flour until fully combined. Spread this mixture over the bottom of a 9x13 pan, coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes.

Spread preserves over crust immediately after removing it from the oven. Sprinkle with granola.

Beat the egg whites until they are foamy. Add remaining ½ cup of sugar until, beating until stiff peaks form. Spread egg white mixture on top of granola. Bake at 350° for additional 25 minutes.

Cool completely and cut into bars.

Ham and Cheese Biscuits

2 c. Flour
1 T baking powder
1 tsp salt
¼ cup shortening
½ cup cooked ham, diced
¼ cup mild cheddar, shredded
1 cup milk

Combine all ingredients until mixed well – dough mixture will be lumpy. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet coated with cooking spray. Back at 450° 12-15 minutes or until golden.

Apple Gingerbread Muffins

2 c. flour
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp allspice
½ cup light molasses
¼ cup milk
4 T melted butter
1 egg
2 medium apples (sweet rather than tart), cored, peeled & finely chopped

Combine flour, sugar, soda, and spices. In a separate bowl, beat together molasses, milk, butter, and egg. Slowly add wet mixture to dry (batter will be lumpy). Stir in apples. Spoon into prepared muffin cups and bake at 400° for 20-25 minutes, until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Honey-Almond Granola

3 c. oats, uncooked
¾ cup honey
4 T melted butter
1½ tsp vanilla
1 cup chopped almonds
½ cup wheat germ
½ cup sesame seeds
1 cup dried cranberries
½ cup dried apricots, chopped
½ cup golden raisins

Bake oats on cookie sheet at 350° for 15 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Combine honey, butter and vanilla in a large bowl. Add oats, nuts, wheat germ, and sesame seeds, stirring to coat.

Return the mixture to a cookie sheet and bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Remove from oven when mixture is golden brown. Cool completely.

Transfer baked mixture to large bowl and mix in fruit. Serve.

Fun Fun Fun Ideas!

HOW TO DO IT

Professor Eggs:

Use a colored permanent non-toxic marker to write school related topics onto each egg. For example: 2+3=5, 9-4=5. Write a question on one side of the egg and provide the answer on the other side. For example: What is the capital of California? Sacramento!
Let the eggs set for a few minutes before packing them into the lunch so that the marker does not smear.
Complete this fun Back to School lunch with your child’s favorite cheese, veggie sticks and a box of JUICY JUICE.

TIPS

Draw a silly face that you call "Professor Egg Head" on one side of the egg and math signs or words on the other side.
Each time you make an Egg Head Lunch, add new facts or questions. You can gear them to the subjects that your child is currently studying in school.

HOW TO DO IT

Keep several boxes of JUICY JUICE in the freezer.
Before school, put one frozen juice box into a small plastic bag and place in your child's lunchbox or bag.
The drink box will thaw and keep cold until lunch time.

TIPS

The drink box will also keep other lunch items cool.

HOW TO DO IT

Print out the gummy bugs template.
Have your child color in the Ladybug, Snail, Worm and Spider using crayons and colored markers.
When the coloring is done, cut out each bug.
Place a piece of double stick tape on the back of each bug and let your child use the bugs to decorate the front of a green lunch bag.
Now fill the lunch bag with a lunch that is Bug-a-lishous! Here are some suggestions:

Make your child's favorite sandwich and cut it in the shape of a bug using a cookie cutter or paring knife.
Include celery stick and black olive "worms". Cut celery into thin sticks for the worm's body. Add a black olive to one end of the celery stick for the worm's head.
For dessert, tuck in some bug-shaped treats like SweeTARTS Gummy Bugs!

TIPS

If you can't find a bug shaped cookie cutter, draw a simple bug shape on a piece of heavy paper. Cut out the shape, place it on top of the sandwich and cut out with a kitchen paring knife.

HOW TO DO IT-Mystery Number Lunch

Using the marker, write "What is the mystery number?"
Wrap the same number of each food item and place them in the lunch box or bag. For example:

3 crackers
3 slices of a luncheon meat or cheese slices or a sandwich cut in thirds.
3 pieces of vegetable such as celery or carrot sticks
3 orange slices
3 fun-size candy bars (BUTTERFINGER, NESTLÉ CRUNCH, AND BABY RUTH)

Remember to ask your child what was the mystery number.

FOLLOW-UP FUN

Have your child explore what kinds of household or clothing items come in pairs.
Recite nursery rhymes or poems, such as "One, two, buckle my shoe" with your child.

WHAT YOU NEED

Brown paper lunch bag
Leaf stamps (available at craft stores)
Red, orange and yellow acrylic paint
Large and small leaf-shaped cookie cutters (available at craft and cooking stores)
Two pieces each of whole wheat and white bread
Your child's favorite tuna salad recipe
Honeydew melon and cantaloupe
1 NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Candy Bar (Available in two varieties: Cookie or Brownie)

HOW TO DO IT

Decorated Lunch Bag

With red, orange and yellow acrylic paints, stamp different leaf shapes on a brown paper lunch bag. Let it dry while you are making the lunch.

Fall Leaves Lunch

Cut out two white and two whole wheat bread leaves using a large leaf-shaped cookie cutter.
Fill with tuna salad to make two sandwiches.
Cut shapes from cantaloupe and honeydew melons using a small leaf-shaped cutter.
Add a NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Candy bar, for a special lunch box dessert treat!

TIPS

You can also include pieces of white and yellow cheese that you and your child can create with the small leaf-shaped cookie cutters.

FOLLOW UP FUN

Suggest other activities that you and you kids can do together while the leaves are changing. You might take them on an outing to gather leaves. When you get home, you can create crayon leaf rubbings or an autumn wreath

WHAT YOU NEED TO PACK A RECTANGLE LUNCH

A rectangular lunch box
Rectangular food
Rectangular LIBBY'S JUICY JUICE box (4.23 oz or 6.75 oz)
Note card or piece of paper
Marker or pen

HOW TO DO IT

Make a sandwich for your child's lunch. Cut in half and trim the crusts. You now have two rectangles.
Include rectangular shaped crackers
Cut slice of cheese in half to form two rectangles
Include graham crackers (they're rectangular)
Include a note card or piece of paper and a marker or pen in the lunch and ask your child to write down which shape you packed today.
Include your child's favorite flavor of JUICY JUICE in its rectangular juice box.

FOLLOW UP FUN

Pack a regular lunch with a variety of shapes and ask you child to write down as many shapes as he or she can identify.
Let your child help you turn dinner items into shapes and then "test" the rest of the family.

WHAT YOU NEED

1 brown lunch bag
1 sheet of white construction paper
1 sheet of black construction paper
Safety scissors
Ruler
1 thin point orange marker
1 thin point black marker
2 google eyes
1 ghost cookie cutter (available at craft or cook's stores)
2 slices of white bread
Your child's favorite sandwich filling
Black olives
Carrot sticks
"Creepy, Crawley Cookies" (See Related Activities)
NESTLÉ Villains Fun Size bars

HOW TO DO IT

Print out the template.
Cut the ghost out of white construction paper.
Cut the "Boo" out of white construction paper.
Cut two bats out of black construction paper.
Glue the ghost to the front of the brown lunch bag.
Glue the two google eyes to the ghost's face.
Use a black marker to form the mouth.
Glue the two bats and the "Boo" over the ghost.
Assemble your child's favorite sandwich using white bread.
Make the sandwich into a ghost shape using a cookie cutter.
Make "witches fingers" by placing black olives on the ends of carrot sticks.
For a special Halloween treat, tuck in a few "Creepy Crawley Cookies" (See Related Activities) or some NESTLÉ Halloween candy like NESTLÉ Villains Fun Size bars.

TIPS

Put the sandwich into the freezer for about 15 minutes so that the bread doesn't squeeze together when you press down on the sandwich with the cookie cutter

WHAT YOU NEED

1 Brown paper lunch bag
1 sheet each of orange and yellow construction paper
Black marker
Cellophane tape

HOW TO DO IT

Print out template.
Use the template to cut out 3 paper feathers from orange construction paper, 2 paper feathers and 1 beak from yellow construction paper.
Fill the paper lunch bag with a lunch your little "gobbler" would love. For example: A turkey sandwich, corn muffins, a piece of fruit and some NESTLÉ fun size bars.
Fold over the lunch bag and secure with cellophane tape.
Use a black marker to draw two circles for eyes on the folder flap of the bag.
Tape the construction paper beak to the end of the flap.
Tape the construction paper feathers to the back of the lunch bag.

FOLLOW UP FUN

Tell your children interesting Turkey Facts:

Did you know that "Gobble" "Gobble" is the sound that male, or Tom turkey makes when he hears loud noises? This "Gobble" can be heard over a mile away!
Did you know that Benjamin Franklin wanted to name the Turkey our National Bird instead of the Bald Eagle?
Did you know that the Native American name for turkey is "firkee"? That may be how the turkey got its name.

HOW TO DO IT

Using the note card or paper, write a silly joke for your child. Check out Wonka.com for joke ideas.
Attach the joke card to the back of one LAFFY TAFFY with tape.
Place paper with LAFFY TAFFY in your child's lunchbox.
Add a few more pieces of LAFFY TAFFY for your child to share with friends. They'll keep giggling when they read the jokes inside the wrappers.

FOLLOW UP FUN

Depending on the age of your child, he or she can write a silly joke to add to mom or dad's lunchbox or briefcase.

WHAT YOU NEED

Brown lunch bag
Pink and white construction paper (white is optional)
Cotton balls
Safety scissors
Cellophone tape
Black marker pen
Carrot sticks
Egg salad sandwich
1 bag of NESTLÉ CRUNCH, BUTTERFINGER or BABY RUTH Miniatures.

HOW TO DO IT

Pack a brown paper bag lunch with carrots, an egg salad sandwich, and NESTLÉ CRUNCH, BUTTERFINGER or BABY RUTH Miniatures.
Fold brown bag over and tape shut.
Using the template, trace the bunny ears onto the pink construction paper and cut out. Tape them to the top back of the bag.
Again, using the template, cut out the eyes, whiskers, and teeth. Tape in place on the front of the bag.
Glue on two cotton balls for the bunny's cheeks to finish the bunny's face.
Send you little one hoppin' to school.

LITTLE KITCHEN HELPER HINTS

Ask your child about their favorite animals and then help them create other lunch bag critters.
Talk with them about what kinds of food those animals might enjoy. For instance, if they choose a horse, you might include an apple or a carrot. Birds might enjoy sunflower seeds, monkeys might like bananas.

WHAT YOU NEED

Brown bag
Colored marker
Plastic bags of various sizes
Food items that begin with the same letter
NESTLÉ BUTTERFINGER, BABY RUTH, NESTLÉ CRUNCH fun-size bars.

HOW TO DO IT

Using the marker, write on the outside of the brown bag.
For a younger child:

"Remember to tell me the beginning letter of all of the food in the bag."

You may need to read or explain the clue to your young child.
For an older child:

"What does all the food in your lunch have in common?"

Place the food items that begin with the same letter in plastic bags.
Some " B" lunches might include:

Bread or Bun
Bologna
Banana
BABY RUTH
BUTTERFINGER

Some " C" lunches might include:

Crackers
Cream Cheese
Cottage Cheese
Carrot Slices
Cookie
CRUNCH Bar

FOLLOW-UP FUN

Select lunch items based on another theme such as the same shape or color.

WHAT YOU NEED

Gold 8 inch by 10 inch two handled gift bag (available at greeting card or craft stores)
1 sheet of green card stock
Gold puffy paint
Glue stick
Narrow green ribbon (2 feet)
1 St. Patrick's Day lunch (see below)
1 Leprechaun's Surprise (see below)

HOW TO DO IT

Print out shamrock diagram onto green card stock, cut out.
With a glue stick, glue the shamrock onto the front of the gold bag.
Paint your child's name to the front of the shamrock with gold puffy fabric paint.
Tie the bag closed with a green ribbon.
Fill the decorated bag with a St. Patrick's Day Lunch. For example:

A Shamrock shaped sandwich (use a shamrock cookie cutter)
Green celery sticks, green apple wedges and green olives.
Leprechaun's Surprise (see below)

Leprechaun's Surprise

WHAT YOU NEED

1 NESTLÉ WONDERBALL
1 - green #1 lunch pack paper bag (3 1/2 by 6 3/4 inches)
12 inch length of narrow gold ribbon
1 unlined index card
1 green ink pen

HOW TO DO IT

Place a NESTLÉ WONDERBALL into the small green bag.
On an unlined index card, or other small sheet of paper, write a limerick* from the Leprechaun to your child. For Example:
A Leprechaun leaves you this treat
That he thinks is awfully neat!
It's an Irish surprise
From that sneaky green guy
That is Wonderful, and hard to beat!
Place the limerick inside the bag with the WONDERBALL.
Tie the filled bag with narrow gold ribbon and tuck inside your child's Lucky Leprechaun Lunch.

limerick (lim'ur•ik),
(noun)
A kind of humorous poem in which lines one, two and five rhyme, and lines three and four form a rhymed couplet.
[1895-1900; Limerick, Ireland]
Random House Websters College Dictionary Copyright © 1997
by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

FOLLOW UP FUN

Check out a book on Irish Limericks from the library to share with your children on St. Patrick's Day.
Help your children write their own limericks. Everyone can read the limerick that they've written at the dinner table on St. Patrick's Day.
Send a plate of Chocolate Chip Shamrock's (See recipe in Related Activities) to school with your child to share with classmates. Make sure that there is enough for everyone!

WHAT YOU NEED

Plain lunchbox (without designs) or a brown paper lunch bag
Food, drink and NESTLÉ WONDERBALL
Colored marker or paint pens
Wrapping paper or aluminum foil
Ribbon
Construction or plain paper cut into small note papers or small index cards
Cellophane tape

HOW TO DO IT

Using markers or paint pens, draw a big "question mark" on the lunch box or bag.
Wrap each food or drink item in wrapping paper or aluminum foil to cover. Tie with a ribbon.
On each small piece of paper or index card, write a riddle with clues like:
What's wet and wild and white all over?

It helps build strong bones.
Some people call it "moo" juice.

What ball has a surprise inside?

It's round.
It's sweet and you eat it for a treat!

Continue writing notes for each item in the lunch.
Tape the notes to the outside of each gift-wrapped lunch item and pack into box or bag.

FOLLOW-UP FUN

Have your child help pack a mystery lunch for you.
Have your child place a mystery snack on the table. You cover your eyes, ask clues and guess without tasting.
Write a clue sheet describing what's for dinner as a fun family guessing game.

Tips for flatbread roll-ups:

With pita bread, first cut around the edges to separate the two layers and use each separately. Place fillings on the inside surface.
Spread fillings over the bread, leaving a 1/2 inch border around the edge. This keeps the filling inside the bread as it gets rolled up.
Place the rolled-up sandwich on a sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper.
Wrap around the sandwich tightly, twisting the ends and turning them down.
To eat, untwist one end of the wrapper and peel it down. The wrapper helps to hold the sandwich together.

Tropical peanut butter mash

Try this updated peanut butter classic. You need:

1/2 cup peanut butter
1 large banana
1 tbl. shredded coconut
2 tbl. raisins or dates

Mash together the banana and peanut butter.
Spread on bread.
Sprinkle with coconut and raisins.
Roll up.

Part One: Quick and Easy Ideas

These are for those days when you wake up late, the kids are going slow, or you forgot to start something the night before. Whatever the reason, when you are pressed for time, you can still have a great breakfast!

Fruit Shakes

We did an entire article on Summer Shakes, which also make great, instant breakfasts. Try to keep some peeled bananas in the freezer (in ziploc bags.) There are tons of combinations to make. Serve with toast, muffins, cold cereal, or more fruit. Though these are filling, kids will get hungry later on. If they are in school, make sure they have something to go along with these so they don't starve before lunchtime.

Here are a few shakes that go great with breakfast and are fast:

Monkey Milk - blend a banana and 1 cup of milk, add a little yellow food coloring

Purple cow - grape juice and milk blended together

Julius Shakes

Basic recipe:

1 cup juice
1 cup water
1 egg white
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup ice (crushed is best)

Blend at high speed. Serves 2.

Note: The egg white is to make the drink frothy, which it is famous for. You can omit the white, or use that powdered egg white (I think it's called meringue powder) that is sold in the Wilton baking section of most stores.

Here's what I do: I wait for a sale on eggs, then get them home, separate into whites and yolks and freeze. I freeze the whites in small ice cube trays. I put the yolks into juice cans with 1/2-tsp salt and once frozen, put in a Ziploc-type bag. When I want to make a Julius or meringue, I take out the white in cubes and throw them in.

Variations: Try any juice. Some of my favorites are pineapple, strawberry, lime or cranberry. Try mixing different kinds too. Cranberry and orange would be great together, and there are so many juice blends at the store- experiment to your heart's content!

Fresh Fruit

They even come in their own wrapper! Slice apples, bananas, and orange sections for slow and/or little kids. Not filling alone, so serve with toast, muffins, instant oatmeal or cold cereal. Our favorite speedy fruits are grapes, bananas and berries.

Eggs, Bacon and Toast

I can make eggs, bacon and toast in about 5 minutes. I buy the turkey bacon and have one of those microwave bacon trays with the grooves on them to drain the fat. I microwave 5 strips of bacon for 2 1/2 minutes on high, then turn once and microwave for another 2 1/2 minutes. The turkey bacon has very little fat and doesn't shrink. While the bacon is going, I put some toast in the toaster, and scramble up some eggs. Easy and classic!

Horse Chow (from Simple Food for the Good Life)

I had doubts about this recipe until I tried it. My kids now love this. Horse Chow is a combination of raw oats and dried or fresh fruits. You can also add nuts and seeds as well.There are about a million combinations. It's delicious, healthy and cheap. I road-tested this one several times before considering it for this article. The kids like to add their favorites, and eat this fast, uncooked oatmeal/granola.

Here is the basic recipe:

4 cups rolled oats (old-fashioned, not instant)
1/2 cup raisins
juice of 1 lemon
dash of salt
a little vegetable oil to moisen

Mix all together and eat.

Note: Everything but the oats is optional. I substituted blueberries for the raisins, which was great! We have also added apples and cinnnamon, and done strawberries with some milk. You can serve this with any fresh or dried fruit, and add a little milk. It then becomes a quick version of Muesli, a favorite European breakfast.

Instant Oatmeal (homemade version)

Did you know you can make your own instant oatmeal? Here is one we came up with out of desperation:

Kim's Oatmeal-in-a-hurry

Per person:

1/2 cup instant or "quick-cooking" oatmeal
1/2 cup water or milk
1/4 cup or less of sugar (to taste)
dried fruits of your choice- raisins, blueberries, cherries, apples, apricots, dates, etc.
fresh fruit if you like- bananas, berries, etc.
spices- cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin pie spice, depending on what combination you are making
Squirt of honey, jam, or chopped fruit for garnish

1. Combine all, according to taste.

2. Microwave on high 1-2 minutes, until oatmeal is thickened.

3. Garnish as desired (with honey, syrup, chopped bananas, marshmallows, sprinkles, whatever!)

Possible combinations-apples and cinnamon, pumpkin pie (use canned pumpkin or pumpkin pie spice), peaches and cream, strawberries and cream, peanut butter and jelly, tropical (bananas, pineapple, mangoes, dates, coconut, whatever you have), lemon-blueberry, maple syrup and brown sugar, maple syrup and pecans.

Someone sent this one to me:

Oatmeal Packets (from Make Your Own Groceries by Daphne Metaxas Hartwig)

Serving Size : 8

3 C Quick-Cooking Oats
Salt
8 Plastic Sandwich Bags

Put 1/2 C. oats in a blender and whirl at high speed until powdery; reserve in a small bowl and repeat procedure with an additional 1/2 C. oats. If you're using a food processor, powder the 1 C. of oats in one motion. Into each sandwich bag put 1/4 C. unpowdered oats, 2 T. powdered oats, and a scant 1/4 t. salt. Store in a box or airtight container.

To serve : Empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 C. boiling water; stir and let stand for 2 minutes. For thicker oatmeal, use less water; for thinner, use more water. (I microwave for 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 minutes or until done on high)

Variations:

Apple-cinnamon : To each packet add 1 T. sugar, 1/4 t. cinnamon, and 2T. chopped dried apples.
Sweetened :To each packet add 1 T. sugar
Cinnamon spice : To each packet add 1 T. sugar, 1/4 t. cinnamon, and a scant 1/8 t. nutmeg.
Raisins and brown sugar: To each packet add 1 T. packed brown sugar and 1 T. raisins.
Wheat germ: To each packet add 2 T. any kind of wheat germ
Fruit and cream: (This is my own to satisfy the kids) To each packet add 1T. dry milk and 2T dried fruit or fresh fruit after cooking or jam.

Cold cereal

Ok, I'll readily admit that even after being frugal for so long, we still buy cereal. Cold cereal is our "emergency food" for those really stressful mornings! We like to stock up when the prices are low and we have coupons. Once, we found Chex on sale for 99 cents and had a bunch of $1 off coupons. We bought 128 boxes of Chex for $1.28! (We had to pay the 1-cent tax per box). We did everything we could think of with Chex- party mix, muddy buddies, etc. We gave boxes away to friends and cases away to the local mission. My husband bragged that he could have taken a bath in Chex if he wanted to! We still get a good laugh from that.

My point is, keep an eye out for great sales and keep the cereal coupons. I don't always have time to clip coupons, but I always try to clip the cereal ones and keep them in my purse. We have stocked up on Wheaties, bought for 25-50 cents a box with double coupons on sale, as well as Honey Comb, Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, etc, all for under $1 a box.

Kids love to shop for cereal, so make them practice math at the supermarket by giving them the coupons and a budget. I tell them they can only spend up to $1.99 a box, and if they can get something for under $1 a box, they can get more. Teach them frugality as a game, give them the challenge, and you will be surprise what they come up with! They may wind up to be more frugal than you!

Snackmaster Turnovers

If you have a "snackmaster" or "sandwich maker", you can make these really fast. Just butter up to piece of bread, and add a filling. For breakfast, we like to put in a beaten egg and some cheese, with chopped veggies optional. You can use sweet fillings too, such as pie-filling, but I would recommend those as snacks or desserts instead of as breakfasts.

We've even done these as bacon, egg, and toast pockets. These "breakfast sandwiches" are hot and delicious, and only take a few minutes to make. The egg will cook right in between the bread. It usually takes a few minutes. Precook the bacon in the microwave, or use bacon bits. You could also try lunchmeat in these, or make an italian version with some pepperoni and tomato sauce. Voila! Breakfast Pizza Pockets!

More Ideas

Yogurt-Dress up plain yogurt with fruit and honey, or use jello mix to flavor. Presto- neon, cool-looking yogurt. Top with chopped nuts, dried or fresh fruit. Serve with muffins from the freezer.

Cottage Cheese- Place cottage cheese on toast and top with canned fruit. This is known as a "Weight Watcher's Danish". Mandarin oranges or crushed pineapple work really well.

Leftovers

Leftovers can be great for breakfast! Here are a few ideas:

Rice or cooked grains- heat and serve just like oatmeal, with your favorite dried or fresh fruits, nuts, etc..

Mashed potatoes- make birds' nests! Plop small mounds of potatoes on a greased cookie sheet, making a well in each mound. Crack an egg into each well and bake for about 15 minutes at 375, until the egg is cooked through.

Leftover meat and veggies- make omelets, or put into a tortilla with some scramble eggs. You then have yourself some breakfast burritos. I keep tortillas in the freezer for emergencies as well!

Soups- great for breakfast on a cold day. Serve with toast and eggs.

Biscuits and breads- serve with jam, or make breakfast sandwiches. Put some leftover gravy and reheated meat on top for a quick, filling breakfast.

Noodles- Heat with some butter, toss with Parmesan, add any leftover veggies. Pasta Primavera for breakfast! Tell the kids they are eating brunch. Add scrambled eggs if they are not convinced.

With a little ingenuity, you can make quick breakfasts for less. Remember, work smarter, not harder!

Coming Soon:

From the Freezer Breakfasts- for super-fast breakfasts, cook them ahead and reheat in the micro. Our upcoming article will give you lots of recipes and ideas, including: breakfast burritos, baked eggs, waffles, freezer french toast, pancakes, muffins, homefries, breakfast calzones/hotpockets, nutrigrain-type breakfast bars, bagels, English muffins

Overnight Wonders: These make-ahead dishes are ready to serve when you wake up.make ahead pancake/waffle batter, crockpot oatmeal and other crockpot breakfasts, yeast-raised coffee cake, breadmachine breakfast breads, slow-rise breads

Refrigerator Breakfasts: Mix up batters, casseroles, and other goodies that are ready to pop into the oven while you get ready for work, school, etc. Ideas include: quiches, Egg McMamas, donuts, danishes, breakfast casserole, fruit salads, breakfast pizza, yogurt, crepes

Facebook Addiction

2008-08-05T15:17:00.002-04:00

Okay, I have to admit it. The reason that I haven't blogged in a while is that I am a Facebook addict. I know it is cheezy! But I can't resist it!!! I think that they need to have a warning label on the site because I loose hours of time each day to this "THING". And I have infected the rest of my family as well. Dan is all about the "Mob Wars". Mary is addicted to "Mouse Trap". And my dad can't believe how many people are finding him.

I have to admit, it is fun. There are many people from different avenues of my life on there so it is fun to keep in touch. Friends from high school, Korea, Japan, Eastern, church..... I told Dan the other day that it is interesting to see the whole 6º of separation thing at work. Especially in the church. He says that it is just freaky the way that when ever you go to a different ward you either know someone or someone who knows someone you know... did you follow that?

So for all of you that have not been sucked in yet, this is a warning and an invitation. Come and join us, at your own risk.

As promised... more pictures

2008-07-22T22:22:00.005-04:00

Home again, home again jiggity jog....

2008-07-20T17:27:00.002-04:00

So I am home. I am struggling with the effects of jet lag, but nothing a nap for a week couldn't cure!. If only I didn't have to work tomorrow, so it should be interesting. We spent most of the last few days with Greg and Yumiko. We had a BBQ in the front of their apartment building. We went shopping for souvenirs aka "hitting the 100 yen store". The dollar store is not just an American thing. My suitcase looked like the 100 yen store exploded in it!! But it was fun to find different kinds of treasures to bring home to everyone.

My kids were so happy to see me. I was happy to see them after traveling for over 24 hours to get home. I have more pictures and I need to get them posted. I will work on it this week. Ed is still there and has a lot of them. He will be back on Tuesday. I have been looking at his Facebook page hoping that he would post more because he went to Mt. Fuji!!!!

Well, the vacation is over. Back to the real world!!

Kyoto!!!!

2008-07-14T18:33:00.019-04:00

So Ed and I went to Kyoto yesterday. It was a quick day trip which doesn't really happen around here because things are close together, but it takes alot of time to actually get anywhere. But we managed to take one of the first trains of the day and came back on the last train of the day.

It is my favorite time of year in Kyoto, Gion Matsuri. It was great to be back and enjoy the sights and sounds. I decided that we needed to make the most of the day and the weather was stifling so we mostly took cabs from location to location. I know that Yumiko would have had a heart attack if she knew, but I wanted Ed to see as much as possible. We had a grand time. We were able to go to Sanjusangendo, Nijo-jo, Kinkaku-ji, Kiyomizu-dera(my personal favorite), and ended at San-jo dori just in time to see people enjoying the festival in splendid yukatas.

It was incredible to be back in a city I love. To feel the energy of it all and take in the history. This year is the 1000 year anniversary of The Tale of Genji, which takes place in Kyoto. Having had the experience of reading this novel, twice, it is always lovely to see the actual places that the story was intended to take place.

It was great to have time with Eddie. I miss hanging with him. It was fun to share with him all the places that I love in Japan. We had a blast walking around San-jo dori looking in shops and looking at prices comparing them to the states. And because it was the festival, many shops were handing out fans for the occasion. We went on a hunt to find the best fan. I think it was a tie- McDonald's and a beer company. It was great. I think Ed was about to mug someone for their fan because we couldn't find any. It was great!

Kyoto has such a different feel from Tokyo. The Japanese have a rivalry about where the actual capitol is and should be. Kyoto had a long history of being the capitol city so the culture is rich. I am so fortunate to have this once in a lifetime opportunity to visit a place that I love. It has been hard to be away from my family, but it has been spectacular.

World's biggest circle game....I mean Buhdah

2008-07-13T16:42:00.002-04:00

So yesterday was a full day. We went to Kamakura. There are over 100 temples there. We visited a few and several shrines. We even caught the tail end of a wedding- got it on video and will post it later. Here are a few of the highlights. I am going to Kyoto today so I will post more later!

China Town and Yokohama

2008-07-10T09:36:00.009-04:00

We had a great day today! Yumiko, Ed and I went on an adventure. Greg had class and Grandma still needed to rest. So we headed to Yokohama. It was a great time. Ed commented that his first few meals in Japan have not been Japanese starting with McDonalds at the airport and then chinese food in China Town today but it was great food.

It was funny because when we got here I told Yumiko that I needed to go to the post office to exchange money and she said, oh we should go to the bank. We went to the bank and they said, you need to go to the post office. I do know Japan!

We headed to Yokohama and went to Yodobashi Camera- the multimedia mecca! It was the overwhelming. 7 floors of multimedia. We went to get a memory card and ended up staying for an hour and half. So much to see, so little money.

We then went to China Town and ate GOOD Chinese food for lunch. And then walked around. There was panda stuff all over the place! It was so cute! We took pictures at a temple and then walked to Yokohama Bay Park. It was beautiful. Then to Aka Renga Soko an old historical area that used to be the port customs area. After WWII, the US took over and used the facilities. It was turned back over to them at then remodeled into a shopping center for imports.

We then came home and I got to go to my favorite convenience store! LAWSON! And then to Yumi's parents for a feast! I am so full!! Tempura, sushi, somen, tsukemono.... It was so great! Yumi's dad showed us some of the most beautiful pictures that he has taken! It was a great time. Now we are headed to bed because we are going on a tour of Tokyo tomorrow. I get a break because it will be in english.

JAPAN

2008-07-09T05:30:00.002-04:00

Well, after getting up at 3:30 a.m. flying to Atlanta and then a 13 hour flight, we are here!!! Our butts are sore and we are tired from traveling, but it is great to be here. I can't believe how much I have missed it here!!! I will post pictures later. Grandma is sleeping. Eddie is checking out Japanese TV and Greg is cooking for us tonight. I can't believe that I haven't crashed yet, but I am sure that it is coming soon!

UP NORTH Continued

2008-07-06T08:41:00.003-04:00

So we have been loving it up north! It has been a quick trip, but a good one. Thursday was a cool day and so we played around the house. Daniel and Abby had fun playing with the kids across the street, in the street. It brought back memories of summers on the street. I am glad that they love being here so much. Everyone was here. All of the cousins! Friday our normal "Thanksgiving Feast" was changed to a steak extravaganza. We had blueberry, apple and strawberry rhubarb pie- ala red, white and blue. The was the year of new traditions. We decided to take Daniel to the public park to view the fireworks up close. He enjoyed it! He liked that they were so loud! Abby stayed with my mom and watched the "pretties" from our beach and then promptly fell asleep. I love that we have such a fun place to come to to create new memories and enjoy family traditions.

Yesterday was Papa's 90th birthday. We had quite a bash! About 40 friends and relatives gathered to spend time with him. He was touched. I will have to post pictures later. We ate and ate and ate. Dan and I went to see Hancock
It was a great flick!! "Call me crazy one more time" is my new personal tag line! We came back and enjoyed fireworks. It was great to have everyone together for Papa. He really enjoyed seeing everyone, but said that he would have rather watched Lawrence Welk than watch the fireworks! Sounds about right.

VACATION TIME!!!!!

2008-07-02T08:20:00.004-04:00

Dan looked at me last night and asked "Why does it feel like Friday when I know that it is Tuesday?" Well, because we are on vacation! Yesterday was our last day of work for a while. We are headed to the airport today to pick up my grandma aka GG. The kids love her and can't wait to see her. And then we will go north to Oscoda!! The beach is waiting for us and calling our names. When we were there a few weeks ago the kids couldn't get enough. And they have friends on Oscoda Street waiting for them. It will be great. Dan's golf clubs have not been swung this year yet so he is going to hit the driving range. Daniel said that he needs to go fishing. So I think we have some adventures ahead of us.

Friday will be the big family celebration of the 4th.
Food, food and more food and some fireworks!!! Saturday we are going to have a "surprise party" for my Grandpa aka Popi Jo, who will be turning 90. So there will be a lot to do, but I am sure that I will make it to the beach a few times.

Sunday, Dan, Ed, GG and I will be coming back to the homestead because Tuesday we leave for JAPAN!!!!!!! I can't wait. I have a wish list of adventures I want to go on and yummy treats I want to eat. We will see. I am sure that the trip will kick my butt, but I am ready for it! No kids-which I am starting to worry about. No hubby-which I know will be okay, but am worried about. No work- not worried at all. I am not even going to think the "H word" while I am gone. Or the "P word" for that matter. I need to just let go and refocus. I have no balance in my life. I was reading on Like a warm cup of coffee: 31 days to clean and realized that I have a problem with balance. So I am going to work on it.

I am going to be blogging on my trip so stay tuned!!!

National Fudge Day and Father's Day

2008-06-16T13:06:00.004-04:00

I would just like to take a minute to let you know that it is National Fudge Day !
But don't confuse that with National Nutty Fudge Day- which I missed on May12th. And just so you know it is National Candy Month. I feel that I am not doing my duty by indulging in all the yummy treats that confectioner slave over to offer our Nation. I think that I am going to have to go and replenish my supply of treats!

We had a good Father's Day. Yummy food, naps and time together. I am thankful for the father's in my life. It was nice to just relax. Dan had made a wonderful dinner the night before so we just had brunch. Dan was happy to christen his new griddle that we gave him with a 1lb. package of center cut bacon. He was a happy man. The kids made him cards and all the fun stuff. And Abby kept running around yelling "Happy Fadder's".

Father's Day

2008-06-14T15:08:00.001-04:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

UP NORTH

2008-06-08T21:34:00.003-04:00

It has been a crazy weekend. But all worth it. Friday I picked my mom and grandpa up at the airport and drove from Detroit to Oscoda. 4 1/2 hours with Abby too. She was the best girl!! Singing, sleeping, talking- just happy-thankfully! We made it up here by 6:00 pm. It was nice to be near the water again. I love being up here. It is the best. I have so many wonderful summer memories and I am glad that my children will have the opportunity to have those memories too.

After all of the "Opening the cottage" work was done, which this year was no small task, (for which my mom bought me ice cream for dinner!) but better than the flood from last year, we went to the beach and the kids went in the water and I received my first sunburn of the season. It was nice to feel the breeze off the water and the sand on your toes. It has been rainy off and on today and so we have just hung out and mom and I have been crocheting. And I have been the chef today. I made grandma's onion chicken and mashed potatoes. YUMMY comfort food which is great on a rainy day!

Abby had been so funny this year. She loves the freedom! Daniel just loves to be here and can't get enough. I am glad that my parents are up here where they love to be. And that I get to benefit from it!!

I do it!

2008-06-03T11:03:00.003-04:00

So there is more potty training news! I was on the phone (big shocker I know) last night and I heard the bathroom door close and I knew that Daniel was in the living room which only meant that it could be Abby. Well, normally that means that she is going to play in the toilet. So I quickly opened the door and she was sitting there with her diaper and pants on the floor sitting on her potty. And heard the familiar sound. It was so great that she did it. But she said to me "I do it! High five mommy!" It was so cute! She is getting there. I can only hope that it gets better from here.

Weekend Fun

2008-06-03T10:28:00.006-04:00

Memorial Day weekend we stayed home and hung out. Dan had to work on Saturday so we had a bbq. And then went to a friends for a bbq on Monday.

Daniel is love with the Wii and kicks our butts! He is a great bowler and fisherman!

We discovered that Abby LOVES corn on the cob!

And I found a way to make Dan eat broccoli- Aunt Mary's Broccoli salad!

This weekend we went to the Detroit Race for the Cure.
It was a great time. There were 30,000 people there. CVS was a corporate sponsor so the Shawl's walked! Mary and Julia came too! Mary ran with her friend Lori. We all had a great time and the weather was perfect! It was great to be there to support others! There were several bands that were playing music along the route and Daniel and Dan were in heaven when we heard the heavy metal band. Daniel is quite the metal head. Dan actually is taking him to a Demon Hunter concert in a few weeks. They are a Christian metal band. Daniel is elated! I am not so sure. But we will see. I think that Dan is happy to have a metal head for a son.

Lori and Mary!

Julia!

Something interesting

2008-05-28T21:38:00.002-04:00

Have you ever thought about how many other people have your name? My mother-in-law and I do. And I actually met another Elizabeth Potter a few weeks ago, kind of freaky! But I was lurking on my cousins website and found this:

HowManyOfMe.com

There are
5
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

It was kind of freaky! But cool at the same time. Check it out. I found out that there are more people that have my sisters name than mine. Who would have thought! And that there are 6 people who have my husbands name. But my Grandma Potter is an original! Try it is addicting! I have been entering names for 15 minutes now just to see!

Poopy on the Potty!

2008-05-18T20:09:00.002-04:00

Huge strides in the potty training department were made today! Abby went poopy on the potty for the first time!! She came up to me and said "I need to go poopy!" We have been through this several times before with no success and I have tried not to push the issue yet, but if she wants to, why not. So we went in and she did her business. We all clapped and she got stickers and M&M's. What more could you ask for? I am hoping that this is a trend and not a fluke. I am sure that it won't be that easy, but a mother can wish, right?

Mother's Day should not be on a Sunday!

2008-05-13T14:50:00.003-04:00

Why is it that the most stressful day of the week is Mother's Day? Sunday is not a good day to relax and be pampered! Within 5 minutes of waking up I was yelled at, hit and told that I wasn't nice. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! Then their was breakfast, which is alway a battle and I never get any. The whole getting everyone dressed thing and then keeping them clean in their good clothes. AHHHHH! Sacrament meeting was nice until right after the sacrament was passed, then Abby had a fit. Dan took her into the hall and I went to check the Primary room. NONE of the chairs were set up. So I hurried and did that with the help of my friend Kathy which meant that I didn't hear any of the first talk. Then the children sang, beautifully of course. And then back to the Primary room to get everything ready. Which thanks to my wonderful counselor Jeni, went AWESOME!!! She rocks!!! I talked with the children about Elder Ballard's talk from conference and how he directly spoke to the children about how they should be to their mothers. I have to admit, I got a bit teary as I talked with them. Then they had a great time singing songs about mom's. And then we made bookmarks. FUN, FUN, FUN! Then the whole running around to check on everyone, collect cub scout camp forms! I went to the nursery to pickup Abby and she was asleep. I rushed home to see Dan before he had to work for a few minutes. Bless him, he made me soup on a rainy day! We settled down for a while and then the real Mother's Day fun started! Abby started to barf! I guess this was the Lord's way of telling me that it wasn't about me! So covered in barf and tired from the day I decided that we need to boycott Mother's Day on a Sunday. How does Tuesday sound? It works for me! Just a day that I am allowed to really get a break. Yeah RIGHT!

And that whole cut your arm off thing....

2008-05-10T07:42:00.002-04:00

Yesterday Daniel was asking if he could walk home from the bus stop alone because he saw other kids doing it. I told him he was a bit too young and not yet. He said that the kids that walked home were his same age. I said, we live too far from the bus stop. It is literally a block and a half but he would have to cross the street 2 or 3 times. He wasn't buying it. So we were in the car with Dan a bit latter and I said, "Daddy, Daniel wants to walk home from the bus stop by himself, I think it isn't a good idea how about you?" Dan said, yeah that is not a good idea, do you know why Daniel? Daniel said, "I am too little, it is too dangerous, I could get hurt, some one could take me or that whole cut your arm off thing." I don't know how but Dan didn't laugh. I almost peed myself in the front seat trying not to laugh! I asked him what he was talking about and he said, you know if your aren't careful, you could get your arm cut off. WOW, I have never heard anything that random even from him. Dan played along and said, yeah that can happen!!! OH MY!!! What a mind this kid has!

PS

2008-05-05T15:08:00.001-04:00

I didn't cheat that much while I was gone and I actually have lost 5 lbs so far!

Learning to have fun

2008-05-05T14:43:00.003-04:00

I have just returned from the Midwest Pilgrims pilgrimage in Rockford , Illinois . It was the most amazing experience. One that I will continue to learn and grow from. I came away with a new sense of who I am and the ability to be my "authentic self".

The women that I met were amazing. And I don't think that I have ever felt so accepted, loved, encouraged, understood and wanted in my whole life. These LDS women were real LDS women as I define what an LDS woman is.

Sister Chieko Okazaki of the general Relief Society Presidency was the guest for the retreat. What an amazing woman!! She was awesome!! The thing that she spoke of were touching, funny, spiritual and relevant. It was incredable to sit and be in her presence for 3 days and feel of her spirit, but also to see that she is real and approachable. And the love that she has for us as sisters of the church was so overwhelming. I will never listen to her speak the same way again.

I learned so much about myself that I don't know that I could put it all into words. But the one thing that I learned was that we need to have FUN and PLAY! We get so busy with everything that we do that we don't have fun and we don't play. So I encourage you to think about what makes you laugh, what do you do for fun, what would you like to do for fun? GO DO IT! Stop doing what you are doing and make time for FUN!

It was also so great to spend time with my mom. Since she has moved it has been hard. We spend time together in the summer and during Christmas. And we go down to Florida every February. But it isn't the same. So it was great to be alone with her and just talk and connect and hang out. I needed that too.

I feel like I can be a better me after this weekend. I feel like I can be a better wife, mother, sister, friend.... the list could go on!

Spring is here...and so is the winter weight!

2008-04-29T07:48:00.002-04:00

So I was looking at a picture of myself. Not a good idea. It was awful! I then saw a picture of my sister. She has been working hard on loosing her baby weight. Doing all the things that I hate. Eating right, exercising, you know, all the things that you didn't have to do when you were 22 and a size 0. Oh I miss those days!!! When I could go shopping and not try anything on. I could just see something I liked and buy it off the rack. 13 years and 2 kids later, fat chance! And I mean FAT! I stepped on the scale yesterday morning. Thinking, oh, maybe 5 lbs more. WRONG!! Try 10 lbs. So I guess the 660 calorie Melting Moments ice cream sandwich last week was a bad idea. Along with several other unmentionables. So I called my sister and said, Okay, I am doing it! Weight Watchers, will you be my cheerleader? She said she would. I am glad that I have such a great sister that is so supportive! Thanks Mary!

So far so good. Yesterday:

Breakfast: Yogurt
Morning Snack: Apple Slices
Lunch: Turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato, swiss cheese on WW bread with a little mustard
Snack: 100 calorie pack Chips Ahoy (love those)
Dinner: not as good, but not bad- Leftover spaghetti
Snack: 2 oreos- Some vices have to be broken slowly
And tons of water.

Today:
Breakfast: Oatmeal with strawberries -yummy!

I at least feel mentally better about it. I know that I am an emotional eater and when I am alone it is worse. So I locked myself in my bedroom after I put the kids to bed so that I wouldn't be tempted and I didn't watch Food Network or "No Reservations with Anthony Bourdaine" on the Travel Channel.

One day down, and 70 to go until I leave for Japan. Hopefully I will make my goal!

A not so great date night.

2007-11-13T20:32:00.000-05:00

So, I had planned to have a date night with Dan on Friday and we did, babysitter and all, we just didn't get to go where we wanted to. We went to the emergency room. Kidney infection #13! YEAH! It really is getting old. At least I got good drugs right, right! Morphine three times because it was so bad. So I guess the moral of the story is never pre-plan a hot date with my husband and expect to really get to go!

Cold............Dark.........Uuugh.........

2007-11-06T05:58:00.000-05:00

Well, fall is finally here. With daylight savings time so late this year, we have been spoiled. And it has all come at once. The dark, the cold, the windy. I guess that it is supposed to snow this week. JOY! I guess that is what I get for living in Michigan. Summer one week and winter the next. But it has kicked in my craving for comfort food. I made cabbage rolls on Sunday. They were YUMMY! And I think that I need to make some soup this week. I just feel it in the air.

My life is crazy/scary as usual. Work, Home, Church. It never stops! But at least there is a lull this week. The sacrament program is done for primary YEAH! The orientation is done for work YEAH. Check out my handy work at the website- www.habitat-lenawee.org But my house is in shambles and I never seem like I can get caught up! There alway is laundry to wash, which really isn't the hard part in this house, it is the putting away that we seem to have a problem with. There are alway dished to be washed and put away. And for some reason, my kids still haven't learned that the toys go in the toy room not all over the house.

Hopefully I will get some things accomplished this week. I am planning to make applesauce on Friday with my friend Jeni. It has become our thing. She loves it, as do I. I am going to help my friend Amy with her house on Saturday in preparation of her new baby coming!!!!! And I think that we are going to try and get in some girl time for lunch at the Relief Society Christmas Workshop. My friend Shelly is doing a silent lesson and I can't wait to see it. We shall see if I can make it through.

What other choice do I have?

Pierogi and an ode to Grandma Jo

2007-10-28T19:45:00.000-04:00

So my husband brought home some pierogi from a co-worker. I love pierogis, but these were the BEST ever! I am trying to get the recipe. She and her family had made a ton last year and were getting ready to make more this year and so she needed to get rid of her stash. I was happy that we were the ones to get them. Potato and onion, sauerkraut, turkey and cheese and apple. I need to make a million and fill my freezer!

We do some thing similar in my family each year. We make strudel. My grandmother was Austrian and it was a big part of her heritage. Her mother used to make it quite often. We have a tradition of making it each fall when the Hubbard squash is in season. We love squash strudel and apple as well. Here are a few pictures of this years efforts as well as some from the years past.

My grandfather never has really gotten into it but a few years ago, he thought that he needed to help so we put him to work.

We make the dough and stretch it so that it is thin enough to see through.

Here is the recipe:

Strudel Dough

Grandma Schranz

3 cups “SIFTED” Flour, (High Gluten flour works best, Bouncer at Gordon’s)

2 Eggs

½ tsp. Salt

3 TBSP. Oil (Do Not use Canola)

2/3-cup Warm Water

Sift flour onto a pastry board, make a well in center and add eggs, salt and oil. Add water slowly and work mixture into a soft dough. Knead dough until it becomes elastic and leaving the board clean. Or, pick up the dough and throw it on the board about 100 times. Form dough into a smooth ball. Cover with a warm bowl and let stand for 1 hour.

Spread a clean cloth over a large table. Dust the whole cloth lightly with flour. Place dough in middle of the cloth and roll out into a large oblong. Then reach under the dough with palms up and stretch the dough until it is thin. Trim the thick edges off and patch any “holes” with any dough that is falling off the table edges. Cover the dough with desired filling. For squash, spread with grated Hubbard squash, dribble 1 stick of melted butter/margarine over the squash, sprinkle with salt, cinnamon and sugar. For apple, do the same, just omit the salt. Starting at each end, roll both ends at the same time by lifting the cloth off the table so that the dough rolls towards the middle until each roll meets. Slice dough between rolls and place each roll on a greased cookie sheet. Brush with milk and sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until brown.

2007-10-27T23:00:00.001-04:00

October 27, 20007

2007-10-27T22:32:00.000-04:00

Well, I thought that I would give this a try. I have been interested in blogging. So here we go.