Pencil Buddies

We have been gone all day getting my oldest son his school supplies! I love back-to-school shopping. With that in mind, today’s craft is a really cute one I found at Family Fun. We haven’t gotten the chance to make these at our house, but this is the next craft we are doing because they are just too cute!

Family Poem

Today has been busy getting ready for school to start. Tomorrow we have to go get our oldest son’s school supplies so that should be an adventure! In honor of back to school I thought I would write an acrostic poem about family. You remember having to do those in elementary school? I loved them!

Family is forever.
Always there when you need them.
Mothers and Fathers caring for their children.
Impatient babies crying for their milk.
Love found all around.
Young or old, family is your foundation.

Household Management Binder

So I am finally done with my summer classes! Can we all breathe a sigh of relief? Now I can get all my business items caught up with. I have a pillow I am making this weekend, so be prepared for some pictures on Monday! Also, I am going to be getting the new site up and running for Monday and I will be happy to have that completed as well. The past two days were spent on homework and I hate when I have to concentrate all my time on one thing. I  would prefer to have my days more balanced between all of my responsibilities. Which brings me to my topic of this post: My Household Management Binder!

I am a part of a great Facebook group called “Let’s Get Organized” In it we are creating our Household Management Binders which I am extremely grateful for! I have used some sort of organizer for the past 4 years and none of them really quite fit. There were things I liked about each, but not one that I could say really worked the way I needed it to. So now we are going to create one together! It is always more fun to do things with your friends than alone.

A couple of months ago at the Women’s Ministry at my church we had to define our roles, without having more than 7 because then we would be overextending ourselves. So I am incorporating that into my Binder. I have 8 tabs which are: Me, Husband, Children, Homemaking, Learning, Creativity, Community, and Special. In the front is where I keep my Daily Log that I created. My Daily Log

I also created a page where I can write down items that I can do in 15 minutes because FlyLady always says “You can Do Anything for 15 Minutes!” Fifteen Minute Schedule

I have done so much better using my daily log than any other calendar I have tried before and it helps me to see if I am keeping my life in balance. There is so much more I am going to incorporate into my binder, but that is what I have so far and I am very thankful for the opportunity to be building this life organizer with a great group of ladies!

How to Beat Bad Day Blues

Your child wakes you up at 2 AM sick. After you check his temperature, give him medicine, and get him resettled back into bed, there are only a couple more hours of sleep left. Which means you are going to be dragging the next day. What do you do to beat those “bad day blues” after not getting enough sleep? I have 5 techniques to try to still have a productive day.

1. Drink some coffee!

This morning after being awakened by a sick two year old I did not feel like doing anything! First thing I drank my coffee though. I know some people don’t like caffeine, but I like to start my day off with some coffee. It helps my mind wake up. So that is what I did first so that I could be functional for the rest of the family!

2. Get 5 minutes of exercise.

After we all had our breakfast and I checked up on all my emails, I did 5 minutes of aerobic exercise. I intend to do a full workout later on today, but I needed that 5 minutes to get my mind in gear for being active.

3. Take a shower and get dressed.

I know for some people this is a no brainer, but I work from home most of the time and if some days it is tempting to just lounge around in my pajamas. But in order to be productive, I need to get dressed. It switches my brain into “work” mode.

4. Put on some upbeat music

I love music. It really helps set my mood for the day. When I feel sluggish and rundown I put on my favorite songs and listen to them. It really does help my energy level.

5. Do the hardest thing on your list first!

This one is something that I just learned recently and everyday that I apply it I am super productive! Look at your to-do list for the day. Which item are you dreading the most? It is probably the one at the bottom of the list. Whichever task you don’t want to do, that is the one you must do first! When I learned about this concept it was called “eating a live frog”. Every morning wake up and complete the hardest task on your list. It is like eating a live frog because once you get done with that, the rest of the day seems easy! I mean really, if you just got done eating a live frog than what could be harder than that?

I just got done completing number 3 and thought I would post this blog before finishing the start of my day, but I am going to go listen to some good music and clean up my kitchen (a huge live frog)!

5 Favorite Blogs

I took the weekend off from blogging and am back again! It has been a very busy time getting everything set up to open Soft Reflections for business, but we have our website up and running now. In my free time, when I have some, I like to browse through blogs. There are a few that I subscribe to so that I don’t miss a post and I am going to share 5 of my favorites with you today!

1. Gertie’s New Blog for Better Sewing

Naturally, I love reading blogs about sewing! The writer of the blog is very knowledgeable, upbeat, and retro! Plus she reminds me of Abby from NCIS! What’s not to love?

2. Jeub Family

This is a family with 16 children! They have so much great information for families, and not just large families either. This blog is one of the major reasons I started Soft Reflections in the first place. And the thing that I love most is that they reply to comments! I have commented on blogs before and they either “monitor” them and never put the comment up, or don’t even bother to comment back. I think it adds a lot to a blog when the writer responds back to the readers. Note: I will respond to any comments or questions you leave on my blog!

3. Our Double Blessings

This one is a picture blog of a family with twins that are so cute! I love looking at the pictures and seeing what great things they are up to. I think my next hobby to learn is photography!

4. TinkerLab

There are a lot of fun, creative ideas on this site. I am always looking for a new craft project to do with the boys and this site always has fabulous ideas!

5. Bakergirl

This is a food blog because I love food! She has wonderful pictures as well, which of course makes me love it even more. She also has really funny posts so it really is the triple threat of food blogs: great food, great pictures, great writing. Enjoy!

My 7 Favorite Recipes

1. Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

This first one is my own creation! I love potato salad and I was trying to think of a new type to make. Who doesn’t love the combination of chicken, bacon, and ranch together? This makes a great dish to take to a potluck. It is almost a complete meal within itself (we did have corn on the cob and a small side salad with it).OK, it isn’t the healthiest meal ever, but it is a great “every once in a while” meal!

Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Salad

Ingredients:
2 packages ranch dressing mix
1 c. mayonnaise
1 1/2 c. sour cream
3/4 c. chopped green onion
1 lb. bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
3-4 lb. unpeeled red potatoes
1/2 lb. cooked, cubed chicken breast
4 oz. grated cheddar cheese
4 chopped hard-boiled eggs
1/2 c. chopped green peppers

Directions:
1. Bring a large pot of salted water and quartered potatoes to a boil. Cook until tender, about 10-15 minutes. Drain, run under cold water to cool, and chop into 1 in. cubes. Transfer to a large serving bowl, and refrigerate until completely chilled, about 2 hours.

2. In a small bowl, stir together the ranch dressing mix, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Cover, and refrigerate for about 2 hours to blend flavors.

3. Stir the ranch mixture into the bowl of potatoes. Add the chicken, eggs, bacon, green peppers, green onions, and cheese. Stir to evenly distribute. Chill for 1 hour. Serve.

2. Seven Layer Magic Cookie Bars

My mom used to make these when I was a kid and I loved them! I recently made them and they are very rich. Of course, I would eat all of them at one time if I was allowed to when I was a kid, but now I just need one and I am good until the next day! Still a favorite recipe of mine though.

3. Southern as You Can Get Collard Greens

I am from Maine, my husband is from Mississippi. It is imperative that I know how to make collard greens for him! Before I tried this recipe I thought I didn’t like collard greens, but boy was I wrong! These taste wonderful and it is a very simple recipe so anyone can enjoy this southern staple.

4. Mexican Casserole

Another super easy recipe! I love casseroles because they are a quick prep time and you have your whole meal in one place! I like to use this recipe, but of course have to add more to it!

5. Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Chili

Ok, I had to add another Mexican dish to the list! I love this recipe and definitely add the lime juice and serve it over rice. We love rice in our family!

6. French Onion Soup

This is definitely one of my comfort foods! In fact I think I am going to make some tomorrow because it is so good and another simple recipe. Sometimes, if we are feeling extravagant, we will eat this alongside a steak. It is definitely filling enough on its own though.

7. No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

This last recipe is a great dessert to make when you don’t feel like cooking one! I always make them the night before so I can make sure to have enough chilling time and then take them out of the fridge before we eat dinner so they cut easier. Chocolate, peanut butter, and oats- a fantastic combination!

12 Ways to Create Summer Memories

It’s summer! Yah! Now what are you going to do? Here are 12 ways your family can create summer memories.

1. Take a Weekend Vacation

Don’t have 2 weeks off for a long vacation? Pick a close drive and take a weekend vacation! Within a few hours of us we could take in a show at Branson, take our budding scientist to the Science Museum in Oklahoma City, or even take a drive over to Bentonville, AR to see where Walmart started! It doesn’t have to be a major city, just research a town near you, book a hotel room and let the adventure begin!

2. Create Your Own “Island Getaway”

Wish you could visit Hawaii? Bring Hawaii to you with your very own island getaway! Turn your backyard or even your living room into your own private island! Put on some Hawaiian music, buy some Hawaiian shirts and leis and start doing the hula! Maggie’s Dinner Dates has some cute ideas that you could incorporate into your party. Aloha!

3. Host a Mystery Dinner

Enjoy a good mystery book? Why not invite your children’s friends over for a fun-filled “Whodunit” Dinner! Who said themed parties were just for birthdays?  Not very creative? Then order a prepackaged mystery kit!

4. Go on a Bug Hunt

It’s a fact. Kids love gross things. What could be more fun than looking for bugs? My son loves bugs and even went to a Bug Camp this year and did plenty of bug-themed crafts. He had a lot of fun and they got to look for bugs, which he was very excited to do. So get out of the house and hunt those bugs! You can even make a “Bug House” for them to live in if you find a bug worthy of adoption. Walnut Acre has some great photos of a bug house that they made.

5. Take a Class Together

What is your children’s favorite thing to do? Draw? Dance? Photography? There are classes offered across most cities and many smaller towns as well. Call up your local college and see if they have any summer classes for kids. Look in the yellow pages. Ask friends and family. There is bound to be something that you can all learn together!

6. Go to the Zoo

I know, this is a boring suggestion, but the zoo is always a fun place to go. In fact I think I am going to plan a trip to the zoo later this summer because we haven’t been to a zoo in quite a while. Make sure you bring your water and sunscreen!

7. Have a Lego Building Day

Do you have a lot of Legos running around the house? Well gather them all up and make a day of building Legos! See who can build the nicest castle or who can be the most creative in their creations. Look at this Lego blog for some awe-inspiring things to make with Legos and then get to building! When is the last time you created something with Legos?

8. Adopt a Pet

Ok. This one won’t be a good idea for everyone, but if you have been thinking about adopting a pet for a while now go out there and actually do it! The summer is a great time because everyone is more relaxed and the kids will have more free time to take care of their pet (keeping our fingers crossed on that one!). Make sure you pick the right pet for your family and lifestyle, Oprah can help (or at least her website can)!

9. Create a Fancy Dinner

Time to break out the tablecloth and candlesticks! Why not get in the kitchen with your son or daughter and create a masterpiece for dinner! My two favorite sites for food ideas are allrecipes.com and foodgawker.com. Allrecipes has what I consider more “practical” recipes and foodgawker has the most delicious looking food I have ever seen! Seriously, I get so hungry every time I go to that website. So if you are feeling a little adventurous (and haven’t eaten in a while) then head on over and pick a recipe!

10. Photography Day

Dedicate one day to capturing moments. Even if you have nothing planned that day, just start snapping away and see what you come up with! If your children are old enough let them use the camera and see what they capture. The Fun Family Blog has some great pointers on capturing moments and also some awesome pictures! The next day you can get them developed and turn it into a short scrapbook. Who knows, you may even start your child out on a new hobby!

11. Road Trip!

If you have older kids this will work out great. Pack a suitcase and head out on the road. You don’t even need a destination in mind. When my husband and I got married we spent our honeymoon on a road trip from Oregon to Mississippi, where we were going to live. That was so much fun and we take a road trip at least once a year even when the boys were babies, but it was a lot more stressful when we had an infant with us! We love to just pick a direction to go and look on the map while we are driving to see where we will go (well, I look at the map and my husband drives). Set a total number of days and head on out. When you get to your first destination find out from the front desk clerk at the hotel what the fun things to do in town are. You may be surprised at the fun you will have when you don’t have a plan! (Don’t forget the camera!)

12. Plan some Crafts

I love crafts and as a result my sons get to do a lot of them! My oldest son loves science and hopes to become a scientist when he grows up. So I like to do crafts that also incorporate into science some how. This Color Changing Milk looks like an awesome idea. There are plenty of ideas at Unplug Your Kids so take a look and see what fun crafts you can do together!