Homemaker Tip: How to Wash Your Oven Racks

It's Spring Cleaning time!  Not that I'm actually doing that, but maybe some of you motivated mamas are?  In my defense, the spring weather hasn't really stuck around here in Iowa yet.  I like to do my deep cleaning with the windows open, and I just can't pull that off when it's only 30 degrees outside.

Here is a quick tip for cleaning your oven racks.  Wash them in the tub or shower!

I like to soak mine with a little soap in the bath tub, then stand them up and spray them off. 

You'd be surprised what a great job that alone does.  If you have tougher spots, do that plus give them a little scrub with some steel wool.  They'll look like new! 

For the inside of the oven I use a baking soda and water paste to scrub away the icky spills that have been baking into place for months (oops!). 

I've never used the self cleaning feature on my oven, because 500 degrees for however many hours just freaks me out.  Maybe it works well though?  Have you used it? 


Do you have any homemaker tips you'd like to share?  You may submit a  post and be featured as a guest writer on my blog by using my contact me e-mail button, found on the right-hand side of this page. 

Kitchen Gadgets Giveaway: Part 2.

 

I used to use my bulky mandoline slicer all the time to make our zucchini into pasta.  You can read about that by clicking here. 

I really like my mandoline, but once I got my Zoodle Slicer, there was just no going back!  I’m using smaller sized zucchinis than I was with the mandoline, which I’ve found I actually like better!  The flavor is more pleasant and the seeds aren’t even an issue in these little guys.  Once the garden comes in I’ll have to remember to pick my zucchinis before they get giant (which can happen the matter of a day)!

 

What makes the Zoodle slicer so great? 

·         This little thing takes up a tiny fraction of cupboard space.

·         It makes nice firm ‘noodles’.

·         It’s easy to use.  If you can sharpen a pencil, you can use this little gadget.

·         You can use it for other vegetables too.  It makes a julienne cut or a flora cut, depending on what side of the gadget you use. 

·         We’re inspired to eat more zucchini by using this!

·         I consider it safe for my preteen to use under light supervision.

·         It’s also safe enough for my husband to use.  Kidding, Kidding.  No I mean, I’m not really kidding… he does just fine with it! 

 

If you’ve been around here awhile you know that when I fall in love with a product I want everyone I know to know about it so they can experience the awesomeness too!

 

That’s why I’m hosting a giveaway for a Zoodle Slicer. 

You can win by visiting my Facebook page and liking/commenting on the "Giveaway Time" picture, or by commenting on a blog post last week or this week!

***THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR MORE GIVEAWAYS, TIPS, AND INSPIRATION***

They aren’t too expensive, but wouldn’t it be fun to win one?  Especially if you’re on the fence about it, it’s better to win and give it a try, than to buy.

I’m obviously no salesman, just a frugal rhyming housewife!

If you do decided you’d like to buy one, I’d love it if you’d come back here and purchase it through my Amazon affiliate link.  That’s what helps me create revenue to host these giveaways and run my web-site.  You can read about that by clicking the “disclosure” tab at the top of this page.

  

Yummy Zoodles!

After you have a bundle of zoodles cut, put them in a pan with a jar of spaghetti sauce and heat them up.  Delicious!

In The Kitchen: Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix

 

This Ranch Dressing Mix is SO easy peasy.  I wish I could credit whoever I got the original recipe from, but I’ve been using it so long now that I cannot remember where it came from.   

Those little packets of dry mix are super expensive; considering you can make your own with spices you probably mostly have on hand.  If you don’t have all of these on hand, I’d suggest getting them and making it anyway, this is pretty easy and leaves you feeling super accomplished!

I mostly use this in my taco soup recipe, which I just realized I don’t have a blog post up for that.  I’ll add that to my to-do list! 

Ranch Dressing Mix

2 TBSP. Parsley

1 tsp. Dill

1 tsp. Garlic Powder

1 tsp. Onion Flakes

½ tsp. Basil

½ tsp. Black Pepper

 

For Dressing: Whisk 1 TBSP. of this Ranch Dressing Mix in with 1/3 C. Mayo and 1/4 C. Milk.

For Dip:  1.5 C. Sour  Cream per  1 TBSP of Ranch Dressing Mix.  Add salt to taste.

 

In The Kitchen: Homemade Taco Seasoning Mix

Armed with a bunch of spices, some measuring spoons, a big mixing bowl, and my mother-in-law's recipe, I set out to make up a long time family favorite.  Taco Seasoning Mix!
We order enough beef to fill our deep freeze each year. When my husband and I got married and first started ordering beef the only thing I knew how to do with it was put in Hamburger Helper (deep cringe).  After that I learned how to make tacos.  The more I settle into my homemaker role the more I learn to do with a basic pound of hamburger, but this is still a family favorite.
 

Taco Seasoning Recipe:

1/4 C  Dried Minced Onion

1/4 C Chili Powder

3 TBSP. Salt

4 tsp. cornstarch

1 TBSP. Dried Minced Garlic

1 TBSP. Ground Cumin

1 TBSP. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

2 tsp. Beef Bullion Granules

1.5 tsp. Dried Oregano

  

I mix it all up and store it in an air tight container in the fridge.  Use 2 TBSP. of the mix in each pound of hamburger with 8oz tomato sauce.  You can add a little water if it's too thick. 

Tip: Taco meat is easy to make up ahead of time and store in Ziploc bags in the freezer.

My late MIL, Dorothy, who would probably think this blog is ridiculous, but have tons of tips to pass on to all of you anyway.  She is so deeply missed by all of us! ♥

I Love You to Death, Marry Me, and Have Fun

A couple weeks ago I was sobbing big ugly tears as I was digging through my keepsake box for a specific picture of an old friend.  I couldn't find it and felt so defeated.  It was just one of those days.  I did find something else though, from the same time period as the picture I was looking for.
 

It was a fake/just-for-fun marriage proposal I got from one of my co-workers at the local pizza place I worked at in high school. His little message was scribbled on the back of his senior picture.

I can't really remember the details of why he wrote this (maybe I told him what to write? who knows), but I do know we were just babies then.  Life seemed tough, but man it was so easy.

This boy was fun, and loved music.  If that wasn't enough he was actually a very genuine and caring person.
 

We were literally only coworkers, and I'm pretty sure he really disliked me (my teen years were rough, I even disliked me).  Regardless I enjoyed working with him, he had a good work ethic, which was kind of (very!) rare amongst the boys I worked with back then. I'm so glad I got to kinda know him then.  Even if I didn't know him very well.  Thanks to Facebook it's cool to keep up with him, and so many others now too.
 

This guy is now living out one of my dreams from back then, traveling around and making music.

And as I sat there, holding his picture and spending only a couple seconds thinking 'what might have been',  I realized here's where I am now: cleaning up toys, cooking dinner, washing dishes and folding a mountain of laundry, every.single.day. 

 

 I swear to you though, I wouldn't have it any other way.  

 

I'm married to a guy who makes me smile daily, my children are healthy, and I'm alive!  You better believe I love my ordinary life.  Yes, I really do.
 

People come into our lives for a season, and only God knows the reason. 
Someday, I'd love to know what all these little connections with people were about.
 

That's probably one of the first things I'll ask God:
Why did I only know some of these great people for such a short time? Why didn't I know them better, or deeper?  Why do relationships and even simple friendships fail, despite our best efforts to keep them afloat? Why do other relationships flourish when we really don't feel invested in them?
 

For now, I'm going to assume that I should just keep doing what I'm doing here and God will fill me in when I get there.

Ps.  If you're curious about his music, check out: http://www.rubbersoulthetribute.com/

Kitchen Gadgets Giveaway: Part 1.

I recently picked up this set of 3pc Fruit Scoop Set from the consignment shop, NU2U in Forest City.

NU2U is a well-organized second hand store on the main street of town, and they run SALES!
 The prices are great anyway, but once you add in the sales, it’s like a total no-brainer to shop there! I love getting our kids clothing there and love it even more when I find a little something for myself too.

  Friendly Tip: If you're in Forest City, IA visiting NU2U, check out the adorably fun ice cream shop called Scoopy Doos, which is just two doors down. we.love.that.place.  If you're a coffee lover and Java Chunk is one of the ice cream options when you visit, GET IT.  You will not be sorry!


  I first heard about fruit scoops from my friend Amy, over at Modern Rural Living. When I saw the fruit scoops on the shelf I knew I had to buy them, and I couldn’t want to tell Amy about the sweet deal I scored on them ($6 for the set of 3! Brand spankin' new in the package! PLUS they were like 20% off or something that day too).

 Unfortunately I never did get a chance to tell her :(  (you can read about that here). I'm hopeful that she can somehow read this post and know I'm thinking of her!

The fashionista and I were making one of our Saturday morning thrift store runs last weekend when I decided to pop into the grocery store for some cantaloupe, avocados, and kiwis, just so I could give my new fruit scoops a try.

You guys, these things ROCK! There is so much less waste when using them because you can get right up to the peel.

 

They aren’t sharp, so I have no problem letting the kids use them too.

 I’m all for having the kids in the kitchen, even though that almost always means that the meal prep takes longer, and the mess is much bigger. It also means more family fun, and education about our food!

I wouldn’t say these scoops are my favorite kitchen gadget, but they are sure fun and useful!

  I’ve recently added quite a few new things to my kitchen arsenal: I’ll do separate posts on these later, but here is a sneak peek of some of my new toys:

Hamilton Beach K6080 Large Cordless Kettle

THE ORIGINAL ZOODLE SLICER - Premium Vegetable Spiralizer, Spiral Slicer, Zucchini Noodle Pasta Spaghetti Maker

Crock-Pot SCCPCCM350-CH Casserole Crock Slow Cooker, 3.5-Quart, Charcoal -I'll be honest, this one was an impulse buy, and I still have no idea what to make in it!

Oster TSSTTRJBG1 Jelly Bean 2-Slice Toaster uhhh, Hello Beautiful!

 GE Motion-Activated LED Night Light-  These are all over the place here, not just in the kitchen.  I love them!

MaxiMatic MST-900V Elite Platinum Slow Cooker, 8.5-Quart, Stainless Steel- We often have big groups of friends/family here and this crock is perfect for simmering crowd-pleasing soups!

What are your FAVORITE or most useful kitchen gadgets right now?

 

Comment below for a chance to win your very own ZOODLE SLICER, which is honestly my most loved and used kitchen gadget right now.  I'll post on that soon!

This post does contain my affiliate links.  No biggie, you can read all about them here.



YOUTUBE: The History of Thomas Edison - a Short Story

Yesterday I shared the story of Saint Patrick on my Facebook Page.  Today I want to share with you this video we found on Thomas Edison.  I'm loving these videos and feel so thankful for the people who put these together!



Here's what works for us:

1. I play the video straight through for the kids. 
2. Ask them to tell me what they remember.
3. Then we play it again, stopping after each couple of facts to talk about it. 
4. Finally we play it straight through again. 
5. In the evening they tell daddy all about it, then we play the video for him too!

 

My kids learn very well from YouTube videos.  I use to be very anti-screens, but I'm learning to use them more as a tool for teaching/learning. 

"I really regret not embracing technology more our first year of homeschooling."

 

I do not let my children have free reign over what to watch on YouTube, Netflix, or any sort of TV.  Nope, not even my mellow, well-behaved, middle school girl.  I set up playlists for the kids, or watch with them.  They're young and it's my job to protect their minds from the craziness of the world.  I find that even many Disney shows are modeling disrespect for our children.  I'm NOT cool with that. 

We go in spurts here, sometimes watching YouTube for a few days in a row, and then not watching anything for a week at a time.  I love that it's always there when we need it, and that it's FREE! 



Have you watched any good YouTube videos lately?

Through The Dish Water

“Everybody wants to save the Earth; nobody wants to help Mom do the dishes.” —P.J. O’Rourke

 

Tonight after my brother's birthday dinner, I bit the bullet and dried a few dishes while my mom washed them.  Mostly I just stood there admiring her hands as they scrubbed the plates.  Her hands are so familiar to me, but tonight I really saw their beautiful.  My mom is truly an amazing woman, and I think I just fully realized that a few hours ago.
I wish I could undo all the yelling I did at her during my teen years, but I can't.  I guess I'm going to have to spend the rest of my days loving on her that much more!

 

Skater Boy: Being Cautious is Okay, Being Full of Fear is Not.

Christmas 2014
 

My son got a new skateboard for Christmas, thanks to my brother.  Uncles always buy the gifts that the parents won’t, don't they?  My 7 year old amateur skater has been practicing tricks in the house all winter long. 

All winter I've been saying "I can't wait for him to do these tricks outside". 

Silly me.

Now it's warm enough for him to take the board out on the driveway.  I'm not so sure I'm ready for him to be doing these same tricks on concrete.  The carpet has been giving him a nice landing, I'm afraid the concrete won’t be so kind to his tiny little limbs.

 

At some point, we have to just go for it though, don’t we?  So today, I’m going for it.  I’m letting him take the board out, under semi-close supervision.  I’m going to let him try his tricks, and I’m going to encourage him to keep trying his best.

If he falls, I’ll be there to congratulate him on trying, but keep encouraging him to get up and try again. 

 

If this skater boy falls HARD and lands himself a trip to the ER, well..  Then I’m taking the board away. 

For a while anyway. 

 

No matter how bad we've been hurt, we have got to keep pressing forward and trying again. 

 

Being cautious is okay, being full of fear is not.

 

The Barrel Drive-In: More Than Just Another Restaurant

Our youngest had her own little soda with her chicken kid's meal at the Barrel Drive in yesterday.
Hey, no judgment please, we are making memories here!
  She hasn't really tasted much soda before, but REALLY enjoyed this treat.  Check out the video:

 

 

I mean really though, who wouldn't love homemade root beer?!  After every sip, she smiled and said the exact same line "My root beer SO spicy!" :)  She thought that carbonation was good stuff!

Others in the dining area got a chuckle out of her as well, since she's two and has absolutely no volume control what-so-ever.  We like to embrace our crazy moments, and share them too. 

  Having grown up in Clear Lake, the Barrel is very familiar to me.  My dad took me there for my 10th birthday and gave me a little wooden jewelry box that I still use today. So naturally this restaurant holds a special place in my heart.  I'm so happy to see all the improvements they've made and that I get to make memories with my little family in this awesome place!

I'm not exaggerating when I say that literally everything on their menu is delicious.  I especially like the French dressing on the salads.

If you're making a summer bucket list,  be sure to add a stop at the Barrel!

Stop Saying NO Out of Fear

As a very young mom I was asked into a volunteer position.  I never accepted it while that person who asked me was still in leadership.  I felt like I was too inexperienced.  I was immature, and I thought I wasn't "good enough" for it.  I felt guilty for telling this woman who asked me, "No".  I really looked up to her, and this hurt to deny her.  I think I probably even made up some excuse as to why I couldn't accept her offer, and I tricked myself into believing it too.  I probably said I was "too busy", the most overused excuse everrrr.

I felt guilty because it actually sounded like a lot of fun, I secretly really wanted to do it, and I felt so honored to be asked!  She told me it wasn't a big deal if I couldn't take it on, but then she also said something that still echoes in my head today:

  "Don’t say NO to this because you don’t think you know how to do it.  None of us really know what we’re doing here.” 

She laughed a little as she said it.  Then she said this:

 “God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called". 

A couple of years later I volunteered myself for the position, this time, knowing I really wasn't "good enough" for it.  That was okay.  God made me enough for it.  Really.  I still don’t know for sure what I’m doing, but God constantly floods my mind with these ideas, and they seem to work for His glory.

Yes. 

All the glory goes to Him. 

Please my dear friends (you are all dear to me, and you are all my friends here), don’t keep saying NO out of fear of inexperience. 

Say “YES, with God’s help I will!” 

Pray through it.  Humble yourself, and ask for help.  The rest will follow. 

Set up a network of supporters and mentors you can go to when you need help. 

Whatever it is you’re ready to take on, I’m here for you.  Use my contact buttons to reach me.  I’ll pray for you, and help you through, in any tangible way I can. 
 

Promise. 


 

     

How to Make Your Own Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping

 

 

It has come to my attention that some of you didn’t know you could make your own hard ice cream topping. But you same people knew all about the current Gold/White vs. Blue/Black dress debate. 

Good for you, for keeping up on the social media relations.  After all, this is 2015 and that kind of stuff comes up in conversation often.  Homemade hard shell though? Not so much. 

Let’s get a little old fashion and give this a try though, okay?

 

Now we don’t really have this often (ice cream, YES.  This topping though, no), I’d say maybe once or twice a year.  It is nice to be able to make it yourself for two reasons:

1.      Less junk goes into it.

2.     We don’t have an extra bottle lying around taking up space in the cupboard. Do you see the label peeling off that thing?  I should probably chuck it!

 

I chose not to use fancy organic ingredients for this, but just to show you the bare bones of this recipe.  Baby steps, right?

If you aren’t making it often, you certainly don’t need specialty items for it.  If you do however make your own peanut butter, buy the better coconut oil, and good dark chocolate, by all means, use those!  It’ll be delicious either way.

This tutorial is ridiculously easy.  Ready….

Mix Peanut Butter, Chocolate Chips (or whatever chocolate you have around), and Coconut Oil in a pan on low-med.  Any higher and you’ll burn it.  Keep stirring until it has reached a nice liquid-like consistency. 

 

Then drizzle it over your ice cream.  DONE!

 I wish I could show you a picture of this step, but folks, after stirring and smelling this peanut buttery goodness, I set my camera down so I could indulge!  We also had friends over.  I didn't want to seem TOO obsessed. 

You other foodie type bloggers know what I'm talking about, don't you?  You set the bowl down, snap a picture, give it a quarter turn, snap again.  Decide to move to the table, same drill, then realize it's melting.  Give up, put the camera down and eat it before it's a total waste.

*If you have a peanut allergy, ran out of peanut butter, or don’t like peanut butter {GASP}, it’s alright to just leave it out of the recipe.*

How it works?  The coconut oil gets hard as it hits the COLD ice cream, causing the mixture to take on a hard consistency. 

If you’re one of those people that need ratios, here it is:

1 C. Chocolate chips

1/2 C. Coconut Oil

1/4 C. Peanut Butter

I don’t ever, ever, ever measure this anymore though.  I just scoop out whatever amounts I feel like, being sure to use plenty of coconut oil and it always turns out perfect! 

This is a fun treat for family nights, birthdays, etc.  It’s also an easy little kitchen project to do with kids.  It’s totally science and foods class in one, right? 

The clean-up is a breeze!  Hot water melts the leftover chocolate right out of the pan.

 

Psalms 119:103 - How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!

 

 

 

 

Printer Troubles

I sent this off to my hubby, then the toddler just whispered this mixed up sentence into the printer (in her adorable little voice)... "me    put    in   there   beads". Crap. Pretty sure we can all decipher that one without any trouble. BUT who can fix this printer? Waaaaahhhh!!

My Friend, Amy.

Amy Elizabeth Hild. September 9th, 1987 - February 25th, 2015

Amy. Elizabeth. Hild. 

I’ve known Amy’s full name for well over 10 years, and I’ve never forgotten it.  She used to doodle it in her math notebook all.the.time.  She’d put fancy designs around her name and play around with different lettering.  She’d occasionally get reprimanded for drawing, rather than looking at the board.  Amy later became a graphic designer.  It was apparent that this was her passion and gift, even as a kid.  How cool is that?

Amy was a year younger than me in high school, but we were in the same math class.  I’ve never been more grateful for my lack of math skills and dependence on a calculator.  It meant I got to spend an entire school year sitting next to Amy in Mr. Perry’s class at Clear Lake High School.  She was fun, she was honest, and she was beautiful.  She explained math to me in a way I could understand.  If I was stuck, she helped me, without judgment.  She did everything without judgment. 

I never had any reason to be upset with her.  I can remember one particular day when she gave me a picture of herself.   Rather than the normal crappy school pictures this was a beautiful portrait that her parents took her to have done.  She talked about singing in church and I remember thinking “Is there anything you DON’T do?”  I may have even said that out loud.  It didn’t make me jealous, but made me admire her even more.  She had so much talent, and she inspired me. 

Last Wednesday was much like any other snowy day in Iowa.  We slacked a little on our traditional schooling and instead made tags to attach to a stack of sleds we bought to give away. 

The kids were making their Random Act of Kindness tags as I supervised, taking pictures to blog about the experience. 

 They made a list of who they wanted to give them to, prayed over the list and for the people, and then went out delivering.  Before I knew it they were having a little sledding party on the hill across the street. 

Afterwards the kids and a neighbor mom ended up here, for treats and hot chocolate.  I silently praised God for our neighborhood, and all the love and community we’ve found here. 

I was distracted doing real life, and not checking my phone.  I love those moments. 

-We were living our day like a perfect tribute to Amy, before we even knew she was gone.  Amy was a good deeds do-er.  Yes, I made that phrase up, but it really does describe her. 

 

After everyone left here I cleaned up and took a seat on the couch to “veg out” with my phone (it happens).  One of the first things I read on Facebook was this:

I yelled out a big “NO, NO, NO, NOT AMY!”

I worried that this was a mistake and felt bad about how it must have worried her family before they found out she was fine.  I sat like this for quite a while, before I realized how NOT FINE I was.  I was in absolute denial.  And I stayed that way, until this morning, when my husband and I attended Amy’s Celebration of Life.

I needed the closure, I needed the community.  I am so thankful for all the people who were there, banned together in support for Amy’s family. 

My heart ached for her fiancé, but by the end of the service, it just rejoiced.  He found Jesus through Amy.  How lucky he was to be so close to her and to spend all the days together that they did.  I think of all the experiences they had, and I just smile.  Amy was an advocate for Jesus.  Her life was lived on purpose, with purpose.  

 Her funeral was so large that, I kid you not, there were parking attendants directing traffic in the parking lot!  There was a room for overflow because the sanctuary was full, despite the staff/volunteers bringing in extra chairs, multiple times.  I mean WOW!  I can only hope to have a funeral where so many people come together to show support to my family, after I’ve passed. 

Today as I sat down to start writing this I looked back at Amy and I’s Facebook messages to each other, dating way back to 2008.  I had forgotten all we’d been through and all we had talked about.  Now that she’s gone I can clearly see why we had some of those conversations when we did, even though at the time they didn’t seem like they would be so life changing.  They were.  For her and I both.  Amy didn’t use social media as a mask, it was a tool to her.  She was just as genuine online as she was in person.  She was a one of a kind. 

I am forever grateful for getting to meet Amy Elizabeth Hild while she was on this Earth.  I’m grateful I was able to call her a friend, and I am grateful I was touched by her passionate spirit.  She taught me so much more than just some silly math facts (sorry, Mr. Perry!). 

 

Amy’s Obituary  

Amy’s Blog