How a Mason Jar Lid Saved Bathtime

We have a little toddler in our house who trots off with important items from time to time.  Phones, toilet plungers, and bathtub stoppers seem particularly appealing. A rubber stopper is the easiest to hide of these three favorites, and also the most essential for bath time.

As you might guess, the stopper went missing recently, but kids still needed bathing.  So I thought about what I could use as a makeshift substitute.  Trying a rubber glove ended in failure.  But then I came up with a solution that worked surprisingly well.  An old mason jar lid (minus the ring).  The rubber seal fit our drain hole perfectly.

So, if your bathtub stopper ever goes MIA, just try a mason jar lid and see if it works for you.

Simple Tip: How To Remove Melted Plastic From an Oven Rack

One of my bad habits is putting plastic containers and such in the oven to store them or dry them.  Sooner or later I forget to remove the plastic before I preheat the oven, and the results are predictably disastrous.  In the past, I have tried to remove plastic that I melted in my oven by reheating the plastic and scraping it off.  But this releases more fumes, some of which are probably toxic.  Chemical oven cleaner is another potentially toxic method of cleaning, and there is no guarantee that it would work on plastic, especially on a thick, hardened layer of goo.

I finally discovered better method of rescuing an oven rack. The first step is to cool the melted plastic so that it becomes brittle.  In colder climates, all this requires is stepping outside.  Or you can try fitting your oven rack into a deep freezer.  Once the plastic is cold, you can use a hammer to break apart the plastic.

To avoid warping the metal too much, you can use a wrench or another hard flat metal surface to brace the other side.

Then use the hammer claw to scrape off the bits of remaining plastic.  Voila!  No more plastic on your oven rack.

Have you ever accidentally melted plastic in your oven? How did you deal with it?

10 Ways in Which a Chaotic Kitchen Costs Us More

When I recently won something in a recipe contest, I had to laugh.   Because if you looked at my kitchen on an average day, you would wonder how I manage to cook anything at all.  Dishes are often covering every available surface; I often have to locate and wash things just prior to preparing a meal.

Our family would surely be better off if I got my chaotic kitchen under control.  Since my husband is finishing up graduate school, we're still very much concerned with how we can reign in our costs.  A recent spending check has revealed that we need to work a little harder at saving money in every way we can.  A tidier kitchen will help.

Here are some of our current extra costs that I aim to eliminate:

1.  Frequent spills.  

Limited counter space means I spill and waste more food and ingredients, especially if they are precariously balanced near the edge of the counter or shelf.                                 

2.  Spoilage.   

In the fridge or the fruit bowl, not consuming food in a timely manner means we have to throw away food that could have been eaten otherwise. 

3.  Paper plates.   

I think convenience items are a great plan B when life gets hectic or one is physically exhausted.  But a messy kitchen encourages me to resort to disposable tableware more often than I should.                                                                                                                  

4.  Breakage and other damage.  

Cluttered counters and a full sink also increase the odds that I will crack or knock over a plate or glass.  I have also melted many a plastic item on the stovetop or in the oven (my favorite place to stow messes quickly).                  

5.  Eating out more.  

Sometimes it's just logical not to cook on top of a mess, so we opt to eat out when we could have saved money by eating at home.  

6.  Buying duplicate groceries.  

Ever thought you were out of something, only to find that very item lurking in the cabinet or back of the fridge? 

7.  Consuming more convenience foods.  

I try to keep some quick food options on hand, like taquitos, frozen pizzas, etc. so that we're not forced to eat out as often.  However, when I don't have room to make food from scratch, we run through these more costly items very quickly. 

8.  Less baking.  

Though I enjoy baking, when the kitchen is a mess, I am prevented from making bread, muffins, and other treats from scratch.  As a result I have to buy baked goods and pay more. 

9.  Unused ingredients.  

Languishing in the recesses of the cupboards are numerous ingredients that have not been used in a very long time.  Incorporating them into our menu (instead of letting them sit and possibly expire) would result in spending less at the grocery store.

 10.   Emotional energy.

While there's no shame in taking the easy road from time to time, walking into the kitchen should not be a continual source of discouragement for me and my husband.  Devoting more time to keeping the oft-used kitchen tidy would be one of the best ways for me to contribute to our happiness and well-being as a family.

10 Simple Ways to Use Leftover Cranberry Sauce

This year was the first time I tried making my own cranberry sauce (see yesterday's recipe).  It was so easy, I can't believe I never considered making it at home before.  But whether I craft my own or buy a can, I always seem to have a lot of cranberry sauce remaining after the big meal.  To use the leftover cranberry sauce that remains, I came up with 10 ideas:

Pecan-Topped Cranberry Oatmeal

1. Oatmeal + cranberry sauce =  Cranberry Oatmeal
2. Crepes + cranberry sauce =  Cranberry Filling (thinned with maple syrup)
3. Applesauce + cranberry sauce =  Cranberry Applesauce
4. Apple crisp or apple pie + cranberry sauce =  Cran-Apple Dessert
5. Sandwiches + cranberry sauce =  Cranberries as Condiment
6. Salad dressing + cranberry sauce =  Cranberry Vinagrette (this recipe looks very good)
7. Cream cheese + cranberry sauce =  Creamy Cranberry Spread
8. Toast or bagels+ cranberry sauce =  Cranberry Jam/ Jelly
9. Barbecue sauce + cranberry sauce =  BBQ with a Twist (this simple recipe blends BBQ sauce with cranberry)
10. Hot apple cider + cranberry sauce =  Cranberry Spiced Cider

I'm linking this list to Top Ten Tuesday, Works For Me Wednesday, Zero Food Waste Challenge, and Pennywise Platter Thursday.

Sweet Treat Oatmeal: Leftover Candy Meets Breakfast

Perhaps in a moment of weakness you happened to purchase some chocolate-covered treats this fall, like I did. Or maybe you have candy lurking in the house that entered by some other means, like trick-or-treating.  Either way, if you want the candy stash gone before 2011 begins, here's what you can do:

1. Break up candy bars and stir the pieces into a bowl or pot of warm, old-fashioned oatmeal. 
2. Add in some wholesome ground flaxseed if it makes you feel better.  That's what I did.

If I am going to be decadent, it seems best to have the calories front-loaded into my day.  Last year I discovered that pie makes a delicious mix-in with a steaming bowl of oats.  Now I know that leftover Halloween candy works wonderfully in oatmeal too!

Sharing this secret with your children is optional.

I am linking this idea to the Zero Food Waste Challenge,  Weekend Wrap-up Party and Just Something I Whipped Up.

Recycled Coin Sorter: A Simple Way to Count Pennies

Playing with coins is something my children just love to do. So what I saw as just a disposable razor cartridge holder destined for the trash, my daughter thought would be a useful device for sorting and arranging her coins. I introduced my three-year-old son to his sister's invention recently. He had great fun inserting coins into the slots too. We washed, dried, counted and sorted coins together many times.

I'm adding this to Steady Mom's 30-Minute Blog Challenge , and WFMW at We Are That Family. 

Simple Tip: DIY Plastic Dish Scraper

I have purchased at least one dish scraper in my lifetime.  I found it a useful cleaning tool, especially when washing glass baking dishes and cast iron cookware.  However, instead of buying another, I decided to make a simple scraper by cutting a plastic lid into the desired shape.

Of the used containers I had on hand, the white plastic lid from a quart of yogurt worked best. Clear lids tended to be flimsier and peel apart after I used them a couple of times.  So my advice is to stick with white plastic.

Materials Needed:

• Sharp scissors or kitchen shears
• Plastic lid from a quart-sized round container

I'm linking up to Kitchen Tip Tuesdays at Tammy's Recipes and

Top Ten Reasons to Turn Off the Computer

I have agreed to an experiment.  Since I am prone to spend too much time online, we sometimes disable the wireless network in our home during the day.  So far, those have been my most productive, happiest days of the week. 


Here are the top reasons why shutting down my computer for most of the day is such a good idea:

1. I can enjoy more of the sunshine and fresh air, which invigorates my soul.
2. I can be more active and burn more calories when I am not sitting in front of a screen.
3. I can have a cleaner house.  Having the wireless network turned off for a couple of days last week proved this.
4. I can provide more clean clothes for my family.
5. I can focus on interacting with my children, who are the main reason I am staying at home!
6. I can focus on connecting with people face-to-face and by phone.  I finally called one of my longtime friends last week!
7. I can prepare more of our food from scratch, which I enjoy and which saves money.
8. I can get more sleep, knowing I've made the most of the opportunities during my waking hours.
9. I can have fun going out to enjoy the activities of the season--berry picking, local festivals, farmers markets, etc.
10. I can invite people into my home and look for ways to serve and reach out to others--volunteering, bringing meals, talking to my neighbors, etc.

This post is linked to Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda and the 30-Minute Blog Challenge at Steady Mom.

DIY Chocolate Cupcakes: Her Birthday Wish

Cakes from a mix always seem to turn out better for me than making a cake from scratch.  So on the day of my daughter's birthday party, I had a choice to make.  Risk attempting a chocolate cake from scratch or pull out the trusty Pillsbury mix that I had stocked in my cupboard the month before.  Easy choice, right?  Except my daughter expressly requested chocolate cupcakes, and I had only yellow cake mix on hand.  So I decided to improvise with the cake mix.

Here was the happy result:

We let each guest decorate her own cupcake.  

Here I chose chocolate frosting with coconut.

And here's how to do it:

1.  Heat one cup of water to a boil and stir in 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder until dissolved.
2.  Cool the dissolved cocoa mixture in a pan of cold water.  Place in the freezer to speed cooling.
3.  Meanwhile, grease or line a muffin tin.  In a large mixing bowl, pour yellow cake mix, eggs, oil, and cooled cocoa and water mixture.  Blend batter and bake cakes according to package instructions.

This idea is linked to Works For Me Wednesday at We Are That Family.

Living on Less: 17 Strategies We Use to Save Money

The goal that my husband and I set still seems impossible--to finish five years of graduate study without adding any debt. After all, I stay at home with our three children while my husband studies full-time and works several jobs to support our family. Amazingly, we have remained close to reaching our no-debt goal, thanks to God's provision through generous relatives and friends, my husband's hard work, and all of us striving to live simply....

.   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .   .

To continue reading and to find out the 17 strategies that work for us, head over to Alicia's Homemaking to read my guest post, "Together on the Path of Less."   Today's post is part of her intriguing new series, The Less Project .  Alicia also shares many other inspiring tips and insights for living well on less.

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This post is also linked to Penny Pinching Party Wednesdays at The Thrifty Home.

Green Craft of the Week: DIY Cardboard Blocks Tutorial

Remember those cardboard blocks from your childhood?

I surely do.  In my preschool days I spent hours playing with them.  I hoped one day we could get a set of these cardboard blocks for our children.

However, given our budget lately, this wish was not to be.  I even spotted a set at a consignment sale, but they seemed pricey still.  So I decided to make some blocks at home.  I was able to use materials that we already have, making the out-of-pocket cost minimal.  After trying them out, we decided it would be fun to try velcro.  The velcro increased the project cost from zero to about $1.99.

This project was well-timed to coincide with watching a Bob the Builder video a few weeks ago.  Now we are reading about how Laura's father built their cabin in Little House on the Prairie.  These blocks are a fun way to extend what we've been learning about construction and..."demolition!"


Materials:

• empty milk or juice cartons
• scissors
• packing tape
• sturdy brown paper (reclaimed paper grocery sacks or kraft paper)
• crayons, optional

1. Carefully open, wash, and dry the cartons.  Cut the top corners and fold flat.  Secure with tape.  The top should now be as flat as the bottom.  Use more tape if necessary.

2. Wrap the rectangular cartons with brown paper.  Cut, wrap, and tape the ends so the results are as flat as possible, which will make them more stackable.  It is best to slit each corner like this:

 3. If desired, invite kids to decorate the blocks with crayons.  They can draw brick patterns or embellish them as creatively as they wish.  When the blocks are done, kids can build an rebuild as their imaginations lead.

Sticky Option: Use strong glue (or hot glue) to affix Velcro patches to blocks and make structures sturdier.

 
Note: As we acquire more empty cartons we will replace the toilet paper packages with carton blocks.  In the mean time, the hodgepodge works for me!

This post is also linked to:

Creative Ways to Have Fun with Toilet Paper

No, we're not into teenage mischief yet, thank goodness.  We like to play with our toilet paper while it's still in the package.  The four-packs work for us as super stackable building blocks (along with cardboard boxes).  And if some rolls get squished, we do not fret. Why not?  Because from a WFMW link earlier this month, I learned that squished toilet paper rolls last longer!

Easy Cornbread Muffin Mix-ins

Cornbread done well is sublime--moist and sweet and steamy in the mouth.   But ordinary cornbread, especially when it is no longer fresh from the oven, can taste just so-so.  However, mixing in fruit enables me to create something special in a jiffy.

3 Mix-in Muffin Variations:

Cornbread Batter    +   Pineapple               =      Sweet Pineapple Muffins

Cornbread Batter    +   Peaches  + pecans  =      Peachy Pecan Muffins

Cornbread Batter    +   Pumpkin      =      Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins


When Determining How Much Mix-in to Add...





         ≠









All mixes are not the same, so the amount of fruit or pumpkin mixed in will vary as well.  For every 6 cornbread muffins the mix makes, I mix in about 1/4 cup chopped and drained canned fruit to the batter.  For pumpkin cornbread, I add 1/3 cup canned pumpkin to the batter for every 6 muffins it makes.  Jiffy cornbread mix makes 8 muffins, so I use more fruit (1/3 cup) or pumpkin puree (1/2 cup).  Here's a table for quick reference:

Brand	Amount of Mix in Pkg.	Amount of Mix-in to Add:
Jiffy	8.5 oz. (240 g)	1/3 cup pineapple or peaches
Betty Crocker	6.5 oz. (184 g)	1/4 cup pineapple or peaches
Jiffy	8.5 oz.	1/2 cup pumpkin
Betty Crocker	6.5 oz.	1/3 cup pumpkin

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Adding nuts to the batter is optional.

Thus, while homemade yeast dinner rolls seem out of reach (does anyone still make them regularly?), flavored cornbread muffins can be a quick addition to almost any meal.   They work for me because muffins from a mix are achievable in about 20 minutes, start to finish. 

And now you know my latest kitchen trick.  Serve warm and enjoy!

Putting Facebook to Good Use

 

Since I am fairly unlikely to call up a friend on the phone, it's great to have other quick options for efficient communication.   However, of my 200 plus friends who have joined Facebook, most seem to have hit the wall of Facebook-fatigue last year.  My updates have slowed as well, but I still want to put this social networking thing to good use.  I have drawn the line at the online games.  I do not play them, since I spend too much time on the internet already.  But the community spirit that Facebook games embody intrigues me.  However, instead of getting virtual help to build something on my farm, I like to use Facebook to interface with real life situations I am facing. 

Here are a few ways I've used Facebook to help myself or others in the real world.

1. In my status update, I have made open requests to borrow items, like the cup here, which I requested to hold the blueberry punch recipe I created.  And I've been meaning to put out another request soon for a crochet hook--hopefully today!
2. When I have needed to find childcare, I have tagged local friends in notes.  So far my efforts have met with success each time, even when I made a last-minute plea (which is not unusual for me).
3. I have invited friends to join me in an activity.  Most recently, I welcomed others to join me in a daily singing experiment.  It was fascinating to see who responded, near and far (mostly far).

Perhaps these will inspire you to try your hand at using social networking to build true 3-D community.  Way back in 2008, I mentioned some tips I came across for Christians using Facebook, and the above examples are ways I've tried to put that advice into action.  Happy facebooking, everyone!

You can find this and many other links to helpful ideas at Works for Me Wednesday.

Go! Fight! Win! Seeking Laundry Allies

Is it just me, or do you notice more women than ever bemoaning their laundry mountain woes?  I think I am perhaps queen of the mountain...range.   My tendency to grossly neglect my laundry duties is the reason, I admit.  Truly, I don't mind doing it, once I get started.  But chipping away and following through on tasks is not my modus operandus.  I like quicker gratification.

So I broke down this month and went to the laundromat.  Why?  Because my concerned spouse was about to have our next date night there.  Panicked, I tried to beat him to it, and we are now minus 15 dollars in quarters.  But we have gained much clean laundry, which works for us!   Even my husband noticed it was possible to walk on the floor of the laundry room. Furthermore, in February, the month of ultimate romance, I could not bear the thought of paying to spend a rare evening with my husband doing work I have shirked.

Forcing myself to go the the laundromat also holds me accountable.  I will have to spend our hard-earned money there again if I don't meet the next catch-up deadline I set.  Deadlines are useful, as are clean clothes.  My husband would rather have clean clothes and lose a roll of quarters if he has to choose.  I would rather get my laundry act together and create a win-win scenario: keep the coins and get my laundry done at home in our beloved LG front-loading machine.  This tactic of a hard deadline could inspire me to be more faithful in pursuing the double win.
 

Are you trying to scale your own "Mount Washmore?"  Have you considered spending a relaxing afternoon (or two) at the laundromat?  You might be able to chalk up some victories of your own and leave behind loads of guilt.

Efficient Bathroom Cleaning for Busy Moms

Having a clean bathroom lifts my spirits. However, our household has three little ones going in and out of the main bathroom all day long. Not surprisingly, sparkling surfaces don't last long. When I'm on top of my game, I do a quick bathroom clean up while a child is bathing or putting on their pajamas.
Non-toxic cleaners are the key to this strategy, since I can tackle the sink and toilet without worry. I try to keep cleaning supplies where I can readily access them whenever I am in the bathroom. I've also found that I can use whatever supplies are handy for the job--toilet paper or baby wipes can sub for paper towels; daily shower cleaner works for light cleaning of almost anything, including the bathroom mirror!

Frequent bursts of efficient bathroom cleaning work for me. I am thankful I now know how to keep hand towels off the floor and the main bathroom passable. Once I discover how I can keep both of our bathrooms clean, I will sing for joy.

Boredom Solution: Make Food Fun with Cookie Cutters

Turkey Burger Stars

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Approaches Some Salami Berries

Snowy Tree with Cheese, Mashed Avocado and Tomato (my daughter decorated this one)

Cheese-Topped Tortilla Angel

Tortilla Tree with Cucumbers, Cream Cheese, and Tomatoes

Star-Topped Pot Pie

Skillet Toasted Ham and Avocado Pitas with Pepper Jack Cheese

This variety-loving mom of three has been getting mighty bored with our typical lunch options. Although sandwiches are easy, they leave me feeling blase and wishing for something more exciting, less ho-hum. Macaroni & Cheese is, of course, a faithful standby, but the blue box still lacks the panache that I was seeking.

When my daughter would come home for lunch last year, she regaled me with detailed accounts of the amazing snacks she got to create in her preschool class... faces, fire trucks, ladybugs and so on. I thought I could never go to such extreme lengths as a mom. Yet my daughter truly loved making them! A few month ago I finally took a peek at lunchbox limbo for inspiration, and inspire me it did! After seeing the simple but creatively designed lunches in living color, I finally decided to take a stab at crafting some edibles myself.

In years prior, my collection of cookie cutters had become a depressing symbol of all the optional tasks that I never get around to doing. Now I've been liberated from cookie cutter guilt, realizing that I can cut and shape my way out of boredom--no added sugar or oven required. And I don't just do the fun stuff for my kids. It works for me as a way to challenge myself and create one-of-a-kind lunches, snacks and even dinners. Food has become something we create, admire, and then savor.

Simple Tip of the Week: Another Way to Enjoy Leftover Pie

No, that isn't ice cream under that slice of pie.

Leftover pie seems to linger in the fridge for a while at our house. I just can't bear to waste such a rare and wonderful treat--soggy crust notwithstanding. So, being a lover of dressed up oatmeal, I once decided to try mixing some remaining portion of pie into my morning oats. The result? It made me consider making pies more often! Furthermore, nutrition experts claim that it is better to eat the bulk of your calories earlier in the day, so I can savor rich, sweet oatmeal with less guilt.

I advise stirring the pie (almost any variety, crust and all) into old-fashioned or steel cut oats, since they have a hearty texture. Try it and I think you'll agree that this combination makes for one delightfully decadent breakfast.


The pie featured in my photos is Almond Pecan Pie, which was almost over-the-top in sweetness on its own, but blended beautifully in my bowl this morning. I added some heavy cream to make it even richer and then plunged in with no regrets.

For more helpful ideas, visit Tuesday's Tip Jar and Kitchen Tip Tuesday.

Simple Tip of the Week: Using Kids to Compact Your Leaves

Step 1: Fill a bag.

Step 2: Grab a kid.

Step 3: Enjoy some smiles.

Step 4: Remove kid.

For more fun ideas, hop on over to Works for Me Wednesday!