Movin' On Up

As you may have noticed, I'm changing the layout of the blog. Unfortunately, I am having major issues with the layout program and every time I try to access the program it shuts my computer down. I'm stuck about half way through my redesign so please bear with me as I try to get it to where I want it.

We signed the two oldest up for Tae Kwon Do a little over a month ago. We wanted an activity for them that would be fun but also teach discipline and respect. Our tiny town doesn't have a whole lot to offer in the way of children's activities but we feel we have made a good choice as the kids are enjoying it greatly.

They have already been able to test for a new belt and just tonight received a white with yellow stripe belt. They are no longer newbies! They were so proud at the belt ceremony where they were applauded and handed their new belt from the instructor. I wish that I had photos of the ceremony but I had to stay home with Joe and my husband didn't think to bring the camera. I do have these two photos of the kids on Saturday right before they went off to their belt testing. They were both excited and nervous.
Besides Tae Kwon Do, we will be signing them up for 4-H Clover Kids. They also go to the homeschool get together that we have twice monthly, so those worries about "un-socialized homeschoolers" that so many have is unfounded. :)

Looking at the kids today I realized that my babies are growing up! When Becca smiled at me with her two missing front teeth I glimpsed that little baby I used to have within the body of a big girl. It's bittersweet in the fact that some days I can't wait for them to just act a little older, and other days I want to make time stand still. The emotional battle of being a mama...

Homeschooling? Don't Forget to Sign Up!

Public and Private School children sometimes get some perks for being in school. One thing I remember as a child was the Pizza Hut Book It! Program where you could earn a certificate for a personal pan pizza for reading a certain amount each month.

Many businesses are now recognizing homeschoolers as students as well (it's about time!) and one of those places is the Book It! Program. Be sure and sign your homeschool up here for the program!

Make Your Bucket List!

There has been a lot of talk about "bucket lists" lately. There is a whole movie about two gentlemen who received a terminal diagnosis and go on to do things they wanted to do their whole life. I couldn't watch it as I really dislike movies with a sad premises.

I do think that "bucket lists" are a grand idea. I don't think that they are for the sick or dying, I think they are something that we all should make for ourselves. After all, we have just this one life to live and we should live a life that won't leave us with regrets. In reality, a bucket list is writing down your goals, hopes, and dreams for yourself...things that you want to do before "you kick the bucket".

I've talked to people that have no idea what they want to do in their life. When asked what is on their bucket list they respond with "I don't know". The saying "Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die tomorrow" is a great one.

My own bucket list is:

1. Visit all 50 states. I only have 9 of them down...so 41 more to go!

2. Buy a small acreage and be as self-sufficient as possible. Go back to the basics and be off the "system" as much as possible.

3. Raise good kids. They don't have to be unusually intelligent or grow up to be rich and famous. I want them to be good people.

4. Do something to change the world, or at least a small part of some one's world. One could say that I am changing my part of the world by raising my children, and I agree. There is so much suffering in the world though and I can see where there is so much more to do. Something such as a mission trip is a thought. We have also talked about fostering children someday. I want to make a difference. Too many people get so caught up in their own life that they can't empathize or see how others are struggling. I want to always try to put others first.

Okay, that's my list so far. Maybe I'll change it or add to it at some point but it's a good start. What's on your list?

Pumpkin Roll

Someone asked me for my Pumpkin Roll recipe recently. I use the recipe that is on the Libby's Pumpkin can, as it is the best recipe that I have found so far.

It's funny because growing up I had no idea what a pumpkin roll was. After I got married my sister-in-law invited us over for dinner and teased her brother (my hubby) saying that she was going to make a pumpkin roll for dessert. Unfortunately, for some reason or another we were unable to make it to that dinner so I still had no idea what a pumpkin roll was. Until...some folks at my husband's (then) workplace were trying to raise some money and were selling pumpkin rolls. Of course my husband snatched one up for us. I then realized just what a pumpkin roll was and why it was one of my husband's favorite desserts.

This is a perfect Autumn dessert. It looks fancy but is relatively easy to make, though the first time or two making it you may not end up with a perfect looking roll (but it will still be tasty!). I've made this for get together or just our own family dessert and always get rave reviews.

CAKE
1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel) 3/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 large eggs 1 cup granulated sugar 2/3 cup LIBBY'S® 100% Pure Pumpkin 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional, I've never tried them in my recipe)

FILLING
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, at room temperature 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)

FOR CAKE:PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar. COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts. BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes.) Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.

FOR FILLING:BEAT cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

COOKING TIP:Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.

Winner

The winner of the Happy Housewives book was #12 at random.org, which turned out to be:

Nicole said...
Happy birthday! I love reading about someone who is living like my family and I do. Keep up the good work!

Please contact me at babys_mama1 "at" yahoo.com by Tuesday, the 7th, to claim your prize!

Eco Store

Eco Store was kind enough to send me some products to review. You all know me and how I love any product that is natural and safe for my family, so I jumped at the chance to review their product. Their trade mark says it all: No Nasty Chemicals.

We've all heard the saying "Don't judge a book by it's cover". Sometimes you just can't help it. Look at this packaging and tell me you can resist it:

Isn't that the most adorable label ever? Joe points to the baby every single time he is in the bath! It isn't just cute though. The body wash smells divine and natural to boot. No fake fragrance smell at all. To me it smells a bit like Vick's vapor rub, which isn't a bad thing. I feel good washing the kids with this. It doesn't state anywhere on the bottle that it is for hair washing but I've been using it as a dual purpose wash for the kiddos and it is working out great.

I was even more excited to use the hypoallergenic pet shampoo as I haven't found another natural pet product out there. I have a very itchy English Bulldog. Itchy and problem skin just comes with the territory for most bulldogs. She gets itchy, she gets scratchy, and she gets several staph infections of the skin. Just watching her itch makes me uncomfortable. One would think that bathing her would help the issue but the traditional pet soap seems to leave a film on her skin that makes the itching worse.

This hypoallergenic shampoo works great for her. It smells wonderful, which is great for my stinky little doggie. It makes it much more bearable to live with her. It does not completely stop the itching issues but does calm them down, which is much better than aggravating them. This stuff is a keeper!

The only con that I can think of is that the prices are just a bit steep for me. $13 for the dog shampoo and $10 for the baby wash. I can see myself paying about $8 each for these and being fine with it, as each bottle is lasting forever. The good news is that their website always has free shipping on all orders over $25. We all know that most businesses charge and arm and a leg on their shipping prices so this pro outweighs the con. It gets better though! I just noticed that right now on their website they are offering a back to school special where you can get 25% off your order when you enter WQ551 at checkout! I'm not sure when this special ends so I recommend you checking their site out soon!

Quick and Easy French Toast

I love french toast but I don't particularly like having to keep an eye on it and flip it while it is on the stove. Which is why I love the following recipe so much...it's baked in the oven!

Orange - Cinnamon French Toast

2 to 4 T. butter, melted

2 T. honey

1/2 t. cinnamon

3 eggs

1/2 c. orange juice

1/8 t. salt

6 slices bread

In bowl, combine butter, honey, and cinnamon. Pour into greased 13x9 pan; spread to coat bottom. In bowl, beat eggs, orange juice, and salt. Dip each side of bread into egg mixture and place in pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Yummy as is, or serve with a bit of maple syrup.