What I'm Reading

Welcome to another week of what I'm reading :-) I didn't get as much read as I normally do because we've been so busy but I did finish up a few books!

What I finished reading this week:

 This book by Lori Wick, Pretense, is really good.  I enjoyed reading it again and can see myself reading it in the future.  One of the things I really liked about this book is that it took you through the life of one family.  It started when the girls, Mackenzie and Delancy, were still in single digits and than walked you through their life - both the good and the bad - until they were basically about 40.  You walk through heartbreak, success, and how they come to have a personal relationship with Christ.  I really enjoy books where I get to know the people in the story.  If I have one negative it is that it is a little unrealistic at times, but it is fiction, right? :-) 

Moonlight on the Millpond is book one in a Trilogy by Lori Wick.  In all honesty, this series is not my favorite.  The stories are very simple and written almost on an elementary level.  I also feel that there are way too many characters and, because of that, too many things to follow.  Instead of really getting to know characters, it takes the first 1/4 of the book to even get everything straight.  Yes, I'm reading the other books in the trilogy but, most likely, this book will end up on my "to sell" shelf.  If you are looking for a simple read - go ahead and pick this up, it is still good, just not great.

Books I'm reading:

My Devotional Books:

What are you reading right now?  Any good suggestions??

Too Cute Not To Toot

Lets start off this week with a teaching idea.  I love the book "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" . .. and so do my kids!  So this idea from I heart Crafty Things is just perfect to add to reading the book!! 

I feel like I shared this one already . . .but I think I just looked at it and loved this idea also from I heart Crafty Things.  This idea is based on a sunflower and I love sunflowers :-)

One last idea from I Heart Crafty Things is a cute letter/reading/vocabulary game using a very simple, creative shark!  This would be great to use at home or in a classroom as a center activity.

I've posted about car mats before but, I wanted to share this one from Oopsey Daisy because she gives a great tutorial and shares some new ideas for really making it personal. 

Not Just a Housewife has been sharing some outdoor decorating ideas.  I really liked this idea that she did using mason jars, flowers and . . .her clothesline :-)

This idea from Come Together Kids is just so creative.  All you need is a toothpick and a banana and you have a new message board :-)

It seems like I just finished posting year end ideas but, I couldn't resist sharing this idea from La Dee Da Creations for a back to school centerpiece/dinner idea.  Plus the centerpiece would make a great gift :-)

Here's an easy game to create for your kids from East Coast Mommy.  This bean bag toss would be a great indoor game for the kids to use on those really hot days (or rainy days . . or cold days).

A Creative Princess shares a great travel Bingo game.  She gives a super easy tutorial and it is just one more idea to have handy for those road trips :-)

I actually read this entire post/tutorial because I was so enthralled with this idea from Naptime Craft Mommy for a melting crayon art piece.  This would be awesome in a play room or a kids bedroom OR it would make a very unique teachers gift.

I really like this piece from Clean and scentsible.  I'm saving it mostly so I have the idea if I ever get around to doing my "beach room" :-)

This is one of those ideas that just makes me shake my head but . . .it actually is a great idea!  (When I saw the picture, I squinted my eyes and than went "Seriously - is that what I think it is?" ha!) Check this out from Simply Designing . . .and than make it for lunch :-)

I'll end on that note because it kinda creeps me out in an interesting lunch idea kind of way.  :-)

Enjoy!

Media Monday - Week 3 (part 1)

Welcome to week three of Media Monday sponsored by Courtney at Women Living Well.  To review the first two weeks just click HERE.  (This will take you back to my posts on "Challenges" so, depending on when you click .. . you may have to scroll down :-) )

The topic this week is Media and our Parenting (part 1) .  If you would like to read Courtney's full post just click the link back to Women Living Well shown above.  This post is my ideas as an extension of what she talked about in her post.

This topic is probably closest to my mind and heart because it is something that I have been conscience about over the past few months.  Not necessarily because my children use media - they don't . .. well at least not yet . . but rather, how my use influences them.  There was a commercial that aired showing two dads at a soccer game; one had a phone where he could get things done AND watch his child play while the "old" phone was used by a dad who couldn't even look away so he missed every play.  Yet, shouldn't it really show the parent not using the phone but focusing on their child?  We have been so connected that sometimes, we can't unconnect from media to reconnect with a human. 

Don't worry, I'm not pointing my fingers - it is like the old saying . .. if I point at you, I'm pointing three fingers back at me!!  I am guilty of making my kids wait while I finish writing an e-mail or a post or just to do "one more thing"; and I'm guilty of being distracted by what is online instead of focusing on what needs to be taken care of in my own home.  This is a new problem for our society, really.  Thinking back, the only thing that "distracted" my mom from watching my brothers and I was her book.  Yes, she loved to read and guess what, so do my brothers and I.  It wasn't a negative at all - instead it was a positive because when she wanted to read, we read too.  As many people will state, even pre-schoolers know how to use an iPad or even Smartphones (which I have neither ha!)  Sure, I want my children to learn how to use modern technology but I also want them to learn moderation which means that I have to learn it as well.

At this point, if you have children or teens that are into the latest gadgets or even just getting into them, please take time to read Courtney's Post; she goes through the list of media items that are most popular and than also shares ideas on how to protect your children in those areas.  I'm going to take a slightly different turn only because, as I said, my kids aren't at that stage. 

Instead, I wanted to just take a quick look at how media I use impacts my kids.  I've mentioned before that I don't want my children's memory of me to be of me sitting at my desk.  I struggle still with how to balance this - we are such an electronic world that 99% of everything I do is on my laptop.  Isn't it funny that now, I'm trying to figure out how to not do so much on this little life saver when, for so long, the push was how to get everything on here?  I can usually tell that I've spent too much time in front of my screen when my kids start climbing on my lap, when they start pushing me out of the chair or, when they start doing things to get my attention.  I often don't mean to do it, but time slips away.   One thing I have done is I've tried to stop reading blogs during the day - instead, I just take time in the evening to read through any new posts that interest me.  I have found this really helps free up time during the day.  Instead of checking up on Facebook every hour, I try to stay away, limiting my time to first thing in the morning, right after lunch when the two little ones go down for naps, and than in the evening.  Finally, e-mail.  This I probably check the most just because it is my main means of communication with people.  Plus it is a quick "update" button and I can scan for anything I need to take care of and walk away.  I feel like I've had some success over the last few weeks which is good.

The other media items in our home - cell phones; it is cute to see my kids use their hands as imaginary cell phones when I'm on the phone with my husband. (they even know his ring!).  I'm not really a phone person so I don't use it much.  The TV is another big media item - I told my husband recently that once summer is done I'll have to break our TV habit.  It has become our afternoon entertainment during the heat wave.  It really has been too hot in our house to do anything - the kids don't even play because they sweat.  The TV keeps them quiet, still, and sitting in front of a fan which is actually a good thing.  I'm just as guilty - I tend to sit and try to stay cool also . . .This fall, we will get back to turning off the TV, turning on our CD's and using music to entertain instead of the TV. 



One final question for thought:  Facebook.  The site actually has an age limit.  Are you willing to allow your child to have a Facebook account even if they are under that limit?  I know this is discussed periodically - some people say no and some say yes and "fudge" on the age they put in for their child.  They justify this by saying that they are monitoring their child's page or (with the old . .. ) 'everyone else is doing it'.   No, I'm not there yet, but I think part of teaching our child right from wrong, is teaching them to follow the "rules".  When is a double standard ok? 

Menu - A New Post each week and some Randomness

Once upon a time, I was posted our weekly menu on the side of my blog but it didn't work for me :-)  I didn't like how it posted or that it took work to put links up so I didn't do it!  I've seen this idea for a weekly menu post on a few different blogs; I like it obviously, since I'm going to do it!

The funny thing is . . .this weeks menu is totally up in the air!!!  We are coming off of a family reunion so I haven't been to the store and I don't feel like going!  I'm going to do a "use what we have" week. 

Monday: Left off Pulled Pork from the reunion.  (We were going to have left over Cole slaw but . .. the bag it was in was over packed so when my husband grabbed it out of the car . . .the bowl broke through and now the Cole slaw is in my driveway HA!) 

Tuesday: Left over Beef Brisket

Wednesday:  Beef Strogenoff over Noodles

Thursday:  Spaghetti

Friday: I have no idea - more than likely we will grab a pizza

As far as sides - we have some frozen veggies to use, Tatar tots, lots of boxes of pasta, and some hamburg buns to turn into garlic rolls.  I'll also be making some banana bread to use for breakfast and probably some peanut butter cookies. 

Other random thoughts.  What a fun weekend we had!  I feel like I've been running like a mad woman since Friday morning and am just now stopping so I'm behind my game right now.  Therefore, my posts my not make it up like normal :-)  I enjoy posting alot . .. but I also have some things to get done (like unpack from the weekend!) 

Here's hoping for some cooler weather this week !

Family Reunion

Yes ma'am - it's Reunion Time!!!  The last big McMaster family reunion was 10 years ago - almost to the day (I'd have to look back at photos to see the exact date!).   I am so excited to see cousins that I've reconnected with on Facebook but haven't seen face to face in years. 

So with that said - we will be very busy all weekend!!!  I'll have pictures and stories to share next week but . . most likely there will be no posts until Monday. 

Enjoy your weekend!

Double Chocolate Bars

I enjoy getting recipes from other blogs - especially "real people" blogs because, if I like them, I feel like I will like their food.  I know, kinda weird, but that is how my mind works!  So, when I saw this recipe posted over at Jenna's Journey I knew I had to try them besides, who can go wrong with Chocolate?? I've mentioned before that I never really made Bar cookies; I always found them dry.  Little did I know that my husband LOVES bar cookies - more than regular cookies.  He likes the dense, cake like consistency of the bar cookie, as long as they are moist and tasty!  Well, this one fits the bill.  They melt in your mouth.   I think you could substitute just about any chocolate chips - add some mint chips around the holiday; or Peanut Butter Chips for that chocolate and Peanut Butter combo! 

Double Chocoalate Bars

Ingredients:2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1.5 sticks butter, melted

1 cup packed dark brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 whole egg PLUS 1 egg yolk

1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degree. Line a 9*13 with foil. Spray well with non stick spray.

Melt butter (I melt mine in the microwave...can you tell I prefer recipes with melted butter? I never think to let it soften).

Using a stand or hand mixer, combine butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla until well combined.

Sift together flour, soda and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients. Once combined, fold in chips.

Bake for 20 -25 mins - you can test it with a toothpick but that doesn't work very well because you'll probably stick it in chocolate!

Let your pan cool completely, then lift out using the foil. Cut into bars

 

Jackie's Notes: 

I cooked mine for the full 25 minutes and maybe could have gone a few minutes longer. 

I did not line the pan with foil - just sprayed it well.  That way I could keep them in the pan and just cover it. 

 

Enjoy:-)

 

A Thursday Thought

So, I'm sitting here on Wednesday night trying to decide what to write for Thursday.  I usually do a post on Mommy Time - or Tot School. I haven't done anything this week getting ready for fall - (wait for it . . . . wait for it . .. ) it's just too hot !  HA!  We have had preschool ever day.  How?  Well, with this!

"It's Like Preschool On TV" !!!  :-)  Yes, we have watched a ton of Nick Jr. this week.  I'm a little tired of The Fresh Beat Band and Peppy Pig  but I do kinda love Olivia and The freaky Backyardigans :-)   My kids have also surprised me a little this week - they both want fruit and tons of it.  Strawberries, blueberries, bananas, Pluots (plum and apricot mixed - they are kinda good), and Apples.  They want seconds and thirds so the heat must make that cold fruit taste really good! 

We, sadly, have eaten dinner "to go" every night since Monday (I guess that is only two nights!) I even bought an extra Little Ceasars Pizza last night so we could have it for lunch today!   My kitchen is a furnace so, every meal I have planned for this week, has been moved to next week - which will make up for eating out this week since we won't have much to buy.  Had I realized how hot it was giong to be this week - I wouldn't have shopped last week - we would have planned meals out to begin with :-) 

I have a few ideas for upcoming posts and even some new scheduled, weekly posts too.  I hope to get those up and going in the next few weeks.  Sadly, I write many posts in my head as I'm falling asleep and they never make it to the blog HA! 

We also have a huge family reunion this weekend - we haven't had one in 10 years and it should be fun.  Facebook has helped a lot - I have connected with cousins through facebook over the last few years so now we actually get to see each other :-)  And I'm getting together with a group of girls from high school too - should be fun!

So, on that random note - stay cool and enjoy the week!