Great Deals!

You may already be getting this ad in the mail, but if not you need to sign up for it!

It's called RedPlum and is filled with all kinds of deals from restaurants to eyewear and more!

Check out their website  www.redplum.com

Burgers! Burgers! Burgers!

Looking for an easy meal that everyone enjoys?? 

Try Hamburgers on the grill!

All you need is....

Hamburger meat (seasoned as you'd like)

Hamburger buns

Ketchup/Mustard/Mayo

Lettuce/Tomato/Onion

Cheese (optional)

Possible side dishes...

Baked Beans

Pasta Salad

Potato Salad

Macaroni Salad

Fresh cut up Fruit

So quick...10 minute prep time & about 10-15 minute cook time!

Apricot or Plum Chicken & Rice

Here's an easy & quick dinner that is very good!

Ingredients:

• 4 Chicken Breasts
• White Rice (you can use Minute Rice (Store brand) which cooks in 5 minutes) **Need 6 Servings**
• Jar of Apricot or Plum Jam

Directions:

1. Season Chicken (use spices i.e. salt, pepper, chicken rub etc.) as desired
2. On stove top cook chicken, once fully cooked add a quarter to half of the jar of Apricot or Plum jam and simmer.
3. While chicken is simmering, begin cooking he rice.  Follow the directions on box.
4. Serve chicken on a bed of rice.  Salad & Crescents go really well with this dish!

Approximate prep time: ~10 minutes
Approximate cook time: ~10 minutes

Enjoy!

The Circus is coming!!

When was the last time you have been to the Circus?  Well the Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to Phoenix starting on June 23 through June 27!

Now I'm not too sure how a baby under 1 would really enjoy the circus but if this is your babies 1st time at a Circus they have a pretty good deal...

Free Ticket for Baby’s First Circus

"Parenthood brings many wonderful firsts - your baby’s first tooth, your baby’s first steps... and of course, your Baby’s First Circus!  That’s why we created the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Baby’s First Circus program for parents of newborns (up to 12 months old and living in the continental United States)."

When You Sign Up You'll Receive:

•A ticket voucher, which will arrive by mail, that can be exchanged for a free ticket to any Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance, anytime, anywhere. No expiration date!
•You'll also be able to print a very special commemerative certificate, that you can personalize with your child's name!

For this and other great deals, visit Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and click on "Special Offers" located at the top of the website!

It's been so long since I've been to the Circus and my daughter has never been so I'm excited it's coming to Phoenix!! The Circus will be held at the US Airways Center.

Jewelry Organizer

I came across this idea on my nieces blog and I just absolutely love it!

I have gone through so many different jewelry boxes and I can never seem to get them organized how I like them.  Either there's too much space or not enough, but this idea is just perfect!!

To find out how to make them exactly as picture shows click on the following link: Cork Board Jewelry Organizer .  To make it a little easier, is to purchase an already put together board from Target. Don't forget to purchase push pins of your choice!

I can not wait to do this and hang in our room, I have the best location in mind!

Write it down...

Sometimes being a parent and/or wife can be very stressful, but we don't always get to say how we really feel.  Whether it's to be nice or not start an arguement etc...we sometimes hold it in.  Whatever that reason may be, it's not good to keep it in so, I have a solution!

A Journal...

I have been using a journal for quite some time now and I have to be honest, even if I tell my husband or friends how I'm feeling sometimes I don't get it all out.  So I write it down and I feel so much better!  No matter what I write, I don't have to worry that I'll be told I'm wrong for feeling that way or feel judged in way! 

 It's a great way for me to relieve a lot of stress and I hope it can help you too!!

Banana Walnut Pancakes

So Yummy!!

We absolutely love going to Wild Flower Bread Co. for their amazing Banana Walnut Pancakes, but going their so often gets expensive so here's how you can make them yourself!

Now there are ways to make your pancake mix, but with 3 kids I'm all about fast & easy! So I use the pre-made pancake mix :o)

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups of Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Complete pancake mix
• 1 & 1/2 Cups of water
• 1/2 Cup of mashed Bananas
• 2 tablespoons of chopped Walnuts

Toppings:

• 1 ripe Banana, sliced (for topping)
• 1/4 cup chopped Walnuts

Directions:

1. Heat skillet/pan over medium-high heat. Grease pan.
2. In medium to large bowl, mix together pancake mix & water until smooth.
3. Stir in mashed bananas and 2 tablespoons of chopped Walnuts.
4. Pour about 1/4 cup of mix onto skillet/pan. Cook until each side is golden brown.
5. Serve pancakes topped with syrup, sliced bananas and chopped walnuts & Enjoy!!

If you're looking for good side dishes try potatoes, bacon or fruit! Oh my gosh, it's 11pm and I could go for a big plate of these!

Yummy, Yummy!!

Make your own Lip Balm!!

I was watching Martha Stewart and I fell in love with this project!!  I think it would be a great activity to do at birthday parties, put in gift bags for "goodie bags" or to give out as gifts etc...I haven't tried it yet, as I need to order the materials, but I had to pass this along and when I prepare my own I'll let you know how they come out!! 

Girls of all ages will just love doing this!!

Ingredients

•2 teaspoons grated beeswax
•5 teaspoons carrier oil (such as castor, sunflower, or jojoba)
•1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
•1 teaspoon carmine (natural red) coloring oil
•6 or 7 drops essential oil (such as vanilla) **optional**

Note: To make colorless lip balm, substitute carmine coloring oil with an additional teaspoon of carrier oil.

Tools and Materials needed:

•Double boiler (use pot on stove and pyrex measuring dish inside)
•Mixing stick or spoon
•Lip balm tubes, pots, or tins
•Pouring tray with plastic scraper
•Decorative paper
•2-inch-wide clear packing tape

Homemade Lip Balm How-To

1. Melt beeswax, carrier oil, vitamin E oil, and coloring oil together in a double boiler, stirring to combine. Add essential oil right before removing from boiler to pour.

2. Pour mixture into lip balm containers. Let cool for about an hour. If using a pouring tray, scrape away excess and smooth tops with plastic scraper.

3. To make labels, cut a scrap of decorative paper to the size of container. Place paper facedown on a piece of clear 2-inch-wide packing tape. Cut packing tape to width of paper strip, and trim so tape is about 1/2 inch longer than paper on both ends. Wrap tape with paper around tube or pot.

Where to purchase the items needed:
-Lip balm ingredients available from TKB Trading
-Lip balm tubes, pots, tins, and pouring trays available from SKS Bottle.
-Essential oils and vitamin E oil available from your local drug stores (such as Walgreens etc.)

Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Fun Spring & Summer Drink!!

My mom found this recipe and we had it at my baby shower...it is so yummy and refreshing that I have to pass it on! For months after my shower, I drank this all the time! 

And now that it is starting to warm up outside, the kids would just love it and they'd have a blast making it!  It's a great drink for parties too!

Here's what you need:

-Hawaiian Punch, Berry Blue Typhoon

-Sprite

-Vanilla Ice Cream (if using for a party)

**If you are looking for a "red" drink use regular Hawaiian Punch**

Summer Kids Days @ Peter Piper Pizza!

Looking for something fun, but not too expensive to do with your kids this summer?  Well here's one of many ideas I'll be sharing...

Peter Piper Pizza presents:

SUMMER KIDS DAYS!

Bring the kids, the FUN'S in session!

----------------------------------------------------------------

June 1:  Blast Off to Summer

June 8:  Meet your Local Hereos

June 15:  Kids on Broadway

June 22:  I am a Rock Star

June 29:  Happy Birthday America

July 6:  Bring Your "A" Game

July 13:  Earth Explorers

July 20:  Behind the Slice

July 27: End of Summer Party

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Join Us Every Tuesday---- June 1st - July 27th from 10am-12pm, Ages 3-12 years

Only $4.99 per child and includes:

          -2 slices of pizza

   -12oz drink

-4 tokens

**Select dates include FREE passes to local attractions**

Chicken Stir Fry

This recipe for stir fry is so easy and quick!

 Ingredients:

• Noodles (Rotini pasta used) or White Rice
• 1 bag of California style fozen vegetables or use fresh vegetables of choice 
• 1 Zuchinni (sliced)
• 1 Yellow Squash (sliced)
• 2 table spoons of Oil (Vegetable or Olive)
• Stir Fry sauce or chicken seasoning of choice
• 1-2 pounds of chicken (cut into strips)

Directions:

1. After all vegetables have been cut, combine the vegetables in a wok/sauce pan and cook.  Be sure to stir them frequently and don't let them cook too long, taste for preferred consistantsy
2. While vegetables are cooking, begin boiling the pasta.  Follow the directions on package.
3. Cook chicken throughly and add seasoning and/or stir fry sauce
4. Combine chicken, pasta/rice, noodles in wok/sauce pan
5. Serve with or without Soy Sauce & ENJOY! 

Playdough from scratch!

Anyone who has a child, no matter what age, knows they all love to play with playdough...here's an easy recipe to make yourselves!  It will keep any kid entertained & they will just love making their own playdough, mine sure did!!

What you'll need:

-Bowl & Mixing utensils

-Food Coloring of choice

-1/4 cup salt

-1 cup flour

-1/4 cup water

Directions:

-Mix together all ingredients and food coloring.  How simple, right?! 

**You may need to add extra water or flour to make the correct consistency.  You can either use plastic bags to mix the ingredients together or mix in a bowl...your preference**

Great storage idea...once you are done playing use disposable storage containers, found at any grocery store!

Don't forget...cookie cutters, rolling pins, and other extras you want to use!

Have fun!!

Flowers for Easter

Happy Easter!

Purchased from Fry's, manager's special $7.50

Date Night!

All couples, especially the ones married with kids know all too well that going out just the two of you is a very rare occaision!  And, although finding the time and getting a sitter is hard, it's so worth it in the end to have some alone time...even if it's just for an hour.  

I think it's super important for couples to have time to themselves, it's what keeps your marriage fresh & exciting!  And "Date Night" doesn't always have to be at night, it can be in the afternoon, the morning or whatever works best for you!!

So it's time to re-kindle that love and enjoy each other's company!!  Here are some ideas...

• Happy Hour & Dinner
• The Cheesecake Factory
• Outback Steakhouse
• Blue Wasabi
• The Keg
• Kobe
• Chili's or Applebees
• Movies
• Harkins
• AMC
• Coffee & Dessert at your favorite place
• Starbucks
• Seattle Espresso
• Baskin Robbins
• Dairy Queen
• The Cheesecake Factory
• Attending a Sports Event
• Basketball
• Baseball
• Playing a sport
• Golf
• Tennis
• Raquetball
• Miniture Golf
• Golfland
• Fiddlesticks
• Crackerjax
• Hiking -or- Bike riding
• South Mountain
• Camleback Mountain
• Papago Park
• Check out Hike Arizona for great places to hike
• Going to Breakfast
• Wildflower Bread Company --This is our favorite place to go on Sundays!!  

Whatever you do, just enjoy the time you have together!

Ice Cream in a bag!

This is great for the hot days in Arizona!!

What you'll need:

-1 gallon Ziploc bag

-1 quart Ziploc bag (heavy duty)
-Spoons

Ingredients:

4 cups ice
1/4 cup salt

1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons sugar

Directions:

1. Pour the milk, vanilla extract, and sugar into the small Ziploc bag. Squeeze as much air out as possible and seal the bag carefully.

2. Place the small Ziploc bag down into the large bag. Cover with salt and ice. Seal the large bag tightly.

3. Shake, toss, and flip the ice cream for 5 to 10 minutes. If the bag gets too cold to handle, wrap it with a towel or newspaper or pass it from person to person.

4. Open both bags and spoon the ice cream into small cups or just eat from the bag. Enjoy!!


Flavor Variations:

1. Substitute other extract flavors for vanilla

2. Omit the vanilla and half the sugar, then add strawberry or chocolate syrup to the milk mixture.

Enjoy your homemade ice cream!

FREE Chick-fil-A!

PAJAMA NIGHT!

• 5pm-8pm Friday, March 26th
• Dress in pjs and recieve a FREE meal of your choice
• FREE breakfast samples
• Crafts and the cow!

(2900 E Germann (202/Gilbert Rd.))

I have been told that multiple, if not all of the Chick-fil-A locations are having this deal, before going please double check that your location is supporting this ad!

Chores = Shopping Spree!

I feel that it is important to have kids help around the house--- when they're at the right age of course!

My daughter helps out around the house a lot now, so we've set up certain chores for her to do certain days of the week.  And even though I absolutely hated doing them when I was little, I feel that it was quite beneficial and teaches responsibility!  We originally had it where if she did her chores she would earn allowance, well that didn't work so well...she wasn't as motivated and if she didn't earn the few bucks she was fine.  So, I'm trying something new & hopefully motivating...

 (Chore chart purchased at Target)

If she does her chores for the entire month then she will get a $20.00 shopping spree!  Each week she'll earn $5.00, may not be a lot to us adults but to kids is plenty of money :o)  I told her she could buy whatever she wanted at the end of the month, it was her money...she even asked me, "Could I save my money and use it on something big or put it in my account at the bank?" I thought that was so cute & smart!!

Family Calendar

Every year Rob's family puts together this amazing family calendar! 

The cover is always of his parents...

This is a glimpse of each month...

What's so great about this, are the pictures...each month indicates who's birthday or anniversary it is and it's so wonderful to see everyone especially since we all don't live in the same state! 

 I look forward to getting every year!! Our niece, Sam, designed this years by using Creat Photo Calendars.  Thanks Sam, it turned out great!!

Courtesy of the (extended) Majorek Family

Flower's of the week!

Fry's had amazing deals on flowers this week!!

Sunflowers: $3.99 & Roses: $5.00

Home made Spaghetti Sauce

Most of the time I just purchase the jar spaghetti sauce, but homemade is so much better!!  My family seems love the homemade over the jar stuff too....this is a recipe that I got from my mom, it's so yummy!! 

Ingredients:

3 (12oz) Cans of Tomato Paste
6-7 cans of water (use tomato paste cans to measure)
1 medium onion (chopped)
1/4 cup green pepper (chopped)
2 cloves of garlic (minced)
1/2 tsp. of garlic powder
1/4 cup of oil (extra virgin olive oil)
1/4 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. sweet basil
1 small bay leaf
1 tbs. jsugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1lb ground beef

Directions:

In an 8 quart pan, saute' onion, green pepper & garlic in oil.  Add tomato paste and water.  Stir until smooth then add the remaining spices.  Brown 1lb of ground beef and add to sauce.  Simmer uncovered for 1 to 2 hours.

Courtesy of Mom Carey

Behind...

Sorry for all the posts today...for whatever reason it was a crazy week!!! Hope you enjoyed them!

Flowers always make you smile!

Growing up my mom always had flowers for special days...birthday's, anniversaries, parties etc.  And I just loved having them!  They make you smile & feel special especially if they are given to you by someone you love!  Now I have flowers in our house, more often than none...this is my one splurge that I do quite frequently :o)

When I go to the grocery store I always hit up the floral department (Fry's has great deals on bouqets!).  My daughter just loves when we have them in the house---she especially loves the smell of roses as do I!

I purchased these from Fry's- 1 dozen for $6.99!

Holiday Picture Project

Everyone takes a Christmas picture -or- you have kids that take a picture with Santa, right? Of course we do! Well here's a cute way to cherish those moments for years to come!

After Christmas when everything is clearanced out, go and pick out a holiday picture frame---it can be completely cheesy, classy or whatever you like!  Put your favorite picture from this holiday season and place it in the frame.  Store it with your decor until the next year comes.  Once the next year comes pull out your frame and display for everyone to see! 

Our family decided that we are going to use their Santa pictures!!  I plan on making them take a picture with Santa until they're 18 :o)

(This frame cost me $4.99 from Michaels & the picture was $0.19 from Target)

The best part of this is, if you do this every year until your kids are 18 or older not only do you get to see the different styles from years past but you get to share so many stories!  As I have come to realize quite quickly, when you have kids and try to take the family photo, it never turns out quite like you want it and there's always a story behind each shoot! 

 

Courtesy of Sarah Richardson

Who wants Cake?!

I absolutely love cake!  As I'm sure most of you do too!!  My favorite is chocolate with whip cream frosting from Fry's---yum yum!  Can't always buy a cake for no reason, but you can always make one...it's cheaper and you can put your own personal touch into it!!  I was watching Live! With Regis & Kelly the week before Valentine's Day and they were featuring different chocolate recipe's and this one was my favorite...

"Can-o-Cake"

Ingredients:

    *You will need 1 cookie tin*
-4 oz. of butter
-4 oz. of bittersweet chocolate
-3 eggs
-1 oz of sugar
-1 1/4 ounces cake flour

    Suggested Toppings:

Vanilla or Mint Ice Cream
Whipped Cream
Heath Bar
Rainbow Sprinkles
Caramel Sauce
Chocolate Sauce
Raspberries
Blackberries

Directions:
      Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

-Melt butter & chocolate together in one bowl and whisk eggs & sugar together in separate bowl
-Combine melted chocolate mixture into egg and sugar mixture
-Whisk in cake flour

Pour cake mix into can, bake for 10 minutes until outside of cake is set and center is still soft. Note: Baking time may vary.

Top cake with your choice of toppings & ENJOY!

Courtesy of Live! With Regis & Kelly and David Burke- Fishtail Restaurant NYC

Chicken Taco Ring

Here is now one of my favorite recipes to make! My daughter loves this, as does our entire family. It's cheap, quick and easy plus the kids can help make it!

Ingredients:
-1b of chicken (breast or tenders)
-1 package of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
-Shredded Cheese (your choice, I have used Mexican cheese & Mild Cheddar)
-1 package of McCormick Chicken Taco Seasoning or any seasoning of choice **FYI- "McCormick Chicken Taco Seasoning" is hard to find, I have found it only at Fry's--pictured is just reg. chicken seasoning**
       **To make more, just double ingredients above**

Directions:
       Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cook the chicken until completely done on stove top, then follow the back of the seasoning package or season the chicken to your liking. Roll out the crescent rolls on a cookie sheet---You can either place them in a circle with the "fat or wider" part of the roll overlapping each other in order to make the circle or lay them flat on the cookie sheet, it's your preference.

Then add the chicken to "fat or wider" portion to the crescent roll. Sprinkle cheese on top of the chicken to your liking. Then fold the top portion of the crescent roll over the chicken and bake for 9-11 minutes until golden brown.

Courtesy of The Kates Family

Welcome!

I originally started 3 different blogs, one for family fun things to do, one for different recipes to share and one for creative fun projects---why I started 3 different ones I have no idea!  I rather quickly realized that I don't need 3, I barely manage my family one and was in way over my head trying to put up material for all of them!  So I decided to start this blog...

Like the title states, I am not the "domestic" type, I am far from it, but I do try---my husband and I laugh about it all the time because I'll go on spurts of being domestic, I get all excited and go go go and then lose interest and then start right back up again!  I used to work full time...over time, a lot and since having my twin boys I was given the opportunity to stay home with all 3 of my kids!  I love it, it's great but it's really hard getting used to going from being in a corporate world with adult interaction, going to lunch, being in meetings, going to happy hour, taking off whenever we want- just the 2 of us to baby talking, poopy diapers, being thrown up on all the time, taking my daughter to and from places, being home by 7pm everynight, crazy school projects, little kid attitudes, etc etc...

Now that I am a stay at home mom I feel like I have to give it my best shot as being somewhat domestic, but making sure that as a mom, I'm having fun and enjoying it!  Anyone who knows me, knows I don't like to just sit at home and be a bum all day...Although I do have my "bummy days" every so often,  I enjoy doing different activities and it's time to make the most of my days! 

So here's to somewhat becoming domestic!!