Friday, February 25, 2011
Hair Raising
I've been looking for ways to save more money. (This started before our furnace died Wednesday night and we had to shell out 400ドル to get it fixed. *Lamaze breathing*) Sometimes, you have to spend money to save money. And to avoid paying 10ドル for the privilege of watching your son receive half a haircut before the barber gives up. So I bought hair clippers, and scissors, and thinning shears. (Both Eli and I always have to have our crazy-thick hair thinned.)
I really need you home hair cutters to talk me through this. I'm going to start with the boy, and then maybe move on to everyone else. What am I doing?! (Thanks to Swistle and Christina for helping already.)
Feel free to tell me that I can color my hair at home, too, as I've stopped getting highlights and now my hair is all grown out in its "hair-colored hair" glory.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Money for Nothing
I spent my free money. And I tried to be both fun and sensible. So... funsible? "You see what I just did there? That was an explanabrag."
All images from CSN Stores
I thought about purchasing foam tiles for the basement play area I'm carving out, but then I realized I could get two packs of the same size (not as pretty, but cheaper and able to cover more floor space) with Graham's Congratulations on Your Birth from Friends of Your Grandparents Toys R Us gift card. I've been holding onto it because what does a fourth child need besides diapers? And buying diapers with a gift card is just too depressing; I couldn't do it.
Except this image from Toys R Us
So, gift certificate money for foam tiles, and CSN Stores money for:
a wallet to replace my seven-year old wallet and duct-taped checkbook cover. Springy and useful!
Two cookie sheets to replace our rusty (Ew.) cheapo ones that replaced our nice but ancient ones last year.
And a spoonula. Because I wanted one. (They're sold out of the kind I ordered, or I'd link to them.)
Grand total, 54ドル.69 of 55ドル. Yeah, baby. Thanks, Mommy Daisy!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
What should I buy?
I won Mommy Daisy's CSN Stores redrawing and now I have to spend 55ドル by the end of the month and I can't decide! What to buy! POOR ME. And of course I want to spend as close to 55ドル as I can without going over. That's the fun of the game. That, and free money.
Now, should I be sensible? Not? Half and half?
What would you get?
Friday, February 18, 2011
Pierogi Casserole and Pumpkin Muffins
Although it is beautiful here today, horrible February weather, potty training, keeping a budget, and the lack of decent, inexpensive fruits and vegetables keep me turning to the cupboards and freezer for carbs. Warm, comforting, vaguely healthy carbs.
Pierogi Casserole, adapted from our local paper
This casserole is like the love child of pierogis and haluski. My crazy children dislike pierogis because of the texture of mashed potatoes. The casserole, they like.
4 russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 lb. package of egg noodles, preferably kluski noodles
1/2 a head of cabbage, chopped
2 onions, chopped
4 T. dairy-free margarine
4 T. olive oil
salt and pepper
Boil the potatoes and noodles separately, until cooked. Drain and cover to keep hot. Meanwhile, saute the cabbage and onion in the margarine and olive oil until collapsed and melty. Add the noodles and potatoes to the cabbage and onion. Mix, and add salt and pepper to taste.
If you really wanted to gild the lily, some bacon would be fantastic in this.
Pumpkin Muffins
This is my neighbor's recipe, and the kids' favorite muffin recipe in the whole wide world.
Whisk together:
3 1/3 c. unbleached AP flour*
2 t. baking soda
1 1/2 t. salt
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. nutmeg
2 1/2 c. sugar
Mix:
1 c. canola oil
4 eggs
2/3 c. water
2 cups pureed pumpkin, or one 15 oz. can of pumpkin
Mix the wet and dry ingredients together and spoon into greased muffin tins. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. For mini muffins, bake at 350 degrees for 14-15 minutes. Makes 3 dozen regular muffins or a truckload of mini muffins. These freeze well.
*Yeah, yeah, yeah. Feel free to make a blend of whole wheat and white or what have you.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Chore Wars
I just found out about Chore Wars, and I am so excited. It's a free Dungeons and Dragons-like online game for cleaning your house. I heard about it from a friend of mine who plays it with her husband. I'm thinking this might be just the thing to help my video game-obsessed children be more motivated to clean. It might make things more fun for the parents, too. It also makes me think about the recent D&D episode of Community. I never understood the appeal of D&D, but this? I get.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Random Hearts
I cannot believe how much candy/how many treats came home from preschool today. Or, to quote my son, "Mama, I thought Valentines were that you cut a heart out of paper and wrote on it." I agree about the paper hearts. Well, paper hearts and chocolate.
I'm going to make a dairy-free version of this chocolate cake for dessert tonight. I made my dad's favorite cake for his birthday this past weekend, and when someone asked, "Where did you get the recipe?" I said, "Where do I get most of my recipes?" Entire table in unison: "Catherine Newman ." Yep. (Stephanie O'Dea and Mary Ostyn are two other good guesses. I'm making Mary's blueberry muffins tonight, too. In heart-shaped muffin tins.)
Recently, while making popcorn in the Whirley-Pop Catherine recommended, Scott said, "She's really had an influence on our lives, hasn't she?" She has, and so have you. Happy Valentine's Day.
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
Roll with it
Why can't winter babies have outside birthday parties?
Supplies:
fire in the firepit
sleds
(Ask guests to bring their own snow supplies, too.)
extra gloves, hats, scarves
snow
Menu:
hot dogs cooked over the fire
carrot sticks, pretzels, raisins (for eating and snowman making)
cakes with snowboardingStar Wars guys and princesses
slow cooker hot cider with cinnamon
slow cooker dairy-free hot chocolate (made with powdered soy milk and no peppermint)
bottled water
Happy Birthday!
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
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