Family

  • Recipe: Easy Summer Vegetables

    Grilled Vegetables

    I love this time of year as the fresh veggies begin pouring in from the garden.  It has been wonderful eating the vegetables and finding great ways to eat them.  One of our family’s favorite ways to enjoy them is on the grill.  Our family has tried many different vegetable recipes and this is my favorite because it is so easy and quick.  It’s a great recipe to use when you have guests coming over for dinner. You can use a variety of fresh vegetables.  I like to use the fresh veggies that we have in the fridge put into the recipe but you really can use any ones that you enjoy.

    Easy Summer Vegetables:

    • 1 cup sliced Carrots
    • 1 cup sliced Zucchini
    • 1 cup sliced Summer Squash
    • 1 cup sliced Tomatoes
    • 1 cup fresh Mushrooms
    • 1/2 cup sliced Onions
    • 1/4 cup Italian Dressing

    Slice the vegetables into 1 inch pieces and put them into a bowl.  Pour 1/4 cup of Italian Dressing over the vegetables and stir until evenly coated.  You can add a little more or less dressing depending on the amount of vegetables you want.  Let them marinate for a few minutes, pour them onto the vegetable grate on the  grill, cook until tender but still crisp.

    You can add whatever vegetables you want and substitute, for example if you do not have zucchini but have asparagus or peppers add a cup of them instead.  The vegetables have great flavor and are a hit throughout the grilling season.

    Photo by Adactio

  • Cleaning Up the Yard & Spring Bonfire

    We are blessed to live in a wonderful area with a creek and woods.  While the trees provide shade they also are known for dropping branches occasionally.  Since we had some limbs piled up we decided to clean up the yard by building our first Spring bonfire.  The girls had fun gathering the twigs and branches in the yard and bringing them to the fire.  Once the fire was good and hot was roasted hotdogs, did a little more work collecting branches, followed by relaxing together and roasting marshmallows.

    Sweet Sisters and Best Friends having fun gathering twigs in the yard together!

     

    Brina loves hanging out with her puppy - Skipper!

     

    Karlie telling a story while Daddy cleans the wire for her hotdog.

     

    Bonfire conversations with the family!

     

    Daddy and the girls relaxing around the bonfire!

    Love spending time with my family.  We were able to get some work done in the yard and relax together.  It was awesome having some time to talk and make new memories with the kids!

  • Fresh & Healthy: Our Garden – Fresh Lettuce, Spinach, Broccoli, Dill, Zucchini, Basil, & Radishes!

    We are loving the fresh vegetables from our garden!

    Here are some of the fresh veggies we were able to eat and share this week:

    Fresh from the Garden - Leafy Lettuce, Spinach, Radishes, and Broccoli!

    A full dish strainer full of freshly picked goodies from the garden.  A variety of leafy lettuces, spinach, several radishes, and a few small broccoli.

     

    Zucchini, Radishes, and Broccoli from the Garden

    Our first zucchini from the garden!  The broccoli and radishes are done, we put in more radishes and replaced the broccoli with okra, we’ll see how it does.

     

    Lettuce, Basil, Spinach and Dill fresh from the garden!

    A whole colander full of a variety of leafy lettuce, fresh spinach, basil and dill!  Thinking a nice salad is in our near future!

  • Teaching Our Children: How to Garden

    Family Garden's Growing, it's not perfect but the kids are enjoying helping with the project!

    Kids enjoy participating in activities with their parents.  I love finding opportunities to teach my girls.  Gardening was one of the projects I decided would be fun to teach our children this year.  When I explained we were planting a garden and I would like their help with it they were ready to get started immediately.

    Steps for Teaching Kids How to Garden:

    1. Garden Research – start by reading several plant and garden books, both ones at home as well as books from the library.  Reading books on gardening help build the excitement for the project and prepare them for the whole process.   End this step by making a list of items you need to pick up at a local nursery or store.
    2. Picking Out the Seeds – take the kids to the store and have them pick out a few plants and seeds on their own.  Answer their questions and guide them in picking out the best plants.  This is a great teaching opportunity on many levels from learning about plants, prices, and making decisions.  You may be in the store longer than normal but it can be a wonderful experience for the kids.  Once they have their plants picked out have them take the plants to the cash register and pay for them.
    3. Planting the Seeds – read the directions with your kids and start planting the seedlings.  You can start the seedlings in peat pellets.  The pellets can be fascinating to watch grow and the kids enjoy putting the seeds into each one.
    4. Tilling the Soil – have the kids use their shovels to dig up the garden soil.  After a few days of them digging for ten minutes or so go ahead and rotor till the area (the rotor tilling should be done by an adult). The digging teaches them that it takes a little bit of hard work and persistence to get the garden ready for the plants.  Once the ground is tilled and the plants are ready help them dig the holes and place the plants into the ground.
    5. Maintaining the Plants (Water  & Weeds) –  once the plants are in the soil it is time to teach the kids how take care of the plants so they will continue to grow.  Hook up the hose up so the kids can turn on it on and water the plants.  You can use a timer to help ensure the garden gets plenty of water but not too.  One of the most entertaining pieces of gardening is teaching the kids how to pull the weeds; a weed can look a lot like a small vegetable plant to kids.
    6. Reaping the Rewards – the best part of the whole process is when the kids get to pick the produce from the plants.  They get so excited seeing them bloom and the vegetables growing.  Once the produce is ready to be picked show them how to pick the vegetables without damaging the plant.  After the produce is picked help them wash and put it away.

    We decided to do a vegetable garden but these steps can be used for flower gardens as well.  One of the character building lessons you can teach your children with this project is how to share with others.  Having a garden provides delicious vegetables for your family but can be a huge blessing to extended family, friends, and neighbors.  The girls love picking the fresh vegetables and sharing with people around us.  Teaching our children to be considerate and generous helps build positive character traits that will last.  At least once a week let your kids pick a bag of produce on their own, wash it and choose someone to give it to.

    This year we had the girls help us in the family garden.  I think once they get older if they are still interested we will let them do one completely on their own.  It is a great activity that our whole family enjoys.  The rows may not be straight and a few plants may get stepped on but the overall experience is worth it.  Do your kids help in the garden?  What creative tips do you for gardening with the kids?

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of May 25 – 31, 2011

    The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience.   There are a lot of great deals for grilling out, here is a delicious homemade ice cream recipe to go along with your Memorial Weekend activities Blessings Multiplied – Family Recipe:  Grandma’s Homemade Ice Cream, you could pick up the ingredients at Save A Lot this week!  Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!

    Meats and Seafood

    Beef Spare Ribs – $1.99 per lb

    Holten Beef Patties (24 oz, 6 patties) – $1.99

    Fairgrounds Hot Dogs (12 oz) – $0.69

    Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage (14 oz) – $1.99
    Use $1/1 coupon from Hillshire Farms
    $0.99 each after coupon

    Ocean Market (Flounder, Tilapia, Lemon Herb Tilapia, Pollock) (4 oz) – $1.00

    Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).

    Fridge and Freezer

    Libby’s Steam Bag Vegetables (12 oz) – $0.69

    Coburn Farms Dozen Large Eggs – $0.99

    Sunny D (48 oz)  – $0.99
    Use $0.25/1 coupon insert from 5/15 Smart Source (Expires 8/31/11)
    $0.74 each with coupon

    Reser’s Potato and Macaroni Salads – $2.99
    Use $1/1 printable coupon from Coupon Web
    $1.99 each with coupon

    Fudgsicles or Popsicles – $1.00

    Borden Singles or Grilled Cheese Melts (12 oz) – $1.50

    McClary’s American Singles – $0.99

    World’s Fair Junior Pops – $0.99

    Coburn Farms Sour Cream (16 oz) – $1.29

    Coburn Farms Dip (16 oz) – $1.39

    Coburn Farms Yogurt – $0.50

    Household

    Wrightware Foam Plates (100 count) – $2.00

    Pert Paper Towels – $0.69

    First Force Pine Cleaner – $1.00

    Produce

    Idaho Potatoes (5 lbs) – $1.49

    Jumbo Vine Ripe Tomatoes – $0.99 per lb

    Jumbo Vidalio Onions – $0.59 per lb

    Grocery

    Summerset Tagless Ice Tea Bags (100 Count) – $1.19

    Kool-Aide (assorted variety) – $0.20 each

    Cowboy Billy’s Baked Beans (16 oz) – $0.79

    Cowboy Billy’s Pork & Beans (16 oz) – $0.50

    Kurtz Dill Pickles (32 oz) – $1.59

    Kurtz Yellow Mustard – $0.69

    Kurtz Ketchup – $0.89

    J Higg’s Butter Round Crackers – $1.69

    Port Side Chunk Light Tuna – $0.53

    Del Pino’s Canned Pasta – $0.69

    Hargis House Beans & Franks – $0.69

    O Days Mac & Cheese – $0.39

    Maruchan Ramon Noodles – $0.89

    Portmann’s Salad Dressing – $1.29

    Save-A-Lot Brand Soda – $0.69

    Crisp Lemonade – $0.99

    Thirst Quench’r Drink Sticks – $1.19

    J. Higg’s Cornies Corn Chips – $1.29

    J Higg’s Potato Chips – $1.19

    J Higg’s Cheezie Puffs – $1.29

    Gourmet Onion Rings – $0.99

    CK Cheese Balls – $1.29

    Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals!  Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.

    For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here.  If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.

  • Life Simplified: Old Boots Transformed into Flower Pots

    Boots transformed into a decorative Flower Pot!

    I love being able to creatively recycle items that have been around our house for awhile.  My husband used to wear these boots!  Now that they are worn out (and covered in specks of paint) I have found another use for them on my front porch….as a flower pot.  The boots are a unique decoration to have on the front porch.  I love seeing peoples reactions the first time they see them!  I get a lot of comments like “That’s a great idea!  Honey can I use your old boots once your done with them!”

    Flowers Planted in Jake's Old Boots!

    It’s super easy to do!  Find an old pair of boots, fill them with potting soil, and add a couple plants to each one and you has an inexpensive masterpiece that will be a colorful welcome to those visiting your home.  I typically do seasonal flowers so I can give a fresh look to the boots in the Spring and Fall.  Do you items that you recycle within your home?

  • Mailbox Goodies: Cereal, Cottonelle, Dog Food, GoodNites, Magazines & More!

     

    Mailbox Goodies

    One of the best parts about getting the mail is when the mailbox full of goodies, especially when they are free! We got some great coupons, free samples, magazines and more stuff in the mail.  Some of these deals are still available so if you haven’t had a chance to sign up go ahead and do it now.   I will try to keep you posted of some of the new ones coming up as well.

    Here are some items we received in the mail:

    • Free Sample of Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats Mixed Berry “Touch of Fruit in the Middle” and B1G1 & $1.00 Off Coupons- Vocal Point (still available)
    • Free Business Card Holder – 1 Sale A Day
    • Free Carefree Feminine Pad and $0.50 Coupon – Start Sampling (still available)
    • Free North American Hunting Club Pack (Sticker, Notepad, Address Labels, Elk Decal, Hunting License Holder, and Bookmark) – Hunting Club (still available)
    • Free Hamrick’s 15% Off Entire Purchase Coupon – Hamricks, sign up at your local Hamricks store (still available)
    • Free Atkins Kit (Quick Start Guide, Pocket Counter, Chef Recipes, 3 Bars, Coupon and More) – Atkins click on the free kit (still available)
    • 3 – Free GoodNites Underwear and $2 off Coupon – Target Samples
    • Free Information Week Magazine – been receiving for years
    • Free Purex Complete with Zout Triple Enzyme Stain Remover Sample and $1.00 Coupon – Purex (still available)
    • Free Purina Pro Plan Roasted Slices Product Coupon – Purina Pro Plan Facebook Page (still available)
    • Free Parents Magazine – Rewards Country (still available)
    • Free Newsweek Magazine – Rewards Gold (still available)
    • Free Tub of Cottonelle Fresh Flushable Moist Wipes Product Coupon (up to $2.89) –   Cottonelle (still available)
    • Free Motor Boating Magazine – Mercury Magazines
    • And more free magazines and local coupons!

    If you are like me it is nice when you get a mailbox with free coupons and samples in it.  The bills will come as well but when you get a mailbox full of free items it helps make the day a little more enjoyable.  Plus the coupons and samples are a great way to stretch your budget and share with others!