Quick and easy

This tip is so simple I am almost embarrassed to share it.  But it's something I am intentional about and I think it makes a big difference.


Whenever we get out of the car, we take all the trash and other stuff out with us.  Right then.  I know it sounds so "duh" but it keeps my car from earning a toxic label and reduces the number of times we have to hunt for lost things.  (Notice I didn't say "eliminates".....)  It doesn't take much time at all, just a second to remind us all to do so.

Try it for a week or so and see if you notice a difference.

GIfts in a minute

Gift box.  Invaluable.  I keep a box of gift items under my bed and when it's time for a birthday party or a hostess gift, we go shopping.  Under my bed.  Another box full of wrapping paper, gift bags, tape, tissue paper, note cards, scissors.  ALL ITEMS must be returned to the box after use.  Well, not the used paper,  just the scissors, tape, and remaining wrapping stuff.  You get the idea.  Saves tons of time and $$$ and sanity.  All in one place.

I stock up on things when I find a good deal or something that I think kids, friends, etc would like.  Right now, I have some things from Bath and Body Works recent semi-annual sale, some Pottery Barn deals, Christmas china (I like to give this as wedding gifts to summer brides), gorgeous candles, and some Southern Living closeouts.  From time to time, I stock up on iTunes gift cards, too -- these are always appropriate for tweens and teens. 

That's my survival tip for today!

Dinner's in the Freezer

My freezer is my BFF when it comes to efficiency.  I have learned to freeze about a bazillion things.  When I find a good sale on milk or butter or meat or bread, I buy up and freeze the extras.  But my favorite service provided by my freezer is to stash a horde of ready-to-cook meals for my crew.  With my initiation into motherhood, I found out about "The Arsenic Hour"....the time period before dinner when you are trying to get the meal ready and your kids don't cooperate -- thus, you are ready to take OR GIVE some arsenic!  Or "The Unholy Hour" when you come in the door from church and everyone is starved, expecting to eat and all lookin at you.  Every lesson on love and grace learned earlier that morning takes flight and leaves!!!

For survival, I learned to have meals in the freezer, ready to go.  My two favorites are Chicken and Dumplings and Ravioli Soup.  I think Katie shared the ravioli soup one on facebook one time so I'll share my version of chicken and dumplings here.  It's probably more like chicken pot pie but we refer to it as chicken and dumplings so I'll stick with that.


Chicken and Dumplings

Place one whole chicken (with the innards removed - yes, I learned by experience...)in stock pot.  Cover with water.  Add 3-4 peeled and chopped carrots , 3-4 chopped celery stalks, 4-5 chicken bullion cubes, 1/2-1 cup long cooking rice, a bay leaf, some celery tops.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 3-4 hours.  Add black pepper to taste.

 Remove bay leaf and celery tops and discard.  Remove chicken and cut up into bite sized pieces.  Discard bones.

This basic stock can be diluted and served as chicken soup.  Or use as is for my chicken and dumplings dish.  Divide the stew among several casserole dishes.  Cover and freeze.  When ready to use for dinner, thaw mixture.  Then prepare dumplings according to the recipe on the back of the Bisquick box, drop the dough by spoonfuls onto top of stew and bake at 350 for 15 minutes or until the "dumplings" are golden brown.

So good.  So good.  So good.

Breakfast included

Sometimes I pull out the cereal boxes, slice a banana, and refuse to feel guilty about it.  But most days I want to feed my family something more nourishing.  My man really likes having eggs and bacon with his coffee so he gets that pretty much every day.  It's not much trouble and, really, he's worth it!  I could fix that for everyone but we tend to eat breakfast in shifts around here.  And, since cold scrambled eggs don't suit anyone but the dog and I don't want to stand at the stove all morning, I need other options.


Solution:  muffins and breakfast breads.  Bonus feature is that I can prepare a bunch and stash in the freezer so as to really streamline my morning routine.

Here's a few recipes that are great for preparing in advance and freezing.... and that our family likes:

Blueberry coffeecake

4 cups plain flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 TBS plus 2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup Crisco
1 1/2 cups milk
2 eggs
Mix all ingredients together. 
Stir in 2-3 cups blueberries
Divide the batter between two greased 8x8 pans
On top:
Mix 1 cup sugar, 2/3 cup flour, 1 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 cup butter and sprinkle topping on each pan of batter.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.  Top with glaze of powdered sugar and milk mixture (as much as you like!)


Banana bread with chocolate chips

Cream together 2 sticks butter (softened) and 2 cups sugar
Add 4 eggs and mix well
Stir in 4 cups plain flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
Add 1 tsp vanilla
2 cups mashed bananas (4-5)
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 - 1 cup chocolate chips

Spoon into well-greased loaf pans (4 small or 2 large)  Bake at 350 for 1 hour


Strawberry bread

3 cups plain flour
1 tsp each salt and baking soda
3 tsp cinnamon
2 cups sugar
Mix dry ingredients together.  Make well in center and stir in mixture of
3 eggs, beaten, 2 cups crushed strawberries, 1 1/2 cup oil
Add 1 cup chopped pecans if desired

Pour into greased loaf pans (2 large or 3 small)  Bake 1 hour at 350



Fruit muffins (blueberry, strawberry, peach)

2 cups plain flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp each baking soda and salt
2 tsp baking powder
Mix together.
Stir in 2 beaten eggs, 3/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk, 1/4 cup oil
Add 1 cup fruit (or chocolate chips!!)

Fill well-greased muffin tins 2/3 full.  Bake at 400 for 15-20 minutes



Apple  butter cake

1 cup melted butter
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
Mix well. 
Add 2 cups plain flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp each cloves and nutmet
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
Stir in 3 cups peeled and grated apples

Bake in well-greased loaf pans at 325 for 1 1/2 hours




CORD muffins

In addition to striving for efficiency, I am all about being frugal.  And I hate to waste anything, especially food.  So we often have "CORD" for dinner (clean out refrigerator day) and lots of times I serve CORD muffins.  Here's the basic recipe and you create your own, using up whatever ingredients you have on hand

2 - 2 1/2 cups grain (can be flour,  oatmeal, corn meal or cereal - if using cooked oatmeal, use up to 1 cup cooked and the rest flour)
1 cup milk
1/4 cup fat (oil, melted butter - half of this can be applesauce)
1 egg
1/2 cup sweetener (sugar, brown sugar, honey, sugar substitute)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups additions such as nuts, fruit, spices that work well together, jelly, etc)

Combine in order given.  Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 way and bake at 4oo for 18-20 minutes


The key is to prepare ahead of time and have stashed in the freezer for mornings.  Microwave to thaw while cooking some bacon, slice a banana, boil an egg, and you have a breakfast buffet ready for your family!

Seeing double

I think I learned this from my flight attendant friends, Tricia and Kaki.  Keep your suitcase packed with duplicates of toiletries, makeup, hair dryer, and the like.  Then when it's time to go somewhere, all you need to think about are the clothes and shoes you will wear. 

For my over 50 friends - I use the same principle when it comes to reading glasses.  I picked up several pair from the dollar store and I assign one pair to the kitchen, one to the den, one to my bedroom, etc.  It's wonderful!