I Started Another Blog!

I know, I know, I already have two blogs going, a writing one, and a parenting one, but now I started a SEWING one, to document projects I make with my daughter, who got a sewing machine for Christmas. It's a great little project we are doing together, and it's helping us bond together.  Working with your child to develop talents is a great thing to boost their self-esteem too!  Click Here to go to the new blog, if you want to check it out!  Below is one of our first posts.

Here's a picture of my 12 year old daughter.  Together our first project was this zippered pouch below.  I think it turned out rather well!  What do you think?

Below is the tutorial we used. (Click the caption to go there)

www.buttercreamandasewingmachine.com

What's for Dinner?

(pinkofperfection.com)

I LOVE soup in the wintertime, and tonight we are having one of my favorite dinners:  Ultimate Lentil Soup, out of Slow Cooker Revolution, by America's Test Kitchen.  Here is the delicious recipe!

2 onions, minced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 T olive oil
1T tomato paste
(Cook the above in the microwave for 5 minutes to bloom the flavors, then place in crockpot)
1 can mushrooms
4 C chicken broth
4 C Vegetable broth
4oz. bacon, uncooked, chopped
3 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 cup brown lentils
2 bay leaves
8oz swiss chard, chopped (opt. I don't use this)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Add remaining ingredients and cook on low for 9-11 hours, or high for 5-7 hours.


PS. NEW YEAR...NEW LOOK FOR THE BLOG!  DO YOU LIKE IT?

Family Meals Together!

(http://livelikeyouarerich.com)

I LOVED this post about Family Meal Time and how you can make it work. I agree that our family meals together make a HUGE difference.  This is one way families bond together and family bonding helps kids resist peer pressure!  Click Here to read it!

Kids' Chore Baskets!

(http://skinnywithjess.blogspot.com)

Isn't this the most brilliant idea you've ever seen?  I'm totally doing this!  Read about it here.

Humor

(thechilderness.com)

Get Your Kids to Clean their OWN Rooms!

(www.yourmodernfamily.com)

We have used the above technique and it really works!  (Click the caption to read about it).  The other thing we do that is really successful, is to use a pillowcase or black garbage bag called Mr. Grabby, and each day he grabs all the kids stuff that is lying on the floor of their rooms, (toys, books, clothes).  And to get each thing back, they have to do a job.  On family night we take it out and dump out the things and the kids determine what they want back.  If they don't want it back, it goes to goodwill.  This is a fabulous way to end clutter in your kids rooms!

Merry Christmas!

(happythanksgivingpictures-2014.com)

Merry Christmas blog friends!  I hope these holidays are wonderful for you and your family.  We've had almost 3,000 visitors since this blog first started a few months ago.  I feel blessed by so many of you who also consider parenting your passion!