Hubby's Homemade Mint Hot Chocolate

I love new beginnings, don't you?  This blog has a new name, a new background, and new tabs to more accurately reflect the blog's overall theme.  Check out the "Yearly Goals" tab to see how I am kicking off 2013. 

It was so nice today when the kids were able to get all their winter stuff on (helping each other and doing it without my assistance).  They had a blast playing in the snow and making a snow science museum.  I have no idea what a snow science museum is, only that my kids are having fun building one.:)

In light of my goals for 2013, I was the good Mommy and called them in for hot chocolate before their faces were too red.  Hubby gave me this idea the other night to make homemade mint hot chocolate; so easy and delicious.
  
   Hubby's Homemade Mint Hot Chocolate

   Step #1:  Gather the supplies (Andes mints- I got these crushed mints on sale at Aldi after
   Christmas for $1.30; they are usually quite a bit more- you could use whole Andes mints too.  You
   can crush up candy canes too although that is harder, literally).  Also you will need hot water,
   mugs, spoons, candy canes and hot cocoa mix.

  

   Step #2:  Boil water for the hot cocoa (I like the whimsy of using a teapot).

   
    Step #3:  Add mints to the bottom of the mug

   
  
   Step #4:  Pour hot water over mints and stir.

   Step #5:  Add your favorite hot cocoa mix and stir

  Step #6:  Add a candy cane if desired (careful because it cracks and breaks when the water is hot. 
  Make sure the drinkers know there may be large candy chunks in their drink before it melts).  You   
  can also use a candy cane for dipping too.  Let the drink cool some before you serve it, you can
  always add an ice cube.  Whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles would be a fun add-on.

 

     Step #7:  Enjoy a cup for yourself and the smiling faces that think you are the best!
 

Our Fall Photo Review

Since I mostly write over at Deep Breaths, I thought I should pause and post some more recent family pictures here.

The fall of 2012 has been good and challenging too.  This fall kicked off a busy season in our lives; I miss the days that were more simple and less scheduled.  We are involved in two homeschool groups (which are wonderful, but keep us hopping).  This fall both Darling Daughter and Sunshine Head played soccer.  And all of us go to Awana each week too.  Thankfully we have a break from soccer for awhile (until Spring).

Here is our fall review in photos:

The beginning of the school year!

Our friend Kristin showed us this great small orchard that sells apples at reasonable prices, we enjoyed homemade applesauce from here.

Hubby joined in on the grape picking fun and helped juice them; yum!

We traveled down to South Carolina from my cousin Sarah's wedding; so good to see the southern relatives!

The kids all dolled up in their wedding clothes

I love this guy!

The kids had so much sweating fun at the reception.  Darling daughter, singing "Call Me Maybe" with the band.

Cold soccer Saturdays.

The cooperative posing that I am so thankful for!

The horse crazy one enjoying her monthly lesson with Spring Willow.

I took a photography class online this fall and started a photography business, Imprints Photography.  Took this photo to document our wait for baby #4. It has been quite the journey of ups and downs; in the Lord we keep hoping and waiting.

Hubby is growing out his beard!

Merry Christmas!  We hope you have had a great 2012.  We have so much to be thankful for.

Quality, Simpilcity, and Savings

As you know I like to save money!  I get a thrill out of great deals.  I am pretty loyal to products that are a blend of quality and value.  I even am willing to pay more on products that really impress me.  For example,  I drive an hour round trip a few times a year for DELICIOUS Amish doughnuts (and I am not a huge doughnut fan, but there are that good and worth the drive).

Recently I tried to skimp and save money on our garage bags.  NOT a good idea.  I think I have tried this before and it has never worked in my favor.  The bags (pictured above) were advertised as earth-friendly and were not expensive- too things that drew me to purchase them.  But, they are NOT sturdy and rip easily (probably why they are earth friendly because they decompose quickly).  Hubby and I agreed not to buy these again.  I am going to bite the bullet and buy the sturdy ones, with the built-in drawstrings, and maybe even the vanilla scent- no more (stinky) trash spilling on us!

I am sure many of you already do this, but I love Target's dollar bins.  The kids and I found fun party invites, thank you cards, favors, and goody bags there a few weeks ago.  The kids were excited to pick them out and I was excited about the price.  We also look in the bins this time of year because they usually have classic paperback books (for $1 each) that we get for school.  This year we found Wizard of Oz, and Alice In Wonderland.  A great way to add to your home library without having to worry about losing library books or having to read and return them within a few weeks.  Don't get me wrong, I like going to the library (and especially enjoy summer reading programs) but sometimes spending a few dollars on books is worth avoiding the hassle and gas of going to the library.  I also like shopping for books at garage sales and Goodwill too.

Michael's also has $1 and low-priced bins that we often find treasures in too.

I have done extravagant birthday parties before, and while everyone should do at least one (and then you most likely will realize you don't want to do it again), I have learned (I think) that simple is better.  This year for youngest's 4th birthday we had some friends over (a reasonable amount) and ate a homemade cake (you can save a bundle by decorating with things you have on hand already- toy cars, stickers on toothpicks, Oreo's (okay we almost never have these on hand, but I have bought them a few times to use for cake decorating), coconut (easy to dye and turn into things like grass, fur, etc.)  I bought the cake mix (had coupons and it saves on hassle) and frosting (we dyed it the color we wanted).  We opened presents and the kids played on the slip 'n slide and sprinkler.  Less than two hours and the party was done.  It was so nice, simple and fun.  Usually I am stressed out ahead of time (oh yeah Sister L was there to help- enlist a helper- this lowers stress for sure)!

I am sure you are all familiar with Goodwill and Salvation Army stores and the great deals that are waiting to be discovered there.  We went to our local store yesterday and were thrilled when Hubby found these brand new looking Teva sandals for $6!  A few tips when thrift shopping...take your time and donate.  If you have a few hours then you can dig through and find the treasures.  Also, if you donate at our Goodwill (prior to your shopping trip) you get a 20% off coupon for most merchandise.  We also found a new crockpot there and a grill set that we needed; so fun to treasure hunt.  We aren't always so successful, but when you are it sure pays off.

Lastly, I have mentioned Paper Coterie before (thank you Mom Creative on the introduction) and I am pleased as punch with this Father's Day book from them.  They often offer great deals on their products (which can be pricey), but the quality is great!  Hubby said this is his favorite gift ever from the kiddos.  The book was already done, we just had to drop pictures in and then they kids answered questions about Dad.  The book has many more pages, here are just a few of the highlights.

Go check out www.papercoterie.com, I would love to hear what you think.  Go make something and post it, we'd love to see it.

The Creative Cooking Stretch

As mentioned before I like to cook creatively- a little of this, a little of that, using leftovers to create new dishes...yes, I do have flops every once in awhile (used to have them more frequently but practice helps).  I am excited to share with you a creative cooking stretch that I just did that made two meals into four!  We can all benefit from stretching our meals and budget, right?!

Creamy Chicken Casserole
Cook enough rice to feed your family and a little bit more
Then add one large can of cream of chicken soup
1 large can of canned chicken (drained almost all the way)
1 cup of sour cream
Frozen peas (cooked), about a cup
Season with sea salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings
Mix together and put in a lightly greased baking dish
Crush a row of crackers and put them on top of the mixture (do not mix them in)
Melt 3-4 Tbsp. of unsalted butter and pour over crushed crackers
Bake on 350 for 25-30 minutes (make enough to have about 1/3 of the casserole leftover for another recipe)


Pizza Pasta Bake
Brown 1 lb. of hamburger (put 1/2 to 3/4 of the cooked beef in this recipe and save the rest for another) and season with seasonings listed below (minus the brown sugar)
Cook enough pasta to feed your family and a little bit more
Place pasta in a baking dish
Add pepperoni in with the pasta (mix it in)
Add 1/2 to 3/4 of the meat to the pasta
In a bowl mix 1 or 2 jars of pizza sauce and one large can of diced flavored tomatoes (undrained)
Add Italian and/or pizza seasonings, dried fennel, and dried or fresh basil, a bit of salt and  1 tablespoon of brown sugar
Pour mixture over pasta and mix
Add your favorite white cheese (shredded) to the top
Bake 20-25 minutes on 350 (save 1/3 to 1/2 of a pan for another recipe)

Serve with fresh or frozen green beans as a side (save several cups of beans for another recipe)


Baked Potato Soup
Prepare about 5-6 potatoes (boil them for about 15-20 minutes and then cut off skin and dice up the insides)
Melt 4 Tbsp. of unsalted butter over medium to low heat
Add fresh or dried chives to melted butter
Add 1 tsp. dill and 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper
Add 4 heaping Tbsp. flour and mix thoroughly
Add 4 cups of milk
Let it get thick and bubbly (watch closely)
Then add potatoes and 1 cup of shredded cheese to the base
After 5 minutes or so add the leftover creamy chicken casserole to the soup
Cook for about 10 minutes more (watch closely)
Serve with more shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon on top

Italian Garden Soup
Put about 6-8 cups of water in a big pot on medium heat
Add 2 tablespoons of beef base
Add a hearty amount of Italian seasonings, salt pepper, a bit of garlic, celery salt (season to your liking- the more the better)
Add 1 tbsp. cooking oil (whatever kind you have on hand)
Let broth heat up for about 10 minutes
Add leftover green beans, ground, beef, and pizza pasta bake to soup.
Stir and heat for about 20 minutes.

Serve with another row of crackers for dipping or topping.

So there you have it.  Cook two dinners and use the leftovers for two batches of soup, which could be used for two more lunches or dinners.  Most often your family doesn't realize they are eating leftovers because you have transformed them!:)  Let me know if you have questions and I would love to hear the ways you transform leftovers and stretch them creatively.