Cards Girls

I'm a Little Jolly!

2010-03-26T13:20:00.003-05:00

So last night my kids and I were sitting at the dinner table talking about the day. Tucker was talking to me about a boy in his class that he is friends with...again. This was our conversation...

Tucker: Hey mom, you know how me and Zack used to be friends in Kindergarten?

Me: Yeah

Tucker: Well we are friends again...finally.

Me: Well that's great buddy! Do you guys play together at recess?

Tucker: No.

Me: Well what do you do?

Tucker: Well we talk to eachother alot on the way in and out from recess.

Me: Does he still play football everyday?

Tucker: Yeah.

Me: Well then why don't you play football with him?

Tucker: I DON'T WANT TO HURT ANYBODY!

Me: Why would you hurt someone?

Tucker: Well, if someone runs in front of me I would have to knock them down...that's football. And you know mom,(as he begins to rub his belly) I AM a little jolly!

That kid cracks me up. I decided that I needed to write it down so I wont forget. They are always asking me about funny stories and I never remember. This should help...hopefully!

Conductors get all the cheese they want.

2009-03-02T17:42:00.003-06:00

Everyone else has such cute little stories about there kids that I thought I should start writing ome of this stuff down, because I am begining to forget, so having said that...

Tonight at dinner Cally had finished up first and Tucker wanted her to play us a "Cally original" song on the piano. She was being shy but started playing all the same. She was doing a really good job, so I was being supportive and telling her how great it sounded. I then told her that maybe when she grows up she could even be a conductor. Tucker thought that was a cool idea, but if you know Cally you know what she did...said no and rolled her eyes at me. Tucker thought he would try to entice her into it and says, "Ya know Cally, conductors get all the cheese they want." I thought that was so funny. I said why cheese Tuck and he said, ya know mom Parmesean. I lost it. Cally LOVES Parmesean. So much so that she even snuck some of it in the middle of the night and I found a bowl of it under her bed.

I guess my kids are kinda funny too! Just thought I would share.

Cards isn't just cards

2009-03-01T21:52:00.002-06:00

OK ladies, I just wanted to reiterate how much I treasure, not cards, but our friendships. I had the opportunity to go to a "cards night" this weekend that I think was started based on all the talk of ours and let me tell you what it wasn't.

It was not my cards night. I know your thinking "well duh!", but it made me realize yet again what we have. Cards night has nothing to do with playing cards. It has to do with touching base with each other. Staying involved in each others lives and not in the busy body way. I was so awestruck at the different personalities this weekend that I think i just took for granted that we are for the most part all on the same page with such important things...Faith, Family, Marriage, Parenting and etc. So I thought that I would take this time to say AGAIN that I love each one of you and please believe me when I say that my life wouldn't be as fulfilled if just one of you were missing from it. I am so grateful that you guys put forth such a HUGE effort to be my friend. I am so grateful that your husbands are so understanding about "cards" because if they wanted to they really could make it difficult. I am grateful that you want to spend, what is most cases is, your ONE and ONLY night out sitting around at my house doing nothing. I am just grateful...blessed really. I think I take ALOT for granted on a daily basis, but I don't ever want any of you to think that our friendships is one of them. The older I get the more I realize that what we have is a gift from God. A gift very few people are given.

So..long story short...our cards night rocks and other cards nights stink! Well, I guess they don't stink that bad, but our night is SECOND TO NONE!

Love you guys!

Hi Girls!!!

2008-11-14T11:48:00.002-06:00

Hello card girls. I am sorry that I have not made it to cards lately, but I will be returning soon. I am starting to get the hang of motherhood. At first I did not think that I could do this, but now I know I can. I can finally drive again and I could not be happier. I would like to come to cards next week so let me know when. Hope to see you girls next week.

Christina

Recipes

2008-10-07T11:09:00.003-05:00

Hi girls!

Here are 2 recipes I said I'd put on here for your eating pleasure.

Betty's Spare Ribs

3 pounds boneless country pork spare ribs (you can use the ones with bones in them but we prefer these)

Cut into chunks and put into a big pot of salted water and boil (after it boils, turn the heat down to a slow boil) for 45 minutes to an hour. Drain and place in pan (foil pans are great - throw away the mess!).

Sauce:

24 ounce bottle of Heinz ketchup (after pouring ketchup into saucepan, add about 1/2 cup water to the bottle, swish it around and pour into pan)
1/4 c. barbecue sauce
1 green pepper- thinly sliced
4 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. allspice
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
2 tsp. vinegar

Bring to a boil. Pour over ribs. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for about 1 hour.

Double Baked Potatoes - Mel-style :)

4 large potatoes
4 tbsp. butter
2 heaping tbsp. sour cream
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. seasoned salt
milk

You can vary the spices with more or less of whatever you like.

Poke holes in the potatoes and put them in the microwave. My microwave is 15 minutes for 4 potatoes but if you have a baked potato button on yours, use it. Make sure you turn them often.

Cut the top off of each potato and scoop the insides out, leaving a bit inside so it stands. Add all the other ingredients and mix. Use as much milk as you need to make them smooth (about 2 splashes. you do know what a splash is, don't you Michelle? heheee!) Spoon them back into the skins and bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes or until they start to brown on the tops.

You can make these ahead of time but if you do either take them out of the fridge for a bit before baking them or increase the baking time.

Today's Freebie Fix - Free Pictures!!

2008-10-07T07:51:00.001-05:00

O.K. ladies, I'm thinking Christmas Cards here...

Go to Money Saving Methods. She has compiled a list of on-line sites that you can get free pictures with minimal shipping. Winkflash is offering 50 free prints and only 99 cents for shipping - that's 2 cents a print!!! You can't beat that!!

Freebie Fix!!

2008-10-04T08:46:00.000-05:00

Another free tote bag here.

Garlic Freezer Mashed Potatoes

2008-10-01T07:59:00.002-05:00

Sorry it has taken me until today to put this recipe on here, but you will definately need it because it calls for a weird cheese.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Perfect creamy texture ... from frozen potatoes? Potatoes look watery before freezing, but the water will be absorbed as they bake. While it is possible to substitute russet potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes yield a more flavorful dish. A Ewer family favorite!
Ingredients
5 lb Yukon Gold potatoes
1 1⁄2 c low-fat milk
2 3-ounce garlic-flavor Boursin or Rondele brand spiced cheese
Instructions
Peel potatoes and cut into 2-inch chunks. Place in 5- to 6-quart pan.
Add water to cover, bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low. Simmer until the potatoes are very tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. Drain and return potatoes to the pan.
Mash potatoes with a potato masher until light and dry. Stir in cheese and milk. Mash until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Cool potatoes to room temperature. Divide potatoes into 8- to 9-inch oven safe casserole dishes. Cover with foil; freeze.
Reheat covered at 375 degrees, 40 minutes for thawed potatoes, 90 minutes straight from freezer.

Please also remember that if you want to do more chicken bundles to please bring all of the ingredients. Last time we used Panko? bread crumbs. See you tonight!!!

Katie

"Dragon Pants"

2008-09-30T18:12:00.003-05:00

So this made me laugh. I thought you all might enjoy it too.

So today I'm standing in the kitchen doing dishes and Caroline asks if she can go outside to play. I told her it was cold outside and she would need warmer clothes on....she had a nap today and was still in her t-shirt and shorts.

Caroline--thats fine, I'll just go get my dragon pants

Me--what are you talking about, honey?

Caroline--you know my purple dragon pants, I wore them the other day

Me--no, honey, I don't know what you are talking about. You don't have any pants with dragons on them

Caroline--no silly, they're just my dragon pants they don't have on them. You know, thats what you told me they were called

Then I figured it all out. The other day we were getting ready to go outside to play and I told her she needed to put something warm pants on. I said how about a pair of JOGGING PANTS. So after a good laugh I explained to her that they are called jogging pants not dragon pants, but I bet you can guess what she's still calling them....that's right...her dragon pants. She cracks me up. Hope you girls got a giggle.

Free Photo Book

2008-09-30T09:24:00.002-05:00

Click here for a free photobook from Picaboo. Use the code 1PFMDB-WE at checkout. ($9.99 retail value.)

I just did this one myself, and you get a free Medium/Softcover 20 page book! It takes a little bit of time, and you do have to do a quick download, but I think it'll be good. I'll let you know about the quality once I receive it. Oh, and I paid only $7.99 for shipping.

And another...

2008-09-29T20:16:00.000-05:00

Go here for a FREE Schick Intuition razor!

Today's Fast Freebie!

2008-09-29T08:15:00.002-05:00

Go here to receive a free schick razor! Hurry before they run out!!

Also, go here for a free bottle of Johnson's baby shampoo!

Frozen P&J Sandwiches you make at home!

2008-09-26T12:39:00.002-05:00

O.K., so you know how crazy mornings can get. Well, If your kids like PB&J in their lunches, then this link is for you! (I was thinking specifically of Katie on this one guys! :))

Anyway, you can buy frozen PB&J sandwiches at ALDI for about $1.99/6. Here's a recipe that you can use and do it yourself for a fraction of the cost! Check it out here.

Friday's Fast Freebies...

2008-09-26T08:12:00.003-05:00

Free pack of gum here.
Sign up for the Dinner Made Easy email newsletter and receive a FREE sample of Betty Crocker potatoes. Click here to sign up!
Click this link to request your FREE mini Mr. Clean magic eraser! I
Get your FREE sample of Pond's Clean Sweep towelette's here. It's a Costco sample but you don't have to be a Costco member!
Get a FREE sample of Dove's new Therapy System here.
Sign up here to get a FREE cookie from Kashi.
Here's a new club from Quaker. Sign up to get advanced notice of promotions, coupons, and lots more by clicking here and completing the registration form.
Request your FREE sample of Always Infinity here.
Click here to request a FREE sample of Bear Naked's Granola.

I know how much we all LOVE Aldi!!

2008-09-16T16:41:00.002-05:00

And I heard Melanie stopped the Aldi train and hopped right on! Finally!! It only took her a year! :) Anyway, there is a blog that I like to go to that has a Menu Planner, and it is geared specifically to food that is purchased at Aldi. (She updated it Kate! :)) Go here to check out her Fall/Winter Menu Plan!

I don't want to see another ear of corn for a LONG time!!!

2008-09-13T08:31:00.003-05:00

Last night was a blast! We went to Katie's house to do freezer corn again. If you missed the first time, you can check it our here. Anyway, this time there was only five of us, and we had 21 dozen ears of corn! Yeah, that was a pain in the neck to shuck, but it was definitely worth it! I'd say it took us about 3 hours start to finish - We get a great system going, and everyone just picks up where another person left off.

Before we did the corn though, we made frozen manicotti meals. Each of us made two, so that'll be nice to have in the freezer when I'm stumped for something to make!

I intended on taking a picture of the 76 bags of corn that we made, but we all started dividing them up and putting them in bags, so I missed the opportunity. The only picture I can give is the one of my freezer in my garage. It's now pretty much full with corn and manicotti! :)

Oh, and I can also share this picture...

Christina is pregnant with twin boys - 34 weeks along. She hasn't taken any belly shots yet, so I kind of forced her into this one! :) You'll be happy you have this one day Christina! :)

And by the way - I don't know about anyone else, but my hands are KILLING me!! All that shucking and cutting really got to them!

Cheesy Freezer Chicken Bundles Recipe

2008-09-11T12:41:00.002-05:00

OK, let me just start by saying that my husband HATES processed frozen food. However...I love a quick dinner. Everyone has those days where time has just gotten away from you, and on those days I would do chicken kievs. My husband won't eat it. Well, we have found a couple recipes for frozen chicken that my husband LOVES. Cheesy Freezer Chicken Bundles is one of those recipes. It takes very little time to put together and is just much better tasting if you ask me. I hope you like it as much as we do. Enjoy!

Cheesy Chicken Bundles

1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
6 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup butter, melted

SERVING DAY
2 Tbs butter, melted
1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated

Cooking Day Instructions
Mix together bread crumbs, cheeses, salt, and pepper. Dip chicken pieces in melted butter, then in cheese mixture. Tuck sides of chicken breast under to form individual bundles. To freeze, wrap each bundle in plastic wrap, and then place in freezer bags.

Serving Day Instructions
Thaw, then place chicken bundles in large, shallow baking dish. Melt remaining 2 T. butter and pour over bundles. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees approximately 1 hour, until chicken is crispy.

Cooking times may vary depending on the size of your bundles.

Enjoy,
Katie

Two Days with Ben

2008-09-11T10:07:00.003-05:00

Okay, so we all know that Ben isn't the easiest child, right? I just wanted to let you all in on the story of my life the past few days...

When I came home from cards on Tuesday (man, does that feel like a really long time ago...) I had 3 or 4 bags and my purse. I set down my purse and the bag Aimee gave me of stuff I bought in Michigan ages ago and proceeded to find room in my freezer for my chicken. I was so tired so I totally forgot the bag was in the hallway.

The next morning, Ben saw through the bag that there was something Superman in there. I was so upset because I was going to save it for Christmas. I can't stand knowing what I'm getting for Christmas! He looked through that bag really hard because he KNEW it was a costume. Ben LOVES costumes. And he could not let it go. Here are a few of our conversations from yesterday...

Ben: "So Mom, can I wear my Superman costume now?"
Me: "No Ben, you can't. I'll tell you what, if you get a star every day this week and you are a good boy at the dr.'s office on Friday, I will give you the costume."
Ben: "Come on Mom. (his new saying. don't know where he got that one!) Just let me wear it!"
Me: "No Ben. I already explained it to you."

Ben: "So Mom, can I just look at my costume."
Me: "No Ben. Did you find it?" (i put it under my bed)
Ben: "I just want to wear it!"

and so it went...on and on and on...ALL.DAY.LONG! He was even talking about it when he went to bed (seriously, I thought I was going to go NUTS!) and still talking about it when he woke up the next day.

So playing with Play-doh this morning he mentioned it (for the 5th or 6th time today). I reminded him that he was going to get it TOMORROW (yay!!!) after his shots. He said to me, "I don't want shots!!" Now, mind you...this is NOT new information. I've been telling him for days to prepare him! I told him he needed shots to make sure he doesn't get really sick. He said to me, "Come on Mom! Puking if fine. I don't need shots!" I was cracking up. I mean, where do they get this stuff!

Oh Ben! I love you so much but boy do you make me crazy!!! :)

Cheesy Chicken Bundles, Wax and Margaritas!!!

2008-09-11T08:05:00.004-05:00

(We missed you Susan!!)

O.K., so I'm not going to take pictures at every cards night, but it was fun to take them on Tuesday! :)

Like I said, it's nice for me that they're on my camera, because I get to choose not to put the ugly ones of me on there! :) I'll throw this one in there though, just to make everyone happy....

Man did I have some caterpillars come off of those brows!!! Thanks for waxing Michelle! :)

(Only Amy could talk while she's getting her brows done...) :)

On to the Cheesy Chicken Bundles.... (Kate you should post the recipe on here.)

Mel cutting the rib meat off - I think she cut off half the breast! :)
You have to dip the breast in butter and then dip it in this mixture (bread crumbs, fresh parm. cheese, cheddar cheese and salt and pepper)
I wish I took a picture of all the chicken we did...this is only mine. I think we did close to 65 breasts!

What a blast! Can't wait for tomorrow! If you need the recipe for the manicotti...read the post before this one...

Friday Night!!!

2008-09-11T07:49:00.000-05:00

So here's the deal about Friday. We are going to make frozen Manicotti and also more freezer corn. I will take care of getting the corn, and then we'll just split it up like last time - so bring your money! :) As far as for the ingredients for the manicotti we're all going to get our own ingredients. This means that if you want to make three meals, you have to get enough for three meals. The recipe I'm going to give you is only enough for one meal.

8-10 manicotti shells
1 pound (2 cups) ricotta cheese
1 T. Parsley
1 egg, beaten
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup mozzarella cheese

I think we decided that instead of buying the foil pans, that we were just going to put them in gallon size Ziploc freezer bags, so bring some of those too! Oh, and also bring quart size freezer bags for your corn!

O.K., I think I covered it all! I'll be sure to bring my camera! :)

Thankful!

2008-09-10T08:34:00.002-05:00

I want to say how much fun I had my girls last night! I guess I never really thought about it until last night when we were all talking, we REALLY are lucky to have eachother! I love my girls and look forward to seeing you every week! Thank you all for being there for me when I needed to talk, cry or scream my way through some of the tougher times in my life. I don't think I would have gotten through them without all of you. Life is so much easier when you have friends like mine to look up to for guidence. Well what I am trying to say is...thanks, thanks for everything!

Luv u all!
-chelle

Here it is!!!!

2008-09-09T10:54:00.003-05:00

So today we came up with the idea to start a blog for us cards girls! Sounds like fun, huh?!? I hope that we can all contribute to it! It doesn't necessarily have to be about cards, it can be about your family, work, etc... whatever is on your mind!!! Let's have fun with it!

(How's that for a pep talk! :))