TV or no TV?

You know there are so many decisions to ponder when you have kids. Tv or no tv? A little tv? PG or G rated movies only? Vaccinations or no vaccinations? (Well that is one that I say you must vaccinate. But that is another topic all together.) I believe that kids should be outside playing, creating and imaging. However, I must say that is not necessarily how we live. Sometimes you just need to chill.

Just today I met a new friend at the park during our MOPS get together; Mothers of Pre-Schoolers. She and her family just moved here from Virginia, so of course being a recent transplant myself we quickly bonded. We were discussing how scary it is to move to a new place where you don't know your neighbors real well. In my case having an infant and a school age child has made this interesting when it comes to playing outside. Parker wants to ride his bike and Brady runs away like wild fire when given the chance. So the 2 of them are on completely different paths.

When we were kids our parents said "come in when the street lights go on." You never had to say where you were or who's house you were going to. Everyone was trusted. We spent the night over all of our friends houses. Now I have to be outside with my kids and we do not do spend the night parties at all. I really don't trust hardly anyone with my kids... accept the tv. I can easily monitor what they watch and for how long. But what are they missing out on when they are inside and not outside?

I really have no answers here. These are merely the thoughts that run through the minds of all parents with young children. Thinking about when they go off to college brings about a whole different list of do's and don'ts. For now, I am just going to try to
Live Life Outloud...

whatever we are doing

Parker and Brady playing Star Wars outside.

Crayons, dollar bills and sunscreen

I wanted to touch base with you about your efforts for collecting crayons. This is so easy. We have quite a collection so far. If you haven't started this, put a zip lock baggy in your purse today!!! I also wanted to see if any of you have stopped spending dollar bills. I counted our bills last week and we had $132 in bills alone. We don't spend change either and I have not counted that yet. We are going a few little trips this summer, so this money will really help with dining out, excursions, etc. Parker is really jazzed about it. He loves to put the money in the jar. He also puts any money he gets in the jar too. His cousins had sent him $10 and he wanted to go to Target for some shopping. He spent $8 and put the other $2 in the jar. It was great.

As for sunscreen... I want you to know that you must put sunscreen on your kids. Let's face it, it's almost to late for you. Did you know that most skin damage happens when we are kids. I remember putting baby oil on and laying in the sun for hours. I would be as red as a tomatoe. Then we would have to bathe in Noxema to get the heat out of our skin. The only sunscreen you should use is one that is at least 30+ SPF. Otherwise don't bother. Don't forget your face, neck, ears and lips.

Live Life Outloud in the Sun!

Parker, Brady and Heidi

Mayonaise

I have come to discover that mayonnaise is actually a food group. Along with butter having it's own place in the food pyramid too. As I am cooking more for my family these days, I use a lot of butter. Now there is no substitute for butter in most recipes. Sure you can use other substances, but none of them taste remotely as good as butter. The vegetable spread stuff in a tub is really gross. I am not sure what that stuff is. Is is oil? Why not just use oil? Strange.

As for mayonnaise, I feel compelled to write about this wonderful condiment. I use mayonnaise daily. I like it on sandwiches and especially on burgers. I use it in every dip I make too. Mayo, as I fondly refer to it, really adds to the flavor of any meat. It is also used as a binding ingredient. I use it when making Ms. Gilda's "sausage balls" and with Jeanne's "cheese slaw". Both of which are always a huge hit at any potluck brunch type meal. I will post the recipe for both. You will be very popular after making these yummy treats.

Ms Gilda's Sausage Balls
3 cups of Bisquick
couple handfuls of sharp cheddar cheese
1 tube of Jimmy Dean sausage (whatever flavor you like
a little MAYO
add milk to create the right dough

mix all ingredients together with your hands, roll into large balls, place on a lightly sprayed cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes. YUMMY!


Jeanne's Cheese Slaw
1 1/2 blocks of Swiss cheese, coarsely shredded
1 bunch of green onion chopped (use the tops too)
1/2 cup of chopped banana peppers
1/2 cup of chopped jalapeno peppers
MAYO to bind together

mix all ingredients together, salt and pepper to taste, serve with corn chips.

Please remember that Miracle Whip is NOT mayonnaise. It is salad dressing. It does not taste the same. I use Miracle Whip only when a recipe calls for it.

Enjoy your new recipes.

Live Life Outloud and with Mayo!!!