Delivery pizza idea

Here's a fun idea.

On pizza night, instead of ordering multiple pizzas from one parlor, order one pizza from a few different places.

Vote on your favorite in a side-by-side comparison. Or blindfold someone and see if they can guess which pizza place it comes from.

Happy Pizza Night!

Don't Panic

For families like mine, this is a challenging time and I can’t see that it will get better anytime soon.

If I were younger, newly married perhaps, I wouldn’t know the difference. But I am 50ish and definitely remember better times.

While my kids were growing up, I stayed home while my husband worked retail. Money was tight yet I enjoyed the challenge of stretching a dollar.

Back when we were a struggling young family, we took vacations and had money for music lessons and other activities for the kids.

These days, we live in the same house where we raised the kids. Utilities are much higher. Food prices are much higher. Health insurance is through the roof.

Now that I re-entered the work force (other than being self-employed), my full-time annual salary is the same today as when I decided to become a stay-at-home mom—21 years ago.

The combination of stalled incomes with a continually rising cost of living is making my challenge of stretching a dollar difficult on an unprecedented level.

It’s popular to tell people like us to go back to school and learn a skill to be more valuable in the work world. We’ve decided to focus our efforts on the next generation. We’re trying like mad to get our kids through college without student loan debt. Putting ourselves through college at this point is just not possible.

We’ve considered moving to an area with a much lower real estate tax rate. That, in combination with downsizing our home’s square footage, is probably our best option.

We currently have no mortgage, no car payment, no credit card debt. I know we are in a better position than most families. But times are hard.

I will start where I know I’ll have an impact—in the kitchen.

How’s it going for your family? Hanging in there?

Seeking next door neighbor

FALLen angel autumn display. No one in my neighborhood found it funny.

Who would you like to live next door?

You know, the person who you wouldn't care popped over unannounced? Someone who has similar life priorities as you and the same sense of humor? And didn't judge?

I love that scene in Stepford Wives when Bobby commented on Joanna's messy kitchen. Since all her neighbors had turned Stepford, complete with immaculate homes and shallow personalities, Bobby commented that Joanna's sticky kitchen was a "home away from home."

I totally get it.

My mom had a good friend. Let's call her Carol. Carol's house always appeared lived-in and she was a riot of good times. She also wasn't consumed by creating a spotless museum for her family.

I'm still looking for my Carol. In my neighborhood, it's unacceptable to have laundry on the dining room table and the rusted running board from the Jeep in the side bushes.

Here's one lady I wouldn't mind as my next door neighbor: Nancy. She loves her family, cooks, creates, and has a great time with her grand-babies. I can imagine she would be a blast to hang out with.

Who is your dream next-door neighbor?

Who's your daddy?

Some kids are about to start kindergarten. 

When I had daycare kids that age, I thought it was a good idea to review their parents' names. You know, just in case. 

The conversations often went like this:

Me: "What's your daddy's name?"

Little one: "Daddy."

Me:  "I mean his name."

Little one: "Daddy."

Me: "OK. You know your grandma is your daddy's mom, right?"

Little one: "Yes."

Me: "Well your grandma didn't name her newborn baby, Daddy."

Little one: "Yes she did."

When a conversation gets to this point with a preschooler, you just have to give them the facts and revisit the topic another time.

And so I'm thinking it wouldn't be a bad idea for young children everywhere to be reminded their parents' names.

Phone numbers, too.

Have a lovely day!

Friendship bracelets for end of summer

It's the end of summer. 

Do you have a houseful of bored nocturnals milling around looking for something to do? 

Perhaps you also have some barefoot neighbor kids thrown in the mix, too?

Celebrate their summer alliance with friendship bracelets. All you need is some yarn. And maybe a few beads.

Tape three stands of yarn to the table and space the strands.

Then begin braiding.

Add a bead or two if you want to be fancy.

Then, just tie the two ends together to make a bracelet! 

If the strands are really long, you can drape it on the arm, then twist and double over. (you know, like when a necklace is too long). This makes a thicker bracelet. 

The end of summer is such a bittersweet season.

Have a lovely day!




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Artsy-Fartsy Mama

Fruit fly don't bother me

Fruit fly don't bother me.
Fruit fly don't bother me.
Fruit fly don't bother me.
For I belong to somebody.

Well, that's not exactly how the song goes, but it's what I've been singing lately.

I learned how to trap fruit flies a few years ago and this tip works every time.

FRUIT FLY TRAP

Just put a few tablespoons or maybe 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar in the bottom of a cup.
Add a couple drops of dish washing liquid.
Then fill it to the top with water to make a deadly snow cone for the little buggers.

Sometimes the process needs repeated the next day. Put a cupful in every room where fruit flies are a problem.

Fruit fly don't bother me!

Have a lovely day!

The party is when?

You know how it is.

Maybe you forgot a get-together. Or one of the kids neglected to tell you about the school BBQ and you're supposed to bring a dish to share.

Keep this recipe in your back pocket and the ingredients on hand. You never know when a party will sneak up on you!

AMBROSIA - QUICK AS A WINK!

Ingredients:

3 cans of chunk pineapple
3 cans of Mandarin oranges
1 jar of Maraschino cherries
Couple handfuls of mini marshmallows
16 oz (two normal tubs) whipped cream
Optional: shredded coconut, pecans, walnuts

Instructions:

Drain the fruit
Mix all ingredients, except whipped cream, in a pretty bowl
Gently stir in the whipped cream

Then, cover the bowl and hop in the car!

Have a lovely day!

A is for animals

When I had an in-home daycare, we focused on one letter of the alphabet per week.

I made this memory game using our pets' photos. (A is for animals!). It took no time at all to put this game together.

Since we have lots of photos of Mr. Cool, Little Weirdo and Kitty Baby, I just found one picture of each of them. Then I printed two copies of each photo.

Depending on the ages of the kids playing, you may want to "laminate" the photos. I cheat-laminate by covering fronts and backs with packing tape; and I definitely needed to laminate these photos, because the players of the game were all three and younger!

To play: flip all the photos over so the pictures are hidden. Then, as in the classic game, Memory, just flip one photo at a time while trying to find its match.

You can add photos of other animals like lions, giraffes, fish, etc. Keep the game simple with only four or six photos or add a lot more to create a challenge for older kids.

Have a lovely day!



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Mad in Crafts
Flour Me with Love

Penny for your thoughts

What is the Little Weirdo pondering?

1. Nature or nurture?
2. Chicken or egg?
3. Paper or plastic?

I think we all know what he's really wondering...

When will she ever clean this window?!

   

Backwards birthday wrap from a backwards girl

I've always been a bit backwards. 

So I was thinking: why not go all the way and make it a lifestyle? I could back up my existence in honor of economy, health, and the environment. 

I don't think this is making any sense. I'll try again.

It's like this:
I order spaghetti at a restaurant.
Back that up to...
Make spaghetti at home with a box of pasta and jar of sauce.
Back that up to...
Make homemade spaghetti sauce using canned tomatoes.
Back that up to...
Grow tomatoes and then make sauce.

Get it?

It's not that I want to make life complicated. I like the thought of being able to make
my own sauce, but that's not because I want to. I would much rather grab it at the store.

The reason I intend to make my own sauce is to be sure I know HOW to make it (and bread and jelly and soap). It's an investment for an unknown future.

What if food prices rise--even more so than now? What if we lose our jobs and need to penny pinch any way we can? What if our food supply gets contaminated? I want the peace of mind in knowing I can implement alternative methods if necessary.

Here's some backwards birthday wrap (from a previous post):

Went to a birthday party last weekend. This was the gift we took. 

Did you guess the wrapping was a deflated helium balloon?

It's so sad when party decorations lose their passion.

I tried tossing them in the air, but they always drifted down again. 

Fortunately, these balloons got a second chance at life.

Sherlock knew what I had in mind. 

I cut open one side of the balloon. It could be used as a gift bag at this point.

I kept snipping, though, to use it as traditional wrapping paper. I like the way the material gave me a natural angle. I was able to fashion an envelope-look on the back.

Comfy in there, Sherlock?

A backwards lifestyle. Are you with me?
 
This post was shared on:
Natural Living Mamma 
The Prairie Homestead 
Flour Me with Love 

Always picked last

 I write a weekly column called “Neighborberry.” If you would like to see "Neighborberry" in your local paper/website, please tell the editor to email me at krisjane7@gmail.com. 

Thanks so much!

Always picked last

By Kris Kolk

Our family holiday functions are not complete without the playing of board games.

Sounds like fun, but for me, it’s not. You see, many in my family are scientists. Since we usually play teams on trivia games, I end up sitting in silence while watching my teammates avoid the arts and entertainment categories.

Here’s what happened on Thanksgiving:

“Oh! We’ve landed on a green square. Read us the science question,” we demanded of the other team. Here was the question:

“What is the manner by which an amoeba’s contractile vacuole releases water to the systole?”

The entire table of players (except one) groaned, because the answer was so obvious. Our team almost took another turn without even answering such a simple one; but our opponents insisted on playing by the rules.

Everyone looked to me while shushing one another. They agreed to let me go solo since I’m rarely able to contribute. Unfortunately, the answer did not occur to me so easily.

“I have no idea,” I admitted.

The house rumbled as nine people chanted in unison, “Exocytosis!” Banter ensued regarding my negligence on pursuing all matters amoeba.

“Well, she’s had a long day,” someone justified for me.

I routinely petition our team to land at any pink or purple square to prove I’m not as dumb as they think. I just enjoy different topics than they do. Bach was a composer during the Baroque period. I also happen to know what a lute is.

But they don’t even pause at my favorite categories, not as long as a science question is within reach. The game is plagued with spicules, quantum electrodynamics, and molecular orbitals. I must admit, though, I’ve learned a lot from these mandatory lessons, I mean festive recreation. I now understand what makes popcorn pop, the names of the bones in the hand, and that lemurs purr.

The Thanksgiving game wrapped up as our opponents silently read the last question of the game before agreeing the card must have been misplaced from the Junior edition. I thought perhaps this would be my moment.

The question was: “What is the transformation rule for a pseudovector?”

The answer, “v’=(det R) (Rv)” was stated almost at the same time as the question.

The game ended quick as a wink (approximately 1000 picoseconds). My hypotheses on pseudovectors were unnecessary. Fine with me.

All I really wanted to do was enjoy the season in a traditional way. Nothing beats biting the phalanges off Zingiberbread men and making angels out of chilly crystalline oxygen and hydrogen flakes.

Kris Kolk has been a writer and neighborliness promoter for more than a decade. You can also visit her at www.neighborsabouttown.blogspot.com. Email her at krisjane7@gmail.com.

A serious new year's post and apple crisp

 

How is 2014 treating you so far? 

I can't help reminiscing about when I was a stay-at-home mom--about 10 years ago. We were able to keep the bills paid and even had extra money at the end of the month for music lessons, pizza outings, and savings.

Where are we today?

Well, to say the money doesn't go as far as it used to is an understatement. In addition, I see no reason to believe the economy will get better soon. 

How's that for a new year's sentiment from an otherwise "Pollyanna" blog?

It's time to get busy. Seriously.

Whereas frugality was a lifestyle choice for some, I believe it will become necessary for all but an elite few. But most of us will need to get super creative with how we live. Creative with food, creative with transportation, creative with recreation, creative with utilities. 

Frugality is but a distant memory.

The good news is that when we start thinking about life OFF the treadmill, we find unexpected joy. By eating the food we grow, our bodies become healthy. By working outside to produce that food, our lungs enjoy fresh air and our muscles tone. By pooling resources with our neighbors, our communities strengthen.

Hey wait. Maybe this is still a "Pollyanna" blog.

How about a dessert recipe?

Apple Crisp

Ingredients:

8 medium apples from your backyard orchard (Ha! Made ya look.)

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 cup flour

1 cup oats

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon nutmeg

2/3 cup butter, softened

Directions:

Butter a 9x13 baking dish.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Skin and slice apples.

Arrange apples in the dish.

Mix remaining ingredients and sprinkle over the apples.

Bake for about 30 minutes.

Serve warm.

It's up to us to keep spirits up. We've got a lot of work ahead, but we can do it!

Have a neighborly day! (I'm serious) 

Funny joke, 2014

Even the Little Weirdo isn't amused. And he's always up for a good laugh.

Too much snow. Too much cold.

But this isn't fun anymore. Someone's going to get hurt. It's time to thaw out so we can all drive safely on the roads and get the mail without paramedics on stand-by.

Our area got about 10 inches of snow during the early hours yesterday. Temps are around -10.

Let's contrast the seasons, shall we?

Remember the yard sale last summer?

Here's a photo of that same yard today:

Oh young 2014. You're just full of peas and vinegar*, aren't you?

*A note about peas and vinegar: My grandmother used to say "pee and vinegar," which I think is vulgar. Funny thing is, she was always so proper. When I was about nine years old, I told her I didn't have enough guts to put contact lenses in my eyes. She told me straight away that ladies don't say "guts." 

But "pee and vinegar" on the other hand...

Stay warm (and try not to say "pee" or "guts.")
 

The saga continues this season

So many people think I sell Christmas trees. Such an odd thing to think of someone, right?

The following is from last year's post about it...

This time of year, our phone rings off the hook. Why?

People think I sell Christmas trees.

Why would they think such a thing? Well, there is a simple explanation.

Many years ago (2007, I looked it up), I wrote an article for a local tree farm. I visited the farm and had such a great time. The owners were oh-so-nice and taught me a lot about varieties of trees as we walked their acreage. Of course, I said awesome things about them in my article. 

They liked that I said awesome things about them so much they put a blurb on their home page along with my name and phone number at the bottom. When people go to their website they just glance and see my number. Then my phone rings.

Mostly callers want to know if I'm open on Thanksgiving. Or Sundays. Or what time I close.

I could call the tree farm people and ask them to remove my phone number. I think I already did that a while back. 

But that's OK.

I like it when people call me.

Busyness blob

I write a weekly column called “Neighborberry.”

I post these essays on my blog a few weeks after each one is released. 

The publishers get first dibs. :)

If you would like to see "Neighborberry" in your local paper/website, please tell the editor to email me at krisjane7@gmail.com. Thanks so much! 

Busyness blob (released August 2, 2013)

By Kris Kolk

When neighbors experience life-changing troubles, why do we struggle to help? I think it’s because we are overrun with meaningless time hogs. We need to take control and smack busyness around a bit.

Following are three scenarios which are typical and unfortunate.

A woman hopes her cancer treatment works as her coworker hopes to find strawberry-scented hair conditioner at the salon.

A mother argues with her daughter about buying a new cell phone while en route to a candlelight vigil honoring a teenage suicide victim.

An elderly man sits alone in front of a TV dinner. During that same hour, the family next door fusses about too many phone calls at suppertime.

Jumping from one task to another, we plant marigolds by the mailbox, buy a plain white t-shirt for a school project, and groom the dog as he whines about it. After decades of this lifestyle, I’ve learned something important: busyness is like basement storage. It will grow to the size of its container.

When I was in my early 20s, I attended college full-time. I also had a part-time job and a boyfriend. I barely had time to bleach my hair with lemon juice, get my colors analyzed (I’m an “autumn”), or line my shoes against the wall in an orderly fashion like strappy, kitten-heeled soldiers. I accomplished it all, though, and was proud of my time management skills.

I lived according to the dictates of glossy magazine essays. I knew the seven ways to host a bodacious birthday bash and how to be the envy of women in a fitting room. I never saw headlines about helping others. If there was an article about producing a pinochle party for a playful nursing home populace, I missed it.

Splurging on ourselves is encouraged in our culture, but we must earn enough to fund the things we are told we deserve. This is a madman’s merry-go-round. In reality, having enough money for indulgences is a luxury. Many families would be satisfied for a chance at survival. Work and worry take a toll. It is no wonder most of us are exhausted and have little extra time.

Focusing on one another, especially in times of need, is an underestimated pleasure. It is low-cost, family-friendly, and much more fulfilling than acquiring things. It has the power to provide passion and is quite addictive. Use it to replace any bad habit or vice.

Be warned that becoming aware of our neighbors’ problems is often eye-opening and sometimes shocking. Therefore, we must protect our own inner joy. The mission is not to join the number of people wallowing in muck but to share our cheer and happiness with those navigating the darkness. Just having a compassionate person acknowledge and respect their situation provides valuable therapy.

I can call a friend who is battling cancer and listen while she vents frustrations. In addition to the tests and procedures, sick people need somewhere for their thoughts to land. That I can provide.

A family’s grief from losing a child will never go away. Yet there are many details to arrange during this time. Casseroles are helpful, but if we dig deeper, we may find school books need returned and siblings need a babysitter.

I understand we all must tend to necessities. I also realize that charities, faith-based services, and social programs exist for a reason; but these facilities are struggling. Helping at the neighborhood level relieves some of their burden. All it takes to help the guy next door is a spare moment and some forethought.

The next time busyness tries to boss your around, wrestle it to the ground. Declare: “After supper I’m not going to give the dog a bath. I’m going to take this apple crumble to Mr. Pivens instead.”

Mr. Pivens will be grateful and the dog will thank you, too. 

Kris Kolk has been a writer and neighborliness promoter for more than a decade. You can also visit her at www.neighborsabouttown.blogspot.com. Email her at krisjane7@gmail.com .

Banana bread and a weirdo

I was feeling guilty about the three overly-ripe bananas on my counter. 

But, as they say, when life gives you black bananas, make banana bread!

In the photo, you can see the Little Weirdo coming to the kitchen for a taste.

Here's my recipe:

Banana Bread (fit for a weirdo)

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
3 Tablespoons oil
1/3 cup milk
1 egg
1 cup nuts, chopped (optional)
2 or 3 bananas, peeled and mashed

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease and flour two loaf pans.
Beat ingredients together.
Pour batter into the pans.
Bake for about one hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  (set timer for 45 minutes and check periodically)

Have a lovely day!

 

I expected more from our shoes

Apparently, when left to their own devices, our shoes will organize and stomp all over an unsuspecting bottle of Febreeze.

Do you see it?

Poor Febreeze.

I had to do something.

I'm kinda proud of this solution...

Shoes on shelves are part of a larger operation to organize our front room. 

 That feels better.

Kitty Baby lying on the furniture

 

Broccoli-cheddar casserole

Here is a classic holiday potluck recipe. 

I attempted it once before except I used shredded cheddar. 

I think the secret is to use Cheese Whiz or a knock-off of it. The second try was the charm! 

Throw in some chopped ham pieces and you've got a meal.

Broccoli-cheddar casserole

Ingredients:

3 T butter
1 bag (16 oz) frozen broccoli
1/3 cup milk
1 can (10 ¾ oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 jar (8 oz) of Cheese Whiz or something similar
1 ½ cups Minute Rice
1 ½ cups water 

Directions:

Melt the butter in a skillet and sauté the broccoli until a bit tender.
Stir in the milk, soup, cheese sauce, rice, and water.
Cook and stir until the cheese is melted.
Pour the mixture in a buttered 9 x 13 pan.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

I'm curious. Is this how you make yours?

 

Egg rolls with spicy orange dipping sauce

I have made these easy egg rolls many times but keep forgetting to post the recipe. Well, here it is. 

The spicy orange dipping sauce is also good when you want to jazz up some bland chicken nuggets. Yum.

Egg rolls

Ingredients:

1 box of phyllo dough (1 pound box of 40 sheets)
1 bag of shredded cabbage (or slaw mix)
Butter, approximately one stick

Directions:

Grease a baking dish with butter.
Melt some butter in a bowl.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Unwrap one of the packages of phyllo dough and flatten 
  the sheets.
Cover with damp paper towels to keep them from drying. 
  They dry out quickly!
Grab a couple of sheets of phyllo dough and butter them.
Put some shredded cabbage at one end and roll it up, egg roll
  style. You can tuck the ends in but I'm lazy.
Continue until all the sheets of phyllo dough are used.
Brush tops of egg rolls with melted butter.

I only prepare half a box of phyllo at time since that much
   feeds my family.
Bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes until golden.

*Most of the time my phyllo dough rips willy nilly. I just go
    with it. No big whoop.

Spicy orange dipping sauce

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups water
2 Tablespoons orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
2 1/2 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Directions:

Mix ingredients and bring to boil.
Cool for 10 minutes.
Stir in 3 Tablespoons corn starch plus 2 Tablespoons water
  over low heat until thickened.