Easy Organization

Here is a great use for the shoe organizer that hangs on a door. Instead of putting shoes in it, you can use it for storage of kids art supplies and hand it in their playroom. Summer needs such as suntan lotion, sunglasses, bug spray, or your winter needs, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves etc...just leave it hang in your laundry room for easy access!!

Thanks
Susan from Richfield

Talkin' Turkey Leftovers!

Look like you have spent hours in the kitchen with this easy meal!
Easy and Tasty Chicken in Gravy

In a skillet melt 2 Tbls. of Butter or Olive Oil mixed with garlic, pepper, poultry seasoning, paprika and an onion (optional). I use about a tsp. of each of the listed spices. Brown your chicken breast in this mixture.

Make a chicken gravy of you choice. I like to use Minors Gravy (found in the freezer section at Heinan's, other stores may carry this as well!) and cream of mushroom soup. I sometimes even add about 1/2 cup of sour cream for a creamier gravy.

Place browned chicken in a casserole dish in the gravy and place in the oven for about an hour at 350 degrees. Or you can put it in a crock pot and let it cook all day.

I like to serve it with noodles, bread, salad and a vegetable of your choice.

Prep time is about 15 minutes
Cook time about an hour in the oven
or about 6-8 hours in the crock pot

Enjoy!
Susan, from Richfield





Make your house smell like Grandma's on a cold Sunday Afternoon!
Beef Roast in Gravy

Put little slices in the roast and put fresh garlic in the slices
Rub the roast with Olive Oil and the following spices: garlic, pepper, meat tenderizer and fresh basil.

Make gravy of your choice, I like to use Minor's Beef Gravy (found in the freezer section at Heinan's. Other stores may carry this as well!) To this I also add about 1 to 11/2 cups of cooked coffee (this helps to tenderize the roast).

Place in roaster with gravy (and coffee), cover it with foil and cook at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes per pound of the roast. I baste it every 45 minutes or so to keep it from drying out.

My weakness if mashed potatoes, salad and vegetable of your choice.

I also love Yorkshire Pudding with this.

Yorkshire pudding
1 Cup flour
1 Cup milk
2 eggs
a dash of salt

Mix together. Take drippings from meat, or gravy and put in the bottom of a cupcake tins and add mixture to the cupcake tins. Bake at 425 for 20-30 minutes and browned on top.

This meal is a little more work, but great for a cold Sunday family meal. While the roast is cooking, play some games with the family.

Enjoy!
Susan, from Richfield

Storage and Style!

I love this idea! Not only can you create a cozy home for the tons of stuffed animals floating around, but the more you add the softer this bean bag becomes! It's yet another example of the innovative products from Boon. They've gotten a lot of buzz lately for their Frog Pod A(a bath accessory that we own and love) and 10% of all their profits go to children's charities. You can snag this bean bag for $59.99, or check out other styles at www.booninc.com.

-From Brooke

Recipe Request

Hi Ladies
I have to bring sweet potatoes to the family gathering this year and am looking for a quick easy recipe to try. Any suggestions?

Paula - desperate in Akron
Mom Squad Mom

Recipe of the Week....X3!

Wow, what a feast! From Darlene in Garfeild Hts.


One thing I love about preparing morning treats the night before, is it gives me a chance to be more a part of the festivities from the beginning. I usually setup the table the night before as well, with a lovely table cloth, cloth napkins, China plates, crystal and silverware. It is fun to place things the children have made over the years on the table around a colorful centerpiece or even as the centerpiece. This brings a lot of laughter and conversation. Enjoy your holidays!

Breakfast Burrito Casserole - Vegetarian Times

Note: You must start this dish one day ahead of serving.

2 tsp. olive oil
1/2 medium-sized onion, sliced
1 red bell pepper, cut lengthwise into 2 inch think slices
1 large clove garlic, minced
1 10 oz pkg. frozen chopped spinach
2 Tbs. fresh dill
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Dash hot pepper sauce, optional
1 3/4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
6 8 inch flour tortillas
4 large eggs, beaten
2 cups skim milk
1 Tbs. all purpose flour
1 tsp. mustard powder

(Serve with salsa and sour cream)

1. Grease 9x13 backing dish.

2. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion and pepper 5 minutes or until tender. Add garlic and cook 2 min. more. Stir in spinach, dill, salt and pepper, cover and cook 5 min. or until spinach has completely thawed. Season with pepper sauce if desired and stir in 3/4 cup shredded cheese.

3. Spoon 1/3 cup of spinach mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll tortilla tightly, and place seam side down in baking dish. Whisk together eggs, milk, flour, and mustard powder, and pour over tortillas. Cover dish with foil, and refrigerate overnight.

Next Day....

4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

5. Bake burritos 45 min, or until eggs are set. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese and bake 5 minutes more, or until cheese has melted and begins to brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving with salsa and sour cream.



Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle - Food Network

Note: Refrigerate this overnight for best results but in a pinch, I have put it in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.

2 (14-ounce) packages gingerbread mix
1 (5.1 ounce) package cook and serve vanilla pudding mix
1 (30 ounce) can pumpkin pie filling
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping
1/2 cup gingersnaps, optional

Bake the gingerbread according to the package directions; cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the pudding and set aside to cool. Stir the pumpkin pie filling, sugar, and cinnamon into the pudding. Crumble 1 batch of gingerbread into the bottom of a Triffle dish or a large punch bowl. Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the gingerbread, then add a layer of whipped topping. Repeat with the remaining gingerbread, pudding and whipped topping. Sprinkle on the top with crushed gingersnaps if desired. Refrigerate overnight. Do not fill the dish or bowl to the absolute top. A little space will keep the dessert from overflowing when you begin to serve.


Cranberry Punch

Combine a a portion of Cranberry Juice, the same portion of Pineapple or Apple Juice, Splenda or sugar to taste if needed, then chill. Just prior to serving add a touch of Ginger Ale. Serve over ice.

Calling Mom Squad Members!

Time to weigh-in, we are looking for your comments! It seems Christmas season starts a little sooner every year with retailers stocking up and people decorating right after Halloween in some cases! So we want to know, when do you put up your tree and decorations? To chime in, just click on "comments" at the end of this post and let us know! We would love to hear from you.

Also, what is the one thing that really makes you feel it's Christmas time? Is it seeing snow? Hearing Christmas music (thanks to The Fish)!:) The start of Advent? Putting your tree up? Tell us the one thing that makes you realize the holidays are here!

Grocery Journal

I thought this was a great idea. I received this as a gift from a friend the other day. She gave me a blank journal with a paper clip and coupons. I use the blank pages for my shopping list and have the coupons attached! There are so many pretty journals to choose from, you can get one to match you decor. Then you can leave it out so it is easy access to add those items to your grocery list and keep those coupons organized!

-Susan from Richfield

In the Grip of Grace

I am a huge Max Lucado fan and my recomendation for an excellent read is "In the Grip of Grace". This book found me at a time when I was seated in the lap of despair. It is uplifting and helped me with a renewal and rekindling of my faith. I highly recommend this among other Max Lucado books.

-Holly from Canton

Recipe of the Week!

Aunt Arlette's Sugar cookies

You'll need:
2 1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cream of tar tar
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup Imperial Quarters butter (softened)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1 lg. egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup sugar (for coating)

In a med. bowl combine flour, baking soda, cream of tar tar, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl beat butter, sugar, and confectioners sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla until well blended. Gradually add dry ingredients beating until well blended. Cover with plastic wrap and refridgerate until firm. Preheat oven to 375. Pinch off about one tablespoon dough and roll to form 1 inch balls. Roll dough in remaing sugar and coat thoroughly. Flatten with the bottom of a glass, place 2 inches apart and bake 8 minutes. Cool on rack.
My daughter LOVED them!!! as you can see!!
(we added a little icing and sprinkles)

-From Holly in Canton

Websites for Women

I was at the Women's Fair this weekend and had a wonderful time. I picked up a couple web sites that the women out there may want to check out. Both of these are local businesses started by women and being run by them.
One is a really cute and inexpensive way to jazz up the bathroom...it is
www.toilet-tattoos.com. these are static cling decorative covers for the toilet lid. They come in many different styles including holiday ones. Check it out.

The other is www.jujubead.com. They make absolutely gorgeous one of a kind jewelry,

Check these out and for more businesses started by women go to www.ladieswholaunch.com and check out the different local businesses listed there.

Many of these women are moms who are trying to help with their family income and still be home for their kids. They are very creative ideas and well worth the time to look them up.

-Paula from Akron

Delightful Dessert

Hi it's Brooke. Paula from Akron joined us on the show today and brought a fantastic dessert! Len was talking about it all morning and Paula says it's simple to make (that's key for me)!:) Enjoy the recipe and thanks Paula for doing such a great job!


Banana Split Dessert

2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 stick butter melted.

Mix together and pat into the bottom of an 11x13 pan

2 cups powdered sugar
2 sticks butter - softened (not melted)
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix together and beat with mixer for about 15-20 minutes until light and fluffy
Spread this layer on top of the graham cracker crust.

Cover and place in refrigerator so the filling can set up. A note: if you are making this for the holidays and your refrigerator is full, you can place this outside to set up...just protect it from curious hungry creatures.

After the filling has set up (about an hour)

Drain a 15oz can of crushed pineapple real well
Spread on top of the filling

Slice length wise about 5 or 6 bananas and place them on top of the pineapple

Take a thawed 16oz container of cool whip and spread that over the bananas

sprinkle with chopped nuts

pour chocolate syrup over top of all of this (I usually wait until just before I serve it to do this part and I keep the container around for those who want to add more)

You can add marachino cherries to.

Product Review: The Kone by Dirt Devil

Our first review is in! Here is a photo of Susan, David (her son), Brooke, and Len holding the dirt (hence the gross-out face)! Overall it's a thumb's up! Here is the run-down of Susan's review:

It is great for those little spills and for those hard to reach spots. The small head is a great idea! I like it for the car. Being cordless, it is easy to get in the hard to reach places.

My house is decorated with a lot of country nic nacs, so it is great for cleaning all of that fun clutter!!! It is also great for hardwood and vinyl floors. Having a brown thumb, I did like for my silk flower arrangements. It did seem to do OK on curtains as well. ( I guess a positive for not having a lot of suction!) Once again, being cordless, smaller and having the cone shaped tip, it is great for those hard to reach spots

I like the fact that it looks nice. You can leave it sit out as it charges. Then it is always charged and ready to go. It is also easy to clean!

There is really only 1 negative that I have come up with so far. The suction is not the best. It did OK on the carpeted steps, thanks to the rubberized tip. The rubberized tip seem to pull the hair off of the steps more so than the suction.

So far, so good! My kids love it best! I have never had so much help!!! I would even consider buying one! (even though I am a Hoover girl!)

Recipe of the Week!

CHICKEN AND RICE DINNER

This is a quick and easy recipe for a family dinner and a great one for company too.
Clean up is easy and fast.

1 Can of Cream of Mushroom soup
1 Can of Cream of Chicken soup
(or you can use any combination of cream type soups your family likes)
1 envelope dry onion soup mix
Uncle Ben's long grain rice
Water
Chicken about 6 - 8 pieces - again whatever your family likes, I use thighs, and breasts.

Mix both cans of soup in a 13x9x2 pan. Fill one can of soup with un cooked rice and stir into soup mixture, add one can of water. Mix well. Place chicken pieces on top of the mixture. Sprinkle with the dry onion soup. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for about 90 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.

This recipe can also be done in a crock pot. Just cook it according to your crock pots instructions.
Mine is generally on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5 hours.

-From Paula in Akron

Constant Cookies and Random Tips

Great after school snack.
I make up the batter for Chocolate Chip cookies (it will work with any cookie) and leave the batter in a sealed container in the refrigerator. This allows for fresh hot cookies for after school or dessert in the evening! I know that you can by the pre-maid cookies, but you get more for your money this way!

**Need help organizing all of those important papers for you family? I like to color code for each of my children. I have a 3 ring binder with folders marked with their name, School, Church, Scouts, whatever the need may be. This keeps them neat and easy to get to when you need them. It helps for Dad when Mom is not there.
I also found at Target little colored clothes pin shaped magnets to hang on the refrigerator the really important, need them right away papers or art work! (you get 12 for less that $2.00!)

**Need help organizing those hats and mittens? I keep a basket by the door. This way they can just put then in the basket when they come in to door. You can also have 1 basket per child if you choose. I have a large one, this way you can use it through out the year. In the summer, spring and fall, their sports items go in it. If they use this, it helps to keep things from getting lost! It seems to work well for us!

-From Susan in Richfield

Love Lunchtime

Mom's who are looking for a creative way to make lunch fun for your kids as they head off to school. Check out www.lunchology.com, they have a large selection of pre-printed lunch bags in different themes that you can order directly on line. You can choose from Educational, Inspirational, Sports, Holiday and "Entertain Your Brain". It's also a local company which is always great to support.

A kitchen tip.;
I got this one from my sister, Merrie,
If you take the Glad Wrap Press & Seal and place it sticky side down on a counter or table top you can easily roll out cookies or other dough and then clean up is as easy as tossing the wrap away.

Also, it would be a good covering for protecting your tables and counters when your little ones do their art work. Newspapers tend to slip and move but the Glad Wrap Press and Seal stays put, and once again clean is as easy as tossing out the used wrap


-From Paula.

Uplift and Encourage

There are 2 books that I have read recently and wanted to share with you all. One truly uplifted me as I am going through divorce at this time and the other I shared with my son to help enhance his walk with the Lord. One is called, "Missing being Mrs", by Jennifer Croly, a teacher of religious education that speaks personally of surviving divorce and looking at the various dimensions of divorce and rejoining the world of dating from a Christian perspective. The other book is called, "Preparing Your Son for Every Man's Battle", by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker. I am sure you know of the Every Man's Battle series so this has been broken down into parts to help the younger teens and then the older teens.

-From Darlene

Cooking in the Kitchen

Do You Love Fish and Chicken??? If you do, I know you want it seasoned just right and the BEST seasoning packet I have found, and actually I use it almost everyday, is Andy's Seasoning.
Whether you bake, broil or fry Andy's combines just the right touch of spices to enhance the flavor of your fish and chicken...it adds a bit of a kick. I heat just a small amount of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and add just a light coating of Andy's Seasoning to Malaysian Basa (a delicious, very mild tasting fish that I have only found at the Giant Eagle Supermarkets). Cook the Basa on both sides for 2 - 3 minutes. What a taste treat and as an added bonus, high protien, low fat. I have even tossed onion, green pepper and zucchini into the same pan with a sprinkling of Andy's to make a complete healthy meal. For a thicker coating dip fish in egg whites, soak chicken in half & half, then coat with Andy's Seasoning.... Mild or Cajun for Fish or Chicken. It's a taste treat that can't be beat! www.andysseasoning.com


-From Darlene