The Happy Housewife™ http://thehappyhousewife.com Where Martha Meets Real Life Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:29:09 +0000 en hourly 1 Kraft Singles Put Your Love on the Map Giveaway http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29145964/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29145964/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:29:09 +0000 The Happy Housewife™ (Full Feed) http://thehappyhousewife.com/cooking/?p=20216

When I was a child one of my favorite meals was grilled cheese and tomato soup. My mom would take two pieces of bread, lightly butter the outsides, and place a piece of cheese in the middle. I loved my grilled cheese sandwiches.

Then one summer I stayed at my Grandma’s house for a few weeks by myself. She asked me what I wanted for lunch and I requested my favorite, grilled cheese and tomato soup. I stared in awe as she got out the Kraft cheese, buttered both sides of the bread, placed several slices of cheese between the bread and grilled up one of the best sandwiches I’d ever eaten in my life.

My Grandmother passed away twenty years ago and my memories of eating grilled cheese at her house are some of the fondest I have of my time with her. One slice of cheese was never enough for any sandwich, you always needed at least two or three according to my Grandma!

To this day (and probably because of all those grilled cheese made with love from my Grandma) I still love a delicious grilled cheese sandwich made with Kraft Singles served with a bowl of soup.

A few years ago I received a panini maker and ever since my family has loved making panini’s for lunch and even dinner. Grilled cheese just got a whole lot better! Last summer when my mother-in-law was babysitting for us she skipped dinner plans almost every night in favor of making more panini’s! Panini sandwiches have become one of our favorite “go-to” meals.

Below is one of my favorite panini recipes.

kraft singles Kraft Singles Put Your Love on the Map Giveaway

  • Hearty bread
  • Kraft Singles (made with real milk)
  • Bacon
  • Roast Beef
  • Sliced Dill Pickles
  • Spicy Mustard

I layer all the ingredients and cook on the panini grill for a few minutes. I love how the cheese melts and the spicy mustard is the perfect touch for the sandwich. We usually serve our panini’s with fresh fruit, vegetables, and sometimes potato salad if I’m getting fancy!

My kids prefer basic grilled cheese made with Kraft Singles, although I often convince them to add a little ham to spice it up! icon smile Kraft Singles Put Your Love on the Map Giveaway

While I don’t travel with my panini maker I do like to bring sandwich fixen’s when we are on the road. I love that Kraft Singles are individually wrapped because it makes for a quick snack on the road or in the hotel room.

Kraft Singles 1 Kraft Singles Put Your Love on the Map Giveaway

Currently you can enter Kraft Singles Sweepstakes on Facebook by sharing your favorite thing about Kraft Singles. Maybe it’s that they are made with real milk, that they don’t contain artificial flavors, or maybe you just love the taste! Anyway, just enter your favorite thing about Kraft Singles and you’ll be entered to win $500!

That’s not the only way you can win. Kraft Singles is giving away a grilled cheese kit to one of my readers! Since I love Kraft Singles in my panini’s I was able to get one of these kits for you.

One reader will win:

  • Panini press
  • Spatula
  • Cookie cutters
  • Coupon for Kraft Singles

To enter the giveaway leave a comment sharing why you love Kraft Singles. You can earn additional entries for “liking” Kraft Singles on Facebook or Tweeting about this giveaway. Giveaway ends February 13, 2012.

Remember, when you are making Kraft Singles grilled cheese sandwiches this week, use a cookie cutter or a knife to turn your sandwiches into hearts! It’s a perfect Valentine’s Day treat!

2269788253 46a854d6f8 Kraft Singles Put Your Love on the Map Giveaway

Your kids will love it!

 

Kraft Foods is providing the prizes for this program at no cost to me. This program is not administered or sponsored by Kraft Foods or its affiliates, but solely by The Happy Housewife. I am one of several bloggers selected by Kraft Foods to participate in the KRAFT Singles “Put Your Love on the Map” program. While I have been compensated for my time, my opinions are my own, and I have not been paid to post positive comments.

photo credit 

This website uses affiliate links. Please view my Disclosure Policy for more information.

101 Life Lessons - Advice from Mom

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When I was a child one of my favorite meals was grilled cheese and tomato soup. My mom would take two pieces of bread, lightly butter the outsides, and place a piece of cheese in the middle. I loved my grilled cheese sandwiches.

Then one summer I stayed at my Grandma’s house for a few weeks by myself. She asked me what I wanted for lunch and I requested my favorite, grilled cheese and tomato soup. I stared in awe as she got out the Kraft cheese, buttered both sides of the bread, placed several slices of cheese between the bread and grilled up one of the best sandwiches I’d ever eaten in my life.

My Grandmother passed away twenty years ago and my memories of eating grilled cheese at her house are some of the fondest I have of my time with her. One slice of cheese was never enough for any sandwich, you always needed at least two or three according to my Grandma!

To this day (and probably because of all those grilled cheese made with love from my Grandma) I still love a delicious grilled cheese sandwich made with Kraft Singles served with a bowl of soup.

A few years ago I received a panini maker and ever since my family has loved making panini’s for lunch and even dinner. Grilled cheese just got a whole lot better! Last summer when my mother-in-law was babysitting for us she skipped dinner plans almost every night in favor of making more panini’s! Panini sandwiches have become one of our favorite “go-to” meals.

Below is one of my favorite panini recipes.

kraft singles Kraft Singles Put Your Love on the Map Giveaway

  • Hearty bread
  • Kraft Singles (made with real milk)
  • Bacon
  • Roast Beef
  • Sliced Dill Pickles
  • Spicy Mustard

I layer all the ingredients and cook on the panini grill for a few minutes. I love how the cheese melts and the spicy mustard is the perfect touch for the sandwich. We usually serve our panini’s with fresh fruit, vegetables, and sometimes potato salad if I’m getting fancy!

My kids prefer basic grilled cheese made with Kraft Singles, although I often convince them to add a little ham to spice it up! icon smile Kraft Singles Put Your Love on the Map Giveaway

While I don’t travel with my panini maker I do like to bring sandwich fixen’s when we are on the road. I love that Kraft Singles are individually wrapped because it makes for a quick snack on the road or in the hotel room.

Kraft Singles 1 Kraft Singles Put Your Love on the Map Giveaway

Currently you can enter Kraft Singles Sweepstakes on Facebook by sharing your favorite thing about Kraft Singles. Maybe it’s that they are made with real milk, that they don’t contain artificial flavors, or maybe you just love the taste! Anyway, just enter your favorite thing about Kraft Singles and you’ll be entered to win $500!

That’s not the only way you can win. Kraft Singles is giving away a grilled cheese kit to one of my readers! Since I love Kraft Singles in my panini’s I was able to get one of these kits for you.

One reader will win:

  • Panini press
  • Spatula
  • Cookie cutters
  • Coupon for Kraft Singles

To enter the giveaway leave a comment sharing why you love Kraft Singles. You can earn additional entries for “liking” Kraft Singles on Facebook or Tweeting about this giveaway. Giveaway ends February 13, 2012.

Remember, when you are making Kraft Singles grilled cheese sandwiches this week, use a cookie cutter or a knife to turn your sandwiches into hearts! It’s a perfect Valentine’s Day treat!

2269788253 46a854d6f8 Kraft Singles Put Your Love on the Map Giveaway

Your kids will love it!

 

Kraft Foods is providing the prizes for this program at no cost to me. This program is not administered or sponsored by Kraft Foods or its affiliates, but solely by The Happy Housewife. I am one of several bloggers selected by Kraft Foods to participate in the KRAFT Singles “Put Your Love on the Map” program. While I have been compensated for my time, my opinions are my own, and I have not been paid to post positive comments.

photo credit 

This website uses affiliate links. Please view my Disclosure Policy for more information.

101 Life Lessons - Advice from Mom

]]> http://thehappyhousewife.com/blog/kraft-singles-put-your-love-on-the-map-giveaway/feed/ 0 Decorative Quote Plate Project http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29145572/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29145572/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:00:41 +0000 The Happy Housewife™ (Full Feed) http://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/?p=20299

wall quote plate Decorative Quote Plate Project

The following is a post from contributing writer Angie.

A simple, fun, and inexpensive art project to do is decorating plates with favorite quotations.  As a lover of words, this is definitely a favorite project of mine, especially since it can be done with minimal cost and experience.  This a wonderful project to do with large groups when you need an easy and inexpensive activity.

Materials Needed

Decorative Plates

Any plate that has a glaze of some sort is wonderful for this project.  My favorite place to find a wide variety of plates at a cheap price is Goodwill.  If you don’t have a Goodwill near you, try other thrift stores.  I especially like our Goodwill for this project, because not only are most of the plates around $0.99, but on certain days, you can get a second one at half price .

Markers

You can do this project with either paint pens or with Sharpie markers (or a similar permanent marker).  In the plate pictured, I used a paint pen.  However, my normal preference would be a Sharpie, as they can be purchased less expensively, which makes it easier to have a large variety of colors.  Also, Sharpies can offer a finer point.

Nail Polish Remover

When errors happen while you are writing, as they have habit to do, nail polish remover can remove the permanent marker from a glazed plate.  You’ll also need either paper towel or cotton balls.

The Project

For this project, people are of one of three minds on how to start.  You will either:

1. Pick your quote first.  Then, search out the plate that is perfect for it, whether because of the design or the room on the plate.

2. Pick your plate first.  Then, choose your quote based on the plate design or the space available on it.

3. Pick a plate you like, pick a quote you like, and just make it work.

Any of those ways are fine, so proceed as you feel so inclined.  Because plates can often be found inexpensively at a thrift store, I think it’s fun to pick up several plates so that you can go with all of these methods, each on different plates.

Once you’re ready to start, this is one of those projects where you just go for it.  The glaze on the plates prevents you from being able to pencil out your words ahead of time.  It’s the kind of project where you do your best, and if it doesn’t come out the way you like, you grab your nail polish remover and cotton (or paper towel) to “erase” and start again.

I actually think that’s one of the fun things about the quote plate project – it’s both flexible and fixable.  It’s also great to do with all ages, from preschoolers’ drawings to a fun craft night with your girlfriends.

An Important Note

On any plate that I have decorated like this, I write on the back:  Not dishwasher safe.  Lightly hand wash with mild soap only.  Not safe for use with food.

These plates are only good for decorative use.  They are best cleaned by dusting as you might do with other decorative plates.  Although they can usually handle a light, gentle washing, a more thorough washing could take off small amounts of the wording/designs.

What are some of your favorite quotes that you think would be perfect for a project like this?

Angie is a homeschooling mom to three children and writes about the adventures of her life as a domestically challenged nerd-type turned stay at home Mom at Many Little Blessings. She is also the founder of The Homeschool Classroom, Catholic Mothers Online, Tiny Owl Designs, and Just a Tiny Owl {Etsy shop}.

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]]> http://thehappyhousewife.com/blog/decorative-quote-plate-project/feed/ 0 Creating Stations to Stay Organized http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29139969/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29139969/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:00:31 +0000 The Happy Housewife™ (Full Feed) http://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/?p=20137

organized in 365 Creating Stations to Stay Organized

Jenni talks about identifying “rabbit trails” and creating “stations” to avoid wasting time and energy to complete a task.

how to clean electronics 0110 mdn Creating Stations to Stay Organized

See her post, Keep it Together for a More Organized Home at Simply Prudent.

Have you shared a great organizing tip on your website? I’d love to feature it on TheHappyHousewife.com. Submit your Organized in 365 tip.

Don’t have a blog, but have a great tip? Submit your Organized in 365 guest post here.

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]]> http://thehappyhousewife.com/blog/creating-stations-to-stay-organized/feed/ 0 Logan’s Roadhouse $5 off $20 Meal http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29136756/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29136756/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:13:31 +0000 The Happy Housewife™ (Full Feed) http://thehappyhousewife.com/deals/?p=19267

LOGANS300x250 Logans Roadhouse $5 off $20 Meal Logans Roadhouse $5 off $20 Meal

Sign up for Logan’s Roadhouse NUT-E Club and receive $5 off your meal purchase of $20 or more.

Not valid in California, North and South Carolina, and Augusta, Georgia locations. 

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]]> http://thehappyhousewife.com/blog/logans-roadhouse-5-off-20-meal/feed/ 0 Free President’s Day Study http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29135871/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29135871/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:00:26 +0000 The Happy Housewife™ (Full Feed) http://thehappyhousewife.com/homeschool/?p=19328

Currclick is offering the President’s Day Holiday Helper study for free this week. This free download is a great supplement for a President’s Day unit study.

Screen shot 2012 02 08 at 7.43.33 AM Free Presidents Day Study

Currclick freebies only last a week so download your copy today!

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]]> http://thehappyhousewife.com/blog/free-presidents-day-study/feed/ 0 Twice Baked Potato Casserole http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29132406/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29132406/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:04 +0000 The Happy Housewife™ (Full Feed) http://thehappyhousewife.com/cooking/?p=19937

The following is a post from SnoWhite.  

DSCN0039 Twice Baked Potato Casserole

One of my favorite side dishes of all times is a spinach and bacon stuffed twice baked potato.  What I don’t love about it, however, is the time required to re-stuff the potatoes.  Sometimes I just don’t have those extra 10 minutes for dinner prep.  Please tell me you experience that too!

This recipe uses my favorite twice baked potato base, but rather than stuff the potato shells, the filling is placed in a baking dish.

The result is a creamy, delicious twice-baked potato casserole.

Print
Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Yield: 12-15 servings

DSCN0036 Twice Baked Potato Casserole

Ingredients

  • 6-8 large russet potatoes
  • 3 T butter
  • 1/3 C milk
  • 3 C spinach, fresh or frozen
  • 1/4 C bacon crumbles {nitrate-free recommended}
  • 1 1/2 C shredded Colby Jack Cheese
  • Sea salt, to taste
  • Black Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Begin by scrubbing the potatoes. Then, pat them dry.
  2. Lightly spray your crockpot with cooking spray. Arrange your potatoes in the crockpot. Sprinkle the potatoes with sea salt.
  3. Cover and cook the potatoes on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until potatoes are tender.*
  4. Remove from the crockpot and carefully slice the potatoes open to cool.
  5. When potatoes are cool enough to handle, scrape the potato out of the center and into a large bowl. At this point, go ahead and pre-heat your oven to 350.
  6. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or a fork a few times.
  7. Add in 3 T butter, 1/3 C milk.
  8. Using a hand held mixer, whip the potatoes until they start to become creamy and smooth. Add milk 1 T at a time to achieve desired consistency.
  9. Add in 3 C spinach (if using frozen, thaw & drain before adding), 1/4 C bacon crumbles, and 1 C shredded Colby Jack Cheese. Stir until well blended.
  10. Season with sea salt & pepper, to taste.
  11. Lightly grease a 9x13 glass baking dish. Pour the potato mixture into the baking dish. Garnish with remaining 1/2 C cheese.
  12. Bake the potatoes at 350 for 25-30 minutes until warmed throughout and the cheese is melted.
  13. *Alternatively, you can bake the potatoes in an oven heated to 400 degrees for 1 hour.

Notes

This recipe may be prepared ahead of time and either refrigerated or frozen until ready to serve. If refrigerating, increase cooking time to 1 hour at 350 degrees, or until center is hot. If freezing, thaw in the refrigerator, and follow the refrigerated baking directions.

http://thehappyhousewife.com/cooking/twice-baked-potato-casserole/

 

“SnoWhite” is married to her Frog Price and blogs about her adventures in the kitchen, including life with food allergies, at Finding Joy in My Kitchen.  When she is not in the kitchen, SnoWhite is an ecosystem ecologist, teaching undergraduate courses in biology & of course a course on food!

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]]> http://thehappyhousewife.com/blog/twice-baked-potato-casserole/feed/ 0 Gooseberry Patch Candy Cookbook: Free Kindle Download http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29132407/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29132407/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:19:19 +0000 The Happy Housewife™ (Full Feed) http://thehappyhousewife.com/cooking/?p=20209

Don’t miss this free Kindle download. Gooseberry Patch Candy Cookbook Gooseberry Patch Candy Cookbook: Free Kindle Download is available for free on Amazon today! Just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Gooseberry Patch Candy Cookbook: Free Kindle Download Gooseberry Patch Candy Cookbook: Free Kindle Download

If you don’t have a Kindle you can still download these free ebooks to your smart phone or computer. All you need to do is download one of Amazon’s free reading apps Gooseberry Patch Candy Cookbook: Free Kindle Download.

Remember that Amazon prices fluctuate constantly, so verify the price before purchasing.

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]]> http://thehappyhousewife.com/blog/gooseberry-patch-candy-cookbook-free-kindle-download/feed/ 0 Keeping a Clean Car http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29127002/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29127002/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:00:15 +0000 The Happy Housewife™ (Full Feed) http://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/?p=20139

organized in 365 Keeping a Clean Car

Trash and other stuff has a way of being left in the car.  Amy has been able to keep her car cleaner by having a “grab your stuff” rule.

“Before you just jump out and run in the house you have to grab your stuff. I was sick of finding cups, juice boxes or the missing glove in my car. So now at least when we’re rushing off to the next activity at least I’m not jumping in to a messy car.

And I always use carpool wait times as an opportunity to straighten out my purse. ”

Have you shared a great organizing tip on your website? I’d love to feature it on TheHappyHousewife.com. Submit your Organized in 365 tip.

Don’t have a blog, but have a great tip? Submit your Organized in 365 guest post here.

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]]> http://thehappyhousewife.com/blog/keeping-a-clean-car/feed/ 0 Homeschooling While Pregnant http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29120195/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29120195/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:00:58 +0000 The Happy Housewife™ (Full Feed) http://thehappyhousewife.com/homeschool/?p=19141

The following is a post from Tabitha

I recently read a post by a homeschool blogger about a reader who asked, “Should I continue homeschooling while pregnant?  My family wants to put the kids in school.”   After thinking about this topic for a while, and reliving a LOT of memories, here’s how I would respond:

Don’t change everything just because you are expecting another little life. Don’t disrupt your routine anymore than it has to be. Each of your children were welcomed into the world before this one, and things were just fine. Even if you weren’t homeschooling then, your world now includes homeschooling as part of your everyday routine, and those educational goals you have made don’t need to be sacrificed. Life goes on!

Small children understand changes. Older children understand changes. Even with difficult pregnancies there are things you can do for your family’s learning and growth. The pregnancy itself is a wonderful learning experience. Schoolwork can be rescheduled. Life doesn’t need to be, and what is more symbolic of the miracle of life than a new baby growing and developing inside their mother.

timothychristopher Homeschooling While Pregnant

Welcoming a new family member

Since my oldest started ‘school’  at about age 5, I’ve had (or will have) 7 more babies. We’ve homeschooled different ways through all of those times and we can look back and laugh at the sometimes fun, sometimes funny memories of what worked and what didn’t. Some of those pregnancies were harder than others, including one on bedrest.

Yes, pregnancy can cause a lot of disruption in a household, between morning sickness, doctor’s appointments, and then just the changes in Mom’s mood and energy levels. They can be worked around if they are minor issues, and they can take over the family schedule somewhat if they are serious.  However, that doesn’t mean putting the kids in school is the answer.

If your family is committed to homeschooling and your reasons for doing so don’t allow for putting the kids back in school and taking them back out again in the future, or even if homeschooling was just a temporary thing for you, but it wasn’t in the plans to send them back yet, you can work it out while pregnant.

Some things that have worked for us on the days when I cannot be as involved in the kids’ learning times:

  • Skip the stuff that is too time consuming, it’ll still be there on the good days
  • Use multimedia- computer, movies, books on CD (or MP3), TV shows, etc
  • Take a break!- extended or just for the day
  • Plan things that everyone can do on their own
  • Have older children help younger children
  • Review!
  • Ask for help. Friends and neighbors are more willing than you think!
  • Lots of books, and more books, reading together, individually, to each other…
  • Board games

We’ve schooled during the summer after a springtime baby. We’ve worked through Christmas break to catch up after a November baby. This may not even matter if your other children are still small. I know that we need to still keep with some schedules as we have an AP test to take right after our new baby is due.

Life is for keeps, and your kids will remember that you were with them and taught them what was important. Remind them that they were once in the same position their little brother or sister is now, and that it is a special time for your family. They may forget that they didn’t have math one day, but they won’t forget that just like they were loved and prepared for, this baby is too.

Tabitha (wife to Tom, homeschooling mom to 8+ kids ages 15 to ‘on the way’, learning something new all the time)

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]]> http://thehappyhousewife.com/blog/homeschooling-while-pregnant/feed/ 0 Organize Kitchen Towels http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29114001/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed http://feeds.feedblitz.com/~/29114001/0/thehappyhousewife-full-feed#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:00:38 +0000 The Happy Housewife™ (Full Feed) http://thehappyhousewife.com/home-management/?p=20167

organized in 365 Organize Kitchen Towels

My kitchen towel drawer has been neat and organized for an entire year thanks to this simple tip.

IMG 6165 Organize Kitchen Towels

Can you figure it out? If not click here for the original towel organization post.

Have you shared a great organizing tip on your website? I’d love to feature it on TheHappyHousewife.com. Submit your Organized in 365 tip.

Don’t have a blog, but have a great tip? Submit your Organized in 365 guest post here.

This website uses affiliate links. Please view my Disclosure Policy for more information.

101 Life Lessons - Advice from Mom

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