Life Hack: Clean the Grout Naturally

Spinach Cheese Balls

Ingredients

2 (10 oz.) packages frozen spinach, thawed & well-drained
2 small onions, very finely chopped (I use a food processor)
2 1/4 c. stuffing with herbs (I use Pepperidge Farm)
6 eggs, beaten
1/2 c. melted butter
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese
2 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. black pepper 

Combine and form balls about a heaping tablespoon. Place on an oiled pan. Bake for 15 mins at 400. 

From: http://foods-exclusive.blogspot.ca/2013/11/how-to-baked-parmesan-cheesy-spinach.html?m=1#sthash.uPkShM9V.dpuf

Pre-Pre-School Woes

My babygirl is two and turning three years old very soon. I am so full of anxiety about the next step for her education. I know... it really sounds like she is headed to college but I think preschool is a very important foundation for kids. It not only teaches them practical skills and knowledge, it also gives them a mindset towards learning and discovery, formal and informal. When done optimally, it prepares them for the challenges of problem solving. I want her to LOVE learning. I have always enjoyed learning and discovering new things and I do not want her to feel discouraged by any new challenge. I believe that preschool helps to guide children in that direction.

However, the hubby and I have become extremely picky when it comes to preschool. We have visited preschools and we have met with teachers and administrators, filled out applications and requested information. We have developed  what seems like an unattainable list of "must-haves" all to come to the realization that our home might possibly be the best preschool for our daughter. I emphasize, "for our daughter" because I don't want anyone to feel judged or pricked by this article. Every child is different. Every parental decision is different and the absolute best decisions are tailored to your child. 

So, barring the manifestation of the perfect, cost-effective, Montessori-esque, religious based or religious tolerant, private, located near-by, preschool solution in the next 6 months, I will be starting the McKay Household Preschool, enrollment limited to ONE. 

Homeschooling will not be the solution for us indefinitely. We will revisit traditional school life in 2 years. 

There is a great article here about making the best choice for your kids: http://kidsintheword.net/how-to-make-the-choice-to-homeschool-or-not/

Kindergarten here we come!!

Cake In a Jar

CHOW says, “Start with two-and-one-half cups of fresh seasonal fruit. Put those into four half-pint canning jars. Combine one half-cup of flour, one half-cup of sugar and one half-teaspoon salt. Whisk it together with a fork and pour it on the fruit, and then top with butter. Once your jars are filled, move them to a square baking dish. Fill the inside of the baking dish with some dried beans to keep the jars from sliding around. Bake it at 350 for one hour. After baking, let the jars cool completely. I like to put a little whipped cream on top and, if you like, you can keep them in the fridge for up to a week. They make a great gift, and they are awesome for a picnic.”

Check out the video here:

http://www.littlethings.com/bake-cake-in-jars/

Interactive Chore Chart

Use an old file folder to create this awesome chore chart! Velcro tabs may be used to keep the pockets closed. Kids love seeing all the tabs marked DONE! 

Monroe Cat Show

CAT FANCIERS ASSOCIATION CAT SHOW

Monroe County Community College

Jan 24, 2015 - Jan 25, 2015 @ 9:00 AM

CFA All Breed, Specialty and Household Pet Cat Show. This show features the exhibition and judging of cats & kittens throughout the weekend. Meet the breeds - CFA currently recognizes 42! Fun for cat lovers of all ages! The Cat Fanciers Association is the world's largest registry of pedigreed cats. Founded in 1906, the CFA is a nonprofit organization devoted to the well-being of all...

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Fire and Ice Festival!

FIRE & ICE FESTIVAL 2015

Downtown Rochester

Jan 23, 2015 - Jan 25, 2015

Join your friends in downtown Rochester for the 8th annual Fire & Ice Festival. This celebration of winter, set for Jan. 23-25, is among the premier winter events in Michigan. Activities include dog sled rides, a tube sledding hill, ice skating, a figure skating demonstration, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, ice carvings, marshmallow roasting, and a taste fest/beer tent

The Lemurs Return!

Jan 23, 2015 - Jun 12, 2015 @ 10:00 AM

 This event occurs daily, every 1 day(s).

Academy Award® winner Morgan Freeman narrates the new IMAX® 3D documentary film “ISLAND OF LEMURS 3D,” the incredible true story of nature’s greatest explorers — lemurs! The film reunites Freeman with Drew Fellman, who also wrote and produced the beloved 2011 IMAX 3D documentary film “Born to Be Wild 3D,” and director/cinematographer David Douglas, who was the director of...

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ArtEntertainmentFilmGeneralTheater

Connecting With Kids After School

So what can you ask? Here are some sample questions to get you started.

• Who did you sit by at lunch?
• Who did you play with at recess?
• What did you do in P.E. (art, music, etc.) today?
• Did anything surprise you today?
• Tell me something nice that you did for someone today. Did someone do something nice for you today?
• What did you write about in your reading journal?
• What book did your teacher read to you today? What do you like about that book?
• What book did YOU read (or listen to) today? 
• Did anything make you sad today? Why did that make you sad?

Activity Cube

• Using white card stock, cut out 6 squares. (Mine are about 6"x6" squares.)
• Write the activities on each square.
• Tape the squares together using clear packing tape.
• Before you tape the last square on, stuff in a few pieces of crumpled newspaper to give it more stability.

Here's what's on it:

• Spin in a circle.
• Jump 5 times.
• Flap your arms like a bird.
• Hop on one foot.
• Dance!
• Run from the front door to the back door.

13 Family Meals - 30 mins each!

 Find more details here http://www.livingonadime.com/easy-family-menu-ideas/

Fun Learning

Teaching colors and shapes! Make it fun buy taping poster boards to the floor. This is also awesome for sight words. 

Slow-Cooker Cheesy Butternut Squash and Tortellini Soup by Betty Crocker

Ingredients

1

small sweet onion, finely diced

2

cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped

1

Honeycrisp or Granny Smith apple, finely diced

3

cups cubed butternut squash

2

carrots, chopped

2

cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)

3/4

cup whole milk or heavy cream

1

can (12 oz) beer (I used pumpkin beer)

1/2

teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1/2

teaspoon dried rosemary leaves

1/2

teaspoon each salt and pepper

10

oz cheese tortellini

1 1/2

cups shredded fontina cheese (6 oz)

1/2

cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (2 oz)

4

oz crumbled blue cheese, if desired

Directions

• 1Spray or grease 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Add onion, garlic, apple, squash, carrots, chicken broth, milk, beer, crushed red pepper flakes, rosemary, salt and pepper.
• 2Cover; cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours or High heat setting 2 to 4 hours. Squash should be tender.
• 3Transfer soup to blender; puree until smooth. Return to slow cooker.
• 4Add tortellini and cheeses; stir to combine. Cover; cook on High heat setting about 10 minutes or until tortellini is soft.
• 5Ladle into bowls; garnish with extra cheese, if desired. Serve with crusty bread.

Best Tips for Helping New Moms

From www.citymomsblog.com

1. Call in route: Ask if they need anything, better yet tell them you’re already at the store, even if you’re not. No excuses. Start spouting off suggestions and pull it out of them; paper towels, toilet paper, batteries, double chocolate with caramel center filled cookies? The important things.

2. Clean: just start cleaning, everything. Even when they tell you to stop. Pick-up and organize the mail, do the dishes, vacuum, do the laundry. An even better idea if you’re really hoping for that godparent role: arrange a cleaning service to come over while they’re in the hospital. You’re welcome.

3. Don’t overstay your welcome: When you come bearing gifts, cleaning and anything else I have on this last, it could appear that you’re there for the long haul and you just didn’t pull your sleeping bag out of the car yet. Be mindful that babies have schedules and new nursing mamas may need privacy while feeding. So, keep a flexible schedule, don’t rush mom and baby, but be ready to leave if they feel uncomfortable.

4. MOST IMPORTANTLY: Bring a gift. Duh, don’t arrive empty handed. Do you go to party with a gift for the host? You should. Same concept except this is the best party ever to new parents! **ALERT: Genius gift ideas. Everyone has different interests, but no matter who you’re visiting, at least one of these can apply!**

• Caddy: For what? So they have a mobile bucket for important baby and mom stuff. If you feel weird bringing an empty caddy, fill it with a bottle of water, hair brush, hair ties, tissues (post-partum hormone tears), chapstick and health food bars. Once you arrive add some diapers and a pack of wipes they’ve chosen to use. This is especially helpful if an unexpected cesarian happened and they’re not prepared at home. Midwives orders: (something you won’t hear your Dr. tell you) Mom technically shouldn’t move much for two weeks after giving birth to allow the placenta wound to heel. If you saw the size of that wound on the outside of her belly you wouldn’t want her to move either. All the more reason for this caddy.
• Flowers: Okay, this is very faux pas and unoriginal, but as new parents your house might not be up to par and a pot of flowers can make all the difference. Plus it’s soothing and makes you feel special. At least bring them as an extra gift. I had a friend bring flowers from Fresh Market (in Tampa off Henderson). These are seriously The.Prettiest.Bouquets.Ever.
• Food: Bring the ever popular homemade frozen dinner they can pop in the oven or crockpot. Want to be creative? Create a gift basket with a DVD or Netflix gift card (you can buy them at Target), movie popcorn, chocolate, twizzlers, any kind of sugary goodness that will help them stay up all night with their newborn.
• Sweets: Not just any sweets. I’m adding this because I had a couple girlfriends bring me handmade macaroons. Heck yes, that was awesome! Anything hand-made, hand-crafted, hand-bought by someone else just tastes that much sweeter.
• Beer, Wine and Spirits: No one likes to make a beer run, especially a new dad. Okay maybe he might need to run away for a bit, but start him off in good spirits. And breastfeeding mamas need that brewers yeast! Plan to make a toast or accompany the drinks with pizza (but be mindful of #3).
• Mom-to-Mom: Literally, these are only gifts moms would understand and not feel embarrassed giving another mom because no one told you how imperative these necessities are; Soothing gel pads for the nips (heaven!), extra large maxi-pads, large granny panties to eventually trash later, nipple cream, breast-pump accessories, milk bags, a new set of PJs or lounge pants, a pedicure gift certificate…because we all know she needs it, or if you’re the nice one, a massage gift certificate.

5. Offer random help: Send a text in the middle of the day and ask if she needs to do anything on her own, like take a shower. This is for the mom that’s happy to be able to relinquish her baby to you while she takes a shower, a nap or anything to feel a little bit normal. If you were too busy cleaning during your first visit, this may be your breakthrough. Selfish? Maybe. Helpful? Yes!

6. Ask Mom those personal questions (more for that mom-to-mom or therapist friend): How are you really feeling? Do you really feel okay with how your labor went? How’s breastfeeding going, do you need any guidance? If needed, be the greatest mind reader and ask if you can hire a lactation consultant to come over. Major bonus points.  

7.Last but not least, the obvious, the ONE thing that everyone should do even if you live in a germ-free bubble; wash your hands. This isn’t the most comforting phrase to ask your guests as they walk through your door so just take the initiative. Then tell them you washed your hands after you’ve been granted permission to hold the delicate fruit of their loins. It’s comforting and they’ll thank you for it.

8 Apps Elementary Kids Will Love!

Check this site for the full decriptions and links!

http://www.howipinchapenny.com/2014/01/8-apps-my-elementary-school-aged-kids-love/#_a5y_p=3165382

10 Easy Weekday Meals

From http://whatsgabycooking.com/10-easy-weeknight-meals/#.UhtoFWTwJrU&_a5y_p=1492969

Lemon Pudding Cake

INGREDIENTS

• ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1½ cups of white granulated sugar
• 1 package of jello lemon pie filling (small packet, equals 4 cups or servings)
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon zest
• 4 eggs
• 1¼ cup whole milk
• ⅓ cup canola oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease and flour a standard Bundt pan.(the 12 cup capacity)
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt then set aside.
3. Using an electric mixer on medium speed with a paddle attachment, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.Add in the lemon pie filling mix and combine thoroughly.
4. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, making sure each is thoroughly incorporated.
5. Mix in the lemon zest.
6. Combine the milk, oil and vanilla extract in a large measuring cup or bowl.
7. Starting with the dry ingredients, alternate pouring a third of the wet and dry ingredients into the bowl, incorporating thoroughly after each addition. You will end on the wet ingredients. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes after the last addition.
8. Pour the cake batter into the prepared Bundt pan and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a tester inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
9. Invert the cake onto a baking rack to cool.
10. Frost with Lemon Buttercream Icing when the cake has completely cooled and sprinkle lemon zest over the icing if wanted.

Intentional Investment in Marriage

"I'm convinced the number one cause of divorce is not adultery, financial problems, or irreconcilable difference. Those are most often symptoms of a deeper problem. While these problems might be real, I believe there is a bigger issue. The most common issue I see with couples who are struggling in marriage is a lack of intentional investment in their marriage. While it's a fair debate of which comes first — did someone lose interest so they lost intention or did someone lose intention so they lost interest — either way there is a key idea:

We can influence our feelings by intentionally investing in our marriage"

 .. for more of this article click here

This article was originally published on Kevin A. Thompson's blog. 

MLK Day Activities Part 1

MLK Peace Walk at Hope United Methodist Church in Southfield - More Info. 

Jan 19, 2015 

FREE

Hope United Methodist Church
26275 Northwestern Highway
Southfield, MI

Now in its 30th year, this event celebrates the life of a national hero. 

Cycling for Civil Rights at Mcgregor Memorial Conference Center in Detroit - more info Jan 19, 2015  FREE Mcgregor Memorial Conference Center 495 Ferry Mall Detroit, MI Celebrate the legacy of MLK Jr. with Tour de Troit on a 10-mile bike ride that visits sites relevant to activism. Registration required.  Rally and March for Jobs, Peace & Justice at Marygrove College in Detroit For more info contact BBeesley@Marygrove.edu or click here Jan 19, 2015 FREE The rally and march for “Jobs, Peace & Justice” in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day will be followed by a panel discussion on making communities a better place. Bring the Dream to Life at the Detroit Historical Museum - more info Jan 19, 2015 FREE Presented in partnership with the Detroit Historical Society’s Black Historic Sites Committee, Bring the Dream to Life is a special celebration of the 86th birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

MLK at the Wright!

Jan 19, 2015

The 15th annual MLK Day Commemorative Breakfast commences the day’s events with great food, followed by a packed program of speakers, music and dance performances. tickets here for $35.00

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren Ave.
Detroit, MI

Jan 19, 2015

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is The Wright Museum's busiest day of the year - and with good reason! It's an exciting day of celebration that includes children's workshops, arts and crafts, musical performances, storytelling, video tributes, special displays of MLK and Coretta Scott King artifacts, and much, much more! Special events include the Unknown Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King: A Youth Dialogue On Race, Culture, & Detroit Identity presented Public Allies Metro Detroit, and a free premier film screening and discussion of the 2014 documentary, "Al Helm (The Dream): Martin Luther King in Palestine" presented in partnership with the Arab American National Museum. Also opening will be the museum's newest exhibition, Shadow Matter: The Rhythm of Structure – Afro Futurism to Afro Surrealism, which features the works of New York sculptor and Inkster, Michigan native M. Scott Johnson. Johnson studied under master artisans in Zimbabwe and has been strongly influenced by African American techno music, Ndyuka and Saramaka graphic art forms, Japanese-American artist Isamu Noguchi, and Makonde sculpture.

All activities and exhibitions are included in museum admission, which is $8 for adults (ages 13 +), $5 for seniors (62 +) and youth (ages 3 - 12), and free for museum members and children under 3. Please consider purchasing a museum membership, which provides free admission for an entire year. Memberships are available for purchase on site. For more information call (313) 494-5800 or visit www.TheWright.org. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration is made possible by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Celebrate a full day at the Wright with related arts, crafts, music, stories, video tributes, artifacts and more. 

More Info!

Banana Pudding Poke Cake

From www.thecountrycook.net

This is made without slices of bananas, however, you could certainly add those on there if you like. My husband and I decided we would just add some freshly sliced bananas right on top of our individual pieces of cake which turned out to be a delicious idea.   If I had put them on the cake while I was making it, they would have turned brown within a day. It also makes the cake really pretty if you serve the individual slices with a bit of sliced banana and a Nilla Wafer on the side. 

Ingredients:

1  box yellow cake mix

ingredients needed to make cake (eggs, oil & water)

2 (3.4 oz.) packages instant banana pudding

4 cups milk

1 (8 oz.) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed

20 vanilla wafers, crushed

 Directions:

Prepare cake mix according to package directions for a 9x13 cake.

Once cake comes out of the oven, allow it to cool for just a couple of minutes.

Then, with a wooden spoon handle or some other similarly-sized object, begin poking 

holes in the cake.

 You want the holes to be fairly big so that the pudding has plenty of room to get down  in there. Be sure to poke right down to the bottom of the cake.

 In a bowl,whisk together instant pudding with 4 cups milk. Stir until all the lumps are gone. Let pudding sit for just about 2 minutes so it has just slightly begun to thicken but not fully set, it should still be easily pourable. 

 Pour pudding over cake. Taking care to get it into the holes as much as possible.

 Spread it all out and using the back of the spoon gently push pudding down into the holes.

 Put the pudding into the fridge to set and cool.

Once your cake has completely cooled, spread on whipped topping.

 If you haven't done so already, crush your vanilla wafers.

I just place mine in a ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin.

Leave some of the pieces big. It's nice to have a bit of a crunch when you eat the cake.

 Spread crushed wafers onto the top of the cake. 

You can do this part immediately before serving the cake if you like. 

This will ensure the wafers are crunchy when you serve it. 

I think this cake gets more delicious over time.

To me, it's even better the next day so it's a great dessert to make ahead of time.

Serve with freshly sliced bananas. Keep refrigerated.

Read more at http://www.thecountrycook.net/2012/06/banana-pudding-poke-cake.html#0TwwU6kPbRK4ERfo.99