Let's Talk: Home Tips

Today I was going to take a little blogging break as we hosted our first Christmas Dinner yesterday evening and are still recovering. 

I guess my husband really had it hard making one or two items because he's still sleeping.

So, I got to thinking about home tips. 

Grab the graphic and linkup with Andrea and Erika. 

I really do love finding new tips to use in our home. 

Tip #1

I'm a bit OCD about having a clean house. 

I just can't stand clutter or dirt. 

So, my number one tip would be to put things away once you use them. 

When I get up in the morning, I make the bed. 

When I brush my teeth, I put the toothbrush and toothpaste away.

When I use my blow dryer, I fold up the cord and put it away.

When I'm done eating dinner, I wash, dry and put away the dishes. 

When I'm done with a blanket, I put it back on the basket pile.

I think the best tip to keeping a clean home it to have homes for everything and put everything back in its home when you are done. 

Tip #2

Find a detergent that works for you. 

I've used nearly every detergent known to man. 

I used to like All, but it just wasn't cutting it. 

I'm a runner and running does some serious damage to my clothes. 

I don't know why but recently when I'm done running my clothes smelled like wet dog!

# yuck! #wedon'tevenhaveadog

It disgusted me! 

Nothing else except my clothes would smell like that. 

So, I switched to OxiClean detergent and the clothes smell much better.

I wouldn't say that the smell is completely gone, but they smell much better. 

So, find a detergent that fits your family and your lifestyle.

Tip #3

If you ever have a drain that gets a little smell mix up some baking soda, water and add vinegar.

Pour a cup of boiling water down the drain. 

Add a cup of baking soda.

Pour a half cup of vinegar down the drain.

Let sit for 10 minutes.

Add another cup of boiling water.

The drain will smell much better!

I use this in the tub and bathroom sink. 

It seems to help so much!

We are off to another Christmas today!
Have a great day! I hope you're still celebrating too!

Friday Favorites: Almost Christmas!

It's the last Friday before Christmas...

eek!

I'm linking up with Andrea, Erika and Narci to celebrate this final Friday before Christ's birth!

On Monday I shared my mom and mother-in-law's unconventional gift...

A Spa Day!

Check it out here. 

What an amazing spa that was so quiet and cozy on a snowy Saturday morning.

On Tuesday I shared one of my family's tradition's/recipe's with my mom's breakfast casserole with ham...it can be made with sausage too!

On Thursday I shared some yummy Christmas treats that are super easy to make!

 This week we had a dinner party in each of my classes. 

That was definitely a favorite getting to watch my students honor another teacher in our building. 

They planned, created invitations, decorated, served and ate!
Unfortunately I can't show you that, so I will show you another cute photo...

Yesterday afternoon we ran out to our Amish Country to get some chocolate from one of their phenomenal chocolate specialty stores.
Driving down the road we saw this

Amish children ice skating on a pond.
They were having the best time zig zagging back and forth enjoying the simplicity of winter life here.
I'm actually surprised that the pond was still frozen enough, as it has warmed up a lot in the last week, that they could still skate.

I leave you with this today

Have the best Christmas!
May Christ rule in your heart always!

Christmas Treats

Today I'm sharing some easy Christmas recipes for you to make in preparation for the big day!

Growing up we always had SO many Christmas cookies.

There would be stacks and stacks of containers of goodies. 

Even though I don't eat all of the goodies, I love having a big spread for others to choose from.

Before we get to the yummy cookies, I'm going to share two great soup recipes. 

Potato Soup

11 TBSP. Butter

2/3 C. Flour

8 C. Milk

6 large potatoes, cubed

2 C. Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 C. Sour Cream

 In a large pot, melt the butter.

Whisk in the flour. 

Let butter and flour cook together for a few minutes. 

 Add in 1 C. of milk one at a time. 

Whisk the butter, flour and milk after each addition.

Let mixture cook together for a few minutes as it starts to thicken. 

Add cubed potatoes, boil. 

Reduce heat and a let simmer for a little while. 

Add in cheese and sour cream. 

Garnish with sour cream and cheese. 

Cheese Soup 

1 1/2 C. Chicken Broth

10 oz. Frozen Vegetables

1 C. potatoes

1/2 C. Milk

8 oz. Cheese Whiz or Velveeta Cubed

1 Can Cream Style Corn 

Croutons

Cube a cup of potatoes. 

You can use any potatoes. 

I used redskin potatoes from our garden this past summer!

 Add chicken broth to large pot.

 Add in frozen vegetables. 

On this day I used a 16 oz. bag, so there were lots of veggies!

 Add in potatoes and let simmer for 10 minutes.

 Add in 1/2 C. milk.

 Add cheese and cream corn. 

 Let simmer for a bit longer. 

Pour into a bowl and add some croutons.

This is a family favorite of my husband's family and the first time that I've made it!

Now onto the goodies....

Grandma's Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 C. Chocolate Chips

1/2 C. Chopped Nuts (Optional)

1/2 C. Shortening

1/2 C. Brown Sugar

1/2 C. Sugar

1 Egg (Beaten)

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

1 1/4 C. Flour

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Soda

1 T. hot water

Cream shortening

 brown sugar

 and white sugar. 

 Add beaten egg and mix. 

Then, add vanilla.

 Combine other dry ingredients in separate bowl and add half to the above mixture. 

Then, dissolve soda in hot water and put in batter.

 Add remaining dry ingredients. 

 Add chocolate chips. 

I forgo the nuts. 

Scoop onto ungreased cookie sheet.

 Bake at 350 15 minutes

Serve with a glass of milk!

These are a crunchier cookie. 

The minute I take a bite I'm transported back to my childhood. 

I promise it makes me feel like I'm a child again. 

I can even smell my grandma's home. 

These were her favorites. 

She would always say "I wish I had a nickel for every batch of chocolate chip cookies I made."

Muddy Buddies

9 Cups Chex Cereal
1 C. Chocolate Chips
1/2 C. Peanut Butter
1/4 C. Butter
1 tsp. Vanilla
2 C. Powdered Sugar
*You can find this recipe anywhere like here. 
And then you can tweak it to make it your own, like me. 

I like to use a combination of cereals.
This time I used 3 Cups of Rice

2 Cups of Vanilla

4 Cups of Rice

Pour all of the cereal into a large bowl.


I like to melt my chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter on the stove.
Add 1 C. Chocolate Chips

1/2 C. Peanut Butter

 1/4 C. Butter

 1 tsp. Vanilla

 Mix together.
Pour over Chex cereal.

Pour chocolate covered cereal into a large bag.
Add 2 Cups or more/less of powdered sugar.

Enjoy!

Peppermint Mocha Bundt Minis

1 Box Chocolate Cake Mix

2 Small Boxes Chocolate Pudding

1/2 C. Vegetable Oil

1/2 C. Water

 3/4 C. Brewed coffee, cooled

4 Eggs

1 C. chocolate chips or mint ones

4 tsp. Peppermint Extract

In mixing bowl, add chocolate cake mix.

Then, add pudding mixes.

Add in 1/2 C. Vegetable Oil, Water and Coffee cooled.
What I love about this cake is that I could pull out my Keurig, brew the coffee, cool and throw it into the cake.

Add chocolate chips and peppermint extract.

 Grease little bundt pans.
Pour cake into 1/2-3/4 way full of little bundt pans.

 You can frost the cakes, but I just added powdered sugar and everyone loved them!

 I gave these with some Bath and Body Works soap for cute coworker gifts.
Everyone thought I bought the cakes!!

If you haven't bought Mix and Match Mama's book, you need it!
Seriously!! I've baked 5 of her cakes in the past week!!
Whew! Lots of baking that's so simple and delicious.
Next week I will be sharing a dinner party that we had in my classroom.
Three bundt cakes were made for it, and my students LOVED the Oreo one!

I'm off to purchase yet another Mix and Match Cakes book to send as a last minute gift.
Every time my great aunt calls me I'm making a bundt cake.
Her curiosity is really up, so I'm treating her to the recipes! :)

Have the best day friends!
Today is my first day of Christmas Break!
#AndalltheteacherssaidAMEN!