Make a batch of cookies, some brownies or a cake and put it in the freezer. Next time you're having a bad day or it's been "One of Those Days" with the kids, pull it out, defrost and serve on china plates (if age appropriate.)
Sweets can't heal all our ills, but they sure can help turn a bad day around.
P.S. In order for this to work you need to make the goodies sometime when the kids are napping, after bedtime or while they're at soccer practice. If they know that something yummy is in the freezer they will be asking for it (in more ways than one.)
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
The Little Things
I have a bit of an obsession with coffee mugs. I like to buy mugs and display them on black shelves in my kitchen. But not just any mugs, they have to fall into the "really-spiffy-looking-that-would-match-my-kitchen-perfectly-I-can-see -myself-sipping-a-hot-scrumptious-drink-from-that-curled-up-on-a-crisp-fall-day" category for me to buy it. Most of my mugs are black and of different shapes and sizes, some have black outside and bright colors on the inside, many are from Pier 1 (love that store!) some only cost a dollar and one is handmade from Campbell Pottery.
I find that having carefully selected these mugs makes them more enjoyable to use. As homemakers we need to make our lives and the lives of those around us richer and more full of beauty. Drinking tea, coffee, or cocoa from a beautiful mug is one way I enrich my family's lives.
It's the little things that make the biggest differences: Water goblets for a regular family dinner, cloth napkins instead of paper ones, plush throw pillows scattered on the sofa to cuddle up with while watching a movie, softly lighted floor lamps to add coziness to a room, a small bouquet of flowers in a vase, a scented candle- all these things add a richness and "homey" feeling to our houses.
The little touches will look different for each home, but the important thing is to make it a priority to include these little things in your daily life. Perhaps it would be good to splurge on some fancy wine glasses to enjoy wine in after a stressful day. (Or even check out the dollar stores. Some of my favorite glassware has come from dollar stores.) What about some nicer table linens? Make your home an enjoyable place to be. Whether you do it for your family or just to enjoy by yourself, you won't regret it.
I find that having carefully selected these mugs makes them more enjoyable to use. As homemakers we need to make our lives and the lives of those around us richer and more full of beauty. Drinking tea, coffee, or cocoa from a beautiful mug is one way I enrich my family's lives.
It's the little things that make the biggest differences: Water goblets for a regular family dinner, cloth napkins instead of paper ones, plush throw pillows scattered on the sofa to cuddle up with while watching a movie, softly lighted floor lamps to add coziness to a room, a small bouquet of flowers in a vase, a scented candle- all these things add a richness and "homey" feeling to our houses.
The little touches will look different for each home, but the important thing is to make it a priority to include these little things in your daily life. Perhaps it would be good to splurge on some fancy wine glasses to enjoy wine in after a stressful day. (Or even check out the dollar stores. Some of my favorite glassware has come from dollar stores.) What about some nicer table linens? Make your home an enjoyable place to be. Whether you do it for your family or just to enjoy by yourself, you won't regret it.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Cute Centerpiece
You can make a really cute centerpiece for a child's birthday party. Take a nice picture of the child and blow it up to an 8 by 10 size (or bigger.) Then glue it to some thin cardboard (I used a shirt box) and cut it out. 
For the stand, you could either leave some cardboard at the bottom and fold it under or you could cut out more cardboard and fold it into an "L" shape and glue or tape it to the back. I used the first method and then reinforced it.
Lily really liked seeing herself on the table and grandparents seem to love these, too. (I made two of these and one went home with Grandma and Grandpa G.)
For the stand, you could either leave some cardboard at the bottom and fold it under or you could cut out more cardboard and fold it into an "L" shape and glue or tape it to the back. I used the first method and then reinforced it.
Lily really liked seeing herself on the table and grandparents seem to love these, too. (I made two of these and one went home with Grandma and Grandpa G.)
Clarification
Just to clarify: A Creative Domestic Manager is not necessarily a stay-at-home mom. Anyone who is a homemaker falls into this category. You can have a job out of the home or be homeschooling a dozen kids or you could live alone or be enjoying an empty nest or whatever and still be a homemaker. A homemaker is anyone who takes a house, apartment, college dorm room, hotel room, tent, RV, lean-to, etc. and makes it a home.
Just wanted to make that clear.
Just wanted to make that clear.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Welcome!
Welcome to my new blog, A Dash of This, A Smidgeon of That. I'm going to be sharing some of my favorite recipes, decorating ideas, cleaning tips and organizing suggestions. (Okay, that last one was a joke. What do I know about organization?)
I'd love it if you CDMs out there contributed your ideas, etc., too. Either leave it as a comment or email me and I'll post it for all to see.
Let the fun begin!
Simple Apple Butter Recipe
from "Dining on a Dime Cookbook" by Tawra Kellam and Jill Cooper
9-10 apples, cored, peeled and chopped
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. cloves
1/8 tsp. salt
Place everything into a crockpot. Stir, cover and cook on high 1 hour. Cook on low 9-11 hours or until thick and dark brown. Stir occasionally. Uncover and cook on low 1 hour longer. Stir with whisk until smooth. Refrigerate or freeze. Makes 2 pints.
I'd love it if you CDMs out there contributed your ideas, etc., too. Either leave it as a comment or email me and I'll post it for all to see.
Let the fun begin!
Simple Apple Butter Recipe
from "Dining on a Dime Cookbook" by Tawra Kellam and Jill Cooper
9-10 apples, cored, peeled and chopped
2 cups sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. cloves
1/8 tsp. salt
Place everything into a crockpot. Stir, cover and cook on high 1 hour. Cook on low 9-11 hours or until thick and dark brown. Stir occasionally. Uncover and cook on low 1 hour longer. Stir with whisk until smooth. Refrigerate or freeze. Makes 2 pints.
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