Monthly Archives: December 2012

Dec 28 2012

Austin, Year 4, Day 144: How to Clean the Boy Bathroom

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As a few of you may know, my dad, step-mom and aunt are coming to visit.  Yes, I am super excited.  And I am also wanting this place super clean.

I was raised to be a bit of a neat freak, but I try to balance that with my kids’ need to be kids.  I don’t like things to be dirty or cluttered, but I don’t like to constantly nag my kids (or husband), either.  Yes, there are times when my living room looks like a tornado went through it (like when all five kiddos are working on different projects).  But with a regular cleaning routine and a little bit of elbow grease, even a house with five kids doesn’t have to be dirty.  Messy at times, but not dirty.

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Dec 26 2012

Austin, Year 4, Day 142: 4 Steps to Awesome Hair

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I’m the first to admit that my hair isn’t always at its finest.  I mean, come on.  Most moms totally get this.  And Texas water is….wow.  Just wow.  The hard water here has been really well, uh, hard on my hair.  It’s getting better, so maybe my hair is adjusting.  (I don’t even know if that’s possible.)

Anyway, despite my hair troubles, my daughters have beautiful, thick healthy hair.  I wish they would actually keep it brushed and let me braid it or something, but…  I will say they are doing better.  Especially the littlest one.  We brush her hair at least four times a day and it is always tangled.  Always.  But lately, she has been a little more agreeable to the brushing.  :)

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Dec 10 2012

Recipe Contest

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Hey everyone!

This semester is over (finished my first final today), and I only have to go part-time next semester to finish up!  And then, FINALLY, I will graduate!!  WOOHOO!!!!

Now, I need some of your ideas.  Some food ideas, to be specific.  We are looking for your favorite FRUGAL recipes to get us through my last semester of law school (and with the legal job market, maybe through a few months or so after graduation…).

So, please head on over to our Facebook page, “like” our page, and enter our recipe contest.

The prize?  Why, soap (of course)!  We will sample each and every dish suggested (as long as it is CHEAP) and then choose our family’s favorite.  The winner will receive a $20 credit to our online store.  (Good toward anything in the store.)

And if you aren’t a big “Facebooker,” go ahead and share your recipe in the comments below.  Either way is fine with me.  :)

YAY!

Dec 6 2012

Treat Thursday: Cranberry Bread

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This is kinda cheating because we actually made the bread yesterday, but I’m not sure we are going to make anything today, so let’s just say it counts.

Here’s the bread:

Yeah, it was yum.  And if you’d like to make some of your own, here’s the recipe:

Cranberry Bread

2 c. flour

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 c. fresh cranberries

3/4 c. orange juice

1/4 c. vegetable oil

1 egg

 

Stir together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Add in the cranberries and stir to coat.  In a separate bowl, mix the orange juice, vegetable oil, and egg.  When well mixed, add to dry mixture.  Mix just until combined.  (You don’t want to overmix quick breads.)

Pour into a GREASED 9 x 5 loaf pan or 3 mini-loaf pans.  You might want to line your pans with waxed or parchment paper.  (It helped me…)  Bake for 60-70 minutes at 350.

And then, with your leftover cranberries, you can make a cranberry-popcorn garland for the tree.

Dec 5 2012

Sail: A Christmas Tale REVIEW

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My friend’s husband just wrote this new book, so I thought I’d check it out and share it with you.

Sail: A Christmas Tale

We are only through chapter 2, but can’t wait to read more about Sail, Pelo, and Pearl!  I encourage you to hurry over to Amazon and pick up this great read for only 99 cents!!  What we’ve already read and enjoyed is well worth the price!!

(Note: This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy here.)