gone visiting, now back home again.

I have been out of town. Ken had a board meeting in the cities so we all chose to ride along and visit my sister Anna and her family. It was a quick trip, driving down after Ken got off work on Wednesday and then home again after supper on Thursday. The kids had a lot of fun playing together as always. Below is a picture of my two oldest and her two oldest. They are our stair steps with each of them being 11 months apart.

It was my 30 birthday yesterday so everybody celebrated with me. Ken had sneakily brought gifts along for me. (He is the best husband I know of for never forgetting a special occasion and giving me something. I am very blessed!) Anna's family also remembered my birthday.

Mara and Margaret worked together and made a cake for me. It turned out wonderful! Anna helped a little with the frosting. Anna invited some of our friends, Patrick and Corrine (and girls) over for supper. We had a great time visiting together.

Ken took this picture and was quite pleased that he got it just while I was blowing. He did great on the timing but I think I look a little silly. 30 years old!!! I think that seems about middle aged, oh well, I feel pretty much like I just graduated from high school, until I realize that I am a Mom to an 8 year old and 3 other kids.

I have had so many things that I wanted to blog about, but so little time. I am thinking I may do a lot of blogging this evening. Ken took the older 3 to a hockey game and so it is just Megan and I here and it is almost time for her to go to bed (She has been just playing quietly by me, every little bit I have to put together a lego piece for her or help her with her drawing.)

We thought about going to the hockey game too as we usually like to do stuff like that together but Ken had decided to go on the spur of the moment and I was already feeling chilly (and a hockey game isn't warm!), I had planned on working on an estimate for a bridal floral customer (I did that already now), and I didn't feel like making Megan sit still for the 2nd night in a row (for some reason while traveling last night she got tired of being in her seat) and since we had been together most of the day yesterday, I stayed home where now I can blog to my hearts content!!

Works for me Wednesday ~ A quick supper

Today is a themed day for Works-for-me-Wednesday over at Rocks in my dryer. She asked us to post about what we would make for supper if it is late, everybody is hungry and there is not much in the cupboards. So here is our family's quick and easy supper:

Tuna Melts

To make them you need Bread (I like to use our homemade whole wheat bread that I try to always have on hand but regular store bought bread is fine as well), Tuna Salad (made from a drained, canned tuna, mayonnaise to moisten and Chopped up dill pickle or onion or both), and Cheese (either sliced or shredded is fine).

Take a cookie sheet and lay as many pieces of bread on as desired, spread tuna salad on top, then put cheese on top of that. Place in oven that is turned on to broil. Leave in until the cheese is melted as much as you desire (you might want it just melted or you might like it a tiny bit brown on the top). It only takes a few minutes so watch them carefully. Pull them out when done and you are ready to eat! Our whole family likes this a bunch and it is super easy and quick!

We like to eat this with popcorn and sliced apples.

What are you favorite quick meals? Be sure to check out all the other ideas at works-for-me-Wednesday.

Frugal Gift # 7 ~ Scarves

A fun gift to receive and a fairly simple one to make is a scarf. There are many different types of scarves to make, here are some of the ones we have done at our house:

~Last year I made Mara this scarf with a fun fur yarn. I actually used one strand of the novelty yarn and one of a regular yarn to make it warmer. I was able to use up some old regular line and it pretty much didn't show. Mara likes the soft and fuzzy so this was a hit with her. I have found this yarn lately at Dollar Tree and our other Dollar store, that makes a scarf pretty economical. For this scarf you just cast on around 20 stitches and then knit a row, flip over and pearl a row. Keep taking turns until you reach the desired length.

~ This next scarf is actually one that was given to us. This is the simplest scarf to make. Simply cut a strip from a piece of fleece in the size desired and then cut fringes on the ends. For this scarf they did make a little not on each of the fringes.

~ The next one is one that Jonathan made for Mara a couple of years ago. I like to have the kids make gifts for the others, they like it as well as it is fun to give to others. It is made out of a piece of wool that we had on hand. It is made pretty much the same way as the fleece one.

~ This next one I made last year. It was a fun experiment as I made it out of some old t-shirts. I cut them into 1/2 inch strips and then using fairly big needles I knit the scarf. I had fun using the cable - small wheatear as part of the scarf.

There are tons of neat scarf patterns online. Check out the links below:

Here are 10 easy scarves you can knit at Better Homes and Gardens

Brooke's column of leaves scarf (very pretty).

Lists and schedules

I had mentioned that part of the way I stay organized (at least somewhat) is by having a job list and schedule for the kids and I. It was requested that I share them so here they are.



Monthly Jobs

Clean Oven~
Scrub Tub and Shower~
*Clean Crack in Table~
Clean Fridge~
*Clean Silverware drawer~
*Clean Baking drawer~
*Clean Serving Spoons Drawer~
*Clean Junk Drawer~
*Clean Toaster~
*Clean Bathroom Drawers~
Clean Laundry Room~
Plan Menu~
Take Recycling~
Clean Van~
*Clean out Purse~
*Go through Coupons~
Cut families Hair~
Change Kid’s Sheets~
Cut Kid’s nails~
(jobs with * are quick and easy and can be done while talking on the phone.)
Seasonal Jobs

Clean out Kitchen Cupboards~
Wash Cupboard Doors~
Clean Fan~
Clean Light fixtures~
*Clean Telephone~
Wash shower curtain~
Wash throw Rugs~
Clean Bathroom Cupboards~
Polish Piano and other furniture~
Clean Boy’s closet and Drawers~
Clean Girl’s Closet and Drawers~
Clean My Closet and Drawers~
Polish shoes~
Yearly:
Clean out Freezers * Clean on top of Cupboards * Wash Curtains * Wash windows (outside)

Here is our day by day list of jobs and activities going on. I also have a breakfast idea for each day so that if I don't have something else planned and can quick look at that and know what to make. Some of this list is outdated, I haven't gotten around to noting a few schedule changes, but it still gives you an idea. We don't necessarily get all of this done. Things will come up and we are not a slave to the schedule. Also sometimes we don't have the energy to do everything. These are our goals however. I don't have anything listed for Sunday as that is the day we go to church and then do fun or restful activities. We do as little work as possible usually.

Monday
Scrambled Eggs and Toast

~Sweep Bathroom
~Do Laundry
include Towels, Aprons & Washcloths
~Dust Dining and Kitchen
~Clean Counter top
~Scour Sink
~Clean Appliance doors
~Clean Microwave
~Clean Range top
~Clean Phone Table
~Mop
~Vacuum L.R.

Lunch Bible Study

~Practice Violin

Teach Frasers


Tuesday
Pancakes or French Toast

~Sweep Bathroom
~Clean Entryway and coat closet
~Vacuum Downstairs
~Water Plants
~Work on Weekly, Seasonally and Yearly chores
~Practice Violin and Piano

Teach CJ

Bathe Kids
~Clean Bathroom


Wednesday
Fried Eggs and Hashbrowns

~Sweep Bathroom

Watch Schuellers

~Bake
~Empty Garbage
~Clean my Desk
~Dust Bedroom
~Vacuum
~Mend
~Practice Cello and Piano




Church


Thursday
Oatmeal, Toast and Yogurt

~Sweep Bathroom
~Do Laundry include Sheets and Diapers
~Run Errands if needed
~Write Letters
~Practice Violin


Family Night

Bathe Kids
~Clean Bathroom


Friday
Fried Eggs and Toast

~Sweep Bathroom
~Clean Downstairs Bathroom
~Wash Window Frames
~Dust Pictures
~Vacuum L.R.
~Practice Violin and Cello
~Help Boys clean Room
~Call a Friend


Saturday
Waffles or Biscuit and Gravy

~Sweep Bathroom
~Get milk at dairy
~Help Mara clean her room
~Exercise Outside
~Practice Piano


Bathe kids
~Clean Bathroom

Here is the kids list. This was made when Mara was 7, Jonathan 5 and Aaron 3. This list has been very nice for them. Mara will check it herself and the boys will ask what is on it. They do do other jobs as well but like it best if it is on their list. This list doesn't include normal things that they do such as Make their bed, brush their teeth, pick up toys and straighten their room each day.
Monday

Mara
~Set lunch table
~Empty dishwasher
~Empty Vacuum

Jonathan
~Set supper table
~Sweep floor after supper
~Empty Compost bucket
~fold wash cloths, rags and napkins

Aaron
~Set breakfast table
~Wash chairs
~Dust entry way and boy’s room


Tuesday

Mara
~Sweep floor after supper
~Dust family room and your room
~Set lunch table

Jonathan
~Empty dishwasher
~Wash stairway wall
~Set supper table

Aaron
~Wash hallway wall
~Set breakfast table


Wednesday

Mara
~Empty Dishwasher
~Empty compost bucket
~Set lunch table

Jonathan
~sweep floor after supper
~wash heater vents
~Set supper table

Aaron
~Set breakfast table
~Scrub range top


Thursday

Mara
~Set lunch table
~Sweep floor after supper
~fold diapers

Jonathan
~empty dishwasher
~Wash light switches
~Set supper table

Aaron
~Wash kitchen trash can
~Set breakfast table
~fold napkins


Friday

Mara
~Empty dishwasher
~Sweep Porch
~Set lunch table

Jonathan
~Scrub range top
~Super clean room
~Empty compost bucket
~Set supper table
~Sweep floor after supper

Aaron
~Set breakfast table
~Wash door knobs
~Super clean room


Saturday

Mara
~Super clean room
~Set lunch table
~Sweep floor after supper

Jonathan
~Empty dishwasher
~Set supper table

Aaron
~Set breakfast table

What is your view on schedules and lists? Do you use them? Like them? Hate them? Tell me what you think!

Frugal Gift # 6 ~ Decorated notebook and drawing supplies

An easy, fun and economical gift is a decorated notebook. We usually buy them when they go on sale for 10 cents and then have them on hand for whenever needed. For this particular gift I covered the front with blue felt (using hot glue) and then put a yellow star with a Z for Zachery (the recipient) on it. I have also have decorated notebooks using colored foamies ( One foamie for the back and then others cut to whatever shape we desired and glued on.) For this gift we also included a container with stickers, pencils, a fancy pen and markers. These sort of things can be picked up very inexpensively when school supplies go on sale.
For Zachery, Mara also made this little bag to hold a small game. A bag like this could also be used to hold the drawing supplies.
If you have posted about gift ideas lately, I would love to know about it. Or just let me know what you have been making, I love new ideas.
To see more of my gift ideas go here.