The Best Part of Fall

My favorite part of fall is the trip to the pumpkin patch. We go through an amazing tour at Paynter's Market and the kids get to learn about different fruit trees, pick gourds, feed llamas, and enjoy a snack picked from the fruit field. The cool crisp air and the beautiful colors surrounding you makes it a picture perfect event and one that the whole family can enjoy!

You should check out your local pumpkin patch to see what kind of tour you can take with your family. It is a very memorable experience.

School Yard Catastrophe

 

A sweet little twinkle in her eye and an adorable little personality my daughter is just like me when I was little. So far for her preschool has been a breeze and she has been going by with no conflict or crisis. That being said the following story is not about her, it is about me.

 

When I went into Kindergarten (first day) I was sweet and innocent just like my daughter, with a secret that nobody knew. That secret was that nobody messes with me and gets away with it, I had a mean right hook. As I was playing on the playground minding my own business I could see on the other side of the playground my brother being picked on by an older girl. Well I took my tiny little fists all clenched up and marched right on over there to tell he to leave him alone. I had my word with the girl and don't remember what was said, but the next part is fresh in my mind. An older boy came into the scene and decided to taunt me by calling me a "Kindergarten Baby" he was saying it over and over with a cruel voice. As I got angry I warned him to stop and I remember it clear as day, but he kept doing it. Finally when I had enough I clenched my fist as hard as I could and swung at his face like my life depended on it. He dropped like a sack of potatoes, with his nose dripping blood all over his pants.

 

All I remember after that s being grabbed by the principal and of course that upset me so I began crying and yelling "I warned him to stop!" First day of Kindergarten and I was in the principals office with my mother one her way. Now that is a School Yard Catastrophe!

Fall Traditions

Fall is the most beautiful season and I think it may be my favorite season of all. The beautiful colors of the leaves slowly changing into bright yellows, firey reds, and brilliant orange as well as the cool air slowly creeping up to tell you that winter is not far away, it makes me happy and reminds me of so many nice things.

 

Some of my favorite fall activities include:

• nature walks
• fall crafts
• baking cookies
• making homemade soup
• going to the pumpkin patch
• visiting the fall fair
• having thanksgiving dinner
• making apple pie and pumpkin pie
• choosing costumes for Halloween
• watching Halloween movies
• and finally begin Christmas preparations

What kinds of things do you do in the fall?

Lovable Labels Spooktacular Weekend Sale

 

 

Lovable Labels is having a fantastic 3 day sale this weekend where you can save $10 off any purchase of $25 and up by using coupon code SPOOKY2014.  The sale goes from September 19 to the 21st at midnight.

 

 

These wonderful Halloween items are only available for a limited time so grab them while you can. While your there check out all of their other amazing products!

http://www.lovablelabels.ca/newproducts.aspx

 

All Natural Microwave Cleaner

This is one of my favorite cleaning jobs in my kitchen because it is so simple, thanks to this easy method I have perfected. I wrote this post over a year ago and thought it needed to be brought back to life.

You will need:

• small bowl
• lemon juice
• baking soda
• hot water
• scrubber or sponge
• dry rag

 

First add 2 Tbsp of baking soda to your bowl.

 

Then add 1 1/2 Tbsp of lemon juice to the baking soda.

 

Your going to activate the baking soda, its going to bubble almost to the top. Let the bubbles settle and then add 1 cup of hot water to your bowl.

 

This is what my microwave looked like before.

 

It's hard to see but I promise its dirty.

 

See. Ewwwwww. And this food has been cooked on for a while so it is tough to get off at this point.

 

Now put the bowl in the microwave for 2 mins. If it boils over that's fine your going be scrubbing it anyways. Once its done take the bowl out and dump it in the sink. Get scrubbing! Since the lemon juice steamed inside the microwave it will be super easy to wipe down. 

 

And here is the end result. Spotless!

 

Looks great doesn't it!

 

So clean it shines!

Swapoween Time

 

I have signed up for one of my favorite swaps and am very excited to be a part of it again this year, aside from the Christmas swap this is my favorite one. Last year I got a ton of awesome Halloween goodies from my swap partner and you can check out the post here:

http://www.funkyfrugalmommy.com/2013/10/swapoween-reveal.html

 

If you want to join in on the fun then click the awesome pumpkin button above and sign up. You will have a blast I promise and make a new friend in the process.

Recap: Leftover Cereal Pancakes

Having leftover cereal isn't a bad thing and I wrote this post last year on leftover cereal pancakes to prove it. In the past year I have been experimenting with other leftover cereal recipes and I have come up with a few different ideas for you to try:

• use in parfaits with yogurt
• less sugary cereal as chicken & pork breading
• grind it t powder and use in place of some flour in recipes
• works well in pie crusts made with equal parts cereal and graham crackers
• added to ice cream in a sundae as well as used in the making of ice cream as an add in

What ideas can you come up with for leftover cereal? Enjoy the pancake recipe below!

Leftover Cereal Pancakes:
1/2 cup flour
1 cup leftover cereal
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 cups milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
3 tbsp melted butter

I have a hard time getting my kids to eat as healthy as I would like them to, by making my pancakes with the addition of whole wheat cereal I have kicking around I can sneak in some additional nutrients and use up those pesky leftover bits of cereal that aren't quite enough for a full bowl. 

Directions

1. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar then add ground up leftover cereal. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk, egg, vanilla and melted butter; mix until smooth.
   
   
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. I use my ice cream scoop to make the perfect sized pancakes. Brown on both sides and serve hot.
   
   
3. You can add fruit to these as an additional treat, blueberries would be lovely.

 

 

Chocolate Zucchini Cake!

You know that kind of chocolate cake that is so moist and delicious it just melts in your mouth and makes you feel warm and fuzzy all over? That is what this cake does for you. Anyone who gardens or has been visiting the local farmers markets has probably noticed the giant zucchini's that have been on the shelves and when you look at them your probably thinking "what the heck am I going to do with that"? The first thing that pops in my mind is chocolate cake! And from now on when you see them you will to because this is the most fantastic chocolate cake ever!

I received a giant zucchini from a friend of mine and it was about 2 feet long and just under 5 pounds. So I grated this thing down and used over 2 cups of it in my cake, the rest was fed to the ducks and chickens and some in the compost pile, talk about a bountiful vegetable. Now here is the super simple recipe:

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tbsp vanilla
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 5 tbsps cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 - 3 cups grated zucchini
•  chocolate chips or nuts (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cream together margarine and sugar, add oil, eggs, vanilla, sour cream  and beat well.

2. In a separate bowl mix all the dry ingredients together. Combine the dry and wet mixtures and mix until blended well.

3. Fold in the zucchini and any other optional ingredients you have. Bake for about 40-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

This cake is great just by itself but frosting is always good. Here is a terrific recipe for a chocolate ganache: http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/chocolate-ganache/501885 I just used a can of frosting I bought at the store.

 You will not be able to tell there is zucchini in this cake, I promise!

Soothie Suckers Review

As parents of small kids we all know how difficult it can be to try and avoid the millions of colds our kids come into contact with every year. Kids are little germ factories with sticky fingers and boogers galore, avoiding that is pretty much impossible so the best way to help combat the problem is to try preventative measures.

Soothie suckers are pre-­measured herbal remedies for children. These proprietary herbal formulas are packaged in ice pop pouches and come in two natural flavors (grape and orange) for daily or seasonal consumption.  These formulas help support the immune system and the upper respiratory system. Delicious and nutritious all natural  remedies are the best things you can give your kids, Soothie Suckers are the answer. My kids enjoyed both flavors but the grape was their favorite and I love the fact that I am giving them something healthy that they feel is a treat, it's a win for both of us!

 You can buy them right off the website, on Amazon, or at Whole Foods and New Seasons in Portland and Seattle areas. http://www.soothiesuckers.com/where-to-buy/#

The grape ones are for Nasal Support and the orange ones are for Immune Support, both delicious and packed full of goodness. To find out more visit them here: http://www.soothiesuckers.com/our-products/