Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here's another whole wheat cookie recipe. I promise your kids (and your husband) will love them. :) They are still cookies (so don't eat too many), but at least they have the added nutrition of whole wheat flour.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 package (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips (I used 1 cup chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped walnuts)

Directions:
1. Heat oven to 375ºF.
2. Mix sugars, butter, vanilla and egg in large bowl. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt (dough will be stiff). Stir in chocolate chips. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light brown (centers will be soft). Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.

Challah Recipe

This is a repost from back in May of 2008. I thought some of you who are new to 50s Housewife might like this recipe, plus I'm lazy today and can't come up with anything good. :) It's our last Spring like day before another cold front comes through so Mike is firing up the grill and we are going for a walk after supper. We want to enjoy the warmth while we can.

This recipe is for challah, a traditional Jewish bread. It calls for margarine or vegetable shortening to keep it kosher, but you could use butter. It is customary in Jewish homes to begin the three meals eaten during Shabbat with blessings over two loaves of challah. It is a very pretty bread and so much fun to make. This recipe makes one loaf.



1. Stir together 2 cups of flour and 1 Tablespoon yeast in a mixing bowl (or in my case, the bowl of my Kitchenaid) and set aside. In a medium saucepan, heat and stir together 1 1/4 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of sugar, 3 Tablespoons of margarine, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt just until warm (120 to 130 degrees) and margarine almost melts.


2. Add water mixture and two beaten eggs to dry mixture.

Beat on low to medium speed for 30 seconds, then on high for 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Stir in an additional 2 3/4 to 3 1/4 cups of flour and knead using dough hook. You can, of course, also turn the bread out onto a floured surface and knead by hand until the dough is smooth and elastic. Shape into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size (about an hour).


4. Punch dough down. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough into thirds. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.


5. Shape each third into an 18 inch long rope. Braid ropes and place on lightly greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place until nearly doubled (about 30 minutes). Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Brush top of braided loaf with a beaten egg white.


6. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until bread sounds hollow when you tap it. If necessary cover loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking to prevent over browning. Immediately remove bread from baking sheet. Cool on a wire rack.

Observing Lent

Listening to the Lord

But it is too easy and promotes too cheap a grace to focus only on the high points of Palm Sunday and Easter without walking with Jesus through the darkness of Good Friday, a journey that begins on Ash Wednesday. Lent is a way to place ourselves before God humbled, bringing in our hands no price whereby we can ourselves purchase our salvation. It is a way to confess our total inadequacy before God, to strip ourselves bare of all pretenses to righteousness, to come before God in dust and ashes. It is a way to empty ourselves of our false pride, of our rationalizations that prevent us from seeing ourselves as needy creatures, of our "perfectionist" tendencies that blind us to the beam in our own eye

Quoted from The Season of Lent

Our church does not formally observe Lent, but it is something I carry over from the church of my childhood. Resurrection Sunday is not as joyful and significant for me if I haven't been through the somber and serious prayer and reflection of Lent.

This year we are going to use the Lenten Lights devotionals from John Piper's Desiring God website. Seven candles are lit during the first Sunday in Lent and during the Bible reading, one candle is snuffed out (not to be lit again until Easter). This continues with the final candle being blown out on Good Friday. The candles are all lit together on Easter.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Everyday Joys

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God
Isaiah 61:10






A puttery day at home is all I needed to rest and refresh my soul.

Flower Girls

Marcia and Cindy made adorable flower girls if I do say so myself. :) A friend of my sister-in-law's from her church did all of our hair as a wedding gift (and what a great gift idea!). I thought you might want to see how pretty the girls' up dos were. Marcia moved right as I snapped the shot so she is blurry. Her's was an intricate french braided style.

 

The Simple Woman's Daybook - February 23rd Edition

For Today...February 23rd

Outside my window... a few thin white clouds and behind them; gorgeous blue sky. It's going to be so pretty today.

I am thinking...My brother's wedding was so sweet. I'm glad it turned out well. They won't be going on a honeymoon until the fall because my brother had to go back to work today. I called my sister-in-law this morning and asked "How's married life?" She replied "Fantastic!!" Makes me remember how happy I was when Mike and I first married. I need to think about that and act that way more often. :)

I am thankful for...My precious family. I am so blessed.

From the kitchen... Nothing too adventurous today (I'm still tired from the wedding), but I think I may do a little baking.

I am wearing...at the moment my robe and fuzzy slippers. My wet hair is in a towel (and it's going to dry in the towel and be a mess if I don't get off the computer soon). I can't decide what I want to wear because although it's cold right now it is supposed to really warm up this afternoon.

I am reading..."Out to Canaan" by Jan Karon. I've been re-reading the Mitford books, but I am having to read them out of order. The library never has the next one in the series when I'm ready for it so I am just skipping around.

I am hoping...That I don't get sick. Bobby was so sick last week and I have been feeling sort of run down since after the wedding.

I am creating...Another notecard for the James Challenge. It's coming along much more slowly than I would like, but I figure that as long as I stick with it it doesn't really matter how long it takes.

I am hearing... My washing machine filling up (the actual churning is so quiet I can't hear it unless I'm in the laundry room). Love my washing machine! :)

Around the house... tons of laundry to catch up on. I didn't get any done this weekend. I also need to make my list and buy some groceries today.

One of my favorite things...a quiet Monday after a busy weekend.

A few plans for the rest of the week...More family get-togethers this weekend.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

My matron of honor bouquet. Isn't it pretty?

Read more daybook entries at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Cinderella Shoes

I'm about to leave the house to spend the rest of the day with my sister-in-law to be. I just had to quickly show you my pretty shoes. I love them and they are actually comfortable. I don't know when I'll wear them again, but they will be fun for the wedding tomorrow.

We're going to be super busy for the next 2 days with the rehearsal dinner and of course the wedding, so I'll go ahead and wish you all a wonderful weekend! :) See you soon.

P.S. the shoes were bargains too...less than $20.

Bedspread Makeover Tour

Remember my horrible old bedspread with the holes in it? It was finally to the point where the holes were getting bigger every time I made the bed and I didn't dare wash it for fear the whole thing would fall apart. After a very long wait, I finally got a new bedspread! Yeah! I am thrilled!

I have been looking at bedding online and in every store that had a bedding section for the past few months trying to decide what I wanted. I was tempted to get something completely different than what I had that would require an entire room re-do (and maybe even master bathroom re-do), but I restrained myself. :) I decided on white so that it would go with what we currently have, but would also fit in well if we repaint or make some other changes (like the headboard project that I'll get to one of these days). I also knew that I wanted a comforter and bedskirt instead of a bedspread. It's so much easier to make the bed when you have a comforter.

So without further ado, here is a tour of my new and improved bedroom. :)
The bedspread has a damask pattern, but it doesn't show up in the picture. I put the quilt across the cedar chest at the foot of the bed.

Mike thought I was crazy to hang plates on the wall. :) I'll be on the lookout at local thrift stores for more to add to the display.

My antique vanity table. The girls love to sit here and comb their hair. It's missing a couple of knobs and I'm hoping to eventually find some suitable replacements.

My bedside table. It would probably look better if I took the glass off, but it gets dusty so quickly that I would have to wash the table cloth at least once a week. This way I just dust the glass weekly and wash the tablecloth once a month. By the way, I have a huge stack of books hidden under there. :) Oh, and do you like my little polka dot reading glasses? Unfortunately I can't read without them.

By the way I am deliberately not showing you Mike's bedside table. His looks very similar to mine except that it is covered with change, about 10 books, a flashlight, a cross made with nails that a friend gave him, the remote control (yes we have a TV in the bedroom), some pencils, highlighters...Well, you get the idea. He's a bit of a clutter bug, but I love him anyway. ;)

Beef and Cheese Calzones

The Southern Housewife asked for this recipe and of course I'm happy to share. :) I hesitate to call it a recipe, but I'll tell you how I make it.

Ingredients:
Your favorite pizza dough recipe, or the refrigerated pizza dough in a tube. It's good too. The amount really depends on the size of your family and how many calzones you want to make.
Sliced roast beef. Use leftover roast if you have some, if not just get some from the deli.
green onions
mushrooms (canned or fresh that you have sauteed)
shredded mozzarella, monterey jack, cheddar, or a combination.
Dijon mustard (for serving)

Directions:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease a cookie sheet. Roll out your pizza crust and cut into calzone size portions. You can make a couple of extra large ones, or smaller individual sizes. It's up to you. Layer beef, onions, mushrooms and cheeses on half the crust to within 1 inch of the edge. Fold dough over filling and seal with a fork. You may want to cut slits in the top to keep the calzones from puffing up too much. Sometimes I do this and sometimes I forget. Bake 20 minutes or so until the crust is golden brown and the filling is hot. Let cool a few minutes and then serve with mustard.

I also make these with ham and cheese and with pizza fillings.

I call the side dish "zu-squash stir fry". All it is is some zucchini, yellow squash, and chopped onions sauteed in a couple of tablespoons of olive oil.

Menu Plan Monday

I'm so excited to participate in my very first Menu Plan Monday with I'm an Organizing Junkie. Be sure and head over to see the TONS of menu planners sharing each week.

I generally don't plan things for specific days of the week. I just plan out a week's worth of meals and then chose what I feel like making on any given day.

This week I've only planned 6 suppers. We'll be at my brother's rehearsal dinner on Friday so I don't have to worry about supper that night. Breakfasts are usually repeated some and other than weekends, lunches are either leftovers, school lunches for the kids, or sandwiches.

Breakfasts:
cereal
oatmeal pancakes
pumpkin muffins
banana bread

Lunches:
chili dogs/ oven fries
Chunky tomato soup/ grilled cheese sandwiches

Suppers:
3 Cheese saucy penne/ orange & romaine salad
Brupper (Belgian waffles, bacon, eggs, OJ)
black bean soup/corn muffins
corn chowder/ cheese and garlic biscuits
beef and cheese calzones/ zu-squash stir fry
biscuit pizza bake/green salad

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For today...(February 16th)

Outside my window...Mostly cloudy and cool, but not freezing. The sun is supposed to come out later today and it should be beautiful.


I am thinking... about everything I need to do this week. I better make a list so I don't forget.

I am thankful for...A nice long weekend for Mike and the kids.


From the kitchen... I made cinnamon rolls for breakfast and I'll probably make some banana bread later. I think the kids let some of the bananas get overly ripe just so I'll make their favorite banana bread. :) I also need to do pantry inventory and organizing. My pantry turns into a jumbled mess in a hurry.

I am wearing... My flannel PJs with pink snowflakes and big fluffy slippers (until I finish this post).

I am reading... the latest copy of The Magazine Antiques. One of my freebie subscriptions. I'm thinking about cutting out some of the art pages and framing them.

I am hoping... that my little brother's wedding this weekend goes well (and of course his marriage). He is so happy! He's pushing 40 and getting married for the first (and only) time.


I am creating... a plan for this year's garden.

I am hearing...my husband playing the piano with Cindy (our youngest).


Around the house... A shortened schedule for the week. I need to get all my usual menu planning, grocery shopping and cleaning done by Thursday.

One of my favorite things...a quiet day at home


A few plans for the rest of the week... I'm spending all day Friday with my soon to be sister-in-law (I'm her matron of honor) and the rehearsal dinner is Friday night. We are getting our nails done and having lunch together. Bobby's ensemble is going to be playing the wedding music.


Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

This is a note that Greg gave me when he was about 10 years old (he's now 23). I don't know why he wrote it, but I sure love it. :)

Find more Daybook entries at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

A Day in My Life - February

I can't believe it's already the 14th and time to join Little Jenny Wren once again for A Day in My Life. Can you believe it's the 12 month she's hosted it?

This morning started slowly. We all enjoyed waking up at our own pace and staying in our warm snuggly beds until the sun was up. Notice my new comforter? :) More on that later.

I made whole wheat pancakes and turkey sausage for breakfast. Can you see the little heart on the pancakes? It's not too clear in the picture.

Then I went to the grocery store while Mike cleaned out his closet (we are fortunate enough to have separate closets). I have been doing my grocery shopping on Fridays, but yesterday was too busy to get it done. Today I only got enough to last a few days. The store was packed with people (lots of men buying flowers and chocolate) and I didn't want to linger.

When I got home we had sandwiches and chips for lunch. I had pimiento cheese and Mike and the kids had roast beef with pepper jack.

Then I set up the 50s Housewife barbershop on the back porch. :) Mike was in serious need of a haircut and he would rather me cut it than go somewhere to have a professional do it (although he did think it was a little odd that I took a picture of the back of his head). I don't mind getting out my trusty clippers and it saves us money.

I was able to get a few rows of knitting done this afternoon after taking Marcia's friend home.

I made homemade minestrone and garlic cheese biscuits for supper.

The girls are now in their PJs and have picked out tomorrow's church clothes. We are watching a DVD of the 1950's TV series Robin Hood.

Soon I'll put some steel cut oats in the crockpot for Sunday breakfast and get ready for bed myself. Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day!

Be sure and head over to Little Jenny Wren to read more "Day in My Life" entries.

A Day in My Life

Today is the 14th so I am joining Jenny for A Day in My Life. I'll be back this evening to tell you about my day. :)

Awwww!

I've been so busy the past few days. I was in charge of the bake sale and helped with the silent auction last night, went to Cindy's Valentine's Day party at school today, shopped for shoes for the girls to wear to my brother's wedding later this month and I've been fighting a monstrous headache on top of it. Having lots of things going on like that just wears me out and when I have a headache I get frazzled in a hurry.

When I got home from picking up Marcia's friend to spend the night, look what was waiting on my bed! Isn't he the sweetest thing? Mike had snuck in and put him on the bed (even though we had agreed we weren't going to buy each other anything). He has M&Ms and a heart under his arm. Just the thing for a day like today. Thanks honey! I love you!

Whole Wheat Oatmeal Cookies

These are great tasting cookies and pretty good for you too as far as cookies go. My family loves them. I made mine without the raisins this time. Some of my crew like raisins in cookies and some don't so I usually do half and half, but this time I was out of raisins.

1/2 cup butter (1/4 pound)
3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 lightly beaten egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
3/4 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup raisins
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg, vanilla, and salt, beat well.

Stir flour, baking powder, wheat germ, and rolled oats together with a fork. Blend well with other ingredients, adding a tablespoon or more of water if necessary to hold the mixture together.

Place by tablespoonful on greased cookie sheets. Flatten them slightly. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
Makes 24 cookies (I usually double the recipe).

This recipe comes from one of my favorite cookbooks The New Laurel's Kitchen. I want to share a some quotes from the introduction titled "The Work at Hand"

Subtler pressures are just as potent as economic ones. Someone asks you at a party what you "do". You tell them as vivaciously as you can that you run a household, and they simply don't know what to say next. From every quarter the message comes: housework is essentially demeaning, unmanly if you're a man, exploitative if you're a woman or child. (Unless you're running a trendy boulangerie or cafe or catering service. If you can make the car payments off those long-simmered soups and crusty French breads, you're an entrepreneur, and that gets you the blessing and admiration of everyone you meet.) p. 23

Any way you cut it, preparing a balanced and truly appetizing meal with unprocessed foods will take a chunk out of your day. If you're trying for healthful breakfasts and bag lunches too, the plot only thickens.
It's good to clear the air on this point, and recognize that if you choose to live a different kind of life, it will take some doing. Think of yourself, then, as a pioneer. Celebrate the small, solid gains you can make, and don't dwell on the ones you can't make yet. And take heart from knowing that you are not alone. p.26

Any work you do for a selfless purpose, without thought of profit, is actually a form of prayer, which unifies our fragmented energy and attention and calms the mind. In the words of a monk of the seventeenth century, Brother Lawrence: "The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer, and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament". p. 28

Dollar Store Finds

The girls and I had so much fun at the Dollar Store today. I never know what I'll find there. Today I found several really cute (and handy) things for $1 each. I just love a bargain! :) Here's what I bought:

1) A really darling retro-print kitchen towel. Doesn't it look like something you might see at your grandmother's house?

2) Some rose-scented linen spray. I love scented sheets and towels.

3) A little cake cookbook called "Piece of Cake: Go on, bake your cake and eat it too!" It is full of yummy cake recipes and cute retro pictures. I'll let you know when I bake one of the cakes.

4) A bar of Yardley soap. I love Yardley soap. My grandmother always kept some in her guest bathroom. It smells so good.

5) A hair wrap for Marcia. The girls shower at night and Marcia's hair is SO thick (unlike her mother's) that she often goes to bed with wet hair. Hopefully this will help her hair dry faster.

By the way, thanks so much to all of you for praying for Greg! He left this morning and he'll be spending a night or two on the road.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

For Today...(February 9th)

Outside my window... The rain clouds are clearing away and the sun is peeking out. It smells so fresh and clean now that the rain has washed all the dust away.

I am thinking...That I'm not ready for Greg (oldest son) to leave. You may remember that he came home in August to go to school. Well, he has re-enlisted and is on his way to North Carolina tomorrow. All of you who live there, give him a big hug for me won't you? :)


I am thankful for... The wonderful 5 months that we had with Greg at home. Bobby (third son) especially enjoyed not being outnumbered by girls.

From the kitchen... I am about to put a roast in the crockpot (or I may do the other recipe where it cooks in the oven...haven't decided yet).

I am wearing...A big military mom t-shirt and jeans (for getting dirty while helping my soon to be sister-in-law today).

I am reading... Be Mature: Growing Up in Christ by Warren Wiersbe.

I am hoping... The cleaning spree with my sister-in-law to be doesn't take too long. I have lots of other things to get done today.

I am creating... More notecards with verses from James.

I am hearing...quiet (it sounds lovely).

Around the house... Lots of laundry to catch up on and helping Greg get packed.


One of my favorite things... A big Saturday morning breakfast with the whole family around the table.

A few plans for the rest of the week...Helping my soon to be sister-in-law clean my brothers house in preparation for her to move in. We are going to be cleaning under appliances and in cabinets today. I'm afraid of what we'll find. I can tell you that my brother has NEVER cleaned under his appliances. Ugh!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Our new puppy. He is a 6 month old Border Collie. His name is Roper (we didn't name him, he was named by a cowboy who likes to rope).


For more daybook entries, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Saturday

Hope you are all having a great weekend! Here's a little Saturday randomness for you. :)

I made Heavenly Homemaker's whole wheat sourdough biscuits for breakfast this morning. The recipe is here. They are so good with a little honey. Yum! I made them in heart shapes by using a cookie cutter instead of my usual biscuit cutter. I'm trying to make more of our baked goods with whole wheat flour. Most often I make things half whole wheat and half white.


The James Challenge is coming along well. I have James 1:1-4 down and I've been saying it to everyone who will stand still to listen (and some who won't). I'm hoping by this time next week to have verses 1-11 all memorized. I think it helps to set small goals so I don't get overwhelmed with how far I still have to go. I guess it's sort of like if I needed to lose 100 pounds, I would have to focus on one pound at a time.

Do any of you grind your own wheat? What type of wheat grinder do you use? Have you any experience with one like this that attaches to your Kitchenaid mixer?

Interesting reading:
Stay at home missionary's series on redeeming the time with our kids
The cost of clutter at the Dollar Stretcher
Grace Livingston Hill (great books you can read online)
Food Organization from Like Mother Like Daughter

The James Challenge

Several of my favorite bloggers have been blogging about memorizing scripture lately. My husband has been memorizing scripture too and it seems that everywhere I turn I'm reading or hearing about the benefits of hiding His word in our hearts. OK God, I'm a little slow, but I'm listening now. :)

I've decided to join with Sara in the James Challenge. She is making it her goal (and I am following along) to memorize the entire book of James in 2009. She even has a Yahoo group set up to help with accountability.

I'm nervous about this and I feel like I'm standing at the bottom of a huge mountain I'm about to climb, but I know that with LOTS of prayer and plain ol' hard work I can do it.

If you are also participating in The James Challenge, I would love to hear from you and I would be thrilled if you would pray for me as I embark on this journey. I'll keep you updated with my progress as the year goes along.

Here's what I've done so far:
I got out my 10 year old copy of Warren Wiersbe's Be Mature and I've read the first chapter. I hand wrote James 1:1-4 on a note card and I've been carrying the card around with me, reading it and saying it aloud. It helps me to remember things when I write them out. I also listened to the first chapter of James. I need all the help I can get so I figure I should make use of all the ways of learning possible.

Suggestions for memorizing
Calculating the Art of Memorizing

“I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture. . . .
No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant.
Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced.
Your faith will be solidified.”
- Chuck Swindoll

Cleaning the Fridge

I mentioned in yesterday's post that I cleaned the fridge. I cleaned both the inside and the outside. I always forget about the top of the fridge...out of sight out of mind I guess, but I remembered it this time.

I had report cards, pictures, artwork and reminders of upcoming events on the fridge and I decided to take them down. I think it looks so much neater and cleaner now.


You can see the pretty magnets that I got on my trip to Japan.


I didn't get rid of everything though. I just moved it to our "overflow" fridge in the laundry room. I kind of like it in there. It's like my own personal bulletin board. :)

The basket on top of the fridge holds everyone's lunch boxes when not in use.

A Good Day

Cup of Tea
Don't you love that feeling at the end of a busy day when you've checked off almost everything on your list? My fridge is clean, the house is (mostly) dust free and the laundry basket is empty!

Now I'm having a cup of sleeptytime tea and I'm curled up in bed with my fuzzy socks, my fuzzy husband (ha ha) and a new book. I am a happy gal!

Family Date Night

Family Walking On Beach
I know it's important to spend time with your spouse and it's a great idea to have a regular date night. Trouble is, sometimes it just doesn't work out that way. When our kids were little a date night for us almost never meant only the two of us. We usually at least had whoever was youngest and still nursing along. We even took Marcia to the symphony with us once. She was so tiny and I just couldn't bear to leave her (she slept through the whole thing). Even now, our weekly "date afternoon" is getting a drink at Sonic and going to the library.

If you can't carve out a night to go out alone with your husband, why not organize a family date night? There are plenty of ways to have a sweet time with your husband even when you bring the kids along. We usually have family dates about once a month and I have to take the time to think about it and plant it. If I don't plan it, it won't happen. Life gets busy, the kids have activities, and the weeks slip away so quickly.

For me, the keys to a successful family date night are:
1) Food:
A fun date for us almost always includes a good meal. Good as in "nothing the kids hate and are going to gripe about". No trying out a new Brussels sprout recipe on date night. :) It helps the date along when everyone is happy with the menu. My husband and kids ALL are happy when I make homemade pizza or pasta and Italian meat sauce.

Make the meal part of the date night fun. Spread a quilt in front of the fire, eat outside on the trampoline, or get out the fine china and damask napkins and eat by candlelight.

You can also have the food reflect the theme of the night. You could have a fiesta night and serve tacos or enchiladas, or a 50s night and serve diner style shakes and hamburgers (play some 50s music to go along with it). The possibilities are endless.

2) Fun:
Games: Games can be a great budget friendly part of date night. Two of our favorites are Spoons and Sardines. They are both great games for all ages and any number of people.

Spoons: Set out one less spoon than the number of players in the middle of the table. One person is the dealer and deals out 4 cards to every player. He then passes cards around the table. Everyone looks through the cards and tries to get 4 of a kind. The first one to do so quietly grabs a spoon. The rest of the group grabs spoons as quickly as possible and the one left without a spoon looses the hand. This can get wild so don't have any cups or glasses on the table while you play. We've learned the hard way. :)

Sardines: There are lots of ways to play this game, but our favorite is to start outside. We turn off all the lights in the house and then "it" goes inside to hide. Count to 50 (or whatever you decide) and then split up and try to find "it". When you do, you hide with him and so does the next person and so on until only one person is left who gets to be "it" next time. One time there were 6 of us squished together and giggling in the shower. It was so much fun! Little ones can hide with an older sibling.

Around town: Get a visitor's guide for your town. We found lots of ideas for free and cheap things to do in our town. We found out about a free Italian landscape exhibit in our visitor's guide that we otherwise wouldn't have known about.

Movies: Rent a new release for $1 at Redbox (or even get it free with you sign up to get free codes every Monday), or check out a movie from the library. It's also lots of fun to get out the home movies. My kids love to see themselves as babies. Or show the kids your wedding video/ pictures and tell them how you met. Our kids love to hear the story of how I spilled my dinner down the front of my sweater on my first date with their dad. :)


3) Keep your ideas organized:
As you come across fun recipes, places to visit or ideas for your date night (family or otherwise) keep them organized. Make a folder, a section in your notebook or use the fun new date night planner at Springpad. Make sure you don't find yourself thinking "now what was that fun idea I was going to use this weekend?" :)

Happy dating!


Related post: Frugal Valentine's Day

Make Do Monday: Decorating

I am thrilled to once again be participating in Ann Kroeker's fun blog carnival Make Do Mondays "dedicated to sharing the creative, frugal or even humble ways we’re making-do.".

I love to decorate and putter around my house, but everything I do has to be done on a budget (a very small budget). I don't have a window in my laundry room, and it was dark and unwelcoming. I wanted it to be cute and bright. After all, I spend a lot of time there and we enter the house through the laundry room almost every day coming in from the garage.

I decided to put to use things I already had. I had some old picture frames and some brightly colored craft paint (I never throw away paint after a project; I can always figure out something to do with it). I also used art that I already had. I found a favorite piece of artwork done by each of my children to frame. It was so fun to go through all the things I had saved over the years, especially since my oldest 2 are now grown.

I painted the frames and also painted bright squiggles and circles on the walls. They will be easy enough to paint over someday when I want to change things and they really made my laundry room much more pleasant.

By the way, in case you are wondering why my detergent and bleach aren't in the cabinet above the dryer, it's because the cabinet is too full of leftover paint, craft supplies, and socks with no match. :)