I should be packing and cleaning...but I had to tell you about this wonderful, absorbing book called Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson. I'm halfway through and can't put it down. This author writes historical nonfiction like a novel. He uses primary sources from actual letters, speeches, telegrams. I want this guy to write MORE.
Check out his website:
http://www.jameslswanson.com/
C.J. Mahaney said he slowed down reading this book toward the end because he didn't want it to end. I would agree!
Between illness and getting ready for a looooon driving trip, it will be pretty sparse around these parts. Expect the occasional posts, but I still have to get my chores done and start packing! Both of the grown ups in this house have terrible sore throats and doesn't help the equation either.
I was searching for some ideas for our upcoming almost cross-country trip and I found the most fantastic website:
www.momsminivan.com
It's full of fun games for all ages of kiddos (even babies and toddlers), snack ideas, and general travel trips.
Even though I've taken many road trips with my kids, I still saw some ideas that made me go "DUH! Why didn't I think of that?" (like covering the seats with old sheets so it's easier to clean up crumbs and packing homemade snacks in ziplock bags instead of dumping money at the gas station for snacks)
So happy clicking!
You MUST see this movie. It is so good we're having a girl's movie night at church to watch it, and I'm very selective what we choose. There is not one inappropriate scene. While there are very mature themes that are not suitable for children (but definitely teenagers who watch with their parents), the story is one of the most beautiful I've ever heard. In fact, I'd venture to say that Bella has become one of my favorite movies of all time, right up there with Anne of Green Gables! Excellent, excellent, excellent. I've already purchased it. :)
If anyone has any credibility, Kendra Fletcher over at Preschoolers and Peace, does. She did an outstanding post about getting babies to sleep through the night that I think anyone can appreciate. I do something similar, but she explained it so well I wanted to link to it today.
Sleeping Through the Night
Do you like to read in bed when your spouse would like to sleep? Do you find yourself in hotel rooms or tents with children who must must sleep, but you don't want to?
Then the LIGHT WEDGE book light is for you!
I know I sound like an infomercial, but honestly, I've owned the paperback size and the original and both are fantastic. The light doesn't go all over the room like other lights (or flashlights) and it's also a bookmark. When I travel, I ALWAYS bring my Light Wedge. I would have one caution, though, and that is that they are not indestructible so be careful. I cracked the corner off my smaller one. It still works, but is annoying. So just store it in a book or its carrying case.
Timberdoodle, a homeschool resource company (and one of my favorites), has them at a great price.
OK. I have to admit being pregnant is HARD for me so I don't crave this like I did before I was pregnant with this fourth baby. But living in the boonies has forced me to figure out ways to keep fresh produce tasty and healthy for my family, especially salads.
I have a mixture of healthy greens I prepare ahead of time and keep in a large rubbermaid container in the fridge and I add different stuff to it each day for lunch for variety and healthful eating.
Here's what I do:
1 bag of hearts of romaine lettuce
1 bag baby spinach
Chop the hearts of romaine, rinse it, and spin it in a cheap salad spinner from Walmart. Getting that excess water off the leaves helps it to stay fresher, I'm convinced. Now wash the spinach, too. Sometimes I also peel and shred a bunch of carrots since my kids seem to eat shredded carrots better than chunks of carrot.
Now think of the possibilities!
Asian salad:
boiled, shelled edamame (soybeans)
sliced almonds
drained, canned mandarin oranges
chopped red bell pepper
chow mein noodles
Newman's Own Sesame Salad Dressing
Mexican Salad:
(this is a great side for enchiladas or burritos or whatever that's healthy!)
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can yellow or white hominy, drained
1 can corn, drained
chopped tomatoes
crushed tortilla chips
Salsa Ranch dressing
Tuna and White Bean Salad:
1 can Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 can white tuna, drained and flaked
shredded parmesan cheese
Fat Free Italian Salad dressing (I like Walmart's brand)
Italian Salad:
1/2 c shredded mozzarella
1/2 c turkey pepperoni, chopped
Big crunchy croutons
Any kind of Italian salad dressing (I have a great recipe on here for a Creamy Low Fat Italian dressing
Now let your imagination go and create your own!
I found this by accident but thought it had some great nuggets of truth in it so I figured I could pass it along to all my pastor's wife readers. And I'm sure if the rest of you read it, your pastor's wife would thank you. :)
Here's the link.
This is one of my most requested recipes so since I had to type it up for a friend, I figured I'd post it here.
These get devoured at church dinners, though they take a bit of last minute preparation.
Chicken and marinade:
3/4 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
1 T chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/2 c water
1/2 c lime juice
2 splashes liquid smoke
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp onion powder
salt and pepper
Combine all this and refrigerate either overnight or for a few hours.
1 can black, beans, drained and rinsed
1 /2 c frozen corn, thawed
1 1/2 c shredded cheddar, mexican blend, or pepper jack cheese
1 pkg egg roll wrappers
1/2 bottle canola oil
Saute chicken with the marinade until cooked through. Chop chicken into smaller pieces. Then in a bowl, combine chicken, black beans, corn, and cheese.
Follow the directions on the egg roll package for how to roll an egg roll (they have diagrams which make it easy) and fill them with the chicken mixture. You need a small bowl of water to get your fingers wet so you can seal the egg rolls.
You can also assemble them ahead of time, cover them with a damp paper towel and put them in the fridge. They are best fried right before you eat them because they don't reheat well.
Fry egg rolls in oil (preferably in a fry daddy) until golden brown. Keep a close eye on them so they don't burn.
Drain on paper towels. If desired, slice lengthwise and arrange on a platter (I only do this if I'm taking them somewhere).
Serve with Chipotle Ranch sauce:
1 c prepared ranch salad dressing
1/4 c salsa, strained of chunks but RESERVE the liquid, so strain it in a measuring cup
1 1/2 T chipotle sauce, or to taste
I found this in my google reader this morning and thought it as so good I had to share it. I'm excited about the fun my kids will have with Phil Vischer's new idea, Jelly Telly.
Here's the link with the interview.
