Easy Homemade Applesauce

Saturday, September 28, 2013 2 comments
I am NOT a cook. or a baker. or a chef. or even really remotely interested in any of it. 

But....we had 6,032 fresh apples from our apple picking weekend and I had to do something with them. What's a girl to do? Google easy things to do with fresh apples.....of course!

Then it came down to a vote. T, please choose one.

Choice A~
Choice B~
Choice C~

He chose applesauce...thank goodness! I called my mom and got the lowdown on applesauce in the crockpot and here you go!

Peel and cut 8 apples.
Put in slow cooker with 1 cup water.
Sprinkle 1/2 cupish sugar.
Sprinkle cinnamon.
Cook on high for 2 1/2 hoursish.
YUM! 


 1 hour 
Midcooking break! :)
 2 hours later!
2 1/2 hours later! Delish!

What is your favorite thing to make with apples? 

What We're Reading

Friday, September 27, 2013 4 comments
Am I the only one (STILL) trying to establish a back to school routine? Seriously, I've been in school 7 weeks and T has been in school 5 weeks and things are still nuts. 

While I'm spilling my guts here, I might as well tell you that of all people, this teacher has not gotten in a book every single day with my guy. Hangs head in shame. It's more like, bath-teeth-prayers-song-sleep kid! I must get back on routine and get things in order. I need a little time off and then some time off to get things in order. (Like that?) 

On the nights we have read, these are what's hot with the 4 1/2 year old~
He's been a fan for years (like he's so old!) but always goes back to this one!

Another favorite. He loves the song and sings along.

Ever since that trip to Washington, he's been obsessed with all things King. We love it!

What are you reading with your child?

Teacher Shirt Giveaway!

Thursday, September 26, 2013 10 comments
I love a teacher shirt. I don't mean apples or embroidery, I mean FUN teacher shirts! Check these teachershirts.com designs out!!




Don't you just want one??? I KNOW! 

Teachershirts.com is giving one to a lucky reader! You can choose any design (up to $23 value!)  If not for yourself, you could always give it to your child's teacher or create a fun, holiday shirt! 

Enter this giveaway and tell all of your friends!  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

WW~Perspective

Wednesday, September 25, 2013 No comments

It's ok to be sad sometimes.

Cinderella Remake?!?!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013 No comments

Not so sure how I feel about this one! I am a HUGE Cinderella fan. I mean old school Cinderella! I watched all the remakes~If the Shoe Fits (1990) starring Rob Lowe and Jennifer Grey, Ever After (1998), starring Drew Barrymore, A Cinderella Story (2004), featuring Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray, Ella Enchanted (2004), featuring Anne Hathaway and Hugh Dancy, Another Cinderella Story (2008) starring Selena Gomez and Drew Seeley.  They were fun, but I just love the original~the songs, the voices of the characters. Of course, I'll go see it so I can compare! 

DISNEY’S LIVE ACTION “CINDERELLA”
BEGINS PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY IN LONDON

@Disney 
Starring Lily James, Richard Madden, Academy Award®-winner Cate Blanchett and Oscar®-nominee Helena Bonham Carter and Directed by Academy Award®-nominee Kenneth Branagh

What do you think of the cast? the remake of a classic? my obsession with Cinderella? :)

The Thank You Problem

Sunday, September 22, 2013 2 comments
Yes, there is a problem. 

I didn't know either, until recently.

I'm a thankful kind of girl. I always have been. Maybe it is because my life has not always been peaches and sunshine, maybe it is because that is how my mom and dad are, maybe it is because I am kind underneath all of this craziness. I don't know the root of my gratefulness, but I have it and I like it and I appreciate when others share this trait. 

Problem is....some people don't know how to handle a thank you.

I'm not talking about thanking someone for a birthday or wedding gift. I love receiving those thank yous, but also understand if I do not receive one. (Unlike my sweet southern mother who says there should always be a handwritten thank you.) In fact, T has sent two gifts in the last month for friend's birthdays. No thank you card for either. Am I badmouthing them on FB? Um, no. You see, T's birthday was in January and I found these guys in my husband's briefcase in July. The thank you cards for our neighbors. Yes, I feel a little embarrassed, but now I just assume that if I did not get a thank you, their significant other probably has it at the bottom of their briefcase. 
The thank you issue becomes more of a problem depending on the recipient and I should note it is not always this way. So, I thanked the manager of a Chuck E Cheese for the customer service we received and complimented how clean the restaurant was. He was speechless. In fact, he just looked at me and then said, "Is there a but coming?" I smiled and said no. He then loosened up a bit and said they had in fact been working on it.

We were at Cracker Barrel in LaGrange after a long drive we had the best waitress in the universe~Faith. I told the manager that after a long day in the car, it was so nice to have friendly (and fast) Faith as our server. He too was shocked. After it sunk in, he thanked us for coming and said he would pass our compliment on to Faith. Of course, we had already done that. :) 

I thank our service men and women when I see them places. I mean, it's awkward sometimes, but these people are heroes to me. Even those big tough guys smile when you say, "Thanks for protecting us!" 

I know some people who don't handle thank yous very well. Thankyouitis, maybe. They simply have a thank you problem. I think they have so much negative in their life or such stress or maybe even a life of few meaningful thank yous, that they just don't know how to receive one. I've also decided that I can't/won't take this personally. 

I will go on thanking. I will thank more and hope to spread the good work of being gracious. 
@leisurecommunities
I hope you will join me! I hope you will thank someone for something specific~a colleague who helped you, a friend who called at the right moment, the barista for that perfect cup, your child's teacher (received one of those this week and made my day!,) the cafeteria worker, the mail carrier, your physician, your child. 

Spread the thank yous and let's hope it catches on so we can save those with the thank you problem....one thank you at a time!

#thankyou

Fall Festival Fun!

Saturday, September 21, 2013 No comments

Do you love FALL as much as I do?? Check out this list of Corn Maze Coupons and Fall Festival savings! Download valuable coupons for Corn Mazes, Pumpkin Patches and Fall Family Activities. A favorite of ours is Seward Farms Maze in Mississippi (that was fun to type!)
@clker.com
I wish our local favorite, Mercier Orchards was on this list! We are heading there next weekend! 

Arizona
Schnepf Farms - Queen City

California
Forneris Farms - Mission Hills

Colorado
Anderson Farms - Erie

Flat Acres Farm - Parker
Fritzler Maze - La Salle
Sunflower Farm - Longmont
Mile High Farms - Bennett
Wishing Star Farm - Calhan
Harvest Farm - Wellington

Texas
Devine Acres Farm - Devine
Fiesta Farm - San Antonio
Yesterland Farm - Canton
South Texas Maize - Hondo
Dewberry Farm - Brookshire
Brazos Valley Maize- Brenham

Louisiana
CM Farms - Dry Creek

Georgia
Lane Southern Orchards - Fort Valley
Poppell Farms - Odum

Michigan
Farmer Charley's Corn Maze Adventure - Monroe

Indiana
Amazing Fall Fun - Waterloo
Harvest Tyme Pumpkin Patch - Lowell
Hobson's Fun Farm - Rockville

Illinois
All Seasons Orchard - Woodstock
Kuipers Family Farm - Maple Park
Odyssey Fun Farm - Tinley Park
Siegel's Cottonwood Farm - Lockport

Maryland/DC
Summers Farm - Fredrick County

Massachusetts
Sauchuk Farm - Plympton

Missouri/Kansas

KC Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze - Gardner
Shuck's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch - Pleasant Hill

Mississippi
Seward Farms Maze - Lucedale

Minnesota
Afton Apple Orchard - Hastings

Montana
The Maize at Grandpa's Farm - Billings

Nebraska
Camp Fontanelle - Nickerson

NewJersey
VonThun Farms - Monmouth Junction
Sahl's Father Son Farm - Egg Harbor City

New York
Wright Family Farm - Warwick
Harbes Family Farm - Mattituck

North Carolina
Patterson Farm Market and Tours - Mount Ulla

Ohio
The Corn Maze at the Sharp Run Market - Millersburg
Meadow View Growers - New Carlisle
Pennsylvania
Hurricane Hill Farm - CoatsvilleTriple B Farms - Pittsburgh
Reillys Summer Seat Farm
 - Pittsburgh
Rhode Island
Confreda Greenhouses & Farms - Hope (Western Cranston)

Virginia
Cows-N-Corn - Midland
Wayside Farm Fun - Berryville
Belvedere Plantation - Fredericksburg

Utah
Cornbelly's Corn Maze & Pumpkin Fest - Spanish Fork
For Daily Updates on these coupons and coupons for other family attractions please visit and bookmark:http://www.usfamilycoupons.com 
Happy FALL friends!

Get Togethers

Friday, September 20, 2013 No comments
It seems we always have a get together or meeting and I never (and I'm quite serious) know what to bring. Here are two recent scenarios~

Snack for T's class~Spent what seemed like days walking the aisles trying to decide on a fun, healthy treat. Ended up asking T, he picked blueberries, pretzels, and yogurt. CHECK! 

Team Meeting~Spent what seemed like minutes at Walgreens the morning of the meeting. Decided on pistachios and Twizzlers. CHECK! 

This weekend though, we are having a family picnic at the park and I have PLANNED ahead and know what I bringing! Subway's sandwich platters. We had these at a party a few weeks ago and they were a big hit! Easy to display, they come with everything you need, and cleanup is a snap. Now that's what I'm talking about!

Do you have a favorite go to thing for get togethers? Please share! I need all the help I can get! :)

WW~My Little Author

Wednesday, September 18, 2013 No comments



Can you guess what his story is about? 

Hopes and Dreams Conference

Tuesday, September 17, 2013 No comments
My son's school invited parents last week (his 3rd week of school) for a Hopes and Dreams conference. 

The timer was sitting on the desk, the teachers were smiling, we were running late, it was Monday at 8:00 (what were we thinking!?!) 

N and I smiled and greeted these two lovely women with 50 years teaching experience between them, with whom we have entrusted  our most treasured gift. What did they say? 

"Tell us about T." That was it.

At first it was a little uncomfortable, I mean I had of course prepared for days. N on the other hand was taking the "I'll just wing it approach." :)

I told them he was a pleaser but as an only, he sometimes chooses to play alone in larger settings. I told them he was kind and silly and curious and all boy. I told them he likes to try new foods even though he pretends he doesn't. I told them he has sensitive skin and a HUGE imagination. (Prepping them for any crazy true stories he may later tell.) N told them he is terrified of butterflies. I told them  that T loves my niece A more than all of us put together. We talked and talked. 

They listened. That's all. Sure, they would chime in now and again, but most of all, they just listened.
@coachingcorner
I was in mommy mode for this conference but I walked away a better teacher. I've always considered myself a good listener, but I will listen more. 

It feels good when someone listens.....especially when it is about your child, your most treasured gift. 

Howling Good Time!

Monday, September 16, 2013 No comments
Our Great Wolf Lodge Adventure! 
Concord, NC
 
 Indoor water park! AWESOME!
 
 Snuggle fest? Icing on the cake!
 
 MagiQuest~Adventure is everywhere at GWL!
 "Arcade is another word for gameroom." 
Yes, yes it is. :)
 Dunkin' Donuts, snack shop, pizza joint, restaurant~all in the hotel. YES! 
 Dance party with Nick and Matthew
 
 Calling it a night!
 Grabbing a tatt before we hit the road!
He's already planning our next trip!

Tomorrow I'll go over the pros and cons of a GWL weekend! 
In the meantime, check out Great Wolf Lodge on FB

Hello Johnny Depp!

News from Disney and it involves Johnny Depp!!!

Description: Screen shot 2012-07-12 at 3

DISNEY’S “INTO THE WOODS” VENTURES INTO PRODUCTION
FEATURING AWARD-WINNING CAST & PRODUCTION TEAM

Film to Feature Songs from the Award-Winning Stage Show,
Plus Brand-New Song by Stephen Sondheim
                                                                                       

BURBANK, Calif. (Sept. 16, 2013) – Disney’s “Into the Woods” kicked off production last week, featuring an award-winning production team and all-star ensemble cast. Rob Marshall, the talented filmmaker behind the Academy Award®-winning musical “Chicago” and Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” helms the film, which is based on the Tony®-winning original musical by James Lapine, who also penned the screenplay, and legendary composer Stephen Sondheim, who provides the music and lyrics—including an all-new song for the big-screen adaptation. “Into the Woods” is produced by Marshall, John DeLuca, “Wicked” producer Marc Platt and Callum McDougall. Shooting in studio and on location throughout England, the film is slated for a December 25, 2014, holiday release. 

“Into the Woods” is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales, intertwining the plots of a few choice stories and exploring the consequences of the characters’ wishes and quests. This humorous and heartfelt musical follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel—all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.

The all-star ensemble cast includes:
·       Meryl Streep (“The Iron Lady,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” “August: Osage County”) portrays the Witch who wishes to reverse a curse so that her beauty may be restored.
·       Emily Blunt (“Looper,” “The Young Victoria,” “The Devil Wears Prada”) is the Baker’s Wife, a childless woman who longs to be a mother.
·       James Corden (Broadway’s “One Man, Two Guvnors,” “The Three Musketeers,” “Gavin & Stacey”) plays the role of the Baker, a hard-working man who desperately wants to start a family.
·       Anna Kendrick (“Pitch Perfect,” “Up in the Air”) fills the shoes of Cinderella, who finds herself on a journey of self-discovery.
·       Chris Pine (“Star Trek Into Darkness,” “Jack Ryan”) portrays Cinderella’s Prince, charming and impossibly handsome, who is on an endless quest to find his bride.
·       Johnny Depp (“Pirates of the Caribbean” films, “The Lone Ranger,” “Sweeney Todd”) steps in as the Wolf, who sets his sights on Little Red Riding Hood.
·       Lilla Crawford (Broadway’s “Annie”) makes her feature-film debut as Little Red Riding Hood, a smart and spunky girl who journeys into the woods, finding unexpected adventures along the way.
·       Daniel Huttlestone (“Les Misérables”) lands the role of Jack, an absentminded and adventurous boy who trades his treasured cow for five magic beans. 
·       Tracey Ullman joins the cast as Jack’s Mother, a poor and exasperated mom who is overwhelmed, yet fiercely protective of her son.
·       Christine Baranski (“Mamma Mia!,” “Chicago” “The Good Wife”) takes on the infamous Stepmother who wishes for riches and grandeur; she'll do anything to marry off one of her daughters to a prince. 
·       MacKenzie Mauzy (“Brother’s Keeper,” Broadway’s “Next to Normal”) plays Rapunzel, a sheltered young woman who experiences the world beyond her tower for the first time.
·       Billy Magnussen (Broadway’s “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “The East”) is the dashing and eager Prince who courts Rapunzel.
What is your favorite Johnny Depp film?

All of my Love~WW

Wednesday, September 11, 2013 No comments


Hugging them closely today and everyday!

Groovy Groovebook!

Tuesday, September 10, 2013 2 comments
Have you seen the Groovebook App? I LOVE IT! 
Here's how it works:
You upload pics once a month (they even send you a reminder) from your phone. No plugging in! You click the pic from your camera roll! 
You receive this awesome book of 100, perforated 4x6 pictures.
How much? App is FREE.
1st book is FREE.
$2.95 per month after that.

I uploaded pics of my anchor charts from last year.


Pics of my guy winning big at Dave and Busters! I can't remember the last time I actually printed pictures. GrooveBook makes it easy! New mom? Busy mom? Teacher? This app is for you!
Student work! Sending some of these home and displaying others!
Silly guy and below is one of his drawings. That's right, I take pics of his artwork. :)
Want a free one? Use this code! You can cancel anytime....but I doubt you will!
Do you have another favorite app? Share!!! I am all about some fun apps these days! :)

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...