Sauteed Parmesan Broccoli

Did you know you can blanch vegetables as a way of cooking ahead and saving time later? I didn't and it was a very simple process. My children gave this broccoli recipe a thumbs up. Sauteed Parmesan Broccoli Ingredients: 1 pound broccoli florets 3 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1 teaspoon brown sugar 2 Tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper Directions: Blanch the broccoli up to two days in advance. To blanch: bring a pot of water to [+]

Green Bean, Potato, and Sausage One Pot Meal

If you will be hosting overnight guests this Christmas season, you will probably be looking for a quick and hearty meal. This is one of my favorite meals to prepare when I need a hearty dish that will serve a crowd or to give to families dealing with illness, new homes, etc. I often refer to this as the "Hospitality Dish" because it is perfect for families who need a meal and I have had [+]

Menu Planning – Just My Best Pick

I love cooking on a whim. Sometimes on the weekends, I like to find a new recipe, run to the store for the ingredients and prepare it that day. However this is not feasible  most of the time and I must have a dinner plan laid out. Dawn at Menu for the Week says, "The hardest part of dinner is not the cooking.  It starts with deciding what to have and figuring out what we [+]

Shop Early for Deals from Hasbro and PlaySkool

In last Sunday's paper, there were coupons for Hasbro and PlaySkool. But, there are also several coupons online, which means you can purchase more items, inexpensively. This is a great scenario if you have several young children to buy for. I stopped by our local Walmart and jotted down the current prices so I can give you an idea of what the deal will be after the coupon. If there is a coupon for a toy [+]

Target Deals

If you live near a Target or even shop online, this is a good time to visit. Last week, a friend called me and told me about a great Target clearance. I was out of town, but had to check it out myself, mainly because I count on these sales to stock-up on my children's clothing for the next season. Children's clothes were marked down to just a couple dollars. I picked up girls jeans for [+]

Christmas in July for Needy Children

I never understood the idea behind the commercial slogan "Christmas in July."  I do know, however, that if you participate in programs such a Samaritan's Purse or fill stockings for local children's groups, this is a great time to start shopping. When I see clearance sales with toys and kid-friendly items at very low prices, I pick up a few. Back To School sales are a great time to stock up on crayons, pencils, and erasers [+]

Save Time Prepping Coffee

I'm a big believer in working ahead to save time later, especially if it means a smoother morning. As you might know, I love my morning coffee, but I do not love fixing it sleepy-eyed. I usually prepare the coffee the night before, set the timer, and do not think about it again until the aroma begins to fill the morning stillness. In addition to prepping the night before, I streamline coffee prep by preassembling as [+]

WFMW – I’m Bored Edition

The first Wednesday of each month, Kristen at We are THAT Family hosts a themed edition of the Works for Me Wednesday blog carnival. This month's theme is  "Mom, I'm Bored." Thankfully, my children have rarely said this to me, though I have a pile of rock waiting to moved, lest I hear the dreaded phrase this year. I do have a few summer secrets that I have tried in years past that I will [+]

Questions to Consider Before the Lay-Off, Part 2

What will you do if your family loses it's income? Check out my article: Questions to Consider Before the Lay-Off, Part 2 at Happy to be at Home. [+]

Homemade Freezer-Ready Pizza Sauce

I originally found this recipe at Miserly Moms years ago, before frugal was the new black, and used it often. I recently rediscovered it and pulled it back out of the cookbook as another effort to reduce expenses at home. If this sauce is made and ready, I will be more likely to make pizza at home rather than order out and I do not have to run to the grocery store when I choose [+]