Tonight I raced home so I could change clothes, pile the family in the Pathfinder and go get my dad.

We made a dinner stop at Wendy’s.  Good stuff was had by all.

Then a super-quick stop at the co-op health food store in Goshen.  Love that place.

My tea tree oil soap is almost gone.  I use it every day on my face — prior to shaving.

The bar at the top of the photo is my current favorite brand of tea tree soap.  I happened to see the Dr. Bronner’s soap and had to get one of those bars to try too.

They both smell AMAZING.  If you’ve never smelled the earthy, almost medicinal smell of tea tree oil, they you owe it to yourself to take a whiff.  It. is. good. stuff.

I’ve been shaving since about the 7th grade.  Yeah, it’s true.  I’ve used creams, foams, soaps, you name it.

A few months ago, I was surfing this web site and found this wonderful little soap company.  Being a sucker for a good, organic product (at a discount to-boot) I ordered some.

Smart choice.  This is now my all-time favorite shaving soap.

Check out their website and make a list of the soaps and other personal-care items you might want to try.  But wait!  Don’t buy anything just yet!  I’m soon to be interviewing Alan Hicks (the man behind Eco Natural Soap) here on the blog.  He’s  a great guy.

I can’t wait to hear his story and pick his brain about all the great products he and his wife make.  I will share it all with you!

Alan has promised to give all my blog readers a special discount code.  And, get this, shipping is free.  It doesn’t get any better.

Okay, gotta run.  I have to be up at 3:45 AM tomorrow.  Matt is headed to Cedar Point for the day.  It’s the annual band trip.  All the well-behaved kids earned a trip to the amusement park.  I’m proud to say that Matt is VERY well-behaved.  (Love you dude!)

Roller coasters?  No thanks.  But I know Matt and his buddies will ride the rails until it’s time to board the buses for home!

Hope YOU’RE having a great weekend, too!

It’s been a long time since I’ve made hotdog stew.  And while it may not sound very appetizing, it’s really quite tasty.  Matt, my soon-to-be 13 year old loves the stuff.  So tonight, after dinner, I made a big pot of Hotdog Stew.  For tomorrow night’s dinner.

We’ve had a lot going on the past few weeks.  Seems that end of the school year time is ultra-hectic.

Make-ahead dinners are a very good thing.

Tomato-based recipes are ALWAYS better the next day anyhow.  Can you say pasta casseroles and chili?

To help you with a possible crazy week, I’m sharing the recipe with you.

 Hotdog Stew

• 1 46oz. can of vegetable juice (like V8)
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
• 2 tablespoons Onion flakes (or a small-medium onion, diced)
• 1 green pepper (diced).  I cheated and used about 3/4 cup of frozen, chopped peppers
• 1-1/2 to 2 tablespoons beef bullion (or 2 cubes)*
• 1/2 – 3/4 cup diced or sliced (like coins) carrots
• 2 teaspoons dried Oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon of Garlic Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon of Salt (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon of Black Pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon of Parsley Flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon of Celery Seed
• 1 pkg hot dogs (cut into coins)
• 1 cup frozen (or canned) peas

Pour vegetable juice into large stock pot or Dutch oven.

Over medium-high heat, add all other ingredients (EXCEPT FOR THE PEAS) and bring to a light boil, stirring frequently to keep the juice from scorching.

When the carrots are almost done, add the peas.  Simmer until peas are cooked.

You can enjoy the stew while it’s hot.  However, this recipe is MUCH better the next day.  Allow the stew to cool slightly, place in a covered container and refrigerate.

Re-heat and enjoy!

Let me know what you think.

*I use Watkins Beef Soup and Gravy Base.  It is way better than the other brand.  My wife and I are Watkins Associates.  Drop me a line and I’ll send you a free catalog.

]]> http://www.craftydad.com/2013/05/21/busy-days-and-nights-call-for-make-ahead-meals/feed/ 0 http://www.craftydad.com/2013/05/17/get-ready-to-craft-memorial-day-projects-on-the-way/ http://www.craftydad.com/2013/05/17/get-ready-to-craft-memorial-day-projects-on-the-way/#comments Sat, 18 May 2013 02:45:55 +0000 Crafty Dad http://www.craftydad.com/?p=1605

In preparation of Memorial Day (May 27), we’re gearing up for some quick and easy craft projects.

My son Matt is going to be helping out with craft projects this summer.  Once school is out, he’s going to be my official “assistant”.  He’ll be helping with online research, gathering craft supplies, taking photos, etc.  It’s going to be a fun summer!

To kick off the summer season, we’re going to feature three projects:

• Pretend binoculars (for the little ones)
• Mini-windsocks (for kids of all ages)
• Patriotic fabric coasters (for the older kids and grown-ups)

We wanted to give you a heads up so you can gather your supplies.

Interested in making a pair of kiddie binoculars?  Then start saving up your empty cardboard bathroom-tissue tubes.  You’ll need two to make a pair of binocs; and one for each mini-windsock.

Binoculars:

• Two toilet-tissue tubes
• About 4-5 Popsicle sticks (or craft sticks — the small ones)
• All-purpose glue
• Craft paint in your favorite color
• Paper punch
• String, ribbon or yarn (about 24″ long)

Fly your American Spirit with these sweet little windsocks.

Mini-windsock:

• One toilet-tissue tube
• Assorted patriotic themed scrapbook papers (scraps of paper will work fine for this project)
• Craft paint (optional)
• Scrapbook stickers (stars would be great for this project!)
• All purpose craft glue
• Paper punch
• String, ribbon, or yarn (one piece that measures about 20″ long)

Show off your patriotism (and your sewing skills) with a set of coasters (like these):

Fabric Coasters:

If you’re up for an easy sewing project, then sort through your fabric stash (or make a quick trip to your favorite fabric store or Walmart)  and pick up the following:

• 1/4 yard of your choice of some awesome red-white-and-blue print fabric (cotton please)
• 1/4 yard of a coordinating cotton fabric (for the backside of the coaster) [Hint:  red, white or blue!]
• 1/4 yard of basic, white  cotton flannel
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Iron + ironing board
• Cutting board, rotary cutter (or scissors)
• Chopstick or other similar blunt-end tool

Pick a project (or two or three) and gather up your supplies.

Complete instructions will be posted next week.

Now…your only other assignment:  Have a fantastic weekend!

I’m overweight.

There.  I said it.  No sense trying to skirt around the issue.

I’m fifty-one years old.  My thyroid has been broken for many, many years.  (I take medicine, don’t worry.)

I have a beer belly.   But I don’t drink beer. 

The Paleo Plan works for me.  When I follow it.   Pretty much ANY diet (or lifestyle change) works if you follow the rules.  Life is like that too.  It works…when you follow the rules.

But that’s a subject for a whole new post.  For another day, perhaps. J

I’ve done the Paleo thing before and was very successful.  I lost about 35 pounds and felt really, really good.  I was running several days a week, too.  In fact,  I had to buy new pants.  I went down three waist sizes!

And then.  I let life get in the way and I went back to my old (bad) habits.  I ate too much of the wrong things. I became a couch potato.

I’m not looking for sympathy.  Just telling you like it was.

My wife, bless her heart, has been on my butt about my overweight condition.  She says she doesn’t want to be a b—- about it, but she’s concerned.  I love her for that.

Oh, and my dad had quintuple bypass surgery when he was fifty-five.  Uggh.

Last night (at dinner of all places) my oldest son (Nate – 18) starts asking me about the Paleo diet.  I tell him it’s based on the premise that humans were built to eat the same foods that cavemen ate.

The plan allows you to eat lean meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, and fruit (in moderation).  However:  No bread.  No pasta. No rice.  No legumes (beans + peanuts).  No dairy products. No sugar.  No artificial this or artificial that.

Yes, it’s a bit restrictive.  Buy hey!  It works for me.  And that’s a big deal.

Nate remembered that I had great success so he was thinking about jumping on the Paleo bandwagon.

I’m going to share a ride with him. 

Nate and I are officially on the Paleo Plan.  I’ll be documenting our successes and failures here on the blog.

This morning’s BIG breakfast is shown above.  (It’s really enough for two servings.)

Here is what’s in the bowl:

• About ¼ head of (boring) Iceberg lettuce*torn into pieces
• ½ a Roma tomato, sliced
• 1/3 cup of fresh, sliced mushrooms
• ½ a cucumber, sliced
• ½ cup of shredded pork roast
• Coarsely-ground black pepper
• My homemade oil + vinegar dressing (recipe will be shared soon)

*A head of Iceberg lettuce was all we had in the fridge today.  I try to have Romaine or a spring mix of fresh greens, like this.  I eat a LOT of salads on the plan, so I make them as interesting (and tasty) as possible!

I am really excited that Nate and I are going to be doing this together.  It’s going to be a fun ride!

If you have ANY questions on the Paleo diet, please:  leave a comment or send me an email.  I am not a nutrition expert; HOWEVER, I have been-there-and-done-this.  I will be happy to help you in any way I can.

Stay tuned for recipes, food photos and progress reports.

On the “Great Husband” scale of one to ten, I’m certainly not a ten.  But I’m pretty sure I’m far from a one.  I should check with my wife.  Or not.

In my mind, I’m maybe a six or seven.  Some days I might even make it to the eight or nine mark.  Some. Days.

As of late, I’ve figured out how to move up a few notches.  And it has truly saved my marriage.

A little background.

I don’t drink.  I don’t gamble.  (I swear a little.)

I’m a family man.  Love my wife.  Love my kids.  Love my dog.

Cleaning house?  Certainly.  I’m happy to.  Wash dishes?  Move over.  I’ll do that too.

Mop the kitchen floor?  Yes, thanks.  I find it therapeutic.   Take out the trash?  No problem, I was going to the garage anyhow.

Toilet seat?  Returned to the ‘down’ position every time.

Toilet paper?  I’ve replaced many, many empty rolls in my day, thank you very much.  (Now, if could just teach a couple boys how to do that – life would be good.  Really good.)

Do the laundry?  Whoa!  Wait a minute.  That’s where I draw the line.

I’ve been doing laundry for a long, danged time.  I helped my mom when I lived at home.

I did laundry in college too.  I did screw up once.  I put all my clothes in a ‘steam dryer’.  My dress pants lost their creases.  I had clown pants for the rest of that semester.

It was a life-learning experience.  For sure.

I used to help my wife (even BEFORE we got married) with laundry.  We spent many an hour in  the laundry room at Le Chateau apartments.  You can ask her!

It was AFTER we got married when it happened.

See, there was this time when I tried to help my wife by doing laundry.  And.  I failed.

It was an epic failure.

My wife’s favorite sweater came out of the dryer about 4,523 sizes smaller than when it went INTO the dryer.  It was awful.

My heart stopped.

And it was that day that I did my last load of laundry.

(Don’t tell my wife, but there are times when I will sneak in a load of towels or cleaning rags.  I feel pretty safe with those.)

Here’s the part about the laundry basket.

Still with me?  Okay, because this is where is starts to get really good.

While I consider myself an above-average husband (and dad too) I am in the negative zone when it comes to keeping my clutter under control.

Hello.  My name is Mike and I have a clutter problem issue.

I tend to collect things.  Empty boxes, bottles and envelopes.  Pieces of meaningful (and meaningless) paper.

I subscribe used to subscribe to too many magazines.  Coins and receipts and nuts and bolts and carwash tokens tend to come out of my pants pockets and onto the kitchen counter.

Where they die a slow death.  It’s a pitiful thing.

My computer bag overflows with papers and printouts and library books and pencils and pens.

The work surface of the desk in the master bedroom is many times covered with ‘stuff’.  Like camera bags, warranty information, spiral notebooks, calendars and maybe even a coffee cup.

The basement is full of electronics, craft supplies, tools, and gadgets and gizmos a-plenty.

Really.

Clutter bothers my wife – a lot.

Ask my wife and she’ll tell you that she really doesn’t mind cleaning the house.  It’s the time needed to clear the clutter that drives her into a frantic fit.  It’s a two-step process:  You have to de-clutter before you can actually clean.  Uggh!

Not to stereotype, but guys sometimes just don’t get it.  We hear the same message over and over again, but it never really sinks in.  It’s the old in-one-ear-and-out-the-other process.

Men should outgrow that.  As soon as they possibly can.  Preferably when the wedding band goes on the ring finger.  Just saying.

The light bulb moment.

Here’s where laundry and clutter come together.

Since I’m forbidden to help with the laundry.  Actually I get to fold clothes now.  But still can’t use the washer or dryer, okay?

It occurred to me that a laundry basket can hold quite a bit of stuff.  And with the two handles, it’s really easy to carry that ‘stuff’ around.

I wonder.  What if I used the laundry basket to help move my clutter (and my kids’ clutter) from where it isn’t supposed to be, to where it should be?  Ding! Ding!

Winner. Winner. Chicken dinner.

I’m getting better and better at the de-cluttering process.  Over the past few months, I’ve purges lots of stuff from the basement and garage.  Most of it has gone to places like Goodwill.

A lot of the junk-junk has been thrown away or recycled.  I’m a freak when it comes to recycling.  Please don’t let me catch you put a plastic bottle or glass jar in the trash.  That’s like fingernails on the chalkboard for me.

At least once a week, you’ll see me and my laundry basket making trips from room to room and going from upstairs to downstairs.  It’s AMAZING the amount of crap clutter you can accumulate in just a week.

Here are some tips that you might find useful to cut down on your clutter:

Eliminate or cut back on magazine subscriptions.  Do you really have time for them?  Can you subscribe to the digital version on your iPad or Kindle or Nook?

Process daily newspaper and mail – daily.  Don’t let this one get away from you.  Junk mail should be shredded, recycle or trashed.  With the crazy amount of identity theft that goes on, I highly recommend you use a paper shredder.  We use this one (link to amazon) and love it.

Bills and other ‘must keep’ mail should be processed daily (or as close to daily as possible).  I’m NOT a fan of buying storage containers to put your junk in, but I AM a huge fan of having an inbox or in-basket in your kitchen or home office.

Mail, important papers, field trip forms, etc., etc., should be put in the basket and processed daily (or as often as possible).

We have a built-in desk in our kitchen.  Our checkbook, debit card receipts, incoming mails (the important stuff) goes in the basket.  At least every other day we update the checkbook and shred the receipts.  We open the mail and, assuming it’s a bill, we make sure it’s accurate (especially the credit card and gasoline card bills).

The due date is written on the outside of the envelope and the envelope (with the bill inside) goes in the ‘bill drawer’.  We keep our bills rubber-banded together in due date order.  The bills that are due the soonest are on top.

I can hear many of you asking, “Why don’t you handle your bill-paying electronically and avoid the paper mail altogether?”  Great question!  The chief bill-payer at house is my wife.

If your wife prefers to handle bill-paying the old-fashioned way:  with paper bills and paper checks, you just stay quiet and go with the flow, okay.  We’ve been married for almost twenty-six years.

Some things you just don’t question.  (Ask me how I know.)

I’m doing okay now.

Me and my laundry basket have a great thing going.  And I’m moving higher and higher on the “Husband Scale” every week.

What is your best advice for keeping clutter at a manageable level?  You can leave a comment below.  I’d love to hear from you.

It’s a special day for moms.

And I really want to stay positive today.  But my heart is still broken over the tragic, unexpected, death of my mother — eighteen years ago.

It is sad when your mom passes just two months after your first-born child is born.

While Nate was held in her arms a few times, he never got to know his grandma.  And Matt, being born five years later, has never had the  pleasure of meeting his grandmother either.

It breaks my heart.  Every day.

Family was the No. 1 priority for my mom.  Her goal was to ‘keep the family together’.  In fact, that was the last thing she asked for before she passed.

“Stay close.  Be there for each other.  Be a family.”

So, in honor of my mother, today will be a FAMILY DAY.  And I’ll do my best to make every day a family day.

Time moves along so very quickly.  Yesterday is gone. There’s no promise of tomorrow.

We have TODAY.  And it’s duty to make the very most of it.

Every moment should be cherished.

I beg you:  make the most of your time on earth.  Be there for others.  Love one another. Lift each other up.

Be a family.

To all you moms and grandmothers out there:  Thank you for who you are and what you do!

Sunday is Mother’s Day.

Today is Saturday.  Doing the math, that only gives you a few hours to get something nice for your mom.

And for the dads out there:  You need to move quickly if you’re going to find a gift (and a greeting card) so your kids can give your wife something sweet for her special day.

As a side note:  Moms are special people.  It’s a shame that only one day is set aside as “her” day.

Being the professional procrastinator that I am, I have been in this tight spot many times.  And every year I swear I’m not going to wait until the last minute to find a gift for my wife.  And some super-nice cards.  You see, it’s not just that I want to get her something, but my boys depend on me for ideas.  And for picking out the cards. And the gift(s).

Oh, the pressure mounts.

Last weekend, my wife and I went flower shopping.  It’s an annual tradition where she and I (mostly she) pick out all the flowers and spikes and vines that will make up her beautiful array of flower pots.  Those flower pots are HER’S.

Stay away from them.  She waters them.  She pinches off the dead blooms.  She fertilizes them.  They are her babies.  Please — stay away.

So, what are you going to give Mom on Sunday?

According to a survey* of over 2,000 U.S. mothers with kids under the age of 18, 14.6% of moms prefer handmade gives, followed very-closely by 13.6% who prefer a day off.

Mom needs a break.  And what better way to give her what she needs than by treating her to a delicious (and nutritious) homemade breakfast in bed?

Produce for Kids is an organization that encourages healthy eating among families.  They provide simple, healthy meal solutions and resources for parents while raising funds for local children’s non-profit organizations.

So come on Dads, you and the kids will not only enjoy making these recipes, but they are meals that mom can feel good about eating.  That’s a win-win in my book!

Check out these options:

Scrambled Waffle-wich

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 4 eggs
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 cup cauliflower and broccoli, chopped
• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, diced
• ¼ cup feta cheese
• 4 premade whole wheat waffles

Directions:

1. Crack eggs in mixing bowl, scramble with fork.
2. Heat oil in skillet on medium-high heat, add broccoli, cauliflower and cherry tomatoes, cook 2 minutes.
3. Add eggs, stir and cook 2-3 minutes or until firm and not clear.  Mix in cheese.
4. Toast waffles, top with egg/vegetable mixture. Fold waffle in half to make sandwich

Rise ‘n Shine Oatmeal

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rolled oats
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• ⅔ cup strawberries, sliced
• ⅔ cup mango, peeled, pitted, sliced
• ⅔ cup apple, cored, chopped
• 4 Tbsp. pistachios
• Honey, to taste
• 4 eggs

Directions:

1. In small saucepan, bring 2 cups water and oats to boil, add cinnamon.  Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes or until thickened and tender.
2. Top oatmeal with strawberries, mango, apple, pistachios and honey, if desired.

Hard Cooked Eggs

1. Place eggs in saucepan, cover with cold water. Heat to a boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Once eggs are cooked, chill in cold water.

Florentine Egg Muffins

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• ½ cup tomatoes, diced
• 2 cups spinach, loosely packed
• 1 cup red bell peppers, seeded, diced
• 6 large eggs
• 1½ cups grated potatoes, cooked
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Heat butter in large skillet over medium-high heat; add mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach and peppers. Cook for 5 minutes, or until tender and water evaporates. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
3. Lightly beat eggs in large mixing bowl. Mix in cooked vegetables, potatoes and cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Line large muffin tin with 8 greased foil cups. Portion ½ cup mixture into each cup.
5. Bake in oven for 10-20 minutes, or until eggs puff and are firm.

So rather than a quick trip to the store for a box of chocolate, or some foo-foo hand cream, perhaps it’s time to whip up a good breakfast.  One that Mom will remember for a long time.

Now THAT is the perfect gift!

Happy Mother’s Day!

*Survey was conducted by the research firm NPD Group for Child’s Play Communications.

Photos courtesy of Produce for Kids ©2012

Early last Saturday morning, we ventured out to get started on our annual flower purchases.

With Mother’s Day rapidly approaching, we knew that the longer we waited, the skimpier the selection would be.

I am happy to report that we did very well! It just took us awhile.  : – )

Our first stop was Miller’s Farm Market and Greenhouse.  It’s a small, family-owned operation not too far from home.  The Millers are great people, and (usually) have a great selection of vibrant, healthy-looking plants.  This year the selection was not quite what it has been in the past.  We were bummed.

My wife has several flower pots that she puts out every Spring.  This year would be no different.

We try to stay away from the big-box stores and buy local.  It’s the right thing to do, in our opinion.

The photo above shows what we carted home.  A flat of seed geraniums, a few begonias, marigolds and (something new for us this year) some dianthus.

Lloyd Miller grows the NICEST tomato plants.  I buy one or two of his Patio Tomatoes every year. So why didn’t I buy one?  Or two or three?

No idea.  I just spaced it, I guess.

I ended up buying some tomato plants at the … big-box store.

Fail.  Big time.

So much for ‘buying local’, huh?

We ended up finding some nice tomato plants at either Walmart or Lowe’s.  I can’t remember.

What I CAN remember is that it took us a VERY. LONG. TIME. to pick out more flowers at Lowe’s.

We have SO many flower pots at home.  We simply couldn’t remember how many went under the fountain on the patio.

We had trouble picturing the two pots we have outside the garage door (near the patio).

Oh. And what about the trio planter?  What are we going to do with that this year?

A fern.  Yes!  We want a fern this year.  They seemed over-priced everywhere we looked.

I finally found a beautiful specimen at (ahem) Walmart.  It was only $10.48!  I couldn’t resist.

I know:  failure again.  Those big-box stores get me every time.

Stay tuned for Part Two.  Yes — there’s more.

Here are a few of my favorite things:

Picking out tomato plants with Matt.  He’s my official garden helper!

Country Living Magazine.  I’ve been a subscriber for many, many years.

Homemade (of course) pasta salad.  Nate loves the stuff and has been taking it in his lunch bag for the past few weeks.

Fels Naptha and Lava soap.  Two mainstays in the laundry room.  You can’t go wrong with the classics!

Farm-fresh eggs and sweet peppers.  A guy at work has chickens and brings me eggs every couple of weeks.  The peppers are store-bought.

The boardwalk at Carolina Beach, NC.  We’ve vacationed there for three years and love the little town.  Renting a condo on the beach is one of the smartest things we’ve ever done.

What are your favorite things these days?  Leave a comment to let me know.

Nate celebrated his 18th birthday on May 1st.

So hard to believe that he’s really 18.  I mean honestly.  Where did the time go?

Such a silly question, isn’t it?

My wife is busy finishing up Nate’s scrapbook so it’s ready to be displayed at his high school graduation open house (in just a few weeks).  Oh the pictures!  Oh the memories.  Wow.

Our little boy has become a young man.  Smart. Well-mannered. Good-looking.

He has a great sense of humor too.

So now it’s time for him to find a summer job so he can make as much money as he can for college.  College?

Another season of life is upon us.

Nate:  If you happen to read this, please know that Mom and Dad are so very proud of you.  And we love you very much!

Happy Birthday dude!