F-I-R-E-D!!! + Tub Caulking, Hand-Washables, and Frozen Soup

I'm SO fired...

Has it seriously been more than an entire MONTH since I posted...? Ugh. Life has taken a few turns in the past couple of months and I find myself transitioning from a full-time stay-at-home mom to a working-full-time mom. My husband has been unemployed for 4 months, so the first one of us to find a job took it! For now, this is how we're functioning. It has been a difficult transition, but I'm starting to feel like things are settling into a new routine and I'm not so completely overwhelmed and exhausted at the end of the day that I can't focus on anything else. So...

To make up for the lack of posting in recent days/weeks, I'll give you three teeny little tips that I've had on my list of things to post about...

1. When caulking your tub, fill it with water first. That way, it won't crack with your first bath.
2. Use a colander to rinse hand-washables. Drip dry in the colander for a bit, then lay flat to dry.

3. Take soup leftovers and put one serving each in a smaller freezer or sandwich ziploc bag. Squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing the bag really well. Lay the bags flat in the freezer. Once they're frozen, you can stand them vertically in a basket, labeled along the top. When you want to have soup with your sandwich for lunch (or take it to work to warm up), you can flip through your choices in the flat freezer bags. Fun, huh? Although I do suggest getting the soup out of the freezer the night before and putting it the fridge to defrost. Depending on your bag, I would NOT suggest heating your soup in the bag, open or closed. Defrost it and put it into a bowl first.

So... After all that... Do you forgive me, even a smidge, for being such a slacker of a blogger???

I hereby promise to post AT LEAST weekly from this point forward. :) I swear!!



If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

10 Germ Bustin' Tips

With the piggy-flu and all, this time of year is especially bothersome with all the germs floating around. Arm yourself and your family against the germs with the following tips:

1. Wash hands properly. Kids try to get away with just wetting their hands and calling it good. I often tell my kids, "If you don't use soap, you're just getting the germs wet!" Teach and practice proper hand-washing methods. Lather with soap for at least 15-20 seconds, scrubbing the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.

2. Wash your hands frequently. Especially before you eat and first thing when you get home. Don't let the germs your hands have gathered from school, the grocery store, etc get any further into your home than your sink with hot, soapy water.

3. Use the disinfecting wipes at the grocery store to disinfect the handle of the grocery cart. Those handles have been known to carry germs from saliva, bacteria, and even fecal matter. Ick!! If your store doesn't supply them, suggest it to manager. In the meantime, carry a few in a plastic bag in your purse. Plus, ALWAYS put meat in the plastic bags from the meat department. It'll prevent adding more germs to the mix and possible cross-contamination if it leaks on your other groceries (ewww).

4. Disinfect that kitchen sponge. It's fairly common knowledge that the kitchen sponge is the place with the most germs in your home. To disinfect it you can run it through your dishwasher OR you can put it on a plate and microwave it for 2-3 minutes or until it is dry (but watch it so it doesn't ignite and never microwave a sponge with metal fibers!). Replace your sponge every 2 weeks, tops. Another option is to use a dishtowel instead, and replace it with a fresh one every morning. If you do that, be sure to wash them in hot water with a little bleach to disinfect them.

5. Teach kids to not put their mouths on the spigot of the drinking fountain -- only in the stream of water. The spigot is covered with germs and it's like sharing a drinking cup with the whole school (!). Better yet, send them with their own water bottle if the school will allow it. Label it with their name.

6. Use hand sanitizer frequently! Keep it away from small children and don't use it with kids who put their hands in their mouths -- it is alcohol based, after all. (Use a wet-wipe instead.) One place that has lots of germs is the playground. Don't forget to use it often while you're there. Don't bring those germs home!

7. Wash your hands after doing laundry. Wet laundry has E-coli all over it. Wash underwear and towels in hot water. Use bleach when you can. Knock those germs out of the park!

8. Disinfect door knobs and handles at least once a week, more often when someone at home is sick. Use a disinfecting wipe or spray.

9. Your kitchen sink harbors the most germs in your home. Clean it regularly, especially after preparing food and anytime it comes in contact with raw meat. For tips on how to clean your sink, click here.

10. Teach and practice proper methods when sneezing or coughing: do it in your elbow and NOT on your hands.

Have any other tips for eliminating germs in your home/family and staying healthy this flu season? Leave me a comment! :)




If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

GIVEAWAY WINNER!!

Yep, the first person sometimes does win!! Courtney, I'll be emailing you my order form so check your email!

Thank you to all who entered... I would still love to do chore charts for you even if you didn't win. :) I'll even offer a 15% discount to those who entered but didn't win. So nobody really looses! :)



If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Halloween Loot Tote

What do you use to tote all that Halloween loot?

We purchase gift bags with handles. You can usually find ones that are either Halloween themed (like my cute pumpkin one, pictured) or ones that coordinate with your child's costume. For instance, if daughter-dearest is going to be a princess, you can get a gift bag that has princesses on it.

The bags are perfect because they are just the right size, they're easy to carry, the handles won't break, and they fold flat if you want to save them for next year!




p.s. There's less than a week till the Chore Charts & Kid Bucks Giveaway ends! Don't forget to enter!

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

GIVEAWAY!!

To commemorate my blog's 1-year anniversary this past summer (July) AND the 1-year anniversary of my Chore Charts & Kid Bucks system post (November), I am doing a...

GIVE-AWAY!!

I am offering 3 Chore Charts & Kid Bucks sets in PDF for FREE!! This is a $45 value!! [If you have more than 3 children, I'll give you 50% off additional kits in the same family.]

You will get 3 Chore Charts, 6 rotating Chore Cards (3 morning, 3 evening), 3 AM/PM Lists, one Kid Buck Menu, one Allowance Chart, and one page of each denomination of Kid Bucks -- all in PDF format -- along with simple instructions for you to print, laminate, and assemble them. Everything is personalized to your specifications!

If you'd prefer that I assemble them at my end, I'll give you the $15 per child I usually charge for PDF versions as a credit towards the assembled versions, which means you would get my Chore Charts & Kid Bucks system for $10 for each child (plus $10 total shipping) ~ that's still a great deal at 60% off the usual $25 per child price!

2 Ways/Chances To Enter:

1. Leave me a comment on this post and tell me which of my posts is your favorite. :)

2. Mention my give-away on your blog, linking to this post. Leave an additional comment on this post with a link to your blog (your blog must be public to do this) so I can verify it.

Please note: I will be verifying any entries using method #2. You may enter a total of two times, using each method only once, but be sure you leave two separate comments (one for each method of entry) on this post. LIMITED TO TWO ENTRIES PER PERSON.

The exception to the rules:
1) If you choose an option other than PDF format or need additional charts, I will only accept payments through PayPal. If you don't use PayPal, you cannot choose an option other than 3 sets of Chore Charts & Kid Bucks in PDF format.
2) If you win and choose to have me print, laminate, and ship your sets of Chore Charts and you live outside of the U.S., you need to be willing to pay the actual shipping costs to your location.

I will choose a winner by random selection on Sunday, November 1st. Entries will not be accepted/considered after midnight, Saturday October 31st.

Good luck!!

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

56 Meal Ideas

I recently compiled this list of meals that our family tends to rotate through. This list compliments my Meal Planning post from a while back...

There are 56 ideas for main dishes here, which would be 8 weeks if you used one a night. But for good measure, you've got to throw in a few leftovers nights or out-to-eat nights -- so realistically, this list of 56 meal ideas COULD stretch to 9 or 10 weeks without a single repeat! I try to plan at least 2 things each week that are "favorites" with my pickiest eater. I also try to get a variety of red meat/white meat/vegetarian dishes too. And we have a breakfast-for-dinner night every other week (just because it's so stinkin' easy).

Here's the list:
1. turkey roast
2. BBQ chicken or BBQ chicken sandwiches
3. steak
4. potato soup
5. Italian marinated chicken
6. chicken enchiladas
7. fettuccine alfredo
8. spaghetti & meatballs
9. parmesan chicken cacciatorre
10. meatloaf
11. scalloped chicken
12. chimichangas
13. pizza pockets
14. baked ham with pineapple
15. turkey pot pie
16. hamburgers
17. chicken burgers
18. chili
19. hawaiian chicken
20. tacos
21. lasagna
22. chicken alfredo lasagna
23. chicken a la king
24. sloppy joes
25. lemonade chicken
26. beef enchiladas
27. ravioli
28. BBQ pork ribs
29. fried chicken
30. chilidogs
31. taco soup
32. sweet & sour chicken
33. chicken soft tacos
34. pot roast
35. french dip sandwiches
36. white chicken chili
37. salsa chicken
38. homemade pizza
39. beef stew
40. pork chops & applesauce
41. chicken noodle soup
42. teriyaki chicken
43. tuna casserole
44. cheesy chicken
45. manicotti
46. vegetable pizza
47. french toast
48. pancakes :)
49. shepherd's pie
50. vegetable soup
51. macaroni & cheese
52. farmhouse chicken dinner
53. chicken & broccoli casserole
54. turkey soup
55. BBQ beef sandwiches
56. burritos

Is there anything you'd like me to post my recipe for? You can always find recipes on AllRecipes, of course, but I'd be happy to share a personal recipe if you'd like it. And on a side note, any recipe with more than 6-8 ingredients is intimidating to me, so my recipes are usually super simple and easy. :)

Wondering what the point of meal planning is? Read my post about the 10 Benefits of Meal Planning.

How to you organize your family's meals?
What are your favorites that I have missed?




If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Dewy Mornings

Here in the beautiful state of Washington, fall is upon us. That translates into foggy, dew-covered mornings -- which personally, I can't get enough of. The only drawback to all that wonderful moisture is the condensation covering your car windows. Makes driving with a full, clear view of the road pretty tricky if you're not patient enough for the defrost setting on your heater to clear your windows for you. Grab a shower-size squeegee to keep in your car and you'll have a quick and easy way to clear those car windows. Like an ice scraper, but for the non-frozen variety of moisture. :) Drive safely!



If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Chore Charts & Kid Bucks Re-Prints

I've had a few past clients request re-prints of my Chore Charts & Kid Bucks, so I thought it would be good to post my re-print prices. Re-prints are usually requested when a parent decides to change one of the lines on the Chore Chart, the jobs on the chore cards, the choices on the Kid Buck Menu, an item or two on the AM/PM list, or the graphics on the Kid Bucks. The system is one that can change as your children grow and are able to take on more responsibility!

Just as a review, my new prices for ORIGINALS are:
$25 per child (printed/assembled/shipped)
~ OR ~
$15 per child in PDF format (emailed, you print/assemble).

Chore Charts & Kid Bucks Re-Print Prices:

PDF format prices are $3 per item WITH changes. I reserve the right to change re-print prices if changes are extensive. Add $5 shipping per order/family.

Re-Printed/Assembled With NO Changes		Re-printed/Assembled WITH Minimal Changes
Chore Chart	$ 3 each	Chore Chart	$ 5 each
Chore Cards	$ 1 per pair/child	Chore Cards	$ 2 per pair/child
AM/PM List	$ 3 each	AM/PM List	$ 5 each
Set of Kid Bucks	$ 5 each set	Set of Kid Bucks	$ 7 each set

Thank you!

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Gmaps Pedometer - Awesome!

Ever wanted to figure out the distance of your walking/running/biking route without having to drive it? Or, have a walking/running/biking route that you can't determine the distance of because it doesn't use a route you can drive your car on?

Check out Gmaps Pedometer. Start by entering an address (or even just a city/state) to get a map. Click on the "Start Recording" button on the top, left-hand corner. In the left-hand column, you have the choice of drawing the map automatically, or manually (with straight lines, which works great when your route is off the beaten path). On the map, double-click your starting point. Then double-click points along your route until you get to the end. As you click, the distance will add up on the left-hand column. If your route is "there and back," you can double-click the "there" portion, then click on the "Complete there and back route" link to finish it up and add the distance together. When you're done, you can save it, print it, or clear the map and start over.

Genius!!




If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

We Will Never Forget

Let us pause for a moment today and reflect on the events that shook our nation eight years ago... Below is a post I wrote on my family blog and I felt I should share it here as well. Take time today to REMEMBER.

Should we really call this day a "holiday?" When I think of the word "holiday," memories of fun days out of school, presents, parades, and joyful celebrations come to mind.

No, today is not a holiday. Today is a day of remembrance. Today is a day that is forever etched in our hearts. A day like no other; one that has left a deep and painful scar. Most days we can ignore it. It's in the back of our memories, filed away with unpleasant things like a painful trip to the dentist or losing a job. We just don't think about them on a daily basis. Why would we? They are not something we like to dwell on. Those memories hurt.

At the same time, September 11th is painful in ways a trip to the dentist or losing a job never could be. The pain is deeper, much more personal. It hurts alongside our deep sense of patriotism. We take our freedoms for granted. September 11th reminds us that we should never take those precious freedoms for granted. We are a country who found ourselves united in common horror at the events that unfolded that day. How could this happen in the land of the free, the home of the brave? What kind of people would do this to our country? To the thousands of people who went to work that day as if it was a day like any other? Today I think of their families. The thousands upon thousands of tears that have been shed; the hole in their hearts because of missing loved ones who should not have lost their lives in such a way.

We try really hard not to dwell on the events of September 11th, 2001 because our hearts grieve. We may not know someone personally who lost their life, but we are each deeply effected. Today I am going to let my guard down and let the pain in. Today I am going to shed a tear as I remember the events of September 11th, 2001 as if it were yesterday. Today I am going to remember the shock, the horror, and the devastation I felt as I realized the panic that the Americans of New York were experiencing. Today I will be especially grateful for the service men & women who willingly risk their lives for the freedoms I take for granted every single day. Today I will resolve to not bury the painful memories of September 11th so deeply in my heart. Today I will hug my children a little tighter, be a little kinder, and remember that we live in a great country - the greatest in the world - one that was forever changed seven years ago. I will teach my children to value the land in which they live. To honor the memory of those whose lives were so viciously ripped from them by the horrific events of September 11th, 2001.

I remember that day... I was on my way to work. I worked as nanny about an hour's drive from my house. My 3 year old daughter was sitting in the back seat and we were about halfway there when I turned on the radio. I was at a stoplight waiting to turn left. When the light turned green, I had a hard time putting my foot on the gas pedal. It felt like a bad dream. I was waiting for someone to come on the radio and say that it wasn't really happening. How could it be happening? We lived in the United States of America. Things like that didn't happen here, did they?

Once I got to the home where I worked, we sat glued to the television for hours. No one left the house that day. We tried to explain what was happening to our little girls, but they were oblivious, happy in their ignorance to what was going on on the other side of the country. For days it felt like I was walking around in a terrible nightmare. It hadn't really happened like that, had it?

What occurred in the days that followed was our country's way of coping with the shock and devastation. Thousands of American flags were everywhere. We had one hanging from our front porch, one in the back window of our car, and one hanging inside the front window of our house. Stores were selling out of American flags faster than they could get them in. Yet, as the weeks and months passed, American flags seemed to fade from the forefront. We buried our painful memories of that day and put the flags away. We didn't want to remember. It hurt too much.

Eight years have passed since that day. Eight years. It's hard to believe it's been that long. At the same time, it feels like an eternity ago. So much has changed. And so much hasn't. Today I challenge everyone reading this to hang an American flag. Remember. Hang a flag outside of your home. On your car window. Even on your blog. Anywhere to show that you remember. You remember how precious our freedoms are. You remember the everyday heroes that are our American soldiers that fight for and defend our treasured freedoms all over the world. You say, to the world,

"We will never forget."

If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

School Zone Safety

Please accept my apology for my lapse in blogging lately. I just moved my family 1000 miles with about 10 days' notice. (CRAZINESS!!) So... I've restored enough order to my life and home to resume blogging.

Since school starts for my kids tomorrow, I thought I'd share a really great article I read in the newspaper this morning... It helps clarify the laws regarding school zones and increases understanding about them and why they're structured the way they are. The entire article is on the Tacoma News Tribune website, but my favorite points include:

• The speed limit in a school zone is only 20 mph because research shows that "a child has approximately an 80% chance of surviving if struck by a car going 20 mph, versus an 80% chance of being killed [or a 20% chance of survival] if struck by a car going 27-28 mph. Plus, according to the article, it only saves about 6 seconds to go 8 mph faster through an average 600-ft-long school zone. It's just not worth six seconds!!
• Fines for school zone speed violations are double the normal fine for speeding and, in Washington state, cannot be waived, reduced, or suspended.
• School zones with signage that states "... when children are present" are in effect anytime children are present, year-round, 24-hours-a-day.

• Stopping for a school bus: I had to quote the entire paragraph, because it is just that important: "You must stop behind a school bus with its lights flashing red and stop sign extended if you are in the same lane or an adjacent lane -- either in the same direction or an opposite direction -- or if it's at an intersection you're approaching... Don't start again until the signals are turned off and children have left the roadway." You do NOT have to stop for a school bus when the stopped bus "is traveling in the opposite direction and the roadway has three or more marked traffic lanes, is separated by a median, or is separated by a physical barrier."

Please note that these laws and requirements are only applicable in Washington State, although laws around the country are fairly similar. Be sure to check with your own state to determine laws and requirements specific to your community.

Here's to a safe school year!!




If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Stinky Washer

Ever open the lid on your washer to throw clothes in and it smells musty and mildewy? Do yourself a favor, and leave the lid to the washer OPEN between uses to let it dry out. No more stinky washer -I promise! :)

If you want to start with a clean washer, follow the instructions I found for cleaning your washer on eHow:
1) Let the tub of your washing machine fill with water, leaving the lid up.
2) Add 2 cups of white vinegar to the washing machine.
3) Allow the washing machine to sit there with the water and vinegar in it for 1 hour.
4) Restart the washer (with mine I'd just have to close the lid) and let it go through a full wash and rinse cycle.
5) Once the cycle is done, open the washer, let it refill again with water and put in 2 cups of bleach.
6) Allow the washing machine to sit there with the water and bleach in it for 1 hour.
7) Restart the washer and let it go through a full wash and rinse cycle again.




If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Chore Charts & Kid Bucks are on Etsy!!

I've set up shop on Etsy to make it easier to purchase my Chore Charts & Kid Bucks system. Please visit my Clever Homemaking Etsy Shop (click here) to purchase my completely customized system!

I also altered the pricing to make it simpler. They are priced as a set "per child." Each "set" for sale consists of one chore chart with two chore cards, one AM/PM list, and one set of Kid Bucks (8 bills each of 1's, 5's, 10's, 20's, 50's, and 100's). Also included are one Kid Buck Menu and Allowance Chart per family.

Please see the Etsy listing for more details including current pricing, or feel free to contact me at cleverhomemaking at gmail dot com.

Thanks!




If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at Cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Road Trip Fuel Cost Calculator

How cool is this? AAA's website has a Fuel Cost Calculator. You enter your starting point and destination, along with your car's make, model, and year and it will tell you an approximate cost of gas for your trip, both one-way and round-trip. [They only list major cities so you have to choose the closest major city as your starting point and destination.]

SO handy when we planned our recent 1000-mile road trip (hence my lack of posts in the last ten days - you forgive me, right?). And yes, it is fairly accurate. :)



If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Making the Bed of a Potty-Trainer

When your child is in the midst of potty training and has an accident in the middle of the night, you are so very tired that the last thing you want to do is remake the bed - right?

So don't. :)

Make the bed up to start with like this:
1st layer: waterproof pad/cover
2nd layer: fitted sheet
3rd layer: another waterproof pad/cover
4th layer: fitted sheet
(then proceed as usual)

When your potty trainer has an accident in the middle of the night, all you have to do is pull off a couple of layers and "TA-DA!" the bed is ready for sleeping again in no time flat.

Sweet dreams!



If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Grating Soft Cheeses

Before trying to grate soft cheeses (like mozzarella), first wrap it in plastic wrap and toss it in the freezer for 30 minutes. It'll be much easier to grate.

Once it is grated, it can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.




If you're reading this on a feed reader or on Facebook, check out the blog homepage at cleverhomemaking.blogspot.com.

Ant Killer w/o Chemicals

Along the same lines as the Weed Killer post I did recently, I wanted to share a way to kill off those nasty teeny little ants that seem to come out of the woodwork (literally!) this time of year withOUT the use of harsh and dangerous chemicals.

If you sprinkle a little bit of cornmeal where you see the ants trailing, they will take it back with them and eat it. Their bodies can't digest it and they die. (Okay, so a little inhumane for the ants, but no worse than a chemical ant poison.) You get an ant killer without the risk of harming children, pets, etc that you get when you use harsh chemicals.

I had a family member's dog recently get into an ant poison stash that was seemingly impossible for her to reach. (I understand something in the ant poison smells attractive to dogs.) Poor doggy got really sick, has been to see the vet twice, but will be okay. Still on the mend nearly a week later. Could easily have killed her.

Don't risk it. Try this simple solution first. I've used it and it worked great!

Amish Friendship Bread

I was recently given a couple of "starters" for this bread and it is REALLY yummy! I found a recipe for the starter on AllRecipes.com and thought I would share the recipe for this delicious treat with you...

Amish Friendship Bread Starter:

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 3 cups white sugar, divided
• 3 cups milk

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Let stand 10 minutes. In a 2 quart container glass, plastic or ceramic container, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly or flour will lump when milk is added. Slowly stir in 1 cup milk and dissolved yeast mixture. Pour into a gallon-size plastic ziplock bag. Consider this day 1 of the 10 day cycle. Do not refrigerate. Continue with directions below:

Amish Friendship Bread

Do not use any type of metal spoon or bowl for mixing (the metal will kill the yeast). Do not refrigerate. It is normal for the batter to rise and ferment. Each day you mash the bag, also let out excess air.

Day 1: Do nothing. (This is the day you receive the batter. The bag is dated.)

Day 2: Mash the bag.

Day 3: Mash the bag.

Day 4: Mash the bag

Day 5: Mash the bag.

Day 6: Add to the bag 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup milk. Mash the bag.

Day 7: Mash the bag.

Day 8: Mash the bag.

Day 9: Mash the bag.

Day 10: Do the following…

1) Pour the contents of bag into a non-metallic bowl. Add 1 ½ cups flour, 1 ½ cups sugar, and 1 ½ cups milk. Stir until smooth.

2) Measure out 4 separate batters of 1 cup each into ziplock bags (1 gallon size). Label the bag with the date (this is “Day 1” above). Keep a starter for yourself and give the others to 3 friends along with a copy of this recipe. (Note: if you keep a starter, you will be baking every 10 days.)

Baking Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

2) Add to the remaining batter:

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

1 ½ tsp baking powder

½ cup milk

½ tsp salt

1 cup oil OR ½ cup applesauce + ½ cup oil

½ tsp vanilla

½ tsp baking soda

2 cups flour

1 large box instant vanilla, chocolate or banana cream pudding (5 oz size)

3) Mix 1/2 cup sugar with 1 1/5 tsp cinnamon in a small bowl.

4) Grease 2 large loaf pans. Sprinkle some of the cinnamon / sugar mixture in the pans.

5) Pour the batter evenly into the two loaf pans. Sprinkle remaining cinnamon / sugar mixture evenly over the top.

6) Bake for one hour. Cool until bread loosens from the sides of pan. Enjoy!

Note: You can freeze the starter. Just be sure to label which day it is on so you'll know where you left off when you want to use it. Give it at least 3 hours on the counter to defrost and come to room temperature before you use it.