Monday, October 26, 2009

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!


sig4blog

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.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

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!!

sig4blog

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

Friday, October 16, 2009

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?


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

Thursday, October 8, 2009

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!

sig4blog

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