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What to do with All the Zucchini

August 27, 2021 by Tasha Hackett Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Trying to figure out what to do with all the zucchini?

It’s zucchini season! I didn’t grow any this year. Sad. But other people did and around this time each year people are giving them away because when a zucchini plant does well, it does well. And when it doesn’t, we all curse the vine-borer grubs in unison and praise God for grocery stores and our friends who somehow fought off the nefarious and disgusting grubs. Ah-hem. Back to the yummy part.

What to do with all the zucchini?

Zucchini might be one of our favorite versatile vegetables. Here’s what I do with it:

Chop it up and pan fry with salt and pepper and other stuff to make a quick skillet dinner: a.) garlic, onions, mushrooms, shrimp. b) garlic, onions, beef, cabbage. c.) garlic, onions, tomatoes, parmesan cheese. You get the idea: cook it and eat it for dinner with some meat and garlic and onions.
Shred (or use the food processor to chop) and bake it into muffins, brownies, pancakes, waffles, breads, etc. Some people freeze the shredded zucchini to use for later. I have done this and I NEVER have good luck with it later. It gets all weepy and soggy and then I get weepy and never use it. Best of luck to you if you decide to freeze it. I’d rather bake the bread and freeze that instead.
Cut in half, scrape out the middle and make pizza boats. (Broil, then melt on your pizza toppings. Dip in pizza sauce.)
Slice in half, or chop, and roast, broil, or grill with oil, salt, and pepper and just eat it!
Use a zoodle thingy and make noodles. Easy Alfredo and shrimp used to be my favorite with this.
Have I ever been tired of zucchini? No, I have not.
This is my announcement: I will take your extra zucchini.

Don’t let all the zucchini go to waste, let’s start baking!

Of course, Laura already put together many of her favorite zucchini recipes, but that was ages ago and you may have forgotten about it. Click through some of those recipes or search “zucchini” on this site for more great ideas.

Are you a zucchini lover like me? I used to only be a zucchini bread (which is usually cake, let’s not kid ourselves) kind of girl. But then I grew up and realized that as a vegetable it can take on the flavor of butter and garlic and I do so love butter and garlic. Here are some great recipes for you to try as the zucchini crop comes in.

Simple Oven-Baked Pizza Nachos

Finely chopped and baked over the nachos is a great way to sneak more veggies into this meal.

Last Minute Stir-Fry

Frozen chopped zucchini will be a little soggier than fresh, but it holds up better than shredded, OR just add a few fresh ones to your frozen veggie bags.

Zucchini Waffles

This is a pumpkin recipe. I know. You can sub one squash for the other. It will be fine. Really. Many popular baked zucchini recipes have so much sugar in them they may as well be cake… try a less-sugar option and top with just a few drops of maple syrup, honey, or nut butter.

Have zucchini for breakfast!

Why have we decided that most vegetables are for lunch and dinner? Here’s a quick breakfast that I’ve made many times already this summer: In a hot skillet I melt butter, fry up a chopped summer squash (yellow or green), add in a can of chicken (because it’s breakfast and people are hungry for the food), salt and pepper and (here’s the secret ingredient), a tablespoon or so of lemon juice. You must not forget the lemon juice. Once the chicken is warmed and the lemon juice has sizzled for a few seconds, we eat and dance and go about our day warm and well-fed.

In hindsight, I will need to make that one into an actual recipe post for you. You will need to be reminded of it again because it is so delicious.

Do tell, what is your favorite way to eat this amazing and versatile vegetable?

Tasha Hackett is a friend of Laura and author of Bluebird on the Prairie, a historical romance set in an 1879 Nebraska town. Zeke has his sights set for California, but Eloise prefers the quiet safety of her home. Is it possible they’re both searching for the same things? Find this heart-warming romance wherever books are sold.

To find out more about Tasha and her world of historical fiction, connect with her at www.TashaHackett.com.

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How to Survive Summer

June 30, 2019 by Laura 1 Comment

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

We offered this last summer, and it was a huge hit! For all who missed out, we definitely want to offer it again so you can take advantage of the fun. Struggling with the heat, with the kids, and with the kitchen? We can help you survive summer – and thrive! Check it out:

In case you didn’t know this already: I LOVE SUMMER!! I love the break from all the crazy schedules, I love the church camps, the people we get to see, the swimming, the food, and the SUNSHINE. I love everything about summer and yes, I even love being hot. So in celebration of summer and everything I love, I created this:

How to Survive Summer – beautifully!

It’s an eBook package worth $32.70, but for one week only, we’re charging $6. BECAUSE IT’S SUMMMMMMMERRRRRRRR!!!

This package is extra special because it focuses on simple summer food, gardening, getting your kids to eat fresh summer veggies, and even finding awesome activities to do with your kids that do not involve a screen. It’s ridiculously fun, and it’s all for just six bucks!

What’s in the 6 for $6 Summer Survival Package:

Simple Summer Suppers – $6.95 Value

Simple Summer Suppers is a brand new eBook that we’re releasing just in time to include in this offer! (Notice that the full price of this one new book is higher than the cost of the entire package? Whooop!) This book gives you a sneak peek into the 13 great simple summer supper ideas we’ll be sharing here during the month of July. Too hot to cook, too tired to care, but the people still need to eat? This book’s got you covered!

Screen Free Summer – $3.95 value

This book is also brand new!! (Yep, we’ve been busy!) Get dozens of great ideas for fun to have as a family to make the most of your summer days. Get fun recipes, cute printables, oodles of games and activities to do inside and out. Wait till you see all the creative ways to use sidewalk chalk!

How to Eat Your Fruits…and Veggies Too! – $4.95 value

We pulled out this oldie-but-goodie that I originally wrote in 2008 and re-worked it to add more and better ideas. There’s no better time than summer to focus on adding more fruits and veggies to your diet. Learn fun new ways to encourage your kids to eat these gems, and who knows? You might start liking a few new fruits and veggies too!

Heavenly Homemaker’s Guide to Gardening and Preserving – $6.95 value

I wrote this back in 2009 and just like the book above, we re-worked it a little bit just for this occasion! There are pictures of my babies in this eBook, because in 2009, my boys were little guys helping me snap green beans, shuck corn, and plant potatoes. Be still my heart. They still do all of the above, they’re just a lot taller than they were in 2009. Learn some simple gardening and preserving basics in this eBook. Get the kids involved!

Beat the Heat! – $4.95 value

Get 33 fabulous ideas and 49 simple recipes to help you beat the heat this summer! From fun ways to use the crock pot (while avoiding the oven) to some awesome summer snack ideas, this eBook is delightfully refreshing!

What to Do with the Chicken in Your Kitchen – $4.95 value

Aww, this gem is one of the first eBooks I ever wrote. I loved the chicken in 2007, I love it today. This eBook is everything chicken – basic, simple, delicious recipes you’ll love!

Ready to dig in? Get this entire Summer Survival Package for just $6! Offer ends Monday, July 8.

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Favorite Summer Things Giveaway – 2016

May 23, 2016 by Laura 255 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

It’s fun to gather up many of my favorite things and put them all together into one big giveaway. That’s why I’m joining this fun group of bloggers again this year. Enter my giveaway – enter them all! You could win some pretty incredible packages and get to know some great bloggers too. Here’s what the giveaways all look like this year:

Favorite Summer Things

Sweet huh?

If you’re new here, welcome!

If you’ve been hanging out here for a while now, I’m glad you’re here too. :) :) Everyone is invited to join us for these fun features:

You’ll get fun freebies with each of those, plus I’ll keep sending encouragement, deals, and freebies your way.

Here’s what I’m giving away this year to kick off the summer

Take note: Each of these companies were kind enough to sponsor this giveaway!

A “Night Owl” Flexi-Clip from Lilla Rose, valued at $14.00, to keep your hair pulled up off your neck
A Half-Tee Tank from Deborah and Co., valued at $17.99, perfect to wear under sun dresses in the summertime
1/2 pound of Vanilla Beans from Olive Nation, valued at $39.95, so you can get a batch of Homemade Vanilla started for Christmas gifts
Bug Block Stick and BeeSilk Stick from MadeOn, valued at $16.40, to keep the bugs away and your skin soft
Herbal Salve from Apothacary Kids, valued at $11.95, for bumps and scrapes since we’re all outside more during the summer
A Quart of Coconut Oil and a Gallon of Palm Shortening from Tropical Traditions, valued at $64.49, perfect for cooking – plus rub on some coconut oil if you get a sunburn

Total value? Almost $165!!

My giveaway

My Favorite Things Summer Giveaway

Enter here!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Check out the other bloggers’ giveaways!

1. Thriving Home // 2. Tried and Tasty // 3. Intoxicated on Life // 4. Nourishing Joy // 5. Happy Home Fairy // 6. The Nourishing Home // 7. Heavenly Homemakers // 8. Keeper of the Home // 9. Living the Nourished Life // 10. The Realistic Mama // 11. Chaos2Peace // 12. Martha Martha // 13. Young Wife’s Guide

Thriving Home

Thriving Home is a food and lifestyle blog where Polly and Rachel strive to encourage moms to thrive in every area of home life. They try to keep it real when it comes to sharing about healthy recipes, raising little people, growing in their faith, freezer cooking and various other topics that motherhood and life may bring their way.

Chaos2Peace

Jennifer and her family live in the South. She and her husband, Fred, have three boys ages 12, 9, and 6, and one unruly dog named Dash. Chaos2Peace is a blog designed to bring peace in the midst chaos by providing organizational tips, menu planning, simple recipes, and a whole lot of laughter. Join us on the blog today as we do life together, one step at a time.

Happy Home Fairy

Julie Brasington is the wife of a South Florida Worship Pastor, mom of 2 busy boys, preschool teacher, and lover of {{dark}} chocolate chips. She is also the creator and author of Happy Home Fairy, a popular blog focusing on encouraging and equipping moms to choose joy on the parenting journey. She shares easy craft ideas, FREE printables, simple recipes, corny jokes, holiday fun, thoughts on raising kids, and honest, heartfelt messages to uplift the weary mama.

Heavenly Homemakers

Laura Coppinger and her husband have four sons ages 11-18. HeavenlyHomemakers.com is dedicated to inspiring women daily with healthy (and easy!) recipes, homemaking tips, spiritual encouragement, and good ol’ clean fun.

The Nourishing Home

The Nourishing Home provides family-friendly gluten-free recipes, free weekly whole food meal plans, helpful cooking tips & techniques, and lots of encouragement to help you in your journey to live a more nourished life.

Tried and Tasty

Tried and Tasty is a recipe website where fun, conversational writing is paired with top notch food photography. Join Yvonne as she warmly welcomes you into her kitchen and shows you how to wow your tastebuds!

header march 2015 The Nourished Life

The Nourished Life is all about approaching health and wellness from a place of balance. Getting healthy should not be another source of stress in your life! We tackle everything from metabolism to body image to emotional wellness to DIY beauty. If you’re ready to break up with stress and body hate, and embrace a healthier approach to, well, being healthy, then our community might be the perfect fit for you.

TRMlogoFINAL The Realistic Mama

The Realistic Mama is a go-to parenting blog that covers a little of everything but always focusing on spending more quality time with your kids. You’ll find parenting encouragement and kids activities but you’ll also find things like easy recipes and even entrepreneurial tips because through these you will then have more time for your family.

Keeper of the Home

Keeper of the Home is a resource for women and families who are striving to be healthy – body, mind, and soul. It covers a wide range of topics from healthy recipes, cleaning practices and self-care. Keeper of the Home is a community of women in all seasons of life. Our inspiration begins with our faith. Stewardship inspires the way that we approach our homemaking. In fact, it’s the foundation of what you’ll find when you pull up a chair, grab a mug of something delicious, and come share this journey with us

Nourishing Joy

Nourishing Joy is dedicated to real food and natural living. We’re on a mission to equip and inspire parents like you with the tools to make intentional, thoughtful decisions that work for YOUR family easy. Or at least easier.

Martha, Martha

Martha, Martha is for busy women looking to live a more productive and peaceful life based on faith in Jesus. Household tips, life strategies, easy recipes and devotions come together as we focus on Jesus’ words to Martha “only one thing is needed.”

Mailchimp Header - YWG Young Wife’s Guide

Jami Balmet has a heart for encouraging women in their roles as homemakers and that what we do every single day matters. She blogs about this passion at Young Wife’s Guide with practical tools, tips, and inspiration for Biblical Homemaking and Christian Living. Come join our community for encouragement and to chat with like-minded women in all seasons and stages of life.

IOL_Header_Design_no_tagline Intoxicated on Life

Intoxicated on Life is a site dedicated to bringing readers quality resources on raising strong families – body, mind, and soul!

These giveaways are open through Monday, May 30 at 12:00am CST. Watch for an email letting you know who the winner is! The winner will have one week to reply to the email and receive her prizes. Some of these links are my affiliate links.

Have fun! Hope you win!

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Some Of My Favorite Summer Kitchen Tips

July 21, 2015 by Laura 1 Comment

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

I’m at church camp teaching Bible classes and have been since July 12. Since there are not 42 hours in a day, there was no way to get ahead on two week’s worth of writing before I left. Therefore, today I am offering you a little more linky love from past posts. Summer kitchen tips are always welcome, right?

But first, let us be amazed together. While you’re reading this on July 24th-ish, I really put this together on July 8 because I knew that for 2 weeks I would be unplugged. In summary, I’m not really here. It’s like I’m writing this for the future, but you’re reading it in the present, but these posts you’re about to click on were written in the past. I don’t know about you, but I find that completely fascinating. {snore}

So here you go – some of my favorite summertime kitchen stuff. Stay cool, friends. Stay cool.

Favorite Summer Kitchen Tips

Because Iced Coffee is da’ bomb: How to Cold Brew Coffee

How to Cold Brew Coffee

Then once you have that, you need to know How to Make a Healthy Homemade Chocolate Frappe.

Healthy Homemade Chocolate Frappe

Which means to need to know this lovely tip about Making Coffee Ice Cubes. (I promise these links are not all about coffee. See below.)

Freeze Coffee in Ice Cube Trays

You don’t want to rely on cereal every day, but you don’t really want to turn on the oven to bake muffins either. Here are 14 Oven Free Breakfast Ideas.

14 Oven Free Breakfast Ideas For Summer

While we’re at it, you probably want 10 Oven-Free Lunch and Dinner Meal Ideas too.

10 Oven Free Meals for Summer

If they haven’t taken over your life already, zucchini season is on the way. Here are 8 of My Favorite Ways to Use Zucchini.

Zucchini Recipes - Easy, Healthy, Delicious

Want a cold treat that doesn’t include high fructose corn syrup on a stick? Here are 10 Cold Treats That Are Good For You.

10 Cold Treats That Are Good For You

And with that, I’m gone again – even though technically I’m not really here, I’m just pretending to be here. What in the world?

Heavenly Homemaker's Club Members: Access your homepage and all your fantastic resources here! Not a member yet? Please join us!

Gratituesday: Summer to Winter Clothes (Plus our Lilla Rose Winner)

October 13, 2014 by Laura 11 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

gratituesday[2]

It used to be one of my most dreaded projects. We have several tubs of clothes up in our attic. Every fall and every spring we lug them down, finding what fits which boy each year. While I’ve been ridiculously thankful for the amount of clothes we’ve had for our boys – most of them hand me downs – the chore of switching out clothes for the season was always long and exhausting.

This year though? I am reminded how nice it is to have children old enough to be such a huge help. We had the entire job done – from lugging down containers, to switching out clothes, to lugging them all back up – in one hour. One hour. Hallelujah!

summer to winter 1

This job used to take me two entire days. That was back when the kids “helped” by resorting my piles thirty times, throwing shirts at each other, trying on clothes that were way too big or too small…you know the drill. I loved that everyone just got right to it, got it done, and moved on with the day.

Best news of all: I did not have to be the one to go into the attic. I’m not a fan of the attic. It has a little something to do with a bird attack I experienced a few years back. I now put on my pitiful face and beg one of my boys to do the dirty work. Love these boys!

summer to winter 2

This pile of clothes is heading to our bi-annual clothing exchange this weekend.

I’m so thankful God continues to provide plenty of clothing for my family – especially as their legs keep getting LONGER. Wow. I’m thrilled to have this task behind us for the year, and as much as I love summer, I will admit that it’s fun to pull out warm sweaters for this fall season!

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While I’ve got you, I wanted to announce our Lilla Rose Giveaway Winner: Jill: ferryfam5@ – email me and I’ll put you in touch with Paula at Lilla Rose!

Hues set giveaway

Don’t forget: Special offer for Heavenly Homemakers readers only! Get a FREE SURPRISE FLEXI when you place a $40 order between now and Oct.18!!!*

*Place an order of $40 or more (excluding tax and shipping) through Paula’s website, then message her to redeem your free surprise flexi! Offer valid for U.S. customers only and expires Oct. 18, 2014. This is for both new and returning customers, but if you already have another Lilla Rose consultant, please stay with her; I’m sure she’ll appreciate it! Thank you!

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Please leave a comment to share what you’re grateful for this Gratituesday!!!

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Gratituesday: Everything But Raspberries

June 23, 2014 by Laura 15 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

gratituesday[2]

You know how I mentioned that we’d been traveling and that my body is craving fruits and vegetables? And you know how I mentioned that I was really, really hungry for raspberries? Try as I might, I can’t find one decent raspberry in all of York, Nebraska.

Correction: I can find a decent raspberry. But they are either in a package that also contains moldy raspberries, or they are in a teeny-tiny container that costs $3.48. As much as I’m craving raspberries – for that price, I just can’t do it.

Elias (our 12 year old) and I drove to our two grocery stores today, after striking out at Wal-Mart last night, on a mission to find raspberries. I guess it just isn’t meant to be. Maybe in a few days, after stores re-stock and sale prices re-set???

In the meantime, as the boys and I were unloading our other groceries and talking about all the goodies I bought yesterday on our way back into town, it occurred to me that while I don’t have any raspberries, I do have pretty much everything else delicious under the sun. I shall whine no more. We’ve found great deals on tons of summer produce, loaded up our kitchen once again with wonderful fruits and vegetables – and we are enjoying all kinds of deliciousness. Everything but raspberries? Well, I am just all kinds of blessed.

You can see all the yummy food I picked up last night in this post. Now take a look at what Elias and I found this morning at a local grocery store:

monday6232

Grapes were on sale, plums were on sale, there were organic tomatoes and mushrooms to be had – and look at all those bags of frozen veggies! Those babies were on sale for just 80¢ each! We filled the cart…as you can see. :) 100% juice was on sale, so we stocked up so that we can make fun popsicles the rest of the summer. We grabbed sweet peppers and splurged on a loaf of bread so we could have an easy meal of sandwiches for lunch. Everything but raspberries? Blessed, blessed, blessed.

We got home from the store and set out this wonderful spread of food. After traveling and eating fast food, I can’t begin to tell you how delicious this all tasted.

monday6233

Oh beautiful, colorful, delicious plate. God is so good.

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What’s more? For breakfast we had big bowls of berries with Chocolate Whipped Cream. It was a perfect way to begin our day.

monday623

Well, I actually started my day with an awesome cup of coffee, too. :) Asa brought back a bag of coffee for me from Ecuador. Oh my goodness: best coffee EVER.

monday6231

This afternoon, Matt went to the garden and brought in a plate full of awesome lettuce. Remember how I shared that a big hail storm took out our garden a few weeks ago? Many of you suggested that it might perk back up. You were right! Much of our garden has bounced back. We are so thankful!

monday6235

This afternoon, I enjoyed a generous serving of Chocolate Whipped Cream in a cup of coffee. Happiness in a mug, I tell ya.

monday6236

Before dinner, we were “too hungry to wait.” Therefore, we sliced up a couple of peaches before I cooked dinner. These were the first peaches of the season we’ve had. Ahhhhmazing. Obviously, two was not enough so I had to slice up more. :)

monday june237

We thoroughly enjoyed the lettuce from our garden with our dinner of Pasta Alfredo with steamed veggies tonight.

monday june238

So what’s all this about wanting raspberries? We are so blessed with an abundance of delicious foods that I have absolutely nothing to complain about and absolutely everything to be thankful for. I’m sure I’ll find a nice package of raspberries for a decent price eventually. Maybe I’ll even find some fresh berries at the farmer’s market this week. But no matter. Today, my table is overflowing with goodness. I have everything I need and then some.

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment to let us know something God has done for you recently!

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No-Oven Treats for Summer

August 5, 2011 by Laura 25 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

We’re finally experiencing a little break in the heat here in Nebraska – as in – it’s only in the upper 80’s instead of 101° with a heat index of 115°. I know many of you from the south are experiencing drought and intense heat that makes my 115° seem like winter.

Regardless of how it’s cooled off to “only the 80’s”, I still don’t like heating up the house to do much baking if I can help it. Here are a few yummy treats we’ve enjoyed this summer that don’t require the use of an oven:

Peanut Butter Honey Fudge

Homemade Pudding Pops

Healthier Rice Crispy Treats

Mock Frozen Yogurt

Homemade Ice Cream

Add to the list! What healthy, no-oven treats have you enjoyed this summer?!

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Teaching Your Kids to Cook: Turkey Ranch Pinwheels

June 29, 2011 by Laura 35 Comments

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As I mentioned a few days ago, we’re working hard at our house on a new curriculum/ebook called Teaching Your Kids to Cook. Just like Learn Your Letters, Learn to Serve, this has become a family project. I’m the one writing it, but all the kids get to be a part of putting this all together (and posing for pictures), which makes this task so much more fun!

Malachi (age 6) was eager to help me try a new “recipe” idea – one that requires no cooking – just a little bit of spreading, rolling and sprinkling. In the middle of summer, any recipe that requires “no cooking” is a winner, so we decided we’d give you a sneak peek into this recipe before the book is completed!

Turkey Ranch PinwheelsYum

4 Soft Whole Wheat Tortillas
3 Tablespoons Ranch Dressing (we make our own ranch dressing)
½ cup Turkey, cut into tiny pieces
½ cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Spread Ranch Dressing on each tortilla.

Sprinkle bits of cheese and turkey over the ranch covered tortilla.

See what a nice job Malachi did!

Roll the filled tortilla up as tightly as you can.

Let a grown up help cut the rolled tortilla into pinwheels:

Malachi was so excited that he “made dinner for our family” and he declared this to be the “awesomest dinner ever!” It’s true – these Turkey Ranch Pinwheels were super easy to put together, didn’t require a stove or an oven and Malachi (age 6) was able to do most of the work all by himself (okay, not really, but sort of). We devoured this entire plate – and we had made a triple batch!

Since we had been taking pictures of the entire process Malachi wondered, “Don’t you need a picture of me eating them, Mom?” Well sure. Just in case you aren’t sure what to do once you finish putting your Pinwheels together, here’s Malachi to show you:

Do your kids enjoy helping you in the kitchen? I know it’s usually easier (and less messy) to do the work yourself…how often do you pull the kids into the kitchen to help?

Update! The book is finished – find Teaching Your Kids to Cook and Learn to Cook books here!

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Inexpensive and Fun Summer Activities: A Guest Post

July 29, 2010 by Laura 2 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission.

Please welcome Jolene of A Random Woman’s Life. She has four boys and has some wonderful ideas to make summer time a blast!

Summer is here and I have the daunting but delightful task of entertaining 4 young boys day after day. My sons range in age from 3 – 9 years of age and their interests are just as varied. I often find myself struggling to find ways to engage and entertain all four at the same time, especially on rainy days.

I know there are a multitude of craft type projects I could do and that would work for a little while. However, one thing I have learned about my boys is that their attention span for craft type projects is limited. They are boys…they need physical activity. They are not content with being motionless for very long. A Disney movie is about their limit and even then we don’t always make it through a whole film before we start to squirm and complain of boredom. I took them to one of those indoor inflatable playgrounds one day with some friends and their sons – 10 boys in total – and within an hour and a half my eldest was complaining of boredom. So what’s a mom to do?

Here are some of the frugal things I have found to do. See if similar events/specials are available in your area.

~ Visit the local nature center. There are usually a number of trails that you can walk on, some paved some not. Take pictures and put them in a special scrapbook.

~ Check out your local library for free playgroups, or reading program which challenges the children to read a designated amount of hours in order to earn some prizes.

~ I have found a number of free music nights and free movie nights in nearby parks. Some are weekly events, some are monthly but most allow you to bring your own treats and beverages so you can make an evening out of it.

~ Try a monthly home movie night when a new family friendly movie is released on DVD. It helps if you can find someone who has already purchased the movie and borrow it from them for movie night. Make homemade pizza and popcorn, turn down the lights and off you go!

~ Potluck play dates. Get a few of your friends with children together at a local park. Make it after lunchtime if possible then you only need to bring a snack to share and some beverages.

~ Join a local moms group. Most have a yearly cost around $20 – $30 for memberships. Many also have regular kids activities. A great way for your children and you to make some new friends. Two sites to start with to find a group(s) near you: www.weplaygroup.com & http://moms.meetup.com

~ Try Letterboxing. LETTERBOXING is an intriguing pastime combining navigational skills and rubber stamp artistry in a charming “treasure hunt” style outdoor quest. A wide variety of adventures can be found to suit all ages and experience levels. Basically you get clues to find a box or container in your area in a public place such as a park. The containers usually have some goodies to look at as well as a place for you to place your own special family stamp and sign the book, putting it all back in place for the next group to find. A great place to get started is www.letterboxing.org Your family can take a trip to your local craft store and pick out a great stamp & fun inkpad to use in your adventures!

~ Catch lightning bugs! Get a jar or two together and have your little ones catch them at dusk…pair that with making s’mores and you have a great and nearly free night of entertaining, just don’t forget to release the little bugs so you can catch them again another night!

~ Back yard camp. If the thought of going to a campground is not all that appealing, or if time is an issue, camp out for a night in your backyard! Cook out on the grill or fire pit, have a cooler full of drinks, grab your flashlights & sleeping bags and pitch the tent. You get the ambiance of camping with the comforts of home nearby in case they are needed.

With some imagination and input from your kids you are sure to find some fun, easy and frugal ways to entertain the entire family!

Be sure to visit Jolene at A Random Woman’s Life!

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Grilling? Question #65

June 11, 2010 by Laura 48 Comments

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We have decided that it’s probably time to get a new grill.

Matt was grilling burgers a couple of days ago and announced afterward that enough was enough. Our cheapo propane grill has seen better days. Actually, since it is such a cheapo, it really never saw any kind of great days. It’s always just been kind of mediocre. After a few years of use, there’s now just about one hot spot on the entire grill…and that’s it. Do you know how long it takes to cook burgers for nine people (we have company) on a grill that has one little hot spot?

Looks like Matt may be getting a new grill for Father’s Day. (Or whenever we find a good deal on one that will work for us.)

Anybody have good recommendations for a grill that is reasonably priced and works well?

And while we’re on the subject of grilling…what are your favorite things to throw on the grill? Steaks? Chicken? Burgers? Dogs? Kabobs?

Um, when I said Dogs…I meant the long, skinny hot kind that go on a bun…not your pets. You knew that right?

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