You ARE an Artist!
by: Hodgepodgemom
Every now and then I need to make fun of myself. See, I’m afraid I’ve become that stereotype. That bread-baking, homeschooling, make-your-own mixes type of mama. Really, it was a slow, years-in-the-making process. Now, simple, money-saving steps are just part of my life. First we started homeschooling. From our third child on, cloth diapers saved some bucks. Five years ago, my cousin helped us to
by: Hodgepodgemom
“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like “What about lunch?” ~ Winnie the Pooh It’s a weekday and my brain stretches through grammar. Next, I cheer on handwriting. All the while, the ongoing, precious pounding of the piano. The youngest plays the Bee Bop Band accompaniment. Later, we clear the hurdle of
by: Hodgepodgemom
We all want peaceful Sundays, right? So, you’ve gotten into the habit of being ready a little at a time throughout the week. You’ve planned for the unexpected. Let’s say now that you’ve gotten your family to and from church. Everybody is all loaded back in the car, on the way home. “I’m huuun–greee! What’s for lunch?” You have choices. Let me offer a solution.
by: Hodgepodgemom
I must be honest. I’m not a true once-a-month cook. I tried. I strived (or strove). But it wasn’t easy. So instead of once-a-month cooking, I break cooking down into easy pieces and parts. We’ve talked about fixing simple suppers and doubling recipes. The other sock-it-away strategy I use is when-you-do-the-big-shop-cooking. Big-shop cooking came about because I avoid the grocery store. I try my best
by: Hodgepodgemom
The habit of doubling a recipe I often have pep talks with myself while I’m in the kitchen. Something like this: “Well, now look, silly. You already have all the ingredients out. You’ve already dirtied the mixing bowls making this casserole.” Or this: “Why would you put those unused portions away for another time? Use them up now – while they are already out! Sock
by: Hodgepodgemom
So you’ve started back with the basics. Slow and easy. Or maybe not. Maybe, like me, you are feeling a bit like Humpty Dumpty, picking up the pieces? Hopefully, you caught a bit of back to school joy. However your days are going, you still have mouths to feed. Basic meal time. We all have to eat! After a full day of school and chasing
by: Hodgepodgemom
I desperately tried to make the last week of December slow down. It didn’t work. The clock struck twelve, the ball dropped and the calendar was flipped to 2010. Now here we are. Back to school. Why is it we don’t look at January back to school time with the same anticipation and enthusiasm as post summer? Well, it is possible. We can be enthusiastic.