Confetti Meatloaf

I'm always looking for ways to get vegetables into my kids. Tonight THEY suggested I make this recipe. I figured they didn't really know what the ingredients were, but they just liked the name and drawing next to the recipe. I went ahead and made it wondering how many noses would be turned up at meal time. Surprise, surprise! Not a one. My 9-year-old son had 5 servings!!

Here's the recipe:
Confetti Meatloaf
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
5 oz fresh spinach, finely chopped (mine wasn't even that fine- which I thought might throw off my kids)
2 carrots, grated
1 TBSP worcestershire sauce
1 egg, beaten
3/4 c vegetable or tomato juice (divided) (I didn't have either, so I used tomato paste with equal parts water)
1/4 c parmesan cheese
1/4 c dry bread crumbs
1/4 c onion, finely chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 c ketchup

1. In a small bowl combine 1/4 c vegetable juice and ketchup. Set aside.
2. Combine remaining ingredients, mix well, and place in a 1-quart loaf pan.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-55 minutes.
4. Top with reserved juice mixture during last 5 minutes of cooking.

Recipe from "Junior Cookbook Collection Main Meal Menus" published by PLaymore/Waldman

Music

I think we all know that using music helps facilitate learning- such as the ABCs as a child or learning the 50 States in grade school. My son is now learning the states and their capitols to the tune of Tukey in the Straw. Check it out!

Family on a Budget

I'm all about saving money and finding the freebies. Just thought I'd post a couple of my favorite ways to save $$.
* THE LIBRARY is one of our favorite places- not just for the books, but the MOVIES! Every Friday night we watch a movie we haven't seen before- and Blockbuster hasn't seen a penny from us.
* Free Zoo and Museum days. I'm a big believer in the annual family passes- however, we currently live too far from the zoos or museums to go very frequently. Instead, we enjoy (along with the masses) the free days. Most zoos, art museums, botanic gardens, and science center have free days or hours. Check your local listing. It will be well worth your time. We made great memories just this week at our local zoo's free day!
* My new favorite way of preserving family memories is digital scrapbooking. I have been AMAZED at the freebies out there. The following blogs list freebies: digifree and ikeagoddess.
Check them out! You won't be disappointed!
* I'm always good for games- board, field, word, card- but that could be another whole entry.

Winter Vegetable Chowder

This is an old favorite recipe in our family. Not only do my kids love it, but it's a great way to get veggies into them on these cold, wintery days.

1/2 c chopped onion
1/2 c sliced celery
2 TBSP butter
Saute the above until the vegetables are soft. Then add the next 7 ingredients:
2-3 potatoes, cut into 1/2" cubes
1 c peeled, sliced carrots
2 c water
1 tsp beef bouillon
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp crushed basil
1/4 tsp pepper
Heat to boiling. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes.
Stir in 1 cup each of sliced zucchini and frozen corn.
Combine 1 TBSP flour with a small amount of evaporated milk. Then, add the rest of 2/3 c evaporated milk to the flour mixture. Pour that into the soup. Cook and stir over medium heat just until boiling.
Remove from heat and add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until melted.
Sprinkle each serving with additional cheese, if desired.

I LOVE DIRT!

Not really- but as I was doing laundry tonight, I realized that I love what dirt and dirty clothes mean. It means my son has been running around playing soccer. My daughter was enjoying her lunch, and my other daughter got a little messy with the stamps. I'm grateful for the good experiences they are having. I'm also grateful for modern conveniences, like Shout!

Today is NOT Forever!

Remember that during those frustrating, overwhelming parenting moments, which we all face, that this is not forever. It, too, shall pass.
During those wonderful, endearing moments, remember also, that it is not forever. Cherish those moments.

Don't forget to DOCUMENT it!

I worked in a hospital in my early married days. One thing we were constantly reminded was, "If it's not documented, it didn't happen." That idea kept me scrapbooking and journaling the lives of my little ones.

I am grateful tonight for those memories I preserved. I was filling out a form to "spotlight" one of my daughters. Opening her journal, I was able to find a sweet memory of her, at age 2, putting her arm around her brother saying, "I love my brother."

It reminded me how quickly we forget it happened, if it's not documented.