Chizmo

Ok so I have not done this for a long time so I thought maybe I would just do it once a month. If you don't know what I am talking about go here. These are 14 photos we took last night while visiting Mike's Great Aunt Virginia.

Great Aunt Virginai, Grandma Sharon, Mike, Madi and Will

Grandma

Madi

Madi and Will

Mom and her kids!

Pretty Flowers

Will (and Madi) acting like "Geneul" (Genral Grievous)

Pretty Girl

More Pretty Flowers

More Cute kids

Patriotic Flowers

Love this shot

More Cute kids
I need these at my house. I love the white ones too.

Laundry and Socks!

I have a pretty small house. So small I have only one bathroom and it is downstairs off of the dining room. Our bedrooms are up stairs, so you can only imagine the close call with pregnancies and 2 children. (our stairs should also be condemned as a health hazard because they are so narrow and steep, only one broken bone in 8 years not bad)

So our laundry is in the dining room along with the fridge. (Kitchen not bigger than a walk in closet) So our dirty laundry is in the bathroom. We also have a basket for clothes and sheets upstairs. That gets brought down maybe once a week, more if I am on top of things.

Usually I get about a load or two done a day. Since my dad was in town and the holiday I am a little behind. (I can't believe I took a picture of how behind on folding I am) I have a hip hugger basket that fits right under the door to the dryer. I can get two loads in before it is overflowing, as you can see I need to sit down and fold. I usually do that at night so I can watch some TV and have alone time. I guess that will be tonight!!!

OK, so the next step is the small baskets. These we have about 2 for every person in our family. I fill these and then whoever it belongs to has to take it up to there room and put there clothes away, then bring the basket down to be refilled. Hence the two baskets because sometime this step takes several days to complete. (I have to get on top of that as well!)

As far as socks, my mom (by the way the greatest mom ever) bought this for me a few years ago. It is a cute fold out tiny laundry hamper to put odd socks in. Isn't it cute!!! I am so bad at this. I have to get rid of socks that are long gone. I really do believe that once I throw one out than the other will show up, I have issues!

And for the grand finale, is the great wire shelving. Again, since my laundry area is so small we hung wire shelf to hold stuff. Then while visiting my mom two years ago she had a shelf right on her washer. I coveted it for a long time and then last month while shopping at The Anderson's (I only wish it was closer because they have like everything there!) I found a shelf for really cheep. On line $20 plus shipping I got mine for like $7.50) So now my soaps are on that shelf and I have a radio on the upper shelf (great for listening to books on CD!) My hangers are within reach, and my iron (which comes down maybe three times a year, unless my kids decide to do perler beads) and my pile of fix ups are very accessible too. Hope this helps someone!

A Week with my Dad

So my dad came to visit last week. Yes, my parents are still together and yes I do think it is strange that they do not vacation together. It works out well for us because we don't have an extra bedroom and not a whole lot of extra space for them both to stay. We put a twin size bed in the living room so for the whole month of July this room is going to be soooo cramped!

He got here on Sunday the 29th.
This is him with Will and his new light stick. I can't remember why we gave it to him now. I think to try to get him to sleep in his own bed that night (which still did not work!)
On Monday, Mike and I had dentist appointments in Grand Rapids so we went out early for lunch and to look at some of the Maumee River. It was a lot of fun. We went to Pissanellos Pizza and got some ice cream to take on the walk as well. This part was flooded in February. Look good now.
We walked all the way to the end and the crossed over to the other side

and walked back. By that time it was time for my appointment so I left my dad to watch the kids at a park. (Then I got beat up by the dental tech!) We then went home for Family Home Evening. That was fun we talked about Ancestors and the pioneers.My dad chimed in that his grandparents were Goldie and Charles Swift. I told the kids the story about how Goldie and Charles announced that they had been married to their family and the town they lived in. They took a train to Pennsylvania and were married there on December 24. Later that day at the Midnight Mass the priest announced the names of those making donations and they announced a donation from Mr and Mrs Charles and Goldie Swift. Kind of cool uh! My dad did not know that story. Got to give it up for Family History Work!

Tuesday we kind of just stayed around the house. Madi had a birthday party to go to starting at 1:45 and she was gone all night. So my dad took the rest of us out to dinner at Biaggi's then we went over to Booksamillion totally could spend hours there. Then when I got home I went scrap booking, because scrap booking stops for no one! Had lots of laughs there. So needed it, thanks Leisa!

On Wednesday we took the kids and two of their friends to the Spangler Candy Factory. Not really sure if it was worth the time, money, gas and headache. But the kids liked to eat all the free dum dums! And did you know that they make candy canes year round and circus peanuts (which tastes much better right off the presses than they do out of the bag!) Yeah sugar!

So Thursday was the do nothing again day. We tried to get things cleaned up but do to the smaller living space that just did not happen. I did however get to cook. Boneless Pork ribs with BBQ, Corn on the Cob, and red potatoes sauteed with onion soup mix. YUM!

Friday, Fourth of July! We had fun at a friends house playing Ladder Golf (gots to get me one of those sets), Cornhole (if you don't know what that is check this out, it's hilarious!) Kids went swimming, although way to cold, had lots of food and then some 4 wheeling by Madi!

We then went into town for the fireworks. Lots of sparklers, glow sticks, and mosquito repellent later the fireworks began.

So the fire works were fun, but not really the greatest. Then all of the sudden they were over.

So therefore the no finale dance, by a good friend of ours.


Then as we were about to leave the finale started. So everyone came running back to watch the end.

Then on Saturday we went to the Zoo. We had a blast. Kids and Mike had much to much Icees. But it truly was a beautiful day, cool breeze, sun was out but not to hot, crowds were at a minimum, wonderful day! Then to El Zarape for dinner. Was not as good as it usually is but still worth it!

Then Grandpa had to leave. He waited until after church. I think he enjoyed the few hours of peace. Then off he went. But, first came some hugs!

Thanks for coming out dad! Love ya! This kids already miss you!

Two more recipes

I know that this one technically has more that 5 ingredients if you make the spread (4 ingredients) then the sandwiches (4 ingredients). My mother used to make these for special occasions. We would make lots of them and freeze them then cook them for the event. Now I make them and freeze them and keep them on hand for the kids as an easy lunch. Cheaper than going through the drive through and once they are all made up, you just pop them in the oven and you have lunch!!!

Ham-Wiches
Spread:
2 sticks butter
3 Tbs. prepared mustard
1 small onion (chopped)
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
Melt butter, add onion, mustard and Worcestershire. Refrigerate until spreading consistency.
You can use mini buns or hot and sever dinner rolls. Spread butter mixture generously on buns. Add shaved ham. Top with Swiss cheese. Wrap in foil. Freeze. Warm at 250. 45 min. if frozen 30 if thawed.

I am making this tomorrow night, thought I would share.

Lemonade Pie



Ingredients:
1 graham cracker pie crust
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 6-ounce can of frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed (could use a full, 12 oz. can if desired, but it will be strong).
1 medium size (8 ounce) container of Cool Whip, thawed
Preparation:Beat together condensed milk and lemonade; fold in Cool Whip. Pour into pie crust. Freeze for at least 3-4 hours until firm.

Easy Chili

The theme for this week's WFMW is easy meals with 5 ingredients or less. This is my first time posting so I hope you like it!

Take three cans of your favorite beans.
Garbanzo
Chili beans
Kidney beans (dark or light)
Black beans
what ever your family really likes. Open and pour into a pot.

Fill one can with salsa and add that to the mixture. Heat through and poor over rice. You can add shredded cheese but tastes good without too!