Home Ec. 101 - Book Review

Home Ec 101: Skills for Everyday Living  by Heather Solos is the perfect go-to book for anyone looking for a little domestic inspiration. Heather is able to cover every aspect of being a domestic diva, with a witty style and passion for homemaking. 

Home Ec 101: Skills for Everyday Living is divided up into 4 sections; Clean it, Wash it, Fix it, Cook it.  Each section walks you through specific tasks, step-by-step, so anyone can do it!

Section 1: Clean it, covers everything from grease and grime to tubs and tiles.  But don't think it even begins to stop there.  Every detail from homemade cleaners to the tools needed to efficiently and effectively clean.

Section 2: Wash it, is the go-to for laundry. Stains, Odors, Garment Repair, and General Laundry are all covered here.  This is the section I will be visiting the most frequently.... I really don't enjoy laundry, and especially with the losing battle of stains, that I'm constantly battling. Does anyone else out there feel like that?

Section 3: Fix it, Well, what can I say... I would love to pride myself in being handy women of the house, but I wouldn't even know where to start.  I'm the one that puts 15 holes in the wall just to hang one picture.  I know it's really sad. Thank goodness for Heather's know how!!

Section 4: Cook it, can get anyone out of the fast food frenzies.  Heather addresses menu planning, basic cooking, How to stock your pantry and much much more.  This will be a book I turn to in times of kitchen crisis, or just for a little inspiration and reminders of the basics!

Make sure you don't miss the appendix, complete with conversion charts, emergency preparedness lists, dangerous chemical combos, and homemade cleaning solutions. 

This book would make a great gift for a bride-to-be, college student, and even the more seasoned homemaker will appreciate this book.

I received a complimentary sample of Home Ec 101 to review, but of course the opinions are all my own.

Texas State Aquarium

In January, My parents gave us a family pass to the Texas State Aquarium, as a birthday present to our family.  (Thank you, Mom & Dad!!!).  So last month we headed out to make good use of it! We were so fortunate to have a couple of friends meet us there!

I love to watch my children explore some of God's creation up close and personal! Cade's favorite was otters... of which I have no pictures of.  William and Brennan both loved the dolphins. 

Kelly & Ella thank you so much for joining us!! We had a great time!!

Abundantly Grapefruit

 

 I know, I know. Grapefruit is a winter fruit.  It ripens from November to January, but right now even after the major freezes a couple of months ago, our grapefruit tree remains loaded with sweet/tart grapefruit! And I know several of you have citrus fruit sitting in large boxes waiting to be used. Well, here are a few ideas, to  use up that beautiful juiciness, before it goes bad. 

 Broiled Grapefruit

1. Cut grapefruit in half.

2. Place on a foil lined baking sheet.

3. Sprinkle with 1-2 Tbs. of Sugar

4. Place under broiler for 3 minutes, to caramelize the sugar.

5. Eat & Enjoy!!

Caramelizing the sugar adds an extra touch of sweetness, and the warm grapefruit is a nice surprise! Great served alongside toast and coffee!

Grapefruit Jelly

 I know you are thinking... are you crazy? But I promise I have made it two years now and given it away at Christmas time. This year everyone was asking for extra, and wondering when I was going to make more.  It's so simple, and you can't find it anywhere! 

•  3 c. grapefruit juice, strained
•      1 pkg. (2 oz.) powdered fruit pectin
• 4 1/2 c. sugar
• 3 drops of red food coloring, optional.

In a large kettle or saucepan, combine juice and pectin; stir over high heat until mixture comes to a hard boil. Stir in sugar. Bring mixture to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. With a frozen spoon check for sheeting*. Remove from heat; skim any foam from surface. Pour immediately into sterilized jars, and seal. 

I Love Jesus Too!

A few weeks ago, we went to Waco to visit Granny and Papa. The kids sat with us during corporate worship, which is different than our church home.  As the crackers and juice where passed during the communion time, Cade looked up at me and said, " Mommy, can I taste it?" .  I carefully answered him, that when he is older and is accepts Jesus through baptism that he could take the Lords supper, too. He then looked up at me with his big round green eyes and said, "But Mommy, I love Jesus!!"   I wanted to stand up right there and say.... um can we please get those plates back over here!!!  I love to see that my children are starting to grow their own relationship with their Savior!!

E-Mealz.com Last Chace to Save!!

LAST CHANCE!!!

Don't forget to get your Promo Code, and sign up for E-Mealz TODAY!!


I'm a super busy stay at homeing, volunteering, organizing, homeschooling, part time working, upward basketballing, little league T-balling, WIFE/MOM!! Like you, my schedule is busy, and my time is precious. And I am determined to help save my family $$ and that means we eat at home most of the time.  For me to pull this off and get everyone around the table, I make a menu every week... or at least I did; until I was introduced to E-Mealz.com!! Now with a few clicks of the mouse, and a quick print, I'm done.

For more information on E-Mealz.com and to get your PROMO CODE visit Blissfully Domestic!

PLAY BAAALLLLL!!

Spring is here, and since they go hand in hand, so is Baseball!  William is in his second season of T-ball, and is showing great improvement over last year.  We are the Aggies, which is a little difficult to swallow sometimes, b/c we were raised in Raider Country!! :)  But He is doing great... GO AGGIES!! :)   Brennan is a huge fan of baseball and especially the gear. He would clunk around in his brothers cleats everyday if I would let him. :)  But He is usually pretty content to play with the helment instead.

With the warmer,longer days; also come tired boys. Sweet Brennan couldn't even stay awake for Pizza and a movie! Pure Sweetness!!

Menu Plan Monday with E-Mealz.com

 I'm a super busy stay at homeing, volunteering, organizing, homeschooling, part time working, upward basketballing, little league T-balling, WIFE/MOM!! Like you, my schedule is busy, and my time is precious. And I am determined to help save my family $$ and that means we eat at home most of the time.  For me to pull this off and get everyone around the table, I make a menu every week... or at least I did; until I was introduced to E-Mealz.com!! Now with a few clicks of the mouse, and a quick print, I'm done.

For more information on E-Mealz.com and to get your PROMO CODE visit Blissfully Domestic!

A few of the dishes we are having this week are...
Chicken Chile Casserole
Pineapple Pork Stir-Fry
and
Fish w/Mango Salsa

YUMMY!!!