Pancake Day 2012

Have you heard of Pancake Day? Well you should know what it is! Yes, I do live in a really small town that sticks to its roots of coal mining and Indian settlements of yesteryear, but we are proud of where we are from. Annually, every last Saturday of September, we participate in what is known as "Pancake Day." The entire town and quite a few out-of-towners gather for free pancakes, parades, and an all together good time on the Centerville, Iowa square.

This is our band. We are proud! We may not win every game but we are still proud! We are the Centerville Reds! The kids enjoys bands from not only our school but at least five other out-of-district schools on our Pancake Day. It basically is just a great celebration of our town, our history, and pure togetherness. It really is a big deal here. I was happy this year to participate in making pancakes for the community. I am in a Scrub Club and we are doing as much community service as we can with what little time we have.

That's me on the right making pancakes like crazy! It was a really good time. So if you are ever in Centerville, Iowa on the last Saturday of every September you should stop by our little square in town. I promise it will be a great time. Pancakes start at 9 in the morning and we go on into fun festivals until 11 or 12 at night. We always love to see newcomers and promise a feeling of the good-ole days.

Easiest Vegetable Soup Ever

It is getting to that time of year ago (at least for us in the northern area). The days are getting a little cooler every day. That means it's time to settle in and enjoy warm joys like soups, noodles, potatoes, and more. Tonight we are enjoying vegetable soup that is so easy to make. If you have every been scared away of because you thought it was complicated, please read on. This is the easiest vegetable soup that you will ever make and it is super comforting.

Ingredients: 1 lb. hamburger, 1 can carrots, 1 can of corn, 1 can of green beans, 1 cans diced potatoes, 1 box of chicken broth, five chicken bullion cubes, salt and pepper to taste, water as needed. (all vegetable cans are 14.5 oz)

First we are going to empty all our veggies into a strainer and get the water off them. I then brown 1 lb of hamburger and drain it. Simple, right?



 

Next we are going to put the veggies and hamburger into the stock pot or large pan. I then add my chicken stock and some salt and pepper. The next thing I do is add 5 bullion cubes. Honestly, you can choose vegetable, chicken, or vegetable flavored. It's up to you! I like to use a mix of cubes and broth because it comes out just right. After I add my bullion cubes I add water. Don't add too much because you are going to have to add more broth flavor. I usually add enough to cover all the veggies about 2 inches above it. I fill up a 2 quart pitcher and add water that way. I usually use most of the pitcher.

 

If you look above this is before the water and after. It will give you an idea of how much water. It really depends on how much flavor you want. If you want it weak add more water, if you want strong broth add less.

 

After I added everything to the pot I let it simmer. I usually cook it about 2 hours on a low setting, but the vegetables are already cooked. You can just get it to a boil and then serve. I feel that the longer I cook it, the better it tastes.

Simple enough right? What is your favorite soup? Do you have a simple recipe that is comforting and delicious?

Fast Paced Motherhood

Let's face it, being a mother is a full-time job. Now add work or school and being a wife on top of that... let's just say we are super busy! I always try to find ways to make my life a little easier because I am constantly head deep in something. We have to clean, cook, organize, and do projects. There is also the kids' homework, plays, and sports. Then there are also moms that do this as well as work or go to school. I am going to share a few ways to make life a little simpler in our fast-paced lives.

Utilize your crock pot. These appliances are amazing. Throw in your food and let it cook itself. Some of our favorite foods come out of a crock pot. While I am doing my practical nursing classes, I come home on my lunch break and put supper in the crock pot. Then on weekends I break out all the pots and pans to cook a large meal. Recipe ideas: BBQ chicken sandwiches, chicken and noodles, chili, steak fajitas in the pot.

Do a large shopping run once a month. I know it is a lot of work to go through the store for an hour and then take it all home and put it away, but it's worth it. This is great too if you can get your hubby or friend (someone you trust) to keep an eye on the kiddos while you do it. I go once a month and completely stock up on our regulars. Then once a week I may pick up milk, bread, produce, etc. Trust me, you are going to make less trips to the store, which means more time for you!

I swear by rice. You can put it in just about anything and eat it for any meal. Yes, even breakfast! It is super affordable, offers dinner ideas on the box, and is very filling. Added bonus, you can cook it super fast! I always stock up on plenty of it.

I just may be in love with the Quaker man. Seriously. Corn meal, oatmeal, grits and more! I find ways to use these products all the time and it saves time and money.

Use a dishwasher! If you don't have one, invest in one. Especially if you have a pile of kids. No one wants to do dishes 3 or 4 times a day. Just use the washer. Oh and use a good soap too. I swear by Cascade. It gets even the toughest stuff off my dishes and I only have to run them through once.

Learn to relax! At the end of the day wind down and have a cup or hot tea. I recommend the two above. Chamomile is amazing. The kids even drink it and it is totally safe for them. It helps tell your body that it is time to go to sleep. After all we all need a little relaxation and zzzs.

 

What advice to you have on making life a little easier?