Kristin Goes Camping: Money Saving Tips

My husband Mike and I have been camping each summer, usually twice, for going on nine years now. What started out as just the two of us in a small tent, with tarps for cover, sleeping bags on the floor of the tent and a huge Walmart bill, has turned into much more.  We have a huge tent, EZ-up for coverage, air mattress to sleep on and a much smaller bill at Walmart! 

Why the huge bill you ask? We would think of 5-10 things we would need or want once we were already far from home.  I now make lists. We bring the list, and a pen, so we can add items we need while we are thinking about it.  

Last year, we added a new camper, little Miss Haileybug. She loved camping last year and was only six months, so we are excited to see her reaction this year. Bringing a little one isn't as hard as you would imagine. It just requires some more gear. A Pack n' Play is not only great for sleeping in, but to contain her while we are cooking or unpacking/packing.  

Our challenge this year, with Mike being furloughed a day a week, is to be thrifty with the grocery bill. Seeing as Pinterest is my new best friend, it was the first place I looked for money saving ideas.  Below are a few things we did this year that will definitely cut that precious moola off of our bill. 

Money Saving Tip #1

Food from home: We planned a menu for each day, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Then we went through to see what we already had from home. Frozen hamburger, steaks and chicken, eggs (in a plastic egg holder bought at WalMart), condiments (which we will talk about later), lunch meat, cheese, bread, butter, spices, etc. My all time favorite this year  is "Do-it-yourself shake and pour pancakes", minus the shake part ;)  

1. First, you need a large squeeze Ketchup bottle (ours is Heinz of course lol). If you don't have an empty one, empty the contents into another container. 

2. Once emptied and cleaned out with soap and water, peel off the labels.

3. Make whatever pancake mix you usually make in a bowl with a spout. 

4. Use a funnel to fill the bottle with the batter. If you don't have a funnel, do what I did and make one out of wax paper. Cut a piece in the shape of a square, roll into a cone shape and tape together. 

4. Put the lid on, label it pancakes and there you have it! Pancakes ready to squeeze out onto your campfire griddle! 

Money Saving Tip #2

This brings me to something I mentioned above; condiments.  Use small tupperwear to store ketchup, mustard, relish, mayo, sour cream, etc. We had a small ketchup pouch we bought at Walmart, or we would have used a container. Label them so you don't have to dig so much around the cooler.

Money Saving Tip #3

Bags of ice are so expensive, and when you are going to need to by them all week for your cooler, the last thing you want is to have to buy it just for the trip for the cold foods your bringing from home.  

1. Take gallon size Freezer Ziplock bags and fill them half way with water. 

2. Squeeze as much air out as you can, then zip shut. 

3. Lay flat in the freezer. These take about 24 hours to freeze solid. 

4. Use them along the sides of your cooler or to lay on top of foods.

5. We also froze a small pack of mini waters and stuck it in the cooler.

Hope those ideas help save you a little money and keep some of your sanity! 

Keep a lookout for more camping tips, ideas and recipes! 

Zucchini Fritters

I despise trying to think of what to make for breakfast and lunch. I don't know why, but my best guess is that during the  "school year" Mike and I get our own breakfast and lunch, and Hailey eats both at daycare. The weekends would consist of the breakfast classics: pancakes, bacon, eggs, omelets, french toast, etc. So, during the summer, I hit a cooking rut. The monotonous routine of cereal, granola bar, yogurt, repeat, no longer works for Hailey and I.  This morning I tried my first different recipe.  It was zucchini fritters. I came across the idea on Pinterest, but if course, gave it my own twist.  Without further ado, here is my pin a week challenge, Week 3.

Zucchini Fritters

INGREDIENTS

• 2 medium zucchini
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tablespoon lemon 
• 1 Tablespoon fresh cut or 1/2 Tablespoon dried parsley
• 1 medium clove garlic, peeled and minced
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 to 4 tablespoons olive oil

DIRECTIONS

1. STEP 1

   Using the large holes of a box grater, grate zucchini into a medium bowl. Add the salt, lemon juice, chopped parsley, garlic, pepper, and eggs. Mix well to combine. Slowly add flour, stirring so no lumps form.

2. STEP 2

   Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat until the oil sizzles when you drop a small amount of zucchini mixture into the pan. Carefully drop about 2 tablespoons zucchini mixture into pan; repeat, spacing fritters a few inches apart.

3. STEP 3

   Cook fritters until golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Lower heat to medium. Turn fritters, and continue cooking until golden, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer fritters to a plate; set aside in a warm place. Cook remaining zucchini mixture, adding more oil to pan if necessary.

   Helpful Tip: Although I cooked the recommended time, the middle seemed really wet or raw. I believe it was the moisture from the zucchini. I recommend patting your zucchini dry before mixing. 

Pin A Week, Week 2: Bathtub Fun!

My 18 month old, Hailey, LOVES the water, but she HATES getting her hair washed.  My husband and I do what we can to distract her, but the little wind up toy that swims around the tub wasn't cutting it.  My first purchase was tub crayons by Crayola.  She really enjoys those and it worked, she barely noticed us washing her hair.  She gets bored easy though, so I needed a backup ready to make the tub double fun!  I found this idea on Pinterest.  The pin explained how to do the project, but I added a little twist by writing some learning opportunities as well. I hope you can use it to entertain your little ones and provide an unexpected learning experience as well. :)

Noodles in the Tub

What you Need:

- 2-3 Pool Noodles (the cheapest I found was at WalMart.  I only used one and she liked it, but it didn't really fill the tub like it recommends)
- Sharp Knife (no serrated, this makes a mess! lol)




What you Do:

1. Lay the Pool Noodle on a cutting board, peice of cardboard or something to protect your cutting surface.
2. Cut into sections that are 1-3 inches in length.  I did two sizes so I could talk about big and small
3. Throw into bathtub and your children will have a blast!

Learning Opportunities:

1. Color Naming and ID- Choose 2-3 different colored noodles so that you can have your child identify and name colors in the tub.
2. Counting- Take groups of anywhere from 1-10 out and put them on the side of the tub to have your child count them out. If they can do more than 10, great! If you have an older child, have them count how many of each color then add them together for an extra challenge!
3. Sorting- Have your child sort by color or size by having a few large Tupperware bins available (they will float in the tub)
4. Size- Talk about big and small. Have your child name big and small and also identify big and small by holding two up and saying "which one is smaller/bigger"?
5. Cause and Effect- Some examples: When I hold the noodle up and pour water on it, it goes through the hole and into the tub.  When you put it under water what happens? (It pops back up.  This can lead into the science activity listed below)
6. Science- Does it Float or Sink?  Although this activity is geared toward older children, it certaintly doesn't hurt for your younger ones to see and listen to the experiment.  They will pick up on the vocabulary as well as the cause and effect of each.  Start by talking about the noodle and that it popped back up from under the water because it floats.  Then choose an object that sinks and talk about how it stays under the water because it sinks.  Have several objects that float and sink available and have your child identify each.

Fun can be learning, so go and have some fun! :)

First of my Pin a Week Challenge

It was bad enough when Pinterest was introduced and you could click and sort awesome ideas and recipes at your convenience, but then they came out with the app for iPhone.  Just click and hold and there you have it!  I have been going "pin crazy" while Hailey is napping lately, intending to find ideas for my classroom, but one pin leads to another.  So I have all of these pins and probably haven't done anything with most of them.  What is the use of pinning if I am not going to do it.  I have seen the Pin a Day challenges, but I don't have time for that between my family, teaching, my side business and now coaching color guard! So I have decided to go with the "Pin a Week Challenge".

My first project was something I pinned to my PCOS board.  Because of the inconsistent sugar levels in my body and they way my body processes those sugars, it is extremely difficult to lose weight.  I needed a visual to keep me going, and this seemed perfect!

Weight Loss Jars

You will Need:

- 2 jars of your choice (I used two cylinder vases that were .97 each at Walmart)
- Marbles, floral stones or something else that can be counted out.
- paint markers or "puffy paint"
- glitter or other decorations

Directions:

All I did to complete this project was use my paint to write "Pounds to Go" on one vase and "Pounds Lost" on the other.  I decorated with polka dots, dusted on some fine iridescent glitter and let it dry.  Once it dried, I counted out how many pounds I need to lose to be at my goal weight, which is 94 pounds! Yikes!  Those stones went into the "Pounds to Go" vase.  I then put how many I had lost already (I made these a week after I started my lifestyle change) in the vase labeled "Pounds Lost", which is 7!  Each week when I weigh in, I will be able to move stones over for pounds lost.  If I gain, I have to move them back :(  My hopes are that I am not going to want to move them back and am going to strive to fill the "Pounds Lost" side, even if it is just one stone a week.  

Hope this is something that can help you too!  Enjoy!

Praying for Alex

Good Evening Followers!

I write to you tonight with a heavy heart.  I recently found out that a little boy I used to teach has a condition called MPS III (for more information on this go to: www.mpssociety.org).  His family is going through a lot right now and needs everyone's prayers and support!  As his condition progresses, he will need special equipment (right now it's a special car seat) and treatment.  I would like to help this family out, as their little boy is dear to my heart!  Please help by clicking on the "Donate" button below.  This will take you to a page in which you can donate, and it will be sent to my private PayPal account, so I can get the money to the family.  Thanks in advance for your support, it is deeply appreciated!!!

The Boyd Family (Alex is the oldest)

Kristin

Chicken Sausage Fajitas

I have been really into creating healthy recipe's for my family lately.  I finally have my exercise routine under control, and now want to focus on meal planning.  My dad introduced me to chicken sausage when I was visiting a couple weekends ago and it is DELICIOUS!  I combined it with our love of fajitas. Enjoy!

Chicken Sausage Fajitas

Ingredients

- 1 medium onion, chopped

- 1 red bell pepper, chopped

- 1 cup of corn 

- 1 TBSP olive oil

- 1 pkg Johnsonville Chipotle Monterey Jack Cheese Chicken Sausage, chopped

- 1 TBSP Lemon Juice

- Flour Tortillas, warmed

- 1 cup shredded Mexican Blend Cheese for topping

Directions

1.  In a large skillet, saute the onion, pepper and corn in oil until tender. (I chop the sausage while this is cooking)

2.  Add the sausage and lemon juice and heat through (I like my sausage to get a little browned)

3.  Spread sour cream on tortilla shell

4.  Spoon sausage mixture down the center of the tortilla

5.  Sprinkle with cheese, lettuce, or fresh pico de gallo

6.  Roll up and enjoy!

Kristin’s Smothered Chicken

We have been trying hard to eat healthy, and expose Hailey to healthy foods.  So far, so good...she loves her veggies and chicken!  I created this recipe based on the Cracker Barrel low carb menu.  The chicken on their menu is just chicken, bacon and cheese. I, of course, had to spruce it up!  The whole family enjoyed it, especially Hailey, and I hope you do too!

Kristin’s Smothered Chicken

Looks like a mess, but it's delicious!

Ingredients

- 1 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Sliced thin and into tender like strips

-  1 pkg Baby Bella mushrooms, sliced

- I small onion, sliced thinly

- I small red bell pepper (or whatever bell peppers you like), sliced thinly

- 8 bacon strips done flat and crispy (this is best acheived in microwave or grill)

- 1 cup Mexican shredded cheese (or whatever cheese you prefer)

- 2 TBSP Butter

Directions

1.           Turn oven to broil so it can heat while you do the following…
2.           In a large skillet, melt 1 TBSP of the butter, add mushrooms.  Cook several minutes until half way cooked and add sliced onions and peppers.  Sautee until tender
3.           When mushrooms, onions and peppers are finished, dump into bowl, cover and set aside.
4.           Melt the other TBSP of butter in the pan.  Add a squirt of Lawry’s Teriyaki marinade.  Add pieces of chicken and pan fry until cooked through.  Add some of the marinade as you turn the pieces.
5.           Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with Pam.  When the chicken is cooked, take out and place in two’s on the baking sheet. 
6.           Place the bacon strips on each pair, distributing evenly.
7.           Spoon the onion, mushroom, pepper mixture on top of each pair.
8.           Sprinkle the shredded cheese over each piece of chicken
9.           Place in the oven under the broiler until cheese starts to bubble and is golden brown.

Serving Suggestions
    
      We had this will Uncle Ben’s Whole Grain Santa Fe Rice.  We use the extra mushrooms, onions and peppers as our vegetable.

The Wrath of the Stinkbug!

Crawling all over your walls, lying dead on your floor, flying around erratically in search of a place to land...yes, I am taking about the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug!  These nasty bugs have been invading our home for several years now, but it is not until today that I now have a personal vendetta with them.  

My one year old daughter Hailey is your typical one year old, getting into things she shouldn't, running in and out of rooms and sticking everything and anything in her mouth.  I should have taken the penny I had to pull out of her mouth this morning as a bad omen.   

I took Hailey into the living room, which I can see from the kitchen, and proceeded to the kitchen to make toast and eggs for breakfast.  Apparently my little Haileybug (aggh, I will never be able to use that nickname again), couldn't wait for me to finish.  I looked over and she was chewing on something.  I ran over and opened her mouth only to find a stink bug crawling in her mouth.  I quickly tried to finger swipe it out, but scared her and ended up only pulling off a leg.  It was like slow motion as I saw her swallow it...BLEH!  

Since it was alive, I called the emergency line and they recommended I take her since it was alive and they like to cling to things, meaning it could cling to her throat or esophagus.  To make a long story short, she threw up about 5 times, kept swiping at her throat, was miserable and wouldn't eat or drink.  The ER doctor took an X-ray of her neck, but they couldn't see anything.  He then called a toxicologist from Pittsburgh for advice because he didn't know if they were poisonous or not.  I personally researched and there is  ZERO information out there on them.  The toxicologist said that they started researching more because many young toddlers were coming in because of the same issue.  The conclusion has been they are not poisonous, that the children are more than likely throwing up because of the taste.  The red swollen throats of about almost all the children they have seen is most likely because the secretion they release burns.  So needless to say, we were the test subjects on what to do for others to come for the same thing.  We were both just glad to go home after the 3 hour adventure.

Since there is so many, I decided to research a way to get rid of them, or at least lessen the amount.  I came across this website and it talks about what the stink bug does, solutions on how to get rid of them and stories from other. http://stopstinkbugs.com/

I am going to check it out and try  a few things.  I will update when I do and give you my reviews! In the meantime, good luck out there!

Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese

Any Jalapeno Popper lovers out there?? If so, you will LOVE this recipe.  It's a yummy twist the your typical grilled cheese (adapted from Pinterest, one of my favorite places to find ideas).

Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese

Ingredients

• 2 jalapeno peppers, cut in half lengthwise and seeded
• 2 slices sour dough bread (any type will do, but not too thin)
• 1 tablespoon butter, softened
• 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup jack and cheddar cheese, mexican cheese blend or plain cheddar, shredded
• 1 tablespoon tortilla chips, crumbled

Directions

1. Place the peppers on a baking sheet with the cut side facing down, drizzle with olive or canola oil.
2. Place the baking sheet on the top shelf in the oven and broil until jalapenos are soft.
3. Place the peppers aside and let cool while you do the next steps. 
4. Remove the skins if you want or if they were "blacked" while broiling.  
5. Butter the outside of each slice of bread and spread the cream cheese on the inside of one slice. Place the jalapenos on the cream cheese, pushing down slightly so they "stick". Sprinkle half of the cheese on top of the jalapenos.  Now add the crumbled tortilla chips, the remaining cheese and finally the other slice of bread.
6. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat, spray with PAM. 
7. Grill until golden brown and the cheese has melted, about 2-4 minutes per side.  Be careful flipping your sandwich, the ingredients may fall out.  I usually put the turner underneath and hold the top with my hand while I flip.  I heard you can use tongs as well, which would pinch it shut.

Enjoy, I know we did!!!

Welcome!

Hello and Welcome to Everyone!

For those that don't know, my name is Kristin.  I am originally from the city of Pittsburgh, now a country livin' momma!  I have a pretty hectic life, teaching the 7th grade, operating my small business, Dimples & Giggles with my friend Rachel, and being a mommy to my baby girl, Hailey Grace.  

My husband's name is Mike and he is from this area...right smack in the middle of PA...which is how I ended up as a "Country Girl".  The past seven years that I have lived in this area, I have grown to love many things that I maybe would not have been interested in before including camping, crafting, gardening and "yard-saleing", to name a few.  

The goal of this blog is to share my ideas about those things, my business, and the things I was already interested in like, education, cooking, photography and organization!  Just to forewarn everyone, I love to share stories about my family, especially my daughter, so a little of that will be thrown in as well. I hope you find this blog to be helpful and enjoyable!

Kristin