Tips for Cleaning Fridge out and great Crockpot Recipe

Cleaning out your fridge can sometimes be overlooked while in reality it can help you save money. It will help your fridge run better, organization can help you know what is in it and get rid of what is out of date. It can help you save time by being able to find what you need.

 To start you need to find out what is in the fridge or freezer to do this you need to take inventory. Discard items that are out of date as well as items that you will not use.

If your fridge has adjustable shelves and drawers be sure to get the most use from them Organize food items by size which will allow you to function for each shelf and make it much easier to locate your small, hard to see items. One good tip is to store jars and bottles in the fridge door and bagged items in the freezer door.   Keep the most often used items in front for easy access.

To help control odors keep an open box of baking soda in the back corner. Vanilla extract on a cotton ball or paper towel and placed on a paper plate can help add freshness to the fridge. When the ball is dry remove it.

Add the chore of cleaning out the fridge and freezer once a month to the list of chores.  


While you are cleaning out your fridge you may want to try this crock pot recipe perfect for clean out the fridge day



3 cups chicken broth (canned or "fresh")
2 cans of whatever kind of beans you like (drained)
1 can tomatoes (and juice)
1 can corn (and juice)
vegetables (I had leftover roasted broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, and asparagus)
salt and pepper to taste

Drain and rinse beans; add to crock.
Add the juice and vegetables from the corn and tomato cans.
Cover with chicken broth. Unless you are vegetarian. Then I would imagine you'd not want to use chicken broth and opt for vegetable stock.
Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4.

shared on one or more of these parties
Boost Your Post Party- Ducks 'n a Row, Crystelle Boutique
Bouquet of Talent- Life on Lakeshore Drive
Dare to Share- Pam's Party and Practical Tips
DIY Inspired Linky Party (F6p)- The Girl Creative
My Favorite Things Saturdays (F)- A Time for Seasons
Saturday Dishes (F pm)- Life is Fantasmic, Pebbles and Piggytails
Saturday Night Fever (8P)- Diary of a Recipe Collector, Belle of the Kitchen, House of Yum, Petite Allergy Treats
Saturday Sharefest (S6a)- SITS Girls
Saturday Sparks- Pieced Pastimes
Saturday's Critters (7a)- Viewing Nature With Eileen
*Sharing Saturday (F)- Crafty Moms Share
Show Me Saturday (7a)- 3 Little Greenwoods, Gingerly Made, My Creative Days
Show Stopper Saturday (S7a)- Joyful Healthy Eats, Simply Gloria, Will Cook for Smiles
Skip the Housework Saturday (7a)- Reasons to Skip the Housework
Strut Your Stuff (opens Friday 9:15)- Six Sisters' Stuff
Super Saturday (F7)- Bakerette, What's Cooking with Ruthie, Made From Pinterest, It All Started with Paint, My Kitchen Escapades
Weekend Wind-Down (F6)- My Snippets of Inspiration, DeDivah Deals, A Living Sacrifice, Mustard Seed Mommy, Moms Who Save

 

Teddy Bear Sandwich    

               

4  slices of bread     

2 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons white sugar   

1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

12 banana slices

12 small raisins                

 

Toast the bread and spread each piece with 1/2 tablespoon butter Mix the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Sprinkle over the bread. There may be some leftover Place 2 banana slices in the upper corners of each piece of bread for the ears and one on each piece in the middle for the nose. Use 2 raisins for eyes and one for the nose on each piece of bread.                 

                    recipe source: Girl Who Ate Everything

               

 

              shared at one or more of these parties

Anything Goes (3a)- Bacon Time with the Hungry Hypo
Best of the Weekend (p.m.)- Cooking With Curls, A Little Claireification, Little Miss Celebration,  The Mandatory Mooch
Craft Frenzy Friday (Th7)- Craft Dictator
Eat. Create. Party! (Th7p)- Endlessly Inspired, I Want Crazy, A Dash of Sanity, Living Better Together
Fabric Frenzy Friday (F)- Fort Worth Fabric Studio
Fabulous Friday- Simple Nature Decor
Feature Friday Link Palooza (Th pm)- Blissful and Domestic
Five Friday Finds- Morsels of Life
Foodie Friday (Th8)- Simple Living and Eating and Home Maid Simple
Foodie Friends Friday (Th8)- Foodie Friends Friday, Walking on Sunshine, From Calculus to Cupcakes, Cindy’s Recipes and Writings, Busy Vegetarian Mom, This and That, Winelady Cooks, In the Kitchen with Jenny, The Chef Next Door, Robyn’s View
Freedom Fridays with All My Bloggy Friends (TR 7:30)- My Turn for Us, Love Bakes Good Cakes
Friday Favorites (Thpm)- The Diary of a Real Housewife
*Friday Features- Oh My Heartsie Girl
Friday Link Party (Th8)- The Pin Junkie
From the Farm (7aF)- The Homesteading Hippy, My Healthy Green Family, 
Inspiration Spotlight Party (F5a)- Dear Creatives
Inspire Me Please (Th after8)- Love of Family and Home, House of Rose, Liz Marie Blog, Blissfully After
Let's Get Real Friday (Th5p)- Our Little Family Adventure, Juggling Real Food and Real Life, 365 (ish) Days of Pinterest, Calm, Healthy, Sexy, A Dish of Daily Life
Life of the Party (Th7)- The Grant Life
Link Party Palooza (F6p or earlier)- Tater Tots and Jello, Lil Luna, I Heart Nap Time, Somewhat Simple, Today's Creative Blog
Our Favorite Things Pinterest Party (Th)- My Turn for Us, Gina's Crafty Corner, View from the Fridge, Carissa Miss, Gingerly Made, Our Rosey Life, Crafty Allie, Denise Designed, Table for 7, 3 Little Greenwoods
Pin Me (8a)- Diana Rambles
Pinworthy Projects (7a)- Domestic Superhero, Just Us Four, Atkinson Drive
Post Comment Love (1:30a)- Verily, Victoria Vocalises
Pretty Pintastic (2:01 a.m.F)- Coffee With Us 3, Gloriously Made,  An Alli Event, Captain America and His English Rose
Pure Blog Love (Th7p)- PicNic
Say G'Day Saturday (F6)- Natasha in Oz, What's On The List?
That's Fresh Friday(biweekly Thurs7)- Prototype Mama
(*New) The Handmade Hangout (Th5)- Too Much Time, From Gardners 2 Bergers, Christina's Adventures, Redoux Interiors, A Glimpse Inside
Weekend Potluck (F6A)- The Better Baker, The Country Cook, 4 Little Fergusons, Sunflower Supper Club, Frugal Family Favorites
Weekend Recipe Link Up (F afternoon? before 4)- Gator Mommy Reviews
Weekend re-Treat (Th6p)- The Best Blog Recipes
Weekend Social (Th8)- Kitchen Dreaming , The McCallum's Shamrock Patch
Weekend Wind-down (F5p)- This SimpleHome
What To Do Weekends (Th9:00)- Crafts a la Mode

 

World Kindness Day

Get Your Car Ready For Winter

Is your car ready for winter? If not it is swiftly approaching so you should get your car ready. Here are some tips to ensure you and your car are ready

1. If your car needs service be sure that you do it sooner rather than latter. Winter is different than summer in the fact that bad hoses, belts, and water pumps can go bad in the winter. Remember if you fix it now it is better than being stranded in a broke down car waiting in the cold for help to arrive. Checking your tire pressure now is often important in your car running well

2. Checking the battery and belts of your car now is important in winter as well as the cold will quickly zap a bad battery. Cars take more energy to start in the winter and the cold zapping batteries is not good for you or your car.

3. Cooling system needs to be checked. Checking anti-freeze helps protect your car in the winter. A mixture of 50/50 coolant to water is one that you should keep in mind. Coolant at 100% is actually less able to transfer heat away from your engine which could lead to issues such as melted spark plugs and engine failure.

4. Ensure your windshield wipers are running well and clean your windshield clear. Ice blades are very popular in winter. While they work well in winter be sure to remove them in the spring. Using them year round will lead to wearing out the wiper motor another good reason to turn off wipers when not in use.

5. Keeping gas in your car is also very important in the winter time. If you happen to snowbound in your car the only source of heat you will have is the car. There are a few things you should do is to crack open a window as well as remove snow from exhaust pipe to clear.

6. The windshield washer reservoir should be kept full. Keeping your windshield clean can use lots of washer fluid. It may also be a good idea to keep more washer fluid in the trunk.

7. weighing your trunk down with sandbag will help if you have a rear wheel driving car.

8. Rear window defrosters work well so it is very important to have this checked before it is needed

9. If it is the first time you have driven in the snow then you should take note what your car can do and can not do. Take note of the brake system and type of tires so you know what to expect.

10. pack your car trunk with items that may be needed in the case that you get stranded. A snow brush or scraper, shovel, bag of sand and extra washer fluid are just a few things your car may need. Packing extra winter clothes, blankets, boots are also great to have. A cell phone is also very helpful to have in the car.

shared at Homeacre Hop

Turkey Cookies

 

 

Are these turkeys not the cutest things?? They are so super funny and easy to make not to mention that once you are done you can eat if you want. Just think how cute these would be as a place setting for your guest.

recipe source here

shared at one or more of these parties
(New) And Sew We Craft Together (W)- And Sew We Craft
Creative Spark (Wam)- My Paper Craze, Weekend Craft, Please Excuse My Craftermath
Fluster's Creative Muster (T5p)- Fluffer Buster
(New)Hit Me With Your Best Shot (T6p)- Dolen Diaries, Just a Girl and Her Blog, Made to Be A Momma, One Krieger Chick
Make Bake Create- Hope in Every Season
Moonlight and Mason Jars (T10pm)- Newlywed Pilgrimage, Five Heart Home, Cherished Bliss,  Made in a Day
Party on the Porch (T7pm)- The Shady Porch
Recipe Roundup (W7a)- Gooseberry Patch
*Retro Re-pin Party (pins) (T7)- 2 Crochet Hooks, Sustaining the Powers, Nifty Thrifty Family, Meatloaf and Melodrama, xoxo Grandma, Probably Crafting, Crafty Side of Sarcasm
Show and Share Wednesday- Mostly Homemade Mom
The DIY'ers (T4 or 5pm)- Bigger Than The Three of Us, Brave New Home, Homecoming, Simply Dream and Create
Wake Up Wednesday- Sew Crafty Angel + 24
Wednesday Roundup (W)- Foody Schmoody, The Princess and Her Cowboys, Love, Pasta and A Tool Belt, Lemoine Family Kitchen
*What We Eat (W10a)- Orchard Girls
What's Cookin' Wednesday (W)- Buns in My Oven
What's It Wednesday- Ivy and Elephants
Whimsy Wednesday (T6)- Oh My! Creative, The NY Melrose Family, Smart School House, Princess Pinky Girl, Simply Designing With Ashley
Wine'd Down Wednesday (T6p)- Dizzy Busy and Hungry, Our Three Peas, My Rays of Sunshine 
Wonderful Wednesday (T6p)- Ducks 'n a Row, Spatulas on Parade, Sugar Aunts, Recipes for Our Daily Bread, A Peek Into My Paradise, Flavors by Four, Pure Grace Farms
Wonderfully Creative Wednesdays (T7)- All She Cooks Mom's Test Kitchen, Nibbles by Nic, Sew Creative
Worthwhile Wednesdays (Tpm)- Crafty Allie
Wow Us Wednesdays (Tpm)- Family Home and Life

Preparing for Christmas

Have you got started on preparing for Christmas. I know we have not experienced Thanksgiving yet but sometimes its better not to wait to the last moment. There are a few things that you can do now and save time later.

Shopping can be done in batches. Just the other day I saw the sign there are only so many days til Christmas. Today believe it or not there are only 44 days til Christmas and the days count down daily. Spreading it out will save your sanity and the stress you put on your wallet

Wrapping presents as you buy them will save you time and help you remember who your bought them for. Don't attach the bows yet.

Time to spruce up the house. Cleaning is one area but fixing any minor repair as well as decorating can be done. We all want that picture perfect look but don't forget to relax and enjoy the season as well

Do you plan on traveling if you have made reservations good job if not you need to get on that now. Scheduling may be tough but you can do it if you really try.

Time to make those lists not only for what you want but what others want as well.

Sending Christmas cards is easy if no one has moved in the past year. Make your card to send list and talk to the people on that list to make sure all addresses are correct.


Will you be hosting a party? Start a party budget now this will help you stay in guidelines and may become a valuable tool as a guide for future parties. It may be a good idea to set aside an area to store party supplies.

Time to inventory your decorations. When you know what you all ready have your needs list will be easier to prepare What theme will you go with? Test the lights to make sure they work Purchase what you want to add or need


shared at
celebrate your story 

Yanky Doodle Snacks

 

These little snacks are perfect for veterans day. What a great way to salute the ones that serve

 

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows
--or--
4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® cereal
--or--
6 cups Kellogg's® Cocoa Krispies® cereal
1 1/2 cups white chocolate morsels
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons water
Red-, white- and blue-colored sprinkles

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. 2. Add KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Crosswise cut in half, forming two 9 x 6 1/2-inch rectangles.
4. Meanwhile, in small saucepan melt white chocolate morsels over low heat, stirring frequently. Stir in oil. Add powdered sugar, stirring until combined. Add water. Stir until smooth.
5. Spread chocolate mixture over one cereal rectangle. Top with second rectangle. Sprinkle with red-, white- and blue sprinkles, pressing lightly into cereal mixture. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. Cut into 3 1/4- x 1-inch strips. Best if served the same day.


MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Meanwhile, in small microwave-safe bowl heat white chocolate morsels on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes or until melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Continue as directed in steps 4 and 5 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

recipe source: SnackPicks

shared at one or more of these parties
Be Inspired (T8a)- Elizabeth and Co.
Brag About It (M late)- VMG206
Create, Link, Inspire (M8:30p)- The Crafty Blog Stalker, Nap-time Creations, Kleinworth and Co., Marvelous Mommy
Craft and Recipe Link Up (T)- The SITS Girls
Empty Your Archive- Mums Make Lists
Fluster's Creative Muster (T5p)- Fluffer Buster
Handmade Tuesdays (M7p)- Ladybug Blessings
Hearth and Soul Blog Hop (M5p)- The 21st Century Housewife, Premeditated Leftovers, Zesty South Indian Kitchen
Inspire Us Tuesday (T)- Two Little Cavaliers
Party In Your PJs- The Cookie Puzzle, Simply Sweets by Honeybee
Project Inspired (M7p)- Yesterday on Tuesday, The Silly Pearl, Cupcakes and Crinoline,  An Extraordinary Day,
Share it Link Party (T)- The Winthrop Chronicles
Simple Supper Tuesday (M7pm)- Hun What's For Dinner?, Cooking From a Stay At Home Mom, Moore or Less Cooking Blog
Tasty Tuesdays (T3a) (pinterest links)-  Anyonita Nibbles
Teach Me Tuesday (M8p)- 3GLOL
The Gathering Spot (M6p)- Mamal Diane
The Lou Lou Girls Linky Party (M8p)- The Lou Lou Girls
The Southern Special (T8a)- Spatulas on Parade, Random Crafty Georgia Girl, The Household Hero
Tickle My Tastebuds (T6a)- Detours in Life, I'm Not a Trophy Wife, 
Time for Mom (T7a)- Can't Google Everything
Time to Sparkle (M8p)- Inside Brucrew Life, The Gunny Sack, The Recipe Critic, Love Grows Wild
Tips and Tricks (Mpm)-Fearlessly Creative Mammas
Totally Talented Tuesdays (M8p)- Mandy's Recipe Box
Treasure Box Tuesday (Monday 7 p.m.)- Yesterfood, Memories by the Mile
Tuesdays with a Twist (T6a)- Stone Cottage Adventures, Back to the Basics, God's Growing Garden, Ms Smoozy's, Kneaded Creations
Turn It Up Tuesday (M7)- This Momma's Ramblings, The Mom Maven +16
You're Gonna Love It (M7)- Kathe with an E

Thank You to All Who served

Countdown to Thanksgiving

Its almost here we will be on the countdown to Thanksgiving. I am sharing this list just a few days before the countdown actually begins so that you can have an opportunity to get ready.

2 weeks before thanksgiving:
plan the menu whether it be traditional or one that will capture your own personal concept which may tie them both together depending on your personal style.

Decide the type of turkey you will prepare. Some of my friends like a good turkey breast, others order from a turkey farm and some even simply head out to get a turkey from the freezer of the local grocery store. Whatever you choose to do now is the time to do it

1 week before thanksgiving
time to make up the various list that you will need. Grocery list, table setting list, and linen and household supply list may be among the list you need to create

make a seating chart and decide where everyone will sit and make sure that the linens are all ready and clean

house cleaning time and time to decorate as well. Make the house feel warm and comfortable

now is also a great time to make a cooking plan what will be created when. It is much better to do that now rather than at the time when it all needs done.

Monday before Thanksgiving:
purchase all the non - perishable items you will need

time to defrost the turkey

time to set the table and the centerpiece. This allows you to enjoy it for more time than just the big day.

prepare recipes and serving dishes. One great way to do this is to write the recipe on an index card and place in the dish it will be created in

time to clean the glassware. If you have a special set of wine glasses or you are like me and have a special set of glasses set aside for company use.

Day before Thanksgiving:
prepare veggies that will be needed for the dinner. Place these in plastic baggies and chill

prepare the pies

prepare the potatoes, store in a covered bowl of cold water

prepare appetizers that you will be serving

today is the day to pick up that fresh turkey

shop for all those last minute items such as bread, rolls, salad, etc...

prepare the side dishes that can be made ahead of time.

Thanksgiving Day:
Big day of cooking but also remember to make room in the kitchen and also to enjoy yourself when its time for the dinner

Dressing Traditional or Dressed Up

 

As a child I can remember getting so excited to travel to grandmas house to have a delicious meal. She cooked it all herself with my aunts and mom bringing a few dishes that they wanted to show off as well. I can remember her dressing oh my so delicious and good. It was not the only time of the year that she would make it but Thanksgiving seemed so special. You see my family for many years had a large fish and chicken fry for the local area. Many individuals would help out and one thing that my grandmother did was prepare her delicious dressing for all to enjoy. While hers was made in a traditional style the dressing that I will share with my family this year is just a bit different one that will include prepared stuffing cubes and Italian sausage. While grannies always had a bit of turkey meat and a special bread tore into pieces I wanted to share an updated so to speak recipe with my family this year and I am sure there will be both cheers and jeers and questions as to why we changed the recipe so later I will share grannies recipe here on the blog as I have planned to make it as well allowing everyone to make their own choice. Traditions are hard to break but when you use Italian sausages that everyone loves you cant go wrong.

 

 

 

Italian Sausage Thanksgiving Dressing

Recipe by Our Best Bites

Ingredients:

1 lb. Italian sausage (in this recipe, I prefer hot, but if you’re worried about spice or want to control the heat, use mild and then season with a hot sauce like Tabasco to taste)

1 onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

5-6 cloves garlic, minced

1 c. sliced mushrooms

1 grated Granny Smith apple (use your food processor if you have one; your knuckles will thank you)

1 16-oz. package cubed stuffing or dressing (I like Pepperidge Farms; for this recipe, I try to stay away from Stove Top because the flavor is so overwhelming)

2 1/2 c. chicken broth

1 c. chopped pecans, toasted

1/2+ c. dried cranberries (optional)

Preheat oven to 350Instructions:

Heat a very large skillet to medium heat, remove casings, and crumble Italian sausage in the pan. As it starts to brown, stir in onions, celery, and garlic. As the sausage cooks, break up larger pieces–part of the awesomeness of this dressing are the little sausage bits in every bite.

As the onions begin to turn translucent, stir in mushrooms and apple. I grate it because I love the tart flavor of the apple, but I don’t like chunks of soggy apple in savory dishes like this. Icky, icky, icky.

When mushrooms are tender, sprinkle dressing mix over the sausage mix and then add chicken broth. Continue stirring as the dressing mix absorbs the liquid. Add in pecans and cranberries (if desired). When the liquid has been incorporated and the mixture is fully mixed, transfer to a 9×13 dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes. If you’d like to make this 1-2 days ahead of time, cover it after you place it in the 9×13 pan, and then bake it straight from the fridge.

 

shared at one or more of these parties

DIY Sunday Showcase (Sat 5)- Pink When, Minette's Maze, My Crafty Spot, VMG206, View From the Fridge, Interior Frugalista
Inspiration Monday (Sun1p)- Your Home Based Mom, Domestically Speaking, I Should Be Mopping the Floor, Mom on Timeout, Redhead Can Decorate, Today's Creative Blog, Will Cook For Smiles, Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Live Laugh Rowe, Five Heart Home, TwelveOeight
It's Party Time (Sun)- Three Mango Seeds, It's So Very Cheri 
Lump it or Link It (Sun7a)- Delineate Your Dwelling, Dream a Little Bigger, Two it Yourself
Nifty Thrifty Sunday (Sat?p)- Nifty Thrifty Things
See Ya in the Gumbo- Ms. enPlace
*Sew Darn Crafty*- Sew Many Ways
Share It Sunday (Sat8p)- Denise Designed, Our Rosey Life, Sondra Lyn at Home
Share It One More Time (Sat 5:00p)- One More Time Events
Snickerdoodle Sunday (Sat4p)- 2 Crochet Hooks, Meatloaf and Melodrama, Sadie Seasongoods, Nifty Thrifty Family
Submarine Sunday- USS Crafty
Sunlit Sunday (Sat7p)- My Little Home and Garden
Sweet and Savory Sunday (Sun 10a)- The Velvet Moon Baker, Cookin for the Seven Dwarves, Baking in Pyjamas
Sweet Tea Social (blog)- Texas Women Bloggers
That DIY Party (no recipes) (Sun am)- DIY Showoff

Think Pink Sunday (Sat9p)- Flamingo Toes

- See more at: http://yesterfood.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html#sthash.asRCToDD.dpuf