Scrumptious Saturday - Peanut Butter Balls

Here's week two of yummy  Valentines Day candy treats.

Mix 1 cup cream peanut butter

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature

and 1 1/2 tsp vanilla in a large bowl. 

Knead mixture until smooth, adding up to 1/2 cup more powdered sugar as needed to prevent sticking.

Roll dough into 1 inch balls and set on a wax paper-lined cookie sheet: chill 1 hour. 

Line 2 more cookie sheets with was paper; set aside. Place assorted sprinkles in shallow bowls.

Microwave 1 1/2 cups light cocoa candy melts, stirring every 15 seconds, until smooth. Drop the balls 5 at a time in the melted chocolate to coat. Remove balls with a fork, allowing excess chocolate to drip off. Roll balls in sprinkles to coat. Place on lined cookie sheets. Repeat with remaining balls, then chill until chocolate is set. Makes about 40 peanut butter balls.

Scrumptious Saturday - Cream Cheese Melts

I haven't made these yet, but they'd be so cute for Valentines Day - plus they sound really yummy. The original recipe can be fount in Parents Magazine - here's the online link.

Mix 4oz. cream cheese 

1 Tbsp. butter

1Tbsp. light corn syrup

1/4 mint extract in a large bowl until smooth.

Gradually beat in 3 cups powdered sugar.

When the mixture  starts to come together, turn it out onto a clean work surface and knead, adding up to 1/2 cup more sugar as necessary to prevent sticking, until dough is smooth.

Divide dough into three even pieces. Tint one part dark pink, and one part light pink with the red food coloring. Leave the third part white. 

Roll each portion into a 15 inch long rope. Twist the 3 ropes together and roll into a single rope about 3/4 in. wide. Flatten slightly and cut into 3/4in. tri-colored pieces. Spread mints out in a single layer on parchment-lined baking sheets. Cover and chill 4 hours.

Makes about 50 pieces.

Tips and Hints Tuesday - Restaurants Where Your Kids Eat Free

Offers may vary, so call before you go.

Applebee's - Monday nights, kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree. (Additional kids meals are $1 each)

Denny's - From 4-10pm on select nights, kids under 10 get a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entree.

Pizza Hut - kids 3 and under eat free from the lunch buffet.

(Real Simple - October 2010 p 217)

Chili's is ALWAYS offering kids eat free coupons and deals. Check out their website.

Money Monday - Coupon Sites That Really Save

Parents Magazine Feb. 2011 issue (p. 86)  has some good couponing sites. They weed the good from the bad.

Check out:

mommysavesbig.com - Updated printable mail-in rebates and online discount stores geared towards moms. (i.e. Kohls, Walmart)

cheapstingybargains.com - daily deals on electronics, housewares and clothing.

couponmom.com (LOVE THIS SITE) Helps you organizes sales and coupons in over 38 supermarket chains.

currentcodes.com - discount codes for over 2000 online stores. They even include stores like Babies R Us and Gymboree

Family Friday - Magic Window

I read this in a magazine and I think it makes a lot of sense. The detailed article can be found here 

I found it interesting and well-thought out. It makes the assumptions that most kids have a "magic window" in which they best comply with learning a new task or foregoing a "baby" habit. Here are some they suggest.

2-4 weeks - Give a bottle to a breast-fed baby. I started both from day one with both kids and had ZERO problems.

4-6 months - Get him to sleep through the night. I also think kids can be sleeping through the night WELL before this stage, but it makes sense to get serious about it if they aren't by this time. Both of my girls were great sleepers, though.

Around 6 months - Start solids - Agreed. People start too early. I also think they need to be started VERY gradually, and you don't need to start with rice cereal.

7-9 months - Use a sippy cup. Babies can start earlier than this, but I definitely wouldn't go later.

12-18 months -  Introduce A Lovey - I think this is interesting. I think certain kids are prone to lovies and others aren't.  Hannah couldn't care less about at attachment to anything. Emma doesn't go anywhere without her blankie and her paci. I don't know why you would want to encourage them to be attached to something if they don't have a need for it.

12-23 months - Take away the pacifier. Lord help me. I try to keep the paci and the blankie in Emma's crib for nap and bedtime, but, at 13 months, she will go in there, yank the blankie through the crib slats and point and grunt for her paci all day. *Sigh* I wonder if she'll go to Kindergarten with it.

2.5-3 years - Movie from a crib to a bed. - Agreed. Keep 'em in there as long as possible! When they learn to climb out you "Super Nanny" them into knowing they need to stay in there!

2.5 - 3 years - Potty Train - I suppose this is right, but I'll still try earlier. I hate diapers.

3-5 years - End Nap Time - Keep nap time as LONG AS POSSIBLE! Sometimes, my first grader still naps. I love nap time. Some people say their kids stop napping at 15 months. FIGHT IT!!

5-7 years  - Take off the Training Wheels - That's gonna be a battle. I think Hannah (6) has a bike that's too big for her. Her feet don't reach the ground totally and she ends up frustrated. We'll be on the late end of this one!

6-7 years - Bathe by his/herself - I still think their hair needs checked, but everything else - go for it!

Tips And Hints Tuesday: Significantly Cut your Energy Bill TODAY

Pennsylvania recently passed a law that residential customers can now choose their own energy supplier. It's relatively simple. You still pay you're current company (i.e. West Penn Power or Duquesne Light) but the distribution charges drop significantly.

You could be paying over 9 cents per kWh right now.

By switching suppliers, you could cut that almost in HALF. It's only part of your bill, so you won't be paying half of your total bill, but you will see a significant decrease.

We pay Duquesne Light but our Supplier is First Energy.

We are pretty good about keeping lights off here, but I instantly saw an $18 per month reduction - and it's gone done every month so far. It costs you nothing and puts extra cash in your wallet. Look into it! But, do your homework and make sure you choose a reputable company!

Spiritual Sunday - Deep Breath

This Psalm is like a deep breath to me. It makes me feel like I can say, "Okay, it's taken care of. It's going to be alright." I hope that it gives you the same peace today.

Psalm 121

    A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

 ¹ I look up to the mountains—
      does my help come from there?
 ² My help comes from the LORD,
      who made heaven and earth!

 ³ He will not let you stumble;
      the one who watches over you will not slumber.
 ⁴ Indeed, he who watches over Israel
      never slumbers or sleeps.

 ⁵ The LORD himself watches over you!
      The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.
 ⁶ The sun will not harm you by day,
      nor the moon at night.

 ⁷ The LORD keeps you from all harm
      and watches over your life.
 ⁸ The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go,
      both now and forever.

biblegateway.com