The meal had been served and my sisters and I jumped up to bus the salad dishes, to remove them from the table and out of the way.

It was a special dinner party for my dad as we tightly packed in 17 people around several tables pushed together to make one.

I rinsed the dishes quickly and put them in the sink, and then sat back down to enjoy the rest of the meal with my guests.

After dinner, we removed the dinner plates and served up birthday cake. But before I sat down, I quickly rinsed those plates and loaded everything into the dishwasher.

Then I hit START.

I know that everyone has their own routine for doing the dishes while entertaining.

A. Let the guests bus the dishes.
B. Only you or your spouse bus the dishes.
C. Load them in the dishwasher as you use them.
D. Only load the dishes after the meal is completely over.
E. Never do any dishes until the last guest has left.
F. Make sure every single dish is washed before you go to bed.
G. Anyone can help with the dishes after the meal.
H. Anyone can help with the dishes at any time during the meal.
I. Only load what fits in the dishwasher, put the food away, and do the rest in the morning.

I’m sure I’m forgetting a few scenarios, but here’s what I do:

I bus/load as I go. It just makes it easier. And when the last guest has left, I’ll empty the dishwasher if the cycle is complete, and start one last load, OR, finish it up in the morning. This isn’t so much out of laziness; we’re usually just so tired. We like our guests to stay as late as they want, and by the time everyone has said their good-byes, it’s usually far past our usual bedtime. It’s not a dreaded feeling, but a happy feeling of, “awww, what a great time!”

There will always be more dishes to do, but we don’t always have our friends and family close at hand.

I feel it’s more important to enjoy our guests.

After this particular party, I did 2 final loads the next morning.

I had dishes on the counter that were hand-washed, and the glasses and plates that came out of the dishwasher.

After putting everything away, my counters looked nice and fresh, like this. (That’s my “purdy” lemon tree in the far right corner.)

Do you like getting the dishes done right away, or do you leave them for later? Choosing betweein A – I (above), what is your normal routine when hosting a dinner party?

There really is a way to bring some wholeness and goodness to one of the most popular snacking occasions of the year – The Big Game- known in our household as Super Bowl Sunday, and that’s by creating a menu with less fat and great tasting recipes and tips!

Last week I shared my veggie platter with Swiss Cheese Onion Dip recipe, served with Pepperidge Farms Baked Naturals® Cracker Chips collection, that includes Simply Multi-Grain and Simply Cheddar varieties.

I believe guests really appreciate a healthy alternative to classic game-day recipes (the typical potato skins, delivered pizza, chicken wings, indulgent dips, etc.).

So today I’m sharing another recipe which would be perfect for a Game Day menu: Stuffed Endive with Walnuts and Honey Appetizers, served with a bowl of Pepperidge Farms Baked Naturals® Cracker Chips. (Recipe below, inspired by my friend, Kristin, I used pecans instead of walnuts.)

Why serve Baked Naturals® Cracker Chips?

Because they are a unique snack that delivers wholesome goodness with a great tasting crunch, yet 50 percent less fat than the leading potato chip, the newest Cracker Chips flavors—Simply Potato and Cheddar & Sour Cream Potato—are an ideal alternative to potato chips (a hard-to-avoid snack… Until now!).

An alternative to potato chips? I’m so jazzed about this new, healthier product!

So what would my menu look like, if hosting a Super Bowl party?

First of all, I find that if everyone contributes, it’s really helpful. Being the hostess, of course I’ll fill in the gaps and make sure we have enough food, but delegation really helps take the pressure off of a reluctant entertainer. And also, we should focus a little on health and portion control (not always easy to do on rare, occasional celebrations).

Game Day Menu Ideas:
Smoked Turkey Mango Chili
Cheddar Jalapeño Cornbread Muffins (She Wears Many Hats)
Spinach and Edamame Salad (Bev Cooks)
Pasta Salad Skewers (Cooking During Stolen Moments)
Healthy vegetable tray
Swiss Cheese Onion Dip
Classic Hummus
Many bags of Baked Natural Cracker Chips
Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms (Aggie’s Kitchen)
Endive Filled with Blue Cheese, Walnuts, and Honey (recipe below)
Desserts brought by other guests, although I will be making these yummy Lemon Meringue Bites!

Whether entertaining a starting line-up of close friends, or simply keeping your own “home team” satisfied throughout the game, we want to see how you plan to entertain as football season comes to a close!

Will you be delegating part of the menu for Super Bowl? And how will you add a “healthy spin” to your menu?

(I am being compensated by Pepperidge Farm® for my time and materials used in the Pepperidge Farm® Baked Naturals® Cracker Chips post.)

I love experimenting with recipes, adding something “different” to an already-established recipe. Like adding a couple of crisp Granny Smith apples to French Onion Soup. Yum! Back in December I was blessed to get a 13-Cup Food Processor from KitchenAid and I love it!

Slicing onions with this appliance was such a slick process!

Also, we add apples to gratin, potatoes, salads … so why not add to soup?

When I made this recipe for my family, I was thinking ahead to Super Bowl Sunday. This is a recipe where you could make the soup the night before, then heat it up, dish into individual servings, add the croutons, cheese, and bake.

I like the idea of timing it just right – pulling the individual servings from the oven to serve during half time.

French Onion Soup is such a classic recipe. Sort of like the Super Bowl, which has been around for almost 50 years.

I’d say their both classic!

Put napkins on a platter.

Place a dish on each napkin.

And a spoon for each serving.

Enjoy!

I’ll be sharing more healthy Super Bowl ideas tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Have you thought about serving “soup” on Super Bowl day?

One of my family’s traditions during the winter months is for my sisters and me to prepare a birthday dinner for our Dad.

This year he turned 75, which made the dinner party very special.

My family looks forward to this evening, year after year, not just because it’s “Grandpa’s birthday,” but because they know we’ll be eating one of our favorite German dishes, Fleischkuechle.

-We set the date.
-Plan the exact same menu every year.
-We delegate the dishes.
-This year it was “adults only.”
-Set the table for 17!

And then we enjoy our time together.

This recipe (meat mixture of beef and sausage wrapped in dough; boiled; served with bread crumbs and pickled beets) originated on my Mom’s side of the family, and has been a tradition in our family for almost 50 years (my age, probably longer!) I really need to research how far back this recipe goes. I’ve never posted the recipe because, to be honest with you, what makes it unique and “tasty” is cooking it together with my sisters.

I wouldn’t want it any other way. (That’s us about 5 years with our daughters.)

Or want to eat it any other way.

It’s a favorite meal that comes around once a year.

Cooking favorite foods together is an important aspect of creating family memories, wouldn’t you agree?

We transform the house with good smells, lots of steamy windows (we boil the Fleischkuechle in 2 large pots), and we sing along to Pandora (3 girls, 3-part-harmony).

Each family has their own traditions for celebrating what’s unique to them. Our family loves Flashkeglia, which is practically gone as soon as we set the bowls on the table. We actually joke around and “count” how many we’ve eaten. In a sense we make it a game, and we always hold a few back for breakfast the next morning.

What “food” family tradition does your family celebrate?

This was the special gift we bought our Dad this year. My Dad and Mom (and Ginny) are 3 gifts in life who have taught me a lot about hospitality. I have one hanging on the wall in my dining room. And you can, too, by checking out RED LETTER WORDS website.

I love all things lemon. The freshness of the scent, the beautiful bright color, the resemblance to the warmth of the sun, and for the palate: lemon-flavored desserts!

I really love lemon meringue pie – that tart/sweet filling, the perfect complement of lightly sweet meringue – yet I seldom make it.

So I was thrilled to make these little lemon tasty treats, and I thought they’d be perfect for Game Day coming up this Sunday (otherwise known as Super Bowl Sunday).

There are only a few ingredients, very easy to make, and a great way to get your kids in the kitchen.

Give them the task of pressing the cookie dough into the mini muffin pans and then scooping the meringue on top!

My favorite lemon curd is from Trader Joe’s, but did you know it’s actually very easy to make?

With this recipe today you’ll notice that each creamy bite is packed with serious lemon flavor.

Oh, and don’t forget to broil on “LOW.” I actually broiled my first batch on “HI” and they got a little toasty!

Enjoy!

What sweet treats will you be making for Super Bowl Sunday?

Paperwhites … mine are growing nice and tall in the punch bowl I planted them in a few weeks back.

I love the crisp white of the flower.

It’s a good reminder that spring is on its way, as I walk by our piano and see these beauties standing nice and tall.

But … what’s the secret to getting them to stand so tall and pretty, without falling over?

F I S H I N G L I N E !!!

Clear fishing line.

Tie a piece around the middle.

You can barely see the knot.

And no one will even know!

If you planted bulbs this winter, have you thought about using fishing line, how are the bulbs growing, and would you share a picture of them over on my Reluctant Entertainer Facebook page?

I’m so happy to announce the winner to Nester’s Winter Giveaway Day who won the KitchenAid® 13-cup Food Processor:

Congratulations to …

Debbie Smith

What an exciting honor, to be a part of The Great American FreshOver Project with Ziploc® Brand, launching this month.

As a home entertainer, I’m always on the lookout for ways to keep things fresh in the kitchen. I’ve written for the SCJ.com Family Economics blog in the past, and I’m excited about this new project which will show American families everywhere that eating fresh can also be convenient.

That’s how my family eats fresh.  For us to be able to teach others, fresh really needs to start in our kitchens, in our homes, and with our kids.

Ziploc® is committed to helping families find easy ways to eat fresh, but here’s the FANTASTIC NEWS:

Ziploc® has now partnered with Food Network personality Rachael Ray, who’s helping launch this national campaign and who will be sharing her recipes and secrets for preparing fresh foods.

I can’t wait to learn more of Rachael’s tips!

I appreciate how Rachael doesn’t claim to be a chef, but proclaims that she is a “cook.” I feel the same way, although my kids at times think I am a chef. HA!  Our college-aged son Elliot loves my cooking and recently I made a huge pot of rice, quinoa, beans, and ground turkey (with yummy spices) and sent a couple of Ziploc® Brand bags plus 2 pans of enchiladas to college with him.

Lucky boy.

Elliot’s learned the value of eating healthy, but he had to be taught. It doesn’t come naturally to kids, that is for sure.

Fresh food, divided up, some frozen, some used right away, some sent to college.

To learn more, there will also be other campaign items on the Ziploc® Facebook page.

Finally, as a part of the FreshOver mission, Ziploc® will be donating to Rachael Ray’s non-profit organization – Yum-O!, which is dedicated to helping children across the country develop positive attitudes towards eating fresh. I love this!

Families can support the cause by “pledging” to start their family’s FreshOver project by “liking” the Ziploc® Brand Facebook page, downloading Rachael’s exclusive FreshOver Recipe Guide on Facebook.com/Ziploc.

With every download, up to a maximum of 50,000 downloads, between 1/1/12 and 12/31/13, Ziploc® Brand will make a $1 donation to Rachael Ray’s Yum-O! organization on the fans behalf, for up to a maximum $50,000 donation. To further support Yum-O!, Rachael Ray and Ziploc® will donate an additional $200,000 during the same time period, no matter how many guides are downloaded.

Lastly, there are going to be some cool giveaway opportunities: A year-long supply of Ziploc® Brand Products!

Can you even imagine?

Do you ever cook healthy meals for your family, doubling the recipe and saving half for future use?

*I have partnered with Ziploc^® and am being compensated for my posts. However, my opinions on the product are my own.

A few weeks ago, I spotted a bag of shelled English peas at our local Costco.

The memory of peas for me goes back to 4th grade, as we were gathered around our family table with a well-balanced meal cooked by my mother (she always included a vegetable, although many times they were a little over-cooked).

Our meal started off every night with a family prayer.

The next thing that happened was a little embarrassing to me at the time.

In my 10-year-old state of mind, and looking back, being rather cocky, I had the bowl of peas in one hand and was teasing everyone as the bowl was circling the table, above the other foods, Anyone want peas? Anyone want peas?

And then you guessed it.

The bowl of peas was dropped and peas went everywhere … everywhere … and my Dad was not happy. I was scared to death as I saw thousands of little peas rolling around on the dining room floor.

I was not sent to my room without dinner, but I’m sure I had to do the dishes that night.

I never forget this story when I think of peas.

But back to the glorious bag of shelled peas that I lucked out on finding in Costco, and then made into this delicious soup that my family devoured. (I’ve gone back several times to Costco and they do not have the peas now, bummer!)

What’s your memory of “peas” as a child?

Have I told you how much I love my “contour silver” 13-Cup Food Processor by KitchenAid®?

And if you are the lucky winner, you will, too!

And how excited I am when “giveaway day” rolls around over at Nesting Place? If you haven’t visited Nester’s place for one of her giveaways, head on over now and take a peek at ALL that you can win, including this KitchenAid® 13-Cup Food Processor!

I’ve really been enjoying my 13-cup Food Processor since Christmas, because it’s designed for precise slicing.

Here I am slicing 5 pounds of onions for my French Onion and Apple Soup (recipe to come on RE and it’s really yummy! and a good one to make for you and your sweetie for Valentine’s Day).

By sliding the switch, you choose the width you need for slicing, thick or thin!

There are also different blades you can use for either soft or hard foods. Brilliant!

Some other features are:
-The 3-in-1 Ultra Wide Mouth Feed Tube adjusts to three different widths for processing foods horizontally or vertically.
-Two Work Bowls – The BPA-free 13-cup (3.1 L) work bowl, 4-cup (0.9 L) mini bowl and lid allow the processing of large or small batches quickly.
-All the parts are easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
-Comfort design side handle for easy viewing.
-Optimized speeds for better results.
-Heavy duty base.

Today you may be the winner and YOU’LL GET TO CHOOSE YOUR OWN COLOR!

WHAT TO WIN:
KitchenAid® 13-Cup Food Processor; externally adjustable slicing disc, reversible shredding disc, multipurpose blade and mini blade; dough blade; BPA-free 13-cup work bowl and 4-cup mini bowl; 3-in-1 ultra wide mouth feed tube; storage case – $249.99 value.

HOW TO ENTER:
1. Leave a comment telling us what recipe you will make first if you won this 13-cup Food Processor and what color you’d choose?

-Silver
-Red
-Black
-White

Optional Entries: (You must leave a separate comment for EACH additional entry to count)
2. Follow Sandy Coughlin on TWITTER (@SandyCoughlinRE)
3. RT the following:

Win a 13-cup @KitchenAidUSA food processor @SandyCoughlinRE today, via @TheNester http://su.pr/2aQJjN #giveaway

4. Follow KitchenAid on TWITTER (@KitchenAidUSA)
5. Follow Sandy Coughlin on PINTEREST and PIN one of these photos from this post.
6. Like Reluctant Entertainer page on FACEBOOK.
7. Like KitchenAid page on FACEBOOK. Leave a comment on their wall telling them that Reluctant Entertainer sent you.
8. Become a NEW follower of RE blog (sign up for daily updates delivered to your email box; sidebar of RE, enter your email address)

(This giveaway is sponsored by KitchenAid® but they did not pay me to write this post today. And remember that you can enter as many giveaways as you’d like over at Nesting Place. Giveaway ends Thursday, Januray 26, at midnight. Contest is open to US residents..)

One of the things I love about hosting casual get-togethers with friends is just that: They’re casual and easy.

Super Bowl is just around the corner, so I’m thinking ahead to my menu and how I can keep it healthy and light.

Bring out the dips and chips, but in our household, also the veggies. I looked through my vegetable drawer and decided that along with serving Pepperidge Farms Baked Naturals® Cracker Chips, I’d display a large platter of healthy, ready-to-eat vegetables.

Stick with a theme color – I chose green!
Asparagus (make sure it’s blanched and ready for eating)
Broccoli
Green onions
Green pepper
Granny Smith apples
You could also add blanched green beans, pickles, and cucumbers

How to display
I pulled out my standard large white platter and used “espresso cups” to stand some of the veggies in. Not only did the platter add more room to pack in the vegetables, I also added a different color of riddicio leaves to make the platter look pretty and appetizing.

Think light and healthy
Instead of standard chips and dips that can be so unhealthy for us, make your own dips (you’ll know the exact ingredients), and buy healthier crackers/chips.

Pepperidge Farms Baked Naturals® Cracker Chips are a great guilt-free game day snack for you to consider.

My family loved the multi grain flavor!

Delegate dishes
It’s okay to let your guests know to bring a “healthy dish” on game day. You never know, they may be very grateful for the request (if they are watching their diet).

I’ll be sharing another new fabulous healthy recipe with you next week, but in the meantime I’d love to hear more about your game day plans for next week.

Are you hosting or will you be attending a Super Bowl party?

Do you have any go-to snacks for game day, or any tips for making great-tasting dishes that you won’t feel guilty about eating?

(I received a stipend from Pepperidge Farms to write this post today.)

“If thou desire the love of God and man, be humble, for the proud heart, as it loves none but itself, is beloved of none but itself. Humility enforces where neither virtue, nor strength, nor reason can prevail.” -Francis Quarles

A few years passed without seeing a particular family, and it took almost a year to get a date on the calendar where all of our kids would be home and together. Over Christmas break our two families came together for what someone peeking in would say was a rather “lively” or “energetic” meal.

The other night, my husband and I were reminiscing about our time together over the holidays, how impressed we were with all the teenagers sitting around our dinner table, so polite, so full of zest, with a zeal for life–and actually, very humble about their many accomplishments. A few came back from college, a couple still in high school, we didn’t have to tell them ahead of time how to behave, to put their cell phones away, to interact with other people, to engage in the conversation, or how to be a part of the evening. All of the kids knew what to do, were free to voice their opinions, and participated in the evening in many ways.

We shared college stories, literature, spiritual matters. Pandora was playing, kids were singing, the piano and violin played late into the evening … we spent hours together on a Saturday night. Later we knew this evening would be a memory our family would never forget. Taking it a step further, maybe even a spiritual moment. I know it was for me; maybe for all.

We barely got started with the dinner–I think we were on the salad course–when already there were so many common interests that a person could not finish two sentences without someone else chiming in.

This is where the spoon came in.

We resorted to passing a spoon, which meant the person holding the spoon could speak. In some cultures, you may have heard of “passing the stick” in the same regard.

Passing the Spoon: The person whose hand is holding the spoon gets to hold court–to speak, without being interrupted. Everyone else listens, holds their comments or ideas, and waits. It’s a way to bring order to conversation, which we needed. What we gained was, by focusing on one person at a time, the “spoon” allowed even the quieter person to get in on the conversation.

Paul and I counted the years of parenting for both families put together–almost 40 years.

Forty years of parenting … that is a lot of hard work, perseverance, prayer, teaching–put into our kids.

Forty years, well-worth the energy of every minute spent guiding and directing, loving and disciplining …

Have you ever used the “spoon” approach to conversation around your dinner table?

I pulled our last jar of fruit from the pantry this week.

Homemade canned fruit, that is.

I’ve been trying to be disciplined lately and not run to the store for every little thing we run out of. And I’ve been trying to teach my teens the same thing.

No fresh apples or bananas? Head to the pantry, kids!

This week I grabbed our last jar of home canned cherries. It actually made me sad, because I’m not sure that I will can cherries this summer. I love them, but the rest of the family is not crazy about them. I’ve been able to cook with them on occasion, but this time I grabbed the last jar and made myself breakfast.

I love to make a “shake” in the morning with fresh fruit, or whatever fruit I can find.

I’ll be canning peaches, pears, applesauce, lots of jams and relishes this year (yes, I’m dreaming of summer.)

But probably not cherries.

If you are a canner, what is your family’s favorite fruit?

Hospitality is an important piece of life that we should all be savoring, and teaching our kids about.

A month ago I hosted a small dinner party with 7 adults when, just when I thought things were going “perfectly,” the fire alarm went off. You should have seen my husband and me rushing around, fanning the smoke detector, opening every window and door, yelling at the dog … yes! I let something burn in the oven. I looked up and saw my guests’ faces staring at me; it was rather humorous! We went on to enjoy an incredible evening, but I will admit, it did take me out of my “entertaining mode,” for a short amount of time.

I’d love for you to join me over at Simple Mom’s today where I’m sharing 7 Ways to Practice Imperfect Hospitality … Visit, HERE.

Oh, and Tsh just announced all of the contributors to Simple Mom blog for 2012. Check out this post on who the writer’s would invite to “their ultimate dinner party.”

I laugh when I think about the relationship between love and food with my family. They are always intertwined!

Especially with my teen boys, I can always feel their love when I pull a yummy dinner out of the oven. Arms wrap around me, telling me how much they love me. I know FOOD is their love-language, at least with me.

Good Food = Love.

The heritage we’ve had with good food, and the stories that go with many of the meals served in our home, includes an appreciation translating into nurture and love.

The “fresh aroma” is always enough for me to get some good Mommy Hugs.

Do you get Mommy Hugs with food, or feel appreciation from your family when you cook a healthy meal?

Today I’m sharing a delicious meal I made over winter break when my kids were all home. It was fast, easy, and I used Dave’s Gourmet Butternut Pasta Sauce.

Today I’m sharing my thoughts on entertaining and exercise, and how they work together. I’m really interested if you feel the same way.

I’m passionate about entertaining, inviting people into our home to share a meal and soul connection. It’s powerful what one night with friends and meaningful talk can do for a person. It brings encouragement. Encouragement means to “bolster one’s courage.”

It think of Eleanor Roosevelt’s quote:

“We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face… we must do that which we think we cannot.”

Obviously, you don’t have to exercise at all to have people in to your home, but one thing I’ve learned is that I’m a much happier hostess when I take care of my body and exercise – regularly. (Above photo on an early morning walk.)

I won’t go into the many reasons why we all need exercise, except to say that if I’m going to have energy for others, I need energy myself.

(My friend Jenny’s Labradoodle and Goldendoodle, Bella and Finnegan. Aren’t they cute?)

It also helps build relationships while exercising with friends.

Exercise actually brings energy to my body, soul, and mind.

Body – We all know the implications of exercise and health.
Soul – When I “share life” with my running partners, it’s good for the soul.
Mind – When I’m out by myself exercising I can pray, meditate, and focus on good thoughts.

It all works together for good when we have company over. I’m more pleasant with my family ahead of time, I’m more organized in my mind as to what needs to be done, I can focus and plan, and then it all comes together to make a HAPPY HOSTESS and a happy event.

Do you think exercise benefits your life and relationships?

Years ago I posted a slow cooker breakfast casserole idea on RE, but it’s now buried in my archives. Time to revive the idea and post a new recipe, one I tried this last weekend with my family.

You prepare it the night before, turn on the slow cooker, go to bed, and when you wake up, breakfast is ready!

By the way, here’s a little trivia on the difference between a crockpot and a slow cooker. I found it to be interesting.

Back to the yummy recipe …

We love gouda cheese, and the flavor was really good in this casserole.

I also baked my own potatoes, cooled, peeled and shredded them for the recipe. It’s much less expensive than buying frozen.

Do you ever make your own hash browns, or do you always buy frozen?

Our friends have come to the end of their second week of vacation in Chile, taking their 3 little kids and staying with missionary friends and experiencing life with the Chileans. I asked Steph if I could highlight some of their adventures, especially when it comes to food.

Enjoying ONCE: One of my favorite things is that the Chileans eat their larger meal in the afternoon, around 1 or 2 pm. They then have siesta (rest time), and everything opens back up for business around 3 or 4. In the evening, they have what they call ONCE, a light meal of tomatoes, avacados, bread, eggs, carrots. Often times people get together for ONCE, and it just seems so simple, so easy. I am totally doing it when we get back to the States. What is absolutely proven to me is that you do not need to make an elaborate meal–just put out some food items on the table and enjoy the people you are with.

Farmer’s MARKET (Feria): We’ve made it every Tuesday and Friday to the farmer’s market (or Feria). We walk there with empty bags and hoof it home with full bags. It is amazing to have all the fruits and vegetables that you are used to seeing in the summer. The strawberries are just coming to an end, but so good. The first time we went, we took the kids and ate our way through the market. At the end, the kids were covered in strawberries. It’s so fun to interact with the local farmers. One very key ingredient to their cooking is squash; they grow the biggest squash! You decide how big of a hunk of squash you want, and then they get out their knife and start sawing off a piece. It is delicioso.

A new TABLE: The kitchen at the house where we are staying is tiny, with no counter space. My husband and friends spent one day to build a bench. The hardest part was finding a store that would sell them the wood they needed, and stay open long enough to make the boards. They were at one store, ready to buy the wood, but then it closed for siesta. So they had to come back the next day. It is crazy to have the money ready to buy, and then, “Oh you’ll have to come back”. A little taste of Chilean life.

Cerdo Boca: One night at dinner (or Once) our son was telling a story and talking with his mouth full. I told him in Spanish to close his mouth. I said, “Cerdo Boca.” One of our new friends laughed because what I just said was “Pig Mouth.” What I should have said was “Cerrado Boca.” Oh so close! Our oldest daughter brings this up almost every day, she thinks it is so funny.

Our friends dreamed and saved for years to take their family to another country, for their family to experience a different way of living.

For some, even a “better” way of living.

All three of our children have been to Mexico on mission trips to build houses, but not our family of 5 experiencing it together. One day …

Have you ever taken your family to experience life in another country? And how does a lighter meal around 3-4 sound to you?

“Don’t agonize. Organize.” – Florynce Kennedy

When things around me are organized, then I feel organized and motivated.

On the other hand, when I’m disorganized and surrounded by clutter, well you know the rest of the story. I agonize!

When it comes to the kitchen, the fridge, the pantry … it gets out of control really fast in my household. How about yours?

I think it’s because we’re a really busy family, I work part-time, our kids have kitchen duty every day so things don’t always get put back in “their place.”

I invited my talented friend, Sam, over with her label maker. She willingly came to help me out, pulled everything out of the pantry, looked at dates and did a lot of tossing, and put everything back in … it’s “place.”

She had a plan before she even arrived!

Unfortunately, without a plan, pantry shelves can quickly become a disorganized mess, making it difficult to find items you need, and really frustrating the kids.

How to organize a pantry with a label maker

1. Pull everything out of the pantry.
2. Check dates as you pull items out and either toss, or set aside on the bar or table.
3. Organize by groups of foods, ie., rice, pasta, beans, soups, sauces, etc.
4. Wipe out the pantry with hot soapy water.
5. As you put the items back in, decide what should be put into baskets or containers.
6. BRING THE FOOD ITEMS TO THE FRONT that you use the most.
7. Label each section to make it easier on other family members.
8. Group small things in baskets, paper items in baskets, and put lightweight items or things you rarely use on the top the shelves.
9. Put snacks and cereals at eye-level for kids.

I’d like to talk about why it’s important to bring to the “front” of the shelves the items you use the most.

We are a bean family and my children have learned creative ways to use a can of beans.

I like to bring the healthier items to the front so they are accessible and will be used.

Remember, be organized–you have to have a “plan.” And to stay organized you have to “stick to the plan.” Also, here’s a post from last year on expiration dates. Now that brings up a whole other subject, but do you fudge on expiration dates?

It’s a brilliant idea to bring an “expert” over to help with large projects that may seem overwhelming. Or even a friend with a second opinion.

And I just may be calling my friend Sam over again for a New Year’s “sprucing up.”

Do you have an organizational plan for your cupboards, or do you live in happy chaos?

When we examine our families, we’re likely to find the roots of who we are.

Last month I received a very special Christmas gift from my sister, Di, one that I’m reminded of daily because it’s in my dining room, in black letters, up high on the wall. And the cool thing is, the 3 of us girls have the same vinyl words on our dining walls. (My sisters and I at Christmas.)

The family prayer on my Dad’s side of the family, one we sing every time we are together, is scripted out in black vinyl ink, stretched across one wall in my home.

The words remind me of my grandparents and family. I’m not sure where this song/prayer originated from, except I grew up singing it with my Dad’s family, and later my Mom’s family incorporated it into large group prayers.

One of my early memories of this song was at a family reunion in Turner, Oregon, where my Grandfather and his large extended family (the ones who were still living; he had 20 brothers and sisters–yes, 2 mothers) gathered together for a weekend of celebration.

Before each meal, we’d sing the Friesen prayer.

God is great and God is good, And we thank Him for our food …

Hundreds of family members gathered. I was young; I probably only intimately knew a handful of cousins, but the experience was impacting and binding.

My dining space before I added the vinyl wording.

My niece, Lisa, the creation behind the project.

The final “Amen.”

The finished product.

When we examine our families, we find the roots of who we are.

And those roots anchor our kids.

And their kids.

And their kids’ kids.

Written words can capture the senses, and they give us a feeling of belonging.

Do you have anything in your home that, as you walk by a certain room or space, reminds you of family?

(My niece is very talented and has her own little biz going over at Dabrowski Designs. We did not use a company as she created this herself. She also used a straight line laser level to get the “perfect” line.)

Mm-m-m … chocolate and Heath candy. Mix the two together and it’s a great dessert to take to a party.

Sometimes our family gets invited out spur-of-the-moment, or I’m working or already have plans for the day and I don’t have much time to spend in the kitchen on a family meal.

I call these my “In a hurry brownies.”

Take a high-end brownie mix and use the “cake-like” recipe off the back. (Which usually means add 3 eggs instead of 2.)

Add 1/2 package of Heath English Toffee Bits.

Sprinkle walnuts on top.

Bake, serve warm with Vanilla ice cream.

You can even drizzle chocolate sauce on top with whipped cream if you really want to make it fancy (and add the calories).

What do you take when you need a last minute dessert for a party to feed a crowd?