Works for Me Wednesday - keeping track of the dishwasher

We have two dishwashers. How it came to be is not a very interesting story, but for the record I know how fortunate I am. I count them as two of my many blessings. Two dishwashers can contribute to confusion though... which one is clean? which one is dirty? etc.

Poor people with only one dishwasher struggle with this too I'm sure. It's just a double problem for our home.

I've seen those ugly CLEAN/DIRTY magnets. There had to be another way. I looked to our refrigerator and found our repro Duke Kahanamoku magnets. Duke's the Ambassador of Surfing don'tcha know. Combine that with my handy, dandy label maker and voila! Problem solved!



Since I used different wording on each of them, I decided to keep the meanings consistent. If the dishwasher is clean - Duke is upright happily catching a ride. If the dishwasher is dirty - He's wiped out.

It's silly, but it works for me.

Find out what works for hundreds of women all over the world. Kristen, part of THAT family hosts Works for Me Wednesday every week.

Here are some of my favorite Works for Me posts this week...
Easy Kitchen Banner from the Dollar Store @ Trent Tribe.
8 High Quality Free Math Websites @ Maths Insider
Pillow Case Bag @ Living My Life on Purpose (tutorial)
Gift for Spouse - A Year of Dates @ Adventures in Mommydom
Be a More Patient Mom in Just 24 Hours @ Inspired to Action
Recycling Orange Peels @ Frugal Homemaking
Hybrid School @ The Inspired Page

Works for Me Wednesday - quite possibly the best toothbrush... ever!

Meet my new toothbrush. It's a Radius.

I bought one for Grom because they were on sale. It has been the best toothbrush for brushing his teeth. The head on the kids brush is big with soft bristles. When I brush, I really feel like I'm getting every facet of every tooth. It's ergonomically designed so it's easy to hold and keeps the bristles at a good angle for cleaning his gumline.

I liked it so much for him, that I bought one for me. It wasn't the deal that Grom's was, but when I was opening the package I noticed that it claims a 9 month brush life with proper care. When I average the cost over nine months... what a deal!

My teeth feel super clean when I'm done brushing. It's comfortable and the big head and handle design is fun.

If you're looking for a new toothbrush... check this one out. Works for me!

See what works for 100s of other women at We are THAT Family.

How to get rid of a Gingerbread House?

How to get rid of a Gingerbread House?

Grom and I love building a gingerbread house every Christmas. It's lots of fun and becoming quite a tradition. The hard part is when the holidays are over. What do you do with the thing? If you're 4, you think you want to eat it. If you're a mommy, you want to toss it in the trash. This year we came up with something fun to do instead.

Directions: (click on any of the pictures for a bigger view)

1. Take off the gumballs.

2. Go to the beach.

3. Put it on the sand and step back. Sea Gulls drop bombs, you know.

4. Watch the seagulls try to figure out what is going on.

5. Enjoy the carnage and feeding frenzy.

Works for me.

Before giving me grief for feeding gingerbread to sea gulls...
Please consider that these birds are essentially flying rats. They get into our trash. They steal our lunch at the park. They are mean and nasty. Maybe a little gingerbread will sweeten their disposition.

Hope these work for me

393! Three hundred and ninety three bloggers posted 5-ingredient-or-less recipes yesterday and linked to them at Rocks In My Dryer for Works for Me Wednesday. Lots of them shared more than one recipe.

Here are the ones I want to try...

Margarita Chicken - Confessions of an Apron Queen
I love lime. I love chicken. This one sounds like a winner.

Vegetarian Chickpea Sandwich Filling - MeMarie Lane
I have some big cans of garbonzo beans I'd like to use. I've heard this is a lot like tuna salad. I think hummus tastes like cheese. If this tastes like tuna, cici beans prove to be very versatile. They have 3 names, what could be more versatile than that!

Zucchini "Crab" Cakes - MeMarie Lane
The zucchini in our CSA box are getting bigger and bigger. This looks like a main course way to incorporate them into our menu plan.

Easy Egg Casserole - Nerd Family Food
I love eggs. I love cheese. Another winner.

Strawberry Spinach Popsicles - The Thrifty Green Baby Guide
Grom and I have been making a lot of popsicles. Here's a tasty way to get some greens in him.

Easy Baked Ziti - Doodles' Place
Strawberry Chicken - Shalee's Diner
I think Grom will eat these up.

Buffalo Chicken Dip - Fried Chicken and Cheesesteaks
This sounds delicious, and... no bones.

LemonLimeAde - Jumping on the Bed
We want to stop drinking soda. This sounds like a refreshing alternative.

Works for Me Wednesday - Five-Ingredients-or-Less Edition

It's summer and cooking should be simpler. Who wants to be slaving over a stove when you could be enjoying a lovely late afternoon at the beach or in a park? This week Works-For-Me Wednesday is all about simple (5 ingredients or less) recipes.

Here's mine...
Crockpot Shredded Chicken for Tacos

Ingredients
3 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 T. chopped garlic
1 wedged onion
2 T. chili powder
2 T. cumin

Directions
Put all ingredients in a crockpot. Cook on 4 hours HIGH or 6 hours LOW or until chicken is cooked through.
Cool chicken and shred.

Reheat chicken for tacos. Set out "salad bar" style toppings for make your own tacos - shredded cabbage, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, salsa, avocado, guacamole, chopped onions, chopped cilantro, hot sauce, lime mayonaise... the sky is the limit. Ole!

Find more 5-ingredient-or-less recipes at Rocks in My Dryer this week.

Works for Me Wednesday - Preschool Books

Preschool Books.

Grom, the best 3 1/2 year old in my world,  loves books.  We go to the library weekly and load up.  We've also done very well at garage sales and with Freecycle.  He has quite a few books.  We had to get them under control.  I was tired of bedtime meltdowns because I wouldn't (couldn't) read a book he wanted to read.  

Quickly I found out that his books seemed to fall into 3 basic categories.

• Story Books
  
• Activity Books
  
• Activity Books (need supervision)
  

I like to read story books at night before bed.  Classic books are best.   Books like "Katy No Pocket", "Corduroy" and "Blueberries for Sal" build vocabulary and are interesting.  Unlike books written about television shows.  If I try to limit Grom's TV watching why would we want to read about TV shows.  We keep our Bible story books with the story books but are quick to start each book with "This is a true story.  It REALLY happened" to make sure Grom knows these stories are from the Bible.  The story books are kept together so Grom can easily choose his books for the night.

Grom takes activity books to bed with him at nap time.  These are books that have windows and doors that open, or music to play.  They are something to do rather than something to read.  Alphabets, shapes and colors are often the subject.  They are not fun for me to read because they are really made to be played with.

Surferman and Grom have a lot of fun with the activity books that need supervision.  Grom has some great pop up books.  They are probably a little old for Grom, but they are really cool.  He and his dad have boy time and read them and see how they work.  These books are kept out of Grom's reach.  The pages are delicate and it's sad when I can't repair one of the elaborate pop ups.

Sorting the books has really cut the bedtime meltdowns, and that works for me.

And as we're always looking for a great book - leave your favorite children's book or books in your comments.

Read more Works for Me Wednesday posts at Rocks in my Dryer.

(Need Something to) Work for Me - Help with Potty Training Frustration

Just after Grom turned 3 last July, he decided he was ready to be potty trained.

He has been pretty good about using the potty.  

YET... he still has at least one accident a day.  Usually pee.  He has a fantastic ability to hold it and will sometimes pee just enough to make a wet spot on his pants.  You'd think this would send him running for a bathroom.  It doesn't.  He'll keep playing until I see the wet spot on his pants and make him go to the bathroom.

Lately he has also been doing #2 in his pants.  He thinks it's funny.  You might think I'm a terrible mom for this, but I started taking him out to the garage and cleaning him up in the deep sink with cold water.  I wanted him to realize that poop in your pants is not fun and that there were some consequences.  While he doesn't like the cold water, it doesn't seem to be a deterrent either.

HELP!  I'm open to any and all ideas.  When I asked Grom what he would do if his little boy kept having accidents, he said he'd give him a spanking.  Cold water maybe, but spanking?  Where did he get that idea?  As many times as I say, "I love doing laundry", it's not true and probably never will be.  

Organized Earrings

A while back there was a backwards Works for Me Wednesday. Backwards because the blogger gets to ask for help with a problem.

I asked for help with organizing my earrings.

I got a lot of great suggestions. And here's what I came up with... a cross between a few of the comments with a little Robin thrown in.


The egg carton was inspired by Lara's idea of using an ice cube tray and putting the dangle earrings through the lid was inspired by my commenter who suggested putting the earrings through cards and then "filing" them.

I plan to paint and decorate my earring organizer. Bet you can't wait to see the pictures.

Read more GeMoOrgNo posts at:
The Lazy Organizer
Multi-Tasking Mommy
With an Angel on my Shoulder
Just About Perfect
Tyler's Triumph

(Need Something to) Work for Me Wednesday - Fragrance for Men

It's a backwards day for Works for me Wednesday. I get to ask you all for your ideas.

Surferman ran out of cologne. He's never had one that he loves and is attached to. I just buy something and we enjoy/endure it until it's gone.

We were in a Sephorra lately and tried to find him a new fragrance but were overwhelmed by the choices.

So... what do you recommend? I'll print the comment list and we'll go sniffing.

Works for me...

After you've helped me, go to Rock in My Dryer and find another soul to help.

Works for Me Wednesday - Storing Comforters

We love down comforters. They are the greatest. We can turn the heat way down in the winter and still stay toasty warm. My favorite comforters come from The Company Store. (I should've posted this tip back in August because that is when they have their annual comforter sale). Sorry.

During the winter, Surferman and I each have our own comforters and then we put one of my quilts on top to seal out the cold air. Separate quilts remove the problem of air gaps created by strong broad shoulders (Surferman's, not mine).

We have gathered quite a collection of comforters in different sizes and weights - twin, twin x long, queen, warm, warmer, warmest. Storage was a problem. They were always a mess and Surferman was always pulling out the wrong comforter.

Here's the tip. Roll the comforter like a sleeping bag and then tie it together with a piece of riboon. On the tail of the ribbon, write the size and weight of the comforter. Voila! Organized.

Have a great week! Get more tips at Shannon's.

Works for Me Wednesday - Soothing Red Bums.

I have an announcment. One that Grom will probably hate me for when he's ever old enough to read Mommy's blog.

Grom officially has POTTY POWER!
No more diapers for us!

So in celebration I offer a product review that got us through those seemingly unending diaper days.

Burt's Bees Diaper Ointment.
It smells great.
It works fast.
It cleans up easy.
Ok for cloth diapers (at least I didn't have any problems).
One tube lasts a really long time.

No diapered bottom should be without it.

(Need something to) Work for Me Wednesday - Earrings

One of my Smart Habits has been to wear earrings daily. I've been doing a good job and have even purchased a few new pairs.

But they are a mess of tangled stuff in a little box.

My organized mind can't handle it.

Help!

I don't really want them on display but I'd like to be able to see them all and get to them easily.

How do you keep your earrings organized? Do you have a great jewelry box that you recommend? Or something you've recycled? Let's hear some ideas...

Works for Me Wednesday - Laundry Prayer

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

I found an easy way to put part of the command of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 into (unfortunately) daily practice.

I wrote things I want to pray for on my clothes pins / laundry pegs / whatever you call them.

I list family members, character traits for myself, Surferman and Grom, even President Bush has his own clothes pin.

It adds to my laundry experience. I never know who or what I'm going to pull out of the pocket of my apron. I add to them when I think of it.


Works for me!

For more tips from Bloggityville - head over to Shannon's.

Summer Cupcake Caper - Momo cupcakes

The timing is perfect.

Grom's birthday is the 23rd and this contest deadline is the 25th.

I'm in!

GiBee at Kisses of Sunshine is hosting a Cupcake Contest. I'm the queen of the birthday cupcake. So here's my entry.

Momo (Monkey) Cupcakes

Chocolate Banana Cupcakes
Ingredients
1 package Devil's Food Cake Mix
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup water
3 eggs

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Directions
Preheat oven to 350F
Place paper liners in 24 cupcake holes
Mix cake mix, mashed bananas, oil, water and eggs with electic mixer on low until ingredients are incorporated.
Increase speed to medium and beat for 2 more minutes.
Add chocolate chips.
Mix on low until chips are incorporated.
Scoop cake mix into cupcake wrappers dividing batter between the 24 cups.
Bake at 350F for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cupcakes cool before frosting and decorating.

Versatile White Icing
Ingredients
1 16oz bag powdered sugar
1 cup shortening
3 T corn syrup
2 T water
1 t real vanilla extract

Directions
Mix all ingredients in a large mixing box with an electric mixer on low until incorporated.
Increase speed to high and beat 5 minutes until fluffy.

Momo Cupcakes
Ingredients
24 Chocolate Banana Cupcakes
1 batch Versatile White Icing
24 Nilla Wafers
48 Mini-Nilla Wafers
24 Blue Froot Loops (or similar) cereal - cut in half
1 tube Black Icing
1 can purple Color Mist
1 can yellow Color Mist

Directions
Cut straight edges off large Nilla wafers from 12 o'clock to 1 o'clock and from 12 o'clock to 11 o'clock.
Cut edge off Mini-Nilla wafer to make a 3/4" straight side.
Place cookies on paper towel lined cookie sheet.
Spray cookies with yellow Color Mist.
Frost cupcakes with icing.
Spray cupcakes with purple Color Mist.
Arrange cookies to form the mouth and eyes of monkey.
Push cereal rings into side of cupcakes for ears.
Add eyes and mouth with black icing.


Here's the final cupcakes with their namesake - the famous Momo!


Grom loved them. They were a huge hit.

Works For Me Wednesday - Frugal Fast Face Washing

A couple of weeks ago I posted about Fast Face Washing. It wasn't an world changing idea. But it has kept me me on task to cross another item off my list of 101 Things to Do.

Tonight will be my 25th day in a row of washing my face. I am blemish free!

The wipes however bother my frugal nature. I don't like the disposable nature of the product either but I'll have to work on that.

Here's my tip for the week... Cut them in half. Half a wipe cleans my face just as well. I cut the wipe in half - stuff half back in the package and use the other half.

Frugally works for me!

Get more Works for Me Wednesday ideas at Rocks In My Dryer.

Works For Me Wednesday : The Mom-I'm-Bored Edition

This weeks Works for Me Wednesday is themed. Welcome to the Mom-I'm-Bored Edition.

Here's my problem... I have an almost 3 year old. He's never bored. I don't think he's heard the word or know what it means or even knows the feeling. For him there is ALWAYS something fun to do. Yesterday, Grom spent 45 minutes cleaning "the mud" out of the bottom of his and Surferman's toothbrush holder. Notice that my toothbrush was no where near said "muddy" holder.

So, check back with me in a year or two... I'm sure I'll be full of great ideas. Right now, I'm busy cleaning up from all the fun.

Go to Rocks In My Dryer to get some ideas of what to do with those bored kids.

Or send them to my house to clean up after a fun, adventurous, and very messy Grom or a really grody toothbrush holder.

Works For Me Wednesday - Fast Face Washing

One of the items on my list of 101 Things to Do
is to wash my face every night for 30 days. I started tackling it through Smart Habit Saturday hosted by The Lazy Organizer.

I'm a night owl and often don't have the good sense to go to bed. By the time I start heading that way, I'm exhausted. My face usually gets neglected, but not anymore. I've been working on establishing the habit of washing my face every night. It's working.

One thing I have found that helps are those premoistened facial wipes. The brand I bought from Costco is Ponds.




I wouldn't use them every night but they sure do the job when I haven't had the sense to get to bed before I was too tired to get to bed.

Works for Me!

Check out Rocks In My Dryer for more WFMW hints and tips.

Works For Me Wednesday -

Here's my tip this week.

Keep your frequently used tools close at hand when sewing. It's quicker to fix the mistake and get going again when your tools are close at hand. You know the saying, "A place for everything and everything in it's place." Pieces of velcro on the front of the machine are the designated place for my seam ripper. Works for me.


Check out more Works for Me Wednesday ideas at Rocks in My Dryer.

Works for Me Wednesday - Less Germy Birthdays

Works for Me Wednesday, hosted by Rocks In My Dryer is all about birthdays this week.

I don't have a lot of experience with kids birthdays yet. We are just starting to plan Grom's 3rd.

Moms spend their days getting kids to wash their hands, cover their mouths when they cough and keeping them quarantined from the sick child next door. AND THEN... they go to birthday parties where some snot nosed kid spits blows all over the cake right before serving.

I'm not a hypochondriac. I'm not hyper about germs. But this time tested tradition grosses me out.

Here's what works for me... CUPCAKES!

Family Fun has a lot of ideas for different cupcakes. With just a little creativity you can create a cupcake to fit the theme of your party.

Here's the cake I made for Grom's 2nd birthday. I frosted the cupcakes with canned whipped cream (to cut the sugar a bit). The spots are mini m n' m's. The legs are pretzel sticks and the shoes are half circus peanuts.

The best part... Grom only contaminated his own cupcake. Works for me.

Works for Me Wednesday - Limiting TV

Television. They don't call it the boob tube for nothing. Here's what works for me. I use the channel delete to remove channels that I don't want to deal with or watch.

It all started when I removed the Spanish language channels. I don't speak Spanish so that was an obvious dismissal. delete

Then I zapped the sports channels. delete

From there it's been a little trickier - I have to be discerning. I started noticing that Lifetime which is supposed to be a women's network often portrays behavior in women that isn't consistent with the kind of woman God calls me to be. delete

Then I found I was exposing myself to sin.
MTV. delete
Bravo. delete
VH1 delete
E! delete

Now my channel choices are limited. I've gone from 90 some channels with basic cable to about a dozen channels. I've kept HGTV, Food, TLC, and most of the broadcast networks. With less choices though, I seem to watch less TV. Works for me.

For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, head over to Rocks in My Dryer.