ben - jimmy- & zach are excited about Pine Trail Camp. They are eating spaghetti and thinking about a week away from their mommies and can't wait (i know, shocking!) since they are not old enough to have a facebook accoount they are "borrowing" mine. i hope this counts Bethany!
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Tonight we removed a picture from "the wall" and replaced it with a new one.
The new picture is a lion. payton learned that we have "lion" weather at this time of year.
He was a little upset that something had to come off the wall but he needs to learn that there is only so much space and when the space is full choices need to be made and something needs to go.
I found this information at http://www.turnoffyourtv.com/turnoffweek/TV.turnoff.week.html & http://www.tvturnoff.org/
Every year there is a challenge given to kids (and adults) to turn off their tv and substitute the time spent in front of it with each other.
I am taking this as a personal challenge this week with my family. We turn on that box the second we wake up and unless we are not home, it's on all - day - long.
Now, we do only have the one tv in the family room, so the kids (or the mom and dad) acannot just disapear into the bedrooms to zone out on another program if they are not allowed to watch what they want. BUT, since we use the tv as a crutch to "buy" time for dinner making or difuse a fight or find an alternative to boredom.
Well, for this week, and right now it's just for this week, I want to see how many housrs I can keep that tv off.
This challange for me does not include time when Jim is home with the kids and I am not, which is, oh, all day! I cannot set rules for the events that go on during the week when I am not home, but since I know that you are, or should be, reading this post at some point, Jim, I am strongly encouraging you to leave the tv off this week.
Below is a list of alternatives of things to do when the tv is off. My challenge, to make it fun, is to see how manywe can do together this week.
I will repost the list with an update at the end of the week.
Purpose: To re-think the role of television, why we use it and how and what for. Assess its impact on students, teachers, parents, children,individuals, etc.
How: Simply switch off or unplug your TV set for seven days and engage in a wide range off substitute activities.
Who: Individuals, children, families, students, groups, etc.
Where: In your homes, schools, libraries, businesses, congregations, etc.
TV-Free America is a national nonprofit organization that was founded in 1994 to raise awareness about the harmful effects of excessive television-watching and encourage Americans to reduce the amount of television that they watch--and replace TV time with activities that lead to more literate, productive lives and engaged citizenship.
National TV-Turnoff Week is the first nationwide effort which targets the medium of television and asks that people reassess the role TV plays in their daily lives as entertainer, pacifier, babysitter, time filler and background noise.
Television is generally a passive "non-activity" which often detracts from more healthy, interpersonal, productive, rewarding and community-oriented activities.
National TV-Turnoff Week is about having more fun and turning "on" your life. It's an opportunity to rediscover the wide range of activities that exist when one unplugs from the sedentary, image-based, simplistic and commercial world of television.
1) "Why turn off the television completely? Can we do it for just one day?"
Turning off the television for seven full days helps participants realize that life without television is not torture and may actually be more fun. A multi-day TV "fast" allows sufficient time for the development of habits likely to be more productive and rewarding. A one day turnoff provides too little challenge.
2) "Is all TV bad? What about the Discovery Channel or PBS?"
All TV is passive, sedentary and non-experiential. Most viewers tend to watch show after show--not individual programs. Instead of watching a documentary about birds, go out (with binoculars if you have them) and see how many real birds you can identify in your neighborhood. The purpose of National TV-Turnoff Week is to leave behind judgements about the quality of television and focus instead on creating, discovering, building, participating and doing.
3) "What about media literacy and teaching critical viewing skills?"
By going without television for a week, people will learn a great deal about their television habits and will likely be more critical viewers if and when they decide to return to the tube. A TV "fast" is a path to media literacy.
4) "I can't give up my programs! Don't interfere in my home!"
Remember that a TV-Turnoff is voluntary and meant to be fun.
It's intended to build family and community spirit. Coordinate your turnoff in a way that does not alienate or offend parents--they already have their hands full! Send a letter to parents that asks for the family's participation in the turnoff. Indicate the support of the principal, the teachers, PTA or other groups that you have. Parents are more likely to sign on if they know that school professionals support the project.
5) "Do we have to plan an activity every night?"
Some organizers feel providing an activity every night doesn't mimic real life and allows for a big letdown after the turnoff, so some people plan just a few. Plan activities that you might consider doing the following week. In-school activities are a possibility also, and most organizers agree it is good to have at least one family activity during the turnoff.
6) "What about the name TV-Free America? Are you advocating the complete eradication of television?"
TV-Free America encourages Americans to watch less television and replace TV time with activities that lead to more productive and rewarding lives. A TV-Turnoff is an effective way to help break the television habit. While it may be unrealistic to think participants will never watch television again (although a few won't), many will regard the medium in a much different way henceforward.
7) "How can we best appeal to teenagers?"
Make the turnoff fun and provocative. Copy and distribute articles and essays about the environmental and social issues surrounding television and have had students debate the opposing views. Some teachers have awarded extra credits to participating students who keep a journal and write an essay about their week without television. Past TV-Turnoff organizers have asked local businesses (theaters, skating rinks, miniature golf courses, bowling alleys, etc.) to offer discounts to students, families and individuals who show a signed TV-Turnoff "Pledge Card."
8) "I need some peace and quiet when I come home. The television occupies the kids while I fix dinner."
Invite the children to help with simple tasks or have them talk with you while you prepare dinner. Developing a few special (and regular) pre-dinner activities and habits for children is a very worthwhile investment. Some parents also find playing with kids for just a few minutes helps relax the kids as well as themselves.
9) "Our neighborhood is unsafe. Better that my kids sit in front of the television at home than risk harm outside."
There are many indoor activities that are fun, productive and TV-free (see list). Work with neighbors or a local community center to develop indoor and outdoor activities for participating families. Point out that neighborhood improvement will never occur as long as residents merely retreat to the fictional, vicarious world of television.
10) "I can't afford the cost of these "substitute" activities!"
There are many free and simple activities (see enclosed lists) sponsored by libraries, environmental groups, museums, universities, etc. Local newspapers, radio stations and community organizations will have listings of free, public events. Outdoor recreation is an activity that is generally free--as well as healthy!
yes, i know the dress is a little big, but she didn't go outside with it. and she looked so sweet with the heels and crown. what's a girly play date without a little dress up?
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? hmm, no. was I?... mom? ...dad? My middle name, Marie, I think it was chosen after my dad's mom, Maria.2. ARE YOU AN ONLY CHILD? no, I have 2 half brother who are the same age, Mike is 24 and is my mom's child and Shawn is 23 (will be 24 this year and is my dad's child). I also have a half sister, Haylee, my dad's child who is the coolest 12 year old I have ever met. Robyn is my sister too. She can't be an only child, but she get's my parents, I can't have hers.
3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? yes, but I have to write with the right pen. (is it wrong to be jealous of some one else's handwriting?) Angi, I wonder how you do it... do you draw lines with pencils and then erase when your done? You are so even.
4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? turkey and rare roast beef.
5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? yes, 3. Jimmy, Payton and Reagan.
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Duh, Of course.7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? no, never, it's hurtful and mean and could be taken the wrong way and hurt someone's feelings. (if you believe that you don't know me very well. YES! I thrive on it)
8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? YES
9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Don't think so10. FAVORITE CEREAL? something full of fiber and really good for you or cherrios.
11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? most of my shoes don't have ties. but no, unless Jim is watching.
12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? mentally or physically? If we're not in the third week of my cycle I'd have to say yes.
13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? depends on the day.
14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? their eyes
15. RED OR PINK? pink
16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? i am too critical of myself and others. you could call it perfectionism.
17. IS THERE SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE WOULD PROBABLY FIND INTERESTING TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? i am shy. really.18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? no. please don't. (that's where the sarcasm comes in, yes, big sigh, send it back.)
19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? brown pants and dark brown shoes. why?
20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? junk food from another fat b-day party here at work.
21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? digital photography podcast
23. FAVORITE SMELL? refried beans and tamales steaming. (it runs in the blood) The air before it rains and babies heads. bigger kids don't smell very good unless they are fresh out of a bath and not contaminated yet.
24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? robyn
26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Football (BEARS) and Baseball (Cubbies)
27. HAIR COLOR? brown and 3 gray hairs.
28. EYE COLOR? BROWN29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? no i email my contacts.....while I wear glasses.................lol
30. FAVORITE FOODS? Steak, Tacos, chicken, Tamales, Spanish rice, guacamole, anything Mexican
31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? HAPPY ENDINGS
32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? the Lake House. It's Jim's favorite movie, he keeps making me watch it. (j/k)
33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? yellow
34. SUMMER OR WINTER? SUMMER but it's a toss up between the heat and the -2o degree blistering wind chill
35. HUGS OR KISSES? hugs36. FAVORITE DESSERT? anything with frosting
37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? robyn
38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Jim, prove me wrong :0)
39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? weekly schedule
41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? I regained possession of the computer last night, HA! but tonight I will watch Grey's and Private Practice to catch up
42. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SOUND? the even breathing of my kids when they fall into a deep sleep. waves moving back and forth
43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? both
44. WHAT IS THE FURTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Cancun, MEX or Palm Springs. CA
45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can't talk about that here. hehe that's what my dad would have said if he didn't sing so well. I take pretty good pictures and I love to plan parties.
46: WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Elmhurst, IL
47. WHO'S ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? all.
America's Best Baked Potato Soup 1997
Recipe By : America's Best Recipes 1997
Serving Size : 12
Ingredients
5 Medium baking potatoes
8 Slices bacon
1 Cup sweet onions -- chopped
2/3 Cup all-purpose flour
6 Cups chicken broth
2 Cups half and half
1/4 Cup fresh parsley -- chopped
1 1/2 Teaspoons garlic -- minced
1 1/2 Teaspoons dried basil
1 Teaspoon salt
1 Teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
1/2 Teaspoon hot sauce
1 3/4 Cups shredded cheddar cheese -- divided
1 Cup green onions, sliced -- divided
1/4 Cup fresh parsley -- chopped
Cooking Instructions
Wash potatoes; prick several times with a fork. Bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour or until done; let cool. Peel potatoes, and slice crosswise.
Cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp; remove bacon, reserving drippings in skillet. Crumble bacon, and set aside.
Cook onion in drippings, stirring constantly, until tender; add flour, stirring well. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add chicken broth; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in potato, half-and-half, and next 6 ingredients. Bring to a simmer, and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes (do not boil). Stir in 1 cup cheese and 1/4 cup green onions. Cook until cheese melts, stirring often. Again freeze at this point.
Ladle soup into individual soup bowls. Top evenly with crumbled bacon. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 3/4 cup cheese, 3/4 cup green onions, and parsley.
MUFFINS
Recipe Ingredients:
· 1 cup old-fashioned oats
· 1 cup fat free milk
· 2/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
· 1 egg
· 1 cup whole wheat flour
· 1/2 cup brown sugar
· 1 teaspoon baking powder
· 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
· 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Streusel Topping (optional):
· 1 tablespoon melted butter
· 1 tablespoon brown sugar
· 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
· 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
Substitutions: Try replacing the applesauce with pumpkin or sweet potato puree, yogurt, or a mashed banana.
1. Combine the oats and milk and let the mixture stand for about one hour. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Spray the muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. Add the applesauce and egg to the oat mixture and stir until combined. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients with a whisk. Add wet ingredients to dry and mix just until combined. Spoon mixture into muffin tin.
3. Combine streusel ingredients and sprinkle mixture over muffins. Bake muffins until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, or 15 to 18 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.
