Coloring Easter Eggs

Hello one & all...spent the weekend preparing for the upcoming holiday. Priced store bought color kits between $.99 and $1.69, depending on what was included. Homemade color is super easy to make and very inexpensive. (Given that you do not buy your liquid food color at a supermarket for $3.00 and up! Yikes...try Save-a-lot and Dollar General type stores for low cost replacements...) Mix 4 oz. of white vinegar and 2 oz. of water. Add 15-20 drops of color and mix. Yup...that simple! Add in eggs and soak till desired shade. This recipe offers great versatility as you can create any colors your children would like. These colors are NOT neon strength but will certainly create pretty, pastel eggs for the basket. Finish with stickers, glue, glitter and sequence for a spectacular display. Happy Easter everyone! Blessings, Eve

Splash Lagoon

Hello one & all...even the most frugal among us needs to splurge every now & then. The hubby and I took the kids on a two day trip to Splash Lagoon earlier this week. Totally worth every penny we paid. (And that was way less than we had anticipated!) Every night at a participating hotel gets you 4 passes (3 and under are free) for the day of arrival and the day of departure till the park closes. In our case, 16 hours of park time. No child I know can use that much water time. They are tired out way before that! All three kids loved it. They have something for everyone...from 2 to 7 to 12. A great time was had by all and we are already planning a return trip next winter. Check it out if you are looking for a getaway. Hint: look to go on "off nights." We went on Sunday evening. Thursday would also be good. The rates are cheaper and the park isn't as crowded. Blessings, Eve

Scrumptious Chicken

Hello one & all...I was asked for this recipe by my daughter's best friend's mother. Seems she had gone home from dinner at our house and asked Mom to make it. I cannot believe that I have not shared this recipe with you all as it is a staple in our home and oh-so easy!

Scrumptious Chicken

4 boneless chicken breast halves, chunked
1 can cream of chicken soup (I use fat-free with success)
8 oz. (1/2 tub) sour cream
1 packet french onion soup mix (or a couple tablespoons powdered beef broth and either real diced onion or dried!)

Mix all the ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. (Larger chunks can take longer cooking times...) Serve over egg noodles or rice. ***Green beans and applesauce are a wonderful addition to this.

Make and enjoy! Blessings, Eve

Smoke Alarm Batteries

Hello one & all...just a reminder to change your smoke alarm batteries. I have been good about this in the past but skipped a "time change cycle." Found one of my batteries (by the master bedroom) was not even in all the way. The alarm was completely disabled. (I have no idea how long this was like this and have no recollection of why it would have been disengaged.) E-gads! So, don't skip...change your batteries with every time change. Walmart has a 2 pack of heavy duty 9V for 97 cents. Now that's money worth spending...

Blessings, Eve

Rita's Sausage and Potato Skillet

Hello one & all...last Halloween my MIL made a simple and wonderful dish. Thought of it many times since then but this was my first solo attempt. Made it tonight and it was fantastic...and so, so simple.

Rita's Sausage and Potato Skillet

1 pound smoked or polish sausage (I used lite polish)
6 large potatoes, peeled and sliced
2 large sweet peppers, sliced (I used a 1# bag of peppers and onions, frozen)
1 large onion, sliced
2 TBSP butter

In a large fry pan melt butter and add 1/2 cup water. Add potatoes, peppers and onions. Cover and cook till potatoes are HALF tender. (Add more water if needed.) Add the sausage, sliced, and cook till fully tender and hot throughout. Salt and pepper to taste.

I told you...simple. But so very good. I served this with corn and baked beans. Two thumbs up all the way around...

Make and Enjoy! Blessings, Eve

Homemade Bubble Solution

Hello one & all...the wee one wanted to blow bubbles today as it was around 70 degrees in our glass sunroom. (Hip, hip, hooray!) Well, of course, we were out of solution. Found this super easy recipe that does NOT require glycerin. So- super, super inexpensive!

Bubbles

1/4 cup dishwashing detergent
1/2 cup water
1 TBSP sugar

Add detergent to water. Gently add and slowly stir in sugar till dissolved. Make as few suds as possible. ***This solution worked very well. Not sure how it will store but it was a lifesaver today!

Blessings, Eve