The Story Behind Creative Slow-Cooker Meals:

The Story Behind
Creative Slow-Cooker Meals: Use Two Slow Cookers for Tasty and Easy Dinners

by Cheryl Moeller

Ecclesiastes 4:9 - "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work."
And in the same way, two slow cookers are better than one.

Creative Slow-Cooker Meals was born on a "two slow-cooker day" in my kitchen.

It was a rainy day and my younger daughters each had a friend over. 

"We don't use slow cookers in my house," one little girl said.  "My dad says they turn everything into mush."  Click here to read more

Click here to read more

10 Reasons Why a Mom Should be President

1) Her presidential cabinet will consist of experts in finding shoes that fit (Department of the Insole), making microwave dinners taste homemade (Department of Homeland Mac and Cheese), and getting ketchup stains out of white clothes (Department of Clorox Security).
2) World leaders will be intimidated by her multitasking ability to negotiate a treaty and do her child’s math simultaneously.
3) All presidential limos will be replaced with bullet-proof minivans that come with a DVD player in the back seat.
4) Everyone in the nation will receive a “McDonalds Happy Meal” tax credit (during bad economic times an additional stimulus package will consist of a one Filet of Fish & McFlurry per family).
5) Her first 100 days in office will focus on making sure there are no dangerous electrical outlets in the West Wing.
6) The presidential seal will be replaced with the Gerber baby.
7) Her first choice for Vice President will be a reliable babysitter.
8) She would appoint “pro-early bedtime” Supreme Court Justices.
9) The leaders of the G-7 nations will be forced to play soccer on the front lawn of the White House during summits (two yellow cards and you get sent home).
10) The national anthem will be sung by Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Guest Blog by my Good Friend and Writing Student, Kay Swatkowski, www.americangrandma.com

A Guest Post for Grandmothers 

                                                                by Kay Swatkowski

Money Doesn't Grow On Trees

I wish it did.

I wouldn’t be greedy and I certainly wouldn’t take more than my share.  I’d use it for important things: food, clothing, shelter, transportation, shoes, comfortable furniture, nice appliances, dental work, gift card to the coffee shop, a membership to a health club, shoes, a relaxing vacation – something simple –  in the Rockies, maybe an RV to make the travel more affordable and comfortable and a good pair of hiking shoes– for safety reasons.  Yes, I’d just focus on the necessities.

Oh wait, there’s more.

The grandkids!  They are growing so fast.  THEY need shoes and that latest video game, a new book or two, and don’t they outgrow their bikes quickly. Hmmm…the latest lego set, arts and crafts supplies, a  swimming pool, that adorable outfit I saw at the outlet mall.  How about an afternoon at Chuck E. Cheese finished off with a trip to an ice cream place?  Season tickets to amusement parks, sports fees, special equipment, favorite snacks, sleepovers with friends.

Braces!

Summer camp, music lessons, a laptop that will help them with school.

But what about their parents? Working two jobs, paying mortgages, utilities, car payments, insurance. Not to forget all the things we mentioned above that loving parents work so hard to provide.

How I would like to alleviate their stress.  But, I don’t see that happening.

After all, money doesn’t grow on trees.

Sometimes our thinking about money is distorted, unhealthy. But there are a number of ways of thinking that can help us grow our money (even though it doesn’t grow on trees) allowing us the opportunity to be generous in giving to God, giving to our families and giving to people in need.

Ever since I discovered, much to my dismay, that money doesn’t grow on trees, there are some practical truths I find helpful:

• All that we have comes from the loving hand of God.
• We must have a healthy respect for money.  Money is not an end in itself.  It is a gift given to us to manage and use wisely and to meet our needs and to do good. It is a trust from God.

But, here is the real issue I am struggling with today.

What is the difference between being generous with our grandchildren and spoiling them?  Here is my confession. I want to give my grandkids everything – I don’t – but I admit that I want to.

What is the underlying mental attitude that will help  me to give joyfully with an open hand and at the same time  give responsibly? If we don’t find the key to this issue, we risk contributing to a distorted understanding of money and possessions that creates adults who  feel entitled, ungrateful, discontent, unsatisfied and sadly lack the ability to feel genuine joy and affirmation when gifts are given.

That is scary to me.

This is not a small issue.  I know that I will be working on this for month’s to come.  I hope you will share some of your ideas as well.  Here are some thoughts that are simply a result of a first round of brainstorming.  We will try to develop these topics more fully in the future.

These are some of the things I am going to work on.

• I need to be clear in my own mind about the difference between want and need.  Sometimes it brings great delight to us and to the child to give a gift that is something they really want. Those can be special, loving moments.  I recall my grandfather giving me a birthstone necklace for my 7th birthday and how loved I felt by his generosity.But, having every want supplied every time is unhealthy.  We can all learn to do without some of the “wants” in life. We all need things to work towards and wait for.
• I always need to  work in cooperation with the parents.  If parents believe we are “giving” too much, we need to respect that and back off a bit. Go to the parent with a question, “I was thinking of buying Josh _____.  But, I wanted to know what you think first.”
• I need to replace occasional, cheaper gifts and trinkets with substantial items.  This shows kids that resisting the urge to fritter away their quarters for a plastic ring in a machine at the grocery store, results in something more substantial.  A once in a while experience such as this is a normal part of childhood, but so is having to wait for and work for  something better.
• If you are able to be generous, perhaps a bank account or college fund is a good way to share what God has given you. Or invest in experiences the kids will remember – The Nutcracker, a special dinner, a night away, a major league baseball game. Take pictures. It is all about being together.
• Decide in advance how much you can spend for certain gifts or occasions – not to be stingy or cheap – but to guard against overdoing it. Do you give more than one gift at Christmas? You might want to follow this plan: each child receives one gift they want; one gift they need; and one educational gift.  This might be a great way to prevent gift overload and be a tool parents can use to  limit the effects of consumerism at Christmas.
• Notice if one of your grandchildren seems to be struggling with always wanting more or being discontent.  Make “relationship” building more intentional with this child.
• Remember the best gift we can give is a conversation, eye contact, hugs, attendance at their events, support, security, family traditions, love and prayer–as well as responsiveness to genuine need when it arises.

I know this is not the end of my searching for healthy answers to this question.  It is something I need to work on for a while.

After all, money doesn’t grow on trees.   Kay's website, American Grandma

Check out Kay's new Kindle book on praying for your grandchildren - it's a guide to make pray more directed to our grandchildren's needs.   Buy One Endless Line of Faith:  30 Days of Prayer for our Grandchildren for all the grandmas in your life.  Click here

If the Kids aren't Funny, then Mom Is

Manipulative, absurd, and impulsive statements.   It's hard to take mom seriously, when she makes these kinds of promises (threats)...

If you don’t finish your essay for English class…
1. I’m going to post your unfinished assignment on an expressway billboard where there’s lots of traffic.  

2.  You will be grounded for the rest of your life.
3.  You will have to deal with Dad when he gets home from work!

If you don't eat your vegetatbles...
1. The starving people in the world will be very angry at you!
2. You'll eat it for breakfast.
3. Your other food won’t dissolve in your stomach for six years.

If you don't clean your room...
1. I am going to clean it myself and then you’ll feel bad.
2. I will take the batteries out of your transistor radio.

3. I’m going to give all your stuff to someone who will appreciate it.

If you don't do your homework…
1.   You'll flunk and then you'll go through the rest of school with your next youngest sibling.

2.  I'll do the homework for you.
3.  I’m going to ask the principal to put this on your permanent record.

If you don’t play with your little sister…
1.  I’ll make sure you don’t see your friends until you are 60.

2.  Spacebook, My Face, you are off all of it.

3.  I will personally tell Santa Claus and not spare any details.

If you don't clean your plate...
1.  What will people think.

2.  They won’t name a NFL team after you.

3.   I hear the bubonic plague is making a come back.

Use Two Slow Cookers to Make One Tasty and Easy Dinner

                                                               Two Slow Cookers

                                                                 Two Crockpots

                                                              Making One Dinner

                                                             Making One Meal

Creative Slow-Cooker Meals: Use Two Slow Cookers for Tasty & Easy Dinners by Cheryl Moeller
Click here to buy now

Our favorite Valentine's Day Memory is with My Sister Cathy

Cathy and I in Warren, Michigan

Bob and I have many favorite Valentine's memories, but our favorite one is with my sister Cathy.  She has special needs and is physically challenged.  She's my Irish Twin as she is only 11 months older than me.  

One year she was visiting us during Valentine's Week.  Bob and I went out to get lunch for all of us and when we returned we got a really big Valentine's Day surprise from Cathy.  She swung the front door open and shouted, "Happy Valentine's Day!"  She had redressed in red from head to toe.  She had on a red headband, necklace, and bow.  Her shirt and vest were red.  Cathy's skirt was bright red and so were her socks.  Big red shoes adorned her feet.  (The sweetest thing is that all of these shades of red were different colors such as dark red, pink, ruby red, periwinkle, maroon, orange, and mauve, but Cathy didn't care it was about love not fashion.)

She was telling us Happy Valentine's Day with her whole self.  She was all jazzed up about Valentine's Day and wanted us to feel loved.  Happy Valentine's Day Cathy.  We love you!!

Cathy and I in Warren, Michigan

Woman to Woman

My mom used to connect with other women over her clothesline.  When she was out hanging up her laundry,
people knew that she was available to chat.  Women came by and shared laundry hints and neighborhood
news.  While that era seems to have passed, I want Momlaughs Blog to be that in your life.  A place to come
and find connections with other women.  A place to laugh and share.  A place to belong woman to woman.
There's going to be a lot of laughter!

Proverbs 31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 

Join Momlaughs on Facebook Click here

To all my Valentines - Overnight Sensation Best Seller - Help! Mom's Stuck on Spin Cycle

Help! Mom's Stuck on Spin Cycle Click here - the perfect Valentine's gift for everyone on your list.  
Everyone you know is either a mom or has a mom and who doesn't need to laugh.  This
book at $.99 cent is less expensive than most cards.  Kindle it to everyone you know
today, so they will have time to send your Valentine to you.  (hint hint hint)
Click here

Valentine's Day Heart Biscuits

These heart biscuits would be perfect with many of the main dishes from my new cookbook, Creative Slow-Cooker Meals, Harvest House Publishers, 2012.  Buy today for Valentine's Day delivery as a spiral paperback or Kindle it and start today.

Valentine's Day Heart Biscuits

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 Tb. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cold butter or margarine
3/4 cup buttermilk

Preparation:

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2.  In a mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients.
3.  Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4.  With a fok, stir in buttermilk until the mixture forms into a ball.
5.  Turn onto very lightly floured surface, knead five to six times.
6.  Roll into 1/2 inch thickness; cut with a 2 inch heart shaped cookie or biscuit cutter.
7.  Place onto an ungreased baking sheet. 
8.  Bake at 400 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.
9.  Serve with honey.

Quest: To Find the Closest Taste Alike to the Red Lobster Cheese Roll Recipe in Time for Valentine's Day

Momlaugh in the kitchen:
I think my kitchen sleuth skills have found the best taste alike Red Lobster Rolls Recipe.
This recipe had the most votes from my family. We have been on a well-worth-it quest.
Here is the winning final answer from Life as a Lofthouse Blog click here

Share with Us Your Favorite Slow-Cooker Crockpot Recipe

Midwest Cooking and Slow-Cookers go together like Peanut Butter and Jelly or Mashed Potatoes and Gravy.  Cold dark long evenings tend to bring out the best in our crockpots!

Click here to check out my latest book Creative Slow-Cooker Meals: Use Two Slow Cookers for Tasty and Easy Dinners
 

I thought it would be fun for all of us to share some of our best Slow-Cooker Recipes today in this post.  We all want to know what's cooking in your crockpot.

I made this tonight and it was tasty and comforting x10!

Cheryl's Homemade Crockpot Applesauce 
Ingredients:
15 apples
Juice of 1 lemon
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup water  
Preparation:
1. Peel, core, and cut apples.
2. Place in crock pot and add lemon juice, cinnamon stick, vanilla, and water.
3. Cook on low for 3-4 hours or until apples are tender.
4. Mash apples with a fork.
Yum! We like it fresh and warm from our Slow-Cooker..

Share with us YOUR favorite slow-cooker crockpot recipe. Please leave your recipe right here as a comment.

This next Monday, February 13, 2012, Keep Courting will be free all night until midnight

Practical and Creative... To Keep or to Give...

Need last minute Valentine's Day ideas.  Most of these ideas are free or nearly free.
And today, the book is FREE!!

"Bob has been my Valentine for nearly 33 years! He swept me off my feet, with his elaborate courting! There’s no better time than today, to revive your courtship. Courtship shouldn't end with marriage. 'Keep courting: 100 Ways to Keep Courting After Marriage' will fan the flames of continued courtship."

A gift book! 50 ways to keep courting your husband and 50 ways to keep courting your wife.

                                                                  Melissa and Stephen
Fifty Ways for Women to Keep Courting Their Husbands,
After Marriage:
- Attend an outdoor sporting exhibition show and look through the brochures, with him.
- Write a list of the "Things I Admire Most About My Husband" and tape it to his closet door.

Fifty Ways for Men to Keep Courting Their Wives,
After Marriage:
- Ask her to tell you two things that would make you an easier husband to live with (then work on them).
- Add "I love you" to her calendar on the day of your anniversary, every month. So, if you were married on June 16 (like the Moellers), write" I love you" on the 16th of every month, on her calendar. She'll remember every month how grateful you are to have her, as your wife.  Click here for free book Feb. 13

Please tell your friends and family

FREE on Kindle today and tomorrow, Feb. 6-7 - Keep Courting by Bob and Cheryl Moeller

Practical and Creative... To Keep or to Give...

"Bob has been my Valentine for nearly 33 years! He swept me off my feet, with his elaborate courting! There’s no better time than today, to revive your courtship. Courtship shouldn't end with marriage. 'Keep courting: 100 Ways to Keep Courting After Marriage' will fan the flames of continued courtship."

A gift book! 50 ways to keep courting your husband and 50 ways to keep courting your wife.

                                                                  Melissa and Stephen
Fifty Ways for Women to Keep Courting Their Husbands,
After Marriage:
- Attend an outdoor sporting exhibition show and look through the brochures, with him.
- Write a list of the "Things I Admire Most About My Husband" and tape it to his closet door.

Fifty Ways for Men to Keep Courting Their Wives,
After Marriage:
- Ask her to tell you two things that would make you an easier husband to live with (then work on them).
- Add "I love you" to her calendar on the day of your anniversary, every month. So, if you were married on June 16 (like the Moellers), write" I love you" on the 16th of every month, on her calendar. She'll remember every month how grateful you are to have her, as your wife.  Click here for free book Feb. 6-7

Moms for Laughs - MFL

  Super Bowl Mom: Why the NFL needs the MFL (Mom For Laughs)

The MFL needs to tell the NFL...

to talk out their issues and problems, instead of shoving, pushing, and tackling out there on the field.

to stop whispering out there in huddles, it makes the other team feel bad to be talking about them.

that the real Super Bowl is the white big bowl in the bathroom.

that the point of wearing a uniform is to help you act more polite and respectful in school. So, why do these men put on uniforms, then start ramming each other and doing crazy dances in the end zone to celebrate it? No one should clap for them when they do either.

that those men in the black and white striped shirts, carrying a whistle should use their yellow handkerchiefs and not throw them down on the field. And why use yellow ones? they don't match anyone's outfit.

that those men floating up there in that big Goodyear helium balloon should come down right now before it pops and someone gets hurt. Besides, they are cheating -- hanging up there trying to see the game without having to buy a ticket. Shame on them.

that it's really not nice to pour a huge bucket of Gatorade on that man with the clipboard, standing on the sidelines at the end of the game. That's probably his homework he's been working on the entire game. Now it's all wet and the teacher will make him stay after school and do it all over again.

that coaches should know when you call a "time out" you should make all the players go over and sit in the corner for 30 minutes, and think about what they have done wrong. And you don't let them back on the field, until they say they're sorry. They usually let them run back on the field in just two minutes -- it only encourages bad behavior.

that NFL teams don't need a coach. What they really need is a MFL super mom, who won't give the guys supper, if they come in with their uniforms all dirty one more time.

                                                My Three Favorite Football Players Ever

Free Kindle Book today and tomorrow on Kindle - FREE download

FREE - Over 100 free or nearly free ideas to do with preschoolers whether you are a mom, dad, grandparent, babysitter, church school worker, preschool teacher, or child care provider.. FREE Kindle book - free today in the Kindle store. Homeschool Your Preschooler on $1 a Day by Cheryl Moeller

 

Free Kindle book today and tomorrow

FREE - Over 100 free or nearly free ideas to do with preschoolers whether you are a mom, dad, grandparent, babysitter, church school worker, preschool teacher, or child care provider.. FREE Kindle book - free today in the Kindle store. Homeschool Your Preschooler on $1 a Day by Cheryl Moeller