All posts by Kirsetin

Light Italian Cream Cake and Menu Planning for a Month

October 11, 2010food, organizingKirsetin

It’s Monday again and you know what that means? We’re out of apples. And bread. But we have plenty of Italian Cream Cake left!

This weekend was my husband’s birthday, and Italian Cream Cake is his absolute favorite. In the olden days, I made the original version, but many moons ago I found this lighter version of Italian Cream Cake in Cooking Light Magazine and we loved it. It’s a more than acceptable substitute. My only change: I still make the original icing, with full fat butter and cream cheese. The texture and taste are worth it!

I thought I’d focus this week on organizing life with kids—it’s something we all seem to struggle with. I love reading Laura’s tips at I’m an Organizing Junkie but I don’t know how she does it. I just keep trying!

One of the things I have found, without question, to be the most helpful for our family is menu planning.

Yuck, I know!

For years I have vacillated between having a great weekly plan and going out to eat four times a week because I don’t even look in the pantry until it’s already time to eat. Last January, I was fed up with the kids complaining about not liking dinner, so I sat down and started making a list of the meals they like, that we liked, too. When I finished, there were about 17 meal ideas, and I thought, “Hey, that’s more than half of the month!” I decided to plan the weeknight meals for the entire month of January, which meant I only had to come up with 3 more. I printed the menu, posted it on the fridge, and lo and behold, it worked! The biggest surprise was that on the nights I made something the kids didn’t particularly care for, they stopped complaining…because they knew we were having something they liked the next night. It was beautiful!

I suppose the bigger surprise is that I’ve kept it up. I took July and August off—we grill most summer nights anyway—but I’ve printed a menu every other month. I know, shocking, right?!

I keep all of the past menus for future planning, rely on Organizing Junkie’s Menu Plan Monday (and her participants) for some new ideas, and love to Google a few ingredients I have on hand to see what ideas pop up.

So if you’re among the many who find ourselves foraging the pantry at 5PM, give it a whirl.

Other ideas? Bring ‘em on and post ‘em here!

October 8, 2010activities for kids, fallKirsetin

If you’re anything like me, the crisp, cool air of autumn draws you outside. Fall has always been my favorite season and you can find me smiling through almost all of it. The cider, the leaves, the pumpkins and squash, the soups, the football and soccer games…what’s not to love?

If you need some fresh ideas about where to explore the great outdoors in your area, check out this Nature Center Map. You can enter your zip code and find great nature centers near you.

If arboretums are more your style, check out this list of arboretums by state. Many of them have reciprocal or reduced admission privileges, so if you belong to one locally, you could take a fun day trip to visit another.

Zoos and aquariums can be fun in the fall, too. Check with your local zoo to see what kind of activity and exhibits they have right now. Check this listing of zoos and aquariums by state to find something close to you. And don’t forget that zoos and aquariums, too, often offer reciprocal privileges for members. Be sure to check around so you don’t miss out on a free or low-cost admission!

photo credit: graybeard763

Kids Can Learn a Lot from Nature

October 6, 2010academics, activities for kids, fall, natureKirsetin

When we think about doing educational activities with our kids, how often do we think about taking a walk through the woods? As the leaves begin to fall, and animals scurry to collect food for winter, there’s plenty for kids to learn while they’re on the go.

One of the keys to growing kids who love to learn is to find the learning that’s available all around us.

As you walk through the woods, help your kids notice what’s happening during the fall season.

If they’re interested in the leaves, help them understand why leaves turn from green to the beautiful reds and golds of fall, and then drop to the ground. Encourage them to gather leaves, and make a leaf print when you get home. Talk to them about everything they see; help them to wonder.

If they go for the acorns, talk to them about seeds, and look for seedlings. Talk to them about the different parts of plants, and how seeds grow. Help them think about how seeds travel, and plant themselves! Consider planting some seeds indoors together, so your kids can watch them grow during the winter.

Do they notice the animals? If your kids are curious about how animals make it through the winter, talk to them about ecosystems and habitats. Help them understand which animals leave for awhile (migrate) and which ones stay and hunker down (hibernate).

Your kids will be curious. The key is to capitalize on their interests and keep the learning fun.

Happy autumn!