Stunning Mathematics

Check this out. Pretty neat!

What's Cookin'

Mon~PW's beef stew, applesauce, biscuits

Tues~Quiche, fruit

Wed~Shepherd's Pie (potluck)

Thurs~Pork tenderloin, roasted potatoes, carrots

Fri~Mexican Mess, salad

Sat~Pizza

Sun~Pork fried rice, green beans

Ruins of Detroit

It's no secret that the city of Detroit, MI has been in decline for years. Here's a link to some haunting decaying buildings of that once great metropolitan. I can't help but picture what these buildings looked like years ago when they were new and bustling with people. They seem to hearken to a grander era. Part of me wishes I could have experienced the civility and nostalgia of that time.

What's Cookin'

Mon~Baked chicken, brown rice, carrots

Tues~Pancakes, bacon, canned fruit

Wed~Spaghetti, bread, green beans salad

Thurs~Pork tenderloin, roasted potatoes, veggie

Fri~Cousins' Night out-jello salad

Sat~Pizza, raw veggies

Sun~Mexican mess, salad

5 Minute Artisan Bread

Image from food.com

So I've seen this recipe floating around and I was really skeptical. Bread that takes only 5 minutes? No way. Bread needs to take a really long time, make a huge mess of the kitchen, and give you sore arms from kneading so much. But, I really wanted some homemade bread for dinner the other night and thought I'd give it a try. And I wish I had tried it months ago! It really does take 5 minutes to whip up, plus it makes enough for 4 loaves and keeps in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. It was an airy loaf of bread that the boys gulped down. Definitely going in my book of 'keeper' recipes.

Here's the recipe I used.

Edit: Here's a pic of my bread. Bummer I ran out of yeast last week. It would go great with our spaghetti tonight!

Rep. James Lankford, Oklahoma-Arguing against federal funded abortions

Cheap Pampers Diapers on Amazon

Here's how:

1. Sign up for an Amazon Mom account. I've been an Amazon Mom for about 6 months and love it. Free shipping on everything and discounts on baby products.

2. Go to this page and clip the $1.50 off Pampers coupon.

3. You will be redirected to the Pampers diapers that will work with the coupon. Choose your diapers.

4. Click on Subscribe and Save and you will get 30% off your purchase. You can choose to receive your diapers every 1, 3 or 6 months. (Some people sign up to get the discount and then cancel their subscription. I'm on the fence as to whether that's right or not. Thoughts? I've heard convincing arguments both ways.) Amazon sends a reminder when another package of diapers will be shipped.

I used my $10 for $20 Amazon gift card to get 176 size 4 diapers for $17.12!

UPDATE: Just got this email from Amazon Mom.

Dear Amazon Mom Member,

Congratulations, you've earned a 1-month extension of your FREE Two-Day Shipping benefits from Amazon Mom! Based on your recent purchases from the Baby Store, you now have Amazon Prime shipping benefits through March 30, 2011.

We'll continue to grant you an additional month of Amazon Prime shipping benefits for each $25 you spend within a single order in the Baby Store. You are now eligible to earn up to 8 additional months (see more details here).

A list of your qualifying orders is provided below, and can always be found in Your Account.

Thanks for being a member of Amazon Mom,

The Amazon Mom Team

Plum District: Papa Murphy's

Go here to get a $10 Papa Murphy's gift card for $5.

This post contains a referral link.

PS I've hit over 400 posts!

What's Cookin'

Mon~Bacon and cheese quiche, cinnamon biscuits, fruit

Tues~Spaghetti bake, salad, carrots, bread

Wed~Roast beef, mashed potatoes, carrots (I just cleaned the fridge and we have about 4 lbs of carrots!)

Thurs~Out for my birthday

Fri~Pork tenderloin, rice, green beans

Sat~The most unbelievably great pizza you make at home. :-)

Sunday~Beef veggie soup, bread

Roe v. Wade, Obama style

Here's President Obama's statement on 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade:

Today marks the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, and affirms a fundamental principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters.

I am committed to protecting this constitutional right. I also remain committed to policies, initiatives, and programs that help prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant women and mothers, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption.

And on this anniversary, I hope that we will recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights, the same freedoms, and the same opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams.

Constitutional right? I must have missed that in my copy of the constitution. Oh, and President Obama must have missed the fact that 3 out of 5 African American pregnancies end in abortion and that if this keeps up, the African American population will dwindle, not thrive.

Yum

Photo from PW

This looks so good that I'm about ready to chuck 5 boys (I'm babysitting) in the car and go buy me some cube steak. If I knew what cube steak was, where to find it, how much it costs, etc. I will definitely be checking that out next time I go grocery shopping.

Blood Money

I just watched a shortened version of this. A must see.

Sanctity of Life Sunday

First observed in 1984 by President Reagan, Sanctity of Life Sunday is a day set apart to affirm our belief in the sanctity of human life. Not surprisingly, Presidents Clinton and Obama discontinued the practice. Tomorrow is the day pro-life advocates have set apart as Sanctity of Life Sunday. Remember the unborn, the women who are victims of abortion, and pray that God will be merciful on our nation and stop this horrid practice.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

Proverbs 31:8

The Horrors of Abortion

A lot of pro-life people don't want to hear about abortion and they especially don't want to see actual pictures. But I think it's really important that we see and hear these things and keep the topic ever in the forefront of our thoughts. Ignoring the problem won't make it go away. I've been especially horrified by the abortion "doctor" in Philadelphia that has been in the news lately. If you would like to hear/see graphic testimony about this man, check out jillstanek.com. But be warned, she has some very graphic pictures pertaining to Kermit Gosnell's abortion clinic. The horrible conditions here were ignored by state officials and the health department. I wonder who's palms were being greased?

What's Cookin' Tonight

Can't get into the menu planning this week. Just. Can't. Do it. :-)

So here's what we're having tonight. My friend and neighbor recently started a business, Maisy's Pie Company, and I found this recipe on her blog.

I haven't tried any of Vonnie's pies yet, but I am salivating! Waiting for a special occasion.

Basic Pizza Dough

serves 8

1 cup warm water

1 package dry yeast

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons olive oil

Combine water and yeast in a small bowl; let stand 5 minutes.

Whisk together in large bowl; 2 1/2 cups flour, sugar, and salt. Add yeast mixture and olive oil, stir until dough forms a ball. Knead dough on well-floured surface, using as much of remaining 1/4 flour as needed. Form dough into a disk, place in a bowl that has been lightly coated with olive oil, and cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rise in a warm place for approx. 2 hours.

Remove dough, punch down, and roll into desired diameter.

Marinara Sauce

Makes 2 cups

2 tablespoons olive oil

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 can (28 ounces) tomatoes, crushed by hand

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 dried basil

1/4 teaspoon salt

In medium sized saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic, cook 1 minute, stirring so garlic does not burn. Stir in tomatoes, sugar, oregano, basil, and salt. Bring to a boil. Cook, with lid ajar, for 30 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.

To assemble pizza; Spread sauce on rolled out pizza dough. Sprinkle sauce with 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese, and layer with sliced pepperoni; or any toppings you prefer. Bake at in a 500 degree, preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbly.

Living Social Deal

Here's a great Living Social deal. Go here to get $20 on Amazon for only $10. Limit one per person, no expiration.

Homemade Oreos

Image from My Baking Addiction

Try these. Very simple to make. Don't taste a thing like Oreos. Much better. I gave Joel one this afternoon. When he finished, he said, "More." Mommy said, "No more." Joel: "A couple?" My usual response when he wants more raisins, crackers, etc, is just a couple. Guess he caught on to that one.

Family Night Out

No pics, but we had a family night out tonight. First stop, Arby's with our coupon. Total cost for dinner? $8.36 (it helped that the boys had some bread around 4 PM). Next, Toys r us to try and buy Andrew some playmobil with his bday money, but couldn't find what he wanted. Stopped in at Burlington and then on to Menards. Bought a toilet, water savers for both toilets and light fixtures. Final stop: McDonald's for 4 icecream cones. Cost: $4.72. Boy, way too exciting for me, I'm ready for bed! :-)

Blood Money

I requested this book from the library, picked it up yesterday and couldn't put it down. A must read for anyone, pro-life or pro-choice. Blood Money by Carol Everett exposes abortion as a business, a business that's main goal (like any other business) is increasing profit. Carol, a post-abortive mother herself, shows how the lust for money fuels the abortion business, disregarding the lives and health of mothers and babies. One particular story that struck me was of a woman who had to come in for another abortion because the first abortion didn't work. Another woman was much farther along than the abortionist thought and as he reconstructed the baby, he tried to hide the measurements from Carol because the infant was actually 32 weeks gestation, able to survive outside the woman. This book is graphic-it describes Carol putting the aborted babies down the disposal, feeling a baby move while an abortion is being performed, and the many covered-up botched abortions that maimed and even killed some women. Another interesting thread in the book is Carol's emotional journey after her own abortion and how it affected all of her relationships. Also check out this link to a documentary that features interviews with Carol and also Norma McCorvey, the subject of Roe v. Wade.

Meijer Deal~Kool-Aid Jammers

Haven't tried this yet, but you can buy 3 boxes of Koolaid Jammers 3/$5 and get $3 off at checkout, making these 67 cents/box. Good deal!

What's Cookin' (revised edition)

I know I posted this week's menu with last week's but too much changed so I'm going to repost. :-)

Mon~PW's barbecued meatballs, rice, corn, applesauce

Tues~Spaghetti, broccoli, bread

Wed~Church potluck-PW's meatballs with pineapple and peppers

Thurs~Pork tenderloin, roasted winter vegetables, applesauce muffins

Fri~Pizza, salad, fruit

Sat~Pancakes, sausage, fruit

Sun~Crockpot pea soup, french bread

PW's Meatballs with Pineapple and Pepper

I'm hungry and this sounds really good right now. Thinking about making it for the church potluck on Wednesday. Good idea or not??

Photo from PW

The Loose Ponytail: How to make a ponytail last all day

My favorite hairstyle? The ponytail, hands down. So easy and keeps my hair out of my face. I wore a ponytail pretty much every day during elementary school thanks to my dad's skill in hairdressing (except that one picture day in 4th grade where he sent me to school with a huge bright pink bow but I've forgiven him for that) :-). And now with 4 little boys I still where a ponytail most days. But I have learned a trick in my old age (I will be 28 soon!). Here's how to make a ponytail last all day:

Gather most but not all of your hair into a ponytail and fasten with a hair tie. Gather all your hair and rewrap with another hair tie. Spritz with hairspray and you're good to go all day!

Meijer Deals

Check out Give Me Neither for links to coupons to help you get Old Orchard concentrate juice for 65 cents (when you buy 11 items) and big bottles of Coffeemate for $1 each when you buy two bottles.

What's Cookin'~2 week edition

Here's what's on the back burner for the next two weeks:

Mon~Potatoes, smoked sausage, carrots

Tues~Leftovers

Wed~Beef and mushrooms, egg noodles, green beans

Thurs~Spaghetti, garlic bread, broccoli

Fri~Barbecue on buns, chips, raw veggies

Sat~Pizza, veggies

Sun~Lasagna, bread, beans

Mon~Meatballs, potato wedges, corn

Tues~Swiss Steak, mashed tatos, carrots

Wed~Church potluck

Thurs~Pork tenderloin, rice, green beans

Fri~Pancakes, sausage, fruit

Sat~Chicken enchiladas from the freezer, salad, chips n salsa

Sun~Leftover beef and mushrooms, egg noodles, carrots