Cha 1 & 2

We will be discussing cha 1& 2 this wednesday! Covenant Marriage by Chapman

-Eileen

ok, so this is random. But I have been looking to replace my pots and pans for ages. I just could not find any that i liked. I did not want to get stainless steel and have all my food stick. I also did not want to get "non stick" since that was what I had and I really wanted to get away from the chemicals in non-stick. So I was in a quandry while my pot handles were falling off and my lids were breaking.

Well, walking through Fred Meyer, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted an "eco" friendly looking tag on a pot. I passed it and then decided to go back. It was a pan that claimed to be 99% recycled and non stick with out ANY chemicals. The non-stick part was all powdered ceramic. So since it was marked down and then also another 25% off of that, I decided to get it.

I gave it the ulitmate test with eggs and cheese. I put cheese on top of the eggs then flipped the "omlet" over so the cheese was directly on the pan. it totally slid off with no issues!!!! Being incredibly impressed, i decided to check out their web site and brace myself for the cost of an entire set. I was again totally impressed. From their non chemical choices there are two sets. One is $200 for a full set and the other $400 but on sale for $250 with free shipping on all purchases over $59.

So here is the info. I have never come across any non-stick non-chemical pots and pans before. And you are helping the environment. starfrit.com - choose english - then on the left hand side choose any options under the "ceram-eco coating".

The one that i bought at FM was the eco-chef fry pan. And it was way cheeper at FM. The two sets are the "chef" or the "alternative". Check them out. I am totally impressed.

-Eileen

Anyone up for checking out Little Leaps?

Stacy told us about Little Leaps (http://littleleapsbabygym.com/index.html) in a previous post. I'm going to Oak Harbor on Tuesday, Feb. 3 to drop of my external hard drive (please keep this in your thoughts and prayers, I am praying that 9 years of photos can be restored by taking the hard drive apart and installing it in another casing)

So.. while wonderful Josh is working on my hard drive, I was thinking of checking out Little Leaps. It will have to be kind of early - I am planning on dropping off the hard drive at 9 a.m. and being at LL when they open at 9:30. I can stay for a little over an hour - another one of my children arrives home at noon on the school bus.

I don't know how much it costs or if they sell coffee, but if anyone feels up for adventure with me, let me know!

-Amylynn

A bunch of sickies and an awesome soother...

Hey Everybody!
Yes, we are all sick at my house. The sickest we've been in a long time! All three girls got pinkeye, and the baby has an ear infection and possibley neumonia! We are all being medicated now, so I think we're on the mend, hopefully. Maybe it's because we went to Chuck E. Cheese, Jungle Playland and the free mall toys all last week. You never know, I'm just thinkin' maybe that's it! Not good planning on my part, since we were supposed to have two birthday parties this week for my girls. Anyway...
So we went to the doctor (Skagit Natural Family Medicine) and they gave us this idea to get the bathroom steamy and use essential oils to help clear the air passages out. I used it myself today and took a hot steamy shower and put some lavendar and eucalyptus essential oils in a pot of boiling water to have in the bathroom with me. They were so great and really cleared me up for a while. It doesn't last forever, but it was so nice while I was in the bathroom and kept me clear for a while. I never realized that essential oils could actually help clear you up, I just thought they were some fru fru smelly things. : )
So I don't know when we'll be back around ya'll hopefully next Wed, but I wouldn't be surprised if we aren't completely well and need to wait another week!
Hope you are all well!
Ari

pray for me

I'm going through some complicated stuff with my parents....  and sister.  VERY dysfunctional!! I don't want to get into it and bore you all.   I would appreciate it if you could keep me in your prayers.  I need direction, patience, and wisdom!!  

New website for moms and kids

My daughter-in-law told me about a new website that she thinks is fantastic for moms with kiddos -- www.jellytelly.com -- it's a new website by Phil Vischer (of Veggie Tales fame). Check it out and see what you think -- I gather it's full of games and other ideas.

Looking for work, but mostly prayer!

Many of you know that my Husband, Kyle is A Commercial Fisherman and he is currently gone fishing crab on the Washington Coast. But until the crabs are harvested and the captain cuts him a check we are completly out of money! I am looking for any kind of part time work ie. childcare, housekeeping, odd jobs, etc. Could you all please pray for me to find something and let me know if you have any ideas. P.S. could you please pray for my marriage as well, because it is in crisis and I am relying on prayers these days! Thank You So Much!
Bethany Crews

order your book now!

Please order your new book today!!
We will begin our new book in February.
Please purchase yours today!
Covenant Marriage: Building Communication and Intimacy by Gary Chapman

-Eileen

Baked Oatmeal

Help!

I have had a recipe casualty!!!

Last spring Joni contributed a Baked Oatmeal recipe in the recipe exchange that was a HUGE hit with my family. I especially loved it and I'm having a serious craving for it these days. Somehow, it's disappeared and I CAN'T find it... Can you help me?

Calling all casserole queens...

Hey, ladies~
This is the time of year I love staying at home and experimenting with new recipes. :) Especially if they are kid friendly, freeze well, inexpensive and are EASY! This is one that meets all 4 criteria so I have to share! (Note: I gave it to Joni over the phone and she made it for her extended family in Florida...it got thumbs up by everyone. It is Emma's (age 9) new favorite...to eat and make.)

Taco Casserole
Line bottom of a 9x13 pan with 1 can refrigerated crescent rolls. layer the following: 1 can refried beans, 1 lb. ground beef (browned with taco seasoning,) 16 oz sour cream and 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. Top with crumbled taco chips. Bake at 350 for 30 min. Let cool, cut into squares, top with lettuce, tomato, salsa, etc & serve.

The first time I had this, it had been frozen and was delicious. I like to make two at a time, eat one for dinner that night and freeze the other one (uncooked.) I also don't put the taco chips on the one I freeze until I'm ready to bake it. I also add one can of black beans to the hamburger, as I love adding fiber to my family's diet whereever I can and it can stretch the meal out for 2 dinners! Whoo hoo! A night off of cooking...does it get better than that???

If anyone has any easy, cheap, freezer & kid-friendly recipes to share (especially casseroles) please post! Joy to you all from -10 degrees (!) in Indy... julie :)

Little Leaps

Okay ladies! Here is the gym in Oak Harbor that I mentioned this morning. Its called Little Leaps Baby and Toddler Gym. Check it out! They have drop in play groups, open gym play times, classes, etc. I have heard great things about it from other moms.

Maybe those of us with wee folk should plan an "outing" in the next few weeks and test the place out :)

Wahoo!!!

Ladies, we are SO techy! This is such a great set up - see you all on Wed.

Stacy

Thanks for setting this up Ari!!!!! I have never blogged before. I cant even navigate my email issues. we'll see how i do with this. am I the first to post? cool.

Welcome Moms!

Hey Everybody!
I just got this blog up and working! Hopefully this was easy to find from the instructions I sent you. The goal is to have this be a place to keep the Mom's Coffee Break info central for us all. Please let me (Ari) know if there's something I can do to make this better! Hope you are all having a good week!