Our new little Puppy - Pepper

While in St. George, Paul bought me a puppy Shih-tzu. This was totally spontaneous. They were a good price, but he mostly got it because he could tell I was really jealous when Pete brought one back to the house for Cathy. Check out her post for more on that story and some really cute pictures of Pepper's brother, Rhino.

Pepper is such a cute puppy with a really sweet personality. I can already tell that she is a smart dog because she has hardly had any accidents and just mostly likes to pee outside. She loves Kaya and the two of them are getting along great - they are such a funny looking pair. Pepper cried the first two nights she was home. Then the next night, I let her out of her crate and she slept by Kaya and did not cry at all the whole night. Kaya is so happy, too and treating Pepper like the puppy she never had. The kids love her and are really enjoying having a puppy.

With now 2 dogs in and out of the house, we had to move the chicks (which are now getting huge) to the garage until we make them a coop outside. We also couldn't really stand their smell much longer.

Mothers' Day in St George

We had a fun little escape last weekend to St. George. Cathy and Pete and their kids came along. We went on a couple of fun hikes at Snow Canyon (hopefully Cathy will post some of those pics since I forgot my camera that day), went swimming a lot, ate great food, The Dads took the kids to a movie, and we did some garage sale-ing. One of our best finds were the pool chairs pictured here for just a $1 each. I was almost not going to buy them because they looked so junky and dirty on someone's driveway - but they were a hit! It is funny how junky things can look at yard sales. Oh yes, and we spontaneously bought a new puppy for Mothers' Day. (next post)

Springtime Birthday Gift

Paul showed his true love for me this birthday and suprised me by bringing home 6 little chicks. (He really didn't want to get chickens and he thought I was crazy that I wanted some.) The kids love them and stand around the box and just watch them. Austin calls them "cute." Last night when we left to go somewhere, in the car - he kept saying "Bye Bye Cute!"

Here are a few of the names the kids have chosen: Stinker - Anthony named his this because it pooped in my hand, Chirpie - Abby, Cutie- Austin and Paul has lots of names that he wants to give them like BBQ, Honey, Rotisserie, etc - we may just use Honey for his.

Thanks for all the chick advice Cathy and Pete!

It's Another BOY!!!!!

We just found out that we are having another boy! We are so excited! These boys are cute and lots of fun!

Mom Look Blog

I know I don't update this blog often, but I just posted to my sister's new blog: "MOM LOOK", so I thought I should add a link.

This is blog of realistic and funny pictures/stories from real moms to make us all feel better and let us all know that we all are NOT Perfect!

Spaghetti Sauce & Baked Ziti

This recipe came from Emily's friend that she worked with to make all the food for Stake Girls Camp. I made it a few weeks ago and changed a couple of things. I wanted to type up what I did, so I figured I might as well type it right into the blog:

Spaghetti Sauce (this makes a lot! - about 8 quarts - we ate some and froze the rest in 4 cup increments)

1 lb italian sausage

2 lbs ground beef

1 large white onion, chopped

3 large garlic cloves, minced

3 big cans crushed tomatoes

12 oz tomato paste

3 Tbsp brown sugar (you may use less - we like our sauce a little sweet)

1 Tbsp basil

1 Tbsp oregano

1 Tbsp parsley

1 tsp marjoram

1 1/2 tsp salt (be careful with this and add to taste - some canned tomatoes have more salt than others)

2 bay leafs

couple shakes red pepper flakes

Cook sausage and rinse and drain. - set aside. cook ground beef. Drain - set aside (cook these separately because the sausage requires a higher cooking temp and could dry out the beef. Saute onion in olive oil, then add garlic and saute one more minute. (If you want you can brown the beef with the onion--however this will make your sauce retain extra fat.) Add meat and rest of ingredients. Simmer for 1 hour. Be really careful not to let the temperature get too high or the bottom will burn and your whole pot of sauce will taste burnt and weird (like my mom used to make!) Serve over pasta w/ parmesan cheese.

Here is something I made with some of the sauce that w

as frozen a few weeks later. It normally calls for sauce w/ no meat, but it tasted really good w/ this meat sauce:

Baked Ziti (Emily's old recipe)

1 lb. Ziti (or penne)

¼ t. pepper

12 oz. ricotta cheese

2 T. parsley

2 eggs beaten ( I may try this with just one egg next time)

8 oz. mozzarella cheese

¾ c. parmesan cheese

6-8 c. spaghetti sauce (pre-made in a jar or see recipe above)

¼ t. salt

Cook ziti according to directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Combine ricotta cheese with eggs, ½ c. parmesan, salt, pepper, and parsley. Blend well. Toss ziti with 2-3 c. spaghetti sauce. Place ½ the pasta in a baking dish. Top with ricotta mixture and ½ of the mozzarella cheese. Top with remaining ziti, sauce, mozzarella and parmesan. Bake @ 350° for about 40 minutes – until heated through.

Flylady.... where are you?

These are some images of what I woke up to this morning. (by the way - that is showing just a small portion of my laundry - I have two big bags still of dirty clothes from being gone last week). For the sake of not getting too embarrassed, I decided to not take pictures of the basement, my office, or the boys room. I was a little too depressed about the dishes this morning, so I decided to take a picture and complain about them - maybe this will give me some inspiration. For about a year and a half we were having these ladies from Argentina come and help clean the house one or two times a month - it was great and helped me keep on top of things. Recently, I decided I really can't afford that, so they haven't been here for over 2 months and I am really feeling buried in housework and disorganized closets and drawers. A few years ago, I got some good cleaning ideas from the flylady.net website. I even created the following cleaning schedule which really only works in a perfect world, or if you are really committed to it.

Luckily I found this document on my computer, so I guess it is a good place to start - I will have to go through this schedule, adjust it a little and start implementing it again so that I don't get so behind. One good thing is that lately my kids have been pretty good at making their beds every day and cleaning their rooms and the basement (if I enforce it).

Here is my IDEAL cleaning schedule: (sorry it is long) - I would appreciate any input - like I can already see a flaw - way too much on Monday - there is no way I could shop, and do all that mopping and stuff. I also need to take into account my daily work schedule as I think about this.

Before Bed Routine

1. Clean up the house (20 minutes - tops)

a. Living/Dining room: Pick up and put away things, toys, dishes, garbage, shoes. Straiten pillows.

b. Kitchen: Clean it up, sweep, wipe counter, shine sink, lay out clean dishcloths, and run the dishwasher. Clear hot-spots

c. Laundry/Den: Clear the hot spots- put things away.

d. Empty dishwasher if finished before bed.

2. Think about tomorrow

a. Check calendar for appointments.

b. Think about: What can I do tonight that will make tomorrow morning easier? (make a to-do list)

c. Set out stuff for breakfast.

d. Lay out clothes for tomorrow (including kids).

e. Get laundry ready for morning.

3. Get ready for bed.

a. Brush teeth, clean face, take out contacts.

b. Bath.

c. Write in journal or read for fun.

d. Say prayers.

Early - Morning Routine

1. Make bed.

2. Say prayers.

3. Scriptures – 10 minutes.

4. Get dressed.

5. Start laundry.

6. Exercise.

7. Switch laundry to dryer.

8. Get ready and clean bathroom

9. Dress kids and eat breakfast.

Morning Routine

1. Empty dishwasher

2. Get stuff ready for dinner.

3. Water plants/flowers.

4. Fold clothes.

5. Check to-do list.

6. Clear hotspots.

WEEKLY PLAN

Monday:

1. Clean out Fridge

2. Meal Plan and make grocery list.

3. Grocery shop

4. Mop kitchen, laundry, hallway, and bathroom.

5. Vacuum.

6. Laundry – kids

7. Dinner - leftovers

Tuesday:

1. 30 min in Zone.

2. Laundry – whites.

Wednesday:

1. Zone Cleaning Chores – 30-60 min.

2. Laundry – Darks.

Thursday:

1. Water and fertilize plants, flowers, garden.

2. Dust furniture, clean mirrors and doors.

3. Laundry – Towels.

4. 15 min in zone.

5. Clean bathrooms.

Friday:

1. Empty and take out Trash – Paul.

2. Change sheets on beds.

3. File papers.

4. Pay bills and work on budget.

5. Clean off computer desk.

6. Clean out purse.

7. Clean out car.

8. Laundry – sheets, misc.

ZONE 1: Kitchen & Laundry Room.

Kitchen Detailed Cleaning List:

1. Empty and thoroughly clean refrigerator.

2. Clean microwave inside and out.

3. Clean stove & oven.

4. Wash canisters & knick-knacks.

5. Straiten drawers and cupboards.

6. Wash walls.

7. Wash inside of window and door.

8. Clean light fixture.

9. Scrub cabinet doors (a few at a time).

10. Clean under sink.

11. Clean big stove in corner.

12. Wash rugs.

Laundry Detailed Cleaning List:

1. Wipe down the top of washer and dryer.

2. Clear of counter.

3. Clean gunk inside washer dispenser and clean door.

4. Organize cupboards

5. Check for needed supplies.

6. Wash doors and window.

7. Wash rug.

8. Wash dog bed and dog bowls.

ZONE 2: Master Bedroom and Bathroom

Master Bedroom - Detailed Cleaning

1. Polish furniture.

2. Clean off top of dressers and nightstands.

3. Wash bedding and decorative pillows.

4. Flip mattress.

5. Wash windows and door.

6. Dust moldings and baseboards.

7. Clean light fixtures and fan.

Closet – Detailed Cleaning

1. Organize clothes – get rid of stuff.

2. Arrange shoes.

3. Straiten top shelves.

4. Wash mirror.

Master Bathroom – Detailed Cleaning

1. Scrub shower and door.

2. Wash rugs.

3. Clean mirror.

4. Clean scale.

5. Dust fixtures.

6. Organize cupboards and drawers.

7. Mop floor.

ZONE 3: Living/Dining room, Den, and Downstairs Bathroom

Living/Dining – Detailed Cleaning

1. Dust windowsills and blinds.

2. Clean windows.

3. Clean baseboards and moldings.

4. Vacuum rugs.

5. Vacuum couches.

6. Clean mirror.

7. Clean light fixtures.

8. Dust and polish furniture.

Den – Detailed Cleaning

1. Dust windowsills and blinds.

2. Clean windows.

3. Clean baseboards and moldings.

4. Dust/clean computer screen & keyboard.

5. Clear off desk and organize office supplies.

6. Organize bookshelf.

7. Clean out files.

8. Organize closet.

9. Check for needed supplies – cd’s, paper, stamps, etc.

Downstairs Bathroom – Detailed Cleaning

1. Scrub sinks.

2. Wash rug.

3. Clean mirrors.

4. Mop floor.

5. Stock with supplies.

ZONE 4: Kids rooms and Bathroom

Kids’ Rooms – Detailed Cleaning

1. Dust windowsills and blinds.

2. Clean windows.

3. Clean baseboards and moldings.

4. Vacuum under crib/ beds and rocker and in closet.

5. Flip mattresses.

6. Clean mirrors.

7. Clean light fixtures and fans.

8. Wash all bedding including decorative and curtains.

9. Straiten drawers, baskets, and closet.

10. Put away/get rid of out-grown clothes.

Upstairs Bathroom – Detailed Cleaning

1. Scrub counter and sinks.

2. Organize drawers.

3. Wash rugs.

4. Scrub tub.

5. Clean mirrors.

6. Wash window.

7. Mop floor.

ZONE 5: Basement

Basement Family Room – Detailed Cleaning

1. Dust windowsills and blinds.

2. Clean inside of windows.

3. Vacuum floor including stairs.

4. Clean mirror.

5. Dust/Clean TV & furniture.

6. Dust/polish furniture.

7. Organize toys/ get rid of junk.

Basement Bathroom – Detailed Cleaning

7. Scrub counter and sink.

8. Check for needed supplies.

9. Dust light fixture

10. Wash bath mat.

11. Scrub shower and tub.

12. Clean mirror.

13. Mop floor.

Basement Bedroom – Detailed Cleaning

1. Dust windowsills and blinds.

2. Clean windows.

3. Clean baseboards and moldings.

4. Wash bedding and decorative pillows.

5. Straiten closet.

Theater/Workout Room – Detailed Cleaning

1. Clean baseboards.

2. Vacuum couch.

3. Organize DVDs.

4. Dust exercise equipment.

5. Organize & inventory food storage.