Author: resumeofamother

Planner Overload….

| resumeofamother

Let me start by saying that I just love all my planners and I love planning. Recently I have found myself in a “planner overload”. I would not pick up my planner for days or even a couple of weeks.  I became so “planned out” and almost felt done with my planner.

Then a few weeks into this….I missed sitting and writing in it. I missed confirming my schedule or just making some notes in it.  I began to realize that my life had become so crazy busy and so overwhelming in general that I hadn’t even noticed how bad it had gotten. Then I realized it wasn’t my planner but just time in general that had become too busy and crazy and that I needed to slow things down and regroup.  In doing this, I found that I needed to simplify my life in any area that I could.

Throughout the year I will switch from a ringbound, to an A5 Filofax, then to a mini or a Travelers Notebook …. and I enjoy them all.  My planner is not only my “dailies”, but my calendar and also my journal, notebook, and A-Z files for just about everything that I do.  Sticky notes and stickers have become my best friends as well and all the bells and whistles that you can add to your planner.  But when life is busy this stuff is busy too to look at….or at least in my mind.

So what is a “Planner Girl” to do…..I decided to go simple for a while and use a Dollar Tree basic planner and planner inserts that I came across.  They are basic and just perfect for where I am in life.  I found that the simplicity of it keeps my mind clear of business in my planner and a basic and simple calendar helped too.

Someday I am sure that I will find myself back using my “chunky” planners with all the perks and goodies …. but for now simple is better for me.

How about you….do you change-up your planners? What makes you decide to change things around?

Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

Oreo cookie truffles… Quick & easy!

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Need a quick and easy cookie swap idea or a holiday treat for your table… Try these truffles out. This was the first time I ever made them, and it definitely will not be my last. They were so quick and easy… and they were a complete hit at our Thanksgiving dessert table.

Ingredients needed:

  • A bag of Oreo cookies or similar
  • One 8 ounce block of room temperature cream cheese
  • Candy melts of your choice of color
  • Sprinkles

How to assemble:

  • Take about 30 to 35 Oreo cookies and crush them in a bowl or chop them up in a food processor to the consistency of cookie crumbles.
  • Add in room temperature cream cheese and mix together
  • Place in refrigerator for about 30 minutes to chill
  • Take mixture and roll into small balls on a cookie sheet layered with wax paper
  • Please entire cookie sheet with rolled balls on top of the wax paper into the freezer for about 15 minutes
  • In the meantime melt down your “candy melts”
  • Remove the cookie sheet from the freezer and dip each ball into the melted chocolate’s and place back on the cookie sheet.
  • Add sprinkles to the top of each chocolate covered truffle
  • Let cool for about 20 minutes… And it will be either ready to eat or ready to package up.

A side note… I totally dipped most of them in the melted chocolate and only a handful did I swirl chocolate on the top of the chocolate balls. Unanimously it was voted that the truffles that were completely dipped in chocolate came out the best.

Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

Instant pot… Turnip

| resumeofamother

I absolutely love having turnip at our Thanksgiving meal and or Christmas holiday dinner table. This year I found some nice large turnips at one of the Amish farms, and as much as I love turnip I dreaded the thought of having to cook it once again.

So this year I decided to give it a try in the Instant pot. Never again will I boil it on the stovetop for what seem to be an endless amount of time.

Here is how I cooked it…

It is called Turnip or waxed Turnip
Cut the outer skin off very carefully with a sharp knife
Continue to cut until you have a clean turnip.
Once clean… Rinse off and start cutting into cubes.
Try to cut into similar sized pieces.
Give it a nice rinse.
Pour into the Instant pot and add a 1/2 to 1 cup of water, depending on how much and how large your turnip is.
Use manual pressure at 4 minutes, once done use the rapid release.
I use a plastic measuring cup in place of a steam cup when I do a rapid release.
Open the lid and carefully check with a fork to make sure they are as tender as you would like.
I add one stick of butter, and salt and pepper to taste.
Use a potato masher to break up the turnip to the consistency that you like.
Pour into your favorite bowl and enjoy as a delicious side dish.

Lynn A. C. Wilson Resume of a Mother

Planner and Craft Haul…

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I just love a good buy, especially when it is for crafts or my planner…how about you?  We have a very small local shop that is so tiny in size but they offer some great craft classes on everything that you can think of.  They also have some planner groups that meet there together as a group to work on their planner set-up and lay-outs.

A few times a year they offer a “craft” garage sale that you can either sell your extra supplies and do a “destash”….or buy some new and “new to you” goodies.  I went shopping and I had a ball looking around!!! The items were so well priced…..5 packs of stickers for $1.00 (all new packages).  They had some great planner supplies too.  Here is a look at some of the goodies I picked up.

Tons of good stuff cheap.
New tote for $2

Love the hidden drawer for storage.
A great bag for planner supplies.

Have you all picked out your 2019 planners yet?  I am really trying to decide which one to start with for 2019, a disc planner, ringbound, or a travelers notebook…..and then which size, personal, mini or A5.

Let me know down below what you have chosen for next year and why. Share with me your ideas to help me decide what to do for my planner for 2019.

Happy Planning!

Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

Fall Treats, Treasures & Decor!

| resumeofamother

I think the fall season is my favorite time of the year! Pumpkin pie, fall spiced candles and of course the movie “You’ve Got Mail”.

I love to hit the Dollar Tree… Target Dollar Spot, thrift stores and any other local stores for some new fall decor and goodies for the house.

The house is usually filled with faux pumpkins, lots of fall scented spice candles… And white twinkling lights throughout the house. Candles are lit every evening, mood lights are turned on… and we sit and enjoy some pumpkin spice coffee while watching a good movie. I have quilts and throws over the chairs to make it a cozy home for us to enjoy during this season.

Here is some of my new goodies for this year that I will be using around the house as well as some fun Fall day trips, and some adventures of the season. I love watching some of my YouTube friends who  I like to call my friends… and to see what they post on their channel, for some new Fall items that they get for their homes as well. It gives me some great ideas of what stores are selling each year and where they shop….before I head out to look for my goodies.

What do you use to decorate your homes? Do you have traditions that you do when it comes to decorating for the seasons? Send me some comments and pictures below so that I can get some ideas from you as well.

Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

Fall color trees are a Favorite!!!
NJ Fall skies are fantastic.
Hubbard Squash from the Amish country.
Crisp Fall leaves.
Family road trips
Scenic sites on road trips.
Seasonal produce.
Traditional places to visit.
Beautiful views from where I work.
Halloween fun times.
Fall harvest.
Pretty backdoor goodies.
New Fall centerpiece.
My famous pumpkin bread.
Harvest festivals.
Apple picking
Fall decor at local farms.
Sunflower patch.
Freshness

Bonfires
Friends gathering
Hayrides
Smores…Yummy

Crock Pot or Stove Top Onion Soup…..YUMO!!!

| resumeofamother

A cold night…you are just coming home from work or a long day… and you want a nice warm bowl of soup?  That’s what I like to do on a Fall or Winter evening.  But normally I find that I don’t have the time to whip something up on the day that I want it. So instead I  make large batches of soup 4 – 6 times  a year and freeze them for when I need a quick hot meal with not a lot of fuss.

Onion Soup….so simple to make and so simple to enjoy!

Here is my recipe that I make…I hope you enjoy this!

(BTW this recipe is very forgiving….so a little more of this and a little less of that, based on what you have in your pantry is fine)

Ingredients:

  • 2 bag of onions (3 – 5 lbs)
  • 2 containers of Beef Broth (homemade is better if you have some stashed in your freezer)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • ½ stick of butter
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 2 tables spoons of parsley or basil (your choice)
  • My secret ingredient is Marmite – one heaping teaspoon
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 bay leaves

Directions:

  • Melt butter and garlic in a sauce pan
  • Once melted, add onions (slice onions very thin)
  • Add spices to onions
  • Sauté onions until a gold brown
  • Pour onion mixture into crock pot and add broth and bay leaves for 2 hours on high or on stove top on low for 2 hours.
  • Take out the Bay Leaves
  • Grab a bowl, pour in some soup, get some bread or crackers and enjoy!

Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

Instant Pot Mac & Cheese

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I happened to see this recipe on “Jamerrill Stewart” YouTube channel the other day and it looked yummy so I decided to give it a try.

I wasn’t sure about making pasta in the instant pot… But she said her kids liked it so I figured why not try.

I will leave the recipe below… And pictures of each step I took. I will tell you my husband had three bowls of it, and my youngest son who is a very picky eater… came out said “this is to die for”. So I guess if you were to ask me if it was good… There is your answer!

  • 2 pounds of macaroni
  • 2 cans of evaporated milk
  • 8 cups of water
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 cups of cheese – of your choice
  • 1 stick of butter
  • Stewed Tomatoes – optional

1. Pour 2 pounds of macaroni into the instant pot.

2. Add 8 cups of water

3. Add salt and pepper to taste

4. Close lid, set to seal, set on manual for 5 minutes.

5. As soon as it is done… Do a quick release

6. Open immediately

7. Stir in your two cans of evaporated milk, one stick of butter, and your 4 cups of cheese. Stir gently until it is all mixed together.

8. Add one can of stewed tomatoes if you like an extra yummy taste… And any extra salt and pepper you need.

9. Grab a big bowl and spoon and enjoy!

This is definitely designed for a large family meal… or if you have a small family like mine you’ll have lots of leftovers for snacks and an extra meal or two during the week.

This is a quick pic of each step.

Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

Tea for two …for you and me!

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How great is it to have a “girls day” out?  I so enjoy getting together with friends and enjoying a cup of tea.  I was privileged to have a double duty day the other day with two “Teas” in one day.

The first one was at my church for our kick off “Ladies Fellowship”.  It was designed to gather the ladies for a fun morning filled with some yummy food, tea, a devo, a few games and some fun costumes to wear.

The second one was just for me….yup just for me!  My daughter-in-law took me out for a belated Mother’s Day present to a “high tea” at a tea room.  What a treat….not only to have a day for me but to spend the entire afternoon with my daughter-in-law and one of my best friends!  We drank one cup of tea after another, we enjoyed tea sandwiches, tea cakes and treats and of course scones.  I just loved the fact that when we first walked in….we were able to smell all the teas in little cups so we could choose just the right one for us to make a pot of tea from. The twinkling lights, the decor, the cute little tables …..the entire place was so charming!  I can’t wait to go back for a Christmas High Tea and then to do some Christmas shopping with the girls this year.

How about you….do you ever host a tea at your church?  What ideas can you share with me?  I would love to see pictures of your teas as well.  Send me some comments and pics below.

Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

Hubbard Squash and pumpkin Goodies

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At one point we became members of a 4H group… for a fund raiser they would make pumpkin pies to sell at a annual fall festival. People swarmed over to our table to get these homemade pumpkin pie’s as if they were something really special. Being new to the group I couldn’t figure out what was so interesting about these pies… since it didn’t looked any different from any other pumpkin pie I’ve seen in the local supermarket. So I had to ask them what the secret was… and they shared it with me, it was Hubbard Squash.

First of all I have never heard of that style squash… and when I went to look for it here in New Jersey I had a hard time finding it. One fall afternoon we were in Pennsylvania… and I spotted this weird looking blue colored squash, when I asked them what the name of it was lo and behold it was “the Hubbard squash”. Absolutely overjoyed that I found it… I picked it up for just a couple of dollars and brought it home.

At first glance I thought I would just cut it into chunks and cook it down like I would for a pumpkin. There was no way in the world unless I got an axe that I could actually cut into this thing. So I decided to put the whole thing in the oven and cook it down and it took about 12 hours. So I have continued doing this for the past 12 years or so.

One of our favorite outings is to go to Pennsylvania and hit the Amish farm markets in the Fall. There I can get a 5 to 7 pounds Hubbard Squash… anywhere from $3 to $5 dollars. This is a good size to make several loaves of bread, muffins, soup and or cookies. It freezes well… And taste just like pumpkin but even better!

Here are a few pictures of it going into the oven, what it looks like coming out of the oven, cutting it open and scooping up the pulp etc. I will put it in freezer bags… and freeze it for when I need to bake. Check out this funny looking squash… try it out and taste and see how delicious it is! Let me know if you have any good pumpkin bread recipes to share!

Before going in the oven…

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After cooking on 200 for about 10 hours…

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The first cut before cleaning out the pulp…

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Cleaning out the seeds….

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all cleaned out….

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yummy pulp for pumpkin pie, bread, soup, muffins and cookies….

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Lynn A. C. Wilson – Resume of a Mother

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