Planning for a trip

So in a few days I am going to be on a family trip half way across the country. All 3 kids and both my dogs, they are small.
While I am excited to go on this trip I feel like it is really at the wrong time for me. I am in  between so many new things and new adventures. I am starting up my blog, my shop is doing awesome and I will be doing a craft fair in November. I am filling my plate that is for sure! :)

What Works for me Wednesday

Welcome to Works For me Wednesday, also known as WFMW.

Works for Me Wednesday is hosted by We Are That Family and the details are here details

This week I am going to show you how to cook and use the dim sum you can get in the frozen section. It is very very yummy and my kiddos love it. Sure beats taking 3 kiddos to the dim sum restaurant and risk someone going crazy :) 

This is what I used to make for the kiddos. You can use most of the one with this method. 

How these instructions show bamboo steamers. I have went through three, yes 3 of these. They do not hold up to well in the dishwasher and over time you just spend way more then you wanted to. 

I steam them one of 2 ways.... 

In my steamer that came with my pot set using a coffee filter so the dough of the dim sum does not stick 

Just a regular coffee filter. 

Bring the water to a boil before you place them on top. Steam for about 10 mins at that point and they will be good to go! 

Enjoy :) 

Muffin Tin Monday- My frist post

I have been blogging for a while.... But I never participated because B was in school and E is so picky about how he eats. How that baby G is old enough to feed herself I want to participate as well! Awesome time to do it because we just got all the foods the kids like! 

here is a pic of this weeks MTM. 

Top row: Baked potato, ritz crackers, sliced banana 

Bottom Row: Baked Potato, bell pepper slices, strawberry slices

*the bell pepper was not a hit, with any of the kids! 

If you wish to participate in Muffin Tin Monday head on over to Muffin Tin Mom

Happy Monday! 

Monday Makings...

Welcome to Monday Makings.... I will bring you different variety of things depending on the week. I could be sewing or cooking or just giving you a tutorial. Please join me and let me know what you are making!



This week I am going to share how to make Fried Tofu and Peanut Sauce. This appetizer goes gor about $6-8 depending on where you go. It is super easy to make and it took me only about 20 mins from start to finish.

You need 1 container of FIRM tofu. If you use soft it will not work.
Cornstarch. 3 tablespoons maybe (you need to coat the tofu)
Peanut oil for frying ( you can use vegetable oil)

Remove tofu from package and dry it. You need to remove the water.  I use paper towels then a dish towel. Leave it sit while I get my cornstarch ready.

Warm oil in frying pan. I put enough to cover half the tofu.  You can use more or put it in a fryer. This is just what I do.

Cut tofu block in half to make it thinner

Then cut tofu in smaller pieces. This does not matter. Just do whatever

Coat Tofu with corn starch and add to the oil. Be careful because if there is still water on it will pop.

Let tofu fry until it is light brown, not much darker then when you started.

You can serve this with Sweet & Sour sauce or the following Peanut Sauce recipe

1/2cup Hoisin Sauce
2 table spoons of smooth peanut butter
3 tablespoons warm water (add last)
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 teaspoon of garlic minced (I just the stuff in the jar)
1 teaspoon fresh cilantro chopped


Mix all but the water in a blender until it is blended. Our family likes it a bit thinner so we added water. You can adjust it to your tastes.

Enjoy :)


Let me know what you are making

How we 86'ed the Cloth Diapers

After having 2 kids I was going to wait until about 2.5 to potty learn., after all it was MUCH easier then. This "No more diapers at 2" did not seem to hold true for the most part.

Trouble ditching Cable…..

Not us!

I usually pay my bills from the webpay feature my bank has.  I just had it set up to pay the bill twice a month (I divided it up so we were not hit once a month). We had the “bundle of features.

Home phone with unlimited long distance calling

Cable with a DVR box and another regular cable box (for the kids….)

Internet… the highest one that we can buy cause the hubby is a gamer

This crap was expensive!

*I used the home phone to talk to my Granny and my mom

*The cable I watched CNN and Sprout and the channels for the kids

*Internet, I could use my phone but once again… Hubby is a gamer

We upgraded all 3 phones on the account for the same price we paid for the phone. So now we can use the cell phone whenever we go. I always have it with me and I never miss a call. I like that, especially with the kids.

The internet stayed the same BUT if hubby leaves (deployment) we are going to either of these options :

I will teether my internet from my Android phone. I can use it as a wireless hotspot and the internet is very decent. I was even able to stream the Netflix on my Boxee.

Now for the TV. That was the part that took some research. We do not use game consoles so we had to think outside that box.

We went with Western Digital Live at first but I really did not like that. The software that was added to it was pretty standard and not able for upgrades. I do not like being confined like that.  So we ditched it.

We tried a Sony one but I did not like that one bit, I would advise against it.

Then we got the Boxee. I love it.

While we had the Western Digital Live I tried Hulu Plus and Netflix. Hulu Plus is really not what it seems. It is just older shows since they do not have the contracts to stream the newer shows.  It is an awesome idea but just not for me.

I went with Netflix. We have an awesome amount of shows to watch and the kids do as well. There are educational things galore and I like that.  We do only have one TV now so I have to sit though these shows but it is worth it.

The only down size to streaming TV shows and movies is that when the internet goes out or gets slow…. So does your show.

Unfortunately you can’t stream Hulu on your Boxee (or most devices for that matter) but there are ways around doing so with a laptop. I have got frustrated. I have a Mac and to be honest I am not paying $30 for a cable to watch a show I can watch on my laptop.

All in all, we are happy with our switch over. It did not take us much time to get used to and we were pleased

Where to buy: You can go to www.netflix.com

And you can purchase a Boxee Box (we have the box) or you can download an app from their website. You can make a Boxee with your laptop and not spend the almost $200 that we did (damn!)

Here is the link http://www.boxee.tv/make

Enloy watching Boxee and saving some moola 

Friday Fill In- MilSpouse

While I have not launched my new blog yet I would like to get to posting so It is not blank when my readers head over. I am starting with the MilSpouse Friday Fill in. Jennifer over at Wife of a Sailor has been doing these on Friday for a while. What a great time to come back to join an awesome group of ladies.

1. If you could have a private concert with any singer, who would it be?  submitted by An Air Force Wife’s Blog
2. Is there anything you do to supplement your family’s income? submitted by Our Life, One Adventure at a Time
3. During your pregnancy (whether past, present, or future), what did you nickname your unborn baby before you knew the sex? submitted by Explosions of Love
4. Have you ever won a blog giveaway?  If so what did you win? submitted by Mrs. O’s Life
5. If I looked into your refrigerator right now, what would I find? submitted by Married to the Army

1
2 Yes, there sure is! I own small shop where I make things for children. I started with cloth diapers and I have expanded to dresses, ties and more. You can find me at The Juniper Cottage and my shop
3 Yes, just the last one because we were really not to sure what we were having because the symptoms were so different! She still goes by Munchkin.
4. Nope. Never won a giveaway.
5. A disaster! Lots of veggies and drinks for the kiddos. It is summer! :) Asian veggies since we just went to the market the other day :)

If you would like to join MilSpouse Friday Fill in Please head on over to Wife of A Sailor :)

Happy Friday