Tips Tuesday! Sew A Button

Who can't sew a button?! Believe it or not, I have come across some who cannot! I learned in the 8th grade when I took Home Ec knowing that one day I would find use. Having 6 kids and a husband, I have found that I have sewn many a button! I found this "Everyday Things You Need To Know" article in Woman's Day magazine, April 17, 2010 issue.

Sew A Button

Step 1: Gather your supplies--the button, a needle, about 2 feet of matching thread and a pair of scissors. (Tip: To make needle-threading easier, cut the thread at an angle.)

Step 2: Thread the needle. Knot the ends together by making a loop and pulling the ends through. Knot once more.

Step 3: Locate your button's proper spot. Push the needle through the back of the fabric to the front, pulling the thread all the way. Slide the button down the thread to meet the fabric.

Step 4: Once your button is in place and the holes lined up, push your needle down through the opposite hole and out the back of the fabric. Repeat four times. Four-hole button? Use either the adjacent or diagonal hole (check to see how the other buttons were done). Move on to the next hole pair and repeat.

Step 5: Push needle up through the back of the fabric to the front, but not through any buttonholes. Pull button away from the fabric and wrap thread tightly around shank (the thread between button and fabric) six times.

Step 6: Push your needle through the shank twice; snip thread. Your button is repaired!

Money Saving Monday! Save Money on Canine Care

Having an animal can be very costly sometimes, especially if you choose to take in more than one of them! I, for one, am always trying to come up with ways to save on the little guys that are always a loyal best friend :) I found this great article in AllYou magazine, issue Aug 27, 2010.

Save Money on Canine Care

Spend less cash on your dog with these five tips

Go online for prescriptions: Pet-supply websites such as 1800petmeds. com buy medications in bulk from suppliers (vets usually purchase only enough to stock their office). That significantly lowers the cost of many medications.

Care for your pet's teeth: If you do regular dental care at home, you can stretch out the time between costly professional vet cleanings. Wrap some gauze around your finger and swipe your pet's teeth every day. And be sure to ask your vet if your pet needs a professional cleaning; gingivitis can damage the animal's kidneys, requiring expensive treatment.

Cut your pet food bill: Many owners overfeed their animals, leading to obesity. Consult with your vet about how much food your dog really needs. Feeding a smaller amount can improve your pet's health and save you money.

Don't skimp on prevention: You might think you're conserving cash by not giving your dog preventive medications such as heart worm tablets, but if you pup gets sick, you'll end up paying a considerable amount for treatment. Heart worm disease, for example, costs about $1,000 to treat.

Think about insurance: You can save a lot of money with pet insurance--the majority of companies cover 50 percent of your total vet bill (both procedures and medications). But more insurers won't cover a pet with a preexisting condition, so it's important to sign up your dog when it's still young and healthy.

Something you may not know Sunday! Smile!

After taking my kids to the dentist most recently, I always have questions when it comes to the health of their teeth. I found this article in Parenting magazine, August 2010 issue that may give any mom some insight on how to do it all right :)

Smile!

Now that your kid has some permanent teeth, you really want to get serious about caring for them. Deborah Steden-Pavlovich, DMD, chair of pediatric dentistry at the University of Pittsburgh, tells how you can keep tooth decay at bay.

Spin It: Get her a battery-operated spin brush for more effective plaque-and bacteria-removing motion (a cheap model is just fine).

Brush to the Beat: Have your kid scrub along to her favorite song to get her to hang in there for the recommended two minutes.

Finish Up: If you child is younger than 8, do a final sweep with the brush after she's done to hit all the nooks and crannies--and especially the back molars.

Floss: Give your child a batch of colorful plastic flossers to encourage her to clean between her teeth. Even if she does only a few teeth a night it will help.

Say Cheese And Eat Some Too: The protein in it--casein--helps prevent tooth decay, so pass the cheese sticks. Another tasty idea: lollipops with xylitol, a natural sweetener that prevents plaque buildup. Try Dr. John's Candies ($8.50 a pound: drjohns.com).

Be Snack Savvy: It's not just sugary foods you have to watch out for. Any starchy or processed high-carb food can get stuck in the crevices of teeth. Some surprising offenders: potato chips, whole-wheat bread, crackers, and cereal bars. Follow with a glass of water to rinse them out.

Swap a Recipe Saturday! Classic Apple Pie Recipe

I still have a tree producing apples in my yard and am very excited to try this recipe. Make some for yourself, take some to work...just don't let all those apples go to waste!

This recipe shows kids how to make a sweet cinnamon pie filling with a creative upper crust.

Ingredients:
6 to 8 apples, such as Granny Smith, Cortland, Rome, or a local variety of tart apples
Juice of half a lemon
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
Flaky Piecrust
2 tbsp. butter, cut into chunks
Milk (for glaze)

Instructions:
Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Meanwhile, show your child how to use a vegetable peeler to peel the apples. An adult (or older child who can handle a paring knife) can then core and slice the apples into 1/4-inch pieces. Place the apples (about 6 cups) in a large mixing bowl.

Next, pour the lemon juice over the apples and add the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour. Toss well. Spoon the spiced apples into the lined piecrust and dot with the butter.

A pie's top crust is as much art as food. For a lattice style, roll out the second disk of dough, cut it into 14 strips about 1/2 inch wide, and lay 7 of the strips across the pie, 1/2 inch apart. Working from the middle of the pie toward one side, fold back every other strip, then lay a cross strip across the remaining flat strips. Return the folded strips, then fold back the alternate strips and lay in the next crosspiece. Continue, creating a weave pattern. When one half of the crust is woven, repeat with the other side. Finally, use your thumb and index finger to crimp the edges. For a top crust, place the rolled-out dough loosely on top of the apple mixture. With the tines of a fork, make a decorative pattern around the edges. Next, cut pie dough ornaments, place on top of the pie, and cut slits in the dough to allow the steam to escape. Brush the top with milk for a glaze.

Place the pie in the preheated oven (lay a sheet of aluminum foil on the rack below to catch any juices). Bake for 45 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and you can see the juices bubbling. If the crust begins to brown before the pie is fully baked, cover it with foil.

Let the pie cool, then slice it into wedges. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a slice of Cheddar cheese. Serves 8.

Fun Idea Friday! 10 More Great Ideas for Great Summer Get-Togethers

Continuing on with #21-#30 of the 40 Fun Ideas for Great Summer Get-Togethers which I have been posting all summer. Still some summer left so take advantage :)

21. You don't need a pool or a fountain for have a water feature. Galvanized drink buckets with floating candles, flower head, or glass balls do the trick--a lot of impact for a little money.

22. Pack madeleine cookies, which are shaped like seashells, in cellophane bags, or fill votive candle holders with saltwater taffy or jelly beans in tropical flavors. Set one at each place setting as dessert or a sweet take-home gift.

23. For each table setting, cut the stem entirely off a huge mum and center the flower on the dining plate. Stand a place card up within the petals.

24. For some good old-fashioned fun, break out the lawn games. Croquet, horseshoes, and lawn bowling are good no-sweat options. Award prizes to the winners.

25. Load dog and burger fixings in a tote that goes from fridge to table and back again. Extra credit: Decant ketchup, mustard, mayo, and BBQ sauce into clear squeeze bottles.

26. For a no-stress centerpiece that looks good all season long, pot warm-season annuals in a low colorful bowl (6 inches tall or less that has drainage holes. I recommend a combo of geraniums and spotted deadnettle--the nettle for its chartreuse leaves and the geraniums because they're long bloomers.

27. Even dessert can take a turn on the grill. Place whole or sliced bananas, some butter, brown sugar and a splash of rum on large individual squares of foil. Fold and seal into packets and drill until bananas are soft and caramelized; serve with ice cream.

28. Upgrade a plain patio umbrella. Stencil on a random design using different colors of outdoor paint (find it at crafts stores). The same trick works on canvas director's chair covers and outdoor pillow covers.

29. Forgot to chill the wine? Try this new gadget: Ravi wine chiller (surlatable.com) It fits into the neck of the bottle and chills as you pour. PS: When stocking the wine bar, estimate about two glasses for each guest.

30. Instead of place mats, put each place setting on its own tray. It looks great, plus it makes cleanup so much easier. When dinner is done, just carry the whole tray from the patio table to the kitchen.

Think Thursday! When to Test for ADHD

I have had a number of mothers talking to me recently about wondering if their children are just really active or if there could be something else to it. Though I am not big on diagnosing everything in life, I came across this article in my Parenting magazine, Aug 2010 issue under the 5 to 6 year old column. Thought I would share it for those who are questionable.

When to Test for ADHD

You kid has a classic case of ants in the pants. And he never seems to listen or follow directions. You've been hoping he'll outgrow it, but you have a nagging suspicion that attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be to blame. is it time to find out for sure? Consider these factors from Baltimore pediatrician Lawrence Pakula, M.D.

How many red flags do you see?
Hyperactivity and impulsivity are two signs of ADHD (although not all children with ADHD are hyperactive). But other symptoms include difficulty in paying attention, completing tasks, following directions, taking turns, remembering things, or sitting still (all of which can apply to most any kid). The key: Are they interfering with his ability to function?

Does he have other developmental issues?
If he's generally immature, he may grow out of his antsiness at his own pace, But if he has marked delays in motor, language, or other skills, you may not want to wait. Those delays may be tied to ADHD, but they also can be a sign of learning disabilities, and the earlier those are diagnosed, the better for your child. If ADHD runs in your immediate family, that's another good reason to test your child earlier.

What kind of school is he going to?
There's a stronger argument to wait on testing if you child is going to a low-key kindergarten rather than a highly structured environment. But either way, consider giving him three to six months to adjust. And try simple changes, too: An assigned seat at the front of the classroom or a behavior-intervention program may be all he really needs.

Is he falling behind? If he's lagging socially or academically, is constantly being reprimanded, or his behavior is unsafe (regular ER visits are a big clue), don't wait. Yorba Linda, CA, mom Debra Ann Afarian helf off on getting her son evaluated until fourth grade; by then, he was suffering from intense anxiety from ADHD-related school problems. Looking back, she says, "I wish we would have tested earlier."

What to do Wednesday? Get Wet!

Though we are moving into fall, we still have some really nice weather left to take advantage of! I found this nice family play article in the August 2010 issue of Parenting magazine.

Get Wet! Make a splash with these fun activities

Ball Blast: Use ropes to create a circle or square on your lawn. Place balls of varying sizes and weights inside. Give your child a hose and challenge her to push the balls out with the water in less than a minute.

Pool Ping-Pong: Float an inner tube in the center of the pool, then toss a bunch of ping-pong balls in the water. Kids who know how to swim unassisted can jump in, retrieve the balls, and try to toss them in the tube.

Balloon Babies: Fill up a water balloon and draw a face on it with a dark marker. Wrap it in a paper towel, then hand your kid (4 and up) his new "baby." See how long he can take care of it before it breaks.

Backyard Bath: Take advantage of a warm summer evening by bathing your baby (and older siblings if they're game!) outdoors. Fill a kiddie pool with water, bath toys, and bubbles, and turn a chore into a delight.

Spray of Light: Little Tykes can help you garden by watering plants with a spray bottle: give bigger guys the while hose (and expect them to get wet!). If it's a sunny day, show them how they can spot a rainbow in the mist.

Freeze!: Place plastic bugs, toy cars, or other small treasures in your cube tray, add water, and freeze. Then hand a piece of ice to your child (age 3 and up) and have her melt it in her hands until the prize emerges.