I pulled this recipe off the web a few years ago, and since then my sons and I have made it countless times. It's super simple (only FOUR ingredients), but you wouldn't believe the taste - this stuff is ADDICTING!
We make it for ourselves (when I'm being "bad"); we've made it for various parties and school/youth group events; we've put it in tins and given it as Christmas gifts. Could also be given as a super easy hospitality or thank-you gift or "just because"...
I always keep the ingredients on hand for that last minute "Mom, I need to bring something!" emergency or for a last minute craving (heh). My son makes it with his friends over all the time (which is fine with me as long as he shares with his mother - house rules).
Quick & Easy Toffee Bars
1 sleeve saltine crackers (don't laugh - you can't taste the cracker - just the crunch)
1 cup butter (woot! so so sinful)
1 cup brown sugar
chocolate chips (as many as you want)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Line a "lipped" cookie sheet with foil (so important, lol) and lay out crackers to cover bottom.
Stir together butter and sugar on stove until boiling. Boil 1 minute.
Pour butter mixture over crackers.
Bake in oven 3-6 minutes until bubbly.
Sprinkle on chocolate chips and and spread until smooth.
Cool completely. Break into pieces and store in airtight container.
ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! (How can anything with one cup of butter and sugar taste bad anyways, LOL) I haven't met anyone yet that hasn't raved about this stuff.
Try it, you'll like it ;)
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Another Little Favorite Item
I forgot to add another little favorite item of mine - Dryer Sheets!
Since I've just pulled out my suitcases for another trip to WDW, I am reminded of how much I love dryer sheets. Wherever I go, I always tuck a dryer sheet or two into my luggage to keep my clothes smelling fresh until I arrive at the hotel and can get everything hung in the closet. If I'm doing laundry while on vacation, I now don't have to pay the $1-2 to purchase a small box of dryer sheets - I have my own to use!
Dryer sheets work to reduce to static electricity in the dryer, so why not use this same principle to dust? Grab a dryer sheet and wipe down your TV screen or your computer monitor.... anything that acts like a magnet for dust. The dryer sheet will actually repel the dust and keep it from settling on whatever you wipe.
I've read that dryer sheets not only work to repel dust, but also ants and mosquitoes too! I have not tried this out personally - I find it hard to believe - but hey, it's worth a shot! Anything's better than the smell of citronella....
Since I've just pulled out my suitcases for another trip to WDW, I am reminded of how much I love dryer sheets. Wherever I go, I always tuck a dryer sheet or two into my luggage to keep my clothes smelling fresh until I arrive at the hotel and can get everything hung in the closet. If I'm doing laundry while on vacation, I now don't have to pay the $1-2 to purchase a small box of dryer sheets - I have my own to use!
Dryer sheets work to reduce to static electricity in the dryer, so why not use this same principle to dust? Grab a dryer sheet and wipe down your TV screen or your computer monitor.... anything that acts like a magnet for dust. The dryer sheet will actually repel the dust and keep it from settling on whatever you wipe.
I've read that dryer sheets not only work to repel dust, but also ants and mosquitoes too! I have not tried this out personally - I find it hard to believe - but hey, it's worth a shot! Anything's better than the smell of citronella....
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Not Another List??
Summer means vacations and day trips. Since we tend to pack/bring the same things, why not create a master list that you can make small adjustments to as needed and use over and over again.
In my household binder, I have three such lists. The most important list I keep is a general packing list for vacation - I can add/delete items if necessary, but the majority of items we bring with us on vacation doesn't change from trip to trip. So save yourself some time by holding onto that packing list - put it in a transparent sheet to use as a checklist when packing, then store it back inside your binder for the next trip.
I also keep a beach packing list - you know... all those things we lug to and from the ocean every trip. Although with my boys getting older, the list is getting smaller - pails, shovels, dump trucks, sailboats, etc., can now all be crossed off my list!
Almost embarrassed to admit this... but I also have a camping packing list in my binder. Talk about anal.... oh my gosh, I don't even camp!! But.... if I ever do, I'm sure to be prepared! LOL!
Packing checklists are great! You'll never find yourself away from home without that much needed item...
In my household binder, I have three such lists. The most important list I keep is a general packing list for vacation - I can add/delete items if necessary, but the majority of items we bring with us on vacation doesn't change from trip to trip. So save yourself some time by holding onto that packing list - put it in a transparent sheet to use as a checklist when packing, then store it back inside your binder for the next trip.
I also keep a beach packing list - you know... all those things we lug to and from the ocean every trip. Although with my boys getting older, the list is getting smaller - pails, shovels, dump trucks, sailboats, etc., can now all be crossed off my list!
Almost embarrassed to admit this... but I also have a camping packing list in my binder. Talk about anal.... oh my gosh, I don't even camp!! But.... if I ever do, I'm sure to be prepared! LOL!
Packing checklists are great! You'll never find yourself away from home without that much needed item...
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Summer is Here!
Summer! Some of us LOVE the season; some of us dread this time of the year when our kids are home from school.
What to do with all that time? How to keep the kids occupied so that they are not bored and driving you up a wall?
Why not sit down today and make a list of all the things you'd like to do this summer. Go crazy... not saying you have to do all those things, but brainstorm all kinds of possibilities. Make a list of all those fun places you'd love to visit with your family, the movies you want to see, the books you want to read, the crafts or games you want to do with your kids, the friends you want to visit with, etc.
Once you have your list, grab your calendar and pen some of those in. Chances are the majority of those things won't just happen if you don't make them a priority. We all start out with grand intentions, only to find ourselves deep into the month of September without accomplishing any of those fun things we *thought* we'd accomplish...
I try to plan one "fun" thing each week of summer. Sometimes it goes according to schedule; other times it falls through the cracks, but it's much better than having no plan in place at all.
Don't forget to add this list/calendar for easy reference to the Family section of your household binder!
Time is short. Summer days seem to fly by so fast. Seize the moment and enjoy some lazy hazy summer fun with your family.
Have fun!
What to do with all that time? How to keep the kids occupied so that they are not bored and driving you up a wall?
Why not sit down today and make a list of all the things you'd like to do this summer. Go crazy... not saying you have to do all those things, but brainstorm all kinds of possibilities. Make a list of all those fun places you'd love to visit with your family, the movies you want to see, the books you want to read, the crafts or games you want to do with your kids, the friends you want to visit with, etc.
Once you have your list, grab your calendar and pen some of those in. Chances are the majority of those things won't just happen if you don't make them a priority. We all start out with grand intentions, only to find ourselves deep into the month of September without accomplishing any of those fun things we *thought* we'd accomplish...
I try to plan one "fun" thing each week of summer. Sometimes it goes according to schedule; other times it falls through the cracks, but it's much better than having no plan in place at all.
Don't forget to add this list/calendar for easy reference to the Family section of your household binder!
Time is short. Summer days seem to fly by so fast. Seize the moment and enjoy some lazy hazy summer fun with your family.
Have fun!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Disney World.... sigh
Ah, there's nothing like a trip to Walt Disney World, especially when the weather is still cold back at home! I've always loved to travel (no cooking.... no cleaning...) and WDW is my favorite place to visit even after 30+ trips to the World.
I just returned home after spending a week in Orlando. Seriously, I had all good intentions of posting last week while I was there... but the parks just called out my name. :)
One of the things that bugs me on vacation is that tiny little table in your hotel room. You know, the place where everyone in your family dumps their stuff onto at the end of the day... I can't stand clutter at home, and I certainly can't stand clutter on vacation.
So here's a little tip for your next hotel visit. Buy a shoe bag that hangs over a door. I keep mine packed in my suitcase when I'm at home. When I arrive at a hotel, I hang it over the front door of the hotel. Everything gets put into the bag when arriving back to the room - car keys, receipts, loose change, sunglasses, wallet, park guides, cell phones, etc. As you're walking out the door for the day, you can glance through the transparent pockets and grab what you need for the day and be off! Frees up the table to actually be used as a table, and keeps Mom very very happy. :)
You can also hang one over the bathroom door for all those toiletries so as to keep the counter clutter-free, so the maid can actually wipe them down (hopefully...) ;)
I just returned home after spending a week in Orlando. Seriously, I had all good intentions of posting last week while I was there... but the parks just called out my name. :)
One of the things that bugs me on vacation is that tiny little table in your hotel room. You know, the place where everyone in your family dumps their stuff onto at the end of the day... I can't stand clutter at home, and I certainly can't stand clutter on vacation.
So here's a little tip for your next hotel visit. Buy a shoe bag that hangs over a door. I keep mine packed in my suitcase when I'm at home. When I arrive at a hotel, I hang it over the front door of the hotel. Everything gets put into the bag when arriving back to the room - car keys, receipts, loose change, sunglasses, wallet, park guides, cell phones, etc. As you're walking out the door for the day, you can glance through the transparent pockets and grab what you need for the day and be off! Frees up the table to actually be used as a table, and keeps Mom very very happy. :)
You can also hang one over the bathroom door for all those toiletries so as to keep the counter clutter-free, so the maid can actually wipe them down (hopefully...) ;)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
These are a Few of My Favorite Things
Five of my FAVORITE household items that aid me in cleaning and maintaining my home:
1) My feather duster! I can dust the house in 15 minutes! And that's including door jambs, windows, and baseboards...
2) Lysol wipes! I mentioned in another post how much I love these things - WELL WORTH the cost! So so easy to wipe down a bathroom or kitchen...(and it's germ free!)
3) Magic Eraser! Oh my gosh, who invented this stuff? It really does "erase" any sort of scuff mark or other seemingly impossible spots...
4) Scrubbie! I really don't know the "official" name for those shower scrubbing puffs, but I'm sure you know what I mean. I have two scrubbies in my shower - one to scrub ME with and one to scrub the shower with - just don't get them confused! Ugh! So easy to clean the shower while you're actually in there.. squirt a little bit of shampoo or body wash on your shower scrubbie and scrub away. Do this every day and you'll never have to "clean" your shower again.
5) Paper Towels! Not much to say here, but I keep paper towels handy in all the bathrooms. Easy as pie to wipe down a messy sink or counter with a roll right there in easy reach!
A few of my favorite things! Want to hear my least favorites now? LOL!
1) My feather duster! I can dust the house in 15 minutes! And that's including door jambs, windows, and baseboards...
2) Lysol wipes! I mentioned in another post how much I love these things - WELL WORTH the cost! So so easy to wipe down a bathroom or kitchen...(and it's germ free!)
3) Magic Eraser! Oh my gosh, who invented this stuff? It really does "erase" any sort of scuff mark or other seemingly impossible spots...
4) Scrubbie! I really don't know the "official" name for those shower scrubbing puffs, but I'm sure you know what I mean. I have two scrubbies in my shower - one to scrub ME with and one to scrub the shower with - just don't get them confused! Ugh! So easy to clean the shower while you're actually in there.. squirt a little bit of shampoo or body wash on your shower scrubbie and scrub away. Do this every day and you'll never have to "clean" your shower again.
5) Paper Towels! Not much to say here, but I keep paper towels handy in all the bathrooms. Easy as pie to wipe down a messy sink or counter with a roll right there in easy reach!
A few of my favorite things! Want to hear my least favorites now? LOL!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Dusting is Dusting...
Let's take a break from the food talk shall we?
I know there's a lot of debate with feather dusters vs. dusting by hand (the old-fashioned way). I bet you already know what I use! :) Feather duster for this girl! Although not any feather duster will do. Those cheap ones you buy at any department store will just spread that dust all around your house as you move through it. Look for a top-quality duster made from ostrich feathers (will cost approx. $25 for a good one) - it is SO worth it. It gets nice and static-y (is that a word?) and makes dusting your entire house (even tops of windows/doors) a snap. I just give that duster a good shake outside when I'm finished and hang it back in the closet. Every few months I wash it with a tiny bit of baby shampoo - looks like a wet cat when I'm through - but poofs up beautifully and looks brand new again when I dry it with my hairdryer.
I bought mine through flylady.net if you're interested. I've also bought one through Stonewall Kitchen (which normally has wonderful things), but their feather duster disappointed me greatly...
Of course, I do have a system in place... even for dusting. I feather dust my house once a week (on Tuesday) but each week I rotate one room that gets a GOOD DETAILED dusting with my handy can of Pledge and rag. So by the end of the month, each of the main rooms has received 3 feather dusting sessions and one thorough dusting/polishing session. Voila!
Dusting is dusting... no matter if you use a feather duster or if you're one of those that ALWAYS has to dust by hand with Pledge. I'll just beat you, that's all.... ;)
I know there's a lot of debate with feather dusters vs. dusting by hand (the old-fashioned way). I bet you already know what I use! :) Feather duster for this girl! Although not any feather duster will do. Those cheap ones you buy at any department store will just spread that dust all around your house as you move through it. Look for a top-quality duster made from ostrich feathers (will cost approx. $25 for a good one) - it is SO worth it. It gets nice and static-y (is that a word?) and makes dusting your entire house (even tops of windows/doors) a snap. I just give that duster a good shake outside when I'm finished and hang it back in the closet. Every few months I wash it with a tiny bit of baby shampoo - looks like a wet cat when I'm through - but poofs up beautifully and looks brand new again when I dry it with my hairdryer.
I bought mine through flylady.net if you're interested. I've also bought one through Stonewall Kitchen (which normally has wonderful things), but their feather duster disappointed me greatly...
Of course, I do have a system in place... even for dusting. I feather dust my house once a week (on Tuesday) but each week I rotate one room that gets a GOOD DETAILED dusting with my handy can of Pledge and rag. So by the end of the month, each of the main rooms has received 3 feather dusting sessions and one thorough dusting/polishing session. Voila!
Dusting is dusting... no matter if you use a feather duster or if you're one of those that ALWAYS has to dust by hand with Pledge. I'll just beat you, that's all.... ;)
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