Easy Fruit Salad

I've made this fruit salad a few times now and totally love it.  It's yummy, easy, and a crowd pleaser!  I found it here at Food.com.  I've never followed the entire recipe, and I've halved it a time or two.  It's been good every time I make it, which proves that it's a good recipe!

Fruit Salad
found at Food.com

1 (29 oz) can peach slices, undrained (I've also used the smaller can)
1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks, undrained (I've also used the smaller can)
1 small box dry vanilla instant pudding mix (I've also used sugar free, which isn't quite as good)
1 lb strawberries, stemmed and quartered
1 banana, sliced (I usually omit)
1/2 pint blueberries
1 bunch of grapes
 1-2 tablespoons sugar (I have never used)   

In a large bowl, combine peaches, pineapple and pudding mix.  Mix well until pudding is dissolved. 
(If making it the night before, refrigerate) Stir in strawberries, banana, blueberries, grapes, and sugar.
Chill for an hour or two. 

I'm a FlyLady

Have you heard of FlyLady yet?  It's a website all about organizing and cleaning your house.  It's way cooler than how I make it sound.  Basically it's all about doing a little bit every day so that your house doesn't get out of control.  One area of my house that has gotten out of control (well, it bugs me anyway) is my coat closet.  How can one small family have so much stuff?!  So, I followed my FlyLady and spent only about 15 minutes cleaning it.  Here's the before photo.

 

 

 

And here's the after.  I donated four of my old coats, plus a box of hats and mittens.  Don't worry mom, I still have plenty of winter weather gear for my family!  You should definately check out FlyLady.  It's amazing!

Cinderella

 

"I'm Bored..."

That phrase is one of my biggest pet peeves.  I was at my wits end when my mom reminded me of what would happen if we said that sentence growing up. 

Manual Labor

Caroline scrubbed both tubs...they've never looked better!

Unfortunately/fortunately she thought it was great fun and can hardly wait to clean the tubs again. 



 



Final Ice Storm Scenes

Caroline is quite confused by the seasons.  It's spring, but then we have a bunch of fresh snow.

 

She takes it in stride though.  No matter the weather, it's always nice to be able to play outside.

Owen, on the other hand, is ready for spring and to be let free to roam around the yard!

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Another recipe, from another day of baking due to the ice storm.  We were starting to run low on baking supplies, but I had all of the ingredients for this recipe.  In fact, we were able to use some of our left over Easter M & M's.  These were super good with a cup of coffee!

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
by Emily Richter

1 cup margarine, melted
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons water
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
3 cups oatmeal
12 oz chocolate chips
1/2 cups chopped nuts, I omitted

Add melted margarine to sugars.  Mix well.  Add water, eggs, and vanilla.  Beat well.  Add dry ingredients, and fold in oatmeal, chocolate chips, and nuts.  Chill for 30 minutes.  Drop onto cookie sheets and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Ice Storm Baking

Last week we had an ice storm that knocked out power to much of Sioux Falls.  Luckily, we always had ours, but we didn't have school for most of the week.  So what's a girl to do?  Make brownies of course!

 

Caroline loves to help me bake, so we had a great time!  We used my favorite recipe, found here.

 

 

New Driver on the Streets

Watch out...there's a new driver on the streets of Sioux Falls. 

Luckily he's still confined to our backyard!