Mama Writing So I Don't Go Crazy

Hungry For Some Easy Holiday Recipes?

I enjoy the holidays, especially getting together with friends and family.

One thing that I am NOT particularly fond of, is trying to figure out what type of food to bring along with us to the parties.

I have limited counter space, thanks to apartment living. So there isn't much room to do a lot of prep work.

This year, I have something quick, easy, and darn good to bring to my next shindig.

Ultimate Party Meatballs.

Grab yourself a 2 lb bag of the pre-cooked,cocktail-sized frozen meatballs
1-16 oz can of Ocean Spray Jellied Cranberry Sauce
 and a 12 oz bottle of Heinz Chili Sauce.

Mix the Heinz and the cranberry jelly in a pan over the stove. Cook over medium-low heat, cooking until smooth. Throw in the meatballs and cook, covered, for about 15 minutes or until the meatballs are heated through. Stir everything once in awhile so it doesn't stick to the pan.

Voila!

Awesome taste, I must say. And it will be going with me to a few parties this season for sure.

If you click on the Ultimate link above, it will take you to the UPM, which offers tips and recipes for easy entertaining as well. And if you want to spice your meatballs up, there are additional recipes for jazzing up the basic recipe. I plan on trying the sauce with chicken wings around New Year's. (and the ultimate baked brie, and the sweet and smokey bbq pulled pork sandwiches and... you get the idea)

If you're feeling lucky, you can even enter to win an Ultimate Party Prize here.  Who wouldn't want $3000 to throw the ultimate party? (if you win, send me an invite, m'kay?")

As always, a big thank you to the team at Mom Central for allowing me to participate in this yummy tour. Feel free to visit their site as well and see what they have to offer!

Things Only Heard If You Live In My Home...

I haven't posted about the stinker living with us for awhile now.

I've been told by my only sibling that I need to update.

Please, empty your bladder before continuing.

Thank you.

Montessori Training for Stuffed Animals 101:

Overheard the other night in the bathroom:

"You go potty standing in front of the toilet, and you keep the seat dry. Wipe it off with toilet paper if you drip. Then when you're done, you pull up your pants and flush the toilet. Then you go to the sink, turn on the water, rub some soap in your hand (four squirts, cause you're almost four), rinse with water and turn of the faucet. And that's how you do the potty work."

Overheard in the backseat:

"Mommy, I'm still thirsty, what's in your cup?"

"Mommy's crazy juice."
 (Diet Pepsi)

"Can I have a sip, please?"

"Just this once."

Takes a drink.

"Mommy, I need another drink. I'm not crazy enough yet."

"Hey buddy?"

"What Mommy?"

"I love you!"

"Yeah! I love me too!"

Mom Central Holiday Gift Guide Blog Tour

Looking for gift ideas for everyone on your list this year? Try heading on over to Mom Central to check out their holiday gift guide. It's easy to navigate.

Just go to Mom Central and click on the gift guide and choose the gift box of the person you're shopping for. It'll take you to a page of gift ideas in whatever price range you are looking for.

I found some really great ideas for family members within my budget!

While you are on the Mom Central site, join the Mom Testing Panel by clicking the link on the top right and become a product reviewer like I am. You'll have to chance to review different products of interest to you and your family.

Right now, you can also register for holiday giveaways on the Mom Central site. There are different giveaways every day. To be eligible to win the daily prizes, participants must register on Mom Central, log-in, and leave a comment on the post. In addition, if participants tweet or email friends about the giveaway, they can earn another entry! In order to earn the entry, they simply go back to the Mom Central Review blog and leave a second comment letting us know.  

So go check out the site, and register to win some free stuff.

I know you're all about the free stuff, right?

Happy Holidays!

Happy Anniversary Baby Einstein

It's been ten years since the first Baby Einstein videos and products have rolled into stores.

I purchased my first Baby Einstein video, Language Nursery, when my little guy was about 3 months old. I love it for the bright colors and interesting objects, as well as the variety of languages that it exposed my son to.

My son loved watching the video while in his swing. He particularly enjoyed listening to the counting in Japanese, French, Spanish and German. He was not too enthusiastic about hearing the Russian, however.

He'd watch the video after an active morning playing on the floor. It was his downtime. If I tried talking to him while the show was playing, he became upset and turned away from me.

After he got a little older, we graduated to Baby Van Gogh and Baby Wordsworth (sign language). Being a sign language interpreter, I am picky about the videos available for kids, and I felt this particular video was worth the money.

So when Mom Central contacted me about participating the the 10th anniversary blog tour, I jumped at the chance.

I received a copy of the 10th anniversary Baby Mozart DVD, Lullaby Classics CD, and the Touch and Feel Farm Animals board book.

Even though my son is now almost four, we sat down to watch the video before bed the other night. He sat on my lap, his head on my shoulder, watching the characters dance, the various toys and props, and listening to the music of Mozart.

While we watched, I asked him what he liked:

"The music makes my feet want to dance!"

"I like the animals dancing."

"Oh, can I have trains like those? They're my favorites!"

"Look at the pretty colors! Just like what I saw on the ocean movie with the fishes that light up!" (fiber optic props reminded him of the fish that light up deep in the ocean.)

He then asked if he could listen to the cd while in his bed. I think he fell asleep about five minutes into it. The music is very soothing for kids. (and Mom too)

The Touch and Feel Farm Animal board book is a sturdy book that teaches little ones about the animals on a farm, and the sounds they make. Each animal has a texture for a little reader to feel. The rhyming also draws the listener into the book.

The next day my son was sitting in the backseat on his way to preschool. Out of the blue he said,

"Mom, I have a great idea! Why don't we give the DVD and the book to baby Noah, so he can enjoy them just like I did! But I want to keep the music cd, okay?""

What a great idea!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas

So make sure you visit my other blog Books In Every Room.

Why, you ask?

Because there is a fantastic blog tour taking place over there, and over there, and over...there.

For the next few days, other book blogging friends of mine and I are going to be talking about this book:

As well as it's upcoming Lifetime Movie.

And if you visit my other blog, you can enter to win one of FIVE copies of Flirting with Forty for your very own. (or to give as a gift).

Stop in and visit, okay?  The book was great, otherwise you wouldn't be hearing from me about it.

I am kind of picky that way.