Home Maid Simple

Tag: family favorite

  • Pork and Egg Hash

    Pork and Egg Hash

    Yesterday was pi-day – did anyone eat some pie?  I thought it would be fun to make some mini pies with the girls, and then share the recipe here. Sadly, they didn’t turn out so great, so I’ll refrain from sharing it this week. A little tweaking, though, and I think I’ll have a new dessert to share with you.
     
    Instead, try this one pot dish of Pork and Egg Hash! 

    I’ve been going through my Taste of Home magazines, trying to pare them down a bit. It’s not often I find a keeper, but this one I’ve already made at least once a week for a month. We love it! Pork and Egg Hash can be made with any of your favorite meat, we just have preferred it with pork.Oh, did I ever tell you about my pan?  It was a Christmas present from Mark, and I just love it!  BEST PAN E.V.E.R.  It’s huge, with nice tall sides, but not tall enough to make it a pot. Oh I just love this thing.  It’s so pretty. 

    Pork and Egg Hash
    Serves 4
    One pot meal makes this Pork and Egg Hash a family favorite
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    Ingredients
    1. 4 slices bacon
    2. 1/2 onion, chopped
    3. 1 lb bulk pork sausage*
    4. 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
    5. 1 TBS vegetable oil
    6. 1/2 cup frozen peas
    7. 1/2 cup frozen corn
    8. salt and pepper to taste
    9. 4 eggs
    Instructions
    1. In a large skillet, cook bacon until crispy.
    2. Remove from pan and let drain on paper towels.
    3. Saute the onion in the bacon drippings until tender.
    4. Add the sausage, potatoes, and oil. Cover and cook on medium heat until sausage is cooked through, and potatoes are tender.
    5. Add the peas, corn, salt and pepper.
    6. Make 4 wells in the hash, and add an egg into each.
    7. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, or until eggs are firm
    8. While the hash is cooking, crumble the bacon.
    9. Top hash with crumbled bacon and serve.
    Notes
    1. Also good with chicken and beef in place of the pork sausage.
    Adapted from Taste of Home
    Adapted from Taste of Home
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
     
     
    Thank you for visiting Foodie Friday! Don’t forget to visit my co-host Diane at Simple Living and Eating.
     
    ~FEATURES~
     
    Italian Breakfast Strata - Love Bakes Good Cakes
    from Love Bakes Good Cakes
    I’ve been looking for new breakfast ideas, and this looks great!
     
     
     
     
     
    Buffalo Chicken Qunia Salad-9
    Buffalo Chicken Quinoa Salad
    from Half Baked Harvest
    I don’t think I can say anything here. Just yummy looking at it.
     
    lucky leprechaun cookie bark - Page 451
    Lucky Leprechaun Cookie Bark
    from Your Home Based Mom
    St. Patty’s Day is almost here. This would be a fun treat to make with kids.
     

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  • Pete’s Dragon in Theaters August 12th First Look Trailer

    Pete’s Dragon in Theaters August 12th First Look Trailer

    One of my absolute favorite movies from my childhood is Pete’s Dragon. When I got the email that Disney is remaking it – I may have squealed a bit. The trailer is now out, and I’m so excited!! Check it out.

    #PetesDragon

    Starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Oakes Fegley and Robert Redford, this reimagining of Pete’s Dragon can’t get here soon enough! While I limit our kids tv time, like I assume most parents do, I really do enjoy family movie nights especially when it’s sharing one of my favorite stories via film. 

    Pete’s Dragon

    For years, old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has delighted local children with his tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. To his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), who works as a forest ranger, these stories are little more than tall tales…until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley). Pete is a mysterious 10-year-old with no family and no home who claims to live in the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliott. And from Pete’s descriptions, Elliott seems remarkably similar to the dragon from Mr. Meacham’s stories. With the help of Natalie (Oona Laurence), an 11-year-old girl whose father Jack (Wes Bentley) owns the local lumber mill, Grace sets out to determine where Pete came from, where he belongs, and the truth about this dragon. Disney’s “Pete’s Dragon” opens in U.S. theaters on August 12, 2016.

    Pete's Dragon coming to theaters August 12th

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  • Star Wars Activities

    Star Wars Activities

    No Spoilers here – just good old round up of Star Wars inspired fun to round out your year. Mark and I got to see the new movie for date night last week. It was awesome, because it’s the first date we’d had in 4.5 months and was a movie we were both excited to see. 

     

    First date in 4 months – totally worth the wait #starwars #datenight #movies

    A photo posted by Adelina Priddis (@adelinapriddis) on


    It was magical I tell you, absolutely magical! Han and Leia back on the big screen..OK I’m not saying anymore. Has anyone else seen it? Venice is a bit dissappointed we didn’t take her along, as she’s our Star Wars nut. Maybe one day next week we’ll grab a 2nd showing. 

    Star Wars Activity Sheets

    While she waits though, I’ll print out this Star Wars The Force Awakens Activity Packet. It will give the kids something new to do, and of course keep their excitement up until we let them see the new movie. Who knows, maybe we’ll have a Star Wars day while their home from school and whip up some of these other fun activities. 

    Star Wars Princess Leia Cupcakes

    I mean how awesome are these Princess Leia Cupcakes from Paintbrushese and Popsicles? They’d be the perfect treat to have while cutting out these Star Wars themed Snowflakes or Christmas Ornaments. 

    I’m still looking around for ideas for Venice’s personal space we’re creating in her room, but I think I just hit on a theme! While we probably can’t pull off the Star Wars Shelf and Hyperspace Wall from Her Tool Belt in our rental, adding little touches like the R2-D2 Pencil can from Crafts by Amanda and this Lighted Canvas Art Print from The Casual Craftlete. 

    DIY Star Wars Canvas Art  

    Are you doing any fun Star Wars activities this week? Which movie is your favorite?

  • Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker on Tour! + Discount Tickets

    Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker on Tour! + Discount Tickets

    I will receive tickets to attend Moscow Ballet’s Great Russion Nutcracker in exchange for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

    I love love love the ballet! When I was 3 I remember my mom taking me to see a performance (either Swan Lake or The Nutcracker). Since I was only 3 they weren’t going to allow me in, but my Mom convinced the teller that I would be perfectly quiet, and possibly better than some of the others there – so they let me in!

    I was sold on the beauty. While I wanted to take lessons, I knew I would never dance professionally. When my oldest turned 3 however, I got her into dance classes. She has grown into a beautiful young lady, and truly has the perfect dancers body. She loves dancing, and it is during her classes I see her really shine with a smile on her face that’s hard to come by most days.

    When I heard Moscow Ballet’s Great Russion Nutcracker would be going on tour this fall, and that we lived close enough to one of the performances, I’ve been a bit stalkerish, lol. This is something I would love to take all my girls to, but for the sake of the audience, will probably be just the oldest and myself going.

    The production includes over 200 costumes and 10 foot tall playful animal puppets! There’s a life sized Matrushka Doll – the nesting dollw – and a puppet show that shadows the Nutcracker Story at the opening Chrismas Party. The really cool part I’ve never seen, a golden cannon shoots roses out during the battle between the Nutcracker and the Rat Kind. Finally in Act II there is a “Dove of Peace” with a 20 foot wingspan with 2 dancers on each wing.

    I seriously can not wait for November 28th to roll around! Find the full tour schedule here.

    Get your Discount Tickets!
    Use the code JOY for the biggest discount around!

  • Outdoor Patio Set Redo – Creating a Work Zone near my kids

    Outdoor Patio Set Redo – Creating a Work Zone near my kids

    When we decided to rent this house before actually seeing it in person, one of the biggest sale points for me was the fenced in backyard and attached deck. The vision was real – a workplace outdoors where I could enjoy the sounds of nature and let the kids play in a safe area that wouldn’t make my heart pump with anxiety.

    Breathe life into an old patio set with a little paint and new seating.
     
    We moved in on July 1st, and I started looking for a good patio set. We happened across a yard sale one saturday and found this 2 seater set for only $18. I had to double check with the owner that I wasn’t reading the price upside down and he really wanted $81. Nope $18 was correct! There was no way I could leave this behind, it was perfect!
     

    The first step in redoing this set was picking out colors. The whole family came with me to our trusty Walmart, and together we picked out a nice Dark Purple spray paint. There’s an excess of bugs around these parts, so we wanted a fun color, but not one that would attract the bees. After the purple was chosen, I found this pretty damask upholstery fabric on sale too! There was just enough left for our seats. 
     
    How to reupholster patio seating when the old seat can not be salvaged.
     

    While the paint dried on the chairs and table frame, we got to work on the seat cushions. The original seats were so old, there was no salvageable parts. I picked up precut wood rounds from Menards, and the padding from Walmart.

    How to Reupholster patio seats. 

    What you need:
    Wood Rounds
    1-2inch foam padding
    fabric
    hot glue
    staple gun with staples

    Use the wood rounds to trace a circle on the foam padding. Using a razor blade, or sharp knife, carefully cut around the padding. Lay the padding on back side of fabric. I used a permanent marker to measure straight out and leave dots around the seat. I gave myself a good 2 inches extra fabric to attach to the underside.
    Connect the dots, then cut our the fabric. Place padding on the center of fabric, then wood round on top of the padding. At this point it is great to have a second pair of hands helping out. Really push down on the wood as you pull the fabric around, and attach in place with the hot glue. Now the fabric is attached, give it a second go around with the staple gun. Between the two, bugs and inclement weather should be kept out of the seat.

    Patio Set workspace
     
    I now have a fantastic colorful work zone outside! It’s also going to be a great place to relax with friends while the kids run around outside. If you’re ever in the area and want to join me on the patio, come on by!
     
    Outdoor Patio Set kids can enjoy
     
    When I’m not using the table, I’ve found the kids enjoying it too. This week they were building bubble castles. My vision has come to life, and is now updated to see many many family memories being made around it. 
     
    Do you have an outdoor space to enjoy?
  • STEM with Adventurer Abby

    STEM with Adventurer Abby

    I received product for review. All opinions are my own. 

    We got our first Adventurer Abby box in the mail today! Only a few minutes before Princess V got home from school too – it was like the stars had aligned. Princess V loves science. It’s been hard for me, only because it’s not a subject I ever really took to. I love science don’t get me wrong, it just wasn’t ever my subject, ya know?
    Adventurer Abby is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) subscription service for young girls, between the ages of 6-9. Princess V is 8, going on 9, but has really just found a love for these sciencey things. I give credit to her teacher this year, who challenges her class with STEM activities every Friday. From experimenting with different forms of matter, to building spaghetti towers – it’s easily the favorite day for Princess V at school. 
    One thing we really wanted Princess V to learn to love this year though was reading. She struggles with that (loves hearing stories!), but actually reading has been hard for her. For this reason I truly love Adventurer Abby! Before you can do anything, you have to read the story. One tells the beginning of Abby’s story, and the 2nd is more specific to the adventure Abby is going in with this box. 
    Princess V and I took turns reading through the stories. I could tell just in the way her voice perked up near the end of the stories, and when we got to the experiment, that reading is not necessarily hard for her – but just not enjoyable. Pairing it with something she DOES love however, made quite a difference. Finally on to the experiment!
    Adventurer Abby makes sure the kids are safe! With safety goggles and gloves, Princess V was ready to start reading the instructions, to help solve the adventure Abby is on. 

    In this adventure we learned the catalyst. First we had to create two different mixtures. One is a hydrogen peroxide and soap mix (with food coloring for effect!). The other is a yeast and warm water.
    The last and final step, encouraged us to move to a sink. Since I was having too much fun experimenting, the kitchen was a bit of a mess still. So we grabbed a large bowl instead. Princess V’s first question before mixing these was “Is it going to explode Mom?” 
    Follow Adventurer Abby

    Do your kids like science? 

    I’d love to hear about a recent experiment you’ve done I can share with Princess V.
  • Spring Fashion has Arrived

    Spring Fashion has Arrived

    I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for OshKosh B’Gosh. I received a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

    Spring Fashion at OshKosh. Bring color and fun to your kids wardrobe #ImagineSpring #sponsored

    I’m in crazy love with this photo above! The flip flops, hats, and big sisterly smiles – it just doesn’t get much better when snapping pictures of the kids. OshKosh has their Spring line out, and while browsing, I could not help myself – how cute are these dresses and hats?! The colors are so bright and fun in the hats, while the dresses are a bit more mild with just a pop of color. 

    I couldn’t leave little Prince out, so found this dapper polo shirt, and khaki shorts for him. He was fairly disappointed that there wasn’t a hat for him, but as soon as I showed him the pockets in the pants he was sold. Little boys need pockets after all. 
    OshKosh B'Gosh #ImagineSpring #sponsored
    He still wanted a hat though, so while we were out enjoying this nice spring day, he stole a couple. First Princess R’s, and later mine. 
    dapper little boy clothes at OshKosh B'Gosh #ImagineSpring #sponsoredWe went on this adventure today, out to the practice field across the road, and then on to the kids elementary school playground. There was a bit of a breeze (when isn’t there in North Dakota?), but with the sun shining we had to take advantage. Our neighbor keeps warning us that more snow will be coming. As much as I love snow, I kind of hope she’s wrong. It’s so nice right now. 
    Spring Hat Love from OshKosh B'Gosh #ImagineSpring #sponsored
    Big floppy hats anyone? Or perhaps a fedora with a big pink flower? You’ll find it all in child size at OshKosh. Seriously just so cute. I have my own big floppy hat, but I’m thinking I need a fedora now too. The wind made it difficult to keep the hats on, but the girls were troopers, and did their best.
    OshKosh B'Gosh Spring Adventure #ImagineSpring #spsonsored
    Are you ready for spring adventures yet?  OshKosh is offering my readers a 25% off $30 purchase coupon!! Find your local OshKosh B’Gosh store. 
    OshKosh B'Gosh Coupon #ImagineSpring #sponsored
    right click to save and print
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    OshKosh B'Gosh #ImagineSring #sponsored
    Sorry last one! I tried not to photo dump on you today, but these kids and clothes are just too stinking cute!
  • Robot Turtles on the Road

    Robot Turtles on the Road

    When I was a kid and we’d go on vacation we always made sure to bring a bag of games. Hotels rarely had more channels than the local news to watch, and after a long car ride, no one really wanted to watch TV when we got there.
     
    As we got ready to move our family 900 miles, with many nights in a hotel I knew I needed to set aside some games. We ended up staying in a hotel 4 nights, with not much to do on any of those nights. The kids were more active and bouncy then normal from abnormal daytime naps and having nowhere to run around the majority of the day. I was really glad I packed this game bag come 9pm at the hotels.
    Pack Robot Turtles in your game bag for nights at a hotel

     

    We had recently got Robot Turtles from ThinkFun in the mail, and although the kids and Dad had played it, I hadn’t had a chance to sit down with them yet. The game promotes basic coding skills for kids ages 4+. With my new found love of computer oriented stuff and HTML coding I periodically have to figure out with the blog, I was really excited for this one. Especially if my 4-year-old could also play with us.
     
    Seriously, such a fun game!! It wasn’t coding like I thought it would be but really is just the basics. The kids are “Turtle Masters” while an adult or older child is the “Turtle Mover”. Or think of the kids as the programmers, and the Mover as the computer. The kids really wanted to move their own
    turtles, but when I explained it as me being the computer, they really got into it and loved giving me commands.
     
    There are 3 levels to Robot Turtles. We’re currently mastering Level 1 still, but eventually, we’ll add laser beams, and ice blocks and crates. Obstacles the kids must learn how to program around.
     
    Night 3 in the hotel was draining on everyone’s patience and attitude, so thank goodness I had Robot Turtles packed. We sent Prince L off with Mark, while the girls and I got some sillies out playing.
    Robot Turtles teaches basic coding skills to children as young as 4

     For more fun games check out ThinkFun on social media 

     

    I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

  • Make your own Calzone with Family Favorites

    Make your own Calzone with Family Favorites

    This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias Inc and its advertiser #FamilyFavorites. All opinions are mine alone. 
     
    #FamilyFavorites #shop #cbias #recipe
     
    It’s Friday, and that means Pizza Night around here. You all know how sick of regular old pizza I get though, right? I know you do because I keep sharing ways to change it up with you. We made our own Calzones earlier this week. The kids were skeptic of this “Pizza in a sandwich” idea I presented, but after only one night this has been added to our list of family favorites. 
     
    Speaking of family favorites, we picked up Heinz Classico Family Favorites line from Walmart to create these Calzones because I knew there would be a favorite for everyone in the family. Princess C was especially happy to find her Traditional Sauce. 
    #FamilyFavorites #shop #cbias #recipe
     
    The majority of the family however prefers the meat sauce. Princess V especially loves her meat and meat sauce. After spreading the sauce around (oops, don’t spread your sauce!), she just had to stick her fingers in it for a little more taste. 
    #FamilyFavorites #shop #cbias #recipe
     
    I love having the kids in the kitchen with me, but sometimes I make really complicated meals, and it’s just too hard to have them underfoot. The calzones are so incredibly easy though the kids had a blast, and we didn’t spill any sauce on the table! Which is impressive with Princess R and her “I can do it myself” attitude.
    #FamilyFavorites #shop #cbias #recipe
     
    Hey now, just because I said we didn’t spill sauce doesn’t mean we didn’t spill anything else.  Cheese was pretty much flying around the room. Are you ready to add these to your family favorites?
     
    #FamilyFavorites #shop #cbias #recipe
     
     
     
    Calzones
    Let everyone stuff their own Calzones with their favorite sauces
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    Ingredients
    1. Classico Family Favorites Sauce
    2. Crescent Roll dough
    3. Shredded Cheese – we used a mix of Mexican blend and Italian blend
    4. Pepperoni
    5. Sausage
    Instructions
    1. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
    2. Leave the dough in a roll, and split it into fourths. We used 3 tubes of dough for our 6 family members.
    3. Form the dough into a ball and roll out flat. Top one side with sauce, toppings and cheese. Fold in half and pinch the sides together.
    4. Place on baking sheet, and bake for 15 minutes, or until the bread is a golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool 2-3 minutes before eating.
    5. The inside will be extremely hot!
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
     
    #FamilyFavorites #shop #cbias #recipe
     
    Personally I love the Parmesan & Romano sauce, but what Sauce would you choose?
     
    COUPON!
    $1 off Classico family favorites when you buy two jars
     
  • Happy St Patricks Day #MuppetsMostWanted

    Happy St Patricks Day #MuppetsMostWanted

    #MuppetsMostWanted
    Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone. 
    I was so excited the last time we went to the library and found The Muppet Show on DVD.  I had to introduce my kids to the Muppets I grew up with. 
    The Muppets are coming back March 21st with their all new movie Muppets Most Wanted
    Keep up with the Muppets on
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