Happy Halloween!
Emily, Ryan, and Coplan
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Friday, October 29, 2010
Universal Cleaning Kit
For your everyday cleaning, less is more. You really only need a few products to clean any one of your rooms. Of course there will be certain situations where specialized cleaners will be needed, but the items listed below will do the trick for most situations. You can store them all in a caddy to easily carry them from room to room.
1. An all purpose cleaner, like Fantastic, or a solution of 2 tablespoons mild dish washing liquid and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle
2. A mildly abrasive cleanser, such as Bon Ami
3. Glass cleaner, or a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle*
4. Rubber gloves
5. Lint-free white cloths
6. Medium-bristled scrub brush
*I have this solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle (the bottle was $2.50 at Target) and I use it for anything that my 9 month old, Bea, could touch or put in her mouth such as her tray on her high chair and the one step we have between our family room and kitchen that provides hours of entertainment. It does a great job getting things clean, but keeps the chemicals away!
1. An all purpose cleaner, like Fantastic, or a solution of 2 tablespoons mild dish washing liquid and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle
2. A mildly abrasive cleanser, such as Bon Ami
3. Glass cleaner, or a solution of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle*
4. Rubber gloves
5. Lint-free white cloths
6. Medium-bristled scrub brush
*I have this solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle (the bottle was $2.50 at Target) and I use it for anything that my 9 month old, Bea, could touch or put in her mouth such as her tray on her high chair and the one step we have between our family room and kitchen that provides hours of entertainment. It does a great job getting things clean, but keeps the chemicals away!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Housing Market is in Early Stages of Recovery!
According to the National Association of Realtors, the existing-home sales jumped from 4% to 10% in September, therefore affirming we are in the early stages of recovery. Home sales are gradually rising, and buyers are taking advantage of low mortgage rates.
Mollie and I look forward to speaking with you all about your real estate needs! Let's do our part to help repair the Housing Market!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
In honor of Halloween...we deided a fun activity for all the kiddos would be painting pumpkins. Everyone came over and brought their own pumpkin, we supplied the paint, stickers, sponges in various shapes, and coffee (of course to keep us going). It worked for all ages-the older kids did their own decorating and babies got a little help from their mommas. All and all it was a very easy play date to throw together and everyone had a "ghoulish" time.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Six Daily Tasks to Keep Household Chaos Away
1. Make the Bed - A freshly made bed makes the whole room seem more orderly, which will help you prevent papers and clothes pile up.
2. Manage Clutter - Whenever you leave a room, turn back and take a quick look. Anything that is not where it should be, pick up and put where it belongs. It will only take a few extra seconds but have a lasting effect.
3. Sort the Mail - Open, read, and sort the mail right when you bring it inside. Do this next to a trash can so you can throw out junk mail/trash. Then categorize the remaining mail into personal correspondence, bills, catalogues, and filing.
4. Clean as you Cook - Clean the pots and pans as you are done with them instead of letting them pile up in the sink. Put dishes in the dishwasher as soon as you are done as well. Then you won't have a full sink to deal with at a later date!
5. Wipe up Spills while they are Fresh - Regardless if its pasta sauce in the kitchen or foundation in the bathroom, most anything is faster and easier to remove it you clean it immediately.
6. Sweep the Kitchen Floor - Every evening when you are done cleaning up and done with dinner, give the kitchen floor a quick sweep. This will prevent residue from the day from building up, will make the floor clean for you in the morning, and will make the mopping much quicker.
2. Manage Clutter - Whenever you leave a room, turn back and take a quick look. Anything that is not where it should be, pick up and put where it belongs. It will only take a few extra seconds but have a lasting effect.
3. Sort the Mail - Open, read, and sort the mail right when you bring it inside. Do this next to a trash can so you can throw out junk mail/trash. Then categorize the remaining mail into personal correspondence, bills, catalogues, and filing.
4. Clean as you Cook - Clean the pots and pans as you are done with them instead of letting them pile up in the sink. Put dishes in the dishwasher as soon as you are done as well. Then you won't have a full sink to deal with at a later date!
5. Wipe up Spills while they are Fresh - Regardless if its pasta sauce in the kitchen or foundation in the bathroom, most anything is faster and easier to remove it you clean it immediately.
6. Sweep the Kitchen Floor - Every evening when you are done cleaning up and done with dinner, give the kitchen floor a quick sweep. This will prevent residue from the day from building up, will make the floor clean for you in the morning, and will make the mopping much quicker.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Low Fat Apple Pie Recipe
Your dad's apple pie sounds delish, Emily!!
I absolutely love apple pie and, really, all things sweet, but am currently on a weight loss kick after having my daughter Bea. But I love to find ways to indulge while still watching the waist line, so I thought I would provide a lower fat version of the American classic.
1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
2 tsp sugar
3 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, chilled and cut up
2 Tbsp water, or more if necessary
4 medium apple(s), McIntosh, peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup(s) sugar
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup(s) uncooked old fashioned oats
5 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, melted
Preheat oven to 400ºF.
To make the crust, combine 1 cup of flour and 2 teaspoons of sugar in a large bowl or food processor. Add 3 tablespoons of chilled margarine and process (or mix together with your fingers if you do not have a food processor) until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, and process or mix until a manageable dough forms. Press dough into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Pinch the edges to form a decorative rim; set aside.
To make the filling, combine apples, 1/4 cup of sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in a large bowl; toss to coat apples. Arrange mixture in prepared piecrust.
To make the topping, combine oats, 5 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar and melted margarine in a small bowl; sprinkle over apples.
Bake until apples are tender and crumb topping is golden brown, about 45 to 50 minutes. Allow to cool for 30 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces.
I absolutely love apple pie and, really, all things sweet, but am currently on a weight loss kick after having my daughter Bea. But I love to find ways to indulge while still watching the waist line, so I thought I would provide a lower fat version of the American classic.
1 cup(s) all-purpose flour
2 tsp sugar
3 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, chilled and cut up
2 Tbsp water, or more if necessary
4 medium apple(s), McIntosh, peeled and thinly sliced
1/4 cup(s) sugar
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup(s) uncooked old fashioned oats
5 Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp reduced-calorie margarine, melted
Preheat oven to 400ºF.
To make the crust, combine 1 cup of flour and 2 teaspoons of sugar in a large bowl or food processor. Add 3 tablespoons of chilled margarine and process (or mix together with your fingers if you do not have a food processor) until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, and process or mix until a manageable dough forms. Press dough into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Pinch the edges to form a decorative rim; set aside.
To make the filling, combine apples, 1/4 cup of sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon in a large bowl; toss to coat apples. Arrange mixture in prepared piecrust.
To make the topping, combine oats, 5 tablespoons of flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar and melted margarine in a small bowl; sprinkle over apples.
Bake until apples are tender and crumb topping is golden brown, about 45 to 50 minutes. Allow to cool for 30 minutes before slicing into 8 pieces.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Bo's Apple Pie
As many of you know Columbus Day is a U.S. holiday that observes the landing of Christopher Columbus in America. However, when I was growing up...its was Apple Pie Day. As long as I can remember my dad had the day off from work and would make his delicious apple pie. So in keeping with tradition, I'm baking today! I hope Coplan will enjoy this as much as I did!
** I usually add more brown sugar and less white sugar. I also use the refrigerated pie dough that you can buy at the grocery store. Love, Dad **
6 cups Granny Smith apple slices peeled and cored
1 teaspoon lemon juice
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 flour
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg
2 Tablespoons cold butter (cut in small pieces)
1 Tablespoon milk for brushing the top crust
1 Tablespoon sugar and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon for dusting crust
Preheat Oven to 375 degrees
Prepare pie dough accordingly, place bottom crust in 9-inch pie pan (make sure to leave enough overhang to fold the edges). In large bowl toss apple slices with lemon juice. Add sugars, flour, spices mix gently. Place mixture in pie pan. Top with crust, dot with butter, sprinkle with sugar mixture, and fold edges under pressing as you go. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until crust is golden brown.
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