From Susan Merrill
Mmm… Lasagna. But wait, it’s healthy too! A little zucchini is included. And, of course, my favorite part: three kinds of cheese. Add a tossed salad on the side and you are good to go! A Healthy Lasagna Dinner – Mangiare! Main Dish Subscribe to the blog for Sunday Supper recipes and more.
Read Post →Does your outdoor thermometer have icicles hanging on it? Or are you just ready for a little taste of the tropics in January? Either way, we have a recipe with that island feel for the whole family. Try our coconut-coated, Kid-Friendly Chicken Fingers Dinner served with Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Vegetables. The kids will also love the finger lickin’, Garlic Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce. And it’s gluten free! But you can use regular breadcrumbs, if you prefer. 1. Why is it important to help each other as a family? 2. When was the last time you helped someone without being asked? 3. Who is the most helpful person you know? Main Dish Side Dishes
Read Post →So you are ready for dinner, but you are feeling a little Italian…and a little Mexican? No need to worry. Jackie Brown, from Mom on a Mission, joins the best of both worlds — Quick Chicken Enchilada Spaghetti. Spinach bites provide a yummy and different side dish. And the Peppermint Cookies add a refreshing after-dinner touch of mint. Main Dish Side Dish Dessert Subscribe to the blog for Sunday Supper recipes and more.
Read Post →Tomorrow is the day after Christmas. And you will have either leftovers – maybe turkey, maybe ham, or maybe…both. So we are giving you some great options to put them to good use: Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta Bake, Cranberry Hazelnut Turkey Wellington, Fried Ham and Gravy. That’s right…gravy. Or if you are a little “full” from your Christmas dinner and want a lighter choice, make some Turkey and White Bean Soup with a slice of Cranberry Yogurt Coffee Cake. You still deserve a little treat, don’t you? Conversation Starters 1. What was the most fun we ever had together as a family? 2. What is your favorite thing to play outdoors? 3. If you could choose any activity for us to do as a family, what would it be and why? Leftover Ham and Pea Pasta Bake Cranberry Hazelnut Turkey Wellington Fried Ham and Gravy Turkey and Bean Chili Cranberry Yogurt Coffee Cake
Read Post →One of my good friends, Courtney DeFeo, author of In This House, We Will Giggle ….. uses creative and fun ways to teach the 12 virtues to your children. For example, Courtney uses the “Giving Thanks” bag, which you can design with your kids, to demonstrate gratitude to your kids. Some of the other virtues covered in the book are faith, love, and forgiveness. Love them all! ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Imagine your house was flooding with tsunami-sized waves and your kids were running for their lives. Your husband is ahead of you picking up the kids turning back with intense look of fear all over his face. They are all running for the door. We’ve never had a flood like that. I’ve just seen these faces of fear. Because I have been the tsunami tearing through our home. And they are running for safe ground away from my bad mood or far away from the wrath of the clean-up monster. It’s so horrific I am admitting this to you today, because I am supposed to be the queen of fun and great moods. I have struggled with my moods. I do love a fun home, but little things can certainly set me …
Read Post →As we get closer to Christmas week, the days seem to get busier…last-minute shopping, Christmas parties and pageants, and at-home activities such as baking cookies or decorating the tree. So, when your kids yell, “What’s for dinner?” You can tell them, “Easy Mini Cheeseburger Sliders!” And together, you can come up with some great combinations. For the traditionalists: tomatoes, relish, mustard, and mayo. For the daring: grilled onions, jalapenos, BBQ sauce. And always, chesse! Feta, provolone, cheddar…the list goes on forever more. And for dessert, Apple Crumble. Delish! Dessert Subscribe to the blog for Sunday Supper recipes and more.
Read Post →I’ll never forget the look on my fifth grade daughter’s face when she told me that her friend was dating a boy in their class: eyes wide, scrunched up nose, grimacing mouth. “They’re dating, huh?” I asked. “Well, where did they go on their first date?” “They sat together at lunch yesterday,” my daughter explained. “Did he buy her lunch?” I further questioned. “Well, noooo…” she said. “Then there’s your answer! Honey, I hate to break it to you, but they’re not dating.” It can be sweet to watch our kids have their eyes opened to the world of crushes and feelings of romance. But it can also be worrisome as we think about the way their immaturity could lead to heartbreak. Today, kids who like each other “romantically” call it dating. So here are a couple of key truths to keep in mind as we consider how to parent through our kids’ desire to “date” at a young age. Validate Your Child’s Feelings It’s important to validate your child’s feelings when they share with you that they “like” someone. Confirm the good qualities they see in the other person, “Yes, Ethan is a kind boy who is fun to …
Read Post →Nothing says comfort food like a good, old-fashioned casserole. But with cheese – even better. So try my Aunt Pat’s Cheesy Ground Beef Casserole recipe. Then add a scoop of Banana Pudding for dessert…and smile. Thanks, Aunt Pat! Main Dish Dessert Subscribe to the blog for Sunday Supper recipes and more.
Read Post →If someone put a marshmallow in front of your child and told them to wait to eat it…for 5 minutes…for 10 minutes, could they do it? What if they were promised double the marshmallows if they waited successfully? Delayed gratification. Just the sound of those two words may make you want to run out and grab everything you possibly can now…before it’s to late! Recently, Grow Up: Parenting Wars with John Stossel aired an episode on the FOX News Channel about the benefits of delayed gratification. A study shows that mastering the “art” (or discipline) of delayed gratification at a young age can provide a greater probability for success later in life – in relationships, finances, etc. As a parent, I was excited to be a part of the segment. I think it is really important for moms to understand this concept. If you child can’t delay eating, they will fight weight gain. If they can’t delay video games, they will fail at homework. If they can’t delay gratification, they will struggle as an adult. I want to provide my kids with the best opportunities for future success that I can. Do you? If so, look to the marshmallow experiment…and …
Read Post →The nights may be chilly, but this Hearty Chicken Taco Soup is not. Add a little taste of a warm vacation in Mexico to your December dinner table. And don’t forget to make the Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars for dessert– a seasonal favorite. Ole’! Main Dish Dessert Subscribe to the blog for Sunday Supper recipes and more.
Read Post →Stay Informed
New seasons, merch drops, community updates.
