The Mealtime Magic Time Saver

A.K.A.  The Pizza Cutter

I don't know about you but I'm always looking for ways to make my life simpler.  I have a couple kids of my own and I watch a few others during the day.  Sometimes I have a full fledged preschool in my home.  Feeding 10 kids breakfast isn't so bad...but having a few tricks up my sleeve definitely makes it run smoother.  I will have to share a few of my tips for making mealtime enjoyable for everyone, but today I'm sharing my Mealtime Magic TimeSaver!

 

Have you introduced your waffles and pancakes to the pizza cutter yet?

A few cuts in one direction...

A few more cuts going across the other way...

Makes bite-sized pieces out of a waffle lickity-split!

That means more mouths eating breakfast instead of saying "Is it done yet?"

Of course there will always be "rebels" in the group.  Those kids that need to dance to the beat of their own drums.  Like holding their Nutella covered waffle in their hands.  :)

But wait!!!Breakfast isn't all this mealtime magic timesaver is good for...

My three favorite kitchen gadgets 

(lt-rt: pizza cutter, cheese slicer, chef's brush)

 Use a chef's brush or pastry brush to put a thin coat of butter on tortillas before cooking.  I use a non-stick skillet but a tiny bit of butter when cooking just makes a quesadilla taste so much better.

Use a cheese slicer to get nice thin cuts of cheese.  It takes far less time than grating the cheese, and because it's so thin it melts really quickly.  (I love using this for cheese and crackers too.)

Once that quesadilla's all toasty and melted, grab that pizza cutter and cut it into some wedges.  (Or bite sized pieces for a toddler).

Oh the melted cheese!!!

Fast, simple, crowd pleasing!  That's what I like.

Did I mention how much I love melted cheese?

 I prepared this tray for my boy, Alex, who's feeling a little under the weather today.  I thought some cheesy goodness with a special message would be just what he needed...

Then I remembered that he's my little rebel, and doesn't much like quesadilla's...or crackers in his soup...so he got grilled cheese and plain tomato instead...with lots of LOVE and chocolate milk.

 This is what I found when I went to get the tray and bring it back down.  See what he wrote with his crusts???

 ....So he says!!!

Remember, pizza cutters aren't just for pizza anymore....the possibilities are endless!


Partying with these friends:
http://www.flusterbuster.com
http://www.cleanandscentsible.com
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
http://www.houseofhepworths.com

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Pre-Feast Activities for the Kids...Inspiration Cafe by Heather

It's Monday Everyone...you all know by now what that means, right!?

Time for another Inspiration Cafe.  So come on by the CAFE, grab your favorite beverage and get settled into a comfy seat for some INSPIRATION with Heather, from The Beating Hearth.  

Heather has some great ideas for keeping the children entertained while the cooks are busy cooking and the feasters and fans are all busy watching football.  Here's a teaser but hurry over and join us...

AND... 

So....you know the drill...Click Here For More... and thanks for reading!

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The Happiness Agenda ~ The Definition of Happiness



      Definition of happiness

Happiness is a mental or emotional state of well-being characterized by positive or pleasant emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy.  A variety of biological, psychological, religious, and philosophical approaches have striven to define happiness and identify its sources. Various research groups, including Positive psychology, endeavor to apply the scientific method to answer questions about what "happiness" is, and how we might attain it.
Philosophers and religious thinkers often define happiness in terms of living a good life, or flourishing, rather than simply as an emotion.


source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happiness



Balloons are almost a guarantee of happiness with children.  Happy Children = Happy Me





Happiness is the easiest emotion to feel, the most difficult to define, and the hardest to create intentionally.  ~Norman Cousins

source: http://www.behappy4life.com/happinessquotes.html

Being caught up in a moment of pure abandonment while playing = happiness.  Leave it to balloons!

The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness.  You have to catch it yourself.  ~Ben Franklin

source: http://www.behappy4life.com/happinessquotes.html

Getting surprised with a special treat for a special occasion...Mmmmm...sweet happiness.

It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness.  ~Charles Haddon Spurgeon

source: http://www.behappy4life.com/happinessquotes.html

How will we catch onto and hold happiness?

Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.  ~Aristotle
source: http://www.behappy4life.com/happinessquotes.html

Post-its for my next project. 
Being organized and on top of things definitely brings me happiness.

Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort. 

~Franklin D. Roosevelt

source: http://www.behappy4life.com/happinessquotes.html

 * Sneak Peak *
Finished projects make me happy...especially if the project helps me be more organized.

happy  (ˈhæpɪ)
— adj  , -pier , -piest
1.	feeling, showing, or expressing joy; pleased
2.	willing: I'd be happy to show you around
3.	causing joy or gladness
4.	fortunate; lucky: the happy position of not having to work
5.	aptly expressed; appropriate: a happy turn of phrase
6.	informal  ( postpositive ) slightly intoxicated source:  http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/happiness

What makes you happy?

I hope you are touched with many moments of happiness today and all through your weekend!

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