Category: Mama’s Kitchen

Stress-Free Christmas: Download Your Gift List Now

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog1 Comment

What does my family want? What do they like? Are they outgrowing their school clothes? What was that book they really wanted?

I know how stressful Christmas shopping can get, and this year has been a bit more so… maybe this will help take a little of that stress off your shoulders. This will be replacing ‘Letters to Santa’ in our home, and maybe it could in your home too!

I’ve previously shared our FREE printable shopping guide, but I’ve taken that a step further as we’ve been trying to simplify Christmas a little bit more so that we can really focus on the reason for the season.

FREE Printable Shopping Guide

We are trying to do a 3-4 gift rule here at our home, and even that looks like a mountain of gifts with the number of people we have. We really love getting ‘experience’ gifts, but sometimes that just doesn’t work out, so having this new list on hand will make things a little simpler. I also included a place to write the individual sizes and such to have everything on one page. Here is the link to download it:

Gift ListpdfDownload

On my computer, I have to keep changing the page layout to ‘portrait’ for this, so keep that in mind when you go to print it out, just in case it does the same thing to you!

I like to snap a picture of the finished lists so that I can have it with me whenever I am out and about, this also makes it easy to share with others you might want to buy gifts for your family.

Here is another version of the Wish List from last year:

Christmas Wish List

I hope this helps out! If it does, be sure to like, comment, and share this with someone you know!

God Bless!

Start Your Holiday Prep: Week 7 Guide

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place BlogLeave a comment

Have you gotten started on your Holiday Prep? If not, don’t worry because you still have plenty of time, but don’t procrastinate any longer!

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Eema’s Easy Chili

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog4 Comments

This is so easy to make… I don’t know why I haven’t posted the recipe sooner, but here it is!

You could just add the meat, beans, and tomatoes for a basic chili, but the seasoning really does make it so much better! Using fresh onion and garlic, add a little something special, as well as using the bacon to add flavor. You could even add a can of corn for a little extra crunch.

This goes especially well with Hoe Cakes, Cornbread, or even Garlic Bread and a side of rice. It would also make a great topping on baked potatoes or baked sweet potatoes… the possibilities are endless! You can even leave the beans out and make this for hot dogs or add it to your leftover macaroni and cheese to make chili mac-n-cheese!

When my older kids were younger, we would often turn this into ‘Cowboy Chili’ to use up any leftovers we had in the fridge! We would add bologna, ham, or even hot dogs to the meat or in place of the meat, and then throw in any leftover veggies to cook down with the beans… it always turned out delicious!

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Clam and Potato Chowder

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog1 Comment

I did love a good clam chowder or oyster stew, but I have recently developed a seafood allergy, so I probably won’t be making this again anytime soon, as I don’t particularly care for the ER.

If this recipe looks a little familiar, that is because it is very similar to our potato soup recipe.

Clam and Potato Chowder

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pound bacon, chopped
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 T. minced garlic
  • 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
  • 3/4 cup diced celery
  • 6-8 medium to large potatoes, diced
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 c. chicken or vegetable broth
  • 2-3 small cans of clams
  • 4 cups heavy whipping cream
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Optional toppings: chopped chives, bacon bits, or parsley

Directions:

Fry the bacon in a large pot. Drain bacon on a plate lined with paper towels and set to the side.

Cook onions, garlic, carrots, and celery in the bacon grease until the onions are translucent.

Add the potatoes and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Reduce the heat to low and whisk in flour, stirring constantly until the flour is cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes.

Add broth, juice from the clams, and half of the bacon.

Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer.

Cook for 20 to 30 minutes or until the potatoes are soft.

Add whipping cream and the clams. Let simmer for 5 minutes.

Add water, broth, or milk to get it to the consistency you desire.

Season to taste, and add your favorite toppings.

I like to serve it with oyster crackers.

Clam and Potato ChowderDownload

Making Memories: An Afternoon Tea Time Menu Ideas

Published on by Susie @ Pollywog's Place Blog2 Comments

We want to create special memories, and my kids enjoy having tea time. Shyanne didn’t understand the concept of a make-believe tea time for a good while, but she likes having the real thing. We like to try out different teas, and we have been growing some of our own herbs for teas.

You can cut the regular sandwiches into small shapes for ‘finger sandwiches’ and make or buy a variety of cookies, cakes, and other treats. Check out our Hobbit-Inspired Menu for some ideas.

The conversation should be positive and productive, and it can help teach proper social interactions. Set the table with some pretty dishes and cups… maybe even buy some that are special for this event.

Getting ready for the event shouldn’t be complicated, and everything doesn’t need to be homemade… if you make it too hard, you won’t enjoy it, and you will be less likely to repeat it.

Let the kids help plan the menu and themes, and have them help prepare the treats. HAVE FUN!

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