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5 Reasons You Will Love Teaching Your Kids How To Cook

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Create fond memories while you make great family meals. Teach your kids how to cook. This special time will be a favorite part of your week that is worth repeating again and again – I promise!

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥


Five reasons why you will love teaching your kids to cook #kids #cooking

5 Fringe Benefits Of Teaching Your Kids How To Cook

As you explore the world of cooking together, you will discover there are fringe benefits. Teaching your kids to cook can lead to…

 

  1. Quality Communication – it is amazing what you will learn as you listen to your kids share at the kitchen counter. This is a great opportunity to get to know each other better. Be a good listener and ready to laugh! Nothing is too trivial to chat about. Just let them talk.  
  2. Peace – i.e. a technology-free zone! Yes, you can finally get all those devices  TURNED OFF! Make a team agreement that you will turn off the phones, laptops, video games, etc. for this special time together. Everything can be recharging while you are cooking something spectacular in the kitchen. Have the power cords and docking station ready before you start.  Turn off the phones, plug them in, and get busy.
  3. Teachable Moments – cooking is educational. Teach your kids how to read the recipes. Show them how to prepare for cooking by pulling together the ingredients, bowls, pans, measuring cups, spoons and other tools.  Learning how to cook teaches children how to:
    1. Read accurately
    2. Pay attention to detail
    3. Use math skills for measuring and timing.
    4. Organize
    5. Take turns
    6. Follow through on projects from start to finish.
    7. Appreciate each others work.

 

Children love to #kidsactivities #homeschooling

  1. Team Work – cooking together encourages cooperating with each other. Learning to work on a team is a great life-lesson. Let your kids make grocery lists, check for ingredients, plan menus, and help them learn how to implement their plan.The Pride of Accomplishment – Congratulations! You have made something delicious together. Consider putting a collection of the recipes together in a binder. Eventually, you can publish a family cookbook of your very own.

 

Create your own in-home curriculum for teaching your kids how to cook or buy one already set up for you! The cooking class curriculum from Kids Cook Real Food  is highly recommended and will cut your planning time way down!

Apron set for kids #cooking #kidsactivities #ad

Here is a list of fun tools:

 

5 reasons you will LOVE teaching your kids how to cook! #cooking #kids #recipes #food Share on X

 

More fun than you can imagine - teach your kids how to cook! #familyfun

However you decide to put your cooking lessons together – just do it. You and your kids will value this precious family time together as you build lasting memories.

Enjoy!

 

 

 



 

How A Cheap New Set Of Curtains Rescued Me

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How a cheap pair of curtains rescued me from embarassment! #tips

I was so embarassed when I really looked at my garage window. How could so many years have gone by?   I had not given any thought to what that window might look like to anybody – from the inside or outside.  That’s what happens when a person gets really busy.  You pick and choose what will get done and what must wait. This one waited for … 33 years? Yikes!  THIRTY THREE YEARS! My dear neighbors. What they had to put up with!

 

You can imagine what a shock it was when I really looked at those dirty, stained curtains in the window. They looked like sails on a ghost ship. Remember Pirates of the Carribean? Yep, that bad. But, I still had no time to do much with them.  I was over-booked as ever. So what made the difference? I was now MOTIVATED!

 

Ugly Curtain Photo Inside the Garage

 

Ugly Curtain Photo Outdoors (ghost ship sails!)

 

With no time to purchase fabric to make them, I needed a very inexpensive NEW pair of cafe curtains for cheap and FAST! So, I looked on Amazon and ordered some cute gray and white cafe curtains for $14.99 plus shipping (I misspoke in the video – this particular purchase was not on Prime but very reasonably priced and came in a flash!) Saving time and gas by shopping Amazon felt great. They arrived in just a few days. I pulled down the old ones and threw them away – wiped the window clean and hung up the new ones. See you in another 33 years! LOL

Pretty New Cafe Curtains Inside

Pretty New Cafe Curtains Outdoors

Do you ever make emergency online purchases that rescued your situation? We’d love to hear about it!

Enjoy!

.

Note: this author is an Amazon affiliate. What does that mean? Well, anything that you buy from Amazon by first clicking on an ad, link or using an Amazon search window on Ducks ‘n a Row will, at no extra cost to you, result in a small commission for me. In advance “thank you!” … Sinea


Make Your Flowers In a Clear Glass Vase Look Fabulous With Stones

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Take your indoor clear glass vase floral arrangements to the next level with stones!  
flowers, stones, home decorating, home and garden, tips
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This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. ❤️
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Start with a colorful bouquet of flowers plus a clear glass vase and fresh water. Add stones to the bottom of the vase and you have the prettiest display with very little effort. I wish I had thought of it sooner.
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You see, the inspiration for this new way of displaying fresh cut flowers came when I received an absolutely gorgeous floral bouquet from my husband. It was so large that it needed to be split up into four different vases. This vase, being the largest, surprised me. The bouquet lost some of its pizzazz. Something was wrong. I think it was because every stem was clearly visible.
Then I got an idea! I had just brought home a collection of stones that I used in my O is for Ocean fizzing preschool activity. I wouldn’t be needing them again for a while so I took a handful, rinsed them off and put them in the bottom of the vase. Next, I filled it with water and put the flowers back in. Beautiful! The stones made all the difference in the world. Don’t you love it?
flowers, decorating ideas, tips, stones

 

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small river rock stones
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glass vase with stones
white rocks white stones for plants and terrariums
flowers, bouquets, vases, home decor
 
Got some great little decorating tips for us?
Share them in the comments!

Enjoy!

Pet Hair Vacuum!Shark vacuum

Shark NV752 Rotator Powered Lift-Away TruePet Upright Vacuum with HEPA Filter, Large Dust Cup Capacity, LED Headlights, Upholstery Tool, Perfect Pet Power Brush & Crevice Tool, Bordeaux  ad

 

 

 

 

 

The Many Amazing Uses For Dryer Sheets

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When you do the laundry, do you use fabric softener sheets? Don’t they do a great job of freshening and softening your clothes! And they remove the static while they do it. Towels fluff up so nice–what a great invention.
(Who did invent dryer sheets? Conrad Gaiser  When? Late 1960’s First company to introduce it? Proctor and Gamble  Click for more)

This blog contains affiliate links. ♥

There are a multitude of great other-uses for dryer sheets – new and used. After you read this list, you’ll want to go right out to the store and stock up on a bunch of them.

The Many Amazing Uses For Dryer Sheets

Bee Repellent: bees chasing you? Dryer sheets will chase them away. Either pin one to your clothes or place it nearby. I’ve tried this myself and it works like a charm!
household hints and tips
Candle Wax Remover: Don’t scrape the candle wax off your furniture, wipe it away with a fabric softener sheet.

Computer and TV Screen Cleaner: before throwing them away, take your used dryer sheets for a “once around” the house to clean the screens on your computers and television screens. There will be enough anti-static left to get the dust easily.


Deodorizer:
  • Keep clothes fresh in drawers, luggage, diaper bags.
  • Cigarette smell in your car? Tuck a new dryer sheet away to kill the smell.

Dust furniture with a used dryer sheet. The anti-static properties of the sheet removes dust so much neater and faster.

Fight Mildew: if you have outdoor furniture that has been tainted by mildew from the moisture, don’t throw it away. Sprinkle some baking soda onto the furniture and scrub using a little water and the dryer sheets. Rinse and wipe dry. You’ll find that the smell is gone and replaced with a lovely light aroma.
Ironing: clean your iron by rubbing it with a dryer sheet to remove residue.
Kitchen Miracle: use softener sheet to clean cooked on food from pots and pans. Just put a little hot water in the bottom of the pan and lay a dryer sheet over it. Let it soak for a while. Now, wipe away with a scrubby sponge. Also works on stove tops and in ovens.
Nervous Pets: some dogs get particularly nervous when a storm is coming. They can feel a prickly sensation in their fur. If this is the case with yours, gently rub her fur with a dryer sheet before the storm arrives and see if she makes it through in peace.
household hints, hacks
Painter’s Best Friend: Makes your paintbrushes like new! Soak your used paint brushes in warm water with a dryer sheet soaked in it. Latex paint will slide off in minutes Sewing: use as embroidery backing, store threaded needles to keep them tangle-free.
Pest Repellent: Bugs, bees and rodents all flee when dryer sheets are around! Hide a dryer sheet in your pocket, if you are a person that the bugs just “love” to bite. Landscapers have discovered that if they keep some dryer sheets on them when they work, mosquitoes take a hike—far, far away!
household hints, hacks
Soap Scrum Remover: Scrub your bathtub and shower stall with a new dryer sheet to melt away built up soap scum.
Smelly Gym Bags? Sweeten the smell of gym bags, golf club carriers, sports bags, old luggage, trunks of cars.  Put in a new dryer sheet inside once in a while to keep things smelling fresh.
Static cling? Reduce it fast! Rub a sheet on clothes that cling or even fly away hair!
Tree Sap: Ever get tree sap on your hands? It is miserable to get off. Guess what? Yep, dryer sheets get it off in no time!
Wet dogs smell yucky! After a bath or coming in from the rain, towel dry your canine and then rub the surface of his fur with a dryer sheet. He’ll smell great.

Windshields: Got dead bugs stuck to the windshield or your car or truck? Fabric softener sheets get them off fast!

The many amazing uses for dryer sheets - you won't believe some of them! #tips Share on X

Do you have some more uses for dryer sheets? We’d love to know. Tell us your experiences and ideas in the comments below!

Note: remember that dryer sheets do have chemicals on them. Use them wisely when applying them to human beings and pets. There are green versions on the market. I have no idea if all the listed uses will be as effective when using them. If you try it, let me know!

Enjoy!



Photo Credits: Freedigitalphotos.net
  • Bee by James Barker
  • Paint Brush by Suat Eman
  • Bathtub by sixninepixels

 

Non-Toxic Cleaning: Burnt Pots And Pans

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household hints how to clean burnt pots and pans

Burned cookware can become a real disaster if you don’t know how to handle it. Unfortunately, sometimes it happens when you get distracted, forget that you are cooking and burn the dish you were making. And often the pan or pot can be so burnt, it looks like it can’t possibly be cleaned.

It is a shame to throw away cookware without even trying to remove the burnt food. There are many ways to do it, some of which involve harsh chemical-based products, others are non-toxic and safe. Without question, the second method is preferable.  Here are some tips on how to “green-clean” your burnt cookware and make it look better than ever.
household hints - how to clean burnt pots and pans
Soak And Sit
Sometimes we neglect the power of hot water and proceed with cleaning methods that involve a lot of scrubbing and bad-scented chemical detergents. We forget how powerful hot water actually is. An effective way to clean burnt pans and pots is to soak them in soapy hot water and let them sit for a few hours. The hot water will break through the tough burnt stains and loosen them so that you can scrape them more easily.
Simmer

Simmering and soaking burnt pans is another effective method to remove burnings from your cookware. Pour water in the burnt cookware, add a fair amount of dish liquid and simmer for about fifteen minutes. Remove the pan or pot from the hot plate and let it cool down while the hot water loosens the burnt stains. Use a wooden spatula to scrub.

You can do the same using salt or baking soda. Pour water, add a couple of tablespoons salt or baking soda, let it simmer and scrub with a wooden spatula.
Baking Soda And Aluminium Foil
Another green and non-toxic way to clean burnt cookware is using baking soda and aluminium foil. What you need is 1 tablespoon baking soda, ½ cup white vinegar and a piece of aluminium foil. Then put the vinegar and the foil in the pot or pan. Add the baking soda and swirl so that the vinegar can cover the whole surface. The solution will start bubbling and while this is happening, run the burnt stains very gently, making sure you don’t scratch the cookware. Rinse with warm water and dry. Now your cookware looks like brand new again.
Lime Juice And Salt
Another non-toxic way to remove burnt stains from cookware is using lime juice and salt. What you have to do is pour lime juice in the pan and let it sit for a few minutes. Then sprinkle with salt and scrub gently with a sponge. Avoid using a metal sponge, unless it’s really necessary. This method will not only clean your burnt cookware in an ecologically-friendly manner, it will also leave a lovely exotic scent in the kitchen.
Vinegar
Most of us are aware of the fact that vinegar is a powerful tool when it comes to cleaning in a green way. To remove burnings from pans and pots, use white vinegar and pour it in the burnt item. Place it on a hot plate and let it simmer for about fifteen minutes. Remove from the hot plate and let it cool down. Then scrub using a wooden spatula and rinse with water.

Enjoy!

Guest post by July Minor. July is a cleaning specialist who knows lots of green tips and tricks.
 
Note: Ducks ‘n a Row is an affiliate of Amazon. Anything our readers purchase from Amazon through ads and links on this blog will result in a small commission for me. In advance, “thank you!” for your business. It is appreciated — Sinea




How to Gift Wrap a Big Box!

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If you have a big gift you are giving and want it to be really pretty, you need to know how to wrap a big box.   It’s easy!
wrapping a Rockabye Rocker for a gift

This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. ♥

Not long ago, I shared my story  about the joy that plus toy rockers have brought to the little tykes in our family. I received four of them when I was hired by the company to write about these wonderful toys.

Well, three of the rockers went to our kiddos who live nearby  but we held onto the fourth one to give to our great-grandson, Little B, on his first birthday.

Large Rolls of Wrapping Paper

 

large rolls of wrapping paper

 

baby, toddler, giftideas
This picture says it all … Little B is in love with his new plush toy rocker! His folks tell us he plays on it every day.
white horse plush toy rocking chair toy
plush toy rocker crocodile w bluebird
A plush toy rocker is a gift to remember – perfect for baby shower gifts, birthdays, and any gift-giving occasion. But how do you wrap one? That box is BIG! There are no gift bags large enough to handle it so I did it the old-fashioned way  and wrapped it in wrapping paper.

 

navy and white striped wrapping paper roll

Large roll of Navy and White Striped Wrapping Paper

How To Wrap A Big Box

How to wrap a big gift box

Supplies

Big Gift Box
Scissors
Tape
Bow or Ribbon
Card (optional)
children's toys, toddler toys
First, put the rocker back in its plastic covering and into its box. (We had it out for the kids to play with when I wrote the previous post.)
how to wrap a big box

Tape the box closed.

 

 

Foil birthday wrapping paper

Pretty foil birthday and everyday wrapping paper!  ad

how to gift wrap a big box
Unroll some of the wrapping paper.
Cut two pieces that fit on the ends of the box.
Tape them on each end using rolls of tape.
RockAbye Rocker plush #toy
Roll out more paper, leaving it on the roll.

Place the box squarely onto the wrapping paper.

baby gift
Gently pull the roll up an over the box.
Cut the paper off leaving some extra to overlap it.

Secure the open ends on the underside of the box with tape.

how to wrap a Rockabye Rocker #toys #baby
Now fold the ends around like an envelop and tape them.
The ends will not cover completely but your two ends already have wrapping paper on them. It will look nice!
Add a bow to the top and, if you have one, the card.
Done!

Pet Hair Emergency???

cute Rottweiler puppy

Enjoy!

Shark vacuum cleaner

Giving a big gift? Here is how to wrap a BIG box! #tips #gifts

 

10 Smart Mom Tricks You Will Just Love

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Moms have their ways, don’t they! When something isn’t working just right or needs to be done differently, leave it to a mom to think of something out-of-the-ordinary and brilliant to solve the problem.  Here are 10 really cool life hacks that are “mom tricks” all the way… I just love them and I think you will, too!
life hacks, tricks, tips, mom solutions, momlife
life hacks, tips n tricks
I love this one of 30 cool ideas. This one: use plastic toy rings as a deterrent to little hands and lock those cupboard drawers! 
ideas, hacks
I was shocked when my paperclip trick went viral on Pinterest! I use it all the time.
 
life hacks, key ring
 
Ever ask someone else to put new keys on your keyring for you, lest you break a nail? Just use a staple remover and you can do it yourself!
 
I saw this somewhere on the internet and just had to try it. It works!

household hints, pest control, natural remedies
As with many life hacks, I learned this one out of necessity. I had bought some oranges, apples and bananas and they came with company…fruit flies! So, I did a search, found this hint and it is very effective and kinda fun to watch. (Sorry, to the insect lovers out there 🙂
This blog contains affiliate links.♥
mom hacks, great ideas, cleaning tips
This tip not only cleans and shines that faucet, it makes it water-repellant!
 
household hints, organizing tips
~a la Martha Stewart~
Really? Oh my goodness, really! Saw this and LOVED it…why haven’t we all been doing this. 

 
This tip is one of 30 really great ideas to help new college students start out right! Just tape the keys down and paint-away!
household hints, life hacks, wedding invitations, party invitations, baby showers, bridal showers
This is another one of my own tips that has taken off like a shot online. Must be all those people planning weddings, bridal or baby showers or other kind of events… YOU try to lick hundreds of envelopes and you’ll be looking for another way to do it, too. LOL
 
 
 
household hint, life hacks, mom hacks, mom tricks
 
Has bacon changed or is it just me? Until recent years, I do not recall having a problem getting bacon slices separated when unwrapping them- but these days they stick together and shred. This method gets each slice out of the package neatly, in one piece!
 
 
Got any cool tips or tricks you use? We’d love to know about them!
Follow me on Bloglovin' #socialmedia

 

Enjoy!

 
 
 

How Big Is Your Mountain Of Undone Stuff?

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Do you feel like you are always behind? Things that need to be done have grown from molehills into mountains of “undone stuff?” Get it all done by first concentrating on tying up your many loose ends!
organizing, lists, checklists, planning, decluttering, cleaning, success

Ever heard the saying “It’s the little foxes that spoil the vines”? This age-old wisdom holds true.  Let the little things go undone for too long and the mole hill will become a mountain.  On its own, each item is no big deal.  Many of them left undone, though, makes for chaos and a sense of unrest.

Is there something lurking in the shadows that you forgot about? Perhaps an overdue bill or an important deadline?

How big is your mountain of undone stuff? #organizing #tips Share on X

Be encouraged.  A “Tying Up Loose Ends Day” will do a world of good.  Can’t give it a whole day? Then start by devoting an hour or two. You will get lots done and will LOVE how it feels.

What kind of loose ends are we talking about? See if any of these ring a bell…

Appointments that need to be scheduled:
  • Doctor
  • Dentist
  • Vet
  • Hair Dresser
  • Optician
Auto needs:
  • Oil change on the car/winterizing
  • Auto inspections
Financial duties that need attention:
  • Bills: pay them
  • Checkbook: balance it
  • FAFSA forms for college students in your home
  • Tax information updates
Repairs not done:
  • Replacing burned out light bulbs
  • Sewing repair jobs (buttons, loose hems)
  • Tightening screws on door handles, etc.
Relationships to catch up:
  • Writing “thank you” notes
  • Visiting a friend or relative (by phone or in person)
Routines ignored:
  • Checks:  reorder them
  • Coupons: clip / sort and discard expired
  • Empty pop bottles: return them
  • Family Calendar: fill in dates
  • Invitations: RSVP
  • Library Books: return or renew
  • License renewals (car registration, driver’s license, dog license…)
  • Mail: sort it and file/throw junk mail away
  • Prescriptions: reorder them
  • Smoke Alarms: replace batteries and test them
              
How about the secret recesses of the REFRIGERATOR?  Got some long-lost leftovers to sniff out and destroy? Yuck! (When you do clean it, don’t forget to clean the ice dispenser on the door of your frig.)

These are just some of those loose ends that, when accumulated, can seem overwhelming.  On the other hand, stressing over them or trying to get them done all at once can be equally debilitating.

So, fight the perfectionist inside of you and accept the fact that you can only do what you can do.  Schedule a time to tackle the list, check each item off one by one, and watch the stress go out the window.
OK, what did I miss on this list?  Anything nagging at you that needs to be there?  Share your thoughts with us!
Note: this author is an Amazon affiliate. Anything you purchase from Amazon through Ducks ‘n a Row may result in a small commission for me. In advance, “Thank you!” …Sinea

Organizing Tip: The Morning Routine

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The start of a great day! First, invite God into your day. Spend some time talking and listening to Him. Read some of His Word and get energized. Keep your eyes open for His wonders, as He fills up your day with good things!
Proverbs 3: 5, 6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He 
Now, start your morning routine:
  • Showered and hair done?
  • Make up on?
  • Dress for whatever is appropriate. If you’re staying home, complete the attire with shoes that tie.*

     *slip on shoes “slip-off” all too easily…stay in “work mode” with tie-ons.

2. Enjoy a healthy breakfast and, to stay organized, make a quick plan.
  • Use a checklist.
  • Write it down.
3. What has to get done today?
  •  Keep the “must do” part of your list short.
4. What else would you like to accomplish today?
  • Add it to the list. What doesn’t get done today can move to tomorrow’s.
Now, get started. Do not delay. Take short breaks during your day to rest and reassess: are you on the right track? If you got sidetracked, regroup and get going again. And, don’t forget to take some time for YOU!  At day’s end, celebrate your accomplishments. Tomorrow will be another day.
Now, enjoy getting those little “ducks” in a row…
Sinea