Friday, December 16, 2011

Elves have invaded the Keech home.

Last year we did elves and then we did them again this year.


What are these elves you ask?
Well I guess it started with the book Elf On the Shelf.


Then this year they came out with a TV Show.

The book explains that the elf comes to each kids house to watch over them and report back to Santa every night if they are naughty or nice.

It also goes on to say that the elfs have magic and can fly but if a kid touches them they will lose their magic.

Now I thought that $30 was too high for a book and a little stuffed animal.  So what did I do?  Bought my own.

This year I bought a bunch from oriental trader.  Who would of guessed?  Anyway, after reading the reviews of the book many peopl have mixed feeling about this tradition.

A couple of the negative reviews:  taken from Amazon

"Yes my children loved this, but I thought it was creepy. This sounds like a wonderful idea until you get sick of moving the stupid elf everynight. One night you'll lie awake in bed and remember, damn it, I forgot to move the elf. Then wait until the kids tell their other friends about "their elf" and their friends don't have an elf, and then they call your kid a liar. Year after year until you can't take it anymore and you can't move the thing another 30 days another year and you finally tell them that you are the elf on the shelf and then your kids cry. I'm not making this up. "

"OK, I think kids have enough pressure from the world without having a fake elf sitting around watching them. I totally disagree with this concept. If you want children to enjoy life, stop with the judging threats and just teach them to be happy and to expect to make mistakes from time to time. That's how we learn what's important in life and what is not....(a "not" exmple would be like not planting fake elves around the house to tattle on kids being kids...) "

IMO  ... these people have issues.  but thats me.



My elves come the day after we put the tree up. 
I use them as a fun way to get the kids to behave, what parent doesn't tell their kids around this time of year "I'll tell Santa if you don't _____" 

Hubby was kinda put off by the don't touch them thing.  Sean holds him to it and when they were sitting on the couch eating popcorn and needed to be moved Sean made him put on gloves to move them back to the tree. 

Sean also cries if Caitlyn picks on up and walks around with them.

But otherwise they are fun, sometimes naughty elves.

First day three elves showed up hanging from the tree.  Two boys and a girl.  They named them Jingle, Glitter and Elfie.

Next day they were sitting on the couch eating popcorn and watching TV.

They have been found in the bathroom holding toothbrushes and toothpaste.

The kids love finding what they did the night before.

One night we went out to dinner and the boys were less than good behaved.  That night the 2 boy elves brough back coal for them (momma was prepared with gummy coal packages) 

We also have Santa ornaments with each kids name on it and a he is holding a sign that can say Naughty or Nice.

Caitlyn spilled powered lemonade on the counter one day and the next morning her elf was making snow agles in the powder.  :)

One night the elves had fun putting toliet paper all over the christmas tree.

And finally last night they have a great game of cards.

I need to take pictures so you can see all that the elves are up to!

I have fun finding new and exciting things for the elves to do.  Most ideas I have been getting from Pinterest.com




Elves get a big thumbs up from the Keech House!




Chicken Saltimbocca

Another recipe.

Checkout the Winter Crockpot Virual Party for all kinds of recipies!

This one I made while we were up north hunting.  Adjusted a recipe I found in a Taste of Home cookbook.


Chicken Saltimbocca


6 boneless chicken breasts
6 slices ham
6 slices Swiss cheese
flour
Parmesan cheese
pepper
Garlic salt
Seasoned salt
oil
2 cans (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup any wine on hand
¼ c lemon juice
Cooked egg noodles

• Flatten chicken by pounding with mallet, back of pan, can of soup while in zip lock bag or between wax paper. Top each piece with a slice of ham and cheese. Roll up tightly. Sprinkle all sides of chicken rolls with the flour, Parmesan cheese, salts and pepper

• In a large skillet, brown roll-ups in oil on all sides; transfer to slow cooker. Combine the soup, wine and lemon juice; pour over chicken.

• Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until meat is longer pink. Serve with noodles.


This turned out great.  Everyone took at least 2 healpings and finshed it off the next day.
You could probaby layer the ingredients without browning and get the same effect.

I will make these with double the cheese next time because hubby said he could not taste the cheese.  this may also have been because of the cheese, may not have been that strong.

The next day I poured all the leftover, including the noodles, back into the slow cooker to warm.




Big thumbs up and definately on my make again list.

Hope you enjoy!


Monday, December 5, 2011

Root Candles

Root Candles had astrong good smell coming from then as soon as I opened the box. 

I received 3 candles:    Pinot Noir, Frosted Lemon Scone & Pumpkin Spice Latte.  I especially liked the  Pumpkin Spice Latte

Root Candles say they have The Best Candle in America.

They have been around since 1869.

They sell scented candles, diffusers and non scented candles.

They also sell these cute tassles that disguise the way you are add scent to your room.



These candles smell great. I love the amount of scent these put in to the air, they way they burn and the large variety of scents.

I fell in love with the pumpkin latte scent.  I have small children so I try andstay clear ofopen flames so I have tried putting these on my plug in warmer.   A great way to make the scent fill the room also.

These are along the lines of Yankee candle but much better quality.

Would definately recommend to others!



Root Candles definately gets a


from me!



***  I received a set of three candles from bzzagent / root candles in exchange for word of mouth advertising.  However, all opinions expressed in my blog are my own. *****