Book Giveaway

Through the total fault of my own
(I ordered two of the same books),
I have an extra copy of this cookbook
that we had given as a gift to a budding lil' chef.

So, in keeping with the belief that the
 good stuff needs to keep moving,
we're giving it to one of you.
Just leave a comment.
The winner will be announced next Friday.
Best wishes!

One Simple Thing-Chore Chart

We're starting a new feature here at Maple Hill.

It seems that folks who visit this blog 

really appreciate the organizing efforts made around here.

I thought it might be a good idea to spotlight

one simple thing

that makes life a bit more harmonious.

Oddly enough, the feature is called

One Simple Thing.

This week's focus is household chores. 

In order to keep things running smoothly

and prevent the household from

being featured on "Hoarders",

we each need to do our part.

This is Lil' Guy's chore chart.

He sees what his responsibilities are for each day.

That keeps him focused.

As each birthday passes, one more chore is added

to increase his repertoire of life skills.

After all, he'll have his own homestead some day.

Momma will not be taking in laundry.

This one belongs to me.

I don't really need the reminder,

but it's important to have a visual

for kids to appreciate just what goes into

keeping the household running smoothly.

One Simple Thing

Tuesday Tidings

The holidays are over.

Time to think about the upcoming new year.

This year we've deviated from our tradition of resolutions.

Being goal-oriented is in my nature.

With the onset of new responsibilities

these past couple of months,

I'm taking a step back to try and see the bigger picture.

This phrase came to me and it seems to fit:

intentional simplicity

Instead of zoning in on specific tasks,

the focus will be on becoming more present

in each and every moment.

Targeting simplicity in this way

will take the emphasis off of the doing

and placing it squarely on the shoulders of

being.

I'll let ya know how it goes...

"Our intention creates our reality."

-Wayne Dyer

Gluten-Free Trail Mix

One of the few readily available cereals that are gluten-free

are the Chex line of products.

Hoping to expand Lil' Guy's diet,

we made some gluten-free party mix.

We're not much on parties,

but this snack can be enjoyed anytime

and we call it trail mix.

We used what we had on hand.

We combined two types of Chex cereal and some peanuts,

but any type of nut could be substituted,

as well as adding pretzels or chips.

Gluten-Free Trail Mix

3 C gluten-free cereal

1/3 C nuts

2 T olive oil

1/3 t garlic powder

3/4 t salt

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.  Stir ingredients together

and spread on cookie sheet.

Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Enjoy!

Next time, we're going to make it with cinnamon

and maybe a tad of honey or sucanat.

lunchbox love

Warm Wishes for the New Year!



All our dreams can come true,

if we have the courage to pursue them.

-Walt Disney