7-up Biscuits

The homemade bisquick was a success. These biscuits are just like Popeyes, which my boys loved. Here are the ingredients:

2 cups bisquick
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup 7-up
1/4 melted butter

Mix the bisquick and sour cream together. Add 7-up. Put the melted butter in a 8x8 pan. Pour dough on top. Bake at 450 for 12-15 minutes.

You could always roll the dough and use a cutter if you would rather perfect circle biscuits. I took the easy route.

Homemade Bisquick

Another project I tackled today was my homemade Bisquick. A big box at the store runs us about $7.00.
This recipe calls for:

10 c. all-purpose flour (bought a sack for $1.99)
1/3 c. baking powder (had on hand)
1/4 c. sugar ( had on hand
4 tsp. salt (had on hand)
2 c. shortening (had on hand)

Combine all ingredients except shortening in large bowl. With pastry blender cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Store in airtight container, up to 6 months. Use as you would any other baking mix. Makes 12 1/2 cups.

I am using this tonight for my 7-Up biscuits to test it out. I wrote on the side of the container the directions for biscuits and pancakes, so I can easily put them together without running to my computer

Biscuits- 2 cups of mix and 1/2 cup of milk
Pancakes- 2 cups of mix, 2 eggs (beaten), and 1 cup of milk

Homemade Laundry Soap

I have been meaning to do this for some time and finally went on my scavenger hunt for the ingredients.

6 bars of Ivory Soap - $1.30 after coupons
6 cups of Borax- $2.99 for the box
6 cups Washing Soda (the whole box)-$3.24

Total cost $7.53



I grated up the soap, and then mixed it with the Borax and Washing Soda. Each load uses 1-2 tbsp. I am hoping that because the ingredients are hypoallergenic, it will help B with his dermatological issues. Also it will be interesting to see how long this last in comparison to a jug of soap.

Best Surprise

Baseball season is the highlight of my year. I look forward to the games, the excitement, the atmosphere, and the other die-hard fans. Naturally the Texas Rangers are my favorite team. Afterall my very first ball game was a Nolan Ryan one in the old ballpark. I did receive an autograph ball from Hall-of-Famer Kenny Rogers that same game. Of course I was hooked after that!



Yesterday my husband called to tell me that starting pitchers Matt Harrison and Derek Holland would be at the Community Center on the base. As a surprise to my own boys, I picked them up early and took them. We were in and out in under 30 minutes and they thought it was amazing. To top if off, both players were very kind and took time with each fan to chat. Although we didn't have time to wait around for pictures, the opportunity to meet them and have them sign our baseballs was worth it. Go Rangers!

Simple Homemade Goals for February

I love to make and create different things. I jump from activity to activity and craft to craft usually every other month. I spend my money on what interest me at the time and then am left with a bunch of things I will no longer use. I am hoping that if I lay out a game plan for my insanity, then I will have time to work on a few things at a time without overwhelming myself.


1. Homemade laundry soap-my husband is not impressed about this and has begged me to not do it...silly man.

2.  Homemade Italian Wedding Cake- my all time favorite cake and I have never made it. What's up with that?

3.  Homemade Bisquick- We love pancakes in waffles in this house! It would be nice to just have a canister to use every Saturday and Sunday morning.

4.  Garden Box- I tried a garden last year and it was an epic fail. I think I nice 4 x 6 wooden garden box would be perfect for my tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.

5.  Cornish Game Hens- They look so awesome...why have I not eaten one before?

6.  Chocolate Playdough- This looks awesome for a Valentine center.

7.  Grape Nut Ice Cream-I have had this a few times and it is my absolute favorite. I need to dig up a recipe for it somewhere. Thank goodness for the internet.

Sick Kids Rant and Rave

 In the wake of my insane 2 weeks of battling the stomach flu with all of my boys. I have washed sheets, scrubbed carpets, and bleached all surfaces multiple times. While I realize that parents have to work to pay their tuition. I also realize that a sick child will not participate in daily activities, not enjoy time with their friends, and contaminate the whole room. I have 4 children, when we get sick, it is an epidemic. We infect my parents, my brother and his wife, and then we all pass it back to each other. Come on folks, use some common sense when we drop off children in the morning. Here is my checklist:

1.  Have they thrown up today? If yes, STAY HOME!
2.  Do they have a fever? If yes, STAY HOME!
3.  Were you in the emergency room last night? If yes, STAY HOME!
4.  Have you been prescribed an antibiotic less than 24 hours ago? If yes, STAY HOME!
5.  Does your child have diarrhea? If yes, STAY HOME!
6.  Are your child's eyes full of green gunk and you had to pry them open? If yes, STAY HOME!

I am the world's worst about hating my children having to miss school. Sometimes that one day is very important. It is not worth the health of the rest of the class, the teacher, or the class' families.

As I am proofreading, I realize that I am a tad bit dramatic. I must say that this does not apply to my classroom this year as my children have not came to school sick at all. In fact, I have yet to call a parent to pick one up for illness. Maybe because I have so many health professional families this year?

Skin Doctor

The dreaded trip to the dermatologist has been looming over my head for weeks. B started out with a small rash on his stomach and it has begun to spread all over his body. He has the immune system of an advanced HIV patient is what we were told once. I am going to have to agree with it, as he gets dreadfully sick whenever anything strikes our house. He has now contaminated his older brother so I luckily got to bring 2 children yesterday afternoon.

This appointment started out as a disaster. I have been unbelievably stressed with the hospital visit C, stomach virus for 2 weeks, veterinary appointments, work engagements, developmental issues with children at preschool, and the thought that the state of Texas is eating my house (foundation cracks!). As soon as we arrive at the doctor, A asked the nurse if she could "pencil me in because she has a few pimples on her face that should be looked at" Imagine my mortified look as a room of strangers glance to my cheek to see Mount Vesuvius greeting them.

Of course he means well, but A has to talk to everyone we meet, everywhere we go, at anytime of the day. As soon as the doctor comes in A shows him his rash as well as every mole, freckle and imperfection on his little body along with a story. The doctor of course shows more interest in a mole and now we will have to monitor it and go for a biopsy if it gets any larger. I guess it is a good thing that he has something to say all the time or I never would have known that moles should only be one continuous color.

As I am dealing with the copay and insurance woes, of course B would be having a panic attack about his shoe laces coming untied. I quickly ask A to help him out to which he responded "You have never taught us how to tie our shoes, I can't help him" UGGGHHHH! Although I know I have sat several afternoons making bunny ears and untying knots from laces, these strangers don't know that!

Luckily the boys are scheduled for a surgical procedure next week that should only cost a month and a half of my salary.

I left yesterday feeling insecure about myself, questioning my parenting, worried about moles, and stressing about finances. Now I know why I never take my children to the doctor.

Silly boys in their hospital gowns waiting on the doctor. 

New Puppy Woes

As our dog is quickly approaching the end, James, has really started eyeing puppies. We just happened to have a puppy land in our lap. Her name is Bailey, and she is a 6 month old Blue Heeler. She eats everything, digs craters in the yard, jumps on my children, and sheds. Unfortunately my boys LOVE her. Today while I was taking apart the baby crib (he is climbing in anc out on his own), she helped herself to the ground hamburger I was thawing out on the stove. So long sloppy joes! Hello pizza!

Sick! Sick! Sick!

Last week was definately no bueno for my household. During a routine well-child check-up, C was admitted into the hospital for dehydration. We just happened to have an appointment the same day he had the stomach flu. Lucky for the rest of us, we knew what to expect and when our turn came, we stayed attached to the electrolyte beverages. It was an awful week to be out of work/school as it was our first week back from winter break. Thankfully I have an awesome aide at home and at school. I have decided not to jinx myself and say "I'm back!" because then I always get sidetracked and forget to blog.

12 Goals for 2012

1. Minimize my caffeine intake. Coffee and Coke Zero are my weakness.
2. Run atleast 3 5ks.
3. Visit my grandparents atleast twice. They are getting older and my children need to be around them to build memories.
4. Reconnect with atleast 2 friends I have lost touch with. My life has been so busy for so long. I miss having friends.
5. Save more money! We waste too much money on eating out, clothes, and running around.
6. Lose my holiday 10. It has been 6 weeks since I had a great run (before yesterday). I feel like a blob.
7. Stick to my family meal plan. I have really slacked off on my meal plans.
8. Read more to my boys. We read lots of books, but there are nights that are busy and it is not made a priority like it should be.
9. Get D out of diapers. He runs naked while he is at home. He will only potty if he has a diaper on.
10. Work on my relationships with my inlaws.
11. Go back to college! Who goes to college for 3 years and stops?(insert sarcasm)
12. Run 1000 miles. I hope to pass this by a bunch, but I needed a starting point.