Flute War

About  five years ago on our annual East Coast New Years party, I purchased flutes for all the kids to make noise at "midnight". At 9 pm our time, we would watch the ball drop in New York City and then let the kids celebrate New Years with noise makers. After that, everyone goes home and is safe in bed before the drunks hit the road. The year of the flutes, it was time to go home and I told the kids they could take the flutes home with them. My sister in law Tiffani would have none of it. She was not allowing her four kids to take four flutes home (I really don't blame her). She made sure to hide the flutes at my place so that they kids couldn't take them home. I found them the next day and told her that they kids forgot their flutes.....and so the war began.

It began as Tiffani not wanting the flutes at her place, and me insisting I didn't want them at my place either. I think the first time we hid them in Tiffani's van and little Drewby found one as they were going down the road. Sometimes we don't see the flutes for months and then I will find one under my pillow after they have visited, or hanging in the shower. Lily once hid them in Emma's bed, and Nate duct taped a couple to the wheel well of Marty's car. That one came back to me in the Safeway parking lot, a flute duct taped to my car window. Not long after that, Tiffani passed us going down the road and we had our sun roof open. Lily was terrified that they would toss a flute into our car!

In the last 5 years the 4 flutes are now down to one. Not sure where the others are....someday one of us is going to move and find one that was a casualty of war.

Today I found one in my makeup drawer. Now I get into that drawer every day, and Tiffani and kids have not been here in weeks. The only visitor we had yesterday was my MOM!!! I can't believe she took sides in this war.

So the kids are trying to come up with a strategy to get the flute back to the Stauffer clan. Lily can't keep a secret or hold a poker face, so we may just not tell her the plan. Wish us luck.

Freezer Meals

I have always had a stocked freezer and few meals made ahead, but with Velata freezer meal workshops, I now have a variety of meals to pull out on busy days. I love doing these workshops and helping busy moms put healthy meals together for their families. It's been a blessing to me and I love to help others! April's menu will be full of All Stars meals that have been favorites over the last year. Here's one of my favorites, it's great for meatballs subs or spaghetti and meatballs!  These are gluten free! It's been a huge hit at my workshops, many have said it smelled so good the meatballs never made it into the freezer! Enjoy!

Italian Turkey Meatballs

1 ½ pounds ground turkey

1 egg

2 TBSP dried minced onion

1 TBSP  Velata coriander herb rub

1 TBSP  Velata lemon garlic rub

2 cups tomato sauce mixed with 1 TBSP Velata Marinara dip mix

Mix meat and seasonings together, make into small meatballs and place in aluminum pan. Bake, covered at 400 for 20 minutes. Cool, poor sauce over top, freeze and label with following instructions.

To reheat bake at 400 for 30 minutes from frozen, or dump frozen meatballs in crockpot and cook on low for 4 hours.  Serve on spaghetti or as meatball subs.

Find these and other Velata products at hollysnow.net

Join the Journey!

When I joined Scentsy over 7 years ago, I had no idea how it would change my life. I just loved the products and wanted to share that with others. Along the way I gained self confidence as a small business owner. I gained friendships from customers and fellow consultants. I have had so many adventures that I will treasure as the best memories. I have had so much fun.....never once has this felt like work! And of course gained an income that helps my family.

Scentsy launched a brand new catalog today full of beautiful new warmers and amazing new scents. I love fruity and flowery scents so I get really excited for the spring/summer catalog.

Now is a huge opportunity to join Scentsy and start your own journey for only $49 (plus tax and shipping). What a deal! Don't miss out on this great timing to join in on the fun and start sharing Scentsy!  https://hollysnow.scentsy.us/Enrollment/Join

Easy Chicken Dinner

We are at a stage in life where evenings are busy and dinner can be a hassle, like every day. I love to cook and bake, when I have the time. Most nights of the week the kids have some activity and we are rushed to get dinner done and out the door. My freezer meals have been a huge help, but I also like to have a few tricks up my sleeve for quick easy dinners.
This one is not only quick and easy one pot dinner, it's healthy and inexpensive. It's also gluten free! This one works best with leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken you can pick up at the store. I have found in the last few months that most stores have a 10 pound bag of chicken quarters for under a dollar a pound, amazing deal! I take two of the quarters and put them in the crock pot on low in the morning, then take the meat off the bone and use the meat that evening to add to my dinner. So easy and very cost effective!

I'm calling this one Spanish Rice with Chicken....or yummy easy dinner!

Add two cups of long grain rice to large skillet with 2 cups water.

 Add one 14 oz can of diced tomatoes.

 Add 2 TBSP of Santa Maria BBQ Rub.

 Cover, cook on low for 20 minutes.

 Add 2 cups of cooked chicken, heat through and enjoy!!

Find more Velata recipes at hollysnow.net