You can now find me at Blissfully Domestic!

I'm really excited that I will now be writing not only on this blog and The Homeschool Classroom, but I am also now a contributor on Blissfully Domestic -- the powerhouse online magazine that covers just about every topic under the sun. (Okay, perhaps that is a bit of hyperbole, but they do cover a lot of topics!)

You will be able to find my articles on Blissfully Domestic's Food Channel, and my very first article was published today: 12 Ways to Use Homegrown Tomatoes. Be sure to check it out, and if you're feelin' the love, leave me a comment there too!

I'm very excited about this new opportunity, and I hope that you'll come to visit me there too!

How to Make Fried Green Tomatoes (WFMW #48)

For lots of great ideas, tricks, and tips, be sure to check out Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in My Dryer!

If you have a garden, you probably have tomato plants. Maybe you don't, but I think most people with gardens stick in at least a few tomato plants.

You know, because why not? They are prolific and easy to grow.

Because of having tomato plants, there are a variety of reasons for having green tomatoes (which really are just tomatoes that haven't ripened yet). You might be picking off all the tomatoes that are left right at the end of the season (because they will continue to ripen indoors), you might be grabbing off the last of the tomatoes before disposing of a plant that has some issues, or you might be picking them just because you want some fried green tomatoes.

Whatever your reason -- if you have some green tomatoes, it is so tasty to make some fried green tomatoes as a side dish for your next dinner. We love them, and we think they're a fun way to use up some of the tomatoes from our garden.

Step One:

Typically, a pound of tomatoes are going to be around two decent sized tomatoes.

So, go grab a pound of green tomatoes (or more if you are feeding a larger crowd).

You're going to slice the tomatoes. I like a nice sharp knife (I used my bread knife because my favorite knife was in the dishwasher) to slice them.

Be careful not to make your slices too thick. (Doesn't it figure that the slice you can best see the size of in this picture is the one that came out a little more thick than I wanted?)

Step Two:

Set up three bowls. I like nice shallow bowls.

Put flour in the first bowl (around 1/2 cup), 2 eggs (beaten) in the second bowl, and then around 1/2 cup of cornmeal in the third bowl.

(On a side note, you can also use Jiffy Cornbread Muffin mix instead of cornmeal for a sweeter taste.)

Anyway, you're going to cover the tomatoes (both sides) in each of the three bowls.

Here they are in the flour:

Here they are when all of them have gone through all three bowls.

Step Three:

During step two, you should have been heating up a skillet with oil. I use canola oil because that's what I have in my pantry.

You'll want enough in the skillet that it will cover one side of the tomatoes at a time.

Once the oil is hot enough (so that when you put the tomato in, it sizzles), carefully put in all of the tomatoes (or at least all you can fit in).

You'll cook each side for 2 - 3 minutes, and then take them out (to a plate with paper towel).

If you're cooking more than one batch, be careful, since the oil will probably be hotter for the second set. I never keep the second set in as long as the first one (two minutes a side is probably plenty on a second set).

Step Four:

Serve immediately after they are done.

Okay, they could probably hold out a few mintues, but I wouldn't wait a long time. When we had to wait (like this batch pictured, since the burgers weren't done yet), we actually heated the oven to 170 degrees, and put them all in there to stay warm.

We like the fried green tomatoes served with fat free ranch dressing.

Enjoy!

Age Appropriate Chore Lists

Years ago, I received a great list of chore ideas for different aged children, as well as some sidenotes of what to expect from them about chores as various points in their lives.

I thought this would be a fun one to pass along. (There is no source listed on this handout at all, so I don't know who to credit for it.)

Oh, but before I begin, remember that every child is unique. Some children just may not be at a certain point by a certain age. These are just generalizations.

Ages 2 - 3

Chore Ideas:

*Help make the bed
*Pick up toys and books
*Take laundry to laundry room
*Help feed pets
*Help wipe up messes
*Dust with an old sock on their hands

Notes about this age:

*Excited to help
*Needs complete supervision
*Laying the groundwork

Ages 4 - 5

Chore Ideas:

*Clear and set the table
*Dust
*Help prepare food (example: add ingredients, stir)
*Carry in groceries and put some away

Notes about this age:

*No constant supervision needed
*Feeling independent

Ages 6 - 8

Chore Ideas:

*Be responsible for a pet
*Vacuum and mop
*Take out trash and replace bag
*Fold and put away laundry

Notes about this age:

*Feeling very independent
*Not as excited to help you

Ages 9 - 12

Chore Ideas:

*Help wash the car
*Wash dishes
*Help prepare simple meals
*Clean the bathroom
*Rake leaves and shovel snow
*Operate the washer or dryer

Notes about this age:

*Crave continuity
*Need well defined consequences
*Need to feel they have input

Ages 13 - 17

Chore Ideas:

*Replace light bulbs and vacuum bags
*Laundry
*Wash windows
*Clean out refrigerator and other appliances
*Prepare meals
*Prepare grocery list
*Driving teens can do the grocery shopping

Notes about this age:

*Need consideration for their time
*Manage their expectations
*Appreciate affirmation
*Need to hear they're capable

Terry or Monkey Spout?

On Saturday night, Eric and I were enjoying the cooler weather on our new screened in porch. We even took out some pillows to get even more comfortable in our chairs that we have out there.

Molly, of course, had to accompany us, and she declared that it was school time. So, gone was our quiet. Instead, Molly was the teacher (she declared her name to be the same as her preschool teacher), and she told us that we were both kids. In case we didn't believe her, every time she called on us, she didn't call us Mommy and Daddy or Angie and Eric, she called us, "Kid."

When it was time for show and tell, I said that I had my stuffed animal sheep named Lambie. I picked that because that was what Molly took along for her first show and tell.

Molly then asked "Kid" (of Eric variety) if he had show and tell. She said, "Do you have a pet monkey?" before Eric could offer up his own choice.

She then went on, after Eric agreed to having brought a stuffed monkey. "What's his name?"

Eric opened his mouth to answer, but Molly then offered, "Is it Terry or Monkey Spout?"

As we stiffled back laughter, Eric said, "His name is Monkey Spout."

Because, really -- if you are forced to make a choice for a stuffed monkey, who wouldn't pick Monkey Spout? Seriously.

photo by *¦·ωιςкэđ·¦*