Linda @ Linda’s Lunacy

What I Told My Kids About Candy

August 19, 2015 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

*This post contains an affiliate link.

What I Told My Kids About Candy

A Moms Gotta Do What A Moms Gotta Do.

Ever since my oldest kids (who are now 29 & 26) were old enough to eat candy I told them this story.

“The Special Dark candy bars in the Hershey’s Miniatures are put in the bag just for the Moms. If the kids eat them, they will get sick.”

Seriously, I told my kids that. And they believed me. For the most part. My oldest son at one point decided to try one. Since he was like most kids and didn’t like the taste of the dark chocolate, I told him, “See? I told you! Those are just for the moms! Good thing you didn’t eat the whole piece!”

We didn’t buy these all the time. Sometimes we went years in between purchases. But I always made sure to tell all my kids the story.

So I could have my favorite candy!

Now all 6 of my kids know the truth. And will flaunt it in my face. “Look! I’m eating a Special Dark and I’m not getting sick!” Gone are the days of my having all the Special Dark candy bars for myself. sigh….

So, do you think I was wrong to tell my kids this candy story? Or do you think a moms gotta do what a moms gotta do to get her favorite candy?

*This post contains an affiliate link. If you click the link and purchase something, I will receive a small commission.

Giving Back Packs

August 17, 2015 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

I am pleased to be a part of this years Giving Back Packs event. The Giving Back Packs event has bloggers buying school supplies, filling backpacks, and donating those backpacks to kids that need them.

This years Giving Back Pack event has 3 sponsors. Wonderful Pistachios, Wonderful Almonds, and Fiji Water.

Wonderful Pistachios are available in 3 different varieties in convenient tube packs. Kids love eating Wonderful Pistachios because they love cracking them open. Moms love them because they are nutritious.

Wonderful Almonds come in tube packs that are perfect for putting in lunch boxes. Available in 2 varieties, Wonderful Almonds are a great source of Vitamin E, and a good source of fiber.

Fiji Water helps kids stay hydrated during the school day, as well as at sporting events. The square bottles are cool looking, too.

The sponsors sent me a very nice, high quality denim back pack, a large box of Wonderful Almonds, a large box of Wonderful Pistachios, and 2 bottles of Fiji Water, along with a $25 prepaid card to purchase school supplies with.

I did all the shopping at Walmart. I spent $25.32 before tax on all the school supplies.

I bought a binder, filler paper, wire bound notebooks, composition notebooks, pocket folders, highlighters, pens, pencils, a pencil sharpener, white out, a pencil box, sticky notes, index cards, hand sanitizer, a calculater, and a magnetic dry erase board for the locker.

Then it was time for packing the backpack! Thankfully, the back pack was large, so I was able to fit everything in.

I filled every nook and cranny of this back pack.

The inside pockets, the front pocket, and a pocket on the back of the back pack. I had to take the nuts out of the boxes so I could fit everything in. The tube packages fit great in all the pockets.

The calculator got left out of the picture of all the school supplies. I found it in a bag after I was finished packing the back pack. I managed to find a spot to put it in. Here is the completely filled back pack.

There is a great need for donated school supplies in every community. I feel so privileged to participate in this years Giving Back Pack event and donate this filled back pack to a child in my community. This back pack was given to a girl, “E”, that lives with her grandparents.

To find out more about Giving Back Packs, visit the Real Advice Gal.

*Disclosure: I did received a $25 giftcard to purchase school supplies as documented above.. I received no compensation for this post.

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

August 17, 2015 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

Chicken with potatoes, onions, and carrots, in the slowcooker is my go to meal if I don’t know what to do with the chicken. It’s quick, easy, I can put it in the slowcooker in the morning and forget about it, and my family loves it. Sometimes we have it once a week, and sometimes we go a month without having it. It depends on how busy life is, and how creative I am feeling in the kitchen.

It’s so simple, it doesn’t even need a recipe. Place cut up potatoes, carrots, and onions in the slowcooker. Use how ever many you need to feed your family. Place boneless, skinless chicken breast on top. Again, enough for your family. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder to taste. I use not quite a teaspoon of salt, about 20 grinds on the pepper grinder, and about a teaspoon each of onion and garlic powder. I like a lot of onion an garlic. You could use fresh garlic, if you have it. Sometimes, I add about a half a cup of water, sometimes I don’t. lol I cook on high for 5-6 hours, or on low all day. Cooking time depends on how much food you have, and hot your slowcooker gets.

I deviated from tacos a little for taco night. I made Steak and Cheese tacos. Except they weren’t really tacos. Just steak and cheese on a tortilla. We’re having it again this Wednesday because I cooked a big package of meat, and the other half is waiting in the freezer.

Because freezer meals get precedent over me having to cook. lol

I made milkshakes for the family last night. Our favorite milkshake recipe is Magic Milkshakes from Hillbilly Housewife. They are quick and easy. Just throw everything in the blender. No ice cream needed!

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?

Saturday – quick & easy- Leftovers

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Pizza

Monday – chicken – Fried Chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Chicken Pasta Salad

Wednesday – Taco Night- beef or chicken – Steak & Cheese tacos (I guess that’s not really a taco lol, but I’m serving it on tortillas)

Thursday – chicken – Chicken Curry, rice

Friday – beef – Pork chops, fried potatoes, carrots, homemade applesauce

For more ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday

She’s Home!

August 15, 2015 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

I talked before about a mother’s emotions when she misses her kids that aren’t at home. After a very emotional 7 weeks for me, I’m over joyed to say that she is home!

Abby was gone for 7 weeks on a mission trip. Our only communication for those 7 weeks were 2 – 5 minute phone calls, and letters. Not enough for this mama!

Yes, I did cry when she got off the plane! We had gotten special passes so we could go back to the gate to meet her when she got off the plane. She was surprised to see us standing there.

She had barely eaten all day, and had been at the airport since 7 that morning. It was now after 6:30 pm. So we stopped at a restaurant at the airport to get food to go.

She stopped to sign the big board at the airport.

And then we were on our way home!

My husband and I had left home a few minutes after 10 in the morning to allow for traffic. We (I!) didn’t want to be late! We didn’t get home until just after 11:30 pm!

Her flight ended up being delayed for almost 3 hours. They closed the airport because of storms in Orlando. Poor thing, a wait like that sure messes with your nerves. I’m so thankful for cellphones!

The long day, the long wait, the nerve wracking delays, sitting in the airport for hours, were all worth it.

Because she’s home!!

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

August 10, 2015 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

We had green beans from our garden last week, the first of the year. They were so good! I know have a shopping bag full of fresh green beans to take care of.

We had chicken, carrots, potatoes, and onions in the slowcooker last week. I uses boneless, skinless chicken breasts so there isn’t a lot of chicken fat. You could certainly use other pieces of chicken, though.

This one of our favorite meals. It’s so good, it’s on the menu again this week.

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?

Saturday – quick & easy- Subs

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Chicken tenders, homemade mac & cheese, salad

Monday – chicken – Chicken Alfredo, Amish bread, salad

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Pizza, salad

Wednesday – Taco Night- beef or chicken – Steak & Cheese tacos (I guess that’s not really a taco lol, but I’m serving it on tortillas)

Thursday – chicken – Chicken, potatoes, carrots, onions in slow cooker

Friday – beef – Baked Spaghetti, salad

For more ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

August 3, 2015 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

Wednesday is Taco Night here. The whole family loves them. And my family will eat lots of vegetables on them! I usually only eat one taco, but last week, I was still hungry. Another taco would have been too much. So I made a lettuce taco. Without the meat. lol And it was just enough to feel satisfied.

My son thought I was crazy, though! lol Speaking of my son. On Saturday we had his birthday party. He picked the menu. He didn’t do too back. Except he didn’t pick and vegetables. Just popcorn chicken and macaroni and cheese. lol So I added some vegetables. And some cupcakes!

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?

Saturday – quick & easy- Popcorn Chicken, homemade macaroni & cheese, green beans, corn, and cupcakes! Birthday party for 15 year old, he choose the menu!

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Tuna sandwiches or hot dogs

Monday – chicken – Chicken, onions, carrots, potatoes in the slow cooker

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Pizza, salad

Wednesday – Taco Night- beef or chicken – Chicken Tacos with all the fixings

Thursday – chicken – Chicken from the freezer, homemade alfredo noodles, green beans

Friday – beef – Chili Beef and Cabbage, rice

For more ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

July 27, 2015 by Linda @ Linda's Lunacy

My family loves Jag. It’s a Portuguese one pan rice dish that you can change the ingredients to use what you have on hand. It’s my husbands all time favorite meal.

I got sick from the heat on Saturday, and laid down to rest. I ended up taking a THREE hour nap!! I woke up at 6 to my husband making supper. That works for me! lol

Did I tell you that I got a dishwasher?! I haven’t had a dishwasher in about 7 years or so. So I have to get a new kitchen routine. I need to make sure it’s just about always ready to fill with dirty dishes. I’m going to train my family to load their dishes as soon as they are done with them. Wish me luck! lol

In the Kitchen with Linda & Dinner Menu

Now…. to answer the question that I get asked about a hundred times a day……….What’s For Dinner?

Saturday – quick & easy- Chicken tenders, oven fries, corn – Husband cooked!

Sunday – soup & sandwich day – Jag

Monday – chicken – Fried Chicken Breasts, slow cooker mashed potatoes, gravy, broccoli, corn

Tuesday – pizza/pasta – Pizza, salad

Wednesday – Taco Night- beef or chicken – Beef Tacos with all the fixings

Thursday – chicken – Chicken from the freezer, homemade alfredo noodles, green beans

Friday – beef – Chili Beef and Cabbage

For more ideas, visit Menu Plan Monday

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