Using Time Wisely

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Thanksgiving: Turkey Options – Part 2 of 2

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Lilandra)

Are you curious to know how I plan to get that tender, moist turkey while using time wisely? Besides the three options offered yesterday (which are very good options), today I will share my fourth option for baking my turkey.

Bag Option

In using time wisely, my current first choice for baking our Thanksgiving turkey is to bag it. One of my favorite baking tools is the Reynold’s baking bags. After baking a couple of chickens (individually) and a ham resulting in tasty, tender meat, I highly recommend these bags.

The Reynold’s baking bags come in different sizes for different types of meat at different weights. I usually purchase my bags at Walmart for around $3 per box containing 2-6 bags. Not only are the bags easy to use, but also clean up is so easy. (This is a big advantage for me with little ones who need mom’s attention.) Here is how I plan to use the Reynold’s bag for our turkey:

Preparing the Bag

1. Choose the bag that will fit an 8-10 lb. turkey.

2. Place 1 Tbsp. of flour inside the bag.

3. Shake the flour to coat the inside of the bag. (According the instructions in the packaging, the flour will help prevent the bag from bursting.)

Preparing the Turkey

1. Rinse the turkey.

2. Remove the guts. (This part gives me the heebeegeebees. I don’t know what it is about putting my hand inside to get the guts, but I just hate this part of the preparation.)

Adding the Turkey to the Bag

1. Place the turkey in the bag.

2. Baste the turkey with melted margarine and sprinkle with oregano.

3. Insert onion wedges (from one onion) and half a cup of baby carrots.

Preparing the Bag for the Oven

1. Twist the bag opening and place a tie from the bag box onto the bag to close it securely.

2. Tuck the tied portion under the turkey.

3. Make five or six slits in the top of the bag for air to escape.

4. Bake your turkey for the allotted time. (I follow the recommendations on the Reynold’s baking bags’ box.)

With all the benefits of a tender, moist, and delicious turkey, I think I have convinced myself to bag it this year. During this busy season of my life, I am more concerned with saving time when getting projects done. My children are young, and I do not want to miss watching them grow, develop, and play.

If you want a fantastic tasting turkey and are willing to spend some time prepping your bird, then brining is for you. My favorite turkeys have been the ones brined prior to baking as the meat is tender and juicy while the outside is so flavorful. In tomorrow’s food post, I will share our brining recipe with you. Until tomorrow . . . happy preparing!

Question: What options do you use to make your turkey? I am interested in your grilling and crock pot options. Please add your answer to the comments.

Using Time Wisely: Counting my Blessings (11-23)

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I am so glad to be back into a routine after struggling with illness for over a week. Thank you for your patience with the posts as I took a little break to heal and then wrote with a vengeance over the weekend. Back on track, I am so thankful to be doing the mundane things that required so much work a week ago. Here’s my grateful report:

11. A healthy body that allows me to work and help others;

12. Garbage disposal that saves me so much time while cooking in the kitchen;

13. Patient husband, who tripped and stumbled over the piles of toys, clothes, and shoes that cluttered our house during my stay in the recliner;

14. Cool weather and lots of sunshine, so my kids could play outside away from the germs;

15. Friends, who prayed and checked on me during my illness;

16. My husband’s supervisor, who understood when Paul needed to take our son to school and arrive at work a little late;

17. Comforting words from the Scriptures to uplift my spirit;

18. My youngest daughter’s little hands sneaking up to tickle me;

19. Help from my oldest daughter matching the socks from the clean load of laundry;

Concentrating on finding the matching socks

20. My son’s quick wake-up in the mornings to get ready for school;

21. The uncontrollable laughter and giggling of my children before bedtime;

22. Thanking our Lord for our family while praying together each night; and

23. Wonderful Readers, like you, who keep me accountable.

Reflecting back to count my blessings encourages me as I see the progress made in the last few days. I may not be as far along on my To Do list as I would like, but thankfully, I am not where I started last week. Baby steps while using time wisely will help us reach those goals. Just remember to count your blessings along the way.

Question: For what are you thankful today? Please add your answer to the comments.

Daylight Savings Time: Sunday, November 6, 2011

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Mick Watson)

On Saturday night, daylight savings time comes to an end. Here’s a great time to choose one of those projects around the house that really needs to be done, but you have not found the time to do so. Now you will gain an extra hour on Saturday night, so plan now to tackle that project.

Though the official time change will be at 2:00 a.m., I plan to set my alarm clock back prior to the time change. We wouldn’t want to arrive an hour early for the morning church service, now would we? 🙂

At each time change, remember to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. This safety feature is worth the extra time in maintenance.

In using time wisely, I hope you are thinking now how best to use your extra hour prior to Sunday, November 6’s time change. Happy planning!

Question: What do you think of daylight savings time? Please add your answer to the comments.

Using Time Wisely: Counting my Blessings (1-10)

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Allergy season has definitely arrived. All three of my children have been congested, miserable, and exhausted. Zapped of energy and just needing snuggles and hugs, my children have camped in my lap this week.

Instead of worrying about the piles of laundry, menu plans, grocery shopping, and other Mommy-responsibilities, I have been counting these blessings:

1. A wonderful husband, who after working all day comes home to play and snuggle with our children, assist with dinner, and handle the cleanup;

Family picture - Summer 2011

2. Slobbery kisses from my 20-month-old;

3. Special breakfast shared with my 6-year-old son;

4. My 4-year-old organizing partner;

5. Benedryl to relieve the allergy symptoms;

6. Soft pillow and a warm comforter;

7. Going to bed early and waking refreshed;

8. Listening to my son read;

9. Hearing “Mommy” (even though it is repeated way too many times); and

10. Lap filled with snuggling children.

Hard to believe this picture is almost 2 years old. I need to continue using time wisely because time is flying by!

A day is quickly coming when my children will no longer desire to crawl into my lap for comfort (insert sad face here). But rather than dwelling on the inevitable, I am choosing to count my blessings.

Keeping my perspective on the blessings of today and thanking my Heavenly Father for another day to spend with my family, I am using time wisely by living today with no regrets. If you find life getting overwhelming with responsibilities piling up, try changing your outlook by counting your blessings.

Question: For what are you thankful today? What are your blessings? Wanna leave a comment?

Using Time Wisely: Giving Mommy-Time

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Andrew @ cubagallery)

On this rainy day, our temperatures are dropping here in South Carolina. I am enjoying the cooler weather snuggled in my blanket with my socks warming my feet.

This week has been a bustle of activity having finished a large fundraising event on Saturday and getting my household back to running smoothly. My To-Do list is far from complete, but I am doing the next thing and making progress.

My kids have gotten a little more Mommy-time this week which has greatly improved their behavior. We have spent time at the playground, taking family walks, reading together, and going to the library.

As you complete your responsibilities and time gets short, remember to spend time with those you love. In using time wisely, you will not regret investing in the lives of your family and friends. Happy fall!

Question: How do you handle the busy seasons of life? I would love to hear your tips.