On Instagram I asked all of you a few days ago to tell me what you have in your pantry, and I would come up with a recipe for you. This delicious, flavorful chicken fajita casserole is the result of that experiment.

I love casseroles for their versatility. If there is any ingredient here you don't have, swap it out for something you do have!

For example, this Chicken Fajita Casserole obviously has chicken in it. It also has chicken broth and cream of chicken soup.

To make the recipe vegetarian, swap out the chicken for mushroom, or eggplant, or tofu. 
Use vegetable broth, and cream of mushroom soup instead!

Boom, tasty, and vegetarian.

If you're vegan, you can use your favorite creamy base. Perhaps cashew butter?

If you don't have rice, but you have quinoa instead, use quinoa instead! Although with quinoa I would recommend rinsing and cooking it before adding it to the recipe.

My husband really loved this Chicken Fajita Casserole, and we happily have leftovers to enjoy for the next couple days!

Happy cooking!

    Okay, I will admit that at first when I thought about doing toilet paper roll crafts, it was a little bit tongue in cheek because of the shortage of TP everyone has been dealing with during this Corona Virus self quarantine.  But, if you have kids at home and you are trying to keep them occupied and educated at the same time, I realized that I do have some ideas that will allow you to put those empty toilet paper rolls to good use in your child's education. Let me explain where I am coming from. 

    About a hundred years ago, when I was in the 5th grade, (it was in the 60s), we were studying about Japan in social studies.  We learned about their traditions and about Mt. Fujiyama and all kinds of things.  Our teacher, Mrs. Hill, gave us an assignment to make something that depicted something from the Japanese culture.  I think that there were various choices, but my friends and I chose to make little dolls showing traditional dress.  I remember that my older sister suggested that I use a TP roll for the body of the doll.  I remember that assignment and those days so clearly and I think it was because of the hands-on approach that our teacher used to teach us that unit.  In today's classrooms, it seems that there is very little time for these extra projects that reinforce learning.  But to me, my experience with this little doll is a testament to the importance of learning through many methods, including craft projects.  
    No, that isn't my original doll.  I decided to make one to show you an example of what it was like.  I think my grandchildren will get a kick out of it.  Click on the pictures for a description of what I did.

    I didn't give you very detailed instructions because the beauty of these types of projects is to let the kids have free rein to create it how they want to create it.  We learned about the obi, etc when we studies Japan.  So, of course I was careful to include it on my doll when I did my school project.  It is great to see how kids will incorporate what they have learned into their projects. 
    There are a ton of other educational ideas that you could incorporated toilet paper roll crafts into.  I thought I would share a few of my favorites in the hopes that they will help you come up with ideas to do with your kids during this time at home.  

 Outdoor Science-Make binoculars with 2 tubes, or cut a paper towel tube in half.  Decorate them with paper, crayons, stickers, paint, etc.  Then go on a nature walk.  You could be looking for specific things, such as types of plants like cacti or flowers.  You could be looking for certain bugs or birds.  Whatever you are studying. If you only have one tube, make a telescope.  Look at the stars and study astronomy!  Make a paper journal to record your student's findings.

• Go to this blog for an awesome constellation activity using a paper towel tube! 

Biology or Botany-​ I've seen some awesome ideas for using the toilet paper tubes as a place to start seeds!  Just smash up the bottom so the soil won't fall out!  It will be easy to tear away the cardboard when you are ready to transplant! If you are studying a certain animal, there are a ton of ideas on Pinterest for making various animals.  There are some adorable owls that I think I might make next.  Owls are such a great animal to study.  You can probably go online and find owl pellets to dissect! You could also choose bees or butterflies!  The possibilities are endless! 

• Look at this bird feeder idea! 
• I love this shark!  Is it Shark Week yet?

Social Studies-Just like Mrs. Hill had us study Japan, there are a myriad of countries that you could choose to learn about with your children.  Perhaps you could learn about a place that is part of your heritage! I can just imagine making a little British or Danish Doll from my heritage!  
​
​History- My granddaughter recently did a report on Harriet Tubman.  Creating a historical figure could be a great idea to use these TP tubes for!  But you don't have to stick to just human figures.  How about making a ship or a space shuttle.  Or, build a fort or castle! 

Community- Studying maps and your community are good skills for kids to learn.  You could talk about transportation and make vehicles from cars to trains and planes.  I saw these cute little houses that could be decorated as schools, churches, libraries and homes and placed on a large butcher paper map that you draw.  Then the kids could drive their cars and trains around on the map!  

Pre-school and Kindergarten- For really young kids, use the tubes to drop pom poms through and count them.  Then, as they learn to recognize numbers, number the tubes and have them drop that many pom poms or balls inside them.  You can also do this for color recognition. Of course, the binoculars and telescope are perfect for this age. 

Stem-If you have multiple tubes, your little engineer could create a marble maze.  Or, like my brother and I used to do when we were young, we would create miniature mini-golf courses that we played with marbles!  We came up with some great obstacles and courses that kept us busy most of the day. 

    I hope these suggestions help you while you are schooling at home!  I think they will help your kids have fun while learning and they will be lessons that they will never forget! Let me know if you have some ideas that I haven't thought of.  If you make any cool things, please tell us about them and add pictures in the comments! 

How is everyone doing out there? Do you all have enough toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and soap? What is your food supply looking like?
I don't have rolls of toilet paper to give away, but while you're camping out at home for the next couple of weeks with kids who have been pulled out of school, I wanted to give you a list of ideas to keep yourself sane, and not feel guilty about any sort of academic schedule.

So I'm breaking this down into outside activities and inside activities. It's all fun and, often times, it will be educational without your kids even knowing it!

Outdoor activities:
I don't know what the weather is like near you. We had rain all week so the temps are nice and cool, but the sun has come back. If you live in a more temperate climate like us (no snow) then here are a few fun outdoor activities:

• sidewalk chalk: this one is a huge favorite with my daughter. We don't even necessarily always draw on the side walk. Our cinder block fence is another great spot to get out those creative, artistic ideas trapped up in your kids' heads.
• bubbles: whether a simple wand or a machine, bubbles entrance small children every single time! The last time I went to Wal-Mart there was a line for toilet paper, but the toy section was still full of toys, and there were all kinds of bubble machines to choose from! Choose a couple and start a bubble fight!
• outdoor games: Red Rover, Mother May I. Or get more structured with some type of ring toss or corn hole board. If you have a bigger backyard you could even do croquet! Structured games with rules are more educational than you think, so don't rule them out!
• sports: do your kids have a soccer ball? A jump rope? A skateboard? A t-ball set? Hone in on those sportsing skills and practice some cool new moves. There are all kinds of videos out there that can give you ideas of new tricks to try!
• Scavenger Hunt: depending on the size of your backyard you could set up a scavenger hunt and provide kids with clues to find a treasure at the end!
• Obstacle Course: going along in that same vein is creating an obstacle course. It can be as simple or complex as your kids and your backyard allow. It'll be great exercise and a lot of fun to see them work out creating the course and succeeding at it!

Indoor activities:
If it's too cold outside for you, or you just want a change of pace, here are a few fun ideas to keep you and your kids occupied indoors

• water color: My daughter always tells me she wants to paint. Water colors are fun without all the paint clean up afterwards. Its creative and you can make it even more constructive by giving your kids a story and having them come up with a painting of what it would look like!
• Kinetic sand: I have been told that kinetic sand is less messy than play-doh, which I am all for. You can let your kids tell a story with whatever they create. This will pass the time for hours!
• board games: Games give your kids structure, and can be educational. Especially if you play games like Scrabble (help with spelling and vocabulary.) Another one that is fun and simple with kids is Spot it. You can also check out this post where we list some fun board games to play with the family.
• write a play and act it out: This is a great way to get in some creative thinking and writing, and get your kids immersed in the arts! Come up with an idea and have your kids write the script and put the show together! You've even got a few days for rehearsals and costuming. Make it an event! Film it and share it with friends and family online!
• baking: this is fun where science can get involved. Bake something together as a family. You'll teach your kids how to cook, and work on fractions and measuring, as well as the science of how different chemicals come together to make such delicious things as cookies and bread! You can even do home made pizza night and let the kids choose their own toppings. Making anything with yeast is fun and fascinating for kids, and then you can have a little science lesson on why the dough is rising!
• reading: This really seems like a no brainer. This is a great time to encourage your kids to read something new! We have countless posts on book ideas that range from the youngest reader to the oldest. Search with your family for a new book! Maybe you can even choose one to read together as a family!
• make a movie theater: put up dark curtains, pick out a movie (Hey Disney started streaming Frozen II early for everyone, wasn't that nice?) Pop some popcorn and give everyone their own bowl. It's a fun way to mix up just watching a movie at home. Make it seem like you're still at the theater by making the room extra dark! (For bonus points you could crank up the A/C so you'll all be freezing, but you don't have to!)
• YouTube a new skill: is there something you always wanted to learn how to do? YouTube a how to video and get started! Origami is a great one for all the kids!

I hope this list really helps get you started and if you come up with ideas of your own, share them! We're all in this together, let's make it as fun as possible and take advantage of time to really reconnect with our kids!

        I am pleased to announce that in Phoenix we are beginning to have moments that dip below 100 degrees. (Mainly those moments are in the mornings and in the evenings.) Therefore, my ban on turning on my oven has ended! I made a pan of brownies to take to choir practice on Sunday and everyone was pleased! I am kind of in the mood to bake my husband some oatmeal cookies, which are his favorite. But, for today, I am going to share with you one last no-bake dessert that is surprisingly amazing and creamy. I found the recipe at Life, Love and Sugar and I had to try it. (I must confess, that this time I did toast my graham cracker crust for a few minutes, as she suggested, but you don't have to do that. I just like it better that way.)  Here is how mine turned out! 

        There are people in my family who do not love avocado.  They were afraid to try this dish.  But, bravely, they did and they were amazed that you can't even taste the avocado, but it makes the pie so creamy and the lime flavor is perfect! Paired with the coconut, it is a real hit!  So, head on over, get the recipe and enjoy!

Avocado "Key Lime" Pie (My tweaked version-2020)
1-8oz package softened cream cheese
1 large slightly soft avocado
2/3 c. sugar
1 large lime, zested and juiced
1 c. heavy cream
6 T. powdered sugar
2 T. toasted coconut
1 c. whipped cream
1 graham cracker crust

In a food processor, blend the cream cheese, sugar, avocado and lime juice until smooth.
In a stand mixer, whip the cream with the powdered sugar until peaks form.  Fold in the zest of the lime and the avocado mixture gently but until well blended.  Pour into the crust and chill until set.  Garnish with whipped cream and toasted coconut and a little more zest if you have it. 
​YUM!