Monday, September 10, 2018

Pioneer Woman Slow-Cooker Irish Oats, Pinterest Stuff (Family Friendly Movies that Help Build Character for the Little Ones, Character Building Movies For Ages 9 and Older, A Few More Fall Traditions) AND Massive Amounts of Randomness

Good Monday evening!

Okay. Regardless of the temp, I am feeling very autumnal. It is sad to me when I have to wear fall clothing in 98 degree weather, but that is part of the reality of living in the great state of Alabama.

Saturday while Judith and I were painting masterpieces in the driveway, I had to wear my Summer Rags...

And when I say "Summer Rags," I am referring to very wet washcloths (preferably stiff from being in the freezer for an hour or so) around my neck, in various and sundry places under my shirt and on the top of my head. Unfortunately, for anyone slow riding past my house on a very hot day, I am not kidding.

However, I once again digress.

The Pioneer Woman cooked these slow-cooker Irish oats the other day on her show, and it just seemed like the perfect fall breakfast. After the episode aired, I immediately went to the grocery store to purchase the necessary items and the very next day...

YUM!

Hearty, filling and delicious. Three of my favorite "food" words.

The peaches are actually cooked overnight with the oats, and you just add almonds, coconut, raisins, blueberries, etc.

Personally, I add a handful of cold blueberries, toasted coconut, raisins and honey.

It makes a lot, but I didn't mind eating it for breakfast for an entire week.

I didn't mind one little "autumnal" bit!

Pioneer Woman Slow-Cooker Irish Oats

You will need the following:

4 cups frozen peach slices
2 cups steel-cut oats
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup sliced almonds
1 cup flaked coconut
2 cups golden raisins
1 cup whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup fresh blueberries
Honey, for drizzling

1. Place the frozen peaches, oats, brown sugar, vanilla, salt and 8 cups water in the bowl of a slow cooker. Stir, set to low and cook for 6 to 8 hours or up to overnight.

2. Meanwhile, toast the sliced almonds and flaked coconut separately in dry nonstick skillets over medium heat, shaking the pans frequently to ensure an even toast, until golden and fragrant, 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool. Store, covered, until serving.

3. To serve, stir the raisins, milk and cream into the oat mixture. Spoon into bowls and garnish with the almonds, coconut, blueberries and a drizzle of honey.

LOVE this recipe!

Pinterest Stuff

Family Friendly Movies that Help Build Character for the Little Ones

Veggietales – G - Oldies, but goodies; this animated talking-vegetable series explores many wonderful life lessons and Bible stories. Many of these are free on Amazon prime.

Liberty’s Kids – G - History meets likable characters in this fun, animated series exploring early America. There are 40 episodes with an all-star cast including Liam Neeson, Ben Stiller, Billy Crystal, Walter Cronkite and more!

Cars – G - This Disney Pixar classic centers around a pompous race car, and how a humble little town changes his outlook on life. Speaking of which, all of the Pixar films are great family films that can be enjoyed by kids and their parents.

American Girl History Movies (Kit, Molly, Samantha, Felicity) – G - American Girl History Movies are packed full of wonderful lessons for young girls, plus are great intros to history!

The Emperor’s New Groove – G - This has always been one of my favorite movies. Kuzco is a self-centered emperor whose life gets turned around when he is turned into a llama by the evil Yzma who wants to take over the kingdom. With help from a humble peasant, he is determined to get himself changed back into a human and overthrow Yzma’s “reign.”

Meet the Robinsons – G - In this fantastic Disney flick, Lewis is a 12 year-old orphan with a brilliant scientific mind. One day, he gets inspiration to build The Memory Scanner, a device to let him see his birth mother, and potentially ask her not to give him up. Animation and acting are great, but the biggest take-away I got from this is the message... Keep Moving Forward. It does show how failing to do so can make you a miserable person. Brilliant message so many adults have yet to learn.

Valiant – G - Valiant is the first animated film I have seen with facts at the end. Set in 1944 before D-Day, this British Disney film is about Britain’s messenger pigeons during WWII. In the end, we learn pigeons played a bigger role in the war than horses, dogs or cats. Filled with adventure and some humor, it is a bit violent for a G-rated film, but it is definitely a great movie. There are a lot of WWII references that are used appropriately, but younger kids will not understand it.

Big Hero 6 – PG - Part Marvel comics, part Disney, part Anime, the themes of Big Hero 6 are family, friendship and working together.

Because of Winn-Dixie – G - AnnaSophia Robb stars as Opal, the daughter of a single-dad pastor. One day, she meets a stray dog, Winn-Dixie, that changes her summer drastically!

The Boxcar Children – G - The Boxcar Children was my favorite series growing up. Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny are orphans running away from the grandfather. Along the way, they find an old abandoned boxcar and call it home. I’m proud to say the movie did not disappoint. It closely matched the beloved book, and I felt it in no way was cheesy. The animation reminded me of a video game.

Inspiring Heroes - This Christian biographical series features famous people like Harriet Tubman, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and William Bradford.

The Torchligher’s Series – G - This Christian series features courageous men and women in history, and what they’ve accomplished. Heroes featured included Jim Elliot, William Booth, Corrie ten Boom, Amy Carmichael and John Bunyan. I’ve seen the Corrie ten Boom movie, and we quite enjoyed it. Many of these films are free on Amazon Prime.

Read It And Weep – G - Read It and Weep is a Disney Channel Original movie about a young girl whose private journal accidentally goes viral. It is a squeaky clean film about friendship.

Character Building Movies For Ages 9 and Older

These are generally good movies for the whole family, but may have themes not really appropriate for the super young ones!

The Prince of Egypt – PG - I can’t say I fully appreciated this movie until watching “The making of The Prince of Egypt.” Beautiful animation, fantastic voice actors and a stunning soundtrack. This is the story of Moses and his journey from the prince of Egypt to God’s leader for His chosen people.

Fly Away Home – G - Fly Away Home opens with young Amy and her mom riding happily in a car. Suddenly, the car crashes and soon her beloved mother is dead. Amy wakes up in the hospital to find her father (who she hasn’t seen since her parent’s divorce nine years ago). He is her guardian. Through love, patience and time, Amy and her father adopt an orphaned gaggle of geese, and come fall, are determined to bring them south by air.

Madison – PG - Based on a true story of hydroplanes in the little town of Madison, Indiana, this inspiring father-son tale shows the fruits of hard work and perseverance!

It’s a Wonderful Life – G - In this Christmas classic, George Bailey ponders what life would have been like if he was never born. His guardian angel appears and brings the question to life. Although it may be a bit slow for squirmy younger ones, it definitely is a fantastic and clean family film!

Woodlawn – PG - Inspired by a true story, this Christian football film tackles racism in the 1970s, and has strong messages of hope and faith. As a bonus, I was pleasantly surprised with the film quality and acting, which I thought were great!

When The Game Stands Tall – PG - When the Game Stands Tall is the opposite of most football movies you see; De La Selle High School has a record-breaking 151 consecutive wins, before losing miserably. It is Christian/Catholic based, and is not your typical “it’s not about winning” family sport flick. Instead, at its core is a coach who believes building character and teamwork is the most important.

Facing the Giants – PG - This feel-good Christian film is about a failing football coach and his journey through faith. Grant Taylor is a (six-year) failing football coach and a failed father (his wife cannot get pregnant). After revamping his attitude and overall strategy, he begins seeing positive results and learns a great lesson about trusting God!

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang – G - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang! is about an eccentric inventor, his two kids, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy businessman, and a magic car!

Remember the Titans – PG - Denzel Washington stars in this incredible classic football film. The year is 1971. After leading his team to 15 winning seasons, football coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton) is demoted and replaced by a black coach, Herman Boone (Denzel Washington). These two men overcome their differences and turn a group of hostile young men into champions! A great film dealing with notable subjects.

Fiddler on the Roof – G - Traditions!! This classic musical revolves around Tevye, a poor Jewish milkman and his five daughters. A great story about love, traditions and ultimately, letting go.

Belle – PG - A young half-black, half-white woman faces much prejudice and change in upper-class 18th century England. Through much determination, she influences the British Empire’s stance on slavery. Best part? It’s also a true story!

I Am David – PG - Based on the Danish best selling novel, I Am David is the story of a 12 year-old boy who escapes a Stalinist labor camp. Purposefully, there is no sexual content, no profanity and very little violence. Even with its low budget, the acting is incredible, and it has many notable themes of courage, perseverance, faith, hope and love.

Pictures of Hollis Woods – PG - This Hallmark Hall of Fame film has the same feel-good, family feeling as most of Hallmark’s movies, but has a higher quality with an amazing plot and cast. Twelve year-old orphaned Hollis has known nothing but rejection and hurt all her life. When she does find a family where she feels she really belongs, tragedy strikes and once again Hollis runs from her past. It isn’t until she meets Josie, a kind, elderly widow, where she truly begins to heal. However, all too soon trouble begins again. What will Hollis do? This is based off the wonderful Newbery Honor book with the same name.

Gifted Hands – PG - Dr. Benjamin S. Carson grew up with the world stacked against him. He was poor, black and growing up in Detroit to a single mother with a third grade education. Through his mom’s hardworking determination and the grace of God, Carson went to Yale and became the first neurosurgeon to help successfully separate conjoined twins. Based off his incredible memoir, I felt this story did a pretty good job of converting Carson’s life to film.

One Night with the King – PG - “Perhaps you were born – for such a time as this.” Young Hadassah, a Jewish girl, turns into Queen Esther of Persia practically over night. Despite this, the evil Haman is plotting against her and her people. This is the Biblical story of Esther created beautifully!

The Sound of Music – G - Doe, a deer, a female deer! Julie Andrews stars as Maria von Trappe, a young, fun nun who, searching for adventure, becomes the governess to seven crazy children. This is an incredible classic that everyone needs to watch.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – PG - How could I forget this C. S. Lewis classic? Four British children (during WWII), enter a magic wardrobe and find themselves in a land called Narnia. Filled with adventure, faith, hope, love and lessons of good and evil, definitely a must-see for those old enough!

Front of the Class – PG - This Hallmark Hall of Fame film tells the true story of Brad Cohen, a young man who battles tourette’s syndrome and becomes a teacher! A great inspirational film!

Holes – PG - Stanley Yelnats is sent to Camp Green Lake for stealing a pair of shoes. (He did NOT commit this crime!) While there, he discovers the warden has a secret... buried treasure! This is based on a Newbery Winning book. There is a smidgen of profanity and a bit of violence to worry about, but overall, a great and fun family movie!

NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA - When the kids were growing up, this is exactly the kind of list I LOVED. Always check out a movie you've never heard of with someone you trust, or watch it alone before showing it to the kids.

A Few More Fall Traditions (to add to your list)

Make caramel apples
Visit a farm
Ride in a combine
Go to a farmers market
Ride horses
Make applesauce
Make your own Halloween costumes
Make a scarecrow
Halloween movie night
Visit a state park you've never been to before
Have a farm to table dinner

RANDOMNESS #1 - McWane with Little Man - Melia and I took RT to McWane Center Labor Day Weekend, and he played hard and fast!


Have I mentioned before how much he loves cars?


Have I?


I couldn't remember.

RANDOMNESS #2 - Labor Day with The Chick - Mike has always had big deadlines around Memorial Day and Labor Day, and has worked those two weekends/days ever since we've been married. Thus, we have never really celebrated these two holidays as a family.


That worked out okay this year because Roxie had some free time in Auburn, and I drove down to celebrate Labor Day with her!

A lovely time was had by all...

And when I say "all," I mostly mean me!

RANDOMNESS #3 - A Little More with Little Man - When RT visited last week, he watched Cars...

Which is something he always tries to do at least once during his busy day.


We did some artwork.

If you cannot tell by my poor drawing...

It's a car!


Also, I caught a glimpse of what he's going to look like when he's much older...

Perhaps leaning against his own car.


And a few seconds later, I saw this "not-quite-two" little guy standing like a "not-quite-two" little guy should stand!

No matter how he stands, he's a keeper.

RANDOMNESS #4 - Being Artsy with Judith - I gathered the easel, an entire roll of butcher paper, paint in her favorite colors (purple, pink with a little red and blue thrown in for good measure) and tons of wet rags, etc. to help with the clean up...

And I just let her go.

Unlike her Nana, she is VERY talented!










During clean-up, I found the least harmful hose setting...


Mist!


It's refreshing, AND you don't have to have CPR if it shoots straight up your nose!

Or my nose, for that matter.

Little Chick's aim is not very good yet!

Okay. That is it for now. In a few days, I'll be back with much, much more!

Sincerely,

The Enchanting Belinda

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