Kristen Brockmeyer
Kristen Brockmeyer lives with her husband, two kids, two cats, one dog and fifteen chickens on a small farm in Michigan. She writes about any topic that catches her interest, but her favorite subjects are kids, food and recipes, homeschooling, crafting and sustainable living.
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Displaying Results 1 - 74 (of 74) for Yahoo! Voices
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The History of Father's Day: A Lesson, Review and Activity IdeasIf you homeschool a second grader, or just like to provide your child with extra skill-building assignments, check out this lesson, review and activity sheet about the history of Father's Day. -
Why You Should Watch Pink's New Video, "F**'in Perfect"I'm not a P!nk fan, and despite hearing a few friends rave about Pink's new song "F**'in Perfect" on Facebook, I was prepared to hate it. Do I really want my 14 year-old stepdaughter listening to a song with a title like that? Well, actually, maybe I do. -
Winter Road Trip in MichiganWhen the Michigan winter weather machine kicks in to gear, most people make excuses to stay indoors with hot chocolate and a good book. Not my parents. -
The Young and the Restless: What Happened This Week?If you've missed a recent episode of The Young and the Restless, or you've just lost track of a storyline, here's a summary of what happened in Genoa City for the week of January 21, 2011. -
Classic Mardi Gras HurricaneTry this classic Mardi Gras Hurricane drink recipe at your next Mardi Gras party!
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Modern Victory Garden Series: How to Grow Heirloom Bush BeansLearn how to grow heirloom bush beans! I'm researching the best way to grow heirloom seeds for the modern Victory Garden I'm planting this summer, and here's a collection of the most helpful advice I've found on how to successfully grow bush beans.
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Valentine's Day Advice for Guys: How to Cook a Romantic Valentine's Dinner for TwoYou could probably impress your sweetheart with reservations at a pricey restaurant on Valentine's Day, but why? Dinner for two at home can be a much more romantic way to spend a Valentine's evening. Here's how to make it happen. -
The Young and the Restless: What Happened This Week?If you've missed a recent episode of The Young and the Restless, or you've just lost track of a storyline, here's a summary of what happened in Genoa City during the week of January 14, 2011.
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Perfectly Simple Chocolate Chip CookiesThis basic chocolate chip cookie recipe is based on the classic Tollhouse cookie recipe, but with a few alterations that guarantee great results every time.
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The Young and the Restless: What Happened This Week?If you've missed a recent episode of The Young and the Restless, or you've just lost track of a storyline, here's a summary of what happened in Genoa City during the week of January 7, 2011.
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Make Conscious Eating a New Year's ResolutionInstead of making generalized weight-loss resolutions this year, consider changing your mentality toward food a bit and making conscious eating a New Year's resolution instead. -
How to Make a Meal PlanOnce you have a meal plan, it's easy to pull your ingredients to make a grocery list, and use that grocery list to only buy what you need, find the best bargains, eat what's in season, and ultimately, save money. -
Three Healthy Lunch Ideas for WorkKick the lunchtime fast food habit by taking your lunch to work. Not only will you enjoy your lunch break more, but you'll be saving money and eating better, too! -
Spicy Chicken Wing DipPerfect for a Superbowl party appetizer or just Friday night noshing, this Spicy Chicken Wing Dip is creamy, cheesy, and packed with spicy flavor.
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Host a Holiday Craft Party for First GradersHoliday craft parties are a great distraction for first graders who are keyed up the week before Christmas vacation. With planning and a few parent volunteers, you can help your students celebrate the season in a fun and creative way. -
Easy Peasy Crockpot BBQ RibsServe up these tender and amazingly delicious ribs with a tossed green salad and cornbread for an easy work-night meal.
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Five Homemade Playdough Recipes for HomeschoolersIf you're a homeschooling mom looking for a hands-on art medium, and you think your kids would enjoy experimenting with clay, try one of these homemade playdough recipes. -
A Week of Zoo-Themed Preschool IdeasUse these zoo animal preschool activities to help jumpstart your zoo learning unit or just add some educational fun to your preschooler's day! -
How to Organize Kitchen Chaos 15 Minutes at a TimeArmed with a timer and 15 minutes, you can rescue junk drawers from overflowing, save kitchen cabinets from catastrophic clutter, and keep your fridge from smelling like feet. -
Kalamazoo's Holly Jolly TrolleyDuring the holiday season, Kalamazoo makes downtown transportation fun and festive with their Holly Jolly Trolley, a decorated San Francisco-style trolley that loops through a series of downtown stops for free. -
Five Ways to Celebrate the 100th Day of School with Your First GradersHere's a roundup of five great 100th day activities to help your first grade students celebrate their 100th day of school. -
Store Your Fresh Foods Right and Save Money on GroceriesBy storing your foods to maximize their shelf life and perking up wimpy veggies when they begin to sag, you'll reduce the amount of food you throw away and keep your grocery budget lower at the same time. -
Practical and Unique Holiday Gifts for KidsThis year, take some of the stress out of buying holiday gifts for kids and teenagers by choosing a practical and unique gift that they'll love. -
Sausage Breakfast StrataSausage Breakfast Strata includes layers of egg-soaked bread, sausage gravy and cheese that bake into a deliciously filling, casserole-like breakfast, brunch or dinner meal.
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Michigan Cottage Food Law Helps Food-Based EntrepreneursIf you're a Michigan resident who wants to try a food-based business but doesn't have much start-up capital, embrace your inner entrepreneur and read up on the new Michigan Cottage Food Law. -
Should You Be Worried About Content Theft?If you have a blog or personal web site, you probably upload pictures to it without a second thought. But how safe is your are your photos and text from content theft?
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Jennifer Joy Saves ChristmasSanta hasn't been sick in 600 years, but now he and his flight crew are down with the flu. Can little Jennifer Joy pull off a daring plan to save Christmas? -
Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner on a BudgetMy family celebrates Thanksgiving every year with a huge, traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but the recipes we use don't cost us an arm and a leg. If you're looking for inexpensive Thanksgiving recipes, take a look at this Thanksgiving menu. -
Edible Homemade Christmas GiftsIf your creative talents lie closer to the kitchen table than the crafting table, make a few of these edible homemade Christmas gifts this year. -
Kalamazoo Holiday Parade 2010If you're in the Kalamazoo, Mich., area on November 13, 2010, and don't have any plans, come to downtown Kalamazoo and celebrate the 49th annual Kalamazoo Holiday Parade! -
Five Ways to Get Your Preschooler Ready to ReadReading is a great way to spend time with your child, and developing their reading skills at a young age will pay off in big ways all through their lives. So pull up a comfy chair, grab a silly picture book, and get your preschooler ready to read! -
Six Felted Crafts to Make with Old Wool SweatersIf you're looking for green Christmas gifts or handmade birthday gifts that your friends and family will love, try one of these six felted crafts. -
Cheap and Simple Candied Sweet PotatoesThis candied sweet potatoes recipe is one of my family's favorite Thanksgiving recipes. There's usually nothing left of it after Thanksgiving dinner except a little bit of marshmallow stuck to the side of the pan!
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Grandma Rolfe's Christmas Sugar CookiesMy Grandma Rolfe was a legend in the kitchen. She passed away more than ten years ago, but every time I make these Christmas cookies, I picture her looking over my shoulder, making sure I don't forget the cream of tartar. It's a good feeling.
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Quick Hamburger StroganoffI love beef stroganoff, but it takes way too much time to make on a work night. Quick Hamburger Stroganoff is my go-to recipe to use when I want beef stroganoff in a hurry and don't want to resort to a boxed meal.
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Cheap Thanksgiving Recipes: Traditional Green Bean CasseroleThis casserole has been a staple of our family's Thanksgiving dinners for as long as I can remember. Simple and easy to make, this is among my favorite inexpensive Thanksgiving recipes.
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52 Preschool Theme Ideas for HomeschoolersCheck this out: an entire year's worth of preschool themes, preschool homeschool activities, and field trip ideas designed to get you and your child having fun with learning again! -
How to Come Up with 100 Associated Content Article IdeasIf you're in need of some fresh article topics, here's how to generate 100 Associated Content article ideas in no time. -
Owning a Cat . . . Even Though You're AllergicWhat if you're allergic to your cat and you're too attached to give her up? Even though you're allergic to cats, there are things that you can do to decrease your allergy symptoms. -
How to Get the Most Out of a Whole ChickenFor my family of four, I can stretch a whole chicken to three meals or more. It's all about knowing what to do with chicken leftovers!
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531 Mulview531 Mulview didn't look haunted. It was no different than any other house on the street, except for the "For Sale" sign out front, leaning a little crookedly after being ignored for almost eight years. -
Cheap Homemade Cleaning SuppliesShould you really pay $7.99 for something that claims to clean your linoleum clear down to the subflooring? Not if you have a few cheap and basic ingredients at home - you can make your own homemade cleaning supplies.
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Three Homemade Christmas Gift IdeasIf you're tired of buying shirts that your sister will never wear, or giving books to your brother-in-law that he'll never have time to read, here are some handcrafted Christmas gift ideas for family members you might want to try this year.
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Fall's Technicolor GloryI'd rather write poetry about leaves than rake them. -
Former Kalamazoo, Mich. Mayor, State Rep. Robert Jones, Dies at 66Michigan State Rep. Robert Jones, a former four-term Kalamazoo mayor, was in the midst of his campaign for the 20th District Senate and only a few weeks away from a critical election, when he died at his home on Sunday, October 17. -
What Should My Child Learn in Preschool?If you want to design your own preschool curriculum for your homeschooled preschooler or are just curious about what your child should learn in preschool, read on.
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Design Your Own Free Homeschool CurriculumBy developing your own free homeschooling curriculum, you can create a flexible learning structure that can be stretched, tweaked or changed to accommodate your child's personality, skills and abilities. Plus, you can save yourself tons of money!
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Cooking Vintage Series - Menu Plan #3Try your hand at vintage cooking with these suggested breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes from Meta Given's "Modern Family Cookbook." Recipes include Cream of Navy Bean Soup, Beef Hash, Vanilla Crisps, and more.
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Cooking Vintage Series - Menu Plan #2Try your hand at vintage cooking with these suggested breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes from Meta Given's "Modern Family Cookbook." Recipes include Corn Chowder, Curried Pork, Pumpkin Custard, and more. -
Cooking Vintage Series - Menu Plan #1Try your hand at vintage cooking with these suggested breakfast, lunch and dinner recipes from Meta Given's "Modern Family Cookbook." Recipes include Spicy Bread Crumb Griddle Cakes, Escalloped Potatoes, Apple Dumplings and more.
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Why Should You Cook Vintage?Food is a big topic right now, as a lot of us are taking a closer look at what we're eating and not liking what we see. We want alternatives and, in my opinion, vintage cooking is the way to go -
Great Fall Meal: Beef Stew and Biscuits from ScratchNothing warms you up on a chilly fall day like a thick, savory stew. Fluffy, made-from-scratch biscuits pair perfectly with this simple and delicious beef and noodle stew for a hearty dinner that your family will love. -
Four Delicious Oktoberfest RecipesDon't have the money to fly to Munich this fall to celebrate Oktoberfest? No problem! Just head to your local store, buy a six-pack of deliciously dark German beer, and try one of these traditional Oktoberfest recipes. -
Five Most Important Instructions to Give Your Teen Before Trick-or-TreatingWith the right instructions from you and a little responsibility on their part, your teen can navigate through his first year of unsupervised trick-or-treating just fine. -
5-Minute Healthy Back-to-School Breakfast MenusYou don't have to be June Cleaver (or the Dad equivalent) to make sure your kids gets a healthy breakfast before school. Try one of these 5-Minute healthy breakfast menu ideas and get them off to a good start in the morning. -
How to Make Your Own Homemade Vanilla ExtractMaking your own homemade vanilla extract is simple and well worth the effort. Try this method and you'll never go back to the cruddy imitation vanilla extracts again. -
Saving Money on Groceries Without Clipping CouponsClipping coupons from the Sunday paper might be the most popular way to save money on groceries, but it's not the only way. If you're like me and a cruddy coupon clipper, try a strategic approach to shopping instead. -
Vintage Recipe Classic: Parmesan Casserole BreadThis bread is like a warm bundle of buttery, savory, cheesy deliciousness. Quick and easy, it doesn't require kneading and can go from mixer to table in about an hour. -
Surviving Without Cable or Satellite TVMoving to the country seemed like a great idea until I found out I couldn't get cable and satellite TV was stupidly expensive. When I recovered from my panic attack, I found alternatives to cable TV - super cheap and free alternatives. -
Homemade Blueberry Lemonade RecipeSure it's easy to buy a can of lemonade concentrate from the store, but what kind processed crud that stuff has in it. Make your own, with fresh ingredients, and you'll know exactly what you're drinking. -
Best Halloween Hayrides for Kids in Kalamazoo, MichiganIf your kids have never been on a hayride before, take them for a Halloween hayride at one of these locations, each within about 20 minutes of Kalamazoo.
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How to Prevent Your Toddler from Getting Cranky on HalloweenFor toddlers, Halloween can be a stressful and freaky experience, resulting in whining, crying and full-blown tantrums. But with planning, you can prevent toddler crankiness on Halloween, and make sure that you and your kiddo both have a great time!
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Three Quick and Easy Hamburger Skillet RecipesGot a pound of hamburger in your fridge? Know how to brown it? Then make a yummy homecooked meal tonight in less time than it would take you to make a run to Mickey D's. -
Unschooling: Am I Messing Up My Kid's Education?After I researched homeschool methods, unschooling was the last thing I wanted to try. My son had other ideas. Learn about our experience with unschooling, and 50 unschooling activities you can do with your kids. -
Vintage Apple Recipes Perfect for FallCrockpot applesauce, old-fashioned apple butter, applesauce muffins and applesauce cake... enjoy your apples four different ways with these tasty vintage recipes. -
How to Make Homemade Laundry DetergentIt leaves your clothes clean and smelling fresh, it's better for the environment than the commercial stuff, it's easy to make, and it's cheap. Why haven't you made your own laundry detergent yet? -
Home Canning Without a CannerProcess your own jellies, jams and pickles with your own homemade waterbath canner. You'll save storage space, money, and energy with this easy DIY project! -
Vintage Recipe Classic: Baked Macaroni and CheeseDitch preservative-laden boxed mac and cheese and try this tasty vintage recipe instead - baked macaroni and cheese is an old comfort food classic that still has the power to warm belly and take the edge of a chilly fall evening. -
Surviving Seasonal AllergiesItchy eyes, non-stop sneezing, runny nose... if you're a seasonal allergy sufferer, these might be symptoms you deal with daily. Here are four quick tips that might help you alleviate your allergy woes this year. -
Worst Date EverMy Junior Prom was coming up and I was getting nervous. No one had asked me, and I dreaded "going stag" (what does that even mean, anyway?!) when my best friend came to my rescue.
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Top Ten Songs of the 1970'sFrom teeny-bopper bands like the plaid-clad Bay City Rollers to solo crooners like Barry Manilow and enduring classics such as the Eagles and Chicago, the hits from the 1970's bring back easygoing times that live on only in the movies.
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Create Your Own Butterfly GardenIf you've ever driven by a field of wildflowers and seen dozens of delicate, colorful butterflies darting about, you may have wondered why you never see any in your own backyard. Enticing these fluttering beauties to your yard is simple.
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Bruno's Pizza & Restaurant in KalamazooAccomodating a student-sized budget, you can get a large one-topping pizza for around $10.00. As far as flavor goes, it's the best... even if you don't have any sentimental attachment like I do.
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My Christmas Tree AdventureFor many people, the day after Thanksgiving brings a fun family tradition. No, not shopping at the crack of dawn, but Christmas tree hunting. And everyone knows that U-Cut trees are best.