Top 10 FBS Posts of All Time

I casually started writing Family Balance Sheet in October 2008. I had a toddler and an infant and it was an outlet for me. I posted just a few times a month back and didn't really get into a rhythm until 2010.

Top 10 FBS Posts of All Time (most page views):

1. Front Yard Landscaping: We Did it Ourselves (05/13/2009)


2. How To Create Your Own Family Balance Sheet (02/04/2010) Free Template Offer is still available!



3. How Long Should You Keep Your Financial Documents


4. My Binder System for Organizing My Office and My Life (01/19/2011)


5. Front Yard Landscaping: 15 Tips to Help You Design Your Landscape and Save Money (04/27/2010)


6. Save Money on Groceries Without Using Coupons (03/09/2011)

7. How to Grill Chicken And Not Dry It Out Like the Sahara (06/28/2010)


8. 25 Hearty Soup Recipes (11/03/2011)


9. Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day: My Experience (02/14/2011)


10. Vegetable Lasagna with Eggplant, Zucchini, and Carrots (10/11/2010)


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Top 10 FBS Posts of 2011

I had fun going back through the year's archives when writing this Top 10 list. The biggest surprise was that the only recipe post in the top 10 was a round up of soups.

Top 10 Posts of 2011 (most page views):

1. My Binder System for Organizing My Office and My Life (01/19/2011)


2. Save Money on Groceries Without Using Coupons (03/09/2011)

3. 25 Hearty Soup Recipes (11/03/2011)


4. Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day: My Experience (02/14/2011)


5. 11 Steps to Easier Menu Planning (03/02/2011)


6. My Menu/ Grocery Clipboard (01/25/2011)


7. Plan a Staycation or Vacation in Harrisburg PA (05/23/2011)


Photo Credits: Allie's Dad

8. 10 Paper Products to Cross off Your Grocery List (03/23/2011)


9. Fun Staycation Ideas from Across the Country (05/24/2011)


10. Create a Monthly To-Do List to Keep Yourself on Task (01/18/2011)




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Top 10 FBS Recipes of 2011

I'm taking a blog break this week, so I thought it would be fun to post some Top 10 Lists of the year.

Today, I'm giving you my Top 10 Recipes (the most page views) of 2011. I hope you enjoy and maybe find some inspiration!


1. Slow Cooker Asian Orange Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks (06/06/2011)


2. Apple Gingerbread Cake with Homemade Whipped Cream (10/17/2011)


3. Banana Oatmeal Muffins (02/21/2011)


4. Grilled Sausages with Peppers and Onions Hobo Pack (03/28/2011)


5. Chicken Cornbread Potpie (04/04/2011)


6. Kung Pao Chicken (01/17/2011)


7. Broccoli Cheese Soup (11/28/2011)

8. Italian Sausage, White Bean, and Kale Soup (11/14/2011)

9. How to Make Whipped Cream (06/21/2011)


10. Roasted Garlic, Sun-Dried Tomato, and Olive Pizza (03/14/2011)



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Merry Christmas and Happy 2012!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to read my humble site. I hope you'll stick around as I have some good stuff planned for 2012...still can't believe I just typed 2012.

My husband and I are both taking next week off to spend with our family. We are looking forward to it. I have some fun recap posts planned for next week that I hope you enjoy.

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and Have a Blessed 2012!

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Image: Paul / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Baking and Decorating Gingerbread Men Cookies

Here's another great activity for the kids who are off of school and looking for things to do - Baking and Decorating Gingerbread Men (and House) Cookies.

We make these from scratch, using the McCormick Gingerbread Men recipe.

I will warn you, your kitchen counter will become a big mess. But the kids will have so much fun. What's a little flour all over the counters and floor.

For the icing, I mixed together 1 cup of confectioner's sugar, 2-3 Tbsp. milk, and a 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. Add more milk or more sugar to change the consistency. I poured the icing into sandwich bags and cut a corner tip off for the kids to decorate, so I didn't want the icing too thin. You can also add food dye; my girls chose red and purple. They decorated the cookies with M&M's and sprinkles when they weren't popping the candy in their mouths. My girls are a sneaky pair.

Happy Baking!

Have you baked Gingerbread Men Cookies? How messy was your kitchen afterwards? Let us know in the comments.

This post is linked to The Mommy Club at Crystal & Co.

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Teacher Gift Ideas

Are you still looking for gift ideas for your kids' teachers and coaches? Check out my latest post over at Money Crashers: 10 Unique & Inexpensive Holiday Gift Ideas for Teachers.

If you have any great inexpensive gift ideas for teachers, please share them in the comments section of the Money Crashers post.

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Gingerbread Houses

Decorating gingerbread houses is becoming a favorite Christmas tradition at my house. I'm not sure what my kids enjoy more - licking the icing or eating the candy.

I must make one confession though. I buy the Gingerbread House kits. Baking the house components seems like a lot of work to me, especially when the kits are heavily promoted between Thanksgiving and Christmas at the craft stores. I buy two gingerbread house kits; one for each daughter. The kits include the house components, icing (that needs mixed together), and the candy.



My kids are on a winter break for two weeks and they need to be entertained or I'll hear, "can I watch TV?" So, the kids spent an afternoon assembling and decorating the houses - in between licking the icing and eating the candy.

Do you build gingerbread houses with your kids? Do you buy a kit or make them from scratch? Let us know in the comments.

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Hot Chocolate: Just Two Ingredients

Who doesn't love Hot Chocolate at wintertime? I used to keep a box of hot cocoa packets in my cupboards, but not anymore. Two ingredients are all you need to warm up on those blustery winter days.

My ratio is 2 cups of milk to 3/4 cup of chocolate chips. My little sauce pan only holds two cups of milk at a time. I had some milk chocolate chips on hand, but I'm sure this will be just as tasty with semi-sweet or dark, depending on your preference.

Stir continuously over medium-low heat.

When the milk gets to your desired temperature and all of the chocolate has dissolved...

...drink up!

I mixed with my coffee for a homemade cafe mocha.

How do you make hot chocolate?

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