Warm Your Hearts and Home

Warm your home as you bake these yummy treats and warm the hearts of your family as you share special moments together on a cool day! Quick breads such as these are easy and inexpensive to prepare, and they will fill your home with a wonderful aroma. These recipes are also a great way to utilize an abundance of zucchini or apples at this time of year! Enjoy!

Zucchini Bread IV from allrecipes.com I have made this bread quite a few times and my family loves it. It is especially good with some chocolate chips added!

Apple Bread also from allrecipes.com. This is also yummy, I had some Sweet Cinnamon Sprinkle from The Pampered Chef which I sprinkled on top before I baked it. Adding cranberries would be another nice alternative.

Make the most of it:

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  Be sure to serve up your family's favorite hot beverages - tea, coffee, hot cocoa, apple cider along with these breads.
  
  
  
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  Bake extra loaves to share with friends/ neighbors. A warm loaf of bread is a gift of friendship!
  
  
  
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  Bake extra and freeze some for another day.
  
  
  
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  Invite friends over to visit and share your freshly baked breads.
  
  
  

Have a great day!

Smart Mom

Energy-Saving Tips

The change in season with it's cool air makes being indoors so warm and inviting. My family enjoys being together in our family room with hot drinks - the kids are loving hot apple cider and freshly baked pumpkin bread! Mmmm... we are already looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas with all the fun activities, gift-giving and baking.
However, the fall and winter months bring something I'm not so fond of - higher gas & electric bills, so of course I'm always looking for ways to lower our expenses. Here's a few tips:

1. Check out The Home Energy Saver website to find out how much the average home energy bill is in your area, then find ways to make your home more energy efficient.
2. Use a programmable thermostat to manage your climate control; program your heating to meet your family's schedule and needs and avoid heating your home unnecessarily.
3. Train your family to close doors and windows, turn off lights in rooms that aren't being used and to use less hot water. (I know... good luck with that!)
4. If it's time to replace any of your household appliances, be sure to compare the energy efficiency labels before you buy. Also, check with your local utility company for any rebate programs being offered.
5. Heating water can account for up to 20% of your energy bill, so do pay attention to how long you let the water run while you are doing dishes or showering etc.
6. Set your outdoor lights on a time or dusk to dawn sensor so that you don't accidentally leave them on all day.

Keep looking for ways to save, those small changes can make a difference!

Smart Mom

Fall Checkup

As the weather starts to change (at least where I live) it's time to do some spot checks around your home to prevent costly repairs later and also to minimize your energy loss.

• Check your gutters, get them cleaned out, look for any holes or broken/ loose areas, better to do maintenance now than during the wet season.
• If possible, check your roof for any loose shingles. Be careful... only assume this task if you are physically able to handle going up a ladder onto the roof. If not, consider hiring a professional for an inspection.
• Check the seals around your windows and doors. Use caulk where necessary to fill any air gaps and reduce your heat loss.
• If you have ducting in your home, clean the vents and ducts if possible.
• Put away any outdoor furnishings that would deteriorate with exposure to the fall/winter weather.
• If you live in an area prone to snow and freezing temperatures, make sure you have outdoor faucet covers ready as well as a snow shovel and ice melt.
• Make sure you have adequate insulation around your pipes.
• Check your outdoor lighting, replace any burnt out lighbulbs.
• Be prepared for possible power outages - locate flashlights, batteries, candles and other emergency supplies. Organize them in an easy to find location.
• This is also a good time to test your smoke detectors and change the batteries.

If you have any other tips to share, please leave a comment, thanks.
Smart Mom