About Benita

Wife to Larry, Mom to three beautiful girls, Benita is the founder of Wizehouse. After coming home, from corporate to raise her girls, Benita recognized the need for a system to support her new world. That support became the foundation of a tool which allows busy families to maintain home, while receiving a reward for the whole family to enjoy! Wife at Wizehouse is designed to offer tips, strategies, and DIY ideas for home living.
Author Archive | Benita

Mothering through the Mobile Lense

By on May 13, 2013 in Wife at Wizehouse

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Today I’m challenged & reminded to use the medium of Mobile to extend my Mothering influence. Sometimes I forget, as an on the go mom, to use my mobile device as a tool to reach out & communicate with my tween/teen on a level that’s personal & directed.

Text messaging that encourages, build’s-up and affirms the love I have, for them, makes a huge difference in their lives. Fun pictures, posted on social platforms, is another way to connect.

We all know mobile devices are not the ultimate way of connection; nothing can replace the face-to-face time we share with our children. However, our devices can become tools which extend the face-to-face time; dropping affirming messages while shopping, at work, travel, at school, etc.

I’m reminded to intentionally extend my mothering efforts beyond the walls of home and into my children’s sphere of influence, and most importantly, into their hearts!

Happy Mother’s Day!

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Chocolate Dipped Chocolate Chip Cookies

By on February 12, 2013 in Family Food, Recipes, Wife at Wizehouse

Home-made Chocolate Chip cookies are my family’s all-time favorite! Recently, I’ve discovered the joy of dipping the sides of the Chocolate Chip cookies in melted chocolate. It’s delish! If you would like to try these, here is the tried & true recipe that brings BIG smiles in our house!

Ingredients:

2 cups sifted flour
1 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup real butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup rolled oats, quick cooking, not instant
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 package semi-sweet chocolate chips

Sift and set aside: flour, soda, salt and baking powder. Blend together shortening and sugars. Add eggs to sugar mixture, beating until light and fluffy. Add flour mixture; mix well. Add oats, vanilla and chocolate chips. Drop by spoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 15 minutes at 350 degrees. (Dough will be crumbly, so I use teaspoon-size drops and place on baking sheet.) Makes about 9 dozen.

cookies1
Teaspoon drops; going in the oven.

cookies2
Cooling racks before dipping.

cookies3
TWO-blocks of Candy Coating Chocolate. Place in the microwave at 10-20sec increments for melting.

cookies4
ONE-teaspoon of heavy whipping cream for easy chocolate dipping.

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Would love to hear how your cookies turn out! Enjoy!

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Sticky Situation Painting Tips for Kids

By on December 18, 2012 in Cleaning, Crafts, Wife at Wizehouse

Have you ever walked into a room and you’ve witnessed ‘play-time gone wrong’? Like decorating the walls w/ crayon, or self-painting in peanut butter, or painting the hard-woods because a little paint got away from the craft table. Typically, when I find my child ‘creativity’ using paint, my heart just leaps due to the expected messy dilemma. I realize that I’m in a Sticky Situation. I’m sure you have situations, of your own, that are near & dear to your heart. I’ve learned when my child has a desire to paint, to keep four essential items, by the brushes, so that painting can be pleasant for everyone.

My top FOUR are:
1. Water Source
2. Smock (or one of daddy’s old shirts will do)
3. Paint Separator
4. News Paper to make clean-up easy!

Beautiful Gift for that special someone…

Clean-up is quick & easy…

Do you have any Sticky Situation stories & solutions? Currently Wet Ones is offering an opportunity to share all of your Sticky Situation we’ve found ourselves in and tips on how to deal with them on their Facebook (FB) page.

Simply log on to their FB page, share your story & tips; you’ll have the opportunity of winning an IPad Mini or Six Flags tickets!

I’ve entered here: https://www.facebook.com/momcentral/app_248884015238315

I think it’s really cool for mom’s to have this opportunity to win a prize for their knowledge gained through raising children. Hope you enter today! Good Luck!

“I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Wet Ones. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.”

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No-sew Card Holder – Chevron & Burlap Revisited

By on December 18, 2012 in Wife at Wizehouse

Wondering what to do with left-over fabric lying around? Here’s an easy to make Christmas card holder; why not fabric and it’s a no-sew deal. Start & complete project in under 30 minutes. Steps are below:

1. Drape the fabric over cabinet doors.

2. Use thread and wrap the center point for button insertion.

3. Cover button(s) with any fabric; in this example it’s burlap. NOTE: If you don’t want to sew the button(s) on, use a short/thick stick pin for mounting.

4. Secure fabric, on the inside of door, by wrapping thread around to hold.

5. Attach cards with Christmas colored paper clips or close pins.

Here’s a closer look! -Enjoy!

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Simple Burlap & Chevron Table Runner for the Holidays

By on December 10, 2012 in Wife at Wizehouse

If your looking for ideas to dress-up the table for the holidays, consider this simple table-runner. It takes very little fabric and can be made in an hour or less. Follow these simple steps:

1. Cut fabric to desired table length. My dimensions were: 5ft x 2ft.
2. Construct a 1/4″ rolled-helm on the length edges, therefore, roll & iron 1/4″..roll & iron again 1/4″..then top stitch.
3. Cut 4 1/2″ wide x 4′ long burlap.
4. Fold & iron to create the fringe & box pleat.
5. Attached chevron fabric & burlap to create finished runner.

Your done!

Below is a closer look at the finished runner.

If you decide tackle this project, feel free to leave any questions or concerns you may have. Would love to help in anyway! ~ Happy sewing!

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