First of all, let me just say right now that if I seem to be a bit food obsessed lately -- well, I am.

No particular reason.  I have just noticed that many of the post I have made over the past few weeks, and many more that I have planned, are food related in one way or another.  

I'm just a foodie at heart.  Hey -- we've all gotta eat  - right? :)

So...here's another food related solution.

Motherhood and baking cookies are supposed to go hand-in-hand right?  Before I was a mom, I had visions of spending afternoons baking cookies with my children. Teaching them about fractions as we carefully measured out the flour. Watching them smile as they lick the bowl. Me in an apron feeling like Donna Reed (minus the heels - I'm no sadist :)

Yet despite these visions of perfection, whenever I start baking with my children, my inner control freak comes out. Stuff always gets spilled...The children and I both get impatient and...well...it's clear that Donna Reed does not live here. (No big surprise - right?)

I've found a solution!  Cake Mix cookies.

In those lovely little boxes you can get in the grocery store for about $2.50 are all of the dry ingredients you need for yummy cookies - no need to start pulling out flour, sugar and spill them all over the floor (for some reason, it always happens to me!)  

We still have fun baking cake mix cookies, my kids crack the eggs, pour in the oil and water, flavoring and chocolate chips -- but it's just a little bit easier and faster, which makes everyone happy. 

Maybe when they are just a bit older,  I'll do it from scratch with them...but for now...this works for me.

So I thought I'd share it with you :) 

CAKE MIX COOKIES

  * 1 (18.25 ounce) package cake mix - any kind
    * 1/2 cup butter, softened
    * 2 eggs
    * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    * 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

   1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
   2. Pour the cake mix into a large bowl. Stir in the butter, eggs and vanilla with an electric mixer until well blended. Stir in the chocolate chips. Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto cookie sheets.
   3. Bake for 11 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges are golden. Cool on baking sheets for a few minutes before removing to cool on wire racks.

Yup, makes me feel like a "slacker" that I'm not baking from scratch with my kids...but that's okay with me! 

When I saw this great blog entry about how Rebecca of IrishCraftWoker.typepad.com never uses an iron,  I couldn't help thinking to myself "Yeah girl, me too!"  Just one way I simplify my life.  I rarely -- if ever! iron.  (Downy Wrinkle Eraser Spray works wonders when necessary!)

Then I remembered that yesterday, I read another blog entry on how one mom simplifies sorting her laundry.  In the comments (#5) I gave told her my "slacker mom" method of sorting (Not by color - by person!) Click here to check all the laundry "solutions" there.

Do you have any laundry tips to share?  Even better, I'd love to hear your "Slacker Mom" housekeeping tips :)  Please leave a comment or two!