Chicken (Not So Crabby) Cakes

So, I was watching "The Best Thing I ever Ate" while holding a fevering toddler the other day. They featured some crab cakes in Maryland that they swore were to die for. So, I got out my notebook and wrote down all of the ingredients. Since I know my marriage would be in jeopardy if I ever served seafood in my house, I wondered how it would taste with shredded chicken instead of crab. I though they turned out really, really yummy.

The kid taste test was a little low (just keeping it real folks), but me and my husband and one out of three kids liked them. They were super easy too.

So the next time you wishing you lived closer to the sea, try these out!

Chicken (No so Crabby) Cakes

Canned, shredded chicken (of course you can cook and shred your own, and you can use real shredded crab t00)

Ritz Crackers (smashed into crumbs)

Mayo

Fresh parsley, chopped

Old Bay Seasoning

Worcestershire Sauce (I was out and used soy sauce and it worked great)

Lemon juice

Regular mustard

Mix everything but the chicken until it is almost a paste, then add your meat. From into balls. Melt butter on a skillet and put your cakes on and smash with a spatula. When they are golden brown, flip and cook the other side. Delish!

PS. Sorry, I hate seeing recipes without pictures. But I lack the camera, lighting, and know- how to make food look yummy in a picture. So, I figured no picture is better than a bad picture. But, trust me these are super yummy.

How's Yours?

I learned a new game this Christmas that would be fun to play at your New Years Eve party this year. It's called "How's Yours?" It's one of those games that a big group can play and you don't need any equipment.

You send the "IT" person out and think of something you would all have: it could be concrete as your shirt or abstract like your attitude or your job. (Little kids would need something more concrete).

Then you call the person back in and they go around the circle asking people "How's Yours?" For shirt you could say purple, warm, old, stained, etc. They keep asking until they guess correctly. If they guess correctly on your turn, then that person is the next "IT". It was pretty fun. Enjoy your last two days of the year!

Christmas Poems for Teachers

I didn't want to post these until after I gave my gifts to teachers and staff at my kids' school. The first was for their teachers. The 12 days of Christmas poem I found on another site, but I can't remember which one. I also changed it a bit to put more school supplies into it and ones that I could find easily. You could do this for 12 days if you'd like or I just bundled them together in a basket and sent it on Christmas party day. The teachers really seemed to enjoy it.

On the 1st day Christmas,

The budget cuts began

So here’s some copy paper

Sorry it’s not a sedan.

*

For the 2nd day of Christmas,

We are busy, little bees…

You can correct our papers

With these 2 red sharpies!

*

For the 3rd day of Christmas,

I give you binder clips,

I’m sure it could be tempting

To use them on my lips!

*

For the 4th day of Christmas

White board markers come in four…

As my 3rd grade teacher,

You really help me soar!

*

For the 5th day of Christmas,

Some popcorn for a snack,

Sorry, that‘s all the food

I could fit in my backpack!

*

For the 6th day of Christmas,

Reminders you might need

To keep your day in order

Sticky notes to help you succeed.

*

For the 7th day of Christmas,

A package of multi-colored pens

In case to feel like writing

To some of your old friends.

*

For the 8th day of Christmas,

Here are 8 paperclips multiplied by 10,

I hope you are enjoying this

’cause it feels like I’ve just begun!

*

For the 9th day of Christmas,

I’ve brought you chewing gum,

It feels like Christmas break

Is never going to come!

*

For the 10th day of Christmas,

10 magnets I bring to you,

You surprise me every day

With all the fun stuff we do!

*

For the 11th day of Christmas,

Some pencils I hope you’ll need,

Hillview is so lucky

To have you here indeed!

*

For the 12th day of Christmas,

Some stickers to give you cheer,

I wish you a Merry Christmas

And a very Happy New Year!!

*

The second poem was for the Principal, secretaries, counselor and Librarian. Since I am the PTO president I interact with these people a lot and appreciate all the help they give me so I bought a stack of post-its and a Sonic Gift card and attached this poem that I made up.

A Poem made Just for YOU!!

Working at a school

Isn’t always cool

Budgets getting cut

Feeling you’re in a rut

*

Always out of cash

Feeling like you might just crash

Maybe needing a little rest

Wanting always to do your best

*

Winter months get long and bleak

Thinking you could use a drink

I know you don’t think of Sonic

When you need a gin and tonic

*

But for a drink with lots of Ice

Take this card for a nice surprise

Sit back, relax and enjoy

It’s time for Christmas break, Oh Boy!

*

Then when you use a post it note

Or help a kid to find their coat

Know that I appreciate all you do

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year too!!!

*
I had one just for post-its but I wasn't sure how much I liked it, but I'll post it in case anyone else does and would like to use it.

Post Its are a simple gift I know
But believe me when I tell you that its so
You are wonderful and Kind
I ask you for favors and you don't mind
Merry Christmas and have a really great Furlough!

Silly I guess, but appreciated. Post its are a real luxury, most teachers are using the back of cut up scratch paper. That's great and all but sometimes a post it is really useful!
I hope you enjoy!!!
Tammie

More Christmas Game Ideas

So I must be out of the loop, but I've never seen Minute it Win It. But last night at a Christmas party we played some of those games and they were super fun and easy and involved everyone. I'm definetly going to do some of these at our Christmas party. The web-site has tons of game ideas you can play complete with instructions. If you need more ideas for your Christmas party head here.

Christmas Whoonu

We are having the family Christmas Eve party at my house this year, and I found some cute ideas online, but was still looking for something else.
One of my favorite games is Cranium Whoonu, so I decided to make a Christmas version making cards out of my own Christmas words. This would be an easy and orginal Christmas game for you to play with friends and family. For instructions on how to play Whoonu click here:
Here is the list of words I came up to make cards out of:
1) Santa Claus
2) Dasher
3) Dancer
4) Prancer
5) Vixon
6) Comet
7) Cupid
8) Donner
9) Blitzen
10) Rudolph
11) Snowflakes
12) Peppermint Candy Canes
13) Fruit-flavored candy canes
14) Elves
15) Decorating the tree
16) Real Christmas Trees
17) Fake Christmas Trees
18) Wreaths
19) Cutting down your own tree
20) Ward Christmas Parties
21) Christmas Eve
22) Receiving neighbor gifts
23) Giving neighbor gifts
24) Peanut Brittle
25) Fruit Cake
26) Eggnog
27) Fudge
28) Sugar Cookies
29) Making gingerbread houses
30) Seeing Christmas Lights
31) Putting outside Christmas Lights Up
32) Angels
33) Nativities
34) Song “Jingle Bells”
35) Song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
36) Black Friday
37) Online Shopping
38) Shopping with Christmas Crowds
39) Picking out the perfect present for someone
40) Song “I'll be home for Christmas”
41) Song “Silent Night”
42) Song “Little Drummer Boy”
43) Song “Let it Snow”
44) Song “Must Be Santa”
45) Song “Deck the Halls”
46) Song “Santa Claus is coming to town”
47) Song “Away in a manger”
48) Song “Joy the World”
49) Song “Feliz Navidad”
51) Messiah/Hallelujah Chorus
54) Christmas Lights on Temple Square
55) Movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” New Version
56) Movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” Old version
57) Movie “The Polar Express”
58) Movie “Mr. Kruegers Christmas”
59) Movie “National Lampoons Christmas Vacation”
60) Movie “A Charlie Brown Christmas”
61) Story: A Christmas Carol
62) Movie: Frosty the Snowman
63) Movie “Home Alone”
64) Movie “Elf:
65) Movie “Christmas Story”
66) Book “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”
67) Getting up early on Christmas Morning
68) Sleeping in on Christmas Morning
69) Building a snowman
70) Sledding
71) Snowmobiling
72) Christmas Morning Breakfast
73) Christmas Dinner
74) Being with family on Christmas
75) Family Christmas Parties
76) Opening presents
77) No school over Christmas break
78) Nutcracker Soldiers
79) Stars
80) Candles
81) Fireplaces
82) Ornaments
83) Movie “The muppet Christmas Carol”
84) Movie “Miracle on 34th Street”
85) Movie “The Santa Clause”
86) Movie “It's a wonderful Life”
87) Wreaths
88) Bells
89) Mistletoe
90) Christmas Color Red
91) Christmas Color Green
92) Christmas Color White
93) Christmas Color Silver
94) Christmas Color Gold
95) Writing letters to Santa
96) Sitting on Santa's Lap
97) Leaving cookies for Santa
98) Baking Christmas Treats
99) Christmas Caroling
100) Shopping Early
101) Shopping last minute
102) Sleepover by the Christmas Tree
103) Wrapping presents
104) Hot Chocolate
105) Hot Apple Cider
106) Chocolates
107) Getting toys for Christmas
108) Getting Video Games for Christmas
109) Getting clothes for Christmas
110) Getting jewelry for Christmas
111) Getting movies for Christmas
112) Gingerbread Cookies
113) Shortbread Cookies
114) Candy Cane Hersheys Kisses
115) Mint Truffle Hersheys Kisses
116) Snickerdoodles
117) Chocolate Chip Cookies
118) Pomegranate 7-Up
119) Cranberries
120) Christmas Art Projects
121) Pumpkin Pie
122) Apple Pie
123) Listening to Christmas Music
124) Fuzzy pajamas
125) Warm socks

(I know some of the numbers are messed up-but if you are like me you have a million things on your Christmas to-do list and I don't have time to fix it- You get the idea)

Christmas Dinner Favors

Each year we have a big Christmas Eve dinner with my cousins. When my mom hosts it at her house she likes to have little favors for everyone. She has put me in charge of coming up with the favors the last two years. Here is what I came up with this year:

I bought some bead jars and mints. I filled the jars with the mints. They hold about 13. I used some old ribbon I had laying around to glue around the top. I used the craft glue dots. I found that if I stuck a tiny piece of it on and then pulled, it would stretch around the top and then I could stick my ribbon to it. (I would have taken a picture but wasn't really planning on posting about this! Hopefully you understand what I mean.:) ) Then I used my digital scrapbook program to make circle labels to go on top. I was happy with the way they turned out so I made another set to take to my husband's Christmas dinner. The jars for my husband's side say "Merry Christmas 2010"

The jars for my side say "Christmas Eve 2010"
They are sure to add some Christmas cheer!

Personal Message from Santa

My friend featured a very cool site on her blog that I had to share. You can add a couple of photos and personal information about your child and Santa will send your child a video talking just to them. It's pretty cool. My four-year-old was pretty amazed.

To see an example go here or just go straight to the site here.

Not Your Momma's Green Beans

So I knew I loved roasted potatoes and carrots, but I haven't dabbled too much in other roasted veggies. But yesterday, by a fantastic twist of fate I had a bag of fresh green beans from Bountiful Baskets and a "new to me" Rachel Ray magazine from my husbands work-complete with a Roasted Green Beans and Almonds recipe.

Now you have to understand that my boys (including the one I'm married to) don't take to green foods very much. I usually make them eat three each, and they gag it down and get it over with. But last night they all loved it and asked for me. Miracles never cease. I also heard that roasting cauliflower with ranch powder is awesome too. I will have to try that.

The best green beans ever

Fresh green beans, ends snapped, and snapped in half
Olive Oil
Kosher Salt
Freshly ground pepper
Coarsely chopped salted almonds

Preheat oven to 450. Spread beans on baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Stir to evenly coat. Bake for ten minutes, then add almonds and roast for another 4-5 minutes.

Super Yummy French Bread

Last time I was at the Prepared Pantry I saw this base for French Bread. Curious I decided to give it a try. It was sooo good. It had that distinct french bread taste. I've tried to make homemade French bread before. It was good, but tasted like regular homemade bread.

The instructions included were fairly easy to follow, but not quite simplified enough for me.

If you get a chance to get some of this awesome stuff and want an easier method, here is what I did:

Ingredients:

One cup Base for French Bread

2 cups warm water (about 110 degrees)

3 1/2 cups bread flour

1 seven-gram packet of yeast

Put all ingredients in your bread maker and use the dough setting. When that is done, shape into two long loaves on a cookie sheet, cover with plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray and let rise until really puffy in a warm place (about an hour). Preheat your oven to 375. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until golden brown.

Store leftovers in a paper bag. (Not plastic).

Best eaten within a couple of days.

Perfect with some soup or chili.

Simplified Mango Sticky Rice

Mango Sticky Rice: One of our good friends (and one of the best cooks I know) writes the food blog Salt and Flattery. He did a post on Mango Sticky Rice that looked soo good. But it was a little too extensive for me (and I couldn't find Thai sticky rice or have a bamboo steamer) So I did what we did best around here and simplified. It turned out pretty darn yummy. I would be curious to see how my simplified version compared to his. Here is my version:

Mango Sticky Rice

Ingredients:

1 Cup Thai Jasmine Rice (Found in the Asian Section)
1 Can (14 oz) Lite coconut milk
A little less than 1/2 cup of sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 mangos, peeled and chopped (I used frozen that I thawed)


Mix the coconut milk, sugar, and salt and add enough water that it makes 1 3/4 cup liquid. Bring to a boil in a saucepan and add rice. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15-20 minutes without removing the lid. Stir in mangos and serve.


I thought it was delicious. My husband thought it was like dessert rice. Half of the kids liked it.

Homemade Laundry Soap

Yes, you heard me-homemade!! Who knew?? We learned this recipe at a church meeting a few months ago. I recently ran out of the store bought stuff and decided to give it a try. Then yesterdays dirty clothes got to be the lucky ones to give it a go. And yes it worked. Everything was clean.
And the best part is that it is stinking cheap. I haven't calcuated exactly but it has to be way less than a penny per load. I don't know how widespread this recipe is online, but I still had to share it with you. I heard that the 18-kids and Counting lady uses this stuff to do her laundry. It really only took about 10-15 minutes to make after you have everything gathered.

I found the Fels-naptha and washing soda at Winco (our grocery store)

Liquid Laundry Soap

4 cups Hot tap water
1 Fels-naptha Bar
1 cup washing soda
1/2 cup Borax

Directions: Grate Fels-soap and add to hot water. Stir over medium-low heat until the soap is dissolved. Fill one gallon bucket 1/2 full of hot tap water. Add soap mixture, soda, and borax until dissolved. Add more hot water to fill up 5 gallon bucket. Let sit over night. Then when cool you can add 10-15 drops essential oils per 2 gallons of soap.

I'm going to use a leftover plastic gallon ice cream bucket to fill up for easier use, then go back to the five gallon bucket to refill that. You might have to restir once in awhile.

Top loaders uses 1/4 cup per load.
Front loaders uses 1/8 cup per load.

Witches Hat

Today's Project: This witches hat. (Sorry I was feeling to lazy to take pictures of the process).
I picked up a paper mache witches hat from our local craft store for $1.99. Then I ripped up some fabric scraps and used Mod Podge to glue them around the hat. Then I painted the base black and used tacky glue to attach a scrapbooking metal frame for the buckle. Makes me excited for Halloween!

The $10 Wall

Upstairs we had an "extra" catch-all room. This is what one wall looked like (which was painted with love a few years ago for a couple of cute little boys who are now downstairs). It needed a redo. It had black permanent marker in a few too many places.

Since this room is bigger than my daughters room and I had to paint anyway....I decided to move her over. I painted this yellow color.


But it needed a little decoration. So, I took these of these chargers ($1.99 each) that I got from the Hobby Lobby.

And then I cut some purple fabric scraps into strips.

And then I used Mod Podge to glue them down in a random fashion



Then I found a leaf pattern from my computer and cut out 5 leaves for each flower from heavy purple fabric.

I traced the plate and made a pattern so I would know where to place them around the center.




Then I used a paint roller to roll some fabric starch onto the leaf.


Then I pressed it onto the wall, slightly under the pattern and smoothed out. At this point you can use a sponge to spread more fabric starch onto the top of the leaf. (To remove the fabric from walls, just dampen and peel off)

And here are all of the petals:


Repeat for any other flowers you want.
To hang the chargers, we used Gorilla Glue to glue a teeth bracket to the back, then hung them on a nail in the center of the petals.




I'm happy with how it turned out. The flowers are big enough they take up an entire wall. I like the modern/shabby look of them.

Grill once, eat (at least) thrice

Don't you love it when everyone likes (and eats) their dinner. This week we did something that saved time, and everyone likes all three meals.
We grilled chicken once and ate three meals off of it (and still have a little chicken left to freeze). We got Mexican, Italian and American out of it, so it didn't feel like we were eating the same thing every meal. And the best part of it, everyone liked all of them.

So, first grill ups lots of chicken. Some with instructions for the Grilled Chicken Quesadillas, and the rest seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic salt.

Night One:
Grilled Chicken Quesadillas

Night Two:
Ranch Chicken Pizza (I didn't use arugula)

Night Three:
Chicken Phillies Recipe (Sorry I couldn't find the source)

Grilled Chicken
Onion
Multi-colored peppers
Olive Oil
Shredded cheese
Hoagie Buns

Turn your oven on to broil. Slice the chicken, peppers, and onions thinly and saute them in olive oil. Place on your hoagie bun, add cheese and broil about 5 minutes until cheese is melted and heated through.

YUMMY!

Tips on being smart and safe

Last night we had a church meeting for women on different aspects on being prepared. One of our teachers works at our local prison and had a few great tips I thought I would share. It's one of the things you hope you never have to use, but it's always good to be reminded. I can't remember all of them but here are a few:

1) Never park next to a "cargo" type van in a parking lot.
2) When you go out to your car, hold your one pointy key in between your index and middle, it could be a good way to poke an intruder in the eye!
3) If a stranger stops to ask for directions, etc, (even if it is a little old lady), at least keep arms distance away.
4) If you have GPS, don't label home "home"
5) Wasp spray can be used as pepper spray.
6) Change up routes and daily routines.
7) If someone throws an egg at your windshield, don't wipe it with your windshield. It will turn white, you will have to stop, and your attackers could get you. Instead drive the best you can until you can get to a public place and then stop.
8) Always lock your car while pumping gas. An intruder could get in on the opposite side of your car while you are pumping.
9) Sleep with your keys next to your bed, and then you can hit the panic button for your car and it will start beeping in case of an intruder in your home.
10) Strap your purse to your cart, so someone can't grab it easily.
11) Stay on levels 2-12 in a hotel. The first level is the most often broken into, the higher levels are harder to get to in a fire!

Hope this is a helpful. Have a happy and safe day!

How to have your ideas...and save on ink too

You could say I have always been addicted to ideas. When I was first married I used to get crafty library books and spend a lot of time copying page after page. Luckily I worked at a copy shop. That was before blogs! (or at least before I knew about blogs)

It has been dangerous for me to know about blogs. I have limit myself. But I can't give up my ideas. I love getting new ideas (Recently, I discovered why. My friend does personality profiling on how to dress, and I have discovered that I am a "1" and "1's" love new ideas!)

So, I was spending a lot of money on ink and paper. I know I could bookmark them, or save them to my computer. But I would much rather look through prinouts that on the screen to choose my next project. Plus, I thought I would save them to my computer and forget all about them.

I rationalized my ink spending habits on the fact that I am pretty low-maintenance. Most of my clothes comes from clearance racks, I don't eat out a lot, I don't get pedi's, etc. Besides, SAHM's need some sort of "out" and this was mine.

But, it was getting a little excessive. I have stacks and stacks of printouts. All great ideas, but I was probably only getting to 1% of them. Soo, recently I started "starring" them on google reader. Then every once in awhile, I will copy the picture, paste it into word, then print the web address under the picture. I will also copy and print recipes this way.

Then, when I do look through my ideas, and get serious about one, I can look up where I can find more detail. I also use grayscale to save on expensive colored ink. Then I have my little filing cabinet divided into categories. It's been working great for me.

Do you have any great organizing ideas for your projects to be?

Dolly

This summer I spent more time enjoying summer than crafting, but I was feeling an itch to make something. And I keep drooling over the Waldorf dolls Lil Blue Boo keeps featuring. Having the "I'm too frugal I can make that myself mentality" can be a curse sometimes. Those dolls are expensive, but I learned why. I researched some sites online and attempted to make one. Not going to happen in this lifetime.
But, I still I had this itching to make a doll. So, I found a great tutorial on Martha Stewart. The doll instructions were very easy to follow. However, I found the clothes a bit challenging. (Don't let this intimidate you, as I am a very amateur sewer) So, I made an extremely basic version of the shirt which was supposed to have a collar, buttons etc.

It was good enough for my 15-month old. I love her long crazy hair. Maybe I will have to live my long hair fantasies through her. Now I've gotten it out of my system. Time to move on to other craft projects.

And to start saving for the real Waldorf doll.

Two-week menu

Monday-Enchiladas Rancheras with fruit
Tuesday-Pizza with green salad (for me only!)
Wednesday-Greek style chicken sandwiches-roughly based on this, but I will have to tone it down for the gringos
Thursday-Loaded chicken baked potatoes *make extra shredded chicken for Friday
Friday-Hawaiian Haystacks
Saturday-Dry Rub Ribs-(have made these before-to die for!!)
Sunday-Meatballs
Monday-Spagetti dinner fundraiser
Tuesday-Tacos
Wednesday-Pulled pork or chicken sandwhiches
Thursday-Chili-roughly based on this
Friday and Saturday-possibly out of town

*Loaded Baked Potatoes
Bake your potatoes and add shredded chicken tossed in BBQ sauce, cheese, ranch, and green onions

Taste Test Party

Last night we had a fun activity at our monthly girls night. We did a taste taste for our refreshments. Here is how it worked: A few weeks before I sent out a list of assignments. Everyone had a partner and here is what we had to test ourselves on. :

1) Coke vs Pepsi
2) Same item from two different restaurants (They brought fried rice from Panda Express and a local Chinese place)
3) Same cookie bar recipe-one used imitation vanilla and one used Mexican vanilla
4) Blackberry Cheesecakes-one using Philadelphia cream cheese, the other using store brand cream cheese
5) Low-fat fruit dip vs. full fat fruit dip
6) Organic granola and milk vs. regular granola and milk
7) Whoopie pies-(different recipes-we had to guess who made which one)
8) Bakery brownies vs. homemade brownies
9) Crush Soda vs. Store Brand Orange Soda

When ladies I arrived, I handed them their quiz and we went around and starting tasting.
The options are endless. It was a lot of fun. Even Coke enthusiasts had a hard time tasting the difference when it was disguised and tasted next to Pepsi.
The four people who got the most right got some hand soap from Bath and Body works, and then we watched Dear John in our garage (since it was windy).
The next time you are in charge of planning girls night, bookmark this idea and see how distinguised your taste buds are!

A Silly wedding Gift!

When my husband and I got married nearly 20 years ago, my best friend from High School did the cutest present for us. It leaned toward the naughty side, but not raunchy. Bill wanted to do something similar for a couple of the gals he works with when they got married. (he thinks he's funny and so we humor him!) Anyway I wrote the poems to go with each item and thought I would post part of it here, if you wanted the whole thing just drop and email and I can send it to you!

On the Cooler

I'm sure you can't imagine

What it might be like

That this state of happiness

Just might take a hike

But someday soon, a fight will come

That makes you all amiss

And when it happens you might ask

Where is my wedded bliss?

So we're giving you this COOLER

To remember to be nice

But when your anger reels its head

"Chill Out" and put it on Ice.

Inside this cooler you will find

A few things you might need

Enjoy this gift made just for you

It will be fun indeed!

Inside there is a Towel, Excedrin, condoms, m&m's and a jar, breath mints, socks, ice cream toppings, lighter, leopard duct tape and a feather, and band aids and first aid tape.
Here's a few samples of the poems that go with each item.

Excedrin

Here’s a prescription

Written just for you.

In case of a headache

Just take TWO!

M&M’s and a Jar

It takes a year to fill this jar

Drop an M&M each time

The two of you get all caught up

And make those love bells chime.

They say it takes just 50 more

To take out every one

So set a goal and work real hard

Go Ahead…and have some fun!

Towel

Keep this in your bedside table

For clean up…just in case

You never know when you’ll be able

To make it past third base.

Tammie

The perfect pie

I know most of you who care are already on the Prepared Pantry's mailing list, but just in case here is their e-book on how to make the perfect pie.

And while we are at it..

The Prepared Pantry's Biscuit and Shortcake Guide! Chocolate Caramel Raspberry Shortcake anyone?

Prepared Pantry Smoothie Collection

Just go here! That is all I have to say about that.

How to get dry-erase off of stubborn boards

I love the Internet. Can you imagine how life would be without it? Last month I scored a good deal on a big dry-erase calender that hangs by the garage door. It is my brain. Everything, including the menu goes on here.

Today I went to erase it to start July, and the writing would not come off. I tried all sorts of soaps, cleaners, even vinegar. Nothing was working. Not even my Internet. But when it started working again, two clicks had my answer! And even better, I actually owned both items:

Spot Shot Carpet Cleaner
and a Magic Eraser (which I tried by itself earlier and it didn't really work).
But put them together and you have magic. Just spray with the Spot Shot and let sit for about 3-5 minutes. Then get your magic eraser damp and wipe away. Just like magic. Love it!