Bulls Eye Heart Valentine’s Day Cookies

You can use any cookie recipe you want to make these fun cookies.  We did a sugar cookie base, but chocolate chip would work great too.  The best part is you make your favorite cookie recipe and add frosting in the shape of a heart to make it special.  You could even do store bought cookies and add the frosting  to make it even easier if your tight on time!

Our family likes picking up the writing frosting that sets up after a few minutes so you can stack the cookies without them sticking together.  The two brands we have used most often are Betty Crocker Writing Icing and Wilton Icing Writer (see picture below).  You can often find them for $0.99 (or less) for a box of 4 colors at Bargain Foods if you are in Upstate, South Carolina area or a couple dollars at Walmart or your local grocery store.  I have found that these tubes of frosting are easier for the girls to use as well.  Plus since you are not icing the entire cookie they get less frosting which means less sugar!

As I was listening to this song about “love” and even though there are many examples in the song of not receiving true love I was reminded how fortunate I am that there is someone who will love me no matter what.  I am thankful for a God who loves me not only when I succeed but when I fail.  He loves me for who I am flaws and all.   You my friend are loved too!

Our family brought in February with a flurry……it has already been a busy month and it is only picking up speed.  I am excited about a lot of great activities coming up, however, sticking to the family menu is one of the ways to help our schedule stay on track as we try to get everything done.   Since we have a little bit of turkey we need to eat up I am substituting turkey in place of pork or seafood on Tuesday this week.   Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:

Our Weekly Menu Plan

• Monday (Beef Entree):  Chili, Cornbread
• Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree):  Turkey, Stuffing
• Wednesday (Chicken Entree):  Creamy Parmesan Chicken, Fresh Vegetables
• Thursday (Pasta or Vegetarian Entree):  Macaroni & Cheese, Fresh Fruit
• Friday, Saturday, & Sunday:  Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting

I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork entree and so forth).  It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned.  I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.

Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family.  On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home.  As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes.  If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).

As a family of four our life can get busy.  What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget.  Our family typically eats 6 to 7  dinner meals at home a week.  We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat.  Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family.  Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day.  Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends.  The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety.  We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.

Photo by Liz

It was a busy week and I got sick (that doesn’t happen very often) so that slowed me down a little bit but I was able to make some headway on my goals.  Thankfully I was able to get some rest and don’t have to postpone too many items.

Here is the update on last weeks goals:

Family Goals

1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
2. Read a book to the girls everyday – I fell asleep early one night and didn’t wake up until after the girls were in bed so the book didn’t get read
3. Have each girl read 1 book to myself or Jake 5 days this week
4. Schedule a Date Night with the Girls & Re-Schedule My Date Night with Jake
5. Finalize the Girls Birthday Party Items – working on it
6. Set up a dentist appointment for the girls - scheduled and went to the dentist, no cavities!
7. Pick up the girls new glasses – picking them up this week

Personal Goals

1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week – with being sick I didn’t get this one done this week hope to get back on track soon
2. Go to bed by 10:30 pm or earlier Monday to Thursday – not every night
3. Finish reading Crush It by Gary Vaynerchuk
4. Read and listen to the next section of  Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together).
5. Set up an appointment to get updated on shots / vaccinations – went to the doctor and got my shots, wasn’t too excited about this one, but it was necessary for upcoming travel!
6. Finalize Upcoming Travel Plans – dates set / plane tickets purchased / visa – my visa has arrived and tickets are purchased, waiting on Jake’s visa!

Home Management Goals

1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
3. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
4. Dinner ready by 5:30 PM (Monday through Thursday)
5. Spend time re-organizing and de-cluttering the Master Bedroom & Bathroom – the time I had allotted to do this was taken up with being sick and trying to get better, hope to get this done next week

Business Goals

1. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
2. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
3. Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
4. Write a Guest Blog Post – deadline was postponed with sickness
5. Schedule Meeting with Accountant for Business Taxes – scheduling this week

Ministry Goals

1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
3. Email Alms & Legs Ministry Team regarding our upcoming meeting
4. Put together the Alms & Legs Meeting Agenda

Financial Goals

1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
2. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – working on it
3. Start working on our personal 2011 taxes – we have started the taxes
4. Put money aside for upcoming trips – putting aside some of the money

Here are my goals for the upcoming week:

Family Goals

1. Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everyday
2. Read a book to the girls everyday
3. Have each girl read 1 book to myself or Jake 5 days this week
4. Go on our Date Night with the Girls
5. Celebrate with family and friends at the Girls Birthday Party
6. Pick up the girls new glasses
7. Schedule Appointment with Chiropractor

Personal Goals

1. Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
2. Go to bed by 10:30 pm or earlier Monday to Thursday
3. Finish reading Everything Romance by Todd Hafer
4. Read and listen to the next section of  Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together).
5. Finalize Upcoming Travel Plans

Home Management Goals

1. All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
2. Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
3. Spend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the house
4. Dinner ready by 5:30 PM (Monday through Thursday)
5. Spend time re-organizing and de-cluttering the Master Bedroom & Bathroom

Business Goals

1. Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
2. Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
3. Spend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk
4. Write a Guest Blog Post
5. Schedule Meeting with Accountant for Business Taxes

Ministry Goals

1. Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
2. Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
3. Email Alms & Legs Ministry Team with the Meeting Notes

Financial Goals

1. Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
2. Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
3. Complete our personal 2011 taxes
4. Put money aside for upcoming trips
5. Pay for Jake’s College Classes

I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us.  I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true.  When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals.  Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick).  Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.

Why Share My Goals?

• To keep me accountable
• To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
• To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
• Create healthy habits in my life
• To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn

How did you do this week on your goals?  Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.

The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results

Photo Credit

• $18.02 at Ingles for 2 loaves Laura Lynn Bread, 3 containers Fresh Strawberries (on clearance for $0.99), 1 bag Bananas (on clearance for $1.49), 1 bag mixed Fresh Fruit (5 pounds oranges, red delicious apples, granny smith apples on clearance for $1.49), 2 containers Fresh Raspberries (on clearance for $0.99), 1 half gallon Pomengranate Tea (on clearance for $0.99), 1 bag Fresh Organic Cucumbers (on clearance for $0.99), and 3 bacon wrapped Steak Filets (they are normally over $9 each regularly but got them on clearance for $1.99). (Everything I bought this week at Ingles was on sale, marked down, or on clearance.  The fresh fruit, veggies, tea and steaks will come in handy with the upcoming Valentine Holiday.   I don’t usually pick up fancy steak even with it on clearance for $1.99 but since Valentines Day is right around the corner and we are going to do a special dinner!)

Walgreens Groceries:

• $7.54 at Walgreens for 2 gallons Milk and 2 two liters Mountain Dew (They had their milk marked down to $2.79 each and their Pepsi products marked down to $0.98.  The soda is great for upcoming events).

I think my body was worn out by the time I got home from the conference that it crashed and I ended up getting sick.  Thankfully after a couple days of rest, extra fluids, and lower activities I was able to bounce back.  I appreciate my husband and kids for stepping up and helping out around the house.  Somehow they managed to stay healthy, yay!  I didn’t have around to doing a regular grocery shopping run until Friday with all the travel and sickness.

This week I spent $25.56 on groceries.  I was under on my budgeted amount for the week because of the busy week with the conference and traveling so thankfully I have a little extra to use towards groceries another week.  I was happy to find fresh produce and steak on sale for the upcoming Valentine celebration.  I hope that next week is better week, back to normal, and we can come under budget!

It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks!  As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me.  I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too.  The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.

Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances.  Life doesn’t always go as planned.  We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given.  Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life.  A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others.  There is so much more to life than having all the stuff.  We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.

This week one of the books I read to the girls before bed was God Gave Us You by Lisa Tawn Bergren.  Several of Lisa’s books have become family favorites over the past couple of years.  The girls love the illustrations as well as the story and I like that Lisa’s stories stimulate conversations about God, creation, love, and more.

The story starts as Mama Bear is tucking Little Cub into bed when Little Cub asked “Mama, where did I come from?”  Mama Bear goes through a simple version of how Little Cub was created, including pregnancy and the excitement of preparing for the new baby.  I love that the book mentions how the parents prayed for Little Cub even before she was born.  Lisa did a great job answering a common question little kids ask parents in this short and sweet book.

Overall I think Lisa Tawn Bergren provides a good story with beautiful illustrations by Laura J. Bryant.  The story gives nuggets of valuable information about pregnancy and babies.  The only thing that I didn’t “like” in this book (which was minor) was the author used the word “borned” during the conversation between Mama Bear and Little Cub.  Even though I know Little Cub was asking the question it distracted from the overall rhythm of the book a little bit.  This would be a great book for those who are having a second child or a young child that is asking a lot of questions about where they came from.

Rate my review & be entered into a giveaway: I reviewed this book for “Blogging for Books.”   By rating my review, it allows me to choose another book and enters you in a GIVEAWAY!   The rating is a two step process.

Step 1:  Rate my review below (select the number of stars, enter your email, and hit submit).

Step 2:  Check your email account for a message from Blogging for Books and click their link to verify your email.

Once you rated my review AND confirmed your email, you will automatically entered in a giveaway for this book by WaterBrook Multnomah!!!  They will pick one person to receive a copy of the book for themselves!  WaterBrook Multnomah will contact the winner directly.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from the publisher through the Waterhouse Multnomah.  The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Be My Valentine: “I Love You” Memory Jar

A unique Valentine’s gift this year packed full of love and memories!  I have created jars (or containers) full of memories for various occasions in the past and they have always been a huge hit with both kids and adults.

Be My Valentine: Cookie Surprise!

Surprise Valentine's Cookie - this one had three different flavors!

A fun cookie to make with your kids.  It is a sugar cookie with crushed hard candies to make window panes.  Fun activity and delicious!

Be My Valentine: Scrapbook Highlights

how your spouse and family you love them on Valentine’s Day by doing a Scrapbook highlighting the big events over the past year.  (Photo by shimelle)

Be My Valentine: Romantic Dinner for Two!

You can go out on Valentine’s Days (or any other Date Night) for less when you pack a picnic for two.

Gift Giving: 12 Days of Appreciation

I did this 12 Days of Christmas Appreciation for Jake at Christmas time but it would be a great one to do for Valentine’s Day, your Anniversary, or birthday! 

A picture of one of the 12 Days of Appreciation for my husband to help get you started on ideas!

I would love to hear some of your ideas of how you are planning to make Valentine’s Day special with the one(s) you love!  Feel free to share you link below in the comments!

Flash frozen strawberries we picked this summer with fresh pears, blueberries and banana

I know it is still Winter but every once in awhile I look forward to a good smoothie for breakfast or snack.   This smoothie is rich in antioxidants and vitamins to give you that extra boost for the day!

Mix Fruit Smoothie:

• 3 Frozen Strawberries
• 1 small Pear
• 1/4 cup Blueberries
• 1/2 Banana
• 1/2 cup Milk

Put all the ingredients together and blend until smooth.  Drink and enjoy!

Mix Fruit Smoothie

Heart to Heart Cookies

• 3/4 cup Butter
• 3/4 cup Brown Sugar
• 1/4 cup Sugar
• 1 package instant White Chocolate Pudding
• 3/4 cup Cake Mix (any flavor)
• 2 Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 2 1/4 cups Flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Sprinkles

 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a baking sheet and cookie cutters.  Mix flour, salt and baking soda together and set aside.  Cream butter, brown sugar, and sugar together.  Stir in the pudding and cake mix until well blended.  Mix in the eggs, vanilla, and mix until smooth.  Add flour 1/2 cup at a time until mixed well.  Stir in the sprinkles.  Use an ice cream scoop to place the dough inside the cookie cutters.  Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

Cookie dough inside the cookie cutter