Texas Housewife

Only I can change my life.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 08 Feb 2018 14:00:00 +0000

Only we can change things for ourselves. A little something to remember on Thoughtful Thursday.

Game On: New Twists on Old Favorites

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 02 Feb 2018 11:00:00 +0000

Many people spend a lot more time indoors, when winter hits; or there is just a string of bad weather days. For times like those, it's a good idea to have some tricks up your sleeve, to keep your family from getting cabin fever. One idea that I've come across, is putting new/creative spins on old board games. Chances are, you have at least a few of these already, so this idea could actually be completely free! Below are some examples, you could try. Monopoly: Switch this game up, with Monopoly Dare! The rules are simple; play just like always, but when someone lands on your property; and therefore owes you rent; you can give them the choice of paying the rent, or accepting a dare of your creation. This will get more fun, as the game goes on, and everyone's bank pile dwindles. Extra fun: when someone lands on "Free Parking", they get to challenge the person to their right to a dare, that the person cannot refuse. On the flip side of that: if someone is sent to jail, the person to their right, challenges them to a dare, that they cannot refuse. This can result in some great family fun, and lots of laughs! Scrabble: Played just like classic Scrabble, except you can mix it up, by only using names of people you know; movie/TV/television show titles; book titles/characters, and so on. Trivial Pursuit: This game is not for everyone, and the reason for that is simply because, well, it's not easy. We all have that one (or three) category that we absolutely dread, because we are just not good at it. But, you can easily make it more fun, and a lot more easy, for you and your kids to play. Cut up pieces of paper, stock card, or cardboard, to make your own cards, for each category. Then, write questions that your family, specifically, will know the answer to. For example: (Geography) Where did we go on our last family vacation?; Or (Entertainment) Which TV show does Mom love to watch the most? The most important thing, is have fun! See if you can come up with your own ideas, or ask the children for help. Creating your own family game, can be a great activity, in itself.

Drinks To Chase Away The Winter Chill

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 02:45:00 +0000

Is there anything better than wrapping your hands around a warm mug of something delicious after coming in from the cold? Whether you've been shoveling the drive, leading a snowball fight, or just coming in from a long day of work, these five yummy drinks will have you toasty warm and smiling in no time!

London Fog - I found this recipe over on The Healthy Maven, and instantly fell in love! Earl Grey tea has been a favorite of mine since childhood tea parties with my Nanny Balkum. The London Fog takes this classic and kicks it up a notch with subtle sweetness and frothy milk. Don't you love when something you enjoy gets even better?
Irish Coffee - There are a lot of flavor combinations I enjoy, boozy coffee is high up on this list. When I'm in the mood for a warm, adult beverage, Irish coffee is my favorite. This recipe from Diethood is magic in a cup!
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate - Another amazing combination of flavors is peanut butter and chocolate. This hot chocolate reminds me of peanut butter cups. If you are a fan of creamy, peanut buttery goodness coupled with decadent chocolate, this drink recipe from The Happier Homemaker is sure to hit the spot.
Pink Hot Chocolate - If you are looking for something a little different, this tasty treat from Homemade Ginger is something you should check out. Not only is the drink pretty and tasty, the mix for it would make adorable Valentine's Day gifts for the hot chocolate lover in your life.
Hot Butterbeer - Bring a taste of Hogsmeade home with this rich butterbeer recipe from Mom's Have More Fun. I've tried several butterbeer recipes in the past, none of them hit the spot quite like this one does. Why not whip up a big batch and have an HP movie night?

Let me know if you try any of these recipes and what you think. What are your family's favorite winter beverages?

Survivng Snow Day

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 19 Jan 2018 11:50:00 +0000

Everyone loves a snow day! Well, kids definitely do. Mom and dad? Maybe not. The kids are home, your schedule is thrown off, and the worse part: it's too cold to go outside! Or maybe they've been outside already, and now they're just kind of.... around, (and under foot). As a mom, trust me, I get it. So, here are some ideas, to keep the kids entertained, and your sanity safe. First, you'll need yummy snacks! Most kids love to feel like a grown-up, and help in the kitchen (until it's time to clean up, of course), so here is a really great link, for 3 ingredient recipes, that you can make with the kids.

Another idea for snacks, that my own children love, is making their own personal pizzas. I like to buy packages of pita bread, which are perfect size for personal pizzas; then you can add small bowls of toppings, such as: pepperoni, crumbled and pre-cooked sausage, cheese, black olives, and whatever else your family loves on pizza. Then, allow each child to create their own edible masterpiece. Now that snacks are out of the way, let's move on to activities. Depending on your level of noise/chaos tolerance, here are four of my personal favorite ideas.

Quieter activity - Puppet show! Whether you have paper lunch sacks, a basket of old socks with no mates, or what have you; you can set the kids down with yarn, buttons, markers, whatever you have on hand, that will work to create faces for your puppets, and put on a show for each other.
A Little Bit Louder - A twist on charades - My kids and I like to act out scenes from our favorite family movies, and let the others guess. First to guess it right, is the next one up! (A game that is along the same lines as this, is Heads Up, which is another family favorite of ours.) No matter which game you choose, or how you play it, family games like these, can be a great way to spend an afternoon, while still being a bit active, and allowing yourselves to be a little silly!
A Little Bit Louder Now - If your family members can laugh at yourselves, a great game is family dress-up impersonation. What I mean is, you and your family take turns, dressing like another member of the family, and put on a sort of improv show, acting as each other. (Be sure that each person knows to keep it kind, and respectful.) This is a great way to poke a little innocent fun at each other, while also laughing at ourselves.
SHOUT! - Finally, if you really want to turn your day in, into a party: have one! Make a refreshment table (using the snacks you've made together) and clear the living room floor, for a family dance party! You can even add a little more fun, by pausing the music at different intervals, and having freeze dance! When the music stops, each person has to freeze in place, immediately. It can make for some really funny poses, and great family fun. Plus, by the end, everyone just might be ready for a nap, and then it's quiet/alone time!

These are just a few ideas to keep the kiddos entertained and, maybe keep you from losing your sanity, on the next snow day that comes your way! What are your go-to ideas for surviving snow day?

Every end is a new beginning, right?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 11:30:00 +0000

I've heard that inspirational quote a time or two, hung onto it when times seem dark. It's great to be hopeful, to think bad things are behind you, and even though times look bad, it's somehow the start of something wonderful and new. Then again, sometimes, the new, exciting adventure life throws your way is just crappy. Sometimes, being all hopeful is difficult, and we get bitter. Lately, I swing wildly between the two.

In the fall, Little Miss had started senior year of high school, gotten her first job, the world was her oyster. Then, she started getting migraines, something she had always struggled with, but they grew more frequent. Then came vision blackouts at school, causing this mama to freak out hard core. To the doctor we went, my thought being that they could give her some sort of medication to control this, and life would get back on track. That's not exactly how it went.

A MRI was ordered, we spent a great deal of time at an outpatient facility having that done, only to be sent to the emergency room. Our instructions were specific, go there, tell them we were sent to see a specific doctor. I knew then something was wrong, but had no clue what. Months later we were told by her neurosurgeon that the person who did that original MRI thought she had a large, inoperable brain tumor and that is why we were sent to the hospital. It was not a brain tumor and I thank God every day that the doctors at UMC took the time to figure that out. In talking to her team of physicians now, we quite easily could have been told that was just it and they would have insisted on biopsy. Instead, a team of doctors from across the country consulted on her images, for hours. I'm not sure I've ever been so nervous in my life.

The verdict was, Parry-Romberg Syndrome. The doctor in the ER who came to report this news to us admitted he'd never heard of it. He said it was rare, like finding a dinosaur walking around in modern day. That was pretty much it, we would get referrals from her PCP on specialists to see, but were give no information about this diagnosis itself. We Googled, which was not such a great idea. We cried. When we were finally released from the hospital, we were in shock I think, going home to face the scary unknown.

So this new beginning, the new chapter in Little Miss' life, has not been the easiest. There are so many doctors, progressing symptoms, changes having to be made to plans she's had about life after graduation. She handles it so beautifully, with grace I wish I had. Some days for her are rough, but she seriously inspires me. You can read more of her story here. Yes, it's a fundraiser link, no I'm not asking for money from you. It's simply that I've kept it updated through pretty much the beginning, and is has more detail than my tired mind can muster at the moment.

I know it could be so much worse, and am so thankful it's not. It could be more severe, more progressed, and it's not. Believe me, I know we have it so much better than so many other families. Some days, like today, it's just harder to handle than others. When there's a bad seizure day, or a bad pain day, or an emotional day for her... It's just hard that Mom can't fix it. I can't change it. It sucks. Now, I'll quit being whiny and rambling, ask you to keep us in your prayers, and remind us all to love on those you hold dear extra hard from time to time.

2018 Already?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 11:30:00 +0000

Time flies and once again a new year is upon us. As has been the case for the last few years, I've not blogged as I intended. Life has a nasty habit of throwing curve-balls my way, which I suspect is the case for many of us. There is a list of reasons for my putting off not just the blog, but so many other things. All that is a post for another time. Now, I could sit here and swear I'll be here writing away at least three times a week, but that's just not going to happen. My plan for the new year is to live in the moment, hopefully that's a goal I can reach. Wishing you all a blessed and beautiful 2018.

Flame Book Release and a Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 15:30:00 +0000

Howdy, y'all! If you've read my ramblings for very long, you know I am an avid reader. Some books I devour and the wait for the next in the series seems seems endless. That is the case with Flame by A.K. Morgen. I read the first two books of the RAGNAROK PROPHESIES series and reviewed them here some time ago. Since then I have been eagerly awaiting the next part of the series. Thankfully the wait is over! Below you can read more about the book and find out how to win a copy for yourself! Happy reading!

I'm very excited to announce that the long awaited (and much anticipated!) third book of the Amazon Bestselling RAGNAROK PROPHESIES series has finally arrived! Join Arionna Jacobs and Dace Matthews as they race to stop the apocalypse in this intense and emotional series by A.K. Morgen.

Read on below for all the details, including a giveaway!

SUMMARY

Who do you trust when betrayal threatens to destroy everything you hold dear?

When Arionna Jacobs fled town in a desperate bid to save Dace Matthews, she never expected the chaos she would leave in her wake. Now her closest friend is dead, and another is missing, forcing Ari to return to face the devastating consequences of her actions and the broken boy she left behind.

Her problems are only just beginning.

Even as her bond with Dace grows stronger, Arionna finds herself weakening when Freki's cage shatters. Fighting the wolf for control is tearing her apart piece by piece. And at every turn, she finds that those she's put her faith in aren't who they seem, bringing her face to face with Sköll and Hati. As the depth of their betrayal is revealed, Freki spirals out of control, and Arionna must face her greatest fear: losing herself to the fierce wolf within.

The world balances on the edge of a blade, and one wrong move will destroy it all.

With few allies she can trust and little choice left, Arionna must decide between the lives of her friends and her own future with the alpha she loves. Will she be able to stand firm for the sake of the world, or will she falter in the face of defeat?

BOOK LINKS:
AMAZON | GOODREADS | BARNES AND NOBLE

EXCERPT

"Arionna, dammit, wake up."

Unseen hands gripped my upper arms, shaking me. A familiar voice called my name over and over. Furious howls ripped through the air.

None of those sounds made sense to me.

I felt different, like I'd been taken apart and put back together in the wrong order. Everything hurt. My body ached, muscles locked tight in protest. My head throbbed. Each painful pulse rattled against my skull, sending ripples down my neck and into my back.

I groaned and rolled onto my side.

The hands shaking me relaxed.

I fought to open my eyes, then blinked, confused. Worn brown carpet scratched against the side of my face. The bottom edge of a pale blue bed-sham fluttered inches from me. Dust bunnies and small pieces of plastic were strewn beneath the sagging bed. A table and two chairs were grouped on the other side. A crack ran up the leg of one chair, splitting the wood.

None of the room looked familiar.

Where am I?

The voice calling my name stopped mid-shout and sighed.

Oh, thank god, he said.

For what? I wondered, marveling that the words came from inside my mind, but didn't belong to me. How was that possible?

I couldn't place the soft, silky tones either, but they made my stomach flip and my heart flutter. I knew the speaker. At least I thought I did. Before I could ask him who he was or how he spoke in my head, someone blew out a sharp breath. This time, the sound didn't come from inside.

"Finally," that second voice said.

Nope. Definitely not coming from my mind.

I rolled my eyes toward the relieved sound, and then frowned at the guy leaning over me. Long, dark hair hung in his face. His eyes were black, and full of concern. His features were sharp, severe, but handsome.

This time I was certain; I knew this guy.

"Ronan," I said. His name was Ronan LaCrosse, and mine was… Arionna. Yes, Arionna Jacobs. Memory began to slowly trickle back in. We were at a motel in Illinois, looking for someone. And the howls were coming from Fuki, the little wolf we'd brought with us, though I couldn't see him.

Where was he?

I tried to figure out why I was on the floor, but came up with a big blank.

"What happened?" I asked, looking up at Ronan.

He held out a hand for me, then pulled me into a sitting position.

The room tilted before straightening again. I clutched my head in my hands, groaning. When the initial wave of nausea passed, I tilted my head up slowly so I could see Ronan. "Did I hit my head?" I asked, trying to blink away the dark spots floating in my peripheral.

"You don't remember?" He narrowed his eyes, tilting his head to the side like a raven assessing me.

I scooted back against the edge of the bed, frowning.

What was I supposed to remember?

GIVEAWAY

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A.K. Morgen is the Amazon Bestselling author of the Ragnarök Prophesies series. She lives in the heart of Arkansas with her childhood sweetheart/husband of thirteen years, and their six furry minions. When not writing, she spends her time hiking, reading, volunteering, causing mischief, and building a Spork army. Ayden graduated summa cum laude with her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Forensic Psychology in 2009 before going on to complete her graduate degree in CJ and Law. She currently puts her education to use in the social services and CJ field.

Ayden also writes New Adult and contemporary romance under the penname Ayden K. Morgen.

You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, or via her website at http://akmorgen.com.

A Taste of Mardi Gras

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 22:00:00 +0000

Have you ever been to Mardi Gras? I have not but it is one of several trips on my bucket list! It will happen someday, I am determined! Until then I will have to settle for celebrating at home. No Mardi Gras shindig would be complete without a menu featuring the vibrant, distinctive tastes of New Orleans. There are so many tantalizing recipes out there that would be perfect for a Mardi Gras bash, but I have narrowed it down to my ten favorites.

Gumbo Dip - Yes, you read that correctly. I did a double take myself when I first stumbled onto this recipe. Who would have thought of turning gumbo into a dip? Whoever it was is clearly a genius! This recipe combines all the fresh flavor of a tasty gumbo with cream cheese to create a tasty, one of a kind appetizer. You will not be sorry you tried this one!
Muffuletta Pinwheels - This is another recipe that takes a traditional taste of New Orleans and puts a new spin on it. In this case it's one of my favorite things in the world, the muffuletta sandwich. Instead of the usual sandwich, this recipe takes all those yummy flavors and turns them into appetizer pinwheels. These are dangerous in that they are habit forming. Not only are they delicious, they also look amazing on an appetizer tray. I love food that's as pretty as it is tasty.
Easy Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya - Jambalaya is one of my favorite dishes, but I have only made it a handful of times because I thought it was a difficult dish to get right. Wrong! Enter this recipe I just discovered that makes it easy. Is there anything in the world better than yummy and easy? I think not!
New Orleans BBQ Shrimp - This recipe has been a family favorite for years now. I adore shrimp, but was afraid to cook it for a long time. I am so glad I ditched that fear and perfected this dish. If you like shrimp, give this one a try. It's a party for your taste buds!
Creole Green Beans - Side dishes that aren't the same old thing make my family happy. This dish is easy to throw together, quick to cook, and incredibly flavorful. I wouldn't have thought about doing green beans this way on my own, so am so happy I came across this great recipe. You probably have everything you need to stir up a batch in your kitchen right now! It's a great side for any day of the week, but fits great on a Mardi Gras menu.
Roasted Squash + Parmesan - Where do I even start with this recipe? It's simple, reasonably good for you, delicious, and beautiful. I would serve this any day, but for Mardi Gras it definitely delivers a punch of all the right vibrant colors! Check it out for yourself and you'll see what I mean. This one is a keeper, I promise!
Mardi Gras Kiss Cocktail - Who doesn't like a kiss? Just kidding, but this cocktail sure is tasty treat on your lips. Rum and pineapple combine to make a drink that hits the spot. Easy to make and oh so good, this one is likely to become a party favorite for us.
Non-alcoholic Mardi Gras Punch - This stuff will please old and young alike. It's pretty and sweet, making it a perfect addition to your Fat Tuesday celebrations!
King Bundt Cake - When it comes to dessert for Mardi Gras, what else would you have? My Little Miss loves King cake so much that I decided learning how to make one was the smartest move in the long run. This one has amazing filling.
Grandma's Old-Fashioned Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce - This isn't my grandma's, but it's still an amazing recipe. Bread pudding is classic New Orleans and this recipe delivers amazing flavor. If you love bread pudding, this is a winner!

Five Favorite Soup Recipes

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 25 Jan 2017 01:17:00 +0000

Do you love soup? I love soup. It's warm, comforting yumminess. Some soups can be made on the fly, others need to simmer for hours. Many soups taste better after a day in the fridge so all the flavors blend and deepen. When I'm sick, I carve soup. Sad? Yep, soup again. Cold weather rolls in? Soup saves the day! Here are ten soup recipes my family loves. Why not stir up a pot for yourself?

1. Copycat Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup
We love Panera Bread! Since it's arrival in Lubbock, it has quickly become my newest obsession. Their Broccoli Cheddar Soup is a hit with the whole house. Little Miss lists broccoli cheese soup as her favorite, no matter where it comes from, so I'm always on the look out for a good recipe.

2. Tamale Soup
This is a recipe I created after the little eatery I first tasted it in closed down. It took some trial and error, but I finally managed to get pretty close to replicating the flavor I so loved. It is a go to when it's cold out. Though it can be made with canned tamales, I mush prefer using the fresh or frozen variety. You can use pork, beef, chicken, whatever your family prefers.

3. Slow Cooker King Ranch Chicken Soup
We love King Ranch Chicken Casserole in this house. It's a favorite, especially during the chilly months. When I first saw a friend talking about this recipe on Facebook, I knew I needed to try it. A favorite casserole turned yummy soup? Yes, please!

4. Stuffed Pepper Soup
Another family favorite main dish turned soup! I love these recipes! This one packs all the the flavor of stuffed bell peppers into a steaming bowl of goodness. Grab some crusty bread and go to town, my friends!

5. My Chicken and Rice Soup
This recipe was born when I needed to use up leftovers. It turned out amazing, is quick, and is about as frugal as it gets. This is my go to rather than chicken noodle when the sniffles take over my home.

My Five Biggest Distractions (and how I TRY to avoid them)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Jan 2017 13:30:00 +0000

You know how it goes, you sit down at your desk to be all sorts of productive, then BAM it's two hours later and you've accomplished precious little. Is it just me? Anyone else? You can raise your hand, we will get distracted together. No, no we won't. All joking around aside, I tend to get hopelessly distracted so easily. My intentions are always good; doing homework, banging out a post, cleaning out my inbox. Somehow my mind all too often wanders. Here are my five biggest distractions, or time sucks as I call them, and ways I try to combat them.

1. Social Media
Social media and I have a love/hate relationship. It's such a useful tool for bloggers, freelancers, authors, and so many more. Social media is also my enemy, in a few ways.

If I need to post on Facebook or be more active on Twitter, I tend to get caught up in writing the "perfect" tweet, post, nugget of info, whatever. In my mind everyone else int he world is wittier, smarter, or more engaging, thus I obsess over getting it right. This is ridiculous, I realize it, but it often times doesn't slow my brain any. In an effort to combat this, I set a timer. I give myself so long to get my social media "business" done for the day, then call it quits. It gives me the kick in the butt I need to get things done and not make myself crazy.
When I'm not obsessing over not being a social media superstar (ha, ha, ha) I get sucked into the vortex of feed reading. Whether it's news on Twitter, friend's stories on Facebook, or the five million things I want to DIY on Pinterest (seriously do not get me started on Pinterest), I very, very easily get lost devouring info online. My solution to this is once again setting a timer, but I do it a little differently in this instance. I will only allow myself leisure social media browsing time once I've ticked three things off my to do list for the day. Generally this means homework, editing on a freelance piece, and replying to emails. It gives me a break as well as keeping me from spending to long dawdling on the interwebz.

2. Research
Research is great! Hang on, let me clarify, research for some things is great, but when it comes to research papers it can be kind of a drag. It's so easy for me to get lost looking up info that I am interested in. One would think this is good, and it can be, but other times I get so caught up in fact finding that it leaves very little time for actually taking what I've learned and putting it into action. My solution to this is to first outline exactly what it is I am looking for. Once I've found what it is I need, I stop. There's no need to keep looking and collecting a ton of information I do not need/will not use when doing so takes away from the time I could actually use to complete the project. No matter how interesting a subject is, there's no reason to distract myself from what I actually need to accomplish, at least that's what I keep telling myself.

3. Food
This is how it goes: sit down, work, get hungry. Simple, right? It should be for most people. At this point, the following things happen. 1. Go get something to eat. 2. Decide to clean the kitchen. 3. Decide the kitchen is not clean enough, so sweep, mop, do things that don't necessarily need done. 4. Thinking about food makes me think about dinner and how I have no plan. These thoughts bring on a month worth of meal planning. 5. What was it I was doing? Maybe I have adult ADD, it's entirely possible. My mind doesn't always work this way, but when it does, oh boy! If this chain of events doesn't happen, a trip to the kitchen will bring on a recipe search binge that will take up hours. Learning to combat this has meant implementing meal planning and prepping, as well as putting myself on a strict time schedule. If I plan ahead some it greatly helps keep this from happening.

4. Reading
Do you love to read? I sure do! Unfortunately, I do not get in much leisure reading these days. When I do manage to sneak in some reading time it's hard to tear myself away. Usually I am either taking away from time I need to have my nose in a textbook or when I should be sleeping. There is no telling how many hours of sleep I've lost with my "just one more page" or "I'll just finish this chapter" thinking. The main thing working against me here is that I feel guilty taking time to do something that's "not necessary". Taking care of this situation has meant adjusting my thinking some. I deserve time for me and taking some isn't wrong. So, on days I finish my work as I should, I carve out some time for me to read. The world doesn't stop when I do so and it's part of taking care of me. We all deserve some fun downtime. Once again, my timer comes tot he rescue. When my time is up, it's up and that's it. This keeps me from losing out on hours of sleep wrapped up in a Caroline Kepnes novel.

5. Disorganization
Okay, so this whole post basically could be titled disorganization, but oh well. Not having my ducks in a row is the surest way for me to get distracted. On days I actually write down a to do list staying focused is much easier for me. There is a sense of satisfaction in ticking things off a list, so it helps keep me motivated. Staying organized is such a broad idea, but it can mean a few simply things. Planning for the unexpected, knowing how to ward off and deal with distractions, and scheduling your day can work wonders. My solution is to make a list, have time dedicated to work, school, etc, and a set stop time for the end of this "work day". It's how I deal and if I am consistent, it works for me.

I've shared mine, so what about y'all? What are your biggest time sucks and how do you try to combat them?

Creamy Chicken Chowder Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 15:30:00 +0000

Do you love good, warm, comfort food on a cold winter's day? I sure do! In fact, adding soups, stews, chowders, and comforting casseroles to the menu is one of my favorite parts of winter. My absolute favorite recipes to warm us up are those that combine great flavor with affordability. This creamy chicken chowder recipe was thrown together by raiding my pantry and turned out to be a bowl of rich, delicious comfort food. Not only is it tasty, but it comes together rather quickly, making it a great choice for a weeknight dinner. I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine does!

Ingredients

1 lb boneless skinless chicken, cooked and shredded - Thighs, breasts, whatever you want to use works!

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 large white onion, diced

1 teaspoon minced garlic - I use the refrigerated stuff in the jar.

1/4 cup all purpose flour

6 small potatoes, peeled and diced

1 can no salt added whole kernel corn, drained

4 medium carrots, peeled and sliced

6 cups chicken broth - I've used broth reserved after boiling chicken, store bought broth, and even water with chicken bouillon successfully.

2 cups half and half - You can sub milk with no problem, your chowder just won't be as rich.

Salt and pepper to taste

Method

In a large pot, stir butter over medium heat until melted.Toss in onion and garlic, stirring and cooking until tender. Add in flour, stirring constantly until slightly browned, to make a roux. Pour in broth and continue stirring until well blended.

Add carrots, potatoes, and seasoning, let the pot come to a boil. Lower heat to medium low, cooking about 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender, giving the pot an occasional stir.

Stir in corn, half and half, cooked chicken, and corn. Reduce heat to simmer and cook another 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This is one of those recipes that you can add to and/or take away from depending on your tastes and what ingredients you have on hand.

Inspired by and adapted from CookingClassy.com

Saving Cents

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Jan 2017 15:00:00 +0000

With the New Year comes a whole new set of goals, or if you are like me, old goals you didn't quite meet in the previous year. High on the list of most of my friends is saving more money in the new year. There are no shortage of suggested savings plans out there: the 52 week challenge, putting all your dimes away in a two liter bottle, squirreling away every five dollar bill that ends up in your hands. I have tried numerous savings methods over the years and none that I followed really worked for me. A few weeks would pass with me successfully saving, then something would derail me. Not dealing in cash, making very little money, unexpected emergencies, all those things and more would throw a hitch in my plans and my saving would stop or my stash of cash would have to be used for something. Many families are low income like we are and I am sure, also like me, think long term substantial saving is a near impossible goal.

This way of thinking was getting me nowhere, so I decided to change things up in 2017. Enter my newest saving strategy, the pickle jar. This thing is big, a glass pickle jar I picked up months ago at a yard sale with the intention of using it as a kitchen utensil holder. The mouth of the jar was a little narrower than I needed for the purpose I intended, so it ended up sitting on the counter a few days. During that time something magical happened, loose change started to accumulate. It happened without much effort or thought on our part, we'd just empty our pockets into the jar before tossing clothes into the laundry hamper. Once money appeared in there, none of us touched it. In my case it started as a matter of curiosity, wanting to see how much could accumulate before life threw a curve-ball necessitating raiding our jar. There's no thinking about it, counting out a certain amount of money to hide away, which is why I think this works for us. The jar has moved from the counter to the bookcase, but location doesn't seem to have hindered our habit of tossing coins there daily.

What's the point of this ramble about a change jar? Don't overthink it. Any savings is progress, even a small change can lead to a good habit. Don't stress that you aren't putting away $50 a week, especially if you truly cannot afford to do so. All you need to do is save SOMETHING. Change adds up and positive habits are positive habits despite the amount you sock away. Don't stress it, just do it. So far it's working for us.

Saving in the New Year: Getting Started With Coupons

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 16:00:00 +0000

As the New Year approaches, I've heard many folks say that saving is one of their top resolutions. Couponing is one way to save your family some cold, hard cash. You would be amazed at what some planning and coupon inserts can do to change your life. To give you some inspiration and get you pointed in the right direction, I've rounded up some of my posts from way back on how to get started clipping your way to savings. It is something I intend to embrace at full force once again in 2017. Good luck and happy shopping!

How Do You Save That Much?

I Don't Know Where To Start!

Know When To Hold 'Em, Know When To Shop

Thinking Out Loud

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 02:06:00 +0000

I've found myself discussing this blog often in the past week, so much so that is has me reminiscing. I started blogging so many years ago because I had figured out how to do something that was helping my family survive on a very meager income. We were barely getting by and I was doing anything I could to help better our circumstances. I learned to coupon, stockpile, shop smarter and cook smarter. Everything about how I ran our household changed. I wanted to share my knowledge with others like us, those who were living well beyond the poverty line. Those who could use skills like couponing to keep their families from going hungry. It worked. I helped people. It was an incredibly rewarding experience and I can honestly say looking back that I am proud of what I accomplished.

I fell off the wagon. My marriage imploded. Life completely turned on it's head. I made some not great choices, but I made my share of good ones as well. Like many who find their lives taking a completely new turn, I struggled. Sometimes I feel like I barely survived drowning. Somehow, I got my head on straight, pulled myself up by the bootstraps, and moved forward.

Here I am now. I am a single mom. A full time nanny. A full time college student. I've accomplished a lifelong dream of becoming a published author. Things are by no means easy, perfect, or constant sunshine and rainbows. After years, I am finally making my own life, on my own terms, and loving every moment. Each up and down teaches me something. It can be scary. Overwhelming. So stressful. It's also an amazing ride.

What I have decided is that I want to share this journey. It's not the vision I had when I began writing here all those years ago, but it's my life, and that was always sort of the point. Plus, I know their are others like me; single parents who work, struggle, laugh, cry, and just hang on when they find themselves starting over. So, I am going to share, try to help, and hopefully empower. If I help even one person realize they aren't alone, then my heart is happy.

20 Years Ago

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 04 May 2016 03:58:00 +0000

Twenty years ago today I was a seventeen year old bride, scared to death but excited for the future. At this point exactly 20 years ago I was in a hotel with my new husband having a mental freak out because all of a sudden I wasn't supposed to be a kid anymore. We had a baby on the way and out of nowhere it slammed into me that we were now supposed to be adults and our own unit. We were expected to raise someone else. It was a lot to absorb. Even though I was worried about the future and how exactly life was going to work, I was happy because I had this person who loved me. I thought that's what happiness was supposed to look like.

Fifteen years ago today I was in tears most of the day. The marriage this day commemorated was in trouble and I knew it. I had learned a lot in the years since "I do". I was the mother to two absolutely amazing children. Life was a struggle, but we sort of got by. I tried to count my blessings, but I was not the wife I was expected to be. My heart hurt because happiness was a concept I didn't grasp anymore. I wasn't a great mom. I was depressed and lost, all because I thought the only way to be happy was to be loved by a man, to be living some sort of fairy tale that eluded me. I knew life was not that way for me, for us, and I was miserable for so many reasons.

I had it all wrong.

Tonight there are a few tears as I type, not from sadness for where I am now, but from relief the person I was five years ago is long gone.Why has past me a memory and something I will never be again? It's because the power of I.

“I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.” ~ Groucho Marx

I figured out happiness isn't about a man loving you. It's not about a big house, having all the money in the world, or raising perfect kids. Those things don't make you happy, it comes from within us. Figuring that out was a game changer for me. Guess what happened? I became someone I am proud of. I am an amazing mother. Have a job I love. Am finally going to college after years of believing it was impossible. I accomplished a dream by becoming an author. I am strong, so much stronger than I ever believed. I am smart. Funny. Kind. I am blessed with the most incredible family and friends who support and love me unconditionally. I found myself and guess what? I. Am. Happy. Life still throws curve balls. Depression still sucks. Not every day is perfect, most are far from it. Even so, I am happy. It's a life changer. So, on a day I once dreaded and viewed all about loss, I now celebrate. I am no longer a sad, scared girl. Twenty years later I am a fierce, strong, HAPPY woman. I really doesn't get better than that.

Where did January go?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 03:29:00 +0000

I saw something on Facebook earlier about January being a practice month and February beginning the new year. It gave me a giggle, but truthfully I wouldn't mind it. There was so much I intended to accomplish in January that just didn't happen. Instead of focusing on what didn't get done, I am looking at what did happen.

This gal is now a sophomore in college! My class this last term made me crazy, but thanks to some excellent help, I manged to pass and keep moving forward! I am so excited to be living my dream of going to college. It's no cake walk, but I know it will be worth it.

The top of my list of priorities this month was inspired by watching War Room yesterday. If you haven't seen this film yet, I highly recommend it. It left me inspired and uplifted. So, I am going to work on my pray life. I also plan to check into Bible journaling. A friend mentioned this on Facebook recently and I've been intrigued ever since. I am pinning all sorts of resources on both subjects here if you want to check them out. There are truly amazing resources and inspirations to be found on Pinterest! This is a change I should have made in my life long ago and I look forward to learning and growing along the journey.

My next course, Introduction to Film History, is high on my to do list for this month. I am excited about this one and hope it will be fun and not quite as stressful as all the numbers I've dealt with the last 8 weeks.

I have a few other things on my goals list this month, but I'm not quite ready to share those just yet.

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, productive February!

New Year, New Goals,

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 02:56:00 +0000

TexasHousewife.com Disclosure- I have received no compensation other than free product to review and/or giveaway. Any opinions expressed on TexasHousewife.com are my own. My posts are never reviewed or edited in any way by sponsors.

I know many people make resolutions for the new year, but this year I decided to go with goals. They aren't huge things, but goals that are positive steps toward bigger goals. Like many out there, I could definitely stand to lose a few pounds. Instead of making a resolution to lose 50 pounds or something like that. Instead, one of my goals is to eat more fresh fruits and veggies, less processed foods. Another was to move more. No, I won't be running a marathon anytime soon, but I figure any movement is better than sitting on my duff all the time. Another healthy goal is to up my water consumption. So far I am doing well with my goals. I am eating better, being more active, and drinking a gallon of water a day. I'm off to a great start!

Sprouts Farmers Market's New Year campaign, Start Fresh with Healthy Habits is helping customer's to make small changes with a nod toward better health. They are also hosting a contest in which the winner will receive $5,000 in Sprouts gift cards! That's a sweet prize for making small lifestyle changes!

SOCIAL CAMPAIGN

The 21-Day Healthy Habits Challenge encourages fans/followers/customers to sign-up and commit to a healthy habit for 21 days in a row, and hopefully continuing indefinitely.

Dates: 1/1 – 1/21
Entry form on the Sprouts Website will also feature articles and content related to healthy habits. Each day during the challenge, customers can go to the entry form to enter and let us know that they achieved their healthy habit for the day. There will be a total of 21 entries possible.
Prize: One grand prize winner will score groceries for a year, in the form of $5,000 in Sprouts gift cards.
Hashtag: #HabitMyWay

In addition to the entry form located on Sprouts.com, there will also be a Facebook event for the 21-Day Healthy Habit Challenge. Subscribers to the event page will be able to view motivational content and share their own photos and inspiration with one another.

Vendor photo challenge giveaways will also take place on the Facebook event page. Giveaways are scheduled with Organic Valley, Kashi, New Chapter, Tiesta Tea, MegaFood and Kala. They’ve got some great prizes to giveaway, including a TREK bike, yoga mats, fitness trackers and a Vitamix.

Those are some great prizes! To enter head on over to the Sprouts Website. Don't forget to check out their Facebook page for more information on Healthy Habits. Good luck with the contest!

What are your goals for the new year?

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 04:39:00 +0000

This photo pretty much sums up every day for me since New Year's Eve. The last 24 hours have been especially rough. This sure isn't the way i wanted to usher in 2016, but I refuse to let it set the tone for the year to come. I hope all of you have had a much better new year than me so far. Once I shake whatever bug this is, I plan to take 2016 by the horns and live it to it's fullest.

Wishing you all a blessed 2016!

Goliath, Good Deeds, and Greed

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 01:42:00 +0000

“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” - Henry James

Winter storm Goliath brought on a first for me, a blizzard in Texas. Never have I experienced anything like the snowfall we received here in Lubbock or the aftermath of the storm.

The city and county declared a state of disaster days ago, leaving us all waiting for help and the city to slowly return to normal. During this time, the community has came together to help each other. Local groups worked to get nurses, first responders, and essential personnel to work on treacherous streets. Strangers helped free stuck vehicles, doing so not for profit, but out of the goodness of their hearts. It's been quite heart warming.

As always, bad seems to accompany the bad. In the aftermath of Goliath, there are those looking to make a quick buck off of the misfortune of others. I've read of exorbitant fees for snow plow rental, drive shoveling, and tow fees. Then there was this story on the local news that left my blood boiling.
Stories like this and others of people taking advantage of something like severe weather make me even more thankful to the kind, compassionate strangers int he world. It really isn't hard to be a kind person. To all those who have joined together as a community to help out, I offer a sincere thank you. People like you make our community great!

December already?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 02 Dec 2015 03:34:00 +0000

Time sure does fly! I have been an absolute fail at blogging this year. Work, school, motherhood, and attempting a social life have kept me pretty busy. I am desperately hoping to find some balance and be here more often. I miss writing here and interacting with my readers.

Anyway, I want to say happy first of December to you all! While bustling around preparing for Christmas, I am trying to spread joy and kindness every day, not just the 25th. There is nothing quite like bringing a smile to a stranger's lips. After seeing some of the disgusting news reports about people behaving so terribly during Black Friday shopping, I realized we need more kindness in this world. I mean, I knew this, but that drove it home.

So, watch this video. It will give you the warm fuzzies and maybe bring a tear to your eye. I want to be one of these kind of people, not the ones snatching sale deals out of the hands of babes.

Have a blessed night, y'all!

A daughter is...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 05:00:00 +0000

I absolutely love this quote, because it couldn't be more true.

All mother's have probably heard the "they grow up so fast line", be it while they were expecting or while holding a tiny babe in your arms. I know it was told to me more times than I can count. I didn't believe it. Not when I first heard it while holding a tiny blue swaddled bundle, and not almost three years later when a very loud little girl was pulled screaming from my womb. She wanted back in and no part of the cold, cruel world. She did her best to make sure we understood this for the next ten months of her life. They were the longest months, weeks, days, hours, minutes of my life... at least they sure felt that way at the time. After our first child had come home from the hospital sleeping through the night, us having to wake him for feedings, and him only making noise when his world was seriously not right, this red faced little girl was a whole new ballgame. At the time I was pretty sure the universe had a cruel sense of humor. Loud as she was, we loved her fiercely, and she brought unimaginable joy to our little family. Even through sleepless nights I wondered how I had gotten so lucky to blessed with two such amazing children. They brought so many joys and challenges. It didn't seem like kids grew up quickly back then, I thought it would all go so slowly.

Then came the health problems, the doctors offices, the fear, bad news, and absolute fear that comes along with some health care professional telling you your child isn't perfect. We were told so many awful things during her second year of life that I lost count. I shed so many tears and time crawled by, at least that's how it felt. I guess that's always how it feels when you are waiting for answers you may never have. Our loud little lady proved several doctors wrong and started doing so fairly soon after they told us she wouldn't. She likes to prove people wrong. Still, time wasn't zooming by.

Here I sit, 16 years after Little Miss made her debut, crying like the big sap I am, trying to figure out where the time went. It's like I blinked and she went from crawling to high school. How does that happen? There was not enough time! Not enough sweet baby babbles, sticky kisses, chubby cheeks, little girl laughter, none of it. That said, I wouldn't go back in time, even though I cherish every memory of my little girl growing up.

You see, she's not a little girl anymore. Somehow she turned into a young woman. She's still so smart, funny, beautiful, and all the things she was back then but she's so much more. When I look at her now, I see more woman than child, less glimpses of my baby in a tiny pink bow and more the woman she will one day be. She kind, gifted, witty. She's a self proclaimed geek. She loves, sharks, Batman, Dr. Who. She listens to music that drives me crazy one second, then turns on Merle Haggard the next. Sometimes we butt heads brutally, other times we fall down in fits of giggles. She's been through so much and has been a warrior through it all. She is an incredible blessing and I am so proud of who she is.

She is 16 today.

Guess what? They really do grow up much too fast.

Welcome September

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 16:00:00 +0000

Happy September, y'all! I've missed writing here so much, I thought it was time to give it another go. Where have I been? Well, I've been making my dreams come true! Seriously, I have been doing things I never thought I would! Along with still working a job I absolutely love full time, I am finally going to college! This is something I always wanted and never thought I would be able to do! Life is just really, really good right now. For the first time in a long time I am truly happy. This is a big deal, y'all.

Those of you who are long time readers will notice some changes around here. It was time because Ramblings of a Texas Housewife no longer fit me. I think that's part of why I struggled so much to even come here for so long, the person I was when this blog started was long gone. It took me a little while to find me, but now that I have, I wanted a fresh start!

Anyway, thanks to all of you who have been here for the long haul and howdy to the new readers! I am thrilled you are here! Welcome, September. I cannot wait to see how this beautiful month unfolds.

Be Awesome 2015

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 02:31:00 +0000

Another year and for a change I am hopeful. So much has changed in my life over the last few years, but I finally think I am in a good place. In fact, the hopelessness I felt a few years ago is completely gone. This is what I am most thankful for as the New Year dawns. It's because of the warm fuzzies and peace I feel that I bring you my resolutions, goals that are drastically different than any from years gone by.

I am going to smile! Even though I have six teeth left in my mouth, I have so much to smile about! The teeth issues that were causing such pain and stealing away my health are long gone. Friends near and far came together to help with this, saving me and drastically changing the quality of my life. This is an amazing thing! I am so blessed and thankful to all who were supportive during this journey.

This year is going to all about love, kindness, and thankfulness too. Love, love, love... love is you need. Sorry, I got distracted. Anyway, love is a big deal. It saves lives, mends hearts, changes the world. The words I love you have weight, something I think many forget. If you love someone, let them know. Be kind, for there is no reason not to. Another lesson I learned over the last year was kindness and a positive attitude even during the worst of times is a game changer. It's not always easy, but for me it's a gift I give myself. Be thankful. Count your blessings. Spread joy. These are things I aspire to in 2015.

Be awesome! Who doesn't want to be awesome? It's been a long time since I've felt awesome, but that's changing. I want to be an awesome mom, daughter, sister, granddaughter, family member however, friend, and student. Yes, this 36 year old mama is a college freshman! I spent many years thinking I couldn't accomplish my dreams, but now I know better! I am going to be awesome!

I guess positivity is my theme this yeatr and as you can probably tell, I am excited! Come on 2015, good things are coming!

What are your resolutions this year?

I wish you all a very happy New Year!

How to find savings at the gas pump

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 23:01:00 +0000

Buying gas is hands down my least favorite thing to do lately. Thankfully gas prices in my area have fallen some recently, making filling up not quite as hard on the pocketbook. Still, it's never fun and I try to find ways to save money on my fuel costs as often as possible. One great was is Shell's Fuel Rewards Network. Signing up is free and it's easy to start earning savings. You can help lower the cost of filling your tank several ways after you sign up, like dining out, shopping on line, even when you buy groceries! Earning fuel rewards is simple and I find that with earning points on shopping it's a double win, you are already shopping anyway! Saving money is a big thing to me.

You can also earn savings and currently gift cards with the Refer-A-Friend program. Your friends sign up to save and the first time they fill up you save. Plus, until November 2, my readers can earn Shell gift cards. You refer 50+ folks, get a $50 gift card. You refer 100+ people, you've got yourself a $100 gift card. 200+, that's a $200 gift card for you. Any of those will make paying for gas a little easier! All you have to do is go here, sign up, start saving, and refer all your friends. Your referral link can be easily found through the "account profile" section of the Fuel Rewards Network's site. It's a great way for you and your friends to find a little relief at the gas pumps.

Happy shopping and saving!

Ramblings of a Texas Housewife Product Review and/or Giveaway Disclosure- I have received no compensation other than the offer of free product to review and/or giveaway. Any opinions expressed on Ramblings of a Texas Housewife are my own. My reviews are never reviewed or edited in any way by sponsors.

Rockin' Back To School With Sol Republic Deck

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 14 Sep 2014 05:00:00 +0000

Have you ever fallen in love with a product from the first time you used it? This is what happened when I had the opportunity to review the Sol Republic Deck. The Deck is a wireless speaker which has great range and incredible sound. I have used this every day once it arrived in my hot little hands. It goes in the car with me because the car system sounds terrible. I use it every morning for the getting up, showered, dressed, and out the door routine. I use it with my notebook computer because the speakers on it barely make noise. It is my workout buddy while I'm walking on the treadmill at home. We take it to the kitchen to make cooking into a giant family sing along and dance party. I listen to it while typing blog posts and singing about along about not knowing what to do with myself. Anyhow, it has many uses and I like versatility.

It's a hit with the teenagers too. I know this because it frequently misplaces itself, going from the corner of my desk upstairs. I keep being assured no one knows how that happens, but I'm confident it's not moving on it's own. Teenagers. Anyway, the Deck scores high points with them not only because of the amazing sound. Two things stand out with my teens; Heist Mode and outdoor mode. Heist Mode allows up to five mobile devices to control the Deck with the simple slide of a button. You can have multiple DJs this way. I swear Heist Mode kept us from having all out musical fits of "But, I don't like that song!" last weekend because all three of us had control. Mom likes it for that very reason. Outdoor mode gives you a sound boost that is awesome. The first time we tried the Deck was at the pool and the sound was clear even among splashing and chatter. Pretty cool if you ask me.

The final verdict is Sol Republic's Deck is honestly one of my favorite things. I think it would be great for high school or college students going back to school who enjoy music while studying. It produces great sound without being obnoxiously loud, a fact that this mom who says "turn that that down" to the man child's big clunky system completely appreciates. I like everything about it, from the cool features I've already mentioned to how it gives you verbal battery status updates. So cool! The only thing I was not happily about was the inability to connect using the NFC on my phone, but it says it's possible and it could have easily been user error on my part. Connecting via Bluetooth worked just fine. My opinion is the Deck is a great product and would make a fabulous gift.

You want one for yourself now, don't you? Of course you do! You are in luck too, because one lucky reader will win one of their very own!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Ramblings of a Texas Housewife Product Review and/or Giveaway Disclosure- I have received no compensation other than the offer of free product to review and/or giveaway. Any opinions expressed on Ramblings of a Texas Housewife are my own. My reviews are never reviewed or edited in any way by sponsors.