Everyday Mom

The Little Things and Grace

2011-02-17T15:32:00.001-08:00

The little things...

This morning I went to Wal-Mart. After paying for my items and loading the bags into the car I noticed a two-pack of baby socks that had been at the bottom of the cart, under the diaper bag. I hadn't paid for them so I quickly ran them back into the store and told the clerk what had happened.

I don't tell this little story to pat myself on the back. I tell it because it reminded me of an experience I had a while back. A few years ago, when we were getting ready to move from Fargo to Ririe, I stopped by the video store to see if we had any overdue charges that I needed to pay. The clerk looked at me funny and I explained that we were moving and I wanted to make sure my debts were paid before we left. I laughed a little and said, “I don't want to get to Heaven and then not be allowed in because of a $2 fine at the video store in Fargo, North Dakota.” The clerk remarked that he hoped we wouldn't be kept out of Heaven for something so small.

I don't want to start a religious debate, this isn't the proper forum for that (is there ever a proper forum for arguing about religion? Discussion, for sure, but never arguing, but that's another topic for another day). Anyway, I'll state my beliefs so you can know where I'm coming from … I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons. I do believe in the saving grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ. It is because of His grace that we will be saved and receive exaltation in the Kingdom of Heaven. Furthermore, I believe what it says in 2 Nephi 25:23, “For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” After all we can do we are saved by grace. Picture a ladder that is only tall enough to get within several feet of the ceiling. I can climb the ladder but I will never get to the ceiling. That is where grace comes in. Grace is what gets us from the top rung of the ladder to the ceiling - after we have climbed the ladder.

I thought about it back in Fargo, I've thought about it since and I thought about it again this morning. What is going to keep me out of Heaven – or allow me to go in? I do truly believe that it is the little things. The clerk might have been right in that one little thing won't keep me out, but what about a lot of little things. There's a very slim chance that I will ever have millions of “extra” dollars with which I can open a school for girls in Africa (a la Oprah), rebuild half of New Orleans (a la Brad and Angelina), or even be rich enough to donate to a university to build a gymnasium or science center. Most days we don't even have enough "extra" cash to help an underprivileged Boy Scout go to Scout Camp

So what do I do? If I can't do big things, how about the little things? How about letting the person with two items go ahead of me in line at the grocery store? What about helping the sweet older lady pick up the change that fell out when she opened her wallet the wrong way? Picking up a piece of trash that blew across my path in the parking lot? Smiling to an elderly gentlemen who is sitting on a bench? Making my husband's favorite dessert? Taking a plate of cookies to the neighbor? Staying to visit for a minute when it seems like they want to talk? Holding a baby (screaming or not) for a mother so she can have a minute of quiet to listen during church? Entertaining a child on an airplane flight or in a meeting, even if I only have a watch, a piece of paper and a pen with which to entertain them? I think that all of these little things will add up, like rungs on the ladder, to help me do my part. It's just like little Hershey's kisses. Eat enough of them and the calorie total will be the same as a king sized Hershey's bar.

Mosiah 2:17 says, “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” When I do any (all?) of these little things, I am not only serving those here on earth, I am serving God, too.

I've read and reread this post so many times that I don't know if it makes sense anymore. It's just what's been on my mind as I've cut, chopped and sauteed about a million bell peppers and onions for the chili that will be served at the blood drive tomorrow. (I hate bell peppers and onions so I had to keep my mind occupied - haha.) At the very least, it's something to think about....

On the Timer Today

2011-01-07T10:02:00.000-08:00

I have a lot to do today. It's not that I've been lazy this week, I've just been lazier than I could afford to be. We'll blame that on "the screamer" (a.k.a. "Drama Girl", a.k.a. the baby) and also on being a bit sick at the beginning of the week. Be that as it may, I'm "on the timer" today. I set the timer for 15 minutes and see how much I can get done on a particular task, room clean, etc. This morning I started doing 15 minutes in the boys' room (couldn't see the floor) and after the initial 15 minutes, then a break to feed the screamer and put her down for a nap, I went back and finished most of the job (I even went through their clothes). Now they can do the rest of it after school. I'm to the point, now, that I need to empty the large laundry basket full of stuff that does not belong in their room. I hate this task. I always have. I hate this task so much that there is a large laundry basket in the hallway that is FULL of stuff that I need to take care of - and it's been there for more than a month. So.... I'm setting my timer for 15 minutes. I *WILL* empty the laundry basket from the boys' room in that time and then I will allow myself a break (maybe only 15 minutes) before tackling the next laundry basket.

And no, I haven't found the spare cell phone that has been missing for a couple of weeks. It's out of battery or else I'd just call it. I want to send it with the 12 year old when he goes to Oklahoma City tomorrow. Maybe it's in that large laundry basket. It's possible.

And yes, the laundry is going because I am bound and determined to have a folding festival tonight with the kids.

What's Cooking? Wednesday

2011-01-05T06:34:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the ninth weekly edition of ....

I'm sorry I didn't do it last week. I just couldn't. Too much sickness, too much holiday, too many kids... too much of a good thing is still too much. But, I'm back this week and raring to go! Kind of.

During my college years I was known as "The Hamburger Helper Queen". That title continued through the early years of my marriage. Thankfully, I learned to experiment with cooking a little more and found some other types of things to cook that were quick, easy, and cheap. Having said all that, we still do have Hamburger Helper on occasion. It's quick, it's easy and it's cheap (especially if I have coupons). Two nights ago I went down to our food storage at the last minute to try to come up with something - anything - to eat that wouldn't make me ill (I'd been suffering from stress-induced "bathroom" issues all day long - I told you last week was bad). I found my stash of Hamburger Helper and remembered I had a pound of browned hamburger (instructions here). Frozen peas completed the meal (you've gotta have a protein, carb and a vegetable for a balanced meal, right?).

So, I guess that the menu "idea" for today is ... There's a time and a place for everything ... even Hamburger Helper!

(Next week I'll share my new favorite cookbook and maybe even have a guest review from my dear friend, Alice!)

(By the way, we made the oreo truffles for New Years. D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S!)

What are you cooking this week? (Please be sure to check the comments section as well as the links.)

What's Cooking? Wednesday

2010-12-22T11:49:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the eighth weekly edition of ...

The other day my college roommate, Jen, sent me this email...

"Okay, seriously... if you make these... you'll be best friends with whoever you give them to (so be careful in case you don't want to be best friends with someone). They are DIVINE. I promise. I've had them before - but my neighbor gave us some last night and it reminded me how gooooood they are! And check out the recipe... super easy to make! Only three ingredients! :)

Enjoy!

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/easy-oreo-truffles-95085.aspx "

I clicked on the link and waa-laa. They look sooooo good! They look so good and easy that I'm debating ... do I take them to the Christmas Eve party on Friday night ... or the New Year's Eve party next Friday night ... both parties ... or just make them all in the middle of the night (so no one in the house will know) and eat them all myself??? That is the question. Either way, this is the recipe that I took off of http://sarahkoller.com/?p=1345. Her instructions are a little more idiot proof than the recipe on kraftrecipes.com.
Oreo Truffles

Makes approximately 4 dozen truffles (or maybe a little less, depending on how much of the filling you choose to sample)

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

1 pkg. (1 lb. 2 oz.) Oreos (You can also use a generic version to save a little cash; I've tried a few varieties, and they work just as well.)

2 pkg. (8 squares each) Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted (You will most likely use closer to 1 1/2 packages. That's more chocolate for spatula-licking, right?)

1. Set aside 5 Oreos and throw the rest in a food processor until they are finely crumbled

2. Thorougly mix cookie crumbs with cream cheese.

3. Form crumb-and-cream-cheese mixture into balls, approximately 1-inch across each (but don't worry too much about being exact here. They will come out delicious no matter the size!) and place onto a cookie sheet that has previously been lined with wax paper.

4. For best results, pop the formed mixture into the fridge for at least 15 minutes to chill while you complete the next step. If you really don't have the time, the truffles will still taste delicious (so don't worry!), but they will be more difficult to handle and some of the coating with mix with the filling.

5. Melt the chocolate. There are many ways to do this. I don't have a double boiler, so I just throw my chocolate into a saucepan and heat it on low, stirring frequently, until it is completely melted.

6. Remove pot from heat.

7. Coat previously formed balls with chocolate and return to the lined cookie sheet.

8. Throw the remaining 5 cookies into the food processor.

9. Sprinkle some of those crumbs on top of the (still wet) truffles.

10. Refrigerate for one hour.

You are done! You are now free to package, freeze, and eat. (Of course, you were free to eat during the entire process.)

Variation: swap out regular Oreos for Golden Oreos (semi-sweet chocolate for white chocolate, if you like white chocolate). You will end up with a cheesecake-like truffle.

Adapted from Kraftfoods.com (It's true!)

What are you cooking this week? (Please be sure to check the comments section as well as the links.)

What's Cooking? Wednesday

2010-12-16T09:43:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the seventh weekly edition of ... Except that it's Thursday. Sorry. Life got completely out of control and I didn't get this done yesterday.

If you are having ham for Christmas dinner, you might want to try Ham Sauce. It's original name is Raisin Sauce, but no one in the family except me likes raisins so I don't always put them in and I call it Ham Sauce instead.
Raisin Sauce
1/3 cup raisins (optional :P)
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup jelly (any flavor, but I usually use grape)
1/2 cup orange juice
2 Tbs brown sugar
1 Tbs corn starch
Dash of allspice
Dash of salt

Mix raisins, water, jelly and orange juice in a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Mix brown sugar, corn starch, allspice and salt in a small bowl. Pour into sauce while stirring constantly. Serve with ham. Enjoy!

What are you cooking this week? (Please be sure to check the comments section as well as the links.)

What's Cooking? Wednesday

2010-12-08T08:06:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the sixth weekly edition of ...
Thoughts are at Christmas, this time of year. Most of my thoughts center around purchasing and wrapping gifts, but I am also starting to think about Christmas Dinner. If you are a Christmas Turkey kind of family, you will enjoy this recipe - Turkey Brine. It originated from Emeril Lagasse's television show. We changed his recipe because it called for beer. Here is our recipe....

Turkey Brine

3/4 gallon of water
2 cups apple juice (replaces the beer)
1 1/2 cup orange juice, the stronger the better
1 cup kosher salt (use kosher salt because the granules are bigger)
1 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup chopped fresh ginger (I just guess when I buy the ginger so I add it all)
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
4 fresh bay leaves
4 sprigs fresh thyme (dry works fine, too)

Combine all the ingredients in a container. We use a well scrubbed cooler. Stir to combine completely and to dissolve the sugar and salt. Put in your bird and let it soak for 12 to 24 hours. In some places you can just put it out in the garage because it is cold enough to keep the turkey. In warmed climates you may need to find room in the refrigerator.

What are you cooking this week? (Please be sure to check the comments section as well as the links.)

What's Cooking? Wednesday

2010-12-01T13:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the fifth weekly edition of....

I almost forgot to post today. We're having scream-yourself-to-sleep week at our house so we're all a little sleep deprived and ditzy - at least I am.

Do you still have leftover turkey? Here's a great recipe that can help you use it up! The recipe actually calls for chicken but you can substitute that leftover turkey that is in your freezer.

Easy Chicken Tetrazine

Medium onion, chopped
2-3 celery stocks, diced
1 pound spaghetti
2 cans cream of chicken
3 cups chicken broth

Brown medium onion and celery in a stock pot. Add spaghetti, broken in half, with 2 cans of cream of chicken and 3 cups chicken broth. Bring to boil and then add chicken pieces and allow to simmer until the broth is absorbed into the noodles. VERY EASY AND QUICK!

(I've made a few changes to make this fit my family - no celery and a little dry minced onion. Large skillet instead of a stock pot, and pasta works just as well as spaghetti without clumping together. If I need to make more then I just add another can of cream of chicken soup and a little more chicken broth. My kids love it!)

What are you cooking this week? (Please be sure to check the comments section as well as the links.)

What's Cooking? Wednesday

2010-11-23T20:46:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the fourth, weekly edition of

Thanksgiving is tomorrow and no doubt you are cooking up a storm for your Thanksgiving Dinner that will probably happen some time between noon and 6 P.M. If your house is like mine, though, the kids will be hungry long before the turkey (or ham, in our case) comes out of the oven. With permission of my sweet cousin, Sally, here is a recipe for delicious muffins. Sally calls them LOVE MUFFINS. The best part, they are quick, easy, and I can almost guarantee that you have all the ingredients in your cupboards already. Make them tonight and they will still be perfect in the morning. In fact, I double or triple the recipe, put three or four muffins in each ziploc bag and throw them in the freezer for my husband to grab as he's walking out the door in the mornings.

(I'm not a baker or a photographer so this picture does not do these LOVE MUFFINS justice!)

LOVE MUFFINS
3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 Tbs baking powder
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup milk
2/3 cup melted butter or margarine
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar

Stir together flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt. In a small bowl, mix beaten eggs, milk and melted butter. Stir into dry ingredients, JUST until moistened. Pour into greased muffin tins or use liners. Bake at 350* for 20-25 minutes. While warm, rub a stick of butter or margarine on top of muffins and dip in cinnamon/sugar mixture. (We have a shaker for cinnamon/sugar because we put it on toast all the time. I've found that it's easier for me to shake the cinnamon/sugar than to dip a muffin in a bowl.)

What are you cooking this week? (Please be sure to check the comments section as well as the links.)

What's Cooking? Wednesday

2010-11-17T05:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the third, weekly edition of

Thanksgiving is next week! Holy Cow!!! I know that you are all getting you menus ready for the big day. One of my favorite Thanksgiving foods is pumpkin pie. I love it but don't really like to make a crust. My cousin, Tammy, sent me this recipe for pumpkin pie cake and it has been a staple at our house ever since! You'll notice that the crumb topping has picked off most of the cake in the picture ... that's because the kids love it so much. They kept sneaking pieces until most of the topping was gone.

Pumpkin Pie Cake

Crust:
1 package white or yellow cake mix (set aside 1 cup for topping)
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 egg (optional)

Mix ingredients together. Pat into a 9x13 pan. Real butter will make the crust very flaky. Add the egg for a cake-like crust.

Filling:
1 large can pumpkin
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp ginger
(or 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice to replace cloves and ginger)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 to 1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2/3 cup evaporated milk

Mix ingredients together. Spread over crust.

Topping:
1 cup cake mix
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter or margarine (softened, not melted)

Mix until crumbly and sprinkle over cake.

Bake at 350* for 45-50 minutes or until knife comes out clean. Serve with whipped cream.

What are you cooking this week? (Please be sure to check the comments section as well as the links.)

What's Cooking? Wednesday

2010-11-10T05:30:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the second, weekly edition of....

My kids love this recipe. The original name is Barbecue Meatballs but I've changed the recipe just a bit and we call it just "Meatballs and Rice". (And yes, it's pictured on a paper plate because some days I don't want to do dishes. And... It's a full meal with only three things - protein, carbohydrate and vegetable. Most days I'm lazy like that.)

Barbecue Meatballs

36 meatballs (either frozen or from your favorite meatball recipe)
1 cup barbecue sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
2 Tbs brown sugar
cornstarch

Put meatballs, barbecue sauce, ketchup and brown sugar in a saucepan. Heat to boiling. Sprinkle in cornstarch while stirring until sauce thickens. Serve over rice.

(In place of the barbecue sauce, I use Yoshida's Marinade from Sam's Club. My kids love it more than with the barbecue sauce, although they love the barbecue sauce variety, too. It's just a little more sweet with Yoshida's.)

What is your "quick, easy and cheap" (and yummy) recipe this week?

Headbands & Flowers

2010-11-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking about Christmas... When you are working with a budget, like most of us are, it's never too early to get started. In fact, I'm probably getting a late start. Be that as it may, I'm working away.

About a year ago I saw the daughter of a friend wearing a cute headband. It was made of ribbons in the school colors and it was darling. My friend told me she had made it and referred me to the internet. I found this website: http://www.scribd.com/doc/3276459/Ribbon-Woven-Headband-Instructions
Then I ordered some headbands from here: http://www.craftersvision.com/product-p/hp-hb25.htm

I made these headbands for my nieces. My favorites are the red one and turquoise ones. I think they are prettier if you only use three different kinds of ribbon - one for the outside triangles and two different ones for the inside diamonds. The green one was done with four different ribbons and is a little crazy for my taste.
I also made flowers and butterflies to clip onto the headbands. They were very easy to do - just glue a ribbon around an alligator clip and glue the flower/butterfly on top of the ribbon. This makes it easy to change the accessory on top of the headband.

My daughter, Kelly, modeling two of the headbands.

What's Cooking? Wednesdays

2010-11-02T20:37:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 1st weekly edition of...

I say that I really don't like to cook but that's only partly true. I don't like to decide what to fix and I don't usually like putting it together (although that's the best part) and I REALLY don't like the clean up afterwards. Because of this I have focused my cooking efforts on easy recipes. I've even compiled my own cookbook entitled If You Are What You Eat, I'm Quick, Easy and Cheap!"

Please post your favorite recipe. Ideally it should be a recipe that fits into two of the categories - quick, easy or cheap. However, if it especially yummy, please post!!!

Chicken Poppyseed Casserole

2 tubes smashed Ritz-type crackers
1/2 cup melted butter
1 lb cooked, shredded chicken
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
2 Tbs poppyseeds

In a bowl, combine crackers and melted butter. Set aside. In another bowl, mix chicken, soups, sour cream and poppyseeds. In a 9x13 pan, layer half the cracker mixture, all of the chicken mixture and the other half of the cracker mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350* for 30 minutes or until sides bubble. You can also cover in plastic wrap and microwave for about 10 minutes. Serve over rice.

Please share your favorite recipe.

Couponing #2

2010-02-17T06:27:00.000-08:00

I'm sorry I didn't get this posted yesterday. I had two drop in visitors and spent four hours at the school. My schedule was not my own yesterday. I'll try to get the rest typed and scheduled for posting....

Regional Websites & Where to Find Coupons

Abbreviations you might see...
These are some of the abbreviations you'll come across.
*RP = Red Plum (newspaper insert)
*SS = SmartSource (newspaper insert)
*P&G = Proctor & Gamble (newspaper insert and loadable onto your shopper discount card)
*IE = Internet Explorer (click this one if this is your web browser)
*FF = Firefox (click this one if this is your web browser)
*Cellfire = (Coupon site that loads coupons directly to your preferred shopper discount card)
*Shortcuts = (Coupon site that loads coupons directly to your preferred shopper discount card)
*Coupons.com

Regional Websites...
Philidelphia- http://www.momsneedtoknow.com/
Click on “Grocery Deals” at the very top. The links to online coupons are in red.
Acme, Genuardi’s, Giant of PA, Giant Eagle, Kroger, Meijer, ShopRite, SuperFresh (coming soon), Wegmans (coming soon)

Mid-west/Southern US - http://www.southernsavers.com/
Click on the grocery store link underneath her name logo.
Kroger (Dillon’s), harris Teeter, Food Lion, Harvey’s, Ingles, Piggly Wiggly, Winn Dixie, Publix, Bi-Lo

(This is the website I use for my Dillon’s store. I have to remember that the sales she lists go from Sunday through Saturday. My sales go from that Wednesday through Tuesday. Also, the prices she lists are usually between 30 and 50 cents cheaper than at my local Dillon’s.)

Fargo - http://fmcheapskate.blogspot.com/

Utah - http://thekrazycouponlady.com/ (Albertson’s, Smiths)

Utah, Idaho, Washington, California, Arizona - www.pinchingyourpennies.com

Sacramento - www.krazycouponlady.blogspot.com
Type in the grocery store you want to search (i.e., Raleys) in the search box on the left side.

General - http://www.frugalcouponliving.com/ (Click on store deals - right side of link banner across the top)
- www.fabulesslyfrugal.blogspot.com (general Walgreens/Target, etc. PLUS Idaho)

Other Ways to Get Coupons...
I usually go to my favorite website for this area (www.southernsavers.com) and click on the coupon links that are embedded in the grocery ads they have listed. (Remember that most coupons can be printed TWICE from each computer.) I also get coupons this way (*NOTE* - I do not pay for any of my coupons) -

*www.couponmom.com
*www.redplum.com (internet copy of the Sunday insert)
*www.smartsource.com (internet copy of the Sunday insert)
*Product websites (like Nestle or Bar-S) frequently have coupons. It's often worth a check.
*Free product samples usually come with coupons
*Recycling Center - Our recycling center saves out inserts and will give me a stack that's an inch high every time I go in. If yours doesn't do that ask if you can search through the bin they have for the high gloss newspaper recycling. It usually isn't very dirty because people take in a stack of newspapers and don't mix them in with their garbage.
*College Newspapers - When we lived in Idaho we discovered that the college there included the newspaper inserts (Albertson's ads and coupons) on the day before we got them in the regular paper. I usually drove to the school and ran into one of the buildings where I knew they had a newspaper box. Right next to the newspaper box there was a recycling bin. You'd be amazed at how many ads I could pick up out of the recycling bin. It was fabulous!!!
*Schools - Many schools use newspapers in their classrooms (I did when I taught in Utah). Check with your child's teacher to see if they do and if they have any inserts they'd be able to share with you.
*Libraries - Our library here in Pratt has a little box for coupons that they get from their copies of the Sunday paper. I regularly sort through those for the coupons I know I'll use.
*Neighbors, friends, family members, Church members - If you know people who aren't sold on couponing but still get the paper, ask them if you can have their inserts.

You can also BUY coupons on ebay and www.thecouponclippers.com. (It is illegal to sell coupons so they charge a small handling fee. I've never actually purchased coupons from either of these sites - I don't know why, I just haven't - but I have a couple of friends who have and love it! Turn around time is very quick. The coupon clippers are located in Florida so take that in consideration when you are totally up shipping time.)

Couponing #1

2010-02-15T09:00:00.000-08:00

This is the first of five (or six or seven or....) posts about couponing.

General Couponing Information

I love to coupon. I started couponing when we lived in Idaho and I could attend a group in the next town over. The group leaders would go through the grocery ads and tell us what the best deals were, where to find coupons, etc. It was definitely my style... no-brainer couponing! When we moved to Kansas this past May I couldn't find a couponing group like the one I'd left in Idaho. Then I attended a Church event that was attended by women from surrounding towns. During the course of a conversation I had with a lady I discovered that she was a supreme couponer. We exchanged emails and I've since learned how to coupon here in Kansas. The leaders of our Church strongly discourage debt. Since we move a lot we have a hard time getting rid of the debt we incur every time we move. For the past couple of months I've felt like getting rid of our debt needs to be a main focus for us. I looked into going back to teaching (first as a sub and then applying for jobs for next year) but since I'm four months pregnant and have a three year old that didn't seem like a viable option right now. I decided that if I could save enough using coupons then I wouldn't have to go to work. That's when I started actively couponing again. (Sometimes I use my "extra" food budget money to help amass a year supply of food - another suggestion from our Church leaders.)

I've come to the belief that it is possible to coupon (and save major money) anywhere you live. I've done a little research using the areas of the country where I have lived or have siblings living and have found websites that offer the same help as my couponing group in Idaho. Over the next week or so I'm hoping to be able to detail the things I've learned here because there are some who stop me in the grocery store (after they've watched me save 50% or more) and ask how I do it. I'd like to be able to refer them to this blog as an easy "how-to".

Before you get started, there are a couple of things to know...

1) It will take about three months before you really see results. The first month you'll be excited that you have a year's supply of cake mixes and salt. The second month you'll feel unbalanced and be frustrated that you only have a year supply of cake mixes, salt and cold cereal. The third month things will start to even out and you'll notice a difference. (For example, my normal food budget is $200 every two weeks. This week I was able to only spend $80 on groceries for the next two weeks. This is because I have a stockpile of staples like cream soup, pasta, spaghetti sauce and vegetables that I have purchased in bulk over the past few months.)

2) I was told to use half of my monthly out-to-eat budget to start couponing with (to use on the great sale/coupon deals). I don't have an out-to-eat budget. We live in a small town that doesn't have a lot of restaurants. Also, IF we go out to eat it's a drive-thru experience on our way to another town to do shopping or something. I decided that I could spare $30 a month (or sometimes a pay period) to use on the smoking deals.

3) Know that about once every quarter (3 months) every item in the grocery store will be at it's highest price and at it's lowest. If you know (about) what the "usual" price is then you can be aware when the prices hit bottom. The key to getting the biggest bang for your buck (or the most stuff for your buck) is to use the coupons when the items are on sale.

4) There are many websites out there that give tips and tricks to super-size your couponing. The two I like the best are It's Hip 2 Save and Pinching Your Pennies. Both sites list lots of offers and great deals. If you subscribe they will send you emails every evening telling you of the deals they found that day. Also, on Hip 2 Save she has a lot of great how-to videos (look on the right sidebar of her blog). I highly - HIGHLY - recommend watching those videos. They are about 10 minutes each.

5) Use your coupons on sale items to get the biggest bang for your buck. Stores will allow you to use a manufacturer’s coupon AND a store coupon on the same item. That is called stacking. For example.... Say I am going to buy a box of Cheerios that usually costs $4 but is on sale for $2. I have a $1 manufacturer’s coupon that I got out of the newspaper insert (or printed online). I also have a 50 cent coupon that I cut out of the grocery store ad (store coupon). I get the $4 box of Cheerios for only 50 cents!!! That’s a savings of 75%.

Kissable Lips

2010-02-12T06:31:00.000-08:00

In honor of Valentine's Day, here's my tip.....

In order to have your lipstick stay on all day (and I mean ALL DAY) here's what you do...
1. Apply lipstick
2. Apply a thin layer of face powder
3. Reapply lipstick
4. Blot

I'm serious, this really works. Your lipstick will stay on all day and all night!

(I really do have plans to keep this blog updated and have many posts "in progress". Because of pregnancy issues, illnesses, vacation and overall exhaustion, they just haven't made it to the "publish post" stage yet. Stay tuned....)

Best Thing EVER!!!

2009-12-29T16:53:00.000-08:00

How many times have you been at a Church party, the school carnival or a BBQ in the park and the drips from the giant thermos of lemonade have made the floor horribly sticky? I tell you, I've been to a lot of them. It always makes me crazy. I know we've put towels down and spent hours mopping but there is a better way.....

Today while I was helping to serve chili at the American Red Cross blood drive, I saw this....I know, it's a two-liter bottle cut in half with a hole in the top. But, look at what it does...
You hang it from the spigot of a giant thermos (or a coffee urn, in this case) and it catches all the drips. Isn't it fabulous? I can't wait to use this sometime.... I don't know when, but I'm going to use it for sure! (They left the bottom so it was full - kind of cut it like an L shape, I guess, with a hole on the top.)

Easy Christmas Gifts Part 2

2009-11-04T04:00:00.000-08:00

M&M's — "Have a merry and most wonderful Holiday Season!"

Soup or soup mix — Wishing you a "Souper" Holiday Season!

Frozen or ready to bake pizza — "Warm up to a wonderful Holiday Season "topped" with Christmas cheer!"

Apples and Hershey's Hugs — A teacher can't live by apples alone ... She needs "hugs" too!

Popcorn balls — Hoping you have a "Ball" this Holiday Season!

Loaf of bread — For being there when you were "kneaded", for "rising" to the occasion, large or small. For never "loafing" on the job, for helping others to "heel" with TLC. No matter how you "slice it", you do a terrific job loving others. Merry Christmas!

Jolly Ranchers — Have a Holly "Jolly" Christmas!

Root beer — We're "root—ing" for you to have a happy Holiday Season and a wonderful New Year!

Chex party mix — Remember Santa "Chex" his list twice to see who's been naughty or nice ... so be good for goodness sake! Merry Christmas!

Box of Hostess Ho—Ho's — Hope a merry "HO — HO — H0" fills your heart the whole year through! (Put a Santa sticker on the label)

Wire whisk — (Filled with chocolate kisses) "We "whisk" a Merry KISSmas!"

Jar of jelly — Jelly is like love — you can't spread it around without getting some on yourself! Merry Christmas!

Christmas Tray — We "tray"sure your friendship! Merry Christmas!

Bell — With each chime of this festive bell, may a Christmas wish come true. And bring you peace and happiness to last the whole year through! Merry Christmas!

Yule log — "We send you warm greetings this Christmas Season!"

Potpourri — "May this sweet scent bring back thoughts of warm Christmases long ago!" Merry Christmas!

Cleaners — "You add sparkle and make our life brighter!" Merry Christmas!

Nuts — "We're nuts about you!" Merry Christmas!

Lifesavers — " You've been a life saver!" Have a great Christmas!

A juice pitcher filled with candy canes— "We pitcher you raising a little "cane" during the holidays!" Have a Merry Christmas!

Broom — You're "Dust" the finest neighbors we know! Merry Christmas!

Paper towels — "Blot out your troubles; absorb the Christmas Spirit!"

Measuring cup or glass measure — "Wishing you joy beyond measure!

Bananas — If we could choose our friends, and we searched the whole world through, we'd go bananas trying to find a better bunch than you!"

Any star ornament — "Remember the reason for the season!"

Chocolate mousse mix — "Merry Christmousse" to our "Deer" Friends!

Wooden spoon — Whether stirring up cakes, cookies, soups or souffles; You'll find this spoon useful in so many ways. But whatever it's use, it says, "Merry Merry Christmas from us to you!"

Flower — "If friends were flowers, we'd pick you! Happy Holidays! Or "You make friendship bloom all year round!"

Heart Christmas ornament — "May the joy and love you give away, come back to you on Christmas day!"

Cinnamon sprinkles — (Cinnamon & Sugar, or cookie sprinkles) "May your Christmas be sprinkled with laughter and love!" Merry Christmas!

Hershey's Hugs — "A friend always knows when you need a little hug!"

Christmas music ... CD or tape — "May the sweet song of Christmas make your heart rejoice!" Or "May the merry sounds of Christmas bring a Joyful Melody to your holiday season" Merry Christmas!

Filled basket — "Wishing you a basket full of Christmas blessings"

Salsa — "Add a little spice to your holidays!" Merry Christmas!

Stocking or filled Jar — "Have a fun filled Christmas this year!"

Lamb — "Have "eweself" a Merry little Christmas!"

Candle — "May your days be happy, your heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year Bright!

Holly — "Happy Holly—days!"

Calendar — "Keep Christmas in your heart the whole year through!"

Shaped sugar cookies — "Rolling out a batch of Christmas cheer, for someone we think is very dear!"

Cherry 7—up — "Just a Little Christmas cheer from happy hearts this time of year! Merry Christmas!"

Sparkling cider — "Wishing you a sparkling holiday season!"

Warm casserole or bread — "Bundled up with warm wishes!"

Popcorn or carmel corn — "Just "popping" by with a Holiday Hi!" Or "May your holidays be poppin'!"

Seasoning mix — "Seasoned with love" Merry Christmas!

Eggbeater — "Have an "Eggstra" special holiday!"

Hershey's hugs and kisses — "Christmas hugs and kisses to you " Or "Holiday hugs and kisses to you!"

Apple pie of apple crisp — "Wishing you a scrumptious Christmas!"

Fruit Basket — "May your New Year be Festive and Fruitful!"

Any Sweet Treat — "Wishing you a season filled with sweetness!"

Oranges — " Orange" you glad we're Friends!?" Merry Christmas!

Chocolate orange — "Orange" you glad it's Christmas? Hope your Christmas is a sweet one!

Sprite — "May your Christmas be merry and Sprite!"

Ice cream snowballs and hot fudge — " Here's some packaged "snowball" treats — Just drizzle hot fudge and it's ready to eat! ... Enjoy!"

Snickers bar — "Don't "Snicker", just be glad you got something!"

Mints — "Friends like you are worth a mint! Merry Christmas!

Matches — "No one matches you as neighbors!" Merry Christmas!

Strainer — (With a Christmas bow) " We couldn't restrain ourselves from wishing you a very Merry Christmas!"

Box of light bulbs — "Have a bright and radiant Christmas"

Bubble gum or Bubble bath — "May your holidays "bubble" over with fun!

Pencil and notepad — "Merry Christmas from our pad to yours!" or Merry Christmas to a "noteworthy" friend!"

Jar of Pickles — "Just in brine, Our wish for a merry Christmas!"

Grater and cheese — "To a grate neighbor! Merry Christmas!"

Ice cream — "Have a "cool" Yule!"

Bear-shaped honey — "Have a Bear Sweet Christmas!"

Santa — "Ho — Ho — Hoping your Christmas is heavenly!"

Angel — "Hoping you have a heavenly Christmas!"

Eggnog — "Have an "udderly moovalous" Christmas!"

Gingerbread house — "Nibble, nibble like a mouse, We hope you'll nibble at this house!" Merry Christmas!

Mugs with hot chocolate mix — "To our special friends who are so Dear, We wish you all a cup of Cheer!" (One Mug would be a special gift for a teacher. "To a special teacher, wishing you a "cup of cheer"!"

Cocoa mix — "Wishing you a warm and wonderful Christmas!"

Muffins or muffin mix — " You're getting "muffin" for Christmas!"

Gum — "By gum, you're a great neighbor! "Have a Merry Christmas"

Veggies and dip — "Dip into a wonderful Holiday season and a healthy New Year!"

Christmas-shaped pasta — (Or any pasta and a bottle of sauce) "Have a Pasta—tively Happy Holiday!"

Jar of jam — "Hoping you have a holiday "jam" packed with fun!" "Have a "berry" nice holiday season!" Or "Hoping your Christmas is "jam-packed" with Christmas cheer!"

Cookie dough — "Here's a little extra "dough" for Christmas! Or "Everyone needs a little extra "dough" for Christmas!"

Homemade frozen rolls — "Here's a little holiday treat. Rise and bake, it can't be beat! Warm fresh rolls just for you. Top with butter that's all you do! Warm Holiday greetings to you"

Brownie mix — (Or any Mix) "Whip up this mix for a wonderful holiday fix! Wishing you a "rich" Holiday Season!" (Be sure to attach the recipe!)

Homemade caramels — Hoping you have a "rich" and "wonderful" Holiday!"

Pie — "Just a "Holiday Hi" and a tasty pie! Happy Holidays!"

Divinity — "May your Christmas be "divine" and your holidays so fine! Sweet Christmas wishes!"

Rice Krispie treats — "Snap, crackle, pop" We think you're really tops! "

Toffee or brittle — "Any way you break it, We think you're the greatest!"

Fudge — "Fudge" a little on the calories and enjoy the holiday season!"

Cheese ball and crackers — "We don't mean to sound "cheesy", we just hope you have a "ball" this Holiday Season! Or "Spread a little Christmas Cheer this Holiday Season!"

Apple anything — (Pie, Cobbler, crisp, muffins etc.) "Sending you a "bushel" of love this Holiday Season!" Or "You are the apple of my eye, teacher!"

Banana bread — "Banana bread just for you, because you have so much to do ... We also love you a whole "bunch" too! Merry Christmas!"

Cinnamon rolls — "Here's a sweet treat "rolled" up with warm Holiday Wishes! Merry Christmas!"

Homemade chocolates — "You're so sweet ... having you as neighbors is really a treat! Have a heavenly Holiday Season!"

Cake or cupcakes — "You take the "Cake" neighbor, We think you're first rate! Happy Holidays to you!"

Cornbread or mix — "We're not trying to be "corny" we just want you to have Merry Christmas!"

Carrot cake — "I really "carrot" a lot about you! Merry Christmas"

Spiced drink mixes — "Hoping your holidays are "spiced" just right!"

Homemade ice cream of a frozen treat — "Here's the scoop ... Hoping your holidays are a "blizzard" of fun!"

Recipe — "Just like you friend ... it's tried and true, just for you! Happy Holiday baking or Merry Christmas cooking!"

Pizza — "Hope your holiday has a touch of "Pizza—zz!" Merry Christmas!"

Candle — "You light up my life!" Thanks for your friendship! May your Christmas be merry and bright!"

Crayons and coloring book — Hope your holidays are colorful!

Plant — " The kindness you show makes our friendship grow and grow! Hope you have a Happy Holiday!"

Soda pop — "I'd "Soda" like to wish you a Merry Christmas!

Stuffed animal — (Beanie Baby) "Pawsing" to wish you a Merry Christmas!"

Donuts — "Donut" you know we love you? Have a Happy Holiday

Easy Christmas Gifts Part 1

2009-11-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I feel like I need to give a little something to the neighbors during the holidays. Here's a list that I've collected over the years. I'd love for you to add any ideas you have, too!

*Nestle’s Crunch bars: "When you feel the season “crunch” you
And you might feel just a bit blue
Just nibble on this chocolate –
And soon you’ll feel like new!"

*Doughnuts: “Do-Nut” feel great when the holidays are here?
Hope that the feeling can last throughout the year!

*Strawberry jam: Have a Berry Merry Christmas!

*Jolly Ranchers candy: Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

*Hershey’s kisses: Merry Kiss-mas!

Mounds candy bars: Have Mounds of fun this Holiday Season!

*Spiced apple cider mix, potpourri, or Holiday Fragrance: This little gift comes with lots of love for a dear friend who is “scent” from above!

*Mints/mint truffles: This is “mint” for someone dear...
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

*Whisk filled with kisses: We “whisk” you a Merry Kiss-mas!

*Box of Hostess Ho Ho’s: Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas!

*Reisen’s candy: I have lots of “Reisens” to wish you a Merry Christmas!

*Jar of homemade soup mix: Hope your Holiday season is “soup-er”!

*Jar of salsa: To spice up your holidays
And make them real hot...
Just open this salsa
And enjoy it a lot!

*Package/book of Lifesavers: Merry Christmas to a real Lifesaver!

*Bag of popcorn balls: Just having a “ball” this holiday season!
Hope this gives you a very good reason to have one, too!

*Banana bread: This wonderful loaf of homemade bread comes to you today
With the very warmest of wishes for the holiday!

*Miscellaneous items: The magic of the snowman will melt and depart
But the magic of Christmas can always be in your heart!

*Anything cheesy: Cheeze-ons Greetings!

*Basket of oranges or orange slices or orange soda: “Orange” you thrilled the holidays are here –
That St. Nick is coming – that Christmas is near?

*Homemade jelly: Nothing’s more pleasant than the sweet taste of jelly
Or the sight of dear old Santa and his jolly old belly...

*Teddy bear, Gummi bears or teddy grahams: Hope your Christmas is “beary” nice.

*Bag of Jelly Beans: Thanks for “bean” such a wonderful neighbor. Merry Christmas!

*Can of nuts: Hope the holidays don’t drive you NUTS!!! Merry Christmas!

*Hot chocolate mix (see recipe): Wishing you a warm and wonderful winter.

*Anything hand made: I’m “sew” glad we are friends. Merry Christmas!

*Bag of caramel corn: Just poppin’ by with a warm Christmas “Hi”!

*Any baked goodie: Hope your holidays are delicious!

*Mag of M&Ms: Have a Merry & Most wonderful Christmas!

*Cookie Dough: It seems as though this time of year
We all run short of DOUGH. . .
And so we want to help you out
Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho! Ho!

*Bag of Whoppers or Raisenettes: We were awakened when we heard Santa call
“Dash away, Dash away, Dash away all!”
But soon we discovered, out on our lawn,
Santa and his reindeer were all gone.

With our little shovel we started to scoop,
All of the droppings, YUCK reindeer poop.
But then we so generously filled up your sack.
Hope you have a Merry Christmas and enjoy your snack!!!

*Bag of mini-marshmallows or white whoppers:
Heard you’ve been naughty so here’s the SCOOP,
all you’ll get is . . . SNOWMAN POOP!

*2-liter bottle of Sprite: May your days be Merry and Sprite!

*Bag of Hershey’s Hugs: You can’t put Love in a box . . . but you can wrap a person in a HUG!

*Anything Yummy: Season’s Eatings!

*2-liter bottle of Sprite and a package of microwave popcorn:
Pop! Pop! Fizz! Fizz! Oh what a good neighbor you is!

*Golf balls or tees: Merry Christmas to a real swinger!

*Hershey’s Hugs & Kisses: We hope this isn’t too sentimental or too gushy or too sweet –
But we think you’re really terrific, and just knowing you is a treat.
So here’s a bunch of hugs and kisses sent with our love your way –
Thanks for always being so sweet – and have a Merry Christmas holiday.

*Popcorn bowl filled with treats: Your Christmas shopping is finally done
The presents are wrapped under the tree
Now it’s time to enjoy the holidays –
You deserve the rest, we agree.

So here’s a family entertainment center
Built for your enjoyment and fun –
Watch a movie and eat a treat or two,
Enjoy the season ‘til it’s over and done.

*Bubble bath or bath salts The holiday an be a strain
On our body and our brain –
So when you feel stressed
A hot bath is the best
It truly will help keep you sane!
Merry Christmas!

*Dishcloths tied as pants: Now don’t get excited and don’t be mislead
These aren’t for you but for your dishes instead.
Pull out the bows, take out the stitches.
You’ve gained to dishcloths, but lost your britches!

*Garbage bags: I’m not saying you’re trashy. In fact you’re squeaky clean
But Christmas generates garbage if you know what I mean –
There’s wrapping paper and ribbon, and baking remnants galore
Craft clippings, empty boxes and litter by the score!

You’re gathering debris from over here and there –
And sweeping up muddy footprints is a sight none too rare.
Well, don’t get discouraged – don’t let your spirits lag.
When you use this present, you’ve got Christmas IN THE BAG!!

*Other gift ideas:
Girls socks with beads crocheted to the edges
Holiday napkins surged around the edges (18" for each napkin)
Popcorn bowl with name written in paint-pen on the outside and popcorn inside
Decorative bottles containing flavored vinegar
Sweatshirt with child’s handprints in shape of a Christmas tree (footprint could be tree trunk)
Reindeer pin made out of a Christmas light bulb
Basket filled with favorites
Twelve Days of Christmas Stories (choose 12 favorite Christmas stories to make into a book)
Bag of Reindeer Food (glitter or confetti mixed with oats) with a note to sprinkle it on the front lawn on Christmas Eve
Jar mixes
Homemade notecards (I use fabric scraps and fusible interfacing-brand name Heat & Bond)
People feeder (chicken feeder and mason jar wfilled with candy
Foot heater (pillow filled with rice – heat in the microwave)
Holiday pillowcase
Hooded towel (can be made for infants, toddlers & adults)
Brownie sundae kit (brownie mix, ice cream and fudge - see recipes)
Candy wreath

Pumpkin Bread

2009-10-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

It's Fall and that means Pumpkin Bread!!!

Here is my favorite recipe for pumpkin bread. Not only is it delicious but it is also so moist and SUPER easy.

1 spice cake mix
1 15 oz can pumpkin

Mix together. Put in greased loaf pan (or three small loaf pans). Bake at 350* for 45-60 minutes.

Variations -
*apple pie filling or two cups applesauce and one spice (or yellow) cake mix
*peach pie filling and one spice (or yellow) cake mix
*lemon pie filling and one lemon cake mix (this is a favorite)
*blueberry pie filling and one lemon (or yellow) cake mix

Two cautions -
*raspberry pie filling and lemon cake mix makes a delicious flavor but it's full of raspberry seeds
*cherry pie filling and chocolate cake is delicious but hard to know when it's finished baking because the pie filling is so gooey

Game of Economizing - Part 2

2009-10-28T04:00:00.000-07:00

More Economizing Tips I've Learned Recently

1. I make simpler dinners now. I love the one-dish dinners that contain a protein, carb and vegetable. It cuts down on dishes to wash and my kids usually don't mind the vegetables. It also means I don't always have to have a salad or another vegetable on the side.

2. We turn the heater down and wear more sweatshirts. My kids love to wrap up in a blanket on the couch. Luckily we have TONS of quilts to use.

3. Along the lines of #2. This summer I saved $120 a month by turning the air conditioning off and the fans on. Seriously - $120! The only time this doesn't work is when the humidity is above 75 or 80%. Those days are killer and the A/C has to be turned on.

4. DH hung a clothesline for me along one edge of the carport. I don't mind hanging out the laundry and it saves a ton if I don't have to use the dryer as often. I'm hoping that when harvest is over he'll make me a real clothesline for next summer.

5. We really missed our garden this year. We moved too late in the summer to plant on here but have it all planned out for next year. We loved the fresh produce and being able to can/bottle some for the winter, too.

6. How many Christmas cards and pictures can a person actually save? I save the ones from immediate family and have a huge stack. This year I might (still thinking about it) email the letter and picture to most of our list. It will save a ton on printing fees and postage.

7. Aldi's is my new favorite grocery store - again. I shopped there when we lived in Hutchinson. Now that we are back near an Aldi's I shop there again. I can find most everything I need and it has helped with the food storage while keeping within the food budget. www.aldifoods.com

8. Make Christmas gifts - I have tons of fabric scraps and can use them for lots of things. I like to make pot holders, aprons, and appliqued dishtowels. I also make "jingle socks" and hooded towels for children. I will post tutorials soon. I know of a family that always does "a priceless gift" for each family member. It has to be something that doesn't cost them any money. I think that is a great idea.

9. I've stopped using prepared mixes and boxed dinners and have started making more things by scratch again. This has cut down on the garbage we produce and has saved us quite a bit of money. If I start the dinner in the morning (and at least get the casserole prepared and ready to throw in the oven) then I have time to make things from scratch.

10. I am no longer brand-loyal on most things. If it's on sale and it's something I need then I get it, even if it's not the brand that I usually use. I am also a fan of the store brands for most things. You can save a lot by purchasing store brands. Sometimes, though, a national brand that is on sale is cheaper than the store brand - especially if you have a coupon.

11. Homemade laundry soap - I haven't tried this yet but I am anxious to. I haven't found a store that sells washing soda and no one will order it for me. I might have to order it online. I'll post the recipe in another post. My friend Tanya swears by this stuff, as do several of my cousins.

12. My NUMBER ONE money saving tip is using coupons. I was not a believer that 50 cents here or a dollar off there would add to big savings but I am a believer now. I will devote a full post to using coupons in the future but until then, here is one of my favorite coupon sites - http://hip2save.blogspot.com/. Sign up as a follower and you will be emailed when she updates her blog. She gives you tips, tricks, ways to stack coupons on a sale and generally save money. Also make sure to check out her instructional videos on the right side of her webpage.

I'll leave you with a final thought - a poem that my mom first quoted to me when I was leaving for college -

Use it up
Wear it out
Make it do
Or do without!

I didn't appreciate it then, but I certainly appreciate it now!

I would love to hear your favorite money-saving tips! Please post a comment or a link in the comment section.

The Game of Economizing - Part 1

2009-10-26T06:00:00.000-07:00

This morning, while I was putting dinner in the crockpot, my mind turned to ways we, like the rest of the United States, have been economizing. We probably should have been economizing all along but we haven't been. We've been living "high on the hog" for many years - at least until the prices of things, like gasoline and milk, have started jumping higher and higher. With the expenses of our recent move and other expense-incurring happenings, it has been necessary for me to either go back to work or find ways to save money at home. It has almost become like a game. Here are the ways that we've been saving money.....
1. Inconvenience Foods - This is what prompted me to think about the ways we economize. I was peeling and cutting carrots. I probably have not done that in YEARS - there was just no need. I always purchased baby carrots. They were quick, easy, but certainly not cheap! A bag of baby carrots in our neck of the woods is close to $3. A bag of regular carrots only $1.44. That's a savings of more than 50%. Combine that with a roast I found on sale at WalMart and five potatoes and you've got a great dinner! (Recipe - Put the roast, peeled and cut carrots and potatoes in the crockpot with a package of dry onion soup mix and a cup or two of water. Cook on high for six hours or so.)

I have also started buying a full head of green leaf lettuce instead of the bagged lettuce. Again, it's usually half the price. I *hate* to make salad but this game of economizing has made a believer out of me.

2. Recycle Clothing - The other day my DH and I were in the basement sorting through some things (okay, we were trying to make a pathway through all the totes and boxes that we have carted all over the country but have rarely opened). We found a box of clothes marked "Boys - 4T". Guess what!!! I have a boy who is size 4T and he was in desperate need of winter clothes. Like most parents, I have saved clothes from the older children to use on the younger ones. My problem has been that I haven't always been good about sorting and marking them correctly or digging them out when I do know where they are. It's just easier to pick up a pair of this or a larger size of that when I'm at WalMart. However, I estimate that I saved close to $50 by opening the 4T tote and puting the sweatshirts, long-sleeved shirts, jeans, socks and shoes in Tuff's drawers. I was lucky that the sizes and season were correct.
3. Recycle Halloween Costumes - The above picture is of a friend's children. Batman and the witch costumes are borrowed. The large jack-o-lantern was made last-minute when another costume didn't work out (idea courtesy of familyfun.com; vines courtesy of the fake houseplants). The baby pumpkin is a costume that all four children have worn their first Halloween - a fun family tradition. (I just talked to my friend and she said the total cost of the Halloween costumes was less than $5 - and that was for the face paint and the brown pipe cleaners on top of the jack-o-lantern. My friend is all for borrowing and exchanging costumes with friends. You don't have to give them away - just lend them. Really, what else are they going to do - sit in the dress-up box over the holiday? They might as well be enjoyed!)

4. Garage Sales and Goodwill - Two more great sources for inexpensive clothing are garage sales and thrift stores. My mom and sister are great thrift store shoppers. They are always dressed to the nines and have rarely spent a lot on their outfits. I am not as good at finding things for myself but frequently I can find fabulous things for my kids - most of them so close to new-looking that it's impossible to tell that I bought them at the thrift store.

5. Ebay - I totally love ebay. I have been an ebay purchaser for many years but have only recently discovered the massive amounts of clothing on ebay. I recently purchased this white dress for my daughter for $15 plus shipping. The trim alone would have much more than $15 if I had attempted to make it. I have also bought brand new ties, skirts, piano books and birkenstock sandals (off season to get the best price). I am just in love with ebay!
6. Boys Haircuts - I bought a set of hairclippers years ago and have pulled them out to start using them again. I can save $20 every six weeks by cutting my boys' hair. Sometimes it looks better, I'll admit, but in my defense, the youngest is a moving target. I had my mom do it last time they were here to visit so the boys will look great for the next few weeks. If you don't know how to cut hair, take your son to the barber and watch how he does it. Ask questions and learn how to do it. I used to trade babysitting for haircuts when we lived in Fargo. She was a hairdresser so we traded three hours of babysitting for one haircut. I knew I was going to end up watching her kids periodically anyway so it was great to get a free haircut out of the deal!

7. School pictures are soooo expensive. It would cost be more than $90 to have all three kids' pictures taken at school. Instead I can have their pictures taken at JCPenney, Target or even WalMart for less than $10 a child. That's a savings of $60.

8. When we moved into this house the previous renters had two garbage cans. We only need one so I canceled the second one - save us $7 each month.

9. When we first signed up for the internet here, we opted for the middle-of-the-road speed. Our computer isn't that fast so the internet didn't seem fast even on the second speed. I downgraded to the lowest speed (of the high-speeds) and haven't noticed a difference at all. A savings of $10/month.

10. Our house phone has an answering machine attached to it. While I like that voicemail will take messages while I'm on the phone, I'm really not all that popular or all that important. It's not like phone is ringing off the hook and I need to have that feature. For a $5/month savings, I disconnected the voicemail and we are back to using the answering machine on the phone.

11. If we connect a phone cord from the satellite dish box to the phone jack we will save $6/month on our bill. I have the phone cord sitting next to me on the desk, I just don't know where to plug it in. I'll call the company in the morning and have them walk me through it.

12. When I make a pasta dinner I add extra pasta to stretch it a little. This lets DH have a good lunch the next day that 1) doesn't cost a lot extra and 2) is more filling than a sandwich.

13. My kids take home lunch instead of eating a school lunch. School lunch costs $2 here and I can make it for a lot cheaper than that. My kids still eat lunch at school but it's usually only a couple times a month now.

14. I love, LOVE, L.O.V.E that I made dessert on Friday night without having to go to the store. I forgot that I didn't have a dessert in mind to make for when company came over that night for dinner. I ran down to the basement and saw all the bottles of apple pie filling that I canned last year. I called my friend and she gave me her yummy apple crisp recipe. Luckily I had all the ingredients for it in my food storage. Woohoo!!! Gotta love that year supply! (And it was a dang good apple crisp. I even had some for breakfast the next morning. Oh come on, it was apples an oatmeal. Totally breakfast foods!)

I'm only about halfway through my list of economizing tips, but I think I'll go to bed now and post the rest another day.

Barf Bucket

2009-10-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

If flu season hasn't hit your neck of the woods, beware - it'll be there soon. This little tool was shown to us by a nurse at an Enrichment Meeting in Hutchinson, Kansas. I love this tool because all you have to do is lift up the top bag, tie the top of it in a knot, and throw it away. The new layer is ready to go for the next round. If you set it on a towel to catch the drips then you don't have to touch anything germy and cleanup is a breeze. My kids have named it THE BARF BUCKET!

The last time we had the stomach flu hit our house, my oldest complained of a headache the night before. I knew we were in for it because the only time he gets a headache is when he's going to be sick. At midnight he woke up with a stomachache and I set the barf bucket on a towel by his bed. At 5:30 in the morning he still had a bad stomachache. At 6 a.m. I heard him throwing up in the bucket. By 6:15 he felt much better, took a shower, and spent the rest of the day on the couch, watching cartoons - with the barf bucket, on a towel, next to him!

To make a barf bucket, first, take an ice cream bucket or a small waste paper basket. Next, line it with a plastic bag (grocery bags work fine as long as they don't have holes in the bottom). Third, rip up a bit of newspaper and lay it in the bottom to absorb the vomit. A folded paper towel or a couple of napkins work fine, too. Repeat the entire process with another bag. I usually do three or four layers of bag/newspaper. I keep one of these at the ready at all times.

P.S. If anyone can come up with a cuter, less disgusting name than barf bucket, please let me know. The name really bugs me.

Bib Tutorial

2009-10-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

In my quest for the perfect baby shower gift (one that doesn't cost a lot or take a lot of time, but is still hand-made), I have started making bibs to match the burp cloths and self-binding receiving blankets. The bibs are very, very easy. Just follow the tutorial for the burp cloths. The only thing different is the shape and adding the velcro at the end. For the shape, either use your favorite bib as a pattern (see picture) or draw one out on a piece of brown paper or pellon. For the velcro, just machine sew it on either end of the flaps when you are completely finished.

Burp Cloths - Tutorial

2009-10-09T08:00:00.000-07:00

1. Draw a pattern - I like the burp cloths to be bigger than normal. I had two very spitty babies. K threw up for the first six months of her life - she even had to have an upper GI with a barium swallow (yucky x-ray for a baby). Tuffer threw up for an entire year. The only thing that helped a little was a weekly visit to the chiropractor. These burp cloths are about 17 inches long, 9 inches at their widest part, and 8 inches at the narrow middle. I've given lots of them as gifts and everyone always comments on how large they are - perfect for spitty babies. Just freehand a drawing until you are happy with it.

2. Cut out the fabric, making sure to leave extra fabric for a seam allowance. Pin, right sides together. Sew around the edge, leaving a 3 inch hole for turning.

3. Clip the edge of the fabric so that when you turn it it doesn't pull and bunch.

4. Turn the burp cloth right side out through the hole. Press the seam so it's not inside. I usually put a knife through the turning hole and run it along the inside of the seam and then press. Pin the turning hole closed.

5. If you have decorative stitches on your machine, sew around the burp cloth about one inch in from the edge. If you do not have decorative stitches, top stitch around the burp cloth about one inch in from the edge. Hand stitch the turning hole closed.

Note: I love to make these to match the self-binding receiving blankets. I usually make sure I buy enough flannel to make a blanket and two burp cloths (about 1-1/4 yards of each print will do it - or 1-1/4 yards of the back and 1 yard of the front.)

Snickerdoodles

2009-10-07T08:00:00.000-07:00

Snickerdoodle Cookies (Makes 24 servings)

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 3/4 cups flour
2 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
---------------
3 Tbs sugar
3 tsp cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350*F
2. Mix butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar, eggs and vanilla thoroughly.
3. Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt in separate bowl.
4. Blend dry ingredients into butter mixture.
5. Chill dough and ungreased cookie sheet for 15 minutes in fridge.
6. Mix cinnamon and 3 Tbs of sugar.
7. Make 1" balls of dough and roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture.
8. Bake for about 10 minutes, until crackly on top. (If you take them out of the oven when they are still a little short of being done, they will be super-chewy and super-yummy!)

(I didn't chill the cookie sheet and they turned out fine.)

These are seriously the best cookies - EVER!