Mom's Frugal

Menu- Jan. 29, 2012

2012-01-30T05:40:00.001-02:00

My Frugal Tip of the Week: Plan ahead for doctor's appointments and other outings. Schedule your meal plan in such a way that you can cook extra the night before, make a meal ahead and refrigerate, or make sure you have foods on hand that you can take along.

SATURDAY:

-grits
-leftover Homemade Pizza
-Spaghetti and Meatballs
snacks-Brown and White Muffins
SUNDAY:
-Fried Eggs and Buttermilk Biscuits
-leftover Spaghetti, limeade
-Breaded Ranch Chicken, salad, pickled okra
snacks-Biscuits and homemade jam, Homemade Tootsie Rolls

MONDAY:

-Kefir Smoothies,Rugelach
-Ham, Biscuits, fried apples, scrambled eggs
-Beef Stew, Easy Apple Dumpling Rolls
snacks-celery sticks with dip, Orange-Cranberry Whole Wheat Muffins

TUESDAY:

-Kamut English Muffins, Cherry Jam
-Split Pea Soup, Caraway Rye Biscuits
-Lemon Pepper Salmon, romaine salad, cauliflower with mock cheese sauce
snacks-Orange-Almond Apple Crumble,German Chocolate Cake

WEDNESDAY:

-Soaked Oatmeal
-White Beans, Cornbread, Turnips, Corn
-Ham, Baked Beans from leftover white beans, Creamed Asparagus
snacks-Orange Date Muffins, celery sticks and dip

THURSDAY:

-Peanut Butter Pancakes
-Cream of Sunshine Soup, 3Grain Cookies
-Leftover Ham, Baked Beans, Whole Wheat Rolls
snacks-leftover pancakes rolled with jelly, celery sticks and dip

FRIDAY:

-Coconut-Pecan Pancakes
-Cranberry-Almond Chicken Salad on Pita Bread, pickled okra,
-Homemade Pizza Night
snacks-Homemade Orange Sherbet

Breaded Ranch Chicken

2012-01-30T02:00:00.000-02:00

This is fast and easy!

Especially if you already have stored bread crumbs.

When I make fresh bread, I grind up leftovers and toss them in the freezer. Why buy- when you can frugally make your own? :-)

(And, by the way, this goes for many types of bread that I make; from pita to buns to loaf bread.)

I used 8 good-sized chicken breasts. If they are too thick, you may want to fillet them.

The thickness of your chicken will influence your bake time.

8 boneless, skinless chicken breast pieces

4 1/2 cups bread crumbs

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

3 T powdered Ranch mix (bulk at Sam's)

Preheat oven to 400. Butter baking dish(es).

Mix bread crumbs with the Ranch seasoning.

Dip chicken in buttermilk then in breading and place in baking dishes. Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, depending on thickness of chicken.

Served with a salad and pickled okra here.

Buttermilk Biscuits

2012-01-29T14:23:00.001-02:00

I've been asked several times about homemade biscuits and do I make them with wheat. I must confess, that biscuits are one place where I can't find room for my wheat :-)

I have made them- but there's nothing like a fluffy Southern - white- biscuit!

Here's how I make them:

2 cups self-rising flour

1/3 cup lard or butter*

approx. 3/4 cup of buttermilk

Preheat oven to 550. Cut your fat into the flour until you get a nice 'crumb', a little more coarse than cornmeal. Slowly blend in your buttermilk being careful not to add too much or too little.

Once you have your dough barely moistened, dump out onto lightly floured counter.

Knead just until dough holds together- no more than about 10 times.

Pat out dough to about 1/2 inch thick and cut into circles. Place on light-colored baking pan.

Allow your biscuits to rest and rise for about 5 minutes or more before baking.

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Butter the tops as soon as you remove them from the oven.

*You may use other fats. My dh sometimes will use oil when he makes biscuits for himself. I prefer lard and/or butter. I think they taste better ;-)

Tips:

Don't knead biscuit dough roughly as you would a yeast dough.

Don't over knead or your dough will be touch.

To get layers, fold dough over and over rather than knead.

If at first you don't succeed, do it again! Make them several days in a row and you will get a feel and eye for the right consistency of the dough. Then- it will 'come back to you' every time you make them!

Brown and White Muffins

2012-01-28T02:37:00.000-02:00

Muffins solve a whole lot of problems for me! They're quick, they're sweet, and I can make quite a few in a short amount of time :-)

They are very good for breakfast but I LOVE to have them around for snacks. I can pack them with all sorts of things, like fruit and nuts, or just make them fun- like these!

(And shhh- if you'll notice- there's no oil! Nice chewy texture as a result.)

2 cups whole wheat flour

1/3 cup cocoa powder

1/2 t salt

1/2 t baking soda

1 cup cane sugar (or white)

1 t vanilla

2 eggs

2 cups kefir, buttermilk, or yogurt

1 cup white baking chips

Preheat oven to 400. Spray muffin tins with non-stick.

Mix flour, salt, baking soda, cocoa, and sugar. Blend in vanilla, eggs, and kefir (or other).

Fold in the chips right before pouring into muffin tins.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes being careful no to over bake.

Whole Wheat Triple Chocolate Braided Bread

2012-01-25T02:41:00.009-02:00

Chocolate and wheat- these are two of my favorite things!

This bread is a little dense and will require some patience. But- good things come to those who wait!

For the dough:
3 cups whole wheat flour
2 1/2 t instant yeast
1 cup warm water
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1/2 t salt
1/4 cup melted butter
1 large egg
1/8 cup plain flour for kneading and rolling

For the filling:
1 8oz pkg cream cheese
1/3 cup melted semi sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup plain flour
1/3 cup cane sugar (or white)
1 egg yolk
1 t vanilla

For the glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
1 t vanilla
1/4 cup heavy cream (or milk)
several T warm water (about 3 or 4)

Directions for the dough:
Dissolve yeast in warm water. Add salt, sugar, and cocoa. Blend in half the flour and melted butter. Stir in the egg. Add remaining flour slowly. You will want to leave this dough on the slightly sticky side. Allow to rise for about 40 minutes.

For the filling:
Allow cream cheese to come to room temp and whip until fluffy. Blend in melted chocolate chips and vanilla. Mix in the egg yolk and sugar. Add flour and scrape the bowl to make sure everything is incorporated.

Assemble dough and filling:
Divide dough into equal thirds. Roll each piece out into a rectangle; about 6X15.
Spread one third of the filling in each rectangle, keeping it within one inch of the edges. Roll each rectangle up and pinch closed. Lay the three rolls on baking sheet and braid. Pinch and tuck under both ends. Allow to rise 1 hour. Bake at 350 for 40 to 45 minutes on light colored baking sheet.

For the glaze:
Mix powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream. Add warm water, one tablespoon at a time until you have the glaze thin enough to drizzle. Tuck a sandwich baggie into a cup with the top open and pulled over the edges of the cup. Spoon the glaze into the baggie, pull the baggie out and twist, forcing the glaze down into the corner. Snip the corner with a pair of scissors and drizzle over your loaf once it has cooled for 15 to 20 minutes. Slice and serve! (For best slicing, use an electric knife or one with a jagged edge.)

***This post is linked to:

Raising Homemakers
HandyManCraftyWoman
Lil' Luna
SavvySouthernStyle
TheThrifyHome
WeAreThatFamily
Grocery Cart Challenge
While He Was Napping
Fingerprints On the Fridge

Ride 'em CowPup!

2012-01-24T20:50:00.000-02:00

When Abby grows up, she wants to be a Cow-Pup and that's why she barks at the horses and cows that try to live in peace across the street.

You know, if I didn't keep an eye out on these kids, it's un-telling what they'd do to this little pup!

...today a gun belt, tomorrow a pogo stick...

Menu- Jan. 21, 2012

2012-01-23T17:34:00.000-02:00

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!

Projects this weekend: Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Waffles and Strawberry Jam from using a free sample of pectin!
Frugal Tip of the Week: If at first you don't succeed try try again! Trying frugal and healthy meals on your family is a big job. For a long time, I couldn't get everyone to eat liver and be content about it, but I kept trying until I got them 'used to it'. Chicken liver can often be found for .99 per pound. It is also loaded with vitamin D and A, which makes it a great frugal choice for your family's health. For the last month, I've worked in fried liver with tater tots once a week! Liver can be hidden by chopping in your food processor and mixing with ground meats too. It freezes well in its container and thaws overnight in the refrigerator.

SATURDAY:
-Whole Wheat Johnny Cakes, blueberries
-leftover pizza on my fave crust, 3 Grain Cookies
-Fried Chicken Legs, romaine salad, biscuits and Pomegranate Jelly
snacks-Hot Chocolate, Fried Bananas
SUNDAY:
-Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Waffles
-Homemade Sesame Seed Focaccia Bread with Cranberry Chicken Salad, flatbread strips with roasted red pepper Bruschetta, romaine and tomato salad
-Fried Chicken Livers, tater tots, Pureed Frozen Fruit Cups
snacks-Banana-Avocado-Mango Smoothies
MONDAY:
-Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Waffles
-Bologna Cups, leftover flatbread strips with red pepper Bruschetta, romaine salad
-Soft Tacos, refried beans, salsa and chips
snacks- Homemade Orange Sherbet, leftover Focaccia with homemade pear jelly
TUESDAY:
-Sausage-Gravy and Biscuits
-Haystacks, Cherry Cream Shakes
-Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs, black-eyed peas, sweet potatoes
snacks-leftover Biscuits with homemade strawberry jam, leftover rice with butter and honey
WEDNESDAY:
-fried eggs and applesauce
-Simple Spaghetti, Twisted Garlic Bread Sticks
-Roast Beef with Gravy, mashed potatoes, lima beans
snacks-celery sticks with Kefir-Ranch Dressing, Blueberry Crisp
THURSDAY:
-Cinnamon Raisin Muffins
-Cheese-n-Onion Strata, romaine salad, Cinnamon Applesauce Salad, home-pickled okra
-Easy Dump Chicken, asparagus, tomato salad
snacks-leftover muffins, celery with Buttermilk-Cheese Spread
FRIDAY:
-Banana Crepes
-Cheesy Tuna Noodles, broccoli normandy, speckled butter beans
-Homemade Pizza
snacks-Triple Berry Muffins, Gooey-Pie Cookie Bars

Vegetable-Tomato Fettuccine Soup

2012-01-22T19:13:00.000-02:00

This soup is super frugal, but so delicious!

I estimate the cost to be around $1 to $1.25 for the entire pot.

You can adjust the seasonings according to your family's preference but I like them a little on the heavy side :-)

2 quarts of chicken bone broth

2 T butter, lard, or other fat

1 large onion, finely chopped

1 cup finely chopped celery with leaves

2 t minced garlic

2 bay leaves

1/2 t paprika

1 1/2 t oregano

1 1/2 t basil

1/2 t thyme

1/2 t rosemary

1 T dried parley

1 t chicken bouillon powder

salt and pepper to taste

1 can Italian flavored Tomato Paste

3/4 of 12oz box Vegetable Fettuccine (buy up when they are .50 a box!)

Saute onions, celery, and garlic in fat for about 5 minutes. Add broth and seasonings. Stir in paste until well-blended. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Add broken fettuccine noodles and cook for about 12 minutes until Al dente.

Serve hot with a sprinkling of mozzarella or Parmesan.

Make this soup frugally in the summer with your own herbs, garlic, celery, and onions.

Also, make your own bone broth! And render your own fat/lard from free tallow at your local grocery store.

Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Waffles

2012-01-22T18:42:00.001-02:00

I don't know whether these should be breakfast, dessert, or a snack- they're just so yummy!

But they would certainly be good for any of those categories and since they are all whole wheat, you wouldn't even have to feel bad about grabbing one on the way out the door for a 'quick fix'.

I cooked some of these up to have for breakfast this week but they will also be handy if we need a 'quick fix'!

This is a big batch, so you can feed a big family, and/or have some for the freezer!

4 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

3 cups milk

1 stick of melted butter

6 eggs

3 T baking powder

1/2 T salt

2 1/2 T cane sugar (or white or honey)

1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Mix flour, salt, sugar, and baking powder in large mixing bowl. Stir in milk, eggs, and melted butter.

(*Tip: always beat pancake or waffle batter with a mixer to ensure no dry lumps!)

You may stir in chocolate chips but I prefer to sprinkle them on the batter before closing the waffle iron. This way I can ensure that each waffle gets about even, rather than have the chips sink to the bottom of the batter between each batch.

Brush melted butter on your waffle iron between each batch and cook according to your iron's instructions.

(One of my irons has a green light that goes on when it's ready while the other one I have has a red light that goes off when it's ready!)

Cool on wire rack if you are going to store in the fridge or freezer.

I tied these up in a large double, bread-bag :-)

Top with maple syrup, fruit and powdered sugar, honey, or you might even like Peanut Butter Honey Syrup!
***
This post is linked to:
Skip to My Lou

...and the winner is.....

2012-01-21T17:12:00.000-02:00

JOY- you're the winner!

There were 4 entries and I punched them in the widget above, from Random.Org, and it picked the number one, which is the first poster.

Thank you girls for entering!

Joy- I'll ship this right out to you and hopefully you should have it by the middle of the week.

***

Special thanks to Blade Buddy for allowing me and one of you to try out their product.... my razor is still going strong, thanks to this product!

***

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Our Current Reading List- lots of goodies from our local library or online free

2012-01-19T17:12:00.001-02:00

3rd grader-Kyler: Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Pinocchio, McGuffey’s Fourth Reader, The Swiss Family Robinson, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Treasure Island, Christopher Columbus and the Discovery of the New World, Rascal, Lentil, The Bears: Hemlock Mountain, The Sign of the Beaver, A Lion to Guard Us, The Family Under the Bridge, Yonie Wondernose, The Book of Dragons, The Enchanted Castle, Make Way for Ducklings, Allan Fowler- Pine Trees, Maple Trees, It Could Still Be a Tree, Simple Machines, Can You See the Wind?, -One Morning In Maine, A Tree Is Still A Plant, The Apple and the Arrow, Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving, The Story of Valentine’s Day, Blueberries for Sal, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Daniel’s Duck, Hatchet

4th grader-Kayanna: The Long Winter, Little Town on the Prairie, These Happy Golden Years, The First Four Years, Little Men, Rascal, Secrets on 26^th Street, The Family Under the Bridge, Thee Hannah!, Twig, Watcher in the Piney Woods, Listen to the Nightingale, The Enchanted Castle, The Railway Children,

6th grader- Kellan: The Silver Chair, The Last Battle, David Crockett-Scout, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, The Pathfinder, Robinson Crusoe , Elements of Civil Government, Not Yours to Give, The Story of David Livingstone (http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=golding&book=livingstone&story=_contents), Rascal, The Yearling. The Sign of the Beaver, The Family Under the Bridge, The Door in the Wall, The Enchanted Castle,The Wanderings of Odysseus, Abraham’s Family by John Morris, Black Ships Before Troy, Minn of the Mississippi, Rip Van Winkle by Washington Irving, My Side of the Mountain, Hatchet, Call it Courage

8th grader- Kemuel: On That Day Began Lies, Don Quixote, Life on the Mississippi, The Soldier in Our Civil War Volume 2, Rascal, Lord Peter: the complete Lord Peter Wimsey stories, Our Town: A Play in 3 Acts,- Cry: The Beloved Country-, The Family Under the Bridge, The Bronze Bow, The Enchanted Castle, Exploring the History of Medicine, Mosque by Macaulay, Cathedral by Macaulay

10th grader- Krestan: Roughing It (semi-auto Twain)My Utmost for His Highest, Elements of Civil Government, My African Journey, Luther and the Reformation (G), Beacon Lights of History Vol V -?(G), Why Won’t They Listen? http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/wwtl, Rascal, An American Plague, Silas Marner, The Nine Tailors, Crime and Punishment, What’s So Amazing About Grace?, The Family Under the Bridge, The Enchanted Castle,

Exploring the History of Medicine, Mosque by Macaulay, Cathedral by Macaulay, The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia, The Screwtape Letters

3-Grain Cookies

2012-01-18T02:31:00.003-02:00

These puff up into a nice big cookie, but there's so much good stuff in them, you won't mind at all!

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 t sea salt (or plain)
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 cup barley flakes
1 cup quick oats
1 stick butter, melted
3/4 cup cane sugar (white will work)
1/4 cup brown sugar
3 large eggs
1 t vanilla
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts

Mix butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla. Stir in baking soda, salt, and baking powder. Stir in wheat flour, barley flakes, and oats. Toss in chocolate chips and nuts. Scoop out slightly less than 1/4 cup at a time. Bake at 375 for 12-14 minutes.

Tips: These would make a great "breakfast cookie". You could cut your sugar bag 1/3 to 1/2 and add fruits instead of chocolate chips if you like too.

You can also make these in advance and freeze for a "quick fix" morning when you least expect it!

**This post is linked to:
Raising Homemakers
The Thrifty Home
HandyManCraftyWoman

Scavenger Hunt- for all of YOU!!!

2012-01-17T20:45:00.001-02:00

How about a freebie for all of you?
Wanna Have Some Fun?

Remember the My Memories Suite Giveaway back in September?

(And don't forget my special promo offer (code: STMMMS61766) on the side bar if any of you are interested in purchasing the entire suite!)

Well boy- I mean girls, ladies- do I have a fun surprise for YOU! -All of you!

See these below?

Those 3 packs are YOURS and all of you can have them!!!

If you're up to a little fun ;-)

First let me say that this will be a link to the MyMemories site and you will simply download these special png files. They are special, in that, you can use them COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT of the MyMemoriesSuite!

That means you can use them on ANY program on your computer! Which also means that ALL OF YOU can get them!

Now for THE BIG FUN- you have to find them! ;-)

Told you it would be fun!

I'm going to hide the links to the downloads in some old posts. I'll give you a clue to find each of them and you simply find the post and the link will be at the bottom and it will say: "Here's your first (second or third) special My Memories Link." Click on the link, it will take you to the special My Memories page and simply click the "click here to download" button.

Woo hoo! Let the fun begin!

Oh I just love to play games!

1st clue to first download: I posted about a book in 2008 on Gutenberg that I thought was really neat. It was called Science In the Kitchen. Hint: type in MRS. E.E. KELLOGG in my blog's search bar.

2nd clue to second download: Your second download is on the post of my family's favorite dessert. Hint: Look on the side bar.

3rd clue to third download: I posted a while back about an oddly-named Scripture memory activity that I was using with my kids. Hint: Type "zombie" in the search bar on my blog.

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

2012-01-17T14:43:00.008-02:00

Shortbread=butter+lemon=yummy!

This isn't a big batch of cookies, so they don't last long...which is a blessing to those of us who can't stop "at just one"! ;-)

1 1/2 sticks of butter (3/4 cup)

1/2 cup sugar (plus 2 to 3T additional for dipping)

1/2 t vanilla

1 t lemon extract

1/2 t lemon zest

2 cups plain flour

Cream butter with sugar. Add vanilla and lemon extract. Add zest.* Gradually add flour.

Scrape the bowl several times to make sure all butter is incorporated.

Roll out in 1 inch balls. Dip in the extra sugar.

Place on ungreased cookie sheet and flatten.

Bake at 350 approx 15 minutes. Cool on rack.

Makes approx. 2 dozen cookies.

*If you don't have lemon zest, you can use 1/2 t more lemon extract.

If you don't have the extract, but have a lemon, add 2 to 3 t fresh lemon juice and zest.

*****************************************************************************
Be sure to enter the Blade Buddy Giveaway while you're here!
*************************************************************

This post is linked to:

A Bowl Full of Lemons
Chef In Training
HomeStories AtoZ
Tip Junkie's Tip Me Tuesday
Between Naps on the Porch

Blade Buddy Giveaway:

2012-01-16T19:54:00.002-02:00

Have you heard of these?

Blade Buddy is a product created to make your blades last longer.

Used regularly, it will extend the life of your razors and reduce those nasty nicks and cuts.

The Blade Buddy only takes a few seconds of your time and it simply requires that you run your blade across it 15-20 times. Not a bad exchange for your time since now your blade will last you months, instead of days.
It is not meant as a "sharpener" for dull blades, but rather a maintenance for new ones.
And if you're concerned with all things Green, you will love this product because it will significantly reduce your plastic waste from razors.

Blade Buddy generously sent me 2 to try.
One I kept in my shower (yah me!) and my razor is now up to "weeks" of use!
(Yah, frugal me, again!)

THE OTHER ONE I will give to a lucky winner that will be selected by Random.org on Saturday, January 21, 2012. The winner will be announced here and contacted by email so BE SURE to leave your addy below AND you must follow the instructions for entry.

MANDATORY ENTRY:
You must visit GetBladeBuddy and paste and copy me their 1-800 number in your post below.
SECOND ENTRY:
You must "like" Blade Buddy on Facebook and come back and post again to let me know that you did.
Thanks Blade Buddy!

***This post is linked to:
Works For Me Wednesday/We Are That Family
and Frugal Friday

Menu- Jan. 14, 2012

2012-01-16T02:25:00.001-02:00

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!

I did something a little unusual for the weekend's menu. I cooked a small ham and a small turkey on Friday and we ate that through the weekend until I made a big pot of white beans with the leftover ham for Sunday. I also made a cake for less than a $1 from mark-downs I got after Christmas.
Remember me telling you last week that I bought a bunch of pie shells on clearance during my once-a-month-shopping? I used them to make six pies as well: 2 Chocolate Silk, 2 Pumpkin, and 2 Oatmeal Pies. The kids got these for dessert, snacks, and even breakfast! I made a Green Bean Casserole, green peas, and we had lots of leftover cole slaw, and some Ranch Dip with raw veggies.

Weekend Projects: Pomegranate Jelly (used this recipe- had 3 large pomegranates=2 cups juice, finished off with water, also added 1 T lemon juice) and Beet Kvass

My Frugal Tip of the Week: Plan your menus down to the snack! That way, you consider all of your fresh food, pantry items, and baking- early in the week so nothing gets wasted and you can do baking in advance according to your schedule rather than someone begging for food-NOW! ;-)

SATURDAY:

*see above

SUNDAY:

*see above

MONDAY:

-Pumpkin Pie w/ whipped cream
-White Beans w/ham, cornbread, boiled turnips w/ Parsley Butter
-Oven-Fried Chicken legs, leftover beans,spinach salad, Chocolate Silk Pie
snacks-Pureed Frozen Fruit Cups, popcorn with butter

TUESDAY:

-Soaked Oatmeal w/ blueberries
-leftover white beans-n-ham, butter-fried cornbread, fermented kraut
-Cheesy Meat-and-Potatoes Casserole, romaine salad, Kicked Up Cabbage
snacks-Half Wheat Poppy Seed Muffins, carrots and dip

WEDNESDAY:

-English Wheat Muffins, fried eggs
-Cream of Sunshine Soup, Caraway Rye Biscuits, Cinnamon Applesauce Salad
-Salmon Patties, mashed potatoes, lima beans
snacks-Orange-Almond Apple Crumble, lemonade

THURSDAY:

-Yogurt Muesli
-Bologna Cups, romaine salad, maple-butter sweet potatoes
-Easy BBQ Chicken Quarters (homemade sauce), Mustard Potatoes, romaine salad
snacks-Orange-Date Muffins, chips and salsa

FRIDAY:

-Bug Oats
-Fried Chicken Livers, tater tots, Golden Broccoli Salad
-Pizza Night- on my fave whole wheat pizza dough, Limeade
snacks-Strawberry Frothy, almonds, Giant Peanut Butter Spelt Cookies

***One last note: Be looking for a giveaway this week! ***

Patching Clothes -

2012-01-15T03:01:00.006-02:00

With 5 boys- you have to learn to do some patch work! But would you believe, that it's really my little girl who requires the most patch work?!

A few years ago, she would cry at the mere mention of pants, but now she's finally learned to wear them to bed. But boy does she WEAR them! She tears the seats out, the knees, and somehow gets strange holes in them too.

She has a fondness for these with Tweety Bird on them...and I used to.

You see, they used to be mine, until she decided that she could wear pajama pants and got nearly as big as me ;-), then she decided she also wanted my PJs!

So- I keep patching them up now that she's decided to keep wearing them out!

I hope she decides to do something else soon ;-)

1st- one of those strange holes a fore mentioned- You can see I can't just pull it together and sew because it's a complete hole. (Where the missing innards went is beyond me.)

2nd- I pinned a small scrap of soft denim on the inside. A stiff fabric can poke them especially if you leave corners.

3rd- From the outside, zigzag around the hole on the very edge of the torn fabric, clipping any fraying threads beforehand and being careful to cover all loose ones up with stitches.

4th- From the inside, remove pins. (You don't wanna forget those!) Then clip close to the stitches. See the top of the denim in a point? You want to round that off.

A note: I have cut denim patches out in heart shapes and zigzagged them on the outside of some clothes before too. That's cute on daytime clothes.

Now, what do you do if they keep ripping the backside out and it's gone beyond just the main seam?!?!? Well, if it's doing that repeatedly, chances are, you got yourself a good dose of the thread-barren-fanny!

The first time or two, you might can just stitch it up, but it will likely happen again....and again...and again.

So, for the sake of Tweety and frugality, I resort to plan B.

If the area is thread-bare, I gotta get some more "threads" in there so- I cut out a huge patch from some old clothes and I stitch that in the area to make it stronger. Simple as pie!

1st- I used dark thread in the bobbin so you could see how I used an old t-shirt and simply cut and sewed in a very large rectangle in the thread-barren-fanny.

2nd- From the outside, do a zigzag around the rip or hole. This is from the inside.

This is what it looks like finished, from the outside.

You can see the zigzag around the hole and part of the pink t-shirt, which is okay since these are PJ pants and this adds some kind of cuteness if you ask me.You know, that Little Orphan Annie look? ;-)

You can also faintly see the straight stitch that holds the entire rectangular shaped t-shirt scrap in place. That stitch is barely noticeable on this Tweety print -but that piece of t-shirt gives these pj pants just the extra strength they need to make it a little while longer...without the draft! :-)

Which keeps dd happy and warm in her favorite Tweety pants.
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Be sure to sign up for the Blade Buddy Giveaway while you're here!
*********
This post is linked to
Homestead Revival
Skip To My Lou
Tip Junkie's Tip Me Tuesday
Raising Homemakers
We Are That Family
Domesblissity

Oatmeal Pie

2012-01-13T02:36:00.007-02:00

I know- OATMEAL IN A PIE?! Whoever heard of such a thing?!?! But trust me- it's good! In fact- it's way past good! It's yum-o-Delicious!

And it's easy.

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup coconut

1/2 to 2/3 cup chopped walnuts

1/4 cup water

3/4 cup quick oats

1 stick melted butter

Mix well and pour into 9 inch pie crust, unbaked.

Bake at 350 for approx. 40 minutes until set.

Serve warm or chilled!

******
*Frugal Tip: Make your own crust for the frugal-ist of pies- but I confess, I got some on sale right after Christmas and cheated ;-)

This post is linked to:
The Grocery Cart Challenge
Life As Mom
ChicOnAShoeStringDecorating
Fingerprints On the Fridge
Shabby Nest

It's Really Winter!

2012-01-12T22:17:00.000-02:00

It's been so warm that we almost forgot that it's really winter!

But It came to visit today and boy did it ever bring in the icy cold air- and some snow too!

So you know what that means!?!?!

Time for Homemade Hot Chocolate!

Cinnamon Applesauce Salad

2012-01-12T02:23:00.000-02:00

I didn't know this for a long time, but salads don't have to be green! They don't even have to be veggies!

Salads can be fruit, meat, and even creamed!

One type of salad that has sadly lost popularity, is the gelatin salad.

Gelatin offers protein and other good-for-you stuffs(scroll down to Medical and Nutritional Properties). It is particularly good for your joints since it is a mixture of protein, peptides, and collagen and made from skin, bone, and organ tissues from animals.

It's great to have around if meat is not abundant on your budget or your meal is on the light side.

(Did you know you can even use it for hair gel if you store in the fridge? Yes- but it will only last about a week, but it's a lot cheaper than commercial products!)

3 cups boiling water

2 packs of plain gelatin

3/4 cup cane (or plain) sugar

3/4 T cinnamon

2 cups of unsweetened applesauce
1/2 t lemon or lime juice

Dissolve gelatin and sugar in boiling water. Add cinnamon, juice, and applesauce. Stir well. Chill well before serving.

My kids are spoiled in that they think they must have a dessert. These are the kind of recipes I love to offer in place of sugar when I can!

Pureed Frozen Fruit Cups

2012-01-11T22:10:00.001-02:00

These are more suited for summer but they have some great vitamins, making them perfect for winter too!

They are quite tangy and sure to be a hit with my sour-loving kiddies!

1 can room temp orange juice
4 cups frozen whole strawberries
3 bananas
1 can crushed pineapple, juice and fruit
1/2 cup cane (or plain) sugar
2 T lemon juice, real or bottled

Puree the fruit in blender. Pour or ladle into muffin tins lined with cupcake papers. Freeze. Once frozen the cups can be placed in large Ziploc bags and served at will.

Treats for days!

The Spitter: A Tale About Naivety and Naughtiness

2012-01-11T18:14:00.002-02:00

As a young mother, I must confess that I was very naive, and I guess sometimes I still am, but so much worse then! I really thought that these sweet little toddlers that I had seen grow up since the innocence of infancy, would always do just what their mother told them and stay true to their character- at least the character that they portrayed in front of me. (I snicker at my lack of good judgment here.)

My oldest had always been the "law-abiding citizen". For him, things were black or white, right or wrong. I was aware that he had a stubborn streak, but in my pride, I thought that I had thus far been successful in curving that stubborn streak towards righteousness. If he was going to be stubborn, I wanted him stubborn about doing good and right, and stubbornness there would suit me just fine.

My second-born son had been the restless one, the creative one. It was he who discovered that underwear looked cool spinning around on the ceiling fan, after all. It was also he, that as a little toddler had shocked me one day when he climbed up on the couch, walked across it to the other end, stood on the end table, and jumped. I remember saying to him; "Are you new here? We don't do that." He was totally the opposite of his older brother. The rules didn't come natural to him. He had to figure them all out. He never liked "being in trouble" but he didn't automatically know that you don't do certain things, like dip your toothbrush in the toilet and that sort of thing.

Now that you have the "background", on to the story!

For several weeks after baby boy #3 was born, the restless-creative, second-born had been getting into lots of trouble for a naughty habit he had developed that he was using primarily at church. The habit? Spitting. Remember, he's also the creative one so he developed ways to do this that I can't even describe!

I would be holding the baby and enjoying every lady in the church gushing over his blonde hair and blue eyes when I would hear "that sound" behind my back or my older child, the law-abiding citizen, saying; "Mom, he's doing it again."

This had become a routine for weeks. I would be talking, he would start spitting, and off to the car we would go with promises of the trouble he would find himself in once we were in the safety of our home. He would fret all the way home, because he KNEW that I always kept these kinds of promises. But the problem that kept really frustrating my mind was- why does he keep doing this?!?! He hates getting "in trouble", he loathes this drive home knowing what's coming, and he does know quite well that I'm not going to let this slide.

Now, before I go on, do any of you wise-by-nature-mothers know what could have possibly been going on?

A hint: the creative one was often creative to get a laugh or shock out of the law-abiding, older brother.

(The hint helps to know how this surely must have gotten started.)

Another tip: Don't worry so much about the "wild one"- the toddler who is busy, but be much more concerned with the child who says, "I may be sitting down on the outside, but I'm standing up on the inside!"

Well, thankfully, I had a very good friend at church who had the guts to point out something to me one day after watching this event unfold for weeks herself. ...And I say guts, because there are some people who get downright angry when you tell them their little angels did something that could even be considered wrong. ...Now I must admit, when she told me the truth of the matter, I was very embarrassed that I had somehow been missing this, but I was THANKFUL to her for telling me the truth as I was then able to solve this problem (and a few more) within ONE day.

Now for the truth:

My friend said, "Uhm, Donna, come here for a second." "What is it?" She said; "I don't know if you know this, but Keenan (the law-abiding one) is telling Krestan (the creative one) to spit like that." I gasped and said, "You're kidding!" She shook her head with a smile, both of us almost laughing. I said, "Ew, when I get him home...." She said, "I hate it for him," with a wink. I then thanked her for telling me, knowing that it might have been 30 more years before I caught onto this!

What had been happening behind my back had probably started as a slight and silly gesture from the creative one, but seeing the shock on the law-abiding one's face, and the laugh he got, he probably did it a few more times until I caught him. Then, the law-abiding one, loving to laugh and get his brother in trouble, had continued to provoke the creative one, week after week to get the "shock-n-laugh" that they both so loved. Funny thing, as soon as the law-abiding one had to "pay the piper", it wasn't so funny anymore.....and funnier still; he didn't have the guts to do these naughty acts himself, but to my embarrassment, he didn't mind someone else doing them for his pleasure!

The moral of the story

for the Naughty One:

Be sure your sins will find you out!

For the Naive One:

We all have a sin nature...."all we like sheep have gone astray.."

Still to this day, I'm thankful to that friend. My oldest would be 'bitten' many more times by that same spirit before he became an adult and had I not been made aware of that nature within him, I might not have dealt with him as I should have.

Prov 5:23 He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Ceramic Knives- my latest toy

2012-01-10T17:36:00.000-02:00

Have you heard of ceramic knives? I hadn't until I was sent a free one. It is sort of like the one below except it's orange. :-)

I didn't expect it to be sharp and neither did one of my boys who regretted rubbing his finger down the blade. Yeah. He thought it was like a plastic knife like you would see at McD's or somewhere and it got him :-(

But on the other hand- it's the sharpest knife in the house!

My stainless steel knives usually have to really be forced to cut things like polish sausage and by the time they get through the meat, the skin of the sausage usually is just torn on the back side....not a good clean cut. But this ceramic knife cuts clean through....in fact...my boys are just WAITING and MOCKING for me to get cut. (I'm known for getting cut on the strangest, dullest things- from very dull butter knives to a bar of soap. Yes, I know, I have achieved the impossible!)

But the precious thing to me is- I'd been wanting a good knife and this one just sort of landed in my lap. I hope I can get some more later! The one above is part of the Amazon 4 for 3 deal. It's a special promo you can find under "Special Offers and Promotions" which is under the product's picture. You buy 4 (of any products) with that promo add and you get the cheapest of the 4 for free! Sweet!

A Nice Quiet Evening....

2012-01-09T22:50:00.000-02:00

It's been chilly and foggy-rainy today, but cozy. We started back to school and had a longer day than normal- getting back in the swing always adds extra time, doesn't it? Then we had to review where we left off in Story of the World (Vol 3), our Latin vocabulary, and a couple forgot about verbs!

But tonight- all is calm and quiet as they have their 1 hour of free time.

2 of them have learned to play a whole song on the harmonica this evening, using lessons from this site. I marked it on my Frugally Free Home School Page too if you need it later, but I was quite impressed at how quick, direct, and fast the lessons are and thought one or two of you might like to see them.

It's nearly supper time too- and I don't even have the oven good and hot! Guess I better get with it.;-)

Menu Plan-

2012-01-09T15:22:00.001-02:00

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!

My frugal tip for the week: Buy what is on sale and build your menu around it. This month's shopping held deals on chicken, citrus fruits, pie crusts, and hams.

SATURDAY:

-kids' choice
-Chicken Nuggets and crinkle fries, Coconut Choc Chip Wheat muffins
-Homemade Pizza on my fave whole wheat crust,ice cream cones (cones .49 @ Aldi!)
snacks:Granola Bars, clementines

SUNDAY:

-soaked oatmeal with blueberries
-hot turkey and cheese Sammy's, veggie fries, cherries
-Oven Fried Chicken Drumsticks, Golden Broccoli Salad, potato wedges
snacks:Banana-avocado Kefir Smoothies, Walnut Molasses Pie

MONDAY:

-leftover pie and milk
-Butter Beans w/ beef polish sausage, cornbread, Raspberry Crisp
-Tapatio Chicken Thighs, leftover butter beans, spinach salad, leftover crisp
snacks:sliced oranges and bananas, Buttermilk Pie

TUESDAY:

-Basic Vanilla Granola and milk
-Homemade Ham Salad Spread (from leftover spiral ham) Sandwiches, baby carrots and dip, cherries
-Easy BBQ Chicken Quarters, mashed potatoes, spinach salad, Eggnog Pudding
snacks:Lemon-Cranberry Wheat Muffins

WEDNESDAY:

-Oatmeal Wheat Pancakes
-15 Bean Soup, Whole Wheat Rolls, leftover pudding
-Beef-n-Cabbage Bake, green peas, mapled carrots, sliced pineapples
snacks:leftover rolls with homemade jelly, Fried Bananas

THURSDAY:

-Coconut Rice
-Fried Chicken Liver with tater tots, (wheat) Orange-Almond Raisin Muffins
-Chicken and Dumplings, lima beans, mashed potatoes, leftover muffins
snacks: Easy Spelt Cinnamon Rolls, pineapple

FRIDAY:

-Chocolate-Carob Custard
-leftover Chicken and Dumplings, potatoes, lima beans, leftover muffins
-homemade pizza on fave Whole Wheat Crust, Orange-Pumpkin Cake w/ Buttery Cream Cheese Frosting
snacks: Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls, Coconut Cream Pie