tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71758794219700822032024-03-13T23:41:57.983-07:00Faith, Family, Food, & FunUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-28091662684085592082011-09-27T15:19:00.002-07:002011-09-27T15:21:23.273-07:00Goodbye Webkinz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraV_b-YNw3KqvVqXkVkjJWZMME28m3TVk7yjqS4rY1ydO3aDbw39au5lMrLHXKrW5iMpfiJk1TurbGd_vXLd2RnqE4PsDmA343jrVuRV7o6WoHU4AYPRht-A4voOzAJT9OqZ9omryFqE/s1600/unused-webkinz-codes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgraV_b-YNw3KqvVqXkVkjJWZMME28m3TVk7yjqS4rY1ydO3aDbw39au5lMrLHXKrW5iMpfiJk1TurbGd_vXLd2RnqE4PsDmA343jrVuRV7o6WoHU4AYPRht-A4voOzAJT9OqZ9omryFqE/s320/unused-webkinz-codes.png" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Today was the third strike for Webkinz.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My kids have really enjoyed taking care of their pets</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and playing games in a nice, kid-friendly environment.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Or so I thought.</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The first strike came a few months ago</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">when my son approached me</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and asked me if there was a bad word</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">that sounded like "dam".</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Um...</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When I inquired further why he was asking,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">he told me he had heard it on Webkinz in a joke.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I reviewed the Webkinz video that contained the joke</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and was shocked to see that he was indeed correct.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The joke says: What did the fish say when he swam into a wall?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The answer is the aforementioned word in question.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Really?!?!</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I didn't think my kids would be learning bad words on Webkinz!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The second strike was a month or so ago</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">with a maternity ad which had a woman in a bra!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And today my daughter let me know that</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">there was another ad on there this afternoon</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">with a woman in a bra.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've read that Webkinz edited the video with the joke</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and that you can inform them about</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">inappropriate content in their ads,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">but isn't that their job?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">After all, they are the ones making the money</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">on the animals </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and the ads combined.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">If they say they're providing a kid-friendly environment,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">shouldn't they make sure that is true?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Shouldn't they be the ones who are making sure</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">that their ads are aimed at the right target audience?</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They don't care about my kids.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They care about money, but they won't get any more from us.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For my family, I can no longer risk being surprised</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">by what we might stumble upon on Webkinz.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">And with that, we bid Webkinz,</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"Adieu!"</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-48652407432930436272011-07-07T14:22:00.002-07:002011-07-07T14:25:58.164-07:00What I'm Busy Doing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I'm busy with life and I don't think that's going to change anytime soon. The main things that I am concentrating my time and attention on right now are growing in my faith, raising my children, homeschooling, keeping house, couponing, saving money, and eating healthy.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In efforts to carve more time out of my day, I have been eyeing the possibility of doing once-a-month-cooking. I'm getting closer to making that a reality and my mom is going to do it with me. I've read that having a partner makes it more enjoyable and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather do it with. =)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDRpTVbR-y3XlrERwJ6LNlQEHB9L78cjQJoAXyy2_NClaeWA2MQDM-S0uGO6cDAA5UlW1TgEuptT9cJn_hsELeM5jEwxhW5_h86rFFnBXTx65Tvgm797NZiwU9JQJXP2KYTOpFlgPMr8/s1600/cookinggirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwDRpTVbR-y3XlrERwJ6LNlQEHB9L78cjQJoAXyy2_NClaeWA2MQDM-S0uGO6cDAA5UlW1TgEuptT9cJn_hsELeM5jEwxhW5_h86rFFnBXTx65Tvgm797NZiwU9JQJXP2KYTOpFlgPMr8/s1600/cookinggirl.jpg" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The main website I have been looking at is <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/">Once a Month Mom</a>. There are a few different styles of menus to choose from and although I can't see myself using all of the recipes in one menu, there are some great ideas. The whole foods menu appeals to me the most, as it has the least amount of processed foods and is more made-from-scratch cooking, which is more my style. There is a new menu each month and it is definitely a great tool to check out.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Right now I'm in the process of using up the food I have in my freezer and I'm not buying meat right now. When you do this monthly cooking, you want to use fresh as much as possible. I'm getting closer to having the room in my freezer that I will need to store the food I end up cooking.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At any rate, I'm at least going to give this a try and see if it gives me a little more time during the day. I'm hoping that it does, but I won't know until I do it. If anything, it will give my mom and I something to do together and make some memories. =)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Have you ever tried once-a-month-cooking? Do you have any tips or suggestions?</b></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-85516058787265567472011-05-27T10:50:00.003-07:002011-05-27T10:56:26.644-07:00Drugstore Coupon Shopping Notes 5/22<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I just got back from my trip to Walgreens and CVS and I had a few notes to share with any one else who is doing this whole coupon adventure.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">First of all, I did extremely well in spite of some hiccups.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeN336kRj8HxTin7bdQFBNjH1BP3jsx4D4C2RPeVQKQRR_-TtSCUvy8OnxQt2Ne7CTQlDKNUExJ0FBTcRPIEBEcW1iXDSY4OPJMcXCETbo8vKccAup9vI3PdbseLARXV18iFIggzyqEQ/s1600/CVS+Wal+trip+5_22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeN336kRj8HxTin7bdQFBNjH1BP3jsx4D4C2RPeVQKQRR_-TtSCUvy8OnxQt2Ne7CTQlDKNUExJ0FBTcRPIEBEcW1iXDSY4OPJMcXCETbo8vKccAup9vI3PdbseLARXV18iFIggzyqEQ/s400/CVS+Wal+trip+5_22.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I ended up spending a total of: $38.45 OOP</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I received back <b>$40 in Register Rewards</b> from Walgreen's.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I think that's pretty awesome! =)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's some things I found out today that are mentionable:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. The BOGO Suave Body Wash coupon that a whole bunch of matchup lists said would be in the 5/22 Red Plum Unilever insert... NOT in mine. It's possible that this is a coupon in other states, but I had 4 copies of the paper and I went through that insert 5-6 times (trust me, I was desperate to find it) and it wasn't in there. Anyhoo, if you happen to live in AZ and actually found it, would you please let me know where exactly? I would love to know if I'm blind for real! =P</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. The $2 off any Revlon Color Cosmetic coupon DID NOT work on the nail polish at CVS. So, I politely (and calmly) asked the cashier to take those off of my order... I hope my embarrassment wasn't too noticeable. ;-) It's possible this might work at a different location, but I thought I should let you know about my experience.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. I had $3 off of Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation that I got </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=13306&zid=iq37&nid=10&bid=alk0522170508d42c5c32c6010">HERE</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and I had 2 of these coupons. At my CVS, these were 75% and so when they rang up, they OWED ME $1.50ish! I used this overage and another coupon to buy some Cover Girl eye shadow. Anyways, with this coupon, it seems like you can get a pretty good deal on this makeup. I am getting close to empty on the stuff I'm using right now, so this was great for me!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. I have read Arizona Walgreen's coupon policy, but it didn't mention how many transactions a customer is limited to. That said, when I went to checkout today and told the cashier I would have 4 separate transactions and that I would be happy to get back in line for each one, she informed me that she is only supposed to do 2 transactions. She was very nice and it wasn't a heated discussion or anything. She did say she would go ahead (even though I told her it was okay not to). At the end, I did ask her about that and she said they're not supposed to, but it depends on how busy they are and what time of the day it is and if you let them know you have more than 2, it's okay. Okay, I thought I did that when I checked out... hmm? That's not very clear, but I think I will keep it to 2 transactions next time.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. The Complete Contact Solution deal and the Scunci Hair Elastics are an awesome deal at Walgreen's this week. They end up being FREE with rewards you get back, but make sure you go back and spend your rewards on another great deal during the week or next week (before the reward expires) or the contact solution and hair bands don't end up being free.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6. Even though I've done hardly any shopping at CVS, I scanned my CVS card at the kiosk in the store and a coupon for a free bag tag printed up, so definitely take the extra couple of minutes to scan your card... you might get something good!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">7. Finally, here's the matchup lists I used for my shopping this week. Both of them are from </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.couponcounselor.com/">The Coupon Counselor</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. <---- thank you! =)</span><br />
<a href="http://www.couponcounselor.com/2011/05/cvs-weekly-ad-with-coupon-matchups-522.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">CVS coupon matchups and deals</span></a><br />
<a href="http://www.couponcounselor.com/2011/05/walgreens-weekly-ad-and-coupon-matchups_21.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Walgreens coupon matchups and deals</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So those are my shopping notes from my drugstore shopping today! How did you do?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">linked up with <a href="http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/">Living Well Spending Less</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-39962233876021116992011-05-23T10:44:00.010-07:002011-05-23T14:21:52.043-07:00Saved From the Garbage Muffins<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Okay, that's not the REAL name of these muffins, but I was trying to get your attention.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">But seriously, the whole reason why I made these muffins was to save certain ingredients from the garbage can!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Over the past few days, I have been cleaning food out of my refrigerator and instead of throwing food away, I've been coming up with a way to use it. I've come up with some pretty yummy eats doing this and the great thing is that I'm not throwing food away, so I'm saving money! Cha-ching! =)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's what I wanted to use up:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzpa_EgHwniTFEwxHHDhY3hfarm0X_0pSGck-0r9HYNA5diSQSBOr_zURyV7Jv2TomS6w0s2zQIXK8mdDOvYhFWjTn7CG7RnkO22UMGh-e4aXl-JMw0ZkJ6eusBc9BruCsUcvrT1aDsw/s1600/zucchini+banana+muffins+ingredients.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzpa_EgHwniTFEwxHHDhY3hfarm0X_0pSGck-0r9HYNA5diSQSBOr_zURyV7Jv2TomS6w0s2zQIXK8mdDOvYhFWjTn7CG7RnkO22UMGh-e4aXl-JMw0ZkJ6eusBc9BruCsUcvrT1aDsw/s320/zucchini+banana+muffins+ingredients.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Okay, let's see... we've got some applesauce, a couple of overripe bananas, a zucchini that's almost rotten, and a bit of crushed pineapple.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's what I came up with and they turned out delicious!!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloGtbVmrVUm_94bqqsS2dVOljBiT6AGXDJnCVsr23N4ODuJWBHyBeSgKtliCWDvQ_t3uyZBG93be9fJZlkbUE7djedOmdv99lU40xxcrEWUpohWmSacx42IYeYVyr79wbSjQf3cQaQBk/s1600/zucchini+banana+muffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhloGtbVmrVUm_94bqqsS2dVOljBiT6AGXDJnCVsr23N4ODuJWBHyBeSgKtliCWDvQ_t3uyZBG93be9fJZlkbUE7djedOmdv99lU40xxcrEWUpohWmSacx42IYeYVyr79wbSjQf3cQaQBk/s400/zucchini+banana+muffins.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The recipe is loosely based on <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Blueberry-Zucchini-Bread/Detail.aspx">THIS ONE</a> from allrecipes (which is delicious, btw), but you will see that my version is an entirely new creation! TONS less oil, less sugar, and more yummy, nutritious ingredients. I would have loved to have used a combination of whole wheat flour and white, but I had no whole wheat flour on hand... boo! =( That would have increased the nutritional value of these muffins a bit. Feel free to try it with whole wheat flour and add whatever you want! I also think I could have gotten away with less sugar. I will probably try a bit less next time. I think these would be fantastic with nuts, but I planned on letting Baby Girl have some, so I left those out. Enjoy!</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Better-For-You Zucchini Banana Muffins</u></b></span><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cEoSd29ulhKmVt9XNaPF25295SLgUo5Xy3oKxIkW3wk/edit?hl=en#"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Click here for a printable version</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Makes approximately 18 regular-size muffins or 3 dozen mini muffins</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-weight: bold; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<div style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 bananas, mashed</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">⅓ C. unsweetened applesauce</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">⅛ C. canola oil</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 tsp. vanilla extract</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2 eggs</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">¾ C. sugar</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1-1/2 C. flour</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">½ tsp. salt</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">½ tsp. baking powder</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">⅛ tsp. baking soda</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">½ TBS. ground cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1 zucchini, grated</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">⅓ C. crushed pineapple</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">½ C. raisins</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">1. Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease muffin pan or line with muffin liners. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Note: I had much better success without the liners. I just gave each muffin cup a light grease and they came out easily. The ones in the paper liners stuck really bad to the paper and the muffins didn’t come out too nicely from the paper. FYI!)</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">2. Combine the first five ingredients in a medium-size mixing bowl. Mix until well combined. Add the sugar and mix until combined.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and ground cinnamon. Mix to combine.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">4. While stirring, add flour mixture to wet mixture until ingredients are well combined.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">5. Add in the zucchini, pineapple, raisins, and any other chunkier ingredients at this time. Stir to combine and distribute fruit evenly throughout batter.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">6. Distribute among muffin cups and bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Serve piping hot out of the oven or cold. They’re good either way!</span></div><br />
<i>Here's the skinny on these muffins according to <a href="http://caloriecount.about.com/">caloriecount</a>: 1 serving/1 regular-size muffin: 109 calories, 2.1 grams fat, 21 mg cholesterol, 13.4 grams sugar, 1.8 grams protein.</i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Linked up with</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sarahndipities.blogspot.com/2011/05/make-something-monday-link-party-12.html">Make Something Mondays</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.talkingdollarsandcents.net/opera-cream-muffins">Muffin Monday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thegirlcreative.com/2011/05/just-something-i-whipped-up_22.html">Just Something I Whipped Up</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.makeaheadmealsforbusymoms.com/melt-in-your-mouth-monday-week-14/">Melt in Your Mouth Monday</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://wiseanticsoflife.blogspot.com/2011/05/pasta-al-roquefort-your-recipe-my.html">Your Recipe, My Kitchen</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://delightfullydowling.blogspot.com/2011/05/mangia-mondays-11-smoked-mozzarella.html">Mangia Mondays</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-4564478597691833202011-05-13T17:00:00.000-07:002011-05-13T17:00:54.889-07:00Wise Shopping Trip Results 5/12I wanted to share my shopping results with you from yesterday's trip. It's not too late to get in on the deals and it's kind of fun and challenging to save money. I even made a video of my shopping trip which is at the bottom of this post. It was fun to do.<br />
<br />
I will mention that wise shopping isn't just using coupons. It's shopping the store deals and when possible, matching up that great deal with a coupon. I really didn't use a whole lot of coupons on this last shopping trip (about a dozen), but I still saved 78%.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here's the goods:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbLSlD3l8relCRiFlGw1vyQrDCCSPGEZ8jkQSN3QWELUw9HDOzTL6mRVvOJxv5AYPEuaKN1yP66pdUSNmh5UAQH2DJcEPhdgVWk6h7xWmAwm-tCZnge81jA70wkBr8J5Ne1pRmwLhhrk/s1600/DSC01818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbLSlD3l8relCRiFlGw1vyQrDCCSPGEZ8jkQSN3QWELUw9HDOzTL6mRVvOJxv5AYPEuaKN1yP66pdUSNmh5UAQH2DJcEPhdgVWk6h7xWmAwm-tCZnge81jA70wkBr8J5Ne1pRmwLhhrk/s400/DSC01818.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">$110.34 worth of groceries for $24.02!!</span></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Here's the run down:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Walgreen's</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTb8I2Bu1Ivk0WG9ke7zkSUJ2d9kUP_YpPW2A1zRhtKmiWWkPRsgFRz_k12yR9T1S20PtkjleABIAkV2LNWU27YBpxUigOpgU9U3FsYG0xtow51pv_DpHgyimb1EK4BXGTpYvERJGeOR4/s1600/DSC01822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTb8I2Bu1Ivk0WG9ke7zkSUJ2d9kUP_YpPW2A1zRhtKmiWWkPRsgFRz_k12yR9T1S20PtkjleABIAkV2LNWU27YBpxUigOpgU9U3FsYG0xtow51pv_DpHgyimb1EK4BXGTpYvERJGeOR4/s320/DSC01822.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Total: $19.61</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Savings: $20.54</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Rebate & Reward: $19.00</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><u>This shopping trip ended up costing <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow;">$0.61</span>!!</u></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Check out the matchup list for Walgreen's <a href="http://www.myeastvalleymommy.com/2011/05/walgreens-weekly-may-8th-14th.html">HERE</a>.<br />
Deals for Walgreen's end Saturday!<br />
<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Basha's</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKippAAGy6eczubX7bkkt6Z_bcVhVeU9ZS6w-yGJFX5_dfWY0oKhGJX_rx1PhpEsqV6s3oqdYmhaYYHq9RsFB92my1F2Z7trFFaEp-B4RDqaJREVXO76Nm4Tgu7knsm9YXNfBF7J19VY/s1600/DSC01819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKippAAGy6eczubX7bkkt6Z_bcVhVeU9ZS6w-yGJFX5_dfWY0oKhGJX_rx1PhpEsqV6s3oqdYmhaYYHq9RsFB92my1F2Z7trFFaEp-B4RDqaJREVXO76Nm4Tgu7knsm9YXNfBF7J19VY/s320/DSC01819.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Total: $8.67</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Savings: $13.57<br />
Check out the matchup list for Bashas' <a href="http://www.livingthedomesticlife.com/2011/05/bashas-511-517/">HERE</a>.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Fry's</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL1B9egyfqywWIFuct9mK93yCKb0C8Y5C-0HzKqYE_SIsR_Nz0vvIknvpE246-95lMwQ6qCMoIsux40RvbjaiSjDIo652U9gofDEPbU-9SFUlRliHTYP3D-cgi7YsChC-ai-DgVfMHOA/s1600/DSC01820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuL1B9egyfqywWIFuct9mK93yCKb0C8Y5C-0HzKqYE_SIsR_Nz0vvIknvpE246-95lMwQ6qCMoIsux40RvbjaiSjDIo652U9gofDEPbU-9SFUlRliHTYP3D-cgi7YsChC-ai-DgVfMHOA/s320/DSC01820.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Total: $4.38</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Savings: $12.98<br />
View the matchup list for Fry's <a href="http://www.livingthedomesticlife.com/2011/05/frys-511-517/">HERE</a>.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Albertson's</u></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j7KCklLKs2GHJv0uVZ_wCIjIgVc0MzoKBpShQ3yU1FrzTfd76Ip5gKCQSPda-DqiQQwh9YP7c6o_vntsFmRzY2w6UdmAy1Jt3uqw-ATYS4iODJWlpELp5hCdeIHI1AfSi0MTpZEWA78/s1600/DSC01821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j7KCklLKs2GHJv0uVZ_wCIjIgVc0MzoKBpShQ3yU1FrzTfd76Ip5gKCQSPda-DqiQQwh9YP7c6o_vntsFmRzY2w6UdmAy1Jt3uqw-ATYS4iODJWlpELp5hCdeIHI1AfSi0MTpZEWA78/s320/DSC01821.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Total: $10.36</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Savings: $20.23</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">View the matchup list for Albertson's <a href="http://www.savingforsomeday.com/albertsons-511-517/">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>My silly video!!</u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QsFELTniqmg" width="425"></iframe></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Hope you enjoyed today's post!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-18198046108113579242011-05-11T23:35:00.000-07:002011-05-13T13:24:56.414-07:00Grocery Deals for 5/11 - 5/17Here's some links where you can go to see what's on sale this week here in AZ. Follow the links to find the lists for the deals.<br />
<br />
Fry's - <a href="http://www.savingforsomeday.com/frys-deals-511-517/">Go HERE</a><br />
<a href="http://www.savingforsomeday.com/frys-deals-511-517/"></a><br />
<br />
Bashas' - <a href="http://www.livingthedomesticlife.com/2011/05/bashas-511-517/">Go HERE</a><br />
<br />
Albertson's - <a href="http://www.savingforsomeday.com/albertsons-511-517/">Go HERE</a><br />
<br />
Safeway - <a href="http://www.savingforsomeday.com/safeway-deals-511-517/">Go HERE</a><br />
<br />
A friend of mine also told me about this site: <a href="http://grocerysmarts.com/arizona/lists/splashg85ro1.php">GrocerySmarts</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-59929309055718325672011-05-09T09:00:00.012-07:002011-05-09T09:39:10.829-07:00This Week's Menu<div style="text-align: center;">This is what is going to be on our plates this week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3OtEFls7G_CZJPMiOUAIcnlX2EZaXiobHqbcKs9tPUoUkU9A2142XJKi_o8SHPzUFjq3UICkNC6Twqj1ZBPQ9-aLH0t8Qe4mgWQ4tsweX-E7y8jtainezOCocJRiwBllH4apxal56pc/s1600/Colored+Plates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU3OtEFls7G_CZJPMiOUAIcnlX2EZaXiobHqbcKs9tPUoUkU9A2142XJKi_o8SHPzUFjq3UICkNC6Twqj1ZBPQ9-aLH0t8Qe4mgWQ4tsweX-E7y8jtainezOCocJRiwBllH4apxal56pc/s1600/Colored+Plates.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Weekly menu planning is a great way to save money.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You not only use up what you have,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>but you don't make as many trips to the grocery store</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>where you inevitably buy items you</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>weren't originally planning on buying.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Those extra shopping trips add up!</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Monday</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chicken & Veggie Stir-fry</div><div style="text-align: center;">(my way of cleaning out the vegetable bin)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Leftover Mongolian Beef</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fried Rice</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Tuesday</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Corned Beef & Cabbage</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Wednesday</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grilled Salmon</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rice Pilaf</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweet Potato Oven-baked Fries</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Thursday</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Skillet Beef & Noodles</div><div style="text-align: center;">Carrots w/ Garlic</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Friday</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Leftovers</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Saturday/Sunday</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">More Leftovers!! :D</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What's on your menu this week?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
Linked up with:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.familyfriendlyfrugality.com/2011/05/money-saving-monday-blog-hop-5911/"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSa4SK37ygp0V_95IJkMk5s0P7QRd4E_jdiK6wp7TdS8Hf7BvUI7N3hK2UBxm1EjTUM_FdMjH2WllQs3otGJwvhNw5gmher9IEvGwCbe2W7dGMB3mQjfivfEy9yLdDOy7w5J5ehjcLgpY/s1600/monday_small.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">AND</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2011/05/menu-plan-monday-may-9th.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZRUrA4Ch6rm5xBCMMfAHYuPEDiyFNbYOKt0u6SvGFfMdPguR9ILmZo6FCGgvK7gJ__wUoJq3Rfzn7R9znRMCMqV87wRzLI2os6ShfETpwH30u1e9-Aq3LLv3tkYi80jHnbeAc3hlpA1U/s1600/mealplanmonday_v1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Thanks so much for stopping by!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-88883637549933971952011-05-07T16:11:00.002-07:002011-05-07T16:43:51.461-07:00Sunday Paper Coupon Preview<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7ggk6KlVG-D7J4SzysRvjDUrE_SdEW5ZJK8shau-p2lUIZNxmS-SkudgoJQZX_gdwbQ4iOdb_AjHMYPtu2BshGvcZaZWsjW1FoCTOppZXpTRftR1pdtv5b9RqriwHW1JD8uviGIw9A4/s1600/coupons_grocery_shopping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7ggk6KlVG-D7J4SzysRvjDUrE_SdEW5ZJK8shau-p2lUIZNxmS-SkudgoJQZX_gdwbQ4iOdb_AjHMYPtu2BshGvcZaZWsjW1FoCTOppZXpTRftR1pdtv5b9RqriwHW1JD8uviGIw9A4/s400/coupons_grocery_shopping.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I found this link recently and it gives you a preview of the coupons that are going to be in the Sunday paper. This is great for deciding if you need to get multiple copies of the paper or not. This week's coupons contain coupons for a couple of things I would buy, namely the Mountain High yogurt and Tide detergent. So, I will probably pick up a couple of extra copies of Sunday's paper. Isn't that nice to know ahead of time without having to look through the paper yourself?<br />
<br />
Here's the link: <a href="http://www.sundaycouponpreview.com/">http://www.sundaycouponpreview.com/</a> Make sure you click the "read more" button at the bottom of the post for this week to see the complete list!<br />
<br />
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers! =)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-9218063432195183382011-05-04T17:40:00.000-07:002011-05-04T17:40:26.119-07:00Coupon AdventuresI've been an amateur coupon user for a few years.<br />
"Oh, I use that." snip<clip></clip><br />
"Maybe this will go on sale." snip<clip></clip><br />
<br />
My husband and I watched some youtube videos<br />
a few weeks ago and decided to give this whole coupon thing<br />
a trial of a few months and see if it's worth the time and effort.<br />
There are many youtube videos out there about couponing,<br />
but I have really appreciated this series by Living Well Spending Less:<br />
Extreme Couponing for Normal People<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ew7_SeVt8H4" width="560"></iframe><br />
(click above for the first episode and the others are on the side bar)<br />
<br />
Yes, normal people! That's what we are!<br />
Well, we have friends and family that would beg to differ...<br />
but you know what I mean.<br />
We're not going to be using underneath our children's beds<br />
to store extra items.<br />
And we're not going to buy things we aren't going to use.<br />
That kind of normal.<br />
Anyhoo... this intro to what I really want to share with you<br />
is taking a long time because I'm rambling too much.<br />
<br />
Living Well Spending Less also has an awesome<br />
step-by-step guide to help you start couponing<br />
that we found very helpful.<br />
Here's the link to that: <a href="http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/beginners-guide-to-coupons/thebeginners-guide-to-coupons-2/">How to Start Extreme Couponing</a>.<br />
I'm not sure how comfortable I am with the label "extreme",<br />
but that's what I'm doing and I guess that means I'm extreme.<br />
If you decide to jump in and be extreme like myself (and others)<br />
and you decide to follow her step-by-step guide,<br />
please follow her suggestions when putting together<br />
your first shopping list.<br />
I thought I knew how to "coupon" and I went<br />
too extreme (you might say) with my first trip<br />
and I was so exhausted and burnt out just making the lists.<br />
I almost gave up then and there!<br />
So don't overwhelm yourself.<br />
Take baby steps.<br />
Start with a very small list.<br />
Start with ONE store.<br />
<br />
I'm only on my 3rd week and it was much easier this week.<br />
I was so excited with my trip to Fry's today.<br />
I spent $15.46 and saved... are you ready...<br />
$39.89!!!!!! That is a 72% savings.<br />
Yes, I'm pretty excited about that.<br />
I spent about an hour getting my list<br />
and coupons together.<br />
I would say $40 for an hour is pretty good. =)<br />
<br />
Before I decided to give this a try<br />
I was doing a pretty good job of shopping smart<br />
and saving money when I went,<br />
but my percentage was usually anywhere between 35-45%.<br />
The past few times I have gone shopping, my percentage has<br />
been in the 50%-60%.<br />
<br />
I definitely have more to say about all this,<br />
but I don't have the time at the moment.<br />
I just wanted to share my results with you thus far<br />
and also share the list for Fry's this week (5/4-5/10).<br />
<a href="http://www.livingthedomesticlife.com/2011/05/frys-54-510/">Deals & Coupon Match-ups @ Frys</a><br />
<br />
Hope you're enjoying your week!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-74435808786084255862011-03-21T16:48:00.000-07:002011-03-21T16:48:09.839-07:00Yummies!<div style="text-align: center;">I'm sitting here feeling a little under the weather.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can call it a cold and so can I,</div><div style="text-align: center;">because that's what it is.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So while I've been sitting here,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been doing a little blog-surfing</div><div style="text-align: center;">on foodie blogs.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's some posts you might like!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.feelslikehomeblog.com/2011/03/bbq-chicken-enchiladas/">BBQ Chicken Enchiladas</a> @ Feels Like Home</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com/2011/03/mexican-ground-turkey-quinoa-skillet.html">Mexican Ground Turkey Quinoa Skillet</a> @ Debbie Does Dinner Healthy</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.halleethehomemaker.com/2011/03/hearty-whole-grain-waffles/">Hearty Whole Grain Waffles</a> @ Hallee the Homemaker</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Stay healthy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-2330840377021266472011-03-18T16:32:00.000-07:002011-03-18T16:32:34.673-07:00Homeschool Musings<div style="text-align: center;">My two oldest and I have been busy</div><div style="text-align: center;">with our 50 states unit study for several months now.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know if this is a problem or not</div><div style="text-align: center;">(at least not yet),</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it is feeling a bit dry.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't think of another word to describe the feeling.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And the thought of enduring many, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>many</b></span> more months</div><div style="text-align: center;">of this dryness is a little concerning to me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wgpQzjjY2eggpGG7vBd6EEMQ7eEEIxYErNMgWsv-ExLJqaXA6T53IiyaYteKxX4xWYhjyfnt9M6XuZXlvh8KiKGXRKhWBHvSHsyK6cpGoVYQu-MSeYvGVYiuc9TkJnb-PIV8WNhaDio/s1600/Back2SchoolBooks-big.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wgpQzjjY2eggpGG7vBd6EEMQ7eEEIxYErNMgWsv-ExLJqaXA6T53IiyaYteKxX4xWYhjyfnt9M6XuZXlvh8KiKGXRKhWBHvSHsyK6cpGoVYQu-MSeYvGVYiuc9TkJnb-PIV8WNhaDio/s320/Back2SchoolBooks-big.jpg" width="218" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I want to give my kids the best</div><div style="text-align: center;">home educated experience that I can,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and somehow I feel like I'm missing the mark with this study.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But then on the other hand, the thought</div><div style="text-align: center;">of abandoning the study when we've come so far</div><div style="text-align: center;">(about 1/3 of the way)</div><div style="text-align: center;">is hard for me to justify,</div><div style="text-align: center;">especially when I want to teach my kids</div><div style="text-align: center;">good character qualities like</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="background-color: yellow;">persevering </b>and <b style="background-color: yellow;">not giving up</b>!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What to do?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">While we leave me, myself, and I to ponder that question,</div><div style="text-align: center;">here is a great link that I found today:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homeschoolshare.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.homeschoolshare.com/</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And no, this did not help me at all with</div><div style="text-align: center;">being content with what I teaching at the moment.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at all these topics and such creative ways of teaching!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm drooling... in a way that only a teacher can.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Teachers out there, you know what I'm talking about).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sitting here, contemplating the matter at hand,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-74918627730841839692011-03-09T09:22:00.005-07:002011-03-09T09:22:00.873-07:00God's Will & Testament<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OThvT18lclAVu7T6wOsToamcFBgKebd4KUUJQghOG7TAhZCax_hpqVRjZzimt09HDfC3sdrh6PIj2VykVZs3svwFcrBEbP-hdP7eyr_liESX20YKBEAB6RgehTpGTk3okbOXocLwjAE/s1600/bible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OThvT18lclAVu7T6wOsToamcFBgKebd4KUUJQghOG7TAhZCax_hpqVRjZzimt09HDfC3sdrh6PIj2VykVZs3svwFcrBEbP-hdP7eyr_liESX20YKBEAB6RgehTpGTk3okbOXocLwjAE/s320/bible.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have never read the Bible all the way through!</div><div style="text-align: center;">There... I said it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You would think that since this book</div><div style="text-align: center;">is at the very core of my faith,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I would have bothered to have read it</div><div style="text-align: center;">all the way through at least once.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I guess I didn't really think it was</div><div style="text-align: center;">I M P O R T A N T.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I mean, that is the most logical</div><div style="text-align: center;">conclusion to come to, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;">R I G H T.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And that is the truth,</div><div style="text-align: center;">because if it wasn't the truth,</div><div style="text-align: center;">than I would have read it through in its entirety already,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and many more times over.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have gone so many years not knowing what</div><div style="text-align: center;">the Bible says.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And that is really sad,</div><div style="text-align: center;">because it is the testament and will</div><div style="text-align: center;">of my Father, God Almighty.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This book tells me what is mine.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It tells me what He has left for me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It tells me the truth about my Father,</div><div style="text-align: center;">about His Son, His Spirit, about life, about death,</div><div style="text-align: center;">about what really matters.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwXtU8CXHWprvJsU__FeV-ueuud58DX_40CWe-yPy6WIIzM8QJuF4iD8_xg-qBV4kCVHVINbtMQuM7azR6MjQcOPfCXKjT5QeUlfrDmUESZD0c1mm6RuejGTYkI6MuulkC9Vr5wUpxcE/s1600/Last-Will-and-Testament%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwXtU8CXHWprvJsU__FeV-ueuud58DX_40CWe-yPy6WIIzM8QJuF4iD8_xg-qBV4kCVHVINbtMQuM7azR6MjQcOPfCXKjT5QeUlfrDmUESZD0c1mm6RuejGTYkI6MuulkC9Vr5wUpxcE/s320/Last-Will-and-Testament%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you had a really rich father,</div><div style="text-align: center;">would you think that his last will and testament</div><div style="text-align: center;">wasn't important enough to read?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Would you rely on other people</div><div style="text-align: center;">to tell you once a week what the will says</div><div style="text-align: center;">without checking it out for yourself?</div><div style="text-align: center;">(All the while living in a one-room shack</div><div style="text-align: center;">with a leaky roof, infested with cockroaches and mice...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Starving, with nothing, being a slave to a master</div><div style="text-align: center;">who abuses you, I might add.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>What?! That's crazy talk!!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">I know, and yet, that is how I've treated God's Word to me.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4SxViRoZZauan7QoQOBaZfep_ekcSCP8XpOB-4SqcSuWN_xp8vrwyZyRqa8l_RTUzEmN_8gJLp-TR7WJvOIs81sbltpkjzNvDEh8SPqM9Xydsnz2pRRNgFWA8Qcpr_jAI5W4Y70IgXI/s1600/Sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS4SxViRoZZauan7QoQOBaZfep_ekcSCP8XpOB-4SqcSuWN_xp8vrwyZyRqa8l_RTUzEmN_8gJLp-TR7WJvOIs81sbltpkjzNvDEh8SPqM9Xydsnz2pRRNgFWA8Qcpr_jAI5W4Y70IgXI/s320/Sunrise.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A few years ago, I began to really read</div><div style="text-align: center;">my Father's will and testimony.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not to be religious</div><div style="text-align: center;">(who else is tired of doing that?),</div><div style="text-align: center;">but because I wanted to really know</div><div style="text-align: center;">W H A T I T S A I D.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have found out some things that no one...</div><div style="text-align: center;">NO ONE,</div><div style="text-align: center;">told me in church all those years I went on Sunday.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Things that I should have known.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Things that would have helped me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Things that have <b>changed my life</b>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who should I blame?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who should I blame for cheating</div><div style="text-align: center;">me out of years of enjoying the riches of Christ?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who should I blame for unnecessary</div><div style="text-align: center;">spiritual poverty?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who should I blame for the counterfeit faith</div><div style="text-align: center;">that I was satisfied with?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Who should I blame?</div><div style="text-align: center;">M Y S E L F.</div><div style="text-align: center;">M Y S E L F.</div><div style="text-align: center;">M Y S E L F.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Truly, I was a fool.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So how do I end this reflection?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Find out for yourself what God's will is!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Read the testament that He left for you.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There is an inheritance beyond imagination</div><div style="text-align: center;">for anyone who has become a son of God.</div><div style="text-align: center;">How do you become a son of God?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="mailto:adrielhong@gmail.com">Email me</a>... I'd love to chat with you about it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for letting me share my thoughts.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a blessed day!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-17738113912035782542011-01-24T15:09:00.000-07:002011-01-24T15:09:56.099-07:00Cupcake Cake<div style="text-align: center;">My oldest daughter turned 10 this month!</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's amazing how quickly 10 years flew by.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We planned a birthday party with kids,</div><div style="text-align: center;">party favors, games, hot dogs, cake...</div><div style="text-align: center;">hold on there... not just any cake!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A cupcake cake.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you seen these at the grocery store?</div><div style="text-align: center;">They're really cute, but I just can't</div><div style="text-align: center;">bring myself to pay all that money</div><div style="text-align: center;">for cupcakes that are mediocre</div><div style="text-align: center;">with icing that is just as mediocre</div><div style="text-align: center;">(probably even more so).</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's not that I'm a snob</div><div style="text-align: center;">(at least I don't think I am),</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I just love yummy food</div><div style="text-align: center;">and those store-bought cupcakes</div><div style="text-align: center;">just aren't that yummy to me.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Besides, my daughter wanted carrot cake cupcakes...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm not sure the grocery store could pull that off.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So we went to work making carrot cake cupcakes</div><div style="text-align: center;">using an old recipe from a Russian cookbook</div><div style="text-align: center;">that my grandma gave my mom</div><div style="text-align: center;">(seriously, those ladies knew how to bake/cook).</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's an amazing recipe and along with cream cheese</div><div style="text-align: center;">frosting on top... well, it's just super amazing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmsKmrS9y1z9XZ_Fq-riChrO46ztbK2S_QcdgqR9E9QTKm3WP7YJ9dMnA2e2-7afatKuezDAUvlcQnKE4_j9qzqR6eBst2STg5_R3jSKDJbCSh7RZGs_GY50tS645Q4e07v7WZAPtmTM/s1600/Cupcake+Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggmsKmrS9y1z9XZ_Fq-riChrO46ztbK2S_QcdgqR9E9QTKm3WP7YJ9dMnA2e2-7afatKuezDAUvlcQnKE4_j9qzqR6eBst2STg5_R3jSKDJbCSh7RZGs_GY50tS645Q4e07v7WZAPtmTM/s400/Cupcake+Cake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I arranged the cupcakes on a piece of foam board,</div><div style="text-align: center;">iced the cupcakes and decorated them.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Decorated the foam board.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll admit, I was in a little rush when I put this together</div><div style="text-align: center;">and it didn't come out the greatest,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but my daughter loved it and was very pleased</div><div style="text-align: center;">and that's what really matters, right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I'm glad we tried something new</div><div style="text-align: center;">and had some fun with it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">How about you?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you tried anything new lately?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-32638027910952837312010-12-27T10:00:00.008-07:002010-12-28T11:16:55.262-07:00Our Christmas Dessert: Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream & Hot Fudge SauceMy husband bought me an ice cream maker a couple of years ago for my birthday. I made a few batches, wasn't super impressed, and it's been sitting up in my closet. My daughter, Kayla, kept telling me we should make ice cream again sometime. Earlier this month, I decided just to go for it and do it! We made Peppermint Ice Cream and the results were so good that we decided to make the ice cream (except a double batch) for our Christmas dessert this year! It was so nice having such good results with such a simple and easy recipe. It has made me want to try making ice cream more often. =)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2T1jQq9IFOY0jvpPEwHbclbdAw32huT9NmDEqrybE6EAfzlOcfoFyXyhsFPk2sggHS004MEZe4dtu99n0EtgnBLscXodRIJV0bDHpuKQnFt4-Xg2p5deeWMbXZjTbJ7bKzbP4g9yQO8/s1600/Easy+Peppermint+Ice+Cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2T1jQq9IFOY0jvpPEwHbclbdAw32huT9NmDEqrybE6EAfzlOcfoFyXyhsFPk2sggHS004MEZe4dtu99n0EtgnBLscXodRIJV0bDHpuKQnFt4-Xg2p5deeWMbXZjTbJ7bKzbP4g9yQO8/s400/Easy+Peppermint+Ice+Cream.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The thing I liked about this recipe was that it didn't require cooking the base before freezing in the ice cream maker and the results still yielded nice and creamy ice cream. This recipe is so simple. The hardest part, IMO, is crushing the peppermint candies! We did it with a hammer. In the future I would like to explore other possible ways of crushing the peppermint candies.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Easy Creamy Peppermint Ice Cream</b></span><br />
Adapted from <a href="http://www.serving-ice-cream.com/peppermint-ice-cream.html">THIS RECIPE</a> found at<br />
<a href="http://www.serving-ice-cream.com/">www.serving-ice-cream.com</a><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nU0qRxzfYZJC5YTPH83ck-IPVJFGlC2XwGpXVD__3ZU/edit?authkey=CJqHxocH&hl=en#"><b>Printable version HERE</b></a><br />
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Ingredients:<br />
1/2 cup milk<br />
1/2 cup half-and-half<br />
2/3 cup sugar<br />
2 cups whipping cream<br />
3/4 tsp. vanilla extract<br />
3/4 tsp. peppermint extract<br />
2/3 cup crushed peppermint candies<br />
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1. Whisk milk, half-and-half, and sugar together until sugar is completely dissolved.<br />
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2. Add whipping cream, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract and mix with whisk until well combined. At this point, mixture can be stored in refrigerator for several hours if desired.<br />
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3. Pour into ice cream maker bowl/cannister. Churn ice cream for approximately 20-25 minutes or according to manufacturer's directions. At this point, mixture should be in a semi-frozen state. Add the crushed peppermint candies at this point (if you add them at the beginning, the candies will sink to the bottom).<br />
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4. Churn mixture with candies an additional 5-10 minutes or until you have achieved desired consistency. Transfer ice cream to a freezer-safe storage container and freeze to set ice cream.<br />
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We topped our Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream with this super yummy (and easy) Hot Fudge Sauce from allrecipes.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1p6oRfuWI-tYDhbZgS_qeHwK0zC-j1vtbDwSZbVZufWNg-IqKMDW-lpRdQOem9ZP3lLaHaMptdwrdQE7mhQtzaZ13hPE4W6pzou33wh2JqGzvuFKAzoNwIZAihyx5wkB-hQn2BEu9FQ/s1600/Hot+Fudge+Sauce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1p6oRfuWI-tYDhbZgS_qeHwK0zC-j1vtbDwSZbVZufWNg-IqKMDW-lpRdQOem9ZP3lLaHaMptdwrdQE7mhQtzaZ13hPE4W6pzou33wh2JqGzvuFKAzoNwIZAihyx5wkB-hQn2BEu9FQ/s400/Hot+Fudge+Sauce.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Simple & Delicious Hot Fudge Sauce</b></span><br />
Adapted from <a href="http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Hot-Fudge-Sauce/Detail.aspx">THIS RECIPE</a><br />
from <a href="http://allrecipes.com/">allrecipes.com</a><br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VgjxrL7YG3QbeyOPYPLIAJaBVLDHK4Uw2WtBq9mn9Co/edit?hl=en&authkey=CIWehQw#"><b>Printable version HERE!</b></a><br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk<br />
4 (1 oz.) squares unsweetened chocolate<br />
1/2 cup brown sugar<br />
dash or two of salt (approx. 1/16 tsp.)<br />
1 tsp. vanilla extract<br />
<br />
1. Combine sweetened condensed milk, chocolate squares, brown sugar, and salt in a small saucepan. Cook and stir over medium low heat until chocolate and sugar is melted, about 5 minutes.<br />
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2. Stir in vanilla. Remove from heat.<br />
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3. Serve warm over ice cream or dessert of choice. Store fudge sauce in refrigerator.<br />
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4. To reheat, place desired amount in microwave-safe bowl and microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring between intervals until sauce has reached desired temperature. A small amount of water can be mixed in if consistency is too thick.<br />
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<i>Notes: This sauce was really good, don't get me wrong! But I think the next time I try it, I would like to add another ounce or two of chocolate to get a richer chocolate flavor. I may add a bit more vanilla as well.</i><br />
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This was definitely a departure from our usual Christmas desserts, but it was fun to try something new.<br />
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What did you enjoy for dessert on Christmas Day?<br />
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<img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /><br />
Linked up with <a href="http://www.blessedwithgrace.net/2010/12/tempt-my-tummy-tuesday-sweets-for-the-new-years-eve-party/">Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays</a>, <a href="http://itsablogparty.com/delicious-dishes/">It's a Blog Party Delicious Dishes</a>, <a href="http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/2010/12/tuesdays-at-table-snow-stacks.html">Tuesdays at the Table</a>, <a href="http://weloveiowa.blogspot.com/2010/12/tasty-tuesdays-bloghop-monkey-bread.html">Tasty Tuesdays</a>, <a href="http://ourjourneytoasimplerlife.blogspot.com/2010/12/delectable-tuesday-1228-holiday-mexican.html">Delectable Tuesday</a>, & <a href="http://fudgeripple.blogspot.com/2010/12/tuesday-night-supper-club-link-up-no-21.html">Tuesday Night Supper Club</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-70543976345199215162010-12-25T07:00:00.001-07:002010-12-25T07:00:06.264-07:00Merry Christmas!<div style="text-align: center;">I wanted to pop in to say Merry Christmas!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I made this card for my parents and brother</div><div style="text-align: center;">and thought I would share it with you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcBzvEIk2EuOA3aFn9pcZqPqBi348LNEeKx6c8i0jr0u76RaY3Ry1oKWmg1D6nyeaz-uT-Q7XUtJ4GPyMgnvo2Xa6gR8Y6gZXa0SVG79oc2gcAginlZ0BO0sKjBeIKHId6EuHfV1rtCc/s1600/Snowmen+Christmas+Greetings+Handmade+Card+%25231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcBzvEIk2EuOA3aFn9pcZqPqBi348LNEeKx6c8i0jr0u76RaY3Ry1oKWmg1D6nyeaz-uT-Q7XUtJ4GPyMgnvo2Xa6gR8Y6gZXa0SVG79oc2gcAginlZ0BO0sKjBeIKHId6EuHfV1rtCc/s320/Snowmen+Christmas+Greetings+Handmade+Card+%25231.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had fun designing it and putting it together.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been playing around with a stamping technique</div><div style="text-align: center;">called "Embossed Resist".</div><div style="text-align: center;">I used this technique on the snowflakes.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can see that I embossed them</div><div style="text-align: center;">with clear embossing powder on white cardstock</div><div style="text-align: center;">and then sponged over them with light blue ink.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It creates a fun effect!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWOyNobkaWeR9owYlV637pyspAE5dq970y6LknTdeTYHGswonROVn5yXVI9-8PU38ipHzleVB8uG0s-lTvHQvlTygtS0N6V5N14ptdJ9L-0gMonICHinyN_bscECQRa8fx6WzxQ1q7DM/s1600/Snowmen+Christmas+Greetings+Handmade+Card+%25232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWOyNobkaWeR9owYlV637pyspAE5dq970y6LknTdeTYHGswonROVn5yXVI9-8PU38ipHzleVB8uG0s-lTvHQvlTygtS0N6V5N14ptdJ9L-0gMonICHinyN_bscECQRa8fx6WzxQ1q7DM/s320/Snowmen+Christmas+Greetings+Handmade+Card+%25232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I colored my snowmen with inks and a blender pen.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel like such an artist with the results I get doing that!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I trimmed some white cardstock to resemble snow drifts</div><div style="text-align: center;">and set my snowmen over the cardstock</div><div style="text-align: center;">and set a snow layer over them on the bottom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixklYcNZTv3JZxYhZjTMI48MduAQtjxpH7lq0dgBF2mKWd36COMhTOJVfZ49pFWUnIqoo00W93vUlRo_RAOJLaM2NDevSZW6eZaOLIHBVS1mXFbyRAhr4uAXcMZRR-aicp3EZ2jUeotek/s1600/Snowmen+Christmas+Greetings+Handmade+Card+%25233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixklYcNZTv3JZxYhZjTMI48MduAQtjxpH7lq0dgBF2mKWd36COMhTOJVfZ49pFWUnIqoo00W93vUlRo_RAOJLaM2NDevSZW6eZaOLIHBVS1mXFbyRAhr4uAXcMZRR-aicp3EZ2jUeotek/s320/Snowmen+Christmas+Greetings+Handmade+Card+%25233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I had some fun with the ribbon.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I felt like doing something different,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so I did! =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6u7Mvm0IW0ZscArtoEuMD-vzO_uVKzGQqLm-i9UeIIGF3bGKcl28kZAJQqgpipVPzgCAwHkYxd98d_GqWNZEG4EanM8Wd064Ki852mJh4Vzcy1_C0pv18-aQEHXOmXPcqgqfSuutIJA/s1600/Snowmen+Christmas+Greetings+Handmade+Card+%25234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ6u7Mvm0IW0ZscArtoEuMD-vzO_uVKzGQqLm-i9UeIIGF3bGKcl28kZAJQqgpipVPzgCAwHkYxd98d_GqWNZEG4EanM8Wd064Ki852mJh4Vzcy1_C0pv18-aQEHXOmXPcqgqfSuutIJA/s320/Snowmen+Christmas+Greetings+Handmade+Card+%25234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just couldn't bring myself to put the greeting on the front,</div><div style="text-align: center;">so I just stamped the inside.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you have a wonderful day enjoying your families</div><div style="text-align: center;">and those close to you.</div><div style="text-align: center;">May the <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_560013396">reminder of Christ's birth</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_560013396">and why He humbled Himself</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crossroad.to/heaven/contents/christ-example/why_he_came.htm">and came to this earth</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">be ever present with you today and in the New Year.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My mom wrote a wonderful post on the blog</div><div style="text-align: center;">that I co-author with her about "the rest of the story".</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can see her post <a href="http://twohappystampers.blogspot.com/2010/12/merry-christmas.html">HERE on Two Happy Stampers' blog.</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature2.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature2.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-81635844902443008412010-12-23T19:47:00.000-07:002010-12-23T19:47:08.310-07:00Vacation Project<div style="text-align: center;">My husband likes to take a good chunk</div><div style="text-align: center;">of his vacation off during this time of year.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This year was no exception.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He has nearly 2 weeks off (including the weekends)</div><div style="text-align: center;">and it will so nice to have him home for all those days!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This year he has a special home improvement</div><div style="text-align: center;">project he will be working on.</div><div style="text-align: center;">When we moved into our home nearly 10 years ago,</div><div style="text-align: center;">we eyed the half-wall between the living room</div><div style="text-align: center;">and hallway as a possible place for storage in the future.</div><div style="text-align: center;">10 years later, we now have 3 children, we are homeschooling,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and our house with less than 1400 sq. feet is nice and cozy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That extra storage area idea is now becoming a reality</div><div style="text-align: center;">and it will be great to have a little more storage space.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I thought I would share some pictures of what he started today.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My brother helped out with the work today,</div><div style="text-align: center;">which my husband was very grateful for.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks, Dan! =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">BEFORE</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y-jb9nITsYT1q9YmglPBuo9Xb33BPaNVGGk75uysKixdfbLsvBeV-Kbj4UiTLVOXVQMbzJDWtWMKP_n7jSyXDMbWYuEpZAQprJHvCDmNYDHsfn_RndIEChroyN3P906W44_1YR1oJJA/s1600/Vacation+Project+%25231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Y-jb9nITsYT1q9YmglPBuo9Xb33BPaNVGGk75uysKixdfbLsvBeV-Kbj4UiTLVOXVQMbzJDWtWMKP_n7jSyXDMbWYuEpZAQprJHvCDmNYDHsfn_RndIEChroyN3P906W44_1YR1oJJA/s400/Vacation+Project+%25231.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's our hallway and the half-wall.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You can see where Gary cut a little hole</div><div style="text-align: center;">in the wall to scope out the inside.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">AFTER</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqW16haCf6x35Gwf0IfDIRkNLJZPFdBqu6oo1aUCUmDpjPCXHX6y-dOmACJqNqT2dJpIVjEVCj8xAjRz1xq7JmnmSydkYTLsaK3J098-9V0TkO0apXw2JGEmEupf4pFSoxK-i9htj-SSg/s1600/Vacation+Project+%25232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqW16haCf6x35Gwf0IfDIRkNLJZPFdBqu6oo1aUCUmDpjPCXHX6y-dOmACJqNqT2dJpIVjEVCj8xAjRz1xq7JmnmSydkYTLsaK3J098-9V0TkO0apXw2JGEmEupf4pFSoxK-i9htj-SSg/s400/Vacation+Project+%25232.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2hIlIjcaIcP7yP0HC8P8SzdhLDci8fqMyCdieAW80-al725LalFd-6eXHH0DnWsVvvktE_-Wml7CLGvE5qstOH2MK8Ol_aYtFw0raZ6IxqSBaaFK6Ws930TtZyw0ok6IDFU2RCq8gYQ/s1600/Vacation+Project+%25233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2hIlIjcaIcP7yP0HC8P8SzdhLDci8fqMyCdieAW80-al725LalFd-6eXHH0DnWsVvvktE_-Wml7CLGvE5qstOH2MK8Ol_aYtFw0raZ6IxqSBaaFK6Ws930TtZyw0ok6IDFU2RCq8gYQ/s400/Vacation+Project+%25233.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's what the hallway looked like</div><div style="text-align: center;">after Gary and Daniel started cutting.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a mess right now, but I'm looking</div><div style="text-align: center;">forward to the end result! =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anyway, that's what's going on here today.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll post more pictures as we go along! =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Rejoice!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://s1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/?action=view&current=FFFFBlogSignature.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i1213.photobucket.com/albums/cc474/twohappystampers/FFFFBlogSignature.png" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-2476668466277704002010-11-01T21:34:00.000-07:002010-11-01T21:34:44.121-07:00Random-ness<div style="text-align: center;">I read <a href="http://davidwilkersontoday.blogspot.com/2010/10/putting-limits-on-gods-power-and.html">THIS POST</a> on David Wilkerson's blog</div><div style="text-align: center;">and wanted to share it with you.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's titled:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://davidwilkersontoday.blogspot.com/2010/10/putting-limits-on-gods-power-and.html">Putting Limits on God's Power</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Very good encouragement</div><div style="text-align: center;">not just to think about,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but to apply and act on.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Right now, God is showing and teaching me</div><div style="text-align: center;">how to practice delighting in Him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I really stink at it.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm serious.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But He is such a good and patient teacher.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He doesn't give up on me</div><div style="text-align: center;">and He's not letting me give up either.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Which reminds me...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't give up on other people, either.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so this post is a little random,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it's what's on my heart as I'm writing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a blessed day,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allblogtools.com/"><img alt="Blogger Templates" border="0" height="67" src="http://www.allblogtools.com/MiSc/Signature-Generator/holdz/z4ba7f4d3d0cd0.gif" width="171" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-24478184972450806992010-10-02T15:47:00.001-07:002010-10-02T15:49:13.867-07:00A Decorating Tip<div style="text-align: center;">People that know me well are probably shocked with this title.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A decorating tip? From Adriel?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'll be honest, I'm not very big on decorating</div><div style="text-align: center;">and my home is pretty humble.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's not because I don't want to decorate.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It has more to do with that (a lot of times)</div><div style="text-align: center;">annoying thing we call "money".</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have this thought in the back of my mind</div><div style="text-align: center;">that it's somewhat wasteful to spend money on something</div><div style="text-align: center;">that is just going to sit and look <i>pretty</i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Am I alone?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">At the same time, there's a part of me</div><div style="text-align: center;">that wants to have <i>pretty</i> things.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think I'm just weird.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so enough about my issues</div><div style="text-align: center;">with home decorating.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I told you about a decorating tip</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I'm not going to let you down!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I came across<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_639342590"> this article today about fall trends</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wisconsinrapidstribune.com/article/20101002/WRT04/10020386/Eight-fall-design-trends">written by Elaine Williamson</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">She lists eight fall trends and #6 got my attention:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Pillow talk. Today's pillow designs offer an array</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">of textures, colors, shapes, sizes and accents,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">and can completely transform a room's aesthetic.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Accordingly, pillows have become the ultimate interior design accessory.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Choose an assortment of pillows for the spring and summer,</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">and another set for the fall and winter.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">This is an easy, budget-friendly way to transition a room</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">from one season to the next."</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCiBYiA6xXHbboGpXDsKmGSvxfV7trUfLnweuqCR-oEeJeGBFO1_-QdJQBbETFQsefyMGsbMqPMytUPDElpG9i5c0zpuc1JHxTovU9tb3YfMsZn6l72w0lZwV6tdZoVDx8_7qX0TcXFk/s1600/Pillows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuCiBYiA6xXHbboGpXDsKmGSvxfV7trUfLnweuqCR-oEeJeGBFO1_-QdJQBbETFQsefyMGsbMqPMytUPDElpG9i5c0zpuc1JHxTovU9tb3YfMsZn6l72w0lZwV6tdZoVDx8_7qX0TcXFk/s320/Pillows.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Okay, I think even home decorating handicapped little old me</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">can handle something like that!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Plus, she mentioned "budget-friendly".</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">I think some decorating might be in my future!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Have a wonderful weekend!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allblogtools.com/"><img alt="Blogger Templates" border="0" height="67" src="http://www.allblogtools.com/MiSc/Signature-Generator/holdz/z4ba7f4d3d0cd0.gif" width="171" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-56006276867253450212010-09-03T08:30:00.000-07:002010-09-03T08:30:02.152-07:00Goodbye August, Hello September!<div style="text-align: center;">In a way it's hard to believe that September is already here,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but in another way it seems that August was a very long month.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Life seems to be going by fast...</div><div style="text-align: center;">i n s l o w m o t i o n.</div><div style="text-align: center;">That doesn't make very much sense,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it's a feeling that is hard to explain.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Here's my month of August highlights!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>We went to a Diamondbacks game.</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAf6wp1puTsugPdTiNk2tMG8Ad2tmoLkDmWA2FK54UAkMsmrLFKEmY3hapWQ2bwVLI0SOjWFegoZ03DZE1LZcVclZ8lmj0tM8kPy4E0bczmDAdNLVqOXVpJ-IkADXpsv-0gDDZPZt8M4/s1600/DSC08910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAf6wp1puTsugPdTiNk2tMG8Ad2tmoLkDmWA2FK54UAkMsmrLFKEmY3hapWQ2bwVLI0SOjWFegoZ03DZE1LZcVclZ8lmj0tM8kPy4E0bczmDAdNLVqOXVpJ-IkADXpsv-0gDDZPZt8M4/s320/DSC08910.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids earned free tickets through</div><div style="text-align: center;">our library's summer reading program.</div><div style="text-align: center;">My brother came along with us. =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Jacob celebrated his 8th birthday.</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ90ZgH4BUrdE7BuPY261XJFZVTKC64HzScWryZdlN5_TqsRKyMZfzPs0KI_Puj57YQMwwsU8gpmN8Wd_LIX2uzi5R5LRNUwqw2xoVaLjJRM18ntEFwGoP65_MYks9-RrbS4W3QAvdCc0/s1600/DSC08936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ90ZgH4BUrdE7BuPY261XJFZVTKC64HzScWryZdlN5_TqsRKyMZfzPs0KI_Puj57YQMwwsU8gpmN8Wd_LIX2uzi5R5LRNUwqw2xoVaLjJRM18ntEFwGoP65_MYks9-RrbS4W3QAvdCc0/s320/DSC08936.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2WUJRF9kExeHEsWAj66-_HaXoU0kwI2l9QdvJ2GeBRCq8jFbnzGYonvf_piAsZbSVBW0Wgl2avT7-fSdMFzwf21J6AUTKqpKgrDtwn5l_NAPKpie2LvPSqXwg5p2sOT5ukeYcCxEtCo/s1600/DSC08938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx2WUJRF9kExeHEsWAj66-_HaXoU0kwI2l9QdvJ2GeBRCq8jFbnzGYonvf_piAsZbSVBW0Wgl2avT7-fSdMFzwf21J6AUTKqpKgrDtwn5l_NAPKpie2LvPSqXwg5p2sOT5ukeYcCxEtCo/s320/DSC08938.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">He made his own pinata with the help</div><div style="text-align: center;">of his sister and neighbors.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We ended up having a kid party,</div><div style="text-align: center;">a family party, and a party with the families we fellowship with.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know how all that happened,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it did, and that's all that matters. ;-)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>The kids and I continued our 50 state unit study.</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_aF67vA5vgX5hzroNKo7KMvonFv0RXMNTCYxo0eNvgxFrofPe93Pwy8TCXHSlmNyc5RLs8RU8Cc0UA_T3k1U60CR2xFH1-_n1Bzzgz9iVrl-8PdWgr72JlVKT37L0hGloZwn_EgndPs/s1600/DSC09032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_aF67vA5vgX5hzroNKo7KMvonFv0RXMNTCYxo0eNvgxFrofPe93Pwy8TCXHSlmNyc5RLs8RU8Cc0UA_T3k1U60CR2xFH1-_n1Bzzgz9iVrl-8PdWgr72JlVKT37L0hGloZwn_EgndPs/s320/DSC09032.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We covered Arkansas, Arizona, and California.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We spent lots of time in the kitchen making</div><div style="text-align: center;">a recipe for each of the states we studied.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Allison took her first dip in the pool!</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuBjKMYAExutpwz2I29IsBExOcgOC8AMJJ4kfFdjrL73XiceMkASIHxZTFsfqBf_n15NzULzZCAxz3BamYssPu5qizwiyQXCL3Q50jkNjFL5nnSzXG5Q3TLoi2yxUn7f_IdCFb4WMBb4/s1600/DSC09163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuBjKMYAExutpwz2I29IsBExOcgOC8AMJJ4kfFdjrL73XiceMkASIHxZTFsfqBf_n15NzULzZCAxz3BamYssPu5qizwiyQXCL3Q50jkNjFL5nnSzXG5Q3TLoi2yxUn7f_IdCFb4WMBb4/s320/DSC09163.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wasn't sure if we'd do that this year,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it seemed like the right moment last week</div><div style="text-align: center;">and it's always cute to see a baby in the pool with a diaper. =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>I was able to spend some time crafting this month!</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2E9nm1FbUPKM4KHP97ahm954KTZLUJN8Twyx0SnL5XfPLYkGwlYUZxyi3j5Qu_tZHW7Pp_aIM3Uuas0ai9d_LeK8ZQ2Kv_5IWDJ4-5xGiEnXGGWvrYXMkOFY4reXvsPpciKCd0TXGuY/s1600/THSCC%238Card_shot%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR2E9nm1FbUPKM4KHP97ahm954KTZLUJN8Twyx0SnL5XfPLYkGwlYUZxyi3j5Qu_tZHW7Pp_aIM3Uuas0ai9d_LeK8ZQ2Kv_5IWDJ4-5xGiEnXGGWvrYXMkOFY4reXvsPpciKCd0TXGuY/s320/THSCC%238Card_shot%232.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's one of the cards I made. =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>What was one of your highlights from last month?</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allblogtools.com/"><img alt="Blogger Templates" border="0" height="67" src="http://www.allblogtools.com/MiSc/Signature-Generator/holdz/z4ba7f4d3d0cd0.gif" width="171" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-22901951014241147332010-08-31T08:30:00.007-07:002010-08-31T15:26:23.326-07:00Recipe for Beef & Spinach Shells w/ Creamy Tomato Basil Sauce<div style="text-align: center;">Wow! What a title, huh?</div><div style="text-align: center;">A tad bit on the long side,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it could honestly be longer.</div><div style="text-align: center;">No kidding.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I tried out my idea for this dish tonight.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I liked the flavor a lot,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but my original sauce was too heavy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I revised the recipe based on my first impressions</div><div style="text-align: center;">and here's what I've got!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you give it a go, let me know what you think! =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m-y-YB5V_b3uH4f6d8ShKa_GkqaMa_QyGbfnB61NEdZxhU2KI4HTFIHyaPcERZ17XiP6eGB8zr2bGmSC-SpcCyGx3dQiZwYju6Wprzdh7Nz79izKYanEkKWadq56G4pApMYZ7JZeG-g/s1600/BeefSpinachShells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4m-y-YB5V_b3uH4f6d8ShKa_GkqaMa_QyGbfnB61NEdZxhU2KI4HTFIHyaPcERZ17XiP6eGB8zr2bGmSC-SpcCyGx3dQiZwYju6Wprzdh7Nz79izKYanEkKWadq56G4pApMYZ7JZeG-g/s320/BeefSpinachShells.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><u>Beef & Spinach Shells w/ Creamy Tomato Basil Sauce</u></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><u>Makes 10 stuffed shells or 4 servings</u></i></div><br />
<b><u><i>Beef Mixture:</i></u></b><br />
1/2 lb. ground beef<br />
1/4 cup finely chopped onion<br />
3 cloves garlic, minced<br />
1/2 C. packed spinach, fresh or frozen (if frozen, thawed and squeezed dry)<br />
4 oz. cream cheese (regular or reduced-fat), softened<br />
1/2 tsp. salt<br />
1/8 tsp. pepper<br />
1/2 C. shredded Italian cheese blend<br />
<br />
<b><i><u>Creamy Tomato Basil Sauce:</u></i></b><br />
1 8 oz. can Roasted Garlic flavor tomato sauce<br />
1 8 oz. can Basil, Garlic, & Oregano flavor tomato sauce<br />
1/2 C. packed fresh basil, coarsely chopped<br />
1/2 C. shredded Italian cheese blend<br />
1/4 C. grated Parmesan cheese<br />
4 oz. cream cheese (regular or reduced-fat), softened<br />
1/2 TBS. sugar<br />
<br />
<b><i><u>Additional Ingredients:</u></i></b><br />
10 large pasta shells<br />
1 C. shredded Italian cheese blend<br />
<br />
1. Bring large pot of water to boil and cook large pasta shells according to box directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and keep in pot with a small amount of cold water to keep noodles from sticking together; set aside until ready to stuff.<br />
<br />
2. Brown ground beef in medium skillet; drain fat. Add in onion, garlic, and spinach. Cook for 5 minutes over medium-high heat. Stir in cream cheese, salt, and pepper, combining well. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before stirring in the Italian cheese.<br />
<br />
3. In a small saucepan, heat both cans of tomato sauce over medium-high heat. When heated through, stir in the Italian cheese blend and grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Add the cream cheese, blending it into the sauce mixture (a whisk or a hand blender may be helpful). Add the basil and sugar, stirring to combine. Allow to simmer for 5 minutes.<br />
<br />
4. Preheat oven to 375. In a medium baking dish, place a small amount of sauce in bottom. Drain pasta shells and stuff with beef mixture. Arrange shells seam-side up in baking dish. Pour remaining sauce over shells. Sprinkle the top with 1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend. Bake for 20 minutes, then place under broiler and broil top until cheese is slightly browned. Serve with a nice green salad and garlic bread!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Enjoy!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allblogtools.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Blogger Templates" border="0" height="67" src="http://www.allblogtools.com/MiSc/Signature-Generator/holdz/z4ba7f4d3d0cd0.gif" width="171" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Linked up with:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/2010/08/tuesdays-at-table-trail-mix.html">Tuesdays at the Table</a> @ <a href="http://allthesmallstuff-cole.blogspot.com/">All the Small Stuff</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://fudgeripple.blogspot.com/2010/08/tuesday-night-supper-club-link-up.html">Tuesday Night Supper Club</a> @<a href="http://fudgeripple.blogspot.com/"> Fudge Ripple</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.weloveiowa.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m31/jeremynandrea/tastytues-1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://weloveiowa.blogspot.com/2010/08/tasty-tuesdays-crockpot-chicken-2-meals.html">Tasty Tuesdays</a> @ <a href="http://weloveiowa.blogspot.com/">A Beautiful Mess</a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><left></left></div><script src="http://www.linkytools.com/thumbnail_linky_include.aspx?id=42334" type="text/javascript">
</script>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-11317825529823351832010-08-29T23:09:00.002-07:002010-08-30T09:04:18.917-07:00This Week's Menu in Adriel's Kitchen<div style="text-align: center;">Here's what's going to be on our plates this week!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqb1VYG4JOU5zouGr943gLg-rKOd7YwjUyXQJDpvw65aA_TwauSsHWtHfEgcv9JVb3uHdx7qLIwx7iiHtkupvAAedxk3t1MKQ_nvNBB7i8uBslS9myTP7YkRTdJ4ZPxekrqNiRXV3N74/s1600/summer-party-plates-bowls-utensils-melamine-bamboo-plates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqb1VYG4JOU5zouGr943gLg-rKOd7YwjUyXQJDpvw65aA_TwauSsHWtHfEgcv9JVb3uHdx7qLIwx7iiHtkupvAAedxk3t1MKQ_nvNBB7i8uBslS9myTP7YkRTdJ4ZPxekrqNiRXV3N74/s320/summer-party-plates-bowls-utensils-melamine-bamboo-plates.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Monday</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Beef & Spinach Stuffed Shells w/ Creamy Tomato Sauce</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(This is an idea in my brain...</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'll let you know how it goes.)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Salad</div><div style="text-align: center;">Garlic Bread</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Tuesday</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Roasted/Baked Chicken Breasts</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(This is another idea... stay-tuned!)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Garlic Rosemary Red Potatoes</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fresh Sauteed Green Beans</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Wednesday</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chicken & Steak Fajtas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(I've got yet another idea for a marinade!)</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mexican Rice</div><div style="text-align: center;">Refried Beans</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fresh melons</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Thursday</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Mongolian Beef</div><div style="text-align: center;">Red Curry Chicken & Green Beans</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Friday</b></div><div style="text-align: center;">Leftovers</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allblogtools.com/"><img alt="Blogger Templates" border="0" height="67" src="http://www.allblogtools.com/MiSc/Signature-Generator/holdz/z4ba7f4d3d0cd0.gif" width="171" /></a><br />
Linked up with:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://orgjunkie.com/2010/08/menu-plan-monday-aug-30th-giveaway.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3S5rTD3sZdMuPpS3i7kTTlhlWtxNKKH_m-AGD7iHxAXnmlu2APiLAhcSig_E4YLtXEtopk1aySg8jPAvyF-n2lMUDDMjtGkg0Y1IFGsJPUJK8m4CZxX1F7zDpYyoTbBf-6aXuo5ACynM/s320/mealplanmonday_v1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-18411242434137469202010-08-28T17:00:00.000-07:002010-08-28T17:00:38.141-07:00Yummies I'd Like to Try<div style="text-align: center;">I'm still in the process of getting life organized,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I have made some progress.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We've been tracking along with school,</div><div style="text-align: center;">the house has been staying fairly clean</div><div style="text-align: center;">(a couple rooms are a work in progress),</div><div style="text-align: center;">most of our meals have been cooked at home,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and we've still managed to fit in some free time!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Right now I'm just maintaining necessary meals and such,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but here's a few yummies that I hope to try soon!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mycomputerismycanvas.blogspot.com/2010/08/safe-to-eat-raw-cookie-dough.html">Safe to Serve Raw Cookie Dough</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mycomputerismycanvas.blogspot.com/2010/08/safe-to-eat-raw-cookie-dough.html"></a>from <a href="http://mycomputerismycanvas.blogspot.com/">My Computer is My Canvas</a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mycomputerismycanvas.blogspot.com/2010/08/safe-to-eat-raw-cookie-dough.html" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdenGzCo1L8r4wLgGi3vGwvi3tWfmTBa-fKa0bSa-UrSOIEUlgu6JqyDeRRHdzLx8KF8FqLAdBMp1AQYplSA0UEgbMe8zdmOtkUtS3hi9qa7nZoiIFOO_S0PTsS3yaT9Jf7XWrBOtKXiU/s320/CookieDough.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Okay, YUM! Must try this dipped in chocolate!!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scrambledhenfruit.blogspot.com/2010/08/dinosaur-cookies.html">Iced Spice Cookies</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://scrambledhenfruit.blogspot.com/2010/08/dinosaur-cookies.html"></a>from <a href="http://scrambledhenfruit.blogspot.com/">Scrambled Hen Fruit</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://scrambledhenfruit.blogspot.com/2010/08/dinosaur-cookies.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYbYu3LryFQjpkNfr7HVCMtmOXfIgow4WRYkgTP0123VA72W5NksPREUxHi9A9CMVZQFhXDBOuUG9foYIlJ1N_Nm6JGixpELzlKxC5nUTzB6N6-pl6WKKhJ7guKtgg4jfqrCfrOz_z30/s320/SpiceCookies.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Are these cute or what?!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've been wanting to do some cut outs with the kids</div><div style="text-align: center;">and this dough looks really yummy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't know if I'll be brave enough to try the icing</div><div style="text-align: center;">(it looks a little too complicated and time-consuming at the moment),</div><div style="text-align: center;">but we'll see.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com/2010/08/peaches-and-cream-amish-bread.html">Peaches and Cream Amish Bread</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com/2010/08/peaches-and-cream-amish-bread.html"></a>from <a href="http://debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com/">Debbi Does Dinner Healthy</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com/2010/08/peaches-and-cream-amish-bread.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKRO4NjWGBI2LUBvEeeTYcqT18NUmM4Da_fOMmhYlkM76KaKeB2t1B9LQ17Pyg-5asp0FnGaGCoZFztYs5LroUY3M-w-dGR1oDmi90O5TG9lohNLZgKOrjfrffCQUFavL1-Bz6KMT4s_0/s320/Amish+Bread+Peach+3.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I've got starter in my freezer!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've never thought of making it this way, almost like a cake.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It looks super yummy!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sugarbananas.blogspot.com/2010/05/super-chewy-donuts.html">Super Chewy Donuts</a> from <a href="http://www.sugarbananas.blogspot.com/">Super Bananas!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://sugarbananas.blogspot.com/2010/05/super-chewy-donuts.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfym0EDxj7turxIIIq57BCG8YLZP9MXxsVKkumZBeSit4m5kNXm1WLcYH92BzFQ0R__L_OQHfFsHf0YWgMUO92Gsl79glFZUEQh6oQNyaPfWyBiu-zrvrfdwZDw1xj2qF86q6cCqS5508/s320/ChewyDonuts.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've wanted to try making donuts for a long time! Yummy!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allblogtools.com/"><img alt="Blogger Templates" border="0" height="67" src="http://www.allblogtools.com/MiSc/Signature-Generator/holdz/z4ba7f4d3d0cd0.gif" width="171" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-20358970292113488392010-08-26T13:58:00.000-07:002010-08-26T13:58:20.518-07:00Clouds in the Sky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yevXz45VVz_8F5b8spKONeR0lwoz8HNQEhaiuhYKIyYGZ5xiDZx5LOtSLGhu3YesXL6PBjQjsbMG8dSlvQev1gkraQiaLYF_D_TuM3kDGvZqnYsxyqKxAD-3Dpj2Oqfengd-c7s6tYk/s1600/CloudsInTheSky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4yevXz45VVz_8F5b8spKONeR0lwoz8HNQEhaiuhYKIyYGZ5xiDZx5LOtSLGhu3YesXL6PBjQjsbMG8dSlvQev1gkraQiaLYF_D_TuM3kDGvZqnYsxyqKxAD-3Dpj2Oqfengd-c7s6tYk/s400/CloudsInTheSky.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Right now I am sitting at my kitchen table</div><div style="text-align: center;">looking outside and noting the cloudiness.</div><div style="text-align: center;">The kids were planning on swimming today,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but it doesn't look like that's going to happen.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Clouds during the summer here usually mean</div><div style="text-align: center;">T H U N D E R S T O R M S</div><div style="text-align: center;">(and I have heard some thunder).</div><div style="text-align: center;">Not too smart to swim in.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They have done a great job with school today.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Too bad I can't reward them with swimming.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They worked so hard to get done in time to go.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes life doesn't always go as we planned.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They're having really good attitudes about not going</div><div style="text-align: center;">and it is encouraging to see them honoring God</div><div style="text-align: center;">and pleasing Him even in the middle of disappointment.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My husband and I got some news today that didn't seem so great,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I listened to my husband respond in a calm, controlled manner.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I saw him glance at the clouds and turn his gaze back to the Son,</div><div style="text-align: center;">and he spoke words of faith that I wasn't expecting to hear.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As a family, I see the Lord gaining ground in each of our hearts</div><div style="text-align: center;">one step at a time, little by little.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you, Father.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allblogtools.com/"><img alt="Blogger Templates" border="0" height="67" src="http://www.allblogtools.com/MiSc/Signature-Generator/holdz/z4ba7f4d3d0cd0.gif" width="171" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-71982083486652770772010-08-25T08:30:00.004-07:002010-08-25T08:30:01.206-07:00Banana Coconut Bran Muffins<div style="text-align: center;">I had some overly, and I mean</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">OVERLY,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">ripe bananas sitting in my fruit dish yesterday.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They were either going to get thrown away</div><div style="text-align: center;">or they were going to be used for baking.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, I haven't been the most ambitious person lately,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but I didn't want to waste those bananas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(although now that I'm writing this, I realize I could've just put them in the freezer).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">I threw these together and they were yum, yum, yummy!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thought I would share them with you.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoliBCa0XfUqrQ5KrYe3FsbTlOlLY9CfGXfeDA-0uzRw8ErCDjeoh4_0I4PH_C9TWIIDvG63ZP7P6GVbZNHqt1_gNIWs3NAAZmnnBNz44bEujFVv89EIRpayweyv9LQtqsEkq5uxcEEG0/s1600/BananaCoconutMuffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoliBCa0XfUqrQ5KrYe3FsbTlOlLY9CfGXfeDA-0uzRw8ErCDjeoh4_0I4PH_C9TWIIDvG63ZP7P6GVbZNHqt1_gNIWs3NAAZmnnBNz44bEujFVv89EIRpayweyv9LQtqsEkq5uxcEEG0/s320/BananaCoconutMuffins.jpg" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Banana Coconut Bran Muffins</u></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Makes approximately 2 dozen muffins</span><br />
<br />
<i>Recipe notes from Adriel: I used cooking oil in this recipe, but if I had had plain yogurt, I probably would've used that instead. Also, I made part of my batch without the chocolate chips and part with. Both are good and depending on my mood, I like it either way. Obviously, the chocolate chips make this more "dessert-y", but that's okay once in awhile! This would be good with nuts in it, too, but I didn't add them today. Maybe another time. Enjoy! =)</i><br />
<br />
3 ripe bananas, mashed<br />
1/2 cup applesauce<br />
1/2 cup cooking oil<br />
1 tsp. vanilla extract<br />
2 eggs<br />
2/3 cup packed brown sugar<br />
1 cup flour<br />
1/2 cup whole wheat flour<br />
1/3 cup wheat bran<br />
1/2 tsp. salt<br />
1 tsp. baking powder<br />
1/2 tsp. baking soda<br />
1 cup flaked coconut<br />
1-1/2 cups chocolate chips *optional*<br />
<br />
1. Preheat oven to 350.<br />
<br />
2. Mix the wet ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. Mix in the brown sugar.<br />
<br />
3. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients (except for chocolate chips). Add wet mixture to dry mixture and stir together until combined. Mix in chocolate chips or any other additional mix-ins and stir to combine.<br />
<br />
4. Spoon or pour batter into greased or lined muffin pans. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, or until golden brown.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">What I liked about these is that they were good WITHOUT butter on them!</div><div style="text-align: center;">That's a big deal for me, because I almost</div><div style="text-align: center;">never, <u>hardly ever</u>, can eat muffins without butter.</div><div style="text-align: center;">This makes them healthier for me</div><div style="text-align: center;">(and for anyone else who has the same <s>problem</s> keen sense of taste). ;-)<br />
In addition, my daughter liked them a lot, too!<br />
Kid-friendly!! Woohoo!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have a great day! =)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allblogtools.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="Blogger Templates" border="0" src="http://www.allblogtools.com/MiSc/Signature-Generator/holdz/z4ba7f4d3d0cd0.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Linked up with:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://kellythekitchenkop.com/2010/08/real-food-wednesday-82510.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Real Food Wednesday</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://wearethatfamily.com/2010/08/wfmw-brown-sugar-tip/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Works for Me Wednesday</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/2010/08/creative-share-blog-hop_24.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Trendy Treehouse Creative Share</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">&</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://meandmybucket.blogspot.com/2010/08/show-us-what-youre-workin-with-25.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Show Us What You're Working With</span></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7175879421970082203.post-62281386404808433212010-08-23T09:00:00.001-07:002010-08-23T09:00:02.348-07:00Reminded Again<div style="text-align: center;">I had a hard time coming up with a title for my post today.</div><div style="text-align: center;">All the words I thought of just didn't seem to come close</div><div style="text-align: center;">to what is on my heart, but this title will just have to do.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A few days ago I was going through my texts on my phone,</div><div style="text-align: center;">because my text box was getting full and I needed to delete some.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In doing so, I ran across some texts from my husband from last year,</div><div style="text-align: center;">shortly after I had found out I was pregnant again.</div><div style="text-align: center;">They reminded me of something I had completely forgotten about,</div><div style="text-align: center;">but they took me back to that time and reminded me to thank the Lord.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">We were pleasantly surprised when we found out</div><div style="text-align: center;">we were going to have another child.</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was just exciting!</div><div style="text-align: center;">But a short time after finding out,</div><div style="text-align: center;">there was a day when I had a decent amount of bleeding</div><div style="text-align: center;">and I thought I was losing the baby.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thus the texts...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I don't remember all the details...</div><div style="text-align: center;">I think we prayed on the phone, but I'm not completely sure.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I do remember that the bleeding stopped that day</div><div style="text-align: center;">and here we are, several months later with a new baby. =)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0roQKP9kazYNGqxobI40TE64cjJkbgw78s2swvf2ov5qpMZA8k_StHoZfpoqDepn4GCIheGtcys3EAe9mGYXGx-cfCU0l_JA6S-0y9zWvf82fVCCBtc40JgtpqCX1etRct4FEz8lyJ8/s1600/HappyAllie_%231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga0roQKP9kazYNGqxobI40TE64cjJkbgw78s2swvf2ov5qpMZA8k_StHoZfpoqDepn4GCIheGtcys3EAe9mGYXGx-cfCU0l_JA6S-0y9zWvf82fVCCBtc40JgtpqCX1etRct4FEz8lyJ8/s320/HappyAllie_%231.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCq71XmwDdrChV596T3XYVZ8W2C3IcNEQV8Gyi3n6QKVrP-KpLj3cm8olw242rDhPr4gmM9xphMVSq-_n-bmph6yNnoXz5vj6u-p1NtQsNEY9QBBPCtAnQr1WizWEk5CFWS_a3nY6bxs/s1600/HappyAllie_%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxCq71XmwDdrChV596T3XYVZ8W2C3IcNEQV8Gyi3n6QKVrP-KpLj3cm8olw242rDhPr4gmM9xphMVSq-_n-bmph6yNnoXz5vj6u-p1NtQsNEY9QBBPCtAnQr1WizWEk5CFWS_a3nY6bxs/s320/HappyAllie_%232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's always good to remember to return to the Lord to thank Him.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm just thankful for the reminder, because I forget so easily.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Bless Jehovah, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">Psalm 103:2</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.allblogtools.com/"><img alt="Blogger Templates" border="0" height="67" src="http://www.allblogtools.com/MiSc/Signature-Generator/holdz/z4ba7f4d3d0cd0.gif" width="171" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1