tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91042798846717962312024-03-14T05:53:11.149-04:00Our Busy BungalowAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278323098188915247noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104279884671796231.post-9624728193629183702012-10-16T12:24:00.000-04:002012-10-16T12:24:17.148-04:00Menu Plan Success!On Sunday afternoon, my husband and I sat down and quickly planned out 17 dinners, lunches for kids and breakfasts for all. From that, I made a grocery list with all of the ingredients we would need plus quite a few things we were out of. Two hours, three stores and $308 later, I had everything I needed. Why 17 dinners? That was how many days until the next pay period, minus one. The minus one was a dinner group evening we have planned with good friends, so dinner was taken care of. We will simply provide a side dish. Easy peasy. And I personally find dinners to be the hardest thing to plan so this was the most important part.<br />
<br />
I find this method to be so much easier on me. I have felt like I am at the store almost every day lately and still not sure what's for dinner most nights! Our schedule is so busy with three kids and all of their after school activities that I needed a plan to keep my own sanity and all of us fed. I do not like to cook so having a plan is so helpful for me. This also includes lots of recipes!! I have amassed quite a few tried and true recipes that I know how to make and everyone will eat - two of the most important factors for this household. There are a few recipes that I am writing down for the next go around that we would like to try but knowing I have almost if not all of the ingredients for each and every meal on my list is so satisfying. No more "what's for dinner" followed by the "I'm not sure yet" answer!<br />
<br />
Here is the aftermath of my grocery list.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqJwkT7Ym7GOTqksVSkb9fgXMhfVvCgdmPR1iAL-Mw4yyTo4d-HDJzjzkmSYz70Kg9dRmV9x4rLshPYYgFFXJOGrh8PUKWeaNpgnDCcdVpg7MNHUkgBvdHqaFJeGcXMjN1vNJ5CE7oYkm/s1600/IMG_9910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxqJwkT7Ym7GOTqksVSkb9fgXMhfVvCgdmPR1iAL-Mw4yyTo4d-HDJzjzkmSYz70Kg9dRmV9x4rLshPYYgFFXJOGrh8PUKWeaNpgnDCcdVpg7MNHUkgBvdHqaFJeGcXMjN1vNJ5CE7oYkm/s320/IMG_9910.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I realized when writing down my ingredient list how scattered it was. So, I did a quick Google search and found this little beauty. It has all of the groceries in categories so when I'm in the produce section I know everything that I need. I even wrote the store's initials next to each item if it was on sale in their circular. Yes, I went to three store but they are all right near each other so there was really no extra driving. AND, of the $308 I spent, my savings amounted to $121. So, yes, I go to three different store, because I trying to stick to me budget this time. Here is the link for the list in case you you want to try it too: <a href="http://www.practicalspreadsheets.com/Grocery-List-Template.html">Grocery List Template</a><br />
<br />
So, we are on Day 3 and I have no reason to go to the store today. The Apple Cider Beef Stew is in the crock pot and I am a happy lady. I will have to hit the store tomorrow get pick up some more milk, but that's it! I have everything we need for awhile. And what I don't have, I will make from scratch, like Italian bread for Spaghetti and Meatball night or pizza crust for Homemade Pizza night. I DO like to bake so I don't mind making homemade bread and dough.<br />
<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/AVvXsEi1y4NgfNKXdPLJP5iqkL1N7wnKoGFgCS-pWHB7ryjmDtYAfp-srhlw3bW3KOOYHsnFQmbsNgF3ynPqWpcLMgFl1t0yUpUpxMhyphenhyphen71xclznuSo6XwRQAR-D32O5RA4AOOrbCJd9pWXWBvKCr/s1600/IMG_9909.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1y4NgfNKXdPLJP5iqkL1N7wnKoGFgCS-pWHB7ryjmDtYAfp-srhlw3bW3KOOYHsnFQmbsNgF3ynPqWpcLMgFl1t0yUpUpxMhyphenhyphen71xclznuSo6XwRQAR-D32O5RA4AOOrbCJd9pWXWBvKCr/s320/IMG_9909.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
And in case you need a little inspiration to do some meal planning, here is the list of our meals for the next two 1/2 weeks. They are simple but we made the list mostly from recall and asking the kids what they wanted to eat. I haven't figured out sides for all but have plenty in my pantry and freezer to choose from.<br />
<br />
1. Tacos<br />
2. Tacos (we love them so much they are on here twice!)<br />
3. Chicken & Dumplings with carrots<br />
4. Burgers & fries<br />
5. <a href="http://www.recipelink.com/msgbrd/board_1/2009/NOV/8263.html" target="_blank">Beef Roast in crockpot with potatoes & carrots</a> (TODAY"S RECIPE)<br />
6. Spaghetti and meatballs with Italian garlic bread<br />
7. Spaghetti and meat sauce with Italian garlic bread<br />
8. Homemade Pizza<br />
9. Chinese noodles in broth with veggies<br />
10. Chicken Pot Pie<br />
11. Sausage, peppers & onions on rolls<br />
12. Black Bean Burgers & fries<br />
13. Ham & cheese sliders with salad<br />
14. Sloppy Joes, tater tots and carrot sticks<br />
15. Chicken thighs in crockpot with rice & peas<br />
16. Fish (will buy this when ready)<br />
17. Beef & broccoli stir fry with rice<br />
<br />
So there it is. Let me know what you think and how you plan our your family meals.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278323098188915247noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104279884671796231.post-2445216866169582312011-10-25T12:58:00.000-04:002011-10-25T12:58:15.055-04:00Girl's Tween Room MakeoverSo in July, I posted that we were doing a makeover to my 10-year-old daughter's room. It was all she wanted for this birthday. She had outgrown the pale green and pink, princess-like room and wanted something fun and older-looking. So here is a before. I had to search for this since I didn't really take many before photos. Now, we had already purchased the new bedding, pictured below and it all was based on those colors. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzF-GtlXHeTR1hNhYndeKaN8cEmg50zEFTSsHuMv0R-f5iVLVR9jI7y7LaBVwRcIdlFQx0IAxoYWRHHaKaz1MSIjA6Z6wJesSRJ9pp2npLOuEWdNiyUozRKJZ4LmGjFx_QfzapaGt2Fu3/s1600/IMG_2101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilzF-GtlXHeTR1hNhYndeKaN8cEmg50zEFTSsHuMv0R-f5iVLVR9jI7y7LaBVwRcIdlFQx0IAxoYWRHHaKaz1MSIjA6Z6wJesSRJ9pp2npLOuEWdNiyUozRKJZ4LmGjFx_QfzapaGt2Fu3/s320/IMG_2101.JPG" width="240" /></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/AVvXsEgMfx9OKwJq0yrklJQtbn5qQIDKHJAjZNAbMYdI60D-g4ohiTWzPuOmn_51wdyDgP0FgGYBDQMhBZzPRj01Y7IXDVB9ywFVE_fMHAOS3VXZPcL07B13E6YRVGMKMJdxvArXNIdagHU-LWka/s1600/IMG_2099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMfx9OKwJq0yrklJQtbn5qQIDKHJAjZNAbMYdI60D-g4ohiTWzPuOmn_51wdyDgP0FgGYBDQMhBZzPRj01Y7IXDVB9ywFVE_fMHAOS3VXZPcL07B13E6YRVGMKMJdxvArXNIdagHU-LWka/s320/IMG_2099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPc9tY947HVaoN-n_9mKaOTPit4qqBvcjed0e6Lfmfu7L3SmxGCRuzOMKtdxgpSLTa0LrR6s35JEtwzZ3X0lwouNCwNkR7GS7n2bKU0ORnxxGScleTc8emB9eXnQS0FU0AA_iEK7aUMBnt/s1600/IMG_2100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPc9tY947HVaoN-n_9mKaOTPit4qqBvcjed0e6Lfmfu7L3SmxGCRuzOMKtdxgpSLTa0LrR6s35JEtwzZ3X0lwouNCwNkR7GS7n2bKU0ORnxxGScleTc8emB9eXnQS0FU0AA_iEK7aUMBnt/s320/IMG_2100.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So, she decided that the wall color would be lime green and the accent colors are hot pink and turquoise. For weeks, we got paint sample chips from every store we were in that sold paint. After matching colors to her comforter, we finalized the wall color and accent colors. As soon as I started putting that lime green paint on the wall, I thought I had made a terrible mistake by allowing her to choose the exact color. However, once the furniture was in and accessories up, it looked so cool and hip! Most importantly, she LOVED it!! The pictures just don't do it justice. It is really a bright lime green - darker that the pictures, but looks great with everything. We have added some more accessories since these pictures were taken.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The painting of the furniture might be another post. She had light pink furniture that I painted white. I had no idea that it would take 2 coats of primer (which then had to cure for 1 week), 3 coats of white trim paint and 2 coats of polyurethane. It was exhausting and tedious but well worth the end result. So what do you think??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCC4pbEWh6AcV8Hw9X2CP8IS3b5YGgK0CS7Opxuop6iNF31v73z_begPcqgITy5Tr_ybFMnY6LgPDF0MROxlFlstF0YoNKf7lGN58SQljMr0RyahOCa0fvLwq6nB3dv2pJbRs1IPzGsFx/s1600/IMAG0381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoCC4pbEWh6AcV8Hw9X2CP8IS3b5YGgK0CS7Opxuop6iNF31v73z_begPcqgITy5Tr_ybFMnY6LgPDF0MROxlFlstF0YoNKf7lGN58SQljMr0RyahOCa0fvLwq6nB3dv2pJbRs1IPzGsFx/s320/IMAG0381.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_nbknqMmxBSOxZnKNMXOIehKx8-CjsPq-LbqwfGcMH27fo8W1T2k5lQ65xSXHQoBP2Q90ELfoXqnqFwzO8a5Mnz0rOMrw29iHMR_H0gHzN6nDChOI26comxDgp_07CV-jayNfGhjyTDN/s1600/IMAG0379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_nbknqMmxBSOxZnKNMXOIehKx8-CjsPq-LbqwfGcMH27fo8W1T2k5lQ65xSXHQoBP2Q90ELfoXqnqFwzO8a5Mnz0rOMrw29iHMR_H0gHzN6nDChOI26comxDgp_07CV-jayNfGhjyTDN/s320/IMAG0379.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTgz5pyziNcsrUtCwLHCERDm5lNYX6bcnjmK1xWK_2VMVW3H78tLMuG93Ih2ftYa3ITrVFRxRedLfuqjRDmIoKk8cAOTGXHCk1gTDcm3hyUibO_UbnETUJFl5vQL1rkawmoLLoag0kMzm/s1600/IMAG0380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTgz5pyziNcsrUtCwLHCERDm5lNYX6bcnjmK1xWK_2VMVW3H78tLMuG93Ih2ftYa3ITrVFRxRedLfuqjRDmIoKk8cAOTGXHCk1gTDcm3hyUibO_UbnETUJFl5vQL1rkawmoLLoag0kMzm/s320/IMAG0380.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mlHutSB6yeAf0GdMHgMIY-r47-Y2KKOV02Ah0dWuznSgEIRIco6ercsGXvD1lUMfta5AbStZt-mrO2SNzb_xdRim72Iu0-J4wkqWVq4wOOU7pEoO3rv1rKojzYfnXec4aT8puEIjI5-Y/s1600/IMAG0382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mlHutSB6yeAf0GdMHgMIY-r47-Y2KKOV02Ah0dWuznSgEIRIco6ercsGXvD1lUMfta5AbStZt-mrO2SNzb_xdRim72Iu0-J4wkqWVq4wOOU7pEoO3rv1rKojzYfnXec4aT8puEIjI5-Y/s320/IMAG0382.jpg" width="191" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278323098188915247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104279884671796231.post-65153309383025997942011-10-13T08:24:00.007-04:002011-10-13T08:44:23.476-04:00The Tooth Fairy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xl242MCvphJ2030jN2RJTy3PVC_PFEubUpt-oqlFIkoz8Ij7kvqg-vSQ_bCSAZljbyTU7CKhUDzyYnSh3AnPX8mSedVz8k5fokNg5O4x65FMfilTwE4mrgo9BTLOhoBTpyCm9lt860b9/s1600/Avery+tooth+fairy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 235px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662955605325687378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xl242MCvphJ2030jN2RJTy3PVC_PFEubUpt-oqlFIkoz8Ij7kvqg-vSQ_bCSAZljbyTU7CKhUDzyYnSh3AnPX8mSedVz8k5fokNg5O4x65FMfilTwE4mrgo9BTLOhoBTpyCm9lt860b9/s320/Avery+tooth+fairy.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcKeCPPL9nLB7zf65DtPOBozAJoZCX0MAi1cqLkLernf_kZEtQi-HFW9FRfL1YTZ84WR_g0iqa38R6ZeGtYiLjgQo9OOGpuz28LUTrgpMua0nw1nnoN4GtvMhowUvNmAejmRBX2RoZP-y/s1600/IMG_6442.JPG"></a><br /><div><br /><div>Today I had to tell my daughter the truth about the Tooth Fairy. While some of you will think it is naive and ridiculous that a 10-year-old girl still believes in the Tooth Fairy, you must know something first. To know Avery is to know that her heart and compassion can fill a room. She has a sweetness and innocence about her that we both hold on to.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br />Though she knew in the back of her mind that it really was Mommy & Daddy sneaking into her room to leave money in place of a tooth, she didn't want that to be true. Avery wants desperately to believe that in her world, magic does exist. In her world, there is a place for wonder and believing.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br />She never questioned it like my older, analytical thinker because she didn't want to spell to be broken. And, quite frankly, neither did I. In this world of kids growing up so fast and over-exposure to adult issues, I wanted my little girl to continue to be innocent and naive for just a bit longer.</div><div><br /><br /> <img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 191px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662954657723361538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOYX-jEc5zmsv1D6Q_MM-B21m3MPIxSujcL8aRrhZQ8BVUSUdBrNy8iLxi-GWh5XWk6dZZOVYdIqGTSCcPMEn_fSUvoNVDZcb1sU5MxQLF2tewxg5TEK_lpE5lAPwWJ5DNPaLhU1jm5OTM/s320/AVERY+tooth.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br />This is the year (5th grade) when she will watch the puberty film in school. This is the year when I have to have "the talk" with her. So yes, I was holding on to her sweet, pure heart for as long as I could. Because this is the year when some of that will end. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><br />And truthfully, Mommy was tired last night and forgot the $$. So this morning I decided that it wasn't fair for a 10-year-old to not be told the truth, for fear of embarrassment at school.</div><div> </div><div><br /><br />It is overwhelmingly sad and joyful to watch your children grow into the people they will be as adults. I am trying not to hold on too tight but I still get teary knowing that I only have one left who still "believes".</div></div></div><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278323098188915247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104279884671796231.post-80979986398280262802011-07-19T19:59:00.001-04:002011-07-19T19:59:08.447-04:00Projects galoreI've got so many projects planned that I just don't know where to start! I know that high on the list is the tween update of my 9-year-old daughter's room! She has outgrown the pink princess theme and needs something a bit more "grown up". She has already picked our her dream bedding (from Target - yea!) Keep you posted on that! <div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.7.4</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278323098188915247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104279884671796231.post-29098671930495553212011-01-28T16:10:00.007-05:002011-01-28T18:00:00.207-05:00New BootsLet me start by saying I love the Christmas Tree Shops! I have been wanting a pair of rain boots for a long time. I could never find a pair in a cute print in my size. Finally today I took a ride over to the Chrismtas Tree Shops after perusing their most recent circluar this morning. Guess what was on sale - my rain boots! Not only did they have a cute print BUT they also had them in my size! Yeah!!<br /><br />Now, I will not go into detail about how I almost passed them up because I really had wanted plaid and there was no plaid print to be found. I will also not go into detail about my slight obsession with plaid - I love it like no other print. It calls to me no matter what the fabric, shoe, houseware or clothing. I more than love it... I <em>LURVE</em> it!! Maybe it stems from the fact that the majority of my peeps (my ancestors, that is) come from The Emerald Isle and the Scottish Coast. Maybe I just love the comfort it evokes, like I could wrap myself all warm and cozy in the lines and colors of the wool. Okay, I may be a tad bit more than obsessed.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 191px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 140px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567374608488679266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMOs3qZ0fE11CMtPzxmfiT7iEv9thdmEfDEu4cd8f84lqaNgr3IGiPglEl85KbGanVMAIJNZMX_IWIe1ACwOjacVCUzxBR_zje8HUxs2FALmmcZHZwHYAhCbqi4Hfw6NFS5UYkA5e1jnus/s200/plaid3.jpg" /> <p align="left"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 183px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 184px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567374516429975874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qIvZnKkoc06k9iOLxu2KttUgyBbv7_joP-iAvy_654JuOC5_c1_jObo8bKbukRAdmGS8n7e3mFycs2uIcsQaIv0oQp4VMlL6Y5NnpIiZwAJSwKonrRIS_imCzYLNcJxmm5uH4PIeqtZO/s200/plaid2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 185px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 141px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567374414366282530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFotT2QLjQ0D_ebt0rBB2GUQMNTL76KN_kzWqP0Uyug9bP8X4heDPzrC1A5KjJQbZmY2sxSiN5IaE14U2CpynLRg5jJJkXST7Elp_ys9YTc2htS1ywtx4TxwLccbtFfHScUg-fWOa-QpCc/s200/plaid.jpg" /></p><br />Back to the matter at hand, these boots are my new besties. I wore them out to wait for the bus after the 12"+ snow we received over the past two days. It was also flurrying when I was wating out there. I was so enamored that I had to take a picture with my phone. They are actually a nice burgandy color. So here they are; my new boots. The color looks a little weird because of the lighting outside and it was taken with my phone. Oh, and the best part is the price - $14.99!!! Woo hooo!!!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 191px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567360563576769762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0HXevgCVJ_mcBJTd4s8hBHdXoP534tZ1L583siyRR0kFveWbK27lR5XZ3PcFEPbJ-7hkE9-8uq8M5KGqrhjtzBL8CmIV0DUg6wOgt8dgtlbUhnIhr5TVPXY2RHoArGqYElhugSJhiRez/s320/Boots.jpg" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278323098188915247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104279884671796231.post-12013616228247489452010-09-10T09:17:00.002-04:002010-09-10T10:09:15.674-04:00Never ForgetI came across this posting on one of my favorite blogs - <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/">Thrifty Decor Chick</a> - and had to share. It made me cry and feel everything I felt 9 years ago. None of us will forget where we were. My daughter was 4 days old and I was almost late to her first dr's appt because I couldn't tear myself away from the tv.<br /><br /><a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/09/remember.html#links">http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/09/remember.html#links</a><br /><br />Mayeb someday I'll figure out how to link to another blog so it looks nice. Until then, just click on the link above.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278323098188915247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104279884671796231.post-29380720366902147282010-08-19T08:18:00.000-04:002010-08-19T08:18:42.051-04:00Fan-tastic: Dyed Chevron RugI saw this post on Centsational Girl, who posted it from another diy blogger, and LOVED it. Had to share.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.centsationalgirl.com/2010/08/fan-tastic-dyed-chevron-rug/">Fan-tastic: Dyed Chevron Rug</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278323098188915247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104279884671796231.post-66502980929439864262010-07-09T10:33:00.004-04:002010-07-09T10:40:25.823-04:00Projects Galore<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmTVUV5DCUMwNxcoc4g853Tcd49XxQ6ijbD18PnYTpmdO-TnlDVdLtzyNm4cUd4MC1VFMQGCRZxiCYTSB64fFMKBMECnbxYUvcgiiXGwt6VilBN7Bmlb30b3bnplrkN0sanm9B_m1V32u/s1600/Copy+of+Recovered_JPEG+Digital+Camera_185.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491916093877929666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlmTVUV5DCUMwNxcoc4g853Tcd49XxQ6ijbD18PnYTpmdO-TnlDVdLtzyNm4cUd4MC1VFMQGCRZxiCYTSB64fFMKBMECnbxYUvcgiiXGwt6VilBN7Bmlb30b3bnplrkN0sanm9B_m1V32u/s320/Copy+of+Recovered_JPEG+Digital+Camera_185.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div>We have so many projects around the house to work on and complete, but right now we decided that our Sanford & Son front yard/porch area HAS to be a priority. Six years ago we built this huge addition onto the back of our house and the front part of the house was ignored. It looks awful! The landscaping is out of control, the front porch is rotting away and there is actual mold growing out there! YUK!! I can't believe we let it go this long. And the photo above isn't even as bad as it looks right now!! I knew owning a house is a constant work in progress but it feels so overwhelming at times. Okay, so before my date night with hubby tonight, I am going to try and go out there and pressure wash the front to get started on this project. I figured if I can get an hour's worth of work each day, it will be some progress. Ugghhh - not looking forward to this. Basically, I hate spiders and that is my biggest fear of encountering too many! Hahaha. Wish me luck!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278323098188915247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104279884671796231.post-23587192069885811042010-05-18T11:40:00.005-04:002010-05-18T11:47:24.619-04:00The Wright Stuff<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FGR4QPsanLjsCspt44BVyUbkYUNUYxBBI1NWW_VfKB4SnxVQ2Y3W7YpCGZ_ZEWmAKrQtz6PhZwXLu50Oidq_Wq3YQ6OL1Hei1oWxf9M7qyk5sn_gOj2l-sbf8aISI3DxMr04rRfA9y62/s1600/577.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEXGDlqk8_8zmfPwwzoL4OPHH3nbEu4JiklNd4lpodssaikPHTRrPipg5XhIPynv33NZ3fLnkoourydo2ngFCcNsakWK82qqCR-DpgoRqdcT5hNeSpYUi0oZCR7YnrwmBmgR1UMRAo3qZ/s1600/572.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472636393658388722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEXGDlqk8_8zmfPwwzoL4OPHH3nbEu4JiklNd4lpodssaikPHTRrPipg5XhIPynv33NZ3fLnkoourydo2ngFCcNsakWK82qqCR-DpgoRqdcT5hNeSpYUi0oZCR7YnrwmBmgR1UMRAo3qZ/s320/572.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br />I recently came across a great silver polish at Walmart - Wright's Silver Cream - for around $3 and have been searching out every last tarnished piece of jewelry and silver in the house to use it on!<br />Here are a few things I worked on – jewelry I hadn’t worn in years looked new again!<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 201px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472636169926766594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFRb0iVx7nRaTt3G8c2LBPKBefcUuvUGw9zZHxEayUvQs-w85QQGj_tXsPKd3rmzSu0s2Bkv-KYBR2o9BkjFJaWjLsINbYnS5xRhWCrxNjaTE7a1_mBMatrPbpbuX_PmshcHcT1kz-VoUu/s320/574.JPG" /><br /><br /><br />I LOVE THIS STUFF!! It is amazing and I can’t stop using it. I even bought a REALLY badly tarnished silver tea set from Goodwill just to see how nice it would look once I used the Wright’s silver polish on it. Later post about that but it looks great in my dining room. </div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278323098188915247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104279884671796231.post-5680801334230876912010-04-09T09:24:00.003-04:002010-04-09T09:28:44.847-04:00Back to business<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6u5eGNeDYe1izstt05zV-6QUxIifvGhQjQV2kDc-uN38XpmHmMqZM21EBNvx2gNDgeaUB_jkhI9WSlYZMrK4eJsdwLpOe4O6x08TL3zNJ7ddolkkNPX5TRVPjz3M9LNKWc9oRyavjEu2/s1600/013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6u5eGNeDYe1izstt05zV-6QUxIifvGhQjQV2kDc-uN38XpmHmMqZM21EBNvx2gNDgeaUB_jkhI9WSlYZMrK4eJsdwLpOe4O6x08TL3zNJ7ddolkkNPX5TRVPjz3M9LNKWc9oRyavjEu2/s320/013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5458129078534421826" /></a><br />Okay, I have been out of the blogosphere for awhile and am ready to get back to it! The sun is shining, the weather is warming up and it feels so nice just to be outside in the green! No more snow and freezing temps!! Life feels good.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278323098188915247noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104279884671796231.post-38712933621792996792010-01-23T15:48:00.008-05:002010-01-23T16:27:47.955-05:00Crockpot Chicken and DumplingsI love my crockpot. I don't use it nearly as often as I should, but when I do it always amazes me how good and easy the meals turn out to be. The latest meal we made was Chicken and Dumplings. This was incredibly easy and SO delicious I just had to share. Hubby and all three kids RAVED over it at dinner that night. I had to admit it was one of my favorites too.<br /><br />Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings<br /><br />4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (I used 3 because it's what I had)<br />2 Tablespoons butter<br />2 (10.75 oz) cans condensed cream of chicken soup<br />1 can chicken broth<br />1 onion, finely diced<br />1 cup frozen veggies<br />1 packages refrigerated biscuit dough (like Pillsbury Grands)<br />Salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning to taste<br /><br />Place the chicken in the crockpot. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning to taste. Put butter on chicken.<br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430041600983680370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwcWDrVhOO61_Xqd1FYmm7RTdZnawt6XMVLWuWaWdR_aefh-MCGIItNACiedbJ1Zxh0nJvcLfNiLhBJuLy4AEAv9OqXg9u3_2YvWXcWLIL5PPxc1cfnuBhsSzE-rGHwnOKSMia_a7Ydpwx/s320/IMG_4424.JPG" /></p><br /><p>Add onions. Pour cans of cream of chicken soup and chicken broth over the chicken, add 1/2 can of water to make sure chicken is covered. Cover crockpot and cook for 5 hours on high. </p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430042714941424946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32Y6WuM37rmEb_4SeTo3xosnAkIljmNUHLFAAbm_CkZcihmc1s8U5Ev4muZqP85doaFwroKJZpOb1Qu3RYiIF5GKM68n60DxY1cOnUhT2ufR2rFNpcxfiFiRTJj1qK46rf6ZkT1-8JdDA/s320/IMG_4429.JPG" /><br /><p></p><p></p><p>About 1 hour before serving, take the chicken breasts out and shred then into small pieces. Put the chicken back in and then add the frozen veggies and tear the biscuit dough apart for the dumplings. I used frozen peas and corn because it's what I had on hand and I knew the kids wouldn't object TOO strongly. You can also try adding the veggies at the beginning but I wasn't sure if they would be too mushy. Then place the torn biscuit dough in the crockpot. Be sure to push the dough into the water to make sure it gets wet. Cover and cook until the biscuits start to brown. I forgot to take a picture of the finished product before hubby started serving, so I took one of my bowl. I found this recipe on Allrecipes.com and tweaked a bit after reading some of the reviews. It is even better the next day for leftovers, if you have any! Enjoy!!</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 265px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430043732581322786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5iWxyt0u8PPcz3rLNE38JJykBhm8jUdgw-yLfa6_r7B7b-r1r-66kpQ20xLZLm_IAMc7i5mK3owMTS3rqDEVTrpFj1R1-sPRtD2v-mlaZur8Sss8fKqB9ABTlFVgN_xzmK9THUFECfGMZ/s320/ChickenDumplings.jpg" /><br /><br /><p></p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278323098188915247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104279884671796231.post-90998676490818751872010-01-22T12:09:00.013-05:002010-01-22T13:01:34.049-05:00The Most Amazing Bargain EVER!My talented husband and I have been working on the addition to our home for the past 5 years. One of the big projects that has taken a back seat is our Master Bathroom. Now, there is still some finish work yet to be done, but the Master Bath has been at the bottom of the list. And that's been okay. We have the kids full bathroom upstairs to shower and get ready in. However, every so often we do work on it a little and make some progress. Last February we decided to install the vanity. We had purchased a vanity (no top) at Home Depot for $200 in the clearance section. We were thrilled with our score. Then it sat for a few years while other rooms were finished. When we went back to look for a top, it was amazing how expensive it all was when money was now a issue, meaning we didn't have much. So, we decided to use some marble tiles friends had given us that were leftover from their bathroom project. The plan was to tile the top and sides with marble and drop in two sinks. We already had the faucets so all we needed were the sinks...<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 142px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429617868981628738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY82vk-0ZViUJtaXItQEcEMVuRyqh3iMN3v5U4Ugw7CBqe6sUro3wB4NQWA0O6SMc7YpVms9c8UGnHqZZBqwqqcGiaediT1xjcrbhQJJRql9vxCSuJMrXYFmh1IUKXXuX6m1F9Y_OLIqo-/s200/Vanity.jpg" /><br />Off to Home Depot we went. We knew we wanted plain white, cast iron. Cheap enough was good enough. So in the sink aisle we came across two white, Kohler, cast iron sinks that were marked down to $50 each. They were perfect. They had originally been almost $100 a piece, so it was a great bargain. We took each of them out of the box to inspect and found nothing wrong.<br /><br /><br />When we reached the register, I was trying to keep the kids from mutiny while Hubby checked out. I heard this conversation:<br /><br />Cashier "Huh, the sinks rang up for 1 penny."<br />Hubby "I knew they were on clearance, but I didn't think they were that cheap!"<br />Me "SOLD! Hahaha..."<br />Cashier "Let me try it again. They rang up for 1 penny. I can't get into trouble because that's the price they are scanning at."<br />Hubby "Uh, I guess I should pay you now" At this, he takes a quarter out of his pocket and hands it to the cashier. At this point, he is a little in shock and I am not believing what I am hearing.<br />Cashier "Here's twenty-three cents change and your receipt. Have a great day."<br />Me as we're walking out "Did we just buy two sinks for two cents?"<br />Hubby "Ssshhhh, let's get to the truck and load them in before they change their mind."<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 170px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429622968505093730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkAG5H-kMXrW6AVPme9Z9QLlryIjFDKMFZhTjIbFLtuY2UrF9L7ocaKyiWUlmw44SQojgl1mMZJ6QDwuOBEC1XqF8Uo-or-MNDw4bdqs0L4Ku_Dns_dYK2UwFZOSVGMrMnds9XzWeUd2Ar/s200/homedepotreceipt.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br />I kid you not. If I didn't have the receipt I wouldn't believe me either. Now, if you can just imagine the amount of money we have spent at Home Depot and Lowe's over the past five years, blowing our original budget by three times what we estimated, we call that day a blessing. The cashier was willing to let us have the sinks at the price they rang up and we were not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. So we installed the sinks about three months later and I framed the receipt, which sits between them on the counter.<br /><div align="center"></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLIUDqjcTLg8SJ38RuYkAeDiLPhDcLyR42ouzJc2xm2tvzp_WnCf75v_9lfo5-e5RJOUsdxQPlIzc1yiiGG1LV6USb0AwU3wFOLYwB1NQyjyvsR4-aSFZlqHnDM_B_qvv-iou5i3VLtXy/s1600-h/Sink.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429619390632477938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLIUDqjcTLg8SJ38RuYkAeDiLPhDcLyR42ouzJc2xm2tvzp_WnCf75v_9lfo5-e5RJOUsdxQPlIzc1yiiGG1LV6USb0AwU3wFOLYwB1NQyjyvsR4-aSFZlqHnDM_B_qvv-iou5i3VLtXy/s200/Sink.jpg" /></a></p>I am definitely a bargain shopper. I use coupons and am always on the lookout for the best deal. But this is, by far, the best bargain I have EVER gotten. We bought $200 worth of brand new Kohler sinks for $.02!! So, what is YOUR best bargain ever??Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278323098188915247noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9104279884671796231.post-60388975041632843212010-01-21T10:43:00.002-05:002010-01-22T12:09:13.499-05:00Welcome!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwZfg4iFbX-Jc4R1coFJMDQ0rx14rdCqa2EjSh2AePnidwhCxakoUJzJB8NQjHHxNfv0q8gF5JlmHhzHLkyZYQDUqjJQsl1lkkHBlPeZrVzh3OclBK_ExnOuN8U6zH4B5jbRMSssfbyJn/s1600-h/brandyandme.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 177px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429220532319613522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmwZfg4iFbX-Jc4R1coFJMDQ0rx14rdCqa2EjSh2AePnidwhCxakoUJzJB8NQjHHxNfv0q8gF5JlmHhzHLkyZYQDUqjJQsl1lkkHBlPeZrVzh3OclBK_ExnOuN8U6zH4B5jbRMSssfbyJn/s200/brandyandme.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div>I have been wanting to start a blog for some time. I finally got the push I needed from my awesome friend, Brandy. I have known her for 30 years - man, can we possibly be that old? We decided to both start a blog and journal our lives with family and friends, plus the many crafting and decorating projects we love to try. I promised her my first post would be about the Most Amazing Bargain Ever, so after this welcome I will post that. Welcome to my humble blog. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07278323098188915247noreply@blogger.com0