two week meal plan

breakfasts:
homemade sausage muffins
smoothies ( pb and banana, fruit and organic yogurt )
fruit salad with organic yogurt
multi grain cheerios cereal with banana


dinners:
Homemade Salisbury Steak with Mashed Potato, corn and homemade rolls
Homemade tuna noodle casserole using homemade egg noodles
Homemade chicken strips with Homemade baked fries
Tacos using Homemade tortilla shells
Chicken stir fry over brown rice using homemade stir fry sauce
Potato and Kalbasa soup with homemade rolls
Chicken and Rice casserole
"Christmas" Chicken over brown rice and homemade rolls
Pizza


snacks/desserts:
homemade freezer chocolate chip cookies
almonds
apples
celery with pb

recipe for Christmas

Recipe for a Merry Christmas

4 Cups of Good Cheer

2 Tablespoons of Joy

1 Cup of Relaxation

3 Teaspoons of Anticipation

2 ½ Cups of Jolly

A Splash of Eggnog

1 Barrel of Good Cheer

Take good memories and joy, mix thoroughly then add relaxation. Blend in anticipation; fold in jolly and eggnog.

Sprinkle abundantly with good cheer.

Bake with Love. ~ makes enough to last the whole season.

a godly home

“I believe that a godly home is a foretaste of heaven. Our homes, imperfect as they are, must be a haven from the chaos outside. They should be a reflection of our eternal home, where troubled souls find peace, weary hearts find rest, hungry bodies find refreshment, lonely pilgrims find communion, and wounded spirits find compassion.” ― Jani Ortlund

meal plan

My two week meal plan...
Its been difficult to plan on a budget this week because the sales just arent happening in the area stores :( but I am pretty certain I will be able to get everything I need for about 40 a week... for a family of three I suppose thats not too much...

Dinners:
- Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup using leftover roasting chicken and broth
-Sweet and Spicy Chicken Legs
-Stromboni using a whole wheat dough
-Homemade Corn Dogs and Cheese Sticks ( my hubs birthday dinner)
-Homemade Salisbury Steak with Mashed Potato
-Tacos using leftover roasting chicken
-Kabobes with Homemade Mac and Cheese
- Lasagna Bake with Homemade sauce
-Potato and Kalbasa soup
-Breakfast for Dinner
-Crockpot Roasting Chicken with Whole Wheat Rice
-Homemade Nuggets and Homemade Sweet Potato Fries

I am going to try out making my own evap milk.
Each meal will also have veggies or fruit and a starch

Breakfasts:

Cinnamon Raisin Bread ( breadmaker)
PB/Banana Smoothie
Fruit Smoothie with some spinach
Pecan Maple Breakfast Cookies
Banana Bread
Granola with Yogurt

I also want to make homemade strawberry sauce for milk and yogurt

Lunch is usually leftovers or tuna or pb sandwiches.

I might only make a couple of the breakfasts depending on the cost of the ingredients.

My goal is still to keep the costs low and the nutrition value high.

An art project...

During toddler school the other day my son and I made some leaf artwork. It was a leaf wreath for the front door :)

First we gathered leaves outside, then hot glued them to a small plate with a hole cut out the middle. Next up attached some left over rope. It was simple and fun!

an art board

A couple weeks ago I came up with an idea to use some wood scraps laying outside, some old spray paint, a few clothes pins and toy blocks to make an art display board for my sons room.

It was super easy to make and took only about 10 mins.

First off, I found a good piece of wood flat, wide and had enough room for the blocks to fit. Then screwed onto it the blocks that spell out "color" Then spray painted it all. For the clothes pins I attached them to a piece of cardboard to make holding them easy then spray painted them yellow.
Once it was completely dry I hot glued them to the board, attached hooks on the back and ta da... a place to display all my sons wonderful artwork. And the entire project was free!!

Vegetable Chowder

• 3 large potatoes
• 1 large sweet potato
• 3 c. broth or water {I always use broth}
• 1 bouillon cube — 2 cubes if use water instead of broth
• 1 c.. zucchini chunks
• 1 15 oz. can corn with liquid
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 T. flour
• 2/3 c. evaporated milk
• 1 c. shredded cheese
• salt and pepper to taste
• I also used a little onion soup mix
  

I basically just cooked the veggies in the broth, added the cube when done added flour, evap milk, cheese and I was done :)

Caramel Apple Pancakes

This were so good! I just used the applesauce pancake recipe I normally use, made a caramel sauce and drizzled over the top... bada bing! caramel apple goodness!

For the pancakes:

2 eggs
2 c flour
1 c milk
1 c applesauce
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 c vegetable oil
2 T sugar
2 T baking powder
1 tsp salt

Beat eggs until fluffy. Beat in remaining ingredients just until smooth. Heat griddle or skillet over medium heat or to 375 degrees. (To test griddle, sprinkle with a few drops of water. If bubbles jump around, heat is just right.) Grease griddle. For each pancake, use slightly less than 1/4 cup batter. Cook pancakes until bubbly on top and dry around the edges. Turn to cook other sides until golden brown.

Caramel Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup of sugar
• 6 Tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Method

1 First, before you begin, make sure you have everything ready to go - the cream and the butter next to the pan, ready to put in. Making caramel is a fast process that cannot wait for hunting around for ingredients. If you don't work fast, the sugar will burn. Safety first - make sure there are no children under foot and you may want to wear oven mitts; the caramelized sugar will be much hotter than boiling water.

2 Heat sugar on moderately high heat in a heavy-bottomed 2-quart or 3-quart saucepan. As the sugar begins to melt, stir vigorously with a whisk or wooden spoon. As soon as the sugar comes to a boil, stop stirring. You can swirl the pan a bit if you want, from this point on. Note that this recipe works best if you are using a thick-bottomed pan. If you find that you end up burning some of the sugar before the rest of it is melted, the next time you attempt it, add a half cup of water to the sugar at the beginning of the process, this will help the sugar to cook more evenly, though it will take longer as the water will need to evaporate before the sugar will caramelize.

3 As soon as all of the sugar crystals have melted (the liquid sugar should be dark amber in color), immediately add the butter to the pan. Whisk until the butter has melted.

4 Once the butter has melted, take the pan off the heat. Count to three, then slowly add the cream to the pan and continue to whisk to incorporate. Note than when you add the butter and the cream, the mixture will foam up considerably. This is why you must use a pan that is at least 2-quarts (preferably 3-quarts) big.

5 Whisk until caramel sauce is smooth. Let cool in the pan for a couple minutes, then pour into a glass mason jar and let sit to cool to room temperature. (Remember to use pot holders when handling the jar filled with hot caramel sauce.) Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Warm before serving.

Yield: Makes a little over one cup of sauce.

Pancake Sausage Muffins

These are beyond easy peasy to make. In a only a few minutes and very little baking time I have a delicious on the go breakfast. These also freeze well. A good grab and go on the way to church breakfast. Enjoy!

Pancake-Sausage Muffins

2 cups all-purpose or whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 1/2 cups milk or buttermilk
2 eggs
1/3 cup melted butter
1/2 pound cooked turkey sausage

Mix dry ingredients together. Add milk or buttermilk, eggs and melted butter. Stir in browned turkey sausage.

Pour batter into 18 buttered muffin tins. (I don’t recommend paper muffin liners for this as it will stick.) Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until the muffins are lightly browned. Serve with a lovely drizzle of maple syrup!

Potato and Bacon Torte

Made this for the first time a couple weeks back and has since made it a second time at my husbands request. It is SO very good. Simple, inexpensive and just yummy!

Ingredients

• 4 strips bacon
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 2 Pie Crusts, recipe follows
• 3 medium baking potatoes, peeled
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup grated Gruyere cheese
• 1 egg yolk, whisked with a splash of water

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until just crispy. Drain on paper towel lined plate and set aside. Crumble the bacon when cool to the touch.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the thyme and cream over low heat to a bare simmer. Turn off the heat and let steep for about 5 minutes. Remove the thyme sprigs.

Remove the pie pan from the refrigerator. Slice the potatoes in half lengthwise and then finely slice the potatoes. Working in circles, arrange the potato slices in the pie crust, stopping to season each layer with salt, pepper, and about 1/4 of the crumbled bacon. Continue layering until the pie pan is nearly full. Top with an even layer of the cheese and gently pour cream around and over the entire pie, allowing it to seep down between the potato slices. (You may not use all the cream.)

Roll out the remaining disk of refrigerated dough. Cover the pie with the dough and crimp the edges closed. Brush the top and edges of the crust with egg wash. Make a few slits in the center of the top crust, for the steam to escape, and put the pie pan on a baking sheet. Bake the torte until the crust is browned and crispy and the potatoes are cooked through, about 50 to 60 minutes. If the crust edges get too brown, cover them with some strips of aluminum foil. Remove the pie from the oven and let rest at least 15 minutes before cutting into wedges and serving.

Pie Crust:

• 1 cup butter (2 sticks), cubed and chilled
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 8 to 10 tablespoons ice water

Put the butter, flour, and salt in the food processor, and pulse lightly just until the mixture resembles wet sand. Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing briefly after each spoonful of water. Keep adding water until the dough just begins to gather into larger clumps. Transfer equal amounts of the dough into 2 resealable plastic bags and pat each into a disk. Let rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Remove 1 of the disks from the bag to a flour coated surface. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out to a 10-inch round. Gently fit the rolled dough into a 9-inch pie pan, and refrigerate while you prepare the torte ingredients.

Yield: 2 (9-inch) pie crusts

this and that

creative blog post name... not! ;)

1. Ok so my addiction to pinterest has only gotten worse...my Hubs has no put the application on my iphone! They have made an app!! :)
Seriously though I really think you should check it out. I have gotten so many craft ideas and home improvement ideas from it.

2. I need a haircut, like for reals! Its dry and shapeless and hopeless.... sad really and I definently DO NOT feel girly! I dont want to sound vain but I would like to look good for my Hubs and also have a style thats easy to manage. I am thinking of darkening it too...hmm should I?

3. My goal was to train for a 5k this October...my first one. I haven't been though...and I am embarrassed I posted I was going to but sadly didn't... I am just struggling with time lately.

4. Speaking of time, there's not enough of it! I over commit myself to projects and activities. I just have so many people who are counting on me and who ask me for help. I sometimes just feel so very overwhelmed :(

5. Are the leaves changing where you live? They are here!! In Maine its crazy beautiful right now. This morning I went to open up the curtains in my sons room, it was very sunny. When I did ( there's a big outside his window that has changed to orange) he shouted " WOW!!" It was super gorgeous. You should have seen it! So bright and cheerful. Can a tree be cheerful... I think so, this one sure was ;)

no sugar- two week update

Hey everyone, well my goal to update you on the progress of the two week challenge to go without sugar was not accomplished :( I meant to post an update but everytime I sat down at the computer something always came up...
So here is an update:
I did... pretty good. Did I go the two weeks completely without the stuff....umm no not even close! Did I cheat a lot? not at all! But truth is, I love to bake. I also hate to waste. I love to enjoy a treat every now and then with my family. Key words: EVERY NOW AND THEN. Yes, I did have some sugar but in moderation and not every day. Did I see an improvement? You betcha! My energy level went up some, and I felt more focused. Am I still cutting down on sugar now that the two weeks are up? Of course! My goal is to cut down dessert to only a couple times a week, no soda ( besides tonight... Hubby brought one home... sneaky sneaky I know ;) )

I am also journaling what I am eating. Made a list of breakfast and lunch meals that are good for me to have and will help me on my weight loss journey. This morning... 2 egg omelet with cherry tomatoes and low fat cheese sprinkled on top with a cup of green tea.

I have gone down a couple pounds :) yay!

I will try my best to keep updating on this journey of mine. Until next time...

the without sugar diaries

Day 1- hey everyone! As promised here is an update on my very first day NO SUGAR.
- I'm not gonna lie, it wasn't easy by any means. Do you know how much sugar is in... everything! Seriously, trying to find something for breakfast was the worst. Every kind of cereal we have, even the whole grain, tastes like card board stuff I normally eat because I think its better for me has it in the ingredients list! So I ended up with plain oatmeal with skim milk, but then it curdled...what?! How did that happen? so it went into the trash. Next up pineapple... there is a sweet fix right there! Delicious but so not filling.... no I ended up munching on some dry bran... yum :( I did pretty good though. My sister and her kids were coming over for awhile so I made them some cookies and didn't even eat one! yay me :) Then tonight again I made cookies and guess what I didn't do.... not have a cookie that's what! woo me! But I must confess... I had meatloaf, my meatloaf and my meatloaf has a brown sugar and ketchup glaze... yum! I wasn't even thinking about the no sugar thing at the time, granted my piece was pretty tiny but still it was sugar so it counts :( gosh I didn't even make it past day 1 haha oh well...tomorrow is another day with no mistakes in it. I love Anne of Green Gables <3

some random thoughts...

1. I have an addiction. An addiction to Pinterest. Have you tried it? It's a site where you can pin photos to a board of foods you want to make, to a new style of clothes you want to try out, diy projects your interested in to places you want to visit. I love it. So much fun!

2. It's officially fall. Though the past few days, its not feeling so much like fall as it is July. Wow the humidity!

3. This past weekend my husband and I ( who are youth leaders at our church ) took the Youth Group on a day trip to a theme park. It was a lot of fun and the teens all seem to have a great time. I am not a big roller coaster fan, used to be until I got pregnant, now they scare me, it's weird. I did go on the cork screw rollercoaster. I will admit, I cried before it took off, but once going through it, I actually wanted to go again. It was fun. My husband was right. He most usually is. ;)

4. My family and I have a fall bucket list I found online and printed off. It has things to do from a photoshoot in the leaves to carving pumpkins... starting in October we are going to do a few things from the list each weekend....I can't wait!

5. I am wondering how well I will do on this no sugar diet for the next two weeks... I heard it will give me energy... I hope so, I NEED IT!

the no sugar challenge dun dun dun

For the next two weeks I will be doing something I am dreading, something I know will require me to use all my will-power, something I know will NOT be easy.... I will be be doing the NO SUGAR challenge. Dun Dun Dun! What does this mean exactly? well, it means for two long weeks I will NOT being putting into my body any drinks with added sugar, sweets or anything with sugar as an ingredient. What's the reason behind this you ask? well, there are many health benefits to doing this. You can also lose weight, and gain more energy.... sounds good to me! So starting tomorrow morning I will go about this experiment and journal daily my thoughts, frustrations ( its inevitable there will be some) and my results. Wish me luck!

legend of the Super Mom

Some times I feel like I have it all put together. I am completely organized and everything is just going so smoothly. My son is on his best behavior, all is right with the world.

Then there are other days when I just feel like I have no clue what I am doing! I get stressed easily. I am sure every Mom has felt this at one point, if not many times throughout the week like me. With a toddler to care for, trying to be a good wife for my husband, with church duties and family I feel pulled in many different directions at times. Times like today. Times when I need to sit, breathe and pray. With God all things are possible!

Those days that seem to go so wonderfully are a gift from God and possible by His grace, it is nothing I am doing, because I am NOT perfect. When those rough, hard to deal with days come, we need to praise God for those good days and truly even on my worst day it could be A LOT worse!

Menu Plan ( for the next 2 weeks )

Fall is officially almost here, although here at home it has looked like fall for the past 2 weeks ;)

It is starting to get cooler which means....SOUPS! yum. We are still on a very small budget, so I am having to get super creative and find meats I can get a few meals out of. I still want to feed my family the healthiest and less processed stuff though so it does get very challenging but I really want and need to stick to my budget. Here is what I am planning:

Dinners:

Garden Vegetable Soup ( will make a big batch and freeze the rest for later, which will save money another week)

Pepperoni Calzones (made with homemade sauce, and homemade dough with whole wheat flour)

Ham and Potato soup ( does not freeze well but will make yummy leftovers and for a husband who hates veggies this is perfect!)

Tacos ( made with homemade shells and taco seasoning)

Chicken Legs w/Mashed Potato and Veggies

Oven Roasted Chicken ( going to use the meat leftover for soup and Burritos)

Buffalo Subs ( going to make up 2 of these to freeze for a quick meal later)

BBQ Subs ( going to make 2 of these as well for later, so easy for a Sunday afternoon)

Meatloaf w/ Mashed Potato and Veggies

Snacks:

Homemade microwave popcorn

Apples w/ homemade peanut butter

Homemade Applesauce

Veggies with homemade ranch dip

Breakfasts:

Pumpkin Muffins

Homemade English Muffin Bread egg sandwiches

Chocolate Muffins

Desserts:

Apple Pie

Vanilla Icecream with homemade fudge sauce

a cleaning schedule that works! yes!

I used to have a pretty long list of everything I thought I needed to get done all in one day, which left me upset when I couldn't accomplish it or too tired and stressed if I did. I was trying to put too much into 24 hours... being the best Mom I could, a good Wife to my Husband when he returned home from work, did a lot for church, cooked and baked daily. It has just gotten all so overwhelming!

So this past Monday I sat down and came up with a list that I had hoped would work better. Following this has been easier then I thought and harder at the same time. It is hard for me not to do all the major housework every day but you know what, having that free time in the evenings after dinner is wonderful!!

Here is what's working for me and hopefully if there are those out there like I once was you will get some inspiration to redo your own cleaning schedule.

MONDAY

Big Laundry Day

(such as all bedding, rugs etc.)

Big Vacuuming day ( I try to do a light vacuum daily)

(I don't vacuum on the weekends so once Monday comes around it is most definitely needed!)

TUESDAY

Mopping all floors

Deep Clean Kitchen

( things such as clean out frig, a really good sweeping, comet on the sink that sort of thing)

WEDNESDAY

Deep Clean Bathroom

( Flush, Tub)

THURSDAY

Grocery Shopping Day if needed

Freezer Baking Day

FRIDAY

Laundry Day

( anything that needs to be washed for the weekend and Church on Sunday)

Dusting Day

Company Day

( prepare for dinner guests if applies)

SATURDAY

Fix up day around home

Church paperwork printing

Clean Car

EACH DAY I HAVE MY DAILY CHORES TOP 6

Dishes

Make Beds

Trash out

Bathroom Wipe Down

Sweep floors and quick vacuum

Quick kitchen wipe down

I do this early morning and whatever is on the weekly schedule for that day and then I am done! :)

An expert at sewing I am NOT

Last night my Hubby, our baby and me went to Mardens to just look around. Well I immediently got side tracked in the fabric department. I have been wanting to redo our bulletin board and some living room throw pillows. After about an hour of trying to decide what looks good with what and pricing it all, I ended up with 2 different fabrics. One for 1.99 the other for 1.29. Both are funky and cozy, just my style :) So today I went to my parents in laws house, to use my mother in laws sewing machine and to get some help with this project. ( I am clueless when it comes to sewing anything, even buttons. Though I can manage to get one on but it doesnt stay there very long :( .... ) Well after about 1 1/2 hours, this is what they look like.... not the best sewing job out there but I think they look beautiful :)

thoughts and ramblings...

1. I have taken out the fall decorations. Is it too early? I don't care if it is, I adore autumn! Setting out the pumpkins and hanging the leaf garland, it all just makes my home look so cozy!

2. I have been having such a fun time looking through cookbooks and searching online for cool weather meals ( soups, casseroles etc. )

3. I am in the process of training for a marathon. Two of my neices, my husband and I are going to register for one in the end of October. I havent ran since before getting pregnant, over 2 years ago! Wish me luck!

4. I am getting nervous about the thought of potty training. My son just turned two and has showed some interest but I still don't think he is ready yet.

ok well this is all I have to say for now...

something new

Today I picked up some fabric at Mardens for only 1.29 and re did the bulletin board over the desk and tomorrow will use the rest to cover and old pillow :) LOVE this fabric, so funky! What do you think?

I heart Chocolate Cobbler

This Cobbler...oh what wonderful goodness on plate! This is such an easy, throw together dessert. I make it for church dinners, it is very often requested.

Make this today please! You will be so happy you did :) oh and....YOUR WELCOME ;)

Chocolate Cobbler

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoons salt
• 7 tablespoons cocoa powder, divided
• 1 ¼ cup sugar, divided
• ½ cup milk
• ⅓ cup melted butter
• 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1-½ cup hot tap water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

First stir together the flour, baking powder, salt, 3 tablespoons of the cocoa, and 3/4 cup of the white sugar. Reserve the remaining cocoa and sugar.

Stir in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla to the flour mixture. Mix until smooth.

Pour the mixture into an ungreased 8-inch baking dish.

In a separate small bowl, mix the remaining white sugar (1/2 cup), the brown sugar, and remaining 4 tablespoons of cocoa. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter.

Pour the hot tap water over all. Do not stir!

Bake for about 40 minutes or until the center is set.

Let stand for a few minutes. Serve with homemade ice cream using the gooey sauce to spoon over all.

Homemade but oh so very easy TOMATO SOUP

Over Labor Day weekend my family and I went on a little vacation to Vermont. My husband is from there and still has a lot of family that still live in Vermont, so we stayed with his Grandparents. They are seriously the sweetest folks, so funny and loving. Grampy sent me home with some goodies from the garden ( yum!) Lots and lots of tomatoes and red and green peppers. He also gave me a 25 pound bag of bread flour because I love to bake :) See I told you, SO loving.

So, today since I have been blessed so abundently with lovely straight from the garden tomatoes, I decided to make some homemade tomato soup. Confession, I was a little nervous. I have never made tomato soup and after searching the internet for recipes it just seemed so difficult. So, by taking inspiration from many different recipes I came up with my own.

This uses minimal ingredients, patience to wait the three hrs while it simmers, and a blender.

Here is the recipe:

6 large tomatoes, chopped

1 tbl. Onion Powder

1/2 tsp and 1/4 tsp sea salt.

let it come to a boil then simmer for about 3 hrs.

after cooked put into blender and blend until smooth.

add:

1/2 cup cream cheese

1 cup milk

dash of pepper

1 tbl. sour cream

blend together.

ENJOY!!

Fall Cleaning...it's almost time to get started

With 3 days left in August it will soon be September and time to get my house in order for the upcoming holidays and colder temps.

Here is my Fall Cleaning Checklist:

Outdoors:

- Wash Exterior Windows

-Touch Up Paint around windows, doors, deck, stairs etc.

-Finish New Entryway

-Organize and store away stuff in New Entryway

-Clean Gutters

-Deep Clean car ( stalk with winter emergency supplies, check anti-freeze, clean outside of car)

Inside:

-Vacuum top to bottom

Ceiling Corners

Window Treatments

Window Sills

Baseboard

-Wash Interior Windows

-Turn Mattress

-Clean Mattress Pad

-Clean and Organize Kitchen Cupboards

-Clean Light Bowls

-Clean Frig Coils

-Clean Humidifier

-Clean and take out Air Conditioner

-Get Heater fixed

-Wash Fans

-Wash Walls and Baseboards

-Disinfect Door Knobs, Remotes etc.

-Wash Blindes

-Oil Door Hinges

-Declutter Closets

-Clean Oven

-Clean Coats and Winter Boots

( Replace: bedding for warmer bedding, bed pillows)

( buy Waterproof Mat candles, and a throw)

(Go through Christmas/ Fall decorations)

( Get out winter clothes)

I also want to do some freezer baking. Soups, Muffins, Cinnamon Rolls etc.

Happy Sunday!

This is what happens when you have the cam wow app and some free time. HA!

Moo.com 10 free business cards :)

http://hip2save.com/

Free Business Cards check em out!

a saturday morning premier!

Pioneer Woman

11:30 am

Food Network

Seriously I am flipping! I can't wait!

thoughts and rambling

1.I love leggings. I really do. They are oh so soft and comfy. Like pajamas but you can get away with wearing them in the store and not look sloppy.

2.I am addicted to Big Brother. I have been a super fan of Jeff but sadly he has been voted out but only because of backstabbing floaters and girls who can't think on their own! yes, yes I do realize that it is only a reality show, why do you ask?

3. I am very much anticipating fall. A new season. I need this. I crave the candles, and pumpkins and I really really want to make apple pie, like for reals!

4. Lately I have been baking for the freezer. Have you tried it? I made oatmeal cookies the other day shaped the batter and then froze them a few days later took a few out, baked them and ta da! yummy in my tummy.

5. Oh! the terrible two's! Gosh raising a toddler is work, hard work! But so much fun!

6. I need a makeover!! SO badly :( but guess what?!! I have gotten a call from the Rachael Ray show about one!! They are working out the details! How cool is that??!

Learning to go without...

These are the top 5 things my family and I are going to try going without to become more frugal and to save.

1. Soda- this stuff is expensive! Not to mention very unhealthy.

2. Junk food- homemade snacks are much better for you and a lot cheaper.

3. Going out to eat- Fast food can really add up...in price and fat. Unless we have a gift certificate or a free coupon.

4. Christmas- NO we won't not celebrate Christmas but a few presents each and stocking stuffers is our goal this year. The holiday is about our Lord and Savior anyways not about store bought STUFF. I would much rather give homemade or spend time as a family.

5. Movies- going out to see them or renting. With the fall schedule about to begin on TV this one should be easy.

I think we all spend just too much on things we really don't need and honestly I don't think we would miss all that much.

Fall is in the air....

There's still another week left in August but you can feel in the air that fall will be here shortly. I can't wait! I love this time of year, I always have. I am ready for sweaters, roasts cooking in the crockpot, baking pies, picking apples... I could go on and on.There is just something about Fall that is just....well, cozy! I can't wait to put out all my decorations! Here is some decorating ideas from around the web...

This would be wonderful for nice napkins when dinner guests are over and for thanksgiving dinner or could even be used as curtain pull backs. And again so simple and inexpensive to make.

Defiantly going to make this for my home! Looks so easy to put together and is just so adorable and homey.

Isn't this the cutest? Using frames already around the house and switching out the photo with letters that could either be printed out or made from card stalk ( which is the way I would go because you could pick out different designs and make something really unique)

Gosh I adore this house!! Mums are so pretty and inviting. I prefer decorating as naturally as possible.

Love this idea! Looks so easy to make, and with lentils and beans very cheap to buy, this would be a very frugal decoration.

time to catch up...

Lately I have been posting about the food I have been making but not much on what I have been up to lately so here goes...

Last week for date night my handsome hubby and I went to a fancy smancy restaurant on the Island called the Seafood Ketch. My husband received a certificate from work so it was FREE! :)

First off let's talk about the best part of the night!..... well, besides spending time with the love of my life of course... the DESSERT! scrumptious, sweet chocolate goodness!!!

The restaurant sits right on the water. Fisherman were heading out on their boats, we got to watch the sun set. It was romantic and oh so very relaxing!

I got the MEDITERRANEAN HALIBUT. This was soooooo good! Such a colorful dish with so many wonderful flavors. I defiantly want to try and recreate this dish.

My husband got an 18 ounce RIB EYE STEAK no joke!

Homemade Birthday Banner

Materials:

Card Stalk in different patterns that went together well. ( found a local craft store for about 70 cents a piece)

polka dot baby blue ribbon .50 in Mardens

designed the shapes and letters myself on white copy paper, freehand

cut card stalk in index card size pieces

very simple to make, took about a half and hr and cost under 2 dollars!! win win!

easy peasy!

2 years later...

My little boy turned two.... 2 I tells ya! how did he get to be 2?! :( *sniff* ) the weekend following his big day we had a giant family get together. The theme was Toy Story. There were green streamers, balloons, table clothes. Each balloon had a funny line from the movie, there was the soundtrack playing in the background, the 3rd movie playing for the little kids to enjoy when not swimming in the kiddie pool, playing ball or driving in the little electric cars. There were replica drawings from Andys room hanging around, toys everywhere. It really did look super cute! Our little buddy love it all. He had such a fun day playing with all his many aunts and uncles, cousins, grandparents, great- grandparents, and his mommy and daddy. The weather was gorgeous, the air was warm. To end the party we all went swimming in the pool. Got plenty of amazing photos and lots of great memories.

a Toy Story birthday party photos