tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31677283918337425882024-03-13T14:53:18.620-05:00The Adventures of Staying At HomeEnjoying the everyday adventures of life!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-8184547415269006342011-01-03T11:16:00.000-06:002011-01-03T11:16:32.307-06:00Happy New Year!!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I love how a new year always feels like a fresh start!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">And there's no better way to start fresh than to sit down and make a list of what you would like to accomplish!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">I typically make an enormous list of goals that end up overwhelming and frustrating me. So this year I'm keeping it simple and realistic (which happens to be my first two goals).</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">1.</span> <strong>Simplify</strong> - This is a two part goal. I plan to simplify our home by cleaning out everything except what we use regularly and getting everyone in the habit of putting things back where they go. I also plan to simplify and streamline our daily schedule.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. <strong>Be Realisitc</strong> - I'm your typical Type A personality who make elaborate plans that rarely work just the way I want and leave me stressed and frustrated in the end.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. <strong>Focus</strong> - I get distracted easily and tend to start 5 different projects at once. I want to get in the habit of finishing one project before I start another (starting with the ten unfinshed projects in my garage!)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. <strong>Financial Goals</strong> - </div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;">Pay off debt. We lost a very large amount of money during the sale of our old home and the purchase of our new home this past year. It's time to clean that mess up!</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Put 3 months worth of living expenses into savings</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Eat out less in order to save more money (and be healthier)</div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;">5. <strong>Family Goals</strong> - </div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;">Start preschool (homeschooling) with Ella and Claire. Ella is very excited to learn to read and do some simple math this year.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Get the kids more involved with daily/weekly chores.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Go to the library twice per month.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Go on a fun outing (children's museum, zoo, etc.) twice each month.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Take the kids to Disney World this fall!</div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;">6. <strong> Personal</strong> - </div><ul><li><div style="text-align: left;">Post 3-4 times each week on my blog.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Go to the gym 2-3 times per week.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Have a monthly freezer cooking day so that I spend less time cooking and cleaning in the kitchen and have more time to spend with my family.</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Start my own business. I'm tossing around a couple of different ideas with my husband right now. We plan to really focus on this beginning in February.</div></li>
</ul>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-47680140348085042012010-11-12T11:09:00.000-06:002010-11-12T11:09:37.374-06:00Loaded Potato SoupI love, love, LOVE a thick, creamy potato soup! Every recipe I've ever tried, though, has always been too thin or too bland. I finally came up with the perfect (for me) recipe and thought I'd share. Pair this with a big chunk of crusty bread and enjoy!<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Loaded Potato Soup </u></strong> (serves 8-10)<br />
<br />
5 lbs. red potatoes, unpeeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes<br />
1/4 cup butter<br />
1/4 cup flour<br />
6 cups half and half<br />
16 oz. Velveeta cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes<br />
garlic salt<br />
tabasco sauce<br />
bacon, cooked<br />
chives, chopped<br />
cheddar cheese, shredded<br />
swiss cheese, shredded<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Boil diced potatoes until nearly cooked all the way through.</li>
<li>In a large pot, melt butter and add flour, stirring until smooth.</li>
<li>Over medium-low to medium heat, add half and half.</li>
<li>Stir until it begins to thicken.</li>
<li>Add Velveeta and stir until melted.</li>
<li>Drain potatoes and add to Velveeta and cream mixture.</li>
<li>Add garlic and tabasco to preferred taste.</li>
<li>Cover and cook on low for about 30 minutes, stirring occassionally.</li>
<li>Ladle into bowls and top with cheeses, bacon crumbles and chives.</li>
</ul>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-26043428122149315382010-10-22T11:04:00.000-05:002010-10-22T11:04:26.511-05:00Quote of the Day<span style="font-family: inherit;">"Clutter is the poetry of our homes. It is an intimate view that is not always perfect - a few dishes in the sink, books piled next to the bed. Everything in its place may give a certain satisfaction, but a lived-in room exudes comfort and warmth."</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: right;">-Mary Randolph Carter, author of <em>A Pefectly Kept House Is the Sign of a Misspent Life</em></div><div style="text-align: right;">(found in the November 2010 issue of <em>Country Living </em>magazine)</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-33354351634733722682010-10-20T11:52:00.000-05:002010-10-20T11:52:12.950-05:00Feeling Crafty: Fall Wreath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We're hosting a wedding rehearsal dinner at our house at the beginning of November and have been quickly hacking away at a huge list of projects (knock down a wall here and there, drywall over this and that, tile some floors, finish painting, etc). Between all of that and the wonderful change of seasons, I've been feeling super crafty!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When I saw <a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/decorate/ruffle-wreath-a-tutorial/">this tutorial</a> at <a href="http://jones%20design%20company/">Jones Design Company</a>, I knew what my first project was going to be!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's my version:</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TL8av2G0nVI/AAAAAAAAA8k/jnfXGVaQLnw/s1600/Hollys+Pics+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TL8av2G0nVI/AAAAAAAAA8k/jnfXGVaQLnw/s320/Hollys+Pics+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TL8bMl5UC9I/AAAAAAAAA8o/2UiswogOFpM/s1600/Hollys+Pics+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TL8bMl5UC9I/AAAAAAAAA8o/2UiswogOFpM/s320/Hollys+Pics+001.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TL8bgc-WOhI/AAAAAAAAA8s/TzQVoIUIeGU/s1600/Hollys+Pics+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TL8bgc-WOhI/AAAAAAAAA8s/TzQVoIUIeGU/s320/Hollys+Pics+003.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">I'm in love! So cute!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><a href="http://jonesdesigncompany.com/">Jones Design Company</a> has so many cute projects (especially if you have little girls like I do)!</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-70780609337850165892010-08-16T10:53:00.000-05:002010-08-16T10:53:39.452-05:00Family Pictures<div style="text-align: center;">It's has been a <strike>crazy</strike> <strike>exhausting</strike> <strike>hot</strike> busy summer. I'm looking foward to that beautiful Fall weather just around the corner.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Just wanted to stop by and share our family pictures that we had done last month. They were done by George and Elizabeth Atchley at <a href="http://www.windowsbye.com/"><strong><span style="color: blue;">Windows By E.</span></strong></a> Not only did we get amazing pictures (that still make me cry every time I watch the slide show), but we had a fantastic time with them! My kids didn't whine or cry once during the whole session!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope you enjoy these as much as I have!</div><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center"><div style="text-align: right; width: 480px;"><embed flashvars="rssFeed=http%3A%2F%2Ffeed114.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fn251%2Fmbatusic%2Ffeed.rss" height="360" src="http://static.pbsrc.com/flash/rss_slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" wmode="transparent"><a href="http://photobucket.com/redirect/album?showShareLB=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_geturs.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a><a href="http://s114.photobucket.com/albums/n251/mbatusic/" target="_blank"><img src="http://pic.pbsrc.com/share/icons/embed/btn_viewall.gif" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" /></a></div></div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-63959126383247711782010-07-08T13:53:00.003-05:002010-07-08T18:36:32.294-05:00This Is Why I Love Summer<div style="text-align: center;">The food. Fresh fruits and veggies. There's nothing better!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TDYeIsivZOI/AAAAAAAAA8U/FyjLASzR3xs/s1600/DSC03389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TDYeIsivZOI/AAAAAAAAA8U/FyjLASzR3xs/s320/DSC03389.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We'll be making a lot more things like this homemade-from scratch Cherry Pie over the next few weeks! Yum!</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-79372552285055193102010-06-28T15:44:00.000-05:002010-06-28T15:44:00.919-05:00New Table Makeover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCkJUGY0wkI/AAAAAAAAA8M/VZyyWU_gC8E/s1600/DSC03350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCkJUGY0wkI/AAAAAAAAA8M/VZyyWU_gC8E/s320/DSC03350.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Here is another inherited table that I made over (again, I forgot to take the "before" picture). I think I'm really getting this <a href="http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/2010/03/glazing-furniture-101.html">glazing technique</a> down already! I may just glaze my whole house by the end of this...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-65890644067371174812010-06-28T14:00:00.000-05:002010-06-28T14:00:02.231-05:00<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCaVieFHsKI/AAAAAAAAA78/0FPmj_zhvx4/s320/_DSC0556.JPG" /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">When I read about a <a href="http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/2010/03/glazing-furniture-101.html">glazing technique</a> at <a href="http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/">All Things Thrifty</a> I knew I had to try it - like, now! Isn't that chair gorgeous! I'm drooling...</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So, me, my trusty sander and my super spray paint got to work. In all of my excitement I forgot to take a "before" picture. Here's how it turned out:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" 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://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCaTj41K3LI/AAAAAAAAA7s/PsG_Cjw5c9Q/s1600/DSC03323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCaTj41K3LI/AAAAAAAAA7s/PsG_Cjw5c9Q/s320/DSC03323.JPG" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCaT1E-fiJI/AAAAAAAAA70/AASr_Ho0A_o/s1600/DSC03317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCaT1E-fiJI/AAAAAAAAA70/AASr_Ho0A_o/s320/DSC03317.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Not perfect, but that's the point - right? I'm happy with it. I'm off to try my second piece. It's going to be blue! Once I get MUCH better at this I plan on doing my kitchen table and chairs kind-of like <a href="http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/2010/06/dining-room-table-transformation.html">this</a>, but with the chairs in lighter colors. I'm so excited!</div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCaXh6vR0dI/AAAAAAAAA8E/pATTSUXTqyI/s1600/Dining+room+Table+with+mismatched+chairs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCaXh6vR0dI/AAAAAAAAA8E/pATTSUXTqyI/s320/Dining+room+Table+with+mismatched+chairs.jpg" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-18487308309041540472010-06-26T18:52:00.002-05:002010-06-26T19:19:00.872-05:00What Can $1 Buy You?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCaQsBcIAGI/AAAAAAAAA7U/SHG1oW0447A/s1600/DSC03343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCaQsBcIAGI/AAAAAAAAA7U/SHG1oW0447A/s320/DSC03343.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">How many times have I said, "Oh, it's just $1..." I'm kicking myself now!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what .90 bought me at Target, Walmart and CVS today:</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">11 Packages of Pampers Wipes</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">10 Sobe Lifewaters</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">3 Old Spice Body Washes with travel size deodorants</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">and 1 refill pack for an Off! Clip-On</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"> And while I have you - here is a new picture of our garden:</div><div class="separator" 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://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCaQ-OVVirI/AAAAAAAAA7c/B_9JwifBJqE/s1600/DSC03344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCaQ-OVVirI/AAAAAAAAA7c/B_9JwifBJqE/s320/DSC03344.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> As you can see, it's <strike>taking over our backyard</strike> grown a lot!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is some of what we've gotten to pick this week:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCaRPuPDTpI/AAAAAAAAA7k/yFpnWM2I3XA/s1600/DSC03346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TCaRPuPDTpI/AAAAAAAAA7k/yFpnWM2I3XA/s320/DSC03346.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">There were a few more squash, zucchini and tomatoes, but they were eaten almost immediately.</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-69036146092032832412010-06-17T13:41:00.000-05:002010-06-17T13:41:52.168-05:00Fireplace: Keep It or Toss It?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love fireplaces - the smell of the fire burning, the cozy warmth and soft glow. There's nothing better. I just don't like my fireplace. It doesn't burn wood, just expensive gas. It doesn't warm the room, it makes it uncomfortably hot in just minutes. And then there's that UGLY hole above it. <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Ick</span>!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Sorry for the dark, fuzzy picture.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TBppnR8_gEI/AAAAAAAAA7M/S0wkprE0boA/s1600/DSC03308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TBppnR8_gEI/AAAAAAAAA7M/S0wkprE0boA/s320/DSC03308.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">I know I could cover up the hole and I love having a mantle to hang stockings on at Christmas. If we removed the fireplace, though, we would have a lot of extra floor space.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Since I'm having a hard time deciding what to do, I thought I'd get some other opinions. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><br />
<form action="http://www.acepolls.com/votes" id="poll_id_1131381" method="post"><div align="center"><div style="background-color: #fbffb2; background-image: url(http://www.acepolls.com/images/designs/yellow_star.png); border-bottom: #dbdc30 1px solid; border-left: #dbdc30 1px solid; border-right: #dbdc30 1px solid; border-top: #dbdc30 1px solid; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px; width: 250px;"><input name="vote[poll_id]" type="hidden" value="1131381" /><br />
<div style="color: #ff7c00; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">Should I keep the fireplace or get rid of it?</div><ul style="list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; padding-left: 10px;"><li><input id="vote_choice_id_6388610" name="vote[choice_id]" type="radio" value="6388610" /><label for="vote_choice_id_6388610" style="color: #3a555c;">Keep It</label></li>
<li><input id="vote_choice_id_6388611" name="vote[choice_id]" type="radio" value="6388611" /><label for="vote_choice_id_6388611" style="color: #3a555c;">Get Rid Of It</label></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><input id="submit_1131381" type="submit" value="Vote!" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.acepolls.com/polls/1131381-should-i-keep-the-fireplace-or-get-rid-of-it/results" id="results" style="color: #3a555c;">View Results</a><br />
<a href="http://www.acepolls.com/create" style="color: #3a555c;">Create a Blog Poll</a></div></div></div></form>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-64964711973511092222010-06-10T10:40:00.001-05:002010-06-10T13:54:39.357-05:00Going Green = Big Savings<div style="text-align: center;">Over the past year we've made some changes in our house that are both environmentally friendly and economical. </div><ul><li><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We don't use paper towels. We use wash cloths and towels. If I can get a roll for free I will use it occasionally when I'm cooking, but for cleaning, I stick strictly to things I can throw in the wash and re-use. One roll of paper towels last us 2-3 months.</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We don't use paper napkins. I buy cloth napkins when I can find them on clearance (about 1.50/pack). Then I just toss them in with our daily load of laundry. Our girls get excited about using "fancy" napkins too.</div></li>
<li><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">We use Tupperware instead of plastic bags whenever we can. </div></li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;">Just these three things save us tons of money every year. What are some tips you have that are environmentally and economically friendly?</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-48659076561787521562010-06-07T19:22:00.002-05:002010-06-07T20:22:06.917-05:00Our Garden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a peek at our little garden:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAw8gI8L_oI/AAAAAAAAA68/Za0FndXCTIg/s1600/DSC03210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAw8gI8L_oI/AAAAAAAAA68/Za0FndXCTIg/s320/DSC03210.JPG" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAw8vPG4hxI/AAAAAAAAA7E/6XzbemDzseM/s1600/DSC03209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAw8vPG4hxI/AAAAAAAAA7E/6XzbemDzseM/s320/DSC03209.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center">It has been thriving with all of this rain we've been getting! </div><div align="center">We've got 3 different types of tomatoes, green beans, okra, squash, zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, jalapeno peppers, basil and a lemon tree all planted in fabulous organic soil from <a href="http://www.j3organics.com/">j3organics</a>. We're already seeing some tomatoes growing! </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">You may have noticed that we don't have that pergola built yet. All of that great rain has kind-of slowed down our project. There is a nice pile of lumber to the left of these pictures waiting to be put up. Fingers crossed for a few straight days of sunshine soon!</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-63477515166729187842010-06-06T11:04:00.002-05:002010-06-06T11:04:00.645-05:00Why Buying in Bulk Isn't Always Better<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Buying in bulk seems to be a pretty popular way to save money. If you buy the big bag it is generally supposed to be less expensive, right? Not always. It's very important to compare the prices per pound, ounce, etc. and to check and see if a coupon can help you save even more money.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Example: A 20 pound bag of Mahatma Long Grain Rice is on sale at <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Publix</span> this week for 7.99 a bag (reg. 12.99).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> A 1 pound bag is priced at 1.19 each. You definitely save money buying the GIANT bag - if you don't use a coupon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I had some .50 coupons (which double to 1.00) the each of the one pound bags below, making them .19 ea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAp3EwQMRPI/AAAAAAAAA6s/ASuAPHgd6pk/s1600/DSC03111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAp3EwQMRPI/AAAAAAAAA6s/ASuAPHgd6pk/s320/DSC03111.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div align="center">So, I could have bought the big bag for 7.99, making it .40 per pound.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center">Instead, I bought 1 pound bags and used my coupons making it only .19 per pound and cut the price of the rice in half!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-40833976196853247602010-06-04T09:32:00.000-05:002010-06-04T09:32:08.705-05:00Happy Friday!<div class="separator" 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://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAkNOGVzwbI/AAAAAAAAA6M/ZyLyALOQHuQ/s1600/DSC03201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAkNOGVzwbI/AAAAAAAAA6M/ZyLyALOQHuQ/s320/DSC03201.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" 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://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAkNtSZ1AvI/AAAAAAAAA6c/wRBO0Bohgt8/s1600/DSC03203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAkNtSZ1AvI/AAAAAAAAA6c/wRBO0Bohgt8/s320/DSC03203.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" 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://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAkOCnvI-dI/AAAAAAAAA6k/x31PIlgKKVI/s1600/DSC03206.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAkOCnvI-dI/AAAAAAAAA6k/x31PIlgKKVI/s320/DSC03206.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Have a great weekend!!</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-22490404807804910702010-06-02T09:21:00.001-05:002010-06-04T09:25:15.723-05:00Decorating On A Budget<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I adore all things Pottery Barn. Especially this little Daisy lamp shade that would go perfectly in my girls' room. I didn't adore the $100 price tag. Yes. Each shade - just shade- costs $100. Gag!</div><div class="separator" 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://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAZmZkGVJsI/AAAAAAAAA58/I936aZtt5jI/s1600/img68m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAZmZkGVJsI/AAAAAAAAA58/I936aZtt5jI/s320/img68m.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">So I had to get creative. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I got two of these super cute blue lamp bases from Pottery Barn Teen for just $20 each on clearance. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I had two small lamp shade that I got for $4 at a Lowe's clearance sale last summer that I saved specifically for this project. They were a little dirty and the colors didn't match.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I got some daisy sprays at Michael's on sale with an extra 15% off.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Then me and my trusty glue gun got to work.</div><div class="separator" 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://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAZmwLKyrOI/AAAAAAAAA6E/09q3MIvy2N4/s1600/DSC03200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAZmwLKyrOI/AAAAAAAAA6E/09q3MIvy2N4/s320/DSC03200.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I think it turned out adorable! Not exactly the same as the Pottery Barn one, but still very cute! And this entire lamp only cost me $31! That's a big difference from a nearly $200 lamp and shade!</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-2646154995470237912010-05-31T17:20:00.002-05:002010-06-04T09:32:31.397-05:00Great Deals and Freezer Cooking Coming Up!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I kind-of disappeared for a while there! Sorry about that. We've been pretty busy around here. I'd like to say things are slowing down a bit, but they're just getting started. June is crazy busy with all kinds of fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's been a great start to the week already, though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAQy9Jk6zZI/AAAAAAAAA50/6J8xce2mvig/s1600/DSC03189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/TAQy9Jk6zZI/AAAAAAAAA50/6J8xce2mvig/s320/DSC03189.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">These are all of the great deals I got at <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">CVS</span> and <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Publix</span> today! Would you believe it if I told you I paid <u>under</u> $50.00 for ALL of that? It's true! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">You're looking at free floss, bleach, toilet paper, batteries, <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Shedd's</span> Spread, q-tips, snack cheese and more! I only wish I could have gotten a clearer shot so you could really see everything.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's the first of the month (well, tomorrow is) and that means it's time for another freezer cooking! This one is going to be a little different. Due to an excess of meals from last month still in the freezer (over half of the meals are still in there) and a HUGE lack of good deals on meat, I'm going to primarily be baking this month.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We'll be doing a variety of muffins, biscuits, pancake and bread mixes, hamburger and hot dog buns, and maybe <strike>something</strike> a few things sweet.</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-91921624366818070252010-05-12T13:25:00.003-05:002010-05-12T16:36:08.019-05:00Having A Garden in a Small BackyardYep. That's what we've been working on this week. My dear, sweet husband has built a box garden for me. And after he did that and filled it with wonderful organic soil, I decided that my box garden would be even prettier and more productive with a pergola built over it. At first, there was excitement over this idea and then a lot of grumbling when we realized it would have been much easier to have had that idea before we filled the box with dirt.<br />
<br />
But my dear, sweet (can't emphasize that enough) husband (who is so patient with my GREAT ideas) is working on getting it built.<br />
<br />
I've got all of my Buy-One-Get-One Free Organic plants from Home Depot and my free Topsy T<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">urveys</span> that I got with reward points and some free seeds a friend gave us. Now, if we could just find time to get it all in the ground (like I should be doing now).<br />
<br />
Pictures soon!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-41381775414508082852010-05-05T14:39:00.000-05:002010-05-05T14:39:42.413-05:00Are You Using Your Swagbucks?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S-HJcoTC0RI/AAAAAAAAA5M/TzlLmpLvip4/s1600/swagbucks-works.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S-HJcoTC0RI/AAAAAAAAA5M/TzlLmpLvip4/s320/swagbucks-works.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><br />
This week is "Winning Moments Week" at <a href="http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/mbatusic">Swagbucks</a>. The number of times you are able to win are doubled (at least) this week! I normally win only about twice each day and I've already won BIG numbers this morning. <br />
<br />
I love saving my <a href="http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/mbatusic">Swagbucks</a> and redeeming them for Amazon giftcards (a $5 giftcard is 450 points). I've gotten cookbooks, HDMI cables and more for free all from using <a href="http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/mbatusic">Swagbucks</a> to do searches instead of Google. If you wanted, you could save all of your Amazon giftcards and use them to take advantage of the amazing deals on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/">Amazon</a> at Christmas time! You could potentially get all of your gifts for free and never have to leave your house!! Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-65709182090913380682010-05-05T11:10:00.001-05:002010-05-05T14:11:12.002-05:00Half-Priced Frappuccinos at Starbucks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S-HCmCwRoJI/AAAAAAAAA5E/te3noWeHyMc/s1600/happyhour-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S-HCmCwRoJI/AAAAAAAAA5E/te3noWeHyMc/s320/happyhour-1.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div>I don't normally post things like this, but I'm so excited I had to share! May 7-16, between 3 and 5 everyday, Starbucks is offering their <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">frappucinnos</span> at half price! Their strawberries-and-creme <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">fraps</span> are amazing! You may see me there every day!<br />
<br />
Find out more <a href="http://www.frappuccino.com/happy-hour">HERE</a>.Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-74483024164152206302010-05-04T14:13:00.002-05:002010-05-04T14:29:03.864-05:00Freezer Cooking - Another Great Success!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S-Br3HXd5oI/AAAAAAAAA48/4kBToZXXTTE/s1600/DSC03101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S-Br3HXd5oI/AAAAAAAAA48/4kBToZXXTTE/s320/DSC03101.JPG" tt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I still have about 4-5 more meals to add to all of this, but we are pretty well stocked for the next month (or two)! I started at about 8 am Sunday morning hoping that doing this on a weekend (when my hubby could help watch the kids) would save some time. Didn't quite work out that way. I finished 21 meals on Sunday, fixed a few more on Monday and I'm about to finish up the rest tonight. Here's the list of what we have so far (what you see in the freezer):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 Jambalaya Bake</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 Chicken <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Tetrazzini</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 Hamburger dinners</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 French Stuffed Potatoes</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 Chicken Pot Pie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 Chicken Broccoli Casserole</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 Barbecued Chicken</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 Creamy Enchiladas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 Smothered Burritos</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 Beef <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Stroganoff</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 Meatloaf</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 Caraway Pot Roast</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 French Bread Pizzas</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 Taco Pie</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 Chicken Supreme</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 Chicken and Wild Rice Soup</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1 Chicken Scampi</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 Upside-Down Fettuccine Bake</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3 Barbecued Chicken for Sandwiches</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2 Chinese Chicken</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>Total = 31 meals</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I got most of these recipes from two new cookbooks that I just bought: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Once-Month-Cooking-Family-Favorites/dp/0312534043/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272999827&sr=8-1"> <em>Once-A-Month Cooking Family</em> <em>Favorites</em></a> and <em><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Once-Month-Cooking-Revised-Expanded/dp/0312366256/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1272999827&sr=8-2">Once-A-Month Cooking</a></em> both by Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Lagerborg</span>. Many of these are fairly large meals and will last our family 2+ nights each. Once I'm done tonight, we should have at least 40 meals that will last us two months!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I did have to spend about $180 at the store to get all of the ingredients I needed. That definitely is a large chunk of our budget. Since I already have most breakfasts taken care of, though, that only leave produce, a few lunch and snack items and milk on my grocery list! We're shooting for a $250 grocery budget this month and I'm aiming for $200 next month!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I still plan on doing a freezer cooking day at the beginning of June to add a few more dinners to the stock, but I plan on focusing on breakfast, lunch and snack freezer items. I'm excited to see what I can come up with!</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-2657722616314165372010-04-21T10:13:00.002-05:002010-05-04T17:03:28.184-05:00Decorating On A Budget: Use What You Have<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Inspired by a post at <a href="http://www.theinspiredroom.net/">The Inspired Room</a>, I wanted to try something a little different in our kitchen - I took the doors off of a section of cabinets. After scrounging around the house for a while, this is what I came up with:</div><div class="separator" 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://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S8xzkeZzMdI/AAAAAAAAA3U/B7wob0cySdQ/s1600/DSC03096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S8xzkeZzMdI/AAAAAAAAA3U/B7wob0cySdQ/s320/DSC03096.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I had bought the jars a year ago for a project that I never got to. I monogrammed them with B's that I got for free when I ordered a gift from <a href="http://www.thesimplestencil.com/">The Simple Stencil</a> and then filled them with chocolate morsels, marshomallows and pecans (great way to make more space in my pantry).</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">I placed my growing collection of cookbooks neatly on two shelves, used the two tins for hidden storage, put the flowers from my front door in a pretty pitcher and added some pictures of my girls and a few other little things I found around the house and Viola! - Free, instant makeover!</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-76192293621261743132010-04-19T10:13:00.001-05:002010-04-26T13:42:43.222-05:00Publix Deals This Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S8xw52tlK9I/AAAAAAAAA3M/QCQqTos3UQs/s1600/DSC03083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S8xw52tlK9I/AAAAAAAAA3M/QCQqTos3UQs/s320/DSC03083.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This picture is from just one of my trips to Publix over the weekend. I spent $13 and saved over $50! I got paid to get the Scrubbing Bubble, the popcorn was free, the Dentyne = .14 each, the Ricotta Cheese was just .59, the Parmesan Cheese was .99 and the Smart Taste Pasta was just .25 each!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Unfortunately, I still have not gotten to my Freezer Cooking for the month. And seeing as how the month is almost over, it doesn't look like it's going to happen. I was fully prepared to get some meals done over the weekend, but the 10 lbs of ground beef I bought to cook with spoiled over 2 days because the temperature on my meat drawer was set to the vegetable setting. Very sad moment for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">On the bright side, I still have enough to cook for the rest of the month with grocery money to spare. And by May 1st I plan to be ready for a HUGE Cooking/Baking Day!</div>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-68923091884733721342010-04-08T18:52:00.000-05:002010-04-08T18:52:00.263-05:00My First "Pretty" For Our New House<div align="center"> These make me smile. You'll have to ignore the sad lack of color on our walls, but I could wait until they were painted to show these off! So pretty!</div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457548281680103474" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S70bPzIWCDI/AAAAAAAAA2s/zvemUBgSDZ0/s320/DSC03037.JPG" /><br /><p> </p><p>Melissa at <a href="http://theinspiredroom.net/2010/03/25/conversation-pieces-vintage-key-plate-sale/">The Inspired Room</a> had these on special at her <a href="http://theinspiredroom.theopenskyproject.com/cake-vintage-vintage-key-plates.html">Open Sky</a> a couple of weeks ago. She has some super cute ideas for different ways to use these. I had been saving money from rebates and rolling coins just for these! I put them by the front door for us to hang our keys on. The only problem is I think our keys are too ugly for them! I'm going to have to find a way to prettify all of our keys (my husband is cringing as I write that).</p>Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-72996336282956886392010-04-07T14:38:00.005-05:002010-05-12T13:26:19.069-05:00Enjoying the WeatherWe seemed to have completely skipped Spring this year! We went from snow one week, to 85 degree temperatures the next. We have been taking advantage of the nice weather (before it get too hot) and spending as much time outside as possible.<br />
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<div align="center">Our favorite new way to do that: Eating dinner outside!!<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457508705426631730" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S7z3QKGObDI/AAAAAAAAA2E/dDPPVRLWqbg/s320/DSC02997.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457508708007490322" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S7z3QTtjMxI/AAAAAAAAA2M/xMwestJz2xE/s320/DSC02995.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Winston especially enjoys being outside!</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457508718821026786" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S7z3Q7_sq-I/AAAAAAAAA2U/6Zyu6eQJ_Q4/s320/DSC03005.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /><br />
<div align="center">It's the perfect time of day - not too hot, not too sunny!</div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457508725433511410" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S7z3RUoPLfI/AAAAAAAAA2c/xVtV7iU6uUs/s320/DSC03006.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" />Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3167728391833742588.post-80699957975145820122010-04-05T13:40:00.004-05:002010-04-26T13:43:07.007-05:00Freezing Meals Experiment ResultsMarch is over and our freezer is much less full than when we began. Was my little experiment successful or a complete failure? Here are my results:<br />
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Did we save money?<br />
<span style="color: #3366ff;">Yes and no.</span> We were still around $300 for the month, but only because I went crazy stocking up on cleaning supplies and Tide laundry detergent and Downy fabric softner (this is the first time EVER that we've been able to afford to use fabric softner!)<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5457511206446307970" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_tI9j0eXs7tQ/S7z5hvHyGoI/AAAAAAAAA2k/V3XqJSdg1bc/s320/DSC02987.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /> I think I counted 7 bottles of Tide this morning! However, we did save money by not eating out nearly as much as we were before. If I didn't feel like cooking, I didn't have to! There was already something waiting.<br />
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Did it save time? <span style="color: #3366ff;">YES!!!!</span><br />
My kitchen has never been easier to keep clean. I ran the dishwasher every 2-3 days (sometimes still have empty). My counters and floors were cleaner because I wasn't pulling out ingredients to cook every day and night.<br />
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Over all, I feel like it was a great success. I did find a couple of recipes that I wouldn't use for freezing again (Tacos in Pasta Shells). We still have about four meals left and even got to share some with others during the month.<br />
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I'm getting ready to whip up some more meals next week and shooting to stay under budget for April!Hollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02330992197990570943noreply@blogger.com3