Wordless Wednesday

It's all fun and games until.............

How many times do we tell our kids not to jump on the bed, or run in the house, or horseplay.  Because "It's all fun and games until SOMEONE gets hurt."

What better way to prove your point than to show them first hand!

Yep that's right... I was the one that got hurt!

I was jumping on my bed, frog style just my legs going up, singing and playing with K.  And I jumped off the bed at the end of the bed legs first.. We recently got new a new bedroom set and I forgot we have a footboard... OUCH.

YEP, It's all fun and games until SOMEONE gets hurt!!!

I can't put pressure on my leg... it throbs.. I may have cracked something..
HOW ELSE DO WE TEACH OUR KIDS LESSONS, right?! HA!

Have a great day,
Angela

Menu Plan Monday--Christmas week!

It's Christmas Week!!

Monday: Pasta Marinara with meat sauce and salad

Tuesday: Homemade Pizza, salad

Wednesday: Omaha Steak Burgers, French Fries and green beans  (my parents got us Omaha Steaks for Christmas BEST GIFT EVER!)

Thursday: Cod, rice and green

Friday: Omaha Steaks, Twice baked potatoes and veggie

Saturday: CHRISTMAS DINNER-- Smithfield ham, greenbean casserole, mashed potatoes/gravy, Stuffing, homemade bread, homemade cinnamon rolls and Birthday cake for Jesus :)

Sunday: Leftovers!

Happy Christmas Week!!!

Angela

T

Christmas Break Came 2 days early this year

We got a ton of snow yesterday and school was closed.  K was genuinely upset, as she was to have "Colonial Days" at school.  They were going to spend all afternoon having snacks and hot chocolate and learning about kids and how they played and learned in the Colonial days.

However, around 11:30 while we were still laying in bed in PJ's watching the 6th Harry Potter movie (I KNOW LAZY LOL) the doorbell rang and it was a classmate of K's.  There went my time with my little girl yesterday :(  she and her friend played outside all day, only coming in for a bit to warm up and have hot chocolate or snacks.

I did realize however, that I really need to cherish the time I spend with her because I really missed her yesterday and was super happy when she came back home (after playing at her classmates house for a few hours).

We had a feeling today was going to get cancelled as well, after all, snow on the ground/roads+freezing temps overnight=ICE on the roads.  We kept checking online and the phone last night hoping we would hear before we went to sleep so we can turn off alarms and SLEEP IN!  No such luck.  This morning at 6 am the phone rings.. OY...

I hope everyone has a great Christmas Break!

 

Commissary Freebies-Thanks Military Wives Savings

Everything listed is FREE or has an overage, as you know the commissary gives you the full value of the coupon even if the product is less.

Thanks again Military Wives Savings
Click HERE to see the match ups!

My Farm Fresh Trip 12/15

I spent more than I wanted but I NEEDED some things.  


Here are the deals I got!


Tall Starbucks brewed Coffee:
FREE- I had an empty coffee bag, if you take the empty bag back you get a free tall brewed coffee.


Tic Tac's: $1.29 each
$.75 off coupon
Final: FREE (I got 2-had 2 coupons)


Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate: 10/$10 or $1 each
$1 off 3 coupon
Final:  3/$1 or $.33 each


Success Brown Rice: $2.39
$1 off coupon (all you magazine)
Final: $.39 each


Hunts Canned Tomatoes: 10/$10 or $1 each
$1 off of 3 cans
Final: 3/$1 or $.33 each


Hertz Clean and Crunch Dog Biscuits: $3.99
$1 off coupon
Final: $1.99 


Sponge Bob Nabisco Cheese Nips: $2.19
$1 off 2 boxes
Final: 2/$2.38 or $1.19 each


PeterPan Peanut Butter: $1.69
$1 off 2 coupon
Final: 2/$1.38 or $.69 each


Domino Sugar: $3.99
$.40 off coupon
Final: $3.19 (too expensive, I should have bought store brand but I didn't realize this was so much since the price wasn't marked.. MAD about that!!)


Carnation Cocoa: $2.39
Kraft Mini Marshmallows: $1,49
Coupon for $1 off when you buy both
Final: $1.88 for both! or Marshmallows FREE and and cocoa for $1.88


Crest Toothpaste: $2.99
$1 off coupon
Final: $.99


Colgate toothpaste: $2.19
$1 off coupon
Final: $.19!!


Northland Cranberry Juice $2.99$1/2 Northland Dark Fruit Juice, exp. 12-31-10 (SS 09/26/10)
Final: 2/$3.98 


The Potatoes were BOGO or $1.99 each for 5lb bag


I also received 10% Military Discount on all of the store brand items including the potatoes!


Final OOP: $50.90
Total Saved: $25.89 or 34%


How did you do?

Wordless Wednesday--First real SNOW of the season

I have found a new place to buy my bread!

5 loaves of Natures Pride bread
2 packages of Cherry Sweet Rolls
Total $5.07!

AWESOME

Monday's in Military Appreciation day so I'll be going on Monday's from now on.  ALl of this would have cost me $4.57ish!

We go through so much bread in our house and  I buy 3-5 loaves at a time usually and freeze it so it doesn't bother me that this breads date is a few days away!!! It's in the Freezer!!

~Angela

"Keeping up with the Jones'"

Do you feel like you need to buy the best/newest electronics, car, or gadgets for your kids for Christmas?
Why do we have to get Suzie an IPOD touch just because Cindy and Jim are getting Bobby one?
How much do you really think you 7 year old will NEED a cell phone?  Yet you feel obligated to get him one because his cousins, or friends are getting one.

I say NO.. Just say NO!!!  My child doesn't need a TV in her room, or a cell phone (how often is she not with ME that she would need one?-never), she doesn't listen to music enough to actually have an IPOD let alone a touch, after all she would just play games and there are cheaper ways for her to play those games like on MY Touch, and she does not need a computer.  SO I say NO, I am NOT wasting money on those things just because "The Jones'" are getting them for their children.

Chances are your kids can not tell you what they got for Christmas last year anyway.

So this year I chose to LISTEN to her.  Ask her what she wants and only buy that stuff (she did ask for the electronics and phone, but we spoke to her and told her not yet she it too young).

Sometimes you can get caught up in Sibling rivalry, you feel you have to get Jimmy something because you got Andy that thing.  But Andy is older and Jimmy really doesn't need it but to stop fights you do it anyway.

Why oh Why is this time of year so commercialized?

Can't we just sit back, be still and quiet and remember the reason for the season?  JESUS

When my grandparents we kids they got fruit and maybe a piece of candy, and maybe ONE gift. and they cherished and appreciated it!
When my parents were kids they got a few toys, fruit and candy and they very much appreciated what they got
When I was a kid we got more presents than candy or fruit, we appreciated maybe a couple things we got.
Now our kids are getting the entire electronics section of Target  and they EXPECT it!

This year I chose NOT to "Keep up with the Jones'" and focus more on Family and Jesus!

How about you?
How do you feel about "the Jones'" :)

Have a great Week
~Angela

Menu Plan Monday 12/13-12-19

My hubby is away for work this week so K and I are going to have a easy peasy dinner week :)

Monday:  Brinner (breakfast for dinner-it's a tradition K and I always do when daddy is TDY)

Tuesday: Leftover Salmon, sweet potato fries and edemame

Wednesday: Pasta Carbonara

Thursday: Leftover Pasta Carbonara

Friday: Chicken Schnitzle, rice and veggie

Saturday: Fish, rice, veggie

Sunday: Pasta Marinara

Have a great Week

~Angela

Molasses Sugar Cookie Recipe--The taste of Christmas

Yesterday I could not decide if I wanted to bake Sugar Cookies or Gingerbread (men) cookies.  So I searched recipes and ran across Molasses Sugar Cookies.  I thought "Humm I do have that molasses I bought on accident  instead of maple syrup and we have only used for BBQ sauce"

These Cookies are soo yummy and to me are the epitome of the "taste of Christmas".

Enjoy... let me know if you end up making these and how you like them :)

~Angela
FYI the ingredients are normally the "fatty bad for you" stuff I shy away from.  However these cookies are only 95 calories each so 1 or 2 with a warm cup of coffee or tea in the evening are perfect.  Besides the holidays aren't a time to be "dieting" anyway.  Right?!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups shortening
• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 2 eggs
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Melt the shortening in a large pan on the stove, and cool.
2. Add sugar, eggs, and molasses, beat well.
3. In a separate bowl, sift dry ingredients together and add to the pan. Mix well and chill 3 hours or overnight.
4. Form into walnut-size balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place on greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.
5. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 8-10 minutes.
6. Store in an airtight container to keep from getting overly crisp. If they do lose their softness, an easy way to restore it is to place one slice of fresh bread in the container with the cookies for a couple of hours or overnight and they will be soft again!

Wordless Wednesday--I'm a hoo from hooville

Military ONLY coupons from Military Wives Saving

Thanks Military Wives Saving for this.

Menu Plan Monday

I actually have my menu's planned for the next 2 weeks.  But I'll just post this weeks.

Monday:
Last of the leftover roasted chicken/ potatoes and veggie

Tuesday:
Crockpot roast with potatoes and onions and a veggie or salad

Wednesday:
Leftover Roast

Thursday:
Roast Beef Sandwiches, apple slices and a veggie

Friday:
Fish, Rice and veggie

Saturday: (K is having  a friend sleep over)
Pasta Marinara or we will make pizza

Sunday:
 Fish, sweet potato fries, veggie (we may change this one since hubby leaves for a few days for work)

Happy Menu Planning.. don't forget to enter my giveaway!  $20 Chili's gift card!!

``Angela

Chili's Shout out to Eat out gift card giveaway(CLOSED)

The winner is

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:9Powered b

AubreyLaine said...

I follow you on Twitter and tweeted about your giveaway as Aubrey Fick.

aubreyfick@yahoo.com

DECEMBER 7, 2010 11:50 AM 

While out shopping Saturday my daughter and I decided to swing into Chili's for lunch.  Since we were out Christmas shopping we really didn't want to spend a ton on lunch.  Luckily Chili's has a 2 for $20 deal.  You get one appetizer and 2 entree's for $20!

We Chose the Chips and Salsa for our appetizer (of course I am the one who drips salsa on me!)

For out entrees' she chose the bacon cheeseburger and I chose the Chicken Fajita's.. YUMM

We had more than enough food.  For $20 we were able to fill up on yummy food so we can finish a long shopping day.

(*note: We ordered water to drink, and the beans/rice were $.99 extra, so drinks and tax and any extras will be outside the $20)

Enter to win a $20 gift card from Chili's, a perfect stocking stuffer or for date night :)

-Give away ends at 7 PM EST Monday December 13th.
-You can enter daily
-please leave your email with each comment so I can contact you if you are the winner.  In this form afr_kar(AT)yahoo(DOT)com so you won't receive spam.
Please leave a different comment for each qualifying entry.  I will be using Random.org to choose the winner.

How to Enter:

1. Follow me on Twitter and leave a comment with your twitter name and comment the following  I want to win a $20 Chili's gift card from @angela312 http://bit.ly/gPfOKE #win #giveaway #shoutouttoeatout


2. Enter Chili's Shout out to eat out for another chance to win (US residents only) go Here (leave me a comment telling me you entered and who you want to take with you)

3.  Post this giveaway on your blog (leave me a comment with your blog URL)

4.  Add my button to your blog (Leave me a comment with your blog URL)

Good Luck..  You may do all or some of the above to enter.  I will contact the winner by email and twitter.

*disclaimer: Chili's provided me with a $20 gift card to use for myself along with one for this giveaway.  However all opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Fresh Air Fund--helping inner city kids

Whether you are looking for a charity to give to this holiday season or want to learn more about helping inner city children by donating to a program that helps them get participate in programs and camps they otherwise would not be able to attend.  

Help give kids a brighter tomorrow with Fresh Air Fund 

Please take a moment to click on the above link and pass it along if you believe all kids no matter their socioeconomic status deserves a brighter future.

Thanks :)

Angela

Wordless Wednesday -- Making Thanksgiving Dinner

My first giveawy coming soon!

YAY I am so happy to announce my FIRST ever giveway coming soon!!!

Chili's contacted me and I am able to give away a $20 gift card.. PERFECT stocking stuffer!

Stay tuned..  I'll be doing a review for them soon and holding the giveaway.

Happy Tuesday all..

Angela

Wordless Wednesday-Fieldtrip

Importance of Early Childhood education

Recently I was contacted by Emily Patterson, she asked me to review this article and post it on my blog if I agree.  Although I agree with us mothers raising our own children, I believe that pre-school age children benefit from a pre-school type setting.  They are expected to know so much going into Kindergarten these days and I also believe it helps them be able to socialize and follow basic rules of school.  Thank you Emily for this article.

Early Childhood Education – Certified Early Childhood Education Fills the Gaps

If you have the ability to stay at home with your children, you truly are among very fortunate. With thirty years of economic policies that have decimated the middle class, the majority of American households today require two incomes, meaning that young children must usually be relegated to child care facilities or preschools.

Those who are fortunate enough to stay at home to raise their children naturally wish to take full advantage of this opportunity by attempting to give their children a head start on learning; reading to them, engaging in educational play activities, and socializing them so they're ready for schooling. Unfortunately, very few parents can do it all.

This is where young children can greatly benefit from attendance a certified preschool, operated by trained, certified early childhood educators. The experience of learning in a school setting during the early years can be a valuable supplement to a child's experience at a time when the brain is being shaped and developed.

SPICE

While the parent-child relationship and daily interactions are of course help to develop a child, scientific methodology has an important place as well. This is where trained, certified early childhood educators can "fill the gaps" when it comes to a young child's development. For example, were you as a parent aware that there are five equally important areas of a young child's development? These are summed up by the acronym, "SPICE" – Social, Physical, Intellectual, Creative and Emotional.

Social development relates to the way a child interacts with others and functions in a group setting.  While it is clearly important for those coming from a home where they are an only child, it is still important for those with siblings. The importance of socialization in a structured environment becomes apparent during this early age.

Physical development refers to building motor skills, from the gross movements (such as walking and running) to the fine (including holding a writing utensil).

Intellectual development is achieved through structured play, and of course means development of language and math skills as well as the child's innate sense of curiosity and wonder; Intellectual development is central to success in school later on.

Creativity is the foundation of self-expression and problem solving. This development addresses artistic talents in visual arts, music, storytelling and even theatrics.

Emotional development is at the center of a child getting a sense of self, including self confidence and the discipline to deal with one's own emotional responses.  Of course leading as well to the functioning in society later in life.

The Professional Advantage

It is likely that most parents are aware of these developmental domains on an instinctive level. However, certified preschool educators are trained in the scientific theory and methodology that can make the difference between a child succeeding – and succeeding brilliantly.

Co-written by Emily Patterson and Kathleen Thomas

Emily and Kathleen are Communications Coordinators for the network of Austin child care facilities belonging to the AdvancED® accredited family of Primrose educational child care schools.  Primrose Schools are located in 16 states throughout the U.S. and are dedicated to delivering progressive, early childhood, Balanced Learning® curriculum throughout their preschools.

Menu Plan Monday

My goal is no leftovers Mon-Wed!

Monday: Pasta Carbonara (Hubby asked me to make this for his potluck tomorrow so I'm going to make it for dinner as well)

Tuesday: Sandwiches, soup (I am going on a field trip with K all day so dinner is easy peasy tonight)

Wednesday: Clam Chowder

Thursday: TURKEY DINNER!!

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Leftovers

Sunday: Turkey pot pie ( may make this Saturday and have leftovers Sunday)

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Angela

What is your favorite Thanksgiving memory?

Thanksgiving is a time of thankfulness, and family and FOOD... :)  Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year.  Today I was thinking about memories I have had as a kid.  I have a couple favorite memories:

1. it was always my job to cut and take the seeds out of the grapes (for this apple salad my mom always made AKA Waldorf salad).

2. Once year we some how got a projector (yeah remember those) and got Mary Poppins on film and watched that.

What are your favorite Thanksgiving Memories?

Wordless Wednesday--FALL

My recipe is Featured

I am honored to announce that I received my very first blog feature today!  Head over to Chic Style Modern to see it, it is my new favorite recipe, Orange Potatoes.

Free Family Fun--become a tourist

The weekend is here, if you are like me you are beginning to wonder what you are going to do to entertain the kiddos this weekend, but you don't want to spend money since the holiday's are coming up and you need to buy gifts, extra food, even plane tickets or gas for travel if you are one of the lucky ones that gets to visit family in another state or country this holiday season.

I suggest you do what we are doing this weekend.  Become a tourist in your own town.  Go to your town (or the nearest town to you if you are a country bumpkin :) ) tourist website and explore.  Take a walking tour of old homes, free museums no matter how small, go downtown and walk along and look at all of the shops, visit a military museum in honor of Veteran's day this week.  There are many things to do that you may not have done or haven't done in a long time.

We, however, are lucky enough to live in a state that is rich in history and history is one of my favorite subjects :)

Enjoy your weekend... and if you do decide to become a tourist in your own town let me know how it goes :)  I'll post pics next week.

Angela

Harris Teeter super double and Bloom BOGO shopping trips

I had a couple pretty successful shopping trips:

Harris Teeter:

You can't see all of my veggies, they were 10/$10 I got 10 and one was free (I had a $.50 coupon)
The Juniper Berries (we have been searching for them for weeks) were $6.49 OUCH!
The coffee ended up being $3.75 after my $1 coupon (doubled to $2)
Coffee Mate-FREE
4 glade holiday candles-FREE
 2 Kotex liners-FREE
4 cream of mushroom soup 4/$3 (had a $1.50/3 coupon)-FREE
Goldfish-$.89 ($1.99 before $.55 coupon doubled to $1.10)
2 Carbona Carpet cleaner-before coupon $8.50 for both, I have 2 $1.50 coupons for $6.00 in coupons=$2.50 for 2 or $1.25 each!!!

Total OOP: $27.58

Total coupon savings: $41.97!!!!
total VIC savings: $18.72

BLOOM:

Bloom had BOGO on some things I needed!
Swanson Chicken broth can-4/$2.16 or $.54 each
Arm&Hammer laundry detergent for HE machine (50 oz)-4/$10.96 (2/5.48) or $2.74 each
Borden cheese singles-2/$4 plus FREE dozen large eggs!
Grapes $.99 pd
Pinapple chunks-$.69 ea

Total OOP: $21.73
total savings: $20.42

How did you do today?


Thanks to The Coupon Challenge for the match ups!!!

frugal and toxic free

Recently I have been looking for ways to save more money.  Not that we spend a lot now, I just would like to save more money. If I can make something that does just as good of a job as something you buy in the store then when I buy it, I feel like I am wasting money.

Another upside to making your own cleaning products, they are chemical free and non-toxic to your family and the environment.

I have decided to make my own Laundry detergent, Dishwashing soap and rinse aid and I am trying out a spray air freshener.  Not that we need an air freshener, but from time to time, say when we cook fish or something like that, there is an odor.

I have been using water/vinegar solution for years to clean mirrors and windows.

Do you make your own cleaning products?
What are your favorites?

What else do you do to live frugally and environmentally savvy?


~Angela

7 nights of dinner done! Freezer cooking pics and recipes

Whew I just finished making my freezer meals.  It took me almost 2 hours, including kitchen clean up.

Here is what I made:
Chicken and Chive Dumplings

This made 3 nights worth of meals for my family.  I stored it in smaller batches.

Recipe Here

I omitted the celery and carrots, my family does not like cooked celery and carrots.  I'll make a veggie to go along side or a salad when we have (we may have tonight)

Meal 2:
Spanish Chicken and Rice

I only made 1/2 the recipe, this will feed my family 2 nights at least.

Recipe Here

I used a little extra liquid (chicken stock) so it won't dry out when I re-heat it.  I'll make a veggie or salad to go with this or maybe some home made bread.

Meal 3:
Shepherds Pie

I made one batch of this as well.  It will feed my family 2 nights.  You can put whatever veggies in this you want.  I chose broccoli because it's very hard to get my 10 year old to eat broccoli when it's mixed in stuff it's easier to get her to eat it..

Recipe:
5 idaho potatoes
2 tbsp of butter/ margarine
1/2-1 cup of warm milk
1 pd ground meat (I used turkey)
1/4 cup flour
1 tbsp ground ginger, paprika, chili powder, or cumin (you get the picture a combo of them or just one or two, taco seasoning may be good as well)
1/2 onion
frozen veggies of your choice
salt and pepper
olive oil

Prepare mashed potatoes the way you normally do using the potatoes, butter, milk, salt and pepper.
brown the meat, in a skillet with some Olive Oil, when its brown add the flower and seasoning and salt and pepper mix together, cook about 30 seconds.  Add water, cook until thickened.
Transfer meat into a dish
In the same pan you cooked the meat, add more olive oil and cook onions until caramalized, add the frozen veggies.. cook until the veggies begin to cook.  Pour over meat.
Last add your mashed potatoes on  top and smooth out, cover with foil and freeze.

To heat, let thaw for about 30 min to an hour, pre heat oven to 350 and bake uncovered until the potatoes start to brown about 40 min if completely thawed longer if not.

My family has not yet tried any of these freezer meals.  I will let you know how we like them after we do.

If you have a favorite freezer meal please share.  I am always looking for new meal ideas.  I love freezer meals because it's pretty much all ready for you and clean up is easy and no preparation!  Also it stretches the dollar a bit more.

Have a great Week...

~Angela

Been busy

WOW has it really been over a month since I've last blogged?!

WOW!!

Things have been so busy around here.

Where do I begin?

Well my hubby had a close friend pass away that was a crazy couple of weeks.
We have been getting ready for Halloween, school pictures, hostesing a party for a friend, getting new furniture, I've been running a lot, up until last week when I took it easy because of my knee, which still is bothering me :(

WELL... Halloween is over I hope everyone had a happy and safe day :)

Here are a few pics from our neck of the woods...

Why do you do this to me?

can I have 1 more? 

 No, I said ONLY 2 it's bedtime!