Showing posts with label Frugal Living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Frugal Living. Show all posts

Monday, November 2, 2009

Before & After PARTAY!!!!!!!!!!

I promised and yes, I eventually deliver!!

I told you all about a little paintin' party fixin'-up Super Hubs & I took on, right?  Well..... HERE IT IS!!

I'll admit that most everyone is a better decorator than I.  But sometimes, just a few times, I really get it right.  And this time, I got it right.

A quick before:




Note the plain white backgrounds...





Kitchen area


Family Room


Kitchen



Our kitchenette office corner



Family Area

The gold color is Bungalow Gold and the darker color is Cayenne.  Both are from Valspar.  We did use the same primer for both, which was tinted with the gold color. 

Honestly, it is SO warm and inviting now!  I'm not sure if you can tell from the pictures but we have a very large open kitchen and family area.  The darker colors have helped to bring them together and it is very cozy. 

I did re-do the top of the entertainment center.  I just got the two vases, added some more greenery and dried arrangements.  I still don't like the clock next to the other round thing-y but it'll do for now.  And yes, I have a lot more decorating on the walls but it takes me FOREVER!  I hate to confess it but this is the first paint job in these rooms in SEVEN years!  It's been "custom builder rather flat off white" for years now folks....give me some time for those decorations huh?! 

I finally think I have a little something worthy of Sarah's Before & After Party over at Thrifty Decor Chick!  Join me and a bunch of other thrifty decorating chicks....just don't compare me with Sarah because that lady is a Decorating Goddess!! 




Monday, August 24, 2009

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday!



Hey y'all! What's cookin' this week?

As fall sets in at our house and the lazy days of summer come to an end, we start spending a bit more time making dinner. Most summer evenings we're looking for the grill or something quick. I get a little....just a little...more domesticated as fall comes around and start cooking more.

Tonite I made this lovely staple and wow, the boys just ate like there would not be another meal later! I was shocked because they finished their plates with zero complaints and not a morsel left. So whenever you have to get "back to basics", try this recipe. Works every time!!

MEATLOAF WITH FRIED ONIONS AND RANCH
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup ketchup
3/4 cup herb-seasoned dry bread stuffing mix
1/2 (1 ounce) package dry Ranch-style dressing mix
1 (6 ounce) can French-fried onions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, combine meat, eggs, ketchup, stuffing mix, ranch dressing mix and fried onions.
Shape into loaf and fit into 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.
Bake, covered loosely with foil, at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 50 to 60 minutes, or until meat is thoroughly cooked.

Enjoy this great meal and find lots of other goodies over at Blessed With Grace or Balancing Beauty & Bedlam.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Back to the Bloggin' World




Hello Friends!

I'm sorry for such sad notes last week and then a disappearance. The sadness lingers and is slowing ebbing it's grip off my heart.

For my friend, of course, it still envelopes her entire soul.

I find myself worried that it may never subside.

I know it will.

I trust that God will ease her pain. I trust that Our God will restore her spirit. With time. We have faith.

It is still, so very sad and so. very. difficult.

However, I've been tossed back into REAL LIFE.

UGH! I've picked up lots of hours to work. I've got a class syllabus and lectures to prep for. I've got homeschool planning to complete. And the boys are back into swim classes again next week. JEESH! I'm tired.

But I had to show you a little rehab that I hope to work on soon. Something to get me back into the groove. Whatever that is....


Here is another new project!



Aren't they positively tacky? Yes, they are.... So these will be part of a re-do as well.

As I get myself together this week...that is the plan, ya know?! IF I get it together, I'll have a reveal ready for you by the end of the week.

I got the spray paint just screamin' my name!!!

In the meantime, head on over to Rhoda at Southern Hospitality for more great treasures!!!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Thrifty Treasures



Gotta brag about some wonderful thrifty finds--other than the Veggie Tales movie!! Check these out!!

I love this little side table! Gonna paint it a creamy white and stress it out a bit. Come back and see it!

I'm SO excited! Look at this chalkboard I found for the boy's room. A fresh coat of chalkboard paint. The little container will be painted and home to fresh new chalk!

Got this tripod for a steal at $3! Hubs thinks he can use it and if not, it will resale easily.

For our lawn care! SH is still really giving me a hard time because I sold our last one in a yard sale because I didn't think we needed it....ummm...we need it! Not bad for $3.

These clothes for Big Boy? FREE!! WOOT!

Head on over to more great thrifty finds at Southern Hospitality! Good luck on your thrifty finds this week!

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Works for Me Wednesday


So I'm drawing a blank as to what Works For Me. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.


So I dug WAY.......BACK.......into the recesses of my mind.....you know the 41 year old, nearly demented one.....and figured maybe someone had not heard of this one yet.


I use vinegar for TONS of stuff. I love it. Loved it as a kid---though back then, I actually drank the stuff. I know....YIKES! But love that sour taste!!


So here are a few of my very favorite uses for vinegar.


--Forgot that you left wet laundry in the machine and it now smells moldy? Pour a few cups of white distilled vinegar in the machine and wash the clothes in hot water. Then run a normal cycle with detergent.

--Keep the steam iron clean and in good working order by getting rid of mineral deposits in steam vents and spray nozzles. Fill the water chamber with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and distilled water. Set it in an upright position and let it steam for about 5 minutes. When the iron is cool, rinse the tank with water, refill and shake water through the vents onto an old cloth. Test before using.

--Get cleaner laundry! Add about 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar to the last rinse. The acid in white distilled vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents. Besides removing soap, white distilled vinegar prevents yellowing, acts as a fabric softener and static cling reducer, and attacks mold and mildew.

--Make pasta less sticky and reduce some of its starch. Add just a dash of white distilled vinegar to the water as it cooks.

--Make onion odors disappear from your hands by rubbing with white distilled vinegar.

--To keep eggs from cracking when boiling add a tablespoon or two of white distilled vinegar to water.

--Kill weeds and grass growing in unwanted places by pouring full-strength white distilled vinegar on them. This works especially well in crevices and cracks of walkways and driveways.

--Preserve cut flowers and liven droopy ones by adding 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar to a quart of water in a vase.

--Remove berry stains on your hands by rubbing them with white distilled vinegar.

--Make your own scouring cleanser by combining 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent. Add just enough white distilled vinegar to give it a thick but creamy texture.

--Clean and deodorize a drain by pouring in 1 cup baking soda, then one cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let this sit for 5 minutes or so then run hot water down the drain.

--Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.

--Renew sponges and dishrags by placing them in just enough water to cover them. Then add 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar. Let them soak overnight.

--Kill germs all around the bathroom with a spray of full-strength white distilled vinegar. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

--To make the toilet bowl sparkle, pour in a cup or more of diluted white distilled vinegar and let it sit several hours or overnight. Scrub well with the toilet brush and flush.


And there really are tons more. In fact, while I was home and rifling through my mother's books, I found a terrific old book on the thousands of ways you can use vinegar. That kept me entertained for nearly a whole day! (I'm not always this exciting....really, folks.)


Hop on over to We Are That Family for more wonderful tips. Though probably not any other ones on vinegar. All that excitement is right here in this very exciting blog.


Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Use it up!


We're leaving on vacation soon. My WFMW tip is simple and makes sense.
Use Up What You Have!
Meaning, get rid of all the perishable foods in your fridge before you leave on vacation. It gives you a great opportunity to use up all that stuff that needs to be finished. It also means dinnertime will be, oh let's say, very interesting! Tonite we had fresh cucumber salad (Thanks Millie for the lovely cucumbers!) and a cheesy-pasta-ham-leftover rotisserie chicken-black olive-last remnants of the cheesy tortilla dip dish! It was delish if not interesting!!
We've got some fresh veggies such as cabbage, lettuce and tomatoes left to finish. And some cheese. And hamburger meat. It'll be some interesting casserole-type dishes for the next few days. It helps to make smaller portions too. I tend to always cook with leftovers in mind but I don't do that before we leave for any period of time.
We also really watch our spending prior to and after any vacation so this really gets us into the survival mode of our budget. It does not have to be pretty. It is functional to simply use up what you have so you have less spoilage and waste. Empty out that pantry too! This is one time that gives you perfect reason to use up any older items and get to the new stuff in your rotation.
That is what Works For Me friends! Now head on over to We Are That Family for more great WFMW tips!!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Chicken Quesadillas

We LOVE chicken quesadillas!! We have these little beauties just about every single week. It is one of our favorite, frugal and easy dinner menu items. Leftovers are wonderful as well! Enjoy these and then head on over to Blessed With Grace for a bunch more great summer recipes!



Chicken Quesadillas

1 cup shredded cooked chicken
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
2 (8 inch) flour tortillas
Ranch salad dressing
Salsa


In a bowl, combine chicken, onion, mozzarella and cheddar; set aside. Spray one side of each tortilla with nonstick cooking spray. Place tortilla greased side down on hot griddle. Place chicken on half of each tortilla. Fold over and cook over low for 1-2 minutes on each side of until tortilla is golden brown. Cut into wedges. Serve with dressing or salsa. I always put together a little salad on the side to go with.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Summer Fun!


Chrissie--a very artsy, talented Mommy--is have a great little blog party too!! She's lookin' for all sorts of summer fun for the kiddos. I've been posting a lot of ideas lately so if you wanna see what we're doing this summer, check out this or this or this.

Then head on over to in His Grace for lotsa other frugal and fun activities with the 'chillins'!!!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday!

Blessed with Grace

It's a crazy week my friends! Here is a quick TMTT recipe that is a classic in our family. Quick, easy, frugal and yummy! Enjoy!!


1 pkg. hot sausage, kielbasa or summer sausage
1 small onion
1 Tbs olive oil
1 pkg. yellow rice mixture

Cut up sausage or kielbasa into bite size pieces. Slice onion thin. Carmelize onion in olive oil. Add sausage. Brown onion and sausage together.

Cook rice according to package directions. We use the yellow rice in the Spainish section of the grocery store. Serve sausage and onions over rice. Yumm!!

Sorry for no picture friends. We ate it all! Have a great Tuesday and visit Grace's Mom for more TMTT recipes and goodies!!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Frugal Summer Activities!


So we're still hitting the Dave Ramsey program as hard as we can. And SH's hours have been cut a bit more and we're expecting a cut and possible lay-off in the fall (did I sound calm? Really? Cuz I'M. NOT!). So we're trying to conserve our resources and not spend a bunch of money this summer. So it's got me thinking of our favorite summer cheap-o activities! Here are our favs:

1. Family exercise: SH & I grab the racquetball racquets, some balls and take the kids to the nearest court. We get in some exercise and the boys chase balls for us. Sounds silly and yes, it's absolutely free! We all love it! We realize we've only got a bit more time before they figure out chasing balls is not their idea of summer fun---so we'll keep at it until they do. LOL! Other things we do are bike riding, running while the kids ride their bikes, shooting hoops and whatever else strikes our fancy. Sometimes we just head to the nearest playground and we adults play like the kids. It's great frugal fun! We love that it instills the value of health with the boys and we all enjoy it. The boys like it so much they often are the first to suggest "Exercise Time"!

2. Movies: Our local Cobb Theatre does free kids movies three days a week. We love that! They are older movies and often we've seen them but hey! They are not in our living room and they are FREE! They offer this all summer long and change the movies weekly. Check with your local theatre.

3. Sprinkler Fun! We don't have a pool yet. And probably won't for several more years because of the initial cost and the maintenance. So we pull out the hose and sprinkler head and the boys go to town! They still really enjoy running through the sprinkler and then taking the hose and "washing" the vehicles! I love it because I can sit in the shade and read AND get the cars washed. Great exchange!

4. Head to the Beach! I realize this isn't an option for everyone. We live in central Florida so the beaches are relatively close to us. It can be a pretty cheap day if we pack our lunch, snacks and drinks. Most of the time, we hit a beach with free parking. So our only expense is the fuel to get to our destination. It's fantastic and a HUGE reason we live in Florida! If you don't live near a beach, is there a park with a lake?

5. Board Games: Our boys are just now getting old enough to learn to play board games. And they are enjoying them. We'll take advantage of this cheap entertainment for as long as we can!

6. Pull out the X-Box: Not my idea of a great time but SH and the boys really enjoy it. After the initial expense, using it over time isn't really expensive. SH usually gets games second hand so he spends very little on those. Big Boy is getting rather good at racing cars. We try to find games suitable for them and if I have my way, throw in a little education too. So I prefer things that make the boys learn their colors or counting. I will say that I ROCK on Guitar Hero though!

7. Arts and Crafts:: I try to do a crafty project with the boys at least three times a week. They love play-doh, painting, sidewalk chalk, water play, drawing, mazes....I could go on and on.
(all photos courtesy of flickr.com)
8. Hit the Library Honestly, before last year, we never went to the library. Maybe once in a blue moon, so to speak. But now it is an absolute staple every week. The boys love story time. We hang out in the kid's area for a couple of hours, reading books, putting together puzzles. Then we leave with a whole lotta books, movies, and books-on-CD. This is truly one of our favorite weekly activities. OH! And we always stop to feed the geese and ducks at the lake across the street!

So there are a few of our favorite, VERY FRUGAL summer outings! It really Works for Me--spending time with the family without spending a lot of dough! What do you do on the cheap in the summer?

Head on over to We Are That Family for more great WFMW tips and see what everyone else is doing this summer!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday!!



This is one of my favorite recipes. We especially love these crumbled and added to a spinach salad and even yummier, greens and all the fixin's for a Tex Mex salad. They are really delicious and especially good for you. Did you know that black beans are full of fiber, which is essential in keeping your cholesterol in check? It helps in the bathroom too, if you know what I mean!?! They are excellent for keeping blood sugar levels level and make you feel fuller, longer. Also, they are one of the best foods providing a huge amount of your daily needs of folate. Folate is especially important for child-bearing women in the prevention of neural tube defects, such as Spina Bifida.

So go ahead and enjoy black beans in any form. This is our favorite and it may just become yours too!

Lolo's Black Bean, Seitan and Corn Burgers Pictures, Images and Photos
(photo courtesy of Photobucket.com)

Black Bean Burgers
1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces
1/2 onion, cut into wedges
3 cloves garlic, peeled
1 egg
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon cumin
1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce
1/2 cup bread crumbs
If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F, and lightly oil a baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.
In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.
In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.
Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.
If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

And just so you know, a fantastic substitute for making your own are these little beauties:


Head on over to Blessed With Grace for other Tempt My Tummy recipes!! And catch me at Blissfully Domestic as well!!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday--Fajitas!



Here is one of our favorite recipes that we just had last night. We used leftover steak because we needed to use it up but SH did let me know that chicken is the preferred meat. They are quick, easy, frugal and another of our favorites! Enjoy!

Fajitas
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 clove garlic, minced
1 dash hot pepper sauce
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into strips
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1/2 lemon, juiced

In a medium bowl, combine Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, chili powder, garlic and hot pepper sauce. Place chicken in sauce, and turn once to coat. Marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate for several hours.
Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add chicken strips to the pan, and saute for 5 minutes. Add the onion and green pepper, and saute another 3 minutes. Remove from heat, and sprinkle with lemon juice. I serve them with warm flour tortillas.

Head on over to Blessed with Grace for lots more yummy Tempt My Tummy goodies!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday



Hey! Head on over to my friend Lisa at Blessed With Grace for TONS of great recipes and yummy tempting treats. But first, here is my suggestion for a quick, frugal and oh-so-perfect mid-week dinner....quiche! I make quiche about once a week and usually, make an extra for the freezer. This week, we'll be adding in some great fresh broccoli, cheese and leftover Easter ham. I never know what I'll come up with...I just use whatever is on hand and quick. It's fantastic and you'll love it too!

Basic Quiche
1 prepared pie crust from your grocer's freezer section (you can certainly make your own as well but they are cheap either way)
4 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
1 cup milk (I sometimes use evaporated milk for a creamier version and a bit more frugal too!)
2 Tbs. flour (mix well w/ a bit of the milk to prevent lumps)

Beat eggs and add remaining ingredients. Mix well. Then you can add any of the following you like:

1 cup chopped veggies (we like broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, spinach, tri-color peppers)
1/2 cup shredded cheese (I use any and everything, whatever is on hand from Velveeta to swiss)
1/2 - 3/4 cup chopped meat (bacon, ham, hamburger, sausage, we've even used hot dogs!)

We usually add 1-2 veggies and cheese and not very often, meat. I adjust quantities if I'm using two different veggies and use 1/2 cup of one and 1/2 cup of another. It can get big very easily and you can easily stretch this into 2 quiches by adding ingredients. It all depends on your preference of ingredients. We often make this recipe to use up items that we don't have enough of for another full meal or are getting tired of it in some way. It is a great way to use up wilting veggies....they can be a bit older and soft and you won't notice. Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 40 minutes until center is set. If the edges brown too much, cover with a thin strip of foil.

So here you have one of our very favorite frugal dinners! We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!!

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Frugal Fabric Softener


I found a new way to extend the life of our fabric softener! SH doesn't mind saving money but he sure misses our clothes smelling really "perfume-y" (grad school failed me there.....! what is the correct term?!). So I'm gonna take this tip from Michelle Duggar of The Duggar Family on TLC--you know, the family with 18 kids! I am not the kind of woman to bear 18+ children---no way---but I do like her ideas on how to AFFORD 18+ children!

Fabric Softener-Extender
1 container of name-brand fabric softener
4 inexpensive sponges, cut in half

Pour a whole container of softener into a five-gallon bucket. Fill empty softener container with water twice (two parts water to one part softener). Add sponges to softener/water mixture. When ready to use, wring out extra mixture from one sponge and add to the dryer as you would a dryer sheet.

Excellent & Frugal! Love it!! Head on over to We Are That Family for more WFMW tips!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Tempt Your Tummy!


YUMM! Those that know me know that I LOVE to cook....and I love food! I'm just a recovering 4-H kid from Iowa really.....we all learned how to cook at the youngest of ages. Mine was 5, believe it or not. I remember standing on chairs that I would slide up to the counter area and help my mom cook and do dishes. I loved it. Still love it. Cook every day--even after working a 13-hour shift at the hospital. It helps me to unwind and honestly, it is where I feel most at home and most competent in this crazy world. So I'm jumping in on this carnival from Lisa over at Blessed With Grace. Here is one of my favorite comfort food, potluck, take-to-a-new-mama recipes that I just did for someone yesterday. Warning! It is not very waist-friendly, so I don't make it at home much. But everyone LOVES it!

Hash Brown Potato & Ham Casserole

3 Cups hash brown (grated) potatoes (either frozen/thawed or grated by hand)
1 1/2 Cups diced ham (for extra deep flavor, I will often use a leftover baked ham from Easter or another holiday--in a pinch I buy diced ham out of the deli area)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper (or to taste)
1 1/2 Cups grated cheddar cheese

Mix all together well in a large bowl. Spray a 9x9 square baking dish with non-stick spray. Layer hash brown mixture in pan. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30-40 minutes. You can sprinkle the top with more cheese toward the end if you like more cheese---and who doesn't want more cheese? Geesh!

That's it! Ultimate comfort food--and pretty cheap and frugal to make. Our boys gobble it up in no time and always ask for more. Enjoy all the other recipes over at Lisa's blog and Tempt Your Tummy!!

Thursday, March 26, 2009

I'm squealing like a girl!

AHH!! You've just GOT to see my fantastic find today!! AHHH!! Really....truly....I'm squealing like a girl. And I never squeal like a girl! Mainly because I'm not that girly most of the time. But I've really been trying to be a bit more girly. I think SH likes it. So.....check out my find:





Aren't they adorable??!!! And are you ready for the BEST part? Drumroll please........................they were exactly $4.00 for each pair!! The polka dot ones are Keds and the flowery ones are Skechers! Regular price was like $45! WOW!!! I'm not sure if I've every hit such a bargain!! And now, my friends, I'm a die-hard fan of Bealls. Can't beat it! LOVE IT! I get to be girly....I get to be girly....watch me dance in the living room.....I get to be girly!!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Debbie's Green Bags


I've never bought anything from one of those As Seen On TV ads. I never thought I would. Then my aunt told me about Debbie's Green Bags. All I can say is...WOW! They really work! I can keep green beans for well over a week! I keep bananas in them for several more days than we need...they get eaten pretty quickly in this house. I put all my fruits and veggies in them first thing when I bring them home. I've been known to keep something in there just to see how long it would last.....I remember it being like 3 weeks or something like that. And it was still edible!! So here ya go....my official As Seen on TV endorsement....Debbie's Green Bags. I didn't get mine from the website...I bought them at CVS or Wags or something like that. About $10 for several bags. And you can reuse them for quite awhile. This really WORKS FOR ME!!

Go ahead and hop on over to We Are That Family for more great WFMW tips!!!

Monday, March 16, 2009

We want Panpakes!!


That was the cry I heard much too early this morning. The boys absolutely love their panpakes (that would be our speak for pancakes...). And I make them as frugally as I can from a great recipe I got on my very favorite recipe site, www.allrecipes.com


Here is our favorite recipe for delicious panpakes:

Truck Stop Buttermilk Pancakes
5 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
6 tablespoons butter, melted
5 cups buttermilk
5 cups all-purpose flour
5 teaspoons baking powder
5 teaspoons baking soda
1 pinch salt (optional)
5 tablespoons sugar

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, butter and buttermilk. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and sugar; stir into the wet ingredients just until blended. Adjust the thickness of the batter to your liking by adding more flour or buttermilk if necessary.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and coat with cooking spray. Pour 1/4 cupfuls of batter onto the skillet, and cook until bubbles appear on the surface. Flip with a spatula, and cook until browned on the other side. Continue with remaining batter.

Here is the link for more great pictures and those delicious panpakes!

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Fruits of our Labor




Lookee what we did today!! My wonderful Aunt and I got together and made strawberry jam! YUM!! We are pretty no-nonsense about it....we simply use the recipe from the Sure-Jell package insert which gives super easy, simple directions to follow. Here in Florida, it is strawberry season and they are absolutely marvelous right now! So here you have it....for about $30 for strawberries, supplies and then 3 hours of our time, we put up 12 pints of jam, 12 half-pints (the jelly size jars) and several batches of strawberry puree for the freezer. We'll use the puree for smoothies, milkshakes and margaritas in the future! OH HOW YUMMY!!!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Crockpot kind of day


Today is a crockpot kind of day....There have been at least 1-2 people in the house that have been sick for the past week. And today is my turn. UGH! So in light of the lack of energy, the general blah! kinds of feelings and absolutely no desire to accomplish anything, I will resort to my one of my top favorite kitchen tools...the crockpot.

Not sure what I'm making yet but I'm quite certain it'll be from this site, http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/. I LOVE this site! We follow a relatively low-glycemic diet in this house. It just makes sense for us and I cannot tolerate too many carbs, especially white, refined carbs. So we generally stay away from them and eat a lot of beans and chicken, and I try to add as many veges as I can fit it. I have just about any kind of meat that I can use today. I have beans. I have some very yummy fresh green beans or some wonderful looking brussels sprouts that I could add into something too.

So I'm off to load up the crockpot and then back to bed to recover. See you tomorrow!