Honey I Shrank Our Spending!

I've got lots of great new ideas posted on my other blog, Honey, I Shrank Our Spending. Come see lots of freebies and great hoilday gift ideas that won't break your budget!

Book Review St. Patrick's Day Murder

St. Patrick's Day Murder written by Leslie Meier is the 13th book in the Lucy Stone Mystery series. I have read everyone of these books and really enjoy them! They are really a quick read. Each book starts off with a murder of some kind. Lucy Stone who is a writer for the local newspaper usually helps solve the mystery as to why someone died. This book has an Irish theme as it relates to the St. Patrick's theme. The local bar owner is found dead in the harbor. His brother comes to visit from Ireland and to direct a play at a local church. The play is also a St. Patrick's theme. When the director comes up dead too, Lucy begins to find several clues leading to the capture of the killer. The book is really a fun read and much like her other novels. I can't wait for the next one to come out!

Nicholas' 9th Birthday

Tasty Thursday-Green Bean Casserole

Green Bean Casserole (It's more like a stuffing)
1 can French style green beans
1 box Stove Top Stuffing(don't add anything to it)
1 can 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup
Mix all ingredients and place in an 8 X 8 pan Cook in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.
9 Weight Watcher points for the whole pan.
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Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!
See more Tasty Thursday recipes here.

Book Review-When The Soul Mends

When the Soul Mends by Cindy Woodsmall is the 3rd book in the Sisters of the Quilt series. The series is about an Amish girl who gets raped and no one believes her and she ends up leaving the Amish community. In the 3rd book, she goes back to her Amish community to mend the problems she left behind. A great series! If you like Beverly Lewis and Wanda Brunstetter you will love these books!

Honey I Shrank Our Spending!

I have not seemed to get much traffic on my new blog. Thought I would remind all of my followers of this blog about my frugal blog. I have a lot of new post about saving money and great deals, coupons etc. Come visit me at Honey I Shrank Our Spending!

I am also now the Frugal Mommy writer for Busy Mommy. You should come visit it is a great website with a wealth of information!

Book Review -The Outsider

It's been a long time since I have done a book review. My reading has been slow. I am in the mood to read now, I don't know if it is colder weather or what, but I am interested! I hope to do more reviews soon. So Stay posted!

The Outsider by Ann Gabhart is a book set in Kentucky at a Shaker village. The main character was brought to the village after her mother decided to join the Shakers and it is all of the world that the young girl knows until a fire happens at the village and she meets a doctor. From that time on she begins to doubt her Shaker beliefs. This is a love story.
I really enjoyed this book. I seem to like to read about the Amish and this one fits right in there with learning about a different religion. It was interesting to see how the Shakers lived and their beliefs and struggles. This book reminded me of The Believers by Janice Holt Giles, which I also enjoyed!

Lorie's Frugal Idea Notebook 11/18

My Frugal Idea Notebook is where I store all the ideas I get from other blogs on the web to help me stay frugal. This week I am focusing on Cheap Christmas Gift Ideas and I found some really neat ones on the topic!

1. $5 Cake Mix Basket from The Grocery Cart Challenge (I want to make a few of these!)

2. Last Minute Gift Cards from Buzzings of a Queen Bee (I'm always needing a quick card too!)

3. A Romantic Frugal Gift from Betty Beguiles (I want to do this with my husband!)

4. Gifts your kids can make from One Krusty Mama (My kids would love to make these!)

5. Homemade Sugar Scrubs from Thrifty Jinxy (I know a lot of women who would love this!)

6. No Sew Fleece Blankets from Mom on the Go (Cheap if you have some extra fabric on hand.)

7. Giving to Charity from "Cents"able Mamma (I like to give during the holidays, here's a way that won't cost much.)

8. Using Bowls as Gift Baskets from Wildwood Mama (I have seen these on clearance and never thought about that use!)

9. Cheap Family Christmas Gifts from Curves with Attitude (I love this idea of involving your whole family!)

10. Leaf Candle from Generation Cedar (This looks like a fun project!)

11. Free Stocking Stuffers from Are We There Yet?

12. Christmas Gift Basket Ideas from Frugal Ideas From the Parsonage (This is alot like what I am doing this year!)

Halloween

Menu Plan Monday Nov 3rd-7th

Well, it's been awhile since I have planned my menu for the week. I know that planning is so important and could be one of the reasons I have not been doing as well lately! So, here I am back in full force to get back on the menu planning wagon! Fall is here so that means lots of great soups for me! Comfort food!

Breakfast

Oatmeal, fruit, hot herbal tea (3 days)

Low fat waffles and fruit, hot herbal tea (2 days)

Omelets, fruit, hot herbal tea

Scrambled Eggs, hot herbal tea

Lunches

Refried Bean Soup (2 days)

Cheesy Vegetable Soup (2 days)

Leftovers
Tuna Salad with fruit
sandwich, fruit
Dinners
Doritos Casserole, salad
Crockpot Potato Soup, Jiffy Cornbread
Easy 1 pt Chili, Cornbread
Pizza, salad
Scrambled eggs, sausage links, biscuits
Chicken Corn Chowder, garlic toast
Spaghetti Casserole Bake, salad
Desserts/Snacks
Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies (I'm making Chips Ahoy Dessert with them!)
Wendy's No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Chex Party Mix
Fat Free Rice Krispie Treats
98% Fat Free Microwave Popcorn

Go here to see more plans.

Menu Plan Monday September 8-14

This week, I am going to start something new. I am going to have a soup and sandwiches night and a breakfast dinner every week. These are two really cheap meals to help keep the cost down. So, I am going to be trying some new soups! Come back for the recipes as I make them and post them throughout the week. I am still doing Weight Watchers Flex plan!
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Dinners
Spaghetti Casserole Bake, salad
Soup (Cheesy Vegetable) and Sandwiches, Yum Yum Muffins
Corn Dog Casserole, salad, Chips Ahoy Dessert
Breakfast Dinner, fruit
Pizza Cups, salad, Quick Zucchini Bread
Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, salad, Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Stovetop Meatloaf Muffins, green beans, mashed potatoes, rolls, Fat Free Rice Krispie Treats

Breakfast
Waffles, fruit, yogurt
Baked Sugar Doughnuts, fruit
Chocolate Chip Pancakes, fruit
Omelets, fruit
Eggs, Biscuits, sausage links
Cereal, yogurt, fruit
Waffles, fruit

Lunch
BLT Sandwiches, fruit
Leftover Pasta Bake, salad
Broccoli Soup
Sandwich and fruit
BLT Sandwich, fruit
Find What You can (hopefully leftovers)
FF Hot Dogs, tater tots, corn
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Go here to see more plans.

First Day Preschool

First Day of Preschool, NOT

Well the twins were suppose to start preschool today. So, yesterday, I spent most of the day going to doctors' appointments. In Kentucky, a child must have a physical exam, got to the dentist and the eye doctor. I also had a WIC appointment. I got home a little later than usual 10 minutes and I knew my son would be waiting on me. He rides the bus home. Something told me last week to talk to him about what to do if I was not at home when he got here. We talked about it, but I have NEVER not been here, so I thought it pretty strange to need to talk to him about what to do. It was not even a week later and this came up. So, I am glad I listened and talked to him about what to do. The problem was school let out early because of a flood. Well the buildings roof caved in from the excessive rain we were having and they let out school early, so he had been here more like 45 minutes instead of 15! I felt really bad because it was pouring the rain! Nicholas is going to 9 in November and I think I am going to go ahead and get him a house key made because should that happen again, which I have no plans for it to happen again, but if it does at least he will not be in the rain! My twins go to preschool in the same school as my older son and today was suppose to be the first day of school, but since the school is in such bad shape they have closed for the rest of the week. My twins are so upset! They have been waiting a long time for school to start and they were looking forward to today. I was also looking forward to today. I would only have one child home and thought that would give me more of a chance to do the things that I have not been able to do with all of the kids home. Oh and on a side note, the twins are pretty much potty trained! I have been trying since they were about 2 1/2 and have had no luck. I told them if the went to the potty they would get to go to school like there big brother and that was all it took! Except maybe for some suckers. We went to transition day on Tuesday and they both went all day without any accidents! We have been accident free for 3 days! I am so proud of them! I know they are excited to go to school and while I am not excited to see them leave me. I am glad that they get the chance to go for 3 hours a day, 4 days a week to have fun and learn and be around other children! I will miss them, but I know they will have lots of FUN!

Tackle It Tuesday, a little late!

Yesterday was the twins transition day at Head Start, so I was really busy and I forgot to post this last night. Sorry, for the delay! I have decided while the twins are in Head Start which starts Thursday, I am going to work on some projects. I started this week by cleaning an area in my kitchen. My kitchen has NO storage. I mean it. So, I have to make the most of what I can. This is a shelf I bought and I also store some things on top of my deep freezer. The deep freezer was given to me and I LOVE having it! It was used out side and has a lot of rust looking spots on the outside, so I don't care to use it for storage on top, it covers up the bad looking parts! :) But, I have to get inside and when it gets like this, it is frustrating. The area seems to be a catch all because of the lack of storage so I have to keep on top of it and not let it get like this! Now it just looks so much better. Makes me feel better when I walk in the kitchen too! :) So, I'll see you next week for another Tackle It Tuesday project!

For more Tackles go to 5 Minutes For Mom!

Menu Plan Monday August 25-31

Here is my menu for this week. I am still doing Weight Watchers Flex! Come back during the week for recipes I try and on Wednesday for Watchin' What We Eat Wednesday at my Honey I Shrank Myself! blog, where people share healthier recipes!

Dinners
Monday-Bubble-up Pizza, salad, Chips Ahoy Dessert
Tuesday-Fat Free Hot Dogs, fries
Wednesday-Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, salad, Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thursday-Soup and sandwiches, Butterscotch Bars
Friday-Breakfast night! Scrambled eggs, biscuits, hashbrowns, "fried" apples
Saturday- Fish Fry at church I'm bringing Honey Bun Cake
Sunday-Chili, Cornbread

Breakfast
Monday-Cinnamon French Toast, fruit
Tuesday-Eat at Transition Headstart day with twins (Dh will eat Apple Struesel Muffins)
Wednesday-Baked Sugar Doughnuts, fruit
Thursday- Low fat waffles and fruit
Friday-Cereal, fruit, yogurt
Saturday-Cereal, fruit
Sunday-Cereal, fruit, yogurt
(I've gotten a lot of cereal for practically FREE lately so we are going to be eating that up!)

Lunch
Monday-Leftovers, apple
Tuesday- Eat at Transition day at Headstart with twins
Wednesday-BLT Sandwich, apple
Thursday-Light Bologna sandwich, baked chips, apple
Friday-Cheesy Veggie Soup
Saturday-whatever we can find!!lol
Sunday- Hot Dogs, fries

Snacks (DS is in school and needs snacks to take, it is so much cheaper to make my own!)Wendy's No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
Chex Party Mix
Fat Free Rice Krispie Treats
Butterscotch Bars
Low-Cal Chocolate Chip Granola Bars
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Go here to see more plans.

New Blog

I have started a new blog as I need to try to be more Thrifty. I got a CVS rewards card today so now I am trying to shrink my spending. Today I got FREE toothpaste, two tubes! I think it is really FUN. Come check out my new blog.
http://mommysdeals.blogspot.com/

Our visit to Granny's and Granddaddy's

We spent last week with my family. they live about 3 hours away from us and we really do not visit much. I went bymyself with the kids. I took them to my brother's house to swim. It was the twins first swimming experience in a pool over there head. My oldest got to work on swimming better too. I should really take them swimming more, but it is just so hard to do by myself with all four kids! Here are some pictures from the week.

The kids playing in Granny's pool with cousin.

Neil after eating Bluberry Pancakes!

Neil loved being driven around in this car!

Katie Sue!

Nathan!

First Day of School

Yesterday was my son's first day back to school. He is in the third grade. That is really hard for me to believe! We went to open house the night before and they gave away backpacks. DS took a picture because it he thought it was so neat. It was filled with school supplies. This is the first year they are allowing "regular" backpacks. They used to only be allowed to carry mesh or plastic see thru backpacks. Also, we ware not doing 4 day week school. That was a rumor going around although they did talk about it.

Making Time For the Important Things!

I was reading a blog that I read a lot the other day. She had a story on there that really hit me and I wanted to share it with all my readers. She was talking about her pastor's sermon on Sunday. He got up there and in the middle of a sentence, this guy come in who was trying to run in a race and he had a heavy backpack on. The pastor asked him if he could help him and the runner told him that he was trying to run a race but he could not run because he was too weighed down. The pastor asked him what he was carrying and the man started getting stuff out of his backpack. He took out a cell phone, a laptop computer, several e-mails, a tv guide, and many more things. The pastor said I can see why you were so weighed down and could not get direction. This pastor told his congregation that a lot of the worldly things weigh us down and make it harder for us to get to where we are going. We spend so much time on worldly things that we forget about why we are really here and how important it is to spend time doing the "important" things. For example, prayer. We need to take the time in our lives to have personal prayer. That is our special time to talk to our father in heaven and ask for direction. How many of us say to ourselves, I don't have time for that? How are we going to find our way if we don't make time for it? Also, studying our scriptures is our time for our heavenly father to talk to us. He can help us find the direction that we need to go in our lives, but how many of us say we don't have time to study our scriptures, were just too busy. What are we so busy with that we don't take the time to do this? Kids, our house, that's some of my excuses. But how many of us take the time to watch a certain tv show each week? Play a computer game? Read our e-mail? Update our blog? Surf the web? Take a lot of calls on our cell phone? The list could go on forever. We seem to make time for those things we want to do, why not make time to do those things we need to do to find our way in this world? I added a lot of my own thoughts here, but the girl who this story came from said her pastor gave each of them a challenge. He wanted them to give up one of those worldly things that was preventing them from doing the things they needed to do for one week to see how they felt. Personally, I think this is a GREAT idea. I know that when I make time for those important things in my life, and I haven't mentioned this but that includes spending time with family too, I feel so much better. So, starting next Monday, I am going to give up the computer for a week. So, what am I going to do instead? I am going to spend more time playing with my kids and I am going to spend more time talking to my father in heaven (prayer) and listening to my heavenly father talk to me (reading scriptures). My kids and I are also going to go and visit my parents for the week. It will be nice to take a break from blogging and the computer. After the week, I will come back and report on what else I got done and my feelings during that time. Do you want to join me?
Is there something you could give up for one week?

Neil, My Baby!

I have not posted much about my kids lately on here, so today I am going to focus on Neil, my baby. He is really growing up! I can't keep him in the playpen at all to go do something, even take a shower because he climbs right out! I do not think it will be long before he climbs out of his crib. That makes me sad because he is only 17 months. I hope he would stay in his crib until he was at least 2! He also does not want to keep his clothes on. He takes his clothes off and puts his pants on his head. He is also sucking his tongue when he is tired, just like his brother Nathan did. He really is quit the character!