Playing with Cousins

Menu Plan Monday

Monday: Crock pot Night - vegetable beef soup, double-batch of homemade cornbread

Tuesday: Freezer Pleaser - Pizza Casserole, salad, garlic bread

Wednesday: Sandwiches - grilled cheese or maybe drive-thru dollar burgers

Thursday: Leftovers -

Friday: Family Night - homemade pizza & a movie

Saturday: Ashleigh's Birthday - Three Cheese & Spinach Tortellini, bread, birthday cake

Sunday: Breakfast for Dinner - sausage & egg burritos

Monday's Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY August 30, 2010. . .

Outside my window . . . . its cooling off for the evening.

I am thinking . . . that we had a really good first day of school! Much more peaceful and scheduled than I expected. I am thankful for . . . unexpected miracles.

From the learning rooms . . . I tried to make it a special first day. We fixed blueberry pancakes for breakfast. Took some "first day" pictures. Gave the kids each a pencil box filled with new crayons, pencils, pencil sharpeners, bubble gum, ...and then did some reviewing of past lessons so we can get back in the flow. Ashleigh is starting 2nd grade and Logan is Pre-K.

From the kitchen . . . got a crockppot started early this morning, full of vegetable beef soup and homemade cornbread.

I am wearing . . . gray sweat shorts and a black t shirt.

I am creating . . . a fun learning environment.

I am going . . . to work on my coupon binder and notes later.

I am reading . . . Educating the Wholehearted Child by Clay & Sally Clarkson. Absolutely love this book! Its very refreshing.

I am hoping. . .

I am hearing . . . Guy Fietti on the food network.

Around the house . . . I am happy to say, chores are done, toys are picked up, kitchen is cleaned and dishwasher is running. The kids did good with helping with their chores today.

One of my favorite things . . . my new soft, brown, rocking/recliner chair. I haven;t got to sit in it much, but savored the times I did.

A few plans for the rest of the week: staying focused on getting back into the swing of school, need to catch up on my blog writings, have a MOPS steering team meeting tomorrow night, and prepare for Ashleigh's 7th bday tea party on Saturday!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing . . . Keira's 1st birthday :)

What's On Your Nightstand?

That's my stack...now, what are you reading this month?

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We've ordered ours :)

Monday's Simple Woman's Daybook

For today ~ August 16th 2010

:: Outside my window . . . is a beautiful end-of-summer day! The sun is shining brightly but its only in the hi 80's instead of 105 like it has been!

:: I am thankful for . . . God's healing power. Praying for my little sister, who is having a crohn's flareup after 7 yrs of remission.

:: From the kitchen . . . .working up a batch of mock apple butter! Smells amazing, simmering on the stove.

:: I am wearing . . .sweat pant shorts and a cotton jersey that has been too small! So happy that it fits again :) And reminds me that football season is just around the corner.

:: I am creating . . .an organaized classroom/study...still, i know. Takes me forever to complete a project, what for all my little interuptions.

:: I am going . . . to really work towards getting Keira weaned in the next few weeks. Saddens me a little, but I think its time.

:: I am reading. . . Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz. Picked it up at the library, actually just getting ready to start it.

:: I am hoping. . . to get the carpets shampooed this evening.

:: Around the house . . . I have Ash & Logan working together on folding the basket of bath towels. They don't like it much....but someway, somehow, I WILL get them to get-along.

:: One of my favorite things . . . walking down the new school supplies aisle at the store :D

:: A few plans for the rest of the week: major house cleaning; writing; picnic at the park with the kids; starting back with our P90x workout program...we've slacked a bit this past week.

. :: Here is picture for thought I am sharing:

Works for Me Wednesday - Coupons!

I recently went to a three hour Coupon Workshop. I've always doubted that coupons would work for me...I could buy cheaper at Aldi's or with the walmart brand....etc, etc, etc...I always had some question, or reason, or doubt.


Until this workshop, that is.


When she explained how she could go to the grocery store, buy $200 worth of groceries and only spend $15 - $20, I knew it was something I seriously needed to check out.


I've been working on it the last couple of weeks. Clipping, putting together a binder, perusing the weekly ads, and coming up with different scenarios. There was just SO much information that night...very overwhelming! I have started putting it into practice and am slowly but surely getting the hang of it.


And you know what? Its SO. MUCH. FUN!


Here is one of my recent trips to Walgreens.

All this and only spent $5.03. I saved $61.34.....that's 92%!!!

I am no where near saving $180 yet, but I think I'm doing pretty darn good so far! And since taking this class, friends and family members are seeing some of the bargains and savings I'm getting and wanting me to teach them. I have had two one-on-one sessions so far. Have to type of some notes and stuff to email several that live far away. And have even had a group offer to pay me to come teach them! As well as my mother-in-law wanting me to teach her when she is here from Texas in a couple of weeks.

I'm amazed at the coupon craze that there seems to be out there. I dont know if I just didn't pay attention before or what. So many blogs and sites, tips, ad pre-viewers, you-name-it. It is apparently pretty cool to be a "frugal mom" :)

So I'm wondering...how many of YOU are couponers? Would you consider yourself a penny pinching mom or a coupon queen? I would love to know the blogs you read and get hot tips from.

Monday's Simple Woman's Daybook

For today ~ August 9th, 2010 (written earlier in the day)

:: Outside my window . . . the sun beats through in the afternoon for about an hour, so I have the blinds closed.

:: I am thankful for . . . a husband who was willing to cut short his day at work to come home and take care of the kids, so I could go to bed. Don't know if its a summer cold or what, but...I feel like dookie :(

:: From the kitchen . . . .leftovers from the weekend.

:: I am wearing . . .baggy shorts and a comfy tee.

:: I am creating . . .my coupon binder, with organized pages where I can itemize my coupons according to the grocery store's floor plan.

:: I am going . . . to finish working on our schoolroom (which I have deemed "The Study") this week. My mom came over last week and helped me box up "my" books and rearrange the furniture in our dining room. Now, to set up the shelves with all our educational & living books.

:: I am reading. . . through some coupon blogs.

:: I am hoping. . . for a restful nap and that I wake feeling better.

:: Around the house . . . husband just got home and took the kids out to play. Its quiet now...I'm blogging while I have the chance, before I crash.

:: One of my favorite things . . . homemade chicken noodle soup with fresh baked bread.

:: A few plans for the rest of the week: grocery shopping with coupons, meeting for a new project a couple friends and I are starting, babysitting, finishing the study, writing.

:: Here is picture for thought I am sharing: a whole new world has been opened up, now that the oldest knows how to read

Reluctant Entertainer

A blog that I love to frequent is the Reluctant Entertainer. I was so excited when I heard she had a new book coming out!!
It's such an inspiring blog...she gives ideas and encouragment for gracious hospitality. Sharing the love of Jesus without getting bogged down by our own limitations and imperfections. The Nester put it wonderfully when she described the new book as "Freeing words of wisdom about real entertaining for real people."


I need that. How about you? Freeing words. Because I know I struggle to be more hospitable, and to have friends over, just to connect and laugh and just be together. I stress over our over-crowded little townhouse...and the clutter that I never seem to get all picked up...and the laundry baskets waiting to be folded...and the dust that might be on my bookshelf...because I'm a busy, homeschooling mom of three under the age of 7.
People, women especially I think, crave relationships with REAL people. We don't have to have it all together to have people over.


I entered a giveaway for the book a couple weeks ago....and just found out...that I WON!!!
And what makes this even cooler, I took a spiritual gifts test at our MOPS Retreat this weekend, and according to that, my two top gifts are wisdom and hospitality.
So I know my heart is there, now to get my silly little perfectionist brain there.....