Archive for » August, 2008 «

31
Aug 2008

A friend in need…

I have a friend from Joyful Abode who has a very gracious and loving heart, and as she was walking her dog the other night she came upon a stray.  She decided to take the stray home, give it food and water, and also bring it to the vet.  It’s skinny and has fleas and needs some TLC, but in order for her to take better care of this animal (and pay for vet fees) she needs assistance from us.

She is having a raffle on her site and for a few dollars, you could donate money and possibly win a crafty gift.  Or if you are just feeling generous and want to help out this pretty, sweet pup there is a donate button for such givings as well.  If you can’t at this time give money or partake in the raffle, please send this pup good thoughts, prayers, and energy for healing and strength.

Category: Day to day  One Comment
29
Aug 2008

Frugal Friday

My husband and I have decided to go napkin and paper towel free in the kitchen as one of our approaches to going green.  He broke out the sewing machine to make his own backpack last week, so I finally got the motivation to go to St. Vincent DePaul’s for the items I needed.  I bought a twin flat sheet that was light colored with pretty yellow and pink flowers (it matches my kitchen yellow), and that will become the napkins.  I have 10 cut and pinned but I need to buy a new sewing needle before I finish.

As for the paper towel, I will be cutting up a few old shirts that we never wear anymore and putting them in a drawer.  They will be our rags that will replace our paper towel.  Both of these will be easy to convert to – wash them, put them away, use them, put in hamper, repeat. :)

I also bought a picnic table cloth (the vinyl kind), so I could make reusable sandwich bags.  I got the idea from Michele, who shared this tutorial a few weeks ago.  These are also cut and pinned waiting for the sewing machine to be functional.

 Not only do I feel I am being frugal, but I’m also making less waste.  That’s a good thing!

For more frugal ideas, visit Biblical Womanhood.

Category: Frugal, Going Green  9 Comments
28
Aug 2008

Baby Goodies!

I ordered some Kate Quinn Organic baby clothes through a co-op (which saved me a pretty penny), and I received them today.  They are too cute not to share.  The yellow one is a sleep sacque, which has the cute little hand covers in case baby is a scratcher.  The wrap-like onesie I really wanted in chocolate with white lining, but it was out of stock in the newborn size.  I do like the combo this way though too.  Now I must find some baby legs or pants to match. :)   I don’t think Sprout will fit in that outfit long.  I also got a pack of washcloths, which I figured I would put in the bathroom (since it matches our colors) and they will be Sprout’s for bathtime.  They are so soft!

Now a picture for your enjoyment!

Category: Going Green, Pregnancy  3 Comments
27
Aug 2008

Like a McDonalds Vanilla Iced Coffee

I’m so glad Works for Me Wednesday is back!!

I haven’t been drinking a whole lot of coffee lately (and if I do it’s something decaf), but I ran across this copycat recipe of a McDonald’s Vanilla Iced Coffee and couldn’t resist sharing it.  I also can’t resist saving money or helping others save by making things at home.

You will need:

  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons cream
  • 1/3 cup milk of your choice
  • 2/3 cup coffee
  • ice
  • sweetener of your choice (sugar, splenda, agave, whatever…)

How to put it all together:

  • Make the coffee and set aside.
  • Combine other ingredients into a glass and mix well.
  • Pour coffee into glass.
  • Enjoy!
Category: Recipes, Works for me Wednesday  13 Comments
26
Aug 2008

St. Louis Recipe Swap

Have I mentioned here that I am also taking part in a new blog started by my friend Rebecca?!  Well, I am.  It’s the St. Louis Recipe Swap blog.  I know, I know – I’m no longer a resident of the St. Louis area, but I couldn’t pass up the chance to be involved (and I put in 4 1/2 years there.. it’s my second home).

 

I posted my first recipe there today.  I really hope that you’ll check out my apple pie recipe that I used for last night’s dessert because it was divine.  It was Fall Heaven! :)

Category: Meal Planning  One Comment
25
Aug 2008

Meal Plan Monday

 

Monday – Spicy greens with couscous (didn’t get to last week) and homemade apple pie for dessert

Tuesday – Hobo packets (also didn’t get to last week) with apple pie for dessert

Wednesday – Beef chowder (new recipe and it turned out to be yummy!!) with biscuits

Thursday – Spaghetti with garlic bread

Friday – Pizza biscuits with veggies and dip

Saturday – Veggie burgers with veggie kabobs (new recipes)

Sunday – Leftovers or free for all

 

For more meal plan ideas, visit Organizing Junkie.

Category: Meal Planning  3 Comments
22
Aug 2008

How to use up leftovers

 

As my DH and I were going through the fridge one day, we realized something about leftovers.  There were a lot in the fridge and a lot that I had gone bad.  It’s not that we don’t like the food that we had made and packed up to put away, usually we just forget it’s in there.

 

In order to use up our leftovers, if there a small amount (just enough for a snack) I pack it up and leave it out.  DH stays up late into the night working on the computer and our business and usually snacks.  Usually on something that’s not the most healthy – but now when I leave some leftovers out he’ll have those for his late night snack instead.

 

I’ve also been keeping better tabs on what is leftover in the fridge.  The other day we used up some leftover spaghetti sauce for lunch over rotini pasta.  We served it with cheese on top and some garlic toast.

 

When we put a little bit more thought into leftovers, they started disappearing! :)

 

For more Frugal Friday ideas visit here.

Category: Frugal  4 Comments
18
Aug 2008

Meal Plan Monday

 

Monday – “Elders” of the 4H Challenge club are putting on a dinner for us young’ins.

Tuesday – Veggie pot pie

Wednesday – Chili with homemade bread

Thursday – Hobo packs with apple crisp

Friday – Pizza biscuits or frozen pizza

Saturday – Scalloped potatoes with veggies from CSA

Sunday – Spicy greens over couscous

 

For more meal plan ideas visit The Organizing Junkie

Category: Meal Planning  Leave a Comment
13
Aug 2008

Big changes

There are a lot of things going on in our household.  We figure that if we are expecting a new baby that some things around here can’t lay dormant anymore.  The family room was in need of a huge face lift, and we finally had the money and the motivation to get moving on it.  Painting, new ceiling, all new lighting fixtures, new flooring, new trim, new curtains, and new rugs.  Whew!  We’re almost done, and we’ll be moving our things back in soon.

After that, we’ll be hitting decluttering mode full-force.  On my good days when I have more energy, which are becoming more and more, I have tackled some things.  I declutterd my kitchen, the dvds, some clothes, and my bookshelves.  That has amassed almost 200 items!  Some of my books I took to a book exchange where I got $35 in credit. :)   The other things will be headed to St. Vincent DePaul’s tomorrow.  Once I make room in my house, I believe that I will be blessed with newer and better things.  Things that I need, and things that I can consciously make choices about owning.

Not only that, but I am making room for a new life in our home and our family.  That makes me feel good! :)

Category: Day to day, Decluttering, remodeling  3 Comments
04
Aug 2008

Heartbeat!

We heard little Sprout’s heartbeat today.  Oh my goodness.. what an experience!  I almost teared up (as did DH), but instead I giggled out loud.  I was so relieved, amazed, and happy.  It was like a little schoolgirl giggle.  His/her heartrate is in the 150′s.  Strong and loud!

Category: Pregnancy  5 Comments
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