Blogging takes time, so does meal planning!

So much has happened in my life since I last posted...in November of 2013!  I really do want to start being more consistent with my blogging.  I have started a new job, which I love, and that has made my life so much better!  I no longer have to work in the evenings, being on call or making late home visits.  It is such a relief knowing that when I come home in the afternoons (at 3:00pm) I do not have to leave my family!  With that being said, I am going to become more vigilant about posting on my blog.

I have gotten off track with meals and have found myself going to the store more frequently than I should, maybe it is because I am home in the evenings?  I am not sure.  Having four kids and not planning out meals it not a good idea.  My goal is to not go to the grocery store more than once a week.  So here is the meals that I plan on serving my family this week:

Sunday:  Vacation Bible School will feed my gang/husband is working
Monday:  Vacation Bible School for kids/husband is working
Tuesday:  Vacation Bible School for kids/husband is working
Wednesday:  Potluck dinner at park, I am taking this: Crockpot Mac & Cheese
Thursday:  Loaded Nachos
Friday:  Breakfast Burritos with Sausage & Eggs, Cooked Apples
Saturday:  Grilled BBQ Chicken, Peas, Fresh Fruit

I might make some Thai Chicken in the crockpot, just so my husband will have something to eat for dinner, on the days he is working.

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Have you signed up for Red Robin Royalty?  If not, you should!  You can get a free burger on your birthday or a 10th item FREE!  Check it out:  https://royalty.redrobin.com/

Farmer's Markets

I must say that I have not been going to the Farmer's Market much over the past few years.  I went this past Saturday and found these plants for $2.00 each!  I'm so excited and hopeful that they will produce some tasty vegetables this summer.  Two days before the Farmer's Market, I had gone to the local supermarket and purchased three tomato plants, smaller than the ones I got at the Farmer's Market, for $4.49 each!  I couldn't believe how much cheaper the Farmer's Market was in regards to the plants.  I must say I'm excited to go back and see what they have next Saturday!

Want to find a Farmer's Market near you?  Check out http://www.farmersmarket.com/ 

50 cent Corn Dogs at Sonice on 5/23!

 

 

Stop by any Sonic location on Thursday, May 23, 2013, to get $0.50 Corn Dogs.

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Airing My Clean Laundry

 

As I begin 2013, I want to make a point to be more "Green."  One of the ways we have started to conserve energy is to hang our laundry.  We are doing so inside this winter and my hope is that i can continue doing this throughout the year.  My husband hung a shower curtain rod, from Lowes, in our laundry room.  We hang all of our pants, shirts, PJ's, and jackets in there to dry.  I sometimes fold the towels in half and hang them too.  If the rack is too full, I hang the towel over the corner of the door to dry.  Our clothes dry within 24 hours, so I can do about 1 to 2 loads a day. 

For the smaller items such as underwear and socks, we use a drying rack. 

My husband and I have cut our use of the dryer down from 6-10 loads each week to 1-2 loads.  We are saving lots of $$$ this way!  We also use only cold water in our washing machine, so that is also helping keep the cost of laundry down. 

The Best Ever Hot Chocolate

 

 

I came upon this recipe on the internet (cooks.com) one cold, winter's day as my children were playing outside in the snow.  We were out of hot chocolate packets from the store, so I thought to myself, "I'm going to make some from scratch!"  I was very pleased with the result.  I don't remember my mother's tasting like this as a child.  I remembered a watered down, coca drink!  My kids and husband thought it was the best they've ever had!  I hope you feel the same way once you try it!

 

The Best Ever Hot Chocolate Recipe:

 

1 Tbsp Coca Powder

2 Tbsp Sugar

2 Tbsp Water

1 Cups of Milk

1 tsp Vanilla

 

Mix the coca powder, sugar, and water together.  Heat over the stove for about one minute.  Whisk in the milk and vanilla.  Continue stirring occasionally until you have the desired temperature.  

 

Don't forget to add marshmallows to this wonderful hot chocolate!

 

This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for the amount of people you will be serving! 



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My Household Goals for 2013

Household Goals for 2013

January:  Finish Painting Foyer, Give 4 toys away, Save $300 for VACATION

February:  Paint Kitchen, Give 4 toys away, SAVE $600 for VACATUION

 

March:  Paint Dining Room, Give 4 toys away, SAVE $300 for VACATION

April:  Fence the yard, Give 4 toys away, Save $300 for VACATION

 

May:  Put in new door in family room, Plant Garden, Give 4 toys away, Save $300 for VACATION

 

June:  Buy Used Car, Mulch the front, Give 4 toys away, Save $300 for VACATION

July:  VACATION, Give 4 toys away

 

August:  Paint Office, Give 4 toys away, Save $100 for Christmas

 

September:  New Garage Doors/Paint Floor in Garage, Give 4 toys away, Save $100 for Christmas

October:  Take Wallpaper down and paint downstairs bathroom, Give 4 toys away, Save $100 for Christmas
 

November:  Carpet basement, Give 4 toys away, Save $100 for Christmas

 

December:  Save for Christmas!!! Give 4 toys away, Save $250 for After Christmas Sales

Happy New Year, Folks!



I hope 2012 has been good for you, as it has been for my family.  I'm looking forward to this new year and all the things we have planned!  I hope to blog more often, now that life seems to be settling a bit, so check back frequently! 

FREE JCPENNY HAIRCUTS CONTINUE!

JCPenney is bringing back the free hair cuts offer again, starting November 4th!

JCPenney received such great response to their Back-to-School Free Haircuts deal in August (they gave away 1.6 million hair cuts!) that they are bringing it back as a permanent promotion, on Sundays, starting November 4th. Just call your local JCPenney to make a hair appointment for your children (grades K – 6th).

You better believe I will be calling for my kids!  My children got great haircuts at our local JCPenny store this August.

French Toast Casserole

This is another wonderful recipe that I found on Pinterest.  I made this French Toast Casserole last Sunday and it was a hit!  This is very easy to make and your family will just love it!

Recipe taken from:  http://sheldonrachel.blogspot.com/2009/03/french-toast-bake.html

Ingredients:

1/2 cup melted butter (1 stick)
1 cup brown sugar
1 loaf Texas toast
4 eggs
1 1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
Powdered sugar for sprinkling

Directions:

 

1. Melt butter in microwave & add brown sugar, stir
2. Pour butter/sugar mix into bottom of 9 x 13 pan and coat the bottom of the pan
3. Beat eggs, milk, & vanilla
4. Lay single layer of Texas Toast in pan
5. Spoon 1/2 of egg mixture on bread layer
6. Add 2nd layer of Texas Toast
7. Spoon on remaining egg mixture
8. Cover & chill in fridge overnight
9. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes (covered for the first 30 minutes)
10. Sprinkle with powdered sugar
11. Serve with warm maple syrup, if desired. 

 

When serving, flip the french toast over so the brown sugar and butter are on top!  Enjoy!

Self Portrait

Looking for a great idea to entertain your kids on a rainy day?  Or maybe a quite activity for the older kids during nap time?  This was such a neat idea I found on my favorite website, Pinterest! 

Directions:  Have your child trace their hands and feet on the paper.  Then have the child draw in their body. 

My Alex is such a artist, don't you think?