Saturday, July 31, 2010

All Tucked In


When I saw this in S's bed this morning, I just smiled. She had tucked her webkinz in using little washcloths for their blankets.


I just love seeing creative play in my kids. These days, I am trying to take notice of the little things and drink in the joys of having little ones. I know that too soon the playing days will be gone....and that makes me sad. Why can't they stay little forever?

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Beautiful Pantry Link

I came across this gorgeous pantry and just had to share it with you. I want our new pantry to look this beautiful....I just love everything about it!


Jump on over to House of Smith's for more beautiful pictures and to see exactly how she did this pantry makeover.

Monday, July 26, 2010

School Calendar

School is quickly approaching so I have started preparing for the new year. Remember the storage boxes for supplies?

My new fun find is this cute calendar for our bulletin board. I love the polka dots. The monthly header has a different color behind the name along with the theme of the month.  I found it at Michael's for $13. I used my 50% off coupon and got it for $6.50. I love a good deal!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

At the Foot of the Cross

At the Foot of the Cross
Kathryn Scott

At the foot of the cross
Where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me Your love
Through the judgment You received

And You've won my heart
Yes You've won my heart
Now I can

Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross
Where I am made complete
You have given me life
Through the death You bore for me

And You've won my heart

Yes You've won my heart
Now I can

Trade these ashes in for beauty
And wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy
I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross

I'm laying every burden down
I'm laying every burden down

Friday, July 23, 2010

Miss Priss

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Simple Monogramed Project

E found this great brown houndstooth paper at Michael's for 20 cents. We grabbed a couple of sheets knowing we would find some way to use them in her room.


Here is what we came up with.



I found the frame at Ross a few months ago for $2.99. It was the last one or I would have gotten more!

E made her monogram using MS Word and printed it out. She then simply centered it and taped it onto the houndstooth paper. Then inserted it into the frame.

Simple, cheap, and cute. What more could you ask for!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

End of Summer Deals

 E and I were out early Saturday morning and we stopped by Tar-jay to see if they had further reduced their summer items. Sure enough, everything was now 75% off!

We bought a few Picnic Blankets  for $3.24 each

and Table cloths for $2.24

and these Beverage Tubs for $3.24 each.

I bought all they had left because they are SO versatile. There were only 4 blues ones left. I really wish they had a red one, but for that price how can you be picky?

I am using one right now to hold all of our beach towels. I also plan to use one to hold towels in B's bathroom at the new house. (That is why I wanted a red one to use as an accent color!)

Speaking of beach towels, I bought a few more because they were only $2.24! You can never have enough beach towels that is for sure....especially at that price!!!!

There were a few other things I bought that I will show you later in the week. If you can, go visit your local Tar-jay and check out their summer clearance!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Homeschool Storage


I found these colorful photo boxes at M*ch*el's and they work great for storing all our homeschool supplies.


The best part is they are cheap. I got them on sale last week for $1.66!


What do you use to store craft or homeschool supplies?

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Friends

There is nothing like spending the day with a friend.

E and her friend, R

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

M's Sleepover

M is having her first sleepover tonight.


They are BOTH so EXCITED!!!!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Great Deals


We found several great deals at L*we's over the weekend. I shared them over on Our Home blog, where I am documenting our journey to our new house.

Go check it out here and here and here.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Tomato Soup

My friend Deana is out of town so Connie and I have been tending to her garden. She told us to "help ourselves" and  begged us to "please" come pick tomatoes while they were gone. SO that is what we did! The first day we got FOUR 5 gallon buckets full of tomatoes!!!


We canned 14 qt size jars of regular tomatoes.


With the remaining tomatoes, we made this delicious soup .....

photo courtesy of Wellness Dining


....and canned it. This is going to be an extra special treat come winter!!!




Here is the recipe:
1 med onion, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 bay leaf
1 garlic clove
2 pkts stevia (2 tsp sugar)
1 TBS parsley
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
¼ tsp onion salt
2 tsp soda
3 cups chicken stock
2 - (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes (approx 4 cups)
Milk or half and half (to taste) It is optional.

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan. Add onion , carrot, and bay leaf; cook over med heat. Cook about 5 minutes until vegetables are soft. Add garlic and cook 2 more minutes.

Add broth and tomatoes. Puree in blender.

Add stevia, parsley,salt, pepper, onion salt, and 2 tsp soda.

If serving immediately, add either milk, chicken stock, or half and half. Do not allow the soup to boil with the milk in it or else it may curdle.



Thursday, July 8, 2010

Canning Salsa


E and I are learning to can vegetables! It has been such a fun experience! It is not only learning something new that has been so great, but the fellowship (and working together) with friends as well! 


My friend Deana has a garden and she has so graciously shared her bounty with us. We went to our friend Connie's house to do the canning.


We canned salsa using her recipe here.

4 quarts (8 pints) jars chopped tomatoes

3/4 cup jalapeno peppers (either canned or fresh)
1 cup white vinegar
8 ounces canned green chili peppers
1 Tablespoon salt
1 cup chopped green onions (with tops)

We added cilantro this time and it was delicious!

Pulse in food processor being careful not to over do it!

photo courtesy of Connie

I can't wait to share what else we have been up too!!!!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

GW Books


My mom found this set of books for E at a local GW. They are in great shape and my mom only paid $4 for the boxed set!


We love finding books at the GW stores. I would say 99% of our books come from garage sales and thrift stores. I can not even imagine paying retail prices when I can get good books for 25 cents, 50 cents or even splurging and paying a dollar on them!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Silly Boy


Sunday, July 4, 2010

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July!

(Photos taken at our small town firework display.)





Saturday, July 3, 2010

Small Town Firework Display

Our small town had a firework display tonight. My mom and sister along with her family came to watch too. We had a great time piled up in the back of the trucks watching the beautiful display.







Thursday, July 1, 2010

Bucks for Books

S and B finished up their Bucks for Books program today. They did a fantastic job reading and writing reports on all 20 books. For their efforts, they will be rewarded $60.00 each!


They also made these posters for a chance to win cash prizes up to $100.00!


This is such a great program. If there is one in your area, be sure to check it out next summer!