Here in the Hundred Acre Woods?

As I came home from running a few errands yesterday, Eric said to me (after stepping away from a weather screen on his computer), "You always know it's going to be bad when the National Weather Service says it's going to be 'blustery.'"

Eric said that makes him feel like we live in the Hundred Acre Woods.

He then went on to tell me the weather forecast for the next day, and then said that Monday night leading into Tuesday would be "blustery."

He then added, "Yeah, blustery, with a chance of heffalumps and woozels."

This will be my prayer for my life in 2008

Nicole from 60 Piggies just posted this, and it's right along the lines of what I think about often, although she expressed it much better than I could have.

I'm going to print it out as a reminder for 2008 and pray on it often that I have the strength to change instead of always just remaining the same.

Menu Plan Monday: December 31st Edition

Monday: lunch ---> Leftovers from Fajita Dinner (from Don Pablo's); dinner ---> Appetizers during New Year's Eve "party" (it's a very small party)

Tuesday: lunch ---> Not sure...probably just something we grab from the kitchen; dinner ---> Noah is making dinner tonight for us and Grandma and Papa! He will be making cheese pizzas and ice cream sandwiches for dessert

Wednesday: Garlic and Herb Steak with Mushroom Sauce (I made this at Dream Dinners)

Thursday: Pancakes

Friday: Spaghetti & Homemade Bread

Saturday: lunch ---> Steak Stir Fry; dinner ---> Food from Out

Sunday: Turkey (I need to make sure I start thawing it by Wednesday!)

Our Weekend of Freebies at the Store & Almost Free Meals

Had to share some of our freebies and almost freebies from this weekend!

First...our dinner last night: We received a $25 gift card to Don Pablo's for Christmas from Eric's boss. Along with that, we got a card that is for $5 off a $25 or more purchase (and you can use the card on five different occasions). So, we each got a dinner sized steak fajitas (we'll have them for leftovers tonight as well) and a large serving of the queso dip. With our $25 gift card plus the $5 off, we spent about $2.00 on our dinner. WooHoo! (A dinner that we'll actually eat for two dinners.) My pleasure at getting this meal for only $2.00 cinched my idea to just give gift cards to people next year for Christmas.

Okay...now to our lunch today: A few weeks ago, I signed up for the Lone Star Steak House E-club (scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up). When I initally signed up, I got a coupon for a free appetizer, but we didn't use it. But, then just before my birthday (yesterday), I got a certificate for a free entree up to $15! So, my parents were sweet enough to watch the kids, and Eric and I got lunch from out. Well...apparently they couldn't figure out how to put in the certificate. So, while it would have been a good savings anyway, they gave us both our meals for free, since we had both just had chicken sandwiches, our total between the two of us was actually under $15! WooHoo! So, we left our waitress a $3.00 tip because we were so pleased (not with her service, actually though, as we had not planned to tip well). But, hey -- it was a free meal, so why not spend $3.00 on the tip!

Our next two freebies were at Walmart, which we were able to run to before coming home (since my parents were nice enough to say, "Hey -- stay out for just a bit longer.").

I finally found a Polly Pocket toy that was less than $5.00 to be able to use this coupon for a free Polly Pocket toy. All the under $5.00 Polly Pocket toys had been out for weeks, but Walmart just marked down a set of sparkly cars with little Polly Pocket people in them from just under $10 down to $4.96. I could have used the coupon before on a toy that was more than $5, but I quite frankly only wanted one if I could get it for free. With the coupon, they should have just taken off $4.96, I think, but after the cashier and person above her chatted about it, they took off $5.00. So, I got the originally $10 toys and was paid $.04 to take it. (Little note here -- if you want to use that coupon, it expires TOMORROW. I had posted about it a few weeks ago, but wanted to link it again, in case anyone missed it and wanted to run out today or tomorrow anyway.)

Other freebie...Crystal at Money Saving Mom posted about the $1 off one coupon from Johnson's for their Buddies line of items. We use the Buddies soap with the kids sometimes ayway, so I was happy to print off the coupon and buy our $.96 bar of soap and get paid $.04 to take it. Here is the link to Crystal's posting about it, so you can follow her link to the coupon. (As I said though, she mentions CVS or Target because they have it on sale, but Walmart is $.96 on that particular item all the time.)

So...I'm psyched! Now...if I just hadn't spent all the other money that I spent at Walmart picking up things like diapers, wipes, food for New Years Eve, etc. That is the very reason why I seriously think I need to make a whole lot fewer trips to Walmart in 2008!

How to be a more holy family?

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family, and it's an important day to focus not only on the Holy Family, but also on what things we can do to be a more holy family.

One thing that Eric and I discussed last night was to add daily family prayer to our routine -- maybe shortly before bed time, just so we're sure that both he and I are home. We had previously wanted to do that, but let it fall by the wayside. Bad, I know. And, so we're going to be a little more intent on doing that this year. I think that I'll even add it to my Motivated Moms planner as a daily item -- maybe that will help.

As Fr. Dan focused on in his homily last night, part of the thing about being a more holy family is setting a good example for your children. (He was talking about going to Mass weekly -- which we already do, of course. And, then he was also talking about making sure that you are actually participating in the Mass, and not just sitting/standing silently during prayers, etc.)

So, while I'm not big on making new years resolutions, I can safely say that I am resolving to have more time for family prayer, and to try to be a good faith role model for my kids.

Motivated Moms -- Are You Ready?

Do you have your 2008 copy of Motivated Moms? I have mine, and I have already printed out most of January and have it on my clipboard.


The 2008 planner starts tomorrow!

Excellent Catholic Date Book/Planner

I have posted about these before, but what with it being the end of the year and all, and a time for people to start using new date books, I thought I would post a reminder of these wonderful planners for Catholic men, women, and students.

I have had a bad, bad habit of buying planners and just letting them sit, dusty and with blank pages, after about a month of good use. But, I'm happy to say that this has not been the case with this planner. I think I finally found the perfect fit for me. (Eric and I think it's because it is exactly the same size and general layout of the planners that were used at both my high school and college.)

So...if you need a good Catholic date book/planner, be sure to check them out!

Out of the mouths of babes...

I'm excited to have a new banner for the blog, but it also brings up an important confession that will be told through a very telling statement of Jack's.

We played Monopoly for the first time with the boys earlier this week. Jack had seen that I was the iron last time Eric and I played (after everyone went to sleep, but they came out for a peek), and so he declared that he wanted to be the iron this time.

"Sure thing, Jack," I replied.

"But, Mom," Jack began with uncertainty.

"Yes?"

"What's an iron?" He asked, with a quizzical look.

At this point, I will admit that Eric and I shot each other a look and had to laugh. I then had to explain what an iron was to Jack.

And, so to my confession...

I don't iron.

The banner graphic will just have to be indicative of the fact that I *do* do a lot of things around the house, but ironing is not one of them. We just don't iron in our house. (Well -- except when I have sewn something here, before giving away my junkie sewing machine.)

Perhaps the new banner will be an inspiration to actually do some ironing in 2008. Maybe.

Video Games Rot The Minds of Children

Seriously.

Noah got this game for Christmas, and it has been running on the computer for over four hours now.

Really...I must step away from this game and go to bed already. My mind has rotted and my arm hurts.

Hope You've Been on the Nice List This Year!

I'll be taking a bloggy break for a few days, in order to get ready to celebrate Christmas with my family. We have a busy couple of days ahead of us, but I'm hoping to take some time to really appreciate the true meaning of Christmas as well.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful and blessed Christmas. And, though we don't focus too much on Santa, I hope you have all been on the "Nice List" this year all the same. As a matter of fact, when Jack came home from school on Friday, he apparently (with the help of an adult doing face painting) made sure during their "holiday" party at school that there was no doubt as to which list he was on this year...

Merry Christmas! See you again mid-next week!

I know that this clip has been all over the blogs lately

But, I thought it was cute too. And, considering that I am a two time alum of Indiana University's biggest rival, I think it says that I really like the clip to put it on my blog. LOL

Because I'm clearly insane, that's why.

I haven't been sleeping well. We've all been sick in the house, ranging from sniffles to serious coughs. Eric finally broke down and saw the doctor last week, and I gave him a hard time.

"Well...that's nice that you're going to the doctor. I'm just going to tough it out," I said to him after he made his appointment.

Yes, I know. I am a very supportive wife, thanks for noticing.

But, after several more days, and my cough getting worse, my mother insisted that I also see a doctor. I have to admit, it was the first time I have ever had a doctor listen to my breathing and only listen for about half of a breath before looking at me like I was clearly insane for not coming in sooner, "You definitely have bronchitis, and then a sinus infection too." He did inquire if I had noticed that I was wheezing. Why yes, I had, actually, but I was toughing it out.

Funny though...this wasn't why I came to post. It was just the precursor to explain why I was sleeping downstairs last night in an upright position (so I could breath, of course, and not cough up one of my lungs).

I woke up at 4:30 this morning and actually felt pretty awake (after falling asleep around 12:30 am). I knew I was planning to get up at 6 am (yeah, right) to make 50 photo cards and put together teacher gifts. As I started to go upstairs I thought, "Well...that's dumb. Why don't I just do it while I'm awake now, and then go back to sleep when I'm done?"

So, at 4:30 am, I was putting together photo note cards and compiling teacher gifts. I also was going to make the boys' lunches, but then Eric was up for work and he made the lunches for me (just before 6 am).

The minute I heard Eric coming down the stairs to find me, I had to say (before he had a chance to accuse me of not having gone to bed yet) in one quick run on sentence (sans any type of verbal punctuation)...

"Good morning I have already been asleep but I woke up so now I'm working on teacher gifts before I go to sleep because it just seemed to make sense to do it now while I was awake anyway and also get the kids lunches ready and then I'll go back to bed for a while."

Or...I guess I could have really saved myself all the breath and said, "You know, Eric, CLEARLY -- I'm insane," and left it at that.

Huge Ribbon Sale -- the More You Buy, the More You Save...

There is a huge ribbon sale at my favorite online scrapbooking store! Go here for details!

(You can save up to 45% off the list price with this sale, so if you love ribbon, check it out!)

Works for Me Wednesday: Aprons, Aprons, Aprons!

I have been doing a lot of baking this Christmas season. Most of it has been for gift baskets that I have put together full of a variety of goodies, but also for a variety of other reasons. Today, I'm making more goodies -- this time as a surprise to the people in RCIA. We have our last meeting before Christmas tonight, and I'm the hospitality chick. So, I bring one sweet snack, one salty snack, and some soda to each meeting. (I do get reimbursed, though I don't always keep the receipts to turn in.) Anyway -- I decided that tonight, I would just whip up some goodies as a surprise Christmas "present" to everyone. (So, on the menu is some of the things from my goodie baskets: pine bark, cake dippers, chocolate dipped pretzels, puppy chow, a meat and cheese tray, a cheese ball and crackers, oh -- and then I picked up soda, of course.)

Anyway -- sorry to digress.

What works for me in all this baking and even in my daily cooking? APRONS! (Which, for whatever reason, I always type as "aprong" and then have to go fix it.)

Do you ever cook or bake? If you don't own an apron, you should! Not only are aprons frugal (think of all the clothes you might save from stains!) and practical -- they can be cute too, darn it!

Personally, I have four aprons -- two from this site, one that a friend made for me that is Autumn themed, and then one that has daisies all over it that I picked up at a local kitchen store. My next apron I want? A half one that is just like a skirt.

Oh...and if you're in the market for an apron, be sure to check out Etsy as well. (That link is linked to a search for the term "apron.)

(Little factoid -- I forgot to formally announce it, but just a few days ago, my blog turned one year old! AND -- this is my 300th post!)

On the subject of teacher gifts

Okay, so it wasn't me that was on the subject of teacher gifts. It was Amber. But, I ended up leaving such a long comment on her blog, that I decided to just post it here on my blog too.

So, here's what we're doing for teachers, etc. this year, as told by me to Amber in the comment section of her often hilarious blog...

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I have always done gifts for teachers and the assorted people at school, as well as religious ed. teachers. It's usually nothing extravagent, just something to let them know I appreciate them. For instance, last year, I did $5.00 Starbucks gift cards for everyone. Just a little something. :)

This year, I am doing sets of photo note cards (handmade with my scenic pictures from my online store) for everyone -- teachers, aides (since the three different aides that are in our one son's room throughout the week are there for him specifically), therapists, the special ed. teacher, and then their bus driver. I am also including a $5.00 Starbucks card again, but just for each of those people who deal with the boys on a daily basis.

I did a basket of assorted goodies for the office staff at the school. They have always been helpful to us (at a school of just about 1000 kids), and as far as I'm concerned -- it doesn't hurt to kiss butt with them at Christmas time. LOL ;)

We also did a loaf of pumpkin bread for our 3 year old's "teacher" at our playgroup type thing that we do once a week.

Then, my boys go to religious education (CCD) once a week, and we will take in a variety of rosaries (full and single decade), saints bracelets, etc. and let each teacher pick their own gift from the choices.

I know -- it sounds like I buy for everyone under the sun. But, seriously -- I don't spend too much on any of them. It's just enough to do a little something to let everyone know that we appreciate what they do for our kids throughout the year.

Need a stocking stuffer? $5 coupon for any Polly Pocket Toy!

Here is a link to Mattel's site for a printable coupon for $5.00 off any Polly Pocket toy! So, if you pick up something small, you can probably pick it up for free!

My Christmas goodie baskets have been delivered!

I'm tired, but feel triumphant. Almost all of my Christmas baskets have been put together and delivered. This posting, I suspect, would have been better with pictures, but, sadly -- I was so insanely exhausted that it didn't cross my mind.

Before Thanksgiving (which we called Thanksmas this year, since we celebrated part of our Christmas), I had a couple of baking days to put together many baskets. And, then on Sunday and Monday of this week, I decided it was time to have the second set of baking days, and I then was able to finish up my last eight baskets worth of goodies that I needed to make.

I swear, I feel like I ran a marathon the last few days, and have several times thanked the Holy Spirit for having given someone the divine push to invent Crocs (I wore my lime green ones with my pink jammies), because that was the only thing that saved my feet (kind of) from so much standing in my kitchen.

My basket contents were slightly different from when I made them for Thanksmas (only an item or two), and then I did vary my contents ever so slightly based on where I was taking it to/who was receiving it. But, here it goes, the general contents (now that everyone has either received them or they are on their way):

• Puppy Chow
• A Holiday Snack Mix (Chex, dry roasted peanuts, popcorn -- all of these ended up being baked at a low temp with a carmel mixture, and then chocolate covered pretzels and holiday themed Chocolate chips added at the end)
• Peppermint Bark
• Pine Bark (scroll down in this posting for good pictures and the recipe)
• Cupcakes in a wide mouth half-pint Mason Jar (Fat Daddy Bake Shop style, though surely not anywhere near as tasty)
• White Chocolate dipped Pretzel Rods decorated with sugars, sprinkles, etc.
• Cherry Chip Cake Dippers (aka "Sweet Cake Dippers" as Jack calls them, or "Cake Balls" as they are known on Lifetime Moments)
• Small loaves of pumpkin bread (one per basket)
• A wooden Christmas ornament that I bought at a craft show (all of the ones I bought had religious themes, such as the 3 wise men, a Nativity scene, an angel, etc.)
• Hmmm...maybe that's everything (in my Thanksmas baskets -- they didn't get puppy chow, but did get a faux version of Thin Mints)
• Oh...and then family also got some photo note cards with some of my photographs on them (scenic ones, of course) and then they also got plates that I decorated with inspirational quotes

Whew -- I'm kind of a little tired again, just thinking about it all.

Okay...maybe it's the possible bronchitis that's actually making me tired, though unable to sleep. Hopefully tomorrow's doctor's appointment will help with that. (I also helped that today's 2 hour delay turned school cancellation would allow for some extra rest, but everyone was up early, so the baking continued early. Let's hope Tuesday's 2 hour school delay will actually help me get some extra rest!)

I'm afraid my teeth might fall out soon

Normally, when I do a lot of baking, I don't really try the things I make. I get the kids or Eric to try a bite and tell me if it's okay. I don't know why I do this -- I guess none of it sounds any good to me while I am busy making it.

But, today was apparently not a typical day. Perhaps it was the 10 inches of snow we got...I don't know.

All I know is that I have been busy all day making up goodies to put into gift baskets that I am preparing, and I have been taste testing too many things. I just pray that I finish all the goodies tomorrow (I was hoping to be done with an all day session today), or else I might end up in dentures by Monday night.

I can honestly say that right now, I seriously need to brush my teeth!

WFMW: Fewer Gifts + More Thought = Nicer Christmas (I hope!)

Okay, I'll admit, I'm here with yet another untested Christmas Works for Me Wednesday tip. (The first of those was the tip about a great way to help siblings shop for each other. But, darn it, I just wanted others to be able to test it out this year as well.)

So, here's my partially untested theory. I am placing all bets on this equation for our Christmas this year:

Fewer Gifts + More Thought = Nicer Christmas

I have always been one to just shop like mad up until Christmas for my kids. I have picked them up dancing robots, toy chocolate fountains, not so wonderful dollhouses, and a bevy of other toys and items along these lines. Of course, there have been toys we have bought for them that they have loved over the long term, but it seems so many gifts are played with for a few days or maybe even until the kids go back to school. And, then the toys find themselves in the closet, never to see the light of day again.

After a homily by one of our priests this year (that included a brief discussion on number of Christmas gifts), it would seem that I am running into several people from church that are going the three gifts per child route this year (and to continue to do in the future).

We actually opted to tell the kids that we would be getting them just three gifts this year, and that Santa would continue to get them one gift each. So, we set our number at four gifts total (plus some goodies in a stocking).

I came to notice something very interesting as I got ready to do my shopping for the kids this year -- I didn't go out and just buy every new item or a bunch of sale items. I sat down and planned out their gifts. I poured over reviews online. I causally asked the kids about their thoughts about various items. I thought about their gifts some more. I looked through our budget and figured out generally what to spend. I thought deeply about their gifts yet agin. I finally bought bigger things that I turned my nose up at in previous years because I had been too busy buying lots of small things. (Mind you, that, for instance, with Molly who will be getting the American Girls Bitty Baby Twins, this extra big gift is being broken up, and each Twin counts as a gift, not as one gift total.)

When I finally figured out what to buy my kids, I was proud. I looked at my list, and I finally felt that this year, I was really thinking of each child and evaluating what was best for them.

And, so I realized -- perhaps buying fewer gifts is not just a blessing because it helps with less clutter and gives my kids appreciative hearts, perhaps it is also a blessing because it forces a person to really think about their child before shopping. I have to admit -- I don't know if I ever would have gone with a gift that I think will be a HUGE hit with Noah, if I hadn't had to really sit down and plan my shopping so thoroughly.

And, really, I do think this will make for our best Christmas ever (I hope!).

Is it really frugal to bake from scratch?

I have been kicking around this idea, as I make some goodies for Christmas baskets from scratch.

Yes, yes, I know. It *is* very much more budget minded to cook from scratch. (Well...typically anyway. There will always be exceptions to rules.) But, for the most part, when whipping up some dinner, you are going to make your budget happier by serving up lasagna that you have made rather than a big pan of lasagna that you purchased frozen at the grocery store. (In my opinion, it's also going to be a lot tastier. But, that's neither here nor there. Although, really -- lasagna and I haven't had the best relationship since I had to be sick while pregnant with Jack after a lasagna dinner and for reasons that I care not to share -- trust me, you don't want to know -- my only available place to get sick was in the kitchen sink. After that, it's really hard to think lasagna is a tasty choice for dinner, even 7 years later.)

So...back to the budget and baking.

Is it frugal to bake from scratch? I whipped up some homemade frosting, and, yes, I could see how the milk, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and butter all together were cheaper than a can of frosting. (And so, so, so much tastier!) But, what about when I was making cupcakes? Cupcakes that called for a variety of goodies. Cupcakes, where the price alone of the bittersweet chocolate that I coarsely chopped for the sweet goodness was more than a boxed mix is on sale, not to mention all of the other ingredients.

Yes, I have read from time to time when someone blogs and says that if they buy flour in bulk, and run to Aldi's for this, and get that other thing on sale with double coupons...well...then it's just about as cheap as a box mix. But, I just don't do all that. I have been trying to do better with my grocery budget, but I am still not a bargain hunting maven.

And, so I have come to a conclusion. Sometimes I will spend more to bake from scratch. Sometimes, I will spend an extra couple of dollars for the better taste of Pure Vanilla Extract instead of Imitation Vanilla Extract. (I have to admit, for probably about 10 years of marriage, I had no idea there was such a difference between those. But, when I bought the Pure stuff one time, I was hooked.) And, sometimes, I will buy flour and sugar and cocoa powder and bittersweet chocolate bars and all of the other ingredients in a long list, when I could have just made a box mix of cupcakes. They would have been cheaper and faster. But, there is a certain sense of accomplishment, I think, to look at a finished cupcake and think, "I made that frosting and I made that cupcake. I didn't use anything prepared ahead of time. I am truly blessed to have the time, money, and resources to do this."

More often than not, those blessings are then passed on. Even with five of us at home, we rarely can eat a whole batch of any homemade thing. And, so then we are doubly blessed when we know that the goodies are enjoyed by neighbors and quickly snatched up at Eric's work.

I'm going to guess that for me, it, indeed, is not better on my budget to bake from scratch. But, I think I'll do it anyway.

Menu Plan Monday: December 10th Edition

We only have one roll over from last week, so I'm very pleased! We are usually much worse about grabbing food from out, but I am trying to be better this month, just to see if we can do it. Wish me luck!

This week is a SUPER busy week for us, with me being busy on almost every night. (Yuck!) So, this is a less than stellar menu this week. Sorry!

Monday: Teriyaki Chicken and Vegetable Fried Rice (both from Market Day)

Tuesday: Chili (per Eric's request)

Wednesday: Frozen Pizza (it's a busy night, so it's nice to have something quick and easy)

Thursday: Eric's choice (This means that I'll just make him scrounge around for whatever looks good on Thursday night.)

Friday: Spaghetti with Homemade Bread (I'm having dinner out with my social group!)

Saturday: lunch ---> Something with Steak (LOL)...maybe steak and eggs, since Eric was talking about that just tonight; dinner ---> Food from Out

Sunday: lunch ---> Turkey (yep...I have a turkey in the freezer, and I'm ready to cook it); dinner ---> Leftovers from Lunch

Buying Gifts for Those Who Need Them

Our family participated this year in a program where you can buy gifts for families in need. It is a neat program, and is quite large in our area. It is run through a Christian organization, and then there are TONS of churches (of all kinds of denominations) that participate as host sites. A host site is responsible for getting people in their church to buy gifts, clothes, etc. for the children whose parents will be coming to their church to get gifts.

The neat thing, I think, about this particular program is that each parent gets to "shop" for the gifts for their kids. For example, we bought gifts for an 8 year old girl. But, that's not really to say that an 8 year old will be getting our gifts, or that all the same child will get the gifts we bought. The parents will get to pick the gifts from what is available (in an orderly manner, of course), and then there is a gift wrapping table. The parents then get to write on the gift tags themselves, etc. I think it's nice and it gives the parents more of a sense that they had some say in the gifts their children get.

We dropped our gifts off at church last night (I will be helping next weekend during the actual event). Noah and I got to talking about it tonight. He was commenting that he really thought "that girl" would like her gifts.

I told him that I hoped she would. I told him that even though we don't have a lot of money, we do have more than some people. And, it's nice when maybe we can skip having a meal out and instead help buy something for someone else.

I then went on to say, "Did you see all those gifts at church?!? I think that by us helping to buy some of those gifts, it will make some family's Christmas much nicer!"

He was silent for a moment, and then his eyes twinkled. He hugged me and said, "I think it will make our Christmas much nicer too!"

Kids sure are insightful sometimes, aren't they?

"Congratulations on Your New Home," says the Junk Mail

Thank you very much to the local window company that just sent us a deal and congratulated us on our new home.

Well...either they know something about our future that we don't, or their little congratulatory note has come about 4 1/2 years too late.

Thanks all the same -- we do enjoy our new home, and have for the past 54 months. We appreciate your kindness.

Works for Me Wednesday: Last Minute Dinner Edition

This week Works for Me Wednesday has a theme, since this is the first Wednesday of the month. The theme this month is for a quick, last minute dinner.

I have posted this recipe on my blog before, but it is a fairly quick and simple one to make that tastes just fabulous! And, while these may not be things that a lot of people have in their pantry, because I enjoy this, I usually make sure that I have most of these things on hand (plus, I use many of the things, apart from the sesame oil, in other dishes as well).

Asian-Style Chicken & Broccoli

Ingredients:
Chicken breast (boneless/skinless)

Broccoli florets

3 garlic cloves - minced (I don't actually put these in when I make it)

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 cup sesame oil

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 tsp. grated ginger (optional)

a little olive oil

Directions:

Cut chicken into pieces (strips or chunks). Put a little olive oil and water in the pan, heat and cook the chicken until no longer pink on medium high, stirring frequently. Drain if needed.

Mix brown sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and ginger and whisk.

Add sauce and broccoli florets and lower temp to medium and cover. Stir occasionally. When the broccoli appears to be tender, but not mushy, it's done. Just use your best judgement.

Hey...and if you have some frozen egg rolls or the like, they would make for a great little addition to your quick meal!

Tackle It Tuesday: The Ribbon Edition

My birthday present just arrived, and I got to open it early! You can read about my ribbon holder here -- the Your Pictured Memor-EZ Pull-EZ Ribbon Organizing "Purse."

So, I have begun the massive task of adding all of my ribbon to the bag. I forgot to take a picture at the beginning, so at this point, I have already added two boxes just like the ones shown (with pinks and blues, etc.), but one of those containers was about half full and the other about three-quarters full.

My hope will be to get all of my ribbon in there today. I'll update with a picture if I finish it up today. (But, darn it -- I also need to be doing a bunch of laundry and then some dishes as well.)

Two of my ribbon containers currently.

Side view of the containers with pinks and purples.

What I have already put in the new ribbon container -- the oranges, reds, fall colors, blacks, and other neutrals.

Here's what it looks like when just a little of each ribbon is peeking out the side.

Wish me luck!

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UPDATE: MISSION COMPLETE!

Front View

Back View

Hearts at Home National Conference Registration is Up!

I enjoyed going to this last year, and think I will go for two days this year. It is in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois on the campus of Illinois State University on March 14th & 15th (you can opt for both days or just one of the days).

You can read about the conference here.

I would love a journal from this online store

Check out the gorgeous journals from this Etsy seller.

Gosh -- I think I would really love one of those. But, then it would be a bit of pressure of what to put in it. LOL

Seriously though -- aren't they cool?

Menu Plan Monday: December 3rd Edition

Menu Plan for this week:

Monday: Spinach & Egg Noodle Alfredo with Chicken

Tuesday: Steak Stir Fry

Wednesday: Frozen Pizza (busy night!)

Thursday: Eggs, Toast, & Bacon

Friday: Spaghetti and Homemade Bread

Saturday: lunch ---> Taquitos (purchased frozen) & Spanish Rice; dinner ---> Pancakes

Sunday: lunch ---> Teriyaki Chicken & Vegetable Fried Rice; dinner ---> Dinner from Out

$20 off $50 at Shoebuy.com when you use Paypal!

I just registered on www.shoebuy.com and took advantage of a deal that they are currently running -- $20 off of a $50 purchase when you use Paypal! And, because I registered, I got 10% off my first order. (After that, I got an email saying I would get 10% off of all of my purchases in the next 60 days!)

We bought one pair for Eric that were normally $39.95, and a pair for Jack that are normally $25.95. Our total was $65.90. After discounts, we ended up paying $40.86 for both pairs! WooHoo!!! (Shoebuy.com offers free shipping on all orders.)

So...just a bit later, we decided to order Noah a pair, and then a second pair for me. We both wanted pairs that were $29.95 each. Our total was $59.90. Again, we used the Paypal deal and got 10% off. We ended up paying just $35.90 for the order.

The Paypal deal ends on December 10th, so be sure to check it out soon! (Oh...and be aware...Shoebuy.com does not carry all styles of whatever shoes you may be looking for. With the Crocs, for instance, they only have certain styles, and may not have every color in every size. But, we got what we wanted, and got a great deal, so we were pleased.)

Amazing 50% off December Sale!!!

Be sure to check out the studio often from now through December 31st! You can visit Autumn Daisy Studio or our shop on Etsy -- you'll find the same wonderful deals -- 50% off on all in stock inventory!!!

Plus -- there is more inventory here to still be uploaded, so I will be loading new products straight into the sale before Christmas.

There is fine art photography, rosaries, saint bracelets, e-commerce/blog banners, and much more!