Set the Table!

To some those three words "Set the Table" may conjure up some childhood memories of an unwanted chore if that was your duty.For me it brings me so much joy. There are very few times that you get the opportunity to set the table with your "good stuff". If I was wealthy I would have dinner parties all the time and have my friends over for lunch like they do on Real Housewives of Beverly Hills..but lets get real..I am just a working mama from Riverside and it just doesn't happen as often as I would like.    So, you could imagine my excitement every year when our church has their annual Christmas Brunch and you can choose to host a table and decorate for the ladies attending. I seriously can not wait for it every year. I usually come up with my idea shortly after the brunch for next year. Mainly because I like to go shopping for all my supplies at the after Christmas sales. I already have my theme for next year..but it's a secret:). Every year I usually start the gears going in my brain..trying to think outside of the box. It is always Christmas centered. Last year I did a Three Wise Men table..with baby Jesus in a manger and crowns and all the gifts the Wise Men brought. Another year I did more of a rustic theme with a little Christmas tree and a sled and ice skates. The first year I believe I did a Winter Wonderland..all in white. So...this year I went super girlie and did The Sugar Plum Fairy theme from the Nutcracker. It was so much fun I found a site that sells items for weddings and other parties and they had the perfect shade of ballerina pink satin napkins and a table runner. My Mom and sister even went out shopping and found a perfect Nutcracker and beautiful white sparkly tree! I had found ballet slipper ornaments as well as ballerinas. It was so much fun. I set everything up on my own dinning room table when I got home. I am having Christmas Eve dinner at my home so I had to remove everything last night in preparation...there was no way we could see each other if I left it up..but no fear..I decorated it with another setting:). So now onto next year's table!

Christmas Eve Setting

  

Annual Christmas Baking Day

Today my mom, sister and I baked up a storm. It looked like a bakery in my mom's kitchen. Every year we each come up with a few different cookies to bake to give away and eat ourselves:). This year we tried a few new recipes and they were a hit! My mom made some white chocolate jumbaloos...I doubt that is how you spell it but that is what I am going with. Basically they are crushed peppermint candies, pretzels and animal cookies dipped in white chocolate goodness..mmmm. My mom also made one of my fav's..Reese's Peanut Butter Bars and my brother's favorite..finger frets.

 

My sister made her favorite cookies called Thumbprints. They are buttery shortbread-like round cookies that are pressed down with your thumb and jam is added.  Sorry I did not take any pics of her cookies..sad face! But believe me they are delish. She also made some cookies that were passed down from her husband's family called "little white ones"..hehehehe. If you are imagining little round white cookies than you would be correct. I did not try these yet but they were tossed in powdered sugar and have crushed almonds in the dough so how can you go wrong. 

I made two new recipes this year. The first were some pecan bars. Classic. The second were some that I saw on Pinterest and they were a Smore turned into a cookie...yes they are amazing! These were so fun to make. You basically start with a chocolate chip cookie dough base and add marshmallows and cinnamon. Then you press a rounded teaspoon on top of half a graham cracker. Bake for five minutes and add a piece of Hershey's chocolate on top and bake again until the cookie is golden brown. So clever..this one is a keeper. Best of all The Hubs told me it was the best cookie he ever had! Funny thing is he is not a sweet person. I should rephrase that..not a person who loves sweets. So he had no interest in any of the cookies. He just wanted plain old chocolate chip cookies. So, he tried these Smore cookies and loved them. SCORE!

Overall, it was a fun and tasty day! Always such a great girl day...except this year Shane and my brother joined in. Mainly they were our "taste testers"..although Shane wanted to wear his chef hat and help stir the ingredients for mama:). 

Pinterest Inspiration

It has been awhile since I had any time to blog. If I do have extra time I am pinning away on Pinterest. If you are not familiar with Pinterest you may want to check it out. However, I must warn you it will suck you in!!! I have many boards that I pin things to. One is my Flour Power board. It is all the baking ideas that I want to try. I recently tried a couple and wanted to share. The first was Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Muffins. They were delish! I had never had Pumpkin and white chocolate together. Pumpkin seems to make everything so moist and these definitely were. The second recipe I pinned that I tried was the Cinnamon Crescent Rolls. Oh.My.Goodness. Let me tell you these are addicting. I had two and would have had more if I didn't feel the need to share. A group of friends from church got together and baked. It was so fun. I had all the ingredients already for these rolls and thought it would be great to try out. They are like Cinnabon meets Krispy Kreme. Hot out of the oven they are glazed with a powdered sugar vanilla glaze that reminds me of a glazed doughnut from Krispie Kreme..yummmmm. I have a few more recipes that I am going to test out on our annual baking day with my Mom and Sister. I will be sure to remember to take pics and post how they all turn out:). Happy Baking.

Vintage Holiday Limo Tour

This past weekend was SO much fun! Saturday morning I taught a class on couponing with a friend at church. It was my first public speaking event in a long time..actually maybe ever. God totally calmed my nerves and seeing all the sweet faces of all the ladies at my church made me realize that it was all good. Of course there were things I realized I should have said or done differently but overall it was so much fun I can't wait to do it again. After the class my friend who came to the class all the way from SD headed home with me and we met her husband and daughter at our house where we then all went to lunch and had a great time catching up. Finally, my mom and sister came over and picked me up to go to the Vintage Holiday Limo Tour..or something like that. My mom and I went last year and it was so much fun. All the vintage shops/boutiques have their Holiday Open House that day starting at around 10am and are open til about 8pm. There is a limo service that comes around starting at 4 and takes you to all the shops in town that are participating. You get to shop and eat and just have fun girl time. I look forward to it every year! I did find something at one of the shops called "Forget Me Nots". I saw these vintage glass pendant lights in one of the booths. They immediately caught my eye. I stepped away as I really have no where to put them and I am renting my home. But..they lured me back in and I saw that they were originally 87.00 for the pair(they are actually all one piece)..then marked down to 50.00 and there was a sign for 15% off everything in the booth. So..I asked the owner if that applied to already marked down items and she said yes. Now, if you know me, you know I love a bargain. So with tax i would be paying around 45.00. Merry Christmas to ME!!!! I bought them and they are now sitting on the floor in my craft room. Hopefully I can convince The Hubs to hang them in our bedroom. He said they look like something his Grandma would of had in her house and to that I said "your grandma had excellent taste". Here are some pics..unfortunately I did not take any while I was there:(. There were so many other items I wanted to come live with me..but I was good and just bought the pendants. My mom and sister also bought some great finds:).

Fall time goodness

My Bestie called and asked for my Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe...so I thought it was a great time to share with everyone. I heard it was going to get HOT again so I will have to make this soon. 

Enjoy!!!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 TBS Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil
6 Cloves of Garlic
1/2 cup Cilantro, Chopped
1 Onion, Chopped small
1 Red Bell pepper, Chopped small
1 Jalapeno, Minced. most seeds removed
1 29oz Can Diced Tomatoes
2 TBS Cumin
1 TBS Chili Powder
3 Bay Leaves
6 Cups Chicken Broth
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Cayenne
1 Can Black Beans
1 Can Corn
5 Chicken Breasts...cooked and shredded
Optional toppings...Avocados, sour cream, Monterey Jack Cheese and fried tortilla strips or tortilla chips

***Be sure to cook chicken ahead of time***
Heat Oil...Add garlic, cilantro, onion, bell pepper and jalapeno. Saute for 4-5 minutes.
Stir in tomatoes and bring to boil.
Add Cumin, chili powder, bay leaves and chicken stock.
Return to boil, then reduce heat to medium.
Add salt and cayenne.
Remove Bay leaves and add Chicken, black beans and corn.
Simmer 20-30 minutes.

New Addition

We have a new addition in our family actually two new additions. No....not twins..nightstands! Isn't that exciting. When you are picky like me about furniture and you find something you had in mind that matches to the T...it is exciting stuff. You might remember my Craigslist find awhile back. The Hubs drove to Whittier for a dresser that I had wanted f-o-r-e-v-e-r. It was only 75.00...such a steal. It is a Henry Link Faux Bamboo High Dresser that goes perfectly with what I envision my Master Bedroom to eventually look like. I have had these "nightstands" if you can even call them that...they are from our first apartment. One was  a set of three nesting tables and another a cabinet. They were from my palm tree phase and did not match at all..but I take forever to find pieces of furniture that I like so they worked for the time being.
I searched for months and months looking for matching Henry Link nightstands to my dresser..but nothing ever came up. I also was looking for nightstands that had two drawers..as we have limited space and storage in our bedroom..that would work best. I wanted something with modern lines..nothing curvy..and really wanted brass or gold handles. I had seen a few nightstands that were painted in a high gloss white and stuck those images in my memory bank. Lo and behold..I found the exact ones on Craigslist!!!! They were 125.00 for the pair..which is good but The Hubs wasn't sold..so one week went by and they were still listed...two weeks went by...still there..finally it had been three weeks..no drop in price. I told Scott I could not stop thinking about these nightstands (this is what I think about while I lay awake at night). He said ok but could I get them down in price. I was sure I could since they had been on for three weeks now. Emailed them and YES they took 100.00 for the pair!!!!! Happy Dance!!!! Here they are:

 The handles were perfect. I cleaned them off with warm soapy water and then a mixture of lemon juice, salt and baking soda. They were still not super shiny but that was ok..these dresser were made in 1972(Thomasville). The handles are brass. Apparently if a magnet does not stick then that is how you know it is brass..good to know.

 Love these legs!!!

 Primered-Used Rustoleum..it was ok..loved the nozzle!

 Applied Rustoleum Gloss White..LOVE!!!!

 And here comes the final product.....

 So happy..it only took about an hour..did not need to sand..they were in such great shape for being almost 40 years old. The tracks inside probably need to be replaced...but overall I LOVE them! Spent 3.77 on the spray paint(4). My Master is slowly coming together..I would show a picture of my whole room but it is embarrassing! MESSYYY!

FAIL!!!

So...I decided that I needed to lose some weight. Well more like a ton of weight. It is something that I continue to struggle with.. The idea of having another child is frightening. I would for sure not be in tip top shape. I still have not made an effort to lose the "baby weight" and Shane is now 2..almost 2.5 years old. Needless to say I have not been very good at accomplishing anything for a few years.

I like to take things s-l-o-w. I tried to quit drinking Dr.Pepper for like the 50th time. I lasted 2 weeks. I would have gone longer..but people's lives were in danger and I felt it was best to get back on the stuff. I sound like a drug addict..but I am addicted and I was mean, grumpy and no fun to be around during my detox. So...I failed. Dr. Pepper is now back in my life. The Dr. is not allowed in my house..but is invited to join me at lunch and dinner and long car rides..or short ones..or times I drive just to pick up the Dr and nothing else...ugghhhh...why do you have to be so good Dr. Bad..Bad...Dr.

Ok, back to the issue at hand...my fatness. I say that I will not do certain things until I am skinny. It is such a horrible thing to be over weight and not do things you love. I decided to do a juice diet... more so..a detox. My Brother in law did it and totally killed it. So, I watched the ever so life changing documentary. You know the ones that make you feel so passionate at the end you feel you can conquer the world..or that everything you do is wrong..or everyone around you is crazy. I was impressed because this guy went on a juice only diet for two months. He did say that was extreme..but the idea of juicing for just a week was, in general, a great idea. I need to detox and I need to get some good nutrients in my body. I am pretty sure if I were to get my blood drawn it would consist of mostly Dr. Pepper.

I was really motivated and after talking with my sister found out she had a juicer..perfect! I went to Sprouts spent 40.00 on produce and was ready to conquer my Monday! I made my first juice for breakfast...and that was my last juice..not for the day...FOREVER! EWWWW...gross..no way..are you serious??? Blahhhhhh! Needless to say..it was nasty and I failed! "Oh Lord, what am I going to do with myself"..I cried out.  I realized that I am doing things that are too extreme. I am not an extreme person. God has taught me that I need to think things through...I have to mull over decisions for quite sometime. The best way for me to lose the weight is to eat less..eat healthy and exercise. That is the key..if you can juice than that is great..but if not it's ok. Just be healthy..find the time to exercise..even if it is only 15 minutes a day. So, if I get preggo that's fine I had PLENTY of time to lose the weight and I will just have to be extra careful when the time comes. Plus...I would just lose the weight and then get fat again..I guess I will just get fatter and then have even more weight to lose. It happens...failure is ok as long as I keep trying and eventually I will be SKINNY:).

You might be wondering what I did with all that extra produce I had....I made this(below..see there is spinach in there and plan on making an Apple Pie with the apples...Winning!!!! :) Update: Just made a carrot cake with all those carrots I bought:) I need help..hahahaha.

Hanging onto my 20's life crisis

Yes, it is true..in five short days I will be 29. Getting closer and closer to the dreaded 30s. My youth will be over in one year. I will start to shrivel up(aka wrinkles) gain MORE weight in my mid section...find gray hairs in my once beautiful long blonde locks...most likely I will have to cut my hair short...that seems to be the norm of 30 year olds. I might even find myself wearing the ever popular mom jeans. Yes...my youth will most certainly be over.

Ok...maybe I am exaggerating a bit(just a bit) but seriously this is scary stuff people. I am already listening to country because "there is nothing else good on the radio" ***gasp*** it has begun...I am on my way to getting old..one step closer to death. Sorry there I go again exaggerating...or am I speaking the truth?????hmmmm....

So, you can tell I am not one of those people who look forward to aging. This year is hard...my sister in law warned me she said 30 wasn't bad but for some reason 29 was. It is your last year of your 20s. I thought once I got closer to 30 I would not have that notion that 30 is old, as i did when I was 5, but folks, it IS old. Maybe, I am not so thrilled with this idea of getting older because I am not living my life as I would really want. Am I enjoying every aspect of this wonderful gift of life God has given me? Maybe that is the reason for my detest of aging.

I need to look deeper into this thinking of mine...(hold on this is going to be crazy). In the last few months we lost a few people. For some reason in my life people usually die in threes. I know they say this happens with celebrities too. Scott lost a cousin...we were not close to him..but it is still family and were saddened. We then lost a wonderful dear friend at church..Jim. Jim was a caring and helpful soul. He handed out the bulletins at church each Sunday morning and I would always wait for him to give me one..because his hugs were the BEST:). Then within a week we lost another man at our church, Ken. Ken and Jim were good friends. So, our church was faced with planning two memorials within a week of each other. Jim's memorial was great...but what was unexpected for me was Ken's Celebration of Life Memorial. I did not know Ken..I knew his wife. They were very involved in our church. The stories that were shared and Ken's memorial touched me so. Everyone loved him dearly. He had a twin brother..who shared stories about them growing up and all the trouble they got into. It was so uplifting to hear what a Godly man he was and the legacy he left behind. It is hard to lose anyone. Death is never easy. But the legacy that he left behind made me think about my own life. Family members came up and talked about things he had taught them.Not just how to fix a car or other day to day stuff...but most importantly he shared GOD. You could see that Ken had shared God's love with everyone he came in contact with. Even in his pain he praised God.

Although I did not know Ken...which I am very bummed I did not...his love for God uplifted me. I am young..despite what my crazy brain tells me. Even if I have many years left or just a few...what I need to be focused on is leaving a legacy behind that is gratifying to Christ. One that is filled with triumphs of leading others to Christ. There is a lot of inner cleansing that I need to do. I need to get over somethings. Thankfully God is patient.

God sees our earthly life as preparation for the greater joys of heaven(See Mark 8:36). No matter what earthly issues I may have with getting older or even fears I have of death..I need to work on my legacy that I will leave behind. Will your memorial be one that gives hope to others??Will it encourage and uplift family and friends??? What are you doing to live your life for the one who gave you this wonderful gift of life?

In conclusion, I am still learning to embrace my "old age" but really working through my fears and taking the time to cultivate loving relationships. I still have a long way to go...and many hurdles to jump..but God is waiting and His love alone will get me through any more of my "life crisis" moments I may have. PTL!!!

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes

I recently helped host a dual baby shower. It ended up just being a single baby shower as one girl had her baby girl that morning! I decided to do something different than the usual vanilla and chocolate. Nothing wrong with the classics, but I wanted to try something new. I did a Strawberry Cupcake with a Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting. The frosting had cream cheese, butter and shortening..so of course it was delish:). This one is a little more time consuming if you make the lemon curd yourself. I never made lemon curd before so I wanted to try it. I can cross that off of my baking bucket list.You can always just buy it pre-made in the store. This is a great Summer Time cupcake. Happy Baking!

Strawberry Lemonade Cupcakes with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting
From Cupboard to Cupboard


For Cupcakes:
1 package white cake mix [I like Betty Crocker]
1 (3 oz) package strawberry jello
1 cup mashed fresh strawberries [1 1/2 cups whole=1 cup mashed]
1 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup buttermilk (If you do not have buttermilk..I always use regular milk and add about a tsp of lemon juice per cup of milk stir and let sit for about a minute)
4 eggs

In a large bowl, stir together cake mix and jello mix.  Make a well in the center and pour in mashed strawberries, oil, milk, and eggs.  Beat on low speed until blended.  Scrape bowl and beat 2 minutes on medium speed.  Pour batter into prepared cupcake pans with liners. Makes about 30 cupcakes.Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until cupcakes are done. Cool on wire rack until completely cooled.

For Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting:
1/2 cup crisco
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract
2 pounds powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
2 Tablespoons lemon curd
1 drop yellow food coloring
1 tablespoon milk if needed( I did not need)

Cream together shortening, butter, and cream cheese until good and smooth.  Add vanilla and combine.  Sift together powdered sugar and salt and slowly add to creamed mixture.  Add lemon juice, lemon curd, and coloring and mix well.  If the frosting is too stiff, add milk.

Round Two-Target

I stopped by Target to get a "few" things. It was a pretty good trip..only one item was FREE..but I mainly was just going to pick up some things that I needed and happened to have coupons for. So I saved about 35.00.

I bought Dove Shampoo and Conditioner. It is normally 3.49 each and I got it for 1.49ea. There are some better deals going on right now but for cheaper quality shampoos so I decided to get these instead.

Nail Polish Remover(Target brand) Reg-.97..got for .47
Peroxide- Reg-.62...got for .12
Ibprofn(24 tabs) .99..had a 1.00 coupon...FREEEEE..came home to print another as you can do two per computer and they were gone:( Gotta remember to always print two!!!!

Some other deals on items I needed were:
Nivea Sun Kissed Gradual Tanner(New Fav) Reg-7.69 with coupons paid 2.69
Nivea Lotion Reg-5.04 with coupons paid 2.04
Revlon Lip Gloss- Reg 6.49 paid 3.49 Great Deal!!!
This was my splurge...but I have wanted to try it for so long..It is the Sally Hansen peel and stick nail polish stuff:) It is regularly 8.54 I got it for 6.54 not that great but the best deal I have seen so far. Could have waited for a sale but I really wanted it:)
I also got some great deals on clothes. I had quite a few 3.00 off and 2.00 off Target Coupons for apparel..mainly tops...and you can use those on clearance so I picked up a few tanks for 4-5.00.

I felt like I spent a lot in one day...but I realized that I don't have to get any toiletries...makeup or clothes..for quite some time now. 

Happy Couponing!!!!

Couponin' Ain't Easy!

I have not been on top of my coupon game lately. There hasn't been that great of deals on items I actually use so I kind of took a break. Then this week tons of deals popped up and I was in it to win it. I am such a dork! Saving money is fun and addicting. I got quite a few things for free and that makes me happy! Cheap is awesome but free is better! I stuck to my rules of not spending too much time hunting down coupons or buying items I would not use so I think I did pretty good. Here is a pic and a break down of the first round I did today during my lunch break at Vons:

Angel Soft Toilet Paper was on sale with an in-ad coupon for 4.99 which is a great price..normally 8.99. I also printed a coupon for .50cents off and my store doubles(totally didn't know) so I got an additional 1.00 off...grand total for 12 Mega Rolls= 3.99

Viva Paper Towels 6 Rolls- 8.99 on sale with same in ad coupon as Angel Soft for 4.99..also had a .50 off MFR coupon which doubled...grand total 3.99

Coca-Cola is B2G2..which means buy 2 get 2 free...I always stock up on this deal..so awesome...you also get 2 free crackers...either Wheat Thins or Triscuits. I got one of each. So I would have normally paid 5.99 per 12 pk plus .60 CRV(4) plus 3.99 each for the crackers totaling 34.34 and I got it for 14.38 soo around 2.40 for each item!

Colgate was on sale for .99cents. Normally 3.49. I also had a .75 MFR coupon and my store doubles up to a dollar so I got another .25 off...which means it was totally FREE!!!!

InStyle Magazine which I usually buy each month is 3.99 and I had a MFR coupon for 2.00 off...total-1.99!

Last but not least...I have been holding on to two coupons for 2.00 off any two Nivea Lip Care Products. They were on sale for .99 a few weeks ago (normally 2.99) but someone nabbed them all!!!! I went in today and just checked to see if they were on sale again and they WERE!!!! Everything was fully stocked today it was awesome!...So I picked up 4 for .99 cents ea...minus the 4.00 in coupons...making them FREE!!!!

I had an awesome time saving money today...I also picked up a few more deals like bacon for 1.47. I am off to Target once I am done working for some more great deals.

Best Gift Ever!

Love my little man!

TV Chef Love

Do you watch Food Network or the Cooking Channel? Is there a Chef(s) that inspires you? For me it has always been Giada De Laurentiis, Ina Garten, Bobby Flay and Tyler Florence. Their food is simple. Their recipes are easy to follow (so important to me) and they are down to earth people.

I got the pleasure of meeting Giada a few years back when she was doing a book signing at the South Coast Plaza, Williams-Sonoma, for her book "Giada's Family Dinners". She was so sweet and so beautiful. I could not get a word out other than "Hi"...oh and "Thank You":). I love her love for food... it is contagious. Her recipes are so clean and simple.

Ina by far has the best recipes. Everything that I have made from her cookbooks are amazing. Super simple to follow. I neeeeeed her newest cookbook, "How Easy is That?". The Barefoot Contessa always seems to enjoy everything she makes and loves sharing it with others. Her recipe for a Summer Fruit Crostata is my new fav..I have made it four times now(minus the plums) and it is amazing. Keep forgetting to take a pic...but if you are in need of a new Spring/Summer Dessert try this one..you will love it.

Bobby Flay...oh Bobby. He is an all American guy. I love his style of cooking...total man in the kitchen. Not super refined but always makes everything look so amazing. His new show on the Cooking Channel "Brunch @ Bobby's" is the best show ever. Being that Brunch is my favorite type of meal to eat I love all his recipes. I recently made Scott a Poached Egg dish....delish! Bobby made it look so good... we looked at eachother and said we had to make it ASAP.


Last but not least...Tyler Florence. He is another Chef who I just love to try out his recipes. They are easy to follow and so comforting. He is known for Tyler's Ultimate...where he takes very popular dishes and makes them his way..which is awesome! He is full of energy and is all over the place. That is what I love about him..others may find it annoying when watching his show...his cameramen have a hard time following him...but that is how I am in the kitchen..when I know what I am doing and am loving a recipe. Total opposite when I am baking...I am in relax mode:). Anyways...back to Tyler. I have tried many of his recipes and they always turn out great..his whole roasted chicken is great. I do not have one of his cookbooks..sad to say. I have not bought a cookbook in so long with all the recipes online..but I need to get back to buying them. They are such a great resource to have in your kitchen. Hope you try out some of these recipes I shared and are inspired by your favorite Chefs to get cookin'!

Adventures in Couponing

Have you seen the new show on TLC called "Extreme Couponing"? If you haven't I highly suggest you check it out. Before the show I was a casual couponer. But since I started watching the show a few weeks ago I have stepped up my game. It is so addicting. It is amazing how much you can save your family if you are willing and able to put in the extra hours. Right now I am new to the game so it is taking me awhile to learn all the secrets. I learned quickly that people get the deals probably on the first day they are released so you have to be quick. You also have to learn all the crazy coupon jargon. It is easy to mis-read something and then there goes your deal. I learned a lot from The Krazy Coupon Lady who was featured on the show. Her website is amazing and has a lot of great tips to get you started.

I decided to set some rules for myself...because I was so excited about getting things for free or super cheap that I was spending way too much time searching for deals. I decided to only clip coupons and search for deals when Shane is sleeping. Limit it to 30 mins a day and to not buy something unless our family actually needs it or will use it in the future. Many of theses Extreme Couponers have stock piles that look like a grocery store within there own home!!!! They buy diapers when they don't have kids and pet treats when they don't have animals. Many of them do give them to family members and charities...so that is good..but I still think that they buy way too much of certain items just because they are free. It becomes a bit of a hoarding issue at that point. Anyways, I want to use this opportunity to save my family money if I can. Prices are so high these days..work is slow and we have done everything we can to pay the least amount on bills...so if I can get stuff for cheap or free...with a few hours work..hey why not.

Here is what I picked up this week:

Target:

Head and Shoulders(don't have dandruff...just want to clear that up..they make normal shampoo too:)).
Retail-4.74 each
MFR Q-BOGO So only paid 4.74 for both plus....
Store Q -1.00
Total:3.74 for both or 1.87 ea.

Huggies 112ct. Not shown
Retail-29.99
MFR Q-1.50
Store Q- 3.00
Total: 25.49 this may not seem like that great of a deal but it is hard to get good deals on name brand diapers and that is what I notmally buy so to get an additional 4.50 off I am pretty happy...Monday there is a really good deal on the Jumbo packs at Target so I am going back for more:)

Rimmel Mascara-
Retail-5.69
MFR Q-2.00
Store Q- 1.00
Total: 2.69

Kohl's
Easter Shoes for Shane:)
Retail-29.99(Seriously???)
Sale-16.99
Kohl's Cash-10.00
15% Q-3.21
Total- 3.78.... Score!!!!


Staples
HP Paper 
Retail- 5.99
Easy Rebate-5.99
Total: FREE!!!!! Came just in time..using a lot of paper printing out coupons:)

Fondant

Of all the baking I have done, I never have made or even used fondant. I have never taken any cake decorating classes, so, I really am a novice when it comes to cake decorating. Another reason I never cared to try to make my own or buy the premade fondant is because I think it tastes gross! I really love the way it looks and decided I at least need to cross it off my baking bucket list and make some.

To my surprise it was not that hard. Very sticky but actually really easy and fun to make. With my son's 2nd bday approaching I wanted to do a test run before and see if I could pull it off. I left most of the fondant white but made a yellow and green batch as well. I am going to let it rest over night and then hopefully make a cake tomorrow....fingers crossed...I will post pictures of it..unless it is horrible then most likely not:). Here is the original recipe I found...but tweaked it a bit using some ideas from other recipes. There are not too many pics because my hands were filled with Crisco for most of the process.

My fondant recipe

1 bag of mini marshmallows(10.5 oz)

3 TBS water

26 oz powdered sugar

In a greased microwave safe bowl add marshmallows and water. Microwave in 30 second intervals. I did 30 seconds, 30 seconds and then 20 seconds. Depending on your microwave my take more or less. Then top the marshmallow mixture with about 3/4 of the powdered sugar. Grease your work surface and then your hands generously. Now dump the mixture out on the work surface and begin kneading. Add the rest of the powdered sugar once the first amount is incorporated. Continue to grease your work surface and hands as needed. If at any point your fondant because dry and cracks you may need to add more water. I did not need to but I read that tip in case it does happen. I would knead for 5-10 minutes until you get a mixture that will stretch without tearing. (you should also not be able to see any bits of powdered sugar).

It is best to let it sit over night but you can let it sit for as little as 10 minutes and begin using. I covered my fondant in Crisco and then plastic wrap and then in a plastic baggie. One recipe said it will keep for months at room temperature and another said weeks in the fridge..so I don't know which to follow...I am going to go ahead and put it in the fridge and see how that goes.

***Notes***

***I used liquid food coloring because that is all I had. I crossed my fingers and hoped it worked. I think it came out well and didn't effect the consistency at all. I believe you can use the gel food coloring as well.

***I began to use my KitchenAid stand mixer..but it got so thick I was afraid it was going to break my mixer and I would have cried for days! So I took it out and just hand kneaded it as another recipe had suggested..much better!

***As always..Mise en Place...have all your ingredients prepared and measured and ready to go before you begin..oh and make it once the kiddos are in bed...I accidentally added the wrong amount of powdered sugar because my kiddo came in and distracted me:). Hopefully it turns out...more to come tomorrow...hopefully!

Preschool...or No Preschool..that is the question???!!

"Knowing what to expect from a teacher is a really good thing, of course: It lets you get the right answers more quickly than you would otherwise. Indeed, these studies show that 4-year-olds understand how teaching works and can learn from teachers. But there is an intrinsic trade-off between that kind of learning and the more wide-ranging learning that is so natural for young children. Knowing this, it's more important than ever to give children's remarkable, spontaneous learning abilities free rein. That means a rich, stable, and safe world, with affectionate and supportive grown-ups, and lots of opportunities for exploration and play. Not school for babies."By Alison Gopnik



On my MSN homepage I found an article that stood out to me "Why preschool should not be school" . The Hubs and I just had this conversation with some friends about whether or not our kids would go to preschool. The Hubs was very adamant about our son going...while our friend did not think it was right to put children in "school" that early. He had more of the idea of let kids be kids...while The Hubs was on the side of preschool being a great tool for social skills. The Hubs is very social and loves people and our friend(who I always agree with) is not a social person.
I did not go to preschool and so this whole idea is new to me. I am so worried about making the wrong decision. The Hubs went to Kiddie College..spelled Kiddie Kollege or something clever like that I am sure(misspelling college though is not a very good idea for a school if you ask me..but I am just assuming that..forgive me Kiddie College if I am wrong).  Anyways...I found this article on Slate.com to be so interesting. They write about a few learning experiments done on 4 year olds. One approach is the teaching method where the children imitated  exactly what the teacher showed them in a series of tests with a toy. The other approach, the adult acted clueless and tried to get the toy to work but left the kids to figure it out themselves. The point of this article was to show the two different learning styles of children and which produced a more positive or productive outcome. One reader suggested that maybe the teacher should act as if she did not know how to work the toy but then figure it out and walk through the steps with the children until they figure it out. That was my thoughts as well. Isn't that what a teacher is suppose to do? Teach...help our children to come to the correct answer/outcome??? But also is this style of learning to be left until they are of age to truly be able to understand what the teacher is trying to accomplish.
The whole "your baby can read" infomercials are a crack up. I don't want my baby to read..I want to read to him. I want to teach him his ABC's and then once it is time for preschool or Kindergarten he can further hone his reading skills. I have friends who are like "my baby can read" or "my sister's baby can already read at 2 years old"... oh isn't that special:). Learning is a beautiful thing and if your child can read at an early age that is great and I am not opposed to that but when it is forced and you become a "proud parent"..the kind of parent that boasts of their child's achievements to EVERYONE...you need to ask yourself if it is for the good of your child's education or for your own self worth.
I have friends who their child has not said more than a few words..when my son is talking up a storm...but their child excelled in walking way before or other skills that my son took forever to pick up.
In conclusion I think that the pressure on kids is so amazing these days. American kids are already stressed out by the time they reach elementary school. I remember my sister taking all these AP classes in High School and even Junior High. She was doing homework at all hours of the night and then had to read during the summer. She never got a break. She loves education...me on the other hand I passed all my classes..never put much effort into anything "extra". Would be darned if I had to do anything school related during the summer and tried to finish all my homework within an hour of getting home or in homeroom.I never understood why we had to spend hours at school and then another few hours on homework. Completely different learning styles. I have to say my sister is smarter than me but I have an amazing job. She is still experiencing the college life...I never did. I worked my way up and maybe she will not have to. Hey but I have no school loans!!! Actually she got most of her schooling paid for because she is a smart smart girl! Two different roads but would either of us change it NO. We learn differently but are happy with the results. I think that is the approach that we are going to have to take with our little one. We really need to be aware of how he learns and if preschool will be right for him. Here are my pros and cons and then I will stop...didn't realize I had so much to say on this topic!!!!

Pros:

1. Make new friends..a good social outlet
2. Learn from someone else other than Mommy and Daddy
3. Rest for Mama...hehehehe

Cons:

1. Force learning too young..not enough free time to explore
2. The cost of preschool
3. Learn bad habits

P.S. I looked up Kiddie Kollege online and it came up. One in the area The Hubs grew up..so I will have to ask The M-I-L if that was the one:).

Tie Dyed Eggs...literally!

 

I saw these eggs on Our Best Bites and could not believe that you can dye and egg using a 100% silk scarf. The print on the tie will actually transfer onto the egg. Eggcellent! You have to check this out...I see a thirft store run in my future!

Spring has Sprung!

I know we still have another week...but I bought some daffodils and Robin's Egg Whoppers at the store yesterday. That is spring for me:). Outside of my office window I can see the beautiful peach blossoms and this blue and yellow bird that visits it everyday. My bestie had her baby on Saturday... new life is all around me:) Happy Spring!

Miss Sydney!

Fat Tuesday Gumbo

I was craving some Louisiana cooking..so was happy that Mardi Gras was coming up and I decided to make some Gumbo. I love this recipe. I have made it a few times before. A spicy bowl of goodness!!!!

Ingredients:
2 TBS Flour
2 TBS Butter
1 Onion, diced
1 Green Bellpepper, diced
1 TBS Garlic, minced
2 c. Smoked Sausage, sliced
4 c. Chicken Breast, cooked, diced
4 c. Chicken Broth
1 28oz. can Diced Tomatoes
1 tsp. Dried Thyme
2 Bay Leaves
1/2 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1/2# Shrimp deveined and tails removed
1 tsp File
s/p TT

Directions

1. In a large pot combine Flour and Butter to make a roux.
2. Add Onion, Bellpepper and Garlic. Saute 5 minutes.
3. Add Sausage, Chix, Chix Broth, Tomaotes, Thyme, Bay Leaves and Cayenne Pepper.
4. Simmer 45 minutes
5. Add Shrimp, File and Salt and Pepper.
6. Serve with rice.

Can I get a do-over???

Have you ever just wanted a do-over? A Mulligan? Or a complete renovation/makeover of your life? I have been at that point many times in my own life. I ask myself why did I not do this. Or why didn't I start something earlier in life? Why don't I have more self control...why didn't I share my true feelings...why didn't I get involved in the lives of others. I begin to examine my life and it is full of what ifs and why nots.
Being shy doesn't help these feelings of regret. I miss out on so many great events and relationships. The fear that runs my life is crippling at times. This is when I cry out to God and pray for a do-over. I tend to think I need to run away..start a new life...a life where no one knows that I am afraid...or knows of my short comings.I get an urge to transform my outer being about once a year. A makeover can make me feel like I am starting over...but we all know that it needs to be a makeover of the inside and not the outside. Praise God that each day is new. I don't need to start from the very beginning. God gives us a chance to start new each day..each moment. Can I get an "AMEN"?

"Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness" Lamentations 3:21-23

The idea of this post came into my mind when I read this post. The blogger had picked up a book titled: Everything I Know I Learned from Home Improvement. One of the lines in the book that really made me think was from the chapter titled: Mistakes Create Possibilities. It states: "We all want a makeover because it feels like starting over. Yet we forget the real change requires planning and hard work". This is referring to a home makeover, but also is tying it into our own day to day lives. We think that if we do something so drastic that is will detract from the pain...fear...worry..or whatever is going on in our lives. By transforming the outside it will somehow make the inside change. But it couldn't be more opposite. We need to work hard and making the real change in our hearts and minds.

1 Samuel 16: 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”


I am thankful for the wonderful life I have. A loving husband...the cutest, smartest..most talented son:) and great friends and family. I am thankful that I don't need to start over...but if I did...I would hope I would come back as a Black Woman..mmmhmmm...you read right....a Black Gospel Singer to be exact. And I would sing this song below all day to my Lord. Who knows maybe I do sound like a Gospel Singer to God...praying that at least when I get to heaven I can sing with some great power and soul!


Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
there is no shadow of turning with thee;
thou changest not, thy compassions, they fail not;
as thou hast been thou forever will be.

Great is thy faithfulness! Great is thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
all I have needed thy hand hath provided;
great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
sun, moon and stars in their courses above
join with all nature in manifold witness
to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
thy own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Amy Sedaris' Vanilla Cupcakes

I needed a cupcake fix. I only had 2 sticks of butter so I had to make a small batch..but all I really needed was one cupcake...ok two. Amy Sedaris is a comedian/actress...I knew her name sounded familiar..recipe sounded good..so I crossed my fingers and hoped this actress knew what she was doing...and she sure did. The cupcakes were moist and a perfect soft texture. I had to 1/2 the recipe...which always scares me..but they turned out great and I got a baker's dozen out of it. I also made a new recipe for the frosting. It was a mixture between a creamy buttercream and whipped frosting. I had to really make a small batch of this and it turned out really good. Here is the recipe for Amy Sedaris' Vanilla Cupcakes via Epicurious:

Amy Sedaris' Vanilla Cupcakes(Full recipe...I cut it in half)
Epicurious
October 2006
by Amy Sedaris

Ingredients
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups milk

Turn oven on to 375 degrees F.

Put butter in mixer and beat at medium speed until somewhat smooth. Pour in sugar and beat well. Add 2 eggs. I like to crack the eggs on the side of the bowl while it is moving, which can be really stupid. I like to take chances. Yes, I have had to throw away my batter because I lost eggshells in the mix. Yes, it was a waste of food and yes, I know how expensive butter is, but what can I say? I'm a daredevil. Mix well. Add: vanilla, baking powder, salt, flour, and milk. Beat until it looks like it is supposed to and pour into individual baking cups, until they are about 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Should produce 24 cupcakes; I get 18 because I'm doing something wrong, although my cupcakes were voted second best in the city by New York Magazine.
***Notes by Amy:) NY mag named them 2nd best and I can see why! She also has a buttercream recipe...but I had my heart set on trying a different one..I'll have to try it out and let you know what I think.


Oh and here is the Buttercrean Frosting recipe I used in case you are looking for something a little lighter(in texture not calories). Can't remember where I found it...some blog out in blogland.

Buttercream Frosting (Sorry no photo..having issues..I am not able to put more than one pic up...argghhh)

2 c. butter
4 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
1/4 c. milk or heavy cream ( I used milk..but want to try the heavy cream)

Beat butter and powdered sugar on low until creamed..then add remaining ingredients one at a time at medium speed for 3-4 minutes..until well combined and the desired consistency. Add more powdered sugar if it is too thin or less milk..whatever works for you.

Enjoy and happy baking!

Cooking/Baking Bucket List

I recently stumbled upon a new site called http://www.browneyedbaker.com/. On the site the blogger has a bucket list of sorts for all the recipes she wants to make. There is no time limit, just 100 items that she would like to make in her lifetime. I love this idea. I have made many fancy smancy desserts and savory dishes...but it doesn't have to be complicated. It is also a list of recipes that maybe you have tried but want to master them. I have many of those...so I came up with my own list. My list is only 50 long but I can add to it through out the years and hopefully can get through these recipes and come up with some that I can pass on to you and others. After watching Julie and Julia I thought immediately that I needed to do that. Go through a revered cookbook and spend some time blogging about it, just like Julie. I never could get inspired to choose one cookbook...so this idea is perfect. I can try recipes of well known chefs, home cooks and bloggers. Bon Appetit!

Breads

• French Bread
• Challah
• Parker House Rolls
• Pumpkin Bread

Cakes/Cupcakes

• Red Velvet
• Cheesecake
• Vanilla Cake

Pastries

• Beignets
• Baklava
• Doughnuts
• Danishes

Pies

• Lemon Meringue
• Blackberry
• Banana Cream
• Apple Hand Pies

Other Desserts:

• Some dessert with Nutella
• Stuffed French Toast
• Buttercream Frosting
• Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie
• Bread Pudding
• Souffle
• Cinnamon Rolls

Soup/Stew/Bisque..etc

• Broccoli Soup
• Shrimp Bisque
• Gumbo
• Chili

Sandwiches

• Po Boy
• Croque Monsieur

Italian

• Lasagna
• Polenta

Mexican

• Chilaquiles
• Carnitas

Sauces

• BBQ
• Bernaise
• Gravy
• Hollandaise

Other

• Poached Egg
• Fritata
• Fish Tacos
• Fried Chicken
• Coleslaw
• Jambalaya
• Halibut
• Pizza
• Lasagna
• Quiche
• Paella
• Wontons
• Rack of Lamb

The Business of Busyness

Yes, that's right I am in the business of busyness. What is this business of busyness you may ask??? Well, I am pretty sure you are in the same line of work. It isn't one of those fancy businesses..with jets and assistants. It isn't a multi-million a year business. However, this business of busyness consumes your precious time, you put in way over the 8 hour day...in fact you work over time everyday. Just when you think your ahead..BAM..your business of busyness takes a hit. There are the typical stacks of paper on your desk, "associates" pulling at you from every which way...financial woes and don't even think about taking a sick day in this business of busyness!!!
Sound appealing??? No??? Come on the benefits are great...or are they..come to think of it there are no benefits in this business of busyness.


Busyness-Sustaining much activity..such as a busy morning or busy street.
Busyness-Meddlesome;prying.
Busyness- Being in use.


All these definitions from freedictionary.com are pretty applicable to how I am feeling about the busyness that I call life. The second would be a busybody of sorts..which is being meddlesome..which is a good definition of how I feel about being busy...it causes tension and destruction. The third would refer to more of an object, but again still pertains to the act of being busy "being in use"...unavailable to your spouse, children and other loved ones.


I only have one child and he is not at the age where he needs to be driven to football practice and then boy scouts. So, why am I feeling this way. Why am I feeling as though I am too busy to play outside, to read a good book or to spend time serving God. My priorities are out of whack. I work full time and am also a full time mom. I work from home so there is no break. I am on 24/7. I am beginning to see the importance of a stay at home mom. I am frazzled. I have to admit though..I am new at this and just like a new job..you soon get the hang of it and things run smoother. Being busy these days just seems like the norm. I am not saying that you need to sit at home doing nothing. Taking your kids to their activities is great. Being involved at church is great. It is when the busyness takes you away from these things that we as parents should be doing is when this business of busyness needs to be closed down.


As a working mother I am blessed to be able to stay at home. But...something has to suffer. I can't give 100% to my son when I have to ignore his needs to get my 8-5 job done...or visa versa. I almost always choose my son over my work..but that is not fair to my job and it is not fair to my son that my time is divided. The Hubs and I talk all the time about the possibilities of me being able to stop working. You hear all the time about the Lord providing..I hate to say it but I am so afraid to take that risk. I have the best benefits..good pay and three weeks paid vacation! The Hubs works commission..enough said!

Just something I wrestle with. I get overwhelmed..and then I think about having another little one...I think my heart just stopped beating! God has been teaching me to really spend my time wisely. The busyness I talked about early, right now, is being on the computer for hours or watching TV. Not using the time I do have wisely. I consider it meaningless activity. Yes, watching TV and going on the computer are not bad activities..but when they are chosen over activities that are meaningful that are bad. Max Lucado put it best:

“Those who believe in God will be careful to use their lives for doing good.” Titus 3:8


"Being busy is not a sin. Jesus was busy. Paul was busy. Peter was busy. Nothing of significance is achieved without effort and hard work and weariness. That, in and of itself, is not a sin.
But being busy in an endless pursuit of things that leave us empty and hollow and broken inside—that cannot be pleasing to God."

So, my prayer is that I choose to spend my time wisely..that I am busy with activities that are pleasing to God. Hopefully this new business venture pans out and I don't go back to my business of busyness.

Mise en place

One of the most important phrases that I learned and actually remembered from Culinary School was the phrase "Mise en place" meaning "everything in its place". Having all your ingredients chopped, measured and ready to go is key to a successful dish. In many kitchens there is a prep cook or many prep cooks. They are low on the totem pole but really are so important to the success of the Head Chef and all the food that goes out of the kitchen.When a Chef is not prepared it definitely effects the flow for the day and the end product is not usually his or her best.

I use the term Mise en place in other areas of my life as well. When my life seems to not be in order, there is chaos. When I choose to sit on the internet instead of grocery shopping or keeping up with laundry..my household falls apart(FYI-my chores are all done..so I can continue to write):). I have to say I use to be so organized. I was an Event Planner for two years and that position really taught me that I needed to be prepared for what I knew was going to happen..that way when something happened that was not planned I had time to sort it all out. Many times we go about our lives as we have planned and that is usually when God likes to throw in a test or two. Now, sometimes I have to admit I am so not prepared and I just about lose it...most of the time I can identify the test and know something great will come out of it. God always has a great plan for us. You hear it all the time that God's timing is perfect. We have to remember that He is far greater than us. He works supernaturally and sometimes we can never imagine what great things God can do and has planned for us. Also, God is patient. Have you ever been in such a rush while cooking a meal that it ends up in the trash? Totally ruined...a mess. If you had everything in its place then it most likely would have a different outcome. If you had put a little love and time into it you could produce something worthy of Top Chef...ok maybe I am going too far. Seriously though when everything is going right in the kitchen and I am putting my heart into it The Hubs is always like "this is the best____ ever! It does the heart good. Wouldn't that be great if we did that in our personal lives with Christ? At the end of each day He could look at you and say this was the best day yet! Keep it coming! Instead of "pack your knives"(good thing God doesn't give up on us and wouldn't say that after one failure).

Daily preparation in the Word is key to a great relationship with God. When you are prepared you can face any obstacle that may come your way. For some reason I want to shout "If you can't stand the heat...stay out of the kitchen"!!! Ok, sorry enough with all the cooking metaphors and puns!!!

In Isaiah 40 God is comforting His people. I love how this chapter refers to the majesty and glory of our God. "In the desert prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken". Isa 40:3-5.  Wow...talk about some preparation..making mountains low and rough ground level! Later on in the chapter it talks about how God measures "the waters in the hollow of his hand" and also "held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on the scales" (vs 12). This would definitely comfort me. The most I have ever weighed out on scales was a few ounces of flour!(although the scale in my bathroom holds almost the same amount as a small hill...oh geez). How soon we forget that when we are hit with something we are not prepared for that we needs to turn to God for help. We can't do it all on our own. We all have so much on our plates...step back and let God be the "Head Chef". It will turn out much better that way:).  Mise en place:)

Floating Holiday Project

                                  



                                   



Shane taking a pic of mommy's work too...and the laundry I should have been doing instead:).



Today I took my second Floating Holiday for theWinter. We usually get two that we can take any time between the first of January until the end of February. So..I had grand plans but then I saw my ugly... used to be coffee table..turned bench begging me for a redo. So I decided that I definitely wanted it to be white and then I was debating on doing stripes or a chevron pattern. I knew that my perfectionism would probably never be satisfied with the chevron pattern so I decided upon the stripes. I used left over paint from my hallway and trim. I started at the beginning of Shane's nap and finished by the end(luckily it was one of his two hour naps!). I am really happy with it. It looks really beachy. I wish I would have done 5 stripes instead of 4 but I think I will leave it. I may add some trim or paint out some other parts with the beige color..but for now it still looks really fresh. It originally began as a pine coffee table with doors and hinges. Then I wanted to get away from the country look and painted it a green to match my "Tropical" theme I had years ago and removed the doors. Next it was painted an ugly chocolate brown and it stayed that way until today. I was glad to do something different today and even more happy it could be done while the little guy slept!





There it is before...ugly brown...I know it is hard to see but Shane looks cute and there is that darn basket of laundry again!