Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Thrifting Day!!

So today, I took advantage of Sarah Kate being at Mother's Day Out, and headed to the Lovelady Thrift Store in Irondale (that is after working out with my ladies doing some pilates!). It is can be challenging and sometimes really not even worth it to go places like that with Sarah Kate, so I enjoyed the time of getting to look through everything without my sidekick this time. So what did I find?



1. A fossil purse--over the shoulder kind. Fun fabric on the inside, great size, and good pockets for keys and phone and such. Love it for fall time. =$4


2. Express pants--These pants fit great, the length was great too! (which is hard for me)= $5


3. Can't remember the brand, yellow top--fun neck line, kind of boat neck like. Looks cute on and I love the color!=$4


Total: $13! Woohoo :)


Next I was off to Publix, of course, I did make a pit stop by Chick-fil-A and use 2 coupons (1 for a free large Coke and the other for free med. fries). Publix was a small trip, but I was excited to get to stock up of some free rice! So here's a run down on what was purchased there:


10 bags of Mahatma Rice: .89 cents each- .50 cent coupons doubled= .11 cents overage each


6 cans of Campbells Soups (Cream of Chicken and 2 Chicken and Rice soups): $1 each-.50 cents off 2 doubled=.50 cents each

4 cans of Campbell's Select Harvest Soups: $1.19 each-$1 off coupons=.19 cents each

2 Margaret Holmes Veggies: $1 each-.35 cents doubled coupons=.30 cents each

Bag of Tortilla Chips and Ritz Crackers: $2 for chips and $1.70 for the crackers (no coupons brought for either)

Total: $8 and some change!

Sarah Kate of course hopped in the car when I picked her up all excited about her "fun" day! And now, she is passed out in the bed :)

Hope yall are having a lovely and Thrifty Tuesday!

Monday, August 30, 2010

Rewind: Aunt Lala and Jeremiah's Wedding

So I never got around to posting pictures and all from Michael's sis (I consider her my sis too) and her now husbands wedding back in May. Summer has just flown by and now I will finally recap the wedding. I do want this sight to be fun for SK to look back on and see somewhat a "scrapbook" of her life. I am no good at scrapbooking, but I can at least attempt this blog. With that said, here are pictures from Lauren and Jeremiah's wedding. It took place in May and could not have been more beautiful! The bride of course was stunning and it was so amazing to see God join such an incredible couple together. Michael and I see how they are putting Christ at the center of their marriage and we are so excited to see how God will use their marriage to further His kingdom. We spent the big day getting ready at Nana and Pop's house and then Daddy too SK on a car ride to get a good nap in so that she could make it through the late night.

When we got to the wedding location, we all got dressed and ready. Sarah Kate was beautiful. She was asked to be the flowergirl right after Lauren and Jeremiah got engaged and I was so excited. I knew I wanted to make her dress, but then got the crazy idea to ask Theresa how she might feel about me taking her wedding dress (I knew it was still hanging in her closet and Lauren was not going to be wearing or using it) and turning it into SK's flower girl dress. I called her and to my surprise she excitedly said YES! From there, I took the dress to Maja (This amazing seamstress, mom, mathmatician, pattern designer that I get the honor of calling my friend) and we went to work. I think it turned out pretty incredible! So enough talking, on with the pictures:

Needless to say, there were so many pictures taken and it is hard to even choose favorites, but this hopefully gives you a glimpse into a beautifu evening we got to be a part of :)








Random

There are so many things I want to blog about, but am too scatter brained this morning to focus on any of them, so instead I give you some randomness:

1. Why must Sarah Kate whine through the smallest of meals and make them last 2 hours, when we could be done in 15 and then move on to something a little more fun.

2. I recently painted our kitchen chairs and I must say I love them (well, I take that back, I still haven't completely finished, but plan to do that tomorrow!)--of course, I have not taken any pics of them yet, but maybe I will get to that to show you how they turned out!

3. Fall is in the air, I am ready.

4. I have been really wanting to get into some more cooking lately---recipes I want to do really soon would include: fruit leathers for Sarah Kate!, breads, and the Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls (wow, those look delicious).

5. I have been sewing up a storm lately! Projects currently going on: baby gifts, items for the upcoming "Made by You" sale (That might not be the right name, I can't remember right now) happening at our church in November, Sarah kate a cute fall outfit (The sophie pattern from the great "Maja's Heirlooms" patterns, and getting a jump start on Christmas gifts!

6. Speaking of Christmas, We are trying more and more to simplify our Christmas and focus it on what it should be not on what America tells us Christmas is about. As a family, Michael and I are not trying to reach the "American Dream", we want to do things differently. Call us crazy and no fun if you want. Crazy ideas we have decided on thus far: We are not doing Santa Claus with Sarah Kate (maybe I will expound on that one in a later post), We do not "buy" any Christmas presents==we do homemade presents for family and keep that simple and small too. We want Sarah Kate to learn that Christmas is not about what we get or even about what we give, but it is about Christ and what He gave us! That should be a whole other post on its own, maybe I will get around to that :)

7. Sarah Kate is loving Mother's Day out! She hops in the car ever Tues and tells me "Fun Day, Mama!" and this last week, she hopped in and started telling me all about her teachers and what she did that day. This age can be hard with the whining and learning who is in control, but it is also very fun! She can actually hold more "conversations" now and tell me stories. I love that!

(why are we still sitting in our chair, whining about having to eat a mere banana)

8. So I ran out of rice last week and finally broke down on Sat. and made a quick run to Walmart (I was out of ink and couldn't print coupons for a Publix Trip)---go figure I return from Walmart and see online that there are new links on redplum.com for .50 cents off mahatma rice--which makes them free at Publix! Stock up time for rice! *Plus there was another of the same coupons in newspaper this week! Man, I love couponing :)

9. Quick weekend recap: Friday night I got to teach a class at a friends house with a bunch of cool sweet ladies!, Sat. morning we got up and headed to the farmer's market (LOVE IT!) and got some yummy veggies and some honey then headed home to work on stuff around the house, including Sarah Kate helped daddy cut the grass (to clarify, Sarah Kate got to ride with daddy for one lap on the riding lawn mower and loved every minute of it!), then Nana and Pop headed over to our house to eat dinner (Cilantro Lime rice bowls with black beans, salsa, Mexican Salad, and Chicken) and play for a bit! Sunday was church then we all crashed for naps for a couple of hours, then headed to community group next door at the Bartz's house--dessert night, yumm!

10. After getting Michael off to work this morning, I got to menu planning for the week. I must admit, I have been horrible this last month with menu planning and therefore had some extra trips to the store! Horrible I know. We haven't necessarily gone over budget, but I want to get back to planning and keeping from going to the store for any last minute things. With that said, here is our menu for this week:
Monday: Sausage and Red Potatoes in Iron Skillet, Black eyed peas on the side
Tuesday: Chicken tenders, Pink Eyed pes (From the farmer's market!), homemade mashed potatoes, and bread (maybe I will find time to make some homemade this time!)
Wednesday: Potato Soup--Frozen already made
Thursday: White Chicken Chili
Friday: Homemade Pizzas
Saturday: Grilling out at Aunt Lala and Jeremiah's!

So that is about it for now! I have many posts to hopefully get to soon including:
*I never posted pics from Lala and Jeremiah's wedding--Esp. pics of SK's flowergirl dress (I along with Maja made from Nana's wedding dress)
*Projects I am working on--but Can't show too much since some are upcoming baby gifts and Christmas gifts
*I wanted to share the recipe I was taught for making homemade laundry detergent--I know I have already shared my dishwasher detergent, but I haven't done the laundry one yet!

I am sure there are more, but that is all my brain is telling me for now. Hope to share more soon! I know today is random, but maybe someone will make it to the end of this long and very not connected post!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Salsa Recipe!

We have had a great weekend round here. Sarah Kate got some good Daddy time while mommy had to run to Briarwood on Sat. and a staff meeting on Sunday. Everything is gearing up for the year and Ballet is about to start back up! Can't wait to meet my little ballerinas for the year. I love my job :). We also got to go swimming with some friends from church Sunday afternoon and Sarah Kate had such a blast swimming. She is getting so good at swimming around the pool with her arm floaties and ring. She of course thinks that she is such a big girl, but I know she is still my baby :). I made my good ole salsa that I can not claim the recipe for. I got this recipe from a dear friend (thanks melody!!!) years ago soon after we became friends and I have used this recipe out. We take it to most parties and get requests all the time for the recipe. One of the best things about this recipe, It is quick and easy! Without further ado (not sure how that is spelled, o well).

Yummy Salsa (That's how I labelled it on my recipe card :))

2 can whole, peeled tomatoes (the bigger kind of can)--You can use fresh too if you happen to have some on hand.
1/2 bunch fresh cilantro
5-7 or more depending on how spicy you like it nacho jalapenos--found most of the time in the mexican food section-like what you put on nachos.
garlic powder
salt
cumin
I don't measure, just dump it all in the food processor or blender. That's it! blend and you are ready to serve!

Hope yall enjoy!

**Update--so I decided to actually pull out the recipe and give you measurements, since that might help if it is your first time to make it. I have just made it so much, I don't measure anymore.
--1 and 1/2 tsp. tsp. salt
--1 and 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
--1/4 tsp. cumin (heaping)

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Recipe and First day of "School"



Well, it was a big day for Sarah Kate. She embarked on her first day at Mother's Day Out! Needless to say, mommy had a lovely day, and Sarah Kate had a blast from what I could tell. When I went to drop her off she started to cry and want me to hold her (which made it hard to leave), but I knew she would be fine in no time and have fun making new friends and playing with new toys :). This afternoon when I picked her up, she talked and talked about how much fun she had with "Miss Becky" and "Miss Babs". She was so excited and it was so fun to hear all about her day, as much as a 2 year old can hold a conversation :). My free day started off with some pilates, then a trip to Hobby Lobby and Dollar Tree to get supplies for some more crafts I am working on. I ate lunch at home, in peace I might add (and I didn't get asked constantly to share my bites...hehe), and now Sarah Kate is passed out in her bed for naptime! All in all, I would say we have had a great day so far. Here are some pictures I tried to snap before heading out the door. Of course, her hair is already falling out because she had been playing around the house before we left, and she insisted in wearing the sunglasses for the pictures :)


On to the recipe! So last night I decided to make "Chicken Puffs" and they were delicious, so I thought I might share the recipe if anyone is looking for something new to try!


2-3 Chicken breasts (cooked and cubed)
1 8 oz. package of cream cheese
1 can Pillsbury crescent rolls (I got the dinner sized--bigger--ones with 6 in the can)

Its simple! I mixed the chicken and cream cheese in a bowl. Open the crescent rolls and 1 at a time I roll out a roll and fill with a spoonful of the chicken mixture and then fold the roll over and seal it up. I placed the "puffs" in a casserole and baked for about 20 minutes in a 350* oven and thats it! I served it with some lady peas bought from the farmer's market, yumm :)
This recipe really wasn't too bad cost wise either. The cream cheese I got for .25 cents when I had a good coupon and paired it with a sale at Publix, the crescent rolls were $1.17 (once again coupon with sale price) and the chicken I can't really remember, but I generally get it for about $2 a pound, so total costs for the meal including the peas--used about 1/2 of the ones I got at the farmer's market, and froze the other half, comes to $5! Not too bad :)

Monday, August 16, 2010

Pillowcase Dress--Took less than a hour!

This afternoon, I decided to make Sarah Kate a pillowcase dress with a pillowcase I had found months ago at the thrift store for .25 cents. I loved the details of the pillowcase at the edge and knew it would be perfect as a dress for Sarah kate. It took just about 45 minutes to put together and that included a diaper change and kissing a booboo, so had we not had those distractions, it probably could be done in about 30! Here is the final product, I forgot to take a picture of the before, but got some after shots :) The ribbon costs about $1 when Hobby Lobby had their ribbons half off, so total cost of the dress: $1.25! Love it!

This last saturday, Sarah Kate had her first adventure with riding a Jet-Ski with daddy (very slowly I might add and close-by). She kept asking to ride the boat and then changing her mind all day we were out at the Lake, then she decided to ride the "little boat" with daddy. She had fun, but was a little unsure about it :) Here's a picture I caught as they were coming back in, what do you think? Does it look like she is having fun or maybe a bit nervous?
So maybe you can't really tell in the picture, but that is the best I got that day :) I need to work on my picture taking skills! Hope yall have a good start to your week!




Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Beach Trip 2010

Last week, we headed down to Destin with my mom and 2 brothers and their families. Sarah Kate loved every minute of beach and pool time! We got to stay at a great house complete with it's own pool and golf cart to drive to the beach (we were about 2 blocks from the beach). We soaked up the sun and relaxed a lot! So instead of all my words to sum up our trip, I will leave you with pictures instead!
And, on a side note, for those of you who question how you can save money on produce 9"The perimeter of the grocery store)--there is a coupon on Target's website for $1 off produce coupon. This could make for some free stuff!! You can take that coupon to target or most Publix stores will take Target coupons as competitor coupons and use the coupon at Publix!

Now, back to pics!
Daddy helped SK dry her toenails the day before we left for the beach--of course, Mommy had to catch a pic! SK has a pretty awesome daddy :)








Monday, August 2, 2010

Lake Day!!

So yesterday, we got to head out to Smith Lake after Sunday School to spend the day with Aunt Lala and Jeremiah and Alicia and her parents. Alicia and I have been friends since 7th grade and I love getting to see her when we can (esp. since we live on opposite ends of town now and have little time it seems these days to see each other). Alicia and her parents invited us to hang out at their lake house, grill out and have some fun on the water. We were so excited! Sarah Kate slept on the way up and was ready to go by the time we got up there. We swam for a bit before eating lunch and Sarah Kate was a bit timid of the water at first, but after getting some good food in her, she was ready to go on her first boat ride! She loved riding and seeing Lala and Daddy ski. She patiently waited for everyone to get turns skiing and then was begging to get in the water and swim. We jumped on in and she had a blast swimming around like a big girl (with her big life jacket to go with that). It was great to get to hang out with everyone and Sarah Kate had so much fun (so much that she passed out in the car almost immediately when we left). Here's a pic her aunt lala took that day! Hope everyone else had a good weekend!