Laura's Life

Comfort

2012-01-18T14:26:00.003-05:00

I have decided that I really really enjoy the comfort of having blankets on me. I did notice this in the Fall when the heat finally allowed me to add a blanket to the bed. The other night I had to add a heavier comforter to the bed. I really enjoy snuggling under the weight of the 4 sheets/blankets.

This picture shows the many layers of comfort.

this is what my bed looks like until I hop in and snuggle under those delicious layers of comfort.

I plna on enjoying these layers of comfort until May.

Blessings to all, Laura

Recipe review - Bacon Cheeseburger Rice

2012-01-15T17:30:00.000-05:00

Bacon Cheeseburger Rice
Taste of Home Simple and Deliousous
Dec/Jan 2011 page 49

Prep/total time 30 minutes
Serves 4

1 lb ground beef
1 ¾ cup water
2/3 cup barbecue sauce
1 Tbsp prepared mustard
2 tsp dried minced onion
½ tsp pepper
2 cups uncooked instant rice
1 cup (4oz) shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup chopped dill pickles
5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled

Cook ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add water, barvecue sauce, mustard, onion and pepper.

Bring to a boil; stir in rice. Sprinkle with cheese, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with Bacon and pickles.

The editors called this a kid-friendly meal and they were right!!! It was also adult friendly. No changes need to be made in my book.

Day in the Life of Simba

2012-01-11T11:35:00.005-05:00

Little troublemaker was "helping" me set up the Christmas tree. Then when I had AJ, Kelly and my brother Tom over for a birthday party for AJ he was the cordial host.

Checking out the crunchy paper.

Notice who is sleeping right next to AJ.

Still right next to AJ

Kelly and Tom

The finished tree

Simbas usual sleeping spot - under the chair right over the heat vent

Helping with the tree assembly

Then my favorite. When Kelly mentioned it was time to go home she collected the bag in which they brought the Christmas gifts in. But instead of getting out Simba got in was quite happy at the thought of going home with his bestest buddy.

The start to 2012 - a new menu plan

2012-01-03T10:23:00.003-05:00

To avoid the hassle of getting to and from the grocery store in a Ohio winter I am changing over to a 3-4 week menu plan. I tried it in December and could only plan 2 weeks, in January I have 3 planned.

Sat Jan 7 - Tacos
Sund - Italian chicken chili
Mon - Chili cheese soup and homemade rolls
Tues - bbq cups and fried potatoes
Wed - Chicken chow mein
Thurs - french toast with most likely apple pecan topping
Fri - sloppy joes
Sat - breakfast pizza skillet and sweet rolls
Sun - baked chicken
Mon - Tomato soup with beans and pasta
Tue - meeting night Greg is FFY
Wed - cheesy broccoli macaroni and meatloaf
Thur - pancakes, eggs and bacon
Fri - chicken and noodles

Like I told Greg these maybe moved due to my work schedule. I am planning on a trip to the grocery store around the 21st to stock up on produce and possibly some sale items.

Thank you for reading and blessings for a great 2012.

BZZ report

2011-12-19T20:54:00.002-05:00

I was recently selected to participate in a BzzAgent campaign for Truley Awesome Homestyle cookie.

I'm a girl that loves her cookies (any sweet really) but I never found these cookies in the 2 different Krogers that I visited/shopped in.

Recipe review - Pepper-Sausage scramble

2011-12-12T15:29:00.001-05:00

Sausage-Pepper scramble
Just Like my grandmother Used to Cook
Readers Digest page 149

Ingrediants
12 ounces smoked sausage or breakfast links
1 cup chopped green pepper
1 medium onion chopped
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 can (14 ½ Oz) low sodium stewed tomatoes
1 tbsp flour
1 cup frozen then thawed sweet corn
2 Tbsp parsley
1 Tbsp firmly packed brown sugar
1 Tbsp vinegar
1 Tbsp prepared mustard
½ tsp marjoram leaves
¼ tsp black pepper

Preperation
#1 Heat a skillet over a moderately high heat. Add sausage, green pepper, garlic and onion, cook for 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

#2 drain the tomatoes and reserve the juice. Mix the juice and flour and add that to sausage mix. Now add everything else. Cook over moderate heat until it thickens. Serve over rice.

Serves 3-4

Results: very yummy!!! I did make a goof instead of smoked sausage I wrote down (on the shopping list) and bought breakfast sausage. I bought the Maple syrup flavored sausage thinking it would be a good contrast with the pepper and it was. I also only cooked the sausage not the vegetables. I made this the night before so eat after I came home from work. So everything was in a bowl that got mixed up before I zapped it in the microwave. I think leaving everything to sit over night made a nice mix with the peppers, onions and sausage.

This recipe gets a big old happy face in the cookbook.

How Thankdsgiving went from 2 to 7

2011-11-30T16:52:00.004-05:00

the food

The kids in Greg's man cave watching the football game.

This year was going to be our first major holiday alone. Happily it wasn't. We received a call Wednesday night from Greg's son (S)that he, his older brother(J), their nephew (I) and a friend (P) were coming for dinner. So the kids came and joined us for dinner and some games of cards.

#7 was/is our neighbor the bachelor whom we take a dinner plate over for every holiday.

We wwere thankful for the food and for the company.

Blessings, Laura

Joann's shopping fun

2011-11-08T20:04:00.002-05:00

This past Sunday between church and work, Patti and I stopped at Joann Fabriv for a quick trip during their sale.
This piece of fabric is intended for the backside of the potholders I am making as Christmas gifts. Fittingly so its name is Stars and Strips.

These two pieces will be a tank top for next summer (the green flower print) and Snoopy will be a sleep shirt.

The patterns wee a very special find. I went over just to look at one for the amount of fabric that I would need, pull it out of the drawer, make my notes and was about to return it to the drawer. Then I saw it, the sign Simplicity patterns (with some exclusions) were 5 for $5. So these two patterns valued at $15.95 each cost me $2.

Very happy shopper who make return before the sale ends for more patterns.

Thank you for reading and blessings, Laura

What's going on in the kitchen today???

2011-10-30T15:40:00.002-04:00

Hungarian pepper mustard is what is going on today. I used this recipe and adjusted for the amount of honey I had left.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/hot-pepper-mustard/detail.aspx

Now I am going to need a trip to Sam's or Costco to buy a big can of honey. I have more peppers to use.

Blessings and thank you for reading, Laura

Check these out!!!

2011-10-19T19:05:00.003-04:00

I found these last night at a meeting. Our group recently had another one join with ours and now that everyone is settled we are going thru the leftover stuff. My Dad was sorting and shouted about a few other things but never said a word about these treasures. When he saw me looking at them he said to help myself - so I did!!!

I took these 6 a friend took another 6 and there are more. When I showed Greg he was "Are there more these are neat." I'll bring home more in a couple weeks.

Blessings and thanks for reading, Laura

My free or nearly free deals this past week

2011-10-18T12:46:00.002-04:00

Yes I was able to get to Rite Aid this past week for a couple freebies and a rain check. I got Cloraspectic throat drops free after Ups Reward and Burt's Bee throat drops. I imagine the Burt's Bee drops will be used fairly quickly at work. As a chasier I do quite a bit of talking to guests at the registers and some days my water bottle just does not last long enough. My raincheck is for the Blistek that will also be free after Ups rewards.

Now the other deal I got was very easy. All I had to do was go to work. The store sells Up2you gum for $1.49 and I had $1.00 off one manufacturers coupons plus my employee discount. I got 3 packs for around $1.02 less than the price of 1 pack.

I'll be going to Rite Aid again this week lots of free stuff to refill the medicine cabinet.

Stay tuned and may you and yours be blessed, Laura

Recipe review - Chinese Fried Rice

2011-10-13T16:19:00.000-04:00

Chinese Fried Rice
Just Like my Grandma Used to Cook page 217

5 dried mushrooms
¼ cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 large egg, lightly beaten
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium-sized onion, halved and thinly sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced diagonally
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups cooked and cold rice

1) In small bowl, cover mushrooms with warm water and let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse well and squeeze to drain thoroughly. Chop mushrooms, discarding the stems. In a separate bowl combine egg, broth, ginger and pepper.

2) In 12 inch skillet or wok heat oil over moderate high heat. Add onion, celery and garlic. Stir fry for 3 to 4 minutes until almost tender. Add mushrooms and stir fry for 1 minute. Stir in rice. While stirring rice mixture constantly, drizzle egg mixture over rice. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until egg is cooked and rice is heated through, stirring frequently.

Makes 4 main dish servings
To make Pork/chicken fried rice – add 2 cups chopped pork loin or cooked chicken with the rice.

Results – yummy and so easy to make. I cooked the rice the day before to make sure it was cold enough. I did not add the mushrooms.

Recipe review

2011-10-09T21:00:00.000-04:00

Mama’s Meatball Sandwiches
Just Like my Grandmother used to cook
Page 124

Ingrediants
For the meatballs
8 ounces lean ground beef
¼ cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 Tablespoon low-fat milk
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon each salt and black pepper
1 large egg white
nonstick cooking spray

Ingredients for sauce:
4 ounces bulk Italian sausage
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1/3 cup chopped sweet green pepper
1 can (8 oz) low sodium tomato sauce
1 cup low sodium stewed tomatoes, undrained and cut up
1 teaspoon each dried Basil and Oregano leaves
1/8 teaspoon EACH salt and black pepper
4 white French or Italian rolls, each 7 inches long
¼ cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1 Tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

1) Meatballs. In medium bowl; mix meatball ingredients (except cooking spray). Form into 16 meatballs.
2) Coat a 1- inch nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Heat skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs and cook for 5 minutes or until browned and turning as necessary. Remove the meatballs and drain off fat.
3) In same skillet, combine sausage, onion and green pepper. Cook over moderate high heat until sausage is cooked through. Drain off fat (what fat? I didn’t have any). Stir in tomato sauce, tomatoes, basil, oregano, and salt and pepper. Return meatballs to skillet.
4) Bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 to 10 minutes or until meatballs are not pink and the sauce is thickened. Stir occasionally.
5) Preheat the broiler. Cut a thin slice from the top of each rolls and discard. Hollow out the rolls. Spoon the meatballs and sauce mix into the rolls.. Sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese. Broil the sandwiches 4 inches from the heat for 1 minute or until the cheeses melt. Makes 4 servings

Prep time 15 minutes. Cooking time 30 minutes

Results: Very easy and a great tasting sandwich. I used a loaf of French bread (trying to save some money) and in future will spend the extra money and either use store bought or make my own rolls. When I formed the meatballs I did not get 16 meatballs – only 7. The extra sauce could also be used either over noodles or added to spaghetti sauce. Personally “discarding” the unused bread just bugs me – I save it and use it in my homemade bread crumbs. The Meatballs were so good that I used the remaining ground beef and sausage to make another batch of meatballs that are in the freezer for a future meal.

Comfort

2011-10-06T11:09:00.003-04:00

Sunday as I picked up Little Man in the church nursery he grabbed his blanket. As he cuddled both the blanket and me, I was thinking about comfort. How certain fabrics (like his fleece blanket), objects or people bring you joy, peace and that feeling of contentment.
I personally find comfort under my covers. How the soft weight folds over you, wraps you in nice softness and warmth. Sometimes I hop in bed, cover up and giggle like a school girl. Psst don't tell Greg but I close off the heating vent and make the room nice and cold. What's better than a chilly room to encourage you to cover up with the soft blankets?
How about a cold room to encourage cuddling with the husband? Come on look at these shoulders, take my word for it they are great for falling asleep on for a quick nap.

Or how about cuddling with this?? Look Simba even cuddles when he is sleeping in the warm sunbeam.

Here's to many nights full of love and cuddles.
Thank you for reading and may you and yours be blessed, Laura

On my mind Friday

2011-09-30T14:40:00.003-04:00

On my mind is an empty garden. The weather people are calling for the first frost of the season so we emptied the garden. Truly a sad time of year.

Todays post I return to shopping

2011-09-29T16:56:00.003-04:00

Honestly until I saw the picture I couldn't remember what I was going to write about today. I took the picture 4 hours ago. Well yesterday I returned to shopping for the good deals. It was hot this summer, I was miserable, bored, no money etc etc etc.

Well winter is coming I have to get more food stocked up in this place. For real its bad enough that I have to get to work in the cold, snow and yuck but shopping is not all that fun. The streets are not plowed well in the park and pulling and pushing the grocery cart is not to easy.

Now I know gum will not keep us from starving during any sort of emergency but if something happens and Greg does not get his cigarettes (I know nasty habit no comments please) hopefully these will keep the nicotine monster at bay.

The Stride gum (the larger 3 pack packages were on clearance at work, plus the clearance sale with an additional 25% off, 3 $1 off 3 packs manufacturer coupons plus my employee discount 18 packs for $5.69

The other gum (I think its U2) was on sale at Rite Aid for 99 cents each. I used 5 $1.00 off 2 packs manufacturer coupons and basically got them buy one get one free.

Now next week I am hoping for some food stockpiling freebies.

Thanks for reading and may you be blessed, Laura

Apples

2011-09-27T12:15:00.003-04:00

Apple Peel jelly

Single jar I am trying to show how beautiful this stuff is

11 quarts of apples in a very light syrup
Anyone who is part of the websites that I daily post "I am canning apples today" knows that I have been working on these gems for a week and a half. I am not done only abut half of the tree ids harvested.

this weeks menu ideas (9/26)

2011-09-26T14:01:00.002-04:00

Monday - chili verde (new recipe) Greg is already finding faults with this one. No vegetables, no beans and its pale. I sneaked some of it and it tastes really good.

Tuesday - stuffed shells enchilada. And I found a recipe for homemade enchilada sauce.

Wednesday - whole baked chicken

Thursday - not sure thinking something with a beef & potato soup

Friday - new idea for recipe Mexican chicken using leftover chicken, leftover beans and some yellow rice in the cupboard

Saturday - something with the remaining beef roast. Oh how about some roast beef sandwiches with home made rolls?

Free E-Book

2011-09-25T15:07:00.002-04:00

Just found a free E-book about stocking your pantry. Yes I have lots of experience stocking up on things - its always good to keep reading for new ideas. This one has a very nice list of the more complete sales cycles. I'm going to print it off once I get more ink or to the library (its only 10 pages if I read the info correctly).

http://www.scribd.com/doc/59136022/Yes-You-CAN-Have-a-Well-Stocked-Pantry?secret_password=l55tak5sbvmivow0y92

Happy reading and may you be blessed, Laura

Pioneer pockets

2011-09-21T20:30:00.000-04:00

I was trying to gather the green beans and peas from the garden. It was really bothersome to pick a few and then have to find my bowl and drop them in it. So I was looking for my apron (it has huge pockets) but couldn’t so I found a Pioneer Pocket that a friend sent me a couple years ago. I had no idea when I received them what I would really use them for.

Check out how handy these are!!! I was able to gather the green beans from 2 of the plants instead of part of one plant. Pioneer pockets; cute and perfectly suited for the gardening needs

The "Help"

2011-09-20T13:20:00.002-04:00

and no i don't mean the movie but today's actual kitchen help.

Simba chose to help by creating noise. He found an extra canning band and decided that it was pretty and made pretty sounds as he threw it around the box and on the floor. (Don't worry everything is washed before I use it)

Blessings and thank you for reading, Laura

Menu plan for Sept 18-24

2011-09-15T10:58:00.002-04:00

Sunday - Chicken BBQ at church so we be eating that.
Monday - Rigatoni with creamy tomato sauce
Tuesady - Chili verde
Wednesday - German meatballs with sauerkraut
Thursday - French toast
Friday - Campfire hash
Saturday - no sure might be something real simple like hamburgers

Blessings, Laura

The hand

2011-09-12T17:56:00.002-04:00

Sunday July 17, 2011

I am watching Body of Proof (Dana Delaney’s new show). She is tracking the killer of a steelworker. She asks her daughter (visiting the office for a school assignment) to look at the picture of the man’s hand. What does it say about him?
Who loved you?
What are your dreams?
Who’s grieving for you?

Here is my hand
Who loved/loves me – my parents, my husband, my cat Simba, my son, his girlfriend, my sister and her family, my brothers and their families, various Aunts, Uncles and cousins, my church family and I hope several of my various friends.
This list of people also answer the “who’s grieving for me”. In some sort of way I hope that the world in general misses me. But please don’t grieve to long for me. I’m try to live my life to the fullest so that I have no regrets but really the pain and bad times are done. I am with our Savior and full of happiness.

What are my dreams – I don’t know. I have some dreams like to start working for the local ministry group and learn to run a food pantry. I have deep caring feelings that draw me towards helping people. Right now things just seem to taking the path that God is leading me on – I just follow.

This hand (and its mate) has held her very newborn son (and since I know my Baby Bears will read this; you were 4 hours old the very first time) and then all thru the years of raising him, held the hands of 2 men when she married them, held the hands of several family and friends during their times of need and times of great joy. These hands worked hard doing several different sometimes dirty, greasy, yucky jobs. These hands work hard in the grocery store, garden and kitchen (not to mention her places of employment) to provide meals for her family. Look at the nails, nice and long nails on short fat fingers.  (Perhaps I should paint them and make them pretty)

So take a minute look at your hand and tell us what do they say about you?

Thank you for reading and May you be blessed, Laura

I remember

2011-09-10T19:56:00.003-04:00

My thoughts and prayers are will all the families of the people that were killed on 9/11/2001.

On my mind

2011-09-09T10:35:00.001-04:00

My friend Rhonda has her Friday post as On my mind. Today I have a large garden harvest on my mind. All my mixing bowls and my counter space is taken up with all the bounty.

2011 Summer post

2011-09-07T19:15:00.002-04:00

Storm Damage July 21

Had a terrific storm this evening. Clouds rolled in and it got very dark and scary. I did try to sit out on the patio but even this storm watcher got scared. The lightening seemed to be very low and loud and I was hiding under a metal awning. I did gather some sense and decide to watch the storm from the inside of the front door instead of the patio. Of course my sidekick (Simba) was right there watching the storm.

The wind and rain were magnificent – I love a good storm. I was wishing that my camera would be able to capture the bands of rain as they fell in one direction but then have the wind grab them and throw everything in the opposite direction.

We had very little damage in the garden – the beans (all of the various types) did do some moving and blowing but nothing was damaged and we lost no produce.

I did notice 1 large branch in the backyard and assumed it fell from Miss Maple. Later Greg and I were sitting out back enjoying the break in humidity and temperature and were talking about Miss Maple. We decided to clean up the branch and we checked Miss Maple to see how badly she was damaged. We couldn’t find any damage on the old girl. Then we looked at the bark of the branch, it wasn’t from Miss Maple. The branch came from a tree at the middle of the back field – 50 feet away from Miss Maple.

We also noticed that another large part of another tree was broken and is hanging on to the rest of the tree. One thing I find amazing is how some trees can appear to be healthy and get damaged in storms but others that are obviously dead or sick get no apparent damage.

Garden surplus

2011-09-04T20:31:00.001-04:00

Hum what to do with 6 cucumbers from the garden? Here is today’s recipe.
Recipe review
Like Grandma Used to Make page 47

Shaker Cucumber Salad
1 medium cucumber, halved lengthwise (I peeled mine)
¼ teaspoon salt
2 large green onion with tops, finely sliced
¼ cup thinly sliced radishes

Dressing
½ cup reduced fat sour cream
2 Tablespoon tarragon vinegar or white wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
1 teaspoon sugar
½ teaspoon prepared mustard or Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon black pepper

Scoop seeds out of cucumber, discard. Thinly slice cucumber. Measure 2 cups. Sprinkle slices with salt; let stand for 20 minutes. Drain well.

In a small bowl, combine cucumber, green onions and radishes. In a separate bowl, whisk tighter all dressing ingredients. Pour over vegetables. Toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour. To serve, spoon salad onto shredded lettuce. Makes 4 side dish servings.

Results: Pretty good but for me too much vinegar (I used white wine vinegar) so I will cut back to 1 ½ Tablespoon.

Blessings, Laura

Product review

2011-08-31T14:14:00.002-04:00

Who – Velveeta cheesy shells. Barbeque chicken flavor
What – 1 pot meal
Why – Well 2 reasons; #1 easy meal for one of us to make. #2 Hello its Velveeta!!
Cost – ($1.75 at Walmart) and then there was a 75 cent off coupon in the box.
Thoughts – very easy to make, everything but the chicken is in the box. I used canned chicken instead of cook me chicken. I also added BBQ sauce – just wasn’t enough for our liking.
Results – I will buy again for those I am to tired to cook nights. I actually got 4 $1 coupons that I used today to buy 4 additional boxes. 2 of these went into my long term storage I did buy 1 can of chicken for one of the boxes but the other uses ground beef.

August prepping work

2011-08-28T16:02:00.002-04:00

Its close enough to the end of August that I want to report on my prepping work. So far I have cleaned out 2 of the 3 boxes from my closet floor. And the clothes in them were donated.

I have bought the following for the prepper stockpile:
1 package pantiliners. Besides from the obvious use they can double as large bandaids.
5 - 8 pack packages of pocket tissues
container for my first aid kit

I moved from the regular stockpile to the long term stockpile:
6 bars of Ivory soap
5 containers of dental floss
8 toothbrushes

And I created the first aid kit. Right now all I have is 40 band aids but at least it is started.

Everyone along the US East Coast is in my prayers.
Blessings

Relaxing

2011-08-25T19:26:00.003-04:00

Sitting out back tonight. You can hear the usual sounds, leaves in the breeze, birds chirping, crickets chirping and little boys yelling.

Two of the neighbor boys (B & G both about 4-5 years) are playing at our end of the field. it's been a long time since either of us have had little ones to run around but, to me, its a nice sound.

B's father just yelled asking wht they were up to the reply ws "Looking for animals". What will they find a stray cat, a snake, rabbits or a groundhog? Most likely they will find a stray cat or two, the old tire, the wooden pallet or the pieces of concrete that are hidden in the tall grass.

Regardless I'll sit here and enjoy their sounds of play and happiness.

Blessings, Laura

Recipe review - Mandalay Beef casserole

2011-08-22T13:16:00.000-04:00

Mandalay Beef casserole
Pillsbury Family Cook Book (1963) page 271

1 pound ground beef
8 oz (1 cup) can tomatoes
1 cup cooked rice
¼ cup chopped onion
¼ cup canned pineapple tidbits, drained
1 Tablespoon raisins
2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon curry powder (I used Mild Curry)
¾ teaspoon salt
chopped peanuts, optional

Oven 350 and this serves 6

Saute beef in skillet; drain off fat. Combine with remaining ingredients (except peanuts) in 1 ½ quart casserole dish. If desired, sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes.

Opinion; yummmmm!!! Don’t let the idea of pineapple and raisins turn you off from trying this meal. Greg does not generally like pineapple but he ate 2 helpings of this one. Some things that I changed: I only had a thick style of Lea & Perrins (Worcestershire sauce) and since I have 2 more bottles I did not buy the regular style and as I stated I used Mild Curry powder. I also did not use the peanuts and did not bake the dish.

Recipe review - Easy Beef Stroganoff

2011-08-21T21:56:00.000-04:00

Quick and easy beef stroganoff
Pillsbury Family Cook book (1963) page 273

1 pound ground beef
½ cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, crushed
2 Tablespoon butter
2 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/8 tablespoon crushed rosemary
1 1/3 cup canned mushrooms pieces and stems, drained
10 1/2 oz condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
8oz chow mein noodles
2 Tablespoon minced parsley

Brown ground beef, onion and garlic in the butter until brown and tender. Add flour, seasonings and mushrooms; cook 5 minutes. Add soup; dimmer uncovered 10 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Heat, but do not boil. Serve over warm noodles. Garnish with parsley.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Results and comments: Good meal but I used egg noodles instead of the chow mein noodles. Also forgot to add the flour but I’m glad I didn’t; it turned out quite stiff and I almost added a bit of the mushroom juice or water to thin it out but extra water was not needed. I also added a dollop of sour cream when I served it.

Recipe review

2011-08-19T15:25:00.001-04:00

Recipe review
Tuna Pasta Salad
1 package (8 oz) small shell pasta, cooked and drained
1 can (6 oz) tuna, drained and flaked
1 large carrot, shredded
¼ cup chopped onion
¾ cup mayonnaise (I used Miracle Whip)
¼ cup milk
1 Tablesppon lemon juice
2 teaspoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon dill weed
½ teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

In large bowl combine pasta, tuna, carrot, onion. In another bowl, mix remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour liquids over noodle mixture, toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.
Serves 4 servings

Results; very good and cool meal on a 96 degree day. Does need some type of crunchy so serve with a wheat style of cracker.
I followed the directions, except for the lemon juice (none in the house) and will not make any changes for future meals.

From Taste of Home April/May 1996 page 19
Made during June 2011

Preparing our house for an emergency

2011-08-18T12:01:00.001-04:00

I’ve been watching several TV episodes about “Preppers”. If you’re unfamiliar with these people, they prepare themselves for a world collapse of almost any sort. I actually understand their thought process as I expect some sort of another Great Depression similar to 1929’s.

Preppers have hidden or some not so hidden at least a one year supply of everything needed to survive for their group/family unit.

My stockpile is so low after the hardships of the last 2 years (unemployment or underemployment) that I doubt that Greg & I could survive for 2 weeks. That has me worried not only for a years survival but what about this coming winter?

So many thoughts keep going thru my head –
What do we need to do?
How/where to start?
Where can I hide everything?

Well I have some thoughts on those matters. Storage we each have a closet in our bedroom – we can put things at the bottom under the hanging clothes. We need to be careful in Greg’s - his has the hot water heater that we must maintain access to.
Under our bed – we can put small containers like wrapping paper holders. I bet 6 of those could fit under the bed. Personally I am curious how many flat rolls of toilet paper will fit in one of those.
Under our trailer – plastic bins again to keep the dampness out
Our shed – needs cleaning but will hold stuff.

Next we need to figure out how many we will/can we provide for? Obviously we have us plus Simba. What about my brother Tom (he’s a special case) and if we provide for him how can I not provide for AJ & Kelly. What about the rest of the family – should I really be expected to provide for all? Tough choice there.

I was given a link to the LDS preparedness manual. Wonderful book, very thorough and includes biblical verses to back up the thought process. I think instead of printing all 222 pages I may find a hard copy of the book. I’ve read parts for 3 days now and know that I would often read thru the book over the coming years.

So to start I’ll clean out my closet – only has 4 boxes in it so easy work. And just start buying as I can. I’m going to focus on food and tools, a major first aid kit, backpacks, hunting/food gathering equipment, flashlights (need them anyways) and batteries.

This will be an ongoing process but at least I feel I have a starting point.

Blessings

The favorite sounds that home canners love to hear

2011-08-17T14:39:00.003-04:00

#4

The sound is the lids popping on the freshly canned goodies.

#5

On the back of my Ma Ingalls post, it was canning day at our house.
Today I made some vegetable stock - 6 half pints. and some tomatoes - 3 pints and qa half pint (mostly juice in that one).

I'm going to can apples this year and we noticed that they are turning red :)

May you be blessed, Laura

2011-08-16T12:15:00.002-04:00

Saturday July 16, 2011

For whatever reason I woke up thinking about how women took care of their families during the Laura Ingalls Wilder days. The outside temp was going to be in the low 90’s with a very large boatload of sunshine. We are in the middle of a hot spell with very little rain and personally it makes me feel like doing nothing at all.

But like Ma Ingalls I had no choice, I had the garden to tend to. A couple cherry tomatoes and a bowl full of green beans. I also had to be at the toy store by 4:30. Instead of taking the earlier bus and sitting at work until it was time to clock in, I stayed home until the very last minute. All I wanted to do was sit in my bed in the air conditioning but Ma Ingalls was in my head – take care of that garden. That garden will help provide us with food over the long cold snowy winter. Also Greg and I get a great deal of satisfaction tinkering in our garden.

Watching the weather the weather man is calling temps in the 90’s all the coming week. The kitchen has no A/C but Ma Beadle–Peeples has work to do this week;
I need to make the Dilly Green beans with today’s green bean harvest. Dill is not ready so I cleaned and cut the beans, and put them in the freezer.
Need to make the Hungarian mustard with the peppers (from our garden and our neighbor’s garden).
I need to fix the Mulberry jam I made 2 weeks ago – oh bad its very gritty but has a great taste.
I have a hankering for oatmeal cookies.
Not to mention the usual things like washing dishes, laundry, weeding the garden and harvesting any goodies that come forth. Oh and yes we might want to eat sometime so some food will need to be cooked.

I'm back after a short internet break

2011-08-15T14:43:00.002-04:00

Hello friends, I have returned nicely refreshed.

While I was gone I did create some posts and took some pictures so starting tomorrow 8/17 I will be posting regularly.

Today I need to do some laundry and figure out all my passwords that I forgot.

Until tomorrow, Laura

Enter this giveaway

2011-04-12T15:11:00.003-04:00

http://www.littlehouseliving.com/2011/04/grow-your-garden-giveaway.html

For the Laura Ingalls fans of the world this blog is close to reading those books we read as little girls.

I entered every way I could I would love some heirloom seeds for my garden.

Blessings to all and I will be back posting very very soon. Spring has arrived in NW Ohio, Laura

Freshest house on the street

2011-03-17T13:55:00.002-04:00

Did some Rite Aid shopping after church last night. I bought the following:
6 Renuzit adjustable freshners
2 Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaners
2 Gain dish soaps
2 Purex pearls (new fabric softener)
1 Motrin PM

I used my $10 coupon for the Holiday shopping deal they had and a $1 upreward from 2 weeks ago and paid $4.26. Then with my receipt I also got $3 in uprewards.

Thank you for reading and blessings to you and yours. Laura

Its so sad outside

2011-03-10T16:10:00.002-05:00

Another gloomy gray day here in Ohio. So I am pulling out some brighter pictures to cheer everyone.
Ok so I goofed but it still falls under the bright and sunny look I was going for. See the bright golden yellow circle on the boxes.
The view of our neighbors backyard just after the last ice storm. Something like 2 inches of ice and then 2 inches of snow on top of it covered by a thin layer of ice. It was fun crunching around on the snowy icy ground.

Kind of hard to see but Miss Maple has this lovely coating of ice on her. We were lucky she only lost 2 branches and they were so small that they will be kindling wood for the summer burning season.

Blessings and thank you for reading, Laura

Hello friends

2011-03-08T15:41:00.004-05:00

Today in the mail I had a surprise package. I hadn't ordered anything and the only hint of what was in side was the return address - Fulfillment center.

SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!

Check out these bright orange flip flops. Perfect I had to throw out 4 pairs after last summer and needed to restock for this summer. they came from Orbit gum - cool.

Blessings and thanks for reading

The I love to shop at Rite Aid for free trip

2011-02-22T15:50:00.000-05:00

One of our neighbors offered a ride (so he could pick my bargain finding brain) to Rite Aid today.

Store #1
Carefree pantiliners 99 cents – 50 cent manufacturer coupon = 49 cents
Reach toothbrush $3.99 - $1 manu coupon - $1 UPS = $1.99 Not a deal don’t ask me why I bought it.
Snapple diet peach – don’t know the price
3 Hormel completes $1.99 - $1 up (for each) - 55 cent manu coupon = 45 cents each (Great for Greg’s fend for yourself nights)

Total $4.99 got back $5 in UPS

Store #2
3 Carefree liners 99 cents each – 3 - 50 cent manu coupons = 49 cents each
1 Right Guard body wash $3.99

Used $5 in UPS and paid 93 cents cash got $3 in UPS back

Sorry camera batteries are dead so no picture.

Blessings, Laura

Well that was interesting

2011-02-16T14:15:00.003-05:00

I did my first price matching at Walmart today and I had fun doing it!!!

We get an ad from a local mom & pop grocery store. I always look at it, they carry the kind of odd food that Greg likes. Two more pluses are that the store is near our home and they double coupons. Well I really didn't want to go there today or this week. But I was going to get my hair done next door to Walmart and a bell went off in my head. Price match!!!

So after checking with Customer Service, it took 4 people to find the answer to "Will you price match this price?"

So I paid 40 cents per box versus Walmart's 43 cents each and versus Krogers 49 cents each. Very happy and now I am really stocked on Jiffy Cornbread mix.

Blessings, Laura

Sorry for the long break

2011-02-10T18:39:00.003-05:00

Can we say that I am so tired of winter!!?? but don't worry I'll be posting some snow pictures in the next couple days.

Have you ever received a piece of mail that just lifts your heart when you see the handwriting? Two people do this to me first Kelly and AJ Bears. then the second is my Aunt Joyce, how she can write so small and prim and proper is beyond me. But seeing that handwriting on the envelope means that I get a nice letter from her.

Today she sent a gentle scolding about going to LPN school and not giving up on that dream (I'm not just put it on hold due to finances) and pictures!!! I scanned them and am now trying to upload them but the first attempt didn't work (and it looks like the second is failing also). One is me at my baptism - I really need to tease my Aunt Peg about that 1965 circa hat!!! The second is of Aunt Joyce, Uncle Pat (her husband), Uncle Dan and my mom. the note says Dan came home for leave and bought sis (AKA my mom) a puppy and that she was living with Aunt Joyce & Uncle Pat at the time. Mom is just a young girl maybe 2???

I'll try to figure out what went wrong with the scans and post them at another time.

Off to write Aunt Joyce back.
Blessings, Laura

Frugal lunches

2011-01-22T11:35:00.002-05:00

I was working on a list of frugal lunches for Down to Earth and decided to post here also.

Some of My cheap lunch options:

Vegetables and dip/salad dressing. I bought a storage dish set that has small containers just perfect for holding small amounts of dressing, peanut butter or sandwich spread.

Peanut butter and apple slices or pear slices. Protein and fruit and your mouth sticking together with peanut butter pretty fun stuff.

leftover Frittata. I've eaten at room temp and they are pretty good

pizza - most children (and adults) love pizza. Make your own at home and make it good aka healthy and cheap.

Along the same lines of Lunchables: lunch meats, cheese slices and crackers, pita bread, wraps and they assemble the food themselves. Even cheese and crackers without the meat would be great.

I remember a friend in high school that was Jewish and during passover did not eat bread. She brought peanut butter and special unleavened crackers for lunch and we were envious. Do the same thing peanut butter and crackers make for fun sandwiches.

You can also use those small scraps of meat and cheese to make a great Chef salad.

And the ever popular leftovers.

Some helpful hints that I tend to forget.
Use the plastic bag inside your cereal carton to put your sandwiches in for your lunch.

Fill old plastic drinks bottle with filtered tap water and store in your fridge as an alternative to bought bottled water. Freeze them and you can use them to keep your lunch cold until you eat. Then you can drink the thawed water also.

Thank you for reading and blessings, Laura

Snow again

2011-01-12T10:56:00.002-05:00

View facing the back field

The neighbors bush (2 doors down). These are actually 2 different bushes and I just love the way they hold the snow and look so pretty when they are covered.

Our bush out front - I liked how it held the snow today also.

Greg the ever faithful friend sweeping off the other neighbors van.

I know what else do you expect in Ohio during January?! We got some pretty fluffy white stuff yesterday. depending where in the city the measurement was taken anywhere from 4 to 5 inches. The nearby TV station got 4.5 inches so that is what I use for our place.

Blessings

Rite Aid and breakfast this morning

2011-01-06T04:35:00.001-05:00

In my quest to be more coupons and money wiser I returned to Rite Aid this week. I had a refund check for $3.95 and $6 in up rewards to use. And of course my coupons.

On the list and since I went before work I made sure I stuck to the list.

2 Wet Ones wipes $1.99 each - $1 up rewards (for each) and - $1 manufacturer coupons = 2 free

Special K cereal on sale BOGO and I used a BOGO coupon = 2 free boxes

Rite Aid envelopes 2 for $1

Listerine $3.99 - $2 manufacturer coupon for the Zero formula = $1.99

A bottle of water for work

After removing the coupons, refund check and the previous up rewards my out of pocket was $3.52

And I have $4 in up rewards for next week. Since there are places online that I can get a preview of the ads early I am checking them and if I am not going shopping the next week I will turn around and use that weeks new rewards so I don’t let them go to waste.

And yes someone again has insomnia and is posting at 4:36 am.

Have a good day and blessings, Laura

December 2010 Free stuff

2011-01-01T19:06:00.000-05:00

Lots of free stuff this month:
December freebies
can of Wolf chili
head of lettuce
free 2 liter of Big K (got coupon last month)
2 boxes of Barilla Pasta
free bag of Ande's baking chips (rebate)
brick of Kroger cream cheese (coupon found ins tore)
$3 Pinecone payment
$10 gc from TRU (promo deal)
10 first class stamps from Quadreaders
dividend check from Life Insurance
tin of nuts from Quadreaders
doz eggs (used Kroger coupon from last month)
can of Whiskas cat food
2 boxes of pasta
small bag of M&M's
$10 amazon toy code
sample pack of Playtex tampons
sample SalonPas heat patch
Free dox eggs (Kroger special deal)
2 bags of frozen vegis
4 boxes of Pillsbury toaster pastries (contest win)
$2 coupon off beef, chicken (Wishbone refund)
Kroger coupons (no freebies)
coupon train envie
Oxy clean clinical samples
$3 Pinecone survey payment
coupon for free bottle of Extra strength Excederin
Rite Aid single check rebate
Caregivers Marketplace rebate
2 coupons free 12 pack Coke (cokerewards)
sample Golean Crisp and coupons including a $3 off 1 should be a free or very cheap box
purse size tube of hand lotion
Avon lip balm
Ande's mint rebate
Little Ceaser's pepperoni pizza (from neighbor)
Seattle's best coffee sample
2 BOGO 2 liters Coke products (Recyclebank point turn in)
$5 Amazon code

Blessings, Laura

2011 Goals

2010-12-31T06:24:00.002-05:00

Here are the 2011 goals.

2011 Goals

Make more of my own food (breads, muffins etc)
Preserve more of the garden bounty
Dehydrate more food from garden and herbs (dehydrator on wishlist at Amazon.com & saving up my Amazon codes for one)
Do more work with Herbs – I have Lavender for some potpourri
Do volunteer work
Coupon more wisely for our home, donations and gifts
Sew/craft more
Continue to blog
Get out of the house more for walks (even if just to walk up to the carry out with Greg)

Some are repeats from last year because they needed improvements.

Blessings and may you and your family have a Blessed New year.

Laura

2010 Resolution review

2010-12-30T04:16:00.004-05:00

Its that time of year again, what to do about the coming new year? I guess I have to start with a review of my 2010 goals

make your own bread - did but not on a regular basis.
dehydrate some food - didn't do unless you count the parsley and celery leaves
Can more food(pressure canning) - well I did can.preserve more food but no pressure canning.
Cooking more from scratch - I've done this and I hope that I have made us happier, healthier people.
expand the garden(it will almost double) - yep did that and it will grow again this year
grow & use herbs - grew 2 different ones Chives (which I do use) and Lavender (that I didn't use)
buy local (looking for a co-op for next summer)- couldn't find a co-op since we don't drive but I did buy more from the Farmers Market.
Improve my blog - I keep trying I may have to hire my son or my nephew to change anything :)
Do some volunteer work - didn't do the amount that I wanted to
Organize a home diary - its an on-going work in progress but put it this way if our home is blown away by a tornado I have an emergency bag packed that I stuff my purse in and grab with me. Greg laughs at me when they mention Tornado watch and I grab the bag and put it in the bathroom but hey I am prepared.

So I guess I did pretty good, I'm happy with what I did.

Come back tomorrow and hopefully I will figure out what to do for 2011.

Blessings, Laura

Christmas with Greg, Sam, AJ, Kelly and Tom

2010-12-27T19:51:00.003-05:00

Some of my gifts the kids gave me a new grocery cart, this one has a security shelf that will put a shelf between my bags and the open air.

Tom's gift a new t-shirt called Ghostbusters. I used a gift certificate that earned from one of my reward programs and paid like $3 for it. It was a hit.

The new couple shot - he tickled me just as Kelly took the picture.

My candy dish brought out the fun of the party. What do you get when you eat a handful of sour candy?

Only a face a mother could love :)

Its been my tradition to enjoy a special Christmas get together with my very special people. This year I served finger foods (that I must have missed taking a picture of), a deli tray with ham and turkey with cheeses and crackers, homemade brownies, macaroni salad, deviled eggs, and a beef and onion cheeseball. And at Greg's suggestion I served the sausage stars that I had made for dinner the night before.

I hope that your Christmas was as nice as mine.

Blessings, Laura

Recipe review

2010-12-20T12:34:00.002-05:00

Country Woman Christmas 1999
Savory Onion Cornbread (page 19)

Ingredients
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 egg
1 cup cream style corn
1/3 cup milk
2 drops hot pepper sauce
1 package (8 1/2 oz) corn bread/muffin mix AKA Jiffy mix
1 cup[ (8 oz) sour cream
1 cup (4 oz) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp dill weed

Directions
saute onions and butter until soft, set aside.
In bowl, mix egg, corn, milk, pepper sauce. Add muffin mix and mix until just mixed. Pour into greased 8 inch square pan.
Combine sour cream, 1/2 cup of cheese, salt, dill and sauteed onions
Spoon over the bread mix.
Bake in 425 oven for 30-35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Serve warm and serves 9.

Results and my changes
Pretty good but kind of strange with the topping. I used 4 drops of hot sauce and you could not taste it. I didn't have dill weed so I used dill seed. I suggest you leave this cool for 5 minutes - I didn't and I was hungry and my topping did not set up so it was messy. Good but messy :) and it went so well with my yummy chili

So what can you buy with 50 cents?

2010-12-14T14:13:00.003-05:00

I bought a new microwave.

I paid 50 cents cash and $65.95 in Amazon gift codes. I like to turn in my reward program points for Amazon gift codes. So I had 3 codes (2 worth $5 from Swagbucks and one worth $10 from Freeride). Then Coinstar (the green change counting machine) ran a deal if you turned in $40 in coins (or dollars) you got a $10 code for your choice of like 10 different places. One of them happened to be Amazon.com. We had been saving our change in a big Planters plastic canister for a couple of years plus we added some extra change to make sure we were at $40.

Just a mere 4 days before this started we found out that we needed a new microwave. So here is what 50 cents bought us.

Blessings

Friday - this is on my mind

2010-12-10T17:51:00.003-05:00

We hung up for outside Christmas lights. And we have changes for 2011 in mind already.

Blessings, Laura

Big brown (UPS) brought

2010-12-09T11:28:00.003-05:00

me a little brown box.

I just received my Christmas gift from Quadreaders Club a really nice tin of cashews!!!

Thank you for reading now I'm off to work with stops at Walgreen's and Rite aid first. Blessings

Frugal bee today

2010-12-07T17:06:00.003-05:00

Today has been a very frugal day for me. First I am sitting around the house in the dark. I am only turning on lights when I need to read something or like now when I need to be able to see my keyboard.

Tonight I have an Eastern Star meeting and I volunteered for refreshments. Pumpkin bars made with a marked down Halloween cake mix, a free can of pumpkin and free walnuts. Granted I paid for the remaining ingredients but not much just a couple eggs, some milk and spices.

Then for the same meeting we are collecting toys, gloves and hats for lower income families. So knowing this was coming up 3 weeks ago when they (the games) were on sale at work I bought 5 different games, used my employee discount (gotta love that!) and then mailed in the rebate for them.

The gloves were bought on sale for 49 cents a pair at KMart.

Trying to think of more ways to be frugal tomorrow.
Blessings and thank you for reading.

November freebies

2010-12-05T22:11:00.000-05:00

November free stuff
Garnier Fructis anti-dandruff sample
15 stick pack of Extra gum
2 free cans Whiska cat food
trial size Tide
2 cans Campbell's cream of mushroom soup
1 doz eggs (meat market)
Kroger coupons - Free doz eggs coupon
10 first class stamps (Quadreaders)
Barilla pasta coupons (including one for a free box) from Vocalpoint
$10 gc from Mypoints for Walmart
$3 Pinecone payment
2 cans Campbell's Chicken noodle soup
4 bottles Honest Abe Tea
4 boxes of pasta
Box Ritz crackers
roll of Scotch painters tape
sample Tom's toothpaste
$30 Settlement check Danactive
sample of Dove shampoo & conditioner
$1.50 Kandoo coupon
No Nonsense sock (1 pair)
coupon roak
Free Kroger Big K 2 liter coupon
2 Renuizit adj room freshners (Facebook coupon)
chuck roast (store sale BOGO)
coupon free bag of vegetable chips
sample bag of Purina One catfood
sample Vaselline lotion
5 pound bag of potatoes

This is on my mind Friday

2010-12-03T00:12:00.001-05:00

I'm planning my holiday baking.

500 pound food pantry challenge - final donation

2010-12-02T09:37:00.003-05:00

Here is the final list of what I turned in

12.6oz Pantene conditioner
2 – 42 count Pull Up wipes
2 – 2.6 oz Degree Deodorant
7 Reach toothbrushes
5 Reach floss
15 trial size various health & beauty items
1 – 8ct Walgreen’s tampons
4 - 11 oz Gain dish detergent
9 ct Tampax tampons
4 Reach dental floss
40 ct Tampas tampons
2 (8 ct) Quaker Hearty oatmeal
2 - 13 oz boxes of cereal
2 cans chicken noodle soup
2 Oral B toothbrushes
1 Reach toothbrush
2 packets Star Kist Tuna
42 ct Cottonelle Wipes
Boudreaux’s baby kisses
16 ct Poise pads
3 cans Campbells’ chicken noodle soup
3 boxes Ronzoni pasta

I didn't have a final weight total. When I saw that I was not doing as well as I hoped I didn't bother buying a scale. I am a little disappointed that I didn't do better but I'll just turn around and keep gathering for this months donation.

Blessings

First snow of 2010/2011 season

2010-12-01T13:47:00.002-05:00

When I left work last night we had a few big fluffy flakes as I walked across the parking lot and then it ended. But when we woke up this morning there was actually white stuff on the ground. Actually you see it better on the neighbors black car.

A view of the field behind our place

The garden, while it sleeps, is collecting future ground water to grow big strong vegetables next summer.

Ok I'm ready for Spring the rest of the snow can just float over us and land somewhere else.
Blessings

This is what I call Black Friday shopping

2010-11-27T01:29:00.002-05:00

Yes after work I did go to Walgreen's and do some of that shopping. rite Aid did not open until 7am and trust me I am old and was not going to wait for 45 minutes in close to teens degrees with the blowing wind.

But I was surfing (in my pj's by the way) and checked in on the Facebook page for Home Depot. They are running really sweet specials and look what I got!!!

Order Confirmation: W116025800
Order Date: Nov 26, 2010 7:30:48 PM EST

Billing Address:
Laura Logan Beadle

Shipping Method: Standard Delivery
---------------
Shipping Address:
----------------
Laura Logan Beadle

Qty Ordered Product Unit Price Amount
--------------------------------------------------------------------
1 4 Piece Steel Sling Chair Set $99.00 $99.00
FBNov4943 -$89.01
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Merchandise Subtotal $9.99
Shipping $0.00
Estimated Sales Tax $0.67
Order Total $10.66

Yes folks that is 4 outside chairs for $9.99 plus the tax. Hot dog perfect since our current pair are not holding up all that well. I can now recycle them and not feel guilty or have to sit on the ground next Spring.

Hope your day was good and thank you for reading.

Scary thought but my plans for Black Friday

2010-11-23T15:06:00.002-05:00

Black Friday shopping plans

Yep I am one of “those” shoppers. I will be leaving work at 6am and heading right across the street to Rite Aid and Walgreen’s.

Here is the plan
Rite Aid
I have the following to use $6 in uprewards, 10% off shopping pass for 250 wellness points and a $5 off $25 Rite Aid coupon.

5 (hoping for 5 at least) can of Planters $3.99 - $2 up reward and when buying 5 I will get a bonus $5 upreward. Will equal somewhere in the area of 5 cans for $4.95 (my math is probably off cause I can’t figure out the cents)

Nature Bounty vitamins are BOGO. I need multi vitamins since I am using my last bottle. I have a $2 off Your Life multi vitamins and a $1 off any Nature Bounty vitamin.

Motrin PM $4 - $2 manu coupon and $2 single check rebate

Listerine $3.99 - $2 manu coupon for Zero (I have 4 coupons) = 4 for $1.99 a piece

Lindsay olives 2 for $3 - $1 off 2 manu coupon and $1 upreward for buying 2 (I have 2 coupons) = 2 for $1

Across the old mall lot to Walgreen’s with a stop at McDonald’s for breakfast

Lots of free stuff
Planter’s nuts $3.49 - $3.49 rebate that will print at the register

Gillette Fusion skin care (hoping that is shave cream) $5.49 - $5.49 register reward

Nivea for men shower stuff $2.99 - $2.99 rr - $3 manu coupon = profit  And I am buying 3 and I don’t care if I get the rr’s for all 3.

2 liter soda 99 cents – 99 cents rr. Depends on what brand I didn’t see that on the preview

Colgate toothpaste $2.99 - $2.99 rr - $1 manu coupon = $1 profit. I am out of toothpaste for my stash. I either used what I had for my Christmas shoeboxes (and I had to buy one for that) or for my 500 pound pantry challenge.

Scrunci $1.99 - $1.99 rr (will be part of a gift for one of my nieces I think)

Gum EZ flossers $2.25 - $2.25 rr – 75 cent IP = profit. I love these things I can grab them real quick when there is something between my teeth.

Advil PM 99 cents – 99 cent - 99 cents rr - $1 manu coupon = $1 profit

I read somewhere that they are having the jar candles that Greg and I love on sale 3 for $8.95!!! We will stock up on those bad boys!!!

Check this out

2010-11-07T14:41:00.002-05:00

I found this great sheet of scrapbook paper in my stash. I'm going to save it for next Spring and cut the butterfiles out to put on some cards. I may also use some as accent pieces on a couple of pages in the scrapbook.

Surprisingly sad about this

2010-11-05T19:36:00.002-04:00

The 2010 season of our garden is over. Greg cut out the cabbage and covered the plot with leaves for the winter. Even the chives and Lavender are cut back and about to go to sleep for a long cold winter.

Blessings

October freebies

2010-10-31T13:58:00.000-04:00

Wow what a great month for free stuff

October freebies
Kroger coupons (no freebies)
2 packets of Star Kist Tuna
5 cans of Meow Mix cat food
3 boxes Totinos Pizza Rolls
8oz block of Philadelphia cream chees (Kroger kick off game)
coupons from my regular trader
coupon for free tub of Cottenelle wipes
10 postage stamps from Quadreaders
coupon enveleope from a coupon train
2 pink ducks from Race for cure
coupon train envelope
1 can Meow Mix cat food
coupon for free bottle of Advil (20 or 24 count)
$3 Pincone survey payment
$100 Home Depot gift card (turned in checking acct points)
single use Wisk (Costco sample)
trial size crest for kids toothpaste
3 Gain dish detergent
3.5 oz Wonka bar (Kroger game win)
Large Bag Doritos
packet Taco seasoning
coupon envie from train
contest win socks from No Nonsense
$10 gc WalMart (turned in Mypoints points)
coupon for free can Pringles Extreme (facebook)
Visine rebate check
Johnsonville Deli bites sample
coupon envie from train
$3 Pinecone payment
$5 Amazon code (swagbucks)
free can of Wolf chili (kroger coupon)
$1 off coupon Kandoo wipes
Vaselline hand lotion sample
Zebra pen - looks like for a teenage girl very cute
Sure for women rebate check
Shout color catcher sample
8 ft ladder
6 ft storage shelves
circular saw
pair of socks (forgot name of them and the promotion)

Bartering with my Dad

2010-10-29T20:04:00.004-04:00

My dad asked me to help him close out his old business this week. I was unemployed and my Dad helps me so much that I was quite happy to say sure. Today was day 2 of 3 days and man oh man that father of mine works like a dog. Of course watching him at his age (he's only 64 not old really) makes me work just as hard. But honestly he keeps thanking me for helping and I am having a blast!!! Here are some of my efforts
I have no idea what these things are but they sure were fun to play with. Good thinkg you can't see how dirty my hands are - they looked like I had been playing in mud puddles.

I was thinking about buying this set from him but changed my mind.

But I am taking this set

See the empty shelves and the full boxes? I emptied the shelves and all those boxes are paper to be recycled.

Oh and the bartering part? he has already given me an 8 ft ladder that I needed. :)

Thanks for reading and blessings, Laura

Busy weekend

2010-10-24T20:35:00.004-04:00

Wow what a weekend. Yesterday our Eastern Star chapter had its annual installation. My Stepmom and Dad were installed as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron, in a nutshell they will lead the Chapter. As I had been hoping to enter nursing school I did not accept an office, I'll be a protem.

Then at church today Miss P was alone (Mr W is out of town with his parents) so we had a tea party and we did crafts!!! The tea party is fun I just sit on the floor and tell her no ketchup in my tea please. She dumps some in anyways. But today she spotted some glue in our cupboard and wanted to make a picture. Beautiful words to my ears!!! so we got some pretty construction paper, some foam pieces and went to work. Next week we will do something with feathers.

Then tonight, while I was on the computer earlier I heard thunder (yippee!!!) and had to go outside to check it out. We all know that I love thunderstorms and this one was beautiful. It knocked out our electric for about 10 minutes. At first the storm was just a little thunder boomer but it got worse. I just grabbed my camera, the flashlight, a towel (for cover the rain was blowing on me) and sat on the steps to enjoy Mother Nature's show. I only took 1 picture the others would have been the same as I posted before.

Blessings

The bird and the cat

2010-10-22T17:26:00.002-04:00

I guess the 2 are not bothered by the other anymore. I took tweet out to the Kitchen so I could clean his cage. All Simba did was wake up from a nap, yawn, stretch and rub on Tweet's cage.
Tweet stood very still in the middle and just watched.

A little light to cook by

2010-10-21T14:31:00.004-04:00

The one fault that I have with my kitchen is that the light by the stove/oven is not enough for me to cook by. I don't remember if I have mentioned but I am visually impaired, I only have about half of the sight left in my left eye. Basically its real dark in my world when its dark!!! So since we moved in here I have been complaining that I need extra light over the stove. Well I went to Home Depot and amongst other things I bought my light and Greg hung it today.
Before

After

The reason I can see.

Now to get the bottom cupboard fixed the way I want.

Our first bartering experience

2010-10-20T14:01:00.002-04:00

Back view

Front view sorry it doesn't show how light the trim is.

Greg did some bartering recently. He spent some time helping the park manager (Bill) paint 3 Mobile homes; in return he got the paint to paint OUR home. I chose white as the base overall paint and a Herbal tea green for the trim.

I like this bartering.

Blessings, Laura

Can you hear the music??

2010-10-19T12:44:00.002-04:00

The woods across the field from our home.

Miss Maple - I was trying to show how her colors have started to change

And I don't mean music from the usual sources.

Nightime
I can hear the crackling of the fire, the planes overhead, the crunch of something (we hope are deer) in the woods, the neighbor 6 doors down talking around their fire. Of course Greg & I talking with our new neighbors around our fire.

Daytime
The wind gently blowing through the woods, the squirrels in our apple tree then they head across the electric lines to the roof our home, the kids playing in the field. Little LaLa (the neighbor girl across the street) singing her combination of 4 different nursery rhymes. Greg breaking up the fallen branches from Miss Maple.

Sometime just sit quietly and listen to the music that God provides.

Blessings, Laura
This man pulled out of McDonald's with his lunch and chose to sit under the tree to enjoy it.

End of the season (in more ways than one)

2010-10-18T15:16:00.002-04:00

I'm not to sorry to say that Summer is over. I will miss the sunshine, the fun storms and playing in the garden but not the heat. Here is the garden a few tomatoes, the cabbage, the crowder peas are still fighting to grow. Gone is the broccoli and watermelon. Even the green peppers appear to be giving up hope.

And in case you think I am being melodramatic (cause I am) even the farmer has decided that the corn has to come in. Hopefully that will make lots of cows and little farm animals happy for the winter.

Well Fall has arrived and its time to start planning next years garden. Hum what to plant, what to plant?

Thanks for reading and blessings to you and yours.

Its been a year already

2010-10-03T14:26:00.002-04:00

One year ago today Greg & I got married. Wow this year has gone by quickly. No
presents but I did buy this arrangement for the church services today. And because I don't like to "kill" flowers I requested a live plant to keep and remember the day.

Blessings, Laura

October 1, 2010

2010-10-01T11:20:00.002-04:00

Good morning friends I'm off to do battle with everything today. It just seems to be one of those days. A couple friends are taking us out for an anniversary dinner tonight and then we will come home and have a fire in the pit.

Here is my list of September freebies:
September freebies
3 Gain dish detergent 11oz
130 ct Bufferin
$18 gc from BustedTees (using Myview survey points and going to be a Christmas gift for my brother)
4 reach floss
tube Colgate toothpaste (Kroger coupon from a friend)
10 first class stamps (Quadreaders always looking for new people just email me for information)
Alive vitamins
sample your life vitamins
Precise heating wraps
Nivea for men body wash
2 boxes cereal (13 oz)
2 boxes of elbow macarooni
4 Aqua Mist
12 pack bath tissue
bottle 12 oz pop
bag of chips snack size
keychain
9 hot peppers from neighbor
$5 Amazon gc from Swagbucks
$10 Kmart gc (used Coke reward points)
sample of Downy and 4 coupons
free bag of M&M's (coupon)
issue of Taste of Home (free subscription)
coupon envie from a regular trader
sample of Wisk
notepad from Artscow
4 cans of Whiskas cat food
Little Crow coupons
2 packages of Ball Park franks
5 snickers bars
$10 Rite Aid gc (oral care rebate)
Rebate check for Aug from Rite Aid

Good day and blessing to you and yours, Laura

The poor grocery cart

2010-09-30T17:25:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone and thank you for standing by and waiting for me to be inspired.

I made a trip to Walgreen's and Rite Aid today
6 bottles of Tide detergent
2 bottles of Downy
1 box of Downy sheets
3 Dawn dish soap
and various other little things.

My grocery cart broke!! I was walking across a parking lot to Rite Aid and the wheel fell off!!! Right there on a parking lot!!! Clean fell right off. And it was a big wheel, do You have any idea how hard it is to push a cart with that much detergent in it? It wasn't easy.

Greg has his work cut out for him. Luck its an easy fix - Just a new pin to hold the wheel on.

Blessings from the clean laundry home, Laura

9-11 tribute

2010-09-11T16:50:00.002-04:00

My thoughts and prayers are with the friends and families of the nearly 3000 people that died in New York, Shankesville and the Pentagon 9 years ago today.

August freebies

2010-09-02T17:19:00.000-04:00

20 free prints from Snapfish (TLC/facebook contest)
4 banana peppers from neighbor
eggplant from neighbor
4 Whiska cat food cans
bag of Doritos (Kroger special)
bag of Kroger brand chips (e-coupon/sale price)
Kroger coupons (freebie for mini carrots)
$5 Amazon gift card (Swagbucks)
4 Sobe drinks (game wins)
1 lb bag of mini carrots
packet Old El Paso taco seasoning
Photo calendar (coke rewards)
3 Reach floss
pint of cherry tomatoes
1-12 pk Pepsi (kroger special)
3 cans cat food 2 Whiska,
1 Fancy Feast
8 SOBE BOGO game coupons
$3 Pinecone payment
3 bell peppers (neighbor)
cookbook (farmers market)
free 12 pack Coke (coke reward)
bag of boneless,skinless chick breasts
1 bottle Sobe
can Whiskas cat food
$10 Walgreen's gc (Mypoints)
8 ct Walgreen's tampons

September 1 - time to start a new challenge

2010-09-01T13:33:00.003-04:00

I seem to do better if I have a challenge to motivate myself. Here is one to take us to the end of the year.
500 pound donation challenge

I recently read about a fellow WUCkie (We love coupons forum member and I have a link over to the right in the links section) who’s Pastor challenged his whole church to donate the total family’s weight in food for the local food pantry. I already donate to my church’s food pantry but I admit I have been slipping lately. So this has motivated me to do the same so here I am to proclaim Greg & I will donate 500 pounds of food and health & beauty products to our church pantry BY CHRISTMAS. And of course I will do it as cheaply as I can.

Here is the running list but I don’t have weights yet. I need to buy a scale for that

12.6oz Pantene conditioner
2 – 42 count Pull Up wipes
2 – 2.6 oz Degree Deodorant
7 Reach toothbrushes
5 Reach floss
8 trial size various health & beauty items
1 – 8ct Walgreen’s tampons

Stay tuned to see how well we can do on this challenge.

Thanks for reading and blessings, Laura

My frugal husband

2010-08-26T19:53:00.002-04:00

After bringing home 2 more bottles of Dawn, my husband decided that they were a little messy under the kitchen sink.

He said he needs another box and someplace nice and neat to keep them - there are more under the sink.

Blessings, Laura

Why is it?

2010-08-23T13:54:00.002-04:00

That I go to Costco (my first time) and Simba gets the toy? I asked my sister Vickie to take me so I could buy a new refill bottle of hand soap. I actually got 2 (a bundle pack) and a 8 pack of Campbells Cream soups. Here is Simba's new toy.

This weeks shopping plans Aug 22, 2010

2010-08-22T15:01:00.000-04:00

Wow what a great week for both Walgreen’s and Rite Aid.

Walgreen’s
I have a $3 register reward to use and a raincheck for free multivitamins.

Dawn dish soap 99 cents – 25 cent manufacturer coupon = 74 cents. Plus if I can find the specially marked bottles they will donate $1 to help oil soaked animals.
Glade candles 2 for $5 - $1 off 2 coupons in today’s paper = 2 for $4. Greg loves to burn candles and trust me right now he is burning incense candles will be better.
Glade scented oil candles 2 for $5 same coupon deal as above.
Uniball pens $2.49 - $1.50 walgreen’s coupon – 50 cent man coupon = 49 cents.
Listerine and Reach Toothbrushes $2.99 each - $1.00 in ad coupon – lots of various manu coupons including $2 off for the new Listerine Zero rinse. I’ll pay between nothing or around $1 depending on the coupons.

Rite Aid
I have $4.50 in up rewards to spend plus a couple more for like $1 off $10 back to school etc.
Pilot Pens 3 for $3 - $1 SCR (single check rebate) - $1 up reward when you buy 3 – (2) $1 manu coupons from internet = 3 free
Maxwell House coffee $2.99 - $1 manu coupon - $1 up reward = 99 cents
Coffee Mate creamer $2.99 – 75 internet coupon - $1 up reward = $1.24
Splenda $2.99 - $1 up reward - $1 manu coupons = 99 cents. These are 3.8 oz bags and I plan to a good bit of baking for Christmas so they won’t last long.
Plus my raincheck for Purex 3n1 sheets from last week $4.99 - $3 man coupon. I have to wait until Wed for this, the truck comes Tuesday.

Blessings, Laura

Farmers Market

2010-08-21T17:41:00.002-04:00

Greg & I went to the Farmers market this morning. Guess who got her pickeling cucumbers??!!! Look at these big things. Now I just have to get the Dill - all the stands had sold out of it.

Stay tuned pictures will follow in the next couple of days.

Blessings, Laura

Young lady go to your room and

2010-08-20T13:29:00.004-04:00

write your name until you run out of ink!!! The past 2 days I have gotten some wonderful deals on Bic pens. 4 came from Kroger's today 79 cents each - (2) $1 off 2 coupons came out to 29 cents each pack.
4 yesterday at Rite Aid $1.99 each - BOGO - (2) $1 off 2 coupons and a $1 up reward when you spent %3 = 98 cents for all 4.

All will be given to my church but don't worry I am keeping 2 other packs here in case I am bad and need to spend some time writing my name.

Blessings, Laura

The sad decline of our garden

2010-08-19T18:41:00.003-04:00

Its sad but the garden is coming to an end. The tomatoes still have some green and varying shades of red on them. The cabbage are rather small. The crowder peas are still growing and doing well. The lettuce and cucumbers are gone. The collard greens are growing kind of slow but still growing. The broccoli is growing but I am not getting any heads, the same thing happened last year. I wonder if its just too hot for it to flower??

Can you guess what this mess is???? How about watermelon gone wild, green peppers fighting to survive and somewhere the collard greens are in there also. We learned an important lesson this year - the watermelon needs it own plot. Yeah without trying hard I won the battle to expand the garden for next year!!! Greg wants to put the watermelon in its own plot and I'm working on a second place to put more crowder beans in.

We are very happy with the garden, except the broccoli. So far the 15 tomato plants have produced a wonderful display of canned tomatoes!!! And I am not done yet!!!

How did your garden grow this year? where you able to put in one? any idea what's up with my broccoli?

Thanks for reading and blessings, Laura

The value of a smile

2010-08-12T08:29:00.001-04:00

I am generally a happy person but yesterday I was treated to a special smile. It was one of those days I had to get up early, little caffeine and a 9:30 am visit to the doctor. After all that, and we all know that I am not a morning person, I was feeling a bit down.

I was waiting for the bus, leaning on a light pole and happened to look up at a car. In the passenger seat was an older lady and when she caught my eye she gave me the sweetest kindest smile and nodded her head. That kind smile lifted my spirits and made me aware of how much a smile can lift anyone’s spirits.

Well that led me to pay attention to others and their smiles. The smile from the old man I let go ahead of me at Walgreen’s, the cashier who checked me out, the guy at the bus stop that I talked to, my Pastor when I got to church and especially my Dad.

So share your special smile with everyone you see today. You could be the one good thing that happens to that person.

And in case you haven't had a special smile here is one from my brother Tommy

Blessings

Scary thought

2010-08-08T16:40:00.004-04:00

We need to clean out our freezer.

That's just way to scary right now so I will take it in small steps. This week at the store it was necessities only - no meat. So we are eating out of the freezer. Dinner tonight is BBQ cups (using hamburger from the freezer) and one night will be mac & cheese with ham either mixed in or on the side.

Wish me luck
Blessings to you

What is so interesting????

2010-08-06T19:08:00.003-04:00

Tweet is in the bedroom raising such a fit. So I went in to see what his problem is - nothing until I look out the window.

Now I am left to wonder what they were so interested in? That part of the filed had not been cut today.

Recipe review

2010-08-03T13:39:00.000-04:00

Seafood & cream cheese stuffed shells
Taste of Home magazine Aug/Sept 2010 page 31

Prep time 50 min + chilling time
Makes 3 doz

Ingrediants
1 pkg (12 oz) jumbo pasta shells
2 pkgs (8 oz each) cream cheese softened
1/3 cup mayonnaise (I used Miracle whip)
2 tsp sugar (I used Splenda)
1 ½ tsp lemon juice
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp coarse ground pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
3 cans (6oz each) crab meat, drain
½ lb frozen cooked salad shrimp, thawed
12 green onions, chopped

Directions
Cook pasta following directions. Drain and cool to room temp. You also want to make sure they are dry – trust me.

Mix everything but the crabmeat, shrimp and green onions. Make sure everything is mixed well then gently add in crab, shrimp and onions. Stuff the shells with about 2 Tbsp of stuffing. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Results and tweeks: This stuff was great and I am not a fish eater!!! Stuffing the shells was bothersome as they were slippery!!! This mix would also be great for just plain serving with crackers and not bothering with the shells. Greg liked the shells. Don’t be afraid of the Cayenne its not noticeable just adds a small bit of zing. I also did not use cans of crab meat I found a 18 oz bag at the store and used that. I do recommend chopping the crab and shrimp up before adding the large lumps were a slight pain.

July freebies

2010-08-01T15:45:00.001-04:00

July freebies adding to the list of freebies I will also mark down anything that I get for free from the stores, by mail or any person that gives me something.
coupon bogo fire ring
2 - 16 ct Stayfree pads
tube of Crest Pro-health toothpaste
Sobe BOGO coupon
Crystal Light Pur samples plus 3-$2 coupons from Vocalpoint
Purina Pro life dog food sample plus coupon (Simba the cat is NOT impressed)
16 oz bottle BBQ sauce
2 coffeemate sticks 20 ct
gal of Clorox bleach
sample Old WI sausage snack
Bounty $2 coupon
10 stamps Quadreaders
single load Tide detergent
tube of Cover girl mascara and coupons (Bzagent)
sample Propel water mix
Black & Mild smoking jacket t-shirt
Bi-monthly Taste of Home magazine (1 year free with cookbook purchase)
20 oz Diet Coke (Kmart contest)
2 Reach toothbrushes
tube Colgate toothpaste
2-3 pks Rite Aid scotch tape
3 Lady Speed stick
TN Pride sausage gravy
3 Kitten chow bags
Ace sportswrap

My donation box runeth over

2010-07-30T18:44:00.005-04:00

This is the stuff I am taking to church on Sunday. Yes our pantry loves the health and beauty items. Somewhere in the spare room I have a package of Poise pads that I am giving them - freebie from Kroger.

The remaining goodies in the box.

As I stuffed more stuff in the box I realized its just to small for my stash. I've removed what I could but I have the makings for 4 Samaritan's Purse Christmas shoe boxes taking up a good amount of the room.

Guess I'll find another box.

No post tomorrow my Baby Bears are having a House Party and I'm spending the day with them.
Thank you and blessings.

KMart & Rite Aid shopping

2010-07-29T18:47:00.001-04:00

You know I was thinking maybe I should take the shopping cart with me but oh no I didn’t think I would need it. I give up that bad boy is going with me from now one.

Kmart
13x9 cake pan (I don’t have one mine was larger)
pair of womens dress shoes
12 pk washcloths
3 prs of men’s lounge pants

After leaving the store I found out that the pants that were on mark down were marked down from the sticker price!!! I paid between $2.50 and $4.50 for them. 2 pairs are for Greg to replace some of his well worn ones and I am saving 1 pair for part of Sam’s Christmas gift. And if I had a ride I would be going back to get rest that were on the rack!!!

Rite Aid
20 oz Mug’s diet root beer
2 packs of M&JM’s
2 Reach toothbrushes (used BOGO coupon, SCRebate and got 2 $1 up rewards) = $1 profit
Act 2 microwave popcorn $1 – 40 coupon
Soft Soap 7.5 oz $1 – 50 cent coupon
Listerine (Did you know that those bottles gain 10 pounds for every step you take with them?) $5.49 - $2 upreward
Ace sports wrap $3.99 - $4 in-ad coupon = free
2 – 3 packs Rite Aid brand scotch tape $3.49 each – BOGO store sale - $3.00 SCRebate = 6 rolls for 49 cents. (Christmas is coming up)
Legg’s Nylons (ugh full price but the only ones that fit me nicely) $4.49
Cortizone ointment (another full price ugh but Greg prefers this kind) $5.49
2 jump ropes $1.00 each (supposed to be 25% off and I will call about them and for Christmas shoeboxes)

and used a $5 off $25 total coupon
oop $30.20
-$7.00 in uprewards
-$11 in single check rebates
final out of pocket will be $12.20

Its a good thing

2010-07-28T21:50:00.003-04:00

that I like to take cool baths (or swims in my porcelain pool as I call it) when its hot. Our water heater broke 3 days ago - eerrrrrr that is another angry subject.

Heating water for dishes is easy (and so is ordering out or carry out) but I gave up trying for hot water to wash my hair or myself.

So Greg (have I mentioned that I love him and his frugalness?) arranged for it to get fixed for $20 tomorrow.

So I will be getting out of the house and going shopping while they are repairing the tank.

Blessings and enjoy your hot shower/bath.

Spent the day at a local park

2010-07-26T18:33:00.008-04:00

The sign of the park
See the white rock in front of the bridge? Thats the sacred meeting place for the local Indians.
See the birds in the middle of the river? They are standing on a sand bar.

Just a sign telling about a rock that is in the middle of the river.

The view of the river from the back door of the shelter house.

another back door view but that is a kayaker - there were 4 in the river.

The front of the shelter house.

The group of people we had. They were teasing me about taking pictures. They kept teasing Did you take the picture? Did you take the picture? I ignored them and when i walked away I heard my Dad - "I guess that means yes." Everyone got a good laugh.

Yesterday my Dad, stepmom and I had a picnic to attend. It was held at one of my favorite parks. Its an old park (started in 1930) and is along a slow and lazy part of the Maumee River.

The shelter house that we rented was built by the WPA program during and just after the Great Depression. Here is a link to a site telling about the program. And I musst say that these buildings were built so well that many of them are in regular use (at our zoo) to this day.

The view from the back of the shelter house is beautiful. What I just realized yesterday is that this river flows many miles from start until it reaches Lake Erie. The part right here by the park is so shallow that you can see the rocks at the bottom of the river. But just a mere 5 miles downriver the river is deep enough for lake freighters to come into our ports!!

I hope you enjoy this view of one of my favorite parks.

Blessings

Storm last night

2010-07-23T11:42:00.003-04:00

AH it was beautiful thunder, lightening and tornado warnings and all. Yeah you all know I was the crazy one outside AFTER the sirens went off. Don't worry I checked and the possible junk was south of me and not coming my way. Although I am probably safer outside than inside my mobile home!!!

I'm hoping the pictures turn out for you. One is the downspout - I love to watch the water pour out and then down the little stone alley we made for it.

Another of how the water runs down the road to the drain kind of like a mini river.

More storms coming tonight - I'll be safe I promise.

Blessings

The house is alive with the sound of . . . .

2010-07-22T13:10:00.002-04:00

Popping!!!We had 7 tomatoes fresh from the garden and 2 jalapeno peppers so I decided to can them all. I did have one jar causality and it contents. After a quick phone call to the one person I knew would be home and able to help with my questions I also found a new way to can!!!

I love my Aunt Peg.

So the preserving for 2010 has started!!!

Blessings and thank you for reading :)

Welcome to the jungle - garden update

2010-07-20T12:46:00.005-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1tj2zJ2Wvg

Friends I swear our garden just sprouted up overnight!!! Seriously look at what is outside our backdoor.

15 tomato plants all with tomatoes of various sizes and ripeness. But Greg did warn me to get the jars ready. So far we have 5 on the kitchen table ready for eating so I figure that I could can 3 of them.

See the cucumber plant?? Its been staked up 5 times and has given up 2 cucumbers so far. Every green pepper plant has at least 1 pepper and I see one that I am about ready to take off.

The crowder peas and the collard greens are doing nicely.

And the watermelon or cantaloupe is trying very hard to take over the garden. I did see a pretty yellow flower on it today so hopefully we will have some nice fruit soon.

The garlic is about ready for harvest. We have followed the guides and stopped watering it. Now it sits for 2 weeks to dry and then we can harvest it.

We have been very blessed with a fruitful garden this year.

Blessings, Laura

The reason I have been MIA for the past 2 weeks

2010-07-19T16:15:00.004-04:00

I went back to school for a certificate as a Nursing Assistant. Now I am waiting for my State competency test date and a successful end to my job search.

I hope that I can serve as an example of never letting your age stop you from going to school to learn new things.

Blessings, Laura

June 2010 Freebies

2010-06-30T10:27:00.002-04:00

Can you believe that June is over???? Would yo believe that we got our mail this morning around 9:30??? The past 2 days we got mail at 5:30 and 6:30. Well here is the list of freebies that I received for June.

Happy Freebie hunting and blessings, Laura

$5 Amazon gift card (Swagbucks)
$10 off $10 coupon code JCPenney
$2 Arbitron radio survey
$2.99 Kraft dressing refund
Kroger coupons (no freebies)
Old spice sample (Walmart)
2 coke rewards free 12 packs
$2 rite Aid refund check
10 stamps from Quadreaders
P&G R/A coupon book
Free Food magazine
Pantene samples from Vocalpoint
Febreeze house party box
Sobe BOGO contest win total of 3
coupon free Sauve professionals
addy labels from st Judes
free tote bag (Vistaprint)
Free addy labels from Vistaprint
Ritz crackerful sandwich sample and coupon
10 Nexcare bandages and coupon
$3 Pinecone survey payment

My Febreeze House Party

2010-06-27T18:55:00.009-04:00

I recently was selected to host a Febreeze House party. Talk about fun!! I had invited 8 people but for various reason only 3 were able to come. How cares the others missed out on our fun. Due to the heat of our mobile home the party was outside on the covered patio.

I chose to serve light fresh foods. I made a wonderfully sinful fruit dip, Creamy Cinnamon & Spice dip to serve with the fruit.
2 cups Cool Whip
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
dash of nutmeg
1/8 to 1/4 tsp cinnamon (I used 1/4 tsp)

For the vegetables I made a creamy Dill dip. I also made a Broccoli-Cauliflower salad.

This was a really nice party everything was suppli8ed but the guests and the food. We all received free products showing off the new line of fragrances that about to come out. May I wholeheartedly suggest the Pomegranate Mango fragrance.

July 9th Cow appreciation day

2010-06-25T19:55:00.002-04:00

http://www.cowappreciationday.com/

Visit your nearby Chick Fil A dressed as a cow and get a free meal.

Thinking out loud there is a bathroom close by the Chik Fil A in the mall. So I can head over on the bus, change in the bathroom and then get my free sandwich.