The Past Year and the New Year To Come

People do many things to ring in the new year. Usually I spend it with my husband, but unfortunately we are apart this New Years Eve. I have been pondering things that I would like to accomplish for the new year, but also reflecting on the past year too.

Some highlights of the past year:

1. My son was born and it has been an eventful, trying and joyful experience these past few months with him.
2. My husband acquired a job that will definitely give us a stable future.
3. I was given notice of termination of a job I have held for 11.5 years.
4. My daughter started her senior year of high school.
5. I saw myself get the biggest I have ever been in my life...but........see below..
6. I started Weight Watchers and lost 5.6 pounds the first week.
7. My son asked Jesus into his heart.

Some goals and highlights of the coming year:

1. I hope to lose at least 40 pounds by the time my husband gets home and well over that by the end of 2009.
2. I hope to get my house in order, the way I see it in my head.
3. My daughter will graduate high school. I hope to take in so much of her this year....as I know my time is getting limited before she leaves and becomes an adult.
4. My parents will celebrate a big anniversary.
5. I want to maintain exercising.
6. I would like to perfect couponing and set a budget.
7. I would like to get more involved with my son's homeschooling and really make sure he is on track.
8. I would like to be a better child of God, not only in my relationship with him, but also in how I am with my family and others.
9. I would like to be able to get so good at Guitar Hero that when my husband comes home, I beat the snot out of him...teehee.
10. I would like to get going on knitting more.
11. I would like to learn how to sew aprons.
12. I would like to take some photography courses.
13. I want to keep trying to fine tune being my husbands lover, confidante and best friend.
14. I would like to blog more often.

I also saw on another blog to find a word or a phrase that would be your mantra for 2009....and I liked that. My word is SEEK

Seek:

1. To try to locate or discover; search for.
2. To endeavor to obtain or reach
3. To go to or toward.
4. To inquire for; request.
5. To try; endeavor.
6. To make a search or investigation.

I will...

-Seek God when I may be stressing out about all sorts of things that should be meaningless when I know he is looking out for me.
-Seek to find what speaks to my children's hearts.
-Seek information on budgeting and make it.
-Seek to offer peace to my husband when he carries the entire load financial.
-Seek to know my husband even better than the year before.
-Seek to find a hobby or something that I enjoy..taking time for myself.
-Seek out new friendships.
-Seek to be physically fit.
-Seek out the right foods to eat.
-Seek to blog more regularly.

Above all else Seek first the kingdom of God...and all these things will be added unto you.

Seek and ye shall find....

Be well...God's blessings on your New Year...

A Simple Womans Daybook ~ December 22, 2008

FOR TODAY December 22, 2008...

Outside my window...Frigid breezes, thick snow, frosted windows, and quiet.

I am thinking...I should be cleaning, but I am tired. How long will the baby sleep. I don't want to go to the store.

I am thankful for...a warm home on such a cold, cold day.

From the learning rooms...School is on break for holiday.

From the kitchen...messy counters and chocolate chips ready to be used for cookies.

I am wearing...frazzled do, sweatshirt, jeans and baby spit.

I am creating...a rainbow colored dishcloth for my sister.

I am going...to try and exercise this week.

I am reading...blogs

I am hoping...that everyone enjoys Christmas and realizes the true meaning and the greatest gift of all that was given.

I am hearing...the wind on the windows, the hum of the washer, the ticking of the clock.

Around the house...multiple started jobs that need to be finished.

One of my favorite things...finding new cool informative websites.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Spending time with family, shopping.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...



For more Simple Woman Daybook entries visit the site here

Macaroni and Cheese with Stewed Tomatoes

Ingredients

1 (1 lb) box shell macaroni or elbow macaroni
3 cups milk
1/4 lb butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 cup milk
12 ounces shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese, divided usage
2 cans stewed tomatoes

Directions
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2 Cook macaroni according to package directions and drain, rinse and set aside.

3 In a large saucepan, over medium heat, heat the 3 cups of milk, butter, salt and pepper until hot but not boiling.

4 In a small bowl or cup, combine 1/4 cup of milk with the cornstarch and stir until dissolved.

5 Slowly add this to the hot milk mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk.

6 When mixture has thickened, remove from heat and stir in 2 cups of the cheese until melted.

7 Pour pasta into a large mixing bowl and add the cheese mixture and the stewed tomatoes.

8 Mix well until macaroni is well coated.

9 Pour into a greased 9 x 13 baking dish or 3 quart casserole and top with remaining cheese.

10 Bake for 35 to 45, or until golden brown.

For more recipes check out Grocery Cart Challenge

Christmas Scent

Ingredients
2-4 tablespoons cloves (I used whole)
2-4 cinnamon sticks
4 bay leaves
1/2 orange, sliced
1/2 lemon, sliced

Directions
Add orange and lemon slices to dry mixture of spices. Put in a small sauce pan with 4cups of water. Simmer on low to release the fragrance. IF you simmer it for a few hours, you will need to add more water occasionally so it doesn't boil dry. Store in refrigerator when not in use, to prevent molding. It can be simmered over and over again! Always add more water to equal 4 cups before each use.

TO GIVE AS A GIFT: put ingredients in a quart-sized decorative jar. Add enough water to fill jar. Add a few drops of red food coloring if desired. Close securely and give with a small gift tag explaining how to use it.

Note, I prefer to use the lesser amount of cloves so that they don't overwhelm the other fragrances.

(Found on recipezaar)

For more recipes visit The Grocery Cart Challenge

White Chocolate and Cranberry Cookies

INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon brandy
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup white chocolate chips
1 cup dried cranberries


DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and brandy. Combine the flour and baking soda; stir into the sugar mixture. Mix in the white chocolate chips and cranberries. Drop by heaping spoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. For best results, take them out while they are still doughy. Allow cookies to cool for 1 minute on the cookie sheets before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

For more recipes visit The Grocery Cart Challenge

JACK 4 months

What a doll in his matching sweater and hat...with those chubby cheeks....gotta love Children's Place.

Popcorn Memories

I decided this year that I wanted to string popcorn for my tree with my kids.



Well, in order to do that I was not going to spend an arm and a leg to buy microwave popcorn to do it with. I was going to take out a pan and some oil and make it on the stove.



I started to do it and Courtney stood by concerned that something terrible might happen and proceeded to freak when she heard and saw the popcorn pushing the top off the pan. Something I realized though while doing this, is the wonderful memories I have. I stood there hearing the pan shaking against the grate of the stove and smelling the popcorn cooking in the oil and being in the house I grew up in and realized that I have memories, memories of popcorn. My Dad comes to mind.



There were two things my Dad was faithful too(well three, but we won't get into that), he was faithful to my mother and faithful to making popcorn every night. I would be in bed and the smell would come drifting into my bedroom. I have to admit that I would sit and stew wondering why THEY got popcorn and I did not...man even the dog would get popcorn, but not me...I would wake up to find remnants of popcorn all around my father's recliner. Heck, when I moved in, there was still popcorn on the floor. Anyway, I just realized what a wonderful memory it was and I want my kids to have the same memory. I am going to incorporate it into their lives as much as possible...maybe try some different oils or different popcorn kernals...I have to admit the white kernel is not all that great...but who cares, its going on the tree.

So in summary, thanks to my Dad for the wonderful memory....and guess what Dad...I'm the parent and I am eating it now...and your probably not...he he!!!!!

Pumpkin Crisp

Not the best picture above. The whip cream had melted instantaneously. We ended up putting vanilla ice cream on it which was much better.

Pumpkin Crisp

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 egg
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin puree
2 eggs
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup white sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Set aside 1 cup cake mix for the topping. Combine remaining cake mix, 1 egg, and melted butter or margarine. Pat into a 9x13 inch baking pan.
In a large bowl, mix pumpkin, 2 eggs, spices, 1/2 cup sugar, and milk. Pour pumpkin mixture over the cake mix crust.
In a small bowl, combine 1 cup cake mix and 3/4 cup sugar. Cut in 1/2 cup softened butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle mixture on top of pumpkin mixture.
Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 55 minutes.

For more recipes visit Grocery Cart Challenge

E-mealz

I just found this site today and it is SUPER cool. I need help in the menu planning dept. and found this.



It only cost $15.00 dollars for 3 months or $1.25 per week. You can sign up for different meal plans. I happened to choose Points System Walmart Meal Plan. This utilizes recipes for Weight Watchers and also prints out a grocery list that I can take to Walmart with the average prices of the items and what I can anticipate spending per meal week on those particular meals.

They have Points System any store meal plans, low carb, low fat, vegetarian and regular meals...for family or for just 2 people. There is so much that is interesting about how this works, but please go to the site to really get the scoop. I am beyond excited. This has been on my mind for a while..getting on a menu plan...and this makes it all the more easier, because I can have meals thought out for me and it will help me out with finding recipes for Weight Watchers.

Sunday Cooking

I have been cooking today.

Ice Box Gingerbread,



Tomato Soup Cake,




Turkey Pot Pie. This is it before the top went on.



Courtney and I made Pumpkin Spice Waffles to freeze for the week. She mixed up the batter and I cooked it :)







Hope everyone has had a restful Sunday. I have enjoyed being in the kitchen with my daughter. I hope she will someday do the same with her daughter (Yes Courtney YOU ARE having children).

Turkey Day Thankfulness

Okay, I am sooooo stuffed. We had an early dinner, but I am still feeling full many hours later. I made turkey (in an oven bag), which was very moist, Mashed red skin potatoes w/skin on, with garlic and parmesan, green bean casserole, whipped butternut squash, stuffing, and for dessert a pumpkin crisp which was to die for and I will be posting the recipe on here. My husband said I could not make it again it was that good. Anything he fears he will eat to much of, he says I cannot make again. I forgot the dinner rolls, but oh well...I will make them for something else. Dinner was wonderful and we spent the entire day including dinner in our p.j.'s. Its been a rough year for all of us with me being pregnant, us having a baby that had reflux, Bill working two jobs....we deserve dinner in pajamas..ha ha. We spent a quarter of the dinner time going around the table saying what we were thankful for. Some things were quite interesting things to be thankful for. I will have to post some pictures tomorrow of this and that.

The baby is finally in bed. The kids are sitting around the Christmas tree in the front room and I can hear the babies lullabies playing through the static of the monitor. I would say this has been a pretty good end to a very nice Thanksgiving with my family. I am thankful for them. I am thankful....

You Are Missed

Dear Dad,

It has been a year since you left us and so much has changed.

First, your son has done so many wonderful things to get our family where he felt it should be. He is going on to a career that you would be so proud of him for. He has become a father to little Jack and is really helping Anderson and Courtney along. We wish you could meet Jack, we think about that on a daily basis...all the things you are missing. Anderson is doing well and still is the same kind-hearted soul and Courtney is gearing up to graduate....she still does not have a boyfriend (something you used to ask). We think this is a good thing though. I am busy doing the Mom thing and just basically trying to keep up with everything.

I just wanted to say that we really miss you. I miss the way you laughed and I can hear you in my head if I think about you. You sure were a pain in the butt, but I would give anything to have you back. You thought that nobody would care, but we do. One of the last things you said was your sorry and that you love each of us, but we are sorry that you did not feel important, because you were.

Today, I will make sure your son is comforted and will give Jack extra hugs for you.

You are missed!

Love,

Andrea

My Son's Birth

My son was born today, November 24, 2008...born into eternal life. He asked Jesus into his heart. His earthly father lead him to his heavenly father. We are so happy for him and excited to watch God work in his life. He has already been saying he wants to be a missionary for a couple weeks and then today he said he wanted to be a missionary in Africa. I asked him what they do and he said they get to know God better and then they travel to different places in the world to tell people about God.

Please be praying for his walk.

Simple Woman's Daybook ~ 11/24/2008

FOR TODAY November 24, 2008...

Outside my window...The floodlight is shining on my windchime blowing in the breeze and next to it the thermometer reads 40 degrees.

I am thinking...that I need to get some recipes for my Thanksgiving dinner, put up Christmas tree, is my daughter getting sick, I need a haircut, how will everything happen in the time that I need it to.

I am thankful for...God looking out for us this week and showing us through ways that only we would recognize (that amazes me), the warmth and coziness of my home, my husband who is making salad (I hate chopping stuff for salad), netflix having good things for my children to watch, Children's Place because I found LOTS of cute stuff for the boys there. My coffee in a cute paper cup!

From the learning rooms....Learning addition and subtraction, borrowing, verbs, prefixes, about Esther, about purity, doing some geography.

From the kitchen...the sounds of my husband getting dinner ready, the gas stove clicking, the smell of chicken soup for my daughter who may be getting sick, the smell of cut cucumber.

I am wearing...jeans, my new boot slippers (finally a pair that keep my feet warm), hoodie.

I am creating...a list and checking it twice...definitely going to consider who has been naughty or nice! ;)

I am going...to try to get to the grocery store tonight.

I am reading...All You and Real Simple magazines,

I am hoping...that the eldest is not getting sick before the holiday, seems like that always happens to her...poor kid and the PS2 is not broken, but it seems like it may be...ugh.

I am hearing...the radio playing Christmas music, the water running, the phone ringing,

Around the house...there are too many lights on...why is turning off lights so hard to enforce.

One of my favorite things...the sound of the heat coming on.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Get to church on Wednesday, turkey coma on Thursday and thinking about losing weight on Friday.


Here is picture thought I am sharing...



For more Simple Woman's Daybooks, please click here

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

This is a new song by Michael W. Smith. I really like it. It is calling the church out from all over the world. Something I believe really needs to happen, especially with all the changes.

I will sing a new hallelujah!!!

You can find more favorite songs at Signs, Miracles and Wonders here

We Cut the Cable!

It has been a week...WE MADE IT...and we are still doing just fine.

We cut our cable. We had four boxes hooked up. We got rid of it completely. We have not access to normal television. The decision came for multiple reasons. One, we are absolutely disgusted by what is being broadcast. Even if you find a family movie, you have to worry about what commercial's will pop up. Two, we are looking to save money.

On to spending time with God, books and videos, games and spending time with each other. We also invested in a Roku box that will allow Netflix instant t.v. to go straight to our television. It is so much more controlled. I can pick series such as Leave it to Beaver to be able to be shown on our television and also we are allowed DVD's delivered to our home. All at a MUCH more reasonable rate than the cable.





I'd say we have plenty of things to keep us busy.

God holds us responsible for enriching our childrens lives with good things.

"I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

I had a teacher that would always tell the class Garbage In, Garbage Out and I truly believe that. I am hoping that my children will appreciate going back to simple life. With cell phones, computers and television, our children are far too stimulated. Time to get back to the basics. I am doing this so that my children's children will benefit from it. In 2 Timothy 1:5-7, there is talk of the influence a grandparent has on future grandchildren.

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. 6For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

This is encouraging that even though the decision might be hard, it will show itself to be a worthy decision down the line.

I am happy for a quiet weekend with my family. I hope yours will be too.

Blessings,

Remembrance of My First Born Son Brennan.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.



—John 14:1-3
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.



Revelation 21:4
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."



2 Corinthians 4:16-15:8
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.



12 years ago today, part of my life story went home to be with the Lord. My son Brennan died as a result of SIDS. I am so thankful that I will be able to be with him again. That gives me hope even in the face of pain. I thank God that he has made me whole and that through my relationship with him, he gives me that opportunity to have eternal life and be with the people that I cherish.

If you would like to know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, please click here

Blessings to you today,

My littlest little man 3 months

Done by my friend and photographer Jill Garl, for her site click here

Simple Womans Daybook November 17th

November 17, 2008


Outside My Window...White snow on the ground and my wind chime lightly ringing.

I am thinking...I wonder what the day will hold, how long will the baby sleep, how come I don't know how to fold laundry, how peaceful the house is this early in the morning...

I am thankful for...the peace in my heart from God my father, my husband, my teenage daughter who does not act so teenage, my two boys, my warm home, my parents, my siblings, food in my cupboards..

From the kitchen...the sounds of an aging refrigerator and a stovetop ready to be used for the morning.

I am wearing...A warm blue robe, p.j's and blue slippers.

I am creating...this post

I am going...to do some shopping today and get the baby's pictures taken.

I am reading...Country Living magazine and coupon inserts.

I am hoping...that things will work out in my family and that everything goes well in the next couple months.

I am hearing...a song in my head "I've got the peace that passeth understanding down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart, down in my heart to stay"

Around the house...The static from the baby monitor, the ticking of the clock, the rumble of the nearby road.

One of my favorite things...warm cup of coffee in the morning.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Get some much needed shopping done, check out sales/coupons for the week, enjoy time with my husband.

Here is picture thought I am sharing...This is a picture that was drawn before the baby was born by my son. I saw it and thought it was special, especially now that the baby is here.





To get involved in Simple Woman's Daybook every Monday click here.

First Real Snow

It is snowing here today. It is a beautiful heavy snow with very large flakes. The minute my son saw it, his boots and coat were on and he was out the door.











You know it is getting to be winter and the holidays when Tim Horton's puts out this cup...




I love it.

I definitely am getting in the mood for the holidays

Darn Good Chocolate Cake

This is SUPER good. The best!!!! This is the one that my family requests most. Does not need frosting.

Darn Good Chocolate Cake

1 pkg. plain devil's food or dark chocolate fudge cake mix
1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) chocolate instant pudding mix
4 large eggs
1 c. sour cream
1/2 c. warm water
1/2 c. vegetable oil (canola, corn, safflower, soybean or sunflower)
1 1/2 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly mist a 12-cup Bundt pan with vegetable oil spray, then dust with flour. Shake out the excess flour. Set the pan aside.

Place the cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, sour cream, warm water and oil in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 2-3 minutes more, scraping the sides down again if needed. The batter should look thick and well combined. Fold in the chocolate chips, making sure they are well distributed throughout the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pan, smoothing it out with the rubber spatula. Place the pan in the oven.

Bake the cake until it springs back when lightly pressed with your finger and just starts to pull away from the sides of the pan, 45-50 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack to cool for 20 minutes. Run a long, sharp knife around the edge of the cake and invert it onto the rack to cool completely, 20 minutes more. Or invert it onto a serving platter to slice and serve while still warm.

For more recipes hop on over to Grocery Cart Challenge here

Awwwwww

I love sons....this is sooooo good. Turn off my player at bottom to hear...I'm getting all misty

Then Sings My Soul Saturday

I love everything about this song. It really just puts me at peace.

Be sure to go down to bottom of my blog to turn off music to hear it.

If you would like to get in on Then Sings My Soul Saturday click here

What Makes Me Feel Safe....

You might be wondering what my husband is doing. It looks like he is checking out the ground or holding the tree up.

My husband is praying.....

I started noticing that he would come and kneel down on the driveway or at the front porch or by the tree after running. For a long time I just thought he was really tired out. One time I caught him at the porch though and asked him what he was doing. He told me everytime he runs he comes back to the house and prays over it and the people in it.

That sure does make me feel safe.....

I would not give that up for any amount of attractiveness, financial stability or smarts (although he has all those too).

Onward Christian Soldiers

Many people woke up this morning with different feelings about what is going on in this world. I struggled with voting at all, although I did. Now that all is said and done may people are saying God is still on his throne, but do they really believe that? HE IS!!!!! Hallelujah that we can count on that....

I still love the verse "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord"...and that cannot be changed, even with whatever is happening outside of this house. I will try to raise my children to be soldiers for God and to proclaim the Good News..even in the face of immorality. I still have a choice. I can still chose to raise my children and my household up to know God, try to live my life as an example to others and get rid of things that would hinder that.

I say Onward Christian Soldiers...don't be frightened by what may be happening in our world...your destiny is ultimately heaven...this is not our home!

Pray for our world leaders as you should and lead your families so that they may be able to make the right choices in the face of decisions possibly made by those leaders.

Blessings to all...



Be Still My Soul

1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Great Deals!!!!

Went to Kroger and got some great deals today...maybe not the best, but for being within my first couple of weeks of using coupons, I am pretty darn happy.

I got

4 Vitamin Waters
1 Land O Lake Butter
2 Gallons Skim Milk
10 bags of Quaker Mini Rice Cakes
2 lbs of lunch meat
2 boxes Orville R popcorn
5 rolls of Viva Paper Towels
1 bag of parsley
1 large bag of baby carrots
3 packs of Bic Razors
2 Scotch brite sponges
2 tubes Colgate
2 Carnation Evaporated Milk
1 bag Nestle Choco chips
1 small carton Quaker Oats
1 Dial soap
1 Cider Vinegar
2 boxes swiss miss

Manufacturer Coupon Savings $31.35
Bonus Cpn Savings (what was doubled) $4.10
Str coupons/plus savings $48.28

Total coupon savings: $83.73 70% savings

Total paid $35.62

Kielbasa and Pasta Skillet Dinner

Another recipe off The Grocery Cart Game's menu Monday. For official recipe go here

I actually made this yesterday. It was just me and the boys. The furry hubby (yes, it is nickname) and Court were doing their thing...which consisted of one working and the other attending a band thing out at Michigan State.

This was a very good meal.

Jump on Over for a GREAT deal on Victoria Secret Bras

I got 2 bras, 1 pair of underwear and an eye mask and I only spent 22.24..no lie. Along with the deal came a free messenger bag valued at 50 dollars.

I found about this deal at My Penny Pile's website and you can find out about it here

Halloween

Anderson went as a pilot. He has never been a big trick or treater. He just goes a couple houses and the thrill building up to the actual trick or treating exhausts him and we end up coming home after a few houses ;)



Brothers



Jack's first halloween.

Jack's First Halloween

Make a Smilebox greeting