Monday, December 31, 2012

New Years Eve 12/31/2012

Just a few more hours left in this year. And to chime right in with everyone else who sounds so cliche'  "This year has just flown by"!!

I am praying for a prosperous and blessed 2013.

The kids have one more day off tomorrow from school then its back to the normal routine around here for eveyrone. I have to admit having the hubby home and the kids home its been so nice. We did do a bit of running around for christmas this year a little bit more than I would have liked but we survived. That's the important thing right? lol I learned a lot and I know I can do better for Christmas 2013!! And that is the plan too!!

I was able to make more hm gifts this year than I did last year and I hope I am able to make more for 2013 than I made for 2012

I do believe the key is planning and baby steps. With our budget there is no way we can afford to shop all at once, nor do I want too, that is just too much stress. But being able to do a little bit at a time or make a gift here and there as the year goes along seems to be what works the best for us!! And maybe if I could learn a way to to keep up the momentum all year long would be great as well.

Another thing I would like to do is to have my groceries bought a month ahead at least for December. I gotta tell you hauling groceries in the snow and ice is no joke. Its not fun at all. Maybe if I make it a goal to be at least a month ahead I can save myself from freezing while trying to keep us fed. Not to mention I wont have to fight the crowds at the stores, geez that is an adventure all in its own, lol

So at least I have goals and plans in mind. Here's hoping that I can stay motivated and actually get it done, I am great at planning but the follow through, ugh I don't do well in that much, o.O

Well here's to a prosperous and Blessed 2013!! Cheers!!!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

This weeks Menu 12/17/2012- 12/23/2012

Twas the week before Christmas and all 'round this place, this mama was scrambling, and trying to make haste!!!

Yep the week before Christmas, I am excited, and well not as stressed as years passed and trying hard not to wallow in my sadness as its another christmas without my daddy. I am doing better this year, I am almost done, I've got a few more things to bake a few things to pick up and then well it is what it is and I've turned my focus to Christ and my children where it should have been all along and I've come to the conclusion that if my heart is unburdened because I know I've put Jesus as a priority and my children above all else then I'm good. And I gotta tell you it is so freeing. I am not worried about what this relative or that relative thinks about the gift I'm giving. I am not worried at all. It is what it is and I can't change people so there's no point in my being miserable if it doesn't go exactly like a Hallmark commercial you know??

This year I have put my focus on Jesus is the reason for the season. I've done what I can to be sure that my children will have a nice enjoyable Christmas and that doesn't mean I've bought them the latest and greatest whatnot because I haven't. 

In years past I've been too caught up with what people mostly my relatives think of me. This year I am doing my best not to care what other's think of me. My heart is light with burden  but oh so full of blessings!!! God is so good!!!

Ok so now on to my menu:

Last night we ate out because we went to see the Christmas lights at the park and then went to eat with my mom afterwards, It was nice being able to spend time with her and the hubs and the kids like that I really enjoyed it!!

Tonight the kids have play practice for the Church Christmas play right after school, I'll be making nachos for dinner, quick easy and a hit with my kiddos!!

Wednesday I think I am going to make Cube steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and applesauce

Thursday is the Boy Scout Court of Honor, no idea what it is but we were invited, both of our boys are cub scouts so we are going, and they are serving dinner so we will take a dish to go with that.

Friday: I'm thinking something with rice maybe fahjitas??

Saturday is Christmas get together with my side of the family so everyone is bring appetizers, YUM!!

Sunday If I can make it to Costco, and we have the funds I think I would like to make something rich and yummy like Crab Cakes, hm hushpuppies, baked potatoes and a HUGE salad. Double YUM!!!

Whats for dinner at your house this week??

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Good Morning!! Happy December 1st 2012

OH MY!! December 1st!!! 24 days till Christmas!!

I gotta admit, I am not doing too bad!! I need to get a few more things and I need to stay busy baking and I think it will all come together just fine!!! I decided early on this year not to sweat the small stuff. We are going to have a nice christmas and the best part is it will be a simple christmas. Christ centered and small gathering at home. ♥ this!!!

Today I am up early baking a cake for a friend's step-daughter. She wants Ariel and flowers, lol of course she is like 4 yrs old today so she's pretty excited. I wracked my brain trying to figure out just how to make her cake special and unique but in the end I decided to use some Ariel and mermaid dolls on her cake, that way she gets a cute cake and a gift all in one.

There are a few craft shows going on today to that I would like to check out, might be able to find some more gifts!!! But that all depends on time!!!

Hope you have a great day!!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Wednesday 11/28/2012

Good morning!!

Yesterday was a run errand kind of day so not a whole lot got done around here so today is catch up day!!

I've already had the washer and dryer working out, and they will continue through out the day till I get the laundry caught up, hopefully I'll have it all done by the time the boys get home from school and then they can help me put it all away, well at least their piles :)

The dishwasher has been emptied and reloaded just waiting for little miss to finish up her late breakfast then I'll get it running as well.

I need to straighten the bathroom, living room, hall and kitchen.

I need to do a wee bit of baking today,  just snacky type stuff and for lunches. I might go ahead and work on some of my christmas gift basket goodies and get them frozen so I can be ahead of the game for a change.

Thats about it for me today, in between folding laundry and all the chores I listed I'll try to sneak in a few crochet stitches on the gift I am making dh.

Have a wonderful day!!!
Dana

Monday, November 26, 2012

Menu plan Monday

Ok so here's my menu for this week:

Tonight we have scouts so it will be a heat and eat of Thanksgiving leftovers. Easy Peasy on a rushed and crazy night!! The only thing I need to make fresh is a pot of mashed potatoes, and some rice,  I've got leftovers of everything else

Tuesday: I'll be using leftover Ham from Dh's grams and leftover mashed potatoes to make
Ham, eggs and potato cakes for dinner- Breakfast for dinner is a fave around here
Wednesday:  I have leftover meatballs on purpose, made from last nights "Bill Jerome" subs night.
*Funny story, when I was a kid every once in a while my daddy would want subs, so he and mom would go to the store to get EVERYTHING you can imagine for Build Your Own Sub night. And that is just what we did, most of the time the subs were cold cut subs and sometimes they were steak and cheese kind of subs but either way it was build your own meaning you could put on it whatever you liked. My daddy was cool long before there was ever a subway, lol
Anyway we normally have company Sunday evenings and I suggested a month or so that one Sunday we have Build Your Own Sub Night, my friend said Oooh Sounds great..we love subs.  Then seriously said to me Who is Bill Jerome? At first I didn't get it, so I asked again what? And she says to me.. You said you were going to get Bill Jerome Subs, who is Bill Jerome, is that a new place, I've never heard of it?  To say I LOL would be an understatement, I explained and then we both had a big laugh!! So from here on out, Build your own sub night will be called Bill Jerome!!

So on Wednesday since I have leftover meatballs I think I will make spaghetti with meatballs and hopefully some homemade garlic bread

Thursday: will be another Bill Jerome night since I have lots of leftover meats and cheeses

Friday will probably be hm pizza

Saturday and Sunday are up in the air due to my monthly shopping trip.

Monday after Thanksgiving!!

Good morning!!
Today is back to the normal grind around here. The hubs has already left for work and the boys are already at school so that just leaves little miss and I at home today. Its a little quiet after having a houseful for those few days but there is lots to do to keep my busy!!

Today's agenda includes:
Dishes
Laundry..you knew I was gonna say laundry didn't you? Of course, lol there are not many of my lists that don't include laundry!!!
Menu planning for this week as well as preparing my list for my upcoming monthly shopping trip!!
I'm hoping that during nap time I can work on some gifts for the boys!!! How's your christmas shopping/gift making coming along?? I am getting there, just a few more things to buy/make and then I'll be a wrapping/decorating/baking  fool!! I love christmas!! The part I love the most is just being with everyone. Really and truely, our lives are so busy that having a few days just to hang out and enjoy being in one place with those you love is just priceless to me!!!

I am also hoping that since there is only 1 month till christmas I can bake and freeze an item every day or so. That way when it comes time to building my gift baskets, the work is all done and all I have to do is put the items together!!! Oh and something new this year, I plan on making my "baskets" out of recycled materials, so stay tuned!! The baskets that is, not the items going into the baskets, lol

have a great day, hope its productive and cheerful!!!
Dana

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Happy Almost Turkey Day!!!

Today will be a busy day for alot of people I'm sure!! And I am no exception!!
My list of chores today include:

Running an errand for the hubs
baking..oh the baking!!! :) I've got a from scratch carrot cake planned, as well as a cherry and apple pies!!
I'll go ahead and make up all the drinks today ie Tea, and Kool-aid
I want to go ahead and chop up all the veggies I'll need for the stuffing and I'm seriously considering starting my Turkey tonight in the 18qt roaster. I've got a 23lb turkey, not real sure how that is gonna work out in the roaster but I'm going to give it a go just the same.
And I want to make a batch of overnight cinnamon rolls.
And if I get all that done and there is still time I might make some deviled eggs as well.

In the morning I'll pop the overnight cinnamon rolls into oven and make the stuffing and gravy. Then pack it all up to take to my brother's house, we do sort of a potluck Thanksgiving. We all decide what we are having then we each make a couple things from the list and bring them to his house. It works out great really. No one is really over worked and there is plenty to choose from so there's something everyone will like. Perfect!!!

Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!!
Gobble til you Wobble :)

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Long time no blogging

Its been crazy busy around here!! I've been super busy with the kids and with cakes!! I took some classes over the summer, fell in love and have been decorating cakes for friends and family!! Its awesome and I love it!!

Update on us.... We survived Sandy, the rain and wind was crazy but thankfully we fared well!! This morning we got up and our mailbox is in pieces, and we were just about to shrug it off due to the storm till we remembered hearing a loud bang last night, only we thought it was a tree coming down, and once we saw the tire tracks in the yard we knew that someone had it the mailbox and yep you guessed it, NO ONE has come to explain or appologize. I mean I realize that the weather was nasty but still they could have said something.

In trying to stay out of the stores I just tried a new recipe and it was a huge hit!! I made Buttermilk Biscuits from scratch!!! They turned out so wonderful I will never again buy a canned refrigerator biscuit, NEVER!!! Infact I think I may even make up a batch to freeze to see how they do. I've heard of people doing this and it would be great to be able to add this to my freezer cooking!!! And the cost??? A mere pennies compared to the 2.00+ a can for those refrigerator biscuits. I am just giddy!!!

I'm still working on christmas gifts although that has slowed a bit, I need to get my momentum built back up, theres alot to do before Christmas gets here!!

Whats going on in your neck of the woods???

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Cool Weather!

It's been beautiful the past couple of days. Perfect fall weather. Now the weather man says its going to cool down, FAST!!  Which normally wouldn't worry me except I just sent my 10yr old out for the weekend to the mountains with his cub scout group. Oh what is a mama to do? I would much rather he be home where I know he's warm, well fed and comfortable. But like his daddy keeps telling me, he's going to be just fine and he has everything he needs and we trust who he is camping with...but...well.. I'm still his mama... and... well, you know what I mean... right? Oh the heart stress of letting them grow up and be little men instead of my little boy, oh I can't wait till he gets home.

I am going to dig in deep with the housework today, I need to keep my mind off of things. We will probably just have dinner at home, not sure what yet, a friend said they may stop by so dinner is kind of up in the air as of yet, and we may rent a movie or two from the redbox. Lord knows I won't sleep, lol

I'm just going to go ahead and say that I worry like this EVERY SINGLE TIME he goes on one of these Cub Scout camping trips, and he has been on MANY, and EVERY SINGLE TIME he comes home pleased as punch and had a wonderful time.  So I gotta ask you....

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?? That I worry like this?? 

What's worse is that this adventurous 10 yr old has a little brother following in his footsteps and I am going to worry myself completely gray, I just know it!! Thankfully the little brother isn't old enough to be camping all weekend long with the older boys yet so I have a couple of years before I am right back in this same worrysome spot. LORD HELP ME!!!

It does help some that Daddy anticipated this rapid cool down in the weather and we just recently upgraded Mr. Adventure's sleeping bag to a -40* bag. So I know he'll be plenty warm. But he'd be warmer at home in his own bed... just saying!!

OK enough worry, I do have some things I want to get done in the house today, laundry, dishes, normal pick up, I'll call our friends in a bit to see what the plans for tonight are as far as dinner goes, and then prep what I can prep so we can just enjoy dinner and a movie!!

I've started on a Christmas gift for Kara, its a crocheted Hoodie, I got the pattern off the net, its working up really fast. I've just started it yesterday and have already finished one piece and started another, it works up in 6 pieces= the back, left front, right front, 2 sleeves and the hood. I've finished the back and have started the left front. I guess it helps that she is still a little thing so I won't take long to work it up for her, which is good, since its already October and my hm gift list is LONG!!! I'll post pics when I am done!! I love the yarn, its a varigated soft yarn, in pink, cream and brown, love the feel of it so far!!

Ok so thanks for listening to me whine about missing my boy, I am such a wimp, huh?? LOL

Enjoy your weekend!!!
Dana

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Fall

The seasons are rushing past me!!
In a week my first born will be 11!! I can't believe it, he's growing into such a wonderful young man. He still has alot of boyish oneryness to him but I love it!!

The leaves are falling off the trees at what seems like a rapid pace, its only the 4th of October and my yard looks awful with all the leaves that have fallen.  Its getting cooler too, we had our first soup dinner the other night. The hubs isn't keen on soup for dinner when its 80*+ outside, I love soup though. But its been rainy and cool so soup for dinner was perfect!! I made 2 large pots of soup, one Beef Vegetable, and one Chili, I gave my mom a good bit of the chili when she was here but the Beef Veg soup wasn't ready yet, I'll bag up the leftovers to freeze. Soup and grilled cheese sandwiches are perfect for scout nights!! Quick and easy!!

We went to a teacher conference for Brady last night, he is doing wonderfully. He's a first grader this year and at the end of last year he was reading at a "end of second grade" level. Last night she said he was reading 99% of level 27 which is the end of 4th grade, and honestly said he actually was able to read well for Level 28 which is 5th grade level but he read so fast that he lost a bit in translation so she scored him at 99% of level 27 so he could learn to slow down a bit and retain more of what he is reading. We are just so proud of him and amazed at how well he is doing. He is a straight A student getting 100% or close to in all his subjects!! I am one proud mama!!!

Colby didn't have a conference last night but with everything he is bring home it looks like he is doing just as well!!

I am so very proud of my boys!!!


Today is back to business!! I have the kitchen to clean up as well as the rest of the house needs tidied up!! I think if I get it all done I may can some dried beans. I have a good many varieties on hand, but it occurred to me that I should just can them up because if we lose power and I am rationing water, I won't have enough to soak and cook the beans. So I want to work on canning them, that way when I get a hankering for some beans they will be waiting on me not the other way around!!!

Dinner tonight is leftovers remade :)
Monday night I roasted a whole chicken, and last night I made fried chicken salad which is just breaded chicken tenders cut up over a big salad, the kids had chicken tenders with hm fries and the hubs and I had fried chicken salad, so tonight I am doing  remake of the leftovers. I have the leftover roast chicken in the crockpot with water, and the leftover gravy I made, I'll let it cook all day then strain the broth and pick the meat from the bones then make chicken and dumplings, which I'll serve with leftover salad. The kids can either have leftover chicken tenders or chicken and noodles made with some of the chicken and broth that I will use to make the dumplings. Good way to use up the leftovers and to be honest I love chicken and dumplings and really bake the whole chicken just for the hubs and for knowing I get to make dumplings out of the leftovers. Funny huh?, looking forward more to the leftovers then the original meal but its oh so yummy!!!

enjoy your day!! Mine will be staying home!! Which I love!!
Dana

Friday, September 28, 2012

Friday!!!

"(_\_)" "(_I_)" " (_/_)" "(_I_)""(_\_)" "(_I_)" " (_/_)" "(_I_)""(_\_)" "(_I_)" " (_/_)" "(_I_)""(_\_)"




Happy Dance Time!!!

LOL

So it got late in the day when I was making Salasa on Wednesday so I decided to let it cool off and deal with it later, I was busy yesterday at a Project Linus meeting, yeah I know I've joined another group, I can't help it, lol its for a good cause and the ladies that are part of this group are great so its a chance for me to do something good and have some adult time while Kara has a playdate with the daughter of one of the ladies' in the group. So anyway this morning after packing lunches and getting hubby off to work and the boys off to school I put the salsa on the stove to get hot and started washing up jars!! My 2 batches of salsa yielded 16 pints!!!! I have 7 in the canner right now and another 9 jarred up and ready to go into the canner and I am pretty sure I have enough ingredients for another batch and I really hope I do, I would love to have some pints jarred up to go into the christmas baskets I plan on making my brothers and their families as well as some I want to make up for friends!!!

Then on to the apples, the best part about the apples is that with the new contraption that the hubs bought me for my KA I can just cut out the bad spots, cut up the apples and cook them down peels and all then let the new gadget seperate it all for me after its all cooked!! ♥

I also have the dishwasher going and need to get the washer going as well and I will just as soon as the weights start rocking and I set the timer!!

Busy Busy Busy but loving it!! Have a great day!!!
Dana

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Hello!!

Decided to sit down for a minute and thought I would check in on the blog.

I just put my second pot of salsa on to cook, I am pretty sure I have enough ingredients to make a 3rd batch maybe even a 4th. My back is killing me, lol and I'm out of pots, lol what to do???

I think for right this red hot second I am going to just sit, drink some sweet tea and cool off and relax for a minute!!

I guess I underestimated the amount of work that goes into all this canning. I got up this morning with big ambitions. I knew I wanted to make salsa and I also have some apples that were given to me that I wanted to cook down and strain and then make crock pot apple butter with. Sheesh, no way do I think I am going to get to the apples today.

There's alot of chopping to be done when making salsa, all the ingredients have to be chopped. After I get all this salsa cooked down and canned I probably won't want any for a good while, lol

I'm feeling the effects of being on my feet all day for sure but no where near done yet so I better get off of here and get this all done. And its time to get the boys off the bus!!

Have a great evening!!
Dana

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

9/19/2012

How did it get to be wednesday so fast?? Geez I feel like I haven't recovered from the busy weekend yet and here it is Wednesday.


We had a great dinner on Sunday for Tia's birthday and it was really nice to be able to hang out and just sit and talk!!! The kids enjoyed having all the other kids to play with as well!! The cake tasted amazing and she really enjoyed it!!!

Monday we had scouts, Tuesday I had my class and today as been kind of a lax day. I've done dishes and laundry. But not a whole lot else.

I am actually tired, just tired and wanting a nap!!! Oh well maybe I'll get to bed earlish tonight. I've got a pretty easy dinner planned so maybe!!!

Dinner tonight is Pancakes, bacon and eggs, easy peasy!! Then baths and bed!!!

Oh and I've got another cake planned for the end of the week so I'll be sure and post pics of that too!!!

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Much too early on Sunday 9/16/2012

Good early morning!!

Its now 4:27, I've been up since a little after 3.

Kara came to me last night at around 8:30 and said blanky night night, so we started cuddling on the couch, it was such a big day yesterday and I knew she hadn't had much of a nap so I figured she was tired. Well she kind of flopped and flopped and the longer I sat there the more tired I got and to be honest I was getting pretty irritated being wallowed so finally around 9:30 I took her to bed with me. Not sure who was asleep first her or me, but I was out, never heard the hubs or the boys go to bed.

Then around 3 this morning I was wide awake, I got up went to the bathroom and then laid back down and tried to go back to sleep but I was W I D E awake, so I went ahead and got up. I had set the alarm for 6:15 anyway so I could get up and do a few things before going to church because its going to be another long day today.

I've started laundry, unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher, and turned on the coffee!!

Today will be another full day so I guess I got a head start. :)

How has your weekend been so far?? Ours has been good. A stay at home day, we got alot done. I piddled around in the house, only leaving long enough to go borrow my dad's truck from my mom so I could take her and our trash to the dump, its really convienient living 5 miles from home,lol  Then came home and straightened up a bit and made macaroni salad, deviled eggs and put some chicken on the grill to BBQ and some potatoes in the oven. Mike's gram came over around 3:15 and then my mom came over and we had dinner. It was really good, Mike's gram made "hot bread" as the kids call it, and also a peach cobbler, it was all so good!!

Today we have church, then will probably come home for lunch then back to church for a cub scout committee meeting then home for dinner which I will put in the crock pot shortly so it will be ready  early this evening. I need to decorate a cake before church which is why I wanted up at 6:15. We are having a little birthday get together for Tia, a very good friend!! She thinks she is just taking Brady shopping for his birthday, she got him a gift card to Books A Million  for his birthday last week, and it came with a special shopping trip with Tia, she told him she would take him to spend his gift card, then she'll bring him back here and will just hang out for dinner, but really we are having her a birthday celebration!! Hamburgers, Hotdogs, chips, Barbacoa beef, cilantro lime rice, pinto beans, with all the fixings!! and of course Birthday Cake!!!

So that's our day today, hope you have a wonderful Sunday!!!
Dana

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Wednesday 9/12/2012

Good afternoon!!

Today is a stay at home day and after yesterday I truely need it!!

My tuesday started off normal:
Hub's lunch packed, hubby off to work
Boy's lunch packed, my boys off to school
My stuff loaded up, diaper bag packed, Kara to the sitter, me off to class
Ya know normal day :)
After class I stopped by my cousin's house to deliver the baby shower gift we'd gotten her and also the carseat base, cause ya know I'm passing on my stuff to the next one in line :) Left there and headed home. Turned onto the road to the sitters, and my phone rang, it was the school, immediate worry washes over me as I answer  and hear the nurse tell me she had my middle son Brady in the clinic, he had fallen during recess and hit his chin when he fell off of the playground equiptment. o.O panic!!! She said he was being a real trooper, she had cleaned him up and steri-stripped his chin shut but she really thought he needed to be seen asap that she thought he needed stitches. YIKES!! I was calm told her I was picking up my boo and I'd be there in a jiffy.
I called dh to see if the flex card for co-pays was at home or did he have it, of course he has it and he's 1.5 hours away from home at work. He said he was leaving and would meet me at the dr office. I was kind of suprised really, I guess I was in shock still from learning my son was hurt and I guess I didn't expect him to take off work because I always have taken the kids to the dr so I was really stumped, the convo went something like this:

Me: Do you have the flex spend card or is it at home?
Him: I've got it in my wallet...why??
Me: School called, Brady fell, busted his chin and probably needs stitches.
Him: ...(silence, crickets, nada)
Me: So I am picking up Kara, and will go get him at school and I'll call you so you can give the nurse the info from the flex spend card, ok?
Him: I'm leaving now, I'll meet you there.
Me: YOUR COMING HOME??
Him: YES I'm Coming Home.
Me:  confused..I always take the kids to the dr...
Him: interupting me -Yes I know but this isn't just a check up Dana your taking my son to the hospital and I AM LEAVING NOW AND WILL MEET YOU THERE.
Me: ok, yeah, good,ok, see you soon.

Oh Boy then it really hit me- this is serious. OMG, cue the total freak out!!!
So I called my bestie, and did the fast-talking-wordsallcrammedtogether-get it out of my mouth as fast as I can spilling of the info.
She calmed me down, told me what to expect and swore me promise to call as soon as I got him home.

I picked him up and he was AOK jabbering away to the nurse and she told me she used steri-strips and it was good to go just keep ice on it and sends us on our way to the dr with a icepack.

We get to the Urgent Care Center, dh wasn't far behind, and then we proceed to spend the next 5 hrs in the Urgent care with a 2 yr old who missed her nap, and a 7 yr old who was completely miserable. We finally get called back, the dr says if its not to bad they can just glue him up, yada yada,  they removed the steri-strips and they looked him over, OH BOY he just didn't have a small cut he had  a gaping hole, totally needed stitches. 5 stitches to be exact. The numbing was the hardest part, I was standing holding his hand and had full view, poor baby, he cried, I cried we were a mess, as soon as she took the numbing needle out she gave us gauze to clean up a bit more, he was bleeding and had the numbing stuff running everywhere. I picked him up off the table and just held him and rocked him. She gave us a minute to get him calmed down and when she came back in, he laid back down, Daddy held one hand I held the other and he laid there like a trooper and took those stitches like nothing. Thank goodness the numbing stuff was working, but what a big boy he was, talking and joking with the dr. A couple times she told him to stop talking or she might sew his chin sideways : )  he would giggle and be really still and quiet.  Being so brave and such big boy through the whole thing earned him 4 Angry Bird Stickers and stamper that says smile!! from the dr.  I think Daddy and Momma will be treating him to icecream at Sweet Frogs too, very soon!!!We finally got out of there and made it home at a little after 6pm. What a day. Thank GOD it wasn't worse than it was, but it was still tramatic..I'm sure it was rough on Brady too, lol

He did great all evening, he did need meds for pain when we got home and then again when he went to bed.

This morning we removed the bandage from the Urgent Care and washed him up like instructed and rebandaged him up and he went to school just like nothing happened :) Man they bounce back quick!!!

I'm spending today doing all the things that needed done yesterday, namely laundry and dishes, there's regular housework to do as well. So far so good no calls from school today, Thank goodness!! They'll be home in a couple hours and hopefully life goes back to normal except for bandage changes. He gets the stitches out in a week, some girlfriends have told me that I can take him to his pediatrician for that instead of going back to the Urgent Care, I'm going to call and find out since I can make an appointment at the pediatrician and at Urgent Care you sign in and wait, if I can avoid another 5 hour wait then I am definately going to his pediatrician besides, it will be good for them to document it in his chart.

And life moves on, back to my chores I go!!
Dinner tonight is Cube Steak, creamed potatoes and green beans!!!

Hope your Tuesday wasn't as exciting as mine :)
Enjoy your day!!!
Dana



Monday, September 10, 2012

Monday 9/10/2012

Good morning!!

How was your weekend?? Ours was very good. It started out a little hectic and worrysome but it really ended nice!!

Saturday we had planned to have Brady our middle child a birthday party, we'll knew there was rain in the forcast and we prayed that it would hold off till after his party but that didn't happen. Infact the wind blew so fierce and the rain came down so hard that a tree came down on the power lines that run across our front and side yard. The tree blocked the road in front of our house and on the side yard there was a wire hanging out of one of our trees. I called the power company but they wouldn't answer the phone, so then I called 911 to alert them.

We had to cancel the party for the moment, and we were just about to load up and leave to take Brady out to lunch or to do something fun when a crew of power trucks pulled up, taped off our yard with caution tape and went to work. They had that tree cut down off the lines in no time, and reran the wires and got us power back on. I called everyone back to say that we had power and instead of having his party at 2 like we planned we had it at 5, not everyone was able to come because of the storms but he had a great time anyway. Small and intimate but a great day for him.

His birthday was actually on Sunday, my little boy is 7 now!!!

Sunday we got up, went to church, went to youth group and then my best friend Amber and her boyfriend Will and Amber's kids came over and brought burgers to grill for dinner, I had chips, pretzels and such leftover from the party as well as leftover cake and I made some baked beans to go with it all. We ate, they brought Brady a gift and the kids played while the adults sat and chatted and it was a great time. As soon as they left I sent the boys for showers and after the kid were in bed hubs and I watched a tv show, Hell on Wheels, its a show about building the train line back in the day and its got alot of language, adult situations and of course back then Slavery was still an issue as well as the HORRIBLE over use of derogatory name calling so I don't want the kids to watch it. Once it was over we went to bed as well.

Today so far I've baked a huge pan of brownies for Brady's classmates, Packed Dh's, Colby's and Brady's lunches, dh went to work, I took the boys to school so they wouldn't have to take a pan of brownies on the bus, and I've got a load of sheets in the dryer, a load of clothes in the washer and a load of clothes I've already put on the line. I still have a TON more laundry to do, I need to pay bills,  plus dishes and everything else. lol Maybe I'll get to my coupons today maybe not.

I am going to put a roast in the crockpot because tonight is scouts and its an easy way to get dinner made.

Lots to do today, but its great day!! Enjoy your day!!!
Dana

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Wednesday 9/5/2012

Good morning!!

Checking in here after quickly checking other blogs I like to read before diving in to get my chores done!!

So far today I've packed dh's lunch, and he's off to work I've gotten the boys breakfast got them ready and off to school. Little miss has had her breakfast and is watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and playing while I unloaded and reloaded the dishwasher. Then I sat down to call and check on dh's gram, she's 88 and my morning ritual wouldn't be complete without calling to check on her!! I call every morning, drink a cup of coffee and we swap plans  for the day and just talk!! I love her to pieces!!

Now I am checking in here, and then off to get busy in my house!! How productive I will be today with my 2 yr old under foot, who knows but I got to at least try :) I told dh's gram that I also needed to clean Little Miss's room and told her if I didn't call her in the morning she should probably send help, lol Boy she can rip apart a room faster than anything. Her daddy calls her Karacane because after she's done in her room it looks like a Hurricane hit it, lol

I've started working more on Christmas gifts too!!! But only in down times. I have yarn stashed in my car, its for a project I am working on for dh for christmas. Hopefully in the car he won't notice it, lol I've been working on his gift while I wait for the bus in the mornings and afternoons. I've also got a cone of thread set up next to "my spot" in the livingroom so that I can work on crocheted snowflakes in the evenings after dinner when we watch tv. Not sure if the snowflakes will actually make it as gifts or if they will just be put on our tree. I haven't decided yet. I've got some fabric stashed that I would like to make gifts for my boys with. My plan is to pick one day a week as a crafty sort of day and work on things while Little Miss naps.  Speaking of Little Miss I've picked out a pattern for a hooded sweater that I would like to make her and I think I've spied a yarn that I want to crochet it with. I'll need to pick that up soon in order to get it going as well. Hopefully a sale will come or I'll find coupons to make it more affordable. I love making gifts for my family!!!

Well that is about it, I've got to get busy!!
Dinner tonight is the kids favorite Chicken tenders and hm french fries, daddy has a meeting he needs to go to and will pick up a sandwich on the way from work to the meeting so the kids and I will have kid food, lol They are super excited!!

Hope you have a great day!!!
Dana

Monday, September 3, 2012

Labor Day

Good Morning!!

Thanks for all the well wishes, the headache did finally leave me, thank goodness. I think it probably was a nice mix of both allergies and bariatric pressure.  I've started taking some allergy meds as well as its been raining so its probably both giving me trouble.

Last minute we decided to go camping. We went to the river and stayed friday night and saturday night and got home sometime around 2pm yesterday. It was nice getting away, a little hectic and alot not well planned but it worked!!! I see alot more camping in our future!!!

We've got no real plans for today other than work around the house, I have alot to do to get ready for my little boy's 7th birthday party this coming saturday. So that will be the focus of my week this week!!!  I have some great ideas for his birthday cake!!! We've spent alot of time on the web looking for ideas!! I think I've got just what he wants in mind and if I can pull it off it will be awesome!!!

I would love to be able to get everything done and have time to do a little sewing this week. I need curtains in our bathroom, Kara's room and in the boy's room as well. Ugh lots and lots to do!!!

We won't be cooking out like normal Labor Days but we will enjoy being home together, a good dinner and getting ready for back to work and school in the morning!!

Enjoy your day!!!
Dana

Friday, August 31, 2012

Looking for relief

I was able to get alot accomplished yesterday, not as much as I would have liked but I made a nice dent in my to do list.

Today I woke up with a horrible sinus headache. I am pretty sure its from allergies but it could just be bariatric pressure. I've taken a couple different things but its brought only little relief. Hoping the Aleve I took a little bit ago will bring some relief soon.

What are your weekend plans?? Mine are to do as little as possible especially if this headache decides to hang around.
I want to sleep in, relax and enjoy my family!!!

Enjoy your holiday weekend!!!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Ahhhhhh A day at home.....finally!!!

Good morning!!

Today I am staying home!!!! YAY ME!! I have so much that needs to be done and have been on the run since forever. Today is the first whole entire day home for me in about a week and a half at least!!!

So far I have packed dh's, oldest's and middle child's lunch and got them off to work/school. Little Miss and I came home, she is NOT adjusting well to her Bubbo and BrayBray leaving her behind and we spent some time cuddling and explaining. Its gonna be a while I think before she gets over it and adjusts to the new schedule.

Now that she is playing happily, I have washed 2 load of clothes and hung them out on the line :) I have a load of whites that is in the washer now and I'll just pop them into the dryer. I've unloaded, reloaded the dishwasher and have it running. Put away all the dishes in the dish drainer.

Now I am checking in but will soon be fixing lunch for Little Miss and I and then getting her off the nap probably after reading to her a couple books before she conks out.

Then I have much more that needs done in here. I need to clean my kitchen and livingroom and get them set to rights. Hopefully sweep and mop the floors in both rooms. Then onto the hall and bathroom. Not sure I'll get it all done but that is the goal anyway.

Once the boys get off the bus we will gather up and haul off the garbage. Then home for homework if any ( it is only the 2nd day of school) then get dinner made, showers and bed!!

Lots and lots to do and so glad to be able to be home all day to day to work on it!!!!!

Have a great day!!
Dana

Monday, August 27, 2012

Monday 8/27/2012

Good Morning!!

After having dh off for an entire week he went back to work this morning. The boys are up and taking turns getting showers then we will start our day. I have a good many things to accomplish today.

Laundry
regular housework
menu planning
party planning- Brady's birthday is in 2 weeks!!!
rechecking supplies then filling bookbags....

Lots of little things that need attended to.
I also hope to do some baking today. I need to use up some apples- I'm thinking apple bread,and I also made 6 pies for the church yard party this weekend and I have enough dough made up in the fridge to make another two pies so I think I'll do that today as well. That way dh will have a nice suprise in his lunch box this week and I think I'll take the other pie to my mother for her to nosh on this week as well.

Canning is still on going but has slowed down a good bit, I think I'll make a batch of salsa tomorrow. I haven't made any yet and I don't want to be without!!!

So that is my day today, spending time with my munchkins and getting back to the swing of things!!!

Have a wonderful day!!
Dana

Sunday, August 26, 2012

The Countdown is ON!!! BA BA BUMMMMMMM!!!

LOL!! Here it is Sunday evening and tomorrow we go to school to meet the boys teachers. I have mixed feelings about them going back to school. I am ready for the most part to have more structured days more keeping on schedule and staying on track. But will miss the lazy days of sleeping in and hanging out with my kiddos.
What I won't miss.... The bickering, the attitudes, the laziness, the snarky comments from my preteen, the "unless we go mindless in front of a video game we're BORED" comments. Yeah totally NOT gonna miss that.

School starts on Wednesday and I am almost ready. Almost. I still need to grocery shop, get the boys haircuts and wash up their new school clothes and freeze the new freeze packs for lunches and add money to their lunch accounts, make up and freeze some easy breakfasts. Just a few little things. But they need to be done.

And then...well then little Miss and I will be on our own. ALL, DAY, LONG, till time to get the boys off the bus in the afternoon.

I think she is going to have a bit of a rough time. She's used to having her Bubbo and BrayBray right at her fingertips. 

It will take some adjusting to the boys being gone all day but we'll be ok.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Grateful!!

This is one of those weeks were the check book is practically empty, the fridge is pretty empty and the freezer prospects aren't that reassuring either.

I was just about to completely panic.

Then I went to church today, heard a wonderful message, fellowshipped with some great people and I took a deep breath found my center and things don't look that hateful after all. PTL!!!

Before church I was thinking to myself omgosh I don't know how we are going to make it through this week.

Then I came home, took a good long look at what we have on hand and thought, huh! why am I worried?, I just have to get a little creative and this is cake!! Why I was worried in the first place I don't know. It will take a little work but we will be completely fine and dh gets paid on friday and I will be able to grocery shop then so...panic?? GONE!!!

I think the fear of a low checkbook is what started my panic. But having the pantry is more than going to make this ok!! Its far what it should be, way far like pluto kind of far from what it should be but there is enough to get us through this little hiccup and for that I am grateful!!!

I might not have a vast assortment of meats to work with but I can get creative and make some pretty great meals with what we do have and dh gets paid on Friday so crisis averted!!

Just concretes the idea of stocked pantry for me!! Of course mine needs help, as in I need to be better stocked, better prepared but I'm getting there and am grateful for what we do have available to use!!

How bout you?? Do you have a stocked pantry?? What's your favorite thing to stock?? Whats your go to meal when money is tight???

Friday, August 17, 2012

TGIF!!! 8/17/2012

Good morning!!!

I'm working on my second cup of coffee. Hopeing for a little get up and go this morning, lol

Hubby's lunch is packed and he is off to work, all the kids are up and we are just lounging around before we get into our day.

Yesterday turned out to be pretty productive, I know I was tired by the time bed time rolled around, which because dh had to work late, which put everything in our evening routine off, well we didn't get to bed till 11:30, and I am totally feeling it!!

Yesterday I mowed my husband's grandmother's yard, I mowed our yard. We live on 3acre plots but about an acre maybe a bit more, is cleared on each plot that needs mowing.

I also did laundry, dishes, meals, meal planning, birthday planning, and loved on my kiddos!!

Today will be more of the same, we need to sweep the lawns with the yard sweeper. I use the grass clippings as mulch around the trees and such. Dh's gram's clippings will probably just be composted in the woods. If I had a way to get them over here I would use them too.

I have work to do in the house and garden work as well. Its a mess, the weeds are getting out of control. I didn't mulch enough and that is a lesson learned to be sure!!

I have some baking to do, tomorrow there is a celebration of life for a dear childhood friend who died a year ago. I promised to bake something, not sure what but I wanted to contribute some way.

My neice's birthday  party is tomorrow as well, infact we've been invited to 4 different celebrations tomorrow. There is no way we will be able to participate with all 4 but its so nice to be thought of and invited. I've made arrangements to get together with everyone but at different dates and times!!

So there ya have it, another day at home, trying to catch up and get things taken care of for the weekend so that we can enjoy the weekend.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
Dana

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Good morning!!! 8/16/2012

Hello!!

Today is a day mostly at home, I've so far today mowed my husband's grandmother's yard and started laundry, checked the bank account and now I'm here checking in.

I've got lots of laundry to do, the housework to do as well as hopefully this evening work on our yard work.

I also need to finish one row on a baby blanket I am working on for my cousin Marjorie's daughter who's baby is due sometime next month. I need to finish it today so I can wash, dry and wrap it up, so I can drop it off to her tomorrow.

It's looking like a busy day.

I think dinner tonight will be Italian Sausages, with onions and peppers, served over rice.  Its a nice quick meal and since I am still not feeling up to snuff, dh is still sick as well and I am planning on working like a one legged man in a butt kicking contest and will probably be pooped by the time dinner time rolls around its a perfect quick no fuss meal!!!

Hope you enjoy your day!!!
Dana

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Chicken Soup

So the old saying is that Chicken soup is good for a cold....right?? Well to be honest I am one of those people that believes in doing things the old fashioned way. 

And we are sick and tired of being sick. I've had the benefit of going to the dr for an antibiotic,my hubs on the other hand, well he's a guy and likes to suffer for a while before he likes to break down and go to the dr.

So I talked to him this afternoon and he's stuffy and miserable and I asked him what he wanted for dinner and he asked me if I could make him some good homemade chicken noodle soup.

Yes, of course I can and I would love to make him some.

1. Its sooooo yummy!
2. I really believe it has some medicinal properties to it, I mean if it's worked for my great grandmother's and their large broods of children there's gotta be some merit too it.

So any way I thought I would share my version in case your interested..
To get it started You will need: 
A whole chicken
a large onion
a whole garlic head
3 carrots
3 ribs of celery
salt
pepper
3 bay leaves
Thyme- fresh if you've got it
Water
and a BIG POT :)

Ok so I unwrapped the whole chicken rinsed it off and removed the neck and giblets, rinsed them and put it all in the pot, I cut the onion in half, and I cut the garlic head in half NOT PEELING EITHER and threw them into the pot, I cut the carrots- (don't peel them either) and celery in half and put them in the pot, added the salt, pepper, bay leaves adn thyme, covered it with water and set it to cook.  That's it. Easy huh???

I'm going to let it cook till the chicken is good and falling off the bones, then I strain it all  and reserve the good awesome broth. I'll pick the chicken from the bones and it will probably make us 2 good meaty meals.

To finish the soup I'll take another raw onion, some more raw carrots, raw garlic and raw celery and chop them up and cook them a bit in another pot with a little butter, then add in probably half of the cooked chicken and enough reserved broth to make us a dinner size pot of soup then when it starts to boil I'll drop in some egg noodles and cook till the noodles are done then voila' Yummy good homemade chicken noodle soup!!!

With the other half of the reserved cooked chicken I can make another meal or freeze it for later, and I'll do the same if there is any of that good broth left as well!!!

So that's how I make soup!!

Monday, August 13, 2012

Monday 8/13/2012


How was your weekend? Ours was very busy. The boys and the hubs went on a cubscout hike on Saturday. Then we stayed around the house for the rest of the day due to both dh and I having this summer cold.

I started another blanket while watching a show with dh last night. Its going to be a twin size and I've started it from scraps. I am thinking of making it striped with all country colors. As for scraps I have a bit each of drk country blue, cranberry, tan, and a drk green almost a pine color. I think it will look good together. I got the idea from a Mary Maxim catalog.

As of this morning dh thinks he may be getting over what ever it is, and I'm still fighting it, I still can't hear out of my left ear, the pain isn't as bad as it was but the pressure and not being able to hear is so very frustrating. I feel bad, I feel zapped, I need more down time I think.

As for my plans today I am canning beans..again. I am not complaining though, I enjoy it no matter how much I moan,  lol. I've had one jar break so far today but if all the rest seal I will end up with 15 qts and 1 pt of green beans today. It's adding up!!!

I also picked some tomatoes, I am on the fence as to what I want to do with them.. there aren't that many ready they are trickling in a little at at time. I need more whole canned tomatoes, but I want to make salsa as well. I don't know if I'll have enough tomatoes to can spaghetti sauce like I planned but we will see how it all works out.

I think dinner tonight will be a Breakfast for dinner night. Bacon and Pancakes sounds good to me!!!

 I'm off to clean up the kitchen now that the beans are all snapped and jarred, just waiting on the canner.
Have a great day!!
Dana

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Thursday 8/9/2012

Good morning!!

Thank you for all the well wishes. Seems like whatever was bothering Little Miss was short lived and I am thankful for that!!

I am still fighting this cold, but I think whatever I am doing, it must be working because I am starting to feel like this cold might be letting go a wee bit. I still feel congested but not as much. So hopefully it won't hold on too much longer.

I've been taking it pretty easy, not really doing a whole lot, although with the boys help I did can 6 quarts of tomatoes yesterday. My oldest did the scalding and my youngest son made sure I had plenty of jars and I did the peeling and stuffing of the jars while sitting at the table. Then we made sure the jars were clean, my youngest son put the lids and rings on and I tightened them down and loaded the canner. I only had enough to do 6 quarts but its 6 more than we had and we worked together to get it done. Love working with my kids!!

Well I am going to get going, I need to swap the laundry, and straighten up around here a bit, then I'll retreat to the couch. I still haven't cut my coupons from the weekend and I that seems like a good way to spend my time perched on the couch feeling lousy. :) I hope to be getting over this cold soon, it sure is a nasty one!!!

Have a great day!!
Dana

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Uh Oh spoke too soon....

So much for no one else in the house getting sick.........


Little miss told me last night her tummy hurt but honestly she was bouncing around playing like normal so I really never gave it a second thought...till this morning when she toddled out the hall completely covered in what I thought at first was vomit....it wasn't and it was definately from the south end. :/

I took her dripping right to the bathroom, stripped her down and set her in the shower, I started the shower pulled the shower wand down and just let her "play" in the rain (she likes how the "rain" tickles her feet) while I rolled up the rug in front of the shower because it got dripped on as well and I went to investigate the bedroom....

Oh wow, what a mess, the bed was a mess, the pillow I had used to keep her from rolling too close to the edge when I got up was a mess, even the dust ruffle didn't escape the mess. And of course I am still feeling like Grade A Number 1 Chewed Up Butt, the only thing going in my favor is that I can't breathe so I can't smell a thing..according to my oldest I am very lucky that my nose is turned off. He even went ahead and took the trash out because evidently it was that bad, lol again the only thing in my favor is I can't smell a thing, lol

So I get her showered and dry her off and get her dressed for the day then back to the bedroom I go...
Stripped the bed, it was soiled through the mattress pad and on the mattress :/
I started the laundry, cleaned the mattress and febreezed the whole works.

She's had another nasty diaper since the shower but no blowouts thank goodness and otherwise seems fine....

Time to break out the bleach and the lysol!!!

Please Lord let this illness be short lived and gone from our home as soon as possible!!!


Wednesday 8/8/2012

Good morning!!

It seems I've caught whatever evil  summer cold that is going around. I can't breathe, my head is pounding, my throat is sore, I am just miserable. It came on so fast. I started feeling a tightness in my throat  Monday evening then by the time I went to bed I felt pretty lousy. Yesterday was the worst. I had to go to my cake class then I needed to go into town for afew things, by the time I got back home I was D.O.N.E!! I curled up on the couch with the baby and we both napped for a while.

This morning I am sticking pretty close to home, I still feel horrible and I hope that whatever this is, that it leaves SOON before it effects anyone else in the house.

I'm going to send the boys to see if there are any tomatoes ready,and hope they come back with enough for a canner full. Sick or not the work has to be done. Thank God for OTC meds. They make it at least some bearable.

Hope your homes are sickness free and that you have a great day!!!
Dana

Monday, August 6, 2012

Monday 8/6/2012

Good morning!!

After a super busy weekend, Monday looks to be more of the same!!

All in all I canned 14qts of corn and 44 qts of green beans this weekend.

Today I have peppers and probably a few tomatoes to work up, I plan on stuffing some of the peppers and then cutting the rest up and freezing to use later in sauces and on pizza and such. The tomatoes I will probably can whole for chili and soups.

I have laundry going, the dishwasher going and the kids have a friend over for the day. I have the house work to keep me busy as well. I need to take my grandfather to the dr this afternoon. Its going to be a busy busy day.

This evening we plan to pick over our garden to see what is ready!! Then I'll have that to work up. I love canning time!! I sure get tired and sore, but I never get tired of looking at the pretty full jars on the shelf!!!

Oh and I almost forgot to tell about our great fortune. My mom was at Walmart on Saturday and she called to ask me if I needed anything, I told her if she had the extra money till she got here I could use some more jars. So she picked me up some and as she was leaving and walking across the parking lot, an older lady approached her and commented on the jars in her cart. Mom told her that she was picking the jars up for me and that I was home canning beans. The lady proceeded to tell my mom that she had some jars that she had taken to the flea market and couldn't sell and if I wanted them all I had to do was call her and come pick them up. Mom took the lady's name and number and gave it to me when she got here to drop off the jars she had picked up for me. I called the lady on Sunday and she told me she had a dozen or so and that if I wanted them they were mine. I thanked her and got directions to her house. When dh went out to get his hair cut he went by to get the jars. He brought home 32 jars!!! What a blessing!!! The lady told him she was happy to pass them on to us, and even happier to know that folks are our age are still canning. She said its sad that it seems its a lost art. I can't tell you how happy I was to get those jars. I've already washed them up and they are ready to be filled!!!

Well I better get to it or I'll never make a dent in my to-do list!!
Have a wonderful day!!!!



Sunday, August 5, 2012

Sunday 8/5/2012

Good Morning!!

After being up late last night manning the canner, dh let me sleep in this morning. We've missed church but we knew yesterday that was plan as I had planned to go late into the night with the canning.

Here's how our weekend started out.....

Friday night my mother called after visting my gram at the hospital and told me that my Pap wanted to speak to me. So I called to check in with him. He told me that the beans need picking, the corn needs picking, and there's green peppers ready to be picked as well. He also told me he was down in his hip and didn't think he could pick much and if I wanted it, to come get it. I was in my garden when I talked to him, lol so I told him to give me a minute and I would call him back. I got off the phone told my hubby what Pap had said and we made plans to go picking first thing Saturday morning. I called Pap back and told him we would be there.

We worked hard and fast as we could in the heat, it was way too hot but we were able to pick all that Pap wanted picking. While we were there my Great Aunt Trish and Uncle Jerry came by to work in their garden patch that they have a Pap and Grams house ( They live on the side of a mountain and don't have any real garden space so they garden in Paps HUGE garden) They were there to harvest in their patch and gave me a head of cabbage and I think 4-5 cucumbers!!

All in all I came home with about 20 green peppers, over a hundred ears of corn and every bit of 2 bushels of beans. And the cabbage and cukes from my Aunt and Uncle.

While we were there, I went up to the house to change the baby, and while in the house my gram called from the hospital, they were releasing her after lunch and she wanted me to tell Pap to come get her!!!!! She was very happy to be coming home!!

We got ready, left and came straight home.

I started jars in the quick cycle of the dishwasher and made us a quick lunch. After lunch we got started on the corn first, as Pap hadn't sprayed the corn and most of it was buggy. We shucked the corn, sorted out what was usable and what was chicken feed and then went to washing and cutting corn off the cob. I ended up with 14 quarts of canned corn and some very very happy chickens!!! :)

Before the last 7 jars of corn was ready to come off, Tia called and said she and her son Scotty were coming over. She had went that morning to help us pick, and then went home to shower and wait for her son to come home from his Dad's. So they came over and the kids got in the pool and she and I went to snapping beans.

After the kids and the hubs were done in the pool it was about 7pm so we ordered out and dh went to pick us up some dinner. We stopped snapping beans long enough to eat then got back to it. It wasn't long till Kara was cranky and crying and didn't want any one but Mama so Tia and Scotty left to go home as it was late and I got the baby to bed and went back to the beans. Everyone else conked out and I was still had a batch ready to can so I put them into the canner and stayed up by myself till the batch was done. I pulled the canner off at midnight and decided I was pretty done in and headed to bed.

All in all it was a very productive day!! We picked all that I listed above then proccessed and canned 14 qts of corn, and 21 quarts of green beans.

Well I guess the coffee has kicked in and I am ready to get back at it again!! I still have quite a bit to do but I am completely happy to have it to do, if that makes any sense!! My grandfather blesses me so much I am so so so fortunate to have such a wonderful Grandfather!!!
Hope your day is full of blessings!!!
Dana

Friday, August 3, 2012

Happy Friday!!! 8/3/2012

Good morning!!

I am sitting here enjoying my coffee and listening to the washer and dryer running. Both of my boys are up but baby girl is still snoozing away!!

Whatever I had planned for Wednesday got thrown out the window. I got a call from my gram saying she couldn't breathe and was swollen all over and that she was headed for the ER and wanted me to meet her there. I got all the kids rushed through their lunches and got us all ready and we went to the ER. All in all we spent a total of 8 hrs at the ER, and the only news I have is that they think she has had a cardiac event but as to what kind or to what degree I have no idea. Still this day I have no idea and she is still in the hospital. I think they are leaning more towards a mild heart attack but with the swelling and fluid in the lungs causing shortness of breath I am leaning more towards congestive heart failure, but I am no doctor so what do I know?, only what common sense tells me.

Thankfully we have wonderful friends and Emmy came to the hospital and picked up my kids and fed them dinner. She is an angel I tell you!!!

My mother made it to the hospital around 5:30. She came right after she got off work. She would have came immediately if it was nessassary but honestly all I did was help gram answer questions and let my butt go numb with the waiting so there was no reason for her to miss work when I had it sorted and handled!!! My gram finally got into a room at I think 7:00 that night. Once I was sure she was settled my hubs and I went to get our kiddos. Hubs had met me at the hospital, he's a wonderful man, he knows I am uneasy with the hospital ever since I spent the week there with my daddy before he died. So he came for moral support.

I finally got to Emmy's to pick up my kids at 9:00 to say it was a long day would definately be an understatement.

Yesterday, Emmy and I went to my Aunt Ann's to pick the last of her green beans.  Pap had told me Ann had canned all she was going to and wasn't going to fool with picking any more beans. Ann said if I wanted them to come and get them. So we went. We also pulled the vines for her. There weren't many beans at all. Once we were done we ended up with 6 quarts canned, which I told Emmy to keep since she doesn't have any green beans at all yet and I've already canned some that my Pap gave me. It was hot and a little dissapointing to do so much work for so little a return but trying to find the best in everything I told dh last night that its 6 quarts Emmy didn't have, so that is a blessing all in its own, and that if we had turned our noses up then next time there might not even be an offer and we could be missing out on something bigger the next time. So we know we did the right thing, Emmy has some beans on the shelf, it was a help to my Aunt by pulling the vines for her and she knows that we are open to any gleaning that might come about.

By the time I got home last night I was spent but I did get a few things done here at the house, made dinner got the boys a bath and before I could bath the baby she was out cold. I wasn't far behind her, I was so tired.

As soon as she gets up, I will get her a bath then the kids have a date with their great grandma. She's taking them for school shoes!!! She is such a blessing to us!!! Today also starts Tax Free weekend so I am going to take their lists and get their supplies!!

The rest of my to-do list mostly involves the laundry, lol its starting to look like the hampers might revolt they are so full!! Gotta get a handle on that!!!

Anyway have a great day!!!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Wednesday 8/1/2012

WOW, I can't believe I just typed AUGUST 2012!!! Time is just getting away from me!! Before long the boys will be back in school and fall will be upon us. I thought it was a little strange to see a leaf fall from the tree outside yesterday and I noticed it had started to change into its fall colors. FALL, I am not ready for fall. There is still much to do, before we are ready for fall. I feel like the ant that needs to store up for the winter to come. If its only August and the leaves are starting to fall so soon does that mean that winter will come early?? Will it stay late or leave early again like it did this year?? So much up in the air and its unsettling.

I guess I need to step up my efforts to be sure we are ready, I do not like to be out and about once the snow is blowing. Well more so I don't like to have my kids out and about when the weather is bad, its not that I can't drive in snow, I drive fine and have never had a fear of driving in the snow (Thanks Daddy) but like my daddy always said its not how well you can drive in the snow its how everyone else drives and he's right. There are way to many accidents because people "think" they know what they are doing then they don't pay attention or drive way to fast for the conditions and before ya know it they've lost control of their vehicle. I won't be putting my faith in someone else's common sense. So I'll stock my cabinets and stay home, snuggle with my kids and enjoy them!!!

Ok enough about the snow!! LOL today it is rumbly and grey outside so I think we are in for rain!! I was able to work up the beans yesterday, but that is about all I got done besides meals. I took a headache yesterday morning and just felt run down, I tried some ibuprophen but it never touched it. I tried laying down with Kara when she laid down for her nap, I cat napped on a off for about and hour and a half but I couldn't shake that headache and it ached clear down into my teeth so I got up and took a daytime sinus meds and that helped some. I finished the green beans that my Pappy brought me and ended up with 14 quarts plus about 1/2 a gallon size freezer bag that I took over to Emmy as a thank you for helping me with the peaches the day before and I also took along  all my peach peels and veggie scraps- those were for the chickens, :) She was happy for the fresh beans. Someone had given her bean seeds they didn't need, she planted them and they turned out to be purple hull beans and they were not fond of them at all, she said they tasted best raw that when she cooked them they were tough and not good. I tried them raw when I helped her pick them one day and they were good fresh but I never tried them cooked so I don't know. We normally plant Contenders or Tenderettes. Last year my beans didn't do well and I bought beans from the farmer's market, the ones I bought were AMAZING, so I called back to see what kind they were and they told me Derby, so this year I ordered some from our feed mill. They are coming up beautifully!! I can't wait till they are ready to pick!!! I'm guessing if I take a mess to Pappy that next year he will have me ordering him some Derby seed as well!!!

My kitchen right now looks like a cannery. I need to get control over my kitchen today.  I need to wash down the peaches, label them and get them in the pantry, The green beans will probably need wiped down  before they go into the pantry but they aren't sticky like the peaches. I think I will get that task done first then work on the corn. I think I am going to try to can it this year. I usually thin husk it and freeze it but I am trying to conserve room in the freezer, hoping to catch some great sales or maybe we'll have enough money to butcher, we're not sure yet what we will be able to afford.

So my agenda looks like this:
Clean jars, label and put them away
Reclaim my kitchen and get things ready for the next round of canning
Laundry
Tidy up or at least maintain the rest of the house.

I think if I get all that done with 3 kids in tow I'll be good to go!!!
Have a great day!!

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Tired.... but its a good tired...

I went saturday to purchase a bushel of peaches from a local farmer, they weren't quite ripe so they got put on the back burner and I canned up the tomatoes I had ready instead. I got 4 quarts. Nothing to sneeze at though, 4 quarts more than I had and the vines are full.
Sunday was a very busy day, I got up early and baked a cake, made a batch of icing and colored it and then worked up some roses to set to be placed on the cake later. We got everyone ready then went to church, after church we got a quick lunch and I came home to finish the cake. I think it turned out ok, not my best but it was a rush job as I didn't get home till 12:30 and I had to finish the cake and make 2 dishes to take to the cookout. And we had to be there by 2:00, admittedly we were about 1/2 hr late but it all worked out great as lots of other folks thought the party started at 3:00.
After the party was over I think we got home around 7:30, we went out to the garden to see if there were any more tomatoes ready, they have been trickling in slowly, and so we have been checking every day or so to make sure we don't miss any. Well what we found was a few tomatoes a couple cucumbers and a ton of weeds. So we went to pulling weeds and did so for about an hour. We all came in and got showers and got ready for bed.

Yesterday I decided the peaches were ripe enough to can so we get everything ready to work them up and then we got a call from my grandparents and asked if I would like some fresh green beans from their garden and I told them we would love some and so my gram said Pap had an errand to run and would bring them too me. I decided to keep Kara up a while longer before she went down for her nap so she could see her PapPap and we waited for him to arrive. It wasn't long at all before he pulled in and he brought more than just beans. He really blessed us with his generosity!!!
I sent him home with 6 big peaches, it was all he wanted and all I had to offer him, as I had nothing else ripe yet. I promised I would work up a few peppers as stuffed peppers for him and Gram, they love them.

Once Pap left I got the baby down for a nap and got busy. Later in the afternoon my good friend Emmy called and we arranged for her to come over so all the kids could swim and she helped me scald the last of the peaches and put them into jars. It wasn't long till it was 5:30 and she had to get her kids home and dinner started for her family and I kept plugging along vowing to finish the peaches that day. I did finish and took the last 4 jars off last night at 9:30. All in all I canned 25 quarts of peaches, did 4 loads of laundry, cleaned the bathroom and made breakfast, lunch and dinner and started snapping the green beans. I finally got to tired and gave up and went to bed at around 11:00 last night. Thankfully I guess the kids were just as tired as I was and they all slept through the night!!!

I was back up at 6:15 this morning, hubby's lunch is packed and the younger two are up and eating their breakfast, I've made the bed and tidied the bathroom  and my agenda today will be to work up the green beans, and If I get to it I'll work up the corn as well, in addition to breakfast, lunch and dinner, I hope to get a couple loads of laundry done as well.

Busy busy busy, and so tired but it is definately worth it!! Feeling blessed and thankful to be able to fill the jars and the shelves to get us through!!! I may not have money in the bank but food on the shelves is a great feeling!!!
I am headed off to get busy, what's going on at your homestead today??
Have a wonderful day!!
Dana

Saturday, July 28, 2012






It’s A Virtual Shelf Reliance THRIVE Party!





Welcome to Dana's THRIVE party! I’m Kendra, an independent consultant for Shelf Reliance, and I’m here to tell you all of the great reasons that you should have THRIVE foods in your home.





I want to start off by thanking ­­­Dana for allowing me to join you here today! In return for hosting this party, Dana is going to receive 10% of all party sales in FREE products, as well as earning Half-Off products! Yay!!







If any of you are interested in earning FREE and Half-Off foods, you’re invited to host a virtual party as well! Just let me know you’re interested and I’ll get you all set up.



Now, on with the party…



If you’ve never heard of THRIVE, you’re probably wondering what it’s all about. Well, THRIVE is a line of top quality freeze dried foods by Shelf Reliance.




Freeze dried foods are not the same as dehydrated foods. Instead of using high heat, as the dehydration process requires, freeze dried products are processed at temperatures down to -50 degrees F. Approximately 98% of the product’s moisture content is removed by vaporization, leaving the foods with their full nutritional components, tastes, colors, and freshness in tact. The benefit of doing this is the extended shelf life freeze dried foods offer, without the use of any additives or preservatives. Most THRIVE products have a shelf life of 25-30 years when unopened, and 1-2 years even after being opened!



There are so many benefits to having THRIVE foods in your home, not only for long term food storage, but for every day use as well! Let me share with you how these products are saving me time and money in the kitchen.



But first… why’d I decide to become a consultant for Shelf Reliance? Well, over the past few years, I have come to really strive toward four major goals that pertain to my family’s eating habits:





  • Eating More Nutritiously



  • Saving Money on Groceries



  • Spending Less Time Preparing Meals



  • Becoming Less Reliant on the Grocery Store



So, when I discovered a product that can actually help me achieve my goals in EVERY SINGLE one of these areas… I was in love. I was so excited that I couldn’t wait to tell everybody I knew about it. And hey, if I could make money while sharing my new-found love, why not?!



I must admit though… it wasn’t love at first sight.



In all honesty, when I first heard about “freeze dried foods” I was quite skeptical. For some reason I was somewhat put-off by the sound of it… as if the foods would be stale, and tasteless. How do you cook with freeze dried foods, anyways?



But when I got my hands on a bunch of THRIVE samples and had an opportunity to try them for myself, every misconception I had previously held to was immediately wiped away.



They were SO GOOD!!



And when my husband and kids loved it just as much as I did, I knew these foods were going to become a main staple in our home. (You can read my thorough product review with close-ups of the foods, and even watch a video of my kids taste testing THRIVE for the first time, HERE.)






THRIVE Can Help You Eat More Nutritiously & Save You Time







What is one of the major reasons why people don’t eat more nutritiously? We have all the fresh foods we could need available to us, so why do we still opt for fast food and boxed dinners?



Time. It’s all about time, isn’t it? The fast paced lives we lead today are often the reason we just don’t have time to prepare nutritious snacks and meals at home every single day. Chopping fresh produce and meat takes a lot of time. But there are those days when we just need something fast, which usually means a swing through the drive thru, or feeding our family unhealthy processed foods.



THRIVE has the solution to this ongoing dilemma! One of the great things about freeze dried foods is that they are already prepared for you. The produce and meat are washed, chopped, and ready to be added to any of your favorite dishes. The fruits in particular are delicious eaten straight out of the can for a quick and healthy snack (which is a fantastic way to get your kids to munch on something that is actually good for them!). The only prep work it takes to cook with THRIVE is allowing the food to reconstitute in a little bit of water for just a couple of minutes, then they’re as good as fresh!



Another thing I love about THRIVE freeze dried foods is that you won’t find any additives or preservatives in the majority of their products. Green beans are green beans. Strawberries are strawberries. Period. No salt, no high fructose corn syrup or sugar… nothing. So you can be confident that you are feeding your family pure goodness when you use these items in your every day cooking.



With THRIVE veggies and meats already chopped and prepared, there’s no reason you can’t have a quick, nutritious meal on the table in 30 minutes or less.



Okay, we’ve talked a little about how THRIVE can help you eat healthier and save time, but now I’d like to share how THRIVE can also save you money!






Save with THRIVE!



What’s the most expensive item in your fridge?



Organic produce?



Meat?



Wrong! It’s actually the stuff you throw away!!



Think of all of the produce and freezer burned stuff you toss every month. Spoiled grapes or berries, slimy onions, shriveled carrots or celery, sprouting potatoes and moldy mushrooms… so much of what comes out of the produce drawer in our fridge ends up being tossed straight into the garbage, doesn’t it?



On average, Americans throw away over 25% of their groceries every single month. That’s HUGE! When you add up how much of your money is thrown straight into the garbage monthly, it can really add up to a significant loss. For instance, let’s say your monthly grocery budget is $500, if you are like the average American household you probably throw away around $125 in spoiled food every month. And I’m betting that’s money you could really use!



Why not reallocate that portion of your monthly grocery budget toward foods that won't spoil?



Having THRIVE’s freeze dried foods in place of the produce that typically goes bad in your home will save you big bucks every month. You’d never have to worry about mold growing in your berries, or your veggies spoiling because you didn’t use them in time. Imagine that… no waste!!



Okay, so how else do we blow money on food?



Eating out, right?



How often do you eat out during the week? Again, it comes down to time, doesn’t it? Some days we just don’t have time to get a meal together at the last minute.



THRIVE can help you on those nights when the family is starving and you have no time to put anything together. Instead of blowing a bunch of money to pay for somebody else to make your food for you, have several THRIVE Express meals on hand! Almost all of these hearty, complete dishes are table ready in 10-15 minutes, and can feed your family for less than the cost of what one person would spend eating out! Just dump it into a pot, add water, and heat. It’s super easy, and even my picky kiddos love these soups.



(Just a head’s up, THRIVE Express meals are actually on SALE this month, and can be picked up for less than $6 per pack. A pack generously feeds four adults, and would be a real money saver compared to eating away from home.)



Take a minute to check out the selection of THRIVE Express meals that Shelf Reliance has to offer, and then make a note to have a few of these on hand for quick and healthy backup meals.



And how much of our money do we spend on impulse buys?



How many times have you realized that you were missing a key ingredient in the middle of cooking something? I know I’ve done it plenty of times! And it always meant a quick trip to the store to pick up the item I needed.



But running to the store for just one or two things isn’t a good use of time or money. You can’t forget to factor in the cost of your gas to get to the store and back. The pack of eggs you needed to run and get might cost you $1.50, but how much did the gas to get it add to that expense? Probably at least another $3.00. When it really comes down to it, that’s an expensive pack of eggs!



Not only that, but grocery stores know how to enlist those impulse buys. They’ve strategically placed tempting treats throughout the store, in hopes of catching your eye and begging you to grab just a couple of other things before heading to the checkout lane. I’m sure you’re guilty… we’ve all done it! So, that one missing ingredient that you ran to the store to get can end up costing much more than you’d anticipated shelling out.



Doesn’t it just seem wiser to have backup ingredients on hand for just such emergencies?!



Lucky for us, THRIVE carries just about every basic staple you would ever need. Powdered milk, powdered eggs, powdered butter, powdered shortening, even powdered sour cream … think of the things that you typically run out of in the middle of a recipe; you name it, it’s there. Add a little water and voila, you’re good to go.



As a side note, the powdered eggs aren't only easy to use, and are fantastic to bake with, they're actually cheaper to use than store bought eggs! With over 200 whole eggs per #10 can, using powdered eggs for all of your baking can save you a little bit of money as well. Not only that, but you can actually eat the cookie dough without any fear of salmonella!! That's enough reason to have some on hand, right there!



Another way you can curb your impulse buys is by signing up for Shelf Reliance’s “Q”. The Q has been best described as Netflix for food, and is a place where you can do your monthly shopping online without the distractions and temptations of a traditional grocery store. Every month, you choose what you’d like to put in your shopping cart, and they’ll ship it straight to your door. It couldn’t be easier. But, more about the Q in a moment.




THRIVE Helps You To Be Less Reliant On The Store



A recent survey found that the average American household has enough food to sustain themselves for three days. THREE DAYS!



But what if bad weather hits, like the recent derechos that caused thousands and thousands of people to lose power for a week, and stores are without power and unable to help customers? What if gas prices surge and truck drivers can’t make deliveries to grocery stores? What if inflation sets in and we can’t afford many groceries anymore? Or, what if you experience the loss of a job and have to live on an extremely limited budget?



There are so many variables that our food supply depends on, and a problem with any one of them can disrupt the entire assembly line. It is foolish to think that we will always be able to get what we need from the grocery store when we need it.



Having food storage, or a Home Store, that you can “shop” when times are tough is not only wise, it can be life saving.



I’ll share a little personal story with you. In 2009, the Lord started pressing upon me and my husband to start storing up food. We’d never in our lives heard of people doing such a thing, but with the slowed economy and all we thought it would be a wise use of our money. Turns out, it was. In March of 2010, my husband was laid off. Work was slow, and they just couldn’t afford to keep him on any longer. It took six months before he found another full-time job (which he was also laid off from less than a year later!). During that time, we used what money we were able to bring in to pay our mortgage and other bills. And because we had food stored up, we ate just fine through the whole ordeal.



Now that we have experienced first hand how incredibly important it is to have what we would need to feed ourselves and our children when tough times hit, we will never again go without at least a year’s worth of food stored in our home.



Think of it as food insurance.



We have car insurance, and home owners insurance to help us if we ever run into trouble, right? But what I hate about those kinds of insurances is that you pay the bill, hoping you’ll never need to use it, though if you don’t use it then you’re out all of that money you spent!



Let me just ask you, what’s more important… having a car, or having food?



So, why don’t you have food insurance?



Reallocating a little bit of your grocery budget every month toward building up your home store is an incredibly important thing to do for your family. And the best part is that you’ll be using every bit of what you buy!!



Shelf Reliance has made building your home store as easy as 123...




The “Q”



If you don’t know where to start with food storage, The “Q” that we spoke about earlier makes it super easy to build your home store on a budget. I can even help you set it up. First, you would enter how many people are in your household, whether they are children or adults, and the Planner determines their caloric needs. Then you specify how many months of food you’d like to build up, anywhere from 3 months to several years! Next, you tell the “Q” what you’d like to set your monthly budget at, and The Planner automatically puts items in your cart that would fit your family’s needs.



The Q is completely customizable. If your family has special dietary requirements, or just doesn’t particularly like bananas per se, you can exchange that item from your cart for something else that you’d rather have. Every month you’ll get a shipment of food sent straight to your door, and your home store will soon be stocked with everything your family would need for your specified amount of time.








Help Feed The Hungry When You Place An Order



As if THRIVE foods weren’t awesome enough, the founders of Shelf Reliance have created their corporate charity, Thriving Nations, which donates 5% of all THRIVE profits to helping impoverished people in third world countries to become more self reliant by teaching them essential agricultural techniques and economic principles.



You can feel good knowing that every THRIVE purchase you make is used to bless the less fortunate around the globe.



Now do you see why I love this stuff so much?!



Here’s Even More Great News!



As a special perk for “attending” this THRIVE party, every one of you is eligible to receive an exclusive discount of up to 30% off retail prices on Shelf Reliance’s webstore! That means that you can get everything you would need to help save your family money, eat more nutritiously, and grow your home store for cheaper than ever!



All you need to do is contact me at newlifeonahomestead@gmail.com, let me know that you were a guest at Dana's virtual THRIVE party, and I’ll add you to my customer list. You will receive an email with a password that you will use to log in at Shelf Reliance. Once you’re in, you will always see the discounted price reflected on the screen, and you will get that discount on every order you place.



But the BIGGEST discounts will be given for “Q” customers who set up a Q budget of $100 or more. Not only will you see the absolute best prices available on the web, you’ll also get specials including occasional shipping discounts, monthly “Q-pons” which you can use for even deeper discounts on your favorite products, and points rewards you can earn for free products.



Alright Kendra, I’m ready to place an order. What do I need to do?



Your Six Steps To THRIVE Success…



1. Make a list of everything you can think of that typically goes bad in your fridge, then make a plan to order the freeze dried form of these items so you never throw away spoiled produce (and money) again.



2. Make a list of the basic baking essentials that you tend to run out of in the middle of cooking, then make a plan to order their powdered forms so you never have to run to the store at the last minute again.



3. Make a list of the foods that you hate taking the time to prepare. Hate chopping onions? Get them freeze dried, they’re delicious!



4. Decide if building a Home Store sounds like a wise idea for your family. Then determine how long you’d like your Home Store to sustain you, and how much money you can afford to spend every month on your “Q”.



5. Email me to let me know that you’d like to be added as Dana’s exclusive party customer. I’ll get you all set up.



6. Log in to Shelf Reliance with the password you’ll receive in an email, and start using your discount! You can place a one time bulk order for everything on your lists, or you can set up a monthly “Q” and get all of your family’s needs on a budget.



Please remember to place your order before the party's closing date on August 5, 2012.



If you have any questions or need help getting started, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll be more than happy to help you with anything you need.



Thanks so much for joining Dana and I today!! It’s been a pleasure sharing THRIVE with you.