Keeping it Simple

Rain again? Dec 11th, 2009 ---Rainbow

"The Dog House"--Dec 10th, 2009

Tis the season, where many spouses (and children)  will be in the 'dog house' over gift giving. . I think my hubby would agree that I tend to be very practical  in my requests of gifts over my birthday or anniversary, etc. By the way, this attitude I have drives my mom crazy. Hee Hee.  . Rarely, do I request a gift that is 'fancy' or 'expensive'. If I request a gift such as a vaccum or toaster (I can't imagine asking for a toaster), but if I did, I would be happy to get it. However, we have ALL gotten a gift that made us think "What were you thinking?!" or "That is NOT me!", so we can all relate to this video. Hee Hee.  Sally posted this this morning on her blog. She beat me to the punch. So at the risk of being a copy cat, here is the video anyway.

Whoops-- King's Kids--Dec 9th, 2009

To my family & friends on my e mail list... If you came here looking for a post titled "King's Kids". I must have been sleepy, because I was TRYING to put it on Brandon's blog. Sigh.. So that's where you will find it. Or you can click here---> HERE. Sorry.. maybe I will go back to bed now

Tightwad Tuesday ~ Two Good Winter Make Ahead Mixes

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Two Good Winter Make Ahead Mixes

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Now that we are in the thick of the time of year that a lot of us like to make casseroles.  I wanted to share two great recipes to help make them more frugaly.  These recipes save you anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 half the cost.  Once again your time is spent no matter what so you mine as well make it yourself and put the extra change towards something special. 

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Onion Soup Mix

• 3/4 cup of instant minced onion
• 1 Tablespoon and 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/3 beef or chicken flavored bullion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed celery seed
• 1/4 teaspoon sugar

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Mix and store in a airtight container.

To Use : add 2 Tablespoons  of mix to 1 cup of boiling water. Cover and simmer for 15 min. or add to recipe as directed.

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Cream Soup Mix

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• 2 cups of dry milk
• 1 1/4 cups of flour or cornstartch or arrowroot startch
• 1/4 cup chicken bouillon powder
• 2 Tablespoons dried onion flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon basil

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Mix all ingredients and store in a airtight container.  If the mix is made with cornstartch or arrowroot startch , add 1/3 cup to 1 1/4 cups of water.  Or if you are using the mix with flour then use 1/2 cup of mix to 1 1/4 cups of water.  If you want to make it to soup consistency then double the water.

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Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday....

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  Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)  

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example of a URL ...

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/

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  Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's. 

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 Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together !

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"There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."

Am I still in Washington?

Trying Blogger

Thursday Talkin' About Teenagers

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If you want to join in on the fun please go see my very sweet friend Lori at Plans4You.   This is my  sweet bloggy friend that has a NEW meme !  I am going to do my best to participate now that I have two young adults almost 3 ! 

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This week I would like to share about my oldest soon to be my first homeschool graduate.  I can't believe that I am saying this.  We have homeschooled the WHOLE way and I am thankful.  Even with the bumps in the road. 

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Philip is creative in....cooking !  He has been this way sence he was let me think at least 9 yo.  He always perked up with any kind of cooking shows.  One show my mom would tape for us b/c we don't get tv stations was a show called Donna's Day.  She was always showing projects for parents to do with their kids.  Philips favorite part was when she did cooking.  He is the kind of cook that just gets the basic idea of a recipe and then wings it !   I just found out one of his cooking secrets.  Soooo  shhhhhhh don't tell anyone , okay ? [0;  When he would come up with a spice blend he would put the spice jars side by side by side and smell.  He felt if they smell good together they would taste good together !  Isn't he sooooooo smart.  I never thought of that and love it. 

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My budding cook is going to culinary cooking school next year on the West Coast.  He is going to take the culinary and management courses.  Not only is he creative he is buisness smart.  I can't wait to see were God will lead him in this big adventure. 

Tag You're It, Julia!

I am home now. It was hard to leave. However, my  bed and pillow sure looked inviting when we got to the house.  Our flight was full to the brim with passengers. Brandon and I were in the last row on the plane, the only seats left were in the potty, behind us. Flush, Flush!!. LOL. After a somewhat bumpy flight, we landed in Vegas.  Since we were in the back of the plane, it took forever to get off the plane. ugh. By the time I found my hubby at baggage claim, he had already claimed our suitcase. Brandon and I were more than ready for dinner, so we were glad we didn't have to wait for our luggage. After we left the airport we encountered an accident on the freeway, so that slowed us down, but finally we made it to Olive Garden-YUMMY!!  Now I am home, getting laundry done and going over all my junk mail.

Julia arrived on Monday to take over care of my mom (she's a good daughter and granddaughter). Mom is doing better everyday. She's able to do more and more for herself, certain things she will be unable to do till she gets a walking cast, which will be roughly around 4 weeks from now, provided the ankle is healing properly.  

I was told by Julia and my hubby that my dog was moping around the whole time I was gone. He seemed quite happy when Brandon and I got home last night and he is sticking close to me today. There is nothing like pure, sweet and totally honest love a good dog! 

 Yes, my DH missed me too, that's why I got to eat at Olive Garden last night

Scooter

Tightwad Tuesday ~ Making A List of 10

Making A List of 10

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  One thing I started when my two oldest were very little was the list of ten.  At Christmas I didn't want the give me gimmies.  I remember as a kid making a list that was over 50 items long and it came to me to only allow 10 items.  Only ten items and list from what you want the most to least and I re-affirmed that they would only get a few things if they were reasonable. [0= 

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 I kept up this tradition for many years now and usually the boys can only think of 2-6 things now.  And they know if it is over a certain amount that people "might" pool thier money together.  For example my 1ds wants to become a cheif and there is a expensive knife he wants but that is all he wants.  So there is a good chance that all the relatives will pulll together for this one.  He said he would be very happy if that is all he got. Or, if a fair chunk was pooled together and then he would work towards saving the rest.

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It was really nice to hear my boys say that it isn't about getting things.  They are focusing on our Lord and also all the fun times and family times we will have this season.  It made my heart sing when I heard it all sunk in.  This year will be a thin year but a fun year of good memories.

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Now to join in the fun of Tightwad Tuesday....

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  Link your TWT post click on MckLinky and give exact the URL of your post.   (each Tuesday that  you join in on the fun)  

.

example of a URL ...

http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Canadagirl/693425/

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  Now go ahead link and read and comment on all these other's wonderful TWT's. 

.

 Lets save our pennies, nickles, dimes, and dollars  together !

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"There are only a few big ways to save money but there are many small ways ....that all adds up."