IT NEVER FAILS

Well a big HOWDY from Texas! LOL Hope ya’ll are doing good this morning! I am doing well… my plants are good, my kids are good, and my house is getting a little back to normal. Ok, Jean… whatcha talking about that the “Spunky Renee is on vacation?? I happen to be right here thank you very much! LOL!

Ok so remember how I said it was gonna be a lazy day yesterday? Well… it wasn’t. It never fails that I can’t sit still long enough to “relax” if you will. I always have to be doing something and yesterday was no different. I started by looking up lemon stuff on the computer but not finding much for that. SOOO I got annoyed, got up and dressed and went window shopping. I picked up some cat food at Petsmart then I went to Hobby Lobby. They didn’t have lemon anything except 1 overpriced, fake plastic lemon!



I did however get an idea for the centerpieces one of my customers wants me to make. She was telling me how the party is going to be black and either gold or silver… she couldn’t make up her mind. So it was a little frustrating for me with no determined color scheme. Well when I was walking around the store I saw these centerpieces of flowers in colored terra cotta pots. Hmmm… ok lets think classic… weddings, anniversaries, etc. What do they all have in common? Black & White! So I painted a small Terra Cotta gold, used white silk roses with black and gold tiny buds and added some silver star garland rolled in spirals. I might add some ribbon but I’m not quite sure yet. What do you think? Is it pretty and classy or funky and tacky?



Ok, so remember I told you I want to do my kitchen in the Lemon theme? Well I am trying anyway. After Hobby Lobby, I wandered to the next store into the hardware, paints, etc. I was looking at the paint sample cards. I found one called “Lemon Peel” and I fell in love! That is the paint color for my kitchen! I got a quart mixed up for me and then paid and left. Let me tell ya, its pretty bright! LOL… This picture just shows the first step… I will post new pictures each time its updated until its done.

Then I got some gas for the car and went and picked up the kiddos. I put together the centerpiece and was going to clean some more when I get real faint and had to sit down. My head hurt, I was ill to my stomach, and it was just like someone hit me with a bag of bricks. OOOPPS. Uh silly me forgot to take my meds that morning or eat all day… uh oh… so I tested my sugars, which were a naughty really low. Ok, stop what I’m doing and get to munching… starting with a candy bar! Good thing I have secret stash LOL… but honestly it was like eating mud… not very appetizing!

So, what’s on tap for today you might ask. Well, I figured after the kids get done in the doctor’s office, I might stop buy Pier 1 or Ikea or whatever it is down the road and see if maybe THEY have lemon stuff. The kids only have a half day today, so I’m not even gonna rush and try to get them back before school lets out. Maybe I should take them to the beach or something… its supposed to be a beautiful day and it shouldn’t be too crowded being a weekday. Hmmm… it’s a thought. After we’re done in Galveston with whatever we plan to do, I figured I would come back and paint more in the kitchen and maybe do some planting. Tomorrow starts April Autism Awareness, so I also have to clear out the table so I can do some mass sewing! My daughter is letting me use her machine… isn’t she so sweet? I was thinking about maybe putting a link on here so that my readers can buy some of the stuff if they wanted. What do you think? Would you like that? Remember, I contribute part of the purchase price to the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation.

Ok so, while I was painting my kitchen yesterday, I got to reminiscing about when my DD was little and always wanted to help me in the kitchen when I was making cakes, cookies, etc. It was more like she just wanted to lick the bowls LOL, but to her it was helping! Then of course she’d get batter all over her and we’d have to change clothes. Well that made me look at aprons… and it inspired today’s craft. And the artisan just “happened” to use a dish towel with, of all things… LEMONS! LMAO! Go figure! So if you have little kids, grandkids, etc. who like to help you in the kitchen, try this one on for size… kids size! LOL!



Craft Idea of the Day: Kids Dish Towel Apron

Supplies:

1 dishtowel (mine measured 18" x 28")
one package of double fold bias tape--extra wide
thread to match
ribbon or trim (optional)

Instructions:

Lay out the dishtowel with the shorter edge on top and measure 4 inches in from each top edge, and measure 9 inches down each side edge. Draw a line between these two marks and cut on the line using scissors or a rotary cutter.

This is when you would add any ribbon or trim. In this example, it is added at the top and the bottom of the apron.

Now you need to open up your bias tape and pin it to the edges of the apron.

You will want to pin the bias tape to the apron so that there is a 15-inch neck hole and 22-inches of bias-tape hanging at each edge for ties. Now you can sew the bias tape to the apron.

Now fold your bias-tape over to the back of the apron (the neck-hole and tie bias-tape pieces will be sewn to themselves) and sew.

Finish the edge of the apron with a parallel seam and you are done!

I just thought that was the cutest thing. It would also go great if you bought a young girl her first easy bake over, or something like that. It would be a great gift for all kinds of events even if you don’t have kids of your own, but know someone who does.

Ok, now as you know, after our beloved crafts, its time to eat! WOOHOO! I love this part LOL! Well it’s casserole week peeps! So today I am bringing you another super delish pan of homemade yumminess!



Delicious Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Ingredients
4 skinless, bone-in chicken breast halves
2 stalks celery, cut into thirds
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cup cooked rice
6 ounces sour cream
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed broccoli & cheese soup
1 (16 ounce) bag of frozen broccoli florets, thawed/drained
1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups crushed buttery round crackers
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Bring to a boil the chicken breasts, celery, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and enough water to cover. Cover, reduce heat to medium low; simmer for 35 minutes. Drain, reserving 1 cup liquid. Cool chicken, remove meat from bones, and cut into bite-size pieces.

3. In a large bowl, stir together sour cream, soups, broth, onion powder, garlic powder, cheese, broccoli, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix in cooked rice and chicken. Spoon mixture into a 9x13 inch casserole dish. In a resealable bag, shake together crushed crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle crackers over the top.

4. Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes.

Ok I’m drooling already! YUMMY! Ok folks, I’m gonna hop on off of here and wake the kids for their doctor appointments this morning so I can get on the road. I will be talking to you all tomorrow… same blog time… same blog channel! Peace, Love, and lots of HUGS!

QUALITY TIME

Good morning everybody! How are you doing this bright Saturday morning? I’m good… in a lot of pain but good on the inside, so life is good! The gang wants to go to a local nursery called Maa’s, but I’m not quite sure if I can handle it today. Playing in my little garden is one thing… walking what’s gotta be at LEAST a 1 acre or more nursery grounds is totally different. I do need to take these clothes and donate them so I can get them out of my living room! Then of course, I could get the guys to pull more stuff out of storage too… I just don’t know what I want to do today LOL!



Well, I got more plants for my ever growing garden yesterday! I got 2 more Husky Cherry tomatoes, 2 Porters Dark Cherry tomatoes, 4 Mucho Nacho Jalapeno peppers, and 9 Brussels Sprouts. I also picked up 3 more bags of potting soil. After school my DD15 wanted to help in my garden. She and I were outside and I was teaching her how to plant the veggies and how to feed and water them. She was learning where her food comes from and how much hard work it can be. But most importantly, we were sharing quality time together. We also planted some more seeds… pumpkin, zucchini, cantaloupe, and okra. Hopefully in about 2 weeks we will see these seeds start to pop. She told me she would be so proud if her seeds actually grew. We had fun. I love spending quality time with my kids. And now I am super excited about the sprouts of Peas I have in the starter cups! I can’t wait to plant them! I got the Gardening fever! And if I can bring a little bit of Spring to my readers who cannot yet indulge and enjoy, then so be it. I will be your “Susie Springtime” LOL!

Alright kids, Easter is less than a month away, so its time to start thinking Easter crafts! Whether you decorate your house just for your family, or you host a big ol’ shingdig… we’ll cover it! If ya need ideas, leave me a comment and I’ll make sure I take care of ya! OK… I wanna start with one of the first things I think about for “decorating”… Centerpieces. You can put them on any table… dining room, coffee tables, end tables, you name it! Traditionally you are gonna find that most of your colors of spring are yellows, oranges, and pastels. Bright and cheery is your goal. Daffodils, tulips, lillies, and daisies are prevalent this time of year… especially in Easter décor. And Easter is a very religious event for many as well. I, personally, do not decorate in a religious theme as to not offend anyone. I have friends of many different faiths, and I want them to be as comfortable as possible when they come to visit.



Craft Idea of the Day: Centerpieces with food

Food can be a unique aid in decorating, but to prevent spoiling, is usually a last minute thing. You can make a beautiful centerpiece with nothing more than a glass container, fresh flowers, food and water. Make sure that the color of the food compliments the flowers and goes along with your theme.



I find fruits such as limes, lemons, oranges, apples, etc. are very good to use, and then you have jelly bean and Jordan almonds are popular candies to use. Its whatever your heart desires to make! I don’t recommend making skinned fruits (limes, lemons, etc.) more than MAYBE 3 days in advance at most. Hard candies, I say maybe one week…



You can also use those brightly colored plastic Easter eggs you find in the store. I recommend the smaller ones- but if you are making a larger vase, then the regulars will work well too. Since they are plastic, this is a centerpiece you can prepare farther in advance… just make sure you take care of your fresh flowers. There again, you could use silk and it would not need to be watered. You see how the possibilities are kinda endless here? LOL! Whatever you choose to make, I’m sure it will be a wonderful piece to your decor!

Ok, For dinner last night, we had a recipe in one of Erin Chase’s $5 Dinner newsletters. It utilizes Brussels Sprouts, which we just planted today LOL. So I would like to share the recipe with you as my gang ate it up last night… so once again Thanks Erin for another great recipe!



Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Chicken & Pasta
(courtesy of Erin Chase @ $5Dinners.com)

Ingredients

3/4 lb. Brussels sprouts
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper
2 chicken breasts (about 1 lb.)
2 cups shell pasta
1/4 cup lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Rinse Brussels sprouts and remove any yellow leaves.
2. Chop off the ends and discard.
3. Cut lengthwise into quarters.
4. Add to a small skillet with some olive oil and lemon juice.
5. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss.
6. Roast the sprouts in the pan for 4-6 minutes, or until turn golden brown. Set aside.
7. In the same skillet, cook the diced chicken pieces. Toss for 6-8 minutes, or until all chicken pieces have cooked through. Cooking time may vary depending on thickness of the pieces.
8. Meanwhile, cook 2 cups of pasta as directed on package instructions.
9. Once pasta and chicken have cooked, add all to a large bowl and toss with 1/4 cup of lemon juice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste.
10. Serve by itself, or with a side salad.

Ok everyone… its that time again. I am gonna sign off and get everyone up and moving and see what it is we plan on doing today! May become a busy day, may be rather relaxed… I just don’t know. Either way I wish you all the best in whatever you set out to do! HUGS!

FEELIN’ CRAFTY!

Happy Hippie Wednesday to you my sweets! Hope you are doing well this rainy yucky day. Despite the nasty weather outside, it’s sunshine happiness in my house today. I wanted to apologize for the shorty short blog yesterday… but have you ever had so much energy that you just couldn’t sit still? That’s how I was and I couldn’t get myself to sit and write for some reason! Top that with ADHD and you have one very hyper weirdo! LMAO… I was feeling very crafty yesterday once I actually sat down and started. I got a lot accomplished. Check out this stuff I did…



Here’s the large centerpiece I made to use at my DD’s Sweet 16 party. I used a foam block covered in music note fabric, cardboard cutout stars covered in music note scrapbook paper and with blue cardstock as a back color. We found the foil cascade at Party City as with the large music note cutout on the top. I stuck silk white and blue roses on the sides to “fill it up”. This centerpiece cost me $2.77 to make plus the stuff I already had… not bad I think!



This is the balloon weight I made to use at the Sweet 16 party. I got a small wooden “bag” at Michael’s Arts & Craft store and I covered it with music note fabric. I curled tons of metallic blue curling ribbon, tied it with floral wire. I filled the bottom of the bag with pebbles and then shoved a piece of floral foam inside. Push the curly ribbons into the foam to fill the “bag”. Her name is across the handle with chipboard glitter stickers that I hot glued on.



This is the towel pillow I made for Madison’s room. I bought extra band towels (they have to have them to sit on so they don’t snag their uniforms) at the beginning of the year. The back is the music note fabric. Its stuffed and sewn closed. I made two of these.



Remember those pretty covered oatmeal containers we made during recycling weekend? Here is the one that I covered with the paper money. I added the lettering today that says “Penny Pincher Potato Soup”. I will put my homemade dry potato soup mix in it, attach a note card with directions, and give it as a gift for those I know enjoy potato soup. I saw the idea on a website (which I can’t find now UGH!) and I thought it was absolutely adorable!



How do you like my music note visor? Cool huh? Cost me 99c to make! I bought one of those foam visors with the plastic curly stretch cord. I covered it with music note fabric and put black bias tape around the edges, laced the cord back through the holes and voila! It will come in handy during summer practice, football games, and competitions LOL! I betcha all the band kids who hang out here are gonna want one… Oh geez I just thought about that LOL! That’s a lot of visors!! I think I'm gonna make some more for things like Breast Cancer Awareness, Autism, etc! Cool huh? They can be customed to any pattern or event!



Like my puzzle piece/Autism picture plaques? I found those wooden puzzle pieces at JoAnn’s, so I picked up a pack (gonna go back and get more). I spray painted these today and then glued a picture of Alex on the front. With a paint marker, I put his name and the year. Then I varnished/clear coated the whole thing and let it dry. I also hot glued a saw tooth hanger on the back so that I can hag them up on the wall.



The final thing I got done today was a “Sweet Box”. I had a new plastic craft organizer box that I covered with a “candy” fabric. I hot glued a ribbon around the box part and used a piece of the same ribbon to make a bow for the top. I used glitter chipboard letters to spell out “sweets” for the top. Inside each compartment, you can put either individually wrapped candies or things like M&M’s, Jordan Almonds, Skittles, etc. This could also make a cute handmade Valentine’s Day gift. (And yes it took a while to cut and paste the pictures so you could see all the different views LOL!)

Pretty spiffy, huh? I think it all turned out really groovy! I’m not as hyper today and I still have the craft bug, so maybe today I can turn out some more really cool stuff. All the crafting makes me very, very hungry though LOL so I have to think of something easy and filling. I think a huge pot of chicken pasta with some garlic toast sounds good. So we chop up some chicken breasts and cook them in the skillet. I’ll be boiling some Farfalle pasta, tossing the chicken into it, and tossing all this with some Alfredo sauce and topping with parsley. Simple, filling, and totally delish! I think the rain also calls for some homemade soups. Some homemade chicken noodle soup, broccoli cheese, and beans… yea beans! OK, so here is another recipe I want to share with you though that I think you will enjoy (you know me and my slow cookers LOL!).



Spicy Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

Ingredients

1 pound dry black beans, soaked overnight
4 teaspoons diced jalapeno peppers
6 cups chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Directions

Drain black beans, and rinse. Boil beans for about 20 minutes. Drain again.

Combine beans, jalapenos, and chicken broth in a slow cooker. Season with garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, cayenne, pepper, and hot pepper sauce.

Cook on High for 4 hours. Reduce heat to Low, and continue cooking for 2 hours, or until you are ready to eat. Run 1/2 the soup through a blender or food processor and return to pan. This gives the soup more of an “authentic” texture. Served it topped with chopped green onion, sour cream, cheddar cheese or homemade guacamole.

**If you are pressed for time, you can just used canned black beans.**

Ok, so tomorrow I am gonna divulge some new information about something really significant in my life that I want you all to be a part of. I hope you have a good memory and if not… copy and paste and hang a note on your PC cause this one is gonna be a long time running! As for today, I’m gonna go grab me a bite to eat and then get crafting! Until tomorrow… Peace, Love, and lots of HUGS!

MONEY TIPS AND HINTS

Good morning mes amis! How are you all this morning? I’m doing alright I suppose. The swelling has gone down under my eye at least… except right in the corner near my nose. It’s rather annoying LOL! I want to thank everyone for the comments yesterday. They were great! Now, I’m gonna take a few moments to answer all of your questions…

To Melissa- Thanks for letting all your SAHM’s know about the blog. I want to say HI to all of them and glad you like the reading! Make sure you get to be a registered follower so you are eligible for the prize! There’s still a few days left! Now… when I don’t feel well… well you have to understand I have had medical issues since I was 5 years old, so coping with it and keeping going is something I have always done. Its like habit now LOL. Plus I always have had so many people depending on me for so many different things… ya know that old phrase “If I don’t do it, it won’t get done”? Yep… there ya go. LOL but if I need a lot of energy (like for cleaning and stuff YUCK!) I do every once in awhile drink a Monster LOL! I have never held a class on crafts or cooking before. And I have never actually thought about it LOL. I go to Farmer’s markets on leisure time. I have never considered selling at one because of the fact that I do go to festivals, fairs, and shows tailored for Arts & Crafts booths. Honestly, I don’t think I would enjoy them as much if I had to work them too. And finally… BABY showers… those can be so fun! I remember my baby shower for my daughter! There were at least 50 people there and I got so many things that I didn’t have to buy anything except formula for the first 6-8 months of her life! It was crazy! Gimme a few days and we will discuss it… is it foe a boy or girl?

To Jean- Glad you are still enjoying the posts LOL! Hope you continue to enjoy them as well. As for meal planning… I set up a general “month” calendar but its just a guideline. I print out a blank month and write a meal on each day. This gives me a general idea of what to make throughout the month. However, I’m flexible… maybe what I wrote down for that day doesn’t sound good or maybe I have more people coming than that meal will feed. No problem, I just pull something different out… switch the days around if you will. Remember that if you have a hard time deciding, planning ahead on paper may help. And you can always quick thaw some ground meat in some cold water if you finally decide at noon that you want meatballs and they need to be done by 5pm LOL! And lastly… soups. Girl, where have you been all this time? LOL J/K… During the course of this whole blog so far, I have posted 22 Soups & Stews recipes. Are you looking for something designed around a specific ingredient?

To Hazel- Thank you so much for your comment and I am glad you are enjoying the writings. If there is anything you might want to see, let me know and I’ll see what I can do!

Ok, so I was reading online some of the articles for “Money matters” online recently, and I found this article I wanted to share… Now tell me this is not an “oxy moron”… you have an author writing about money issues and his/her name is SHAM? Um…. Yea ok… anyway, I thought a few were pretty interesting and maybe you will too…

Top 6 Mindless Money Wasters

by Sham Gad

Most people will say they are interested in saving money. Money saved from one area can be spent in another area. Or even better, the money can actually grow as an investment for the future. But despite the benefits of putting some money away, most people take a passing interest in actually doing it. As young adults, they don't think much about retirement; then, as adults, credit card debt becomes a way of life.

But the tough economic times that hit the U.S. in 2007 through 2009 were a wake-up call for many people, causing the public's view of saving to shift. If you'd like to make regular saving a part of your life, read on to find out how to conquer the first step: finding that extra money. You can begin by paying attention to these top money wasting activities.

1. Convenience Stores
Many people don't think about the mark-up they pay for convenience store items. Here's a hint: it's huge. This is because these stores don't purchase food in the large quantities that a grocery store does and also because they make you pay more for the convenience they provide. So, unless it's an emergency situation, avoid shopping at convenience stores. The premium you pay for convenience is not worth the assumed convenience you get. For example, a Coke at a convenience store might cost you a dollar, while you can go to the grocery store and buy a 12 pack for $4. If you tend to pull over for a drink, buy a 12-pack and keep it in your car. If you visit convenience stores often, the annual savings of cutting out these visits can be tremendous.
2. Cell Phone Plans
Take the time to check your monthly cell phone bill - you may be paying more than you need to. If you are using fewer minutes than your monthly plan allows, switch to a lower-rate plan. If you are using more minutes than your monthly allotment, then upgrade to a higher minute plan. Before making any changes to your plan, sit down with a list of your cell phone company's offerings and compare and determine which plan provides the most value based on your needs. Most cell phone companies charge 40 to 50 cents per additional minute, so going over your allowed minutes by 100 minutes one month will cost you $40 to $50 in that month alone. With many minute plan upgrades costing $10 to $20 a month, they'll easily pay for themselves. You should also scan through your cell phone plan for added features like text messaging and mobile internet. If you aren't really using these features, get rid of them - they're costing you money each month!
3. Soft Drinks
This one is a sneaky money waster. Not only does ordering beverages along with a restaurant meal boost your total expenses, but soft drinks also have one of the highest markups of any restaurant item, and thus provide lower value for your money. Consider a typical family of four that eats out twice a week at fast casual restaurants (typical for a middle class family even today). Assuming an average price of $1.50 for a fountain soft drink, that totals $12 a week, $48 a month, $624 a year. Just cutting out this one item from your meal could mean significant savings that could go into something much more productive, such as a retirement savings plan. If you invest $624 at the market average of 9% a year every year, you would have almost $32,000 at the end of 20 years. So dine out, but opt for water!
4. Unnecessary Bank Fees
Many people unknowingly pay a lot to their banks in the form of fees. If you don't know what fees your accounts are subject to, spend a few minutes finding out. Some banks charge ATM fees for using another bank's ATM, for example. These can be as high as $5! This amounts to a 25% one-time fee for a $20 withdrawal. The key with this type of fee is simply knowing about it. You would be better off using a credit card to make the purchase. Go back and examine the rules governing your checking and savings accounts. Many people have accounts with a fixed number of withdrawals and deposits per month. You would be better off with an account maintenance fee of $10 a month than getting hit with two or three different fees a month. Also consider consolidating bank accounts, as often one account with a larger minimum can eliminate numerous fees that might otherwise exist.
5. Magazines
If you're the type of person who likes to occasionally pick up your favorite magazine from the local grocery store or newsstand, consider getting an annual subscription. Even if you don't want the magazine every month, a couple of issues at the newsstand are enough to cover the entire annual subscription. For example, a 26-issue subscription to Forbes Magazine will cost you less than $25, while one issue at the newsstand costs $5.
6. Annual Credit Card Fees
Unless you have a poor credit history, there is no reason to pay annual credit card fees. A host of Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards have no annual fee, yet many people pay up to $100 a year for the privilege of holding a credit card. Unless you're an ultra-wealthy, exclusive holders of an elite-level credit card with exclusive perks, most people should not be paying annual credit card fees.
And speaking of credit cards, make sure you make a payment on time every month, even if it's the minimum. Many credit cards charge $39 monthly late fee charges, charges which accrue interest along with your existing balance.
Be Proactive- Spend a couple hours and go over the above categories along with any other regular habits you may have accumulated over the years. The time will be well spent as it could mean hundreds of dollars of recurring annual savings.

Alright, now… here is another cute craft from recycled materials… those old CD’s. I found this on thrifty fun and I had to share!



Craft Idea of the Day: CD Cake Toppers Or Centerpieces
Cover an old CD with scrap fabric and lace. Hot glue figurines on top for a cute centerpiece or cake topper! Make sure to ask friends and check with local thrift, pawn shops, etc. and ask them to save the damaged/unusable CD’s for you. Figurines can be found all over- thrift stores, dollar stores, craft stores, and your own home! Have fun!

Ok, food… who doesn’t love food, right? Here we go with another slow cookin’ hearty winter-y soup recipe to add to the collection!



Beef Barley Vegetable Soup

Ingredients

1 (3 pound) beef chuck roast
1/2 cup barley
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons oil
3 carrots, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) package frozen mixed vegetables
4 cups water
4 cubes beef bouillon cube
1 tablespoon white sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 (28 ounce) can chopped stewed tomatoes
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a slow cooker, cook chuck roast until very tender (usually 4 to 5 hours on High, but can vary with different slow cookers). Add barley and bay leaf during the last hour of cooking. Remove meat, and chop into bite-size pieces. Discard bay leaf. Set beef, broth, and barley aside.

2. Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Saute carrots, celery, onion, and frozen mixed vegetables until tender. Add water, beef bouillon cubes, sugar, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, chopped stewed tomatoes, and beef/barley mixture. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer 10 to 20 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.

And there you have it… today marks another day of fun and food LOL! I think I’m going to go lay down for a bit cause my meds are making me sleepy! I’ll see you here tomorrow… HUGS!