HOW PATIENT CAN YOU BE?

Good morning everyone! I hope this crisp fall morning finds you well. Betcha didn't expect me back, huh? As my dear friend Cindy told me... It's been a great week!! Made it through without needing bail money or having any of those messy "hide the body" episodes... LOL. True I have been MIA but I wanted to come on here and thank everyone for the kind emails and comments and to let you know what's been going on. Yes, I'm choosing to air dirty laundry, vent, spill the beans... whatever you want to call it LOL! I am getting a divorce, got health issues, money woas, and lots more! But I want you to know that whatever you are going through, you CAN get through it... let my story serve as your proof. That's the reason I am sharing all my personal stuff with you now!

6-4-10: The young man I let move into my house and treated like a son decided that drugs, booze, and girls were more important than a loving safe home and a "family" who would help him get a good education and a better life. His attitude and actions became intolerable. Then he cowardly moved out the day I took my mom to the casino without even saying goodbye. I felt very used and "abused" both myself and for my family. My Best Friend Vicki (who is more like my sister) saw him in the store the other day and my "nephew" Josh kept asking why he wasn't at Aunt Nay's house, etc. He fessed up that leaving was the biggest mistake he ever made. GEE, YA THINK? Oh well... young, dumb, and full of... um STUPIDITY LOL!

My brother also breaks off relations with the young lady he was seeing and the baby I was watching quite frequently is no longer in my life now. I got attached yes, but didn't cry. I just hope she realizes how special he is...

8-25-10: Separated from husband... we've been having alot of problems for the past couple of years actually. I decided to "kill" the old me and change my life. Went through my boo-hoo's and why me's and then finally said OK, Bring it on! I am quite proud of myself for not trying to get him to come back home... standing my ground! After what all he did to me over the course of our marriage (I admit I enabled him quite a bit), I realized I could not hold on to the good to get through the bad because things had changed and been damaged too much. It would never be the same. So I used the last way I knew how to show him I love him... I let him go!



Time to work on me and my kids!

9-8-10: Went to the doctor. Got my release and rehab "instructions". SUPPOSED to be exercising 30 minutes a day, 3 times a week. Appointments every week for 6 weeks of what I think feels like "Fat camp". Goal is to lose weight put on by meds and bone disease, steriod meds, shots, and other health issues. Doc also wants to re-evaluate at 6 wks and see if we can lose the BP meds. Personal Weight goal is to lose 100 pounds by my birthday next year (Sept. 7, 2011). Left the doctor and the next day, started... ended up exercising for 3 hours cause it felt so dang good!

** Aside from the exercising, I am implementing alot of other changes. I have already quit smoking (May 27, 2009) and only have the social drinks (except right after kicking out husband LOL). I am not using any salt other than to cook with, I hardly eat sweets unless my blood sugars go too low, I won't eat hardly any red meat, increase my veggies and raw salads (didn't think it was possible as I LOVE fruits and veggies already LOL but I did it), and increasing my water intake (just to name a few LOL). **

9-16-10: First doctor visit. Got lectured a bit... but its ok. I lost 9 pounds, my BP was 171/102 and my pulse was 99. Doc said the first 5-7 pounds of that was probably water weight and I said THAT'S OK! It took 2-4 pounds of its fatty friend with it! LOL! She warned me to be careful and she wanted a goal of like 2 pounds a week... I cock an eyebrow and think "Uh yea ok" LOL.

STATS: -9 pounds, BP- 171/102, P- 99

** Am loving doing 2-3 hours a day of kickboxing! Met with an atty and he is going to do the divorce for me, so that paperwork has been filed! Hopefully I can be saying my thanks over my Thanksgiving turkey saying "Thank you for this divorce and pass the gravy!"**

9-23-10: Second visit to hell-o LOL! Doc starts really fussin' cuz I drop another 4.5 pounds! WOOHOO! I am excited, she's not so much. She asked if I was doing the 30/3's and I had to fess up that no, I'm doing 120-180/5's LOL! She started fussin that she thinks I am over-doing it and doesn't want me adding too much stress to the heart or problemed bones. I say :P LOL! She asked me if I was eating, etc. Fuss Fuss Fuss... gonna do what I want to do so hush LOL!

STATS: -4.5 pounds, BP- 147/93, P- 96

** Am finding that since working out, I have more energy and when I listen to music, I just wanna move LOL so I end up dancing my butt off for another hour or so some nights LMAO! **

9-30-10: What a wonderful way to end September! In fat camp! Ok, doc's getting P-turbed with me now LOL and has the nerve to ask me if A. I'm actually eating, and B. am I taking any kind of drugs because I am losing the weight too fast. I was like seriously offended and the b*tchy side comes out and tells her NO and go ahead and test me if ya want! I stressed to her that when you're doing more than the 30/3's, you're more likely gonna lose it faster DUH! Plus the dancing... but I know my body and I know when to stop or slow down. I feel great about myself and I can actually look in the mirror now and not be so disgusted! After going a couple of rounds (more like an hour or so LOL), all she could really say was "well just be careful PLEASE" LOL! Renee 1, Doc-0! Think I might need to dance and celebrate tonight! LOL

STATS: -6 pounds, BP- 135/94, P- 101

TOTAL LOSS FOR SEPTEMBER: 19.5 lbs.
REMAINING GOAL LOSS: 80.5 lbs.
REMAINING TIME: 11 MONTHS

10-7-10: Today really sucked! I felt a sort of dread yesterday and didn't want to go to the dr. today. Couldn't put my finger on why. But I had an overactive brain yesterday and today, so I had tons of things running through my head. So I grabbed an extra hour almost of kickboxing. Well I had found a picture of my STBX (Soon To Be Ex) in my son's room that I had removed and forgot to put away... still in a frame of course. Got very angry again and OOOPS!



There went some more glass. Got a few cuts on my hand, but it's ok... nothing too deep (Note to audience- do NOT box with pics of STBX around LOL... the adrenaline gets going and soon you think the pic is their face and there ya go! LOL). I woke up today with a really low feeling in my gut, but I went to the doctor anyway. Well she couldn't gripe at me too bad, cuz my numbers were "much safer" to her but very disappointing to me. I have some swelling in my legs for some reason, but other than that she is pleased with my visit. She says I have slimmed but apparently am building up more muscle mass. NOOOOO! I am so upset that I have been working so hard and this is what I end up with... uh no. Think I need to step it up some or change it somehow! We'll see what next week brings!

STATS: -0.5 pounds, BP- 130/92, P-104



So that in a nutshell is what I have been up to with myself. Of course October started DD's Marching Band season in full swing. (LOL Like the pic? Late night football marching followed by early next day marching = Sunday morning Marching Lag! LOL) The competition last weekend was great! They got lots of good pictures of her. We have comp's every weekend this month... plus football, etc. Busy... Busy... Busy. I finally did some more painting in the kitchen- just have 2 cabinet doors on the bottom and then applying the lemons and that project is done. Because of everything going on, the fabric challenge and the Christmas Challenge came to a screeching halt. Christmas will be rough this year because of finances, but also that Frank & I were married December 23rd... so yea... I would say I see some "special" eggnog this year, but I hate eggnog YUCK! LOL!



My little bunny Rescue I got at the flea market passed away. Mom thinks she may have been bred diseased but says I gave her a very good life. I got a new rabbit though... rescued him too in a way. He is a 3 yr old black rabbit named Midnight and he is fixed! YAY! LOL... also my landlord got stupid and said I had too many cats and that some had to go. SOOOO Miracle and Gizmo are now living out at my mom's house. I still have to get rid of 1 more (2 if he learns about the baby in Madison's room). He "graciously" said the bunny can stay since it's in a cage. Gee thanks dillhole! And then DD's friend needs to place 2 gerbils and they decided they should come here. UM NO! Anyone want 2 gerbils and all the goodies? LOL.



We had my little brother's birthday lunch a couple of weeks ago too... wow I feel so old, but I love my family so much! We had a great time, great food, and I even managed to get him to give me a great picture... one he is not shooting the finger in! WOW! LOL Love ya Michael! My other brother Mark is currently in TDCJ (Texas Department of Criminal Justice) boot camp to start a new career as a Correctional Officer. We were discussing this as a possibility for me too. But I won't even consider applying until I lose at least 50 more pounds! Its just a thought right now... a vague thought. But my brother's doing great and I think this is gonna be a good thing for him! Way to go Mark!

As you can see, lots of things going on right now in my life. When I started this blog it was as a wife, mother, and basically a "June Cleaver" Kinda person. However I'm NOT that person anymore. I am still a mom and I love cooking, sewing, etc. and if you want to still hang around, I will continue to be here... maybe not so much right now (definitely not every day right now) til my life settles into a normal chaos. I will still do crafts, cooking, etc... if you'll have me- the NEW me?

Well I'm outta here. Time for "The Oldies Sweating To Hate Music" LOL! (No offense to anyone- especially the makers of "Sweatin to the Oldies" LMAO!) I want to hear your thoughts and comments, etc... so until next time... HUGS!!!!!!

FOOD OR FRUIT

Good morning my friends! How are you doing this wet Wednesday morning? I'm good really... just tired of the rain! I had some more good experiences with my freecycling and I got some bills paid and a little shopping done too!

Ok gotta say I love my readers, so its time to address all the comment questions from yesterday!

I had a couple of emails asking me if freecycling was really worth the time and what type of things have I been able to find. Well, let me tell ya... it IS definitely worth the time. If for no other reason than recycling and peace of mind you are helping the earth, even if in just a little way. I have received alot of great items thru the years. I have also given alot away for others to use/have. I found a 6 month old (almost new) fridge for my parents right after the storm, a full size bed for my DD, and even a NICE 20 in. color TV for my son about a week ago. The last few days, I have got LOTS of baby items... new foods, diaper bags, diapers, a wipes warmer, monitors, and more. I have gotten nice clothes, lots of yarn for my mom (who crochets), crafting supplies, coupons, and lots more things. Even animals! You can post what you are looking for and people can email you. Its so worth it. Just think about all that totally usable stuff going in the garbage and cluttering our world! So I hope that answers your questions and helps you!

To Jean: Good to see you! Ok you asked about the Christmas Challenge "rules"... well basically on this Christmas Challenge, I plan to make as much of each gift AND presentation as possible. I plan on making personalized gift bags for the gifts (when necessary), etc. All edible gifts will obviously be done at the "last minute" but if the supplies for those gifts are shelf stable, then they will at least be bought ahead of time to ensure we have them. This challenge takes a bit of planning but I think it will be turning out super spiffy. My gift giving will cover a large range of people... from babies to seniors, women and men, manly to feminine, and everything in between! The Challenge I presented to my readers is that you do the same. Make a list of everyone that you need to give a gift to during the holidays and each day MAKE a gift. I am almost at my 250th posting and have brought tons of crafts for just about everyone. Then share with all of us what you have done for who... and you can email me pics if you would like- and let me know if I can post them here... I think it would be fun to see what you guys and gals are up to!

As for my brother, he is physically alright. I was just worried about him because his kitty passed away. He has had that cat for a long time and was his "buddy" during a very rough time in his life. He of course played the "manly man" about it, but I KNEW inside he was crying... so I paid even more special attention to him than normal (which is crazy closeness anyway LOL) the last few days. But he is much better now. He buried her in the back yard at mom's house... where all of our favorite animals end up LOL.

And finally... the baby. He is my "soon-to-be-nephew" you could say. My OTHER brother (the middle one) is involved with a young lady with a small baby. They plan on marrying sometime in the future and he truly loves this child. So they are struggling young parents trying to start a life. As once BEING one of those "young parents" I know how difficult it is, so I extended the offer to help with the baby. He is a commercial driver, but fixing to change jobs to be a correctional officer and she just took the test and received her cosmotology license. She recently interviewed and got a job but they can't afford daycare. My brother and her also prefer to have the baby with someone they know and trust... aka... ME LOL! SOOO... Aunt Nay will be watching the baby for long periods of time at minimum of 5 days a week... sometimes more. Trying to start a life is hard, and when you are young with limited resources, its even harder. So I am excited to help these 2 make themselves into productive members of society so they can provide this baby with a better life. And I commend and am very proud of my brother for stepping up and being a real man and taking on the very challenging situation of a "ready made family"! He makes me well up with pride... and doesn't even know it!

To Tabitha: I plan on probably taking pictures and sharing them every week or so actually... rest assured I will share them... as this is part of the Challenge. Shoot, sharing is the whole purpose of this blog, so yes you will see them and not have to wait until Christmas. LOL!

And to my mommy: I messaged you about the gift so quit guessing LOL! I am glad you are inspired to finish your projects... its a start! You will get going and then want to keep going... I know you LMAO! Where do you think I get it!? I am so glad the cats are getting along too... those first few weeks I had my doubts. But I stuck with it and I am glad I did! Rebel has a playmate again now! YAY! Maybe he will lose some weight LMAO!



And as for the bunny... oh don't get me started! Let's just say, however many bunnies that woman had before mine- SHE LIED TO EVERYONE. I guess I am not surprised really... considering the battle she and I had in the first place. But Rescue is definitely NOT a dwarf bunny! She has HUGE ears and is almost half the size of the cage I thought she would be in for a long time! UGH! She absolutely loves her fresh veggies... her favorite is alfalfa. I can't keep that stuff in the house anymore! She also is in love with the honey nut sticks I got for her. AND she eats tons of the rabbit pellet food too! I think she is part pig LMAO! But I love her and if I had to do it again, I would do it in a heartbeat!

As for your cactus jelly you brought up (and yes Dad is right, you DO instigate LMAO but its all gravy!)... that falls into the jelly recipe I gave yesterday LOL! So in essence, I beat you to it! LOL!

Keep those comments coming everyone... I love to hear from you all!



Ok well it's that time. Its day 2 of the Christmas Challenge YAY! Today I will be making stockings. A group of people on my list (4) do not have Christmas stockings. So I am making 4 custom Quilted Christmas stockings. One person will be receiving penguins (her favorite animal), one music (not my daughter LOL), one monkeys, and one classic cars. There is one more person in the house but I already made him one! I know I have penguins and music fabric (in the crate no doubt YAY!) but I am not sure on the other 2... they may have to wait. Hmmm... I also have to finish up a couple of things from gift number one from yesterday... now you see why its 150 days? LOL... that way if you don't quite get it done in one day, you don't have to worry! Plus it gives me time for the other projects I have going on too!

Now for those of you who don't have a need for stockings, you DO probably have a need for washing clothes right? Alright... well some people are totally against anything with chemicals- including dryer sheets. But you want that nice smell of freshness in your laundry, so what do you do? You take about 30 minutes at max, make this craft, and smell like a garden all day! Check it out!



Craft Idea of the Day: Clothes Dryer Fragrance Pad

Materials:

Desired cotton fabric
Sheet wadding
Sewing Machine access
Fragrance oil or essential oil of choice (Lavender works well and lemon scent is nice too)

Directions:

These dryer fragrance pads are great. When you place it into the dryer the fragrance will come wafting through and penetrate through all your clothes.

Start by cutting out what size pads you want , approx. 5cm X 5cm is suitable.

Cut your fabric into the size you require allowing for stitching.

Sew 3 sides of your fabric closed and slip in the sheet wadding through the last opening.

You will need to either begin hand sewing or machine sewing this end closed.

Just before you complete the closure Sprinkle some lavender oil into the Project or sprinkle your drops of oil onto the wadding prior to placing it inside.

And when the fragrance decreases add some more drops of oil !

You can use essential or fragrant oils for these mat's, Fragrant oil is much cheaper and can be bought from good craft supply stores.

If you have old quilts cut them up for wadding.

Now for today's FANTASTIC EDIBLE FLOWER. Today I am expanding on something my mother brought up in her comment yesturday. Many plant blossoms are what turn into the fruit or veggies we eat. Squash, Okra, cucumbers, berries, etc. BUT did you know you can actually EAT some of those flowers before they turn into the fruit? Yep... including today's star... the Squash blossom! The squash blossoms are very popular in both Latin and Italian cooking. Squash blossoms don’t keep well. The day they are picked they are beautiful. The second day they are looking tired. By the third day they have shrivelled and are covered with black spots. Use them quickly. If you can’t use the right away, store them in the refrigerator until you can. They will keep for two days. Ok, so I am bringing you a couple of popular recipes for devilishly delectable Squash Blossom treats! Eat & Enjoy!



Squash Blossom: Cucurbita pepo species (aka Zucchini Blossom)

Tastes like: sweet, nectar flavor.



Battered Squash Blossoms
(With or Without Stuffing)

The Batter:
1 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup fat-free chilled milk, beer or water

Cheese-Mushroom Stuffing:
1/4 cup ricotta cheese
1 garlic clove, minced or pressed
1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
2 tablespoon mushrooms, finely chopped
1 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, minced
16 large squash blossoms, washed
Canola oil for frying

1. Prepare the batter first. Sift together dry ingredients, then whisk in milk, beer or cold water until smooth. Cover and set in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Leftover batter can be stored for up to two days. If it is too thick after refrigeration, add a few drops of water to return to original consistency.

2. Meanwhile, prepare the stuffing. In a bowl combine the ricotta cheese, garlic, salt, pepper, mushrooms and basil. Open the blossoms and spoon about one 1/2 teaspoon of the mixture into the center of each. Avoid overfilling the blossoms. Twist the top of each blossom together to close. Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

3. Pour the oil into a skillet to a depth of 1/2 inch. Heat over high heat until a small cube of bread dropped into the oil turns golden brown within seconds.

4. Briefly dip each stuffed blossom into the batter, then carefully slip into the hot oil. Cook until golden on all sides, about three minutes total cooking time. Add only as many blossoms at a time as will fit comfortably in the skillet. Transfer with a slotted utensil to paper towels to drain briefly.

5. Sprinkle with salt, if desired and serve immediately.

NOTE: In place of the cheese-mushroom stuffing, try another of your favorite bread or meat stuffings.



Squash Blossom Soup

1/4 stick butter
1 onion, sliced
1 or 2 cloves garlic, minced
4 cups chicken broth
1/2 pound squash blossoms (about 4 cups)
1 cup half and half
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Grated anejo cheese (for garnish)

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan. Saute the onions, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook about five minutes. Pour in the stock and bring to a boil, lower heat and simmer 10 to 12 minutes add the blossoms and cook 5 minutes longer.

2. Transfer soup to food processor and puree until smooth. Strain soup back into saucepan. Pour in the half and half and bring to a boil. Season with salt and pepper and top with grated anejo cheese, a dry, crumbly Mexican cheese somewhat like parmesan, which can be used instead, for a somewhat different taste.

Well everybody... that's all for me. Time for me to get moving on some super sewing! I hope you enjoyed today's blog and will join me tomorrow morning for another exciting adventure of the life and times of The Frugal Mom! Until tomorrow... HUGS!

FREAKY FRIDAY

Good morning folks. Sorry for my absence yesterday. I had some pressing family affairs that needed to be tended to. So how are you today? Sit back and stay awhile... let's chat. Oh and Susan... you can use your round zucchini just like regular. The only difference is they may be a bit more "seedy". I love to scoop them out and stuff them... YUM!

Ok, first off today, I found another frugal article that I wanted to bring to you. It contains a list you could even print off and post to remind you of some ways to be frugal and save. I hope you enjoy!

The Best Frugal Tips to Save Money
by Amy Bradbury

There are many ways to save money and cut back on expenses. Here are some of the best frugal tips out there for anyone who wants to save a little more money and can’t figure out how else to cut back on expenses:

Save all the small leftovers you have. Many people will throw away small portions of leftovers like smaller portions of vegetables or meats, but you can put them all into a freezer bag or other freezer container and save them. Put all the small leftovers in the same bag and when you have enough to make a meal put it into a crockpot to cook or cook in a pot on the stove. This is a way to make a leftover stew from small leftovers you may have originally thrown away. This is a great way to prevent waste of food and have another meal ready for yourself. Put any kind of leftover you want into the mixture. You probably don’t need to season it when cooking because it will already be preseasoned from the leftovers.

Only buy the essentials, only buy what you absolutely need or have to have to get by. Stop making impulse purchases. Stop purchasing soda, cookies and other junk food. If you need snacks for in between meals look for cheaper and healthier options like fruit, vegetables, pretzels, nuts, salad and homemade desserts you can make with simple ingredients you have on hand.

Have a "no buy" day or a "no buy" week or even a "no buy" month. Consider going a few days, a week or a month without making an unnecessary purchase. Only pay for the essentials like home, car and food purchases. If you stock up on food from a month before you could try going a week to a month without going grocery shopping for food and eating only out of your pantry from what you have on hand.

Go one day a week without driving your car. Spend a whole day at home without going out. Our grandparents and maybe even parents knew this and many times would only go out to go to work or shop for the essentials. The less you go out the more likely you will be saving money because you won’t be buying unnecessary things. When you do go out make sure you have a clear plan of attack when shopping. Know exactly what you’re going to buy and refuse to buy anything else. Spend your day or day(s) at home with family, friends, relaxing or doing housework and chores around the house so that you feel like you have still accomplished something. This way you’re not just sitting at home bored to death.

Save on milk by purchasing milk in the glass jars at retailers that will give you money back on the jar. Recently I found a retailer that stocks a brand of milk that comes in glass jars and they will give you money back for every jar you purchase as long as you bring the glass jar back to them. If a store will give you $2 for the glass bottle and you find the milk on sale for $1.99 it’s like getting the milk for free. You put the money up front to make the purchase but get it back when you’re finished with the milk by returning the jar. Many glass jars of milk can be purchased for anywhere between $1.99 to $3.49. You could be getting milk for free or very cheaply by using this method. Also, you could purchase powdered milk when it is on sale or stock up on regular milk in the plastic containers when it’s on sale and freeze it.

You can live without cable, especially nowadays with all the free or low cost options available. You can buy a converter box to pick up the basic stations in your area. You could use Redbox or Netflix. Redbox comes out with codes to get free movies all the time and they have tons of locations. You could borrow movies from your local library or swap movies with friends and family. If you have the internet you can basically watch TV and movies for free.

Live without either your home phone or cell phone. You really don’t need both, so choose which you would rather have.

Some people can live without the internet and barely make use of it. So if you are not a frequent internet user ask yourself if you really need it? If you don’t use it for work, information, TV, freebies or something that can somehow benefit you, then get rid of it.

Wash full loads of laundry and line dry your clothing outside when it’s warm and lay it out to dry inside when it’s cold. Use the dryer sparingly. Also, only wash dishes in dishwasher when you have a full load of dishes inside it.

Use Angel Food Ministries when you need cheap groceries and you’re trying to save money. You can buy a box of food for only $25 to $30.

Clip coupons from the Sunday paper or find other ways to get coupons. If you don’t want to pay for a subscription to your Sunday paper, put an ad out that you will pick up any Sunday newspapers that people are throwing away. Or, if your local doctors or dentist’s office gets the paper ask if they can give you the coupons.

Also, ask friends and family if they aren’t using the coupons to pass them along to you. Know the stores in your area that double or even triple coupons. You may want to shop on a certain day of the week if a store only doubles or triples coupons on that day of the week or the month.

If you’re a senior citizen you can save even more. Know the days you can save more when grocery shopping or going out to eat.

Buy meat on the days that it is marked down at the grocery store. Ask your local grocery store which day of the week they mark down meats and what time of day is best to find the marked down meats.

Eliminate paper towels and napkins. They are a waste of money and paper. Switch to cloth, which can be washed and is reusable. Think of all the money you’ll save when you switch. You may have to get used to it at first, but it’s not difficult. Remind yourself you are buying something you’re going to throw away and spending tons on it.

Shop thrift stores, consignment shops, Craigslist, Goodwill and yard sales for gently used items that you need.

Look for any and all freebies available. You can find a lot of freebies online and at retailers like CVS and Walgreens.

Cover and weatherproof your windows and seal all drafts.

Cut meat servings in half. You don’t really need a whole pound of beef in a casserole usually, so cut it to a half a pound of beef. This means you’ll be able to double the amount of meals you can make from one pound of beef. Cut meat portions in casserole’s, soups and stews where you can add more vegetables or other ingredients.

Make one vegetarian dish a week, which will cut back on your meat budget.

Make one soup dish a week. Soup is filling and usually inexpensive to make because of the ingredients like beans, rice, potatoes, tomatoes and other vegetables. Plus you can choose to use a small amount of meat or choose to make a vegetable or bean soup only.

Save all your spare change. You never know when it might come in handy, kind of like a back up plan for your emergency fund. However, it should not replace your emergency fund because everyone needs one of those too. Spare change adds up faster than you might think. You could use it for gifts, vacation, home repairs or something small for yourself.

Reuse and repurpose your belongings. If you have something that you don’t need anymore and do not want to use anymore don’t just throw it away. Give it to someone or give it to a homeless shelter or Goodwill. Chances are it can be used by someone.

Put an ad for the free item on Craigslist or Freecycle.

Declutter your house and sell or give away anything you don’t need or are not using.

Buy used when it comes to furniture or get it for free from family or friends. Look for other ways to get free or inexpensive furniture.

Plant a garden to grow some of your own food. Raise small livestock if possible like chickens.

Can and preserve vegetables and other foods that you have grown or give away and share some of your harvest.

Stock up on sales of canned, frozen or dried fruits and vegetables.

Go grocery shopping as little as possible. Try grocery shopping every other week or only once a month.

Use a slow cooker or pressure cooker to make meals at home.

Plan meals in advance.

Buy meat in bulk from a local butcher.

Shop farmer’s markets for cheaper fresh foods

Save aluminum, glass and plastic to get money back on these items when recycling them.

Live below your means, not above them. Stop trying to live above your means and be realistic.

Take a lesson from the well disciplined. Practice restraint and discipline. Reward yourself in a small way when you show restraint and discipline when it comes to your spending.

Ask friends and family how they save money and if they have any money saving tricks.

Read money saving or frugal living blogs and websites that offer more tips on how to save money and cut back.

Ok, its time for some super crafts! Now while I was grilling the other day, the heat from the grill was making me pretty sweaty LOL. I found myself thinking about those bandana tops... and then when I was cruising some craft sites I found another similar type top... made out of an apron! Isn't that so cool? So here is your:



Craft Idea of the Day: Apron Tops

Apron tops are just fun. With an open back, they will keep you cool in the summer. The front, however, can be as long as you like, even down to your knees. You can quilt the front, use an old t-shirt, put on a patch...anything. The possibilities are endless and you don't need a pattern to do it. Just a few squares of fabric and some stitching.

What You’ll Need:

Scissors
Measuring Tape
Tailor’s chalk
3 colors of fabric, buy after you measure.

Bodice Length: Measure from your armpit to below your breasts. Take this measurement and add ½” for the bottom seam allowance, and 1” for the top seam allowance.

Apron Length: Measure from the same point just below your breasts to however long you want you apron. Add 1" for seam allowance.

Apron and Bodice Width:

Decide how much of your back you want to show and measure all the way around the largest part of your chest to get your bust measurement. This is the same number on your bra. Now subtract the amount of skin you want to show on your back.

Example: For 33” bust, try a top that is 29” across. This will leave 4” of your back on display.

You will have three panels of fabric for your bodice. The middle panel should be 8" in width. Add 1" for seam allowance. Use 10" if you have a large bust, adding the 1" for seam allowance. The final size of this panel is your 9" or 11" measurement wide, by the bodice length (armpit to below breasts) you measured earlier.

Example: Your middle panel needs to be 8" wide, so you add 1" for seam allowance to get 9".

Subtract the middle panel width from your bodice width measurement to see how much fabric you will need for the side panels. Add 2" for seam allowance.
Example:

Your bodice needs to be 29" wide, so you subtract your 9" for the middle panel to reach 20". Add 2" for seam allowance to get 22".

Cut the fabric

I like to choose solid fabrics and pair them with character or kitschy prints. It’s important to go with a solid to soften a pattern, unless you want the clown look.

4 pieces:

Cut a rectangle of fabric for your middle panel, the 9" or 11" measurement (remember, 11" for a larger bust size) by your bust length.

Cut a rectangle of fabric for the side panels. Fold it in half lengthwise and cut it again for two pieces.

Cut the large apron rectangle.



Lay your pieces out like the illustration above.

Stitch each side panel to the front panel. Be sure to zigzag stitch after your straight stitch to keep your raw edges from unraveling.

Lay your bodice right-side down along the top of your apron. Sew ½” all the way across. Use a medium-sized stitch. Now switch to a zigzag stitch and go over the raw edge. This will keep your fabric from unraveling in the wash. This extra step is worth it to preserve your creation.

Unfold your newly stitched pieces and press the seam flat against the apron side with your iron. This way, the seam won’t bother your skin.

Now you have something that looks like a two-toned square. We will need to hem it to make it look nice. With your zig-sag stitch, go all the way around the square, eliminating the raw edges on each side.

On the front of the apron, mark an inch from the bottom all the way across. Use chalk so that you don’t cause any stains. Fold up the inch of the bottom toward the back of the apron and iron it all the way across. Ironing will make sewing your hem easier. Use a medium straight-stitch to sew an 1/8” from your zig-zag stitches all the way across.

Hem the top of your bodice in the same fashion, folding in an inch, ironing, then sewing across. Fold in each of the sides of your top just a ½”, press, and sew.
These tabs will hold your laces at the back of the bodice.

Fold one of the 3” squares in a ½” at the top and bottom. Iron these creases. Fold the square in half and iron the crease. You should have a sweet little rectangle with raw edges on one side. Zigzag stitch the ends of the two raw edges together. I like to zigzag mine over a few times for good measure.

Fold each length of fabric in half (wrong-sides together) and iron the crease all the way down. Open it back up. Fold in a ½” on one side and iron all the way down. Repeat on the other side. Fold the strip in half again with the side folds tucked in the middle. It should be about an inch wide. Sew all along the open edge with a medium-sized straight stitch. When you reach the bottom, fold up a ½” and sew across.

Repeat with the second strap. Zigzag stitch the top of each strap.

Sew the Eyelets to the Bodice

Lay your bodice/apron square wrong-side up. Position an eyelet tab at the top-left of the bodice so that the raw edges are about a ½” inside the edge. Straight-stitch to attach the eyelet about an 1/8” from the edge of the bodice.
Repeat with the other three tabs, placing them at the bottom-left, top-right, and bottom-right corners of the bodice. Do not attach them to the apron. Now let’s stitch the straps.

Attach the Straps

First we need to figure out how far apart the straps should be. Break out the measuring tap again and measure 4” from the middle of the front of your bodice. To find the middle, fold the bodice in half. Mark 4” to the left and right of the middle. Pin your straps at these marks and try your bodice on. Typically, 8” between the straps will work. For larger busts (lucky!), you may need to go wider.
Sew the straps on in the same manner that we sewed the eyelets to the bodice, about a ½” from the edge. Be extra careful with this stitching, because it will be right on the front of your apron top.



Now that your apron top is assembled, you can lace up the back and try it on.
One of the advantages of apron tops is how easy they are to embellish. Decorate your apron top with a large patch on the front, some lace trim at the bottom...you really have no limits, here.

Now its time to talk food. Tons of things can be made from tomatoes... sauces, pastes, etc. The fun thing is finding recipes that keep the beautiful fruit whole (or at least cut in chunks LOL) and unique. Today I am sharing an easy appetizer in the event you want to snack while watching a movie, have an "At home date", or plan to have a party!



Double Tomato Bruschetta

Ingredients:

6 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil
3 cloves minced garlic
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup fresh basil, stems removed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 French baguette
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven on broiler setting.

In a large bowl, combine the roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, vinegar, basil, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes.

Cut the baguette into 3/4-inch slices. On a baking sheet, arrange the baguette slices in a single layer. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes, until slightly brown.

Divide the tomato mixture evenly over the baguette slices. Top the slices with mozzarella cheese.

Broil for 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.

Well folks, I am gonna get off here and go see if I can reach the lady with the TV for DS. Then I am gonna go hang out with my mom. I am also going to start "assembling" school backpacks to see what I have as far as school supplies to be ready for school... YAY! One of the most precious words in the world LOL! Ok my loves, see you tomorrow... HUGS!

ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOYS

Good morning everyone! How are you this “OMG-I-have-to-endure-100-minutes-of-cartoon-terror” day? Congratulations on making it to the end of another crazy work week! Maybe you should sit back, host a luau, and drink you some suds over this supposed to be beautiful weekend LOL! You have plenty of recipes LOL! Oh and to Melissa- I'm so sorry I forgot to tell you that the fish markets I go to are in Kemah on the other side of the Boardwalk, but I know you are in Houston. There is a great fish market in same area as Canino's Farmers Market... its right across the street really. Canino's is at Link and Airline Rd (the addy is 2520 Airline Dr, Houston)... you can't miss it! LOL... you, hubby, and the new baby should go check it out. Make a day of it on the weekend (that's when all the little vendors are out back) and get you some great produce, go to the bakery, the spice house, and the fish market. You will have a blast! And take pictures cause I want to see! LOL!



Well, it’s THAT day… the day that I get to go to the theater and listen to tons of screaming children go gaga for toys! LMAO… yes today is the opening day of the Toy Story 3 movie! The first show time is at 10am, but I think we will be making the 11:15 instead. I haven’t fully shook out the cobwebs yet LOL! Oh and get this ok, the first showing of this movie was at 12:04am… WHAT THE HECK?? Are you serious? WHY on earth would you have young children awake at such an ungodly hour? Needless to say, Alex isn’t that lucky LOL! It should definitely be an interesting day least LOL! Oh the things we do for our children!

Ok, so yesterday I brought you some frugal tips to save money and ya’ll added some great ones that weren’t listed. Thanks for your input! Now one of the tips was to use homemade cleaning products. Well last night I got to thinking that for those of you new to the whole frugal way of life, you probably don’t have any ideas on homemade cleaning methods or products right? Well you can find recipes for lots of cleaners online, but I was skimming the yahoo news and low and behold there was a featured article about baking soda! And that got me to read it, and then they had other articles related to it… ways to use common things you probably have in your house… like vinegar and lemons too! So instead of posting the big long lists here, I am linking you to the 3 great articles about cleaning “au natural”! LOL!

40 Fantastic uses for baking Soda by Melissa Breyer

Lovely Lemons: 14 Uses in the Home by Annie Bond

23 Ingenious Uses for White Vinegar by Mel

Now… are you ready to get your groove on? Your craft groove that is?? Today I am bringing you the cutest idea that can be tailored to just about anyone or any theme. They are little “survival kits” and they are the cutest thing! You can make them sentimental, serious, or funny. It’s a great craft to do and I think you would have fun. These are just ideas of items to use… feel free to change them up and make your kits unique!



Craft Idea of the Day: Survival Kits

Everyday Life Survival Kit
Tea Bag - Relax and think of your list of life's blessings
Toothpick - Pick out the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.
Bandaid - To heal hurt feelings.
Mint - You are worth a mint to your family and friends
Glue - So you can stick with it and accomplish anything.
Sunny smile - To remind you its not always raining.
Guardian Angel - Because everyone needs one.
Pencil - To write down your days blessings.
Eraser - Everyone makes mistakes
Umbrella - For those rainy days when it just seems to pour down.
String -To tie up loose ends.
Ball - So you can bounce back quickly.
Glitter - To put the sparkle back in your life.
Velcro dot - So you can keep things together.

Friendship Survival Kit
Toothpick - Pick out the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.
Bandaid - To heal hurt feelings.
Gum - A reminder that friends stick together
Life Savers - A reminder that sometimes our friends need our help.
Cotton Ball - To cushion the bumpy roads ahead.
Eraser - To remind you always start each day with a clean slate.
Happy Face - Smiling is contagious.
Candle - Remember to share the light with others.
Sticky Tape - To tape your lips when you have nothing good to say.
Rock - To remind you of the stability of your friendship.
Rubber Band - So you can be flexible when dealing with friends.

Grandparents Survival Kit
Safety pin - To remind you to keep safe.
Lifesavers - Because grandparents can be "lifesavers".
Marble - For the ones your about to loose.
Pencil - To write down your memories to share with the grandkids
Tissue - For cleaning up little messes
Candle - To remind you that you’re the light in your grandkids eyes.
Mint - Always remember you are worth a mint.
Sugar Cube - For that extra burst of energy.
Sandpaper - For when the grandkids get a little rough.
Peg - A must for changing nappies.
Nappy Bag - This will always come in handy.
Panadol - You're going to need it.
Extra money - Spoiling kids can be expensive.
Sunglasses- For discreet nanny naps.
Extra eyes - You will need eyes in the back of your head.

Growing Old Survival Kit
Bran -To keep you regular.
Whistle -For when you fall down and can't get up.
Glasses - For when your eyesight goes.
Sugar -For extra energy.
Extra Hair -In case yours drops out.
Tooth Pick -To prop your eyes open so you don't fall a sleep.
Rubber Band -To give you your flexibility back.
Panadol -For those extra aches and pains.
Teeth -For when yours all fall out.
Matchstick -To put the fire back into your life.
Doll's Chair -To remind you to sit and take it easy.

Guardian Angel Survival Kit
Toothpick - Pick out the good qualities in everyone, including yourself.
Bandaid - To heal hurt feelings.
Gum - Think before you "Chew" others out.
Smiley Face - Because smiling is contagious
Guardian Angel - Because everyone needs one.
Pencil - To write down your days blessings.
Eraser - To remind you always start each day with a clean slate.
Sticky Tape - To tape your lips when you have nothing good to say.
Star - To reflect what you can be.
Sand paper - To smooth out the rough edges.
Glitter - To make things sparkle.
Velcro dot - Help you get a grip on things.
Rubber Band - To stretch you beyond your limits.
Paper clip - To keep things together.
Candle - To light up your path.

Menopause Survival Kit
Place M&M's into a jar or bag and add this saying/poem.
To temporarily calm your craving for chocolate, eat the BROWN one.
At the first sign of hot flashes eat the RED one.
Eat the ORANGE one to minimize depression.
The GREEN one calms your frustrations, when you want to be left alone.
If you feel a headache coming on eat the YELLOW one.
The BLUE one reduces bloating.
If all symptoms occur at the same time, eat the WHOLE bag.

Parent’s Survival Kit
Cotton Ball - for times when you can't hear yourself think
Rope - in case you get to the end of yours
Rubber Band - to remind you to stretch and grow with your children
Sweet & Sour Candy - to remind you that every child is different
Eraser - to erase what happened yesterday to start a new today.
Puzzle Piece - to remind you that you are an important piece in the journey of your child
Marbles - to replace the ones you've lost
Band-Aid - to fix hurt feelings
Nuts - to remind you to laugh at yourself and go nuts before the children send you nuts.
Tootsie Roll - to remind you to roll with the punches
Candle - so you never feel in the dark about parenting
Do Not Disturb Sign - to remind you that you need time to yourself
Aspirin - for when all else fails...take two
A piece of velcro - for when you need to get a grip

Retirement Survival Kit
Tea Bag - So you can take a well deserved tea break.
Crayon - To colour your day's bright and sunny.
Marble - For when you loose yours.
Jar - For your retirement fund jar.
Mint - For a fresh look at Retire"mint"
Heart - Now you can follow your heart.
Smiley face - So you will have a happy retirement.
Pack of seeds - May all your dreams grow like a garden.
Watch - Time is finally your own.
Marker - Your retirement "marks" the beginning of a special journey.
Chair - Because you earned your rest.

Helping Hand Survival Kit
Lollipop - To help you lick your problems
Toothpick - So you will not be too picky.
Paper clip - To hold things together.
Mint - You are worth a mint to your family and friends
Money - So you will "cents" to realise your own worth.
Bran - To help you loosen up.
Smiley Face - To bring some sunshine into your life.
Band Aid- To help heal the hurt and pain.
Guardian Angel - Because everyone needs one.
Tissues - To wipe away the tears.
Hand - Everyone needs a helping hand.
Sand paper - To smooth things over.
Cork - To keep your head above water.
Ball - So you can bounce back quickly.
Glitter - To brighten your day.
Rubber Band - Be flexible, things may not always go your way.
Sugar - To sweeten up your day.
Safety Pin - So you can pin point the problem.
Heart - In case yours is broken.
String - So you can tie up loose ends.
Band aid - To help heal the pain and hurt.

Aren’t those pretty cute? Like I said, mix them up, put other things in there, make them specific for the recipient, the choice(s) is yours! I am thinking about a couple of people right now who need a survival kit LOL! Yep, told ya’ll I was a smarty pants LMAO! Even my MOM told you yesterday in her comment LMAO! So are you watching that Christmas Countdown real closely? Remember I am going to start my gift crafting when we have 150 days left!!! Time is running out QUICK! Only a little over a month left! I think you should take the challenge with me! Start at 150 and see how many Christmas gifts you can make and how fast you can get done… I would be interested in seeing all of your creations and ideas! So who’s with me??

Now its time to eat. Luau week is drawing to a close rather quickly and I must say I have had some fun bringing you some fresh crazy flavors! Now tell me what Luau would be complete without the fresh and famous Mahi Mahi fish? This recipe is a palate pleaser for me in more than one way. I like fish and I like Macadamias… yum! So you can imagine the combo of craziness we got here! Try it out… eat & Enjoy!



Seared Toasted Macadamia Nut Mahi Mahi

This Hawaiian favorite white, sweet, moderately dense fish is most often served at luaus either baked or sauted.

Ingredients:

4 (6 ounce) mahi mahi fillets
salt and pepper
1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
1/2 cup macadamia nuts, toasted, ground fine
1/4 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
2 tablespoons olive oil

Preparation:

Salt and pepper each fillet as desired.

Combine the toasted macadamia nuts with softened but not melted butter. Add in panko breadcrumbs as well as a light amount of salt and pepper.

Lightly press breadcrumb mixture onto the top of fish and place fish into a pan with the olive oil. Saute fish on both sides until it bounces back slightly when pressed - about 5 minutes per side.

Well kids, that’s about all for me today. I hope you learned something new and had a grand old time. I am gonna get off here and go get ready for our Toy Story 3 day out! Remember, it’s Alex’s big day! We should have a blast, so I will see you tomorrow with a ton of great pictures and surely at least 1 interesting story LOL! See you then… HUGS!

FISH MARKET FUN

Good morning kids! How are you doing today? I am good. I had a very interesting but fun day yesterday that I am just dying to tell you about. There are lots of pictures to share today, so grab your java and let the journey begin!

I had to take care of some personal business in Galveston. I offered the kids to go to the beach, but they politely declined. DD said it would be too crowded and she just wasn’t in the mood. OK so we find something else to do! I cashed in a winning scratch off on the way home and guess what? I won a little money! $30… not much but better than a poke in the eye! SO, I got 5 more $1 tickets (cause that is what I spent LOL) and $25 cash back. Free money is good! Sadly, from those 5 I only won $1... oh well LOL.



First a few things I have to share with you in my garden… I am so happy and proud! Look at my pretty strawberries! OMG they almost made me cry this morning when I went out there to water my babies and I saw these red beacons of hope shining back at me! The plants are thriving, sprouting runners, and blooms and berries YAY!



This is a soon to be eggplant! Throughout the thriving 9 plants I have, I have been able to spot 5-6 blooms already! YAY! My DH has never had the opportunity to see many fruits and veggies grown from plants (yes he lived in a cave a as kid LOL) so he is always amazed at my gardening LOL. He has never seen an eggplant and was tickled over this flower (just wait dear… just wait! We were in for a surprise later!)



Here is my cucumber vines! I have 5 flowers that will turn into cute little cucumbers! I have to get some trellis for them to grow big and strong! There is a lot of other great improvements that make me so happy each time I go out there! I will keep you updated!



Ok, so I saw a commercial for a shrimp dinner and I started having a craving… YUMMMM shrimp! I know, you would think I had enough seafood after last weekend… and honestly, so did I. UNTIL this commercial! I had been looking at some of the things to do and nothing was striking my fancy to take the family to do. Well the DH tells me my DB might be coming over tomorrow… and then of course his GF might be with, and who knows who else, so guess what… we decided we are gonna grill! AND so we decided we wanted to go to the fish market today as a family outing! The DD and DH suggested we just go walk around Kemah. I thought it was a good idea, but I had something better! I told them let’s go buy some shrimp! I mean after all, I DID get that free money off that ticket and I wanted shrimp! So we put a small ice chest in the trunk and were off! Here they are looking all cute in front of the first fish house we went to!



So we parked in one of the lots and decided to Then while we were walking down the road, I noticed these plants with pretty purple flowers… hey those flowers look familiar!! OMG I walked closer and noticed all the tons of eggplant plants everywhere in the vacant destroyed area! Someone planted tons of veggie plants in a rubble filled lot still wrecked from Hurricane IKE! They were covered in baby eggplants and blooms!



There was this plant too… not sure if it’s a squash, a pumpkin, or what but I see these golden blossoms that look like pumpkin… who knows. But they had a small fencing piece up holding u p vines and holding in the plants. I might have to continue visiting in order to monitor and admire the progress!



That’s Madison’s hands holding a String bean that had to be about 2 foot long! They are all along this gate and they are huge!



This is a patch that’s closer to the destroyed buildings and the Bay. I think these are peppers and some more eggplant in the center… not sure as nothing had fruits or flowers on it to be able to tell. But the leaves looked familiar. Either way, it’s a wonderful view amidst the destruction.



Here is another large group of eggplant plants in the rubble ridden lot. Whoever planted them here was rather smart, as they used old pipes and rods that were sticking up in the dirt for props for the plants I guess they knew would become rather large. The saddest thing is that for the life of me, I cannot remember what these crumbling buildings used to be... and for some reason that upsets me!



Here is a cucumber plant growing up the side of the fence. This cucumber looks a wee bit dehydrated LOL but at least it grew!



This is a close up of the tiny little eggplants on some of the plants. Aren’t they the cutest little things?! Remember I told you the DH had never seen eggplants actually grow before? You should have seen his little eyes when he saw these! LOL it was like a kid in a candy store!

We made sure not to disturb anything we looked at. The only thing we took was pictures! We don’t know if these plants belong to anyone or if someone just did a RAOK (Random Act Of Kindness) and planted them here to give the community hope after the storm. Either way, I made sure the gang did not touch or take anything. It was so cool to see this in a storm ravaged area. Very hopeful and very refreshing! Ok back to shopping for our dinner LOL!



Now I wanted fresh shrimp… but I am not sure I wanted them THIS fresh LOL! Isn’t that so creepy how their eyes glow gold when you take pictures of them in the tank?! Although DS14 thought this was the coolest thing! He got SUPER excited when he saw these little fellas!



We came home with 1 pound of jumbo shrimp and 3 pounds of colossal shrimp and a very decent sized milkfish. Here you see me playing around and joking to kiss the cute little thing goodbye LOL! Milkfish is a very tender fish whose meat turns white “like milk” when cooked. It is a very popular fish in Japan. It was a good buy so we decided to bring one home. LOL now I know my mom said, and I have told my kids, not to play with your food… but I was just about to have too much fun with this LOL!



The first “victim” to When Fish Attack was the DS! LOL I snuck up behind him and tapped his shoulder. He turned around and kinda jumped like WHOA WTH! LMAO OMG I almost dropped the fish and fell on the floor I was laughing so hard!



Here is the DD who was not as fun as the others. She wanted to make out with the fish LOL! So we got her kissing him goodbye too! Then we started singing the McDonalds filet o fish song LOL which then turned into Joy to the World song where we “swim with the fishes in the deep blue sea” LMAO!



Now this is one of my cats… Rebel. He wanted to smell it, but surprisingly wanted nothing to do with it! I have good cats. I have raised them not to beg or go for human food and not to mention, I think it kinda bothered him. Oh he smelled it, but then backed away. Same with Pitts and Princess… they wanted nothing to do with this fish or the shrimp! I have good kitties!



As for what’s for dinner? I used the 1 pound of jumbo shrimp for some Shrimp Alfredo and a nice fresh salad! Isn’t that so pretty? The tiny tomatoes and the fresh parsley are from my garden! Now, here’s a cost breakdown of last nights dinner:

Lettuce for salad: $0.35
Tomatoes: FREE
Red Onion: $0.05
Sunflower seeds: $0.05
Dressing: $0.05
Pasta: $0.25 after coupon
Sauce: $0.75 after coupon
Fresh Parsley: FREE
Shrimp: $3.69

TOTAL FOR DINNER: $5.19

Not bad for a family of 4 huh? I am going to try to stay away from the grocery store if at all possible the rest of the month. The one exception will be for milk and eggs but no more groceries… I know I keep saying that, but I HAVE to find the willpower to actually do it LOL! Maybe I need food shopper’s anonymous LMAO!

There was one incident with a drunken man in the middle of the HEB parking lot that wasn't so great yesterday. I'm not gonna dwell on it cause he will pay for what he's done, but my DD's reaction was so funny and it just proves that she is my child without a doubt. After the altercation, she yells out in front of everyone, "Geez, some people are just not happy without their daily fix, huh?" (Referring to the strong smell of alcohol on the man and the fact he pulled into the liquor store after the incident) LOL! Ain't she a hoot?

Once dinner was over, the rest of the night was designated relaxation time… especially since we might have a busy grill day tomorrow. We put away the leftover pasta and salad and then DH did the dishes while I tended to downloading pictures and prepping the kids for showers and bed. Now I am hoping to get some crafting done in the morning hours today, but we shall see. As of right now, I’m just not feeling it! But just because I’m not, doesn’t mean I am going to leave you hanging without a cool idea. I am really liking that Craft Gossip site. They have some of the coolest ideas on there! Like I found a link for 22 Ways to Recycle old CD’s and some of them are super cool! You have to check them out! Like this cool Idea for making a dumbbell weight!



Craft Idea of the Day: CD Dumbbell and other CD crafts

150 CDs, about 75 on each side, on a threaded rod from the hardware store and then (8) bolts to hold it all together. No tools needed. Just thread it all and bolt it tight.

Is that not incredibly awesome? They have things like phone docks, wall paper, lamps and shades, sculptures, disco balls, curtains, clocks, frames, weather vanes, and even a chair! Make sure you go check them out.

Ok everybody, its time for today’s Farmer Favorites, which have a bit of spice. I have selected some curried favorites to make your mouth water. Curry dishes are hugely popular in the Indian cuisine. Long been a popular range of dishes, curries are now fast becoming some of the most often made meals in the world. The contrast of spicyness and taste makes a curry welcome by almost everyone. Here are a couple to start you off, and there are literally hundreds, if not thousands, more recipes out there using curry if you find that you like the flavor! Eat and Enjoy!



Aloo Gobi

Ingredients

1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can coconut milk
2 tablespoons ground coriander
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon ground turmeric
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
3 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 medium head cauliflower, chopped into bite size pieces
1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained

Directions

Heat oil in a large pot on medium-high heat and add onion. Cook until softened, about 4 minutes, then stir in garlic and cumin. Continue to cook until onion begins to brown.

Stir in tomatoes and coconut and the coriander, salt, turmeric, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom. Stir until mixture begins to boil, then put in the potatoes, cauliflower, and garbanzo beans.

Blend well. Reduce heat to low and cover.

Simmer until the potatoes are tender, 45 minutes to an hour (this will depend on the size of the potato chunks).



Coconut Curry Tofu

Ingredients

2 bunches green onions
1 (14 ounce) can light coconut milk
1/4 cup soy sauce, divided
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons curry powder
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
2 teaspoons chile paste
1 pound firm tofu, cut into 3/4 inch cubes
4 roma (plum) tomatoes, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
4 ounces fresh mushrooms, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
4 cups chopped bok choy
salt to taste

Directions

Remove white parts of green onions, and finely chop. Chop greens into 1 inch pieces.

In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, mix coconut milk, 3 tablespoons soy sauce, brown sugar, curry powder, ginger, and chile paste. Bring to a boil.

Stir tofu, tomatoes, yellow pepper, mushrooms, and finely chopped green onions into the skillet. Cover, and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix in basil and bok choy. Season with salt and remaining soy sauce.

Continue cooking 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender but crisp. Garnish with remaining green onion.

(NOTE**) When serving over rice, you might want to double the recipe for the sauce!

Ok kids, that concludes today’s spicy adventures in Frugalville LOL! Join me again tomorrow for lots more fun, crafts, and craziness as we wrap up another crazy week in the life of the Frugal Mom! Until tomorrow… HUGS!

QUALITY FAMILY TIME

Good morning children of the blog LOL! How are you this bright and sunny day? I am good I suppose. I plan on being very busy today actually. We had a very busy, but oh so fun day yesterday too. Thanks for the great comments and advise yesterday. Things will all pan out over time… I hope LOL. To Cyndi- I am glad I could inspire you. The hope is that you felt a sense of accomplishment when you were done! To me, that’s the REAL reward… the great feeling you have afterwards.

Ok, so we wanted to do something fun and family time… ya know just the DH, the kids, and myself… but with little to know cash. So we searched wallets, pockets, books, etc. and gathered up gift cards that have balances, coupons, etc. We had a lot more than we thought. And we headed out! First we went to CVS and picked up a lot of prescriptions for the kids… like 5 of them. BUT I had to make sure I have a month’s extra worth in the med box “in the event of” ya know? Ok, so got the yucky stuff done… lets go have some fun!



We went to Petsmart first. I has come serious coupons, a couple of GC’s with balances on them, etc. We had fun looking at the animals… until I saw the hairless rat! YUCK! OMG that thing was so nasty! I had to leave the area LOL! So I go to the back where the dry cat food is. I knew that Friskies was “redesigning” the bags (from a coupon preview in one of the smaller bags I got a couple of weeks ago LOL) and I actually found 2 of the 16 pound bags with the new design! I got them… yes because of the picture! I plan to do something crafty with them that you will see soon enough LOL! So I go up to the register and after coupons and GC’s and such, I paid $4.16… not bad huh for 32 pounds of food that was normally about $23 LOL!



Then we went over to the next store in the parking lot… Home Depot! OMG I wandered around in the garden center for at LEAST an hour! I couldn’t make up my mind on what I wanted LOL. Well I saw the Topsy Turvey Planters on sale for less than half of what you normally find them, and I said THAT’S IT! I got a couple of younger tomato plants to fit in them and 2 planters and a couple other plants and I was out the door! Total after GC… 12 cents! I can most definitely handle that!!!! We decided we didn’t want to go home after that and sit around and be bored, so we dropped the plants off and went back out! (Just like pets, I don’t believe in leaving plants in hot cars either! And it was 98, so there was no way I was going to cook my beauties!)



Our first stop was to show the gang the inside of Bed, Bath & Beyond, which they had never been in. Their faces glowed with amazement and said they had to keep me out of there because as soon as you walk in, you see a 20 foot wall of kitchen gadgets LOL! I admit it could be a potentially dangerous store really LOL! So unless I have killer coupons or need something very specific, I will stay away LOL! We did leave with a bottle of hand soap (the pink grapefruit scent) that they had for $1 and a package of Charmin Toilet Seat covers (travel pack) because I was out LOL! Total was $2.16 in that store! YAY!



Then the DD wanted to go to Barnes and Noble (yes this picture is the one in our town LOL) which also has a Starbucks… DH and I both had Starbucks cards as well. OK lets go! Went into Starbucks first… DD got hers, and DH ordered his. Well they realized they were out of the bananas to make DH’s so they wanted to give him credit back on his card… AND the drink. So I thought ok, maybe it was a partial credit… NOPE FULL PRICE! His drink was free… little turd! LOL. I couldn’t get the Strawberries & Crème Frappacino because all they had was regular milk and I didn’t have any pills with me. SO I opted to try something new… I tried the Shaken Iced Passion Tea Lemonade. It was pretty good actually. Gave her my GC and was on my way. We wandered, DD found her some books, I found a bargain book about Farmers Markets which was really good and cheap, Alex found a book that had a little toy with it, and we were gone… an hour later LOL! Total here $10.03!



Off to the mall to window shop, get some gift and craft ideas, etc. LOL! I had a GC and coupons for Aunt Annie’s and Bath & Body. So we walked around- OMG this one little booth had the cutest cover for Madison’s phone… AUTISM PUZZLE PIECES! But I couldn’t afford what they wanted. They didn’t have any covers for my phone, so we walked on. Oh let me tell ya, there were all kinds of free samples in the food courtyard LOL! So we went to Aunt Annie’s and cashed in the coupons for pretzel dogs, etc. then made rounds through the courtyard, sat down, and ate it all… we had almost a full meal each which was so funny! Total cost of food was $2.98! Then we walked to Bath & Body works where we were greeted at the door by a lady handing out coupons and free little bottles of hand sanitizer! OMG it was so cool! We definitely went to the mall on the right day! Free goodies everywhere we turned! We got some holsters for our santizer (in Gator Blue & White no doubt for me and DD and a green tie dye for the DH… DS14 didn’t care about them LOL), a few other scents of sanitizer (cause they were on sale), a LEMON hand soap for the kitchen (also on sale), a LEMON fabric refresher (on sale 50% off), and then the coupon said free item with a $10 purchase, so I got a free full size shower gel. Total out the door was $12.51… not too shabby for 11 normally very pricey items!! We wandered some more and found more free samples (like at the candy store, etc) and then we decided it was time to go home. DS wanted to go home and honestly, after the 2nd day of walking for hours… so did momma! LMAO! Our total out of pocket cash for the day (not counting GC's, etc.) ended up being $31.96. This was left over from my reserve cash I had to pay for the medicines and in my pocket from the casino LOL... Not bad huh? For about 6-7 hours of fun and outing...

I fielded some interesting calls last night and after that, I crashed… HARD! Today is going to be shape up around the house day. I have some important calls to make and then cleaning and tending to plants. I have to mount anchor screws to hang my planters and aggravate my landlord LMAO! And of course cooking, etc. Think I might actually bust out some crock pot recipes today and make some dinner for tonight and maybe even the next few nights! Either way, once I wake up I will be off and running LOL… right now I am still shaking out the cobwebs!

Ok so the craft today… are you really liking these crafts BTW? Or is there something you want to see? You have to let me know so I can cater to your likings! LOL. Anyway, for this craft you are gonna recycle some old jeans! Many of us have an accordian folder holding letters, bills, etc. Well here is a way to dress them up pretty spiffy like!



Craft Idea of the Day: Denim Jeans Letter Binder

Materials:

Jeans
Craft Glue
Binder
Ribbon



Directions:

Before - Nice flowered box, but all tore apart

Step 1 - I used a new binder (cut to the right size, and i had to got rid of the iron parts first), then covered it with jeans-fabric, using textile glue.

Step 2 - I made the inside out of thin cartbox (see next image for sizes) and glued them together with bison-kit

Step 3 - Adding ribbon to the corners (textile glue) to nice-it-up :)

Step 4 - Adding label, ribbon (to close the box), flower and notes

After - Taaadaaa!

Pretty neat if you ask me! OK now this is the part I know you all have been waiting for! FOOD!!!!! Ok, I hear you drooling and panting with anticipation to see what type of theme I have for you this week LOL. Well, after careful consideration (and recent overindulgence LOL) I am NOT doing seafood this week… maybe next week. I just can’t “stomach” more seafood right now LMAO! BUT this week is going to be healthy, inventive, and locally grown! Yes my children… its FARMER FAVORITES WEEK! All veggie meals made with locally grown produce! It’s a great alternative… maybe you can substitute those greasy artery clogging burgers a couple of times a week for one of the fresh crisp healthy homemade meatless meals LOL! Vegetarian meals can be very tasty… but you have to give it a shot before you turn up your nose at them! To quote Sydny Carter…”Whether you're a dyed-in-the-wool vegetarian or just want to up your intake of vegetables, legumes and grains, there is a world of meat-free recipes to choose from.” So I hope you are looking forward to this week and that you enjoy these A+ meals!



Addictive Sweet Potato Burritos

Serve these with sour cream, chopped green onions and salsa. For truly vegan burritos, omit the cheese and sour cream. These may be made ahead of time, individually frozen, then heated. For an interesting variation, try deep frying these tasty burritos."

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 cups canned kidney beans, drained
2 cups water
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
4 teaspoons prepared mustard
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
3 tablespoons soy sauce
4 cups cooked and mashed sweet potatoes
12 (10 inch) flour tortillas, warmed
8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese

Directions

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

Heat oil in a medium skillet, and saute onion and garlic until soft. Stir in beans, and mash. Gradually stir in water, and heat until warm. Remove from heat, and stir in the chili powder, cumin, mustard, cayenne pepper and soy sauce.

Divide bean mixture and mashed sweet potatoes evenly between the warm flour tortillas. Top with cheese.

Fold up tortillas burrito style, and place on a baking sheet.

Bake for 12 minutes in the preheated oven, and serve.

OK everybody, I have some household chores calling me and some plants who need my lovin! The garden first aid seems to be working cause I am seeing some serious green popping back there again YAY! Join me back here tomorrow for another head spinning crazy day packed full of interesting adventures! Take some motion sickness pills and you will be ok LOL! Until tomorrow… HUGS!