Sunday's Memory Verse - March 9

I wrote earlier about praying for and wanting a desire for God's word. I'm trying to read the bible through cover to cover this year. I was pushed a little further and inspired after reading this post from Purposeful Pursuit. I'm adding bible memorization to my daily devotional and I thought why not post my memory verse to help me be more accountable. Every Sunday I'm going to post my chosen Scripture for the week. It will be a great way to start the week.

This week's memory verse- Romans 15:13

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Organize Your Coupons

I recently reorganized my coupons, using an envelope system. I decorated a small cardboard box to keep them in, the envelopes added bulk and would not fit nicely in my old accordion style coupon holder. This has been the best system for me so far. Before my coupons were organized with broad categories such as Bathroom Items. This worked fine for a while until my coupon collection grew large and I spent a long time in the store sorting through piles of coupons. Now I have very specific categories such as shampoo. When I have shampoo on my list of things to buy and I'm on the shampoo aisle, I pull out the shampoo envelope and flip through only shampoo coupons, to find the best deal. This new system works for me. (Hey! maybe this should be a Works for Me Wednesday post). Of course there are several ways to keep your coupons organized, you can read more about coupon organization and using coupons here.

Here are a two more tips for saving money and using coupons:

1. Use a list and stick to it, don't buy anything extra unless it's free or nearly free. It helps to plan ahead and pull out the coupons you plan to use during your shopping trip. Make sure you take all of your coupons with you because you never know when you'll find a great deal or unadvertised special.

2. Don't buy something just because you have a coupon for it, remember that coupons are marketing tools to get you to spend more money and try out new products. Make sure you spend your money on the best deal and something you would have bought anyways coupon or not, sometimes the best deal doesn't come with a coupon.

For more Frugal Friday Tips go to Crystal's site at Biblical Womanhood.

Homemade Labels-Too Cute!

Our household goods have finally arrived! I've spent most of yesterday and today unpacking, it feels like Christmas, I haven't seen our stuff since December. With all my craft stuff here, I was dying to do something crafty, and the opportunity arrived to make some labels. A new home means new organizing challenges. Our last house had a large hall closet next to the bathroom which housed all of our linens and bathroom items, we lost the closet but we did gain under the sink storage, I didn't want to shove toiletries in the cabinet to be tossed around and just look plain messy, so I rounded up two small bins one for each of us and printed off some labels. A little ribbon and some paper and I think they turned out lovely; I especially like our picture. Too Cute!
One of the best things about our new house is the huge pantry, so wonderful! It's really big, I'm afraid without a little organization things will get lost, I've re-purposed some baskets to hold items. Right now I have a basket for baking ingredients and a basket for spices. My homemade labels really make them look great.
I tell you I wanted to go out and buy a bunch of bins and baskets and all sorts of fun things to help me organize our stuff. It's better that I wait and save our money, once we are fully unpacked and everything has a place, I probably won't need a bunch of bins. Besides secondhand baskets have a nice charm to them (Can you tell I'm trying to convince myself)
Honestly, I love my homemade labels, they really add a little homeyness to ordinary areas, too bad most people won't even see them, being tucked away in a closet.

Gifts from afar

My Husband came home yesterday, so happy! While in Singapore he bought me some gifts. I expected nothing, yet my man brought me home two very lovely gifts. He gave me the necklace you see pictured-it's a supposed to be a Singapore Orchid. He also gave me a beautiful silk scarf. It's sheer with lavender, cream, and grey colors, it has a paisley design with a bit of an Asian look. I can't wait to wear it, perhaps this Sunday at church. Greg also brought back some Singapore currency; foreign money is always fun to see.
I was delighted just to have him home again and he surprises me with gifts, what a nice guy.

Works for Me Wednesday - Backwards Edition

This week instead of a tip we are asking questions. Sounds like fun, I can't wait to read what others are asking. Me? I have all sorts of questions but I'll keep it to just one. Here we go:

How do you take care of tile flooring?

I've had a tile floor before, (tiled it myself in fact) that was one little room, this time around We've moved into a house with all tile floor, not one foot of carpeting anywhere. Carpet's easy-you vacuum and you're done. Tile on the other hand, hmmm. I hate to have to mop the whole house, and what to mop with? how about a dust mop? what about all the stuff the get's stuck in between the grout lines. Ukkk! help!
I want to know the best procedure for keeping my tile floors clean, and I want to know the easiest, quickest, and most frugal way to do so.

suggestions anyone?

Check out Rocks in my Dryer for more of Works for Me Wednesday - Backwards Edition

Oatmeal Fruit Bars - So Easy and Oh So Good!

I have just made some treats to take to a function tomorrow. Being stuck in my frugal ways I'm not about to go out and buy a treat to take nor am I willing to buy ingredients for something. Call me funny but without advance notice or planning, I'm likely to use what I have on hand and be creative. I have six boxes, that's right six boxes of white cake mix. Greg doesn't like cake and I don't need to eat cake so every time I look in the pantry I wonder why I bought them. Then I remember that I got them for free with a great sale and perfectly matching coupons (it pays to stock up on the same coupon). When it came time to make treats I decided I should use up some of that cake mix. Thanks to a variation on Raspberry Oatmeal Bars from Allrecipes.com I am down two boxes of cake mix (only four to go) and I have a fantastic super tasty treat, with more than enough servings to go around.

Here's how I made my Oatmeal Fruit Bars:

1. Mixed two boxes of white cake mix, one cup of melted butter, 1/2 cup oil, and 5 cups oatmeal. The mixture should be crumbly and moist
2.Pressed 2/3 of the mixture into a greased large rimmed baking sheet (11x15 I think)
3. Mixed one 10 oz jar of cherry jam and about 1/2 jar (5oz?) blackberry jam with 2 Tablespoons of water and spread evenly over pressed crust
4.Sprinkled the remaining cake mix mixture over the jam layer
5. Baked in a preheated oven (375 degrees) for 25 minutes or until golden brown.

These turned out so good and are so yummy. I have regrettably already eaten 3 bars, (small ones) They are not "cakey" more like a cookie bar. I can't wait to share them tomorrow, I'm sure they'll be a big hit, I really like them.

Kitchen Tip Tuesday - Freezing Homemade Chicken Stock

Today's tip is not my own original tip, it comes from Martha Stewart. This tip is wonderful! it has helped me out a ton in the kitchen. When I make homemade chicken stock, I get about 4-5 quarts and of course I can't use all that stock at once, it only stays good in the fridge a few days, so I freeze it for future use. Well that's all fine and dandy until I need a measured amount of stock and find myself with a ginormous hunk of frozen stock. The tip:
Freeze your stock in muffin tins, once frozen you'll have little pre-measured disks of stock, you can pop them out of the muffin pan and throw them in a large Ziploc baggie then take out what you need when you need it. I use a silicone muffin pan, I place it on a baking sheet so it lays level and doesn't spill, the silicone pan works nicely too because the frozen stock just pops out of the cups. I measure out 1/4 cup increments, I like this size because my chicken pot pie recipe calls for 1 3/4 cups of chicken stock, so I grab out 7 frozen stock pieces and I'm good to go; no measuring needed. If you don't have the space or a large quantity of muffin tins you'll have to do freeze in batches; what I do is freeze two muffin tins full and the rest of the stock I freeze in 1 or 2 cup increments in separate containers, you can also freeze the stock in Ziploc baggies, they will lay flat in the freezer and take up hardly in room, plus it's easier to label a bag than a plastic container. When I want to make soup or need a larger amount of stock I take out a container or bag to thaw, it requires labeling if you freeze more than one size. I tell you once you make your own chicken stock you'll rarely buy it in the store. Homemade stock is easy, has more flavor, is far more healthier (read the labels you'll see) and definitely more cost effective.

For more great tips and ideas check out Kitchen Tip Tuesdays at Tammy's Recipes

Inspired to take a little action

God answers prayers and not always how we expect; I'm trying to read the bible cover to cover. I found that I needed help, some sections were just boring, and I didn't want that, this is God's Word, God's Word! It's not supposed to be boring. I prayed that I would develop a love for reading the bible and that I would have a deep desire to read the bible. Call me silly but I had an attitude in thinking my prayers were like magic, that all I had to do was ask and I was going to suddenly have God's word in my heart. God is faithful in answering my prayer but not in a quick and easy WHAM! BAM! It is finished kind of way. No, no, no, nothing like that. God is requiring me to take a little action, He's requiring me to do a little work. This all makes sense, true desire will be shown with actions. This last week I've stepped up my reading, instead of 3 chapters a day I've read several more chapters upwards of 15 a day (this is mostly because I was behind in reading and I want to finish before the end of the year)
Inspired by this post at Purposeful Pursuit I am taking a little more action to develop my desire for God's Word. I'm going to memorize scripture weekly, something I haven't done since I was a child. I'm really excited about this, to help me out I wrote out the weekly scripture Psalms 103:1-4 (also inspired by Purposeful Pursuit) My picture is awful and you can't really see my scripture; I taped it above my oven so I would see it daily and be reminded. This new challenge of mine won't be easy but I know that God has placed the desire in my heart for His word and God is so faithful. I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me - Philippians 4:13

Making Chicken Stock

I briefly mentioned making Chicken Stock in my menu, it is truly one of the best perks of roasting a chicken. Making your own Chicken Stock is by far tastier, healthier, and cheaper than buying it from the store. Basically I take the chicken carcass and simmer it in water for several hours along with whatever veggies and seasonings I have, once the stock cools a layer of fat forms on the top, which you can easily remove. Alton Brown has a really nice recipe and description for making your own stock. I highly recommend making stock, there are so many recipes with chicken stock, making your own is quite frugal. Tomorrow for Kitchen Tip Tuesday I'll post a great tip about homemade stock.

A Labor of Love

Today I made big soft pretzels, a real favorite with my Husband. It's been so long since I've made them I forgot how much time and effort it takes. The recipe makes 16 pretzels and they really taste best the day they're made, these will hit the freezer so that they last longer. We enjoy a hearty, grainy and spicy brown mustard, BUT with soft pretzels it has to be the classic yellow mustard.

My Mom is to good to me!

My mom knows how to make my day! I'm always thrilled to receive special notes and packages from her, especially since we live on opposites ends of the globe. In the mail today I received an envelope full of coupons, always a delight. Thanks Mom, You're the best!

Menu Plan Monday March 3-9

This is my second Menu Plan Monday Post, and I love it, it's just too much fun sharing what we'll be eating, it's also fun to see what everyone else is planning.

Monday 3/3 –.Roasted Chicken and Citrus Rice, I’ll save some of the chicken for Wednesday’s meal. I love roasting a chicken it is so easy and economical, I often get 2-3 meals out of a chicken and homemade stock to boot. When I roast my chicken it’s a little different each time, I generously season the bird all over and under the skin too, then I rub it with a little olive oil or butter whatever I have and I loosely stuff the cavity with whatever veggies I have usually garlic, onion, carrots, and celery. Sometimes I like be really creative once, I seasoned my chicken with an unwanted bottle salad dressing (not creamy) with good results. Roasted Chicken always turns out so good and makes the house smell heavenly, my suggestions when roasting a chicken: use a meat thermometer, don’t over cook your bird and do not carve it right away let it sit out at least 10 minutes to let the juices redistribute, ensuring juicy results, tent it with foil to keep it warm if you want.

Tuesday 3/4 – Homemade Mac and cheese a new recipe to try from Martha Stewart Everyday Food. I have a fantastic never-fail Mac and cheese recipe handed to me from my Great-great Auntie, but it never hurts to try new things, besides this one is no-bake so it comes to the table a bit faster. We’ll see how it turns out.

Wednesday 3/5 – Chicken Pot Pie Celebration – We’re celebrating Greg’s Birthday. It’s a little late due to unforeseen circumstances but hey we’re flexible. What better way to celebrate a birthday than with a favorite meal. My man loves my chicken pot pie. Sometimes I think he’s’ going to eat the whole pie but he always saves a little for his lunch the next day. I love Chicken pot pie because it’s a one dish meal, it usually satisfies all on its own, I rarely serve a side dish alongside.

The recipe is from my old Betty Crocker Red Cookbook, I could not find the exact recipe online but this one from All-Recipes is very similar except for the celery and celery seed.

Thursday 3/6 – Homemade pizza, I never did get around to making pizza last week (I guess that’s why this is called a menu PLAN)

Friday 3/7 - Leftovers

Saturday 3/8 - Chicken and Veggie Pasta - This is a family favorite, the first time I made this dish it was so good and very rich, because I didn't read the recipe right and I used a whole stick of butter not a half stick, I now only use a half stick and it's still very tasty

Sunday 3/9 – Mom’s Taco Casserole – This is so easy and healthy, it’s been a while since I made it. I’ll post the recipe and results later

My New Favorite Breakfast

Yogurt and Granola has been my favorite breakfast/snack for the longest time and I still love it. Now, I have a new favorite. During our time visiting with family last month, I got a taste for grapefruits in the morning, while staying at my In-laws. I love it! and it's Crazy! I never ate grapefruit as a kid, I tried it once when I was dating Greg and all I remember is I had to pour on the sugar to make it palatable. I don't know maybe my taste buds have changed or matured who knows. Now I think they are the best thing ever, a little sweet a whole lotta tart and altogether delicious! I still eat 'em with sugar but not to much. Here's what I do, cut the grapefruit in half, cut around the perimeter and in between the segments, sprinkle just a little brown sugar over the top and then broil the halves for just a few minutes, this seems to make them extra juicy and all the brown sugar melts and seeps into the fruit. it's so yummy. I like to squeeze out the last bit of juice into a cup once I've eaten the fruit, its like an extra treat.

I won a prize!

Last night I received a last minute invite to go to dinner with a few other Navy wives, and I'm glad I went. I met several new people, and had a real good time. Plus I took home a door prize. OK it's not that big of a deal because everyone who went to dinner walked away with something, but hey that doesn't diminish the thrill any. When my name was drawn I picked out the candles because I could see what I was getting, it was wrapped in clear cellophane. I really wanted the grand prize a big basket filled with pampered chef tools and goodies, but who am I to be greedy, I'm still pretty pleased with my candles. I opened and set up the diffuser as soon as I got home, it's too cute and releases a lot of scent. I might tuck away the candles in my gift box and repurpose them as a gift, I'm not sure yet sometimes it's nice just to enjoy something and not stash it away for a future gift.
There was also a few raffle baskets, I spent $3 on 3 tickets for one of the baskets because it had the cutest copper cookie cutters in the shape of an anchor and submarine, I never buy raffle tickets but I wanted them so badly. I may just try and hunt them down and order online, I hope their not to pricey, I'm already imagining the cutest anchor and submarine sugar cookies. I tell you what it's easy for me to toss aside my frugal ways when it comes to cute kitchen things and making cute cookies. It's a good thing Greg can reign me in and it's a good thing I suffer from sticker shock after all most of my stuff is bought second-hand. We'll see about those cookies cutters, for now I'm pretty pleased with a nice evening out and a prize to boot.

Birthday Banner

We're celebrating Greg's birthday late this year. Because it's late I want it to be extra special. What better way to make a celebration more festive than by adding decorations. Greg would never permit me to go out and buy decorations especially for his birthday, so using the few supplies I could muster up I made a birthday banner, The idea for a banner was tucked away in the back of my mind inspired by Tracy's window decor at Notes from a Cottage Industry. This little guy is ultra simple made only with paper, double stick tape, a sharpie marker, and some dental floss. With the scrap papers I made some paper flowers to cover up the ugly tape I used to hang it, I'll have to come up with a better solution later, I'm not sure the tape will hold up for long. When our shipment of household goods arrive I'll spoof it up with some pretty ribbon. My banner should fold up nicely for other birthdays to come. We won't be celebrating til next week, but I can't wait that long, once his birthday presents arrive (ordered online) I'll wrap them up and place them under the banner. I think the area will look really great.