Saturday, October 4, 2008

October Sam's Run

It's the beginning of the month so that means my monthly Sam's run! Here is the rundown of what I purchased this month, which is a bit different than last month.


  • 6 bags of chips $14.64 ($2.44 each)
  • 7lbs powdered sugar $3.84
  • 320 ct. clear trashbags $23.84
  • 3.2 oz Rosemary $4.08
  • 1 gallon apple cidar $3.88
  • 72 ct Kraft American cheese slices $8.78
  • 150 loads Downy $10.24
  • 5lbs mild cheddar cheese $13.28
  • 2 pks cinnamon raisin bagels $4.36
  • 5lbs frozen corn $4.76
  • 60 ct. waffles $8.02
  • 3lbs Premium saltines $4.34
  • 140 ct. pizza rolls $8.83
  • 100 ct. slim jims $13.22
  • 4 quarts Mrs. Butterworth's syrup $6.34
  • 28 oz. lemon pepper seasoning $5.54
  • 3-44oz Heinz ketchup $6.34
  • 2-40oz Jif Peanut Butter $7.13
  • 5lbs Country Crock Margarine $4.42
  • 2-48oz bottles Hershey's chocolate syrup $6.32
  • 2-40oz bottles Hidden Valley Ranch dressing $9.24
  • 6lbs Ore-Ida shredded Hash browns $4.88

Total with sales tax: $178.36

Friday, October 3, 2008

Weekly Shopping---Savings $168.52(approx.)

Its the beginning of the month, so along with my weekly stops at the grocery stores I made my monthly stop at Sam's Club.

I am trying to get back into going to several stores to get the weekly deals and that is it! I found using this method before helped me even more to save at the same time keeping my shelves stocked. However, it looks like after this week I just need to see how long I can stay out of the stores. So, now that I am done shopping for the week I am not going into the stores til next payday(Oct 15th).

First stop, Meijer...
  • 2lbs spaghetti $1.76
  • 4 jars Ragu pasta sauce $3.84 (96 cents each)
  • 2 gallons milk $5.00
  • 2 loaves of bread $1.98
  • 2 pks hamburger buns $1.98
  • 4 cans broth $2.27 (57 cents each)
  • 2 Sara Lee Cheesecake bites $7.00
  • 1/2 gallon Meijer icecream FREE
  • 2 bottles Gatorade $2.00
  • 2 bottles Hawaiian Punch $4.00
  • 1 bottle Apple Juice $2.00
  • 2 pks. Yo-Plus Yogurt $2.00
  • 1 pk. Nestle cookie dough $1.00
  • 5 pks instant Jello pudding $3.34(67 cents each)
  • 5 bags Green Giant Steamers $1.67 (33 cents each)
  • 12 cups Yoplait Yogurts $5.00 (42 cents each)
  • 4 boxes muffin mix $6.10 ($1.53 each)
  • 5 boxes Toaster strudel $7.50 ($1.50 each)
  • 2 bags Doritos $3.79 ($1.90 each)
  • 2 boxes brownie mix $3.50 ($1.75 each)
  • 6 bags Chex Mix $6.30 ($1.05 each)
  • 2 boxes Ziploc bags $3.67 ($1.84 each)
  • 3 bottles Tums $7.87 ($2.62 each)
  • 2 pkgs. shoelaces $2.24 ($1.12 each)
  • 1 pk hair headbands $1.49

Total: $88.90
SAVINGS at Meijer: $73.25

Next stop, Aldi's...


  • 6 cans evaporated milk $4.14
  • 3 cans lemonade $2.25
  • 2 bags tortilla chips $1.98
  • 6 dozen eggs $5.94
  • 4 bags baby carrots $2.60

Total: $16.91
SAVINGS at Aldis: approx. $15.10 (I used the reg. grocery store prices to help me figure out my savings.)

**It wouldn't be a week of savings without having a story! The story comes from my Aldi trip! I went there got the things listed above and did other shopping before I came home to enter my spending in my Quicken program. Well what do you know!?! I looked at my Aldi's receipt to find that the cashier had charged me for 4 containers of STRAWBERRIES at $1.99 each rather than 4 bags of baby carrots at 65 cents each!!! Well you might wonder why I didn't catch it at the time of my checking out well I had figured out in my head that my trip would be about $20 so when the total came to $22.27 I just went ahead and paid it. Well I went back to Aldi's and got my difference back with no troubles! You know you would think by now that I would have learned my lesson and not be in such a hurry and check my receipt BEFORE leaving a store!

Next stop, Duthler's...


  • 16lbs potatoes $3.98
  • 4 boxes choc. cake mix $3.16
  • 2 bags breaded chicken strips $7.98

Total: $15.12
SAVINGS at Duthler's:$12.00

Next stop, Family Fare...


  • 20.72lbs boneless/skinless chicken breast $35.01 ($1.69/lb)
  • 5.87lbs boneless pork loin chops $16.00 ($2.73/lb with getting B1G1 Free pkg)
  • 2 bags breaded chicken nuggets $8.98
  • 5lbs apples $3.99
  • 4-2ltrs. Faygo pop $2.40(w/deposit)
  • 2 heads lettuce $1.36
  • 2 bags Fritos $4.50
  • 1 mini half portion ham $6.98
  • 2 Juicy Juice Harvest Surprise $5.00
  • 3 Juicy Juice $7.00
  • 1/2 lb deli ham $1.96
  • 1 lb deli turkey $5.04
  • 3 lbs stick margarine $2.25

Total: $107.04
SAVINGS at Family Fare: $68.17 (despite forgetting my juice coupons!)

GRAND Total: $396.49
Total OOP: $227.97
GRAND TOTAL SAVINGS: $168.52 (approximately because of shopping at Aldi's)

For more savings stories head over to MoneySavingMom's Super Saturday Savings and Becentsable's Centsable Saving Stories

Thursday, October 2, 2008

All about "B"



This week in kindergarten was all about the letter "B"!

We read a "B" book each day... The Berenstains' B Book; Busy Boats; Animal Babies; A Day in the Life of a Baby Bear; Bears on Wheels.
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We put together a boat.

We talked about bees and how God created them for a special purpose just like He created us for a special purpose. We put together a "B" book.

We colored butterflies, books, bananas. We watched birds and talked about what they eat.

We colored with blue, brown, and black. We learned the difference between "b" and "d".




We ate bananas and beans.


At the end of the week, we decorated a "B" with "b" word stickers.


Aside from working on "B", we memorized 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 for AWANA.


Parenting Series--ABCs Christian Parenting--Part 2



Last week, I started a parenting series using the alphabet based on Robert & Debra Bruce's book, ABCs of Christian Parenting. I talked about "A"--Affirming our Children as a gift from God. Despite the frustrations that you faced this week, did you take time each day to let your children know they are a blessing to you? If not, try again this week along with working at the next letter which is "B".

BUILD upon your child’s talents, seeking to discover God's plan for them.

Ever wonder what your child will be when he/she grows up? Ever wonder if that child who does nothing but talk all the time will become a world famous preacher like D.L. Moody? Ever wonder if that child who loves to play sports will become a professional in their favorite sport? Ever wonder if that child who draws on everything, including the wall will become the next Picasso?

There are ways to work with your child's talents, interests and learning style to help them develop into the person that God has created them to be and to find their niche in this world.

Reading an article called "Learning Lifestyle" over at HomeHearts, they give some ways to help build upon your child's talents, seeking God's plan for their lifes.

Trust! “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:10

Teach your children “how” to learn so that they will be prepared for any path they choose.

Let them pursue life with you. Let them follow mom and dad in your interests.

Give them time to explore their interests. Some fascinations will come and go, but by the time they are ready to choose a direction, hopefully they will have some idea of the path they wish to take.

Keep your eyes open! When you see your child expressing an interest in something - feed it! Not push it, of course, but provide books, kits, and
materials that will encourage your child. If the interest wanes, no problem. Another is sure to surface.

Don’t fill up on scheduled activities(sports,music, 4H and the like). While some of these activities have their place, unless it is your child’s current “passion,” give your children the freedom to find their own interests.

For older students, just ask! They may surprise you with interests you didn’t know they had!
Parents are essential components in God's handiwork for their children! Terri Camp says it well in her article "The Oxygen"(follow the link to read the whole article)...

Every fire must have oxygen in order to continue to burn. Even the very smallest spark, must have oxygen. You, the parent, need to view yourself as the
oxygen for the fire. You are an essential component in the Fire Philosophy.
Sure, you could release your child to burn on his own, but without the oxygen
there - praying, encouraging, lifting up, and offering some helpful suggestions
- the fire would go out quickly.


Are you being the "oxygen" or are you being the "water" to your child? Are you watching with diligence for that spark of interest in something so that you can fan that spark into a raging fire?

Take time this week to find out what your child's interests are so that you can be their oxygen to help them reach their full potential according to God's plan!

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Fire Prevention Month--Prevent Home Fires!

October is Fire Prevention Month! October 5-11 is Fire Prevention Week! This year the campaign's slogan is "Prevent Home Fires". Below you will find many links with activities, interactive games, coloring pages, checklists, book lists and more to educate yourself and your children on preventing home fires!

National Fire Prevention Association –all about fire prevention week along with activities and quizzes.

US Fire Administration Kids Page learn about home fire safety, smoke alarms and escaping a fire.

Sparky the Great Fire Dog—games and activities

Fire Safety For Kids –games and slideshows to watch and read online regarding fire safety

DLTK-Kids –crafts on fire safety

The Great Chicago Fire --site dedicated to the Great Chicago Fire and a web of memory.

Top 10 Activities for Teaching Fire Safety to Kids

Ato Z Teacher Stuff Fire Safety Page –links to activities, crafts, and snacks.

FEMA's Teacher Page

Fire Safety Lapbook

Home Safety Council Fire Safety Month Activities

Staying Alive –games and activities on fire safety

Fire Safety Thematic Unit checklist, coloring pages, and a list of books to read about fire safety

Fire Safety Unit Study--full of cross-curriculum activities and fire-related websites

Scholastic's Fire Safety Page –activities galore!

Works for Me Wednesday--Kitchen Organization


It is the first Wednesday of the month which means it is a themed WFMW over at Rocks in My Dryer! This month's theme is Kitchen Organization.

I have talked before about my "nerve center" and about using baskets for cupboard organization. I have even shown pictures of my kitchen.

Having done a lot of talking about what I do in my kitchen, today I thought I would give some tips as to how I do what needs to be done in the kitchen along with homeschooling without seemingly being in the kitchen foreeeeeevvvverrrrrr. How can one provide nourishment for their family and not spend tons of time in the kitchen? Here are some of my tips that seem to work for me(in no particular order)...
  1. Involve my kids! I have found that having my kids help me wash and cut up veggies or fruit to have in the fridge for meals or snacks helps those meal prep times go faster. My kids love to help mix up the cookie dough or bread batter too. My kids also like to do the cleanup--loading the dishwasher or washing dishes. They love to be helpers. Even with young children, I can give them a task to do in the kitchen while I work on something else in the kitchen. I actually count their help in the kitchen as part of their homeschooling credit for "home econonics". I want my kids(esp. my boys) to be efficient in the kitchen so involving them in the work is the best way.
  2. Plan ahead times to work in the kitchen. When I do my menu planning, I make notes as to what needs to be done before the given day. This way, I make time/plan time to work in the kitchen sometime the day before I want something for meals. For instance, when I have planned homemade cinnamon rolls for breakfast, I plan ahead to work on them the day BEFORE involving one of my kids in the process. This way the next morning is a fairly easy pop them in the oven and in 15 minutes one can have a hot cinnamon roll.
  3. Keep it simple! If one were to take a look at my menu plans you would find that I don't do gourmet or 3 course meals every day! I can feed my family a well-balanced nutritional meal without having to have 3 courses. I usually keep my meals simple---meat, a couple of starches(potato, or rice, or noodles, and bread), and veggies and/or fruit. It is on rare occasion that I will make a dessert to go with the a dinner meal. I save the desserts for dinner meals when we are entertaining guests. Other than that desserts or treats as my kids calls them are served after lunch. This way the extra sugar/sweetness has been burned off before bedtime.
  4. Develop a routine! I found that having a "baking day" was just too much work! No matter how well I planned, life would happen and baking just would not happen! So I aim to make something each day. Yes there are days that baking still doesn't happen...those are the days that I am glad for my freezer full of goodies!
  5. Use "modern day servants"! I love using my crockpot...fix it and forget it til dinner time! I love my bread machine to mix up my bread dough because it saves me time...put the ingredients in and let the machine do the work. I love my stand alone freezer..it is full of goodies for that quick pull to finish off a meal.
  6. Plan ahead with purpose! From grocery shopping to meal planning to prepping food to preparing the food...planning ahead is important! I can not just aimlessly walk into the kitchen and expect to accomplish anything without having a plan and purpose. I have tried the aimless walk too many times to count and nothing gets done completely just alot of loose ends which means more time in the kitchen. I make sure that I do my grocery shopping on days where I have time to take care of the 20 lbs plus of meat that I am going to need to put it into meal size servings and into the freezer or it will go bad.

These are some of the ways that I have found to keep that "all day in the kitchen feeling" at bay. To find out what works for others, head over to Shannon's blog today!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Educational Website


While doing my nutrition education online class for being able to receive my WIC coupons this month, I stumbled upon a state's extension service's just for kids page with LOTS of educational info and links!

Kids can enjoy a story called "Riding the Winds with Kalani, A Weather Adventure" where they will take a ride in a weather balloon and talk about weather. OR they can enjoy a story about "A Walk in the Woods" where they will learn facts about nature. There are other fun stories as well from doing your first garden to finding out where your food comes from to learning about insects.

Each of the stories have a teacher's resource/guide page that gives standards or objectives. There is also several of the stories that have activity pages to do.

Along with the story links, there is additional educational websites that you can go to as well and learn about sports and nutrition to prehistoric animals to so much more!



For other weblinks, head over to Homeschooling with Encouragement!

13 Years Ago!!!

WORLD EVENTS OF 1995:

Oklahoma City bombing

OJ Simpson's trial

Americans greeted on Mir

President Bill Clinton in office

32 cents for a 1st class stamp

First solo transpacific balloon flight by Steve Fossett

A gallon of gasoline was averaging $1.05

FAMILY EVENTS OF 1995:

My family almost died of carbon monoxide from a furnace leak while I was away at college.

My family was doubling the size of the house to accomodate the 10 of us along with making things handicap accessible for my newly adopted brother.

A week after my family broke ground for the house addition, my newly adopted brother passed away from chickenpox.(he was handicapped and had a severe case of chickenpox they even were on his lungs as well as on his skin.)

My mother had hand surgery.

I graduated from college and my youngest sister graduated from high school.

I got married to the most understanding, handsome, Godly, loving man I know!!!

Today is my 13th Anniversary!

All about Tomatoes



At this time of year, I remember my mother would do lots of canning, it was "canning season" at our house for a good month or two! By the time the canning was done for the year though, we would have 3 or 4 shelving units full of jams, sauces, fruits, and veggies.

We had a decent size garden to feed the 10 of us. However, it was usually just enough to feed us and not to do the preserving for the winter months. So we would go to down the street to the "veggie farm stand" and get several bushels of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers or whatever veggie we were going to work on for that week.

Then we would go home and start what seemed like endless days of grinding, cutting and sieveing the fresh goodies to make spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce, stewed tomatoes, salsa, sweet relish, bread and butter pickles or whatever fruit or veggie we had gotten to preserve for that week.

Despite all the work, I miss those days! I loved working with my mom in the kitchen! I loved the time we would spend together talking and enjoying life.

Here are two of our tomato recipes.

HOMEMADE SALSA--Canned

15-20 tomatoes (use more if needed)
3 cups onion, chopped
3 cups peppers, chopped (use different types of peppers to get the varying degrees of "hot")
½ cup vinegar
4 tsp. sugar
7-10 dashes garlic powder
1 carrot
3 oz. tomato paste

Put all together. Simmer until thick. Get jars, lids, and rings hot. Fill jars leaving ¼ inch head space. Boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Let cool on counter.



Italian Sauce

6 medium carrots, shredded
3 large onions, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup cooking oil
6 28-oz cans tomatoes
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. salt
1 tbsp. dried basil, crushed
2 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 bay leaves

In a 8-10 quart Dutch oven, cook carrots, onion, and garlic in hot cooking oil til onion is tender and not brown. Add undrained tomatoes, sugar, salt, basil, oregano, pepper and bay leaves. Boil gently, uncovered for 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours. Cool Italian Sauce. Remove bay leaves and disgard. Place about 1/4 of the mixture at a time in blender container and blend til smooth. Freezes or cans well.

My notes: I have used a combination of stewed tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, crushed tomatoes. I let this simmer all day on low in the crockpot. I use the blender due to my family not liking chunky spaghetti sauce. When I cook it all day I don't cook the carrots, onions, and garlic first! I let them get tender in the tomatoes. I add the browned ground meat after I have blended the sauce in the blender. Enjoy! This is my mom's spaghetti sauce recipe that I grew up with! It is a tried and true recipe! It is even good as pizza sauce!


What are your favorite recipes for tomatoes?

I would love to get back into the preserving/canning arena! I have been wondering to myself if the canning/preserving is really worth it to do or if getting the frozen & canned veggies at the store is the "cheaper" way to go.

Sound off: Do you preserve/can tomatoes and other veggies for use during the winter? If so, what do you preserve? What tips would you have for a beginner? Leave me comments!!

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Menu Plan Monday 9/28-10/4


**Another week is upon us so that means it is time for another menu plan! This is just a plan and it could change on the cook’s whim!

Last week's menu had a couple of meals that were switched around but other than that meals were eaten as scheduled.

Despite my best efforts to stay out of the store, this week's shopping trip increased my stockpile along with getting some boneless/skinless chicken breasts for $1.59/lb!! I still need to do what I did at the end of August and have us eat down the stockpile some especially the freezer! I need to get started on holiday baking!

This week is a relatively quiet week…no appointments scheduled! However, there are a couple of events that will need attention. First event is my wedding anniversary on Tuesday. We will be celebrating 13 years together! Second event is hubby’s alma mater is hosting an alumni night at a hockey game on Friday night. We will get to enjoy an inside tailgating party with food and prizes plus a hockey game all for $10 for the 7 of us!

Lunches listed are for the kids and me. Usually with our lunches I served carrot sticks, and some kind of in-season fruit along with juice or water to drink. Hubby usually takes dinner leftovers each day along with several items for snacks.

A special thanks to Laura-Organizing Junkie for hosting Menu Plan Monday! Need help with your menus; go check other delicious meal plans that have been linked at Laura-Organizing Junkie! **

Sunday (9-28)
Breakfast: eggs, sausage links and chocolate donuts
Lunch: pizza
Dinner: Wendy's

Monday (9-29)
Breakfast: cereal and toast
Lunch: leftovers--tacos
Dinner: pork chops, mac & cheese, and green beans
Snack: snack basket

Tuesday (9-30) 13th Anniversary!
Breakfast: waffles & sausage
Lunch: sandwich and chips
Dinner: ??? not sure with anniversary
Snack: snack basket

Wednesday (10-1)
Breakfast: bagels, yogurt and cereal
Lunch: leftovers
Dinner: Salisbury Steak with Gravy, mashed potatoes, and peas
Snack: cookies & milk

Thursday (10-2)
Breakfast: buttermilk pancakes and sausage
Lunch: sandwich and chips
Dinner: chili, rice and corn muffins
Snack: snack basket

Friday(10-3)
Breakfast: cereal and toaster strudel
Lunch: pizza rolls
Dinner: Tailgating Party and Hockey Game
Snack: ice cream

Saturday(10-4)
Breakfast: “Cook’s Choice”
Lunch: ??? probably leftovers!
Dinner: baked lemon pepper chicken, buttered noodles, peas, and homemade honey oatmeal rolls
Snack: snack basket or popcorn

Singing Sunday

There is a Redeemer
by Keith Green

There is a Redeemer,
Jesus, God's own son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy one,

Jesus my Redeemer,
Name above all names,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Oh, for sinners slain.

Thank you oh my Father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
til the work on earth is done.

When I stand in glory,
I will see His face,
And there I'll serve my King forever,
In that holy place.

Thank you oh my Father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
til the work on earth is done.

There is a Redeemer,
Jesus, God's own Son,
Precious Lamb of God, Messiah,
Holy one,

Thank you oh my Father,
For giving us Your Son,
And leaving Your Spirit,
til the work on earth is done.

And leaving Your spirit,
till the work on earth is done.