Last week we stopped in the thrift store that our church runs to drop off a few bags of our old clothes and shoes. We also looked around a bit. The kids love to look at the toys and books, and it's always fun for Adam and me to go through the racks of clothes and household items.
As I was looking at the women's clothes, guess what I found: a pair of Gap jeans in my size and in the style I like!! I was so excited. :) I also found a brand new (with the tags still on it) Old Navy long sleeve tee, also in my size. To make it better the clothes were buy one get one free that day. The jeans were $4 and the shirt (regularly $3) was free!
After I got home I noticed the jeans had a very small hole on the inside of the leg. So, I bought iron-on denim patches for just $1.17 a Wal-Mart. They mended perfectly and now I have a new favorite pair of jeans! :)
It definitely pays to spend time looking at a good thrift store!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Menu Plan, Aug. 29 thru Sept. 4
This week our food budget was $70. I decided to do most of our shopping at Aldi. Here's what we will be eating this week using what we purchased along with a few things we already have on hand.
Breakfasts (Breakfasts vary and depend on our mood each day.)
Scrambled eggs with spinach, orange juice
Oatmeal, orange juice
Fried eggs, toast, orange juice
Scrambled eggs, fruit smoothies
Waffles, orange juice
Lunches (Again, lunches depend on whether or not we're home, and what we're in the mood for. These are just some ideas using what we have. Adam packs his lunch everyday and will take leftovers, tuna salad, egg salad, granola bars, muffins, cookies, or any other snacks I make.)
Spaghetti, salad
Egg salad on pita, carrot sticks
Baked potatoes with leftover chili
Turkey sandwiches
PB&J, raw broccoli and veggie dip
Leftovers
Dinners
Chili (made with black and pinto beans and ground turkey), homemade biscuits, sauteed zucchini
Taco Salad (using leftover chili, along with sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, salsa, and shredded cheese)
Salmon patties, twice-baked potatoes, roasted asparagus
Spinach crustless mini-quiches, fresh fruit, pumpkin waffles with maple syrup
Crockpot Italian veggie and pasta soup, fresh bread
Hippie Chow
Homemade pizza, fresh veggies and dip (for kids) and salad (for Adam and I)
Snacks
Banana crumb muffins
Stove-top popcorn
Fruit
Raw veggies and dip
Cheese and crackers
Homemade soft pretzels
Bagels and cream cheese
Notes: we often get bread and bagels from our church as they have day-old Panera stuff out for people to take home. A few things are from our garden. I make most everything from scratch.
Breakfasts (Breakfasts vary and depend on our mood each day.)
Scrambled eggs with spinach, orange juice
Oatmeal, orange juice
Fried eggs, toast, orange juice
Scrambled eggs, fruit smoothies
Waffles, orange juice
Lunches (Again, lunches depend on whether or not we're home, and what we're in the mood for. These are just some ideas using what we have. Adam packs his lunch everyday and will take leftovers, tuna salad, egg salad, granola bars, muffins, cookies, or any other snacks I make.)
Spaghetti, salad
Egg salad on pita, carrot sticks
Baked potatoes with leftover chili
Turkey sandwiches
PB&J, raw broccoli and veggie dip
Leftovers
Dinners
Chili (made with black and pinto beans and ground turkey), homemade biscuits, sauteed zucchini
Taco Salad (using leftover chili, along with sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, salsa, and shredded cheese)
Salmon patties, twice-baked potatoes, roasted asparagus
Spinach crustless mini-quiches, fresh fruit, pumpkin waffles with maple syrup
Crockpot Italian veggie and pasta soup, fresh bread
Hippie Chow
Homemade pizza, fresh veggies and dip (for kids) and salad (for Adam and I)
Snacks
Banana crumb muffins
Stove-top popcorn
Fruit
Raw veggies and dip
Cheese and crackers
Homemade soft pretzels
Bagels and cream cheese
Notes: we often get bread and bagels from our church as they have day-old Panera stuff out for people to take home. A few things are from our garden. I make most everything from scratch.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Thinking Ahead
About this time every year - as Fall approaches and my thoughts turn to cold weather (even if it's still hot out!) - I start thinking about Christmas. I guess this might seem a little crazy to some, but really it isn't a bad thing to start planning ahead and saving money to buy gifts.
As always we are most interested in a simple Christmas (something I've written about here before). I recently read a short Victorian poem about gift-giving for children:
As always we are most interested in a simple Christmas (something I've written about here before). I recently read a short Victorian poem about gift-giving for children:
Something you want
Something you need
Something to wear
Something to read
There are a couple reasons I love this. One, of course, is the simplicity of four gifts per child. The other is it offers guidelines to give gifts with a purpose. I already have ideas for all of them for both Jude and Audrey.
Another idea I've heard is three gifts per child because baby Jesus received three gifts. I like that as well as it's significance comes from the real reason for Christmas.
Usually this time of year I get all kinds of grand ideas of things I think I will be making to give as gifts. This year I know I won't be making anything other than baked goods so I'm not going to pretend! :) For us, it's easier to save some money for our Christmas fund to buy gifts for the kids and then give everyone else something I've made to eat (this year I'm thinking caramels).
Christmas is such an exciting time. I have so many wonderful memories of it from when I was young and I want to make good memories for my children, too.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
The Quiet of Morning
Early morning is my favorite time of day, but lately it has been difficult to get up and enjoy it. Audrey usually wakes up before I do, or I can't get out of bed without waking her. This morning it worked out and I've been up since six a.m. I saw Adam off to work (he has a new job - praise the Lord - and needs to leave much earlier than he has been) and (most importantly!) was able to spend time reading my Bible and praying. That is the main reason I want to wake up early each day. It makes a world of difference to start the day out with the Lord, setting my mind on Him, and praising Him from the very beginning.
It's easy enough to read my Bible over breakfast with the kids around, but it is not easy to be still before my heavenly Father, to pray uninterrupted, and listen to Him. Prayer time is vitally important and something that has been lacking recently. I feel refreshed to have spent time in prayer in the quiet of this morning.
It's easy enough to read my Bible over breakfast with the kids around, but it is not easy to be still before my heavenly Father, to pray uninterrupted, and listen to Him. Prayer time is vitally important and something that has been lacking recently. I feel refreshed to have spent time in prayer in the quiet of this morning.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Frugal Coffee
Today I figured out a way to satisfy my frequent cravings for coffee while saving a lot of money. I discovered a one cup, non-electric single cup coffee brewer. I happened upon it at the grocery store today. It was $2.99. The filters were $2.12. I bought the tiny sample-like packages of ground coffee ($1.49 each). I need just 1 tablespoon per cup so those little packages should last me awhile as I only drink one cup of coffee a day. (Any more than that and I get jittery.)
I'm too lazy to figure out how much this will cost me per cup, but I'm willing to bet it is much less than the $2.80 I was spending several days a week on a latte from Starbucks.
I'm too lazy to figure out how much this will cost me per cup, but I'm willing to bet it is much less than the $2.80 I was spending several days a week on a latte from Starbucks.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Garden Update
Our garden has been doing okay, I guess. Not as well as we hoped or expected.
However, we've gotten several summer squash and a couple very large zucchini. The zucchini plant has since died, unfortunately, and we aren't sure why.
The peppers and tomatoes look great.
We've gotten a TON of chard. It is the best thing in the garden! It's a good thing it's my favorite vegetable. Adam and the kids love it, too.
The onions have done wonderfully and are almost all ready to harvest.
The corn is growing and we'll get a few ears, I think.
We actually have melons growing (a couple heirloom varieties). The leaves on the plants don't look so good, but I'm hoping we'll at least get a few fruits from them.
We've gotten green beans, too, and they've been great.
So, next year, we're going to plant a lot more bush beans and do our best to start the tomatoes and peppers early so we have bigger plants to set out after the last frost.
I love having a garden, I just wish ours was more productive than it has been this year!
However, we've gotten several summer squash and a couple very large zucchini. The zucchini plant has since died, unfortunately, and we aren't sure why.
The peppers and tomatoes look great.
We've gotten a TON of chard. It is the best thing in the garden! It's a good thing it's my favorite vegetable. Adam and the kids love it, too.
The onions have done wonderfully and are almost all ready to harvest.
The corn is growing and we'll get a few ears, I think.
We actually have melons growing (a couple heirloom varieties). The leaves on the plants don't look so good, but I'm hoping we'll at least get a few fruits from them.
We've gotten green beans, too, and they've been great.
So, next year, we're going to plant a lot more bush beans and do our best to start the tomatoes and peppers early so we have bigger plants to set out after the last frost.
I love having a garden, I just wish ours was more productive than it has been this year!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Eating Better to Feel Better
In an attempt to feel better, I need to eat better.
I'm not eating all that bad - certainly not the Standard American Diet by any stretch - but I just don't feel that great. I'm tired and I just feel ... blah.
Eating a high raw diet is appealing, but it seems expensive, especially to buy all organic produce. I'm going to think about all this more but in the meantime I think I'll start to drink a green smoothie every morning and eat a big salad at lunch. Snacks can be fruit and seeds or nuts.
I should probably also add in exercise somehow.
I just want to feel GOOD again!
I'm not eating all that bad - certainly not the Standard American Diet by any stretch - but I just don't feel that great. I'm tired and I just feel ... blah.
Eating a high raw diet is appealing, but it seems expensive, especially to buy all organic produce. I'm going to think about all this more but in the meantime I think I'll start to drink a green smoothie every morning and eat a big salad at lunch. Snacks can be fruit and seeds or nuts.
I should probably also add in exercise somehow.
I just want to feel GOOD again!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Changes
Last week Adam was laid-off from his job. It came after the owner of the company he worked for had put him on probation for two weeks. However, it's now clear the owner had every intention of laying Adam off at the end of the probation period. It's not that big of a surprise. The company is tiny (just the owner, his wife, and three - now just two - employees, one being the owner's son). Obviously, we are in the midst of tough economic times and the company was not getting enough work and the owner could not afford to pay Adam anymore.
In a way, it is a relief. We've known for some time now, and for many reasons, that Adam would not be able to grow the company like he was hired to do. He would never move up or be able to increase his salary. We even talked about how long he would give it before he would start looking for a new job. That decision was made for him. Adam has put out a few resumes, and has been able to pick up sub-contracting work through a friend. He has an interview next week. He has also been considering doing his own thing.
Throughout all this, I've actually been at peace. Of course, I've had moments of worry, but overall I've been firmly grounded in the truth that the Lord provides. I know this because His Word says so, and because I've experienced His provision firsthand in my life, time and again.
I mean, Adam got laid off on Thursday (the 9th). He didn't work Friday or Monday but he started working today for his friend (and making more on the hour than he made at his old job). He is also getting three weeks worth of pay as a severance package. Not a lot, but better than nothing.
So even though this has been a bit of a set-back, we are optimistic because it truly is exciting to see what the next thing is, where God is taking us, and what He has in store for our lives.
In a way, it is a relief. We've known for some time now, and for many reasons, that Adam would not be able to grow the company like he was hired to do. He would never move up or be able to increase his salary. We even talked about how long he would give it before he would start looking for a new job. That decision was made for him. Adam has put out a few resumes, and has been able to pick up sub-contracting work through a friend. He has an interview next week. He has also been considering doing his own thing.
Throughout all this, I've actually been at peace. Of course, I've had moments of worry, but overall I've been firmly grounded in the truth that the Lord provides. I know this because His Word says so, and because I've experienced His provision firsthand in my life, time and again.
I mean, Adam got laid off on Thursday (the 9th). He didn't work Friday or Monday but he started working today for his friend (and making more on the hour than he made at his old job). He is also getting three weeks worth of pay as a severance package. Not a lot, but better than nothing.
So even though this has been a bit of a set-back, we are optimistic because it truly is exciting to see what the next thing is, where God is taking us, and what He has in store for our lives.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Hippie Chow
Inspired by this post at bread & honey : a food blog I made my own version of hippie chow last night for dinner, and it was really good! I told Adam I could eat like that every night!
I used fresh-picked-from-our-garden green beans, beets, and chard, and store-bought zucchini, broccoli, carrots, onion, and garlic. I cooked it all together in our cast iron pan and added salt and pepper, oregano, and Bragg's. I served it up on rice (seasoned with original Mrs. Dash) and with a fully cooked poached egg.
The egg seemed weird to me but I wanted to give it a try, especially to add in more protein, and it added a lot to the dish.
It's about dinner time and I'm craving hippie chow right now. I might make something similar tonight. :)
I used fresh-picked-from-our-garden green beans, beets, and chard, and store-bought zucchini, broccoli, carrots, onion, and garlic. I cooked it all together in our cast iron pan and added salt and pepper, oregano, and Bragg's. I served it up on rice (seasoned with original Mrs. Dash) and with a fully cooked poached egg.
The egg seemed weird to me but I wanted to give it a try, especially to add in more protein, and it added a lot to the dish.
It's about dinner time and I'm craving hippie chow right now. I might make something similar tonight. :)
Sunday, June 28, 2009
New Things
Today I signed up for a "life group" at church. It meets Monday evenings (starting tomorrow) and we'll be reading the book A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. I've only heard the title of this book but nothing specific about it, so I'm hoping it is good and worth reading.
This is the first time I've ever joined one of these groups and it makes me nervous! I keep hoping someone talks to me, that I'm not the youngest one there, that I don't make a mistake or have to talk in front of a whole bunch of people. It bothers me that I used to be so much more confident than I am now. As I get older, I feel more insecure. It's strange - I thought it would be the opposite.
I constantly find myself trying to impress other people or just generally caring way too much what everyone else thinks about me. God is the only One I need to impress! He's concerned with my heart and not with how my hair looks or what I'm wearing. It would serve me well to remember that more often.
I'm praying it goes well tomorrow, that I make a friend or two, and that I remember I'm there to grow closer to God and be involved in our church.
This is the first time I've ever joined one of these groups and it makes me nervous! I keep hoping someone talks to me, that I'm not the youngest one there, that I don't make a mistake or have to talk in front of a whole bunch of people. It bothers me that I used to be so much more confident than I am now. As I get older, I feel more insecure. It's strange - I thought it would be the opposite.
I constantly find myself trying to impress other people or just generally caring way too much what everyone else thinks about me. God is the only One I need to impress! He's concerned with my heart and not with how my hair looks or what I'm wearing. It would serve me well to remember that more often.
I'm praying it goes well tomorrow, that I make a friend or two, and that I remember I'm there to grow closer to God and be involved in our church.
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