Taking A Break

With my new little one due to arrive in just a few short days, 17 to be exact, I have decided to take a break from blogging. I want to focus on getting the house ready as well as spending as much time with my two little ones as I can.

We have a few fun day trips planned (if my body will hold out) and one very special day that My Sweetie and I have devoted entirely to the kids.

Please pray for me. I get a bit nervous before each C-section. While I am up right away afterwards and usually doing things I am not suppose to be doing, I still get nervous. The thought of Sitting in the operating room while they give me my epidural makes me queasy. (Last time they hit a nerve.)

I look forward to being with you all again soon and showing off our new edition.

God Bless You, Lori

Growing Up...

My Sweetie and I were just talking about how we don't think it's fair that our children are growing up so fast. It seems like only yesterday that they were just born. Now I am looking at Sissyboo who is two and a half years old and Double D who is almost 18 months.

Where does the time go? I just want to savor every minute of their little lives, write down everything they say and everything they do.

I can't believe that it has been almost a year since My Sweetie put this video together. Some days it's hard for me to watch, because it makes me sad that my babies are growing up. Sissyboo with short brown curly hair and Double D without any hair at all, before they were mobile and before they were talking.



There was a time in my life when I never thought I would have children, and now I can't imagine what my life would be like with out them. Their laughs, their smell in the morning, their kisses and hugs, their everything. They are my world and I am so blessed to be their Momma.

Toddler Tuesday

With having two toddlers in the house, the long Winter days can seem to drag on and on and on! So, I am always looking for something fun for the little ones to do during the day to keep them occupied.

One of their favorite things to do is color, but I get tired of the same old coloring pages. So I came up this idea:

I opened a roll of wrapping paper (a surplus I have on hand from after Christmas sales) backwards, place it on the floor in the kitchen and let them use crayons and color all over the white part. I trace their hands, feet and even their entire bodies and let them color them in. I love to watch their creativity.



So, if you have extra wrapping paper laying around, give this simple project a try!

Menu Plan Monday

I can not believe that this is the last full week of February! The winter is hopefully coming to end, but that also means that our baby girl is due in just 4 short weeks. (YIKES). Needless to say, My Sweetie and I are working daily on getting things ready for her arrival. But I still feel very unprepared. So, I am trying to create an easy menu for this week. Except for the exception of the Pylos' Moussaka in which I will get some help from the hubby! We love working in the kitchen together on the weekends.

This coming Sunday is also My Sweetie's Birthday! I love being able to celebrate his birthday on the weekend because it means a full day of family fun, starting with breakfast in bed!

Here is the menu for this week:

Monday: Panera's Cream Cheese Soup

Tuesday: My Sweetie's Famous Reuben Sandwiches (we didn't get to these last week)

Wednesday: Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Potatoes

Thursday: Taco Soup

Friday: Free Night...no cooking.

Saturday: Pylo's Moussaka

Sunday: Fortel's Pizza for My Sweetie's 33rd Birthday

Pregnancy Cravings....

My pregnancy cravings have varied with each child, with Sissyboo, the only thing I wanted to drink was sweet tea and with Double D, all I wanted to eat was mango's (in which I found I was highly allergic). This pregnancy I have been driving my hubby nuts with cravings for soft pretzels!

Hot, fresh, soft pretzels to be exact.

I soon discovered this little place close by in downtown St. Louis:



Gus' Pretzels is a family owned business that has been making pretzels since the 1920's. It is fun to go into their shop because they have a large viewing area where you can watch the pretzels being made from scratch!



After we stop by Gus' we always swing by My Sweetie's office to give him a pretzel as well.

I have a feeling that now until the baby is born we will be making many more trips over there for soft pretzels. Especially since I have been there twice this week already!

Relish This...

When I was little, my Grandma Keirn made this incredible beet relish that we would put on hot dogs. It was so delicious that after all these years, I still long for it. Since she passed on when I was in college and I was really not into cooking at that time, I never asked her for the recipe.

Well, after searching the Internet for years, I finally came up with her recipe.


Beet Relish:
4 med. fresh beets
1 c. cider vinegar
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. chopped onion
2 tsp. prepared horseradish
1/2 tsp. salt

Wash beets; cut off tops. Cook until tender. Rinse in cold water; peel off skin. Dice or shred, as desired. Should have about 1 1/2 cups. In medium saucepan heat vinegar; add sugar and stir until dissolved. Add onions, beets, horseradish and salt. Boil 10 minutes; with pan covered. Chill thoroughly before serving. Serves 8.

Do you have a favorite family recipe that you are searching for? My next recipe quest is my Grandmother Elliott's persimmon cookies.

My First Stockpile

I had never heard of the term stockpiling before I started reading the coupon blogs last year. Now, that I am aware that you can stockpile all of your deals to save for the future, I needed a place to start my little collection of food and household goods. I have just started, so it looks a little meager. But I do have tons of Old Orchard Apple Juice I purchase for $.50 a bottle and lots of boxes Raisin Bran Cereal I purchased for less then a $1.00 a box.

Last weekend My Sweetie said let's make your stockpiling shelves! So during the kid's nap time, he ran out and got the lumber and after the kids went to bed, we assembled this little shelving unit. The good thing was that with the shelves we put up before, this one took us less then an hour to make!


This Fall, I started getting a really good deal on Similac Infant Formula, and then used a coupon, costing me only $.84 a bottle. I can't pass up this great deal! Now every time we go to the store, we pick up a few more to put in the stockpile. Even if the baby doesn't use it, we aren't very much money and we can donate it.

Stockpiling is a fun way to use up all those great coupons!

Mommy's Little Helpers

I just had to post some of the things that go on around my home during the day.


When I try to fold my laundry, Sissyboo loves to put the socks on her hands and the underwear around her neck!


Every afternoon when I vacuum, Double D thinks he needs to go along for the ride. Have you ever pulled a canister vacuum with a 25 pound child on it? It's not easy, but at least one of us is having fun!

Sometimes I get frustrated when I can't just go and do my work. Someone is always trying to "help" by tagging along, or putting their sticky fingers on the windows I just cleaned. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Thank you my sweet helpers!

Menu Plan Monday

Here is the menu for this wonderful warm week:

Monday: Pulled Pork Sandwiches and Hot German Potato Salad

Tuesday: Alton Brown's Broccoli Casserole

Wednesday: Ham steak topped with basted eggs, hollandaise sauce and biscuits

Thursday: Steaks on the grill, Grilled Garlic Asparagus and Baked Beans

Friday: Buffalo Chicken Salad

Saturday: Simple Chicken Parmesan and Zia's Salad

Sunday: My Sweetie's Famous Reuben Sandwiches

I heart the Handyman...Because He Helps Me Organize!

Several years ago when we moved into our new home, we had grand plans to organize all of our belongings. However, two weeks after we moved in Sissyboo was born. Then four months after Sissyboo came along, I got pregnant with Double D. Organizing our new home would have to wait.

So, before number 3 comes along in a few weeks, we had a mission to organize our basement. We fell in love with this house mainly because it had a partially finished basement with a bedroom and bath and a living area. But, it also had a large unfinished area were we could use for storage.

Several weeks ago, My Sweetie and I (I held the boards) built these shelves to bring some order to our chaos.

Here is the before picture:


This is after we built the shelves:

I am embarrassed to say that this whole wall is nothing but decorations:


I also had My Sweetie install a bar to hang winter coats on as well as these garment bags:

I started organizing my wrapping paper and bags in these types of garment bags years ago! I put gift bags in one and wrapping paper in another. I love having everything right where I need it!

Here is another part of the basement where we put more shelves:

These boxes are mainly children's clothing and odd and ends:


I also had my Sweetheart Handyman install utility hooks to hang up my wreaths. Now I can just pull them down when I need them and they don't have to be squished into boxes.

They always say a girl looks for traits of her Father in her mate! I am so blessed to have My Sweetie as a wonderful handyman. On a weekly basis I tell Sissyboo that there isn't anything her Daddy can't fix or make for us, just like my Mom used to tell me!

Meal Plan Monday

Good Snowy Monday Morning! It is snowing again here in good ol' St. Louis! While my hubby loves the snow, I am ready for Spring to come early!

Last week I didn't plan a menu and boy did it cause a lot of problems! We arrived home mid afternoon on Sunday after a quick trip to Ohio for the weekend only to find out that there was a possible blizzard knocking on our door. So, after driving 6 long hours with the kids, my hubby decided he should go to Sam's and Wal-Mart before the storm! So, while he was at Sam's picking up the basics (nappies and wipes), I had to come up with a quick menu. Not only do I dislike not having time to plan, I also didn't send him with any coupons!!! I also didn't like any of the menu items I picked!

So here is to a better menu this week:

Monday: Crunchy Baked chicken legs and thighs, steamed cauliflower

Tuesday: Shepherd's Pie

Wednesday: Mrs. Weiss's Baked Ham and Cheese Sandwiches (one of my comfort foods)

Thursday: Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup, Chips and Guacamole

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Saturday: Day out with my sweetie (car shopping and dinner)

Have a wonderful week friends!

Lori

Snow Cream

I have to admit that I had never heard of Snow Cream until last year. Now that I have asked around, some people have told me that they have been eating it all of their lives! So, with all of the fresh snow, I thought I would try it out on my children.

Needless to say, they LOVED it and so did I! I was surprised that it almost tasted like Bryer's Ice Cream.

Ingredients:

1 gallon snow
1 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups milk

Directions:
1.When it starts to snow, place a large, clean bowl outside to collect the flakes. When full, stir in sugar and vanilla to taste, then stir in just enough milk for the desired consistency. Serve at once.

Double D took his first bite and announced that it was "Gooey"...which is his 17 month old way of telling me that it was GOOD!

Snow Storm 2011

Our meteorologist have been in full storm mode for the last few days. When the news meteorologist take off their sport coats and roll up their sleeves to report on the storm, you know there is bad weather is due.

However, we were a bit disappointed. What was forcast as an inch of ice and then on topped off with 18 inches of snow, turned out to be mostly sleet with an inch of snow. To say that we were a bit disappointed is an understatement.

My Sweetie loves snow. He was bouncing off the walls in hopes for a blizzard on Tuesday, only to watch it just sleet for hours on end. However, he did get the day off from work, which is always a blessing.

So, here's hoping to another blizzard, if anything, to thrill my honey!

Hoping you are all safe and toasty!
Lori

How To Make People Paranoid

While I take a break from blogging today, I thought I would share this funny little video with you.

How To Make People Paranoid

Blessings on a great day,
Lori

Leftover Chicken

Roast chicken has become a staple in my house over the last few years. I love how easy it is to prepare and I love that it will make two meals for my little family. Not only is it easy to prepare, but it is very inexpensive as well. You can make just about anything from appetizers, soups, and main dishes with the leftovers.

Lately, I have just started the week off roasting a chicken or two and cutting them up for recipes for later in the week. Most recipes I have found call for two cups of chopped up chicken, so I make up several two cup bags and put them in the freezer.

I came upon this great website www.leftoverchicken.com that you will have to check out. It has some great recipes to help you use up your leftover chicken. I love their chicken quesadillas! They are quick and delicious.

So if you aren't sure what's for dinner tonight, try roast chicken, it can go a long way.

Meal Plan Monday January 17 - 23, 2011

Good Monday Morning to you! With My Sweetie being home for The Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, we are heading out to an indoor play area with the kids. I love three day weekends, because it is more time I get to spend with my man!

So here is my menu for the week:

Monday: Bang Bang Shrimp (this is delicious and very close to the original at The Bonefish Grill).

Tuesday: Chicken Quesadilla's (these are my favorite and a great way to use up leftover chicken).

Wednesday: Grilled Brown Sugar Pork Chops and Spaghetti Squash with Honey Ginger Glaze (the squash is another Bonefish Grill favorite of mine. I have been making it for years).

Thursday: Chicken Creamy Soup

Friday: B.L.T.'s

Saturday: Ordering In Pasta House

Sunday: Beef Brisket

Have a very blessed week, Lori

Saving Money, One Trip to Wal-Mart at a Time

Most of you know that I love saving money and that I always try to have coupons for everything I purchase. I recently had a great experience during one of my trips to Wal-Mart that I just had to share.

This is why I am so crazy about coupons:


4 Bottles of Similac (Stockpiling for my little one coming in 10 weeks) for $3.36.
4 Bags of cereal for $1.00.
Oil of Olay Bar Soap (Twin pack) for $.48.
Hand Soap for $.12.

Grand Total Out of Pocket: $4.96.

There are so many great sites on the web that teach you how to use coupons and show you how to group and stack coupons to get the best deal.

It may take a little time to get started, but once you do, you will find saving money is totally addictive!

Take for example this week, I bought the entire weeks worth of groceries which I usually spend $200.00 or more, and purchased them all for $50.00! That included several types of cleaning supplies for my stockpile.

Keepin' It Real: Say Cheese...Please

I was in the laundry room recently when I heard an unfamiliar sound. I heard the refrigerator door open and then heard lots of laughs and giggles. I was shocked that Sissyboo could even open the refrigerator being that it is so heavy and hard to open. But nonetheless, there she stood, along with Double D...and cheese slices all over the floor.

Sissyboo also thought it might be a good idea to rub a cheese slice in Double D's hair!

Double D's cheese is stuck to the refrigerator! Isn't that where we all eat cheese from?

As we say in our house, the two little ones are thick as thieves. Both of them are always getting into something, and I just love it.

While most people raise their eyebrows when I tell them that my children are only 13 months apart, I wouldn't change a thing! They keep each other entertained and are each others best friends.

Every evening before bed, they give each other hugs and kisses. In the morning, Sissyboo always runs into Double D's room to get him up and give him his morning kisses!

Their evening kisses are always on the stairs through the rails. We call our stairs "The Kissing Stairs" because we always give kisses through the rails.

I am blessed beyond measure....even when the children make messes. Those messes represent the Lord's blessings of little ones in my home.

A 2 Year Old and Her First Chore Chart

I have always felt strongly in favor of chores. I think it is important to teach my children a strong work ethic early as well as having the children feel like they are doing their part to take care of their home.

Sissyboo does really well following directions and she is always eager to help. With starting a new year, I wanted to start her on her first chore chart. I found some great customizable chore charts at MoneySavingMom.com

Sissyboo's chores are the following:

~Clean up toy boxes in the am. (All the main floor toys are put away seperaly in white plastic boxes. Each toy has an individual box. No new toy comes out unless the other one is picked up and put away).
~Help set the table (we are currently doing training on where the spoon, fork and butter knife are to be placed with this printable table-setting placemat).
~Wipe down her part of the table after each meal.
~Clean up toy boxes in the pm.
~Brush Teeth (while this isn't a chore, it is to her! She hates to have her teeth brushed. It takes two of us to hold her down to get her teeth brushed...actually it's a chore to me too.)

Sissyboo gets a sticker (which she loves) for each chore accomplished and at the end of the week, will receive an age appropriate reward.

If anyone has any suggestions on other age appropriate chores, please pass them along my way.

Meal Plan Monday

I decided to take some time off from blogging after Christmas to get ready for our trip back to Ohio over the New Year's Holiday weekend. We all had a wonderful time visiting family and it made me miss home all over again. So, that makes this my first blog of the New Year, Happy 2011!

I have spent last week recovering from the trip and getting the house back in order after Christmas. I am not sure why I feel the need to put a Christmas tree up in every room of the house, because I hate taking them down. Next Christmas I am going to simplify the house decor quite a bit. (Especially since I will have a 3 year old, a 2 year old and a 9 month old!)

Speaking of simplifying, please stay tuned later in the week for a look at our project from this past weekend. It is amazing what can be done in just a day!

Here is my Meal Plan for this Week:

Monday: Chicken Pot Pie wit Two Crusts

Tuesday: Vegetable Pizza

Wednesday: Tomato Bisque and Toasted Cheese Sandwiches

Thursday: Roast Sticky Chicken and Vegetables

Friday: Slow Roasted Beef

Saturday: Out to dinner for my Mother-In-Laws Birthday