Menu Plan Monday

Its that time again and of course our menu is pretty frugal as usual. It's going to be a crazy week! I have a feeling that we won't stick to this plan but we will see.

MONDAY- macaroni and cheese(homemade), green beans

TUESDAY- *crock pot roast sticky chicken (recipe below), peas and rice

WEDNESDAY- grilled cheese, tomato soup, fruit

THURSDAY- eating out

FRIDAY- pork chops, garlic potatos, california blend veggies

SATURDAY- spaghetti, tossed salad

SUNDAY- on your own! What is on your menu plan this week?

Crock pot Roast Sticky Chicken-*I don't remember where I got this recipe or I'd gladly give credit

4 tsp salt

2 tsp paprika

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp thyme

1 Tsp white pepper

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp black pepper

1 large roasting chicken

1 cup chopped onion

In a small bowl, thoroughly combine all the spices. Remove giblets from the chicken, clean the cavity well and pat dry with paper towels. Rub the spice mixture into the chicken, both inside and out, making sure it is evenly distributed and down deep into the skin, Place in a resealable plastic bag, seal, and refrigerate overnight.

When ready to cook chicken, put the onions into the cavity, put the bird into the crock pot and do not add any liquid. As the cooking process goes on it will produce it's own juices. Cook on low 8-10 hours and it will be falling off the bone!

Spoiling the grandaughter

Last Friday we get a phone call...This little 5 year old voice goes " Can I come over and spend the night with you?" "Of course, Mimi and Papa love having our grandchildren." We made it clear just her and not her sister as 1 granddaughter is about all we want to handle at this time though. Jasmyne loved her stay so much yesterday. She didn't want to go home. Of course, everyone knows the job of grandparents is to spoil their grandchildren. Spoil them and send them away right? Guilty as charged! Jasmyne's request was Village Kitchen for breakfast, where she eagerly gobbled up a huge pancake and chocolate milk. Papa gave her a dollar plus she got to keep the change after paying the bill. We went to see great grandma and grandpa, saw our Aunt Sheila. Went to Rural King where we got to see oodles of baby chicks they had for sale. Papa bought her a Barbie fishing pole. We stopped at a garage sale where Mimi found nice clothes, her size, for 25 cents-50 cents. Jasmyne picked out some cute outfits and we ended up with a large stack of them plus a little toy. She also ended up along the way somewhere with some chocolate eggs Papa bought her. Hmmm... There is such freedom when you are a grandparent, spoiling the kiddos ( just a bit) is your reward for all the times you wish you could have with yours, but knew that wasn't the responsible thing to do. Giving in...what a great feeling!

Win It!....Goat milk soap

Win It! http://justanothernewblog.blogspot.com has got this great giveaway! 3 bars goat milk soap!This stuff sounds amazing! Each bar of soap contains over one ounce of raw goat milk. The alpine goats that produce the milk are not fed any antibiotics or growth hormones. This is all natural folks!www.goatmilkstuff.com is a family owned and run business right here in rural Indiana. They use natural fats, coconut oil and olive oil to make their soaps. The soaps are scented with high quality essential or fragrance oils. The colors of the soaps do not come from dyes or synthetics but from natural compounds and herbs. I like that alot! This could be very good if you have dry, sensitive, or itchy skin like me. Also if you want to avoid using chemicals on your children's skin or yourself, this is something you might want to look into.

Alphabet Game

I saw this on Ginas World on http://gmeldrum.blogspot.com/ It sounded like fun! Thanks Gina!

• 
  
  A is for your age: 51


• 
  
  B is for your burger of choice: Flame grilled with lettuce, tomato, pickles, mustard, ketchup and mayo


• 
  
  C is for the car that you drive: Mercury topaz


• 
  
  D is for dog's name: Sassafrass, she is a Yorkie/shit-zu


• 
  
  E is for an essential item you use each day: I think my computer is pretty essential!


• 
  
  F is for your favorite television show: American Idol with Dancing with the stars a close second


• 
  
  G is for favorite game: I am not much into playing games so don't have a favorite


• 
  
  H is for hometown: Angola


• 
  
  I is for instruments played: Guitar, I can play a little bit


• 
  
  J is for favorite juice: orange juice


• 
  
  .K is for what you'd like to kick: My frustrations


• 
  
  L is for last restaurant you dined at: Village Kitchen, We love that place and eat there alot!


• 
  
  M is for your favorite Muppet: Kermit


• 
  
  N is for number of piercings you have: 2 - one in each ear!


• 
  
  O is for overnight hospital stays: Lets see... None, unless you count when I had my kids


• 
  
  P is for people you were with today: My Husband and son


• 
  
  Q is for what you do in quiet times: Blog. Watch TV and Read


• 
  
  R is for regrets: No big regrets


• 
  
  S is for status: Married happily!


• 
  
  T is for time you woke up today: 6:00 am


• 
  
  U is for what you consider unique: people - each one is different


• 
  
  V is for favorite vegetable: just about any, I guess green beans


• 
  
  W is for your worst habit: procrastination


• 
  
  X is for x-rays you have had: Not too many, dental and Lung


• 
  
  Y is for yummy food you ate today: Special K...???


• 
  
  Z is for zodiac sign: I don't believe in that junk. But if you do...I am a Aquarius

If you read this, Please post one on your blog and let me know. All you have to do is copy and paste, then erase my answers and add your own. Have fun!

Walmart

Hubby and I went to Walmart last night, and I must say I was pretty pleased on the amount we spent. I was ready for the worst as, hubby loaded the cart with doughnuts ect. His excuse was he had a sweet tooth. Rule # 1, never bring your husband shopping unless you want to pay more. Anyways, this is my results:

• honeybuns(hubbys)
• riceworks chips(2 bags)
• 1 gal. water
• sweet pic frozen brussel sprouts
• sweet pic frozen steamable california blend veggies
• cottage cheese
• bologna lunchmeat (hubbys)
• 1 gal milk
• 1 lb macaroni
• 2 renu trial size
• 1 carefree pantiliners
• 2 liter a&w rootbeer (hubbys)
• yo-plus strawberry yogurt (2)
• 1 head of lettuce
• 2 kiwi
• 1 cucumber
• cake doughnuts (hubbys)
• 3 -20 0z G2 drinks
• 1 gal clorax bleach
• knox gelatin (3)
• 1 tide trial size
• 3 tomatos
• 1 bag marshmallows
• SUBTOTAL= $42.13

Minus $26.90 in coupons= $13.23 plus 0.73 tax= GRAND TOTAL=$13.96 Whoo-Hoo!!!!

Not a bad total considering hubby threw a few extras in the cart!

Thankful Thursday

I am dropping a quick Thankful Thursday post here because I don't want to miss it. Today I am thankful for....

For each new day! Yesterday was a pretty good day. I was able to accomplish more than I anticipated so I feel pretty good. It always makes me feel good when I finish up things that normally take forever and never get done.

I am thankful for this blog and blog party, meeting fellow bloggers has been a great joy to me. I guess I wasn't expecting much. but, I'm so very grateful!

For this computer I keep complaining about. It is running SLOW but hey, its running!

We are by no means "rich" or even "middle class" to some, but we've never had to do without something we needed our needs have always been met.

I am thankful that my life circumstance's are in his hands. Everything that happens to me has a purpose, and something good for me at the end and even though that might not look like anything more than a changed attitude.

Have a Thankful Thursday everyone!!!

Wonderful blog world

I am enjoying this ultimate blog party this week and meeting all of you bloggers out there. How about you? There are over 1,400 parties to attend and I still are only 1/3 through. I don't want to miss anyone neither. If you get a chance, stop by comfortjoydesigns.blogspot.comand sign up to win some pink champagne shower syrup. I don't know about you, but I love pampering myself with bath products! She also has an awsome blog. so, check her out!

Menu Plan Monday

I am using a mixture of ingredients I already have on hand and items I can get cheap each week. Another thing I am doing to save money is have a leftover night once or twice a week. Cooking for just the two of us can sometimes be hard and I always tend to make more than we can eat, accumalating in alot of leftovers.

Monday-Fish, french fries, tossed salad


Tuesday (breakfast for dinner) blackberry pancakes, sausage


Wednesday-pot roast with potatoes and carrots


Thursday-leftovers from Wednesday


Friday- Chicken stirfry, rice


Saturday- taco salad


Sunday- On Your Own

Blah...Blah....Blah.....

Hows your weekend? For us , its been a busy day. To start the morning, my dad and sister stopped in for coffee. I didn't expect to see my sister, but was glad she came too and always, we enjoy having them over. We always say the door is always open at our house! Yea, and spending time with my dad is important to me. My hubby offered to make breakfast but, then backed out at the last minute.That's fine with me, bless his heart, he can cook but, I don't have to clean the mess now. Yep, where else would we go for breakfast, but to our most favorite restaurant,Village Kitchen for omelets and the best coffee in town. yummm! We stopped at our first garage sale of the season after we ate. I didn't buy nothing, But hubby found a couple of items. Went to meijers for some more cheap bread, Aunt Millies bread was on sale for 99 cents a loaf and I had coupons for 35 cents off. Our Meijers doubles coupons up to 50 cents so it made each loaf 29 cents. I didn't' need bread yet but, at that price I can just throw them in the freezer. I also stopped at kroger and was surprised to see they didn't carry anymore 4 roll pkgs of cottonelle toilet paper. How dare them! I hope this is just temporary because I enjoy getting those single 4 roll pkgs for next to nothing. UGH! Okay, The rest of the day was wonderful! My Step daughter, her boyfriend,and our 2 beautiful grandchildren came to see us. They live a ways, so we do not get to see them much. Reese and Dalton are growing up so fast. All Reese kept saying was" where are all the other girls"? So, My daughter came with Abby and Jocelyne. They didn't stay long, but it satisfied little Reese to see her cousins again. There were lots of kisses , hugs, and I love you's a perfect ending to this day.

Lets Party!

Thanks for stopping by for the ultimate blog party! This party is hosted by 5minutesformom during the week of March 20th-27th. There is events and giveaways all week long!

My name is Susan and this is my first blog party! Thanks so much for stopping by. I am a christian and married to a wonderful husband of almost 4 yrs. He is my best friend. I feel blessed to have 2 children, 4 stepchildren (all grown) and 5 grandchildren (4 granddaughter's, 1 grandson) I live on a small fishing lake out in the country. I love fishing having and going to garage sales, I consider myself a dumpster diva kinda gal, Hee-Hee, I am always looking for ways to save money. I am a stay at home housewife, so saving money is very important and a priority for me, as, we live on one income. I love cooking and trying new recipes, I can knit and crochet a little bit, but it is not my favorite thing to do. I enjoy puttering around my veggie garden and take pride in maintaining it. I can and freeze my own home grown veggies. and of course spending time with my hubby and grandchildren are a great joy to me. I am very new at this whole bloggy thing and I just take it one day at a time. One of these days I will grasp on. I hope by via blogging I will meet new people and make new friends! I hope you will come back and visit often- I would love to hear from you all!!

I'm Back!

Well, I'm back! I don't know for how long though. I have been sick., what I thought was the start of spring allergies or something turned out to be just a nasty virus. I guess I should have guessed, because it came on so sudden. Yesterday I felt as if a mac truck ran over me. UGH! I couldn't stand to watch TV, read, play on the computer or nothing I couldn't even sleep because my head would hurt so bad just to lay it on the pillow. I took a shot of NyQuil before bed last night and I can honestly say I feel better. Not good, but better. As for my postings, I am not sure i will be posting every day. quite frankly I do not have the time to sit here all day on the computer and be able to do this plus keep up with my e-mail, surveys and what not. I have far too much to do the upcoming weeks and I am not getting it done. However, if I get my new computer and better yet, high speed Internet, it will not be a problem. So, we will see what happens within the next couple of months. Mean time I will try to do my best to post as often as I possibly can.

Menu Plan Monday

Well, Here it goes, another week of menus!

Monday- spaghetti, tossed salad, garlic bread

Saint Patricks Day!- corn beef with cabbage and red potatoes ( I am really looking forward to this)

Wednesday- Eating out, we usually eat out on Tuesdays, but, has been pushed forward for today because I wanted to make a Saint Patricks day meal on Tuesday.

Thursday- mac and cheese, salmon patties, green beans ( this didn't get made last week)

Friday- tomato soup, grilled cheese

Saturday-* Mexican lasagna, corn souffle ( this is just the bomb!) Check out recipe below!

Sunday- on your own

Be sure to check out orgjunkie.com for more meal planning ideas!

* Mexican lasagna

1 lb. lean ground beef

1 can (16 oz) refried beans

2 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. ground cumin

3/4 tsp. garlic powder

12 uncooked lasagna noodles

2-1/2 cups water

2-1/2 cups picante sauce or salsa

2 cups (16 oz) sour cream

3/4 cup finely sliced green onions

1 can (2.2 oz) sliced black olives, drained

1 cup (4oz) shredded monterey jack cheese

Combine beef, beans, oregano, cumin and garlic powder. Place four of the uncooked lasagna noodles in the bottom of a 13x9 inch x 2 inch baking pan. Spread half the beef mixture over the noodles. Top with four more noodles and the remaining beef mixture. Cover with remaining noodles. Combine water and picante sauce. Pour over all. Cover lightly with foil; bake at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours or until noodles are tender. Combine sour cream, onions and olives. Spoon over casserole; top with cheese. Bake, uncovered about 5 min. Yield: 12 servings

My best friend

I am enjoying my Sunday. How about you? It sure makes a difference when the sun is shining bright and it is warm enough outside to be comfortable with just a sweatshirt. I am taking it easy at home doing much of nothing. I was thinking about my friend who lives a few houses down the road. I haven't seen her all winter. I wanted to go visit her but, found out today she had packed up her belongings and went to Indianapolis. Did I miss something? I thought for a moment it was just temporary like a visit, but, it is not. For those who don't know, this lady is a wonderful christian lady who inspired me so many ways. We shared likes, dislikes, interest, pursuits, and passion. Last year when I lost our 2 boys (cats) who were hit by a car, she was there for me. When I was sick, she was there for me. When I was looking for a job, she was there for me. When I didn't have a sewing machine or I needed repairs done, yes, she was there for me. We prayed together, had coffee together, one time, before my couponing days, hubby and I were struggling. Becky walked to our house with 4 large bags of food. She said she had prayed about it, and God wanted her to share with us, as, she had way more than she could ever use. Becky has dementia, she also has fribroidmyagia and a number of other ailments. She can not work and has tried for years to get disability. She finally got it this last fall. Because of her dementia mostly, and her financial struggle from not getting her disability, she was forced to have someone live with her and help with the bills some. She was going to lose her house if not doing so. Her daughter helped the best she could but, it was putting a financial strain on her.Becky having no choice had her daughter and son-in-law and 4 kids move in with her. Becky lives in a small double wide, so you can imagine how crowded it was. She lives in Indianapolis with her sister now. I am told she may not be back. Becky's daughter and her family have taken over her house. Something happened between Becky and her grandson. She got mad and packed her things and is now gone. I do not know all the details. I never got to say goodbye to my best friend. I will miss her terribly. We had a genuine friendship, true friendship involving action, doing something for someone else while expecting nothing in return. We shared thoughts, feelings, without fear of judgement or negative criticism. We are real friends, best friends. Encouraging one another where there has been offense. We have genuine friendship, supporting each other during times of struggle. I love my friend. No matter what, and I want the best for my friend Becky.

What Makes You Happy

The Happiness Meme

I read this on http://shelly527in.blogspot.com This is a great way to remind ourselves what makes us happy.

For this meme, you are to list 6 random things that make you happy. Okay for me...

1. Learning to stockpile
2. Cutting coupons from the Sunday papers
3. My grandchildren
4. Yard Sales
5. Spending time with my husband
6. Sunshine

I am inviting all of you! Take a moment and let others know what makes you happy.

Grandaughters

Tonight we have the 2 granddaughters Jasmyne an Jocelyne with us spending the night. Actually it was only supposed to be Jasmyne but, Jocelyne her sister wanted to come too. We normally take just one at a time so....we will see what happens. Hubby and I have to get up early tomorrow morning, taking the girls with us to the farm and home expo, then we will go out for breakfast. I hope the girls will not be a problem. But, I am sure there won't be They have already put in their order for pancakes! As for tonight,I am getting the girls bath early, Papa is helping Jasmyne with a puzzle and Jocelyne is being Jocelyne. Bedtime will be soon. I love spending quality time with my grand kids!

Thankful Thursday

It's Thankful Thursday Again!

I would like to work on being thankful for what I do have rather than looking at what I don't.

I am thankful for the roof over our head. In today's economy many people are losing their home, I have a home, It may not be the home I've always dreamed of, but, at least I have a roof over my head.

I am thankful for a family and my wonderful better half to love and that they are always there for you no matter how stupid you act. That I can still laugh at the silliest things.

I am thankful I am able to be a stay at home housewife because of my ability to save money using coupons, rebates ect. and living frugal and enjoying it. At one time I never believed it was possible.

I am thankful for the new opportunities that await me next week and God and all his blessings has given me.

I am thankful that I have an opportunity to see and correct my mistakes.

I thank God I am in good health, for my ability to still remember little things, for his protection in my life and my loved ones.

What about you? What are you thankful for?

My yard sale and making a profit

I have been working all winter getting stuff for my yard sale in the spring. A typical yard sale at my house brings in about $100-$150 per day. Not bad really, considering I never advertise and live in a rural area. I feel advertising in our local paper is a bit pricey. This year however I am hoping to bring those $$ up. My primary goal with having my yard sale is to get rid of some clutter, but, the extra cash for my new computer will be nice too. This year I decided to do something different. Most of what I make will simply be recouping a small portion of money already spent. I expect to make a true profit on some of the things I'm selling. I am trying to make money by shopping for myself at yard sales. If you go to yard sales regularly, you will soon get a feel for how people in your area price certain things. Buy things that are under priced, whether you use them or not; take good care of them and sell them at your future sale for a price typical of your area. Look for deals throughout the year. Because of coupons, rebates, and store clearances, I buy a lot of personal hygiene products and other small items that are free or cheap. By the time yard sale season rolls around, my storage closets are over-flowing. I keep what I expect to use the next year, and sell the rest for about half of the retail value. Sell things whose value has appreciated since you bought them. Although I don't have much in antiques (most of mine are heirlooms) I am always keeping my eye out for such things. Although I haven't myself in a while, going to auctions and buying several lots of items, and then reselling what you don't want in those lots is yet another excellent way to make a profit. I look for deals throughout the year and have fun bargain hunting and whether I make $10 or $1000 at my yard sales, It is a profitable and fun experience.

All You Magazine Coupons: April 2009

I got my All You magazine in the mail today. If you've never heard of this awesome magazine, check it out. You can only find this mag at walmart or by subscription. Its jammed with coupons every month. There are lots of fantastic coupons this month, including a coupon for FREE rimmel mascara! and for $2.00/1 for the DVD called Faith Like Potatoes, just to name a few. The DVD really sounds good! It's based on a true story of Angus Buchan, a farmer that moves his family to South Africa and suffers a series of seemingly insurmountable losses, through unlikely friendships, and much needed divine intervention. He discovers his life's true purpose and it sustains his unwavering belief in the power of faith. This DVD comes out on April 7th. You can bet I will be adding this one to our DVD collection!

Menu Plan Monday

We love simple, comfort foods, nothing fancy, easy to make and frugal. This week fits just that. We also have been extremely busy and is only to get worse I am afraid. My hubby works for a dock service and is putting in his first dock of the season today Brrrrrr.....I am glad its him in the water. He is usually VERY busy now through Memorial day weekend. This is my menu for the week.

MONDAY- Goulash, garlic bread

TUESDAY- eating out (at our all time fav restaurant,Village Kitchen,they have cheap, good food, and the best coffee in town)

WEDNESDAY- roasted chicken, rice with peas and mushrooms, tossed salad

THURSDAY- fish, (bluegill from our lake), french fries, tossed salad

FRIDAY-grilled cheese,tomato soup, fruit

SATURDAY- salmon patties,macaroni and cheese, green beans(home canned)

SUNDAY- on your own

Dial-up Frustrations

Being on dial-up, I get frustrated and often end up surfing away from many blogs when they have alot of pictures on their main page simply because, it takes soooo... long to load their main page. I end up giving up trying to see it. Things often freeze up with my old computer while they are loading, and this is not just with that page but, everything else that I am doing on the computer, like audio streaming, Internet radio and web cast. Forget it! 3 hours to load, no joke! This all adds to the frustration levels. This makes me sad because many pages I don't revisit, they have interesting entries but, because of the long loading times, many of us on poor old dial-up are disadvantaged. I really shouldn't complain though. as I am lucky to even have a computer. When our last one went, we didn't have the money right then to get a new one. My husbands boss at work was kind to give us one of their old computers. (A little older than our last one) It was a great working computer but, memory was at its limits and SLOW. I guess hubbys boss even tried to crash it on purpose and he couldn't get it to do it. That says alot for Dell computers. I've had this poor thing for a year now and it is, you guessed it, SLOW. Dial-up makes this whole thing worse. I think my hubby is tired of hearing me from the other room ranting on so like I do everyday. Considering my location, Hughes net and dial-up are my only options. Hughes net is expensive and they know they can be. I am stuck with snail dial-up or no Internet at all for the time being. But, you can bet I will be getting a new computer and and looking into broadband as soon as we are able and sending the " old banger" to the scrap yard!

Gardening

• Spring must be here. My iris's are coming up. I am thinking of my garden. I love gardening. There is just something about playing in the dirt. My theme this year is simplicity. I hope this is enough to keep it interesting and not so much that it is overwhelming. Space is limited so I will plant the veggies I use the most and love. This year I will plant
• green beans
• cucumbers
• potatoes ( for new red potatoes)
• green onions
• radishes
• leaf lettuce
• tomatoes
• zucchini
• turnips
• yellow crookneck summer squash

In the past, I have always sent away for my seeds however, this year I will be buying all my seeds, onion sets, plants and seed potatoes at Rural King. I love that store! Do you have an accumulation of wood ashes from your fireplace or wood stove? They can be used in the garden as a soil additive. My husband was burning wood, leaves and such yesterday in our garden. I went B 5th!!! But, I now know, that wood ash has nutritional value and the ability to help neutralize acid soils, so, rather than throwing those ashes away, put them to work for you by adding them to your soil.

Perseverance

For me, these last few days have been extremly tough for me. I asked for some help from a fellow blogger and thought I would get some questions answered about some bloggy issues. I waited very patiently and patience is not my strength! People that know me, I mean really know me, know that I am a very determined woman. You can ask my hubby. If I want something or want to learn something bad enough I will do it! So, with my undying persistence, I thought, if I can't figure this out maybe my son could help me, after all, these young kids are a whiz setting up social sites and using those computer skills they have. so, he should be able to figure this simple thing out right? wrong! Perhaps, its just because it was late and the boy's welcomed stay was over as it was well after 10 pm. ( our bedtime) Hubby was very tired and wanted to go to bed. He was telling us very politely of course to make it snappy. Being on my own, I thought maybe this whole bloggy thing was a big mistake. I am very new at this and there are some really GOOD blogs out there, not like my poor pathetic one. But, determined as I am I tinkered around on my computer trying this, trying that, trial and error, and by surprise I finally figured it out yesterday. What is really amazing, it was the easiest darn thing to do. A little bit of pressure and perseverance, you are rewarded in the end!

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful for so many things. Gratitude is a great habit!

Today I am thankful for my hardworking, understanding husband who loves me and who is understanding even when I make mistakes. He is the most understanding husband in the world.

My dog Sassafrass, who likes to cuddle. She gives me alot of love, and I have given her the same back!

American Idol that is on again tonight. I know, not everyone agrees on this but, its one of a few shows I like to watch....which isn't very many...something to relax to...I love it!

I am thankful for friends, for the ones I have now and for the ones God will provide to me in the future.

I am very thankful for spring break next week. This means Monday I don't have to babysit my granddaughters which in turn, a break for Mimi too!

I am thankful the ice is off our lake and spring is just around the corner and.........most of all......

for God, showing me how to love his way and continual grace and mercy in my life!

Wordless Wednesday

Gossip

This has been on my heart for some time now. Are you a gossip? I have done it. I think we have all struggled or done it some time in our lives. On my side family this past year there has been more gossip than carters got cod liver pills, and not to mention, I seen it so much when I used to work outside the home. So, this is why I have felt so lead to write about this subject. I have prayed about this so many times. So......here it goes... just a reminder really for all of us....Gossip destroys. Spreading rumors, false accusing, backbiting, busy bodies whatever you want to call it hurts others. Who is going to trust us with anything when they think we will tell everyone else? It tears people down! It produces nothing good in a persons life period! Gossip really only ends up creating greed, hate and envy, It is also a way we judge others, which really isn't our job. God is the judge of people, not us. I believe gossip is a sign that we are not really active in our faith and in our lives. If you think about it, the busier we are the less time we have to gossip. We gossip out of boredom. It may start as a simple conversation about people and then escalates quickly. Wow! haven't we all been there. The bible clearly tells us to do more than discuss other peoples lives. Levictus 19:16 " Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbors life. I am the Lord"(NIV) If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it! Period! I believe God doesn't like these things because of the motives behind them and the damage they do to others. These actions divide and give way to others sins as Christian's, our mouths are to be instruments of grace. We need to use ours graciously in speaking to others.

Menu Plan Monday

It is all about simple this week!

MONDAY- spaghetti, tossed salad

TUESDAY- eating out

WEDNESDAY- chicken-n-stuffing in the crock pot ( we just love this and it's so simple) mashed potatoes, green beans(home canned) recipe is below

THURSDAY- chili, homemade bread

FRIDAY-leftover chili ( I think it taste better reheated the next day)

SATURDAY- beef and noodles, peas

SUNDAY- Defend For Yourself!


Chicken and stuffing

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts ( I have used frozen chicken tenders and you don't even have to defrost them- just use frozen)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 pkg. of stuffing ( like stovetop)
1/4 c.butter
1 1/4 c. water
Place chicken in greased crockpot. Pour undililuted soup over chicken. Mix melted butter, water and stuffing. Place on top of soup. Cook on low for 3 1/2-4 hours. If you are in a real hurry I have cooked it on high for about 2 hours and it comes out fine. We have this with mashed potatoes and a veggie.

CVS deal for 3/1

• This week isn't all that exciting for me and March isn't looking like a very exciting month so far compared to February. There are a few good freebies though. This is my CVS deal for this week...
• Carnation instant breakfast $4.99
• Gillette fusion gamer razor $7.99
• Slimquick Energy shot $4.99
• CVS vitamin D 400 100 ct $2.99
• Theraflu packets 6 ct. (2) $11.98
• Dawn dish soap .97 cents
• Playskool baby wipes $2.50
• Glucernia cereal (2) $6.88 (bogo for 50% off)
• total before coupons $43.29
• I used $17.23 in MQ's
• $4/20 CVS Q
• $20.00 ecb's
• subtotal $2.06
• .60 tax
• Total $2.66
• $20.97 ecb's earned

It wasn't too bad of a deal considering I did't do the dove deal like I was going to but, instead I got the theraflu and glucernia cereal and still made .97 cents more ecb's.