Too Cute Not to Toot!!

I feel like I've been posting Easter ideas since . . .2010 LOL  So . . yes, I'm getting a little tired of them but there are still some cute ideas out there - both related to Easter and not! 

First up is actually a new blog I just found.  I love to try new recipes - especially easy, but good recipes.  When I started reading through the posts on Val So Cal I started drooling and kept on going.  I already through all of her posts and copied the recipes I want to try so I can  put them in the "recipes to try" section of my recipe binder.  Make sure and check out her site - you might find something you like too!


 

This next one is a really cute rugged fishing game for boys (not that girls can't play) by Frugal Decor Mom.  This is something I really want to make for my boys  . . .I hope I can remember :-)

I do like this Easter idea because it is easy and cheap - plus it would be cute as a centerpiece.  It is an Egg Bouquet by Ms Not So Perfect (I like that name!).  It looks really easy but makes a big impact.

Scissors and spatulas shares a really adorable idea for a baby shower favor.  She found the boxes at Hobby lobby and than shares a really good popcorn recipe to fill the boxes with for the favor.  I think the next time I'm  in Hobby Lobby I'll have to look for these - I have a  few friends expecting in the next few months and they would make a cute "thinking of you" idea even a few weeks before they are due!

Now this is a really easy, adorable idea for spring/summer and it used up all of those plastic water bottles we aren't supposed to use because they fill up the garbage dumps. :-)  Crissys Craft gives a very easy to follow, step-by-step tutorial to make these flowers.  I think they would be a cute Mother's Day project for older kids to do.

When I saw this I had to share - it is a recipe for something called Peanut Butter Confetti Cake and it looks so good!!  Check out the recipe A pretty life in the suburbs.  I had to share it because it really is just too cute (and delicious looking!)

If this doesn't get you ready for summer, I don't know what will!  What a cute way to turn a cheap pair of flip flops into something really fun and whimsical.  Check out this idea over at Craftomaniac

This is an idea I've seen a lot around Halloween but have never seen these cute Bunnies that Oopsey-daisy shares in this cute post.  They are very easy to make and you probably have most of the supplies at home.  Instead of fabric, I've picked up clearance cloth napkins to make these as well (at least the ones for fall!)

I was looking at a blog for another idea and happened across this one which really looks like cute artwork.  I love it because it uses Hands :-)  Kid hand projects are just too great.  Check out the idea t Come Together Kids

Krafty Kat shares some really neat crafts to make with those plastic eggs which are so inexpensive!  (I found them cheaper at Hobby Lobby than the Dollar store too!!)

So many cute ideas out there and I'm noticing a tread, are you?  There are starting to be some really cute ideas for summer too.  I just keep saving them and am trying to not get distracted by all the great ideas while I'm trying to simplify my life (that lovely theme word of mine).  I have plans for so many of these cute crafts for next year . .. another theme word away :-)

From A-Z, everything you want to know about me!

I've seen this on so many other blogs and liked reading other people's lists so I decided to play along today!

A. Age: Almost 39!!

B. Bed size: Queen - I bought the set when I was still single and have loved it . . but if we had more room, we would upgrade to a king!

C. Chore you dislike: Cleaning the Bathroom.

D. Dogs: One - China.

E. Essential start to your day: A shower, without a doubt!

F. Favorite color: Green. 

G. Gold or silver: usually gold but I love my silver Pandora bracelet!

H. Height: 5'6"

I. Instruments you play(ed): Piano, Clarinet, and Voice :-)

J. Job title(s): Wife, Mommy, Creative Memories Consultant

K. Kids: Joshua and Nathan (and technically Darryl, he's just an older kid LOL)

L. Live for: Being the best I can be in all areas - my walk with God, with my kids, my husband and family.

M. Most embarrassing moment: I try to avoid them at all costs and therefore, I will avoid naming any!

N. Nicknames: My oldest brother calls me Jack-Baby and many people call me Jack.  But for the most part I'm just Jackie.

O. Overnight hospital stays: Yes - Tonsils when I was a kid; Gall bladder surgery when I was in my 20's, and that multiple hospital stays with both pregnancies both before the kids were born due to complications and than of course, when they were born.

P. Pet peeves: Being late. 

Q. Quote from a movie: Seriously?  I'm not sure!  I don't tend to remember lines from movies but I do love Anne of Green Gables and watch it a lot.

S. Siblings: 3 older brothers.  Did I mention they are all older than me? LOL

T. Time you wake up: The alarm goes off most mornings at 2:15  but I don't wake up until 10:00.  (think about it, you'll get it - I'm not a morning person  haha) Honestly - I do get up at 2:15 (or whatever time my husband has to get up on a given morning for his route) and make his coffee/pack his lunch.  Than I go back to bed.  I'd like to get up at 5:15 so I can take care of me first . . but a lot of mornings I push it and get up at 7:00 . .mornings are so hard :-)

U. University attended: Northland International University and Bob Jones University

V. Vegetables: Only if I have too :-(  I have recently learned to like asparagus...

W. What makes you run late: My Husband.

X. X-rays you’ve had: Dental x-rays, Chest x-rays, MRI for an ankle injury, Foot x-rays; x-rays when my gall bladder was asking to come out;

Y. Yummy food you make: Lets see - snickers pie would be one of the favorites along with Southern Peach Cobbler.  My husband says just about everything I make is yummy but sometimes, there are some big time flops! ha!

Z. Zoo animal favorites: Giraffes, Lions, Tigers . .ect.  Think African safari!

Hope you enjoyed that - I'm a pretty simple, complex person.  Yep, that's me!

Check out these Giveaways!

Giveaways!!

Aren't giveaways fun?  For one, there is a chance you might win something, and two, well .. .it's just fun to win!

There are three giveaways going on at blogs I follow and I wanted to share the good news!

First up is over at Ask Anna.

I've posted about her blog before during the recent spring cleaning challenge that she hosted.  She gives some really easy ideas for cleaning and I've enjoyed reading her ideas.  Her giveaway is for a gift certificate to As you Wish Design where you can design your own item like this:

You can enter too - just head over to "Ask Anna" and check it out!

The second one is over at itsybitsylearners .



This is for a Tot pocket to use for teaching my kids.  I've picked up a few of the packs she has created over the past few months and have been very impressed.  I would, of course, love to win this one as well!

So head over there as well and feel free to enter!

Finally, the third one is over at Sassy Sites.

This giveaway is sponsered by Tags-n-Stones and is for a $40.00 gift certificate to her shop to get something as cute as this!

There are also other giveaways going on at Sasy Sites all week so make sure and check out all of her posts :-)

Updated Reading Goal!

Back in January I did this post showing my book goal for January-April.  Well, I reached the middle of March and realized I needed to re-do this idea.  I think three months is better or I lose focus.  And I did.  Lose focus that is!  I have read quite a few books over the past few months but most of them were fun reads, not any of these listed!  I take that back, I did get a few read but  . .. lets start over for the next quarter.  So here are my books I'm hoping to get read over the next three months.

You may recognize a few many of these titles from last time but I picked up a few new ones too. 

1. Positive Mom - This is actually a book I'm going to be starting this week.  I'm doing this as part of an online Bible Study and am looking forward to it very much.
2.  The Duggars, 20 and counting - I really like the Duggar family and enjoy watching their TV show.  This book comes highly recommended from many people and I'm looking forward to reading it.
3. How to Talk so your Children will Listen - I can't remember where I found this book but it interested me.  I know all kids play deaf but I sure would like to maybe try to talk so they will listen :-)
4. Embrace Grace - I've wanted to read this book for years - and I finally got it!  I had ordered it last fall but canceled the order after never getting it; I finally remembered to order it again.
5. The Total Woman - I only want to read this because I saw it on a blog and thought - "Are you kidding me"? LOL  We'll see if I make it through this one.
6. Reshaping it all -  This is not a book I would normally have picked to read BUT I won it on a blog giveaway so how can I not read it?
7. Shepherding a Child's Heart - What is more important than this?
8. What he's REALLY thinking? - I read another book recently how understanding how your husband thinks only to discover that my husband didn't fit the norm :-)  I wonder how this book will rate.
9. Totally Desperate Mom - When my husband was employed at his previous job,  one of this stops was a publishing company - they would let him take the "extra" books so this is one of those he brought home.  I wanted to read it before I sell it.
10. Taking care of the Me in Mommy - This one came recommended to me as well - otherwise I don't know if would have picked it up.
11. The 6 stress points in a woman's life - I just like the author.
12. It Starts At home - again, what a great topic - teaching your children!

I'm actually finishing up "Falling Forward" by Sandi Patty right now (it was on the last list) and plan on starting the Duggar book as soon as finish that up (if not sooner!)

Weekly Organization Challenge - Week #12 - Coupon Binder

I totally missed posting Week 11 last week which was to clean your windows - inside and out.  I was in the middle of Spring Cleaning with Ask Anna which had also included some window cleaning so I didn't even think about it.  My windows are mostly done -I have not done the outside yet but considering the fact that there is snow on the ground AND I can't reach them, even on a ladder, which means my husband has to do them, I guess it is understandable.  (He takes out the screens and storm windows and I wash those while he gives me streak free windows!!)

So, lets move right no to week #12 which is building a Coupon Binder.  Just a week or so ago I wrote a post about Meal Planning (which was also a weekly challenge) and I included what I do for couponing in that post.

As a little bit of a review, though, I've tried it all.  Couponing is an awesome thing, if you do it wisely.  I've heard recently about the new show "Extreme Couponing" and how people literally have grocery stores in the basement and I have to ask myself, is that really wise?  Will they use that stuff up?  I know that some people are "addicted" to coupons and they get everything (Like cat treats) that they don't need and than give the stuff away to charity because they got it for free or next to free.  I, honestly, don't have time for that . .. . my time is precious for other things, not spending 40+ hours a week on coupons and shopping :-)

After trying tons of things from all kinds of coupon holders to SavingsAngel.com (which really is an awesome site - it just took more time than I was willing to give) I have settled on my coupon binder with the baseball card inserts. 

My binder is just a standard "Mead 5" zippered three ring binder.  I like the zippered feature because nothing falls out.  It has this nifty little mesh pocket where I keep pens and my calculator so that I always have them.  I order the whole set throughCoupon Magic Organizer a couple of years ago and got several different kinds of pockets.

I even keep my scissors for cutting coupons in this pocket so I always know where they are at when I need them.

I use this single "slanted" pocket holder in the front to hold my grocery list while I'm shopping and than I also use one at the front of my coupon inserts to hold coupons I need to file.

Than, I use the three slotted holders for the coupons for the week.  The bottom slot is the ones I pulled to use, than as I shop, I slide the ones I actually need to have at the checkout into the top slot and the ones I don't end up using into the middle slot. 

It is hard to tell but there are three long slots on each page (the coupons you see are actually coupons needing to be filed)

This set came with tabs but they did not work for me.  I found that by dividing my coupons by aisle in the grocery store it has saved me tons of time!  When I'm in the "ethnic/pasta" aisle and see something either on a special deal or "clearanced", I can just jump to that section and see if I have a coupon instead of leafing through pages of coupons to find one I need.  I also only put one coupon in a slot - even when I have doubles.  I want to see everything AND if it is a tall coupon, I don't fold it, I just let it cover up another slot.

Yes, because I have tabs that correspond with each aisle in the store, I have a lot of sections but I can't even explain in words how much easier this is to use for me!

See that tall TP coupon - it is so nice to NOT fold coupons - just slide them in and let them take up their space!

Another thing I don't do is that I don't buy 5 or 6 papers on a Sunday.  Sometimes we are lucky to remember to get one!  I've found that I really don't need that many coupons because I don't shop like that.  Instead I just use the one coupon I have to get what I need.  Printing coupons is great, just make sure and weigh the cost of ink and paper into what you are saving.  My printers uses ink like it is water so printing coupons was costing me upwards of $80.00 a month (the cost of replacing ink).  Now, I can go 2-3 months without replacing ink.  If you have a printer that will do "grayscale" - use it (mine does not thus, it uses a lot of ink!) 

I know that most "savers" really push the idea of buying and bulking up on your pantry.  But, I read a post at The High Heeled Housewife that really hit home.  Instead of always buying in bulk, write your menu for the week and ONLY buy the items you need.  I think you'll find you spend less money than you realize.  I know when I was doing SavingsAngel full force, yes I was getting tons of stuff but I was also spending $150.00 a week.  When I quit that and went back to only buying what I need, I spent $70.00 the first week.  Amazing, isn't it? 

For more ideas on couponing this week make sure and check out A Bowl Full of Lemons.

Swag Bucks

Have you heard about Swag bucks? 

As my blog slowly evolves, one of the areas I hope to talk about more is simple money saving ideas that I've tried and work (or don't work) for me.  As a single income family, any little item can make a difference.

I've been hearing about Swag bucks for ages but never really tried it until about the middle of February.  I just signed up for it (it's free) and used it to search anytime I want to find anything.  At first I did not set up the tool bar but, after about a week, I went ahead and added it. I found I search a lot more with the tool bar than without it. 

It is not a perfect search site by any means - Google or Bing are far better when it comes to specific things but, what I've learned is to search through Swag Bucks first and than go to something better if I can't find what I need.  Over the course of 8 weeks, I've earned almost 1000 swagbucks and I really don't search a whole lot either.

What can you spend these "bucks" on?? All kinds of stuff but what interests me most are the Amazon gift cards - you can get $5.00 for around 450 bucks and a $25.00 gift card to travelocity for hotel credit which is only around 370 bucks. 

Cha-Ching!  Another way to save money.  The amazon gift cards I can use towards gifts for Christmas and birthdays and the hotel credit - well, my husband and I like to get away 2-3 weekends a year so what a great way to help out on the cost!

I won't lie, if you sign up under me, I get referral credit so . . if you haven't tried it out yet, just click

HERE

and I should get credit!!!

Than, send it out to your friends and earn your own credit too!

Do you have a favorite site that helps you earn rewards that are good enough to use? 

Happenings in this House

That's it folks :-)  Yep, it has been a busy week and the camera did not come out much.  Don't you just love our dog?  She needs two pillows for her head, apparently!!! 

So what has kept us busy?  My husband started his new job on Thursday - something we did not plan for at all.  We had thought he might start this coming Monday but when he went to orientation on Wednesday they wanted him to start training on Thursday.  He is working for S. Abraham and Sons - which delivers wholesale grocery items to gas stations and convenience stores.  So far he really is enjoying the work and has liked the people that are training him (which is a plus since you ride together for 10-14 hours!).  This is a job that starts early though - right now he is getting up by about 2:15 so that he can be ready to leave on route by 3:45.  The 50 minutes commute makes that a little rough but he just goes to bed early (so no one call us after 8:00!!! ha!) So far that is the one big adjustment.  We don't know yet what his "route" will be - but when he was hired he was told that he would be going to Chicago and into Wisconsin so he would be gone overnight.  Until he is done training we really won't know what he will normally have to do - but for now, we are getting used to a new "normal" which includes him being home on the weekends. 

I hope each of you had a wonderful week too :-)  We have some fun things planned this next week so there should be more pictures!