Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Pumpkin Seeds
Butter-Flavored Cooking Spray (I used Olive Oil flavor)
1/8 tsp Salt

Rinse seeds; remove any stringy membranes. Place seeds in a single layer in 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan. Let stand at room temperature about 3 hours to dry.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place seeds in a single layer in baking pan. Spray generously with cooking spray; sprinkle with salt.

Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. (It usually takes more like 20 minutes for me)

Halloween 2008

This years pumpkin is done. It is not nearly as cool as last years, but it is still cute. Luke basically drew out the pattern, he wanted a vampire pumpkin. It took a while to clean it out, because I like to save the seeds and roast them. It takes a while to separate them from the pumpkin guts. I will share that recipe later. You can't really tell, but he has painted blood on the mouth to make it look "real". This year was a little sad for me. For the first time in about 15 years, Sarah did not help carve the pumpkin. She opted instead to go to the movies with her friend, which marks the first time she has gone out with a friend without an adult driving or present. I'm not sure I'm really ready for this. Here is last years pumpkin and my dog Tinkerbell in her costume. This year she will be a witch.

Tinkerbell 2007

2007

Best Pumpkin we have done...

Walgreens - WOW!

I haven't done this well in a while. It was really fun. Luke had to get his fingers in the picture.


1st Transaction
10)Pringles 10/$10 (rcvd $3RR)
1)Lysol Neutra Air Kit-Used $5.99 used $5/1 Mfg.
4)Bags Peanut M&M's - Used 2)$1/2 from Oct ESR
1)Theraflu Liquid
2)100ct Excedrin Extra Strength -Used 2)$2/1 mfg (rcvd $8RR)
2)Halloween Buttons $.44ea
3)Boxes Kleenex 3/$4 -Used 3) .50/1 (rcvd $1RR)

Used $5/$20 WAGS cpn
Paid $25 w/RX transfer gift card
Paid $2.09 w/Last months rebate gift card
OOP $3.75
Received: $12 RR
ESR Rebates: $3 Lysol Neutral Air, $5 M&M's

2nd Transaction
1)Flashing Halloween Mug - $2.24
1)Loreal Revitalift Night Cream - Free gift w/anti wrinkle conc
1)Loreal Anti Wrinkle Concentrate - 16.49 used $2/1 mfg
1)Loreal Cleanser - used $2/1 mfg - Oct FAR
1)pk Penway magnets (for new desk at work)-1.99
1)sheet Halloween Stickers 1.49
2)3pk Schick Quattro Razors -used 2)$2/1 OCT ESR, 2)$3/1 Nov ESR, B1/G1 mfg
Used $3/$10 WAGS cpn
Paid w/$12RR
OOP $12.55
ESR Rebates: Loreal Cleanser $7.99, Possible on Loreal Revitalift? $16.49,

Total Saved for trip: $92.78
Total OOP: $16.30
ESR Rebates to Claim: $15.99 at least - which will make my OOP $ .31. I would have done better if the Halloween stuff wasn't on sale and little man hadn't been with me.

My Great Nieces

Finally, pics of my great nieces. Aren't they beautiful!




Samantha Drew (left) & Elizabeth Kate (right) Gregory were born September 14, 2008

You can go here to see more pictures.

A Great Sunday Afternoon...

When Harry Potter went fishing (and dyed his hair blonde)....



Luke & Shayden
And then there was a horse...

Roasted CickPeas

Oh My Gosh!!! I love these things. I have never had a chickpea except when it is in my 15 bean soup and then I can't pick them out from the rest of the beans. But you roast those suckers and YUuMMMMMMY!! Here's how I do it...

1. 1 bag dried chickpeas / garbanzo beans (same thing, who knew?)
Open them up, rinse them off and put them in a bowl. Cover the beans with hot water and let them sit overnight (at least 8 hrs).

2. Drain the water, put them in a pot. Cover with water again and bring to a boil. Turn them down to a simmer and cook for about an hour.

3. Drain the water. Toss beans with 2 tbsp Olive Oil, 1/2 tsp sesame oil, some garlic powder, onion powder and salt (I use fresh ground sea salt). You can use any combination here, whatever you like. I really like the flavor the sesame oil adds, but it doesn't take much.

4. Spread the beans out on a cookie sheet or casserole dish in a single layer. Roast at 450 degrees for a while, check after 20 minutes and then every 5-10 minutes until they are light brown.

You could use canned chickpeas also, just skip step 1 & 2 above. They are great right out of the oven and over the next couple of days.

Menu Plan Monday

This is going to be a really busy week, so we will see how it goes...

Monday - Baked pasta, garlic bread, salad

Tuesday - Have to take Sarah to Winston for a People to People Meeting - She wants to go to Australia next year, I am taking her to the meeting to enter the drawing to win the tuition for this trip. Otherwise she will not be going because I am still paying for the Japan trip.

Wednesday - Church - 15 Bean Soup in the crock pot

Thursday - Soccer Practice - Ham, Mac & Cheese, Broccoli, Green Beans

Friday - Girl's Conference @ Church, we will be having pizza

Saturday - Pork Chops, Rice, Green Peas

Sunday - I don't know yet.

For more great (and much better) menu plans visit orgjunkie.com

CVS

I've been really slack here lately. Not just in posting, but in working the deals at all. I got out of the menu planning practice when we went to the beach and just haven't been able to get back into it. Hopefully next week I can start that back up. I did finally make it to CVS yesterday to work some of this weeks deals. I started out with $8 ECB's and did 4 separate transactions.

2)Bic Soleil Razors (used 2)$2/1 cpns)
2)Colgate MaxFresh Toothpaste(used 2)$1/1 cpns)
1)150ct Motrin IB (used $1/1 cpn)
1)125ct Tylenol Extra Strength (used $2/1 cpn)
1)8oz Tylenol Cold liquid (used $1/1 cpn)
1)32oz Vitamin Water
1)3ct Wellpatch Arthritis Relief pads (used $1/1 cpn)
1)14ct Always Infinity Pads

Total OOP: $7.40
ECB's for next time: $13.26

**This deal would have been better but my CVS has changed their cpn policy. They will only take 1 cpn per transaction for each same product. So I had to purchase the 2 Bic razors in two separate transactions and the 2 Toothpastes in two separate transactions. I didn't have my deals worked out that way so it messed me up just a little bit. I still don't think I did too bad.

Menu Plan Monday-a day late

Monday - Leftovers from weekend
Tuesday - Black Bean & Corn Soup, Open Tacos
Wednesday - Split Chicken Breast in Crockpot, Broccoli, Rice, Rolls
Thursday - Kielbasa, Potatoes, Salad, Garlic Bread
Friday - Meatloaf, Black-eyed Peas, Creamed Potatoes, Bread
Saturday - Roasted Lemon Chicken Breast, Rice, Green Beans
Sunday - leftovers

Check out a lot of great menu plans at orgjunkie.com. I love that site.

Deals this week...

FOOD LION
5) 12 pks Pepsi products - 5/$10
1) 2lt Sierra Mist Free - mfg cpn free w/purchase of Pepsi 12 pack
6) 2lt Diet 7UP - sale for .99 used 3)B1G1 free mfg cpns
1) Wholesome Goodness Cat food Cup - mfg cpn for free cup
1) Gerber Nail Clippers - $2 off any Gerber accessory FLIP
5) cans Food Lion Veggies - 5/$3
2) cans Hanover Black Beans - .42 each
1) Crystal Light Canister - cpn for free from All You Magazine/August
OOP: $16.45 / Total Saved: $18.13

LOWES FOODS
2) 4PK Dbl Rolls Lowes Toilet Paper - B1/G1
4) Meow Mix Market Select Cat Food - 2/$1, used a $1/4 mfg cpn
1) Suddenly Salad - $1, used .40/1 doubled
2) Ronzoni Healthy Harvest - 2/$3 sale
1) Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Salad Dressing - free w/cpn from August All You
4) Carolina Pride Smoked Sausage - B1/G1 sale, used 2) $1.50/2 mfg cpns
OOP: $9.62 / Total Saved: $23.38

**Actually all of this was free - I signed up for the WS Journal with a nice man who gave me a $10 gift card for doing so. Hubby gets the paper out of the stand every day, so this will actually save money in the long run.

WALGREENS
2) Puffs Tissues - .89 w/in ad cpn, used 2).25/1
3) 10pk Prep H Wipes - used $2/1 WAGS cpn / 3)$3/1 mfg cpns -overage
2) Scrubbing Bubbles Gel Toilet Clnr - raincheck 2/$4, used 2)$1/1 mfg cpns
2) 5lb Domino Sugar- raincheck 1.99, used 2).25/1 mfg cpns
2) Rimmel Glamour Eyes Mascara - B1/G1, used 1)$1/1 mfg cpn
3) Peter Pan Peanut Butter - 3/$5 w/in ad cpn, used 3)$1/1 mfg cpns
2) Dawn Dish Detergent - .99 w/in ad cpn, used 2) .25/1 mfg cpn
OOP: $16.22 / Total Saved: $63.43

Will get $2 ESR back for Scrubbing Bubbles

I got too much at WalMart to break it all down..I got a mix of groceries, clearance summer shoes for next year, a $6 Spider Man Magazine for little man because he had such a good first week at school (didn't get in trouble once).
OOP: $60.75 / Total Saved: $22.00

So to sum up This weeks shopping...
Total OOP: $103.04 / Total Saved: $126.94

Good week for me!

Free Stuff

Since yesterday, I have been to Food Lion, Lowes Foods, Walgreens and WalMart. Here is just what I got free either with coupons or B1/G1 free sales...

1) 2lt Sierra Mist Free
3) 2lt Diet 7UP
1) Gerber Nail Clippers
2) Crystal Light Canisters
1) Wholesome Goodness canned cat food
1) 4 Double Roll pack Lowes Foods Toilet Paper
1) Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Salad Dressing
2) Carolina Pride Smoked Sausage
3) 10pk Preparation H wipes
1) Rimmel Glamour Eyes Mascara
1) 16 slice Kraft Cheese
1) Apple Shaped Post-it Notes (Christmas for Teacher)
1) Cascade Crystal Clear Rinse Agent
2) 16 ct pack Kotex panty liners

Total Savings in freebies alone: $54.52

Menu Plan Monday

I didn't have a menu plan last week because we went to the BEACH on Tuesday and came back on Friday - having a hard time getting back into the swing of things. I will post pics of the beach and also my awesome soccer players (they came in second in the Soccer Spectacular this weekend) later this week.
Monday - Take Kiddos out to eat to celebrate and talk about the first day of school.
Tuesday - Split Chicken Breasts, Green Peas, Pierogies
Wednesday - Ham, Mac & Cheese, Broccoli
Thursday - Left overs
Friday - Beef Stirfry w/onions, Rice, Green Beans
Saturday - HotDogs, Chips, Slaw, Baked Beans
Sunday - ????

Check out all of the great menus at orgjunkie.com

Way 2 Save

I thought I would give an update on my Way2Save account at Wachovia. You can read my first blog about it here. I opened this account around the middle of April, 2008. I have $50 transferred once a month from my checking account into this account. Other than that, the only time money goes in is when I use my debit card or pay a bill online. Each time that happens $1 is transferred from my checking a/c to my
Way2Save a/c. So far....are you ready?....I have accumulated $490.74 in this account. In just 4 months and really I haven't missed the money at all. If you had asked me in April if I could save $500 in 4 months, I would have said "no way!!!". But I have. I am hoping to just leave this money alone, but it's nice to know that I can do Christmas without credit cards this year. I've got other things in line for Christmas, InboxDollars, EBates, MyPoints, VisaExtra Points all kinds of things in the works.

Luna Moth

This is what we found on our back door yesterday morning when we left for work(don't look at how dirty my door is, this is the one the dogs hang out at). Back in the spring, Luke's class read a story about a Luna Moth in school and the next week he found one sitting on the bug zapper light when we were leaving for school one morning. I got him a container to put it in and he got to take it to show his class a "real" Luna Moth. They turned it loose as soon as everyone had seen it. He was so excited. The one yesterday morning is the third one we have seen this year. I don't remember ever seeing them before. I found this interesting information this morning. I hope they come back next year.

Walgreens

1)96oz. Bleach Sale $ .99 / $.99
2)Scott 4 Roll TP- In Ad Cpn $1.99- 2)$1/1 mfg cpn- $1.98 for 2
2)33.8oz Suavitel- In Ad Cpn B1/G1- 1) $ .50/1 mfg cpn- 2.29 for 2
2)Toilet Bowl Tablets-In Ad Cpn B1/G1- $ .99 for 2
2)Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner-Sale B1/G1- 2)$ .50/1 mfg cpn- $2.29 for 2
4)Planters Cocktail Peanuts-Sale B1/G1- 2)$3/1 mfg cpn- $ .98 for 4
6)8ct Bic Ultra Grip Pens-Sale 2/$1.00- 3)$2/1 mfg cpn- free for 6
1)Roll Film Developed-In ad cpn good last Wednesday when I dropped it off / free

Total Spent - $5.18 (Used $5 RR from Kellogs deal last week)
Total Saved - $44.19

Menu Plan Monday

This weeks menu is going to be a little difficult as we have something to do every night this week, but hopefully I will still be able to manage this....
Monday - Italian Chicken, Broccoli, Rice, Rolls
Tuesday - Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Salad
Wednesday - Black Bean Soup, Open Tacos
Thursday - Ham, Mac & Cheese, Broccoli
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Cheeseburgers, Chips, Pork & Beans
Sunday - ????
Check out all the other great menu plans at orgjunkie.com

Menu Plan Monday

Better late than never...

Monday - Beddar Cheddar Smoked Sauage, Pierogies, Grilled onions
Tuesday - Sesame Baked Chicken, Rice, Green Beans
Wednesday - Home made Pizza
Thursday - Black Bean Soup, Open Tacos
Friday - Ground Pork & Potato Balls, Rice, Broccoli, Bread
Saturday - Smoked Sausage, Green Beans & Potatoes, Bread
Sunday - ????

Check out all the great menus at orgjunkie.com

Great trip to Lowes Foods

I went twice - before work and again at lunch so that I could do the meal deal twice.

2)Lowes Foods Boil-in-bag rice - free w/meal deal
2)Lowes Foods 16oz frozen veggies - free w/meal deal
2)Lowes Foods Mini Garlic Bread - free w/meal deal
2)Lowes Foods 1/2 Gallon Ice Cream - free w/meal deal
2)Perdue 1.8lb Chicken Breast Italian Marinated - 8.99 ea
3)Hunts 24oz Ketchup -5/$5- used 3).50/1 mfg cpn -.60 ea
2)Lowes Foods canned Black Beans - .60 ea
1)Lowes Foods Skim Milk (Gal.)- free w/4 Kellogs Cereals
1)Kellogs Apple Jacks -3/$4.98- $1.66
2)Kellogs Rice Krispies -3/$4.98 used 2)$1/1 mfg cpn- .66 ea
1)Kellogs Shredded Wheat Blueberry Muffin-2/$4 (Try me free rebate on box)-2.00
1)Jello Singles -1.99- used .50/1 mfg cpn doubled- .99
2)Daisy 8oz Sour Cream -10/$10 -used 2).50/1 mfg cpn doubled- free
9)Betty Crocker Brownie Mix -3/$1.98- used 8).50/1 mfg cpn doubled- $1.06 ovg
1)Uncle Ben's Cajun Style Ready Rice-2.75-mfg cpn/free-free
1)2-Liter Diet Squirt - 10/$10 - $1.00

OOP: $28.81
Saved: 49.90
*Plus, I will get $2.00 back from my Shredded Wheat Rebate (went out in the mail this am)

This sale ends today....

International Traveler

This is the very nice family that Sarah stayed with for the weekend in Japan. She had a great time and the homestay was her favorite part of the trip.



When I picked her up at the airport one of the leaders told me Sarah had a surprise for me. His name was Matthew. She came home with a boyfriend. He lives in Texas so it will be a long distance courtship.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday - Hamburgers, Potato Salad, Pork & Beans, Chips
Tuesday - Will be in Charlotte taking Sarah to the Jonas Brothers Concert
Wednesday - Salad, Baked Potato before church
Thursday - Heading up Crafts for VBS at local pregnancy center
Friday - Cubed Steak, Stewed potatoes, Salad
Saturday - Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, Chips
Sunday - Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Salad

For more great menu ideas check out orgjunkie.com.

My Little Cowboy...

Friday night we went to the rodeo at the Yadkin Valley Ranch. Last year, Luke did the Mutton Busting and has talked about it every since. So this year we signed him up again. He was improved this year, but still didn't stay on the sheep long enough for me to get a picture. After that he wanted to ride the mechanical bull...

As cute as I think it is, I have to wonder if I am encouraging something I will live to regret.

Scrubbing Bubbles Deal

In Sunday's Smart Source insert there was a mail-in rebate form for a Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber starter kit (up to $5.69 value). Pair this up with the $2.75/1 printable coupon here and you not only get it for free, but you make $2.75 on it.

I have two of these (one in each bathroom) and I LOVE it. I will definately be getting a third to have the refill pads if nothing else.

Free Samples

Glad Force Flex

Biore Sample

Tide Total Care

Nivea for Men

Playtex Gentle Glide

Kotex

Cheerios

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday - Ham, green beans (from the garden), zucchini & onions, corn, biscuits
Monday - Keilbasa, green beans, potatoes, cucumbers & onions
Tuesday - I won't be home, soccer coaching class
Wednesday - Chicken Alfredo, salad
Thursday - Baked potato & salad
Friday - Hamburgers, potato salad, pork & beans, chips
Saturday - Sarah comes home from Japan!!!!!, will probably eat out on way back from Raleigh airport

For a lot of menu ideas check out orgjunkie.com.

Walgreen's Deals 7/20 - 7/26

You can pick up an ad in the front of the store that will have the coupons in it.

11oz. Dawn Dish Liquid - .99 w/in ad coupon (Limit 2)use .25/1 mfg coupon get it for $ .74 (I wouldn't get this unless you have a mfg coupon to use with the in ad coupon)

Penway Filler Paper (130 sheet college ruled / 150 sheet wide ruled) -.29 w/in-ad coupon (limit 3)

Penway highlighter assorted colors - .05 w/in ad coupon (limit 3)

Penway Mini Composition Book - .05 w/in ad coupon (limit 4)

Paper Mate Mechanical Pencil (5pk) - .05 w/in ad coupon (limit 3)

Penway 2 Pocket Folder - .05 w/in ad coupon (limit 5)

Penway Wood or Flexible Ruler - .19 w/in ad coupon (limit 3)

Penway No. 2 pencils, 10pack - .19 w/in ad coupon (limit 3)

Bic Brite Liner Highlighters, 5pack - .39 w/in ad coupon (limit 3)

6oz. Blue Diamond Almonds - B1/G1 free - $1.65 each - (limit 4)

Reynolds Aluminum Foil, 20sq ft - .89 w/in ad coupon, I also have 3).55/1 cpns so I will get 3 rolls for .34 ea (limit 4)

Kashi Cereal 2/$5 - go here and sign up and you can print 2) $2/1 coupons which will make it $1 for 2 boxes or .50 each:


That's the best stuff I see right now :-)

Check out cherrypicker for her deal ideas - Robin, she has some baby stuff broken down.

Free Stuff

Benefiber Sticks here
Rebate for Smart Start Strawberry Oat Bites or Frosted Mini Wheats Blueberry Muffin Cereal here
Pond's Clean Sweep Towelettes here. Just leave the Costco Membership # field blank.
Jiffy Mix Recipe Book here
Greenies Dog Treat Samples here
Free Sammie at Quiznos here

Free Johnson & Johnson's Mom Kit full of Samples
and Coupons: Call 1-866-565-2229 option 1 (automated)

Kotex Sample Pack

Free sample pack includes a $1/1 coupon..here.

True Lemon

I have been using True Lemon for over a year now and I love it. I have just recently tried the True Lime and True Orange and they are great too. It makes it so much easier for me to drink water like I should. It's just too much trouble to keep a lemon cut up to squeeze in a glass of water when I want it, but with True Lemon the same taste is always available right out of my cabinet. Go here for a free sample and try it for yourself. If you like lemon or lime in your water you will love True Lemon.

Food Lion & Lowes

Today was the last day for this weeks sales so I had to stop by for just a few things..

Food Lion
2)Bundino Pepperoni Pizza B1G1
3)pkgs Kool-aid
1)16oz can Planter's Cocktail Peanuts

used:
1).50/1 Bundinos
1)$3/1 Planters nuts when you buy 3 kraft products (Koolaid is a Kraft Product)

$2.72 OOP
*I have a rebate form to get $2.50 back on the Bundinos, which will make my oop $.22

Lowes
$ 0.00 3)8oz Daisy Sour Cream used 3).50/1 doubled
-$2.00 4)6.4oz Colgate Toothpaste used 4).75/1 doubled (made .50 overage on each tube)
$ .56 1)Betty Crocker Warm Delights used 1).55/1 doubled
$ 2.50 2)Chex Cereal used 1).75/1 doubled
$ 2.69 1)JFG Mayonnaise used .40/1 doubled
$ 2.20 5)Yoplait Whips used 1).40/4 doubled & 1)B4/G1 made them $.44 each
$ 2.79 1)Woman's Day Magazine $2.79 (It was an issue dedicated to saving money)
$ 1.50 1)head of lettuce
$16.99 1)4lb box Bubba Burgers (12 Burgers) with this I got the following free:
$ 0.00 1)2lb tub Star Potato Salad
$ 0.00 1)2lb tub Star Cole Slaw
$ 0.00 3)cans Lowes Pork & Beans
$ 0.00 2)8ct Lowes Hamburger Buns
$ 0.00 1)11oz bag Lowes Potato Chips

$27.91 OOP $37.01 Saved

Walgreens

I did this in two transactions...

2)Kotex Maxi Pads-24 ct
2)Dove Deodorant
2)Dove Cream Oil Lotion
1)12oz. Celebrity Canned Ham
1)1/2 gal skim milk
1)Pledge Aerosol w/free Pledge duster
1)Pledge Multi Surface Wipes
1)200 SQ Glad Cling Wrap
1)Schick Quatro for Women
1)FlaVorIce popsicles

Used:
2)$2/1 Kotex
2).75/1 Dove Deodorant
2)$1.50/1 Dove Lotion
1)$2/1 Pledge Aerosol
1)any Pledge product free w/purchase of Pledge Aerosol
2)$3/$10 (one on each transaction)
The Schick Quatro was a free gift if you bought the deodorant
$2 Register Rewards from Kotex Pads
$5 Register Rewards from purchasing 4 Unilever products (Dove)
$11.79 Gift Card from last months rebates

Bottom Line:
$ .87 OOP
$2.00 Rebate for buying 2 Pledge products

I Love CVS!!

I got this in two transactions...

1st Transaction
2)Maalox Advanced (12 oz)
2)Sure Deodorant & Antiperspirant (3.3oz)
3)Sally Hanson Hard as Nails
1)CVS Facial Cleansing towelettes (15 ct)
Used:
2)$2/1 Maalox
1)$5/2 Maalox CVS cpn printed on my receipt at last trip
2)$1.50/1 Sure Deodorant
1)$3/2 Sally Hanson from Beauty Book(print at 50%)
1)$2/1 CVS Skin care from Beauty Book (print at 50%)
1)$3/$15
$5 ECB (from last trip)

2nd Transaction
1)Excedrin PM (24 ct)
1)Excedrin Back & Body (24 ct)
1)Excedrin Extra Strength (100 ct)
Used:
1)$2/1 Excedrin PM
1)$2/1 Excedrin any 100 ct
1)$3/1 Excedrin CVS cpn printed on my receipt at last trip
1)$3/$15
$3 ECB (from Sure Deodorant-from 1st transaction)
$1 ECB (from CVS facial towelettes-from 1st transaction)

Bottom Line:
$ 7.77 OOP
$10.00 ECB made for next trip ($20 worth of Excedrin)
$ 4.79 rebate on Excedrin Back & Body
$ 2.69 rebate on Sure deodorant
*I made $9.71 on these two transactions

Menu Plan Monday

Monday - Sonic w/Luke (Have to go to town to get a RX filled) - We ended up at McDonald's
Tuesday - stuffed zucchini, grilled onions, roasted potatoes - I didn't feel well and Luke was starving when he got home from Church camp so he had Bundinos, I had cereal.
Wednesday - sandwiches, chips
Thursday - Hamburger helper, veggies, bread
Friday - Kielbasa & potatos, Green beans, bread
Saturday - Warthogs Game w/church - Ball field HOT DOGS!!!!!!!!
Sunday - ????

Check out all of the other great menu plans at Laura's site

International Traveler

Well, we got Sarah on the plane yesterday morning. I wish I had taken a picture in the airport, but we left the house at 1am for the 3 hr drive to Raleigh (she had to be there at 4:30 am) and I wasn't thinking really clear. Her flight was to Leave Raleigh-Durham airport at 7:20 on 7/13, arrive in Chicago at 8:20, depart Chicago at 12:15 and arrive in Tokyo, Japan at 3pm 7/14. I am not sure how time zones are affected and I'm not sure which time zone these times listed are in, but according to one of the leaders I asked yesterday they will arrive in Japan at 3pm our time today. That means she will be traveling for a solid 31.5 hours, and according to the itnerary from People to People they hit the ground running in Japan. She is supposed to call me when she gets there, but I am not sure when she will get to. Keep her in your prayers.

Menu Plan Monday

Better late then never...
Monday - Bacon, Eggs & Toast - This was good, we used the plum jelly that I made over the weekend on the toast.
Tuesday - Loose Meat Sammies, grilled onions, potato chips, cucumbers - I used ground pork this time, not as good as ground beef, but still good
Wednesday - out before church
Thursday - Lemon Pepper crock pot chicken, pasta salad, cucumbers, peas - This was ok - I just poured a bottle of Mrs. Dash lemon pepper marinade over split chicken breast in the crock pot, but I don't think I really like lemon pepper. The kids didn't eat it either.
Friday - Johnsonville smoked sausage links, potato chips, pasta salad, cucumbers -I have decided to take Sarah & Luke out to eat tonight to spend some time with "sissy" before she leaves. We will have these tomorrow night.
Saturday - Fend for yourself (I will have to go to bed early-have a 2 1/2 drive to have Sarah at airport at 4:30 am) - Johnsonville smoked sausage links, chips, pasta salad that we didn't have last night.
Sunday - ???

Stone Mountain

Some pics from our picnic at Stone Mountain, we had a great time. And FINALLY some pics of Sarah. She leaves Sunday for Japan, keep her in your prayers.

Luke's last T-Ball game of the season

Getting ready to play!

Batter Up...

Watching the ball?

VBS

I just wanted to share some pictures from our VBS kick off Carnival last night... The kid's love the fire truck - our local volunteer fire department comes out every year and sprays them down. The kid's drama they will be doing on a mission trip next week... The fun stuff... My room, I will be teaching kids going in to kindergarten.

Menu Plan Monday

I will not be cooking at all this week. It is VBS week and we will be eating at church every night thanks to the wonderful ladies who volunteer for this important part of VBS. I will share what we will be having each night.
Monday - Hamburgers, chips, salad, desserts
Tuesday - chicken sandwiches, chicken nuggets, french fries, salad, desserts
Wednesday - fried catfish, fish sticks, french fries, slaw, hushpuppies, desserts
Thursday - BBQ, slaw, french fries, hushpuppies, baked beans, desserts
Friday - Pizza, Salad, desserts
Saturday - will probably sleep right through supper after the full week we will have
Sunday - VBS Commencement: Homemade ice cream, desserts, finger foods
Check out Laura's site at orgjunkie.com for lot's of great menu plans.

Father's Day

My daddy, I don't know what I would do without him. That's my older sister, Sabrina to the right of him.



Sarah and my little sister, Niki hiding from the camera.

Loose Meast Sammies

OK, so far this week (so today is only Tuesday, so what?) I have been following the menu plan. Tonight, I had planned for Sandwiches and pasta salad. I did veer a little, we had sandwiches, but they were loose meat sammies, not ham & cheese like I had planned. I found the recipe yesterday here while cruising around on some other blogs. I also fixed crashed hot potatoes. I found that recipe here. The loosemeat sammies are soooo good. The recipe is so easy it is not even funny....
1 lb ground meat (beef, chicken, turkey, pork) (I used beef this time)
1 med onion, chopped fine (I left this out this time)
1/2 tsp onion powder (because I left out the onion)
3/4 tsp garlic powder
2 dashes of salt (I added just a little bit more after tasting)
1 dash black pepper
1 pk (8) hot dog buns

Brown the meat; when almost all browned add the onion and cook until translucent. Drain grease if needed. Add onion powder, garlic powder, salt & pepper. Cook a few more minutes until the flavors blend.

Here's where it gets interesting - you top the sandwich with whatever you like. I scooped out a little of the hot dog bun, to make more room for the meat. I put mayo and A1 on mine, Luke just put mayo on his. You could add cheese, hot sauce, sour cream, catsup, the possibilities are endless. And it tasted great. Also, it was enough to feed a family of four with just 1 lb of hamburger.

I hadn't planned on the onion,zuchinni and carrot but when I came home R had brought a zuchinni in from the garden. It was the first one, so I just had to cook it. I also used chives and rosemary from my herb garden on the potatos.

Menu Plan Monday

I have really been slacking lately. Last week I was sick and since I am the only one in the house that cooks, we ate whatever we could find just about all week. So this weeks menu was pretty easy to come up with...

Monday - Pasta w/Peas & Sausage, Salad, Garlic Bread - This was ok - probably won't fix again
Tuesday - Sandwiches, Chips, Pasta Salad - Loose Meat Sammies, Crash Hot Potatoes, Onions/Zuchinni/Carrots
Wednesday - Out before Church - Leftovers
Thursday - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Bread - I went to do VBS visitation tonight, so we had the sandwiches and pasta salad that we didn't have Tuesday tonight.
Friday - Left overs - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, zuchinni & onions, garlic/cheese biscuits.
Saturday - ???? - Succulent grilled porkchops, Grilled zuchinni & onions, pasta salad.
Sunday - Spaghetti, Salad, Garlic Bread - VBS carnival cookout

Check out more great menu ideas at orgjunkie.com