On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Last week I finished reading On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder to the girls. This is the fourth book of the Little House series. In this book Laura and her family start their time in Minnesota on Plum Creek in a little sod house. Later Pa builds a new house with manufactured boards, glass windows and a hinged door.
The wild game at Plum Creek was more scarce because it was a more settled area but they did find plenty of fish in the creek. They were close enough to town that the family could attend church on Sundays and Laura and Mary could go to school. The land was good and the wheat crop looked great until the grasshoppers came which meant Pa had to look for work elsewhere.
It has been a lot of fun reading about Laura’s adventures with the girls. I am reading the same books to the girls that I read as a little girl. They are always eager to have me read the next chapter to them.
Spinach & Mushroom Alfredo Pizza
Our family enjoys making homemade pizza. One of our favorite recipes is the Spinach & Mushroom Alfredo Pizza recipe. Instead of the marina sauce we use Alfredo sauce on the pizza with fresh spinach, mushrooms, black olives, and cheese. The pizza is delicious!
You can use your favorite pizza dough recipe. If you are looking for a great one here’s our favorite pizza dough recipe!
The next time you make pizza try using the white sauce and adding different toppings. You might just be pleasantly surprised by the great combination. We love it making white pies!
The girls thought it was hilarious after we had eaten the pizza the remaining pieces formed a giant T shape!
Travel & Vacation: Road Trip Snack Bins
Karlie and Brina’s travel snack packs
When we go on a road trip I pack the girls snack bins and put them on their seats the night before. They always enjoy checking out the goodies in their snack bins as soon as they get into the car. The nice part about having snacks always in the car on road trips is it saves time and we don’t have to stop as often along the way for a bite to eat.
Items that we packed for this road trip:
- Homemade Popcorn
- Dried Cranberries
- Chocolate Covered Raisins
- Fresh Pecans
- White & Pink Flowered Shaped Marshmallows
- Foot Long Fruit Chew
- Mint Chocolate Marshmallows
- Raspberry Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Fresh Cashews
- White & Pink Heart Shaped Marshmallows
- Chocolate Covered Cherries
- Seasoned Peanuts
- Graham Crackers
- Mini Oreo Cookies
- Fresh Almonds
- Cheetos
- Fruit Flavored Marshmallows
- Whole Shell Peanuts
- Ginger Snap Cookies
- Mini M&M’s
- Cheese & Peanut Butter Crackers
- Mixed Berry Granola Bar
- Kashi TLC Chewy Granola Bar
- Strawberry Nerds
- Pez Candy
- Orange Starburst
- Fruit Punch Powdered Drink
- Fresh Pistachios
Goodies for a road trip
Heart Reflections: Walk That Mile
As I was walking on the treadmill one morning earlier this week I realized…..whether it’s the first mile you have walked in years or the final mile in a marathon after months of training that first mile is always the hardest. You have to remain focused and determined to finish. You may not notice the fruit of all the hard work invested right away but over time you’ll build up endurance, strength, and that extra energy you need to get through each day. It really is worth it, stay focused.
It is hard enough for me to get up early and walk my one mile or more but yet often I set similar expectations on others. I figure if I can raise multiples, write a blog post for the day, work, maintain my house, attend activities, and everything else I manage to squeeze into my day surely everyone else can do the same. Right!? These type of expectations are not healthy, mainly because I have no idea of what complications or road blocks the other person faces in their lives.
On the outside most people may look like they have it all together when in reality everything really could be falling apart. Only God sees their heart. If I had to walk a mile under the weight and pressure they are baring I would most likely crumble. God does not call me to walk in their shoes but down the path He has given me. While my day to day stress is not the same as my neighbors with His guidance I can have many opportunities to make a lasting imprint on the lives of others. Instead of judging others or getting jealous of the easy life they seem to have set before them I need take those first steps down the next mile in my own life to focus on what God has for me to do today in my corner of the world.
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of February 20 – 26, 2013
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meat and Seafood
Bone-In Pork Sirloin Roast – $1.39 lb
Pork Country Style Rib – $1.59 lb
Pork Sirloin Chops – $1.59 lb
Boneless Beef Sirloin Tip Roast – $2.99
Chicken Leg Quarters – $0.69
Portside Breaded Fish (19 – 24 oz) – $2.99
Salmon or Ocean Perch Fillets (12 oz) – $3.99
Schooner Catfish (32 oz) – $4.99
Port Side Popcorn Shrimp (8 oz) – $1.99
*Pick 5 for $19.99 promotion on going! Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts or types of meats, vegetables and more.
Fridge and Freezer
Minute Maid Drink, Fruit Punch or Lemonade (59 oz) – $0.99
Banquet Brown ‘n Serve Sausage Links or Patties (6.4 oz) – $0.99
Fairgrounds Jumbo Hot Dogs (16 oz) – $0.99
Fairgrounds Bologna (16 oz) – $0.99
Buyers Best Hashbrown Patties (10 count) – $0.99
Morning Delight Biscuits (10 count) – $0.59
Colburn Farms Yogurt (6 – 8 oz) – $0.39
Imperial Spread Quarters (16 oz) – $0.99
Colburn Farms Sour Cream (16 oz) – $1.49
Bright & Early Orange Drink (64 oz) – $1.00
Colburn Farms Bleu or Feta Cheese (4 oz) – $1.59
Morning Delight Crescent Rolls (8 count) – $1.49
Save A Lot Today Orange Juice (64 oz) – $1.99
Morning Delight Waffles or Pancakes (10 count) – $1.00
Save A Lot Today Pizza Rolls (15 count) – $0.99
Banquet Entrees (4 – 9 oz) – $1.00
Mantia’s Pizza (20 oz) – $1.99
Produce
Navel Oranges (3 pounds) – $1.99
Mini Carrots (1 pound) – $0.99
Vine Ripe Tomatoes (2 pack) – $0.99
Russet Potatoes (10 pounds) – $2.99
Grocery
Hawaiian Punch (32 oz) – $0.99
Kool-Aid Bursts (41 oz) – $0.99
Sunny Delight (48 oz) – $0.99
Save A Lot Today Soda (2 liters) – $0.89
Port Side Chunk Light Tuna (5 oz) – $0.79
Wylwood Canned Vegetables (14 – 15 oz) – $0.59
Luck’s Pinto Beans (15 oz) – $0.69
So Cheesy Mac & Cheese (7.25 oz) – $0.39
Save A Lot Today Soda (12 pack – 12 oz cans) – $2.89
Crystal 2.0 Purified Drinking Water (24 pack, 16.9 oz each) – $2.99
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends. For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list. Please make sure to check with your local Save A Lot store, the ads do vary per region.
A Sweet Surprise!
The other day I was inside cleaning the house while the girls were outside playing when the door bell rang. I went to the front door and there was Karlie standing on the front porch with a huge bouquet of wildflowers and a cute smile. She had went around the yard gathering all the blooming weeds in the yard and picked them for me. Thankful for my girls, their generosity, and thoughtfulness.
Large vase full of wildflowers picked with love from Karlie
Beautiful wildflowers picked with love from my sweet girl
Life Simplified: No Grocery Shopping (Week 7)
Our family finished week 7 of our no grocery shopping goal. Every new year we set goals, challenge ourselves to reach new heights, and to focus on what’s really important in life. I have made it a goal to simplify my life more by enjoying the blessings and not wasting what God has given me. One of the ways I did this was by going through several No Grocery Shopping weeks, picking up only necessities while trying to use the items we already had in our fridge, freezer, and pantry.
When I did it this 2011 it was my intention to go 1 month, but I made it 8 weeks (with only a few hiccups). It is my plan to do this again with the hope of making it at least through the month of January. I will be sharing with you the successes and challenges on those specific areas in my life as I go through them.
Life Simplified Goal:
- No Grocery Shopping (except for necessities) in the month of January.
Explanation of the Goal: My goal during the month of January is to not shop for groceries other than necessities (milk, eggs, bread). Our freezer is full of meat, produce from our garden this summer, fruit, and other great items. Our pantry is also overflowing with all the great deals that we have picked up over the past few months. One of the reason for the goal is that I want to use the items I have and not waste them. Stockpiling is wonderful but there may come a point when we need to eat through that stockpile before it expires, save the extra money to work on a financial goal, and be creative with what we have at home. I have been thinking about this challenge for several weeks over the Holidays. Over the past few months (including our experience traveling to India) it has really hit me that we have been really blessed yet there are children and families that content with a lot less. Menu planning may take a little extra creative thinking on my part but I think I can do it. If I do purchase something it needs to meet one of the following criteria:
- FREE – I don’t want to waste free grocery coupons that my family will use while doing this goal
- Necessity – Milk, Eggs, Bread, etc…
- For Someone Else outside of my household. For example I make meals for new Moms in our church and if I need to pick up an item for them on the way to deliver a meal that will be an exception.
What Happened this week?
I finished the seventh week of this goal. The only thing I purchased this week was a 1 gallon of milk. Most of the week we spent trying to clean out the fridge and eat up any leftovers we had because our family took a quick 4 day trip up to Vermont this past weekend! Our family was not able to travel during the Christmas Holidays so we spread out our time with extended family. It was great having the opportunity to spend time with Jake’s side of the family over the weekend! The girls were super excited they got to see some snow too! 🙂
It takes a little more time and focus to come up with a menu but everyone seems to be doing pretty well. The real challenge will come at the end of the month when we are getting low in the pantry and when we host guests!
I will share with you the challenges, successes and what I had to purchase so you can keep me accountable or even go through the journey with me by participating and sharing your story. I would love to extend this goal into February if I can make our pantry stretch!
Life Simplified is a series on getting rid of the extras in our life while learning how to enjoy what God has given us so we can continue to be a blessing to others. Our homes can quickly start are bursting with “stuff” and if you are like us we just have too much. I am doing a series on ways we are learning to simplifying our food, homes, and lives. When our hearts, lives, and homes get too cluttered we may start missing out on opportunities to serve and bless the people around us.
One Thing Remains by Kristian Stanfill
Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains
One thing remainsYour love never fails it never gives up it never runs out on me
On and one and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never ever have to be afraid
One thing remainsWhat’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
Last week we had a simple easy menu plan. This week we have a some special events and the girls are off school on Monday (President’s Day) for a Teacher’s In-Service Day. Today is a very special day for us because we celebrate Brina and Karlie’s 8th Birthday! 🙂 It is hard to believe our little ones are growing up so quickly. Thankful for my beautiful girls and all the sunshine they bring into our lives. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef or Seafood Entree): Special Event
- Tuesday (Kid’s Night to Cook): Grilled Cheese, Fresh Fruit
- Wednesday (Chicken or Vegetarian Entree): Spinach & Chicken Casserole, Corn Bread
- Thursday (Pasta or Pork Entree): Pasta Bake, Steamed Vegetables
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef or seafood entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
Happy Birthday Brina & Karlie!
Happy 8th Birthday Brina and Karlie! We love you sweet girls more than words can say! Wishing you both many more amazing years packed full of great memories! 🙂 We are thankful for the our beautiful girls and the many rays of sunshine they bring into our lives! We are so blessed to be your parents!
Lots of LOVE & HUGs,
Dad & Mom
XOXO
