• Recipe: Caramel Party Mix (Gluten Free Snack)

    In a conversation recently I realized that we have several acquaintances that have various food allergies.  A couple years ago my friend Ashley made this recipe for a Christmas gift and it was delicious.  With the Holidays and parties quickly approaching this is a great recipe for those who have a Gluten Free diet.  It has only 5 ingredients and easy to make.

    Caramel Party Mix

    • 2 sticks of Butter
    • 2 cups of Brown Sugar
    • 1/2 cup of Kairo Syrup
    • 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda
    • 1 box of Corn (or Rice) Chex Cereal (you can use the off brands too)

    Put the whole box of cereal in a microwavable bowl.  Bring the butter, brown sugar, and kairo syrup to a boil.  Boil for one minute.  Make sure to stir constantly when boiling so it doesn’t burn.  After boiling for 1 minute add the baking soda.  Pour the mixture over the box of Corn (or Rice) cereal.  Microwave everything 1 1/2 minutes, take it out, stir, and microwave again.  Do this step 3 times.  It will evenly distribute the mixture and coat the cereal.  Lay the mix out on wax paper or the counter and let set.

    Optional: You can add pretzels, pecans, almonds, cranberries or whatever you want to the mix. (If you want it to remain gluten free do not add pretzel as pictured above, however, you can add nuts if they do not have any nut allergies)

    My husband loves this plain without any extras in it.  When we have it at a party it goes quickly.  If you are looking to for another delicious Party Mix recipe to give away as a gift or share at a party check out Ashley’s Recipe for Puppy Chow!  It is another one our family favorites!

  • A Note of Thanks – Happy Veteran’s Day!

    We want to say a big THANK YOU to those who have and are currently serving our country! Our country is very blessed to have people protecting our freedoms.  We have a lot to be thankful for today.

    Let us take the opportunity today to “thank” the Veterans in our lives.  Also, make it a point to thank any veteran you meet today.  Today provides a great venue for teaching our children who veterans are and why we have a special day set aside to honor them.   We are grateful for those who serve.

    Thank You!  Happy Veterans Day!

  • Twin Sisters Productions

    Our girls have enjoyed many of the Twin Sisters Productions CDs and products from the ABCs, relaxing, fun, learning languages (German & Italian) and more.  Since we have fraternal twin daughters of our own we are thrilled to support a wonderful business started by fraternal twin sisters. To get an idea of what their songs are like you can listen to them prior to purchasing.  Sing & Learn (Multipacks) by Twin Sisters Productions is a good mix that of songs that the girls have been listening to for several years even though they know their Alphabet, Numbers, and so forth.  These make great gifts for little ones that like music and they have a variety of neat products for a reasonable price.

  • Date Night on a Budget – Dinner

    Going on a Date Night with your spouse can be just what the whole family needs.   It is important to take time to relax and be a couple, whether you have little ones or not.   Your kids may enjoy a night away too.   One way to open the door of communication is by having a quiet meal together.

    Here are a few ways to save on the cost of eating out so you can relax when you go on your date:

    1.  Free Dinner Options

    • Gift Certificates – if you have a gift certificate to a restaurant use it when you go on your date.  Occasionally we get gift certificates for our anniversary so we save them for Date Nights.  It may be something you want to ask for your birthday or anniversary as well.   You can earn gift certificates by doing surveys or through accumulating points too.
    • Coupons – use a coupon to a restaurant that you and your spouse are wanting to go to.  If you plan ahead you can often find discounts or coupons online prior to going to a restaurant.  We have even shared a free dinner at a nice restaurant by using a coupon.  Sometimes you have to pay but if you look you can often get a meal for free.
    • Join the Club – many of the large chain restaurants offer special discounts if you sign up for their emails or newsletters.  You may get free food when they introduce a new menu item.  Even your local family owned restaurants give you special offers when you join their club.  Many restaurants offer free meal if you visit them around your birthday. If you have a favorite restaurant check and see they have a club you can join for extra savings.

    2. Discount Dinner Options

    • Restaurant.com – you can get discount restaurant certificates.  We have tried many new restaurants using Restaurant.com that have since become our favorite.  You can often get the certificates at a discount.  The best is when you can get them at 80% to 90% off.  We stock up when they are at a deep discount and it allows us to have plenty of options to chose from for Date Night.  The certificates last for one year so you have plenty of time to use them.  Try it out and see how you like it!
    • Barter – there are many barter programs available such as Tradebank or you can work something out with the owner of a restaurant or chain.  If you have services or products that they can use.  We have friends that provide a service for a restaurant and they get coupons for free meals. It is worth checking out.
    • Groupon – has daily deals that you can get between 40% to 90% off.  Many times Groupon will offer great discounts on restaurants.  When you purchase a certificate you have up to a year to use it.  Select the area closest to you to find out the  deals in your area.
    • Pack a picnic for a nice dinner at a park together.  You can pack a really wonderful romantic picnic for a great price.  Pick out a favorite food you know your spouse will like for an extra special treat.  It shows your love.  Some of our best Date Nights have been relaxing over a picnic at a park.

    You can have a wonderful dinner with your spouse without breaking your budget.  It is important to take time to talk, relax, and enjoy each other.  Take turns planning where you are going.  One month you plan the meal the next month your husband plans, it allows for some great surprises and extra romance!

    Jake and I try to have at least one date night a month because it is important to us to maintain and grow our marriage.  Communication around the typical family meal is more about the kids and the events of the day then on us as a couple.  Although we may be in a season when the finances are tight we can still have a terrific date night together.  The laughter, deep conversations, and a time of relaxation is worth finding ways to make it work logistically and financially.

  • Seasonal Clearance: Garden Items

    One of the best times to stock up of items for the next year is to buy them on clearance.  My favorite deals happen when they are 90% or more clearance.   The good news is you don’t even have to use a coupon to get a great deal.

    Here are my recent garden treasures from Dollar General at 90% off:

    • 2 – Topsy Turvy’s
    • 2 – Cultivators
    • 2 – Transplant Shovels
    • 2 – 2 pound bags of Organic Fertilizer
    • 4 –  packages of Jobes Plant Fertilizer Spikes (200 Spikes)
    • 2 – Bonide Mosquito Repellent
    • 1 – Fongonil Plant Spray
    • 1 – Luster Leaf Water Level (measures the moisture of the dirt & lets you know when it needs water)

    The total amount before savings was $59.89 and I paid $5.99 out of pocket (including tax) giving me a savings of $53.90 (over 90% in savings).  The best part is all the money was saved without using coupons and I will be able to use them in my home and garden.  Check out the local stores in your area for clearance gardening items if you plan to do one next season.  Now is a good time to get some garden supplies!

  • Song: “Only Grace” by Matthew West

    Thankful for the grace that my heavenly Father has given to me. Are we sharing that love and grace with the people in our lives?

    For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. – Ephesians 2:8 (ESV Translation)

  • Recipe: Homemade Naan Bread

    We brought dinner to a couple church events this week and decided to do an Indian theme.  We had Biryani, Rice, and Naan but couldn’t find Samosa’s since our favorite Indian store had closed two weeks ago (owners retired).

    Here is a great homemade Naan recipe my cousin shared with me.  We love eating it  with Indian food or plain.

    • 1 – .25 oz package active dry yeast
    • 1 cup warm water
    • 1/4 cup white sugar
    • 3 tablespoons milk
    • 1 egg, beaten
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 4 1/2 cups bread flour (you can use either white or whole wheat)
    • 2 teaspoons minced garlic (optional)
    • 1/4 cup melted butter
    1. Dissolve yeast in warm water and let stand about 10 minutes.
    2. Stir in sugar, milk, egg, salt, and enough flour to make a soft dough.
    3. Knead for 6 to 8 minutes on a lightly floured surface.
    4. Place dough in a greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth, then set aside. (Let dough rise for 1 hour, it should double in volume).
    5. Punch down dough and knead in garlic (if you chose to use it).
    6. Pinch off small handfuls of dough about the size of a golf ball.  Roll into ball shapes and place on a tray then cover with a towel and allow to rise until doubled in size (about 30 minutes).
    7. While dough is rising the 2nd time, preheat grill to high heat.  (you can use a griddle if you prefer too).
    8. Roll one ball of dough out into a thin circle and lightly oil grill. Place dough on grill and cook for 2 to 3 minutes (or until puffy and lightly browned).
    9. Brush uncooked side with butter and flip over. Brush cooked side with butter and cook until browned, another 2 to 4 minutes.
    10. Remove from grill and continue the process until all the naan has been prepared.

    Serve the Naan with an Indian dish or really any other meal.   A light bread with great flavor.  It is similar to a pita for those who have not tried Naan.  Enjoy!

  • Operation Christmas Child Packing Party

    The girls were excited to finally put together their Operation Christmas Child boxes.  They each took some money from their piggy banks and we went to the store to pick out goodies to put into their boxes.  Brina wanted to picked items out to put into a little girls box and Karlie picked items to put into a little boys box.

    It was sweet hearing them pray for the kids before packing the boxes.   The girls laid all the items out on the table so they could pick out the perfect ones for their little girl and boy. I was amazed at how much fit into those boxes! It was neat to see them work hard to share with others. Such a great teaching moment, we are very blessed in our society.

    The “Heifer International” magazine came in the mail while we were packing the boxes.  It allowed us an opportunity to discuss with the girls why people buy animals as gifts to help others. Only God can time something so perfectly!!! =)  If you are trying to decide how to share with others during the Holiday Season “Heifer International” would be another great organization to consider.