A Gathering of Days

Baby it's cold INSIDE!

2011-01-15T16:04:00.000-08:00

My cozy little house has been...well ...not so cozy lately! Our heater has been "offline" for a few days and the weather has been in the teens at night and the 30's in the day time.

We are relying on our fireplace for heat downstairs and a little space heater in the den during the day and in our bedroom at night. We are fortunate that we have 2 units, one upstairs and one down. The kids can use the upstairs heat at night, but we turn it off during the day. It has been rather fun roughing it this week and keeping the fire going, but I will enjoy the warmth when the heater is fixed. Our supply of firewood is getting pretty low. I have had my eye on a ventless propane heater that looks just like a wood stove. I'd love to put it in the den and we already have propane for my stovetop, so it wouldn't take much to install it. I am hoping for a sale on it at Lowe's. Seeing how much wood we are consuming in the living room woodstove has me changing my mind about adding another woodstove in the den.

I am wondering if there will be any significant reduction in our electric bill. Our bill runs about $450.00.

John and I are trying an experiment. We have checked the kwh usage for 2009 and 2010 during Feb. and we are challenging the kids to help us use less. We decided that would be more fair to them than trying to lower the bill because the cost has likely gone up. If we are successful we will do something fun as a reward. In other words we will spend the money we saved, but on something fun rather than a bill!

I am also thinking about doing this with the water bill if it works.

We are always looking around for more ways to save money. It seems everyone is these days, but I was frugal when frugal wasn't cool!

Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

2011-01-11T17:59:00.000-08:00

This recipe is easy and quick; perfect for Sunday night after church!

1 bag of egg noodles
1 large box of chicken broth
1 large cans of chicken drained
1 cream of chicken soup
1 cream of celery
1 pint whipping cream
salt and pepper

Boil noodles in broth and add enough water to cover by an inch or so. When done but not mushy, add other ingredients and stir. Heat until warmed through over low heat. Just a few minutes. Serves about 8 to 10 folks. You could add some type of vegetables.

The $70.00 menu plan.....

2011-01-11T17:48:00.000-08:00

This past week, I used the http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/ 70.00 menu plan to try and have a very low cost grocery week. I already had a few items from the shopping list, and I changed 2 meals that I didn't think we'd like. Also, cormeal mush became grits and hot rice cereal became oatmeal. We also used 2% milk instead of powdered milk to drink, and I bought a loaf of bread for sandwiches (we don't eat homemade bread with sandwiches as it seems like too much bread). I also bought apples and bananas. The meals only feed 4 to 6, so I had to increase some things by up to 50%. The plan is a few years old and prices have gone up. It seems that my more expensive substitutions and having some items on hand offset each other. The total cost for the week was 122.00. One of the meals made alot and so this lasted us 8 days not 7. I shopped at Aldi's and picked up the remaining ingredients at Walmart. Also this price included napkins and dish soap. We ate very well, I enjoyed the recipes and the family liked everything.
I am planning to use this menu at least once a month for while. Now I'm thinking I want to write up my own menu of very frugal meals and see what I can come up with.

Snow!

2011-01-11T17:30:00.000-08:00

We've had a second snow event here! Not as lovely as the first one but, very exciting for my family. The house looks so neat with snow and ice everywhere; I wanted to share a few pics.

view from the front door

Frugal Tablescape January

2011-01-08T15:32:00.000-08:00

Yay!! I have done my very first tablescape. One of my New Year's resolutions is to do one frugal tablescape each month this year.

My theme for this one was snow, and we've just had the most wonderful snow here!
The blue dishes were found at Dollar Tree and I bought 6 for 6.00.
The decorations were from Dollar Tree on sale after Christmas 2 for 1.00. The white plates, Arby's Christmas glasses, silverware, ribbon, and glass "rocks" were things I already had. I borrowed the tablecloth. The chargers were from after Christmas sales at Wally world for 1.25 for 4 and they gave me 1 extra. Originally the chargers were red, but I spray painted them with a hammered silver finish. So, I may have about 10.00 dollars in this project.
Oh, the napkins were just an old shirt I cut up to cover over white napkins that didn't look quite right! Really it is much prettier than the pictures. Even my teen boys said they wish the table looked like that more often.

I am so excited about my Valentine's Day Table for Two! If you are trying your hand at frugal tablescaping please let me know in the comments, so I can see what you've come up with!

Reflecting on Winter...

2011-01-04T07:02:00.000-08:00

Sylvia over at http://www.christianhomekeeper.org/ has a winter journal that I thought was a great idea. I love seeing what everyone else does to ake winter special for their families. So here's my entry...

In my winter kitchen.. I always make hot cocoa mix and russian tea mix. I like to put them in pretty cannisters on the counter. They make great evening drinks to cosy up to and my kids love the tradition..they remind me in October to put it out!

My favorite wintertime meal is... Spaghetti Carbanara but, my kids all said chili and cornbread. Hearty soup is always good too.

I do/do not tend to be depressed in the winter..I really am different than soe of the other ladies who posted on this. I do not get depressed in the winter. I love it! I feel so much more alive when the temperature drops.
Of course, I live in the south, so we don't have terrible winters.
A favorite wintertime activity my family enjoys... we like to watch National Geographic Movies from netflix and eat popcorn. Some nights we play games at the kitchen table.

To help my home look and feel inviting in winter I... Light candles with winter scents and keep my house CLEAN. Also, I like to decorate with the little white lights and I leave them on all the time, because they make me happy. : )

How I dress to stay warm... tights and longer heavier skirts!

One really important health rule I'd like to pass on... I need a lot of moisturizer in winter or my skin is sooo dry. Also, we have had alot of sickness this year, so I'm making sure we start taking vitamins.

Well that's it. I've done my very first Linky. Why don't you try it?

Mom's Home Manager

2009-07-15T18:18:00.000-07:00

I started a home management binder last year and never finished it. Recently, Jessi reminded me about it and I want to finish it and learn to use it daily. Other than the date on the cover, I really like the pictures I found.

In the kitchen section, I have blue colored tabs for menus, grocery lists and pantry stock.

In the household section I have orange tabs for each room and chore charts.

In the academics section there is a red tab for textbooks, field trips, tests, attendance and reading lists.

Personal section includes a purple tab for bible reading.

Farm and garden includes green tabs for garden, chickens and dogs.

Foster care section is yellow with tabs for each child we've kept and other information.

I want to add a gift section for inventory of what I've bought and ideas for gifts. Also, I'd like to keep a list of blessings and great deals we've found to remind us how good God is to us.

A calendar would be nice and a place for quotes ,verses and poems.

Grocery success!!! WooHoo!!

2009-07-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

To catch up you'll need to read the post below.

Today, I went to Aldi's and purchased everything on my list plus apple juice for the girls and rice.
My total was 109.00 plus I bought 4.00 worth of tomatoes at a farm stand! Now, to be honest, that didn't include any meat. I had stocked up on hamburger at 1.19 a pound and had a large turkey breast for .99 a pound, so I have about 14.00 in this weeks meat, plus I already had tuna.
Still, less than 130.00. Very good.
I can remember the days when I was excited to be under 100.00 a week, but I can't get there anymore.
For fresh fruit, I bought apples, bananas, and watermelon. Later this week, we're going to pick blueberries at a friends house. I'm hoping to get enough for the year.

Grocery Shopping Challenge

2009-07-02T04:36:00.000-07:00

Okay, here's the plan.
I need to spend 150.00 or less on my groceries this week, if I want to be able to buy the paint for the kid's bathroom.
Last night I made up my menu with these goals in mind... I need to have
1 Sunday dinner for 10 people that costs 12.00 or less
6 dinners for 7 for 7.00 or less
7 lunches for 6/7 for 4.00 or less
7 breakfasts for 6/7 for 3.00 or less
7 days snacks for 1.00 a day
paper products, cleaning products, dog food
If I come in under 150.00 I can buy some stock up items.

Here is my menu:
Breakfast:
Oatmeal 2x
Grits an eggs 1x
toast with honey or jelly 1x
danishes 1x
pancakes and sausage 1x
(also 1/2 cup of OJ on 3 days and 1/2 grapefruit on 1 day)

Lunches:
Sandwiches and chips 2x
Mac n cheese and beinie weinies 1x
frozen burritos 1x
frozen pizza 1x
leftovers 1x
hot dogs and chips 1x
(not very healthy but...)

Dinner:
Chicken, broccoli and rice casserole

Hamburger and potatoes/ peas and carrots

Chili macaroni/ salad

Tuna pot pie

Pancakes/ sausage and fruit (or whatever else I can think of )

Meatloaf muffins/ cabbage/ corn bread

BBQ chicken/ green beans/ homemade mac and cheese
(also canned fruit on 3 days)

Snacks:
pop corn
jello 2x
pudding with topping 2x
choc. milk
ice cream
homemade cookies 2x

So I'm off to aldis, to see what I can do. I'll be back soon....

The K9 Patrol

2009-06-29T19:38:00.001-07:00

Delta, Jack and 5 month old Roscoe. I know I sleep better at night thanks to the "triple threat".

Granny's cuties

2009-06-29T19:34:00.000-07:00

Poppy holding Savannah and Jessi holding Chad Allen

2009-06-29T19:33:00.000-07:00

Kate's a graduate!

2009-06-29T19:26:00.000-07:00

We had a graduation ceremony for Kate at our church. Her friend Brittany was graduating from our church school, too, so we shared the ceremony. It was so sweet. We decorated the fellowship hall in a luau theme and it was so cute. She got alot of money from friends and family...always nice! Here are some pictures.. enjoy.

Craigslist: Friend or Foe?

2009-06-29T18:36:00.001-07:00

This pool is from craigslist and also the recliner for my room!

The plates, holder, candle holders,lamp, fruit swag plate on dresser and antique dresser are yard sale finds that total less than 50.00! The red window frame came from an old house my hubby was putting new windows in and I sprayed it red , stapled cloth behind it and added fruit tiles to panes.

Lately I've been finding lots of great bargains on Craiglist.

An almost new sofa and love seat, a chair, and rugs.

Of course, I've read all about the problems people have been having with craigslist an I am always very careful in my dealings with them. I would never go alone to meet someone, or give my address or last name.

So far it has been a huge blessing for me. Last Christmas we got the children gifts that we could not have afforded new and I've sold my books on there, too. I usually meet people at the local McDonalds when I am selling something.

This year my family wants to get bikes for Christmas, and we never spend over 50.00 a person on gifts. So, I'm scanning the list everyday looking for bikes. So far I've seen lots of mountain bikes for 30 to 50 in good shape, but they were all sold before I could catch them.

Another huge saver for me is yard sales. I've had little luck in my area, but in Georgia, where my daughter lives, it has been great. I recently redecorated my dining room from yard sale purchases.

I always pray before heading out for sales and the Lord has blessed us beyond our wildest dreams with great bargains. It is my desire to be a good steward of His bounty, and I feel good when I do save us money and we can give more to the church and missions.

Also, I feel like I'm being a better wife to my hubby, making good use of the funds he provides for this big clan.

I laugh when people talk about how much it costs to raise a family today. The world wants us to be discouraged from obeying God, so it tries to control how we feel about our families.

Let's learn to trust God and be wise with our money, not only in this economy but always.

Ellie's adoption

2009-05-23T12:33:00.001-07:00

I forget to update about Ellie's adoption. Her mother was picked up by police for something unrelated to Ellie and has been deported. We go to court June 17th to find out if we can finalize the adoption. Keep praying for her when it comes to your mind. We are keeping her first name but changing the middle. Her new name will be Donelle Cecilia with our last name.

Roscoe update

2009-05-19T18:26:00.000-07:00

Roscoe is now 4 1/2 months old and weighs about 45 pounds. He is going to be bigger than Delta, our other dobie dog.

Some overdue pictures

2009-05-01T18:06:00.000-07:00

My gang.....

Jessi and brother Rusty

Rusty at campmeeting...

Rusty and Jessi's son, Chad Allen

My girls, Ellie, and her sister Alex at Ellie's 3rd Feliz Compleanos!! Alex lived with us last year.

Jacqui the oldest sister isn't in the picture.

My seven sweeties...

Ellie....

Praying for Ellie

2009-03-14T03:57:00.000-07:00

My heart is breaking and I've cried until I have no tears left. Yesterday Ellie's case worker called and told me that the judge in Ellie's case is suddenly allowing her mother to have visits to allow them to form a relationship. This sounds very bad for our adoption. Ellie hasn't had any contact with her mother since she was 12 months old, and now that she is 3 he wants to allow visits?!

We have been waiting on her TPR (termination of parental rights) since November and he okayed DSS to proceed with that and denied any visits with the mother in October 2008, now suddenly he is having 2nd thoughts. This child was terribly treated in that home and came into care emotionally shut down and traumatized. It took her a long time to trust us and begin to live again. Going back into that home would be devastating for her. Ellie has lived with us for 18 months and was in other 2 foster homes for for a few months before we got her, so we've had her longer than her mother ever did.

The mother's trial hasn't come up yet and the fathers is going to be incarcerated for a while, so the judge can't just give them back, but this is very scary for us.

I'm praying and fasting and waiting until our court date in April to hear his decision about TPR, and if he denies TPR, what happens to Ellie?

I have not totally despaired, though, for God is in control. In the book Anne of Green Gables, Merilla says, "to despair is to doubt God". The Bible tells me that the heart of the leaders and judges are in his hands ; that He places them where He will. And, I know that the Lord loves my little girl, even more than I, and she is in His care. He can still work this out for us, but either way God is still God and I will praise Him.

All of this got me to thinking how wondrous the human heart is. How is it possible to love another person's child just like your own? To have the same depth of love without any biological ties? When I see Ellie, I see my own daughter and don't even realize that she didn't come from my womb. Everything about her makes her my child, even though her skin is darker than mine, she is so much like me.

It's going to be a long wait until April, but until then I 'll keep praying for God to work in the heart of the judge and for me and my family to have peace and trust in Him. If you read this and feel led, please mention us in your prayers.

Roscoe update at 9 weeks.

2009-03-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

Last night, Roscoe slept from 11:00 pm to 6:00am. Finally! I feel like partying today! After I took him out, I put him back in the crate and we slept until 7:00. He's been staying outside in the playpen on the front porch, on these nice days lately. He loves to play wherever the kids are playing. So far, he's not really active, not at all hyper, and not a biter. He is about as active as Jack was.
At 8 weeks he weighed 14 1/2 pounds and there's no telling what he weighs today at 9 1/2 weeks, but he seems to have doubled already.
We've been socializing him some by taking hime to church at night and letting him stay in his crate in the van until we get out, then he plays with all the kids. That worked well for Jack and Delta and both are very trustworthy around children. Even the toddlers can pet him because he won't bite. It's time to start training him, as he doesn't really like to listen. It's hard to get hime to come when called.
Over all he is a very nice dog with a quick mind that shouldn't be too hard to get basic obedience trained. This week we're going to start on "leave it" and "come".
The vet has put him on calcium, since he is growing so big, she's concerned about his joints and bones. We're feeding him IAMS puppy food with a little protein baby cereal mixed in, at her recommendation. His coat is beautiful...shiny and soft.

Grandchildren Pictures

2009-03-09T14:02:00.001-07:00

Cousins
Savannah and Chad Allen almost 7 months old.

Okay Granny, you got your pictures, now where's the candy?

Menu # 1 this week.

2009-03-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

Menu for the week of March 9th to 15th is week #1's menu. You noticed I don't go in any order, just whatever appeals or is on sale. Here it is..
BREAKFAST: cereal 2x, pancakes, sausage biscuits, oatmeal, toast and egg salad, grits and eggs

LUNCH: pot pies, sandwiches and chips 2x, frozen pizza, leftovers 2x, beanie wienies

SUPPER:
Frozen Shrimp, Potato Salad, Hush Puppies (this is Jake's birthday choice, but we're having it this week due to revival last week)

Chicken noodle casserole, green beans and peaches

Hamburger chili macaroni, salad, fruit cocktail

Sloppy joes, tater tots and carrot sticks with dip

Homemade chicken pot pie

Tuna pot pie, pear halves

Sausage and red rice, cabbage, cornbread, applesauce

SNACKS: Choc cake, jello and cool whip, pudding, brownies, popcorn

I'll do my shopping on Tuesday and post my total cost, this time I don't have as many of the items as I did last week.

He's Here

2009-02-28T05:38:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, Justin and I road to Charlotte to pick up Roscoe, our new pup.

All went fairly well, I enjoyed spending some time alone with #3 and I appreciated him driving around the city, in the rain, with me reading the map!

When we got Roscoe, we took him to a store to buy a new leash, because he had grown so much. I took him out in the rain to potty and he did both things right away then trotted back to the car. He road silently and slept most of the way in the floor. Of course, we stopped a few times for him to get out.

The lady that we bought him from said he didn't have papers-yet, but she'd mail them to me soon. Uh oh, I hope they really are coming. John said I shouldn't have paid the whole amount until they came, but I didn't know what to do so.....

Last night Joey and Jake slept in the den and took Roscoe out every 2 hours or so, boy did he fuss about being left in the kitchen alone. Tonight is my turn. What was I thinking......

Jack likes him and fears him, too. His tail wags the whole time puppy is outside and Jack follows him around everywhere. He doesn't know what to do, though, when Roscoe wants to play with him.

Delta came over and sniffed him when we first got out of the car and then promptly walked away disgusted with us all. She has refused to acknowledge us or puppy since then. I hope she gets over it soon, but at least she isn't being mean to him. When he runs up to the door of her box, (we don't let him go in) Delta turns her face away and won't look at him!

So far, he hasn't tried to chew on us, but he is a licker. Ellie loves him, but she has already gotten used to him and now she let's him rest in peace.

Welcome Home Roscoe - a.k.a. Dixieland's Dark Knight

Happy 49th!

2009-02-22T12:47:00.000-08:00

Today I turned 49 and my family took me out to Red Lobster for lunch after church. Everyone but my oldest dd and her family, in Georgia, was there. I love to have all my kids together, and as they get older, it is harder and harder to do.
My granduaghter began to get fussy after awhile and dh and I couldn't settle her down, so my ds took her. Watching him with his 2 children reminded me again that my children are getting grown up and they have turned out pretty well. My dd, Jessi, is managing her home and family, so far away from us. Rusty is the dad of 2 children now and Justin is a full time fireman living away from home about 1/2 the time. My 4th child, Kate, will graduate this spring from homeschool high school.
They are all doing very well and have been such joy to me.
Of course, we still have Joey, Jake, and Ellie here... and I'm glad. I don't think I'm quite ready for an empty nest, but I am beginning to feel like a Grandma. The grandchildren call me Granny and I love it! 10 years from now my youngest child will be 13, and I'll probably be counting the days till I can reitre from raising children, but today my heart is full and overflowing and I am so blessed.

Happy Birthday Ginny! Yes, yes it is.

Menu plan and shopping list

2009-02-21T06:04:00.000-08:00

This week we'll be having the week #2 menu.

Breakfast: Grits and eggs, pancakes, scratch blueberry muffins,oatmeal,toast(or biscuits),cereal x2

Lunch: baked beans and mac-n-cheese,sandwiches and chips x2,frozen burritos,leftovers x2, corn chowder

Dinners:
Smoked sausage w/ onions and peppers, cabbage and corn bread

Spaghetti and salad

Ham potato and cheese casserole, peas and carrots

Pork bbq sandwiches, pickles and fries(tater tots)

Hamburger,cabbage,corn,rice and tomato soup casserole Yes, it's really good.

Chicken stir fry,rice and chow mein noodles

Chicken dumplings, green beans and corn

Fruit: bananas, apples, applesauce, canned peaches, canned pears, canned fruit cocktail

Snacks: yellow cake, brownies, peanut butter cookies, popcorn, jello, chocolate pudding

Okay, I just returned from Aldi's. I allot 125.00 weekly for groceries. I took my week #2 list and crossed off whatever I already had on hand. This week I had chicken, hanburger, and pork roast. Yay! . Also, I had several other items, but I had to add paper products and dish detergent and dryer sheets. So..... My grand total was 77.39. Probably if I had bought every item listed it would have been close to 125.00, but not over. You've gotta love that Aldi's!
I don't usually buy meat there but look for it on sale and stock up. Everything else is from Aldi's.

2009-02-20T18:51:00.000-08:00

3 snows in one month!!

I'm sorry for all the folks up north who've had enough, but we Southerners stand in the window to watch it snow for hours.

Home sweet, snowy home.

Ain't this cute?!

(Oh,by the way, now that I know how to upload pictures on this thing, there's no stopping me. )

Okay, I've finally lost my mind!

2009-02-20T18:20:00.000-08:00

What does a woman with 5 kids still living at home and more to do than she can get to in a day, need to complete her life? I know what you're thinking... a puppy. No? I was sure you said a puppy. Well, that's just what we thought. So, yesterday we drove to Charlotte and bought a cutie pie. We can't get him until next week when he will be 8 weeks old, so now we have to wait and begin the "what were we thinking" stage. You know those moments of clarity that always follow the purchase/adoption of every new animal. When your brain regains control of your body until you see that cutie pie do something too adorable.

Next week we'll get the puppy home and then he better darn well start doing something adorable!

I'll keep you posted on his name; it's hard to get a consensus from this many people.

??? A.K.A. cutie pie