Labels = Easy to find

So, I went through and added a label to all of the posts on this blog. I hope you don't mind. I just know that when I am searching for say, a good recipe, it is easier if I can just pull up all the recipes at once. That way when we have tons of posts on here, we can recall our information better. So, add your own label or use the ones that I have started.

Have fun.

Also, since I am writing a post now, I'll go ahead and add that using a label maker is a lot of fun. I recently labeled my craft area drawers and now, I can find everything. So, organizing and labeling really does cut down on time. Here's to organization.

Safe foods

There are certain foods that I buy organic, and others that I can't because of budgetary restraints (ie. 1 pound of green beans that cost over $5, yikes). But I wanted to pass along this list to those of you who might find it interesting and like "cheat sheets," much like I do for helping you remember stuff.

So, I recently received an email from one of my friends sharing with me the Environmental Working Group (EWG's) Shoppers Guide to foods that have been tested and shown to have higher pesticide levels. So to help consumers lower their risks, they have come up with this shoppers guide to make it easy to select less pesticide-contaminated non-organic foods, and to alert you to the ones that you should buy organic.

I have also heard that fruits and vegetables with thin skins are more susceptible (ie. strawberries, apples) and thicker skinned (avocados, citrus) are not. Check out foodnews.org for more info.

Here is the list:

This comes from this link, http://www.foodnews.org/sneak/EWG-shoppers-guide.pdf

Easy Cobbler -- THANKS!

Tried the peach cobbler today for a group of husband's friends. They LOVED it! THANKS!!!

Fruit Salsa was a Hit!

I made the fruit salsa and cinnamon sugar chips for a baby shower today today and it was a hit!

A little tedious to cut the fruit, but totally worth it!

Off to the races, perhaps?

Fellow mommas, when you were growing up, did your family ever have a bit of an oddball night out? In my house, Friday night was family night (even through high school!) and we usually did all the normal things you would expect - go to dinner, go to the movies, rent a movie, wander around bookstores, game night, whatever. But every once in a while, as a family, we'd head off to the races - the horse races. I remember sitting trackside on a cool spring night with not only my family, but my aunts, uncles and cousins as well. It is actually one of my most enduring 'family night' memories. We were all munching on dollar hotdogs and drinking dollar sodas and hoping our horse would be the one to win! So, mommas, when I heard the radio promo for dollar day this Saturday at Lone Star Park, I thought I would post about it here. Maybe your families can make some fun memories too!

According to the website, there will be 11 live horse races (if you aren't comfortable with betting you don't have to) and, "Fans are invited to enjoy $1 admission, Lone Star Today programs, hot dogs, popcorn, soft drinks and draft beer while watching exciting stakes races." In addition to free parking, the site also mentions that, "most apron seating, closest to the racing action, is free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis." The gates open at 11:30am and the first race starts around 1:30.

Now some of you moms may be wondering if this is really a fun thing to do. While this momma hasn't been to Lone Star Park, I have, over the course of my life, been to dollar days at other tracks. I always found it to be a great time and, if betting isn't your thing, you can still pick a horse to root for! The thrill of seeing "your" horse win is lots of fun. It may be an activity that is a bit suited to older children who will "get" what is going on.

If you and your family decide to check it out will you let us know how it went?

Fruit Salsa

http://makelifedelicious.com/2010/04/fruit-salsa-and-cinnamon-chips/

This looks sooooo good! and seems pretty easy too!

Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

Printable Version: Fruit Salsa & Cinnamon Chips

Ingredients

• 2 kiwis, peeled and diced
• 2 apples – peeled, cored and diced (I like to use Granny Smith)
• 8 ounces raspberries
• 1 pound strawberries
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor

Cinnamon Chips (you can also purchase Cinnamon Chips and skip this step)

• 10 (10 inch) flour tortillas
• butter flavored cooking spray
• 2 cups cinnamon sugar

Directions

1. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
3. Coat one side of each flour tortilla with butter flavored cooking spray. Cut into wedges and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Sprinkle wedges with desired amount of cinnamon sugar. Spray again with cooking spray.
4. Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture.

Strawberries!

I stopped by Walmart to get diapers this afternoon...(the Walmart store brand (Parent's Choice) is only $13.00 for 82 diapers, they work are soft and an extra bonus...they are simple and white, no Sesame Street characters at all!)...
All that to say, I perused the fruit section beause I had a hankering for grapes and was in search of grapes at a reasonable price, I not only found grapes for $1.14/lb but even better strawberries for $.99 a box!!!! Much to my delight I purchased six boxes (some to enjoy and eat and others for a baby shower that I am helping to host).
Just wanted to share the wealth...there's nothing quite like strawberries when it is nice outside!
Be Blessed!
Happy Friday!

Worst buys at the warehouse club

Worst buys at the warehouse club

Easy Peach Cobbler

About a year ago my mother-in-law gave me a super easy peach cobbler recipe that her mother-in-law had given her. It really is very easy, and best of all, most of the ingredients are things you'll already have on hand.

One stick margarine or butter
2 tsp. baking powder
pinch of salt
3/4 cup milk
1 cup of flour
1 cup of sugar
3-4 cups of fruit (drained) - 1 large can of peaches is perfect!

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in a large glass casserole in oven. In another bowl, mix together all the other ingredients (except the fruit.) Mix well. Pour batter over melted butter. DO NOT STIR. Pour drained fruit into this mixture. DO NOT STIR. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

My M-I-L notes that she always uses a large Pyrex mixing bowl to make the dish, but that a clear glass casserole or any other oven safe dish would work just as well.

You can also try other fruits in the cobbler. For example, I made one today (see the picture below) using blackberries and strawberries.

Enjoy!

Free Interactive Menu Planner

I got this from a Gerber Foods mailer. By no means will our child be the Gerber poster child (unless they want to sponsor us - lol), but it is very simple to use for ideas. It takes about 15 seconds to set up a profile (child's first name only, birthday, and no email or contact information requested).

StartHealthyStayHealthy.com/ToddlerMenus

Fun date night

I started searching on one of the previous sites posted and found this cute date night idea. I think we'll try it Friday when the in-laws keep our son!

Groupon

Have you heard of Groupon? It's been around for awhile in other cities, but just kicked off this week in Fort Worth. Here's how it works:

1. Each day, they'll send you an email with a local deal of the day.
   
2. You can choose to buy the Groupon, but you only get it if enough people participate that day…collective buying power, they call it. If not enough people sign up, the deal is canceled and you won't be charged.
   
3. Each deal lasts 24 hours (although you don't have to use your Groupon that day).

Today's deal comes from FaceLogic Spa and features a $39 facial and microdermabrasion treatment (a $128 value), but I just checked recent deals for Dallas (since it's so new in FW) and they've featured restaurants, golf courses, salons, and garden centers, among others.

I've only received two days of deals and don't know if I'll buy anything yet, but I look forward to what's going to pop up each day and hope to score some irresistable restaurant deals. We'll see!

Udder Cover

FREE Nursing Cover!

They ordinarily sell for $32 so it looks like a good deal. If the hyperlink doesn't work the web site is www.uddercovers.com

If you are going to be in need of a baby shower gift at any time in the near future or if you're pregnant (or nursing) and would like to score a wicked deal on a nursing cover, you should really check out this amazing offer. Udder Covers (yup, that's the real name) is offering a FREE nursing cover right now! Just go to the website, add the nursing cover of your choice to your shopping cart, and enter code BABIESONLINE and all you'll pay is $9.95 for shipping. This is an absolute steal for this item.

A Quote…

“Home is a place where we welcome each family member with a sense of belonging. Home is a place where we are free to bring the fullness of our womanhood to bear in every sphere of our life. A woman’s place is in the heart- the heart of her husband, the heart of her children and the heart of her home. Home is a refuge we create for every family member.  Homemaking is a call to express fully our personhood and thereby enable every member of the family to understand his or her dignity and worth. I am the queen of my realm. I am the heart of my home.”

~Kimberly Hahn

Project 52

http://www.simplymodernmom.com/2009/12/project-52-date-nights/

Possibly a fun challenge!

Maybe we could post ideas for "dates” around Cowtown?

-SU

Sopapilla Cheesecake

I found this on the recipezaar.com

(a friend of mine had made it before and it is delicious! No, maybe not real good for you, but it tastes super good and is really easy!)

serves 12-20

2 8oz packages of cream cheese; 3 oz. packages of refrigerator crescent dinner rolls; 1 cup sugar;1 teaspoon vanilla; 1/2 cup margarine or butter melted; 2 cup cinnamon sugar

1. using a 9:13 pan, spay pan and then unroll one package of crescent rolls and line the bottom of the pan 2. flatten 3. mix together the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla 4. spread 1.2 of mixture over the crescent rolls. 5. unroll another package of crescent rolls and place on top (flatten) 6. spread the other half of mixture over second layer of rolls 7. unroll the last package of crescent rolls and lay on top, flatten 8. using a basting brush, some melted margarine/butter on top 9. sprinkle the top with cinnamon sugar 10. bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes 11. enjoy!

Weekend to Remember

Today at church, we learned that the Family Life “Weekend to Remember” Marriage Conference will be in the Metro-plex this summer at the Gaylord Texan Resort the weekend of June 25-27.

I have heard that this conference is incredible, that it is fantastic and leaves you and your spouse feeling renewed, recharged and affirmed in your commitment to each other and to the Lord.

You can find more information at www.FamilyLife.com/Weekend or 1-800-358-6329

$0.25 BOGO Blizzard this coming week!

THE FOLLOWING IS COPIED FROM THE EMAIL I RECEIVED FROM DAIRY QUEEN. (AS A FACEBOOK FAN, THEIR DEALS ARE ALSO EMAILED TO ME.) THE BOLD WORDS ARE MY DOING. HOPE YOU GET TO ENJOY!

~~ KL

Hey fans! Since we kicked off the Blizzard 25th Birthday Party Tour, we have been overwhelmed by your support. You truly are the best fans in the world and we look forward to meeting many of you this summer as the Blizzard^®mobile comes to party in your home town. We really wish we could come see all of you, but we don't want that to stop you from celebrating. The Party Tour is just one of many ways we're celebrating the Blizzard 25th birthday. You can celebrate at your local store, or continue to follow the Tour on Facebook. So, as a little party favor to pump up the celebration we're throwing a 25¢ BOGO Blizzard Treat your way. The best part about it, no coupons are necessary. You're the best fans in the world and we want all of you to be a part of the BIGGEST party in Blizzard treat history! So fans, get to your local DQ asap, because this offer only lasts from April 19-25.

(PS-- DOES THIS REALLY MEAN THAT WE CAN BUY ONE BLIZZARD FOR 25 CENTS AND GET A SECOND ONE FREE?!)

More Freebies in Honor of Tax Day

Here are some of the freebies and discounts on offer for tax season 2010.

-- FREE COFFEE AND TREATS

CINNABON: Get two free bite-sized cupcakes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at participating mall locations as part of "Tax Day Bites!" Flavors include Chocolate Passion, 24-Carrot Cake, Vanilla Bliss and Cinnacake Classic.

STARBUCKS: Get free brewed coffee all day Thursday if you bring your own mug, a promotion the cafe chain says is friendly to the environment as well as taxpayers.

-- DISCOUNTED MEALS

BOSTON MARKET: For a "last-minute tax break" -- one free meal for each one you buy Thursday through Sunday -- show this coupon: http://bit.ly/d1YlRO

IHOP: Expanding on the tax deduction parents get for kids, the restaurant chain is offering free dinner for one child age 12 or younger with each adult meal purchased 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. all month long.

P.F. CHANG'S: Get 15 percent off food purchases for dine-in or take-out, excluding alcohol and happy hour food and beverages.

-- STRESS RELIEF

HYDROMASSAGE: Get a free massage Thursday through Sunday at participating locations. The mall-based massage chain suggests calling ahead to book an appointment. Find a location at http://www.hydromassage.com/taxday.

Free Starbucks

In honor of tax day, Starbucks is giving away free cups of coffee today…with one condition, you bring your own cup.

Enjoy the free sussy!

We stopped by to take advantage of the offer, and the employees were kind enough to fill my son’s bottle up with milk free of charge!

Wednesday Guilty Pleasure

abc's modern family.

i honestly don't even know when it comes on, our dvr records it. my husband and i record it and then watch it as we are going to sleep, it is not rare for both of us to laugh out loud as we watch.

www.abc.go.com/watch/modern-family

enjoy the laughs!

Weekly Walgreen's Photo Discounts

If you haven't signed up for the weekly ad's from Walgreen's Photos, you should. It's easy:

www.walgreens.com

Then, go to the photo tab and register.

THIS WEEK'S DEAL includes 50 prints (4x6) for $5, then $0.10 for each print (4x6) after that.

It's actually only for the next three days.

The coupon code is: TAXBREAK

Super Easy Chocolate Cake

A friend of mine gave me this recipe, I can't take any credit for it. The recipe is super easy and delicious. My husband and I think it may be one of the better chocolate cakes we have ever had, not the best...but right up there.

It would be perfect for a summer picnic or Bible study treat, I added powdered sugar and strawberries to the top to make it a little more festive looking.

Enjoy!

1 box yellow cake mix

1 small box of instant chocolate pudding

8 oz. sour cream

3/4 cup oil

3 eggs

6 oz. chocolate chips

1. fold all ingredients together

2. grease Bundt cake pan

3. pour batter into Bundt cake pan

4. bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes (mine took 50 minutes, but it may be my oven)

-su

For Example...

I just came across this blog in my google reader and feel like I need to share, how cool are some of the ideas that this mom has? All because strawberries were on sale!

http://www.flythroughourwindow.com/


Strawberries + Kids = SUMMER!!!!
-su

Crazy Idea?

Who knows if this crazy idea for a blog will work...only time will tell, I guess!

There have been so many times when I have...

-Been perusing through stores around town and discovered a great deal and felt the need to shout it from the roof tops so that other friends/families could "cash in"/save some money

-Heard friends talking about sales that they have stumbled upon...leaving me wishing that I had had the opportunity to "cash in"

-Wanted to share a recipe successes so others can enjoy too!

-Wanted to ask which sippy cups don't leak

-Wanted to share a "crafting" idea

-Wanted to suggest books...(Sally Clarkson's Mission of Motherhood is fantastic!) & ask for book suggestions

-Wanted to know what fun and free (or inexpensive) activities there are to do around Fort Worth as a family

-The list goes on and on...

So I thought it would be fun to create a place where we all can share our different ideas and experiences from motherhood.

So here's to chattering!
-su