little things=happiness

Last weekend the kids stayed with their cousins for a few days of fun. While they were away- we had a low-key weekend of our own. Rented movies, espresso, dinner at Red Robin (the hubster got his birthday burger dinner & sundae), a tiny FREE Slurpee @ 7-11, and a few garage/estate sales. I *SCORED* at the sales.

The hubster spied a brand NEW tripod for me and dickered down to $5! It still had the tags on it and everything! It's not high-end but it'll do JUST FINE for me for quite a while.

At the Estate Sale we did what we always do when we attend them... walked around, gaining glimpses of this persons life. This woman had lived in the same house for over 56 years, per one of the handlers. The house was on a quiet street downtown- it looked tiny on the outside and inside it was HUGE! There was a basement that ran the entire length of the house with a fireplace upstairs/downstairs, just like our old rental in Lebanon. We wove in and out of each room and level of the house, commenting on the accumulation. The collections. The interests/hobbies. The entertaining/holiday decor. The family room that made you feel as though you had walked back in time...the bright green shag carpet. Green & gold couches and matching recliner. Old, OLD board games and coloring books stacked. An OLD. HUGE t.v. in the corner turned to a t.v. station that plays old shows/movies... there was an old b/w western flick on... It was just WEIRD but in a cool way. The basement was full of fishing/camping gear in one nook. A nook created to be a little shop with tools and a workbench. Two ping pong tables set up. TONS of holiday decor in one corner. The coolest thing? Dusty, faded old penants tacked to the wall from all the places they must've traveled to/from. I would've taken a picture but it was pretty crowded down there.

When I go to these, I feel sad-- here I am, amongst a crowd of people, picking over someone's things. Paying a price for pieces of their life. Part of me wants to buy EVERYTHING-- I feel like I'm rescuing it from being dumped. And I get completely sentimental (can you tell?! *laugh*) looking at their things and imagining the sort of person they were.

I ended up walking away with a coffee mug from a coffee company in the Black Forest in Germany for a quarter, a tiny vintage trinket for a friend and THIS! (happy sigh)... I *adore* it!







I need to clean her up a little bit. She's been lovingly used and I'm not certain it's still functional. I think just having it sit in the corner of my kitchen counter, making me smile, is enough.

XOXO
~S

Frugal Shopping SUCCESS!

Yesterday I read on one of my favorite frugal blogs, A Thrifty Mom (see my sidebar for a link!), that there was a great deal at Albertson's and NO Coupons were required. I've been attempting to shop with coupons and I'm relatively new at the whole stockpiling concept,etc. but I'm trying! I googled "frugal grocery shopping" and was bombarded with hundreds of blogs dedicated to shoppers that share their success and tips on how they fill their cupboards for little to NO cash...saving more than 75% or MORE on their grocery bills. That's pretty eye catching, isn't it? I thought so! A THRIFTY MOM is one of my favorites that frequently posts the best deals at various grocery stores.

BACK to the great Albertson's deal!

*Buy 10 Kraft BBQ sauce at $1.00 each, but they are part of the epic promo so when you buy 10 you get $5.00 off instantly.

*After you pay 5 $1.00 catalinas print out for a total of $5.00 ( now you can use them on anything in the store, or you can turn around and buy another 10 bottles, pay with the catalinas and have another 5 catalinas print!)

So I headed to the closest Albertsons (not bad- 10 minutes away)and hoped for the best. I've never shopped there before but after my great success, I'm DEFINITELY going to be a frequent customer! When I arrived, I signed up for the store card, grabbed a flyer and headed to the bbq sauce. I followed the deal- purchased 10 bottles and received the instant $5 off and then the $1 Catalinas. I then had a kind lady hand me 5 MORE $1 Catalinas she'd just received and didn't want (??!). So then I decided to go for ANOTHER deal I'd read about.... for Breyer's ice cream.

..here's the deal on the Breyer's:

The Breyer’s pints are on sale at Albertson’s for $1 each!
There's a catalina deal that is still valid:
Buy (2) & get $2/3 Breyers, Klondike, Popsicle, or Good HumorBuy (3) & get $3/4 Breyers, Klondike, Popsicle, or Good HumorBuy (4) & get $4/5 Breyers, Klondike, Popsicle, or Good HumorValid through 9/23/09

Here's what I did....
*Bought 4 pints Breyers for $4.00
*Used two $1/2 coupons (coupon doesn’t specify size!)
*Used two doubles (Albertson's doubles up to $1 on mfq. coupons)

My Grand Total: FREE! PLUS I got a $4/5 catalina!
I bought another 5 small containers and paid $1 total for 9 containers of ice cream!!!
And I got another $4/5 catalina!!
I went back through and bought some supplies for an easy dinner (tuna fish sandwiches) and due to their great sales and using a $1 catalina I only paid $4 for it. Essentially $4 for all that ice cream and my dinner stuff. YESSSSSS!!!! My children and husband were dually impressed (or maybe just scared into acting so- by the manic woman bouncing around the kitchen taking pictures of her groceries and flailing the bill about!).

So today we headed BACK to Albertson's to stock up on more pints but they were gone! Cleaned out! Luckily- I had some Klondike coupons I had printed and they were also on sale and part of the Catalina deal!

Albertson's had 6-packs of Klondike bars on sale Buy One Get One Free. Price per pkg: $4.99
I had two $1/2 pkg. of Klondike coupons. Plus using the Albertson's doubles...
$4.99x2 (2 free)= $ 9.98 MINUS $2 mfq. coupons= $7.98 MINUS the Albertson's doubles, another $2= $5.98
Then I pulled a few of the $1 catalinas I had from the day before and ended up only paying for the magazine I caved and bought for $3!

Not too shabby, right?!?!
I'm still pretty elated...

XOXO
~S

PS- I tweaked my blog a bit. I felt like adding some color and lightening it up a bit... plus I added a new blog for my photography and homeschooling... leaving this one for general family news, my own interests, shopping successes,etc! I've added links in the sidebar for the other two blogs! Not much there yet but you're invited to check them out. I enjoy comments a great deal, so if you'd be so kind....?? I know you're out there...

I'm going to miss Summer. A lot.

I've LOVED it and it will be gone all too soon.

Watching my water-babies in the pool. Wearing flip flops & sunglasses. Tank tops & shorts. Driving with the car windows and sunroof down. Sonic slushes. Grilling a LOT. Summer produce. Garage Sales. Camping & playing on the lake. Being TAN!

The smell of coconut EVERYTHING. Sunblock. Coffee Creamer. Bath & Body Spray.

The idea of living somewhere where it's warm all the time is appealing. QUITE appealing.

But I DO love living here.

Experiencing the change of the seasons. The weather is relatively mild and beautiful. Yes..there's beauty even on those rainy days...

I know that once Indian Summer passes, I'll be ready to don my scarves and cardigans again. Occasional galoshes.And then my boots and parkas. Occasional galoshes. Then galoshes for a few months. Then flip flops again. AND occasional galoshes. It IS Oregon, afterall!

As with everything.. each day and the weather it brings should be savored. Appreciated for what it is. The potential of what's to come. It is what we make it, isn't it?

Make certain you take this day and make the MOST of it. Rain or shine.

XOXO

~S

New Cinnamon Roll Recipe!

I was given a new CINNAMON ROLL recipe to try out..touted to reign supreme above all others. Well...they WERE pretty tasty but I'd tweak things a bit next go 'round. And let's face it..there WILL be another go 'round, likely sooner than later! This family LOVES cinnamon rolls!

First, I'd go with a dough from scratch. The recipe calls for a hot roll boxed mix. Easy but just not. the. same. Ya know? There's nothing like slowly building the ingredients and that yeasty smell...

I had to make a caramel sauce for the base of the pan and I've never done this before. It made for a slightly gooey bottom to the rolls. I'm persnickety and not sure I like the texture of that optimally. Think I might cut the caramel recipe in half for less sauce on the bottom and see how that goes.




Then we have the adding of other key ingredients.. I used some Penzey's Chinese Cassia Cinnamon instead of generic (my norm). I'd scored several brand new Penzey spices at a garage sale a month or so ago, and boy- is this cinnamon delicious!! SUCH flavor! I didn't expect much of a difference but I was pleasantly surprised.



After the butter, brown sugar and cinnamon were GENEROUSLY spread over the dough- I rolled it up then used my weapon of choice to slice off each roll... floss. I would recommend you use UNflavored floss for this. Bubble gum or mint flavor just doesn't jive in this case. Now the rolls rise for a little bit... you could go ahead and floss your teeth while you wait...recycle, reuse and all that...





Lovingly put in the oven and keep peeking in on the rolls as they rise and turn golden.
Set out to cool and make an icing to pour over while the rolls are still warm. I'd add more cream cheese to this next time too.. I didn't taste it as I put the ingredients together and was too eager to dig into a roll, I guess. Next time I'll give a taste or two until it truly tastes like Cinnabon-style, as I like that best!



Here's the recipe in case you'd like to try it yourself! They ARE pretty tasty!

OOEY GOOEY CINNAMON ROLLS

1 box Pillsbury hot roll mix
1 T. sugar
1/2 c. butter, softened
cinnamon
1/2 c. brown sugar
chopped nuts, optional

Caramel Sauce:
1/3 c. butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. vanilla ice cream

Icing:
1 oz. cream cheese
1/4 c. butter, softened
1 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. milk

Melt 1/3 c. butter, add 1/2 c. brown sugar and vanilla ice cream in saucepan. Bring to boil, then cook additional 2 minutes. Pour caramel in 9x13 pan to coat bottom. Make hot roll mix according to instructions, and use the side cinnamon roll recipe on the side of the box. After kneading, roll into a ball and let rise for 5 minutes under a warm bowl. Roll out dough in large rectangle and spread softened butter over dough. Follow with crumbling of brown sugar and a generous sprinkling of cinnamon. Roll up and cut into rolls. Place rolls on top of caramel in pan, let rise for 45 minutes. Bake at 350 (the roll mix box says 375 but I went with the recipes 350degrees) degrees for 20-25 minutes. Top with icing while still warm! DIG. IN.

If you try it, let me know what you think!

XOXO
~S

I seem to be really faltering at this blog thing as of late.

hmmm.

Lots swirling in my mind and I have many pictures but I just can't seem to get back into the swing of things where blogging is concerned.

Maybe in a few weeks I'll have a clearer head.

I'm consumed with VBS and Ebay at the moment.

Exciting stuff, I know!! *laugh*

And it seems that's all I mention when I *do* post.

How BORING!!

Maybe I should go wordless....

Just pictures.

Or maybe I just need to come back and post only when I have something of interest to share.

Prepare for LOOOOONNNNG gaps, then!

XOXO

~S

pondering.

I'm a blog-addict.

I think they've replaced my magazine addiction.

I think I've said that before.

I think I've received more than one virus due to my blog-surfing.

I think there's a blog out there for every interest and lifestyle- which intrigues me.

I think I should try and make EVERY sentence in this blog entry start with "I"...or "I think"..so far so good.

I think I've been a bad blogger lately.

I think that there are a lot of blogs out there that put me in a good mood, inspire me, motivate me, make me think, and lately, aggrivate me.

I think I'm easily aggrivated lately but that's beside the point.

I think blogs are fabulous fun but I think I prefer ones that are gritty and REAL over the perfection, ya know?

I think I appreciate seeing the flux of life in those real blogs- the good days, the fabulous days and then SO horrible they type in all caps "yelling" or in run-on-sentences without proper punctuation..with pics of the aftermath. Or better yet, DURING the disaster.

I like that they're candid and unafraid to say "my kids are adorable but they're driving me up the wall- someone come take them away..but bring 'em back in one piece or you'll answer for it" and show their mountains of laundry waiting to be folded & put away (those are my FAVORITE).

I think (I really KNOW, I just don't want to mess up- I'm on a roll...) there was a time where I wanted everything on my blog to be pretty and light-hearted. Lovely pictures, encouraging words, profound thoughts, etc.etc. And I wouldn't post much if I didn't have those things to give.

I think instead of posting whenever I have something pretty or witty to say...I'll just post when I feel like it.

I think I'll like my blog better that way. Pretty yet disheveled. Occasionally disorganized and rumpled- but still likeable.

With pretty pictures.


XOXO
~S

don't i wish

photo via ohdeedoh

Curled up in a rocking chair (my dream version IS this Eames molded plastic rocker--wanted one for a long.long.LONG time), with a good book and not a care in the world.
I'd love it, wouldn't you??
Back to my TO DO list....

XOXO
~S

Content

Feeling very content today. Inspired by the littlest things-- like the color sitting on my counter top this morning after doing up some dishes.

Keeping busy with day-to-day things...
*Flylady Mission (doing the bathrooms and the office this week)
*Ebay
*Tidying up/organizing/purging this place. Does this ever end?? I think not.
*Working out again. Getting back on track, thank goodness.

Thinking of things coming up in the near future.
*family 4th of July Reunion
*Birthdays/Anniversarys
*VBS
*Sunday School changes
*prepping for a new year of school. Yes, this year just ended & I'm brainstorming for '09/10!

And a word to you, my friends...
Take a moment to recognize the abundance of blessings around you today and thank Him for them!

XOXO
~S

coolness.

I sure dig my kids.
They're just the cutest, coolest thing in my life!
We have the most fun..









XOXO
~S

Friday.

photo from Urban Outfitters.com

Wishing this was me right now..anxious to get back to blonde.
Wouldn't mind the hat and cheek bones too. *smile*
While I'm wishing...howzabout some gorgeous Christian Louboutin heels.
le sigh.
Aren't they lovely?? Imagine tan limbs in these...yum!


photo from Zappos.com (I think)

It was a much cooler day today. Drizzle throughout, with cool breezes.
I left our windows open and gave the air conditioner a day off!
Not a very newsworthy post here... we stuck around the homefront for the most part.
Got some paperwork done, housework, ebay,etc.

I fell off the exercise-wagon this week, so I'm hoping to hop back on next week... I've done some pushups, situps, squats but no cardio this week.
My goal for next week is to put in 12 miles on the treadmill. I'll keep you abreast of my progress!


We got the littles all signed up for the city library's Summer reading program. I'm a wee bit more excited than they are, but their interest is already growing as they review the program booklet and the books they've selected to get going.


Speaking of, I finally updated the sidebar with our current book selections. You'll notice we're heavy on Egypt books! We set aside our History of the World curriculum during the school year for various reasons and are now picking it back up over the Summer! It starts with Nomads and living on the Nile...so we've stocked up for the next few weeks. I like leaving the subject stacks out for the kids to freely look through and read whenever they like, in addition to our set reading time. The kids are VERY excited about re-starting History, as well as Science, this Summer.


During the school year our focus was on rudimentary basics and lots & LOTS of reading. We're continuing school through the Summer but in a much more relaxed fashion. Our History and Science programs are both extremely hands-on &/or heavy on reading as a group- which we all favor! Plus lots of field trips, outdoor time and games. We're well on our way!


On the weekend agenda: a birthday party @ Bullwinkle's for a nephew, date night with the hubster (I believe chinese food takeout, LOST/24s catch-ups & pj's are on the agenda!) and church.

Here's one more photo to get your creative juices going...
This pic is one I discovered some time ago on Design Sponge.
It's the laundry room of Sarah Hartill, a freelance photographer & Style Editor @ Canadian House & Home Magazine. Don't you LOVE it?! The color, light, the map... I adore it.




photo from www.sarahhartill.com

Hope you have a blessed weekend, friends.

xoxo

~S

Wednesday eve

Yesterday was rather balmy. I could feel the storm moving in--and it was interesting (to me anyway!) to watch the clouds blow in and shape shift. To feel the warmth and stickiness in the air..and then the smell of rain before it even began to fall.

We were just finishing up our dinner when we noticed that the wind was picking up. REALLY picking up. And the clouds had darkened almost instantaneously. And then we lost power, along with everyone else for a few blocks.

After standing outside and feeling the smack of a few giant raindrops and the warm wind on our faces, we decided to pile into the car and head down to SONIC.
Praying (ok. not REALLY praying) their power was still on so their ice cream machine would be in perfect working order to supply our FREE Root Beer Floats!! Did you take advantage of their generousity last night too? We were in GOOD company here...the parking lot was packed. We circled several times before we found a spot. The drive-thru line was backed up around the building and onto the street for a good ways. Glad we got there early--our wait was minimal. Plus, we really didn't have anything better to do!






We slurped and Mmmm'd our way to the bottom of our cups- watched and listened to the thunder and lightening (and the honking of impatient customers) and then headed home.
Still no power. We rounded up some candles and flashlights (yesss, for just buying a HUGE pack of batteries at COSTCO!) and then settled in. Josie and I went outside and watched the clouds roll out and the gorgeous sunset emerge. It was such a lovely reminder of God's promise in our lives.













Farewell until tomorrow, sun.
You WILL come back tomorrow, won't you?
Because the forecast says otherwise.
We'd welcome your return. Wholeheartedly!
But traipsing through wet grass after a Summer storm is pretty great too...



XOXO
~S

Dang Momparazzi.

It's hard..living with this face. I mean..look at me.
I'm a handsome guy.
People are always trying to take my picture.
Pinch my cheeks.
Ruffle my 'do.
But I take it..cuz..you know, they just can't help themselves.



Can you really blame them??!
Yeah..I thought not...
But MAN!
Saturday was hard. I just couldn't shake this one.
She follows me EVERYwhere.
Always snapping pics.
ALWAYS.
I try to look ugly but that's HARD.
Making faces and gross noises to put her off is tiring.
Turning my head this way and that..I get a sore neck and she coos over the cool new angle.
I get a little frustrated.






I try to take pointers from the stars and pretend she's not there.
Just be chill.
And then I take another pointer and just give the Momarazzi one nice smile/pose thinking that will be enough. That she'll have her shot and LEAVE.
Here you go!



Listen...I gave you a nice picture. Now back off.
oh right. You're still my Mom.
Back off...please?



Alright.
Still snapping away are we?
Two can play this game..
I'll now only give you nostril shots.
...see how you like that...



Ok. Thinking about it...I don't want too many shots of myself out there in the public like that.... so I'll show off the big guns instead!
Oooooohhhh Yeeaaaahhhhh!



XOXO
~little dude