The Domestic Chick

great deal for mios in florence

2011-10-20T20:05:00.002-04:00

I just bought today's LivingSocial deal for Mio's Pizzeria - Florence, and thought you may be interested in it too! $16 to Spend on Food and Drink for $8. Click the link to get the deal. https://livingsocial.com/deals/151137?ref=conf-jp&rpi=32775999
The deal is only available for one more day, so scoop it up soon!
~type to you soon~

listening to the Lord

2011-10-19T18:54:00.003-04:00

it was if the Lord reached down and opened my Bible to this passage. He knew that i needed to read it and not think of others and their faults while reading it. i needed to examine myself and my short comings. humbling but i have been learning through the reading of this passage. learning so much!
Proverbs 27
1Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
2Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
3A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
4Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?
5 Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
6Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
7One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet.
8Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home.
9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.[a]
10Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity.Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.
11 Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me.
12 The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.
13 Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for an adulteress.[b]
14Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.
15 A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;
16to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp[c] oil in one’s right hand.
17Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.[d]
18 Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.
19As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.
20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.
21 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.
22 Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him.
23 Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds,
24for riches do not last forever; and does a crown endure to all generations?
25 When the grass is gone and the new growth appears and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,
26 the lambs will provide your clothing, and the goats the price of a field.
27 There will be enough goats’ milk for your food, for the food of your household and maintenance for your girls.

~type to you soon~

photo credit:reinyputri.wordpress.com

harvest in the garden

2011-10-18T21:29:00.003-04:00

that pumpkin made some yummy pumpkin muffins

~type to you soon~

teacher chair

2011-10-17T20:38:00.004-04:00

i recovered this at the beginning of the school year in a lovely oil cloth...thought you might like it:) my "antique" friend suggested i add the H, and no she is not old...just my sweet friend who loves antiques as much as i do. i think it was a great idea!

~type to you soon~

GREAT Penzey's Spice Deal

2011-10-15T20:47:00.006-04:00

***MADE CORRECTION TO THE CODES THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY LISTED...IF YOU TRIED IT BEFORE AND IT DID NOT WORK, TRY IT NOW. THE CODES ARE RIGHT***

i love this company and their spices...they are the best that I have ever used. here is an excellent deal.

1. Add any item (with a cost) to your Cart. Cheap option would be the Penzeys Empty 1/4-Cup Jar for $0.79.

I chose the bag of cajun spice...it is a 4 oz bag of spice for 4 bucks and some change...well worth it trust me...your chicken will thank you!

2. Add Free Kind Heart Gift Box to Cart. Enter in the coupon code box on the cart check out screen 82440C.

3. Add Free Penzeys Forward 1/2 Cup to Cart. Enter in the coupon code box on the cart check out screen 15958C.

4. Add Free Teacher's Gift Box to Cart. Enter in the coupon code box on the cart check out screen 83018C.

5. Choose slowest shipping option at $3.95

My total came to around $10 and I got over $40 worth of spices shipped to my door! Gotta love Penzey's!

~type to you soon~

woops wrong blog

2011-10-06T14:15:00.001-04:00

hahahahaha...posted this to the wrong blog

Next week's spelling words

2011-10-06T14:12:00.000-04:00

1. table 2. north 3. slowly 4. money 5. map 6. farm 7. pulled 8. draw 9. voice 10. seen 11. ankle 12. freckle 13. knuckle 14. sprinkle 15. dimple 16. camouflage 17. habitat 18. hibernate 19. mimicry 20. predator 21. prey

I'm alive...just super busy

2011-08-27T00:00:00.002-04:00

i just wanted to give you a quick update. i am in hopes to sit down sometime this weekend and type out a "book" about the last few months and post all kinds of pictures about what has been going here. the new job teaching 4th grade is going great! i love it! forgot how much i love the classroom and the learning process. i WILL type to you soon! i promise! i do miss you!

have you heard this

2011-07-07T21:22:00.002-04:00

this song touch my heart deeply...please take the time to listen HERE
let me know what you think.
~type to you soon~

roses for you

2011-07-07T14:15:00.003-04:00

thought you might need a little pick me up today...

some roses for you sweet friend.

don't they just look lovely in a simple mason jar?

~type to you soon~

summer garden 2011

2011-07-06T10:17:00.003-04:00

the harvest is plentiful

the laborers are few:)

i have working most days in the garden

it is so nice to see crops mature and taste so yummy

my friend rachel has a garden this year too

read all about it over HERE

~type to you soon~

ps...more pictures of the garden to come

fourth smoothie

2011-07-05T11:58:00.002-04:00

we enjoyed this delicious strawberry banana smoothie at lunch on the fourth. spent the evening with some lovely long time friends. long time friends are a delight. you always just pick up right where you left off, even if you left off long ago.

~type to you soon~

product #2

2011-06-13T08:36:00.004-04:00

here is another product that i just love for kids. i found these at the pottery barn outlet last year before school started. the kanteens that i bought have more designs on the outside of the bottle but the function of these is just great. plus the added bonus of no harmful stuff...

bpa free

food grade18/8 stainless steel

the inside of the bottle is not coated with epoxy

flavors do not stay in the material because it is stainless steel...drinks always stay fresh

as i thought about the kids drinking day after day out of whatever bottle i sent to school with them, i decided it was worth the initial investment. if i want the drinks to stay super cold i throw them in the refrigerator the night before. they not only are the drink they are also the "ice pack" to keep the food cold.

~type to you soon~

a favorite product

2011-06-09T14:54:00.003-04:00

let me first start off my saying that my opinion on this product has not been bought, coerced, or pushed in a certain direction due to some sort of incentive. this is something that i just really like because i really like it. they are excellent quality, have stood the test of time, are extremely useful, or they are just really cute...the majority of the time the last one does not come into play around these parts. i am going to tell you about one product today (more to come) that i think are a must with little ones.
1. the LLBEAN backpack...oh my word...let me just say they had me at hello after my sweet husband (was just a "friend" at the time) bought me one as a high school graduation gift (16 years ago) uugghh...did i just type that? 16 years!!!!! that makes me want to vomit a little bit...BUT that should really be a true testament to this backpack. i am still using it and it really still looks like new. no worn corners, zippers work great, no problems at all. so i bought the junior version for our little ones when they started preschool. "dub" is going on his 5th year of using his backpack and there is absolutely no sign of wear. "cheeks" is on year 3. g is going on one year but you could equate that to ten years of use and it still looks like new. these things are excellent. dub is going to outgrow his before it wears out and we are not easy on backpacks around here.
moral of the story...quit buying those backpacks you have to replace every year. these are not expensive...maybe $5-$10 more than a walmart backpack but you have to replace those all the time, sometimes mid-year. think of the money i have saved in the case of buying "dub" a backpack that i did not replace every year. this is one of those situations where quality matters.
link to the kid one HERE
link to the adult one HERE
now...go fourth and purchase ll bean backpacks
~type to you soon~

yard sale finds

2011-06-04T14:29:00.003-04:00

retail: $59.00 bought today for $8 new in the box still wrapped in the plastic...the best part...i needed one, mine broke over a year ago and i had not replaced it.

i also bought a set of pottery barn dishes, glasses, coasters, 2 trays, and 2 cookie tins for a friends birthday. they suite her perfectly. they were still new in the boxes...retail over $120 paid $15.

oh my, what a day of savings:)

~type to you soon~

fresh from the garden this morning

2011-06-03T15:16:00.003-04:00

the kids have already downed every little bit of this...i had one pea.

~type to you soon~

it's been way to long

2011-06-02T21:24:00.004-04:00

photo credit: compassion dave

go ahead and give me the years worst blogger award. i know it has been ridiculously long since i posted, in fact probably no one will even read this because they have given up on me. so here is the long list of updates...

1. God has blessed me with an amazing new job. i will most likely be teaching 4th grade.

2. our garden is bursting at the seams with peas and strawberries right now.

3. i have done very few domestic things lately but i have done a few

a. make vanilla extract (post coming VERY soon)

b. transplanted lots of plants to different places in the yard that look so much better iin the new spot

c. made homemade yogurt (a great use for whole milk before it goes bad)

d. dried a serious amount of pineapple and apples that i bought from aldi and the co-op

for really cheap

4. but most importantly i have been spending as much time as possible my husband and children. returning to work has really given me a whole new perspective on time with them. realizing this, my goal for posting will be 2-3 times per week on the average. more at times when we are off and away on vacation and i can sit by the pool and type away. blogging really is fun for me when i am on vacation and have time to spend and be creative. its my own mini vacation on our regular vacation...i know i'm weird. no need to point out the obvious.

~type to you VERY soon~

what's going on

2011-04-04T21:13:00.004-04:00

i promised to share with you what has been going on around here lately. after much prayer, seeking Godly counsel, and time i have made the decision to return to the classroom as a teacher in the fall. i have thoroughly enjoyed the time that i have been able to stay at home with our little ones the past eight years. i would not trade this time for the world. our youngest will be going to kindergarten in the fall so the timing will be perfect. daddy and g will get some wonderful time together in the afternoons, some time that g will love and daddy has not been able to take in the past.

i am very excited about my upcoming adventure. I LOVED THE CLASSROOM! teaching children, watching the learning process, being a part of those "ah-ha" moments are just a few of the things that i look forward to.

thank you for being patient with me. i am sure that the next few months will be spotty on the posting front. i will be sure to post things that are deals that are unbeatable and things going on around the suburban farmhouse that are "must knows", but i will be focused on interviews and learning updated law and educational practice.

i am clinging to the verse Psalm 20:4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

i will be sure to keep you updated on the process and i would greatly appreciate your prayers that the Lord would guide my path.

~type to you soon~

great magazine deal

2011-03-31T07:46:00.003-04:00

go HERE to read all about it. I know I have been so absent lately. I will tell you why later today...no I am not pregnant...I would always welcome that little surprise but that is not it:)

~type to you soon~

cake pops for cheeks

2011-03-17T23:09:00.005-04:00

after daddy took cheeks to Starbucks for her birthday breakfast she became a huge fan of their cake pops.

her request for her school snacks was cake pops.

her request for her home snack...cake pops.

her daddy's request for after work snacks...cake pops.

needless to say cake pops are our new favorite treat around here.

~type to you soon~

shopping at the end of the season and a little good will

2011-03-11T07:54:00.005-05:00

yesterday i hit the megaload at lands end in sears and gymboree. lands end was having an unbeatable sale. 70% off kids clearance plus an additional 25% off of the 70%. they were giving stuff away. i was able to pick up a few essential pieces for school uniforms next year but while i was parusing the racks i noticed they had tons of a particular size that a friend's little girl wears. i called her up and bought all the cuteness that i could find. i did not pay over $6 dollars for the most expensive item. most of the items were between $3-4. that is better than consignment. i want to encourage you to do this for you friends. it was save them tons of money and who knows, maybe the favor will someday be returned. my sweet friend has already helped me out in the saving money adventure. she always includes me in her discount at a local department store.

gymboree is having there fill a bag sale, except you really don't have to fill the bag. everything is 30% off. plus if you are a member of gymboree rewards you should have a 20% off coupon you can combine with the 30% off. i bought white uniform shirts for the kids yesterday for $2.99. CAN'T BEAT THAT! there are all kinds of end of the season sales right now. if you can get out and buy a few things for next season you will be so glad you did. always buy on the bigger side. they will eventually grow into it:)

UPDATE: both of the above deals are available online. great savings if you shop the clearance section!!! the in-store deals are obviously a little cheaper because they mark things down quicker, but there are still some awesome deals online and more selection.

~type to you soon~

have you ever wondered about sugar alternatives?

2011-03-09T15:29:00.004-05:00

here is an informational chart that breaks down sugar substitutes. this topic is a new research area that I am looking into. there are many options for buying other sweet options that are not table sugar. i will let you know the best deals once i find them. i know that i am not going to be able to entirely replace table sugar because of the expense and the amount of baking i do, however, replacing it in my coffee, tea, and other areas on a daily basis will certainly help. you can read the entire article about the sugars HERE.

~type to you soon~

source: organic lifestyle magazine

**Sugars & Substitutes with their Glycemic Index**
Artificial Sweeteners	N/A	Never a Healthy Sugar Alternative All artificial chemical sweeteners are toxic and can indirectly lead to weight gain, the very reason many people consume them. They should be avoided. In fact, given a choice between high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners, we recommend high fructose corn syrup by far (though it's essentially asking if you should consume poison or worse poison).
Stevia	0	Best Healthy Sugar Alternative Though it is 200-300 times sweeter than table sugar, stevia is not a sugar. Unlike other popular sweeteners, it has a glycemic index rating of less than 1 and therefore does not feed candida (yeast) or cause any of the numerous other problems associated with sugar consumption. Read more about stevia at Organic Lifestyle Magazine (OLM). Please note that Stevia and Truvia are not the same thing.
Xylitol	7	Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol sweetener found in the fibers of fruits and vegetables which can cause bloating, diarrhea, and flatulence with initial consumption. It's said to be safe for pregnant women, and is said to possibly treat ear infections, osteoposis, respiratory infections, candida, and is it even helps fight cavities. In fact, in Finland, virtually all chewing gum is sweetened with xylitol.
Agave Nectar	15-30	A sweet syrup made from the Blue Agave plant, Agave Nectar is obtained by the extraction and purification of "sap" from the agave plant, which is broken down by natural enzymes into the monosaccharides (simple sugars): mainly fructose (70-75%) and dextrose (20-26%). Read more about agave nectar at OLM.
Fructose	17	Though fructose has a low glycemic index rating, fructose consumption should be limited. Fructose is linked to heart disease as it raises triglycerides and cholesterol. It is devoid of nutrition.
Brown Rice Syrup	25	Though it is said to have a low glycemic index (25), it is not recommended for diabetics, since its sweetness comes from maltose, which is known to cause spikes in blood sugar.
Raw Honey	30	A Healthy Sugar Alternative in moderation With antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, carbohydrates, and phytonutrients, raw, unprocessed honey is considered a superfood by many alternative health care practitioners and a remedy for many health ailments. Choose your honey wisely. There is nothing beneficial about processed honey. Read more about honey at OLM.
Coconut Palm Sugar	35	Originally made from the sugary sap of the Palmyra palm , the date palm or sugar date palm (Phoenix sylvestris). It's also made from the sap of coconut palms. With a relatively low glycemic index, Cocnut palm sugar is the new rage among health nuts. It's often called "coconut nectar sugar" or "coconut sugar".
Apple Juice	40	Fresh apple juice is good for you, though we recommend eating fresh raw whole apples. Concentrated apple juice (sometimes used as a sweetener) is closer to refined sugar than fresh apple juice.
Barley Malt Syrup	42	Barley malt syrup is considered to be one of the healthiest sweeteners in the natural food industry. Barley malt is made by soaking and sprouting barley to make malt, then combining it with more barley and cooking this mixture until the starch is converted to sugar. The mash is then strained and cooked down to syrup or dried into powder.
Amasake	43	This is an ancient, Oriental whole grain sweetener made from cultured brown rice. It has a thick, pudding-like consistency. It's not easy to find in the U.S., but it is a great alternative to refined table sugar.
Sugar Cane Juice	43	Healthy Sugar Alternative in moderation Sugar cane juice has many nutrients and other beneficial properties and is said by some health practitioners to be almost as medicinal as raw honey.
Organic Sugar	47	Organic sugar comes from sugar cane grown without the use of chemicals or pesticides. It is usually darker than traditional white sugar because it contains some molasses. (It has not been processed to the degree white sugar is processed).
Maple Syrup	54	Maple syrup is made by boiling sap collected from natural growth maple trees during March & April. It is refined sap and is therefore processed. It has a high glycemic index, and though it is much more nutritious then refined table sugar and high fructose corn syrup, there are better choices.
Evaporated Cane Juice	55	Evaporated cane juice is often considered unrefined sugar, but juicing is a refining process, and evaporating refines further. Though better than turbinado, cane juice (unevaporated) is a better choice as a sweetener.
Black Strap Molasses	55	White refined table sugar is sugar cane with all the nutrition taken out. Black strap molasses is all of that nutrition that was taken away. A quality organic (must be organic!) molasses provides iron, calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc, and is alkalizing to the body.
Turbinado	65	Turbinado sugar is partially processed sugar, also called raw sugar. Raw Sugar
Raw sugar	65	Raw sugar is not actually raw sugar. It is processed, though not as refined as common white table sugar. Therefore, given a choice between raw and white, choose raw. There are many different variations of raw sugar with many different names depending on how refined it is.
Cola (and most other sodas)	70	Though cola has a lower GI ranking then some might expect, there are many other reasons to avoid cola, or any type of soda. There is nothing beneficial to the human body inside a can of soda (not to mention we should avoid drinking out of aluminum cans!).
Corn Syrup	75	Corn syrup has very little nutrition and should be avoided.
Refined, Pasteurized Honey	75	The nutrition is gone, and there is often high fructose corn syrup added to processed honey. Refined pasteurized honey is no better than white table sugar.
Refined Table Sugar	80	Conventionally grown, chemically processed, and striped of all beneficial properties, many health advocates believe that refined sugar is one of the two leading causes (high fructose corn syrup is the other) of nearly every health ailment known to man (or woman or child). Not only does it have a high GI ranking, but it also is extremely acidic to the body causing calcium and other mineral depletion from bones and organs (sugar is alkaline but has a very acidic effect on the body).
High Fructose Corn Syrup	87	Many health advocates believe that high fructose corn syrup and refined sugar are the two biggest contributors to health ailments in our society. High fructose corn syrup is a combination of sucrose and fructose.
Glucose (AKA Dextrose)	100	White bread was the benchmark, but for consistency glucose now holds the rating at 100.
Maltodextrin	150	Foods that have maltodextrin often say "Low Sugar" or "Complex Carbohydrate", but this sweetener should be avoided!

does your house ever smell like one BIG fart?

2011-03-08T14:16:00.006-05:00

mine has on occasion and today was one of those days...
solution...
this is the best way to make your whole house smell divine, and quickly too. a couple of cinnamon sticks a few orange slices and some water simmering on the stove. i leave mine on the stove for days and just add more water when i want to "smell up the house pretty" (yes i know that is not proper english).

on a separate note entirely, i got about 10 inches cut off my hair today...pay no attention to the ridiculously big eyes. i have a very hard time taking good pictures of myself...

i feel light as a feather, free as a bird with my new do.

~type to you soon~

awesome sunglasses deal

2011-03-05T14:49:00.001-05:00

go HERE to read about a sunglasses deal that is hard to beat!

~type to you soon~

a return to the old fashion lunch

2011-03-03T12:50:00.002-05:00

why not go back to a lunch of egg salad, chicken salad, ham salad, or tuna salad?

it was so good and really economical...especially compared to $8.99 a pound for lunch meat.

~type to you soon~

$1 or less kroger deals

2011-03-03T12:48:00.000-05:00

Kroger deals

Butterfinger, Nestle Crunch or Wonka Candy, singles, FREE
Pillsbury Refrigerated Breads, Biscuits, or Sweet Rolls 75¢
Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers 53¢
Totino’s Party Pizza or Pizza Rolls, 15 ct., 50¢
Progresso Soup, select varieties, 18.5-19 oz, 75¢
Hamburger Helper Meals 72¢
Zatarain’s Rice Mix, 5.7-8 oz, 50¢
Betty Crocker Brownie Mix, 16.5-19 oz, $1
Chex Mix, Bugles, or Gardetto’s Snacks, 6-8.75 oz, 25¢
Nature Valley or Fiber One Bars, 5-12 ct., 79¢
Pringles Super Stack, 5.71-6.3 oz, 83¢
Old Spice or Secret Deodorant, 2-3.25 oz, 99¢

go HERE to see the coupon match ups. thanks southern savers

~type to you soon~

new mascara

2011-03-01T17:32:00.005-05:00

1. i am not meticulous about the application of mascara...two swipes with the brush and that does it...i dont have the patience for finicky make-up application

2. i usually do not recommend any type of make up because, well just because. make up is different for everyone and it can turn into a huge expense if you purchase what everyone recommends

3. BUT...this stuff is super-fan-tabulous!!!! it is Physicians Formula 100% Natural Origin Mascara Ultra Black

look at the left eye compared to the right. i really only swiped those lashes twice. plus this is one of the mascaras that is on the safe products list that i posted a couple of weeks ago...read all about it HERE. CVS has a great deal on this mascara this week. you get a $7 ECB back when you purchase it for @ $10.50. find another product that you would like to try and use the ECB from the mascara purchase to buy your second item.

~type to you soon~

$1 or less kroger deals

2011-02-24T15:34:00.000-05:00

Kroger deals

Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner, FREE
Horizon Organic Milk Single, 8 oz., FREE
Voskos Greek Yogurt, 5.3 oz., FREE
Mentos Gum FREE
Starkist Tuna Pouch, 2.6-3 oz., or Can, 5 oz., FREE
Land O Lakes Margarine or Spread, 7-16 oz., FREE
Colgate Toothpaste FREE
Healthy Choice or Marie Callender’s Entree or Steamers or Kid Cuisine $1
Dannon Yogurt, 2-6 ct. or 24-32 oz., 88¢
Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Beverage, 32 oz., $1
Knorr Rice or Pasta Sides 50¢
Betty Crocker Muffin, 15.2-18.2 oz., Brownie Mix, 16.5-19.1 oz., or Dessert Bar Mix 69¢
Betty Crocker Cookie Mix, 17.5 oz., 89¢
Campbell’s Chunky Soups or Chowder, 15.25-19 oz., 79¢
Capri Sun or Kool-Aid Jammers, 10 ct., 85¢
Chex Mix or Golden Graham Bars, 6 ct., 69¢
Crunch ‘n Munch, 12 oz., 99¢
Ragu Pasta Sauce, 16-26.3 oz., 95¢
Pillsbury Grands Biscuits, 8 ct., 69¢
El Monterey Tornados, 8.4 oz., 94¢
Totino’s Pizza, 9.8-11 oz., or Totino’s Pizza Rolls, 15 ct., 70¢
Hefty One Zip Bags Freezer or Storage Bags, 12-22 ct., 19¢
Hormel Pepperoni or Salami, 3.5 oz., 50¢
Kroger Large Eggs, dozen, 98¢

thanks southern savers

~type to you soon~

practically perfect planting

2011-02-23T16:28:00.003-05:00

taken straight from the pages of country living, this is a great way to grow your seedlings. reuse to help the environment plus those egg shells have so many nutrients for baby plants...just make sure to crumble the shells before you put them in the ground. start saving those egg shells.

~type to you soon~

free living the country life subscription

2011-02-18T17:14:00.002-05:00

go HERE to read all about it...this looks like a great little magazine...plus when you sign up for the offer another offer for better homes and gardens for $5 a year pops up...what a great deal!

~type to you soon~

baby booties

2011-02-15T14:39:00.004-05:00

one of my stl besties hosted a shower a few weekends ago and decorated with these little gems. are they not the cutest things and so economical. i really like how she used scalloped scissors to cut the top edge. they are made from styrofoam cups. HERE is how to make them. another blogger out there in blog land hosted a really sweet shower and made them. i just love the subway "baby" art in her post too! i will be making one of those for the next shower i attend. anyone i know want to have a baby so i can make one for you?

~type to you soon~

what your husband really wants

2011-02-14T13:55:00.003-05:00

you should venture over HERE on this lovely snuggle weather valentine's day and read about what your husband really wants...it is good stuff, oh so good!

~type to you soon~

photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetsbyzoe/

gift giving

2011-02-12T09:14:00.004-05:00

i really love to wrap and give gifts...it is on my top list of things that really make me happy(this list a really big:). my usual approach to gift wrapping is a simple grosgrain ribbon tied in a single loop bow with long tails. i love the classic, crisp look with a little touch of charm. bows are good like that!

those gift tags i made a while back have really come in handy...

~type to you soon~

a new tote

2011-02-10T23:12:00.004-05:00

vintage ribbon trim from my mother

i saw a similar tote at the orchard we visited in the fall. it was love at first sight and i knew that i would need to make one...i will make more...the ruffles, the flower, the flowy fluff.

the next one is going to be made using some of my little cheek's dresses that she has outgrown.

~type to you soon~

strawberry muffins

2011-02-08T08:21:00.003-05:00

when your eight year old little boy says "momma, i would like some strawberry muffins." we make strawberry muffins. he rarely asks for anything. he's just that kind of guy(smile).

HERE is the recipe we used...i would highly recommend!

~type to you soon~

today

2011-02-07T09:17:00.002-05:00

i'm going to have to iron...because the last time i ironed i was able to wear this...can anyone relate...can i hear an amen...

~type to you after i have minimized the stack that is piled to the ceiling~

tervis WINNER

2011-02-06T10:24:00.003-05:00

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result: 5

The winner of the tervis tumbler is Rachel. Congratulations Rachel and thank you for sharing with me your favorite products. I really enjoyed reading them:) Rachel you can email me to claim your prize:)

~type to you soon~

lots of laundry rooms

2011-02-04T14:53:00.002-05:00

there are all kinds of laundry room re-do's over HERE...go check them out

~type to you soon~

findings on love

2011-02-04T10:28:00.006-05:00

lately i have been thinking that i might not be expressing love to me children as often as i should. of course they are hugged, snuggled, affirmed, and doted on but i go through each day shuffling them to this place and that and i often find that we are just surviving. i have to make loving my children intentional. loving them in such a way that they know and feel loved. of course all children respond to love and require love in different forms, but my goal for the next few weeks is to share with them some of the unique attributes that make them such lovely creatures. here are their love notes from today. if you want to read more on this topic THIS is a wonderful book. i would highly recommend it.

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE TERVIS TUMBLER GIVEAWAY...

THIS IS NO ORDINARY CUP

~type to you soon~

tervis giveaway

2011-02-02T14:02:00.006-05:00

i think today should be a giveaway day...

i bought one of these tervis tumblers while in stl this weekend with a red lid(super cute)

i had one already but one is just not enough because i think that they might be the best cups in the world...and i like to take one with me wherever i go...(that sounds like a line from Winnie the poo)

maybe not but it makes them sound like you should enter this giveaway...

and they are REALLY cool cups...you can put HOT or cold beverages in the cups

leave a comment telling me your favorite product( any genre) to enter the giveaway...

tweet the giveaway and you can enter twice

post it on your blog and enter a third time

looking forward to seeing your answers...

the winner can choose the design they would like

giveaway ends Saturday at 10 pm est

there is another really good giveaway over HERE too...beth is a very creative blogger and is worth following on your blog list

~type to you soon~

suitcase love

2011-02-02T12:03:00.003-05:00

i will be replicating this once i can get back to my antique shopping this spring. i miss my sunday strolls with my antique friend (she's not an antique...she's super chic and crazy fun)...but this little number will serve as an inspiration for some shopping very soon. "super chic and crazy fun friend"...i get first dibs on the suitcase finds:)

~type to you soon~

source: vintage junky and country living

penzey's...a delicious experience

2011-02-01T15:18:00.005-05:00

spent the weekend with my stl besties...thought you might want to "meet" them...they are some of my most favorite people in the whole world.

while i was there we went to penzey's. it is a spice store that i wrote about HERE

let me tell you...it was perfection. it was in a old building in a quaint part of a st. louis suburb. hardwood floors, wood crates, organization, and the smell...oh my! before we went i had prepared mr. dc for the trip. he knew that i had cleaned out the spice cabinet before we left. here is what i purchased while we were there.

just some of the bottom rack in the above picture

i bought these spices in bags, (you will see a picture below) because if you purchased in the bag you got a larger quantity for a cheaper price. i knew i had jars at home that would hold the spices. the store had all kinds of mixed spices, dressing mixes, and rubs.

i reused some of my existing bottles and removed the label from the bag that it came in so i could have the information for the spice

that sandwich sprinkle is straight from above...

these bags show how the spices came packaged

i would love to eventually have the entire spice cabinet be a penzey's spice cabinet

in the store they had all kinds of recipe cards for the taking, highlighting certain spices or blends to use in the recipe.

penzey's also has a catalog that has so many amazing recipes. i highly recommend subscribing HERE. and if you need spices let me tell you, penzey's is the place to buy. i found the company to have extremely reasonable prices and the quality is superior! i would buy the spices in the bag if you are going to have it shipped. and if you live near a penzeys, CHECK HERE, jump in your car and go NOW! what is holding you back. it will make you hApPy:)

one more little tidbit...a dash of penzey's almond extract in your coffee is deliciously decadent...thanks for the tip nanc:)

~type to you soon~

safe products list

2011-01-26T20:26:00.010-05:00

here is where i have been for the past few days...research for you and me...

1. in the title i said "safe"...let me term that word loosely because some of the options that i have included in the list are not necessarily the safest option. i made the list based on products that i know that i can get at the stores that i frequent. they are much safer options that i am currently using and i will be making the switch asap. many of these items can still be purchased using coupons.

2. the following list has been created using the skin deep cosmetic safety data base

3. the items are ranks 0-10, "0" being the best ranking in regard to safety "10" being the worst and extremely hazardous to your health. when i did the research on the products that i was using i could not believe the number of PROVEN cancer causing chemicals as well as a whole slew of other disease causing chemicals were in "my products."

4. a couple of tips that i will give you in regard to the list is you need to purchase the exact item in the description...not one that is similar or the same brand. many brands differ greatly in their safety from product to product. for example: there is a pantene shampoo that is safe, but it is one of the only pantene products that is...everything else is filled with chemicals that threaten your family's health. the other tip is organic is not always better. I WAS SHOCKED at the number of "organic" products that were ranked "5" or above.

5. please email or comment with any questions. also use the above link to check out any other products that you are currently using. this list is certainly not exhaustive, however, it is a guide that i think will help you be a wise and thrifty safety consumer.

SCALE: 0-2 low hazard 3-6 moderate hazard 7-10 high hazard

Hand Soap:

Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil Fragrance Free- 0

Dr. Bronner’s Magic All-One Hemp (citrus orange, eucalyptus, peppermint) pure-castile bar soap made with organic oils- 1

Ivory Bar Soap, Simply Ivory- 3

Dove Beauty Bar with Moisturizing Lotion for sensitive skin- 3

Sunscreen:

Alba Botanica Sun: Mineral Suncreen Fragrance Free, SPF 30- 2

Alba Botanica Sun: Mineral Suncreen Kids, SPF 30- 2

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Baby, SPF 30+ - 2

Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen Sensitive, SPF 30+ - 2

Johnson & Johnson Baby Sunscreen Lotion SPF 40- 2

Coppertone Kids Pure and Simple Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50- 3

Coppertone Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50- 3

Coppertone Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 Faces- 3

Coppertone Water Babies Pure and Simple Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50- 3

Coppertone Water Babies Pure and Simple Sunscreen- 3

CVS Baby Sunstick SPF 50- 3

CVS Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide SPF 45+ - 3

Deodorant:

Toms of Maine Natural Deodorant Body Bar Lemongrass - 0

Burts Bees Outdoor Herbal Deodorant- 1

Almay Antiperspirant & Deodorant, Clear Gel, Unscented- 1

Mitchum Antiperspirant & Deodorant Clear, Gel, Sport- 1

Lady Mitchum Clear Gel Antiperspirant & Deodorant Unscented- 1

Speed Stick Antiperspirant & Deodorant Solid, Unscented- 1

Ban Classic Invisible Solid Antiperspirant & Deodorant, Unscented- 1

Baby Wipes:

Seventh Generation Unscented with Aloe Vera and Vit. E- 1

Pampers Sensitive Wipes- 3

Pampers Natural with Aloe- 3

Make Up:

This area is too huge to cover (look for yourself I was SHOCKED at mine)…two good options at the drug store are

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Natural Origin Pressed Powder (sand beige, warm beige, translucent medium)- 2

Physicians Formula Organic Wear 100% natural Origin matte finish veil translucent- 2

Mascara:

Physicians Formula Retro Glow Ultra Dramatic Mascara Ultra Black- 2

Sephora Brand Lash Stretcher- 3

Rimmel Volume Flash Instant Thickening Mascara- 3

L’Oreal Double Extend Waterproof Lash Fortifier & Extender Mascara, Black-3

Revlon Mascara Blackest Black 621- 3

Lotion:

Shaklee Baby Baby Lotion- 1

Aveeno Daily Baby Moisturizing Lotion- 2

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion- 2

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion, Fragrance Free- 2

Aveeno Anti-itch Concentrated Lotion with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal(anti-itch/rash cream-2

Aveeno Active Naturals Daily Moisturizing Lotion (moisturizer)- 2

Aveeno Anti-itch Concentrated Lotion(anti-itch/rash cream)- 2

CVS Daily Moisturizing Lotion with Natural Colloidal Oatmeal (facial moisturizer/treatment)- 2

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Daily Therapeutic Lotion, Body Moisturizer, Fragrance Free (moisturizer)- 2

Walgreens Natural Oatmeal Daily Moisturizing Lotion(moisturizer)- 2

Yes To Carrots Daily Moisture Body Lotion(moisturizer)- 2

Lip Balm:

White Petroleum Jelly- 0

Dr. Bronner’s Magic organic (orange ginger, Lemon-Lime, Naked, Peppermint) Lip Balm- 1

Softlips Organic (Honeydew, Pomegranate) Lip Balm Conditioner-1

Eos Lip balm sphere (summer fruit, honey suckle honey dew)- 1

Burts Bees Lip Balm-2

ChapStick Botanical Medley-2

ChapStick Lip Butter-2

ChapStick Lip Balm , All Natural- 2

Toothpaste:

Tom’s Of Maine Antiplaque Spearmint- 1

Arm & Hammer Teeth Whitening Booster Toothpaste- 2

CVS Apple Banana Toothpaste- 2

Crest Whitening Plus Scope Citrus Splash- 3

Shampoo:

Burts Bees Outdoor Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar- 0

Pantene Pro V Brunette Expressions Color Enhancing Shampoo- 1

(Nutmeg to Dark Chocolate and Auburn to Burgundy)…ONLY

Giovanni Magnetic Energizing Shampoo- 2

Mr. Bubble 3 in 1 Extra Gentle Body Wash, Shampoo, and Bubble Bath- 3

Neutrogena, T-Sal Maximum Strength Therapeutic Shampoo- 3

TIGI Bed Head Self Absorbed Shampoo - 3

Baby Shampoo:

Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash - Fragrance Free - 2

Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo, Lightly Scented - 3

Baby Lotion:

Dr. Bronner's Magic Organic Baby Body Balm - 1

ALSO SEE LOTION LIST ABOVE

Mousse:

Giovanni Hair Care Natural Styling Mousse- 1

Sunsilk Anti Flat Weightless Volume Crème with collagen c- 4

Pantene Pro V Building Mousse- 5

these mousse products are terrible...there are very few household name brands that are not extremely harmful (same with gel and hair spray...just think you get to inhale the hairspray too)

Hair Gel:

Burts Bees Outdoor Miracle Salve- 0

Dr. Bronners Magic Organic (Peppermint/Lavendar coconut) Hair Cream- 2

TreSemme Clean Hold Gel- 2

VO5 Hair Dress Gray/White- 2 (who cares if it is for white hair...use it:)

Hair Spray:

TIGI Catwalk Fashionista Spritz and Shine - 1

Giovanni Hair Care Prod. F.N.M Styling L.A. Hold Spritz - 2

Aqua Net Professional Hair Spray, Extra Super Hold Unscented - 4 SHOCKER!!!!!!!!

Aussie Instant Freeze Hairspray, Maximum Hold, Non Aerosol- 4 (just bought some of this today until i can get some of the TIGI...the one i was using was a 10...uugh!)

ThermaSilk Heat Activated Ultra Hold, Non-Aerosol Hairspray- 4

Vapor Rub:

CVS Medicated Chest Rub- 2

I really hope that this is helpful. It was a labor of love:). If you would like this list in a word document format, I can email it to you. I am so glad that Emily at Living Renewed posted this information about the cosmetic safety data base.

~type to you soon~

update

2011-01-26T15:09:00.001-05:00

i'll be back soon...i'm working on something you will want to know...~type to you soon~

sandy toes

2011-01-22T14:44:00.003-05:00

wishing i had some sandy toes...
cheeks and g's toes at christmas on the beach
~type to you soon~

peppermint mini cakes

2011-01-21T14:34:00.004-05:00

made these for some friends last weekend

they were a hit...and i can't take any credit...

totally from a box...but all natural so we're calling it healthy:)

these came from world market...remember that christmas savings trip i took last month...

we will be enjoying that trip for several months to come with all the goodies that we scored

~type to you soon~

white on a white day

2011-01-20T14:57:00.002-05:00

just a few little winter white touches around the suburban farmhouse:)

~type to you soon~

inexpensive chalkboard crafts

2011-01-12T09:24:00.001-05:00

thought you would enjoy these ideas from living locurto HERE

~type to you soon~

coconut oil deal

2011-01-11T13:16:00.002-05:00

great deal on coconut oil HERE

how to use coconut oil HERE and HERE.

the second article is the most thorough.

~type to you soon~

raised beds on a snowy day

2011-01-11T08:00:00.002-05:00

HERE is a great article on raised gardening beds. there are also some links at the bottom on growing lots of veggies in a small space. i'll be back later with some more good info. until then, we have some lovely powder falling from the sky and i'm going to drink several cups of coffee and watch it:)

~type to you soon~

great article-must read

2011-01-10T17:05:00.004-05:00

read about

good make up you use
the current products that you are using and their dangers with ratings
solutions

really important stuff HERE

~type to you soon~

2011-01-08T21:05:00.002-05:00

added a new button to the sidebar...i'm tweeting...would love to tweet with you!

~type to you soon~

mighty mike

2011-01-08T14:54:00.002-05:00

Mighty Mike is the largest alligator on display outside of Florida and he’s arrived just in time for Winter Family Days. He weighs 800 pounds, can eat a turkey in a single gulp and at 14 feet in length, he’s longer than most cars. But he’s only here for a limited time. So hurry down during Winter Family Days and save when 2 kids get in free with each adult paying full price and meet Mighty Mike in person!Winter Family Days at Newport Aquarium
· January 3 through February 28
· 2 kids get in free with each adult who pays full price

go HERE for more information

~type to you soon~

bread crumbs

2011-01-08T09:46:00.002-05:00

free, gourmet, day-old, bread from the co-op

makes lovely free breadcrumbs

for

meatloaf

breaded chicken

and other goodies

food processed the bread

put in a jar

put in the freezer

perfect for a comfort meal down the road

why waste anything? surely it all has a use...

(note: use a wide mouth jar so you can scoop out your breadcrumbs easily when you need them)

~type to you soon~

$1 or less kroger deals

2011-01-06T18:46:00.000-05:00

Kroger Weekly Ad

Fage Greek Yogurt 5.3-7 oz FREE
Athenos Hummus 7 oz., FREE
Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap 6-7.5 oz., FREE
Old Spice Classic Deodorant 14¢
Old Spice or Secret Deodorant 2.6-3.25 oz 29¢
CoverGirl Single Color Eye Shawdows 30¢
CoverGirl Make Up Masters Wedge Sponges, Pencil Sharpener 30¢
Crest Toothpaste 4-6.2 oz 50¢
Campbell’s Soup 10.5-11.5 oz 55¢
Dawn Dishwashing Liquid 10.1-24 oz 59¢
Febreze Air Effects or Set & Refresh 9.7 oz or 1 ct 59¢
Oral-B Advantage Plus Toothbrush 1 ct 75¢
Herbal Essences or Aussie Hair Care 5.7-14 oz 99¢
Chi-Chi’s Salsa 16 oz 99¢
Kashi GoLean Cereal 11.4-19.5 oz., 99¢
Kashi TLC Granola Bars 99¢

Thanks southern savers for the tip

st. nicks wheel

2011-01-05T21:51:00.004-05:00

found this little bugger today under the christmas tree after all the ornaments were put away in boxes, put into the plastic tubs, and stacked ready for storage. needless to say i was not going to pull all of the ornaments back out to see who was missing this. i could tell it was from the hallmark series of ornaments mr. dc buys for me each year so i labeled it as best as i could with directions for next year and put it in the christmas bin that was easiest to get to.

i do this a lot when i need to remember to do something with a "spare part". plastic baggies are a great organizational tool. not so green, but they do the trick when i need to remember something long term and i need to keep something small to go with the memory. hope this helps all of you who can't remember things from year to year. shucks...i can't remember things hour to hour:)

~type to you soon~

afterschool snack

2011-01-05T21:49:00.004-05:00

peppermint shakes just sound good today

~type to you soon~

cooperative extension service

2011-01-04T20:38:00.003-05:00

i know...baby it's cold outside...and the last thing on most of your minds right now is gardening

BUT...

spring will be here before we know it and the boone county cooperative extension office is offering some excellent classes on gardening if you are interested.

the family gardening series is

2/22 how to grow your own garden from seed

3/3 growing tomatoes and peppers at home

3/8 growing berries, grapes, and other fruits at home

3/15 growing organic veggies at home

3/22 growing gardens together: hort therapy

4/5 gardening in raised beds

4/7 preparing gardens

also...

5/25 compost for beginners

the co-op extension service website is www.ca.uky.edu/boone or call 586.6101 if you would like more information.

if you are not local check out your local co-op extension office. they are a great resource.

~type to you soon~

menu planning

2011-01-04T20:12:00.005-05:00

menu planning is certainly a hot topic right now and with good reason. it definitely saves money and makes the day go a little smoother in regard to the evening routine. however, i just can't commit to a plan that i set on sunday for the entire week, because usually by monday what i planned on sunday for monday sounds about as appetizing as a card board box. the benefit of the couponing and stock piling is that i usually have all the ingredients that i need without a last minute trip to the grocery. so here is my plan for the menu around these parts.

monday: soup day

tuesday: beef and potato day(the beef type will vary and the way potatoes are served)

wednesday: breakfast day

thursday: Italian day

friday: chicken day

saturday: leftover day or if there are none a quick frozen something or sandwiches(hot on the griddle)

sunday: appetizer night...fun snick snack stuff with some healthy veggies and fruit on the side

what i like about this plan is it gives me a little guideline to think within but i have the freedom to chose within the guideline what sounds good. for example, instead of on monday thinking what out of all the foods in the world am i going to fix i just think..."what soup sounds good tonight?"

i don't know if this thought process will be helpful for you, but it is for me. what is your plan for tackling meals at your house?

HERE are some meal plan templates that are already created. they might be a good fit for you if you want to take the time to look through them.

~type to you soon~

2011

2010-12-31T23:25:00.004-05:00

i want to "be there"

wherever i am

needed.wanted.desired.asked

with a glad heart

be present

i just want to "be there"

~type to you soon~

photo credit: recharge lounge

bag for g

2010-12-29T09:48:00.003-05:00

just a fun little project i made for g. i just made a shell for a denim bag that i bought at hobby lobby. i turned the bag inside out before i attached the shell so the outside pockets on the original bag are now inside pockets of the new bag. mr. g loves it.

~type to you soon~

world market

2010-12-28T16:00:00.003-05:00

so on vacation i have found a store that has become a favorite. i had been to this little nugget before but it was at a different time in my life so i certainly looked at things a little differently. anyway, world market is this great little store that has so many wonderful little finds. i got some really cute hats(anthro styling), some christmas gifts for next year, and some awesome specialty food. they have all of there christmas food 50% off. plus there is a $10 off a $30 purchase coupon if you sign up to be a member at their website. i bought tortilla chips (a really big bag) $1. gourmet peanuts that sell at home in a little tiny tin at kramers market for $8, i paid $4 for a tin that is literally 5 times the size. a big plastic drum of pretzels was $2. Old fashion glass soda bottles (box of 12) was $3.33. the best deal of the day though was the grade a maple syrup. 12 oz for $3. the only bummer is that the closest one to me is in louisville. i guess i will have to go visit my friends in st. louis or come back to florida for more world market excursions.

they also have this wonderful coffee rewards program too, if you have a local store. you can buy the christmas coffee to earn your rewards. the christmas coffee is really cheap. $3 a bag.

~type to you soon~

coconut oil

2010-12-23T20:45:00.003-05:00

Here is a great deal on coconut oil. You should read about it and the amazing benefits to using coconut oil in your diet and for personal care. Go HERE to read about the AWESOME sale.

~type to you soon~

thanks saving naturally for the tip

morning lows and highs

2010-12-23T10:09:00.004-05:00

lows:

up this morning at 5:30 with the boys. momma grouchy...very grouchy

highs:

coffee...starbucks coffee...lots of coffee

bike ride to the market with my daddy...felt like a little girl again...even with the sleep deprivation

cookie factory in the kitchen

same boys that woke me up at 5:30 licking "batter stirwers" in the words of g. smacking lips and smiles

the prospect of a nap for all this afternoon
~type to you soon~

photo credit: corbis images

loving this room

2010-12-23T08:44:00.002-05:00

do you?

i just love the ceiling.

~type to you soon~

photo credit: windows viewer

fabric cone trees

2010-12-22T08:52:00.004-05:00

i don't know if you all have seen these but they are super cute, economical, and gorgeous. check them out over HERE.

~type to you soon~

location and condition

2010-12-21T11:12:00.004-05:00

spending Christmas on the sandy beach...seems a little wrong in a way with no snow...but Christmas really has nothing to do with your physical location does it? it really is all about the condition of your heart. love to you all.

~type to you soon~

twinkle

2010-12-08T14:18:00.003-05:00

hope your day is a twinkly one

~type to you soon~

kid-friendly christmas decor

2010-12-04T10:33:00.003-05:00

would you look at how cute this little topiary is. one of my mid-west besties made this with her little girls. i thought it was super cute. wouldn't your little ones just love to make this?

~type to you soon~

kitchen light

2010-12-03T08:33:00.003-05:00

we have had these pendant lights for over a year and finally wrapped our brains around the right application for them (after a trip to our local pottery barn) ...the dilemma has always been that one of the lights was going to need to drop right out of the middle of the skylight, which was really not an option.
the ladder (that was free) is a perfect solution for function and a little touch of detail. have a wonderful day.

~type to you soon~

chocolate pie

2010-11-29T21:11:00.003-05:00

chocolate pie...served at thanksgiving...was yummy if i say so myself...
the taste while an accomplishment was not what i was most excited about...
it was the crust and the detail in the edge...first success in the area of crust...yeah!
~type to you soon~

glass jars

2010-11-24T14:35:00.004-05:00

just a little milk left in a 1/2 gallon container...no reason to take up that much space
no busted boxes and torn bags for the cereal

perfect for organizing a cabinet that needs some attention or consolidating tight quarters in the frig

~type to you soon~

penzey's

2010-11-17T14:26:00.004-05:00

my birthday was a couple of weeks ago. two of my out of town besties sent me some spices in the mail that were absolutely the best spices that i have ever used. i really did not think that the brand of spice, better yet the freshness of the spice would make that much of a difference but IT DID!!! i would HIGHLY recommend you trying PENZEY's spices. click HERE to go to their site. my friends sent me the baking box and the grilling box that are highlighted on the home page. i think that you will love it and never go back. can't wait to head to st. louis and visit the penzey's store. these would make a great christmas gift for anyone on your list!

~type to you soon~

how i roll

2010-11-12T21:35:00.003-05:00

here is how i do chocolate chip cookies. double the batch...sometimes triple...bake a cookie sheet full...roll the rest into a cookie sheet servings (about 2 cups of batter) into wax paper rolls. then place the rolls in a gallon size freezer bag. plop those suckers in the freezer. pull out a single cookie sheet serving whenever you like and wha-la...home made chocolate chippers anytime without the big mess in the kitchen.

~type to you soon~

snickerpoodles

2010-11-07T20:46:00.003-05:00

we made these on saturday. my sweet cheeks wanted her some snickerpoodles. just use your favorite sugar cookie dough recipe and shape the cookies using 4 different sized ovals. we rolled the ovals in cinnamon and sugar and flattened them a little when assembling the cookies. they were super easy and are really self explanatory by looking at the pictures. your little ones will love them. here is an online recipe. we made our own dough but i'm sure the refrigerated kind works too.

~type to you soon~

some good finds

2010-11-05T16:20:00.005-04:00

photo credit: guerrillahealthwatch

so the more that i venture into this financially aware, environmentally friendly, health conscience way of life, the more information that i learn and wish that i knew earlier.

today after talking with one of my neighbor friends i learned of two new resources and one old one that went to try today. the first is a local cheese and butter distributor that ships to your house and offers incredible products at very reasonable prices. here is the web address. i have heard the butter is absolutely FAB-U-LOUS. i ordered from simply cheese (the above company) today. i am going to try the salted butter, the cracker sampler, and the pepper cheese. i will let you know soon.

this sweet neighbor that told me about simply cheese also shared with me about a local farm that she is going to be a drop point for. on weds. afternoons the farm will deliver fresh eggs, milk, meat products, some seasonal vegetables and fruits might also be available. you can receive a weekly email that will tell you what you can get each week if you are interested. all of this will be delivered to her house and you can pick up right there. if you are interested shoot me and email and i will give you more information. the beef is organic grass fed beef and very reasonable. they will also have lunch meat and hot dogs very soon.

lastly i went to a produce co-op that i have been intending to visit for over a year. i got a large cardboard box full of produce that was really fresh for $16.50. I would have spent well over $50 if i had bought this at the store sale price. i will be happy to email you info on this too if you are local and interested.

here is what i am learning. there are resources, places to eat organic and healthy for cheap. as cheap as i can feed my family using conventional foods from the grocery. the grocery and drug stores are still excellent resources for stockpiling shelf items and household goods but if i can support local organic farmers and feed my family the best stuff available...why not. let me know if you would like these resources or need help finding some local ones where you are.

~type to you soon~

VOTE

2010-11-02T13:55:00.002-04:00

my dear readers...vote today...vote because you live in a country that allows you to choose its leaders...

~type to you soon~

glammed gift tag

2010-10-30T11:01:00.003-04:00

ok so glammed is a little bit of an overstatement but this was a really easy way to make a little girls gift tag go from simple and understated to pink and girly in two little cuts. i usually like simple and understated that's why i have these little white gift tags but a little girl is not simple and understated:)

take and old sticker sheet edge. cut the corner and lookie there a fun gift tag for a birthday party.

~type to you soon~

pancakes

2010-10-28T15:27:00.004-04:00

today when i was making pancakes, (in my pajamas, not showered, hair matted) for our little g at 8:35 and he was supposed to be at school at 9:00, i thought to myself, why? well i promised pancakes to little g last night and one should never break a promise. little g has me promise him things quite often. he knows my feelings on this promise rule! his face while he helped me make the pancakes was priceless, it was worth the few minutes that we were late for school. it was once said that “Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend” . i would add to that time spent doing the good, the lovely, the right, the gracious...

~type to you soon~

photo credit: razor family farms

organic finds

2010-10-26T12:42:00.005-04:00

today at walgreens i found oscillococcinum (the children's variety) on the clearance rack for $3.24. i had a $1 off coupon so i scored big time. $2.24 for and item that is usually $12. i also purchased the chestal that can be mailed in for a rebate for the full purchase price. the chestal is a wonderful product. we use both of these products to help with winter colds and flu every year. they are excellent! note: CORRECTION: YOU CAN ONLY PURCHASE 2 IF YOU LIVE IN RHODE ISLAND. SORRY ALL YOU OTHER FOLKS. can't beat that deal!

at kroger they have cascadian farm cereal in a double pack for $2.99 (over a 50% savings) and on the pack there is a coupon for a FREE box of cascadian granola bars. i found the cereal right on the edge of the produce department not in the cereal department.

let me know what you find.

~type to you soon~

observations of a 34 year old

2010-10-22T15:41:00.006-04:00

pictured above: opera cream cake from the bon bonerie (my favorite) photo credit: enquirer.com

yesterday was my 34th birthday. i spent most of the day on a little shopping adventure, thanks to sweet mr. dc. and my precious friend denise (who cared for our 4 year old). i had several hours alone which does not happen to often, and i had a very pleasant uninterrupted lunch with my mom. here is what i have deduced about my life of 34 years.

1. i have sorely underestimated the importance of a GREAT bra my first 34 years of life! mind you, i was not wearing a bra the first 10 or 11 years of that life but since then, man was i wrong. a bra is not just a bra. i am NOT endowed, therefore in the past my experience with undergarments has been finding a good deal at the gap outlet:). well yesterday i splurged and bought 3 bras that support my nothingness. LET ME TELL YOU...the girls have been happy today!

2. i loved leggings in the 80's. "n" has worn leggings since the day she was born. i am now wearing leggings again. i love them...i might continue to wear them well past there "in style-ness". if you see me in my leggings in 7 years when everyone is wearing baggy pants again, i give you permission to clue me in at that point...until then, leave me to my legging bliss.

3. my children love to give gifts about as much as i do. they were so excited they could hardly wait for me to open my present from each of them. in fact, "g" was so overly excited that he opened it on his own as just kept saying in a VERY loud voice..."this is so snugly momma. we can snuggle momma."

4. mr. dc is by far the most generous, kind, thoughtful, procrastinating man on the planet. he did shop the day before my birthday this year, which is such an improvement from years past. i was soooooo proud! he also got almost everything that he purchased for me in the right size (even two pairs of jeans, amazing, and i really like the jeans). he did not like some of the jeans that i have been wearing, apparently they are a little to "grandma-ish". i think that i like grandma-ish, but i also like what his face looked like when i tried on the jeans that he bought.

5. i never tire of having a quiet, uninterrupted lunch with my mom. we do it so infrequently now that it is always such a special treat. i love my mom...i always will love my mom!

6. my friends are the best friends on the planet. if you need an awesome friend i can try to match you up with one of mine. i will however need a very in depth questionnaire filled out and have to conduct several thorough investigations into your personal life before i share. i could not have felt more loved yesterday. thank you, thank you, thank you!

~type to you soon~

deals at the drugstore

2010-10-19T15:08:00.004-04:00

so here is the low down
spent:$17.39
would have spend that just on the razor and the toothpaste if bought at reg. price
total retail:$51.00 more depending upon where you shop

cvs has some great organic brands in their clearance section. you may want to check your local cvs. if you live near a rite aid they have some AWESOME deals this week on homeopathic medicine. i would go if i were you. check the deals on southern savers or thrifty mama.

~type to you soon~

apples

2010-10-18T21:47:00.003-04:00

today was applesauce and dried apple day. i tried a new method to make the applesauce in the crock pot. it worked lovely. i peeled and sliced the apples, covered the bottom of the crock pot with water, added sugar (about 1/4 cup for every 5 apples) you may want to add more to taste. i also added cinnamon, not sure how much, just covered the top of the apples. i let those suckers cook for about 8 hours and the house could not have smelled more like a home. it was lovely. the dried apples were just peeled, sliced, and put in the dehydrator. we like to eat dried apples for snacks and use them for dried apple pies. you should really try the applesauce. it was really easy and the smell in the house was so worth the little effort that it took.

~type to you soon~

quaker oats coupon

2010-10-17T14:30:00.002-04:00

here is a coupon for quaker oats for $2 off. that is a great deal and if you can find a good sale it will be near free. thanks organic deals.

have a great sunday

~type to you soon~

hospitality-thursday thoughts on friday

2010-10-15T13:57:00.003-04:00

i read this excerpt in a book yesterday that talked about hospitality and how our perception of true hospitality is ridiculously skewed. the passage is worth reading. i hope that you enjoy it as much as i did.

"By worldly standards, hospitality is entertaining others, and the focus is on the host and the hostess. Their home is clean, the food is special and abundant, all has been well planned and prepared in advance. The host and hostess are smiling, and seem to have everything in order. The guests enjoy the evening and they will soon reciprocate.
By contrast Christian hospitality focuses on the guests. They are not ones to whom we are obligated because "they have had us over." They are saints of God, struggling Christians just as we are, who have a need. The first priority is meeting that need, which might be a place to stay, a listening ear, or just fellowship. If food is to be served, the quality and quantity is not important. The house does not have to be spotless but can look as though someone lives there."

this passage so spoke to my heart and the ridiculous emphasis that i put on things that really do not matter now and certainly not with an eternal perspective in mind. hope this pricks your heart in the way it did mine and probes you on to love and good deeds toward others.

~type to you soon~

passage found in This Love We Share by Harry and Emily Griffith

Marble Gooey Bars

2010-10-10T22:07:00.004-04:00

photo credit: taste of home

this is for my sweet new friends i met this weekend. hope to see you soon. we will try to plan a committee get together at our house. sorry we missed you last night after, i was not feeling so great after we left. thanks again for the fun weekend!

crust:

1 package of yellow cake mix

1 stick of butter (melted)

1 large egg

filling:

1 package of cream cheese (8oz.) room temp.

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 stick of butter (melted)

3 3/4 cups of confectioners sugar

1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips

preheat oven to 350

use 13 X 9 inch baking pan

crust:

combine cake mix butter and eggs in large mixing bowl. blend on low for 2 min. the batter should stick together in a ball. spread the batter over the bottom of the pan to make the crust.
filling:

for the filling you can use the bowl that you used for the crust and the beaters too. no need to clean. fluff the cream cheese by blending with the mixer. then add eggs, vanilla and melted butter and mix on medium for about a minute. add the confectioners sugar and beat on medium until sugar is incorporated.

melt the chocolate chips in either microwave or on stove. measure out one cup of the above filing and combine with the chips to make chocolate filing.

pour the white filing into the crust and spread over the entire crust. then drop spoonfuls of the chocolate over the white filing. run a butter knife over the chocolate drops to create marble effect.

bake until it is browned but the center should still jiggle ( this is one thing that is ok to jiggle:)

approx. 45-47 minutes. i think it took a little less time for me because i used a bigger pan.

keep in mind you might as well take 2 bars and place them on your rear because my dear friends this is where it will end up...but life is short...and gooey bars are soooooo good...

~type to you soon~

free lightbulbs from duke energy

2010-10-04T16:53:00.001-04:00

if you are a duke customer for your electricity go HERE to read how to get free energy efficient light bulbs. seems like a great deal!
~type to you soon~

fall at the suburban farmhouse

2010-10-04T16:31:00.006-04:00

i just love the way the berries intertwine in this antique bracket

teacups are always a great way to "pedestal something up"

this tray sits on an ottoman and just "cozies" the room

those little acorns are from a tree up the road

these acorns too...

our mantel is currently a really thin one...so decorating it can sometimes be a challenge...it won't be thin too much longer

simple centerpiece in the kitchen

the benches on the front porch

some of the pumpkins from our garden :)

hope this puts you in the mood for fall...i am so ready for some crisp cool days and warm sweaters!

~type to you soon~

encourage

2010-10-03T12:00:00.004-04:00

a sweet lady came up to me at church today and told me that she read domestic chick and ask if i was the author of the site. it was such a sweet word of encouragement. so often i think that we don't recognize how much an encouraging word means. so today encourage someone. encourage your child who is struggling in an area or your husband that might need some recognition for all that he does. i am so thankful for this little blog and all of you who so graciously entertain my ramblings. have a great Sunday!

God encourages Moses to encourage Joshua and the encouragement strengthens him...

But commission Joshua, and encourage and strengthen him, for he will lead this people across and will cause them to inherit the land that you will see.

Deuteronomy 3:28

~type to you soon~

photo credit:corasnc

walgreens this week

2010-09-28T14:55:00.004-04:00

today at walgreen i bought the following items for approx. $13 and some change.

Transaction #1
2~60 oz bottles of clorox bleach sale price $1.29 (used 2 dollar off coupon found by the clorox wipes at kroger to wipe off your cart) you have to buy the clorox wipes deal for the coupon to work.
make sure the clerk scans that walgreens coupon in the flyer for the sale price on the bleach

2~35 ct. Clorox wipe containers (used 2 25 cents coupons. there is one that is also $1 off that would be better to use if you have it)

2 bags of Brachs mallow pumpkins

Received $3 in register rewards that I used on transaction #2

Transaction #2
2 bags of Halls cough drops (there are coupons for this but i did not have them. you can save even more if you do)

6 boxes of puffs tissues (108 ct.)

the tissues alone would have cost more than the total if I had bought them at regular price.
~type to you soon~

crispy, crunchy, yummy

2010-09-27T08:35:00.004-04:00

last monday my favorite, favorite, favorite show premiered for the season. in celebration of the long awaited night i made some yummy treats for mr. dc (and me). mr. dc used to not like my show but now he watches it with me. i don't know if he likes the show or just the treats but either way it's nice to have him next to me. i used the carmel corn recipe that i posted HERE to make the carmel for the apples. then i just melted a few chocolate chips and drizzled the top. below is the carmel corn with a chocolate drizzle as well. so glad fall is here. and carmel apples are here. and carmel corn is here. and you are here. thanks for being here.

~type to you soon~

bedroom redo

2010-09-25T08:45:00.005-04:00

before
with some laundry

after

the blue wall is a lovely restoration hardware-pottery barn shade of blue with some green and gray tones. i really like it. it is one of the few blues that i have found that does not look "baby blue" it is babbling brook at lowes.

we moved this glass piece of wall art to this wall because eventually there will be moldings on the wall behind the bed. and that pillow on the bed that near matches the blue wall perfectly was free from an elderly friend.

do you see the other candle holder...the match is in the bathroom

moved all of the pictures, less busy. concise.

we are really enjoying our new room...it is amazing what a can of paint can do...

~type to you soon~

up to

2010-09-24T16:20:00.006-04:00

the above pictures are the before. don't you love all the brass and the faux paint in the water closet?

here is the after...the faucets on the sinks still have to be painted...yes you heard me right...painted. rustoleum has this amazing paint out called oiled bronze and it has a trigger spray and man does it look real.

replaced the towel bars with hooks

sprayed and UGLY mirror oiled bronze

mr. dc added this nifty magazine rack... molded into the wall

moved the towel caddy to a more functional space and doubles for tp storagecorner decor

recognize the mason jar...i think that idea was in better homes and gardens

painted that candle holder it was a free find in a garage giveaway. it was a REALLY ugly maple finish. you will see the other one tomorrow in the bedroom reveal.

more brass painted bronze

my man added a transom window above the bedroom door. this is a teaser for tomorrow. hope you like it...i sure do!

~type to you soon~

$18

2010-09-10T10:04:00.004-04:00

i have big plans for this little number, i'll show you later

here are the deals of the day

~type to you soon~

frenchy

2010-09-09T16:17:00.001-04:00

french fries are good...very good!
~type to you soon~

thrifted books

2010-09-07T19:51:00.002-04:00

found two american girl books today, brand new, and 50 cents each at a local thrift shop. great savings of $13. they will make a wonderful birthday gift for sweet little friend that loves to read.

~type to you soon~

$25 for $50 at moe's

2010-09-04T08:39:00.001-04:00

the deal is back. go here to purchase the gift certificates. they come in 5 $10 gift certificates. remember kids eat free on tuesday nights and you can use the certificates for the adult meals.
~type to you soon~

a raincoat, purse, and sandals

2010-09-03T21:17:00.004-04:00

$4.97 j c penny's (girls department) size 5. it will fit if you wear a 7 or 7.5...trust me

aren't they darling

original price $36.00

$4.97 j c penny's

original price $29
$9.99 land end shop (sears in lexington)
suede hobo bag that is still retailing online for $69.50

$9.99 lands end shop

still retailing online $79.99
original price $119.00

unbelievable

the above items totaled $30.00 plus tax...and they are all new...

no thrifting today...no need at these prices

~type to you soon~

humility

2010-09-03T08:45:00.003-04:00

humility is so much more than appearing or sounding humble. it is a heart issue. it is the desire to please the Lord in all you do and say and as a result humbleness is a way of life, not an appearance.

i am reading this book by CJ Mahaney called Humility: True Greatness and i am loving it! it is so convicting. i have so far to go in my heart and with my hearts motives. i would highly recommend the book.

~type to you soon~

i'll be back with some yard sale deals a little later...hopefully

recipe box

2010-09-01T16:20:00.007-04:00

a couple of weeks ago i started the process of RE-organizing my recipes. note the emphasis on RE! this is something that i have had to do for years.

1. because i have these friends that cook this amazing stuff and i have to have the recipe for these things.

2. because i subscribe to some of the best magazines with these mouth watering recipes with these lovely pictures.

3. because i am how i am. i can't help myself. it has to at least look orderly. i THINK, again note the emphasis on THINK i have finally found a system that works for me. not sayin it will for you, but it might, just sayin.

so here has been the issue for the past 11 years or so, since i actually started caring about food, how it looked, tasted, was prepared, etc. i love, love, love a recipe box and recipe cards. especially ones that have been loved with worn corners and tons of love dripped all over but what was i to do with all of the magazine recipes and the online recipes because i don't like loose sheets floating around in my recipe box.

btw...it used to really bug me that all of my recipe cards did not match. sometimes i would even re-write them if someone gave me one. however along the way i really have learned to love when i get a different card that has different writing than mine. it is special. i am reminded of the person who gave me the recipe and it usually makes me smile while i am making the creation.

unless something goes totally remiss with the creation and then i get a little resentful of the person and their superior culinary abilities. just being honest, trying to work on my pride issues. admitting you have a problem is the first step, right?

so here is a brief overview of how i have combined the mismatched cards, Internet and magazine recipes all into one neat little box.

all recipes are grouped by category. i like this method better than alphabetically because then i can just shove the card into the box under a category instead of rooting through each and every card.
i fold the magazine and Internet recipes so they will fit on one of the recipe cards. i tape them to the card and then trim the recipe in such a way that i can unfold the recipe without removing it from the card. i also write the recipe name at the top of the card so i do not have to pull it out and look at the article. you can see how i cut the recipes in the above picture. this also makes the recipes sturdier and they seem to last longer. i attach them to the card with a piece of tape.

i am sure that you all are running to your kitchens to get started on organizing your recipe boxes. if you do get around to it soon send me some pictures. also a great rule of thumb for recipe boxes and recipes in general, unless it is a family recipe, if you haven't made it in the last 5 years...you probably won't. pass it on or trash it.

~type to you soon~