We're off!

Just thought I'd quick post that we are off and on our way home! I'll write for sure on Monday for Menu Plan Monday and a recap on the flights home.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings!

No Spend Challenge

Mom Advice currently has a no spend challenge going on starting the month of February. I think it's a great idea - to be disciplined or to save money. I think it is good to go without at times and stretch your creativity in that way.

I just wanted to pass on the link to give others the opportunity to participate. So, here it is. Our goal right now is to live like this anyway, so I'm sure I'll join in as well. Once we get home (we leave tomorrow), I'll decide whether to join the group and all, but I'm sure we'll strive to live like that no matter what :).

I'd be curious to see if any of the rest of you join the group!

Traveling Mercies

Just wanted to say thanks to those who gave helpful traveling tips to me for Evee and I and for those who prayed! I guess I never said it, but all went well. We had a bit of traveling change ups with flights and all, but in the end it worked out okay. Evee and I were against the window with 2 other people beside us for over 14 hours straight (the longest portion of the trip). The trip in total was over 24 hours. So, here's what I found worked - knowing every kid and trip is different! And, a lot of these are more-so things I'm thankful for instead of being "stuff" that you can take :). Oh, and another sidenote is that once we got to Australia (Sydney), we had to travel another 1 hour and a half 3 days later to Clint's family in another city. Then this past weekend we drove another 15 hours back down to Sydney for his brother's wedding. Now, Friday we'll leave to make the 24+ hour trip back home. So, lots of traveling for a little one (and Clint and I)!

Okay, now for the "helps" along the way...

• Sling - Evee is really heavy now! Even though I brought the stroller, she was in the sling a lot due to being overly tired. I said it before we left and I'll say it again - I LOVE the sling!
  
• We did find a dvd player and borrowed it from a friend! It was really nice to have and also helped in the first couple of days after arriving, when we were jet lagged and I wanted to hang in bed just a bit longer (or do e-mails or skype with Clint & my mom). It helped her be a bit relaxed and was wonderful to know that I could use it as a last resort.
  
• The fact that she now sleeps on me. Even though she had to be on my lap the entire way and my legs fell asleep frequently, it was nice that she will now fall asleep on me when she's really tired. When we did this same trip at 10 months of age she wouldn't sleep on us and it was not fun trying to let her "cry it out" a bit on a very crowded plane!
• Coloring items. Coloring books, crayons, paper, etc. For some reason we can go back to this again and again...doesn't get old too easily.
  
• Snacks were good, like suggested. I had stocked up on some Trader Joe's ends and pieces (all the bits from the cut fruit leathers so they are cheaper). If you can get your hands on these they are amazing, but often hard to find!
• Frogs - these were one of the cheap toys that we'd gotten from my friend. Evee loves these and talks about them all the time. They are just squishy little frogs in different colors.

We also sat by some really nice people on the way to Australia and there was another mom traveling without her husband and her almost 2 year old little boy. So, we'd walk around the plane a bit together with our kids.

I'm glad to have Clint with Evee and I on the way home!

Potty Training

So, I was just putting Evee to bed and going to change her diaper. When her diaper was off, she said that she wanted to go peepee. I figured that she just wanted to run around naked for a bit. I asked her if she wanted to go sit on the potty. She said yes. I figured we'd give it a go.

Little side note: We started the potty training process mid December, just to see if it would work, since she was so interested in it at the time. She wasn't quite ready. I was using a little potty chair. In early January, she went poo on the potty since she asked to go.

So, tonight, we went to the toilet and I put her on. She had been hesitant when I've tried this in the past because it's so big. This time she was fine, sat there on her own, and went pee! Anyway, very exciting!

Any thoughts on continuing the process? We are, of course, still visiting family and have a big travel to get back home...so I'll probably wait till we're there (although I planning on asking her every now and then). But, I am excited to get on the process once there!

Meal Plan Monday

So, once again, I am not actually meal planning this week. Hopefully I'll be having fish and chips on the beach!

Here are some more of the recipes I plan on trying once home. Last week I looked at 2 vegetarian recipes. This week I'll take a look at recipes that can be done as cheaply as possible! A great website to check out is Erin's over at $5 Dinners where she posts a meal each night of the week that is $5 or less.

Taking a few from her site to share this week...

Potato Vegetable Medley Roast - I might put it with a small amount of meat (maybe if I roast a chicken some time that week)

Pasta Fagioli Soup - I already have some of these ingredients in my cupboard and freezer, so that will work out well!

Crockpot Potato Chowder - This soup looks really good! (Notice, I didn't necessarily say healthy :)). This recipe was from a guest poster and is a good post to read!

Passing the Peace...

As wonderful as it has been to be with family and knowing that family cannot be replaced, I am thinking about passing the peace this week and am so thankful for the wonderful friends that have always been around us! From friends who have insisted that we go out and they'd watch Evee to friends that we've been able to swap with, I'm thankful for communities of people who are willing to "be family" in a sense when there is no family around. What an amazing blessing to be a part of others' lives and families, to live in community, and to be there to help each other out!

Although we end up doing babysitting swaps causally, I talk about a couple of different ways to do it here. When it works, its a beautiful thing :).

Peace & Simplicity

Peace and simplicity this week has been getting to go out a couple of nights and leave Evee with grandparents! How fun! Both times were after dinner and about an hour or 2 before bedtime, which allowed me to go out and do stuff with friends. We've never lived by either of our families, so it's always a treat for Evee to get time with family and us to have some help :).

I also enjoyed taking Evee to a huge pool type of thing that was close to the ocean. The only sad part was that Clint would have loved taking her there and I'm sure would have been more fun than me :). But, still, it was wonderful getting some time away with Evee and in water, none the less.

"Make Your Own" - File Folder Games

I thought I'd pass along this great idea to make board games out of old file folders. The post is from Amy at Let's Explore, but she actually shared the idea here. Take a look! It would be such a fun and fairly easy idea to do on days when you're hanging out at home and looking for something fun to do together. I also think it's brilliant that you have to actually make the games and then you get to play them!

Have a fun day!

Meanderings

I wanted to put out a blog post sometime in the next few hours because it will be the start of Tuesday soon in the States, but it's already Tuesday afternoon here. I usually stick to somewhat of a regular blog schedule because it helps to write about certain topics on certain days, all of which are topics I generally enjoy writing about. But sometimes it's nice to just write about whatever...though it feels like more of a journal, which isn't necessarily bad, but definitely more vulnerable in a funny sort of way. And, it shows the randomness of my thoughts.

So, things I've been thinking about since being away (besides Clint)...

And, as a disclaimer, I think about all these things regularly, so I can't say something exactly brought them on. Although, some are very much so based on a situation, so, there goes the disclaimer. I could just take this whole paragraph out...

Parenting. How differently each of us parent. How even when we have similar views on certain things, parenting is unique to each family. How it's nice to not be judged for how you parent, but how easily it is to have an opinion on other parenting styles. This goes for so many things, though, not just parenting. Really, I guess I've been thinking about this for all of life. Judgment is a funny thing.

Warm weather. Being in such an amazing climate really makes you think about how we usually chose where we live based on jobs, relationships, comfort (of the known) and very little on weather. If it was on weather, I can tell you that Clint would not have made it for the last 8 years and I wouldn't have my whole life (nor my mom). Although, I'm thinking of my friend right now who is thrilled that it is snowing outside and very cold where we live. So, I guess that it is my own personal opinion that warm weather is better. And, I guess I do love fall and spring.

Being teachable. Going along with the whole parenting thought from above. There is something about being around people when they are teachable and humble in the life process. It's not nice to be around someone who you don't necessarily agree with, but seem to believe that they have everything together. Thinking about how I want to be constantly teachable, but also love being passionate about things I feel strongly about.

The difference between faith and belief. Realizing that I've usually lumped them together, but am reconsidering the lump after Sunday. Now, I'm just taking time to thinking about it, but haven't come to any real conclusions, just more thoughts.

Meal Plan Monday

So, as I shared last week, I am not meal planning this week or next since I'm still gone visiting family. But, I thought I'd share instead some meals that I'd like to try once coming back! And, check out Meal Plan Monday over at Organizing Junkie for other great meal plans for the week or to add your own!

One that sounds super simple is one that my sister-in-law passed on to me awhile back - one for bean burritos. In her own words...

"I was thinking about your blog about meatless meals today because I've been making us bean burritos that are soooo good and healthy. Maybe you already have something like this, but I've been using whole wheat shells, cheese, black beans (from the can), brown rice, and either a tomato chopped up or home-made salsa (which I also have a cheap easy recipe for if you ever want it). I grill the whole thing in a frying pan. It's super healthy, cheap, and quick."

They sound really good! I was thinking if you have extra money in the budget for the week, too, avocados would be a yummy addition. So, that's one I'll be trying! I'll have to get the salsa recipe as well :).

Another is a vegetarian lasagna. I saw this recipe and would love to make some version of this. The measurements must be all messed up because some of them seem pretty crazy, but the general idea sounds good...spinach, sun dried tomatoes, mushrooms, etc. I'll try to put up the recipe for the one I make once I've done it.

We are in nice warm weather, so it's been more about fish and chips and barbecues than stew and pastas. Happy cooking this week!

Passing the Peace...

As far as passing the peace...I'm struggling at this point to know what would pass the peace of what brought me simplicity and peace this week! Any thoughts? Usually I try to do a follow up to Friday's post... Or even ways that you've seen peace passed this week...

Anyway, I'm mostly just getting on to say that Evee and I arrived on Thursday (Wednesday night for those reading in the states). Good trip (as much as it can be :)), great to see family, and I'm sure I'll write more later but am going to sleep now...very tired. Hope you all have a great day!

Peace & Simplicity

So, this weeks simplicity was my list! Even though I have a "to-do" list every day, I really don't think I could have managed this week (or last) without it! Such a help. I've been using some sheets that my dad created for my mom to use. I'm adding them to the blog so that anyone can grab one if it would be helpful to you. It's just on the right side of the blog under "Helpful Print Offs". I sure loved it this week!

My list was "before leaving" instead of making it for one specific day or even the week. On it included...

• Packing
• Paying bills (one I had to call to see what the bill was because I knew we'd have to pay it while away, but we hadn't received the bill yet)
• Clean house
• Make some extra meals to freeze (for Clint or when we get home)
• Laundry
• Post on blog in advance
• Call United (we were on the waitlist for a different day...I've literally been calling every night or every other up until 2 days before we left)
• Send something out for a friend
• Put hold on P.O. Box
• Stop by grocery store - see the short shopping list on this post
• Write notes to Clint for while we're apart
  

So, I can say that, as I write this (tomorrow we leave), I am just about done. I'm still working on blog posts and need to do a quick load of laundry in the morning. So, that is simplicity! Feeling good about leaving tomorrow! I've also been adding stuff to an "upon return" page for things I don't want to forget to do once we get back. It creates a more peaceful return if I'm not wondering what I'm forgetting!

"Make Your Own" - BooBoo Bag

Before Christmas, I made some booboo bags for a friend who wanted to give them as gifts. I thought I'd share the basic premise on here just in case you want to make them for a little person in your life. You can put them in the freezer (in a ziplock bag or something) for as a more comfortable ice pack or heat them up for a bit to bring heated comfort. I'll try to describe how I made them - they were very simple, I just don't know if I'll explain it very well. Please, e-mail or comment if you have questions!

A friend's sewing machine that I've had way too long...sorry Mandy, if you're reading this!
Matching thread (or not...whatever you prefer)

I used some fleece material that I had leftover from cloth wipes I'd made. Just cut a piece double the size you want (because you'll fold it over) and a bit bigger (since it will be smaller after sewing it). The one's I made were maybe 4 inches by 6 inches.

Here it is sewn on both sides and then turned inside out.
The one end didn't need to be sewn because it is the fold.

Side profile...

Then I filled the bag with rice (just the cheap stuff at the grocery store) and I know that there are other fillings you can use. I then sewed the top together.

And, voila! Pretty simple. If you end up heating it up, I'd only do it for 20-30 seconds to start (depending on the size) and then keep heating until desired temp. If wanting it cold, just put it in the freezer till needed (a ziplock bag will help keep it from getting stuff on it).

Great books...

*For those who read this today, you can think of Evee and I because we will still be traveling unless you are reading this very late on Wednesday night (in America). If you have no idea what I'm talking about, scroll down to yesterday's post on "Worry and Stress".*

For those who know me, and as I'm sure will come out more and more on this blog...I can be very passionate about different things that I learn about or experience. There have been some amazing books that I end up talking about to many people. I hope to do book "reviews" on here sporadically starting some time soon - just covering the basics of what the books are about and what I've taken from them.

I ended up setting up an Amazon Store to gather them all in one place. You can check it out by going here and it's also down the right side of the blog now too (under "visit the store"). Either books or products that I know and love. I hope to share more about each of them in time. Also, if they are books that you just want to check out before committing to buying them (or books you just want to read one time only), here is a great resource for finding your local library. Or Paperback Swap, which I've mentioned before and love - free way to share and receive books of your own! I just was notified that I'm getting "Parenting with Love and Logic" from PBS because one came available and it was on my wish list - very exciting!

If anyone has read or reads any and wants to discuss - let me know! I'm pretty excited about all of them on there. And, there are different categories for different topics (on the left side of the store).

Worry and Stress

The other night I had a bit of a breakdown - I won't go in to details because it was pretty ugly, but after processing it through the next couple of days I realized that the core of it was a lot of worry. Worry about lots of things that all ended up boiling out at once and fed on each other (and me thinking about them over and over - obviously, a major part of the problem :)). Many things that I had/have no or very little control over. Thanks to a very gracious husband, I was able to see a bit more of what was going on inside of me and talk about it and I'm sure I have more to process... Deeper things and then also just little planning stuff (which, of course, is what I'll mostly put on here).

One of the little things was flying with Evee for a long period of time...like from the far east coast to CA to Sydney, Australia...alone. Plus, the day of the great breakdown, she was running a solid fever and I just wasn't sure which way we were going with it. (Turns out, she is back to her normal self and doing wonderfully. I think she's just thrilled to be off the couch and able to run around.) Note: I shared a bit in this post that we are heading over to Clint's family for his brother's wedding and to see everyone! It will be great! Clint will be meeting up with us after his January class is finished.

Anyway, it's made me think of a few things - deeper things, like anger, what to do with frustration, how to not say mean and hurtful things when I'm dwelling completely on myself...you know, just little stuff like that :).

Practically speaking about the situation with Evee, I'm thinking about how to best prepare myself for a good 24 hour travel experience with my daughter (Clint, thankfully, will be with us on the way back). If anyone has suggestions (tried or not), I'm open to hearing them, but I also leave in a few hours so most of you may be reading this when we are on our way to the airport.

So, here's what I'm thinking

• The sling! This got us through the quick trip to the Midwest for Christmas - it saved us because she fell asleep in it while waiting at the airport in Chicago
  
• Umbrella stroller - because she is almost 2 years old and gets heavy for long periods of time in the sling! Or, I'll end up using it to push our bags as I hold her in the sling :)
  
• Books - avid little reader
  
• Little things we have here at the house or can get super cheap - like I shared in this post
• Possibly a portable dvd player, if I can borrow from someone...we'll see
• The ice in the drinks that they pass out - it's worked for us in the past at least! She likes to eat it if the pieces are small enough
• Coloring - my mom got her this great little purse looking thing for Christmas that holds the crayons and the paper
• Walking around - I am thankful that we can walk the isles on the long flight and that she's old enough to do so
  

Any other suggestions? I'll make sure to post what was most helpful and what wasn't!

So, wow, this was a very heavy and light post - all in one!

Oh, and I have some posts saved up for when I'm gone and I'm sure that I'll try to post a bit once we arrive as well!

Meal Plan Monday & Coupon Giveaway

Joining up again with the many others for Menu Plan Monday at Organizing Junkie. You should definitely check out her site if you haven't already for great tips on organizing and living!

Ok, so last week I shared my meal plan and said that I would be freezing meals for Clint while Evee and I are gone (visiting his family). So, this week I thought I'd share the meals that are in the freezer and quick things that he can make with stuff that is around. The only things I'll be getting at the grocery store today are

• eggs
• milk
• bread
• laundry soap
• dishwasher soap

Ok, as for meals in the freezer and easy one's to make

• Chicken pockets
• Spaghetti pie
• Chili
• Quiche (as leftovers from dinner tonight)
• Chicken & veggies
• Eggs & toast
• Tuna melt
• Cereal :)

While I'm gone and not meal planning, I thought I'd post on Mondays about a few new meals that I'd like to try and their recipes. Then I will incorporate them into the meal plans in the first couple weeks back.

I also realized that I have a stack of coupons that will expire at the end of this month and some later. I, obviously, will not be needing them or using them since we'll be gone! So, I thought I'd give them away here.

So, if anyone wants them, please leave a comment and let me know and I'll get in touch with you about where to send them (just remember to leave your e-mail if you don't have it in your blogger profile). I would think anyone would find them useful - they are for a variety of things. Also, some are from a Whole Foods flyer awhile back and so there are some for organic foods as well. Anyway, if one person responds then I'll send them out tomorrow to them. If any others respond, Evee and I will just draw a number out of a hat. Not sure how many of you are coupon users :). Either way, they'll be in the mail tomorrow, so make sure to let me know today or in the morning!

Passing the Peace...

Well, my normal today is passing the peace (following Friday's Peace & Simplicity post). Honestly, not sure what it is this week except to pass peace on to others by being available and "there" when someone needs you. Sometimes just taking time to be and sit even if you know there is stuff to do and places to go. Whether a child or friend, just knowing that someone is there is such a blessing.

And here's a picture of what I meant by living on the couch yesterday... :)

Crochet Starts

So, I'm excited to be creating my own crochet pant pattern for babies. I'm hoping to get them done soon to send to my sister-in-law who's little one should be coming early/mid February and then I want to send the pattern to my other sister who is pregnant to try out for herself (the pattern, not the pants :)). I'm also hoping to pass it along to a couple of blog followers who wouldn't mind trying out the pattern for me once it's done (so, if anyone is interested let me know - I'll probably just pass it on to the first 2 people to try out to make sure it works!).

Anyway, I was going to have the waist a bit smaller and then open up for the booty so that it fits any kind of diapers (including cloth). But...I didn't like how it was turning out (more like a skirt or something!). I had made some like this that would fit Evee and they turned out well, but with such small ones, I didn't like it for some reason. Picture below of the "skirt" look. And yes, I'm in the bathroom working on it while waiting for Evee to go poo on the potty :) which she did for the first time 2 nights ago! Very exciting!


So, I ended up taking it out. Now I'm going to make it bigger all around, going to add "belt loops" for a drawstring finish instead. I think they are going to be so cute and I like how they are coming along better now. After that, I'm going to try a baby sleeping sack which will be fun!
Hope you are getting time this weekend to do something you enjoy and that is refreshing for you!

Peace & Simplicity

For me, this week has been an interesting as far as peace and simplicity. We got back the middle of last week from being away for the holidays. Evee and I leave next week to visit Clint's family (Clint will be joining us). So, there is laundry and cleaning and work to be done (and some did actually get done :)). In the midst of it, little Evee has been a bit sick or teething badly...probably some of both. For a day and a half she has mostly just wanted to sit/lay on the couch doing different things and almost always with me around. It definitely made me choose simplicity the last couple of days - not worrying about different things to go be on the couch with her. I remember when I would get sick growing up how nice it was just to have my mom around and the great comfort it automatically brought. What a gift that I can now do that for Evee... Besides, some great things can easily be done from the couch - crocheting, reading, snoozing...

Organizing your "to-do" list

I saw this article yesterday and wanted to pass it on. I found it helpful as far as being simplistic and knowing what you're aiming for in the day.

I also find that keeping a running list is also helpful for me so that I don't forget stuff. The last couple months of 2008 I felt like I was missing stuff frequently because I simply didn't remember! It got pretty sad. I have always been a fairly organized person and really enjoy being organized. Then life became more about flexibility with having a little one. And, I also loved that - that we were able to go with the flow. But, now I really think its better for us to have some routine to our lives.

So, over the last couple weeks of December I worked on making an organization binder with goals - both long term and short term - as well as calendar, ideas, stuff to get done each week, etc. I LOVE it! I'm so glad that I spent the time going through and making it happen. We also read a great book over the holidays called The Three Big Questions for a Frantic Family: A Leadership Fable About Restoring Sanity To The Most Important Organization In Your Life. Both Clint and I found it to be really helpful. It's a quick read, too, and fun.

Anyway, I'll have to do a proper review post on the book sometime, but all to say that I'm feeling ready in this new year to be organized and get things accomplished!

"Make Your Own" - Wall Hangings

I stopped by a friend's (she doesn't actually write on the blog, though :)) the other night and she was working on house decor. I asked her if she'd take a few pictures for me to post here for the "Make Your Own" theme. Very easy (from the sounds of it) and very inexpensive!

The frames were $3 each at Ikea and the fabric totaled $4.50 - not bad! She just took little nails and nailed the fabric into the frames. You could also use a staple gun if you have one.

Grocery Shopping Follow-up

So, I said I'd share the meal plan total after grocery shopping. My estimate was under $35. And...the total for the grocery store was... $34.51! I did mix a few things up - realized I had frozen corn already, went with 1 kind of cheese instead of two, ate leftovers last night (since I didn't get to grocery shop yesterday), ate chili tonight and won't have tacos (so didn't have to get shells). Also, a good number of things were cheaper than I anticipated and I decided to pick up 4 extra things (all calculated, of course!). Good, quick trip, and within the set budget!

Hope your meal plans are going well this week!

Interesting info for handmade/hand-me-down users

Update: Another good article to read is this one.
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So, I'd been hearing about this more and more and thought I'd pass it along and see if any of you know more or had been hearing stuff as well...

CPSIA - Consumer Product & Safety & Improvement Act

If I'm right in my understanding, CPSIA is making changes on handmade items that are sold as well as second hand clothes and toys. Some places I've read make it sound like it will be impossible to sell those items if they have not been tested for stuff (like lead, for example). So, think about how that might affect places like etsy.com, goodwill, craft fairs, etc.!!! Pretty crazy.

If you'd like to read more, there is helpful information here with some ideas of what you can do. If anyone has further information, I'd be very interested to hear it!

eBook Giveaway

As promised, I wanted to start letting you know when there is an eBook giveaway because there are a few this month.

One just went up today at Momma In Flip Flops2. It's a great site to check out anyway - one that reviews a bunch of different products and gives some away!

Meal Plan Monday

I'm joining with the other meal planners at Organizing Junkie's Meal Plan Monday! Yesterday the Wegman's ad came out (online). So, like I said yesterday, I'll be making some meals that I can either make extra to freeze or just freeze the leftovers. Wegman's site talks about getting on track with eating healthier and being cheaper - so they've got new year's resolutions on their minds and ads (and marketing plan :)). Anyway, some good deals for us!

Notes about the meal plan

• We do have chicken pockets already in the freezer.
  
• I also already have the stuff for chili - so that's one meal that won't be on the shopping list, but that I will make.
• Evee and I will head out next Tuesday. So I might as well make meals through then since its only a day extra. As far as being gone, though, I will still be here and hope to come up with some good food combinations, even though I might not being making them all.
• I have a few items already that would be needed this week - milk, onions, & spaghetti sauce (which is $.99 this week!), carrots, frozen beef (or I'd do vegetarian for the spaghetti pie).
  

Here we go...

Breakfasts - eggs & toast or cereal - have the cereal & milk already

Lunches - Leftovers, tuna melts, noodles & cheese - have all these already

Dinners -

• Monday - Chili (+ freeze)
• Tuesday - Potato Soup
• Wednesday - Chicken Roast w/ veggies & potatoes
  
• Thursday - Meat & potato quiche (with leftover chicken) & veggies
  
• Friday - holiday party where we'll eat
• Saturday - Chicken Tortilla Soup (+ freeze)
• Sunday - Spaghetti Pie (+ freeze)
• Monday - Tacos (+ freeze meat for further use)

Shopping List (excluding staple items)

Sale Items

• 2 Canned tomatoes (for chili - 1 extra can & tortilla soup) - $.39 x 2 = $.78
  
• Potatoes - $1.99 for 5# bag
• Whole Chicken - $.79/# = $5
• Broccoli - $1.29/# = $2
• Frozen Corn - $.89
• Frozen Peas - $.89
• Pasta - $.69
• Mozz. cheese - $2.50
  

Non-Sale Items

• Cheese
• Chipotle or hot sauce
• Bell peppers - frozen, if they have them, otherwise the cheapest assortment
• Sour cream
  

Misc. non-meal items

• Oranges (on sale) - $2.99 for 4# bag
• Colgate (on sale) - $2.29
• Bread (on sale) - $.99 (and yes, it is just the cheap white bread, but I've been making my own for a bit now and am not going to until I get back and just don't want to spend the money :))
  
• Eggs (on sale) - $1.99

Approximate cost of bill (I'll let you know after I shop, what it actually is!) = less than $35!

Back to Meal Planning!

Just wanted to give a heads up to those who read the blog today that tomorrow I'll be back to meal planning! Plus, I'll be planning our meals for the week, but making sure that they are all meals that I can freeze as well. Evee and I will be visiting family for a bit and Clint will be joining us later on. With school and work, I want to make sure that there are some things in the freezer that he can easily pull out. So, I'll either make extra or freeze the leftover bits. That way we won't spend extra money this month going out!

Anyway, away to plan now :)!

"Make Your Own" - Journal

I thought this would go perfect for bringing in the new year. Thanks to Rural Mamma for her detailed instructions on how to make this journal. I love, too, that you could do so much with it – add memories/reminders from the year past or things to remind you of what you hope for the year ahead. What a great place, too, to write your hopes, desires, goals, and “resolutions” for the year.

Go here to see the journal with instructions on how to make it!