FREE Subway Art!

FREE subway art for Christmas! Picture this in a gold, green, turquoise, black, white, or red frame hanging on your wall, propped on a shelf, or even leaning up by your tree. Nice, stylish, and (the best part)..... FREE! (made by me) Ya gotta love it!

Good Goobily-Goo!

Another year is coming to an end. I'm beginning to believe my Granddad who told me that as you age, time speeds up. (Yes, it really does.)

We had a conflicting Thanksgiving this year. We had to put two of our beloved family members down under extenuating circumstances. We miss them very much, and the past week has been hard, but we also had a lot of family time and good food. We went to see Tangled, and J enjoyed the movie a LOT.

I've been feeling down, and so decided to make a sentimental video with a lovely Christmas song. Here it is:

I'm also participating in my very first:

So, here is my entry:

Back row, l to r: Judy, Mary, Steve, Millie, Myron, Marion; Front row, l to r: Janet, Louise, Steph, Dorothy

We've lost several of those pictured here, and the rest of us are older, but anyway here's to warm wonderful memories.

Things I'll be doing today: Studying, visiting the nursing home with the scout troop, laundry, and watching Hulu (if I have time).

Check out my other blog at: http://morefoolyou.wordpress.com/

Rain, Rain, Last Rain of the Season

The view from my front porch today:

(click on the image to see a bigger view)

It was actually hailing at one point, but it's now stopped, and the ground is just damp. I was hoping my grass would get a good soaking today, but it looks like it won't. Of course, we're supposed to get some snow tonight, so we'll see.

Things I'm doing today: Studying, drinking nice hot tea, and fixing a big pot of Texas chili, and a pan of homemade cornbread.

Halloween.... it's Finally Over!

I did my time in the bitter cold, taking the young'un trick or treating. Glad that's done! I've finally stopped shaking! LOL!


I thought I'd leave you with a few shots of our pumpkins this year. Enjoy!

FREE Artwork Created Just For You

Feel free to download these images. The files should be big enough that you can print them to any size you'd want. I think the tomatoes would look great hung in a group in a kitchen, printed for postcards, or used as the cover for a journal! If you like them, and download them, let me know how you used them! Thanks!

An Inspired Freebie

I've been inspired today by, of all things, an inspirational email! And, here is the result:

Please enjoy!

Free Bookmark

This free download was created for you, my friends. Print the image on card stock, cut out, and enjoy!

School's Back in Session!

I'm so excited! School has started up again, and all three of my munchkins are at it full speed ahead! I can't believe this is the last year with my oldest. He will be graduating this spring, and going out into the big bad world on his own. Wow! Time flies!

I'm also back at it this semester with a full plate of classes. I have mixed emotions about the whole thing. On the one hand, I'm incredibly thankful and enthusiastic about my opportunities, and on the other I'm getting tired of the reading/writing/studying day after day. Of course, I don't believe I'll ever really be 'done' with school in this modern age we live in. There are too many things to learn, too much technology to keep up with, and let's face it... to stay mainstream we've just got to keep swimming or we'll sink.

So.

Here's to another semester.

Here's to fall.

AND here's to kids being in school so I can concentrate!

Things I'll be doing today: Yeah. What else...

I Love Summer.... But I'm Bored

Summer is definitely the best season of the year. I love everything about it:

• the sunshine
• the green grass
• the blue sky
• the warm days

But, after we've been swimming a hundred times, done the library run every day, played in the sprinkler, visited the park in the heat, and done everything else we could possibly do in this small town of ours what is left is boredom. I'm bored. I think I need a vacation.

www.twohigs.com

Ok! NOW we're talkin'! I could LIVE on a boat like that all year around. Who needs land anyway?! Who says getting stranded on a deserted island is a bad thing? Not me! ..... well..... I guess I would miss my computer connection..... nah!

tourwaysinternational.com

Which would you take? The ones above, or the one below? I know my answer!

www.stormeyes.org

Another Week of Food

The first menu plan I made worked out pretty good. I hope some of you tried those recipes. My family liked some of them, and didn't like others. So, I'm going to throw out the ones they didn't like (the curry stew), and keep the ones they did with the goal of making a family recipe book that all three kiddos can take with them when they fly the coop. I think this is going to be a fun project, and it'll give the kids a book full of (hopefully) good memories to look through regularly.

So, after asking everyone which recipes from last time they liked best, we'll be keeping everything but the curry stew. (Can I pick 'em, or what?!)

Here's my menu plan for this week:

Breakfast Menu

• Monday: Oatmeal w/fruit
• Tuesday: French Toast
• Wednesday: Rustic Applesauce w/Oatmeal
• Thursday: Fruit Smoothie
• Friday: Breakfast Burritos
• Saturday: Ham & Cheddar Waffles
• Sunday: Pancakes

Lunch Menu

• Monday: Refried Bean Tostadas
• Tuesday: Hot Dogs & Chips
• Wednesday: Leftovers (Choice: Asian Noodle Salad, or Red Beans & Rice)
• Thursday: Tuna Sandwiches on homemade Oatmeal Bread
• (I make mine with 1/2 all purpose, and 1/2 whole wheat.)
• Friday: Leftovers (Spaghetti Garlic Bread sandwiches)
• Saturday: Chef Salad
• Sunday: Leftovers (Choice: Chicken Thighs w/Carrots & Potatoes, or Chef Salad)

Supper Menu

• Monday: Asian Noodle Salad
• Tuesday: Cheese Tacos w/Pico de Gallo & Beef Tacos
• Wednesday: Red Beans & Rice
• Thursday: Spaghetti w/Garlic Bread
• Friday: Chicken Thighs w/Carrots & Potatoes
• Saturday: Twice Baked Salmon Potatoes
• Sunday: Coffee Marinated Chicken Drumsticks

Snack Menu

• Fresh Fruit
• Carrots & Celery w/Ranch Dip
• Cottage Cheese & Pineapple
• Cheese & Crackers
• Frozen Grapes, Strawberries, Melon Balls
• Homemade Granola
• Pickle Rolls
• Homemade Juice Popscicles

We'll see how this week turns out. I'm sitting here looking at all these recipes, and though I'm excited to try them, I'm also thinking, "WOW! That's a lot of cooking!" Wish me luck!

Cíao!
Steph

Things I'll be doing today: Cooking, watering the lawn, cleaning house, and prepping food.

It's Time to Start Saving (or at least give it a try!)

I have been searching for ways to try to save money on groceries for, it seems like, forever. But, I'm not the only one. Moms (and Dads) across the country are looking for new ways to save, and there are a TON of sites out there dedicated to just that. Here are a few I've found in just the last couple of days:

• Coupon Saving Family
• Sioux Falls Frugal Mom
• Coupon Saving Game
• Frugal Dr. Mom
• Hip 2 Save
• Passion for Savings
• Couponing 101
• Couponing to Disney (Yes, she actually saves enough for her family of 4 to make a YEARLY trip to Disney World!)
• Frugal Fun and Fortune

EACH of these sites are linked to OTHER sites that have resources as well. Check them out, I bet you'll be just as impressed (and dazed and confused) as I am!

So, that started me thinking... if they can do it, even though they're all in bigger areas than our family is, then there's no reason why I can't do it. Yes, I have to travel 35 miles to make use of a lot of the deals I've found, but I have to do that anyway if I want to shop at Walmart, Dillon's, or Target. Why not take advantage of these deals, and make a HUGE dent in my grocery savings?!

I'm sure all of you are thinking: "I already do this. Where has she been?", but I've never been a coupon clipper. Most of the time, I buy generic brands, and I've seldom seen coupons for generics. However, I keep seeing the word 'FREE' on these sites... over and over and over again. With the technique of 'stacking' coupons, these ladies are buying an entire grocery cart of food for $5 or less! Pretty amazing, don't you think?

Of course, these sorts of savings don't come without a LOT of preparation. These people spend lots of time gathering deals, printing and clipping coupons, organizing them, and planning menus. I'm a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants type gal, but, hey, if it'll save me a couple hundred bucks a month then I'm all for it!

So, let's get started!

First, I've got to come up with a weekly menu plan. I don't know about you, but my family is picky! So, in order to please everyone, I've got to carefully plan around everyone's tastes. I borrowed a week's worth of supper recipes directly from Frugal Dr. Mom (with links) – they sound really good! And, I'll be adding breakfast, lunch, and snacks to the menu, too. I subscribe to Clean Eating magazine, and they usually have a great section on healthy, budget friendly weekly meal plans – "FIVE dinners for $50" – not bad! Who says you have to spend a mint to eat healthy?! I'll definitely be including those recipes, too!

My goal is to cut my grocery spending in half, and go from there. Here's my tentative menu plan for next week (at this point I expect lots of changes, tweaks, and revisions):

Breakfast Menu

• Monday: Apple Spiced Oatmeal
• Tuesday: English Muffin Bread with Spreads and Fresh Fruit
• Wednesday: Buckwheat Pancakes
• Thursday: Breakfast Smoothies
• Friday: Homemade Granola with Yogurt
• Saturday: French Toast with Syrup
• Sunday: Scrambled Eggs with Toast (ketchup optional!)

Lunch Menu

• Monday: Chicken Salad Sandwiches with Carrot and Celery Sticks
• Tuesday: Grilled Cheese with Tomato Dipping Sauce
• Wednesday: Hot Dogs & Chips with Fresh Fruit
• Thursday: Cheese Tacos with Pico de Gallo
• Friday: Leftover Cauliflower Cheese Soup (see below)
• Saturday: Grilled burgers with picnic fixings
• Sunday: Leftover Baked Potato Soup (see below)

Snacks

• Fresh Fruit
• Carrot and Celery Sticks
• Frozen Grapes, Strawberries, Melon Balls
• Homemade Granola
• Cottage Cheese
• Pickle Rolls
• Pretzel Sticks
• Homemade Juice Popscicles

Supper Menu

• Monday: Ground Chicken (or Turkey) and Chickpea Curry Stew with Yogurt and Cilantro
• Tuesday: Low-Carb Really Great Spinach Lasagna
• Wednesday: Crispy Rosemary Chicken and Fries
• Thursday: Cauliflower Cheese Soup and French Bread
• Friday: Tuna Muffins & Steamed Vegetables
• Saturday: Loaded Baked Potato Soup
• Sunday: Florentine Chicken Alfredo

Please feel free to share your thoughts, tips and tricks, and ask questions! I look forward to hearing from you. Now, it's off to clip and organize coupons!

Cíao!
Steph


Things I'll be doing today: Clipping coupons, reading sales flyers, and spending hours in the sun at the pool watching my little one swim. More sunscreen, please!

Cloverton and The Lost Colors

Most of you have heard how great a success our first concert was with This Fires Embrace and The Radiance Effect; we packed in around 200 music lovers at Area 96! (You can shout out loud, it's okay!) It was an awesome show, the guys had a great testimony to share, and the kids really got a lot out of it!

So now we're coming to our next concert with Cloverton and The Lost Colors, and I have to say these two bands are really tops! If you'd like to hear a sample of their music, visit their MySpace pages (linked above) and take a listen. I guarantee you'll either be saying, "I'm there!" or "Man, I wish I could be there!"

I'm sending a shout-out to the spice-guys of This Fires Embrace – thank you guys so much! And, to The Radiance Effect – also a big thank you! We love you and God bless! We'll be praying for you!

If you'd like to see the upcoming concert schedule, please visit the Open Door Concerts website. Sign up as a member, and get updates!

We hope to see everyone at the next concert! Bring some friends with you, too!

Our First!

Tonight we are holding our first of many awesome concerts right here in Scott City, Kansas! Pray for our success!

The Oatmeal

I had a friend share this with me, and it's so similar to my experience, I had to pass it on. Enjoy, and remember: listen to your designer. They know what they're talking about.... hence the title 'Web Designer' (or Graphic Designer, or Floral Designer, etc...). After all, if you're going to hire someone to do a job, let them do it. Otherwise, you're just wasting your (and their) time.

How a Web Design Goes Straight to Hell

We're Back!

We are back from our fabulous trip to San Antonio! We had a great performance at the Alamo despite the rainy/windy/cold/unseason-like weather! (AND the maintenance man decided to run a leaf blower during the vocal portion of our performance... what's up with that?!)

I've uploaded nearly 200 pictures to a new album on my Facebook page for everyone to enjoy. (FB because I wanted to be sure those who wanted a picture would be able to find them.)

We spent the day at Six Flags Fiesta in Kansas-like wind and cold, with no coats, and not being able to ride many of the rides (all but 2 of the coasters were closed!). The sky looks deceptively warm and inviting in the pictures, but trust me -- it was COLD!

The next day at Sea World San Antonio, it was much better. Still windy, but it warmed up into the 50s after lunch, and more importantly the coasters were running! We rode rides, saw shows, bought souvenirs, and had a great time!

So, though the bus ride was long and the weather crazy, it was well worth it! Enjoy the pictures!

A Few of My Favorite Things...

There are so many wonderful things out there. I wish I had room for them all.

1. Porcelain textured bag by Wapa Studio
2. Vintage sterling silver marcasite ring by lotusflwrs
3. DIY Wine bottle light by wit & whistle
4. Reversible handmade pendant watch by revolt70
5. Felted Easter egg kit by Wistyria
   
6. Spring Fling gift wrap by Sarahmariedesigns
   
7. Glass marble magnets by Kimber's Kreations
   
8. Lavender shea cold process soap by Lippincott Soap Co.
   
9. Pillow boxes by LilithEvy
10. Still Life with Eggplant by D. E. West
11. Vintage typewriter key wine glass charms by qacreate
12. Stemless wineglasses by bodhicitta
13. Owl On a Tree wall decal by Surfaceflik
    
14. Porcelain tea light by Wapa Studio
15. Bird in a Redberry bush notecards by Wit & whistle
16. Matchbook notepads by Annie42

I can't wait to post next week with pictures, funny stories, and everything else I can think of from our trip to San Antonio! Wish us (chaperons, and the SC band and vocal groups) good luck, and lots of sunshine!

It's Midterm!

Middle of the term has arrived! I will be so glad when this semester is over, I cannot tell you! I'm looking forward to not having to read enormous amounts of boring text, to write 4 ten page papers a week, and to work on lab projects every week. (Physics is NOT my strong point.) And, of course, it'll be summertime and warm for a change!

I'm working on a children's book with my father. I think it's turning out very well, but he's not so sure. I imagine we'll be tweaking it quite a bit before we're done. I've asked Mike to do the illustrations, and he seems willing, but hasn't started yet. When he gets a few sketches done I'll upload them.

Here's a sample of our work (don't be too harsh, lol):

The Story of Love

Once upon a time, long before the age of man, there was an ancient sea that made up most of the surface of the world. In the middle of this ocean there was a beautiful island full of wondrous things. On the island lived beings called Feelings. These beings, though they did not know it, had a great destiny. Pleasure, Grief, Pride, and Affection lived on the island as did many others, but the most special of them all was called Love.

One day, as the Feelings were happily going about their business, there began a rumble and shaking all over the ground. Trees began to topple and buildings began to crumble, and the water from the vast ocean all around began to flood into the streets and homes the Feelings loved so much. The beautiful island was sinking into the sea!

Frantically seeking the safety of the open ocean, the Feelings gathered all they could and boarded their ships. As they sailed away, they watched as the only home they ever knew disappeared beneath the water forever. But Love, unable to tear herself away from the home she loved so much, lingered too long, and eventually she found herself adrift among its wreckage.

Love, tossed by the powerful waves, clung to what remained of her beautiful home. She called out to the ships, hoping she would be heard and rescued. As she floated in the water, Greed sailed by. The ship was magnificent, bedecked in silk sails and ropes of woven gold and silver. Its decks were inlaid with ebony and ivory, and its holds were bursting with precious jewels and golden coins.

"Help me," Love called out, but Greed, surrounded by his riches, answered that there was no room aboard, for the ship was overburdened with treasure, and so there was no place for Love. Greed sailed away, and was soon out of sight.

I hope you enjoyed that little snippet of our tale, and now I must return to studying. Remember, constructive comments are more than welcome!

Activities I'll be doing today: Studying, studying, studying... and laundry (when does that ever end).