My NEW toy!!

Hubby and I have wanted new computers for sometime.  The computer we have is pretty old...at least as computers go.  My Dad has put many new parts in it.  So here is my new toy.... Dell Inspiron Laptop!!

It is SO much quicker than our desk top computer is.  My Dad even came over and hooked up wireless internet for us...WOOHOO.  I can surf the web in the kitchen...LOL!  But I'm afraid of getting something spilled on it in the kitchen.

My computer is red!!  I really wanted yellow..since that is my favorite color.  It really was a difficult decision for me...LOL!  Hubby just didn't understand why it was so hard to decide.  Can any of you relate???  Color makes a BIG difference in many things...even computers!  Or is it just me? LOL!

Let is snow, let it snow......

It started snowing here last night around 6 pm and dumped a lot of snow on us!  I think so far we got around 10 inches of snow.  Every school in the area was closed, with the exception of some larger colleges.

This is looking off of our side porch.  Our road has been very quiet, not a soul on the road. 

This is our dog "Gloria".  She LOVES the snow!  I love the snow on her face...LOL!  She will roll and push her nose in the snow like a plow...it is SO funny!

This is looking out of the front door.  Can you see why I LOVE living in this area?  It is so peaceful!  I was watching Mansfield Park last night really enjoying many of the beautiful scenes, dresses and the homes.  There was one scene where "Fanny" was sitting in her room and was asked why there was no fire....just then the wind blew outside and the neighbor's wood stove smoke came this way.  It was JUST like I was sitting there in "Fanny's" room.  Thank you Sandra for making me a Jane Austen addict.  LOL!!!

Cooking Thursday...Chicken Veggie Stew

To see other Cooking Thursday posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

Chicken Veggie Stew

2 cups chopped onion
2 cups cubed, cooked boneless chicken breast meat
1 cup chopped celery
2 cups whole peeled tomatoes, with liquid
2 cups sliced carrots
5 cups chicken broth
1 cup sweet corn
1 cup peas
1 cup sliced zucchini

In a large soup pot combine the onion, chicken, celery, tomatoes with liquid, carrots, broth, corn, peas and zucchini. Stir together and simmer over medium low heat for 1/2 hour, or until vegetables are cooked and tender.

Gratituesday~~Time with family

The other day my children asked me to play a game with them. This does not happen too often anymore. My children are 15, 12, 10, they are getting to the age where they do not want to spend a lot of time playing games with me. It was difficult for me to accept at first but I do remember doing this when I was younger to my parents.

We choose....OK I choose for us to play Monopoly....We can have fun playing a game as well as brush up on our money skills. It was a win win situation!! Hopefully another game night will be in our near future. We played for an hour at least. My son Andrew was the winner of this game. I'm looking for some more games we could all play together.

For other Gratituesday visit Heavenly Homemakers blog.

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods: cold with chance of snow.

One of my simple pleasures: baking bread and how it makes the house smell.

On my bed side table: Bible, books for review

On my TV: news at the moment

On the menu for tonight: Chicken Cordon Blue Casserole

On my to do list: clean, scrapbooking, cardmaking, schooling for the kids

New Recipe I tried last week: Bacon Swiss Rye Muffins...these were SO good. You can visit my friend's blog and get the recipe.

In the craft basket: scrapbooking, cardmaking

Looking forward to: getting my new laptop!! I'm waiting for it to arrive.

Homemaking tip for this week: Do not forget to pull out the couch once and a while to clean under it...you never know what is lurking under there. *wink*

Favorite Blog post (mine or another): Sandra's post on the Renaissance Fair post. We have a festival in NY every year but we have yet to go. We might just have to go this year. I'm not a big fan of crowds...but she has made me really looking forward to going.

Favorite Photo from last week: My kids wanted to play a game last week so I choose Monopoly...I used it as a chance to get some extra learning in....he he!! Shhhh don't tell them.

Lesson learned the past few days: Take time to stop and smell the roses....when your children ask you to play or do something with them do it! They grow up way too fast.

On my prayer list: My Husband, Children, family, friends, military families, God's direction in our lives (my husband and I have both know where God wants us in ministry...now comes the preparation)

Devotionals, Key Verses, Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:1 "Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven."

To see other Happy Homemaker posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

Review~~Molly Makes $7.00 Slow Cooker Suppers

I don't know about you but I LOVE my slow cooker!! So when I received this Molly Makes $7 Slow Cooker Suppers to review I was thrilled. With the hopes of spring right around the corner who wants to be stuck in the house? I can't wait to start cooking through this ebook. We have a slow cooker going at least once a week.

This difference between this ebook and Molly makes $5 dinners is that Molly Makes $7 Slow Cooker Suppers is that there are SO many pictures through out the book. I love to be able to see what something is supposed to look like as its cooking. It is also a great helper for those little hands in the kitchen. My children love to help me in the kitchen, with the pictures it helps them see what its supposed to look like. They are more likely to do it on their own with a picture. It is not a step by step but very helpful.

I also love the fact that everything is broken down by cost. It is a great food budget tool. You know exactly how much a supper is going to cost you...give or take a little...depending on where you live and what you have stock piled.

So from Tamale Pie to Sweet and Sour Meatballs and everything in between go on over to The Old Schoolhouse book store and get this ebook. There are 140 easy, frugal and delicious recipes to prepare. There are even a few freezer friendly meals. There are soups and stews, beef, poultry, pork, meatless, sandwiches, and a bonus section sides, breakfast and desserts. Where else can you get a cookbook with this many recipes for $7.95??

Cooking Thursday-Bacon Swiss Rye muffins

I found these wonderful Bacon Swiss Rye muffins on my friends blog. Go on over and get the recipe...while your there check out all her other recipes...or at least a few she has a lot!

Here is a picture of the ingredients...i forgot 2 of the most important ingredients...the flours...LOL! I'm still trying to get use to having my camera in the kitchen. Notice my NEW center island in the kitchen. My wonderful husband surprised me while I was away. I LOVE it. It has 3 drawers, a wine rack (which I'm using for kitchen towels) 2 deep cupboards. Along with a stainless steel counter top!!

I hardly ever have buttermilk on hand so I cheat by adding vinegar to milk..then just wait.
Whisk the flours and dry ingredients together, until well combined.

The original recipe calls for swiss cheese but I couldn't find any at the store, so we went with cheddar cheese. Grab a kitchen helper and let them grate the cheese.

Bacon...everything is better with bacon!! Cook it well and crush it up. These muffins I tell you are THE best.

Here is the final product. I had wanted to pop a few of these bad boys in the freezer but...they did not last long.

This week I also made a recipe Cheesy Potatoes and Kielbasa. I just took a simple scalloped potatoes recipe and added 2 cups of cheddar cheese to the white sauce (1 stick of butter, 1/4 cup of flour, 2 cups of milk) cut up the kielbasa and mix everything together. Bake at 350 for about an hour. My family loved this.
To see other Cooking Thursday posts visit Diary of a SAHM to see more.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Weather in my neck of the woods: Cold, snow, cloudy skies...same old same old for Feb.

One of my simple pleasures: the glow of candle light in the evenings.

On my bedside table: Bible, couple of books for review, cell phone.

On my TV: Little House on the Prairie

On the menu for tonight: cheesy potatoes and kielbasa

On my TO DO list: laundry, organize my magazines, start moving things into my craft room!!!

New recipe I tried last week: nothing much...at least none that I can remember...LOL!

In the craft basket: I am going to make place mats and a few pot holders.

Looking forward to: MANY things! I'm getting a laptop!! I'm so excited about this. We are also replacing all the windows in our house. Along with new doors. I can not wait!!

Homemaking tip: I have been organizing my magazines. Now I do not need every page of the magazine. So I find articles or recipes I want and cut them out and place in a 3 ring binder. I'll post pictures once I get my new laptop!! WOOOHOO!

Favorite Blog post of the week (mine or others):Did not really read many blogs this week.

Favorite photo from last week: This is another picture from my trip to Pittsburgh PA. I'm still in awe of the amount of snow that fell in one day. Besides the fact that they really do not know how to handle that amount of snow. The weather this winter is SO crazy...I mean parts of the south have gotten snow!

Lesson learned the past few days: Keeping up on paper clutter will help you feel more organized.

On my prayer list: family, friends, military families. My husband also has hurt his back...I'm praying for quick healing.

Devotionals, Scripture reading, Key verses: Proverbs 17:1 "It's better to eat a dry crust of bread in peace than to have a feast where there is quarreling."

To read other Happy Homemaker Monday posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

Review~~Molly's Money Saving Digest February 2010

This month's edition of Molly's Money Saving Digest is yet again a GREAT publication. Molly starts out talking about potatoes. We use them in almost every supper. They are so versatile you can use them in everything from sweets to bread. There is so much information in the article that I was able to do a mini unit study with my children on potatoes. This issue of the digest is jam packed with a ton of frugal ideas from what is on sale in the stores to how to organize things in your home frugally. I am so excited to be working toward our goal of home organization. Here we are in February and we are well underway to that goal!!

Not only does Molly talk about organizing your home she talks about how to brighten your home up during the winter months. I do not know about you but I get so down during the winter months that I have to add color to our home. I love it...just a couple of items here and there and you can transform your home for just pennies!!

Molly even gives you a week of meal ideas that anyone can make. Seasoned cook or not these recipes are so easy to make. It is also a great way to get your children interested in the kitchen and cooking.

Kids corner will help you teach your children about money. I don't know about you but I really need to instill a good money habit in my children's life. I have never been good with money. But after many hours of prayer I'm getting better...these digests have really helped me see that you do not have to spend a lot of money to make your home bright, or prepare good food for your family. All you need is the tools and desire to learn how to cut costs.

So for $4.95 per issue you will receive those tools you need to start your way onto a new lifestyle. Do not wait...you will be so happy you did.

Mom's Bible Review

This Bible is the Mom's Bible NCV (New Century Version). I had never heard of this version of the Bible before receiving this for review. There are many features in this Bible that was very appealing to me. The "Our God is"..which will help you further your knowledge of God. "Questions kids ask"...will give you a starting point for some of those questions your children ask you. "Walking in"...will help you to bring balance to your life during your walk with God. "Godly character"...will help you strengthen your character and help you grow as a Christian. "Passing it on"... will give you a starting point on teaching your children about God. "Mom's in the Bible"...will teach you lessons from Mom's in the Bible. "Wonderful Counselor"...is like having your own Christian Therapist. "Insights"...will give you a great start to any day.

I do like this version. I have been using this Bible for my personal devotionals and love all the added feature. When I study a passage of scripture I love to read it in many different versions. It has been very easy to read and understand. I do not believe it has taken away from the meaning of the passages one bit. There are so many people who do not use any other versions of the Bible except for King James, which is fine that is a personal decision. Like I said before, I enjoy reading scripture from many different versions. This is one I do recommend to people.

This Bible was provided to me by Thomas Nelson Publishers for review.

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods: cold with light snow.

One of my simple pleasures: being home!!

On my bedside table: cell phone, Bible, books for review.

On my TV: nothing

On the menu for tonight: not really sure...it was a LONG weekend.

On my To do list: clean the house, plan our menu, laundry.

New recipe I tried: I didn't try any this week.

In the craft basket: cards, scrapbook pages, gifts for my customers.

Looking forward to: SPRING!!! I've seen enough snow to last me a lifetime!

Homemaking tip for this week: When you are going away for the weekend and leaving your family, make sure all the meals are done for them. You can make them and put them in the freezer. It will help out with potential messes of cooking.

Favorite Blog post of the week (mine or other):

Favorite photo: I went to Pittsburgh this weekend for a Tastefully Simple conference. The first picture is of our hotel when we arrived on Friday morning. The weather was cloudy but no snow. The second picture is taken on Friday night. It started snowing right after we got there. It fell the whole day! We were supposed to leave Saturday evening, but by Friday night the city was in a state of emergency. The bridges were all closed and nothing was able to be plowed. We just continued with our conference. Saturday it had stopped snowing but the temps were so cold the plows could not get the roads clear. The state of emergency was not lifted until Saturday evening. We decided to stay until Sunday. On Sunday it took us an hour to get out of Pittsburgh, many roads and on ramps were still closed. There were cars stranded all over the city in snow. I praise GOD we made it home safe and sounds.


Lesson learned the past few days: When you are "trapped" with people in a city you've never met...take the opportunity to meet new people. Make the best of the situation. There is nothing you can do to control it. But I did pray a lot!!!

On my prayer list: Family, friends, people in the states affected by the snow storm.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. And God's peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."

When stuck in an emergency situation it is difficult not to worry about the outcome. We need to place our trust in God, He knows the outcome.

To see other Happy Homemaker posts visit Diary of a SAHM.

Happy Homemaker Monday

The weather in my neck of the woods: cold and snowy.

One of my simple pleasures: curling up on the couch with a good book.

On my bedside table: Bible, lamp, cell phone

On my TV: nothing

On the menu for tonight: pasta with meat sauce

On my To Do List: school with the kids, clean the house, laundry

New Recipe I tried last week:

Instant Gravy

1 1/3 cups powdered milk

¾ cup flour

3 Tablespoons beef or chicken bouillon granules (3 cubes crushed equals 1 T)

¼ t onion powder

Combine all ingredients and store in a container.

To use: Combine ½ cup mix and 1 cup water with 1 ½ T. butter in a saucepan. Whisk this over medium heat until it is smooth, thick and bubbly. It takes about 2 or 3 minutes to thicken.

In the craft basket: valentines day cards

Looking forward to: my business trip to Pittsburgh with Tastefully Simple!!

Homemaking Tip for this week: don't forget behind the desk and TV stand. Dust bunnies LOVE to live back there. I always forget this area.

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other): Haiti Happenings is a blog I found that gives first hand accounts of everything going on down there. They are missionaries living there. Just be warned some of the pictures are hard to look at.

Favorite photo from last week: for some reason I can not upload any pictures today. I took some pictures of our "sparkle" snow. It looked as if God had been using the glitter. It was so beautiful this morning!!

Lesson learned the past few days: No matter how many time I screw up God always forgives me. I pray someday I'll be close to that. I have a hard time forgiving people.

On my Prayer List: My family, friends in need, military and their families, my Uncle who is having surgery tomorrow on his knee, my church family.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses: Psalm 86:5 "For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You."

To read other Happy Homemaker Posts visit Diary of a SAHM.