AND THE ANSWER IS.......

Let's find out how good you are at geography.....

The "list" given on Wednesday was what are the SEVEN continents???

1. Antartica
2. Africa
3. Asia
4. Australia
5. Europe
6. North America
7. South America

So are feeling smart or like maybe you should've paid better attention in class?????

HAPPY FRIDAY!!!

Things I Love Thursday!

Something I LOVE is camping!!! I love the fact that this is a hobby we can do as a family!!! When we are camping we get to spend lots of uninterrupted quality family time together. The everyday distracts of housework, schoolwork, and chores are thrown out the window and we get to go relax (although with 4 kiddos it isn't always relaxing), and then my favorite part of the night is setting around the fire and roasting marshmellows for the "must have" smores!!! Then when the kiddos are in bed Justin and I cherish the time spent around the fire with family talking about everything from politics, to work, to recalling old family stories; you name and we've probably talked about it.

Maybe I should also clarify that my kind of camping with 4 kids is in a 30' travel trailer with heat, A/C, bathroom, microwave, you know the real "roughin' it kind" :)

What do you LOVE???? Feel free to link up to http://8-muddyboots.blogspot.com and chime in, or if you aren't sure how to do it just leave a comment here!!

Lists You Can Never Quite Recall # 5

Okay so it is time for yet another "List" for you to recall....

Name the SEVEN Continents

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

I will post the answers on Friday!!!!

Remember the rules??? If you are a first timer, there is no using books, internet, or computer in any way....Simply using your knowledge to recall the list or using other people in your family to help you!!! Have fun!!

Practical Tip Tuesday

Well Megan over at http://dailyessentialsanddeals.blogspot.com is doing Practical Tip Tuesdays, I thought I would chime in when I get the chance...plus I love hearing time saving, money saving, make my life easier, and cleaning faster kind of tips (who doesn't???) So head on over to her blog to check it out.

My tip is "wear your shoes". Okay I realize this is a mighty weird tip, but let me explain!!!! Awhile ago (like maybe even last spring or summer) my sister-in-law was telling me about this book she was reading and one of things the woman said that made her more productive was putting on her shoes first thing in the morning after getting dressed. When I first heard this I thought "how weird" (just like you thought I'm sure). For some unknown reason I thought I would give this theory a test.....and it works.... I stay moving...if I need to step outside to throw some trash in or run to the mailbox, or the basement....or whatever I can do that without hesitation of putting on shoes and all. At first I thought this will never work because at our house we take off our shoes when we walk in the door. I find this helps to keep dirt and other yucky things from tracking up the floors and all. I have found that since I do most of my work here in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry room each day I don't fret about wearing my shoes because all those floors are wood or laminate.

Another bonus is that we live in an old farmhouse so the floors are always cold...so wearing my shoes keeps me warmer too!!

CVS Steals!!

Last night I made a CVS run mainly to pick up meds and milk....but I came home with all this......and the best part IT WAS FREE!!!!! Let me explain a bit. I had $35 worth of meds for the wonderful breathing machine my kiddos use when they have respiratory stuff going on so basically I paid for the meds and that's it. My total was $35.66!!!!!! I got 4 pairs of slippers, 2 bags of M&M's, 4 table cloths, (all these from the Valentine's CLEARANCE isle for 75% off), and then my 2 milks!!!!!!!
I used a $10 off $50 purchase coupon and then I had $15,58 that I had to use or loose in ECB's..
All of the "extras" I scored I am planning on using in give aways at an upcoming women's retreat.....YAHOOOO! I LOVE CVS!!!!!!!

How to Reduce Your Monthly Grocery Bills...Part 1

I have been sharing all my great pics of my grocery runs each week, so I wanted to start sharing with you how I do it, and how YOU can easily do it too!!!

Okay so I also realize that not everyone is into the whole "Coupon Craziness" way of life that I thrive on! So I wanted to start off this series with a few money saving ideas for those of you that would like to decrease your monthly spending at the grocery store but not clip any coupons. As I progress through the series I will explain in detail my whole journey through learning how "Coupon Craziness" works for me and my family. It does work differently for each family. Each family has their own budget, and different quantity needs. PLEASE never feel like that the way I do things is the standard...never feel like my budget and what we spend it what your family has to spend. Simply use this information to learn how to get more for you hard earned money.
I also plan to share with you what I have learning through this whole process and thing reason why I think how we spend our money is so important...


Here are some ways you can save money without clipping coupons!!!


1. Meal Planning- I know I have mentioned this before, but I think this is one of the most steps you can take to save lots of $$$$$$. If decide to do nothing else throughout this series this step alone with save you bundles....and you will see immediate results!!!

2. Stick to Simple and Inexpensive Meals- I don't think you need to serve your family a 6 course meal each night in order to meet nutritional and health needs. Be creative think of simple and easy meals you can make with items you already have in your pantry.

3. Cook from Scratch as Much as Possible- This is something I am still learning to do, I am enjoying the fact that cooking from scratch doesn't have to be so scary and intimidating. I didn't grow up learning about cooking from scratch, so this is a challenge.

4. Shop Once per Week or Less- The simple fact of this step is the less you shop....the less money you spend!!

5. Shop Aldi-If you have an Aldi's in your area you really should be taking advantage of your staple items here. I also use their prices as my "Price Book prices". Which means I know what things cost at Aldi and then compare that to what I can buy things elsewhere. If I can get things cheaper somewhere else because of a sale and using coupons then I know I am getting a good deal.

6. If Aldi is not an option shop at a nearby store that runs sales. Plan your meals around the sale items.

7. Garden- For the first several years of our married life I had my own garden. As I started having babies I guess I ran out of time and energy to put out a garden (having 4 babies in 6 years does that I think!!) During these later years my mom and dad have graciously continued to put out a garden, much larger than they needed in order to let us reap the benefits at harvest time. (THANKS MOM AND DAD!!) This spring we are starting up our own garden again and I am very much looking forward to whole process of getting back into the groove!! So if you know you don't want to take on a garden yourself or maybe you don't have the space.....ask a friend to start a garden with you and share the responsibilities of taking care of it. Also you will the great joy in watching the garden grow and collecting things in the fall...at least know this could be an option.

These are the things we put up throughout the summer and fall:

*Corn, Green beans
*Spaghetti sauce, tomato juice, salsa
*Jams- strawberry and last year I did raspberry as well!
*Apple sauce and last year I tried pear sauce...yummy!
Another option is to go to U-pick farms and get your fruit when it is in season (saving you a bundle!) Then you have the option of freezing the fruit and keeping it for use later in shakes, smoothies, jam, baked goods, ect. I am hoping now that my kiddos are getting older this will become more of an option for us!! I am planning to U-pick some blueberries, strawberries, and maybe raspberries this coming year.

8. Hunting & Fishing- I also understand this is not a possibility for everyone but my husband, dad, and father-in-law all hunt and fish which helps to provide 90% of our meat supply. I know I don't need to explain to any of you how hard getting meat on a budget can be. Here are a few suggestions about saving money on meat.

*Get a cow butchered and split the meat and the cost between family or friends. If you aren't sure where to get a cow or how to go about this process ask around. I would recommend starting with a local butcher. I made a phone call last week to a butcher in my area and they offered this advice. (1) When you get meat from a local butcher whether it's a cow or whatever they can tell you where that meat came from, how it was raised, which can make a difference in the quality of meat. (2) They can package you meat to meet you families needs. For instance, if you buy some freezer beef they can put 6 steaks in a package or 2 steaks in a package whatever you need.
(3) If you don't want a full cow and you don't have anyone to split it with you can even buy a 1/2 of a 1/2 of beef!! I though that was a great option you might want to think about taking advantage of. The great thing about getting meat this way if you usually pay the same for hamburger that you pay for steak!!

Preparing To Party!

First we started with making the cake. My Mother in law makes this great "jello cake" at birthdays, and we all totally LOVE it! I also love it because it's SOOOO easy! I plan to post next week on the food we are having tonight and the recipes...just in case you all want to try something new. Just for a little preview....I made Taco Soup, Mexican Casserole, and Jello cake, and ice cream for dessert. (Zach was my cake helper, he did a great job mixing!)

I think his favorite part of the job was licking the bowl and spoon..I know it's always the part I look forward to the most!!

Here is the cake after we baked it....there then are several more things we need to do to the cake...I'll show you that all later!
Our cake needed to cool then so we started working on other things then all sudden Zach comes to me and says "Mom I did not take a bite out of the cake." I was puzzled by this sudden profession of innocence. SOOO I went to inspect the cake...and sure enough there was a nice bite out of it!!!AHHHHHH!! I didn't really get to excited about the whole thing because I knew it would be hidden by the toppings and all......little boys!!!

This a our giant lips pinata!!! I got it for $2 at Walmart last night in the Valentine clearance stuff. We don't normally do pinatas but I thought.....OOOHHH how fun!!

Here we are cutting construction paper in strips to made some homemade streamers!!! I couldn't find any in town last night....so we made some our self...best we could anyway.

Now Lance is helping me blow up some balloons for some more decorations!!
Zach climbed on the table to help put them in place....he loved having permission to be on the table! Before all was said and done we also hung up a balloon bundle from the light (guess I never took a pic of that.)
Then for the next half hour the kids hooped and hollered as they ran around playing with the extra balloons...I always wonder why I don't keep some balloons on hand at all times....they always provide so much entertainment for the kids.

To end out morning, Caleb also got a b-day card in the mail....ohhhhhh how he loves to get mail!!!

So now for the next 4 hours or so the kiddos will constantly ask me "How much longer till everyone gets here?" We are ready for them!!!!!

Gettin' Ready To Party!!

Today is a party day for us!!! Tonight we are celebrating Caleb's 6th Birthday!!!! (His actual birthday is Sat the 21st.) So I am planning to take some pics throughout the day of our prep work and all the fun....In hopes I will be able to post all the happening this afternoon... For now I thought I would share some more fun pics of the BIRTHDAY BOY!!! (Even though he seems to be the feature of my pics here lately.)

At Christmas time..that little green thing in front of him is a Rice Krispie tree and they decorated them with white frosting and then put whatever candy and sprinkles they want for ornaments.

Always smiling.....usually it following that something ornery :)

Caleb loves spending time with Julia...he dotes on her and loves reading books to her, even if he has to make up the story...

Proudly displaying his little craft project we did for school a few weeks ago!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CALEB!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!!!

Things I Love Thursday!

Well I think this sounds so fun to share things we LOVE each week...it's so easy to get caught up being so busy that we forget to stop and smell the roses......If you want to see more posts on what people love each week head over to http://8-muddyboots.blogspot.com to check it out!!!

I LOVE the chance to sit down and read a good book. Beverly Lewis is one of my favorite authors!!! She writes Christian books mainly based on the Amish community. I have read all her books, and right now I reading her newest series (I am on book number 2 in that series). I really don't have lots of extra time for reading and before I started this new book I figured up it had been a least 2 years since I HAD read a good book!!! So that is when I thought it was about time I MADE time to start a book.....I LOVE how a book will just take you away from all the days happenings and lead you on a far off adventure. This love of books I am trying to pass onto our children, there is nothing more exciting for a child that a trip using their imagination!!!! My Lance is a book lover as well....he eats up a good book in a matter of days!!! LOVE IT!!!

Mid Week Funny!

Can you guess who this is????

My Mid Week Funny has nothing to do with this picture, but the picture in and of itself is funny enough I think!!!!! I will tell you at the end of my post who it is......

So I already told you Monday was a day I spent with just Caleb...(who by the way is so excited that his birthday is on Saturday...he has a count down going on only 3 days till my birthday and 2 days till my party....I remember those days of such excitement before your next birthday....now I just try to forget them and hope I will start to get younger!) Anyhoo..We were in the car traveling from place to place and he says to me "Mom is just doesn't get any better than this a mom and her son just spending a fun day together. I am having so much fun. I mean this is more fun than going to Chuck E Cheese." I teared up and just about fell out of the drivers seat all at the same time. I was so touched by the fact that he was having such a great time doing nothing really, but he let me know that he cherished the time we were spending one on one with each other. ( That's the part that made me a bit teary.) Then when the whole Chuck E Cheese comment was made I just couldn't believe it...he has been begging to go there for weeks and has been using his upcoming birthday as reason enough to make the trip! So when he said our errand running together even beat going there I was just.....well speechless...and most of you know that is not a very common occurrence with me...Well I just wanted to share those very special moments with you all and hope you got a little chuckle out of them as well.........Happy Wednesday!! Yep, it's Caleb!!

Meijer and Menards Bargains!!

Okay, so I decided to make the trip to town today. I was able to take just Caleb with me, so we had a FANTASTIC day with just the two of us!! Our first stop in town, MENARDS....I was able to get all the FREEBIES this time!!!! 2 Paint brushes, a measuring tape, 2 liquid nails, a square, 4 batteries, a some magnetic something kit( I have no idea what this is but I know hubby does)...For my $10 purchase I got some flower seeds..I was so excited when I saw them !! I was able to get some perennials and annuals, so now I need to get my seed containers ready so I can start them...WOOOHOOO!!!!



Next was MEIJER..... Again I did two transactions this time around and I was very happy with what I ended up with this week!!
I won't list each item, since you can check out the picture, but I will tell you I got 32 items and only spent $21.81!!!!!!! Caleb was the most happy about the cereal and free milk deal we did. (Even though we already have about 12 boxes of cereal...he thinks you can never have enough Apple Jacks or Fruit Loops in the house.)


So have you all been getting your Menards rebates yet??? I sent my first one on Jan. 22nd, so I hope to get one back this week...that would be in the 4-6 week mark....but I know it could a little while longer as well! Leave me a comment on how long your rebates have been taking you....

Date night/ Meijer Run

Friday night was so great!!! Hubby and I went on our date night and had a great time alone together...no interrupted sentences....no referring any fights....no sharing our food or drinks.....no distracting anyone while we waited for our table or food.....just a sweet time of adult time alone!! Of course by the end of the night we are always ready to jump back into doing all the fun things I listed....it keeps us young...HMMMM maybe crazy...no...well anyway it keeps things exciting none the less!!!
Well we knew our romantic date night wouldn't be complete without a Meijer run...just kidding that really isn't up there on the romantic ometer at all but since we were in town and we had over 1 1/2 hours to wait for our table I had planned a trip to Meijer just in case. Since we got home late I skipped over the picture this week...sorry for you picture lovers....but here is the list of what I got. I did two transactions in order to get the maximum savings from my coupons. Combining both transactions I got 48 items for $47.00. I was very happy with that!!
12 pringles
2 wishbone salad dressings
1 Lysol Disinfectant
2 Activia 4pcks of yogurt
4 boxes of Chex mix bars
2 boxes of BC fruit snacks
4 BC brownie mixes
4 BC warm delights
2 BC frosting
1 skippy peanut butter
2 boxes Fiber one bars
4 Toaster Strudels (Scramblers)
2 Ready to Bake cookie doughs
2 margarine
2 lunch meats
@ 2lbs grapes

Great trip I thought although if we hadn't already been in town I would not have made the trip because most of these items were not nessecity items. Have you seen the ad for this....not to promising...I just glaced over it for a minute so maybe with a closer look I will see more ad match-ups. Okay for this next statement you might want to be sitting down.......
I did not make a trip to CVS or Walgreens today which is such a rarity to not go to either one..I really didn't see anything I had to have deal wise at either place so I decided to skip both this week. Also I did not hit Kroger this week.......so I will rely on what I have in stock and what I got a Aldi and Meijer this weekend to get me through till I find more deals...THUS the beauty of having a well stocked pantry to go to!!!!

AND THE ANSWER IS.......

List #4 You Can Never Quite Recall!!!!!!

1. Bashful
2. Dopey
3. Happy
4. Doc
5. Grumpy
6. Sleepy
7. Sneezy

Lists You Can Never Quite Recall # 4

Okay so I am a goof ball, well most of you know that already!!! I made the mistake of publishing people's answers before I give the answers...tempting some of you to cheat....but I am happy to report that none of you did!!!!
I am still wanting to hear from more of you! So far TWO DEVOTED BLOGGER friends have answered my silly "list" questions.....come on I know more of you are checking in with me each day. DON'T BE SHY...email me the answers if you don't want to figure out the iGoogle account thing, although is should be easy enough to do. I have heard from several of you saying that you are having some issues getting your comments on. Just fyi I do moderate my comments (which means I want to see them before everyone else sees them on my blog.) I only do that to eliminate the chance of someone I don't know putting something inappropriate on my blog. ANYONE have any helpful hints for those folks with issues with getting their comments on??? If so let know and I will pass on the info.

Let's get to it, I just know your all biting your finger nails waiting for the next challenge....okay so maybe not....HERE IT IS!!!!!

LIST THE 7 DWARFS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
I will post the answers for you all on MONDAY!!!!

Have a great weekend.....maybe even a date night with your sweatheart for V-DAY!!!!!

Wonder What I've Been Up To?????

Well this is pretty much how I was feeling all of last week!!!! I had two kiddos with bronchitis, then those two also ended up with ear infections (and they both have tubes and shouldn't get ear infections anymore!)
Then by the end of the week my 3rd kiddo had respiratory issues.......So by this past Tuesday I had been to the Pediatrician FOUR times!!!!!
I am happy to report this week we are doing much better as a whole. Two out of the three are all better, we are still waiting on Julia to start getting better. Yesterday did seem to get a little better, so I am hopeful maybe we have starting turning things around......


Since Julia has been getting so many breathing treatments the past two weeks, she is a pro!! We have discovered she loves listening to music while hanging out getting her treatments. Here she thinks she might want to change up music selection....

Even when she's sickly, isn't she still the cutest girl ever!!!! She has been such a big girl throughout this whole process and now she is even helping out by holding her mask herself....

AND THE ANSWER IS.......

Here are the answers to Tuesday's question....... I know a couple of you thought there were only four oceans ( me too) but this is what the "Real Simple" magazine said the answers were!

Name the 5 OCEANS

1. Pacific
2. Atlantic
3. Indian
4. Southern
5. Arctic

So how'd you do???? Look for the next list to recall on Friday!!!

Mid Week Funny!

Okay, well let me explain!! It is a "ritual" at our house that after the kids take a shower/bath they go stand in front of the stove to warm up and dry off....Well I caught two of my boys...whose name I will no mention...pulling up a chair and warming up side by side.

I just couldn't help myself.......I had to grab my camera and capture the moment! I am sure they will thank me later...or maybe not..

Hello Again Aldi's/ What We Are Eating

I haven't been to Aldi's since the beginning of December!!!! I needed a few staple items, and that is what I love to use Aldi's for.....I got 34 items for $31.14.

If you haven't been to Aldi's before you must go....I don't like to get their fresh fruits, I just don't have good experiences with them staying fresh for more than a day or two. I know others have told me that it might just be the Aldi's I shop at because they don't seem to have those issues.

Well over the next couple weeks this is what we are planning to eat..keep in mind it's nothing fancy nor are they very time consuming! I don't mind cooking but it is not something I REALLY enjoy doing I'd rather be doing a host of others things instead.......

Wednesday: Lasagna, garlic bread, green beans

Thursday: leftovers

Friday: Date night!!! Texas Roadhouse here I come!! (We got a gift card from x-mas to use)

Saturday: Chilli, crackers

Sunday: Chilli or chilli dogs

Monday: Tacos with all the fixins'

Tuesday: Mexican casserole

Wednesday: Fish, Potatoes, bake beans

Thursday: Potatoe Soup, crackers

Friday: Taco Soup

Sat & Sunday: Leftover Round up!!!

Well I guess you can tell I am in the winter frame of mind I have 3 different soups planned. OH WELL I know my family loves them all.

Like I said nothing fancy and you definitely have to like eating leftovers to survive at my house!! I always try to make my meals big enough to eat for two suppers or at the very least a supper and a lunch. REASON: It eliminates the number of times I have to be in the kitchen cooking each week!

For lunches we.....yes keep it simple also!!

Mac and cheese with hot dogs, fruit

cold meat sandwiches, fish crackers, fruit

Chef Boyardee, fruit

grill cheese sandwiches, fruit

PB&J sandwiches

OR yep you guessed it leftovers :)

Lists You Can Never Quite Recall # 3

For this List you only have to come up with 5 answers...maybe a little easier than 7 or 8....then again maybe not.

Okay here is the "List you need to Recall"

List the FIVE OCEANS

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.


In case you just joining this whole fun thing...no computer help, no book help...simply brain power that's it.....I know for some of us that is a little scary!!! GOOD LUCK, answers on THURSDAY!!!

Kroger Run Saturday

I have no idea what is up with my photo being sideways...It is fine and turned the right way before I download it then it turns...and I couldn't figure out how to fix it......story of my week...so sorry you have to crank you neck to check it out :)

Well sorry I haven't been posting my grocery runs lately...maybe you never even noticed????Well we have had a really crazy time around here with lots of sickness SOOOOO when I would make my grocery runs I would come home and hurriedly put things away then realize OOOOHHHH man I forgot to take my photo.....then my hubby would laugh and think I have offically lost it when I am concerned about taking photos of my groceries!!!!!! (I know how much I enjoy and love to see what others are getting and hope my photos do the same to inspire you for your next shopping trips.)

As you can see I got 3 packs of diapers and other stuff and I paid $26...I got free toilet paper, free betty crocker potatoes, reduced bananas and cheap everything else....I think I got 15 items for the $26 dollars..I thought that was good considering the diapers took up most of that money..

This trip was basically because I had some coupons that were going to expire and I wanted to match those coupons with my loadable coupons from cellfire and shortcuts to get some free stuff before they expired...anyway that is what I came up with.....I am looking forward to a good week at Meijer...I skipped going last week it just wasn't worth the trip...but I am thinking this week I will go..if I can get away from the sick kiddos...we will see!

Apple Cake

Okay so the last installment of the new recipes does not fit the 5-7 ingredient protocol, BUT it is a dessert so there are not such rules for desserts!!!!

APPLE CAKE

1 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 cup butter 1/2 tsp. baking soda
4 apples 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 egg 1 /2 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 cup chopped walnuts 1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup flour

Mix together the sugar and butter until well blended. Core, peel, and dice the apples. Beat the egg, mix in vanilla, and walnuts the add the apples. Mix sugar/butter with apple mix. Sift remaining ingredients and mix batter. Grease an 8" square pan and pour batter into it. Cook for 45 minutes at 350 and let cool.


Mmmmmmmmm!!! I can taste it already!!!!! Feel free to make this for me and drop it by......just kidding, but seriously does that not sound like something everyone at your house would LOVE!!!

Well that ends the new recipes with 5-7 ingredients series.....for now anyway...I am always looking for new one to try!!!

AND THE ANSWER IS.......

List #2 You can never quite recall......Name the 8 Reindeer that pull Santa's sleigh..

1. Dasher
2. Dancer
3. Prancer
4. Vixen
5. Comet
6. Cupid
7. Donner (also called Donder...I've never heard it but the article says this is true)
8. Blitzen

I think this has been so fun....I REALLY WANT TO HEAR FROM MORE OF YOU!!!!!!! hint..hint.....hint...PLEASE comment I LOVE reading them!!!!

Breakfast Casserole

I thought this sounded yummy to make on Saturday and then have it ready to put in the microwave for Sunday morning.......if I was a "good" mommy I would wake up really early and have it fresh out of the oven when everyone woke up Sunday morning. Well around here I think the first option works better for me...what about you??????

Breakfast Casserole

24 oz. frozen shredded potatoes
2 cups shredded cheese
2 cups cooked ham
salt and pepper
1 can cheddar cheese soup
milk (2 soup cans full)
10 eggs

optional: 1/2 cup each
Chopped onion
chopped green pepper
sliced mushrooms

Combine all ingredients except shredded cheese. Mix and beat very well. Put into a 3 qt. casserole dish and top with cheese. Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes or until you can put a knife in the center and it comes out clean.

Cajun Chicken Casserole with Cornbread Crust

Here is the second installment of new recipes I am passing along from the COUNTRY DOOR decorating magazine of all places..... It falls into the 5-7 ingredients range for the main dish (the toppings adds 3 more ingredients) but I thought it sounded easy to put together as well....

Canjun Chicken Casserole with Cornbread Crust

2 1/2 lbs. (I would say 3-4 breasts) cooked chicken, diced
1/4 cup green pepper, minced
1/4 onion, minced
1/4 celery, diced
2 cans of mushroom soup
1/4 cup pimentos, diced
Mustard (it doesn't list how much)

Combine chicken and other ingredients in a large bowl. Stir well. Pour into a 9 x 13 pan.
8 oz. cornbread mix
8 oz. chicken stock, double strength
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350. Combine in a large bowl the topping ingredients, stir well. Sprinkle over casserole. Bake 15- 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown and casserole is bubbly.
Serves 10

Lists You Can Never Quite Recall # 2

Okay well I realize Christmas has come and gone, but the next list was a must do....

Name the EIGHT reindeer that pull Santa's sleigh.......
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Remember no computer or book helps...simply brain power....GOOD LUCK!!! The answers will be given on Monday!!

Recipe for Simple Broccoli Casserole

Before I give the recipe for the Casserole I thought I should let you in on a weakness of mine....I LIKE SIMPLE COOKING....recipes with 5-7 ingredients and take 15 min. or less to prep!!!! I love being able to make something homemade and good for my family, but it has to be quick because I don't' have a lot of extra time for tons of prep. work!!!!!
I got this recipe from an unusual place.....a decorating catalog.....It's called COUNTRY DOOR...maybe some of you get it....well the recipes caught my eye and I thought over the next few days I would share them with you. I just got the catalog today so I haven't tried any of them yet, but hope to soon!!! Please leave me a comment if you try any of them and let me know what you thought of the recipe and how your family liked it!!!!

Lila's Simple Broccoli Casserole

10 oz. package of frozen broccoli, thawed
10 3/4 oz. can of cream of chicken soup
10 3/4 oz. can of cream of mushroom soup
6 oz. package of herb-flavored stuffing mix
1/2 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350. Place broccoli, and soups in a buttered dish 1 1/2 qt. casserole dish and mix well. Toss the stuffing in a bowl with the melted butter and add to casserole dish. Stir mix. Bake 40- 45 minutes.

Well I think it surely sounds simple enough to try...don't you??????

8 Planets You Can Never Quite Remember

If you have no idea what this title refers to see Monday's post on "List You Can Never Quite Recall". After reading that post you will be up to speed on what will be going on here the next few weeks as we go through the list together.

HERE ARE THE LONG AWAITED ANSWERS!!! DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!!!

Here are the planets in order starting from the closest to sun.

1. Mercury
2. Venus
3. Earth
4. Mars
5. Jupiter
6. Saturn
7. Uranus
8. Neptune

****Pluto was a planet until 2006, when it was demoted to a dwarf-planet status****

Friday I will post the new "List" you need to recall!!!! See you then!!!

Mid Week Funny!

Here is a picture of my 5 year old Caleb (soon to be 6) "ROCKIN' IT!" the other day!!!! Complete with the 70's hair and all (thanks to a wig his daddy found years ago and can't bring himself to part with )

He is absolutely like his daddy in many ways, especially in the way that he is always singing, humming, or dancing around to some sort of music...even if there is no music playing.....it always is in his head :)

Please Pray!

I have a few things I would like prayer for in my family.

ZACH: I took Zach to the doctor yesterday and found out he had Bronchitis...which it what I thought. I am thankful it had not yet progressed to pneumonia!! So starting today we are doing breathing treatments every 4 hours.

JULIA: Julia started her coughing yesterday morning and I also put her on breathing treatments. Since I am familiar with all the respiratory stuff, I knew she needed treatments as well......SOOOOO 2 kiddos doing breathing treatments every 4 hours on top of everyday stuff equals a really busy mommy!!! I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong. Today has went very well and I know the Lord is giving me extra patients and grace moment by moment.

TERRY: My dad is having neck surgery on Thursday morning at 11am. He has degenerative discs so they are fusing disc 3 &4 together and all that....About five years ago he had discs 5, 6, & 7 fused. Unfortunately that means he knows how painful it is to wake up from surgery, so pray for peace for him through all that.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS.......

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Mix

Around Christmas time I wanted to put together some of those "cookies in a jar mixes", well bummer that I never ended up following through with that...there is always next year :)
Well anyway I came across a website that gave several different choices in the mixes....I went for the Oatmeal Raisin Cookie mix and then last week I finally got around to making some.....better late that NEVER!!! Anyhoo, here is the recipe. They turned out REALLY GOOD!!! My hubby thought they were the best cookies he'd ever had...he thought they were "hardy cookies". Well even if he just said it to make me feel good.....it worked and I plan to make them again SOONER rather than later........HAPPY BAKING!!

1/2 cup Sugar
3/4 cup Raisins or Chocolate Chips (that is what I did)
1 cup flaked Coconut, packed
1 cup Corn Flakes, crushed (I used Fiber One Cereal, b/c that was the closest thing I had)
3/4 cup Brown Sugar
3/4 cup Quick oats
1 1/4 cups Flour
3/4 tsp. Baking Soda
1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 Salt
1/2 cup Butter or Margarine, softened
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 tsp. Vanilla

In a bowl, mix all dry ingredients,then add in all the other wet ingredients. Mix with hand if needed. Shape dough into balls the size of walnuts. Place 2 inches apart on greased baking sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes (until edges are slightly brown)
Cool 5 minutes on a baking sheet.
Makes 2 1/2 dozen.

If you would like to try out some more options you can go to http://www.LivingOnADime.com

Calling All Bargain Shoppers/ Couponers

Well much to my surprise I have been asked to do a "couponing" workshop a our church's women's retreat this year (March 20-21).........So I come to you all with a question!!!
Give me an idea of what I should make sure to include....I am starting to compile a list of things but wanted your input as well....I am by no stretch of the imagination a PRO at couponing...I am still learning my self after 7 months, but I am more than happy to share what I know!!

The workshop is going to zero in on KROGER, MEIJER, and ALDI shopping.

1. What have been the most helpful things about bargain shopping/ couponing that I should share?
2. What has the thing you wish you would have known years ago??
3. Just share any hints you think I need to make sure and mention...

After I finish my draft for the workshop I will be sure to post a series on it so you all can help add or delete things ......thanks for your help!!

WHAT HAPPENED??

Well I am not sure what happened! I created a post that was suppose to publish on Thursday..the answers to today's post and for some ODD reason it published with today's......WEIRD!!! I had the correct date in and all so I am sorry if you get updates through a reader of some sort....your already have the answers to "The list". If you don't subscriber to a reader then you will see I have deleted the answers from today 's post......sorry this message maybe confusing but I want to clarify things a bit!!

Lists You Can Never Quite Recall

I stumbled across this article in "Real Simple" Magazine, (it was passed to me after my sil was done reading it). The page was titled 9 lists you can never quit recall. I thought it was cute!! So for the next couple weeks I will post the topic you comment on what you think the list is then I will post the correct answers!!!
I know there are over 20 people who daily check my blog ( I have google analytics, which tells me how many people are visiting my site and from what town they live in...cool huh??!!) Anyhoooo....there are only about 2 people who leave comments...I want to hear from you all...that's what makes this blogging thing even more fun!!!
TO LEAVE A COMMENT:
1. set up a google account which will include your email address and a password you make up.

OR 2. leave a comment and click Anonymous. and your comment will publish..be sure to leave your name though so I know who you are :)

OKAY HERE ARE THE RULES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. No googling, no dicitionaries, no books to look things up in at all. ONLY list what you can recall by memory....although you can ask others like kiddos, spouses, ect.....

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

List the 8 planets in the solar system

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

I will post the correct answers on THURSDAY this week...stay tuned!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!!! If nothing else these recalling these lists might make good supper conversation!