Digi Scrapping Fun- Look at more it can do!

I LOVE this mat! But I goofed a little on the pics stretching them. Isn't she the cutest!

a personalized calendar- great gifts for Christmas

Beautiful frame!

this would make a cute mini poster-love the textured look

Christmas tags!!! Too cute!

Be sure to enter the Giveaway for this software! It is so fun!

Book Review: The Hour That Matters Most

Do you look for ways to bring your family closer together? Do you long to create a strong family bond? In this book, the writers share tips and stories from their own families about how and why we mothers should strive towards The Hour That Matters Most.

Our world is so busy today and if we can all be home together, we often can't leave technology alone long enough to be with each other. The ladies in this book share encouraging words to help you set guidelines for that special time around the dinner table. They even share tips for keeping some of the squabbles down. (With 5 boys in the house, that was my favorite chapter!)

Through the different lifestyles of the writers they share various ideas for how to make this happen. They give many ideas through their own stories for ways to involve the entire family in the preparations of mealtime. They share tips for starting conversations as well as manners at the table.

The book does include some recipes but that is not the main focus. The focus of the book is the importance of sharing a meal together and drawing your family closer. These ladies share practical steps and stories from their own mealtimes that all of us mothers can relate too. The book is an easy read and gives you the feel of talking to your best friends.

If you're struggling with mealtime and wanting the kind of atmosphere at your table that is a blessing to each family member, this book will give you practical insight on how to make that happen.

The following is one of the recipes from The Hour That Matters Most.

Turkey Bacon Egg Strata (serves 6 to 8)
4 cups cubed sourdough bread with crust
1/2 cup minced sun-dried tomatoes
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 teaspoon dried basil
2 tablespoons dried parlsey
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup cooked bacon crumbles
2 cups shredded Swiss or mozzarella cheese
1 cup nonfat liquid egg product
2 cups nonfat milk
Spray a 9X13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Layer first 10 ingredients in the order given. Pour
egg and milk over the top and cover. Refrigerate overnight or freeze to use later.

If you've frozen the dish, thaw completely. Preheat oven to 350. Bake uncovered for 35 minutes; then
remove cover and bake 30 to 45 minutes until golden brown. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.
Taken from Hour that Matters Most by Les and Leslie Parrott with Stephanie Allen and Tina Kuna. Copyright © 2011 by Les and Leslie Parrott and Dream Dinners. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

·         The Hour That Matters Most launches September 6, 2011

·         For more information visit, www.thehourthatmattersmost.com

·         Available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble

·         Price: $15.99

(Full disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book to review and above is my honest opinion. I truly enjoyed this book and would love to see many young mothers read it as they start their families and 

seek to build their homes.)

More About the Software in the Giveaway

I just can't stop playing with this new scrapbooking software! I put this together to show you something else that it would be cute for- stationary!

And yeah- that's a real recipe on here- I couldn't just make that part up! ;-)

Be sure to enter the Giveaway for your chance to win the complete My Memories Suite or use the special promo code  STMMMS61766 for a super discount of $10 off of the Suite and $10 off anything in the My Memories store!

The above is actually one of their freebies, so be sure to check those out too!

Food Storage in Places with Humidity

Welcome to Kitchen Tip Tuesdays!

I must say up front that at present, I've only stored food for 3 to 6 months, with the exception of canned (both home-canned and store-bought)and frozen items. Canned and frozen items are usually very little trouble. Its the other foods that can cause the most trouble.

But---I'm learning and studying and I've found many ideas on how to make this work in places with yucky humidity.

Here's some ideas to help you have success:

-Consider a  FoodSaver V2244 Advanced Design Vacuum Sealer.
You can seal food airtight. No air = no humidity. This would be of benefit with pastas, cereals, grains, etc.

-Make sure to use air-tight containers! Some say they are air-tight and some really are so it helps to do your research. Emergency Essentials has food storage buckets, metalized liners to help with light and moisture, and they sell oxygen absorbers. Remember: no air = no humidity. those absorbers can probably be used in just about any container to assist in preserving your food longer.

-While you may store store-bought canned food just about anywhere, never store flours, sugars, grains, pastas, etc near concrete floors or outside walls, especially in your basement. That's where humidity lives! I would also be very careful about home-canned items. While they do need to be in a dark place, humidity can cause rusting. I've never had this cause a real problem, other than ruining my bands. Bands that are rusty won't screw on tight and can cause leaking in the canner!

-Consider the heating and cooling of the room that you use to store foods in. Keeping the room cool during the hot and humid season will also keep humidity at a low.

-If you must store your food in a basement area that is not heated/cooled, consider dehumidifiers. I don't think they can eliminate all humidity, but they can help.

-Keep check on your food storage. If any items look 'weird', get them away from the other foods. Mold and mildew spread.

-Front your items, keep them rotated, making sure to use your oldest items first.

Below is a link to EE, where you can find everything you need to help you with your food storage!
(Full Disclosure: it is an affiliate link)

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Be sure to enter the giveaway for the complete My Memories Suite!

Bread and Jelly -

When the cupboards are skimpy and there's not much produce left and its still a week or two away from shopping time, bread and jelly are one of our favorite snacks!

I love making bread and I love making jelly. We have quite a variety of jellies right now. There's dandelion, violet, lemon-basil, spiced pear, grape, mint, and I think there's still one or two apple from last year.

The round loaves in the pictures were made with Brandy's French Bread recipe with a little spelt flour. The slices on the plate were Artisan Bread.

The pictures were created with my new scrapbooking software that is part of my giveaway here.

Menu Plan:

 Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!

*****My frugal tip for this week: Enter my giveaway! What could be more frugal than free?*****
What is the Giveaway? Its the program that made the above pictures cute!

SATURDAY:

-scrambled eggs and berries
-beans, cornbread, leftover cake
-steakburgers (beef mixed with steak sauce and topped w/onions sauteed with the patties), ice cream
snacks:chips and salsa, dried cranberries

SUNDAY:

-kids choice
-chili from leftover beans, crackers
-meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, sliced cukes
snacks:Artisan Bread and jam, Patillas de Leche

MONDAY:

-Peanut Butter (spelt) Pancakes w/homemade grape syrup
-Ground Beef Hash, romaine salad, fried okra
-Hearty Beef Stew, Artisan Bread, jelly
snacks: Cappuccino Gelatin Ring, celery sticks

TUESDAY:

-Peanut Butter Granola and milk
-Hamburger Soup, Artisan Bread, jam
-Veggie Beef Patties w/ Swiss Cheese, slaw, potato salad
snacks:Honey Milk Balls, carrot sticks

WEDNESDAY:

-scrambled eggs
-Soft Tacos, Cranberry Crisp
-Monkey Meat on (spelt) Flatbreads, leftover slaw
snacks: Blueberry Cobbler, cracker candy

THURSDAY:

-Peanut Butter Pancakes
-Spaghetti, Artisan Bread, Dandelion Syrup
-Roast potatoes carrots, Artisan Bread, Spiced Cranberry Syrup
snacks: Carob Candy, canned pineapple

FRIDAY:

-Smores Oatmeal
-Hamburger Pizza on my fave crust (spelt), spiced apples in the crocky
-Poor Man's Steak, greens from the garden, buttered potatoes
snacks: Blueberry Cottage Pudding, leftover apples

Friday Special at Botanic Choice

You've probably noticed them in my side bar as one of my affiliates. I couldn't say enough about how much I've enjoyed their products! Well, I decided to become an affiliate- I like them so much!

But on to the Friday Special- for 30% and free shipping on orders of $50 or more, enter:

Web Code: AUG30

Offer Expires: 8/28/11

Click the pic below to visit their site:

(*Full disclosure- I do get a percentage from all orders. Thank U ladies!)

Roasted Bone Marrow

This is one of my favorite treats in the world!
Yes, I know it's weird and wacky, but it is truly yummy. I prefer these grilled, this one was boiled because it was frozen to an ankle bone that came with our cow.
Below is a video of an excellent way to cook them too. He roasts them in the oven
at 425 for 20 to 25 minutes and spreads over toast. I like it straight up ;-)

Menu Plan:

 Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!

 My frugal tip of the week: Fix hot lunches! Its frugal!

SATURDAY:
-kids choice
-soft tacos, Amazing Peanut Butter and Chocolate Bars
-Cheesy Meat and Potatoes Casserole, salad, pickled okra
snacks: Peanut Butter Muffins, carrot sticks
SUNDAY:
-homemade waffles from the freezer
-Taco and Rice Soup(no corn), leftover muffins
-BBQ short ribs, boiled and buttered potatoes, romaine salad with sliced radishes
snacks: Baked Donuts, homemade snack mix
MONDAY:
-scrambled eggs, blueberry-banana smoothies
-BBQ baked beans,Chicken Casserole, romaine salad
-Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green peas
snacks: leftover frozen smoothie pops, Impossible Pumpkin Pie
TUESDAY:
-Impossible Pumpkin Pie
-spaghetti with meatsauce, No Bake Cookies
-Roast Beef and gravy, cole slaw, potato salad
snacks: leftover frozen smoothie pops, homemade pickles
WEDNESDAY:
-Soaked oatmeal
-Homemade Tuna Helper, romaine salad with sliced onions, cole slaw
-Taco Casserole, refried beans, green salad
snacks: Low-fat Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread, carrots and dip, B-day cake and homemade ice cream
THURSDAY:
-Kamut English Muffins w/homemade jelly
-Pinto Beans, cornbread, green onions from the garden
-beans, swiss chard, cornbread, creamed corn
snacks:boiled eggs and mustard, Fruit and Nut Salad
FRIDAY:
-Homemade biscuits w/homemade apple-grape jelly
-Chili from leftover beans, crackers
-hamburger steak, baked potatoes, green salad
snacks:cracker candy, Oatmeal-Coconut-Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cheesy Meat and Potatoes Casserole

This is the kind of casserole that men who hate casseroles will love! With meat and potatoes in one dish- you can't go wrong!

This was such a winner at my house, and easy, that I'm going to be trying several other combinations with it soon. Love a one dish meal that can be served with a salad!

Grease 9X13.

Pat out 2 lbs of ground beef in the bottom.

Sprinkle with 1 T dried onions.

Top with 3 cups shredded potatoes. (About 6 medium.)

In small bowl mix;

1 cup sour cream, 1 cup shredded cheddar, and 1 can cream of mushroom soup.

Spread over potatoes. Sprinkle handful of shredded cheddar over the top. Bake

at 400 for 40 minutes. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before slicing.

Amazing Peanut Butter Bars

Mix in order:
1 1/2 sticks melted butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
1 t baking soda
2 cups quick oats
1 1/2 cups plain flour


Spread on large buttered cookie sheet. (like 13X18)
Bake at 350 for approx 20 to 22 minutes.


While still hot, sprinkle with 1 cup chocolate chips. Allow to melt, then spread.


Whip together:
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Drizzle over bars (or spread). Pull a butter knife through to create swirls if you like.
It looks cute either way! ;-)

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Be sure to check out:

Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays

Tasty Tuesday

Tuesdays at the Table

What's In Your Jars These Days?

Mexican Fruit Cake

This looks like a carrot cake and has lots of yummy moisture but there are NO carrots or spices -but there is some yummy pineapple, that you may or may not notice, and there's also bits of chewy coconut here and there along with soft almonds. My family loves this- even though they're not quite sure what they are really eating ;-)

2 cups plain flour
1 3/4 cup sugar
2 t soda
1 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup coconut
2 eggs
1 20oz can crushed pineapple and juice

Mix well and spread in 9X13. Bake at 350 for approx 40 minutes

Frosting:
8oz cream cheese
1/4 cup butter
2 t vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar

Beat well and spread over hot cake.

Menu Plan-

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!

Frugal Tip of the Week: Harvest your own sunflower seeds!

SATURDAY

-kids choice
-Tamale Pie, green salad, leftover Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
-Roast, potatoes, and carrots, green beans
snacks:jello, vanilla pudding

SUNDAY

-eggs and milk
-Tomato Basil Soup, crackers, leftover vanilla pudding
-Taco Casserole, green salad, refried beans
snacks: Easy Spelt Cinnamon Rolls, homemade bread with homemade grape jelly

MONDAY

-millet
-Soft Tacos, Creamy Cinnamon Pudding
-Crockpot Lasagna, Twisted Garlic Bread Sticks
snacks: boiled eggs and mustard, grapes, sunflower seeds

TUESDAY:

-blueberry smoothies and scrambled eggs
-Hoppin' John, Crusty White Bread, homemade dandelion jelly
- meat patties, garden greens, sliced tomatoes, brown rice
snacks: frozen smoothie pops from leftovers, 10 Grain Sweet Muffins

WEDNESDAY

-French Toast Sticks from the freezer from homemade bread
-Chicken Stew, cornbread muffins
-White beans, cornbread, sliced tomatoes, green onions
snacks: cranberry slushie, fruit and nut salad

THURSDAY:

-soaked oatmeal
-Brown Rice Goolash, fruit and carrot salad
-BBQ short ribs, boiled and buttered potatoes, lima beans
snacks: homemade fruity yogurt, Giant Peanut Butter Spelt Cookies

FRIDAY:

-French Toast Sticks
-leftover White beans, cornbread, Tomato Salad,canned pineapple
-Meatloaf, pasta-black bean garden salad, steamed cabbage wedges
snacks: Chocolate and Strawberry Crepes, leftover cookies

Black Ops/Army Birthday Cake

The base is a white cake, made in a 9X13. The brown/chocolate pieces were baked in an oval 1qt casserole dish and a 4 cup Pyrex bowl.

The 'grass' is coconut tossed in with a couple of drops of green food coloring and shaken real well to coat.

The light brown sand/dirt is brown sugar.

On the lower pic, you can see two 'burned' places where the 'bombs dropped'. Those are actually the tops of burned marshmallows ;-)

We had lots of fun with this cake.

This cake is for a great kid, who brings lots of fun and laughter to our home.

Happy 16th Birthday Krestan! God blessed us, when He gave us you!

Menu Plan:

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!

Frugal tip of the week: Make breakfast-pancakes, waffles, etc- over the weekend and freeze for quick breakfast food through the week on those busy days!

SATURDAY

-soaked oatmeal
-Hamburger Casserole from leftovers, fruit and nut salad
-Hamburgers, homemade pickles
snacks:bananas and peanut butter, cinnamon pudding

SUNDAY

-homemade pancakes (spelt and oatmeal, like these)
-soft tacos, fried bananas
- Brisket, potatoes, carrots and gravy (above), gummy worms
snacks:cinnamon pudding pops (from leftovers), slushies

MONDAY

-pancakes from the freezer
-leftover brisket, Rustic (refrigerator) Spelt Rolls, homemade beet jelly
- Beef-n-Cabbage Bake, fried okra, Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls, homemade grape jelly
snacks:boiled eggs and mustard, leftover rolls and jelly

TUESDAY

-homemade waffles from the freezer
-Taco Casserole, black beans (freezer), salad, natural candy
-Pinto Beans, mixed greens from the garden (chard, radish, beet), cornbread
snacks: Brown Sugar Cookies, homemade pickles

WEDNESDAY

-omelet muffins
- chili from leftover beans, crackers, fruit and carrot salad
-Homemade Beefaroni, Birthday Cake and homemade ice cream
snacks: Chocolate-Covered-Cherry Muffins, celery sticks w/ homemade cream cheese stuffing

THURSDAY

-scrambled eggs, frozen fruit smoothies
-Ground Beef Fajitas, leftover smoothie pops
-Country Baked Beef Pie, lima beans, sliced cukes
snacks:cinnamon toast,leftover bday cake

FRIDAY

-peanut butter granola and milk
-Beef and Liver meatballs, brown rice, cole slaw
-Tamale Pie, chili beans, sweet potato fries with a kick
snacks:Lemon-cranberry Muffins, Muddy Buddies

Creamy Cinnamon Pudding

Cinnamon Pudding seems like a winter dessert and there's nothing like heat indexes of over 110, to make you miss winter! 

Wasn't God good to give us seasons!?!

3/4 cup white sugar
5 T cornstarch
pinch salt
3 eggs
4 cups milk
3 T butter
1/2 T cinnamon

Whisk in large sauce pan, the sugar, cornstarch, and pinch of salt.
Whisk in milk and eggs, then cinnamon. Heat mixture to boil, whisking
constantly.Once mixture is boiling, boil one minute. Whisk in butter and
remove from heat. Cover and refrigerate.

*Tip*: Use leftovers for popsicles!

What Does Half a Cow Look Like?

The day I've been saving for, finally arrived! Half a grass-fed angus is now in my freezers!

"Little Joey", above, is approx. 14 cubic foot and packed out.
(You do remember that my extra appliances are named?;)

This is the top of "Lucy", the old basement refrigerator. (The beef is from the angus, the rest you see was what I had dwindled down to before the beef arrived. Cutting it close!...but I wanted things emptied and cleaned out...great excuse to do that, huh?)

And this is "Dempsey", the free freezer that I got in the deal!
As if the beef wasn't great enough- what a blessing!

Job 36:31  For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.