Monday, October 31, 2011
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Growing up too soon!
When we are producing padded bras for children, we have gone too far! Let them be little girls! This upsets me so much!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Thankful Thursday - Take 15
I have to admit…today I’m not feeling very thankful. But I guess these are the times when it’s best to find the stuff you are thankful for.
336. The best cup of hot chocolate this morning. It was really just a little packet, but I wanted it so badly. It hit the spot.
337. A great family trip to GA. So much fun!
338. Beau’s weekend away back backing. He loves it!
339. Cool evenings that allow us to sleep with the windows open.
340. Physical Therapy and on my way to being able to run again!
341. Corporate dinners-allows me to see my co-workers in a different light.
342. Paying off a loan!
343. Hand lotion before bed.
344. Doing a puzzle with Beau.
345. Date night tonight with the hubster.
346. Going downtown tonight to get some much needed errands completed.
347. God’s grace is sufficient.
348. Taking part in what our church is doing and where they’re headed.
349. Phone calls with friends.
350. Trivia night with Beau. And me getting a few answers right. J
351. We’re both healthy and happy.
352. Etiquette, manners, tradition and formalities (I am truly Southern.)
353. Creative juices are flowing!
354. www.southernsavers.com So helpful for staying within our budget!
Occupy Wall Street Movement
“Well imagine that. You create entitlements, within the movement, and moochers rush in to take advantage instead of earning things for themselves.”
So they’ve created moochers now. I’m laughing… Read the whole article here.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Stomach issues
If you know me at all, you know that I constantly have stomach issues. What I have realized as of 1:01 today is that I haven’t had any stomach aches since I gave up coffee. I recently switched to drinking tea and it’s been so much nicer. I’m thinking the nice feeling stomach outweighs the taste of coffee. J
Cheese Tortellini Soup
Made this for dinner Monday night in honor of Meatless Monday:
1 T canola oil
1 large onion, chopped
8 oz mushrooms, sliced
2 garlic cloves, mined
1 can seasoned diced tomatoes
2 c chicken broth
1 pkg cheese tortellini
1 tsp Worcestershire
½ tsp basil
Parmesan cheese
Sauté the onion in the oil until soft; add the garlic. Cook until fragrant, but don’t let it burn. Add the mushrooms and cook on medium until mushrooms are browned. Add in the diced tomatoes and the chicken broth. Increase the heat to high and cover. Once you get a nice boil going, lift the lid and add the Worcestershire and basil. Cover again. Get a soft, rolling boil going and add the tortellini. Let this cook for about 4 minutes, or until tender. And voila! Top with some Parmesan cheese and serve with the crusty bread.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Popcorn
This is what happened the last time Beau and I went to the movies:
I wanted popcorn. (Naturally) I went up to the counter asking for the smallest one they had. It was still too big. So I asked about the kids size. You can’t buy just a kids popcorn. You have to buy the kids food pack, including a drink and candy. I asked if they could deduct the amount of the candy from the total price because I didn’t want any candy. They could not. Why not? So I had to get the “small” adult popcorn. $5.00?!?!? Wow! I was a bit upset when I realized I was going to have to pay a total of $10 for a small drink and small popcorn. “You’re stealing from me” is what I told the high schooler behind the counter. I told her that I normally bring in my own drinks and my own popcorn (Sneak it in my purse.), but I had forgotten this day. I was too upset about this popcorn issue. Beau came over and rescued me, actually the girl and we went into the movie… without popcorn. What happened to me?
I tell you. It’s such a ripoff. And it’s one-sided. Most of them are. If I want an extra slice of cheese on something, I’ve got to pay for it. If I want the cheese taken off, I don’t get the price of the cheese taken off of my bill. It makes me think everything should be a la cart so I don’t have to pay for stuff I don’t want.
I HATE being ripped off and taken advantage of. HATE it. I know businesses are out there to make money and I understand how the world goes ‘round, but it doesn’t always make it easy to swallow when it’s staring you in the face.
Disney
Beau and I traveled to Disney World this past weekend with some friends to take part in the Disney Wine & Dine half-marathon relay. The girls ran 5 miles and the guys ran 8. We all did so well ! We all finished and ran faster and better than we had anticipated.
While there, we were able to take advantage of the Wine & Dine Festival and all the theme parks. I talked about this festival last and it was just as good this year. Some of the highlights :
France :
Escargots in Brioche
Grand Marnier and Grey Goose frozen martini
Germany :
Sausage in a pretzel roll
USA :
Lobster roll
Mexico :
Shrimp tacos with cabbage slaw and lime
Strawberry and Lime Margarita
Australia :
Lamingtons
Brazil :
Beef skewers with Chimichurri and boniato puree
Ireland :
Scallop and Lobster fisherman’s pie
Honey wine
China :
Pork Dumplings
Green Tea and Plum Wine Cooler
Those were my highlights and the ones i loved. There were definitely more for sure !
Monday, October 24, 2011
Visit to see Grandma
Mom, dad, me, Jenn and Riley headed down to Covington, GA this weekend to visit Grandma Effie (my dad’s mother). We had a GREAT time! It was like old family vacations (minus Christopher; add Riley) when we kids were cramped in the backseat of the car asking when we were going to get there. Although I’m not sure that question ever exited any of our mouths this weekend. We’re so grown up!
Grandma was so happy to see us, mainly the baby, but still. We brought her a pie and helped her hang up more family photos. It was good family time and great conversations about family, friends, politics and food. Loved it! I even got to take a nap! You know the rule: when the baby is napping, mommy should be napping. Now I realize I am not the mommy, but the actual mom wasn’t going to nap. I gladly fell on that sword.
Great weekend! So glad we went. Check out the professional photos taken by the lovely Karen Kimbrell.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Friday, October 21, 2011
Dinner
I made Jalapeno Popper Stuffed Chicken Wrapped in Bacon the other night for dinner. Beau said, “This is one of your best meals based on the cool factor.”
8 Jalapenos, cored and seeded
4 oz cream cheese
¼ c chopped cilantro
4 chicken breasts, pounded thin
8 strips thick cut bacon
Chipotle Lime Marinade (homemade or bought)-I made mine
Marinate the chicken breasts in the Chipotle Lime Marinade for 30 minutes. While that’s going on, roast the jalapenos on 400 for 10 minutes. Let them cool slightly and slice them so they open up vertically.
Mix the cream cheese and chopped cilantro. Stuff this mixture inside the jalapenos. Then stuff the jalapenos inside the marinated chicken. Wrap it all up with bacon on the outside and secure with toothpicks.
Turn the oven down to 375 and bake the chicken 25 minutes or until the juices run clear. Finished!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Thankful Thursday - Take 14
308. My husband came home last night with my favorite bottle of wine! Kim Crawford – Sauvignon Blanc
309. “Fixed” my hair yesterday. I feel like a new woman.
310. Getting involved with our church. Very excited!
311. YOBE!!!!! Beau suggested it last night. Oh how I love when he suggests it!
312. Free soda at the gas station yesterday.
313. Super productive weekend.
314. Gamecocks won on Saturday!
315. Really good interactions with our neighbors this weekend.
316. Jalapeno Popper stuffed Chicken Breast wrapped in Bacon Delicious!
317. Really good conversation in the car on Sunday after the message.
318. Our bathtub. It’s huge. And, I love it.
319. Rebates on items. I love getting free stuff.
320. Gummies from Donna. She knows my love.
321. Clean MRI
322. Cheetos. Love, love, love those things.
323. Leaving the windows open.
324. Pulling fall/winter clothes out. It feels like Christmas with a whole new wardrobe!
325. Hugs from my husband.
326. Sharing items with people
327. Grocery store deals. I haven’t paid for toothpaste in almost a year!
328. Puzzles. I plan to do one while Beau is gone.
329. The gourds Beau bought me to decorate my dining room table.
330. Local honey. We’ll never go back to sugar in our coffee.
331. Water. Really thankful I can get it right out of the tap.
332. DVR
333. A love of cooking/baking for people
334. Ladies night on Thursday at The Fat Hen
335. Prayer with my husband.
World Leaders and Supporting the Occupy Wall Street Movement
Just adding into the Occupy Wall Street movement I talked about earlier. Here’s who is supporting this movement.
Iran’s chief mad mullah, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, loves the protests, the government of China applauds them, and Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez is positively gung-ho.
Deductive reasoning would suggest that since these men, men that we all claim as Americans are not good people and are hurting their country, are in favor of this movement and are “gung-ho” that maybe it’s not a good idea. Wouldn’t it?
Let’s think. If these bad men like an idea and we think that they’re reasoning for things is “off” than it would also make me think that everything they think is a good idea probably isn’t. It alarms me. The same was true when Obama was elected. To have the middle east excited that we just elected this man to be our President really scared me. Still does. Americans typically do not agree with the politics and/or religion of the middle east and how they treat their people or other people for that matter, yet we elected the same man they were excited to see put there. Hello?!
“Because you should judge a man by his allies, our president might want to reconsider the villainous company he is keeping.”
I can’t say more. But I want you to read more. Read the whole article and get just as upset as I am. And then, lets do something about it.
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/the_job_destroyers_jKzAjk6AR2kjkkLRRejQuN/0
Occupy Movement
In keeping up with the Occupy movement and what it is they’re proposing, it’s shocking!
Below is a little excerpt from an article I read at www.charlestoncitypaper.com . This is what the Occupy movement is proposing:
Raise the minimum wage to $20; free college education; guaranteed living-wage income, regardless of employment; immediate across-the-board debt forgiveness for all; outlaw all credit-reporting agencies; and $1 trillion in infrastructure spending.
Shocking isn’t it? I feel like there’s a huge group of them that just don’t understand how money and the economy work. We are in debt people! A ton of it! So, great idea! Let’s go spend a ton more as we pretend and dream that money literally grows on trees. And while we’re at it, lets continue to let low-lifes who contribute nothing to our society other than more low-lifes live for free. They can sit at home and collect money that they don’t contribute to while they teach their children that this is the way to live. So that in the future their children will do the same and then their children and their children’s children. Great idea! And are we even playing with the idea that if college were free, these people would go? Most of them don’t even finish high school. And not because they can’t afford it.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Carolina love
As you’ve picked up, we’re Carolina fans (South Carolina that is) and we go to all of the home games. This particular game was on the weekend we moved so my family was in town. It also happened to be the weekend that Beau decided to have his “Victory Mustache”. And since we won that game he’s threatening to bring the mustache back for each home game.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Automated System
In the last few weeks I’ve been sitting in waiting rooms a lot. There have been numerous appts., (i.e. MRI, Orthopedist, GYN, Family Practice, etc.). And at each one I have had to wait.
I’m not the only one. We all have to do it. We all wait in those waiting rooms, sometimes forever it seems like.
I remember in high school I waited two hours for the family doctor before I was seen. I told my dad about it and he raised holy cane with that office. I admit, it was insane to wait that long.
My solution? With computers and phones the way they are, there should be an automated system that calls the patient if the office is running late. It should call to tell you that you’re appt. has been moved back by 30 minutes or however long. If I can get an automated message to remember to pay a bill or that my prescription is ready, I should be able to have an automated message that says that doctor is running late.
My time is equally as valuable as theirs. I have plenty of things I could be other rather than sit in their waiting room reading Women’s Journal or Redbook.
Recycling
Thanks to the hubbub I’ve become a regular recycler. I’m always looking to recycle anything. In fact, Beau usually has to help me tone it down because not everything can be recycled.
I’ve also joined Recyclebank. You can earn points by learning about recycling and actually putting what you’ve learned into action. With those points you can “purchase” coupons for local grocery stores, restaurants and products. It’s a no-brainer. You save money without spending money and you become a better conserver of what you’ve been given.
Here’s what I learned today:
Scenario: the shower
If you shorten your shower by just two minutes each time you can save 4600 gallons of water a year.
If you turn off the shower while you lather your hair (watch out ladies!) you can save 3200 gallons of water a year and $150 on your water bill for the year.
While in Japan visiting a friend, I noticed my friend Ayako always turned the water off and on. I wondered why. Now I’m guessing it was probably to conserve water. I used to do this while living in China (to save the hot water-there wasn’t much). And I’m not sure why I stopped. Laziness I think.
Anyway, something to think about and try.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Moving
Some images of our big move and everyone helping! Unfortunately, all the pictures that were taken were at the old house and none at the new house, so Donna and friends were not included in these photos (they were all cleaning and unloading at the new house). But still thankful we have these pics that captured the beginning.
You’ll notice that Chris is only pictured as sleeping on the couch. He wasn’t lazy, just super sick. L We had a good time and everyone was working hard!
Payments
Beau and I were watching a movie last night where one of the characters explained his thoughts on tipping. And mine is one of the same. Let’s just talk about that for a minute-tipping.
I don’t believe I should HAVE to tip someone. And I asked myself this question this morning on the way to work? Why is it that every other business out there takes on the full responsibility of paying their staff, but restaurants only pay a percentage? In Europe, the wait staff gets paid in full in then if you decide they deserve a tip because of extraordinary service that’s your prerogative. There are other restaurants and businesses that serve food and they don’t get tips. They get paid in full by the restaurant.
Basically, it drives me crazy that when I am given absolutely horrible service I am expected to tip them anyway. And in a party of six or greater, they automatically take 18% out.
Another issue to think about is babysitters. Babysitters now make $10/hour or more (depending on the number of children). This is absurd! This is more than minimum wage and they do far less in those hours. I know that it can be argued that these are your children! But think about it, do you think that 16-year old does a better job for you because you pay them more money? No. They will do the same things no matter how much you pay them. And to pay $10/child/hour is insane.
Piles
Beau and I worked our tails off this weekend!
Here’s what we did:
1. Mowed the lawn
2. Trimmed the hedges
3. Weed wacked
4. Dug up old plants
5. Planted new ones
6. Trimmed trees
7. Unpacked the last of the boxes
8. Hung up a few things
9. Swept and vacuumed
10. Cleaned bathrooms
11. Finished the laundry
12. Cleaned out and organized garage
13. Moved wood to underneath the house
14. Hosted friends
15. Grilled out
16. Went to church
17. Went to an SAR event
18. Visited our neighbors
19. Trip to Lowe’s
20. Trip to Boone Hall for a pumpkin
21. Trip to Harris Teeter
22. Made chicken and dumplings
Whew! It was busy! But we feel so good about what we got accomplished. We really had a great weekend!
Friday, October 14, 2011
Being a wife
Wow, have I had a lot of thoughts running through my head today. Vegans, cooking and now being a wife.
I went out with the girls last night to The Fat Hen and had a great time. Great food. Great conversation.
[Thought/reminder: I need to make my own chocolate-covered toffee. Pure heaven.]
Anyway, us ladies we talking about being wives and what that meant and things that we loved about marriage and things that we were shocked were more difficult than we had anticipated. I’ve continued with those thoughts today. I’ve been playing out scenarios in my head all day. Some of these have made me mad and some have made me truly happy. But in the end, I’ve been thinking about what and how I can be a great wife and how I can love Beau in the ways that he needs to be loved. How can I love him well?
It dawned on me, I cannot love Beau well (or anyone), unless I’m learning from the master of love, that being Jesus. If I’m not in His presence asking Him to help me with my selfishness, greed, pettiness, insecurities, worth, etc. I will never be able to love myself nor Beau. And I have failed miserably at spending time with Jesus. Therefore, I have done poorly at loving this man. And I don’t want to. He deserves my best. I deserve my best.
I looked up Proverbs 31-being a wife of noble character. I needed a reminder as to what that looked like.
A noble wife:
Can be trusted.
She will greatly enrich his life; bring him good, not bad.
She is resourceful and plan’s ahead.
She’s a hard worker and spends wisely.
She is energetic and strong.
She helps the poor and the needy.
She has no fear of the future. She is prepared.
She dresses well and looks nice.
She is strong and dignified.
When she speaks, her words are wise.
She is kind in her instruction.
She watches over her household carefully.
She is not lazy.
Her children bless her.
Her husband praises her.
Charm is deceptive and beauty does not last, but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
That’s my goal. Be those things. Learn to love Beau the best that I can in the ways that he needs to be loved. Work on loving others a little later. [I can only handle one big thing at a time.] J
Vegan
Here’s some confusion I have with vegetarians/vegans, mostly vegans. And mostly people who do it for health reasons, not for animal rights purposes. If you are a vegetarian/vegan because you love animals, this post is in no way
discussing you.
I have seen countless times, recipes for cakes and pies and cookies and bars and all sorts of sugary, sweet things that, I agree, are delicious. But let’s be honest, they’re not good for you. But here we have vegans not eating any animal product for health reasons, but they’re scarfing down desserts. Like that’s good for you! I’m eating these desserts that are high in fat, sugar, cards and have no nutrients in them, but at least I didn’t have an egg! It’s such a contradiction.
I just think all the health nuts are focusing on the wrong things. We want to be healthy but we’re beating around the issue. The issue is that most of us consume too much food and aren’t active enough and the foods we eat are high in fat and sugar. It’s not that we’re eating eggs, chicken, beef, etc. We just don’t want to have to give up our Starbucks, YOBE, and all other things yummy.
Bring it ‘round.
Butter
“If you’re afraid of butter; use cream.” ~Julia Child
My motto! Love me some butter!!!!!!
Can I just get on my soap box about margarine and olive oil?
Margarine? Hate it.
Olive oil? Like
Butter? Love it.
Nothing tastes better than butter. Now my soap box…this whole healthy kick with having to get rid of butter and go to fat-free margarine or all of these oils. Butter does taste better. And it’s natural. What is healthy about putting margarine in your body? And look at the French? They’re thin people. And look at majority of Americans? Not as thin as the French. I think the French have it right. Eat butter…in moderation. And…eat slowly.
Go after the butter. Enjoy it slowly. You’ll each bite a little more.
What's been happenin' in the kitchen
So lately, I’ve been cooking up a few things here and there. This week I’ve made Broiled Salmon with Mustard and Fresh Herbs and a batch of Red Velvet Cupcakes for work birthdays.
Broiled Salmon with Mustard and Fresh Herbs
4 6 oz salmon fillets
Salt and pepper
1 T olive oil
1 T dry white wine (I used Sherry in a pinch)
¾ tsp minced fresh rosemary
¾ tsp minced fresh thyme
2 T Dijon mustard
2 T whole grain mustard
2 garlic cloves, minced
Preheat the oven to broil. Salt and pepper the salmon. Broil the salmon for 5 minutes. While the salmon is broiling, mix together the rest of the ingredients in a bowl. Remove the salmon from the oven and cover with the mustard sauce. Turn the oven down to 400 degrees and return the salmon to the oven. Bake until the salmon is no longer dark pink in the middle. It’s delicious!
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Thankful Thursday - Take 13
256. I have plenty of peanut butter (3.5 bottles to be exact) to last me past the increase in peanut butter prices.
257. Mom’s here for the week!
258. My family here for the weekend! It was great to see them all.
259. Everything is moved out of the old house and into the new house.
260. Donna, who cleaned up our new house so we could move everything in. And Mimi, who cleaned the sink!
261. Mom, who helped us clean the old house after moving out of it.
262. Working hard and becoming completely exhausted that we sleep like babies at night.
263. A new red velvet cake recipe that is now a keeper.
264. Ladies night tonight! A good evening with good friends.
265. Finally answers for my knee problem.
266. That after losing my paycheck, my company issued me a new one within 48 hours.
267. Children in our new neighborhood who have welcomed us by “booing” us. J
268. Gamecocks won on Saturday!
269. Seeing Martin and Ivania in Columbia Saturday. It had been so long!
270. God’s grace and teaching that has helped me to hold my tongue lately.
271. A dear friend that commented how much she likes reading “Thankful Thursdays”.
272. Matt A. who gave up his time and some of his supplies to help Beau install our surround sound.
273. Dinner Friday night with the Alexanders and their precious children.
274. My new walk-in closet that is mine and mine alone.
275. That while I’m in the kitchen, I can still take part in what is happening in the family room.
276. Found my Christmas dishes for super cheap at TJMaxx on Monday.
277. Columbus Day that gave me a day with no work!
278. Shopping with my mom on Monday. It had been way too long!
279. Riley’s Christmas gift donezo!
280. Christmas photo cards for the price of $1.49 in shipping!
281. Hot water from the kitchen sink.
282. My dad, who reinstalled the toilet, fixed the pipe, reinstalled the sink, fixed the pipe and hung the new light fixture.
283. Time at Lowe’s with dad. He helped me pick out my new light fixture. J
284. That Christopher is dating a girl who is uplifting, encouraging and kind to him.
285. We get to keep Frazier (Donna’s dog) until Sunday. He’s a great lap dog.
286. The walk mom, Beau and I went on last night after dinner. Relaxing and nice.
287. Sitting on the porch with my husband, drinking a glass of wine.
288. Dancing with Beau in the office.
289. Great conversations with Beau that just bring us closer together.
290. My cousin, Abbey, is pregnant with her first!
291. Seeing my cousin, Rachel, and her husband at the Carolina game Saturday. Memories.
292. Talking with a dear friend who’s home from China.
293. Heath bar
294. There is a YOBE near our new house so we don’t have to give it up afterall. Relief!
295. I haven’t broken my phone yet.
296. That I’m able to help with things that need to be done around the house.
297. A husband who’s thankful and grateful for what I do each day.
298. I get to mow the lawn this weekend!
299. Healthy dinners
300. As Beau stated, we don’t ever have to share our bathroom again! Whoo! Hoo!
301. Popcorn.
302. My new obsession with cleaning. I hope it lasts.
303. Argos. What a loving dog and he’s calming a bit. And…he hasn’t peed in the house yet. Good dog.
304. Unpacking winter clothes. It’s like Christmas with new clothes I haven’t seen in six months.
305. Emily Post and her site of helpful hints for manners and etiquette
306. Leaving early from work
307. Pumpkin season! Pumpkin carving!
Thoughts on dinner hosting
A girl at work has some friends who regularly come over for dinner. These friends used to bring a bottle of wine and a homemade dessert with them. Eventually they changed the homemade dessert to a store-bought dessert. Then quit bringing that. Now they don’t bring wine. And to top it all off, they take leftovers home with them. In other words, these people will cook up four steaks, the visiting couple will split a steak that evening and then take home the other steak!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I find that tacky, but who cares what I think. What do you think?
Here’s the thing. I feel like people are diverting from the old ways of doing things with bringing dishes, giving hostess gifts, thank you notes, etc. I hate that. I think those things are not only precious and endearing, but an important part of hospitality and manners and just general respect for people.
I admit, I don’t give hostess gifts, although I would like to. It would be a nice “touch” on things. And after my high school graduation snafoo with not sending thank you notes out in a timely manner, I’ve vowed to send them out for everything. I have been the person on the other end and not received a thank you note or even a thank you. I often wondered, did they get the gift? Did grandma steal it before the wedding was over?
Anyway, there is importance in the little etiquette pieces of our life. It’s a tradition I’m going to continue doing and hopefully pass on.
So back to the scenario. What should this couple do? Anything? What are your thoughts on what the other couple did/did not do?
What are some traditional etiquette actions you do and/or wish you did?
"Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use."
—Emily Post
Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter Prices Expected to Rise 24-40% In Coming Weeks… So Stock Up While you Can!
This Hip2Save.com Deal was hand-posted on Wednesday, October 12th, 2011 at 1:20 pm.
Peanut butter, oh how I love my Peanut butter! 
Whether it’s spread on a piece of toast, slathered over a banana, or just used in baking… yum!
As much as I love my peanut butter, I’m saddened by this news! You may have seen in the Wall Street Journal yesterday that due to another hot, dry summer this year’s peanut crop was completely devastated, sending prices for the peanut skyrocketing and forcing peanut-butter brands including the popular Jif, Skippy, and Peter Pan brands to raise their prices. According to the Wall Street Journal, the prices of peanut butter will be rising 24% to 40% in the next few weeks. 
You can read more details here or here.
With that being said, you may want to pull out all your peanut butter coupons and scout out the best deals before November rolls around! Here are a few deals to note…
Starting 10/23-10/29, Walgreens will be offering Planters Peanut Butter 16.3 oz jars for 2/$3 with in-ad coupon! This seems like a good price and if you have any coupons, you can get an even better deal!
Another deal to note is on Amazon… the Peanut Butter & Co. Peanut Butter, Crunch Time, 16-Ounce Jars (Pack of 6) is priced at just $15.92 after Subscribe & Save + FREE Shipping through Amazon Prime! That makes each jar of 100% natural peanut butter just $2.65 shipped to your door, which is a great price considering this brand of peanut butter sells for over $4 a jar in-store at Target (and other stores as well)! And the best part in my opinion is that you won’t even have to go anywhere to get this deal… love that! 
Or if you’re a Jif addict, you can snag the Jif Natural Crunchy Peanut Butter Spread, 18-Ounce (Pack of 6) priced at just $14 after Subscribe & Save + FREE Shipping through Amazon Prime! That makes each 18 ounce jar ONLY $2.33 each shipped to your door! (Thanks, dr_beanz!)
If you know of any other peanut butter deals, please leave a comment! Thanks!
Quote of the day
Committing to eat one thing you brought for lunch is like picking out your clothes the night before and having to commit to wear that the next morning. You could feel different when the time comes. Options are good.
~Kathryn Evans
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Argos and the two houses
Argos joined us at the new house on Monday evening. He ran around the house looking at everything, recognizing that all of the stuff was ours and familiar to him, but it wasn’t in it’s normal location. Confusion. I’ve been curious as to whether he likes the new place or not. I’m guessing probably not…yet. He sleeps on the hardwood floors instead of carpet now (can’t be comfortable). He has to be let out to go to the bathroom and in the other house he had a dog door and a fence to come and go as he pleased.
Yesterday Argos and I went over to the old house (met mom and Beau there) to clean it one last night for the new owners. As soon as I turned down our old street he was so excited. I parked the car and he couldn’t wait to get out and get in the house. He bolted and directly to the back door. I let him outside and frolicked for an hour or so. He loved it! Poor guy, he misses his old home.
I think he’ll come to love this one as well. We’ll just have to give him time. Sweet boy.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The chef not so much
As you know, we’ve been in the process of moving, it feels like for weeks. Actually, we’ve been packing up one house, unpacking at the other, painting, mowing grass, traveling, changing banks, etc. To say it is hectic would be an understatement. And to top it all off, our dinner meals have not been exciting.
I made a pot of black bean soup last week for dinner. I didn’t have the full amount of time to cook the dry beans because we were busy with the house, therefore the beans were not very soft when we sat down to eat them. But what were we going to do? We ate it. I might also add that I’ve been taking the rest of it every day for lunch this week. Today is Thursday. That’s four days of black bean soup for lunch. I’m so glad it’s over.
And let’s see, you know those Zatairan’s boxes of black beans and rice? Yeah, well we had about 10 boxes of that (the fellas bought it in bulk before Beau and I met). We have slowly been making our way through those boxes and we finished the last two boxes this past week. Yes, last night I was cooking the last box on the stove and Beau says, “Oh, sausage with black beans and rice again.” J No honey, this is black-eyed peas and rice. J
I feel like such a bad wife. All I’m cooking is boxed food and frozen food and canned food. I don’t have the excuse of children running around. We’ve just been busy. And I’m bored. I don’t like cooking when THIS is what I’m cooking. Blah. I don’t like eating either. (Maybe this is how I should diet.)
Let’s take a look back…
9/18 – Chili
9/19 – Chili
9/20 – Dinner at grandma’s old folks home (Spaghetti)
9/21 – Lasagna
9/22 – Lasagna
9/26 – Sausage with black beans and rice; canned okra and tomatoes
9/27 – Black bean soup and cornbread
9/28 – Black bean soup and cornbread
10/3 – Frozen Stouffer’s lasagna
10/4 – Lasagna
10/5 – Sausage with black-eyed peas and rice; canned green beans
10/6 – We’re supposed to have leftovers, but I’m going to beg to go out to eat with a gift card we have. I just can’t handle it anymore. J
To look past
My mother is currently teaching a couple mathematics courses at a technical college in North Carolina.
In one of her classes on Monday she mentioned the tragic death of two brothers who died on Friday evening. The two brothers had been getting high on something. We’re not sure what it was, but the news/papers said it was a legal substance. Anyway, the boys were high and were playing on a railroad track and were run over by a train.
Because my mother is a mother and cares about all of her students, she told them this story as a warning to not do drugs. Her students’ responses? Well, Mrs. Kimbrell, the drug was legal.
That was their argument. It was legal. Can they not see past the fact that it was legal to decide for themselves that it still might not be a good idea?
Is it any comfort to these boys’ parents that their sons died on Friday doing something legal? No it’s not. They are still dead. Because of doing something stupid.
Thankful Thursday - Take 12
326. A fun weekend in Disney with friends.
327. I ran the entire 5 miles of my leg of the relay. (Haven’t run in months.)
328. Our new floors look amazing at the new house!
329. Heat
330. New menu planning app for my phone.
331. New friends through our volleyball team
332. Had a wonderful last volleyball game of the season. So much fun!
333. Stouffer’s frozen lasagna. There’s no sense in trying to out-do what is already done so well.
334. Fire drills at work that kind of break up the day.
335. Post Selects Banana Nut Crunch
336. That Beau is so good at his job and that he really enjoys it
337. Leftovers-less cooking for me while I focus on other things
338. That Beau didn’t have to stay at a hotel last night for work and he was able to come home to me!
339. That tasks can be completed with a phone call
340. Roaches can be killed with spray I buy at the store
341. Tea-so many flavors!
242. Pretzels-such a lovely salty flavor. And Beau has discovered that pretzels dipped in whole grain mustard is purely delicious!
243. Hand lotion-what a relief.
244. Dancing with my husband in the kitchen. I love those sweet moments.
245. My husband telling me, while carrying me on his back, that I had gotten “lighter” J
246. Another car load of stuff to take over to the new house.
247. My dog’s cute face
248. Laughter that is contagious
249. Escargots in brioche
250. German sausages w/ mustard. Yum.
251. Warm chocolate chip cookies. Nothing but the finest.
252. Working hard and sleeping well
253. Free magazine subscriptions
254. Grace
255. Great conversations with my husband.
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