90 Day Bible Challenge - Day 1

Day 1 is finally here!  I've really been looking forward to kicking off this challenge to read the Bible in 90 Days.  I just know that the next 3 months will be a great time of growth for me.  One of the great things about this Mom's Toolbox program is accountablility....you MUST check in with your group EVERY Monday during the challenge to let everyone know how you've done for the week.  Knowing that a whole team of people care and are cheering you on to succeed is an awesome, inspiring feeling!

This week I will read Gen. 1:1 thru Exodus 40:38.  Today's reading in the first 16 chapers of Genesis was a great way to begin a challenge such as this.  Genesis is a book of beginnings:  the beginning of our world, the beginning of man, and the beginning of God's great promises to his people!  Thank you Lord for being faithful and true to your promises ALWAYS!  Today is the beginning of an amazing journey.....

Enter to Win!

Have you heard of Timberdoodle?  They are a family owned company specializing in homeschool curriculum and educational products.  They held a Facebook party today and posted giveaways for lots of awesome products.  You still have time to enter!  Go here and you will see all the giveaways listed on the right hand side under recent posts.  Click on each one and scroll down to the "join giveaway" box.  I highly recommend using FireFox instead of IE to enter!  You can gain 4 entries for each giveaway and you are eligible to win multiple products.  Good Luck!

A Sneak Peek!

One thing I'm doing this week while the kids are visiting the Gparents is knocking out some D.I.Y projects on my to-do list!  The first is a storage cabinet for Gman's room.  I found this awesome solid wood locker style cabinet at our local antique mall for a steal. 

Can't you just imagine covered shelves and matching baskets for toy storage?!

It was in great condition, but it needed a little somethin' somethin' before it would be perfect.  Today I got out navy blue paint and went to work!  It's drying right now, but I think I'm in love!!!!  Looks soooo much better.  I still have a few finishing touches to add, so stay tuned for the big reveal!

Since I was already making a big mess, I decided to tackle this small project that has been on my to-do list for the past 2 years now.  I found this cute piece at the thrift store for only 59 cents, woo, hoo! 

I love cute, yet functional pieces so this fit the bill.  The center was handpainted by a woman named Lila in 1991....stylish for the nineties, but not quite my style now.  So I attacked it with some black spray paint and it already looks 90% better!

Terrible photo I know :(

I plan to do some lettering in the middle to jazz it up.  I can't decide if it will go in the Laundry room or by the front door yet????  Maybe inspiration will hit me soon and I will show you the finished product next week!

Friday's Frugal Finds

Friday's Frugal Finds

Welcome to the first installment of "Friday's Frugal Finds"!  Each Friday, I will post money saving ideas or tips that caught my eye.  Follow me so you won't miss them!

This week's Frugal Finds

1.  Use cloth napkins and towels! Years ago I was a papertowelaholic!   I got it honest, because my mom is too.  However, the simple change to cloth napkins instead of paper has been life changing.  It is sooo simple!  You can pick up several packs on clearance almost anywhere or make your own if you can sew a straight almost straight line.  One roll of paper towels can last me several weeks..now that's frugal!  Clean up spills with rags instead of paper towels too and you've made money!

2.  FREE Chick-fil-a meal!  It's that time of year again, Cow Appreciation Day!  Friday, July 8 dress like a cow from head-to-toe and get a free meal.  Dress kind of like a cow and get the sandwich only free!  Go here for all the details!

3.  FREE Lego Club Magazine for 2 years!  Go here to sign up!  If child is under 7, they will get Lego Club, Jr. mag.

4.  FREE Music!  I just discovered Jango Internet radio!  I've been a Pandora listener for a while, but was getting tired of all the commercial breaks.  Jango rocks!  I've been listening to it now for a couple of weeks and have yet to hear a commercial.  I even like the selections they pick better than Pandora.  They promote new artists too, so you can hear the latest and greatest tunes.

"Homemade" Salsa to die for!

Tonight is taco night and I am about to mix up a batch of my favorite salsa courtesy of my hero, The Pioneer Woman!  This salsa is sooooo good and super easy.  Everyone will be asking you for the recipe.  Go here to see step-by-step how Ree makes it or follow these instructions. This makes a Large batch!  I mix mine in my blender since I don't have a food processor big enough.  It keeps very well in the fridge for about 2 weeks, however it's never around our house that long!  Enjoy :)

P.S.  if you do visit the PW site, she is giving away 3 $350 Target gift cards, so make sure you register to win!

You'll need:

• 1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice
• 2 cans (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced Tomatoes And Green Chilies)
• 1/4 cup Chopped Onion
• 1 clove Garlic, Minced
• 1 whole Jalapeno, Quartered And Sliced Thin
• 1/4 teaspoon Sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1/2 cup Cilantro (more To Taste!)
• 1/2 whole Lime Juice

Combine whole tomatoes, Rotel, onion, jalapeno, garlic, sugar, salt, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you'd like---I do about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed.
Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour.

House Overhaul

This pantry makes me happy!

I love order!  I love for things to be organized, look pretty and uncluttered.  Unfortunately, I'm not a neat, orderly person :(  I'm a pack rat and a piler.  What's a piler?  Someone who piles things on every flat surface available.  Sound familiar?  I hope so, please don't let me think I'm the only one with this affliction! 

I'm tired of the piles and the clutter!  I've reached my breaking point, so this summer I have been working hard to get this house in order!  Thanks to my parents for holding Grandparent Summer Camp for a few weeks so I can get some major stuff tackled!  Last month, I cleaned out the scary basement and garage, cleaned and organized our master closet and the laundry room.  This week I'm tackling the kitchen, the kid's bedrooms, and organizing the basement.  Wish me luck!  I'll post some pics as I dig myself out :)

Tie Dye Fun!

Yesterday, the kids and I attended a tie dye party with our cover group.  This was the first time the kids had ever tie dyed and I must say they enjoyed it tremendously! 




All tied and dyed!

After the loooong 24 hour wait, the final product was revealed....drumroll please!

 It was like opening presents on Christmas morning.  They were so excited with their handiwork!  I have a feeling we will be doing this again in the near future.  It WAS fun, mom joined in too....I can't wait to sport mine this weekend!