The Great Spending Freeze of 2011-Week 1 Update

The first full week of 2011 is gone with the wind.  As with most resolutions, the spending freeze was easy to keep up with during week 1. 

We had done a lot of freezer cooking last weekend, so I didn't even need to buy groceries!  Bonus!!  I did find a great deal on pop at CVS and ended up getting six 12 packs for only $10.00 after extra bucks. Pretty good deal if you ask me!   

I also spent $15.00 on a pair of clippers to cut my poor shaggy dog's hair.  Whether or not that was a necessity depends on whether you ask the dog or not.  All in all, it was a good week and I did a great job of saving money!  Hopefully the rest of the month goes so smoothly.


Mary
Believe, Dream, Imagine ♥

Eat from the Pantry during the Great Spending Freeze

January marks the first month of the Great Spending Freeze of 2011. Since I am trying my very best (I really really am trying) not to spend any money this month on anything but groceries and gas, I decided to join up with lifeasmom.com and goodcheapeats.com to take part in their January pantry challenge. I did a lot of freezer cooking on Saturday and my pantry is pretty full of pasta and canned goods, so I am confident in this month's challenge.

Here are my goals for the pantry challenge:

1. Spend no more than $50.00 per week on groceries.

2. Eat from the freezer insted of the drive through window on work days when I don't feel like cooking.

3. Spend less money on soda and drink more water.

I am going to update my progress on this blog every Monday. Stay tuned!!

 

Mary

Believe, Dream, Imagine ♥

My Favorite Christmas Pictures

Since this is New Years Day, and it officially marks the end of the holiday season, I thought I would share with you some of my favorite pictures from Christmas. 

 This is the ornament that we bought on our honeymoon.  It is my favorite and represents the first Christmas as husband and wife for me and Eric.

 My doggie Marnie opening his Christmas presents.

 My mom and dad, I bought dad the shirt and I had the apron made for my mom.  They loved them!

 My honey showing off his Blu-Ray player that he just couldn't stop telling me he wanted for Christmas!

I hope that your Christmas was as blessed as mine and the 2011 brings you lots of love.

Believe, Dream, Imagine ♥
Mary

Happy New Years!!!

Have a Happy Happy New Year! 

 May your year be full of happiness, and all of your resolutions be lasting.

Believe, Dream, Imagine ♥
Mary

Party Like its 1999!!

New Years Eve is quickly approaching, as in...It's TOMORROW!
For the first time that I can remember since we've been married (has it been six years already?), me and Eric actually both have New Years Eve off of work.  Forget the fact that I have to drag myself out of bed at 5:30a.m. on New Years day to go to work, I'm gonna party like its 1999!!  By partying, I mean we are gonna stay home and play Michael Jackson on the Wii and eat some great food while waiting for the ball to drop.

There are a few things I plan on making and I thought I would share with my dear readers...if there is anyone out there ;-)

Buffalo Chicken Dip

This is a favorite at my house, it is tangy and a little spicy and absolutely delicious on a Frito's Scoop.

Recipe:
2  cans chunk chicken (or 3 breasts of chicken shredded)
1 8oz. Package Cream Cheese
1 Package Sharp Cheddar Cheese

3/4 cup Ranch Salad Dressing

1/2 cup (more or less to taste) Hot Sauce.

Mix all of the ingredients and pour into a small crock pot.  Turn the crock pot on high and cook until bubbling.  Once is starts bubbling, I turn it down to low to keep the cheese dip hot for hours.  Serve with Frito's Scoops or your favorite tortilla chip.

Yummy Little Smokies
These delicious little things make my heart go pitter patter. 

Recipe:


1 (18 ounce) bottle barbeque sauce
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup ketchup
1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbs. Grape Jelly
1/3 cup chopped onion
2 (16 ounce) packages little wieners

Mix all sauce ingredients in a small crock pot.  Add the little weiners and cook until all warm and yummy or until you cant wait any longer to eat them.  Enjoy :-)


I plan on posting some more great information about my New Years plans and the Great Spending Freeze of 2011!  Until then, have a safe and happy new year! 

Believe, Dream, Imagine ♥
Mary

Merry Day After Christmas

Enjoy your day after Christmas.  Be Thankful for what you have and laugh a little at this poem.  I sure did!


Twas the Day After Christmas

Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house,

Every creature was hurting -- even the mouse.

The toys were all broken, their batteries dead;
Santa passed out, with some ice on his head.

Wrapping and ribbons just covered the floor, while
Upstairs the family continued to snore.

And I in my T-shirt, new Reeboks and jeans,
Went into the kitchen and started to clean.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains, and threw up the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a little white truck, with an oversized mirror.

The driver was smiling, so lively and grand;
The patch on his jacket said "U.S. POSTMAN."

With a handful of bills, he grinned like a fox
Then quickly he stuffed them into our mailbox.

Bill after bill, after bill, they still came.
Whistling and shouting he called them by name:

"Now Dillard's, now Broadway's, now Penny's and Sears
Here's Levitz's and Target's and Mervyn's--all here!!

To the tip or your limit, every store, every mall,
Now chargeaway-chargeaway-chargeaway all!"

He whooped and he whistled as he finished his work.
He filled up the box, and then turned with a jerk.

He sprang to his truck and he drove down the road,
Driving much faster with just half a load.

Then I heard him exclaim with great holiday cheer,
"ENJOY WHAT YOU GOT ... YOU'LL BE PAYING ALL YEAR!"

Author Unknown



Believe, Dream, Imagine ♥
Mary

National Coupon Month!

September is National Coupon Month.  Boy does that make me a happy camper!  I love coupons almost as much as my mascara.  I wanted to share some of my favorite coupon sites and also some places to receive great advice on saving money.

http://www.coupons.com/  The ultimate place for printable coupons.  Install the coupon printer and in 5 minutes you are ready to save save save.
http://www.redplum.com/  Click, print, save.  Easy Greasy.
http://www.cellfire.com/  You dont even need a printer, just load these directy onto your shoppers rewards card.
http://www.shortcuts.com/  Same as above.  Load and save.

http://www.moneysavingmom.com/  This website is a great place to find store match ups and awesome information about how to save money.
http://www.lifeasmom.com/  I visit regularly and enjoy the grocery geek series very much!
http://www.southernsavers.com/  Learn how to become a true saver.

Enjoy the list, feel free to add your own money saving websites in the comments section.

Believe, Dream, Imagine ♥

Normal Day

Normal Day

let me be aware of the treasure you are.

Let me learn from you,

love you,

bless you before you depart.

Let me not pass you by

in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.

Let me hold you while I may,

for it may not always be so.

One day I shall dig my nails into the earth,

or bury my face in the pillow,

or stretch myself taut,

or raise my hands to the sky and want,

more than all the world,

your return.

-Mary Jean Iron

Serenity

Taken at the same place as the previous picture, but later in the evening.  This is my favorite picture from the trip.

Have a wonderful Sunday. 

Love One Another :-)

Peace

I took this picture at Alum Creek Lake State Park in Delaware, Ohio. 
It was early evening and the shadows on the pond were beautiful