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

I Love...

Thunderstorms in the afternoon
Sleeping in
Weekends spent with those that I love
The thought of being a mother
The smell of fresh cut grass


Today...I am thankful. 
Love One Another :-)

Grand Times at the Ohio State Fair

Yes I know, the State Fair has been over for a few days...okay, it has been like a week...but I have been busy sitting on my couch in my pajamas eating a 3 lb bag of candy this week.  Now that I am finished with the bag and my jeans are a little snugger, I am ready to write about all the joy that the fair brought to me.

Lets start here with the reason that we all load our families into the car and walk around in the smothering Summer heat.   FOOD!  Funnel cakes, barbecue, batter dipped things on sticks, fried everything!  Really, is there anything better in the world than fair food?

       

Upon walking by this area, I immediately began drooling in delight.

Oh thank you little piggy for supplying us with your wonderful pork products.


Mmmmm German Roasted Almonds and Jumbo Turkey Legs.  Can I mix those together?


This kid made me laugh, he was so excited by the Lego City!

Being the Great Chicken Lover of Southern Ohio, I had a blast going through the enormous chicken house. 


Im so jealous of this pretty hens hair.  It is so beautiful and puffy without hair spray.


Another fine hair specimen.


Hello Georgeous!

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources had an awesome area that you could walk around and meet the native animals of Ohio.  On display was a very antsy coyote which was housed right next to the bobcat.  They had all kinds of birds and bats and even bald eagles!
I really enjoyed the butterfly house.  I need to find out who their gardener is.


An attempt at "real" photography.  I tried to catch this little guy in flight, but my aperture and ISO were all messed up, since I have no idea how to adjust aperture or what exposure compensation really is...this is the result I ended up with.



There is so much to explore at the Ohio State Fair. I could go on and on but I would risk boring what few readers I actually have and that would be terrible!  If you are looking for a great time to be had by the whole family, pack them up and take them to the fair.  Make some memories today.

The T-Shirt Says It All

Since it is Sunday morning, and I'm tired, and it's been a long weekend full of no fun at all, I decided I would share with you some T-Shirt designs that make me laugh until I want to pee my pants.  Most of these can be found at http://www.thelighterside.com/ .

Enjoy!!!

Its great to be a girl.

Coupon addiction, is there a rehab for that?

I would be skinny for sure.

Chocolate is what makes me tick.

I think I am somewhere in the middle.

My husband would agree.

Amen.

This Weekend in Ohio (July 30-August 2)

I extended the weekend in to Monday this week, because there are some nice fairs that start on Monday, and also because I am off that day!  Enjoy this weeks list.

Ohio State Parks

Friday July 30
Christmas in July @ Jackson Lake
Friday Family Fun Night @ Cleveland Lakefront
Luau Beach Party @ Headlands Beach


Saturday July 31
Christmas in July @ Jackson Lake
Campers Yard Sale @ Paint Creek
Girls Tri Too @ East Fork
Rudy & The Professionals @ Mosquito Lake
Wildcat Hollow Disc Golf Tournament @ Pike Lake

Sunday August 1
Triathlon & Duathlon @ East Fork

Please visit Ohio State Parks Website for more Information.


Fairs and Festivals

• Summit County (Tallmadge): July 24-Aug. 1
• Union County (Marysville): July 25-Aug. 1
• Senece County (Tiffin): July 25-Aug. 1
• Lucas County (Maumee): July 27-Aug. 1
• Pike County (Piketon): July 30-Aug. 7
• Preble County (Eaton): July 31-Aug. 7
• Auglaize County (Wapakoneta): Aug. 1-7
• Greene County (Xenia): Aug. 1-7
• Medina County (Medina): Aug. 2-8
• Gallia County (Gallipolis): Aug. 2-7
• Columbiana County (Lisbon): Aug. 2-8

Also the greatest fair around THE OHIO STATE FAIR is going to be going on all through the weekend and next week. 

I will be heading to the State Fair this weekend and I am sure to have lots of fun pictures to ahre when I get back.  Have a great weekend!

If you have any fun or exciting events that you would like me to share, please leave a comment!

A (hot) Day at the Adams County Fair

Why Hello There!

I had the super enjoyable experience of visiting the Adams County Fair this past Thursday.  Boy did we have a good time.  This is a true country fair with plenty of fun to be had by all ages.  The weather outside was humid and about 320 degrees.  OK it was actually only 95, but it felt like 320 just the same. 

Charlotte the pig agreed with me about the temperature.  Do pigs sweat?  I sweated enough for the both of us anyways.

This pig, lets call her pinky, was so hot that she had to put the cool bars of her pen in her mouth for relief.  My nephew was really enjoying watching pinky in action. 

These two are in love.  They are best friends and destined to spend the rest of their lives together.  I feel that way sometimes about my Cherry Garcia Ice Cream.

I know that I already posted this picture up above, but I shared a special bond with this little piggy.  I think we both wear the same size jeans!  Isn't she adorable all sprawled out and comfy with her water bottle within reach?  All she has to do is turn her head (no energy expended) and she will be rewarded with a cool clean drink of fresh water.

The fair is fun!  I rode the merry go round.  Me and my family ate our weight in fried foods.  I have lard coming out of my pores. 

This cow is the most perfect cow I have ever seen.  If I were to be reincarnated as a farm animal, I want to be her.  Her hair was fluffy, I saw them applying something from a spray can that looked suspiciously like Aqua Net.  Notice the distribution of brown to white on this girl.  She is perfect! 

If you didn't get a chance to experience all that the Adams County Fair has to offer this year, I would highly recommend putting it on your list of fun summer things to do next year.  You will definitely not be disappointed. 

This Weekend in Ohio (July 23-25)

Ohio State Parks

• Christmas in July @ Findley, Maumee Bay, Rocky Fork, East Fork, West Branch, Deer Creek
• Lake Festival @ Grand Lake St. Mary’s
• Butterfly Release @ Kizer Lake
• Friday Family Fun Night @ Cleveland Lakefront
• July Night Haunt @ Malabar Farm
• Summer Fest @ Portage Lakes
• Youth Fishing Derby (Saturday only)@ Jackson Lake
• Canning Workshop (Sunday only)@Caesar Creek

Please visit the Ohio State Parks Website for all the information on these events.
Ohio State Parks

 

Celina, Lake Festival
Main Street & Lake Shore Dr. Celina, OH
More info

Jazz and Rib Festival

Downtown Columbus Riverfront
Columbus, OH
More info

Brad Paisley

Blosson Music Center
Cuyahoga Falls, OH

Island Fest

Division Street  Kelley’s Island, OH

Fairs

• Franklin County Fair July 17-24
• Crawford County Fair July 18- 24
• Fayette County Fair July 19-24
• Jackson County Fail July 19-24
• Ottowa County Fair July 19-25
• Warren County Fair July 19-24
• Carroll County Fair July 20-25
• Clark County Fair July 23-30
• Knox County Fair July 24-31
• Summit County Fair July 24-August 1

 This weekend looks like a great weekend to get out and enjoy all that Ohio has to offer.  Fair season is in full swing and theres plenty going on Ohio State Parks.  Get off your butt and enjoy the weekend at one of these fabulous events!!

 

*If there is an something going on in your neck of the woods that you would like me to mention , or a festival that I simply must attend, please feel free to leave a comment. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whats Growing This Week?

This week at my house, the vegetables are ripening!  What an awesome time to have a garden.

This is what I collected from the garden this week

This green bean is as big as a banana.  I really don't think that it is legal for a green bean to be that large in the state of Ohio.  I'll have to check the charter.

Vanilla Ice Cream

Is there anything better than ice cream in the summer?  I think not.  This ice cream is a recipe that I have tweaked from several of my favorite ice cream recipes.  It is so creamy and yummy and delicous that you will want to eat it on everything.  Bologna and ice cream sandwich anyone? 

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Half and Half

1 1/2 cups Heavy Whipping Cream

4 Egg Yolks

1 Cup Sugar

2-3 Tbs. Vanilla Extract (dependent on your love of vanilla)








In a medium sauce pan combine your half and half with the sugar.  Turn your stove onto low heat and whisk the two ingredients together.  Be careful not to scorch the half and half.

Once the half and half is warm, add the vanilla.  I use 3 Tablespoons, this gives the ice cream a rich vanilla taste.  If you want a more subtle vanilla taste, adjust the amount of vanilla you add.  Stir the mixture and continue to simmer over low heat.

While the mixture is simmering, place the 4 egg yolks into a mixing bowl.  Beat the egg yolks with an electric mixer until they are light and fluffy and look like clouds from heaven.

Once you have your fluffy deliciousness all whipped up, it is time to temper the eggs.

To your beaten eggs, drizzle a small amount of the hot half and half/sugar mixture into the eggs. You want to do this very slowly a few tablespoons at a time and make sure that you whisk constantly.  We temper the eggs so that they do not turn into cooked scrambled eggs when we add them to the heat. 

Continue to whisk in about 1 cup of the warm mixture.  Once the egg mixture is warm, you can add it to the half and half mixture that is simmering on the stove.  Stir constantly while adding the eggs.

Continue to simmer for 10-15 minutes on low heat until your creamy yummy mix thickens up.  It will have the consistency of a runny custard when it is ready.  It may take more or less time depending on the heat of your stove.

In a clean bowl, pour the 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream.  Remove the half and half and egg mixture from the stovetop and combine it with the heavy cream.  Stir together until it is all mixed up and full of deliciousness.  Take a deep breath, smell the aroma of fresh vanilla ice cream mix and be in heaven for a moment. 

Cool the mixture down in your refrigerator for an hour or two, then add it to your ice cream maker.  Once it is finished in the ice cream maker, it will be soft serve-like.  If you cant help yourself, scoop some out and eat it immediately.  If you are patient, pop it in the freezer overnight and eat it for breakfast!  It is really much tastier when it is good and frozen.  Serve the ice cream with your very favorite cobbler, cake or just some yummy fried apples like me!

Delicious homemade ice cream, its really not that hard!

Feed Us!

This Weekend in Ohio (July 16-18)

In Ohio State Parks
Christmas in July @ Grand Lake St. Mary's, Dillon, Hueston Woods and Cowan Lake State Parks (campsite decorating, gift exchange, crafts, caroling, movies and treats from Santa!)
Kite Flyers Weekend @ Maumee Bay
Cast Iron Cooking @ Cowan Lake
Ice Cream Social @ Harrison Lake
Party at the Beach @ Indian Lake
Railroad Day Rendezvous @ Pike Lake
The Santa Fe Band @ Mosquito Lake
Zaleski Flint Knap-In @ Lake Hope
Mountain Bike Race @ Findlay
Please visit the Ohio State Parks website for more information on these events.
Ohio State Parks Website

Miami Valley Steam Threshers Association
Pastime Park, US 42 N.
July 15 - 18, 2010
Info Here

Clinton County Fair
Wilmington, Ohio
Daily gate entry, $6.00
Lawrence County Fair
Proctorville, Ohio
Madison County Fair
London, Ohio
Logan County Fair
Bellfontaine, Ohio

AWHA Regional Championship Show
Ohio Expo Center
More info


Washboard Music Festival
Logan, Ohio
More info

Festival of the Fish
Vermillion, Ohio
More info

Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival
Avon Heritage Duct Tape Festival
More info

For all the dairy lovers out there, remember that this Friday (July 18) is National Ice Cream Day! Make sure to visit your neighborhood ice cream parlor for some summer refreshment.
* If you have an event going on around Ohio this week or in the future that you would like me to share, or if you know of something cool going on that I simply must attend, please leave a comment.