Grocery Ad thru Nov. 6

Happy Halloween!

Here are your grocery deals for the week. While at the store why not pick up a DVD to watch. Here is your free code. Enjoy!

Smith's

99 cents/doz. eggs

3/$5 Smith's butter

1.79/lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1.49/lb. pork ribs

2.99/lb. petite sirloin steak or beef round, london broil

10/$10 Oscar mayer ham (lunchmeat)

2/88 cents Kroger canned vegetables

1.99 each when you buy a combination of four: tombstone pizza, breyer's ice cream, klondike or breyers novelties bars

5/$10 Kellog cereal

Albertsons

4.99 Coca-cola 24 can pack (first one at this price)

2.99/lb. beef lion top sirloin steak

4.99/2 lb. block Tillamook cheese (many varieties)

10/$10 cheese nip crackers

Many Many buy one get one free items... too many for me to type, see ad or store for details

Halloween Mix Up Dinner Corrections

Hey, when I posted the list of menu items earlier it was a list that Clayne and I had tried to piece together because I had lost the copy of the "Chef's Menu" that was the key to what all the crazy menu items were. There are some on the list that I do like better than what we came up with so I'm posting it for anyone who wants a variation. Of course you could always come up with some of your own ideas too.

Jack the Ripper (knife)
Witches Brew (apple cider)
Haunted Hash (jello salad)
Rat's Revenge (cheese sticks)
Black Cat Eyes (olives)
Scary Scooper (spoon)
Worm Delight (gummy worms)
Cow Pie (sloppy joe)
Chip Off the Old Block (toothpick)
Owl Eyes (mini donuts)
Goblin Crunch (potato chips)
Stringy Scarecrow Blood (celery sticks)
Bat Wings (napkin)
Skeleton Bone (fork)
Chilled Vampire Blood (ketchup)
Broomstick (pretzel sticks or fries)
Witches Fingers (mini dill pickles)
Pumpkin Curls (carrot sticks)

Fall and Halloween Traditions

I just wanted to share a new fall page. I picked up this digital quick page at http://freebiesandscrapsbymajula.blogspot.com/ Digital scrapping makes sharing my photos on my blog so much fun. We have been having fun enjoying the fall season playing in leaves, visiting the pumpkin walk, picking out pumpkins and then there are fun things to come this week with Halloween being celebrated.

One of our family traditions is to enjoy a mixed up dinner. It comes from a family home evening lesson we did once where there is a scavenger hunt each night for a week leading up to the dinner. We are now just doing the dinner. I place an invitation in each of my children's rooms the day before which reads, "Tomorrow night you're invited to the 'happily haunted house' to dine, so don't be late, be right on time. Mom is planning a special family night and using magic spells to make things just right! Right now, she's brewing her special brew... She's doing it all especially for you! See you tomorrow night at 6:00 pm."

On the night of the dinner they are presented with a special menu and a menu card where they list 6 choices for three different courses. Of course on their menu they don't have the items defined as I am doing for you. The menu selections are:

1. Jack the Ripper (knife)
2. Witches Brew (apple cider)
3. Haunted Hash (french fries)
4. Rat's Revenge (cheetos)
5. Black Cat Eyes (olives)
6. Scary Scooper (spoon)
7. Worm Delight (jello)
8. Cow Pie (sloppy joe)
9. Chip Off the Old Block (slice of cheese)
10. Owl Eyes (mini donuts)
11. Goblin Crunch (potato chips)
12. Stringy Scarecrow Blood (celery sticks)
13. Bat Wings (fruit roll ups)
14. Skeleton Bone (fork)
15. Chilled Vampire Blood (ketchup)
16. Broomstick (pretzel sticks)
17. Witches Fingers (mini dill pickles)
18. Pumpkin Curls (carrot sticks)

The kids sometimes remember what some of the crazy named things are, but most of the items are not remembered from the previous year. They are served the courses as they ordered them and it often means that they don't have things in the way that makes much sense. They love it! I usually do this meal the day before Halloween since the actual night of Halloween is too crazy. So we will be doing this on Tuesday night. I like to create atmosphere by playing spooky music in the background and eating by candlelight so that it is dim and spooky.

A girls night out and a few recipes to share

I went to a girls night out at the church last night. We all brought projects of our own to work on. I worked on a baby album as a gift for my new niece that we'll be having a baby shower for next month. It is a simple little book where the recipient can add a photo of the newborn and then a photo of the baby for each month of the first year. There is also a page at the end to record "baby's firsts."

We ate lots of goodies and it was a fun time. I enjoyed seeing what everyone else was working on too. I had a request to share the caramel popcorn recipe for the popcorn balls I brought last night to share.

Caramel Popcorn (from Desiree Reading)

Pop 2 bags of microwave popcorn and remove any unpopped kernel
In a sauce pan combine: 1 cube of butter, 2 cups brown sugar, 1 cup light corn syrup

Bring to a boil

Add: 1/2 can of sweetened condensed milk

Return to a boil

Pour over popcorn and mix well

Form into popcorn balls if desired

I was also telling Shelly about a easy and yummy recipe for banana bread last night and so I though I'd post that too. I picked this one up from the Real Simple magazine. I like to make it with vanilla pudding and since my kids don't like nuts, I never use them either.

Banana Nut Bread

1 box yellow cake mix

1 package Jell-O instant banana cream pudding and pie filling

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup veg. oil

2 ripe bananas, mashed

4 eggs

1 cup chopped pecans

Mix all the ingredients well. Pour into 2 large or 4 small greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 -45 min.

Free Digital Scrapbook Listings

Just one more bit of goodness here. I have been having so much fun collecting free digital scrapbook goodies (kits, papers, elements) from this site. Who would have thought that there were so many nice people out there willing to share all this great talent? Hope you enjoy it as much as I do! http://ikeagoddess.blogspot.com/ Have fun digital scrapping!

My Husband is the BEST!

Ok not that there was any contest going, but Clayne just won the award Ü Last night he let me order a Dell Inspiron 1521 Notebook computer. I wasn't going to get the green one because it cost $50 just to upgrade from black to green, but he told me to just go ahead and to it. He knows that the green one was my favorite and let me not only get this computer, but indulge in the green. Isn't he sweet? I can't wait for it to get here. The projected shipping date is Oct. 31. Trick or TREAT for me Ü Since I am converting over to digital scrapbooking, the upgrade in memory is a must and the ability to pick up my computer and take it with me anywhere is a very big plus. I'll be able to scrapbook as we do road trips, when we go to the condo.... YIPEE! Ok just wanted to toot my horn. Thanks for listening.

Grocery Ads

Albertsons

5/$12 Coca-Cola twelve packs
Yeah for Christine and her Coke machine!

$1.49/bag Hershey's Snack size candy
89 cents Motts Apple juice 64 oz.
$1.49 Cheeze it crackers
2/$3 Kellogs cereal

Smith's

$1.99 Breyers Ice Cream and Tombstone pizza (must buy 4 for this price)
3/$5 Nabisco snack crackers
4/$1 Regular size Hershey's candy bars
3/$5 Cheetos or Fritos
5/$12 Coca-Cola twelve packs
$1.88/lb Extra lean ground beef
5/$10 General Mills cereals

A Page for Morgan

Yipee. Now I have done a digital layout for each one of my kids. This one I put together from papers and elements that I got from http://www.oscraps.com/ as well. This will probably be the last of my digital scrapping for a few days. I will be painting my living room and entry area for the first part of the week and so computer time will be limited.

Just the way you are

I did it! I downloaded free papers and elements from the online store http://www.oscraps.com/ (no connection with O'Scrap! that I was previously designing for.) They have lots of cute stuff at this site. I then layered the papers and elements to create my own page. Morgan needs a page next, but that won't be tonight.

Freckled Boy

So this digital scrapbooking is a little addicting! So far I only feel comfortable with the digital quick pages. I found this free digital quick page http://lisawestdesigns.blogspot.com/2007/10/mad-mom.html and used the same tutorial steps as I did in the page "Sweet Savannah." And yes, I did go and download the font "undecapped vinyl" that was used on the tutorial page. I noticed the link after I had already saved my Savannah layout so I decided to use it on this layout.

I figure to be fair with each of my kids, I need to create a page for each of them. So be ready for two more digital layouts in the next few posts.

Digital Scrapbooking?

So I thought I'd give digital scrapbooking a whirl and this is what I was able to do. I must give credit where it is due so here is a link for a great tutorial for a first page. http://mistycatodesigns.blogspot.com/2007/05/creating-your-first-page-in-pse.html

You can make a page that is just like this only with your photo and text. It is pretty easy, but since I am new to this I am not going to tell you how long this took me. Let's just say... longer than it should have.

Isn't this a cute picture. I was so happy that I took it all by myself! We went for family photos on Saturday and I specifically asked the photographer to take individual photos of the kids. He took pics of the kids as a group, the girls together, the boys together and then family shots. As you know - photo shoots can be quite draining and so after all of this, when he said we were done, we left. As we were driving off Clayne said, "He didn't take individual pictures of the kids." Well there was no way the kids were going back and so I just shot some by myself when we got home. I need to play around in photoshop with them some more before I get them printed and I just hope they will go with the big family portrait when we get that back.

Google Phone Numbers Alert

I have sent an email to many of my friends about this, but feel that it is very threatening and want to get the word out to you if you didn't get an email about it. Please take a minute to read this. Although this is not my personal account, I did check my number and it was not listed. My parent's number was though.

"Go check this out. You'll be afraid of what you see. Google has implemented a new feature which enables you to type a telephone number into the search bar and hit enter and you will be given the person's name and address. If you then hit MapQuest, you will get a map to the person's house. Everyone should be aware of this! It's a nationwide reverse telephone book. If a child gives out his/her phone number, someone can now look it up to find out where he/she lives. The safety issues are obvious, and alarming.

Note that you can have your phone number removed or blocked. I tried my number and it came up along with the mapquest and directions straight to our house. I did fill out the removal form for myself, and encourage all of you to do the same. Quite scary. Please look up your own number. In order to test whether your phone number is mapped, go to: google (http://www.google.com/) Type your phone number in the search bar (i.e. 555-555-1212) and hit enter. If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your private information, simply click on your telephone number and then click on the Removal Form. Removal takes 48-hours."

To the Grocery Store we go

Smith's

$1.99/lb. Boneless pork loin chops
$1.99/lb. Rump roast
99cents/lb. red or black grapes
4/$5 Hershey's baking chips

3/$5 Nabisco snack crackers

The following are $1.69 each
Post raisin bran, super golden crisp, pebbles, shredded wheat or honey bunches of oats
Betty Crocker fruit snacks and rollups
Quaker chewy granola bars or bites

Albertsons

The following are 10/$10
doz. large eggs
albertsons quick and old fashioned oats, instant oatmeal
albertsons chocolate chips
many varieties of albertsons cereals
albertsons frozen waffles, pancake mix and syrup
albertsons fruit snacks

The following meats are $1.88/lb.
boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
extra lean ground beef
beef round, top round or london broil
boneless beef chuck roast
half boneless pork tenderloin

Free fresh express spinach (9oz bag) with in ad coupon

This girl makes me laugh every day!

Aren't kids the best? Savannah makes me laugh every single day. She is just so witty and I never know what she is going to say. People always say, "I hope you are writing all this down." Problem is I would have volumes - so here are just a few.

1. Savannah wants to be a warie for Halloween. I thought oh dear not a werewolf. That isn't a pretty thing for a girl. She explained to me that she wanted to be half witch and half fairy. She then told me what she'd wear. We'll see what she actually ends up wearing.
   
2. The picture here shows that she has excellent fashion sense. She came out wearing this last week - ready for school. She informed me that it is, "cool in Bratz world." I told her that it wasn't cool in this world. I guess I am not the best mom, but I just couldn't let her go to school like that. I hope someday she'll thank me Ü She wasn't too upset though when I had her change.


3. Now that Clayne sits on the stand each Sunday, sometimes I can't manage all four of my kids too well. You can only sit between two of them and they all need to be separated sometimes. I sent Savannah to sit with the bishop's wife a few weeks ago. After Sacrament Meeting, Jill told me that she had asked Savannah if she wanted to sing the rest hymn with her. Savannah said, "I only like to sing songs that rock." What a silly girl!


4. Crimply... what kind of word is that? Well according to Savannah that is how a heart really looks. Not like a valentine heart. She must have been watching the discovery channel or something.


5. When visiting our friends, the Glausers, at their cabin she was fascinated by the mounted animal heads on the walls. Paul admitted that he was a hunter. She looked at him and said, "you don't look like a hunter." I don't know what she thought a hunter looks like. He went on to explain that he had shot these animals. She looked horrified and in a very authoritative voice let him know that he should let them live and that, "aminals (that is how she sometimes says animals) need to be free in nature!" It was so funny.


6. I help in Savannah's kindergarten class each week and she pointed out a boy named Gawain to me a few weeks ago and whispered, "that's Gawain, the hottie I've been telling you about." He overheard her and said, "don't ever call me that again." I had to hide my laughter.


7. Ok... just this last one then I'll stop. Savannah asked me if it would be alright if she used some crayons because she can't wear make up. She informed me that she needed to look good for Gawain.

Let's play 20 questions - ok... 38 questions

I know that we only recently did a Q&A on our blogs, but I think it is a fun way to get to know more about each other and I thought these questions were fun and quick to answer. Consider yourself tagged if you want to.

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My middle name Lee is the same as my mom’s

2. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Just four of them

3. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Of course!

4. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? I think if I said, “Never” that would rest my case

5. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes

6. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? Those are not the kind of thrills I seek. I’m afraid I would wet myself.

7. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Healthy – Raisin bran, Junky – Lucky Charms

8. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Nope

9. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Are we talking physical strength? I was stronger when I was lifting weights, but my body rebelled against me and my tennis elbow has kept me from lifting weights since March. Getting old stinks!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? I like rocky road, but always will go for a milk chocolate with caramel in it too. Oh and Smith’s Private Selection cookie dough is pretty good too.

11. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? If they don’t have something obviously odd like pink hair or a big nose ring, I guess it would be their eyes.

12. RED OR PINK?Red or pink what? Flowers – I’ll take either. Flavors – red is usually cherry and I hate it because too many medicines have been flavored cherry and it is just yucky!

13. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My friend Jen in Boise lol. I know she’ll read that. I haven’t had anyone really close to me die so I don’t really miss anyone in that sense, but I really am sad when friends are too far for me to pop in on to visit regularly.

14. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Nope, don’t feel obligated. But feel free to post it on your blog if you want to.

15. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? jeans and white nike mules

16. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE ? I am eating sunflower seeds right now. Spitting the shells in my little cup. Ladylike eh?

17. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? A song called "The way I am" by Ingrid Michaelson – nope not Christian music at the moment.

18. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Green – since it is my favorite color

19. FAVORITE SMELLS? Fresh bread baking, Baking cookies, Clean laundry, Baby lotion,
Rain, Pizza, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Coconut

20. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Lana Cleverley

21. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? I actually stole this off another blog

22. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? I only watch them if my kids are playing on a team. Not so much of a sports girl.

23. HAIR COLOR? brown with blond highlites

24. EYE COLOR?Blue

25. FAVORITE FOOD(S)? Pizza, pasta, chicken, baked goods

26. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Definitely happy endings

27. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? A little bit of Field of Dreams. Man, Kevin C. looked young! Last full movie I watched was Phantom of the Opera. LOVE that movie!

28. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?yellow

29. SUMMER OR WINTER? Spring is my favorite. I am happy that we have all of the seasons though – I do wish winter would go away shortly after Christmas though.

30. HUGS OR KISSES? Both!

31. FAVORITE DESSERT? Warm chocolate brownie with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge topping.

32. WHAT BOOK( s) ARE YOU READING NOW? 19 minutes – by Jodi Picoult Wish I could say I was reading something more spiritual, but I am being honest

33. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? My hubby’s business logo (Bonneville Collections)

34. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? I didn’t get to watch any TV. Too much to do.

35. FAVORITE SOUND? My children laughing. I also like the silence when everyone is in bed sleeping.

36. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? I like a few of both bands songs.

37. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Maui, Hawaii

38. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I don’t suppose it is special, but I do like to sing. I also like to play the piano when it is not in front of people and I like to scrapbook although lately I don’t get much done in that area.

Look what I'm making!

This is soooo yum! My house smells delish too. It was originally a blueberry buckle recipe that I got from my SIL but I usually don't have blueberries on hand and always have canned peaches here so I started making it that way and like it better. It is kind of like a peach cobbler.

Peach Buckle

¼ Cup Margarine, softened
¾ Cup Sugar
1 Egg
1 ½ Cup Flour
2 Tsp. Baking Powder
½ Tsp. Salt
½ Cup Milk
2 Cups peaches, chopped

Cream butter and sugar. Blend in egg. Add dry ingredients and milk. Gently fold in peaches. Can used canned, but drain first. Another option is to used drained canned blueberries. Pour batter into oiled and floured 8x8" pan. Sprinkle with crumb topping.


Crumb Topping

½ Cup Sugar
1/3 Cup Flour
½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ Cup Margarine, softened

Mix together until resembles coarse crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 min. Serve warm with whipped topping or ice cream.

A favor to a friend

I am posting this as a favor to my scrapbooking friend, Barbi, with a wish that she'll get a big enough group to go to this retreat. I've been before and it is fun. I just can't swing it this time.

Scrapbook Retreat

Here we are coming closer to another fun-filled fall scrapbook retreat held in Malad Idaho at an incredible cabin with all the comforts of home! Join us for a weekend of fun, relaxation, scrapping, and chatting with wonderful scrappers and friends.

Complete cost is $77.00 per person. This includes your lodging, food, and lots of fun! So come join us for the weekend of November 15, 16 and 17th! The fun will start at 2:00 PM on the Thursday Nov. 15th and end around 5:00 PM Saturday Nov. 17th.

Sign ups start now so email me for payment options and any other questions you may have! Space is limited to 18 people and some spots are already taken, so sign up now for your spot.

Contact Barbi Eakin at eakinchick@comcast.net for details or call me at 801-572-5589 or cell 891-5589

All spots are first come, first serve. We only have room for 18 people so don't delay.

How You Live

So I was driving in my van listening to KLove on the radio and this song came on. The lyrics are so meaningful. If you have about 5 minutes click on this link to hear the song and watch the music video. http://www.pointofgrace.net/index.html
If you don't have that much time read these lyrics and ponder which of the suggestions you can take into your life to make your life more meaningful.

Point Of Grace - How You Live
From the album How You Live

Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open
Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress, use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes

And have what you want, but want what you have
And don't spend your life looking back

Turn up the music Turn it up loud
Take a few chances and let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it
Looking back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did It's how you live
So go to the ballgames and go to the ballet
And go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children, dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night

Don't run from the truth 'cause you can't get away, no
Face it and you'll be okay

(Chorus)

Oh, wherever you are and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin
So give to the needy, and pray for the grieving
Even when you don't think that you can
'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
So think of your fellow man
And make peace with God, and make peace with yourself
'Cause in the end, there's nobody else

(Chorus)

My friend Hilary posted this question on her blog...



What can't you live without?
What are some things that I use/need every day and would be a sacrifice for me to do without.


While there are the obvious things like the gospel, family, friends... it is fun to list some of the tangible things that I use everyday. It doesn't take long to see that there are many comforts that I would be sad if I didn't have. Here are a few.

1. I LOVE my sleep number bed. Every time I sleep away from home, I am reminded how much I love this bed! Pricey, but worth every penny.



2. Some of you have seen me without my hair done, sorry. I feel that my appearance is much improved after styling my hair and I could not do without my large barrel curling iron, Got2be glued styling glue and Freeze It hair spray. Of course a good hair cut by my stylist, Susan Ball, is a must too.





3. I am totally lost without a watch on my wrist. If I forget to put one on, I still look at my bare wrist a million times a day.

4. I started listening to alternative christian music over a year ago and love the positive messages of the music. You can find a local station in your area at http://www.klove.com/

5. Aren't debit cards handy. I hardly ever write a check any more.

6. I bake my own bread often now thanks to the Bosch mixer I have. I don't think I'd make bread without it.

A few more good deals

20% off at BigLots

I just wanted to tell you about Big Lots Buzz Club. If you're not yet a member, you should really consider joining. The Club helps you get inside access to great deals and special offers, which means you'll receive exclusive member-only benefits. Visit BigLots.com to sign up. You will then be able to print a coupon good through Oct. 13 that will give you 20% off your entire purchase. I am going to head over there to see if I can find some games and toys for my kids and get started on my Christmas shopping.

Free movie rental offer at redbox

Have you tried renting movies from redbox? I have been renting there since I noticed their services in Albertsons and Smith's. It is just $1 a night and since we usually return movies after a day it works out for us to rent new releases for just a buck! I was sick of paying over $3 when usually I ended up not liking the movie. Now I am only out $1 if I don't like it. So get out the popcorn and try a free rental this weekend.

Grocery Deals

Smith's

The case lot sale continues. See last week's blog listing for a sample of the case prices.

$1.69/lb. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
$2.99/lb. Baby back ribs or pork tenderloin
$2.79/gal. milk

Albertsons

Lots of buy one get one free offers. I think you have to be careful on this pricing because often the buy one price is high to make up for the free one.

BOGO free Beef round, bottom round steak or rump roast
BOGO free on many other cuts of meat as well

For four days only (wed, thurs, fri and sat)
99 cents/lb. assorted pork loin chops
$2.99/lb. petite sirloin steak
$2.99/24 pack arrowhead spring water (limit 2)
$1.49 bag Nestle fun size candy (limit 2)

Crafty Me

So I went to Michaels and they had so many cute arrangements they had made using the craft pumpkins. Their arrangements were selling for over $50 which I wasn't about to do and so I made my own for under $15. Not quite as professional as theirs, but I like it. I guess mine isn't much like the inspiration idea I got from HomeMadeSimple either but isn't that the way it is with most craft projects Ü





While I am sharing craft stuff, here is a card that I made for a swap. I finished the set of 12 last night and delivered them to the host today. Now I just wait until they all get swapped out and I will get 12 fun new cards back. Ok... don't get used to me being all crafty and such. I want to be, but time doesn't permit much. Have a great day.

Happy Fall

It was great to wake up to fall again. The air is crisp and there is no snow on our lawn anymore. The sun is shining too Ü Here are a few things to bring in the fall season. I love the monthly check lists at Get Organized Now http://www.getorganizednow.com/cl-month.html I could only wish that I was organized enough to do all of these things. I do try to do at least a half dozen of them and not necessarily on the day that it is listed. I do them when I feel like it. Here are some that I have either already done this month or am planning to do.

1. Oct 5 Take a drive in the country. The trees are changing into beautiful shades of fall. It is a great time to enjoy the scenery of Mother Nature.


2. Oct 17 Pick one thing in your house that drives you bonkers--overflowing junk drawer, pots are hard to find in the cupboard--and fix it. Enjoy a cup of coffee (or your favorite beverage) on your recliner as a treat for your accomplishment.


3. Oct 18 Make something with your children whether it is a batch of cookies or a craft project. Get them involved in a project from start to finish.


4. Oct 22 Apples are in season and at their peak. Time to make an apple pie, apple crisp, anything apple!


5. Oct 26 Upload the digital photographs you have stored on memory cards and show them to your friends and family.

Today I plan to make something crafty to decorate my home with. I found this cute idea. I plan to use the fake craft pumpkins and artificial flowers to make mine so I can use it more than this year. Michael's has the pumpkins 50% off this week and fall floral stems for $1. I'll post my finished project when I get it done. Here is the one I am basing my rendition on. Here is the link http://www.homemadesimple.com/en_US/nbrcontent.do?contentType=op&articleId=ar063 This is a fun site with lots more good ideas.

And here are some ideas on getting ready for Halloween. Gotta start planning now, if you haven't already started. This is from www.ineedmoretime.com

It's that spooky time of year. Try these tips to make it go more smoothly this year:

* Decide how many bags of candy you'll need, and buy them now. Don't wait until Beggar's Night.

* Set a costume deadline. For example, make everyone in your household decide, by October 15th, what they'll be for Halloween.

* List all the Halloween parties and events you and/or your family will attend this year. Make sure you have the necessary supplies.

* Set up a Halloween container in your storage area for decoration and costumes that will be used again in the future.

* Look in your local paper for fun community activities such as pumpkin patches, hayrides and haunted houses.

Last of all. Take a minute to laugh and listen to the MOM song. Just be sure to pause the music box I have on my blog so you can hear this fun song.

The Mom Song Sung to William Tell Overture with Lyrics

Do we really sound like this? Pretty funny. FYI, I do not endorse clicking on the clips that are linked to this one.

Since the kids were out of school for a few days and it was Conference weekend we decided to get out of town. (And I must say that general conference was amazing. I can't wait to study the talks more. I loved the emphasis on families and motherhood.) We took the kids to our condo at Bear Lake. Bet you can't guess where we spent most of our time while there... the pool of course. It doesn't matter where we go as long as there is a pool. We all had a great time. On the way down we went through Logan and stopped to visit the Horrocks family. They adopted kids about the same time as we adopted Cheyenne and Morgan and in that order... they got a girl 1 year before us and a boy 1 year before us. We have always had a special connection with them. Unfortunately we hadn't seen them for about 3 years. It was so good to see them. While at the condo I thought I'd call another old friend of mine. She had mentioned in their Christmas letter that they had bought a cabin at Bear Lake. I graduated from nursing school with this friend and we figure we hadn't seen them in about 7 years. Luck had it that they were staying at their cabin and we were able to go visit the Glauser's at their cabin. It was so fun to catch up with these great friends. It is awesome to me to have friends that no matter how long it has been since seeing them, you can pick right back up and enjoy being together with no awkwardness. I would challenge you that if you have friends like these that you haven't seen in a while... DO IT. The Glauser's introduced us to a really fun card game called Five Crowns. If you like card games, you ought to get this one. Lots of fun.

We had a bit of snow on our trip and so we were not surprised to find snow at home. What we were surprised to find was the state of our maple tree in our back yard. I am still lamenting the loss of it. We planted it 4 years ago and it was just getting pretty. It was my favorite tree in the yard and now we will have to dig it up because the heavy snow broke two main limbs and it will never be a strong or pretty tree now. As much as I am glad for the moisture.... I am more sad for my lost tree :(

Grocery Deals

It's the General Mills sale at Albertsons

The following are 10/$10 after a $5 instant rebate (must by 10 to get the rebate)
Gardetto's snacks
Betty C. cake mixes
Betty C. cookie mixes and frostings
Betty C. brownie mixes
Betty C. fruit snacks and roll ups
Betty C. specialty potatoes
Progresso soups
Chex mix snacks
Pillsbury quick bread
Pop Secret micro. popcorn
Trix, Golden G., Cin. Toast Crunch and Cheerios cereal
Green Giant frozen vegies
Bugles snacks
Tortino's pizza or pizza rolls
Hamburger helper

The following are 10/$15 after a $5 instant rebate (must by 10 to get the rebate)
Multi grain, apple cin., frosted and fruity Cheerios, Cocoa Puffs, Kix, Honey Nut Chex, Total Honey Clusters, Total Raisin Bran cereals
Yoplait Trix and Go-Gurt tube yogurts
Pillsbury ready to bake cookies
Pillsbury dinner rolls or biscuits, crescent rolls and sweet rolls
Betty C. muffin mix
Jif peanut butter
Nestle and Gherardelli chocolate morsels

$1.79/lb. Fresh boneless, skinless chicken breast and tenders
$1.88/lb. hamburger 85% lean (thurs, fri and sat only)
3/$11 Coke and Pepsi 12 packs (still not a great deal for you Christine)

Smiths has their case lot sale on now

$7.92/(24) case Libby's canned veggies - beans, corn, peas
$2.00/(24) case Top Ramen noodles
$3.43/(24) case Kroger tomato sauce
$11.99/(48) case Kroger Mac n Cheese
$15/(12) case Kroger peanut butter or jams
$10.50/(12) case Betty C. cake mixes
And many more case deals that I am too tired to type in. If you are a case lot shopper check out the ad.

$1/lb red seedless grapes
$1.88/lb. hamburger 85% lean
99cents/lb. split chicken breasts
1.99/lb. chuck roast or steak
99cents/doz. large eggs

Simplifying Motherhood

I shared the laundry essay last week, but there were other things at Trish Berg's site that I thought were fun and helpful as a mom. I don't know about you, but we struggle to keep our kids on track with doing their chores. We come up with a new method and it works for a while and then we have to get creative and try another way. I really want to try the family chore auction that Trish suggests. http://www.trishberg.com/Adobe/SurvivingMotherhood/FamilyChoreAuction.pdf
If you have preschoolers, I thought this job chart was cute.
http://www.trishberg.com/Adobe/SurvivingMotherhood/DailyChoresforPreschoolers.pdf
I LOVED this idea of putting little notes in your kid's lunch box. These are ready to print, clip and slip into the lunch box. FUN!
http://www.trishberg.com/Adobe/SurvivingMotherhood/LunchBoxNotes.pdf
These school notes and school schedules may even come in handy for those who like to keep a family binder - you organized ladies!
http://www.trishberg.com/Adobe/SurvivingMotherhood/schoolnotes.pdf
http://www.trishberg.com/Adobe/SurvivingMotherhood/schoolclassschedule.pdf
And this is a pretty good babysitter info sheet for your family binder.
http://www.trishberg.com/Adobe/SurvivingMotherhood/babysitterinformationsheet.pdf
Trish has written a book about dinner swapping. I know some of the ladies in our neighborhood have tried it and love it. I think I have too picky of kids - ok... I'm picky too, so we haven't tried it, but if you want to read up on it or check out her site it is www.trishberg.com

My Weekend

I had a wonderful weekend with my mom and sisters. We went down to watch the Relief Society broadcast live. It was humbling to be in the presence of the prophet with all those sisters. I loved the messages shared and can't wait to read them in the Ensign. I especially loved the scriptural references shared by Sister Thompson (2nd counselor). I know that the audio stream is available now at http://www.lds.org/ if you missed the broadcast and want to listen.

I had lots of fun shopping at Tai Pan's and the Gateway. We ate way too much... sweet pork at Costa Vida, breakfast at the Cracker Barrel, banana cream pie at Marie Calendar's and the never ending pasta bowl at Olive Garden. It will be a while before I weigh myself, but oh it was all so yummy! We also went to see Disney's new movie, The Game Plan (with the Rock). It was pretty cute and will be something we can rent to watch with the kids in the future.

Well, I hope you all had good weekends and that you'll take a chance to read/listen to the broadcast. I can't wait for Conference this weekend to hear from the Prophet.