PRAYER REQUEST TUESDAY

This is the day set aside for prayer for you.

If you have a prayer request, please list it in the comments below. You don't have to give any information you don't feel comfortable with (a simple "unspoken" comment is sufficient).

If you would like to pray, please pray for the comment above yours.

Also, if you would like to share a "praise" for a blessing you have received, please feel free to list those also! I'd love to hear of it so we can rejoice with you.

Pantry Challenge Wrap Up

The Pantry Challenge is over...

How did you do?  Were you able to finish the whole (almost) week?  If not, no biggie.  It was just a fun little challenge.  I hope you didn't fret over it.     There weren't too many participating, so I debated whether to go through the setting up, of the link-up.  There was even one who said she was going to play along with us that didn't own a blog.  So, unless you all want differently, we'll just all "check in" in the comments.  Ok?   Maybe next time we'll have more participating and we'll do the link-up, linky thingy. 

I think I had an un-fair advantage.  I just started a strict and very specified-ingredient diet, so I had gone to the grocery store a few days before we were supposed to start. (sorry guys!) Ok, following my own advice and not fretting over it...  sigh.   I'm planning another Pantry Challenge in September.  Maybe by then we'll have a better handle on it?     At any rate, I wanted to share some links with you.  These are sites that will not only help in our next challenge but now.

I'm sad to say, after checking on the one I used to use quite often it now seems to be dead. Aaaargh!  It was called Cooking By Numbers.   But there are still sites that you can get recipes for ingredients you have on hand.   One being:

 http://www.supercook.com/.
 http://www.recipematcher.com/
http://www.recipekey.com/

I'm sure if you Goggle it you can come up with more.  Do you have a fave site like these?  Please share with us! 

Was there a particularly ingenious way you used on-hand ingredients this past week?  Fill us in!

Don't forget, September, hopefully promises to be better and we can do this again with more participants.   We can all gain useful information from each other!   If you are considering hosting a Pantry Challenge, then, by all means let us know! :-)

Loyalty Cards. Why I love…and hate them.

I have a love/hate relationship with loyalty cards. 

The love part?   That one’s easy.  We all love feeling like we got a great deal, right?   Ask any frugal-ista (yeah, I made that one up. Ok, frugal diva.  Better?) where she got her great looking purse and she’ll not only tell you where, but in the same breath how much! Don’t blame her, (er… me) it’s just in our nature.  We got a great deal, and we’re not selfish with the information either.  Loyalty cards give us a form of bargain euphoria.  We’re getting this at a better price or earning some form of a “reward” from the store for our loyalty.  All in this little card.   And not only the card you have in your wallet, but most of the time you get two little “key cards”.   Ahhhh.   Don’t ya just love it?

The “hate” part?  sigh…  those pesky cards!   Yes, the cards I love I have to keep track of.  I have to have either a wallet big enough to house them all and remember to take them out to let the cashier swipe it.  More times that I want to admit, I got in the car and on the way home realized I had forgotten.  (I will say, that the CVS guy always asks if I have a rewards card---thank you CVS guy!)

And, I hate to keep so many of those “key cards” on my key chain too. I did find a really cool gadget at Bed Bath and Beyond for $5.00 that keeps all your key-cards in it.  (picture those old key holders that kept all your keys in one wallet-like thingy).   I would show you a picture of it, but it came loose and I … gulp…  lost all my “key cards” !!!  Needless to say, in my anger, I threw that no-good-worthless-thing away!  (I’m better now, thank you).

Then, I came across an App for my newly-acquired iPhone that lets you either scan the bar code, or enter the code so the next time you’re in the store, you can just show it on your phone and they swipe that.  Which is quite exciting, until you look at the places and there were only 3 local stores that participate.  It may be different in a huge metropolis.   I am finding more apps like that so I’m trying those out to see if they have more places participating. 

I have a question for the “powers that be”...  One that I think is a good one.  Why not just lower your prices and give us the great deal anyway?  Why, I say, Why?!?  (heavy sigh)

So, to you my friends, do you use loyalty cards?  How do you keep track of them?  Do you use an app to keep all the cards on?  I’d love to hear what you use and how it works for you!  Leave a comment and let all of us know!

Prayer Request Tuesday

This is the day set aside for prayer for you.

If you have a prayer request, please list it in the comments below. You don't have to give any information you don't feel comfortable with (a simple "unspoken" comment is sufficient).

If you would like to pray, please pray for the comment above yours.

Also, if you would like to share a "praise" for a blessing you have received, please feel free to list those also! I'd love to hear of it so I can rejoice with you.

PANTRY CHALLENGE

Today starts the Pantry Challenge.  Are you in? 

Can you live out of the pantry, freezer and 'frige for one week?

Here's the details: You may spend only $10.00 for food stuff. Period. The rest of the meals, snacks, whatever have to be from what's on hand in the house.

If you want to play along, leave a comment here. And don't forget to come back! I'll will have a link-up set up on the following Monday so you can brag...or confess... about your conquests. If you have to break down and go grocery shopping. No shame in that, just include us in the whole ordeal!

Important: I realize some of my followers do not have a blog. That's ok. If you can't link up your post, leave a comment and let us know how you did.

Also, just so we're not looking into our pantry and seeing only creamed corn and potato chips, and in the freezer some ground beef. (all hypothetical, of course!) if you need help coming up with recipes for what you have on hand, comment on it and let's all help each other out with some ideas or recipes.

Sound like fun? This is going from Monday to Sunday (yeah, I know, not a full week, but almost) On the Monday after that, I'll put up a linky-loo and we can all link up and tell how our week went.

So, who's in? I'll be doing PANTRY CHALLENGEs through the year, so if you didn't get in on this one, just keep checking back.

Oh, and if you do decide to play along on the challenge, and you have a blog, be sure to put the button on your blog to link back here. The more the merrier!

This is a "for fun" party.  If you have to deviate from the oh-so-NOT-rules, don't sweat it.  Life happens.  Just play along, and tell us how you did.  There are no cash prizes, so there's nothing at stake if you can't complete it.  Just play, have fun and learn from others!  I plan on it! 

So, leave your comment below, let us know who who is playing, have fun and Monday come back and link up.  Oh!  Don't forget to take the "Pantry Challenge" button and post on your blog if you have one so everybody can share in the fun!

Ok, I'm off to finish my inventory! 

Paris Charm Necklace

Do you remember the giveaway I did of the Paris Charm Necklace here?  I have received several comments/emails telling me to definitely list it in my etsy shop.  So, guess what?  Thanks to all of you, I did!   I've done three... click on the pictures to be taken to the listing for each different one if you'd like.   They've all be listed at $10.00 each,  and the best part?   Shipping is free (for a limited time  LOL). 

While you're there, maybe you wanna look around?  There's lots-o-stuff there!  Come back and tell me what you saw and what you liked.  You don't have to buy it, just tell me!  LOL

PRAYER REQUEST TUESDAY

This is the day set aside for prayer for you.

If you have a prayer request, please list it in the comments below. You don't have to give any information you don't feel comfortable with (a simple "unspoken" comment is sufficient).

If you would like to pray, please pray for the comment above yours.

Also, if you would like to share a "praise" for a blessing you have received, please feel free to list those also! I'd love to hear of it so I can rejoice with you.

Hippie Bag Purse Giveaway

I called this a "craft fail" because, to me, a "craft fail" is something that either didn't turn out like I envisioned (or in this case remembered), or just didn't go together right.  In the case of the latter, I'd just pitch it! 

But, when it's usuable, but not what I liked, I'd give it away.  So, just so you know what you're getting, this falls into that category. 

Back in home ec. class (am I dating myself here?  Do they still offer home economics?) We made these bags.  I remember the one I had.  It was a black velveteen with tiny flowers on it.  I loved that bag.  Of course, it was the 70's and fit in perfectly with the "hippie bag".  (if  "Home Ec" didn't date me, I did now).  I saved this pattern all these years and decided to do a re-do of it using some heavy upholstry fabric.  

It's not the same as I remember (is anything ever?)  Besides, with all my "gadgets" I absolutely must have, it's not practical.  It would make a cool book bag though.  I thought I'd offer it to you, as a giveaway!

So now, knowing what you know, if it's something you would like, then leave a comment.   I will be drawing a lucky (at least I hope that's how you'll feel LOL) winner on May 21st.   

You don't have to do anything but leave a comment!  That's it.  No hoops to jump through.  Of course, I always love new friends and if you'd like to follow this blog, I'd be thrilled, but it won't affect your chances.  Only do it because you like me...you really like me.   LOL

Happy Mother's Day

to mothers, daughters, grandmas and aunts...

In honor of Cinco De Mayo–Smothered Enchiladas !

This is a recipe D-Licious made for our Cook-N-Critique day on my other blog Real Women Eat.  
“Cook – n- Critique” is a regular feature on Real Women Eat.  We vote on a different cookbook, and make a dish from that.  To decide who gets to make what dish, we “draw names”.  For this particular C-N-C I drew dessert…and D-Licious drew entrée.  I think she made a great choice.  This has become a favorite of ours!  In case you’re not a follower of mine on twitter, then I’m going to share it here.  
Smothered Enchiladas
2 lbs ground beef
1 packet mild taco seasoning mix
1 (3.5 oz) can chopped green chiles, divided
2 (10 3/4 oz ) cans cream of chicken soup
1 (16 oz) container sour cream
flour tortillas
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Cook ground beef in a large skillet, stirring until it crumbles and is no longer pink.  Drain.  Stir in taco seasoning mix and half of the chopped green chiles, set aside.   Stir together remaining green chiles, soup, and sour cream.  Pour half of sour cream mixture into a non-stick 9 x 13 baking dish. 
Spoon beef mixture evenly down center of each tortilla; roll up.  Continue until you’ve used up all the beef mixture.  (recipe said 8 tortillas, but depending on how heavy you go with the beef, it may be more or less).  Roll up.  Place seam sides down in pan and cover with remaining sour cream mixture.  Top with cheddar cheese.
Bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or unmtil thoroughly heated.  Garnish with salsa, sour cream, green onion or fresh cilantro if desired. (We didn’t desire  LOL)
Oh!  and just in case you want to rush right out and get that cookbook…

It was from the All New Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook

So there ya go!  Enjoy!

Sweet Jeanette's Pantry Challenge

Can you live out of the pantry, freezer and 'frige for one week?

I'm going to, and want to know who wants to join me?   This is  your "heads up" announcement.  Don't worry, it won't start until May 23rd.

Here's the details:  You may spend only $10.00 for food stuff. Period. The rest of the meals, snacks, whatever have to be from what's on hand in the house. (Quick! go shopping! LOL) .

If you want to play along, leave a comment here. And don't forget to come back!   I'll will have a link-up set up on the following Monday so you can brag...or confess... about your conquests.  If you have to break down and go grocery shopping.  No shame in that, just include us in the whole ordeal!  

Important:  I realize some of my followers do not have a blog.  That's ok.  If you can't link up your post, leave a comment and let us know how you did. 

Also, just so we're not looking into our pantry and seeing only creamed corn and potato chips, and in the freezer some ground beef. (all hypothetical, of course!) if you need help coming up with recipes for what you have on hand, comment on it and let's all help each other out with some ideas or recipes.

Sound like fun? This is going from Monday to Sunday (yeah, I know, not a full week, but almost) On the Monday after that, I'll put up a linky-loo and we can all link up and tell how our week went.

So, who's in? I'll be doing PANTRY CHALLENGEs through the year, so if you didn't get in on this one, just keep checking back.

Oh, and if you do decide to play along on the challenge, and you have a blog, be sure to put the button on your blog to link back here.   The more the merrier!

Love Homework

This week I'm participating in the LOVE homework Challenge.   I met Charli from Man, Wife & Dog  on twitter when she was one of the featured blogs on #CommentHour. (I just love her!) And then, snooping around her blog I found out she does a weekly writing challenge called Love Homework .  Every Tuesday, (you should totally check it out) she has a new assignment.  If it looks like something you'd like to participate in, then take on the assignment, go back and link up your post and share.    This week her assignment was to write about a first you shared together.

Immediately I thought of flying...  I have had this intense fear of flying. And 9/11 did nothing to help that.  So, therefore I refused to fly.   (The "how" of working through this fear is saved for another post). 

My man travels a lot for business and I could've gone on several of these trips but no...



About 4 years ago I was taking on the job of closed captioning for our church's TV program.  They needed to send me and Andy, the minister of technology to California for training on this new equipment we'd need.  Gulp!  That's clear on the other side of the country!   Ok, long story, short.  I went.   But had this nagging feeling that if I could fly to California (from Florida) with someone else, then I surely could...or should... be flying with my husband.  Well, partly because my hubby would jokingly say "You can fly with another man, but not your own husband"  LOL  (I need to add Andy is a friend of both of us, a soon-to-be-father, married to beautiful Dena ...and a minister of the gospel - so, yes, he was just joking)

So, my first plane trip with my husband was to Colorado.

We landed in Denver, drove down to Durango and stayed in an 1800's hotel and rode the Silverton railroad. 

I saw a sign that said Wyoming 70 miles, so we said "why not?"  LOL.   Even went into Wyoming!   

I saw a cattle drive.  A real live cattle drive! And elk!  There were hundreds...on a golf course and in people's yards.  We were two of many people stopping their cards to shoot pictures of them.  

My husband took lots and lots of pictures and kept saying "You're in Colorado!"  "You are in Col-o-ra-do!"  He was genuinely excited to be showing me things and, well, just having me with him.  It was real.  This meant a lot to him. More than I even realized.  (Yeah, I think he really loves me. )  Since then, we've taken trips (flights) to New England, back to California, and New York but he still refers to the most special trip as the Colorado trip. Our first together.  All these years of marriage and only recently I've started joining him in seeing our beautiful country.  Oh what I've missed.  But more importantly, the realization that he wanted to share all of that with me, saying it wasn't worth seeing if he wasn't seeing it with me.  Now girls, that's just gotta melt your heart.  And to think, he's all mine! 

P.S.   Thanks to this trip, I started collecting ball caps!  I've never worn 'em before. 

See what this whole thing has started?   LOL

PRAYER REQUEST TUESDAY

This is the day set aside for prayer for you.

If you have a prayer request, please list it in the comments below. You don't have to give any information you don't feel comfortable with (a simple "unspoken" comment is sufficient).

If you would like to pray, please pray for the comment above yours.

Also, if you would like to share a "praise" for a blessing you have received, please feel free to list those also! I'd love to hear of it so I can rejoice with you.