Lots and lots!!

So this week marks a lot of things that have been happening. We celebrated our daughters 7th bday,(which we spend a whopping $5 for sidewalk chalk for her as her gift) Only because we bought the food for two meals for family. That was WAY more than we thought it would be but there are a lot of us between both families. My cousin got engaged, someone close to me is pregnant, (Can't say who yet), my daughter was asked to be a flower girl in my cousins wedding, my sweet hubby is graduating from college with his Bachelor of Arts Degree in management. We are smitten about this. (God has been good to us during this journey)! I am feeling better from my cold, my sister and I are beginning a journey to lose weight, and I am down 4 pounds in 36 hours. Just by cutting back.

The meals in this house will change drastically. No more fatty, greasy, and unhealthy cooking. Maybe a splurge every so often but come on, being this big isn't fun. My knee hurts, I'm tired all the time, no desire to get out in the sun in shorts (my favorite thing to wear) and tired of not treating my body like a temple. God has blessed me with working parts and I ought to make use of them to my best potential. So my meal plans will look different. I will include recipes if anything spectacular. And cost effective of course.

Meal plan:
Monday-Hot Dogs
Tuesday- Rice-a-roni, apples, and bread
Wednesday-hot dogs at church (mmm, kids aren't tired of em yet)Pinewood Derby night!
Thursday- Roast, veggies and homemade rolls or french bread
Friday- ?? Up in the air. If home then Mac and cheese, from a box. ;) Salmon for me!
Saturday- RJ graduation, something quick, not sure
Sunday- Dinner at in-laws ?

We are living scarcely this next few weeks. Doing the zero balance budget is a great way to be accountable to the extra spendy but makes for being bummed when you want to splurge but there isn't enough $ to do so. We have about 30 bucks for emergency food buying. We will live on what is here, mac and cheese, chicken nuggets, etc... The freezer will be empty like the fridge is now. We are resorting to what is in the freezer and cupboards. But it will be enough. Just gotta get creative.

My weakness: I love Tupperware. I use it for everything and rarely use baggies. Saves me unnecessary $ on lunch Baggies that get tossed just to put bread or a sandwich in one time. I could spend on Tupperware like mad. It is lifetime guarantee. For life. They will literally replace anything that breaks. As long as you didn't put it in the microwave when it says not to. ;)

SO I am smitten this week with a lot of great things happening. God is good and remains faithful in our home, family, schools, friends, and even in our budget.

Have a great week and continue to find changes you can make to save money and not charge on credit cards. Summer is coming. Are you having a garage sale? If you haven't used it in the past year or worn in in the last 6 months, it must go. I'm having one soon. :)

March Madness

March madness in this house wasn't being consumed by basketball for several weeks. It was the sad reality that when you DO NOT live on a ZERO BALANCE budget you spend, aka blow, money you wouldn't have otherwise, it is TOTAL MADNESS! We learned. I never claimed nor believed that we would do this journey and never screw up, have regrets, or even wake up calls. We had a minor stumble block and made some seriously stupid choices. WAY overspent at the grocery store. Did not take cash, killer one. We got selfish and got too much fast food. A dollar here and dollar there. Killer two (and not one nice sit down dinner in that mix) Not worth it! I am not even going to say how much in four weeks we blew. Hmmm! Maybe a huge part of the reason we are where we're at. Totally sucks! We cut cable BUT bought stuff to set up an antenna. Free tv now but money went out first to have it.

So enough complaining. The reality is we made some cruddy choices. SO much that for two paychecks we did no snowball growth. :( We sat down last night and wrote out our budget for the next two weeks. Here's the rundown:
*Vehicles just filled up, so we think $160 will get us till then.(2 fills ea.)
*$100 for food/groceries. I have plenty in the cupboards and freezer, we will have to make it work. We have lots of Mac and Cheese if needed. ;)
*We had several dr bills that were slightly overlooked previously due to insurance not having pd their part yet so we didn't get the bill. We are out $600 in just the deductibles. Of course it has taken a few months for them to get their end pd, now we are getting the bills.
* Along with deductibles, we had 2 visits to Urgent Care, and MANY visits to the dr in the month of March. A few pretty pennies went/going here.
*RJ has worked some major OT this last pay period which helped us be able to pay $800 towards a mattress we had on a no intrest no payments option. It is up in June. We have to have it pd, plus it's next on the list anyhow.
*I have not bought bread in 5 weeks, the kids and hubby (oh yeah, and myself too) are eating up the homemade like crazy.
This is a blessing.

So there is more I am sure but April is almost over. Sad, sad! I know. See you back here soon. (Not doing a meal plan this week since I am making some meals I didn't get to from last week and we have a graduation dinner for RJ (YAYYYYYY!!!!!!) this week as well. No need to rewrite what I already have written down just last week. Hope you enjoyed my monthly wrap up of March, in April. Owell. I am a mom of four. Is that good enough reason???? ;)

Have a wonderful last 11 days of April!!

~Blessings~ (and Monday Madness and Meal Planning)

I was stressing a little the past few weeks on my blogging. I was feeling really overwhelmed and wondering if it's even worth it. After a little venting I know that I am #1, documenting our journey! And second it is a hobby. I love to talk and blogging is such a great outlet. When I discovered people really didn't want to hear RJ and I talk about the things we were doing, this made perfect sense. Put it out here. If people want to read and know how we are doing it, what our progress is then they can visit here at anytime. If not, they don't have to. Makes sense. I also feel a little off about the content. I am at a stand point in the book. Sorta just in the snowball phase. Not much new info to go in depth about.

I didn't want this to turn into a "food blog" but must say that as the woman and care taker of the home, oh yeah, and the chef, I am doing so much food wise to help us save. I am excited so I want to share. I also LOVE the things that happen when you put yourself out there.



With Easter being yesterday I thought I would share some of our recent blessings.....

First and most important.... Our blessing of Easter! He is RISEN! I must say that as a follower of Jesus this is my most favorite holiday! The music in church is wonderful too. On my other blog I posted THIS so everyone could hear my most favorite song. I hope that you take a few minutes to listen to it and let it move in you. This was the most important blessing we celebrated this past week. Here are a few others....



Our friend Lisa made it through the past week as she layed to rest her infant son. If you listened to the song above you may have saw and clicked on her site and read her story. She is such an amazing woman. She is a blessing, her family is a blessing and baby Logan is a blessing! God is so good!



Some less important but special blessings~
Piano Lessons:
We decided to add to our budget piano lessons for the older two girls. I know that Dave may or may not support that. Sometimes there is so much focus on sports and other activities that as an adult you rarely get to continue doing. We both wish we would have had some sort of piano/music lessons. Hmm! Living through our kids?? ;) So we felt it was important. And they have been asking. We have the cash and it seems to be a small sacrifice with life long benefits. Blessing #1!

Teacher! The wonderful person doing lessons is doing it for a very small charge. He is incredibly talented with a music degree. He plays many instruments and leads the choir at our church and sometimes the worship. (and he is in his mid-twenties) He is blessed. Blessing #2!

A piano! We do not have one but my parents do. They literally live a half mile away so we can stop by there on the way home from school to practice. Blessing #3!

Ideas! We went to in-laws to celebrate my niece and nephews bdays. Another family there suggested our local Craig's List for a used piano. They found one for $100. They said it is great to have a piano so close by BUT it is hard to go each and everyday and has been beneficial to have one in their house. What a great idea. With that I began searching and saw many for around $100. Blessing #4!

Generosity! I decided to go out on a limb and post on my FB status that we were looking for a piano. I have had a few people message me regarding knowing someone who is selling one. A young lady from our church has one that they used as children in their home and she talked to her mom. Her mom said that we could have it!! Can you believe the generosity of people? BIG blessing #5!

I think we will say we are borrowing it long term just in case one of the kids want it back when they have a house/family! But this is a huge blessing. The girls were so happy when I told them.


Blessing #6 FOOD to nourish our bodies~
MEALS THIS WEEK

Monday~ Pork Roast, steamed broccoli, homemade bread of some sort.

Tuesday~ Mac and Cheese with fruit, green beans

Wednesday~ Homemade Pizza and homemade sauce, cheese and peppers.

Thursday~ Aunt Betty's Chicken. Will share this recipe soon. It is SO good! Corn and fruit.

Friday~ Breakfast for dinner. Homemade French toast using my white bread recipe in bread maker, bacon, and fruit.

Sat/Sun~ Leftovers and meal at in-laws. Trying to remember if there is a bday party this week. ;) (so many this time of year)

Enjoy your week. Monthly wrap up may not come for March. My intentions are their but we have had a lot going on and RJ is using the computer a lot more with his final home stretch in school before graduation. Will work on it though. :)

Monday Madness & Menu Planning

This week is quick and simple. RJ gone a lot again. He is down to the wire in school. Only a few shorts weeks before graduation. Wow! I recall when he decided to embark on this journey and we couldn't imagine 16 months of papers, research, power points, projects, late nights and more reading than he has done in ten years. Here we are on the final home stretch. I am so proud of my sweet hubby! He is a hard working man and has always worked hard so I can be home with the kids. What a GREAT man. A man following God's calling to serve his wife and children by being the provider. When he is not busy providing he is almost always home with us. I take this for granted sometimes and I really wish I didn't. I have to remind myself often of how greatly I have been blessed.I cannot imagine how excited God was when he had in his mind to bring the two of us together. I know how I feel, and I know my feeling are small to Gods.

This week we will have only 2 meals out of 5 as a complete family. We will have to make it a point this weekend to spend some extra time together. Speaking of this weekend, which actually has something to do with finances, or saving money..... I planted my seedlings today. RJ is going to rent some equipment Saturday and work on a small area in our yard for a garden. Well we are going to attempt it. We have a small yard, a dog, and a pool that goes up for the summer. So it will be a tight squeeze. I purchased things that are our favorite. If it works we will be saving about or between $20-$50 after everything. Worth it? maybe not BUT it is some money AND a great thing for the kids to do. It will be fun.

Our meal plan this week......

Monday~ We FINALLY had Creamy Chicken Enchiladas. They we so delicious! I also made homemade rolls. Mmmm! Feeling the total carb overload!

Tuesday~ Beef Noodle Casserole and green beans. This is my moms recipe and I love it. Will share one of these days on my family blog for Thursdays Radical Recipes.

Wednesday~ Papa Murphy's Pizza in Tillamook OR. Heading there to visit my dear best friend Trish. Cannot wait to spend a whole day together. The kids will have a total blast!!

Thursday~ Nachos, nachos, and more nachos with cheese, salsa, sour cream, and poss a meat. ? The kids love it when they get to eat chips for dinner.

Friday~ Baked Potato with all the fixens (chili, cheese, sour cream, and bacon, if the kids don't eat it first.

Saturday/Sunday~ Lots of bday parties and Easter Celebrations. He Is RISEN! Ah, love this time of year!


Sack Lunch tidbit:

I have chosen to use Tupperware, gladware and ziploc containers in the kids lunches instead of sandwich baggies. I have bought the containers slowly over the years, and with lunch meats so I think it compares in cost. Just a thought. I like using them. And the kids love em. Less garbage and less costs. We also use water bottles for juice or water or a sports drink instead of pouch or box drinks. The kids love water so I am happy about that. Anything different they love since I am always saying "no" to everything. ;)
If you have any lunch ideas, things that work for you PLEASE share. This is a big dislike of mine in the mornings. I try ot get most of it done the night before but I just wish they could have hot lunch each day. :)

Way behind on my monthly wrap up so March's is coming soon. I will be without a computer for a bit so maybe this weekend.

Hope you all had a great Palm Sunday!

Award Winning Bread??

You Bet! Honey Wheat Baby!!

ABOVE: After baked. All thats left of the round loaf.

BELOW: This was the bread after rising


So if you have been following my blog at all you know that I have been passionate about finding an "award winning" bread recipe to completely replace the store bought bread we use for sandwiches for lunches and toast.

I began baking daily about 2 months ago and recently started making my own breads, bagels, and Sin-a-mon Rolls. Breads I am making are Honey Wheat, Wheat, and French breads. Haven't found a good light white bread yet. I am really enjoying making the breads. They are SO VERY cost effective. Although I need more time in the day, I survive knowing that I am serving my family and home by providing healthy wholesome foods while saving money on the foods we love. Well, the carbs that is. ;) I love to cook. I am feeling it on my waistline. The cooking that is. Ugh! Time to do an evaluation on what I am eating and how much. Okay, so really it is all about how much I am eating. :( I like food. I love food. I love to eat. Especially now that I am cooking.

I just have to share my recipe. I doctored up one, sort of combined two and then added to it. So here is my recipe. I really, REALLY hope that you try it, especially if you are a bread making person.

Honey Wheat Bread

*2 pkts Active Dry Yeast

*1/4 C. Warm Water (105 to 115 degrees)

1.) Mix these two together and set aside

*1/2 C Honey

*1/4 C. Butter Softened or Room Temp.

*4 tsp. Brown Sugar

*3 tsp. Salt

*2 1/2 C VERY Warm Water (120-130 degrees)

2.) In large bowl, mix these ingredients together and let sit for 5 minutes.

*2 T. Wheat Gluten (found in flour isle, optional)

*4 1/2 C. Wheat Flour

*3-3 1/2 C. Bread Flour (or all-purpose works fine too)

3.) Mix 3 C. of the Wheat Flour and Wheat Gluten together and then add to the honey mixture Beat for 30 seconds using hand mixer. Scrape bowl and beat medium speed for 2-3 minutes. Beat in remaining 1 1/2 Wheat Flour until moist.

4.) Mix in 2 1/2 C. Bread or All-purpose flour with a wooden spoon. When it pulls away from bowl turn out onto lightly floured surface and begin kneading the dough.

Add the remaining 1/2 C.-1 C . Bread/All-purpose flour as you knead (for 5-10 minutes). I knead about 8 minutes until it feels smooth and springy.

5.)Place dough in a greased (I use Pam spray) bowl and cover with a clean towel. Place on top rack in oven with a bowl of hot water on the rack below and close door. Turn oven light on as well. This is a draft free place and warms oven just enough to help aide in the rising process. Let rise for 45-60 minutes, until about doubled in size.

Grease 2 loaf pans or a baking sheet/s if making round loaf.

6.) Gently punch dough to deflate and turn out onto the lightly floured surface.

Divide the dough in half.

7.) Pat dough into round loaf if making round and place on greased sheet.

If making loaf in loaf pan roll out the dough into about a 16x8 and roll up starting with the short side (it needs to fit into your pan) ;)

Pinch edge into loaf and pinch and tuck ends under and put into greased loaf pans.

Cover and let rise again in warm place about 45 minutes.

8.) Take out of oven, uncover, and turn oven on to 350. Once pre-heated bake for 20 minutes. Remove and check, will need to cover top with foil and place back into oven. Bake for another 15-20 minutes. I check at about 15 minutes for top to sound hollow when you knock on it.

~REMOVE from oven and remove bread from pan immediately and cool completely on wire racks. ~

Or cut while warm, and add some butter. Before you know it you will have eaten too much. And thanks goodness for that second loaf!!

Don't do what I did and offer one to someone else. :)

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!

A Few Blogging Thoughts

As I read and read and read others blogs I sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed. That maybe I am not doing enough for people to get anything out of my blog. Then I realized that it doesn't matter what and how often I blog, it is what I am doing. It is working for me, someone who never thought it could work for them. So I am a walking example. I may not be the perfect housewife, cook, mom, organizer, declutterer, blogger and money pincher but I have started. We all have to start somewhere right?



I have four kids, I am tired. Tired all the time. I stay up late at night just to have those precious moments with my husband, to cook those Homemade Bagels so the family has something fresh and fun for breakfast, to get those loads of laundry finished and put away even though it is the kids job to put their own away. To get those dishes washed because there is nothing worse than waking up in the morning to dishes in the sink. I am up a few times a night helping someone go potty, get a drink of water, need consoling after a bad dream, give medicine to the one coughing all night. I am tired!!!



Why all this babble?? Today in Bible study I learned a few things. I know that there are many things to being a Christian. I sometime feel like I have it all figured out. Really?? That's news to God. If I had it all figured out I wouldn't feel the need try a little harder, include my kids more in the kitchen, not be so lazy, give without reservation, and be happy doing all the things in the previous paragraph. And not worry about being tired. We all are blessed with talents and gifts for serving and giving. I sometimes feel like I am not sure what mine are. After this morning I now know that my first priority after Christ is the home. I am accomplishing great things, cooking, and baking things I never imagined to save us money, help be frugal in groceries, food, meals, and spending. I am serving God by serving my family. You know, I did kind of know this but sometimes when I am just feeling in the dumps its a great reminder to why and who I am ultimately serving.



SO no matter where I am in this financial journey I cannot compare myself to anyone else. They all started somewhere. Their ideas came from trial and error at times. They may have had days where they don't want to blog, or cook, or clean, but we keep going. I am so grateful for the blogs I follow and even some other I am not following publicly but read. ;)



So keep on the keep on. I know that the benefits outweigh the stress of this all. The snowball is slow when you don't' have anything left to sell. :) It feels a bit discouraging. But I will move past this moment and know that I am doing! Doing something that is and that is what matters most. I am serving a great and mighty God. We are being better stewards with our money. We are giving like never before to our church, each other and to others that need it. We are seeing a future of freedom from our bondage of debt and that is what this is all about!



As my kids love to sing in children's worship, "My God is so great so strong and so mighty, there's nothing my God cannot do". Thanks kiddos for the beautiful reminder. All things are possible through him!!!