Tasty Tuesdays: Baked Potato Chowder

Last Tuesday, I shared how potatoes can really help to stretch your budget and make a simple and easy meal.

Another delicious meal idea is to make soup. I love to make this soup at the end of the month when I start cleaning out the refrigerator. It is super easy to make and in no time you've used up leftovers that were going to go to waste and you have a filling dinner.

I like to make a large batch because this freezes so well. And even though this is the basic recipe I start with, I add anything that sounds good and it has always turned out great!

Combine listed ingredients in a large stock pot and cook until hot and thick! (About 45 mins on medium heat)

• 8-10 potatoes -peel and microwave in a covered dish until soft and then rough mash
• 3 cups milk
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or your favorite cheese(it's even great with Velveeta style cheese)
• 1-2 cups cubed chicken
• Any leftover vegetables (think corn, carrots, onions, etc)
• 1/4 cooked bacon or turkey
• 1 tsp salt
• Optional: 1 tbsp garlic powder 
•                  2 tbsp of ranch seasoning powder

To thicken it up into a chowder, I make a roux with flour and butter in a skillet then add milk whisking quickly until I have a rather thick pasty mixture. Slowly pour this into your stock pot while stirring.

Let me know what you think, it's a favorite at our house alone or with a grilled cheese or panini!!!

Crafty Creations: Purple Snap-Collar Dress

I love this little dress, well I've loved all of them, so no big surprise. The beautiful pleats in the front and the sweet collar are just to die for.

Again the beauty of this dress is that it can go with capris, or shorts as she gets taller. This was a pattern on line for a little summer top but easily made a dress just by extending the hem.

Cutie-patootie Sundress

Here is another of this weeks projects! It took about an hour and a half to make and was super simple. What took me the longest was drawing out the pattern and working on the sizing!

The thing I love about this dress the most is that as she gets bigger I can put it with bloomers, carpi pants, or little pants as a top.

That was the main reason when we found this tutorial online, we just had to make it.

The other great thing about this dress is that the simplicity made it super cheap to make as well. Bias tape was $1.89

Fabric $2.19

(which I still have enough to make a bow or flower and some other accessories)

Thread $0.25

Grand Total: $4.33

I've just started a new dress that I totally designed the pattern for and can't wait to see if it turns out. I will keep you update!!

Crafty Creations: Headboard

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After:

I have been wanting to recover our head board for sometime but with most interior fabrics costing around $25/yard or more, it was just too expensive! I had gotten this leather-like fabric about 5 years ago on clearance and man was it looking worn. Thanks to a tip from fabulous Desiree, I headed to the 71st Joann's that is closing it's doors to try to scope out some bargains!! I was so excited to find this beautiful silky fabric for 75% off!

Grand Total $11.97

Snow Day Fun

Getting all ready to head out and play!!

Let's go people!

Sliding was a little difficult but they finally pushed the snow down the slide!

A cold weather (poor person) treat ~ Biscuit Donuts!

This is a fun treat my mom used to make for us when we were little and it's super cheap and easy! Just buy the cheapest, saddest looking can of biscuits you can find, use something to punch out the middle (I use a pump hair spray plastic lid), and throw them in a skillet of hot oil until brown. I brown one side, then flip. I shake mine in a bowl of cinnamon and sugar or top with chocolate cake icing. The doughnut holes were the first to go!

When using up everything in you cabinets it forces you to be creative ~ and fun!

Crafty Creations: Ironing Board Cover

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After:

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After:


My old cover was getting so dingy, burnt, and just gross looking. Have I been cooking grilled cheese sandwiches on that thing?? I had looked at the store for a cover that was cute, but they looked so doubty and frumpy, and I wanted something pretty and fun!!

So I headed to Joann's and picked out this fun cotton floral. It's heavy duty interior decorator fabric, but was on sale and with the fabric and the cord, it was still cheaper than buying one from Wal-mart!! I'm lovin' it!

I think this would make a great gift or home warming present and you could coordinate it with any decor'!

Thrifty and Nifty TUESDAYS!

Tomorrow (2-9-10) Denny's is having it's annual FREE Original Grand Slam day! Just stop by your nearest location and get your free breakfast! No purchase or coupon is needed! Happy Eating!!

Thifty and Nifty Thursday: MoneyStrands

For those of you trying to start the new year off right by getting your finances on track, I've found a great tool that I LOVE!! Not only does it work great, but it's FREE, which makes it even better. It's called MONEYSTRANDS and it has helped me track all my spending.

Since we use check cards for our bills, it easily tracks all of our spending and divides it up into categories. This way, I can easily see how each dollar of our income is spent and even set up alerts to let me know when we are nearing our budgeted amount. I find it very simple to use and can easily track everything, set up goals for savings, and categorize every penny so that we don't overspend.

Is there a financial tool that you love to use that helps you stay on track?

Thrify & Nifty Thursday

Today was our monthly Le Leche League meeting here in Muskegon and as usual, it was very fun and informative. We talked today about the benefits of breastfeeding. This is the first session in the four part series that LLL revolves around. Sometimes they focus on benefits to mom, sometimes benefits to babies, but today we talked about the benefits to the world around us and how breastfeeding impacts our governments, families, and the Earth.

There were some startling facts thrown out that shocked many of the moms there today, here are a few. Now I have never bought formula so I'm not really sure how much it cost but after discussing all these number and facts, most of us were wondering how many people afford it and one mom brought up, how much of our tax dollars are going toward paying for formula for babies.

• It cost on average $1000.00 in formula to feed ONE baby from birth to 12 months (that doesn't include bottles and other supplies you need for a formula fed baby)
• It cost the government $33,000,000 each MONTH to provide formula for babies on the WIC program
• By breastfeeding for 6 months a family can save $400.00 in doctor/insurance cost (all those wonderful immune boosting, bacteria killing enzymes!)
• Formula containers, bottles, scoops, and all the things that go with formula feeding cause more trash that has to go into landfills (also think about the cost to create, pack, and store)
• Breast milk is ALWAYS available (When Katrina happened many moms were without clean water to mix bottles so LLL worked with many families to re-lactate mothers during this terrible crisis) I think that is super exciting!

These are just a few of the highlights from our meeting today and the overall costs to families, the government and the impact that breastfeeding has on the world around us is astounding....I was shocked. So I'm grateful to the Lord that I have been able to breastfeed my baby boys, not to mention the money we have saved, the healthy start it has giving them, and the fact that I know no matter where we are, I will always be able to top off their little tanks!

How Thrifty!

Crafty Creations: Cloth Napkins!

Here's another "keepin' me busy" craft! I found this great site that had these adorable cloth napkins, but they were super expensive, and the entire point, at least to me, of using cloth napkins is to cut down on waste and costs. I'm going to be running loads of laundry anyway, why not through in a couple napkins at the end of a meal too, not to mention the cost of paper towels/napkins and how wasteful it is to just grab something, use it once and throw it away!I found some cute fabric at HL that I have loved for a long time, but since I don't have little girls to make things for, I have always passed it by. Our dining room things have this beautiful color of blue in them that I love and this fabric just matched perfectly. The fabric was also on sale, so it was even a better bargain than I had thought of to begin with. There were 3 coordinating fabrics that were cute and then I got the solid blue cotton for the back of all of them, thus lowering the cost even more.

It was so simple- I just got 14 inches of each pattered fabric and 3- 14 inches sections of the solid and then at home cut each section into thirds, giving me 3-14x14 squares of each fabric. This resulted in 9 napkins. Just lay the fabric right sides facing each other and machine sew around the parameter, leaving a 2 in place open to turn the napkin. Turn, then iron making sure to pull your corners and seams out to make nice straight corners and sides. Make sure you also iron your open section under so that all four sides look alike. Now go and topstich with your machine around all four sides(this will close your open spot as well) and you are finished!! So easy!

After, I had picked out my fabric, Grant spotted some cute Cars (TM) fabric as well, so I made him 3 napkins to use. The only difference with them is that I added ric rac to the sides of his to make them a little funkier! If you want to add ric rac to your napkins, this is the first thing you do right after you get your 14x14 squares cut. Just pin the ric rac to the RIGHT side of one of your squares (having the outside edge of the ric rac barely touch the outside edge of your fabric) and sew it on all the way around, then lay both pieces of your square right sides together and follow the above directions. While this takes one extra step, it was actually easier to iron them and get a straight side and good corners because you can tug on the ric rac as you iron and really open the seam.

I can't wait to get to the new house to use them and see if we can totally stop buying paper napkins and paper towels.....I mean, come on, what did people do for centuries before they were invented? Now, toilet paper, we will still be purchasing!

Thrifty and Nifty: Fabulous Finds!

This past weekend, Jenks had it's city wide garage sale and even though it has rained for like the past 10 days, there were still plenty of good bargains to be found around town. All 5 of us loaded up for a rainy, cold day of treasure hunting! Grant, equipped with our portable DVD player (something we bought almost 5 years ago for our train ride down to Dallas....what a great investment!!!), favorite Sitting Duck's DVD, snacks, and "Pa-Pween"(you know, Lightning McQueen) settled in his car seat for a long day of stop and go action. With a quick trip to the ATM and a list of things we were looking for, the Howard/Schwertfeger expedition began.

We were out looking for some newborn clothes, fall/winter clothes for Grant, some bunk beds, and some books and puzzles and other quiet, learning toys. We found some great bargains including brand new infant clothes with the tags still on them!!! What a find and the lady only wanted $0.25 a piece!!! We got some very cute items, socks, and a hat. Then we found some great old Disney VHS tapes, I love old movies and Grant enjoys them too! We also found some more toddler clothes and baby clothes at another home, all in perfect condition and some with tags on them, again at a great price. We did not find any bunk beds(wasn't really expecting to) or wood puzzles (do people not own these things?) and the book selection was terrible, but we did get a free set of encyclopedias (it's never too early to start that homeschool curriculum library), a picture frame that matches one we already had for $0.50, a free old mystery book(I love those old classics), and a silver tea set from an estate sale for $4.00(this was a splurge, but I've been looking for an old one for a long time, so Tom got it for me as a Mom's day present.) In total we spent around $12.00 and got tons of things. Garage sales can be very bad if you don't have a plan of what you want, a set budget or what you will spend total and on certain things, or if you just pick up random things.....it can easily turn into just grabbing junk and clutter you don't need, just because it's a good deal. I always like to ask myself three things before I buy or get something:

1. Will this bless my family?

2. Does this glorify God?

3. Do I know exactly where it will go/where I will use it?

If it doesn't fit those parameters, then it isn't a deal and it doesn't belong in my home! I'm still super excited about having a garage sale once we get settled in Michigan and we found out that there is a city-wide one in August, perfect timing.....that will give me plenty of time get everything unpacked, put away, and purge all the things we don't need or won't fit into our new home......how exciting!!!!!! Happy Shopping!

Thrifty and Nifty!

Hey everybody,

Just wanted to remind everyone that it is FREE MOVIE MONDAY! We love to watch movies but can't afford to go out to the theater or rent a $4 movie from well known companies. However, we do love REDBOX and now that they offer a free promotional code every Monday, we haven't paid to see a movie in a really long time!

You can use the code on any movie at the pick-up location and if you have multiple check cards/CC you can get 1 free movie per card. We each have a check card from our bank, so every week we usually pick out one movie for Grant and one grown-up movie! You don't have to return the movie until 9pm on Tuesday evening, so it's a great date night and we really look forward to it every week! This week, I think we are going to get The Tale of Despereaux and maybe Bedtime Stories. We will see how those turn out!

Here is this week's code - 4CW33N - Enjoy!

Also, if you haven't tried SWAGBUCKS yet, you should really give it a try! I only started a week ago using their search engine and am alread halfway to getting a $5 Starbucks card! There are plenty of prizes you can redeem for and they make great gifts or it's a fun way to treat yourself. Why not earn points for searching for things you already need!

Right now at JCPENNEY'S, get $10 off of a $10 or more purchase with online code MOMSGR8. You could end up getting $10 of free stuff! Shipping starts at $4.50 if you choose in-store pick up. Remember to shop through Ebates to get 4 % back on your purchase. I've been looking for a great deal on sheets for Grant's new bed at the new house, so I might just pick up some cheap bedding!

Thrifty and Nifty!

Anyone in need of a haircut?

Well, Amy's Hair Salon at 4904 S. Union Avenue, here in Tulsa, is doing their $2 Tuesday haircuts! I sent Tommy yesterday to get his hair cut and it turned out great! He looks so sexy! The promotion is running every Tuesday, now through the end of MAY! So don't miss out! Keep in mind they do not take CC, cash only, but hopefully everyone has 2 bucks on them! Check it out and let me know if you have a good experience too. I'm thinking of heading there next Tuesday to get my hair cut as well!

Budget Fun!

Some friends have been asking what our budget looks like, so I thought I would post it! We have been so blessed so I want to thank the Lord for all He has given us! This obviously doesn't work for everyone, but it works for us.

This is the budget we will be living off of in Muskegon, it is a combination of amounts that we spend currently, amounts we have spent in the past, amounts we know we will owe in the future, and a little wiggle room to have fun everynow and then. Hope this helps the people who have asked, but like I always say, you have to find something that works for your family, no family is alike!

Groceries $200

House Taxes $138.40
Mortgage $ 250.88
Home Insurance $95
Car Insurance $120
Fuel $150
Electricity $110
Gas $120
Water $70
Cell Phone $76
Sewer/Garbage $15
MOPS $6
Fun $40
Medical/Dental $95
Tithe $312
Maintenance $100
Life Insurance $20
Vacation Fund $10
Health Insurance $360
Gift Fund $20
Student Loans $200
Clothes/supplies $30

(the balance goes all to savings now, but part will probably start going toward extra mortgage payments, med school loans, and home improvements)

Thrifty and Nifty!

So I have to thank Dion for having cool blogs listed on her blog. I have always used coupons but I'm really enjoying using them to the fullest these days. Because of some great sites, today I bought 3 bars of soap and a bag of cat food for $0.38 total!!! (I could have gotten up to 11 bars of soap today and the cat food for that price, but Wal-Mart was running low on my purchases, so I'll head to the other Wally World later) Hooray, and as soon as they get CVS built or I move to Muskegon, whichever comes first, I will be racking in the deals there. It's hard not to find a deal and just go get it, I really have to focus on, "do I need this"or "is it a deal if we've never used it before, but it's only 9 cents today?" There are some really great deals out there but I need to be careful not to go to extremes.

I also thought today, "what a great way to help others!!!" There are many items that I could get for free with coupons and other savings and could donate those to the shelter, I know there are many out there right now that are in much worse shape than we will ever be and it's nice to help out. Last Sunday the sermon was about living within your means and living a Godly life. The message was to share! What a basic concept, something we teach our little ones, but how often is that the last thing on our minds?

Being in nesting mode anyway and having all our things in storage, so I can't go through, organize or clean anything for the new peanut, I have been looking for a project. My husband rolls his eyes at this because he knows he will soon be included in my fun! Aren't things more fun when you do them together? hehe I decided-I WANT TO SHARE- so I open the closets and drawers in our rooms and started purging. I have many clothes that I will never fit again, never have a place to wear, or sadly won't be needing again(unless I get to go back to my dorm days) and I start pitching. Poor Tom is always the reaper of my crazy ideas, so I hate to say more of his stuff left the closet than mine......I love getting rid of other people's stuff!

Then, a few days later it was a "great time" to box up any extras that we don't NEED for the next month before we leave to head north. 10 boxes later, poor Tom has helped me pack and wrap and carry the too full boxes out the garage.....come on moving truck! I think about all the stuff in storage, ahhhhhhhh, oh my. All that stuff that we have lived without for more than a year and have felt almost a freedom from. Don't get me wrong, I love my furniture and cooking things, but I think about some of the things I put into those boxes last February and am almost ashamed that I had all that in my townhouse and then spent time boxing, transporting and storing it. Yuck, what a burden....I can't wait to get to Muskegon, open those boxes, and SHARE!!! As I read about the economy and people losing their jobs and children dying because their family couldn't afford to keep the heat on, I think about how truly blessed we've been, all the stuff we don't need, and how I can help others! I urge you to find a way this week to pass on the blessing.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts 20:35
He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.Luke 3:11