Pallet for Home

Nate always wanted a blue room but I never thought I would agree to it. Surprisingly, I love it! It looks great with our new furniture. We just need to add some more blinds on the small windows, curtains, and decor! 

This was our first paint project. You can't tell how bad those stripes were in this guest room from the pictures, but if you saw them in person, you would have seen how crooked and messy they were. It took us an entire gallon of primer to cover them before we could paint the room. Curtains and decor are still needed, but the stripes are gone and the green is a lot of fun!  Before

We painted the downstairs powder bathroom about a month ago. We also took off the mirror and replaced it with a more unique one. These sconces are THE ONLY thing we have hung up on a wall in this house! The bathroom still needs some artwork, but it's better looking than the stark white and boring mirror.   Before

<sup>The Pioneer Woman Cooks!

20</sup> He who walks with wise men will be wise,
      But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
       (Proverbs 13:20, New King James Version)

Every Wednesday, I'll  be posting about someone with whom I've been walking. It might be through books, movies, or a personal relationship that I've been spending time with these wise men and women, and I'll share a bit of the wisdom I've gleaned from my time with them.  Today's wise one is Ree Drummond.

I've been reading over at Ree's place and if you need a laugh, you should probably spend a little time with this self described "desperate housewife who channels Lucy and Ethel."  We had a fantastic sammy for dinner tonight, thanks to Pioneer Woman. You can find the recipe in that sammy link, and a bunch like it in her cookbook.

I got this new sewing machine named Helga so I can make the blown tire messenger bag, newsprint cosmetic case, and blown tire hobo purse that are on backorder. I'm so excited! I decided Helga is the perfect name for her because it's burly, heavy, kick-ass and pretty much all around perfect for the massive sewing machine that it is. Everything on it works just fine but I didn't bother to figure out how to thread it before I spent several hundred dollars on it. It's been 3 long days now and it seems like as soon as I'm ready to start working, something comes up and I can't. The needle just falls out or  the stitch doesn't catch or I put the bobbin in wrong. After 2 days, I finally found the manual online. Click here to get the product list and service manual. It has everything you need for a Singer 660 A203. I know there's several people online searching for it.

Since the Pantry Challenge, I've been more creative in my cooking, mostly because I was inspired not to spend more than I need to for nutritious foods.  Since we have a small family, I don't need to do the OAMC or bulk cooking like some bloggers, because for us, it leads to waste.  It's just not MY mindset.

I did learn that I need to branch out a bit, and utilize my at~home days to experiment a bit more with new recipes.  I was also inspired to use my small appliances a bit more.  I have a Bosch Compact mixer, and need to use it more often, so today I made the most delicious Bran Muffins I have ever had! 

I tweaked a Raisin Bran Muffins recipe I found here.  Here's my version:

Fiber One Raisin Bran Clusters Muffins

1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup ground Flax seed

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder

3 cups Fiber One Raisin Bran Clusters cereal
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Directions ~

Preheat oven to 350°F.

In a small bowl, combine 1 tbsp sugar,cinnamon and Flax. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, stir together flour, 1/2 cup sugar, salt and baking powder. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl (I used my Bosch bowl), combine cereal,  milk, egg and oil. Let stand about 3 minutes or until cereal is softened. Beat well. (Flakes and clusters were still distinguishable after beating about 2 minutes.)

Add flour mixture to cereal mixture and stir just until combined. Scoop into lined or greased muffin cups. Sprinkle evenly with topping.

Bake approximately 25 ~ 30 minutes, or until tester comes out clean.
 
 
I told my picky eater they were Cinnamon Muffins, and she approved, so no problems passing these off to the children!  They are moist and I believe they will freeze well, which is great since my muffin tins are not bakery sized, and the recipe made 18 muffins. 
 
Hope you enjoy them!

This post shared with Jen...

I'm loving the useful printables being offered lately!  Here's another great one.

$0.75/3 Contadina Tomato Products

If you are doing the $4 Kotex rebate I mentioned in this post, here's a deal (still a decent price without the rebate: $1.50 or $1 for 2 packs):

Kotex, MM
TOTAL: $2.50 (or $3) MM
SALE: 2/$6
MQ: $1.50/2 (IP) or $2/2 (1/10 SS)
AD Q: n/a
RR: Buy 2 get $3RR
MATH: $6 - $1.50/2 (or $2/2)Q=$4.50 (or $4) - $3RR
= $1.50 (or $1)-$4 rebate
= -$2.50 (-$3 with insert Qpn)

There are coupons on Smartsource.com for $5/2 and $2/1 John Freida Root Awakening Hair Care (excl. trial sizes). I think that makes the John Freida a pretty good deal:

John Freida Root Awakenings Hair Care, GDA
TOTAL: $3 for 3 bottles
SALE: Select John Freida Hair Care products (Root Awakenings is pictured) 3/$15
MQ: $5/2 Root Awakenings IP, $2/1 Root Awakenings IP
AD Q: N/A
RR: $5 RR when you buy $15 worth of John Freida Hair Care
MATH: $15 - $5 IP - $2 IP = $8 oop, Earn $5 RR = $3/3

Nabisco Ritz Crackers, .02 MM
TOTAL: -$0.02
SALE: $0.99
MQ: $2/2 Nabisco crackers, any
Printable (IE)
AD Q:
RR:
MATH: $0.99 X 2 = $1.98- $2/2 = -$0.02MM

It's being reported that there are 2 sets of IVC coupons available at Walgreens.  They would look like black and white copies of coupons, and would be located at the front coupon stands.

If you're looking for candy bars for Valentine's Day, here's a potential deal.  I've been told Mars Muskateer Bars were producing RR's and if you buy 3 you get $1RR and if you buy 4 you get $1.50. Here's the Catalina info:

"Buy Any 3 Muskateers Products During Purchase dates 1/25/10 - 2/21/10:
Buy 3 get $1 RR or Buy 4 Get $1.50 RR"

Dove Men's Printables can be found here, combine them with Dove Men's Bodywash deal for a moneymaker!

Psalm 78:4-8 (New Living Translation)


4 We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
5 For he issued his laws to Jacob;
he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
to teach them to their children,
6 so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
7 So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.
8 Then they will not be like their grandparents—
stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful,
refusing to give their hearts to God.

Tamara and her husband, Peter Lowe, have been producing business seminars for many years. Over that time, she has worked with thousands of individuals and used her skills to identify patterns of human behavior.  Those personality qualities have been broken down into six categories.  Each person fits three of the six. After taking the online test, my results show that I am a PSE: The Chief.  What does that mean?  Take the test and be sure to include my email address so I can see your results as well!  *isupply at cox dot net*

The purpose of this book is to empower the reader to identify not only their own character traits and weaknesses, but also the traits and weeknesses of those with whom they interact.  Through this understanding, the reader can then communicate and relate to their family, friends, and peers using styles and techniques to which they easily respond.

For example, because I am a teacher, it is important to me to be able to not only communicate clearly to my students, but to understand and make connections with them so that I might have the opportunity to inspire, empower and motivate them to achieve their full potential.  It is not enough to simply teach my students facts or information.  As a leader, I must inspire them to take that knowledge and apply it in every day life.  Tamara teaches that "extensive information" alone is not enough; we must also inspire "appropriate action." 

That is, I believe, the definition of wisdom.

Knowledge rightly applied is our goal, and GET MOTIVATED! is a wonderful resource from which to draw understanding.  With chapters covering business, family life, and parening, this book applies to more than the boardroom, and should be required reading for new parents, teens, and recent college graduates especially. 

Reading portions of this book caused me to recognize characteristics in myself that I can utilize to become more focused, resourceful and goal-oriented.  My main reason for reading this book was to develop relationship skills to resolve conflict with personalities other than my own.  I believe there is a degree of understanding that comes with reading, but in my case, I need to take notes, study them, do worksheets, and role play to really apply what I have read.  If you are a note-taker, plan on writing in this book!

I would love to see Tamara Lowe develop more interactive online resources to help apply the principles found in this book, especially for parents and teachers, and parents who are teachers!  I personally found that information to be the most valuable, probably because that is my chosen profession.

It's a lackluster week for sales at CountryMart!  There are a few deals worth mentioning...

Lemons or Limes 4/$1 are cheaper than Aldi's this week.

Taco Bell Seasoning 2/$1

Taco Bell Salsa $0.99 after coupon
use -$1/1 Taco Bell Home Originals Salsa or Salsa con Queso, Any  - All You, February 2010

Dole Greener Select Fresh Salad 2/$1 after coupon
use -$1/2 Dole Salad Blends from Healthy Lifestyles Savings flyer on display at door

If we get Dawn coupons in the Proctor & Gamble inserts tomorrow, it might make for a good deal ont the dish soap on sale 10/$10.  We'll see tomorrow!

I haven't posted in several days because my daughter and I have both been battling illness.  I hope to have the CountryMart match-ups posted this afternoon sometime.  Thanks for your patience!!!

Well... here goes nothing. Nate and I have decided to start a blog to help keep friends and family up to date with what is going on in our lives here in Bend. We purchased our first house this summer and we have been adding/changing/improving every week (some weeks more than others). We are in the middle of the 'paint' stage. It's been comical because Nate is quite color blind. Most of the tans that I picked out were pink to him, so it looks like we are going with more of a gray color. Our bedroom is almost done. We painted it "stone fence" which is a blue/gray. Pictures of before, during, and after will come soon! Thanks for checking out our blog!

In the meantime, we use a heavy duty cloth shopping bag that was gifted to me by another friend.  We see each other once a week, and usually trade the bag at that time.  It's been fun to see how creative we can be in what we give.  Last week, I gave her a pair of ceramic French Country figurines I have had in my den for years.  I know they'll look fab in her house, and I can't wait to look for them the next time I'm over.

We do have an understanding that anything the receiver doesn't want can be regifted to someone else we might know, and no one has hard feelings if that happens.  It just makes it easier to give things that way!

I'd love to hear if you have a way you like to share or give on a regular basis, maybe through a club, or your church, Biblestudy, or local group of friends. I'd also like to hear of any blog giveaway experiences you've had.  I haven't done a giveaway on my blog yet, but I'm thinking about doing so in the near future, and would love to hear comments or thoughts on the subject!

(Edited to add:  I just read some of the linky posts over at Amy's and had to go clean out a kitchen drawer! So, add 9 more items to my total ~ now I'm at 70!!! Whoot.)

Part of bargain shopping is keeping an eye out for items that will be going on clearance.  Since I live in a very small town, our local grocer is easy to visit a few times a week while I'm out for other things.  Last week, I was able to find a great deal on my favorite Yancey's Fancy Cheese, Roasted Garlic.  Regularly $5.49, this cheese was half price, plus the cashier was training another employee and told her the price was $1.74 instead of $2.74 as marked.

They rang up 4 before we all realized what had happened, and the trainer didn't want to void the order, so she rang them all at that price!  Talk about being in the right place at the right time.  Anyway, I also had $0.50 coupons, which doubled, and paid with a gift card so I spent zero OOP for this tasty cheese!

Now, I'm sure you're wondering what I'm going to do with all that cheese...

One of my favorite places to eat is Mahogany Prime Steakhouse.  If you're ever in the Tulsa area, you really need to check them out.  The menu is a little pricey, but for a special occasion or tax deductible business meal, it's completely worth it.  We always order their Au Gratin Potatoes, and I've created a recipe similar to theirs.  Here's my version of Mahogany's Au Gratin Potatoes.

4-5 large Russet potatoes, baked and cooled
1-2 pints heavy cream
salt & pepper to taste
smoked Cheddar cheese, grated
butter

Grease a casserole dish with spray.  Slice the potatoes in1/4 inch rounds.  Pour small amount of cream in dish, then layer in potatoes; sprinkle with cheese, and season with salt & pepper.  Repeat with remaining ingredients, dotting in small bits of butter.  End by pouring small amount of cream over top.  Cream should almost cover all other ingredients.  Bake at 350 until golden on top. 

Don't blame me if you become addicted to this recipe. It's pretty much a heart attack in a dish!

I like to use the Smoked Cheddar Cheese from Swans Dairy in Claremore, Oklahoma, but it's not available year round. You can order the cheese during the cooler months from that link above.  When I can't get the smoked cheese, the Yancey's Roasted Garlic makes a wonderful substitute.

If you like Yancey's Fancy Cheese, be sure and write the company to let them know.  I did, and received several coupons, a note pad, and some recpies from their fabulous customer service rep.  If you haven't tried Yancey's, you must! It's delish!