Leftovers (AKA Encore Performances)

Today was one of those lovely sit under a tree with a glass of sweet tea kind of days. By the time the kids and I bedgrudginly came inside, it was well past time to make dinner. I don't do a good job of planning ahead. Many times leftovers go to waste because, well, I don't want them. I know. I know. That is an expensive habit I am trying to break.

We had some leftover chicken breasts that were just fine but I didn't want to have the same thing again. I happen to notice a bottle of barbecue sauce that was about to expire. Hmm...Ok, that will work.

I chopped up the chicken really fine. No real reason. I just felt all "choppy" I guess. I cooked that with a bit of butter and olive oil. Probably unnecessary, but I don't like dry leftover chicken and we don't do low fat around here anyway. When it was cooked all the way (reheated, really) I added some barbecue sauce. I served that with rice and a side of broccoli (with butter and parmesan cheese). The kids loved it. Not too bad for a last minute dinner.

I would add a picture, but, well....I ate it all before I thought to take one. Ooops!

Back in the Saddle

I was just thinking the other day about all the projects I have going and that I should take pictures for the blog. Oh yeah. Then I remembered I have been neglecting the blog. I have not posted in several months. I make no excuses. Life is busy and frankly I have few "followers" so I was not really letting anyone down. Then I remembered the reason I started the blog: Me. I enjoy jotting down my ponderings and capturing my projects. So here we go.....back at it again.

I Want "S'more" Cake Bars

 

Finished S'More Cake Bars

My little man had to come up with a dessert that he could (mostly) make by himself to take to the Blue and Gold Banquet.  This is a big deal banquet done each year to celebrate the birthday of the Boy Scouts.  Our Den decided to go with a camping theme.  What goes better with camping than s'mores?!

Pink Labels to Organize Daughter's Room

 

The Toy Storage

Can I just start with, holy moly my daughter has alot of stuff.  Wait. ALOT of stuff.  We are getting ready to move and over the last few months I have been systematically sorting, purging, and organizing.  I confess I put off my sweet princess's room because of the shear VOLUME of things.  Doll things. Barbie things. Play food things. Books. Puzzles. Random treasures from beloved fast food empires.  Where to begin?

Life Changes

It has been two months since I last posted.  This crazy little thing called "life" kind of got in the way a bit.  My personal life has gotten a wee bit chaotic and I have had to put this little hobby of mine on hold. 

My husband and I are getting a divorce.  :-(  He moved out in October and this single mom stuff is, well, hard work!
 
Our lease is up in April and I have been trying to figure out what I think would be best for the kids.  I am not in a position to buy a house just yet.  I really don't want to take my kiddo out of his school, but I also can't afford to stay in my house.  So, it has been a whirlwind of looking for a new place and getting the household ready for a move.  I am a big planner when it comes to moves and I am determined to simplify our things before then.  I have been ruthless in sorting our possessions and if we don't need it or love it....it goes! I actually have some ideas about some blogs I could do about the process I have been going through, so stay tuned.  I may be down, but I am not out.

Peace and love,
Debt Free Jen

The Big Toy Purge

Over the long Thanksgiving weekend I had a lot of time to get some projects off my to do list.  We may or may not be moving in the Spring and either way I intend to have less stuff!  I figure if I can do one or two projects each weekend, I will have our house organized and streamlined by Spring.  This weekend's projects included a major cleaning of the boy's room, and pairing down the holiday decor.

Pink Princess Party

Pink Princess Party

For several months my little girl has been telling me she wanted a "Pink Princess Party" for her birthday.  Pink balloons, pink cupcakes, and princess tiaras!  I could have just ordered some Disney Princess Stuff and called it good, but I wanted something a little different.  And, I wanted to do it as frugally as possible!

Spooky Halloween Food 2010



Spooky Food 2010



It is that time of year when thoughts turn to all things spooky.  I admit that before kids I was way more into "Autumn" stuff than anything "Spooky".  My little boy has turned me on to the fun of silly, scary stuff.  Well, mildly scary.  :-)

Tissue Paper Flowers



Tissue Paper Flowers (or Pom Poms)

   My little girl asked for a "pink princess party" and I wanted to make that happen as inexpensively as possible.  I decided tissue paper flowers were a great way to go.  They are cheap (about $1-2 for each one), easy to make, and make a big visual impact.

Fabric Banner



Pink Fabric Banner


  

 It seems like every where I went picking up party stuff for my little one's princess party...I ran into banners!  I must be the last person on the planet to pick up on this "new" trend.  There are a lot of cute ready-made banners that you can pick up cheaply, but they seemed rather "disposable".  I wanted to make something that I could reuse after the party by hanging it in my little girl's bedroom.  I also did not want to spend much (if any) money.

Swagbucks Update 10/03/11

I do Swagbucks to save money for Christmas!  I use Swagbucks as my default search engine and earn points.  I also particpate in polls and watch some videos.  For my efforts I am rewarded with points that I can redeem for Amazon gift cards.  I started this project in June/July 2011.  My goal is to earn $120 worth of Amazon gift cards in time to order Christmas presents for my kids.  Each week I will update with my progress.  Read more about Swagbucks here.  Sign up for Swagbucks here.

Swagbucks Wednesday Update

I do Swagbucks to save money for Christmas!  I use Swagbucks as my default search engine and earn points.  I also particpate in polls and watch some videos.  For my efforts I am rewarded with points that I can redeem for Amazon gift cards.  I started this project in June/July 2011.  My goal is to earn $130 worth of Amazon gift cards in time to order Christmas presents for my kids.  Each week I will update with my progress.  Read more about Swagbucks here.  Sign up for Swagbucks here.

GoGo Squeeze

Have you tried GoGo Squeez?  I will confess that when I first spotted a big display of this stuff at Walmart I thought, "what a ridiculous idea."  My son begged, pleaded, and practically got on his knees whimpering to "just try it".  Uhm, it is just applesauce.  What is the big deal?

Out, Darn Virus. Out!

My apologies for my recent absence.  I had grand ambitions for all the blogging I was going to do over the holiday weekend.  Alas, my computer must have been playing with the wrong crowd because it came down with a nasty virus.  Everything....Every. THING. Was. Gone.  *GASP* I just got it back and now I am catching up on all the wonderful blogs everyone has posted. I have a few projects I am working on for little girl's upcoming birthday party so hopefully I can get those posted this weekend.  I am so excited about her party.  I will give you a small hint: pink, pink, pink!

Food Waste Friday - Week 2

Every week I post about a cool challenge over on The Frugal Girl called Food Waste Friday.  The premise is simple, you take a picture of whatever food went to waste for the week and maybe a few notes about what it is and why it was wasted.  Don't we all just love a good excuse?  The reason is not to gross folks out with garbage bag contents, but to hopefully minimize the amount of waste since we don't want to be embarrassed by it.  Humiliation can be a big motivator!

Aw Shucks! The Versatile Blogger!?!

Here I was feeling a wee bit insecure about my wee little baby blog, when I am bestowed the honor of the Versatile Blogger Award.  Aw shucks, now!  A big ol' thank you to my new friend, adventuresindinner.

What? Your Birthday was LAST Week?

Teacher Gift

Last Monday was the first day back to school for my little man.  He came home very excited and loving 2nd grade.  In the middle of our daily, "Who did you sit with at lunch? What was your favorite activity" chat he casually mentions that last week was his teacher's birthday.  It was on meet-the-teacher night.  I am not feeling guilty for not giving a gift.  I mean, we didn't even know she was his teacher until that night so how could we have prepared?  But, I could not let the event pass without doing something for her.  This week's Frugal Tuesday Tip is a frugal teacher gift.

This Week's Trip to the Farm

We are very blessed to live within a brief car rides distance to a couple of farmer's markets.  But, our very favorite place to go is Homestead Farms.  Mommy gets her fresh veggie fix and the kids run around and look at chickens and bunnies.  My little girl seems to think she has the special power to communicate with the chickens.  The Chicken Whisperer. 

Today's Thrift Store Finds

Popcorn Bowl, Jeans, Flower Pants

I really enjoy shopping at thrift stores. It is like Christmas morning wondering what goodies I will get. I always keep a list of things to be on the look out for and with patience I will eventually come across something that fits the bill.

Food Waste Friday - Week 1

 


Click here to join us at The Frugal Girl

 At the start of the week I posted about a cool challenge over on The Frugal Girl called Food Waste Friday.  The premise is simple, you take a picture of whatever food went to waste for the week and maybe a few notes about what it is and why it was wasted.  Don't we all just love a good excuse?  The reason is not to gross folks out with garbage bag contents, but to hopefully minimize the amount of waste since we don't want to be embarrassed by it.  Humiliation can be a big motivator!