Another year lived...

and lived well.

My sweetheart took me out for a night on the town. Which really means, dinner and a movie. It was so nice to sit and talk during dinner and hold hands during the movie. Robin Hood was very good. Russell Crowe was a very handsome long bow carrying, arrow shooting, hero of the story. The movie kind of reminded us of Gladiator (which we loved) in the whole epic story sorta way. Let me tell ya, those folks really needed a toothbrush. You'll understand if you see the film.

My man was my handsome hero of the day.

He made this delectable treat for my birthday. Homemade carrot cake (my fave) with real cream cheese frosting. It da bomb yo!! Seriously, he even pulled the carrots from the garden. Now, if that's not homemade.....



For supper, he pulled together a lil surf and turf. I don't know but it feels like today must have been my birthday or something.

My babies poured on the love and I soaked it all in.

I finished the day sitting on the front porch with a cup of coffee, a cool breeze, enjoying the sound of a Summer rain.

Contentment in this life!

Finding the Deals...

It's been a while since I posted about grocery shopping and frugal finds. I'm still couponing every week but I no longer shop for the cheapest food at the market. After all, this is the sustenance that is going into our bodies. There are somethings you don't want just because it's cheap.




This weeks best deals and savings...I made a rare stop by the Food lion for a stock up sale on Edy's ice cream and fruit bars (Big girl birthday party coming up). With the Edy's the more you buy the more you save. They were 1.99-$1/2mf cp=1.49 each. Tostitos are bogo at 3.99 and I had a tear pad coupon for a free bag of kettle chips when you buy 2 tostitos. Remember all that homemade salsa we are about to make......I just found its match. (I likes me some tostitos and salsa when we're out by the pool.):)


In our efforts, to be choosier about our food, we have switched to all organic milk and meat. Some good friends, included us in the purchase of all grass fed beef. We purchased 1/4 of a cow for two dollars per pound. For $200 we filled our freezer with lean, delicious, hormone/antibiotic free beef.


Also, at Food Lion, All detergent for $2.99-$2.00 manf. coupon=.99 each. Good stock up price! I have six months worth of detergent in my stockpile but when I find it for $1.00.....stock it.

Last, my stop by the Publix (iheartpublix).

Quick list:

Orvill R. popcorn bogo 2.99-2x.75manf.cp=.75 each box.

Betty Crock. brownies at %50 off 1.31-$1/2=.81 each

Crystal Light bogo at 3.99-$1.00cp= $1.00 each (these are 4.00 regular price) I love Crystal Light and I had 14 on my list but they where out of stock, but I got my trusty rain check for next week. We really go through this stuff on hot Florida days. I need to replenish my supply. :)

Ritz bogo last week on rain check for 3.69-2.00cp=.85 each

Kellogg's cereal bogo 4.39-.70 blinkie=1.50 each (stock up price for cereal)

Infusium shampoo+conditioner FREE.....5.99 each -bogo publix cp -3.00 manf.cp -3.00 Walgreens competitor coupon.

Aussie shampoo and styling product on sale 2.39-2.00manf cp.=.39 each

Have I said lately that I love Publix. They really go above and beyond.....and shopping is always a pleasure. Not just because they have a awesome coupon policy and I get free shampoo. The staff are always so friendly, the store is always clean, and I love their Greenwise products. No one snarls at me when I hand over my stack of coupons. :) Over this past year, I see so many shoppers with their big coupon notebooks. That is not me!! I carry a tiny little binder and it is well organized. The notebook stays home, where all the planning is done before I get to the store. I have a list, my coupons organized (almost OCD like people) and I get in and get out. Mission Accomplished!!!

The YODA of coupons.....just jokin yaw...;p

Please don't think I feed my family brownies and chips for dinner. If you have never read my couponing101 post (August 09), then you probably don't get my method of shopping. I shop for the staples like milk and bread weekly but I stockpile the best deals each week. This way I never pay full price when I need something. We grow our own produce and what we don't grow, I buy locally grown. Eggs.....well those are fresh every morning.

I'm just curious, any couponing HOME ECONOMIST visiting here??

Lovely day to you!

(all of these deals can be matched up at southernsavers.com and iheartpublix.com)

Everybody's Granny

Mamie Lee Woodard

Born to this Earth January 27, 1917 - Departed into Heaven May 15, 2010When I think of her,

the scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 immediately comes to mind.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

These words are the embodiment of this precious lady.

Just about everyone that knew her called her granny.

Even her own children referred to her as "granny."

(photo above is of five generations)

Great Granny Woodard, my grandmother, my mother, myself, and my first born.



Garrett and his great great grandmother!


Today during her funeral, I felt deep sadness. Not for granny but for me!
It overwhelmed me, that I wish so much, I had known her better.

It seems, the times we made the trip to visit her was during a large celebration.
She was one of ten children and she had six children of her own, 35 grand children, 101 great grands, and now great great grands, plus friends....she was always surrounded with love.
But
these large gatherings left little one on one time.

Hearing stories about her today....
made my heart long to sit with her again.
To have her wrap her sweet little arms around me and say "you come visit granny."
She has always said these words to me, ever since I was a little girl.
It was her old claw foot tub that I wrote about in an earlier post.
So many memories in her little ole two story house.
Today, was the first time in a few years that I returned to her house.
It was the first time without her and her, most wonderful, three layer German chocolate cake.
She was a Southern lady through and through....born in Cordele, Georgia.

She could cook like a Southern lady too!

(my mother and Granny Easter 80's)




Her home was a place of hospitality.
(While some struggle in this area)
she always used her home to welcome you in.


Always quick to share a word of wisdom with you.
My mom always makes reference to her "now Granny Woodard always says......"

Yes, I heard that a lot growing up and still to this day.
I call it Granny wisdom. ;)




Her 90th Birthday party. Our family gathered around her.
One of many many large family photos taken that day.



In all my years,
I never heard her use bad language or say anything mean about another person.
Her voice was as soft as the heart beating in her chest.



I will miss you sweet precious granny!
Until that day we shall meet on that beautiful shore.

~(written for my children Garrett and Grace. So you will know and remember her.)

Green Beans in the Garden

What says Summer more than, snapping green beans on the front porch. I remember so many summer days sitting on my grandfather's porch shelling peas by the bushel. We would shell so many beans my thumbs would be raw for days. We're doing our best to create those same memories (and skills) for our children.

It is my hope for them, to know how to grow and preserve their own food. This world is uncertain at times. We must know how to provide for ourselves and others.

These lessons, you just won't find in school but you will in our school.



This is a learning experience for our entire family.
We had never canned vegetables before today.
It was really very easy!
We hope to be canning all Summer, filling the pantry with our harvest.

All you really need is a pressure canner and jars.

Fresh organically grown and preserved green beans.

Spend time with your family learning something new this Summer.

Learn to bake fresh bread, plant seeds in the earth, harvest a crop of something even if it is just tomatoes. Real soon, we will be in abundance of tomatoes. I plan on canning tomato sauce, making fresh salsa, and anything else I can think of with all these tomatoes.

From my homestead to yours, blessings to you!

(If you have any questions on how to can vegetables, I'm happy to help.)

Children in the Corn

He who works his land will have abundant food,

but he who chases fantasies lacks judgement.

Proverbs12:11Sorry friends, blogging has taken a back seat these past few weeks. Life and beautiful weather draws me out doors most days. The work load has doubled since the garden is in full growth. Weeds, weeds, and more weeds...if we don't keep up with the

weeds, they will take over.
The whole family pitches in with the work.

My girl rounds up her Spring chicks.

This is our biggest garden so far and it is growing so beautifully.

Green beans and zucchini

squash

Lots of corn to fill our freezer.

and much more...

Still with all the work,

we remember to find time to smell the roses...

Some days,

my cup runs over and over and over some more. :)

God's goodness and blessings abound in this life.

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to

mind your own business and to work with your

hands, just as we told you, so that your daily

life may win the respect of outsiders and so

that you will not be dependent on anybody.

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

my special day

My boy woke up early Saturday morning thinking it was Mothers day. He had a plan! He locked himself in my closet for an hour up to something, he was. When he finally emerged, I gently informed him Sunday is mothers day. All day, he was eager to give me his gift but we waited. Early Sunday morning, they surprised me with special gifts. This beautiful love letter from my boy to his best girl. See that's him and I, he is telling me "I love you" and happy muthrs day. Treasure this, I will!

Bring on the jewelry! They say, "diamonds are a girl's best friend" but I say my jewelry made of beads are this girl's treasure. I have lots! :) These are my newest mothers day editions.

My sweet husband made a big breakfast and then cleaned the kitchen. He also, made dinner and cleaned the kitchen. I was left speechless.......for about a minute. Wonderful man of mine! I could grow to love this side of you that cooks and cleans. ;)


I spent the rest of my day enjoying my family on such a beautiful day.

Laughing at silly boys! Remember that old break dance move the "kick worm" this is my nephew's version. He was surprisingly good at it for such a big boy. He keeps us laughing!

Garrett had to give it a go! No such luck with lift off, but still, very funny to watch.

My sweet mama!

My boy showing some off some of his dance moves. He does that a lot!

Thank you family for a wonderful day.

I get to be their mom and that makes my everyday MOTHERS DAY.

Someone Has To Do It

The reality about cooking, cleaning, and laundry is that they have to be done. No way around it! It doesn't matter if you are single, married, children or no children, someone has to do it. No one is going to show up and do the wash for you.

Of course you could pay someone to do it, but would they put their heart into the home like you would? Would they plan a healthy meal with fresh ingredients from the garden? Would they create a home that your family loves to live in?

As homemakers we have the opportunity to take our time with these daily tasks. We don't have to be in fast forward all the time. We can make our homes a place of comfort and contentment. Creating a legacy of love and joy for our children.

I hope to encourage you to live a thoughtful and meaningful life as you make a home. Serving your family can be creative and fulfilling if you make the choice for it to be. Each moment you can choose to notice life's little luxuries, the beauty around you, and give praise to your creator for all your blessings.

Laugh with your children, enjoy fresh warm towels, the birds outside your kitchen window, the smell of fresh brewed coffee and realize that each new day is a gift from God.

Someone has to do it. I'm so grateful it gets to be me.

I want to wish you all a

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

Be blessed my friends!

Duck at the Door

Reading is my favorite past time. I love good books. It is my hope, that my children grow to appreciate books throughout their lives. Already, my daughter shares my love for reading. This is her favorite right now. I must say, mine too! :)

It was a quiet night until...

Knock, Knock, Knock!

It's a Duck!

Max, is his name!

Max moves right on in and makes himself at home.


In February he discovered he had a flair for cooking.


Max, quickly takes over the house.
Someone had to talk to Max.
But who??

Just then Max burst into the room yelling, "Listen to the quacking! My flock has returned! I can't wait to see them."

Just like that Max was gone.



Life was ordinary again.
Nobody took over the remote and
Brody didn't have to share his bed.

Oh, how they all missed Max!
sniff, sniff...


What happens next??

I'll not ruin the ending for you.

Fridays are our field trip to the library.
We love to explore all the books. After the library, we feed the ducks.
Gracie always wants to bring the ducks home.
But mom bribes her with ice cream scoops instead.


Happy Day!!