So here’s the deal. Stacy has been a stay at home wife/mom for most of our marriage. I love it! I think it is awesome when I come home that my wife has taken care of our house, our family and me. I didn’t really intend on writing about the merits (and problems) associated with being a (or having a) stay at home mom. Nonetheless, twice this week I was asked about it so here goes. [Read more…]
Archives for March 2012
Crock Pot Cheesy Sausage and Vegetable Soup
Today we have a great post from my colleague, Debra, from Sweet Kisses and Dirty Dishes. Just the name of this soup makes this pregnant mama happy. Chow down! Thanks Debra.
When Stacy asked me to do a guest post for Fix-It-And-Forget Friday, I was smile-from-ear-to-ear-and-giggle-a-bit excited. I immediately started to think about what I would make… and failed three attempts in a row (though don’t worry, the recipe below is a winner!) That lead to three *cough* interesting meals. The food would have been fine if it had been cooked correctly, but I did not know how to use the crockpot for those recipes.
It never occurred to me that I could not just pick up my slightly dusty crock pot and make an amazing meal. I tend to think I can do anything, which leads to a lot of humbling experiences. Ooops. Chicken and broth. Chicken and broth. My crock pot did not realize it could do anything else. Except that one time it cooked meatloaf in a hotel overnight, but that was unusual circumstances. [Read more…]
Our $3,000 Wedding
I’ve mentioned a few times that my sister is getting married in September. It’s caused me to pause and think back to my own wedding. Our wedding was NOT extravagant by any means…but it got the job done and I was pleased with it. 🙂 Through exact adjustments, set up, and precision, our organization provides wedding planner service to couples with the finest wedding planning, designing, and coordination services.
The Average Wedding Budget
I’ll admit that after a bit of research, I feel shell-shocked. It astonishes me that people spend so much on their wedding. The Knot says that the AVERAGE wedding costs $27,800. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Do you know what I could buy with that much money? It gives me heart palpitations. Our wedding budget was $3,000. Quite the contrasting number, huh?
In the realm of unique wedding elements, the inclusion of a tipi is a game changer. Its ability to create a warm, inviting atmosphere is unparalleled, making every moment inside feel special. Opting for a captivating and rustic canopy hire for matrimonial celebrations, ensuring a memorable and cozy ambiance, really sets a wedding apart from the traditional. This choice adds a touch of whimsy and romance, enhancing the overall experience for everyone involved.
[Read more…]A Sunshine Cake for Sunshine Days: Lemon Cake with Lemon Curd Frosting
This month our guest post from Brandy is about cake….and y’all know I love cake. I have personally had a piece of this delicious dessert and it will make your taste buds sing for joy. Make it soon. You won’t be sorry.
The colors of Spring, for me, are lavender and yellow. The lavender of grape hyacinths, lilacs and sweet dresses for little girls. The yellow of daffodils, eggs and strong sunshiny days. This cake is the perfect way to celebrate the arriving warmth of Spring or keep spirits up during the rainy days. I was introduced to it five years ago as a birthday gift from my friend Anna of The Walden Effect.
What is a Reverse Mortgage and is it a Good Idea?
Stacy and I have been seeing a commercial on TV quite a bit lately. It is of “the Fonz” (Henry Winkler) promoting reverse mortgages (see the Youtube video here) and talking about how great they are for seniors who want to enjoy retirement. Well, a friend of ours just so happened to ask what a reverse mortgage is and how it works, so I thought I’d give you a run-down of what a reverse mortgage is, how a reverse mortgage works, and whether or not it is a good idea for you. I know, I know, that means there will probably be some controversy, but I look forward to the healthy (repeat, HEALTHY) debate. So let’s dive in.
First, let’s define what a reverse mortgage is. A reverse mortgage is a loan supported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) where a homeowner age 62 and above can borrow against the equity in his/her home. An equity release calculator can be used to provide an instant initial assessment of the minimum and maximum sums he/she could borrow. A reverse mortgage is only valid on a primary residence. This loan allows seniors to get a lump-sum amount, monthly payments or as a revolving line of credit. Professional mortgage brokers in NZ aim to help homebuyers and homeowners with their mortgage queries. As common sense might tell you based on its name, a reverse mortgage is where the bank pays you money for your house. To keep things simple, we won’t get into the details of how much can be borrowed other than to say you can’t borrow more than the house is worth. [Read more…]
Crock Pot Mexican Pork Roast
Fix and Forget Friday is brought to you this week by my colleague Kate from Modern Alternative Mama. You might have noticed that I’ve had a lot of guest posts on Friday…this pregnancy been a bit rough and food was not my friend during the first trimester (although I’m quickly making up for that). My friends have graciously stepped in to help me. Thanks Kate!
I might be a little crazy.
Recently I decided that I needed to be a better friend, which largely means when my friends need help – I need to step up. So when a friend texted me half in a panic a few days ago and said “Can you please watch my kids on Thursday?” I agreed to do it. Even though it meant switching my work schedule around (which I don’t mind doing). [Read more…]
Ice Cream: Healthier Sweetener Options for this Homemade Treat
I am a lover of all things ice cream. I dream about it…and I dream about making different flavors (hence the Butternut Ice Cream post). It’s my favorite dessert of all time – and my Cuisinart gets LOTS of use around here. But, I started wondering if there were other things that I could sweeten my ice cream with – besides turbinado sugar ( (we don’t like sucanat in ice cream). I’ll just go ahead and tell you the truth – I want to be able to eat more ice cream, so if I feel like it’s HEALTHY then I can eat more…right? Yes. Amen. So, I tried three different “healthy” sweeteners to see which ranked the highest: honey, liquid stevia, and maple syrup. [Read more…]
Easy Ways to Save Money: Negotiating and Bartering to Stay Within Budget
Quick Survey
Who thinks Stacy and I are cheap? If you said “yes,” thank you. I am proud of the fact that we don’t pay retail for virtually anything and we are always looking for ways to save money. More importantly, we’re always looking for the best ways to save money and easy ways to save money. Today I want to spend a little time talking about two things you’re either really excited about or scared to death to try: negotiating and bartering.
When to Negotiate
Negotiation isn’t just something that occurs during a hostage situation where the bad guys want pizza, $5,000,000 and a private jet to the Caymans. Negotiation should occur anytime you buy something at a place where there is a chance to save some money. You’re probably not going to walk into a big box store and do a lot of negotiating, but many stores and just about every person is willing to negotiate price if you’re willing to ask. I’ve shared the story before that when we got the final bill for Annie’s birth, the first thing I did was call the hospital and tell them I wanted to pay it in full, but I expected a discount. With no hesitation, they said they’d give me 20% off. Considering the bill was over $1,300, that phone call was worth almost $300. Voila! [Read more…]
Crock Pot Minestrone
Y’all today we have a guest post by my awesome friend, Becca from Frugal Wannabe. I met Becca at a workshop and she’s been a blessing to me ever since. Crock on!
I admit, I’m one of those weird people who can and will eat and/or make soup any time of year, even in summer. So, yes, I am bringing you a soup recipe when it’s warmish weather! I also love using my Crockpot, because I have 4 kids to care for during the day, which means almost no free time, and standing over the stove leaves plenty of opportunity to forget and burn food. I am known for burning grilled cheese sammiches. Oh well, on to the recipe!
To make this yummy soup, you need lots of fresh, yummy ingredients. You could use frozen if you want, but why, when you can use fresh?! Look at all this goodness.
See that onion? Don’t mind that. I forgot that I was using leeks and stuck it in the picture. Oh well, it still looks good, right? [Read more…]
Crock Pot Cranberry Apple Stuffed Pork Loin
Today I’m drooling over this recipe….meat is my friend right now. My new buddy Kate from Feathering The Crow’s Nest is posting for y’all today….and you’re going to drool too. Thanks Kate!
I’m a recent convert to the crockpot. Not that I didn’t use a crockpot before, but now that I’m home with my girls, it’s become a staple in our house. I’ll be honest, it’s just easier to fix something quickly and then spend the rest of the day chasing my girls down…and yes, they do move that quickly.
Once I became a fan of Stacy, my love of the crockpot deepened even more. I used to think crockpots were only useful for soups and meats covered in some type of sauce. Now I make our yogurt, breakfast casseroles, oatmeal, and even “fancier” dinner items consistently.
Today I wanted to share one of the “fancier” items I regularly cook, Cranberry Apple Stuffed Pork Loin. It’s a recipe that I like for company. A delicious meal that is easy to throw together, but will impress whomever is coming to dinner. It started as an oven roasted recipe, but I found myself crouched over the hot oven basting the pork…forever. A great taste, but inefficient and all of us mommies know that an efficient use of your time is key to a happy mom. [Read more…]