A Little Heavy on the Processed Foods

This week I ended up with more processed foods in my grocery cart than I liked. Admittedly, I had coupons for all of them and, making matters worse, I wasn't impressed with the produce that was on sale. I am so ready for Spring and u-pick strawberries!!

I spent $32.44 and saved $43.93.

Free Items

I had a free product coupon for the DiGiorno 200 Calorie Pizza.

Items Under $1

Bertolli Pasta Sauce - B1G1 Free at $2.85; used Publix coupon for $1 off two and manufacturer's coupon for $.60 off one; cost $.63 each.

Ritz Crackers - B1G1 Free at $3.79; used Target coupon for $1 off two and manufacturer's coupon for $1 off two; cost $.90 each.

Quaker Oatmeal - B1G1 Free at $3.89; bought one at $1.95; used $1 off coupon; cost $.95.

Quaker Granola Bars - B1G1 Free at $2.99; used two $.55 off coupons; cost $.95 each.

If you blog about your shopping trips and savings, please leave a link in the comments and I'll come visit you for inspiration!! Find more money-saving friends at I Heart Publix, Friday Finals and Super Savings Saturday.

2010 Goals: February Update

I've been a bit hesitant to write this post as February was not a good month for progressing in the goals that I set for myself at the beginning of the year. Nevertheless, here's how those 28 days went.

1. Financial

• Finish saving for our family trip to Walt Disney World. Another $100 saved in February!!


• Set up monthly withdrawals into a Roth IRA. We have decided on the amount we will budget for this and are in the process of researching funds ("we" as in my financially-savvy husband).
  
• Find ways that I can generate income. I appreciated the suggestions several of you gave last month and am hopeful that just the right opportunity will present itself.

2. Physical

• Re-read In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan. It's on my nightstand, partially read.


• Eat three servings of fruits and vegetables a day. I am determined that with the arrival of spring, I will meet or exceed this goal most days. Last month? Not so much....


• Exercise four times a week. I'm still walking in the neighborhood a couple of days each week, but doubt I did four times any week during February. Once daylight savings time arrives, I look forward to family bike rides in the evenings after supper.

3. Personal

• Spend at least twenty minutes a day, four days a week, writing (not for the blog). Another goal that fell by the wayside during the last few weeks, this one is really hard for me to prioritize.


• Read one book a month for personal development (marriage, parenting, writing, etc.) Edith Schaeffer's The Hidden Art of Homemaking: Creative Ideas for Everyday Life gave me a new appreciation for simple touches that can add beauty and personality to our homes. I'll share more on what I learned from this book in a later post.


• Redecorate our master bedroom. As I mentioned last month, after some unexpected issues, painting our living area became the primary home improvement project. Thanks to much hard work by my husband, the ceiling is done, as well as most of the trim. I've chosen the paint color for the walls, so we may have this entire project done by the end of this month.

4. Spiritual

• Keep a prayer journal. Here's a goal that I have been able to maintain! However, I've been using the same notebook for prayer requests and Bible study notes, so I want to find a separate journal to be used just for my prayer time.


• Read one spiritual book a month. Reading Moses: The Journey of Faith by F.B. Meyer this month was a real blessing. The book corresponded perfectly with the chapters in Exodus I've been reading in my morning devotions.


• Make spiritual music in the home a priority. Keeping this habit going in the mornings has been an encouragement; someone usually notices if I forget to turn on some music!


• Look for an opportunity each month to bless someone. I am so glad that I included this in my goals for the year as I believe that it makes me more apt to pay attention to the needs of others.

Posting my goals on the blog has made me feel more accountable when it comes to maintaining my focus in some of these areas - so thank you for being my unwitting accountability partners!! How are you doing with your goals for 2010?

Tickle & Tackle

One of our daughters' favorite games is something they invented and call "Tickle and Tackle." (I personally am in no way involved in this adventure!!)

They have been playing "Tickle and Tackle" with their daddy for years; it entails lots of rolling around on the floor as he grabs and tickles them while they squeal with delight. The tackling involves the girls throwing themselves at him while he's seated on the floor and attempting to "knock" him to the ground. Other variations include horseback rides and fairytale reenactments.


My husband is a wonderful father. He's very good at making our children laugh and often lightens the mood when the three of us "girls" are not so cheery. While the day will come when "Tickle and Tackle" will no longer be played on our living room floor, I enjoy witnessing the relationship he is building with our daughters and I know it will pay great dividends in the years to come.

Do your children have a favorite game to play with Daddy? Share any ideas you have for building that father-child relationship!

Innocence

It's one of the special characteristics children are born with, a trait expressed by their wide-eyed wonder and exhibited in their natural curiosity. Though their sin nature is intact, their young minds do not come filled with all of its vile expressions.

I treasure the innocence of my two daughters; I work fiercely to protect it. The world is so eager to rip it from them, to expose their eyes, ears, minds and hearts to vulgar words, violent images and sensual emotions. To block it at every turn often seems like a losing battle, but the importance of the struggle draws me on. I cannot be defeated in this challenge that carries such lifelong implications. From the books they read to the movies they watch, the computer games they play to the friends they make, I must never tire of standing guard. As I pray for the purity of their growing bodies and blossoming minds, I ask God for His wisdom and discernment for each step of the way.

The gift of innocence, once lost, can never be regained. May it live on in my girls, sheltered and cherished, for years to come.

Read about gifts others are unwrapping at Tuesdays Unwrapped.

Potatoes Au Gratin

This is one of those recipes that I've had for years and use often; in fact, I served it tonight for supper along with barbecue pork and green beans. There's no comparison between this dish and the dehydrated potato slices and packet of powdered cheese mix you can buy at the grocery store!

Potatoes Au Gratin

3 to 4 medium-size all-purpose potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
5 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 1/4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup fresh bread crumbs

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease shallow 1 1/2-quart casserole or baking dish. In heavy 2-quart saucepan, cover sliced potatoes with water. [I lightly salt the water.] Heat to boiling; boil just until tender - 6 to 8 minutes. Drain potatoes in colander and set aside.
2. In same saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Gradually stir in milk until smooth.
3. Return saucepan to medium heat and cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened - about 5 minutes. Add cheese, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, just until smooth. Remove from heat.
4. In 1-quart saucepan, melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Remove from heat; add bread crumbs and lightly toss.
5. Layer half the potatoes in greased baking dish. Pour half the sauce over potatoes, lifting slices to cover all potatoes with sauce. Layer remaining potatoes on top and cover with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with bread crumbs.
6. Bake uncovered until potatoes are tender and top is golden, 30 to 40 minutes.

Find many more recipes at Tempt My Tummy Tuesday and Tasty Tuesday.

A Blessing in a Laundry Basket

It's not often that I view a full laundry basket as a blessing, but that was the case on Friday when a good friend dropped off some clothes for our girls. These were items that her daughter didn't need and they are just the right sizes for mine!


When we got home that night, the girls wanted to have a "trying on clothes" party! Articles of clothing were tossed from one bed to the next as they had a wonderful time seeing what each of them could wear.

This thoughtful gesture reminded me that we can often bless others with seemingly small acts of kindness. I don't have to spend a huge amount of money or give large gifts to minister to someone else. Just sharing what I have or using my time to meet the particular need of another family can mean a great deal. An added benefit is that I can cultivate within my children a spirit of generosity as they witness the blessings we receive, and even more so as we are able to do the same for others.

Have you received a blessing lately? We'd enjoy hearing about it.