As I sit here with only 1 hour left of 2011, I wonder what the new year will bring for me.
It's funny how New Years Eve brings about so many thoughts of a fresh start, resolutions and change. I do have my own little ritual on New Years Eve. I wash all the bed sheets, take a shower and put on clean pajamas....that way my new year starts clean. But should it really be such a big deal?
We hear all the time that most New Year's Resolutions fail within the first month. Why is that? I think we put so much pressure on ourselves to make sure that things are different beginning on January 1st. If we slip and fall off the wagon then somehow we've failed ourselves and all those goals, hopes and dreams are ruined.
I will admit that I have some things that I'd like to change about myself. I hope, and plan, to make those changes every day. So why should January 1st be any different? If I wake up tomorrow and fail on one of my "resolutions" am I ruined for the rest of the year? Nope...I don't think so.
Tomorrow, to me, is just another day. It's a frest start like every morning is. A start at being a better mom, a better wife, a better friend, a better sister, a better daughter...a better me. I may fail at one or all of those goals, but the good thing is that January 2nd will be another day too. Another frest start...
After I finish this I will hop in the shower because, well, that's what I do (and I need one). I'll crawl into bed and read my book before drifting off to sleep. I will wake up in the morning and put a new calendar on the wall and start my new day...it will just happen to be 2012.
I wish you all a wonderful New Year's Day and a frest start...for every day.
Love
Stephanie
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
After Christmas Shopping at King Soopers
Since my husband it working today, and I don't have the energy to take both of my kids out to the big stores with me, my main after Christmas shopping will have to wait until tomorrow.
Since my in-laws will be arriving tomorrow afternoon, I had just a few last minute groceries to pick up so I loaded the kids up and we went to King Soopers.
Besides my groceries (no big food scores to tell about), I did go through the seasonal aisle and picked up a few items at 50% off. I snagged a few replacement light bulbs for our outdoor lights (I probably should have bought more than I did so I'll be watching for more), a few of those gel clings that you can stick on windows (Nora loves helping me put those up) and these other great deals that will be perfect year round...
I found some 2 prong to 3 prong converters. They aren't exactly like these, but you get the idea. I had a couple times recently when I had a 3 prong item and only a 2 prong outlet available. They were under $2 on sale and will go straight into the cabinet above my dryer (with all the other household items), I also picked up a Three Outlet Adapter, similar to this (not GE brand). It was also under $2 with the sale so it's another great item to just have on hand.
A big score for me was picking up some Bic Candle Lighters. They are similar to these but are white. I don't know what the difference between the "Candle" lighters and the regular red ones are but these are used frequently in our house. They were 50% off, priced at $1.99, and I had 3 coupons I used. Two were for $1 off (so I bought two for .99) and one for $2 off so I got one FREE!
I also saw a few extension cords and other useful year round items so, even if you don't go out to the big stores today, you can find some great deals just about anywhere...for any time of year. :)
Happy Saving!
Stephanie
Since my in-laws will be arriving tomorrow afternoon, I had just a few last minute groceries to pick up so I loaded the kids up and we went to King Soopers.
Besides my groceries (no big food scores to tell about), I did go through the seasonal aisle and picked up a few items at 50% off. I snagged a few replacement light bulbs for our outdoor lights (I probably should have bought more than I did so I'll be watching for more), a few of those gel clings that you can stick on windows (Nora loves helping me put those up) and these other great deals that will be perfect year round...
I found some 2 prong to 3 prong converters. They aren't exactly like these, but you get the idea. I had a couple times recently when I had a 3 prong item and only a 2 prong outlet available. They were under $2 on sale and will go straight into the cabinet above my dryer (with all the other household items), I also picked up a Three Outlet Adapter, similar to this (not GE brand). It was also under $2 with the sale so it's another great item to just have on hand.
A big score for me was picking up some Bic Candle Lighters. They are similar to these but are white. I don't know what the difference between the "Candle" lighters and the regular red ones are but these are used frequently in our house. They were 50% off, priced at $1.99, and I had 3 coupons I used. Two were for $1 off (so I bought two for .99) and one for $2 off so I got one FREE!
I also saw a few extension cords and other useful year round items so, even if you don't go out to the big stores today, you can find some great deals just about anywhere...for any time of year. :)
Happy Saving!
Stephanie
My Christmas Success
I have to brag just a little bit...and it's my blog so I'm allowed to do that.
Yesterday we hosted Christmas for my family here at our house. There was 11 of us total, including Jim's younger brother who flew in from TX that morning. As I mentioned earlier, I planned a barbeque meal instead of the traditional ham or turkey. I was really nervous, hoping and praying it would all come out well....and it did!
You can see my previous post for links to the recipes, but I made a beef brisket and followed the directions exactly (except it marinated for longer than 24 hours) and it turned out fabulous! The only thing I did differently was, after 5 hours in the oven, I took it out, sliced it, put a little BBQ sauce on it (partially to start getting the flavor and also for a "liquid") and put it in a crock pot to keep warm. I needed the oven for other things so out it went.
The pulled pork was AMAZING! I messed up and purchased the wrong cut of pork roast so I actually started it the night before and let it cook in the slow cooker for approx. 12 hours. It was FALLING off the bone. It was perfect!
I also cooked up some baked beans in a crock pot and was told by my brother in law that they were the best baked beans he's ever had! I used a recipe from the Fix It and Forget It Cookbook. Let me know if you'd like it. :)
My mom supplied some cole slaw and a jello salad, which my grandmother helped with, along with a cranberry salad. We also had au gratin potatoes, corn bread, rolls, dill pickles and olives. It was fabulous. My recipes are definatly keepers and any time I'm hosting Christmas at our house, barbeque it will be!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas filled with love, good food and good company.
Yesterday we hosted Christmas for my family here at our house. There was 11 of us total, including Jim's younger brother who flew in from TX that morning. As I mentioned earlier, I planned a barbeque meal instead of the traditional ham or turkey. I was really nervous, hoping and praying it would all come out well....and it did!
You can see my previous post for links to the recipes, but I made a beef brisket and followed the directions exactly (except it marinated for longer than 24 hours) and it turned out fabulous! The only thing I did differently was, after 5 hours in the oven, I took it out, sliced it, put a little BBQ sauce on it (partially to start getting the flavor and also for a "liquid") and put it in a crock pot to keep warm. I needed the oven for other things so out it went.
The pulled pork was AMAZING! I messed up and purchased the wrong cut of pork roast so I actually started it the night before and let it cook in the slow cooker for approx. 12 hours. It was FALLING off the bone. It was perfect!
I also cooked up some baked beans in a crock pot and was told by my brother in law that they were the best baked beans he's ever had! I used a recipe from the Fix It and Forget It Cookbook. Let me know if you'd like it. :)
My mom supplied some cole slaw and a jello salad, which my grandmother helped with, along with a cranberry salad. We also had au gratin potatoes, corn bread, rolls, dill pickles and olives. It was fabulous. My recipes are definatly keepers and any time I'm hosting Christmas at our house, barbeque it will be!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas filled with love, good food and good company.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Halo Heaven
I ordered from this company before and I just did it again!! Nora LOVED the items she's been given already (from my first order) and (shhh, don't tell her) but grandma is giving her more of it for Christmas.
Use the code "2012" at checkout to get 50% off your order!!!! The current coupon code is good until Dec. 31st and it is definatly worth it to hop over there and see what you can find. Here's the best part...orders over $20 get FREE SHIPPING (so make sure your order is $40 or more before the code)! My order is below...I picked up 34 items for just $20.14!
Nora is going to be in heaven!! I even found a few things for Emmett. And even if all of this does stay in our house, what an inexpensive way to pick up some gifts for other little girls or boys.
Use the code "2012" at checkout to get 50% off your order!!!! The current coupon code is good until Dec. 31st and it is definatly worth it to hop over there and see what you can find. Here's the best part...orders over $20 get FREE SHIPPING (so make sure your order is $40 or more before the code)! My order is below...I picked up 34 items for just $20.14!
Nora is going to be in heaven!! I even found a few things for Emmett. And even if all of this does stay in our house, what an inexpensive way to pick up some gifts for other little girls or boys.
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It's the most busiest time of the year
I know that the title of this post is not a good excuse for not keeping up with my blog...but it's the only one I have right now. I've slacked on both my blogs this last month. It's not that I have nothing to blog about. I think about it frequently. The problem is actually sitting down, when inspiration hits, and being able to type out what's in my head. So here's a little bit of randomness for your reading enjoyment...
Although I've been couponing I haven't had any BIG hauls lately. There are a few treats out there to be had (like FREE Toblerone, gum and kids' potty wipes at King Soopers this week!), but between the weather and just the normal busy-ness of the season, I haven't been out and about too much away from King Soopers.
The kids and I have done a little crafting but not too much. Just coloring some wooden ornaments that I bought at JoAnn's, on clearance, after Christmas last year. We made some paper chains and hung them up in the kitchen...that's about it. I always tell myself that I'm going to get better with doing projects with my kids but Emmett's just a little too young so his attention span it pretty short (and sometimes so is my patience).
On the menu for Christmas Day...I'm hoping to start a new tradition in my family. I always grew up with the typical ham or turkey on Christmas...maybe a beef or pork roast if we were feeling fancy. Because of my husband's multiple food allergies our menu is thinned even more than normal and it seems to get repetative. So this year the Bloomfield household will be having some good ol' barbeque for Christmas Day.
I'm planning some beef brisket (planning to try this recipe in hopes of getting it right) and pulled pork (that's not too tough but I'll probably use this recipe as my guide), baked beans, corn bread, coleslaw (my mom is bringing that), scallopped potatoes...the whole nine yards. I may even cook up some fried apples if time allows.
I always love seeing other people's fun holiday traditions (like enchiladas and margaritas on Christmas Eve...totally want to steal that one) and I think it would be great to have one of our own. So we'll see how well it goes over. My family is joining us on Christmas Day (as well as Jim's younger brother who is flying in) so we'll have a nice houseful. The rest of my in-laws are coming in on the 27th and will be staying with us for a few days.
I'm looking forward to having loved ones here. I've been waiting (not so) patiently for Christmas time to arrive. Now it's back to cleaning up the house and getting my shopping list ready for tomorrow.
Although I've been couponing I haven't had any BIG hauls lately. There are a few treats out there to be had (like FREE Toblerone, gum and kids' potty wipes at King Soopers this week!), but between the weather and just the normal busy-ness of the season, I haven't been out and about too much away from King Soopers.
The kids and I have done a little crafting but not too much. Just coloring some wooden ornaments that I bought at JoAnn's, on clearance, after Christmas last year. We made some paper chains and hung them up in the kitchen...that's about it. I always tell myself that I'm going to get better with doing projects with my kids but Emmett's just a little too young so his attention span it pretty short (and sometimes so is my patience).
On the menu for Christmas Day...I'm hoping to start a new tradition in my family. I always grew up with the typical ham or turkey on Christmas...maybe a beef or pork roast if we were feeling fancy. Because of my husband's multiple food allergies our menu is thinned even more than normal and it seems to get repetative. So this year the Bloomfield household will be having some good ol' barbeque for Christmas Day.
I'm planning some beef brisket (planning to try this recipe in hopes of getting it right) and pulled pork (that's not too tough but I'll probably use this recipe as my guide), baked beans, corn bread, coleslaw (my mom is bringing that), scallopped potatoes...the whole nine yards. I may even cook up some fried apples if time allows.
I always love seeing other people's fun holiday traditions (like enchiladas and margaritas on Christmas Eve...totally want to steal that one) and I think it would be great to have one of our own. So we'll see how well it goes over. My family is joining us on Christmas Day (as well as Jim's younger brother who is flying in) so we'll have a nice houseful. The rest of my in-laws are coming in on the 27th and will be staying with us for a few days.
I'm looking forward to having loved ones here. I've been waiting (not so) patiently for Christmas time to arrive. Now it's back to cleaning up the house and getting my shopping list ready for tomorrow.
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