The Love Languages - is their love tank full?

I love to post Frugal Friday tips, and have so many options for this week.

I found great deals on meat and chicken - fully cooked Garlic Herb whole fryer chickens marked down to $1.99 from $6.99. I bought four of them, and shredded the meat into baggies.
My meat man then marked down 2 Filet Mignon steaks from $11.95 to $3.03 each - making my day by saying,
"for you....I'll give you a great deal."
Not to mention, my weekly coupon savings where my grand total went from $120 to $35.
All my coupons lined up perfectly.
It was one of my best weeks ever....and I was SO excited ( I won't bore you with the picture, but I do have the proof :).
But I realized this week that my best frugal tip was found in the form of a doting daddy who filled the love tank of his daughter.

My 9 year old daughter responds to Words of Affirmation (as outlined in this amazing book,The Five Love Languages of Children),
especially from the #1 man in her life.
My hubby coached her basketball team, and instead of just handing her the team picture along with the rest of the other team members, he taped it to her headboard with the precious note above.

It signified to me the power of encouraging words.
Encouragement is a gift that requires no money, takes minimal time, and nothing fancy is required.
Yet the rewards it reaps in relationships, alongside the realization of everlasting value is priceless.

The whole tone of a loved one's heart and attitude is transformed by simply uttering a few words.

My husband whispered to me as we watched her blossom,
"I think her love tank is full."

Have you filled your child's love tank lately, or that of a loved one?
It only takes a minute - literally, and the drink they will guzzle quenches many a drought.

P.S. As my teen age boys read this over my shoulder, they started mocking me by hugging each other, and then hurling insults with screaming in the back ground.
Yep, always a little bedlam mixed with the beauty. :)

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“One word or a pleasing smile is often enough to raise up a saddened and wounded soul.”

St Teresa of Lisieux

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“Correction does much, but encouragement does more.”

Johann Wolfgang Goethe

Cooking with kids...it works for me

One of the things I passionately pursue is instilling the value of responsibility into my children. I have read a myriad of books on the topic, have given talks on the subject, but bottom line...from a parental standpoint...it's just plain hard work, and often I fail miserably.

But one thing I am committed to is not giving up.
Our children have been given so many gifts, and one of those gifts is the ability to work, and to work hard.

Oops...I am supposed to be posting about cooking with kids, and I've tangented before I even got started.
(I'll come back to this on another post and get back on my soap box then. :)

A fun tangible way to build responsibility in our children is by giving them the tools of learning to not only cook for themselves, but to also be a productive part of the family unit....and cook for you. :)
I enjoy cooking with my kids when I slow down long enough to realize that these are those "ah ha" moments that take my breath away. I want to savor them, but that means I have to be intentional about making them happen.

My children are quite tired of the reminder that colonial kids were considered adults at the age of 12, and young ladies were fully running the "kitchen" by that age.
That means they were capable of not only all the baking, but managing the fire, and cooking over the coals as well.
And I'm worried about a little burn on the stove top?

Most cooks in the olden days didn't use recipes or measuring cups. They just learned to cook from their Mommas or Grandmommas from the time they were toddlers, and learned to judge how much of an ingredient to use by sight. This was a gift.

Due to our fast paced society, it's often easier to just stop at the drive thru (you know how I feel about that 12 year old hamburger....hee hee), and yes, I admit to doing this far too often during sports seasons.
I think it's an assumed close to say a tremendous amount of our time is spent around food.
Everyone looks forward to meals with loved ones, but it's a big job to prepare meals, let alone nutritious ones, that families will enjoy.

So often in the crazy scheduling, I tell myself that it's just easier to do it myself.
Unfortunately, I am forgetting the long term benefit of training my children to cook along side me.
Therefore, sharing and modeling a simple art that is slowly losing it way, is a priority.

I know many of you may not have learned some of the basic kitchen skills as you were growing up and had to learn the hard way.
Next time, you're whipping something up, invite your child to join you.
You will be amazed at how much LIFE occurs around a mixing bowl. :)

The first time my eldest son offered to make our complete dinner....I was blown away.
It wasn't just Mac and Cheese. He went to our garden, picked some zucchini, and squash, and then proceeded to stir fry them with some garlic, onions, oil and spices. He sprinkled cheese on top for good measure, and I think I spent the rest of the night picking myself up off the floor.
All those small, stolen moments of "planting the seeds" in the kitchen were beginning to reap a harvest - quite literally outside and in.
I realized that I hadn't given them enough credit. They are incredibly capable.
At a young age, they are flattered by responsibility, and will rise to the challenge that you set forth...as long as you are modeling right along with them, smothering them with words of encouragement.

I love to know that my five year old can make scrambled eggs and often wants to be Mommy's Helper.
She has a few menu items that she loves to make by herself, and is continually asking to learn more.
My nine year old is in charge of the noontime meal 3 days a week - she loves it, and I'm amazed at what she can conjure up.
Today it was some wonderful smoothies, and do you remember the meals for multitudes - making homemade pizza - she loves tackling those.


When my three sons were young, I set a random kitchen goal for them of items I wanted them to master before they graduated from high school.
I wanted them to be able to:
1. make chocolate chip cookies from scratch
2. make lasagna from scratch
3. make homemade bread from scratch

Why in the world did I decide on these things?
Well, first of all, all three choices are my comfort foods, and if Momma ain't happy, nobodies happy. xoxo
I also knew that any future mother in law would be thrilled to get boys who could cook/bake...hee hee
But on a more serious note, I knew that if they could bake cookies, and bread, they could bake anything from a recipe. And I also understood that if they could learn how to layer lasagna and mix the spices, they could really master any kind of casserole.
We're almost there...many years earlier that I had anticipated, so I have definitely been adding to that "mastery list."

I can tell you that cooking with my children is a blessing and delight.
Special shared moments have been created in our kitchen.
I think that it's definitely something that works for me, and one of the Beautiful life goals I have set for 2009.

Come back for the recipe of what we whipped up in that mixer....yum, and the kids loved to help. Can't you tell?

K-mart saves the day!

Yes, it's that time again.
Kmart is offering double and triple coupons all these week beginning on Sunday,and on top of that, you may print off the instant coupon here for an additional $5 savings.
Ah, only in America.

Get $5 off of $50 purchase here

To plan your time most wisely, I suggest you go as early in the week as possible. Items that offer the best deals may run out quickly. I suggest you first go to the Kmart web site to confirm if your local stores are participating.
Most stores are included, but I don't want to get your frugal fun hopes up, only to have those dreams of free toothpaste come crashing down.

When you go to the Kmart site, click on the weekly ad button towards the top right of the page. You should be able to put your zip code in to find your store's weekly circular and then make sure you match up your coupons to the sale. For us, cleaning supplies are on sale, and I have 3 - $1 coupons. That means Windex and Clorox wipes for only $.50.

After noting the sale prices, make sure to look closely when you're in the store. Not everything is a good value. Even though you have a coupon for an item, you still may be able to receive a better deal playing the "CVS game."

My NC store is tripling coupons up to $.75 and doubling after that up to, and including $2.
Some stores are only doubling, so do a little investigation.

Click here to read more details about my last trip to Kmart....was it worth it? You have to see it to believe it.

Asking your prayers for the processing...

My emotions are turning so rapidly right now that I don't have time to truly process effectively what my daughters and I experienced this afternoon.
But I'm going to process as I quickly type this out, so bear with me.
I ask for your prayers that there will be no long term affect on either of my daughters' precious memories.

Tuesdays are our very hectic "on the go" days. Today we happened to have a few minutes to burn before we needed to pick up my sons.
Of course, when that occurs, I typically head straight for Good Will,
but I decided to pop into Big Lots first.
As we entered the parking lot, I noticed a few people mulling around right in the middle of the parking spots, and a police car stalled.
Being the nosy shopper that I am, I slowed down to see what "accident" had occurred. Quite often, cars in this lot cut through the aisles, and I just assumed a fender bender had taken place.
All of a sudden, feet from our car, I noticed a man on the ground.
A man not moving...in fact, no one was moving.
Why wasn't any one helping him?
Every one was just standing there chit chatting.
And then I noticed it...a small piece of cloth covering his face.

Before it was too late, I realized that my girls were taking in every aspect of the situation.
I couldn't believe what I thought I was seeing - surely I was mistaken.
As I entered Big Lots, I asked if there had been an accident.
With absolutely no warning, nor any thought to the fact that I had two small children with me, the cashier announced that the guy had blown himself away. Killed himself....just minutes before.

I couldn't believe that she had just announced that to my girls.
The Lord opened up a situation for me to have some conversations today that I didn't choose to have.
I didn't want to explain that some people kill themselves when they feel they have no hope.
I didn't want to have to answer my nine year old when she asked what suicide meant.
I didn't want to have to pray with my girls for that poor family who now has no husband, son, father, brother....
I didn't want to have to explain that my daughter's feeling of the family being really mad at him for taking his life was probably a natural reaction.
I didn't want to answer her question of "why, mommy....did he not know Jesus?"

I don't want to have the picture of this man lying on the ground....but I do.

And you know what, I did have to have these conversations.
Because it happened, and sometimes life just doesn't seem fair.
Nor do we understand why people choose to do things.
And I can't begin to explain how can life feel so utterly empty that death is your only option?

I wish I had known that man.
I wish I had entered that parking lot minutes earlier.
I wish I knew his family.
I wish I could have offered the hope that only Jesus can give....that only He can heal.
But I didn't.
And now I go to bed knowing that somewhere a family is grieving.
They are sharing a grief so deep, a betrayal that can not be explained away.
And I will go to bed snuggled up with those precious girls who also carry a burden of a dead man in a parking lot.
But their burden will quickly go away.
They will be snuggled, and held, and comforted with the words of affirmation that they know a forever kind of love.
A love that knows no limits, and everyday I will remind them of that love.
The love that only God can give...unconditionally.

This man....will never know that.
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I commit on this day, February 17, that I will share that love with strangers unaware.
Please, Lord, bring me into contact with people who feel that there is no other choice.
There is!

And for those of you new to my blog...ugh...what an entrance...tomorrow back to the beauty and definitely not this kind of bedlam.

Curing the economy with couponing/freebies

It's about this time that everyone begins to get a little nervous about their finances.
The media screams that the sky is falling, and the first credit cards bills from Christmas may be starting to hit (if that is you...CUT THEM UP NOW!)
Maybe your family of seven is without a job as of this coming week
(oh, that would be me...remember our GOD WATCH?)

Well, I admit, I started to get a little lazy with my couponing around the holidays.
Yes, it happens to the best of us, but I am more incentivized than ever to get back on the wagon.

So what about you? Have you fallen off the wagon with your coupon clipping, or maybe you never got on?
Are you thinking it just might not be worth the hassle of putting together that coupon binder?

(this one is not even in use anymore...I have upgraded)

One great addition to my blog is that I am featuring wonderful deals and steals on my side bar, and here (click to get to that page). I have such fun getting new samples, and printing coupons right from my computer, so daily I will be trying to update things that I find on my internet searching.
Last week, most of the steals I got on cereal were the coupons I printed directly from my side bar. The cereal coupons have unfortunately reached their limit for the month, but they will reload on March 1st - I'll remind you. People, I GOT 6 boxes of cereal for $.25 EACH!!!

I realized that it may be of some encouragement to see how I shop ever week, and only spend $500/month for our family. We may be able to sharpen each others shopping skills and I would love to learn from you in my comments. This may be goofy..would it help?
Here's a quick over view of last week. My total for all of this was under $40.
And I so sad because I am searching for my receipt right now, but it's gone.
The next post I will itemize, so you can see exactly what I spent.

One thing that has saved our family $thousands of dollars over the last decade is buying our milk in bulk when it comes close to the "sell by" date and then freezing it.
I have NEVER spent more than $1/gallon of milk in the last 10 years and $1.50 on ORGANIC, which I prefer. I will do a whole post on freezing milk since I am sure many of you are screaming, "what, you can freeze milk and it doesn't taste nasty?"
This is where a relationship with diary/produce/meat managers come in handy.
Some stores do not mark down their milk as it comes near to the "sell by" date, but many are very willing if you ask.
*edited to add....the "sell by" date refers to the date stamped on the side. They can't sell it after that date, so instead of throwing it out, many dairy managers will mark it down (if you live local..I'll tell you where to go and where not to go).
Some won't, it's just a matter of asking at various stores. :)

Another area I will discuss is that of "stockpiling" food. Does that image conjure up some crazy old lady with 300 cats running wild in her living room, or maybe just a few good 'old rednecks with shot guns (wait, that might be my kids :)?
What I mean in reference to stockpiling is just loading up those items that you can match up and get for a steal every once in awhile.
Right now I have 20 cans of soup in my cabinets (yes, crazy lady, but my kids love soup).
I got them for $.50 and most of them were the quality Healthy Select and Progresso brands which are typically $2.25 ish per can.
I will slowly use them, but I never want to pay full price again for those, so when the BuyOne, Get One free (BOGO) sale came along, and I had matching coupons for each item.....I bought.

Yes, it does mean that you have to have some storage space, but not as much as you might think. (Just a RubberMaid under an extra bed would do) More on that as well.
I did the same with these cheeses, and got each of them for under $1.
My sweet newlywed friend, Miss G, had a great realization into her new endeavor of couponing.
She noticed that all the coupons are not great deals....or practical....and that there is a huge learning curve.
Yep, there is. After all, couponing is nothing more than a marketing decision by the manufacturer to get you to buy their products.
They don't care if you get it for free or dirt cheap. They just want you to buy.
It's about finding out what is on sale in your store flyer and matching the coupons up with the sales. It's also about slowly getting a nice bundle of coupons to choose from. That is why I started stockpiling. I have the ability to wait til they go on sale again.
It's also about PATIENCE.
I will hold onto coupons for months, until the items finally go on sale, then the wait is worth its weight in gold.

Now for those of you who see this meat...no, I don't use a coupon for it, but the meat manager marks things down extra cheap for me at the end of the day.
Most meat departments mark things down first thing in the morning, and then again at about 3:00 in the afternoon. Just ask....that is where you will get some steals.
This trip I bought 6 lbs of meat, 6 gallons of organic milk, grapes, syrup, tortillas, pound cake mixes, frozen items, more dairy items and some misc. all for under $40.

I shopped again last night, and I should have the receipt for that one....I'll get it out and share in a few days.
Now back to shopping the house with some spray painting. Wait for what comes next :)


Works for me Wednesday

Shopping the house with a little spray paint

One of the best yard sales that I hit this past fall was a moving sale.
And this wasn't just any moving sale,
it was a "I'm leaving on a jet plane, don't know when I'll be back again" sale.
Every thing had a price tag, including the wife. The hubby wanted it ALL gone and I spent TWO hours there....yes, we're BFF's now.

I snagged a box full of spray paints featuring every color of the rainbow plus R.O.Y. G.B.I.V. for only $1.
Read it and weep.
I have had a blast with all this paint, and I have reached deep into every nook and cranny of this oasis to see what needed to be updated.
It has been fun to shop my house because it's amazing the treasures that have been in front of me for years. I just needed to capture a different perspective - like through the lens of a spray paint cover. :)
We've all seen these glass plates with the fruited plains looking through...

There, that's better. Now you can see the details.
Remember these?
I see them at almost every yard sale for the outrageous sum of one quarter.
I have had some sitting in my cupboards for years.
I love them, but I only have four plates, so they just weren't very useful for a family of seven. Until I did this....

Oh yes, with $.05 worth of spray paint and a demanding 45 seconds of my time - literally- I did this.
And the effect is gorgeous. I turned it over and spray painted on the side that you would not eat from so that the details boldly jump out.
I repurposed all four plates in minutes.

I am working on a few naked wall areas, and thought some hanging plates would do the trick. Won't these look fabulous against my green walls?

Or how about with the yellow?

Decisions, decisions....

While I was shopping my house, I literally walked around with the white paint in my hand thinking of what else I should attack.
This was next.
It was a pretty pastel pink purchase that I bought for $2. I thought "family" would be cute in my girls' room until I saw other potential.....

Next, I found this little candle holder in my cabinet. It was silver...I did leave the green jewels...love when they catch the light.

Then I grabbed this very "country" looking wooden shelf - remember these shiny wood shelves that used to hold our pink and blue little knickknacks (am I the only one:)?
Well, it was going to Good will until this white found its way to the wall...

So here is the finished result from shopping my house with a little spray paint in hand. This tiny wall had been abandoned, and now it's just....cozy.
(See that cute nest? I actually bought it for the Nester, and was going to give it to her when I saw her, but...oh...it looks perfect right there...shhh - I'll find her another one. :)

I still need to find a tiny little something to replace the ugly yellow flowers/vase, but considering that this all came from Jen's store (aka me) = frugal and free = I LOVE it!

Head out to your closest Walmart.
Go buy $1 spray paint can and see what you can do if just minutes....can't wait to show you the rest...this was only the start of that hour well spent. :)

See more here:
NEXT POST on my spray paint rampage is up right here!
Yard Sale wonder - painted hutch redo.
Decorating a mantle on a yard sale budget

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More great ideas from The Inspired Room's - A Beautiful Life

More Valentine's Day traditions...free beautiful download

(Click the sweet girl above to download the hearts of loving kindness tradition detailed below, the love muffin recipe, 10 things I love about you, and directions to make your very own love journal. These will print out ready to give as a sweet little gift, so using cardstock works well.)

*****I am doing more bulk baking today...check in, and let's accomplish something. :)

As you know, we love to weave traditions into our family tapestry. They're frugal, intentional, and bring joy for years to come. Here are some of our favorites.

Hearts of Loving Kindness –

Use pretty hearts during the month of February to teach the value of loving kindness to the loved ones in your life. Find a small box or jar and decorate it (invite your children to help) any way you want: with stickers, artwork, photos or a big red ribbon. Place all of the hearts inside and tell your family members what it’s all about.

Every time you see someone doing something kind for someone else, write their name and what they did on a heart. String it up on a ribbon and hang it in the kitchen or family room for all to see. You can put four to six hearts on a ribbon by cutting a slit at the top and bottom of the heart and slipping each heart up the ribbon and then tie a knot at the top of the heart to hold it in place. The more hearts your family sees dangling, the more they will want to add to the festive display.

You will have plenty of opportunities during the month to talk about how and why we do things for others simply out of the "kindness of our hearts." Make it a family tradition to focus on the value of loving kindness every February and be sure to preserve those precious memories in a Valentine’s Day Book with a photo of family members holding their Hearts of Loving Kindness.

The Treasure Hunt of Love –

This tradition combines the fun of a treasure hunt with the sweetness of showing love and appreciation, while praising character qualities instead of "talents."

. I had so much fun brainstorming last year when I did this. Cut 4 or 5 hearts out of red or pink construction paper, label them 1 to 5 on the backside, and write a clue on the front that describes something you love about the recipient and at the same time leads them to a spot where they will find the next clue.

“I love your cheerfulness in the morning, even before you have had your breakfast. I love when you choose joy.”

“I admire the diligence you showed in order to get an A in Chemistry”

“You have such a big, kind heart when you help your little brother pick up his puzzles.”

“Your great attitude and sportsmanship at basketball games make the whole family proud of you.”

The first clue can be hidden under a pillow, placed on the breakfast plate or taped to the bathroom mirror. Of course, the last clue of the treasure hunt leads them to a present or a treat you have prepared for them.

One year, I made up a corny poetic clue for each "station." The kids had to figure it out before they headed on to the next destination, and "no," I don't think you want to hear it...although it did rhyme quite nicely, thank you :).
Love Coupons – This activity can easily be created at home with some help from little hands. Purchase pretty construction paper in red, pink and ivory. Cut out 3” x 2” pieces of paper, enough to make seven for each family member. Using crayons or markers, write down fun things on each coupon that everyone in the family is capable of doing to show loving kindness for another family member. This can include things like “I will help in the kitchen” or “Let’s make the bed together.”

Include the name of the person to be helped on the back. Starting a week before Valentine’s Day, each person picks a coupon a day and helps perform that task. Display the completed coupons on the refrigerator or a family bulletin board for everyone to see. Be sure to write down all the ways your family demonstrated kindness on the card provided in the pocket. This simple keepsake will be treasured for years to come.

And just because it wouldn't have been my family if there hadn't been some bedlam; the cat and the dog both wanted in on the treasure hunt. Yes, the dog got the "treasure." Right out of my daughter's hand. :)

And now I have done more posts in two days than ever before...I am done....thank you, and leaving the computer for awhile! :)

IF YOU MISSED THE LOVE NOTES BOX TRADITION....FIND IT HERE.

Valentine's Day ideas

The Love Notes Box

In our home, giving the Love Notes box means intentionality. It symbolizes not only sharing a bit from our heart, but also trying to think outside "the box." :)

Simple... meaningful...and a lifetime of shared memories from a treasured tradition. So many of you ladies are creatively gifted, and could create an heirloom for years to come. Imagine passing this down - what a legacy.

Love Notes Box
This is the gift you can give all year long. Inside the charming box list all the reasons why you love that special someone in your life - like a spouse, children, favorite Aunt, grandparent or special friend. Fill the box of Love Notes with sweet smelling rose petals or chocolate kisses for a gift of love that someone will truly treasure..

A few of my other friends shared how they used this tradition idea:

"The Love Notes Box has brought a whole new level of communication to my relationship with my husband. With three small children, date nights were pretty non-existent. Now we use the Love Notes Box to write things we would like to do together and we take turns drawing a card every other month. We've enjoyed long walks in the botanical gardens, picnics, naps in the meadow, golfing, dinners and this month we are taking a paddle boat ride. It's been sooo good for our marriage that we are now expecting baby number four." ~ Carrie Ann >

"I truly love this product! Once a month, usually on the date of their birthday, I give my children a note and their favorite candy bar or some other special treat. They love waking up and seeing their note and treat. I even do this for my husband and he really likes it also, even though he doesn't verbalize it. One evening he came home with Chinese food and purple roses, which are my favorite, and said, 'I don’t think I do this enough anymore.' I know it was in direct correlation to the Love Notes Box. Very simple to do, yet so powerful in the message." ~ Laurie

I LOVE YOU PILLOW

Do you ever want to say you’re sorry,
cheer someone up or just tell them you are thinking of them?
This pillow is the perfect way to show your feelings when words
just aren’t enough. This has been a special addition to the relationship
with my teenagers.

I will have a free downloadable file for you to print off from my next post. It will have some precious frugal Valentine ideas you may implement right away, so make sure you don't miss it. :)

And if you don't have time to make something...here are some options that are already done for you. I ADORE the Date Night Deck! So fun!

Date Night Deck Fifty-two date ideas to help you connect, rekindle and strengthen your love. Not all of us are the same. Your Date Night Deck will show you how to give your partner special attention. #GL009 Reg: $21 February Special $14.70 .

SEE ALL FEATURED GIFTS OF LOVE PRODUCTS HERE Gifts of Love Collection 30% Off

See more ideas from Blissfully Domestic.

Blissdom update

*If you're coming over from the Fashion Friday post, scroll down.
I am beginning a regular Frugal Fashionista post about dressing in designer outfits for under $15. I began receiving many requests for tips on shopping the 2nd hand stores without looking like you did. :)

For those of you that just read my blog for fun, and info, and have no interest in blogging - my sincerest apologies. :)

I spent the last three day meeting many of the friends who live in my computer....and I can't even begin to touch on them all. Nor do I have the time to explain the processing that goes on with an event like this since I should be schooling my children.

Seeing as it was in Nashville, I did most of my processing with Emily and The Nester on our eight hour ride home. I have known them for years, but the opportunity to share, and pick each others brains about everything having to do with life, may have been worth the whole trip.
Heathalee (who didn't come to the conference but came to meet all of us... she's a doll), Me (with my $1 comfiest ever pink shirt and $5 jacket), Emily, the Nester

I am someone who loves to cherish friendships in real life. I never thought I could actually make friends on line (that might not be potential balded headed stalkers posing as a mommy blogger), nor that I would appreciate the depth of closeness one could feel when you "meet" for the first time, and it feels like you've known them forever.
It's possible, probable, and perfectly wonderful.

I roomed with Kimba and Rhoda (we missed you, Kristy), who I have already gone on about in past posts...both are just like you would think they are.
Talented, inspiring, and a blast to be around.
I think Rhoda and Kimba still love me even though I kept waking them Saturday night when they were trying to sleep - so sorry.

Some of favorites friends in the hall. Susie Harris commented on my first ever blog post...will love her forever because of it.
She and her sister, Missy, are another wonderful duo (like Emily and the Nester) to watch and wish you had a sister relationship like them.

Sandy (4 Reluctant Entertainers) and I both have a passion for hospitality with our families, and you will be blessed by her wisdom.

Dinner night out...Melissa from the Inspired Room....always a joy!

Meredith from Like Merchant Ships is a new found blogging friend. We share our love for frugal homemaking. She is wisdom personified, and such a sweet, gentle spirit. :)

So many others to mention, but I am sticking with only those I had a picture of....bummer.

Frugal Fashionista UPDATE:
I know I said I would do a whole fashion show of all my designer clothing outfits for under $10, but I forgot to take pictures...ugh. I will have to re-dress and do this for real. Not the re-dressing part....just the fashion show. I think we'll have to do a frugal fashion week. :)

FRUGAL FASHION SNEAK PEEK
Dressy tank top - $1 - yard sale
Earrings - $1 - yard sale
Shawl/wrap - $2.50 (with the brand new price tags on) thrift store

Pants - $1 - yard sale
Nine West leather boots - $2 thrift store

This is the epitome of casual dress, and I hate this is the only other picture I have, but the whole outfit with the leather BASS shoes,
Anne Klein Jeans, and fun shirt that looks way better in real life.....
$10.

Sheesh...I don't even have the buttons done. :)