Looking beyond the junk...

Do you remember the childhood classics, The Velveteen Rabbit or Corduroy?
I often compare the moral of those stories with how I feel about yard sales.
Taking someone else's once loved items, now deemed trash, and pouring new life into them until they are treasures, brings out a creative side that I just love.
So when I passed this huge bunch of bad fake flowers at a yard sale, I immediately thought, "Wow, those are ugly, huge and way too long." (The stems were about 2-3 feet.) You see, I have spent the last six months purging my home of those kind of fakes. This yard sale had junk...all of it was junk, and since my goal is to hit at least ten sales in an hour, when I see junk, I don't waste my time.
But as I said, "thank you" to the woman and walked to my car empty handed, Corduroy reminded me that maybe even these ugly things needed a home. Maybe a small portion of my heart could extend hospitality and see beyond the junk.
Would it be possible? At $0.50 for the whole bunch, I decided the four blue blooms had potential. So I went home, had my son cut off the 2 foot green wire stems, and began to brainstorm the possibilities.
Perhaps, it could find a home under my large cloche?

Or on my beautiful tiered tray?
How about on the stand that I just bought at GoodWill?
Could its destiny be to top the milk glass tower that I bought at a yard sale or...


perhaps to accent this vase that I picked at the Nester's swap (the one that she bought at a yard sale, and passed on in the process.)
Please note, sometimes the "work with what you have" mentality is very literal. I needed to add height to the blue blooms, so I just stuffed my son's socks underneath in the blue vase...it worked. :)

I still haven't found the perfect place to use these blooms, but I will. Since my kitchen/great room are accented in yellow, green and blues, I will accessorize with them some how.
And to think, I almost passed up the junk for just $0.50.

Shop your house. "Corduroy" may be whispering that he too just needs a little extra loving, and someone to look outside the box to see the trash to treasure potential.
It may be a matter of sewing that button back on, and it will be just perfect. :)

Frugal Fashionista - wedding style

Are you new to the Frugal Fashionista series? Begin here.

Considering I have beloved family members who appreciate Frugal Fashionista finds as much I as do, it would not come as a shock to you that our recent wedding gathering sported total yard sale finds, GoodWill, Consignment and hand me down attire from my four nieces, mom and sis in love.

Remembering and detailing my own frugal wedding will be a post in its own.

My GoodWill dress was another brand new find at our local "rich people's" Goodwill. And yes, I am covering up the size, not the price. :) It was $79.99, but marked down $49.99.
My price...$5 (then take off my 10% Preferred Shopper Discount...$4.50).

My mom's dress wasn't second hand, but she has spent a lot of time in China as a short term missionary and while she was there, she had this vintage suit made for her at a definite yard sale price. It's still classy after many years which is an important reason to invest time finding a few quality core wardrobe pieces that will last for years.

My sister-in-love dresses to that point. These black pants are six years old, and she bought them at our "Rich People's" Consignment Store in town. Paying a bit more for items at Consignment Boutiques is a given, but are always guaranteed (like-new) high quality designer brands that are no more than 1-2 years old.

These pants are versatile, classy and can be dressed up or down. The rest of her outfit is also all second hand, but accessorized with some perfect jewelry, this outfit is complete.

Considering I didn't take these pictures with a post in mind (what was I thinking), I would have brought the young men forward, tucked in their shirts and featured them a bit better. My three sons with the pink, black and burgundy shirts are all dressed for success in outfits totaling $6. Since my teens are growing so quickly, the thought of buying their pants anywhere but second hand never crosses my mind.
Scoring like new Banana Republic grey pants for $3.75 at GW, $1 Lands End Khakis at a yard sale, and the burgundy Banana Republic shirt all just made my day.


My daughters, learning the art of being Frugal Fashionistas, at their finest,

Find your spontaneous place...

With the ins and outs of the daily grind, do you ever set aside time to be spontaneous?

Seriously, as much as I am passionate about living life to its fullest, getting older has its drawbacks. I've lost some of that spontaneous spirit that I used to thrive on, and I want it back.
So with only frozen pizza on the menu, I realized that tonight we would make a mundane moment magical.

Just changing scenery for meal time can make that memory happen, and it did.
Without spending an extra dime or anguishing over any preplanned details, I slipped the pizzas out of the oven, threw them on some trays, grabbed just paper plates, lemonade, chips and loaded up various children. :)
I really didn't "have the time" to be spontaneous tonight, but I realize in the long run, I don't have the time NOT to be.
I often forget that we have our own little treasure tucked away in the middle of our country living just 1/2 mile down the road.
Just because we don't have a boat, jet ski or house on the lake, doesn't mean we can't enjoy it's therapeutic effects.

Total Extra Cost? Nothing but a tiny bit of gasoline.
Total time? One hour
Spontaneous Memory Making? Forever...

You may not have a lake hidden down the road, but what spontaneous destination awaits you?

Share some of your brainstorming in the comments and see what one hour may open up in your family life this week or month.

A friend of mine shared a favorite memory. Her dad would pack them in the car with a picnic or snacks, hop on the highway and drive for just one exit. Then they'd find a fun place on the side of the road to picnic. Always someplace new, different and packed with memory making moments.

I love that...simple, intentional and fun.

It may be to just hop in your car for ten minutes and have your children (or spouse) direct you. Let them navigate your spontaneity and tell you left, right, go forward, back up and see where you end up.
I can't wait to hear the result. :)

Baked Oatmeal - Tasty Tuesday

For decades, women have shouted from the rooftops, "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. " Yet, some how in the hustle and bustle of early morning activities, it's also the hardest for me to implement on a regular basis.
I have nightmares that my children will reminisce about their mom's special cooking which yielded early morning Eggo cinnamon waffles in the van...no syrup, since that would be a mess...but flavored because they can eat them like a snack. ;)

I know how important it is to get solid nutrients in our morning tummy and whole grains are a win-win in our household. There are so many health benefits to oatmeal, not to mention it's a wonderfully frugal breakfast alternative.

I have multiple recipes for baked oatmeal, and many of them taste like a sugary breakfast cake.
This is not one of them. It's intent is a wholegrain, healthy baked oatmeal breakfast that most of my children really love (4 out of 5 aint bad ;).
I have been preparing this since 1996, and have modified it over the years by adding seasonal fruit.
You can mix this up the night before and pop it in the oven first thing in the morning.
Baked Oatmeal

5 cups rolled oats (not instant...rolled and steel cut are where the health benefits abound)
2 cups milk
4 large eggs
3/4 cup honey
1 TB Baking Powder
1 Tsp. Cinnamon
1 pinch of salt
1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
Seasonal fruit ( I have enjoyed strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, apples etc).

Mix together and pour into a 9x13 baking pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until golden brown.
We serve with milk and a bit of syrup (optional)
This reheats well.

One of my goals this school year is to plan my breakfasts more effectively.
I'll share as I master this. :) If I don't share...well, that's your answer.

So what are you cooking up for Tasty Tuesday?
I can't wait to be inspired.

Back to School Tradition ideas

FUN FROM BEGINNING TO END
Be sure to make a special breakfast to start the school year off right. Make an elaborate feast, maybe waffles with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, or eggs benedict - anything but the usual scrambled eggs and toast. Let your kids select the menu and do the grocery shopping together to prepare this special meal. Wake up early and set the table with your best dishes, turn on background music and really make this meal special. Do the same to celebrate the last day of school. Prepare a unique desert like German chocolate cake, strawberry cheesecake or something special to be repeated year after year. When you serve your children this ceremonial dessert, present them with a small gift. (This is a great time to introduce or contribute to a collection that your child may have, or want to start). This gift is not a reward for their performance, but a mark of accomplishment.

BUS STOP BREAKFAST BASH

Organize a neighborhood breakfast bash on the first day of school. Bring doughnuts, bagels, hot chocolate, juice and milk for the young students and their parents to enjoy as they wait for the bus. This is a perfect way for your children to get to know their classmates, and a great opportunity for you to meet their parents. This photo moment can be collaged into your “Back to School” book.
(Since we home school, we haven't been able to enjoy the Bus Stop Bash tradition, but memories of my own time at the bus stop are still strong.)

Bus Stop Wishes or Car Pool Wishes
Make bus-stop time fun! Ask each person to share morning wishes for himself and others in the car or at the bus stop. Watch how this simple tradition strengthens friendships and helps children be in tune to the important things in their friends’ lives.

School Years Book – organizing their best work
All good parents struggle with how many of those school "keepsakes" and projects we should keep. Give each child a very special book where they can place their favorite work from the upcoming school year. Let each child know that this is his or her book and it will be safe place to keep all of their favorite drawings, writing projects, and even report cards. This simple idea will show your children how much you value their work and it will make a wonderful keepsake for years to come. AND, it will keep you from storing boxes and boxes of paper!

School Year Memories
I have lived with "mommy guilt" over not scrapbooking every school detail. I have started a "school" album where each year you capture a handful of the year’s memories, and put them in an album. Have 2-3 pages per year...that's it!! Take all pressure off. The first page could hold special photos, i.e. the first day of school, a photo with your best buddies, a picture of your school, and a square that captures a cherished thought like “When I grow up I want to be…”
Have the student’s teacher write a letter which can be the last page for the year.
When graduation comes, you will be ready to display your collected memories. You could even keep it a secret through the years, and give it as a graduation gift. What a blessing that will be. Remember, only a few pages a year, and then all mommy guilt is gone. :)

Sunday Coupon Preview

Due to last weeks triple coupons, my pantry is overstuffed with cereal, granola bars, snacks, yogurts and a host of other goodies because I knew in advance what coupon items were going to match up with the sales. I then ordered (Ebay, couponing sites) additional coupons, asked around for coupon inserts that people weren't going to use, and stocked up on the nearly free items.
Check below to see the coupons coming out next week.




If there are a few excellent coupons on things I use a lot, I know to buy some extra papers or be a bit more diligent about asking my friends. Registering on the grocery forum below gives me the heads up on my favorite grocery store sales so that I know in advance what I want to stockpile.

Wedding Traditions

	Wishes to the Bride and Groom – When one of my nieces got married last year, I used this tradition idea at both her wedding shower and then again at the wedding reception. I had beautiful card stock with the words printed "Wishes to the Bride and Groom." I asked everyone to write a wish, blessing or bible verse to my niece and her fiance/husband. I then gathered the cards at the reception, joined them with the ones previously written at the shower, and put them in a toile drawstring bag so that they could read them on their wedding night... well, more realistically, on their honeymoon. ;) It was priceless, memorable and yet another frugal delight that money can't buy. I hope that they will pull those out and read them on every anniversary.
Our New Family – A loving way to start the new couple off in the right direction is to create their first Family Album for them. Collage the first few pages with photos and notes about the bride and groom growing up. Then follow with a few pages of their courtship. Now they are sure to continue with memories of the wedding and their life together.
Piece of Our Hearts – Many brides and grooms laugh or cry their way through their wedding vows, so most guests have no idea what was said during the ceremony. If you think about all the time you spent putting together these sentimental dedications, it just seems natural that everyone should share this precious moment with you. Place a printed copy of your wedding vows on every guest’s seat or as part of the take home gift. This also ensures that you save a copy and that the groom completes his vows more than 5 minutes before the ceremony. Don’t forget to include these printed sentiments in your wedding album as a treasured keepsake
Love Notes – Love notes is a box full of love; a delightful gift to give to new brides and grooms. Let them know how much they are loved by asking the bridal party to leave a love note in the box for the bride and groom on their wedding day. Perhaps the box could be left in their honeymoon suite or packed in their honeymoon luggage. We Were There – (This is for the extremely organized friend...see what I'd do below). Collect signatures from your guests in their RSVP envelopes and have them embroidered onto a white or ivory linen tablecloth with silver, gold or a matching thread. You can display this lovely keepsake at the wedding and bring it out every anniversary to adorn your special candlelit dinner table. This is a wonderful way to remember friends and family members who were present and shared that special moment with the two of you. (Since actually having the names embroidered would be beautiful, yet costly, the same tradition can happen with a gorgeous silver paint pen).

Creative Party Ideas - Coffee Bar

I am quite sure that one of my love languages comes in a hot, brown liquid form.

So when my niece offered a coffee bar at her wedding reception, I think I could have hung out there all night long.
My son and nephew definitely came into their own as they graduated to Hazelnut Lattes, but my poor, sweet mother....

was desperately trying to figure out the "Starbucks" type lingo.
Do you remember the first time you ever tried to order a fancy coffee?
Come on, think back...it really did seem like a foreign language, didn't it? So when my mom took her first sip, was not happy, and then whispered, "why doesn't mine taste like yours?" it was awfully cute.
The gentleman barista could tell we were in deep contemplation as he came to the rescue, and fixed it up just right. Nothing that a shot of hazelnut and whip cream couldn't fix.
All was good in coffee world again. :)
Not only did they offer a coffee bar, but the creative party favor idea that complemented the coffee bar perfectly was a "Create your own blend" coffee table.

On the end of the tables were large canisters of instant decaf and/or regular coffee.
You chose your bag, filled it with the black coffee and then picked your choice of powdered flavorings.

Every guest left with their own perfect blend of coffee to enjoy days later.
I chose cookies and cream (at the request of our children), and can't wait to enjoy it in my special teacup. :)
As I sip my morning coffee, I will spend time praying for the newlyweds and all the beautiful, yet challenging, transitions that come with those first months of marriage.

Again another fabulously unique, yet frugal way to make any type of party extra special.
Try a coffee bar and coffee blend party favors...I know they will be a huge hit!
So what unique things are you cooking up for Tasty Tuesday? (Posted at Kimba's DIY)

As always, link directly to your specific recipe post URL so guests can find it at a later date, and then please link back directly to my blog somewhere in your post.

Deals and Steals

Here are some neat new deals that I have come across recently.

Enjoy - today is Mocha Monday at McDonald's.
My girls and I have been enjoying our free mochas during our last few date nights.
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As a home schooler, I LOVE the library, but I about died when I went to pay for our fines. (Yes, more than $9.95/month.) I just came across this site and I am SO intrigued.

"BookSwim is the online book rental library service lending you paperbacks, hardcovers and college textbooks Netflix-style directly to your house, without the need to purchase! We stock all the latest bestsellers, new releases, classics and more."


I searched and found many great reviews.

	Oprah Magazine "For cost-conscious readers...this site is the best thing to come along since the public library."
	Real Simple "The cost of all those best sellers - or the wait for them to show up at the library - can cramp your bookworm style. Subscribe to BookSwim.com to rent classics and new titles..."

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This is a wonderful recipe resource, and it's free.

EZ to use Recipe organizer. Users can input their favorite recipes and access them easily with just a few clicks of their mouse. With this software, recipe organization is easy as pie!


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As I look out our kitchen window, horses graze in our neighbor's field. This is something so unique, and haven't seen anything like it. I am going to get the one month trial for my eldest daughter.
"Get Pony's Welcome Adventure Package. Includes 2 books, Pony Magazine + 5 Gifts for just $1.00 + $4.95 s&h. PONY is a fun, creative way for your child to learn about horses. And it's for everyone who loves horses, whether they own them or just dream about them! As a member, each month, your child will get a special package, filled with books and gift. "


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CVS Deals - act quickly - lots of 3- day specials through Tuesday at CVS
- Buy 1 Philips Earhook Headphones at $6.99, Get $6.99 ECBs (Limit 1)
Free after ECBs
- Buy 1 Caliber Recycled School Box at $1.99, Get $1.99 ECBs (Limit 2)
Free after ECBs-
Buy 1 Caliber Filler Paper or CVS Brand Paper (150 sheets) for $0.99, Receive $0.99 ECBs (Limit 2)
Free with ECBs
- Buy 1 CVS or Caliber Brand Mini Composition Notebook at $1.99, Receive $1.99 ECBs (Limit 2)
Free after ECBs
- Get 1 Paper Mate at $0.99, Get $0.99 ECBs (Limit 2)
Free after ECBs
All week - Buy 2 Johnson & Johnson 1st Aid Travel Kits at $0.99 each, Receive $2 ECBs (Limit 5) Use $1/1 coupons in the 5/17 RedPlum insert or the 8/2 SmartSource insertFree plus overage after coupons and ECBs

Creative DIY ideas for a wedding - cupcake stand

One of the growing new trends in weddings is the elimination of the traditional wedding cake. By going a bit trendy, a bit more thrifty and pouring forth a lot of creative DIY juices, you can make a spectacular statement with a cupcake tower.
I am proud to say that my brother tackled the Do it Yourself (DIY) project of the decade last weekend.
As my niece browsed cake ideas on-line, my brother's "I can do this even better, and save money" juices kicked into full gear.
Yes, my friends, he saw, he sawed, he sewed....he conquered. ;)

Capturing the height, depth and class of this stand wasn't possible with my camera, but it made a beautiful statement.

Thinking ahead on the specific details made it possible to slide the decorative 2x4's in and out to switch out the fabric for a variety of uses.

Yes, the gorgeous bridesmaid dresses were a deep brown to match the cupcake stand fabric.
Yet how wonderful to know that next summer's anniversary party might be accented in greens, and all this hard work can easily accommodate that change. You can bet all the other nieces were clapping in glee when he mentioned that this was built for everyone to use.
But don't even ask, he'll say "no." ;)
We already tried to get him to sell these...

Now if cupcakes aren't your thing, please brainstorm with me for a minute.
I think there could be tons of unique ways to use this...mini dessert plates set around the tiers, flowers, appetizers...what else?

Photo from MarthaStewart.com

All I can say is, "Martha Stewart, move on over..."
Now this, my dear eldest brother, is a very GOOD thing. :)

Posted at: kimbas

Extending our "God Watch"

I watch. I wait. I wonder.
Some call it courage. Some call it foolish.
I call it faith.

Come in and make your heart at home.
That is what (in)courage is all about.
A place where I can feel at home. A place where it's encouraged to embrace the beauty and bedlam of life.
I gushed with you last week about the wonderful opportunity that has been gifted me in collaborating with this amazing group of women.
Well, my first post is up over there, and it's a little nerve wracking.
It's a continuation of my "God Watch" journey, yet it's just the beginning, the end is still being written.
Follow along here as I share more details during the weeks to come.

Here's the snippet of what I have shared.
Six months ago, I wrote a blog post called, “Join me on our God Watch.”
It invited blogging friends to join our family as we entered another “God Watch” period in our lives – my husband’s pending unemployment. Years ago, I coined that phrase for our children as a game, of sorts. It was an intentional way of watching and waiting to see how the Lord would unexpectedly amaze us during a particularly difficult circumstance.

Please hop over and join me at (in)courage for the "rest of the story."

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Since I spent the weekend with the lovely ladies from Dayspring, I begged them to let me share a coupon code with you. It's for their amazing new "Life to the Full" Collection. They agreed.
(You know I just have to get a deal, especially for amazing items that can't be found at yard sales. I'm giving the mother/daughter matching aprons for Christmas. ;).
Use the coupon code LIFEFULL at checkout. This will save you $20 on orders over $60.