Peach Pie

I made two peach pies tonight with the wonderful peaches we got from the Colorado truck. They sold out in about two hours. I used a frozen crust and another frozen rolled crust for the top so its kinda ugly, but hopefully it will taste good.
Tomorrow is Hannah's 12th birthday.
This weekend we are going to Clovis NM for a family reunion. They had 8 men break out of prison there. Most have been caught. Hope they don't come to our family reunion. LOL

First day of school

Yesterday was our first official day of school. It went very well. We also had to start on a stone order yesterday. It was a hard start up. It took twice as long as it usually does. I am hoping that today goes better.

Hannah's birthday

Hannah celebrated her birthday this weekend. She had two friends over and they slept in the tent. Her sisters also put together a scavenger hunt for them.

Bread Mixes

Jen over at the provident cottage did a post on making a mix for bread machine bread in a quart jar. I made up four of them today. I ground the wheat yesterday. I am storing them in the freezer since they have whole wheat in them. I did use 1/2 whole wheat and 1/2 white flour. Here is the link with her recipe and beautiful pictures.
Thanks Jen.
http://theprovidentcottage.blogspot.com/2008/08/bread-mix.html

wags

new coupon-good friday and saturday only
print yours here.
http://www.walgreens.com/hotbuys/default.jsp?ec=hn579_getcoupon

Flour

A couple of weeks ago a friend of mine told me that an area store had 25# of flour ON SALE for 6.99. I thought that was kind of high so I didn't get any. Well now I need some and when I checked I about fell over. I ended up buying a 25# sack for 8.99. Other than that the cheapest price was 11.99. I was very surprised. I think the last time I bought flour it was 4.99 or 5.99 for 25#. I guess I'd better keep better watch on prices from now on. I have started a price book a few times but cant seem to get the hang of it. Maybe I can come up with something that works for me.
I always tell the ladies who I teach about using coupons,, is the goal is, to buy enough to last until the next sale.

Dillons

I also shopped at Dillons today, here is what I got.
20-fast fixins chicken @ 10 for $10.00
2-loaves of bread @ 10 for 10.00=2.00
8-toaster pasteries @ 10 for 10.00=8.00
1-cake mix @.94
3-big k pop @ .70 each
3-mabeline mascara @ 2.79 each
1-pkg. cookies 2.69
1-container of ice cream 3.99
1-corn chips 1.19
1-tortilla chips 1.98
1-chips 1.19
total spent was $66.14
savings was 78.32

wags

I did 2 transactions at walgreens today, here is what I got.
4-kotex maxi pads @ 2-11.00
4-12 roll scott TP @ 2-14.00 2-3.00 RR
3-ragu sauce @ 1.67 each
3-skippy PB @ 1.67 each ----1-4.00RR
4- cheerios @ 1.99 each
12-ban deoderant @ bogo or 2 for 3.49
4-preperation H wipes @ 3.99 each
1-pert shampoo plus conditioner @ 3.49 MIR for 3.49
total spent was 71.67 of which I had 16.18 left on my gift card so oop was 55.49
my savings were 101.16
plus I got 14.00 in register rewards to use like cash next time plus the 3.49 will be added to my gift card next month.
Not too bad.

grocery shopping

I just went to the United market in perryton TX and saved a bundle, here's what I got.
1- Burt's bee's lip balm 2.99
2- 10 pack Bic pens .59 each 1.18
24- Muir glen tomato paste 1.19 each 28.56
63- pkg kool aid .20 each 12.60
6- Wheat thins 4.49 each 26.94
4- glade plug in warmers w/ scent 3.99 each 15.96
4- crystal lite 3.49 each 13.96
4- Kraft salad dressing 1.99 each 7.96
3- jolly time pop corn 3 for 5.00
16- air wick air freshener spray 1.09 each 17.44
6- glade air freshener spray .99 each 5.94
2- Oscar Mayer beef franks 2 for 6.00
5- 12 oz. Kraft American cheese slices 2.99 each 14.95
sub total 161.89
less 125.41 coupons
new sub total 34,05
tax 2.43
grand total 36.48

woo hoo I had a coupon for every single item I bought except for the Burt's bee lip balm and the kool aid, but I got a lot of items free for buying the kool aid.
Tomorrow I will do my walgreens shopping. I should do good there too.

mail

I finished up four photographic orders and got them ready to mail. I also got a scooby ready to mail to my friend Amanda in Canada. It is good to have those things done so I don't have to worry about them.
This afternoon the girls and I are going to start making stone corners for an order. This will take 5 days, then we have an order that will take 7 days. We should be done with both of the orders in two weeks. It is not hard, but the corners are a two part process that extends out over three or four hours. Actual working time is about 45 min.
I think we will do the first part of the corners, then go to the library in the next town that has one which is 33 miles away. We should be able to do our stuff there and be back in time to do the second part on the corners.
Mollie is making hamburgers for lunch today. It smells good.
Our school officially starts next week. The girls are busy getting their books and shelves in order. I will be doing things a bit different this year. I have more combined reading, writing and discussion planned to help those with reading comprehension needs. We will also keep a closer eye on the ones who are not mine but need extra help.
The weather has been cool and rainy. Praise the Lord. Thank you Jesus for the rain. We need it so much.

Im tired

I helped my friend Joella at the school cafeteria today. Its a hard, hard job. I am glad its over. I have great appreciation for her and all cafeteria workers.
We are cleaning the sewing room to make room to do home school there this year. I sure have a lot of sewing supplies. I want to be able to more reading together and some writing assignments together with all of them.
Both older girls took the 8th grad reading proficiency test today at the local school. They both tested fine of course. It was necessary to do this test in order for them to get their drivers learning permits.

funny

THE BATHROOM COMMODE
The story is told of a lady who was rather old-fashioned, always quite delicate and elegant, especially in her language. She and her husband were planning a week's vacation in Florida, so she wrote to a particular campground asking for a reservation.
She wanted to make sure the campground was fully equipped, but didn't quite know how to ask about the toilet facilities. She just couldn't bring herself to write the word "toilet" in her letter. After much deliberation, she finally came up with the old-fashioned term BATHROOM COMMODE. But when she wrote that down, she still thought she was being too forward. So she started all over again and rewrote the entire letter referring to the bathroom commode merely as the BC. "Does the campground have it's own BC?" is what she actually wrote.
Well, the campground owner wasn't old-fashioned at all, and when he got the letter, he just couldn't figure out what the woman was talking about. That BC business really stumped him.
After worrying about it for awhile, he showed the letter to several campers, but they couldn't imagine what the lady meant either. So the campground owner, finally coming to the conclusion that the lady must be asking about he local Baptist Church, sat down and wrote the following reply:
Dear Madam: I regret very much the delay in answering your letter, but I now take pleasure in informing you that a BC is located nine miles north of the campground and is capable of seating 250 people at one time. I admit it is quite a distance away, if you are in the habit of going regularly, but no doubt you will be pleased to know that a great number of people take their lunches along and make a day of it. They usually arrive early and stay late. It is such a beautiful facility and the acoustics are marvelous. Even the normal delivery sounds can be heard.
The last time my wife and I went was six years ago, and it was so crowded we had to stand up the whole time we were there. It may interest you to know that right now a supper is planned to raise money to buy more seats. They are going to hold it in the basement of the BC.
I would like to say it pains me very much not to be able to go more regularly, but it surely is no lack of desire on my part. As we grow old, it seems to be more of an effort, particularly in cold weather.
If you do decide to come down to our campground, perhaps I could go with you the first time you go, sit with you, and introduce you to all the other folks.
Remember, this is a friendly community.
Sincerely,Campground Owner- AUTHOR UNKNOWN -

This is what I told my kids a long time ago

DON'T MESS WITH MOM
My son came home from school one day, with a smirk upon his faceHe decided he was smart enough to put me in my place.
"Guess what I learned in Civics Two, that's taught by Mr. Wright?It's all about the laws today, The 'Children's Bill of Rights'."
"It says I need not clean my room, don't have to cut my hairNo one can tell me what to think, or speak, or what to wear."
"I have freedom from religion, and regardless what you sayI don't have to bow my head, and I sure don't have to pray."
"I can wear earrings if I want, and pierce my tongue and noseI can read and watch just what I like, and get tattoos from head to toe."
"And if you ever spank me, I'll charge you with a crimeI'll back up all my charges with the marks on my behind."
"Don't you ever touch me, my body's only for my useNot for your hugs and kisses, that's just more child abuse."
"Don't preach about your morals like your Mama did to youThat's nothing more than mind control, and it's illegal too!"
"Mom, I have these children's rights, so you can't influence meOr I'll call Children's Services Division, better known as C.S.D."
Of course my first instinct was to toss him out the doorBut the chance to teach him a lesson made me think a little more.
I mulled it over carefully, I couldn't let this goA smile crept upon my face, he's messing with a pro.
The next day I took him shopping at the local Goodwill StoreI told him, "Pick out all you want, there's shirts & pants galore."
"I've called and checked with C.S.D. who said they didn't careIf I bought you K-Mart shoes instead of those Nike Airs."
"And I've cancelled that appointment to take your driver's testThe C.S.D. is unconcerned, so I'll decide what's best."
"I said no time to stop and eat, or pick up stuff to munchAnd tomorrow you can start to learn to make your own sack lunch."
"Just save the raging appetite and wait till dinner timeWe're having liver and onions, a favorite dish of mine."
He asked "Can I please rent a movie to watch on my VCR?""Sorry, but I sold your TV for new tires on my car."
"I also rented out your room, you'll take the couch insteadAll the C.S.D. requires is a roof for over your head."
"Your clothing won't be trendy now, and I'll choose what we eatThat allowance that you used to get will buy me something neat."
"I'm selling off your jet ski, dirt-bike and roller bladesCheck out the 'Parents Bill of Rights,' it's in effect today!"
"Hey hot shot, are you crying, and why are you on your knees?Are you asking God to help you out instead of C.S.D..?"- AUTHOR UNKNOWN -

cats in the cradle

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village.
An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.
“Not very long,” answered the Mexican.
“But then, why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?” asked the American.
The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family.
The American asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”
“I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, play the guitar, and sing a few songs…I have a full life.”
The American interrupted,
“I have an MBA from Harvard, and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat.”
“And after that?” asked the Mexican.
“With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City , Los Angeles , or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise.”
“How long would that take?” asked the Mexican.
“Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years,” replied the American.
“And after that?”
“Afterwards? Well my Friend, That’s when it gets really interesting,” answered the American, laughing. “When your business gets really big, you can start selling stocks and make millions!”
“Millions? Really? And after that?” said the Mexican.
“After that you’ll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late play with your children catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings doing what you like and enjoying your friends.”
And the moral is:
Know where you’re going in life…You may already be there.
(author unknown)

McDonalds FREE southern style sandwich HA

We printed our coupons for our free southern style sandwiches from McDonald's in color as stated. We went to the Guymon Oklahoma McDonald's and they would not let us buy a large drink on sale and get the sandwich free. The coupon clearly states ANY med or large drink purchase. What a rip off. I wrote to corporate. I also tried to call the Borger, Tx store but no one answered. The owner is there quite often. The lady said we had to pay full price for the drink to get the sandwich free. How stupid is that? Anyway we went to Taco Tico for lunch where they even take expired coupons.

Happy Birthday

Mollie is having her 14th birthday party. Her real birthday is not until the 23rd but she is having a sleepover tonight. She and a friend set up a tent and slept out last night until it started pouring rain. We are so dry here I am thinking about letting her have a friend every night and have them sleep outside so it will rain. LOL.

Robert Frost The pasture

I'm going out to clean the pasture spring;
I'll only stop to rake the leaves away
(And wait to watch the water clear, I may):
I sha'n't be gone long.
You come too.
I'm going out to fetch the little calf That's standing by the mother.
It's so young, It totters when she licks it with her tongue.
I sha'n't be gone long.
You come too.

Huge compliment from my husband

Today Jeff told me that I have helped our budget a lot with using coupons. He has had to pay some big bills and he said we would normally be in the red but now we actually have a tiny bit of money. He said its all because of me. What a compliment.

Nicki did it

I have been teaching my niece Nickitta how to save using coupons and stacking coupons and such. She just went to wags and got two packages of diapers for 3.69 including tax. She was so proud. Good thing for cell phones, I just guided her through it and she did it. woohoo.
The diapers are on sale for buy one get one 50% off she then used the coupon from the pharmacy and they took off 4.00 then she used the coupon from the easy saver and they took off another 5.00. Good for her.

Billy goat gruff

Well we delivered the billy goat to his new owners. I smell like a billy goat now. Guess its another shower for me. I think the milk stunk tonite too. I am glad to have him gone. It will be nice to pick which buck we want to breed to which doe and not be limited to the one buck we have (had).

Long Day

Today is the last day before public school starts. Christina is working at the school now so we have been watching the kids for her. Tomorrow the girls will start school so we will just have the little boy.

We are getting rid of our billy goat tonite to a lady who has many goats. She agreed to let us breed our goats with hers in exchange for our billy. Yippee. He is hard to keep away from the girls when they are in heat. This way the girls can go more places to graze without problems worring about the billy getting to them. Its cheaper to graze them than to feed grain. I am very happy about this deal.

Oreo Ice Cream cake and budget version

Mollie has her 14Th birthday coming up and she asked me to make this dessert. There are two ways to make it, the regular way and the budget way.
Regular
1 package oreo's crushed
1/2 c. melted butter or margarine
mix these together and press into the bottom of a 9X13 pan
1/2 gallon ice cream (the rectangle kind works good)
slice ice cream and place over cookies.
Freeze
when ready to serve melt some of that expensive fudge sauce and drizzle over each piece.
Yum Yum

My version
1 package off brand sandwich cookies crushed
1/2 c. melted butter or margarine
mix together and press into the bottom of a 9X13 pan
1/2 gallon ice cream, slice ice cream and place over cookies.
freeze
when ready to serve, cut into pieces and place on plates, melt some inexpensive fudge frosting and drizzle over each piece.
Using my version you should save at least $3.00.

Greed

God Wants Me to Be Richby Karl Taro Greenfeld Joel Osteen preaches the virtues of prosperity--for himself as well as his congregation. A look at the man who may well be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the slumping economy.
Who will save us? Who will lift us up from crushing credit-card debt and resetting mortgage payments and impending foreclosure, from increasing gas prices and decreasing health-insurance coverage? We are a nation stumbling through our worst financial crisis in a generation and our worst housing market in a lifetime. And so we come, seeking gentle salvation, inspiring prayers, steadying words, soothing notions, and calming thoughts that will allow us to become, in Joel Osteen's words, "victors, not victims."
We are in Greensboro, North Carolina, making our way into the downtown arena through the hot, buggy air, to worship with the pastor who will save us, the man anointed, by one of his congregants, as "Reverend Feelgood." Sixteen thousand will file in this evening, as have millions more to coliseums, concert venues, and baseball stadiums around the country--all, in a way, his churches. (View a slideshow that tallies the budgets of some of the biggest churches.)
We are a diverse, representative swath of troubled America: families struggling under debt, husbands and wives seeking reconciliation, young couples on first dates, children dragged by pious grandparents who promise them popcorn and BibleMan action figures. It is religion as escapism, criticized throughout the Bible Belt as "Christianity lite" or "prosperity gospel." But this murmuring crowd, slouching toward a kinder, gentler salvation, is a more telling indicator of the state of our union than consumer durables purchased or capital goods ordered. Unemployment they know; they don't need to wait for the Bureau of Labor Statistics to publish a monthly number. O, but come to Joel, lift your hands to Jesus, banish your negative thoughts, and you can find in these dark times a beacon.
If, in this country, there is great hurting, then Osteen is here to soothe that suffering. He does not wish that pain on any of us, and the sight or thought of it will bring forth from him great torrents of tears--his eyes clamped shut, his fingers pressed into narrow eye sockets, his lips pulled back over pink gums as he grimaces. The crying has become a visual touchstone of an Osteen sermon, the born-again equivalent of James Brown's pre-encore collapse from "exhaustion."
Joel feels our pain and has made himself wealthy (reportedly earning $13 million for his last book advance alone) and his church prosperous ($75 million and counting in annual revenue) by urging us to let go of it, to turn it over to God, to accept God's favor so that we may be as prosperous as Joel.
There was always a strain of American Puritanism that pointed to Scripture as justification for asserting that wealth is somehow godly. But ever since evangelical Christianity separated from the mainline faiths in the early 20th ­century, some preachers have gone further and linked their focus on personal piety to financial success. The big-tent revivals of the 1930s promised the dust-bowl destitute the possibility of finding Jesus and their next meal just by listening to a fire-and-brimstone message. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, televangelists like Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart made prosperity gospel big business, capitalizing on that era's economic uncertainties to win over a new generation of acolytes, before those ministries were brought down by scandal.
Osteen is one of a new breed of televangelists--Joyce Meyer, T.D. Jakes, and Creflo Dollar are also rising stars--who are preaching a less sanctimonious, more inclusive message. His church is in that part of the economy that thrives in troubled times, that can count on full pews when wallets are empty and an ever more receptive audience if we do go into a full-on recession.
Read entire article here.

Wags

I did 3 transactions at walgreens today
#1
2- Scott 4pk. TP 3.99 - 1.00 each 7 day coupon -1.00 each MQ
3- Kleenx tissue 120 ct. 1.19 .89 each with 7 day coupon -50 on three
4- Bic Soleil razors 5.99 each -2.00 IVC each - 4.00 MQ each = free
4- Hershey Bliss 3.00 each -100 IVC -1.00 MQ plus 5.00 MIR = +1.00
wag coupon savings 4.90
wag adv savings 6.94
mfg coupon savings 36.50
total savings 48.34
total 11.11 tax 3.78
grand total 14.89 used gift card
total oop 0000000000

#2
3- Kleenx tissue 120 ct. 1.19 .89 each with 7 day coupon -50 on three
2- Scott 4 pk. TP 3.99 each -100 7 day coupon -100 each MQ
wag coupon savings 4.90
mfg coupon savings 1.50
total savings 6.40
sub total 5.15
tax .53
grand total 5.68 used gift card
total oop 00000000000

#3
3- Kleenx tissure 120 ct. 1.19 .89 each with 7 day coupon on three
wag coupon savings .90
mfg coupon savings .50
total savings 1.40
subtotal 2.17
tax .21
grand total 2.38 used gift card
total oop 0000000000

total savings for today at wags 56.14
total spent for today at wags 22.95 used gift card so no oop


I also did a walmart stop, I am not taking a pix or listing this out except to say the subtotal before coupons was 110.38
after coupons it was 52.30 plus 8.78 tax for a total of 61.08
total saved was 58.08

more kid pix

going home

My grand daughters have been here since last Tuesday and today they go home. Boo hoo.
I have enjoyed them. They are 8 and 4 now. I enjoy them more every year. Last night the preachers kids spent the night. Its really loud right now, 5 little kids and 4 big kids here. One of the bigger kids is trying to do school work, good luck on that. LOL It should quiet down here soon. The baby should go down for a nap, the older kids should settle down and I am taking my two grand kids home.
I cant believe summer is over, at least the break from school. Its time to hit the books again. I think we are all lined up except for possibly a second level Latin for Joy.

I will post pictures later when Jeff has time to upload them or whatever its called.

Good question

A commenter wrote this.

Hi,How can you get a graduate degree without an undergraduate degree?I didn't see any graduate degrees listed in their Student Handbook.I'm just trying to figure this out.
10 August,

My answer is this. On page 15 of the student handbook it gives the hours required for an undergraduate degree, in this case 120 hours for a BSM (Bachelor of Science in ministry). It also says some hours may be transferred from another college if you have previously attended one. Hope this helps.

I want to also note that on page 10 of the student handbook, it says that the college is looking for accreditation. I am happy to announce that at camp meeting this year the dean of the college announced that they have received accreditation.

Walmart

I made a trip to Wal Mart to use some of the buy three kool aid get this item free. Here is what I got.

air freshner .97 (not shown)

Honey Bunches of oats Just Bunches 2.50 -2.00 coupon

cascade 2.47 had a coupon for this free

4- All you magazine 1.77 each

30- pkgs. Kool Aid .20 each 6.00

2- crystal lite 2.98 (free with kool aid)

2-kraft dressing 1.58 (free with kool aid)

2-kraft 12 oz. singles 2.98 (free with kool aid)

2- oscar mayer wieners 1.50 (free with kool aid)

2- wheat thin crackers 3.48 (free with kool aid)

1- Hydrocortizone cream 5.14

total 49.20 plus 4.00 tax =53.20

less 25.51 coupons

total oop $23.69

I can get lots more free stuff because I bought 4 more all you magazines. woohoo.

Building fence

Jeff and the girls are building fence today so the goats have more room to graze. It will help keep the cost of feed down. We had to start milking the goat I was trying to dry off because the other two were just not giving enough milk. She is cantankerous but gives a lot of milk. The last two times I milked her she didn't even kick. That's good because there for a while she was trying to kick sideways and get me in the head. I didn't care much for that. Maybe she will settle down now.

Jeff and I are both taking graduate courses with the online Bible college mentioned in my blogs I like list. I told Jeff I was putting my answers in a different color to make it easier for the professor to see them. He said dont write them in red because you wont be able to see all the red check marks. LOL he should take his show on the road, he is so funny. So just for that I will make this part of my post in red. LOL

coupons

My friend Tina asked where I get my coupons. I thought that would be a good post so here goes.

I get several Sunday papers for the inserts.
All you magazine at Walmart for 1.77 this month the Aug 29th edition is really good.
other magazines.
Internet- look at the manufacturer's site of things you want
That's pretty much where I get my coupons.

I then sit down and look at sales and line up what coupons I want to use and get them ready before I go to the store.

If I dont have access to a store circular I can sometimes find it on the hot coupon world site.

For Walgreen's, I look at the sales, the easy saver book, the 7 day sales and my manufactures coupons. I usually get out of there with lots of stuff and very little money spent. At wags (Walgreen) you can use the easy saver book coupon, the 7 day coupon and a manufacture coupon all on the same item. If there are limits I just separate my stuff and do several transactions. I have never had a problem with doing this. I don't wipe out the store either.

I used to think you never get coupons for meat but the paper has been having good ones for farmland bacon, sausage and ham. If you don't eat pork that wouldn't be good I guess.
As time goes by I will try to write more about using coupons.

Kays Crispies recipe

Sometimes I get too much cheap cereal. Big surprise. My friend Kay gave me this recipe for making rice crispy like treats with out the expensive marshmallows. The ingredients are easy to keep on hand.

2- Tablespoons margarine or butter
1 cup corn syrup
1 cup sugar
Bring these ingredients to a boil.Set aside; add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) peanut butter. Stir until blended. Add 6 cups of corn flakes, Wheaties, rice crispies, or honey bunches of oats. Pour into buttered 9" x 13" pan.

kids

The grand-daughters are here so they played in the pool with the preachers girls and baby boy.

It was a hot day. Cooling off felt great.

Diana's cole slaw

1 package shredded cabbage (or shred your own, the store only had pre-shredded)
Mix the following ingredients together and mix in the shredded cabbage.
1 c. real mayonnaise
1/2 c. sugar
2 T. vinegar
This is better if it can sit a couple of hours in the refrigerator before you use it.

wags/walmart/dillons

Today I did my shopping. I did 4 transactions at Walgreens (wags)
#1
2- 5# Domino sugar 2.99 -1.00 with 7 day coupon
2- TUF tall kitchen bags 2/$10.00 -5.00 MIR (mail in rebate)
3-Angel soft TP 1.39-.49 =.99 each 7 day coupon
2- paper mate Hilighter 6 packs 4.82 .9each with 7 day coupon
2-paper mate pens 10 pks. 1.79 each .9 each with 7 day coupon
4- eraser 2 pks .59 each .9 each with 7 day coupon
1-Dome eraser sale .99 with 7 day coupon
2- meade index cards .69 each
Sub total 17.96 tax 1.67 total 19.63 paid with gift card. 00 oop (out of pocket)
mfg coupon savings 7.62
wag adv savings 8.76
mfg coupon savings 3.00
total savings 19.38

#2
2- Glade fabric and air deoderizer sale 2.99 -1.50 each super saver booklet -1.50 each IP (internet printed coupon) sub total .02- tax .48 total .46 oop .46
wag adv. savings 2.00
mfg coupon savings 6.00
total savings 8.00

#3
2- 5# Domino sugar 2.99 -1.00 with 7 day coupon
3- angel soft TP 1.39 each -.49 each with 7 day coupon
4- eraser 2 pk. .9 each
2- meade index cards .69 each
sub total 6.70
tax .77
total 7.47
paid with gift card total oop 00000
mfg coupon savings 2.80
wag adv savings 3.80
mfg coupon savings 3.00
total savings 9.60

#4
2- 5# Domino sugar 2.99 -1.00 with 7 day coupon
2- Meade index cards .69 each
4- eraser 2 pks. .9 each
3- angel soft TP 1.39 -.49 with 7 day coupon
2- Divider things for notebooks .50 each
sub total 7.70
tax .85
total 8.55 paid with gift card total oop 00000
mfg coupon savings 2.80
wags adv savings 4.78
mfg coupon savings 3.00
total savings 10.58


Total savings for all 4 transactions was $47.56
Total spent was $36.11 of which all but .46 was paid with my gift card from rebates and such from last month.

Wal-Mart
2 transactions (because I forgot the wipes the first time)
5-farmland bacon 2.38 -2.00 coupon
1- J&J bath buddies soap .94 -1.00 coupon +.6 overage
2- All you magazine (not pictured) 1.77 each
1- baby wipes 1.72 -1.00 coupon
3- Honey bunches of Oats Just bunches 2.50 each -1.00 each
4- South beach diet drink mixes 2.00 each -1.00 each
total before coupons 33.60 tax 3.39
Iactually paid 17.27 total saved $19.00


Dillons
3 Transactions I made a mistake and only bought 8 of the 10 things so I didnt get an extra 5.00 off. It sometimes works out that I mess up. I save by far more money than before so a little mess up now and then although frustrating is not the end of the world.

#1
4- farmland polish sausage 2.59 each-1.00 coupon each
4-farmland sliced ham 3.59 each -2.00 coupon each
8- speed stick 1.50 each - 1.00 coupon each
2- Irish spring 3 pk. 1.50 each -35 coupon doubled to 70 each
Total paid was $16.55
vendor coupons 24.60
multi coupons 1.60
store coupons 23.44
total savings 78 pct. 49.64

#2
10 Kelloggs snack bars 2.50 each - 1.00 each
Total paid 11.99
sent in for 10.00 Kelloggs rebate
saved 68 pct. 21.98

#3
4- farmland polish sausage 2.59 each -1.00 coupon each
4- farmland sliced ham 3.59 each -2.00 coupon each
2- Irish spring 3 pk. 1.50 each -35 coupon doubled to 70 cents each
4- soft soap 1.50 each -30 coupon doubled to 60 cents each
2-Daisy sour cream 1.50 each -1.00 coupon each
This is the transaction I made a mistake on. If I had purchased 2 more 1.50 items it would have take off 5.00 thus saving me 2.00 more and those Items would have been free. Oh well.
Total spent 21.42
vendor coupons 15.20
multi coupons 2.80
store coupons 19.18
total savings 66 pct. 37.18

TOTAL SPENT $103.34 of which 35.65 was my was gift card, so actual oop was $67.69

TOTAL SAVED $175.36

How I make soap

All Purpose Soap
24 oz. coconut oil
38 oz. lard
24 oz. olive oil (inexpensive kind)
Total weight of fats is 5# 6oz. I don’t always use these measurements. If I don’t have enough olive oil, I make up for it with another kind. Sometimes I even use all lard. I even use all recycled oil from the cafe in town after I strain it several times.
12 oz. lye ( I use household 100% lye drain opener)
32 oz. water
2 oz fragrance
½ to ¾ cup chopped oats (optional)
2- thermometers (candy thermometers work fine)
Measure everything by weight.
Line molds with freezer paper (shiny side up) or parchment paper.
Prepare all ingredients before starting process.
Run sink part way full of cold water and set plastic container of water 32oz. into sink. Slowly pour measured lye into water while stirring.
Melt lard 38 oz. = 2 lbs. 6 oz.
Coconut oil 24 oz = 1 lb. 8 oz.
Total 3 lbs. 14 oz.
Add olive oil 24oz.
When lye water and oils are both at 110 – 120 degrees at the same time, slowly add lye water to oils while mixing with stick blender. When mixture comes to trace add fragrance, color and other add ingredients if desired. Mix these in and pour into mold(s). Cover with parchment or freezer paper and a couple of towels or a blanket. Let sit undisturbed 24 hours. At this time remove soap from mold and slice into bars of the desired size. Let cure for three weeks before using.
When I remove the soap from the molds I cut it into 4 bars 2 inches wide. I then slice it into 1 inch pieces.

My husband made my molds which are 8 in. X 9in. We used 1X4 lumber for the sides. For the bottom we just found a board to fit and used that. When I remove the soap from the molds I cut it into 4 bars 2 inches wide. I then slice it into 1 inch pieces.

salsa

Our favorite easy salsa
1 can diced tomatoes ( or fresh if you have em)
diced onion (to taste)
garlic salt (1-2 T)
1 bunch cilantro (snip the tops and toss the stems)
Mix together and let sit or eat right away. Good any where you'd use salsa.

more chores

Chores

The girls were doing chores and I snapped some pix. Here they are milking. The top pix are of the greenhouse we made out of cattle panels and our baby girl goat.

Top bar bee hives

This winter I want to make some top bar bee hives. I have wanted to keep bees for years and have always been discouraged by how high the cost is. I also like to produce as much of our own food as possible. In my searching I came across top bar bee hives and I know that is exactly what I want to do. Not only can my husband and I make the hives, it is less disturbing on the bees to check them and lets them bee more natural. I am praying that we will be able to find a supplier to put a reserve order in with for this next spring. If anyone know a good supplier just let me know.
We also want to build another greenhouse this fall, twice as long as our current one. I will take pictures as we do this and post them in a tutorial. Our current greenhouse is built from cattle panels. We like it very much. The plants in there are so much more lush than those beaten down by the constant wind, little rain and scorching hot weather.

Spring Rolls (our version)

The girls made spring rolls yesterday. They were great. Here is the recipe
6-8 onions (sliced as thin as possible)
1 package rice noodles (soak in water, then snip with kitchen scissors)
3-5 carrots ( grated)
2 # ground turkey or sausage
2 egg yolks (save the white to seal the wrappers)
3-8 bulbs garlic (minced)
1/3 c. sugar
Mix in a large bowl with your hands, try to get it mixed well.
Place a spoonful into a spring roll wrapper. Use the egg white to seal it closed after you wrap it up. Fry in hot oil and drain on paper.

Yummy creamy cucumbers

My 2nd daughter requested this dish when we visited her in Branson. She is a 2nd grade teacher and works part time at Dixie Stampede.
Creamy cucumbers and onions
Mix in a medium bowl
1 c. mayo or miracle whip
1/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. vinegar
1/3 c. water
Slice cucumbers and onions into the bowl. Toss to coat. Yummy. As you eat the cukes and onions, just slice up more to add. The mixture is good for a couple of weeks before I make more.

Dixie Stampede/The Dugger family

My daughter is an auditor for Dixie Stampede. So when we went to Branson we went to the Dixie Stampede show. The Dugger family who have 17 kids and one on the way and another family with 16 kids and one on the way were there doing a filming for their show. We walked right by them, and sat close to them. Very well behaved children, just like mine. I am fascinated by their family. They have a web site too. It was fun to see them. We were close enough to talk but I didn't know what to say so I just smiled.

Glenda the wonder friend

My friend Glenda did our chores while we were gone. She milked for us. Fed and watered all the animals. Kept the pool clean. Watered the greenhouse and the lawn. She did an awesome job. She even acted like she enjoyed it. I am so glad. I was worried that she would not like it and it would be an aggravation for her. If it was she sure didn't say so. She used the pool a couple of times. I am so glad she was able to enjoy that. I hope she comes and uses the pool a few more times while I have it up. No sense having a pool if no one uses it I say. Anyway, many thanks and bravo to GLENDA a wonderful friend.

Free Bible College

I just cant say enough about how excited I am about the free online Bible college. Go here to check it out. :http://www.apostolicfaithonline.org/

update

I have so many things I want to write about. I will just have to take it one at a time.

Camp meeting was awesome. I heard it got even more awesome after we left. We got the CD's

so we can listen to all of them. Hubby received healing for his inner ear disturbance. The ear

tubes were too narrow and wouldn't allow drainage. He said he actually felt them open up and

his dizziness and hollow sound when he talks is gone. Praise the Lord. I received healing for my

neck pain which is a precursor for a heart attack. Hallelugha.


I am excited about the online Bible college. I think I can transfer my credits from juco and soon

have my degree. And for free. Whoo, hoo. Hubby says he is going to take Bible college online too.