It's All About the Benjamins

We headed to the mall last night to do some walking. We hadn't planned on buying anything but I got distracted by all the sale signs. So, our walking trip became a shopping trip. I was able to score these little beaut's. Originally $29.50, they were on clearance for $10.99. With an additional 50% off, I snatched 'em up for $5.49. Yep, I'm pretty proud of myself. Along with my shoes, I got two new pairs of leggings, Bran got two T's and two long sleeved crew neck sweaters for  a total of $121.00 $32.41. That's right! We saved $88.59. What a fun surprise. I need to go shopping walking more often!

Dear Little R,

"Your baby blues so full of wonder
Your curly cues, your contagious smile
And as I watch, you start to grow up
All I can do is hold you tight..."
(Plumb : In My Arms)

Do you have a future on the runway?

Maybe as nurse or some other kind of caretaker?

Whatever you do with this life you've been given, know that I'll be there to encourage and support you.

Love you, Momma

I'd Like to File an Extension!

Our first Christmas in our new home was wonderful! Little R and Baby G had so much fun opening their gifts. Bran and I started a new tradition this year–"gold, frankincense, and myrrh" gifts... which translates as three gifts per person. The exception to the rule this year was my gift. Bran and Little R cleverly stole away to Best Buy and purchased a Sony Cyber-Shot for me. They came back with the Plants vs. Zombie's game (Little R loves it!), so I didn't question their motive. I wouldn't have suspected anything but Little R was so excited to get me a gift that she ran right up to me and said,"Momma, we got a Christmas gift!" Bran had instructed her in the car not to say anything to me. He should have known! When you tell a two-year-old not to say anything, you can expect them to say pretty much everything. I was still surprised by the gift to say the least.


This was Little R's third Christmas so she's really getting the hang of things. She opened her gifts and then helped the rest of us open ours. It's fun to see her enjoy it so much more now. Baby G seemed to take on the task of opening gifts like a pro. You'd never know that this was his first Christmas. He made out like a bandit. He has more Starwars loot than any not-even-one year old I know! Bran also got Starwars toys... so he could play with Baby G, of course.


The simple celebration was a wonderful way to give gifts without getting caught up in consumerism. Bran and I wanted the focus to be on Christ (the real reason for the celebration that many people are forgetting these days) and family. I feel we accomplished that. Little R understands that Santa is part of the spirit of "Merry Christmas" but that Christmas is for remembering Christ. I hope we can all remember him more and extend the joy we feel at Christmas throughout the year.

Um... Yum!

Normally we don't eat a ton of potatoes. I'm on my third potato meal this week and it's only Wednesday. We have been blessed to the inherit all of the perishable food from our friend's refrigerator's prior to their vacations... potatoes, cheese, eggs, spinach, onions, potatoes, sandwich meat, potatoes... and did I mention potatoes! I've never had so many potatoes! Last night's meal was the best. Creole seasoned tilapia and spinach with onion-roasted potatoes.


I used Emeril's Creole seasoning recipe.

Ingredients:

• 2-1/2 Tbsp paprika
• 2 Tbsp salt
• 2 Tbsp garlic powder
• 1 Tbsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp onion powder
• 1 Tbsp cayenne
• 1 Tbsp dried oregano
• 1 Tbsp dried thyme

This is going to be added to my recipe book!