New weekly game night and Momma's birthday picnic

For the longest time, we have claimed Friday nights as family movie night. I love it because when the Mr. is home... we get to have a date at the kitchen island and the kids get to watch a movie in front of the TV and relax eating their dinner as well.
I wanted to start doing a game night for us now on Saturday nights. We put it to the test this past Saturday. I wasn't sure how Boomer would do but he did wonderfully!
We had a great time playing "Don't Break the Ice" and "Don't Spill the Beans." Plus, I wanted to do a little something special with them to celebrate my birthday. We fixed some fun foods: popped popcorn in the popper :), I had made homemade potato chips with sea salt, some cheese and crackers and cashews... some of their favorites! We put down a picnic blanket and watched "The Great Muppet Caper." It was so nice having this time with them! I can't wait for the Mr. to come home and join in game night!

Why I love Vistaprint...

I'm in love with Vistaprint and I have been for quite some time. This website has made savings upon savings possible for gifts, cards and invitations!
Right now, if you search... there are plenty of items for free. You only have to pay the shipping!
I was able to get Goosie's custom Valentine's for free to hand out for school, ballet, etc. I, also, got free sticky notes, a note pad, and labels for baggies I use to put hairbows in to sell! I paid $10.35 for all of it... that was the cost of the shipping. Everything is personalized and one thing you must remember... order in advance so that you can choose the slow shipping. It says it takes 21 days with the slow shipping but I have had it show up earlier than that. This is how you get the savings!

What a great idea so start thinking about Easter, Mother's Day, etc. Scan and see what else you can get for free... rubber stamps, address labels, etc.! ENJOY!

First lost tooth and new ballet hairbows

I can't believe Goose lost her first tooth on New Year's Eve... it popped out so easily there was no drama involved. Unfortunately, it has taken me this long to post a picture of the new smile she is sporting ;).
I had promised her some new fancy ballet hairbows... so she started the new year off at ballet in style. She had missed her ballet Christmas party due to a very high fever so I was more than happy to oblige her with some fancy new bows to start the year off right!
Enjoy!

Got Beer? Got bread!

I had found this VERY easy Whole Wheat Beer Bread recipe... it won't fail you!
My Dad had purchased some beer while he was here for Christmas to boil some shrimp and there is quite a bit left in our garage... nice and cold if you want to stop by ;).
So, I have plans for this little recipe this weekend. So far, I have made some wonton "crackers," homemade potato chips with sea salt, and a few other favorites... including taking time for hot cocoa and some cookies since it is so blustery here in the Midwest.

So... here is the recipe!

Easy Whole Wheat Beer Bread

2 cups of whole wheat flour
1 cup all-pupose flour
1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon baking powder
14 ounces of beer (or 12 ounces of beer and 2 ounces of water)

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Combine flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Slowly stir in beer and mix just until combined (do not overmix). Batter will be thick. Spread in an 8-inch loaf pan and bake until golden brown and a toothpick or cake tester stuck in the middle comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool 10 minutes more!
ENJOY!!!!!

Yesterday....

could have started better...
I mean... the 4:30 a.m. wake up call from Quinn and then the vomit began. It could have started better. Then, the rush to get to him before he got to the stairs... and...

I


fell


down


the



stairs.

OUCH!
Boomer slept all night last night. I slept on the heating pad with a swig of water and some Tylenol. Luckily, I'm already on steriods for the lost feeling in my right hand. Today, Goosie is home from school due to the snow we had and severe wind chills. I'm thrilled to have a four day weekend with my crew. Thanks to Boomer... all the sheets are washed, all the towels are washed and the house is pretty clean! The big bonus of it all... he was exhausted and I got to hold him in my arms for nearly 2 hours while he slept. It was the best. And... Goose found refuge in her room with her amazing amount of Barbies! Thank you, Santa!

Back to Basics...

I have a question for the readers... PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS...

Do you find yourself doing things to be more frugal?
How have you adjusted you budgets to find ways to save money?
Any helpful hints for those wanting to save more and spend less?

Here we go with the inventory building!

So... the plan is to begin building inventory. I have made over 50 hairbows in the past three days and I just made my second party hat. The goal is to either have a Spring trunk show or attend and sell at a local craft show.
Please, give me thoughts and comments on the party hat, idea of trunk show or craft show!