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Last week I caved, and bought a new cookbook. I had looked it up a year or so ago, and thought it would be nice but never bit at it. This week I came across it again, and couldn’t resist. That’s kinda putting it mildly! LOL. I went to purchase it, and saw that it was available as an ebook, or as a published book needing to be shipped. Shipping to Canada was an unreal price, and driving the 15 miles across the border to pick it up was not sounding too exciting either. Having a new printer with relatively efficient ink usage and costs, I figured the amount I could save in shipping would pay for my printing and a binder (which I had available to me in the basement after shuffling some papers around). That was before I realized the size of this book. I was imagining a regular book, like the church cookbooks I had in my cupboard. Well, this book is chalk full of resources, tips, suggestions, substitutions, and who knows what. It consists of a full 470+ pages.
As I started printing, I realized that my printer was going to take a year and a day. I had opted for the double sided printing (Praise the Lord), and divided it between two days. (not wanting to sit and wait for the paper bin to empty on me inbetween, I left the room to do other things…thus it took longer).
Finally, I had the book together. I hole punched the pages, and put them in my nice ‘new’ binder. Oh the joy that filled my soul as I sat and paged through it. There was SO much stuff in there! And So many recipe’s that I just KNOW i’m going to make!
We’ve enjoyed one recipe so far, and I look forward to trying more!
You mean to say, I’ve gone on and on, and on, yet haven’t told you WHAT book I bought? I’m so sorry! (right, i’ll let you think I am….LOL)
I purchased the book called Dining on a Dime by Tawra Jean Kellam and Jill Cooper. You can find out more about them on their website called Living on a Dime.
You can follow my recipe review and progress here. If you have this book, what are your favorite recipes? I am considering getting this book and giving it to every new bride I know! It’s just so full of information I had to gather from here and there throughout the last 8 years of marriage…plus more! An amazing resource!
LEMI SHINE!
I just had to get that out, thank you for listening to me, and allowing me to yell at you’all! I got THE phone call this afternoon from our local Canadian Tire, My ‘rain check’ call (or product order call). I had found out through calls to the home offices of a few major retailers in Canada, that Canadian Tire was putting out a new product for 2009. That product was Lemi Shine. I ordered it mid January, and got the call TODAY that the order was IN! Well, I saved my dishwasher load from the day for tonight, when I could finally head into town and pick this stuff up. After arriving home with my new product in hand, I ran a cycle in my dishwasher with it. And again I’ll sing REJOICE! My dishes (who’s original color had been WHITE), turned from a yellowish stained off white, to a crispy clean and SHINING WHITE! (and don’t kid yourself…the inside of the dishwasher cleaned itself! 
My final answer is: LEMI SHINE WORKS!
I hear the local Canadian Tire store got a box of this stuff and is putting it out on the shelves! Go, grab it while it’s hot!
My final gratitude goes to Canadian Tire, and The Pioneer Woman who introduced me to this product. I guess I’ll go over there and thank her myself yet one of these days!
Now, i’m off to make some clean dishes dirty…I need another dishwasher load!
FOR TODAY February 8, 2009…
Outside my window…the peaceful quiet of the morning air in the country. well, and the traffic sound of those driving to and from work…along with birds, dogs, cows, and who knows what else might actually be making sounds out there! it just LOOKS quiet and peaceful.
I am thinking…that i love mornings, but it just doesn’t seem i like them as much as i like my evenings at this point in life. once the kids are in bed, i thrive on my ME time…and my mornings seem to suffer. 
I am thankful for…antibiotics for the baby.
From the kitchen…my menu planning for week 2 begins!
I am wearing…earrings and finger rings. nothing else is of relevance here.
I am creating…a paper scrapbook page i started some 3 years ago. are you surprised, proud, or disappointed in me?
I am going…to finish my driving week with smiles on my face!
I am reading…my devotion book. i really need to start another book. guess i’ll just have to go out and get me another book one of these days.
I am hoping…and praying for the week to go smoothly. theres enough planned to fill it up…and i don’t need any distractions!
I am hearing…the cooling fan under the laptop. i like the sound.
Around the house…is the aftermath of a weekend. nothing terrible, just the aftermath!
One of my favorite things…is driving alone in my vehicle. i love the peace and quiet, or the option of listening to my kinda music.
A few plans for the rest of the week: monday night is bible study night (might not happen this week), tuesday morning is mom’s program, wednesday night is clubs for the kids, thursday is the oldest baby’s birthday with i’m sure a party or two after school, and then we’re till friday. wow, and it’s a long weekend, isn’t it!?!
Here’s a picture thought I will share with you! hope you enjoy your weekend, and the plans you have!
FOR TODAY Monday, January 19, 2009…
Outside my window…bright white snow, and the warmest sunshine we’ve had in a few weeks!
I am thinking…what to do for dh’s birthday tomorrow?!
I am thankful for…my girl friend who got me motivated to work on the retreat we’re planning this saturday!
From the learning rooms…photoshop. just one word to describe that one! LOL. it’s all i’ve got time to learn these days, and it’s a big enough job! one of these days you’ll see the results of me learning it, and learning it well!
From the kitchen…left overs. oh my how i need to plan. do you have a plan for the week? can i borrow that plan?
I am wearing…capri’s, sox and shoes, and a t-shirt.
I am creating…um…nothin’ really. i guess i’m creating and organizing a retreat this weekend! (a day retreat)
I am going…to stay home all day today! yehaw!
I am reading…nothing! i finished my john grisham book over the weekend, and passed it on to my sister! it was pretty good!
I am hoping…that i can accomplish everything i need to before saturday.
I am hearing…my girls have a quiet time (nap time hopefully)
Around the house…are many things to do. a pile of this, and a pile of that. a few loads of laundry, and most of all, a clean bathroom! that makes me smile. what makes you smile?
One of my favorite things…the feeling of accomplishment. don’t you just love having had accomplished something?
A few plans for the rest of the week: tuesday is the first moms program in town, wednesday my GF is coming to work on retreat stuff and staying for lunch plus clubs for the girls in the evening, thursday is nothing, and friday is a meeting for the retreat volunteers to wrap up the plans, and get prepared for the event!
Here is picture thought I am sharing… here’s one that goes way back. back to 2005-2006. I have always loved this bedhead morning picture. it just makes me smile!
FOR TODAY Monday, January 12, 2009…
Outside My Window…morning dew on the new growth of life starting to form. ok, i’m kidding. it’s still all white and cold out there.
I am thinking…it would be nice to exercise. one of these days i’ll start. should it be today? maybe i’ll start today. we’ll see!
I am thankful for…a loving husband, who loves me for me.
From the learning rooms…to be more gracious. God is grace, and if i want to be more like Him, i need to extend grace more.
From the kitchen…today is menu planning day, but i REALLY want to make cauliflower soup again. hmmm, it was SCRUMPTIOUS last week!
I am wearing…my pj’s.
I am creating…cleanliness. my house is a disaster, and if i want to possibly do a girls coffee tonight, i’ll have to clean this joint up first! 
I am going…to drive the kindergarten girls TWO more days…then i’m done for another week! oh the joy that fills my soul! LOL.
I am reading…my John Grisham book. getting further and further…one chapter at a time. i also want to finish reading my book for bible study (that’s starting up again on thursday) by philip yancey called what’s so amazing about grace.
I am hoping…and prayin’.
I am hearing…the laptop cooling plate, doing it’s job. this thing’s been working SO much better since i started using that thing. who’de have thought?
Around the house…lets not talk about it, ok? maybe tomorrow i’ll be able to talk about it again. we’ll see how much i actually get done today!
One of my favorite things…order. next to order would have to be contentment. i love feeling content with my surroundings, my faith, myself, my family, and most of all, my everyday. i have a wonderful life.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: monday is girls coffee night (if i plan it i guess), tuesday is ladies meeting at church, wednesday is the girls clubs program at church, thursday is bible study, and friday is off to winnipeg for the weekend for two nights. oh what a FUN and full week! what are YOU doin’?
what are YOU doin’?Here is picture thought I am sharing…
messy baby enjoying her first baby cracker
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Today I want to share with you a staple item of our winter menu planning. Seeing as it’s National Soup Month, I thought it would kill two birds with one stone.
Taco Soup
- 1 tin can diced tomatoes
- 1 tin can kidney beans
- 1 tin can corn (or frozen, either works well)
- 1 tin can tomato soup (plus one tin water)
- 1/2 an onion chopped (i used dehydrated onions…always on hand, and don’t ‘grow’ before their time’s up)
- 1-2 lb. ground beef (it’s not really fussy how much of each ingredient you use…it all depends on how thick you want the soup to turn out)
- 1 envelope taco seasoning
I begin the soup by browning up the ground beef. To create nice small browned pieces, I separate the pieces using a potato masher as it browns. Works WONDERS! Once the meat is browned, I add the taco seasoning, onions, corn, and all the tins. I rinse out the tomato soup tin and add one tin water to the soup. Bring these ingredients to a boil. Cover and simmer till it’s reached the consistency you desire. I love it as a thicker soup, so I could simmer it for an hour, but you really don’t need to cook any of the ingredients, so you could just simmer till heated thru (or the corn is thawed if it’s frozen like mine)
Serve with mozza cheese and taco chips. (we each do our own in our individual bowls).
The girls LOVE this soup, tho they don’t care for the beans. I have at times eliminated them, but I find the soup just isn’t quite the same without them. The other thing i have done, is mashed them up. For the most part, I just let her pick out the beans from her bowl, and the rest of us are happy to enjoy it the way it is!
FOR TODAY Monday, January 5, 2009…
Outside my window…the glistening glow of pink snow as the morning sun stretches out over the world with it’s bright radiance and glory.
I am thinking…and praying for a smooth transition back into routine for the whole family.
I am thankful for…the wonderful holidays in the past two weeks for all of us!
From the learning rooms…back to the old grind of learning how to completely and wholey serve my family in my daily routines and meanderings.
From the kitchen…cleanliness, and simplicity. we’re hoping to have sandwichs for lunch and taco soup for supper. off to get the last one started to simmer for me this afternoon.
I am wearing…cozy pants, and a green shirt (inside out…is that still style? cause i strive to be in style while working at home), and cozy grey sox.
I am creating…routines…ones that we can accomplish and succeed at!
I am going…NO WHERE today! i don’t have to drive kindergarten kids today! yeah!
I am reading…still the john grisham book….still don’t know the title. i am further than chapter one tho!
I am hoping…and praying that dh has a great first day back at work after two weeks of holidays. and that his job security remains as God sees fit.
I am hearing…my laptop cooling plate doing it’s job without the laptop on it. LOL. i’ll set it back on there once i’m done typing.
Around the house…chaos. simple, pure, distinctly messy chaos. i’de be out of a job if it wasn’t so!
One of my favorite things…silence. i won’t have that till much later today…but i can’t wait! is it 9 pm yet?
A few plans for the rest of the week: driving the kindy kids, enjoying being at home on routine, picking up my not sold items i brought to a consignenment store (time’s up), pulling a tooth. (literally, LOL)
Here is picture thought I am sharing…
(edited using PSE and some action i downloaded from a website called coffeeshopphotography)
thanks for stopping by!
- it was REALLY cold, but we braved it, and had loads of FUN!
Through some online reading, i’ve been informed, that January is National Soup Month. Soup has always been a huge part of my life. I grew up with homemade and bought soups being a daily part of our menu.
Mom has made a trademark for herself throughout the years with her soups. She loves to cook them, is good at cooking them, and always has a few varieties sealed up in jars in her fridge for easy meals. You’re guarenteed to have a bowl of soup if you’re ever over at my mom’s for a meal.
I hope to share some favorite soup recipe’s with you this month. I’ll start with some links to online sites with soup recipes.
Campbell’s Soup Company Recipe Site
And a whole websited dedicated to Homemade Soups!
Do you have a favorite soup recipe? Do you have time to share it with us? Be sure to add it in or link us to it in the comments section!
hmmmm….i’m hungry! (these photos are from free photo websites, none of them are mine)
FOR TODAY Friday, December 19, 2008…
Outside my window…Darkness, Crispy Cold Air, Birds waking up, and peace. As much peace as this world will probably ever see.
I am thinking…I love my life. I’m truely blessed.
I am thankful for…my faithful husband, my loving daughters, my quite hours.
From the learning rooms…right now, i’m learning more about photoshop express, as mentioned in my previous post!
From the kitchen…peanut butter and grape jam sandwhichs. i hope to upgrade that to turkey sandwhichs today. :)
I am wearing…my morning cloths.
I am creating…memories. i pray they’re good for all those around me too!
I am going…to the dentist with dd this morning.
I am reading…nothing, but i did buy a book by John Grisham yesterday!
I am hoping…to read a book over christmas! you think i can do it? in between my husbands icefishing, and my sister being out for a week, i think i should be able to squeeze some me time in, right?
I am hearing…the nice warm air pushing thru the furnace vents. ahhh….warmth. I’m truely blessed. Thank you Jesus for all you have blessed us with!
Around the house…work. My job. I love my job. Even if some days i complain a little. I know, you never hear it…LOL. but i do, honestly! :)
One of my favorite things…reality, and being real, and honesty, and being honest. well, keeping in mind others do have a heart and a soul. we don’t need to crush someones heart just for the sake of honesty. :)
A few plans for the rest of the weekend: i’m hoping to spend some quality time in a ice shack. some quality hour or so…THEN, i hope to spend the rest of my quality time in the warmth of a house. mine or anyone elses! :)
Here is picture thought I am sharing…
this video is of my baby girl exploring her gums where she popped out her first tooth last weekend! (sorry for the bad lighting…) thanks for watching!
FOR TODAY, Friday, December 5, 2008…
Outside my window…early morning light, and calmness. the trees aren’t being whipped around for a change! the people are all rushing off to work, everyone with some place to get to or maybe already should have been. Some are just finishing a night shift and are headed home to wind down for a ‘night’ sleep.
I am thinking…how peaceful today should be. nothing huge on the agenda. i’m praying that it stays that way. that i can get some things accomplished to keep me satisfied with my days work.
I am thankful for…time at home, and the opportunity to not be a working mom. i don’t know what i’ll do when the day comes and i have to prove myself again to anyone other than my family. my heart is finally in my home, and i can’t imagine dragging it out again. for me, it’s been a battle in my heart, and i can’t say it was a fun one. to give myself completely to my family, and only offer the leftovers to others. i see so many times it’s the complete opposite in today’s society, and we wonder why family life fails. our focus is on the wrong thing.
From the learning rooms…right now i’m trying to focus on learning how to love others as they are. not with alterior motives on how i can love them into changing to become who i want them to be. i love darrell because he is simiply the most dedicated man i know. i love family because i know God gave them to me for a purpose. i pray i can do right by my children for them to be used by God in their lives.
From the kitchen…well, today not much. cereal and toast. i did make my smashing recipe of meatsauce last night. oh my. with spaghetti and breadsticks. ahhhh…i filled up alright! i’ll have to post my meatsauce recipe one day.
I am wearing…my house coat
I am creating…my christmas card design? (for the second or third time?!) i really need to get this done. yeah, i handed out some trial ones, but dh hated them. i thought they where nice (other than the photo i couldn’t get of him).
I am going…NOWHERE i hope!
I am reading…nothing. i really need to change this! i will read something today OTHER than blogs.
I am hoping…that i can accomplish a few important tasks today. like my floors and my kitchen and my bathroom.
I am hearing…my baby in her highchair telling me it’s time for a morning nap!
Around the house…the girls are watching toons and getting ready go on the bus.
One of my favorite things…is quiet time, or nap time. there’s an actual possibility of getting something accomplished, and it remaining that way for a longer than usual while.
A few plans for the rest of the weekend: honestly, there’s nothing up. not for me anyway. dh is planning to go icefishing on saturday for the day. i’m wondering if i should go shopping. i’m sure i’ll just stick around home.
Here is picture thought I am sharing…
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