bargains & quilts

Saturday, we went to visit my sister. We took the long way and stopped by the Amish store. I love that place! You can get almost everything you need there, and the price is right. I have been putting off buying orange peel from Walmart because it cost over $5. I got more quantity from the Dutch Bakery than I would have at Walmart for a much lower price. I also purchased lemon peel, dry mustard, white and yellow powdered cheese sauce, and wheat germ. Tim found some good knifes he can use for his wood carving, and Makayla chose some chocolate covered raisins for her treat. Something for everyone :) If we were settled in our own place, I could have used so many things from there for my frugal cooking and baking. In another direction from where we live, there is an Amish community that I have never been to before. There is supposed to be several stores with food, quilts, furniture, etc. I hope to venture that way next.

Speaking of quilts, I broke out my old quilt my grandma made for us when we first got married. It's still in perfect condition since I didn't use it very long before we converted to a king size bed. Tim and I were tired of waking up with very stiff backs so we decided to purchase a new bed Sunday. I have been wanting a new look on my bed, but not willing to fork out the funds for it. Since we downsized to a queen I am able to get that new look again. My grandma originally made the quilt for a full size bed, but it fits my new queen perfectly. On the downside, the main color is hunter green, which is the color I chose 8 years ago when it was "the color". I don't care for hunter green, but the quilt really gives a new look aside from the old comforter. Maybe I will post a picture soon. It almost inspires me to make my own quilt. I pieced together the top layer of a lap blanket 4 years ago. It's on my "finish projects" list once we get settled.

frugal birthday present

I think I have a new hobby...making bags, purses, etc. out of outgrown, damaged and unwanted clothing. The picture below is a hand bag made from Makayla's old shirt for Sophia. It's not pink and frilly, but I think she likes it.

This shirt tied around the neck. I turned the shirt inside out and sewed along the bottom to close it up. I tied knots in the strings because they were coming unraveled, and it actually gave it an extra design. I then sewed the straps along the top of the back of the shirt to create handles.

pretzels

Holli complained to me that her mom never uses her bread machine so this morning I asked her if she wanted to make cinnamon rolls or pretzels. I never made pretzels before, but we gave it a try. Although I was thinking of traditional pretzel twist, the girls had other creative pretzels in mind. The pretzels came out a little hard. I have been wondering how to make breads with a soft outer crust. It came to me today that maybe if I lower my oven temperature and bake longer the outside of my bread will be softer. Does anyone know if this is correct?

traveling food

Ahhh, I stepped on my scale this morning to find that I have gained 5 pounds! Tim and I have been traveling lately trying to find that perfect little town for us to move to. We are ready for our move, but we are waiting for God to open that door. Anyhow, as a result we have been eating a lot of fast food. Somehow, I believe that I can start eat whatever and nothing changes...WRONG. I tend to eat more when I am traveling. I guess I will have to downsize to kids meals and pack healthy snacks like: carrots, cheese sticks and fruit. Not to mention, Holli brought a big container of no bake cookies to my house this week.

latest happenings

Makayla's Electric Co-op...you know the thing that sends energy to make your TV work.

Makayla recently discovered that she can pick up her little brother.

My favorite...I'm not sure dad's ready for this.

"White House" chocolate chip cookies

These are the best chocolate chip cookies I've ever had. I found them in my church cookbook. I told the lady from church who submitted the recipe that they were the best cookies. She told me that she obtained the recipe from an article. This recipe was used by the chef of the White House. It was said that President Bush would go down and have milk and cookies during the night when he was stressing over an issue. Because the cookies are made with molasses, they can be left out on a plate for a few days and keep their flavor without going stale.

1 c. unsalted butter, softened
1 c. sugar
2/3 c. brown sugar, packed
1/4 c. molasses
2 eggs, beatened
1 T. vanilla
3 c. & 3 T. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 c. (12 oz. bag) chocolate chips
1 c. nuts

Cream together butter, sugar, brown sugar and molasses in large mixing bowl. Add eggs and vanilla. Beat until thoroughly combined. Mix in dry ingredients (flour, baking soda and salt). Stir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drop by heaping tablespoonful on parchment paper lined cookie sheet. Bake at 375° for 10 minutes.

I used salted butter and omitted the salt. I also did not use nuts since they are expensive. The original recipe read to bake at 400° for 8-10 minutes, but my cookies burned on the bottom at this temperature. I put these in baggies in the freezer by twos and throw into Tim's lunch box every morning, but I seem to be eating them faster than he is.

blue ribbon frame

Holli made this frame with Ruben's newborn picture as her 4-H project for the county fair.

She received a blue ribbon.

soccer and Makayla

Last week our church held a Mega Sports Camp for kids. Makayla and her cousin, Holli, chose soccer. Each night they had coaches that taught them how to play the game, and they had lessons about Jesus in between.
The first night I had to encourage Makayla to go with her soccer group. Tuesday, she couldn't wait to get to the field. By the end of the night Tuesday, she didn't want to go back. They played their first game that night, and she got attacked by the ball. I made her stick with it through the end of the week. Her coaches told me that she made the most goals at practice, and could do the "pivot" move really well. Soccer just might me for her...well, after we purchase some shin guards. At the end of the week, everyone received an award certificate with their picture on it which their coach had signed. It looks good enough to frame.

Makayla posing for mom

Makayla making a goal

Holli making a goal

laundry detergent revisited

I had a request for a picture of the Borax and Washing Soda boxes used in my Liquid Laundry Detergent recipe post.

one's trash is another's treasure

Last week I sent out an email looking for used games to used in Makayla's home school curriculum. A friend sent me back the web site: freecycle.org. This site is used for people to offer things they don't want sitting around their house any longer or ask for wanted things that other people may have laying around their house. The purpose is to keep down on waste and help others in need.
First you will need to sign up for a yahoo email address if you don't have one already. When you get to the site, you will need to find the area you are in and register with the web master. It's takes some time to get approved. Once you are in, you can have emails of offers/wants sent directly to your email.
I just replied to an offer for a weed whacker. I hope we get it. I was too slow on the last offer Sunday.