Benson and Sarah

Birthday Birthday

2012-01-16T14:19:00.000-07:00

Late, but not forgotten!
My mom and niece share a birthday 2 days after Christmas, meaning that with holiday craziness it doesn't always feel very special. So this year we celebrated late to make sure they both got to feel as special as well all think they are.

Now that our house is pretty much completed (inside at least) it was fun to have the family over to celebrate with us. I got really excited and decorated with a bunch of balloons, a banner, streamers, and even made them some fun party hats.

Happy Birthday girlies - we love you!

2 months of Abby Jane

2012-01-13T14:16:00.001-07:00

2 months down
a lifetime to go
and it's only getting better

The Pew Family

2012-01-09T12:56:00.002-07:00

I had a lot of fun taking some family pictures for some of our sweetest friends and their two little boys.

and in case you are wondering how we got these two cute brothers to play so nicely....the answer is strategically placed Reeses Pieces (E.T. Style)

The New Year

2012-01-07T12:53:00.002-07:00

We had a nice little party with friends and family to ring in the new year...

and of course play with fire...

Happy 2012!

Great - Great

2012-01-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

Just before Christmas, Abby got to meet her Great-Great Grandma Dorathy. She is the sweetest lady alive and it was so funny to watch these two together. I have never seen grandma giggle so hard in my life at the silly things Abby was doing and Abby was awake and alert as could be just staring up at grandma.

Abby's First Christmas

2012-01-05T16:13:00.002-07:00

Christmas was extra fun this year with our little Abby Jane around...

I got to dress her up cute

And we were able to take the first family picture (on my side) with her included!

All the grandkids

She also went to church for the first time and got to wear a pretty dress...

basically, life is just all around better with her in it.

Sleepy Baby

2012-01-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

4 Generations

2012-01-02T10:31:00.000-07:00

Bath Time

2011-12-30T10:30:00.000-07:00

The Fam

2011-12-29T12:44:00.001-07:00

Our Family

2011-12-29T10:07:00.000-07:00

The Nativity

2011-12-28T10:03:00.000-07:00

Each year our family gets together and has a Nativity. My mother-in-law has made HUNDREDS of costumes and all the kids love getting dressed up. This year was especially cute because of these adorable kiddos...

Brittany

2011-12-27T10:09:00.001-07:00

Benson's sister took some family pictures of us last week, and I snapped a few of her while we were at it. I think they turned out so pretty! Today is also her birthday :)

A Baby Story

2011-12-26T09:34:00.000-07:00

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After months (and years) of anticipation and waiting she finally arrived. To say she is the sweetest thing ever is a vast understatement. Not that we know any different, but Benson and I are both convinced that she is the sweetest and easiest baby ever.

Ever since I found out I would be having a baby, I wondered what labor would be like. I imagined waking up in the middle of the night with sudden hard contractions and rushing to the hospital - or my water breaking at and unexpected and embarrassing time and, again, rushing to the hospital for her arrival followed by hours of labor, lots of hard pushing, sweating, crying, maybe some screaming and eventually, a baby. While I was never really nervous about it, in all of my day dreams about her birthday I had imagined a high energy highly emotional day - which couldn't have been further from reality.

She was due on November 5th, a Saturday. As that week arrived I began anticipating her arrival more and more and each odd feeling I had was attributed to some sort of sign that labor would start soon...but it didn't. As her due date arrived, so did two of my friends babies - both whose due dates were after hers, which only increased my desire for her to finally come. The Thursday before her due date at my appointment, the doctor noted that I had progressed from 1cm the previous week to 2cm and that I was 70% effaced. He said she was head down and seemed to be getting ready. We scheduled an induction for the following Wednesday morning at 3am - just in case she hadn't arrived by then - but we were all sure we wouldn't be needing it. Well the weekend, and her due date, came and went with nothing significant happening as did Monday, and to our dismay, Tuesday as well. It looked like we were going to need that appointment after all.

It was a strange feeling that Tuesday going about my business knowing that without a doubt, I would be holding her in my arms the very next day. Benson and I went out for Pizza and tried to get to bed early so we could get some sleep before we had to be at the hospital bright and early. When we went to bed I fell right asleep and didn't awake until the alarm rang at 2:30am. Benson and I got ourselves ready, finished packing the last few items in our bags, loaded up the car, and headed out.

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Daddy to be...

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Baby to be.

We arrived and checked into the hospital and within 30 minutes I was lying in the delivery room getting hooked up to an IV and the external monitors. It was a surreal feeling to hear her heartbeat and again know that I would be holding her in my arms soon. When the nurse checked me, we were sad to hear that I was still only at 2cm dilated and hadn't progressed at all since the previous weeks appointment. By 4:30am they had started the pitocin that would get the contractions moving along. Benson and I tried to get some rest that morning while everything was getting started and before visitors started arriving. Throughout the day we had several visitors and everyone had fun playing games, talking and laughing about the party we would have when she finally arrived since I was starving but couldn't eat a thing until she came.

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All morning my contractions slowly began to get closer together but I still wasn't really feeling anything. Sometime in the late morning/early afternoon the doctor came and broke my water and after that things seemed to move more quickly. I was dilating very slowly, if I remember correctly I was only at a 3 when Dr. Beck came, but not too long after I started feeling each contraction and I could tell they were getting stronger. When they got to the point that I was having to breathe to get through them I asked for the epidural thinking that it would take some time for the anesthetist to arrive - but I was lucky and within 30 minutes I was no longer feeling the contractions. The epidural didn't hurt a bit and worked amazingly fast. I had to be rotated every so often since I couldn't move my lower body on my own and my wonderful nurse, Tara, and I went into a fit of laughter each time she had to move me since my legs were completely dead. At one point while she was moving me my entire leg flopped off of the bed - I could feel it hanging there but couldn't do a darn thing about it. It was pretty hilarious. As the afternoon went on Tara kept checking on my progress and slowly but surely we were getting there. Finally at about 3:30 pm she checked and I had jumped from a 3 to a 5! That was exciting news as it was the most progress I had made between checks all day. At around 4:30 or 5:00 I was at a 7 and by around 6:30pm I was finally at a 10!! Abby, however, was still not quite ready and was sitting fairly high up. Since it was getting close to shift change, the nurse and Dr. Beck decided to let us wait it out for a little while until after the new nurse arrived and see if she would drop any lower before I started to push. We were all a little bit sad that our nurse we'd had all day wouldn't get to see her arrival but she promised she would find us the best nurse on the next shift to help us and she did. Amber, the new nurse, arrived and after she got settled we were ready to start pushing!

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Earlier in the day the nurse had asked me who I wanted in the room during my delivery - I had said that it would probably just be Benson both of our moms. Well, by the time we started pushing it ended up being Benson, my mom, his mom and three of my sisters-in-law which ended up being so awesome. At 8:05pm the pushing began. I was amazed at how perfectly the epidural was working. I felt every contraction, every push, and every move she made, but there was absolutely no pain. I pushed with all my might three times during each contraction and rested as much as I could in between. I loved having everyone in the room with me cheering me on through each push and helping me stay relaxed and focused while I was pushing and for pampering me in between by rubbing my neck, shoulders, arms and head, feeding me ice chips, playing music, and making me laugh. After only a few pushes the nurse, Amber, said "Wow! She has a full head of hair!" I was amazed, not just that you had hair, but that she could actually see your little head! Benson and everyone else in the room got to look and see your curly head of hair.

I kept pushing and pushing and tried as hard as I could to not look at the clock - I didn't want to know how long it had been, I just wanted to focus on her coming out. The nurse had told me the average pushing time for the first baby was between 2 and 4 hours and I didn't want to see the time and get discouraged if not much had passed. So I focused and pushed and pushed. At one point, my mom started getting light headed and realized that she had been pushing with me the entire time and had to sit down and rest so she didn't fall over! That gave us all a good laugh.

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After what seemed like no time at all the doctor arrived. He had been monitoring my pushing time and contractions from home and decided she was about ready to come out. I was amazed when he got there that we were already so close. They moved the table of tools into place and he got gowned up. He felt that she had moved and was facing upwards instead of down, but he got her rotated quickly and things were much easier after that. They called in Abby's nurse and let her know she would be needed soon. This was it! With every push I tried harder than I thought I could. It felt like my face was going to explode from all the pressure because I was pushing so hard - I was determined each push would be my last. With every push I got encouraging words from the doctor and everyone else in the room. Then he finally said "This is it - she is coming out on this push" and she did. I saw him pull her little head up quickly followed by her body. She was finally born at 10:04pm.

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Benson cut her umbilical cord and the nurse quickly wrapped her in a blanked and placed her, screaming, directly on my chest, just inches away from my face. In that moment, I had expected to be overwhelmed with emotions, but all was calm. I felt a sweet and profound sense of peace and joy knowing she was here and that she was mine. I held her and talked to her and looked at her for a long time. She was absolutely beautiful and I was so incredibly happy.

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I finally let the nurse take her a few feet away to weigh and measure her and get her all bundled up. I watched from my bed as she measured and announced that she was 21.1 inches long and weighed 8lbs and 9 ounces! Once she was all bundled up Benson got to hold her for the first time. What a sweet thing that was. I was looking at two of my greatest loves in the world and realizing that we were now this perfect little family. After everyone got to ooh and ahh over how beautiful she was, everyone left the room so I could feed her for the first time. We were all amazed that she latched right on and ate for almost 30 minutes! After that all of the family that had been waiting outside all came back in to see her and hold her (and I finally got to eat :)).

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After all of our visitors left, the nurse came back in to give her a bath while I got cleaned up and ready to move to our postpartum room. At about 2:30am we were finally on our way to rest. I couldn't stop staring at her all bundled up with her cute little beanie on her head and it felt so good to get into bed for a rest.

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Ever since we have gotten home she has been amazing. I have hardly slept since I am either feeding and holding her or watching her sleep but I have never been happier or more content with life. Sure, there have been trials getting accquainted with this new role of motherhood but at the end of the day when I look at her face, everything is happy.

I don't really know how to express my feelings about her birth in a way that fully describes what it was like. It was surreal and amazing and profound and calm. It was better than I could have ever imagined and more perfect than I though was possible. I will forever cherish that day and I hope I never forget the beauty of the moments when she arrived into the world and into our family.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T10:27:00.001-07:00

From our little elf :)

Christmas Cookies

2011-12-24T09:59:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is our annual "Cookie Night" where the whole family gets together, my mom bakes a billion sugar cookies, and we all go crazy with frosting and sprinkles until they are all decorated.

Then we spend the next few days gorging ourselves on our beautiful creations. It's awesome.

Merry Christmas Eve!

1 Month!

2011-12-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

Our little Abby is growing so fast!

MIA

2011-12-20T20:16:00.002-07:00

...but with good reason...

At last

2011-11-18T18:11:00.001-07:00

Compton Family

2011-11-08T10:39:00.002-07:00

I love this family full of handsome boys and Farliegh, the sweetest lady I know. They were so photogenic and still have me lauging out loud every time I look at the last picture. Brotherly love at it's best.

Presents for Abby

2011-11-07T10:08:00.000-07:00

Abby already has a full wardrobe for the first 9 months of her life complete with adorable shoes

and matching bibs and hairbows.

We have a million diapers, tons of blankets, and a wonderful collection of books for her.

Aside from the wonderful shower gifts, there are a few gifts that she has gotten that are completely priceless.

For one - her daddy worked very hard to finish our house so it was all ready for her to come home too - he worked especially hard to make her room beautiful painting and adding new trim, baseboards, and blinds and setting up all of her furniture (I'll share all the pictures once I'm finished decorating)

Her grandpa (my dad) told me as soon as he found out I was having a baby he wanted to make a cradle. Well, he worked very hard over the past nine months and after three trials and a few injuries, finished this sweet craddle Abby will sleep in for the first few months.

Her grandma (Benson's mom) made her a beautiful quilt for her blessing day which she will wear along with the dress my Aunt Karen made for me to be blessed in when I was a baby.

I am so grateful for the wonderful people in my life that already have so much love for this little girl of mine.

(I am writing this on Tuesday, and it won't post until Monday, meaning that hopefully by the time you all are reading this Abby is here safe and sound!)

Shower for Baby (pt.2)

2011-11-03T08:44:00.000-07:00

My second baby shower was thrown by my best friend Ashley, her mom (my momma #2) and my mom. It was just as amazing and perfect as was the first.

Pretty decorations

Delicious food

Build your own slider bar

with lots of yummy sauces

Mini pies (Apple, Cherry & Mixed Berry)

Home made peppermints

Pink Kettle Corn

and Strawberry Lemonade

Fun games like baby trivia and "name that baby"

And of course Abby was spoiled with a ridiculous amount of adorable clothes, blankets etc. all of which I can't wait to put on her when she finally arrives :)

Fifty-Five

2011-11-02T14:12:00.001-07:00

While most everyone else in the world approaches their "over 50" birthday's with apprehension and dread, my mom-in-law can instead be found giggling about the fact that "You can do whatever you want when you're fifty" or how now that she's 55 she gets the senior discount at Albertson's on Tuesdays.

Obviously, we had to throw her a fun party to celebrate, and were overjoyed when we found out Tara happened to have 55 candles to fill the cake with.

It was a happy birthday indeed.

Shower for Baby (pt.1)

2011-11-01T13:52:00.000-07:00

This baby girl is already spoiled as can be. We were lucky enough to have two baby showers which were both amazing. The first was thrown by my sweet sister-in-law Natalie with help from my awesome in-laws.

The decorations were beautiful

...and the food was enough to make me go back for thirds (okay fourths)...

Waffles

with fresh whipped cream, fruit, and

buttermilk syrup.

Quiche

fruit parfaits with home-made granola

Milk & OJ

...we played some fun games...

helping decide Abby's middle name (seriously, we can't decide)

Little notes for Abby to read when she gets older (these turned out SO sweet)

"Guess the powder" game - this one was hard!

I had such a fun time catching up with friends and opening up all of the wonderful gifts for this baby girl. There is nothing like a baby shower to make you realize how much you are loved

♥

All Hallows Eve

2011-10-31T13:46:00.002-07:00

Happy Halloween!

Love,

Rameses (Benson), Nacho (Sarah) & Nacho's Belly (Abby)

Conversations with a Pregnant Girl

2011-10-13T14:36:00.001-07:00

I think 90% of my most recent conversations could be eliminated if I had a T-shirt made that said the following:

I'm due November 5

No, I am not having twins

It's a girl

Her name is Abigail

Yes, we will call her Abby

No, we haven't decided on a middle name

Yes, I am sure it's not twins

Don't get me wrong, I like talking about my pregnancy and I like that people are curious, but it does get a little repetative.

It also makes me laugh at the things people are willing to say to pregnant ladies that they would never dare say to a non-pregnant lady*

Like:

"You were carrying all in your belly before, but now I can totally tell in your face that you are pregnant"

(oh well thank you - I was waiting for someone to compliment me on my fat face!)

"Wow - look at your ankles!! You are SO swolen!!"

(yes, yes I am)

"Is there really a baby in there or did you just eat too much food?"

(haha, okay this was said by a 5 year old - but still funny!)

"You look so uncomfortable!"

(awww - thanks for noticing!)

"I bet you are headed to the bathroom aren't you!"

(yes, anytime you see me walking, I am going to the bathroom)

*I haven't been offended by any of these comments, I just find it humourous people are willing to say these things just because I am pregnant.

36 Weeks!!

2011-10-12T12:56:00.007-07:00

Yes people that is right. I am 36 weeks along (almost 37) meaning this little girly could be here any.day.now. - which is just completely beyond insane to me.

Was it not just a short month ago I was staring at *ahem* three positive pregnancy tests in shock and awe as reality set in that I was carrying a small peanut sized human in my uterus? Yikes.

Other than feeling like a whale every time I try to roll over in bed, stretch marks setting in and some unmentionable pain.... things are still going pretty awesome. Don't get me wrong, the 9th month does have its drawbacks* but I am excited just to see and hold this little girl more than I am feeling like I just want it to be over.

*What drawbacks you ask? Well... let me tell you.

We are all familiar with the layout of the average public bathroom stall

(See Diagram 1 - Bathroom Stall)

Door, toilet, toilet paper container, sometimes a little trash can.

Simple and harmless... unless you are 9 months pregnant in which case such a generic simple place becomes a DEATH TRAP.

(See Diagram 2 - Pregnant lady STUCK IN THE STALL)

I know you are lauging but no joke this has happened to me (more than once!) in the past month. Between my belly, the toilet, and the ill placed toilet paper dispenser, I cannot open the stall door enough to get out.

This is a problem. Hopefully one that will be resolved soon.

Michael & Lindsey

2011-09-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

Henry Walter

2011-09-28T12:56:00.001-07:00

Scarlett

2011-09-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

Free Custom Artwork? Yes please!

2011-09-12T14:07:00.002-07:00

One thing I am loving about Abby's room is the lovely artwork I have already collected to hang up for her. I have been keeping an eye out for nice pieces to continue to add to the collection - so when I saw a mention about this project on the Mom the Intern blog - I was super excited!

Basically, you just let her know what you want a picture of and she'll create it and send it to you! I just submitted my idea and can't wait to see what it looks like :)

THIRTY!

2011-08-31T10:55:00.001-07:00

30 weeks down and 10 more to go!
It will be interesting to see what happens with this belly of mine - I feel like I am having twins!

Grover Beach & Disneyland

2011-08-29T13:29:00.002-07:00

We had such an awesome last minute mini vacation last weekend! We headed out Friday after work to visit Benson's brother in Grover Beach, CA and then headed out from there Sunday evening and met up with his Sister and her family at DISNEYLAND for a couple of days.

We had a ton of fun visiting Tanner and Shelly and two cute nieces who we don't get to see too often. We ate lots of yummy food (like Slo Doughnuts) and hung out at the beach enjoying the cool weather.

Benson went surfing for the first time (despite his fear of sharks and dislike for cold water)

This little lady just wanted to build sandcastles all day

and this little girl was my happy companion soaking up the sun.

I miss this little face.

It was much warmer (a little too warm) once we got down to Disneyland but we had lots of fun anyway! I couldn't ride most of the rides but it was still fun to be there, relax and do all the fun kid stuff.

Even the driving was fun! Benson and I are so busy we don't really get a ton of time just to hang out so having several hours in the car with just the two of us was fun.

Oh my cankles...

2011-08-26T13:44:00.001-07:00

otherwise known as how my pregnant body is re-adapting to the heat after our California vacation:

Disneyland

2011-08-19T12:11:00.003-07:00

It's no secret I love Disneyland. I grew up going every summer. We were lucky to have a hookup which allowed my family, and 15 of our closest friends, to stay at the Disneyland hotel (all in one room mind you) for free. I have so many fun memories of sleeping in every nook and cranny of the room and spending all day either at the park or swimming in the hotel pools and drinking strawberry daquris by the pool. To me, going to Disneyland is like returning to the magic of my childhood. I love going and it would take a lot for me to get tired of it.

Benson, however, does not share this love. He didn't grow up going like I did so he has no sentimental attachment. He also hates crowds and thinks it's way overpriced (which, let's be honest, it totally is). This isn't to say he doesn't have a fun or enjoyable time - he just doesn't have the same excitement about it that I do.

Shortly after we were married we received a Disney gift card. I saw this as a perfect opportunity to make our first visit to the happiest place on earth together. Benson wasn't as easily swayed - so I took it upon myself to show him what a great idea it was...

...by making a powerpoint presentation.

I just found a copy if it the other night and laughed out loud at my ridiculousness, and decided I had to share it so you can all understand just how important Disneyland truly is.

Without further ado - I present to you "Our Disneyland Vacation" otherwise entitled "How to convince your husband you need a trip to Disneyland"

Tip #1 - Make it cute. Even the toughest men soften a little at that cheesy Mickey Mouse Smile

Tip #2 - Give them the details up front. Let them see the bottom line, and that you have done your research - they'll take it more seriously. Throwing in a reminder of how happy it will make you is always encouraged to soften the blow of the cold hard facts of the expense.

Tip #3 - Put it into perspective. Yes it may seem like a lot to spend...but it's only $1.94 per day!

Tip #4 - Get desperate. Just in case they are not budging on the budget, throw in some reasoning so pathetic they can't help but pity you for the effort, or laugh at your attempt which will soften their mood.

(This is where I really laugh at myself. I shamelessly stole the wording for this slide from one of those "for only 5 cents a day you can change this child's life" sites which allow you to sponsor needy children in third world countries and just changed it to my name/information at certain parts. I chose to leave the grammatical errors from the site to preserve the authenticity. If you can't read the small text this is what it says: "Sarah Beasley is a poor young girl who lives in the Central Gilbert province. Her nickname is Sarah and she is American. She lives with her parents (currently), and a younger brother in a simple house; it is cement floor only, the walls made from wood and bamboo, has courrugated metal roof and the situation is bad. To support their needs, her father makes a living as a daily laborer, his income in annual only around US $300.00. Unfortunately, his income is insufficient to provide the family needs properly. She has not attended any school yet; but her health condition is fair. To help this young girl enjoy her childhood and receive adequate guidance; we are pleased to welcome her joining our group. She likes playing with her best friend Benson. Your kind sponsorship will be a great deal for this unfortunate child; she will meet proper childcare and grow up healthy to achieve a bright future if you take her to Disneyland.")

Tip #5 - Go for the cute, happiness plug. Let them know they have the ability to make you the happiest.person.alive.

and that my friends...

is how it's done.

-------------------------

Benson was very sweet and obliged my childhood fantasy and took me to Disneyland that year.

We're going again Monday & Tuesday - I can't wait!

Winnie

2011-08-18T13:58:00.001-07:00

This little pup is all grown up! Winnie has grown and will soon get her first "big girl" haircut which means all of that lovely black fluff will be gone forever (it will be a much lighter gray). Tara wanted to make sure her panda look was preserved first though.

Also, this is what happens when a pregnant lady is trying to take pictures of a "full of life" pup in muddy grass...

Buffalo Chicken Dip

2011-08-17T13:36:00.002-07:00

Yet another recipe from my mom - this is one of Benson's new favorites. She made it for us one night and he hasn't stopped talking about it since. I made it for him Monday night and he profusely thanked me all night for being so nice to him.

Recipes don't get much easier than this!

As you can see, I used canned chicken, which made it even easier since I didn't have to take the time to cook any of the chicken. After grating some cheese and measuring my liquids(so.hard.), I cut the cream cheese into cubes...

I layered the ingredients in a small baking dish. I did shredded chicken, hot sauce, ranch, shredded cheese, then cream cheese on top.

Once everything was in the dish I stirred it up a bit, covered it with a lid (my dish had a lid, you can use tinfoil) and baked for 30 minutes at 350° until it's all warm and melty. Give it a good stir then serve it warm with corn chips! We also had veggies with ranch on the side. Mmmmm

Sneak Peek

2011-08-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

We have some new exciting things going on in the Garner house - like:

If you look closely you'll also see our new dishwasher and some new paint on the walls! I can't wait until the rest of our remodel is done!

Arizona Summer

2011-08-08T09:32:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered what happens to a banana if you leave it in the car during the summer in Arizona?

Well wonder no more!

I've solved the mystery:

Take Note: Same principle applies to dogs and children.

26 Weeks & Counting

2011-08-04T09:33:00.000-07:00

That's right - 26 weeks down and only 14 to go!

I can't even believe how fast time goes.

I am getting bigger by the day and moving at all has become a joke - it really makes me laugh half the time at how immobile I can be. I have sat down on the floor a few times lately and almost gotten stuck there becuase it's so difficult for me to stand up and Benson has to help me stand every time. He even told me the other morning "I don't think you should be doing that anymore".

I am running low on clothing that actually fits and have seriously contemplated wearing only muumuu's for the next three months.

Feeling the baby move is becoming quite the experience. I can tell she is getting bigger because when she rolls I can feel it on all sides of my belly rather than just one spot at a time. I think she has late night dance parties in there by the feel of things.

I've been working on planning out her room and it is coming together really cute! I can't wait to start working on it and see it come together.

Chicken Fried Steak

2011-08-02T15:30:00.003-07:00

My mom is one of the best cooks I know. Everything she makes is delicious and her Chicken Fried Steak is definitely no exception. I will never order it anywhere else because I have never tasted one that compared to hers. While we were up in Greer I convinced her to let me take pictures of her making it so I could remember it and share it with all of you - you can thank me later.

________________

You start with cube steak which is already tenderized, or you can get round steak and have it tenderized at the meat counter - if you get round steak, ask them to tenderize it twice.

When she starts to prepare them, she first cuts them down in size - usually in half - since they will get larger as you work with them.

Lay them out on a board and season them with salt, pepper and garlic salt - pretty simple!

Don't forget to flip them and get the other side!

Next up you'll want to crack some eggs in a shallow dish and beat them together well with some milk (about 1 Tbsp. per egg)

Also get some saltine crackers

Put them in a plastic bag

And smash them up nicely with a rolling pin (we couldn't find one in the cabin so we just used a cup and it worked fine)

Once the crackers are crushed, place them in another shallow dish (a cake pan works well).You'll want the crackers crushed well but not too fine like bread crumbs the bigger pieces give the steak a good crunch... like this:

Once the steaks are all seasoned and your crackers and eggs are all set up - you're ready to start dipping. Mom uses a fork to dip each steak, both sides, in the egg mixture

Move the steak around a bit in the egg to ensure it gets a nice coat

Then put the steak in the cracker crumbs. Use your fork to press the steak into the crumbs so they stick well

Flip it over and cover the other side

Once you have a nice coating of crumbs on both sides like this:

You'll want to use the back end of a cup (or your fist) to really pound the crackers into the meat.

This is another really important step - you really pound both sides into the crackers - this flattens out the steak and gets the cracker crumbs deeply embedded into the steak, the texture just isn't the same if you don't do it.

Once the steak is about twice it's original size, you can start laying them out on a cookie sheet until you've gotten them all covered with egg and crackers.

Heat some oil in a skillet (mom prefers cast iron) and let it get nice and warm before you add the steaks. Cook them 1-2 at a time

Until each side is nice and golden brown

It's nice to have another cookie sheet prepared to place the finished steaks on

Once a few are done you can just pop them into a warm oven to keep them nice and toasty until you can finish cooking them all and make the gravy.

Gravy?! Yes, gravy... you can't make Chicken Fried Steak without gravy. When you're done cooking the steaks, keep the oil and crispy cracker crumbs in the pan.

add about 3 heaping Tbsp. flour

whisk it together with the warm oil to make a rue. Let the oil heat back up and get thick and bubbly. Letting it cook for a minute allows the flour flavor to cook out so you don't end up with flour tasting gravy.

Once the rue has heated, blended and thickened up for a bit, add about 1 heaping Tbsp. bullion (mom uses chicken) and whisk it in.

Next, you'll add a few cups of milk (mom ended up using about 1/2 gallon to make gravy in the two cast iron skillets she was using). Once again, whisk it together well, and cook it on medium heat until it thickens. It's best to start out with a little less milk than you think you'll need because you can always add a little more to thin it out if it becomes too thick. If it does end up a little runny just let it cook longer and it should thicken up a bit.

Add salt and pepper to taste, though it won't need much salt since you already added bullion.

And that's it! Now just serve with mashed potatoes and veggies and let your husband and kids thank you by doing the dishes :)

*Mom's tips:

Most packages contain two steaks which you will cut in half making four steaks. I make one for each person plus a few extra for bigger eaters and leftovers.

I cooked this meal for 11 and it took 1 box of saltines and about 4 eggs to cover all the steaks.

Tofa!

2011-07-27T09:39:00.002-07:00

A family friend of ours recently moved to Samoa to teach school for a year! Before she left we couldn't pass up the opportunity to throw her a fun going away party.

We stuck with a Pacific Islands theme to get her all prepped and ready to go.

We got out our leis

Jungle vines (my mother in law made these - aren't they awesome?!)

Shells

And topped the tables with "sand" (breadcrumbs!) and palm fronds

Grass skirts (even for the soda!)

and of course our "rock" painted sheet so we could make a volcano.

We had rice "volcanoes" topped with sweet pork "lava" (as seen above in the "volcano")

and "build your own" fruit kabobs and dip.

Lots of flowered garland and tiki torches

Of course I got too busy stuffing my face to take pictures of the rest of the party, but belive me, it was fun!

Death by Cookie

2011-07-25T09:07:00.000-07:00

I could die eating these and be happy. The fact that they are the easiest cookes ever to make just makes them that much better. I posted the recipe before here - but I just made them again this week and fell in love all over.

First, preheat your oven to 350°
(I somehow miss this step often and get to the point where I am ready to put things in the oven to bake before I realize it's not even on yet. It's awesome.)

For the cookies you'll need:
1 box of Devil's Food Cake Mix
2 eggs
3/4 c. shortening

Go ahead and just throw all of those ingredients into a bowl and stir until combined

Then use a spoon (I used a teaspoon) to scoop out even portions of dough, roll them into balls and place on a cookie sheet

Then bake (in your already pre-heated oven) for 8 minutes. The cookies will pouf up and the tops will crack a little bit.

Since they're supposed to be oreos, I like to flatten the cookies out a little bit so they stack better once they become little sandwiches... Like so:

All you have to do is let them cool for a minute or so after you take them out of the oven then use the back of a spoon in a circular motion to gently flatten the tops a little...like so:

Next, while you let the cookies cool completely, you'll make the frosting. For the frosting (according to the recipe) you'll need:
1 8oz. pkg. Cream Cheese
1/2 stick of Butter
2 tsp. Vanilla
2-4 cups of powdered sugar

According to me you can half this recipe and have PLENTY. Just let the cream cheese and butter soften a little while on the counter, cream together and add the vanilla. Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until you get it to a consistency you like.

I'm sure you can figure the rest out on your own but just in case... once the cookies are cooled (completely) you simply slather some frosting on them and make them into little oreo sandwiches of perfection. If you're insane like me you will match up all of the cookies first into similarly sized pairs so you don't end up with lopsided cookie sandwiches.

Finally, you EAT THEM.
But if you know what's good for you, you'll let them sit overnight. They are 10x better the next day. I promise. Also, since they're oreos, you're pretty much reqired to have them with milk.

I love being pregnant.

2011-07-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

Nope, that's not sarcasm. I truly love it. Sure I have crazy symptoms (big feet, cankles, crazy heartburn, side aches) but over all I am happy, excited, content and loving every minute (okay minus the first two months) of it.

I love feeling her kick - the days when she is most active are my favorite

I love my ever growing belly

I love being able to eat a lot (I know it's weird, but I impress myself)

My cankles make me laugh histerically

and I love the excitement I feel each day at that fact that I am a Mom

24 Weeks!

Mikah and her fish

2011-07-20T10:35:00.000-07:00

This is my niece Mikah.

Mikah loves fish.

Not to eat,

Not to catch,

But to hold...

and yes, those are fish scales on her little knees

Chocolate Chip aka "Chaco"

2011-07-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

My nephew's new little chocolate lab puppy who had fun with us in Greer

Happy Anniversary to Us

2011-07-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

I can't think of anyone else I'd rather be mutually weird with.

♥

The Fourth

2011-07-15T10:23:00.002-07:00

We spent our 4th of July up in Springerville, AZ - it was my first time there for the fourth and I can't wait to go back. It was an awesome fireworks show in a perfect small town setting. They set off the fireworks at the airport and we got there early meaning we got an awesome spot for the show. We took pictures, listened to music and played games until the show started at dark.

(wait - mom and dad both smiling. in a picture. at the same time. normally. it's a total miracle)

My 22 week belly!

Greer

2011-07-14T10:04:00.003-07:00

We were SO lucky to be able to spend all last week up in Greer with our families.

The weather was perfect...

it sprinkled every day for an hour or so to cool the day off then went right back to normal and sunny for us to play outside.

We did lots of puzzles...

...and lots of fishing...

...and lots of eating...

...and picnicing...

...and hiking...

...and lots of spoiling Atticus...

...and lots of playing games, card tricks, laughing, late night movie watching, staying up too late fun.

Father's Day

2011-07-12T09:53:00.002-07:00

If you ask Benson, he will tell you - I suck at surprises. I blame it on my mom and grandma. None of us can contain our excitement about presents long enough to wait until the actual day of the occasion to give them. Most of the time I get Benson a present I am begging him to open it 3 days early.

This little quirk of mine paid off this year and made Father's day that much better since I contained all of my excitement about his gift (and the fact that I had even gotten him a gift) until the actual day - meaning he was actually surprised when he woke up to this:

I made him a "New Dad's Survival Kit" complete with necessities such as:

a beard trimmer

binkies

chewy caramels

and a collection of some of our favorite childhood books for him to read to our baby girl.

Since our little girly has taken to waking me up at the crack of dawn, I also had time to make a simple breakfast of some of his favorite things before he was awake enough to know what was going on.

First Father's day = Success.

I hope he enjoyed it while it lasted, since we'll have an actual real life baby from now on, I think his presents will consist of framed pictures/handprints/footprints and kid-made cards. Woo hoo!

C&T Davis

2011-07-11T09:49:00.000-07:00

Half Way There!

2011-06-30T13:02:00.000-07:00

We're officially over the half way mark in the baby growing department over here. I am still pretty calm about the whole thing, once and a while reality (aka panic) sets in when I realize how much we have left to do before this little lady gets here but overall I am just so excited! It's still so weird to think I have a little human growing in my belly (even though it now resembles a basketball)

(me at 18 weeks - 3 weeks ago)

I am feeling her move a lot more often and a lot stronger. It's nice to have the reassurance that this is actually happening - most of the time it feels so surreal. I can't wait to see what she looks like

I've only been shopping once (go me!) and started a nice little collection of clothes for her.

As for me I've actually been feeling pretty great. I get tired early, hot easily and my back starts aching half way through the day (oh and that heartburn that never goes away) but other than that I have felt great! I haven't had any crazy cravings so far except I always want something icy and fruity - something like a Rita's - which I've been lucky enough to have twice in the past week thanks to awesome ladies in my life who understand my deep need for such perfection.

Does anyone have about $40 grand they want to loan me? Because I'm all ready to open up a Rita's of my own. You'll all appreciate it - I promise.

Crepes

2011-06-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

A couple of months ago our lives were changed when we got a crepe maker. As soon as we knew we were getting it we made dinner plans with some friends of ours to try it out. We decided to make both dinner and dessert crepes so we could try out the versatility. After some indecision we finally settled on our own version of Cracker's California Eggs Benny crepe style for dinner and for dessert crepes with everything you can imagine: "cheesecake" spread, strawberries, blackberries, nutella, bananas and of course whipped cream.

If you now want to make them at home (you should) here's how: (they are surprisingly easy)

4 eggs

1 1/3 cups milk

2 T. Butter, melted

1 c. Flour

2T. Sugar

1/2 tsp. Salt

Whisk together eggs, butter, milk, four, sugar and salt until smooth

Now get your fancy crepe maker out and let it get warmed up

Pour your batter into the nice little tray provided

When the crepe maker is warm, lift it off the base and dip it gently into the batter

Make sure you get a nice even coat, return it to the base and let it cook

Once the edges cook and start to harden, use a spatula to flip the crepe over and quickly brown the other side (this one got a tad too brown)

Before long you'll have a nice stack of crepes ready to fill

For the California Crepes Benny you'll want to:
Chop up some bacon and throw it into a warm skillet

and cook it until it's nice and brown

While the bacon is cooking slice up some tomatoes

Avocado

Once the bacon is done remove it from the pan and let the grease drain off

remove most of the grease from the skillet leaving just enough to fry up some eggs

When everything is done get your crepes and layer them with an egg, some bacon crumbles, slices of tomato and avocado and we even added some shredded cheese just for fun

Since we're doing eggs "Benny" we made some hollandaise sauce to top them with. I found the easiest recipe ever for hollandaise on the Pioneer Woman's website and it turned out perfect.

First, melt two sticks of butter in a sauce pan and let it get nice and bubbly

Then place the yolks of three eggs into a blender

Now here's the best part, turn the blender on, so the eggs are moving, and slowly pour in the hot butter (this keeps the eggs from cooking in clumps and you from whisking eggs furiously in the sauce pan trying to prevent the clumps)

Next, while everything is still blending add some lemon juice and some cayenne pepper. (The recipe calls for the juice of one lemon - but that was a little tangy for our tastes so when we made it again we only used about a half of a lemon)

And that's it! Hollandaise!

Now fold your crepes, flip them over, and top with your fresh hollandaise

and enjoy!

Burch Family

2011-06-08T23:08:00.002-07:00

Kourtney's Senior Pictures

2011-06-06T16:20:00.001-07:00

Graduation (x3)

2011-06-02T16:13:00.003-07:00

May was the month for graduations! Benson was first with his graduation from ASU! This was SO exciting for the both of us since it means more time together and more time to work on our house - both of which have been awesome!

My grandpa saw a similar cake to this one and decided Benson needed one for his big accomplishment.

Benson's sister Brittany also graduated with her LPN and his little sister Kourtney graduated from Mesa High. She is the ninth of nine kids to graduate from Mesa High as well as the third generation on both sides of the family! She was also in the top 20 over her class so it was definitely an exciting time! It was fun to have most of the family in town so we could all hang out and celebrate with her.

(Three Generations!)

Seventeen Weeks

2011-05-31T08:30:00.000-07:00

Typing that title freaked me out a little bit! Seventeen weeks already?! How is time going by so fast? That means in a few short weeks I will be hitting the half-way mark of pregnancy. Ah!

I shouldn't be surprised.

In just a few weeks my little bump grew from this:

(14 weeks)

To this:

(Seventeen weeks)

We find out on the 16th if we're having a boy or a girl (though we're pretty sure we already know) and I am so ready to start buying all the fun stuff that comes along with having a baby (mini shoes make me happy) and to get the room ready for his/her arrival in November!

We have at least 7 friends we see regularly having babies between September and December this year so this little baby will have no shortage of friends. It is also fun for me to have so many mama friends to compare pregnancy stories and cravings with.

The first few months of pregnancy were pretty rough sickness wise but thankfully that is a thing of the past and I feel semi human again. Not that the second trimester hasn't brought it's own set of fun side effects (breathlessness, constant hunger and difficulty getting comfortable to sleep to name a few) but I will take each and every one of them over constant nausea any day.

At our last appointment the Dr. did an ultra sound and it was the first time Benson and I got to see the baby moving - it was such an amazing thing to see. I always expect to get teary and cry when I see that little babe on the ultra sound screen but I just get so excited all I can do is stare in amazement. It is the strangest thing to think of the little bitty human growing inside of my belly and how one day it will be a little baby in my arms which I will be in charge of taking care of. It is an overwhelming thought to think of that responsibility but I feel as ready as I'll ever be to take on that adventure and I am so lucky to have someone as supportive as Benson by my side.

An Arizona Springtime

2011-05-27T15:22:00.001-07:00

Meredith & Tyler

2011-05-25T15:21:00.000-07:00

Grandma's Garden

2011-05-23T15:20:00.000-07:00

Chase & Sarah - Wedding

2011-05-20T15:18:00.001-07:00

Ashley

2011-05-19T15:15:00.000-07:00

Scenes from...

2011-05-09T13:17:00.002-07:00

I see a lot of people do "scenes from the weekend" or "scenes from the week" posts but, well... it's been quite some time since I've posted and have quite the backup of pictures to share so here is my version "scenes from the past 2.5 months"

The first blossom on our plum tree

Our first (no longer only) baby

Above mentioned baby making sorry eyes at me

Pretty amarillis at my mom's

Valentine hearts my mom and I made with my niece

Pretty freckled eggs (which I used to make crepes - which I will post about soon)

Cabo

2011-05-06T13:05:00.001-07:00

The last stop on our cruise was Cabo San Lucas - all we did was hang out on this pretty beach, snorkel and play in the waves.

Puerto Vallarta

2011-05-04T11:27:00.001-07:00

For the first stop on the cruise we spend 2 days in Puerto Vallarta zip lining through the jungle and swimming in a jungle creek - it was gorgeous!

Restraunt we ate at after our zip line tour - delish!

This is me getting instructions on how to hang upside down- it was SO awesome!

Our ride up and down the mountain we zip-lined on - it was a real life "Indiana Jones" ride

We got SO close to this bus while driving down this tiny mountain road - the face you see in the window is a reflection of the lady sitting in OUR truck in front of me!

The hotel my parents stayed in on their honeymoon - it was their first time back to PV since!

The Cruise!

2011-05-02T11:36:00.002-07:00

Forever ago, Benson and I went on a cruise with our families - it was awesome as always (except for the morning sickness which started on day 2 - blech).

The last cruise we went on didn't make towel animals for us so that was a fun new part of this trip...

We also saw a few whales and LOTS of dolphins from the trip which was amazing - didn't get any pictures but this was our view while watching for the whales to surface...

Food For Thought

2011-04-27T10:06:00.002-07:00

April 27 – May 3, 2011

Stock up on Rice and Beans! They have skyrocketed in price lately and are not likely to go down. This may be your best chance to get them cheap. Remember, if you do not shop at Food City, you can ad match at Wal Mart. The rice is for today, Wednesday the 27th only. If you need to know how to bottle pinto beans, call me.

Albertson’s
1/2 gallon Milk $1.00
*8 oz. butter $1.00
*Albertson’s Syrup or frozen waffles $1.00
Hansen’s Apple Juice 2/$3.00
Fresh Express Salad $1.00
Banquet and Michelina Frozen Meals $1.00
Buns $1.00
8 pack Hershey’s candy bars $1.00
Kleenex or Palmolive Dish Soap $1.00
White Rain body wash $1.00
Hunts pudding snack pack $1
Clif/Shot Blocks/Balance/Zone Perfect/Power Bars $1.00

Bashas
McCormick Seasoning 2/$3.00
Bananas $.49/lb.
Yoplait Yogurt $.38
Frito Lay snacks $1.77
Boneless center cut pork chops $1.89/lb.
Chicken drumsticks, thighs, leg quarters $.69/lb.
1 lb. strawberries $.95 each
Cucumbers/peppers 2/ $1.00

Food City
Green Bell Peppers 6/$.96 (Wed.)
**Bulk Rice 3lbs/$1.00 (Wed.)
Boneless Top Sirloin Steak $2.69/lb.
Boneless Cross Rib Roast $2.49/lb.
Fuji Apples 4 lbs/$.96 (Fri.)
Ramen Noodle Cups 5/$1.00 (Fri.)
Donald Duck Orange Juice ½ gal. cartons 2/$3.00 (Fri.)
Cucumbers 7/$1.00 (Sat.)
+73% lean ground beef $1.69/lb. (Sat.)
40 oz. Mazola Corn Oil $1.99 (Sat.)
**Bulk Pinto Beans 4 lbs/$.96
Lettuce 3 heads for $.99
**White onions 5 lbs./$1.00 (chop & freeze)
**Chicken Leg quarters $.59/lb.
Bar S Bologna $.99
Food Club Pasta or Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce $.88
Hunts pudding snack pack $.88
Kerns Nectar 3/$1.00

Fry’s
**Use coupons at Fry’s $10.00 off/$50.00 or $3.00 off $30.00
*Will honor Fresh and Easy Coupons
(You can download digital coupons to your VIP Card at (frysfood.com)
**Kroger Batteries- AA, AAA, C,D, 9V $1.00
Fry’s Sandwich $1.00
Fry’s Water – 24 pack 2/$5.00
*Kellogg’s Cereal $1.68
*Palmolive Dish Detergent $1.00
Kroger Yogurt 4/ $1.00
Breyer’sIce cream or Klondike bars $2.47
*Frozen Pizza – most varieties
PictSweet frozen vegetables – Steamables $1.00
McCormick Grill Marinade or Seasoning $1.00
Boneless Skinless Chicken breast or tenders $1.88
Navel Oranges 3lbs./$1.00
Red Grapes $.79/lb.
Doritos $1.88
Kroger Chips $1.00
Kroger Saltine crackers $1.00
Pepperidge Farm Goldfish crackers $1.00

Safeway
Cheetos/Fritos $1.75 (Wed-Sat)
Cheez-It Crackers $1.49 (Wed-Sat)
Kraft Salad Dressing $.99 (Wed-Sat)
Barilla Pasta $.88 (Wed-Sat)
Milk $1.79
London Broil $2.49/lb.
Boneless Sirloin Pork Chops $1.59/lb.
Barilla Pasta $.88
Mangos 3/$.99
8 oz mushrooms $.99
Yogurt 10/$4.00
24 water 2/$5.00
Bone-in chicken breasts, thighs, leg quarters $.99/lb
Cream Cheese or Sandwich Cheese $1.00
Natural Slices 10 oz./$2.00
Use Coupon for:
Tide 105 oz – 116 oz/ $9.99
7-Up/A&W $.77
Mission Flour tortillas $.99

The last month through the eyes of my phone's camera

2011-04-20T15:36:00.004-07:00

DQ changed my life with this:

Our huge sandwich for dinner... it's even bigger than it looks:

(that's what she said)

Babysitting cute niece and nephew:

Pre-cruise:

Post-cruise:

(Fact:Falling on a dock in mexico will give you a cankle)

Benson titled this "the blind leading the blind":

(bad, but still funny)

Reason #1 leaving my car in my work parking lot during the day scares me:

Avoiding homework:

My latest fortune:

Proof fortunes do come true:

Happy Weekend

2011-03-04T15:15:00.000-07:00

Love

2011-03-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

"We're all a little weird and life's a little weird, and when we find someone whose wierdness is compatible with ours, we join with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love." -Dr. Seuss

Food For Thought – February 23, 2011 – March 1, 2011

2011-02-23T11:20:00.001-07:00

**As good as it gets!
*Decent price
No star means, get some if you are out – wait to stock up

Albertson’s
**Homelife Paper Towels $.69
**Homelife Tissues $.88 (160ct.)
*Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.77/lb.
*Milk $1.59
*Diced Green Chilis – 4 oz. 2/$1.00
*Progresso Soups or Hamburger (etc.) Helper $1.00
*Sunny D or Hunts Spaghetti Sauce $1.00
*Bar S Bologna, Meat or Cheese Franks $1.00
*Bread/White, Wheat, Potato, or Cin. 13 oz. - $1.00
American or Swiss Singles $1.59/8oz.
Navel Oranges 3lb. bag/$.99
Pork Chops – Buy 1 get 1 Free ($2.99 lb. reg.)

Bashas
All Coupons worth $1.00
**Post Cereals 2/$3.00 lim. 2 (Wed. only)
**Land O Lakes butter 7 – 15 oz. $.99 (Mon. 21st only)
**Sun Burst Laundry Products First 2 please $1.99
*Half Gallon Milk $.88
*Libbey’s Vegetables 20/$10.00
*BarS Balogna or Hot Dogs $.88
*8 oz. mushrooms $.99
*Idahoan Potatoes, Barilla Pasta, Stagg Chili $1.00
Hunt’s Pasta Sauce $1.00
Boneless Bottom Round or Cross Rib Roast $1.99/lb.
5 lb. potatoes $.99

Fresh & Easy
Coupon for $3.00 off a $30.00 (Frys is honoring these coupons again if you want to use it there)
12 oz. American Singles 2/$4.00
Grapes $.88

Food City
** Bulk Rice 4lbs./$1.00 lim. 8 lbs. – Fri. Only (stock up)
**Chicken leg quarters $.49/lb.
**Avacados 5/$1.00
**Navel Oranges 6lbs. $.96
**Fuji Apples 4lbs./$1.00 (today only)
*73% lean Ground Beef $1.49/lb. (Thurs. only)
*Bone in Sirloin Pork Chops $1.29/lb. (Thurs. only)
*Blue Ribbon Rice 2 lb. bag/$.88
*Fiesta Tortilla chips 12 oz./$.88
*Mangos 3/$1.00
*Cilantro 3/$.99
*7 oz. Herdez canned salsa $.44
*Flounder Fillets $2.49/lb.
*Boneless Top Sirloin Steak $2.89/lb.
16 oz. Food City Bread $.88
Cantaloupe 3lbs./$.99
Red Grapes $.88
Food City Bacon 2/$5.00
*50 oz. Purex Laundry Soap $2.49

Fry’s
*All Coupons worth $1.00 – accepting other store coupons*
Buy 10 & Save $3.00 now and $3.00 on next visit
(If this sounds complicated and like a pain to remember to use later, split your order and check out with these items first, then pay for the next half of the order using the coupons you just received. When you subtract $.30 cents from these items, and if your family likes and eats them, they are a price to stock up on!)

*Cheerios, Cin. Toast, Reeses $1.99 (+coupon for - $.30)
**Totino’s Pizza and Pizza Rolls $.69 (+coupon for - $.30)
**Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce $.69 (+coupon for - $.30)
**Chef Boyardee Pasta (+coupon for - $.30)
**Cambells Chunky Soups $.99 (+coupon for - $.30)
**Banquet frozen Dinners $.58 (+coupon for - $.30)
**Capri Sun Pouches $1.69 (+coupon for - $.30)
**Gatorade $.69 (+coupon for - $.30)
**Ragu Pasta Sauce $1.28 (+coupon for - $.30)
**Hot (etc.) Pockets $1.69 (+coupon for - $.30)
**Fritos, Cheetos $1.69 (+coupon for - $.30)
**Dial or Tone Soap or Body Wash $2.69 (+coupon for - $.30)
*Milk $1.59
* Large Eggs 5/$5.00
*Chicken of the Sea Tuna 10/$5.00
*Kroger Bagels, Cream Cheese 10/$10.00
*Land of Lakes Spread 10/$10.00
*Frys Salad Dressing $1.37
Angel Soft T.P. 4 pack 5/$5.00
Tide $5.99
Barilla Pasta, Hunts snack pack pudding 10/$10.00
Knorr Rice and Pasta sides $1.00
Canned Fruit 10/$10.00

Safeway
All Coupons worth $1.00
Use Coupon from paper for:
** Safeway dishwasher soap 75 0z. $2.49
**Lucerne String Cheese
Pillsbury Cake & **Brownie Mixes
*Safeway Canned Fruit $.88
*Knorr, Lipton Rice or Pasta Dishes $.88
Round Steak $1.99
Butter Top Bread $1.59 (22 oz.)
Safeway brown rice $.88

Walmart
Can add match any store you don’t feel like going to for same item. Will substitute Walmart brand of Milk, bread, etc. for other store brands.

**It is time to plant your garden! Don’t wait until it is too hot. Cover tomato and pepper plants at night with little greenhouses made of gallon milk jugs with the bottoms cut out. Plant herbs like cilantro, oregano, basil, chives, in pots on the back patio. They can be trimmed and will grow right back. You will love cooking with fresh herbs! Grow Something!

Smile

2011-02-17T11:39:00.000-07:00

Mom: Should we stay still?
Me: Yes
Mom: Okay *starts swinging*
Me: No, I said don't move, now smile

Me: You look mad, try again...

Me: Hmmm - not quite...

Mom: I don't like that one - let's take another...
Me: Okay, let's do a funny face since you have a hard time smiling

Me: WHAT?! You were supposed to do a funny face!
Mom: I did
Me: No.. that's a perfect smile - next time I tell you to smile, do that...

Me: Okay now do that "funny" face again where it looks like your actually smiling...

Much better!

Food For Thought – February 15, 2011 - February 22, 2011

2011-02-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

*Decent price
**As good as it gets!

Albertson’s
Save $4.00 if you buy 8 Mix or Match
Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cin. Toast, Golden Grahams, Nature Valley Granola Boars, Gogurt, Yoplait Yo $1.99
Old El Paso Taco and Tostada Shells, Totino’s pizza rolls, Bugles, Chex Mix, Green Giant Frozen Vegetables $1.00
*Red Grapes $.88/lb.
**24 Water $1.99 limit 2
*Hershey’s Candy Bars 3/$1.00

Bashas
**Food Club Ice Cream 2/$3.00 lim. 4 (Wed. only)
**7-UP $.69 (Mon. 21st only)
*Large Eggs $.99
Tide $5.99
*Yoplait Yogurt 10/$4.00 (must buy 10)

Fresh & Easy
Coupon for $3.00 off a $30.00 (Frys is honoring these coupons again if you want to use it there)
* Grapes $.88/lb.
Chicken Breast or Ground Beef $1.99
Grape Tomatoes, 3 cucumbers, apples or pears $.98

Food City
*Pinto Beans 4lbs./$1.00
**Onions 5 lbs./$1.00
Avacados 4/$1.00
Chicken legs and thighs $.58/lb.
*Valu time bleach 90 oz./$.99
**Maruchen Ramen Cups 5/$1.00
*20 oz. Shoestring French Fries 2/$1.00
*Sirloin Pork Chops $1.19/lb.
Food City Corn Tortillas 72/$1.79
*Blue Ribbon Rice 5 lb. bag/$1.99
*50 oz Gain Laundry soap $4.99
*Kerns Tomato or Clamato 12 oz. juice 3/$.99
*11 oz. Gain dish detergent $.99
*Fuji Apples 3lbs./$1.00
Sweet Potatoes 2lbs/$.98
*Cabbage 4lbs./$1.00 (Wed. only)
Honey Dew 3lbs./$.99
Boneless Chicken Thighs $.99/lb.

Fry’s
*All Coupons worth $1.00 – accepting other store coupons*
Boneless Half Pork Loin $1.88
*Red Grapes $.88/lb.
*Milk $.78/ 1/2 gallon
Kroger 8oz. Cheese $1.48
50 to 70 oz. Tide $5.88
Buy 10 and Save $3.00
*Campbell’s Chunky Soups $.99
*Gatorade $.69
*Cheetos $1.69
*Chef Boyardee Pasta $.69
*Banquet Frozen Dinners $.58
*Best Foods Mayonnaise $2.89
*Hefty Zip Bags $1.19
*Kraft Barbeque sauce $.69
**Purex Laundry soap $2.29
*Banquet Brown & Serve Sausage 7 oz./$.58
12 ct. Pop-tarts or Rice Krispy treats $2.39
*Manwich Sloppy Joe Sauce $.69
Ragu $1.28
Cheerios, Reeses, Cin. Toast Crunch $1.99
GM Fruit snacks $1.69

Safeway
All Coupons worth $1.00
Life and Fruity Pebbles Cereal $1.99
Milk $1.59/gallon
*100 oz. Tide $10.99
*5 lb. Potatoes $.68
*Chicken of the Sea Tuna 2/$1.00
Use coupons on last page of ad for:
*Lucerne Butter $2.49
Quaker Granola Bars $1.77
*Safeway 100 oz. liquid detergent $6.99
** Safeway fabric softener sheets 240ct/$6.99
*Rice and Pasta Roni $.89
*Prego Pasta Sauce $1.25
Breyers Ice cream or Klondike Bars $2.29
*Powerade $.60

Walmart
Can add match any store you don’t feel like going to for same item. Will substitute Walmart brand of Milk, bleach, etc. for other store brands.

**It is time to plant your garden. Cover tomato and pepper plants at night with little greenhouses made of gallon milk jugs with the bottoms cut out (leave the caps on).

It's coming

2011-02-15T11:37:00.001-07:00

If the warmer weather this week wasn't proof enough this will convince you spring is just about here!

Food For Thought - February 9, 2011 - February 15, 2011

2011-02-09T12:31:00.000-07:00

*Decent price
**As good as it gets!

Albertson’s
*Yoplait yogurt $.40 if you buy 10
Milk $1.67/gallon
**Ragu Spaghetti Sauce $.99 limit 2
**Purex Laundry Soap $1.99 limit 2
*Breyer’s Ice cream $2.50
**Swiss Miss Cocoa Mix 10/$10.00 (72 hr. kit)
Crisco Oil 2/$5.00
**White Rain Hair and Bath products $.79

Bashas
Milk $1.67/gallon
Conversation hearts 4/$1.00 (little boxes)
Sandwich Bread $.99
*Dole salad $.77
Fritos, Cheetos, Santista Chips $1.69
Food Club Chips and Crackers $1.49
Angel Soft T.P. 24 roll/$4.99
Macayo’s Diced Green Chilis 2/$1.00
Nestle baking chips , brown or powdered sugar $2.00

Fresh & Easy
Coupon for $3.00 off a $30.00 (Frys is honoring these coupons again if you want to use it there)
*Long Stemmed Roses $10.00 per dozen
**Rainbow Dozen Roses $7.00
Rose and Lily Bouquets $15.00 and $20.00
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (never frozen) $1.99
Asparagus $.98/lb.

Food City
Jalapeno Peppers 4lbs./$1.00
Mangos 3/$1.00
Boneless, skinless, chicken thighs $.99
Tangelos 5lbs./$1.00 (Fri. only)
**2lb. bag Lucky Elephant Rice 2/$1.00 (Fri. only)
Pollock Fillets $1.99/lb.
Cod Strips $2.99/lb.
*Food Club Evaporated Milk $.77
Dos Ranchitos Flour Tortillas $1.39
Dole Salad 2/$.98
Pasillo Chilis 2lbs./$.99
Cucumbers 8/$.99
Bell Peppers 4/$.99
Carrots 5lbs./$1.00
73% lean ground beef $1.39/lb. (Thurs. only)

Fry’s
*All Coupons worth $1.00 – accepting other store coupons*
*Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Tenders $1.77
*Rice a Roni or Pasta Roni $.88
*Green or White Asparagus $1.00/lb.
*Kroger canned vegetables 2/$.88
*Milk $1.59/gallon
**Keebler cookies and crackers $1.49
*Dole Salads $1.00
Fresh Strawberry Pie $4.99
Sandwich Bread 10/$10.00
*Kroger Frozen Vegetables $.88
*4lbs. Sugar $1.88
Kroger Microwave Popcorn 10/$10.00
6.4 oz. Colgate Toothpaste $.99
Pillsbury Grands 10/$10.00
Skintimate &Edge Shave Cream 2/$4.00

Safeway
All Coupons worth $1.00
Raising Bran and Fruit Loops $2.00
Red Grapes $.99 (Fri. – Mon. only)
*Tide $5.99
Lucerne Ice Cream (with coupon –limit 3)

There is not much on sale this week. Buy what you need, then save your money for better sales later! It is hard to judge what you should pay for sugar – depending on how much you have on hand, you might want to get enough to last until April. The best deals on sugar won’t be until fall. Cocoa Mix will probably not be on sale again until late November. Canned vegetables are sometimes a little cheaper but not much. Get enough frozen vegetable to last until Easter sales.

** It is time to get your garden soil ready to plant by Valentines Day!

Food For Thought - February 2, 2011 - February 8, 2011

2011-02-02T14:31:00.002-07:00

*Decent price
**As good as it gets!
***Buy this for your 72 hr. kits (if you like it!)

Albertson’s
2 Liter 7-UP, A&W $.88
Doritos, Lays Chips, or Nabisco Crackers $1.88
Boneless skinless chicken breasts $1.77/lb.
Keebler cookies 3/$5.00
Buy 4 Mix or match save $4.00 – Final price
*8 Bounty Basic Paper Towels $3.99
**Herbal Essence Shampoo & conditioner 2/$4.00
*Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner $2.50
*Cascade $3.49
*Crest Toothpaste 6.2 oz 2/$3.00
*Always/Tampax 2/$5.00

Bashas
*Large Raw Shrimp $3.97/lb.
*Hass Avocados 4/$1.00
Gatorade $.77
Bone in Chicken Breasts or leg quarters $.97/lb.
*Sour cream $.99
**Herdez Salsa or Fiesta Tortilla Chips $.99
Tillamook Cheese 8 oz./$1.29
McCormick Seasoing or Pepper $1.49
Lay’s Potato Chips $1.79
*Blue Bunny Ice Cream $1.97
*Nathan’s or other varieties of beef franks $1.99
*Bar S Meat franks $.99
12 oz. Borden Cheese Singles $1.77
Hillshire Farm Sausage $1.99
Ball Park Angus Beef Franks $2.99
Bar S Loop Sausage $2.99
Hilshire Farm Cocktail Links 14oz./$2.99
Reeser’s Fresh Salads $.99/lb.
Colgate Toothpaste $.99
*Food Club Bleach $1.59/lb.

Fresh & Easy
Coupon for $5.00 off a $25.00 (Frys is honoring these coupons again if you want to use it there instead)
*Mixed Grill Pack – Meat 4lbs. 11 oz/$5.99
*Quarter Pounder Beef Patties 12/$5.99
*Chili, Citrus, and Cilantro Chicken 4.25 lbs./$5.99
Beef franks 1 lb. – 2/$6.00
*Foster farms corn dog 16/$2.49
Navel Oranges $.33/lb.
Sol Pacifica Peppers $1.00/lb.
Salad, Cilantro $.98
*Onions 2lbs./1.00
**Fresh Pizzas $2.99
Oscar Meyer wieners $.99

Food City
*Avacados 5/$1.00
**El Pato Hot Sauce 3/$1.00
**Bar S Jumbo meat franks $.69 (Sat. only)
**Del Monte Ketchup 24 oz./$.79 (Sat. only)
**Cucumber 7/$.99 (Sat. only)
**7 lb. Mesqhite Charcoal $1.99 lim. 3
**Doritos 2/$3.00 (Sat. only)
Gatorade $.79
Red Seedless Grapes $.99/lb.
*Roma Tomatoes 3 lbs./$l.00
**Boneless Chicken Breasts $1.49/lb. free marinade
*Bar S Bacon 12 oz./$1.99
**Flav-r-pac vegetables 16 oz./$.88
**LaModerna Dry Soup Mix 3/$1.00
**LaModerna 7 oz. pasta 6/$1.00
Catfish nuggets $1.99/lb.
*Jalapeno Peppers 3 lbs./$.99
**Navel Oranges 5 lbs./$.99

Fry’s
*All Coupons worth $1.00 – accepting other store coupons*
Buy 10 Save $5.00 mix or match
*Del Monte Vegetables $.49
**Rotel Tomatoes $.49
**Kleenex $.99
***Hormel Chili $.79
***Kraft Easy Mac or Velveta Shells & Cheese $.49
***Progresso Soup $.99
***Dinty Moore Beef Stew $.99
*Brawny paper towels 6 big or 8 reg. $5.49
**Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 8 oz Soft or Bar $.99
**I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, 8-16 oz $.99
**Palmolive Dish Detergent 20-25 oz./$1.49*40 oz. Heinz
*Gold Fish Crackers $.99
*40 oz. Heinz Ketchup or Pace Picante Sauce $1.49
*SoBe life water, Propel $.49
Sara Lee Bread $1.49
*Kraft Mayo or Miracle whip $2.49
*Uncle Ben’s rice mixes
Kellogg’s Fruit Loops, Raisin Bran, Apple Jacks, Quaker Granola Bars $1.97
*Velveeta 2lb./4.49
Jello or Pudding $.75
Lay’s Potato Chips $1.77
Colgate Toothpaste $.98
**Balance Bars $.50
Kroger Cheese 50% off
Sunny D 10/$10.00

Safeway
All Coupons worth $1.00
Rolled Gold pretzels or rods $1.88
*Kraft Mayo or Miracle whip $2.49
***Campbell’s chunky or microwave soups $.99
2 Liter 7-UP $.69
*Hamburger $ Hot dog buns $.75 (Thursday only)
3 lbs. Oscar Meyer Beef Franks $4.99 (Thursday only)
*Chicken drumsticks, thighs, or leg quarters $.88/lb.
Red Seedless Grapes $.99/lb.
Use Coupon for:
*Oscar Mayer Meat Franks $.99
*Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing $1.49
*Hamburger $ Hot dog buns $.89
Lucerne Yogurt 10/$4.00
**Safeway Softly Toilet tissue 24 Double rolls $8.88
KC Masterpiece Barbecue sauce $.99

** It is time to get your garden soil ready to plant by Valentines Day!

Chase & Sarah

2011-01-27T18:26:00.000-07:00

Engagement sessions are my very favorite! The shoot with these two was no exception, can't wait for their wedding in March!

Mesa Engagement Photographer - Mesa Wedding Photographer - Arizona Wedding Photographer

Food for Thought

2011-01-26T08:54:00.001-07:00

*Decent price
**As good as it gets!
***Buy this for your 72 hr. kits (if you like it!)

Albertson’s
Eggs$.89
**Albertsons’ 24 pack Water $1.99
*Bread $.88
Michelina’s or Budget gourmet entrees $.89
Fritos or Cheetos $1.49
Colgate Total Toothpaste $1.50
Ken’s Salad Dressing $.
Armour lunchmakers 10/$10.00
Jumex Nectar 2/$.88
Buy 5 Final Price $1.39 Mix or match
Aunt Jemima Syrup, Quaker Instant, Quick or Regular Oats, Chewy Granola Bars, Breakfast Cookies – 6 ct. ,Pancake Mix, Life or Cap’n Crunch cereal, Oatmeal Squares Cereal

Bashas
Maruchen Ramen noodles $.10 Limiit 24 (Wed. only)
Deli Sliced Ham and Turkey $1.99 (Thurs. only)
Angel Soft Toilet Paper (4) $.88 (Mon. only)
Ground Chuck $1.88/lb. (Tues only)
**Milk $1.67
Sanderson Farms Bonless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.69/lb.
*Kellog’s Cereal $1.99
*Large Eggs $.99
Boneless Cross Rib Roast $1.99/lb.
Roma Tomatoes $.88/lb.
Asparagus $.99/lb.
*Manwich sloppy Joe sauce $.99
*Food Club paper towels 3/$1.99
*Lawry’s Seasoning & Garlic Salt 16 oz./$1.99

Food City
Avacados 4/$1.00
Onions 5 lbs./$1.00
Roma Tomatoes 3 lbs./$1.00 (Fri. only)
Whole Chicken Fryers $.69/lb.
Tamales $.99 ea.
Whole Pineapple 3lbs./$1.00
Canned fruit $.97
Whole Tilapia $1.29/lb.
Value Time Bleach $1.29
Value Time Fome plates or Red cups $.99
Value Time Paper Towels 2/$.99
Granny Smith Apples 3lbs./$1.00
Bananas 3lbs./$1.00 (Wed. only)
Tangelos 3lbs./$1.00 (Wed. only)
Lettuce 4/$1.00 (Wed. only)
Tomatillos 2lbs./$1.00
Boneless Beef Stew meat $1.99/lb.
73% lean ground beef $1.29/lb. (Thurs only)
Boneless skinless chicken thighs $.99/lb. (Thurs. only)
Green Bell Peppers 3/$.99
Yellow Hot Peppers 3lbs./$.99

Fry’s
*Whole Chicken $.57/lb.
Yoplait Yogurt $.44
Sour Cream, Cottage Cheese, Dip 10/$10.00
Buy 10 Save $5.00 mix or match
SoBe life water, Propel $.49
Dreyers Ice Cream or Oreos$1.97
*Del Monte Vegetables or Tomatoes or **Rotel $.49
**Kleenex $.99
Kellogg’s Fruit Loops, Raisin Bran, Apple Jacks, Quaker Granola Bars $1.97
***Hormel Chili $.79
Ken’s Salad Dressing $1.49
***Dinty Moore Beef Stew
*BarS meat franks $.89
Sara Lee Bread $1.49
***Kraft Easy Mac or Velveta Shells & Cheese $.49
**All Laundry Detergent or Snuggle Fabric Softener
70-80 ct Sheets, Electrasol, 12 ct Tabs or 20 ct Pacs or Jet
Dry, 6.76-8.45 oz $2.99
Solo, Dixie plates and cups $1.49
Dial Liquid Hand Soap Refill, one Soap or Body Wash. 6-8 Bars or 16-18 oz, Always or Tampax , Pads, 14-24 ct, Liners, 40-60 ct or Tampons, 20 ct $2.49
**Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 8 oz Soft or Bar or **I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, 8-16 oz $.99
8.2 oz. Crest $2.00
Progresso Soup $.99
Miracle Whip and Kraft Mayo $2.49
Brawny paper towels 6 big or 8 reg $5.49
40 oz. Heinz Ketchup or Pace Picante Sauce $1.49
Krusteez pancake or cookie mix $1.49

Safeway
All Coupons worth $1.00
Braeburn apples $.49/lb.
Breyers Ice cream $1.99
Trix & Cheerios $1.99
Lucerne Yogurt 10/$4.00
Safeway Bath Tissue Paper Towels 4.88 (Fri – Mon)
8 oz. mushrooms $.99

Wal Mart will add match anything if you don’t want to go to several stores, but want to get the deals. I often ad match the Food City produce prices there for a fresher selection at amazing prices when I am canning.

It is time to get your garden soil ready to plant by Valentines Day!

Peugnet Family

2011-01-25T18:24:00.000-07:00

Mesa Family Photographer - Gilbert Family Photographer - Arizona Family Photographer - Peoria Family Photographer

Garner Family

2011-01-24T08:59:00.001-07:00

I took these pictures almost a year ago and just realized I haven't shared them yet! Can you believe this is what their backyard looks like?

Lakeside Arizona Family Photographer
Showlow Family Photographer

Winnie

2011-01-20T22:04:00.005-07:00

Or rather: Deer Park's Lady Winifred...

She's the cutest thing

and such a lady (I love the crossed legs)

She's soft

and loves to snuggle

and she's my newest niece.

Arizona pet photographer
Mesa pet photographer
Gilbert pet photographer

January Planting Guide - AZ

2011-01-12T10:54:00.001-07:00

January is the month to plant trees. Lower temperatures give roots time to establish before the unforgiving late-spring and summer heat. Consider planting a citrus tree. Equate the size of the potted tree to the size of hole you'll have to dig. Transplant bare-root deciduous fruit trees. Select varieties that require fewer than 400 chill hours.

Prepare garden soil for spring planting. You can start seeds of tomatoes, peppers and basil in small containers so they're ready to plant in the ground by Valentine's Day. Seeds may be sown of lettuce, spinach, carrots, green onions, peas, and radishes.

Strawberries, Cabbage, Broccoli, Cauliflower, artichokes, and chard will grow from transplants, and you may plant bare root Asparagus as well.

When to pick Citrus? Give citrus the taste test. If fruit is not sweet enough, leave remaining fruit on the tree for several more weeks. Peel color is not an indicator of maturity or taste in citrus.

Maintenance - To keep winter lawns green and healthy, fertilize every three weeks with ammonium nitrate, potassium nitrate or calcium nitrate. Follow application rates and directions on the container's label. Cover frost-tender plants, such as bougainvillea, celosia, ficus, hibiscus, Mexican fan palm, red bird of paradise and sweet acacia when night temperatures drop below 35 degrees. Bring container plants closer to the house for protection or cover with a sheet or frost cloth. Cover lemon, lime and young citrus trees sensitive to lower temperatures, overnight with a sheet or blanket that reaches to the ground. Uncover after sunrise. Use cardboard boxes, foam or plastic cups to protect the tips of columnar cactus or bloom stalks on agaves and aloes.

Do not prune the damaged areas until the plant begins spring growth. Pruning may stimulate new frost-sensitive growth.

Watering - Adjust your watering schedule. Shrubs, trees and flower beds need water less frequently during shorter, cooler days. Flowers may require watering once or twice per week, depending on the weather.

Flowers - You can sow African Daisies, Alyssum, Bachelor Buttons, Calendula, California Poppies, Candytuft, Carnation, Hollyhocks, Larkspur, Lupines, Pansies, Petunias, Shasta Daisies, Sweet Peas, Snapdragons, and Violets.

Bare-root roses are available at nurseries. Prune roses by removing all of the dead leaves and canes and the spindly canes that are smaller than the diameter of a pencil. This coaxes the best out of roses for spring bloom around April.

*Hint - To save herbs, such as basil, cilantro, thyme, oregano, etc., harvest the leaves fresh, rinse them off, chop them up finely, put them in ice trays, add water and slip them into the freezer. Later, when you need to add flavor to a soup or cooked dish, add a few herb cubes.

Food for Thought Jan 12 - Jan 18

2011-01-12T10:51:00.002-07:00

*Decent price
**As good as it gets!
***Buy this for your 72 hr. kits (if you like it!)

Albertson’s
Buy any 8 Items mix & Match and Save $4.00 limit 3 rewards or a savings of $12.00
**Ragu Pasta Sauce $.99
***Skippy Peanut Butter $.99
*Wishbone Salad Dressing $.99
**Kellogg’s Cereal $1.49 1.00
Breyer’s Ice cream $2.49
Breyer’s and Klondike Bars $1.99
**I can’t believe it’s not Butter $.99
40 oz. Country Crock Spread $2.49
*30 0z. Rosarita Beans $1.49
Nestle Pure Water 24/ $2.99
Hormel Complete or Dinty Moore Meals $1.99
***Albertson’s Instant Oatmeal $1.00
*Albertson’s Grape Juice $1.99
**Gain or Cheer $4.49
*40% off select Dairy Products
*4lb. bag frozen boneless, skinless, chicken breast $1.59/lb.
*Iceberg Lettuce $.69
*32 oz. cheese $3.99 lim. 2
Nestle or Wonka Candy Bars 3/$1.00
50% off Rubbermaid plastics
**All Detergent $3.99
***Dinty Moore canned meats or stew 2/$3.00
*Maruchen Instant Ramen 3/$1.00 (not good for 72 hr. kit unless rotated oftener than once a year.)

Bashas
All Coupons worth $1.00
GM Cereal 2/$4.00
Betty Crocker Muffin or Brownie Mix, Fruit Snacks, Pillsbury Toaster Strudel or ***Sunkist Fruit Snacks 2/$4.00
***Progresso Soup 10/$10.00
*Hamburger etc. Helper 10/$10.00
Pillsbury Grand’s biscuits 10/$10.00
*Food Club Yogurt 3/$1.00
Blueberries $.99
*Hass Avocados 4/$1.00
Buy 10 items Mix or Match and Save $5.00
**Rice or Pasta Roni, $.49
***Kraft Easy Mac and Velveeta Mac and Cheese Cups $.49
***Bumble Bee Tuna $.49
**Fritos/Cheetos $1.49
**Barrilla Pasta and Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce $.69
***Dennison’s Chili, Old Orchard Juices, $.69
**Green Giant Frozen Vegetables, Totino’s Pizza $.69
**Bill Johnson’s Barbeque sauce $.69
Marie Calendar’s Frozen Dinners $1.77
**7-UP or Canada Dry $.79
**Cook’s Spiral cut Ham $.99/lb.
Pillsbury pie crusts $1.25
**Bashas Pudding cups $.88
Nestle Candy Bars 3/$1.00
***Cough Drops 2/$1.00
*Gain Dish Soap or Soft soap $.99
Balance, Cliff, or Power Bars $1.00

Food City
*Navel Oranges 5lbs./$1.00
*Bulk Pinto Beans 4lbs./$1.00
*Fuji Apples 3lbs./$1.00
*73% lean ground beef $1.39/lb.
*72 Corn Tortillas $1.79
*Valu Time Macaroni and Cheese 4/$1.00 (Fri only)
*10 lbs. Potatoes $.99 (Fri. only)
Maruchen Ramen 7/$1.00
*Kiwi 10/$1.00
*Cucumbers 5/$1.00
Onions 3 lbs/$1.00
Bell Pepper or Pink Grapefruit 5/$1.00 (Wed. only)
Roma Tomatoes 3 lbs/$1.00 (Wed only)

Fry’s
**VO5 Shampoo $.77
Yoplait Yogurt $.44
Kroger Deluxe Ice cream $2.27
*Fry’s canned vegetables, tomatoes, or beans 2/$1.00
***Powerade $.60
***Bumble Bee seafood (select varieties- I put the tuna salad and cracker pouches in my 72 hr. kits?) $.88
Kool-Aid or Capri Sun $1.69
Fry’s water 24/$2.99
Tomato Sauce 4/$1.00
***Campbell’s Soups $1.00
***Quaker Instant Oatmeal $1.99
Knorr Rice or Pasta Sides $.99
*Duncan Hines Cake Mix or Brownie Mix 10/$10.00
40 oz. Heinz Ketchup $1.99
Barilla Pasta 10/$10.00
Michelina’s or Budget gourmet frozen entrees $.88
***Colgate Toothpaste and Toothbrushes $1.00
Armour Lunch maker 10/$10.00
Buy 10 mix and match frozen foods & save $5.00
Tombstone Pizza, Banquet Family Size, Hungry man or On-Cor Entrees $1.99
Lean and Hot Pockets, Lean Cuisine, GG Steamers Veg., Toaster Strudel $1.49

Safeway
All Coupons worth $1.00
London Broil $1.99
***Chicken Noodle and Tomato soups 2/$1.00
Safeway Variety or Nature’s Cupboard Breads $1.69
**Dial Liquid Hand Soap $.88
***Luna, Cliff, Power Bar, Right Guard, Colgate, Halls cough drops, Always $.99
Hass Avocados 2/$1.00 (Fri – Mon only)
Buy 4 Save 4 on Juice
Mott’s Apple & Hawaiian punch $1.49
Welch’s $ Tree Top $1.99

Wal Mart will add match anything if you don’t want to go to several stores, but want to get the deals. I often ad match the Food City produce prices there for a fresher selection at amazing prices when I am canning.

WORK ON YOUR 72 HR. KITS!
Food for three days – peanut butter, chili, soups, tuna, mashed potato pouches, cocoa mix, canned fruit, drink pouches, crackers, oatmeal packets. water – (if including fruit snacks or granola bars – rotate oftener than once a year!)

Be Content.

2011-01-11T10:16:00.004-07:00

I am easily overwhelmed.

Work.School.Church.Home.

I look around and it seems as though everyone's lives are busy - but they handle it so much better than I do. They still get their to-do lists checked. They school, work, mother, clean, cook... they make it all seem so easy.

Sometimes it makes me feel like I am capable of less. Like I can't do what they can.

I spend a lot of time thinking about this - thinking about how I wish I could do more. How I wish I could get everything done.

Well, I've decided that's ending. It's time for me to learn to be content with who I am. To be proud of the things I do accomplish rather than dwell on all of the things left un-done. To stop trying to prove something, taking on too much and ending up overwhelmed and disheartened.

2011 is the year to be content.

It doesn't mean I will stop trying to be better, or settle for what I am now without the desire to grow. It means I'm going to prioritize the things that need to get done and not worry so much about the rest. It means I'm going to be satisfied with what I accomplish and happy with who I am.

2011 is the year I'm finding my happy place.

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have
to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is
comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying
to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we
are."
- Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Rainy & Brandon

2011-01-10T09:24:00.003-07:00

Beautiful couple.Beautiful day.Beautiful images.

Arizona Wedding Photographer
Mesa Arizona Wedding Photographer
Tempe Arizona Wedding Photographer

Henkel Family

2011-01-07T09:39:00.001-07:00

I'm related to some good looking people!

Arizona Family Photographer
Mesa Family Photographer
Gilbert Family Photographer

MY Family

2011-01-06T09:36:00.001-07:00

Our infamous Christmas pictures were not the only family pictures we took this year...

Arizona Family Photographer
Mesa Family Photographer
Gilbert Family Photographer

Food For Thought 01/05 - 01/11

2011-01-05T09:19:00.002-07:00

*Decent price
**As good as it gets!
***Buy this for your 72 hr. kits (if you like it!)
Wal Mart will add match anything if you don’t want to go to several stores, but want to get the deals.

Albertson’s
1/2 gallon Milk or dozen Large Eggs $1.00
Fresh Express Salad $1.00
*Albertson’s Salad Dressing $1.00
Colgate Tooth paste $1.00
Kool-Aid Bursts $1.00
*3lbs. Navel Oranges $1.00
***Progresso Soup $1.00
*Pork Loin Chops $.97/lb.
Hawaii’s Own & Old Orchard frozen juice $1.00
***Nestle Hot Cocoa Mix $.99
Cheerios,Kix, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cocoa Puffs, $1.49
*Hunts snack pack pudding, Ketchup, Spaghetti Sauce, gallon water $1.00
Bakery Bread $1.00

Bashas
**Cheerios original 8.9 oz or Honey Nut 12.25 oz $.99
(Lim 2 Wednesday only)
*Hot, lean, or croissant pockets $.99 (Mon. only)
*Whole Chicken $.67/lb.
*Milk $1.67
*Yoplait Yogurt 10/$4.00
*Dole Salad $.77
*Boneless Round Steak (bottle it or have it ground for hamburger) $1.67/lb.
***Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Fiber One, Clif bars $1.99
Del Monte Vegetable 2/$1.00
Farmland Bacon $1.99
*24 Water $2.99
Farmer John Sausage rolls 4/$5.00
***Campbell’s Chicken Noodle & tomato soups 2/$1.00
S&W beans 2/$1.00
**Purex Detergent $1.99
**Kleenex 5/$5.00

Fresh and Easy
(If you use your coupon it is like getting 10% off)
Almonds $4.99/lb.
*Yoplait Yogurt 10/$4.00
Frozen Vegetables 2/$2.00
Gain Detergent $15.99 120 loads
Dawn $2.69/24 oz.

Fry’s
Buns 10/$10.00
Yoplait Yogurt $.44
Cream Soups 10/$10.
Dole Salads $1.99
***Quaker Instant Oatmeal $1.99
Hunts Spaghetti Sauce and Barilla Pasta $1.00
Kroger Frozen Vegetable $.97
**Soft Soap $.88
Buy 4 mix and match and save $4.00
Charmin – 12 double rolls/$5.99
*Tide 100-146 oz. $9.99
**Dawn Dish Soap $1.49
**Herbal Essence Shampoo $1.99
Crest toothpaste and Oral B toothbrushes $1.50

Safeway
All Coupons worth $1.00
***Progresso Soup $.99
*Betty Crocker fruit snacks and gushers $.99

WORK ON YOUR 72 HR. KITS!

If you do not have 72 hour kits it is time to start them! Get a grocery bag and find a spot to keep it and start today! You can keep improving as you go along, but the important thing is to have a plan. From experience I can tell you not to leave your kit in the garage or the trunk of your car. Do not include things that get stale, hard, or are prone to weevils (such as ramen). The fruit snacks that last for a year and can still be chewed are Sunkist. Granola bars are pretty bad after a year and so are pop tarts. Raisins and other dry fruits are still edible if you like them. Flip top cans are a good idea. Sterno evaporates, so if you are including it, keep it separate from your kit. I use Ziploc bags for hygiene and first aid items. Bags are a good idea to include along with the things on the list.

At the beginning of each year, I re-make my 72 hr. emergency kits and rotate last years food into my storage. Most of these food items will be on sale some time this month or early in February. I include the following items in our kits:

Food for three days – peanut butter, chili, soups, tuna, mashed potato pouches, cocoa mix, canned fruit, drink pouches, crackers, oatmeal packets. water – (if including fruit snacks or granola bars – rotate oftener than once a year!)

Back Pack - pocket knife, utensils, pan, can opener, flashlight, solar blanket, mirror, sewing kit, small scriptures, pencil & paper, Emergency Cash

Personal hygiene - wet wipes, roll of toilet paper, q-tips, chapstick, travel toothpaste, toothbrush, razor, nail clippers, matches, feminine products, diapers, etc.
First aid kit - bandaids, sample size ointments, cough drops, hard candy, iibuprofen, allergy relief, regular prescriptions (rotate)

Change of Clothes – short and long sleeve shirt.

Important documents - copy on flash drive - birth certificate, drivers license, mortgage info, insurance, pictures, family records

**Individualize your kits to meet the needs of your family!
*** Store what you eat and eat what you store!***

Disneyland

2011-01-04T09:20:00.000-07:00

Yes, I'm obsessed. Yes, I could go over and over and still be entertained. Yes, my dream came true when we bought annual passes in October (we've already been twice)

Christmas time (was) here...

2011-01-03T09:07:00.001-07:00

Full of presents...

Family...

Lights...

food, rest and fun.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T12:10:00.000-07:00

You may have seen these floating around on Facebook - but here they are again in all their glory!

Benson's sisters and I decided it was time to update the family picture and in a very special way. Since everyone was in town over Thanksgiving weekend we all planned ahead and secretly (without his parents knowing) got together, dressed up, and went to Wal Mart to have these wonderful portraits taken.

I can't wait to see the look on his parents faces today when they get to open their extra special present from all the kids - this beauty printed large and framed!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Robin Hood

2010-12-23T09:50:00.003-07:00

I've told you all before about how my family likes to party - especially when the party has a theme.
When asked what kind of party he wanted, my nephew Jake decided Robin Hood would be the most fun. I got to go up to Lakeside and help Jake's mom with the party which was a lot of fun. It was a crazy day but the party turned out so cute and all the kids loved it!

As all the kids arrived they first had to get in costume. Each of them got a tunic with a sash, a Robin Hood style hat and a fabric coin bag (like the ones in the animated Robin Hood) to carry all of their goodies in.

The hats were made of felt and each boy got one with a feather....

and each girl got one with a feather and a little flower - they were so adorable!

After getting in their "Merry Men" gear - they set off to decorate their swords which they then carried in their sash next to their money bags

We had lots of "Robin Hood" games like

Jousting

"Pin the tail on the donkey" type bow and arrow game

(we made arrows by cutting craft feathers in half and gluing them onto twigs we collected from the back yard)

And a treasure hunt where the kids followed clues all over the yard until they found Robin Hood's hidden treasure box full of gold coins (chocolate) and jewels (candy necklaces and ring pops)

For dessert, Heidi used melted chocolate to make arrows to top each cupcake

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAKE!

H Family

2010-12-22T10:06:00.001-07:00

On my first day of fourth grade I sat across from Tiffany. I had a clear clipboard and quickly showed her how I could press my face against it, move it up, and let her see into my nose - we've been friends ever since.

Just this year their adorable little boy was born - don't they make the cutest family?

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NASCAR!

2010-12-21T09:22:00.002-07:00

Back in November Benson and I became true American's and went to the NASCAR race in Phoenix. We knew before going that people get serious about NASCAR but after going...all we can say is WOW.

As you arrive at the racetrack you drive over a hill and in the valley below, spread out for literally miles, there are thousands of campers, trailers and tents creating a "NASCAR City" all around the track. Basha's even has a "grocery trailer" set up where you can buy essentials such as ice, TP and doughnuts. People had even brought golf carts, quads and bikes to get them from their front "porches" to the track.

We got there early in the morning and people were up making breakfast, heading down to the track, and buying awesome NASCAR merchandise. We were lucky to have track-side seats and pit passes which made the experience extra exciting. The most shocking part about the whole thing was how LOUD the cars are. It was something we probably won't do again - but it was quite the experience and the people watching was totally worth it.

Pie, Pie, Pie

2010-12-20T09:16:00.002-07:00

Definitely my favorite thing to bake! I always volunteer to make the pie's for my families Thanksgiving and when Benson and I spent our first Thanksgiving together I was thrilled to find out his family has a pie making party the night before Thanksgiving and make tons of pie.

Pecan pie is not my favorite but I made it for my first time this year for Benson and my dad who both love it.

I also tried making another new pie - Caramel Apple - it was amazing.

The holiday's aren't over yet - there are still plenty of pies to be made and I need some new ideas...what kind of pie should I make next?

For the Gardener's

2010-12-15T15:28:00.003-07:00

Once again my mother in law does us all a favor and makes our lives a bit easier!

December Garden Planting Guide

In the garden plant: artichokes, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, lettuce, peas, radishes.

Trees plant: bare root trees and shrubs when they become available at the end of the month.

Flowers plant: African Daisies, Alyssum, Bachelor Button, Bells of Ireland, Calendula, California Poppy, Candytuft, Carnation, Clarkia, Delphinium, Everlastings, Forget-Me-Not’s, Gaillardia, Globe Amaranth, Goderia, Gypsophila, Helichrysum, Larkspur, Lupines, Nicotiana, Pansy, Petunia, Phlox, Pinks Poppy, Salpiglossis, Scabiosa, Snapdragon, Sweet Peas, Sweet Sultan, Sweet William, Verbena, Viola

Food for Thought December 15 – December 24, 2010

2010-12-15T15:25:00.002-07:00

**Denotes items to stock up on, the price is a good as it gets!
*Good Price

Albertson’s
Large end Rib Roast $3.77/lb. & free 5 lb. bag potaoes Hormel Spiral Ham $1.17/lb.
Lays potatoe chips & Nabisco crackers $1.77
*Dreyers Ice cream & Simply Orange Juice $1.99
Sara Lee bread, rolls, buns, muffins, etc. $1.88
*PictSweet frozen vegetables $.77
*Canned broth 3/$1.00
Challenge Butter $1.99/lb
*Dole Pineapple, Mandarin oranges, Nestle cocoa mix, Cool whip, olives, Albertson’s gravy $1.00 each
*Chex cereal 3/$5.00 (must buy 3)
Nestle chocolate chips 2/$4.00
Albertson’s cream soups 2/$4.00
Crisco Oil 2/$4.00
*Fresh Green Beans $.99/lb.

Bashas
5 lb. potatoes $.99
Fresh green beans $.79/lb.
Eagle Brand Milk, Karo Syrup $1.99
Tropicana & Dole Juice, Egg Nog $1.99
Nature’s Own buns, bread, Food Club cheese $1.25
Gold Medal & Blue Bird Flour, Sugar $1.49
Flav R Pac frozen vegetables $.77
Brawny Paper towells, foam bowls, plates, foil $.69
Standing Rib Roast $3.77/lb.
Cooks Ham $.97/lb.
Dole pineapple and fruit $1.00
Celery $.89
Green Bell Peppers 2/$1.00
Planters Peanuts & Challenge Butter $1.99
Dreyers Ice Cream $1.99
Lays Potatoe chips $1.79
Idahoan potatoes, food club fruit, Libbeys veg. $.49

Fry’s
**Cooks Spiral Ham $1.07/lb.
New York holiday roast $3.77/lb.
Whole standing rib roast $4.77/lb.
**Birds Eye frozen vegetables $.77
*Dreyers and Kroger deluxe Ice cream $1.99
Lays potatoe chips $1.77
**Kroger Butter 3 lbs/5.00
Nabisco Crackers $1.88
*Fresh whole pineapple $2.00
Clementine Tangerine Cuties 5 lb/$2.99
Cheese 50% off?
*Dozen Eggs $.98
*Tyson Bacon $1.98
*Minute Maid Orange Juice $1.88
Fry’s sandwich bread $.88
Donuts $2.88/doz.
Shelled almonds or walnuts 12oz./$2.99
Nestle chocolate chips $1.98
**Frys 48 oz. oil and pie filling $1.88
*Duncan Hines Cake Mix $.88
Libbeys canned vegetables 20/$10.00
*Rice a Roni or Pasta Roni $.88
**Idahoan pouch potatoes $.88 (72 hr. kit)
Cheerios, Life , Trix, Cap Crunch $1.88
*Kroger Sour Cream, Cottage Cheese, Dip $1.00
Frigo Ricotta Cheese 2/$7.00
Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice $1.98
**Cool Whip, Cream Cheese $.88
Pepperidge Farm Stuffing 2/$3.00
Aunt Hatties’s Rolls 2/$4.00
*Celery $.89 each

Safeway
*10-lb. Bag Safeway Russet Potatoes $.99
Broccoli Crowns or Cauliflower 68¢ lb
Cocoa Puffs, Trix., Cinnamon Toast Crunch, $1.49/buy 4
Lucky Charms., Cheerios., Golden Grahams, Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats., Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks 4.5 to 9-oz. Selected varieties. $1.99 (buy 4)
Navel Oranges $.37/lb.
**Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.49
**Safeway quick oats $.99
Safeway Smoked Whole or Shank Half Ham $.99/lb.
*Dairy Glen Milk $1.59
*Fresh 80% Lean Ground Beef $1.49/lb.
Farmer John Sausage Links 4/$5.00
Dole Canned Pineapple 10/$10.00
Green Giant Canned Vegetables $.49
Martinelli's Sparkling Cider 2/$4.00
*Nestlé Baking Morsels $1.89
Ocean Spray Cranberry Cocktail Drink $1.99

Fresh and Easy
Half Ham $.77/lb.
*Pecan Pie $2.99
Cranberry Juice 2/$4.00
Carrots 2lbs./$.98
10 Lb. Potatoes $1.99
Pork Roast $.99 lb.
Prepared Masa $3.69/5lbs.
Corn Husk $1.99
Fresh whole pineapple $2.00
Imperial 3/$1.98
Mrs. Cubbison stuffing 2/$3.00
*Raspberry, Blackberry or Strawberry Preserves $.99

Food for Thought 12/08 - 12/14

2010-12-09T10:46:00.002-07:00

*Decent price
**As good as it gets!
***Buy this for your 72 hr. kits (if you like it!)

Albertson’s
Quadruple Coupons (up to $1.00 off)
**Hormel Spiral Ham $1.17
Sara Lee Pies $1.99 lim. 2
Blue Bunny Ice Cream $2.27 Limit 2
**24 pacjk Crystal Geyser water 4/$10.00
Doritos $1.99
*Allbertson’s Butter 8 oz./$.99
Pork loin roasts $1.69/lb.
Large End Rib Roast $3.77/lb.(prime rib)
Large cocktail Shrimp $4.99/lb. in 2lb. bags
Individual fish fillet 4oz. $1.00
Imitation Crab, crab cakes $1.00
BarS Bologna, hot dogs $1.00
10 oz. Land O lakes shaved lunch meats 2/$5.00
*Gallon Hominy $1.88
Purex Laundry soap $2.99
**Libbey’s canned vegetables 3/$1.00
Mangos 2/$1.00

Bashas
(Quadruple Coupons)
Ground Chuck $1.88/lb.
Navel Oranges $.37/lb.
Dole Salad blends 2/$3.00
24 Water $2.99Yoplait Yogurt $.40
Milk $1.67
Buy 10 mix & match/save $5.00 – final price
Tillamook Cheese $1.29
Doritos, Pop Tarts, Lays kettle chips $1.49
7Up, Canada Dry – 2 liter $.79
*Brawny Paper towels, foam bowls & plates, foil $.69
Food Club Peanuts, Hawaiian Punch, Clamato $1.49
Betty Crocker Helper, Stagg & Hormel chili,$.89
*Food club gravy or other mixes 3/$1.00

Fresh and Easy
(If you use your coupon it is like getting 10% off or take coupon to Fry’s and they will honor it, including the bag coupon)
Spiral sliced ham $1.47/lb.
Cranberry cocktail 2/$4.00
Navel Oranges 3 each/$.99
Baby carrots $.98/lb.
48 oz. Oil 2/$4.00
Imperial Margarine 3/$1.98

Fry’s
All Coupons worth $1.00
Accepting ALL other store’s coupons including Fresh & Easy
Spend $100.00 on gift cards/save $.40 per gallon on fuel fill.
*Nestle Chocolate Chips $1.88
*Kroger cream cheese $.99
*Kroger Yogurt 3/ $1.00 - (they freeze)
*Kraft marshmallows or marshmallow cream $1.00
*Flour, Brown and powdered sugar 2/$3.00
*12 oz walnuts or almonds $2.99
*48 oz. oil $1.98
4lb. sugar $1.98
Wisk, Gain, Bounce $4.99
8 oz. mushrooms 2/$3.00
Hoodies in shell peanuts 16 oz. bag 2/$3.00
Buy 10 items mix or match – save $5.00
General Mills Cereal and Betty Crocker Fruit snacks $1.49
Kraft Salad Dressing or Bacon Bits $1.48
16 oz Emerald Dry Roasted Peanuts $1.49
Colgate Total $2.00
Bugles/Chex Mix/Orville Redenbacher pop corn $1.49
Daisy Sour Cream $.99
Sara Lee Bread or Premium Crackers $1.49
Gorton’s Frozen Fish $2.49
*Tree Top Apple juice $.99
Betty Crocker Brownie Mix $.99
Krusteez cookie or cornbread Mix $.99
Kleenex $.99
***Bumble Bee Tuna Pouches (72Hr.)
***Dennison’s Chili $.49 (72 Hr. – as cheap as it ever gets!)
*Velveeta Mac and Cheese $.99
*Carnation canned Milk $.69
Pringles $.99
Quakes $.79

Safeway
All Coupons worth $1.00
Spend $75.00 in a transaction & receive $10.00 reward
London Broil $1.99/lb.
Chicken Thighs, drumsticks, leg quarters $.88/lb.
Buy 5 Save $5.00
Cheese nips and premium saltine crackers $.99
Ritz Crackers and Wheat Thins $1.49
Honey Maid graham crackers $1.99
***Safeway Tomato or Chicken Noodle Soup 3/$1.00
Jumbo Shrimp – raw $4.99/lb.
32 oz. Lucerne Cheese $4.49
*Nestle hot cocoa 10/$10.00
*Duncan Hines Brownie Mix $.99
Baby Carrots $1.00 /lb bag
Leaf lettuce $1.00
Celery $1.00
*Betty Crocker Cake mix $.75
Apples $.49/lb. (Fri.-Mon.) Honey Bunches of Oats 3/$5.00 (Fri-Mon)

NOTE: Remember that if you don’t want to go to several stores, Wal-Mart will ad match everything. Just print this list and take it with you and ask for these prices. They don’t even need to be shown an ad to match it for groceries. They substitute their store brand for other store brands.

Food for Thought 12/1 - 12/7

2010-12-02T09:06:00.002-07:00

*Decent price
**As good as it gets!
***Buy this for your 72 hr. kits (if you like it!)

Albertson’s
*Milk $1.59 Lim.2
**Gold Medal Flour $1.00
*Pillsbury Brownie Mix $1.00
Pillsbury Cake Mix $1.00
*Cuties – Clementine Tangerines 3lb. $1.99
*Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast $1.77
*Progresso Soup $1.00
*Pork Loin Chops $.97/lb.
4 lb. sugar $1.99
Hidden Valley Ranch dressing $1.50
Buy 4 mix & match/save $2.00 – final price
Cheetos/Fritos $1.49
Cheerios,Trix, Fruit snacks, Nature Valley Granola Bars $1.49
Stove Top Stuffing $.99
Sara Lee Bread $1.49
100 oz. Tide $9.99
Pop Tarts $1.49
24 roll Charmin or 8 Bounty Paper Towels $5.59

Bashas
(Quadruple Coupons)
Sandwich Bread $.88
Progresso Soup $1.00
24 Water $2.99Yoplait Yogurt $.40
16 oz Food Club pasta $.89
Buy 4 mix & match/save $2.00 – final price
Skippy Peanut Butter $1.49
I Can’t Believe its not Butter $1.49
Hidden Valley Ranch dressing $1.49
Breyers Ice Cream & Klondike Bars $1.99
Best Foods Mayonaiese $2.49
Bananas $.48/lb.
Cucumbers 2/$1.00

Fresh and Easy
(If you use your coupon it is like getting 10% off or take coupon to Fry’s and they will honor it, including the bag coupon)
Pure water 24/$2.99
2 cucumbers/$.98

Fry’s
All Coupons worth $1.00
Accepting ALL other store’s coupons including Fresh & Easy
Spend $100.00 on gift cards/save $.40 per gallon on fuel fill up. ( if you know you will be spending money at another store – buy a gift card in advance and save the money on fuel - especially worth it if you are filling a big truck or suburban)
*1/2 gal milk including chocolate and orange juice $.88
*Wisk, Gain, Downy or Bounce $4.99
Hamburger, Chicken, Tuna Helper $1.00
Buy 10 items mix or match – save $5.00
General Mills Cereal and Betty Crocker Fruit snacks $1.49
Kraft Salad Dressing or Bacon Bits $1.48
16 oz Emerald Dry Roasted Peanuts $1.49
Bugles/Chex Mix/Orville Reddenbacher Pop corn $1.49
Daisy Sour Cream $.99
Sara Lee Bread or Premium Crackers $1.49
Gortons Frozen Fish $2.49
*Tree Top Apple jjuice $.99
Betty Crocker Brownie Mix $.99
Krusteez cookie or cornbread Mix $.99
Kleenex $.99
***Bumble Bee Tuna Pouches (72Hr.)
***Dennison’s Chili $.49 (72 Hr. – as cheap as it ever gets!)
*Velveeta Mac and Cheese $.99
*Carnation canned Milk $.69
Pringles $.99
Quakes $.79

Safeway
All Coupons worth $1.00
Spend $75.00 in one transaction and receive $10.00 reward for next shopping trip.
*Boneless Beef Bottom Round Roast $1.77/lb.
*Ground Beef - 80% lean - $1.49/lb.
Pork Roast $.99/lb.
Mangoes 3lbs./$1.00
Roma Tomatoes 2lbs/$1.00
Milk $1.67
Eggs $.99
Red Grapes $.88/lb. (Fri. – Mon.)
Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice 3/$5.00 (Fri. – Mon.)
Hillshire Farms Little Smokies 2/$5.00 (Fri. – Mon.)
Breakfast Breads 2/$3.00
Bananas$.49
Refresh Water 2-24ct./$6.00
Nestle Chocolate Chi[ps 2/$4.00
Use Store coupons for
Quaker Gronla Bars $1.77
Oscar Mayer meat Franks $.99
Rice a Roni $.89
Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing $1.49
Honey Bunches of Oats $1.69

Every year in January I re-make my 72 hr. emergency kits and rotate the food into my storage. Our families kits include the following items that are a suggestion to look for and maybe even give as Christmas Gifts:
- Back Pack
- Gallon zip loc of hygiene items including,wet wipes, a roll of toilet paper, q-tips/chapstick, travel toothpaste, toothbrush, razor, nail clippers, matches, feminine products, diapers, etc.
- First aid kit including bandaids, sample size ointments, cough drops, hard candy any regular medications including ibuprofen or allergy relief.
- Change of Clothes
- Flashlight
- Solar Blanket, small mirror
- Pencil and Paper
- Military size scriptures
- Copy of important documents (birth certificate/drivers licence/insurance/ etc.
- Food for three days – Peanut Butter, Chili, Soups, Tuna, Mashed Potato pouches, Cocoa mix, canned fruit, drink pouches, crackers, oatmeal packets – (if including fruit snacks or granola bars – rotate more often than once a year)
- Water
- Pocket knife, utensils, pan, can opener (or flip top cans)
- Emergency Cash

Turkey Day

2010-11-23T00:01:00.001-07:00