House Update

Remember this post? I was hoping to have some good news to share, but it doesn’t look like that will be the case. We went to put in an offer on house #1, but just as we were about to do so we found out that the house had just gone under contract. Bummer. Then we had a little glimpse of hope, because the house across the street which was identical was also for sale, but overpriced. In the end we couldn’t come to an agreement on the price so no new home :(

Thanks for all of your great advice on which house to pick. It was great to get your feedback.

Favorite Ways to Save Money

There are a ton of ways out there to save money. Here are some of my favorite ways I like to stretch a buck.

1. Only use cash. Now I will say that I do not only use cash. I pay all my bills and things that are a necessity (ie, food, power, gas) out of my bank account. Then I use cash for just the extras (ie. my diet coke run, eating out, clothes)
2. If you see something that you really want, wait to buy it. Then if you are still thinking about it 24 hours later and decide that you have it have it, then go back and get it.
3. Don't buy it just because it is a good deal. Just because you find a clearance shirt for $3 doesn't mean you have it buy it. I know I am very guilty of this. It is very easy to get sucked into this when you begin to coupon. You find all this stuff you can get for cheap, but ask yourself am I really going to use this?
4. Use only cold water to wash your clothes. I have just started doing this and am excited to see how much I will save on my next bill.
5. Get rid of cable and land line phone.

What are your favorite ways to save money?

Spring Apron: Looking Good in the Kitchen- Part 2

Let me introduce you to my nieces new spring apron! I think it is adorable. I had a lot of fun creating it!

The Spring Apron 

I think butterflies are perfect for spring! 

  Now my niece has an apron to match her chef hat.

 

Whitney, the apron and hat are in the mail. I can’t wait to see your little girl in it!

  

You can get the tutorial for the chef’s hat HERE.

At the moment I do not have a tutorial for the apron. I was just kind of going with the flow and seeing what I could create. If anyone is seriously interested I would be happy to create one. Just let me know.

Giveaway!

Are you interested in any of these tees? Then today is your lucky day! Larissa, over at Just Another Day in Paradise is hosting a giveaway my store Super Baby. One lucky winner will receive their tee of choice.

Head over to Just Another Day in Paradise to enter. And you can check out the tees and bibs from Super Baby Here and Here. 

Healthy substitutions

There are many small and simple things we can do to reduce calories and make healthier decisions in our daily routine. If reducing calories isn’t your particular goal at this point in time, take the principles of healthy substitutions and try to apply them in your life!

For breakfast, try substituting a traditional high-fat egg and bacon breakfast to a vitamin and fiber-rich breakfast of a small serving of oatmeal and a banana three times a week for one year. Making this change would save 59,280 calories or about 17 pounds over a year’s time!

For lunch, instead of eating two pieces of pepperoni pizza, try substituting one of the pieces with a side salad. If you make this change three times a week for one year, you will save 12,480 calories or about 3.5 pounds.

For a snack, instead of reaching for that bag of potato chips, try eating a cup of strawberries. If this is done four times a week for the next year, you will eat 52,000 calories less and avoid putting on 14 pounds. Fruit is sweet and delicious and makes a very healthy and satisfying snack.

For dinner, try eating a smaller serving of spaghetti with broccoli instead of a large serving of spaghetti with garlic bread. Making simple changes at dinner like this three times a week for one year results in 49,920 calories or 14 pounds saved.

All of the ideas in this blog post are intended to get you thinking about the small and truly simple things you and your family can change in your eating that can have huge impacts over time. Feel free to have that big yummy dinner once in a while, and to enjoy a delicious ice cream for dessert on special occasions. All foods are for our benefit and when eaten in moderation, can enhance our earthly experience. No food is truly “bad” or “good” but with the right tools and education, we can make choices to help us reach our potential.

Have a great week!

White Turkey Chili

My favorite thing to make is soups. I'm not sure why. Maybe it is because they are usually a one pot dish, make great leftovers, freeze beautifully and taste delicious. But summer is soon approaching (which I am totally thrilled about) but I thought I would try to sneak in a soup recipe before it gets to hot. This white chili is really delicious and quick to make. It has got an ingredient that you would think totally ruin the dish but in this instance it totally enhances the flavor.

White Turkey Chili
1 onion, chopped
3 gloves garlic, minced
1 pound ground turkey
1 can diced green chilies
1 tablespoon cumin
1/2 tablespoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
Cayenne pepper to taste
salt to taste
2 cans cannelloni beans
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese


Brown the onion, garlic and turkey until turkey is cooked all the way through. Add the green chilies, cumin, oregano, cinnamon, cayenne, salt and pepper. Saute for a few more minutes. Next add 1 can of the cannelloni beans and chicken broth. With the other can puree them in a food processor (or blender). Add to the pot. Allow to heat through and simmer for 10 minutes. Throw in the cheese until melted. Top with extra cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, or whatever sounds great to you!

Looking Good in the Kitchen- Part 1

 

I have been wanting to make this since Christmas. My niece, Whitney’s daughter, was visiting and she had received a play doh set from Santa. It was a play doh food kit. On the box was a boy wearing a chef’s hat. She wanted the hat almost more than the play doh. It was cute. I figured I would make her one. Well here we are in March and I am just getting to it, but it’s alright because she loves presents no matter what time of year.

Do you want to make one too? Let me show you how.

Materials:

• One piece 20 in x 20 in
• One piece of 8 in x 24 in
• One piece of 24 in x 8 in piece of fusible interfacing
• Button

*Click on any picture to enlarge if needed.

Cut a 20 in by 20 in pieces of fabric.	Then fold it in half.	Fold it in half again.
Draw a curve from one edge to another.	Cut along the line.	Open to a full circle.
Cut an 8 in by 24 in piece of fabric and a piece of interfacing.	Iron on the interfacing.	Fold all the about 1/4 in. Then iron them down.
Then fold it in half and iron.	Sew the edges shut, but leave 1/2 in open at the top.	Next start pleating and pinning your circle of fabric in between the open edge. My pleats were about 1/2 in. Then sew along the edge.
Sew a fabric hook to the inside of the hat.	Sew on a button.	Now you have an easy way to put on the hat.

All that is left is to add a fun appliqué to the hat. You could add a cupcake or a tea cup. I went with a butterfly because I wanted a more 3 dimensional effect.    

Let’s hope my niece likes her new present.

 

Go HERE to check out the matching Apron!

House Hunting

Whitney and Angela here blogging from KU country. I, Angela, am visiting Whitney this week and I was warned before my arrival about this was a Jay hawk obsessed place. I genuinely didn’t believe that the people here could be so in love with their school. I had to see it to believe it!

Today we are going to let you in on what we have been up to for the last few days. First let me, Whitney, give you a little background on my situation. My husband is in his first year of law school at the University of Kansas. We moved to Kansas a few months back and didn’t spend much time looking for places to live. In fact, we just took the first place we found. It’s cute and it works for now, but we are going to need some more space if we are going to make it through the next couple of years. So Angela is out here this week helping me do a little house hunting.

I love to cook so to me the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the home. If I had my dream Kitchen, this would be it…

 

This is from Leann Rimes 7 million dollar home. I think this may always be my dream kitchen even after my husband has graduated and has a job. Realistically and without getting too specific a dream kitchen for me would be something that is new and clean. Those would be my major must haves.

Angela has helped me do some house hunting this week and we thought we would share with you some of the kitchens that we have been able to see. Now are these my dream kitchens? No. My husband is a student so most of our funds are tied up in getting him his education. One of these will be great for the next couple of years. Plus, I am impressed with how much kitchen I can get for my money. Let me introduce to a few of the top contenders. I would love your opinion.

Whitney’s Favorites

Kitchen # 1

This is my favorite. I love the stainless steel appliances. I love that there is a ton of storage. Plus, it looks out on to the backyard. I can see my daughter playing while I cook dinner.

Kitchen # 2

This is my second favorite. I love how open and roomy it is.

Angela’s Favorites

Kitchen # 3

I love this Kitchen! If I were moving to Kansas this is where I would live. I love the white cabinets and the stainless steel appliances. I love how light and bright it is. Unfortunately Whitney did not agree with me. This is an older home that had been fixed up. Whitney is looking for something that is newer.

Kitchen #4

This was my second favorite. This Kitchen is huge! And really unique. I’m a fan of homes that are different. Plus this house was right on a golf course which I thought was cool for Whitney since she likes to golf. Whitney and I obviously have different tastes, because this was her least favorite out of all of them. I wonder how we ended up with such different tastes growing up in the same home.

Which is your favorite?

Stayed tuned next week to see what Kitchen Whitney actually choose!

 

and