Fruit and Veggies Galore

Today I went to the Ranch Market and got some veggies and fruit. I have been eating mostly oranges and feeling a little deprived on the fruit front. I got all of this wonderful fresh and mostly organic food for $32. The potatoes are 20lbs. for $3.99. What a smoking deal ! This should get us through this next week. I am working on my menu for next week so I better go. Have a great evening! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

I won an Award and Savings

I was just informed that I was given this award from Cass over at That Old House! Okay I am way to excited here!
She was so kind in her comments to me. She has a great blog so check it out.
We each have one thing or another that we struggle with , be it a personal issue or family we all seem to come together and support one another. Now Cass's words were much more poetic than mine.

I love the many wonderful people I have met through blogging. I have laughed daily with some, cried with others and prayed for many of you daily.

If you accept this award, the rules are... 1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post
4. Let them know they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received the award.
Becky at Seven Super Summers
Crystal at Homemaking Homestead
Connie at Living Beautifully
Blond Duck at A Duck In Her Pond
Vanessa at Fanciful Twist
Ruthann at Warm Pie, Happy Home
Rhonda Jean at Down--To-Earth
Scrappy Girl at Four Seasons Farm
Kristina at Pulsipher Predilections
Nikki at Blah, Blah, Blah, Blog

This was hard because there are so many blogs that I follow and love to read daily. So don't be upset if you weren't nominated this time. Keep up the great work dear blog buddies.

One more thing I went this morning and hit the great sales at Fry's I spent $182.30 with a saving of are you ready for this? $214.73 that is a savings of a little over 53%. I am a happy camper.

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Time out for a political message from our sponsor…

I was reading a great blog and came across this message. The blog is Real Mom, Real Life

Time out for a political message from our sponsor…

OK – I don’t really have a sponsor, but this is a political thing. So any who are not of the conservative persuasion might want to check back on another post.

I got an email from a friend the other day asking to participate in something -- to protest, peacefully, the presidents stand on abortion. Or Voluntary Population Planning, as he puts it.

I believe we should respect the office of president and support him in his difficult job. But I don’t think that means we should sit idly by while things happen we don’t approve of.

So someone had a great idea of the RED ENVELOPE PROJECT. I hadn’t ever heard of it before, but I really like the idea. A simple, peaceful way to send a message.

Here is the email I received:

Get red envelopes or postcards and mail them on March 31st to the White House
When: March 31st, 2009
Get a red envelope. You can buy them at Kinkos, or at party supply stores.

On the front, address it to
President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington , D.C. 20500

On the back, write the following message:

“This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion.It is empty because the life that was taken is now unable to be a part of our world.”

We will mail the envelopes out March 31st, 2009. Put it in the mail, and send it. Then forward this event to every one of your friends who you think would send one too. I wish we could send 50 million red envelopes, one for every child who died [in the U.S.] before having a chance to live. It may seem that those who believe abortion is wrong are in a minority. It may seem like we have no voice and it's shameful to even bring it up. Let us show our President and the world that the voices of those of us who do not believe abortion is acceptable are not silent and must be heard. Together we can change the heart of The President and save the lives of millions of children.

So I want to call on my blogging buddies, friends and family to join this protest. Whether or not it works, I will feel better for trying.

*** Please feel free to refer to, link to, copy, paste or otherwise snag this information for your blog!!! Lets spread the word!!!***

Not that I often voice my political opinion (LOL) This is so worth it. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

I can not believe that it is Wednesday again. This past week has just buzzed by.
Today I am working on the following: I have to go to Elyse's school and talk with the dean because the girl that started the fight 2 weeks ago is still harassing her. Unfortunately they have 1st hour together. This is her dance class and the girl and a couple of friends keep yelling out things to her but the teacher doesn't do anything about it. ERR! I need to pick up Dallas early due to him not having EVIT today so he will get out at 10:40. I am doing the repainting of the little girls room since I was unable to get to it yesterday. I will post a picture of it when I am done. I need to work on some craft organizing, do wash and the usual chores. I am going to look on You Tube and try to teach myself to knit. I want to learn how to do this and have wanted to know how to for a while now. I need to go through the sale items and figure out what is needed and get my coupons ready for that. By this time the girls should be home from school and it will be time for snacks and finish prep for dinner. I have 4 books that are waiting patiently for me to read so maybe tonight in my bath I will sneak a little time for reading.
One more piece of news Talmage is starting to walk. He has been taking a few steps at a time. Yesterday when he was here I was sitting on the floor and he would get up by our couch and take about 4 steps to me. But last night Coco called and said her is walking more and more. She went to get his bath ready and came out and he was in the middle of his room walking around. He looks so amazed that he can do it with a big smile on his face. Love that little man.
Hope you all have a great day! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

And The Winner Is.......

Tonight after dinner we had the cutting of the King Cake. This cake is associated with the Epiphany in the Christmas season in a number of countries and and in other countries with Mardi Gras and Carnival. I didn't make the traditional King Cake I made a white cake with sprinkles in the batter. I iced it with chocolate icing and the the traditional colors of green, gold and purple for Mardi Gras. The traditional cake is almost like a giant cinnamon roll. This is a picture of one.: There is usually a little trinket that is in the cake, as you can see in the middle of this pictures. It is often a small baby that is representing Baby Jesus. The person who gets the piece with the trinket has verious privlages and obligations. For our house they just get a prize.
Tonights winner was Gabby- she found this and she won this-. She is such a chocoholic!
It was fun, now time to start planning for St. Patricks Day!
Have a great evening. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Fat Tuesday

Today is Mardi Gras "Fat Tuesday". What is it you ask. I searched and this was one description that I found:

If you've ever been on Bourbon Street on Mardi Gras, as a drunken mob gathers around a Golden Calf beating drums and blowing horns and shouting "Hail to the Calf!", you won't need to ask that question. There is no doubt that the period of celebration that we call Carnival has roots in pagan end-of-winter and beginning-of-spring rituals reaching back thousands of years.

These festivals - some of which can only be described as drunken orgies - existed across most lands that were being overtaken by the Christian Church, and like many other holidays and rites, the Church sought a balance between the old and new. Understanding that the party was not going to stop, the church placed limits on it, decreeing that it could not start until the finish of the Christmas holidays and had to end on the day before Ash Wednesday.
In other words it is a day to pig out before a fast. For me I have never been to New Orleans but had wanted to go when I was growing up. I have wanted to taste alligator and just experience Mardi Gras . I don't drink so I probably wouldn't fit in from what I have read about it. I also have a hard time staying up late! LOL Have any of you been to Mardi Gras? I would love to hear about your experience.
So for me I like the colors and the idea of the King Cake. This is the only reason I do a themed dinner and King Cake. I haven't decided on the prize for this year but I need to come up with that this morning.

I am babysitting Talmage while Coco and Kyle go to the dentist. So I will make the cake after that. I also have on my list for the day to put the second coat of paint on the little girls room, wash, do more organizing and make the gumbo. So off I go to get kiddos off to school and get to work on my chores. Have a great day! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Noisy Kids

I wanted to clarify about the noisy kiddos I was talking about in church Sunday. I didn't mean to upset Katie or anyone else.The mother had her 4 boys ages 9 and younger sitting 4 rows behind where she was sitting. She kept turning around snapping her fingers instead of sitting with them and trying to teach them how to be reverent. None of them could sit still very long and they were up and down back and forth to their mom and back to their seats, the mother was getting up as much as they were . They had 2 wind up toy trucks and were banging them on the metal chairs and nothing was being done but finger snapping.
I don't expect kids to be perfect little quiet angles but this was ridiculous.
Yes this was my vent for this month. Believe me there could be so much more but I don't want to get myself in trouble. Don't be worrying about me Connie!
Have a great evening. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Homemaker Monday and Menu Monday

Homemaker Monday
My tip for today has to do with the wooden handles utensils in your kitchen. If they are starting to get dried out due to use or maybe them getting washed in the dishwasher. Get some mineral oil and put some on a clean soft cotton cloth or an old washcloth it doesn't take a lot of the oil . Let it soak in the cloth just a little while . Then wipe it into the wooden handles of your utensils. This keeps them looking good and lasting longer.

Menu Monday

Chicken Terriyaki
Veggies
Salad

Fat Tuesday
Gumbo
Dirty Rice
Bread
King Cake

Lemon Pepper Chicken Saute
Veggie
Rolls
Fruit

Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Veggies
Salad
Pie

Amish Yum-A-Setta
Rolls
Salad

Date Night

Navy Bean Soup
Biscuits
Veggie

My weekend was good and busy. Saturday we worked around the house getting things put up in the attic. Alan and I had put the lights in a few weeks ago but had to wait to get the things put back up. Then Coco and I got the little girls room painted. It is a bright green and very happy. Unfortunately the paint was a little watery so I have to get another gallon and go over it one more time. The girls love the color of it, I do too!
Saturday night Alan started making the platforms for their beds. My food storage buckets that you have often seen in my pictures from my craft room are going to be the base of their beds. There will be a platform that will be placed on top and then material will cover up the buckets underneath. So the buckets will be out of the craft room and the girls will have single beds in place of their bunk beds. I love bunk beds for the space saving aspect but in Arizona you need ceiling fans in almost every room during the summer so you can't have the bed that is close to that and they are a pain to make. When the buckets are moved out Alan and I are going to make floor to ceiling shelves for food storage. I am so excited about this. Our house doesn't have a basement and there is not a lot of storage space.
Sunday we went to church. It had to have been the nosiest Sacrament meeting I have ever been in. Holy cow I was getting annoyed at the parents who bring loud toys to church or don't sit with their children to keep them reverent. But it was a good meeting anyway. After church we came home had a bite to eat and then took a lovely nap. I was tired and it was so good to have a quiet time.
Coco, Kyle and Talmage came over for a cookout. After dinner we had root beer floats. Talmage just had ice cream . Since it has been a little while without a picture I wanted to share some with you.


Talmage really enjoyed the ice cream.
We had a good evening and always enjoy having the family together.
I have my list made out for today so off I go. Have a great Monday! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!

The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!



Isn't this coat darling. Follow the link to learn more Conservatory Giveaway

Whatcha Working On Wednesday

Just a quick recap of my first 2 days of the week. Monday night we celebrated Faith's Birthday. She really seemed to be happy with all that went on throughout the day and evening.
Tuesday E'lyse was home from school with stomach problems, the field trip Alan was to chaperon for Faith's class got canceled due to the rain, so in other words my plans for the day changed. I mostly worked around the house did a deep clean on the master bedroom, did wash,
and the daily chores.
Today is Whatch Working on Wednesday. I am spending my morning trying to get my computer running. After my keyboard went out this morning I went and got a new one. I come home and now I can not get the mouse to work or the monitor on. ARGGGG!!! I am really getting upset with this thing. Hubby left his laptop home for me to use today so I am able to post on my blog.
I will be working on wash, filing, master closet cleanup and the usual chores of my day.
I got a book in the mail yesterday that I am absolutely loving. The book is called "Queen Of The Castle" , this book is written by a sweet blogger at Queen Of The Castle Recipes. This is a fun book that is full of fun things to do, make, new words, new things to put into effect to enhance your family and yourselves. GREAT book! I am reading the weeks that I have missed and planning on using these in my life. Thank you so much Lynn Bowen Walker, my fellow royalty friend. Check out her blog and get this book, it is awesome for new homemakers and us more mature homemakers.
So off to work on my list today before kiddos get home at 1:30. Have a great day!
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Saturday, Sunday and Faith's Birthday

Saturday was a good day we had our Valentines Day celebration at home. I really didn't feel like going out. Hubby had to go get Elyse and friend after they helped out at the church. Before he left we were watching How Chocolate is made, molded and the history of chocolate. Oh my goodness they showed how my very favorite candy of all time was made Truffles. I swear I was drooling! Long story short when I turned 21 my mother went to a place that made only truffles and bought me a box of 21 delicious truffles all for me. You would have though I got a car, this was one of the best all time gifts to get me. Anyway so when hubby went to get the girls he ran into the store and bought me a box of truffles. HEAVEN!! I am not eating them all right a way . Saving them for on my free days.
Sunday I was sick. Stayed in bed ALL day and slept off and on. Enough said about that.

Faith today 10!

Today is Faith's 10th Birthday. Happy Birthday sweet and talented little Faith.
When Faith was born her upper stomach muscle was not developed, we didn't know this at the time. She would eat and throw up. She was nursing every half hour and over and over this happened. I knew this wasn't right this wasn't my first rodeo.So after a couple days in the hospital we found out. She was put on an apnea monitor for 9 months, because she would stop breathing at night. Rough start for a little one. She is still very small for her age. 1 day old.
Happy little baby
Naked buns
This is Faith, E'lyse and Gabby

Nucky buds
Bubble Gal
Faith and Gabby camping
Faith wanted to go to school with everyone else so we did this picture of her for Joy School.
Faith and Gabby told me they tripped on a great big rock in the back yard. YEAH RIGHT!
Faith one 2nd place stick horse at the ward rodeo
Faith happy with her creation!
Faith always a good student
She loves to dress up and be a DRAMA QUEEN!
Faith cooking with Uncle Mark
Faith looking precious
Faith at home fashion show
Faith in a horse cage
Faith sitting in snow .
She is such a creative girl. She has always loved to color or draw. She has a major creative tendency and someday will be a great artist. She is a good student and loves to learn. She is especially fond of elephants and singing.
Happy Birthday Faither!
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Homemaker Mondays and Menu Plan Mondays

Homemaker Monday Tip- Learn how to properly load a dish washer. It can make all the difference in the world of how clean your dishes get and keeping them looking good.
1. Since heat and hot water are generally more intense on the lower rack than the upper rack, pots, plates, utensils, and other heavy-duty wash jobs should go on the bottom.
2. Load as much as you can without having things touch. Stagger or overlap small plates.
3. Delicate dishes and glassware should be placed in the upper rack.
4. Place everything in the upper rack facedown; everything in the lower rack facing the center.
5. Cooking utensils should be lying down on the bottom or top rack, not in the cutlery bin.
6. Don't place items over the prongs on the upper rack. Glasses and mugs should go in the rows between the prongs while bowls should be placed down in the center.
7. Forks, spoons and knives should be placed in the cutlery bin alternately (some handles up, and some down, if posible0 do they don't nest.
8. Never put cutting knives, wooden handled cook wear in the dishwasher. Wash these items by hand.
Next weeks tip is on those wooden handles utensils.

Menu Plan Monday- Correction on last weeks menu I put Faith's Birthday on it. It is this week I was ahead of myself.
Faith's Birthday Request
Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches
Fried Potatoes w/ ranch or ketchup
Cake

Beef Stew
Rolls
Pudding

Pork Chops and Applesauce ( The Brady Bunch)
German Style Green Beans
Wild Rice

Spaghetti w/ meatballs
Garlic Bread
Salad

Homemade Deep Crust Pizza
Salad
Fruit

Roasted Garlic Chicken
Rice
Brussels Sprouts
Biscuits

Date Night

Valentine Flowers

This morning hubby brought home a balloon for each Faith and Gabby, a single rose with babies breath for E'lyse, and for me he brought these:
I love the blood red color of these roses and the sweet babies breath ( my favorite flower). I just love flowers and these are so gorgeous. I am a blessed woman. Hope you are all having a Happy Valentines Day! I don't feel like going out tonight so we are doing a date night at home.
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Pink Saturday- Happy Valentines Day

Early post

Happy Pink Saturday and Happy Valentines Day!

To celebrate this Pink Saturday I decided to share what else but some of my Valentine decorations. So

A sweet little dish towel

My dining room table center piece. You can't see it in the picture but there are pink little crystal hearts on the cloth.

A urn with cat tails and pink hearts

A sweet little wire basket with floating pink hearts
\
A sweet little sheep I painted years ago

Cupid I painted a while back

Loving heart couple

My Valentines plates that hang in my dining room

Another sign hanging in my kitchen

Love this pretty little Mary Englebreit container I bought at Michael's last year.
These are my fun handcuffs with the pink fluffy fur.
Those are my pinks to share today. I hope you all have a wonderful Valentines Day full of love and fun. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Thursday Recap

These recipes can be found on my kitchen blog Inside Bobbi Jo's Kitchen
Yesterday I didn't finish the house decorating or my heart but got all the other items on my list done. For dinner I made these -
This is Orange Chicken I found the copy cat recipe a few weeks ago. It was good but a lot of prep work. I also made this Chow Mein

Also a copy cat recipe both from Panda Express. It turned out really good. I will be posting the recipes on my kitchen blog.

After dinner Coco and I went to a Coupon Class. Learned a lot of great things on using coupons. It was put on by Coupon Sense and our instructor was Ann. She was really sweet.

This was all of us ladies listening to her tell us how to use it. Sorry it is kind of dark E'lyse was taking the pictures. Wendy, a friend and neighbor had the class she wouldn't stand still for pictures. It was a good class.
I took Coco home and then went home. She called me up and Talmage was running a very high fever. She tried the things that I suggested but the fever wouldn't drop so they took him to the emergency room. Well it turns out that the dosage on the little children' s medication is an under dose. So they gave him more medication and his fever finally dropped down to normal. Poor little guy! I couldn't get to sleep I worried about him and I just kept praying for him to be okay. I know paranoid grandma. It is so hard when they are so little and so much damage can happen to their little bodies. So glad he is doing better.
So today I have a couple errands to run, wash to do, exercise, decorate with some organizing. I might get a little crafting in there somewhere. Hope you all have a great day. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Whatcha Working on Wednesday

It is not raining anymore and the sun has decided to show it's self. The weather is still wonderfully chilly, the way I like it.
I have E'lyse home today. Her nose was a little swollen from where the girl hit her yesterday. The other girl got a 4 day suspension for starting the fight. Such drama for junior high! The rest of the family went to school and work although, I think the weather has made everyone want to stay in bed. We had a slow start this morning. I didn't even stay up and watch my show last night but, I just wanted to stay under the warm blankets this morning.
It is time for Whatcha Working on Wednesday. If you want to join in go to Leslies blog and join in.
Today I am not feeling super productive but I know things have to be done so here is my to do list for the day.
Workout, wash 5 loads, make dinner and prep for tomorrows dinner, work on menu and shopping list for next week, organize coupons and look at lost leaders to decide what is needed,
fold and put away the snow gear I washed , decorate for Valentines Day ( I am so far behind on getting things up), brush Nellie, work on my organizing my craft room & make list of projects to work on and finish the Valentine Heart sign. Buy the time I am done with this the little girls will be home from school since it is early release.
I will try and post pictures of the Heart when I complete it.
Have a great Wednesday! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Tuesday Check In And I Was Spotlighted

This day started out as most days. Me waking up first, getting lunches out of the fridge, waking up Dallas then Alan. Wait a half hour then wake up the girls, get everyone ready and off to school and work, exercise and do chores then I got a phone call at 10:00 that my sweet little E'lyse got in a fight at school and got suspended. WHAT? Of all people I didn't expect to get this call about child #3. So she is suspended till Friday from going to school. What kind of punishment is that? DUMB! It turned out it was self defense. Not that I condone fighting but I have also taught my kids to not be pushed around, try to talk it out or walk away and this girl didn't want either. So I get to keep her busy for the next two days.
A little later in the day my sweet friend, visiting teacher and Relief Society President called and wanted to stop by. She brought me these-
These are such pretty Gerber Daisies. Kirstan is such a fun lady. She comes over and we just spend way to much time talking and laughing.
I had something else really cool happen today. I was spotlighted on 4 Hats and Frugal blog today. All 3 of my blogs! Makes me feel special. Thank you Amiyrah so glad to have you as a blog buddy!
I forgot to share with you the gracefulness of Coco and myself. Sunday morning I was going to pick up E'lyse from her sleep over and Alan had brought in all his riffles and put them on the floor in our great room. I was walking out to the kitchen area and I tripped from the nice s0ft carpet to the tile floor and smacked down first on my left knee then the rest of me. As I lay on the floor crying from the throbbing pain in my knee the kiddos and Alan are all leaning over me saying, "Are you okay? What happened?" I just wanted to go back and kick the guns or throw them. So the knee is still majorly hurting and throbs when I try to rest it. Then when Coco came over to go on our snow trip with us she was walking across the living room and tripped landing her right foot in this-This is a TV tray. The girls use these to color on while watching TV. Poor Coco was hurled into the air with the green tray hanging on. Luckily she fell on the carpet. Unfortunately her mom, brother and sisters were not as nice to her as they were to me. I couldn't help but laugh at the looks of her little foot stuck in the tray and it wouldn't shake off. I think she has recovered.
Off to eat dinner and maybe stay up and watch Real Housewives of the OC. Have a great evening. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Signs

My brother Mark and his wife Renee' have started a sign making business. The name of it is "Sugarbee Signs". You can place personalized orders, email with questions about costs (very reasonable) and things such as color selections, sayings and size. Their web site is not yet up. It is still in the construction phase. The link is SUGARBEE SIGNS. Renee' is very clever with saying so she would be glad to help you out if you are looking for something special.

You might remember this sign I got from them a few weeks ago.
I finally got it hung up.
This saying is from a blog I saw but it was done directly on the wall. I don't remember which blog it was sorry, I just loved it. Now this is hung in where else but my laundry room.

I have wanted a sign like this since Alan and I got married. It proudly hangs over the entry way to our great room so you see it right when you come in the front door.

They do a great job on the signs so please get in touch with them for that one of a kind saying for someone you love. Hugs, Bobbi Jo