Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween

Wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween
I must admit Halloween has become one of my least favorite holidays. 
It seems to have gotten way to gross and scary. 
I don't like being scared at all
I am a BIG CHICKEN! 
Since we went to the Trunk or Treat on Saturday night we are 
staying home, having treats and watching movies. 
For those who enjoy Halloween be safe & have fun!
Hugs, Bobbi Jo


Monday, October 29, 2012

Pantry Challenge Week #1 Shopping Trip

Today was the start of the Pantry Challenge over at Real Mom Nutrition as I posted about here
This morning I went over my menu made a list of all the things that were needed for this week. 
Checked in pantries, refrigerators and freezers. I made my list and headed off to Wal-Mart.
 I had my list in hand and price matched items that I could.
My total for the groceries for this week came to $34.08. There was an item (female item)that is not in this picture. 
Granted I have a good bit of supplies in my house already. 

Menu for October 28TH to Saturday  November 1ST.
Sunday: IHOP- Breakfast for dinner. Pancakes, eggs and bacon
Meatless Monday: Loaded Veggie & Blackbean Quesadilla , tortilla chips, corn on the cob
Tuesday Night: I will be the only one home this night so Something easy
Easy Peasy Wednesday:BLT's, veggie tray w/dip
Traditional Thursday: Stew & rolls
Crock-pot or Casserole Friday:Ground Turkey & Cabbage BBQ sands, veggies
Pizza Saturday: Pizza, salad & movie 
Super excited about how well I did today. I love that I know what we are having for dinner all this week too! 
 Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Menu Plan Monday

A while back when Coco was down to visit, she and I sat down and made up a 6 week menu. It was so fantastic to have this made and to know what we would be having each week. I continued to stock up on items that were on sale and using my coupons saving some money there too. 
I have recently been working on making a new Fall menu. Yes 6 weeks of yummy Fall foods using the wonderful bounty of fall squashes and veggies.
I am joining in on the Menu Plan Monday again with the Organized Junkie 


And in the Pantry Challenge with Real Mom Nutrition 

This week is not a typical week for us. On Tuesday night we usually have our date night but, hubs is going to the Temple with the youth. We would normally do pizza on Friday night but Faith is having friends over for a pizza pajama party late over so I switched it around. 
Also we have try to have a NO sugar during the week rule. This week on Wednesday there will be an exception to that rule. 
Since Wednesday is Halloween we are staying home having treats and watching a movie since we went to the trunk or treat. 

This weeks menu
Menu for October 28TH to Saturday  November 1ST.
Sunday: IHOP- Breakfast for dinner. Pancakes, eggs and bacon
Meatless Monday: Loaded Veggie & Blackbean Quesadilla , tortilla chips, corn on the cob
Tuesday Night: I will be the only one home this night so Something easy
Easy Peasy Wednesday:BLT's, veggie tray w/dip
Traditional Thursday: Stew & rolls
Crock-pot or Casserole Friday: Chicken & Cabbage BBQ sands, veggies
Pizza Saturday: Pizza, salad & movie 
I love to be organized and it isn't always easy but menu planning sure helps out not only with being organized but also in saving money. 

Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Autumn 2012 Pantry Challenge


As I was reading through blogs this afternoon a came upon this wonderful challenge over at Real Mom Nutrition. I love challenges! This one comes at a perfect time. Keeping it real here folks, money is TIGHT. On top of the regular bills that are normally due monthly I have my massage insurance due on November 11TH. So I need to cut corners where I can. So I am all over this challenge. If you want to join me it starts today October 28TH. This will be FUN! Her blog is amazing! Full of great ideas to feed our families and ourselves yummy nutritional food. 
I hope if you are joining that you will drop me a line on all the great things you are making, things you are using up and such. 
This is from the Real Mom Nutrition Blog  (copy & pasted) 
Autumn ’12 Pantry Challenge begins this Sunday October 28th and ends Sunday November 18th.
Want to join me? Here are the rules this time:
  1. Spend $50 or less per week  for food*. Keep in mind that your weekly budget can be higher– the point is to significantly shrink your current grocery bill.
  2. Draft weekly meal plans and try very hard to stick to them (I’ll be posting mine).
If you’re joining me, tell me in the comments section!
*This budget does not include toilet paper, cough drops and other non-food groceries–this also does not include trick-or-treat goodies, which I don’t purchase until Halloween.
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Fun Family Weekend

 On Friday afternoon Coco, Kyle, Talmage, Naima and Kylia came down from Pinetop to spend the weekend here in the valley. This Saturday night is the annual Trunk Or Treat at our church. 
We were very excited to have them come down I have to say I was the most excited though. Missed my grand babies so much. 
 Naima playing in Grandmas room

 Talmage 
 Naima playing with my little figurines. Coco and Gabby being silly.
 Naima & Talmage
 Kylia in the Moby Wrap & Coco
Coco could do a serious infomercial for this wrap.
 Happy Kylia with her Mommy
Friday night Dallas & Sara came over to visit and have dinner with us all. We ate, talked and laughed.
After dinner
 Naima got into Coco's makeup and made herself so pretty
Up close of the eye shadow all over her pretty little face
 Alan Holding Kylia 
Dallas with Kylia and Talmage. Love those chubby little cheeks.
It was a fun time with the family. I love having them all here to enjoy each other.
Saturday Dallas and Kyle went to play baseball. The rest of the family just enjoyed the time together.
In the afternoon E'lyses friend Drew came over to hang out and wait for the Trunk Or Treat. 
Faith, Drew, E'lyse and Talmage watch Gabby playing on the Wii
Drew and Talmage. Apparently this is the best seat in the house to watch Wii being played
Coco, Kylia and Kyle before the Trunk or Treat


Talmage and Naima ready to go to the Trunk or Treat 
 Kaidence (dressed as Merida from Brave) walking next to Gabby and Naima leading the way
 Coco, Kylia, Krystal (Coco's friend) and Kerrigan her daughter as baby elephant
 Sara & Dallas as Sara & Dallas 
 Drew & E'lyse they dressed as military peeps 
 E'lyse and Talmage 
I think the kiddos had a fun night. Gabby and Faith dressed up too but they took off on their own.
Saturday night piano time
Drew, Talmage, E'lyse, Naima and creeper Gabby
 Kyle, Dallas and Sara .

In three weeks everyone will be together again for Thanksgiving. Can't wait! 
Coco and her family left this morning to go back up north. I really didn't want them to leave. It was so great to have them here. 
 Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Friday, October 26, 2012

Thoughts Lately

 My thoughts lately have been so random and all over the map. Sometimes I feel a little crazy with what pops into my mind then out then something completely different hits me.

 This week started out on a good note of exercising on Monday morning. My goals and plan for the week all lined out perfectly (to me). I organized my coupons to put into my new Couponizer 
 This is my Couponizer. It is so cool! It has a place for all coupons even for fast food and such. It is a great way to keep track of  your valuable coupons. If you are going to spend the money on them and take the time to clip them then you should have them organized in a way that is SIMPLE!  This is it. 
 Check out the website The Couponizer 

Monday afternoon I lined out my containers and washed all of my veggies for my weekly lunch meals. 

My containers

 They have a mixture of organic salad greens, kale, mushrooms, cucumbers, purple onions, cherry tomatoes and 4 oz. of cooked chicken chunks. 
The problem with these is there was no problem with them it was my stomach couldn't handle eating them. So they are in my garage refrigerator keeping crisp for this week.  
 I was thinking that part of my feeling lack luster had to do with not juicing so I decided to make myself a morning pick me up. It was good and it did help for a while. 


 Tuesday morning didn't go so well as I had planned and went down hill from there. I had so much planned to get accomplished and I woke up feeling drained and so tired even after a good night sleep. So now I am recovering from yesterdays sickness. Apparently my body was fighting something I woke up Thursday feeling not so great in the tummy. I will leave out details but turns out Gabby and I spent the day being miserable after getting sick early in the morning. Spent the day sleeping, watching shows off and on and as the day went by I started to feel better.
 Today I woke up and felt better not great mind you but better. I have that kind of hangover sickness feeling. So today I will take it easy other than the cleaning up and getting the guest room ready for our special guest for the weekend. Coco,Kyle and their sweet family are coming down. YEAH!!  So excited I can't wait to see them all.
 Now for the weekend I am planning on enjoying time with the grand babies and family.
Tonight Dallas and Sara are coming over for a cookout and family hang out time. Tomorrow night we are going to our ward's Trunk or Treat. Should be a great weekend and a good way to recharge for the next week. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Monday, October 8, 2012

Faith Went To California

This week is Fall break for my girls. They are all thrilled about this.
My sweet friend Amy invited Faith to go to California for their annual girls trip. 
Faith has often said how she was bummed she has never been out of the state so this was an opportune time for her to go out of state and have some fun with good friends.
This is from the beginning of the road trip:
Back seat: Faith, Mallory, Macy (Faiths friend)
Front seat: Amy (she is my friend & does my hair), Madelyn and Amy's Mom.  
 This morning Amy sent me this picture of  Faith ( on the left) and Macy (on the right) boogie boarding. 
I spoke with Faith yesterday and she said she was having a great time. I miss her but so glad she get's to have this opportunity and have fun with good friends. 
Hugs, Bobbi Jo

I Want To Win This Book


 I have been hearing a lot about this cookbook and I sooooooo want it. I have entered to win at the blog
Food Storage Made Easy. Here is the post from their blog. Wish me luck! Of course I wish best of luck to everyone who will enter also. Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Our Best Bites GIVEAWAY


A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to meet the two ladies behind the blog atOur Best Bites. We attended their book signing and we thoroughly enjoyed it. There were like 10 samples of recipes out of their new book… and they were all delicious. Julie was especially excited to see their no-bake peanut butter bars. She loves anything no-bake! In case you missed our book review of their new cook book last month make sure to check it out.
We also did a post about how we use our favorite recipes to incorporateFOOD STORAGE into our everyday meals. Since these ladies cook up some of our favorite recipes, we used all their recipes for that post. You need to check it out!
We’ve had their new cookbook for a few weeks and have cooked up lots of the recipes in them. Here are a few of our favorites so far:
This was a yummy tostada with instructions on how to make the tortillas all cute. The dressing recipe was AMAZING. We love that they include from scratch dressing recipes all the time. These were what we served at Julie’s sister’s baby shower. They made her look cool.


This was their lemon chicken orzo soup. Julie was thrilled when she found whole wheat orzo pasta at the store and could make this super healthy recipe. The recipe called for chard, but she didn’t have any, and the grocery store didn’t have any, so she threw in some freeze dried spinach and it totally worked. There we go again – adding in food storage… haha.




Anyways, where were we? Since their cookbook is awesome, they are awesome, and our readers are awesome, we’re giving away a copy of their new book“Savoring the Seasons With Our Best Bites” !

Sunday, October 7, 2012

General Conference 2012

This weekend was very relaxing and fun. I would have to say this is probably my favorite weekend of the year. This is the weekend of : 
I have been really excited about listening to conference this time. Not sure why but I was. Don't get me wrong I always enjoy it but I just felt the need to sit, watch, listen closely, take notes and soak it all in. 
On Saturday morning our sweet Prophet and President Monson gave the announcement that 2 more Temples were being built , another one in Arizona and that the age of young men to serve a mission has been lowered to 18 and for the young women to 19. 
So many good speakers giving us guidance for our daily lives. It was a wonderful weekend. Time to spend with the family. Although Faith left to go to California for the week with one of her friends. I miss her not being here. It was odd setting the table for only 4 of us tonight.
I made these for our Conference Treat 
Cinnamon Rolls
Side view
 Over view
 Close up on the side. They got really crazy big! 
If I must say they were really good too. It was such a wonderful weekend I hate for it to end.
This week the girls all have off from school. I am hoping to get them to go for walks with me and do some Fall decorating and maybe a craft or two.
 Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Fall Nesting Party

 Melissa over at The Inspired Room  is hosting the 
5th Annual Fall Nesting Party series and I am joining in! 


I meant to get on this two days ago but I failed. Better late than never RIGHT?
So here are my 20 little things I love about Fall :
1.)   Cooling of weather
2.)   Colors of Fall
3.)   That much closer to Thanksgiving
4.)   That much closer to Christmas
5.)   Looking forward to wearing a sweater
6.)   Longer nights
7.)   Soups for dinner
8.)   Decorating in the hues of Fall
9.)   Pumpkins
10.)  Lower cooling bills
11.)  Smells of the air
12.)  School being in session
13.)  General Conference
14.)  Winter squash in FUN odd shapes and colors
15.)  Winter fruits and veggies
16.)  Feeling of new beginning with the change of seasons
17.)  Leaves
18.)  Burning pumpkin smelling candles
19.)   Decorating for Fall
20.)  Apple cider (warm)

 The weather here in Arizona has still been in the triple digits but supposedly yesterday was the last one. We will see how accurate they are on this. I am super tired of the heat and I really don't like the heat at all,well in less it is under some warm blankets or by a fireplace.
 Being that fall is my favorite time of year there are so many more things that I love about it. Today I plan on putting some more decorations so I can share them with you on the 9TH. I hope you are having a fabulous Fall day!! Hugs, Bobbi Jo

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Evening Of Excellence

On Tuesday night was our wards Evening Of Excellence. Young Women in Excellence is a great opportunity to celebrate the Personal Progress achievements of the young women in your ward and encourage them to remain strong as they face life’s challenges.
Every year there is a different theme for the Yong Women  and this year was "Arise and Shine Forth" the theme for the Evening of Excellence was "Shine On".
It was beautifully decorated and a fun night. 

Here is E'lyse, Faith and Gabby. 
The lamps they are holding are battery operated and the girls got 
to decorate the lampshades last week.  
 Faith took off with my camera and had fun taking pictures.
This is Sis. Goodman (Beehive Leader) and Faith.
 Pretty and silly still
 Faith and Macy Van Gieson
 Faith 
 One of Faith's newest friend and our neighbor Sky Miller
 Lindy Holyoak and Faith 
 Faith and Adriana Slade 
Sis. Freedon and Faith 
 Back half of the room
 These cute lanterns were hanging on the curtains of the stage
 That blog at the bottom was E'lyse trying to photo bombing  
 Gabby and our sweet Bishop. Masitis 
 Bishop Masitis and Faith 
E'lyse, Faith and Gabby 
Gabby, Faith, Sis. Oaks (Young Women's President) and E'lyse 
All beautiful ladies 
It's is always good to hang out with the family and recognize our beautiful daughters and their accomplishments.   Hugs, Bobbi Jo

 What is Personal Progress?

Purpose of Personal Progress

Personal Progress will help you strengthen your faith in and testimony of Jesus Christ as you learn His teachings and regularly apply them in your life. It will help you strengthen both your present family and your future family. It will help you prepare to make and keep sacred covenants and receive the ordinances of the temple. And it will prepare you to be a faithful, contributing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Personal Progress program uses the eight Young Women values to help you understand more fully who you are, why you are here on the earth, and what you should be doing as a daughter of God to prepare for the day you go to the temple to make sacred covenants. It will help you prepare for your future roles as a faithful woman, wife, mother, and leader in God’s kingdom. Participating in Personal Progress teaches you to make commitments, carry them out, and report your progress to a parent or leader. The patterns you establish as you work on Personal Progress—such as prayer, scripture study, service, and journal keeping—will become personal daily habits. These habits will strengthen your testimony and help you learn and improve throughout your life.