Blogging Friends

A funny thing happened when I began blogging, I made some life long friends!   Just this past week, I was able to meet one those online friends!   She and her husband were traveling through my area and we made plans to meet for a meal!  It was WONDERFUL!  We ate at a lovely little crab shack at the beach on a gorgeous day!  I wish I could share a picture with you, but we didn't take any.  We were too busy chatting, sharing, eating snow crab and getting to know each other a little better!

I am so honored to be online friends with these three lovely bloggers and I would have LOVED to have been able to attend this little gathering!  Wouldn't you?


In case I haven't told you all lately, I am very thankful for your encouragement, support, prayers and friendships!  God has richly blessed me with knowing you!  Thank you for sharing a little of your lives on line!
God is so good!

Judy from Benmakesten

Those of you who know Judy from Benmakesten might have noticed that she hasn't been around much lately.  I'm here to tell you that she is alive and well...however, the same can not be said for her computer!
Apparently, her computer was infected with a very serious virus that has corrupted ALL of her files....including 10 years worth of homeschooling data!  She and her family are working on getting things put back together, but, this is going to take some time.  Be assured that she will be back just as soon as possible!
Please feel free to pass this information on to other followers of her blog!

Before and After!

Over this past year, I have become very fond of a fellow blogger who lives in Texas. Elizabeth is a very special lady. She works very hard to take care of her family and her home. She has a great desire for simplicity in her life. She has taught me much over these few months...about being frugal, but smart....about striving to eat healthier....about excess...and about the difference between wants and needs. Elizabeth has been so kind to post about how she has organized her kitchen and pantry....that she TOTALLY inspired me! So, the other day, I decided to try out a few things. First of all, I wanted to see if shopping for an entire month would save us any money. I usually do one big shop a month (approx $250)for staples and then several smaller ones (anywhere from $60 - $100) every week or so for fresh produce or things that I find on sale. Doing it this way makes me feel like I'm always at the grocery store. On Saturday morning, I went to Sam's Club and spent about $270 (ouch!). Then, I went on to Walmart to get the smaller stuff and spent about $143. All together...I spent about $413. If it works...and I'm able to use up all (or most of) what I bought after 4 weeks.....I think it will have been very successful! I think $413 for one month for a family of 5 isn't too bad. We will still need to buy milk each week...mostly because I don't like to freeze my milk (even though I know that I can).

Once I got home from shopping, I realized how awful my pantry looked! I try to stay somewhat organized...but it had gotten really out of hand. So, I took EVERYTHING out! I threw away anything that was past it's expiration date. If I had more than one of something and I knew I wouldn't use it within the month....I put in a pile to take to the soup kitchen.

As embarrassing as it is.....here are my BEFORE pictures....

It's no wonder I couldn't find anything. I didn't even have anywhere to step! Because I don't have a lot of counter or cupboard space, my pantry keeps our food, some extra cleaning products as well as dishes and other kitchen equipment.

Here is the AFTER......not a ton better.....but at least I can see what I have on hand...

Now, before anybody says anything about the Spam....let me just say that our family likes it! I cut it into cubes....brown it, and then add it to things like mac & cheese, rice or even eggs. To me, it's like adding bacon. I bought a bunch at Sam's because it was on special....and we do actually keep a "hurricane kit". I put this together during the spring so we are always prepared.

I would also like add a disclaimer about the instant mashed potatoes....I DO NOT use that to make mashed potatoes!!! I add it to soups or gravy for thickening......!! It was a lot of work to shop for everything and rearrange the entire pantry. I was sore the next day! Every morning, I open the pantry door...turn on the light....and admire my work. If I hear someone in there....I immediately jump up to see what they're doing or what they're messing up!

I can't promise that the pantry will stay neat and organized...nor can I promise that shopping once a month will save us any money. The point for me is that my mind is always working now. I want to find the healthiest and the most simple way to take care of my family. We really don't "need" much. For me, this Lenten season is a good time for reflection on our habits...on what we need versus what we want.....what is reasonable and what is excess....what we have and what we give to others.

Visit Elizabeth's blog (click here) for more inspiration!

Update/Update/Update!!!!! Please pray.....

My good friend, Therese from Aussie Coffee Shop, is at the hospital.....her baby is on the way! This will be baby #8 for she and her husband, Steve. Please take a few minutes to pray for a safe delivery!

UPDATE: Here is the information that Therese's husband, Steve, sent...


Joseph James was born about 12 hours ago at 21:30 Sunday night. Every thing went well although the final stages of labor seemed long. At 9cm dilation contractions began to decrease so they gave her more drugs to get it going. Spent several hours at 8 cm dilation. He was 8 pounds.

Can't remember how long or how big his head is but it was the biggest so far.

Got some video a few seconds after she delivered him so Therese might put it up later this week.

Thanks for your prayers.

Steve

Congratulations to the entire family!!!

********2nd update with pictures posted just minutes ago. Click here to see Joseph!!!********

Sisters In Faith

I think blog awards are fun. Sometimes they're cute, sometimes silly and sometimes....they hit the nail on the head! This blog award, Sisters In Faith, is one of those! It was given to me by a very special person, Colleen from Thoughts on Grace! She truly is a Sister In Faith! God brought her into my life at just the right moment for a very special purpose. We have both taken a step in faith and are waiting to see where God leads us! Perhaps one day, I will share this journey with all of you!

I would also like you to meet Karinann, the creator of this Blog Award. You can meet her at over at Blessings of the Day. Read about how this Blog Award came to be in this post.

As Blog Awards go, you are supposed to pass them on to other bloggers who you feel represent the spirit of the award. Technically, I could pass this on to every one of the wonderful ladies on my sidebar...and quite a few others. In this case, the instructions are: 1. To pass this award on to sisters who have been blogging with me from almost the beginning, 2. Include at least one new Sister In Faith.

1. Carrie at Quite The Normal Life

2. Mary at The Beautiful Gate

3. Easter at Mostly Prayers

4. Frizzy at Heaven's Gift

5. Therese at The Musings of a Mom

6. Judy at BENMAKESTEN

7. Therese at Aussie Coffee Shop

8. Tracy at A Catholic Mom in Minnesota

9. Sarah at So....This is the Road I'm Traveling On

10. Elizabeth at Real Life

11. Barbara at Praying for Grace

There are many more...but these are the ladies that are truly a part of my life! They pray for me, encourage me and help hold me accountable! Thank you ladies, and Happy New Year.

Just lettin' you know!

Just wanted to let everyone know that even though I haven't been commenting much on your blogs....I am reading them! It's been quite crazy around here lately....Amelia and Olivia have both been sick...ear infections/flu/strep, and the list goes on. We've also been juggling schedules which include choir practice/soccer practice/soccer games and babysitting for the neighbor kids twice a week!

Sadly, I've also been spending quite a bit of time tending my farm on Facebook! I'm officially mad at any and all that got me started on that cotton-pickin' (literally) application! I guess now I need a Farmville intervention!

Also, I've been reading this great book called The Shunning by Beverly Lewis. It's pretty good and is definitely keeping me interested.

Anyway, I am reading and enjoying your blogs...just laying low. Thanks to all of you for your wonderful and helpful comments to some of my recent posts! I will offer my next Rosary for all of you!

Interview

Over the past several weeks, I've had the pleasure of meeting Judy from BENMAKESTEN! Her blog is packed full of great things for moms of all walks of life! Recently, she asked if she could send me some interview questions for a new blog feature called Daily Blessings: Interviews with Others. Trust me on this one.....these are not questions for the faint of heart!

Check out my interview answers here! And please take a few minutes to browse Judy's wonderful blog. You will NOT be disappointed!!

Guess What I Got???

My wonderful friend Therese sent this to me for Mother's Day.....she is the best!!! This is so cute! Thank you, Therese!!

Congratulations....

to Therese from The Musings of a Mom!!! This is so wonderful...especially coming from a house full of boys!!!!