Bloggy eBreak

To my wonderful new friends in the blog community...

I will be taking a short sabbatical in order to prepare our homeschool schedule for the new year. I look forward to reading your posts and writing some new ones of my own when I return next week!

May you be blessed in Christ and enjoy your week!

Angel

On Second Thought

Have you ever noticed that sometimes you blog on issues that are designed to help you keep your priorities in order? Something about brain function or the idea of printing your resolution for all to see. It's harder to back down and serves as a good reminder once it's out on the good old world wide web. This is indeed one of 'those' posts.

I had decided that 2008 was going to be the year of athletic triumph. If you read one of my earlier entries, it was decided that two half marathons, a triathlon and a multitude of small footraces lay in my future. Well, on second thought, that has been changed.

I am really excited to try something different this year and have set my sights on a spring triathlon. It is a sprint which will include a 1/2 mile swim, 18 mile bike ride, and finally finished with a 3.1 mile run. My goal is to finish in less than 2 hours. This said, of course, without actually going through the motions yet. Just my 'mind math' on how long it will take to do each thing all added together.


Training for the triathlon begins in 6 weeks. I know some of the people I'll be training with and let's just say that I'm going to need to "train" that entire time before we actually train just to be close to their starting point. I can run- this we know. But "left, right...left, right" doesn't prepare the body for the English channel or the Tour De France. This is going to be interesting to say the least, but I'm up for the challenge! (**That last statement was personal encouragement from me to my brain)

I went to work out last night and do my normal 2 mile run on the treadmill at our local gym. Since I get bored to tears working on endurance while indoors, I have decided that I will focus on speed. The treadmill computer is set to 7.5-8 minute miles and my hope is to not fly off the back into the unsuspecting elyptical machine participant. After I was done I hobbled over to the stationary bikes to get in a few miles there. Then onto some upper body workout and sit-ups on the mats. It was decided very quickly that I am much more out of shape than one would hope for a full body athletic event.

The half-marathon and the triathlon are within 6 weeks of each other. Since I am a full time mom and wife, training to do both would not only be overwhelming, but after reading up some last night it also looks like the training is different and would prove frustrating to do right around the same time.

So, back to square one. Triathlon in the spring and half-marathon in the fall. I'll throw in some 5k's along the route too just for fun. The journey begins!

Just Imagine

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

Just imagine if we were just a little closer to the sun (we would burn up immediately) or just a little farther away (we would freeze to death)... Our Creator God knew exactly where to place our earth to give us the perfect temperature for life.

This is the day the Lord has made and we will rejoice in it!

The Challenge

I decided to challenge myself in the kitchen this week. I took a budget of approximately $45-$50 and made our menu plan for the week. I still had items from last week left over and wanted to see if we could do it! It took me about 20 minutes total to grocery shop because of the minimal groceries. That was a bonus! The following is my grocery list and 7 day menu plan for our family of four. Enjoy!

FOOD GROCERY LIST

CHICKEN BREAST BAG FROZEN

SLICED CHEESE

BUTTER

ONE CAN JUICE CONCENTRATE

ONE GALLON VIT D MILK

1 LBS GROUND TURKEY

1 BOX CLEMINTINES

4 BLOCKS CHEESE

APPLESAUCE 1 JARS

SOUR CREAM 16 OZ

CREAM CHEESE 2 BLOCKS

BREAD (2 LOAVES)

1 CAN DICED TOMATOES

KIDNEY BEANS *3 SMALL CANS

ENCHILADA SAUCE

7 DAY MENU PLAN

SATURDAY:

B: COLD CEREAL/TOAST; JUICE/MILK; FRIED HAM

L: GRILLED CHEESE; APPLESAUCE; PEAS

D: TURKEY BURGERS; BAKED POTATOE SLICES, APPLE DUMPLINGS, SALAD

SUNDAY:

B: PANCAKES; SAUSAGE/ JUICE; MILK

L: HOMEMADE PIZZA/ SALAD/ RANCH DRESSING

D: CHICKEN TENDERS; MASHED POTATOES; GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE/ ROLLS/ APPLE PIE

MONDAY:

B: HOT CEREAL; CINAMMON RAISIN BREAD; JUICE/MILK

L: $25 OUT TO EAT LUNCHEON WITH FRIENDS

D: LEFTOVERS

TUESDAY:

B: EGGS, SAUSAGE/ TOAST; MILK/JUICE

L; CHILI W/ TORTILLA CHIPS; SALAD ; CLEMINTINES

D: CHICKEN CREAMED CASSEROLE; RICE; COOKED CARROTS; ROLLS, APPLESAUCE

WEDNESDAY:

B: CREAM OF WHEAT; HOMEMADE BREAD; MILK/JUICE

L: PB& J SANDWHICHES ON WHEAT; FRUIT CUPS;

D: BAKED POTATOE BACON N’ CHEESE SOUP; CRACKERS; GREEN BEANS

THURSDAY:

B: HOT OATMEAL/ FROZEN FRUIT SMOOTHIES; CINNAMON RAISIN BREAD

L: MAC N’ CHEESE; PEAS; APPLESAUCE; CHRISTMAS COOKIES

D: ENCHILADA CHICKEN CASSEROLE; MEX RICE; SALAD; CLEMINTINES

FRIDAY:

B: BLUEBERRY MUFFINS; SCRAMBLED EGGS; MILK/JUICE

L: GRILLED CHEESE; CORN; CELERY & PB SLICES W/ RAISINS

D: SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS; SALAD; GARLIC BREAD BISCUITS

SATURDAY:

B: WAFFLES; MIXED FRUIT; JUICE/MILK/ SYRUP

L: FRIED CHICKEN; POTATOE PANCAKES; CORN CASSEROLE; ROLLS

D: SLOPPY JOES; PRETZELS/CHEESE; SALAD; CHOC CHIP COOKIES

New Year's Resolution

Apparently, the trendy thing to do in blogland is to list your New Year's Resolutions. I counted and I have about 347. So, with the interest of time in mind...

Here are my top 5:

1. Make the time to read & study the Word daily

2. Put the needs of others before my own selfish desires

3. Pray that the Holy Spirit would grant me the ability to control myself when stressed

4. Read more and watch less

5. Share the gospel with one new person every week

Why Do You Homeschool?

When my husband and I began our initial friendship many years ago we were still in school. I was in high school and he was just starting out in college. As our friendship grew into a serious role that we knew was leading us to marriage we began to discuss the important issues that were pertinent to a long lasting relationship. One of these at the forefront was our future children. Even then our hearts were wrapped around homeschooling.

Neither of us had ever been homeschooled. In fact, my husband was in public education from kindergarten to his senior year. His parents were both deeply rooted in the system, his father was the supervisor for special and gifted education and his mother was a talented teachers aide for many years. My parents enrolled me for my entire 12 year term in a private Christian school. The school that I attended had a socialization program for elementary age homeschoolers, but other than that I was not exposed to that specific dynamic in my daily life.

The most positive and biggest part of our decision to homeschool was based on the life and example of my cousins, Bo and Jan. Although they live over a thousand miles away, I have had the opportunity to watch their four children over the past 18 years grow and flourish under the tutelage of their Godly parents.

These are not only brilliant and social teenagers, but also show such respect and love for the Word, their mom and dad, and the discipline of their daily life. They love to work with their mom in the kitchen, talk theology with their father (who is also their pastor) and actively participate in politics in the community. As with all children, I know (and they would be the first to admit) that they are not perfect. Homeschooing does not 'turn out' children who do no wrong. It does, however, give the parents the ability to deal with it immediately, one on one, in love, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

My boys are just reaching the age to start schooling. My oldest and I started preschool together this fall and he will commence kindergarten studies this year. I am so excited to be there with them through all the years ahead! I am looking forward to being their teacher, mentor, chaueffer, and nurse for the next 15 years. There is no other way I'd rather have it! I have so many other thoughts and desires about homeschooling....I'll save that for another post.

In the meantime, please leave me a nice long comment about why you have decided to homeschool. I look forward to reading them and getting to know you a little better!

Blessings,

Angel

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

I have received a few emails and comments regarding the implementation of our new budget. It has been one full week since we started our cash/envelope system, meal plan menu, and overall radical spending changes.

I'm here to tell you that it has been a great week! Having every meal already planned has taken the guesswork and stress out of those last minute food fixing challenges.

As far as the grocery list goes, I am still working out the kinks. I ran out of eggs early- basically because we made some spontaneous brownies Friday night and that threw off the scrambled eggs breakfast Saturday a.m. No biggie- we can settle for cereal and toast as a backup. I'm officially out of butter as of this afternoon due to all the 'made from scratch' baking. I suppose I should have used more shortening, but was trying for a healthier option.

The juice and milk lasted up until this morning by rationing the portions to breakfast time only. I ran out of cheese Thursday night- basically because they were out of stock of all the sale cheese I had allotted for on my list and I had to buy less of the brand name because it was too expensive.

So, in retrospect, it's the dairy that's bogging us down. All in all everything was fabulous and I'm excited for this week! I look forward to your encouraging comments and ideas!

We are going to go out to eat with some friends tomorrow so my budget for the week will be at least $25 less than normal. Oh, the joy of a challenge! I'll post this week's meal plan soon!

One More Thing

I wanted to mention that I am adding a link to www.cooks.com to my sidebar favorites. I think I visit this site daily. It has an abundance of recipes submitted from about everywhere in the world! The best part is that if I am running out of ideas for meals, I simply type in the search engine the ingredients I have available and hit 'go'! And Tada! It comes back with all the recipes that include those items!

Keeping Track

I was encouraged by Tracy to start tracking my miles in 2008! You'll notice in my sidebar that I'm all ready to start adding the numbers beginning January 1st! I'm super excited about doing this- basically because I'm a numbers freak and love to see progress!

Notice that there are three parts to this 'diary' of exercise: walking, running, and biking. Please make a mental note now, I do not bike. I would like to do a triathlon sprint this summer and I am told this involves biking... *grin* So, perhaps the miles may or may not increase on that little tab. We shall see.


I had dinner with my running team a couple weeks ago and we all decided to run another 1/2 marathon this spring. We'll do most of our personal runs indoors at the gym, but every weekend is our long run...come rain, sleet, snow or ice! Very "postal" of us. *smile*

I'm hoping to do at least six 5k's this year and planning on running the Columbus marathon again in October. Granted, I'll most likely do the 1/2 again, but this time my goal is not to end up in the med tent afterwards. Oh, the joy of a full year!

The Proof & the Potatoes: Meal Plan (Pt. 3)

The following is our 10 day meal plan. Please scroll down to the other two posts to see the grocery list and the method behind the budget mania! If you like what you see and would like recipes, please let me know!

There will be certain items that you find yourself making almost daily from scratch. If you have not yet memorized the measurements, print or write out the recipes on one page and have on your refrigerator next to your meal plan. (This should also be printed out and hanging on your fridge or another spot that is easily accessible)

If you are packing a lunch for your husband, as we do, plan to set aside some of the meal from the night before for his portion the next day. I also add some fruit, tea bags/mug, and cut up veggies. Since we homeschool, the lunches mentioned are provided for them and myself during the day.

10 DAY MEAL PLAN

SUNDAY

BREAKFAST: BLUEBERRY MUFFINS, SCRAMBLED EGGS, MILK/JUICE
LUNCH: BAKED CHICKEN, STEAMED BROCOLLI, BAKED YAMS
DINNER: TURKEY STROGANOFF, PEAS, BISCUITS, APPLESAUCE

MONDAY

BREAKFAST: CEREAL, TOAST, MILK/JUICE
LUNCH: TUNA SALAD ON BREAD, PICKLES, PRETZLES, CHEESE SLICES
DINNER: (CHRISTMAS EVE) APPETIZERS; BBQ MEATBALLS, CHEESEBALL & CRACKERS, VEGGIES/RANCH DIP, REFRIED BEAN DIP & CHIPS

TUESDAY (CHRISTMAS DAY)

BREAKFAST: EGG FRITATTA, SAUSAGE LINKS, CINNAMON ROLLS, BACON, FRUIT, FRIED POTATOES, JUICE/MILK, HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE
LUNCH: DINNER AT IN-LAWS (TAKING MASHED POTATOES AND BROCCOLI SALAD)
DINNER: LEFTOVERS

WEDNESDAY

BREAKFAST: PANCAKES W/ FRUIT AND SYRUP, MILK/JUICE
LUNCH: BAKED POTATO SOUP, CRACKERS, LEFTOVERS
DINNER: HOMEMADE PIZZA, SALAD/RANCH, & APPLESAUCE

THURSDAY

BREAKFAST: BISCUITS W/ HONEY & JAM, HOT OATMEAL, MILK/JUICE
LUNCH: GRILLED CHEESE, CLEMINTINES, CORN
DINNER: CHILI (MADE W/ GROUND TURKEY), TORTILLA CHIPS, SOUR CREAM & SHREDDED CHEESE, BAKED APPLES, SALAD (CHOPPED ROMAINE)

FRIDAY

BREAKFAST: FRENCH TOAST, SYRUP, POWDERED SUGAR, FROZEN FRUIT SMOOTHIES
LUNCH: MAC N' CHEESE, TUNA SANDWICH, PEAS
DINNER: SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS, GARLIC CHEESE BISCUITS, SALAD, APPLESAUCE

SATURDAY

BREAKFAST: TOAST, CHEESY SCRAMBLED EGGS
LUNCH: CHEESEBURGERS, HOMEMADE ONION RINGS, RICE PUDDING, SALAD
DINNER: BAKED CHICKEN, ROLLS, CELERY SALAD, MASHED POTATOES

SUNDAY

BREAKFAST: BLUEBERRY MUFINS, YOGURT, OATMEAL, MILK/JUICE
LUNCH: FAMILY REUNION; TAKING DESSERT: NO BAKE BARS
DINNER: CHICKEN QUESIDILLAS, BEAN DIP, CHIPS, BAKED PEACHES

MONDAY

BREAKFAST: COLD CEREAL, TOAST, JUICE/MILK
LUNCH: CREAMED CHICKEN CASSEROLE, BAKED CARROTS, RICE, ROLLS
DINNER: (NEW YEARS EVE) LEFTOVERS & APPETIZERS (MEALTBALLS)

TUESDAY (NEW YEARS DAY)

BREAKFAST: QUICHE, FRUIT
LUNCH: HOMEMADE PIZZA, APPLESAUCE, GREEN BEANS
DINNER: LEFTOVERS FROM THE WEEK

The Proof & the Potatoes: Grocery List (Pt 2)

The following was our 10 day shopping plan that included both Christmas & New Years. I allotted $100 for this plan, but our budget calls for a weekly shopping trip. Therefore, I have the ability (only if needed) to add some items such as fresh produce or dairy after the first seven days. Again, keep in mind that this was a holiday week. I am hoping to get the budget to around $75 weekly as time goes on.

FOOD GROCERY LIST

EGGS (2 dozen)

ORANGE JUICE ½ GAL

1 CAN FROZEN JUICE CONCENTRATE

ONE GALLON VIT D MILK

VEG SHORTNING

CHICKEN STRIPS

BUTTER

2 LBS GROUND TURKEY

1 BOX CLEMINTINES

1 LB BANANAS

1 BAG FROZENF FRUIT MEDLEY

10 LB BAKING POTATOES

SALAD- ROMAINE WHOLE BUNCHES

BACON (2 PK)

5 BLOCKS CHEESE

4 CANS REFRIED BEANS

2 HEAD BROCOLLI

DISH LIQUID

APPLESAUCE 3 JARS

SOUR CREAM 2 16 OZ TUBS

CREAM CHEESE 3 BLOCKS

BOX STROGANOFF MIX

CEREAL 1 BOX MAX

BREAD (2 LOAVES)

CRACKERS

TORTILLA CHIPS 2 BAGS

2 CANS DICED TOMATOES

AMERICAN CHEESE SLICES

BAG APPLES

KIDNEY BEANS *3 SMALL CANS

MAC N’ CHEESE *3 BOXES

PEAS-FROZEN

SPAGHETTI NOODLES 2 BOXES

HAMBURGER BUNS

BAKED BEANS

YOGURT (4)

TOTILLA SHELLS

PEACHES CANNED

CREAM OF SOUPS

SAUSAGE LINKS

The Battle & the Budget (Pt. 1)

"The Kitchen Battle Plan"

A few posts ago I mentioned that I was going 'green' when it came to our grocery budget. I wanted to share with some of you who might be in need of a little encouragement in this area!

Our goal is a $100 weekly budget on all food spending for our family of four. This includes all grocery shopping (food & kitchen related items), eating out, and all other food/snack related purchases. For some of you this may seem extreme spending and others it may seem unrealistic.

At the beginning of the week I took a couple of hours to plan out all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks) for the next ten days. This included all holiday eating, packed lunches for hubby's work, and hosting friends and family for guest dinners. We like to eat and I've not skimped on any portions, but have made sure they are also healthy and food group appropriate for my growing boys.

My grocery list assumes I already have in my pantry items such as flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, shortning, dry milk, oats and other misc seasonings. These items are essential to making most of your breads, breakfast foods, cookies, etc from scratch. The plan is laid out with B: (Breakfast) L: (Lunch) & D: (Dinner). Snack items are small portions of yogurt, fruit, or cookies that have been made. We do not use paper products (such as paper towels or napkins, but rather linen napkins, washcloths and towels that can be washed re-used easily.

Also, keep in mind that the cost of drinks can consume one's budget very quickly. Make the healthy change to drinking mostly water or hot tea and saving the milk/juice for breakfast only. (1/2 cup for kids & 1 cup for adults) The kids will get their nutrition as needed throughout the day from other sources.

After the meal plan came the shopping list. I researched a little online at weekly market ads and looked back at my receipts for averages of our usual purchases. If you have an Aldi in your area, I encourage you to shop there for certain items. You will save abundantly and I guarantee that you will enjoy the food! (Aldi guarantees it too...100% satisfaction or your full refund and replacement of the item).

After I had everything listed out I took off for the ATM. I withdrew the $100 in cash, because once it's gone for the week...it's gone. No debit card usage for "extra" purchases. If it wasn't already budgeted in, it needs to wait until the next week. Spontaneity may be a good idea in some cases, but not when it comes to money.

I have been amazed at how easy this week has been in the kitchen. Each morning I wake up and just take one glance at the menu to see what I'll be preparing for breakfast. I glance down to dinner to see if anything needs thawed or prepared for later. It has taken all of that "Daddy's coming home in 30 minutes....what's for dinner?!?!" There is no need to go running at the last minute to the grocery for 'missing ingredients'. Truly, I can't tell you what a burden has been lifted for the preparation and planning of all meals!

I will be posting the 10 day meal plan and shopping list soon! Be on the lookout! Also, please feel free to email me with any questions or ideas of your own!

Blessings,

Angel

Christmas Cookies

Christmas Cookie Decorating


Mommy & the boys pose for picture time

Surprise! Lil' Bub enjoys spreading the sprinkles in an eight foot diameter

Daddy gets in on the decorating action!

The Story of the "Manger"

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Luke 2:8-14

Merry Christmas!



I wanted to share a cute little exchange between my two year old and myself last night.

Mommy: Let's talk about the Christmas story... What do you know about the angels?

Lil' Bub: They came to tell the shepherds not to be 'fraid

Mommy: Good! Tell me about the animals...

Lil' Bub: They were stinky.

Mommy: Good! What about the star?

Lil' Bub: It shined on baby Jesus so that the wise men could find Him.

Mommy: Good! Where was baby Jesus at?

Lil' Bub: Meijer

The Budget

I Timothy 6:17-19

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

If you've read my profile you know that besides running shoes, my favorite attire of choice is an apron. I love my kitchen and spend 80% of my time in here. So, grocery shopping is quite the outing for me. I enjoy browsing all the produce, snacking in the bakery department and as of late have made friends with the butcher. I love sales and usually only purchase what is on clearance for that week. Still, I knew I was going over my spending amount from our budget when it came to the checkout line 'total'.


I was shocked, however, to realize after some calculations that I was almost spending twice my allotted amount in the food category! I have made my New Years resolution early this year and am going to start planning out meals and shopping lists to make sure we are disciplined to our budget! Although we are blessed to not have car payments or credit card debt, it is still so easy to find myself spending above and beyond.



I wanted to bring your attention to some great websites that I have on my 'favorites'. All three have a Biblical perspective on stewardship. I've spent most of the afternoon working on our new plan and these sites were very helpful!

The first is the "Hillbilly Housewife". It is a fabulous free site that lists menu options, shopping lists, tips, and more for the the money conscious family.


"Living on a Dime" is also a great site to get inexpensive e-books on money management, debt, grocery tips, cleaning & household ideas, and much more! There are no shipping fees since the downloads are immediate to your computer.


If you have not yet had the opportunity to listen to Dave Ramsey during his radio broadcasts, I encourage you to click on the link in my sidebar to hear some of his wisdom on money management and debt. He is the foremost authority on the 'plastectomy' (aka: cutting up your credit cards!)

I look forward to hearing your ideas of stewardship for your family! I find that it is important all year round, but especially during this season of gift giving, parties, and reunion style family dinners!