Candice's Goals for January 30th thru February 5th

I know that I haven't posted in a couple of weeks but I have a very good reason for it (to follow in another post)!!!

Here are my goals for next week (I'm aiming for 100% since this week was a total waste):

1-Finish reading "The Last Song" by Nicholas Sparks-due back at "library" on Feb 1st.

2-Read "The Confession" by John Grisham-due back at "library" on Feb 3rd.

3-Read "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks-due back at "library" on Feb 4th.

4-Complete 90% of chores.  Including clearing off the kitchen table and chairs for good!!!!

5-Start Spring Cleaning-my spring cleaning list should go fast (hopefully) since this is a new house!!

6-Finish crocheting Hometown USA Baby Throw for Zoey.

7-Finish crocheting Georgia the Giraffe for Zoey.

8-Start a crochet project for Abby.

9-Start crocheting Baby Ballerina Slippers for Zoey.

10-Start crocheting Tiger Hat for Ryan.

I think that I am getting good at completing my reading goals but I'm slacking on the crochet/sewing goals!!  I'm going to try to concentrate on that this week in addition to making sure my house is clean!!!

Candice

Courageous Movie Now available

I just wanted to let you know about the Courageous movie.  It is now available to rent or buy.  I think I'm going to rent it from Amazon for $3.99.  Like I said...just wanted to let you know:-)

Candice

Posting from my kindle

I'm posting this from my kindle touch!!!!  I didn't know that was possible.  The screen is a little wierd...like i can't see much of my words or the sidebar that lets you add labels but I'm making do!!!  Off to eat my ice cream now!!!!  I didnt accomplish anything I was supposed tto today!!!  We took a family outing and we weren't here most of the day!!!

Candice Weekly Goals January 8th - 14th

I just read a post on Money Saving Mom about posting goals on your blog.  I think that if I post it on this blog...it will give me a little more accountability and I can see what I'm wanting to do.  It also gives me a chance to cross things off and see what I have completed!!!


1. Finish reading Water for Elephants.  I just finished reading this today (Jan. 14th)!!!!

2. Start reading Household Organization

3. Complete 90% of household chores for the week!!!

4. Start reading One for the Money!!!--Starting this one tonight!!!!

5. Complete week 1 of the Couch to 5K program.(Didn't even take a walk this week because it was so cold this week.  There were no morning about 40 degrees.  Ryan was also sick since Tuesday!!!)

6. Finish crocheting the Hometown USA Baby Throw for Zoey.

7. Finish crocheting Georgia the Giraffe for Zoey.

8. Start a crochet project for Abby.

9. Drink one less Coca Cola each day.

10. Start crocheting Baby Ballerina Slippers for Zoey.

Hopefully this accountability thing will work for me!!  I can't wait to see your goals (you don't have to share them...just wanted to share mine!!!)!!!!

Candice

Neat Printable-Repost from Over the Big Moon Blog

I think this is a really good idea!!!  Weekly Schedule printable

Candice

Project Tutorial-Photo Magnet/Spelling Board

I saw this and thought it was a good idea!!!!  Spelling Board-Passionate Penny Pincher

Photo Magnet Tutorial-Polish the Stars

Candice

Free Kindle book-Smart School Time Recipes

Smart School Time Recipes from Amazon


Double check the price since Amazon changes the price sometimes!!

Candice

Free eCookbook

38 Best Soup Recipes and Hearty Stews

Educational Website that I found

Printable worksheets

Candice

Cash envelope system-reposting to read later

Cash envelope systems-A Bowl Full of Lemons

Candice

DIY girl's room decor-repost from another blog (Naptime Decorator)

I'm posting this for my future reference as I have only 5 minutes before I need to leave and pick up the Abby from school!!!

DIY Girl's Room Decor


DIY Desk

I was hoping to put a desk either in the kids room or in the extra study for the kids to do homework and crafts and such without having to clutter up the kitchen table!!!

Candice

Booking It-Online Book Club-Repost from Life as Mom blog

Here is a list of books that I found that looks a little interesting!!

It is from the Life as Mom blog

Here’s the reading schedule for the new year:

January - One Bite at a Time by Tsh Oxenreider
February – The Money Saving Mom’s Budget by Crystal Paine (release January 2012)
March – A Million Miles in a Thousand Years by Donald Miller
April – The Dirty Life: A Memoir of Farming, Food, and Love by Kristin Kimball
May – Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day by Winifred Watson
June – All in Good Time by Tara Kuczykowski and Mandi Ehman (release January 2012)
July - Desserts in Jars by Shaina Olmanson (release May 2012)
August - The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein (movie to be released in December 2012)
September – Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis
October - Not Your Mother’s Make Ahead and Freeze Cookbook by Yours Truly (release Sept 2012)
November – Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (movie to be released in December 2012)
December - Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin (release Sept 2012)

I crossed out the books I know I'm not going to read!!!!

Here is more from her blog:


Here’s the latest from my nightstand:

A Million Miles in a Thousand Year

The 100 Thing Challenge

One Bite at a Time

 

Candice

Valentine's Day-repost from another blog

Valentine's printable for the kids

This really looks cute.  I don't NEVER do things like this for the kids for Valentine's Day.  They usually get the store bought cards (I usually buy them the day before) and they just sign their names!!!

If I want this year to be different, I need to start now!!!  I have just over a month!!!!  I'm going to make a plan and get started!!!!

While I'm at it, I'm also going to make a monthly to do list!!!  The ideas are just flowing right now!!

Candice

Free ebook

100 indoor activities for kids

Lindsay's Meal Plan for 1/14-1/20

Saturday- leftovers or supper at Nana's

Sunday- Macaroni & Cheese with tuna

Monday- Clever Chicken Teriyaki

Tuesday- Sneaky Ziti

Wednesday- leftovers

Thursday- Oven Fried Drumsticks

Friday- Homemade pizza(this is our usual Friday meal)

Speedy Stovetop Lasagna

Speedy Stovetop Lasagna

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Turkey Breast Recipe

Last night I cooked a turkey breast and I couldn't find a recipe that I loved.  My family doesn't do spices (like the green ones very much) so as I browsed through numerous turkey recipes I immediately started weeding them out.  Then I came across one and just omitted a bunch of the spices.  Here is my version of a turkey recipe.  I used a frozen turkey breast that I thawed in the refrigerator for 2 days.

Ingredients:
Turkey Breast
1/2 cup stick butter or margarine, melted
Garlic Salt (didn't measure, just sprinkled some on the turkey and sprinkled some in the butter)
Pepper (didn't measure, did the same as with the garlic salt)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place turkey in shallow pan (I used a square baking pan).  Brush/pour butter over the turkey.  I think it would also be yummy to inject the butter into the turkey.  Sprinkle the turkey with a little garlic salt and pepper if desired.  (Of course I desired...I love garlic salt!!!)  Bake turkey for 2 1/2 hours.  Baste with more butter as needed throughout cooking process.  Baste again while you let the turkey sit for a few minutes after cooking!!!

Even Abby ate the turkey...Ryan didn't because he was sick and was sleeping.  He was sad that he missed the cranberry sauce.

Candice

Candice's Meal Plan for January 9-14

Here is my menu plan for the week of January 9-15, 2012:

Monday 1/9/12-FFY (fend for yourself)  (The kids ate chicken nuggets and I ate leftovers!)

Tuesday 1/10/12-Plain Spaghetti (another FFY night only mommy provides), salad, Texas Toast

Wednesday 1/11/12-Turkey Breast (need to find recipe), gravy, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce (who says you can't have Thanksgiving Dinner in January)

Thursday 1/12/12- Tacos/Nachos 
I have to change tonight's meal to a beef roast since I couldn't find a taco kit at the grocery store.  I did find a yummy beef roast with vegetables (for me of course).  So I will do the beef roast with rice and gravy and green beans (since I didn't do them last night) and french bread!!!


Friday 1/13/12- Leftovers or Grill Steaks

Saturday 1/14/12- Olive Garden

Sunday 1/15/12- Pork Roast, Rice, Sweet Potatoes, Corn or Peas

I would love some ideas on other meals because we always rotate the same recipes over and over again.  This menu plan has things we don't usually eat because we don't think about them.  Our go to meals include: steak/rice/gravy and beans, tacos, chicken sauce piquant, spaghetti and meatballs, and breakfast for dinner items.

I'm hoping to try new things and add them to our meal plans!!!

Candice

30 day mom challenge

30 day mom challenge

Free kindle book-Sight Words

Sight Words book

DIY Menu Board-Reposted from another blog

Menu Board

Beware!!!

I have noticed some bloggers posting about free ebooks when they are not actually free.  The bloggers are mistaking the Amazon Prime price of $0.00 as being a free ebook.  These ebooks are not actually free they are part of the Amazon Owner's Lending Library in which you can only use from an actual Kindle (not an app) and you have to subscribe to Amazon Prime.  You only get the ebook for one month and do not actually get to keep the ebook!!

Just wanted to warn you since I have been clicking on numerous blogs that say free kindle book only to find out that its not actually free!!!!

Candice

P&G Coupon Booklet

P&G Coupon Booklet

Maybe not in my cabinet door but good project for somewhere else!!

Chalkboard Tutorial

Free Kindle Book

The Cheapskate's Guide to Grocery Savings

DIY Clear Toy Storage Bags with Drawstring-repost

Clear Toy Storage Bags

Free ebook Healthy Marriage tips



http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Healthy-Marriage-A-to-Z-eBook.pdf

Free ebook

http://moneysavingmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/21-days-to-a-more-disciplined-life.pdf

21 days to a more disciplined life. Hope the link works for you. Let me know if it doesn't.

Mid Week Check up

Here is my mid-week check up:
I haven't completed as many daily and weekly chores as I should have.  Monday was still a holiday (no school, no work) but we did manage to get a lot accomplished.  We took down our Christmas Tree and cleaned up everything associated with it.  I even vacuumed and mopped the living room.  My kitchen and bathrooms are missing me this week because I haven't cleaned much of them this week:-(

I did manage to organize my pantry.  When we moved in, I just threw things in there because not everything was packed in the same boxes.  Next project that I desperately need to tackle is the cabinets.  I'm still not happy with the way the cabinets are organized.  My containers are strewn about the kitchen and I still have a lot of things on the counter that I want put away...its just that I don't know where they should go.

I did manage to go grocery shopping but didn't get everything that we needed.  I also did some house decorating shopping.  I was hoping to find Christmas decorations on clearance this week but I haven't found any.  I must not be looking in the right places or they have already hidden all the things from me.

Anyway, that is my mid-week check up.  How did you do so far?

Candice

Weekly Schedule

Sunday
Menu plan
Make grocery list
Prepare Caleb's school

Monday
Clean bathrooms
Wash master bedding

Tuesday
Dust
Wipe down kitchen chairs
Wash children's bedding
Clean out purse

Wednesday
Clean kitchen
Clean light fixtures
Organize/declutter desk

Thursday
Grocery shop
Organize/Tidy up
Wipe down outside of washer, dryer, dishwasher, and stove
Clean out and wipe refrigerator shelves

Friday
Vacuum and mop
Clean windows

Saturday
Quick clean of bedrooms
Pick and area to tidy up

My Craft Projects

I am working on a latch hook rug for Anthony's room.  It is big and will probably take my most of the year.  My goal is to work on it each day, although I didn't work on it today.

Lindsay's Book List

Before starting my list, finish:
Remember (25% complete), Return, Rejoice, and Reunion by Karen Kingsbury

1. Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts
2. Tears of the Moon by Nora Roberts
3. Heart of the Sea by Nora Roberts
4. Hot Ice by Nora Roberts
5. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
6. The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
7. Key of Light by Nora Roberts
8. Jude's Law (not sure of the author)
9. The MacGregors-Daniel & Ian by Nora Roberts
10. Night Shade & Night Smoke by Nora Roberts in a series
11. On the Way to the Wedding (not sure of the author)
12. What Matters Most (not sure of the author)
13. My Sunshine (not sure of the author) book in a series
14. Sunkissed (not sure of the author) book in a series
15. The Deception (not sure of the author)
16. Two of a Kind (not sure of the author)
17. The Target (not sure of the author)
18. Granny Dan (not sure of the author)
19. The Countess (not sure of the author)
20. Retribution (not sure of the author)
21. Angel Flying to Close to the Ground (not sure of the author)
22. Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA (not sure of the author)
23. No Longer a Slumdog (not sure of the author)
24. Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti (not sure of the author)
25. Engaging the Enemy couldn't get into this book
26. What Women Fear by Angie Smith (you had told me about this 1)
27. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Weekly Cleaning Schedule

I just finished adding my weekly and monthly cleaning items to my google calendar.  I didn't realize this but google calendar is available on your iphone calendar when you set up your google email on your iphone!!!  Anyway, here is what my weekly cleaning schedule looks like!

Sunday-Mass
       Family Outing
       Make menu plan
       Make grocery list
       Sort coupons
       Check pantry/fridge/freezer for menu recipe items
       Check all cleaning supplies
       Check laundry supplies needed

Monday-Clean bathrooms downstairs
       Vacuum downstairs
       Steam clean tile
       Dust with vacuum
       Empty all trashcans
       Put out trash
       Grocery shopping
       Clean out fridge/freezer

Tuesday-Clean bathrooms upstairs
        Vacuum upstairs
        Steam clean tile in bathrooms
        Flush all drains with boiling water

Wednesday-Mass with Abby
          Vacuum downstairs
          Pay bills
          Organize Paperwork
          File papers

Thursday-Empty all trashcans
         Put out trash
         Clean kitchen
         Sanitize highchair
         Clean out fridge/freezer
         Disinfect counters
         Wipe down stainless with wipes

Friday-Project time-household or craft project

Saturday-Family Outing
         Laundry
         Change bed linens
         Change bath towels
         Clean out car
         Yard work

Candice

Daily Schedule

I have set up a schedule in Reminders on my iphone.  I hve things I need to do daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly.  It helps me to be able to see what I need to do and to check things off as I go.  I had my kitchen cleaned by 7 tonight which is a 1st for me.  I usually go to bed with dishes in my sink.  I have to run my dishwasher twice a day to not have dishes left over night.

Chili's

At Chili's, Kids Eat Free with each adult meal from January 2nd-4th. I'm not sure if we will be going to eat out in the next couple of days but I just wanted to share this with you!!!

Pantry Challenge

I might not want to do exactly what they are doing as I don't have much in my pantry or freezer since we just moved in but it looks like a good strategy and wanted to share it and see what they come up with!!!

This is from the <a href="http://goodcheapeats.com/">Good Cheap Eats Blog
</a>

Every Monday this month we’ll share updates here on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goodcheapeats.com">GoodCheapEats</a>. What works, what doesn’t. The challenge officially ends on January 31st.

Hop on by these blogs and see how they’re making this Pantry Challenge work for them:

    <a href="http://tammysrecipes.com/">Tammy’s Recipes</a>
    <a href="http://beautyandbedlam.com/">Balancing Beauty and Bedlam</a>
    <a href="http://amysfinerthings.com/">The Finer Things in Life</a>
    <a href="http://www.gettingfreedom.net/">Getting Freedom from Debt</a>

I’ll be posting daily updates on my <a href="http://goodcheapeats.com/daily-log-pantry-challenge-2012/">Daily Pantry Challenge Log</a>. Visit that page to see how well — or not — we’ve eaten on a given day. I’ll also share links to recipes that are helping me make the most of what I have.

Candice

Candice's Crochet Goals for 2012

Just like my book list, I wanted a place where I could write down a list of things I would like to crochet in 2012.  I'm going to do the same with my sewing wishlist.  First of all, my goals for crocheting is to finish at least one item a week.  Although, at this time, I'm not going to bore you with a list of 52 things I want to crochet!!!

I'm going to start off with just some things that I have already started and would like to finish  and others that I would love to get done by Easter!!

1-Georgia the Giraffe-Zoey-(started on December 28, 2011)
2-Hometown USA Baby Throw-Zoey-(started on December 28, 2011)
3-Giraffe Hat-(one for each girl)
4-Baby Ballerina Slippers-Zoey
5- Tiger Earflap Hat-Ryan
6-Sugar and Spice Earflap Beanie-Abby and Zoey
7-Sugar and Spice Boots-Zoey
8-Zoey Set (Hat and Leg Warmers)
9-Piper Dress-Zoey
10-Pettiskirt-Zoey
11-Emmeline Hat-ME
12-Katie Cap-Zoey and Abby
13-Flowers Earflap Hat-Zoey and Abby
14-Chic Vintage Rose Headband-ME
15-Mary Jane Booties with Flower-Zoey


Well, I listed more than I was supposed to!!  Anyway, my time limit is up and I need to go to bed:-)

Candice

Free ebook

Free ebook on organizing!!!