Chocolate…give me a bar of dark, dark chocolate and I’m very happy! Yum!

So…I’m very excited about the carnival that Kimi from Nourishing Traditions is having.

The Nourishing Chocolate Carnival begins today!

I’m new to making healthy deserts, so I’m looking forward to trying out the great recipes that are sure to be there. Woo Hoo!

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Psalm 91 (New Living Translation)

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
he is my God, and I trust him.
3 For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from deadly disease.
4 He will cover you with his feathers.
He will shelter you with his wings.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor the arrow that flies in the day.
6 Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday.
7 Though a thousand fall at your side,
though ten thousand are dying around you,
these evils will not touch you.
8 Just open your eyes and see how the wicked are punished.

9 If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
10 no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
11 For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
12 They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.
13 You will trample upon lions and cobras;
you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!

14 The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
15 When they call on me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
16 I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.”

More vintage cartoon fun! This was a favorite with my kids! I really like to see them laughing.

Today’s the day!!! Whoo Hoo! My sweet family is watching my children and I’m heading to BlissDom. I’ll tell you all about it on Monday…see you soon!

On Valentine’s Day 2000 my life changed forever…our son was born! He was born on his due date and was a very cute BIG (10.12) baby. Since his birth Valentine’s Day has been overshadowed by our son’s birthday. My husband and I still take time to do something special even though it’s our son’s birthday.

The last few years we have been staying at home instead of going out on February 14th. Last year I fed the kids early and tucked them into bed as soon as possible.  I brought out a few candles and made our bedroom very romantic. We ate cheese fondue with bread and veggies and for desert we had chocolate fondue with fruit. (It was pretty simple to make, you can look online for good recipes.) It was so nice to have a quiet night at home instead of staying out late in a loud restaurant.

Since our children are young we have had to make some adjustments in our “date life”. Having a date at home is frugal, fun, romantic and we don’t even have to find a sitter!  Works for me!

As women the task of grocery shopping is usually ours.  Whether you love to get out and shop or just don’t like the thought of starving, we have to buy food! With all the effort that goes into getting meals onto your family’s table, let’s make your hard work count.
No matter how often you shop there are a few things you can do to make shopping easier and more pleasant.

Here are my top 8 tips:

• Have a list!  If you don’t you will probably be wandering about the store buying everything BUT what you need.
• Use coupons. It may seem like a small amount, but over time it will add up. Just don’t succumb to manufactures ads and buy things you won’t use.
• For the healthiest shopping stick to the outside edges of the store, venturing into the interior aisles for pantry staples.
  Cook from scratch as much as possible.  If you use prepared meals you’ll trade the time saved for your hard earned money, in addition to not giving your family the best nutrition possible.
• If having a daily menu plan seems too confining, at least write down about a weeks worth of dinner plans.  Buy the things needed to make the meals and then look at your list and see what sounds good to fix that day.
• Try to eat before you shop and if you have children feed them too.  There are few things as tiring as a whining child. And if you’re not hungry you’ll be less tempted to buy junk food and it will be easier to stick to your list.
• Don’t be brand loyal.  The store brands are usually just as good as the national brands and cost a lot less.
• Are you concerned about the pesticides on fruit and veggies? But, buying organic isn’t in your budget?  Try a fruit and veggie wash product to make your produce healthier.
• When you see hamburger or chicken on sale try to buy extra and freeze it to use later.

Above all pray and ask the Lord to show you the best deals to bless your precious family.

Well this Friday and Saturday is BlissDom!!! I’m very excited, but I’m still trying to figure out what to wear! Yesterday I went to Angela’s closet.   No this isn’t a fancy boutique even though the beautiful clothes and jewelry make it look like it is!

Angela is one of my girlfriends. She has great taste in clothes and we are about the same size…what a wonderful combination! When I went over to her house I was expecting to borrow a few things for BlissDom, but she kept saying “this is for you and this and this…”. Wow!  We found some great things for me to wear.

Do you have friends that are about the same size as you are? Try having a clothes swap! Since most of us are trying to save money having something new to wear for free is about as good as it gets!

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”

Psalm 4:8