Tax Day & PF Chang's

PF Chang's is helping take the edge off of Tax Day. The bistro is giving 15% off all dine-in and carry-out orders on Monday, April 18th. Even better? No coupons, codes or special passwords required. Just head to your local PF Chang's and enjoy your favorite entree!

Free Lays chips at Kroger

Need to get your grocery shopping done for the week? Try heading to Kroger between 3pm and 8pm this Friday, April 1st. You can get a free bag of Frito Lays chips - no coupon required. I have verified this is accurate for the DFW area Kroger stores. What a deal!

Deals, deals and more deals

I have bookmarks for some of my favorite sites for getting the latest and greatest deals. I thought I would compile a quick list to share with my readers. Note: I still do research to determine how good the deal really is and I deny all blame if approached by angry husbands.

• 1 Sale a Day features one item a day in each of five categories including wireless, family, jewelry and watch.


• Living Social features a limited time great deal on those little extras. This site is based on your area. I scored a great Picture People deal a couple of days ago!


• Freebies 4 Mom lets you know about all kinds of freebies. I love this site for free ereader books, music downloads, and great coupons.


• GiftCardRescue sells gift cards at discounted rates and buys your unwanted gift cards for cash. Free shipping is standard!


• Woot! is an oldie, but a goodies. The deals recently have been better though there are still days that I shake my head. Of course, that is half the fun of a treasure hunt!

Food Banks, Coupons & a Challenge...Join Me

It is no secret that the economy is tough right now and that more and more people are needing to take advantage of local food pantries. Some of the newest "customers" were donors just a couple of years ago. We've all made adjustments here and there. Some of those adjustments have necessitated reducing our charitable giving.

A woman from the DFW area has a suggestion that will make it easier to help stock our local food pantries. She uses coupons to purchase food that she then donates to her local pantry. This does require some of your time, but has a big benefit. Matching grocery ads to available coupons can significantly increase the savings. I've been able to get several items free each week. It does become easier once you discover the system that works best for you.

This is a great way to get your kids involved. They can clip coupons, match coupons to weekly ads, make shopping lists, assist with the shopping and help deliver the groceries to the food bank. What an excellent way to teach our children to be generous!

You could also get a group of friends together to clip, list and shop (maybe share a glass of wine and some good snacks). You could even split up the shopping by store. They can also be an additional source of coupons. In fact, you could collect coupons for clipping from multiple sources by asking friends, family, and co-workers to save their unused coupons for you. Remember, a variety of items are needed.

Please answer the challenge and join me to help stock our local food pantries and ensure that no one has to go hungry!

Baking in the Spring Season

It's spring!!!! I'm so happy to welcome Spring this year! The winter was much colder in this area than normal, so sunny, warm weather is lovely.

For me, the daffodils and dogwood blooming herald spring. They also lead me to the kitchen...and the garden...and the yard....and the local nursery. (I have flowers to plant right now.)

I love looking for a great new recipe that says spring. This year, it was easy - the cover of Southern Living caught my eye. I'm a big fan of pound cakes, so when I saw the strawberry swirled beauty on their cover I knew it was my first spring recipe of 2011. I was even more certain when I read the name - Strawberry Cream Cheese Pound Cake.

The recipe seems a little long at first glance, but don't let that deter you. The cake is very good. I do want to give you a couple of helpful hints that I feel they left out of the recipe.

• Reduce the oven temperature if you are using a dark pan. This will prevent the outside from over browning. I baked it at 335F with the rack on the second space from the top.
• The recipe calls for strawberry glaze which is very sweet and high in sugar. Substituting all-fruit strawberry preserves works wonderfully. This gives it a fresher taste and saves some calories.

I hope you will give it a try! It is an excellent dessert to welcome the spring. May your first day of spring be full of daffodils and dogwoods!

Springing Ahead an Hour

I keep trying to find more hours in my day. Today, was one of those gotcha days where I lost yet another hour. Okay, so we all lost that hour. It seems to get harder to acclimate ourselves as each year passes. I am thankful for small blessings though. It is Spring Break so the kids can adjust before school starts again!

I really did blink and the day was gone. I harvested morning glory seeds and cut back the dead growth, fertilized and watered the yard, baked birthday cakes (celebrating the month's birthdays at work), folded laundry, did some grocery shopping, added more items to my 8th box, and took a couple of minutes to chat with a girlfriend. Then it was time to gather myself for Monday.

I'm looking forward to a very blessed and peaceful week even with one less hour. I have to admit that patience is not my strength. I recognize that I need extra help, so I've been starting my day in prayer asking for that help. His grace is truly amazing and the days have gone so much smoother! My son even noticed and told me that he started his day with the rosary. Here's wishing that each of you spring ahead into a prayer filled and blessed week!

Lenten Goal - 40 Bags in 40 Days

The Lenten season begins tomorrow. This year I am taking on the challenge of removing 40 bags (or boxes) of stuff from my house. When there is clutter around us, it is harder to focus ourselves. How can we give ourselves to God and serve Him when we cannot focus?

Take a moment to think about the things around you. Maybe you have a stack of old magazines that can be recycled, shared, or given to your local elementary school. What about your closet? Most of us have clothes that we can't or don't wear anymore. There's the linen closet with the kid-themed sheets that are deemed too childish now or sheets that no longer fit any of the beds in the house. Don't forget the collection of plastic containers that are missing matching lids!

I'm imagining how much more space I'll have once I've removed 40 bags. I'm already 4 bags ahead! More space and less distraction from my daily time with the Father! Are you ready for the challenge? Come on and join me!

Like Lists - Start that electronic To Do list...

I am such a list person! I have multiple lists running all the time - personal errands, professional tasks, household maintenance, scrapbooking tasks, crafting wishes, and on and on. I have spirals, journals, post-its, and electronic sources for these lists.



Now, I've found a great electronic source to keep track of my daily tasks - Teux Deux. This website does nothing but To Do lists. It even keeps a list of items that you aren't sure when to schedule. Even better, it is accessible from any computer or smart phone! Take a moment to check it out. You will definitely love it!

Spring Greens

Gardening is in full swing. The garden now holds onions, carrots, several lettuce varieties, potatoes, spinach and turnips. There is something so promising about a growing garden. Not to mention the peace of working in the soil.

Wouldn't it be great to have fresh greens at your fingertips? You can have them no matter where you live. Salad greens, as well as peppers and cherry tomatoes, will grow nicely in small ground spaces and even containers.

What's stopping you? Grab some garden soil, a little fertilizer, some seeds and a few containers and get to gardening! Just thinking about a nice fresh salad is enough to make your mouth water.

Spring Financial Check

Spring is just around the corner. I've already started making my Spring Cleaning To Do List (I love lists!) Today, I found out I need to create a Spring Financial Cleaning List. A little time consuming, but a relatively painless budget cut possibly.

Why you ask? Today, I was verifying a charge on one of my credit cards for my last statement period. The charge was indeed there and correct, but there was also an interest charge on the statement. Yes, this is common, but.....you should not have an interest charge when you pay the balance in full prior to the due date. I verified that I had paid in full and days before the due date. A 30 minute phone call cleared it up.

Last month, I noticed that my cellular provider had added a new option at $9.99 per month. I did not request the service, so I didn't want to pay for it. Another phone call.

We all know that billing mistakes are unfortunately common and that we should scrutinize our monthly bills. We also know that life gets hectic and good intentions may go by the wayside. Have you scrutinized your bills lately? Take an afternoon (or break it up into smaller pieces of time) and closely review each of your bills. Check for errors and for those services that you really do not want or need any longer.

As an added incentive, treat yourself afterwards! Happy cleaning!

Delicious Jams from a Family Farm

I confess.....I'm a foodie. I love to cook and bake (yes, there is a difference). I enjoy looking for and trying out interesting recipes then tweaking them to my taste. Creating my own recipes is fun too.

I especially love tasting local foods when I travel. Seattle, Washington is foodie heaven. Pike Place Market is fabulous! There are fresh food items everywhere and they are made/harvested locally. I will admit that I made at least one trip daily to the market! One of my favorite finds was a really wonderful Bumbleberry Jam made by Johnson Berry Farms. They are a local berry farm priding themselves on organic berries. We've already finished our first jar and will definitely be ordering more. They have more traditional jams as well as vinegars, syrups, and vinaigrettes. Definitely worth a moment to browse their website and treat yourself to fresh, American made goodness!

February Love - Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake Please

February is all about the love. This includes my love of chocolate.....Momma's chocolate pie, chocolate cupcakes, a Godiva truffle (or two), and my latest find...Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake.


Yes, Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake! I like browsing the Kraft Foods website for recipes. I will admit that I usually tweak them significantly to suit my tastes. This one, not so much. The ingredient list is a little long, but the recipe is very easy. I do all the mixing in one bowl even though they go into the pan in layers. The cake bakes up beautifully and presents well. Oh yes, the taste is decadent! Hope you enjoy!

Old Farmer's Almanac

Farmer's Almanac???? That's for old folks! Not so my friends! Okay, so I thought so once upon a time, but I've changed my tune.

I do buy the book, but the Old Farmer's Almanac website is even better! They have recipes and cooking ideas along with the gardening tips. Many people, even in the cities, have started trying their hand at gardening. This website can be a gardener's best friend with tips on when and how to plant.

Yes, I know that we just finished another round of winter weather, but it is time to think gardening! We must start prepping those plots now for planting. For my area, potatoes and onions go in the ground this next weekend. Thankfully, the garden has been "burned off" and preparations started for this planting. (Let's hope that the weather stays fair!) Those cool weather herbs are next up since I'm starting from seed.

Not a gardener, checkout the cooking and recipe section or the Best Days section. It really is a moment of simplicity in an otherwise hectic day. So, here's to sunny days and plentiful crops!

Lunch for a Cure

As some of you are aware, my friend's daughter, Halie Pigott, was diagnosed with stage 4 high risk neuroblastoma in May 2010. The prognosis was not good. Thankfully, God and the power of prayer are awesome! She is now undergoing immunotherapy. Please consider adding Halie to your prayer list and that of your friends!

Lunch for a Cure is an organization that raises money to research this cancer and find a cure. They have a wonderful cookbook available for all of you foodies. The recipes were submitted by families fighting this cancer. The cookbook would make a wonderful birthday, Mother's Day or just because gift for friends and family. Even better, the proceeds go to a wonderful cause.

Not a cook, but want to donate? Not a problem! You can donate through their website. The idea behind them is give up one lunch out to help fund a cure. Please pass along the website to friends and family.

It's That Time - Tax Preparation

The individual tax code for 2010 has been finalized and full processing begins February 14th. (Please note that they can change their minds at any time.) You should have received all of your tax documents by now. Take a moment (maybe an hour or two) to gather all of your tax items together and verify that you do have everything that you need. Contact the appropriate company for any missing documents - be sure and check online first.

A couple of things to be mindful of if you are preparing your own return.

• Personal exemptions are no longer limited based on income.
• Itemized deductions are no longer limited based on income.
• Sales tax is still allowed on Schedule A for Texas residents.
• Real estate taxes can no longer be claimed on Schedule L. They must be claimed on Schedule A as part of Itemized Deductions. This is only advantageous if your Itemized Deduction is greater than your Standard Deduction.
• Full unemployment benefits are taxable. There is no $2400 exclusion for 2010.

If you are planning on having your return prepared, be sure that you find a reputable preparer. Don't be afraid to ask them about their education and experience. You want someone with an accounting degree at the very least. Preferably a CPA or a reputable preparer with several years experience.

Happy filing!

Homemade from the Heart

I confess that I love Christmas. I love celebrating the birthday of our Saviour! I love the contagious feeling of generosity and kindness! I love finding just the right gift!

Just the right gift doesn't always come from the store. I might get a small wish list from my Mom, but rarely from my Dad. I've learned they appreciate the homemade or personalized gifts more than any other. Anything centered around the grandkids is always good. I even get so much joy from making these special gifts. Just thinking about the reactions makes me smile over and over again.

So....I've decided 2011 should be a year of homemade gifts. Not just Christmas either. I'm even making appointments with myself so that I set aside time to make those gifts I've previously thought of, but not made. Anything homemade lets the person know that you are thinking specifically of them. There are additional bonuses as well - you know that there will not be duplicates; it is budget friendly; and you get to explore your creativity.

I don't want to reveal too much so that my friends and family guess what they are getting. I can tell you some of the gifts of years past.

• Small scrapbooks of the years events - great gift for grandparents
• Calendars made with family snapshots
• Family Tree Ornaments - bought solid colored ornaments and hand-painted the names of our family from both sets of my grandparents down to the youngest in the family.
• Bird seed wreaths
• Dinners
• Activity coupons

Want to make the gift making more fun? Include your girlfriends! Have a girls' day or weekend and share crafting supplies. Need additional ideas? Stay tuned. More posts to come....maybe even with pictures!

Lightening the Load

I'm constantly updating my To Do List. It starts each evening with a list of things that I need to get done (or try to get done) during the following day. Out of my mind, down on paper...no endless loop stealing sleep.

Laundry stays on this list even with our small household. I have often asked myself how we manage to dirty so many clothes so quickly. I found my answer this past weekend.

I ask that my son sort his laundry, but then I take over. I wash, dry, fold, and place them in his room to put away. I hang up his clothes too. No more!

I found out that my son finds it easier to dump those clean clothes that he doesn't want to put away back in the hamper. Here I am trying to simplify and find a little more time for fun and it is being sabotaged. Time for a life lesson. Now, he must sort his clothes then fold and put away the clean clothes. Future infractions will result in additional penalties....he'll learn to wash his own clothes.

I enjoy taking care of my family, but I also know that children must learn to do things for themselves. Laundry is easy to teach and learn. I placed an instruction sheet for basic items by the washing machine and started with towels. Towels are the perfect starting point because they cannot be ruined. So they might get bleached, but they will still handle the job of drying. Okay, you might want to put a few guest towels out of sight just in case. Just think how much simpler life would be with some help with the laundry!

Power-less Reminder

Two-thirds of this wonderful country is blanketed by a serious winter storm. We are no exception. I cannot remember ever experiencing this kind of cold! It has gotten me to thinking.

Most people, especially in urban areas, don't think about being without electricity much. It is usually taken for granted that the light will come on when we flip the switch. It did this morning....for about 10 minutes then darkness. (I do mean darkness as it was about 5am.) It made me grateful.

Yes, I said grateful. Grateful that I've experienced many an hour without electricity (almost every big storm when you live in the country). I knew where my flashlight was, was easily able to light my gas fireplace, had candles handy and even an "antique" phone that simply plugs into the phone jack - no power needed. These items along with a gas stove mean you can stay reasonably warm and even have a meal. Unfortunately, this does not protect those pipes to the second-story bathroom that run up our outside NW wall. The hot water is now non-existent to our faucets in one bath, but the shower is good. (I've left the hot water faucets open so there is someplace for the water to go when it thaws and offered up a prayer.)

Facing this same situation? Maybe suffering from the rolling blackouts? Set the heater a little warmer (not too much), open cabinet doors to expose plumbing, drip your faucets, locate flashlights/candles/etc, get out the extra blankets, keep the blinds closed, avoid opening outside doors too often, and make sure you have an old phone or fully charged cellphone.

What a Groundhog Day!

One Simple Act

So the helping hand idea is a daily thought and act to practice. I found a new book that wonderfully speaks of generosity - "One Simple Act - Discovering the Power of Generosity" by Debbie Macomber.

Yes, Macomber is a fiction writer great at drawing you into her characters. She brilliantly uses her talents in this non-fiction work that reveals all of the gifts of generosity. I was hooked on the first chapter.

Part of me wants to rush right through it and part of me wants to slow down and enjoy (this is a later post) the message. So what to do? Read straight through it of course! Okay, back to the slowing down - I'm going to read it again immediately afterwards to savor each morsel.

One quote immediately jumped out at me. I will leave you with these wise words from "One Simple Act".

"Practicing an attitude of gratitude spills over to acts of generosity."

Helping Hand

As a parent, I want my children to understand the importance of compassion and empathy. I want them to understand that helping others is a great gift and that giving of ourselves is just as important as sharing our financial blessings.

I will always remember the first time I saw this in action with my son (then 8). I had just picked him up from school and was headed home. He noticed an elderly man raking his yard and said, "Stop Mom! Can I help that man pickup his yard?" I was so proud of him! We did stop and he finished raking, picking up and bagging the leaves. He even refused to take any money when it was offered. We visited our new friend several times over the next few years which brought smiles to all. What a gift!

I still talk about how important it is to do for others and more importantly, seek to be an example. This year, we are really focusing on the gift of giving and I challenge all of us to look for some way to help others each and every day. Again, the focus is not on giving monetarily, but giving of oneself. We can all make a difference for someone each day. Maybe it is a smile, picking up something that was dropped, holding a door open, say thank you to the person bagging the groceries, or offering to carry in groceries. For me, it is sometimes calling on patience when I'm being thoroughly tested.

Take a moment today (and everyday) to find a way to give of yourself. Encourage your family to do the same. Not only does it make someone else's day a bit brighter, you feel better too!

Gratitude Abounds

As is common, I sometimes (okay, frequently) find myself complaining about my woes. Why is it easier to complain than be grateful? I've asked myself that a lot the past few months. It has definitely been put into perspective.

A very dear friend is watching her 3 year old, baby girl fight cancer thus fighting for her life. There have been scares and so much pain for such a little one. However, my friend has not stopped giving thanks and glorifying our Awesome God. What a testament she is! That daily praising and thanksgiving for each miracle she gives to Him.

I now catch myself starting to get upset and remind myself how very blessed I am. I pray diligently for my friend, her little one and family while giving thanks for His endless bounty and blessings. Don't get me wrong, I still fall as I am but a mortal. I still complain and have to catch myself. But, I also take a more moments to enjoy the vast beauty around me; to hug my child a little more often and for longer moments. What a wonderful life we are given...what a gift to know that He will always carry us in our time of need!

I hope that you will take a moment to offer up a prayer of thanksgiving and remember each of the blessings He has given you. For the Praise and the Glory are His, now and forever!