Freebies!!

Proverbs 31:18-She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

There are so many money saving sites out there today. Several people are into extreme couponing, but I haven't really gotten into that yet. One thing I do though is look for Freebies! I made an email account just for freebies. (you get a lot of spam emails!)  Sometimes it takes a few minutes to fill out the forms/surveys, but you can get some cool FREE stuff! Usually most companies take between 2-6 weeks to mail your free sample.

Money Saving Mom is a great website that lists freebies as well as other money saving tips and coupons. 

Mommy Saves Big is another website that I use often to find freebies and coupons.

Here are pictures of some of the free items I have received in the past few weeks:

(Tide PODS, coffee samples, tea samples, toothpaste, tampons and glass cleaning wipes)

(Dog treats, Pads, coffee, freeze dried chicken and noodles)

What websites do you like to go to to get free samples?

Tips for a Successful Yard Sale

This weekend my husband and I had a yard sale and ended up doing pretty good considering we didn't have much and it rained a majority of the sale!

Here are some tips to help you have a great yard sale too:

1. Have a multifamily sale! To have a great sale you need a lot of stuff. More stuff will bring more people. 

2. Advertise on the web for FREE! Craigslist and Facebook are great! Newspaper Ads can get too pricey and you want to be able to keep all your profit!

3. Use bright colored card stock/poster board to make signs to hang up around your neighborhood and town. Be sure not to put too much information on the sign, just the necessities. (I usually just do time of sale and LARGE arrows)

4. Make sure you have enough change. I went to the bank and got $50.00 out. (20 ones, 2 fives, 1 ten, 1 roll of quarters). We never ran out of anything.

5. Price things reasonable! Just because something has sentimental value to you, doesn't mean it will to someone else. You want to get rid of your junk. Getting a quarter for something is better than donating it for free at the end of the day.

6. Place the larger items out front, so people see them first when driving by.  Be sure to make everything looked organized. Group similar items on the same table, etc.

7. I like to lower the price on things that last 30 minutes or so of the sale. (make everything 1/2 price, etc.)

8.  Have plenty of grocery bags! Many people bought several small items and appreciated that we had bags to put their items in.

9. After the sale, don't put the leftovers back in your house!! Donate them to a local pantry or other organization.

10. Have fun and be FRIENDLY!! :)

Helping Out a Friend

Proverbs 31:17--She sets about her work vigorously, her arms are strong for her tasks.

I LOVE the girls in my verge group! (Group of three girls that study a book of the bible every week and get together to discuss it and share life together)

One of the girls in my verge group lives in an apartment with her husband and two adorable little boys! She was expressing one day how she just didn't feel that they had enough room in their apartment. Well Jordan and I decided we would help a little with that! With our "great organizational skills" we made a plan to help get our friend more organized and feel comfortable where she was at.

There are two bedrooms in their apartment. One was being used for the boys' bedroom. The other for an office/play room while their bed was in a corner in the living room. Jordan and I wanted to give them their own romantic space, which meant finding a place for everything that was already in that bedroom!

We took everything out and this is what it looked like..lots of stuff!

Here is where the bed use to be in the living room.

Now this space is an office/craft area..

Here is their new bedroom!! yay!

All of the boys toys still needed a place to go, so Jordan's awesome husband, Jared, came over and kindly hung four shelves Jordan and I had painted.

 

 Now they have plenty of space for all of their books, puzzles, cars, etc.

It was awesome being able to help out a friend and also gave us a few hours to spend some time together. (Oh, and Kristen made us a delicious dinner while we worked!)

What could you do to help out a friend? Sometimes your time is the greatest gift! :)

Homemade Peach Salsa

 Proverbs 31:14 - She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

While on our way home from the flea market, read more about it HERE, Derrick and I stopped at an orchard that had a country store. There we sampled some peach salsa they had made. It was delicious!! We decided to make some of our own when we got home.

We went to the grocery store and got all of the ingredients we needed. (Recipe Source: Food.com)  This recipe makes 4 pint jars of salsa.

Ingredients:

6 cups chopped peaches (about 3 pounds) 

3 large fresh tomatoes

1 ½ cups chopped red onions 

4 medium jalapeno peppers , seeded and finely chopped 

1 large sweet red pepper , seeded and finely chopped 

½ cup finely chopped cilantro 

½ cup white vinegar 

2 tablespoons liquid honey 

3 garlic cloves , finely chopped 

1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin 

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper 

** We ended up using 4 peaches and 5 tomatoes, so the salsa wouldn't be so peachy. It still made the salsa taste sweet and delicious!! :)

Directions:

1. Sterilize 4 pint jars, then place upside down in a 325 F oven for about 15 minutes.
2. Blanch peaches, cool in cold water, peel, pit and chop to measure 6 cups.
3. Blanch tomatoes and cool with cold water, peel, remove seeds and cut into chunks.
4. In a large stainless or enamel cooking pot, combine peaches, tomatoes, onion, Jalapeno peppers, sweet red pepper, cilantro, vinegar, honey, garlic, cumin and cayenne pepper.
5. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. If the mixture is too sloppy or soupy, boil for a few minutes longer so that some of the liquid evaporates and the mixture thickens.
6. Adjust seasonings to taste.
7. Add more cayenne pepper if you desire a spicier taste.
8. Ladle salsa into hot jars to within 1/4 inch of top for headspace.
9. Remove air bubbles by sliding a rubber spatula between the glass and salsa.
10. Re-adjust the headspace to 1/4 inch.
11. Wipe jar rim to remove any stickiness.
12. Center lid on top of jar; apply screw band just until finger tight.
13. Place jars in a hot bath in a canner and process for 35 minutes.
14. Remove jars and place on a towel, then cover with another towel to cool slowly.
15. Jars are sealed when the lids pop and are curved down, (concave).
16. Label jars and store in a cool, dark place.
17. NOTE: You can substitute and use 6 cups of fresh, chopped pineapple for a different flavor.

Chopped jalapeno peppers with the chopper we got at the flea market for 50 cents!

Our first canning experience was a success..yay!!

Date Day

Proverbs 31:11-12-Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

A few weeks ago I saw an ad in the Southern for a flea market in Belleville. I decided it would be a fun road trip and some quality time with Derrick! It was the best flea market I have been to! They had tons of vendors both inside and outside and had such a wide variety of items!

Here's a picture of just one of the sections outside.

While we were there we had corndogs and a lemon shake-up for lunch. YUM! :)

We found a few things such as paintbrushes, worker gloves, aqua mason jars, wood spools, a ring holder and a food chopper.

I got these three aqua mason jars for $10!

These wood spools were .25 each and I thought they would be cute in one of the mason jars in my craft room!

Derrick found this food chopper for .50! (We've been wanting to try our own salsa for awhile, so this was a great find!)

One our way home we stopped by an orchard that had a country store. There we did some wine tasting and sampled some peach salsa. The salsa was so good, and since we now had a food chopper, we went and bought the ingredients to make our own peach salsa when we got home! (Another post to come on that-it's delicious!!)


Overall, it was a great day and I'm so glad I got to spend it with Derrick. It's so important for married couples to make time to spend together going out and doing fun things. Sometimes life can get hectic, but God wants us to be best friends with our spouse and that means spending time together and having fun!


What can you do this week to spend some quality time with your husband?

Fajita & Taco Seasoning

Proverbs 31:14-She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

Bhrett over at Lost in Relocation made this amazing fajita seasoning! Derrick and I decided to make a jar of our own and also made some taco seasoning (can't remember where I found this recipe).

Fajita Seasoning

Ingredients: 

3 Tbsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. chili powder
1 Tbsp. salt
1 Tbsp. paprika
1 Tbsp. sugar
2-1/2 tsp. crushed chicken bouillon cube
1-1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 

 1/2 tsp. cumin

Mix all ingredients together. Store in an air tight container. Makes the equivalent of three commercial packages.

Taco Seasoning

Ingredients:

1/4 cup chili powder

1 1/2 tsp. onion powder

1 1.2 tsp. garlic powder

1 1/2 tsp. cumin

1 1/2 tsp. oregano

1/2 tsp. paprika

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. red pepper flakes (If you like things a little spicier!)

Mix all ingredients together. Store in an air tight container. To use: substitute 2 rounded Tbs. for 1 packet of taco seasoning.

Another Old Window and Spring Decor

Matthew 28:6-:He is not here; He has risen, just as he said."

I love this time of year! Spring means spending lots of time outside, wearing flip flops, grilling out, flowers blooming, my birthday and Easter! Here is some spring decor I have around my house and another idea for an old window. See other old window ideas Here and Here!

Here is a basket I got at a yard sale. The flowers are from the Dollar Tree and I wrapped plastic Easter eggs in two different types of twine. 

Here is one of the free windows we got. I painted a scrap piece of wood and used brackets to attach it to the bottom of the window to make a shelf!

The scrabble tiles on the shelf say "Spring"

Love the aqua mason jar and white flowers! 

Basket from Dollar Tree spray painted and hung on the front door.

What is your favorite thing about spring?

Trash to Treasure Link Party over at Sassy Sites  featured me this week for my telephone bench makeover!

 Head on over to check out other trash to treasure projects and link up one of your own!

DIY Chewy Granola Bars

Proverbs 31:15-She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family.

Here is a delicious recipe for homemade chewy granola bars! We put chocolate chips in this time, but you could add anything you want! (raisins, nuts, cereal, dried fruit, etc.)

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup honey
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

*** The original recipe called for 1/2 cup of honey, but I found that 1 cup helps it stick together better. Also, original recipe called for 2 cups of choc. chips, but 1 cup is plenty, and healthier for you! :)

  Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Lightly grease one 9x13 inch pan.
2. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, baking soda, vanilla, butter or margarine, honey and brown sugar. Stir in the 1 cups assorted chocolate chips, raisins, nuts etc.
3. Lightly press mixture into the prepared pan using wax paper. Bake at 325 degrees F (165 degrees C) for 18 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing or serving.

Clothed by Our LORD

Proverbs 31:24-25-- She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. Strength and dignity are her clothing, she shall rejoice in time to come. 

What woman doesn't like to buy new things? Clothes, shoes, purses, etc. This verse shows us that even women in those times weren't much different from us.

Isaiah 61:10

I am overwhelmed with joy in the LORD my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom in his wedding suit or a bride with her jewels.

Isaiah said this perfectly. When Christ died for you he took off everything you covered yourself in (sin, guilt, shame, etc) and replaced it with the most beautiful garment of salvation! The Proverbs 31 woman understands that it's not just about outer beauty, but inner beauty as well. She understands that God gives her strength (both mentally and physically) and that she has dignity because she has been made righteous. She must make the most of her beauty!

Now onto something else I found to cloth myself in..

While at target today I went through some of their sale racks. I found this adorable skirt on clearance for $9.00!! (originally $18.00)

I loved the pink and turquoise combination and the price! So I bought it :)

When I got home I immediately started to put an outfit together..I think I found one I like! Won't it be perfect for Easter?! 

Are you clothed in salvation and wearing the robe of righteousness? Or do you need to change your wardrobe?

Old Wooden Windows

Proverbs 31:18--She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. 

I LOVE old wooden windows and especially when you can get them for FREE!! That's right..my husband found an ad on Craigslist for free wooden windows. There were about two dozen and they wanted us to take them ALL! We only had a few projects in mind, so needless to say we have a lot left over! If you would like one (some)  please let me know. Various sizes, but all one or two pane.

Anywho...I had bought one at an antique store awhile back and decided it would be perfect in our living room to display pictures. See it here.

Well these were a little smaller, so above the bed was the perfect place! They needed quite a bit of cleaning and a coat of paint, but turned out just like I wanted!!

Here is the one in our bedroom. I used Elmer's scrapbooking corners to put pictures on the glass and then attached a star fish with some twine. 

Here is the guest bedroom. I used my silhouette to cut out vinyl letters that say "Faith; Friends; Family"

Pinterest has a ton of other great ideas for old windows and Here is a website with some cool ideas too!

Cornmeal Pancakes

Proverbs 31:15--She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family.

Derrick and I bought a bag of corn meal to make some cornbread, so we thought we would look up other recipes that use corn meal also. We found one for cornmeal pancakes and they were delicious!! 

Cornmeal Pancakes

1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 egg
1 1/4 cup milk
2T vegetable oil

1. Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and spray with non-stick cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking soda and salt.

3. In a medium bowl, beat the egg, then whisk in the milk and vegetable oil. Add to the flour mixture and mix until just combined.

4. Drop a heaping 1/4 cup onto the skillet and cook until the edges are set and the bottom is golden brown. Turn and cook the other side until golden. Repeat with remaining batter.

Makes about 6 medium pancakes

Source: heatovento350.blogspot

Spiritual Gifts

Romans 12:6--"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.

First, what are spiritual gifts? Spiritual gifts are the way that we serve the church.  The church is often referred to as the "body"; (1 Corinthians:12) Christ being the "head" of the church and everyone else having specific "body parts" or roles to fulfill the needs of the church. Just like with our bodies, each part is important to make the body work as a whole. Each person in the church has a unique role or gift that helps the church properly function. 

God is the one who gave us each a gift designed specifically for us. (1 Corinthians 12:18- But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.)

Now that we know what spiritual gifts are and why we have them, how do you know what spiritual gift you have? One way is to pray about it and ask God to reveal it to you. Another is by filling out a questionnaire. I did one Here.  (I know there are others out there and maybe better ones but this is one I found and it was pretty accurate) It revealed that my two dominant gifts are showing mercy and pastoring/shepherding.  It then goes on to explain what each of these mean and how to use my gifts in the church.   

Showing Mercy-having compassion for those in need and rejoicing with those who are happy, being soft-spoken,  a good listener, etc.  It also stated that I would be good at being a greeter or a hospitality person at church... I am already on the hospitality team at church! :)

Pastoring/Shepherding-being a teacher, caring for the needs of others, spending time praying for others and being very patient. It stated that I would be good at being a Sunday school teacher or nursery worker. Again, I am already a nursery worker at church! :)

After you have discovered your spiritual gift(s), it is time to develop your gift and use it for God's service! 

1 Peter 4:10--"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in it's various forms."


Do you know what spiritual gift God has given you? If so, how are you using your gift to better serve God, the church and others?