Wordless Wednesday: Playing Catch-up

Sharing a special evening at the Nashville Zoo with friends.  

Happy Birthday Abby (4) and Audrey Kate (1) !

Cute, delicious cakes made by my friend, Rebecca.

Getting into mommy's jewelry - and loving it :)

Movie night at home

My little artist. . . pretty good, huh?!

Practicing fine motor skills by writing letters and numbers.  He did VERY well. . . definitely impressed this mommy!

Happy First Birthday Micah!  (We'll formally celebrate again this weekend with their friends and family!)

Multitude Monday (on Tuesday :) ): Lessons from the Manna

For our family devotion last night, we were reading the story about the Israelites complaining to Moses about the manna they received daily from the Lord.  

It's amazing how God provided food and drink for his chosen ones in the hot desert, and all they wanted to do was return to Egypt, to slavery,. . . all for 'delicious tasting' meals.  No praise offered, no thanks.  It is almost hard to fathom. . .

After tucking Cole in, this message stayed with me - one of complaining instead of being content; wanting more instead of seeing the blessings and miracles around me;  wishing to return over and over to slavery/sin because it looks, feels, and tastes better to my flesh.

Thank you Lord for your goodness. . .for your Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Always and Forever Love.  Thank you for lessons from the manna. . .

21.  celebrating life

22.  fresh cut flowers

23.  a servant husband

24.  belly laughs

25.  anticipation of events to come

26.  polka dots :)

27.  finding a GREAT bargain

28.  being with my mom

29.  a child's questions of heaven

30.  lazy mornings

31.  a free lunch

32.  'Jesus Loves Me'

33.  an orphaned child united with a forever family

34.  a stranger's "Hello!"

35.  playdates

36.  a freshly vacuumed home

37.  friends that want to live RADICAL lives for Christ

38.  butterflies

39.  the right song on the radio - at the right time

40.  Sunday morning corporate worship

     

Monday's Menu

These past few weeks, I've had around 3-4 meals that I didn't fix do to birthday dinners, impromptu meals with friends, etc.  Adding those into this week's menu makes for a VERY budget friendly grocery bill!

Monday:  Hawaiian chicken, white rice, broccoli

Tuesday:  Slow cooker beef burritos, fresh salsa/chips

Wednesday:  White chicken chili, Mexican cornbread

Thursday:  Short ribs, yellow rice, baked beans, tossed salad

Friday:  Dinner at the Gambles

Saturday:  Zoo member night at the Nashville Zoo  

Sunday:  MOPS Table Leader dinner at my home:  pork tenderloin, green bean roll-ups, garlic bread, strawberry/mandarin orange salad w/ homemade vinaigrette.

Wordless Wednesday: We Went a Pickin'

Fresh peaches and blackberries at Bradley Kountry Acres. . . YUM!

Afterwards, a quaint lunch with a friend at the 'antique' Thomas Drug Store in Cross Plains and consignment sale shopping.  GREAT day! 

Tuesday Tips: Kids Eat Free

It's amazing how little bundles of joy can  change our lives.  We lay all selfish desires aside to feed, clean, play with, mold, and shape these young blessings that God has entrusted to us.

Along with these things, a desire to be more frugal also entered the Johnson home upon Cole's arrival.  We are now a one income family (which I wouldn't trade for the world) and have found ways to make the dollar stretch a little further than before. 

With Cole getting older (FOUR in November - crazy!), he often wants his own meal at restaurants when dining out - and definitely has the appetite for one :)  Finding places where kids eat free or at a discounted rate has been helpful and a budget-friendly treat.

Two great websites for looking up restaurants in your area where kids eat free are:

www.coupondivas.com/kids-eat-free/

www.frugalliving.tv/free-stuff/kids-eat-free.html

For those of you close by, here are a few restaurants in our area with some great kid deals. . .

* Make sure to call ahead and check that these promotions are ongoing.

Shane's Rib Shack: Everyday

Free kids meal with the purchase of an adult plate

IHOP: Everyday

Kids 12 and under eat free 4-8 p.m. (drink not included).  One meal per adult entree

Buffalo Wild Wings: Monday

Kids 12 and under eat for 99 cents 5-8 p.m.

Backyard Burger:  Tuesday

Get a free kids meal with the purchase of one adult combo meal - 12 and under 4 p.m. - close

Black Eyed Pea: Tuesday

12 and under eat free w/ every adult meal purchased 5 p.m. to close

Qdoba: Wednesday

All day kids eat free (drink included).  Cole and I have hit this offer a few times.  Storytime at the library or fun at The Street fountains/Barnes and Noble - then off to lunch.  I usually bring his drink from home and use his free drink for my own.

El Chico:  Thursday

Kids meals are 99 cents w/ purchase of adult entree

Captain D's:  Thursday

2 free kids meals w/ each adult dinner purchased

Salsaritas:  Saturday

Kids meal is free with purchase of adult entree

Steak-n-Shake:  Saturday/Sunday

One kids combo free when adult entree of $9 or more purchased (excludes drinks/shakes - dine in only)

Fazolis:  Saturday/Sunday

Kids eat free every weekend in August.  One free kids meal per adult entree purchase

If you know of any other restaurant chains or unique food eateries that offer discounts for kids, please leave a comment and let us know!

Chow! 

Multitude Monday: A Heart of Thanks

Manners.

Something every mother tries to instill in her young ones.  Reminders of 'please', 'thank-you', 'yes mam', 'no sir', and, 'excuse me' echo off our walls daily as I strive to impart these words (and actions) to my little man - in hopes that one day they will become as natural as breathing and as involuntary as a heartbeat.

Recently, Cole found me in a moment of 'manner forgetfulness' and promptly let me know.  This sparked a deep conviction as I began to think of all the blessings, both great and small, that I neglect to acknowledge and my wavering attitude of thankfulness towards my Heavenly Father.  

My heart and soul are constantly thankful for His love, grace, mercy, salvation, and freedom; but how I long to find hints of His goodness in the daily grind of life - and pause to give thanks.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

"You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you.  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."  Psalm 118: 28-29

So here begins my gratitude - for the moments of beauty easily forgotten. . .

1.  The smell of clean sheets

2.  The sound of a child playing pretend

3.  Revelation through God's Word

4.  Getting to know a new friend

5.  Dinner simmering in a slow cooker

6.  A husband that makes me laugh

7.  The splendor of a thunderstorm

8.  A little boy that LOVES to grocery shop

9.  An unexpected gift

10.  Consignment sales 

11.  The feel of a small hand in mine

12.  Snuggling, popcorn, and a good movie

13.  Designing a marble race track - and it WORKS

14.  Candlelight

15.  The quiet and stillness of naptime

16.  An organized desk

17.  Eating on china - for no special reason

18.  Silly songs

19.  The taste of fresh fruit - handpicked ourselves

20.  A church that truly LOVES as Christ and longs to be his hands and feet

Check back every Monday as the list continues. . .

Where will you begin?

Monday's Menu

Monday:  Slow cooker vegetable soup, grilled cheese sandwiches

Tuesday:  Chicken pot pie, salad

Wednesday:  Short ribs, saffron rice, green bean bundles

Thursday:  Spaghetti w/ meatballs, tossed salad, garlic bread

Friday:  Hawaiian chicken, white rice, broccoli w/ cheese sauce

Saturday:  Dinner with friends, the McKnight's

Sunday:  Leftovers

Short Ribs:

4 lbs. boneless beef short ribs 

1 c. dark brown sugar

2-3 medium red onions; coarsely chopped

16 oz. tomato sauce

1/2 c. soy sauce

3 Tbs. cinnamon

Remove all visible fat and slice 2 in. strips about 1/2-3/4 in. thick.   Place in Pampered Chef Baker (or another baking pan - cooking time may vary) and add other ingredients, which have been mixed together thoroughly.  Cover with lid and bake at 325 degrees for 2 hours; stirring occasionally.

Hawaiian Chicken:

whole chicken

apricot jam

can pineapple chunks (or rounds if you prefer)

small can maraschino cherries

Place whole chicken in Pampered Chef Baker, pat dry.  Using a basting brush, spread a thick coat of apricot jam onto chicken.  Pour pineapple and cherries over chicken.  Cover with lid and bake at 375 degrees for 1.5 hours.

Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup:

1 slow cooker liner (not necessary, but SO helpful with clean-up!)

3 c. V8 100% vegetable juice

2 c. hot water

1 lb. stew meat

8 c. frozen mixed vegetables

2 medium potatoes; peeled and cubed

1 small onion; chopped

1/4 c. ketchup

3 Tbsp. beef flavored bouillon

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Place liner in slow cooker.  Pour vegetable juice and water into cooker.  Add beef, vegetables, ketchup, bouillon, and pepper; stir gently.  Cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours; until beef is tender.