My First Carnival!

I participated in my first "Blog Carnival" this week, the "Make It From Scratch Carnival" hosted this week by May at Simply Forties. I was really excited when I found this carnival, even more excited when I discovered it runs every single week, and elated to be able to contribute! I contributed my homemade spice mix post, but the carnival is not limited to the kitchen by any means. There are tons of fun ideas like printable Mother's Day cards, a crayon roll tutorial (these are so cute!), and no sew fleece blanket instructions. I'm looking forward to participating in more carnivals in the future.

How to Save 68% on You Groceries without Even Trying

Have you ever spent time carefully planning your menu plan and shopping list, carefully matching up sales and coupons, only to get to the store and realize you have totally and completely messed the entire thing up?

I'm not talking about a few minor mistakes. I'm talking about a carefully crafted shopping list to pay $30 for $50 worth of food. Plus it is 10 PM and the store's weekly circular is full of mistakes. That was my shopping trip to Vons this week. It turned out even better than planned, but it was beyond frustrating and nerve wracking.

I had a coupon for $10 off any $50 purchase so I carefully planned my shopping list to exactly hit the $50 mark. I decided to go shopping Friday night to avoid the crowds and hoping that everything I wanted would be stocked. In order to get to $50 I planned to purchase some steaks, a free 2 liter of soda, and oatmeal using a store coupons. I also had planned to pick up some oranges (8 lbs for $2.99!!)and eggs ($.97/dozen). The only problem was that I didn't pay attention to the ad dates (we got 2 this week). The steaks, soda, oatmeal and oranges don't go on sale until Sunday. The eggs are ONLY on sale Saturday and Sunday. My $10 coupon expires Saturday. I was ready to have a breakdown in the dairy section I was so mad at myself for not paying attention to the details and falling for the store's trickery with the numerous ads with different dates.

Needless to say my carefully planned list to get me to exactly $50 was shattered, but I was able to make it work. I checked out only to discover, once everything was scanned and bagged, that there was a retraction (NOT POSTED IN THE AISLE) on 5 items in my cart. I was ready to leave the entire cart of food and walk away, but thankfully I had a very nice, polite, and understanding cashier. She was able to give me one of the retracted items at the advertised price and left my $10 off coupon on my order even though I was below the $50!

I ended up saving 68% thanks to that awesome cashier. I thanked her profusely and am planning to call the store manager to let him/her know how much I appreciated the cashier's help. I learned my lesson to slow down and pay attention to dates when using multiple ads!

No pictures of my loot because it was late. But I ended up purchasing:

1 2 liter Pepsi (FREE with store coupon)
1 24 oz 6 pack of Pepsi (this was the retracted item I got it for $.99)
1 box of Raisin Bran ($.99 with store coupon)
1 Arizona Iced Tea (my husband's addition)
1 lb butter ($.99 with store coupon)
6 lbs pork ribs (store sale)
5 lbs chicken leg quarters (store sale)
3 lbs chicken breasts bone in (store sale)
2 lbs broccoli (store sale)
2 lbs asparagus (store sale)
5 lbs bananas (store incentive)
8 lbs oranges (store sale)
10 lbs potatoes (store sale)
3 lbs onions (store sale)
Total: $82.90
I spent $26.80 and saved 68% thanks to the Vons cashier!

Who Else Wants Fish?

One of our favorite ways to eat fish is in the form of salmon patties. One evening, when Sarah was 4 years old, I decided to make them for dinner, but realized mid-way through my prep work that kids don't normally like fish. I came up with the brilliant idea to cloak her salmon patty as a hamburger. She gobbled it up and I was giving myself a pat on the back when her father asked her how she liked dinner. "Oh, it was fine," she said, "but I don't really like tuna fish in my hamburgers."

Because fish is a highly recommended component in our diets, I always try to include it in our menu as often as I can. Fish, however, is expensive. We generally make dishes with canned tuna or salmon to cut down on cost. I finally came to the realization this past week that fish goes on sale during Lent (DUH!) when many people fast from meat and eat fish instead. Now that it is Lent, we're planning to stock up. Albertsons has tilapia for $1.99/lb. I've been waiting a year for that price!

Albertson's Bargain Meal of the Week

Lo Mein with Chicken

You can easily duplicate my Vons Bargain Meal at Albertsons this week (although it is a bit pricier at ALbertsons) with this shopping list:

3 lbs Albertsons Split Chicken Breasts $2.91
1 lb asparagus $1.49
1 box of Zatarains Rice Mix $1.25
Total: $5.65

But for something different....

Lo Mein with Chicken

Shopping List:
1 package Anthony's Pasta, spaghetti $1.50
1 lb asparagus $1.49
1/2 lb Italian or yellow squash $.50
1 lb Albertsons Split Chicken Breast $.99
Total: $4.48

I serve this alone because it has protein, starch, and veggies already in it! My recipe is based on this one. If you have any bags of frozen veggies in the freezer, you can toss those in as well or in lieu of the veggies above.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons (2 turns around the pan in a slow drizzle) vegetable or wok oil
1 lb asparagus
1/2 pound squash
1/2 an onion, chopped finely
1 teaspoon ginger powder or 2 inches fresh ginger root, minced or grated
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 pound thin spaghetti, cooked to al dente and drained well
1/2 cup soy sauce (a pantry staple for me or you can use 4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce mixed with 1 tablespoon water)
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil, several drops (another pantry staple)

First, you need to get that chicken cooked. I would make the Vons Bargain Meal with an extra pound of chicken and use the extra meat in this recipe (see TWO MEALS for this week!). Pull the meat off the bones (save the bones to make broth) and chop up in to 1 inch or so pieces.

Put on a pot and boil some water and cook the spaghetti. While that cooks, clean and chop up the asparagus, onions, and squash. I do a "rough dice" so you have nice chunks of veggies.

Heat a large non-stick skillet (or wok if you are lucky enough to have one!) over high heat. When pan is very hot, add oil, (it will smoke a bit) then, immediately add the onions, asparagus, and squash. Stir fry for 1 minute to flavor the oil, then add the chicken, ginger and garlic, and stir-fry 2 minutes. Add the cooked noodles and toss with to combine. Add the soy sauce and toss the ingredients to coat noodles evenly with sauce. Transfer the lo mein to a serving platter and garnish with a drizzle of toasted sesame oil.

The sesame oil is not imperative, BUT it adds a huge amount of flavor! A bottle lasts me a good year and I cook a lot of Asian dishes.

Enjoy!

Vons Bargain Meal of the Week

Oven Fried Chicken, Baked Potatoes, and Asparagus

Shopping List:
3 lbs Foster Farms Chicken Breast Halves $2.91
1 lb asparagus $.99
1 lb russet potatoes (4 potatoes) $.20 (10 lb bag is $1.97)
(I'm guessing on how much the potatoes weigh/cost! But it will be cheap!)
TOTAL: $4.10

(Also, pick up a 2 liter of Pepsi for free, a pound of cream cheese for $.99 and a box of Kellogg's Frosted Mini-Wheats or Raisin Bran for $.99. Total for your dinner items plus these will be about $8. Use coupons in the circular, which you can find at the front of the store! There is a $10 minimum, but that is the total BEFORE you use the coupons!)

I would start the potatoes first. I wash them, poke holes in them, coat them in olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and the wrap in foil. I bake them in whatever pan they fit in (a small cake pan usually). Turn the oven to 350 degrees and pop them in while you prep the chicken.

Oven Fried Chicken

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with foil (saves with clean up later!). Lightly grease pan. In a bowl or gallon storage bag combine:

1 cup bread crumbs (or crushed rice crisp cereal or crushed corn flakes)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt (celery salt is good if you have it)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon paprika
(or any combo of spices that you like!)

Dip chicken in water, egg, egg whites, milk, or mayo (whatever you have or prefer).
Place chicken in bowl/bag and coat with breading.
Place chicken in pan and bake for 45 minute or until juices run clear.

You can steam, saute or roast the asparagus. This is one of my favorite ways to cook it. I also roast it at about 400 degrees, drizzled in olive oil and seasoned with salt an pepper, for about 15 minutes. If you want to do this, turn the heat up on the oven after the chicken is done and cook the asparagus then. Or if you have a toaster oven, you can cook it in there!

Enjoy!

Vons is Doubling Coupons!!

EDITED 2/25/09:
AARGH! According to the store, this was a MISPRINT!!! GRRRRR!! Thanks to The Budgeteer for the info!

VONS IS NOW DOUBLING COUPONS!

For the past year, I have lived in the land of no double coupons. None. Not one grocery store will double manufacturers coupons. Until now! In this week's Vons circular, on the bottom of page 4, is the announcement that they will now double coupons! I have seen some major marketing changes with Vons lately. I've received numerous mailers with free item coupons and store incentives. I've noticed sale prices dropping. Now double coupons! I hope this rolls over to the other grocery stores in our area (Albertsons, Smiths, and Food 4 Less)!

The blurb says to "see store for details" and you bet I will! More on what I find out when I find it out! Until then, I am celebrating this new money saving find!

FREE Dinner Tonight!

I'm dubbing today "Free Food Day". It is Fat Tuesday which means lots of folks begin Lent tomorrow and the fasting that goes with it. Maybe that explains the plethora of free food available right now.

This morning you could have gone to IHOP for Free Pancakes.

Tonight we are going to Jack in the Box for FREE tacos, Quiznos for FREE subs, and Arby's for FREE Roasted Sandwich. I could split it up in to different meals, but just one of those won't be enough to feed hubby for dinner! The tacos are only good for today so we'll get it all tonight and eat whatever is left over for lunch tomorrow. We do have to purchase 2 drinks at Arby's, but it is still a good deal. Yes, it is all fast food, but since we rarely eat out, much less eat fast food, I'm willing to splurge a little.

Three Months

Our little buddy turned three months old yesterday. He got to sit in the Bumbo for the first time to celebrate. And, as an added bonus, his big sister snuggled up with him!

Blogger Template Issues

I have been thinking, plotting, planning a new blog design. I've been tweaking and playing around with my layout and some templates. The other night I tried to change my template to no avail. I discovered this morning that Blogger changed some coding and now most templates designed for Blogger (other than the basic blogger ones) will not upload! So for now, until Blogger fixes the issue or I switch to another service, I am stuck with a Blogger classic. It is driving me crazy!

Anyway, if you are in the process of changing a layout on a Blogger blog, I'd hold off for a bit until they correct the problem! You can go here to read the thread on the Blogger "Help" Group.

Until then, I'm stuck with the old brown blog.

Menu Plan Monday

The goal this week is to use up as much of the 5lbs of carrots I have in my fridge! My sister blessed me with a new food processor so I'll be shredding away for some muffins this week, too.

Saturday: Chicken Curry (we use Pataks)
Sunday: Meatloaf, rolls, carrots (See recipe below)
Monday: Dinner provided at Small Group
Tuesday: Baked Ziti with Spinach and Tomatoes (recipe below)
Wednesday: Chicken Parmigiano Soup with bread (I'll add extra veggies to the soup)
Thursday: Stuffing Chicken Bake (I have some cream of soup I want to use up as well as some stuffing and this is one of my favorite dishes!)
Friday: Lo Mein (based on that recipe, but I use whatever veggies I have on hand or are on sale)

Baked Ziti with Spinach and Tomatoes
Ingredients
3/4 pound hot Italian sausages, casings removed
1 medium onion, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 28-ounce can diced peeled tomatoes
1/4 cup purchased pesto sauce
10 ounces ziti or penne pasta (about 3 cups), freshly cooked
8 cups ready-to-use spinach leaves (about 2/3 of 10-ounce package)
6 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 3 ounces)

Preparation
Heat large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add sausage, onion and garlic and sauté until sausage is cooked through, breaking up meat with back of spoon, about 5-10 minutes. Add tomatoes with juices to pan. Simmer until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Stir in pesto. Season sauce with salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 375° F. Lightly oil 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish. Combine pasta, spinach, mozzarella and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese in large bowl. Stir in hot tomato sauce. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese over. Bake until sauce bubbles and cheeses melt, about 30 minutes.

This Week's Grocery Adventures

(Sorry about the terrible picture!)

I don't have anything spectacular to share this week, but decided to post my trip because this is a perfect example of how you can save money without using coupons. I only used two coupons this week and still came in $17 under budget simply by shopping the sales at a grocery store (Smith's) and getting other items I needed at the cheapest store in my area (it happens to be Wal-Mart).

I bought:
5 oranges (Wal-Mart)
3 lbs bananas (Wal-Mart)
1 bunch celery (Wal-Mart)
3 lbs ground pork (Wal-Mart)
1 loaf French bread (Wal-Mart)
1 container half and half (Wal-Mart)
2 lbs onions (Wal-Mart)
2 packs TP (FREE after manu coupons)
4 lbs butter (store sale)
1 container sour cream (store sale)
2 packages turkey dogs (store sale)
5 lbs ground beef (store sale)
4 lbs chicken (store sale)
2 dozen eggs (store sale)
1 brick cream cheese (store sale)

Total: $43.38

According to my Smith's receipt, I saved 42% at their store. Unfortunately, they do not list the regular price of sale items so I have no way to verify that! It is next to impossible to calculate a "savings" at Wal-Mart.

I've been wanting to try ground pork in meatballs or meatloaf (mixing it in with ground beef). I saw it at Wal-Mart a few weeks ago for $2.24/lb, but I don't like to pay more than $1.99/lb for any meat. Today the pork was $1.97/lb!! It wasn't "on sale" -- the price was just cheaper. That's Wal-Mart for you.

Also, the sour cream was $.17 cheaper at Wal-Mart, but I chose to purchase it at Smith's because Smith's has a frequent shopper card where I can get cash back and coupons. Usually, if I know something is the same price, I'll buy it at the store with the shopper card (the French bread was the same price at Smith's -- duly noted for next time!).

Happy Birthday, Honey!

I was so busy hanging balloons and streamers, baking a cake, and planning dinner, that I forgot to wish my wonderful husband a HAPPY BIRTHDAY on my blog! We went out to dinner at Lone Star the weekend prior thanks to a FREE ENTREE coupon he received from them for his birthday (join their e-club here). We had two entrees, one drink, an appetizer and paid $25 with tax and tip plus we brought home leftovers. We are also members of Red Robin's email list and always receive a coupon for a free hamburger on your birthday (you can join here). We'll hit that one up this weekend.

The candles on the cake were the ones I found in the cupboard (on my list of things to organize) and I told Mitch he could choose his age. That's what he chose!

Happy 103rd Birthday!

Free Photos at Walgreens!

Walgreens is offering 20 4X6 (or 4X5.3 if you want "True Digital") prints FREE today ONLY! Use the code "ONEDAY" at check out.

I don't usually print photos, I make photo books, but Miles received a nice Baby Boy photo album when he was born so I decided to take advantage of free prints this year and fill it up for him.

Making Your Own Spice Mix

One area of the kitchen where it is super easy and super yummy to save money is in your spice cupboard (or shelf, or holder). Most commercial spice mixes are overpriced and contain mostly salt. Three times this week I found myself in need of various spice mixes and rather than run to the store, I researched and (twice)made my own spice mixes. Both recipes I made were super easy, super quick and so much better than the store bought variety. My days of purchasing spice mixes in the store are over!

On Tuesday night I made a Montreal Steak Seasoning Mix. I looked at a bunch of different recipes and ended up using this one:

2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons crushed black pepper
2 tablespoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon granulated onion
1 tablespoon crushed coriander
1 tablespoon dill
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper flakes

I did not have granulated onion so I used minced onion I had on hand. I had to grind my coriander and black peppercorns in my "spice grinder" AKA an extra coffee bean grinder I use for spices. This was delish and is now at home in the spice container that held the minced onion, which I used up.

On Wednesday in my Albertsons Bargain Meal of the Week post I provided my favorite recipe for roasted potatoes that calls for a packet of ranch dressing. I linked to this recipe for your own ranch dressing. I have yet to make it, but it's on my list. I'll be skipping the saltine crackers.

This evening I had pasta with bolognese sauce on the menu along with left over garlic bread. Except I didn't want garlic bread. So instead I made up an Italian dipping sauce with spices mixed in oil. I used 2 tablespoons of each so we'd have leftovers.

1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1 tablespoon dried basil
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon salt

Mix with oil and dip bread.

Next on my list to try is the onion soup mix. I'll switch out the white pepper for plain old pepper. But first I have to replace the minced onion I used up in the steak seasoning!

Vons Bargain Meal of the Week

Pot Roast, Veggies, and French Bread

Shopping List:

3 lbs Rancher's Reserve Beef Chuck 7-Bone Pot Roast $4.11
1 1lb bag Eating Right Baby Peeled Carrotts (use 1/2 bag) $.50
1 1/2 lb OSO Sweet Yellow Onion $.64
1 Safeway Select Artisan French Bread $1.25
TOTAL: $6.50

Last time I bought a 7-Bone pot roast I made Hungarian Beef Stew. It was awesome mostly because the meat was so tender. I promised myself next time these went on sale, we'd have pot roast!

There are about a million ways to make pot roast. This recipe is my favorite. Here is a whole list of ways to make one in the Crock Pot. My sister buys the McCormick seasoning packets and I love that one, too! Of course, you can always just dump in the Crock Pot with the veggies, and add in a packet of some soup (usually onion, but be brave and use whatever spices you have on hand!).

The carrots and onions are to be cooked with the roast -- using whatever method you choose.

Enjoy!

Albertson's Bargain Meal of the Week

Roast Chicken, Roasted Potatoes, and a Green


I can't pass up the opportunity for roast chicken this week! And this is a GREAT price! Buy a few of them if you have the money and room in your freezer!


Shopping List:
1 5lb Albertsons Whole Chicken $2.95
1 2lb bag Albertsons Baby Potatoes $1.50 (use 1 lb; save rest for later!)
1 bag Fresh Express salad (certain varieties only) $1.49
(or 1 lb of broccoli for $1.69)

Total: $5.94

Roast chicken using recipe/guidelines here. Make sure to save the carcass to make stock and plan ahead -- get a second chicken, roast it with the one for dinner, and use the meat later in the week for tacos, chicken salad, chicken pot pie, etc.

At the same time as you cook the chicken, in a different pan, roast the potatoes. My favorite recipe is this one. If you don't have any ranch dressing packets, use Italian (if you have it), plain old salt and pepper, or go here to find a recipe to make your own ranch dressing mix!

You can also skip the potatoes above and make some super easy dinner rolls instead. Recipe is here.

Dump salad into bowls or steam broccoli.

Enjoy!

Ella Bella

Ella's favorite past time is reading. I hope her love of books continues throughout her life. This particular night she traded in her Highlights magazine for the Colorful Images catalog and joined Mimi on the couch to read.



And lest you think we forgot... our little, not littlest, Valentine. She doesn't smile -- she just says "CHEEESSEEEE"!

A VERY Important "First"

There are many, many "firsts" in young children's lives and I document them all -- usually with onesies or tee shirts. Tonight Ella had a very important first -- the beater. Growing up we had three kids, two beaters, and one bowl. It was a debate whether the bowl was as good as getting a beater or even better. I think the jury is still out on that one. Ella enjoyed her first beater experience...until the batter dropped on to her toe and "ruined" her "bubbles" (she calls painted toe nails bubbles). I think she may be scarred for life.

A CVS Bonanza

I haven't done any major CVSing in a while. Just some minor trips here and there. Last week when I went in I scanned my ExtraCare card at the red thingamabopper at the front of the store and scored: 1) $10 ECBs for completing a survey through the CVS Advisor program; 2) another $2 in ECBs (no clue why); and 3) a $5/$30 coupon. Since Huggies were on sale today, I decided to see what I could come up with.

I bought:
1 Boost Kid Essentials Drinks (Free with manu coupon)
1 Suave Mens Bodywash (Free with manu coupon)
2 Neutregena Face Soaps ($4.02 PROFIT with ECBs)
1 Stayfree Ultrathins (Free after ECBs and CVS coupon)
2 Colgate Total Advances ($1.00 PROFIT after ECBs and manu coupon)
1 Tresemme hair spray ($1.00 PROFIT with CVS coupon)
3 jumbo packs of Huggies diapers ($8.99 each on sale)

I used $38 in ECBs, paid $3.33 out of pocket and walked away with $5 in ECBs.

I used the Boost drinks (they were $11.99) to get my total over $30 so I could use the $5/$30 coupon. When I got to the store, I scanned my ExtraCare card at the red thingamabobber and it printed out a $3 off a Tresemme product and $2 off the Stayfree product. The Tresemme hairspray was only $1.99, but the coupon scanned in for the entire $3! I wasn't expecting that little bonus. The Stayfree pads were $3.99, but are giving back $2.00 in ECBs. I used my $2 coupon that I had just received and got those for free as well. The Neutregena soaps were $2.99 each, but are giving back $10 in ECBs for a major money maker.

I put this all together as I went along so I'm sure I could've done better with a little prep time before hand. But I'm thrilled with paying $3.33 for 3 packs of diapers plus a whole lot more!

Menu Plan Monday

I felt like I spent all week in the kitchen last week! I'm taking it easy this week.

Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Out to dinner for hubby's birthday! Kiddos get hot dogs (a special treat)
Monday: Italian chicken with fettuccine and a veggie
Tuesday: Hubby's B-day Dinner: Rib eye steaks (he grills them) with garlic bread and a veggie; Butterfinger cake
Wednesday: Nachos; Mexican Rice; veggies and dip
Thursday: Spaghetti with Bolognese sauce (in the freezer); leftover garlic bread from Tuesday and a veggie
Friday: Pot luck with friends (for no reason at all! We just decided to get together -- fun, huh?!?!). I'm providing sloppy joe meat.

This Week's Grocery Shopping

Vons (Safeway) sent me MORE coupons for free items with a minimum purchase! I needed to spend $25 to use my coupons. The great thing about Vons is that your minimum purchase is before coupons and includes any items for which you have a store incentive or coupon. My entire shopping plan centered around a $25 purchase of rib eye steaks. I needed that to make my minimum, plus they were on sale, plus I had a coupon for $5 of a $25 meat purchase. When I got the store ALL of the packages of steaks were $17 each or higher. I only wanted to spend $25 so I didn't want to buy 2 packages. I got the help of a friendly Vons butcher and he re-packaged some steaks for me so I met my $25 minimum! Thank you Vons!

I hit Fresh and Easy, CVS, and Vons and bought:

2 dozen eggs (store sale)
2 gallons milk (store sale)
1 carton creamer (full price)
6 pounds ground beef (store sale)
5 2 liters of soda (store sale and store coupon)
1 jar pasta sauce (FREE with store coupon)
1 package pasta (FREE with store coupon)
1 bag tortilla chips (store coupon)
2 2lb bags baby carrots (store coupon)
6.5 lbs rib eye steaks (store sale and store incentive)
4 lbs bananas (store incentive)
4 lbs oranges (store sale)
1 loaf French bread (store coupon)
2 packages gauze pads (ECB special and manu coupon)
1 tube of tooth paste (ECB special and manu coupon)

Total: $140.22
I paid: $47.15 and saved 67%!

But I still messed it up. I had a $5/$20 purchase at Fresh and Easy. My total there was $17.94. If I had spent $2.06 more and used the coupon, I would have saved another $5. Oh well!

Mentoring in the Blogosphere

Three generations of Van Buren women!

I have heard the philosophy that women need three types of friends. First, you need contemporaries, women in the same stage of life and dealing with similar situations. Second, you need women who are younger, or not in the same stage of life as you, whom you can "help along" or offer wisdom you obtained from having "been there". Third, you need women who are older, have "been there" and are willing to help you make it through, too!

One gaping whole in the blogosphere are blogs authored by older women who have "been there, done that" and have lots of wisdom to offer! I recently came across a blog, however, that IS written by older, wiser women and I have been devouring every single blog post! I treasure the years of experience and advice these women offer -- anything to make my days smoother and more cohesive!

The blog is "Like Mother, Like Daughter" and it is truly a gem.

Happy Valentine's Day!

From our littlest Valentine...



My gift from hubby. I absolutely adore it! The top has our names and the bottom has the names of our three kids. Made by my very talented sister-in-law, Sue. If she decides to start selling them, I'll be sure to let you know!