Farmer's Market and more

The little boy and I had a date and went to the Farmer's Market while daddy and Annabelle slept in. We had fun and bought several handmade items for gift's for this upcoming Christmas.

Organic and Local peaches, apples, and pears. Organic Bell peppers and Potatoes.

A quick trip to Food Lion with Annabelle ended up looking like this....

Kashi Cereal free after coupon

2) loaves Sprouted bread

banana chips

organic walnuts

organic figs (these are so YUMMY)

organic green beans

organic carrots

bananas

kale

grapes

mango

squash

zucchini

watermelon

Saved $15.50 after coupons!

A Summer Picnic

Today we soaked up some of these last summer days and rode off into the hot sun for a picnic. The man was home relaxing so it was just me and the kids. It was HOT so we only stayed about an hour before this pregnant momma needed some A/C!

Pizza, local watermelon and apples

Playing on the bridge

Talking to herself about the "chicken birds" or birds as most people call them

Coffee??

I seriously want this cup. It almost looks bigger than my head! WOW.

In the trailer, on the bike

We've been biking almost daily. The kids love it and I love the cool air blowing against my skin.
Tonight after bath time I loaded them up and we went riding with a friend. As I was airing up the tires before we left, she snapped a few photos.

Food, food, no where

Levi is feeling much better and his appetite is back in full steam. Annabelle has been eating much more than usual, but still no where near the amount Levi eats. And well, you have one very pregnant mama here. I am making bigger meals and there isn't any left....that's rare.

For breakfast we had:
3) bananas
1) peach
10)strawberries
4) waffles
12 ounces yogurt
milk
a little honey and maple syrup

My fridge is almost looking bare. I haven't seen it like this in years....when we actually struggled to buy food. That's not the case now, but it's kinda funny to see an empty shelf. Maybe I can get it almost fully empty by the end of the week. At the rate we are going I think it will be empty. It will surprise the hubby for sure. He's very used to things falling out at him cause there isn't any room for it.

Psalms 1-4
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

A verse we studied last night at bible study. Is your life like the chaff? When you stand before the Lord will you blow away like the chaff or stand firm like the tree planted near the streams of water, that flourish and grow fruit?

My new LOVE Green Smoothies

A new love in my life, has got to be green smoothies! I am so glad I finally tired it. And since then we've had one at least daily. The hubby even liked it. And Levi is drinking about 2) 8 oz. cups a day. I drink about 20 oz. a day. And the little girl is drinking about an 8 ounce cup daily.

More Green Smoothie Goodness

I took the kids on a 30 minute bike ride this morning and we stopped in at Food Lion to pick up some more fruits for our smoothies and a head of romaine. I used 4 $1 coupons getting all this just under $3.50!

Living life

We've been living life. I am making it a goal to spend more time with my kids, and more time doing "fun" things like taking them for bike rides, or runs with the dog. I much prefer riding than running, it's easier on this pregnant mama....although we still get some funny looks. A very pregnant mama, pulling two kids in a bike trailer...I'm sure it's a sight.

Last night Annabelle wanted to "go" so we packed up and went to the commissary.
I was very happy to see that they now carry Country Save Detergent! We use it on our cloth diapers, but ordering it online is about $18.99 per 10lb box, and you have to pay for shipping. The commissary carries it in 5lb. boxes for only $5.99! Huge savings! I also had 5 coupons for any Seventh Generation Product so I stocked up on their dish washing detergent (my fav. we've been using it for about 6 months now), and a bottle of non chlorine bleach. Plus some fruits and veggies for our green smoothies!

I really love this little boy. He brings me much joy. Annabelle is still sleeping so we had breakfast without her (don't worry, she will eat when she wakes up). It's nice to have one on one time with my little boy.

Crazy...

It just amazes me how this little baby, has turned into a little girl.

Cinnamon Rolls

Last night we weren't able to go to our regular bible study since the man didn't get off work until late. So, I made sausage and peppers, a wonderful Italian dish! And then Cinnamon rolls. They took two hours, but it was so worth it.

Sorry, I took this picture after I already ate one, so the plate is a little messy

I love her face...I don't know what she was doing

Now she is laughing cause I was laughing at her making faces.

Amazon Subscribe and Save

A case of sucanat we recently got from www.amazon.com.

A huge money saver that I have found recently is Amazon's Subscribe and Save program.

Buying real, organic food can be a challenge sometimes. It costs more and it's not always easy to find. Two things we buy regularly are sucanat, and maple syrup. I prefer organic, especially for the maple syrup since the non organic versions have been found with formaldehyde in them....YUCK! This is where Amazon.com comes in. When buying with there Subscribe and Save program you get 15% off and FREE shipping....what's not to love about that?

At our co-op Organic Maple Syrup is a little over $30 per 32oz. bottle, with Amazon.com its $22.74. We get this brand.

Organic Sucanat is $4.72 per 1 lb. package. Amazon.com's price for the same exact brand is $3.00 per lb. I buy this brand.

And remember shipping is free!

Green Smoothies and more

I decided to get up with hubby this morning at 5am. There were several things I wanted to get done before the kids got up at 6:30.....yep, they are early risers.

How my day started out

Last night's grocery loot so I can make our first ever green smoothies...total spent just shy of $6

The ingredients I used to make our Green Smoothies


Blending the fruit first

Adding three handfuls of spinach

The end result. We each had a glass, Levi was done with his first, then drank the rest of Annabelle's

Then we went out to hang some diapers



The verdict on the smoothies: They were actually good! I was really surprised! I have read about them for about two years now but thought, yuck! I am glad I finally caved in and tried them. It will become a treat we have several times a week. I was also equally surprised that the kids liked it. I didn't use any sweeteners and it was sweet and didn't taste anything like spinach.

Grocery store trips

Yesterday my husband volunteered to take Annabelle shopping with him. She was really excited! Since he was already out and I planned on going to the store today, I suggested that he drop me and the little boy off while he and Annabelle ran his errands. He then proceeded to tell me he would take both kids with him so I could go at it alone. I was a little surprised and didn't think he knew what he was getting himself into! He said if I do it, he can too. Probably true, but I never take my kids clothes shopping with me, especially the little boy. Finally, he dropped me off at the store, by myself. Two hours later (I was done about a hour before) he showed back up with Starbucks in hand, a treat he knows I love. He loaded the groceries in the van for me and off we went back home. He said the kids were good!...WHAT? Why aren't they ever good for me?

Here's what I got:

Food Lion: Spent:$1.23 Saved:$22.40

Commissary:

Spent: $34.41 Saved:$63.25

I also get to send in for a $10.00 Rebate!

The best part of the trip is when I found many .50 off coupons for any Starbucks ice cream! They have the little ones for .50 each. I bought a case of them, and after coupons they were FREE! And the 22 packages of tuna they paid me to take home, .25 per pouch!

Late Food Lion Run

On my way to pick up some medicine for the little boy I dropped in to Food Lion and made three transactions.
Total Spent:$3.80 Total Saved: $41.44

The Bacon was free after the $3.00/1 coupon here. Just sign up and you'll be redirected to a $3.00 coupon. You can print it twice by using the back button. I printed two from my computer and two from the man's computer.

I used many FLIPS(Food Lion Internet Printable coupons) to get the other stuff free or close to it. Visit www.afullcup.com and go to the Food Lion forum, if your new to it all.

Getting adjusted..

My living room has looked like this for almost a week now since the man has been home. We come home to sleep and that's about it. The house was a huge mess. My wonderful husband cleaned it for me while I took a nap. He even did laundry! Sometimes he amazes me.

This little guy is finally out of the hospital. He still has lots of Dr.'s appts. ahead of him and tests to be done. I am trying to get used to writing down everything that goes into his mouth. Sometimes it can be a challenge since Annabelle feeds him without me knowing it. This little girl is well, a little girl. She loves being back home were she can play with all 10 pairs of shoes she has, not to mention the purses, necklaces, and yes stickers.

While the man was getting ready for work this morning, Annabelle and I ran to the store real quick. We got all this from Food Lion for $1.86...total savings, $23.21

Our CVS trip from the other day. I ended up spending about $10. More than I wanted too, but I needed the infant Tylenol.

All in all, I am trying to get back on a routine. The kids are loving being home. Which is a good thing, because generally they just want to go, go, go....wonder where they get that from.

It's a....

Some of you know that we have baby number 3 due in November. We found out today IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!! So for all things pink and purple...oh my.

30 Days of nothing

Last year Owlhaven did a 30 days of nothing. This year, I aim to do the same. You can follow her journey here as she plans on doing it again starting Sept. 1st. We too will be posting daily the struggles and freedom that spending less brings.

Food Lion Fun...

I took Annabelle on a trip to a couple Food Lion's Friday to get her out of the hospital. We went to three different stores and made twelve transactions. We got a whole lot of applesauce and canned organic veggies and organic baby food.
Total spent....less than $4!

Making your own chocolate sauce

Start with a medium sauce pan, add 2 cups water, heat on high.

Add 1 cup of cocoa, stir until well blended.

Add three cups of sugar, I add a cup of each, stir until dissolved.

Boil for three minutes, remove from heat, add 1 Tablespoon vanilla

Store in jars, refridgerate. Will keep for several months.

Update

Levi is still in the hospital. Nothing, new.

This is what guys do, lay back and watch TV....sigh

What happens to a little girl, when momma can't cook and she didn't get a nap.