One more checked

off the "To do list". Earlier this week I had to to over my list and figure out which one I wanted needed to get done. And, I thought to myself "HEY ARICA YOU HAVE CO-OP. CLEAN YOUR FRIDGE"

So, that is what I got done for this week. But,  I am thinking that if I only do one a week I will NEVER be done before the end of Jan. 

Anyway, Here is my accomplishment for now.

This is before I cleaned it out.. As you can see I just tend to throw anything and everything anywhere. Not very clean if you ask me.

This is kinda of dark but, you can clearly see some food stains in drawers..

Goal is get it clean..!!!!!!!!!

What a difference a little time and soap can do.

I got all these little baskets cleaned as well and washed all the bottle tops. Cause you know sometimes they can get messy too.

After all that good ole fridge cleanin' this is what I found...

This is all the food that gets shoved to the back to never be seen again. Well until you decided to clean out your fridge. I was furious when I realized how much food we had wasted. NOT a happy camper to wasting money.

I (hopefully) will never let this happen again.

Recipe Thursday

This week I cooked Sausage Hash. Which a HUGE it with my family of 3 this week.

Sometimes when I cook new recipes I don't always follow the recipe to exact ingredient. I like to change things just a little to suit my family's tastes bud.

Things needed

1 lb of Sausage (I use deer)
3 c of diced Cooked Potatoes
1 c of Grated Cheese
1/2 t of salt (I used a pinch more for taste)
1/4 t of Pepper ( I used a lot more)

Optional
---1 md. Chopped Onion.
---2 md Grated Carrots
---1 md Chopped Pepper (bell)

Because it was the first time I made this I omitted the veggies. I will at some along and along. I have to take baby steps.

Cooking
--Fry Sausage and drain. ( like to rinse just to make sure I get all the grease that I can)
--Cook Potatoes. (Now directions didn't say how. So you may want to boil or saute I sauteed)

Once you have all that completed you will mix the Potatoes, Sausage, and Veggies of your choice. Cook for about 20 min.

When done slap on plate and add cheese. I would say that cheese could be optional as well. Some may like it some may not. WE DO!!!

Enjoy as a Breakfast or a Supper.

The Joy of Childhood

I am the representative lady for Front*er. And, every month I make an order and these huge boxes come in with all these wonderful packing peanut. My two youngest kids have completely and utterly fallen in love with Front*er delivery day.

This is what takes place when I am out of the room..

They crack me up. They must have sat in that box over an hour watching T.V. and stuffing each other shirts with the peanuts. I love to watch my babes getting along. (a rarity in my home)

Perfect Buns!?!?!

Well that is what I have been told. I have the most perfect buns ever..

NOT my rear buns my homemade hamburger buns. I have been trying to learn to make some of my own buns for hamburger and hot dogs( I haven't gotten this one down yet).

I was super excited when the last time I made them they looked like this..

Every one of them look the same size . I was very happy with the end product. And, do you want to know what is even betterer..

The hamburgers I made fit the bun perfectly ..

Look at that. It can't no better than that. I will admit that the next time I attempt to do the perfect buns. It may not come out so perfect.

But, alas, I shall press on in my bread making skills.

The recipe I used for my buns was a simple roll recipe I got out of my bread book.

10 things

I would like to get done before Jan. passes me by.

1.Get closet organized and clean.
Because as you could see I really needed to get it done

2. Clean stove and microwave.
Have you ever just felt lazy and didn't want to clean the splatters as then happen. Well I didn't and my stove looked horrible.

3. Clean out and wipe down Refrigerator.
Sometimes things just get pushed to the back and before you know it they are lost in space.

4. Reorganized and wipe out cupboards.

5.Finish reading Same kind of different as me .

6.Begin working on my new skirts (after my sewing machine gets fixed)

7.Get my garden prepared for planting season.

8.Finish stripping an end table.

9.Wash all base boards

10. Dust crown molding and cabinet door.


I mentioned not long ago that tell you guys of the things I need to do helps me to get on the ball. So you will be seeing this list along and along hopefully with each chore being marked off as I go.

Hair Show

Sometimes my kids just love to act super silly. Well this time was no different except they decided that they would put on a New Hair Do Fashion show.

Each one is an original design.

Easy Parmesan-Garlic Chicken

I have decided that on Thursdays I am going to share with you a new recipe I have made for the week.
That's right a new one every week, I believe I can do it. So this week was Easy Parmesan-Garlic Chicken. I do realize that my last weeks post was for Parmesan Garlic Rolls. I really like Parmesan and Garlic. They are a great combination.

1/2 c. of Parmesan Cheese
1 pack of Italian Dressing Mix
1/2 t. of Garlic powder or Salt (I used Salt) Garlic Salt

6 small boneless Chicken Breast

Heat oven to 400
Mix Cheese, Dressing Mix, and Garlic Powder
Moisten Chicken with water, coat with the cheese mixture.

Place in slightly greased baking dish.

Bake for 25-30 mins, or until Chicken is done. (165 F)

Remove and serve with Green Beans and Toast.

This dish was a major hit in the home. I will be making this again.

I hope you enjoy this nice and EASY recipe.

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This is the before the organized closet.

Once again, I beg you please don't judge. I am not a perfect house keeper..

This was taken as you begin to enter into the closet.. Oh don't worry it gets worse.

So as you can see my closet was in much need of cleaning. And, I am so happy it is done.  Yay me!!

I am junkie!!

There I've said it. It is true. I am sorry to have to let you guys know this way. But, I just can't help myself. I started many years ago. Once it gets in your blood stream you just can't stop.

I tried quitting cold turkey and then the urge gets so strong I break. I struggle with it. The Addiction.
Goodness that sounds so harsh. But, that is exactly what it is an Addiction. It gets a hold of you and it won't let go. I can be driving down the street and the urge hit, I can be sitting at home alone and the urge will hit, and I can be sitting at a restaurant and the urge will hit.

My lasted urge came on strong. I did it two days in a row at two different places. I don't ever do that. But, for some reason these two days were just hard to resist.

But, I got really great deals. Here is my confessions. I am in love with consignment shops. I just love them. I can go there everyday if my husband would allow me. However, I can't very well be frugal will spending money on clothes all the time. I hardly ever buy anything new except the accessories (the unmentionables), socks, and shoes.

So here is my latest failure..

There you have it guys.. My addictions.. Oh you must want to know where I shop.. I love Klassy Rags on main street in Blackshear and Chanberries in Jesup..

I spent 37.00 at K.R.
I spent 80.00 at Cb..

But, these were a good cause. I was in much need of some "winter" sweater. Cause it gets so cold down here. RIGHT!!


PS..I did find picture of my closet before the cleaning and organizing.

Coming out of the Closet?!?!?!

Not long ago I posted that you guys help me stick to my guns. And, well, I have done it again.

I have decluttered my closet.. YAY ME!!!

I am going to miss these guys..

They look really great so you must be wondering why I am getting rid of them..

Here is why...

The heel. See my husband is a little shorter than I am and he doesn't like for me to where heels. I am very sad to see them go. I have cared for each of them.

I am sorry so say that I didn't take before pictures but, this is what the closet looks like now.

 His side..

My side looks how neat. Do you notice the picture is leaning. I guess I must lean to the right some..

Everything is nice and neat. OH how I love cleanliness.

So there you have it a very organized and clean closet. Now, I hope and pray that it will at least stay that way for a little while.

Recipe Thursday

I have doing some thinking on what I could blog about and I thought what about recipes. I love to cook and to try different new tastes..

So here is the one I did last night..

Cheezy Garlic Rolls

Some times I get to where I don't want to eat the same ole things. I found this recipe in my bread book, but you don't have to use a bread machine you can do it by hand. (if you had time)

1 egg at room temperature

1 1/3 cup of warm water

3 T. of olive oil

1/2 c. of sugar or honey (I use honey)

1 1/2 t. of  salt

4 1/2 c. of bread flour (I use W.W freshly milled wheat, makes it better)

2 t. of dry active yeast

1/2 c. of ground flax seed (optional, I do use this)

Topping

2/3 c. of Parmesan cheese, grated

2 T. of garlic salt or minced garlic (which ever you have on hand)

1/4. c. of melted butter

If you are using a bread machine add ingredients as seen. It 2 pounds on your amount and Dough cycle. Then wait on it to finish.

If you are doing it by hand. Mix oil, egg, water, honey in bowl. Mix the sugar, salt, flour, yeast, and flax seed.  Once you have that done slowly add the liquid mixture to your dry mixture and knead with hands for about 5 mins or until mixed really good. Let rise about 20 mins then punch down.

Remove dough from bread machine or bowl on a clean surface. I cover my surface with pan so may use flour. (That is your preference) Roll out like a long hot dog and pinch off about an 1" to 1 1/2" ball roll it up.

Dip your roll in the melted butter then dip it in the Parmesan and garlic mix. Place on a greased pan. Repeat until all are finished.

Sit and let rise until doubled in size. Place in oven at 350 degrees for 35-40 mins or until golden brown.

Remove and Enjoy...



Before and Afters

Yesterday I admitted that I am lazy.. And that I hate to do laundry. Well guys I could really use a around of APPLAUSE.. Why you ask? .....Because I just got through with all of it.. Yes that is right all of it. I folded, matched, hung, and ironed everything that was to be done!!!!!

Yay for hard, long, and annoying work..

NOW I do find that if and when I tell you about something that needs to be done, it kinda holds me accountable. See I don't really know who all reads this blog and I would hate for just one of you to think "WOW ARICA IS A SLOB"!! That would just devastate me. So from here on out if I have a "major" something that needs to be done. By George you can hold me to it..

WARNING

May not be suitable for all ages. Parental discretion is advised.!!

SCARY IS IT NOT?

Imagine having to dig through all that just to find matching socks or unmentionables..

It is hard to believe this once used to be piled high with nice and clean clothes. But, alas no longer..

I have a lot of empty hangers... mmmm I must have more clothes some where else..

Ah yes.. I have a very dirty closet. Which is now my next big project and hopefully once I get it all organized some of those hangers will disappear..

Time and Energy

I want to take a few moments to talk about how I spend my time and energy.

I have been told by many people that I have a lot of energy and that my house must always be clean. I am going to assure you that is not always correct. I will admit that I love a clean and organized house. And, I do have some chores that I like to do better than others.

I enjoy reading books set back in the old days because I admire the hard work of the women and men. I wish I could be like that. Up at the crack of dawn with breakfast ready. But, honestly I have a hard time getting out of bed before 8:30 or 9:00 unless Ty and Syd are home. I have to get up at 6:00 with them. But, when you read about how a woman is always doing something to keep her house going I admire that so much. Of course when I am reading, I am neglecting some chore in my home that I could be doing.

3 years ago my sis-in-law started homeschooling Bro and her two kids. So for me the mornings were free to get what I needed to get done and then go and get lunch ready for them. Let me tell, that is when my house was spotless. But, now that I home school Bro myself I find it harder to get house work done when I am in the middle of teaching. 

About a year ago my husband and I got rid of cable T.V. Which was a great thing. I hated commericals. So now the only thing we have is NetFli*. And, let me say this is one of my bad habits. Lets say I find a show that I like (Bones). I will sit in front of that Telly all day and watch episode after episode. It just sucks me in and before I know I have wasted hours doing nothing but, watching T.V.

I have decided that during the day the T.V will not be turned on except for Bro to watch his math assignment. I have been doing it for the last 2 days and I have to admit that my house is finally getting back in order, I have gotten almost all my laundry done. (this is the chore I hate). I will wash and dry and then I will lay them up on the counter and leave them there. I tell you I would rather scrub a toilet then do laundry. But, I must persist on. If I don't get it done I will not have any clean clothes. Aaarrgg. why can't I be rich and pay someone to do my laundry.

I will say that I do prepare most of my meals from scratch or bulk bought foods. (like cheese, I grate my own cheese, make my own instant oatmeal, pancake mix, bread, rolls).  So it would seem that most of the day I am busy. But, honestly if I were to write it down I would be considered really lazy.

How do you spend your days and what do you get accomplished within a day?

Saturday full of FUN!!!

I just want to say first of all that I love Nana B. She is a great woman. Let me explain who she is.

Barbara is Ty's grandmother. She has and is like a mother to me and has been that way since before Ty was ever born. She as more so a mother now that my mother has passed. Anyway, she came over Saturday to hang out with us and enjoy so good ole Nana time. I do have to say I am very thankful for her. My kids faces light up when they find out that we are going to visit her or when she is coming over.

Syd wanted to make Nana B a dessert, and so did Ty. I let them each pick one and I would close my eyes and pick one that way.. Luckily for me I picked Syd's Chocolate chip Cookies. I was not prepared to make a double layered, double chocolate cake.. Which by the way sounds very Yummy!!!

I also promised her that I would make homemade pizza. (and I am not bragging but, everyone who has tried my pizza's love them) I was hoping she would like them also. Basically, I had been cooking all morning long, because Syd and Ty both had friends spending the night with them. So, somewhere in the middle of baking cookies and preparing pizza I made grits, deer sausage, and eggs. Yes, yes, yes, I always seem to cook that way. I do breakfast and dinner at the same time..

Doesn't Syd just look so happy to be in her Nana's lap..

OOH Nana B is going to be so mad at me for posting these "BEAUTIFUL" pictures..

Bro ran to get in on the action but stopped when he realized I had the camera.. (sucha camera hog)..

 of course camera shy Ty, hates to have his picture taken.. But, Nana B is trying hard to pull his hand away..

DOG PILE

Lego Mania

Not long ago some told me that my Ty acts very immature for is his age. And, at first I was kinda of taken back. Like maybe he is a little special.

To back step a moment it was this year at our annual Easter Egg hunt at the Church. Well, Ty still enjoys doing those things. But, back to the story. So, I left Church a little hurt and well just plain mad. I thought how rude. I must have thought about that comment all night. By, the next morning I was furious. I was ready to back to her and tell her that my SON is not immature. But, God sat me down and got me to thinking about all the other 13 years old I know.

Boy!! By then I was very thankful to have an immature 13 year old. He is not into girls like most boys at this age. He still loves his mom and he loves giving my hugs. He wants me to be around. He hardly ever spends the night away from me. All these things make me so incredibly happy.

He has his favorite toys and that is Legos. I am tell ya what this kids is a  what I would call a Lego Genus. He can build anything he puts his mind to. I just wish I was that talented..

Here are a few of his awesome works..

There is so much that he has. In previous post I showed you guys how cluttered my babies room could get and Ty has a whole table just for Legos.

I am so glad that my 13 year old is not very mature. I love him just the way he is.