Adventures in Stay at Home Wifedom

I Love This Thing!

2010-06-15T15:09:00.000-07:00

It spoke to me from the shelf-buy me. As I reach for it I can see Lon roll his eyes. I have a problem and it's called if there's anything that has to do with cupcakes I buy it. It was only 5 dollars and it has already made my cupcake life that much sweeter. Now I only need five more for when I'm layering rainbow colored batter.

Our Struggle

2010-05-24T07:57:00.000-07:00

Throughout the last year we have waited and tried and cried. I have spoke to, meet, and been comforted by many. Megan turned me onto this blog Ready to Be a Mom which in turned dropped me in the center of this

Tears and Hope [HQ]

Never forget how truly blessed you are, and never underestimate the pain that some people suffer, to have what you take for granted... For a better understanding of our journey through Infertility please watch this video. http://www.tearsandhope.com/

Length:7:47(taken from Ready To Be a Mom Blog)

I couldn't have said it or explained it better myself. To all those fellow couples out there dreaming of the babies you've lost and have yet to meet have hope, have faith, find strength in each other, we are here.

HB Melanie!

2010-04-22T10:34:00.000-07:00

Melanie's birthday was this past week and her friend from work put in an order for a cake-with Reese's peanut butter cups please! So here it is. I have to admit for those of you who know me I was major stressing this cake. I wanted it to be perfect! Melanie loves turtles too. The sand is brown sugar-love it! HB Melanie!!!

Who's Johnny!

2010-04-15T11:01:00.000-07:00

Apparently I've now become part of this I'm obsessed with cupcakes subculture. I hvae found a home with fellow bloggers and learning to sewers, and baking a messers. So I follow this blog called Cupcakes Take the Cake. They show pictures of super cool cupcakes people from all over that people have made. They also do reviews of new cupcake bakeries and show you what the cupcakes look like-love it. They also keep me posted on anything cupcake related. That's where I found out about Johnny Cupcakes. He's a designer, raised in Massachusetts-points for that. He has these cool stores where his t-shirts are sold and the displays are old bakery stuff-ovens and stuff ya know. His symbol- a cupcake with crossbones!!!!

This brings us to Monday at Crave cupcakes in Houston-yes I'm completely obsessed with their strawberry cupcakes. I keep wanting to try something else but they call to me. I mean come on they're pink! See below-notice the special fondant medallion?

Well they hosted a come and meet Johnny Cupcake night on his suitcase tour. Lon was so great-we showed up at 7:00 and left around 11. We waited in line for almost five hours waiting to buy a limited edition Johnny Cupcakes t-shirt. It didn't happen, I had to leave, just-could-not-take-it. We met some really cool people-shout out to Ernie and the mom in front of us with her tween and tennage girls-that's a mom! I did meet Johnny-that's him

Got a picture in front of his cupcake mobile....

And you can see me just for a second on his Houston vlog-right around 3:45-I'm wearing a white jacket, grey shirt, and have my blue coach purse. Oh Johnny. In the coming days I may have a cupcake and crossbones on my car!!!

Back To Basics: Day #9 Houston « Johnny Cupcakes

It's Alive-It's Alive!

2010-03-19T14:18:00.000-07:00

My sewing machine works and I actually didn't have to use a seam ripper!!!

I love applique and my friend Dulce just put in an order for her littliest friend Giana! I hope she likes it! I can't believe how easy the ruffle was. I had to share with you all so you can see what I've been doing lately. I'm taking orders and open for business!!

They Were Crunchy!

2010-02-26T13:45:00.000-08:00

Okay so I follow blogs..it's what I do and one thing I kept seeing coming up again and again was this Pioneer Woman Cookbook. Since I've tried to start cooking, I did make some horrible caramel corn, Lon bought me this book for my birthday! It was so easy! We have amazon.com wishlists and anything I've been wanting I add to it and he does the same and then when something comes up we can just order gifts off of each other's wishlist.

Anyway in between all of my papers for graduate school I decided to make the homemade potato skins. Wow they were awesome. And they were crunchy!

I love her book so much! It gives great step by step instructions with pictures. Those of ya'll that know me know I won't spend money on a cookbook when I can go garage saling this weekend and find some pretty good ones for 50 cents but this one is worth it. Oh and she has a website!!! Here's the linky!

Sewing, Sewing not Sewing

2010-02-18T12:08:00.000-08:00

Okay so I'd like to put up a picture but I've been sewing and what no one tells you about sewing is that STAYING IN A STRAIGHT LINE IS HARD!

I've been working on applique-I understand that applique was probably not the easiest place to start but you know me. I did manage the following things.
1. I can cut fabric.
2. I can use backing and make the fabric stick to other fabric.
3. It looks decent until you look at the lines.
4. Oh and I didn't sew the fabric (a onesie and fabric) together making it unusable.

Hopefully I'll have some pictures up soon. If you have any ideas on how to learn applique-ie moving the fabric and keep the stitching somewhat even let me know.

Look Ma! I Made a Pillow!

2010-02-08T13:09:00.000-08:00

Sewing School was a success! Now I'm hooked and I don't know what to do. In class I learned the basics-great for all of us who went to Catholic School and didn't have the option of home ec. I actually made a pillow-see above. Yes, I made that!!! So I have enetered another hobby, and what do I do when I enter into a new hobby? Shop for accessories of course! What am I going to make...hmmm...well Randi's having another baby!!!! It's a boy and there's the onesie I've been dying to try out...we'll see!!!!I'll keep ya posted!

Let the Love Begin!

2010-02-05T13:02:00.000-08:00

I'm back at cake balls. This time Valentine's themed cake balls. I used the meltables by Wilton and I'm completely in love with them! I was thinking about making them into cake pops and creating a bouquet for V-Day. Put your orders in now if you want them in time. I love pink and sprinkles and chocolatey goodness on the inside.

Lon asks why are you always making cake balls and I don't get to eat any. The life of a husband-poor thing!

Meatballs,Meatballs!

2010-01-29T14:31:00.000-08:00

I did it again. I cooked and neither Lon nor myself died. I'm completely overwhelmed by taking three graduate courses at once this semester so decided to cook a little side dish/ appetizer. I believe I got this recipe off of the Pillsbury site. They're covered meatballs. You'll need:

2 cans of Grands biscuits or three Grands Jr-whatever you have a coupon for

15 or so croutons crushed

1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese or a ton if you're me.

2 tablespoons melted butter

15 meatballs thawed

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees

Grease a cookie pan or use your very versatile cooking stone (I use it for EVERYTHING!)

Roll out the biscuits

Add cheese as pictured.

I told you I used a ton.

Push meatballs down into the center of each biscuit.

Pinch the biscuit up and around to cover all of the cheese and meatball and seal.

See the seals?

Cover the top of each biscuit with butter-brush it on ever so gently.

Add crushed croutons on the top. I put mine in a Ziploc baggie and whacked them until they're crushed.

Bake for 10-12 or until golden brown and there you go.

Happy Cooking. We're going to PF Chang's!!! Oh yea!

Need S'Mores?

2010-01-26T13:56:00.000-08:00

Each week I'm trying to make something new. Last week it was S'mores brownies-so easy and I think with my couponing it cost me 1.50 for the batch. Now you know I didn't make the brownies from scratch because I'm working on making things from my stockpile. So you need:

1 box of brownie mix (follow the directions on the back regarding water, oil, and eggs)

1 bag of mini marshmallows or 40 large jumbo ones

3 Hershey's chocolate bars broken into small pieces

1-2 cups-depending on you of graham crackers or graham cracker crust

I baked the brownies plain and them pulled out five minutes early. First throw on the marshmallows, if you're using the big mallows like I did but them up first. They work as the glue some get them everywhere! Next spread on the chocolate and then grahams. Cook for 5 more minutes or until the mallows brown a bit. They are sooo good and something about the mallows just brings it to a whole nother level of goodness. I got this recipe off of a frugal blog and I can't remember where but to whoever figured this out thank you!!!

So I got married again!

2010-01-25T13:51:00.000-08:00

The first time Lon and I got married we ran off to Vegas. That's right-at the Little White Wedding Chapel. I believe we were in the same room Britney Spears got married in. It was so fun, so risky, so us. I'm a devout Catholic though and while Lon and I knew we wanted to get married I was waiting for my annulment from my first marriage to come through. You Catholics understand.

So we agreed that once it came through we could have a blessing in the Catholic church. Super small and private much like the first one. Well my annulment came through this summer and we have been preparing for our Catholic blessing ever since.

Deacon Tim was nice enough to marry us again on our anniversary. So two years to the day we tied the knot again. I guess it's pretty finalized at that point. Thank you God for the blessing that is Lon. I couldn't have dreamed there was someone like him meant for me.

My Dad giving me away.

Deacon Tim-the man who went through the divorce, the annulment, and now my happily ever after with me.

The night ended with cake-made by me and bowling. More pictures to come once Marc sends the professional ones. These pictures thanks to Smelanie!

Monkey cupcakes

2010-01-02T13:53:00.000-08:00

Melanie and I made the first batch of monkey things for Kim's shower. The monkey cupcakes. I'm so happy with how they came out I had to share them!!!

What'd You Get For Christmas?

2010-01-02T13:39:00.000-08:00

Do you remember growing up and running to the phone after you opened all of your gifts to call your best friend and dish about what each other got? Well that's how Suzanne and I always rolled.Christmas 2009 consisted of lots of food, teenagers hiding their faces and refusing to hug people, and getting everything we wanted yet spending half of what we did last year. How that happened I'll never know!

I got my Flamingo Motel!!! I have been wanting this for two years now-why because I collect dept. 56 and have a deep love for flamingos. Lon got extra points for this after last year's mishap.

Lon got a dremel-whatever that means. He wanted it-I bought it.

Teenagers refusing to be merry until the opened their gifts.

And probably the best gift of all from my Dad.

Peppermint Twist

2009-12-27T12:37:00.000-08:00

I have loads (well ok 7) orders of cake balls in the last three weeks. Considering I never dreamed people would actually be buying them from me I'm thrilled! Another tally mark for getting to stay at home for good! Here's the new kind-red velvet with cream cheese frosting, vanilla dip, and peppermint pieces on top. The red velvet cake dabbled into the dip and made it speckled which i thought was cool.

Oh and look what I bought!!! My first sewing machine. I'm scared-very scared but I did take it out of the box, turned it on, and read ten pages of the manual! I can't wait to take my first class. To all my other seamstresses out there. I wish you were here so we could share it together. I'm dying to know what everyone got for Christmas. That post will come in a couple of days. Here's to lazing about the house and vacuuming up pine needles.

Monkeying Around

2009-12-21T16:57:00.000-08:00

I love monkey bread. It's sticky and sweet and messy and full of calories. I decided to try a "low cal" version this weekend. Here's how it goes:

Preheat 350

2 cans of Grands biscuits-12.5 ounces

2t cinnamon

3/4 cup sugar

2t vanilla

3/4 low fat caramel topping

Grease a fluted bake pan (bundt pan). Cut the biscuits into quarters(four pieces each). Mix the cinnamon and sugar together in a ziploc baggie and place cut biscuits inside, shake, shake, shake. Place the cinnamon sugar covered biscuits in your fluted bake pan-layering all the while. Mix vanilla and caramel sauce in a small mixing bowl and spoon over entire pan. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes and then flip-carefully.

It was soo good and only 250 calories a serving instead of 500! Remember it's a small serving but invite the family over. They'll eat it up leaving you with a clean cake pan for the next new dessert! I think the parents are loving the phone calls inviting them over to eat something every couple of days!

Stay tuned for more monkey themed desserts as I get ready for Kimmie's baby shower!

Oreo Cupcake Surprise

2009-12-13T18:34:00.000-08:00

I'm trying to cook. Since now I can eat! At least Dr. Dunn says I have to eat so no more diet-but more maintaining!
In an effort to force myself to cook I have instituted family Sunday Dinner. This week my Mom and cousin Meredith came! I made sheppard's pie and a surprise for dessert! Check it out!

Lon's the taste tester.

A whole oreo baked into the middle.

Topped with oreo of course. Happy Christmas baking to all and to all a good night!

Have a Holly Jolly Baby!

2009-12-06T13:01:00.000-08:00

As many of you know it snowed in Houston! I mean it has "snowed" before. If you are a fellow Massachusettian-you know that 1/2 inch of dusting that melts immediately is not really snow. This year it snowed and stayed for a couple of hours. I was at school subbing with Kimmie and we sent the kids home. For many children this will be their only chance to see snow so we were also excited for them.
I immediately called home and asked Lon to go take pictures with our new camera. Did I tell you I had been subbing to save up for a professional camera? I got it! Now I just need a beginners class and to figure out how to edit.

First snow for our doggies-notice the crazed look on Lacey's face? Also Hunter is no fool he stayed under the porch until Lacey checked it out-just like his mama!

And then he went Buck Wild!

So what have you been doing to get ready for Christmas? We got the tree-check, decorated the house-check, I just mailed cards-check, and I made cake balls for all my teacher friends at school-all 107 ( I went a little overboard) but I feel for ya'll-really I do. From ours to yours:

Notice how I'm not up on that ladder-thank you Lon. The bad part about having a nice camera that no one else is allowed to touch is I'm clearly absent from all photos.

I love them! Yellow cake, vanilla frosting, and vanilla dip.

Clearly Lon and I need to hurry up and have some children so we can stop pretending the dogs are our children.

Etsy Express

2009-11-20T10:14:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it but I actually opened and Etsy store and put things in it-ahhhh! Here goes nothing! I'll probably spend more buying stuff at Etsy that I sell! Come on in!

Broccoli Cheese Cornbread

2009-11-17T13:54:00.000-08:00

I was reading online this article about how the majority of women in their 20's and 30's don't know how to be domestic-cook, clean, sew, bake ya know all the things I'm learning to do. It was sad. It talked about the importance of knowing these skills and not just for women. You can only imagine how many men don't know the basics of keeping a house and a family. Not you Lon-never you! So I decided to open the cookbooks and make something.

It didn't sound so great but it had three things I loved in it-broccoli, cheese, and onions. I'm also slowly starting to learn to cook since soon I will be off my diet!!!!! I've also been super couponing and have a mega stockpile so I'm learning how to make things that utilize things in the stockpile. It's more of a side dish. Lon and I were surprised it was sooo good. I got this out of one of those Gooseberry Cookbooks-Almost Homemade-I have to admit I bought it because it was cute, but if you know me you're not surprises.

Here are the pics and the recipe.

Ingredients-

1 onion chopped

10 ounces of broccoli cooked and drained

1 bar of mild cheddar cheese grated (yes you can buy a bag and my arm got really tired, but they put wax on the bag shredded kind-yuck!)

1 cornbread mix(I used Martha White-super cheap!)

1/4 cup buttermilk

4 eggs beaten

1/2 butter(I used diet butter) melted

Preheat oven to 375

Combine all ingredients-doesn't matter what goes in and when into a large mixing bowl and stir.

Spoon into a 13x9 greased pan and cook for about 20-35 minutes-depending on your oven.

Eat it up!

PCOS update-We have our doctor's appointment Dec. 1st!!!! It will be the first time we've seen Dr. Dunn since I began losing weight in March.

Putting PCOS in the Corner

2009-11-01T19:15:00.001-08:00

Over the past year and half I've been battling PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome). Basically what PCOS means for me is that my hormones are out of whack. Over the past year and a half I have met so many women struggling with infertility. Few talk about it. We're embarrassed, saddened by miscarriages. The truth is that MANY women and men struggle with infertility. The reason I would like to share my story is because I remember the comfort in learning I was not alone. I hope I can bring that feeling to someone else in this blog world.

A year ago Lon and I found out we were pregnant and were over the moon. 8 weeks later we miscarried and went through what was the most devastating thing I have ever dealt with. The loss of a child, of hopes, of the life you were already planning and falling in love with. I had the support of a dear friend who had already had her own struggles and she helped me keep hope.

Three months later we were pregnant again! Three days later we lost our second child. It was then I started asking the hard questions...what's wrong. The first time I was told it was bad luck...the second the same...but I didn't believe that. On my own accord I went to a fertility doctor. My regular obgyn said she couldn't refer me until I had three miscarriage-can you believe that?

My fertility doctor noticed my folic acid was low and B12-I have a deficiency and don't create either-so we fixed that with simple vitamins. Months and nothing...if you yourself or someone you know is going through infertility problems you know that the "trying" part is the worst and can often times be the loneliest.

After some more testing I was diagnosed with PCOS-which can mean lots of things but for me it means my hormone levels are off balance. I'm fortunate because my symptoms are mild. One of them is weight gain which contributes to the crazy hormones. So...I decided to put PCOS in the corner and have been losing weight since March-75 pounds and counting. I have already begun to see some of my symptoms subside. It was hard to put my plans on hold but we knew it would be worth it in the long run.

There is hope. If I had known I had PCOS earlier I could have seen the signs and adjusted my lifestyle. If you have PCOS keep your chin up. Change your diet and keep a regular work out schedule. Those of us suffering through infertility are fortunate that we're living in a time where new medical breakthroughs are available-sadly insurance usually won't pay for them-don't get me into that. Fertility should be a right rather than something only available to those who can afford it. You are not alone.

I pray for patience in God's plan as we get closer to starting our family. Fingers crossed for January. Sometimes when you work for something or someone so hard it makes it so much worth it.

Sometimes I Miss It

2009-11-01T19:10:00.001-08:00

As a family we decided that it was best for me to quit my job as a Kindergarten teacher this year and stay home. I was just too stressed out and was always getting sick and it just wasn't conducive to us starting a family. But sometimes I miss it...like

Buying stickers for the kids.

My daily ration of hugs.

Hearing my name over and over again from a plethora of children.

Making their first school memories.

Living all the magic moments through them.

The camaraderie of my fellow teachers.

The untied shoelaces.

Opening up lunches and snacks.

I'm looking forward to starting a family and having that time but in the meantime...I miss it.

My Obsession with Disney

2009-10-22T09:56:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know me I have a deep love for Disney World. Not necessarily owning and decorating my house in everything Disney but in being there. It's magical! We went again this year. My dear husband promised in an attempt to encourage me to lose weight in the journey of trying to become parents (getting closer!) that we could go to Disney if I stayed on goal. I have lost 75 pounds so far so to Disney we went! Here are a few snapshots!

Pirate Lon

I gained 12 pounds-can you believe it? It's been 3 days and I've lost 8.6 already! It was so worth it though!

What's better than Disney and Halloween? Nothing!

I have wanted to stay at the Wilderness Lodge since I saw them building it. It was worth the extra pennies!

At this time I would like to thank the following contributors to my weight loss:

Lon for dealing with my moodiness and keeping me strong while asking for queso and replying "NO!"

South Beach Bars-I can't believe I've been eating them daily for 8 months.

Chick-Fil-A- You are true greatness, good food that isn't that bad for you.

My friends for their love and support and understanding when I can't go out to eat with them. The time for dinner dates again is fastly approaching.

If I can do it-ANYONE can do it!

Seeing Spots

2009-10-22T09:43:00.000-07:00

After we got home from Disney...pics to come...I decided to finally buy some pumpkins and since we (Texans) can't carve pumpkins because they mold in a day I saw the cutest pumpkins at a craft show for $15 and decided to make them on my own. So easy, so cute! It cost about $2 a pumpkin!

Start with your pumpkins...I rinsed with soapy water and dried first so the paint would stick.

I used this much acrylic black paint to paint all the pumpkins...that's it! I also bought those circle spongy paint brushes for a dollar.

Add random polka dots!

And voila! Add some cute ribbon! Clearly I have a thing for polka dots and ribbon. These are so easy and would be super fun to do with a little one. I even made a "hidden Mickey" on the back of one in honor of our recent trip. And now you can see the craziness that is the front of my house.

Brownie Cupcakes

2009-10-08T12:11:00.000-07:00

In honor of all the boxes of brownies I've been getting free from couponing I decided to make brownie Halloweenie cupcakes for my Dad's birthday. Happy Birthday Dad!

Bow winked

2009-10-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

My new project...bow making! Don't you just love a little girl with a hair bow? So here it is-after about an hour of cursing. It's a lot harder than I thought! I did not prick myself while sewing or burn myself while heat sealing and hot gluing. In honor of my favorite holiday here's the first one. When we get back from Disney I will be making them for hours.

Major Cupcake

2009-10-07T11:19:00.000-07:00

My Mom's birthday was last month and since I've been taking all of this cake classes I decided to make her a giant cupcake. The bad part is it was difficult to bake. The pan contained the bottom and top and they both needed to cook at separate times. I also decided to use melting chocolate to create her name in 3D. The things we can do with chocolate. Did I mention I love cupcakes?

Random

2009-09-12T20:12:00.000-07:00

Do people actually dress their kids up to go to a craft show? I mean every kid there was wearing a tutu.

I Just Couldn't!

2009-09-12T17:09:00.001-07:00

I just couldn't wait anymore and finally broke down and put up the Halloween village. I vowed that I wouldn't completely decorate for Halloween yet-just Fall and would spare the neighbors from the yard decorations-for now...for now. So I have lovingly taken pictures of the Halloween village to share with my dear ones. Who doesn't love mini pumpkins lights and witches flying around. I should live in Salem I swear and yes I've asked Lon about moving!

Happy Halloweenie!

Totally Tag Saling

2009-08-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

Things have been a little slow but here's the loot!

I got all this tulle for my next project of tutu making-of course I will post. The white was 2.00 for 13 yards and the bag of every color was 2.00. Some random fabric for 1.00

An interesting chopper kitchen thingy-new for 2.00.

Cute sundress 1.00.

Basket for the pantry redo-1.00.

Another basket for 25 cents and cookie cutters for my new fondant class for 1.00.
I hope everyone else got tons of stuff! Don't forget to stop over at Southern Hospitality where Rhoda hosts the tag sale sharing party-you just won't believe what some people find!

Cake class update

2009-08-11T14:25:00.000-07:00

I told you I was behind! So we've been using royal icing which is nice and my job is to make 40 flowers to go on my final cake complete with a basket weave edge......help! Here are this weeks flowers, an apple blossom and violets and those green blobs are the petals for the violets. I will try and post more as I accomplish!

He Makes Bread!

2009-08-11T14:20:00.001-07:00

So I've been dying to try loads and loads of new recipes but am on a diet and will be until the end of November. So Lon decided he would make homemade French bread. He did such a good job-too good! I ate it!

Kneading and kneading....

and viola! Bon appetite! Yes we saw Julie and Julia the day before... coincidence? I think not!

It's Been Awhile...

2009-08-11T14:05:00.000-07:00

I thought that staying home meant having time to do things???? Now I'm in project overload!!! So I'm a little late but I'd like to still join Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality and share what everyone got while tag saling this weekend.

I got a tutu! I will put this away as it was only 25 cents. I also got some pink tulle for the tutus I'm making and it was free!

Wrapping paper-not that I need anymore...but I like having all kinds of things at my fingertips. I got all the bags for 25 cents a piece, the tissue for 25 cents a piece and the lot of bags for 4.00.

Loads of ribbon at 1.00 a piece-but there was a lot of it and most of it had never been opened and had 5.00 price tags on them.

So I've been losing weight-lots of weight and losing clothes too. I love having tons of clothes and now I don't so I bought this green plaid tank-brand new with the tags still on it for 2.00-great for our trip to Disney. Also this cute cotton white dress for 5.00, a little pricey but it also still had the 40.00 tag still on it.

My usual-some books since I won't be teaching this year I have offered to be a classroom reader and thought I could donate the books to the classroom after I read them for 50 cents that sounds good! I also got a candle for 10 cents, some movies for 1.00, some cd's for 1.00 and two onseies-for an ongoing project for 50 cents. I went crazy!!!

I Graduated!

2009-07-31T08:03:00.000-07:00

This week was my final cake class for session one. We mad a cake complete with roses-yes I actually made those roses. I can't say that I will do that again but you never know. I successfully completed the course without eating any cake or icing! I signed up for the second course-borders! Basking weaving out of icing tempted me.

Here's my cake made especially for Carmen.

Kimmie's cake.

Look..I got a diploma!

Totally Tag Saling

2009-07-27T18:25:00.000-07:00

It was sooo hot this weekend but my Mom and I managed to rummage through things and find some great deals. Let me say first I have big plans for this whole stay at home wife thing. I have lots of future projects and always try to look for supplies while out tag saling.

I got my usual movies-1.00! Some cd's for 50 cents, a candle for 50 cents, and some tulle to make a Valentine's Day tutu with for 25 cents(we'll see how that goes!). I also got the books for 25 cents a piece-trying to broaden my horizon.

I love Round Top metal pieces! I got three of these for a total of 6.00. They have never been used and even had their tags still on them. They were originally 16.00 a piece. I think I'll hang them on our front porch for next years Fourth of July.

I also got this Round Top piece, which I have been wanting. The top of the jar is a chalkboard. I splurged and paid 5.00 for it. Don't forget to head on over to Southern Hospitality where Rhonda hosts a who got what! I will be making a cake for Carmen tomorrow in cake class...pictures to come. I loathe making roses out of icing-that's all I'll say about that!

Totally Tag Saling

2009-07-20T14:29:00.000-07:00

Here's what I got this weekend! Don't forget to check out what everyone else got at Southern Hospitality!

A glass cake stand, to go with all of my new cakes. 2.00!

Cute Sam and Libby boots-for the garden and the rain. 2.00!

My usual array of Children's book-25 cents a piece, two cutie notepads-10 cents a piece, a hangy dodad-25 cents, some movies 2.00(I usually will only buy these for 1.00 but it was a super slow weekend and I wanted some new movies), and some candles for 25 cents a piece.

It wasn't that great of a weekend but here's looking forward to next weekend!

Cake Class 101

2009-07-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

So I signed up for one of those Wilton's beginners cake classes and prayed Kimmie would too. The first class was basically a lecture and homework. Let me say I highly underestimated how hard this was going to be and how much stuff I would buy. Kimmie and I started making the first cake the day before class 2. It took us 4 hours to make icing and ice the cake. See below.

Everything is out and ready to go.....

Layering-let's talk about crumbs. I have iced many cakes in my time but "she" the teacher told us to use a specific amount and for the life of me it wasn't enough. This is how I messed up my cake!!! It was so bad!

I fixed it before class!

We made a rainbow cake and I got icing everywhere-note the toe. Kimmie was clearly quicker on uptake than I was. End result...two cakes for her nieces and I successfully didn't eat any! 54 pounds down and still going! I would also like to give a thank you out to Randi. Those tips you bought me have come in handy. I wish you were here so you could take the class too. Miss and love you all!

Totally Tag Saling

2009-07-12T19:10:00.000-07:00

So....I've been away on vacation! Lon and I went to the Artesian Lakes in Cleveland, Texas with his business for the Fourth of July and I'm finally back into the swing of things. I think it was the luxury of my very own golf cart that did it. I did go garage saling this weekend. Let's see what I got! Don't forget to checkout Rhonda over at Southern Hospitality to see what everyone else got, it's my favorite part.

Let me tell you-I literally hosted a pampered chef party two weeks ago and got my goodies last week. I love their stuff but it's a little pricey. I have a hard time buying things for full price. Look what I found. Three of their stoneware pieces. I have the muffin pan, just got it with my new order...a bundt cake-should be interesting, and a mini loaf pan 3.00 each!!! The cookie press-I already have one but for 2.00 I'll take another! Last a little press sandwich thingy to make cutie PB&J sandwiches with. 50 cents!

I got some mini cupcake pans for 25 cents a piece and those little umbrellas are actually for my pink flamingo Christmas tree which will live upstairs this year-my husband is thrilled, note the sarcasm. Did I mention I love flamingos? Oh 25 cents also.

Last a white wire bin for the downstairs bathroom 2.00. Another DVD 1.00, notepads-I have a thing for notepads, must be the teacher in me. I also buy these pads every year at a local craft show for Christmas gifts and they are 8.00 a piece. These are the same ones, still wrapped marked 1.00 but she gave them to me for 50 cents each! Plus a cute checkbook cover for 50 cents. I also snagged 25 CD's for my IPod (not pictured) for 9.00. I will be hitting up the thrift stores tomorrow and Kimmie and I will attempt to ice some cakes for our cake class-stay tuned.

Totally Tag Saling

2009-06-29T10:22:00.000-07:00

Tag saling is what Yankees call garage saling. Every Monday Rhonda over at Southern Hospitality hosts a "what did you find" post where people share the bargains they find while tag saling. I always love to see what treasures people snatch up so here's mine.

I love movies! I got 23 and they were 1.00 each, at lots of different places of course.

I also always have my eye out for CD's. It costs 1.04 to download one song on ITunes and if I can get a whole CD for 1.00 I feel good.

I got a Playstation game for 1.00 but I will resale it to Gamestop and probably make 5.00.

I snagged this for a future gift. It's sidewalk paint. So cute and 50 cents.

These are for my future baking projects. The stars will be for brownie pops-it was 10 cents. Lots of cool metal cookie cutters-10 cents a piece and the popcorn holder which Lon loves will be for popcorn and to hold those really cool popcorn cupcakes shown in the book Hello Cupcake.

A large cupcake stand, never opened for 5.00.

I also bought these old set of trees for my Dept. 56 original snow village. I usually buy the more modern looking pieces but have my Nana's original set (which is why I collect them) so this will go perfect with it. It's from the 70's and is original and perfect and was 3.00.

I got this Round Top Christmas sign for 2.00!!!

Finally a stampin up Halloween stamp set. If you know me you know how I feel about Halloween! It had never been used and was 3.00!

Don't you just love tag saling?

I'm a Collector

2009-06-26T11:36:00.000-07:00

Lon laughs and me and says I'm a collector. He says I'm a collector of things-lots of things. I am also a sucker for a good deal. I have a deep love for a bargain and love garage saling. I've been reading lots of blogs about all the wonderful things people find at thrift stores. For years I have shopped thrift stores for children's books for my Kindergarten classroom (he says I collect those too). So I thought I'd go this week and see what I could find. And here is my catch. Yes I collect Longaberger baskets(they cost how much he said?)but the deal is I can only buy something if it can be used. So see below...this is what I found and it was.....50cents!!!! I looked online and they're selling for $175.00. I can't wait to go garage saling tomorrow!!! If I find something great I'll post it!

Storing a Stockpile

2009-06-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

Once you really start to coupon and get mega good deals on items where do you store all of that stuff. I had a really hard time with this even though we have a rather large pantry. Within two weeks the pantry was so full I couldn't find anything. I went online to see how other couponers store their stockpiles but found out there was very limited knowledge and even more limited pictures. So I wanted to show you how I store my stockpile. First it's important that you buy things that you know your family will eat and use. I keep one of each item in my regular pantry and then when we run out I go "shopping" in my stockpile. Most of the things I buy are non- perishable so I decided to set up shop in the garage. See below:

Make sure items are stored off of the ground. I got this black shelf at a garage sale for 1.00!

As you use and item move your other items forward just like at a store. That way you rotate your inventory.

I store all of my cleaning products the same way.

We were saving so much money we decided to buy a stand up freezer. I love the freezer and now we can actually see inside our fridge. We opted for the stand up freezer because let's face it-I'm short and I wanted to be able to see things. Not to mention I have this fear that when we have children they'll open it and fall in. So the stand up freezer it was!

I hope this helps. I know when I first started couponing I would have loved to see inside people's pantries. Coming soon...how I store all my health and beauty products.

For the Love of Etsy

2009-06-23T07:22:00.001-07:00

I'm one of those hopeless people who rush off to craft shows every time, everywhere they pop up. Many of those cute boutiques in town have closed due to the economy and I have been lost for cute little tidbits. That was until I found Etsy.com! Etsy allows crafters to sell their one of a kind, homemade items online. I have found so many great things there from coupon holders, baby shower gifts, and flamingo everything. I got this onesie about a week ago and had to have it. Now God willing in the next year we may have someone to put in it.

Going Coupon Crazy

2009-06-14T15:50:00.000-07:00

Over the past month we've really been trying to pinch every penny out of our budget in order to get ready for living on one paycheck. We decided to start the new no working budget back in Feb. so we could completely be ready for the last paycheck in August and see if we could really do it. One place we never seemed to be saving any money was on groceries. Grocery prices seem to be on the rise and on top of that we'd go do the weekly trip and then I'd end up making several more trips for odds and ends during the week. I know you all go through this. So I had dvred the Dr. Phil show and fell in love with Ashley from frugal coupon living.com.

Frugal coupon living.com is a website that takes the weekly deals at a given store, matches them up with online coupons and weekly coupon inserts from your newspaper and tells you basically how to shop. Ashley also has helpful advice on how to save, freebies, etc. I studied, I clipped, I organized and now see what happened?

Every Sunday I hit CVS and Walgreens for their deals.

Here's my Walgreens deal! Total cost before savings/coupons: $17.31
I paid-$1.78
plus I got a $2.00 Register Reward to spend next time on anything.

Cvs-Total cost before savings/coupons:$20.47
I paid-$7.26
plus I got $4.00 in Extra Care Bucks to spend next time on anything
If you want to learn how let me know! You would not believe the kind of deals there are out there. We were spending roughly $100.00 on groceries and health and beauty products a week. I have managed to cut that down between $20.00 and $50.00 a week!!! Disney World here we come!

The Making of the Suburban Legend-Cake Balls

2009-06-13T17:39:00.000-07:00

So...I decided my first baking would consist of the most perfect thing in the world-cupcakes, for my friend Kimmie's birthday and while I was at it I would attempt the mysterious cake ball. Now mind you no one in my circle of friend including myself have had cake balls so I was a little frightened. Also I am on a diet, and I mean diet-I do not stray so this would test my strength. First I made the cupcakes:

Then I tried my hand at cake balls-I decided to try chocolate cake mix with chocolate icing and a chocolate coating. How do you make cake balls you ask?

First mix the cake batter and bake:

Let the baked cake cool for about 20 minutes and then scoop out-just like that! No worries, you want the cake to crumble!

Crumble the cake with a fork.

Once completely crumbled add an entire jar of your desired frosting. You can get a great deal on frosting with your coupons.

Mix the icing in until it looks like this.

Use a cookie scooper to scoop out small or large balls onto a cookie sheet covered in wax paper. I knew that pampered chef cookie scoop would come in handy.

Roll the balls to form a more desired circle, cover with foil and put in the freezer for 15 minutes.

Remove from the freezer, heat baking chocolate (as much as you think you'll need-I needed the whole package), mix, drop the cake in the chocolate and drip with chocolate, don't roll! If you roll you won't get the smooth finish you'll desire.

Choose sprinkles!

Add sprinkles! The chocolate hardens quickly so have the sprinkles ready and add as you remove the cake from the dipping chocolate.

Finish by eating at the bowling alley while breaking 100. Happy Birthday Kim!

The Birthday Girl

Lon loved them-my dear husband.

Guarding the cake balls-Melanie, Kimmie, and I!

And so it begins...

2009-06-11T16:15:00.001-07:00

Well I officially quit my job of teaching Kindergarten last Friday and now I'm a suburban stay at home wife. I have spent the entirety of my adult life pursuing my career, teaching, training, and working on my Master's (still doing that one). It is now time to slow down and focus on domestic things. I never thought I'd say that. I will learn to make dinners, clean the house, save money, and be crafty. Hopefully and God willing in the next year my husband and I will happily start a family and I will become Miss Susie Homemaker-I will not be wearing heels and cooking.