Julie and Julia

So I'm sitting here watching the movie Julie and Julia at 11:30 pm while its raining and snowing outside. Yes, raining and snowing. I am at my moms house, and everyone is asleep. Julie inspired me to update my blog, on the off chance that anyone actually reads it! Just kidding. It is such a cute movie and makes me think that I really need to enjoy life more, and take things slower. Things seemed so much simpler then.  Julia Childs got paid $700 for her book!  Can you imagine?  Things are so different now.  I dont know if they are different good or different bad. 
Ok well, I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. I plan to.

Christmas Parties Galore!

Well, the last few weeks have been full of Christmas parties!  Last week was my husbands work party, which was on the Delta King.  It was a murder mystery, and was a lot of fun. We didn't win any of the raffles, but we never do, so I didn't feel bad. I did learn, however, that I can no longer walk in my knee-high leather boots (esp. on cobblestone!) I was hanging (literally) on my husband the whole time!  It was so embarrassing!  But it was so much fun. They had a dinner theatre, and we had to guess which of us was the killer. They had picked some people already to play certain roles out of our group, and then I think a few were sitting in the audience for a short time pretending to be one of us. 

Then, Thursday, I went to a Christmas party put on by Sacramento Moms like Me and News 10.  It was at PF Changs and was a lot of fun. It was good to meet other moms and put faces to names (or cyber-names!)  The dinner was great and it was so good to get out of the house without my kids. Not that I don't love my kids, but we all need a break right?  I didn't win anything at that raffle either, but since that wasn't my reason for going, I didn't feel I lost anything.

Then, last night, I went to a party put on by some members of my church. It was a white elephant gift exchange, and it was a blast. We played a game I haven't played since college called Catch Phrase, that was so much more fun to play as an adult! Again, I got to get out of the house without my kids!

Next Wednesday, there is another Christmas party put on by my husbands work, this one for the tenants of the apartment complex he works at and we live at, Logan Park. That one I will probably end up working at in some capacity, but I enjoy it.
And my kids always have fun too.

Then Friday, I am going to a gift wrapping get together (say that five times fast!) Saturday there is a Gingerbread House Making/Potluck at a friends house.  Sunday is the Christmas Service at church, including a potluck.

Then, the 22nd, the community center at my complex is throwing a little get together also, this one I know I will be helping out at, and will be the day before we leave to see my family for Christmas.

All this and I still don't have a Christmas tree yet!

Challenge Dairy, the largest selling butter brand has a sweepstakes I think you should know about! Its called the Taste of the West Sweepstakes. You can now enter to win A "Taste of the West". Its a 7 day, 6 night trip for 4 to the Mountain Sky Guest Ranch in Montana's Paradise Valley, near Yellowstone National Park. This package is worth $17,000!!! There is also an $800 kitchen package from Spice Islands and OXO! I love their products!   http://www.challengedairy.com/sweepstakes/index.html

My Free Day

Yesterday, I had what I think I will call "A Free Day". My husband had the day off, and we had some errands to run, so off we went!
Our first stop was to Jamba Juice; where my husband had found a gift card for, and I had a feel good buck Feel Good Buck so I got a Jamba Juice for my husband and I to share, and one for my kids, for less than 1 cost!

Then we went and turned in recycling, because hubby found a bunch of recycling at an apt he turned, and we had some of our own. We got almost $10 there!

Then it was about lunchtime, so we went to Del Taco, where I had a coupon for a free milkshake, due to my birthday and a free 1/2 lb bean and cheese burrito for doing a survey on a receipt. Those do pay off!

Then....we went to Coldstone and got a free Love it Creation...Ice cream and 1 mix in....mmmmm...yummy.

Then....I went to Walmart and got groceries.I returned something so I had a 30.00 credit, plus I used a bunch of coupons. (Thank you Couponizer!) So I got over $90.00 of groceries for 45.00!  YAY!

To me, a very successful day!

Christian-Homemaking.Com

Christian-Homemaking.com is launching the new, improved site, and is having a giveaway! This site is full of tips and input for Christian women and moms, and is a great way to interact with other women who share your faith and values. They are having different giveaways every day, and a grand prize giveaway. They also publish an e-zine that can be a great input as we try to balance home, children, faith, and anything else that might come our way!

The Couponizer

So for those of you who wonder: "How can I use coupons effectively?" "Isn't is too much work" "There are too many to keep track" I have your solution. The Couponizer.
I am not being paid or compensated in any way for this review, I just have to share my joy with you. I have wanted this product for quite a while, and finally got it. Prior to purchasing this, I carried around a binder in a cloth bag with all my coupons in it. If I found a great deal, I often couldn't find the coupon that would make it a fabulous deal. And because I can't drive, I would just lose out. The Couponizer comes in a clear bag, with scissors and everything you need to organize your coupons. It is worth the investment, (which isn't much) to be able to use all my coupons when I choose.

Product Benefits:

• Enables spending less money at grocery store and other places
• Reduce paper clutter associated with coupons
• Save time clipping and sorting coupons by category
• A fun activity for the whole family
• Teaches kids the value of money
• Provides a way to track spending to help stay on budget
• Compact enough to store in car and carry in purse or diaper bag
• Never miss another opportunity to save money and enjoy the brands you love!

Product Component Details:

Customer Loyalty Sleeves

Place your customer loyalty cards, punch cards and gift cards here. Located inside The Couponizer booklet, these card sleeves enable easy access to your rewards for being a loyal customer!

Shopping List

Stick to your plan and stay efficient while shopping! Our shopping list helps to keep you on track while shopping and has an item-by-item listing with check marks so you remember your coupon for each item.

CoupTracker

Track your savings with this handy list pad. Adding up your savings over time will motivate you to keep saving!

Scissors

A pair of scissors to carry with you for clipping coupons anytime, anywhere!

CoupStacker

Clip & Organize in one step! This "Patent Pending" feature of the system makes organizing coupons fast and easy. Just clip a coupon and lay it down on the category it belongs. Then after clipping, the coupons are easily transferred to the pockets in the Couponizer booklet. The categories on the CoupStacker correspond in exact order and color with the Couponizer category pockets.

Carrying Bag

Put the coupons in The Couponizer booklet over the weekend and store it in this carrying bag in your car. You'll never be without your coupons again!

Leslie Blodgett Bare Skin Eau De Parfum

Leslie Blodgett Perfume Diaries is a limited edition fragrance collection, created exclusively for Sephora, that revisit and evoke pivotal moments in Leslie’s life.
The scent delivers top notes of black pepper, freesia and anise, heart notes of iris, vanilla orchid, plumeria and patchouli, and the dry down sizzles with sandalwood, labdanum and musk.
It is a light, sweet scent that is not overpowering, but simply stated and subtle. It is a scent that speaks of quiet tranquility. It is something I would wear on a daily basis, or for a special occasion.
I can imagine it paired with a simple black dress on an evening out, or my favorite jeans, out shopping with the girls.
This fragrance is flirty and tempting, and I am pleased that I am able to experience it and share my opinion with you.
Bare Skin will go to market with an Eau de Parfum ($55), a Solid Perfume Compact ($35), and a Perfumed Body Cream ($30). The line will be available for purchase exclusively on Sephora.com on 10/08, and hitting store shelves shortly after.
Shop here

So...everyone was sick today. Nothing accomplished unfortunately. So Ive been wondering...is the money Im saving worth all the time I put into researching etc. to find the savings? I mean, I do consider it my job, since I'm a stay at home mom and everything. And we are so strapped for money that we definitely need every penny I can save.

Just a thought.

Well, I havent posted in a while....was visiting family..again. My sister turned 14 yesterday! Plus it was time for the county fair in my hometown and I got to see Lady Antebellum! I will post pics later...I left my camera with my mom... Bummer! I did get an autographed pic tho, and got to shake the hands of the two male lead singers! I am soo tired now, but want to post a link to another blog...I know her from Mommysavers.com

Its a cool site...check it out. Anyway, there is a giveaway, and I love giveaways, esp.when they are for scrapbooking stuff!

Check out her blog, http://paperscissorsthread.blogspot.com

I will post more later about my trip. Until next time,

Great Giveaway! Check out this site for a great Fiskars giveaway!

Blog Candy

Click on the picture for a great stamping site with lots of blog candy! Really cute site too! Check it out!

I have to let everyone know about this book I just finished. Its been #1 on the NYT bestseller list, but not your typical "bestseller" by any means.

Its called "The Shack" Its not like any book I've ever read before. I am a mother of two with little time for reading, so I pick my books selectively. And I'm not one to read a "Christian" Novel, but this one is different. If I have sparked your curiosity at all, I encourage you, ask someone who has read it, pick it up for yourself. The beginning may not snag you right away, but keep at it. This one is worth the read!

Birthday Cake....Divine...

My wonderful husband's birthday was Saturday, He turned 32, I mean 25!..yeah right! So anyway, I made him a cake that was to die for! There is the recipe...worth all the work it was. Great website too! Thanks smitten kitchen! Next I'm going to have to get the book it came from

I also worked on some cards this weekend. My parents were in town, took the kids for an afternoon, and I actually got some card making done..here are the cards.





If your interested in purchasing any of these cards or others, email me at m_mduncan@yahoo.com

Its been an exciting weekend, got to shop today, yay! Bought scrapbooking stuff! Now its time for the week to begin...

I have to let everyone know, because Im so excited! I won blog candy! Its from and I won a helium balloon kit! That will come in handy at my next birthday party!

Blogher is a great website for checking out other blogs, finding blog candy etc...just getting to know it.

Speaking of birthdays...my husbands is tommorrow....

Well, I've been gone a while, I was out of town for a week, my sister graduated from 8th grade. Yes, I said it, 8th Grade! She is going to be in high school now. We are 16 years apart. That was exciting, but made me feel old. Especially when she told me that something that happened to me happened in "old days". Sheesh. Teenagers.

I made her a cake for her birthday. Used fondant for only the second time. She wanted it pink and silver, and they had a hollywood theme, thought I would share a couple of the pics.


I got the things on the cake from the scrapbooking section of Michaels. Gotta love that huh? It has different things on each side. Cheer, hollywood (to go with the theme) and of course graduation.

It was lots of fun, but Im glad to be back, and trying to get caught up. And of course, I cant wait to get back into my scrapbooking!

Hallmarks The Note II DVD Giveaway

I found this great new blog, Real Women Scrap! Along with Hallmark she is giving away The Note II DVD! Check it out, and enter to win this and a few other drawings while your there! She has a great site really worth checking out, I haven't even seen all of it yet. The movie looks like a great one too!

Recipe for Pasta Puttanesca

I had a poster (is that what you call someone who comments?) ask for the recipe for this so here it is. Its really easy!

Toss 1 lb cooked pasta with a drained 12 oz can of tuna in oil, a 26-oz jar marinara sauce and 1/2 cup chopped green or black olives. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Thats it! Yummy and quick!

I'd rather be stamping

I finally am able to get on here and post! I wish I was stamping! I just got some pens, and a stamp pad today, and I'm all ready to go! I just need some new stamps for inspiration, and my daughter to go to bed at a decent hour!

The long weekend lead to a lot of cleaning, which I have been trying so hard to do "green" but keep reverting back to "other" cleaners. Only a few more things to do in house cleaning though. Get caught up on laundry, dishes, bathroom...ok a lot.

Well, hubby is home from school..maybe I can stamp now..

TTFN!!

Weekly Menu

So I figured this would be a good place to post my menu for the week. In case any one needs ideas etc. I have been trying to be more creative, with food, as well as using things on sale.

Here is this week. (One day late!)

Monday Turkey Stir-Fry with White Rice
Tuesday Chicken Paella with Green Salad
Wednesday Chicken Black Bean + Corn Salad Wraps (with leftover Chicken)
Thursday Pasta Puttanesca with Mixed Green Salad
Friday Chicken Quesadillas with Rice and Beans
Saturday Meat Loaf with Mashed Potatoes and a Vegetable
Sunday Open-Faced Meat Loaf Sandwiches and Green Salad

This might change if I find a good deal on some meat, I really need to buy some meat!

A Day of Scrappin

Well, I am well into the throes of the crop on mommysavers. I think that is why I havent posted in a couple of days. And because I dont have any followers yet. I will get some soon Im sure. I am realizing that scrapbooking relaxes me and I really need to do it more simply for my sanity and the sanity of my family and those around me. Wonder if I can use that as a justification to purchase some fun stuff to scrap with? It will be put to good use!

The potty training has been slowed down. I think last week I went way to fast. Need to ease up. He tells me when he needs to go, but two seconds before he goes, and when we do make it to the potty he wont go in it. Hmmm.

More later!

National Scrapbooking Day

So, today is National Scrapbooking Day. Have I got a chance to do any scrappin? Heck No! I have been attempting to potty train my son, which I think is going to take a back seat for a couple of weeks, considering he hasn't done anything in his potty and there has been a lot of messes. I think we will wait till sissy is walking. Which should happen any day.
Its a perfect day for it too! Rainy, gloomy, yucky.

I did get some stampin done last night though. I had all this buisness card stock that I realized was great from stamping images! So I got my tv tray out and got to work! No, I dont have a craft room, so if Im just doing something small, its the tv tray in the living room.

Tommorrow, I get a much needed break. Im going to Barnes and Nobles and getting "away" for a couple of hours. I need it badly. I need to reclaim "me" although I love my children dearly, I havent had a break in forever!

Happy Scrapbooking Day!

This too shall pass....

Whew...he made it to the gas station...my husband almost ran out of gas on the way to class today. Ok so we need to get our gas gauge fixed, but we also need a little more month at the end of the money. You might say, but its only the 1st! He doesn't get paid till the 7th. We need milk, butter, cheese, you name it. We have a few bucks, but I really don' t want to be overdrawn. I have the coupons. Those help sooo much. You know a few cents here and there, a dollar here or 50 cents there, but it adds up! Then it makes me feel like I am contributing something to our little family.

I think all that wouldnt have bothered me so much if I hadnt spent the last 3 days trying to potty train my 3 year old son. When he comes to me with poop in his hand and says "Whats that?" I just want to crawl in a hole and come out when he can do it in the potty! This too shall pass....

Or when he takes off his diaper, only to poop on my carpet???? WTH??? This too, shall pass...

I think its time for some scrapbooking...everyone needs a release, right??