Knitting, book clubs, and economic teachings

 Wow, what a title eh?  Ok, well, first off we have 2 books up for giveaway.  I am so excited about one so let me start with that.

This is a fantasticly coolified knitting book.  All different kind of patterns to make some interesting, unique but fun gifts for kids.  Some of it definetly is not me (there is a mermaid costume knitted in there. Unique but so not me ) there is knight armour sweater, and a bowling alley set, oh my.  Seriously, if you knit, this is one book you will want to have.   So, I am giving one away to a lucky winner.   All you have to do is post away.  Tell me your favorite thing to knit/crochet or even your funniest craft story.   I want to hear.   So that is 1 entry.  A couple other ways are to,  post this giveaway on your blog/facebook/etc.  Tell me in a serperate comment.  The 3rd way you can enter is also by being or subscribing to my blog.   SO that will give you 3 enteries. 

The Next book I have up for contest is

Back:

Book club is about to get a makeover. . . .

Even if Megan would rather be at the mall, Cassidy is late for hockey practice, Emma’s already read every book in existence, and Jess is missing her mother too much to care, the new book club is scheduled to meet every month.

But what begins as a mom-imposed ritual of reading Little Women soon helps four unlikely friends navigate the drama of middle school.  From stolen journals, to secret crushes, to a fashion-fiasco first dance, these sixth-graders are up to their Wellie boots in drama.  They can’t help but wonder:  What would Jo March do?

The Mother-Daughter Book Club will delight daughters of all ages in a novel about the fabulousness of fiction, family, and friendship.OK, so here is what I thought.  It definetly had a more modern tone to it.  The daughters have no respect for their mothers,  everyone has a crush on somebody, some of the dialogs were kind of lame but over all I really enjoyed it.  It wasnt one I started and then gave away in the middle of the book.  I thought it ended very well.  I am pleased with the ending but I wont spoil the book for you.  I loved the little Louisa May Alcott facts throughout the book.  I dont know how accurate they are but it was fun to read.  Definetly geared more towards younger age group but if you wanted something light hearted, clean, then enter to win this book.  

 

I dont think this is a Christian book.  But there is no cussing, no kissing, and no sex.   Ages for 9-12.
So, how do you enter; simply follow the same rules above for the knitting book.
1st entry- Tell me one of your favorite classic books
earn 2 additional entries by,  subscribing or mention that you are a subscribed reader and/or posting this blog contest on your own blog/facebook/network.   Let me know you’ve done so in different comments.

Finally; I have a book review.  I’m not giving this book away.   I’m finding it too valuable right now. LOL.  This is one actually given to me and it didnt take too long to read.  Its only about 128 pages.

 Momma’s Guide to Thriving On One Income by Kimberly Eddy.

There is many different sections.  The book is mainly a tool on showing you how you *can* live on one income and ways/steps to do so.  Most of it is pretty much common sense but I did glean a few helpful tips.  

For example:
One of her *tips* to keep ahead of the game (so to speak)  is record ever credit card purchase in your checkbook as if its already gone.  That way at the end of the month, you are frantically trying to come up with the bill amount.  

I wont repeat the whole book on here.  It was one I was not sorry to read.  One of the things that did “bug” me, for lack of a better word, is the “bless to be blessed” mentality we seem to have and she does express it in her book.   I have a problem with this kind of thinking.   I wont create a sermon but it was one of the things that bugged me.    It wasnt a deliberate, push that said, “Hey be sure to bless someone so you can be blessed!”   but more of a way of saying, “Hey its good to bless others (ok I totally agree!) it is sure to come back to you (eek,) .

When I was searching more about the author I found her site here
and noticed this book was on sale 50% off! Be sure to see if your budget cant not handle owning this book.  It is so filled with practical ways to stay at home, take care of your children, and still live. 

Thanks Ya’all for stopping by!

Winner! TK book Winner

 Tina, you are the winner of the Thomas Kinkade book! Please email me with an addy on where to ship this.

Thank you Jen for visiting my blog.  Always great to see people here.

So, Friday I had 4 wisdom teeth pulled.  After 45 minutes of trying 6 different places to put an IV in me, it was 30 minutes of pulling my teeth.  Now, that just seems weird. LOL. Unfortunetly I have those kind of veins that it just takes forever to find. Lovely.  Today is day 5 and I’m slowly recovering.  Meds make me kind of loopy.  But oh well.   One side of my face needs makeup but the other side looks like I’m sucking on a gumball or something.  This is what I looked like shortly after getting my teeth pulled. 

 

Its embarrasin.   

But I thank God that I did the OAMC when I did because its been a God-send.  As well as my MIL who gave up 2 whole days to take care of the kids while I slept the days away.  Gulp. blush.

 Looking forward to holidays!  Moneysavingmom has some great frugal ideas on having thanksgiving meal within a reasonable budget.  Be sure to check her out.

OOMC- update

So, my whole OOMC plan, kind of fell through the cracks this weekend.  Family came and I decided that was much more fun and important.  On top of that, something went wacko with my tooth ( the wise one) and I havent been able to eat.  Which meant that cooking all that fine food was just torcherous.  So, I’m kind of doing a wee bit at a time.  Tonight I am doing the rice and chicken and we’ll work from there.

Once a Month cooking plan

 

I had wanted to do this with MoneySavingMom and FishMama but I got sick and therefore am about 2 days behind.  But I am determind to do something.   My freezer is kind of small so I am not sure exactly what I can/will be doing but here is a basic idea;

2 Batches of GF Pumpkin pancakes
Pumpkin Puree (in the oven as I type)
Egg salad for this week
4 Chicken Tetrazinni a bit tweaked though so we can eat it GF
3 batches of Cream of Chicken GF style
GF Granola (adapted)
Yogurt
2 dinners of slow-cooked pepper steak
1 batch of oven-baked rice (makes a LOT!)
And I have a pot of beans soaking.   I should have done something besides just pinto but oh well. 

And thats probably all I’ll have freezer room for.  LOL.  So I’m starting with that and we’ll just go from there.

So I’m doning my apron and off I go!

~Blog Contest~

 Its that time of year where the days grow shorter and its time to pull out all that winter reading.   I just finished reading;  The Many Loves of Marriage by Thomas and Nanette Kinkade.

WOW.  What a good book.  I wasnt sure I was going to enjoy it. But I do!  Just as his paintings create a sense of warmth and desire, so does that reflect in their marriage.  Nanette is surely one you want to take notes from and learn.  Her pillar of strength for her husband is evident in his writtings and his love and devotion for God and family is evident in his. 

I am not sure I could write a good enough review.  Its one you just have to pick the book up and read. You read of some of their journeys throughout the country and with each other.  Of the times of hardship and the times of ease.  Like a normal human couple fallen in sin, they had their troubles, but its not a despressing read.  You find encouragement in what they went through, what they learned and how you can better yourself when you find yourself in a simular situation and how ultimately God prevails. 

So, I am giving you a chance to read this book!  I have to apologize first off though, my daughter did a scribble mark near the ISBN number on the back of the book.  Blush.  The only reason I mention it is because it may not be a good Christmas gift kind of book.   

To enter;  Drop me a line telling me your favorite marriage book OR Thomas Kinkade painting. 
I personally have always been drawn to the country cottage look of some of his. 

Earn an additional entry by subscribing to my blog.  Dont ask me how you do it.  LOL.  I am believe there is a button near the top of the right hand corner that says subscribe.   I’m doing it this way cause most blogs do and I would hate to be any different from anyone else.  (please note my silliness and not seriousness)

Earn another additional entry if you can tell me how to add a URL image on wordpress since the newest change.  Yes, I am kind of frantic.  I can add one from my desktop, figured that one out but not from a URL.   Everyone of you that does this, regardless of if its been posted before or not will recieve an additional entry.
Here is what happens;  I get all the way to insert the image, I paste the URL, center the image but the “post image” button is still that grey color and clicking it does nothing.  grrr. 

I will pay shipping cost.   So, post away!

 I’ll be drawing names in 1 week!

$1 off Yankee Votive- EXPIRED

 Thought you Yankee Candle lovers would love this coupon, its for $1 off or $1 Yankee Votive.   Nice time to stock up for the holiday season!
This Link will help you find a store near you.

EXPIRED

These would a nice edition to Christmas.  Tie up with some festive ribbon along with some homebaked goodies.  A nice frugal but thoughtful gift. 

 

 

Some of my favorite Blogs

We all like reading new books and blogs so I thought I would share a few of my favorite ones.  I visit these frequently.

Life as a Mom-

Money Saving Mom

Prairie Frog Blog

Fruitful Abundance

Everyone knows- Pioneer Woman

Gluten free cooking for a busy Mom

Christmas is coming~

Its that time of year when we pull out our sweaters, coats and start thinging about fall and Christmas.  YAY! I love this time of year.  So re-energizing.  Its almost Nov.  and I cant believe how warm its been for this time of year.  I am sitting here in a tank-top for pete sake.

So since its our favorite time of year, I thought I would share some crafty ideas for Christmas gifts!

For Sewing;
Nice Childrens gift
Piggy Bank Purse
Table Runner
Easy Tag Toy
Much more tutorials can be found on;
Sew Mama Sew

 

If you knit/crochet;
Rivalry is always the best place to look for great patterns.  However if your just starting out and want some quick, simple ideas here are a few;
Easy Knitted Dishcloth
A crocheted Scrubbie
Knitted scarf

Another idea is the whole Mason Jar Goodies.  YOu can find all sorts of recipe for the mason jars.  Even SOUPS!
An all time favorite is of course the snowman soup; you can find a recipe here;
Snowman soup Gift Jar

 

For those that like to do online gift shopping I have included a few favorite websites that are from my family and friends alike. 

Author- Chautona havig, Christian Fiction and a new Child series coming NOV.
Mainly Grains- Healthy alternative for food baskets!
Daddy’s Little Princess- Modest clothing for girls at affordable prices.
Sweet Marmalade- Crafty items all handcrafted, wood and more!
Little Sassy Cowgirl and Buckaroo- Horse clothes, prairie dresses and more
Laura’s Lathers and more~ Soap and Lotions, ah every girls dream
Suthern Sundries~ Wonderful handmade soap, Bath and Body and more. 
Mary Kay Consultant~ Cari Shepherd is a friend and a consultant.  Great stocking stuffer ideas.
UnOrdinary Photography-  Lisa is also a friend and if you live nearby maybe she can help out with your Christmas photos.

These are just a few that I can think of.  Etsy is FILLEd with handmade goodies and always help the crafty workers like us.  I will add more as I find them.    There is always too my own store-
CottagePrimrose

Thank you for stopping by today!  Please leave a comment as I always enjoy hearing from my readers.  

Make and Share idea~

 

My sister in law recently shared with me something she is doing with a few other ladies and I thought it was such a cool idea that I would share it with you.

She said that they have this group that makes a meal once a month x how ever many people that are in that group.  So for example she has a group of I think 11 ladies.  And once a month they all meet and exchange food.  You make 1 meal for yourself + 10 others (if you have 11.  However that would work for you). 

It doesnt have to be elaborate.   She made taco meat.  Another gal could make spaghetti sauce.  So and and so forth.   Once a month cooking brought to a different level.   You make one meal but you get a veriety of meals through someone else’s baking.  I love this idea!

Look at this post for a conservative way to freeze meals.

 

Hope this will be useful for you all.

~Saturday Snapshot~