tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11521376631735482132024-03-13T09:33:56.108-05:00Diary Of A HomemakerFaith, Family and FrugalityJuliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.comBlogger303125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-8821938296959030162014-02-17T11:22:00.001-06:002014-02-17T11:22:18.440-06:00Happy Homemaker Monday (2-17-14)<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Bible verse, Devotional:::</strong> <em>From "Made to Crave" </em></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>"Food can fill our stomachs but never our Souls</em></span><br />
<em>Possessions can fill our houses but never our Hearts</em><br />
<em>Sex can fill our night buts never our hungry for Love</em><br />
<em>Children can fill our days but never our Identity"</em><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /><strong>The weather:::</strong> <em>More snow today but then a warm up later in the week!</em><br /><strong></strong><br />
<strong>On my reading pile::: </strong><em>"Made to Crave" by Lysa TerKeust</em><br /><strong></strong><br />
<strong>On the menu for this week:::</strong><br />
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<li><em>BBQ chicken sandwiches</em></li>
<li><em>Mexican Lasagna</em></li>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Cooking for the Freezer::: </strong><em>Individual meals for Ken's lunches, individual oatmeal & cookies- maybe whole wheat chocolate chip...</em></span></div>
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<strong>Tip/trick/useful information:::</strong> <em>Wake before your kids! Whether you decide to just drink your coffee in silence or get started on your To Do list, I promise your day will start off on a better note! </em></div>
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<strong>Today's To Do list:::</strong></div>
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<li><em>Exercise class</em></li>
<li><em>Pay bills online</em></li>
<li><em>Vacuum</em></li>
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<strong>Posts I am working on:::</strong> <em>Still working on the new site. Launch date expected March 1st. YAY!</em><strong></strong></div>
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<strong>Something you may not know about me:::</strong> <em>I am scared of roller coaster and being home alone at night. </em></div>
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<strong>Highlight of the past weekend:::</strong> <em>Dinner Friday night w Ken. Even though we were unhappy w the meal it was a great night. (Really enjoying having babysitters now)</em></div>
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<strong>Looking forward to this week:::</strong> <em>The weekend :) Lots of fun things planned!!!</em></div>
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<strong>What Cora has to say:::</strong> <i>While playing Peter Pan:</i></div>
</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>"Mae how come I have to be brother John all the time?"</i></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>"Well bc, Mom, I have long hair like Wendy but you have a boy's hair cut." </i></span><br />
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<em>HAHA, she's not always sweet as can be; although I believe her intentions were good :) </em><br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-26836787787407843492014-02-10T11:13:00.001-06:002014-02-10T11:14:49.378-06:00Happy Homemaker Monday (2-10-14)<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Bible verse, Devotional:::</strong> <em>"B/c I am omnipotent, I am able to bend time & events in your favor. You will find you can accomplish more in less time, after you have given yourself to Me in rich communication. Also, as you align yourself w My perspective, you can sort out what is important and what is not." </em></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><em>- Taken from my devotional this morning: "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Love love love this devotional that my dear friend, Jenna gave to me. If you don't have it you need to get it!)</span></em></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>The weather:::</strong></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>On the menu for this week:::</strong></span><br />
<ul>
<li><em>Olive Garden's Zuppa soup</em></li>
<li><em>Broccoli Rice casserole</em></li>
<li><em>Fondue for Valentine's Day</em></li>
</ul>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong></strong><br /></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Cooking for the Freezer: </strong><em>Mini loaves of lemon blueberry bread, Ken's favorite!</em><br /><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Tip/trick/useful information:::</strong> <em>Keep yourself hydrated with WATER! The benefits are great: less headaches, better skin, eat less- just to name a few!</em></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Today's To Do list:::</strong></span><br />
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<li><em>Exercise class</em></li>
<li><em>Phone calls</em></li>
<li><em>Laundry</em></li>
</ul>
<strong></strong></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Posts I am working on:::</strong><em> I am actually working on a whole new site. Did you hear? I bought a domain! Launching it in a few weeks! </em></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Something you may not know about me:::</strong> <em>I am NOT "techy" what so ever! Since buying my site & working on setting it up I have been forced to teach myself tricks of the blogging world. You can do it too :) <br /><strong></strong></em></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Highlight of the past weekend:::</strong> S<em>pending Saturday- Sunday w just Ken at our house in Peoria.</em><br /><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>Looking forward to this week:::</strong> <em>Valentine's Day. I've got some fun things planned for Mae</em><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>What Cora has to say:::</strong> <em>"Mommy I had a lot of fun at grandmas but I did miss you every minute"</em><strong></strong></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong>From the camera:::</strong></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Z9YutdLj8kM/Uvg5YpMyBmI/AAAAAAAABoQ/zQz3nHwshGE/s640/blogger-image-1307582227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Z9YutdLj8kM/Uvg5YpMyBmI/AAAAAAAABoQ/zQz3nHwshGE/s400/blogger-image-1307582227.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While we were in Peoria we went to see Gravity in 3D. :)</td></tr>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-29961756488839057512014-02-05T07:43:00.000-06:002014-02-05T07:44:05.359-06:00Lamb Meatballs<strong>Meatballs:</strong><br />
1 lb. ground lamb<br />
1/2 c. chopped green onions<br />
S&P<br />
2 tsp. <a href="http://new.pamperedchef.com/pws/juliestoner/product/9870" target="_blank">Pampered Chef's Greek Rub</a><br />
1/2 tsp. marjoram<br />
dash of cinnamon<br />
-Mix all the ingredients together.<br />
-Heat a large skillet w oil or butter<br />
-Roll meat mixture into meatballs<br />
-Cook about 10 minutes, turning until all sides are brown<br />
-Cover, bake at 375 degrees for about 20-30 minutes<br />
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<strong>Tzatziki Sauce:</strong><br />
10 oz. (2 individual containers) Greek yogurt, plain<br />
1 small cucumber, peeled, seeded & shredded<br />
1 tsp. salt<br />
1 lemon, zest from whole lemon & juice from half<br />
1/2 tsp. <a href="http://new.pamperedchef.com/pws/juliestoner/product/9870" target="_blank">Pampered Chef's Greek Rub</a><br />
dash of salt<br />
-Place cucumber in a colander, sprinkle w salt & allow to sit for about 30 minutes to allow excess juice to drain off<br />
-In a medium bowl combine all the ingredients. Mix until incorporated.<br />
-Serve w meatballs<br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-40046641208138650642014-02-03T07:14:00.003-06:002014-02-03T07:14:27.663-06:00Happy Homemaker Monday (2-3-14)<strong>Bible verse, Devotional::: </strong><em>During the last conversation Christ had with his disciples He spoke these words: "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" -John 16:33</em><br />
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<strong>The weather:::</strong> Cold, w more snow Tuesday/Wednesday. <br />
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<strong>On my reading pile:::</strong> <em>"Made to Crave" by Lisa Terkeurst- so far I am really enjoying it!</em><br />
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<strong>On the menu for this week:::</strong><br />
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<li><em>Macaroni & Ham casserole</em></li>
<li><em>Lamb chops & mashed potatoes</em></li>
<li><em>Penne pasta w marinara</em></li>
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<strong>Cooking for the Freezer:</strong> <em>Mini muffins <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I can't keep enough of these in the freezer-my girls gobble them up) </span></em><br />
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<strong>Tip/trick/useful information:::</strong> <em>Play music when at home trying to clean. It really gets ya moving :) <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Love Pandora on my Iphone!)</span></em><br />
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<strong>Today's To Do list:::</strong><br />
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<li><em>Exercise class</em></li>
<li><em>Write Thank Yous</em></li>
<li><em>Pay Bills</em></li>
<li><em>Put laundry away</em></li>
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<strong>Posts I am working on:::</strong> <em>Lamb meatball recipe</em><br />
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<strong>Something you may not know about me::: </strong><em>Tomorrow I turn 29 for the 2nd time ;)</em><br />
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<strong>Highlight of the past weekend:::</strong> <em>Sunday, it was a fun day filled w family</em><br />
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<strong>Looking forward to this week:::</strong> <em>Saturday, going to Peoria to get our house listed to sell.</em><br />
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<strong>What Cora has to say:::</strong> <em>"I am so glad you joined my family & became my mommy" <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Tell me she is not the sweetest thing, EVER!)</span></em><br />
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<strong>From the camera:::</strong><br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-18797135575803788212014-01-30T11:31:00.000-06:002014-01-30T11:37:09.131-06:0030 by 30~ January<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: black;">So here it is, my last "30 by 30" post before I turn <strike>30</strike> 29 <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>(again).</em></span> I am proud of the things I got marked off, although there are several I should have worked harder at. These monthly posts were a great motivator to me & I am in the works of coming up w another goal type post that will keep me accountable in 2014. Stay tuned & thanks for following along w me!</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="color: black;">Blog Related:::</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>1. Host a blog give away</strike>. <strike> DONE. </strike></span><span style="color: black;"><strike>I held 1 in early June to celebrate my 250th post.</strike> <span style="color: red;">I also had a giveaway in October for national breast cancer awareness month! </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>2. Host a guest post. DONE.</strike> </span><strike><span style="color: black;">For World Breast Feeding week I "interviewed" a friend, Ruth Nelson. Read about it </span></strike><a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/08/world-breastfeeding-week-i-support-you.html"><strike><span style="color: black;">here.</span></strike></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">3. Keep up on blog series I have started (Happy Homemaker Monday, 2 on 2 & Pinterest Projects) <span style="color: red;">Took off all of December & some in January but hoping to get into it :)</span> </span><br />
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<u><span style="color: black;"><strong>Home Related:::</strong><strong> </strong></span></u><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>4. Organize & de-clutter every room in the house month by month.</strike><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Before our move I de-cluttered a lot. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">5<strike>. Make several different household products.</strike><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><strike> I tested several ways to clean w vinegar here is </strike></span><a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/05/pinterest-projects-45-uses-for-vinegar.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: small;"><strike>Part 1</strike></span></a><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"> <strike><span style="color: black;">and</span> </strike></span><a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/05/pinterest-projects-45-uses-for-vinegar_15.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: small;"><strike>Part 2</strike></span></a><strike> , </strike></span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/07/foaming-hand-soap.html"><strike>Foaming Hand Soap.</strike></a> and <a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/10/miy-dryer-sheets.html" target="_blank">Dryer Sheets</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>6. Cook something for my freezer at least once a week.</strike></span><span style="color: red;"> This month: refried beans, mini-banana muffins, almond butter brownies, cookies, waffles, individual baked oatmeal</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>7. Have a garage sale. DONE. Happened in April. I made about $70</strike> and </span><span style="color: black;"><strike>I sold things using Facebook & have made $99 in 1 week. :)</strike></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">8. Add 'curb appeal' to our home <span style="font-size: x-small;">(shrubs,grass, flowers, stone work etc.)</span><span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="color: red;">Didn't do & won't happen now that we moved</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>9. Plant something I've never planted in my</strike> <strike>garden. DONE.</strike></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><strike>We planted strawberries!</strike></span> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">10. Hang an outside clothes line <span style="color: red;">Didn't do & won't happen now that we moved</span></span><br />
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<u><strong><span style="color: black;">Family Related:::</span></strong></u><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>11. Go on a few dates w/ Kenny.</strike> <strike>Anniversary dinner at 157,</strike> <span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><strike>Dish in July</strike></span> <span style="color: black;"><strike>Mid-October we went on a lunch date to Pikks in Valpo.</strike> </span></span></span><span style="color: red;">December we went to his Christmas dinner & in January we went to Valley in Valpo, delicious!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>12. Plan a Shipshewana, IN trip.</strike> <strike>DONE.</strike></span><span style="color: black;"><strike>We went mid-August.</strike></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>13. Plan something special for Ken's 30th birthday </strike><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strike>(September)</strike> <span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><strike>DONE!</strike></span> </span> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">14. Document the year through pictures/Be more intentional w/ new camera </span><span style="color: red;">Didn't do so good w this one</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>15. Take girls to the</strike> <strike>zoo. DONE.</strike></span><span style="color: black;"><strike>We went for Father's day.</strike></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">16. Teach Cora the the letters of the alphabet. </span><span style="color: red;">Here to admit she knows some letters but not all of them.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">17. Open saving accounts for girls</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">18. Get back on track using coupons, price matching, staying w/i our weekly grocery budget </span><span style="color: red;">So Far, So Good</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>19. Go on a family vacation DONE. WE WENT TO FLORIDA FOR 11 DAYS IN MARCH!</strike></span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="color: black;">For Me:::</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>20. Lose baby weight </strike><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strike>(I'll do this slowly b/c I'm nursing. I will <u><strong>not</strong></u> start a crazy diet plan. My plan is simple: eat healthy, walk & give it time!)</strike> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><strike>DONE!!!</strike></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>21. Treat myself to a manicure OR pedicure. DONE. Went w/ some friends in May</strike></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>22. Do something totally different with my hair,</strike> <span style="color: black;"><strike>DONE. </strike></span></span><strike><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">read this post.</span></strike><br />
<span style="color: black;">23. Do something special for my 30th birthday (in February)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">24. Create & implement a daily cleaning schedule <span style="color: red; font-size: small;">Didn't do this, which is ok bc w our move I would have needed to change it if I had ;)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">25. Start journaling my bible reading time. </span><span style="color: red;">I need to get back into the routine of</span><span style="color: red;"> following Priscilla Shirer's <a href="http://www.livingwithpower.org/priscilla-shirer-tw12-the-5-ps-of-bible-study/">5 Ps of bible study</a>.</span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="color: black;">For Others:::</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>26. Do something neighborly for at least 2 of my neighbors.</strike> </span><span style="color: black;"><strike>We took </strike></span><a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/04/key-lime-cookies.html"><span style="color: black;"><strike>Key Lime Cookies</strike></span></a><span style="color: black;"><strike> to our neighbors Jim & Rose & we also delivered a dozen sweet corn to another neighbor.</strike></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>27. Get more involved in our Preschool program at church. DONE.</strike></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>28. Teach at least 1 friend how to pressure and/or water bath can DONE. I pressured canned w my mom</strike></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">29. Be a bell ringer for Salvation Army during the Christmas season.</span> </span><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;">This didn't happen :(</span> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>30. Act out at least 3 random acts of kindness </strike><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strike>(No plan for this- I will wait for the Holy Spirit to guide me)</strike> </span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;">These happened :)</span></span>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-59308066912026052542014-01-29T07:32:00.001-06:002014-01-29T07:36:50.795-06:00Already ANNOYED w the "Real Eating" Community<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddnnp6B5Vro/UukBwoQSAJI/AAAAAAAABnE/Wts9t-kmKzE/s1600/RegretEating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddnnp6B5Vro/UukBwoQSAJI/AAAAAAAABnE/Wts9t-kmKzE/s1600/RegretEating.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved this! :)</td></tr>
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Here is why I am annoyed: I have visited numerous blogs, read several articles & "liked" a few pages on Facebook devoted to Real Eating. I have already come across several articles that discuss the topic of real eating/clean eating being just as affordable as your old ways. That simply is not true! <br />
-Organic Anything is more expensive than non-organic<br />
-Pure maple syrup & honey are more than double the price of the generic brand<br />
-Grass fed beef/free range chicken costs more <br />
-Greek yogurt is double the price of Yoplait<br />
-Raw sugar & whole wheat flour cost more than the refined, white variations<br />
-Cooking Oils, Oh my! Coconut, olive & cod liver oils are extremely more costly than vegetable/corn oils.<br />
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Here are some examples of items I have NOT started buying <span style="font-size: x-small;">(due mainly to cost)</span> even though the Real Eating community suggests:::<br />
-Organic milk & dairy<br />
-Eggs from free range chickens<br />
-Organic produce<br />
-Cod liver oil <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I love olive oil & will continue to use it)</span><br />
-Grass fed beef <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I have a freezer full of beef & I know it came from a good source)</span><br />
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I was not naive about the cost of swapping Real ingredients & I am not complaining. I just don't understand why so many Real Eating bloggers claim "you won't notice a change in your grocery bill." The truth is you will notice an increase & you have to be the one to decide what changes you can afford & which changes matter most to you! <br />
<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-24849655874565577452014-01-27T15:46:00.000-06:002014-01-27T15:46:01.860-06:00Real Food- Freezer Cooking *Update*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pu0sPVFkx8E/Ut6bw6MMObI/AAAAAAAABlI/HT9yLMDhAfU/s1600/blogger-image--980991594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pu0sPVFkx8E/Ut6bw6MMObI/AAAAAAAABlI/HT9yLMDhAfU/s1600/blogger-image--980991594.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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Here is an update on my Real Food-Freezer Cooking! Only 1 more recipe to go!<br />
Are you cooking for your freezer too?<br />
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<li>Cream of Celery soup</li>
<li><strike><span style="color: black;">Banana Chocolate Chip </span></strike><a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2012/05/fridays-freezer-friendly-on-wednesday.html" target="_blank"><strike><span style="color: black;">mini-muffins</span></strike></a><strike><span style="color: black;"> </span></strike></li>
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<li><a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/05/4-weeks-to-fill-your-freezer-waffles-day-3.html" target="_blank"><strike><span style="color: black;">Waffles</span></strike></a><strike> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(with a few alterations)</span></strike> </li>
<li><strike>Individual baked oatmeal cups</strike></li>
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<li><a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/08/29/recipe-easy-slow-cooker-refried-beans/" target="_blank"><strike><span style="color: black;">Refried Beans</span></strike></a></li>
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<li><a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2011/01/chocolate-honey-oat-cookies-wins-this.html" target="_blank"><strike><span style="color: black;">Cookies</span></strike></a><strike> </strike><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strike>(with a few alterations)</strike> </span><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-small;">I decided to make almond butter chocolate chip cookies! Yummy! </span></li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Kxa9kTfuT-o/UubRzxVj1uI/AAAAAAAABm0/yFct4DjgMio/s640/blogger-image--293755546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Kxa9kTfuT-o/UubRzxVj1uI/AAAAAAAABm0/yFct4DjgMio/s640/blogger-image--293755546.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Individual Baked Oatmeals, mini banana muffins & almond butter cookies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-81519564908197560352014-01-27T07:51:00.000-06:002014-01-27T08:02:28.507-06:00Happy Homemaker Monday (1-27-14)<strong>Bible verse, Devotional:::</strong> <em>"Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him." -Psalms 127:3 <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I have a little scroll hanging on my kitchen cabinet that says this! Love this gentle reminder)</span></em><br />
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<strong>The weather:::</strong> <em>More bitterly cold days. I don't mind winter or snow but negative temps are hard to deal with!</em><br />
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<strong>On my reading pile:::</strong> <em>I still haven't received my book & I am getting annoyed!</em><br />
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<strong>On the menu for this week:::</strong><br />
<em>Lamb meatballs</em> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>(I still haven't come up w a recipe! Got to do that this week!)</em></span><br />
<em>Homemade chicken noodle soup <span style="font-size: x-small;">(My Grandma Haggerty's recipe)</span></em><br />
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<strong>Cooking for the Freezer:::</strong> <em>Individual baked oatmeal & refried beans</em><br />
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<strong>Tip/trick/useful information:::</strong> <em>Keep your nails painted- they will grow faster, better & stronger!</em><br />
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<strong>Today's To Do list:::</strong><br />
<em>Finish </em><a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2014/01/food-freezer-cooking.html" target="_blank"><em>Real Food- Freezer Cooking</em></a><br />
<em>Put away baskets of laundry</em><br />
<em>Write Thank Yous</em><br />
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<strong>Posts I am working on:::</strong> <em>"Already ANNOYED w the Real Eating Community"</em><br />
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<strong>Highlight of the past weekend::: </strong><em>Saturday....just Saturday...</em><br />
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<strong>Looking forward to this week::: </strong><em>An all day Pampered Chef training course on Saturday! </em><br />
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<strong>What Cora has to say:::</strong> <em>As she is watching me put her gross antibiotic in her milk: "Mom, you really don't need to put that in my milk bc I am feeling much better."</em><br />
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<strong>From the camera:::</strong><br />
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<em>I made this "real" pasta dish the other night- It was full of broccoli & red peppers & a hit w the family!</em></div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-14257187898884627972014-01-24T07:29:00.000-06:002014-01-24T07:29:53.703-06:00Evie's 12 month Check upLast Thursday I took Ev for her 12 month well visit. She weighed in at a staggering 16lbs 15 oz., 3rd percentile. And 28.5 inches long!<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Just slightly bigger than Cora at the same age) <span style="font-size: small;">Oh, how</span> </span>I love my little runt babies ;) She is healthy & well. <br />
The night of her birthday she slept through the night for the first time & has been doing so since! YAY! <br />
She really enjoyed her birthday cake...<br />
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Love you so much, Evelynie! Can't wait to celebrate many more <em>birth days</em> of you! </div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-1076658171045174542014-01-23T08:48:00.000-06:002014-01-23T08:48:48.657-06:00Pinterest Projects- 45 Uses of Vinegar Part IIII tested these uses & wrote this post right as we were moving from IL to IN. It got put on the back burner until now. I have really been intrigued testing various ways to use vinegar! You need to give some of these a try!!!<br />
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I found a list of 45 uses of vinegar on Pinterest. I have tried several of the suggestions. You can read about the other uses I have tested <a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/05/pinterest-projects-45-uses-for-vinegar.html" target="_blank">Part 1 here</a><span style="color: red;"> <span style="color: black;">and</span> <a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/05/pinterest-projects-45-uses-for-vinegar_15.html" target="_blank">Part 2 here</a></span><span style="color: black;">. </span></strong><br />
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I made <a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/10/miy-dryer-sheets.html" target="_blank">Dryer Sheets</a> using vinegar and I love how they turned out. This idea was NOT on this list "45 Uses of Vinegar" I got the idea from my sister in law. Be sure to check out how I made them!<br />
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15. Put an end to itching.</strong> Dab a cotton ball soaked in white vinegar on mosquito bites and insect stings. It will stop them from itching and help disinfect the area so they heal faster. <span style="color: red;">I tried this on Cora when she had a mosquito bite. It seemed to help! But since I didn't have one of my own it was hard to know for sure. </span><br />
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16. Whiten your teeth. </strong>Brush your teeth once a week with white distilled vinegar. Dip your toothbrush into the vinegar and brush thoroughly. It will help prevent bad breath, too. <span style="color: red;">I haven't noticed a difference yet. Probably bc I drink too much coffee ;)</span><br />
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<strong>17. Make nail polish last longer.</strong> Before you apply nail polish, wipe your nails with a cotton ball soaked in white distilled vinegar. The clean surface will help your manicure last. <span style="color: red;">Hmmm, I don't know about this one. I don't think it made my OPI last any longer than normal. But I'd say try it for yourself :)</span> <br />
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<strong>37. Sticky stickers.</strong> Don’t scratch at the residue left by stickers or price tags. Instead, apply vinegar to the gunk, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe the glue away.<span style="color: red;"> This worked great. Cora leaves stickers all over the house. These 2 have been on my floors for awhile now....But w a few squirts of vinegar they came right up!!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h4NkypBsvaA/UnAg8B-JqfI/AAAAAAAABfw/wD3DXFIm-oM/s640/blogger-image-1633218291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-h4NkypBsvaA/UnAg8B-JqfI/AAAAAAAABfw/wD3DXFIm-oM/s640/blogger-image-1633218291.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrqpfGrpxuM/UuEa9pmDiVI/AAAAAAAABmU/eREi5qf-IVU/s1600/AppleciderVinegar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lrqpfGrpxuM/UuEa9pmDiVI/AAAAAAAABmU/eREi5qf-IVU/s1600/AppleciderVinegar.jpg" height="314" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a></div>
Have you seen this picture floating around Facebook? Some <a href="http://www.webmd.com/diet/apple-cider-vinegar" target="_blank">reports</a> don't support the claims on this picture. But I am going to try it! When I researched apple cider vinegar benefits I found several other claims too: <span style="font-size: x-small;">heals sore throat which I currently have :(</span> A shot in water, juice or a smoothie everyday for at least 30 days to see if I can tell a difference in any way. If I do notice any effects I'll be sure to post! <br />
So *Cheers* to apple cider vinegar! ;)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-30082755167130869912014-01-21T10:13:00.000-06:002014-01-21T16:39:19.317-06:00"Real Food" Freezer cooking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Pu0sPVFkx8E/Ut6bw6MMObI/AAAAAAAABlE/6FQG_dpmmJs/s640/blogger-image--980991594.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Pu0sPVFkx8E/Ut6bw6MMObI/AAAAAAAABlE/6FQG_dpmmJs/s200/blogger-image--980991594.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Holidays are over & I need to replenish my freezer! Anyone want to do some FREEZER COOKING with me? Did you read my post about trying to feed my family <a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2014/01/2014-starts-real-foodclean-eating.html" target="_blank">real food</a>? The recipes below will allow me to have convenient meals/snacks that are real food! <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Although, some of these recipes will require altering to make them "real")</span><br />
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I plan to make each recipe by next Tuesday! 6 recipes in 7 days, that's doable, right? We'll see.....<br />
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<ul>
<li>Banana Chocolate Chip <a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2012/05/fridays-freezer-friendly-on-wednesday.html" target="_blank">mini-muffins</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/05/4-weeks-to-fill-your-freezer-waffles-day-3.html" target="_blank">Waffles</a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(with a few alterations)</span> </li>
<li>Individual baked oatmeal cups</li>
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<li><a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/12/23/recipe-homemade-cream-of-mushroom-soup/" target="_blank">Cream of Celery Soup</a> </li>
<li><a href="http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2011/08/29/recipe-easy-slow-cooker-refried-beans/" target="_blank">Refried Beas</a></li>
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<li><a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2011/01/chocolate-honey-oat-cookies-wins-this.html" target="_blank">Cookies</a> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(with a few alterations)</span></li>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-15674039601220141062014-01-20T08:09:00.001-06:002014-01-20T08:09:19.069-06:00Happy Homemaker Monday (1-20-14)<strong>Bible verse, Devotional:::</strong> <em>"You don't have to know Everything {about the bible} to go & tell the good news of Jesus!"</em><br />
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<strong>The weather:::</strong> <em>A possible 12" of snow coming in tonight & then temps drop into negatives. Ekkk! Looks like we'll be staying in for a few days! But that is ok w me....I'll just cook!</em><br />
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<strong>On my reading pile::: </strong><em>I ordered Lisa TerKeurst's "Crave" but I STILL haven't received it yet! </em><br />
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<strong>On the menu for this week:::</strong><br />
<em>Soup (not sure what kind though)</em><br />
<em>lamb meatballs</em> <em>(trying to come up w a recipe myself)</em><br />
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<strong>Cooking for the Freezer:</strong> <em>homemade cream of celery soup (I didn't get it made last week)</em><br />
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<strong>Tip/trick/useful information:::</strong><em> Your kids will never notice spinach/kale in smoothies ;)</em><br />
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<strong>Today's To Do list:::</strong> <em>Not much, Cora isn't feeling well. So we are staying home.</em><strong> </strong><br />
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<strong>Posts I am working on:::</strong> <em>Uses for Vinegar- Part III</em><br />
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<strong>Looking around the house::: </strong><em>Cora is eating breakfast next to me & watching a princess movie, Ev is destroying the living room.</em><br />
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<strong>Highlight of the past weekend:::</strong> <em>Celebrating Evie's birthday</em><br />
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<strong>Looking forward to this week:::</strong> <em>70 degree temps...oh wait...</em><br />
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<strong>What Cora has to say:::</strong><em> Upon receiving a card from an IL friend: "Oh my goodness, I have to put this picture next to my bed bc Makaela is my best friend & I won't be seeing her for awhile. Oh, I miss her."</em><br />
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<strong>From the camera:::</strong><br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-30281811340443354092014-01-15T16:13:00.000-06:002014-01-16T07:09:03.321-06:002014 starts Real Food/Clean Eating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
2014 is bringing a change to our home- Real/Clean Eating. </div>
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I studied nutrition/dietetics in college <span style="font-size: x-small;">(never graduated, but that is a post for another day)</span> so I have known for years the benefits of healthy eating and for the most part I feed my family healthy. I've had a garden for years, canned as much possible & tried to make the best choices in the grocery store. But until recently, preservatives, food dyes & other additives never bothered me much; especially since I could get convenience foods dirt cheap using coupons. And thus, my problem, breakfast, snacks & lunches. Dinners I make at home are healthy & already "real food" by using yields from my garden, meats from a good source & good fats. </div>
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I am hoping to replace the junk food I bought at the store w/ real food from my freezer. Thursday, I spent the day making mini-banana muffins & refried beans. After a small taste test everything went into my freezer for later use. I have several other homemade replacement recipes I plan to try: cream of celery soup, almond milk, tortillas, almond butter brownies.... </div>
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I am excited to feed my family better and am anxious to see what changes I notice.<br />
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What changes are you making in 2014?</div>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-18359800928232338272014-01-14T19:33:00.000-06:002014-01-14T19:33:12.031-06:0012 months of Evie<br />
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Today, my sweet Evie turns 1! What an amazing year it has been! Today, lil miss Ev is so busy. It is hard to remember her so tiny as these pictures show. Ah, time flies...</div>
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We had a great day celebrating Evie & are looking forward to more festivities this weekend. </div>
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I thank God for my Evelynie daily, I am so gratful she is mine!</div>
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Love you to pieces, Evie <3 p=""><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bjPJnj07CM/UQTl7ERqutI/AAAAAAAAArM/yDCiYFAC_8w/s1600/blogger-image-235295898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2bjPJnj07CM/UQTl7ERqutI/AAAAAAAAArM/yDCiYFAC_8w/s1600/blogger-image-235295898.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Birth</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G3zhKnWrUc4/Us6jZm2qb8I/AAAAAAAABhs/wwTCB1BNprc/s640/blogger-image-772564469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G3zhKnWrUc4/Us6jZm2qb8I/AAAAAAAABhs/wwTCB1BNprc/s640/blogger-image-772564469.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">1 month</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oN4Gy-5MhLk/Us6jhlRRqWI/AAAAAAAABh8/6e0sAkcX2Iw/s640/blogger-image--1783690167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oN4Gy-5MhLk/Us6jhlRRqWI/AAAAAAAABh8/6e0sAkcX2Iw/s640/blogger-image--1783690167.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">2 months</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Jm_w3Tyo18M/Us6jdkXk_tI/AAAAAAAABh0/DiSQdzAJ0X0/s640/blogger-image--1866806601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Jm_w3Tyo18M/Us6jdkXk_tI/AAAAAAAABh0/DiSQdzAJ0X0/s640/blogger-image--1866806601.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">3 months</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QQgQveutfs4/Us6jlYf5o8I/AAAAAAAABiE/-APfguhVFus/s640/blogger-image-1661076627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-QQgQveutfs4/Us6jlYf5o8I/AAAAAAAABiE/-APfguhVFus/s640/blogger-image-1661076627.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">4 months</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WPtO9MvfoOc/Us6muuuNanI/AAAAAAAABiQ/7f6QAdl65r8/s640/blogger-image-979944395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WPtO9MvfoOc/Us6muuuNanI/AAAAAAAABiQ/7f6QAdl65r8/s640/blogger-image-979944395.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">5 months</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o_v1Elz4CMM/Us6m2vaqjLI/AAAAAAAABig/pMkB1Njc3_0/s640/blogger-image--861850275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o_v1Elz4CMM/Us6m2vaqjLI/AAAAAAAABig/pMkB1Njc3_0/s640/blogger-image--861850275.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">6 months</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gWUZ_A0uYVg/Us6myQ4TFKI/AAAAAAAABiY/ty1YQgFCc9Y/s640/blogger-image-573591762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gWUZ_A0uYVg/Us6myQ4TFKI/AAAAAAAABiY/ty1YQgFCc9Y/s640/blogger-image-573591762.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">7 months</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t_eUu51nN-4/Us6oEGr5cqI/AAAAAAAABi8/fvsmlmm7p9g/s640/blogger-image--1286664856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-t_eUu51nN-4/Us6oEGr5cqI/AAAAAAAABi8/fvsmlmm7p9g/s640/blogger-image--1286664856.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">8 months</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-H74J3FS7R0s/Us6oJqjxErI/AAAAAAAABjE/EnKynLfFMpw/s640/blogger-image-408489376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-H74J3FS7R0s/Us6oJqjxErI/AAAAAAAABjE/EnKynLfFMpw/s640/blogger-image-408489376.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">9 months</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_ivOdt36R4M/Us6n_1ciBnI/AAAAAAAABi0/ttaTmi0f4cU/s640/blogger-image--1698132367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_ivOdt36R4M/Us6n_1ciBnI/AAAAAAAABi0/ttaTmi0f4cU/s640/blogger-image--1698132367.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">10 months</span></strong></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VY1kLVjP-yg/Us6oN3kRcyI/AAAAAAAABjM/qijXCfZ-L_U/s640/blogger-image--2012597256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VY1kLVjP-yg/Us6oN3kRcyI/AAAAAAAABjM/qijXCfZ-L_U/s640/blogger-image--2012597256.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">11 months</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GIhg5yGW7hM/UtSeZSDShKI/AAAAAAAABkE/y7YidCBbME8/s640/blogger-image-2011507033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GIhg5yGW7hM/UtSeZSDShKI/AAAAAAAABkE/y7YidCBbME8/s640/blogger-image-2011507033.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">12 months!!!</span></strong></td></tr>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-72206454555278608252014-01-13T20:01:00.002-06:002014-01-13T20:01:54.015-06:00Happy Homemaker Monday (1-13-14)<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Bible verse, Devotional::: </strong><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">Marital problems are almost inevitable when couples overcommit themselves during the early years. The bonding that should occur in the first decade requires time together--time that cannot be given if it is absorbed elsewhere. Success will wait, but a happy family will not. - Dr. James Dobson</span><br />
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<strong>The weather:::</strong><br />
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<strong>On my reading pile::: </strong>I ordered Lisa TerKeurst's "Crave" but haven't received it yet! <br />
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<strong>Cooking for the Freezer:::</strong> , Applesauce mini muffins, Almond butter brownies & cream of celery soup<br />
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<strong>Tip/trick/useful information::: </strong>When I boil chicken I season the water well w: S&P, parsley, bay leaf, & thyme. Once the broth is cooled, I freeze it. I usually have plenty of chicken broth in my freezer & never have to buy canned.<br />
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<strong>Today's To Do list:::</strong><br />
Faithful fitness<br />
Clean up apartment<br />
Grocery store<br />
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<strong>Posts I am working on:::</strong> "Uses for Vinegar Part III", Real Eating & "12 months of Evie"<br />
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<strong>Highlight of the past weekend:::</strong> Going on a date w Ken to a great place downtown Valpo that tries to serve only local ingredients. <br />
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<strong>Looking forward to this week:::</strong> Evie turning 1 Tuesday. Not sure if I'm looking forward to it or dreading it :*(<br />
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<strong>What Cora has to say:::</strong> "Mom, Evie is such a stinker baby. She is always taking things out of the cabinets. But I am still glad she joined our family."<br />
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<strong>From the camera:::</strong><br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-33442463717092747012013-11-07T14:20:00.000-06:002013-11-07T14:20:09.146-06:00Winner AnnoucedMy dear friend, Audrey, won the giveaway! I am excited to hand deliver the prayer devotional & 2 Pampered Chef gadgets to her! <br />
Thank you to all that submitted your name! Stay tuned for the next chance to win :) <br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-27329800538633196352013-11-02T20:57:00.000-05:002013-11-02T20:57:00.400-05:002 on 2- November<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Happy November! Wow, the first year w Evelyn is flying by! She is now 9.5 months old! She weighs 15 lb. 4 oz. (A few ounces smaller than Cora was at this age) She waves, claps & gives kisses. She is eating more table food and now enjoying what she is eating. 2 more teeth have come through on the top but she is still working on another 2. No she is not sleeping through the night, not even close...But who is keeping track of how many times she is up?!?!? <br />
She was my little lamb on Halloween and just as adorable as could be!<br />
<br />
Cora Mae decided last minute to change her costume & become Cinderella rather than Rapunzel. It was precious, actually! She had been telling me for months she wanted to be Rapunzel so we got a costume from my niece. Perfect. She wore it everyday since the day she got it; even wore it to bible study Thursday morning. When it was time to dress for Trick or Treating she told me "Mommy, I just really want to be Cinderella. She is my favorite & I love her the most. Please can I wear my Cinderella dress?" Cute, right? I didn't care, so she got herself all ready in the Cinderella outfit my mom got her months ago for her birthday. Cora was such a trooper Trick or Treating. It was raining, cold & yucky here. That didn't stop her. She was so excited & ready to keep going house to house for "MORE CANDY"! It was a cold, wet but FUN night for me too :)<br />
Cora also decided she didn't want to do dance anymore. She told me that she likes dance but she likes being w/ me more (Ohhhh, how I just love her sweetness) Maybe we'll try again in a year or so....<br />
That's an update on my beautiful girls. They are treasures, for sure!<br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-56104069940252911422013-10-30T15:57:00.000-05:002013-10-30T15:57:26.182-05:00October= Breast Cancer Awareness GIVEAWAY!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month I am hosting a give away!<br />
The prize is 2 Pampered Chef products that are only available during the "Help Whip Cancer" campaign & a prayer book that I have used for years but has recently taught me how to pray for my bestie, <a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/09/its-just-hair-afterall.html" target="_blank">Jenna</a>, as she fights her fight against breast cancer. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(LOVE YOU, JEN)</span><br />
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To get your name into the random drawing you need to leave me any kind of comment on THIS post before November 7th. <br />
<br />
These are the 3 items being given away:::<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cTx40ushHtE/Um_VbLcsmYI/AAAAAAAABfQ/Rx3IcqtiKLE/s1600/ScoopNmeasure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cTx40ushHtE/Um_VbLcsmYI/AAAAAAAABfQ/Rx3IcqtiKLE/s320/ScoopNmeasure.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini Scoop N Measure. (The one I will be giving away is pink)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zpChUevRuj0/Um_VfFv7ccI/AAAAAAAABfY/4YV4-qX8KR4/s1600/CakeTester.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zpChUevRuj0/Um_VfFv7ccI/AAAAAAAABfY/4YV4-qX8KR4/s320/CakeTester.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cake Tester (You would use this anytime you reach for a tooth pick to see if your cake, brownies, bread is finished) I love this tool & use is alllll the time!</td></tr>
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<br />Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-8080604301622287672013-10-30T08:36:00.000-05:002013-10-30T08:36:26.719-05:0030 by 30~ October<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><u><span style="color: black;"></span></u></strong><br />
<strong><u><span style="color: black;">Blog Related:::</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>1. Host a blog give away</strike>. <strike> DONE. </strike></span><span style="color: black;"><strike>I held 1 in early June to celebrate my 250th post. Yay!</strike></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>2. Host a guest post. DONE.</strike> </span><strike><span style="color: black;">For World Breast Feeding week I "interviewed" a friend, Ruth Nelson. Read about it </span></strike><a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/08/world-breastfeeding-week-i-support-you.html"><strike><span style="color: black;">here.</span></strike></a><br />
<span style="color: black;">3. Keep up on blog series I have started (Happy Homemaker Monday, 2 on 2 & Pinterest Projects) </span><span style="color: red;">So Far, So Good!</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<u><span style="color: black;"><strong>Home Related:::</strong><strong> </strong></span></u><br />
<span style="color: black;">4. Organize & de-clutter every room in the house month by month <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Ex: May= our master bedroom, June= Cora's room, July= Living room etc.) <span style="color: red; font-size: small;">The rooms are coming along and it feels great to be decluttering & organizing. </span> </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">5. Make several different household products.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"> <strike>I tested several ways to clean w vinegar here is </strike></span><a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/05/pinterest-projects-45-uses-for-vinegar.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: small;"><strike>Part 1</strike></span></a><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"> <strike><span style="color: black;">and</span> </strike></span><a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/05/pinterest-projects-45-uses-for-vinegar_15.html"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: small;"><strike>Part 2</strike></span></a><strike> & made </strike></span><span style="color: red; font-size: small;"><a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/07/foaming-hand-soap.html"><strike>Foaming Hand Soap.</strike></a> This month I made dryer sheets read what I did <a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/10/miy-dryer-sheets.html" target="_blank">here</a></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">6. Cook something for my freezer at least once a week.</span><span style="color: red;"> This month: took it easy this month. My freezer is plenty full...</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>7. Have a garage sale. DONE. Happened in April. I made about $70</strike> <span style="color: red;">I have sold things using Facebook & have made $99 in 1 week. :)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">8. Add 'curb appeal' to our home <span style="font-size: x-small;">(shrubs,grass, flowers, stone work etc.)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>9. Plant something I've never planted in my</strike> <strike>garden. DONE.</strike></span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><strike>We planted strawberries!</strike></span> </span><br />
<span style="color: black;">10. Hang an outside clothes line</span><br />
<u><span style="color: black;"></span></u><br />
<u><span style="color: black;"></span></u><br />
<u><strong><span style="color: black;">Family Related:::</span></strong></u><br />
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<span style="color: black;">11. Go on a few dates w/ Kenny. <strike>Anniversary dinner at 157,</strike> <span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><strike>Dish in July</strike></span> Mid-October we went on a lunch date to Pikks in Valpo :) </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>12. Plan a Shipshewana, IN trip.</strike> <strike>DONE.</strike></span><span style="color: black;"><strike>We went mid-August.</strike></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>13. Plan something special for Ken's 30th birthday </strike><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strike>(September)</strike> <span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><strike>DONE!</strike></span> </span> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">14. Document the year through pictures/Be more intentional w/ new camera </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>15. Take girls to the</strike> <strike>zoo. DONE.</strike></span><span style="color: black;"><strike>We went for Father's day.</strike></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">16. Teach Cora the the letters of the alphabet</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">17. Open saving accounts for girls</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">18. Get back on track using coupons, price matching, staying w/i our weekly grocery budget </span><span style="color: red;">So Far, So Good</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>19. Go on a family vacation DONE. WE WENT TO FLORIDA FOR 11 DAYS IN MARCH!</strike></span><br />
<strong><u><span style="color: black;"></span></u></strong><br />
<strong><u><span style="color: black;">For Me:::</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>20. Lose baby weight </strike><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strike>(I'll do this slowly b/c I'm nursing. I will <u><strong>not</strong></u> start a crazy diet plan. My plan is simple: eat healthy, walk & give it time!)</strike> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-size: small;"><strike>DONE!!!</strike></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>21. Treat myself to a manicure OR pedicure. DONE. Went w/ some friends in May</strike></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>22. Do something totally different with my hair,</strike> <span style="color: black;"><strike>DONE. </strike></span></span><strike><span style="color: #6fa8dc;">read this post.</span></strike><br />
<span style="color: black;">23. Do something special for my 30th birthday (in February)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">24. Create & implement a daily cleaning schedule <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I have seen tons of these online but none work for me. I need a personalized one)</span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">25. Start journaling my bible reading time. </span><span style="color: red;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="color: red;">I am in 1 Peter.</span> </span> I am following Priscilla Shirer's <a href="http://www.livingwithpower.org/priscilla-shirer-tw12-the-5-ps-of-bible-study/">5 Ps of bible study</a>.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<strong><u><span style="color: black;">For Others:::</span></u></strong><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>26. Do something neighborly for at least 2 of my neighbors.</strike> </span><span style="color: black;"><strike>We took </strike></span><a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2013/04/key-lime-cookies.html"><span style="color: black;"><strike>Key Lime Cookies</strike></span></a><span style="color: black;"><strike> to our neighbors Jim & Rose & we also delivered a dozen sweet corn to another neighbor.</strike></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>27. Get more involved in our Preschool program at church. DONE.</strike></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><strike>28. Teach at least 1 friend how to pressure and/or water bath can DONE. I pressured canned w my mom</strike></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;">29. Be a bell ringer for Salvation Army during the Christmas season</span> (I wanted to do this this past Christmas but thought of it too late & couldn't get it scheduled) </span></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">30. Act out at least 3 random acts of kindness <span style="font-size: x-small;">(No plan for this- I will wait for the Holy Spirit to guide me) </span></span>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-55117399698335387762013-10-29T15:19:00.000-05:002013-10-29T15:19:25.866-05:00Banana-Caramel CupcakesI am not sure if these are cupcakes or muffins? Maybe I should call them "Cupffins"? :) The cupcake is "Julified" with whole wheat flour & coconut oil. Even still, the girls loved these. <br />
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<strong>Cupcakes:</strong></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
1/4 c. butter, softened</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
1 c. sugar</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
1 egg</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
3 ripe bananas</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
1/3 c. coconut oil, in liquid form (Vegetable oil works too)</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
1 tsp. vanilla</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
1 c. flour</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
1/2 c. whole wheat flour</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
1 tsp. baking soda</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
1/2 tsp. cinnamon</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
1/4 tsp. salt<br />
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-Cream butter & sugar<br />
-Add egg, bananas,coconut oil & vanilla. Mix well.<br />
-In a separate bowl, combine both flours, baking soda, cinnamon & salt.<br />
-Gradually, add to the banana mixture & stir just until combined.<br />
-Add batter to a cupcake pan.<br />
-Bake at 350 for approx. 20 minutes.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
<br />
Icing:</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
2 tbsp. butter</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
1/3 c. Brown sugar</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
1 tbsp. milk</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px;">
3 tbsp. powdered sugar<br />
Dash of salt & vanilla<br />
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-Add butter to a sauce pan & melt over medium heat.<br />
-Add brown sugar & milk. Bring to a simmer to ensure all the sugar granules dissolve.<br />
-Add powdered sugar<br />
-Add just a dash of salt & vanilla<br />
(This icing thickens as it cools. Wait to add additional powdered sugar if it seems too thin)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strike>Cora,</strike> Rapunzel enjoying her cupcake</span></td></tr>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-64446206620377738172013-10-28T07:17:00.000-05:002013-10-28T07:17:01.789-05:00Happy Homemaker Monday (10-28-13)<strong>Bible verse, Devotional:::</strong> <em>Read this this morning in the "Power Prayers" book that I mention below::: "Search me, O God, and know my heart, test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." -Psalms139:23-24</em><br />
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<strong>The weather::: </strong><em>Looking forward to some 60+ degree days! But Rain Rain GO AWAY!</em><br />
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<strong>On my reading pile:::</strong> <em>Beth Moore's "Wising Up"</em><br />
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<strong>On the menu for this week:::</strong><br />
<strong>Monday -</strong> <em>Grilled lamb chops & corn</em><br />
<strong>Tuesday - </strong>Bowtie pasta w/ ham & broccoli<br />
<strong>Wednesday -</strong> <a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2011/03/tamale-pie-is-winner.html" target="_blank"><em>Tamale pie</em></a><br />
<strong>Thursday -</strong> <em>Vegetable soup & homemade biscuits <span style="font-size: x-small;">(perfect for a chilly night of trick or treating)</span></em><br />
<strong>Friday -</strong> <em>Dinner out</em><br />
<strong>Saturday -</strong> <em>Lamb burgers</em><br />
<strong>Sunday -</strong> <em>Swedish meatballs <span style="font-size: x-small;">(from freezer)</span> over noodles</em><br />
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<strong>Today's To Do list:::</strong> <em>Oyyyy, overwhelmed! Too much to list.</em><br />
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<strong>Looking around the house::: </strong><em>Cora is cuddled up w me in recliner. Ev is still sleeping. It is dark & chilly this morning. House looks great-love when I actually get it cleaned up from weekend. Ha!</em><br />
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<strong>Highlight of the past weekend:::</strong> <em>I did not leave the house all day Friday or Saturday. And Sunday I just left for a quick "Family Blessing" class. We are "dedicating" Evie to the Lord on November 10th!</em><br />
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<strong>Looking forward to this week::: </strong><em>Halloween</em><br />
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<strong>Posts I am Working on:::</strong> <em>Breast Cancer Awareness Month Giveaway!,</em><strong> </strong><em>More uses for Vinegar, 2 on 2, & Banana-Carmel cupcakes. Wow, not sure I will get all those done this week, but I'll try!</em><br />
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<strong>What Cora has to say::: </strong><em>"Mommy, Evie is getting too big & getting into my things. I want God to put a baby <u>boy</u> in your tummy & he will just lay there & not get into my things."</em><br />
<em>Hmmm, where does she get this stuff? She cracks me up! </em><br />
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<strong>From the camera::: </strong><em>Sorry, not a cute picture of my girls this week. But I have to share this book with y'all! I have had it for several years & used it a many of times. The glossary gives topics so you can flip to a section of the book that you are needing to pray about! It is perfect for when you don't know how to pray or what to pray. Or when the situation is just to difficult to come up w the words on your own! </em><br />
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-79697777044975872512013-10-18T13:57:00.000-05:002013-10-18T13:57:00.762-05:00I won't always<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">These past several weeks have been hard on the "Mommy Front": Evie is getting 4 teeth on top, oh they are just below the surface. She is super whinny & insists that I hold her; almost constantly. She is up 4-5 times at night!<br />
Also, bc Cora has given up naps she too is more whinny & sassy than normal. <br />
Especially, during "The witch's hour" I have been trying to be patient & offer grace to my girls. Some days it is harder than others but I have been reminded by the Holy Spirit during several situations that <br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I won't always.......</span><br />
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e1hkvJZY0f0/Uh4Y3BfDVCI/AAAAAAAABWk/SJKPSV-jxbg/s640/blogger-image--119571552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e1hkvJZY0f0/Uh4Y3BfDVCI/AAAAAAAABWk/SJKPSV-jxbg/s640/blogger-image--119571552.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Have a precious {fussy} baby at my feet while cooking dinner</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">...Be able to soothe her <span style="font-size: x-small;">{teething}</span> pain </span><span style="font-size: small;">by rocking her <span style="font-size: x-small;">(for hours).</span> Someday, her pain will be caused by things much more out of my control...</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">...Have such an {<span style="font-size: x-small;">extensive, long & tiring}</span> bedtime routine w these beauties!</span></div>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-54883106985358339122013-10-16T09:16:00.003-05:002013-10-16T09:16:55.592-05:00MIY: Dryer SheetsLast week, I made dryer sheets. I have used them in several loads now & really like them! My laundry smells great, they are cheap & I know exactly what is in them. I looked up several different "recipes" online and this is what I came up with. Once I got the essential oil, which I got from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Plantlife-Lavender-100%25-Pure-Essential/dp/B00014DGCO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1380814522&sr=8-2&keywords=plantlife+essential+oils" target="_blank">Amazon</a> for about $8, I had everything I needed. I used lavender but wouldn't lemon smell wonderful?!?!<br />
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Here is what you'll need:<br />
Old shirt or rag<br />
2 c. vinegar<br />
20-30 drops of essential oil<br />
Old jar or vessel to store<br />
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Cut the shirt or rag into approx. 6in squares. Add vinegar & oil to jar & swirl to mix. Add rags. When ready to use squeeze out some of the liquid {But do not wring it all out} After load is dry just throw the dried rag back into the jar! Easy as that!</div>
Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-71002550299642677172013-10-14T19:56:00.001-05:002013-10-14T19:56:28.371-05:00Happy Homemaker Monday (10-14-13)<strong>I started this early in the morning. But then my day took a turn when I had to take Mae to the doctor: strep & ear infection. So, as you can imagine this post was put on the back burner. But it is still Monday, so here ya go! I am glad Monday is over & praying for a better Tuesday!</strong><br />
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<strong>Bible verse, Devotional:::</strong><br />
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<strong>The weather:::</strong><em> Perfectly Fall: Highs 57-68 Lows 37-45 (I would LOVE a frost to hold off longer tough!)</em><br />
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<strong>On the menu this week:::</strong> <em>Eating from freezer/pantry this week</em><br />
<strong>Monday -</strong> <a href="http://diaryofahomemaker-julie.blogspot.com/2011/03/tamale-pie-is-winner.html" target="_blank"><em>Tamale Pie</em></a><br />
<strong>Tuesday -</strong><em> Leftovers</em><br />
<strong>Wednesday - </strong><em>Ham & Scalloped potatoes</em><br />
<strong>Thursday -</strong> <em>Broccoli cheese soup</em><br />
<strong>Friday -</strong> <em>Coconut curry lamb</em><br />
<strong>Saturday - </strong><em>Leftovers</em><br />
<strong>Sunday -</strong> <em>Tuna casserole</em><br />
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<strong>Today's To Do list:::</strong><br />
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<li><em>Eeeek, I'd rather not see it all in a</em> <em>list!</em> </li>
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<strong>My "project" of the <strike>week</strike> Month::: </strong><em>De clutter the basement</em><br />
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<strong>What I plan to cook for my freezer:::</strong> <em>Nothing this week.</em><br />
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<strong>Looking around the house:::</strong> <em>Sweet baby (who is 9mo old today) playing on the floor, her big sis is still sleeping. I've got bags to unpack & laundry to put away. Pretty much my house is in complete disarray since I left Ken to fend for himself for 5 days.....</em><br />
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<strong>Highlight of the past weekend:::</strong> <em>The girls were not feeling well all weekend! Phew, it was rough! So my highlight comes before they got sick, on Friday Ken & I went on a lunch date.</em><br />
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<strong>Looking forward to this week:::</strong> <em>Being home & getting things done here</em><br />
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<strong>What Cora has to say:::</strong> <em>"Mommy, I am not feeling so well. But I know YOU are gonna make me feel better real soon."</em><br />
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<strong>From the camera:::</strong>Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1152137663173548213.post-51553086667409598052013-10-02T07:35:00.004-05:002013-10-02T07:35:58.992-05:002 on 2~ October<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Not much to report this month. Evie is cutting more teeth. 4 on top. She has been miserable & I feel so bad for her. I can see the outline in her gums of the forming teeth. Poor baby! </div>
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Cora started dance class. She seems to be enjoying it but bc I am not allowed in the room w her I don't really know for sure! I have started giving her "chores" like helping me set & clear the dinner table. The little things she can do for me are really starting to add up! </div>
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Oooooh, I just LOVE my lil pumpkins!</div>
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Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13065007441048932297noreply@blogger.com0