à la Izzy

A plea for help

2009-08-07T10:43:00.000-06:00

The past few weeks I have been playing a game called JaG to try to win a slot in a photography workshop with one of my favorite photographers. I didn't win the first round so I'm really trying to go gung ho on the second. There are just 2 spots left up for grabs. They will go to whoever earns the most points. Points are earned by having people click from my blog or fan page over to Scott Jarvie's various sites. The last round I finished 4th so I will start near the top, but there are a lot of people who really want to win this as much as I do. Please help me by checking out his photography and having as many other people do so as well. There are 3 links on each of my 2 sites so each person /computer who clicks them all could help me earn 6 points. I'm not sure yet if each person can be counted more than once each day, I'll let you know when I know.

This is Friday and Saturday ONLY

www.wingsofblue.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Elko-NV/Wings-of-Blue-Photography/86989658649

For more info on the game check Scott's fan page http://www.facebook.com/JarvieDigital

Another Summer Acrivity

2009-06-01T10:24:00.001-06:00

News

Family History Library Sponsors

SUMMER of SLEUTHING

Are you looking for a fun activity to keep your children occupied this summer? Would you like to learn more about your family? Do you need a kick start to organize your family records?

“Summer of Sleuthing—Save Our Ancestors” (SOS) is a family summer activities program sponsored by the Family History Library to introduce families to the fun of family history. With a series of weekly challenges, families can participate in activities that will help them learn more about themselves and their ancestors. The program will also be available online at familysearch.org.

Summer of Sleuthing will begin at the Family History Library on Saturday, June 6, 2009 at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Families are invited to come to the Library and register that day and participate in activities and classes. They will also receive packets to take home and complete. The challenges in the packets can also help youth in accomplishing goals in Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Primary Achievement Days, Young Women, and Young Men.

As part of the challenges, family members are encouraged to keep a journal of their experiences and create memories together as a family. We encourage you to share this message with all families, both Church members and those who are not. We hope that this experience will bring families closer together as they gain an appreciation for the lasting treasures to be found in family history work.

Sincerely,

FamilySearch Support

support@familysearch.org

U.S. and Canada: 1-866-406-1830

International: go to http://contact.familysearch.org for more toll-free phone numbers

Bowl for Free!

2009-05-30T23:21:00.001-06:00

Well, almost free, just shoe rental.

Locations Nationwide, including Boise. :)

https://www.kidsbowlfree.com/center.php?alley_id=5175

Utah State Parks

2009-05-15T14:08:00.000-06:00

http://www.utahshoppingsecrets.com/2009/04/utah-state-park-visitor-passes-free.html

Check out a pass to Utah State Parks.

2009-04-12T22:26:00.004-06:00

I have not made one of these in quite a few weeks. I need one this week.

Monday: Favorites (Easter Leftovers)
Tuesday: Lasagna
Wednesday: Shepard's Pie
Thursday: Chicken Enchiladas
Friday: Pizza Night

Food Storage Binder ~ contest

2009-04-08T13:57:00.004-06:00

Go here and enter to win a food storage binder. All the info you need to be prepared in one easy to follow guide. All of the info is also available for free through their newsletter over the course of a year. Can't hurt to win the whole thing all at once!

2009-03-02T11:49:00.003-07:00

Menu

Monday- White Chili in soupbowls, or maybe a good chowder

Tuesday- Perogies, this is a first for me

Wednesday- Crabby patties (yea the kids have been watching Sponge Bob)

Thursday-Pork Loin

Friday ?? will depend on what is in the ads on Wednesday

2009-01-21T22:44:00.003-07:00

Thursday ~ Fritata

Friday ~ ?? either out to dinner or something simple

Saturday~ French onion Soup
Cheesy bread

Sunday ~ Ham
Potatoes

Monday ~

Tuesday~

Wednesday~

Shopping list:

Onions
Cheese sticks
French Bread
This needs added too... I thought I had this weeks ads here, but all I can find are last weeks. At least I have tomorrow planned.

up to 75% off!

2009-01-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

75% off at Hickory Farms & extra 15% off

http://www.hickoryfarms.com/

Extra 15% off your order
Source Code: 849358

www.borders.com

25% off one item

Code: IP1255

Exp. 9/30/09

www.fashionbug.com

15% off

Code: 776214306

Exp. 12/3/09

$10 gift card

2009-01-13T13:36:00.001-07:00

Free $10 FedEx Office Digital Photo Printing Gift Card

LINK

Promotion Name: Fed Ex Office $10 Gift Card Offer
Promotion Description: Receive one $10 FedEx Office Digital Photo Printing Gift Card by mail following registration at www.sony.com/FEDEXpicturestationoffer.
Promotion Number: 080647B
Start Date: 12/29/2008
End Date: 1/31/2009

70% off at Coldwater Creek

2009-01-03T23:30:00.002-07:00

Use code

WXH6446

for 70% site wide at Coldwater Creek

I'm not sure how long this is good for, but I just put a few things in a basket and entered the promo code to see if it still works and it seems that it is!

Magazine Deals

2009-01-01T10:32:00.004-07:00

I love magazines! They are so expensive though. There are several deals for free subscriptions today. I signed up for the Wondertime one already and am going to go back and see what other ones interest me. There are also several that I don't think I would read much, but the kids love to flip through and use to cut out pictures for projects. I have no use for Bridal Guide, but Courtney LOVES it.

As always, I recommend a separate email for these kind of deals.

I followed the link from here to here. Check out both blogs for more freebies!

Deals at Arby's

2008-12-08T13:20:00.000-07:00

Arby's printable coupon free roast beef sandwich with any purchase, exp 12-14

LINK

Free Mint Chocolate Swirl Shake

Free Mint Chocolate Swirl Shake with first-time registration for Arby's Extras at arbys.com https://arbysextras.fishbowl.com/forms/arbys/join.asp

After you register at arbys.com, we'll email you a coupon for your free shake.
This offer is for new members only.
Offer expires 12/28/08

Redbox

2008-12-05T12:41:00.003-07:00

We have a mad Redbox love at this house. Movies for a buck? Often for FREE? We are there. They have a wide variety of movies and even carry the obnoxious kid ones that the kids want to buy, but I am unwilling to spend $$ on.

Denise over at "Cent"sible Sawyer's posted some great new codes. See her full post here. There are links to more free codes.

These codes are good for one day only and only at Walmart locations.

Week 1 (Sunday 12/7) - 11moms4uS (good for this day only)

Week 2 (Sunday 12/14) - 11moms4uA (good for that day only)

Week 3 (Sunday 12/21) - 11moms4uN (good for that day only)

Week 4 (Sunday 12/28) - 11moms4uT (good for that day only)

Week 5 (Sunday 1/4/09) - 11moms4uA (good for that day only)

Happy viewing!!

Free Chapstick

2008-11-28T23:43:00.002-07:00

http://www.lipstockist.com/sample.html

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

Samples on Fire

Please note, due to an unforeseen and astonishing surge in demand for the free LIPSTOCK CHAPSTOCK Cream Lip Conditioner sample, we kindly ask that all recipients allow an estimated 1 – 3 months for the receipt of their sample. All requests are filled in the order of their arrival in our cue, followed by shipment confirmations provided via email.

http://lipstockist.com/blog/

Good deals this weekend

2008-11-23T00:16:00.003-07:00

$5 of $50 purchase at Kmart
http://www.kmart.com/ue/home/KM_EA_110208.pdf

Bath and Body Works has their Signature items on sale 7 for $35 + 8th one free. Use the $10 off coupon that came in the mail this last week and you get 8 items for $25, can also be combined with other coupons if you have them.

Free Razor

2008-11-21T22:28:00.001-07:00

http://www.schicksamples.com/

Just beware... your husband might like the new kind better, don't ask how I know.

American Girl

2008-11-21T22:18:00.000-07:00

American Girl Free Ship/No Minimum

Enter code GIFTSHIP
expires 11/25
www.americangirl.com

Let's Talk Potatoes

2008-11-17T20:26:00.003-07:00

Mmmmm spuds.

My dad grew up in a tiny town in eastern Idaho. I lived there for the first ten years of my life too. The tiny town is known for its potatoes. They are not just any potatoes they are the BEST potatoes in the world. They grow in rich black volcanic soil. They are one of the things I missed most living in Alaska. Potatoes from anywhere else are just not the same. Every year dad travels back to purchase a winters supply. Usually he gets them from here. I think he got over a thousand pounds this year for friends and family. He brought me 100 lbs to Boise, even knowing that we would be moving soon. We actually went trough quite a few, and passed along the rest. The other thing is that they are CHEAP. The price went up this year to $8.50 per 50 lb bag. even with the raise in prices it is much cheaper than the grocery store.

The thing is in the past I have had lots left over in the spring when they start to sprout. This year I want to make a concerted effort to use them up. I will be doing a potato dish at least once a week, actually my goal is one new dish a week and one standby, but I don't know that I will always make a new one. Keep me on my toes and I will!

The #1 question I get asked if I mention having that many potatoes around is how do you store them? There are a few keys to keeping them fresh.

1. Cool location
2. Dark location
3. Air circulation

Typically I store mine in the garage. It is not as dark as a closet, but it takes care of the cool part best. The paper bag helps keep the light out and also better circulation than a plastic bag. These potatoes are unwashed, this also helps them to last longer.

This week my challenge is Potato Salad. I've made it before, but never seen to get it quite right.

Menu November 17-23

2008-11-16T18:31:00.004-07:00

A lot of things got pushed back last week so they will be on this week's menu instead.

The ads here come out on Tuesday afternoon and start Wednesday morning. This is a new schedule for me and will take some getting used to. I'm going to go ahead and make a menu, based mostly on what is in the freezer, but I may have to update later in the week. Kevin also starts swing shift so he will be needing his big meal at lunch time. Perhaps this will motivate me to get started on dinner before 4:30, 5 o'clock.

Monday- Pork Loin, Jello, Baked Potatoes

Tuesday -White Chili

Wednesday-Hamburgers, potato salad

Thursday- Lasagna

Friday-Dill Chicken Sandwiches

Saturday-

Sunday-

Shopping list
sausage
cottage cheese
Hamburgers
Buns
Sliced Italian bread
mozzarella cheese
tomatoes
eggs

Start Sampling

2008-11-16T18:01:00.002-07:00

Start Sampling has been around for many years and is a site I trust. I have always received my samples from them. You don't normally see this many good ones at one time!

http://www.startsampling.com/index.iphtml

Free Elle Magazine

2008-11-16T17:27:00.000-07:00

Free issue of Elle Accessories

http://www.dreampressonline.com/index.php

Stationary Freebie

2008-11-16T17:22:00.001-07:00

Sign up for the mailing list at Dream Press Stationary and get a free sample pack.

Direct link to contact form:
http://visitor.constantcontact.com/email.jsp?m=1101470620154&p=oi

Menu Nov 7-13

2008-11-07T10:59:00.003-07:00

Friday -Ward party, our family is bringing dessert to the potluck. Cookies!!
Saturday- Happy Birthday Mom!
Sunday- Roast, and the fixings for Sunday dinner
Monday- White chili
Tuesday- Pork loin, ???
Wednesday- Spaghetti
Thursday- Dill Chicken sandwiches

Shopping list
Sausage
Pork loin (on sale this week)
Cream
Noodles

White Chili (for Kirk)

2008-11-07T09:05:00.001-07:00

ummm now I have to remember..... Problem was I didn't follow an exact recipie.

So I made a white chili on a cool day this spring and Kirk came over to help with one of our house projects. He has been asking for the recipe ever since. It has been too hot though to cook chili! Now that fall has come around again I am cooking this type of stuff again. I will try to recreate it this week. In the meantime, here is a start.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/White-Turkey-Chili/Detail.aspx
This was the base for the recipe, only instead of the cream of chicken soup I made a roux with butter and flour then added chicken stock.I also used cream instead of regular milk. I also made it with chicken, but I will probably make it with turkey after Thanksgiving to use up leftovers.

What not to do

2008-09-20T17:02:00.003-06:00

Nuff Said.

Menu ,First week of School

2008-08-25T23:03:00.002-06:00

Monday Grilled Chicken/ Zucchini cakes
Tuesday Spaghetti
Wednesday pork roast
Thursday Stir Fry
Friday Pizza night!
Saturday Birthday Party in the EVENING, something easy beforehand, crock pot will probably be my friend
Sunday Big Family Dinner - what do we want to have??

Shopping list
Sausage
french bread
bread
tortillas
OJ
Baking powder
Pepperoni

Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

2008-08-20T00:15:00.000-06:00

Garden Party Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

This dress is just too gorgeous!

6 days

2008-08-19T08:30:00.000-06:00

School starts in 6 days. I will get back into a routine and post more often. I promise.

Menu June 30-July5

2008-07-01T07:10:00.000-06:00

Mon-Chicken/Stuffing bake
Tues- Spaghetti
Wed- Enchiladas
Thurs- Quesedillas
Fri- PARTY in the park
Sat- Pork BBQ

The Healthy Stuff

2008-06-23T12:35:00.000-06:00

This weekend my brother and Sister in Law had an open house for their new baby. My side was in charge of bringing the "healthy stuff."

Izzy had the fruit tray and I had the veggie tray, of course we were prepping in the same kitchen so there was lots of sharing going on. These are our results.

Yea, we like produce. Do you have a problem with that?

Menu June 16-21

2008-06-16T13:46:00.000-06:00

Mon-Chicken Stir Fry

Tues- BBQ pockets

Wed- Steaks/hot dogs for kids
Belated Father's Day

Thurs- Spaghetti

Fri- Philly Cheese steaks
Family is arriving late into the night this way we can fix as they come

Sat- Open house
I'll be cooking something to bring I'm sure but not sure what

Sun- Turkey Dinner

Menu Last week of School!

2008-06-02T09:52:00.000-06:00

Lots of easy stuff this week the schedule is jam packed with graduations, school plays and field days.

Monday -Chicken Salad

Tuesday-Spaghetti/bread sticks

Wednesday- Burgers/Corn

Thursday- Creamy chicken in the crock pot

Friday- Camping, I need to figure out a great dutch oven recipe. Last years enchilada pie went over really well. I want to keep up my reputation, but not do the same thing.

Saturday- Chef salad

Grocery list as of this point:
grapes
buns
rolls
corn
turkey
cheeses
marshmallows
chocolate
grahams

More great menu ideas here.

Themes

2008-05-29T09:15:00.001-06:00

I'm rolling ideas around in my head about how to keep the kids occupied this summer. I'm thinking that we should have a theme for each week. We can walk to the library and pick out books. After lunch we can read books on each theme before nap time. We could also do a few activities throughout the week. Not every thing would be based on the theme, just as a jumping off point. I need theme ideas. I have a few and I am trying to covertly pull ideas out of the kids., but i need more. Help me!

Sorting dishes

2008-05-28T08:45:00.000-06:00

We don't have a dishwasher, and no room to put one in without a major kitchen overhaul. That is not likely to happen this decade so I am washing dishes by hand. This week I was instructing Mallory in the fine art of dish washing and taught her to sort the dishes. I always thought that this was just a weird thing I did until I started to teach her. It did not dawn on me until then that this is something that my mom taught me. Before doing the dishes I always sort them.

Stack the glasses, all the silverware in a mug or measuring cup, plates together, then bowls and cookware.

I also wash the dishes in order. This way the messiest dishes are done last and they stack easily into the dish drainer.

This quick step also has the uncanny ability to make the chore seem more manageable. What often looks like a humongous pile of dishes can be sorted into just a couple neat stacks and then tackled one by one.

It works for me! Thanks mom.

For more great ideas visit It Works for Me Wednesday over at Rocks in My Dryer

Last Night's Creation

2008-05-23T14:05:00.000-06:00

Last night I needed a quick, easy dessert for 6 children and a sick husband. #1 requirement was that I had to have all the ingredients on hand. No way was I running to the store. I could have gone the super easy route and handed out the Popsicles I had, but it was a touch chilly so I wanted something warm. I settled on banana chocolate chip cupcakes.

1 box yellow cake according to directions.
1 small box banana pudding.
Mix together, pour into 24 cupcakes.
Sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top.
Bake according to directions.

Cool enough to be handled by small children.
Ignore the holly cupcake wrappers; they came out of the cupboard first.
EAT!

Now, I'm not a fan of banana flavoring but the kids kept begging for more and Kevin said they were like a little slice of heaven. That may have been the fever talking but I'll take it anyways.

Menu May 19-25

2008-05-19T14:11:00.000-06:00

Monday- I don't know, Heaven help me it has to be ready in 2ish hours. I think there are some pork chops in the freezer. I thought I would get to Winco this morning, but didn't. And miracle of miracles the kids are sleeping. We'll muddle through.

Tuesday- Tacos

Wednesday Stuffed Peppers

Thursday Chef Salad

Friday BBQ Pockets

Saturday Pizza for the Moving crew (aka Kevin, Dad and anybody else they round up) at my brother's.

Back on track (May 12-18)

2008-05-15T13:14:00.000-06:00

Between busy end of the year stuff, quick trips out of town and sick kids I have just been jotting down my menus on scratch paper and flying by the seat of my pants a lot. It may be Thursday, but I really need to plan the rest of the week.

Tonight: Grilled chicken, salad, maybe bread sticks

Friday: Date night!

Saturday: Grilled shrimp This looks really good.

Sunday: Waffles w/ strawberries and bacon

Menu April 13-19

2008-04-10T12:02:00.000-06:00

Sunday pork chops
Monday-Chili/cornbread
Tuesday-??
Wednesday-One skillet sausage and zucchini (p 88, 365 Dinner Menus)
Thursday- Hamburgers/Home fries
Friday-Pizza
Saturday-Lasagna

Shopping List
Hamburger
Buns
Pickles
zucchini
Mozz cheese
pepperoni

Pizza Crust

2008-04-06T15:11:00.001-06:00

1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 tablespoon white sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
3-4 cups all-purpose flour

Mix together water, sugar, yeast until dissolved.
Add the olive oil and salt.
Slowly stir in flour and knead well.
Let dough rest for minimum of 10 minutes.
Coat pizza stone in thin layer of cornmeal.
Roll or pat out dough onto stone.
Top with favorite toppings.
Bake for 15-20 minutes in 425 degree oven

Makes one thick crust pizza, double for 2 pizzas.

Menu April 6-12

2008-04-06T14:57:00.000-06:00

Sunday- Dill Chicken Sandwiches
Monday-BBQ Chicken and rolls
Tuesday- Beef Stew
Wednesday-Fajitas
Thursday- Spaghetti
Friday- Pizza
Saturday- ??

Home fries

2008-04-06T14:20:00.000-06:00

2 large potatoes
2 tbs olive oil
2 tsp ranch dressing mix

Mix olive oil and dressing mix in large bowl
Thinly slice potatoes
Add potatoes to oil and stir to coat
Lay in thin layer on baking stone or sheet
Cook on 400 until potatoes are cooked and edges crisp, approximately 20 minutes

Pancakes

2008-04-05T11:21:00.000-06:00

I made pancakes this morning then Izzy called and asked for the recipe as she was making them too. Today is a pancake kind of day.

1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 tbs brown sugar
2 tbs oil
3 tsp baking powder
splash vanilla
1 cup flour

cook on medium

I usually double the batch. Kevin loves it if I add 1 mashed up banana. The kids like a sprinkle of chocolate chips.

Oh.. and beware of copying down the recipe and abbreviating Brown sugar as BS. You might mix it up with baking soda

2 Weeks of Highlights

2008-04-04T19:53:00.000-06:00

Easter dinner then lots of left overs. LOTS of left overs. We planned on enough for for all the people that might come, then didn't have nearly as many as we thought.
Sandwiches on the yummy rolls
Ham and potato soup
Turkey soup maybe
We ate all week, but my brain is mush and I cant remember the specifics.

This week my mom was here and Kevin was out of town 4 of 5 nights.
Lots of easy things in the menu
Beef stir-fry
Grilled Cheese
I made a Tortilla soup that went over well it was based on this recipe. Minor adjustments had to be made. #1 being I don't keep beer stocked in the house.

I also made these! They turned out great. I wish I had gotten a picture. Next time, and yes there will be a next time.

Tonight we had favorites (aka leftovers) and I realized how many times I have made soup recently. What can I say, it is quick, filling, and YUMMY.

Menu March 16-21

2008-03-16T16:51:00.000-06:00

Menu
March 16-21
Sunday: Chef Salad
Monday: St. Patrick's Day Corned beef Stew, Cloverleaf Rolls, green salad, Shamrock cookies
Tuesday: Spaghetti, golden bread
Wednesday: Dilly Chicken Sandwiches
Thursday: Stir Fry
Friday :Meat Loaf, Mashed Potatoes

For you Izzy

2008-03-15T23:19:00.000-06:00

Izzy, this is for you,. My cooking. Easy for you to access. Ask away