10 on the 10th

Here's my 10 on the 10th!


10 things I'm planning for Valentine's (I'm not a huge Valentine's person but it's what came to mind)

1. Make my man a playlist with special songs and dance to it in the kitchen.

2. Make fondue for dinner~ Mona Lisa style at home, cheesy and chocolaty goodness.

3. Eat it by candlelight.

4. Reese's hearts- I bought a package "for my kids" ~Wink~

5. Going to church.

6. Scrabble Valentine game (you put a Scrabble letter for each person's first name, pass it around and take turns drawing a tile and saying something nice about the person whose tile you picked.)

7. Going for a walk. (If the weather is decent, say, above 35? I love going for a walk with my family and holding hands with my sweetheart.)

8. I just remembered my husband has a meeting that day. Grr.

9. And that my son has 2 basketball games in Denver, so scratch most of these off. Double Grr. (Actually I'm excited because when my son has games Sunday mornings we go to a Saturday night service somewhere else and I'm really looking forward to that)

10. Diamonds, cute jeans, Mac makeup... now I'm just dreaming because the day is ruined. This is why I'm not a huge Valentine person, too many expectations leads to disappointment. :)



Myspace Quotes Graphics

Eat From The Pantry FLOP

This has been the longest month ever! I totally failed this challenge but was actually thinking I didn't do that bad until I just sat down to add up the evidence. I am ashamed. I think I have a grocery shopping problem. I need help, do they have groups for people like me? It looks worse in writing so here it is:

1/4 $66
1/9 $27
1/10 $101
1/12 $108
1/16 $131
1/19 $40
1/21 $87
1/26 $135
1/29 $312 (I stocked back up I couldn't help it)

The longest I went between shopping was 5 days. I spent over $1000 and $125 eating out. I can't believe it.

I did get my refrigerator cleaned out because I swear it was empty all month!

I'm very happy that my pantry, fridge and freezer are totally full again.

I don't know what else to say for myself.

Thankful Thursday

I'm so happy to start joining Sonya on Thankful Thursday. I want to make a conscious effort to focus and dwell on all I've been blessed with and this is a great way to train myself to do just that. I plan on writing 5 little things that are happening currently or that I am aware of at the moment, but the biggies that are always on my list of course are Jesus, grace, mercy, agape love, and salvation.

1. BSF

I went to Bible Study Fellowship today for the first time and am so excited to learn and grow through their ministry. I'm thankful I have so many opportunities to study God's Word all around my neighborhood.

2. My husband

He works so hard, giving up his life for me, so selfless and without even uttering a complaint. I have a handful of "God experiences" you know those things that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt were God and nobody can convince you otherwise? Well one of them was the day I first saw him. I'll never forget, it was like God tapped my shoulder, I looked up from my desk and saw him and just "knew". I didn't really know exactly what but it was just a knowing. Maybe you know what I'm talking about.

3. My kids

They walk with the Lord, they are healthy, smart and well behaved. What precious gifts. I couldn't ask for anything more.

4. A Daughter's Heart

I'm so excited for my husband and daughter to attend this dinner/dance. What a wonderful ministry this couple has started to bring fathers and daughters together in such a special way to strengthen that special bond.

5. Food

I was getting a few items at the store today and noticed the people behind me had 2 cases of Ramen, a loaf of white bread and just a few other items. I think it's so sad that it's so cheap to eat unhealthy items and so expensive to eat healthy food. The other day I was looking in the grocery ad and noticed 2 liter soda was 88 cents. I haven't bought soda in ages but couldn't believe it's cheaper than bottled water. And I won't even get started on all the starving people who would be happy to just eat anything. I'm just thinking about the prosperity preaching a lot lately and in view of the rest of the world we are so prosperous. But it's not to spend selfishly on ourselves but we are blessed to be a blessing.

Promises Promises

Ok I've been promising the pic about my foot cleanse, recipes for natural frugal cleaners, Eat From Pantry Challenge recipes and whatever else I think about. So here it is.



This is about 1/2 way through the 30 minute soak, gross huh? I was involved in this study to get this product approved by the FDA where I did hair samples and blood work at the beginning, middle and end of the 6 month study. This is when I learned about heavy metals. This foot bath pulls the metals out of your body (and the blood work did prove that it is effective.) There are more pores in your feet than your whole body so soaking your feet is a great way to pull out toxins. You can also use salt or boil ginger and soak your feet in the ginger tea as a way to detox. If we are getting sick we make sure to soak because our immune system is able to get a break from the toxins and fight the cold better. I've heard it help hangovers too but wouldn't know :)

*** I'm not a doctor, if you are on meds consult your doctor because certain meds can be affected!!


Here's the basic ingredients for my natural cleaners...


That jar with a blue sponge is my version of those ready to use bathroom wipes.

1 1/2 Cups water
1 oz liquid castile soap ( I use Dr Bronner's unscented)
6-8 drops of any essential oil (I like orange and/or lemon also tea tree is antibacterial/antifungal)
sponge or old cloths (wash and reuse)
glass jar

It makes it very easy to wipe down the sink and counter. I keep one in each bathroom and they sell assorted color sponges so I use the sponge that matches the bathroom :) That's the perfectionist in me.

The spray bottle in the picture is what I use to spray the kitchen counter and table.

1 T baking soda
1 T Borax (stain scrubber)
1/2 C vinegar
1 T Murphy's oil (degreaser)
2 C water
6 drops any essential oil


Dishwasher Powder



I stretch my store bought powder by adding equal parts washing soda and borax. Use about 2 spoonfuls, don't use too much. I also use vinegar in the jet dry rinse compartment. Of course I use the water miser option and then when it's done washing, I open the dishwasher and let them air dry (and all that lovely moisture goes into my dry air ahhh)


To mop my wood floors I always have just used my Shark steam mop and vinegar but my kids hate the smell so I have a bottle of vinegar marked "floors" that I added essential oil to so it smells better.

I also have a gallon of vinegar in the laundry room with essential oil (20 drops lavender, rose geranium, cedar, whatever you like) to use as a fabric softner.

Carpet/Rug freshner

1/2 C baking soda with 8-10 drops any oil
sprinkle on carpet, sit for 15 minutes (the powder not you) then vacuum.

Toilet Cleaner

I just sprinkle some borax and tea tree oil in the bowl, scrub and let it sit.

Here's a few I want to try but haven't made them yet.

Carpet Shampoo

(Does anyone know if these are safe for steam cleaners? The stuff you buy in the store is so expensive and not good to breath in!)

2 C baking soda
1/2 C soap flakes
20 drops lavender
8 drops rosemary
1/2 C vinegar
2 C warm water

Tough dirt/car wash

1 gallon water
1/2 C lemon juice
1/4 C liquid soap
3 T baking soda
6 drops eucalyptus (I wouldn't waste the oil on the car wash but that's the recipe if you want to add it)

Does anyone have any other tried and trusted cleaners to share?




This is what my house looks like on laundry day. I hang each person's clothes in their doorway so each room smells good and gets the much needed moisture. Plus it makes it really easy to put away! I hang jeans with those hangers that they come on at the store (just ask most will let you keep them) and I hang them by the pant leg so the heavy waistband pulls the wrinkles out. If I wash in the morning everything is dry by evening. Fleece and athletic wear is dry within an hour!

Black Bean Tacos

The other day I made margarita chicken, rice, black beans, zucchini, salsa and the left overs made these tacos the next day. Just shredded the one piece of chicken that was left, added the extra rice to the beans and salsa (cilantro, onions, jalapeno, garlic and tomato) and a can of rotel. You can add broth to make it a soup or put it in quesadillas, whatever you like.

I made this yummy pizza with mostly canned/jarred items but I did buy the mozzarella and basil but you can add anything you like and any sauce you like. I used alfredo sauce for one and a smoked tomato dressing for the other. Endless possibilities. And I always bake mine on the grill because it's so yummy like that.

Here's the whole wheat crust that is really easy to make in the bread machine.



Here's the toppings I used. Capers, artichoke, jalapeno, basil, mozzarella chunks, black olives, fresh tomato, sun dried tomato, roasted garlic.

Then we planned to sit down as a family and enjoy pizza and a movie (Star Trek) but were very disappointed within 15 minutes that they had to throw inappropriate scenes in the movie so we got up and played charades instead. There aren't many family friendly movies I guess.

Ok that's all for today I have to get busy! I'll share more another time, promise. :)

Happy Friday!

Here's my Friday Fill In! Click here to play too!



1. The lesson I learned yesterday was ___that trying to figure things out in my little pea brain gives me a headache and it's much better to cast my cares__________.
2. __I'm so excited to go to Yosemite this summer_______ where friends and family meet.
3. All these years __I thought I would have it all together by now________.
4. ___The party started__________ when I arrived.
5. The truth is ___I'm a total introvert and NOT the life of the party___________.
6. __Crying______ is what I remember most from that day.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to __playing (and maybe winning) Bunco with friends___, tomorrow my plans include __picking up a few groceries to make homemade pizzas on Sunday then going to the Saturday night service at church___ and Sunday, I want to __go to my son's basketball games and have a great family evening with a walk, board game, movie and fun night because there is no school Monday___!

Random Dozen

I'm doing 2 posts in one day to make up for my slacking. LOL I saw this here and it looked fun so I'm joining along.

1. When was the last time you craved a food--what was it, and did you cave?

Of course now I can't think of anything. Since I eliminated sugar I haven't really craved anything anymore. Oh I remember now. The other day my husband came home with this loaf of whole wheat sourdough bread and olives but didn't get grapes (he went back and got some for me) so yes I guess I caved. Italian bread, olives and grapes is a meal my grandparents, Dad and now my family love to eat.

2. M & M's or Skittles?

Eww. I don't like sugary, fruity type candy so it would have to be anything chocolate. My husband's grandparents always have peanut M & M's at their house, I can take them or leave them, depends on my resolve that day I guess.

3. Have you ever read the Bible completely through?

I don't think so. I'm attempting this year (again). I've come pretty close. I'm just lacking some chapters in the Old Testament. My kids told me a funny story once that their Pastor told them. Something like this prophet in heaven will come up to you one day and say, "Dude did you read my book?" and we'll feel pretty bad saying "Uh, you had a book? No I never got around to it." I always think of that. Like poor Obadiah or Nahum.

4. How long does it take you to really wake up in the morning?

Maybe 10 minutes. I have my little routine, put on robe/slippers, go downstairs open the curtains, flip on the fire and start making school lunches, by then I'm awake.

5. Have you ever been on a cruise? If not, would you like to?

No, I have never been on a cruise. My husband really wants to. I have serious issues with traveling since having kids. I want them to go with me so I feel better in case something happened. I hate the thought of leaving them behind and something happening. I'm sure it would be fun though. I don't know if being out on the ocean for a week would scare me though or not.

6. Who is your favorite actress?

Oh man I have to think a while. I don't know names or follow celebrity stuff. I'm so not into that kind of thing. I'll just say Julia Roberts because that's the first person that popped in my head. Or that cute girl, Reese Witherspoon. I liked a couple things she was in. I really don't have a favorite.

7. ______ is something that I will just never understand.

Algebra. (I agree with you Trudy!) Or with that earthquake in Haiti, that is hard to understand. Innocent people dying, kids starving, people having babies and dumping them while others desperately want one but can't, stuff like that.

8. How much of a technology junkie are you?

I'm not really. From VHS to DVD was cool but I'm not doing the blue ray thing, forget it. I don't think I would like those digital books whatever they are called. I like to turn the pages. And every camera, TV, camcorder, whatever that we've bought is old as soon as we get it home. I'll use it until it's broke, I'm not trying to keep up.

9. Do you enjoy selecting greeting cards for people, or is it more of a cultural "have to" for you?


I stopped buying greeting cards a long time ago. They can be like $5 or $6 and they end up in the trash. No way. I'll send free ecards or buy my husband an anniversary card (since he keeps them in a box with our high school love letters) and I enjoy picking his out.

10. When was the last time you got a new style/haircut?

I only get a haircut about once a year and last year I got layers. I have a gift certificate that I need to use (I'm afraid the business will close before I use it or something) and my year is overdue. I'm not a spend-all-day-getting-ready person so nothing too high maintenance.

11. What do you enjoy shopping for most?

I love craft shows or those country clutter type stores. I like going to Vitamin Cottage or Hobby Lobby. I would say a book store but I rarely buy books. I don't like shopping and rarely buy anything except groceries.

12. What's the last thing you think of before you leave the house?

Do I have everything? I should start asking myself "Am I dressed?" Yesterday I took my kids to Awana and as I was signing in I sort of ran my hand across my hair and felt something. Then I realized as I was standing there that I had my greasy bangs pinned back, and didn't even wash my face or anything that day, I just left. I was a little embarrased with myself. My kids didn't even say anything! HAMO Help A Mother Out. I'm getting bad about that.

Simple Woman's Daybook 1-4-10

Here is this week's Simple Woman's Daybook!


FOR TODAY... January 4th

Outside my window... it's sunny but freezing.

I am thinking... about my Reflections post and how I said I want to do more of what I love this year and less of things I don't. I was thinking along the lines of sitting around laughing with my kids instead of alphabetizing the pantry, stuff like that. But it's interesting that the key is to really do the things you don't want. That's how I've spent my new year so far. Little things like I'm sitting on an exercise ball for my posture and abs when I really want to curl up and slouch in my big chair. Or how I'm drinking plain tea when I want coffee loaded with french vanilla cream instead. And bigger things like how my flesh naturally does the opposite of what my spirit would choose to do.

I am thankful for... having a relaxing break. We barely went anywhere and spent the majority of our days in pj's. I love sleeping in, not having a schedule, the kids entertaining themselves and just being together and going with the flow.

I am wearing... my new pj's my hubby got me for Christmas, old robe and old slippers (but I really like them a lot).

I am remembering... a few days ago when the kids and I drove up to the Denver airport and had dinner with my Dad while he had a layover there. It makes me really sad that he's not close by to just have dinner or something together whenever we want.

I am going... to a Pilates class this morning and probably to vitamin cottage to get apples, blueberries, bananas and yogurt even though I am doing the Eat From The Pantry Challenge. I'm out of these items and it's freaking me out. Every morning I make this super yummy yogurt, it's plain yogurt with chopped up apple, pear, banana, blueberries, with cinnamon and this homemade almond, coconut, flax seed and oats granola. Even my kids are asking everyday for apples and my youngest just resorted to a cup of applesauce. I just can't say no to kids wanting fruit.

I am reading... Eat This and Live by Colbert, tons of books on aromatherapy and herbs, deciding which Bible study to do next, and so many others that it's ridiculous really.

I am hoping... we have a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year even though I'm getting the feeling I should only be hoping for a closer walk with the Lord. I've read a lot of things that have been sticking out for me right now. Like when Paul said Rejoice in the Lord, we forget he was saying that from a prison cell. I guess I'm just having mixed emotions right now. I watch, read and hear so much about the prosperity preaching and there are a lot of scriptures that talk about our riches through Jesus but there are a lot of other scriptures too. I'm thinking a lot about our culture compared to the rest of the world and how a crisis for us is "I can't get a hair appointment for two weeks!" When so many people are going through real trials, life and death situations we don't even hear or think about. There are more Christians being martyred now than any other time in history and here we are ready to give up on our faith if God doesn't give us a promotion or new car or whatever.

On my mind... I guess I should have wrote all of the above here. I have a lot on my mind as you can see. Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes it's not.

From the learning rooms... even though I don't homeschool my kids still learn at home. My older two are enjoying their new One Year Bible Challenge, my youngest is enjoying watching her Hooked on Phonics DVDs (even though I'm slacking when it comes to the workbooks). She's currently at my feet working on the flash cards. She knows all the capital letters and the sounds so now we are going to work on lower case letters.

Noticing that... my cravings for sugar go away after about 10 minutes when I get my mind on something else and that this time around it hasn't really been that hard. I've done this before and ended up like a monster but this time it's not even a big deal. There are a lot of reasons for that I think but I also notice I write a lot and go on and on.

Pondering these words... To live is Christ, to die is gain.

From the kitchen... oh this is weird. My husband saw this jar of cactus in the store and said he use to eat nopalito tacos and they were really good so that is what we are having tonight.

Around the house... I'm surprisingly caught up. My once a week cleaning is really nice. I do have dry laundry hanging around that I need to put away, that's about it. Oh and a sink full of dishes but that is always the case. It's rarely empty, like the laundry basket I guess.

One of my favorite things... my new essential oils. I made a kitchen cleaner with orange and lemon, I've sprinkled a little lavender on our pillows, and a few other things that I love.

From my picture journal...

That's a picture of the yogurt I was talking about, see I really love it and want some more!