Frozen Veggies for $6!

I'm bummed to see the season of farmer's markets come to an end. I'm also sad that I didn't make it to as many this year as I had hoped. I did score some great deals though the few times I made it to them. 

I love browsing the "bumped, bruised and ugly" section because there is usually great produce there for really reduced prices. One of our local markets sells baskets with said awful looking produce for $1. One day while shopping for other items I gathered up 6 baskets filled with peppers and tomatoes which would work wonderfully for canning. Usually after a little "plastic surgery" the icky parts can be removed and you're left with a great amount of produce for much less then they would've cost if they had looked pretty! :) 

After chopping it all up this is what I stashed away in my freezer for only $6: 

Have you scored any great deals this year at Farmer's Markets?

Daughter's Room: Reveal!

Wow! I made you wait a long time for the reveal. Sorry! It's been here ready to post for a while, but life happened. 

What we did:
-We painted stripes along the bottom portion of the room. We also painted the top portion a soft green.
-I changed some of the decorations to coordinate things better.

BEFORE

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

The most important part is that she loves it. She loves having the colors in her room and it makes her feel special to have her room decorated just for her! :) 

I'm BACK!

Life is finally feeling a bit more manageable again--yay! I actually have a bunch of days on my November calendar with NOTHING on them--yet! ;) After looking back through September and October I counted up that during a period of 6 weeks, I was home for only 14 days. Those same 14 days were nearly all ones my husband was working a 12-shift for too. It was really hectic! Which meant this little space of mine had to be put on hold, if for no other reason then to maintain the little bit of sanity I still had left! ;)

The good news is, that just because I was taking a break from posting, I certainly wasn't taking a break from paying off debt, gathering ideas and working on projects! :) Hope you're all ready for some serious catching up, because I've got a lot to share. Haha!!

Thank you for your patience during my mini-break and for your condolences and well-wishes as we headed to my Grandpa's funeral. They were very appreciated!

I also wanted to warn you that some of the posts you'll be seeing in the next few weeks will be from things that happened (what seems like) forever ago!

Some time off

Friday morning my alarm clock went off to start my day. I had a full day planned and had to get an early start. Minutes later, I got a text saying my Grandpa was not responding that morning and emergency respondents were on their way to his home. Twenty minutes later, I got the call that confirmed he had indeed passed away in his sleep sometime during the night. All my plans started to unravel, including those for this week. Family trumps everything right now. In moments like this the most important things are instantly the priority and things are back in proper perspective. In light of that and all that will be taking place this week for my family, I will be taking some time off from blogging. Honoring my Grandpa's life and spending time with those that loved him and love me will come first, it's just that simple.

As far as Grandpa goes, honestly, I haven't had much time to process his loss. I'm sure this week will be full of ups and downs. He's been fighting for a while now and far out lived the doctor's predictions-he was a fighter, for sure! I don't think any of us were shocked, but just the same, it's never easy. He was done, he'd fought hard and long enough. He was at peace with his loved ones and with His Savior. Now, it's a time to celebrate his life here on earth and his eternal life where he now dances, young and healthy next to Jesus!

Have a wonderful week, I'll resume posting as soon as life allows!

Wordless Wednesday: Vacation Highlights

Not quite sure that's exactly how you are supposed to use them! haha!

Taken by our talented preschooler! :)

Sunrise

I'm not a morning person! I put this on my 101 list because I knew it would be a stretch for me. It was. It was totally worth it. I've obviously experienced seeing the sunrise before, but there is something so beautiful and peaceful about actually taking the time to sit and watch it.

My sister gets the credit for this one. It was her last day in town before moving overseas for a year. She'd started watching the sunrise regularly this summer and invited me and other close friends to join her at her favorite sunrise watching spot that final day. I wanted to spend the time with her and I knew I'd be disappointed if I didn't go, but setting my alarm the night before was a struggle! I did it though! :)

That morning, I literally, went to the bathroom and put on a sweatshirt and walked out the door. It was way too early to do anything else! Keep that in mind as you see these pictures! ;)

I'll let the pictures tell the rest of the story. There are times that words just can't describe something as beautiful a moment as the birth of a new day. 

  

Me, Sis, Vanessa

Me, Sis, Mom

As the sun moved overhead, we headed to Starbucks to spend some quality time together while enjoying a yummy coffee to start our day. It was a fantastic morning. 

Watch the sunrise. So glad I did. 

iSpy Game

I found this idea on pinterest and had to do it! With our 16 hour road trip just a couple weeks away, I added it to my to do list. I also noticed other styles, some were made like a bean bag, which I was considering since I had no pretty jars.

Then, while over helping my sister pack, I noticed she had a water bottle that looked almost exactly like this one! :) Since she had no use for it, I snagged it! ;)

Do you want one too?

How to make them:
1. Gather your supplies-
~1 pretty bottle
~uncooked rice
~small toys
~hot glue gun
~funnel

2. Line up your toys on a white sheet of paper to take a picture of them. This will serve as the key so the kids know what to find.

3. Using a funnel, pour some rice into your bottle, about 2/3-3/4 of the way.

4. Add your toys.

5. Put some hot glue around the lid to provide a seal, if you want to.

6. Give it a little shake to mix it all up and let them have it!

Back to the Real World

A quick update. Vacation is officially over and I'm back to the real world of laundry, unpacking, running errands, checking emails and the list goes on. We had a fantastic trip to LA and sunny San Diego. It was a great couple weeks and I'm already missing it! I have a TON of great things to share with you on here, but it'll take me a few days to get my life back together to do so! ;)

Have a great weekend!