Tempt my Tummy tuesday

Well Tuesday is fun because Monday nights I make the meal I plan to share with you all. My memory card was deleted and I am told not to use it for a while so your going to get pictures that I get from photobucket or google search for a little while. The card is full of the babies pictures. I can only hope that they can be recovered like many people have told me. It truly has made me feel so sick to know I deleted their pictures of their first four months. 


With that being said here is what I tried to make yesterday. You all know how much I loved quick crock pot recipes and now with the babies and all the time I don't have I find the time to do one big meal plan on Sundays to set us up for the week with my lovely crock pot!  I hope you enjoy this recipe.

Beef Bourguignon

• ½ cup flour
• 1 pinch kosher salt
• 1 pinch pepper
• 5 pounds beef chuck, cubed up 
• EVOO. 
• 2 onions, sliced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced ( I used cream of mushrooms and that seemed to work great! 
• 1 cup fresh parsley, minced ( I have mine frozen so just pop it out of the ice tray! )
• 6 teaspoon minced garlic ( Again done in ice tray in freezer) 
• 4 bay leaves
• 2 cups white wine ( 3 buck chuck from Trader joes works great) 
• 1 1/2 cup beef broth ( I use trader joes) 

Directions

1. Mix the flour, salt, and pepper. Dredge beef in flour.
2. In a skillet placed on stovetop set to medium-high heat, heat oil and sear beef on all sides.
3. Add meat and remaining ingredients to Crock-Pot® slow cooker. Cover and cook on Low for 4-6 hours 

Serves: 6-8 Size: 6-7 quarts 

Meet me Monday...

1. What do you do when you are really upset to calm yourself down?

I start to cry.  Although I have to say and admit that I'm not really sure that it calms me down. I also get mad and real bitch at times. My husband is amazing and I do not know what makes him put up with me and love me the way he does. 

2. Did you go all out for V-day or is it just another day?

Typically, it's just another day. This year, we did what most new parents do, made dinner and tried to talk in between diapers and warming up milk. It was extra special today because we had two amazing little babies to hold and love. I do look forward to next year when we can start many new traditions.... I do see alot of fun things in our little family.

3. Are you more or less productive when Hubs is away?

Oh so much more, I turn and burn when the babies nap, I have a clear list of when to do what for my chores around the house, I try to keep my house up to the way it needs to be in order of what I expect from me. It's funny I have a few best friends and one that isn't a part of my family tree, she came over the other day and said she was so happy to see my house look like that of one that belongs to a mommy! So now when he is away at work I try really hard to keep it up but now I don't keep it as clean as I use to because I would rather play with my babies or catch up on a few emails or take a nap with them. I never thought that quote of "cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow." now I truly do. 

4. What is your favorite time of day and why?

Gosh...that's a hard one. 

But, I suppose, my favorite time of day is 3:00 when my husband comes home from work and I go back to sleep for a nap, sometimes I sleep till 4 sometimes till 7. It is kind of like working a graveyard when I let the hubs sleep and take the night shifts when he is working. I also love when all three of them are in bed and I can watch my shows, catch up on my blog and drink a nice cold diet coke. :) 

5. What is your go to karaoke song?

Ha! 

Soooooooo, my go to karaoke song is usually like a virgin, or pour some sugar on me! I also love anything by good old Niel D....

If I've had Pineapple juice and coconut rum,  I can sometimes convince myself that I sound good enough to belt out any handful of country artists or 90's top 100...but that requires a blood alcohol level that leaves me unable to drive a car or operate heavy machinery and I wind up with a queasy tummy and a pounding headache in the morning along with a ton of bruise's I discover in the shower the next day. Thank God I don't drink but once a year or two. 

Meet me Monday!!!!!

Welcome to Meet me Monday :)  On Wednesday night. :)



1. Would you rather be on ABC's Extreme Home MakeOver or TLC's What not to Wear?
Well, when Extreme Home Makeover first came on the TV, they came to our little town, it was a huge thing in our town, locals and people that just lived around the area were here to lend a helping hand. A time where a close knit community became even closer. I felt bad for the family that was part of it because I think even now years later people drive up the road they live on and down the dirt driveway just to look at the house. When they were in town for the first year or so after the show was on air, people would stare and point and whisper at them, so to be honest I have to say that I loved that show but now I think I need new things to wear and look my best so i would say What not to wear!


2. Do you have any tattoos?
Yes I do, I have my first one in the one place every girl my age..... in the good old US of A and another one is on my wrist its a awareness ribbon, but I want to have a few more, in the next year I want to get one that celebrates the birth of my boys and want to celebrate my 10th anniversary with my husband. 


3. Do you tell your kids about things you did growing up?
Yes, my parents were very truthful with me so I will do the same thing with my boys. I feel like I was a good kid that didn't get in too much trouble and when I did I came home and told my Mom. I can only hope that my boys love me as I love my parents. 


4. If the traffic signal turns yellow, do you stop or speed up?
Speed up baby! Better watch out I will hit you! :) I don't second guess myself if I am going for it I will just keep going. 


5. What's your preference: chocolate or chips?
How about Chocolate chips! I would say Chips I love milk Chocolate but I have to say that my salt licks of chips especially at my favorite place to eat Masa :) 

Feature Friday..... My good friend..... from Mac Kids..

I love this girl so much.!!! She is amazing and as a fellow blogger I have to say that she is great at what she does for out community. Diane is the kind of person that you instantly feel close with, I know that this is a friendship that I knew at our first time meeting we were going to be close friends for the rest of our lives. This lady is just wonderful and what she does in our community and the connection she has made in our community and encourages other to make within our community is just a little glimpse on how special she is and her love for our little piece of the world is just why I love her and I know after learning a bit more you will too! 

Macaroni Kid answers the age old question, “Mom, what are we going to do today?” 

We've become the go-to source for everything Kid and Family in Kitsap County. Parents from Bainbridge to Belfair, Port Orchard to Port Gamble are thanking us. Macaroni Kid is their new secret weapon for streamlining their hectic lives. We help them find out about the coolest events happening in the area for their kids. We scour the internet, the cities, social media, and newspapers, getting up early to bring parents, grandparents, teachers and others the most current and comprehensive event listings. We're helping them save time and money. But most importantly we're helping them to have fun with their family and friends. 

What was there before Macaroni Kid? Well, I can speak from experience. Since my youngest macaroni kid was a baby, I've been trying to find fun (and yes, mostly frugal) activities that were largely local (and only occasionally in Tacoma or Seattle). Back then, I was looking for baby signing classes for her and mommy groups for me. Over time it evolved into more activities with more frequency as I found location after location that had something cool and exciting that would be something great for a child to experience.

So, I found myself searching countless different websites, reading newspaper calendar sections,  grabbing directories at the doctor's office, reading every flyer on every bulletin board I passed, and talking to friends about places they went and fun ideas to do at home. 

Around this time last year, I saw Macaroni Kid national in a publication (it's been featured in “O Magazine,” “Redbook”, and “Scholastic Parent & Child”) and pulled up the website. From the national page, you can choose a state from a pulldown menu and see if there is a newsletter edition for your area. The closest one to Kitsap at that time was South Sound, so I signed up! I also saw the 'Become a Publisher Mom' button and clicked on it. The rest is history.

After several emails (because I had so many questions) to national headquarters and LOTS of thought, I knew deep down that being a MacKid Kitsap Editor & Publisher was an ideal fit. Heck, I was already doing all the work for my own family, so why not share it with others!? Plus, it would put my journalism degree to good use.
I've turned my passion for research and writing into a business. While I still maintain my 'day job' as a non-profit grant writer and (print) newsletter editor and designer, perhaps one day MacKid will be my only commitment beyond home and family. For now, I balance it all because I believe so fully in the vision set forth by the MacKid founders. 

Since the introduction of Macaroni Kid in the Hamptons in 2008, MacKid has branched into hundreds of other communities across the nation. Other mom (and a few dad!) editors and publishers have found the value and extraordinary power of Macaroni Kid.
MacKid remedies a problem. It saves parents time. It's the perfect avenue for organizations seeking to get the word out about their events and programs, and for businesses to make their products or services known to the parenting population in Kitsap County.
Remembering how important MacKid is to so many thousands of Kitsap residents keeps me motivated. I appreciate the feedback I've gotten online and at events from parents, grandparents, and teachers such as: 


"I love macaronikid because I have three young and busy boys and it's awesome to have a place to find activities inside out of the rain!"
-Hannah H., mom of 3 boys


"My favorite thing of Macaroni Kids is that I am a Grandparent and it gives me the opportunity to see what activities are happening best way from me to keep up to speed."
-Gloria C.

Military families, too! Macaroni Kid is the ideal resource for families that are transplanted somewhere new.


"Macaroni Kid has been such a gift to my family! We moved here just 4 months ago. When we get to a new area, we love to explore and see all the sights, but getting here (our first duty station on the West Coast) it was a little overwhelming findings things to do. A friend suggested Macaroni Kid, and now when I see the email, I get excited and begin planning our next outings!"
-Jodi U.

What was the world like before Macaroni Kid? It's like explaining to your kids the difference between a cassette tape and iPod. Either way, you get your music. One is just way more convenient, accessible, user-friendly, and holds more variety.
With one click of a mouse you can answer that dreaded age-old question – What ARE we going to do today?
Macaroni Kid is FREE and you get just 1 weekly email on Friday letting subscribers know the skinny on what's going on in Kitsap. Sign up for Macaroni Kid Kitsap now! 
(when you do tell them Kingstongirl sent you!)
www.kitsap.macaronikid.com

Thrifty Thursday..... Laundry for a year for $20.00????

Another week of Thrifty Thursday!
Can not believe all the fun things that I find on pinterest!
This is completely changed my life.
I found this recipe at my new favorite blog
being creative to keep my sanity

Also follow her on her Laurie's Pinterest!


With just having Twins and trying to get out of debt 
( like most we have a bit of it and it just seems to never go away
Especially with two babies in the NICU for 75 days!!!) 
So I am doing everything and anything to make it so we can live 
richer, saving money as we go along. Money that is for the important things in life. 
Making my two baby boys in to two great men with riches of experience and fun. 
I found on Pinterest

I am so Sick of buying laundry soap!! This stuff I found through Pinterest  is amazing not only because it is so much stronger then the store bought soap, but You only have to use 1 Tablespoon per load. This recipe makes a huge cookie jar full of soap ( I got my cookie jar at Wallmart)  
 1 year of laundry soap for less than 20 dollars? 
Seems like a steal to me.!

Seems like the monthly amount I was spending on soap can now go in the cookie jar for savings!

 I love the idea of not having to buy laundry soap all the time anymore. **This laundry soap also works just fine in  HE washers**
Here is the directions to make this great soap! 
Used it today on this nice shut in snow day and it turned out great!! 
Love, love, love it!

1 ~ 4 lb 12 oz box Borax (2.15 kg or 76 oz) found in the detergent isle

1  box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz (3 lb 7 oz) found in the detergent isle

3 bars of Fels-naptha soap, found in the detergent isle

1 medium container of oxyclean or store brand oxyclean (try to get about 3.5 lbs total (1.58 kg)) found in the detergent isle.

(this is optional, I added it into mine because I like the idea of the extra stain fighter and did I mention I have twin baby boys? :)

Enjoy! 

Next week make sure to check in to see what else thrifty I have going on..... 

Wordless Wednesday......

Today is the weekly post of Wordless Wednesday! 

Because it is snowing outside here,  

thought you would enjoy these amazing photos! 

makes me love that fact that it only snows here a few times a year!

Smokey Veggie soup. Tempt my Tummy Tuesday..

It is snowing out and they say it will be snowing a lot and we hear it is going to snow between 4 and 8 inches in the next 24 hours. I would like to snow like that if its going to snow. The roads where we live are so hilly that when it snows and freezes, you are on lock down..... So here is a yummy favorite that I make because it will warm nicely on the wood stove if there is a power outage. 

Smokey Veggie soup.....

1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth

1 (11.5 ounce) can tomato-vegetable juice cocktail (Like V-8)

1 cup water

1 large potato, diced

3 carrots, sliced

3 stalks celery, diced

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1 cup chopped fresh green beans

1 cup fresh corn kernels  ( I use the frozen kind and it works fine too) 

salt and pepper to taste

Creole seasoning to taste

1 Tsp liquid smoke

1 tsp  smoked paprika 

Directions

In a large stock pot, combine broth, tomato juice, water, potatoes, carrots, celery, undrained chopped tomatoes, green beans, and corn. Season with salt, pepper, liquid smoke, smoked paprikia and Creole seasoning. Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes or until all vegetables are tender.

Nutritional Information  

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 110 | Total Fat: 0.6g | Cholesterol: 3mg

* Photo credit from google. I forgot to check to make sure my memory card wasn't full and well it was and the pictures didn't save when a person like me hits delete all............. Crap! :) *