In the Land of Legos

Last night Reilly and I spent some quality time together.


Rodney is in Florida for his cousin's High School Graduation (congratulations Joseph) and Allison is at an overnight birthday party (Happy Birthday Jenna).


It was just the boy and me.


So this is what we did . . . and we had a blast! Just to clarify,he put it all together. My job was to locate the pieces and hand them to him. Sort of like a surgeon's nurse, except it wasn't surgery and I'm not a nurse!


It kinda makes me sad that he didn't need much help putting it together. At Christmas and his birthday (a mere six months ago), I was his go-to person, putting together multiple sets "with him" (while he played his DS). And now, I just hand him the pieces.


I am not in favor of him growing up!

Fall is the Time to Commit to Family Dinner

by Grace R. Freedman, Ph.D.

The nip of fall is in the air, school is well underway, the kids' extracurricular activities are gearing up, and maybe new projects are getting started at work. Whew! This time of year can be the busiest season, often crammed with new schedules, new transitions and new commitments. Without a clear plan, family dinner may be the first thing to go or the last thing you want to add to a crammed schedule. As you re-think routines and priorities this fall, don't forget that family dinner can actually help you smooth out the day-to-day chaos. Family dinner can be there to provide structure and sanity, and to give you and your kids a good foundation all year.

We often hear about the long-term benefits of family dinner. It's true that family dinner is one of the only things that has been consistently shown to have a positive effect on multiple health and social issues, such as obesity, underage alcohol and drug abuse, social disconnectedness, low school performance, and unhealthy relationships to food. Nonetheless, for busy parents, it can be hard to think about health and social benefits that are far down the road when you are just trying to get through the day. What can family dinner do for you and your kids TODAY?

Here are just a few things:

Family dinner gives you a way to "touch-base" daily with kids of any age. Don't underestimate the importance of nightly check-ins at the dinner table to hear new stories and get wind of any new problems. Whether your child is just starting kindergarten or already in high school, he or she will appreciate knowing you can always talk at dinnertime.

Family dinner saves money. Cooked meals at home can be cheaper, healthier and even faster than take-out or delivery (One study reports that Americans spend on average $4.50 per person eating at home compared to spending $8.50 a person eating out.)

Family dinner makes healthy eating easier for everyone. Family-style meals have been shown to help everyone in the family maintain their weight and consume more fruits and vegetables, when served. Also, a CDC study reported that people were better able to lose weight and keep it off by planning weekly meals rather than "winging it" at every meal.

Family dinner gives you time to be a family. Back-to-school is often a time when we notice and marvel how fast our kids are growing up; the years honestly can speed by. Now is the time to begin your family dinner tradition, or re-commit to it, so you can really learn from one another and enjoy each other's company.

Start the school year out right by planning to make family dinner a part of your new routines. At the Blog for Family Dinner project, we hope to help with inspiration, advice and recipes as we post stories about family dinner throughout the #B4FD month from September 26 to October 24, 2011.


Grace R. Freedman, Ph.D. is the Founder and Executive Director ofEatdinner.org, which provides research, education, and support for family meals. She is co-founder of the Blog For Family Dinner Project.


Copyright (C) 2011 www.savingdinner.com Leanne Ely, CNC All rights reserved.

Jesus Could Come TODAY . . .

was Reilly's response to seeing this sunrise today.

He said that the little clouds might be angels just waiting for the trumpet to sound. . .
He has been talking a lot about the Lord's return lately.
I love the tender heart that kids have.
He wants the Lord to return and he is concerned about the people he knows who don't know Jesus.

Or it could be that he has a Language test today.

Either way, my little man is precious!

Try AboutOne for a year--FREE!

What is AboutOne?

When was the last time you had to search through boxes, piles of paper, or a filing cabinet for information related to your family?

AboutOne is a secure online family management system that simplifies daily life by providing ONE location to store and manage household information, including:

• Health
• Education
• Home
• Vehicle

And right now, through 6/30 (tomorrow) you can get a year subscription by using the code JUNEFREE. You don't even have to enter a credit card number.

You can check out the site here.
Read more about them on their blog here.

The Buzz of the Blogosphere--10 cents/gallon discount at Murphy Express!

Walmartstores.com: Walmart Offers 10-Cents-a-Gallon Gas Savings at Participating Stations Nationwide

"Walmart Offers 10-Cents-a-Gallon Gas Savings at Participating Stations Nationwide

Today, Walmart announces a 90-day Rollback at the pump to give customers a savings of 10 cents a gallon on all fuel, gas and diesel, at participating Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations. The discount applies to gas purchases made when using a reloadable Walmart gift card, reloadable Walmart MoneyCard® or Walmart credit card from June 29 through September 30, 2011."

A Scensty Giveaway

Head on over to The Modest Mom to see what you can do to win a $25 Scentsy Gift Certificate. I love the Scentsy products. My mother-in-law gave us a warmer and a brick of wax (Baked Apple Pie) for Christmas and I have been impressed with how long the scent lasts.

Click on the links above to go to the giveaway page to see what you have to do to be entered into the drawing.

Do you know about Pinterest?

From the about section of the website: Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.

Pinterest lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes.

Best of all, you can browse pinboards created by other people. Browsing pinboards is a fun way to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.

I like this concept.

As of now, you can email for an invite (which I have), but until you get that magical message, you can still check out several things there. I found these to be particularly interesting:


Things to Bake and Decorate

Beautiful Spaces

Dreamy Places

Doorways

If you want to read more about the site and its concept, click here.

UPDATE: I got my invitation by email at 11:34 a.m. In order to register, you must connect your account through Facebook, so if you are not comfortable with that, then this is not for you. You can search your contacts in Yahoo mail, Google, Facebook, and Twitter to see who has an account. (I found several.)

You have the ability to add a shortcut to your bookmarks bar, so that when you see something you want to "share" it is easy to pin it to your "wall." So far I like it. I can see that this has the potential to become another distraction, so for now. . .the jury is out!

Commitment

I am making a commitment.

I have decided to read through the Bible again in 90 days.

I was introduced to the program last summer while browsing over at Mom's ToolBox.

Although I had read through the Bible before, I had not taken on a challenge quite the size of this one.

16 pages per day? Wow!

45 minutes of reading? (not studying, praying, or meditating on the verses . . . reading, as studiously as I can!)

These three months take commitment. They take dedication. They take time. They take planning. Some days, it requires sacrifice. Am I willing to sacrifice sleep, computer time, TV time, "me" time?

Can I make this commitment?

YES!

I make you a promise.

I promise that if you make this commitment and stick with it that your life will never be the same.

I promise that you will be blessed by the seeing the story of the Scriptures unfold.

I promise at the end of three months--you will want to do it again and you will most likely try to recruit anyone you can find: friends, family, neighbors, strangers on the street (well, that may be a stretch) to read through it with you in the Spring.

Will you join me?

Will you make the commitment?

Check out this great post Commit and Prioritize.

The tease. . .

WeatherCall from local station.

The sky looks so promising.

Thunder.

Temperature Drop.

The smell of damp earth. . .

Lightning. . .

Wind whipping.

Temps cooler.

Raindrops that fall quickly evaporate on the hot cement.










And then it was over.

Look really hard and you might see the drops.












As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.--2 Samuel 22:31

Fort-I-Tude

I woke up this morning with a renewed sense of fortitude.

• I will spend more time with the Lord each day.
• I will spend more time "sharpening my axe" to be a better wife, mother, sister, and daughter.
• I will try to listen to the Holy Spirit's prompting to be a better encourager.
• I will play with my kids more.
• I will read more.
• I will watch less TV.
• I will strive each day to do something to make my life healthier: walk, drink more water, etc.

Fortitude is defined as adversity, danger, or temptation courageously.

The problem with fortitude (if I am not very careful) is that is relies on me.

Not HIM.

The Bible plainly states in Philippians 4:13 that "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Any fortitude that I have must come through HIM.

My goal should be to approach the list above, through HIM, for HIS glory.

Anything done with/in/through my own fortitude will not bring glory to HIM, but to myself. And to me, that is not acceptable.

Do I succeed every time bringing HIM glory? NO.
Do I desire success? YES.

So as I look at the list, I think, "I can do it--through HIM!"

Building an eBook Library on the Cheap

As a Kindle owner, I am always interested in good reading material for a small price. Here's an excellent article on building a Kindle library from Tim Challies atChallies.com.

Over the past week I’ve been linking to some ebook deals and have been surprised at how many people have apparently taken advantage of the deals. This got me thinking about the best way to build a library of Christian ebooks. I thought it would be worthwhile to combine forces here, to put together a list of the places you go to find ebook deals. So the purpose of this post is not so much to point to individual deals as much as to point to the places we go to find those deals.

Read on here: Building an eBook Library on the Cheap | Challies Dot Com

5 Places to Get Free eBooks and Audiobooks

As Christmas approaches and the Nook, Kindle, SonyPocket Reader, and iPad find their way under YOUR tree or the tree of someone you love, check out this great article about where to find FREE books for eReaders.

Also of note, even if you don't have the actual reader for these devices, many have the software downloadable for the computer, smartphone, or tablet at no charge.

5 Places to Get Free eBooks and Audiobooks - Techlicious

Check out this second list (from the Amazon.com website) that lists even more free eBooks!

Herbal Remedies

Herbal Remedies

By Leanne Ely, C.N.C.

Dear Friends,

I love how nature provides us with the tools we need to help keep our bodies strong and healthy. Herbs are one of those tools. For thousands of years people have depended on fresh herbs to heal everything from heart burn to cancer. Most all of the expensive prescriptions we get from our local pharmacy are derived from the ancient wisdom passed down from herbalists.

So why all the hype and mixed messages in the media about herbs? Simple. Follow the money honey. Now, don't get me wrong. Modern medicine certainly has its place and you know I am a firm believer in taking your medicine. But for some common ailments and some preventative measures herbs are just what the doctor ordered. A word of caution, many herbs do have drug like qualities and should be avoided if you are taking certain medications or planning surgery. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to be on the safe side.

When it comes to herbs fresh is best. Growing your own is a fun and fulfilling way to insure that your herbs are the highest quality and organic. Here are some common herbs and a list of the of the medicinal qualities that may help:

- Cayenne Pepper -- may relieve stomach aches and gas, possible cancer fighting benefits
- Cinnamon -- may help level blood sugar, reduce triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, lower pain
- Cloves -- anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, relieve some asthma symptoms
- Garlic -- immune system booster, antibiotic affect
- Ginger -- eliminates gas, controls intestinal tract issues, alleviates motion sickness
- Nutmeg -- may control anxiety, joint pain, lower blood pressure, improve concentration
- Oregano -- antioxidant, pathogen inhibitor
- Peppermint -- ease stomach problems, heartburn, indigestion, nausea
- Turmeric -- anti-inflammatory, antioxidant

This is just a small list. There are herbs that may relieve menstrual pain, or headaches, strengthen bones, and fight arthritis. But remember, just like with any foods, some people can be sensitive or allergic to certain herbs. Watch for side effects. With a little research and some common sense I think you'll enjoy experimenting with herbs and using what nature has provided to help keep us healthy.

Speaking of experimenting, finding a good way to use these herbs isn't hard. The obvious answer is cooking with them but you can also make your own essential oils, use them in teas, and even eat them fresh. A sprig of peppermint after a spicy dish is a great way to fight that late night heartburn.

One of my favorite herbs is garlic. It's easy to cook and is full of natural immunities to help keep the seasonal onslaught of flu and colds at bay. Roasted garlic can be used in a thousand different ways from spreads to salads to seasoning up almost any dish. Here's a great recipe on how to roast your own garlic.

Roasted Garlic

Remove outer peel from garlic cloves and place in a baking dish. Drizzle each garlic clove with olive oil, sprinkle with thyme, black pepper and some sea salt. Cover and bake for one hour at 350 degrees. Uncover and bake for about 15 more minutes. You can do a huge batch then store in a sealed container in your fridge for use later.

Love,
Leanne, Your Dinner Diva

Saving Your Dinner since 2001,

http://savingdinner.com

Copyright (C) 2010 www.savingdinner.com Leanne Ely, CNC All rights reserved.

I am thankful

I am thankful for a new front-loading washer that will steam clean clothes and has a speed cycle that will wash a load in 15 minutes. DH found it on a great deal on Black Friday and it was delivered yesterday.

Forgive me for waxing nostalgic for a minute, but when Rodney and I were first married, we lived in a couple of apartments that did not have a washer and dryer. Doing our late-night laundry runs at the Suds-O-Matic was a way of life for us. I am pretty sure that we observed several drug deals and who knows what else. Every time I do laundry, from the comfort of my own hallway, I breathe a prayer of thanks.

It looks like this:

I was a little sad to see the old one leave, we got it the week Allison was born, but not so sad that I asked them to leave it on the back porch! It was a good one, but was starting to show signs of its age.

A big shout out to @BestBuy! The delivery guys from the Wilson, NC store were AWESOME yesterday. They were courteous (although I am not sure I am ready to be called "ma'am" by a whippersnapper who looks like he just graduated from high school), Quick (they were in and out in about a half an hour), and Professional (they came when they said that would and they didn't leave a mess)! That's a win in my book.

Thanks guys!

And most wonderful thanks to my knight in shining armor who ALWAYS takes such good care of our family. God has given me a wonderful, godly man (who I know I take for granted at times) who loves me and the kids with an unfailing, never-ending love. He is exactly who I need. He makes me laugh. He treats me like an equal. We are a team.

And I am thankful!

Careful, the Kids Are Watching, an article from Debt-Proof Living

Click on the link below to read a great article from Mary Hunt. There is a great list in the article about teaching our children by example.

Thanks Mary for the great reminders!

Careful, the Kids Are Watching

Good deal on movies from Amazon.com (Stocking stuffer alert!)

Check out Amazon.com as they are offering The Blind Side DVD for ONLY $3.99.

This item will ship for free with Amazon Prime.

You will also be eligible to recieve a $4 credit for eligible movies and TV shows on Amazon Video On Demand after you order The Blind Side one credit per customer.

There are several other options there for less than $10.

I don't know how long this will last . . .

Vista Print Return Address Labels $3.10 shipped!

Don't miss out on this for your holiday labels.

I ordered these:

I opted for "express" shipping (7 days) and they are coming to me for $3.65! They will be here just in time to get the Christmas cards rolling out!

$3 in free mp3's from Amazon MP3

Just login using your Amazon.com account and download away!

I was able to get a Christmas album for $1.99!

Enjoy!

Use Code GET3MP3S and Get $3 in MP3 Downloads

Use code GET3MP3S and get $3 good for albums or songs at Amazon MP3.

Thanksgiving Freezing Tips

Thanksgiving Freezing Tips

by Leanne Ely, C.N.C.
Here is a question I received that I believed warranted answering for everyone--

Hi- I LOVE "Saving Dinner"! My husband loves the food even more :) Here is my question: how feasible is it to freeze any Thanksgiving side-dishes in advance (ie cranberry sauce, casseroles, even stuffing)? Thanks! I am busy with a new baby AND hosting this year!

From, Flybaby Barbara

Hi Barbara!

Great question. You know how I'm all about doing things ahead for the holidays. And I'm all about the freezer, too. Can these two things be compatible and make for an even easier holiday? The answer is... yes and no. Some things just need to be done freshly and some things freeze beautifully, so let's take these things one by one:

1--The Turkey. Yeah, it freezes, but the quality will not be the same. This is one place where I will say make it fresh the day of. I make it the easy, juiciest most delicious way if I do say so myself. And the best part? You don't stuff it and you don't baste it. If you need the recipe (and you do!) go to savingdinner.com for the Thanksgiving Menu-Mailer--it's totally FREE, with recipes, grocery lists, timelines and even decorating hints for your table.

2--Cranberry sauce. Go ahead, knock yourself out! Again, I have a great recipe for it and it freezes beautifully. For the record, I've bought bags of fresh cranberries and frozen them in the bag I bought them in, used them about six months later and they were great too. Or you could save yourself some trouble and buy the canned variety.

3--Stuffing. I can tell you from personal experience that stuffing freezes fairly well. It can dry out a bit, but if you'll thaw it overnight in the fridge, then drizzle a little melted butter and broth over the top, cover it with foil and heat thoroughly through, it will work fine and no one will be the wiser.

4--Gravy. Good gravy, yes! Gravy is a wonderful thing to behold and it freezes fabulously. Here's a secret for you that I have in the Thanksgiving Menu-Mailer--extend your homemade gravy with some storebought stuff. Oh yeah, that's the best cheating secret out there. No one will know (your secret is safe with me!) and you too, will own the Endless Gravy Boat. This is important stuff when you're worried that your father-in-law is going to hog all the gravy!

5--Pies. You can freeze your pies--or you can buy them frozen, LOL. This is one place where I would either have people bring them or buy frozen myself. Having had a Thanksgiving baby myself (my son was born November 21st, 16 years ago!), I remember doing Thanksgiving and having my mom bring the pies.

6--Mashed potatoes. In my book, they are a non-freezable item--quality and texture suffer big time. I would make these fresh in the morning and put them in my crockpot on low all day. BUT, and this is the big BUT; TEST YOUR CROCKPOT FIRST with a pot full of taters (you can make cream of potato soup out of them later) to make SURE your crockpot won't burn them. All crockpots are not created equal and it's through trial and error that we learn our own crockpotty appliance's nuances.

7--Veggies. You can freeze sweet potato casseroles and green bean casseroles too. Those are not my particular favorite Thanksgiving veggies, but if they are mainstays at your table, rest assured, they freeze fairly well. May get a little watery on top, but easily blot-able with a paper towel and a little finesse.

8--Rolls and Butter. By all means, freeze the both of them. They freeze well, thaw well and quality does not suffer.

That about covers it. Hope it helps and Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

Love, Leanne

PS: Want to WATCH me make Thanksgiving dinner? Check outwww.savingdinner.tv or buy the DVD! And don't forget we have aThanksgiving for the Freezer menu also!!

www.SavingDinner.com with Leanne Ely

Copyright (C) 2010 www.savingdinner.com Leanne Ely, CNC All rights reserved.

East Coast Ladies' Retreat Reflections

It is hard to put on "paper" what the Lord did in my heart at the East Coast Ladies Retreat at Gateway Church. I had the opportunity to have my sister Erica with me for this retreat and that was a special blessing. The laughter, the fellowship, the music, the speakers, the late-night run to the Cheesecake Factory . . . it all adds up to a wonderful time.

Because we are a host church for the retreat at Faith Church, we get to see things from a different perspective. I so appreciated the Gateway ladies' hospitality, their kind words, their planning, and their organization. Everything--from the dismissals to the meals to the vendors--flowed so smoothly.

But the thing that I think was most evident was the "spirit" at the meeting. It was obvious that the church as a whole, but especially the Gateway ladies, had bathed this retreat in prayer. The sessions from Mrs. Trahan and Mrs. Capaci were amazing. They are BOTH testimonies of God's grace. They BOTH challenged me to stretch myself as a Christian. Mrs. Trahan's recall of the Scriptures put me to shame. I am thankful that BOTH of the speakers focused in on my relationship with the Lord, realizing that if THAT relationship is right, then my relationship as a wife, mother, daughter, employee, etc. will be in the right perspective. I am so thankful for times of refreshing . . .

The trip to Virginia Beach seems like a long one, but the travel time was well worth the blessings received.

I am looking forward to "Southern Grace" in 2011 at Parker's Chapel Church in Greenville, NC.