Nearly everyone at my house is or has been sick this week.

Kimberly came down with a fever on Sunday (103*) and she just went back to school today (Thursday)

Jessica was next. Tuesday she was home. No fever but she was throwing up.

Today it's me and Andrew. I've got a slight fever, congestion, cough and all over aches.

Andrew has a fever of 102*, but would you believe he went to school anyway? Yes, I know, I'm a bad parent for letting a sick child go to school but there is a reason.

Every year Andrew ends up with strep throat and misses out on perfect attendance. He has since had his tonsils removed and hasn't had strep again. He's made it nearly (3) 9-weeks of school with out missing a day. He SOOOO wants perfect attendance...just once! So, I let him go to school. I told him to call me and I'd pick him up once he hit the half-day point but he made it all day. He's miserable now, but he's had some more Motrin and he's laying down.

He's supposed to have "Why" practice tonight but we may just have to miss that one. I know it's crunch time...but he's one sick little boy. We'll see how he feels when it's time to go.

We are also supposed to have Jessica's birthday party on Sunday. UGH! The house is a mess, there's a couple of "Why" practices to go to, Andrew has practice on Saturday for "Spring Sing" and I've got to make a cake. I'd love to postpone the party, but next Sunday we have 2 "Why" performances and the following Sunday is Easter.

It's too much to think about right now. I'm going to go lay down until I have to pick up the girls from their after school class.

Transaction #1:

Total OOP: $7.54

Total Saved: $45.36

Here’s how I did it:

(4) Mahatma Rice, yellow $0.67 each – $.75/2 Q x’s 3 = FREE each (no overage)

(3) Mahatma Rice, white $$1.49 each - $0.50 Q x’s 3 = FREE each

(1) Zip Lock Bags $2.00 - $0.40 Q x’s 3 = $0.80 each

(3) Huggies Wipes $2.50 each - $0.50 x’s 3 = $1.00 each (Yes, I got 3…I forgot to put one in the picture)

(2) Spam Singles $1.19 each - $0.25 Q x’s 3 = $0.44 each

(1) Honey Comb Cereal $2.00 - $0.55 Q x’s 3 = $0.35 each

(2) Skippy Peanut Butter $2.79 - $0.60 Q x’s 3 = $0.99 each

(2) Coffee Mate $1.99 each - $0.50 Q x’s 3 = $0.49 each

(1) Bumble Bee Tuna $1.39 - $0.55 Q x's 3 = FREE (no overage)

(2) Colgate Toothpaste $2.50 each - $0.75 Q x’s 3 = $0.25 each

(2) Kraft Singles $1.20 each - $0.75/2 Q x’s 3 = $0.08 each

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Transaction #2

Total OOP: $11.65

Total Saved: $51.70

Here's how I did it:

(4) Mahatma Rice, yellow $0.67 each - $0.75 Q x’s 3 = FREE (no overage)

(2) Mahatma Rice, white $1.49 each - $0.50 Q x’s 3 = FREE

(2) Le Sueur peas $1.00 each – no coupon but this is a good price. Here in G’ville they are $1.49 per can

(3) Zip Lock Bags $2.00 each - $0.40 Q x’s 3 = $0.80 each

(1) Huggies Wipes $2.50 each - $0.50 Q x’s 3 = $1.00

(2) Spam Singles $1.19 each - $0.25 Q x’s 3 = $0.44 each

(3) Honey Comb Cereal $2.00 each - $0.55 Q x’s 3 = $0.35 each

(2) Coffee Mate $1.99 each - $0.50 Q x’s 3 = $0.49 each

(1) Colgate Toothpaste $2.50 each - $0.75 Q x’s 3 = $0.25 each

(1) Kotex Tampons $3.79 each - $0.75 Q x’s 3 = $1.54 each

(2) Allen’s Green Beans $0.99 each - $0.55 Q x’s 3 = $0.33 for 2 or $0.17 each(these were BOGO and you can only use 1 coupon on a BOGO.)

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Transaction #3

Total OOP: $32.28

Total Saved: $38.24

Here's how I did it:

These deals were Harris Teeter Sales and a few things I needed this week. I did not have coupons for these deals.

(1) Baked Beans $$1.39

(5) Trash Bags Buy 2 Get 3 Free ($2.99 each x 2 = $5.98 for all 5 or $1.20 each)

(1) Pack of Cubed Steak BOGO $5.34 ( Reg price was $10.69 -- price rings up half price so you don’t have to buy 2 when it’s BOGO)

(3) Packs of boneless, skinless chicken breast Buy 1 Get 2 Free – Price rings up 1/3 making the ones I got $2.18, $2.25 & $2.27

(3) Turkey Breast Sandwich Meat Buy 1 Get 2 Free making them $1.48 each

(1) Hamburger Buns $1.07

(1) Shredded Cheddar Cheese $1.97

(1) bacon $1.49

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Harris Teeter is doing Triple Coupons all week long!

The meat deals are also good all week long.

To check out the ad click HERE.

I guess this is what happens when you take a shower on a Saturday morning and leave 4 children to fix their own breakfast!And now it's time for said children to learn how to clean up after making their own breakfast ;-)

LYRICS:
Have you ever heard a love song that
Set your spirit free
Have you ever watched a sunrise and
Felt you could not breathe
What if it's Him
What if it's God speaking

Have you ever cried a tear that
You could not explain
Have you ever met a stranger
Who already knew your name
What if it's Him
What if it's God speaking

Who knows how He'll get a hold of us
Get our attention to prove He is enough
He'll do and He'll use
Whatever He wants to
To tell us "I love you"

Have you ever lost a loved one
Who you thought should still be here
Do you know what it feels like
To be tangled up in fear
What if He's somehow involved
What if He's speaking through it all

Who knows how He'll get a hold of us
Get our attention to prove He is enough
He'll do and He'll use
Whatever He wants to
To tell us "I love you"

His ways are higher
His ways are better
Though sometimes strange
What could be stranger
Than God in a manger

Who knows how He'll get a hold of us
Get our attention to prove He is enough
Who knows how He'll get a hold of you
Get your attention to prove He is enough
He'll do and He'll use
Whatever He wants to
To tell us "I love you"

God is speaking
"I love you"

The searchers found little 2 yr old William today around 11:30 am.

I'm heartbroken to say that he was found in the Tyger River.

Please pray for this grieving family.

Bloom is having triple coupons March 20,21 & 22

Check out this weeks ad HERE

20 coupons, per visit, per day

William Eschenbach has been missing from Spartanburg County since 4:45 PM Tuesday.

He is 2 yrs old and news reports say he may be autistic.

He was playing in his backyard with his mother and sister. His mom walked into the house for a moment and when she returned the gate was open and William was gone. Police do not believe he was abducted; they think he just wandered off.

I do not personally know this family but I am a mother and I cannot imagine the horror this family is going through.

Please pray for William!

With Easter coming up, lots of stores are putting eggs on sale. This week Ingles has eggs for $0.98 per dozen! A great time to try a yummy omelet recipe!

This is a recipe I found in a Paula Deen Magazine my grandmother gave me. I seem to be on a roll with Paula’s recipes, don’t I? :-)

Southwest Egg White Omelets

(makes 4 omelets)

1 bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/8 inch thick slices ($0.69 – recipe calls for red bell pepper but they were more than double the price of the green ones!)

1 medium yellow squash, cut into 1/8 inch thick slices ($0.53)

1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/8 inch thick slices ($0.53)

10 egg whites ($0.80)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 (8 oz) package Neufchatel cheese, softened (my store only had cream cheese….$0.88 {store brand})

1 cup prepared salsa ($0.64)

Pre-heat oven to 400*. Spray a rimmed baking sheet with non-stick spray.

Place bell pepper, squash, and zucchini on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 10 – 15 minutes, stirring once, or until vegetables are soft. Remove vegetables and reduce oven temperature to warm.

In a large bowl, combine egg whites, salt and pepper. Beat at high speed with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.

Heat an 8-1/2 inch omelet pan or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add 1/4 of eg white mixture to pan, using a spatula to smooth top of mixture so it fills the bottom of the skillet. Cook for 4-6 minutes, or until egg whites are set, flipping halfway through. Place on baking sheet and keep warm in the oven. Repeat with remaining egg whites.

Place 1/4 cheese in center of each cooked egg white. Top with 1/4 cup salsa and 1/4 vegetable mixture. Repeat process with remaining cooked egg whites, cheese, salsa, and vegetables. Garnish with green onion, if desired. Serve immediately.

TOTAL COST: $4.07

Now that you’ve used your egg whites…what you do you with 10 egg yolks? Certainly we do not want to waste them. I’ve read several suggestions from using them in other recipes to feeding them to your pets.

I found this interesting information at the American Egg Board website:

“Raw egg yolks require special treatment because the yolk’s gelation property causes it to thicken or gel when frozen. If frozen as is, the yolk with eventually become so gelatinous it will be almost impossible to use. To help retard gelation, beat in either 1/8 teaspoon salt or 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar or corn syrup for each 1/4 cup egg yolks (4 Large yolks). Label the container with the number of yolks, the date and whether you’ve added salt (for main dishes) or sweetener (for baking or desserts) and freeze. Substitute 1 tablespoon thawed egg yolk for 1 Large fresh yolk.”

How would you use leftover egg yolks?

This song is making its rounds on lots of blogs. Have you seen it yet? It's too funny!

With our church getting ready for "Why", our Easter production, I've been thinking a lot about Christs resurrection . This is one of my favorite songs.

A lot of people say that they can’t make homemade biscuits. I used to be one of them. I tried over and over and my biscuits just never turned out.

Well, I kept at it and FINALLY learned how. I thought I’d share with you how I make biscuits.

*********************************************

Ingredients:

2 cups self rising flour

1/2 stick of butter or margarine

1 cup milk (best if you use buttermilk)

********************************************

I start by measuring 2 cups of self rising flour into my mixing bowl:

Next you add 1/2 stick of butter or margarine:

Sometimes I grate the butter into the flour and other times I just crumble it up into small pieces:

Now you want to mix the butter and flour together. Use your hands for this. When you start, it will look similar to this:

As you work the butter into the flour it will become crumbly similar to a crumb topping you would put on a dessert:

Now you need to add your milk. The biscuits taste best if you use buttermilk. I don’t always have buttermilk on hand so I just use regular milk. They are still yummy!

You probably won’t use an entire cup of milk. Just add enough to wet the dough so that it sticks together with out being squishy or overly sticky. I ended up using right at 3/4 cups of milk for this batch:

Don’t over mix the dough. Mix it just enough to combine the ingredients. Then turn the dough out onto a floured surface:

Sprinkle the top of the dough with a little more self rising flour so it doesn’t stick to your hands.Very gently work the flour into the dough.

Again, don’t over work it…just until it’s smooth and you can pat it out.

You do not need to roll it out with a rolling pin. It will over work the dough. Pat it out until it’s the thickness you want and cut your biscuits. You can use a biscuit cutter, but if you don’t have one just use a tea glass.

Place cut biscuits on a baking sheet so that they are touching each other.

Bake at 400* until lightly browned. Spread the tops with butter before serving.

This batch turned out 9 large, fluffy biscuits and the cost was $0.53!

Are you ready to give biscuit making a try?

If you do, leave me a comment and let me know how it turned out.