Today I'm thankful for sleep. Even though I feel like I never get enough of it. On that note... Goodnight! :)

Day 6

Today I an thankful for my Pastor, his wife, and our entire church family. They are always there if you need them and we love them more than words can express.

Day 5

Today I am thankful for my friends. My TRUE friends who are there through the good, the bad, and the ugly. You know who you are. :)

Day 4

Today, I am thankful that I am a Christian, and that Jesus is my Savior. Without my faith, without Him, I am nothing.

Thankfulness

Since this is the month of Thanksgiving, I am going to attempt what a majority of my friends are doing and post one thing per day that I am thankful in my life. Because today is November 3rd and I am already behind, I am going to post three for today. :)

1) My husband. He is my everything and I look forward to "growing old" with him. <3

2) My kids. Brad is our amazing 11-year-old and he has such a kind heart. Jake is our rambunctious 3-year-old and his laughter is contagious!

3) My health. Yes, I have generalized anxiety disorder. Yes, I have migraines. Yes, I have panic attacks. But it could be far worse. I don't have cancer. I don't have a terminal illness. The anxiety disorder and the migraines are frustrating, overwhelming, and painful, but I thank God I'm alive and he has made me perfect and unique in His own way. With Him I can get through this.

Pressure Cooker Jambalaya

I put this recipe together this afternoon, because I was in a pinch with a - surprise! - fellowship night at our church that I had forgotten about. It turned out to be incredible, and I saw many people go up for seconds! Hope you enjoy this as much as we did!

-INGREDIENTS-

1/2 of a large sweet onion, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 tbsp olive oil

------

2 large chicken breasts, cubed

1 pound hot smoked sausage, cubed

2 tbsp olive oil

------

2 boxes Zatarain's Jambalaya w/ Cheese

2 cups chicken stock

1 can diced tomatoes w/ garlic & onion (do not drain!)

-DIRECTIONS-

1. Heat up the pressure cooker and add the first four ingredients. Cook until slightly softened, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from pressure cooker and set aside.

2. Add the next three ingredients to the pressure cooker, and cook until the meat is done. Remove and set aside with the vegetables.

3. Add the last three ingredients to the pressure cooker (remember to include the juices with the diced tomatoes as well). Stir, the place the lid on. Set the cook time for 8 minutes. When done cooking, add the vegetables and meat back into the pressure cooker, stir until combined, and then place the lid back on (only to keep warm, not to cook) so that the flavors blend together.

4. ENJOY!

Wolfgang Puck Pressure Cooker - my review

For those of you who follow me on Facebook, you will know that last week I purchased my first ever HSN product - an Electric Pressure Cooker made by Wolfgang Puck. I bought it on Sunday afternoon and it was at my door by Thursday (and they said it would take up to 10 days... very quick shipping!). Ever since I have had it everything I have cooked in it has been incredible - no joke.

The thought of buying a pressure cooker had never crossed my mind. I was laying in bed trying to take a nap between the morning & evening church services when I flipped the channel to HSN. I saw that they were having their kitchen products presentation with Wolfgang Puck when I decided to watch for a few minutes. Before I knew it, Hans was in there watching with me... they were cooking frozen solid chicken breasts with dry pasta and only a cup full of chicken stock - in 8 minutes - and VIOLA! - dinner was done. When I saw that, I was sold. Before I knew it, I was on the phone with an HSN rep and had ordered the beautiful red & silver machine.

When it arrived on Thursday afternoon and I pulled it out of the box, everything was basically already put together. All I had to do was put on the gasket to vent or seal the steam and I was done (that just snapped right on so no big deal there). I read the manual and then contemplated what to make.... Aha! BBQ pulled pork!

So, I only slightly defrosted the pork roast because I definitely wanted to see if this bad boy could really make a good dinner in no time from something frozen. I put it in there, added one cup of chicken stock and some salt/pepper/garlic, set the cook timer for 40 minutes, and walked away. After it was done, and finished depressurizing (it only took maybe 3-5 minutes to do so), the pork was so tender and easily shredded with two forks. I added some BBQ sauce and was SOOO happy!

Yesterday I decided to try a recipe I found for Pressure Cooker Pot Roast. This came out so good I was practically licking the plate! I put in all the ingredients, set the timer for 45 minutes, and again - went about doing other things. When there was about 10 minutes left, I made some mashed potatoes & corn to go with it. When it was actually finished, I removed the lid and again, the roast was fork tender - and the juices and spices combined with a tad bit of cornstarch made an AMAZING gravy for the roast & the potatoes!

This has to be my new favorite kitchen product. Thank you so much, Wolfgang Puck, for an excellent product!

(In my next post I will share a recipe I created today for Pressure Cooker Jambalaya!)

Quote from Kung Fu Panda that I love...

Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift. That's why they call it the present.

Grateful

I am so grateful today. Although I had a rough time as a kid/teen and went through a lot, God still saw my heart and still loved me and carried me through it all. Trusting in Jesus is the best choice I have ever made, and I am so thankful that God didn't give up on me. I am glad he still blessed me with an amazing husband, and two amazing boys, Brad & Jake. There really is no reason I am writing this, just reflecting on what I have come through and where I have come from. God is so good, and I know that I certainly don't deserve his blessings. I was not perfect then, I am not perfect now, and I will never be perfect. But His strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9). I may have prenty of days that I am weak. I will have many trials. When I overcome one, I will give Him the victory, because it is nothing I could have done on my own. I also know that with that victory, soon after will come the next trial. With God, however, all things are possible (Phil 4:13). Not some, ALL. With his power, his strength, his help, I can accomplish what he sets before me. I know that I have many friends on here who are not Christians, and I am not trying to offend anyone by any means, but this is my personal feelings and how my Lord has brought me through. Thanks for reading.

My Savings This Week -- 75% at Publix!

So excited! Lots of great coupons this week & matched up with great sales at my favorite grocery store, Publix.

My awesome husband is the one who got to go this morning while I worked. For the record, I told him that I would be fine with four boxes of Jose Ole Taquitos/Tacos. I suppose when he saw the "blinkie" machine right by them for $1/1, he felt otherwise. Hence, twelve boxes. Oh well, Bradley now has after school snacks for a while. :)

So, here is the rundown!!

8 bottles of Juicy Juice ($1.50 each)

8 bottles Powerade Zero (FREE)

12 boxes Jose Ole Taquitos & Tacos ($1.50 each)

4 (4 per pk) Bic Mens/Womens Razors (FREE)

2 Degree Deodorants ($0.50 each)

2 bags Tyson Chicken Tenders ($2 each)

Total before savings: $142.13

Coupons + Sales: $106.87

Total hubby paid: $35.26

Savings of: 75%

See you all next week!! :)

Saved 72% at Publix this week!!

So I think I am officially getting the hang of this! After spending a couple hours on Wednesday researching my favorite sites, IHeartPublix.com and SouthernSavers.com - I had printed out my coupons, clipped others, organized in stacks and also on an Excel spreadsheet list, and just gotten everything together.

This was going to be my first full on, head first run into major couponing. I was so excited to go to the store after work I could barely contain myself. :)

I went to Publix and was in and out in an hour. I only bought what was on my list, and actually didn't buy two items (2 Red Baron pizzas) because they were out of stock.

So, here is my "score" this week. My best yet. Before I divulge my spendings vs. savings, let me just list what it is that I came out of the store with:

4 boxes Duncan Hines brownie mix

4 boxes Duncan Hines cake mix

4 containers Duncan Hines frosting

4 boxes Triscuits

2 boxes Special K

4 bags Lays chips

12 bags Birds Eye frozen veggies

4 bags Alexian frozen all-natural breads

4 cups Ciobani greek yogurt

4 (4 pk) cups of Yoplait Yo-Plus yogurt

2lbs Jimmy Dean sausage

4 packs Jones sausage

2lbs bananas

3 bottles of 32 load Snuggle fabric softener

6 packs Idahoan mashed potatoes

1 (5lb) bag Domino sugar

1 pack (8 roll) Viva paper towels

2 (12oz) packs Kraft sliced American cheese

2 boxes Quaker granola bars

2 (1.5L) containers Breyers ice cream

2 (8oz) containers Cool Whip

Total before savings: $203.62

Coupons + Sales: $145.96

Total I paid: $57.66

Savings of: 72%

The Yoplait Yo-Plus yogurts ended up being FREE because they were on sale for $2, and on BOGO, so they were $1 each. I had a $1 off of one coupon for each of them, so they cost me nothing. The bananas were also free w/ the coupon I had because I purchased the Triscuits. The Alexian bread was $0.70 per bag after coupons, the Triscuits were $0.25 per box after coupons, and the Breyers ice cream was $1.50/carton after the "stacked" store + manufacturer coupons I had.

Yes, my name is Kimberley and I am addicted to couponing.

See you all next week! :)

Today's Walgreens Deal...

Today Hans & I bought two Sunday papers to see what the deals were, and so we can match up some coupons. In the SmartSource & Red Plum inserts we found two great deals that went well together, as both were on sale at Walgreens!

Hans just got back (and already opened a package so I will just post a web image), but here is what he got:

In the paper we had two coupons for $3 off one package of the above razor w/ cartridges. At Walgreens they were on sale for buy one, get one 50% off and are normally $7.99 each.

Also in the paper we had two more coupons for $1 off of any two Mars Easter candies. They are on sale at Walgreens for $.029 a piece! So, this is a money maker! Four candies will be $1.16 - so the overage would be a $0.84 credit.

Hans got two razors w/ six cartridges each, and four Snickers Easter egg candies. Before using the coupons the total was $16.80.

After the coupons and sale, he walked out the door paying $4.46 - a 73% savings! He now has a good razor and blades for the next few months, and the candy was just a bonus that they paid him to take off their shelf in essence.

Coupons!

Over the last couple weeks I have started doing something I never thought I would do:

COUPONING.

I had seen an episode of "Extreme Couponing" and I never thought that could be possible saving so much. Then, I talked to some friends who coupon. I am just getting started, but the hubby and I are so excited with what we've learned and how much we have begun to save.

For example, at Publix, did you know you can use a coupon with a BOGO? I didn't. Did you know you can also use a coupon for each item in the BOGO -- even the "free" one? That was a big surprise!

Right now at Publix they have Mueller's pasta on BOGO for $1.43/2 boxes. I had a $1.00 off of 2 boxes coupon. So, I paid $0.43 for two boxes -- or $0.21 per box! (Needless to say, I bought twelve because I had six coupons)

Another example is an online coupon that is printable for $1 off of any 2 Mars Easter candies. At Walgreens they have the Snickers Easter Egg candies 2/$1. So, I got them for FREE.

Yep, I am addicted! Here is the "score" from today:

This includes:

6 boxes pasta

4 Easter candies (free)

2 Rimmel nail polishes

2 boxes (12pk) Pop Tarts

2 bottles (32 load) Wisk laundry detergent

2 bottles (66 load) Purex laundry detergent

1 bottle (40 load) Downy fabric softener

2 Schick Intuition razors + 2 refill cartridges

2 bottles v8 Fusion juice

2 Trident gums

1 bag Lays Kettle Cooked chips

1 MIO Water Enhancer (fruit punch)

Total before savings: $88.45

Coupons + Sales: $45.25

TOTAL I PAID: $40.20

Savings of: 54%

Yes, I know I am now stocked up on detergent for the next several months. I paid only $3.99 per bottle, and they are normally between $6.99-$10.99 per bottle, depending on the brand. The razors were also a great score. They are normally $8.99 for one. They were on BOGO for $8.99/two. I had a $3.00 off coupon for each one. So, the final total for the razors was $2.99 for the both, or about $1.50 each!

As you can see, I am excited. Don't tell my husband I told you all -- but he is really into finding the deals also! There are SO many websites out there that take the weekly ads and match them up for you with the deals (I like I Heart Publix, Southern Savers, Feeding God's People, We Use Coupons, and Raining Hot Coupons, to start...) - so they take all of the guess work out of it. All you have to do is collect the coupon inserts or find them online and print them, cut them, organize, and GO! :)

That's all my "rambling" for now. Just excited! In this economy, or any for that matter, it certainly doesn't hurt to have a few extra bucks in the bank.

Kim's "Grown Up" Macaroni & Cheese

I have been on a mission recently.

I am tired of the "blue box" macaroni & cheese.

I mean sure, it is okay for the kids on occasion, but for Hans & I it just doesn't have that ooey, gooey, yummy cheese flavor I am looking for. It's just missing something (well, a lot actually).

So, for the past couple of months here & there I have been looking for a good, solid, savory macaroni cheese recipe. For adults.

I have yet to find one that stood up to all of my expectations. Many have had almost everything and they were good, don't get me wrong. None of them were able to knock me off my feet though.

So, I combined all my favorite ingredients for each of the recipes and eventually, made my own. Here it is!

Kim's "Grown Up" Macaroni & Cheese

16oz box of Rotini pasta, or Elbow pasta (your choice)

10 slices bacon

1/2 onion

2 cloves garlic

3 tbsp butter

1/2 cup flour

4 cups milk

1 cup heavy whipping cream

8oz block sharp Vermont white cheddar cheese

1 1/2 cup mild cheddar cheese

1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp thyme

2 tsp Dijon mustard

dash Worcestershire sauce

dash hot sauce

salt & pepper to taste

-----

2 tbsp melted butter & 1/4 c Italian style breadcrumbs (for topping)

------------------------------------------------------

1. Preheat oven to 375*F.
2. Cook pasta until 2 minutes below the box directions (so if it says 11 minutes cook for 9 minutes).
3. While the pasta is cooking - slice bacon and cook the bacon pieces until crispy. Drain and reserve 2 tbsp or so of the drippings. Cook the onion and the garlic in the drippings for 2-3 minutes or until slightly translucent. Drain w/ the bacon.
4. In the same pan, add 3 tbsp butter. When the butter is melted, add the flour and cook for one minute. Slowly add the milk, cup by cup, until combined and thickened. Then, add the heavy cream. Cook on medium heat until bubbly. Remove from heat, then add the spices (nutmeg, thyme, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce). When combined, finally add all the cheeses.
5. Add the bacon/onion/garlic mixture to the cheese sauce. When combined, add the cooked pasta.
6. Spray a 13x9 baking dish with some cooking spray, then add the cheesy pasta mixture. In a separate small bowl, combine the remaining 2 tbsp butter and breadcrumbs, then sprinkle on top. Bake for 30 minutes. ENJOY!!

Happy Opening Day!!

I love baseball.

Absolutely love it.

I never used to like it until I met my husband.

And he loved the Marlins.

And I had never watched baseball.

Now I watch it.

And I love it.

So HAPPY OPENING DAY everyone!

I am going to sit at home...

With my peanuts & cracker jacks...

And watch both my teams alternately on two different channels...

...and I hope they win!

Lets go RAYS and MARLINS!!!

Worst. Blogger. Ever.

I give this award to myself because I think I am seriously the worst blogger ever! I start doing a weekly or daily blog and get through a week or two then BAM! Something comes up and I miss a few days. Or weeks. Who's counting?! :)

Anyway, my dear follower (seriously I don't think many people read this, haha) -- I will try, yet again, to update on my daily life.

I think my problem is that I think that my life can't be that interesting! Sure, I think my kids are hilarious. But would other people? Nahhhhh.

For example, as I am trying, Jake just came into the room wearing only his jeans & diaper, rubbing his belly, with a big smile saying "Cooooooookieeeee". You had to be there. (and yes, I gave him a cookie)

Anywho, I will write more, even though it may not be terribly profound. :)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 7

Day 7 - Post a picture of your most treasured item.

Of course my most treasured "items" would be my family. However, for the sake of the project and choosing a real "item" -- I choose this:

Our house.

(No, that is not my VW Bug, LoL)

It may not be huge, or perfect to "the worlds" standards. It may not be two story or be on two acres. It may not have perfect paint and there may be dust bunnies near the foot boards here and there. There are pen marks on the kid's bedroom door.

But it is OURS.

It is our home. Our home - sweet - home. We love every inch of it. It may not be perfect, but it is perfect for US and we love it. We come home after a long day of work, kick off our shoes and enjoy each other's company. We watch movies and play board games. Thousands of meals have been cooked in this kitchen and enjoyed. Several birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmases have come and gone. Yes, we may have scuff marks on the floor or pen marks on the kid's door.

But in our dining room, we also have a secret height chart we have been keeping since Brad was 6 and Jake was born behind a painting and the computer desk. It's home. It's our home.

And I don't plan on ever moving.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 6

Day 6 - post a picture of a person you'd like to trade places with for a day.

I don't know if I would like to trade places with her - but boy I would love to sure hang out with her!

The lovely Miss Paula Deen!

I love her food and her personality. Cooking is very therapeutic for me. If I have a bad day, I cook. If I have a great day, I cook. If I am joyous, I cook. Sad, I cook. I love to cook and I am a Southern girl - born & raised - so Paula's recipes are great versions of the foods I grew up eating.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 5

Day 5 - post a picture of your favorite memory

This was another tough one! I have many wonderful memories. I mean there is my wedding day, having Bradley, having Jacob... going through my photos, I came to this one. Everytime I see it, it just stops me in my tracks.

In this photo, Jacob was about 4 days old. Bradley was 8 years old. I can just see the amazement and the love in Brad's eyes for his little brother. He was and still is his brother's protector and best friend. Jake follows him around and waits for him to get home from school. They now have bunk beds and share a room. Many nights when I go to check in on them before I go to bed, I come in to find that Brad has climbed down from his top bunk and gotten into bed with Jake to sleep beside him. When Jake cries, Brad is there. When Jake wants to play, Brad is there to wrestle with him. They have a bond that is unspeakable even with their age difference.

When I announced to Brad that I was pregnant with his sibling, he told me that he knew it was a boy. I told him, "Now Bradley, there is a possibility that it will be a little sister, so if it is, I don't want you to be upset". He was positive it was a boy and he was getting a little brother.

Because he said he had been praying to God for a little brother.

He was right.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 4

Day 4 - Post a photo of something you wish you could forget.

Okay, this one was tough. I don't want to forget the person by any means but I sure do wish I could forget the day he died. My father, my daddy, Scott. He passed away when I was 11. He committed suicide. It rattled my life and changed me and my family forever. He was a good man, he was just depressed beyond measures and well, the medicines didn't help and he ended his life.

I wish he could still be here. I wish he could have walked me down the aisle, and met his grandsons. I wish he could be here to see how my brother & I have grown up. So many things I wish, but what is done is done and even though he has been gone more than half my life now, I still miss him. While I wish I could forget the day he died, I hope and pray that I can make his memory live on with me forever.

Francis Scott Martin, Jr.

March 19, 1954 - August 7, 1995

Gone but NEVER forgotten

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 3

Day 3 -- a photo of the cast from your favorite TV show...

Well, this is not the most "current" cast because it changes from season to season, but this is my guilty pleasure...

BIG BROTHER!! :)

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 2

For day two, you are to put a picture of the person who you are closest to... and here he is! :)

My husband, Hans!!!

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 1

Hello from my living room!!! I know, I know... I have been a terrible blogger. Really, I have, I know. My apologies. I have a tendency to read everyones blogs and comment on those then update my status 100x on Facebook and then before I know it... I forget to blog again! :(

I was reading my friend Jennifer's blog over at Family Musings and she is going a 30 Day Photo Challenge that looks really fun, so I thought I would step back into the "blogging" game and give it a try!

Day one you are supposed to post a picture of yourself and share 15 facts. So, here goes!

1. My favorite color is red
2. I have worked for The Walt Disney Company before. I was a reservation agent for a year. If they paid more, I would have stayed there forever! :)
3. When I was a teenager, my hair was jet black from the time I was 13 until I was 17. My mom actually let me dye it (I have no idea why...). I thought I was sooooo cool, LOL!
4. I have a sweet tooth that is insane. For the longest time, I had to have two Chips Ahoy or Oreo cookies w/ a glass of milk before bed. Seriously.
5. I am going back to the gym, and loving it. Even though deep down I am a total couch potato.
6. I have had the same Fossil watch for the past 6 years. I wear it everyday. When I do happen to forget it, I have a bright white tan line streak on my wrist from where my watch should be. It is quite hilarious, if I do say so myself. :oP
7. I'm eating a Little Debbie brownie right now. See #4.
8. For a while, when Lilo & Stitch came out, I collected Stitch stuffed animals. I had about 25 at one time.
9. I am right handed.
10. I cook and bake when I am stressed out. The more stressed I am, the more ornate/complex dish I cook.
11. My father died when I was 11. I still miss him tremendously.
12. I wish I could play an instrument. Mainly the piano like my oldest son does. :)
13. I love my house, even though it is not ginormous or perfect. It's "home".
14. My Samsung Captivate rocks and if I ever lost it, *I* would be lost! The best part is I got it for $0.97 on Black Friday.
15. If I was ever not terrified to get on a plane, I would love to see Italy or France one day.

And here is what you can expect from me over the next 30 days:
Day 2 - A picture of you and the person you are closest to
Day 3 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
Day 4 - A picture of something you wish you could forget.
Day 5 - A picture of your favorite memory.
Day 6 - A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day.
Day 7 - A picture of your most treasured item.
Day 8 - A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 9 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.
Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the silliest things with.
Day 11 - A picture of something you hate.
Day 12 - A picture of something you love.
Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.
Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17 - A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.
Day 18 - A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little.
Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.
Day 21 - A picture of your favorite night .
Day 22 - A picture of something you wish you were better at.
Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24 - A picture of something you wish you could change.
Day 25 - A picture of your favorite day.
Day 26 - A picture of something that means a lot to you.
Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.
Day 28 - A picture of something you're afraid of.
Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.
Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss