Bierocks recipe

I've had several requests for this recipe because they are so tasty and they freeze well. I often make up a lot of these and put them in the freezer. Then when I need a quick meal, I can pull these out and have a fast and delicious meal within minutes.

Bierocks

·         1 bag of frozen rolls, thawed according to package

·         1 pound ground beef

·         1 onion, chopped

·         1 clove garlic, crushed

·         1 1/2 teaspoons salt

·         1 1/2 teaspoons lemon pepper

·         1 small head cabbage, chopped

·         2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

·         1/2 cup melted butter

Directions

1.     Saute beef, onion and garlic, salt and lemon pepper in a large skillet over medium high heat, until beef is browned. Add cabbage and Worcestershire sauce. Cook until cabbage is limp; drain liquid from mixture.

2.     Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

3.     On a lightly floured board, roll each roll of dough into a circle inch circle. Spoon cabbage/beef filling onto center of each dough piece, putting about a quarter cup on each roll or use an ice cream scoop. Pull four side of each circle up to the center and pinch to seal. Place bierocks on a lightly greased cookie sheet. If desired, brush dough with melted butter or egg wash (1 egg white with 2 tablespoons water).

4.     Bake in preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve hot, or wrap and freeze for heating later.

Variations

1.    You can add put shredded cheese on each roll before adding the meat mixture.

2.    You can also add 2 teaspoons of caraway seeds when adding the Worcestershire sauce.

3.    You can use American cheese slices in place of shredded cheese.

Homemade holiday ornaments

The kids and I will be making these easy to make ornaments as a craft project and then painting them for our Christmas tree. I looks like fun and I will cherish these ornaments for years to come!

INGREDIENTS
1 cup salt
2 cups flour
1 cup water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Water-based paints

Place dry ingredients in a bowl, add the water
and oil, then stir until blended. Once the dough
holds together, make it into a ball and
knead it with your hands to make
a smooth texture.

Place the dough
on a cutting board, and using a rolling pin, roll the dough
out into a pancake shape that is a bit thicker
than you would use for regular cut-out cookies. Cut out
the ornaments with cookie cutters, design your own
ornaments using a blunt knife, or shape dough with
your fingers. Punch or carve a hole into the top of
the ornament to thread a string through to hang the decoration.

Bake at 250 degrees until hard (for one to two hours).

Once cooled, paint with water-based paints if desired,
or glue on glitter using white household glue. Thread a string
or ribbon through the hole and hang the decoration on the tree
or elsewhere in your home. These ornaments can be reused year after year.

Our house is on the market

We've been working hard to get our house in tip top shape so that we can hopefully make a fast sell and get moved quickly. We have also been looking at homes to purchase in Kansas City. We are really starting to lean towards homes that use some passive solar energy to heat the home in winter and geothermal cooling in the summer. The scientist in me loves the idea of our home being somewhat self sustainable and teaching the kids about conservation and scientific principles of heat and energy exchange. They will be learning by real life examples and not just reading a book!

However, being the frugal mom that I am, I've also seen dollar signs. Using passive energy equals reduced bills. In fact, one home we are considering has zero gas bills and only 50 dollars a month in electric. That would save us about 200 a month in utility bills! I can put that money away for savings or pay down credit cards that we used before I became frugal. By saving 200 a month we could continue to afford for me to be a stay at home mom.

Adoption stuff

I get silly questions and looks sometimes when my family is out and about. I don't mind it, however sometimes it can get a bit intrusive and a little redundant. At times I wish I had a shirt that read....

Yes, these are my children. 

Yes, they are brother and sister. 

Yes, my husband is their father. 

Yes, my family is beautiful.

I am a very luck Mom!!!!!

At a restaurant I don't need some stranger coming up to us asking where my kids are from. Unless you are going around the room and taking a poll about everyones origins, I find it to be a bit rude. So if you come up to me and ask this question, I will say I brought them from home. Or if I'm in a particularly snarky mood I'll tell you I found them in nearby park on the way there.

Oh and please don't ask me how much my children cost? I understand asking if you have set up a time to talk to me about our adoption privately. However, how do you think that makes my kids feel when strangers ask that? My children are priceless and have never been and never will be for sell. So if you decide to ask about the cost, I will level the playing field by asking you about some personal finances such as your personal debt or how much money you make a year. 

Our children's birth parents are wonderful people that made the most selfless and love filled decision I have ever witnessed. So please don't bad mouth them or say things like why didn't their first parents want them. It wasn't a matter of not wanting them. It was a matter of loving them so much that they sacrificed their own feelings to provide them with a better life. I don't think many people are strong enough and selfless enough to be birth parents. They deserve our respect.

Finally, there is some terminology that really gets under people skin when referring to adoption. First of all the term "real" parents. That means that someone is a fake parent, not a good thing.

Saying that someone "gave up" or is "giving up" a child for adoption. The correct term is "placed" for adoption or "making an adoption plan". As stated earlier, birth parents love their children and will carry them in their hearts forever. Saying they gave them up is not reflective of their sacrifice.

How much do you think I spent on todays trip to Walgreens?

What I got:
3 dozen eggs
3 boxes of Christmas cards
1 package of bc chocolate chip cookie mix
2 ready made graham cracker pie crusts
2 sticks of degree
1 bag of PF Changs frozen orange chicken
2 cans of glade room spray
2 renuzits air freshners
1 sour cream
1 can condensed milk
1 tube of carmex chapstick
1 Tylenol cold and flu
1 Similisan cough syrup
1 package of night time pullups
2 boxes of Klennex

 Answer: About 40 dollars! I will post my receipt and give details later tonight :)

Nikon Coolpix 10 MP Camera: 46% off Plus Free Shipping

This 10 mega-pixel camera is a great holiday gift idea for a special first camera gift for your tween or teen child, or even as a gift for you, Mom!    Sunday only, and while quantities last, it also ships FREE.   Visit the Target Daily Deals page for more information.

Nikon Coolpix S203 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom – Red

$75.00

Save 46% + Free Shipping

$139.99 List price

Life is always changing

We moved to Wichita five years ago so that my husband could pursue a job opportunity. Now five years later, the job opportunities are taking us back to Kansas City.We don't have family in KC, but I'm sure we will soon reconnect with our previous group of friends and most likely make some new connections as well.

So now it's time to get our house sold and to find a new home to make a nest in. It's bitter sweet to move. I know that my husband will love the new job. But, this is the home that I brought my children home from the hospital to. It will be tough to leave it behind. However, it isn't what I will miss most about Wichita...

I will miss my mom. When we moved to Wichita we found a home only two blocks from my mother. It has been a great two years getting to spend time with my mom and having her around. The kids love it when Meema pops over on her way home to give them hugs. And having a free babysitter that washes my dishes, cleans my house and scrubs my sinks when she babysits will be extremely missed.

$5 Rebate for Toy story 3 or Beauty and the Beast with purchase of Campbellls condenced soup

I don't know about you, but this movie purchase is on our Christmas list. Now there is a way to save 5 dollars back on the purchase. Currently there is a $5 Toy Story 3 + (3) Campbell's Condensed Soups rebate available. This rebate was good on Beauty and the Beast as well, so if you used it then, unfortunately you won't be able to submit it again. But, it is nice to get some money back on a purchase you were already planning to make.

Walgreens: Huggies, Colgate, and Contac Cold & Flu All for Only $2.17

Ok, there is an awesome Walgreens deal going on if you need Huggies Diapers, Colgate, or Contac cold & Flu; and at these prices who doesn't need these items?

Heather came up with an amazing deal scenario; check it out below!

Transaction #1
Buy Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste, $3.49
Use $1/1 Colgate Sensitive Toothpaste, SS 10/10 – Or PrintablePay $2.49 & Receive a $3.50 Register Reward

Transaction #2Buy Contac Cold & Flu, $6
Buy 1 Small Filler (Laffy Taffy, $0.10) Use $2/1 Select GlaxoSmithKline Medications, RP 10/10
Use $3.50 RR from Colgate
Pay $0.60 & Receive a $6 Register Reward

Transaction #3Buy Huggies Diapers, $7.99
Buy Filler (M&Ms on Mega Saver $0.59)
Use $2/1 HERE or $2.50/1 HERE
Use $6 RR from Contac
Pay $0.08 and receive a $1 Register Reward
At the end of 3 transactions you will have paid $3.17 plus tax out of pocket and you have a $1 Register Rewards remaining so your actual cost is just $2.17!

Thanks,
Passion for Savings

Five Valuable Baby Coupons: Huggies Diapers, Wipes, and Similac Formula

We all know that when you have a baby, you go through a lot of diapers.  It can get expensive! Here are some great coupons to help you save not only on diapers, but wipes and formula too.

• $2.00 off Huggies Little Snugglers Diapers
• $2.50 off Huggies Little Snugglers or Little Movers Diapers
• $2.50 off Huggies Pure and Naturals Diapers
• $1.50 off Huggies Wipes
• $3.00 off Similac Infant Formula

Last Day of Old Navy Doorbuster Deals

Today’s Old Navy Doorbuster Deals are no disappointment.  They have some great deals on jean, and you can get an extra 10% off with the code below. Free shipping on orders over 50 dollars with another code below.

Adult Jeans $19 ($17.10 after code)

Kids Jeans $14 ($12.60 after code)

Women’s hoodies and lounge pants $10 ($9.00 after code)

Graphic Tees for Baby ($5 – $4.50 after code), Kids and Adults ($8 – $7.20 after code)

For an extra 10% off, use code ONSAVE10 at checkout (today only)

For free shipping on orders over 50 dollars, use code ONSAVE50 at checkout (today only)

Modnique: $5 credit +$10 off = Kidorable Boots for $4.95 shipped!

Modnique is offering a free $5 credit to everyone who signs up. Plus, they have a $10 coupon code which you can use. So, you can get a total of $15 off your order –  making the Kidorable Kid’s Boots as low as $4.95 shipped today!

Here’s how to get this deal:

:: Sign up for an account at Modnique. Your account should instantly be credited with $5.

::Look through the sales and choose something you’d like to order (shipping is usually around $7.95, so I’d recommend looking for something which is $12 or less).

::Add this item your cart and go to checkout. Type in coupon code star in the coupon code box to take $10 off your order.

::Then type in $5 in the credit box to apply your $5 store credit.

::This should take $15 total off your order — making it possible to get some items for just a few dollars shipped!

You can also earn a $15 store credit if you pass this offer onto your friends and they purchase. Plus, if they sign up their friends and they purchase, you’ll get $10 store credit. And if their friend’s friend purchases, you’ll get $5 store credit. (And yes, my affiliate link is in the post, but if you don’t feel comfortable ordering or signing up with my link, just go directly to Modnique.com to sign up.)

$.50/1 Ground Beef

There is a very RARE $.50 off beef coupon available!

 

Here's how to get yours now!

• First, go to Souped-Up Suppers.
• At the very bottome of the page, click on “Free Code Play“
• Enter your code and email address in the boxes provided.
• In the “Grocer name” box, type in your store name.
• When you type in the beginning letter a drop down box will appear with all the available stores.
• (the only one I found was Target)
• Choose your store and click “Check Your Code” (you either win a cart full of groceries or a $0.50 coupon).
• On the next page, fill in your info and then you’ll be prompted to print your coupon.
• Coupon prints as a manufacturer coupon: Save $0.50 off any ground beef purchase. Coupon valid only at “store name".

Good Weekend and now looking forward to another week

     Last Friday Alan and I spoke on a panel about adoption. It was great and everyone asked great questions then to our surprise they gave us a 50 dollar master card for being on the panel. So we decided to use it for a fun weekend.
     On Saturday we met some friends at a pumpkin patch and the kids had a blast exploring the activities, eating lunch and picking pumpkins. Although Silas was enthralled about finding a lady bug and carried it out of the field instead a pumpkin. Later that evening we went to the schools red ribbon carnival where the kids played games, won prizes and got their faces painted. I even got to go to the book fair to pick up some Christmas presents for the kids.
     On Sunday we cleaned the house and I changed out the kids clothes for the season. We then headed over to the Night of the Living Zoo with some cousins. The place was packed, and we felt like cattle walking through the zoo to get candy. However, the kids loved seeing all the other costumes and said they had fun. So I although mom and dad weren't too impressed, I'd consider it a success because the kids had fun.
      Now I have some time to check out the ads and deals that I need to take advantage of this week. So far one I think I need to look into is on Hershey's Kisses at TARGET. They will be great as back up candy on Halloween or to put in the center of peanut butter cookies for the holidays.
Target: Pumpkin Spice Kisses (10 oz.), $2.49
**Select others also on sale
$1/2 Select Hershey’s Kisses, exp. 11-28-10 (SS 09/26/10)
$1/1 Hershey’s Kisses Target printable
$0.99 ea. wyb 2 after stacked coupons!

More Coupon shopping today!

I will post more about my shopping specifics later but for now here is some pictures and a general run down of my savings. At Leekers I purchased 83 dollars worth of groceries for $41.50. So I saved more than I spent!

Leekers

Then I went over to Dillons where I'm most familiar with the layout of the store to do the bulk of my shopping. At Dillons I paid about 90 dollars for my groceries and according to the receipt I saved 58 dollars. So it was a good day with an approximate savings of 120 dollars in total!

Dillons

Shopping with coupons

     So the last month or so I've been really working at using coupons and finding great deals. So how about I start documenting my trips to the store here? Why not, huh? I'm still learning how to stretch my dollar so if anyone has more suggestions I will give it a try. Thanks!
     I usually do one big day of grocery and pantry shopping every 3 to 4 weeks and I take smaller trips for perishables every week. I also check out ads and coupons weekly, and pick up any great bargains. This week is my big trip week so I will be going to Target, Leekers and Dillons. My trip to Target today included a lot of stuff that we needed. Toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash and dental floss picks for the kids, Halloween treats, kleenex, Aleve, Mucinex, Overnight pull-ups, baby wipes, Degree, Chex Mix, and Juice. I spent a total of $66.70 and saved $19.53. So without coupons this trip would have cost me $86.23

Target

Garden

I had a garage sale this weekend to clear out some of the things that I don't want to pack and I've also been canning the end of season vegetables from our garden. I made freezer slaw and piccalilli, it will be nice having food from our garden all winter. We also dehydrated and froze some apples from the apple tree in our yard. It's hard to believe that we won't have our apple tree or garden next year to get produce from.

So I've been thinking

This past week or two have been very hectic, yet I've been highly productive. Has anyone else ever found that they seem to thrive the most when they have a lot of things to juggle? That is how I am.

In the past two weeks I've made over 108 bierocks, canned some fruits and vegetables, participated in a meal swap, made meals for several friends in need, made snacks for two preschool classes, attend a birthday party, went on a short trip with my husband, saved money by organizing coupons, volunteered at a local school, had a garage sale and started my Christmas shopping and crafting. I feel so wonderful about this list of finished tasks and I also know that it wouldn't be possible without the help and support of my husband, kids, mother and friends. Thank you!!!!!!

So at the meal swap us ladies had some discussions about religion, children and politics. One women mentioned that she felt that the public schools have no purpose, other than to waste tax payer money. My knee jerk reaction was to disagree with her. However, I've thought about it a lot. What is the mission of public schools? Are they succeeding at this mission?

I don't have an answer, it is just something I'm pondering.

I'm back!!!

     Recently I've been keeping very busy with the kids, health related issues and coaching the Science Olympiad at the school I use to teach at. However, I have been working with Silas on his numbers and he can count to 15 now. Although he likes to skip the number 7.
     My mother (Who loves infomercials, HSN and QVC) purchased the My Baby Can Read curriculum and we just received it yesterday. You use the first books and DVD for a month so I will let you know how the progress goes for both of the kids. If all goes smoothly the curriculum takes about 6 months to get through it. It would be really cool if the system does work.

The weather outside is frightful

     The temperatures here are in the single digits during the day and in the negatives at night. So, needless to say we aren't spending much time taking walks or even running errands around town. I'm finding that the homeschooling is helping to break up the cabin fever and gives my son and I something fun to do during the day. We spend our day singing songs, playing with play dough and watching the "Alphabet Factory" DVD. My son loves that video, which is a nice change from watching "Cars" and "Robots".
     Tomorrow we might make some sugar Cookies and form them into the Letter, Shape, Number and Theme of the week. I think we will be able to handle making an A, a square, and the number 1. However, making a cow shaped cookie is going to require us to put our artistic abilities to the test.

So far so good!

     So far so good! My son is really enjoying learning things! So far this week we've gone over quite a bit of information and my son seems to be picking it up. In fact he woke up this morning and came into my bedroom and was talking about cows (this weeks theme). He really enjoys every activity we've done.
     Today I introduced him to the Leap Frog Alphabet DVD and he loves it. He even came up to me and said,"mommy the S says ssss like ssssssssilassssssssss! I haven't talked to him about the sounds in words, so I was amazed that he is putting the phonics together so easily!
     Later today I will be headed over to my former school to coach the Science Olympiad team. It is overwhelmingly time consuming, but I had a lot of students that would have been disappointed if I hadn't come back as a coach. So I'm going to brave the single digit temperatures and do some science with middle school students this afternoon.

First weekend of the New Year!

     My daughter is 6 months old and wears 18 month clothes, so most of the clothes people gave her for Christmas were too small. So yesterday we went out and exchanged them for sizes that fit her.
     One of my goals for the new year is to get more organized. So, after the shopping trip, I decided  I would go through both of the kids baby clothes and consolidate them by making one tub for each size, I also filled two giant bags of clothes to take to a consignment sale and one bag to go to the trash. I also organized the hand me downs that my son oldest got from his cousin. I ended up with 10 storage boxes of clothes ranging from NB to 5T!
     Somehow during my clothing adventures I managed to strain my back. Unfortunately, I'm now in a lot of pain! I've taken some pain killers and muscle relaxers just to make laying on the bed tolerable. Hopefully once they relax my back enough I can do some stretching exercises to relieve the pressure and get to feeling better soon. Thank goodness it is a Sunday and that I have a wonderful husband to care for the kids while I try to mend. He is a wonderful husband and father, and he is even making Brisket in the Crock Pot with a recipe I showed him!

Happy New Year!!!

     Last night was New Years Eve and we had a great time with the kids and with my mom! My mom came over with some Fillet steaks and I made some roasted potatoes and corn on the cob. We cooked together in the kitchen and drank the wine my husband, Alan, had brought home. The kids had a blast playing with toys and Silas munched on the cheese log, crackers and Shrimp. After eating dinner we played the Wii Fit and Band Hero until it was time to ring in the New Year.
     As for the Preschool prep, I've ordered some books at my local branch of our public library. There is a 25 cent fee per item to do this. But, I figured the books I wanted were at various different branches and this will save us time, as the library will have all the books delivered to our branch and have them waiting for us. Now when we go to the library I can just pick up the books at the counter and Silas, Sydney and I can spend time at the library enjoying ourselves and not searching for specific books.
     I also spent some time yesterday printing off letters, shapes and other items for activities. There is a multitude of free printables online so I was able to find a lot of nice things. However, I want to make a number book that has weekly themed pictures and a place for stickers so I made my own number pages. I'm going to include a picture of the 1 and 2 page for you to see. I'm really happy with how they turned out!
    Finally Happy New Year to everyone I hope this year and decade are wonderful for everyone!

Number pages created for Preschool number book