My bargains!

I love using coupons and shopping at thrift stores.  Today I had a great time and found some really good bargains.  I bought one pair of jeans, two yards of material, paperback American Girl book and one hard back American Girl book that has several books in one book, a Clemson tiger paw charm, box of Rice Krispies, Apple Newton cookies and six packages of Ramen Noodles all for only  $4.19  !!!!!!

Zucchini Bread

Last week I checked out a book from the library called Baking Boot Camp  by The Culinary Institute of America and Darra Goldstein.  I have enjoyed reading this book this past week and I have learned so many nice little tips.  At the end of the book they include some recipes.  Today, I decided to try zucchini bread and it is so good.

Zucchini Bread

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
2 cups grated zucchini
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease and flour two 9 inch loaf pans.

Sift together 2 cups of the all purpose flour with the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.  Combine the sugar, brown sugar, oil and eggs and mix on medium speed using a paddle attachment until blended, about two minutes.  Add the sifted dry ingredients and mix until just combined, about 30 seconds.

 Toss the grated zucchini with the remaining flour and the whole wheat flour.  Blend the zucchini and the pecans into the batter.

Divide the batter evenly between the two pans.  Bake for about 1 hour and 25 or until a tester inserted in the center comes out clean and the loaves spring back when lightly pressed.

A while back I decided that I wanted to add something to our dining room.  I found a quote that I really liked and then I painted it on our dining room wall.

This quote makes me stop and think about whatever trials I am going through Jesus is with me and He can use me as a witness. 

Abbie's Tote Bag

Almost eight weeks ago we bought the material at Hancock Fabrics for Abbie to make a reversible tote bag.  That same night my daddy fell and broke his hip so this project had to be put on hold.  My daddy is now out of the hospital and doing better so we were finally able to work on the bag.

Poor Man's Steak

Today I made a recipe that I have made many times and it is now one of my favorites!

1 can mushroom soup
2 onions
1 lb. ground beef
4 potatoes
Alternate sliced potatoes and onions in a 1 1/2 qt. casserole dish.  Mix soup with one can of water and pour over potatoes and onions.  Top with cooked ground beef.  Cover casserole with foil and bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

This is such an easy meal that can be made on a busy day.  I like to serve it over some fresh homemade yeast rolls.

Encouraging Websites for Homeschoolers

This is a list of encouraging websites that I like to look at occasionally as I am on this homeschooling journey:

Scripture for Homeschooling

Homeschool FAQ's

Mom's Corner

Lately things have been so overwhelming for me that I have become very stressed.  Last week was my birthday and Roger was so sweet to take me on a short little vacation to our favorite spot in North Carolina.  We enjoyed looking at the Fine Arts Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway and many antique stores.  It was also a nice time to just relax and enjoy each others company.   We really had a great time and I was so relaxed by the time we got home.  But, by Wednesday when I went back to work I started getting stressed again.  Of course, I did because none of my problems had disappeared while I was gone.  I still had a job that to me is very stressful at times and my daddy is still not doing well.  Sometimes I feel like a rat in an exercise wheel.  I keep running around in circles but I'm not getting anywhere.  Yesterday it hit me that I need to learn to turn all of my problems over to God.  Of course, I should have already known that, but it is so hard for me to do this.  I need to make sure I am putting Him first and then the rest of my day will fall into place.  Sure, I will still have stressful days at work and sure my loved ones will be hurting but I can rest in Jesus knowing that He is in control.Here is a verse that really spoke to me today:
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is."

Psalm 63:1