Monday Munchies - Slow Cooker French Dip

Once a Month Mom posted a great easy recipe for Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich's! We topped ours with pepper jack cheese . . . delicious!

Freelance Friday - Gratitude Attitude

I've had several reminders lately to be thankful. The sad thing is that I ALWAYS have things to be thankful for, but I too often tend to focus on the negative side of things and forget to be grateful, especially in the "grind" of day to day life. Sure, when big things/events go well and how I would like, it's easy to be grateful (such as the adoption of our daughter). But sadly, I often miss the "little" things. God is so gracious, however, and sometimes sends along some extra special "little" things that remind me to be grateful all the time. The amazing thing about those little things? It shows me that God cares deeply about me, enough to graciously give me details I enjoy - how great is that?

Lately, here are two of the "little" things that had me thanking God.

- Jeremy and I had been discussing needing to have the furnace checked and cleaned before the cold Illinois winter sets in. We kind of put it off . . . then talked about getting it done again. I hadn't even gotten to the "research companies" part of the process yet, when Jeremy had to run out for a quick errand, turned the radio on, when lo and behold: a radio giveaway for a furnace cleaning to the fourth caller. Yup! You guessed it! Jeremy was the fourth caller. Thank you Lord!

- I've been dreading the task of ordering checks. In our paperless society, checks are becoming obsolete. But for us, there are still a few times we need (or choose) to use checks. Again, I was just about to the "research companies and deals" stage when, lo and behold, one of the blogs I follow posted a deal for 2 boxes of checks for $4.05 shipped. Woohoo! Thank you Lord! Ordered and paid for, and I got to order the super cool design below that my husband will love . . . especially since the last few orders of checks have been more cutesy checks!

What are some of your latest "small things" gratitude stories?

Toddler Thursday - Pumpkin projects

Since Fall is here and that brings visions of pumpkins and pumpkin carving . . . here are two different pumpkin projects our house will be doing:

First, our friend Sara and her kids made spin art pumpkins. I love spin art! This summer I bought a salad spinner at a yard sale for $1 to use just for spin art! We will be making these this week.

Second, The Krazy Coupon Lady has some great tips here for carving pumpkins - I never thought of using cookie cutters!

Wacky Wednesday - Alphabet Game

If you've ever gone on long road trip as a child or with children, this might mean something to you!

Tuesday Tips - Printing Target Coupons

Target.com has some great coupons to print - this is nothing new. Recently, they started carrying manufacturer coupons and Target coupons but you can't tell which were which until you printed them. Can you say frustrating!

Totally Target has a great post here on how to tell which coupons are Target coupons BEFORE printing them at Target.com!

Such a helpful post, thanks Totally Target!

Monday Munchies - Candy Corn Cookies

These cookies are SUPER cute, and according to Kristie, super easy! I also think this would be some good cookies to make with young kids - looks like it wouldn't be as messy as other recipes!

Thanks Our Best Bites!

Freelance Friday - Make Your Own Fossil

Here is a super cute idea to make your own fossils. What a fun project to do with your kids! Thanks The Crafty Classroom!

Need checks?

Here is a great deal on checks! $4.05 for two boxes of single checks, or $5.05 for two boxes of duplicate checks - includes shipping!

MoneySavingMom tells you how to get this great deal. I followed the instructions exactly and got a great deal on checks. The only thing I did differently was that I shopped through my Ebates.com account (12.5% back) rather than the ShopAtHome (15% back)

Toddler Thursday - Letter matching

This is a little more advanced than color matching, but I thought this was such a good idea to teach your child to match lower case and upper case letter. Plus it's super cute - who doesn't like ice cream cones?!

Wednesday Wisdom - Gratitude

Source: etsy.com via Sara on Pinterest

Tuesday Tip - Not Super Woman

Wow . . . I needed this tip (a.k.a. reminder)

Source: daeofourlives.blogspot.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Monday Munchies - Apple Chips

I love apple chips! Especially when they are tart. The only problem with them is that I could eat SO many of them at once that a batch wouldn't last long. I have a dehydrator but was happy and intrigued to see this recipe for making them in the oven. Hmm, might have to try that sometime!

So here's a question for you - do you like your "dried" apples crunchy or a little chewy? Personally, I like them crunchy!

Freelance Friday - What to do with all those cards

Are you like me? Do you have a hard time throwing away greeting cards you receive, especially ones for very special occasions? Right now all the cards we received at the birth of our daughter (who was an answer to 8 years of prayers) are sitting in a gift bag. I think there are over 70 of them - we are so blessed. But I hate that they are just "sitting there." Then, I saw this genius idea - I love it!!! I think I'm going to have to do this project with those cards (might have to do multiples). I think it will be neat, when our daughter is older, to go through the "card-book" with her. What do you think?

Source: itsnotalwaysblackandwhite.blogspot.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Toddler Thursday - Color Matching #2

Here is another great idea for color matching with your toddler - just be sure he doesn't like to eat crayons!

Thanks it's just Laine!

Wednesday Wisdom - Comparison

Source: howjoyful.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Tuesday Tip - Office Depot Coupon

Go here to print a $10 off $10 coupon for printing services at Office Depot! You must be a Worklife Reward Member to use it, and it is good until November 7th. You could use it for the project featured in this week's upcoming Freelance Friday (have I got you all curious now?? Gotta wait until Friday!).

Thanks MomsbyHeart.net!

Monday Munchies - Starbucks in a . . . cupcake!

Thanks to my good friend Lacey, I've gotten to try Starbucks' Salted Caramel Mocha drink . . . pretty yummy, even cold! (I didn't finish it the first day, so I stuck it in the fridge and drank it cold the next - yum).

So of course, this recipe peaked my interest as soon as I saw it. Sounds pretty yummy to me. Head on over to InsideBruCrewLife to check out the yummy looking recipe for "Salted Caramel Mocha Brownie Cups" (whew! that's a mouthful)

Source: thefrugalgirls.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Freelance Friday - how to wrap a present

This is a great post that will come in handy as we approach the holidays . . . "How to wrap a present" thanks to One Charming Party!

Toddler Thursday - Color Matching

This is a fairly easy color match game you can create yourself from No Time for Flashcards!

Wednesday Wisdom - Enjoy "now"

Source: oakridgerevival.blogspot.com via Anouk on Pinterest

Tuesday Tip - Decorating for fall with . . . TP?

So here is a cute decorating idea that uses something each household has - toilet paper! This would be a good project for young kids to do with you! Thanks TheFrugalGirls!