Favorite Things 2012

I am linking up with the Nester for her Favorite Things Party (gifts under $15).  Here are a few of my favorite things...

One Thousand Gifts

Still one of my favorite books, outside of the Bible or course.  Ann Voskamp speaks straight to the heart in this challenging and beautiful book on gratefulness and thanksgiving.  God has used this book to change my perspective and help me grow in many ways.  Click on the link above the image to order from Christian Book Distributors; currently they are selling it for only $7.99.  I bought this book for 3 of my girlfriends this year.

 Tazo Organic Zen Tea

I had this wonderful tea at a friend's wedding.  I have to quote Tazo and what they say about this tea, couldn't say it better myself, "Through the screened front door, zingy lemongrass and spritely spearmint coax contemplative pan-fired green teas to come play. Calmly, lemon verbena opens the door and invites them all to a cup of tea."  It also helped that the server brought me this tea with a personal tea pot and matching cup; made for a total whimsical experience.  $12.95 on Amazon for 24 bags (please consider using the amazon link found on our friend's blog to order, which will help support their upcoming adoption).

Chocola Tea (Loose Leaf Tea)

You can order Chocola Tea's loose leaf tea online (click on the link above the image).  One of my favorites is Princess Sarah (their own special blend of peppermint and licorice- herbal tea).  It sells for $2.85 an ounce.  I am currently enjoying a green tea blend from them, Green Christmas.  They also have individual tea bags/filters so you can enjoy a cup of loose leaf tea without making a whole pot; genius.  Can you tell I like tea?!  They also sell Rooibos tea, Cream Caramel is one of my favorites.  It also sells for $2.85 an ounce as well.

Paperback Swap

Some of my friends (homeschool moms) told me about this site (Paperback Swap).  It is a wonderful way to get rid of books you no longer want or need and get some that you do.  You have to post 10 books to set up an account, and then as people request your books and you mail them out (at book rate) you receive credits to order books of your own (for free).  I have received numerous books this way and it has been so fun; easy and affordable (you only pay shipping on the books you send out and nothing for the books you receive).  Just checked my e-mail and I have another book request waiting, yeah more free books!  Would you mind mentioning my name as a referral when you sign up?  It is free to sign-up and if no one from your address has joined this site before you get two free book credits.  Win, win!

Tiny Prints (Cards)

I have enjoyed ordering from Tiny Prints this year.  They have creative and quality products (cards, invitations, stationary, etc.).  I ordered some of our Christmas cards from them this year and was very pleased with them.  I also ordered a set of cards for a gift too. The card above starts at $2.39 each (if you order 10) and keeps going down the more you order.  They offer numerous on-going discounts as well.  If you order today (Monday, Dec. 17h) you can save 15%-20% on your holiday orders with code: dec20sw

Well, there you have it...5 of my favorite products from 2012. I hope this post helps you with any last minute shopping you have for Christmas or any gifts you may need in 2013.  Of course the greatest gifts are not things, but relationships and investing in the lives of those around you.  I am thankful for the priceless gift of Christ and how He is the gift that keeps giving, never breaks, and is just what we need and want; in Him is true purpose, fulfillment and salvation. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-15  "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" (vs. 15)

More free products!

We have thoroughly enjoyed vitacost. com.  They offer SO many great products, many organic, at a discounted price.  Shipping is very reasonable too, and they often offer reduced shipping.  Click on the link below and you will receive $10 in free products once you register (if you are a new customer).  Here are the free products Adam received.  We only to to pay $3.00 total (it was a $2.24 shipping day when the order was placed).  Let me know what you order!  The Mrs. Meyer's cleaning product shown here (in basil scent) smells so good.  I cleaned the counter with it before I took this picture.  Hubby walked in the house and commented how good the house smelled; mission accomplished.  My favorite soap brands from vitacost are Dr. Bronner's and Nubian Heritage (shown here).

http://www.vitacost.com/Referee?wlsrc=rsReferral&ReferralCode=90211019

This is the free carseat cover I received from placing my seven slings order.  I just paid shipping on this- trendy carseat cover (can't wait to have the baby to use this with)!

The Mom Creative blog introduced me to this company, Paper Coterie.  Check them out!  They make beautiful, quality photo gifts.

This is what I had made (the cards).  They currently have a Mother's Day sale going on, check it out.  They sent the necklace as a thank you gift- I love gifts!

It was a thrill to see my photography (Imprints Photography- find it on facebook) and poetry in print!  Just ordered a journal and another set of cards today.  I am going to try to sell these cards at the Mom 2 Mom sale this Saturday, will see how it goes.

Shutterfly is one of my favorite photo sites.  They offered a free 8x8 book for Mother's Day (thanks Saving Addition for the tip), just had to pay shipping.  I think they have one of the best qualities of photo products.  You can save more money on other sites, but I don't think they turn out as well.  I also like Paper Coterie and Mixbook too.

If you are a new customer you can get 50 free prints from shutterfly.com!

I only paid shipping for all of these items- how fun!  Let me know what kind of deals you have found.  And be sure to check of The Mom Creative blog and Savings Addiction.  I am so grateful for the gals that do these sites and help us save money!  Thanks ladies.

The Creative Cooking Stretch

As mentioned before I like to cook creatively- a little of this, a little of that, using leftovers to create new dishes...yes, I do have flops every once in awhile (used to have them more frequently but practice helps).  I am excited to share with you a creative cooking stretch that I just did that made two meals into four!  We can all benefit from stretching our meals and budget, right?!

Creamy Chicken Casserole
Cook enough rice to feed your family and a little bit more
Then add one large can of cream of chicken soup
1 large can of canned chicken (drained almost all the way)
1 cup of sour cream
Frozen peas (cooked), about a cup
Season with sea salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings
Mix together and put in a lightly greased baking dish
Crush a row of crackers and put them on top of the mixture (do not mix them in)
Melt 3-4 Tbsp. of unsalted butter and pour over crushed crackers
Bake on 350 for 25-30 minutes (make enough to have about 1/3 of the casserole leftover for another recipe)


Pizza Pasta Bake
Brown 1 lb. of hamburger (put 1/2 to 3/4 of the cooked beef in this recipe and save the rest for another) and season with seasonings listed below (minus the brown sugar)
Cook enough pasta to feed your family and a little bit more
Place pasta in a baking dish
Add pepperoni in with the pasta (mix it in)
Add 1/2 to 3/4 of the meat to the pasta
In a bowl mix 1 or 2 jars of pizza sauce and one large can of diced flavored tomatoes (undrained)
Add Italian and/or pizza seasonings, dried fennel, and dried or fresh basil, a bit of salt and  1 tablespoon of brown sugar
Pour mixture over pasta and mix
Add your favorite white cheese (shredded) to the top
Bake 20-25 minutes on 350 (save 1/3 to 1/2 of a pan for another recipe)

Serve with fresh or frozen green beans as a side (save several cups of beans for another recipe)


Baked Potato Soup
Prepare about 5-6 potatoes (boil them for about 15-20 minutes and then cut off skin and dice up the insides)
Melt 4 Tbsp. of unsalted butter over medium to low heat
Add fresh or dried chives to melted butter
Add 1 tsp. dill and 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper
Add 4 heaping Tbsp. flour and mix thoroughly
Add 4 cups of milk
Let it get thick and bubbly (watch closely)
Then add potatoes and 1 cup of shredded cheese to the base
After 5 minutes or so add the leftover creamy chicken casserole to the soup
Cook for about 10 minutes more (watch closely)
Serve with more shredded cheddar cheese and crumbled bacon on top

Italian Garden Soup
Put about 6-8 cups of water in a big pot on medium heat
Add 2 tablespoons of beef base
Add a hearty amount of Italian seasonings, salt pepper, a bit of garlic, celery salt (season to your liking- the more the better)
Add 1 tbsp. cooking oil (whatever kind you have on hand)
Let broth heat up for about 10 minutes
Add leftover green beans, ground, beef, and pizza pasta bake to soup.
Stir and heat for about 20 minutes.

Serve with another row of crackers for dipping or topping.

So there you have it.  Cook two dinners and use the leftovers for two batches of soup, which could be used for two more lunches or dinners.  Most often your family doesn't realize they are eating leftovers because you have transformed them!:)  Let me know if you have questions and I would love to hear the ways you transform leftovers and stretch them creatively.