My 3 Guys

I love the guys God has hand-picked for me !

Noah's 7yearold Bike

This is God's provision to our family, let me tell ya !

We are gearing up for vacation and are planning to bike. My tires on my 15 yr. Gary Fisher need replacement. $50 ! And, Hubby did the work of installing them. That is way too much money, IMHO.
Noah's bike was a bit too small for him, and need wheel barrings ( whatevertheyare).
We priced bikes, and it was out of the question to buy on for Noah.
So, he and I huddled on the couch and prayed, if the Lord would give him a bike ?
I posted on my F/B status asking friends for a hand-me-down. No go.
I listed on Freecycle, and by the next afternoon.....Noah and Daddy were pumping air, and washing his new bike. It's cool b/c it has hand breaks, gears, and a front shock, he is so pleased with it, and God.
Now, should I let him ride around the block on his own ? Yesterday, I followed him in my car to see if he could do, and he can.........?

Luv a Hot Dip ?

Hot Artichoke and Spinach dip
(from pampered chef cookbook "all the best")

prep time: 15 minutes~bake time:20-25 minutes

ingredients:
1 jar(6oz) marinated artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
1 package (9-11 oz) frozen CREAMED spinach, thawed
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 cup sour cream
1 small garlic clove, pressed
1/2 cup (2oz) grated fresh parmesan cheese
(optional) diced red bell pepper for garnish

1. preheat oven to 375. coarsely chop artichokes; place in bowl. add spinach, mayo, and sour cream
2. press garlic into bowl. grate parmesan cheese into bowl; mix well. spoon into baking dish.
3. bake 20-25 minutes or until heated through. garnish with bell pepper, if desired. serve with chips.

yield: 2 cups (16 servings)

nutrients per serving (2 tablespoons dip): calories 60, total fat 5 g, saturated fat 1.5 g,
cholesterol 5 mg, carbohydrate 2 g, protien 2 g, sodioum 190 mg, fiber less than 1 g

diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 vegetable, 1 fat (0 carb)

For more Hot Dips, check out BooMama!

Party prep break !

Noah turning 6, look he still had baby teeth !
Now, he's turning 7 !
Those are 7 shaped sugar cookies we made,frosted and sprinkled with sugar crystals.
Now, we need to bake and decorate some cupcakes. Daddy with bring home helium filled balloons, and assemble a pinata for the guest and Noah to break open.
Our party will be outback with a slip&slide and swimming in the pool.
I am considering rope in off front door, so all guest will know to come out back.
Is that too weird?
Oh, well, back to preparations ! Ha, I just looked at this pic of my cutie, and see a hair cut is going to be added to our list !

Paint the Door

I saw another sweet blogger do her door, and a light went on in my head.
"I can do that, too ". @ Just a Girl's blogspot.
So,I cut & pasted her brand of paint to my F/B status asking if any friend's had leftover paint. No takers......so I started to pray b/c my budget doesn't allow for a can of paint.
Also,I broke my toe and was on crutches for a week, and that delayed my lightbulb moment.
Then on Hubby's day off he offered to get me, the boys and my crutches out of the house to visit a Restore. It's a store people and builders donate their leftover supplies to.
We were going just to browse, and came across a close runner up to "the" can of paint.
Well Hubby didn't want to buy it b/c there was so little in the can.
But, I insisted it would be just enough, when he took it up to the counter to pay, the clerk though he was trying to donated it, and refused the can b/c it was " too empty". ha ! The clerk ended up charging him one dollar for the can. Now, that we could afford, and as you can see from the pic it was enough......insert happy dance HERE.
I actually have left over paint and am considering doing the inside of door.
Even with 3 little boys playing all around me, asking could they help, I got it done ! Done while Hubby was at work and would not have a heart attack witnessing the carnage of an open can of black paint .
The door is metal, which the paint was specific to metal and went on easily.
It now displays son's artwork, and we are all quite happy with it.
What do you think ? And, would you ever paint anything black ?

Frugal Friday-Christams

These cookies are always a hit, peanutbutter cookies made from Betty Crocker pack, then while still warm, insert a Resses' cup......I gave these to delivery ppl through out the season, and b/c I live up a steep hill, they were important. The pretty wrapping is Martha Stewart bought at craft store w/ a 40*/* off cqn.


Check out more frugal tips about Christmas on this last day of July @ lifeasaMom

True Story

I broke my toe, my big right one.......and I've done it before !
6th grade running up the stairs to answer the phone (no answer machines back then).
stubbed it so hard, spilt the toe bone, off to school I went with a boot and crutches. Fast forward how many years ?
bought a new pair of wedge heels, wore them to church, sure enough it stretched my toe joint, and put all my weight of the right side of my body on it .
True story of growing old, wearing heels, and then being bored out of mind while toe is proped.