On a ride in T'ville-we saw this...hummmm..."FRYIES". Maybe the "D" stands for the grades they made in school!! Oh My Goodness. hahahaha....
Here is my sweet middle child with his silly mom at the red light-we were having a great Sat.

Easy Jumbalaya

Want a new recipe? I decided to build on a box of Red Beans and Rice I had in the pantry. It turned into a Sausage jambalaya that was quite tasty. Along with a Spinach salad-it made a healthy and filling meal for my 4 men and myself. We even had leftovers for my lunch! This is a cheap meal too- costing a little over $1 a serving It really was delicious. My oldest, Zach, said it was better than the jambalaya he had when we were on vacation at Callaway Gardens.

Ready? OK!! here we go...

Ingredients:

1 TB oil (olive or Veg is fine)

1 to 1.25 lb fresh mild sausage

1 small or half med. onion (chop small dice)

1 small bell pepper and 1 small jalapeno pepper-take out seed and veins(very small dice)

1 box Zatarain's Red Beans and Rice

1 can whole tomatoes-do not drain-use liquid

few dashes hot sauce

black pepper-to taste

1)Brown cut up sausage in 1 TB oil with onion and peppers in a big frying pan. If you don't like onion-just leave out. Add can of tomatoes (undrained), hot sauce and a sprinkle of pepper. Let simmer while your Bean/rice cooks (15 min)

2)Cook Beans and rice in separate pot as per package directions. In place of one cup of water-use a cup of liquid from your tomato/sausage mixture. This is important-or you will end up with too much liquid in the end. We wouldn't want that., now would we? Cut back the cooking time about 5 minutes. Don't worry-it will cook more in step 3.

3) pour bean/rice into sausage/tomato mixture and cover. Cook on low 10 minutes stirring often.

Enjoy! If you don't like or can't eat onions or peppers-then leave then out! Feel free to use what ever type onion/pepper/tomato you have on hand. If you want more spice-try the hot sausage and /or up the hot sauce.

NOTE: hate or can't eat sausage? Try Chik breast instead!! Also adding/subbing 1-2 lbs shrimp would be wonderful. Just be sure to add the shrimp during last 2 min of cooking and don't overcook them.

SwagBucks

Anyone want to earn free points for searching the web and entering codes? It is legit, easy, fun , free....all that good stuff. Give it a try-they don't ask for credit cards or anything else questionable. In a few weeks-I have almost enough for a free $20 gift card to either Target or Amazon. If you are on Facebook-it is even easier to do. One friend saved up enough for a laptop. Think green stamps of the 70's-but much better. Just click on the link on the right-after you feed the fish. :)

Chez Duckie

Logan loves to cook. Today the Publix Preschool Club mailed him a free apron! He wont take it off. It has the Publix mascot (a dragon) on it and fits great. Thanks Publix. :O)

BRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

Baby it is COLD outside! I have on my thickest socks and my feet still feel like ice cubes! Down in the deep south, we are spoiled when it comes to wintertime weather. Today is will not get above 40 according to my informed, wishes he was an employee of the weather channel, husband.:o)

Since we don't plan of leaving home on this chilly morning, maybe we will do some penguin activities. By we, I mean baby duck and myself. click HERE to see some cute ideas for penguin activities, pictures and fun facts. NOW-will somebody PLEASE close the freezer door??!?!? brrrrrr!

http://www.starfall.com

A friend told me about this wonderful interactive educational site. My 2 year old loves it. If you have a 2-7 year old-go check it out. I really like the ABC section. Making learning fun and interesting is the name of the game. Start by clicking on "ABC" and go from there or click on the pumpkin. Reading is such a wonderful gift.

another cool site for little ones is knee bouncers. It keeps BD in giggles

http://www.kneebouncers.com

WHEEE!

WHEEEE!!!!!!!!

Baby Duck's favorite Christmas toy was his brother's pop-up book light. Then yesterday, the toy of 2009 arrived! The little tikes Endless Adventure Easy Store Jr Play Slide. Big name for what is basically a good and sturdy little slide. Perfect for toddlers. I go it from a really user friendly site for online toys. BD has been on glued to the thing since yesterday! If you have an 18 month-4 or 5 year old, you must get one. The slide is well made and can be used indoor or out. I was a tad nervous when the box said those three words parents fear "adult assembly required". It was almost funny when I discovered that meant popping one little bar into a latch. Removing the latch folds the slide for storage. BD liked the slide folded up and turned over-now the beloved slide was a boat! Not only does he like sliding and climbing on the slide, he loves when his favorite stuffed dog (bobbydog) takes a turn. It makes a cool ramp for all his cars and truck, too. All this climbing and sliding is great for his balance and coordination and is a fun way to use all that energy, so Mama is very happy. Yay for EAESJ Play Slide!

I made The Birmingham News!

In the blog world, I have met some pretty cool people. When my new friend, Christie, asked me if she could share one of my frugal posts, I was really excited! If you want to check out her helpful blog click HERE. She shared my Reindeer Food post today! She is a blogger with The Birmingham News and has many wonderful ways to help us save our money and our sanity. :o)Being a Stay-Home-Mom in this yucky economy has lead me to becoming quite fugal indeed. Couponing, watching for sales on-line and off!! All us moms need to stick together to stretch our pennies.

It is fun to make new friends and blogging has opened up doors to interesting people all over the world. If you want to try it, I promise you will enjoy it. Online journaling about the things and people you love is a wonderful stress reliever and a way to build a support system of good friends in this high tech world.

WHITE CHRISTMAS "SOUTHERN STLYE"

My Sweet Boys in the Cotton Field!
Was that a Boll Weavel??
"Mama! I pick-et-ted cot-tin!"
Big Brothers Are the Best
E..aka "Rent-a game"

Goals for the New Year

Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2009.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree...

Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything.
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.