Lazy Day Crock Pot Chicken Chili

1 tbsp of olive oil
1 lb ground chicken
1 small chopped onion
1-2 ribs celery
4 cloves of garlic
1 sm green pepper
1 sm can mild green chiles
1 can white northern beans
1 can corn (optional)
1 jalapeño (seeds and ribs removed)-diced very small
1 can diced tomatoes
1 tea. cumin
1 1/2 tea chili powder
2 tea black or white pepper
a squeeze of lime
1 tea salt
warm pan, add olive oil, brown chicken, add all chopped veggies, cook til almost transparent, add to large crockpot, add tomatoes , add beans and seasonings, cook on low in crockpot for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours...feeds a few hungry people or 5 -6 polite ones.

Apple Turnovers

You will need:
4-5 cooking apples ( I used a combo of Granny Smith and Golden Delicious)
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup sugar
splash of apple juice
small flour tortillas
2 cups vegetable oil-heated in large frying pan

Cut up apples into bite size pieces and mix in cinnamon, sugar and apple juice. You can add about a tablespoon H2O-if you don't have any juice. Cook over low heat until apples are soft and liquid has thickened. About and hour or so.
Now you are ready to make your turnover. Using a pastry brush-paint around the edge of a tortilla with water. You can also use a spray bottle to spray the edges/ The goal is about an inch or two around the edge being very moist. spoon about 1 1/2 Tablespoon of cooked apples in the middle. Fold over with about an half an inch under-lap. With a fork fold back over the extra little bit and crimp the edge together. This is a little tricky and if a little bit of filling oozes out-don't freak-Just put it back!
Now fry in hot oil ( Med-High)about 3 min a side. Only turn once. Drain on paper towels. While still hot-sprinkle w/ a little sugar or cinnamon sugar. Serve warm plain or w/ vanilla ice cream.

yeild: 8-10 turnovers. best served hot or warm. Also can be reheated the next morning for b'fast.

Seagulls

When we go to the beach-we love to feed the seagulls. The are amazing-the way they swoop down with perfect precision to scoop up their treat. No fear they have-only the desire for one more snack. No concern if the rest of the birds get their fair share. No realizing they have had enough. Kinda reminds me of some people that I know......

Southern Savers Link

http://souternsavers.com

This is a wonderful site for saving money using coupons!

With a little time and thought-You can do it too.

Logan-16 months old-In November

This is a repost-Logan was about 16-17 months old. He is such a sweetheart.

Quote of the week....

"Forgiveness is the healing of wounds caused by another. You choose to let go of a past wrong and no longer be hurt by it. Forgiveness is a strong move to make, like turning your shoulders sideways to walk quickly on a crowded sidewalk. It's your move."

Coupons are Cool

$2 off new fruit drink!! Just click on the ad to the right that says "Fruit2Day-No Sugar Added"

It looks like a great new product. About little over a month ago I went with my BFF to a couponing class. Rebecca and I giggled in the back of the class..I left a little early and we both never thought we would do the "couponing". Well...that was then. A few days later-I thought I would put some of the tips to use and give it a go. I have been getting the hang if it-but still don't quite understand how some of my friends are saving 80-90% on their total grocery cost. Yes-I did say 80-90. On most trips to Publix I am saving about what I spend. By that I mean, for example, if I spend $50-usually I have manufacturer coupons, store coupons and get enough store specials to save about $50-sometimes a bit more or less. Watch for buy one get ones and try to find a coupon for that product is one of my favorite tips. Also-buy one product-get something else free coupons. Yesterday I got Pamper diapers-had a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon PLUS another coupon for free wipes with pampers purchase. That meant a savings of $4.50 on the diapers and $3.80 wipes for free. That all together saved me about $10.

Another great tip is get the key at Harveys...the savings key. Go on Wednesdays for some great deals. Go online to get more coupons too...they are easy to find. Harvey's always has great deals on meat. I like to re bag my meat in 1 1/2 lb freezer bags and freeze for future meals. The coupon lady taught us to stock up too. Get a few coupons for a cheap cereal. You say no storage? Get creative-stick it under the bed. Unopened-cereal lasts a long time folks . Try it-it takes a bit of thought and time-but saving money is making money. In this economy-we all need to stretch our bucks. :o)

OH-I moved the link for the fruit thing-look below-you may have to click on the arrow! Also-I was $2 off-but it changed to $1 off-WHAT??? still-looks tasty-real bits of fruit and whatnot.

St Joe beach 4th of July 2009

"Logan-I just gave you a juice box, I am not getting another one!"

"OH NO"

St Joe Beach on the 4th of July is so much fun.

Medbank? Again? Are you for real?

See me in the pic above? I am sayin bye-bye to the MedBank for the 2nd time. Thats me on the right lookin very happy. On the left is Rebecca who asked me come back the end of July.....
Well-I worked for 2 years at the Lawson Neel Medbank part-time 2002-2004. Then a few years after working in the school system-they wanted me to give being a director a shot. So after a couple years of that-I thought I was finished helping people get their medications. WRONG. Rebecca called and asked, "you want to work a few hours a week, Amy?". No-Not really-but I do love helping people..could use a little extra $$$ w/ the holidays around the corner.....so here I go again. Just on Thursday and Friday mornings. Logan will be a MMO at FBC. It is going to be good-a reason to get up a little early and put on some make-up. A little time helping somebody else who really needs medicine. Know anyone on a long term med without insurance who really can't afford an expensive med? Tell them to contact their doc for a referral or call the LNMB.

I better get Logan up and head that way!!

My Sweetheart

Mothering Advice from a Friend

Everyday we have ups and downs with our kids. Everyday I have to remind myself that the most important job I have is the job of being a mom. I want to be more patient, understanding and loving. Hopefully, my boys know that I am trying to be the best mom I can be. Some days I feel like I "blew it". The key , I think, is to keep trying each day to be the sort of nurturing mother my kids deserve. A good friend sent me this advice on mothering today. She has three boys~ranging in age from 17 to 21.

"Savor every moment, embrace their individuality and keep an open mind as they grow and experience life on their own terms! I've learned through them that struggles and independence really do make them stronger and better equipped as men! God has truly blessed me with 3 great sons but with very unique and drastically different personalities. At the core of each boy is a sweet, loving and intelligent soul. I am so thankful for each one." Thanks Dawn-I needed to hear that today.

Pray for your kids. Pray with your kids. Help them grow into independent strong people. Love them unconditionally-and let them love you. Show them in little ways you care and never give up on them or your self.