Meet me Monday Blog hop!

Hi all,
  Come join in the Meet Me Monday Blog Hop hosted by Inspiring You To Save.  Read some great blogs, and make new friends!

Hope to see you there,

Jennifer

Tuesday Tag Along...10/26/10

Hi all,
  Come join Twee Poppets Blog Hop!
Have fun!
Jennifer





Without further ado...
Here's how it works:

• Create a new Tuesday Tag-Along blog post. Include the Tuesday Tag-Along button by copying and pasting the code above. (You are also welcome to copy and paste these instructions in their entirety, or any portion of this Tuesday Tag-Along blog post!)
• Add your blog name and the URL of your TTA post to the MckLinky below.
• Follow Twee Poppets, the hostess blog listed in the first slot. Twee Poppets will follow you back! (Note: If you want Twee Poppets to follow you back, you MUST leave her a comment saying that you are a new follower and leave a link to your blog!)
• Follow the Blog Hopper of the Week, listed in the second slot. To learn how to be chosen as the Blog Hopper of the Week, read the red text below.
• If you can, please follow the blogs in the three slots before you (e.g., if you're number 20, follow numbers 19, 18, and 17). This is not mandatory, but it will help ensure that everyone who signs up gets a few new followers!
• Follow as many other blogs as you want. The more you follow, the more that will follow you back! Be sure to tell them that you're following from Tuesday Tag-Along! You may also want to leave a link to your blog so they can return your follow more easily.
• When you get a new follower through Tuesday Tag-Along, be sure to follow them back! It's just common courtesy. :)

The weekly Tuesday Tag-Along MckLinky opens every Monday night at 8:59pm Pacific Standard Time (that's 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time), and the TTA blog post will be posted well in advance of that time. The MckLinky will be open to add your blog until 11:59pm Tuesday night. You then have all week long to visit blogs and return follows!

There is a new list every week. The link you enter one week will not carry over to the next week's MckLinky. Please link up again each week to join in the fun!


Tuesday Tag-Along Blog Hopper of the Week:
Note: To be eligible to be Blog Hopper of the Week, you MUST place the Tuesday Tag-Along button somewhere on the main page of your blog or website (Inside a blog post does NOT count; it must be on the actual page, e.g. in the sidebar. And since I'll be checking for it manually, I must be able to actually find it). If the randomly-drawn winner does not meet this condition, a new winner will be randomly selected. If you do not want to place the TTA button on your site, you are still more than welcome to join in the blog hop, you will just not be eligible to be the Blog Hopper of the Week.

Each week, one blog will be chosen randomly from all the links, and that lucky blog will be placed in the desirable second slot for the following week's MckLinky!

This week's lucky blog hopper is #8 - Life of Us! Congratulations!

Blog Hops...10/25/10

Hi all,

  Come join in on the fun!

Have a great week!

Jennifer
Blog Hop:

Mailbox Monday email subscription hop.

Tonight's dinner in a flash!

Hi all,

  There's nothing like an easy, fast meal after traveling home from a weekend away.  Thanks to my left over chicken from this recipe I shared with you last week, and Robin Miller :) we had just that.  I cubed the left over chicken last week after our meal, and popped it in the freezer.  So, I put the frozen cubed chicken in the skillet, thawed, and set aside before I started the first step of this recipe.  

  Besides having to wait for the water to boil for the pasta, and thawing the chicken....I had this delicious meal done in two shakes of a lambs' tail. :)  My husband, DD and I ate a huge helping each, and we have plenty for left overs tomorrow.  

Personal Penne Primavera

Recipe courtesy Robin Miller, 2007

Ingredients

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup sliced carrots
• 1 cup sliced mushrooms
• 2 cooked chicken breast halves, diced (about 2 cups)
• 1 cup diced roasted red peppers
• 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/4 cup freshly chopped basil leaves

Directions

Cook penne according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and cook 3 minutes, until soft. Add broccoli, carrots and mushrooms and cook 3 minutes, until mushrooms soften. Add chicken, red peppers, tomatoes, and broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in penne and peas cook 2 minutes to heat through and season, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Transfer mixture to a serving plate and top with Parmesan and basi

Enjoy! 

Jennifer

Cereal Box Repurposed...Very Clever!

Hi all,
  I just had to share this with you all.  I purchased a book on ebay, and couldn't believe how clever it was packaged!  It was in a flattened cereal box, taped at the top and bottom.

  They taped a white sheet of paper on the front and back to make it easy to find the mailing address and postage.

 What a great use of empty cereal boxes, and saves buying an envelope!  I just love great repurposing ideas, and thought some of you might get a kick out of it too.

What have you repurposed lately?  :)

Hope you all enjoy the tip!
Jennifer

  

New Saturday blog hop!

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Hi all,

  Come join Peaches Reviews very first blog hop....Smile With Me Saturday blog hop!  What a fun way to find great new blogs, and gain new followers.

Have fun!

Jennifer

Recipe--Chicken with Roasted tomatoes, shallots and white beans....

Hi all!
  Anybody else a Robin Miller fan?  I just love her show, "Quick Fix Meals"!  She shows you how to make a meal fast, while making extra at the same time for another meal later in the week.

  Makes for some fast meals when you are in a hurry, or just not in the mood to stand in the kitchen for what seems like an eternity!  Here is one of her meals that we enjoyed last night.

Chicken with Roasted Shallots, Tomatoes and White Beans

Recipe courtesy Robin Miller, 2007

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 5 ounces each)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 to 6 shallots, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
• Olive oil
• 1 (15-ounce) can white beans, drained
• 1 1/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley leaves

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a shallow roasting pan with cooking spray.

Season both sides of chicken with salt and black pepper and place in prepared pan. Arrange shallots and tomatoes around chicken (or on a second baking sheet that's been coated with cooking spray). Toss with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Roast 30 minutes, until chicken is golden brown and cooked through and vegetables are tender.

Set aside 2 chicken breast halves for primavera.

In a large skillet, combine beans, roasted shallots and tomatoes, 1 cup of the broth, thyme, and oregano. Set pan over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer. Add chicken and simmer 1 minute to heat through. Remove from heat and top with parsley.

I forgot to add the parsley before I snapped a picture, and we had already dived in by the time I thought of it. Grrr! :)  Anyway, it was delicious.  Definitely, warm comfort for a fall evening.  Next time, I will make a side salad or something to go with it for some green.  

Enjoy!

Jennifer

How do you homeschool?

Hi all,

  Today I thought I would discuss how we homeschool.  We have been homeschooling our DD since the beginning.  She entered the 4th grade this year.  We homeschool year 'round.  Our school year goes from 9/1 - 8/31, taking small breaks throughout the year.  I have found this works better for us, rather than one big break.
    We have been using the A Beka Book program.  For those of you who are not familiar with this curriculum, it is Christian based.  You can purchase whole grade curriculums, or just the subjects you would like.  I like this program because it has all of the lesson plans laid out for me.  I know exactly what I need to cover each day.

  It has worked well for us.  She did exceptionally well with her testing at the end of 3rd grade.  Which gave me the confidence that I was not failing in my job as her teacher. :)  (Do any of you worry about that at times?)  I do have to say, that we find it a bit monotonous, so I usually try to supplement our learning through extra books from the library, or things found on the internet to liven it up a bit.

 I have to admit that using the A Beka Book curriculum has been my safety net in this whole adventure.  I think I would be overwhelmed (more like terrified) trying to use some of the other methods out there that don't use curriculums.  I admire those with the confidence to do this!    

 Which gets to the real reason why I'm writing this post.  I'm curious to hear about some of the other great methods out there.  I would love to hear how you homeschool!  What has worked for you?  What do you and your children look forward to learning?  Do you have a great project you would like to share? How about a great book?  My DD (9) LOVES to read series type books.  Do you have some suggestions you would like to share? How about pictures of your classroom?  Or, great supplements?  What do you do to make your day run smoothly?   I would love to hear anything pertaining to homeschooling.

  Please join the linky below with your post on a homeschooling topic!  Don't forget to add a link on your blog back here so that others can join in as well.  If your not a blogger, that's ok, just jump in on the comments below.  I can't wait to hear from you!

Happy Schooling!
Jennifer

Tuesday Tag Along 10/19/10

Hi all,
  Be sure to join in on Twee Poppets Tuesday Tag Along.  Here's the details:




Without further ado...
Here's how it works:
Create a new Tuesday Tag-Along blog post. Include the Tuesday Tag-Along button by copying and pasting the code above. (You are also welcome to copy and paste these instructions in their entirety, or any portion of this Tuesday Tag-Along blog post!)
Add your blog name and the URL of your TTA post to the MckLinky below.
Follow Twee Poppets, the hostess blog listed in the first slot. Twee Poppets will follow you back! (Note: If you want Twee Poppets to follow you back, you MUST leave her a comment saying that you are a new follower and leave a link to your blog!)
Follow the Blog Hopper of the Week, listed in the second slot. To learn how to be chosen as the Blog Hopper of the Week, read the red text below.
If you can, please follow the blogs in the three slots before you (e.g., if you're number 20, follow numbers 19, 18, and 17). This is not mandatory, but it will help ensure that everyone who signs up gets a few new followers!
Follow as many other blogs as you want. The more you follow, the more that will follow you back! Be sure to tell them that you're following from Tuesday Tag-Along! You may also want to leave a link to your blog so they can return your follow more easily.
When you get a new follower through Tuesday Tag-Along, be sure to follow them back! It's just common courtesy. :)
The weekly Tuesday Tag-Along MckLinky opens every Monday night at 8:59pm Pacific Standard Time (that's 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time), and the TTA blog post will be posted well in advance of that time. The MckLinky will be open to add your blog until 11:59pm Tuesday night. You then have all week long to visit blogs and return follows!

There is a new list every week. The link you enter one week will not carry over to the next week's MckLinky. Please link up again each week to join in the fun!


Tuesday Tag-Along Blog Hopper of the Week:
Note: To be eligible to be Blog Hopper of the Week, you MUST place the Tuesday Tag-Along button somewhere on the main page of your blog or website (Inside a blog post does NOT count; it must be on the actual page, e.g. in the sidebar. And since I'll be checking for it manually, I must be able to actually find it). If the randomly-drawn winner does not meet this condition, a new winner will be randomly selected. If you do not want to place the TTA button on your site, you are still more than welcome to join in the blog hop, you will just not be eligible to be the Blog Hopper of the Week.

Each week, one blog will be chosen randomly from all the links, and that lucky blog will be placed in the desirable second slot for the following week's MckLinky!

This week's lucky blog hopper is #30 - Burciko's! Congratulations!

The Spotlight's on me! I'm so honored! Welcome all!

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Welcome to Making Friends Monday Blog Hop, hosted by Living on Love and Cents,  The Thrifty Things,  Reviewed By Mom , and  Coupons are Great.
  

SPOTLIGHT/ GUEST HOST OF THE WEEK
Each week we will randomly pick a Guest Host of the Week to spotlight! To be choosen you must follow the rules and have our button somewhere on your blog. (We have to be able to find it!) This Week's Spotlight is Just Peachy in Dixie ! Take a moment to get to know her.
I'm a stay at home mom, married to my best friend, and mother to my precious daughter. I love God, and have a renewed hunger for Bible study. I enjoy homeschooling my daughter, and taking care of my family and home. I dabble in crochet, and hope to soon learn to sew. I'm a multiple media crafting wanna be. I also enjoy trying different recipes, and reading cookbooks. I like listening to music from the 50's, 80's and contemporary Christian of today. My most favorite pastime is couponing! I just love finding great deals, and seeing how much I can fill my pantry for as little money as possible.



My most recent interest is blogging. I love learning new things, and thought this would be a great creative outlet. My blog, Just Peachy in Dixie , is only two and a half months old, and still a work in progress. I like to share homemaking tips, recipes, and couponing. I look forward to meeting other bloggers, and learning from others. Thank you so much, Jennifer Visit me at: justpeachyindixie.blogspot.com
The rules are super simple but VERY important!

1. Follow the Making Friends Monday  Hosts (Listed as # 1-4) They WILL follow you Back! You MUST LEAVE A COMMENT so we can follow you back!

2. Grab our Making Friends Monday button and include it in a post on your blog.
3. Link up to THAT post.
4. Start hopping and remember following back is appreciated!

Help spread the word and get more followers:
-Put the same linky list code on your blog and you'll have the exact same list!
- Your blog visitors can add their blog to your list and it will show up on all lists!


**Don't forget to follow the rules so you have a chance to be the Spotlight and Guest Host of the Week"!
If you have any giveaways ending THIS WEEK go link up HERE. Take a minute to enter some too!

Neat Coupon Forum!!

 Hi all,
  I just recently was introduced to this coupon forum WeUseCoupons. It is a great forum with lots of great store, and coupon discussion.  Find all the current deals for your favorite stores, or search for current coupons in the coupon database.

  Or, just make new friends with like interests.  There are forums for gardeners, crafters, cooks, and more.  Go check it out.  I think you'll like it!  It's absolutely free to sign up.

  When you go, be sure to say that cpht (my username) sent you in the referral field, or for you bloggers, if you decide to join the affiliate program, just say cpht2001 or Jennifer @ Just Peachy in Dixie sent you in the referral field.  You'll be helping me fund this blog.  ;)  No obligation to do that though, just go and have a good time!

Enjoy and have fun!
Jennifer

Become a CVS advisor for Extra Bucks!

Hi all,
 Some of you may not know that you can become a CVS advisor.  What this means is, they will occasionally send you a survey to fill out online, and reward you with Extra Care Bucks to use on your next visit.

  Examples of the surveys I have been asked to do are:
-Compare CVS ad with a competitors ad
-Questions about last prescription filling experience
-Questions on if you would like for your smart phone to have aps for CVS

  They are really easy to do, and only take a few minutes.  Sometimes, after a few questions, they tell you that you didn't qualify for the survey, but still will give you a link to print an Extra Care Buck for your time (usually for $3).  If you do qualify, and get to complete a survey,  I have been given any where from $5-$15 in Extra Care Bucks.

  You should go check it out Here.  Have fun earning those Extra Care Bucks! 


Have a great weekend!
Jennifer

My latest shopping trips...CVS, and Rite Aid 10/13/10

Hi all,

Here's my CVS Trip from yesterday:

-Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste 4oz.  $2.99 (x2) = $5.98 - $.75 MQ SS 10/3/10 exp 10/23/10 (x2) = $4.48 Get back $5.98 in EB 

-CVS Gold Emblem 2 liter Orange Soda $1 Get back $1 in EB

-Lindsay Black olives $1 (x2) = $2 - $1/2 MQ = $1 

Total OOP: $2.77 Got back $1 EB for Green Bag Tag, $1 EB for Soda, $5.98 EB for Colgate = $7.98 EB for next shopping trip!!!

Note:  I also had to get a raincheck for the Purex Complete 3 in 1 laundry sheets that were buy 1 get 1 $7.99 - $3 MQ SS 10/10/10 exp: 11/6/10 (x2) = $1.99

Now for my Rite Aid trip:

-Gain Dish soap $.89 (x2) = $1.78 - $1 MQ PG 10/10/10 exp: 11/30/10 (x2) = $.22 MM

-Angel Soft Bath Tissue 4pk $.99

Total OOP:  $.96

Acronyms: MQ = Manufacture Coupon
                   SS = Smart Source (Sunday Coupon Insert in Paper)
                   PG = Proctor & Gamble (Sunday Coupon Insert in Paper)
                                                            EB = Extra Bucks

Happy Shopping!
Jennifer

Kroger--Kick off to Savings Sweepstakes

Hi all,
  This has been my lucky week for sweepstakes!  I just won a Kraft Mac n Cheese dinner cup from Kroger!  The Kick off to Savings sweepstakes is going on for another 18 days, and you can win up to 2 prizes.

Good luck, and have fun!
Jennifer

I won! I won! Yipee!

Hi all,
  I'm so excited!  I won a month of Pillsbury Toaster Strudels, playing the "A Million Morning Smiles" instant win game.  I will get four coupons for a box of Toaster Strudels.  We just love these in our household!  The game is running from 9/7/10 12am - 2/7/11 11:59 pm, with a chance to win up to three times.  Just click on the title above to be linked directly to the game.  


Good luck, and have fun!
Jennifer

Tuesday Tag Along...10/12/10

Hi all!  

  Come on over to Twee Poppets Tag Along Tuesday!  

Tuesday Tag-Along button art adapted from the "Follow the Leader" illustration by Diana Jones. I encourage you to visit her at her blog, Sketch & Jones, and her online shop to see more great illustrations and all sorts of wonderful crafts! 


Without further ado...
Here's how it works:

• Create a new Tuesday Tag-Along blog post. Include the Tuesday Tag-Along button by copying and pasting the code above. (You are also welcome to copy and paste these instructions in their entirety, or any portion of this Tuesday Tag-Along blog post!)
• Add your blog name and the URL of your TTA post to the MckLinky below.
• Follow Twee Poppets, the hostess blog listed in the first slot. Twee Poppets will follow you back! (Note: If you want Twee Poppets to follow you back, you MUST leave her a comment saying that you are a new follower and leave a link to your blog!)
• Follow the Blog Hopper of the Week, listed in the second slot. To learn how to be chosen as the Blog Hopper of the Week, read the red text below.
• If you can, please follow the blogs in the three slots before you (e.g., if you're number 20, follow numbers 19, 18, and 17). This is not mandatory, but it will help ensure that everyone who signs up gets a few new followers!
• Follow as many other blogs as you want. The more you follow, the more that will follow you back! Be sure to tell them that you're following from Tuesday Tag-Along! You may also want to leave a link to your blog so they can return your follow more easily.
• When you get a new follower through Tuesday Tag-Along, be sure to follow them back! It's just common courtesy. :)

The weekly Tuesday Tag-Along MckLinky opens every Monday night at 8:59pm Pacific Standard Time (that's 11:59pm Eastern Standard Time), and the TTA blog post will be posted well in advance of that time. The MckLinky will be open to add your blog until 11:59pm Tuesday night. You then have all week long to visit blogs and return follows!

There is a new list every week. The link you enter one week will not carry over to the next week's MckLinky. Please link up again each week to join in the fun!


Tuesday Tag-Along Blog Hopper of the Week:
Note: To be eligible to be Blog Hopper of the Week, you MUST place the Tuesday Tag-Along button somewhere on the main page of your blog or website (Inside a blog post does NOT count; it must be on the actual page, e.g. in the sidebar. And since I'll be checking for it manually, I must be able to actually find it). If the randomly-drawn winner does not meet this condition, a new winner will be randomly selected. If you do not want to place the TTA button on your site, you are still more than welcome to join in the blog hop, you will just not be eligible to be the Blog Hopper of the Week.

Each week, one blog will be chosen randomly from all the links, and that lucky blog will be placed in the desirable second slot for the following week's MckLinky!

Have a great day!

Jennifer

Making Friends Monday Blog Hop...

 Welcome to Making Friends Monday Blog Hop, hosted by Living on Love and Cents, The Thrifty Things, Reviewed By Mom , and Coupons are Great.

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Each week we will randomly pick a Spotlight Blog of the Week! To be choosen you must follow the rules and have our button somewhere on your blog. (We have to be able to find it!)

This week’s Spotlight and Guest Host is Marcy from The Blancing Act in Stilettos and Scrubs! Here are a few things she wanted to share. She is #5 this week’s linky. 
I love, love, love blogging and everything that comes along with it especially all of the wonderful blogging friends I have met along the way. I have had my blog since 2008 but have really gotten more into it this year. I am addicted! My blog is all about being a mother, raising 2 little boys, our vegan diet/lifestyle and recipes, being a full-time Nursing student and much more! I have started doing some giveaways recently and that has been a lot of fun! My blog is different in the sense that we are not your average family. We are a vegan/green loving Family and I love to share all of my recipes with you on my blog, to show that the food can indeed be very tasty! I have 2 little boys under the age of 3 and I adore being a mother! It is the best thing in the world. I also like to give a lot of fun ideas and activities to do with your toddlers and babies. I am a full time Nursing student here in Utah, It is one of the best things I have ever done in my life. I am loving it! I still have about 19 months left but am definitely enjoying this awesome journey through school. So there is a little bit about me, I hope you’ll come stop by and visit me at my blog! Have a wonderful Monday!

THANKS MARCY!

The rules are super simple but VERY important!

1. Follow the Making Friends Monday  Hosts (Listed as # 1-4) They WILL follow you Back! You MUST LEAVE A COMMENT so we can follow you back!

2. Grab our Making Friends Monday button and include it in a post on your blog.
3. Link up to THAT post.
4. Start hopping and remember following back is appreciated!

Help spread the word and get more followers:
-Put the same linky list code on your blog and you’ll have the exact same list!
- Your blog visitors can add their blog to your list and it will show up on all lists!
**Don’t forget to follow the rules so you have a chance to be the “Spotlight Blog of the Week”!

If you have any giveaways ending THIS WEEK go link up HERE. Take a minute to enter some too!

Come on, and join in on the fun!

Jennifer

I've been given an award!

Thank you Jessica, from Surrender for presenting me with this award!  I am very honored that you thought of me.

To accept the Versatile Blogger Award the rules are:

•Thank and link back to who gave you the award.

•Share 7 things about yourself.

•Pass it along to 5 blogs you've discovered and enjoy

•Leave your recipients a note, telling them about the award

Here are 7 things about myself:

1.  I am a God loving Christian, with a renewed hunger for studying the Bible.

2.  I love being a homemaker!  It is a joy to keep our home a warm haven for my DH, and DD.  

3.  My husband and I went out on our first date almost 19 & 1/2 years ago, and have been inseparable ever since. :)

4.  I love homeschooling our DD, and wouldn't trade the time we have had together for all the money in the world!  

5.  I hate window shopping!  I don't like meandering around aimlessly looking at things.   I just don't want to go looking, knowing that I have no intentions of buying.  (This doesn't include cute little towns with beautifully decorated shops, I like meandering in those.  Just don't want to walk around the same 'ole shops in the mall.)  Don't get me wrong about the "no intentions of buying" comment....I'm not a free spender!  

6.  I'm an insomniac.  I wake up in the middle of the night, or very early in the morning, and usually get on the computer.  

7.  I absolutely LOVE learning new things!  I think of so many things I want to know how to do, that I often don't even know where to begin. 

Now, I would like to pass along this award to 5 other blogs......(boy, this is hard!)

50's Housewife

Colletta's Kitchen Sink

Girl's to Grow

Hooiser Homemade

Raising Homemakers

Thanks you again Jessica, from Surrender!

Jennifer