Something new coming to Just Peachy in Dixie!! ;)

Hi all,
  Just wanted to invite you all to stop in tomorrow for something new at Just Peachy in Dixie!  I'm excited and hope you all will be too.  So, be sure to stop in and see what's in store. ;)

I hope you all have had a blessed day!

Jennifer

Follow up on PrayerWalking....

Hi all,
  I just wanted to give an update on the prayer walking.  If you didn't see the original book review post, you can read it here.  The basic concept is to have prayer for an hour while walking.

  I'm REALLY ashamed to say this, but when I first read the book, I thought what can I pray about for an hour straight.  Well, let me tell you, once I start my conversation with God, one prayer just leads into another and before you know it an hour has flown by!  It's amazing and wonderful.  I feel so good after having my time with God to thank him for all His blessings and to ask for help where needed. Give it a try, see how it blesses your day! :) 

 The author found that the best time for her to do this was an hour before her family awoke. I found already that I had to improvise a bit.  My DH has to get up so early most days, that it just wasn't very conducive for me.  So, I prayer clean.  Yep, after my husband heads off to work...I start my Flylady list and pray for an hour while cleaning.  If you aren't familiar with Flylady you can read all about my Flylady journey here in this series.   It's wonderful!  I bless my spirit while blessing our home.

  By the time my DD gets up, I've knocked out a huge chunk of my cleaning responsibilities.  Then she and I go for our walk.  Then, I do a little yard work since I'm already dirty.  After that, breakfast, showers, and school.  Then our afternoons are free to do whatever we choose.  Woo Hoo!  My plan is to do this Monday-Friday, then take the weekend off for just the basics around the house.

  I have to say that last week, we had a few schedule changes and it didn't work out so smoothly, but that's life.  However, I look forward to Monday starting the week fresh.

Have a wonderful weekend!
Jennifer

Like crafting? Visit Thrifty Crafty Girl!

Hi all,
  I just have to dedicate this post to a new blogging friend of mine.  It is my pleasure to introduce you to....

Priscilla from Thrifty Crafty Girl.




She is a new blogger, but sounds like an old pro.  She has become my crafting mentor.  She is chock full of creative crafting ideas.  From new projects made from scratch to repurposing old things into great new items.  She also shares recipes, frugal tips, and stories from her everyday life.  I never read her blog without giggling out loud!  I totally get her quirky humor dripping in sarcasm.

She is also responsible for helping me finally figure out how to make a button for my blog.  She made me an image out of the kindness of her heart, then bing, bang, boom...I finally had my button!  Thank you Priscilla!!

Just wait until you see what can be done with toilet paper rolls in this post.  Or, take a look at these mouth watering homemade doughnuts.

So, what are you waiting for?  Click on one of the links, or her button and be prepared to see some wonderfully Thrifty Crafty things and be comically entertained in the process.

Enjoy your visit!
Jennifer

Summertime Boredom?!

Hi all,
  Are your kids already saying....."I'm bored!"?   Do you wonder what to do to entertain them on those rainy summer days?  Here are some things I have come up with that my DD and I love to do:

-Let them pick out a coloring book for you and one for them to color or just draw on plain paper

-Get out that old tablecloth and cover your table to paint (or even better, back the cars out of the garage and lay the tablecloth out there to paint)


-Do a puzzle.  DD and I like to start those really big ones.  So, we bought one of those puzzle keepers (don't remember the exact name), that you can find in the puzzle section.  You can work on your puzzle, then it rolls up for safe keeping and storage until your ready to tackle it again.

-Go to the library (pick out books for both of you, and pick a nice interesting chapter one that you can read together out loud--maybe a child friendly mystery, wild western days, or begin a series)  Hint:  Stop at a good cliffhanger moment to keep them interested! ;)

-If you and your child are crafty....try a new craft.  There are loads of youtube videos that give step  by step instruction on how to crochet, knit, paper mache, polymer clay, scrapbook....the possibilities are endless.
Hint:  Find something interesting and get what you need to start before that rainy day comes, so that you have it on hand.

-Try a new recipe

-Board Games!!!

  Courtney from over at "Women Living Well" blog,  shared some really great ideas in her post titled, "Summer Boredom Busters for Kids." 


I also ran across the 100 Days of Summer from "50's Housewife."


Hopefully these lists will help keep the Summertime Boredom at bay, and you'll have a lot of fun doing them!

Have a great summer!
Jennifer

It's Summertime!!!

Hi all,
  It's definitely summer time here in north Georgia!  It is hot, hot, hot! It's been mid to high 90's and with the humidity it feels like over 100. As usual here we skipped right over spring and went directly into a heat wave.

  Our day lilies are blooming in abundance.  I just had to snap a picture of this one.  Time outside is spent at the pool.  Anything else is just too miserable.  The air conditioning is running full blast and I shiver to think what the power bills are going to be!

  I love all seasons, but I have to say, I'm already missing the cold weather.  It's so much easier to bundle up and get warm then it is to stay cool!  Oh well, may as well accept it since it will be hot around here until late October.

  Hope you all have a wonderful and safe summer!

Jennifer

I'm in a slump.....but I'm going to get out! ;)

Hi all,
  I'm still here.....but, I'm in a SLUMP!!  I stare even now at this blinking cursor struggling to put into words that, I can't seem to find words!  Typically that's how inspiration comes for me, in ebbs and flows.

  Good news though.  I can just feel my creative juices trying to flow again.  Ideas are starting to pop in my head.  They tend to come at the most inopportune moments.  Like, when I'm elbow deep in washing dishes or in the middle of washing to dog.  By the time I have a chance to write it down, I can't for the life of me remember the topic!  Ugh!

  So, I'm trying to make a note as soon as I can so I can get my thoughts together for some interesting material.  Some of the things to come...what to do on those rainy days this summer, frugal crafting comes to mind (still working on topics for that one), frugal recipes/meals, book reviews, homeschooling chit chat and I'm sure to have some shopping trips to share.   Seeing as I'm only three followers away from 200...I think a giveaway is in order real soon. ;)

  Do you all ever struggle with finding things interesting to talk about?  Do you get ideas, but just can't seem to find the words to express your thoughts?  I'm just sure that I'm not alone!  Am I? :)

Anyway, I hope you all will come back soon to see what I've come up with!

Talk to you soon,
Jennifer

Hi all,
   Pretty eventful day at our house yesterday....

  I told DD that I would take her to the pool today after lunch. I opened the garage door to head out and there was a big black snake flickering his tongue! I slammed the door shut and thankfully DH was home. I yelled there's a big snake! He went out the front door to try to take care of it. I went with him to help. Didn't take time to change because I didn't want it to lose site of it since it was in the garage. There I was in my bathing suit with my long wrap and LL Bean boots! We found it in the corner near a tote curled up. After some debating on our strategy, I volunteered to stand on a cooler with a LONG broom to shoo it out while he waited to kill it! 

  Normally I would say leave a black snake alone, as that most likely means we don't have a poisonous snake around, but once they mosey into our domain all bets are off! Glad we killed it because we discovered it was carrying 20 eggs!!!! I just know I'm going to have nightmares!


  I'm sure DH and I would have died laughing if we had of seen ourselves. We were a site!  Me wielding a broom, in my bathing suit and wrap wearing my DH's very large LL Bean Boots, standing on top of that cooler while DH (6' 2" large muscular man, who hates snakes just as bad as I do) is yelling, "Are you ready?" I reply, "Are you ready?" He says again, "Ok, are you ready?" I then say, "Wait, we're doing what now?"  Thank goodness he's a go getter in these situations though despite his feeling of snakes.  My hero!!  I don't know what I would have done if he hadn't been home yet.  Probably just never gone in the garage again!  

  My neighbor (who evidently witnessed my ensemble from a couple of houses over) said later....Um...I thought that was an interesting choice for the pool! 


  Gracious!  I can laugh at this now and I'm sure will make a funny story for years to come. :)


Hoping for a nice UNeventful day today!


Jennifer

Happy Mother's Day 5/8/11

Hi all,
  I just wanted to wish all you mothers a Happy Mother's Day!!  I hope you all have a wonderful day with your families.

Jennifer

Making a Prayer Request List...

Hi all,
  In light of the devastation caused by the tornadoes that ripped through the south, I was inspired to begin a well overdo habit...Making a prayer request list.

 Living in Georgia I'm very close to many who lost loved ones and homes.  As a result, I'm finding that there  are so many that have asked to remember them in my prayers.  Those affected by the tornado as well as those who need prayer for things completely unrelated.

  Some of these requests are made by people I know personally, others are friends I have made in couponing forums and fellow bloggers, while some I have just read about and don't know at all.  While I do pray for those who have asked,  I feel compelled to be sure to just go ahead and actually write these requests down.  I want to make sure that I remember each and every one.  While I have my quiet time with God, I can take my list out and remember each and every request.

  This is also a great way to be sure to keep in touch with those who need lifting up.  I can shoot a quick email to ask how their sick loved one is, or if they are feeling better from an illness, or how their family members surgery went, or if someone got the job they were hoping for, etc.  Just let them know I am still thinking of them.

  Then, best of all, I can remember to thank God for all those miracles that I may not have heard about otherwise! :)

  I know it means a lot to have someone ask me how things are going, or to give me well wishes when I'm ill.

Praying for those in need,

Jennifer

P.S.  Feel free to leave a prayer request. :)

Happy Easter! 2011

(\ /)
( . .)
C(")(")  Hi all,

  Happy Easter!  I hope you all have been having a wonderful day celebrating our Saviors resurrection.

  Be sure to come back tomorrow for some tips on what to do with the leftover plastic eggs, baskets and dye cups.

He has risen!
Jennifer

Just Peachy in Dixie is on Facebook!! :)

Hi all,
  Busy day today, but I just wanted to pop in quickly and announce that I'm "Movin' on Up" and have finally added Just Peachy in Dixie to Facebook! (I just couldn't resist the cheesy temptation of adding "The Jefferson's" theme song to my playlist!  I know...I'm a nerd! :)) Woo Hoo!  I'm still learning this whole social media (Yes, I've been living in the dark ages!), so I'm sure I'll be making some adjustments and personalizing things better.

  Slowly but surely I'm learning how to be more proficient.  It so rewarding to figure these things out.   :)  Be sure to click the widget in my right sidebar to like me! ;)

  On another subject...I recorded "Extreme Couponing," so I will be watching it today.  Post to come soon! :)

I hope you all have a great day!

Jennifer

My Blog is in print!!

Hi all!

  My blog is in print!......Cyber print that is.  Due to my recent series, "Are You a Flylady?",  a new blogging friend of mine asked me if she could quote me.  She told me she was writing an article for an online magazine on spring cleaning, and thought that my series would be a good highlight.  Of course I said, SURE!  :)

  The magazine is Southern Child.  If you are not familiar with it, you should check it out.  It's chock full of great articles.  The magazine was founded to help foster children find loving families by providing affordable advertising space for family based businesses.

  If you are visiting me from reading the article....Welcome!  Be sure to leave me a comment, so I can say hello!  :)

  The author of the article "Spring Cleaning" (in the April/May 2011 issues pg. 74-75 ;) ), is Michelle Byers Densmore.  I've just recently had the pleasure of meeting Michelle through my blog and have enjoyed starting to get to know her.  You can met her too, on her blog, Southern Somedays.  If you haven't visited her blog before, you are in for a treat.  It's a very sweetly designed eye candy, just dripping with good 'ol southern hospitality!  Stop in and say hello, and be sure to tell her that her friend at Just Peachy in Dixie sent ya!  


I hope you all have a wonderful day!  Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to visit again soon. :)
Jennifer

Showing them you love them....

Hi all,
  Valentines is long gone, but it's nice to show the people most important in your life you love them all throughout the year. I always tell my husband I love him before we get off the phone, before either of us walk out the door to go somewhere, and before we go to bed.  You just never know what could happen before you see each other again.

  I also like to do little things to show him I love him.  Things that I wasn't asked to do. The just because I love you things. :) For instance, on cold winter mornings I like to go crank up his car and turn on the heat while he's getting ready for work, so it's nice and cozy when he gets in.  I also like to make him a to go breakfast and put a little note or an inspirational quote in it.

  He is my best friend, and I love him dearly.  You know the old saying, "Actions speak louder than words."  These are just some of the ways I like to tell him I love him through my actions.

 What little things do you like to do to show them you love them?   Maybe you have an idea to inspire more loving actions.  :)

Have a great weekend!
Jennifer

Treat your sense of smell!

Hi all,
  I've started doing something daily that just makes me smile.  Treating my sense of smell.  I've got perfumes that I never wear because I'm saving for a special occasion, and candles I never burn because I wait for company.

  I decided....that's crazy!  Why not treat myself with a spritz of perfume in the morning when I get dressed.  Who cares if I'm just going to be cleaning the toilet and vacuuming the floor?  Why shouldn't I enjoy the beautiful smell as a reward for doing those things?  Yes, I think I should! :)

 What about the candles?  Why in the world am I waiting to burn those only for company?  Shouldn't my family and I enjoy the wonderful smells that a candle permeates through the house?  Absolutely!  Burning wonderfully fragrant candles just make the house feel so warm and inviting....for us. :)

  So get out that expensive bottle of perfume your saving, and enjoy it.  Burn those good smellies.  After all, that is what they are for!

It's no accident that I chose a green candle. ;)  Happy St. Patrick's day!
Have a great day!
Jennifer

Such beautiful snow!

Hi all!
  I just had to share a few pictures with you.  We get snow like this so rarely here in north Ga, that for us it's like a wonderful winter wonderland to explore.  DH, DD and I took a walk through the woods behind our house, and just thoroughly enjoyed the tranquil beauty!  It was like looking at a blanket of quiet peace.

  We decided not to go down this trail.  We hated the thought of ruining the perfect purity.  So instead we just admired the beauty and snapped a picture for posterity.


  Before returning from our walk to go sledding with the neighbors up the street, DH helped DD make this snow angel.

  Once we had sled down the hill (children and adults alike), and were good and frozen to the bone, we came in for lunch and hot chocolate.

  I'm sure there will be another sledding session in the near future.

  I hope all of you that got snow, you're enjoying your snow day, and staying safe!

Stay warm!
Jennifer

Linking up here: 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hi all!

  I just wanted to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!!  I also hope you all have fun while finding great deals tomorrow. :)

Happy Thanksgiving,
Jennifer

Cloud gazing....

Hi all,
  I just had to share with you the cloud I noticed while traveling last week.  Doesn't it look like a pencil sketched drawing of a tornado?  My daughter and I just love gazing at the clouds, and pointing out ones that take the shape of things.

Anyway,  I just thought some of you might think it was neat.  Sorry for the poor  photographic quality.  I shot these with a cell phone from inside the car while in motion.



Remember to stop and gaze at the clouds!  :)
Jennifer

Another relaxing Sunday!

Hi all!
  Does everyone else love Sundays as much as me?  They just always seem to be such relaxing days in our house.  A day of rejuvenation, and fulfillment for the upcoming week.

  I also tend to think of things that will make the house hold chores run smoother, and organized.  One of the things that I have been really trying to faithfully do and stay on top of, is keeping the kitchen clean throughout the day, especially just before bed.  Instead of sitting that cup or plate in the sink or counter, go ahead and throw it in the dishwasher.

  It is so nice to come down to a clean kitchen in the morning!  I even go a step further, and get coffee ready for in the morning.  Go ahead and fill your coffee pot with water, and put in the filter and coffee, so all you have to do is flip the switch.  If your coffee maker has a timer on it...even better!  Just set the timer, and you'll have freshly brewed coffee waiting for you before your feet hit the floor.

  Also, go ahead and get out what you need for your coffee, like, sugar, creamer (only if it's non dairy of course--don't want dairy creamer sitting out all night--yuck! :) ), mugs, and spoon.  No more fumbling around trying to get these things together, desperately needing that first cup of coffee to get you jumpstarted!

  Take my advice!  Try cleaning that kitchen before you go to bed, and get that coffee ready.  You'll feel great coming down to a gleaming sink, and coffee ready to go!

Did you miss me? :)

Hi all,
  I have been feeling under the weather.  I had the flu or something, then I just wasn't feeling too inspired. I'm feeling better now, and ready to share. I have a hodge podge of things to talk about today.

  First off, Have any of you heard of smile.ly?  It is a community that you can join for free, to share feedback on products.  They offer what they call missions, which is an opportunity to send you a product, at no cost to you, try it, and share your honest opinions on that item.  You do not get paid, but you do get to try products for free, and when you share your thoughts you get smiles.  These smiles are status within the community which can lead to more opportunity to try products.  You can join from this link, which will give me some smiles. :)   Check it out, it's fun!

  Second, Publix has some great deals this week.
-Mahatma Valencia Rice 1lb bag is on sale this week for $.89. Pair that with the $.50 MQD from RP 8/29 that's an $.11 MM!

-Febreze Hawaiian Aloha Candles are on sale for $2.50. Paired with $2 MQ from PG 8/29 that's $.50

-Barilla Pasta Sauce is on sale for $1.35, pair that with the $.75 MQ from S 8/29, that's $.60.  (Buy a box of pasta, and you've got an inexpensive meal)

-Margaret Holmes Vegetables on sale for $1, paired with $.35 MQD from S 5/23, that's $.30.

-Pillsbury Toaster Strudel on sale for $1.10, pair with $1/2 MQ from GM 8/8, that's $.60!  This is a big one at our house. :)

-Pam cooking Spray on sale for $1.63, pair with $.35 MQD from S 8/29, that's $.93!  I love it when I can get the brand name stuff cheaper than the store brand, don't you?! :)

Abbreviations: M=Manufacturer
                        Q=Coupon
                        D=Doubled
                        RP=Red Plum (coupon insert from newspaper)
                        PG=Proctor & Gamble coupon insert
                        S=Smartsource coupon insert
                        GM=General Mills coupon insert

  Third, here's a great cleaning tip.  Some of you may have read a previous post about Flylady.  You should check it out, if you haven't already!  One of the cleaning tips/habits suggested that I just love, is Swish & Swipe.  Swish & Swipe is meant to be part of your morning routine when you get up and get dressed.  Basically you swish & swipe your toilet daily.  At first I thought....What? Everyday?, but I gave it a try, and it's so easy!  It literally just takes less than a minute to take your toilet brush, and swish around, then wipe down the top, handle, tank, and seats.

  Let me tell you, it was nice knowing the toilet was fresh this past week during those couple of days that I was so sick! Another tip shared on the Flylady site to help with this, is if you have one of those toilet brushes that stay in a container like I do, just squirt some shampoo, or toilet cleaner in it, add some water, and keep it in there for easy fresh swishing.  Just put fresh in it weekly.

  Also, keep some wipes (Lysol, or for you coupon savvy folks that have tons of free baby wipes), under your sink for the quick wipe down of the seats.  This is a quick simple habit that makes a huge difference!

  Do you have some great housekeeping tip you would like to share?  I would love to hear about it!

Take care,
Jennifer

Come....have A Full Cup with me!

 Hi all!
  I thought I would share with you today one of my most favorite websites, A Full Cup.  This site is full of informative tidbits on couponing. I learned so much from this site on getting groceries for free, or almost free.  You can click on the forums for each particular store you shop to learn all you can on how to best stretch your dollar at that specific store.

  Each forum will also have entries on deals you can find, or shopping scenarios to help you get started.  There are so many members who are more than willing to help answer any questions you may have.  All you need do is ask, and you will be peppered with friendly help, and advice.

  There is also a coupon database where you can search for coupons to see if any are available.  You can also jump in on trading coupons, join coupon trains, or just go to the chit chat forums.  There are forums on cooking, crafting, parenting, etc....you name it, it's there.

 The best thing about this site is that it is completely free to join. I'm not being paid to share this site with you.  I am going to get some "bling" though.  What's bling?  It's just a nifty little sparkling tag under my username to show that I shared AFC to you all.  :)  There are lots of fun ways to get some bling.  There is even a forum for celebrating your bling! :)

  It's so much fun!  Come check it out!  If you have any questions, or need some help navigating, feel free to email me.  Be sure to tell them that cpht sent you! I don't get anything for that, they just like to hear how you found out about them.

Until next time,
Jennifer