Babyfest 2007

Just got back from Babyfest '07 and it was great! LOTS of yummy food and drinks (i stuffed myself lol) and I won 1 free basket, got a free gift bag and 1 other bag!!! Heres what was in them:

-johnsons baby wash (about 3 of them)
-johnsons baby lotion (about 3)
-2 packs diaper pins
-gerber prefolds
-2 homemade blankies (huge!)
-1 toothbrush for dd
-2 pairs homemade blue booties
-2 baby boy gowns
-1 pop holder
-a sucker shaped like a baby foot lol
-a nice magnetic frame
-the basket my freebies came in (i kept it and used it for potpourri)
-1 paci w/holder that clips onto baby's shirt
-some travel sized candy bars (yum!)
-a bottle
-3 baby washrags

WOW! And there were TONS of mommas and pg ladies there and soooo many beautiful newborns and toddlers <3

But...............

I went to use the bathroom and accidently opened the door of a stall w/a pg woman in it (eek!) I didn't see anything thankfully and the dern door kept opening so I had to go back & close it (BLUSH) LOL

DD stayed in the childcare area and I kept peeking at her....she was having a blast in the pop-up tunnel lol and stole a cookie right off one of the caretakers plates! *giggle* they came & asked me if she could have it so I said yes. Lil turd!

Now were watching the Sesame St. movie that I got from the library for my baby girl and I'm making some fettichini alfredo :-)

I'm BACK! Look what I've been up to....

Well, thank God baby girl and I are almost over our colds (YAY!) but shes driving me NUTS! Why oh why does she insist on handing me EVERYTHING? (lol) its cute sometimes but not when mommy is doing something important like cooking, using the bathroom or trying to offer some advice and she screams until I take what shes offering. ((sigh))

Frugal wise-I decorated my house without spending a single dime, using things I had in my house already and I took pictures so you could see! I'm so proud of myself but had a few cramps while doing it (ouch) and had to take a few breaks. Also, had to remove the toddler from a few areas while trying my best to move this and rearrange that.....ugh.

Cooking wise-nothing exciting going on in my kitchen due to getting over my cold. Tonight I just heated up some pre-cooked pork chops (frozen from my pre-thrifty days) green beans, rolls and instant mashed potatoes. (it was good, I swear!) LOL

Thats all on my end (boring, huh?) I'll keep you posted on my pg though-next OB appt. is september 19th :-)

I've been MIA

Ugh, life has been ROUGH lately...my baby girl puked too many times to count last night & I didn't get to bed until 6am (eek!) and thankfully shes doing great today BUT......


now I'M puking :-( Two times today.....mommy needs a break!

Will be back to my usual frugal posting soon :)

I made $10 today!

I recently joined a site where you get paid to read email advertisements and I got $10 for signing up plus .01 per read email and its FOR REAL, I love love love it!!!

Check it out: http://www.hits4pay.com/members/index.cgi?EarthMama06

If you should choose to join, my username is EarthMama06~ :-)

Homemade Flavored Butters, yum yum!

http://www.frugalvillage.net/2007/01/14/easy-homemade-flavored-butters/

Click the link, sounds so tasty!

Maybe I should've started a thrifty FOOD blog LOL

Since I'm always posting my culinary creations ;) Tonight I made turkey-chili and cheesy corn muffins *drool* DELICIOUS!

TURKEY CHILI RECIPE

Prep: 15, Cook: 2 hrs or more
Preparation - Easy
Serves 6

Surprisingly tasty variation!

• 2 TBSP Vegetable oil
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper (1 pepper, seeded)
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cup chopped onion (a small onion)
• 1 1/2 lbs ground turkey
• 3 16 oz (small) cans kidney or pinto beans, or mixed, drained
• 1/2 tsp oregano or thyme
• 1 1/2 TBSP chili powder or 1 packet chili mix
• 2 TBSP ground cumin
• 2 tsp salt more to taste
• 1/3 cup tomato paste diluted in 1 cup water
• 1 14 1/2 oz can chopped tomatoes

Casserole or saucepan with cover, large enough to hold all ingredients.

HEAT vegetable oil in a large skillet or saucepan large enough to hold all ingredients.

ADD bell pepper, garlic and onion.

SAUTÉ over medium heat for 10 minutes stirring occasionally until onion is translucent NOT gold or brown.

REMOVE and set aside.

ADD turkey breaking up turkey with a spoon.

SAUTÉ till turkey changes color (light tan) and water evaporates (about 10 minutes).

SPRINKLE turkey with chili powder, cumin, oregano and salt

STIR for a minute or two.

RETURN sauteed pepper, garlic and onion mixture to pot. ADD 3 16 ounce cans kidney beans, or kidney and pinto beans.

ADD the tomato paste and chopped tomatoes.

BRING to a slow simmer, stir and cover.

COOK for at least 1 hour, the longer the more the flavors will combine. Stir occasionally adding water or broth if needed, you want mixture to be quite moist.

Can be cooked ahead of time and reheated. In fact best done that way.
Freezes well.
Serve with shredded cabbage sprinkle w/salt and lime or lemon juice
Chopped cilantro
Salsa
Avocado wedges
Tortillas

AND....

Cheesy Corn Muffins Recipe by evelyn/athens

12 muffins

30 min 5 min prep

3/4	cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2	teaspoons baking powder
3/4	teaspoon salt
1	tablespoon sugar
1/2	cup yellow cornmeal
1	cup cheddar cheese, grated
1	egg, beaten
3/4	cup buttermilk
3	tablespoons butter, melted and cooled

1. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. Combine flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar.
3. Stir in cornmeal and cheese.
4. Make a well in center of dry ingredients and add beaten egg, milk, and the melted butter.
5. Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.
6. Fill greased 2-inch muffin cups 2/3sfull.
7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until nicely browned.
8. Note: Crumbled bacon in the batter is a nice addition.

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http://www.thethriftshopper.com/

Just go there and type in your zip code or city! I love this site...its not always easy to find thrift stores in your phone book.