76% Savings

So the kids and I took a trip to Fry’s last night.  I did pretty good.  All of this for $43.46.  I missed out on some of the freebies but that's ok, I’ll just check back.  My total savings for this trip was $129.47.  I’m quite happy about it.

Dinner for My Chef

The Chef and I have been craving Asian food lately.  I finally decided to make some since we aren’t aware of many places here.  We sure miss our hot spot back in Cali, Noah’s Hof Brau (yes, it’s Asian food) it was the best.  Eh, homemade is better.
Call what you want but it’s chicken with a side of my own version of fried rice (RAMEN).  Yes, Ramen.  Don’t knock it till you try it.  This is something that I’ve made for years now, it’s easy to make and good.  The chicken on the other hand is something new.  I decided to use some of my favorite Asian sauces as a marinade.  To add a special treat, we tried some of our Pickled Radishes we made a while back. (I’ll post about that a little later)
Dinner was a hit!  My Chef who said, “I wasn’t even that hungry,” had two large servings and so did the kids.  This was quite the tasty dish.  I’ll definitely be making it again.
For the chicken marinade I used:
Oyster sauce, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, a splash of fish sauce, Asian Toasted Sesame salad dressing, honey, Sriracha (I love this stuff), garlic, salt, and pepper.
I marinated the chicken with half the sauce.  Then I made a reduction with the rest to top it with.
For the Fried Ramen I use:
RAMEN (of course), diced carrots, onion, peas, soy sauce, a little oyster sauce, egg, salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
This was the Pickled Radishes. (Post soon to come)  They went well with my dish.

New To Do:

I’m so excited to be able to put some personal touches on the new house.  There was lots of wall paper that we are still in the process of removing.  There was wall paper in the entire kitchen and living room.  There is a border in the kids bedrooms and both restrooms.  Once the walls are ready then on goes the paint.  We’ve picked light gray and a darker gray for the kitchen and living room.  A light gray for the boy’s bedroom (this will go well with whatever theme they choose).  The current options are: Rock and Roll, Skateboarding, and Motorcycles.  I personally like the skateboarding idea.  Their room is currently yellow with a flower border.  As for little miss Haylee’s room, it is currently blue with a lighthouse border.  It will be pink on top, a white border 3/4 down, then green.  white trim and ceiling of course.  Her decor will be owls.  Our bedroom may end up being light gray.  Our decor has always been eclectic, mostly Asian style.  I like to keep things eclectic because we are passionate about so many things.   It works for us.  As for the kids / guest restroom, I’m still undecided.  There is so much to be done. 
Here are some pictures I thought I’d share of what things looked like before.  I will keep you all posted of my progress. 

Before and Current:
Living room and Kitchen
One huge wall in the living room was this blue/gray textured wall paper.  It met up with the multi-colored one.  As you could see we’ve are just getting started here.
Boy’s room… Yeah that can’t stay.
Haylee’s Room
Master Bath
Guest Restroom

Movin’

As I’ve mentioned, we are moving.  It is soooo much work.  Still finishing up the last minute things at the old house.  Tomorrow I touch up nail holes, clean counters, sweep, mop and DONE.  I hope.  I have a few things are unmentioned, I’m sure of it.  It seems like the last minute touches at any house drag out.  On the bright side, I get to start at the new house.  Of course we’ve started the unpacking but it’s still ciaos.  The new house needs a little work I will fill you in on the new projects to come.

I {heart} My Hubby - Happy Fathers Day!

My Dearest Danny,

You are the man of my dreams and my best friend.  I truly admire you and all that you are.  

I LOVE that you are:

A Man of GOD

THE Best DAD Ever

The #1 Chef

A Genius 

A Honest Man 

A Hard Worker

A Creator

My constructive criticizer when I need it most

I LOVE that you:

Make Me a better Me

Know me better than I know myself

Keep order when order is due

Think outside the box ALL the time

Know what to do in any given situation

See the world in a different light

Know just how to motivate me and push me to do what I try to be lazy about

I thank GOD everyday He brought us together.   I love you beyond words.  Thank you for being the best husband, friend and Dad in the whole world.  Happy Father's Day!!!






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Don't Put Off Your Creativity

Upon reading my emails this morning, I came across something that was just for ME.  I'm sharing because I know there are so many people out there that feel the same way... This was sent to me by @BellePirri
of http://creativespiritualwomen.com & http://welovegratitude.com/

Creatively avoiding your creative urges

In the latest post on Creative Spiritual Women I ask, what are you putting off creating because it feels too big for you?

What great idea do you have that you haven't done anything with?

What are you inspired to do that you're ignoring, because you feel like you're not the right person for the job?

You are.

Just start. You'll find all the resources, energy, and guidance you need.

I promise.

xoxo

Belle

Read on... http://creativespiritualwomen.com/owning-your-creative-ideas/ 

Thank you Belle

I really enjoyed this post, it hit home for me.  My hubby tells me all the time that I just need to create.  He sees what I do.  I will have a great idea and for whatever reason, it won't get done.   It will sit on a TO DO list forever.  I also keep an idea journal.  When I'm really feeling creative I love to go back and check out ideas that I'd completely forgotten about.  My hubby suggested I start writing down every idea that I've ever had.  In the beginning I was on overload.  I had to keep that thing at my bedside.  It has proven to be an awesome tool for me.

Movin' Along!

Pardon my dust.   It is hot here in the desert so we have decided to move to a house with a pool (it is a necessity here).  I just keep telling myself how nice it will be to relax in the pool in the dead heat of summer.  I am not fond of moving, but am excited about it.  There are many perks about the new house we are looking forward to.  #1 being the pool, #2 gas stove, so the hubby can get his flambe’ on!   
The big question is… “Where will my work station go?”  Anyone have ideas on how to stay organized in a small area?

Couponing Lesson

I have been couponing for a while now and for the most part know what I'm doing.  Or at least I think I do.  Once and a while I just make mistakes.  Although they are few and far between, I make them. *wink*  I just wanted to share/ramble about my shopping experience yesterday.  So I planned out a trip to Target, I didn't give myself a estimated total for this trip (mistake) because I knew there were going to be a few things I may not get.  As well as some unconfirmed deals I was after. This estimated total is always nice to have when you are at the register.  I normally give myself a breakdown of what my coupon total would be as well.  After getting most of what was on my list and some, when I went to check out, I didn't pay any attention to the register I was going to. (mistake)  I  realized when it was to late of course.  I always watch the register like a hawk.  I was sure I didn't see her scan toothpaste.  I asked, she said she did and went on.  Then when scanning coupons, I thought some didn't scan, I asked, she says they took. 
End result:  I paid $57.92   according to my receipt I saved $28
Big plus:  I did get the 2 - $5 gift cards I was due back
Something wasn't right, I obviously didn't do a good job this trip.  Since I had the family with me, I couldn't figure this out until I got home.  On the way home I'm discussing this with my hubby.  First thing he says to me, "why did you go to that cashier?"  (This guy could concentrate on anything under any circumstance.  He's secretly a monk.  Just kidding.) 
I found that I was not charged for three items.  This cashier just wasn't paying attention.  She didn't scan the toothpaste. (My coupon was going to make it free)  And no, some coupons didn't scan.  Not being charged for items can sound nice but in the end it will mess up your transaction and just isn't the right thing to do.  During this trip I found some things on clearance that I didn't have coupons for so I did expect to pay a bit more.  It wasn't to far off though.
Paid: $57.92
Should have paid: $49.23
This mistake cost me: $8.69  (Not that bad)
Plus I did get my $10 in gift cards

Lesson:
Always have an idea of how much you are going to spend.
Know how many coupons you have and what they total.
Keep a running tally throughout the store (even if it's just in your head) this way you know what to expect.
Always profile your cashier.
Pay attention to your cashier very carefully they make mistakes too.   Their computers more so.