Strut Your Stuff Weekly Meme is Up

Time to strut your bloggy stuff!

This week let’s link up our Halloween posts! Anything related to Halloween: spooky costumes, reminders, traditions, decorations or spooky crafts. I want to see ‘em all.

A few linky rules to help us get more participants!

1. Please use your post's individual url (not your blog's main address). It makes it hard for us to find what you want to show off and leave comment love
2. Post a link back to the party so everyone can join in the fun.

That's it! Now it's your turn to share you bloggy goodness with everyone!!!

When you’re done linking up don’t forget to check out my latest giveaways. I’ve got tickets to November’s Curious George Live! for my Twin Cities readers. I’m also giving away taco night on me with a $10 Visa gift card up for grabs.

Strut Your Stuff Saturday!

Last week produced some new links to the weekly meme and great bloggy finds.

If you’ve ever wondered how to add even more flavor to ground turkey then you must try this Stuffed Turkey recipe. Not only does it look amazing…I mean it’s a REAL hum-dinger of a finished dish…but it’s super easy to make! The trick she uses is so simple I find myself saying…doh (as i smack my head Homer Simpson style)!

Strut Your Stuff Blog Link Up

Sorry for the tardy post but I was up late working on homework then we had to skeedattle off to the city for a grocery run! Somehow we ended up with two ferrets. Don’t ask me how. I went to PetCo for a hooded litter box and hubby walked out with two ferrets, a cage, ferret litter, and ferret toys. To me they looks like weenie rats but maybe I’ll warm up to them later.

I digress. Last week’s Strut Your Stuff received some new links and over 400 views. My page views dropped severely after I dropped the blogspot in Frugal Front Porch’s web address but last week’s stats show a significant bump in page views since this change took place. THANK THE LORD! With any luck the click views will begin to get back to normal soon.

Strut Your Stuff Saturday Blog Meme

I forgot to let everyone know, this week’s Sunday Coupon Preview has been posted. Go grab those deals guys and gals! Now onto this week’s meme…

Chaya succeeded again in posting a delicious brown sugar bundt cake recipe I simply must try at some point but not this week. This week, we’re having birthday cake! Hubby’s birthday was earlier this week BUT he just got home yesterday so we’re celebrating this week. One cake a week is my limit. (unless I wanna gain 400 pounds…which I DON’T! lol) I promise to share my recipe and plenty of photos with you later next week…scout’s honor! ;D

BTW-Many of her recipes are gluten free just like the bundt cake recipe she shared. You must check out her blog if you’re looking for great tasting food, gluten free!

Strut Your Stuff Weekly Blog Meme

It’s time for another round of Strut Your Stuff Weekly Blog Meme.

Technorati Tags: blog meme,weekly linky,blog linky,weekly meme,strut your stuff

Strut Your Stuff - Saturday's Blog Meme - Week 4

Welcome back Saturday! Oh, how I have waited ALL WEEK for Saturday! I'm FINALLY feeling better and we're off to the Annual Block Party later today. YAY! It's a super fun event sponsored by several businesses in the community. There's door prizes, refreshments, catching up with the neighbors and a few killer sales. We nibble on free meat and cheese samples at the local butcher while of course restocking the freezer. I get fabulous garden plants from the nursery with a side of lemonade and home baked cookies. The kids are easily entertained with the nursery's huge sandbox and ice cream cones but not necessarily at the same time! Boy, would that be messy!!! I love finishing the party off with a free flower from the local florist. It's not really Spring until the Block Party!

Since it's Saturday, it's time to Strut Your Stuff.

Your bloggy stuff that is.

Last week Sarah Jane at For the Love shared her Vintage Wallet Re-Mix. I love what she did with a thrift store wallet. She took a plain Ho Hum wallet from drab to FAB with a few simple steps easy enough anyone can do. I truly wish I had this type of vision for things I see in the thrift stores.

LambAround also shared her blog, LambAround which is about her life with her "Sexy Nerd". (Love her description of her significant other!!!) It seems she's on vacation this week (I'm green with envy!) so she posted a visually stunning vacation remix of her past trip to Seychelles. I got a real kick reading about her vacation with her mother. I can definitely see some of those scenes in a comedic movie!

Now it's your turn to link up your favorite posts. I look forward to seeing what's going on in your world!

September: National Sewing Month

This month is National Sewing Month. There's lots of buzz about it already on the internet. The timing is fantastic since in just a few months Christmas will be here! I know! I know! I know! I'm already talking about the BIG holiday! There's lots of project links already published in honor of the month. Skip to My Lou is hosting a MckLinky for all your sewing tutorials.

Like I said, timing is perfect. I'm currently on the hunt for some boy themed ideas. I've googled and searched but shockingly there aren't that many original boy sewing projects out there. Quilts and monster softies are cool and in the plan but I'm hoping to find something a bit more original and FUN. I've appliqued shirts and sewn wallets but I certainly hope to find some inspirational ideas this month.

I'd like to make some role play clothes for my 3 year old. Chef hat and apron. Super hero cape and mask. Things like this. Crayon roll and a modification of the crayon roll to use as a game organizer for the kids' video games. Other than this, I'm just not sure what to make. Especially for the 8 year old. Maybe a locker organizer or hanging organizer for his room?? Maybe even some monster house shoes. Feel free to comment with a few ideas...even if you don't have a tute-if it's something I think my kids will like then, I will try to figure out a way to create it!

In the meantime, skip on over to the MckLinky and see what gifts you can sew this year!

Mason Jar for MckLinky Blog Hop

This is my first week participating in the McLinky Blog Hop. This week's theme is recipe's and so far there's over 100 links. I can't wait to see all the fantastically delicious ideas floating around the blogosphere this week. If you'd like to join in the blog hopping fun, click the link below to get started!!!

Last month I posted my Mason Jar Peach Cobbler. With school about to start and peaches coming into season, I decided to linked my cobbler recipe for everyone to enjoy. In case you missed it, here it is again!

I adapted this recipe from Paula Deen-LOVE HER!!! This is perfect for back to school parties, lunch boxes, or just to extend the shelf life of your cobbler.

Ingredients
2 cans sliced peaches drained
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups self rising flour
1 tsp cinnamon
8 tbs butter
1/1/2 cups milk

Directions
Preheat oven to 350. Drop 3/4 tsp of butter in 12 half pint mason jars. Place jars in a large casserole or broiler pan to help keep them stable. Place pan of jars in oven to melt butter. Cut drained peaches in large chunks and set aside. Mix dry ingredients with milk till smooth. Spoon 1/3 cup batter into each jar. Evenly divide any left over batter among the jars till all the batter is used. Spoon 1/4 cup of peaches on top of batter. Bake jars 25 minutes or until tops are slightly brown. Dust with cinnamon sugar mixture is desired. Carefully screw lids and seals on immediately after removing from oven for self sealing jars. As the jars cool, they will seal themselves. Eat straight from the oven, cold, or remove the metal lids and seals to reheat in the oven or microwave.
Makes approximately 12 half pint jar servings.

Sealed items can be stored at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Jars can be kept for several days up to a week-maybe longer. Do not eat if item's color has changed or there are any visible changes in the product.

My Summer Addiction

As the weather continues to warm, more summer activities are gearing up. My favorite summer activity is yard saling. If there's a rummage, garage or yard sale within a 15 mile radius, you can bet I'm there! I love finding great deals and yard sales are one of the best.

As many of you know, I live about 80 miles from the nearest metro area so access to thrift and consignment stores are limited. When I lived in the city, thrifting was my mommy crack. Living in a small town has dramatically reduced my access to these stores so I've replaced my summer addiction with yard and rummage sales.

I've found some great things lately. Aside from the great name brand clothes I've found for the whole family, I've scored fishing gear, wall sconces, fabric, books, craft supplies, and a great pressure cooker (quickly becoming my favorite find).

Tell me what's your favorite yard sale find? Inquiring minds want to know!!!

Read what some other favorite summer activities at Aloha Friday.

Making It From Scratch

I started writing Monday's article for Make It From Scratch a few weeks ago. I really enjoy sharing my thoughts and experiences with a new group of folks and I LOVE reading posts from the other contributors. I've gotten so many wonderful ideas from those ladies. One project I'm working on now and will blog about when it's completed is the Sunflower House I'm planting in my back yard for the kiddos to play in. I really hope this one turns out well!

Another feature I enjoy is the MIFS weekly blog carnival. This week's carnival is hosted at Ginger Won't Snap. There were several entries this week and Ginger did a great job showcasing them. Some of my favorites are how to make Caramel Rolls cheaper and easier than popping open canned biscuits while the other is homemade Pickles. Num Num Num-I love me some pickles!

Click here if you'd like to submit a current or past article to the Make It From Scratch weekly blog carnival. Be sure to check out the guidelines before submitting a post or you could sign up to host the carnival.

Party Time in 2009

The Utimate Blog Party is in full swing at 5 Minutes for Mom's and I'm thrilled you stopped by my own little party place. The Frugal Front Porch is a fabulous little neighborhood perfect for anyone to gather around the porch swing to chat about anything and everything. You'll find great recipes, advice on kids, saving money tips along everyday hints to make your life a little easier. I'm a stay at home mom juggling kid's, a husband, a dog, cat, fish, housework, and million other things while trying to save money! My personal motto is "Work smart, not hard!" so the FFP neighborhood is a place you can glean some lessons I've learned along the way to help you Work Smart, Not Hard!

I recently redesigned my blog so it looks like I envision in my mind. The only formal computer training I received was in high school keyboarding so I'm very proud of my accomplishment. To celebrate my new layout, I'm hosting a Chocolate Lover's Giveaway so be sure to enter it before you move on to the next party. The Back Porch is full of ideas and wonderful tidbits I find along the web.

There's tons of prizes being given away at UBP 09 headquarters. While I'd love anything on the long list of prizes, my personal favorites are #41 Photo Tile Necklace, #42 Kajeet Cell Phone, #58 Kitchen Aid Mixer, #60 Pepsi Loot Bag, or any of the many gift cards. Grab a cupcake, take a look around the rest of the neighborhood and be sure to check it out other party goers all this week! This is a real opportunity for some SERIOUS party time!!!

Have fun everyone and thanks for stopping by the Frugal Front Porch's party place!

Weekly Blog Carnivals

Monday's

Tuesday's








Friday's

My Aricle Made the Editor's List!

That's right folks, my article How to Save $$$ - Grocery Store Edition made the editor's pick for the Festival of Frugality 162nd Edition at Gather Little by Little out of 64 articles. I am so excited to be featured. There's so many great resources in one place so take a few minutes to read a few!

There's some great articles in this weeks festival but here are some of my favorites. Money Theory (fellow editor's pick) discusses the fun you can have by being frugal. Kristy at Master Your Card talks about when to use your emergency fund and when NOT to use it! Make It From Scratch has an article about making scrap-free Valentines Day Heat Therapy Bags. Just in time for tax season, Prime Time Money writes about FREE efile services available even if you make more than $56k a year. Now that's exactly what I need! Are you a sports junkie but can't afford it? Then skip over to Debt Goal where Raj Patel give you several tips on how to handle your addiction without breaking the bank!

Egg Noodle Egg Drop Soup

I made this for lunch yesterday-YUMMY looking isn't it?

It's really not that difficult to make authentic Chinese Egg Drop Soup but I wanted some substance with it since it was a stand alone soup! I did some searching online for recipes and found lot of different tips. The overwhelming problem with Egg Drop Soup was getting the egg cooked in the soup so it's not rubbery and has the silky ribbons like you see in the typical Chinese restaurants. All the different sites kept saying the key is constant stirring while slowly drizzling the egg into the soup. Read on to see how I resolved the problem to make it easy enough for anyone to make.

Ingredients

3 cups Chicken Stock

1/2 tbs Salt

1 tbs Freeze Dried Chives

1/2 cup Uncooked Egg Noodles

1 tbs Cornstarch

2 tbs Cold Water

1 Egg + 2 tsp Cold Water

Directions

Bring top 3 ingredients to full boil on Med High heat. Toss in noodles and cook till al dente. While noodles are cooking: mix cornstarch and 2 tbs water. Crack the egg & 1 tsp cold water into a ziploc sandwich bag-seal-gently massage egg till beaten. (The goal is to avoid lots of air bubbles but to have the egg beaten well). Add cornstarch mixture when noodles are almost done and cook 2 additional minutes. Remove pot from heat, snip small tip off the corner of bag. Get ready to drizzle egg with one hand while constantly stirring with the other. (This part takes some finesse so you'll want to make sure you have the bag comfortably in one hand but still be able to control how you pour. That's why there's no photo of that step!) This method cooks the egg without over-cooking it resulting in light and tasty soup!

I have linked this post at Blessed By Grace's TMTT, Tammy's Kitchen Tip Tuesday's, and 11th Heaven's Homemaker Monday's blog carnivals!

Universal Casserole or One Pot Wonder Recipe

It's a quiet Friday night after a long day of work & school. The kids and hubby are all anxiously awaiting dinner. You, being the brilliant domestic goddess you are, had the forethought to roast a chicken in the crock pot today so now all that's left are to whip up a few side dishes. NO PROBLEM-the domestic goddess can handle it! Dinner's on the table 20 minutes later and the fam is happy. You're happy cause clean up's a breeze since you used a crock pot liner. The chicken is de-boned, veggies get shuffled to a Rubbermaid like container and it all goes neatly into the fridge. Dishes in dishwasher, quick wipe down and the kitchen is CLEAN! Everyone spends the rest of the night watching movies, gaming, and having a peaceful night.

Then comes the hectic Saturday you never planned being THIS crazy busy. Grocery shopping, thrift store hunting, laundry, vacuuming, shuffling kids to practice and games, you get the idea-it happens just about every other weekend! Dinner time's here in no time flat, the mob is HUNGRY. No problem, you have LEFTOVERS to save the day. Suddenly there's a sound that sends you reeling from the fridge...it's the collective "AWWWW Leftovers again!?!" said in the tone only a mother/wife knows all to well! Now what to do? Never fear-my Universal Casserole is here.

This recipe is super easy, oober fast, and uses the ingredients you have on hand so you can customize it with whatever's in your kitchen!

Ingredients

• Protein-cooked beans or meat (shredded, cubed, stripped, etc)
• Starch-pasta, rice, or potatoes (hashbrowns, mashed, whatever you got)
• Veggies-frozen, fresh, canned, left overs-it's all good!
• Binding-melty cheese (example: Velveeta or mozzarella), spaghetti or other kind of sauce, gravy (left over or from a powder mix, jar, etc)
• Shredded Cheese totally optional but my fam has to have it

Directions

Cook anything that's not already cooked (or partially cooked) as normal. Cook starches to al dente so they're not mushy later. Layer it however you choose in a deep casserole dish of your choosing. Bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes!

Jenn's Tip: I normally layer my casserole with starches on bottom to soak up any juices from the top layers, then based on quantity of remaining ingredients. If I have more veggies than meat then my layering goes something like this: starch, veggies, meat, sauce generally topped off with shredded cheese! If your family loves spicy foods then add a packet of chili, taco, fajita or other spices to meats, veggies, sprinkled on top, etc. Don't add any extra salt for low sodium. Skip the cheese if your lactose intolerant.

Noticed there weren't any measurements? That's because it's based on what you have on hand. You know about how much food it's going to take to feed your family. You compensate for what your low on with something you have an in abundance. If you don't have a ton of veggies but have half a chicken left then you'll make it with more meat than veggies and your layering will be different.

Convert it to a One Pot Wonder by cooking your starch & frozen veggies first. Cook pasta to al dente, toss in refrigerated meat till it's warmed. Drain most of the liquid. Add your binding sauce. Heat through, top with shredded cheese, cut off stove eye and put lid on till cheese is melted.

I have linked this post at Blessed By Grace's TMTT, Tammy's Kitchen Tip Tuesday's, and 11th Heaven's Homemaker Monday's blog carnivals!

Blog Carnivals

I have fallen in love again...with Blog Carnivals! They are a great way to share ideas with other bloggers, get more readers, and find great nuggets of inspiration. I've found many recipes, ideas, tips and tricks perusing blog carnivals. While I'm not prepared to host one of my own, I'm sharing some of the great carnivals I've found!

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday is a wonderful carnival focusing on...you guessed it, food! So many tempting recipes are posted each Tuesday with a giveaway going on next Tuesday so be sure to join in!

The Homesteading Carnival is chocked full of wonderful tidbits of information from recipes, raising kids, crafting, home keeping, etc all geared toward simplicity and saving money. It's truly a wonderful site worth reading. Miss Jocelyn is looking for more hosts so please check out their hosting guidelines and email her if your interested.

There's over 200 participants in this month's edition of Works for Me Wednesday blog carnival. Maybe I can get through all of them by the end of the month-even though I kind of doubt it! She also has a giveaway going on at Rocks In My Dryer that's worth checking out too.

Every Monday, The Haven's Homemaking Haven hosts the 11th Heaven's Homemaker Mondays: Yours, Mine, & Ours carnival. By participating, you're automatically entered in her monthly giveaway but you get extra entries by posting her badge. She's also got a list of blog carnivals she frequents. I don't know how she finds the time raising 9 kids! Whew!

Blissfully Domestic, is hosting a weekly blog carnival every Tuesday where the topic is wide open. One of the first blogs I followed, I've found so many wonderful blogs through them, it's a must read!

Every Friday, Melissa at the Inspired Room hosts a Friday Holiday Linky. The sweater stockings on last weeks link are beautiful, I just wished I had a sewing machine to make them! She has a beautiful blog and will be speaking at BlissDom 09 in February. Melissa is also the editor of Blissful Home so be sure to check out all her great tips and informative articles.

Another Tuesday blog carnival is at Make It From Scratch. Her blog's motto is "Where creativity and frugality intersect" and I love it. It's a great carnival but she's asking for more hosting help to keep it going. If your interested is hosting, visit her site for more details.

As a very talented young lady, Emily Rose blogs about A Homemade Christmas every Thursday. She gives you the opportunity to show off your homemade gifts (made or received) via Mr. Linky. She plans to keep it going till the end of December but hopefully she'll start another one for the new year!

Well, I'm off to run some errands but hopefully can get back to some of these carnivals this afternoon.