Thrift Thursday: Thrift Envy!

Last week while visiting my family, my mom and I headed to the Chana Barn sale.  This sale draws a very interesting crowd and it was fun to watch people in action.  They host the sale every Tuesday all year round and auction everything from chickens (yes real live clucking chickens) to furniture to designer  knock-off purses.

I just had to share about my mom's amazing find.  

Her gem made me very jealous for several reasons.  

1. the price and 2. its potential.

So here she is...We will call her Alice. 

 Alice is actually a Stow and Davis Credenza.  

My mom is going to use Alice as a buffet in her dining room.

And the best part...Alice only cost $8.  

No you don't need to adjust your computer screen...and no I am not missing a zero.  

EIGHT DOLLARS.
Isn't she Fabulous!
(there are two drawers that go in the right and left openings.)

Toddler Tuesday: No Mess Sponge Painting

For those of you who own a toddler (I know sounds like I am talking about a car). Anyway, for those of you who own a toddler, you have most likely yearned for the days when your child will stop sticking everything in his/her mouth!  That is totally where I am at!  Logan is now 18 months old and he still wants to stick disgusting stuff in his mouth all the time.  I have found it very difficult to do activities like painting or even coloring for fear of Logan eating the paint or crayons.  Well, I found a painting project that is NO MESS!  And it keeps Logan from eating the paint. =)

No Mess Painting Project

What you need:

-Dishwashing sponge-cut into a few pieces

-Washable paints

-Gallon size Zip-loc bag

-plain white paper

-paper plate

Instructions:

Start by putting the paint on a paper plate and dipping sponges into the paint.

(We didn't have exciting colors this time since we were testing the project out.)

Next, I wrote on each piece of paper before I stuck it in the baggie. 

If using computer paper you will have to fold the paper to make it fit

Then toss in the sponges.

Next, give it to your toddler and let him squish with his hands...

Or his feet... (as Caleb prefers)

And Voila! A fun painting project and Logan didn't even lick the paint!

Menu Monday: Sept. 26-Oct. 2

Hello!  I am back after an unexpected break in blogging.  I hope you find this plan helpful!  check back tomorrow for Toddler Tuesday: No Mess sponge painting!

Monday

Breakfast: Peek-a-boo Window Toast-Logan's favorite

Lunch: Morning Star Black Bean burgers over Cous Cous and sautéed veggies (eggplant and zucchini)

Dinner: Chili-this cold day needs some warmth

Snacks: Nectarine, Yogurt with homemade granola

Tuesday

Breakfast: Cereal and a Banana

Lunch: Roast beef sandwiches, carrot sticks and chips

Dinner: Stuffed Shells, french bread

Snacks: apple, veggies and hummus

Wednesday

Breakfast: Oatmeal 

Lunch: Salad

Dinner: Baked Salmon, Steamed Broccoli, brown rice

Snacks: Carrot sticks with homemade hummus, grapes

Thursday

Breakfast: PB Toast with Banana

Lunch: L.O. chili or shells

Dinner: Meat Loaf, Corn on the Cob (it is the last week we can get it!!), Oven Roasted Potatoes

Snacks: Smoothie, Crackers and cheese

Friday

Breakfast: French Toast Bake 

Lunch: LO

Dinner: Grilled Chicken salad

Snacks: yogurt

Saturday

Breakfast: Cereal with dried cranberries

Lunch/Dinner: L.O.

Sunday

Breakfast: Clif Bar

Lunch: Out with Family

Dinner: Taco Chicken Bowls

Wednesday Weigh-in: Intentional Positioning

After last Wednesday's post, I had an overwhelming response from supporters and other women who felt the very same way I do.  Please know that I am praying for each of you who responded or who didn't respond but can relate to what is happening in my life.  Thanks for your support and prayers for me!

So let's weigh-in...

As I continue to dive deeper into Made to Crave, I am both inspired and convicted, in the very same breath.  I am inspired by Lysa's willingness to be so real with her readers.   She addresses some key issues for women and provides some truly healthy ways to battle those issues without being too cheesy or too preachy.  

When I got to chapter 6 of the book, I was really forced to take a good look at myself.  Lysa says, "Being ruled by something other than God diminishes our commitment and will make us feel increasingly distant from Him."  (and this is where I feel convicted!)

Okay, so I want you to think about what that something is for you.  Is it food?  Is it alcohol?  Is it your job?  Is it spending too much money?  Is it the loss of a loved one?  What is the something in your life that diminishes your commitment (faith) and creates distance between you and God?

That something for me is ME.  I am totally consumed by poor self-esteem, what others think of me and my less than perfect body.  I am also consumed by the guilt of not getting back into shape after having Logan.  So much so, that some days I only think about how horrible I look or how horrible other people must think I look.  I know, this is very unhealthy thinking.  Made to Crave, has helped me realize that what I am consuming is what I am craving.  And what I am craving is unhealthy!

But there is hope...

As I continue to read God's word and other resources, I am understanding, the more I fill up with negative thoughts about myself, the more I focus on just that, myself.   And each time I wallow in the pain of my circumstances without inviting God to carry my burdens, I push my relationship with Him further and further away.

This journey is teaching me to position my heart towards God.  This is what Lysa calls "intentionally positioning ourselves to experience God."   I hope and pray that you will see a change in me as I set out to intentionally position myself to experience the goodness and the grace of God.

"But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.  

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. "  

Philippians 3:13-15

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."

Philippians 3:20-21

Please keep praying for the women who will be studying with me in October!  

It is going to be a great Journey!!

Toddler Tuesday: This one is for Aunt Jenna!

So I had a very busy day and don't have time to post about our painting fun but I will add it to Thursday's post.  We will post one of Logan's favorite videos for your enjoyment.  This one goes out to Auntie Jenna!

Menu Plan: September 12th-September 18th

This week I am trying to focus on using in-season fresh produce!  I found a great website that has a Midwest Seasonal Food Chart.  Check it out!!

Monday

Breakfast: Smoothies and Toast with PB

Lunch: Grilled chicken over Spinach salad

Dinner: Potato Soup

Snacks: Nectarine, Yogurt with homemade granola

Tuesday

Breakfast: Scrambled eggs with spinach and mushrooms

Lunch: Bean and cheese quesadillas

Dinner: SUSHI!!  (out to dinner)

Snacks: Pear, Almonds

Wednesday

Breakfast: Oatmeal 

Lunch: Tomato Sandwich and veggies

Dinner: Chicken Enchiladas (use extra grilled chicken from Monday's salad)

Snacks: Carrot sticks with homemade hummus, grapes

Thursday

Breakfast: PB Toast with Banana

Lunch: L.O.  Enchiladas

Dinner: Crockpot Lasagna and homemade Italian bread-(dusting off the bread maker!)

Snacks: Cucumber slices, Nectarine

Friday

Breakfast: French Toast Bake

Lunch: Turkey/Roast Beef Sandwiches

Dinner: Homemade Veggie Pizza (pepperoni on Joe's side)

Snacks: yogurt, Smoothies

Saturday

Breakfast: Cereal with dried cranberries

Lunch/Dinner: L.O.

Sunday

Breakfast: Eggs

Lunch: Out with Family/Watching the Bears Game

Dinner: something quick-going to Byron to see my mommy!

{REMIX}

It has been a busy week.  

 Grandma, Magra and Papa came to hear Joe's sermon 

(which you can listen to online by clicking here.)

Logan's, Eric Carle Animal Flash Cards came via 

Amazon Courier Service on a Sunday morning (weird).   

I got them for free by using my Swagbucks!
You can start earning free stuff by signing up below.
 Just scroll down and click on the link on the right hand side of the blog...it says Be the Next Winner!

Logan ate 8 bananas this week.

Speaking of bananas, I bought 6 extra ripe bananas at Dominick's for 24 cents.  So I did what any normal human being would do, I made mini banana muffins.  

There are 2 left...out of 36.  Joe likes mini muffins.  

I have discovered a strong passion for Starbucks VIA Iced Caramel Coffee.  

VIA and I have a date every morning.  It is glorious!

Logan's friend Caleb came over and we had a blast!  Later in the week we met Caleb and his mom at Once Upon A Child and I scored a Gap Vest, Puma shoes, Keen sandals for next summer, and brand new Camo Columbia boots!  All for $28.00. (The retail price on the boots alone is $40.00...Cha Ching!)

I purchased two very ugly bookcases from Joliet Yard Sales. 

I have some big plans for them. 

Oh and you can see my other project in this picture...2 end tables for my mom.  

I just started priming today!

This morning I made a Vegetable Cheese Strata!  It was so good!
Click here for the recipe.

(sidenote...I cut the recipe in half and used asparagus instead of broccoli.)

Tragically, I mourned the loss of 3 very dear friends yesterday.
CBS, ABC and WGN.  

All three channels have decided to vanish from my TV.
The TV just says "Poor Signal Quality".

 I am very sad. 

 What will I do without DWTS, Modern Family and the WGN morning news?  

 And don't worry...your computer screen does not need to be cleaned... the smudges below are on my TV!  Thanks Logan!

And finally, I will leave you with this video.  I bestow upon you a gift that I have had the pleasure of receiving all week long.  Due to the number of times I have seen the following video, my head replays glorious music over and over again!  I hope you enjoy...