Grocery List Fail

I'm always making grocery lists.  But there always seems to be items that I can't remember to buy or get on the list, but then the store doesn't have the item.  Here are some of this weeks items!

Natural Apple Sauce
Maple Syrup
Corn Meal
Buckwheat Flour
Vanilla Extract

Beef Vegetable Soup

 
Beef Vegetable Soup

2 pounds beef (neck bones, other misc cuts)
1 onion chopped
2 stalks celery chopped (I substitute carrots)
1 bay leaf
1 TBS Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 cups V8
2 16oz cans diced tomatoes
4 cups frozen mixed vegetables

Add all but frozen veggies to crock pot. Cook for 4 hours on high, add veggies and cook high for 1 more hour, or until beef falls off the bone. I remove beef and tear off the bones. Also remove bay leaf. Serve with corn bread. Yum

Homemade Chicken Soup

 
Chicken Soup

3 pound chicken
4 cups water
1/2 chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery (I substitute carrots)
2 chicken bouillon cubes
Salt to taste
16 pepper corns
1 cup noodles or rice
2 bay leaves

Brown chicken
Brown onions
add everything but noodles or rice
Cook for 4 hours add noodles and cook for 30 minutes

Why I love to nurse my toddler

That's right Toddler!  I know I'm so UN-American but it is so wonderful I had to share some of the reasons why!

• Fussy - put her on the boob for a few minutes and then she is a happy, content child again.
• Hurts - nursing is a pain reliever
• Sucking - I don't have to mess with pacifiers, or her sucking her thumbs, she is able to fulfill that need during our nursing sessions.
• Food - I don't worry about how much she ate and when.  She eats often but I know everyday she is getting "good" food when she nurses.
• Sleep - So easy to put her to sleep!  No crying, going to be is a happy time at our house.
• Sick - When she is sick, nursing helps me keep her hydrated and feed when she wont eat anything else.
• Sick - We don't get sick that often and when we do it is very mild!  Thanks to all those immunities in breast milk.
• Calm - Nursing releases hormones, when I'm grumpy and she is too, a few minutes of nursing and all is right with the world again.

This list could go on and on!  SO many wonderful benefits!

Homemade Items I'm not so sure about...

So far there have been a few things that I've made homemade that I'm not so sure about.

• Baking Soda 'Shampoo'
• Chap stick
• Dishwasher soap
• Laundry soap
• Eye Cream
• Tomato Soup
• Apple Cider Vinegar

Have you tried something homemade that didn't turn out well?

Thanksgiving Memories

I thought I'd look back and list some of my Thanksgiving Memories.

• Eating spinach at Granny's - almost couldn't get it down
• Walking on a beach  - watching surfers
• Aunt spilling a whole pumpkin pie in the oven
• Pecan Pie - Papa Al eating it by himself, making it for the first time by myself
• Crowded around the table at our house on Dennie Court
• Mom making a list of what we had at the meal
• Visiting my in-laws finding out they don't always have turkey!
• Watching football
• Playing video games and eating turkey dinner for 3 days straight (yes for breakfast, lunch and dinner!)
• Eating dinner at Spanish Moss

What are some of your memories for this wonderful holiday?

Homemade Items I LOVE

I have been on a homemade kick and these are the items I love so much I will never go back to store bought!

• Lotions (hand salve, and body lotion)
• Sugar Scrub
• Deodorant
• Vinegar as a laundry softener
• Toilet Cleaner
• Shower Cleaner
• Granola Bars
• Kettle Corn
• Chicken Noodle Soup
• Beef Veggie Soup

Are there things you make homemade that are better than anything you could get at the store?