Bread and Milk

As I sat this morning enjoying my breakfast, I was watching out the window and listening to the weatherman. Snow is on its way for today.

They can be calling for one inch or just a flurry and it turns into a big deal here in the Carolinas.
That means everyone will rush out to the stores to get bread and milk. The shelves will be empty so I'm glad I stocked up yesterday. I'm ready.

But have you ever wondered why people do this? What is it with the bread and milk combo?
Its quiet simple and actually a great idea.

• Everyone always has can foods and pantry items that keep for days. What everyone runs out of first is bread and milk. 
• The shelf life is short on both of these items and its the two things people always need the most. 
• Therefore store shelves will empty quick and what if the trucks cant get out quick enough to restock. Can those trucks really get stuck in the snow?
• People don't realize how much both of these items are consumed until its gone. I mean here I am with a breaded bagel and coffee with milk creamer. 
• When they say bread it can be crackers, cereal, biscuits, a loaf, buns, etc..
• Milk is needed for babies and children. 
• Milk is used in cooking and can also be used to make foods go further. It can be drank warm or cold. 
• And if it does snow, you will need it to make snow cream. Ha.
• If this was all the food you had, you could survive on either of these two items.

But Here is my theory:

I think it all goes back in time when milk was delivered and bread was made. Going out for bread meant they needed flour, cornbread, yeast, eggs and milk. Everyone knows, Grandma needed these items for nearly everything.

What I really wonder is why people don't rush out for toilet paper and coffee?

Pancake Muffins

Here comes another food post! 

Pancakes are one of my favorite breakfast foods. I've limited myself from them since I have been on a diet. When the cravings hit, I often resort to the healthier, gluten free, cardboard tasting, bland brand, healthy pancake option. And It worked.

Well, I've gone back to my favorite brand of Aunt Jemima buttermilk pancake mix. I learned that if I eat only what the serving suggest and not eat five at a time, I'll be fine. 

I like muffins too, so I found a way to have the best of both worlds. I seen this idea online somewhere but cant remember where. I didn't read how they were made either, I only saw a photo and figured out the rest on my own. Bingo!

Pancake Muffins

• 2/3 cup- Aunt Jemima complete pancake mix.
• Enough water to make a thick but pourable batter.
• Spray muffin pan with cooking spray.
• Pour in batter to fill each cup about 1/2 to 1/3 full.
• Add some fruit on top.
• Bake 350 degrees for 15 minutes

OK, so I'm not a recipe writer but I hope you can figure it out. Basically, just make a pancake mix of your choice and pour into muffin tins. 

Coat with butter if you wish and dip into your favorite syrup or sprinkle with powder sugar. There is a wide range of possibilities. So, explore, add new flavors, have fun with it.

I added a few blueberries to mine but next time I am going to try adding syrup into the batter before baking. This would make a great grab and go breakfast.

Whats great about this recipe is there are only 150 Calories in three muffins!!!! (same as three small pancakes).

Oh, and sugar free syrup is great!!

Poor Rich People

I don't know about you but i'm sick of hearing the "poor poor pitiful me" stories of those that say they are broke. If anybody is broke, its me. But not really. Sure I do not have any money to buy the things I want but I have the money to buy the things I need.

That's not poor. That's blessed.

People make themselves poor. For example:
They can't make that car payment because they choose to have an expensive vehicle.
They are behind on their house payment because they choose to have that new fancy cell phone.
They can't afford to buy groceries but choose to eat out twice a day.                 
They are getting well fare and food stamps but yet choose to keep having children.
They cant settle for nice clothes on sale at Old Navy, They have to have that name brand shirt from the mall.

I call these kind of people, "poor rich people" They are really rich and make themselves poor.

I know adults over thirty five that still live off their parents.
I know people that keep adopting pets but cant afford to get tires for their car.
I know people that choose to have their hair and nails done at an expensive salon but cant pay their power bill.
I've seen people borrow money from someone then turn around and buy that person an expensive present for their birthday or Christmas. ?? That really burns me.

Peoples priorities are just twisted. They let their wants come before their needs. Simple as that.

Someone once told me "Ya'll must be rich. Ya'll go to the beach 4 times a year, have a camper, put a child through college, and your car is almost paid off.

Dear that person;

My paycheck is smaller than yours. 25% check goes to pay my health insurance.
10% goes to tithe. and Lord knows how much goes to Uncle Sam.
I make sure we have enough food to get us through the week and we eat lots of leftovers.
We do not have a large screen TV. Just a small one that works fine. Nothing fancy.
My furniture is mostly used with the exception of our sofa and a recliner which we saved for months to have enough money to buy. We currently do not even have a bedroom set. But the mattresses on our bed frame is working fine until we can afford it. And ill mention too, its just a full size bed, not a King. The linens are cheaper that way and we love the closeness we get during sleep. 
We can go to the beach and stay in our camper for a week cheaper than two days at the Hilton hotel in which you think you have to stay at. Most of my clothes come from the Goodwill. A lot of them are name brand and I make sure they are cleaned. You never knew that huh? I found a great hair stylist that's not too expensive. Sometimes I color my gray myself with a box color and it works just fine and I do my nails myself unless Its for a special occasion. With the money I save on lesser needs, I am able to drive a nice car, not an expensive car, but a nice new one with low payments. Other than the car and house, our things are bought with money we save. It may take a while but its greatly appreciated when it happens. We do not allow ourselves to charge things we cant afford only to put us in too much debt to enjoy it. Also, we don't own pets. They can cost as much as children and they are more of an option. You say you wish you could have a new dress for church? How about this week you don't buy that outfit for your dog and get one for yourself instead.

Sincerely, 
Me

People choose their lifestyle but some need to live more simple. They let the world run their lives and spend to much time and money to keep up with it. Nobody is rich if they reflect on material things.
Rich is where your heart is not your pocketbook.

Keep Pounding

"Keep Pounding"

That's the motto around here theses past few month. Our very own team here is Charlotte made it to the Superbowl 50. They will be playing against the Denver Broncos which obviously is a good team as well. We finished the season with only one loss. That's pretty darn good.

Everywhere you look, the streets are vending with Panther merchandise and the stores are over flowing with memorabilia. This is what our city looked like during a pep rally and send off party for the team last week.

This was a week day. Where do these people work??? or Do they?

We do not have any plans for a Superbowl party but some friends have invited us over to watch the game. However, We will probably just sit here in the comfort of our home snuggled together in the den.
Nick and I are not big football fans but we get excited when our own team makes it to the top. 

Despite the diet, I wanted to bake something for the occasion. I had an idea for a Panthers themed pound cake. I called it "Keep POUNDing Cake". Its a regular pound cake with a swirl of jello powder layered in the middle. The Jello turns into a sweet center. Blue of course. I wish I had added more Jello center than I did. 

I will not be eating all of this cake. We are actually choosing a healthier snack of veggies, but I plan to take a couple pieces of this cake for Nick and I to enjoy and give the rest to my daughter so she can share it at her own Superbowl gathering. 

The wins have been good for my Etsy business too. I've kept busy making Carolina Panther inspired hats for several customers requesting them before the big game. I made some baby hats, adult hats and even dog hats.

Mission accomplished. I'm all caught up and they are all in the hands of those fans (or should I say heads). Now I plan to sit back in my new recliner and enjoy the game or should I say commercials.

Who do you think will win the Super Bowl? And how are you celebrating?

Congratulations Carolina Panthers for making it this far !! 

Keep Pounding !!

My Vintage Obsession

During the cold Winter days I tend to keep myself cooped up inside a lot. Then there are Saturdays and Sundays. Ahh the two days a week I don't have to worry about getting up and going to work.

Me and Nick will often take a trip to the antique malls and thrift stores on the weekends. I've learned something about myself the past year or so by going to these places. I have an obsession with vintage tea towels and table cloths along with the addiction to vintage Corningware, and Pyrex.

It's sort of a weird obsession too. Like, I do not want someone else to give it to me. I like to find it. Like looking for treasure. I'll grab a piece from a pile of junk before I take a piece included in a whole collection. Its when I find that one bowl or one cup marked below its value that catches my eye and I have to have it.

I like going to estate sales of homes that have been occupied for years. That's where I can find the the good stuff. I had a few given to me from my late Father-in-law and Mother-in-law. Something about the worn out look and softness of the old tea towels that I just love. I do not mind the tiny tea and coffee stains. Nor do I mind the tiny holes and frayed edges of most. Each one has its own story.

The other day at the Goodwill, there were shelves and shelves of coffee cups. The sign said .49 cent. One cup caught my eye. I immediately took it from the pile of unwanted mugs.

Of course, it was "crown corning". Like I really need any more cups, I had to have it. Those are rarely a find in thrift stores. I brought this cutie home and gave it a good sterile wash and now she sparkles.

Its one of my favorites while my husband enjoys drinking form his collection of Fire King mugs handed down from his grandparents and parents.

What are some of your favorite treasures or obsessions?


This post was featured at megaestatesales.com/101-reasons-to-love-estate-sales

Nutritsystem-One Year Later

Well Its been a little over a year now since I started Nutrisystem.

You can read about my whole journey here.
I reached my goal within about 5 months of being on the program. I have lost a total of 50 lbs. I do not do any excessive exercise. I just try to get at least 9k steps in each day and sometimes will resort to my hula hoop (unless dancing in the car counts).

Im still on the program and have my foods shipped to me each month. I love that advantage. I go online before the ship date, and choose all the meals I want from the menu. Its like I have my own little chef.  I do the "weekends on my own" plan. That's where they only send me enough food to eat five days a week and gives me two days off. I would like to eventually stop Nutrisystem all together but I do not trust myself right now to eat right on my own. Besides Nutrisystem is actually cheaper in the long run. A lot of foods bought at the grocery store go bad before I can get it all eat. And the healthy foods seem to be so expensive. However, I do still have to buy some veggies to eat daily as those are not included in the shipment.

My husband does not mind that I have my own food plan. We spend hardly any money for his foods at the grocery store. He eats lots of salads, nuts and other healthy choices while also cooking up nutritious suppers for himself. Sometimes I will swap out my Nutrisystem dinner if he cooks something that's fits along with my diet.

I see where people have lost over 100 lbs. on Nutrisystem. I admire those people for their dedication and hard work. The more weight you need to loose, the easier it is to loose. I needed to loose only 30 lbs., I did it in seven months. Someone who needs to loose more can do it in two to four months. Its weird. Now that im at 118 lbs., I can't seem to loose any more. My weight is staying between 118 and 120. That's ok with me.  This Summer I can get back to more outside exercise and get out of hibernation.

I will probably stay on Nutrisystem until I actually can't stand it anymore or can no longer afford it, but right now I still like all the foods and convenience. My yearly physical was great. All my tubes and pipes are working like they should and I feel good all the time. I look forward to a full summer with a slimmer body. My plan now is to firm and tone up.

That Spot

I grew up in a little Baptist church on the West side of town. It was old and parts of it were dilapidated. However, new parts were added years before my time. I grew up in this church from the day I was born. I even took my own daughter to this church from the very first Sunday after she was born. My parents made sure we went every Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesdays. It's where I attended many youth lock-ins, choir practices, Sunday school, Mission Friends and Acteens. Where I giggled with my friends during service and played under the pews when I was bored (later resulting in spankings when I got home).

A few years back (ok it was like 20 years ago but don't do the math). the building was sold and the church moved to a new built location where I still attend service every week with my parents by my side.

The old church building is now a furniture store. Its still looks the same from the road. I have been shopping for a new recliner and the furniture store that took over is one that we have bought furniture from in the past. As we walk in the doors, I could smell right past the leather and suede of the new fabrics to that certain smell in the air of my old church. The dense smell brought back a lot of memories.

We walked around and went to an area of furniture that was in what used to be the fellowship hall. I could vision in my mind my mom and other ladies in the church standing in there preparing for many covered dish dinners or baby and wedding showers. We left that area, not sure I even took notice any of the new furniture. We walked down the hallway to what used to be the sanctuary. As I stood in the back of the store, or was it the front of the store? I look down toward where the alter once stood.

It was that spot...Right there.

That spot where I publicly accepted Jesus as my savior  and looking up to where I was then baptized.
Where my family and I sang with the choir. yes I actually used to sing in the "youth" choir.
That spot where I performed many Christmas and Easter plays.
Where we had a baby dedication for my daughter.
That spot where my daughter performed in dances and musicals.
That spot where the Lord Supper (communion) was served. I remember how all the kids would sneak up there after service and finish off all the juice from those tiny teaspoon size cups. 
That spot where my Daddy gave me away and me and Nick got married.

and it was THIS spot that ........
....
....
....

I bought my first recliner!!! Yes, after searching many locations for the right one...There it was,
IN "THAT SPOT".

Oh yea, its pretty nice with a seat  heater and massager. Just what I need when my muscle spasm start up in my back. I ordered it in a different color. Besides, I didn't want the one off the floor that everyone else has already tried out. It should be here is a couple weeks.

This was another goal accomplished in 2016.