Orange Oatmeal Cake

My Mom often made this cake when we were growing up - and now I love to make it for my family! The smell this cake makes when it is baking is the epitome of Fall!

1 1/2 c. orange juice
1 c. oats
1/2 c. (1 stick) margarine
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 3/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Bring orange juice to a boil and pour over oats; set aside. Cream margarine and sugars until light. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon and add to egg mixture alternately with oat mixture. Stir in nuts and pour into greased 9" x 13" pan. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until done. While still slightly warm, top with orange glaze. (Add orange juice to 1 1/4 c. powdered sugar until spreadable consistency.)

Freebies!

I simply LOVE getting things for free! It is exhilirating to go shopping and come home and tell David all the things I got free ~ and I wanted to pass this on so that maybe some of you can take of advantage of the free deals as well. There is no need to guess today how much I spent on all of this as I only paid tax on every item.

Have you discovered Freebie Friday's yet? This is such a great list of free samples and things - I love going through and signing up for the free items. Thanks, Amy, for compiling such a great list each week!

Now, for the deals:

Walgreens Easy Saver Catalog:
* Rayovac Batteries (on sale this week for $3) - $3 Rebate
* Playtex - free with rebate; when I purchased these a checkout coupon for a free box of Tampax Pearl printed out as well so I can get those next time
* Oral B Toothbrush - free with rebate
* Fructis shampoo or conditioner (Family Size bottle) - free with rebate
* NutriPals snack bars - free with rebate
* Sucrets Defense (on sale this week for $4.99) - $4.99 rebate

Other:
* Nestle's Good Start baby formula - I receive $11.00 checks in the mail from them about once a month. This check is good on either type of formula, but I have been getting this can because the other one is over $11.00. The entire $11.00 is taken off your bill even if the formula is less - so in this case, I got the 12-pack of Coke "free" with what was left after buying the formula. I don't use formula, but I like to donate it to the local Women's Center or Children's Shelter to help others. Here is how you can sign up for Nestle's promotion.
* Banquet Pot Pie - buy three, get one free coupon in Sunday newspaper three weeks ago. Each box came with a game of free bowling as well!
* Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal - do you get this magazine yet? It is completely free and you can sign up to receive periodic opinion polls from them. Recently I filled one out and got a coupon in the mail for a free box of cereal!
* Banquet Drumstick - look for the "Try Me Free" package and follow rebate instructions on the bottom of the bag. I discovered this by reading the fine print in the Sunday paper recently.
* Banquet Crock Pot Meal - look for the "Try Me Free" package and follow rebate instructions. I read this rebate very carefully and this one is a separate rebate from the Drumstick rebate - so I can do both.
* Juicy Juice - my aunt (the Queen of Bargains!) gave me two free coupons for this. She is a teacher and I think she got the coupons from something at school. I got this juice for the Harvest Party coming up!
* Orajel Kids Sore Throat Strips - coupon and rebate in the Sunday paper three weeks ago.
* Hunt's Ketchup - coupon and rebate in the Sunday paper three weeks ago.

Several of these rebates offer you a cash refund or a big sum of coupons. I'm going to choose the cash refund. I love to get little refund checks in the mail and I find that this is a great way to build up Emily and Rachel's savings accounts (I learned this from my Mom!). Basically since I have already spent the few dollars on the item, and have to wait for the rebate - I don't miss it as much and when I get the check in the mail - it is easy to deposit one into each account. Every little bit helps and it adds up more quickly than I thought!

Previous thoughts on rebates.

Generations

Here are our recent family pictures:

FIVE GENERATIONS!
Great-Grandma Memee (Emily) age 99
Grandma
Mom
Monica and Carrie (my sister)
Emily, Rachel, and Baby Boy (Emily and Rachel's first cousin!) expected December 2006

Grandpa & Grammie, David & Monica, Eric & Carrie, Emily & Rachel

Grammie and her sweet girls!

Me with Emily and Rachel!

Baby Shower Ideas

I haven't planned a baby shower in a long time, but am excited that we were able to have one for my sister while in St. Louis...a treat since none of us live in the same state!

Anyway, her nursery theme is stripes and dots and I've been researching cute and fun ideas to use at her shower. I just had to share some of these links to shower themes on Martha Stewart's website. There are so many cute ideas!

Here were some of my favorite ideas I saw:
French Countryside Theme
Polka-Dot Theme
Alphabet Theme
Pink Theme
Napkin Rings
Shirt Pocket Quilt
Story-Telling Tape

I'll be sharing what we did at her shower in separate posts - keep reading!

Pasta Fagioli Soup

I posted this recipe a long time ago on another blog - but decided to post it again for all of you! This is David's favorite meal! He loves to order this soup when we go to the Olive Garden, but thanks to Google search, we can now make it at home and you can too!

1 lb. ground beef, browned and drained
1 onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
2 cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can red kidney beans, drained
1 can Great Northern beans, drained
4 1/2 cups beef stock
3 tspn. Italian seasoning
2 tspn. pepper
5 tspn. parsley
1 jar spaghetti sauce
4-8 oz. pasta (depending on taste)

Put everything except the pasta in a stock pot or crock pot and simmer for several hours. About 30 minutes before serving, cook pasta according to package directions and stir in to soup!

This is delicious with homemade French Bread!

Our Trip!

Yes, I still exist ~ I simply did not have time to post these last days. But, what a lovely time with family!

Here are some highlights:
~ A trip to the zoo with Emily (can't wait to share pix!)
~ A visit to one of my favorite stores!
~ A five-generation photo! (link to come)
~ Our traditional lunch here.
~ A Baby Shower for my sister! (pix and ideas to come)
~ A great night at Busch stadium - where the Cardinal's won 10-5!
~ Brunch together at the Bevo Mill.
~ A visit with all the ladies of Half Pint House! (I did not bring my camera, so you'll have to visit her blog for photos!)
~ Listening to my 99-year-old great-grandma talking about her life and capturing it on video!
~ Being together as a family!
~ I don't love this stuff - but everyone else seems too! A tradition in St. Louis!

Pictures to come!

Homespun Harvest

Well, we are almost finished with this series on a Homespun Harvest Gathering...it has been so fun! This time we're looking at decorating - tablecloths, pumpkins, and corn are obvious choices. Here are pictures of things I've done in the past:

Hollow out a small pumpkin and use as a vase! These flowers are all from our yard.

Old thermoses make great vases also - this one from a thrift store holds colored leaves and berries.


Plant Fall colors in containers for a welcoming look on the porch!

A couple of you shared some ideas too which were:

- Grace suggested bales of hay, scarecrow, and mums gathered together for a cute and homey porch display
- Shirley suggested using a pumpkin shell to serve a stew! She also said she uses a cornucopia for a table centerpiece and puts either Fall flowers or fruits and veggies in it.

Previously:
Planning, Goals, and Invitations
Activities and Games
Food and Drink

We're Off!

We're flying to St. Louis today for a week to visit family and friends! There will be FIVE generations of my family together this week - what an incredible blessing! I'm hoping to continue posting and will be excited to share photos when we get back.

Works for Her!

I seem to be completely out of ideas that work for me! I have shared everything I can think of - so my mother-in-law has passed on a tip that really worked for her. I did not know it was a "Classic" WMFW until I already had this ready, so here you go:

My father-in-law was in the Navy for years and these patches came off of several jackets that were just hanging in the closet and never being worn. So, she took the patches off and mounted them on Sticky Board (available at craft supply stores) and put the whole thing in a frame. She says that when her boys saw this for the first time, they both said, "I want that!". What a great way to honor his achievements in a visible way!

Decorating for Fall: Wreath

Here is a simple and very homespun looking wreath for Fall! I found these berry garlands on a 75% off clearance last year at Michaels and used a 40% off coupon for the grapevine wreath, so it was also very economical! I like it so much, that I just might leave it up all year except for when my Christmas wreath is up!

To make: start with a grapevine wreath. I used two berry garlands and wrapped them around the wreath twisting ends tightly to secure. That is it! Hang on your door and enjoy!

Sites of Note

* My Mom reminded me about this website yesterday! I have just been looking at the wonderful Christmas ideas and organizing tips here and wanted to share it! Enjoy!

* This Saturday is Quilt Pink day where many quilting shops across the nation are sponsoring a quilting day to raise money for Breast Cancer Research. Here is a listing of participating quilt shops - you can stop by and make a quilt square to be sewn into a larger quilt which will be auctioned off! What a fun idea!

Sleepyland

When Emily was a newborn, we dreamed of the night she would sleep all night! So, we devised an idea that we would have a party when she did! This birthed a family tradition which was continued this weekend for Rachel! She slept through the night on Friday night and Saturday we had her party!

We crowned her the Princess of Sleepyland using the same crown I had made for Emily! It has moons and stars colored on a piece of cardstock stapled together. (Put a piece of tape over the staple to protect the princess's head!)

We ate moon and star shaped sandwiches!

And, we listened to lullaby music while reading The Sleep Book by Dr. Seuss!

Yeah, Rachel!

More Than I "Bargained" For

Remember this great deal? Well, today it just got better! Thanks to my husband, who reads the news - he found out that the tool bench has two plastic nails that are under a safety recall - so Playskool is sending me an envelope and shipping tag to return them. When they receive them, they will send me a $50 gift certificate to be used at one of their affiliate companies! There seems to be no limit to God's creativity when it comes to providing for this family! I plan to use the certificate for more Christmas shopping!

Welcome Autumn!

Since tomorrow is the First Day of Autumn, I decided to do something fun! I made these leaf-shaped sugar cookies and will package a few in a clear bag and tie on the following poem. I plan to deliver them tomorrow! Feel free to use the poem to bring an autumn welcome to someone you know as well! I wrote the poem while fixing dinner the other night as I could not find a poem that seemed exactly what I wanted to say! I thought another fun idea would be to fix a fall-breakfast for tomorrow morning. Choose a fall-theme menu and create a new tradition, by making the same thing each year on the First Day of Autumn! I have a maple leaf shaped pancake mold - so I think I'll make those for our new tradition!

Watch as the leaves gently fall down

Red, orange, gold and even brown.

Pumpkins, corn and apples too

A sign that summer now is through.

The colors, the smells, the cooling weather,

A cozy home ~ there’s nothing better!

This is the season for giving thanks

For great bounty, we celebrate.

Cider, soup or a pie in the oven,

This wonderful season ~ we call Autumn!

Happy First Day of Autumn!

Homespun Harvest

Continuing this series, we look at the food and drink options for our Harvest Gathering. I decided to have a picnic lunch after all the games and activities. So, our food is pretty easy as everyone will be bringing their own lunch. However, I am provided beverages and dessert - so here is what I'm thinking of:

Apples and Dips: When each guest bobs for their apple - I'd like to provide utensils to cut them (with mom-supervision of course!) and goodies to go with - like caramel, peanut butter, and this great dip: one 8-oz. package cream cheese, 5-6 Tbsp. brown sugar and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon mixed well. Yummy!

Chocolate Pumpkin Cupcakes (from Country Living October 2005)

2 1/2 c. and 2 Tbsp. flour
1 c. and 2 Tbsp. cocoa
2 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 c. buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
5 large eggs
1 Tbsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 c. pumpkin
2 1/4 sticks unsalted butter
1 1/2 c. granulated sugar

Sift flour, cocoa, soda, powder and spices together. Beat butter and sugar in another bowl until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time and beat until mixture is smooth and light. Mix together buttermilk, pumpkin and vanilla. Alternately add the flour mixture and buttermilk mixture blending well after each addition. Divide the batter into muffin tins and bake at 375 for about 22 minutes. Makes 36 cupcakes.

*As mentioned in the previous post - we will be using these for our dessert and to give away. So, I will be providing the cupcakes, orange (colored, not flavored) frosting, and sprinkles to decorate with.

Drinks: since many children will be present, I want to keep the options kid-friendly. I am thinking water and a variety of juices in a big tub of ice. For the moms - I'd like to offer this:

Hot Caramel Apple Cider (from the 2006 Gooseberry Patch Calendar)

1 gallon apple cider
1 pkg. mulling spices
12-oz. jar caramel ice cream topping
1 c. whipping cream
2 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Garnish: cinnamon sticks and nutmeg

Heat cider and mulling spices as directed on spice package. When heated, pour into individual cups and top with one teaspoon caramel topping; stir to dissolve. Place whipping cream and sugar in a bowl; add vanilla. Using an electric mixer, blend until soft peaks form. Add a dollop to each mug of cider; garnsih with a cinnamon stick and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Serves 30.

* I plan to use my crock-pot outside to keep this hot. As for the whipped cream - I was thinking of making these in advance and just letting everyone scoop one onto their mug. Also, I am not sure where to find mulling spice packages, so came across this recipe that I think I will use instead for the spice part.

Previously: Planning, Goals, and Invitations
Activities & Games
Next time: Decorating

Peace

Recently I've been reading here and here about routine - and it has gotten me to thinking back to when Emily was a little baby.

I LOVE routine - I am so much more productive, more peaceful, and happier when I have a routine to follow. This is not to say that there is no room for flexibility - I'm just saying that the norm is some kind of routine.

Before Emily was born, I was very gung-ho on getting her on a routine, it all sounded so easy in theory. And, I was praying about this routine and reading God's Word and came across this:

"What shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two-or at the most three - should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speakers should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of the prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

... But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."

I Corinthians 14:26-33 and 40

Ok, now I'm not wanting to get into any kind of debate about prophecy or speaking in tongues. But, this is what this passage spoke to my heart when I really needed it. God desires order in worship - chaos does not aid anyone in worship. He is desiring multiple people to be involved in the worship, but in a way that brings about order and peace.

What God spoke to my heart was that since order was so important in His house (the church), He desires to create order in my home as well. I knew then that I could pray about routine and peace in my home and be praying in accordance with His will for our family.

And, now - two years later, I can truly testify to His faithfulness in this area for our home. His peace has dwelt here faithfully and I am continually thankful for that! I am thankful for the comfort of the statement that He is a God of peace and not chaos!

Home

"Home! ... how much it all meant to him, and the special value of some such anchorage in one's existence... It was good to think he had this to come back to, this place which was all his own, these things which were so glad to see him again and could always be counted upon for the same simple welcome." ~ Kenneth Grahame, The Wind In The Willows

"Home is where the heart is,
The soul's bright guiding star.
Home is where real love is,
Where our own dear ones are.
Home means someone waiting
To give a welcome smile.
Home means peace and joy and rest
And everything worthwhile."
~ Anonymous

Contest!

Susie of Bluebird Blogs is hosting another drawing for two free blog designs! Make sure to enter - she does an awesome job of designing neat blogs! Thanks for the tip, Amy!

Decorating for Fall: Corn

Dried ears of corn work great for Fall decorating - here are some ideas for using them:

Tie together around the cob and display on a coffee table (I got these at a yard sale)!


Tie together around the husks and stand on a dresser or table.


Stand a bunch that are tied together in a wide-mouth canning jar! Raffia is a natural choice for tying them together as it blends in with the husks so well and looks very appropriate for Fall!

I Wish...

... I could go to this. Doesn't that look so fun?! But, I will be happy to be in St. Louis that weekend visiting family and friends!