Friday, July 31, 2009
SIMPLE SOLUTIONS for A REAL SIMPLE LIFE!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
COOKING WITH HERBS TIP!
Do you really know how to cook with herbs? I didn't! I want to share a wonderful tip with you that I have learned.
Fresh herbs are always better, but Dried Herbs are just as good! Usually dried herbs are almost always what I have in my pantry!
Here's the Tip:
For instance, you are making Spaghetti sauce, when you are browning your meat you will want to take your herbs (i.e., Italian Seasoning, Basil, etc.) and add 1/2 of them. If using fresh herbs just chop finely and add. All the aroma and seasoning will seep out as you are chopping. ***If using dried herbs instead of just dumping the seasoning in from the bottle (like I used to do), you will want to pour the seasoning (remember 1/2 of the total amount you will use) into the palm of your hand and gently rub your palms together before adding to your sauce. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP...because it releases the oils and aromas from the dried herbs. **** Now when your meat is browned and you are adding your sauce go ahead and add the remaining seasonings as stated above.
I was amazed, but this really works.
Enjoy and ~
Happy Cooking!
Karina
SNEAK PEEK - CULVERS FLAVORS FOR AUGUST
SEVEN (7) STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL GARAGE SALE
By: Karina Struven
Now that summer is here you might have some free time to use up. You an start by turning your "hidden treasures," into some money-making time -- by hosting a garage/yard sale. I know from experience, that a garage sale is a Fantastic way to purge your home from all of those "hidden treasures" -- as well as, make some extra needed cash. So come on, get up and start purging that house, clear out the closets and cash in on some of your "hidden treasures."
By following these short steps you an obtain garage sale success:
1. Pick a date that works best for you and where you live. I've noticed that in my neighborhood, Thursday is the best day. While Friday is slower. See if your neighborhood is hosting a multi-sale and if you want to join your neighbors, you might attract more traffic to your sale.
2. Sort and organize all of your "treasures." Even though this might be more time consuming, it is definitely worth it! Make sure that everything has all their parts and that everything is in working order. Be sure to wash old clothes and toys -- display them easily for people to browse through your selection. After all, nobody wants to purchase dirty-dusty items.
3. Price all merchandise. I did this by creating a price list very easily on my computer. After printing off the list, I then cut it into either rectangles and/or circle shapes and labeled every item with tape. Not only is this a neat, clean and pretty presentation; it saved me time having to repeat the prices to customers. REMEMBER: be reasonable on your pricing. If grouping items, make sure your price is clear -- (set of 4 for $5.00, etc.)
4. Advertise your Sale. If you are fortunate enough to live off of a busy highway and/or main artery in your town, that can save you tons of advertising money. But if you do not, by all means, utilize the garage sale advertisers in your area. The most avid garage sale shoppers do check the weekly ads, both in the paper and online. When using signs to advertise your sale, make sure they are marked appropriately and clearly. There is nothing worse than a confusing sign to a passerby. Mark your sign with the following: Time, Date, Location, Directions (an arrow), Hours and Specials.
5. Be Prepared! This is so important for your own piece of mind because on the day of the sale most likely you are going to have "early birds." Have your money ready and safely hidden. You should start with at least $5 in small coin; $15 in singles; and $10 in fives. Also make sure that you provide used grocery store bags so that your eager shoppers can carry away their new found treasures. This is also a great way to recycle those unwanted bags.
6. At the end of the day! Hopefully you have had a successful day and now it is time to call it quits, but you probably have leftover items. Now what? Box them up right away! Do not bring them back into your house. Either keep them right in your garage for another quick sale and/or donate all of these "leftover treasures" to a local charity, shelter, and/or thrift store. REMEMBER: "One man's junk is another man's treasure."
7. CHA-CHING! Count your new made moolah and head to the bank!
Happy Selling,
Karina Struven
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karina_Struven
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
HOMEMADE DOG TREATS
HOMEMADE DOG TREATS!
Tired of the expense of dog biscuits, but still want to treat your "babies"? I make a variety of drop biscuits using flour, meat broth of some kind, a little corn meal, an egg and enough milk to make it "droppable" onto a greased cookie sheet. Sometimes I use ketchup and powdered parmesan- those are favorites! I drop them by spoonful, not too big, and bake them at about 300 degrees until crunchy (turning them over helps, and then leave them in the oven after you turn it off for additional crunch.) They turn out differently every time, but my dogs go crazy when they hear the oven timer go off! ~ By Lee Ann from SC
Thanks Lee Ann for this great tip on saving money
GUILTLESS POTATO SALAD
1 1/2 lb small red potatoes, halved
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ULTRA FOODS GROCERY STORE
We always here about Strack and VanTil savings; CVS; Walgreens and more! BUT, I have found ULTRA FOODS in Highland, Indiana a wonderful savings place. Did you know that Ultra Foods is the overstocked budget store of Strack and VanTill? I just found that one out.
Check it out for yourself.
Here is their website:
http://www.ultra-foods.com/
Happy Shopping~
CHICKEN and PINEAPPLE PINWHEEL
Ingredients:
2 large can chicken salad
Mayonnaise
1/4 c. Pineapple tidbits (or to your liking)
1 Cup of Shredded Monterrey Jack Cheese
Fresh Parsley
2 Cans of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
Combine:
In a mixing bowl the 2 Cans of Chicken with Mayo until moistened. Then add your pineapple, cheese and fresh parsley and stir! Set this mixture to the side while you open the crescent cans.
- Take a cookie sheet and spray with PAM.....Then take the crescent dough and form 2 crescents together into a large rectangle.
- Layer the chicken mixture (about 1-1/2 tbsp.) in the center of your rectangle.
- Then fold the 4 sides (each corner) to the center the of the mixture and seal. It will kind-of-look-like a pinwheel, hence the name.
- Bake @ 375 degrees for approximately 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown!
- Serving size: about 8 chicken pinwheels.
Delicious and Enjoy!
COME CHAT WITH US!
I find after all my reading, that nowadays Moms are online more than any other generation before. This is definitely the new age of 'technology' and connecting through blogs. Most of us are sooooo busy with our family life that our only outlet is blogging and keeping posted with people any time of day that way.
I know myself I am longing for deeper connections, with likeminded frugalistas! Therefore, I have decided to make a community and I can do that easily with theblogfrog.
So come and bring with you ideas, bargains, deals, news and more with you to share with all of us!
Look for my Community Link on the lefthand side of this blog and hop on the to the pond with me!
I am hoping that Karina's Garden of Grace forum will be a place where you may sit and come and share your hearts desires, deals and stories!
Hop On Over Now and Join the Community!
Monday, July 27, 2009
JUDGMENT VERSUS GRACE ~ Isaiah 26:9-10
Key Verse(s): Isaiah 26:9-10
The Lord continually offers us Grace, but at times we still need his Judgment. That may sound contradictory, but often times we take God's Grace for granted. Hardship and discipline catch our attention and cause us to change our sinful ways and grow in righteousness. Hebrews 12:11 explains: "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Judgment requires discipline and discipline creates righteousness. Viewed this way, judgment can be seen as a type of Grace! A Grace that is Greater than all our Sin!
By His Grace,
Karina
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Click to be taken to the websites:
Ice Cream Cookiewiches: Recipes - NESTLÉ® Meals.com
You will love the convenience of making this delicious ice cream treat!
Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 10 mins
Cooling Time: 1 hr freezing
Servings: 20 sandwiches
1 pkg. (16.5 oz.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Mini Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar Dough or NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Refrigerated Mini Brownie Bites Bar Dough *
1 1/2 to 2 cups Vanilla, Chocolate Chip Mint or any other flavor DREYER’S® or EDY’S® SLOW CHURNED™ Light Ice Cream, slightly softened
PREPARE cookies according to package directions. Cool on baking sheets for 1 minute; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
PLACE 1 tablespoon ice cream on flat side of 1 cookie; top with flat side of second cookie to make a sandwich. Wrap each tightly in plastic wrap or place in freezeable container. Repeat with remaining cookies and ice cream. Freeze for at least 1 hour before serving. Let stand at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving.
* VARIATION: Make a platter of these sandwiches by baking up a few packages of our refrigerated Mini Cookie Bar Doughs and use a variety of DREYER’S or EDY’S SLOW CHURNED Light Ice Cream products.
NUTRITION FACTS:
Calories: 120 Calories from Fat: 50 Total Fat: 6 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g Cholesterol: 15 mg Sodium: 95 mg
Carbohydrates: 16 g Dietary Fiber: 0 g Sugars: 10 g
Protein: 1 g"
MINI BROWNIE ICE CREAM SANDWICHES
Preparation Time: 15 mins
1 package (16 ounces) NESTLÉ TOLL HOUSE Refrigerated Mini Brownie Bites Bar Dough, prepared according to package directions 1 1/4 cups Vanilla BREYER'S or EDY'S SLOW CHURNED Light Ice Cream, softened 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint.
Friday, July 24, 2009
SERIOUSLY FREE STUFF
It is FRIDAY and time to get your FREE Samples and more! Click the link above and claim your FREEBIES!
Happy Saving,
Karina's Garden of Grace
BACK TO SCHOOL LINKS
BLUEBERRY MUFFIN RECIPE
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
OVER 2,000 FREE PRODUCTS
While surfing the web today I found a wonderful site to share with you!
CVS Coupon Booklets Coming Soon
As of August 1, you should be able to snag a coupon booklet from your CVS Pharmacy full of some great coupons. Simply ask about the Autorefill program at the pharmacy counter and they should give it to you. It contains the following coupons:
- (two) $4 off $20 purchase (yay!)
- $4 off $20 Diet or Nutrition products
- $4 off $20 Facial Skin products
- $2 off $10 Vitamin purchase
- $2 off $10 Allergy products
- $2 off $10 Oral Care products
- $3 off $12 Eye Care products
The word is that some people have already found this booklet near the pharmacy area. I recommend grabbing several if you can–or at least one from each CVS you shop at!
Happy Shopping,
Karina's Garden of Grace
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
KARINA'S DAILY TIP
"Re-use those plastic food containers!"
One thing I do not enjoy doing is opening up those shredded cheese bags and crouton bags and never being able to reseal them! (only cause the kids rip um open)!
Know what I mean :-0)
So, I finally got smart! I have started to keep my Kraft grated parmesan cheese ~plastic containers with the green snap lid. Airtight I might add!
I washed them out, and now I have containers to hold my cheese, croutons, sliced almonds, bacon bits, and much more! At mealtime, it is easy as 1-2-3 to set them on the table...especially on taco and/or salad night."
I STAND IN AWE OF YOU JESUS!
"I Stand in Awe of God"
Verse 1: Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.
Verse 2: Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
Verse 3: As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words.
Verse 4: When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.
Verse 5: It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.
Verse 6: Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, "My vow was a mistake." Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?
Verse 7: Much dreaming and many words are meaningless.
Therefore stand in awe of God ~ My Jesus!
Graciously Yours,
Karina's Garden of Grace<>
Sunday, July 19, 2009
SWAGBUCKS ~ JOIN NOW!
FREE CHOCOLATE FRIDAY!
"This promo has been going on a couple of weeks. A few days ago I got my first coupon for free chocolate. What could be better??
Every Friday from now through September ~ starting at 9:00 a.m. ET ~ the first 500,000 people to sign up here will get a voucher for your favorite Mars product. Products include: M&M, Snickers, Twix, Dove, 3 Musketeers or Milky Way. There is a limit of 4 per household during the promo."
Monday, July 13, 2009
DAILY QUOTE
"A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows."
Sunday, July 12, 2009
SEARCH THE INTERNET
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Doing a ton of searches, or clicking on search results, will not increase your chances of winning in any way."
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Happy Surfing Everyone!
Karina's Garden of Grace
NEW HOME CONSIGNMENT SHOP - Northwest Indiana
NEW HOME CONSIGNMENT SHOP ~ Cedar Lake, Indiana
There is a new Home Consignment store that just opened up in Cedar Lake, Indiana ~~ off of Rte. 41 (Indianapolis/Wicker Avenue). It is called...."Not Too Shabby."
A girlfriend of mine checked it out already and says "it's a darling little shop with mostly second-hand, some new home decor. There is some jewelry, some furniture, and a small amount of clothing as well. It's a great shop for little gifts or if you feel like you need a decorating "fix" but don't want to spend too much...it's the perfect place!"
Days Open: Wed, Thurs., Fri., and Sat.
Hours: Unknown (call ahead of time)!
Here is the Location Information:
Not Too Shabby
Home Decor, Furniture & More
13321 Wicker Ave.
Cedar Lake, IN
219.374.5114
Happy Hunting,
Karina's Garden of Grace
Saturday, July 11, 2009
SEVEN STEPS TO A SUCCESSFUL GARAGE SALE
- Pick a date that works best for you and where you live. I've noticed that in my neighborhood, Thursday is the best day. While Friday is slower. See if your neighborhood is hosting a multi-sale and if you want to join your neighbors, you might attract more traffic to your sale.
- Sort and organize all of your "treasures." Even though this might be more time consuming, it is definitely worth it! Make sure that everything has all their parts and that everything is in working order. Be sure to wash old clothes and toys -- display them easily for people to browse through your selection. After all, nobody wants to purchase dirty-dusty items.
- Price all merchandise. I did this by creating a price list very easily on my computer. After printing off the list, I then cut it into either rectangles and/or circle shapes and labeled every item with tape. Not only is this a neat, clean and pretty presentation; it saved me time having to repeat the prices to customers. REMEMBER: be reasonable on your pricing. If grouping items, make sure your price is clear -- (set of 4 for $5.00, etc.)
- Advertise your Sale. If you are fortunate enough to live off of a busy highway and/or main artery in your town, that can save you tons of advertising money. But if you do not, by all means, utilize the garage sale advertisers in your area. The most avid garage sale shoppers do check the weekly ads, both in the paper and online. When using signs to advertise your sale, make sure they are marked appropriately and clearly. There is nothing worse than a confusing sign to a passerby. Mark your sign with the following: Time, Date, Location, Directions (an arrow), Hours and Specials.
- Be Prepared! This is so important for your own piece of mind because on the day of the sale most likely you are going to have "early birds." Have your money ready and safely hidden. You should start with at least $5 in small coin; $15 in singles; and $10 in fives. Also make sure that you provide used grocery store bags so that your eager shoppers can carry away their new found treasures. This is also a great way to recycle those unwanted bags.
- At the end of the day! Hopefully you have had a successful day and now it is time to call it quits, but you probably have leftover items. Now what? Box them up right away! Do not bring them back into your house. Keep these items right in your garage for another quick sale and/or donate all of your "leftover treasures" to a local charity, shelter, and/or thrift store. REMEMBER: "One man's junk is another man's treasure."
- CHA-CHING! Count your new made moolah and head to the bank!
Happy Selling,
Karina Struven
(http:karinastruven.blogspot.com)
NATIONAL BLUEBERRY MUFFIN DAY ~ JULY 11, 2007
Here is Grandma's Easy, Delicious Recipe for Blueberry Muffins:
Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
2 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. sugar
2 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
One-half cup milk
2 c. fresh or frozen blueberries
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease and floor muffin pan (or use paper liners). Beat together butter, eggs, salt, and sugar.
Mix flour with baking powder and sift into first mixture, alternating with milk.
Blend in vanilla.
Add blueberries.
Pour into muffin pan and bake for 25 minutes!
Enjoy and Happy Baking!
Karina's Garden of Grace
Sunday, July 5, 2009
A PSALM OF PRAISE
PSALM 100
1Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations."
A PRAYER OF CONTENTMENT!
*borrowed from Sheri Rose Shepherd's Book "His Princess - Love Letters from Your King"