Dear Mr. President and representatives in the House & Senate,

If you decide to make it a law that everyone must obtain health insurance then you probably better find some insurance companies who are willing to insure those individuals. I'm just sayin! 

Signed, 

A disgusted, tax paying, hard working, U.S. Citizen

In case you hadn't guess by the aforementioned letter we got a decision today for the health insurance we applied for.  I can get insurance as at a rate 50% more than I was originally quoted and they declined to cover my husband at all.

Christmas Traditions?

What's your favorite Christmas Tradition(s)? 

I have many traditions that center around Christmas that I love.  I'll just share one for now.  I've always loved watching the Christmas specials on TV.  You know the ones...Frosy, Rudolph, etc.  When my kids were little I bought VHS copies of my favorites.  Every year we make cookies and watch those specials together while eating our warm cookies and drinking a glass of milk.  Now that they are getting older they aren't really into as much.  *Sigh!*  I guess that's what happens when they start to grow up. 

I'd love to hear about your family traditions! 

Simply Sunday Check In

We are having internet issues at my house so I haven't been able to check in lately.  We had a wonderful holiday.  Our church served over 400 dinners Thursday.  After that I was able to travel to my aunts house and spend some time with my family.  Some how they talked me into getting up at the crack of dawn to do some black Friday shopping even though I had no plans to go this year.  It was fun and I did find a few deals of my own.  Now the long weekend is coming to an end and it will soon be time to get back into the routine.  Not looking forward to getting back to the grind, but I LOVE having a routine to follow.  Just makes life go more smoothly.  It's time to go and get ready for worship.  Hope everyone has a Simply Wonderful Sunday!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Christmas Card Preview

Here's a sneak peak at our Christmas photo card....

I couldn't pick just one.  What do you think?

Looks like I'll be doing what most others are doing today.  Cleaning and cooking top the list.  Guess that means I better get off of here and get moving.  What are YOU doing today??

Inquiring Minds Want to Know (This Inquiring Mind Wants to Know )

Lots of people have asked about where I got my tips for taking family photos.  I got tips from lots of different sources and I promise that when I get a little time (possibly tomorrow) I will hunt up links to all of the ones that I used and maybe even add in a couple of my own and post them for you.

For now I'm hoping that you will help me out.  I've been looking at our grocery budget for quite some time.  Trying to figure out ways to shave some off of my grocery bill.  With price of groceries rising every day, it's difficult.  I joined E-Mealz (recommended by Dave Ramsey).  I really have enjoyed having everything pre-planned for me and I have also saved some money along the way.  BUT, I am still left wondering if there are some other ways we could still cut back.  That's where YOU come in.  Please share your tips with me.  How do you make feeding your family more affordable?

One question in particular that I would be interested in hearing the answer to is this...What is a reasonable amount to spend on a family of five for a dinner time meal?  Is it $10? $5? Along this line, I would also love for you to share one (or more) of your family's favorite & cheapest recipes.

I'll start...

Macaroni Soup 

(This is what my grandmother called it, some other people call it Goulash)

1 box of elbow macaroni ($1.00)

1/2 pound ground beef (<$1.00)

2 cans tomato paste ($1.00)

1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (<$1.00)

Salt, pepper, & onion powder 

In a large pot brown ground beef after seasoning with salt, pepper, & onion powder.  Add in water (enough to cover macaroni - more if you like it soupier), macaroni, tomato paste, and salt & pepper (to taste).  Cook until noodles are tender.  Serve sprinkled with cheddar cheese.  My kids also like to add in nature's seasoning for their own added flavor. 

We hardly ever have leftovers of this recipe. Cost of entire recipe = less than $4.

Ok, now it's your turn.  Help a sister out!

THANKS!

Family Pictures

Using lots of tips I found online and thanks to my blogfrog community friends we took some family pictures yesterday.  Here are some of my favorites.  Let me know what you think!