~ Nooks and Pieces of Our Home~

I was having a hard time on what do do up up here on top of the armoire. This is what I came up with and used what I had.
I finally got those floral $.49 cents a piece metal trays hung up by using 3M command strips which I love so much!
Nothing new here but my ever growing bottle love collection. Some found, and bought by others. The wooden shelf was made by hand with old barn wood by my talented woodworker grandfather. He is sadly missed but is thought about everytime I look at the things he made with his hands before passing in 2006.

Renee:)

Recipe: Renee's Favorite Bean Dip

White Bean Dip

19 oz. can of canelinii beans (drained)

2 cloves of fresh garlic or more depending on your garlic love

1/4 cup of olive oil

sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

With those trusty electric beaters again combine drained beans and beat until it forms a smooth paste. Add your good quality extra virgin olive oil until well incorporated. Add your pepper and salt to taste.

Great protein rich dip to help keep me satisfied. I always get the whole grain pitas. I take each round pita get a pizza cutter and cut into bite size triangles. I then brush a light coating of olive oil on each side sprinkle the tops with a little sea salt.

I have also experimented and also love putting a little bit of rosemary for a different taste. I then put on a baking sheet and bake in a 350 degree oven until crisp but not burnt. Time varies but you do need to watch closely. Very simple and yummy!

Enjoy!

Nay:)

Recipe: Mini Cherry Cheescakes

Use 4 (8 oz.) Philadelphia brand cream cheese bricks
1 1/2 cup of sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons of pure vanilla (no imatation here)
Around 36 Nilla brand vanilla wafers
1 can of cherry topping or water packed cherry pie topping, blueberry,peach, lemon curd with a few sprigs of grated lemon zest:)

Beat cream cheese until there is no lumps which is very important. I use hand electric beaters. Add the sugar, and then one egg at a time until blended. Add your oure vanilla extract.

Place paper cupcake liners in each muffin/cupcake hole and place 1 Nilla wafer in each liner. Pour batter until almost to top. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven. Mine baked perfectly in 16 mintues. Time varies. I do place a glass pan filled with water underneath on the bottom rack to produce some moisture for the cheescakes.

Chill in fridge for at least 8 hours. Place your favorite topping on each before serving. Even the plain ones without topping are delish!

Enjoy:)

Nay

~ Home Is Where The Heart Is ~

I see this saying many times but it is true HOME is where the heart is!

Nay :)

Financial Times: Building A Nest Egg For The Future

With the financial instability at this point of what our future brings, it brings to my attention of what my family needs to focus on. What could I call this? A fresh start, or a budget and new savings plan? Whatever we all want to call it I need to start today as times might be changing Real soon!

With myself being a SAHM of four wonderful children I have felt the strain of a guilty conscience of what mistakes we have made with savings. Without proper advice and without looking into the different plans and intrest bearing accounts I am now looking into every possiable scenerio.

Many parents have built a large nest egg for their children. Numerous family members contributing to their little ones future, a little here and there with money being deposited when money is a little more plentiful. It makes me feel heard, and also understood when people give their time with our children instead of material items that seem to accumulate.Toys that are purchased with their hard earned money only to be in the trash because of ill care for them, or just plain because they are not made well. DVD's sitting on a shelf that have collected dust and really have no life lessons to teach my children. I just plain out feel guilty for depriving them of money that they could have had but chose to spend because they felt that was the best choice at the time. I do not feel bad when we are not given things.

I have felt so much joy in providing my close family, and friends with items that I have accumulated through the last few months. I feel great giving, even if it is thrifty, and not so much about the amount of money spent. My intentions are to show how much people mean to me, and for them to know that I have thought of them, yet doing this in a smart frugal kind of way.

I think that alot of us have struggled financially at some point of our lives. Some have lived pay check to paycheck for many years, and some folks have never struggled which I am very happy for them. It is easy to say our debt is from an illness, birth of a child, mortgage, a vehicle purchase and many other items that accumulate for potential financial disaster if the debt is not paid.

What is a family to do? Without the teachings from an experienced financial planner, or from the ministry of a family out of debt we need a better understanding of how money works and how we can use our money to help us make smarter choices for our future.

I am asking for input, on what works for your family what doesn't. I have learned a great amount of wealth through now many different blogs out there. I also have learned many life lessons, and alot of sincere encouragement through loyal readers of these blogs. Like others strolling on pay check to paycheck, I am strolling on by what feels right at this time, and what I have learned from others really making it work in their financial future.

May everyone that reads this thinks about what they have done to provide for their family's future.

Nay