~This Week's Thrifty Finds~

Okay... the week before Spring Break is a period that strikes fear into the heart of any teacher (similar to school picture day, the day before Christmas Break, or any time during the last month of school). The clock almost seems to go backwards. The weather was warm, and the meetings were plentiful, but I did manage to find the following this week:

1. Check out the assortment of glassware I found. The big blue glass vase will be covered in jute or something- but it was FREE! (yes, free) A woman on our local Craigslist copycat had a yard sale yesterday and was giving away most of her leftovers.

The other glass items were .59 or .99 at our local Goodwill and Salvation Army. They are getting makeovers as well this week. We just got a new computer and desk and my husband's tacky desk items are going (haha).

2. Here are 2 other items that the woman mentioned above gave away. They are SO not my style- but I have plans for them :)

3. Check out this diamond in the rough. I was strolling the isles at the GW and spotted this huge bag. I wondered what it was and saw that it was a massive bag of jute-like material.

$1.99 people!!!

There is about 1500 ft of it!!!

So that is what I have found in the past week. I have a few more things in the upcoming week during my break (including my plan for Living With Lindsay's 5 dollar challenge).

Linked to:

What Have I Been Up To- Crafty Makeovers

My husband finally found my camera usb cord... so now I can post some recent re-do home makeover projects.

First, I had noticed a couple of months ago where some bloggers had the CUTEST organizers in their kitchens. I kept an eye out and found this "beauty" at the G-Will for 1.99.

Oh, yes... those scratched 1980's ducks were just calling my name- not!

So, I sanded it (not as well as I should have, but it is in a low light area)-Sprayed it with brown spray paint, mod-podged some cute scrapbook paper on it and called it a day.

LOVE it!!! Still want to put something in the very front... not 100% sure yet.

My next craft isn't finished yet- I am not sure what I want to put inside of the glass yet. I found the glass (candle holder) and the top and thought they would look cute together. Any advice?

Then, I found this cute hanging N yesterday for 3.99 (a bit more than I would normally spend, but I liked it. Also bought the jute for .50 (yes!!!! fifty cents!!!!! It is a huge ball of it). They do not look cute together- will have to come up with a plan B.

I went to the new Goodwill in Franklin, TN yesterday and found these 2 Baldwin bronze candle holders for .99 and .49. I think they are actually worth something... anyone know?

So, that is all for today :)

Linking to:

~What is My Day Like????~

I am posting this in response to Kelly's Korner

So, what is a day like for this teacher???

I usually get up around 5 am- I am an early bird to say the least. I like to take my time eating breakfast and getting ready.

I usually leave for work anywhere between 6:30 and 7:00.

I then work in my classroom until the bell rings at 8:20. Normally I am making copies, organizing my centers for the day, straightening up, etc. Sometimes my students come in early and help me out.

Then from 8:20-8:45, we all get ready for our day. From 8:45-9:00, we have silent reading time, which is one of my favorite parts of the day (getting to see all my students enjoy reading. From 9:00-9:30, I teach whole group reading, and from 9:30 until 10:30, we have centers. From 10:30-11:00, we have language. Then, we have science or social studies from 11:00-11:45.

Now is my students' favorite time of day... lunch, gym, and specials. I am blessed to teach at a small school that is able to have both each day. This is my time to grade papers and do any other work that needs to be done. At 1:30, the kids come back and we have math for an hour. Then, from 2:30-3:00, 1/2 of my students go out for special tutoring. The rest of my students complete activities with me.

We normally get ready to go home at 3:00, but we have an extended day due to our snow days, so now from 3:00-3:30, we are completing review for our state testing. At 3:30, we start filling out agendas to go home. My kids leave by 3:50. Then, I organize the room and usually have some type of meeting to go to (most days).

I normally get home around 5:00-6:30. Most of the time, my husband has dinner ready. I usually will eat, then will work on my homework (I am finishing my master's degree). I also like to try to pick up around the house and get lunch/clothes ready for the next day. My hubby and I will watch a little tv and then I will go up to bed at around 8:30-9:30.

So, this is the day in the life of this teacher... Hope you enjoyed hearing about it.

15 minute Garlic Lemon Chicken

My Mom made this for us and we just LOVED it- it is super easy and tasty. I am not normally fond of lemon in savory foods, but tried it and found the lemon is not overpowering.

Garlic Lemon Chicken

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• 4 teaspoons flour
• salt and pepper
• 2 teaspoons oil
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon butter

1. Flatten chicken slightly. Dust with flour. Salt and pepper chicken.
2. Fry in hot oil 5 minutes each side. Remove chicken from pan.
3. To pan add broth, garlic, lemon juice and butter. Cook 2 minutes. Pour over chicken.

Linking to Tasty Tuesday :

~ It has been FOREVER~ But I have a tasty chicken recipe to share~

Hello,

After almost three months off, I have decided to jump back into blogging. I have been reading blogs, just haven't had much to post about. My goal from now on is to post something at least once a week. We will see :)

Anyway, have you ever participated in Once a Month Cooking? I have- it is a lifesaver for those crazy days when the last thing you want to do is cook. I love knowing I have something already in the freezer at home. Usually, I cook when I have breaks in school- because you have to have at least a day set aside for cooking (I like to set two days aside- one for shopping/planning and the next for cooking/freezing).

Well, here is one of the best things for that day- I have doubled it and tripled it with good results. You may need more broth, depending on how hot the pan gets. Also, if you are freezing it for later, make sure the chicken has a bit of broth in it to help it stay juicy. Lay it flat in the baggy to freeze as well so that it doesn't take up as much space and so all the broth is distributed.

My "Famous" OAMC Shredded Chicken

• 5 chicken breasts, I use the boneless pre-frozen halves from Walmart (I have used boneless thighs with good results as well)
• 1 cup chicken broth

1. Place chicken breasts in pan with broth (I have used frozen, as well as fresh- frozen adds to your cooking time).
2. Bring to a boil.
3. Turn heat to medium, and let simmer covered for 15-20 minutes (around 10 minutes if yours are defrosted), turning occasionally.
4. Then turn to medium low and let cook covered for another 60 min (or until shreds with a fork). You may need to add more broth during that hour if yours cooks down.
5. I have let it cook for even longer with great results.
6. Let rest in pan for at least 10 minutes, or until you can shred the meat without burning yourself.
7. If you are saving the chicken for later, place it in a ziplock with the excess broth from the pan.
8. Enjoy in any recipe that calls for shredded chicken.
9. You can also add spices/onion/garlic to the meat while cooking, but I like to make mine plain so it will go with any recipe.

Linking this to Tasty Tuesday at

~ My Grandma's Cornbread Dressing~

I just have to share this recipe for my grandma's dressing (it is called dressing because it is cooked separate from the turkey.  I make mine just like hers, except that I omit the celery.  You can also saute the onions if you wish, but I like the flavor of the onions cooking in the dressing mixture.  Another secret is to finely crumble the cornbread.  It takes a while, but results in a more smooth, flavorful dressing.  

My Grandma's Cornbread Dressing

• 1 1/2 cups celery, large dice
• 1 cup onion, large dice
• 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped
• 1/2 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sage
• 9 cups cornbread, crumbled
• 8-9 cups of super hot chicken broth or turkey broth, I use homemade
• salt, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix all the ingredients except stock.
3. Pour hot stock over everything and mix well.
4. Pour into a large casserole or roasting pan.
5. I use a 12 x 14 x 6 pan.
6. Bake for at least one hour, depending on the size pan you use, you may have to bake an additional half hour (until the middle isn't soupy).

Check out the other recipes at Tasty Tuesday

❤❤ A Few New Crafts ❤❤

First, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has served in the military.  My husband spent 7+ years in the service (4 deployments and countless trips) and I am thankful to everyone else who has served (and is still serving).  

Today, I have a welcomed day off of work (whoo-hoo!).  It is gorgeous outside and I decided to share some of my newest finds...

Well, Goodwill had their half off sale this past Saturday.  I went in with the goal of finding a new wreath for the front door and any goodies for holiday gifts.  Here is what I found:

1.  A wreath!  It is a little different than what I was looking for, but I liked that it looks a bit rustic.  

It still has a 24.99 price tag from Joannes.  It was 2.99 (or 1.50 half off).  

I weaved in a bit of the berries I found at the Salvation Army recently- what do you think? Not bad to me for under 3.00! 

2.  An enormous gallon ziplock bag of assorted fruits.  1.99 (or 1.00 half off).  I think I am going to use it for filler in vases around the house unless I find another idea online. 

3.  A big birdhouse!!!  I really don't like birds (if I am being honest), but I love seeing everyone's birdhouses on the interwebs :)  2.99 (or 1.50 half off!)  A group of women had scouted out the store the night before and had made a pile of things they had wanted... this (along with the fruit) were on their list I guess.  They kept making comments about people snatching up things.  Sorry, I was there first (and didn't snatch, just put it in my cart).  Some people! 

Already have a coat of brown on it today (come on, what in my house doesn't have a coat of brown on it right now...).  

Found this huge planter 1.99 (or 1.00 half off).  I have a huge plant at school that has outgrown its home.  Hoping to get it replanted soon.  

Also bought these two goodies for holiday gifts- .99 each (or .50 half off). 

Here is the green container I was talking about last week.  Have it holding my kitchen utensils for now...

Last, but not least- a few coupon deals :)  Kroger was having its mega sale last week.  I ended up getting $130 worth of items  (after sale prices) for $30.00.  The best buy was the Snuggle for free after $3.00 coupons and the gloves for free after $1.00 coupons.  

Food Lion also had their dryer sheets on sale for 2.99.  Free after the 3.00 coupons (well, besides taxes...).  The cashier really really really wanted to find something wrong with the deal- but couldn't :)  She kept looking at the coupons, then looking at the total, then looking at the dryer sheets, then looking back at the coupons again.  

So, that is all for now.  Have a few other things to share in the near future.  Have a great day! 

Linking to Junkin' Monday at Cottage Charm

and

Fresh Cranberry Salad

I had never had a fresh cranberry salad until last Thanksgiving.  A dear friend and I decided to combine our usual feasts to make cooking a bit easier on the both of us.  Then, we decided to throw in some new dishes to jazz things up a bit.  This will definitely be on the table again this year!  For weeks, the two of us have been saying things like, "MMMMMM cranberrrrrry salad" and, "Know what I am looking forward to...".  It is just that good! 

• 1 (10 ounce) package fresh cranberries or frozen cranberries, picked over and washed
• 4 cups water
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups sugar
• 9 ounces strawberry Jell-O gelatin dessert (3 small boxes)
• 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 2 cups red apples, diced
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
• 1 (9 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 3 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
• 1-2 cup green seedless grape or red seedless grapes, halved

1. Cook cranberries in the 4 cups water to a boil.
2. Add soda and stir and enjoy watching it bubble up.
3. Simmer 10 minutes.
4. Stir in sugar, jello, and marshmallows.
5. Stir until melted.
6. Let mixture cool.
7. Add apples, nuts, pineapple, oranges, and grapes.
8. Pour into one 9" x 13" pan and one 8" x 8" pan.
9. Chill until firm.

Check out some other awesome recipes at 

Favorite Makeovers So Far...

Hi,

I am going to post my 5 favorite makeovers in my home (so far)... Have about 100,000,000 more to go! Don't forget my upcoming makeover/blog redesign giveaway!!! My followers will have two chances to win :) I will give you a hint... it will make your new year special.

Makeover # 1:

Before:

here is a photo board that I had for about 5-10 years- it was past its time! Dusty and dingy and not my decor anymore.

Here is the after=love!!

Makeover # 2

Before:

The owl and frame were finds at our Goodwill Outlet

Combine them and what do you get???

After:

Makeover # 3

Before:

Boring table from my bedroom (matched the photo holder above)

After= brown and white stripes...

Makeover # 4

.50 Makeover of old picture frames...

Before:

After:

and last but definitely not least... my favorite makeover... # 5

Before: Scary pink kleenex holder

After: Super cute dryer sheet holder! All for .25!

So0000- I hope you check out the Great Ideas post at Infarrantly Creative

Before & After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick!

Also, take a look at all the fabulous makeovers at

Don't forget about my makeover/giveaway! Have a great day!

A Few New Things...

Keep an eye out in the next couple of weeks... there will be a makeover on my blog and expect a great giveaway around the start of the year :)

I have to admit, I have a new addiction.... our local Salvation Army.  Now, don't get me wrong, I haven't given up on my local Goodwill(s), I just haven't found much there lately. Plus, it is about 2 minutes from where I work and I can zip in and out :) 

On a visit during my fall break, I found the following glass bowls/jars.  The smallest was .59, the tall one was .99, and the heavy round one was 1.99.  Not sure what I am going to do with them yet, but I am sure I will find a place for them.  

Then, I went again recently.  I had heard that all of their clothes were .50 a piece that day.  I found my hubby a nice brooks brothers dress shirt, along with the snowman dish for .59, and the berry garland for .59 :)  

To prove I haven't given up on Goodwill entirely, here is a few recent finds...

I haven't decided what to do with this yet.  I love the shade of green... perhaps a utensil holder in my kitchen?  Anyone have any ideas?  It was only 1.99 and is very heavy.  

The next find is going to get a coat of paint soon... thought it had a  cute shape for .99

Last, but not least- something I have had my eye out for...  A set of metal keys.  I am sure they are not real and are only decorative, but for 1.49, I like 'em.  Should I paint them?  Decisions, decisions.  

My favorite thing about the GW- getting a 10% student discount!  

Also, here is my fall makeover to my GW find cloche

 

So, like I said, keep an eye out for an awesome giveaway and my upcoming makeover.