Quote of the Week

        This week's quote is inspired by my son's upcoming wedding! Best Wishes Michael and Tessa!

The real act of marriage takes place in the heart, not in the ballroom or church or synagogue. It's a choice you make - not just on your wedding day, but over and over again - and that choice is reflected in the way you treat your husband or wife.  
                                                                                          --Barbara de Angelis

Blissful Blessings,
Lisa


P.S.  Wedding pics to come!!

My Portion of the Wedding Duties!

 

My son and his fiancé.

 Some of you may know my DS #1 is getting married on September 17th. As the Mother of the Groom, I don't have a ton to do but this is what I am responsible for:  The Rehearsal Dinner and the Wedding cake and dessert table at the reception. 
    That may not seem like much but it is a lot when you are trying to DIY to save money.  The rehearsal dinner will not be catered.  I am cooking!The menu will consist of:   Vegetable Lasagna, meat lasagna, fettuccini alfredo with grilled chicken, tossed salad, everything bread and butter, Caprese salad, assorted olives, a vegetable tray and fruit tray -both with dip, cake and cheesecake for dessert.


   The kids opted to just have the rehearsal dinner in the church basement to keep things simple.  There is a lovely kitchen at my disposal there so I am not worrying too much! Plus, I have recruited my daughters and son-in-law to help me that Friday!  Love that I can depend on my family!!!


   I have been dreaming of the dessert buffet for months now!  My cousin Christina has volunteered to help me with it!  Here is what we have planned:   Wedding cake of course, a carrot cake, apple pie, peach pie, raspberry tartlets with white chocolate. lemon tartlets with fresh raspberries, Apple pie filled cupcakes, iced sugar cookies in the shape of sunflowers, Oreo truffles, buckeyes, and a small chocolate fountain with strawberries, marshmallows, pretzels and cookies to dip in the chocolate.  Oh and I cannot forget the brides choice--mini cherry cheesecakes!  Yes, that is all and yes, I took over a weeks vacation in order to get it all done! 


    I do not know what I would do without Christina's help!  We have both been looking so forward to creating a yummy, beautiful dessert buffet!  Lots of work but mmm ,mmm, good!


I cannot wait to show you the pics after the wedding!  Wish me luck!


Sweet Blessings,
Lisa

Quote of the Week

                                           You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind.

                                                          -Joyce Meyer 

Last Week's Frugality

  Last week was not a no spend week.  I had budgeted for the food stuffs for my son's rehearsal dinner. It was as frugal a week as it could be though!  I went on the Kroger website and looked for coupons for foodstuffs I needed for the dinner. I also printed some coupons online.  I found coupons for meatballs, spaghetti sauce, alfredo sauce, and grilled chicken strips--all things I needed.  By perusing and clipping coupons, I saved over $15 on those items at Kroger!   I did the same at Meijer and saved $10 on more stuff for the dinner. 
  While on the MeijerMadness.com website I saw a deal for free Almay Deodorant.  I was able to print 3 coupons for $5.00 off any two Almay products.  The deodorant was on sale for $2.39 each. I was able to get 6 tubes of deodorant for FREE!  I haven't scored like this since double coupons went away!!  All in all this past week I saved over $80 with coupons!!! I made sure they all were things we needed, usually used. or needed for the dinner.  I think I impressed my DH!  Heck, I impressed myself!! 
   I used Kroger gas points to save 30 cents per gallon.  Almost a $3.00 savings! 
  I made a small wedding cake for a dear friends son's wedding.  I told her it was my gift for him.  When she and her DH picked it up, she gave me a thank you card with a visa gift card in it! It was so not necessary, but very much appreciated! Thanks Susan!
  My Mom invited us for supper one night. We really enjoyed the veggie soup!  Thanks Mom!
   I am still tending to my violets, basil, philodendrons, and other plants,  They are looking pretty good! 
   DH saved 2 more 2 liter bottles of water for our emergency stash.  He has been doing a great job for us!
 That is about it for me last week!  What did you save money on?

Frugal blessings,
Lisa
  
  

Fresh Herb Taste All Year Long!

   

 One of the best ways to ensure that fresh herb taste all year long is to freeze your chopped fresh herbs in oil. You need to use light oils such as canola or light olive oil for best results.  Just place fresh herbs in your food processor and add choice of oil.  Pulse a few times and pour into an ice cube tray.  Freeze overnight and place herb cubes in a ziplock bag, label and store in the freezer. So easy and you will have that fresh herb flavor all year round! 

Herbal Blessings,

Lisa

Quote of the Week

     No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.
                                                                           - Aesop