You may be a hillbilly......

.........If you are out in your garage, hair in curlers, using a manicure/pedicure kit to distress a free cabinet your mother in law gave you :) Yes, my neighbors LOVE me !!

Happy Friday!!!

Works for me Wednesday: Patio eating

We love to eat outside in the summertime! But I always worry about the condiments getting too warm especially the mayo and other products that should not get toasty.

I was in my pantry one day trying to find something in the rubble when I came across a bundt pan. I suddenly had a wonderful idea for our next picnic.

Take the bundt pan or jello mold and place your umbrella from your patio table through the hole. Then fill the pan with ice. Place your condiments, or drinks in there to keep cold and assessable for your little eaters!!

This way we can stay out and enjoy the weather longer....and that works for this mama!!

For more great Works for me Wednesday ideas visit We are That Family!

Recipe Tuesday: EASY Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Who has time to slave over a stove? I am hoping this recipe is as delish as it sounds. If you try it let me know how your family liked it!

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

3 cans cream of chicken soup

1 teaspoon dried parsley

salt & pepper to taste

1 tablespoon chopped onion

2 pounds extra lean beef tips

2 packages (12-oz size) bow-tie pasta noodles

Stir all ingredients except pasta together in slow cooker. Place setting on low & let cook for 8 to 9 hours.

Prepare noodles according to package directions; spoon beef tips over noodles.

Toy Alert!!

Every year I try to tell my girlfriends about the deals find for Christmas! (Yes, I said Christmas. I am a big believer in buying great deals when I see them and stocking them away!!) Not only do you save a ton of money but there is almost NO money spent at my house in the month of December. Its a blessing.

So girlfriend....here you go. Target has started to put A TON of toys in every single aisle on sale. Some up to 75% off. I went down each and every aisle and found super deals in almost every aisle. (There was also some toys on sale in seasonal department.) Here are some toys that were on clearance at my Target:

Barbie

My Pretty Pony

Strawberry Shortcake

Hot Wheels sets

Transformers

and more....

\

I am not sure if it is just my target or not but I know each summer they start to get rid of a majority of their toys to make way for the "new" fall toys. I have found that the toys just have new packaging...in which makes its way to the floor in thirty seconds anyway!

So check it out and save yourself some money and headaches this Christmas....

Menu Plan Monday! Busy moms edition

One of my friends asked me the other day why I was using my crock pot so much...in the summertime?! Its a two fold answer. One, we are so busy with classes, work schedules and playdates (this week its vacation Bible school) that its too easy to pass up. Two, it doesn't heat up my house like a sauna! :) I have a great couple of recipes that that I will be posting this week to make like maybe a little easier for you as well!

On another note, our "salsa" garden is doing well. By that I mean critters are eating our pumpkins and zucchini but won't touch the tomatoes, jalapenos and banana peppers. My hubby makes the best homemade salsa in the world so I guess I won't complain too much about the critters. Try out the recipe below!

Monday: BBQ ribs, crock pot mac and cheese (Recipe on Thursday), baked beans, salad

Tuesday: Breakfast for dinner

Wednesday: Leftover buffet- if its not movin, you can eat it!

Thursday: Crock pot beef and noodles (Recipe tomorrow), Freezer mashed potatoes, green beans

Friday: Pizza Night!

Saturday: Teriyaki chicken, grilled roasted garden peppers with tortillas, cheese and homemade salsa (recipe below)

Sunday: Burgers and dogs on the grill with baked fries and spinach salad

Garden Salsa

6 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
1 sweet onion, diced
1 medium red bell pepper, diced
1 medium yellow bell pepper, diced
1 bunch cilantro, finely minced
1 lime, juiced
1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

We also add Jalapeno and banana pepper. Make sure to take out the seeds, unless you want the hotness!

In a bowl, mix the tomatoes, onion, red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

**We run everything in a blender b/c we like it thin but its up to you!