My recent Aldi’s haul!

Who isn’t looking for a way to lower their grocery bill?  It’s amazing how everything that’s healthy for you is so expensive, isn’t it?  I love buying fresh produce, but it can sure take a cut out of the grocery funds!  Aside from couponing, there are other ways to save money on groceries!  Finding stores that have reduced prices is one.  I’m going to tell you about a store where I used to shop when we lived in Indiana that’s opening two new stores in my area!              =0 (Excited face!)

Aldi’s is a no-frills, German-owned grocery store where the product is guaranteed and the  prices are affordable!  When we shopped there years ago and our girls were young, they were quite humiliated unimpressed that we were shopping there!  One certain daughter, who will remain anonymous, is now shopping at Aldi’s herself saying, “I go there because the prices are so reasonable and the produce is unbelievably affordable!”   It’s so true!

Recently on a trip home from seeing my parents, we stopped at Aldi’s in Corbin, KY to pick up some necessary items for the week.  I bought 23 items and spent $35!  That’s pretty incredible considering that I bought produce, milk, Blue Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese, onions and other items.  My fresh pineapple was only 99 cents!  It wasn’t on the sale rack because it was old – that was the weekly price.

Now, if you haven’t shopped at Aldi’s yet, there are a few things you need to know:

In addition to Scripture, I want to read books that will aid in my study of my five topics.  I’m investigating the titles of the books I want to read and will be making a list.

Last weekend I dug into my bathroom cabinets and began de-cluttering.  The mess in there was irritating to me every time I opened the door!  That was the beginning of my desire to get things in better order at home.  I didn’t think to take a “before” shot, but here’s the “after!”\

Then I was challenged recently when I read The Inspired Room and Melissa said she was going to declutter her house this year – one bag at a time.  When we moved a year and a half ago, I got rid of lots of stuff.  I do not regret it!  But as time has passed, there are things that need to be removed once again.  I have a bag of clothes and shoes ready right now to head out to Goodwill.  I’ve accepted Melissa’s challenge to gather up a bag a day to take out of the house.  I may do a bag a week, but one could adjust it as necessary.  Here are the target areas she suggests:

I’ve enjoyed seeing the Facebook posts on people’s walls of their year in review.  It’s followed by saying, “It’s been a great year; thanks for being a part of it.”  Hmmmm, what did my year look like?

Last January I chose the word, “JOY” to be my word for the year.  I can’t say that joy typified me, but I tried to come to choose joy in my circumstances, though there were some hard times!

February brought one of those “hard times,” as we dealt with the near head-on car accident of our daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law.

We saw God’s sovereign hand protecting and caring for them as He miraculously guided them safely out of the clutches of death.  We praise His name for His protection, and all that we learned through this trial!

Our annual trip to The Wilds for the ladies’ retreat took place in April.  We were challenged and refreshed as we listened to Barb Leatherwood share from her cancer experiences.  It was a blessing, as always!

The highlight of my year had to be when my neighbor trusted Christ as her Savior in early May as we finished up week three of The Exchange.  Oh, the joy of seeing her bow her head to receive Him!!!

Of course the other joy in May was the wedding of Alli and Andrew!  All our family was here to see them get married!  What a blessing!

May also found us at our favorite place…the beach!  How many days ’til we return?  =)

In June we had the privilege of attending a Spiritual leadership conference in California.  We came home encouraged, refreshed spiritually and with a fresh perspective of where our ministry needed to head.  How thankful we are that our church provided so we could attend!

June also brought our 32nd anniversary.  The years are flying by!  I’m blessed to be married to Dale; He is God’s gift to me!

The months of June and July were busy with the first Apples of Gold Class.  Six younger women met for six weeks with four of us older women to be taught cooking skills and biblical principles for being a godly woman.  I’m not sure who enjoyed it more – the younger women or the older!  Can’t wait to do it again!

We had the blessing of hosting a Five-Day Bible Club at our house in August.  What a joy to see these little ones being taught the truths of God’s Word!  It opened up the opportunity to host a weekly Bible Club later in the year with my two next door neighbor children.

In August, one of my most read posts was written.  It was entitled, World’s Worst Mom.  We all feel that describes us on one day or another, right?  Maybe it will encourage you today.  You can find it here. 

September brought my birthday and my sweet husband’s care and love demonstrated on that special day with breakfast in bed!

Another popular post occurred in October, when I wrote about something near to my heart – the importance of family mealtimes together.  If you didn’t read it you’ll find it here.

In the cool fall months I enjoyed getting to snuggle in on those first few snowy days we enjoyed and shared the warmth of our home with the one I love most.

November also brought the opportunity to share Thanksgiving with my family in KY ~ a privilege I never take for granted!

December found us travelling to be a part of the Mission Teen Retreat in Spain.  It was wonderful beyond my expectations to be able to participate in this event!  I’m so thankful to the Lord for allowing me the privilege to serve Him there!

We ended the year with our girls and their husbands in our home to celebrate Christmas together for the first time!  We had a great time of fellowship, worship and laughter.  How blessed we are!

Thank you, my readers, for hanging out with me this past year, and for reminiscing with me today at God’s goodness in 2014.  I praise Him – the Giver of every perfect gift that comes from above!  To Him be the praise and glory for it all!

From my country porch,

I married a guy whose middle name is spontaneity.  His idea of planning ahead is figuring out what you’re going to do in the next hour and making preparations in about 45 minutes.

He married a planner.  I like everything penciled into my planner book ahead of time…way ahead of time.  I enjoy anticipating the event and preparing for it early enough that I can think it through ` a lot.  We’re an interesting mix.

I would guess that there’s one planner and one spontaneous person in your marriage, too.  The Lord knows we need one another to balance the other out.  He needs my planning skills, and I need to relax a bit.

With the new year just before us, I have begun to think a bit about next year as a married couple.  I’m making some plans ~ such as:

Happy Monday after Christmas! Are you as ready as I am to eat “normal” again?  Well, if you happen to have an extra can of Cranberry sauce leftover from your festivities, you must pour it over chicken or pork and make this dish!  I did it in the crock pot for Sunday dinner and it was great!  Not too caloric or fattening, but plenty heavy on flavor ~ you’ll love it!

Cranberry Chicken
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 can whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 large Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced
1/2 cup raisins
1 tsp orange zest
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1 tsp cinnamon
I also added about 1/2 cup of chicken broth to the crock pot

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place chicken in greased 13  9 x 2 inch baking dish.  Bake for 20 minutes.  While chicken is cooking, combine remaining ingredients.  Spoon cranberry mixture over chicken.  Return to oven for 20 – 25 minutes or until chicken juices run clear.

Do you have any clever uses for holiday food items?

With love from my country kitchen,