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Shared Feb 6, 2016 comment

5 Things I’m Loving This Week (+ a few thoughts on marriage)

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 6, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

1) #TogetherWeLetter Handlettering Challenge

I’m just loving the #TogetherWeLetter Handlettering challenge! I’m posting my handlettering for each day’s prompt on my Instagram account.

2) Tulips & “Just Because” Gifts

We aren’t big on celebrating Hallmark holidays. Instead, we like to show our love in little and big ways on the everyday days. I much prefer gifts and notes and flowers that are given “just because” instead of “because it’s what’s expected”.

This week, I came home to these tulips — a “just because” purchase from Jesse who knows I adore tulips. And they make me smile so much — not only because they are so bright and cheery, but because they remind me how blessed I am to be married to a man who loves me well, in spite of our hard days, disagreements, and differences.

Marriage isn’t just a one-time commitment at the altar. It’s a daily living out of that commitment. A daily choice to say and show through my words and actions that “I still do.”

3) A Stack of Good Books

I’m loving the books I’m reading this week. I’m finding that only reading 3 books at a time is the perfect number for me right now. It feels like it allows me to savor the books while providing enough variety to keep me really engaged with them. (See what I’m reading right now here.)

4) A Yummy Crockpot Meatball Recipe

We were SO impressed with how this recipe for Slow Cooker Meatballs turned out and it was so delicious and easy that I put it back on our menu again this coming week!

5) A Funny Quote

Isn’t that the truth?! Anyone else feel this way, too?

What are YOU loving this week?

Shared Feb 6, 2016 comment

Gretchen’s $48 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 6, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Dillons

4 Totinos Frozen Pizza – $1 each, used $1/4 printable AND $0.25 Ibotta rebate – $0.68 each after coupon and rebate

1 Ocean Spray Juice – $2.49, used $2/1 e-coupon – $0.49 after coupon

1 Kroger Peanut Butter – $1.50, used Free e-coupon – Free after coupon

1 Kroger Boneless Skinless Frozen Chicken Breasts – $7.99, used $1.45/1 e-coupon – $6.54 after coupon

1 Lettuce – $0.99, used $0.25 Ibotta rebate – $0.74 after rebate

2.11 lbs Bananas – $1.24, used $0.30 MobiSave rebate – $0.94 after rebate

2 Black Forest Gummy Bears – $1.25 each, used 2 $1/1 coupon from the 1/31 SmartSource insert – $0.25 each after coupons

1 Nestle Semisweet Chocolate Chips – $2.50, used Free e-coupon – Free after coupon

1 Mission Tortillas – $1

1 Kroger Deluxe Ice Cream – $1.99

3 Larabars – $1 each, used $0.75/3 e-coupon AND $0.75/3 SavingStar.com rebate – $0.50 each after coupon and rebate

1 Celestial Seasonings Tea – Marked down to $0.89

1 Shrimp Scampi – $4.34, used $0.75/1 printable – $3.59 after coupon

Total after coupons, sales and rebates: $20.92

Aldi

2 dozen Eggs – $0.99/dozen

1 bag Tilapia Fillets – $2.99

1 gallon Milk – $1.89

1 bag Red Grapes – $1.98

1 pkg Roma Tomatoes – $0.99

1 can Pineapple Chunks $0.99

1 pkg Sausage – $1.99

1 bag Spinach – $1.49

1 Tortilla Chips – $0.99

2 Avocados – $0.39 each

1 Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate – $1.19

Total: $17.26

Homeland

4 boxes General Mills Cereal – $1.50 each, used $1/2 printable (doubled) and $1/2 coupon from in store machine (doubled) AND $1/2 SavingStar.com rebate – $0.25 each after coupons and rebate

1 Sunbelt Bakery Granola Bars – $2.24, used $0.55/1 coupon from the 1/24 SmartSource insert (doubled) – $1.14 after coupon

1 Lipton Tea – $2.18, used $0.75/1 coupon from the 1/31 SmartSource insert (doubled) AND $0.40/1 SavingStar.com rebate – $0.28 after coupon and rebate

2 Nabisco Wheat Thins – $1.67 each, used $0.75/2 coupon from the 1/17 SmartSource insert (doubled) – $0.92 each after coupon

1 Air Wick Scented Oil Warmer – $1.49, used $1/1 printable (doubled) – Free after coupon

1 Hinode Long Grain Rice – $2.19, used $1/1 printable (doubled) – $0.19 after coupon

2 Musselman’s Apple Sauce – $1.67 each, used $1/2 printable (doubled) – $0.67 each after coupon

1 Puffs – $1.35, used $0.35/1 printable (doubled) – $0.65 after coupon

2 Kraft Salad Dressings – $1.67 each, used $0.75/2 printable (doubled) – $0.92 each after coupon

1 Hormel Compleats – $1.86, used $1/1 printable (doubled) – Free after coupon

4 Jello Puddings – $0.75 each, used $1/4 printable (doubled) – $0.25 each after coupon

2 Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls – $1.39 each, used $1/2 printable (doubled) AND $1/2 SavingStar.com rebate – Free after coupon and rebate

1 Vlasic Pickles – $2.69, used $1/1 printable (doubled) – $0.69 after coupon

2 Yoplait Yogurts – $0.60 each, used $0.40/2 printable (no longer available; doubled) – $0.20 each after coupon

1 Hiland Sour Cream – $1.67, used $0.40/1 printable (doubled) AND $0.50/1 Homeland coupon – $0.37 after coupons

Total after coupons, sales and rebates: $10.31

Total for all grocery items: $48.49

Menu Plan for This Week

Breakfasts

Cereal x 2

Scrambled Eggs and Spinach x 3

Oatmeal, Fruit

Cinnamon Rolls, Juice

Lunches

Macaroni and Cheese, Applesauce

Lunch with family

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Carrot Sticks

Crackers, Cheese, Fruit/Veggies

Tuna Sandwiches, Grapes

Cheese Quesadillas, Tossed Salad

Leftovers

Dinners

Shrimp Scampi, Rice, Green Beans, Brown Sugar Biscuit Twists

Dinner with family

Hawaiian Haystacks

Oven Fried Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Tossed Salad

Biscuits & Gravy, Fruit Salad, Juice

Grilled Tilapia, Tossed Salad, Rolls

Bean Burritos, Chips & Dip, Steamed Peas

Shared Feb 5, 2016 comment

Slow Cooker Meatballs {Game Day Appetizer}

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 5, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Need a game day appetizer? Here’s a super simple meatball recipe you can make ahead and keep warm in the slow cooker!

Our family loves quick and easy foods like homemade meatballs — and yes, homemade meatballs are a lot better than frozen!

These are an awesome appetizer, the perfect addition to a bed of pasta, or a great main dish with a side of potatoes and veggies.

They are easy to make ahead, easy to freeze, and the leftovers taste amazing!

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Meatballs

1 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 cup Italian seasoned dry bread crumbs
1 egg (I used egg whites since we were out of eggs!)
1 jar spaghetti sauce of your choice

How to Make Slow Cooker Meatballs

1. In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs and egg.

2. Shape beef mixture into 12 large meatballs (or several mini meatballs.)

3. Arrange meatballs in the bottom of a large slow cooker.

4. Pour sauce over meatballs.

5. Cook covered on low for 8 to 10 hours OR high for 4 to 6 hours.

6. Serve with toothpicks as an appetizer (or serve in over noodles and sprinkle with cheese).

Recipe

Slow Cooker Meatballs

Author Crystal Paine

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 6

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 cup bread crumbs (use the seasoned variety)
1 egg
1 32 oz jar spaghetti sauce

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, bread crumbs and egg.
Shape beef mixture into 12 large meatballs (or several mini meatballs.)
Arrange meatballs in the bottom of a large slow cooker.
Pour sauce over meatballs.
Cook covered on low for 8 to 10 hours OR high for 4 to 6 hours.
Serve with toothpicks as an appetizer (or serve in over noodles and sprinkle with cheese).

Nutrition

Love this recipe?

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What are your favorite quick and easy appetizers?

{This post was underwritten by Lunchbox. Read my disclosure policy here.}

Shared Feb 5, 2016 comment

Reader Tip: How to Save 20% on Gift Cards!

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 5, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Kristen emailed the following tip:

I was recently tasked by the parents of my daughter’s class to purchase a gift card for the teacher. I was originally going to spend the $100 I had received from the parents to purchase a $100 gift card. But, then I found a discounted eGiftCard online.

The price was $79 for a $100 gift card. That’s a savings of 21%! Whoo-hoo!

I loved being able to stretch those dollars a little farther so she would have more to spend. I was able to give her a larger gift card — and only spend $100!!

I then realized, I’ve had “gift cards” filed under “gift ideas” in my brain. There is no reason I shouldn’t take advantage of these awesome deals, too! Also, I generally plan a least a day ahead when/where our family is going to eat out, and I know when I am going to go to a particular store to shop. Why not purchase an egift card and save that 5-20% right off the top?

So, I searched for stores/restaurants that I regularly shop at…almost all of them were there, with substantial savings!

Discount Gift Card sites have gift cards for Starbucks, Home Depot, Target and many more! The AMC Cards are 20% off, at the time of this post. That’s an awesome bargain, because last I checked, movie theaters weren’t offering sales!

From now on, I am doing no shopping or eating out until I find out if they have a gift card online.

A Few Discounted Gift Card Sites

GCSPREAD :: GCSpread offers both printable vouchers and actual gift cards, so you just need to be aware which kind you are purchasing. Especially, if you are in a time crunch and waiting for the mail is not acceptable.

CARDPOOL :: This is a really popular site and is user-friendly. You may purchase physical or eGiftCards on this site. The turnaround for an electronic voucher is approx. 1 day.

GIFT CARD BIN :: This is probably the biggest seller of discounted gift cards out there. They have an amazing variety of cards with great deals.

GIFT CARD GRANNY :: Not as huge a selection as Cardpool, but great deals.

RAISE :: This site looks sharp, and the nice thing about this site is they also offer an app, so you can purchase your eGiftCard from your phone. Remember, it can take 24 hours to receive your electronic voucher or egift, so you can’t purchase the voucher moments before making a purchase. I would say the discounts are not as deep as they are on GCSpread or Cardpool.

EBAY :: There are people on Ebay who sell discounted gift cards. I did a quick search and a few deals popped up, such as a $100 gift card for $88. But, there were also sellers listing Target gift cards for the same amount as the gift card was worth + shipping. I have no idea why anyone would purchase this. Just be aware of what you are purchasing and make sure it is from a reputable seller. The downside for me would be wasting my time searching (& bidding) on Ebay when I could go to a dedicated discount gift card site, do a quick search and purchase immediately.

Shared Feb 5, 2016 comment

These are a few of my favorite things…

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 5, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Today’s prompt for the #TogetherWeLetter challenge on Instagram was “Favorite”. So I thought I’d share a five of my favorite things — one for every sense:

1) Favorite touch: snuggling with my husband or kids.

2) Favorite taste: Pancakes — especially those from Cracker Barrel (!)

3) Favorite sound: Josh Groban — anything and everything he has sung. (Yep, I’m an official Grobanite.)

4) Favorite sight: Impressionist art prints.

5) Favorite smell: Fresh cinnamon rolls baking.

If you have a chance, I’d love to hear YOUR five favorites, too!

WANT TO SAVE $100 FAST?!Join the FREE 14-Day Savings Challenge!

Click here to sign up!

Shared Feb 5, 2016 comment

Brigette’s $51 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

Published: by Brigette on February 5, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Aldi

3 cans Chicken Breast – $5.07

1 bunch Bananas (2.55lbs @ $0.44/lb) – $1.12

1 2-lb bag Red Onions – $1.18

4 dozen Eggs – $3.96 (I was super stoked about this price! There was a “Limit 4” or I would have bought more :))

1 box Honey Nut Squares – $2.29

1 box Honey Wheat Puffs – $1.79

1 Cauliflower – $1.99

3 cartons Egg Whites – $5.97

1 pkg Zucchini – $2.49

1 gallon Milk – $2.19

1 Half & Half – $2.29

3 Avocados – $1.77

1 8-oz pkg Mushrooms – $1.29

1 32-oz carton Nonfat Greek Yogurt – $3.69

1 Artisan Lettuce – $1.99

1 pkg Applesauce Cups – $1.49

Total: $40.67

Aldi was out of the advertised grapes, pineapple and baby carrots, unfortunately. Since they were such fantastic prices, I plan on price-matching these at our next-door Wal-Mart. I just didn’t get that done before posting this. 🙂 I will probably pick up some more eggs at Wal-Mart too!

Harris Teeter

2 jars Ragu – $2.19, used $0.60/2 Ragu Pasta Sauces, exp. 2/7/16 (SS 01/10/16 #2) (doubled) – $0.99/2 after coupon

1 pkg Old El Paso Tortillas – $1.25, used $0.50/1 Old El Paso Taco Boats Dinner Kit or Soft Flour Tortillas, exp. 3/5/16 (SS 01/10/16 #2) (doubled) – $0.25/after coupon

1 pkg Peet’s K-Cups – $5.64. used $2/1 catalina printout – $3.64 after coupon

2 tubes Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls – $2.00, used $1/2 printable, plus $1/2 evic – FREE after coupons

2 64-oz cartons Minute Maid Orange Juice – $5.00, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $2.00/2 after coupons (great price!)

1 32-oz Harris Teeter Ricotta Cheese – $2.49

2 pkgs Butterball Turkey Sausage – $3.49, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $0.49/2 after coupons

1 pkg Ball Park Hotdogs – $1.99, used $0.55/1 Ball Park Product (RP 01/31) (doubled) – $0.89 after coupon

Total: $10.75

Total for the Week: $51.42

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal x 2

Oatmeal x 2

Fruit, Hard Boiled Eggs and Toast x 2

Cinnamon Rolls, Fried Eggs

Lunches

Baked Potatoes with Cheese, Peppers, Bananas

Veggie Omelettes, Toast x 2

Macaroni and Cheese, Peppers, Oranges

Rice Cakes with Almond Butter, Applesauce, Carrots

Leftovers x 2

Dinners

Kielbasa Stew, Buttermilk Cornbread

Three Cheese Baked Spaghetti, Homemade French Bread, Tossed Salad

Super Bowl Party at our House (hosting the College and Career Group from Church) – Homemade Cheese Pizza, Layered Nacho Dip, Chips, Better-Than-Mounds Bars, Homemade Caramel Corn

Hotdogs/Hamburgers on the Grill, Roasted Cauliflower, Baked French Fries

Build-Your-Own Soft Taco (using ground venison), Restaurant-Style Mexican Rice, Carrots

Baked Chicken, Steamed Broccoli, Southern Biscuits

Leftovers

Shared Feb 5, 2016 comment

Go to Bed Early Challenge: Day 5 (Reminding myself to celebrate my successes!)

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 5, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Good Morning! It’s Day 5 of the Go to Bed Early Challenge and I still didn’t hit my 10 pm goal again last night to be in bed asleep, but I’m happy that I’m at least working toward it, winding down earlier, being intentional about an evening routine, and getting more sleep.

I wish I could wave a magic wand and just never struggle with being consistent or self-disciplined again, but I’m reminding myself to celebrate the progress I’ve made this week (more consistent bedtimes, more sleep, more calmness), instead beating myself up over the fact that I’m not where I’d like to be.

By the way, my 2-step evening routine was a success again last night. Yay!

Are you joining me for the Go to Bed Early Challenge? If so, leave a comment on this post to let me know how you did with your go-to-bed goal last night.

We’re in this together… And if you didn’t hit your goal, that’s okay! Give yourself grace, don’t beat yourself up, and know that you can try again tomorrow!

P.S. Read more about the Go to Bed Early Challenge here. Need some help and inspiration to go to bed early so you can get up and use your mornings well? Download Day 1 of Make Over Your Mornings for free (scroll to the bottom of this page to sign up for it!)

Shared Feb 4, 2016 comment

My Addiction: Some Honest Thoughts

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 4, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

As most of you probably know, 2016 is my Year of Rest. The last few years of my life have been extremely full, busy, stretching, and exhausting. While I don’t regret those years of hard work and persistence, I knew I needed to cut back so I can refresh, renew, rejuvenate, and focus inward on my family. Because of this, I’m saying no to a lot things.

This has been a very new journey and adventure for me. It has been a very good thing, but I want to honestly admit a truth. It has also been hard for me. I have learned that I have an addiction…

I have an addiction to busyness.

I have become addicted to activity, and I am struggling with letting go of the busyness.

Case in point, I was supposed to speak at a local event two weeks ago, but it got canceled due to the snow. So instead of being gone all morning at the local event, I was home all morning. Everything else planned for that day had also gotten cancelled due to the snow.

By early afternoon, I’d finished everything on my list for the day and I had a 3 or 4 hour block of time in the afternoon with absolutely no plans. I felt out of sorts, like something was wrong. And I started to feel very intent about filling up that empty space in my day.

I felt stressed and jittery — almost like I was having withdrawal symptoms. I didn’t know how to just sit still and relish the quiet. I began brainstorming the projects I should tackle and the blog posts I should write. I even wrote out a long list of things I was thinking I really “should” do with the extra time.

And then it hit me: I have an entirely free afternoon. I didn’t need to and shouldn’t have to fill up all the nooks and crannies in my schedule with more to-do’s or busyness or productivity. I could just rest. I could just relax. It was entirely okay to have space in my schedule to breathe, to do something fun, to just hang out with my family.

But it also hit me so clearly: I have become addicted to busyness. I feel better and more fulfilled when I’m busy. I don’t know how to do quiet well — especially when it’s unexpected. I feel like something’s almost wrong or out-of-order if there are blank spaces in my calendar.

I’ve been thinking about this and asking myself these questions:

Is my worth coming from what I do?
Is my value tied up in how much I get done?
Do I feel more fulfilled when I have more on my calendar? Does it make me feel special, worthy, or valuable?

I recently read the book Rest Assured: A Recovery Plan for Weary Souls, and I read a section the other day that really impacted me.

“…As I watched him, I wondered how many moments like this I had missed with my own children simply because I was in a hurry. Too often, I had expected them to match my pace, rather than slowing down to accommodate theirs. It’s one of my greatest regrets. If I could have a do-over, I would commit to less so that I could slow down and enjoy more. More moments rocking my babies, more moments spent standing over their cribs or beds and watching them sleep, more time to answer their bazillion curious questions, more little baby steps from the car to the house, more focused attention on what they were saying without finishing their sentences. I’ve yet to meet empty nesters who regret not being busier in those years or wish they had sped through those years a bit faster. Not one.”

The author then quotes John Ortberg from his book The Life You’ve Always Wanted:

“Hurry is not just a disordered schedule. Hurry is a disordered heart.”

This hit me SO hard, because I realized that I have had a disordered heart. I have been chasing after more. It was good stuff. It was producing more products, writing more blog posts, speaking at more events, helping more people, making more of an impact.

But more is not always better. In the process of chasing after more of that good stuff, I became addicted to that chase, to that busyness, to my calendar being full, and to feeling like I’m doing a lot of good stuff.

But that’s not where my worth lies. I don’t want to be filling up that emptiness in my life with something that could be destructive and unhealthy.

I think we sort of elevate certain addictions as being worse than others. While we judge people for their addictions, we deem other addictions — like busyness — as being socially acceptable. Really, though, addictions all come from the same spot — we are trying to fill up an empty hole that can only be filled by God.

All addictions can be unhealthy and destructive. It doesn’t matter what you’re addicted to.

I want to let my soul breathe. I want to spend more time resting in those quiet places and embracing that empty space in my schedule. This really challenged me, and I wanted to challenge all of you with this.

I’m a work in progress. I don’t have this all sorted out or settled. But I think acknowledging that I have an addiction to busyness is the first step in my journey to recovery.

P.S. You can watch the video where I share more about this and share some honest and vulnerable thoughts here.

Shared Feb 4, 2016 comment

Go to Bed Early Challenge: Day 4

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 4, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Good Morning! It’s Day 4 of the Go to Bed Early Challenge and while I didn’t quite make my goal of getting to sleep by 10 pm last night, I got a great night of sleep and woke up feeling so refreshed and energetic!

As I shared on Periscope yesterday, I’m committing to do two things every night before bed for the next 21 days: 1) Take my pills/vitamins and 2) Read a devotional and talk with each child individually for 10 minutes before bed.

Both of these are things that will make a big impact on the next day, so I’m committing to do these faithfully each night.

Are you joining me for the Go to Bed Early Challenge? If so, leave a comment on this post to let me know how you did with your go-to-bed goal last night.

We’re in this together… And if you didn’t hit your goal, that’s okay! Give yourself grace, don’t beat yourself up, and know that you can try again tomorrow!

Shared Feb 3, 2016 comment

3 Quick & Easy Meals We Made Recently

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 3, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Need some quick and easy dinner ideas that are also easy on your pocketbook? As you well know, I’m all about keeping it simple — especially when it comes to cooking and meals.

Here are three meals we had recently that everyone in our family enjoyed:

1) Barbecued Chicken

This recipe sounds fancier than it is… It’s literally your favorite barbecue sauce dumped on chicken and baked in the oven or crockpot. (I know, I know, my recipes are so crazy complicated! :))

I chopped mine up and sprinkled it on lettuce with feta cheese, cranberries, and sliced almonds. The rest of the family had theirs over rice or noodles (we had some leftover rice and leftover noodles from earlier this week) + veggies.

2) French Toast

Jesse was out of town, so we had a very simple spread of French Toast, Hard-boiled eggs, and oranges.

We were actually going to just have leftovers, but Silas offered to make French Toast and Kathrynne had made hard-boiled eggs earlier, so I pulled out some oranges and we called it dinner. (And to keep it real, I got them situated with dinner and then went to hide out in our room for a few minutes because Mom needed 5 minutes of quiet!)

3. Turkey Sausage & Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Sauteed Onions & Peppers

This was a dinner that Jesse made. This, why it’s Paleo and something that required multiple bowls, pans, and steps. 😉

(He and I could not be more different when it comes to how we approach cooking — and so many other things in life! But over the years, we’re learning to more and more to appreciate and embrace these differences — instead of feeing frustrated and fighting over them!)

What are some of YOUR favorite quick, easy, & frugal recipes?

OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!

Click here to download!

Shared Feb 3, 2016 comment

Go to Bed Early Challenge: Day 3 (I struggled to sleep last night & I think I know why!)

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 3, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Happy Wednesday! It’s Day 3 of the Go to Bed Early Challenge and honestly, I struggled with sleep last night. I didn’t wind down as early as I wanted to, I had trouble falling asleep, and then I woke up in the middle of the night and struggled to get back to sleep.

This morning, I realized that I hadn’t done a good job of taking care of myself yesterday: I didn’t exercise, I didn’t eat enough, and I didn’t drink enough. All these things likely contributed to a poor night’s sleep.

So this morning, I started out my morning with a big glass of lemon water, and as soon as is finished reading and journaling, I went out to the garage and got in a workout with Jesse.

Here’s to hoping for better night of sleep tonight! But for today, I’m going to choose joy, choose love, and choose gratitude. Because even though I didn’t get a great night’s rest, I can still choose a cheerful attitude!

Are you joining me for the Go to Bed Early Challenge? If so, leave a comment on this post to let me know how you did with your go-to-bed goal last night.

We’re in this together… And if you didn’t hit your goal, that’s okay! Give yourself grace, don’t beat yourself up, and know that you can try again tomorrow!

Shared Feb 2, 2016 comment

Gretchen’s CVS Shopping Trip: $29 worth of groceries for FREE!

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 2, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

CVS Shopping Trip

5 Suave Shampoo/Conditioner – $3 each (Buy $15, Get $5 ECBs)
Used 2 $3/2 coupon from the 1/31 RedPlum insert
And used $2/2 SavingStar.com rebate

1 Colgate Toothpaste – $3
Used $2.50/1 CVS coupon from in-store machine
And used $0.50/1 coupon from the 1/31 SmartSource insert

1 Crunch Bar – $0.99 (Buy 1, Get $0.75 ECBs)

1 Edge Shaving Cream – $3.29 (Buy 1, Get $2 ECBs)
Used $1/1 coupon from the 1/10 SmartSource insert

1 Dawn Dish Soap – $0.99 (We were completely out so I used ECBs to buy this!)

Used $13 ECBs from previous shopping trip

Total before coupons, sales, rebate and ECBs: $29.49

Total after coupons, sales, rebate and ECBs: Free plus overage! (I will get overage with the rebate.) Plus received $7.75 ECBs.

Shared Feb 2, 2016 comment

3 Books I’m Reading This Week + 3 Books I Read Last Week

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 2, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

On my book stack this week:

Finding Spiritual Whitespace — I’m only a little ways into this book, but it’s been so good. I think it’s another perfect book for me to be reading during this Year of Rest.

A Broken Kind of Beautiful — I loved a book I read recently by this same author, so I’m excited to dive into this one.

The Life-Giving Home + Companion Guide — I’ve read all of Sally Clarkson’s books and can’t WAIT to read this one!

3 Books I Read Last Week

Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis — I’m not sure what I think of this book. It was beautiful in some parts, very thought-provoking in some parts, and just plain weird in a lot of parts.

Rest Assured by Vicki Courtney — I really loved this book and have been scoping through it and sharing some of my very favorite quotes.

All She Ever Wanted by Lynn Austin — This wasn’t my top Lynn Austin novel, but I enjoyed it and found the parts on grief and loss to especially be insightful and help me better walk in the shoes of some people in my life who are really hurting right now.

What are YOU reading this week?

Shared Feb 2, 2016 comment

Go to Bed Early Challenge: Day 2 (I totally forgot to post this!)

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 2, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

So, um, want to know the truth? I somehow totally forgot to post this this morning! I was in the middle of my morning Periscope show and all of a sudden realized I’d never posted this update… whoops!

At any rate, here’s what I had planned to post — thanks for your patience with me!

Good morning! It’s Day 2 of the Go to Bed Early Challenge! Part of my commitment to getting to bed on time involves not turning on my computer or doing any business work after dinner. I think this one thing is going to be huge in helping me wind down early!

Last night, I did have to check a few quick things online after dinner, but then I shut it down and read for 30 minutes and hung out with Jesse. It was so relaxing!

I didn’t actually fall asleep until around 10:20 pm (my goal is 10 pm), but I woke up feeling SO rested this morning (I accidentally went back to sleep for awhile after my 5 am alarm, but I knew my body needed it and I’m not going to beat myself up about it. Instead, I just shifted some things around this morning and I’m back on track!)

Are you joining me for the Go to Bed Early Challenge? If so, leave a comment on this post to let me know how you did with your go-to-bed goal last night.

We’re in this together… And if you didn’t hit your goal, that’s okay! Give yourself grace, don’t beat yourself up, and know that you can try again tomorrow!

Shared Feb 1, 2016 comment

5 Things I’m Loving This Week (+ one really big bonus!)

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 1, 2016 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

1) Time Around the Table Every Morning

Every morning, we start out with a cleared off table. By the end of our homeschool Morning Time, it looks like this — or worse!

But it’s worth it for the discussions we have, the creativity it encourages, and the different worlds and periods or history we are transported to through story. (I think kids listen better when their hands are busy, so I always encourage the kids to draw, color, sew, or build while I read aloud.)

2) Going to the Ninja Warrior-like Trampoline Park

Things I learned:

I will not be trying out for American Ninja Warrior. It might look cool on TV, but um, looks can be deceiving.
I do not like taking risks. At all. One attempt at the warped wall was more than enough for me.
My post-kid bladder does not mix well with trampolines.

3) This Adorable Coloring Page

Did you see this adult coloring page printable that CreativLEI made? I just love it… Even though it feels a little weird to have colored my own quote and then have it displayed on my fridge!

(You can print your own at CreativLEI.com.)

4) A Mommy-Daughter Date to the Mall

Kathrynne and I went on a Mommy-Daughter Date last week for her birthday. We went to the LEGO store, of course. Because this girl can never have too many LEGOs. And as long as she keeps them neat and organized and uses them to build cool Puzzle Boxes and other contraptions, I’m all about supporting this hobby of hers.

She decided to hit up the Pick a Brick section because that’s “the best use of your money” at the LEGO store, she tells me. You fill up a canister for $15, and I totally cracked up while watching her carefully fill each and every nook and cranny of her canister to make the money go as far as possible. She’s so like me in so many ways!!

We also went to the candy store where I found this. It gives a whole new meaning to, “I only ate one.”

Now I will always feel cheated out when I eat a regular-sized Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

(You may be surprised to know I used incredible self-control and put this baby back on the shelf… Only because it was $19.99 and I’m cheap and practical like that.)

5) Our New Creative Writing Program

One of my goals for 2016 was to go through a creative writing course with the kids this year. Many of you asked which one I’d chosen and, after some research and looking at a lot of different options, I chose Story Starters by Karen Andreola.

We’re two weeks in and we are just loving this book. It’s not only a great way to teach creative writing and practice handwriting skills, but the we’re having a lot of fun with it.

(It’s written from a very Charlotte Mason-style approach, so if that’s that your thing/style, it’s probably not a good fit for you. Me? I’m all over Charlotte Mason — which is why we adore so many, many aspects of the Sonlight curriculum.)

Bonus: A Girls’ Weekend with MacKenzie

I had a very, very fun gift of getting to spend the weekend in Washington State with MacKenzie from Bold Turquoise. It was such a treat, such a refreshing time, and such a reminder of why it’s important to make friendships a priority. (You can watch the Periscope broadcast we recorded while we were together here.)

5 things you should know about this picture:

1) We were standing by this gold rhino… Only we could not, for the life of us, get a selfie that showed our faces and the rhino at the same time. You’d think two bloggers could possibly do better than that, but nope.

2) We are like two peas in a pod. We like so much of the same stuff, we think so much the same way, and we even seem to pick out similar clothes! Except MacKenzie drinks DECAF coffee. I mean, seriously. I don’t even know how to deal with that sort of travesty.

3) We thought we both looked similar in age (we’re only three years different in age!), but when we went to get manis and pedis, the lady asked if it was a Mother-Daughter outing. We both instantly replied in a very appalled manner, “Which one of us looks like the MOM?!?!?”

4) We had planned to take more pictures of our weekend, but we were so preoccupied with sharing our hearts and getting to know one another on a deeper level that we kept forgetting! #fail

5) We are so grateful to both of our husbands for the many sacrifices they made for this Girls’ Weekend to be possible for the two of us. We both came away feeling so refreshed and renewed and re-energized.

What are YOU loving this week?

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1) #TogetherWeLetter Handlettering Challenge

2) Tulips & “Just Because” Gifts

3) A Stack of Good Books

4) A Yummy Crockpot Meatball Recipe

5) A Funny Quote

What are YOU loving this week?

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3 Books I Read Last Week

What are YOU reading this week?

1) Time Around the Table Every Morning

2) Going to the Ninja Warrior-like Trampoline Park

3) This Adorable Coloring Page

4) A Mommy-Daughter Date to the Mall

5) Our New Creative Writing Program

Bonus: A Girls’ Weekend with MacKenzie

What are YOU loving this week?

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