Break the Cycle

Since most know that I love shopping on the internet, I'm going to start posting super finds. Flurry Deals Gotta love Amazon for nearly everything from coffee (I get a monthly delivery of coffee syrups - sugar free - and they make even cheapy coffee taste great) Torani Sugar Free Coffee Syrups to Splenda (again, a monthly delivery assures that I won't run out, and the price is very comparable to my local Sam's Club) Splenda I also picked up this London Fog jacket for my husband. Our anniversary is in January - perfect gift. It's back up to $150 now, I picked it at $89 - so it'll probably go back on sale again before the holidays.

My oldest daughters' laptop got hit with some type of infection last weekend. All files gone, computer wouldn't start, and a pop up box kept telling her she needed to perform a System Restore, and it would cost $$$. Of course, I knew that System Restore should not cost anything - so figured it was some type of virus. I ran McAfee full scan, didn't find much, but found enough to get her back up and running, but didn't find the answer to where her files went. Fast forward to yesterday - my own computer, infected with the same virus, but my computer has tons more information that can't be lost. Of course, I have a removable hard drive where I back up my info, so I wasn't so worried, but I need my computer everyday for work related stuff. I had McAfee running 24/7 - so knew it wasn't going to help. On to the net for a fix, and stumbled across Malwarebytes Anti-Malware download. Skeptical, I downloaded it. OMG - it not only found the problem, the forums...

OK - the push is on from major retailers to get your hard earned money before the Christmas season. A friend of mine just forwarded a wonderful email - talking about buying gift certificates to American run business this Christmas - a gift that can keep on giving. Some things mentioned in the email like haircuts and snow removal - really gets you thinking. But, I always like to have a few gifts in the closet for unexpected guests, or someone I forgot - so here's Amazon's Count Down to Christmas sale. Each week the sale changes, and they've had some really decent gold box items lately - so check in everyday ! Shop Amazon's Holiday Countdown Store

Whole Wheat Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins from moneywisemoms.com 1 large egg 2/3 cup light brown sugar 1 can of pumpkin puree 1 cup skim milk 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp nutmeg 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Using an electric mixer, beat egg with brown sugar until smooth. Add pumpkin and milk, and mix. Add baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to wet ingredients. Mix well. Slowly add in whole wheat flour, mix until well combined. Fold in the mini chocolate chips. Spray a nonstick mini muffin pan with cooking spray. Fill muffin tins 2/3-3/4 full. Bake for 10-15 minutes until a toothpick poked into the muffin center comes out clean. Allow to cool in muffin tins for 5-10 minutes. Remove from muffin tins and completely cool.

And in some ways - not. I gave up my WW meeting to take Adam to Lowes to build a fire truck. I had promised him, and my kids know I always try very hard to keep my promises - so I had to go. DH did say he would, but after some sighs and ummmmms, I decided he probably really didn't want to - so I did. Not a great start - I've been a WW member now for 2 weeks, only made it through the initial meeting, went back the second week, got weighed in, but was called to duty immediately thereafter and didn't get to stay for the meeting, and then this week - nothing. Right back on track though! I did find time to sew this weekend - made a pretty neat table runner entirely out of scraps - just need to make a binding and get it put on the table !

Wow - we had a blast this last weekend of summer - we spent a day with the Jessie O crew and did a little deep water fishing. The water was rough, but all the kids handled it well - good to know. We went bowling - and both Adam and Nadia did surprisingly good. Of course, they had gutter guards in and used them creatively - but their scores were impressive. Then our last trip of summer - Six Flags Great Adventure. WE usually try and go one last time during the Muslim Days which mark the end of Ramadan, but because Ramadan is now in the summer - they cannot hold Eid at the park since it's open for it's regular season. Muslim Days this year falls on a school day - and since it's not "really" the religious holiday (that was this past week) - I won't let the kids miss school to go (mean mom that I am). So, I took them yesterday. They had a blast. I even rode the Congo River Rapids with them twice (I had brought a zip lock baggie for my phone) Adam was a...

Wow - this year it'll just be Leenah and I at home, as Nadia has also decided to try her hand (and head) at public school. Knowing Nadia, I know she'll do great. Adam will be entering 3rd grade (YIKES - how did that happen) and Mona will be a Sophomore in High School. I don't know how my kids are getting older (and I'm staying the same) While it'll be quiet around home with only the 2 of us here - I'm pretty sure we'll be getting lots more done, as well as having lots of free time to hit the beach (and swim practices) Speaking of swim practice - we've been off 2 weeks already, and she's more than raring to go. Luckily the coach just posted her new schedule, and with some days having a 3 hour practice, I'm sure she'll be right back in shape pretty quickly ! Mona's got her second scrimmage game tomorrow - and it's Eid - the end of Ramadan. I think I may skip all the celebrations for the day and go watch her play.

Oh, I love when the postman comes and leaves an envelope with Ebates as the sender. I know my BIG FAT CHECK is inside. When I first started online shopping, my BFC's were less than $20 each - nice, but nothing noteworthy. Today's BFC - $99.72. Now I can do a bit of shopping with that one. Added to the $18.47 I got back from Ace Hardware last week, and I can take the kids out fishing again - for free. Very nice. Sign up through my link, and I get $5 for each of you. Then you can add a link on your own blog, and you'll get $5 for each of your friends that signs up. Refer 3 friends and get a $30 bonus. Refer 10 friends, and get a $100 bonus. If you have lots of friends, you can get an iPad2 for 50 new friends that become Ebates members. It's free, you get money back for the shopping that you'd do online anyway, and you can still use coupon codes and promo's as well. Nothing to lose ! My Link (and when I use my $5 bonus to get a cappuccino - I...

First week of Ramadan has already passed us by - time goes very quickly.  I've had people here in the States wonder where I get clothing for the girls and me.  Yes, sometimes we do bring outfits back from Egypt, but most everything we have in Middle Eastern fashion was purchased here in the States.  One of the best places online is East Essence - there is always a link on the right of my blog, as well as a link here that will take you directly to the Abayas and Jilbabs - starting well below $20 each. Abaya & Jilbab

Now that Sham is due back from Egypt - I'll have time to keep the blog updated.  We did lots the 2 months that he was gone.  The first thing that we'll share with him is that Adam came in FIRST PLACE for the Grandparents Day contest held in our county.  There were over 1200 entries - and he received first place for his 2nd grade entry.  Along with the award, he also got a $25 gift certificate - that he can use anywhere in the mall !  He wanted to wait and go shopping with daddy - I wonder what they'll bring home !  Great Job Adam

Wow, time does fly.  It's been a hard summer so far - dh left at the end of May for what was supposed to be one month overseas.  If he does come home next week - it'll have been 2 months !  That's 2 months of having 4 kids involved in 2 sports, and umpteen tenants.  I handled a couple of evictions, and inspection, purchased one new property, and made a few repairs here and there.  I learned how to take out windows and reinstall them, as well as keeping our own grass cut, and having a wonderful veggie garden this year.  We spent the 4th of July out on a boat - watching the fireworks in Atlantic City - that was awesome and certainly memorable.  We're planning on taking the same boat fishing this Friday - hoping we can stock the freezer with fresh fish before hubby gets home ! Also had a great time last weekend at Princeton University.  Leenah swam some awesome times, and I'm beginning to see the wonderful young lady she is going to become.  So...

I have to give it to the lady at Shoprite  - she did an awesome job with Adam's birthday cake.  They didn't have any pirate cakes that really struck me as something I'd want - so she said she could make one up - from leftover Halloween stuff.  I think she did an amazing job ... I need to drop by one day and leave her a tip!

Can't believe my littlest has turned 8 ... pretty soon everyone will be in double digits .... I think I'll have a break down then.  We had a wonderful birthday at Hershey Park.  The rain held off long enough that everyone got to ride every ride they wanted to - we saved the water rides until the end - knowing we would get soaked, get cold, and want to go home (and that exactly what happened !)  Of course, we also had to have birthday cake when we got home (even though he had birthday cake and singing for breakfast on the way to Hershey, as well as birthday cake and singing for dinner on the way home from Hershey)  He hasn't gotten a gift yet - probably this weekend ... oh, to be young again !

This makes about 8 servings - 3 out of 4 kids loved it.  The other one helped make it - so knew about the veggies ... had she not seen the veggies, she probably would have loved it too ! 1 box spiral pasta (healthier if you use whole wheat) 1 lb extra lean ground turkey 1 orange pepper, chopped 1 cup fresh mushrooms sliced 1 onion, chopped 5 garlic cloves, minced 14 1/2 ounce can of Italian stewed tomatoes (do not drain) 14 ounce jar of spaghetti sauce dash of pepper 2 1/4 can of sliced olives (these you do drain) fresh grated Parm cheese Pretty simple really - cook the pasta, in another pot cook the turkey, orange pepper, mushrooms, onion and garlic all together until the turkey is done (no more pink).  Drain.  Add the tomatoes, spaghetti sauce and pepper and bring to a boil.  Simmer, uncovered for 10-15 minutes, then add the drained pasta into the same pot along with the olives.  Once it's heated through, sprinkle with cheese and serve. 1 1/2 c...

Really not sure what magazine this came from - I tore out the page and have made it so many times, it's getting harder to read.  This recipe makes 2 loaves, but I usually always double it. 3 large eggs 1 large zucchini, grated (about 2 cups) 3/4 cup oil (I use canola) 2 tsp. vanilla 2 1/2 c all purpose flour 1 TBSP ground cinnamon 3/4 tsp baking soda 3/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp baking powder 3/4 cup chopped walnuts Beat eggs until foamy, add sugar, oil, zucchini, and vanilla.  Add flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and baking powder.  Mix on low until just blended.  Add in walnuts by hand.  Pour into greased loaf pans and bake for about an hour at 325*. If you make each loaf into 16 servings (yeah, right) each slice will have about 145 calories, 2 g protein, 18 g carbs, 8 g total fat (only 1 sat fat) 1 g fiber, 20 mg cholesterol, and 95 mg sodium This really is good enough for a desert !

Our second trip during Spring Break 2011 included a trip to Sahara Sam's - an indoor water park in West Berlin, NJ.  Everyone had a blast.   I had tickets leftover from December of 2009 - so the trip was free (I like free).  I had to sign waivers so the kids could ride the "flow rider" - sorta like an indoor way to surf.  Of course, since we're just at the beginning of the long course swim season, I reasoned with them that they could learn to boogie board on the flow rider, but no standing - there is no real need for broken  bones this season, right?  They took quite a few spills before they figured out what they were doing.  There were a couple of older dudes there that obviously spent way too much time at the water park - they were able to do all types of tricks, but each session always ended with them wiping out (the wipe outs amused me for most of the afternoon - people would get thrown up the wall of water, and stand up trying to pull their...

Spring Break used to mean nothing to us home schoolers.  If we wanted to take a day off to visit the zoo, we could.  Now with 2 of my 4 in public school - Spring Break took on a whole new meaning.  We crammed lots in during this week, including lots of tennis practices and swim practices.  We also took 2 road trips - one to the local zoo in Cape May County, NJ.  Love the zoo ! Wonderful weather for a trip to the zoo ! Best of Friends These goats had the prettiest eyes. Wonderful opportunity for them to see a real bald eagle. We've discussed getting grandma a monkey as a companion - this would work! This bear was swimming laps - the girls' coaches would be proud !

I've had this plant since we moved into our house 5+ years ago.  It was a bit more than I usually pay for a hanging plant  - but it was an unusual color, and it flowered.  It has survived winters in my laundry room, where I was lucky to water it once or twice during the entire season.  Every spring it would come back as full as when I got it.  This year I put it outside, watered it, and watched it come back to life .... but then ....  a friendly bird decided that our front porch was just the spot for her nest.  Being the home school mom that I am, I figured it'd be a great opportunity for the kids to watch how a bird intricately weaves a nest.  Of course, we helped out by putting out hair from our brushes for the nest, and bird seed to give her strength.  She worked hard on that nest, and then - she sat in the nest.  She flies away when we open our front door - but comes right back as soon as we leave the porch area.  So I held my c...

What a Beautiful Family DD #1 and her best friend DD #3 and my sister Adam is very proud of his award Not just a trophy, but also best attendance ! DD #2 with her coach, his son, and her sister  Kids had a wonderful time at the swim banquet this weekend.  My sister Gige from Phila. drove straight down after a long day in the O.R along with her friend Peggy (another favorite Aunt of the girls') just to see the girls and Adam get their trophies.  Since this was Adam's first full year, and his first big banquet - it was extra special.  How blessed am I ?

www. Actually found time to sew again this weekend, and made my decision - I'm going to put 2 borders around the outside of the stars, and then add the garden maze blocks.   I don't think it's going to end up as large as I wanted, but I don't know about adding more borders .... waiting now for more of the 1895 Hoffman black that I ordered from ebay ...  then I can start on the borders. I do like how it looks without borders around the stars, so glad there were so many that suggested that last week!  To see what others are working on, check out Patchwork Times !

I am so happy to have something to share this week.  About a month ago, I received some inspiration from another blogger on Design Wall Monday - hosted by Judy at Patchwork Times .  I immediately fell in love with the star quilt that Kate from Life in Pieces   had put together using the pattern from Country Junktion .  I knew immediately that I could use it as the center of a quilt, and finally use those garden maze blocks that were sitting in my UFO pile.  What do you think ? This is the quilt made from the BOM pattern alone This is that same quilt surrounded by my garden maze blocks I started sewing the garden maze blocks together to see how big of a border I will be needing around the star blocks.  Now to figure out if I should border around each block, or just around the outside of the stars - what do you think?

I've attended a couple of Adam's art shows now. Last year he did an amazing drawing of a teapot - I had it matted and framed and it is the only thing gracing the dining room walls. This year I'm not sure what artist they were imitating, but he drew himself, cut it apart, and pasted it back together every which way. I can see him in the picture, but I sure would have loved to see it before he cut it apart. He's proud of it, so I am too ! He also participated in a class project - this was done with bingo dabbers !

Some excitement going on here in Jerzyland - there is a chance that MIL may come for a visit, and if I have my way, she'll stay.  I know, some of you may thing "oh, I would die if my MIL came to live with me" - but my MIL is an awesome woman.  One - even though we don't speak the same language, we have always managed to get along.  Two - even though we don't speak the same language, she always manages to side with me when dh and I disagree, which is amazing, because she has no idea of what I'm saying, so she has no idea if I'm right or not (of course, I'm always right.... she's super intelligent and just knows that LOL)  Three - when dh and I do argue, she'll take herself somewhere else, she has never, ever gotten in-between us, she really does mind her own business, and FOUR - most important - she loves to cook, and is pretty good at it.  Here's my favorite story -  about the first trip to Egypt, when we took some legs of lamb and a huge...