Tempt My Tummy - CeCe's Squares

This is simply the best lemon square recipe ever!
My girlfriend gave it to me after she got it from her girlfriend.
They are so delicious and I just had to rename them.
Deluxe Lemon Bars just didn't do them justice.
So, these are now called CeCe's Squares after my girlfriend's fun friend!

2c. all purpose flour (sifted) 1/3 c. lemon juice

1/2 c. confectioners' sugar (sifted) 1/4 c. all purpose flour

1 c. butter or margarine 1/2 tsp. baking powder

4 eggs Confectioners' sugar (sifted)

2 c. granulated sugar

1/3 c. lemon juice

1/4 c. all purpose flour

1/2 tsp. baking powder

Confectioners' sugar (sifted)

Sift together the first 2 ingredients. Cut in butter until mixture clings together. Press in a 13x9x2 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees until lightly browned, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Put eggs, 2 cups sugar and lemon juice in blender (I use a hand mixer); blend until thick and smooth. Sift 1/4 cup flour and baking powder. Add to blender; blend to combine. Pour over crust. Bake at 35o degrees for 25 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.

Cool. Cut in bars. Makes 30.

Enjoy!

Sales and Coupons

I kept saying I was going to cut coupons and get more organized before my shop day (Monday). Well, last night, I finally did!

There is really only one supermarket around me that will double coupons up to and including $1.

This is important because there are a lot of coupons for a dollar.

If you get the item on sale and then save $2, you can sometimes get the item for free! This is problematic because King Kullen is the only store that allows this and it is expensive and not normally my store of choice.

Add to that, there are not many coupon match-ups for King Kullen online. So, I am left to my own devices.

As for having coupons, we have been buying the paper and my mother-in-law has been giving me hers.

I am going to give it a try today.

I am set up to go to 2 different stores that I normally do not go to and the butcher because he has chicken breast for $1.69 a pound everyday!

I will keep you posted.

In the meantime, do you know a coupon lady that could help me out?

Or a website that has a King Kullen match-up?

And wait till you see my coupon binder- a work in progress.

Stampin' Party Tonight

My oldest daughter and I got to go to a stampin' party.
And the great thing was- it was right next door!
We are blessed to have great friends living only feet away.

And my mother-in-law was a blessing because she watched the little ones.
I had a fun time and even won the door prize- you know how much I love to win things!!!

I feel my craftiness coming through.
Maybe I will get to open that etsy store after all...

Friday Follow With The Chatty Mommy!

How's your week been?

Check out my facebook fan page- I am on fb!- you can like my fan page to the right on my sidebar- I would love it!
We are not sick anymore- woo hoo!
We played with friends.
Went food shopping.
Had a flat that geico had someone come to the house and fix for free!!!!
(This roadside assistance thing is totally new to me- love it!)
Then we bought new tires for the van at Sam's and the money we saved, we spent on various things at Target right next door.
Starting to realize I need a dress for my brother's wedding which is fast approaching- I'm thinking TJ Maxx.
All in all, a great week- love when the kids are home- can't wait for summer.
It will be summer one day, right?

This week, I thought we would include twitter accounts, so feel free to link up your twitter accounts and your blogs.

Friday Follow Rules:

1. You must follow TCM.

2. Link your blog or your twitter using the linky.

3. Place the friday follow in your blog post.

4. Visit and follow as many blogs and twitters that you can.

what i {LOVE} wednesday

My loves for the week:

1. The DIY Dish- Twins, Kris and Kim, have so many tutorials of quick and easy crafts it will make your head spin. We have already made some that I will show you this weekend!

2. Love this misty grey floral ring from Creative Kates.

3. What would be a love list without something from Gussy?- I adore this Pink Starburst Tote Bag.

4. And really starting to enjoy my time on the twitter.

What are you lovin' this week?

Facebooking It

So, a lot of you have heard me rant about facebook. If you haven't you can read my anti-facebook stance both here and here.

Well, after much consideration, I have decided to start a fan page for my blog.

I have had a positive experience with twitter and have enjoyed the added friends I have met from there.

So, I decided to try Facebook.

I will not be using a personal page, but had to get a personal page in order to have a fan page.

I would love if you would like my fan page by clicking "like" over in the sidebar.

I am still in the process of learning facebook and will be updating my page as I go along.

If anyone has any tips, I would love to hear them.

Happy Presidents' Day!

"Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged."
-Ronald Reagan

"A thorough knowledge of the Bible is worth more than a college education."
-Theodore Roosevelt

"It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible."

"Do not let any one claim to be a true American if they ever attempt to remove religion from politics."

First President of the United States - George Washington

Remember the men who have so proudly served our country and enjoy your day!

The Girl From School

So, on one of these glorious no make-up, crazy hair days this week, I see a girl from high school in the grocery store. I carefully calculated how to get out of there without confrontation, but alas, I looked up at the wrong time and couldn't act like I didn't recognize her.

She, unlike yours truly, looked exactly the same. Beautiful. Long, straight black hair, make-up perfect with a cute little boy who was whispering quietly to her. And then as we got closer she had all of those recyclable bags that the grocery store gives you 5 cents to use. And they were all the same kind. Like she decided to be kind to the earth and bought 15 of them for $2 each. Amazing.

My boys, who are always good when we are out (they really are), were of course, cranky. They had both been sick and just didn't feel like being in the shopping cart.

We made small talk as we walked to our cars.

She was honestly, very sweet and genuine.

And then, in my humiliation of bumping into her looking terrible, I did something I loathe.

I bragged.

I told her, her son was adorable- which was true.

And in return she said so are mine- which I will say is also true- hey, I'm partial.

Then I said "my girls are in school". Which is also truth, but totally unnecessary. She never asked how many kids I had or where are my other kids.

What was I trying to say?

I have four kids- give me a medal.

I have an excuse to be overweight- hey - I got four kids.

I am super mom- I have four kids.
I am important because I have four kids.

Pathetic.

Simply pathetic.

She was nice and said "Oh wow, 4 kids!"

It was like I was outside of my body looking down, saying, "Shut up! Stop talking!"

Have you ever been at the supermarket and a woman says loudly to her 3 kids, we have to go get your brother and sister from the bus stop? As if she really wants to say, "Hey, look over here, I have 5 kids!"

Those people usually drive me crazy.

But I was one of them.

Talk about coming from a place of insecurity.

We walked to our cars- both black- hers clean, cool new SUV. Mine- dirty with a mental note that I should clean the thing.

I tried not to open the door on her side or else she might actually see the floor of the van- I won't even go there- but let's just say I recently found an apple core and I am not sure when the last time I ate an apple was.

She even had really cool red rosary beads hanging from her mirror.

What do I want with rosary beads?

But it looked cool.

Later, I thought, what a waste of time!

Instead of inviting her to the mom's group at church or spreading God's love, I could only concentrate on superficial things.

The other day my son said, "Mom, do you ever wish you could change something that you did before?"

Yeah son, I do. I really do.

Friday Follow With The Chatty Mommy!

So, a couple of things:
Kids have been sick and even one trip to the emergency room, but Praise God, everyone is okay.
Because of said sickness, I have been out of my daily routine and have been out more than once without make-up or hair dried. I have this crazy technique of just putting my hair back while wet from a shower in a sloppy bun. This is never attractive and contributes to some of the knots I have had back there since the 90s. (Only half kidding)
However, being around the house so much, as really made me think about my housekeeping or lack of and I am on a mission to clean.

The Husband has been working late a lot and although I miss him, it gives me more time to get stuff done around the house.

I am hoping he and I get a chance to go out together this weekend. Time goes by so fast and our time together seems to be less and less.

What have you been up to this week?

Friday Follow Rules:

1. Follow TCM.

2. Add your blog to the linky and Put the TCM button on your blog.

3. Follow and visit as many blogs as you can on the linky.

4. Family friendly blogs only, please.

Wordless Wednesday- We've moved on to the Flatbed...

Ebay- Did you know you can sell Box Tops For Education?

It is true - on ebay, you can sell the box tops for education. I recently just sold 225 for $21.05. People need them for their schools, for contests or because the school says they have to get a certain amount every year. So you trim them neatly and make sure they are not expired (this is important) and list them. You are basically being paid to cut them and find them. I do feel bad once in awhile that I am not giving them to the kids' school, but sometimes I need a little pretty wife money....

What's the coolest thing you have bought or sold on ebay?

And the winner is....

#18 - Shawna!!!!
Sorry about the HUGE random.org picture. Still getting used to the new computer.
Shawna, I am going to give your email to the wonderful people over at Creative Kates!

Creative Kates- Thanks so much- I love your jewelry!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Top 5 Love Stories

In no particular order, no particular theme, here are my favorite love stories....

1. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert are my new favorite after watching, The Young Victoria. Their love lasted through her being Queen and him finding his place as the head of their family. They had 9 kids who became kings and queens of many different countries. And when her husband died at a young age in his 40s, she wore black until her 80s to mourn her beloved. She wasn't even seen in public for 3 years after his death! Amazing!

2. Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy

From my favorite Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice. Was it her prejudice and his pride or her pride and his prejudice? Their beautiful love story keeps you on the edge of you seat until the end of the book. Although, unlikeable at first, Mr. Darcy eventually has us all rooting for him. Especially where the intelligent, independent Elizabeth Bennett is concerned. Ah, to live in those times...

3. Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Mikhailovich Grinkov
They had been paired off since she was 11 and in 24 competitions, they never placed lower than 2nd. In 1995, Sergei suffered a heart attack and died, leaving his beloved wife Ekaterina and their small daughter, Daria.

"At first I was lost on the ice without him.
So alone. I was used all the time to holding
on to someone, leaning on someone...
all the time feeling him so close. Now all
the time I must feel my feet under me
because there is no one there to hold me."
--Ekaterina Gordeeva--

4. Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward
Married on January 29, 1958, Paul and Joanne were married for over 50 years! Apparently, Paul did more than just make salad dressing! Both Paul and Joanne were Hollywood movie stars and had one of the longest running marriages in celebrity history. Newman died in 2008. Could you only imagine how she misses him?

5. Fred and Wilma Flintstone
The Flintstones ran from 1960 to 1966 in America and was the first animated situation comedy on primetime TV. We still watch it today in syndication. We still haven't decided who is funnier, Fred and Barney trying to catch their next big break or Wilma and Betty trying to disguise themselves to find out what the men are up to. Through it all they remain together and eventually raise their little Pebbles. We could learn a thing or two from this stone age family.

Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! Remember to tell someone you love them today.

And don't forget, the Valentine's Giveaway ends tonight!

{happy birthday little guy}

Happy birthday little guy,

I love you so very much.

I can't believe today is your party and how old you have become.

Where is my baby?

I am secretly thankful you still suck your thumb, because it kind of keeps you a baby, though I have no idea how I'll get you to stop.

Because I love you I bought completely over-priced diego partyware even though you hardly watch the show and dollar tree has cheaper stuff.

But you are the last child and I figured why not?

I was dreaming that you would be potty trained by your actual birthday in a couple of days, but alas, that was not to be.

I love your laugh - your jokes and the way you always want me to hug you.

The only child that actually looks like me- you give me great joy.

Enjoy your day and please, please use the potty!

A Little Busy This Weekend....

We have a lot going on..

Valentines to make...

Setting up for the little guy's party...

Getting ready for the 100th day of school that is on Monday with Valentine's Day...

And making some treats for...


a 50th birthday party that we are off to!

Have a great Saturday and don't forget to enter the Valentine's Giveway- it ends Monday and has super low entries.

Friday Follow With The Chatty Mommy!

Weekly Wrap-Up:
Have momentarily stopped potty training.- Completely my fault. I will start again soon.
Went to buy a plane ticket to go to my brother's wedding and the price went up $200! So, you think I would buy it before it goes up again, but I find myself thinking it will go down!!! Ha!
I am loving twitter- follow me if you can. http://www.twitter.com/thechattymommy. But, I have to start to limit my computer time.
The kids really want chore charts. I actually found an online chore chart that the kids each sign in and check off themselves- not sure if that is the way I want to go. I'll keep you posted.

I am trying a new linky because the old one is charging and although I don't blame Mr. Brent Riggs, I just don't have it.

Friday Follow Rules:

1. Be a follower of TCM.

2. Link your blog to this one.

3. Put the friday follow button somewhere in your blog post.

4. Check out and follow as many blogs as you can.

Family Friendly Blogs only please.

True Love- Ben and Katie style.

Maybe you have seen them before. On my blog, on another, on their blog, but I just wanted to take this time to mention a wonderful love story, during this time before Valentine's day. I found them on Theresa's blog and can't stop reading about their day to day.
Ben and Katie are a young couple that were in a terrible accident. I won't go into the story- just click on the picture above and check it out for yourself.
I am constantly in awe after reading their blog.
The way they fight for each other, each in their own way, it is an example to me and countless others of what God intended marital love to be.
Happy Valentine's Ben and Katie!
May God bless you this year like never before!

Chuck E. Cheese- Still Undecided....

Recently, I took the boys to a Chuck E. Cheese party. The host was gracious and invited all the kids. But, my eldest had decided the place is full of germs and my other daughter had just went to a birthday party at bounce and play, so I figured just the boys would be nice.

Needless to say, they had a great time, but I am still unsure how I feel about the Chuckster, the Chuck-O-Rama, the Chuck Meister...

Everyone seems to be thrilled that they stamp your hand upon entering, so your child can not leave with anyone but you.

However, I always think they should check at the bathrooms too. To make sure no one has taken my kid in there! Sorry to sound harsh, but these are the things I think about.

So, suffice it to say, my kids do not leave me.

I need to be able to see them at all times. However, someone recently brought up another point- what about the tunnels attached to the ceiling- what if my kid is being hurt in there? This I don't worry about as much. Once I saw my son was in there, I was able to play in the section right below the tunnels with the little guy and watch to see when he would come out.

Another Problem- A lot of people say it is dirty- not just Chuckie's, but most birthday spots. I am not too much of a germ-o-phob, but recently, the kids have been doing very well, which if you have been reading TCM for awhile you would know this is nothing like last winter. So, I was a little cautious, but they did have a couple of purel pumps that we took advantage of.
And one of my sons did have a cold the next day, but he handled it well.

I will say I always love the parties- they are short and to the point. However, for this party, I was scammed by my own kids- once they ran out of tokens, they began talking me into buying more. I kept saying no, and then uncharacteristic of me, I gave in. It was so easy -lol- just a simple swipe of my card and $10 gave us 50 tokens!

What a deal that would be except the kids got called over for cake and pizza and I still have about 45 tokens sitting in my room! Ebay, perhaps?

All in all, I think Chuck E. Cheese is decent. I really like the pizza (what pizza don't I like?), the kids have a good time and a party is only 2 hours. So as long as I go when sickness is not at an all time high, keep an eye on the kids and get out of there in a couple of hours, not a bad day. The kids think I am great and then I can hang it over their head enjoy a special day with them.

What do you think about these indoor party places? Do you avoid them? Have you had your kids' parties there?

TMT- Tasty Time With ZeFronk- Potato Pancakes

I haven't done a Tempt My Tummy Tuesday in a long time.

Long Story Short- The TV gets left on and I wind up watching disney. This dog, ZeFronk happens to have some nice recipes.

I decided to make his potato pancakes.

Peel, then shred about 5 potatoes and one large onion.

Add one egg and I added some flour- about 3 or 4 tablespoons to soak up some of the potato moisture. Mix together.

Then drop spoonfuls into oil on medium heat. And fry. Brown each side. I also added salt and pepper.

I served them with some tasty salmon and green beans - oh and let's be honest - SOUR CREAM- Yum!

We had about 4 out of 6 of us like this.

Not too bad, for a recipe from a cartoon dog.