Thursday, February 28, 2013

Blog planner review

I blog mostly when the mood hits me, something important happens in the family or when I have a review to write. I did not think I had a need for a blog planner. After all my blog is very unplanned. However, for our first review on the new review team that I joined we were to review a free blog planner. I looked over our choices and selected the free planner designed and offered by confessionsofahomeschooler. What I liked about this planner is it is simple. I like simple! The design of it is also girly with swirls and such, which makes me smile each time I open it up. Now for a girl who has decidedly unplanned her blog having a blog planner was an interesting concept. I guess my biggest surprise about this product is that I actually enjoy planning my blog now. She has a few layout styles to choose from.  The layout style I chose of the planner is such that I can see in a quick glance how long it has been since I last blogged. Lots of blank lines means I need to upload some pictures and get writing. You can see evidence of that in the picture below!  I can pencil in when my review posts are due and plan around those too. It also offers space to jot some information about my reviews on the facing page making the whole month available at once. It has handy check boxes that allow you to record whether you posted to Facebook, twitter, etc. There are also checkboxes to help you keep track of which posts are giveaways or reviews.

The best part of this blog planner is that it is free! I printed the 15 double sided pages at home. I spent $3 having it spiral bound with plastic covers at my local office supply store. So for a fraction of cost this unplanning blogger has turned her ways to a planning blogger thanks to this planner.

If you would like to browse other reviews for free blog planners head over to mosaic reviews.


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Chips, Chicks, and Cars

We spent a weekend chipping up all the branch piles we had accumulated on the property.  We laid the chips on the road to help even it out so that the new car wouldn't have issues with the ruts.


This is our new all electric vehicle.  A 2012 Nissan Leaf.  This vehicle is in stark contrast to our diesel hog 2003 Excursion.  We are loving this peppy little car.


With the chicks coming in a week we started the coop.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

New Neighbors

The house next door was for sale......those neighbors haven't moved in yet. The acreage behind us however provided us with some neighbors.  They mooooved in about 2 weeks ago.  I love my little slice of country in the burbs.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Finally fenced


 It started as two rolls of 200 ft field fence
The boy and his dad pounded in over 50 tposts

 The dog watched and wondered why the fence was going up
400 ft of dog containing goodness!


Monday, February 4, 2013

Menu Monday

 I am trying to get back into cooking.  It hasn't been easy with a micro kitchen and 7 mouths to feed.  I am used to bulk cooking.  However in an effort to reduce our packaged and fast food intake this week I created a menu by browsing a friends blog and of course pinterest!
Monday- Burritos.  I have in the past used Bethany's refried without the refry beans recipe.  I threw a big ole double batch in the crockpot but they won't be ready till later so I used the good ole can variety.
Tuesday- crockpot chicken and dumplings
Wednesday-Taco Soup (many recipes out there.)
Thursday-Crockpot tatertot casserole
Friday is leftovers for the kids and a date night for hubby and I.

In an effort to get back to bulk cooking I browned up 7lbs of ground beef and added taco seasoning.  I have 6 cups of pinto beans crockpotting so we will have refried beans in the freezer.