July

After our mini-vacation over the 4th, the remainder of July was a little slow.

Dan drew a race track on the chalk board.

Sausage Race!!

We took in an Indians Game, taking advantage of BOGO tickets with our Zoo membership. I love the lawn seating at the Indians Stadium.  Brady has such a difficult time sitting still right now. He is able to move around and play with with his cars without bothering other people.

Waving to the crowd. He can be such a ham!

4th of July

We spent 4th of July in Wisconsin. Fun Times!! We hadn't seen Kevin and Nikki since Christmas.  Brady and his cousin, Adelaide were able to play together.   Brady got to see his second Brewer game. We watched the Cedarburg Parade on the 4th.  Then we travelled up to the Dell's for a day at Noah's Ark.

"Hands off my breakfast, Lady"

"Hey, Cousin Brady, Show me how to run like you!"

"Maybe this will help with teething, Adelaide"

Miller Park

Waiting for the Parade to start.

Noah's Ark

"woah!!! Maybe I'm not ready for the big slides!"

It was hard to tell who had more fun, Brady or Grandpa.

Dinner at Famous Daves afterward. "Hey Brady, do we get to eat ribs too??"

June

Swimming Lessons!

"Pooooool"

Look at these two!!

Brady had corn on the cob for the first time. Not a fan. 

His first Oreo was well received!

"mmmmmmmmmmm"

What's for Dinner??

What's for Dinner?? That's the 20,000 dollar question around here.   It is not uncommon for me to decide what is for dinner at 3:00pm and do a quick run to Kroger to grab missing ingredients.  Of course, this doesn't really mesh with my thrifty side.  Now that we  are doing Dave Ramseys Total Money Makeover and following the envelope system for our budget,  three extra trips to Kroger REALLY do not mesh!

I am slowing getting in the groove of weekly meal planning.  This is one of my favorites meals because it is sooooo cheap and easy.  And is made with things I usually have on hand. The majority of the ingredients are pantry staples.  When beef roasts are on sale, I will buy two or three and store them in the freezer. This way, I don't have to pay full price for beef later.  I always check out the "Half Off" bakery racks for French rolls or Hoagie buns.

Slow Cooker French Dip Roast Beef
1 medium onion, chopped
1 beef rump roast, 2.5-3 lbs
1 Tb dry minced garlic or 1 clove fresh
1/2 ts thyme
1/2 ts basil
1/2 ts black pepper
1 10oz. can beef consomme
8-10 french rolls-split

1. Place onion in slow cooker. Place beef on top of onion. Sprinkle garlic, thyme, basil and pepper over roast.

2. Pour consomme around beef. Cook on low 9-10 hours.

3 Remove beef. Let it sit 10-15 min.  Strain brother through sieve. Allow collected broth to stand for 10-15 min. Skim fat from broth. Season broth if desired.

4. Pour broth into individual soup cups or ramekins. Thinly slice beef. Pile beef onto buns, serve with cup of broth for dripping. 

Notes:
-I like to sear the roast in a hot pan first. I add the consomme to the pan to get all the yummy bits off the bottom. Then add everything to the slow cooker. 
-I use a gravy separator with a strainer top to strain the broth and deal with the fat.


Linking up to Life As Mom.  Click for more slow cooker recipes!!

May

                                                                  Mother's Day!!

Brady with his Great Uncle DJ

Bradys First Zoo Trip

"Did you SEE that?"

Sprinkler!!

Swimming at Grandma and Grandpa Householders

Thinking of joining Swagbucks???

This week is a GREAT time to signup! It is Back to School week with Swagbucks.
Enter "BackToSchool"  when registering,  and you will earn 40 Swagbucks. Add, this to the 30 Swagbucks they give you to get started ...and you are at 70 Swagbucks without even trying!!!  This promotion is good thru Sunday August 15th.

-There are five one of a kind Back to School Themed Swag Bucks in varying amount. If you collect them all, at the end of the week, you will earn a 50 Swag Buck bonus!


-Special Facebook and Twitter Promotions

-Swag Code Extravaganza on Thursday, which will include at least 5 Swag Codes.
 
It is easy to earn Swagbucks, which you redeem for prizes like Amazon Gift Cards, by doing your regular online searches. You simply use the Swagbucks search engine instead of the engine you are using now.  It can be even easier to search by adding the Swagbucks toolbar.

You can also earn by entering "Swag Codes" that can be found in the Swidget (Scroll down, you will see the Swidget on the right hand side). Codes can also be found by following clues that are posted on the Swagbucks Facebook page, Twitter page and the Swagbucks Blog.

I have been a Swagbucks member for just under two weeks and have already earned 10 dollars in Amazon Gift Cards. At this moment, I am halfway to earning another 5 dollars!!!  I just wish I had signed up sooner!!!