I do not have a green thumb, at all. I try to grow things and end up killing them. Fortunately there are plenty of things that bloom on their own around here and I get to reap the benefits. Out of all the trees and flowers in my yard the redbud is my favorite. I don’t know why it’s called that when it’s actually purple, but either way it’s pretty. These aren’t the type of flowers that would typically go in a vase or bouquet, but I think they’re too gorgeous not to let them mingle indoors this time of year.

A couple of weeks ago when it wasn’t 50 degrees, the kids and I went outside to get some flowers and sunshine.

That’s Z carrying stick in his mouth!

All of the redbuds, gladiolas, and daffodils shown in these photos are dead now (indoors and out), but that just makes me all the more grateful for ceasing the opportunity while we had it. Of course spring has just begun and there is plenty left that has yet to bloom.

Top 10 things I will hopefully accomplish in the Spring
1. Fly a Kite“up to the highest heights”
2. Change Out Closet ClothesThe kiddos have very limited closet space. It’s time to weed out the winter clothing and things they’ve outgrown

3. Go CampingOur church is having a retreat at Meridian park in a couple weeks. This will be my first time camping with children!
4. Walk to the StoreIt’s been a long time since I’ve gone to Braum’s, CVS, or one of the other nearby stores by way of foot. With the weather changing I plan on doing this more often.
5. Sell StuffI have to declutter and I need money, but I am just not motivated. That has got to change! Look out Ebay, yard sale, and Craig’s List. Here I come!
6. Get an iphoneI’ve held out for so long and EVERYONE in my family (make that almost everyone I know) has an iphone. As much as I enjoy being stubborn and counterculture my turn may be coming. I will keep you posted.
7. Get a Tan?I don’t really care about being tan, but I wouldn’t mind a slight golden glow coming into the summer months. I will probably be outside with the kids everyday, so there is definitely potential.
8. Spring CleaningI’ve been trying to tackle a different zone of my house each month in 2011. The spring line up includes organizing the kitchen, kid’s room and attic. Eeek.
9. Poetry ReadingThere is another art festival coming up and I am considering reading some of my poems. We’ll see.
10. Blue Bonnet PhotosIt’s a Texas tradition, but I’ve never felt right about making my little man pose by himself in a field of flowers. Now that we have a girl this may be our first year to join in on the fun.
What are your plans? Do our lists match in anyway?
SJ’s first pair of flip flops.

Now head on over to Oh Amanda for more Top Ten Tuesday.

Just when I think we went straight from winter to summer here in south Dallas, it starts getting cool again and it happened literally overnight. I went to check the weather this weekend and this is what I foundWe were technically about to go from the 90’s to the 40’s. There is an old saying that

This means that there isn’t much to slow down the polar and arctic air masses that move rapidly across Texas battling the southernly winds (so I’ve been told). This does leave a fair amount of unpredictability in how to dress myself and the two little ones each morning. Flip flops and a bright yellow flower headband one day, fuzzy boots and fuchsia tights the next. Eh, for the baby, not me.

We’re onto week two of my “Q” (coupon) challenge. I wish I could have done more, but I have to pace myself. I am not going to make any extra trips just to get a deal and it’s really hard to do any kind of shopping with children. This puts some major limits on what I can get, but that’s probably a good thing. Even with as laid back as I am I can still tend to be obsessive compulsive at times. Anyway, here is the scoop-

Since the weather has gotten warmer SJ has a newfound fascination with sitting in the freezer/refrigerator. Have you ever seen a cat run into the room when you get out her food? That’s how this is. All you have to do is open the door to the freezer and SJ comes running in as quick as her little baby legs can carry her just to plop down on the bottom ledge and chill out. Although it is adorable, it’s one of her more expensive habits, so it is quickly interrupted by an energy efficiency talk from me and tears from her as I remove her from the ice box. What can I say? Our family just loves to chill, maybe that’s why I’ve been so into freezer cooking. Speaking of which, I just wanted to finish out this series with a few links that go along with the information that I have shared this week.

Money Saving Mom- How To Plan Bulk Cooking

The first time I made this I put 2 Tablespoons of Cayenne pepper instead of chili powder. Oops. Way too spicy! However, as long as you don’t do that this meal is DELICIOUS and makes a great freezer entree’. If you like mexican, then give this one a try!

And if you just can’t get enough links go click on some Saturday Stumbles at SimplyStaci.net.

Makes 4-6 large sandwichesIngredients2 strip steaks, about 1 inchthicksalt and pepper2 tablespoons olive oil1 onion, sliced thin1 red bell pepper, seeded ad sliced thin1 tablespoon stak sauce1/2 teaspoon dried oregano4 (6 inch) sub rolls6 ounces thinly sliced deli provolone cheesePat steak dry with paper towels and rub saute spice liberally into each side. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large skillet over medium high heat until rippling. Cook steaks until well browned, 5 to 6 minutes per side (this is all the cooking time the steaks get so cook them according to your preference). Meanwhile, add remaining oil, onion, bell peppers, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to empty skillet and cook until vegetables are slightly softened, about 5 minutes (you can cook them longer if you are not going to freeze them). Off the heat, stir in steak sauce, oregano, and sliced steak until well combined.Keep in an air tight plastic bag in freezer. Thaw overnight and reheat in frying pan until warm all the way through, about 8 minutes.Divide steak mixture among rolls and top with cheese. Arrange sandwiches on rimmed baking sheets and bake until cheese is melted and rolls are golden brown around edges, about 5 minutes. Serve.

Linked up with Food on Fridays at annekroeker.com

This week I am talking about my experience with freezer cooking. We don’t only eat meals prepared and frozen ahead of time, but we are starting to eat about 12 meals a month this way and it has been working out great. But what is the point? Well, I am glad I asked. Here is my list of top ten reasons for bulk cooking once a month.

1. It takes the guess work out of your meal planning. Instead of worrying what is for dinner tonight or this week you plan it all out once a month, and then you are free to think about other things.

2. It saves money because you can buy some things in bulk, and our family tends to eat out less when we have the meals already prepared and waiting in the fridge.

3. It saves a time because you get all of your rinsing, chopping, baking, grilling etc. done at once, instead of making trips to the pantry and measuring and stirring every night for every little recipe.

4. It is less clean up (this goes hand in hand with #3) you use the same knives, spoons, or cutting board and get it all out of the way. The night you actually heat the meal up there is very little cleaning involved afterwards.

5. It is a great backup plan to have in case of an emergency. The first month we did this we were iced in for several days. Another time we had a bit of a financial crisis, but at least we didn’t have to worry too much about groceries. It was SO nice that we had already had all of these meals stocked in the freezer.

6. The buddy system keeps you going. Because a lot of people do their freezer cooking with a friend it gives you a date that you have to have your cooking done, and this kind of accountability means you are more likely to actually follow through with making your home cooked meals.

7. It motivates you to try new things. Before the freezer meals I was in a little bit of a cooking rut, but now I am trying new recipes to have ready for the big cooking day.

8. It can be healthy. It depends on the menu you choose, but most likely if you are eating out less and cooking meals mostly from scratch you tend to eat healthier.

9. There is a rewarding feeling of satisfaction that comes when you have a freezer full of tasty meals. It leaves you with a sense of accomplishment.

10. It’s fun to cook with a partner, and also to see what others online are doing with their freezer meals. It’s like being a part of a little community.

Those are some of the reasons I have come to like it, and tomorrow I will be posting a home video I made that I even “scripted” and “directed” that shows some of how I execute a month of meals. It should be all kinds of cheesy fun.

Oh, yeah, and check out Oh Amanda too for many more top ten lists!