Workin' on the blog...

I have some techno questions for my readers who also have blogs. I'm wanting to tweak my blog but I'm soooo not technological.

I have created a slide show in photobucket and a music playlist but have no clue how to upload them to my blog. Does anyone know how to do this. I don't want them as posts but as an added "gadget" on the side that comes up everytime my blog loads.

Also how does one go about starting a carnival? I have two or three I'm thinking about but I'm unsure about how to add Mr. Linky, how to create a graphic for it, how to get people to participate?

What would you all like to see me add? What kind of posts do you like or dislike. I haven't been feeling very original lately. Input greatly needed. PLEASE!

Frugal Friday- Free is good! True Beauty!

My four beauties!

And one crazy boy!

If y'all head over to http://safethusfar.blogspot.com/ she is having a giveaway sponsered by Vision Forum. You can win your choice of one of five different VF conference albums- one of which is on raising Godly daughters! That was my pick as I currently have 4 lovely daughters and perhaps the Lord will bless us with more. You have to hurry though! The give away closes tonight at 10pm! (EST) God Bless!

For more Frugal Fridays head on over to http://www.biblicalwomanhood.com/

Taylor post as required by Grandmas

Homemade Thursday- Old Post

I'm cheating for this week's Homemade Thursday post. I linked to and old post from last year. Here is the page link: http://modernchristianhomestead.blogspot.com/2008/04/home-made-playdough.html .

Have Fun! For more Homemade Thursdays go to http://shipfullofpirates.com .

Works For Me Wednesday- Free is Good!

If you haven't heard, head on over to either of Crystal Paine's two blogs (http://www.biblicalwomanhood.com/ or http://www.moneysavingmom.com/ ). She is sponsering a free entrepreneurial download from http://www.behemoth.com/ , a division of http://www.visionforum.com/ . It is an audio (MP3) file of Vision Forum's Entrepreneurial Bootcamp. If you were to pay for this it would cost around $100 ($65 on sale). If you are even the slightest bit entrepreneurial or thinking of starting a business of your own, head over and pick up the coupon code from Crystal that will allow you to download all 21 files absolutely free! This is only offered until Saturday so don't delay! I have wanted to purchase this for ages and now I was able to get it free! FREE works for me.

Also under Free works for me: I have a new pasta container. In its former life it used to hold "Pub Mix" a cheesy cracker/pretzel type snack mix by UTZ sold at Costco. Now, after said crackerage was eaten, the container stripped of its packaging and washed, it hold my spagehtti noodles. No more taping boxes or bags closed or accidentally dumping my pasta all over the pantry. FREE works for me!

For more Works For Me Wednesday head on over to http://www.rocksinmydryer.net/ (old host) or even better try the new hostess over at www.wearethatfamily.com .

Help For Growing Families- Franklin Springs

Maybe I'm a bit behind the times but I just discovered Franklin Springs Family Media. It is a Christian family owned/operated company. They produce and film wonderful family orientated films and DVD's. As I ran down the catalog list they have available, I found 7 must haves for my family and the rest of the films also sounded uplifting and encouraging to my walk as a Christian and mother.

They have documentaries, instructional videos for men, women and children, and helps for the family. I can't wait to get my hands on their The Art of Breadmaking DVD, Inherit the Land, and The Family Meal Table. For my DH: A Journey Home. For my son: Measure Twice, Cut Once. For my girls: The Art of Candlemaking and The Art of Soapmaking.

I can see my brood having good family time watching these DVD's and applying what they've learned to their skill and knowledge bank.

Check them out at http://www.franklinsprings.com/

For more Help With Growing Families check out http://www.shipfullofpirates.com/

Meal Plan Monday

I have never participated in a Meal Plan Monday before. I have planned out menus before but it fell by the wayside last year when I was pregnant and then after my new one was born. This is my first week back on it. The goal is to avoid the fast food joints by having this plan and let eating out be a rare treat.

Monday: Spagehtti, homemade bread, salad, minister's delight

Tuesday: Beans and rice, sauted green beans, applesauce

Wednesday: Porkchop and potato casserole, homemade bread, salad, peaches

Thursday: Fried Chicken, mashed potato, sauted green beans, cookies (homemade)

Friday: Turkey sloppy joes, corn, cookies (homemade)

Saturday: Tacos, refried beans, finger veges, applesauce

Sunday: Homemade challah bread, cheese soup, pudding

If you notice: I put a dessert with each meal. I'm trying to cut out unhealthy snacking during the day and after dinner. By having a sweet option (including but not limited to fruit) it pleases the sweet tooth but eliminates snack binges of sugar and salt.

Minister's Delight:

1 can (21oz) fruit filling

1 packaged yellow/white cake mix

1/2 cup butter (melted)

1/3 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Put fruit filling in slow cooker, combine cake mix and butter, sprinkle over filling, sprinkle on nuts, cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours. (Serve in bowls.)

For more menu planning ideas go to www.orgjunkie.com