Babies R Us/ Toys R Us: Earth's Best Diapers Amazing Deal

Babies R Us and Toys R Us will have an amazing deal going on from January 1 - 2, 2010 only!  Earth’s Best Jumbo pack of diapers will be on sale for only $5.  There are two coupons that you can stack together to make this amazing deal go even further!
Deal Scenario:
       Buy Earth's Best Jumbo Pack Diapers $5.00

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Saving Money!!

I have been going crazy the past month or two with coupons and trying to get the best deals using my coupons.  I love finding awesome websites that help me understand the deals and how to use my coupons to get the best deals.  I've posted a couple of them previously.  I love Couponing to Disney.  Kristen, the owner of Couponing to Disney is amazing.  She has saved SO SO much money for their Disney trip that they are taking at the end of May.  She has only started saving for her trip since June 1, 2009 and she already has $1972.51 saved and her goal by May 20, 2010 is $2600.00.  I think that is absolutely fantastic and so did my husband.  That's why my husband and I have decided to start doing something similar.  Except this will be to pay off our debt instead of saving for a trip.  So, hopefully, we'll be able to start dwindling our credit card debt down to nothing.  I'll post more about this later.

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Walgreens Coupons and How To's

Hey everyone!  I just wanted to give you some links to some amazing Walgreens coupons.  Pair these up with some manufacturer coupons and some of these will make for some great deals.
Big Joy Coupons
Walgreens Weekly Coupons - Dec. 20 thru Dec. 26
Also, if you've never really used coupons at Walgreens, you'll need to watch this video.  This is Collin at Hip2Save.com in one of her "Follow Me Monday" videos.  She really helps with understanding each store and how they work.  Walgreens is a little tricky sometimes.  Also, just a note, always hand over the manufacturer coupons first and then the Walgreens coupons.  She tells you this in the video, but this is just a little reminder.  I learned this the hard way.  Just a note:  There are two videos.  She couldn't fit it all into one.  They aren't that long though. 

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Amazon Video On Demand Credit

Right now Amazon has a $4 credit for any Video on Demand.  Just head on over to Amazon and get the code there.  They've got some awesome New Releases for only $2.99 and also some old holiday movies that are only $.99.  This could make for a really good and free movie night!  Snuggle up with your sweetie by the fire and watch a good movie! 

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Yorkmont Charlotte Regional Farmer's Market

I have heard back from some of the local farmers.  They will be at the Yorkmont Charlotte Regional Farmer's Market today, Tuesday, December 22, 2009.  The time varies depending on the farmer.  I'll give you a rundown below.  Go support your local farmers and eat local and of course healthier.  Let's start the New Year off right!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Proffitt Family Farm (local grassfed beef) 10am - 2pm

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John Frieda $.49 at Walgreens

Walgreens has John Frieda Luxurious Volume Hair Care products $5.99 this week.
Deal Scenario:
Buy: (2) John Frieda Luxurious Volume Products @ $5.99 - $6.99
Use: (2) $2.50 printable coupon
        the $3.00 Walgreens coupon from the Big Joy coupon sheet (thanks SouthernSavers)
Total Due:  $.49 to $1.49 for each
Awesome Deal! Thanks CouponingtoDisney!

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Fresh Produce Coupon @ Target

Okay, so I've been doing some more couponing this morning and found a great coupon, $1 off Green Giant fresh coupon at Target.  Go here to get the coupon and head to a Super Target near you.  I hope it makes for a great deal.  I mean, unless you are growing all of your produce yourself or you are getting your produce from a local farmer.  By all means, don't use this coupon then.  Because our local farmers need your support more than you need to save money.  And that's the truth.  These local farmers depend on us to make a living and feed their families.  I know this because we are a local farm.  It takes everything we've got and then some to keep us afloat.  So, please, support your local farmers. 

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Eating Local and Traditional Real Foods

This year my husband and I are going to start on our journey (again) of eating locally and traditionally starting January 1, 2010. We will hopefully use this blog for keeping us accountable. It is really hard for us. We'll go a couple of weeks doing pretty okay with traditional meals and real whole foods and then we start getting really busy and stopping by some fast food place because we don't have time to make a real meal. So, this is it.  We really mean it! 

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Traditional Foods for New Year's Day

My mom loves to make the traditional New Year's Day meal every year.  But, one thing she doesn't think about is getting all of her ingredients local.  It doesn't even cross her mind.
If you want to buy your pork and greens locally you really have to stay on top of when your local farms will be out and about to get them.  Grateful Growers Farm will be at the Charlotte Regional Market from 1pm - 5pm on Tuesday, December 22, 2009.  If you need any pork, they are the farm to go to this year.  With the bad weather we had this past weekend, many local farmers didn't get out to the market.  Or at least none of my favorite local farmers.  I really don't know if any of my other local favorite farms will be at the market this week.  We can only see.  

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Shop at Home and Cash Back

I don't think I've told y'all about the Shop At Home website yet.  Basically, go to shopathome.com and when you sign up you'll get $5 cash back just for signing up. Then, go through ShopAtHome.com to shop at your favorite stores and receive cash back just for shopping.  Most of the stores you go to will have a percentage that you earn for whatever amount you spend on that website.  This will be a great way to save money and use those gift cards you know you're going to get at Christmas.  Some of the online stores that I love that you can go through ShopAtHome.com are Old Navy, Avenue, Target, and the Children's Place just to name a few.  Just click on the link below to get you started.

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Simplicity.com Pattern Blowout Sale!

Last Day for Simplicity Pattern blowout sale!
Sale ends today, December 22nd at midnight EST.  So hurry to save an additional 40% off Simplicity Patterns! Offer includes out-of-print patterns, while supplies last. Enter promotional code PATTERNS40 at checkout. Time is limited, so hurry to check out what deals you can find at Simplicity.com.  You can also score Free shipping on purchases over $20 within the continental United States, excluding Alaska.
*40% off Simplicity patterns ONLY, excludes New Look and It’s So Easy patterns.

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Avenue 40% Off!!

Here's another deal.  This one is from the Avenue which is mostly plus size clothing size 14 to 32.  Starting today you can get 40% off of almost everything.  It excludes clearance items.  This online deal is for today only but I'm not sure when the end date is for the in-store deal because it just says "Ends Soon".  So, hurry over to the Avenue and check out what they've got.  Enter coupon code AV91173 at checkout.  Let us know what great deals you snagged in the comments section.

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Coupons and Gap 20% off deal!

Okay, I've been on a coupon addiction for the last month or so.  I've found some amazing blogs that post some amazing deals and they also post the links where you can get printable coupons to go with these deals.  Anyways, I'll list some of them below.  I'm warning you though, it is addictive!!
http://www.southernsavers.com/
http://www.couponingtodisney.com/
http://www.sheisthrifty.com/
Also, I've got some deals of my own that I've found.

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Marie Madeline Studio Quilt Giveaway!

Marie-Madeline Studio has yet another giveaway!  Awesome, I know.  I just love their cloth and their blog.  You can go over to their blog to see all the rules.  But I'll try to list all the ways you can enter.  Also, I almost forgot.  You can choose between the two quilts below if you win.  Awesome.  I can't decide which one I'd rather have. They make the most gorgeous things.  I hope to make things this pretty.  Maybe with their cloth I might.  See below for all the ways you can enter.

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Marie Madeline Studio Giveaway

Image courtesy of Marie Madeline Studio
The Long ladies are at it again.  They are having another giveaway.  They are giving away the gracie ruffle skirt pattern and the fabric to make their gracie ruffle skirt.  Awesome giveaway especially if you have just fallen in love with their pattern.  There are three ways to enter.
Leave a comment on their blog with your email address. Leave a comment letting them know your favorite pattern from the Marie Madeline Studio. Blog about the giveaway for 10 extra entries and then leave them a comment with a link to your blog post. That's it!!  Super easy.  So, get right over to the Marie Madeline Studio Blog and enter to win that contest!

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Craft Show - Gastonia, NC

CRAFT SHOW this Saturday!
October 24, 2009
8am - 1pm
Gastonia Adult Recreation Center
519 West Franklin Blvd.
Gastonia, NC
I will be selling our handmade items as Shady Creek Naturals tomorrow at the craft show.  Please come out to support your local crafters!  We will have our goats milk soap, lip balm, knitted cotton dishcloths, baby blanket, and maybe a few other things. 

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A Sewing Extravaganza!!

I am so excited.  I've been working on making a skirt for a few days now.  For me, I don't always have time to sew until I put Riley down for a nap or for bedtime.  So, little by little is the key for me finishing anything.  Anyways, I absolutely love sewing.  It really is pretty awesome seeing the end result of what project you've been working on.  Just so you know, I don't have any experience sewing.  I am trying to help my niece realize how easy it is but you have to start at the beginning and work through the project little by little.  It always seems like a daunting task to take on a project when you haven't even started doing anything.  So, hopefully, she'll find enough confidence in herself to start a sewing project and complete it.  I'll post pictures of the skirt hopefully by Friday. 

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Another Marie Madeline Giveaway!!

You are not going to believe this.  Marie Madeline Studio is giving something else away.  Go to the Abounding In Hope blog to sign up to try and win a $35 gift certificate to Marie Madeline Studio.  I know I absolutely love their fabrics.  I'm working on a skirt right now using fabric from Ava Rose and Barefoot Roses collections.  I'll post some pictures later.  Please go to Abounding In Hope to find out more about this giveaway and let them know that I sent you.  Thanks.

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Marie Madeline pattern Giveaway

Hey!  Go check out the Gaerte Gang.  She's giving away the Gracie Ruffle Skirt pattern from Marie Madeline Studio.  I absolutely love their fabric and their patterns.  I bought some fabric from them when they were having the 50% a couple of weeks ago.  I'm actually almost finished making a skirt from the fabric.  It is absolutely gorgeous.  I can't wait to see how it turns out.  I'll post more about that later.
Have a good day!
Marnita

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Marie-Madeline Studio

I wanted to let everyone know about the sale going on at Marie-Madeline Studio this week. It's different fabric every day. Sign up for their newsletter to find out what that is daily or just visit their blog.
Funny how God leads you somewhere. I love the fabric and patterns that Marie-Madeline Studio carries. And I started looking at their links on their blog tonight. I came across the blog, Ah the Life. Well, it just so happens that one of the recent posts is an interview with The Long Family aka Marie-Madeline Studio. Okay. I don't know if everyone knows this yet or not but my husband and I believe that a wife is the keeper of the home. Not that I'm home yet. But we're still working things out. Anyways, so does the Long family and I'm pretty sure they think children are a blessing from God. Check out the post and see!

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Food and Life Go Hand In Hand

I am feeding my son good wholesome food. REAL FOOD. Food that God made and not some imitation that somebody is trying to get rich off of. Here's the link to how we are feeding our son. We are going by the Weston A. Price website when introducing certain foods.
So, of course, I'm trying to teach my parents to understand this. They are helping to keep my son during the summer months. With that, they are feeding him solid foods and I'm making sure it's the foods that I find acceptable. Well, my parents are older, 66 and 72 years old. My mom in the past few months just started taking blood pressure medicine and cholesterol medicine. I find that unacceptable. Not because I don't want her healthy but because those medicines won't help her stay healthy. I was searching on the Weston A. Price website yesterday trying to find articles with information that I could show them helping them to realize that she needs to stop taking the medicine. I found some things, thank God. If you go by those articles I found my mother didn't/doesn't have high cholesterol at all. And using that medicine could totally be disastrous for her health. With them watching Riley and having to feed him healthy real food, maybe this will change the way they eat.

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Food Renegade Contest!

I know I haven't posted in awhile. I guess really good contests make me wanna post. Well, actually it's the fact that I get to enter the contest by blogging about the contest. How cool, I know!
So, Food Renegade is having a contest right now where you can win a free hour of nutrition and wellness coaching. It is really cool. I seem to be right where I was when I first learned about Weston A Price and eating nourishing food. I can't seem to tackle it. I keep trying and I keep screwing it up. I want to be strictly WAP but I can't seem to stop eating fast food. We are always in such a hurry. Working, farming, running errands, and also taking care of Riley leaves so little time for actually cooking real nutritious food. We have learned so much over the past 6 months. It's honestly just so amazing how we look at food now. We are slowly adding in nourishing traditions to our everyday lives. But it takes time to actually implement these things. So, go check out the post over at the Food Renegade website.

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Giveaway: 3 Free Starter Cultures

I often read Cheeseslave.com's Blog. And today I came across her post about the Giveaway of 3 Free Starter cultures: Sourdough, Kombucha, Yogurt, and more. That is pretty awesome. The contest ends June 29, 2009. She will announce the winner on June 30, 2009. You have 11 ways to enter. Go check it out over at Cheeseslave's Blog. Also, once you enter, check out the rest of her site. She definitely has a lot of knowledge.

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A Little Bit of This, a Little Bit of That

I have been reading this wonderful blog for the past month or so. The name of it is My Charming Kids. This lady, MckMama blogs about everything in her life. I found it from looking on someone else's blog and seeing this picture in the sidebar of this baby and it said Praying for Stellan on it. Stellan is her son and I'll let you read about it on her site because I know that I can't do the story justice. Well, after reading about her family and what's going on, I became absolutely hooked on her blog. She is a believer in Christ which is so amazing and it just helps remind other believers and non believers about God and about some things that we forget some times. Well, she posted something I think yesterday Tuesday about "Not an Island". Here's the first paragraph of her post.

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Usefulness of Whey

I have never thought about whey except that small time in my life when I went to the gym and was in semi health mode. But what I'm talking about is nothing like that. I had no idea how to make it or where to get it from before we started making the raw milk formula for Riley. It calls for 1/4 cup in each batch we make. So, I realized after seeing the post from Cheeseslave today about How to Make Whey, I figured I'd post a few of the many things you can use whey in.

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Farming.....Hard Work!!

We've been planting transplants today on the farm.  This doesn't sound that hard but it really is.  You've got to consider the heat and how much you are having to bend up and down.  Some days like today, the heat is what is really difficult to take.  And, it hasn't even reached the 90's yet.  This is going to be one long summer.  It would help if it got hotter gradually instead of all at once.  

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Starting Solid Food

We have finally started feeding Riley solid food. We are not your normal family. We don't go by what you would typically hear at your pediatrician's office. We have fed him a soft boiled egg yolk, pureed grass-fed ribeye steak, and avocado. We are trying to go by the Weston A. Price foundation website about what to feed babies when. It's so amazing to see the way Riley reacts to certain foods and how he just loves eating food like Mommy and Daddy do. God has blessed us so much with Riley.

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Real Food for Mother and Baby

This post is part of the giveaway contest at Nourishing Days.
Shannon at Nourishing Days is giving away three copies of the book, "Real Food for Mother and Baby" by Nina Planck.
It sounds like an absolutely wonderful book.
Find out who Nina Plank is at her website, www.ninaplanck.com.
Eating real food and not the processed boxed stuff is what our grandparents and great grandparents grew up on. Why do we seem to try and make everything so convenient?! My husband and I are trying to eat real food. It's hard. We are used to the convenience just like everyone else in America. But I want to slow down and take the time to make wholesome meals for my family and slow down my life where I am not rushing to and fro. But, it's easier said than done.

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Riley at 5 months!!

I thought I'd share this small video of Riley we took this week.  He is so adorable!
Riley At 5 Months Old from Shady Creek on Vimeo.

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White House Garden?

I just came across this post about a garden at the white house possibly.  Can you believe that people are finally coming around to gardening?  Who would have thought that gardening saves you money?  I mean, growing your own food with just the cost of seeds and your own hard work.  That is pretty cheap.  

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Real Food Revolution!

I just got through reading this amazing post on the Food Renegade website.  It is absolutely amazing hearing Alice Waters talk about real food in the video from 60 Minutes that I have posted below.
I really love it when Alice says that we can't afford not to eat this way.  It gets better and better as the video goes on.
Watch CBS Videos Online

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Back Again!

Here's that picture I promised to post.  This is Riley, our little boy, in late January.  He is so precious!
He is thriving on the Weston A Price raw cow's milk baby formula recipe!  I love being able to feed my baby good nutritional food even though I can't breastfeed him.  
Todd and I are struggling to find a balance between taking care of Riley and working on the farm and working my daily job.  It's hard.  It's hard to be able to find the time we need to work on the farm without worrying about who's watching Riley.  The farm really needs both of us on Saturdays and it needs his full attention Monday through Friday.  We're trying.  But we're always making a compromise when we really need to work our butts off on the farm.

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Long Awaited Blessing

Riley is absolutely beautiful and amazing. God is so good!! I'll have to add a picture later.
I'm finally back to a semi normal routine. After having Riley, everything that used to be normal has gone out the window. I went back to work in mid December. I had Riley 3 weeks earlier than expected. So, now I hope to keep up with this blog. I have stumbled across a lot of things in the past couple of months. First and foremost, I make my own formula for Riley. My husband and I stumbled across the website www.WestonAPrice.org. We found the recipe that we use in the Nourishing Traditions book and also on the Weston A. Price website. It has a lot of info about nutrition and how people used to eat. They ate traditional, nourishing food that had many more nutrients, vitamins, enzymes, and good bacteria than what we eat now. Amazing how things have changed. But, there is so many people out on the internet willing to help you learn how to incorporate it into your lifestyle. I have already added some of the blog links to my blog. It is amazing learning what some things are made out of or what has been done to them. I'll talk more about everything in later posts. I hope to start blogging about my daily life with a child and with eating healthier and such. Also, I had never had raw, unpasteurized milk before. Thank goodness I don't live too far from the South Carolina line. It is illegal for anyone to sell raw milk for "human consumption" in North Carolina. It is legal in NC for anyone to sell it for "pet consumption". How stupid, I know. Anyways, it is really really good and has many health benefits. Heating milk (pasteurizing it) kills good and bad bacteria. If you don't heat the milk, then the good bacteria take over the bad bacteria. Anyways, I hope to post often. Thanks for reading.

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