The Envelope is Empty!

Our little Spring Break trip really did a number on my budget.  I did a good job of only using cash, which really did cut back on my purchases, but I also ended the week with empty envelopes.  I'm not sure why I really care; I always end the week with empty envelopes!  

On a quick trip to TJ Maxx, I found the perfect bedding for Briley's room.  I honestly wasn't even looking for bedding, but this was so perfect I couldn't resist.  I had planned on having drapes made for her room for a splash of color but hadn't been able to put back enough money to buy the fabric and have them made.  So with all the color from the bed, I'm just going to do a simple roll-up roman shade now.  So close to having another room FINISHED!

Spring Break

Every spring I have a laundry list of things to do, and this year is no exception.  The only real difference is 1. my list is longer than it ever has been and 2. it really feels nothing like spring.  The latter obstacle really interferes with my number one priority:
1.  Work outside!
There is really so much to do outside, I don't even know where to begin.  Most things are out of my control (replace pool liner, fix boards on deck, finish the siding on the shed, put up the privacy fence), but some I can do with a little help from my husband.
2.  Organize recipes
I love to cook, and because I'm constantly collecting recipes, I need a way to manage them.  I'm sure there are some really cool apps that keep track of and organize them digitally, but I still like holding a recipe in my hand when I cook.
3.  Print pictures
I am so behind printing pictures from my camera.  About two months ago, my I Phone crashed and I lost over 500 pictures.  Lesson one, use I Cloud.  Lesson two, there's still nothing like a good ole camera.  I try to maintain photo albums for both of my children, so when we go on vacation, Briley gets a set of pictures printed for her photo album and Brady gets a set for his.
4.  Cook an unbelievable meal for my mother-in-law.

Every year for as long as I can remember, I've cooked my mother-in-law a birthday dinner.  It helps that her birthday always falls during or around my Spring Break, so I have the entire day to cook.  This year, I'm planning to cook some recipes I saw on Trisha Yearwood's cooking show.  They look so yummy!  She's on a gluten free diet, so everything except the shortbread should be fine.

Honey Glazed Ham

Strawberry Salad

Asparagus Bundles

Baked Mashed Potatoes

Skillet Almond Shortbread

There are really a million other things that could be on my list, but let's be honest, Spring Break is also about relaxing and enjoying some time off with my children.  Enjoy!

Pottery Barn OUTLET

Part of Briley's birthday present was a trip to the American Girl store, and since the closest one to Kentucky is in Atlanta, that meant a ROAD TRIP!  I soon learned that there is quite a bit to do in Atlanta and really should have extended our get-away from one night to two, especially when I started reading about the outlets!

Yes, every good trip should have a little something in it for the adults, and this one had a Pottery Barn Outlet!  What I didn't get was a picture of the outside, but what I did get were some pictures of the inside.

First of all, the store is HUGE!  Think warehouse style but with great displays set-up just like you see in the magazine and retail store.  There are multiples of most items, but some are damaged.  The piece of furniture below had a little ding on the left side and was marked down from like $800 to $449.  

Most items are are these tiered display shelves.  I have adored these pillows from the magazine since I first saw them.  They were still a little pricey, but much less than the retail store.  

My sweet birthday girl was as excited as I was to be at the PB Outlet!  

The back of the store was just furniture and rugs.  The piece double stacked in the back with all the drawers is actually a jewelry armoire.  It was GORGEOUS!  Regularly $649  Outlet price $499

This cute little bottle carrier caught my eye.  They had tons of this galvanized stuff.  I think it was $20 or $25.

And then there were the salad bowls.  These were so pretty and HEAVY.  I kept going back to them, picking them up, looking at them, putting them back.  I finally realized I'd be sick if I didn't just get one, so I did!  Store retail $49  Outlet price $29

This cute little media stand, I think it's the Pottery Barn Trivoli in Tuscan Chestnut, was on sale for $300.  Very cute and a great price!

The only other thing I bought was this large wire basket.  As soon as I saw it I thought it would look great on my kitchen island holding some cookbooks.  It was $80 marked down to $20.  Could-Not-Resist!

Homemade BBQ

My sweet Briley Kate celebrated her 8th birthday two weekends ago.  I (finally) talked her into waiting until warmer weather to have a friend party, so I wanted to make sure her family party was extra special FOR EVERYONE!  Part of making it extra special for her guests included some great food, if I do say so myself!
On the menu:
BBQ with homemade BBQ sauce
Baked Beans
Potato Salad
Italian Cream Cake

Making BBQ rather than buying it is so much more affordable and really quite simple.  This is how I fix mine:

Sam's Club sells a two-pack Boston Butt that's really good.  One is usually a little larger than the other and will completely fill-up a large oblong crockpot.  Here's how the cost savings breaks down.  The total price of the two Boston Butts was $23.47.  The larger one fed 18 adults and 3 children with a little leftover.  The smaller one, off the bone and shredded, filled an 11x13 casserole dish.  Two pounds of BBQ (enough to make 8 sandwiches) a local restaurant cost $20.  WOW!

18.19 lb @ $1.29 lb

If you've never used these, GO BUY SOME NOW!  They are the best!  How have I owned a crockpot for all these years and just now discovered them?

I mix up about 2 c of ketchup, 3/4 c of distilled white vinegar and 1 T of Liquid Smoke and pour it over the Boston Butt.  This gives it a great flavor!  After it cooks, I reserve a cup or so of the juice and pour some over the BBQ each time I reheat it.

Cook on low all day.  I'm really not sure that you can over cook this because it's sitting in so much juice, but it really should cook at least 8 or 9 hours.  It will literally fall apart when it's done.