Extreme Couponing? No I'll just go to Aldi's.

I am absolutely amazed by what these women on TLC's Extreme Couponing can do.  I am inspired to be like these frugal divas.  There is only one problem: I am lazy, unorganized and barely a coherent grocery shopper.  I can't even remember to use one coupon that I have before it expires!  So I found an alternative to coupon clipping, extreme or otherwise: Aldi.  I love Aldi!  I was thinking that Aldi was like one of those cheap grocery stores where everything is generic and cheap but it tastes like its generic and cheap.  No NO No.  Aldi is a great little grocery store where all of the items are generic brands but the stuff tastes as good as, or BETTER than the name brands.  Seriously. 

I also made a big pot of Olive Garden's Toscano Soup from this recipe:
Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana

It is Jason's Favorite and it turns out really good, we used a can of Spinach instead of Kale and used Half and Half instead of Heavy Whipping Cream.  It's Wonderful!

I was running low on my home-made frozen dinners so I made some tonight.

I start by seasoning and grilling some chicken breast on the Foreman, Jason and I made a big bowl of mashed potatoes and then added veggies out of the can,

Then into the freezer they go. 
Since I was grilling up the chicken I went ahead and got the meat ready for fajitas that we will have tomorrow night for supper.

This Labor Day spent laboring

    Today I went and helped out with my Granny's yard sale.  There weren't  a lot of bargain hunters out today but I was able to help pack everything up afterwards.  And Granny gave me this:

It may be the oldest sewing machine ever. I am so excited to have it. Granny gave me a crash course in using it, but when I got it home I couldn't figure out how to get the needle to pickup the bobbin thread (and I'm not sure if that even makes sense) so Mama came out and helped me with that. 

And I sewed two pieces of fabric together in a straight line... pretty proud about that.

I have also been working on an art project (for youth group) for the last week. Here is the original artwork done by Gabrielle (Oiseau-vert) :

This is my version of it on a 80" x 55" Poster.

What do you think?  By the way.  I did get permission from the original artist to use their work as inspiration, if anyone is wondering.

Busy Busy Busy

I enjoyed a very productive day off today.  I spent all day working on projects for youth group and spending quality time with Jason.  We completed this project today:

We got the image from a google image search for Cross Tattoos.  We printed the image onto a transparency and let the youth group trace the design onto the back of one of my billboard posters from work using the overhead projector.  Today I went over their outlines with permanent marker.  Then Jason and I painted the whole thing red.  We then touched up the cross with black Glossy paint.  I think it is just awesome.

I also started on a second project and I will post progress pictures when it is complete.