Sicily Yoder

I finally got the first volume of Boppli in a Basket on Kindle. You can go into the Kindle store and order it if you have a Kindle. It's only $1.77. It covers the first two chapters and is 74 pages long. The next volume will be the rest of the novella. I'm headed to bed now...I'm finally sleepy.

I fixed a really good blackberry chicken with a blackberry wine reduction, sided with beet salad and a cream cheese, chive stuffed puff pastry. For dessert, I fixed a chocolate-vanilla trifle. It was all very good. My whole family just got over a viral bug. I hope we never get another one this winter. I've been on vacation and have enjoyed it- minus the pain from the injuries from the car wreck. I've only eaten out 12 times this month, and three times were treating Jessica and Deanna. Jessica loves shrimp, so we went to Regatta, where the have their seafood flown in daily. I have saved a lot of money with coupons, enough to take half a back seat of groceries, including cold cuts, to the Helping Hands Pantry. I only shelled out $30.00 for all of it. They had no milk, neither dry or liquid, so I told them that I'd swing by Aldis and get them some milk while I'm in Lexington for PT.

I took the girls to see the Alvin movie- I love Alvin- he is so cute. I only had to leave the movie theater once because of sciatic pain- luckily, I was sitting on the open end and could prop my leg on my purse and massage it. My staycation has really helped my pain. I have been making hot cocoa, chocolates, and cookies. Watching TV tonight.

If your looking for something quick and tasty to prepare for New Year's breakfast, you can try my Sweet Southern Drop Biscuits. Thay bake in 10-15 minutes and are very good with Land O" Lakes Cinnamon Butter. I have the recipe on my bakery's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Amish-Garden/173871566023...

Happy New Year to all of my Saving Advice friends. I wish you and your families a wonderfully prosperous 2012!

I keep finding Land O' Lakes and Pillsbury's products to be wonderful at re-inventing new recipes. Tonight, I had pound cake, topped with fresh sliced strawberries, an ocean of Land O' Lakes whipped cream, and garnished with chocolates. I had taken my mother to Kroger, and she was wanting the strawberry-topped cake that they make in the summer. I told her that I could make my homemade butter cake and add strawberries and gelatin glaze on top, then whip some cream up for half the price of what the cake would have cost, if they had it at the store. She loved my dessert and wants me to cook tomorrow. I am cooking Polish Hashbrown Casserole, Whipped Potato Salad with frsh scallions, and homemade Sourdough rolls. I'm also taking mother to get a much-needed hari cut. I just love staycations!

Merry Christmas to my Saving Advice family. We had our Christmas last night since my son, who lives with my mother and daughter, had to work a security detail tonight at UK Campus. I am cooking spaghetti with garlic and Italian herbs tonight. Except for 12 hours, to pay my health insurance, I am off, on vacation, for two weeks. I am hoping to rest, plus do some staycation ideas with the teenagers. I hope everyone is snug, warm, and as healthy as they can be tonight. Other than sciatic pain, and lower back spasms, I am doing well tonight.

I bought my last "big item" for Christmas today, so I am 99% done, and I am so glad. The sciatic pain has killed me today...it never leaves, even with Excedrin. The guy at Target said that I could save 5% if I opened a charge, but I declined, and told him that I supported the Dave Ramsey plan. On the upside, I will be back to blogging on my Taste of the Us blog on Typepad, but my gear will be decreased to more affordable places to eat and visit. I think that this search for deals will be very fun. I paid a friend $10.00 to stay with my mother until my son gets home from his security detail at UK campus, so I am off to go home, to bed. I plan on getting up at 6:00 am to finis my Christmas cards.

This and that has caused this month to be expensive, and adding in Christmas, it's been the most spendy month to date for 2011. My son had a flat tire ( my older car) and I called AAA, but they informed me that the membership covers the member...not their cars, unless they are in it. I could have told a white lie and said that I was in it, but being a Christian, I explained that it happened a couple streets over, on his way home from his security detail. They thanked me for my integrity, with the associate telling me that integrity was rare. I agreed with him and got off the phone. $60.00 later, the tire was changed, then Andrew drove down to S & S to get tires...of which I am paying $119.00 of the bill. I bought lunchmeat for dinner, then they call and say Jessica is visiting, and she wanted pizza...and to add, Andrew, with the car and all hadn't had time to pack a lunch, so I had to order Papa Johns, sent to the UK campus; however, I had enough free points to get the pizza for free. Tomorrow...we are all packing lunches.

I just love Groupon. One of my client's restaurants was on there, and I was able to score a half-off certificate. I also got a certificate for one of my other clients for almost half off. Altogether, I saved $98.00, so I will add that to my challenge money.

Challege Update:
Previous: $25.00
Today's savings: $98.00
New Balance: $123.00

I was browsing holiday sites when I came across baked mac & cheese. I wondered if they were actually charging $19.99, or such for the dish, so I clicked on the colorful casserole photo to see...and my mouth flew open- wide open, for the dish was $49.99! Now, I run a bakery wholesale, and I know the cost of shipping, butter, cheese, etc has risen drastically, so I wouldn't have winked at what I thought that it would have cost, as some people just don't cook, or they want to splurge on a special dish. But, $49.99? Come on, most of us out here are no dummies. My Aunt Dorothy gets cheese in bulk, from her sister in Maryland, and shreds it, freezing it on pizza pans, then pouring it into freezer bags( it prevents sticking), so she ends up spending very little on a homemade ( and delicious) pizza, as my Unle Arvin owns the butcher shop across the street.
Therefore, I am having "Macaroni Monday", tomorrow on Facebook, where I will ask my buddies at Land O' Lakes cheese to let us in on their favorite mac & cheese recipes. And, people can save $40.00 and join the $20.00 challenge.
Lastly, I love "Debt Do Us Part", a Canadian show, and the show host, who's been helping both US and Canadians dig their way out of debt, has a new show, called "Prince$$." Check it out.


Challege: 0.00 this week, as had to pay a wrecker for son's car, give niece money and treat them to burgers.

I've been spending more than usual lately, so I sat out to scale down today, so that I can add to the challenge money. I brought my own grape juice, so I saved $2.00 on breakfast. I was exhausted after eating a GIGI's cupcake ( they are good, but had tons of icing), so I got the kids chicken pasta meal at a nearby bookseller while I waited on Jessica. I was shocked that it was only a little over $6.00, with tax, and they had a good-sized portion of tender chicken breast and penne pasta. There were several carrot sticks with ranch sauce, some melon slices, and a little cup of Goldfish crackers. I was really impressed. I drank water because I felt like that I needed it.
I had posted on Facebook about the bakery across the street having "Happy Hour." When I got on Facebook on my Blackberry this morning, I seen that GIGI's was offering "Happy Hour", every Monday-Thursday, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. When I was there, it was packed. They were making more cupcakes in the back, so I think that I may have helped them to gain more customers.


$20.00 Challenge, Previous: $4.00
Today: $21.00
Balance: $25.00

My "adopted" sister, who was also in a bad car wreck, years ago, told me about Excedrin helping her pain. I hadn't tried it, since it has aspirin, and aspirin upsets my stomach. She said that she has to take it every day, with Zantac, and recommended it to me. I took a dose, with Zantac 150, last night and slept like a baby. I just took another dose, with stomach medicine, and my lower back pain, which has been burning and cramping today, is almost pain-free! Looks like Excedrin is my new best friend. My sister's car wreck was in 2003 and she still has pain and headaches. I surely hope my pain doesn't last that many years. And, I don't want to be taking medicine that long.

OK, I feel guilt because I have been blogging on here for many years, and I am not doing the $20.00 challenge, so here goes, my first savings. I cooked breakfast at home: some cooked turkey slices, scrambled eggs, toast and waffles, so I saved $4.00 from not eating out. I talked Deanna into getting the cheaper gummy bears at Save-A-Lot, but she ended up talking me into the boxed popcorn, and since my Excedrin hadn't kicked in yet, I let her get that, plus soda pop, so it was an expensive trip to the store. I bought a 24-pack of individual Welch's apple, orange, and grape juice 100% juices at Aldi's, but I guess they like soda better. Juice is cheaper and better for them. I will add the $4.00 to the challenge money.

$20.00 Challenge: $4.00

I missed work today and yesterday since I was hurting so bad. On my way back from physical therapy in Lexington, I saw a lady holding a sign. I only caught the words, "Single Mom", but I rolled my window down, and told her about the church where I had my son in private school...back when I was a single foster mom. This one interaction flooded memories of how good my children had it...all because of couponing, rebates, and internet reward programs. being thrifty isn't a bad thing, and I feel so fortunate to have had the resources to help me save money. And, although times were tough, I look back and remember that I had my health...no throbbing back/neck/pelvis, like I have now. I know that it might sound weird, but I said to myself, that I've give anything to be able to stand there and hold a sign all day, as that is something that I can't do right now, as I was crying in Wal-Mart last night, when I was shopping, after I checked out, as I was having really bad pain. Looking back, I have to say that I don't think that I was thankful enough for my health, so the basis of this is...don't take your health for granted, and even when your a single mom, and think the world is caving...you still have been blessed with so much, by having your health.
I prayed for the lady, and hope that she found the resources that she needed, and I've never taken her out of my mind today. "I wish I could scrub the tub walls, or floor, like I used to do, by hand", was one thing I was thinking of...but then I thanked God for giving me my life, as the Coroner was at the scene, and I could have been taken out in a body bag instead of on a back board, so I feel very thankful. It's just hard...the hardest thing that I've ever done, to be in pain every single day, except for one month, after being discharged from PT last time, since the wreck.

I haven't been on here much, mainly because I've been in daily pain from the car wreck, started PT again, and my work load has been huge. After much medicine and muscle relaxers all day, my headache is finally gone, although my neck and back are hurting. Pain has been a daily aspect of my life, but I am trying to be tough.
On the upside, I finally got a book deal for my cookbook, from the top publisher of "rack" books in the country. I will post their name after the ink has dried on the contract. My manuscript is due in July, 2012, and my book will be out in 2013. I am so excited. I've worked hard, being self-published and paying for my own boom tours, for seven years. I have to thank my agents, Amanda and Chip for working hard to get me the deal.
As for the bakery, next month and December will be my busiest months. And, the gradnbabies are keeping me busy. I've been listening to Dave Ramsey on the radio. I just love his show. Hope all of my SA friends are doing well!

It is the busy time for the company that I contract for ( my biggest job), and with a new grandbaby, and my still recovering from the March auto crash, I've been exhausted. I start back to PT on Monday. I hate being in pain everyday. I miss everyone on here!

I am feeling much better today. No pelvis or back pain, and no migraine...finally! I have had some TMJ pain and neck spasms, but it isn't that bad. I am helping dad do his bills. My parents just separated, and I am sad about that, but God will work things out, and I am praying for them. I have been saving money this week by eating sandwiches and chips from home. baking bread this week, too. It is so much healthier to not eat out.

I have been baking homemade breads tonight, although my neck and back are killing me. Deanna asked if it was done as soon as I tossed them out of the pans and onto the cooking racks. I LOVE Elderberry Jam, and I just added that to my product line. I think that I can live on jam and bread! On the upside, I am filming some travel shows, starting in the spring. It is going to be really fun!! The Cooking Channel's Frozen Treat Truck has been passing out free cool treats! I know that they were just in Chicago. We have been having 100-degree heat, and since my hot flashes are a million times worse since the car wreck, I think I'd camp out and eat the whole truck...if they'd let me. Overall, though, I think that I am doing much better. The cramps in my jaw bones are the most annoying of it all, as I'll be driving, and I'm doing that tongue-tapping exercise and twisting my head around, and passerbys will be staring at me. Well, it is late, and I have to work tomorrow, and drop off some baked gifts, so everyone have a wonderful night out there!!

I am so glad that I am healing from that car wreck. I get goosebumps when I am in that area now. Uncle Arvin's sister Mennonite community is near there, in Crockett, where our Rod & Staff Publishing House is located. My friend, June, works in the Manchester Bakery, and I had wanted to surprise her last year, for her birtday, and take her there for a tour. Now, since I am a bit scared to drive in the area, we'll probably never get there. I am glad that they have mail-order. They print a lot of home-school textbooks. One of my paramedics on the ambulance to St. Clair had used our textbooks for his children, and he was friends with another Yoder, who produces the best country ham ever. I just love the ham sandwiches. When I worked as deli girl at Kountry Kupboard, back when it was Mennonite-ran, I would eat one for lunch everyday, and add their homemade pimento cheese on one side of the bread, and Miracle Whip on the other. YUMMY!

I have to go back out and do a couple more store calls, so we had Papa John's Pizza tonight- my fav. They had two large 7-topping pizzas for $22.00. I thought that was a very good price.

Amish girls ride a lot of bikes, and sometimes they ride them to school, instead of walking. School usually lasts longer than the traditional Englisch school, and the children don't learn Englisch until they are getting ready to go to school, as they speak German Dutch. High German is used by the Bishops and Elders during Sunday services.

Anyone in VA, AL, southern KY, TN, MS, please turn the weather channel on. There are large tornadoes on the ground!!

I had Cumberland Falls gift shop on my list before, but I couldn't get there due to a wreck down 25. Today, the locals said that it would be quicker to cut through the road that passes by The Falls to get from Somerset to Corbin...well, an hour later...and thirty minutes longer than my earlier planned route, plus car sickness due to my throbbing neck and back, plus the curves, I arrived in Corbin.
Well, I did finally get to call on the gift shop, plus snap a pic of The Falls. And it helped my car sickness, by getting fresh air, but I can say that I would have enjoyed it if I hadn't been hurting so bad. The overlook was very close to the gift shop, but I wanted to go to the lower one, where everyone takes pics with The Falls behind you, but there was no way I was attempting that, and I wouldn't have walked over to the higher overlook if it hadn't been so close, and I'd promised my PT that I would try to strength my sore leg muscles, and believe me, that small distance was enough.
I am tired..entering reports, then off to bed. Isn't it weird how little things like walking to take a picture can matter so much, and it is stuff we take for granted. There was a lady from Ontario standing next to me, and she was chatting with a lady in a wheelchair about the type of trees that were in front of us, and I thought that was so wonderful, and normally, I would have joined in and elaborated on their trip to Ky, and maybe I would have gotten their story and pic, but not when I am in pain. My life before the wreck truly was a princess life...no pain, lots of love, and great health ( minus allergies.) And, being that I had to add antifreeze to the old ( but paid for) car, that made me for sure get my exercise today. I was glad the antifreeze container was less than 1/4 full, as I don't think there was no way I could have tried to fill it. I sure wish the wreck hadn't happened...it is real depressing, and I haven't slept much at all since it.

Today was my first day of PT. I am home now and my back and neck is killing me, but I am trying to touch it out. They were handing out free bottled water at Speedway in Lexington today. I asked the manager about it, and he told me that a case had been broken, so they were passing it out. I thought that was nice. I forgot my four-cheese cracker, so I had to buy one at Speedway- it was .89!!! A whole box is under $4.00 ( six in a box) at Wal-Mart, and I have seen $1.50 off one coupons. Is anyone else doing Swagbucks?

The Spa at Frenchlick is calling me...or Belterra...anywhere with an oversized tub of hot suds. But, being that I can barely squeeze myself in the car and creep to work, going to either of those destinations is out of reach. I am upset that I can't finish typesetting the novella, as it is due out may 15th, but now we are looking at it not being out at all, as the larger version of it, in larger type, is due out in August, and I don't want both out at the same time.

Anyone else freelance or pen books who have had back injuries on here? It is weird that I can Facebook/Tweet from the cell or large screen, but typesetting on the notebook kills my back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDlQCR-ykfw


Book trailers I quoted ranged from $250.00 to $2500, and I must admit that I loved the work of the $2500 company. However, being that my time is limited right now and I am on deadline to produce the video, my foster daughter/niece served as producer and model, so we were able to do it for free.
I have been baring the pain today and am headed home to loratabs and hopefully some rest ( and I never take pain meds, except Tylenol- only time when I broke my arm.)

Deanna was my model. I thought it was fitting because, when she was little, and I had to go to court to get custody of her, I never blinked twice or thought of how much I have blessed her and her siblings. That was, until Dana Todd, Commonwealth's Assistant District Attorney, explained that "God sent an angel."
There is a pause at the end to make you reflect on the theme of the book. I am not linking on here because some folks don't like it. It is on Youtube. My back and neck are killing me, but I am trying to be tough.

OK, I didn't have to really work yesterday, as none of my stores had any product to stock. I just faxed an order and answered questions, and I am glad, because the spot we thought the back board made sore really was two fractures- L3 and L4. Therefore, I am off work until the 8th. Since I juggle four jobs, this will be interesting to see how I do with down time.

Since the wreck yesterday, I am driving my old Buick. I forgot how fast it goes. It is a Century. The car I actually wrecked was my stepdad's, and it was a Buick Lesabre. I prefer the Lesabre because it feels like your riding on clouds. However, I have to say that the Century drives quicker, but you have to be careful to make sure your not going too fast. I am extremely sore, but I am forcing myself to walk and do range of motion. When I worked as a trauma RN at UK, it was my job as a Registered Nurse to make sure the patients walked. Therefore, no matter how sore I am, I am pushing myself.

Well, I am off to Elizabethtown and Radcliff. I am working today...I guess it's the Mennonite work ethic, but that's a good thing. I am getting a rental Monday. I'm pretty sure the car is totaled.