Teresa Ann Phillips

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Boppli-Basket-Kentucky-Amish-ebook/d...

Boppli in a Basket is hanging on in the 20,000 ranking of Amazon. The sequel comes out next month. I'm working on a new book right now. Happy Mother's Day to all!

I've worked tons of hours to edit and revise Boppli in a Basket. It is finally done and available on Amazon.com and BN.com. It is under my real name, Teresa Ann Phillips. There will be no more pen-names. I will be re-doing the cookbook, too.

It is Tourism Week in Kentucky. I am signing cookbooks at the Kentucky Welcome Center off Interstate 64 in Simpsonville from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, today and tomorrow. If you traveling through the Bluegrass State, come on out and get a cookbook.

FB sent my check today. I just love FB. They are a smaller, more personable insurance company. I am getting a migraine, so fixing to log off...no writing tonight. I never made it to Word Processor, for I had emails to answer and Facebook posts. I also had to renew my website: www.tasteoftheus.typepad.com I have 75 copies of my cookbook coming in about two weeks. As I have done before, I am setting up a booth for Kentucky Tourism Week. When my new cookbook, Travel Chick Cooks, comes out the end of next month, I am signing copies at the Louisville EXPO, as I have done for many years.

Goodnight to my SA friends. I am ready for my muscle relaxer and aspirin. We finally got a settlement from FB, and it's enough to pay all of my bills that I'm very late on ( due to the wreck) and to replace three months' income. I hope to get the e-books going soon. I wrote a little tonight. It's hard to replace 28K of lost income, due to the car wreck, plus I can't do the bakery. I am feeling a ton better, so I hope to be able to do the bakery next month.

This past week, minus migraines, I've felt extremely good, so my body must be healing. I did some of my light spring cleaning, and it felt good to be able to do it. The two faxes that were sent to FB were not received, but the doctor's office sent it this morning. Hopefully, Ms. Hall will be able to make another offer today or tomorrow. The previous offer wasn't enough to get caught up on all of my bills, nor save anything for future massages and medical bills. Plus, I have to put back 28K a year in income that was lost due to the wreck. I really think that my e-books should make that gap up after awhile. It all depends on how my back does sitting at the computer. Please remember FB, and State Farm in your prayers. They are swamped with storm damage claims, and people have lost everything. My state got hit very hard.
It is hard times like these that I am glad that I can cook from scratch, and even live without electricity. I made homemade Italian-garlic yeast rolls last night. It is so much cheaper and healthier to cook at home. Coke has been helping my migraines. Saturday was the worst, ever. The top back of my neck starts hurting, then a migraines comes later. I've taken more medicine that I have my whole life within the last year. I hope to one day not need any pain medicine. Well, back to writing on Boppli in a Basket. Have a good day, friends.

Had to take my step-dad to the bankruptcy judge in Lexington. They ended up approving his bankruptcy. That house they bought was a huge fixer-upper, and still is one. Bank of America was a literal nightmare to deal with in trying to get them a loan modification- I spent a year trying, with no avail, and they'd lose payments, so I'd have to overnight one. However, somehow, they managed to find the first one after the second one got there. This has taught me great caution in ever buying an old fixer-upper house. Dad decided to car shop for my son while we were in Lexington on the busiest new Circle Road at 4:30 PM, which was OK, except Deanna was hungry, so we had to use my Entertainment Book coupons for White Castle. I had ( and still have)( a mystery shop to finish entering from yesterday, so I asked dad to bring Andre back on Wednesday to car shop, and I offered my Parkette Drive-In BOGOF entree coupons. I am so tired and have a lot of back spasms. Farm Bureau somehow didn't get my local MD's medical reports, so I had to swing by there and get them, but I had them fax them to my attorney instead of my driving to Louisville this time to hand-deliver them. I bet somehow they got lost in all of the thousands of faxes FB gets, as they are still hard at processing storm claims. Ms. Amy Hall, the Manager for Claims sounds so sweet. I am truly blessed to have Farm Bureau as a car insurance agency. The local agent had scriptures posted on the desk- so cool. Have a nice night to all. Scripture for the night is one that I cling to when hard times hit, or I'm in a lot of pain and depression from the wreck: Psalms 23.

Deanna is visiting tonight, and I'm fixing to turn the computer over to her, as I'm getting a migraine and am having neck spasms. She is helping out a lot with my mother. Today was my step-dad's 65th birthday. The kids and I saved money to take him to Chinese buffet and get him two rounds of golf( he works at the gold course.) Instead of McDonald's ( which they LOVE) they have been eating pizza, nachos, and chili dogs from Speedway, mostly with my free points. Mom refused to go to Chinese with us- she doesn't like it. Nite friends!

I was and still am in a lot of pain ( back, neck, and migraine coming on- with the migraine med in my system), but I toughed out the pain to see my Kentucky Wildcats win!! My son works security and he's seen them come in and practice and practice as we are home on our couches, watching TV. They really deserved that Championship. I picked my son up from his job Saturday evening and people were giving us high-fives. It was so fun.

Trying to do a workable budget- but life keeps getting in the way- one thing after the other pops up, and I'm off-budget. The girls want expensive treats, and I feel bad if I don't get it for them. I prefer to cook from scratch, because it's cheaper and much healthier. I'll appreciate any tips on dealing with 18 and 19 year-olds, especially DIVAs- my girls are DIVAs. I want to get them on a good money track.

After this week's #TravelChick chat on Twitter, I have the ravel bug now. @CruiseBuzz enticed me to see about going on a cruise. I've never been on one, but my BFF has been on three, and she loved every one of them. She paid extra to get a bigger cabin after going on the first one. I'd love to hear your cruise recommendations and ways to save money when going on one.

I couldn't believe that it's been over five years since I started my blog. Time sure does fly by fast! I enjoy reading everyone's posts, although I can't possibly reply to each post. We are fixing to get storms, so I am getting off of here. I am snacking on a turkey sandwich and Doritos. I can whip up a sandwich and side for under a buck.

I'm camping out at home for the next week. I really need the rest. I am making a trip to the food bank to bring them milk on Monday, so I'll probably do my weekly shopping then, too. My back really hurts when I'm out and about, and I really need to rest for my regular job, which starts back in April. I have been eating a lot of salads lately. I just love Aldi's prices on produce and dairy.

I am making a huge transition from my pen-name to my biological name of Teresa Ann Phillips. It's the name that my wonderful mother chose for me at birth and one that is special to me. I am also leaving Amish novels/cookbooks for good, and I will be focused on what I went to college for; Fashion, Textiles, Home Furnishings, Home Economics, and Retail Trends. Business Management was my other major, so it fits me good to be on here. I hope that everyone enjoys my new page.

I am cooking a dinner in the oven from my late brunch. I have been having a hard time sleeping due to the back pain. The new chair with the pillow is much more comfortable than the bed. I have to go to mother's house later today. I read books while I'm there, as she watches CSI-type shows and I don't like them. I'm more of a reality TV or financial-type.

There was a $1.00 off two Mars products in today's paper. If you catch the Snickers eggs on sale, you can score fee eggs. I also seen a pad of coupons in the frozen section that had $1.00 of two 12 packs or multi-packs of Diet Coke. There were other coupons , like for Campbells' soup, on there. This month is Frozen Month, so look for good frozen deals.

Who has watched the Princess show where famed financial gal Gail Vaz-Oxlade takes little divas and teaches them to live on a strict budget so they can be real and debt-free? They are always amazed at how enjoyable cooking at home can be. I can laugh about it now, although it hurt my feelings, back in 2008- everyone remember that fruity publicist who visited me a lot, who wanted to portray a fake me? Some of the girls on that show remind me of me, when I was trying to be molded into something that wasn't me. I am so much happier now, and I will never let anyone else take control of my life. On another account, I am signing my cancellation agreement with Harvest House. I will have my rights back after I repay half of the advance that I got. The "big buyer" decided not to buy my book.That happens in he industry, but when God closes one door, he opens another, so let's see all the great things that He has in store for me in 2012.

This weekend was sad. Firstly, Jason brought the grand-babies, and they spent the night, so that was good, but I hurt so bad after helping him with them. He had to help me out of the floor a couple of times. I couldn't cradle Macie Moo very long; there is something about the cradling position that pulls my shoulder. But I did get to hold her a lot in the other position. Jack, or "Little Man', is only 17 pounds, so I helped Jason carry him. After they left, I hurt REALLY bad, but Jason has moved my arm chair in front of the computer, and I am glad that he did, as it helps my back. I am sitting on a pillow. I wish that the kids didn't have to see their parents separated. That makes me so sad.
I found the funeral books while looking for something in my walk-in closet. I miss daddy, and my Granny Joyce and Papaw Boots. They taught me a hard work ethic, and I am so thankful for them. I decided that I'm going to get out more, even if it hurts. I'm going to take more Execdrin and meclizine,a s meclizine helps nausea and doesn't cause drowsiness. I have to get on with my life and accept the chronic pain. My cousin, through my Godparents' side, posted on Facebook that Suzanne had passed away. She had the most radiant smile. I cried so hard last night that I had a headache. I dropped food off at Leslie's house and hugged her like a million times because I felt bad that I never get to see her unless at a grocery. Her father was a Butternut driver for years, and Granny worked at the Butternut Thrift Store for over ten years. I realized that I've kind of became a couch potato since the wreck. That isn't good. I refuse to give up just because I'm in a lot of pain. I will march on and pray that the doctor's aren't right, that I am "healed by Jesus stripes" one day. I have hope.

I'm hosting three weekly Twitter chats: #HomeEc is on Thursdays from 7:00-7:30 PM ET, #AmishReaders is on Thursdays from 7:30-8:00 PM, and #TravelChick is on Saturdays from 10:00-10:30 PM. I will be giving away door prizes, so come on by!
On the other upside, Mother hasn't smoked since she got the patches at UK Medical Center. I know that she'll feel much better out in the gardens this spring. She's already talking about me getting her another pond. I;'m buying, but the boys are putting it in. The back spasms and sciatic pain have caused me to be on aspirin, with a Zantac, several times a day now.
I love spring and everything about it, except storms. We are in a thunderstorm watch this evening. Mom and my step-dad picked daffodils today. I can't wait for the tulips.

I am home again, and still very groggy from the muscle relaxers and Phenergan that I took last night and again, sometime in the wee hours. The sciatic pain has slowed down a lot today, probably due to the meds. I hate car wrecks. We are waiting on FB to give me my underinsured. They were lacking the Medical Inquiry Form that caused me to lose my second, big job ( due to restrictions), so that made a big difference, as I lost at least $10,000 a year since Crossmark let me go, and I'm being very conservative, as if I could have done resets, I could have traveled extensively and helped WV and Indiana out. Both doctors say the pain will be chronic, but I hope not. Sciatic pain so horrible. I want to drive down to Florida to see Baby Gabriel, as he just had eye surgery. I've only seen him once. I love to browse his Facebook pages that his momma put on it. Baby Jay is slightly autistic, and @LindtChocolate is helping with #Pin4Autism. I just signed up and started Pinterest last night. I wanted to browse more, but I was still having spasms with the meds in me, so I went to bed. If I have typos, please forgive me...I am very groggy.

I am still recovering from the car wreck. I have been doing audits, and it is painful to drive, but I'm trying to be tough. I am really pinching pennies, but it really doesn't seem, according to my friend, as I've cooked homemade pizza, tacos, chocolate smore cups, smores, and tilapia with an apple cider reduction and baked cheddar mashed potatoes. I also had homemade walnut-almond pancakes at 4:45 this morning since I couldn't sleep due to back and leg pain.

I made cinnamon rolls tonight. They look so good. I took a whole muscle relaxer and am still having muscle spasms. Today has been really bad for my pain scale. I am staying at home, minus a quick run to Aldi's to get milk for the food bank, the rest of the week. Hope all of my wonderful Saving Advice friends are having great veeks. I may be in pain, but I am a child of God, and I am so very grateful!

Today is leftover day, so that I can clean my refrigerator out before I return to the store. I'll probably have enough food for tomorrow's meals, too. Boppli in a Basket sold 23 copies last night. It is #55 on the Hot New Religious Romance Releases. I am working on the next volume this evening, minus the muscle relaxer. I just can't pay attention to detail when on a double-dose of that medicine. I used ellipsis and dashes too much, so I received a bad review on Amazon. However, I also received a good review, too. I also got the book trailer up for Boppli in a Basket. I did it myself, as it is very expensive to hire a designer. I hope that everyone is having a very nice weekend.

http://youtu.be/TIOizMerIj8




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.