mommy24treasures: Thursday giveaway

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Thursday giveaway

Not much to blog about this week... Kind of humdrum but we have had a nice week. Lunch and the park 2 days, they really enjoy it and I do too. We spend the evenings swimming.

I have been busy in my spare time reading this site clickin moms
and trying to go up a level on my photography. Boy, do I have ALOT to learn. Its a great site with a wealth of info. Lots of moms that LOVE to take pics.

Since I can't think of a thing to blog about lets have a question of the week.

Are you a once a week grocery shopper with a list or a go several times kind of person? I go one big time a week and then at least 2 times for a few things.

Also do you plan out meals and cook regularly or eat out? Lately, I think the Treasures are going to turn into a hotdog. ;) They eat them at the pool ALOT. Caitlyn eats hotdogs and mac and cheese constantly. Jacob and Chloe eat lots of fruit and eat a bit more healthy than Caitlyn.

I will choose two winners this week and they will win a woodwick candle so I can help my friend LaLa over at Ladybugs and Dragonflies. They are VERY close hopefully to a referral from Vietnam and needing to fundraise as much as possible. If you have a gift you need to purchase she has a link on her sidebar for the candles and a portion of the proceeds go to her adoption fees. They are GREAT candles and make a wonderful gift. The wood wick sounds like a crackling fire. I LOVE the biscotti.

This dog was at the park without an owner. The kids wouldn't leave him alone and he wouldn't leave them alone either. They love animals.

36 Comments:

I can't believe you want to "go up a level" with your photography. I'm already so envious of the gorgeous pictures you take!

I grocery shop twice a week. Once on Sunday for a nice Sunday dinner which I prepare. We have leftovers on Monday (my husband works late and does not join us). Then back to the grocery store on Tuesday to shop for the rest of the week. I cook Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (unless we need to work on leftovers again). Friday is pizza night and Saturday we usually go out. That brings us back to Sunday...

The treasures look so content with that big lazy dog. :)

By Colleen, at July 17, 2008 at 7:43 PM
Grocery Shopping is a nightmare for me! I try to do it all at once and go back for fresh fruits and milk a couple times of week. My 2 yr old has so many food allergies. Planning meals for him is a must even though it is so very hard. The Hubs is away so I have been flying by the seat of my pants this week. It seems we have had lots of fruit, plain noodles, rice and chicken baked for the one child. MY 4 yr only eats Mac N Cheese..NO meat...ceral....YOUGURT and fruit. I have asked my PED what to do about him and he tells me all kids go through this. SO as for me I can only have 1200 calories a day...so I need to try to plan my meals. YOU pictures are lovely today!!!!

By Tam, at July 17, 2008 at 7:47 PM
Beautiful pictures as usual! :D

I shop once a month because Blake gets paid once a month. I've been doing it for 20 years! I plan my menus for the month. I make ahead and freeze some. I used to freeze every single meal for the month.

I go back to the store for milk, bread and fruit but try not to go often because I spend when I go!

~Lynn

By Somewhere In The Sun, at July 17, 2008 at 8:27 PM
These are beautiful shots of the treasures. I love the one with them and the sweet dog. It is apparent that Miss Caitlyn has a love for doggies.

I grocery shop several times a week. My mom does most of the shopping and I do a lot of the cooking. It's a vicious cycle : )

By missy, at July 17, 2008 at 8:31 PM
I haven't checked out that site yet, but I'm not sure if you need to go up a level. You're pretty darn good already! I can't say I have any routine about my grocery shopping. We have a corner market near our house that we use for emergency milk and bread runs. Other than that, I shop no more than once a week at a grocery and every couple of weeks at C*ostco. We like to eat out a lot (or maybe because I'm not so good at meal planning), which cuts down on the grocery store trips. What a great idea to have your giveaway support Laura.

By Michelle R Photography, at July 17, 2008 at 8:52 PM
Hi Connie!

These are great park pictures! That dog looks like he must have an owner somewhere...he seems pretty content!

I shop once a week and it is my least favorite mom/wife chore! I have never been organized with my shopping...just kind of planned meals in my head WHILE I was shopping...which of course did not always work out so good. We eat out/order out usually once a week.

Now, with the price of fuel and food going up so high lately...I am having to become more organized about the whole thing. I am doing the coupons, looking for bargains, planning meals, etc. I am also trying to do a lot of food shopping in the Wal-mart where I work. It is not yet a Super Center, but they have quite a few food items and they are much cheaper than any food stores in our area. So, I am having to be more thoughtful with my shopping and more organized now.

We still usually eat out once or twice a week. I have noticed that even though my grocery bill is waaay higher these last few months because of the food prices going up...the places we eat out have not yet raised their prices. Interesting...

By day by day, at July 17, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Oh my gosh, that picture of Caitlyn with her head on the pup is way too precious!

Glad you all are enjoying your summer...

As for your questions:
I grocery shop a couple times a week. with small lists. Now that I'm working 4 night shifts a week, I haven't been cooking much. If Lily was going to change into what she eats it would be A. a piece of salami B. an egg or C. a giant blueberry!

By Nikki, at July 17, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Love that first picture as well as the one with the dog... he looks like he belongs with them :)

WHEN I plan ahead (which is always the goal), I only shop once a week. We get our grocery ads on Wednesday or Thursday and they are good until the following Tuesday, so I try to look at them and make my menu for the week and grocery list based on those ads.

If I don't plan things out, then we eat out 3-4 nights of the week. Otherwise, we try to only do Sundays after church and maybe one fast food meal during the week.

Fun question... I can't wait to see everyone else's responses!

By Her Royal Highness, at July 17, 2008 at 11:06 PM
Girl I think your photography is amazing already....but I can understand wanting to learn even more. I go to the grocery store several times per week. LOL usually because we forgot something or need one or two things but end up walking out with 10...Dinners are hard and we seem to make the same things over and over at times so I am in need of some new fun recipes:) Maybe we could share some?! Thanks for the wishes on our trip..we are excited but better get to bed right away as 5 am comes early..lol Take care and chat soon!!

By my3 kids, at July 17, 2008 at 11:14 PM
Oh Connie, these pics are SO beautiful, so peaceful. And I also love the ones below on Monday...they are so vibrant!
I do major grocery shopping once a week, and then end up having to run back for milk at least once. Well, I think you know we've been doing a LOT of cooking this summer! We plan our meals out by the week, each child takes a night and I help them learn to prepare a meal. Some meals are easy, some are harder. It's been SO wonderful, and one of my favorite parts of our summer. Tonight Clay cooked fish sticks and s'mores! No veggies, no side items. We literally had fish sticks and home-made s'mores on our paper plates! He loved it!
And hey, I did too being the chocolate lover that I am! ;)
Connie you are so kind to help your friend who is fund-raising...I will check out her site!

By The Ferrill's, at July 17, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Your pictures are wonderful. You are such a talented photograph.

We live and work on an island where the speed limit is 25 MPH. We drive an electric car (that doesn't go over 25 MPH) & don't worry too much about gas prices.

We go to the grocery story (a few blocks away) every 2 or 3 days so that we can get fresh fruit and vegetables. With 2 picky little girls, fruit, pasta, beans and rice are about all we need!

By Sylvia, at July 18, 2008 at 12:11 AM
Precious pictures, Connie!!! Your treasures are so darlin'!
So sweet of you to help Laura! You are always so thoughtful of others!!!
Now, to answer your ?'s.....I sometimes grocery shop a couple times per week...then sometimes when we seem to be eating out a lot...I may not go for almost two weeks.....but either I or Chuck will stop for the necessary items that we use daily....each week..or when we seem to be getting close to running out.
We do eat out quite a bit...or we will go thru the drive thru on our way somewhere...also Chuck stops on his way home after work and picks up supper frequently!

Glad you are having such a great week!!! WE have been celebrating my Daddy's b-day this week..also my parents 53rd anniversary!!! Mama's b-day is in two weeks....so JULY is a very celebrated month in our family!!!
Love,
Denise

By Denise C, at July 18, 2008 at 2:16 AM
Oh Connie I LOVE these pictures! I was just telling Greg the other day that Lottie and Emma were going to turn into a hot dog. Neither one of them eat "real" meat and neither one of them eat ANY vegetables! Ugh! BUT they do love fruit so we eat alot of fruit.

We go to the grocery store once a week and then usually have to go back a couple of times also. I have always said though that I am a terrible, terrible organizer so my list is probably useless! LOL

By The Byrd's Nest, at July 18, 2008 at 6:04 AM
I too am really loving Clickin Moms. What a great site! That last image of Catlin is awesome!

Believe it or not - we grocery shop every two weeks at Costco. We come home and break down the meat - pull out the FOod Saver and the prep and season all the food. WE do this as a family and then each morning I go to the freezer and pick out something. During the week if we are missing something that we need - DH will stop on his way home and get it. We also love fresh fruit and so once a week we make a trip to the Farmers Market for fruit and veggies.

Can't wait till Wednesday! I am so excited :D

Ladybug hugs,
;D

By Pixel Fairy Princess, at July 18, 2008 at 6:05 AM
As always - gorgeous photos... I have gotten into my camera alot these days... grocery shopping... it is a good and bad thing that I work in a grocery store... take care

http://snappyadventures.blogspot.com

By Fliss and Mike Adventures, at July 18, 2008 at 6:22 AM
Your photography is already amazing~ it will be hard to take to the next level~

Stunning they are all so stunning!!!

I am a once a week shopper, unless I find a recipe that I just have to make. If that happens I will go to the store just to pick up the things I need.

Have a fantastic weekend,

Krista

By Anonymous, at July 18, 2008 at 7:30 AM
Gorgous pics! If you get any better.. i don't know girl?! ;)

I just "seriously" started meal planning & I go once a week. I've learned that I actually "save" money this way! It cuts back on those impulse buys... thus..saving a few bucks! I really like it I feel better that I don't feel like my kids are turning into a processed chicken nugget! LOL!
love ya,
Keisha

By Keisha, at July 18, 2008 at 8:26 AM
lovely pictures, just like always :)

By Melanie, at July 18, 2008 at 9:14 AM
Aww, poor pup!! Greta pics of the treasure at the park & I can't believe that you can improve on your photography - you are amazing!!

We are once a week shoppers, but would like to be once every 2 week shoppers. I am reading the book 'America's Cheapest Family" and their family of SEVEN shops ONCe a month. It saves a ton of money. We are bad though & will poop into Target & pick up grocery things too. We aren;t very disciplined. Maybe when I finish they book, we will be.

We need to try to save some money somewhere!!

By Football and Fried Rice, at July 18, 2008 at 10:40 AM
I grocery shop a lot LOL I go to two different grocery stores on the weekend. Milk is delivered to the house once a week by the milkman (good old fashioned glass bottles). My dh goes to Sam's on the weekend for meat and paper products.I plan out meals for M-Th. I love to cook but we do eat out too. I cook more during the winter. During the summer I grill almost every night. I am a big Paula Dean nut! I usually have to run during the week to the grocery store to pick up things that I run out of (fruit, bread etc). I rarely cook on the weekends. We usually spend one of the weekend days on our boat so we eat up there. Friday and Saturday we order out!
Your photography is so beautiful not sure what else you could do to improve it : ) I envy your picture taking skills.

By Chasing Dreams Photography, at July 18, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Oh..I can't wait to check out clickin Moms myself. I have WAY more to learn than you for sure. You take such great pictures Connie-I can't imagine what you don't know!
I go grocery shopping twice a month. I always forget something so wind up going a couple times in between my big trips. We usually have pizza or order Chinese once a week too. I wish I was better at planning meals but that's just not me. :)

Have a great weekend!

By Linette, at July 18, 2008 at 4:36 PM
You are the sweetest to do that for LaLa:) We grocery shop once a week with a big order and then toward the end of the week go back for things we have run out of i.e. milk.
Love your photos--if you go up a level, can't imagine what the pictures would look like, they are already so perfect:)

By Michelle, at July 18, 2008 at 5:18 PM
oh the last picture is simply fantastic!! I used to grocery shop once per week/seldom made stops in between...I amnow trying to cut back and save money and trying to go only 1-2 times a month, this month it has worked VERY well and I have really cut my spending!
Susan

By Livin' out loud, at July 19, 2008 at 3:34 AM
i've handed mine over to DH,

yep, that way he has to quit complaining that i spend too much mone ; )

...the down fall is...its all a bit basic and boring....but...we do need to be saving so...that's ok : )

what a happy easy going doggy...

as always awesome photos, and your passion for photography shines through!!!

xxx
s

By Shawnstribe, at July 19, 2008 at 9:49 AM
You have inspired me with your photography! I know if I ever give up bow making I will be moving on to photography. My kids are not very cooperative subjects though. :o)

Grocery shopping....not as organized as I should be at all. I usually go to Walmart or Target to get things that are cheaper there at lease once a week. Unfortunately, we don't have a supercenter of either so I still have to go to the Acme for fresh stuff and do that I would say every week and a half or so. We also make trips to Costco for all our meat. So no...I don't make it simple at all.

I also wait until like 4:00 to start thinking about what to have for dinner. LOL. I keep saying I need to plan the whole week out. LOL maybe one day. Sunday night is Chinese Take out. :o)

Kelly

By A Crystal Garden, at July 19, 2008 at 9:56 AM
Ok...what did you different with these pictures. I see a difference......very blurry background and the colors are very bold. LOVE them.....especially the girls sitting together int he flowers!~

Hope you are having a great weekend.
Hugs,
Steffie

By Steffie B., at July 19, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Connie
I love all the wonderful pictures. Jerry plans to take a photography class before we go back to China (hopefully and praying October).
Grocery shopping....I hate to go and my family knows it. I wait till the last minute when the pantry is empty. I keep telling myself that I'm going to do better and prepare meals. Maybe when I have three kids, I will do better.
Tell the treasures to expect their package on Tuesday. I hope they like their prizes from the beach.
Love
Connie
Green Party of 5ive

By Hope for Lucy, at July 19, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Your dog looks so gentle, like a big pillow.

By Ashley Winters, at July 20, 2008 at 8:17 AM
My plan is always to plan out meals for a week and do weekly grocery shopping. Does it always happen? No! But I am working on that. We eat so much healthier and save so much money when I do plan though.

I LOVE your photography. I can't imagine it getting any better. Now for me, I really want to check out that site. By the way, I have a question for YOU. What camera and lens do you use?

By Barbie, at July 20, 2008 at 8:34 PM
I cant imagine you getting any better at taking photos. My goodness you blow me away already.

I go shopping once a week and usually a couple of times for milk. I sometimes think we should invest in a cow but then who would milk it? We probably eat out and and home about half and half. If we are wanting conversation time we go out otherwise we all end up in different rooms. I do much better when I take a list and menu but that depends on how much extra time I have to prepare one. Dh is great about going for me and spends a lot less. :o)

The dog looks right at home, are you sure its not yours?

By Marla, at July 20, 2008 at 9:04 PM
Hi Connie - I love this post and anything for Lala:)

I grocery shop all the time, because Emily is picky and because no one store carries all of our favorites. I ususally do the weekly shopping on Sunday and make a trip out Tuesday and/or Thursday depending upon who has run out of what. I cook Mon-Thursday and usually have an idea in my head what meals I will make. Sometimes I cook ahead of time due to working evenings. Friday is pizza night. EIther Sat or Sun, we go out depending upon Rob's work schedule. He works lots of Sats.

Love the park pictures and the dog - they are too sweet with the doggy!

Have a great week:)

Heather

By Heather, at July 20, 2008 at 11:06 PM
looking forward to more unbelievable photography from you as you further explore your gifts : ))

Grocery shopping....I kinda like it. I like to be stocked up (especially freezer) for unexpected company, potlucks, and meals during the week. I probably can be found at a store that sells food (grocery, farm stand, Costco, etc) 4 or 5 days a week. Over the summer, I've noticed that we're not eating so much at meals, but I like sharing with the neighborhood kids and we really go through stuff! Good times : ))

By Unknown, at July 21, 2008 at 3:45 PM
Hey~

I really try to limit my shopping to one trip a week unless something unexpected comes up. I meal plan for a week and am trying to extend it to two.

Cool to hear what other people do. Great question!

Love,
Lisa

By Don and Lisa Osborn, at July 21, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Oh, my gosh! I need to learn to use my camera like you!
Fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Jewels of My Heart, at July 22, 2008 at 5:57 PM
I can't believe I just found your blog...where have I been?? lol!
STUNNING photos of your gorgeous children!!

Living in NYC, space is tight, so it's hard to stock up...I shop everyday for groceries...the stores are right across the street & it's easy to just figure out what I want to make for dinner that night & then go & get the ingredients. We do go out a lot too, though, in fact our daughter is getting a bit used to that as the other day she said, "Momma, can we have sushi tonight?" Ahhh...the perils of living in Manhattan!

I'm going to email you so that you can visit us at HipHipHubei (it's pword protected)
Sooo glad I "found" you! :)
Patricia/NYC

By Patricia, at July 22, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Connie!! you are amazing with your photography! Your treasures are absolutely beautiful!
lv & blessings to you!
Kim

By Journey to Lilly!, at July 22, 2008 at 10:23 PM