Easy...cheap...not the HEALTHIEST..but soo yummy

Okay I promised In a post awhile back that I would start sharing some cheap healthy recipes. This first one I will confess is not the HEALTHIEST one...but It's our favorite. I think it's cheap to make and it makes a lot...enough for leftovers, and I am ALL about leftovers!



"Melissa's Taco Bake" (My kids named it...wow..to have a taco bake named after you...i feel so special...lol)



1 14 oz box of the ever so famous Kraft Mac and Cheese

1 pound of lean ground hamburger

1 package of taco seasoning

3/4 cup of sour cream

1 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup of salsa



Okay....so I am sure it does not take a genius to see where this recipe is going!! You prepare the mac and cheese. Brown the hamburger then add the taco seasoning to the hamburger. Stir the sour cream into the mac and cheese.Spoon half of the mac and cheese mixture into a baking pan, then put a layer of the meat mixture with some of the grated cheddar cheese on top of the mac and cheese...then.... yes...you guessed it....top the hamburger with the remaining mac and cheese mixture. Pop it in the oven COVERED for for 15 min at 400 degrees. The last 5 min....uncover and pour the salsa over top....and the rest of the grated cheddar cheese!!!



So ya....that's one of our favorite meals around here!! Sometimes I even buy some taco shells and we scoop up the dinner and eat it in a taco!!



Have a wonderful day everyone!!!

The winner is......

All the names went into the witch hat...all 105 of them!!

Anna was honored to pick the lucky winner!


The winner was....Janet Faye!! Ummm ya...I had just woke up before this...so excuse the crazy hair, no make up....lol


Thank you everyone so much for you participation!! I can't wait till the 50th post..I will make it bigger and better!! Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Jenny Kate's Giveaway!!

My beautiful friend JennyKate is doing a 25th post giveaway! The giveaway is a SURPRISE!!! I love surprises! Head over and leave her a comment to enter! Plus her Blog is so much fun to read anyway...if you don't have her on your daily reads...you are seriously missing out!!!

http://jennykate77.blogspot.com/

~Melissa

What I am doing to help my family through this economic hardship...

Okay wow....I just noticed that It's 11:45pm...wayyy past my bedtime! But I just felt like reaching out to others who are going through hard times with this crazy economy. I am a stay at home mom (a domestic goddess I say) and my husband is gone so much working so hard. Don't get me wrong...I work my butt off too...as all you stay at home mom's do. But I just want to help financially....I feel the need to take some of the burden off my amazing husband. He is in the trucking industry and it slows down quiet a bit in the winter...and with the way the economy is we are a little scared. So what am I doing to pitch in? Here is a list...and hey....maybe you guys can take away some tips for your family:



1. First and foremost, I have FINALLY been taught by my husband how to SAVE money. It has taken me about 6 yrs with him to FINALLY get it!! I was not taught to save...just spend! So in this pastyear or so, I put a certain amount of money each week in savings regardless of anything. I just do it...I tell myself that money is not mine..I don't even consider it...it just goes in savings. PERIOD. Now, like i said it took me 6 YEARS to get it....but boy oh boy I am so grateful that I did. Now we have savings to always fall back on through tough times. Savings...is just overall good for your health....seriously!



2. I thought about what it is that I love. I love candles!!! I love the way they smell and soothe me...I love everything about them. Even sitting reading, looking at the flame relaxes me. So...I opened my own candle shop on Etsy.com. It has taken some money here and there to get started....But it's starting to really pay off. I love making them...absolutely love it, and I am putting some money into savings as well, and that makes me feel so proud.



3. Okay...seriously...I NEVER thought I would clip coupons!!! But I am to the point now where I look forward to my coffee on Sunday morning with ALL my ad's and I clip...clip away!! My husband so gets a kick out of it! I now make grocery shopping a huge game for me. I LOVE IT!!! I found this site (it was actually on Oprah the other day) it's http://www.couponmom.com/ it is awesome!! She teaches you how to save money...i mean save BIG money!! I went from spending 150.00 A WEEK to about 79.00 a week! I was so mad today because i really wanted to be under 70.00. Next week is another challenge! I also add things up mentally in my head as I go through the store. I tried a calculator...but with a 18mon old in the seat in front of me...that did not work out so well! But adding it in my head really helps me to know where I am at..and what I can get and CANNOT get (those are typically the wants..not needs). I have really spent time figuring out healthy meals that are cheaper. I will start posting some of those meal ideas often. Saving money grocery shopping is really a huge way that I feel that I can help out and make an impact. So as the CEO of my household....I am taking charge!!



4. We use to eat out sooo much. Now we NEVER do!! It took some adjusting for the kids...but they are over it now. We did get Taco Bell tonight.....It only cost 14.00...but I was still mad at myself for caving!! I cannot believe how much we have saved by cutting all the eating out OUT!!



5. CASH....I only use cash. I give myself an allowance for the week, when it's gone....IT'S GONE.



6. Finally...I just really try and recite this word to myself constantly, "SIMPLICITY". I try so hard to focus on what is important. My answer is always the same, "Time...time with the one's I love". Quality time that is. When someone dies....it's not the materials they own that anyone will give a crap about, it's the memories that they leave behind. It's the TIME. So in all the madness...Just breathe....i mean breathe deep (right now) and be happy for your family and what you DO have.



Anyway....wow....If you made it this far...I hope you got something out of it!!!



love....love....love

Candle Giveaway Update

Sheesh...I'm sorry, I did not even mention a date that I would draw a lucky winner! I am going to have my kids pick a name on Sat Morning...October 11th (I will even take pictures of her drawing!



Thank you so so much everyone for you participation! I have really enjoyed reading your comments and finding out your favorite scents! I entered into two different craft fairs in December and In November and I want to have scents that will sell...sell..sell, so it has been great to have your input!



Thanks again everyone! Good luck!!

25th post giveaway!

I decided to do a giveaway at every 25th post. I am new to the blogging world...but I must say that I am so loving it! So in honor of my 25th post....I will be giving away 2 pumpkin spice filled pumpkin candles and one 8oz , Jar candle...the scent will be the choice of the winner!



All you have to do is leave me a comment telling me your most favorite candle scent. Leaving a comment will get your name in the hat one time. If you mention my giveaway and post my candle store on your blog...that will get you 10 entries into the hat! If you decide to do a post about my giveaway, just let me know in my comments!


http://www.crazydaisycandles.etsy.com/


Thank you so much for your support with my handmade candle store!! Have a wonderful Tuesday everyone!

A glimpse of Colorado in the Fall....

On Saturday My husband had a brilliant idea! We took the kids up to the Mountains to see the leaves and the Elk. We took our little Coleman grill and had an awesome picnic...with the most amazing scenery surrounding us. It was just a simple...beautiful day that I will never forget! Here are a couple of pictures of Colorado in The Fall! So beautiful.....

We saw hundreds of Elk that day, this one was bugling at another male

I love this picture...how Allie is looking at her big brother!

Okay...I am off to whip up some candles! Have a wonderful Monday!