Yummy Chicken Noodle Soup

I had some boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the freezer that I had bought when they were on sale, so one day when I didn't know what to make for supper, I took them out and cooked up a yummy batch of homemade chicken noodle soup.

This recipe from AllRecipes.com is so quick and easy....and soooo good. Whenever I make it, my family just gobbles it right up.

Linking up here: 

Kindle Books

I got a Kindle as a gift this past Christmas, and I love it so much. After getting it set up and whatnot, I started looking through Amazon for books, and was so surprised at all the free books that are available at any given time!


To date, I have over 900 books downloaded, and I haven't paid for a single one! Granted, there are some that are just not that great, but after reading the first couple chapters and deciding that I'm not interested in a particular one, I just delete it and move on to the next. I do read the reviews for them, but because some people like them, does not necessarily mean that I will....so I download everything that looks remotely interesting at the time.


I stumbled upon a couple of great websites that I check daily for free books. The first one that I go to is Pixel of Ink. This site updates several times a day with links to Amazon for free and bargain books.


The next website I like to look at is I Crave Freebies. This site has a lot of different freebies, but if you click Books & Guides in the category menu, just the books are listed. This is usually updated at least once a week, sometimes every couple days, but when it is....there is a list sometimes of 100+ free books available at Amazon.


The third website I like is Free Kindle Books and Tips. This site is updated probably once a week, more or less with free downloads.


You can subscribe by email to all 3 of these websites, so when there are new books available you can be notified. I realize that any free books available at Amazon can be found by searching around their site, but I really enjoy the updates that these websites provide. I've gotten some really great books this way....and all for FREE!

Best Vacuum I've Ever Owned

About 6 months ago, I knew I finally needed to break down and purchase a new vacuum. I've had several vacuums through the years, the last couple being moderately priced 'red' ones. They worked fine for a while, then I would find myself having to lay it on it's side and pretty much dig out all of the hoses that would become clogged with whatever I had picked up the previous time I used it.  Hoses would become plugged solid. There was no suction whatsoever. The last one I owned, at the end of it's short life, would actually leave more junk on the floor than there was when I started, and the beater brush would throw the dirt out the back of the darned thing. Also, clouds of dust would hang in the air afterwards, not to mention the pain in the butt that it was to keep having to buy bags for it, and have to keep putting them back on when they fell off.


I just don't have the patience for this. All I want to do it get dirt up off the floor and be done with it.


So, I started reading reviews online and checking into new ones. I came across the Shark Navigator Upright Bagless vacuum on the Walmart website. It was a little more than I wanted to spend at the time, but not outrageously priced, but after reading the reviews, decided to buy it. Now after having it for all these months, all I can say is...I LOVE it! Well worth the money I spent, it has never plugged up or lost suction, works great for both my carpets and tile floor. The canister holds a lot and is very easy to empty. It's lightweight and easy to .maneuver. The cord is nice and long. There is also a pet hair attachment that works great on my sofa...and having 3 cats and a dog in the house, I need it. 

Shark Navigator Upright Bagless Vacuum

So that's my opinion on the Shark Navigator. I don't see myself having to buy another new vacuum anytime in the near future...but if I did, I would definitely stick with this one.

Marriage, sickness, job changes & new life

So many things are happening at once. Since Ray's mom has been diagnosed with cancer, she has gone downhill so fast. They say it could be days, but she keeps hanging on...I pray that we will have her around for a long time yet, and they will be without much pain.

Emily and the baby are doing fine. She is due September 30th, and that day is approaching fast.

Ray and I were married on July 9th at his mother's house. It was important that his mother was with us, so the wedding was actually mostly planned by his sisters and family in one day. I bought myself, Emily and Olivia clothes to wear, and everything else was all done for us. It was a very small, simple ceremony, and I wouldn't have changed a thing. They even bought us a beautiful cake and made me a bouquet. It was an amazing day.

Ray has mentioned many times that he would like me to quit my job and stay home. So yesterday was my last day at work. I love knowing that I can be home now to take care of the house and Ray and the kids. I really prefer to be at home instead of working, and it feels good.

Now that I can be home to take care of everything, I am sitting her looking around and realize that I need to get this house in order. So I have made a list of things to do today, and when I finish typing this, I'll get started. I WILL NOT procrastinate!!!

Baby Blanket #1 Finished!

I finished the first baby blanket I've been working on!! The pattern I used was Rainbow Ripple Baby Blanket but instead of making the stripes in different colors, I used Mary Maxim's Sugar Baby Stripes in Tutti Fruiti. My daughter hasn't seen it yet....I hope she likes it!

Laundry and The Decemberists

Slept in a little later than I would have liked this morning. It's 21 degrees out, but unless I can think of something I need to get at the store, I probably won't be leaving the house today, as a mountian of laundry is calling me....if only I can get up the courage to attempt to climb to the top. LOL! Will also try to sneak a bit of crocheting in, as I am very close to finishing the baby blanket I'm working on. Listening to a bit of music this morning, and as of today.....this is my favorite song. I do so long for summer to finally get here. This is June Hymn, by The Decemberists.

Weekend

Another weekend off, and what to do? Woke up around 7, made coffee and checked emails, and am now taking a break from working on the first of many baby blankets I plan to make before September 30th. The first one I decided to make is from this pattern at Ravelry:  

Rainbow Ripple Baby Blanket