A Penny Saved...

So... I'm not a good blogger, and it's been a long time since I've posted anything. I've thought and thought of interesting things to post, but I have had a bit of a dry spell.

BUT I have now found something worthy of sharing!

I know we all want to save money on groceries, and I was recently introduced to the Community Food Co-op of Utah.

The basic idea is that they order directly from the same local and national producers and wholesalers that service local grocery stores. The more people who order through the co-op, the larger the savings will be, because you order in bulk as a group. Then volunteers divide and distribute the orders to distribution sites across the Wasatch Front, where you pick up your order. (The one nearest me is less than a block away!)

For more information, visit their website. Or take a look at their order form for this month.

The "Full Share" for March costs only $23 and includes the following:
2, 8 oz. Top Sirloin Steaks
4, 5 oz. Pork Chops
2 lb. Chicken Legs and Thighs
1 lb. Lean Ground Beef (85/15)
3 varieties Fresh Fruits
5 varieties Fresh Vegetables
1 loaf of Artisan Wheat Bread from Stoneground (YUM!)
16 oz. brown rice

Wow!!! I'm impressed! And if you don't want to buy the full share, there are smaller options available, also at an amazing price! Each month's selection is different, so keep checking back if this month's selection doesn't float your boat.

March will be my first month ordering through the co-op, and I'm sure it won't be my last! If you want to join me in supporting their efforts, submit your order and meet me at the (would be pretty if it wasn't ORANGE) Presbyterian Church on S. Temple and C St. on Saturday morning, March 28 between 9 and 11. (Or find a pick-up location closer to you here.)

One Year!

Happy Anniversary to me and Preston!
I can't believe that it's been a year since I married the love of my life!

Here's to many more as happy as the first. I love you Preston!!!

Partings

On the 7th of this month, I received a call from my father to hurry to the hospital: my Gram was fading fast.

With my heart in my throat, I ran to my car and raced to the ICU where the rest of my family was gathered to say goodbye. Almost all of her family was there: all of her children, all but one of her grandchildren, and all of her great-grandchildren.
As the doctors turned off the machines that were supporting her fragile body, she opened her eyes for only a moment. I have to believe she saw all of us there and knew how much she was loved.
To watch a spirit leave this world is to witness something holy.

Gram:
You were there when I came into this world.
In your memory, may I use my hands,
my hands that look so much like yours,
to work peace.
Until we meet again someday.

Crazy Eights

8 things I'm passionate about:
1. Food
2. Movies
3. Music
4. Friends
5. Family
6. The gospel
7. PRESTON!
8. Cooking

8 words/phrases I use often
1. You got it!
2. I love you with much muchness!
3. We'll make it work.
4. Needs more (insert ingredient that would make recipe better here)...
5. Where is/are my keys/phone?!
6. I just love you! and/or You make me laugh!
7. You're my favorite.
8. Preston, there's a buggie in the (insert room here). Come kill it, please!

8 things I want to do before I die
1. Raise a wonderful, close family
2. Parasail
3. Learn to do Family History
4. Get back to a size 10 or 12
5. Get my food storage in order
6. Read as many good books as I can
7. Perfect my Italian
8. Let my family and friends know just how much they mean to me

8 things I've learned in the past
1. The dishes do not do themselves. Ever.
2. A nap solves many of the ills in this life.
3. You can't count on other people to tell you what's right for you.
4. Preston will never think bad things about me, will never criticize me, will always love me, and will always think I'm beautiful. I don't know why he will, but I know that it's true.
5. Being me is all I can do. And that's enough.
6. Always bring a book. You never know when you'll have to wait around.
7. I hate electric stoves. They're evil.
8. I'm strong in a crisis. Do now, cry later.

8 things I currently want/need
1. More clothes
2. Glasses
3. A dachshund puppy
4. To get my hair done
5. To lose some weight
6. More hours in the day... strike that... more hours in the night, so I can do more sleeping!
7. A new winter coat
8. Tall brown boots

8 places I want to see/visit
1. Istanbul
2. Jerusalem
3. Egypt
4. China
5. Canada (All of it! Mostly the islands, though.)
6. Australia
7. Great Britain
8. Everywhere else!

8 people I tag

Everyone of my blog friends has already done this!