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Freebie of the Week
Blog Highlights
Weekly Tutorial
Recipe of the Week
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Greetings!

Thunderstorm
© Arturko | Dreamstime.com

It's that time of year again when the weather is so unpredictable. This time last year, my hometown was hit with double tornadoes ripping through many houses leaving others utterly homeless.

I was able to speak with some of those survivors and the main thing I kept hearing over and over was, "I just wasn't prepared for a storm like this."

Bad weather can happen at any time and in any place. I have heard of hurricanes during the winter, tornadoes during a very cold snap, and freak snowstorms in the spring.

In this newsletter,  I will be sharing articles and tips to help you prepare your household for the stormy weather that will be happening during these springtime months.

Here is one of my favorite quotes: Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.  ~Rabindranath Tagore

Take the time to prepare for storms. It will help you immensely should that time ever arise.

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Molly Members ~New Downloads

Hi there, all you Molly Members! I sure hope you are enjoying our new program. If you haven't checked out your member pages lately, be sure and do so. I just uploaded some "How-To" sites to the main resources page and some free Easter resources and downloads to the March goodies page. Is this fun or what?! Just scroll to the bottom of both pages to access the new information.

You'll find downloads for a family Easter Bible Study, copywork for the kids, and printable Easter place cards. You'll also find some good Easter links and resources. Enjoy!

If you're not already a Molly Member, join up now and take advantage of all our March goodies. Other March freebies included a 50+page preview of my $7 Slow Cooker Suppers cookbook, a great Vegetable Gardening/Herb Guide, a book of homemade cleaning recipes, 22 Quick and Easy Healthy Chicken Recipes, and a grilling guide. Not to mention lots of spring-related links and resources.

Current members will retain access to the resources and downloads in their prior subscriptions, but new members will never have the ability of accessing past resource and freebie pages (although individual Digests can still be purchased in the store).

And I can't wait for you to see what we have in store for you next month! It's a great theme, and I already have some exciting freebies lined up. But more about that next week.


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Become a Molly member and save like never before!

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Featured Website

This week's featured website is Engineer a Debt Free Life. I ran across this website while looking for freebies. I was instantly drawn in to their site. They not only post freebies, but awesome coupon codes, Swagbucks codes, and potential bargains that can save you some serious cash--and they do giveaways!

Be sure and stop by their website and check out the great deals they have posted!


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Freebie of the Week
Tornadoes, Thunderstorms, and Lightning E-Book




I found some great resources that are very informative that you can also use as a weather unit for your homeschool.

This 16-page E-Book is full of helpful information about preparing for spring and summer weather incidents like thunderstorms, tornadoes, and lightning storms.

You can download your free resource HERE.


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I Want To Hear From You!


I'm working on my May 2010 Digest right now, and the subject is celebrating life's milestones (graduations, Mothers' Day, weddings) with class and style, using a sensible budget. I'd love to hear from you this week if you have any ideas to share on these subjects. From frugal gift ideas for the newlyweds and graduates, to menus and recipes for meals, and even décor, invitation, and celebration activities suggestions. Also, if you have specific questions you'd like to see addressed on this subject, let me know right away. Email me today!

Thanks in advance.


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Blog Highlights
Tips and Ideas From Econobusters 


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Weekly Tutorial
How To Make an Emergency Disaster Kit

Emergency Kit
Photo courtesy of EHow

One of the best ways to prepare for bad weather is to create an emergency kit. Sometimes, trying to create one can be overwhelming.

I found an article that takes you detail by detail on how to create an emergency kit for you and your family!

Click HERE to access this tutorial.

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Recipe of the Week
Parmesean Crusted Chicken


Photo courtesy of Jennifer Sikora

Last weekend my family and I went to Longhorn's Steakhouse for dinner. It was fabulous (and yes--it is okay to splurge every now and then).

I ordered this wonderful entree that I had been seeing on television.  The first bite was as scrumptious as I had suspected! I asked our waitress what was in the sauce that was on top of the chicken and she gave me the COMPLETE recipe so I could re-create it at home. I was shocked that they shared it with me.

I made my version of it last night and it was SO good! My husband even said it was his new favorite. I paired it with green beans and mashed potatoes and homemade artisan bread. It was a wonderful restaurant meal for a fraction of the price!

Here is the recipe and I hope you enjoy it!

Ingredients
8 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 cup of creamy ranch dressing
1 cup of parmesean cheese
1 cup of shredded provolone cheese
1 teaspoon of minced garlic
Panko bread crumbs (I did not have these so I just used regular bread crumbs)
salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Cook your chicken to your preference (grilled or baked--I baked mine). While the chicken is baking, mix together ranch, parmesean cheese, garlic, and 1/4 cup of provolone cheese, and then set this mixture aside. Also at this time toast your bread crumbs and then set them aside.

After the chicken is done cooking, remove it from the oven and turn your broiler on. Take your creamy cheese mixture and put it on each piece of chicken. Put it on as thick as you like. Sprinkle on each piece of chicken the remaining provolone cheese. Top that with the toasted bread crumbs.

Place chicken under the broiler until the cheese is melted and browned a little on top.

Here is the cost breakdown for this recipe:
1 bag of frozen chicken breasts ($6.99)
1 bottle of ranch dressing ($1.49)
1 8 ounce jar of parmesean cheese ($1.89)
1 8 ounce bar of provolone cheese ($1.79)
1 head of garlic (.29)
1 box of bread crumbs (.99)
2 cans of green beans ($1.00)
Loaf of bread (free--homemade)
Mashed Potatoes (free-homemade)

This recipe easily feeds 6 people. You could also stretch it to 8 if you needed to, but some in our family like two pieces of chicken instead of one. The total cost to prepare this meal for 6 people is $14.44! That comes out to $2.40 per serving. At the restaurant, this meal comes with 2 chicken breasts and french fries and bread for $10.99! I think I much prefer making it at home, and the taste was just about the same!

Hope you enjoy!

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Idea Center
Tips on Staying Safe During Bad Weather!

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Molly's Money-Saving Digest
Spring Is In the Air~Frugal Choices Everywhere!
 
 
Mar 2010
 
Life is too short (and sweet) to spend it indoors-
Be encouraged that it doesn't take much money to enjoy life in the great outdoors . . .

March brings us a most wonderful time of the year! You do have a welcoming, colorful, and happy backyard don't you? If it needs a little work, keep reading!

As the good weather arrives, slip out the door and enjoy the warmth and smells and delights of that fresh spring air-in your own backyard or on your deck, balcony, or porch. You'll find plenty of ideas for thrifty fun, food, and other "fixins" right here!

Spring is the season of anticipation. Start a few seeds, try a new recipe, make a fresh start, and enjoy every minute. This is a prime season for you as a "keeper at home" to refocus and define your priorities as you realize just how much you can do with what God has
given you.

Take a quick glimpse at the features and what you'll learn in the newest Digest:


Monthly Feature: Spring Is in the Air-Frugal Choices Everywhere!

Eating Alfresco: This is the way to really enjoy your food . . . though some of you may not know what this means. Grab some no-frills ideas for everyday, alfresco eating!

Make Rich Memories in Thrifty Times: Included are a variety of wonderful suggestions for some frugal fun and catalysts to learning (bringing the family together) that you'll want to try now that the weather is warming!

Backyard Living: Take a close look at a number of fresh, money-saving ideas to help brighten your mood and your life!

Trying to economize? At $4.95 for each downloadable E-Book, you can apply just one tip from each issue to easily save the cost of the Digest! Still not convinced this E-Book is for you?
Click
HERE to view a sample of this item.
 
Each month, take the wonderful opportunity to learn along with Molly (and her special guests and experts), and make the most of your time and money in 2010.


Better yet, subscribe to a Molly Membership and receive each month's Digest AND additional bonus resources for only $3.95 a month!

Don't forget, you can download a free Molly binder cover from the Schoolhouse Store! 

 
 
Until next week!
 

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