Happy Halloween!!

I wanted to do something cute for rls class party, but I didnt have a lot of time. I found this great idea on pinterest.



Cute, right? Cover vienna finger cookies with white icing and choclate chips for eyes? Did you know the cookies were called vienna fingers? I almost could not purchase because of that!!






So fun!

Fall Fun!

I always have a cloud of guilt following me around that I don't do enough fun crafts with my kids. I busted through that cloud with a little pumpkin painting and apple stamping.

































Ruddick played too. Then he ate it. Whoops!

Deals This Week

It felt so good to do a little couponing today. I love simple little trips to the drugstore to build supplies and/or donate. It just makes me happy.

Walgreens




Crest mouthwash. Buy 2 get $3 RR. Use 2 $1.50 off from pg 9/29. Free

Tums chewable. Buy 1 get $4.50 RR. Use $1 from tums.com. Moneymaker

Soap. On sale for 99 cents and use $1/2 from coupons.com

Snickers peanut butter fun size. Buy 1 get .50 RR. Use $1 from coupons.com

**there is also free toothpaste but i forgot that coupon**

After tax and RR, the grand total is $2!!!

Cvs



Contour next. Buy 1 get 9.99 extra care. Free (donate!)

Venus razor. Buy 1 get $5 extra care. Use $3 off venus razor from pg 9/29 plus cvs $4/10 from magic coupon machine.

Grand total. $2!!

I feel so good about my deals this week!! Excited!

Make sure to go to target.com and print this .50 coupon for PUMPKIN!!!! Next week walgreens will have it on sale for 99 cents!!!

Spinach Chips

I apologize for not posting any deals this week. Life just got in the way. Life happens, right??

Here is a little snack recipe i've had in my back pocket.

Spinach chip

Mix spinach leaves, evoo, sea salt and italian seasoning.

Cover a cookiesheet with foil and line out the spinach leaves.

Cook on 350 for ab 10 to 15 minutes.

The texture is questionable, but the taste was addicting!!! Try it out for something a little different.

A Word about Blogs

I didn't become a blog reader to semi-recently.  As much as I dream of sitting down and catching up on multiple good books, its just not going to happen.  I may get in a page or two at the end of the night, but it typically reminds me of how tired I am and I end up reading the same page over and over again.

Blogs have become a great solution to "reading" during this time of my life. It's nice to learn about other's lives, unique ideas, funny stories, fashion and cooking tips, and encouraging devotionals.  I use to think it was too hard to keep up with blogs.  You would have to be sitting at a computer and remember all those websites....blah, not happening.

So I made a folder on the homepage of my phone and bookmarked the blogs I like to keep up with on a daily/weekly basis.  It's super easy to catch up in the grocery line, while waiting for my 2 year to potty, at a traffic light (don't tell the po-lice), walking to my classes, and so on.

Here are some blogs I like to keep up with - You should be able to google these titles and find them pretty easily.

Pigtails and Parsley

http://pigtailsandparsley.blogspot.com/

My Soldier and My Skillet

http://mysoldierandmyskillet.blogspot.com/

Mix Match Mama

http://mixandmatchmama.blogspot.com/

Mix Match Family

http://shullfamily.blogspot.com/

Pinterest Told Me to

http://pinteresttoldmeto.blogspot.com/

The Krazy Coupon Lady

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/blog/

These are just a few.  I would love to add more to my list.  Any suggestions?  I would love a good "working Christian mom" blog.  Know of any good ones?

Favorite Things Friday

I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back

Though none go with me, I still will follow, no turning back

The cross I'll carry till I see Jesus, no turning back

The cross before me, the world behind me, no turning back

These are a few of my absolute favorite words in the world. As a child, this hymn was sang often at my grandmothers church and in her home. It was one of her favorites and I can still hear her voice singing around the house. I sing this to my son every night before bed and then I pray for him.

I am incredibly blessed to have these moments each night that cradle so many important things of my life.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Spinach and Black Bean Enchilada

I had a large container of spinach leaves staring me down in the fridge the last couple of days. The expiration date seemed to be flashing a countdown as I felt the pressure to respond.

So I responded by searching pinterest and discovered Spinach and Black Bean Enchiladas! I knew I had all the ingredients so it was a no brainer.

The recipe included making your own enchilada sauce.  I had to add several spices to make it presentable.  In the future, I will just use pre-made sauce or use the packets.

Ingredients {For the sauce} 3 cups organic low sodium vegetable broth ( I used non-organic Chicken broth) 1/4 cup tomato paste 1/4 cup all purpose flour 2 Tbsp. olive oil 2 tsp. cumin 1/4 tsp. garlic powder -plus to taste 1/4 tsp. onion powder- plus to taste 1/4 tsp. chili powder-plus to taste Salt/pepper *I added garlic and red pepper flakes* {For the enchiladas} 15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 1/2 cups corn (I used frozen and steamed) 6 oz. fresh baby spinach 6 green onions, thinly sliced 1/3 cup cilantro, chopped 2 tsp. cumin 3 cups shredded 3 cheese blend (or pepper jack, etc.) 8 whole wheat or flour tortillas Directions Make the sauce: in a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add tomato paste, flour, 2 tsp. cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and chili powder. Cook 1 minute, whisking. Whisk in broth, bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, and cook until slightly thickened about 8 minutes. Salt/pepper to taste, and set aside. In a skillet, quick saute the spinach in olive oil over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until slightly wilted. In a large bowl, combine beans, 2 cups cheese, spinach, corn, green onions, 2 tsp. cumin, and cilantro. Preheat oven to 375. Lightly spray a 9x13 inch baking dish, and pour a small amount of the sauce to coat the bottom. Generously fill tortillas with mixture, roll up tightly with ends tucked in, and place seam side down in dish. Pour remaining sauce over the enchiladas, coating evenly. Sprinkle 1 cup cheese on top. Bake about 20 minutes, and garnish with cilantro and/or green onions (optional). From thegardengrazer.com

This was awesome!!!!!!!!!  I was not a huge fan of the spinach.  I think I realized that I am a fan of raw spinach, but not so much the texture when it is cooked.  These would be amazing without the spinach.  D gave it a TEN! It is so simple with so little ingredients it will def be a re-make in my household!!

Deals This Week

I'm going to be honest.  I have been a little....no....a lot frustrated with the coupons that have arrived in my local paper each week.  Really I should  instead say the LACK of coupons.  There have been a few decent deals in the drugstore scene, however, week after week the coupons are not available.  It is a total bummer and a waste of time, blah!! It is starting to drag me down as a couponer.  I need the high of savings to keep me addicted.  If I stay clean too long......it just may stick and I'll start throwing away money in the grocery aisles like the rest of the (possibly smarter) human race.

So let me tell you what I did find:

Rite Aid:

Colgate Toothpaste - $3.50 get $3 UP Rewards.  Use .50 cent coupon from 10/13 or .75 from coupons.com.  Free or moneymaker.

Target:

Maxwell House K-cups .36 cents per cup. Buy 2 and receive $5 Target Gift Card. Use 2 $1 off from coupons.com

Mad Love Canvas shoes on sale for $15 and use 30% off cartwheel.

Yep. That's all I got for now.  I am hopeful things will get better soon.

Coupons.com reset several Fisher Price coupons that can be great for sales.  When this happens you must be QUICK to strike!

Don't forget to shop through Ebates when you are shopping online.  Such an easy way to earn extra dollars!!

Favorite Things Friday

Here are a few of my favorite things......

Being able to make and drop off pumpkin muffins to a friend who just had a baby.



She sent me a text first thing in the morning that said......

"Its been a long crazy night. I feel comfortable enough with you to say I dont feel like company, but I still want your food :)"

I laughed so hard at this statement. I love her honesty and I am sure the nurses at the nurses station raged with jealousy. I immediately wished I would have brought an extra batch.

Another favorite thing is actually the hospital. Only this specific one I visited. I have so many memories stored in these walls both good and bad. Each one has impacted and changed my life. The best memories?? The birth place of these two gems of course.






Finally something that should be a favorite thing, but that decision is still pending. Shopping for a new car. Eek! Right now it is just anxiousness. Here we are doing a little test driving.









Garage sales tomorrow!!

Chicken Sliders

This is a quick and easy meal that your family will love!! They can even be frozen for quick lunches or meals on the go!!!

Place frozen or fresh chicken in the crockpot.  I throw these in before church on Sundays.  For frozen chicken, it takes 3-4 hours on high.  For 12 sliders, I used 2 chicken breasts (this is all my crockpot would fit).

Remove the chicken and place in a seperate dish.  Shred chicken with two forks and mix in bbq sauce to your liking.

Line out the bottoms of hawaiian bread rolls and spoon on chicken then top with cheese. Bake on 350 for about 10 minutes.

D scored this meal an 8. I scored it a 10 based on goodness and ease!!!

Deals this Week

I saw a few good deals that I am interested in this week!!

Walgreens:

Buy 2 Suave Professional Morrocan Infusion Shampoo or Conditioner - $3 - Buy 2 receive 2,000 Balance points ($2). Use 2 $1.50 Suave product from RP 9/29 then submit for a $1.25 Ibotta Credit.  That makes this a .25 moneymaker!!

Buy 2 Tresseme Shampoo or Conditioner $3.50 - Buy two receive 2,000 Balance Rewards - Use two $2.50/1 from RP 9/29

Buy 3 Purex Laundry Detergent - $5.99 Buy one get two free - Use $1.50/2 from coupons.com

**For these deals, you are going to pay up front and receive the benefit later.  You could also split your transactions and buy the shampoos first and then you use the balance rewards on your detergent.**

CVS:

There are several deals based on your coupons from the Magic Coupon Machine.  Are you friends with the Magic Coupon Machine? You should be!!! He generates significant savings!! Stop by, scan your card, and see what you can save!!

Target:

Buy 2 Kraft Recipe Makers - Buy one get one free - Use 2 $1/1 from bricks.coupons.com and use $1/1 from target.com.  It's Free!!

***Honestly, I do not know if I will attempt this deal.  You know I have had trouble with Target in the past and this deals screams a register rejection to me***

Buy 1 Purina Beggin Strips - $2.64 - Use $1/1 Purina product from RP 9/29 and .75/1 from target.com

Buy 1 All Mighty Pack 10 count $1.99 - Use $1/1 from RP 9/29 and $1 off any laundry detergent text Fresh to 827438 - FREE!

Buy 1 Market Pantry Lunch Tub - $2.00 - Use $1/1 text Fresh to 827428 and use 5% off cartwheel

See....there are few good things sprinkled here and there.  Not anything that I would be heart-broken to miss, but I will certainly try to make it to Target and Walgreens.

Is anyone starting to feel the excitement of Black Friday?????? How many of you partake in the madness???

Favorite Things = Brookshires this Week

Brookshires is my favorite grocery to shop, but I will ONLY shop the sales.  The full priced items blow me away compared to the Wal-Mart prices.
There were several things in the

Brookshires paper this week that I liked!



Colored bell peppers $1
Bush's Bean and Peas $1
Tortillas - $1.25
Sausage $1
Lunchables $1
Deli Meats - 4 for $10
Kraft Cheese - $2 (coupon on coupons.com will make the block $1.50)
Brookshires Milk - $1
BOGO Garden Salad - Double Points!!
BOGO Green Giant Veggies - Double Points!! - .60/3 from SS 9/15

There are lots of deals that include extra points!! Empty gas tank anyone?  Great deals to pick up for the week!!

Head over to www.parymoppins.net for a full matchup of Brookshires deals and meal ideas based on the ad!!

Also, this week.........

I had my UP Rewards from Rite Aid that I have been rolling every week, I was lucky to find a great deal that I was happy with this week.

Purchased 3 Tide detergent and used $5/3 from last weeks paper.  With previous UP Rewards, I paid $5.63 and received $5 UP back!!!  I typically NEVER buy Tide, it is just too expensive.  However, a deal is a deal! :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Veggie Stack

I saw this recipe on pinterest and I have been so anxious to try it. 

The original idea
calls for sliced squash, zuchinni, potato, onion, and tomato.
I omited the tomato since 1/2 of my family will not eat it.

I sliced all my veggies and placed them a glass pyrex dish, seasoned with salt and pepper, and covered with about a cup of parmeson cheese.






Okay at this point I have a confession. I sliced up the veggies two days in advance (sunday). This was not good for the potatoes so I had to take them out. If you are using all of the veggies other than the potatoes, advance slicing is genious.

Cook on 400 for about 25 mins or until onions are done.



This was awesome and healthy!! Def make again especially with the option of prework. This makes it hands free during the crazy after work mad rush at my house!!

I served with chicken and leftover steambag veggies.

Deals This Week and Monthly Budget Wrap Up

Well, the title is a bit misleading. There are no good deals to report this week.

There are some options if you are specifically looking for items like shampoo and crest mouthwash (coupon 9/29) from walgreens or robitussin (coupon 9/29) from cvs, but other than that.....nothing.

It has been a bit dull lately in the coupon world. I expect to have an explosion soon. For now, I will enjoy the break from extreme couponing and just coupon for general items needed.

I made a big trip to walmart this weekend.  I usually only have to go to walmart once every 6 weeks or so to load up on things that I can't find on sale.  It was time for a humidifier filter, vitamins, kids tylenol, and that kind of stuff.  I also LOADED.UP. on baking goods.  It is time for holiday baking!!!!  Coupon or not, I will always buy pumpkin!! Thank goodness I never have to buy tolietries or else I would really be bitter.  This should take care of our major needs for the month.  A few things are needed at Sams, but other than that we will just pick up a few things throughout the month and hopefully stay within budget.

I promised I would share my monthly grocery spending at the end of the month.  Honestly, I have been a little lax lately and have not been super strict with the spending.  Compared to a typical family grocery bill, I am still happy with my results.  Remember that I also had a family of 4 visit for a weekend!! I do not include any diapers or formula in my total.

CVS - 1.72

Rite Aid - 21.00, 5.00, 2.50 - Cereal, k-cups, shaving cream, Halloween candy

Brookshires - 68 - Loaded up on Meat

Walmart - 100 - Lots of veggies and snacks for entertaining.

Walgreens - $2.18 - 2 Boxes of Kashi cereal

Walmart - $17 - Milk and veggies

Target - $30 - Cereal sale, fruit snacks, shampoo sale

Total for the month of September - $264.90

Before I started couponing and looking for sales, my monthly grocery ranged between 400-500, so I am saving significant dollars every month!!!

**I did not have to buy any diapers this month due to previous sales**