Pumpkin Muffins

These chocolate chip mufffins are a MUST MAKE. I am serious, like a must make right now. Break all my coupon rules, go to the store and get these 3 ingredients immediently:

1 box spice cake mix
1 can pumpkin puree
Chocolate chips




Yep. Thats all u need.

Preheat oven to 350 and mix the pumpkin and cake mix in a bowl.



It works best with this type of spoon



The batter will get thick so you need to use some serious muscle. I felt my "guns" starting to spaz so I asked my hubs for a little help with the mixing. He has nice "guns". :). He respectfully declined and retreated. He hates all things culinary.



Add the chocolate chips and taste. The taste is not necessary of course, but you wont regret it. So good.



The batter made 16 muffins for me.

Bake for about 15 mins.



The original blogger (mix match mama) suggested freezing for a quick breakfast or adding icing for cupcakes.

These are amazing. TO.DIE.FOR!!

Favorite Things Friday

Paul Michaels. One of THE best stores in the world. Well, according to my limited knowledge. It is so beautiful and so inspiring and a wonderful experience. It easily takes 30 minutes just to browse the store. I want almost everything I see.




























Scrumptious. I instantly insist on redecorating my entire house.

If I had to name the very top favorite things in my life....apple strudle circle e candle would most certainly make the list. Apple strudle is the.best.candle.ever.period. I love it so much, I can hardly stand it. The first burn of the fall season is amazing. Immediately I am in a great mood. Immediately.



2 parties tomorrow so resting up!!

Girl Time

I spent tonight celebrating a very special friend and her soon to be 2nd daughter Hallie.  I had every intention of taking artisic pictures of the food, decor, and the table full of interesting ladies most of whom I had never met.  However, I forgot.  I am so disappointed!!  I am positive the pictures would never look as good as they did in my head.

Can I tell you how MUCH I enjoyed time with ladies?!?!  I mean REALLY enjoyed the act of socialization.  We talked about kids,  the fact that there is no time to clean, we traded birth stories, complications, and made some past connections!  I'm not great at making friends, but I truly felt comfortable with my end of the table.  It was sooooo needed!

As my sister pointed out recently, God did not intend for us to do this alone.  However, sometimes we just don't have time to live life with anyone else other than our immediate circle of family.  Yes, it takes effort.  Yes, it is sometimes out of comfort zone.  And yes, it matters!!!!

Feeling renewed!!

Salsa Chicken

Last week I saw a blog about salsa chicken with pasta shells (mix match mama). This looked pretty good plus I had enough ingredients in my random kitchen to make it work.

Here is what I did:

Placed 3 frozen chicken in the crock pot (I did this Sunday morning before heading to church). Add about 3/4 cup water or stock. Cook on low for about 4 to 5 hrs.

Once the chicken is done, shred with 2 forks ( i also season with pepper)

Boil the pasta. I didn't have any shells, so I used penne.

In a large boil, I mixed:

Shredded chicken
1 pack of taco seasoning
3 tbs of cumin
1 can or steam bag of corn
1 can of black beans (drained and rinsed)
1 jar of salsa
1 small chopped onion
2 cups of shredded cheese

Basically, I just mixed a bunch of random ingredients together that followed the mexican theme.

Move the ingredients to a casserole dish and top with more cheese.  Cook on 350 for about 20 minutes.  Remove from oven add french fried onions on top, then cook for a about 5 more minutes.  Yes, you heard me right.....those crunchy things you put on green bean casseroles.  I thought it was strange too when I read the recipe, but it was a pretty neat twist!

That's it!! This lasted us for 3 days!  It could easily be doubled for a freezer meal!




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Deals this Week

I was not overwhelmed with anything this week, so this will be short!

I am on the roll with "rolling" my up rewards at Rite Aid!! I was glad to see a couple of great items that we use to keep me going.

Renu contact solution was on sale for 8.99 with $6 up rewards. I used $2 off from coupons.com to make it 99 cents!! This coupon is no longer available, but I have am extra one if you need it!!



I also picked up crest toothpaste for $3 with $3 up and used 50 cents off from coupons.com. Moneymaker!!



With my rewards I paid $5 out of pocket and received $9 back!! I've seen HUGE savings at Rite Aid this month. I have spent a little bit here and a little bit there (mostly tax) and gotten a ton of products!!



In the past, I could go weeks without going to Rite Aid...weeks. Well, the powers that be must have heard my battle cry because it is as if they have written every deal just for ME!! The cashiers typically arent super knowledgable about coupons, but its not complicated and every transaction usually works out.

Remember that the Ups rewards that you have on file will cover your subtotal before tax.  Ups rewards will print at the bottom of your ticket and is the only record of the rewards you have and when they expire.  Keep your ticket!!!  Also, remember that Up rewards can't be split.  For example, you have a $5 reward to use and you purchased a $3 product.  It will not be applied to the product because it does not equal $5.  Once you scan your wellness card, the rewards available will automatically apply to your total (I have amazed some cashiers at how far my total was reduced!).

Rewards expire after a week and a half.  So once you have received a reward you have committed to shopping again at Rite Aid within that time frame.  Otherwise, you are THROWING AWAY money.  Please don't do this people!!  If you have not had time to check out the deals that week, buy some birthday cards or off brand cold medicine.....something that you can use.

Also....if you have not signed up for emails at CVS.com...DO.IT.NOW.  Yesterday they emailed me ANOTHER $3 Extra Care Bucks.  This is free money with no purchase.  I have seriously received about $15 worth of these in my email.  It is insanity.  You could walk in to CVS and receive $3 worth of products for FREE!!!!

I love the easy weeks!  It keeps me motivated and reminds me that this is all worth it to save money!!!

Monday Meal Plan

What's on the menu this week?  I really have no idea, so lets think about it together.

The time I spend in the kitchen each day has continued to decrease as each week is somehow busier than the last..  Thank GOODNESS for freezer cooking.  My deep freeze has come through day after day in the last couple of weeks and I feel like a genius for stocking it well!!!

Monday:  Defrosted deer meat patties (yay deep freeze) and a loaf of bread (this use to scare me, but it is totally fine).  Add cheese for patty melts

Tuesday:  Tilapia with steamed Broccolli

Wednesday:  I have a meeting, so D is on his own

Thursday:  Basil Pork Chops over Cous Cous

Friday:  Quick PB and J before Sterlington Panther game day!

Have a good Monday!!!

Favorite Things Friday

Here are a few of my favorite this week.



Rain! Rain! Rain! It is one of my favorites!!!!! Rain that brings a "cool" front is even better.

The fact that at this time in her life, my daughter loves to clean.










Watching pageants and now I have someone to watch them with!!



This smile



A father and son



Have a good weekend!!!!