Friday, August 28, 2009

The Time Has Come...



To Say Goodbye.


Yep, I'm removing my blogging hat.
I know- I hate it when people do that!

Thank you to all of my loyal followers and email buddies who have made this so fun:)

I will leave the blog up, I just don't plan on adding to it. You can still get all of your great deals from other bloggers. My life is taking me in other directions. Closing a door to open a window? We'll see...

For now,
Thank you and Goodbye-
I look forward to our paths crossing again:)
Stay Frugal!

All My Love & Best Wishes~Melanie

*photo by Amber Wallace

********************************************

OK you all are seriously too sweet:) You're tempting me to pull a Brett Farv! Seriously, CJ Sime you really gave me pause-& I couldn't help but laugh at your profile:) I think that was why Hubby and I worked out-A sandwich & a ring, Who could want more?

I'm tip toeing back to clean things up around here a bit. I'll be deleting contests that are over etc.

Especially the recipe file needs some attention-have you been there? That link just goes on and on & what was I thinking to just lump them all together? So I'm creating an All Things Yummy 4-U & Me blog here. Of course when I imported the files over I dropped some along the way-or um, got dork happy with the delete button! So it isn't up yet but will be, just saying. Should you want/need to find a recipe I plan to make it easier for all of us with categories. AND I will most likely be updating that here and there, cause as you know- I like to eat:)

Plus yesterday the girls and I made a Pumpkin Bread w/ crumb topping that just BEGGED to be shared...


Toodles for now:)

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Sorry!

If anyone actually read my nano second blog I had up about Got Camaro-Get Pizza at Papa John's- Well, that actually happened yesterday.
Yep it's true. SORRY!

Ever have one of those weeks where you're living just a day behind? Behind on emails. etc.

Yeah, that's where I am. So sorry. Sorry you missed out, and sorry I don't own a Camaro...


My sincerest apologies-for it is the week of the Dork I'm afraid:)

I'll quit blogging and go do more laundry now...
something I can handle-I think...
;)

CVS candle deal for Next Week


Print a $2 Glade Candle Q here good on the Fragrance Collection line.

The Reed Diffusers will be $6.99 at CVS next week so it will be a little $ maker:)
thanks! My Frugal Adventures

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Save $5/$25 at Walgreens

Today through Saturday you can save $5 off of a $25 purchase when you use this coupon here.

Your total must = $25 AFTER all manufacturers Qs. So you will pay OOP about $20 or a little over.

thanks! Frugal Shopping w/ Julie for the reminder:)

FREE Hallmark Card


Sign up here to receive a FREE Hallmark Card mailed to you from Wal-Mart.

Earn a Ticket to see Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs



Rejoice in Savings has a blog here about how you can earn a FREE movie ticket to see Cloudy w/ a Chance of Meatballs:) starting 9/7 from the All You magazine.

FREE Photo Collage from Walgreens


Go here for your FREE 8 X 10 Photo collage of up to 20 pictures! Use coupon code FUNDAY at checkout:) expires tonight on 8/26...

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

CVS Takes the Cake:)

Profit of $3.85


1st Order:
3) Reeses Dark Chocolate PB cups .50 -1).55 & 1)B1G1F Q took off .50
4) Kraft Mac & Cheeses 4/$4 -1) B3G1F Q took off $1
3) Glade oil candle refills $2.50 each - 1)$1 & 1) B2G1F Q took off $2.50
1) Glad warmer refill $2.50 -1)$1 Q
2) Poise liners -2)$2 Qs from here
2) Composition books

paid with the above Qs
a $4/$20 store Q from asking the Pharmacist about the ready fill plan (OK so I just asked for the coupon booklet;)
last weeks $6.99 ECB and .68 OOP
earned back: $1 ECB from the mac & cheeses, $3 from the glades, $2 from the Poise, & $1.98 from the notebooks

KACHING!

2nd order
3) Aveeno Perfectly Ageless face washing pads $8.99 each - this WONDERFUL $10/3 Q here thanks to Hip2Save:)

also used my $5/$25 Q I earned from the survey here and learning about the ready fill program.

Paid with all the ECBs from above and only $5.47 OOP & earned back $10 for buying $25 of Aveeno:)
Cashier said...
"now that's the way to do it"

I couldn't agree more:)
I rather like earning $ to shop don't you?
;)

Rolled it at Wags:)



Alrighty hit 2 Wags today. I had thought long and hard if there was something I could ROLL and came up with the Bandaids and Cereal deals. Lots of orders-hang on...

1st Order
at 1st Wags-N0 Bandaids! What to do?
this:
2) Neosporins $5.99 each -$4 from Coloring Book Q & 2)$1 Qs
4) Dentyne Ice gum packs clearancing at .65 each

Paid with a $4 RR from the body wash deal last week and $4.69 OOP Much higher then I hoped, I was working with the coupon Nazi who doesn't like anyone... she tried one more RR and the second it beebed she tossed it back at me.
Earned back $4 from the Neosporin and $2 from buying 4 Dentynes thanks Frugal Fritzie:)
** as a side note it had all about ended with this order-the Cashier got out her "footlong"! metal scissors and cut out my Coloring book Q! On the inside I was saying "noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo" And thinking that came across a few states to be in my posession thank you very much! Even though she scares me I some how found my squeeky, mouse voice and mumbled sadly, shakingly with fear at the Coupon Nazi "you don't really have to keep that do you? It's a store coupon?" Oh the joy & relief, she shoved it back at me without even a grunt:) Now I have this cute little, perfectly 2" square Q to keep track of...

2nd Order
4) more Dentyne Ice gums .65 each
2) Kellogg's Frosted flakes -1) $1/2
Paid with $4 from above and a previous $2RR along with .68 OOP
earned back $2 from cereals and $2 from gum

3rd Order (brave with this cashier I tell you:)
2) Neosporins $5.99 & $5.49 each? -$4 from Coloring book & 2) $1 Qs
1) PB M&M I thought to use a RR, but maybe just to apease her monthly quota?

cause I paid with the above $2RR from the cereal and $4.25 OOP it says

FINAL order (thank goodness:)
2) cereals: Frosted Flakes and Fruit Loops (I was going!)
-$4RR from above and $1.05 OOP earned $2 back and the chance to go outside into the beautiful fresh air:)

OK so it wasn't THAT bad I did get her to finally laugh with my charm;)
No you're right, it's cause I bought the M&Ms isn't it?

Next Wags 1st Order:
2) kid Bandaids $3.79 each-$4 from coloing book Q
2) Planters trail mix bags .99 w/ store Q -$1/2
Paid with $2 from cereals & my last $2 from Dentyne above and .62 OOP
earned back $4 from bandaids

2nd Order
2) Frosted Flakes $2.50 each
paid with $4 RR from above and $1.05 OOP earned back $2

3rd Order
2) Kid bandaids -$4 from coloring book Q
Paid with $2 from cereals above and $1.62 OOP
earned back $4

Do you see the pattern I was hoping for?

4th Order
2) Frosted Flakes $2.50 each
paid with $4 RR from above and $1.05 OOP earned back $2

Then last week I had gone and filled a perscription and earned back a $3RR good when you buy $15 so I snagged the 5th order of:
2) Planter trail mixes .99 w/ store Q-$1/2
3) Diapers $5.99 each this week (sorry my stash has dwindled and well, they're not potty trained yet. Oh come on! There's 2 of them:)

paid with $3/15 RR & a $4 RR from last week along with OOP $12.98, earned nothing back (but still have 1) $2 RR from the cereals to keep the train going if I want)

I told this cashier "please tell me I'm not the only one that shops like this?"
she said "there's only a couple of you" :) and my Coupon Queen Tiara "tinged" did you hear it?


A NOTE ON THE DENTYNE
Dorkitis hadn't popped out lately but it hit today. I think it's because I knew I was at the scary Wags so I was speed shopping. Well, when I grabbed the gum packs the first 2 I grabbed were stuck together (the black ones). I just thought something had spilt on them so popped them apart and threw them in the cart. Then like a DORK! I repeated the process. Only to get home and read on the package: Buy 1 Get 1 FREE FREE Pack Attached. Yep that's what it says!! :)
SO, if you are able to snag 4) double packs at .65 each or $2.60 for them all and earn back $2 for buying them you will only pay .07 a pack!
Now THAT'S what I call a sweet deal...
The other store's price was .97 so not as great.

THE $1/2 Planter Trail Mixes is in this yellow booklet if you've found it at one of your local grocery stores...

Monday, August 24, 2009

Libby's B2G1F Printable Q

Snag a Libby's B2G1F coupon here.

Thanks! For The Mommas

FREE Printable Charts

Down on the right under "Helpful Websites to Visit" I keep this link for FREE lists/charts to print. Well I wanted to highlight this because it is such a GREAT site-for FREE.

It's actually called Chart Jungle if you haven't heard of it. I LOVE IT:)
There's ALL KINDS of charts- chore charts, behavior charts, calendars, lists etc. Once you open a topic it links to even more specific charts/lists-it just goes on and on... It's wonderful!!!

If you haven't had a chance to check it out you might want to:)
Here are some I just snagged:

Homeschool daily list
Books read from the Library
and an I Didn't Whine Today to be rewarded with some stickers:)

Enjoy...

Michigan Kmarts Helping Unemployed


If you live in Michigan and are Unemployed you can save 20% off of ALL Kmart store brand purchases of: American Fare, Aviya, Biostyle, Champion Breed, Little Ones, Hercules, Image Essentials, Quality Guaranteed, Smart Cents, Smart Sense, Torq, and
Vitasmart products for 6 months.

You can read more on their site here and here.

What to do with Zucchini?

Make Brownies & Bread!
Which only used half of that HUGE HONKING zucchini! lol
I came across the 2 recipes that I wanted to use in these favorite cookbooks:
The bread is on page 56 in the Better Homes cook book but doubled and the Brownies are page 306 in the other book from Quick Cooking 2007
(sorry they're opposite!)

I love when recipes are similar!! So I just gathered all the ingredients once:


Then I washed the zucchini and took half of it threw my food processor in chunks on the shred cycle- peel and all.

Zucchini Bread:
recipe is doubled:
3 C flour
2 tsp. cinnamon (I went 2 1/2)
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
2 C sugar
2 C finely shredded zucchini
1/2 C cooking oil
2 eggs
1/4 tsp shredded lemon peel (I didn't have this so just threw in 2 tsp. of lemon juice;)
1/2 C pecans (instead of the almonds pictured-changed my mind, it's a girl thing right?)

First combine sugar, oil, eggs, and lemon juice/peel.
Add in zucchini
Then mix in the dry ingredients; stir till just combined-add nuts in last.

Now instead of messing with the bread pans I love the springform pans!! LOVE THEM-no worries if the centers are as done as the top or the bottom. Plus you can still slice it to look like a bread piece like below.

So I just oiled up the springform and all the batter fit. Started it baking at 350.

Then I made up the Brownies by just using the same mixing bowl (didn't even wash it since it was gonna have the same stuff in it! Assembly baking at it's best:)

Zucchini Brownies:
1 C butter softened
1 1/2 C sugar
2 eggs
1/2 C plain yogurt ( I didn't have this either-used sour cream:)
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 C flour
1/4 C cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 C shredded zucchini
(I would say throw in at least a cup of chocolate chips & or pecans here-just saying)

Cream the butter and sugar together then add eggs one at a time, beating well each time. Then add in yogurt/ sour cream & vanilla.

Add flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt (combine ahead of time if you want-I never dirty the extra bowl) then add in the zucchini-it's thick!

Bake in greased 9 X 13 pan at 350.
Since I baked both together it took almost an hour.

Let cool. Then frost with 1/2 C Peanut Butter & 2/3 C of semisweet chocolate chips that are melted together.


So which was our favorite?
Well, it was like comparing apples and oranges. Each alone was really good. But sadly for the first time chocolate took a back seat for me. I know can you believe it! Maybe it's because I didn't go with the recipe frosting and used the coconut-pecan ready made we had in the stock pile?
It REALLY needed a good chocolate frosting, with the chocolate chips inside.

One certain 8 year old did tell me he didn't want any of that cake with that "green" stuff in it-he'd just eat the brownies. No problem buddy;)
None the wiser... Other then that it was thumbs up and happy tummies.

If you notice I still have half of that HUGE HONKING zucchini left so I guess I'll just have to remake everything?
Darn...
;)
Feel free to share your favorite Zucchini recipes too:
Chocolate Chip Orange Zucchini Cookies Thanks Julie!

Asian Beef & Noodles

While searching for Zucchini recipes the other day I came across this little gem in the book on the right-pge 59Yep the $5 Quick Cooking book from 2007 some of us snagged-it's a keeper;)
Meet the Asian Beef and Noodles ingredient list:

1 lb. of ground beef or chuck
2) Oriental ramen noodles packages
Frozen stir fry veggies at least 2 cups
1/4 tsp. Ginger
I added: frozen green pepper and onion chunks
and a little sweet & sour sauce.

First cook the hamburger along with chopped onions and green peppers if you want them in it. I added in both of the seasoning packets from the noodle pouches in with the meat after it was browned, and stirred in about 2-3 TBsp. of soy sauce. Once it was all cooked, I added in almost the whole package of frozen veggies with a couple of cups of water to boil it up till the veggies were just cooked and still crunchy.
Which took us to here:

While the meat had been cooking I boiled up the 2 packages of ramen noodles just like I would spaghetti then drained them before topping them with the meat mixture and a sharing of the sweet and sour for drizzle.
Added in a side of Chicken Helper's Asian Rice from the stockpile (minus the chicken) and dinner was ready:) AND yummy!

No matter if it was neat or all mixed together like the Hubby did;)
This would go great on just the rice too, but I think the noodles were perfect because they are so "light".
It was all thumbs up here:) Hope you enjoy it too.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

$60 Michelin Tire Rebate


Print a rebate form here to get back $60 when you buy 4 new passenger or light truck tires. Offer ends 10/31/09

Thanks Moms by Heart!

Isn't he sooooooo cute- in a Pillsbury Doughboy kind of way? :)