Tomorrow is May Day! Make a May Basket!!!

Tomorrow is May Day!  When I was a little girl I always loved to pick the little wild purple violets that grew in our yard.  I'm sure they would be considered weeds, but to this day I absolutely love them!!!  I was delighted several years back when a student of mine gave me a little pot of these violets to plant in our yard.  My husband might not be too happy, because they have taken over the grass also.  But they are so pretty and dainty!!!

One of the things that I would always do on May Day, as a little girl, was pick a tiny bouquet of these beauties and quickly ring the doorbell and run away.  My mother was always delighted to find the little "May basket" that I had left for her.  Some years the baskets were made at school and saved to give at home.  Other years my basket was to simply pick a few violets, place them on the doorstep, ring the doorbell and run away!

I thought it would be fun to find a few facts about May Day.  As I searched on the internet I found that there are many different origins to the "holiday" and many different ways that it is celebrated.  I think I like the way that I was taught to celebrate.  Simply leaving a little basket of flowers and/or treats on someone's doorstep, as anonymously as possible.  What a fun surprise!

I love the Swedish woven paper baskets.  If you would like to try making them, here are 2 sets of instructions.  Creative Kids at Home instructions and Making Woven Paper Baskets

Who can you surprise???

Do you have any May Day traditions?  I would love to have you share them here, so we can all read about them!!

Happy May Day! Pin It

New Byerlys/Lunds You Save Today for Apr. 29 - May 5

Byerlys/Lunds have a new You Save Today flyer.  Their deals run Thursdays to Wednesdays.  Here are a few highlights:
*They have a fabulous deal on 90% lean ground beef....$2.99/lb. Great savings if you like to buy your meat here!
*Here is a web-only coupon for your first pound FREE of vine-ripened tomatoes (when you purchase $10 at Byerlys/Lunds).
*Buy One, Get One FREE Kellogg’s Cereals including Rice Krispies 18 oz., Frosted Flakes 23 oz., Froot Loops 17 oz., Corn Pops 17 oz.
This might be something fun for your family to do:
Salsa Festival....2 Days Only!
Saturday, May 1 • Sunday, May 2
Featuring our favorite salsas!
Wee Willy’s • Snappy Dog • Curt’s Salsa
Daniel’s Fire Roast • Calvin & Cleo’s
a variety of salsas and
VOTE for your favorite.
Saturday, May 1 • 11 am – 3 pm
at all Byerlys/Lunds locations. Pin It

FREE Emeril Celebrates 20 years Cookbook Download

Thank you Balancing Bedlam and Beauty for this one.  In celebration of Emeril's 20 years of cooking, you can download a FREE cookbook!  I have to be honest, I don't know very much about him, but have heard good things!  I downloaded the cookbook and am looking forward to perusing it.  You might want to download it too.  The link is here. Pin It

Home Educating Family Magazine...Laptop Giveaway & 3 Day Sale

As I peruse my e-mails during the week, I love to pass great deals along to all of you.  Here are some fun deals and giveaways that you might want to take advantage of too!

Home Educating Family Magazine is having a 3 Day Sale and Laptop Giveaway. 
All you have to do to be included in the drawing for the laptop, is sign up here.  You also will be given to opportunity to receive a FREE sample issue of their magazine, just for signing up.
If you buy the Well Planned Day Planner (2010-11 edition), you will receive a FREE subscription to the Home Educating Family Magazine. Pin It

On-the-Go Pizza Rolls

Well, last evening was our first night with 3 boys in 3 different practices!!!!  It has only just begun.....but I will not get stressed about it.  I will try to take "a day a time" approach with a little meal planning thrown in!  :)
I stumbled upon this great recipe for Pizza Rolls.  It was posted on Once a Month Mom's blog.  She found it a recipezaar.com, however.  I thought I would give it a try and the results were great.  EVERYONE liked them.  We ate half of the fresh ones, and I froze the rest.  I might have to update this post after we thaw and eat the frozen ones, so I can let you know any tips.  The thing we liked about these too, is that they are good cold (kindof like eating cold pizza).

This is how I made the them...rather plain, because this was a trial run.  :)  The possibilities are endless of the fillings that you could add!  :)

On-the Go Pizza Rolls
*pizza crust dough
1 1/4 - 1 3/8 cups water
3 tbsp. olive oil
4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 tsp. kosher salt
2 tsp. active dry yeast
Place ingredients in bread machine pan.  Set on "dough" cycle and let the machine work for you.  When dough cycle is finished, place dough on a floured surface. 
*pepperoni slices (1/2 package)
*shredded cheddar (or mozzarella) cheese (approx. 1 cup)
**When dough is finished, roll out flat to a large rectangle.  Lay pepperoni slices on dough.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Starting on the long side of the rectangle, slowly roll up dough to make a long tube.  Slice off 1 inch slices and places flat side down on a greased cookie sheet.

Let the rolls sit for 10-20 minutes for the dough to rise/expand around the filling a little.  Bake at 400* for 20-25 minutes or until golden.

Serve hot.  We ate them plain, but you can serve them with a pizza sauce, if desired.

Update April 30:  Last night my son wanted to have two of these.  They were frozen and I simply placed wrapped one in a paper towel and microwaved for 30 seconds.  They came out great!  He ate that one, and we prepared a second one.  It too, was great!!!! 

This post is linked to Frugal Friday at Mrs. Moneysaver
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Easy French Toast Bake

My sister, brother in law and niece were able to come in town at the last minute.  I invited them over for brunch after church along with my parents too.  I wanted to make something that I could put together the night before and bake right before we ate.  I thought about an egg bake, but have a couple of fussy eaters in my house that would turn their noses up at it.  :)  So, I thought about surprise pancakes, but didn't know if we would be ready to eat as soon as the pancakes were, so I decided on a French Toast Bake.  That was a great idea.  Easy. Tasty. Satisfying.

Easy French Toast Bake
*loaf of french bread (or any other bread)
*10 eggs
*2 cups milk
*1 tsp. vanilla
*2 T. sugar
Slice bread into approx.1/2 inch slices (I didn't measure...lol).  Arrange the slices on the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan.  Layer a second layer of slices on top of the first.  Mix eggs, milk, vanilla and sugar in a mixing bowl until well mixed.  Pour the egg mixture over the bread slices so that every piece has been covered.  Cover with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator overnight (or at least 2 hours).

Preheat oven to 350* and bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown.  

 

Serve with fruit and diced ham, if desired.  We also had powdered sugar or maple syrup for a little sweetener!  :)

This post is linked to *A Southern Fairy Tale

*Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed With Grace

*$5 Dollar Dinners 

*Balancing Beauty and Bedlam 

For a printable version of this recipe, click here. 

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Target and Rainbow Deals....week of April 25

I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!  It's hard to believe it is over and already time to think about grocery shopping for the week!  Here are some of the great deals this week.

Rainbow Foods

I am hoping that you were able to get a copy of Rainbow's Extreme Savings coupon booklet.  There are some fabulous deals in it.  The weekly ad has some great offers too.
The following offers are good for 3 days only (Sun. April 25 - Tues. April 27):
*Pork Shoulder Roast 99 cents/lb.
*Roundys Butter quarters (16 oz.)  99 cents
*Roundys Chunk Cheese (8 oz.)  99 cents
*Oscar Mayer Meat Franks 99 cents
*Thomas' English Muffins 99 cents (6 ct.)
*Clear Value Ice Cream (64 oz.)  99 cents

The rest of these prices are valid through Saturday, May 1.
*Buy 8 boxes of Kellogg's cereal, PopTarts, Fruit Snacks, Cookies or Crackers and receive $8 off instantly and a coupon for a free gallon of milk
Save $1 on 2 Kellogg's cereals, selected varieties
*Buy 2/$6 Skippy Peanut Butter and receive FREE Sara Lee Classic White or Wheat Bread and FREE Welch's Squeezable Grape Jam or Jelly
*Roundy's Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.99/lb. (family pack)

***Remember Double Coupon Daze every Wednesday and every Saturday (through July 31)

Target
Here are a few of the offers for FREE gift cards this week:
*FREE $5 Target gift card when you purchase any 2 of the following:  Gain, or Cheer laundry detergent ($14.99), Downy or Bounce dryer sheets ($8.99), Charmin bath tissue ($14.99), Luvs big pack diapers ($16.99), Bounty 8 pk. paper towels ($9.99)
*FREE $5 Target gift card when you purchase 5 frozen treats for $2.79 each (1.5 qt. Breyers, 1 pt. Ben & Jerry's, selected Klondike and Popsicle brands)
*FREE $5 Target gift card when you purchase 3 Pampers or Huggies jumbo pack diapers ($8.99 each)

• Coupon Mom
• Coupons.com
• CouponSurfer
• Proctor & Gamble Coupons/Samples
• Red Plum
• Smart Source
• Target Coupons

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For my Midwest Readers....Rainbow Foods Extreme Coupon Book

This is a heads up for my Midwest readers.  Be on the lookout for the Rainbow Foods Extreme Coupon Book in your Sunday paper this weekend. This is what Rainbow says about the booklet,

"With the coupon book in tow, shoppers at Rainbow Foods in Minneapolis/St. Paul can expect to save up to $29. The coupon books are valid from April 25 through May 8, and can be found in the Sunday newspaper on April 25.

No matter the store location, shoppers have the opportunity to buy a package of selected 13.25- to 16-ounce varieties of Barilla pasta for only $.48; a 24-pack of Roundy’s brand water for $2.88; and a loaf of Sara Lee Wide Pan Bread for only $1.68. They also have the opportunity to score other great deals with additional coupons included in the book.  

Happy Savings!

Pin It

Join E-mail Clubs from your favorite places for Great Deals!!!

We changed our internet service a couple of weeks ago and had to get a new primary e-mail address.  Wow, I never realized how many subscriptions I had to newsletters, etc.  I have spent a good amount of time just updating my accounts on these different sites.  It is well worth it, however, because by subscribing to all of these sites, I find out about great deals!  I thought I would share the restaurant e-mail lists that I subscribe to because most of them will send you a coupon for a free item, a Buy One, Get One free, or other coupons, just for signing up.  Many of them will send you something on your birthday too!  Who doesn't like gifts?!!

*Culvers E-Club
*Red Robin E-Club
*Cold Stone Creamery Birthday Club
*Arby's Extras
*Wendy's Mail
*Dairy Queen Blizzard Fan Club
*Sonic Drive-In Kids Birthday Club

Now, if you don't eat fast food....stay away from these offers.  We don't eat out a lot, because it is expensive and can be unhealthy.  For our family though, this is a way to get a few extra treats during the year!  :)

If you don't see your favorite restaurant in my list, go ahead and search for it.  If they are a chain, they most likely have a website with an e-club you can join.  Even better, search for it on Swagbucks and you might earn some Swagbucks to spend!  (Swagbucks is a search engine and more...I have already earned 3 FREE $5 Amazon gift cards for using the internet like I normally would.  Earn 30 Swagbucks just for joining.  If you want to learn more about it, check it out here.) Pin It

Happy Birthday!!!!! and some fun links for kids....

My baby boy is 8 years old today!!!!!  How can that be?  Happy Birthday Sweetie!!!  (He'll love this in a few years, won't he???  :))

So, in honor of my youngest son, I will post some links to things that he enjoys.  Maybe you will be able to take advantage of some of these fun things for your family too.

Several years ago we signed up for a FREE Lego magazine at the Lego website.  It comes several times a year and my boys always love getting mail!  You can also have your children play games online at Lego.com

Baseball cards!!!  Oh the fun that all of my boys have had with collecting and sorting baseball cards!  There are several sites online that let you enter in codes that you find on the cards you buy.  Check out ToppsTown (ages 8 and up), and UpperDeckU for sports related games to play.

Listening to books and stories on tape/CD is another thing all of my boys have loved.  Adventures in Odyssey has always been a favorite.  If you are a homeschool family, you can get HUGE savings at Library and Educational Services on these stories and more.  Pin It

Are you using too much soap?? Take the Challenge!!

I just came across a fabulous article about the overuse of soap!  The link to the full article is http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/13/your-money/13shortcuts.html.

Let me share a few tidbits:
We use too much soap in our dishwashers and washing machines!  Too much soap is actually ruining our appliances and our clothes.
As far as my dishwasher goes, I think I am fine with my homemade dishwasher detergent.  I am happy with my formula.  As far as my clothes go, I still haven't found the "perfect" laundry detergent.  My homemade laundry detergent is great for saving money, but I am finding myself supplementing it with other detergents to get my clothes cleaner and fresh smelling.  Maybe I just am using too much detergent, regardless of what kind.

He offered a simple test to determine whether you are indeed using too much laundry detergent. 
"Here is Mr. Schmidt’s test to determine if you’re oversoaping. Take four to six clean bath towels, put them in your front-loading washing machine (one towel for a top loader). Don’t add any detergent or fabric softener. Switch to the hot water setting and medium wash and run it for about five minutes.
Check for soap suds. If you don’t see any suds right away, turn off the machine and see if there is any soapy residue. If you see suds or residue, it is soap coming out of your clothes from the last wash.
“I’ve had customers that had to run their towels through as many as eight times to get the soap out,” Mr. Schmidt said, who lives in Indiana. He offers other handy advice on his Web site, refrigdoc.com."



So, here is the challenge at 2 Make Ends Meet....I am going to try this today and post my results in the comment section.  I would like you to try the same.  Wash your clean bath towels without soap and post your results in the comment section also.  This will be fun!!! Pin It

On-the-Go Sloppy Joes

Sloppy Joes always sound messy, don't they?  I'm not sure if giving something so tasty a name like that, is very fair.  In my attempt to make "on the go" meals, I am first looking at recipes that my family already enjoys.  I thought about how I could make some of these and still take them with us, if need be.  Of course, sloppy joes are always best eaten at a table, or a least with a plate in front of you but here's a thought....I am going to prepare sloppy joes the usual way and then try serving them in a pita pocket!  I think my family would like that for a change.  Here's the recipe that I am preparing today.  (No baseball tonight, so we will use buns.)  I plan to buy pita bread to have on hand, however.  I will post a picture when I do.  :)   

Often when I make sloppy joes I don't measure anything but add a little ketchup, mustard, brown sugar and apple cider vinegar to taste.  I will give you a "real" recipe here!!!  LOL!!

Sloppy Joes
*3 lbs. ground beef
*1 1/2 c. ketchup
*3 T. brown sugar
*2 tsp. dry or regular mustard
*2 T. apple cider vinegar
*2 1/2 tsp. salt (that's quite a bit, use less if desired)
*1/4 tsp. pepper
*1 tsp. worcestershire sauce
*1 can tomato soup
***Brown hamburger.  Mix all ingredients and let simmer 15 to 20 minutes.  Fills 20 buns.

This is a great recipe to make and then freeze in portions.  When ready to use just reheat and fill buns.

Here is the On-the-Go version, I said I would post!  Mmm!  I bought Tasty Onion flavored Kangaroo Pita Pockets and they went well with the sloppy joe flavor!  By the way, I made it without the tomato soup and the worcestershire sauce.  It still tasted great!  :)
This post is linked to $5 Dollar Dinners, Blessed with Grace and Balancing Beauty and Bedlam.

For a printable version of the this recipe click here. Pin It

Coupons worth taking a look at.....

I didn't have time earlier today to check out some of the coupons this week, so I am posting them now.  For those of you with little ones in diapers, a $3 off coupon is always great! 
$3 off Huggies Diapers

Also, Rainbow and Target both have deals on General Mills cereals.  Rainbow has Cascadian Farms on sale.  Take advantage of extra savings by using these coupons also.
$1 off a Deep Dish Digiornio Pizza
$1 off General Mills cereals
55 cents off Lucky Charms cereal
$1 off Cascadian Farms products

Use with the Cottonelle wipes on sale at Target

50 cents off two Cottonelle wipes Pin It

Target and Rainbow Deals....week of April 18

Here is my list of must haves from Rainbow Foods this week:

*Buy 10/$10 Creamette's Pasta and receive a coupon for a FREE rotisserie chicken!  Wow!
*Buy 6 boxes of General Mills Cereals and receive $10 off instantly and coupons for FREE dozen eggs and a FREE gallon of milk
*80 % lean ground chuck $1.99/lb.
*Fresh California strawberries $1.99/lb.
Make sure to look at the in-store weekly ad for store coupons, including:
Green Giant canned vegetables 38 cents
Cottonelle bath tissue, wipes or Viva paper towels $4.98
Remember that Double Coupon Daze are on Wednesdays and Saturdays through July 31.

To view the online ad, click here

Target Deals this week:
*Sutton & Dodge London Broil $1.99/lb.  (Wow!  This is $3 off/lb.)
*Fresh strawberries $1.99/lb.
*Thomas' English muffins 6 count-$1.89
*Suave Men's 2 in 1 shampoo, and 20 + 10 oz. shampoo $1.67
*2 pack General Mills cereals $4.99
*Special purchase of Secret, Axe, Old Spice, Dove & Degree value packs $5.00
View the complete weekly ad here

• Coupon Mom
• Coupons.com
• CouponSurfer
• Proctor & Gamble Coupons/Samples
• Red Plum
• Smart Source
• Target Coupons

Pin It

Become a FAN of 2 Make Ends Meet on Facebook

I have begun to utilize the Fan page on Facebook more these last couple of days.  It is a very convenient way for me to update you on more time-sensitive offers that I find.  If you are on Facebook and would like to get the scoop on more deals, become a Fan of 2 Make Ends Meet, and you will receive these deals on your Facebook Home page.  Pin It

Baseball season is upon us!!! On the go food needed!!!!

Well, a sure sign of spring is the start of baseball season!  As a mother of 3 boys, that means 3 baseball players to follow!   We actually really love watching baseball and I am looking forward to another season.
The dilemma comes with preparing more "on the go" food that is both healthy to eat and frugal to make.  My goal is to plan and prepare meals that I can make ahead of time, and if need be, we can bring them along with us to baseball when needed.

Do you have that challenge in your house?  I would love to hear your ideas.  I will maybe even try my hand at a Mr. Linky so you can link up your favorite "on the go" meals to my blog.  Pin It

FREE Kraft MAC Cheesy Explosion Box or Cup

Get a coupon for a FREE box or cup of Kraft MAC Cheesy Explosion by becoming a fan on Facebook. Pin It

FREE Samples at Walmart.com

The FREE samples at Walmart.com this week are:

Crest 3D White

Parent's Choice Infant Formula

Benefiber, Orange Flavor

Dove Men plus care

Supplies are limited....so get there while the "gettin's good"!! 

You can also check out the Free Music Downloads.  Pin It

More FREEBIES from Homeschool Buyer's Co-op

Homeschooling families can benefit by registering for FREE with the Homeschool Buyers Co-op.  By doing so, you are eligible for a few new FREEBIES, including a Dave Ramsey mp3 audio, Diane Flynn Keith's Carschooling, Rose Publishing's Bible eChart of Jewish Holidays and more.  If you would like to register, you can click here. Pin It

FREE Tools for Teaching Science at Exploratorium

Diane Flynn Keith has provided me once again with a cool science link!  Yesterday she featured a link for the Exploratorium, which is a museum in San Francisco.  I haven't had the pleasure of visiting there, but it sure looks like it would be a fun place to go!  In the meantime, I can visit their website!  One of the links caught my eye since we are in the middle of baseball tryouts at my house.  It is the Science of Baseball. 
Here is a sampling of some of the subjects:
Science of Gardening
Microscope Imaging Station
Sheep Brain Dissection
Sport Science

Check it out! Pin It

FREE Coupons for Seventh Generation products

I enjoy using Seventh Generation products.  I use their dishwashing detergent.  I love the lavendar scented version.  When I don't feel like making my own dishwasher detergent and want to splurge a little, I like to use their dishwasher detergent gel.  I have signed up on Seventh Generation's website and can print good coupons.  If you would like to do that just go here. Pin It

Stuffed Jumbo Shells

I just came across this recipe in my notebook that is stuffed with recipes!  I had forgotten about it!!!  I will be making this VERY soon, and will post pictures when I do.  In the mean time, here is the recipe.  I got this one from my wonderful sister.  :)

Stuffed Jumbo Shells
1 pkg. jumbo shells, cooked
8 oz. mozzarella cheese (shredded)
15 oz. cottage cheese (could use ricotta, or mix 1/2 cottage, 1/2 ricotta)
1 egg
28 oz. jar of spaghetti sauce
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cook shells according to package directions.  Mix cheeses and egg.  Pour 1 cup of sauce into the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan.  Stuff cooked shells with cheese mixture and place shells, open side up, in the pan.  Pour the remaining sauce over the top.  Cover and bake at 350* for 30 minutes.  (You can remove the cover for the last 10 minutes.)
This post is linked to $5 Dollar Dinners, Blessed with Grace and Balancing Beauty and Bedlam. Pin It

FREE Starbucks coffee....April 15, 2010 and more Tax Day FREEBIES

As part of their new campaign, Make a Difference, Starbucks will be treating anyone to a FREE cup of coffee on Thursday, April 15, 2010.  All you need to do is bring in a reusable travel mug and they will fill it for you.  Woohoo!!  Free coffee!!! 

RedPlum has a whole list of Tax Day FREEBIES, including a treat at Cinnabon...you might want to check it out.  Pin It

Target and Rainbow Deals....week of April 11

Where did the weekend go??!!!!  What a beautiful weekend it was...it just went by way too fast!  Time for our deals this week.

Rainbow Foods
Good news!  Rainbow has decided to extend Double Daze on Saturdays through July!  Yippee!  So you will still have two days per week to get double coupons!
*This week's MEAL DEAL:  Buy one Boneless Beef Chuck Roast ($2.99/lb.) and receive FREE Roundy's 5 lb. russet potatoes, FREE Roundy's 1 lb. fresh carrots and FREE 12 count dinner rolls (from the bakery)

*The following are all Buy one, get one free:
--Yoplait Gogurt, Fiber One or Yo-Plus yogurt Gogurt coupon 80 cents off 2   Yo Plus $1 off coupon
--Fresh Express whole leaf spinach
--Star olive oil 17oz.
--Edy's ice cream or frozen yogurt (48 oz.)
--Brownberry wide pan bread
--Perdue Fresh ground turkey (16 oz.)
--Creamette pasta (12 - 16 oz.)
**Check the ad for special coupons and offers from Kelloggs, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi & Mt. Dew, Quaker, and Heinz
Find your local Rainbow store here.

Target
*Purchase 2 of the following--Huggies diapers big pack ($19.99), Viva paper towels 12 pk. (14.99), Scott 24 pk. bath tissue(14.99) or Cottonelle 30 roll bath tissue (14.99) and receive a FREE $5 Target gift card.
Huggies coupon $3 off
*Buy 2 Gillette Fusion or Embrace razors or cartridges for $6.99 each, and receive a FREE $5 Target gift card
*Buy 5 selected Special K products ($2.39 each) and receive a FREE $5 Target gift card
*Gold'n Plump fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts (20 oz.) for $3.99
*Buy 3 Fiber One bars and toaster pastries ($2.50 each) and receive a FREE Fiber One 90 calorie bars (5 ct.)

To check out the weekly ad online, click here.

Remember to find coupons here:
Target.com coupons
Coupons.com
CouponSurfer
Smart Source
Red Plum Pin It

Crock Pot Chunky Applesauce

Well, this recipe that I am about to share is so easy, you really don't even need a recipe!  The results are so nummy though, that I will share the steps for you.  :)


Crock Pot Chunky Applesauce
*8 apples, approximately, or however many you would like to use.  I used Jonathan apples.  Apples that are best for cooking will soften for applesauce easier than other apples.  Peel, core and slice the apples into chunks. 

Sprinkle brown sugar to cover the apples.

Sprinkle the apples with cinnamon.

Add a little water to the crock pot.  1/4 cup was all I added for the amount of apples I used.  You might not even need to do this step.  I just wanted to add a little moisture before I started.  Cook on low for 6 - 8 hours.

Obviously the longer you cook them, the softer they will get.  They will also break down and you can mash them if you would like.  We like them chunky.  It is like apple pie without the crust.  MMMM!!!

 For an extra little treat, pour a little cream over the top!  :)
If you would like a smoother consistency, feel free to puree them in your blender.  Better yet, if you have one of those cool little "blenders on a stick", puree it right in the crock pot!  These apples go really well also, with the Surprise Pancakes that we love to make at our house.


Enjoy!!

This post is linked to:  Life As Mom, Crock Pot Recipe Exchange and The Life of a Novice!



Update 9/2011--thanks for visiting from Family Balance Sheet!  I am pleased to have you here!  Don't miss any new postings by subscribing here to e-mail updates.  You can also find extra postings at Facebook and/or Twitter.  Have a fabulous day!  :) Pin It

FREE and FRUGAL finds for.....Thursday!!!

FREE and FRUGAL finds for.....Thursday!!!  Say that ten times fast!!!  LOL!!!

Here are a few of the great offers hanging around on the web....

*Do you still have anyone in diapers at your house?  If so, you might want to register at Pampers Village for a chance to win a FREE year's supply of diapers!  Wouldn't that save you a lot of money?!!

*Homeschoolers have several ways to win an Apple I-Pad at Homeschool Buyers Co-op .  If you do not have a FREE membership, you can sign up at Join Free

*FREE sample and coupons for a Special K protein meal bar by signing up here.

*FREE NesCafe' Taster's Choice sample pack for all of you coffee drinkers out there.  I have already received this and it comes with 6 samples!

*Dog owners....there are several free samples available to you.
  -FREE cans of Halo
  -Hill's Science Diet dog treats
  -Nature's Select Super Premium dog food

Enjoy!! Pin It

FREE Science opportunity----Nest Watch

Do you have any birds nesting in your yard?  A mallard duck in your garden?  Maybe a robin under your deck?  Why not turn this event into your homeschool science for the spring?  Once again, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology wants our help.  They have created a website called NestWatch.org.  If you have nesting birds near you, they would like you to help them by recording certain data on their website.  Here is what the site states: 

Anyone can monitor nests - it's a rewarding way to spend time outdoors and participate in science.

NestWatch is a continentwide citizen-science project and nest-monitoring database of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, funded by the National Science Foundation and developed in collaboration with the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center. 

This project is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under grant No. 0540185. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

Here is another chance for your family to do REAL Science!  Check it out! Pin It

Cherry Cream Pie

Oh, how I love this version of Cherry Cream Pie!  This is often a part of our Easter dinner tradition and it is so delicious!  I had never made it before, but got the recipe from my mother so that I could make it for Easter.  The recipe was my aunt's recipe.  She passed away several years back so it is very special to continue making some of the foods that I know she liked to make.  This cream pie does not have any cream cheese, or sour cream.  The taste is fantastic!
Cherry Cream Pie
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 can of cherry pie filling
Mix together sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, vanilla and almond, until thick.
Whip 1/2 cup whipping cream and fold into the milk/lemon juice mixture.  Pour into the prepared pie crust (you may use a plain crust, or a ready made shortbread crust.)  Place in refrigerator and let set for a half hour.  Pour 1 can of cherry pie filling over the top.  Serve with whipped cream, if desired. Pin It

Kwik Trip Deals for April....

I just wanted to highlight a couple of the Kwik Trip deals for the next few weeks, March 25 - May 14.  You might want to stock up on some of these items:
Hot dog and hamburger buns for 79 cents per package!
Kwikery Specialty breads 79 cents

There are plenty of convenience items on sale too.  Every Wednesday is a Dollar Deal for a different hot snack item.

If you shop for gas and grocery items at Kwik Trip, you might want to check into their rewards program.  We save a lot of money per purchase and receive a hefty rebate check every quarter by taking part in it. 

You can also sign up to receive coupons by e-mail.  Check it out.

Kwik Trip gas stations are only in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.  Check here to see if there is a location near you. Pin It

Target and Rainbow Deals....week of April 4

We had a wonderful Spring break last week, just at home...  I accomplished some painting, and it feels so nice to have freshly painted walls!  More about that in a future posting.....

Time for grocery deals.....
Rainbow
****Double coupon daze on Wednesday and Saturday this week.
*If you are not making your own laundry detergent, check out Tide for $4.97 (50 oz.)--this is in the store ad.  Sign up here, for money saving coupons for Tide.  Check your Sunday paper coupon insert for a $1 off coupon also. 
*Fresh 80% lean Ground Chuck $1.99/lb.
*Tombstone frozen pizza $2.99/each...buy 4, get a FREE gallon of milk coupon
*10 for $10 deals this week...stock up and save on any amount...
Roundy's Hot Dog & Hamburger buns
Creamette's pasta
Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding & Jello
Ro-Tel tomatoes
Roundy's water 6 pack .5 liter bottles
and more....
*Buy 2 Palermo pizzas (2/$10) and receive a FREE Blue Bunny ice cream (1.75 qt.)
To view the weekly ad online, go to Rainbow Foods.

Target
*Buy 3 boxes Quaker granola bars and receive a FREE box
*93 % lean ground beef (1 lb.) or 20 oz. Jennie-O turkey $2.99 each
*Selected Schick razors and cartridges....buy 2 ($6.99 each) and receive a FREE $5 Target gift card
*Transfer a prescription, or purchase a new prescription and receive a $10 gift card (coupon in weekly ad)
Lots of $1 off coupons to print at Target's website.

Remember to check for more great coupon deals at the following:
Target.com coupons
Coupons.com
Smart Source
Red Plum Pin It

Donate $1 to Save the Children, while you Spin to Win from Frigidaire

Thanks to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, I have an opportunity to share with you.  Frigidaire and Jennifer Gardner have teamed up to help Save the Children.  You can help too, and have a chance to win some great prices.  Just go to Make Time for Change and spin the wheel.  Each day you spin the wheel, Frigidaire will donate $1 to Save the Children.  You are entered into a monthly drawing to win prizes from Frigidaire and Sears.  Go do it....what have you got to lose???? Pin It

FREE online books and more at Speakaboos

Thank you to Diane Flynn Keith for this suggestion.  Speakaboos is a website for children to listen to and read stories, play games, do worksheets and much more.  The great thing about this site is that you are able to download the books to your portable media player or burn them to a DVD!  How cool!  Other features let you or your child record their own stories or songs.  Check it out and if you do, I would love to hear what you and your children thought about it!  :) Pin It

Host a FREE House Party

Have you heard about House Party.com???  It is a website that pairs up companies with hosts and hostesses that will try their products with friends.  I have signed up to receive invites, but have never applied to host a party.  It sounds kind of fun though.  The invitation that came today is from Kraft foods.  If you are selected as a host or hostess, this is what it says: 

"Get your friends and family together — kids and grown ups — on May 15^th. Everyone will get a taste of the big treats coming from Kraft Foods this summer, from a fun kid beverage to nutritious and smart-sized snacks to crowd-pleasing lunch and dinner favorites.

You and your partygoers will get to whet your appetites with sample tastes of delicious products such as KOOL-AID Fun Fizz Drink Drops, OSCAR MAYER Deli Fresh Shaved Meats, RITZ CRACKERFULS Sandwich Crackers, KRAFT 100 CALORIE PACKS CHEESE BITES, KRAFT HOMESTYLE DELUXE Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, and DIGIORNO Pizza & Breadsticks.

The tasting will be followed by great games for all! With coupons, recipes, free goodies, and great party tips for summer fun — everyone will be in for a fantastic time!

Space is limited, so..."

How fun is that????  If you want to apply for this party or any others, check out  House Party.com

Your turn....if you have ever hosted one of these parties, please tell us about it.  I would love to hear of your experience with it.  Thanks!

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April....a new month....new deals and FREEBIES!!!

Happy April!  We have been having fantastic weather and it makes me very anxious to be working in my garden.  But not just yet as I have indoor painting to finish up!!!!  :)

With a new month, comes new coupons restocked and new FREEBIES.  Be sure to check these out for more savings....
New coupons at:
Target.com coupons
Coupons.com
Smart Source
Red Plum
Couponmom.com has extra savings ideas too.

Christian audio is offering a FREE download of the book, "Stuff Christians Like" by Jonathan Acuff.  I don't know anything about this book, but if you want to find out more, check it out at Christianaudio.com Pin It