Coupons...

It seems like everyone always makes a resolution to eat healthier at the beginning of the year. Well here are a few coupons to help get you started. Go to startmakingchoices.com and get $6 in coupons on select products.

Also, visit drpepper.com starting January 1st for a coupon for a free Diet Dr Pepper!

Meijer Christmas Eve Coupons

In need of any last minute gifts. Head on over to Meijer with these coupons, good on Christmas Eve from 6:00 am through 7:00 pm. Clearance prices are included, so you could possible score some really great deals! Also, you may use the same coupon as many times as you like.

Coupons include:

• take an extra 20% off all board games
• take an extra 20% off hand and power tools
• take an extra 20% off all phones including cell phones
• take an extra 20% off fashion outerwear and cold weather accessories
• take an extra 10% off digital cameras & digital camcorders
• take an extra 10% off digital picture frames

We Wish You A Merry Christmas...

Our Christmas tree was damaged during the basement flood in June. Instead of buying a new one for this year we decided to put up the 3.5 foot tree that survived the flood. Since Little Bit is very curious these days, we put the tree up on an end table and placed the pack 'n play in front of it. I have been putting presents back there too. Well...there is a gap on each side of the pack 'n play that she can squeeze through. So of course she does...and loves getting into the presents! Her favorite is pulling the tissue paper out of the gift bags. She thought it was just too cool yesterday when I moved the pack 'n play out of the way and let her sit on the fireplace by the tree and gifts.

Little Bit also likes to look at the Nativity scene we have set up in out entry way. She points to the different animals and makes their sound...cow, donkey(which she thinks is a horse) and a sheep. She also loves babies, so I always point out baby Jesus and let her look at Him.

Hope you all get to enjoy some time with your family and remember the Reason for the Season.

Meijer Santa Bucks

Meijer has issued Santa Bucks valid for 3 days only...12/21 - 12/23! These are to be used on general merchandise purchases. You may use multiple Santa Buck coupons per purchase.

o $4 off item $19.97

o $6 off item $29.97

o $8 off item $39.97

o $10 off item $49.97

o $12 off item $59.97

o $14 off item $69.97

o $16 off item $79.97

o $20 off item $99.97

If you are heading into Meijer to use your Santa Bucks, check out these food deals good through December 24th. (Prices my vary slightly based on location):

· $1.79/lb for Thorn Apple Valley Spiral Sliced Ham

· $8 off Meijer, Butterball or HoneySuckle Grade A Frozen Hen Turkeys

· $15 off Meijer, Butterball or HoneySuckle Grade A Frozen Tom Turkeys

· $2 off Meijer Vitamin C

· $3 off Meijer Kids MultiVitamins

Creative Corner...Limelight Sketch Challenge

Yeah! I WON this challenge!!! I am so excited to be receiving the Basic Grey Bittersweet paper pad! Thanks Mandy!
I am working on an 8.5 x 11 vacation album right now, so I thought I would apply the challenge to a scrapbook page. It worked great for the first page in my album! Here it is...
Recipe:
Paper ~ white cardstock, pink armadillo paper pack by the paper studio
Ink ~ chocolate chip marker
Accessories ~ green ribbon, brown chipboard letter, scallop punch, circle punch

Pampers Rewards Program

I just love Pampers diapers. I have tried many other brands and these are by far my favorite! Besides them being an excellent diaper there is another plus for using them...the Pampers Gifts to Grow program. There are codes found inside the packages of diapers and wipes. Enter the codes online at Pampers.com to accumulate points. Then you can redeem your points for various items in the rewards catalog.

Normally there is a shipping fee when you redeem your points for a reward item but through the end of December, you can get free shipping on all the rewards offered. I just redeemed some points for 2 Sesame Street books (these retail for 6.99 on amazon.com). I am working for a Starbucks gift card next!

Also, thanks to Freebies 4 Mom for posting these free point codes...
WEAPPRECIATEU08 (10 points)

WELCOME2GTG0809 (1 point)

OHAMANDAAWGTG08 (1 point)

DONTFORGETGTG08 (1 point)

WELCOMEBONUS089 (1 point)

Olay Cleanser Moneymaker

Olay is offering a new rebate. Get a $15 gift card when you buy two Olay Regenerist cleansers or moisturizers through 1/14/09. Walgreens has Olay Regenerist products on sale through Saturday, buy one get one 50% off. Mine didn't automatically ring up...the cashier actually had to know to push the 50% off button, so watch closely when you check out. Use the $5 off two Olay cleansers coupon that was in the 12/14 P&G insert. Then submit your receipt with this rebate form. You should get a $15 gift card back via mail in 6-8 weeks.
I love Olay cleansing cloths so I was excited to cash in on this deal. They were $9.99 each, but there were other cleansers that were around $7.50. I spent $10 and should get $15 back from the rebate. What a sweet treat during the holidays!

Coffee freebie!

My friend Jamie found a link for a free McCafe from McDonalds. Go to mymccafe.com, put in your zip code or other local zip codes, and get a coupon for a free specialty coffee from McDonald's. Not all McDonald's locations have the McCafe coffees yet so some may not be able to take advantage right now. You are only allowed to bring up the coupon once per computer, so print immediately after viewing the coupon.

Menu Plan Monday

It is the last full week before Christmas! Do you have all your shopping done yet?! I am all ready...all that's left is to enjoy the season and fix dinner of course! Here is what I have planned for the week.

Monday ~ fish sticks, mac & cheese

Tuesday ~ crock pot chicken and dumplings, corn, mashed potatoes

Wednesday ~ meatball subs, green beans, fruit

Thursday ~ leftovers

Friday ~ pizza, salad

Visit Org Junkie for more recipes!

Meijer at a Glance...12/14-12/20

I love it when Meijer has milk on sale!...2/$5.

Check out other Meijer deals here and here.

Creative Corner...scrap club

OK...December is half over and I am just now posting the November scrap club layout. With Thanksgiving being so late this year I am all thrown off! We really enjoyed the color scheme this month...to tell you the truth I don't think there has been a month I haven't loved!!!

Creative Corner...Christmas Cards

Here is a peak at my Christmas card for this year...

I got this great picture of Gracie on the beach during our vacation in Florida so I went with it!

Meijer at a glance...12/07-12/13

Kellogg's Cereal (8-16 oz, select varieties)... $1.88
$1/1 coup here

Aunt Millie's Homestyle Buttermilk, Cracked Wheat Bread (22 oz loaf) or Homestyle White Hot Dog or White or Wheat Hamburger Buns (8 ct)... $1.29

Barilla Pasta (12-16 oz, excludes Plus)... .79 cents

JIF Peanut Butter (18 oz all varieties)... $2.00
$1/2 coup in 11/9 RP

Hunt's Tomatoes, Sauce (14-15 oz cans)... .80 cents
$1/2 coup here

Seedless Navel Oranges (4 lb bag)... B1G1 free... $4.29/2 bags


For more deals check out your local ad here!
Also, check out Stretching a Buck for a list of deals.

Free Downloads Update...

I just saw on Slickdeals that they posted the main link to the free song giveaways on Amazon.com. Here is the link!

Free Music Downloads...

According to Slickdeals, Amazon.com is offering 25 days of free iPod compatible holiday music.

I went to Amazon to try and find a main page that would identify the free song of the day but haven't found one yet. I have stumbled across other free holiday songs though. Here is what I have found so far...

"Elf's Lament" by Barenaked Ladies with Michael Bublé
"Angels We Have Heard on High" by Six Pence None the Richer
"Last Christmas" by Leigh Nash
"Love Came Down at Christmas" by Jars of Clay
"Take a Break Guys" by Brian Setzer
Amazon Holiday Sampler....5 song album

I will post anymore that I find! Happy holiday listening!!!

Meatball Stew

*UPDATED
This is such a quick and easy recipe to throw in the crock pot.  It is such a good comfort food that I like to serve with corn bread.  If you try it out, I'd love to hear what you think!

Lately, I have been using frozen turkey meatballs instead of making my own.  This cuts down on the fat and makes this dish healthier and easier!  Also, feel free to add other veggies to adjust this to your liking.  I have added green beans and mushrooms before, which are both delicious!

Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
OR
1 bag frozen meatballs

4 medium potatoes chunked
4 medium carrots chunked
1 medium onion diced
1 cup ketchup
1 cup water
3 tsp vinegar
1 tsp basil
salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
For meatballs, in bowl combine beef, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper; mix well. Shape into 1 inch meatballs. Brown meatballs on medium heat in large skillet.  If you are using frozen meatballs, just skip this step. 

Place potatoes, carrots, and onion in crock pot and top with meatballs. Combine ketchup, water, vinegar, basil, and remaining salt and pepper. Pour over meatballs. Cover and cook 4-5 hours on high or 8-10 on low.

Enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday

I was able to snag a new crock pot while shopping this weekend. So this week I plan to try it out...quite a bit actually!

Monday ~ crock pot hawaiian chicken, rice, green beans

Tuesday ~ pot pies, fruit

Wednesday ~ hobo meatball stew...in the crock pot!, bread

Thursday ~ pasta, salad, bread

Friday ~ crock pot chicken and dumplings, corn, mashed potatoes

Visit Org Junkie for more recipes!