Menu Plan Monday

Monday ~ bacon/spinach/pasta w/alfredo sauce, bread

Tuesday ~ take out!

Wednesday ~ bbq beef, green beans, apple slices

Thursday ~ pita pizzas, salad

Friday ~ ham & beans, cornbread

Visit Org Junkie for more recipes!

Creative Corner...Limelight Sketch Challenge

It's Limelight Papercrafts Sketch Time and the focus is STARS! Check out the details here. I got this fun gold organdy ribbon on a Christmas present and saved it...thinking it would be perfect for a card! I also had some paper scraps leftover from the November scrap kit. The ribbon matched the dp wonderfully!

Recipe:
Paper ~ eggplant, su autumn traditions dp
Accessories ~ ribbon, star punch, white gel pen, pop dots

Meijer at a glance... 12/27 - 1/02

Here are just a few of the deals at Meijer this week. Be sure to check out the Meijer Mealbox for extra savings on various items. Also, for more deals check out your local ad here!

Meijer Gallon Milk... $1.98

Select Vegetables... $1.00
Includes: Extra Large Avocados, Baby Cut Carrots (1.2 Lb Bag), Cucumbers, Meijer Organics Whole White Mushrooms (8 oz)

Strawberries... $2.50

Aunt Millie’s Butter Top Bread or Buns... $1.00

Healthy Choice Frozen Entrees... $1.99
$1/2 in the 10/18 SS
$1 Printable here
PLUS $1/5 via Meijer Mealbox

Kellogg’s Cereals... $2.50
{Includes: Frosted Mini Wheats, Corn Flakes, Special K, Raisin Bran Crunch}
Several High Value Printables at Coupons.com
Several Printables here
$1 Corn Flakes in the December All You
$1.50/2 Printable at RedPlum

Chi-Chi’s Salsa or Queso... B1G1 FREE
$1/2 in the 12/6 SS

Lipton Tea Bags, To-Go or Pyramid Teas... $2.50
$.75/2 in the 11/15 RP
PLUS $1/2 via Meijer Mealbox

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter... $1.39
$1 in the 11/15 RP
$1 Printable here (IE) or here (FF)

Nestle Refrigerated Cookie Dough... $1.99
$1 in the 11/1 SS
$1 in the November All You
$1 Printable here
PLUS $1/2 via Meijer Mealbox

Here comes Santa Claus...

For some reason Little Bit just loves Santa Claus this year. She doesn't know what he does {or is believed to do!} but she sure thinks he is great. We haven't played up Santa as bringing gifts or anything...just that he is a jolly guy around at Christmastime. Anytime she sees the big guy in his red and white suit she gets excited! The DH and I were both surprised at how easily she went and sat on this Santa's lap. {She's not been a big fan of people in costume.}

{Have yourselves a merry little Christmas!}

Meijer at a glance... 12/20 - 12/26

Here are just a few of the deals at Meijer this week. Be sure to check out the Meijer Mealbox for extra savings on various items. Also, for more deals check out your local ad here!

Apples... $.99/pound
{Includes: Large Premium Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Gala, Granny Smith, Fuji, Braeburn or Jonagold}

Ragu Pasta Sauce... $1.39
$1/2 in the 11/15 RP
$1/2 Printable here

Nestle Toll House Morsels... $1.99
$1 in the 11/1 SS
$1 in the November All You
$.50/2 Printable here

Land O Lakes Butter... $1.99
Includes: Quarters (1 lb) or Spreadable Butter with Canola Oil (15 oz)
$.50 in the 11/1 SS
$.50 in the 11/15 SS
PLUS $1/ via Meijer Mealbox

Kraft Cheese (5-8 oz)... $1.49
{FREE Ritz Snack Crackers wyb 4 Kraft Cheese}
$1/2 Printable here
$.75/2 in the September Kraft Food & Family
$1 String Cheese (if included) via Meijer Mealbox

Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables... $1
$.35 in the 11/15 SS

$8.99 Huggies Diapers or Training Pants (Jumbo Pk)
$1.50 in the 11/15 SS
$2 in the 11/15 SS
$2 in the 11/29 Parade Weekly Circular

Creative Corner...Scrap Club

Here is my take on the first layout for November scrap club. The title for this month was "harvest". I hand wrote "time" on the green designer paper underneath. Then I filled the pages with pics from Thanksgiving with my family. To check out Jamie's samples or for more info on scrap club stop by Jamie's blog.

Creative Corner...quick holiday card

I just love to use kraft cardstock! It is my favorite background for cards. So when I needed a few quick holiday cards kraft is what I turned too. {I was totally inspired by a Christmas card I recently received...thanks Ang!}

Recipe:
Paper ~ kraft, vanilla
Stamps ~ su sincere salutations, little layers II
Ink ~ ruby, celery
Accessories ~ am.crafts ribbon, corner rounder

Free {books}...

Check out these ebooks that you can download and enjoy...for FREE!

The $5 Dinner Mom Does Holiday Dinner is a free ebook filled with scrumptious, frugal Christmas recipes. You can download your free copy here.

Amazon currently has a free copy of Not Your Mother's Slow Cooker--Recipes for Entertaining ebook available here. This ebook contains over 300 recipes and usually sells for $19.95 so this is a great deal! This ebook is specifically for Kindles, but you can go here to download a free application which enables you to read Kindle ebooks on your PC.

The Stay-At-Home Mom's Guide to Successful eBay Selling is being offered for free right now. Go here to download your copy.

Creative Corner...new cuttlebug!

I have been thinking about getting a Cuttlebug for some time now. Well...50% off coupon in hand, I finally took the plunge! Here is my first creation using it.
The owl flourish is a new embossing folder. I used some metallic rubons to help it pop even more. Then added some buttons to the owl for eyes!

Menu Plan Monday

Monday ~ veggie noodle soup, apples, bread

Tuesday ~ honey coconut salmon, green beans, ramen noodles

Wednesday ~ bbq pork, chips, pickles

Thursday ~ leftover buffet!

Friday ~ tilapia sticks, corn, mashed potatoes

Visit Org Junkie for more recipes!

Meijer at a glance... 12/13 - 12/19

Here are just a few of the deals at Meijer this week. Be sure to check out the Meijer Mealbox for extra savings on various items. Also, for more deals check out your local ad here!

Blackberries (6 oz)... $1

Apples... $.99/lb
Includes: Jumbo Premium Red Delicious, Fuji, Braeburn or Jonagold

Crystal Light Drink Mix... $2.39
$1 via Meijer Mealbox

Wheat Thins, Triscuits or Premium Saltines... $1.67
$1 in the 11/8 SS
$1/2 Printable at SmartSource AND CoolSavings

Kellogg’s Cereals... $2
FREE gallon milk wyb ANY 5 Kellogg’s Cereal
Includes: Raisin Bran Crunch, Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Crispix, Cocoa Crispies
$1/2 Printable at Coupons.com
$1/3 Printable at Coupons.com
Several more Kellogg’s Printables

Mott’s Applesauce... $1.67
$1/2 via Meijer Mealbox

Betty Crocker Cookie Mix (17 oz)... $1.78
$.40 in the 12/13 GM
$.40 Printable at Coupons.com, SmartSource AND CoolSavings

Kraft Cheese (5-8 oz)... $1.49
$1/2 Printable here
$.75/2 in the September Kraft Food & Family

Philadelphia Cream Cheese (8 oz)... $.99
$1/2 Printable here

Creative Corner...{stamping} jewelry

I have been inspired lately to make some jewelry...but not with the traditional things you would think of, like beads...I used Stampin Up! embellishments!


For the ring... I removed the prongs from the brad, adhered it to a button from the playground designer button pack. I bought some ring bases at Michaels and used E6000 adhesive to glue the rhinestone brad and button to the ring base. {Inspiration for the ring came from Mandy over at Limelight Papercrafts!}

For the bracelet... I used filigree brads, rhinestone brads, 8mm jump rings and a clasp. {You can find instructions for how to make a similar bracelet at Jill's Jems.}

If you attempt either of these I would love to see your creations...or any other fun jewelry you have crafted!

Freebies...

Check out these free calendars to help you get a jump on the new year...

Get a free 2010 Delallo Calendar when you complete a short survey about Italian foods.

Get a free 2010 Calendar from Oriental Trading Company. Just fill out the form and one should arrive in 7-14 days!

Sign-up as a new member to Eat Better America's enewsletter and you'll get a free 2010 Wall Calendar. If you are already a member you should have gotten an email from them with a link to get your free calendar.

Order your free 2010 Calendar from WomensHealth.gov in either English or Spanish. They plan on shipping the calendars in December.

Thanks to Freebies4Mom for posting these!

Creative Corner...Tuesday Trigger

My friend JenMarie posted a great card for the Moxie Fab World: Tuesday Trigger Challenge and I was inspired to play along too! The trigger piece was a super cute reindeer platter from Crate & Barrel. Here is my creation...

I tried to find some kind of reindeer stamp, sticker, etc...in my stash and came across a card kit I had found in the Target $ section a few months ago. It was not quite the right color for my design...so I traced it on kraft cardstock. Then I added some pen detail and a red gem for the nose! I just love how my little "rudolph" turned out!

Recipe:
Paper ~ kraft, christmas paper stack
Ink ~ brown marker
Accessories ~ white gel pen, ribbon, adhesive gems, pop dots

Turkey Time!

November is such a fun time....I just love Thanksgiving! So leading up until turkey day Little Bit and I did had a wonderful time with a variety of activities and books!

Activities:
thanksgiving, of course...what a great field trip to the grandparents house, seeing all our family and eating some yummo food!hand turkey...traced Little Bits hand on brown paper and then free handed some feathers in different colors {I did one last year too and it's neat to see her little hand grow!}

turkey plate...we made these at the library! we colored a turkey body, glued it to a small paper plate, then glued on construction paper feathers.

number leaves...{carry over from last month...she enjoys these so much} I numbered silk leaves {dollar section at Target} from 1-9...she loves counting them and throwing them up in the air!

pilgrim & indian cutouts...we had fun coloring these together and talking a little about the Thanksgiving story {I didn't have any craft sticks...so I used straws to make these into puppets}

coloring...picked up a turkey coloring page at a local restaurant, Little Bit colored it and then we took it back for a free cookie.

Snacks:
turkey sandwiches...{not really a snack..but fun lunches} turkey is by far her favorite lunch meat. she loves sandwiches cut into shapes. i just use my cookie cutters!
peanuts & candy corn

Reading:
Five Silly Turkeys by Salina Yoon
Thanksgiving Mice! by Bethany Roberts
10 Fat Turkeys by Tony Johnston
Thank You, Thanksgiving by David Milgrim

{don't forget...utilize your local library for reading material!!!}

Paper Bag Popcorn!

Recently my friend Jamie enlightened me with the idea of paper bag microwave popcorn. So once all of our microwave popcorn packets were gone I bought a bag of popcorn kernels. This Alton Brown recipe is so easy and yummo!

Ingredients:
1/4 popcorn kernels
2 tsps olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
paper lunch bag

Directions:
Toss the popcorn with the olive oil and salt in the lunch bag. Double fold down the bag to close {Alton put 2 staples in to keep the bag closed but I didn't find this necessary}. Place the bag in the microwave and microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes, or until there are about 5 seconds between pops.

{I want to get some garlic salt and popcorn seasoning for some more variety in flavor. Alton's recipe suggests jalapeno seasoning but I'll pass on that!}

Menu Plan Monday

Monday ~ hamburgers, homemade fries, pickles

Tuesday ~ pita pizzas, salad, apple slices

Wednesday ~ southwest roll-ups, rice, carrots

Thursday ~ creamy mushroom & chicken soup, salad, bread

Friday ~ leftover buffet!

Visit Org Junkie for more recipes!

Meijer at a glance... 12/06 - 12/12

Here are just a few of the deals at Meijer this week. Be sure to check out the Meijer Mealbox for extra savings on various items. Also, for more deals check out your local ad here!

Hawaiian Punch (Gallon)... $1.98
$1/2 via Meijer Mealbox

Kellogg’s Cereal... $2.49
{Includes: Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Raisin Bran, Frosted Mini Wheats, Apple Jacks, Froot Loops}
Several High Value Printables at Coupons.com
Several Printables here
$1.50/2 Printable at RedPlum

Campbell’s Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soup... $.59
$.50/2 Printable here

Buy 2 Huggies Big Pack Diapers or Pull Ups: $5 Meijer Gift Card
$1.50 in the 11/15 SS
$2 in the 11/29 Parade Weekly Circular

Clorox Bleach or Toilet Bowl Cleaner... $1.69
$1/2 in the 10/4 RP

The 10 for $10 sale is going on. Buy 10 items get the 11th FREE. Remember, you don’t have to purchase 10 of one item to get it for $1. Mix and Match away! Here are just a few of the items in this sale.

Apples (3 lb Bag)
Includes: Michigan Premium Empire, Jonathan, Rome or Ida Red

Cucumbers

Avocadoes

Sliced White or Mini Mushrooms

Blackberries

Del Monte Fruit Natural Cup
$1/3 Printable here

Green Giant Boxed Veggies
$1/2 Printable at Coupons.com, SmartSource AND CoolSavings

Totino’s Pizza Rolls
$1/5 in the 10/4 GM

Microwave Peanut Brittle!

I love peanut brittle!!!...{but could never make it right}. I remember trying to make it several years ago the old fashioned way...on the stove, heating your corn syrup mixture to a certain temperature and what not. Well, I could never get it to turn out right. Then I found this microwave recipe and thought it was too good to be true...but it turned out GREAT!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups roasted peanuts
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda

Directions:
In a large microwave-safe bowl, mix peanuts, sugar, corn syrup and salt. Cook on high for 6-7 minutes; mixture should be bubbly and peanuts lightly browned. Quickly stir in butter and vanilla; cook 2-3 additional minutes. Add baking soda and stir quickly until mixture is foamy. Immediately pour onto a greased baking sheet. Let cool for 15 minutes or longer. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

{I think this recipe came from a Gooseberry Patch Christmas book}

Free Music Downloads...

Amazon.com is once again offering 25 days of free holiday music downloads. This started on December 1st and runs through December 25th. Make sure to visit this page daily to find what holiday song is available for free! Also, if you just browse the MP3 Downloads you will most likely find even more free downloads. Just today I found ones from Jars of Clay, Sixpence None the Richer and Big Daddy Weave. I just love Christmas music...especially for free!

Free Aveeno Tote...

Don't know how long this will last but I just saw on Freebies 4 Mom that there is an Aveeno Tote Bag Offer. There is no picture or anything but it says $8 value...I imagine it will be great! Can't beat another reusable tote! I just love them for carrying groceries, library books, craft supplies and Christmas gifts!

Creative Corner...Felt Pizza

So my friend Jamie made a pizza using cardstock and then magnetized the pieces by running them through her Xyron. I thought it was way cute and wanted to make one for Little Bit. I decided to try using felt instead. I love the way it turned out and so does Little Bit. I made it similar to the pita pizzas I make...{crust, sauce, cheese, mushrooms & spinach!}.
Pizza Hut Express at Target is a place we often find ourselves sharing a personal pan...pizza is a favorite of ours! So the last time we were there, I asked them for an empty box....now her pizza has a home!