Meijer at a glance... 1/31 - 2/06

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!

Aunt Millie's Healthy Goodness Bread, Deluxe Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns... B1G2 FREE

Eckrich Beef Franks... $1.79
$1/3 via Meijer Mealbox

Johnsonville Bratwurst, Italian, or Smoked Links... $3.00
$.55 in the 1/17 SS
$.55 Johnsonville Coupon
PLUS $1 via Meijer Mealbox

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

French’s Mustard... $1.29
$.50 in the 1/24 SS
$.50 French’s Coupon
PLUS $.75/3 via Meijer Mealbox

McCormick Dry Seasoning Mix, packet... $.50
$.25/2 in the 1/24 RP
PLUS $1/4 via Meijer Mealbox

Lipton Recipe Secret Soup Mix 1.7-4.9 oz... $.99
$.60/2 in the 11/15 RP
$.50 in the 1/31 RP

Philadelphia Cream Cheese 8oz... $1.25
$1/4 Philadelphia Cream Cheese Coupon
PLUS $1/3 via Meijer Mealbox

Kraft Cheeses... $1.67 {$1 Instant Savings wyb 3}
Includes: Shredded, Cubes, Crumbles, Sticks, Chunks
$1/2 in the 1/24 SS
$1/2 Kraft Cheese Coupon

Jacks Pizza 12”... $1.99
$.55 in the 1/24 SS
PLUS $1/2 via Meijer Mealbox

Creative Corner...owl bag {whoot!}

Several months ago I was in Target and found this little bag in the dollar spot. It was in a section marked 75% off...so I got it for ONLY 25 cents! I thought the style was cute {and would be a good size for Little Bit} but wasn't crazy about the image on it...a great candidate for some altering!I am a little obsessed with cutesy owls right now. So what better to applique on the bag! I sketched a pattern, making sure it was large enough to cover the image already there. I used mostly felt for the owl but wanted to tie the colors together somehow. The cute dot print was perfect for that. It was just some cotton fabric I had on hand. It worked great for the wings! I whip stitched it all on the bag with embroidery thread.

Then I added some Basic Grey buttons to enhance the eyes and tied some ribbon for a bow. {I wanted to make sure she was girlie!} I just love how it turned out! Here is a close up...

Little Bit loves her new bag and is having a blast "shopping" and filling it up! {I did have a thought to add her name across the band at the top of the bag...but that will have to come later!}

Freebies...

Today only (January 28, 2010), when you become a fan of Babies “R” Us on Facebook here, you’ll get a free $5 gift card to Babies “R” Us! This $5 gift card will be emailed to you and can be used in-store or online. How awesome is that...don't you just love free money?! Babies "R" Us does accept manufacturer coupons...so you could combine these to get a good deal on diapers, wipes, baby food, toiletries and more!

Pampers has a new mail in offer available. You can get a free Scholastic book when you mail in a UPC code from a Pampers Easy Ups or Kandoo products, along with your name, daytime phone number, email address and complete mailing address. This offer begins today, January 28th and ends when 2,500 books have been given away or May 31st.

Box Tops for Education is offering a free sample of Avery Label Pads.

...and don't forget to sign up to get a free uni Super Ink pen directly from Uni Ball. It's available to the first 10,000 people to request it each day through April 30.

Creative Corner...{mommy & me}

Just a random scrapbook page I did a few weeks ago. I just loved the colors in the photo and how they went perfectly with the lemonade papers from Basic Grey! For some reason I have a love for {owls}...at least little cute stamps of them! The little guy I used here is from Michaels dollar stamps. I stamped him in turquoise, cut out and added pink buttons for the eyes!

Target Deals...

In a recent coupon insert there were coupons for $2.50 off Electrasol Finish products. The coupons expire on January 31st, so while I was in Target today I decided to use them. To my surprise they actually had some Electrasol on clearance for 3.64. So with my 2.50 coupon...I only paid 1.14 for a box of 20 dishwasher tabs.

Target also has a great deal on diapers this week. Buy 3 jumbo packs of Huggies and/or Pampers diapers...on sale for $8.99 each...and get a $5 Target gift card at check out. There are some printable Huggies coupons on coupons.com and Target's website {these do say manufacturer coupons so they can't be stacked}. For Pampers, there were some $2.00 coupons in a recent P&G insert and apparently some regional Target pampers coupons that could be stacked. Even if you don't have any coupons $8.99 is still a good price for name brand diapers...plus the $5 gift card back when you buy 3.

and...Valentines Day is right around the corner. Target has the 24-ct. Wonka Fun Dip classroom gift exchange kits on sale for $3. Use the $1 off coupon from coupons.com to get it for only $2.00.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday ~ veggie noodle soup, salad, bread

Tuesday ~ crock pot bbq chicken, green beans, ramen noodles

Wednesday ~ orange ginger tilapia, corn, mash potatoes

Thursday ~ pita pizzas, salad, apple slices

Friday ~ pork chops, harvest potatoes, carrots

Visit Org Junkie for more recipes!

Meijer at a glance... 1/24 - 1/30

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!

It's a Meijer brand sale this week...buy 10 for $10 get the 11th Item FREE. Be sure to check your ad for the complete list.

Red or Green Grapes... $1.24/lb

Homegrown Russet Potatoes 10 Lb Bag... $1.99

Sargento Deli Style Natural Sliced Cheese... $2.50
$.50 in the 1/3 SS
$.55 in the November All You
$.55 in the December All You

Ritz Crackers... $2.49
$1 in the 1/24 SS
$2/2 Printable here (IE) or coupon (FF)
PLUS $1 via Meijer Mealbox

Juicy Juice... $2.52
$1 Printable here
PLUS $1/4 via Meijer Mealbox

Creative Corner...Baby card

One of my friends from back home recently had a baby and so I decided to make her some thank yous. I tried out the new Fox & Friends clear mount stamp set from Stampin' Up! {I'm just loving this new format they are offering...compared to the wood mount, the new clear mount stamps take up less storage space and are cheaper!} I paired this with a retired scrappin' baby themed kit.

Freebies...

Who doesn't love a good pen?! I am a huge fan of Uni Ball pens, so I jumped on this freebie! Starting at noon each day you can try and sign up to get a free uni Super Ink pen directly from Uni Ball. It's available to the first 10,000 people to request it each day through April 30. If you miss it one day, keep trying starting at noon the next day. There is a limit of one per person.

I am also a lover of free photo offers! Shutterfly is offering 3 free folded 5x7 photo cards through February 2nd. Simply log into your account, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "Enter Special Offer Code" to load the coupon code 3FREECARDS into your account. You do have to pay shipping, but I believe it is only 99 cents....way cheaper than a Hallmark card!

30-minute Almond Chicken

I made this last night for dinner and it was great! {Photo from Kraft website...I always forget to take a pic before we eat it!} I did make a few changes. I used canned green beans instead of fresh and just heated them separately. I also used chicken breasts instead of thighs, because that's what I had already. So here is my take...

Ingredients:
4 medium sized chicken breasts
1/2 cup italian dressing
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup instant white rice, uncooked
1/4 cup slivered almonds

Directions:
Heat large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add dressing and chicken, cook about 4-5 minutes per side until evenly browned.

Add broth and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the center. Remove chicken and cover to keep warm.

Add rice and almonds into the pan, stirring into the dressing/broth mixture. Remove from heat and cover. Let stand 5 minutes; fluff with fork.

Serve chicken over rice mixture with a side of green beans. YUMMO!

Meijer at a glance... 1/17 - 1/23

{Sorry Meijer deals are a little late this week....I was out of town with no internet for a few days.}

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!

Vine Ripened Roma Tomatoes... $.99/pound

Mango... $1.00

Aunt Millie’s Old Fashioned Bread or Buns... $1.29

Sargento Shredded cheese... $2.00
$.50 in the 1/3 SS

Yoplait Yogurt Singles or Whips... $.50
$.50/8 in the 1/3 SS
$.40/6 in the 1/3 SS
$1/6 Printable at Coupons.com

Shedd’s Country Crock Spread... $2.50
$.40 in the 12/6 RP
$.50 Printable here (IE) or coupon (FF)

Kellogg’s Cereals or Pop Tarts... $2.50 {$2 off Instantly wyb 4}
Includes: Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies, Raisin Bran, Frosted Mini Wheats Bite Size, Apple Jacks, Froot Loops
$1/2 in the 1/10 RP
$1.50/2 Printable at RedPlum


{Quaker Hot or Cold Cereals, Granola Bars or Breakfast Cookies: Buy any 5 and receive a Catalina for FREE Tropicana Orange Juice}

Quaker Oats... $1.49
$1 Printable here (IE) or coupon (FF)
PLUS $1/2 via Meijer Mealbox

Quaker Instant Oatmeal or Oats... $1.99
$1 Printable here (IE) or coupon (FF)
PLUS $1/2 via Meijer Mealbox

Quaker Cereal... $1.99


{Huggies, Depend, Scott or Kotex Products: Buy any 2 and receive a $3 Catalina; Buy any 3 and receive a $4 Catalina.}

Huggies Jumbo Diapers or Training Pants... $8.99
$1 Diapers in the 1/17 SS
$2 Pull Ups in the 1/17 SS
$2 Printable at Coupons.com

Huggies Wipe Refills 190-232 ct... $5.49
$.50 in the 1/3 SS
$.75 Printable at Coupons.com

Kotex Maxis, Tampons, or Lightdays... $5.00
$1.50/2 Liners or Tampons in the 1/10 SS
$2/2 Pads in the 1/10 SS

Basic Grey Calender...

I stopped in Michael's last night because I had a 40% off coupon burning a hole in my pocket! {and I had something to return!} So I browsed the store, found a couple clearance Christmas crafts for next year and a little metal bucket to hold my clear stamping blocks. As I got near the checkout I saw one lonely Basic Grey calender kit on the shelf in the middle aisle.

I had seen these before Christmas but didn't really want to pay the full price of $20 or even 40% off of that...mainly because I'm cheap, um... I mean frugal! Well it was marked down to $4.00! I thought SCORE...cause I just love Basic Grey! {But wait, it gets better} When I got up to the checkout, the girl scanned everything and asked if I wanted to use my coupon. I was like sure...why not save .40 off my $1.00 bucket...since everything else was on clearance. To my surprise it took the 40% off the calendar! So I only had to pay $2.40 for that cute thing!!! Now I can't wait to assemble it!

Cheesy Potato Soup

I was in the mood to try a new soup recipe and I have been getting great deals on potatoes lately...so I thought I'd try this Cheesy Potato Soup. I did tweak a few things while making it.

Ingredients:
5 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 small carrot, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
2 cups water
1 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups milk
3 Tbsp margarine, melted
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp steak seasoning
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 cups shredded cheese {I used colby-jack}
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions:
In a large pot over medium heat, combine potatoes, carrot, celery, water and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, 15-20 minutes. Once tender, stir in milk.

In a small bowl, combine melted margarine, flour, steak seasoning and pepper. Stir into soup, increase heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in cheese until melted. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving.

Top bowls of soup with crumbled bacon and enjoy!

Creative Corner...Scrap Club

Well, 2009 has come to an end so that means the last layouts of the year for scrap club. The colors of the designer paper we used were a very unique combo...teal, red and sand. I really enjoyed working with "outside of the box" colors! To check out Jamie's samples or for more info on scrap club stop by Jamie's blog.

...Stay tuned for more great layouts in 2010!

Creative Corner...Color Inspiration #57

I just love the style of card making that Kristina Werner showcases on her blog. I am always inspired when I stop by for a visit! She recently posted a Color Inspiration challenge, so I thought I'd play along...The challenge was to use the colors....deep red, coral, baja blue, mustard, saffron and white. I choose to use the stamp set Birthday Cupcake by Inkadinkado and paper pieced one of the cupcakes. I just used the word "sweet" so this card could work for a birthday or valentines card!

Recipe:
Paper ~ white, ruby, mustard, coral, kaisercraft pina colada, sassafras lass
Stamps ~ birthday cupcake {inkadinkado}
Ink ~ black, ruby
Accessories ~ scallop circle, circle cutter, buttons, dimensionals

Menu Plan Monday

Monday ~ peanut chicken, crab rangoon

Tuesday ~ take out...

Wednesday ~ orange ginger tilapia, green beans, mash potatoes

Thursday ~ turkey tacos, chips & salsa

Friday ~ fish sticks, mac & cheese, celery sticks

Visit Org Junkie for more recipes!

Meijer at a glance... 1/10 - 1/16

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!

Chex Mix... $.97
$.50/2 in the 11/15 GM Insert
$.50/2 in the 12/13 SS Insert
$.50 Printable at Coupons.com, SmartSource AND CoolSavings
PLUS $1/2 via Meijer Mealbox

Campbell’s Cream of Chicken or Mushroom Soups... $.58
$.40/2 in the 12/13 SS
$.30/4 in the 1/10 SS
$1 on 4 Printable here

Boston Markets Dinners or Pot Pies... $1.99
$1 in the 12/6 SS
$1/3 Printable here

It's time for another Buy 10 for $10 get the 11th FREE sale! Listed below are just a few of the items included...

Bar S Hot Dogs, Sausage or Bologna
$.25 Printable here

Betty Crocker Helper Meals
$.75/3 in the 1/3 GM
$1/3 Printable here

Knorr Rice or Pasta Sides 4.5-7 oz
$.40/2 in the 11/15 RP

Dole Premium Salad
$1 via Meijer Mealbox

Idaho Russet Potatoes 5 Lb Bag

Avocados, Greenhouse Cucumbers, Baby Cut Carrots, Mangos

Baby Flat or Curly Leaf Spinach

Homegrown Yellow Onions 3 Lb Bag

Del Monte All Natural Fruit Cups 8 oz
$1/3 Printable at RedPlum

Green Giant Frozen Boxed Veggies 7-10 oz
$.60/3 in the 1/3 GM
$.50/2 Printable at Coupons.com, SmartSource AND CoolSavings

Pillsbury Grand! Biscuits 12-16.3 oz
$.30/2 in the 11/22 SS
$.30/2 in the 1/3 GM

Betty Crocker Frosting 12-16 oz
$.50 Printable at Coupons.com, SmartSource AND CoolSavings

Betty Crocker Warm Delights 2.9-3.6 oz
$.50 Printable at Coupons.com, SmartSource AND CoolSavings

Brooks Chili Beans 30.5 oz
$.55/2 in the 10/4 SS

Lance Crackers 10-11 oz
$1 Printable at SmartSource AND CoolSavings

Quaker Rice Cakes 3-3.5 oz
$.75 in the 1/10 RP

Ronzoni Pasta 12-14.5 oz
$.75 in the 12/6 SS

Chocolate Mousse Torte

Recently, Meijer has partnered with “lifestyle maven” Katie Brown, current PBS host and Oxygen network alumnus. In addition to an illustrious television career, Katie Brown has authored several books focusing on lifestyle and entertaining, and is a syndicated lifestyle columnist as well.

I was fortunate enough to receive a the kit pictured above from Meijer as a way to introduce us to Katie Brown, and her incredible (yet simple) recipes. The kit included an awesome canvas bag, 10” Anchor Hocking serving platter, Katie Brown recipe card, non-perishable recipe ingredients, and a Meijer gift card to purchase the perishable ingredients.

So my task was to try out this recipe and let you all know what I thought. I made it yesterday to take as my "snack" for a scrapbooking event I attended last night. This was a very quick, simple and elegant dessert to whip up! I just got a little frustrated trying to keep the Nilla Wafers standing around the edge of the pan while I put the filling in....but it all worked out beautifully! This dessert was a huge hit...YUMMO! This is something I can definitely see myself making again. Check out the recipe below to try it out yourself...

Chocolate Mousse Torte

37 Nilla Wafers, divided
4 Squares Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided
2 Pkg. Jell-O Chocolate Instant Pudding
2 Cups + 2 tbsp.Cold Milk, divided
1 Tub Cool Whip Whipping Topping, thawed, divided
1/4 Cup Sugar
3/4 Cup Raspberries

Stand 16 wafers around inside edge of a 9-inch round pan lined with plastic wrap. Melt 3 chocolate squares as directed on package. Beat pudding mixes and 2 cups milk in medium blow with whisk, 2 minutes. Add melted chocolate; mix well. Stir in 1 cup Cool Whip; pour into prepared pan.

Beat cream cheese, sugar, and reaming milk with mixer until well blended. Stir in 1 cup of remaining Cool Whip; spread over pudding. Top with remaining wafers.

Refrigerate 3 hours.

Invert torte onto plate. Remove pan and plastic wrap. Shave remaining Chocolate Square into curls. Top torte with remaining Cool Whip, berries, and chocolate curls {I omitted the berries because I am not a huge fan.}

{Thanks so much to Meijer for providing the ingredients and the opportunity to make this dish!}

Creative Corner...Limelight Sketch Challenge

It's Limelight Papercrafts Sketch Time! The focus is BUTTONS!

I just love buttons...so I had to play along. I have been wanting to break out my new Cosmo Cricket Early Bird paper pack that I got for Christmas. I paired that with a coffee set and some Fancy Pants buttons and this is what I ended up with...

{Visit the Limelight Papercrafts blog to play along!}

Recipe:
Paper ~ vanilla, turquoise, early bird
Stamps ~ h&m set coffee's brewin'
Ink ~ black, copics
Accessories ~ uppercrest border punch, buttons, pop dots

Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Soup

I found this recipe on Becky Higgins' blog, tried it and loved it! My family loves it too, so it was quickly added to our favorites list! {I have altered it just a bit.}

Ingredients:
6 Tbsp. butter
1 medium onion, chopped
3 Tbsp. flour
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
6 c. chicken broth
1 lb. mushrooms, sliced
3/4 c. chopped carrots
2 c. peeled and diced potatoes
1/2 c. chopped zucchini
1/2 c. frozen corn kernels
2 tsp. thyme
2 c. light cream
1/4 c. grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish if desired
2 c. chopped cooked chicken

Directions:
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until tender, about 6 minutes. Stir in the flour, salt, and pepper and mix until smooth. Gradually add the broth, then turn the heat up to medium-high and bring the soup to a boil. Add the veggies and thyme. Reduce the heat and simmer the soup, covered, until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.

Add the cream, Parmesan, and chicken. Heat the soup for an additional 10 minutes, but do not let it boil. To serve, ladle the soup into a bowl and sprinkle it with more Parmesan, if desired.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday ~ bday dinner out!

Tuesday ~ ham & beans, cornbread

Wednesday ~ creamy mushroom & chicken soup, salad, bread

Thursday ~ spinach pasta w/alfredo sauce, salad

Friday ~ leftover buffet!

Visit Org Junkie for more recipes!

Meijer at a glance... 1/03 - 1/09

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!

Round White Potatoes 10 lb Bag... $1.99

Meijer Gallon Milk... $1.98

Post Cereal... $1.99
{Buy 4, get $2 off Instant at Register...Includes: Honey Bunches of Oats, Grape Nuts Flakes, Spoon Size Shredded Wheat}
$1/2 in the 12/6 SS

Kellogg’s Cereal... $2.00
{Includes: Frosted Mini Wheats, Raisin Bran, Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Frosted Flakes}
$1/2 in the 1/3 RP
$1.5o/2 Printable at RedPlum

Barilla Pasta 12-16 oz... $0.89
$1/2 Printable here *on Target site but is a manufacturer coupon*
PLUS $1/4 via Meijer Mealbox

Aunt Millie Healthy Goodness Breads... $1.50

Nabisco Ritz Crackers 14.5-16 oz, Ritz Bitz or Toasted Chips... $2.37
$1/2 in the 12/13 SS
$1 in the December Kraft Food & Family Magazine
$1/2 in the Kraft Back to School Booklet

Prego Pasta Sauce 45-48 oz... $2.50
$1/2 via Meijer Mealbox

V8 Splash 64 oz... $1.99
$1/2 in the 1/3 SS
$1/2 Printable here

V8 Fusion or V-Fusion 46 oz... $2.49
$.75 in the 1/3 SS
$1 Printable here
PLUS $1 via Meijer Mealbox

Pampers Diapers or Training Pants Jumbo Pk... $8.99
$2 in the 12/27 P&G

Happy New Year...

What a great time of year...time for new beginnings and reflecting on seasons past. This past month has been so much fun. Little Bit has loved the Christmas season. The first thing she asked to do every morning was turn on the Christmas tree. She was also really into presents...she didn't care if they were for hers or not...she just really enjoyed opening gifts. So needless to say, all of our family had help opening their gifts this year!

Activities:
Christmas, of course...getting to spend time with our families is always great!

cut out cookies...what fun we had rolling out the dough and making cookies. Her favorite was the gingerbread man!wrapping gifts...she tried to help with this! We did shop and pack boxes for Operation Christmas Child...she had lots of fun with that.

nativity set...helped me set up our nativity, had her own to play with & walked through live nativity play at our church

number snowflakes...For the fall months I numbered silk leaves 1-9 and she loved them so much, I found snowflakes at Hobby Lobby and did the same with them.

coloring...Sesame Street Christmas coloring book from Dollar Tree.

Snacks:
cut out cookies
m&ms
apple slices

Reading:
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas by John Rox
The Three Bears' Christmas by Kathy Duval
Counting Christmas by Karen Katz
The Donkey's Christmas Song by Nancy Tafuri

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