Monday, November 28, 2011
Busy Time of Year!!!
With Thanksgiving now a memory, and Christmas approching rapidly, I am reminded of how short our days are! It seems I never have the time to do all that I want to do, but this time of year, I don't have time to do all that I need to do! I am knitting and crocheting in all of my spare time, leaving the cleaning for another time. I still have to make some home made soap for Christmas presents and baby shower gifts.... And, I have yet to put up my Christmas displays outside. With the help of the hubby and kids, we did get the icicle lights on the house yesterday, and the lights on the big inside tree.... Not moving as fast as I would like, but it is going to have to work, because I cannot add more hours in the day, and I love my life so much, that I wouldn't want to share it with a clone!
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Home Made Christmas!
I am blessed to have a friend that is 95 years young, and she is teaching me how to knit and crochet! She has some beautiful work that she has done over the years, and I hope to be half as good as she is! I have made some baby blankets, baby booties and dish rags. I am pleased to say they have turned out great, so far! haha I am in the process now of making some Sock Monkey hats with ear flaps for my teenagers. They have an obsession with Sock Monkeys for some reason! I will add some pics of my work, at a later date, as some of the projects I have been doing are gifts for Christmas :) I am thinking of starting a new tradition with my family: At least 1 (one) gift must be homemade by the giver....Imagine the possiblities! I think it is a great idea. My kids may think otherwise, but hopefully, it will become a tradition for many, many years to come!
Saturday, September 3, 2011
breakfast sandwiches
These are so good and hearty, you need a fork to eat them!
Grill bread (see recipie below) with butter, in a hot skillet, till browned on both sides. Sprinkle a little grated cheddar cheese on the top of the grilled toast and set aside. Cook a few slices of bacon (about 2 to each piece of bread).Place on top of the grilled cheese toast. Fry an egg or two, and place on top, add a sprinkle of cheddar cheese on top, and you have a filling and delicious breakfast! You can top with picante sauce if you like. You can even top it with a second piece of toast to make it a real 'sandwich' but it is alot to eat!
Grill bread (see recipie below) with butter, in a hot skillet, till browned on both sides. Sprinkle a little grated cheddar cheese on the top of the grilled toast and set aside. Cook a few slices of bacon (about 2 to each piece of bread).Place on top of the grilled cheese toast. Fry an egg or two, and place on top, add a sprinkle of cheddar cheese on top, and you have a filling and delicious breakfast! You can top with picante sauce if you like. You can even top it with a second piece of toast to make it a real 'sandwich' but it is alot to eat!
thick and hearty bread
My family loves homemade bread, and this is a personal favorite. It is easy to make, and tastes great. It is a hearty bread, with a slight sweetness to it, which makes it versatile for almost anything.
2 c warm water
2/3 c of sugar
1 1/2 tea salt
4 tbl veg oil
6 c flour
2 tbl dry yeast
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water, and stir in salt and oil. Add the flour and yeast, and stir with a WOODEN spoon (im not sure why, but every time i use a regular spoon, it never rises right). When it is mixed fairly well, knead with your hands for a few minutes. Usually around 5 minutes or so, until the dough is 'elastic'. (if you have never worked with bread before, dont panic, this is easy!)
Cover, and place in a warm spot to rise to double. Usually takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the warmth.
Dump onto a floured surface and work the air bubbles out of it with your hands, usually just a minute or two of kneading. If you do not have a loaf pan, you can form the dough into a loaf, and place on a flat sheet pan, otherwise, I put into an industrial size loaf pan, or 2 regular size loaf pans.
Cover, and let rise to about double again.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until done. I like mine to be a golden brown, others like it a little more so.
When it is finished, take out of the oven, and let it rest for 5 minutes or so, then remove from pan, place on a wire rack, and cover till cooled.
We use this for grilled cheese sandwiches, french toast, breakfast sandwiches...I even make rolls from the dough sometimes, instead of loaves.
2 c warm water
2/3 c of sugar
1 1/2 tea salt
4 tbl veg oil
6 c flour
2 tbl dry yeast
In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water, and stir in salt and oil. Add the flour and yeast, and stir with a WOODEN spoon (im not sure why, but every time i use a regular spoon, it never rises right). When it is mixed fairly well, knead with your hands for a few minutes. Usually around 5 minutes or so, until the dough is 'elastic'. (if you have never worked with bread before, dont panic, this is easy!)
Cover, and place in a warm spot to rise to double. Usually takes 45 minutes to an hour, depending on the warmth.
Dump onto a floured surface and work the air bubbles out of it with your hands, usually just a minute or two of kneading. If you do not have a loaf pan, you can form the dough into a loaf, and place on a flat sheet pan, otherwise, I put into an industrial size loaf pan, or 2 regular size loaf pans.
Cover, and let rise to about double again.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes, or until done. I like mine to be a golden brown, others like it a little more so.
When it is finished, take out of the oven, and let it rest for 5 minutes or so, then remove from pan, place on a wire rack, and cover till cooled.
We use this for grilled cheese sandwiches, french toast, breakfast sandwiches...I even make rolls from the dough sometimes, instead of loaves.
cleaning a stainless steel sink
I love my stainless steel sink, but every so often, it starts to show some stains from coffee, tea..etc...
The easiest way to clean it, for me, is this:
Wet the sink all over, then sprinkle with baking soda. Pour lemons juice into a clean sponge, and wipe the baking soda. Keep adding more lemon juice as needed. It takes care of stains and slight smells that may be lurking in the sink, and gives it a nice shine. Plus, nothing beats the sweet, clean smell of lemons :)
The easiest way to clean it, for me, is this:
Wet the sink all over, then sprinkle with baking soda. Pour lemons juice into a clean sponge, and wipe the baking soda. Keep adding more lemon juice as needed. It takes care of stains and slight smells that may be lurking in the sink, and gives it a nice shine. Plus, nothing beats the sweet, clean smell of lemons :)
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
cowboy beans
This is another family fave. Put a pound of pinto beans in the crock pot with water. Cook as normal, (about 6-8hrs) but in the last 2 hrs, put in browned hamburger meat ( i brown mine with sweet onions), a can of green sauce (salsa verde) and a can of green chilies. I sometimes add 2 pkts of taco seasoning, or just some salt, pepper, cayanne and cumin...just depends on what i have on hand :)
I usually serve it with cornbread and fried taters, but tonight we did cornbread and spanish rice, (only because I was out of potatoes and refused to drive to town for them :)
I usually serve it with cornbread and fried taters, but tonight we did cornbread and spanish rice, (only because I was out of potatoes and refused to drive to town for them :)
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Slow running drain?
If your drain is running slow, or you notice a smell in there, try this. I was told about this by a plumber, over 25 years ago, when the my washing machine drain was stopped up.
Put a pan of water on to boil. In the process, take 1/2 cup of baking soda and sprinkle in the drain, follow immediately with 1 cup of white vinegar or lemon juice. It will begin to foam and bubble up. After all the bubbling has finished, pour the boiling water down the drain.
I do this in my garbage disposal once a month, and it keeps it smelling fresh. I also use this in my washer drain (with a funnel, of course) once a year.
Put a pan of water on to boil. In the process, take 1/2 cup of baking soda and sprinkle in the drain, follow immediately with 1 cup of white vinegar or lemon juice. It will begin to foam and bubble up. After all the bubbling has finished, pour the boiling water down the drain.
I do this in my garbage disposal once a month, and it keeps it smelling fresh. I also use this in my washer drain (with a funnel, of course) once a year.
Inexpensive dryer sheets
I love dryer sheets, but hate the prices of them. If I cannot get a good coupon for them, I use this:
2 or 3 sponges (just the regular, cheap sponges) cut in 3 pieces each
an airtight container
small bottle of liquid fabric softener
mix the fabric softener with one part softener to 3 parts water, in the airtight container. Put the pieces of sponge in there.
When you have clothes to dry in the dryer, take a sponge out, wring it out, and pop it in the dryer. Once the drying cycle is finished, drop the sponge back in the container for reuse :)
Once the sponges start showing some signs of deterioration, set them aside to use for paint crafts :)
2 or 3 sponges (just the regular, cheap sponges) cut in 3 pieces each
an airtight container
small bottle of liquid fabric softener
mix the fabric softener with one part softener to 3 parts water, in the airtight container. Put the pieces of sponge in there.
When you have clothes to dry in the dryer, take a sponge out, wring it out, and pop it in the dryer. Once the drying cycle is finished, drop the sponge back in the container for reuse :)
Once the sponges start showing some signs of deterioration, set them aside to use for paint crafts :)
Meatloaf night!
At 7am yesterday morning, as the husband was going off to work, and the kids were heading down the road to catch the bus, they all requested meatloaf for dinner.
I am not sure if it is the 90 plus days of over 100 degree heat, the anticipation of fall, or if it is just pure hunger for a home cooked meal of nothing but comfort food, but this is a strange request. Usually, when I cook meatloaf, I hear the *gags* and *choking* sounds from my teens, and get the infamous 'eye roll' from the hubbs. This doesn't stop them from devouring all of the food, it is just a little dig at the idea of meatloaf night! As it turns out, I was late getting home from an appointment, so the meatloaf was not cooked for dinner. My family was a little sour about the whole thing. Apparently, they had been hungry for meatloaf all day, but Dad pulled out some ribs he had cooked and frozen a couple of months ago, and all was happy again!
Tonight, will be meatloaf night, with all the fixin's...mashed potatoes, corn and biscuits. Here is my recipie for meatloaf:
2 lbs 80/20 ground beef
1 pkg onion soup mix
1 can of rotel tomatos (with the liquid drained)
2 eggs
1 cup bread crumbs (italian style is my favorite)
2 tsp Worcestershire
1 small can of tomato sauce
and just a hand full of each: diced onion, bell pepper, celery
I mix all of the dry ingredients with the meat, mix all the wet ingredients in a bowl together, and then mix the wet and dry. I put it all in the KitchenAid mixer and use the dough hook to mix it.
Then, just place it in the shape of a loaf in a shallow pan, or in a loaf pan if you have one, and bake it! 350 for about an hour and fifteen minutes,or an hour and a half. the last 10 minutes, I add tomato paste or ketchup to the top.
I usually make 'real' mashed potatos, but in a pinch, I use Idahoan instant, and they are delicious as far as instant potatos go! Add a little butter to them, and no one but your mother in law would know different!
My secret to corn is: take 2 cans of corn (whole kernel) drain the water from only one of them. place the corn and the water from one can into a pan, add a couple of pats of butter, with salt and pepper, and let it cook to boiling, then lower the temp, and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes :)
and the biscuits you ask....??? well, it just depends on what I have on hand. Sometimes they are canned, sometimes they are made with Bisquick, and sometimes, it is just a slice of white sandwich bread!
I am not sure if it is the 90 plus days of over 100 degree heat, the anticipation of fall, or if it is just pure hunger for a home cooked meal of nothing but comfort food, but this is a strange request. Usually, when I cook meatloaf, I hear the *gags* and *choking* sounds from my teens, and get the infamous 'eye roll' from the hubbs. This doesn't stop them from devouring all of the food, it is just a little dig at the idea of meatloaf night! As it turns out, I was late getting home from an appointment, so the meatloaf was not cooked for dinner. My family was a little sour about the whole thing. Apparently, they had been hungry for meatloaf all day, but Dad pulled out some ribs he had cooked and frozen a couple of months ago, and all was happy again!
Tonight, will be meatloaf night, with all the fixin's...mashed potatoes, corn and biscuits. Here is my recipie for meatloaf:
2 lbs 80/20 ground beef
1 pkg onion soup mix
1 can of rotel tomatos (with the liquid drained)
2 eggs
1 cup bread crumbs (italian style is my favorite)
2 tsp Worcestershire
1 small can of tomato sauce
and just a hand full of each: diced onion, bell pepper, celery
I mix all of the dry ingredients with the meat, mix all the wet ingredients in a bowl together, and then mix the wet and dry. I put it all in the KitchenAid mixer and use the dough hook to mix it.
Then, just place it in the shape of a loaf in a shallow pan, or in a loaf pan if you have one, and bake it! 350 for about an hour and fifteen minutes,or an hour and a half. the last 10 minutes, I add tomato paste or ketchup to the top.
I usually make 'real' mashed potatos, but in a pinch, I use Idahoan instant, and they are delicious as far as instant potatos go! Add a little butter to them, and no one but your mother in law would know different!
My secret to corn is: take 2 cans of corn (whole kernel) drain the water from only one of them. place the corn and the water from one can into a pan, add a couple of pats of butter, with salt and pepper, and let it cook to boiling, then lower the temp, and let it simmer for 10 to 15 minutes :)
and the biscuits you ask....??? well, it just depends on what I have on hand. Sometimes they are canned, sometimes they are made with Bisquick, and sometimes, it is just a slice of white sandwich bread!
Shopping at Albertson's
The first thing I do, when I walk in Albertson's, is grab a sale ad, and the booklet on the bottom of the sale ad rack. This booklet has Albertson's coupons in it, that can be stacked with a mfr coupon! Sometimes, there are mfr coupons in there too, so just read the coupon, to make sure.
I had a $2 off mfr coupon for Silk. Albertson's is the cheapest place in town for Silk. It was $2.99. When I walked in last month, there was a $1 off Albertson's coupon for Silk, right on the rack! So, I used 2 mfr coupons, and 2 Albertson's coupons, and got 2 half gallons of Silk for free!
In the savings booklet this past spring, there was a coupon for $5 off any Hormel tenderloin. My husband was in heaven when he got to the meat dept, and the Hormel Tenderloin was on sale. It was buy 2 get one free. So, we picked up 3, got to the register, used 3 of the Albertson's coupons and paid less than $8 for all 3 tenderloins!
I had a $2 off mfr coupon for Silk. Albertson's is the cheapest place in town for Silk. It was $2.99. When I walked in last month, there was a $1 off Albertson's coupon for Silk, right on the rack! So, I used 2 mfr coupons, and 2 Albertson's coupons, and got 2 half gallons of Silk for free!
In the savings booklet this past spring, there was a coupon for $5 off any Hormel tenderloin. My husband was in heaven when he got to the meat dept, and the Hormel Tenderloin was on sale. It was buy 2 get one free. So, we picked up 3, got to the register, used 3 of the Albertson's coupons and paid less than $8 for all 3 tenderloins!
Shopping at Target
My local Target is a favorite stop for me. I can pick up anything from groceries to clothes there. On occasion, I am dragging around, so I can also step into the Starbucks and get a little shot of caffine :)
Target has coupons on their website. www.target.com/coupons You can print them from your computer at home, and stack them with mfr coupons. I try to match these with sales also, to get the best deals, but sometimes, it is a great deal without the sales.
Example: there was a target coupon for $1 off Lunchables with fruit, plus I had a mfr coupon for $1 off Lunchables with fruit. I went into my local target, and there was an unadvertised special on these, for $2.49, so after my coupons, I only paid .49 cents! I also had printed a coupon for $1off any PaperMate product, and the PaperMate pens were on sale for .99cents! So, they were free!
When I am at Target, I always look at the clearance shelves. I found unsweetend Kool Aid clearanced at .11cents each, and I had a mfr coupon for $1 off of the purchase of 10 :) I got 10 Kool Aid pkts for .10cents!! Just the other day, I had a coupon for $1 off the purchase of 4 cans of Progresso soup, and Target had some on clearance for .89cents! I love the Hearty Tomato and my husband loves the Clam Chowder! So, we both got our favorites, for a very reasonable amount!
The only problem I have had at my local Target, is one of the cashiers. Only one of them! So, I avoid her, if at all possible. There are times, when she is the only one available, so I just keep a smile on my face, and try to be polite. If she makes a mistake, I just go straight to the Customer Service counter, and have them fix it.
Target has coupons on their website. www.target.com/coupons You can print them from your computer at home, and stack them with mfr coupons. I try to match these with sales also, to get the best deals, but sometimes, it is a great deal without the sales.
Example: there was a target coupon for $1 off Lunchables with fruit, plus I had a mfr coupon for $1 off Lunchables with fruit. I went into my local target, and there was an unadvertised special on these, for $2.49, so after my coupons, I only paid .49 cents! I also had printed a coupon for $1off any PaperMate product, and the PaperMate pens were on sale for .99cents! So, they were free!
When I am at Target, I always look at the clearance shelves. I found unsweetend Kool Aid clearanced at .11cents each, and I had a mfr coupon for $1 off of the purchase of 10 :) I got 10 Kool Aid pkts for .10cents!! Just the other day, I had a coupon for $1 off the purchase of 4 cans of Progresso soup, and Target had some on clearance for .89cents! I love the Hearty Tomato and my husband loves the Clam Chowder! So, we both got our favorites, for a very reasonable amount!
The only problem I have had at my local Target, is one of the cashiers. Only one of them! So, I avoid her, if at all possible. There are times, when she is the only one available, so I just keep a smile on my face, and try to be polite. If she makes a mistake, I just go straight to the Customer Service counter, and have them fix it.
Shopping at CVS
CVS gives ExtraBucks (xb) and they also give gas cards. You must have a CVS ExtraCare card, but they are free, and it is a simple process to get them. Just ask the cashier, and give your phone number or email. See, that is simple! The tricky part about CVS, is you have to keep your register receipt. This is where the xb are printed. And every time you go into CVS, scan your ExtraCare card on the 'magic coupon machine'! There are some really great deals on there sometimes!
Example: Charmin double roll 16 pk is on sale for $9.99, Puffs Plus lotion are on sale 2/$3, Bounty 12 pk paper towels are on sale for $9.99. If you purchase $25 in any combo, of these three products, you get $10 xb. I bought 2 pkg Charmin and 4 boxes of Puffs, used 2 mfr coupons for the Charmin (50 cents off each) and 4 mfr coupons for the Puffs (50 cents off each), which saved me $3, plus I received $10 xb. So, I spent $23, and got $10 xb back to spend on my next transaction, which was, as you guessed it, DIAPERS! haha CVS also has a sale this week on certain products, including diapers, which are buy one, get one at 50% off. I had scanned my card, and was given a coupon for $4 off diapers when you buy wipes. I bought 2 jumbo pks of diapers, and a .99 cent box of wipes. The total was around $15, but after my $4 off cvs coupon, and the sale, I used my $10 xb, and only ended up spending .89 cents out of pocket for this transaction.
I know it all sounds confusing, but a little bit of practice, and some helpful CVS employees, and you will be a pro in no time! I have been doing this for years, and I still get confused :)
Example: Charmin double roll 16 pk is on sale for $9.99, Puffs Plus lotion are on sale 2/$3, Bounty 12 pk paper towels are on sale for $9.99. If you purchase $25 in any combo, of these three products, you get $10 xb. I bought 2 pkg Charmin and 4 boxes of Puffs, used 2 mfr coupons for the Charmin (50 cents off each) and 4 mfr coupons for the Puffs (50 cents off each), which saved me $3, plus I received $10 xb. So, I spent $23, and got $10 xb back to spend on my next transaction, which was, as you guessed it, DIAPERS! haha CVS also has a sale this week on certain products, including diapers, which are buy one, get one at 50% off. I had scanned my card, and was given a coupon for $4 off diapers when you buy wipes. I bought 2 jumbo pks of diapers, and a .99 cent box of wipes. The total was around $15, but after my $4 off cvs coupon, and the sale, I used my $10 xb, and only ended up spending .89 cents out of pocket for this transaction.
I know it all sounds confusing, but a little bit of practice, and some helpful CVS employees, and you will be a pro in no time! I have been doing this for years, and I still get confused :)
Shopping at Walgreens
Walgreens gives Register Rewards (RR). These are printed after the transaction is completed. These are like cash, that can only be used at Walgreens. Example: Organix hair care is on sale 2/$12. When you buy 2, the register will print a $5 RR. That is like paying 2/$7. If you have a manufacturer (mfr) coupons, you can add them to the transaction. Say you had (2) $1 off coupons. Add them to the transaction, and you have taken $2 more dollars off. When all is said and done, you have spent $10 out of pocket (oop), and you have $5 to spend on your next transaction. Example 2: Walgreens ad has a coupon for dove soap, for 99c. I have a coupon for '$1 off the purchase of any dove product'. So, I would use that, with the Walgreens ad coupon, and get the soap for free.
The tricky part about the RR, is you cannot use them to get more RR. Say you bought the Organix hair care products, and got your $5 RR. If you use the RR to pay for it, the system will not print another RR. You can, however use them on other items. Lately, since we are expecting another grandbaby, I wait for sales and coupons on diapers, and use my RR to stockpile diapers and wipes.
The tricky part about the RR, is you cannot use them to get more RR. Say you bought the Organix hair care products, and got your $5 RR. If you use the RR to pay for it, the system will not print another RR. You can, however use them on other items. Lately, since we are expecting another grandbaby, I wait for sales and coupons on diapers, and use my RR to stockpile diapers and wipes.
My wish for this blog...
My wish is to help my followers live a little more frugally, and not have to sacrifice, in order to have the good things in life.
The first thing that comes to my mind, when I think of saving money, is coupons! Although, couponing can be quite confusing, after a few trips, you will be fluent!!
In my area, we have Walgreens, CVS, Target, Albertsons, United, Family Dollar and Dollar General. There are no places in my area, that double coupons, but, some places have 'store' coupons, that can be used with a manufacturer coupon. In my next few posts, I will try to explain this a little better :)
The first thing that comes to my mind, when I think of saving money, is coupons! Although, couponing can be quite confusing, after a few trips, you will be fluent!!
In my area, we have Walgreens, CVS, Target, Albertsons, United, Family Dollar and Dollar General. There are no places in my area, that double coupons, but, some places have 'store' coupons, that can be used with a manufacturer coupon. In my next few posts, I will try to explain this a little better :)
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