Saturday, November 29, 2008

Super Savings Saturday

No Black Friday shopping for me! I stayed warm and cozy at home yesterday and enjoyed some relaxing time with the kids. I finally ventured out today for a little grocery shopping!

Harris Teeter:

6 Martha White corn muffin mix (FREE! .50 ea - .55/2Q doubled)
2 Huggies Pull Up Mega packs (sale 13.99 - 1.50/1Q)
4 Swanson chicken broth (sale BOGO - .25/4Q doubled)
1 Arnold Natural's whole wheat bread (sale 1.99 - .55/1Q doubled)
2 gallons HT Organic milk

Total oop: $41.15
Total savings: $18.38

Kroger:

3 KR shredded cheddar cheese (sale 3/$5)
2 KR cream cheese 8oz block (sale 1.00ea)
2 Eggland's Best eggs (2.59 - .35/1Q doubled)

Total oop: $11.01
Total savings: $5.81

Lowes Foods (2 transactions):

1 LF cola (FREE w/greenpoints)
2 LF paper towels (sale 1.29ea)
2 Muir Glen Organic chicken noodle soups (sale 2.00ea - .75/1Q doubled)
3 Green Giant frozen snap peas (sale 1.00ea - .50/2Q doubled)
4 Green Giant frozen broccoli spears (sale 1.00ea - .50/2Q doubled)
4 Green Giant frozen corn niblets (sale 1.00ea - .50/2Q doubled)
2 Green Giant frozen spinach (sale 1.00ea - .50/2Q doubled)
2 Green Giant frozen green peas (sale 1.00ea - .50/2Q doubled)
1 Green Giant frozen lima beans (sale 1.00 ea - .50/2Q doubled)

Total oop: $12.54
Total savings: $29.07

Total oop: $64.70
Total savings: $53.26

Super Savings Saturday is hosted by Money Saving Mom, helping you become a better home economist!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Rejoice & Give Thanks!


Thanksgiving blessings from our family to yours!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

A Simple Feast



Our Simple Feast


Roast Turkey with fresh Sage & Thyme and Pan Gravy


Long Grain Brown Rice


Sweet Potatoes (sliced) with butter, cinnamon & brown sugar


Fresh Green Beans sauteed with garlic




No Bake Chocolate Whipped Pie


Green Jello salad



Image: Vintage Holiday Crafts



Sunday, November 23, 2008

Grounded

It's Dave's birthday, and we're stuck at home! Sidelined by a radiator replacement on our van. Last year, such an expense so close to Christmas would have been a financial crisis. This year, thanks to our emergency fund and careful budgeting, it's just a disruption to my well thought out plans for the day. At least we have cake!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Menu Plan Monday - November 17th


To help minimize the fuss of putting dinners together during the week, I decided to include soup nights to the menu plan. It seemed fitting especially with the drop in temperature. This week, I tried two new recipes from a new to me blog - Heritage Schoolhouse. Both the Autumn Chowder and Tortilla Soup were delicious! I can't wait to try some of the other yummy looking dishes featured by Mrs. H!

Dinner:

Saturday - Autumn Chowder (from Heritage Schoolhouse)

Sunday - Tortilla Soup (also from Heritage Schoolhouse)

Monday - Leftovers!

Tuesday - My Veggie Lo Mein

Wednesday - Smoked sausage with peppers & onions over organic brown rice

Thursday - Chicken Salad sandwiches on whole wheat (adding diced, hard boiled eggs to the recipe)

Friday - Homemade Pepperoni Pizza (from Tammy's Recipes - Anne Jisca's Easy Pizza dough recipe - using 2 cups whole wheat, 1/2 cup white flour)


For more meal plan ideas, visit Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie, host of Menu Plan Monday!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Kroger Mix & Match

Last week, Harris Teeter's four day triple coupon event kept me pretty busy! This week, I was able to turn my attentions to Kroger's Mix & Match promotion. Buy any 10 promotional items and receive $5 off instantly! I love Kroger's promotions because in addition to the instant $ off, you can combine coupons with the sales items for some big savings!


Mix & Match Items:

4 Dial Men's bar soap 3pk -- sale 1.50 - .30/1Q doubled
3-5lb bags Domino sugar -- sale 2.50 - .50/1Q doubled
1 Quaker Old Fashioned oats -- sale 1.50 - .50/1Q doubled
14 cans Carnation evaporated milk -- sale 1.00 - .50/2Q doubled
3 Land o Lakes butter with canola spread -- sale 2.50 - .50/1Q doubled
6 Scotch Brite Nail Saver sponges -- 1.99 - .50/1Q doubled

Other:

16lb frozen Honeysuckle White turkey -- sale .39/lb
13lb frozen Honeysuckle White turkey -- sale .39/lb (*Buy a second turkey during the Thanksgiving sales for Christmas. In December, the turkey sales usually aren't as good!)
Huggies Pull Ups Jumbo pk -- 10.99 - 1.50/1Q
8 jars Beech Nut baby food -- sale .47 - 1.50/8Q
2 bags KR shredded cheddar cheese -- sale 1.66 ea

Less $15 Mix & Match savings

Total oop: $41.17
Total savings: $86.11

Super Savings Saturday is hosted by Money Saving Mom - helping you become a better home economist!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Whatcha Listening To?

I've been enjoying a little bit of this...



Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
~ John 15:13 (KJV)

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Harris Teeter Triples!

Four days - triple coupons. Need I say more! Just finished up another great triple coupon event at Harris Teeter. I think everyone showed up this time as my fav local couponing site, Savvy Dollar, was featured on the news twice this week promoting the great savings of triples. It's wonderful to see everyone out saving even if it does mean waiting a little longer in line. With today's economy, you definitely have to make every dollar count. And there's no better way to inexpensively stock your pantry than triples!

7 Reynold's baking cups (1.19 - .25/1Q = .44ea)

1 Baker's Joy (sale 2.49 - .50/1Q = .99)

2 Smart Balance popcorn 3ct (2.89 - .50/1Q = 1.39ea)

18 Fleischmann's yeast strip 3ct (FREE! sale .99 - .45/1Q)

1 Pace salsa (2.69 - .50/1Q = 1.19ea)

1 Domino sugar 5lb (2.79 - .50/1Q = 1.29)

3 Coffee Mate powder (1.99 - .50/1Q = .49ea)

6 Campbell's cream of mushroom soup (sale BOGO - .25/4Q = .56ea)

6 Campbell's cream of chicken soup (sale BOGO - .25/4Q = .56ea)

14 cans Swanson white meat chicken (sale 1.79 - .75/2Q = .66ea)

4 Swanson chicken broth (sale BOGO - .40/4Q = .35ea)

4 Swanson beef broth (sale BOGO - .40/4Q = .35ea)

1 King Arthur Unbleached All Purpose flour 5lb (4.39 - .65/1Q = 2.44)

4 Bumble bee tuna pouches (FREE! 1.39 - .55/1Q)

3 Glass Plus (FREE! sale 1.49 - .50/1Q)

2 Pace Picante sauce (2.49 - .50/1Q = .99ea)

1 Synder's Multi-grain pretzel sticks (3.49 - .75/1Q = 1.24)

1 Earthbound Organic mixed baby greens salad mix (sale 3.79 - .75/1Q = 1.54)

8 Arnold's Natural whole wheat bread - no HFCS (sale 1.99 - .55/1Q = .34ea)

7 Kotex pantiliners (FREE! 1.29 - .75/1Q)

6 boxes Martha White corn bread mix (FREE! .50 - .55/2Q)

1 can Veg-All (FREE! sale .75 - .35/1Q)

3 Beech-Nut yogurt juice blends (FREE! 1.39 - .75/1Q)

Other:

3 gallons HT Organic milk

2 bags Mission Tortilla strips (sale BOGO)

4 dozen Born Free Cage Free eggs (sale BOGO)

1 Schlitz 12pk ---> for Dave LOL!

2 HT Apple juice

8 jars Beech Nut baby food (markdown .34ea - 1.50/8Q = .15ea)

3 Halloween cookie cutters (markdown .20ea)

Total oop: $85.87

TOTAL SAVINGS: $170.25!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Life Moves On


Well, my guy and gal lost last night. Even Libby Dole is packing up her Senate office and heading home. But life moves on. As John McCain so eloquently urged last night, I will gladly offer President Obama and this nation my prayers as we move forward through these difficult times.

My mother had a huge smile on her face this morning (she's probably not aware I'm a Republican LOL!). I'm sure she never thought in her 74 years of life she'd ever see a Black President. She lived through Jim Crow. Separate bathrooms and water fountains. Segregated restaurants and schools. She's told me the story of when the schools in our area became integrated, my Daddy lost his job. His boss could not stand the thought of Black children attending the same school his children did (side story: As fate would have it, one of my older sisters, who is a nurse, had that man as one of her patients in the hospital. She said when he found out who her father was the look on his face was priceless LOL!). I too feel it's an amazing testament to just how far our country has come. The realization of a Dream.

However, it feels like this election has gone on forever! Has been the subject of too many office conversations and dominated too many talks at home. Time to get back to the everyday matters at hand. Triple coupons at Harris Teeter. PTA meetings, parent teacher conferences and our first report card! Cleveland Browns football on Thursday night and the NASCAR Chase for the Championship, which is down to just two races (my guy is gonna come up short there too). Raking leaves and baking up some seasonal homemade goodness in the kitchen. Yes, that's life!

But as a frivolous aside, I will definitely be checking out Michelle O's hairstyles, makeup and outfits over the next four years!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008


VOTE!
DO IT TODAY!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Thoughts of a Black Republican

I'm a Christian. I'm pro-life. I'm a Southerner, born and bred. I'm Black. And I'm a Republican. At times it feels like Condoleezza Rice and I are the only two LOL! Of course, I know that's not true. But it's not really what most people expect, particularly in this election. My family didn't bat an eye when they found out I was marrying someone of another race. Didn't question why I was leaving the Baptist faith to become a Catholic. But to tell them that I'm a bona fide card carrying member of the Republican party?!?

For me, it is simply a matter of life. I believe in the sanctity of life from conception until natural death. It's a conviction that I've held strongly since seeing the ultrasound of our first child. Even though she did not look like a baby at that point, what stood out to me the most was her strong heartbeat. And I knew at that moment, even though this life was housed within my body, it was God-given. That He alone was the author and giver of life. And while no one party fully respresents my beliefs in their entirety, the Republican party is the best fit for the issues I believe in.

But don't think the historic nature of this election is fully lost on me. There was a time that as a Black child if you said you wanted to be President of the United States when you grew up, it was almost like saying you wanted to be Santa Claus LOL! But now it's not only a possibility but a reality. I hope it shows young Black men there is more to aspire to than athletics or entertainment. That you can be intelligent, well spoken, highly educated, professional, mingle amongst a broad spectrum of people and still have a strong self identity (although there is a number of Black conservatives that provide the same example). And Mrs. Obama demonstrates that Black women are beautiful and intelligent, and not the stereotypical image that is sadly often protrayed of us in the media (again, Secretary of State Rice is also a fitting example).

Menu Plan Monday - November 3rd


Happy November! We had a pretty busy weekend. Errands on Saturday and a wonderful day at the museum with friends on Sunday. Needless to say, no menu prep was done this weekend {gasp!} However, with a day off this week, two homework free nights and a relatively easy menu plan, it wasn't really needed this week {yay!}

Dinner:

Saturday - Chicken with Mushroom & Onion gravy, over organic brown rice & steamed broccoli (A delicious crockpot meal! It was like eating Sunday dinner on a Saturday night!)

Sunday - Pizza Out after a fun day out with friends!

Monday - Marinated London Broil with organic brown rice & steamed veggies

Tuesday - Chicken Salad sandwiches on whole wheat (adding sliced hard boiled eggs to the recipe)

Wednesday - Smoked sausage, green beans & potatoes

Thursday - Homemade Pizza Pockets (my answer to Ashleigh's question of when I was going to buy some more of those Totino's pizza snacks!)

Friday - Breakfast for Dinner! Pancakes with homemade brown sugar syrup, scrambled eggs and bacon.

For more meal plan ideas, visit Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie!