Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Combat Carl Has A New Jacket!

This is the jacket they talked me into making for poor ole Carl who had no shirt. This army guy is quite a character at our house. You see- he has had his arm replaced, a foot, and there is something wrong with one leg they said. He's a walking miracle- but at least he now has a jacket! ;-)

Devil's Food Cookies

These are the perfect quick cookie for the night you set up your Christmas tree!
We always have cookies with hot chocolate, hot herb tea, or milk the night we set up the tree.
1 box Devil's Food Cake
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil, butter, or other fat
Mix well. Drop by teaspoons on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350 for approx. 10-12 minutes.

Melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips with 1 T butter. Mix well. Spoon into small sandwich baggie, twist top up, snip a tiny bit off of one corner, swirl on cooled cookies.

Top with Christmas sprinkles if you like!

Chocolate Buttermilk Cake and Cooked Pantry Topping

Need a quick & frugal cake?

 Cake:
2 cups plain flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1 1/4 cup buttermilk or kefir
1/2 cup oil or melted fat
1 1/2 t vanilla
Preheat oven to 350. Mix dry ingredients. Blend in liquid ingredients. Beat until smooth.
Pour into 2 sprayed small cake pans or one 9x13. Bake approx. 28 minutes. 

Cooked Topping:
1/3 cup cocoa
3 T butter
1 cup sugar
3T cornstarch
1 t vanilla
pinch of salt
1 cup boiling water

Whisk dry ingredients in sauce pan to mix well. Pour in 1 cup boiling water. Cook until thickened. Add butter, whisking until melted. Remove from heat. Add vanilla. You may spread while warm on warm cake. This is like a fudgy pudding when it's warm.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Alibris Coupon Codes- extended Cyber Monday

Alibris


Alibris has tons and tons of books. Often you can find the same or better deals there, than other places online. With these special coupon codes, you likely can get the best prices with them through 11/30.

For $5 off $50 use the coupon code SPLURGE.
For $15 off $100 use the coupon code TREAT.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Swagbucks Swidget

On my sidebar, I put up a cute little Swidget. When you're here, be sure to click "Swag Codes", then"Check If There's A Swagcode"!    If there are current available codes, it will give them to you!


Local Grocery Sales...

Just the highlights:

Kroger:
Hunt's Pasta Sauce 10/$10
5lb flour $1.99
Boneless,Skinless Kroger Chicken Breasts $1.99
Kroger 12 to 16oz Cheeses $2.99
Milk $2.79 gallon
12 double rolls Northern $5.99
Chicken of the Sea Tuna .69
24oz Cottage Cheese/Sour Cream $1.99
Ground Beef $1.99
3lb Tangerines $1.99
Avocados 10/$10
Cabbage .49
Tomatoes on the Vine $1.49

Food Lion:
assorted bulk apples .99
Hellmann's B1G1F
24oz ketchup .89
Gwaltney Bacon B1G1F

Aldi (as starting on the 30th):
Boneless Ham Steak $1.69
Frozen Broccoli Cuts .85
Bay Scallops 5.99
Smoked Gouda or Edam $2.99
NY Extra Sharp White Cheddar 2.69
Cooking Spray $1.29
Confetti Cake Mix .99
Holiday Frosting $1.29
Gingerbread House $6.99
Rice Krispies Holiday House Kit $4.99

***My personal notes***
Prices on baking supplies usually go down within a week to two weeks of Christmas. That's a great time to stock up on chocolate chips, butter, and hopefully self-rising flour can be found in bulk at Sam's during that time too! (It isn't usually but can be found at Cash-n-Carry, usually, and I often get the discounted bags.) Also, keep looking at the deals on turkeys and hopefully hams will drop closer to Christmas as well. It would be a good time to stock some in your the freezer! (I bought 6 last month and we're down to 4!)   Also eggs are .49 at Aldi last I checked and butter was down to $1.99. I hope the butter comes down even more!


Menu-

 Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!
My frugal tip of the week: Check your local weather and plan to do your baking on the coldest days. It will keep your home warm and toasty and your furnace from kicking on!

SATURDAY:
-Wheat Chocolate Chip Pancakes
-Biscuits, bacon, eggs, gravy, Dandelion Syrup
-Salmon Patties, mashed potatoes
snacks:Devil's Food Cookies, apples and caramel
SUNDAY:
-peanut butter granola and milk
-Turkey, Homemade Dressing, mashed potatoes, Green Bean Casserole,Cranberry Cheesecake
-leftovers from lunch
snacks:Apple Pie Smoothies, peanut butter and crackers
MONDAY:
-Fried Eggs and toasted Breakfast Bread
-leftovers from Sunday, Prune Cake
-turkey and gravy on homemade half wheat Kaiser Rolls
snacks:Apple Crisp, Blue-Strawberry Kefir Smoothies
TUESDAY:
-Cream Cheese Strawberry Bread
-Butternut Squash Soup, 1 Hour Loaves, Spiced Pear Jelly
-Cheesy Meat and Potatoes Casserole, slaw, green beans
snacks: toasted bread from lunch with butter and honey, sliced apples
WEDNESDAY:
-eggs and applesauce
-ham bone pinto beans, cornbread, fermented kraut, Amazing Peanut Butter Bars
-pinto beans, creamed corn, slaw, swiss chard, cornbread
snacks:buttered popcorn, sliced apples
THURSDAY:
-Bug Oats with cinnamon
-chili from leftover beans, Crispy Cinnamon Chips
-Roast Beef w/ leeks and gravy, steamed broccoli,Shortcakes with strawberries
snacks:Chili-Spiced Almonds, Coconut Chocolate Chip Muffins
FRIDAY:
-Whole Wheat Johnny Cakes
-Beef and Cabbage Stew, Marble Spelt and Rye
-Cheeseburger Pizza Pie, Lemon-Blueberry Cheesecake Bars
snacks:carrot sticks and dip, raisins, sliced apples

Botanic Choice Cyber Monday Deals...

Botanic Choice Cyber Monday Special! FREE SHIPPING on ANY ORDER! PLUS get $10 off orders over $50. Code: CYBMON. Exp: 11/30/11


Take $10 off any order of $25 or more at BotanicChoice! Plus shipping is just $2.95! Coupon Code: NOV10 Exp 11/30/11


Take 20% OFF and get Free Shipping on any order of $25 or more at Botanic Choice! Coupon Code NOVAF Offer expires 11/30/11



Sunday, November 27, 2011

Making Barbie Clothes...


One day last week, DD and I spent some time watching youtube videos and making Barbie clothes. (The pink dress and floral skirt.) I have much more to make, by her request, and several ideas for gifts flowing through my overcrowded mind(fancy gown). She also has brought me an army man that needs a shirt. Gulp! Guess he's been drafted to be Barbie's new Ken!
(Hope she doesn't ask for shoes!)
There are a few printable patterns here and here to sew and several to knit on the first.

And speaking of dolls- wait til you see what Brandy's been up to!

Cyber Monday Deals-



Starting at Midnight tonight, here's some of what you'll see:

  • Sony Cybershot DSC-HX5V 10.2 MP Digital Camera: $199 (save $150)
  • Pentax K-5 Digital SLR (Body Only): $999 (save $200)
  • Microsoft Xbox 360 250GB Holiday Bundle (includes Fable III and Halo Reach): $199 (save $100)
  • Nokia N8 (Unlocked): $299.99 (save $249)
  • Monster Diddybeats Headphones: $59.99 (save $89)
  • Save 50% off select Hasbro games
  • Save up to 50% off select VTech electronic toys
  • $25 off purchase of $100 or more on DEWALT tools
  • Save more than 40% off select TechnoMarine watches
  • Freshwater Cultured Pearl Button Stud Earrings, Set of 3: $16.99 (save $63)
  • Save 25% off orders of $75 or more on select brands in Shoes & Accessories
  • Save up to 60% off sweaters and fleece for Women, Men, Kids and Baby
  • Bodum Bistro Electric Handheld Immersion Stick Blender (Orange): $49.99 (save $50)
  • Mercer Cutlery Genesis 6-Piece Knife Set: $99.95 (save $150)
  • Panasonic Linear Vortex Shaving System: $78.99 (save $171)
  • Bissell PowerEdge Hard Floor Vacuum: $29.99 (save $20)
  • Popular album titles including "Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson, "Metals" by Feist and "Bon Iver" by Bon Iver (MP3 Downloads): $4.99 each
  • "Twilight" series DVDs: $6.99 each 
Be looking for them and so much more!



Shop Amazon’s Clothing Outerwear Sale - 40 to 60 Off Women, Men, Kids, and Baby

And yes, if you click through Amazon links and order anything, that blogger gets a small bonus from Amazon!



Friday, November 25, 2011

Amazon Deals....




















Looking for online places to shop or special discounts?

First- be sure to click over on my side bar for Amazon's Black Friday Deals. Remember, they'll change frequently throughout the day so be sure to check back!

MoneySavingMom is running special after special at various stores, along with special promo codes and discounts.

HeavenlyHomemakers is offering a special discount code on all ebooks. Enter PINKFRIDAY and get 25% off. Remember, Laura does have things for children as well.

Homeschool Giveaways and Freebies has an amazing giveaway going on.

Hearts at Home is offering 30% off today. (home school supplies, books, more)

Bright Ideas Press is offering 20% off your entire order for Black Friday/Monday by entering code NoMoreLinesForMe.

The Homemaker's Mentor is offering the 2011 Blessing Bundle II for $8.95- quite a cut from the normal $39.95.

If you have Webkinz fans at your house, Ganz eStore is offering some special Black Friday deals as well. (Some will last through the weekend.)

Alibris Alibris is offering $10 off $99 or more. Use CELEBRATE code at checkout.

Kohl's Coupon

Get 15% off. CodeGOBBLE15

Use Coupon

You also get $15 Kohl's cash for every $50 you spend.


If you are going to stores, be sure to check out Surviving the Stores! Go to her "Retail tab" to see if you can locate discount codes for stores that you will need to be shopping at.

Happy shopping!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Cranberry Cheesecake


1 pkg graham crackers (9 whole crackers), crushed fine
2 T (cane) sugar
6 T melted butter
Mix well. Press in deep pie plate. Bake 5 minutes at 350.

1 can of whole berry, cranberry sauce
Puree cranberry sauce and allow to drain in mesh strainer. Shake well and press slightly.

2 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
3 eggs
1/2 cup (cane) sugar
Blend cream cheese with sugar until fluffy. Add remaining ingredients and blend well.

Pour 1/3 cream cheese mixture over lightly baked graham crust. Drop cranberries by spoonfuls over cream cheese. Pull butter knife through cranberries, gently so as not to disturb the crust. Top with remaining cream cheese mixture. Bake at 350 for approx. 30 minutes until edges are set and center is almost set. Cool and refrigerate.

Homemade Dressing

3 cups cornbread, finely crumbled
1 1/2 cups bread crumbs (biscuit, light bread, no crust)
1 can chicken broth
1 cup celery, very finely chopped
1 medium onion, very finely chopped
1 1/2 t minced garlic
2 teaspoons ground sage
1 stick melted butter
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 t poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon rosemary
1 teaspoon dried parlsey

Combine all ingredients. Mix well. Spread in sprayed baking dish. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until lightly browned. (If dry, add warm water.Sprinkle lightly with water to before reheating and cover tightly.)

Monday, November 21, 2011

Menu:

Welcome to Menu Plan Monday and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

SATURDAY:
-peanut butter granola and milk
-leftover homemade pizza, pickled okra, Impossible Pumpkin Pie
-Beef Stew, cornbread, leftover 7 Layer Cookie Bars
snacks: sliced apples, chips and salsa
SUNDAY:
-Wheat-n-Buckwheat Pancakes, real butter, maple syrup


Then our Thanksgiving begins!
We'll start on Sunday and go through Wednesday. (My older children will be leaving for T-giving weekend.)  I'm fixing TONS of food and we will eat like oinkers for days!
We'll spend our time reading about the Pilgrims, doing crafts, puzzles, games, and just hanging out.
Here's what we'll be eating, even having pie at breakfast,
Sunday -Wednesday:
Cranberry Cheesecake
Thankful For Jesus Vanilla Cake
Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Green Bean Casserole
20lb Turkey
7lb Ham
Homemade Cornbread Dressing
8qts Potato Salad
Buttered Brussel Sprouts
Greens
Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

THURSDAY:
-leftover pancakes from the freezer
-Beef and Cabbage Soup, Rustic Spelt Rolls, jelly
-Pizza, sliced apples
snacks:buttered popcorn
FRIDAY:
-fried eggs, toasted Wheat Bread
-leftover pizza, baked apples
-Roast Beef with Gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, Orange Pumpkin Cake w/ Buttery Cream Cheese Fr
snacks: Monkey Bread from rustic spelt roll dough

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Another New Page-

I've got LOTS more I want to share, but I had enough to be useful, so I went ahead and published the new FrugallyFreeHomeSchool page at the top. I pray you'll find lots of helpful resources on the links to free home school materials.
Blessings!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Beef and Cabbage Stew


 2 quarts of beef broth
1/2 a head of cabbage, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium carrot, shredded
1 quart of home canned tomatoes, drained and chopped (or 2 cans diced, drained)
1/4 to 1/2 t pepper or more(what's cabbage without pepper?)
2 t sea salt 
1 lb ground beef
1/4 cup Worcestershire Sauce
1/2 t minced garlic

Simmer cabbage, onions, carrot, tomatoes, pepper, salt, and broth for about 30 minutes.
Brown and drain ground beef. Add beef, Worcestershire, and garlic; simmer for 5 to 
10 more minutes.

*Note: You will want to watch the pepper in relation to your Worcestershire Sauce as some are more peppery than others.

Cream of Cheese and Vegetable Soup

2 quarts chicken bone broth (or water with 2 cubes bouillon)
2 medium onions, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
2 stalks of celery, finely chopped
3 T butter
2 cups milk
2/3 cup plain flour
2 t salt
1/2 t black pepper
1/2 t paprika
1/4 t fine, rosemary
1/4 t marjoram
1/2 t ground mustard
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar

Saute the veggies in butter until soft. Pour veggies in blender with a little broth and pulse.
Pour veggie mixture and remaining broth in pot, along with seasonings. Simmer for 25
minutes or so. Shake flour in a container with the milk until well blended and pour into
soup. Stir until it begins to thicken. Add cheese and heat just until melted and well blended.

Served here with lightly toasted white bread with cheese and parsley.

A Frugal Lunch With All Food Groups

I found a large package (16 count) of these little flat sandwich breads for .99 last week. I think they're so cute! I was able to use them for 2 days worth of lunches like this.
Tuna salad with boiled eggs and chopped onions, with spinach leaves, on the whole grain breads. Pickled okra and apples drizzled with caramel. Yummy! 
Two days of lunches, for all of us, for about $3.50.

My DH Thinks I Eat Odd Things for Breakfast....

This was my incredible breakfast that he finds so repulsively, un-entertaining ;-)


It's oatmeal, butter, honey, chopped dates, and Salba seeds with a cup of kefir.Mmm!

Monday, November 14, 2011

MENU:

 Welcome to Menu Plan Monday!
Frugal tip for the week: Making breakfast is cheaper than buying it in a box! ;-)
SATURDAY:
-Buckwheat Pancakes
-French Onion Soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, sliced apples
-Fried Chicken Liver, potato wedges, spinach salad
snacks:leftover tuna salad with crackers, Vanilla Cake
SUNDAY:
-peanut butter granola and milk
-Cheeseburger Macaroni, cinnamon toast
-homemade pizza (Brandy's dough)
snacks:apple 'nachos' (sliced apples with drizzled caramel, chocolates (gift!)
MONDAY:
-peanut butter granola and milk
-leftover pizza, romaine salad w/ Kefir-Ranch Dressing, ,Golden Broccoli Salad, ,Fried Bananas
-soft tacos with refried beans, Blueberry Crisp
snacks:kefir-berry smoothies, sliced apples
TUESDAY:
-soaked oatmeal with butter and honey
-pinto beans, cornbread, fermented kraut, pickled okra
-oven-fried chicken legs, pinto beans, potato salad
snacks:Impossible Pumpkin Pie, sliced apples
WEDNESDAY:
-scrambled eggs and applesauce
-Butternut Squash Soup,Rosemary Olive Oil Bread, Crunchy Peanut Butter Balls
-Chili from leftover beans,Oatmeal Scotchies
snacks:kefir-berry smoothies, sliced apples
THURSDAY:
-soaked oatmeal with coconut
-Frittata, romaine salad, leftover broccoli salad, Grandpa's Oatmeal Muffins
-Roast Beef with gravy, mashed potatoes, green peas, leftover muffins
snacks:Cream Cheese Strawberry Bread, sliced apples
FRIDAY:
-soaked oatmeal with butter and molasses
-Beef and Cabbage Stew, Yogurt Rye Bread, Dandelion Syrup
-Beef and Sausage Italian Meatloaf,veggie-pasta salad, romaine salad w/ Italian Dressing
snacks:Simple Glazed Mocha Cake, sliced apples

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Thinking Out Loud Tonight...Children, the Bible, and the Vipers that Await Them

During recent days, I took some time (too much really) to look around at the big, bad, and sometimes ugly world and see how things were ticking. Please don't get me wrong, I'm an optimistic person by nature. I can usually find something promising in a rock! But- looking at what others are saying here and there on the big WWW, I've nearly made myself vomit with nausea.

There are atheists and venomous vipers out there lurking and waiting for your children and mine, to come out of our warm, safe, Christian homes- and right into their traps.

They've made it their life's goal to educate themselves on logic, fallacies, ad hominem, and lunacy and rebellion against the Word of God....like NOTHING I've ever seen here in Smallville.

They know the Scriptures probably better than you and I, and they are so much like their father- the father of lies?- that you almost can't tell them apart. It's only a little flesh on their bones that gives them away... They take the blessed Word of God and they do just as our arch-nemesis did in the garden. "Thou shalt not surely die!" And they go on to say that "God lied" because Adam and Eve did not die right then and there. Do your children have an answer for that? The snakes have one that they are lying in wait to give to your children and mine.

Looking further my eyes and heart burned with indignation for our beloved God. And fear nearly rattled my brain at the thought of what this great God will one day do to those who refuse to turn from their sins. These vultures are lurking and they can't wait to pounce on our children and back them in a corner with; "If your God is so loving, why are kids starving to death this very night? And if your God is so loving, why did He order so many deaths in the Old Testament? And if your God is so much better than their god, then why did He say people who did certain sins in the Old Testament should die...after all, He is the same God as in the New Testament, isn't He? So what makes Him any better than their god?"

Oh but the madness doesn't stop there my friends in the faith! I had one tell me just today that the only things that mattered in the whole Bible were just the exact words that Jesus Himself spoke in the New Testament.... while telling me that I needed to go read my Bible. In my exasperation, I tried to quote some verses back to this person, but the Words of that precious Book were unacceptable on that forum. Seems that "Scriptures" are equated with "curse words" in many places today. But again I ask, do your kids have an answer for that?

I think of these verses and I'm convicted:
Deu 6:7-8 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.

And I think of this:
1 Pet 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh..


And this one;
Col 2:8  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.



I'm forced to confess my inadequacies to God and beg for His guidance, knowledge, and help.
He promises to help you and me!
James 1:5-6  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering...


Well- what about faith and asking in faith not wavering?
Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

His Word is our supply of faith and the more we go to It, the more faith we can gain. The more faith we can gain, the more we can ask for that "wisdom" in prayer and be "given liberally"- it is a wonderful cycle that He has created!

Oh that God would help us, because the vain philosophers are there, crouching and waiting.

I shared this because it was on my heart tonight (after reading so much filth) but it is reading these things that has caused me to add a couple of things to our reading list this year. (One
and Two and I would love to get the series
for younger kids.)

Let us pray for one another!
And please do tell me if you have other suggestions for preparing children, spiritually, for the wild world!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Amazon Can Help With Christmas Shopping

Do you have special items that your children would love and family members that ask what to get them?
Amazon is a perfect way to let your family know just what your children want or need for Christmas.
You can easily create a Wish List by clicking on the Add to Wish List tab on the right side of the screen while you are viewing the items. Books, toys, clothes, and so much more can be added.

AND- on the other end of this- Are you wondering what to get someone but can't quite find what they would like?
If you know their email, you can access their Wish List!



Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Planning a Frugal Thanksgiving..

 I love to fix up a bunch of food at Thanksgiving (and Christmas). I fix enough at Thanksgiving to last for lunch and supper for about 4 days. This way, all we have to do is heat up the food and PLAY!

One of the things I try to do this time of year is locate one of our favorite stories:

We learned about that book when we did Five in a Row years ago.

We also like to read about the Pilgrims, the Mayflower , and The First Thanksgiving.

This link has printable activities for kids during the week of Thanksgiving or while you're trying to cook on the big day. (I need to kick that one back to the top!)

Here's a cute activity that my kids have done through the years while I'm cooking the dinner.

And here's a little of how and what I cook and what we did in 2008 to celebrate Thanksgiving, and kids' table setting here.

I have a about half of this ready and all set...the other half I still have to get together! :-)

What are your frugal Thanksgiving plans?