Ok sooo...another attempt....

So my sister in law and I headed to target to take advantage of some killer deals that the Krazy Coupon Lady mentioned on her website krazycouponlady.com.  Awesome site if you haven't been there.  Anyway...got me some free tooth paste and zantec for .59.  Got to love that.  I also took advantage of the dogfood offer.  Buy 2 bags of Beneful and get a $5- gift card.  Since the sale price was the same as what I would pay at Walmart (cheapest price I found) I bought 6 bags.  My total for dog food, yes was $90- BUT, I got $15- back so my dog food for probably the whole summer will run me $75-.  For 2 dogs food is expensive.  Not probably the greatest deal but it is a savings and I had to buy it anyway.  What have you saved on today?

So Coupons Part Deux....

My sister in law and I recently decided to start using coupons.  Shopping for food items when maybe we didn't need them but stock piling so to speak.  So we went to Fred Meyer last week and on top of the in store savings, the instant manufacturer coupons that we loaded onto our Fred Meyer card, see the web site to do that, we also came with coupons in hand.  Over all we saved another 30% off the already in store deals going on.  I thought that was a pretty good start.  I hope to get better but so far, that saved us a few dollars.  Let me know if anyone else is starting this.  I was inspired by the show extreme couponing.  Crazy what those ladies can do.  Ok...been a busy busy weekend...off to get the kids in bed and relax for a few!  Night all!

Greek Salad and Fake Nails

Yes...those two things do actually relate to my life.  I think with all the dry weather or winter weather my nails are freaking out.  So much so that I had one actually break WAYYYY far back into my nail bed.  I couldn't trim it...it hurt etc... and all the rest of my nails are kind of pealing.  So pretty right?  I felt pretty.  I had on 6 coats of opi nail polish trying to hold myself together and it hasn't been working.  So I caved yesterday and went to the nail salon. Something I haven't done since I was prepping to get married.  So now...acrylic nails.  Granted they are short....and kind of pretty but they look fake to me.  And this is nothing against those gorgeous women out there that have them because really, they do look beautiful on you.  And I truly wish I could pull them off but I feel a bit silly in them.  Like I am playing dress up because for some reason, they just don't fit me.  They are barely past my finger tips but still...They may be shaved down even further.  We will see.  Opinions?

Oh and dinner tonight...YUMMM!  I had a greek salad with Artichoke hearts, Kalamata Olives, Feta Cheese and home made Italian Dressing. Just so good.  Have I mentioned that is is just so great to be eating cheese again;) Hoping you are having a great Tuesday!

Couponing? Anyone?

Anyone else completely inspired by these crazy couponers seen on Extreme Couponing?  My husband and I freaked out last week as we watched one woman take her grocery bill from somewhere in the $600- range and end up paying $2.57 after tax.  I have to say though...they make it look easy.  I was buried in newspaper, printed off coupons and I have yet come up with a  free tube of tooth paste.  Is this why I always throw out the coupons?  I am coupon deficient?  Could be.  Well my sister and law and I are going to see what we can do with the next grocery bill.  I think if you could ultimately save 50%, you are doing great.  I will scan my receipt when we commence to do this experiment and let you know how we do. I am skeptical.  Just like body can take a photo, it takes an artist to be photographer...now I think I may not have "what it takes" to be a couponer...but I will give it a go.  And please...for pete's sake...let me combine some sort of coupon to get something free...you say it can be done....SHOW ME:)  I will get back to you if the coupon manufacturers are listening and magically I get some in the mail.

Oh, wontons were put on the back burner for a bit.  I have misplaced a full packet of wonton wrappers that I had in my freezer.  How do you do that? I don't know.  Probably when I cleaned my freezer out and wiped everything down...maybe they got tossed?  Could be.  So I will be heading to Fred Meyer to get some more.  But baseball starts this week too...so I may have to share a different recipe. One that doesn't involve experimentation...we will see what I can come up with!  Happy Monday....op Tuesday... 12:14!  Time for bed!

Target Deals

I went to Target yesterday and found that they are having some sales;)  Gotta love that right?!?  All their winter stuff is on sale, and I got myself a really pretty pair of gloves for $2.47.  Also my favorite cotton tank tops are back for a third year in a row.  Extremely soft cotton tanks in a wide variety of colors.  Normally $9- each but on sale for $7-.  At the end of the summer last year they were $5-.  If you can hold out that long...you could save a dollar or two.  However, I couldn't.  They had a gorgeous green and a blue that I loved, they had my size so I plunged.  I have had these tanks for three years and they have held up great.  No pills, no rips, no weird stretching.  Just great. Highly recommend!  Happy Hunting!

Sugar Cookies ****

Ok so I am giving them a 4 out of 5 stars as I like sugar cookie cutouts and this recipe as it is SO YUMMY, has to be rolled really thin to not get too puffy.  You will see below in the pictures. I do think that the plump t-rex and other dinosaur's were quite funny though.  Now the ones that were rolled really thin, turned out fine.  Just I thought they weren't as good as some of the other cut out recipes I have done.  Also this is my first that had me refrigerate the dough before making the cookies.  I like starting and finishing a project in one shot and making the cookies in 2 day segments seems...well time consuming;)   So final grade, yummy.  I would make these again.  But I will keep trying for the 5 star sugar cookie. Preferably one that doesn't require refrigeration! 

Soft Sugar Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup margarine
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Cream the margarine and add the sugar gradually. Beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at time, mixing well after each addition.
2. Stir in the vanilla. Add the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt gradually to the creamed mixture, stirring in by hand. Cover and chill dough overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
4. Roll dough out on a floured surface to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick and cut into your favorite shapes. Place cookies onto the prepared baking sheets.
5. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 6 to 8 minutes or until cookie has a golden appearance. 

 

Pear Almond Muffins & Sugar Cookies

Last night instead of my wontons, my kids wanted to bake cookies.  On top of that, my husband came home with a box of RIPE pears.  So we baked sweets last night.  The muffins were good.  I think I can do better with an adapted cake recipe I messed with last summer but these weren't to shabby.  Here is the muffin recipe....

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup chopped peeled pear
• 1/2 cup chopped almonds

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. In another bowl, beat the eggs, yogurt, milk, oil and extract. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in pear and almonds. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

I omitted the actual chopped almonds because I didn't think my kids would eat them.  However, they didn't love the muffins.  They liked them but didn't finish them at breakfast.  

The sugar cookie dough was one that needed to be refridgerated over night. I will review those tomorrow after we bake them tonight and let the kids taste them.  So far, the dough is good!

Have a good Thursday!

Hiatus....

Hi all...I am very sorry for my long absence.  I actually figured something may be wrong with my blog or email because I hadn't had any comments in well...practically ever so I decided to shut it down for a while figuring I may have been talking to my self this whole time;)  And lets face it...when talking to yourself you quickly realize that you are NOT very good company:)  So I popped on today and Voila I had a comment!!!!  I am not alone and my pitty party may now end.  Thank goodness because partying by myself is not fun.


So my little experiment with cheese and my migraines has come to a close.  I gave up cheese shortly after my HUGE migraine in January.  I was cheese free for 8 weeks and have had 2 other migraines in that time.  So...I ate cheese.  No migraine, then again and finally today.  No headache at all.  It's not like I am eating a pound at a time.  Usually 2 slices at lunch with some crackers, veggies and fruit.  One comment mentioned vitamins. I hadn't talked to my doctor about that and honestly would love to hear what he says...thank you for the suggestion.


I am also a lover of baking...so here is what is new with me.  In February I baked two cakes, one for my daughters 5th birthday and one for a friends daughter whom was turning 5. I will post pictures in the food area.  If there are any cake, muffin or dessert recipes or really anything you would like me to try, let me know. I  will bake it and post pictures.  I will also do a "taste test" with my judging panel of 2 5 year old girls and one 7 year old.  My husbands place of work will also get a sample.  So email me and I will try my best to reproduce your wonderful recipes. Look for to hearing from you all!  My first attempt will be Edime wontons.  I tried out soybeans on my family tonight and they loved them.  So...now to wrap them in a wonton and see if they still think they are yummy!