Monday, December 31, 2012

Menu Plan Monday 12/31/12

Monday: Turkey Chili
Tuesday: Parmesan Crusted Chicken, Cranberry Acorn Squash, Sauteed Mushrooms
Wednesday: Beef and Cabbage Bake
Thursday: Spinach Turkey Meatloaf & Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Friday: Sausage & Sauerkraut
Saturday: Roast Pork Loin with Garlic and Rosemary & Cucumber Salad
Sunday: Crockpot Beef Stew

Harris Teeter Super Doubles Begins Wednesday!

Harris Teeter will start the year off with a week of Super Doubles beginning on Wednesday.  Here in the Franklin/Nashville area we have been part of the lucky few that have been able to enjoy Super Doubles every Wednesday at our local Harris Teeter stores.  Hopefully that will continue in the new year!  An entire week of Super Doubles is more exciting as so many online money savers will be analyzing the deals available.  Here are just a few to check out:

Southern Savers
Moola Saving Mom
A Penny Filled Pantry
The Coupon Challenge
A Full Cup

Hot Coupon World will have a great list up probably today or tomorrow.  Check out their list of catalina deals at Harris Teeter as combining that with Super Doubles could make for some great deals!

Saturday, December 15, 2012

Things you can make with junk!

You have not heard much from me lately as I have been spending my time feverishly finishing an art commission!  This is made from many old McDonald's machinery parts. It's a commission for a retiring executive that went to its new home in Chicago this week!  McDonald's (yes, the fast food company) sent me a huge box of parts and I reassembled them into this:








Thursday, November 29, 2012

Franklin's Dickens of a Christmas December 8 & 9!

Dickens of a Christmas – Saturday & Sunday, December 8-9, 2012

Dickens of a Christmas brings entertaining weekend to Historic Downtown Franklin
It’s a 27-year holiday tradition in Historic Downtown Franklin on the second weekend in December to travel back in time about 150 years to a Main Street from the time of Charles Dickens, and the tradition continues this year Dec. 8-9, 2012, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Dickens of a Christmas is a free street festival, is open to the public, and is expected to attract some 50,000 visitors over the weekend.

More than 250 volunteers participate in the event as characters from Dickens’ stories, vendors or street performers. Show up any time over the course of the weekend, and you’re sure to meet Ebenezer Scrooge, his unfortunate partner Marley (the ghost in chains), little Tiny Tim Cratchit and his family, and many more, including Father Christmas.

Anyone is invited to join the fun by showing up in costume and engaging with the characters on the street, or just come as you are and enjoy a beautifully preserved Main Street with more than 70 unique shopping and dining destinations in the 15-block National Register Historic District.
Activities include:
  • Horse-drawn carriage rides around the Public Square for $2 per person.
  •  A holiday bazaar arts & crafts area encircles Franklin’s charming Public Square.
  • Dancers and street musicians on Main Street throughout the event. Violinists, hand bell choirs, harpists, carolers and even a water harmonica player all add to the entertaining street scene.
  • Costumed characters from Dickens’ stories interacting with visitors on the street. Scrooge bellows his “Bah! Humbug” while the Cratchit Family parades the streets with Tiny Tim. Ghosts of Christmas Past and Future make regular appearances. Urchins under the direction of the nefarious Fagin from Dicken’s Oliver pester English Bobbies (who are actually Franklin Police Officers on duty in costume). Father and Mother Christmas delight children.
  •  Victorian treats abound, from authentic fish ‘n’ chips to turkey legs, roasted nuts, kettle corn, roasted corn, roasted pork, sausages and sugar plums.
  •  Everyone is invited to join the Town Sing starting at the Public Square at the town Christmas tree at 4:30 p.m. Sunday with candles ($1 donation requested) and song sheets.
Dickens of a Christmas is free and open to the public, presented by The Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County and its division, the Downtown Franklin Association, which seeks to protect and preserve the architectural, geographic and cultural heritage of Franklin and Williamson County and to promote the ongoing economic revitalization of downtown Franklin in the context of historic preservation.

Getting there: From Interstate 65, take Exit 65 and head west toward Franklin for three miles on Highway 96/Murfreesboro Road/Third Avenue South, which runs into the Public Square at the heart of the festival. Turn right or left at Church Street as you approach the Square to access either of the two free parking garages on Fourth Avenue South or Second Avenue South. Additional on-street free parking is available.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Several Free Christmas Album Downloads

Looking for a way to get into the Christmas spirit without spending any money?  Check out these free Christmas album downloads from Amazon!

Free Must-Have Christmas Masterpieces
Green Hill Christmas Music Sampler
Truly Tribal Christmas
Christmas Anthem
Bell Medley

HERE are also free Christmas downloads from Last.fm!

Monday, November 19, 2012

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

280 Christmas Song Downloads for .99!

Amazon is currently offering 280 Christmas songs for .99!  That is over 13 hours of music!  What a great way to get into the holiday mood.  Go HERE to check it out!

Friday, November 9, 2012

Butterball Printable Coupons

Butterball has some great coupons out right now, especially the turkey bacon which is a frequent sale item.  Go HERE to print your coupons!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Link Love: Apple Cider Margaritas

Now here is a great new drink to try at your Halloween party!  Go HERE for a recipe for Apple Cider Margaritas!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Great Savings at Publix!

I did not realize that Publix had its Gas Card deal going on right now (Middle Tennessee).  I had to stop in to get a school item for a child on Thursday when I saw the signs.  So Friday I made a scenario to take advantage of this great deal!  Prices are good through Tuesday.

OOP: $57.48 (includes $50.00 Gas Card, so it is like getting all of the above for $7.48)


3 Klondike Potatoes, 1.99
-(3) 1.25/1 printables (NLA)
Final Price: .74 ea

6 Quaker Oatmeal Canisters, 2.79 BOGO
-(3) $1/2 MF Qs
Final Price: .90 ea

2 Friendship Sour Cream, 2.29
-(2) .70/1 Publix Q from Yellow Flier
-(2) .70/1 MF Q blinkie
Final Price: .89 ea

12 Yakisoba Noodles, .99
-(12) .50/1 MF Qs, doubled
Final Price: Free+

Sundown Vitamin C, 4.69
-$2/1 Publix Q from Green Flier
-$1/1 MF Q peelie
Final Price: 1.69

Sundown Vitamin D, 3.29

-$2/1 Publix Q from Green Flier
-$1/1 MF Q peelie
Final Price: .29

4 Skittles Bags, 3.29 BOGO
-$1/2 printable
Final Price: 1.15 ea

Parsley, .99

Finish Detergent, 6.99 BOGO
-.50/1 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: 2.50

Gas Gift Card, $50
-$10/1 Publix Q
Final Price: $40

-$5/$40 Publix Q from homemailer

Total before sales/coupons:  121.42
Coupons: 45.55
Sales: 18.39
OOP: $57.48 (includes $50.00 Gas Card, so it is like getting all of the above for $7.48)

Monday, October 15, 2012

Kroger GM Catalina Trips - All for Free!


OOP: $15.92 (saving 86%)
Ended shopping with $20 in Catalinas for next shopping trip. 
Basically all items were free and I have an additional $4.08 to spend!


This is the combination of five trips and two different stores so as not to clear any shelves!   There are just a ton of these products on the shelf so I don't think too many people understand these deals yet!  While I generally try to stay away from too many prepackaged foods, they are convenient when life gets busy.  I am now stocked up on quick kid meals or sides on those busy sport nights!

GM Products (Buy 5 get a $5 Catalina OYNO):

33 Betty Crocker Potatoes, 1.00
-(16) .50/2 MF Qs, doubled
-.50/2 eCoupon
Final Price:  .50 ea (MM .50 ea after catalina)

3 Betty Crocker Pouch Cookie Dough, 2.49
-(3) .50/1 IP Qs, doubled
-.50/1 eCoupon
Final Price: 1.32 ea (.32 after catalina)

9 Hamburger Helper, 1.50
-(3) .75/3 IP Qs
Final Price: 1.25 ea (.25 after catalina)

20 Betty Crocker Mac & Cheese, 1.00 ea (free after catalina)

Non GM Catalina Products:

Dreamfields Pasta, 2.79
-.55/1 MF Q
Final Price: 2.24

Milk, 2.99

Cranberry Dried Beans, 1.99

Kroger Chili Seasoning, .40

-(9) $5 GM Catalinas

Total before sales/coupons:  $112.77
OOP: $15.92 (saving 86%)
Ended shopping with $20 in Catalinas for next shopping trip. 
Basically all items were free and I have an additional $4.08 to spend!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Kroger $5 off of 5 Sale!

Kroger is having a Buy 5 get a $5 catalina OYNO sale!  From what I have read, the catalina is a store catalina and you have 7 days to use it.  You can also purchase more in one trip and your catalina amount for those purchases will print (buy 10 get $10).  You can mix and match.  In the past, I have been able to roll the catalina so that after the initial purchase, there is little to no out of pocket.  Go to Southern Savers for the full list.  Here are the highlights for me (price after catalina when purchasing five items):

Betty Crocker Brownie Mix 2/$5
-.75/2 10/7 SS
= $1.20 ea (use 2 .75/2)

Betty Crocker Cake Mix 4/$5
= .25 ea

Betty Crocker Potatoes 10/$10
-.50/2 9/9 SS, 10/7 GM
= $2 MM (use 2 .50/2)

Betty Crocker Mac & Cheese, 10/$10
= FREE

Old El Paso Taco Shells, Tortillas or Refried Beans, 8-12 ct. or 16 oz, $1.25
-.60/3 9/9 SS or printables
= .13 ea (use 1 .60/3 but would make an even better deal if you combined it with other items)

There are numerous eCoupons that you can also load to your Kroger card for these items, so don't forget to visit the Kroger, cellfire and shortcuts sites to update your card.

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Pumpkin Fest in Franklin, TN!

This is a great free activity to put on your calendar!

29th Annual Pumpkinfest Fills Franklin's Main Street October 27, 2012

One of Downtown Franklin’s favorite annual traditions, Pumpkinfest, will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2012, on Main Street and the surrounding streets.

The 29th Annual Pumpkinfest will feature more than 75 arts and crafts vendors, a children’s activity area on 3rd Ave. S., Five Points stage, Sister Cities’ Great Pumpkin, Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook-off and more.

And there’s a night-time cemetery tour in Downtown Franklin with the “Grave Matters: The Stories Behind the Stones” tours Saturday night, Oct. 27, at the Old City Cemetery and Rest Haven Cemetery from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, see www.franklinonfoot.com.
 
The street festival of Pumpkinfest is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Franklin’s Main Street from First  to Fifth Avenues. The fun continues until 9 p.m. on Main Street from 4th to 5th Avenues, with children’s activities and booths closing at 6 p.m.
 
Other activities include:
  • The Taste of the South tent on 4th Ave. S. invites the public is invited to taste the best in local cuisine and spirits throughout Pumpkinfest.
  • The Franklin Tomorrow Chili Cook-off on 3rd Ave. S.  from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. on  Oct. 27. Tickets to taste chili from local organizations and restaurants will be available for $8 during the event.
  • Fall and holiday arts and crafts around the Public Square from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More than 60 vendors will be displaying hand-crafted items perfect for fall and the holidays.
  • Cemetery Tours 7 to 9 p.m. Participants will walk from tombstone to tombstone at the historic Resthaven cemetery on North Margin Street, hearing from costumed re-enactors about the people who are buried in certain graves. Tickets are $15 per person for adults, $5 for children, but the activity is not recommended for children under 6. Tickets are available from www.franklinonfoot.com and at the Heritage Foundation. Participants should bring a flashlight and wear close-toe shoes.
  • Costume Contest starts at 3 p.m. at the Five Points stage. It’s $1 for each entry and categories are pets, children ages 0-5, ages 6-13 and 14+. Enter at the headquarters tent on the Public Square between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
The annual fall event is presented by Bank of America and Waste Management and produced by the Heritage Foundation of Franklin & Williamson County and its division, the Downtown Franklin Association. Pumpkinfest is co-sponsored by the City of Franklin, Jackson National Life, Publix Super Markets, Fox 17, MY30, CW58, Williamson A.M./The Tennessean, Clear Channel Radio, and Williamson Medical Center.Pumpkinfest is open to the public with free admission except for special activities as noted. For more information please call 615-591-8500 or visit www.historicfranklin.com.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Link Love: Goodwill Costume Shopping Ideas

If you want to be creative and unique in your costume hunting this season, check out these tips on costumes you can create from your finds at Goodwill!

Monday, October 1, 2012

Link Love: Furnishing Your House Frugally

Check out this cool article about how this person furnished her house for only $716.97!  There were numerous links worth checking out.  If you have never tried free cycle, I recommend it.  That is how we got our Red Bone Coon Hound.



Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Free Jazz Sampler Download at Amazon!

If you like jazz music, Amazon has a great jazz sampler to download, Green Hill Jazz Sampler. Download the entire album to make it free.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Publix Shop 9/22/12

OOP:  $59.85  (Saving 55%)

It's not the best week at Publix but there are still a few great deals available.  Prices are good through Tuesday. 

2 Chex Mix, 1.35
--(2).50/1 Bugles, Chex Mix, Pillsbury Baguette chips or Gardettos, 4.5 oz + printable (limit reached), doubled
Final Price: .35 ea

4 Yoplait Kids Yogurt, 4 pk, $1.50
-(2) $1/2 MF Qs from inside packaging of lunch boxes bought at Target
Final Price: $1.00 ea

Milk, 2.99
-Free WYB 6 products Running In Running Out Promotion (six above)
Final Price: Free

4 Johnsonville Chicken Sausage, 3.50
-(4) $1/1 MF Qs, 07-22-12 SS
-(4) $1/1 Publix IP Qs
Final Price: $1.50

4 Kraft Sliced Cheese, 2.50
-(2) $1/2 Publix IP Qs from coupons.com
-(4) $1/1 MF Qs from tearpad found at Publix several weeks ago
Final Price: $1.00 ea

2 Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 8 oz, $1.67
-(2) .50/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: .67 ea

6 Minute Made Juice Boxes (2 pictured), 2.00
-(6) .75/1 Minute Maid juice boxes, 10 pk. printable
Final Price: 1.25 ea 

2 Jennie-O Sausages, 2.99 ea
-(2) $1/1 Publix IP Qs
Final Price: 1.99 ea

2 Gourmet Garden Spices, on sale 3.50
-1.50/2 MF Q from tearpad found at cooking station several months ago
Final Price: 2.75 ea

2 Quaker Oats, 2.79
-$1/2 MF Q from tearpad
Final Price: 2.29 ea

2 Old El Paso Taco Seasoning, .65
-(2) .50/1 IP Qs
Final Price: Free+

6 Momma Francesca Parmesan Cheese, 3.49 BOGO (Rain Check)
-(6) $1/1 IP Qs
Final Price: .75 ea

3 Betty Crocker Pouches, 1.19
-(3) .50/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: .19

Vigo Palm Hearts, 2.09

2 International Delight Creamers, 2.50 ea
-$1/2 MF Q blinkie
Final Price: 2.00

2 Dole Pineapple, .75
-.50/2 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: .25 ea

Filippo Berio Olive Oil, 4.59
-$1/1 Publix IP Q
-$1/1 MF Q hangtag
Final Price: 2.59

2 Lays Potato Chips, 3.00
-$1/2 IP Q from Facebook
-$1/2 Publix Q from small booklet mailed to me
Final Price: 2.00 ea

Land O'Frost Premium Lunch Meat, 3.99
-$1/1 MF Q from Kroger homemailer
Final Price: 2.99

-$5/$25 Harris Teeter Coupon

Total before sales/coupons:132.28
Sales: 20.13
Coupons:  52.30
OOP:  $59.85  (Saving 55%)



Oversized Cucumbers?

This year my 11-yr-old son worked on the Boy Scout garden to earn a badge.  If you have never done Scouts with your son, I highly recommend it.  It's inexpensive and teaches your son so many useful skills!  Just so you know, you do not have to have done Cub Scouts to become a Boy Scout.  My boys have done Cub Scouts, but I discovered that everything basically starts over when you move to Boy Scouts (badges, etc.).  I was actually happy because while I did as much as a working mom could do when it came collecting badges in Cub Scouts, he did not collect them all.  

Anyway, my son focused on the gardening badge during the summer.  He would go every Saturday and Tuesday to plant, weed, and pick vegetables.  Often I or my husband would help.  It was a great learning experience for the kids and for us as we have never gardened before.  They sold the vegetables a couple of times in our small town and the boys actually earned some money.


One Saturday toward the end of summer I was helping the boys pick vegetables and noticed a whole section of cucumbers that were huge.  I asked about them and was told that they were worthless as they had become too large to sell.  I asked to take a few and was told that I could have as many as I liked.  So I took a few home and cut them up to see what they were like.  They tasted like slightly bland cucumbers, not tart.  The white flesh was thicker than the typical store bought cucumber.  

I thought there must be something you could do with them so I started researching recipes.  I discovered that this one canning recipe, Cinnamon Cucumbers, came up over and over again.  It was often accompanied with fond memories of childhood and grandmothers so I knew I had a winner.  It actually required oversized cucumbers to work.  I had plenty of those!  So I went back to the farm and picked bags of them.


Someone online recommended buying a Home Depot 5 gallon bucket for this three day process which is what I did.  In the future I will probably purchase a large stock pot that is not plastic but if these had turned out awful, I did not want to invest a lot of money.  

DAY 1

The first thing you have to is clean, skin and cut the cucumbers.  Some recipes have you cut them like rings, but since this was my first attempt I went the easy route.  You have to cut the seeds off the center and slice to bite size.


Put in 5 gallon bucket until it is about half full.


Mix 2 cups pickling lime and 8 1/2 quarts cold water. Pour over cucumber rings. Let stand 24 hours. 

DAY 2

Drain. Wash and put in cold water. Let stand 3 hours. Drain. Put in large cooking pot.

Mix 1 cup vinegar, red food coloring (used half a bottle), 1 t alum, and add enough water to cover. Simmer 2 hours. Drain. Return to five gallon bucket.

While cucumbers are boiling, mix 2 cups vinegar, 10 cups sugar, 2 cups water, 1 package red hot cinnamon candy, 8 cinnamon sticks. Bring to boil. Make sure all Redhots are dissolved.  Pour over cucumber rings. Let set overnight.

Notes: Numerous people online had difficulty finding Redhots.  Apparently Walmart carries them but I found them at Dollar Tree.  Because they were in small packages I used two the first time.  I have made the recipe three times now, the first exactly as the recipe requires.  I have found that as I boiled the cucumbers, when I doubled the vinegar and alum it turned out better.  You can find alum in the herb/baking section of the grocery store, not in the canning area).  Also the first batch did not have enough liquid to completely can all the cucumbers (probably because I had a ton) so in the next two batches I doubled the liquid (4 c vinegar, 20 c sugar, 4 c water, 4 packages red hots, 16 cinnamon sticks).





DAY 3

Drain off liquid; heat and pour back over cucumbers.  



Day 4

On last day, heat cucumbers in sauce to simmer, pack in jars (with or without cinnamon stick in each), and seal in water bath for 10 minutes.



These turned out great!  They taste like crunchy cinnamon apples.  You actually would not know that these are cucumbers.  This would make a great side dish, particularly during a holiday.

Here is the original recipe from Cooks.com:


2-3 gallons cucumber rings
8 1/2 qts. cold water
Red food coloring
1 tsp. alum
2 c. water
8 cinnamon sticks
2 c. pickling lime
1 c. vinegar
2 c. vinegar
10 c. sugar
1 pkg. red hot candy

Mix 2 cups pickling lime and 8 1/2 quarts cold water. Pour over cucumber rings. let stand 24 hours. Drain. Wash and put in cold water. Let stand 3 hours. Drain. Mix 1 cup vinegar, red food coloring, alum, and add enough water to cover. Simmer 2 hours. Drain.

Mix 2 cups vinegar, 10 cups sugar, 2 cups water, 1 package red hot cinnamon candy, 8 cinnamon sticks. Bring to boil. Pour over cucumber rings. Let set overnight. Drain off; heat and pour back over cucumbers. Do this for 3 days. On 3rd day, pack rings in jars; seal.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

For the Locals: Touch a Truck

Even my older kids love this event. Your kids get to touch trucks and climb all over inside and out. It is actually very interesting. The last time we went there were large semi type trucks that you could see the apartments in behind the driving area. I always wondered what those looked like. This is a great event to add to your calendar!


Touch A Truck
October 13th, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the parking lot of Thompson Station Church, 2604 Thompson’s Station Rd.
Free.
Kids can climb on and sound all the horns and whistles on 40 different trucks. Entertainment, crafts, prizes and concessions.
Contact for more information: 615-302-0971, ext. 16.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Back...

Sorry for no posts lately. We have been visiting family in Florida to attend my Great-Grandmother's 100th birthday party! Thought I would share one of my favorite views...


Saturday, September 8, 2012

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Kroger Mega Trips!

I have generally not been impressed with Kroger lately but this Mega sale coupled with the Kraft catalina rocks! Now is a great time to stock your freezer with cheese. For those of you who have never frozen cheese before and think that is strange, keep in mind that all those frozen pizzas have cheese on them and you don't think twice about that cheese! Really, most of the time you can't tell the difference if your cheese has been frozen. Just fyi, the Kraft catalina rolls. Go here to see current catalinas including the one for Kraft. Below you will see three trips, the last two using the Kraft catalina.



OOP: 9.08 (Saving 80%)

All prices listed after Mega Deal applied.

Trip 1:


Mega Deals:

2 Capri Sun, 1.69
-(2) $1/1 IP Qs, NLA
Final Price: .69 ea

15 Kraft Barbecue Sauce, .49
-(5) $1/3 MF Qs
Final Price: .16 ea

2 Boulder Canyon Chips, 1.79
-(2) $1/1 IP Qs
Final Price: .79 ea

Cinnamon Toast Crunch, 1.49
-.50/1 eCoupon
Final Price: .99

Non-Mega:

Kroger Bread, .88

3 Seafood Snackers, .79
-(3) .50/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: Free

Total before sales/coupons: 41.47
Coupons: 11.87
Sales: 20.52
Total OOP: 9.08 (Saving 80%)


Trip 2 & 3 Combined, Total OOP: $12.43, Saving 83% (with $7 OYNO Catalina remaining)

Trip 2:

Oscar Mayer Bologna, 1.67

7 Kraft Cheese Slices, 1.49
-(7) $1/1 IP Qs, NLA
Final Price: .49

2 Kraft Mayo, 2.49
-(2) .55/1 MF Peelie Qs (found this trip)
Final Price: 1.94 ea

Non-Mega:

Radishes, on sale .79

Carrots, on sale .79

3 Heinz Ketchup, 1.00
(3) .50/1 MF Qs, doubled
Final Price: Free

Total before sales/coupons: 39.63
Sales: 15.42
Coupons: 12.10
Total OOP: 12.11
Received: $10 OYNO for Kraft Purchases and $2 OYNO for Kraft Mayo

Trip 3:

8 Kraft Cheese Slices, 1.49
-(4) $1/2 MF Qs blinkies
Final Price: .99 ea

2 Kraft Mayo, 2.49
-(2) .55/1 MF Peelie Qs (found this trip)
Final Price: 1.94 ea

-$12 Catalina from last trip

Total before sales/coupons: 33.62
Sales: 26.20
Coupons: 7.10
Total OOP: .32 (Saving 100%)
Received $5 OYNO for Kraft purchase and $2 OYNO for Mayo. I actually purchased the wrong size Kraft slices which was not part of the catalina deal but still part of the Mega deal. The slices must weight 12 oz not 10. I tested it on a later trip and it worked fine with the 12 oz and resulted in a $10 OYNO.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Super Easy Smoked Sausage and Beans Crock Pot Recipe

I found this recipe in a Better Homes and Gardens Crock Pot Recipe Book that I purchased at a second hand store. On a very busy day last week I tried it out, and it was a winner especially for the guys! It will definitely be added to our favorites.

Smoked Sausage and Beans

1 can red kidney beans
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can great northern beans drained
1 can butter beans
1 lb smoked turkey sausage, halved lengthwise and cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 1/2 cups catsup
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 c packed brown sugar
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 t dry mustard
1/2 t bottled hot pepper sauce

In a 3 1/2 to 5-quart crock pot combine all ingredients and mix.

Cover; cook on low 8 hours or high for 4 hours.

*The only thing I would do differently for my family of five would be to add another can of beans and a second package of sausage.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Dollar Tree Now Takes Manufacturer Coupons!

Dollar Tree is now taking Manufacturer Coupons! Go HERE to view their coupon policy. I would suggest that you print it and take it with you as the cashiers may not know, which is often the case when coupon policies change. I foresee some very cheap or free soap in the future!

Link Love: How to Freeze a Year's Supply of Herbs

This was the first year that I have had a garden. Some things worked out and some not so much. I am still learning. One of the plants that worked out really great was mint. Apparently it grows like a weed and will actually take over your garden bed of allowed. One of the best parts of mint is that is will return year after year with out replanting. I have to admit that I planted it so that I could make my own Mojitos but have found many other recipes to use it in! Now that it is turning fall, I wanted to store some of the herbs that I successfully grew in my garden. Kevin Jacobs at A Garden for the House has a fantastic post about how he stores his herbs. I just love the cigar idea. Check it out!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Hurry! Pioneer Woman's Cookbook Download for $3.99

I love this woman's recipes and her blog. Everything I have ever cooked with her recipes has turned out great! Check out Amazon to get the KINDLE version of The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Food from My Frontier for $3.99.

Amazon prices will change without warning so purchase quickly!


Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Link Love: Walgreens Friends and Family Discount Tomorrow!

Check out Southern Saver's Post on how to get 15% off at Walgreens tomorrow for their friends and family sale! Couple that with purchasing their sale items with coupons and you could get some fantastic deals!

Friday, August 24, 2012

Target Trip 8/24/12

There were some great chicken and clearance deals this week at Target! It really pays to print out the Target brand coupons before you go just in case they are on sale. This is the second time I have found $2 coupons on Target meat (the first was on ground beef). If your Target carries meat, be on the lookout for these! They are promotions, not due to approaching good through date.

OOP: $19.37 (Saving 58%)

6 Golden Plume Whole Chickens, regularly 5.39, on sale 4.58
-(6) $2/1 Target Qs peelies on product
Final Price: 2.58 ea

4 Market Pantry Frozen Brown Rice, on clearance .54 ea.
-(2) .50/2 Market Pantry Frozen Vegetables Target peelies
Final Price: .29 ea

2 Market Pantry Frozen Pineapple, on clearance 1.17 ea
-(2) $1/1 Any Market Pantry Frozen Fruit Target IP Qs
Final Price: .17 ea

3 Rose Art Liquid Glue, .34 ea
-$1/3 MF Q
Final Price: .01 ea

2 PaperMate Pen Packages, $1 ea
-(2) $1 off PaperMate writing instrument, (Target coupon) printable
Final Price: Free

Iam's Dry Dog Food, $3.00
-$3/1 MF Q from manufacturer (had forever)
Final Price: Free

2 YoCrunch Yogurt, .60
-(2) .25/1 IP Qs
Final Price: .35 ea

Total before savings: $45.87
OOP: $19.37 (Saving 58%)

Saturday, August 18, 2012

For the Locals: Frist Family Free Day

Here's a date to put on your calendar! The Frist is having a free family day on Sunday, October 21st from 1 to 5:30 pm. Go HERE for more information about family activities!

Monday, August 13, 2012

Menu Plan Monday 8/13/12


Monday: Baked Tilapia and Fresh Spinach & Rice
Tuesday: Rosemary Pork Chops & Garlic Cauliflower
Wednesday: Sausage with Onion and Bell Pepper & Crockpot Cheesy Spinach Casserole
Thursday: Chili
Friday: Chicken Carbonara & Pasta
Saturday: Crockpot Pork Stew
Sunday: Turkey Bacon Frittata

Check out Orgjunkie.com for more ideas!

Friday, August 10, 2012

Harris Teeter Super Doubles Trips!

These are the trips over the last three days. It's a great time to stock up on things that are generally not at a good price. Prices and sales are good through Tuesday!

OOP: $8.02 (Saving 88%)

3 Vanity Fair Napkins, 2.39
-(3) $1/1 MF Q, doubled
-$1 ZVR
Final Price: .06

3 Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls, 2.19
-(3) $1/1 MF Q, doubled (peelie booklet from KMart when I purchased coffee)
Final Price: .19 ea

Eckrich Sausage, 2.50
-.55/1 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: 1.40

4 Honest Tea, 1.33
-$1/2 Honest Tea printable, doubled
Final Price: .33

5 Old Orchard Juice, 3.29 B2G3
-(2) $1 off Old Orchard Very Cherre tart cherry juice or juice blend printable, doubled
Final Price: .52 ea

Ocean Spray Juice, 2.99
-$1/1 IP Q, doubled
Final Price: .99

Silk Protein Drink, 1.50
-$1/1 IP Q, doubled
Final Price: Free

Finish Dishwasher Detergent, 5.79 BOGO
-$1/1 MF Q from Kroger homemailer, doubled
Final Price: .89

2 Eat, Think, Smile Health Bars, 1.50
-(2) $1/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: Free

Smart Balance, 2.27
-$1.10/1 IP Q, doubled
Final Price: .07

Total before sales/coupons: 66.20
Sales: 19.69
Coupons: 38.49
OOP: $8.02 (Saving 88%)

OOP: $16.44 (Saving 83%)

2 Finish Dishwasher Detergent, 5.79 BOGO
-(2) .75/1 IP Qs NLA, doubled
Final Price: 1.39 ea

8 MT RX Bars, on sale $2 ea (2 different kinds)
-(4) $2/2 IP Qs, doubled
-(2) $2 ZVRs
Final Price: Free+

2 Wholly Salsa, 2.49
-(2) $1.50/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: Free

2 Green Giant Steamers, 2.75 BOGO
-(2) .50/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: .37 ea

Sambuzan Juice, 2.99
- $1.50/1 IP Q, doubled
Final Price: Free

2 Silk Protein Drink, 1.50
-(2) $1/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: Free

Roman Meal Bread, 3.19
-$1/1 MF Q peelie, doubled
Final Price: 1.19

2 Blue Bunny Ice Cream, 3.29
-(2) $1/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: 1.29 ea

2 Beef Jerkie, 2.99
-(2) $1/1 MF Q (found at hair salon), cashier stopped from doubling
Final Price: 1.99

4 Emerald Almonds, 5.89 BOGO
-(2) $1.50/2 MF Q from inside package of previous purchase, doubled
Final Price: 1.44 ea

Total before sales/coupons: 96.62
Sales: 30.21
Coupons: 49.97
OOP: $16.44 (Saving 83%)

OOP: $10.08 (saving 86%)

3 Vanity Fair Napkins, 2.39
-(3) $1/1 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: .39 ea

2 Wholly Guacamole, 2.79 BOGO
-(2) $1/1 MF Qs, doubled
Final Price: Free

Wholly Salsa, 2.49
-$1/1 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: .49

Cetaphil Bar, 4.39
-$2/1 MF Q, doubled (had forever, probably from dermatologist office)
Final Price: .39

Always Infinity, 4.99
-$2/1 MF Q, doubled
-$2/1 ZVR
Final Price: Free+ (MM)

Tampax Pearl, 4.49
-$2/1 MF Q, doubled
-$2/1 ZVR
Final Price: Free+ (MM)

6 Bumble Bee Tuna, $1
-(3) .55/2 MF Q Blinkie, doubled
Final Price: .45 ea

3 Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls, 2.19
-(3) $1/1 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: .19 ea

Silk Protein Drink, 1.50
-$1/1 IP Q, doubled
Final Price: Free

Finish Dishwasher Detergent, 5.79 BOGO
-$.50/1 IP Q, doubled
Final Price: 1.89

Smuckers Jam, 2.00
-.75/1 IP Q, doubled
Final Price: .50

Meal Deal:
All Below for 6.99
Final Price: 2.99

Nutella, $3.00
-$1/1 MF Q, doubled
-$1 ZVR
Final Price: Free

HT Milk, 1.79

Natures Own Toasters, 2.50
(there is a coupon for this, I just did not have one)

Corn Flakes, 2.79
-.50/1 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: 1.79

Total before sales/coupons: 72.98
Sales: 18.32
Coupons: 44.58
OOP: $10.08 (saving 86%)

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

For the Locals: Free Youth Soccer Instruction!

We have attended these in the past for football and baseball. I am sure soccer will be just as great! Here is the email that I received:

Greetings from Chevy Youth Soccer!

As part of the Chevy Youth Soccer Program, your Selected Chevy Dealers are hosting FREE youth soccer instructional clinics in your area for ages 6-14 with U.K. Elite! You are receiving this email because you signed up for a Chevrolet clinic in the past and I wanted to make sure you were aware of this upcoming opportunity as well! You have not been added to a distribution list and this is the only email you will receive unless you do in fact sign up for one of these events.

Please share the attached invitation with other members of your community as soon as possible! The invitations contain important information about the RSVP site www.chevyyouthsports.com/soccer, which participants will use to register. They will choose Nashville for market and enter kickit for the password!

Here are the details:

Saturday, September 8

Check-in 5:00-5:45pm

Clinic 6:00-9:00pm

Snack 9:00pm

E.S. Rose Park and Sports Complex

1000 Edgehill Avenue

Nashville, TN 37203

--OR--

Sunday, September 9

Check-in 12:00-12:45pm

Clinic 1:00-4:00pm

Snack 4:00pm

E.S. Rose Park and Sports Complex

1000 Edgehill Avenue

Nashville, TN 37203


More on our professional instructors from UK Elite:

UK Elite Soccer Trainers represent professionalism, integrity, act as role models to young athletes and have a wealth of soccer knowledge. All UK Elite Soccer Trainers hold coaching licenses from multiple countries are fully insured and have had a complete background check confirming their suitability to work with children. The UK Elite Curriculum is a blend of all the best known practices and coaching methods from around the globe!

U.K. Elite incorporates methods from England, USA, Brazil, Holland, France, Germany, Italy and emerging soccer countries such as Australia and African Nations. They have active associations with professional clubs, national and International Soccer associations, keeping their curriculum fresh and challenging for every level of player.

For more information on U.K. Elite, check out their blog at www.UKElite.com/blog.


Please do not hesitate to contact me with questions.

Best,
Jen

--

Jen Stoltz
GM Dealer Programs Senior Coordinator
1720 Windward Concourse | Suite 100 | Alpharetta, GA | 30005

Desk: 770.407.8564 | Mobile: 678.313.2470 | Fax: 770.407.8566

Email: jstoltz@gmdealerprograms.com

Web: www.youthsportswired.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/youthsportswired

Twitter: www.twitter.com/youthsportswire

Harris Teeter Catalina Deal on Nature Valley

Nature Valley Granola Bars - Save Up To $3.00 OYNO 8/6-9-2

This may be useful for Super Doubles this week!

Buy Nature Valley Granola Bars (5 cnt or larger) or Nature Valley Granola Thins

Buy 3 and Get $1.00 OYNO
Buy 4 and Get $2.00 OYNO
Buy 5 or more and Get $3.00 OYNO

Valid 8/6 - 9/2/12

Coupon Printed at Register
All items must be purchased in one shopping trip.
Limited to product in stock.
No cash back.

Harris Teeter Super Doubles Begins Today!

Super Doubles is a week-long coupon event where Harris Teeter will double any coupon up to $2.00, 20 per day per Vic card.

Check out these sites for coupon match-ups!

A Penny Filled Pantry


Southern Savers

Faithful Provisions

My Coupon Teacher

Coupon Challenge

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Publix & Harris Teeter Shops

Sales are good at both stores through next Tuesday!

OOP: 14.69 (Saving 61%)
Harris Teeter:

Chobani Greek Yogurt, 5.59
-Free Coupon
Final Price: Free

6 Ball Park Hot Dogs, 3.55 BOGO
-(3) $1/2 MF Qs
Final Price: 1.28 ea

3 Eckrich Sausage, 2.50
-(3) .55/1 MF Qs, doubled
Final Price: 1.40 ea

Chapstick, 1.18

Total before sales/coupons: 37.74
Sales: 11.16
Coupons: 11.89
OOP: 14.69 (Saving 61%)

OOP: 18.89 (Saving 70%)
Publix:

Lucky Charms, 3.99 BOGO
-.50/1 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: .99

2 Smuckers Uncrustables, 3.15 BOGO
-(2) $1/1 IP Qs
Final Price: .58 ea

4 Betty Crocker Box Potatoes, 1.55
-(2) $1.50/2 Publix IP Qs
-(2) $1/2 IP Qs
Final Price: .30 ea

Publix Milk, 2.99

10 Alpo Dog Food, .75
-$1.50/10 MF Q
Final Price: .60 ea

8 Progresso Soup, 1.50
-(8) $1/1 Publix Qs from Stand
-(2) $1/4 IP Qs
Final price: .25 ea

Publix Baby Spinach Bag, 2.49
-$1/1 Bagged Salad WYB Progresso Soup peelie on soup
Final Price: 1.49

Broccoli Slaw Bag, 2.00
-$1/1 Bagged Salad WYB Progresso Soup peelie on soup
Final Price: 1.00

2 Ragu, 2.15 BOGO
-.50/2 Ragu pasta sauce jars, RP 7/29, doubled
Final Price: .59 ea

Country Crock Spread, 2.49 BOGO
-.40/1 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: .44

Wish Bone Dressing, 2.89 BOGO
-.50/1 Wish-Bone Western dressing, excl trial sizes, RP 7/29, doubled
Final Price: .44

Juicy Drop Pop, 1.59 (for my little helper)

-$5/$40 Publix Q from homemailer

Total before sales/coupons: 62.16
Sales: 14.67
Coupons: 28.60
OOP: 18.89 (Saving 70%)

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Learning to Can Jelly!

I have always wanted to learn to can. It just seems so domestic and a great way to preserve food. With the price of food constantly going up, I thought it would also benefit economically. So I began reading everything I could about it. I surfed the net and checked out books at the library. Also, we have a Williams-Sonoma store at our local mall which has free cooking classes every Sunday at 1 pm. They frequently have canning classes and I attended two of them. I loved their cooking utensils for canning, but the price was more than I wanted to dish out for an experiment. Fortunately, Walmart has all the basics that you need at a very reasonable price. Also, Pioneer Woman has a great tutorial on how to can with lots of pictures. Also see part 2 of her canning series.

Now what to can? Hmmmmm.

My kids have gone to the same school for six years. I have driven this road hundreds of times. I just happened to notice at a stop sign that the driveway was lined with trees that bloomed beautifully in the spring and currently have all these cherry size green things on them.

So I stopped and picked a few. Then, because I am clueless about trees, I took them to a local nursery that sells many trees and plants and asked. I also looked them up online just to be sure they knew what they were talking about. It turns out that these lovely little balls are crab apples! Lots and lots of crab apples. Thousands. There are at least four different kinds of crab apples on the property. In six years, I have never seen anyone pick these crab apples. Not once.

Huh. Buckets of fruit at my fingertips, growing along the driveway of my kids' school and I had no idea.

Free fruit.

FREE FRUIT!

Of course I quickly googled crab apple jelly and found some great recipes to try and even a few videos on how to do it on YouTube. According to what I learned, crab apples are most ripe in August/September but if you are making jelly, you should have them slightly less than full ripeness which is now (end of July/beginning of August). Even though I took the kids three times to pick fruit, it did not even put a dent in the quantity on the trees.

I must warn you though, because the fruit is small, it is time consuming to remove stems, blossom ends and cut any blemishes away. However, I think it is worth it! It's also full of pectin which is what makes jelly jelly. So you can add other fruit or herbs to it to change the flavor, using it as a base. And you don't have to buy pectin to add! Just a tip: If you let the fruit sit on your counter a few days before beginning, the stems come off much easier. I found this out on my second batch.

After viewing many recipes and a couple of videos, I began with this recipe for spiced crab apple jelly. It took two days to accomplish. I got through to the straining and allowed it to strain overnight.

On a side note, I submitted a jar of my first ever batch to our local county fair this past week and won first place for apple jelly. WOO HOO! It's a winner!


Spiced Crab Apple Jelly

Ingredients:

7 lbs crab apples (this is about two plastic store bags mostly full), cleaned and halved (end flower cut off and any spots removed)
2 cinnamon sticks
Abt 10 whole cloves
Abt 10 cups of water
8 cups of sugar

Directions:

After cleaning and halving crab apples, place in one or two pots and divide the water. Boil until apples become soft. Replace water as needed. It should easily cover all the apples. As apples become cooked, mash them with a masher. Water should still be fluid. Drain apples with a colander saving the liquid and keeping the apple pulp for the moment. Drain the liquid in the colander again only this time line with coffee filters. You should end up with about 8 cups of liquid. If you do not have that much put some pulp back into the pot, add water and bring to a boil. Do same process and add liquid to the other portion of liquid. Once you have enough liquid toss apple pulp.

Put liquid into a clean pot, add spices and 8 cups of sugar. Sugar should be equal one cup to one cup of liquid. Boil for about 25 minutes and occasionally stirring and removing film. Test with a spoon from the freezer. You will begin to see the cooled liquid on the spoons gelling. Strain spices out.

Can liquid using a hot water bath for ten minutes. Makes abt 8 cans.

Note: Using the above recipe, I also made a batch of blueberry crab apple jelly. During the first boil of the apples I threw in a pint of frozen blueberries and did not add the cinnamon and cloves. It turned the jelly purple and according to the kids was better on a PB & J than grape jelly.

*

Here is another recipe that I tried, and it turned out great as well! Martha Stewart made this while she was in prison from crab apple trees that grew on the prison property! I just happen to have a lovely Rosemary bush growing at my mailbox. If you have never planted an herb, I highly recommend Rosemary. It is a perennial and will not die out. I had one given to me once during a holiday and it sat on my window sill for months. Finally when it was looking sickly I stuck it in the ground by the mailbox and it took off. My mailbox seems to be a popular stopping point for many walkers in the neighborhood!

Martha Stewart's Crab Apple Rosemary Jelly

Ingredients:

5 cups ripe crab apples, stems and end flower removed
2 cups water
sugar to measure
sprigs of rosemary

Directions:

Cut the apples into chunks. Add water and simmer until soft.
Strain the juice through 3 layers of cheesecloth or a jelly bag.
For each cup of juice, add 3/4 cup sugar. Swirl a large sprig of rosemary through the liquid.
Bring the syrup to a boil and cook quickly to a temperature of 220 degrees.
Remove from heat, skim and pour into hot half pint jars. Seal jars by boiling for ten minutes.

*

Finally, to please my husband I tried my hand at Jalapeno Jelly. It turned out extremely well and I will be making it again. My first batch won third place at my local county fair in its category. It was very inexpensive to make. I must warn you that it makes your house smell quite badly according to the kids! I would describe it as sweet and spicy but not hot.

Jalapeno Jelly

Ingredients:

3/4 lb of jalapenos, cored and seeded
2 cups apple-cider vinegar
6 cups sugar
2 pouches liquid pectin
3 drops of green food coloring (optional)

Directions:

Wearing gloves, wash, seed, and core the jalapenos. Puree them in a food processor with 1 cup of vinegar. Pour into a medium sized pot. Add the other cup of vinegar and all the sugar. Bring to a boil while stirring constantly. Allow to boil for 10 minutes. Add the pectin and let it rapidly boil for one minute. Remove from heat and skim the top if needed. If desired, you can add food coloring.

Ladle jelly into clean, warm canning jars leaving a 1/4″ head space. Wipe the rim of the jar and put on sterile lid. Screw on the top. Put in water bath for 10 minutes. Remove, let cool, and check for good seal.

Serve with crackers and/or cream cheese.

Great Deal on Pork Roasts at Food Saver This Week!

With the food prices about to rise dramatically due to the draught out West, you may want to stock up on this great deal.  Food Saver has po...