Some Fun New Freebies

Chick-Fil-A chicken biscuit coupon

What to Expect When Your Expecting - free copy of book

Medium Dr. Pepper with any purchase at Arby's

Coupon for free bottle of Suave on 1/14/09 (this date only)

(Thanks Savvy Shopper!!!)

Total Cranberry Crunch sample

Snapfish - 50 free prints & 4x6 flip book - offer only available to new members

Join Friends of Krispy Kreme and receive a coupon for a free doughnut

6 Free Coupon booklets (Betty Crocker, Club Wild, Del Monte, Home Made Simple, P&G, Pillsbury)

Deepak Chopra 2009 calendar

It's always fun to get a few freebies from time to time. I hope you enjoy them. Happy New Year!!!!

A new blog background

I just love my friend Tracie. She is so cute and talented! She surprised me again with a new blog backround. Isn't it so cute? I love it. You should really check out her digital scrapbooking blog. She's done some really cute things and is always creating some new designs.

THANKS TRACIE!!!!! You're my "SNOW" Special friend.

Some New Year's Resolutions

It seems like I really didn't post much about shopping and saving throughout the month of December. I hardly remember the month - it was such a blur. Trying to shop with little ones and working around school, pre-school and nap times was definately challenging. I don't even think I wrote a serious grocery shopping list. I just ran to the store for the perishables. It's time to get back on track!

I have to say this because I was really impressed and somewhat surprised this month. Like I stated above, I didn't really go grocery shopping other than for the essentials. I found myself in one day needing more flour, sweetened condensed milk, pie filling, semi-sweet chocolate chips and vanilla. Guess where I found all these things? Yep - in my own pantry.

Coupon shopping really helps and it certainly saved me a ton this month!!! I didn't have to go grocery shopping, it has allowed me to stock up on the items my family uses most and best of all it saves me $$$$ (lots of it).

Within the next few weeks, many of us will get that awful white envelope from our credit card companies. Why not learn to save some money everytime you grocery shop?



You can contact me at callmestacy@yahoo.com. Invite some friends, co-workers, family or neighbors over for a free class. I will show you the easiest ways to save, use coupons and use the free Grocery Smarts website. One hour is certainly worth the $$$ you will save in the long run.

My neighbor gifts

I like to involve my kids in the neighbor gifts, so I went with easy this year. They helped me wrap the carmels and they also helped decorate the cookies.

I saw this idea in Family Fun magazine. They are cute Nutter Butter Reindeer. Notice how all the antlers are all different. The pretzels were the hardest part to try and get somewhat even.

I dipped Oreo's in semi sweet chocolate (chips) and then my kids helped to sprinkle candy cane, sugar and sprinkles on them. I also dipped Oreo's into almond bark and did the reverse with another set.

We also dipped fortune cookies (which I called my local Chinese restaurant and got a deal). We did these in both dark chocolate and almond bark.

After letting all the chocolate dry. We put the cookies in some cute Chinese take out boxes I found at Michaels. We added our carmels and some holiday candy to fill the holes. I hope my neighbors like them.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

Yummy microwave carmels

Okay - this may not be a potluck recipe, but they are sure good. I lost my recipe so I went to the Pinching Your Pennies blog and ask for a good recipe. It never fails - someone always comes through for me. Here's the recipe and some do's and don'ts.

Carmels

1/2 c sweetened condensed milk

1/2 c butter (not margarine)

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c brown sugar

1/2 c karo syrup

Put all ingredients in a microwaveable bowl. Cook on high for 2 minutes and then stir (see recommendation on cooking time below). Repeat every 2 minutes for a total of 8 minutes. Pour into a well buttered/greased 8x8 pan and let cool for 3 hours. Cut and wrap in wax paper.

This was my second try. I had to reduce my cooking time to 2 min, 2 min, 1 min 15 sec, 1 min 15 sec. The first time I made them - I had a lovely square rock! I might advise you to try this cooking time first, instead of the one above. I also had to try a few to make sure they tasted okay and were soft.

I think I had about 80 pieces (that is, if I hadn't eaten a few to begin with). You can cut them any size.

These were so easy to make and best of all they are YUMMY!!!! If you're looking for a quick treat for a friend or neighbor or maybe just a treat to share, this is definatley a winner. This was also a great project for kids to help with The wrapping doesn't have to be perfect.

Cheesy Queso Dip (crockpot favorite)

This recipe came from my mother-in-law. My husband made sure I knew about this yummy recipe early on in our marriage. It was a tradition to make this every New Years Eve. It has since become a family favorite.

Cheesy Queso Dip

4 cans Campbell's Cheddar Cheese or Fiesta Nacho soup
1 16 oz bottle of Salsa/Picante sauce
2 lbs hamburger

Brown your hamburger until it's almost burnt. Drain the fat and pour into crockpot. Add the salsa, and all 4 cans of cheese soup and mix well. Occasionally stir as it warms up. Serve with corn chips.

Variations:
I've mixed the two flavors of cheese soups and it tastes great.
You can change the "heat" in your dip by making it with a hotter salsa.
You can change the consistency of your dip by adding more or less salsa.

It would also be great served over hot dogs and baked potatoes - be creative.

I love quick easy recipes that can be taken to just about any potluck. Enjoy the holidays and I hope you enjoy some of these recipes.

Hot wings (that aren't so hot)

Hands down this has been the most popular potluck dish I've ever made. It is so easy and a crowd pleaser.

Hot Wings

1, 28 oz bag of Tyson Buffalo style boneless wyngs/tenders/strips

1, 16 oz bottle of French or Catalina dressing

1 cup brown sugar

Cook the chicken according to the directions on the bag. Combine the dressing and brown sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour sauce over chicken and serve.

Variations:

1 - Cut the chicken into bite size pieces - it makes it go a little farther

2 - Serve the sauce and chicken seperately, allowing people to dip their own chicken

3 - Serve with a salad and it tastes like the salads you get at Wingers.

4 - You can buy a larger bag at Sam's/Costco. I just add a little more dressing to coat all the pieces.

Warning: I've tried to serve this recipe in a crock pot before and it still tastes good, but the coating around the chicken gets kind of mushy.

If you try this recipe - I'd love to know what you think and what everyone else thought. I can't wait for the next excuse to make this tasty dish.

Treats and potluck dishes

It seems like this is the time of year where wonderful, yummy smells waft through the hallways of work, show up on your doorstep or just warm your oven in your own kitchen.

I hope you don't mind if I post some of my favorite treats this time of year.

I love this recipe! I used to work at a large hospital in Salt Lake and the chef there taught a few classes. This was one that I was lucky enough to attend (Thanks - chef Steve!)

Sweet and Spicy Nuts

3 cups pecans or walnut halves (I personally love almonds and use them)

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup water

1 TBSP cinnamon

1/2 tsp cloves

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Instructions:

1 - Heat oven to 275 degrees. Grease cookie sheet. Spread nuts on prepared cookie sheet; toast for 10 minutes

2 - In medium saucepan, combine sugar, water, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Bring to a boil; continue cooking for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3 - Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and nuts. Using a slotted spoon, remove nuts to foil or waxed paper. Separate with a fork; let dry. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place.

Yields: 4 1/2 cups

Not only do these smell wonderful - they taste delicious! For all you nut fans out there - this is definately a recipe to try. It's sure to win the hearts of many.

Kents in Roy is having an early morning sale on 12/13

Here's a pretty good sale for those of you in Weber/Davis county and anyone else who's willing to drive to Roy. It will go from 6am to noon. I didn't get the ad personally, but this is what I was able to gather as far as sale items go (Thanks PYP blog).

• 20 lb box boneless skinless chicken tenders and breasts $35.80 = to $1.79 a lb
• 1/2 gallon squares Farr's ice cream, 4 for $10.00
• 9 ct Maddox Turkey steaks $7.99
• bananas 2 lbs for 88 cents
• boneless beef top round rump roast $1.99 lb
• Don Julio tortilla chips 88 cents
• family pack boneless beef top round steaks or london broil $1.99
• lbkretsmar maple ham $2.99 lb, deli item I believe
• 2 lb western family medium cheddar $4.99
• 10 lb bag extra extra extra diet lean ground beef $1.99 lb
• dozen grade aa rogers medium eggs 99 cents
• 10 lb bag russet potatoes $1.88
• Grannys old fashion bread 4 for $5
• Norbest turkeys 79 cents a lb
• Clover club potato chips 2 for $3
• family pack boneless center cut pork loin chops or roast $1.89 lb
• Viva gallon chocolate milk 2 for $5

I've been to these sales before - you can count on almost every parking stall being full, lots of people, and some long lines, but some great savings! If you're willing to deal with these things you could get some pretty good deals. I've even been to these sales where Kents starts lowering prices (below their posted prices) while I'm shopping. I can't promise this will happen this go around, but they do put on a good sale.

Free Arbys, Mint Chocolate Swirl Shake

Mmmmmm......aren't mint and chocolate the essence of the season? Click on this link and then sign up with Arby's extras (upper right or bottom right corner) to receive a coupon for this yummy holiday shake. It make take a day or two for it to show up in your email box.

Everyday Food Storage

I have been watching this blog for quite sometime now. I love how simple the recipes are and how easy it is to eat and rotate my food storage. I just entered for a giveaway - watch Everyday Food Storage for your chances to win every Friday up until Christmas.

Beer Rebates spotted at the Syracuse Smith's

While I was at the Smith's today (Syracuse), I found for my first time some beer rebates. They were located on the first end cap, a Budweiser beer display. If you spend $150 at any Supermarket (can be one or multiple receipts, not sure if it has to be the same store or not), and you fill out the rebate (tearpad on display), Bud will send you a $20 Supermarket gift card. You are not required to buy beer to send in the rebate. The offer is good through 12/31/08.

Wow! If that's as easy as it is....I'm all over these Beer Rebates. Keep your eyes peeled for some good deals. I could always use free groceries!

Smith's Santa's Night Out

December 4th from 3pm to 11 pm (8 hours - one night only). So after I picked up my daughter from school we (all 4 of us, me and 3 kids) ran to Smith's to see if we could cash in on a few good deals. We didn't need much and it was hurry in, hurry out with 3 kids.



Tostito's Chips $1.77 (each)

Kroger Peanuts $.99 (each)

Kroger Semi Sweet chocolate chips $.50 (each,6 oz bags)

Kroger Salsa (not on the sale) $1.00 (each)

Smith's Rolls (not on the sale) $1.89

Smith's cinnamon bread (not on the sale) $1.29

Total $17.99, savings $15.43. Pretty good for 18 items

Don't forget, you can go to the Shortcuts website, sign up and enter your Smith's Fresh Value's Card number and load coupons onto your card. Not only will this save you at the register, you can also bring manufacturers's coupons with you for additional savings!

I hope you get some of the deals out there! Happy Shopping.

My trip to Kmart (double coupons

I've mis-placed my receipt, so I'm going from memory. I hope this helps someone. Some of the deals were better than others - no freebies this time.

Cereal was 4 for $10 and I had 4, $1.00 coupons - making each box $.50

Reynolds Wrap foil (75 feet) was $2.99, I had 4 coupons for $1.00 off - making each box $.99

Opti-Free was $8.xx and I had 4, $3.50 coupons (I'm not sure if they doubled or not - I'm still trying to find the reciept - my guess is that they didn't though).

Lysol (I can't remember the price, nor the coupons)

Reese's clusters (can't remember the price), but had 2, $1.00 coupons

Hershey's candy (can't remember the price - $7.xx??), but I had a coupon for $1.50 off with the purchase of three.

Kraft crackers (they were a bribe to get my 3 year old to behave for just a few more minutes).

I think my receipt came to a total of $80.xx and I saved $46.xx.

I promise that when I find the receipt I will post an update. Sorry this is so not-helpful. I went a few days ago and am just getting around to posting it.

I wanted to buy more, but I had my 2 boys with me and it made shopping a little difficult (especially when the youngest just had shots). Maybe I'll try again later this week.

$10 in coupons from Betty Crocker

All you need to do is sign up for their email newsletter and they will send you $10 in coupons. Check out this link for the savings.

Some things I got in the mail today

The first thing I got was a card from Toys "R" Us, announcing a private sale (not so private anymore) on 12/10/08 from 8pm to 11pm. My card had an additional card inside indicating that I could get 20% off one item. I couldn't find anything that said the Private Sale wasn't open to anyone. I'm not sure what they are doing for the private sale, but I guess everyone's invited now.

The second thing I got was from Kraft and their campaign called First Taste. I recieved two Jello singles (chocolate flavor). I've had these before and they are pretty convenient and a tasty snack. All you do is dump the contents of the bag into a bowl with 1/2 cup of milk and stir. Give it about 5 minutes to set up in the fridge and you have an instant snack. Click on First Taste to join and try out some of Krafts newest products.