Maple-Glazed Salmon with Pineapple Salsa

This recipe is SO GOOD!!
You've got to try it!

Here's the link.

Thanks Paula Deen - You Rock!

CVS 12/28

Pantene Pro-V Shampoo & Conditioner (2/$7 & get $3 ECBs)
.....$3/2 MQ (PG 12/28)

2 Colgate Advanced Total Toothpaste, 4 oz ($2.99/ea & get $2 ECBs ea)
.....$1.50/1 MQ x2 (printable)

2 - Nature's Bounty Potassium Gluconate 595 mg ($4.49for both - BOGO & get $3 ECBs)
.....$2/1 MQ x2 (Kroger insert 12/28)

1 - Rolaids Softchews 12 ct. ($2.89 & get $2 ECBs)
.....$1/1 MQ

Total OOP: $0.52
Used $5.99 ECBs & used $4/$20 store Q that I found off Southern Savers blog (here)
Got back a total of $11 ECBs

My 2 favorite people

Ahhh! Don't they look so sweet! Had to get the tights in the picture too cuz they are just so cute! :)

Family Photo

This was taken on Thanksgiving day! Yes, Carebear (better known to Lily as "Baby") is definitely part of the family.

Downstairs closet

Just a little re-organizing project. Sorry, no before pictures - just take my word that it looks a million times better. :) The hat/glove organizer on the door is new & I added 2 hooks just for Lily's jackets.

LOST Season Premiere

Just in case you're wondering (& I KNOW that some of you are),
The LOST season premiere is

Wednesday January 21st 8/7c

Cup of TEA...PRICELESS!!!

This cute little story was taken from an e-mail my mother-in-law sent me. Thanks Paulette! I better give Mike a heads up on this one. :)


One day my mother was out and my dad was in charge of me.

I was maybe 2 1/2 years old and had just recovered from an accident.

Someone had given me a little 'tea set' as a get-well gift and it was one of my favorite toys.

Daddy was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when I brought Daddy a little cup of 'tea', which was just water.

After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, my Mom came home.

My Dad made her wait in the living room to watch me bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!'

My Mom waited, and sure enough, here I come down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she watches him drink it up.

Then she says, (as only a mother would know...:)

'Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get water is the toilet?

You Found Me - The Fray's New Single!

Grits & Sausage Bake

This came from Nestle Carnation that I had saved not too long ago but just tried it yesterday. We all (even Lily) really like it. So does this make us true Southerners now (eating & liking grits)? Just kidding - our hearts will always be in Montana. :)

3 cups water
3/4 quick-cooking grits
2 cups (8 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2/3 cup (5 fl.-oz. can) Carnation Evaporated Milk
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. hot pepper sauce (optional)
1 pkg. (16 oz.) breakfast sausage, cooked, drained & crumbled
2 large eggs, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 8-inch square baking dish.

Boil water in medium saucepan; slowly stir in grits. Cover; reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5-6 minutes.

Add 1 1/2 cups cheese, evaporated milk, garlic powder & hot pepper sauce to grits; stir until cheese is melted. Add sausage & eggs; stir well. Pour into prepared baking dish. Bake for 1 hour. Top with remaining cheese.

Bake for an additional 5-10 min. or until cheese is melted & golden brown. Let cool for 10 min. before serving. Season with ground black pepper. Note: Batter can be made the day before; cover & refrigerate. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

So after I got done typing this out, I realized that the recipe is also online. Here :)

See Mommy Stays Home for more great recipes.

Remember when...

November 17, 2006

This week 2 years ago, we heard Lily's heartbeat for the very 1st time. :) AHHH!

Lily & the gang

The BEST way to watch VeggieTales - with all your friends.

My Favorite Things 11/18

Swiffer Wet Jet All-In-One Power Mop Starter Kit

First off, how can you not LOVE something you picked up for practically free (last week at Rite Aid). I know there are a lot of mixed reviews out there, but I tried it yesterday and loved it. It was VERY easy to use and much faster (than what I was doing before) for everyday cleanups. I know that I will have to keep buying the cleaner and sponges, but I hope to find them on good deals like most everything else. :) So for right now I love it!

Menu Plan Monday 11/17

Monday - Bird's Eye Voila Meal
Tuesday - Pork Chops/Fried Sauerkraut/Salad
Wednesday - Steak/Sweet Potatoes/Salad
Thursday - Chicken Stir-fry
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Spaghetti/Meatballs/Veggie
Sunday - Soup/Whole Wheat Bread/Salad

Publix 11/16

Transaction #1:

1 - Skim Milk $3.49
.....$1 off Dairy Publix Q = $2.49

2 - Coffee-mate $1.50/ea
.....2 - $0.50/1 MQ = $0.50/ea

2 - Muir Glen Diced Tomatoes $1.33/ea
.....2 - $1/1 MQ
.....1 - $1/2 PQ = overage $0.34

2 - Lindsey Pitted Olives $0.88/ea

7 - Green Giant Fzn Veggies $1/ea
.....3 - $0.50/1 MQ = FREE
.....2 - $0.50/2 MQ = $0.50/ea

2 - Nesquick Milk $1.25/ea
.....2 - $0.50/1 MQ = $0.25/ea

2 - Vanity Fair Napkins 100 ct $1.97/ea
.....2 - $0.50/1 MQ = $0.97/ea

3 - Eggos (whole wheat) $2.59/ea
.....3 - $0.55/1 MQ = $2.04/ea

2 - Land O'Lakes butter w/ canola $1.50/ea
.....2 - $0.55/1 MQ = $0.95/ea

4 - McCormick gray mixes $0.50/ea
.....2 - $0.25/2 MQ = $0.37/ea

1 - Orajel Plaque Revealing Pre-Brush Gel $3.29
.....1 - $1/1 MQ
.....1 - $1/1 PQ
.....Rebate to be received for $3.29 = overage $2

1 - Publix American Cheese = Penny Item

1 - Publix Hand Sanitizer 2 oz. $1.19
.....FREE PQ

2 - Fresh Express Salads $2/ea
.....2 - $1/1 MQ
.....1 - $1/2 PQ = $0.50/ea

Bananas
Sweet Potato

Total Savings: $50.58
Total OOP: $18.50
(Saved 73%)

Transaction #2:

1 - Green Giant Fzn Veggie $1/ea
.....$0.50/1 MQ = FREE

5 - Dove $1.90/ea
.....5 - $1/1 MQ = $0.90/ea

1 - Publix American Cheese = Penny Item

Total Savings: $18.69
Total OOP: $4.69
(Saved almost 80%)

Be sure to check out Fiddledeedee & Money Saving Mom for more deals.

CVS 11/16

IT'S A MIRACLE!! They actually had everything that I pre-planned on getting. It was the fastest CVS trip I've done. :) Yeah!

1 - L'Oreal Age Perfect Pro-Calcium Moisturizer $15.99
.....1 - $1/1 MQ
.....got back $15.99 ECBs

4 - Glade Glass Scents $2.50/ea
.....2 - BOGO MQ
.....got back $5 ECBs

3 - Atkins bars $10/10
.....3 - $1/1 MQ

1 - Double Paper $2.50 (not pictured)

Used $11.99 ECBs
Got Back $20.99 ECBS
Total OOP: $6.25
(I thought this was OK since I gained so many ECBs & it included the paper)

Check out Money Saving Mom & Centsible Sawyer for more deals.

Rite Aid 11/16

1 - St. Ives Apricot Scrub $4.99
.....$4.99 Rebate Check

2 - Almay Lipgloss BOGO 2/$7.49
.....$4.00 Rebate Check
.....2 - $1/1 MQ

I paid $12.48 and will get back $8.99 in my rebate check.
So, I will get the scrub FREE & will get the lipgloss for $0.75/ea.
(these prices do not include tax)

Such a BIG girl

More & more like a big girl & less like a baby each day... (Lily at 18 mos.)

Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner

I picked up 2 of these at Target yesterday for a total of $4.

They are on sale this week for $14.99
Used $10 MQ here.
Used $3 Target coupon from recent insert.
Makes them $2 each. Yeah!!

See Money Saving Mom for more Deals.

Cellfire coupons

Just want to make sure everyone knows about Cellfire coupons.

You DO NOT NEED web access on your phone - you can have the coupons loaded directly onto your Kroger card (just like they do on shortcuts & esaver).

You can only load 10 at a time, but I've seen some really good ones like FREE Live Active Instant Oatmeal & BOGO Naturally Preferred Water (& paired with the BOGO Manny coupon make 2 free) & 2 great Colgate Toothpaste coupons (when paired with Manny coupons makes 2 free tubes of toothpaste).

It's so easy! Sign up here.

CVS 11/09

2 - Palmolive $1.49/ea
.....1 - $0.25/1 MQ
.....got back 2 - $1 ECBs

1 - Smart Water $1.59
.....got back 1 - $1.59 ECB

1 - Garnier Fructis Hair Treatment $2.99
.....1 - $1/1 MQ
.....got back 1 - $2 ECB

Used $5.49 ECBs
Got back $4.59 ECBs
Total OOP: $0.88

See CVS Superstars for more.

Rite Aid 11/09

1 - Swiffer Wet Jet Kit $19.99
.....1 - $5/1 MQ

1 - Crest ProHealth Whitening Toothpast $2.69

2 - Febreeze Air Effects $2.49/ea
.....2 - $1/1 MQ

1 - Bounty Basic Paper Towel $0.99
.....1 - $0.25/1 MQ

$5/$25 Rite Aid Q
$10 Right Aid Card to be mailed for $25 worth of P&G products
$2.69 Instant Rebate Check to be mailed

So, basically I will have bought all this for $4.43.
Not free, but not bad either. :)

Publix 11/09

2 - College Inn Broth BOGO $2.79
.....2 - $1/1 Publix Q (Winter Family Savings Booklet) = $0.40/ea

2 - Pompeian Olive Oil BOGO $10.99
.....2 - $1/1 MQ (printable)= $4.99/ea

1 - Mrs. T's Perogies Sale $1.30/ea
.....1 - $0.75/1 MQ (printable) = $0.55

1 - Publix Franks = Penny Item

4 - Scotch Tape BOGO $1.99
.....2 - $1/2 Publix Q (Winter Family Savings Booklet) = $0.50/ea

Total OOP: $12.90
Total Savings: $28.04 (69% off)

And here are the rest of my deals this week:
CVS
Rite Aid
You can also look here & here to see all the FREE stuff I got from Kroger last weekend.

And be sure to check out Money Saving Mom for even more deals.

More Free stuff from Kroger 11/8

Had to make another Kroger trip this morning because of the Money Saving Mom Kroger/Dillon post inspiration. :) I got more than this, but here is all the FREE stuff I got. Yippee...

FREE STUFF

1 - Cottonelle 4 pk $0.99/ea
.....1 - $0.25/1 MQ
.....1 - $0.50/1 esaver

2 - Naturally Prefered Water 10/$10
.....1 - BOGO MQ
.....1 - BOGO cellfire Q

13 - Scotch Brite Nail Saver Scrubbers $1/ea (part of 10 item Mega Sale)
.....13 - $1/1 MQ (printable)

7 - Tylenol $2/ea (part of 10 item mega sale)
.....7 - $2/1 MQ

2 - Halls cough drops 10/$10
.....2 - $0.50/1 MQ

2 - Bic Silky Touch Razors $2/ea (part of 10 item mega sale)
.....2 - $2/1 MQ

More of the Chickadee

Kroger 11/7

10 Item Mega Event & I show the price per item when $5 off is applied

FREE STUFF

10 - Carnation Evaporated Milk 12 oz. $0.50/ea
.....$0.50/2 MQ x 5

4 - Quaker Oats 18 oz $1/ea
.....$0.50/1 MQ x 4

2 - Deer Park Water 3L $0.50/ea
.....$1/1 MQ x 2

2 - Scotch Mini Lint Rollers $0.50/ea
.....$1/1 MQ x 2

4 - Scotch Brite Scrubbers $0.50/ea
.....$1/2 MQ x 2

2 - Scotch Brite Nail Saver Scrubbers $1/ea
.....$1/1 MQ x2

2 - Colgate Wave Toothbrushes $1/ea
.....$1/1 MQ x2


Stuff under $1

3 - Johnson's Baby Products $2.50/ea
.....$3/3 MQ
.....$3/3 Catalina = $0.50/ea

3 - Dial Hand Soap $1/ea
.....$0.30/1 MQ x 3 = $0.40/ea

2 - Hefty One Zip Bags $1/ea
.....$0.55/1 MQ x 2 = $0.45/ea

2 - Colgate Toothpaste 6.4 oz $1/ea
.....$0.75/1 MQ x 2 = $0.25/ea

4 - Scotch Brite Scrubbers $0.50/ea

2 - Swiss Miss Cocoa Mix $1/ea
.....$0.50/2 Kroger card Q = $0.75/ea

4 - Pure Protein Bars (not included in Mega Event) 10/$10
.....$1.50/2 MQ x 2 = $0.25/ea

4 - Met - Rx Bars (not included in Mega Event) 3/$5
.....$2/2 MQ x 2 = $0.67/ea

1 - Kroger Toothbrush (Raincheck from last week's sale) $0.58


Items $1 and up

2 - Domino's Sugar 5 lb $2/ea
.....$0.35/1 MQ x 2 = $1.30/ea

3 - Listerine 500 ml $2.50/ea
.....$0.50/1 MQ x 3 = $1.50/ea

4 - Nestle Morsels $2/ea
.....$0.50/1 MQ x 4 = $1/ea

Total OOP: $27.29
Total Savings: $107.36 (80% off) (included $3 catalinas toward next purchase from last week)

And here is more FREE stuff I got on my second Kroger run.

See Money Saving Mom for more savings.

Halloween

I'm a chickadee!!
This is the only pic I've downloaded so far. We have better ones with the hood up, so I'll post those a bit later.

Publix 11/02

FYI - I actually split this purchase into 2 so I could get 2 of the penny items.

5 - Ore-Ida Steam 'n Mash Potatoes $2/ea (BOGO)
.....$1/1 MQ (5) = $1/ea

6 - Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers $1.19 & $0.89 (50% off)
.....$1/1 MQ (6) = FREE

2 - Kroger Oats Penny Item

8 - Uncle Ben's Country Inn Rice $0.80/ea (BOGO)
.....$1/2 MQ (4) = $0.30/ea

1 - Swiffer Dusters $4.00
.....$1/1 MQ = $3.00

1 - Arm & Hammer Essentials Cleaners Starter Kit $2.99
.....$1/1 Publix Q
.....$1/1 MQ
......+ will receive a 2.99 rebate, so $2 profit

7 - Ziplock Easy Zipper Bags $1.50/ea
.....$0.75/1 MQ (2) = $0.75/ea x2
.....$0.55/1 MQ (3) = $0.95/ea x3
.....$0.40/1 MQ (2) = $0.70/ea x2

Lettuce, Bananas, Onion, Green Pepper
.....$1 off Produce Publix Q (one of the many coupons sent in the mail when you sign up for the Publix Baby Club online)

Total Before Savings: $77.60
Total Savings: $54.60
Total OOP: $23.00 (70% off)

See Fiddledeedee for more Publix savings.
See Money Saving Mom for more savings.

Kroger 11/01/08

FREE (or close to free) STUFF!!

1 - Cottonelle 4 pk $0.99 = FREE
.....$0.50/1 Kroger card Q
.....$0.25/1 MQ
4 - Herbal Essence $2.49/ea (OK, these would have been free if I had only gotten 2, so they were actually $0.50/ea for 4) = $2.00 for 4
.....$2/2 Kroger card Q
.....$3/2 MQ (2)
2 - Celestial Seasoning Tea 20ct $1/ea = FREE
.....$1/1 MQ (2)
1 - Betty Crocker Frosting $1.89 = $0.34
.....$0.55/1 Kroger card Q
.....$0.50/1 MQ
4 - Johnson's & Johnson's Baby Oil $1.89/ea = $1.33 profit
.....$3/3 Catalina
.....$1/1 MQ
.....+ 3 $1 Catalinas printed out at the register
4 - Brut Deodorant $1/ea = FREE
.....$1/1 MQ (4)



The rest of my purchase
2 - Kroger Mac N Cheese $0.58/ea
1 - Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes $1.67
.....$0.35/1 Kroger card Q
.....$0.35/1 MQ
3 - Yoplus Yogurt $2.49/ea
.....$1/1 MQ (3)
2 - Yoplait Kids Drinkables $2.89/ea
.....$0.50/1 MQ (2)
3 - Purex Detergent $1.99/ea
.....$0.35/1 MQ (2)
.....$0.50/1 MQ (1)
4 - Carnation Evaporated Milk 5 oz $0.75/ea
.....$1/2 MQ (2)
3 - Cambell's Condensed Cream Soups $1/ea
.....$0.40/3 MQ
2 - Progresso Soups $1.65/ea
.....$0.50/2 Kroger card Q
.....$1.10/1 MQ (2)
2 - Arm N Hammer Baking Soda
.....$1/2 MQ
1 - Mrs. Ts Perogies $2.59
.....$0.75/1 MQ
2 - Smithfield's Pork Tenderloin BOGO - $8.99/2
.....$1/1 MQ (2)
1 - Kroger Whole Milk 1 gal $1.95 (Manager's special) not pictured
1 - Kroger Skim Milk 1 gal $2.99 not pictured

Grand Total for both pictures before savings: $112.95
Total Savings: $66.45
Total after savings: $46.50 (59% off)

Check out Money Saving Mom for more savings.

Bozeman, Montana

Picking out a pumpkin with Aunt Rachel & James.

Lustre, Montana

The Family

Lily, Mommy, & Maggie enjoying the cold Montana air. :)

Hobson, Montana

The Family

Lily loves the fresh Montana air!

She also LOVES "Bear" (yes, this is the dog's name)

Salt Lake City

On our way to Montana!

Don't worry...

FYI - I won't be posting much for the next couple of weeks because we are getting a lot of family time in right now. Check back the last week of October. :)

Try it for FREE

Arm & Hammer Essentials Cleaner Rebate

and a coupon here.

Kroger Gift Card Giveaway

Stretching A Buck is giving away a $25 Kroger gift card. Find out how to enter here.

Remember When...

Well, since I forgot to do this yesterday...
August 2003
This is when we lived in Spokane, WA and some of the fun we had with James!!
WE MISS YOU JAMES!! LOVE YOU BUDDY!!