Aldi Ad

Ad 10/6-10/12

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Ad 10/7-10/13

Kroger Ad

Kroger Ad 10/7-10/13

Aero Weekend Clearance Sale!

http://www.aeropostale.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=3534623

*Enter promo code CLEAROUT at checkout for additonal savings!

Check out America's Cheapest Family!



Steve and Annette Economides are NY Times best selling authors and speakers.

We’ve created this web site to encourage you through any financial struggles you might experience. If frugality isn’t new to you, you’ll still be able to glean some money saving ideas. Remember that solutions take time and effort — be patient with yourself and Never Give Up!

http://americascheapestfamily.com/

Family Fun Friday

This is the perfect time of year to go to the orchard! It's not too hot and not too cold.

I love to take my kids to Doughtery Orchard where we can spend an hour or more picking apples, drinking cider, eating fresh donuts and seeing the animals. They especially love to feed the fish!

It's also a great place to take pictures of your little ones to give to grandparents.

Once you get home you can make homemade applesauce or apple butter to give away as Christmas gifts!

Here is a great recipe for Pink Applesauce!

Marsh

Marsh Ad 9/30-10/6

Kroger

                                                     

Kroger Ad 9/30-10/6

Thrifty Thursday~Mark your calendar and save!

Here is a monthly sales guide to p lan the best time to buy.

January: HDTVs, fitness gear, Christmas wrapping and ornaments, white sales

February: Electronics, fragrances, humidifiers

March: Skis, winter coats and boots

April: Digital cameras, warm-weather clothes

May: Picnic supplies, outdoor furniture, athletic apparel

June: Swimsuits, summer wear, lingerie, tools

July: Month-to-month gym memberships

August: Lawn mowers, yard equipment, AC units, fall fashions, school supplies

September: Cars, plants (perennials, shrubs and trees), bikes

October: Grills, auto supplies, appliances, vacuums, winter clothes

November: Stereos, TVs, clothing, wedding dresses

December: Toys, electronics, new model cars

Aldi

                                           Aldi Special Buys from 9/29/10



Wisdom Wednesday~In God's Arms

Read Psalm 94:14-23
[God] has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

-Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

I had never thought that one day I would live alone, without my dearly loved husband. But it happened; he died young, and I had to get used to new circumstances and to a new focus for my life.
Once when I was feeling especially lonely, I opened my Bible, certain that God would comfort me. I can't remember what passage I read, but I remember feeling as if I were folded in God's arms. I will never forget that loving and tender touch and how I was filled with a joy that only beloved people receive.

We can't ever be truly alone because God offers us a great gift: rich and abundant love. This love is unconditional and endless. Our Savior is much closer to us than anyone in this world could ever be.

Holy Father, thank you for comforting us when we feel lonely. Help us to feel your presence and to know that you will stay close to us every day. We pray as Jesus taught us, saying, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil."* Amen.

Tasty Treat Tuesday~Apple-Pecan Crisp

                                                    

2/3 cup maple-flavored syrup
1/4 cup Gold Medal® all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
8 large baking apples (about 5 1/2 lb), peeled, cut into 1/2-inch slices (about 12 cups)
1/2 cup cold butter or margarine, cut into pieces
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® oatmeal cookie mix
3/4 cup chopped pecans

Heat oven to 375°F.
In large bowl, stir together syrup, flour and cinnamon until blended. Add apples; toss until evenly coated. Spread in ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish.
In same bowl, with pastry blender (or pulling 2 table knives in opposite directions), cut butter into cookie mix until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans. Crumble mixture over apples in baking dish.

Bake 30 minutes. Very loosely cover with foil; bake 10 to 15 minutes longer or until apples are tender.

*This recipe was found at http://www.bettycrocker.com/ 

Menu Monday

*For those of you who don't have time to use coupons but can still make a menu...This menu is based on items that may NOT be onsale from Aldi and Walmart.

Breakfast

Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes
Sausage McMuffins
Cinnamon Peanut Butter Toast

Milk/OJ

Lunch

Chicken Nuggets, MacNCheese, Applesauce
Ham & Cheese Roll Ups, Carrot Sticks with Ranch Dressing
Lunch Meat Sandwiches, Chips, Fruit
PB&J, Carrot Sticks, Chips, Fruit
Leftovers

Ice Water/Lemonade

Dinner

M~Spaghetti, Salad, and Garlic Bread
T~Chicken and Cheese Chimichangas, Spanish Rice
W~Pizza Pasta, Salad and Garlic Bread
Th~Chicken Pot Pies (I like to use Cresent Rolls for the crust!) and Fried Apples
F~Tacos
S~Chicken N Dumplins', Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Corn
S~Leftovers

Milk/Lemonade/Iced Tea

Dessert

Homemade Funnel Cakes
Apple Pecan Crisp

Snacks

Graham Crackers and Peanut Butter
Cheeseball and Wheat Crackers
Fruit (apples and bananas)

Tips:

*For the Sausage McMuffins, you can get 16 pre-cooked sausage patties for $4.16 at Walmart in the Freezer Section and English Muffins are only $1 at Aldi. If you buy 1 pkg of the sausage patties and 1 pkg of 16 slice Kraft Singles from Walmart aswell as 3 pkgs of English Muffins from Aldi, you could make 16 sandwiches for around $.55/sandwich and freeze them.

*You can buy a whole chicken at Walmart for around $6.00 and cook it in the crock pot. Divide it up into three piles for three different meals.

* Buy block cheese at Aldi for around $1.50 and shred it yourself.

Assuming you have all of the basics...flour, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla...the estimated total based on a family of 4 is :$110.00
You can save a lot of money buying basics from Aldi. Milk, eggs, biscuits and even frozen pizza is much cheaper than Walmart, so I would shop there first. Then go to Walmart to get your meat and everything else.

Family Fun Friday

Since it's officially fall now, I thought I would find some fun autumn activities that are also cheap or even FREE!

Autumn Window Display

Fun Autunmn Treasure Hunt

Apple Bag

Mini Carmel Apples

Pumpkin Playdough

Stone-faced Pumpkins

Happy Fall!


* http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com/
* http://www.familyfun.com/

Marsh

Ad 9/23-9/29

Kroger



Ad 9/23-9/29

Go here to match sale items with coupons!

Thrifty Thursday~It's FREE!

Everybody loves something for FREE.  Here is a list of FREE stuff!

*Kids eat FREE at...

Buffalo Wings and Rings if they are 10 or younger with a paying adult every Monday.
Golden Corral all day every day if your child is 3 or younger from the buffet when you order an adult meal.
Chili's every Monday from the kids menu with the purchase of one adult entree.
Jonnny Rockets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-8 p.m when you buy an adult entree and drink.
Denny's on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-10 p.m. if your child is 10 or younger.

And thats not all! For a list of more restaurants, go here.


*FREE Sample links:

http://www.mysavings.com/free-product-samples-section/ (my favorite)

http://www.allyou.com/coupons-deals/daily-free-samples-00411000068023/

http://www.thunderfap.com/free-food-samples.htm

http://www.shop4freebies.com/category.php?cid=31

http://www.spoofee.com/forums/freebies-giveaways/

http://www.freebieusa.com/forumdisplay.php?s=f57e6ee6388ef74a673241f7c10bd302&f=2


*Boost brain power for FREE:

Teach your kids to read with phonics at http://www.starfall.com/

http://www.makinglearningfun.com/index.html

http://www.sproutonline.com/sprout/home/

http://www.nickjr.com/kids/

http://www.poptropica.com/


*Birthday FREEBIES:

http://thefrugalgirls.com/birthday-freebies

*FREE ebooks from Barnes & Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/Free-eBooks/379001668/

*Craigslist.com FREE stuff

http://rockford.craigslist.org/zip/

* FREE MP3 downloads

http://thefrugalgirls.com/category/mp3-downloads

Aldi Ad 9/22-9/28

Aldi Special Buys

Wisdom Wednesday~Time to Love

Time to Love

Read John 15:12-17
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.
-John 15:13 (NRSV)

FOR the second time in a week, I received an unusual phone call from a friend. The conversation did not make sense, and I was too busy with work to take the time to dig deeper into why my friend was calling. As I worked through the day, my mind kept coming back to the call. Then I received an email reminder from The Upper Room asking for past writers to take time to send in a meditation. All of a sudden it was clear to me: God was speaking to me, just as every morning through the meditations I read in The Upper Room to start my day. I thought, How often has some distant writer, many months ago, written something that made a profound difference in my life on the day I read it?

I realized that I might be able to make a difference for my friend. I stopped what I was doing and called him. Soon I learned that he had lost his job and felt too ashamed to ask for help.

God asks us to demonstrate Christian love by taking time in the midst of our busyness to listen and offer love to people in need. Sometimes a few minutes of prayer is all that is needed, but often it is something more. If we routinely abide in God, we will hear God's call each day and know what to do.

Mark H. Anderson (Pennsylvania, USA)

Prayer for today:
O God, help us to abide in you, listen to your call, and demonstrate your love by helping those you bring to us for care. Amen.

*www.UpperRoom.org

FREE ICKY BANDS

http://www.theartofwashinghands.com/order.html

Tasty Treat Tuesday~Chocolate-Peanut Butter Cake

What You Need

1 pkg. (2-layer size) devil's food cake mix
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup Powdered sugar
1/2 cup Creamy peanut butter
1 pkg. (8 oz.) COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
6 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate

PREPARE cake batter and bake in 13x9-inch pan as directed on package; cool completely.

BEAT cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with mixer until well blended. Add peanut butter; mix well. Blend in 1 cup COOL WHIP; spread onto cake.

MELT chocolate as directed on package. Mix with remaining COOL WHIP; spread over cake.
 Refrigerate 1 hour.

* This recipe was found at http://www.kraftfoods.com/

Menu Monday



* Based on sale items at Meijer

Breakfast

Eggo Waffles, Fruit
Kellogg's Fruit Pizza
Cinnabon Pancakes, Fruit
Fruity Pebbles with Banana

Milk/Tropicana OJ

Lunch

Ranch Chicken Wraps (made with Southern Style Chicken Breast Stips), Chips and Fruit
Boston Market Frozen Dinners, Fruit (Buy 5/$11 and get $5 off of your next purchase!)
PB&J, Chips, and Fruit
Leftovers

Ice Water/Tea/Lemonade

Dinner

M~Southern Style Chicken Breast Strips with BBQ sauce, Salad, Velveeta Shells & Cheese, Applesauce
T~Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Corn and Applesauce
W~Frozen Pizza, Salad
TH~French Toast, Jimmy Dean Sausage Patties, Eggs and Fruit Salad
F~Stouffer's Lasagna, Meijer Frozen Veggies, Meijer Garlic Bread, Salad and Toll House Refrigerated Cookies (Buy 2 Stouffer's Family Meals and get the rest FREE!)
S~Chicken N Noodles, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans and Applesauce
S~Leftovers

Milk/Ice Water

Dessert

Toll House Cookies
Cake

Snacks

Apples with Apple Dip
Chips and Dip
Jello

Grand Total = Approx. $80.00 WITHOUT coupons.

Family Fun Friday~Top Secret Restaurant Recipes

In today's economy, it's hard to find ways to entertain yourself thats not overly expensive. One of my favorite things to do is simply going out to eat at a nice restaurant. Unfortunately, to feed four people and leave a tip, and pay for the gas to get there (it counts too!) we would lose a nice chunk out of our pockets.

Tonight, play restaurant with your kids. Instead of eating out, fix a fancy dinner at home. Set the table with the best dishes and candles. Have everybody dress up and pretend to be eating out, practicing table and restaurant manners.

My daughter loves to pretend shes a waitress, so this would be really fun for her. Just last night she asked to set the table herself so she could surprise her Daddy.

For restaurant quality recipes, go to  Top Secret Recipes.

Have a great weekend!

Kroger Ad!

Kroger Ad 9/16-9/22

Thrifty Thursday~Wacky Uses for Brand Name Products

Everyone knows that to get chewing gum our of your hair, you use Jif Peanut Butter...BUT, did you know that you can polish furniture with Spam?  Clean your toilet with Alka Seltzer? Why not give yourself a moisturizing facial with Cheerios?

Or, something I've had trouble with recently, spiders! It's that time of year when those pesky insects like to move in to your warm and cozy home for the winter. I wanted to know how to repel spiders naturally.

I read that sprinkling Borax around the foundation of your home actually repels insects, so I did just that and I haven't seen one insect since!

I wanted to share this website with you because it is loaded with tips and tricks using Brand Name Products that you probably already have in your home!

Joey Green is the author of  as well as  and many more, which are available at your local library.

It's the Real Deal

One of the coolest things hanging on the wall in my home office is a Certificate of Authenticity.

It has on it the logo of US Space Shuttle flight 110, which was launched in April 2002. Aboard the Atlantis on that flight was Mission Specialist Rex Walheim, who took into outer space an article from Our Daily Bread titled “Seeing God’s Glory.” Lt. Col. Walheim sent me the certificate to prove that this devotional page actually left earth’s atmosphere.
Sometimes we need these kinds of things—documents that verify truth. If I were to show that article to someone and say, “This flew on the Space Shuttle,” I could be doubted because I would have no proof. But when Walheim sent me the Certificate of Authenticity, he gave me verification.
In 1 Peter, Simon Peter created a Certificate of Authenticity for his message about the grace of God. In chapter 5, he wrote, “I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this [letter] is the true grace of God” (v.12). Peter was assuring his readers that the many messages of 1 Peter—themes of hope and courage and even suffering—were all authentic and demonstrate the grace of God.

Looking for evidence of God’s grace? Read 1 Peter, and be confident that its teaching is the real deal.

The Bible stands like a mountain towering
Far above the works of men;
Its truth by none ever was refuted,
And destroy it they never can. —Lillenas

To trust God is to trust in His holy Word.

*www.odb.org

Marsh Ad!

Marsh Ad 9/16-9/22

Deals!

Tomorrow is the last day to get MEGA deals at Marsh! Along with newspaper coupons, you can also go here,  here and here to save even more!

The best deals that I see are Pillsbury Grands Biscuits onsale for .99 each -.40 (when you buy 3) = .87 each and Yoplait Frozen Smoothies that are onsale for $1.99 - $1.00 (off of 1~printable coupon) = .99 each!
I printed three!

Other good items to stock up on are Toaster Strudels, Green Giant Steamers, Betty Crocker Cookie Mix, and Nature Valley Granola Thins...which all have coupons!

So, if you haven't already, start your stockpile today!

Tasty Treat Tuesday~Banana Cream Brownie Dessert

1 package fudge brownie mix (13-inch x 9-inch pan size)
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips, divided
3/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped, divided
3 medium firm bananas
1-2/3 cups cold milk
2 packages (5.1 ounces each) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Prepare brownie batter according to package directions for fudge-like brownies. Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips and 1/4 cup peanuts. Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 28-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.
Slice bananas; arrange in a single layer over brownies. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup chips and 1/4 cup peanuts.
In a large bowl, beat milk and pudding mixes on low speed for 2 minutes. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over the top. Sprinkle with remaining chips and peanuts. Refrigerate until serving. Yield: 12-15 servings.

*Recipe found on http://www.tasteofhome.com/

Menu Monday

* Based on sale items at Meijer

Breakfast

Aunt Jemima Breakfast Entree and Peach
Banana Nut Cheerios and Banana
French Vanilla French Toast, Eggs and Johnsonville Breakfast Links
(just add a little bit of French Vanilla Creamer to egg mixture)
PB Toast and Apple

Milk/ Old Orchard Juice

Lunch

Chicken Quesadillas with Salsa and Sour Cream
Beef and Cheese Pocket Sandwiches, Chips and Fruit
Hogs in a Sheet (Johnsonville Cheddarworst wrapped in a Crescent Roll), MacNCheese, and Fruit
PB&J, Pretzels and Jello
Leftovers

Ice Water/Tea/Lemonade

Dinner

Chicken Enchillads, Spanish Rice and Salad
Pulled Pork Sandwich, Scalloped Potatoes, and Baked Beans
Frozen Pizza and Salad (stockpile ~Tombstone 4/$10)
Chicken Parmasan, Salad and Crescent Rolls
Leftover Buffet
Taco Soup
Leftovers

Milk/Ice Water

Dessert

Pillsbury Funfetti Cupcakes
Fried Fruit Pies (made with Crescent rolls and Pie Filling)

Snacks

Oatmeal Cookies
Veggies with Ranch
Animal Crackers


*Estimated Total WITHOUT coupons: $105.50.
This is based on an average family of four with older, non-picky children.

This is actually more than I usually spend at the grocery store per week because I have smaller children who don't eat much and I use coupons. I also shop at other stores to get the best deals.
I feel that it is worth $5 in gas and my time to save money! I usally average $300/month on groceries by doing this.

Like Gooseberry Patch on FB and get 50% off Flavors of Fall Cookbook!

http://gooseberrypatch.com/

*Offer lasts until Monday September 13, 2010.

Kids Eat FREE at Chili's

Kids Eat FREE at Chili's

Dinner Fun for Everyone

Monday & Tuesday, All Day

Kids Eat Free with the purchase of adult entree

Grab the kids, load up the car and head to Chili's.

Family Fun Friday

"It's Friday!!!" That's the note I put in my daughter's lunchbox every Friday...and she knows what it means!


It means that tonight we are gonna go to the video store to get FREE kids movies, make popcorn,  bring all of the blankets and pillows into the family room and have a slumber party!


Here are a few new(er) family friendly movies that are probably not in the free section.


Thomas & Friends: Misty Island Rescue
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Backyardigans: Operation Elephant Drop
Marmaduke
Furry Vengeance
Letters to God


To make this evening even more special, why not make Root Beer Floats?


I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

How to Strech Your Food Dollar

At the Grocery Store


1. Choose from the top or bottom shelves in the grocery store. Items at eye level are usually more expensive.
2. Shop the "reduced section" of the store and stock up on products you use regularly.
3. Join grocery-saving clubs that entitle you to members-only savings. But only buy non-parishable items, unless your going to use 1 gal of mayo in a month's time
4. Buy in bulk or family-size packages; then divide and freeze items for later use.
5. Purchase ingredients that are in season; they are usually cheaper and better quality.
6. Shop at the end of the aisles for great deals.
7. Never shop when you are hungry. Everything looks good then, and you'll be tempted to overspend.
8. Allow yourself enough time for shopping so you can compare prices.


At the Meat Counter

9. Purchase inexpensive cuts of meat and use them in your slow cooker.
10. Instead of buying pre-made ground beef patties, make your own.
11. Purchase steak that is onsale and have the butcher grind it up into hamburger for you. It's actually cheaper and it's STEAK!
12. Buy a bag of frozen meatballs and use the meatballs in several recipes.
13. Roast your own whole chicken instead of buying a rotisserie chicken.
14. Use bone-in chicken thighs or drumsticks instead of boneless chicken breasts; dark meat is typically less costly than white meat.

At Home


15. Clip coupons from newspapers or download them from web sites.
16. Plan your meals around in-store specials, especially meats.
17. Make grocery list and stick to it.
18. Save money - and time - by shopping and cooking with a friend.
19. Grow your own vegetables and herbs.
20. Stretch meat further by making casseroles.

*These tips were found on http://www.bettycrocker.com/

Kroger Ad 9/9-9/15

Kroger Ad 9/9-9/15

http://central.inserts2online.com/customer_Frame.jsp?divID=021&drpStoreID=00914

*Don't forget to print your cellfire coupons!

Marsh - Weekly Ad

Marsh - Weekly Ad

Thrifty Thursday~Easier Budgeting

Easier Budgeting – Don’t Make It So Complicated!


by Jill Cooper
 
I once worked for a man who had a major problem controlling his spending. Here’s what finally helped him: Every Monday morning he put a $20 bill in his wallet. That twenty was all the money he allowed himself to spend for the whole week. It was his lunch money, pop money and, if he saw something at a store he really wanted, he had to buy it with his twenty or do without it.



This made him go home and think about the thing he wanted. Did really need it? Was it really worth it? Half the time, just having to drive back to the store was enough to deter him from buying it.


He even found himself making a game of it challenging himself to see how much of the twenty he could still have left at the end of the week. He started saving the extra money to use for something bigger and more special that he wanted. Often, after he had a nice chunk added up, he decided to just apply it to a bill. Watching that bill slowly go down told him he was winning the game.


If you have tried other ways unsuccessfully, you might try the twenty dollar bill idea. –Oh, and it doesn’t have to be a twenty. Depending on your circumstances and where you live, it could be more or less, but pick an amount and stick to it. It may take a week or two to figure out how much you want to allow yourself but, after that, use a set amount and that amount only for your miscellaneous spending money.


With this system, if you spend it all by Wednesday, too bad! You will have to eke by the rest of the week and, if you aren’t already bringing your lunch to work or finding other ways to save, you will find yourself starting to do it just so you can save more of your "twenty".


What I like even better about this idea is, at the end of the week or month, instead of having a huge column of little piddly things to add to your ledger, you only have to make one entry for the twenty for each week.


I did find it interesting that at the end of the show, after presenting all of these complex suggestions, the woman was asked "What do you do if your house payment is more than you can afford and you are deep in debt?" She paused with a strange blank look on her face and said, "There are only two things you really can do– earn more or spend less."


That’s it in a nut shell. We can make charts and write lists but the bottom line is, we simply need to either stop spending or start earning more.

Too often, we focus on learning how to get out of debt with the misconception that, simply by learning, we are doing something about our problem rather than focusing on getting out of debt by actually stopping our spending.


Often, we want to know how to save on the large amount of groceries we buy, never thinking that we could save a lot simply by not buying so much. Or, here’s one that I love: "My husband lost his job, so how do I save on our vacation?" I don’t know how to say this gently but, if you don’t have a job or you had a pay cut and don’t have enough money, you don’t take a vacation, play golf, buy new things to fix the house, put your kids in sports, throw expensive birthday parties, keep buying junk food or convince yourself that you really need to keep your cable and Internet to help you find a job.


There is one way and one way only to get out of debt and that is to spend a lot less than you make. The more desperate your situation, the more drastically you have to reduce your spending. Some of you may have to go from having your hair, nails and toes done once a month to only having your hair done. If things are really tight, maybe you can’t pay to have anything done most of the time. You may have to learn to share only one car. You might have to start walking or taking the bus. Whatever you need to do to pay it off, get serious and do it.


Key words for today’s lesson. Stop spending or start earning more.

Wholesome Words  


September 8, 2010 — by Marvin Williams
 

In November 2008, the US Supreme Court debated the constitutional limits on foul language. The Federal Communications Commission cited a national broadcasting company for allowing two entertainers to use two common profanities on the air. The broadcasting company argued that “fleeting” profanity that was not blatantly sexual should not be punished. Others countered that it is our duty to protect children from such language.

  The issue of inappropriate language was not up for debate in the church at Ephesus. Paul instructed believers that one of the ways they were to respond to the blessings of redemption and being made alive in Christ was by guarding their speech (4:29).

Paul did not want them to be characterized by their old way of living, which included corrupt and unwholesome speech, profanity, malicious gossip, slander, or anything that injures another and sparks dissension. Instead, he wanted the Ephesians through their words to “impart grace” and encouragement, as the need arose.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we want the words that flow from our hearts and out of our mouths to be a life-giving spring. And may all who hear our words receive a blessing.

Lord, set a guard upon my lips,
My tongue control today;
Help me evaluate each thought
And watch each word I say. —Hess


God’s Word should shape our words.

Freezer Meal Recipes

Freezer meals are great for saving time and money.If your interested in making freezer meals, check out http://www.recipelink.com/rcpmenus.html or http://www.30mealsinoneday.com/recipes.php for some great recipes.


My favorite is Cream Cheese Chicken. I serve it over penne pasta with salad and garlic bread and dinner is ready in no time!

Tasty Treat Tuesday~Cinnamon French Toast Bake

                                        

 Cinnamon French Toast Bake

Ingredients


1/4 cup melted butter
2 cans (12.4 oz each) Pillsbury® refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
5 eggs
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup maple syrup

Garnish

Icing from cinnamon rolls
Powdered sugar
Maple syrup, if desired

Directions

Melt butter and pour on ungreased 13×9 inch glass dish. Separate cans of dough into 16 rolls reserving the icing for later use. Cut each roll into 8 pieces and add to buttered baking dish.

Beat eggs in medium bowl. Add cream, cinnamon and vanilla and beat until well blended. Pour over cut pieces of cinnamon roll pieces.

Drizzle 3/4 cup syrup over the top and bake at 375 for 20 to 28 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes. Bake 20 to 28 minutes or until golden brown. Cool 15 minutes.

Remove the covers from icing and microwave on medium or 50% power for 10 to 15 seconds. (Should be thin enough to drizzle.) Drizzle icing over the top. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve with syrup if desired. Yum!

* I got this recipe from one of my favorite websites, http://www.ohmysugarhigh.com/ but can be found at http://www.pillsbury.com/.

$30 Weekly Grocery List and Menu

$30 Weekly Grocery List and Menu Ideas


by Sharon Gordon

Here's an idea for your week. I tried to pick things that most 10 and 2 year olds will like. This is a fall menu. Target prices are included for you. I assumed that you have a few flavorings and condiments in the pantry: baking powder, baking soda, mayonnaise, spices, herbs, salt, and vanilla flavoring.

Shopping List

5 lbs all purpose flour .89
5 lbs sugar 1.89
2 cartons eggs 1.78
l lb cheddar cheese 3.00
2 gallons milk 3.98
2 lbs regular margarine 1.68
2 lbs hamburger 1.98
1 lb lunch meat 1.29
3 28oz cans tomato sauce 2.67 (may want some Italian ones)
10 lbs potatoes 1.79
5 lbs carrots 1.29
5 lbs apples, medium size 3.00
1 cabbage .60
2 lbs dry navy beans .60
2 lbs elbow macaroni 1.00
1 lb spaghetti .50
1 yeast 3 pack 1.29
----
Total 29.23

Note: For anyone not on quite as stringent a budget, or who can get better deals, or who has a garden;
Add some more vegetables, especially green ones. I'd add fruit or juice to the other breakfasts without the apples. I'd probably also buy popcorn for snacks.

Breakfast


Pancakes with sautéed apples 3 times
Cheese biscuits 2 times
Muffins (plain, apple or spice) 3 times

Lunch

Here I am assuming that Mark and Danielle will take packed lunches and that you and Mollie will eat at home on weekdays.

Mark and Danielle

Lunch meat sandwiches, Carrot sticks, Sugar cookies 2 times
Lunch meat sandwiches, Apple, Sugar cookies 3 times

Stephanie and Molly

Baked potato with cheese, Apple, Sugar cookies 3 timesScrambled egg/cheese sandwich, carrot sticks, potato salad, sugar cookies 2 times

Weekend Lunches

Cheese Quiche, carrots (raw or cooked), Vanilla pudding
Shepherd's pie(1/4 lb Browned hamburger, cooked potatoes and carrots, white sauce made with Homemade Cream Soup Mix, a little cheese)

Supper

•Mac and Cheese, Cooked apples, Cabbage Slaw
•Spaghetti, garlic bread, Vanilla cake
•Tomato Soup, Cheese toasts, Carrot cake plain or with vanilla frosting
•Hamburger bean soup (Beans, 1/2 can tomato sauce, 1/4 lb hamburger, diced carrots, herbs/spices/salt), biscuits, Vanilla cake
•Hamburger Macaroni Casserole (hamburger, elbows, white sauce, salt, spices), Carrot/cabbage slaw, Apple pie
•Cheeseburger Pizzas(2) (1/2 can tomato sauce, browned hamburger, sprinkling of cheddar--add toppings last 5 minutes)
•Chili Potatoes-Baked potatoes topped with homemade chili and grated cheddar, Carrot cake

Other things which could be made with these ingredients:

Breakfast

•French toast
•Scones
•Bagels
•Herb biscuits
•Waffles

Main Dishes

•Bean hamburger cheese nachos
•Bean tacos
•Beef noodle soup
•Cabbage Rolls
•Cheese Pizza
•Cheese potato soup
•Cheese spread
•Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese
•Deviled eggs
•Egg drop soup
•Hamburger cabbage casserole
•Hamburger Calzones
•Macaroni Lasagna
•Marinated Italian Bean Salad
•Meat turnover pies
•Meatball sandwiches
•Meatloaf
•Minestrone Soup
•Omelets
•Pizza potatoes
•Potato cheese fritter
•Potato, cabbage, bean soup
•Spicy beans in flour tortilla

Vegetable Dishes

•Apple slaw
•Asian Cabbage Salad
•Cheesy fries
•Egg rolls
•Fried or Stir fried cabbage
•Hash browns
•Marinated carrots
•Mashed potatoes, plain or flavored
•Oven fries
•Perogies
•Potato cakes
•Potato skins
•Salsa potatoes

Pasta Dishes

•Pasta salad

Desserts

•Apple Turnovers
•Baked cinnamon apple slices (takes 1.5 minutes in microwave or can oven bake whole for impressive dessert)
•Biscotti
•Cinnamon toast
•Doughnuts
•Funnel cake
•Sliced apples with caramel dip
•Spice cookies
•Vanilla ice cream
•Vanilla shake

Misc.

•Apple butter
•Applesauce
•Children's eggnog
•Cinnamon bread
•Crackers
•Dumplings
•Homemade nachos and salsa
•Homemade noodles
•Soft pretzels
•Tomato herb bread
•V-8 type tomato drink



* I got this from http://www.heart4home.net/30perweek.htm. The prices may have gone up since this was published, but even so, these are still great recipes to get the most bang for your buck if your on a really tight budget.

Menu Monday

* Based on sale items at Meijer

Breakfast

Waffles with Raspberries, Sausage Patties and Eggs
Yogurt with Fruit and Toast with Cinnamon Peanut Butter
Cereal with Raspberries

Milk/Orange Juice

Lunch

Hot Ham and Cheese, Soup and Fruit
Fish Sticks, MacNCheese and Applesauce
Marie Callender's Pasta or Pot Pie
Lunchmeat Sandwich, Chips, Cottage Cheese and Fruit

Water/Tea/Lemonade

Dinner

M-Labor Day~Hamburgers and/or Hotdogs, Baked Beans, Corn Casserole, Homemade MacNCheese, and Cheeseball with Crackers
T-Rotisseri Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Greenbeans and Fruit Salad
W-Frozen Pizza, Salad
Th-Leftover Buffet (Set all leftovers out from the last 3 days)
F-French Toast, Sausage Patties, Eggs, Fruit
S-Pork Loin, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Corn and Dinner Rolls
S-Leftovers

Milk/Water

Dessert

Peach Pie
Strawberry Poke Cake

Snacks

Pudding
Veggies with Dip
Apples with Apple Dip
Popcorn

Family Fun Friday~Labor Day Weekend Festivities

Here are a few attractions for this Labor Day weekend.

http://farmerspike.com/ 30th Annual Farmer's Pike Festival

http://www.ribamerica.com/main/index.php?page=indianapolis 15th Annual Rib America Festival

http://www.metamoraindiana.com/  12th Annual Old Time Music Festival

Or you could head to downtown Indy on Saturday, September 4 for the Labor Day Parade. Entertainment and food booths open at 9am at the parade stars at 11am at the corner of North and Pennsylvania Streets.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Kroger Ad 9/2-9/8

http://central.inserts2online.com/customer_Frame.jsp?divID=021&drpStoreID=00914

Thrifty Thursday~Budget Worksheets

Planning ahead may take some time, but it's worth it in the end.

Here are some worksheets to help you stay in your budget!

Budget Worksheet

Go here http://www.momsbudget.com/printables/householdbudgetprint.html to print this page

      Grocery Price Log     

* Go here http://www.momsbudget.com/printables/pricelogpurpleprint.html to print this page.

Weekly Menu Planner

* Go here http://www.momsbudget.com/printables/weeklymealplannerprint.html to print this page.

Monthly Menu Planner

        

* Go here  http://www.momsbudget.com/printables/monthlymenublueprint.html to print this page.

* For more worksheet printables go to http://www.momsbudget.com/

                    

$1 Wheat Thins Coupon

Like Wheat Thins on Facebook to print a $1 coupon.

http://www.facebook.com/wheatthins

New Printable Coupons!

http://www.coupons.com/

*HOT COUPON* $5/5 Kraft Cheese or Dairy Products!

http://brands.kraftfoods.com/kraftcheese/index.html

Grab a Free Sample of Shout Colour Catcher - Free Free Product Samples

Grab a Free Sample of Shout Colour Catcher - Free Free Product Samples

Marsh - Weekly Ad

Marsh - Weekly Ad

Wisdom Wednesday~The Person of the Bible

During a church leaders’ conference at Seattle Pacific University, noted pastor Earl Palmer recalled an experience that shaped his teaching and preaching for half a century.

As a seminary student, he led a Bible study where he encouraged the participants to consider the words of Scripture. “I became convinced,” Palmer said, “that if I could get someone to look at the text, sooner or later the text would win their respect, and it would always point them to its living center: Jesus Christ. And when Jesus Christ has your respect, that’s not very many inches away from faith.”
Jesus told a group of religious leaders, who were well acquainted with the Old Testament but violently opposed to Him, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life” (John 5:39-40).
It requires an open heart as well as an inquiring mind to study the Bible. When we discover Jesus as the Person to whom the entire Bible points, we must then decide how to respond to Him.
There is great joy for all who will open their hearts to Christ and find life in Him.

God’s Word is like refreshing rain
That waters crops and seed;
It brings new life to open hearts,
And meets us in our need. —Sper


The written Word leads us to Christ the living Word.

*www.odb.org

Tasty Treat Tuesday~Raspberry Poke Cake

1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white cake mix

Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box
1 box (4-serving size) raspberry-flavored gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
1 container (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed (3 cups)
Fresh raspberries, if desired

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan).
Make and cool cake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan.
Pierce cooled cake all over with fork. In small bowl, stir gelatin and boiling water until smooth; stir in cold water. Pour over cake. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. Refrigerate 2 hours. Frost with whipped topping; garnish with raspberries. Store covered in refrigerator.

*Recipe from http://www.bettycrocker.com/

Menu Monday

* Based on sale items at Meijer

Breakfast

Bagel with Cream Cheese and Peaches
Kellogg's Eggo Waffles and Sausage Links
Kellogg's Fruit Pizza and Sausage Links
Kellogg's Cinnabon Pancakes and Sausage Links

Milk/Juice


Lunch

Healthy Choice Complete Meals or Cafe' Steamers
Sloppy Joe's, Chips and Fruit Salad
Fruit Smoothie, Veggies with Dip and Pretzels
Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Soup and Fruit Salad

Water/Tea/Lemonade


Dinner

Smoked Sausage, Green Beans, Homemade MacNCheese and Corn Bread
Tacos with Refried Beans topped with Cheese
Country Style Ribs, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Corn on the Cob and Fruit Salad
Pizza Quesadillas, Salad, and Fruit Tray with Fruit Dip
Cream Cheese Chicken, Salad and Garlic Bread
Leftovers
Italian Chicken, Pasta Salad, Corn on the Cob and Watermelon

Milk/Ice Water


Snacks

Popcorn
Combos
Fruit
Dry Cereal

Juice

Dessert

Peach Cobbler
Homemade Cheesecake

FREE CHIPS AND QUESO AT CHILI'S

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Family Fun Friday~Take the kids bowling for FREE!

Go to http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/ and sign up to receive printable coupons.

The program ends on 8/31/2010 so hurry!

For Q & A about the program go to http://www.kidsbowlfree.com/questions.php .

Kroger Ad 8/26 - 9/1

http://central.inserts2online.com/customer_Frame.jsp?divID=021&drpStoreID=00914

Thrifty Thursday ~ Pamper Yourself For Less!

The next time your in need of some TLC, try these luxurious spa treatments!



Chocolate Bubble Bath Recipe


Immerse yourself in the scent of chocolate with this lush chocolate bubble bath recipe!


1 cup bubble bath, unscented


1/3 cup unsweetened soy milk


3 oz dark chocolate (either in chunks broken up or in chips).


Heat soy milk in microwave until hot. Remove from microwave, then add chocolate,stirring well, until chocolate is completely melted. Add to 1 cup bubble bath, stirring well. Allow to cool, then pour into hot running bath water and enjoy!


Espresso Sugar Body Scrub Recipe


Do you love the smell of fresh roasted coffee? This scrub is not only great for
your body, but smells wonderful too, if you are a self admitted coffee lover!


2 cups coffee, coarsely ground


1/2 cup sugar


3 tbsp unscented massage oil

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients, making sure they are throughly mixed. In the shower or bath, use a small amount of espresso sugar body scrub to gently exfoliate your skin. Shower well to rinse off and finish off with moisturizing or body lotion.




Decadent Chocolate Facial Mask Recipe


A great way to treat your face to chocolate, without adding calories to your
waistline!


1/3 cup cocoa powder


1/4 cup honey


2 tbsp cream


3 tbsp oatmeal powder.


Combine all ingredients in a bowl, combining well. Apply decadent chocolate facial mask to the face, massaging it into the skin gently (the oatmeal will act as an exfoliant). Allow to dry on skin for 20 minutes then rinse off with warm water... you can do this in the shower to keep mess to a minimum! Apply moisturizer as needed.




Hot Oil Hair Treatment


1/2 cup olive oil


1/2 cup boiling water


Place olive oil and boiling water into a large glass bottle or jar with lid (a glass baby bottle with a stopper works well) Be careful, as jar will become hot - you may want to wrap it with a towel. Shake very well until you can see the oil is distributed evenly throughout the water. Massage into hair when just barely cool enough to use. Put a shower cap over your hair (the ones you get in hotel rooms work great - you can also use a plastic grocery bag) then wrap with a damp hot towel. Allow hot oil to work your hair for half an hour, then
shampoo and condition as usual.


Make your own body sugaring "wax"


This natural body sugaring recipe is for hair removal. It is cheaper that buying wax for hair removal because you can make this at home whenever you need it.


2 cups sugar


1/4 cup cold water


1/4 cup lemon juice (pure, not lemonade please!)


candy thermometer


In a medium saucepan, add water, sugar and lemon juice and heat over low heat. Stir the mixture every 15 seconds or so to prevent burning. Keep heating until small bubbles begin to form, then check temperature with a candy thermometer. Once the thermometer reads 250F, remove the saucepan from the heat.Allow the mixture to cool for about 15 minutes, or until it is cool enough to touch without burning your skin. Place body sugaring mixture into a microwave-safe container and seal tightly. Body sugar will keep for one month before needing replacement. Heat in microwave before use. You can use an old cotton tshirt cut into strips for hair removal. You can apply with a wooden spoon or stick in a layer about 1/8" thick, then press cotton strips on top of body sugar then pull to remove, making sure to remove in the opposite direction of your hair growth. Pull as quickly as possible!


Hand and Nail Treatment


Use this recipe to help your hands, especially if they tend to get "work worn"
from gardening or other hand use.


Fill a large bowl with warm water. Add 2 mint tea bags, and let steep for about ten minutes. You will have to add a bit more warm water at the end of the ten minutes, unless you don't mind putting your hands in lukewarm water. Let your hands soak for five minutes.


White Chocolate Lip Balm Recipe


Make your chocolate lip balm super gourmet with white chocolate instead of
regular brown chocolate.


3 tbsp Cocoa butter


3-4 regular size white chocolate chips


1 vitamin E capsule (available at pharmacies)


1/4 tsp almond extract


In a microwave-safe glass dish, melt cocoa butter in microwave, watching it melt carefully. Remove dish from microwave (warning, it will be hot!) and add the white chocolate chips, stirring until chips are fully melted and combined with butter. Next, add vitamin E and extract, stirring well again until all lumps are gone. While still hot, pour into a clean lip balm tube or pot. Allow to cool to set, then enjoy!



Thanks to http://www.momsbudget.com/ for these awesome recipes!

Marsh - Weekly Ad

Marsh - Weekly Ad

Wisdom Wednesday

Sunshine Chaser

Diana and Dave love to ride their jet skis on the lake, skimming across the water on warm sunny days. But one morning the weather was cool and mostly cloudy, and Diana couldn’t convince Dave to go out. So she went on her own. It was so cold that she flitted back and forth across the lake, trying to keep herself in the sunshine for some needed warmth. But every time she reached a sunny area, the clouds moved and it quickly turned to shade. Realizing the futility and silliness of chasing the sunshine, she finally gave up because it didn’t bring her what she wanted.



King Solomon did another kind of chasing that couldn’t bring him satisfaction (Eccl. 2:1). In the first 11 verses of Ecclesiastes 2 alone, he mentions that he chased after pleasure, laughter, wine, wisdom, houses, gardens, money, possessions, and music. But his evaluation was that “all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun” (2:11). Those pursuits were empty—“vanity of vanities” (1:2). He wisely concluded: “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (12:13).


Are you chasing after some of the same things that Solomon was? It’s a vain pursuit. Purpose and satisfaction come only from knowing and obeying God.


Chasing after empty pleasure


Will not satisfy one’s heart;


But to those who follow Jesus,


Life’s fulfillment He’ll impart. —Sper


Only God can fill an empty heart.