September 30, 2015
It was nice to go for a 10 mile bike ride with my neighbor this morning on this last day of September. I’ve been so focused on my scrummy recipes, it felt good to get outside and once again restore balance with a little exercise. So after pedaling my quads and keister into stiffness and fatigue, I am ready to indulge back into today’s featured recipe using homemade Super Scrummy Sweetened Condensed Milk.
It’s apple season! Time to curl up with a big bowl of crisp apple slices and a smooth sweet caramel apple dip. My Apple Dapple Caramel Dip is rich, creamy and easy to make. Check out the detailed instructions on the Nic’s Picks page of the main Recipes section. Every fall, I look 
forward to biting into a giant honeycrisp apple. It’s even better sliced and dipped in my caramel sauce. I also like the tartness of a Granny Smith apple in contrast with the smooth sweet caramel. Choose your favorite apple, and try this dip. Adding peanuts to this already winning combination makes it even better!
If you’re stopping by Hy-Vee to pick up some fresh apples and caramels, you might want to check out a couple of special sales they have this week.
Hy-Vee Flour 5lb Bag
Sales Price $.99 (Limit one)
Hy-Vee Chili Style or Kidney Beans 15 oz Cans
Sales Price 2/$.88
*Prices and availability may vary by location.
Today’s Featured Freebies:
FREE Medium Slurpee at 7-Eleven
Text SIXFLAGS to 711711 to receive a Medium Slurpee coupon. This digital coupon is good for 15 minutes once you tap the redeem link in your browser. Expires 12/31/15.
FREE Bag of Meow Mix Irresistibles Cat Treats
Get a coupon for free Meow Mix Irresistibles Cat Treats by uploading a photo or video of your cat’s most irresistible moment.
September 29, 2015
It is officially National Coffee Day. I hope you were able to find a free cup of Joe this morning or enjoyed a special home brewed mug. Late last fall, my parents decided to upgrade their Keurig coffee maker, so I inherited their old one. Up to that point, I had never really been a coffee drinker. I have absolutely loved having the Keurig, and my favorite coffee is HEB’s Christmas Kiss. This delightful blend of chocolate cherry coffee is only available during the holiday season.
In the meantime with all of the late summer Starbucks promotions, I have taken a particular interest in iced coffee. Using the Keurig and my new favorite recipe (Super Scrummy Sweetened Condensed Milk), I can easily whip up my own bottle of Quick Iced Coffee. You can see how I do it on the Nic’s Picks page of the main Recipes section. Become your own barista and figure out your perfect blend of iced coffee.
Tip: Don’t just throw away your used coffee grounds. Add them to your compost pile!
Today’s Featured Perks
NEW Coupon
$2.00 off two 2-liter 7Up, etc and two bags of Mars candy manufacturer’s coupon available at coupons.com
Target Deal: Check your local Target’s weekly ad for a sale on all 2 liter sodas (5/$5 or $1.25 each). Mars fun-size candy is said to be on sale for $2.66 a bag.
Two 2 liters 7Up $2.50
Two Mars fun size bags of candy $5.32
$2.50 + $5.32 = $7.82
$2.00 off manufacturer’s coupon (-$2.00)
=$5.82
*Coupon includes Sunkist, 7Up, Canada Dry, A&W, Squirt, and Sundrop sodas and M&M’s, Snickers, 3 Musketeers, Twix, and Milky Way fun size bags 8.67 oz or larger. Prices and availability may vary by location.
Sparkle Paper Towels 6 ct Pkg
Sales price at Dollar General $4.50
Save $1.00 Sparkle Coupon (-$1.00)
=$3.50
*Prices and availability may vary by location.
September 28, 2015
Last night’s lunar eclipse was quite remarkable. I managed to get the time confused but was still
able to see what was occurring. Sid of course was up front and center and couldn’t resist a closer look. He made sure I got a good look at the giant moon before making his own lunar escape over the fence.
Sid the Adventurer is napping right now, and I am really excited to share my new favorite recipe. With only four ingredients and a blender, you can create something positively scrummy! The versatile Super Scrummy Sweetened Condensed Milk recipe can be found on the new Nic’s Picks page under the main Recipes section. The Nic’s Picks page will be where I feature some of my absolute favorite recipes. I have also added the Super Scrummy recipe to the In a Pinch page. Give this recipe a try, and tomorrow I am going to share a delicious way to enjoy it!
Deals, Deals, Deals!!!
FREE A1 Steakhouse Favorites Recipe Booklet: Call 1-888-217-8325 and press 2. The call is entirely automated. You will provide your name and address so the recipe booklet can be sent to you in 7-10 days.
Sonic Wing Night In America: Buy 1, Get 1 FREE Boneless Wings (6 pc, 12 pc or 24 pc). This limited time offer is valid Mondays 5 pm – close.
Sonic’s “Have a 1/2 Price Blast September 30th!” Special: Any two small or medium Sonic Blasts or Master Blasts are 1/2 price ALL day Wednesday. Please ask when ordering.
Tomorrow is National Coffee Day!
Dunkin’ Donuts: FREE Hot or Iced Coffee 9/29 in Celebration of National Coffee Day
LaMar’s Donuts: FREE 12 oz Coffee 9/29 in Observance of National Coffee Day
Krispy Kreme: FREE Coffee and Doughnut 9/29 to celebrate National Coffee Day
*As always, prices and promotions may vary by location. I will always do my best to keep you informed of the best deals currently available, but I cannot guarantee them.
September 27, 2015
Thanks to my aunt and cousin, the Fun & Games page has been updated and improved. You can now see exactly how the Whipped Cream Launch & Catch Game is supposed to be played from the two who first introduced it and watch in slow motion what exactly happened to my younger brother. Check it out, and give the game a try. Such great fun.
I have been receiving reports from my readers that the free Jiffy Mix Recipe Books mentioned in the post from 9/11/15 are starting to arrive. I still have yet to receive mine in the mail. Maybe tomorrow?
New Deals for the Week:
All Liquid Laundry Detergent 50 oz or All Mighty Pacs 24 ct
CVS sales price $3.49
$1.00 off manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
=$2.49
*Check your coupon inserts in the Sunday paper and this week’s mailings or go to redplum.com for the manufacturer’s coupon. Price and availability may vary by location. You can check your local CVS ad on cvs.com.
Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent 43.75-50 oz
CVS sales price $2.99
Save $.50 manufacturer’s coupon (-$.50)
=$2.49
*Manufacturer’s coupon available on coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location. Check out your local CVS ad on cvs.com.
Crest Sensitive Rinse
CVS sales price $4.79
$2.00 off one Crest Mouth Wash manufacturer’s coupon (-$2.00)
Pay $2.79
Earn $3.00 Extrabucks Rewards
= (-$.21)
*Manufacturer’s coupon is the one mentioned in the post from 9/17. Check your prior coupon inserts and mailers. Price, availability, and promotion may vary by location. Check cvs.com for your local weekly ad.
Sabra Hummus
Target’s sales price 2/$5 or $2.50 each
$1.00 off coupon from Sabra (-$1.00)
=$1.50
*Price and availability may vary by location.
September 25, 2015
It’s Friday. Time for some frivolous fun. My cousin’s kids introduced this stupidly clever game to the rest of the family. All you need is a can of whipped cream, some coordination and a sense of humor! I call it the Whipped Cream Launch & Catch Game. Spray whipped cream on the back of one hand/wrist. Raise that hand until it meets your other hand launching the whipped cream into the air. Catch the whipped cream in your mouth. Easy enough, right?
My family loves to play games together. We have so much fun laughing and making memories. It’s priceless entertainment. That’s why I’ve added a Fun & Games page to the main Around the House section. Watch videos and see pictures of our Whipped Cream Launch & Catch Game successes and failures on the Fun & Games page. Then give the game a try. Adults and kids alike will find it great fun.
Getting together with my large family also boosted the size of my bottle collection. I have a specific bottle project in mind that I hope to accomplish this fall. Not only do I save wine & beer bottles, but I also keep jars of all shapes and sizes. They make great reusable storage containers. If the jar has a standard or wide-mouthed top, you can get plastic reusable jar lids and store all kinds of food items in them. It’s a wonderful way to organize your cupboards and pantry. Jars also work great for a variety of creative projects. In fact, you may want to start saving the jars from your pasta sauce, jam, salsa, queso, olives, etc for an upcoming project I will be sharing.
Speaking of sharing, after introducing the Reading Nook yesterday, Sid wanted to let everyone 
know about his favorite book. It’s called “Cats Know Best.” This beautifully illustrated book is Sid’s favorite bedtime story. I think he just likes that the title reiterates everything he’s ever tried to tell me.
Today’s Featured Bargain:
Starbucks Refreshers 12 oz
Sales price at CVS $1.50 through 9/26
Pay $1.50
Earn $1.50 Extrabucks Rewards (-$1.50)
=FREE
*Limit one. Prices and availability may vary by location.
Featured Coupon of the Day:
Save $2.00 on any one Almay Cosmetic Product manufacturer’s coupon available on coupons.com
HEB also has an in store coupon for $2.00 off Almay Cosmetics (cannot be combined with the manufacturer’s coupon)
Target Cartwheel currently has offers for 10% off Almay Face Cosmetics and 5% off Almay Makeup Removers. (If you are ever unsure of whether or not a specific item is included in the Target Cartwheel offer, touch the little cart by the 3 bars at the top of your Cartwheel app. It will give you the option to “Scan Product.” Scan the item in store, and see if the item is included in an offer.)
This photo was taken in an HEB store today. In my opinion, Almay has a decent product at modest prices. With higher valued coupons like the ones available now, items like their eye shadow are a particularly good deal at $3.98 for the 3-color palette. Having taken advantage of similar promotions in the past, I’ve collected some of the older eye shadow combinations, and am pleased with them. It’s a fun and inexpensive way to freshen up your look.
September 24, 2015
Clear out a cozy corner of the house or find a nice quiet area outside and get lost in a book. Whether it’s informative or sheer fiction, let go of the world around you and indulge your mind in another place and time. I have created a new page entitled Reading Nook. Today I am featuring The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. The subject matter is of a more serious nature, but the informative prose offers some life lessons for us all.
I love sharing bargain and couponing tips. Whether we take advantage of these savings 
opportunities simply for the thrill of the challenge or out of necessity, they can afford us the chance to not only stockpile our basic necessities but also a little extra cash. How we choose to utilize the money we save can impact our financial journey. On the 25 Ways to Save page, I raise the idea of rounding up your monthly mortgage payment to pay a little extra on the principal of your loan in order to pay off your house sooner and ultimately save a lot of money down the road. Paying off debt, establishing an emergency fund, funding your retirement, and contributing to your child’s college fund are also worthwhile ways to utilize your newfound extra cash. But what should you do first? Dave Ramsey lays out a distinct financial plan in his book The Total Money Makeover. He takes you through every phase step by step.
Ultimately your financial journey is your own, and it’s up to you to make your own choices. I personally think Dave’s book offers sound, matter of fact advice and is worth the read.
Today’s Notable Deals:
Target: Check Cartwheel for Special 40% Off Offers on Kids’ Halloween Costumes and Candy Today Only (Don’t forget to look through your coupon stash for additional savings. I know I have at least one coupon for M&M’s.)
Dunkin’ Donuts: FREE Hot or Iced Coffee 9/29 in Celebration of National Coffee Day
LaMar’s Donuts: FREE 12 oz Coffee 9/29 in Observance of National Coffee Day
*Promotions may vary by location.
If Sid will make room for me, I may curl up in my reading nook and look through the new SunMaid 100th Anniversary Cookbook (mentioned in September 3rd’s post) that arrived today in the mail.
September 23, 2015
Happy Fall, Y’all! Ok, that “sounds” just as silly in writing as me actually saying it. While I’ve lived in Texas over nine years, the word y’all will never just flow naturally out of my mouth. But three words that will roll effortlessly off
my tongue are Harvest Pumpkin Waffles. I made a double batch of these delectable delights for dinner last night. Topped with homemade Orange Walnut Butter and drizzled with maple syrup, these Harvest Pumpkin Waffles are unbelievably scrumptious. The Orange Walnut Butter absolutely makes the dish, and you may even want to double the batch of waffles so you can freeze the extras like I did. Check out both recipes on the Fall Favorites page of the main Recipes section. Since I have a freezer full of pecans from my brother’s pecan tree, I substituted pecans for the walnuts in the orange butter. It is a delicious combination as well. Enjoying a plate of warm Harvest Pumpkin Waffles with Orange Walnut Butter is the perfect way to welcome autumn.
Mark your calendar for these special deals!
9/23 (Today!)
Sonic: 1/2 Price Ice Cream Cones All Day
La Madeleine Country French Cafe: FREE Croissant (Head to your nearest La Madeleine and enjoy!)
Edible Arrangements: FREE 7-Piece Sample Box of Salted Caramel Banana and Apple Fruit Truffes (Stop by your local store.)
9/24
Perkins Bakery & Restaurant: FREE Short Stack of Pancakes (It’s their gesture to encourage you to donate to Give Kids the World Village.)
9/29
Krispy Kreme: FREE Coffee and Doughnut to celebrate National Coffee Day
*Promotions may vary by location.
September 22, 2015
Today is the last official day of summer. Considering today’s high is supposed to be 96, I have no difficulty believing fall has yet to arrive. Sid and I took a stroll around the farm this morning. We’re happy to report that the green beans are growing splendidly. Signs of the carrots and beets remain yet to be seen. My furry fellow farmer is very interested in every step of the gardening process.
He loves to get his paws dirty and “help” in any way he can. This morning, Sid took particular interest in the carrot garden. He jumped right in and gave the soil an up close and thorough inspection. The sniffer was going in high gear and all four paws dug right in there. What could possibly be disrupting the seeds and their ability to grow? 
Sid also specializes in pest control. With Sid on the job, the birds have no place in our garden. I still need to clean out my strawberry bed and plant another 4’x4′ garden of beans. Unfortunately, my strawberry plants fried in the summer’s heat. I no longer feel bad about it after watching “Central Texas Gardener” a couple of weekends ago. One of the guests stated how strawberries are more of an annual down here, and that it’s best to plant them in the fall to have good healthy plants in the spring. While my
strawberries are a bust, my lemon tree is doing well. I have never had so many lemons on the tree and am very eager for the fruit to ripen.
With harvest season and fall on the horizon, we begin to think about Halloween. Wendy’s has a special promotion enabling you to give your favorite trick or treaters something different from the standard candy staples. For $1, get a coupon book for 5 Free Jr. Frosty treats. 85¢ of every $1 coupon book sold between 9/14/15 and 11/1/15 will benefit the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption. Contact your local Wendy’s to find out if they are participating.
Enjoy this last day of summer!
September 21, 2015
I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. Here are a few notable promotions to start your week off right.
Colgate Total Toothpaste
On sale this week at CVS $2.99
$1 off any Colgate Total, Optic White, etc manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
Pay $1.99
Earn $2 in Extrabucks Rewards (-$2.00)
=Free
*Manufacturer’s coupon available on coupons.com and Target.com. Prices and availability may vary by location.
4-Pack Angel Soft Toilet Paper
Dollar General price $1.00
Print $.55 off coupon (-$.55)
=$.45
*Price per MySavings.com. Price and availability may vary.
Free Cinnabon Minibon on 9/26 from 11 am to 1 pm in celebration of their 30th birthday. Just stop by your nearest Cinnabon.
Print FREE coloring pages from Crayola. Over 1,000 available. There are even a few intricate pages designed for adults. Give it a try. It may help you relax after a long day.
September 20, 2015
So excited!!! I went to Target this morning and verified the sales price on the Barilla Pronto Pasta I mentioned in Friday’s post. I made 2 cents on 2 boxes of pasta! The associate did forget to give me my 5 cent bag credit, but I’ll let it slide since I walked out of there with 2 boxes of pasta, 2 small bags of Werther’s caramels from the $1 section, and a can of Campbell’s chicken gumbo soup for $1.30. I had coupons that made the caramels free, so I only paid for the can of soup which was 2 cents less because of the pasta coupons and 7 cents less with my REDcard. This is why I love couponing! Here’s how the Barilla Pronto Pasta deal worked:
Barilla Pronto Pasta
Sales price at Target $1.09
Buy two boxes $2.18
Text SAMPLE to 827438 for a $.75 off 2 Barilla Pronto Pasta Target Mobile Coupon (-$.75)
Print one $.70 off 1 box of Barilla Pronto Pasta manufacturer’s coupon (-$.70)
$.75 off 1 box of Barilla Pronto Pasta manufacturer’s coupon from last week’s circular (-$.75)
= -$.02 for 2 boxes!!!
*If you do not have the coupon from last week’s circular, you can always print two of the 70 cents off manufacturer’s coupons from Target.com or coupons.com. You will end up paying 3 cents for two boxes. Such an incredible deal! Prices and availability may vary by store. I would not expect Target to give you the $.02 in cash. Use it toward another item.
September 18, 2015
This week of Freezer Friendly recipes is ending on a sweet note. My 
Fabulous Frozen Snickers Dessert is the perfect way to complete a scrumptious family meal. With Snickers, Oreos and Cool Whip, what could possibly go wrong? Take it to a potluck, and I’m confident that you’ll be asked for the recipe. Keep it in the freezer for when those special little occasions in life arise. Celebrate that unexpected promotion, an A in math class or that the sun is shining and it’s Friday! Step by step instructions for the Fabulous Frozen Snickers Dessert can be found on the Freezer Friendly page of the the main Recipes section.
I hope this week’s Freezer Friendly recipes have inspired you to better utilize that helpful appliance that is your freezer. Taking the time to prepare food ahead can pay off in spades later. It’s a great way to relieve stress during the week and simply make life a little easier. Get your kids involved in the process, and make it fun. I have provided five recipe ideas, but that’s only the beginning. Lasagna, chicken enchiladas, muffins, and cinnamon rolls freeze well too. What are some of your favorite foods that can be easily prepared ahead and frozen? Please share your ideas below in the comments section.
AWESOME Deal of the Day:
Barilla Pronto Pasta
Price per Target’s Website $1.39 (Online tip indicates a sales price of $1.09 through 10/3)
Purchase 2 boxes $2.78 ($2.18 if sales price is applicable)
Text SAMPLE to 827438 for a $.75 off 2 Barilla Pronto Pasta Target Mobile Coupon (-$.75)
Print two $.70 off 1 box of Barilla Pronto Pasta manufacturer’s coupons (-$1.40)
=$.63 for 2 or roughly $.32 a box (=$.03 for 2 if sales price tip is correct!)
*I have not verified the price at my local Target. Perhaps the product will be featured in next week’s weekly ad. On sale or not, this is a great deal. If you look through this week’s coupon mailer or newspaper insert, you may find a $.75 off any 1 box of Barilla Pronto Pasta manufacturer’s coupon. I received one in Wednesday’s coupon mailer. The $.70 off manufacturer’s coupons are available on both Target.com and coupons.com. Remember that if you use your Target REDcard, you will get 5% off, and if you bring your own reusable bags, Target will give you a 5 cent credit for each one used.
September 17, 2015
Fresh warm cookies from the oven on a cool autumn day is a delightful treat. Enjoying warm cookies on a whim is an easy task when you make a big batch of Extraordinary Chocolate Chip Cookie dough and freeze it in individual cookie balls. Simply take out a few cookies at a time, and you can enjoy fresh baked cookies whenever you want. Stocking your freezer with cookie dough can save you time when you suddenly need to bring cookies to a meeting or school event. If unexpected company arrives, you’ll look completely prepared when serving them fresh cookies and a cup of coffee. I’m sure your kids would love to come home after school to such a wonderful surprise. And what would a trip to Grandma’s house be without yummy cookies made only the way Grandma can?! Check out the recipe for Extraordinary Chocolate Chip Cookies on the Freezer Friendly page of the main Recipes section. I’ve also included another fun freezer friendly idea using these delicious cookies. But don’t stop there. Use your own favorite cookie dough recipes to fill your freezer. You’ll be glad you did.
Deal of the Day:
Crest Advanced Mouthwash
On Sale at CVS for $4.99
$2.00 off 1 Crest Mouthwash manufacturer’s coupon (-$2.00)
Pay $2.99
Get $2.00 in CVS Extrabucks Rewards (-$2.00)
=$.99
*Sale price valid at CVS until 9/19/15. Check your mailings and newspaper inserts for the coupon. Mine arrived in the mail yesterday.
Throughout this site you will read about my loyalty to Sierra Trading Post. Sierra Trading Post offers name brand quality products for a fraction of the price–Asics, Columbia, SmartWool, Icebreaker, Keen, Merrell, Pearl Izumi, Dansko, Calphalon, Wusthof, Eagle Creek… just to name a few. Enter to win a $500 eGift card from Sierra Trading Post. It really is an awesome prize.
September 16, 2015
Ironically, it is cloudy this morning, and there’s a definite chance of meatballs being featured as today’s Freezer Friendly recipe. So versatile and well liked, meatballs offer a variety of dinner options sure to please everyone gathered around your table. Preparing meatballs in advance and storing them in the freezer makes mealtime a snap on an otherwise hectic night. Try my recipe for Make Ahead Meatballs found on the Freezer Friendly page of the main Recipes section, and get your freezer stocked with this hearty mealtime staple. Meatball subs, dipped in barbecue sauce, spaghetti and meatballs, game day appetizer…
Deals of the Day:
Sara Lee Snack Cakes
Regular price at Target $2.50
20% off assorted Sara Lee Snack Cakes Cartwheel offer expiring 9/27/15 (-$.50)
Save $1.00 on any Sara Lee Snacks 10 oz or larger manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
=$1.00
*Price per Mysavings.com. Prices and availability may vary by location. $1 off coupon available on Target.com and coupons.com. Save an extra 5% by using your Target REDcard. Target also issues a 5 cent credit for every reusable bag you bring and use.
Dole Smoothie Shakers
Regular price at Walmart $1.50
Save $.50 on any Dole Smoothie Shaker manufacturer’s coupon
=$1.00
*Manufacturer’s coupon available on coupons.com and Target.com. Price per Familysavings.com. Price and availability may vary by location.
September 15, 2015
Growing up, Mom always made a big Sunday dinner after church, and Dad was in charge of ordering pizza for supper. While I may not make a big noon meal, the Sunday night pizza tradition has stuck with me. Making homemade pizzas ahead to put in the freezer makes the Sunday supper (or dinner any night of the week) even easier. Get your kids or grandchildren involved in the process and play “Pizza Parlor” with them. They can help pick the toppings and decorate the pizzas any way they choose. You might even get them to eat more vegetables if they put them on the pizza themselves. It’s a great way to spend time with the kids while being productive. Check out the recipe for Sunday Night Pizza on the Freezer Friendly page of the main Recipes section for more details.
Deals of the Day:
Oral-B Cavity Defense Toothbrush
Regular Price at Target $1.49
$.75 off one Oral-B Adult Manual Toothbrush manufacturer’s coupon* (-$.75)
=$.74
*Manufacturer’s coupon available on Target.com and coupons.com. Price and availability may vary by location. Remember to bring your own reusable bag, and Target will give you a 5 cent credit. Using your REDcard will also give you 5% off your entire purchase.
Sparkle Big Roll 6-pack Paper Towels
Regular Price at Target $5.99*
20% off Georgia Pacific Paper Products Cartwheel Offer (-$1.20)
Get a $1.00 off coupon from Sparkle (-$1.00)
=$3.79
*Sparkle paper towels are not available in all Target stores.
Hot Coupon: Save $1.00 on two 12-pack cans of any flavor 7UP
Coupon available on coupons.com, and may not be available for long.
September 14, 2015
This week is all about making the most of your freezer. I’m sure we all have those nights where we don’t want to cook or are too busy in the morning to make a hearty breakfast. Perhaps company drops in unexpectedly and you’d like to serve them a special treat or invite them to stay for dinner. Let go of the stress by stocking your freezer with delicious homemade food. Simply spend a weekend or evening preparing Freezer Friendly recipes in advance. That will give you easy choices instead of last minute anxiety.
Today’s featured Freezer Friendly recipe is Warrior Waffles. Make a double batch of waffles for your Saturday 
morning brunch and freeze the extras. Then during the week, you can take out a couple of waffles and stick them in the toaster for a quick and tasty breakfast. Starting off your day with a nutritious meal will help bring out your inner warrior to get you through the day’s demands. Check out the Warrior Waffles recipe on the new Freezer Friendly page of the main Recipes section.
Aside from enjoying waffles, this weekend warrior cleaned up another raised garden box and planted a 4’x4′ garden of beets. I am really looking forward to the next harvest. It’s the waiting with which I struggle. At least I can bide some of that time watching the return of some of my favorite television shows and enjoy some new ones too. Season 4 of Longmire is now on Netflix, and after missing the premieres last Sunday, I was able to watch Public Television’s Great British Baking Show and Arthur & George on Masterpiece last night. The Great British Baking Show has all of the intrigue of a baking competition with distinctively more refined behavior from the contestants and judges than the typical cooking competition shows on tv. And how can one not be thrilled to see “Doc Martin” (Martin Clunes) star as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in this three part mini series? If you aren’t yet a fan of Public Television, I encourage you to check out their shows. Some of their productions are brilliant. I’m very eager for the return of Downton Abbey. Public Television’s Create TV channel also has some wonderful gardening, home, and cooking shows well worth your time.
As time passes, you will notice that my prior posts will now be archived by month under the main Home page. All of July’s posts are now on the July 2015 page.
And looking forward, REDcard holders can get a free reusable Target bag on October 4, 2015. Simply stop by your local Target store. Offer good while supplies last.
September 11, 2015
Friday’s Deal of the Day!
Tostitos Chips & Dips
Sale Price at Target $3.00
Target’s Cartwheel Discount 40% off Tostitos chips, salsa & queso expiring 9/14/15 ($-1.20)
=$1.80 each
*Target’s weekly ad changes on Sundays. Sales price may change 9/13/15.
Sign up for a free Jiffy Mix Recipe Book. The improved booklet features new recipes along with updated versions of their beloved classics all enhanced by new photos and helpful hints.
September 10, 2015
I am so grateful for the rain we received last night. After a spring full of flooding showers, central Texas has had an extremely dry summer. In faithful anticipation of this week’s welcomed precipitation, I endured the heat and prepared two of my raised bed gardens for the fall planting. Shoveling out all of the dirt from one box and putting it into the other, I placed new weed barrier at the bottom of the raised bed. Once I completed the first box, I repeated the process on the second one. I also added a little Miracle Grow garden soil to replenish some of the soil’s depleted nutrients. On Monday I planted a 4’x4′ garden of carrots and a 4’x4′ garden of beans. I have never planted green beans before and am really hoping they will produce bountifully. Beets will be the next vegetable planted. The rain from above is so much better for the gardens than hand watering. So very thankful.
While waiting for the next harvest, how about enjoying a sweet but nutritionally packed snack? I have added a simple six-ingredient cookie recipe to the Half Batch recipes page. These two bite cookies are flourless and do not use butter or margarine. The Petite Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies are simple to make and can even be mixed by hand. There’s no need to dirty your mixer. As I prefer to buy minimal ingredients to keep on hand, I made my own quick oats from old-fashioned oats and used my own homemade brown sugar. The recipe yields approximately 26 small cookies which bake in about 6 minutes. They make a great afternoon pick-me-up, and I think they’d even be a good post workout snack.
Featured Coupon of the Day:
Save $1 on two 2-liter or 6-pack 8oz cans of any flavor Sunkist Soda, 7UP, Canada Dry, A&W, Squirt or Sun Drop manufacturer’s coupon available on coupons.com
Online Tips:
- Walmart is supposed to have the 2-liter bottles priced around $1.
- CVS is said to be putting 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, and Sunkist 2-liters on sale for $.99 next week (9/13-9/19) and to have a $.30 CVS coupon available at their coupon center. Print your manufacturer’s coupon now for $1 off 2, and save it for next week’s sale.
September 9, 2015
Deal of the Day: 2 Snickers Bars for $.25!
Here’s How:
Go to the Snickers Facebook page and take the Hunger Handler Quiz to get a buy one get one free coupon. Put in your date of birth, and select continue to get to the quiz. It’s a fun little question and answer series to determine which variety of Snickers Bar best suits your personality when you’re hungry.
At CVS, scan your ExtraCare card at their in-store kiosk to get an instant $.74 off one Mars Chocolate coupon.
CVS Sales Price for 1.86 oz Snickers Bar $.99 (Sale price ends 9/12/15.)
Select 2 Bars $1.98
Buy One Get One Free Coupon (-$.99)
CVS Instant Coupon (-$.74)
=$.25 for 2 or roughly $.13 each!
For a new way to enjoy Snickers bars, check out my recipe for Sweet & Tart Apple Snickers Salad. It’s the third recipe down on the Perfect Potluck page.
Free McDonald’s Sandwich
Download the new McDonald’s mobile app to get a free sandwich. Offer limited to first 8,000,000 downloads.
September 8, 2015
Sid was just thrilled to get mail this weekend. Much to my surprise, my finicky eater 
did enjoy the free sample of Friskies 7. Now that I’ve stocked up on his regular kind of kibble, he seems to prefer everything else. I guess he just got the itch to try something new. For anyone who laughed at that, thank you.
Play time also took a new twist over the holiday weekend for the adorable feline. Using my grandma’s simple but sentimentally stellar sewing machine, I made Sid a catnip mouse and a couple of fish. I sewed him another mouse this morning and have provided detailed 
instructions on the “Homemade Cat Toys” page under the main “Sid’s Space” section. Check out the step by step tutorial, and watch videos of Sid’s reactions to the catnip toys.
Today’s featured bargain of the day is on Pillsbury Grands Biscuits.
Pillsbury Grands Biscuits 5-Count
Regular price $.98 each at Walmart
Buy 2 for $1.96
Save $1 on two when you buy any two Pillsbury Refrigerated Baked Goods Products manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
=$.96 for two or $.48 each
*Manufacturer’s coupon available on coupons.com. Prices and availability may vary by store and region.
As an update to yesterday’s featured Ivory deal, Walmart is supposed to carry the body wash and 3-packs of bar soap for $.97 each. With the 50 cent coupon, that would bring the price down to $.47.
And how about a bonus deal for the day?
Herbal Essences Body Wash
Regular price $2.47 at Walmart
$1.00 off manufacturer’s coupon (-$1.00)
=$1.47
*Price and availability may vary. Coupon available on coupons.com.
Remember it’s not too late to stop by Sonic for a 1/2 price cheeseburger!
September 7, 2015
Happy Labor Day! If the thought of getting back into routine after a long weekend is getting you down, smile! Tomorrow is half-priced cheeseburger day at Sonic.
Also of note this holiday weekend, coupons.com has a higher value Ivory soap coupon available. The new manufacturer’s coupon is for 50 cents off one Ivory body wash or one 3 bar or larger package. Target has the Ivory 3-packs of bar soap for $.99. If you don’t have access to Target, check out Walmart, your local grocery store, dollar store or other store that accepts manufacturer’s coupons.
3-Pack Ivory Bar Soap
$.99 at Target
50 cents off manufacturer’s coupon (-$.50)
=$.49 for 3 or roughly 16 cents a bar
With this new coupon, it’s a great time to try making your own homemade laundry detergent. Check out the recipe for powdered laundry detergent on the “Soap Sud Laundry Detergents” page of the “Around the House” section. The 3-packs tend to be the smaller 3.1 oz bars, so you will need to use a bar and a half or double the batch and use all 3 bars.
September 4, 2015
It’s “Force Friday,” and Sid’s got his Yoda ears ready. In anticipation of the newest film in the Star Wars saga, toys 
and other memorabilia were released in stores today. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” opens in theaters December 18.
While I know the Star Wars launch is exciting, this weekend marks a more momentous milestone occasion in my family. Tomorrow is my parents 45th wedding anniversary. To commemorate their sapphire anniversary, I got them 
a blue (“sapphire”) pie plate. My intention was to bake them a pie in it when they came to visit. It was then that I realized I had never made a proper fruit pie. My mom has been baking since she was eight years old, so I decided I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to learn from my mom’s experience and asked her to teach me. Mom gave me a thorough pie making lesson while she was here, and the triple berry pie was delicious. She thought the pie plate was beautiful, and Dad enjoyed the warm blueberry, raspberry and blackberry pie a la mode. You can check out my detailed pie crust tutorial on the “Pie Lesson From Mom” page of the main “Recipes” section.
September 3, 2015
If you enjoy trying new recipes, go to www.sunmaid.com/anniversarycookbook and either download or order online a free copy of Sun-Maid’s 100th Anniversary Cookbook. The booklet contains 20 of Sun-Maid’s favorite recipes developed over the last 100 years. I ordered mine today and look forward to learning new and creative ways
to cook with raisins and dried fruit.
Perhaps a night in with a big bowl of popcorn and a movie is on the agenda for the weekend. Enjoy a free Redbox movie night by texting HEB to 727272 for a promo code redeemable at a Redbox kiosk or redbox.com. The promotion runs from September 2-September 9 with the promo code expiring September 16th.
Add a little kick to your Labor Day potato salad and other dishes by adding a dash of TABASCO sauce. Coupons.com has a $.50 off any 1 pepper sauce from TABASCO brand.
TABASCO Sauce
Walmart $1.34 (Target $1.39)
$.50 off Manufacturer’s coupon (-$.50)
=$.84 at Walmart ($.89 at Target)
*Walmart price based on mysavings.com, and Target price based on Target’s online pricing for their 2 oz bottle. Prices may vary by store and location. Price check your favorite grocery store as well.
This week’s coupon mailer included a $2 off any Garnier Fructis shampoo, conditioner, treatment, or style products coupon. Access to this higher value coupon and any you can get from friends and neighbors can really sweeten the Garnier deal I posted on August 28.
September 2, 2015
Sid has been hard at work this week taste testing the free product samples that have been coming in the mail. First up was the Fancy Feast Broths Classic with Chicken & Vegetables in a Decadent Silky Broth. I tore off the top of the packet and attempted to squeeze it into
his dish. His furry gray head was immediately in my way. I did the best I could, threw away the packet, and washed my hands. After drying my hands, I turned to look at Sid. Much to my surprise, the broth was completely gone! He had devoured it in that short amount of time and was asking me for more. This is not typical of Sid. Sid is extremely hard to impress with food and treats, so this stuff must have been good. Four paws up on the chicken broth.
Next up was the container of Purely Fancy Feast that arrived in the mail yesterday. The tiny tray of tuna looked quite appealing for cat food. However, Sid has yet to touch it. Sid’s particular palate prefers chicken so perhaps their chicken variety would pass the smell test. The tuna, however, got four paws down from Sid and will be going
into the garbage can. My brother also got a sample of the Purely Fancy Feast and said his cat, Dexi, absolutely loved it.
So after two days of exhaustive research (as you can see from the photos of Sid both taken this morning), we have found a winner in the Fancy Feast Broths. Sid and I hope Purina starts issuing some coupons for the broth packets soon!
September 1, 2015
It was a little cooler this morning when I was out weeding my gardens and flower boxes on this first day of September. School is back in session, and football season has begun. My nephew is involved in his high school band so we attended the first football
game of the season last Thursday night. His high school has a larger population than my hometown so the experience is quite different from when I was in school. It’s also in Texas. Football is serious business down here. It was already the second quarter by the time we finally got through the line to get tickets. The facility rivals that of a small college and has all of the special amenities. It’s pretty impressive really. The marching band was excellent and has historically been an award-winning band. While I’m still waiting for significantly cooler weather, football and marching bands are definite signs that fall is upon us.
As the seasons change, so does the inventory at your favorite stores. My brother 
found close-out patio chairs for $5.10 each at Target last week. He got six to go with the patio table I gave him for Christmas last year. I had found an amazing close-out deal at Home Depot and got him a really nice patio table for $12! Now he has an entire patio set to enjoy at minimal cost. The chairs work great around the fire pit too. So if you’re out and about, it might be worth your time to scope out the clearance items in the seasonal departments. You never know what treasures are waiting for you!
