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Couponing: My CVS trip

May 21, 2012 8 Comments

I am by no means an extreme couponer (although a certain coupon show sucked me in when it first aired…goodness gracious), but I love to snatch up deals on products we use/love so I definitely use coupons.  I used to visit CVS and Ralphs every week or two to grab spectacular deals with coupons, but these last several months I’ve yet to do a “real” coupon trip.  What happened to me?  I’m blaming the holidays…which were months ago. ;)

Last night I decided to organize my coupon binder and get to it.  Minus coupons and ExtraBucks, I spent only $5.58 at CVS today.  I use a different shampoo than the one pictured, but my husband doesn’t have finicky hair.  Score!  The detergent is not my preferred brand for our clothes, but for less than $1.50 I will use it for bathroom rugs, scrap towels (for the garage, washing the car), etc.  We love raisins and my husband’s back is killing him so I grabbed those deals as well.

I also scored some fabulous deals at Ralphs:  Tide HE for under $2, Heinz Ketchup for about $1, and more.   Ahh, feels good to be back on the wagon.

What about you?  Do you coupon at all?  Where do you prefer to use your coupons?

Filed Under: Budgeting, Couponing, Homemaking, Shopping & Deals, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

A Case of Mommy Guilt

May 17, 2012 20 Comments

My stomach hurts.  Like I have the stomach flu and could toss my cookies.  And it feels like I have a boulder lodged in my throat.  And my nose stings.  Like sinus pain from the nagging allergies of May.

Only I’m not sick and it’s not my allergies causing the nasal pain.  I have a bad case of guilt.  Huge mommy guilt.

How do you yell at that little face?  Who said she is giving herself a “special foot sand scrub at the Spa of the Yard.”  Who would shout and demand she “TELL the truth NOW”? Continue reading

Filed Under: Homemaking, Stay at home mom, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Let’s Go Camping!

May 15, 2012 15 Comments

Pose for a pic, folks! Not happening with spaz-dog.

A couple of weeks ago my husband got home from work and announced, ” We’re going camping this weekend!” I heaved a sigh.  He heaved a sigh back at me. Continue reading

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Biscuits, Pasta, & Hunger Games Skills

May 9, 2012 6 Comments

My first batch of slow cooker applesauce ready to go.  The early morning sun is shining down on my apples.  Like a little cooking blessing.  I’ve cut caffeine from my diet.  That’s why I’m talking like this. 

I feel like I spent the entire day in the kitchen either at the stove, flipping through cookbooks, tweaking recipes, or doing dishes.  Actually, I did spend the entire day doing just that.  I snuck in a little freezer cooking while I was at it.  A good day at home.

I wanted to try the homemade baking mix I made yesterday so I woke and made biscuits with sausage gravy.  My fave gravy recipe hit the spot as usual and the biscuits were quite good, too, but due to the coconut oil (replacing shortening) there was a slightly sweet note to it that I didn’t love with the savory gravy.  My family liked it a lot, but I think I’ll stick to using the baking mix for sweet baked goods (nice excuse, Danielle).  I will say that the biscuits had a wonderful texture and fluffed up perfectly.  So I’m pleased with it!

On to my first batch of slow cooker applesauce.

I used a variety of apples.

Added a few ingredients and let it cook for about 7 hours.  Mmmmmm.

The fruits of labor (ha).  3 jars for the freezer and 1 half jar for the fridge.  I couldn’t stop tasting it.   

I can not top my mom-in-law’s delicious homemade applesauce that’s made with apples from her tree and tastes like apple pie.  Not just cinnamon flavored, sweet applesauce.  No.  Straight up Apple Pie.  But I did want to try a slow cooker recipe and hone a skill which might help me in a Hunger Games-type lifestyle.

Yes, I count any and all areas of proficiency (ie tying my shoes, breathing, walking and talking at the same time) as part of my weaponry of knowledge, deftness, and cunning in a post-apocalyptic world.  And I did this before I got sucked into The Hunger Games two weeks ago.  Well before The Games.  Like my whole life.  The Games are just fueling my crazy-fire even more.

Hey, a skill is a skill.

Then I made these little garlic parmesan knots to go with dinner.  And since I only had 3 bites of biscuits and gravy at breakfast (I’m trying to be good…I stuck with fruit and a smoothie) I had 3 of them.  They’re not small.  And I don’t care right now.

I  made this creamy chicken pesto pasta with mushrooms and spinach to go with them.  I only wish I had toasted pinenuts to top it.  Yumminess, but I only had a few bites.  You know, because I need to be in shape for The Games.  Or because I ate those THREE LARGE BREAD KNOTS.

So now I need to wake before the sun to burn those 4,500 calories and so I’m prepared for You Know What.

photo credit 

True.  So true.

Tomorrow I’ll work on week 2 of the 4 Weeks to Fill Your Freezer project.  Adding more skills to the weaponry of course.

Filed Under: Freezer Cooking, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Adorable Nora Fleming Giveaway!

April 25, 2012 5 Comments

This isn’t even my giveaway and I’m super excited about it.

My lovely friend Sandi at All The Good Blog Names Are Taken  is hosting a giveaway that is just too darn cute!  And functional.  Which equals c-o-z-y kitchen perfection in my book.  If you’ve seen Nora Fleming’s products, you are excited, too.  If you’re not familiar with her wares, check them out now!

photo credit

Okay, is that cute?  It is.  Just admit it.  The winner of this giveaway gets an autographed Nora Fleming platter plus three adorable minis (bluebird, apple, and butterfly) — an $80 value. But the value is priceless (heehee) if you count the autograph!  :)   Here’s how Sandi explains the platter and minis: “You insert an appropriate hand-painted mini (they’re adorable little ceramic pieces) into it to transform your classic platter into an occasion-specific serving dish. Your friends are impressed and kowtow in admiration.”

Oh Sandi–I already kowtow in admiration.  You had me at quinoa.  Actually, you had me years before quinoa, but I like saying keeeen-waaaaah.

Enough already!  Head on over to All The Good Blog Names Are Taken and enter (you can enter 5 times!) to win!  It’s so easy.  And I know…because I entered.

Let me know if you win.  So I can be ticked off that I didn’t.  Bonne chance!

Thanks, Sandi!  (kowtowing in admiration)

Filed Under: Freebies, Shopping & Deals, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Catching the worm

April 23, 2012 8 Comments

photo credit

There was a time in my stay-at-home-mom life when I was waking before the sun.  I’d relax with tea or coffee, make breakfast, exercise a bit, cross off multiple items on my to-do list.  All before anyone (be it dog or person) woke.

And then one day I decided to sleep in.  Soon 5:00 or 5:30 became a distant memory and my mornings became a blur.  Continue reading

Filed Under: 2012 Goals, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Parmesan Pesto Grilled Cheese Sandwich

April 12, 2012 11 Comments

I love how every day is a holiday these days.  It feels like anyone can just declare a day National Clip Your Kid’s Toenails Day or National Clean Your Oven Month.

And you better believe I like that April is National Grilled Cheese Month and today (ahhh) is National Grilled Cheese Day.  Can I get a Cheese Please!

I saw this over at Two Peas & Their Pod yesterday and had to make it today.  Love those Peas.  Continue reading

Filed Under: Sandwiches, Sides, & Vegetables, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Happy Pet Day!

April 11, 2012 9 Comments

It’s National Pet Day…an important holiday if there ever was one, in my humble opinion.  In honor and support of this important holiday….I give you Duke MacGyver.

 

 He celebrates with us. Continue reading

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You Put The Lime in the Coconut, You Drink Them Both Together

April 3, 2012 14 Comments

I don’t know if it’s true that if you put the lime in the coconut, you drink them both together, you put the lime in the coconut, then you’ll feel better.  Because it sounds like they feel horrible when they put the lime in the coconut and drink them both together. 

Maybe they needed to put the lime in the coconut oil.  Maybe that’s the part the doctor left out?  And maybe I’m missing the obvious deeper meaning to that song.  Is there a deeper meaning?  Continue reading

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On Writing…or On Not Writing, My Million Dollar Life, & Sequined Half-tops

March 30, 2012 11 Comments

I sat down yesterday to write.  I had some free moments to myself and I’ve slacked in the area for many months.  Yea, yea, everyone is writing a book these days.  I’m glad–I think everyone should write.  It might turn the world into a calmer, less angst-ridden place.  

Writing has been a love of mine since I was a little girl.  I can still remember exactly how I felt when I won a writing contest in 1st grade.  As I stepped on stage to accept my prestigious awards (a stuffed pumpkin and certificate–it was Halloween), I knew then, ”This is my calling.” 

I did think that exact thought because I’d seen someone say that on Scooby Doo or some other show and waited WEEKS for the opportunity to use it.  As the principal read my story to the filled cafeteria (we were fancy like that–gathering in the cafeteria for such occasions), I turned to see the upper grader who won 2nd place staring at me with his top lip curled.  Curllled.  Ack.  Continue reading

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Bzzzzzy Bees

March 28, 2012 23 Comments

I can’t stop making cake pops.   And I don’t wanna. 

 They’re too fun.  And after my recent popping session with Sandi, I’m on a cake pop high.   

Sweet munchkin requested that we make the chick cake pops for her preschool class Easter treat for tomorrow.  My first reaction was, “Yea!  Totally sister!”  3 seconds later I had a flashback to her birthday.  Continue reading

Filed Under: Holidays, Crafts, & Kiddos, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

Cake poppin’, cocktailin’, & calorie burnin’

March 23, 2012 13 Comments

Cake pops have been on the scene for a few years now and maybe the rage is exiting stage left.  If you’ve had the pops at a popular coffee establishment -ahem- you’d probably agree that it should make its final exit.  Not a good representation of the cake pop.  However, cake pops will remain a mainstay in this girl’s party & baking fun repertoire forever.  Yes, forever!

But the only cake pops I make (and that’s a total of 3 times) are done Bakerella style.  She’s the gal who has made cake pops for years, but what makes her extra-special is that she has an amazing talent for decorating them.  If you’ve oohed and ahhed at a cake pop at a party, on the cover of a magazine, or on a blog :) , chances are the maker got the idea (and method) from Angie of Bakerella Wonderfulness.

But the real reason I love her?  She generously shares ALL her secrets of success–tips, ideas, and methods–thereby making it a breeze to do just what she does.  And no, she does not use that cake pop machine (and you don’t need it either!  Really, it’s so easy).  I had to throw that in there because I’ve heard the rumor spread by haters.

Stop hating, start popping.

And that’s what I did with my friend Sandi on Tuesday.  Continue reading

Filed Under: Holidays, Crafts, & Kiddos, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , ,

Quinoa verdict

March 21, 2012 12 Comments

I’ve read about the wonder of quinoa for years and listened to my sis and friends rave about it for months.  The looks of it kind of scared me (insect eggs?) even though I kept hearing that I’d probably enjoy it since I love couscous.  I didn’t try it until yesterday.

Herbed Quinoa Beet Salad

While my little one was at preschool, I was able to spend some quality time with my friend Sandi from All the Good Blog Names are Taken.  I laughed so hard at one point that I almost felt myself float out of my body and hover above us to watch the good times.  Continue reading

Filed Under: Sandwiches, Sides, & Vegetables, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , ,

My gift has arrived…

March 16, 2012 15 Comments

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Real squealing!  Real glee!

My dear, dear husband got me a freezer for my birthday, but it arrived today!  Oh, how I’ve dreamed of a freezer for the garage.  Yes, these are the types of dreams I have.  I’ve actually had dreams about an upright freezer.  Nothing could be better (not even the perfect jeans I finally found yesterday)! Continue reading

Filed Under: Freezer Cooking, Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Mom Award Day!

March 15, 2012 11 Comments

Aw shucks!  Thank you to darling Tam over at Sweetartdiva for nominating Cozycakes Cottage for the Kreativ Blogger Award!  How fun, my first ever! :)   I’ve had the best time with my little blog since I started it a few months ago.  It has been my special creative place and I have the pleasure of connecting with friends and family in addition to meeting new blogging friends who inspire me with crafts, cooking, mommyhood, and more.  Thank you, Tam!

This made my day and I hope this puts a smile on the face of the bloggers I nominate, too!

Here are the rules…

  1. Thank the blogger who gave me the award and provide a link.
  2. List 7 interesting things about myself that my readers might find interesting.
  3. Nominate 7 other bloggers, provide links, and let them know.

7 Things About Me…

1.   If it rained 5 days a week, I wouldn’t complain.

2.  I play cooking show when no one is around.  My audience is invisible and mute(unless you count the dog).

3.  I cried when I heard schools are dropping cursive writing from the curriculum.

4.  I often eat larger portions than my husband.  Much larger.

5.  I’m 35 and think that’s a lovely number.

6.  I was a teacher before I became a sahm.

7.  I prefer old, clumpier mascara to a fresh tube.  I know, gross.

I’d like to nominate these fellow blogs…

Happy Blogging!

Filed Under: Blogging, Uncategorized Tagged With:

Canyon Cleanse

March 14, 2012 13 Comments

There are other things I should be doing like oh, I don’t know, showering.  Basic things.  We’re staying close to home today, recuperating from a couple of weeks packed with activities, parties, appointments, and playdates.  But I’m thinking about the nice hike through the canyon near our home on Sunday and how it refreshed me and readied me for a new week.

I’m not always thrilled when my husband announces on Sundays, “Let’s go!  We’re all going for a walk!”  I sometimes respond with, “You’re not the boss of me.”  I’m very mature like that.

Headed to the canyon.  Munchie suggested mommy wear matching shorts. Um, no one wants to see mommy in white biker shorts, hun.

I like my Sundays.  They’re commitment free; I clean, plan our meals for the week, do a lot of puttering around.  Not always in the mood for things like exercise and fresh air.  And, in my opinion, it should be raining in early March.  Not 85 degrees.  So I was a little crabby about that.  But after I begrudgingly laced up my running shoes while sighing loudly (anyone hear that? no? another louder sigh) and headed out that door, I felt my crabby mood leaving me instantly.  The warm sun felt good on my face.  Darn it.

Picking flowers along the way

We have arrived!

Searching for the perfect reed so daddy can help make a lizard catcher

Found one!  And now to concentrate and create…

Whee!  The catcher is complete, time to nab a lizard.  Unfortunately, they weren’t soaking up the sun today so we just practiced the noose on mommy’s fingers.

And tried to poke Duke with it.

Come on, slow pokes!  We’re almost to the park!

Singing and marching along

It ended up being a lovely day even with the fresh air in my lungs.  Sometimes having my husband boss me around is good for me.  Shh.

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Oh, Happy Day

March 6, 2012 10 Comments

Some people wanna fill the world with silly blog posts.  And what’s wrong with that?  I’d like to know.  I keep hearing this playing in my head to Mr. McCartney’s tune (Sorry, Mr. McC.  Sir McC.  Sorry to butcher your art).

Because although one might argue that all of my posts are silly, this one is pretty meaningless to anyone, but moi.  But hey…it’s my blog, right?

So anyway, today was a good day (name that song) for the following reasons:

1) I used the Deluxe Gopher II for its intended purpose!  Here is Annalise modeling it, but my husband bought it for me a couple of years ago when I had some major back issues and could barely stand, move, breathe.  This thing helped me pick up baby toys and put on my socks.

After I was back to moving around like a fairly normal person, I abandoned the intended uses for Deluxe Gopher Deux.  Instead, my preference has been to use it to pinch my husband’s ear while he’s engaged with his favorite tv shows or to snatch another cookie off a plate when using my arm to reach for said cookie is too much energy.  Alas!  Today I needed to retrieve a pair of shoes from behind munchkin’s dresser and Gopher was the only tool around that could do the job.  Don’t underestimate Deluxe Gopher II.

2) A friend made me this card for my birthday. I smile each time I open the fridge.  Yes, it is taking up precious real estate on the fridge.  And there it shall stay.

I’m sure my husband appreciates it.

3) We cut these cheese shapes for part of Annalise’s preschool class snack today.  They make me happy.  And they made her happier.

4) It’s gloomy and chilly out.  I love gloomy and chilly.  When people are hurrah-ing and making a beeline for the beach in 85 degree February weather, I am shriveling up and screeching like a vampire in the sun and doing rain dances in my living room.  Not today though.

5) I’m going to scrapbook 1 page today.  It is making me sweat to think about it.  I feel pressure (good pressure) and I’ve yet to begin.  But I did pick up these stamp markers today and I feel empowered.

These were quite the bargain.  Score!

6) My magazine pile is diminishing.  I don’t have a picture of it diminishing, but please take my word for it.  I had hundreds of magazines.  And now I just have a few dozen.  I hope to get those down to just about 20.  This is huge for me.  Huge.

7) I made a quick stop at World Market and with the promotional discount and a coupon, I got this adorable tin of Swedish gingersnaps for practically nothing!  I really just wanted the tin, but my little fam loves gingersnaps so everyone wins today.

8) And last, but most definitely not least:  My 3 year-old munchie was dancing with me today.  At the end of our dances we bow to one another. Today as she bowed she said with her best British accent, “That was my pleasure, sweet mama, and now I showerbath you with kisses.” And a barrage of kisses and hugs fell upon me.  I cried and hid my tears behind laughter.

And that’s why I had a Happy Day.

Filed Under: Shopping & Deals, Uncategorized

I get by with a little help from my friends

February 28, 2012 2 Comments

Photo courtesy

Sometimes you just need a friend.  You don’t need to talk about anything important.  You don’t need to talk about that thing that has caused you stress, heartache, sadness.  You just need a friend to laugh with.  A friend to eat lunch with.  A friend who isn’t itching to hear “all about it.”  A friend who patiently watches you dig through clearance scrapbook stickers at Michael’s while your baby girls are in preschool for a couple hours.

A friend who will snag as many Costco food samples for you as she can, even though the little finger-looking mini sausages she’s balancing in her hands as she pushes your mammoth cart through a sea of shoppers, probably makes her vegetarian tummy want to toss its cookies.

It’s not National Friendship Day.  In fact, I think it’s National Pancake Day (mm).  But tonight I’m raising my teacup to friends.  The near and far.  The steadfast and irreplaceable.  For you I am thankful.

Tink!

sip.

xx

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Deliciously Organic: Buying Organic on a Budget

February 6, 2012 Leave a Comment
Labeling for products that meet the USDA-NOP s...

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I was chatting with a friend the other day about budgets and the ever-increasing price of groceries.  She has been considering purchasing some organic food items, but expressed concern over the especially high price of organic food.

I hear ya, sister.  While we aren’t a 100% organic household and I don’t necessarily aim for us to be one either, there are several organic food and household items I do buy regularly.  I agree that buying organic can be a budget-buster, but I will also say that there are many ways to cut the costs of “going organic.”

I recently saw this post over at Deliciously Organic and sent it to my friend.  A quick internet search will unveil a million tips and tricks for buying and transitioning to organic foods and products, but I think this post titled 15 Tips for Buying Organic, Real Food on a Budget is helpful for those who are tiptoeing into the organic world.  Each “tip” includes a link to more detailed information or organic recipes.  Definitely worth a peek if you’re on the fence about organic food.  I recommend wandering through just for fun, too–it’s filled with recipes and helpful tips about travel, workout gear, and more.

Are you an organic household?  What are your must-have-organic products?

Filed Under: Budgeting, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

Homemade flavored creamer…yum.

January 26, 2012 4 Comments
English: Coffee comes in may varieties, shapes...

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Tiffany over at Healthy-n-Balanced posted about homemade flavored creamer today and I am definitely adding this to my DIY list (my DIY list includes new cooking DIYs which I’m very excited about!).  I like cream (ahem) and half-n-half in my coffee over flavored store-bought creamers because I’m not a fan of the ingredients in the flavored creamers.  But oh how I love some of those flavored creamers!  So I buy them now and then, but have thought a few times that I should just make my own.

And voilà!

Check these creamer recipes out from Deliciously Organic out if you enjoy a cup o’ joe in the morning (or afternoon? or evening?).  Let me know what you think if you do test them out!

Thanks Healthy-n-Balanced!

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