Food 4 Less...REALLY!

I have a confession to make.  Shhhh....don't tell!  Coupons make me happy.  This probably seems a bit off for me.  Especially since I didn't grow up using them.  Here is my "Mother Disclaimer"...it's not because my Mom was a spender.  We ate VERY well growing up, my Mom had a garden every summer and she was an incredible cook.  She bought only what we used and junk food was a rare treat.  My Mom was very careful with our money but she was not a coupon user.  And, quite honestly, even if she had used coupons, I was a typical teenager and wouldn't have paid any attention anyway.

I don't remember what triggered this coupon insanity with me but it started like a year ago.  I heard about this woman, Jill Cataldo.  You can see her website here.  I got online, ordered her DVD and was COMPLETELY impressed!  I tried to follow all her suggestions but I still struggle with getting multiple papers every Sunday.  When my parents were in town they would save their ads for me.  Now I've tweaked her program to work for me.  I don't really buy too much in bulk, but I stock up on things we use or consume often.  Also, I don't buy things just because they're on sale.  If we don't normally eat or use it, we don't need it.

 My hubby is so IMPRESSED with my new couponing ways.  Seriously, he can't wait to see my receipts when I get home from the store! OK...so here is my Dominick's receipt from last week.  I took some time the night before I planned to go shopping to look online and download the Just For U coupons on my Dominick's card.  Yep, it's THAT simple!  If you have a Dominick's card just go to their website and follow the instructions to register your card.  Then click on "Just For U" and you can put the coupons directly on your card.  No actual "clipping" and it only takes a little bit of time.  You can even print out a list of the items you clicked on to take to the store with you.  Sometimes there are "special" coupons...for example last week there was a $10 off your purchase of $50 or more.  That is FREE money!  After I downloaded all my items I switched over to Jill's website and clicked on her "Coupon Look Up" section.  You can find that here.  There you can enter any grocery item, name brand or by item and it will show you if there was a coupon in an ad, which ad, and the date...EASY!!!  I think I clipped like 4 additional coupons and I was ready for the store.  Here is a picture of my receipt.  Please remember...I am NOT  a professional.  I know so many people who can do so much BETTER than I did but this trip was my BEST yet!

                                      LOOK AT THAT!  I saved 40%! I saved almost $100!!
Like I said, so many people can do even better than I did but I figure it's more than I used to do and my cart was filled with fresh fruit, veggies, chicken, and other healthy food items for my family.  I think I had a smile on my face ALL DAY!

 I try to use her tips in other areas too.  Like I started clipping the Target coupons for a free $10 gift card with a new prescription.  HELLO!  There is now at least ONE good thing about my kids being sick!  I use Subway coupons, dry cleaner coupons, online coupons, shoe coupons, kids clothing coupons.  I buy things when they are on sale.  I stock up on really good sales like when Old Navy had their $10 kids' jean sale in December.  $30 got Ben 3 brand new pairs of jeans!  I also take the kids' better clothes to a great consignment shop so I get something back for all those big bucks I spend.  Even our vet has a half off shots day in April.  I could go on and on.  There are so many deals out there if you just take the time too do a little research.

I've been married for 17 years this coming July and I get frustrated thinking about what we could have done if I'd started this when we got married.  I know that even when the economy picks up and things are better for our country, I will keep clipping my coupons because it really feels good to SAVE MONEY!

Valentine's Day is ALMOST here!!

Valentine's Day is  a holiday that is a "feast for the eyes"...and the tummy in my house!  I love seeing all the hearts, the pink, the red.  I ADORE making Valentine boxes with my kids. I take this part of parenting quite seriously!  I will have to dig up some old photos of Ben's third and fourth grade Valentine's boxes.  He brought them up yesterday and was telling me what good memories he has of us coming up with some creative plan so he didn't just have a plain old Valentine's box.  I don't want to tell you what they are because that would ruin the surprise...I promise to find the photos and SHOW you soon!

We are getting ready to make Emily's Valentine box.   She came up with the idea (although I am SURE I gave her that suggestion last year but last year's box had to be a cake?)  and I've been collecting items on clearance the past few weeks getting ready for the big craft day.   I also found some super cute and original Valentine cards on etsy...I'll be downloading and printing those out soon too!  (Oh the projects...I CAN'T WAIT!)

I feel like all I've done this post is tempt you with things I have no intention of sharing right now so let me show you something we did about a week ago...that was YUMMY and actually turned out as cute as the picture in the magazine...

                                                                 Whoopie Pies!



I've been wanting to try making these forever.  I'd never heard of them until a few years ago.  I found a great recipe for pumpkin Whoopie Pies for the fall but never found the time to make them...hmmmm...wonder why???  Anyway, the above whoopie pies were featured in this month's issue of Family Fun magazine.  Family Fun is one of my favorites and my daughter even loves checking out the recipes and crafts each month.  This time the combination of chocolate and pink frosting got the best of me and I just HAD to try them!  So...you will find the recipe here, and they are so easy to make!  I did use my Pampered Chef medium scoop for the cookie part.  The frosting was easy to make, easy to spread and delish!  mmmmmmmm!  So...think about making some for a special Valentine.  I know as a (substitute) teacher they'd make the PERFECT teacher's Valentine!!

I can't wait to show you my latest couponing OLYMPIC SUCCESS...seriously...this was one of my best shopping trips...come back tomorrow!

If You Don't Like It...Paint It!

It's been awhile...I know. But I think I'm back for good. I mean...with all the time I spend browsing DIY blogs and Mommy blogs I really want to get back to the writing! I have been busy this January. I'm trying my hand at sewing place mats. I found a pretty simple step by step plan on one of my favorite new blogs here and I've decided that if I can't find place mats I like, I need to get busy on my new sewing machine... Right?

In regards to my title...my Mom's neighbor is AMAZING! Seriously, the woman has the most original eye for decor...and she can make any space look magazine ready on a shoestring of a budget. Years ago when we moved into our old house she came over to give me some decorating ideas. She saw a pile of items and asked what I was doing with them. It was old baskets, plates, etc. I told her I was sick of those items and was sending them off to Goodwill. She gave me some EXCELLENT advice, "If you don't like it, paint it." Those were some profound words and she was a woman WAY ahead of her time! This story is important because I have been trying to "lighten up" my family room. I love the decor but it's a bit dark. We don't have a make over in the budget, so I thought adding a few lighter touches would brighten up the space. I started with accessories. I got this cute wooden magazine holder (ok...I know, it was not originally a magazine holder...but that's what it is now :) at the Kane County Flea Market years ago.

It's traveled all over my house. It has been filled with greenery and ornaments, candles and everything else imaginable. I love it! But...it's brown. I love brown, but I have quite a bit of it in my house. Something has to go. Enter...INSPIRATION...spray paint! I love the distressed look and with my snazzy Cricut Expressions I can cut vinyl....

spray paint+vinyl= CUTE!

I know...it's very trendy to put numbers on things these days and I love that...but there is NOTHING better than a monogram! (Right?!) So...here is the new and improved "magazine holder."

What do you think? I LOVE IT! I am feeling inspired! What can I lighten up next?? I will let you know!

I am linking up to:     The Shabby Nest Frugal Friday              

A Dog's Christmas Letter

Dear Humane Society,

I wanted to thank you for rescuing me from that kill shelter in March. You managed to bring me a mile from my forever home. You see my Mom was on Petfinders.com and saw my photo and fell in love with my face. She said the deal was final when I tried to give her my only bone…I was a good sharer!

Now my name is Lucy and I have a family. I love to run around with my 2 kids and my boy walks me and feeds me every day. I sleep on a warm pillow at night and on one of the family beds during the day. I love to snuggle and play fetch and Mom says I am really smart! I also have 2 cousin dogs, a lab and a cock-a-poo puppy and we all have so much fun playing together!

My family says I have great house manners and I am a really sweet dog (my boy and girl even took to calling me “Miss Honey” as a nickname.) They felt bad when they saw all the other homeless dogs at the shelter. After lots of thought my human kids decided to save all their change for 10 months and use it to buy gifts for the shelter dogs.

Here is a photo of my kids and I by our family Christmas tree. (Mom is so proud…I never even try to eat an ornament!) I am very happy in my new home and we wish for all the dogs here a warm place to sleep, a full belly and a fovever family to love.

Merry Christmas,

Lucy and the Dow family

My Boy is a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do!!!

He's official...he can kick your butt in a single bound...he can break 4 boards and he can stick with something for 3 1/2 years to complete a goal...pretty impressive!  Yep, my boy is a black belt and he's so proud (guess what?  Mom and Dad are too!)  It was a long day but it was fun and so cool to see Ben work so hard to accomplish a goal.  This boy continues to amaze me!  I can't wait to see what else he can do in his lifetime!!  WAY TO GO BEN...YOU ROCK!

OUR NEWEST ADDITION!!

Hello Spring...Hello happy children...Hello New Dog!  Yep, we did it!  We finally found a rescue dog @ the shelter.  She is 2 and a girl (obviously) and black and white and so far so good.  I don't ask for a lot from a dog...I just want her to do her business outside and not bite anyone...so far so good.  Here she is tolerating Emily putting a tiera on her because Emily thinks girl dogs should want to dress up like real girls...poor dog!  Anyway, enjoy spring (or the lack there of) and come by and visit my Lucy!

WE MADE BREAD! IT WORKED! (and other interesting things.)

It took me 5 tries but when I finally asked my 6 year old to help me (and got a better recipe from my sister) IT WORKED!  It did everything it was suppose to and it was amazing...it tasted great and I feel truly cool for knowing that Laura Ingalls Wilder had nothing on me! 

 We have been so busy...who knew that in the middle of a cold and long winter we could be so busy.  I am so tired lately from being cold all the time.  I've even started exercising everyday to try and "wake me up" a bit.  I am also hoping the daily sweat will help me shed my lovely new winter back fat!!!  Not really looking forward to getting into a swimsuit in a month with all my extra rolls.  We'll see.

One of the things that is keeping us busy is Emily's ice skating classes on Saturdays.  She LOVES to skate and is so happy to get ready and go.  Being the best big brother (and being reminded that she has been dragged along twice a week for 4 years to Oswego for Tae Kwon Do) Ben happily tags along, DS in hand to hang out in the ice rink while sissy plays Ice Princess.  It is surprisingly packed at the rink on Saturdays, lots of budding Olympians!  

Today I am off to put my lovely Cricut to good use.  I bought some vinyl and I am making words for Ben's bathroom wall.  I am hoping to cut out "May the force be with you" to put over his toilet...the humor is not lost on him!   When and if I am successful, I will post a photo...until then cross your fingers that it's not the "Bread Disaster" all over again...vinyl is much more expensive than flour and yeast!!!

ps the photo of the bread was taken by my helper...she's obviously got a better angle!