12-3-10

Tony has requested some chocolate
covered pretzel sticks after seeing some
of the snowman ones I did.
I've made them before as gifts with
sprinkles, crushed cookies, nuts, crushed peppermints,
crushed cereal, etc.

12 ounces chocolate bark or chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons shortening
Melt in a pot over low heat and dip or
spoon over desired food.
You could also cut the pretzel rods in
half and make smaller ones.

Give them as gifts. Put into clear party sized
bags from Dollar Tree with some curling ribbon
or
how about a candy jar full of them to give as a gift.
Just ideas not my own pics.

from taste of home

.
At the moment the pretzel rods are about
$1.67 at Kroger and the baker's chocolate
bark is $2.50 for white or chocolate which
comes in about 8 blocks of chocolate.

The problem I had been having with making them
is finding a way to stand them when drying.
I might search around for some thick styrofoam
and poke holes in the bottom to stand them in
while drying in the fridge.

--------------------------------------------------------------

8:25am

Well me and mom did our good deed this morning.
The bus arrived 5 minutes early causing one of
the neighbor kids to miss the bus.
We asked his grandma if
she would like us to take him to school since
we were already in the car, so we did.

----------------------------------------------------------
..
Meijers just posted their ad for a sneak
peek into next weeks sales.
I wanted to tell ya about them having
a Bachmann Pacific Flyer/ Thoroughbred Train set
for $40.00.
(plus I get another 10% discount because my oldest son works there! So $36.00 for me, yeah!)
This is an HO scale.
Includes: Diesel engine, 2 freight cars and caboose, 47" x 38" oval of snap-fit E-Z Track® with 12 pieces of curved track, 1 piece straight track, and 1 straight plug-in terminal rerailer, power pack and speed controller, plus illustrated instruction manual.

I have a child that LOVES trains.
So while I am not an expert with model railroads,
I do have more knowledge than your average Joe,
I do know they can be quite expensive.

I think we've been to every train show,
museum and train rides there are in central Ohio
to Hocking Hills!

A decent battery operated train set can run about $20 to $30
so this electric powered set is a very good deal!
Bachmann is a dependable name when it comes
to model railroading!
I priced them elsewhere online and saw them
going for $60 to $90.

Once I get the basement finished and set up
as a rec/family room, we plan on setting up
a train table for Christopher.

Actual train pieces and parts for buildings
and scenery can be very expensive.
One year my friend Kendra gave us TONS
of Christmas village buildings and accessories.
While I don't have enough room to display them all
at Christmas time, I saved them all for use on
the train track display we will build.

So if your son is into trains like mine is
start looking for those Christmas villages & accessories
to be marked down after Christmas and give
them another use other than for Christmas.
It can be much cheaper than shopping
at an actual train or hobby store!!

-----------------------------------------------------

11:45am

.
Just got done making
a total of 18 chocolate covered
snowman pretzels.
They still need their fruit roll up scarves.
I think I'm gonna reconsider making 50+
of these for the kids school since
they are time consuming.
These will go in family, friend's & neighbor's
goody bags.

--------------------------------------------

12:00pm

Tide Stain Release Spray

.1st 5,000 Get Free Tide Stain Release Pre-Treat Spray (NOON EASTERN) » Deal Wise Mommy www.dealwisemommy.net

The Tide giveaway start today at noon EST. They will be giving away 5,000 Tide Stain Release Pre-treat Sprays!

Sorry these are gone!
I just barely got mine, whew!
Went to sign up for one for mom
and that quick it said all 5,000 were gone.

---------------------------------------------------

I had gone to Speedway this morning
and got my step-dad a newspaper.
While standing in line I noticed the paper
was $2.00. I thought geesh the newspaper
went up! Then I checked the date and it
was last Sunday's newspaper from 5 days ago!
There was still a stack of them leftover for sale.
Needless to say I switched it for today's paper.
I can't figure out why they still have
the Sunday paper out for people to buy.

--------------------------------------------------

This weekend we'll be putting up outdoor Christmas lights.
We're a little behind with getting that done.
Got all the Christmas lights and yard ornaments out
and ready to go.
Do you think the extension cords were with them all
or can be found? Heck no.
Now I have to go out and buy outdoor extension cords, grrr.
Where can I go to buy a couple cheap ones???

----------------------------------------

5:45pm

Got supper done with
the black & bleu burgers,
sooo good, served with onions,
cheese slice, horseradish, pickles, mayo & ketchup.
and a side of steak fries.

While cooking supper I got my two carts
set up and ready for baking. I am so loving
this idea! It frees up my counters.
It's like a rolling baking pantry on wheels.
I'm gonna use the top & bottom racks
as cooling racks for my cookies,
that's why I didn't put anything on them.
And I told the kids, if it's on the cart
don't touch or eat it!!

...Here's what all is on my carts:
cookie mixes, coconut, caramels, chocolate chips,
candies, sprinkles, spices, extracts, nuts, marshmallows,
baking cups, cereal, bark chocolate,
brown paper lunch bags & ribbon.

----------------------------------------

Why is it when you seem to hit 40
that the things you usually do, now hurt more to do
or if you get a simple injury it is more severe than before.

Today I ran my knee into the door jamb of mom's
truck this morning when getting in.
I'm used to bangs and bumps, getting a bruise
and healing. Not this time. My upper knee cap
hurts allot to the touch. I can't win. Guess with
getting older you have to be more careful with what
you do.
I ain't saying nothing to doc about it Tuesday when I visit him.
He'd be sending me out again for more xrays.
And after this visit I don't want any more visits
for awhile.
Today I had one doctor bill come.
It was for my foot xray. Would have cost $261 but
with insurance I pay $24.00.
I still have another xray I got for my chest
to check for pneumonia, which I still don't
know the results of 2 weeks later.
Then all the other hospital bills I haven't gotten yet. So it's only getting started.
I am hoping that between this week and next to get
my prize money from Downy. That would be nice
right about now.
When younger I would stub my toe so many times
I lost count, step on nails, and pull other foreign objects
from my feet and have no problem from running around barefoot.
Hit 40 and drop an empty bucket on your foot and get a little
cut and risk the chance of having your toe cut off.
Getting old sucks!!

12-2-10

Do you get itchy, dry skin this time of year?
Try an oatmeal bath.
Put anywhere from about a 1/2 to 2 cups of instant oatmeal
into pieces of pantyhose and tie up.
Wet the oatmeal bag and keep squeezing into
your bath water. Use the bag to rub
over your body.
This is so much cheaper than buying those
packets which can run about $6.00 for an 8 pack.
If you don't have pantyhose you can do like I do
and put the oatmeal into a food processor and
grind down into fine particles and just add
it straight to your bath water.
I keep one container of regular oatmeal
and one container of ground up oatmeal that I can
use in the bath or make a paste with and apply
directly to the skin for poison ivy or bee stings.

For those of you who may get W.I.C. and
have too much instant baby cereal,
you can use that also in your bath!



How about making some oatmeal bath
gifts in a jar for someone on your Christmas list.
Here's a recipe for an oatmeal cookie bath or
oatmeal cookies & milk bath.
Not sure how economical it is to make since
it has dry milk powder in it and that can
get expensive. They do sell powdered milk at Aldis.
Oatmeal Cookies & Milk Bath

1 cup cornstarch
2 cups powdered milk
1/2 cup oatmeal (not instant)
1 teaspoon cinnamon

Mix all ingredients in blender or food processor until it is a fine powder. Just add 2 tablespoons of the mixture to your bathwater for a soothing bath.

. ---------------------------------------------------------------

9:20am

Got all my bills and rebates done, whew!
I had $47.00 total in rebates
from Pep Boys!

Cleaned out my purse. What a mess
with papers everywhere.
Found all sorts of coupons in there, lol,
from where I picked them up in stores
or got catalinas.
I had 4 freebie coupons for things
like ibuprofen, poise pads, chocolate &
2 liter Big K pop. Luckily they haven't
expired and I can still use them.

I also found more coupons
for the Krusteaz cookie mixes!
Forgot that the kids had picked up
a bunch of coupons for me during one
of our grocery trips.
$1.49 x's 10 is $14.90
minus $10 in coupons
makes it $4.90 for 10 or .49 cents each!!
Gonna have to go back and get 10 more.
That will be 20 boxes of cookie mixes I'll have, lol.
These are regular $2.29 each x's 10 is $22.90
when not on sale and without coupons!

I feel better that bills & rebates are out
of the way now. One less thing to worry about.
Now I can work on Christmas baking!

Still need to work on Christmas cards.
The other day my insurance company sent
me a sheet of 51 free Christmas address labels!
That was nice of them. I can use those on my cards.
I usually include school photos of the kids
in each card. And this year if I can get my printer
to work, I might make up some seed packets
from the flowers I grew this past Summer.

-----------------------------------------------------

Wasn't quite sure what to have for supper tonight
until I was rummaging around in my pantry for baking
supplies when I ran across a couple cans of chili.

CHILI MAC

1 box elbow macaroni
2 cans Hormel chili
1 jar salsa or 1 large can diced tomatoes
1 pound ground turkey
1 small onion diced

---------------------------------

3:15pm

I made a couple things today.
I got started on making the snowman
pretzel rods.
.Then I made Mint Chocolate Apple Crisps,
the name I gave them.
I cored and slices 3 apples.
Then put the apples in water with a little lemon juice
to keep them from browning.
.Then in a small sauce pan melted
2 Tablespoon shortening,
a box of Andes Mints
and 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
over low heat.
.While the chocolate was melting
I added a cup of cocoa krispies
and a 1/2 cup nut topping to a bowl and combined together.
.Next I poked the apple slices with skewers
and held over the melted chocolate.
I spooned the chocolate over the apple
slice until completely covered.
..
Then rolled the chocolate covered apple slice
into the cereal & nut mixture.
I then poked the skewer into an empty box
to allow the chocolate to set up somewhat.
Once completed I sat them in the fridge
until the chocolate hardened and I was
able to remove the skewers.
These would look nice on a fruit tray
during the holidays.
I made some with mint chocolate and no topping.
..---------------------------------------------

When making Christmas goodies, remember to make
some for your trash man, mailman or whoever
you deal with on a weekly basis.
I'm thinking about making a goody bag or tin
of baked goods and leaving it in the mailbox
with the flag up for the mailman.
Knowing my luck I'd have a substitute mailman
that day, lol.

--------------------------------------------------------

A quick and easy way to make freezer meals
is to double your recipes when making your
regular supper meals. Not everyone has time
to spend the day making a variety of meals
for the freezer. I know some days I don't.
Like tonight I am making a double pot
of chili mac. Half will be eaten for supper
and lunch tomorrow and the other half
will be packed up for the freezer.
If you do this for a month straight you could
accumulate a month's worth of meals in your freezer
and it really doesn't take any extra time out of your day to do.
.And these meals didn't cost all that much to make.
1 box elbow macaroni .50 cents
1 large can whole tomatoes .49 cents
2 cans Hormel no bean chili .66 cents
1.2 pound pkg ground turkey $1.39

Ya gotta remember I shop the mark down bins,
clearance sections and use coupons to
get things at those prices.

When boiling the macaroni I poured the
extra juice from the tomatoes in the pot as well.

TOTAL COST for 2 meals (about 10 servings)
$3.04
or .30 cents a serving

Think about it,
if you do freezer meals this way
you would only have to
fix supper 6 months out of the year!!
The other 6 months you'll just spend
warming up premade meals.
(ok, minus the holidays, lol)

Large butter bowls are just
the right size to put family meals in!
.----------------------------------------------------------------------

8:55pm

Just returned from Kroger.
Yeah I splurged this week with my grocery spending
but I got some really good deals
to add to my stockpile that should last
quite awhile.
Plus there was a couple weeks not long ago
with being sick and all that I didn't go shopping
so it all equals out in the end.

I absolutely LOVED my cashier tonight!!
She loved to see how much I had saved
and was interested in how much I paid
for certain items after the coupons.
When taking off my coupons she even
went as far as double checking to see
if she took off 10 of certain coupons I had,
which it was a good thing because she missed
a few.
Why can't I have cashiers like this all the time???!!!

TOTAL BEFORE COUPONS & SALES
$112.09

TOTAL SPENT
$36.94

TOTAL SAVED
$75.15
.
My receipt says I saved $71.35
but they don't include the savings
when you buy items that are manager
specials so I also included that in there.
I got 3 items from the mark down bin.
..

-Farfalle Pasta 12 oz box
was $1.39
marked down to .69 cents

-28 oz can crushed tomatoes
was .93 cents
marked down to .49 cents

-28 oz can baked beans
was $1.40
marked down to .69 cents

My other deals.
I had some coupons I took with
me but picked up about 15 more
from blinkies and off boxes in the store.


Big K 2 liter diet cherry cola
reg. .80 cents
I paid: FREE!!

4 two liters diet mountain dew
reg. $1.69 x's 4 is $6.76
I paid .39 cents each
I saved $5.20!!

6 two liters diet sierra mist
reg. $1.69 x's 6 is $10.14
I paid .39 cents each
I saved $7.80!!

4 two liters diet sunkist
reg. $1.63 x's 4 is $6.52
I paid .38 cents each
I saved $5.00!!

10 boxes Orville Reddenbacker Gourmet microwave popcorn
3 packs-
(spicy nacho, caramel corn, kettle corn, movie theater butter,
cheddar cheese, salt & pepper etc)
Reg. $3.29 each x's 10 is $32.90
but 10 and get them for $1.49 each x's 10 is $14.90
$1.00 blinkie machine coupons x's 10
I paid $4.90 for 10 boxes
I SAVED $28.00!!

10 boxes Krusteaz cookie mixes
reg. $2.29 x's 10 is $22.90
buy 10 and get them for $1.49 each x's 10 is $14.90
$1.10 coupons on box x's 10
I paid $4.90 for 10 boxes
I SAVED $18.00!!

I also got other things.
One of which I splurged on, because
every now and then you want a little
something different for supper, so I got
something called Black & Bleu Hamburgers
from the butcher shop.
It has a pepper seasoning along
with some bleu cheese mixed in each patty.
These 4 butcher shop gourmet burgers cost about the
same as 4 McDonalds Double Cheeseburgers.
So in all reality I'm getting the better end of the deal.
And while at the butcher shop the butcher
offered us some steak samples.
What store does that, lol.
Man that was sooo good!
We also sampled cookies, pineapple
and tangerines while there.
There's always samples at the Henderson store!
I drive 5 miles to go to that store and bipass
about 4 other Kroger's to go to that one.

-----------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------

Haven't tried this next tip before but figured
I'd post it anyway.
It's for when you have a fever.

If you cut an onion in half then cut 1 thick slice from each cut sides...put the slices on the arches of your feet...put sock on...wrap your feet in a blanket or towel. ..then in about one hour your onion will start to smell like an onion cooking...AND YOUR FEVER WILL BE GONE...

12-1-10

7:30am

Heading to Kroger and the thrift store this morning.
Thrift store-
couple tops & pants for Jonathan, maybe another jacket.

Kroger-
Going to go ahead and get my baking supplies
for things I'll be baking for my goody trays or bags.

Here's what I've decided to make:

for Tony's work
(will package up in the paper lunch bags
a variety of everything for
each individual instead of a tray),

school
(will probably do the pretzel rod snowmen),

family & friends
(a variety of everything)

-Rice Krispies white chocolate peppermint bark.
-Pretzel rod snowman
-Turtle pretzel candy
-Chocolate toffee candy
-Nutella pocket cookies
-Mint chocolate dipped apples
(just for us since it's more perishable & I have
apples that need used up. Might enter in contest)
-Somoa spritz cookies
& probably some basic cookies
like cut out sugar cookies.

This is more or less a list for myself to stay
on track and know what I am doing around here, lol.
If I don't make notes I'll forget something.

---------------------------------------------

When making cut out sugar cookies I have found
this is the best icing recipe ever from Wiltons!!

When tinting icing with food coloring I
use the gel food coloring. The colors
are more vibrant than the liquid food colorings.

Poured Cookie Icing

Cookies look irresistible with a smooth coat of our Poured Cookie Icing. It dries to a shiny, hard finish and is also great for outline and fill-in decorations.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup confectioners' sugar sifted
• 2 teaspoons milk
• 2 teaspoons light corn syrup

instructions

Place sugar and milk in bowl. Stir until mixed thoroughly. Add corn syrup and mix well. For filling in areas, use thinned icing (add small amounts or light corn syrup until desired consistency is reached).

---------------------------------------------------

Spent about $51.00 at Kroger
and got a couple good deals with coupons.
I know I said I haven't been clipping coupons,
but when they are right there in the store
on the shelves or items then I'm gonna use them.

4 two liters Diet Mountain Dew
6 two liters Sierra Mist
.79 cents each when you buy 10
x's 10 is $7.90
minus $4.00 in coupons
made 10 bottles $3.90 or .39 cents each!!
Regular non sales or coupon price was
$1.29 each x's 10 is $12.90
so I saved $9.00!!
Some coupons I found at Speedway
and the others were hanging right
by the Pepsi 2 liters in Kroger!

10 boxes Krusteaz cookie mixes
$1.49 each when you buy 10
x's 10 is $14.90
6 coupons for $1.10 off ($6.60 off)
4 coupons for $1.00 off ($4.00 off)
made 10 boxes $4.30 or .43 cents each
regular non sales or coupon price was
$2.29 each x's 10 is $22.90
so I saved $18.60!!
Coupons were found in a blinkie machine
and on the boxes!

Other deals from Kroger

2 cans of pumpkin
reg. $1.39
marked down: .69 cents each

2 pkgs Won Ton wraps
reg. $2.99
marked down: $1.49 each

1 can Kroger creamed corn
reg. .50 cents
marked down: .29 cents

3 pkgs Cinnamon apple muffin mix
reg. .79 cents
marked down: .39 cents each

1 can Kroger beef gravy
reg. .79 cents
marked down: .39 cents

Plus other ingredients to make cookies
and candies
and ingredients to make a
broccoli cauliflower cheese soup.

TOTAL spent $51.00

That should cover 20 goody bags
for people at Tony's work.
Plus 2 classrooms at the kids school
with about 50 or so total kids.
Plus 10 friends & family.
So I think I did pretty good
to give baking gifts to about 80 people!!

THRIFT STORE

spent $15 and got

-bathroom rug
-mini NASCAR flag
-4 spools of gold ribbon
-Roush racing video tape with
score pad (new)
-The Sights & Sounds of Christmas video tape
-3 long sleeve shirts for kids
-4 pairs of pants for kids

The thrift store seemed wiped out,
meaning less things than usual.
I think it was due to their sale of 50% off
on the last Wednesday of the month
which would of been 1 week ago.
I wanted to find Jonathan another coat
but their selection sucked. So maybe another day.

----------------------------------------

First snowfall 12-1-10
8:15am kids heading to bus stop.

-------------------------------------------------------------


--------------------------------------------------------------------

I almost forgot about this recipe
and might have to make some for Christmas.

These are really good. I have made them before!

.
Makes approximately 15 large cookies

1 cup plain flour
1/2 cup dutch cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 large egg
1/2 tablespoon milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Sift together the flour, cocoa powder and baking soda in a medium bowl.
Beat butte, sugars and peanut butter until well combined. Add egg, milk and vanilla. Beat well. Gently mix in the flour mixture about 1/3 at a time until incorporated. Form the chocolate dough into balls.

Peanut Butter Filling
1/4 cup sifted confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter
Combine confectioners' sugar and peanut butter in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth.

Flatten each chocolate ball on the palm of your hand. Top it with a small round spoon of peanut butter. Carefully fold the dough sides over the peanut butter and pinch to seal. Roll into a ball and flatten on prepared cookie sheet.
Bake cookies in preheated 190 degree oven for about 8 minutes, until the surface begins to crack slightly. Allow 2-3 minutes before gently removing them to cool completely on a wire rack..


----------------------------------------------------

1:00pm

Had to share this story before laying down for a nap.
My package of 2 controllers for XBox 360 arrived
today from Ebay. Most people just crumple up
newspapers, use bubble wrap or packing peanuts.
As I unwrapped all the paper from the controllers
I saw that they used the coupon section of the paper,
woo hoo! And in it was another coupon
I have been looking for, for the
$1.00 off pistachio nuts. These are Tony's
favorite that I like to buy as a stocking
stuffers at Christmas time.
I thought it was funny as I just went through
some coupons of mine last night looking
for those pistachio coupons.
Who'd of thought I'd open up the
XBox controllers and find a pistachio
coupon sitting on top crumpled up, lol!
Kroger has them on sale for $3.99
minus $1.00 coupon
makes them $2.99.
I think they are regularly around $6 to $8.

ohhh and lookie I found a freebie coupon
for a free 7 function digital multimeter
at Harbor Freight.
And that coupon for an aluminum
lightweight racing jack will also come in handy.
Tony's been needing one of those.
Ya ever tried to haul around or pick up
a regular floor jack, HEAVY!!
Only I could be more excited about a box
with coupons in it more than 2 XBox controllers, LOL!
.-----------------------------------------------

Check out the Northpole.com
where you can visit Mrs Claus' Cookbook

While there you can also send a letter to Santa!

Send a Letter to Santa

Santa really loves to get letters from boys and girls. They tell him if they have been naughty or nice and what they want for Christmas. I know Santa would like to get a letter from you. All you have to do is click on the inkwell on the desk and I’ll help you write your letter to Santa.

Once you have sent a letter to Santa, come back and check your mailbox by clicking “Santa Letter Pick-Up”. Santa answers every letter that is sent to him, but he has so much mail it usually takes him about two days to write back to you.

-----------------------------------------------------------

these are all from hip2save

Amazon is offering up some great music freebies! Every day through December 25th, you can go here and download a FREE Christmas song!

----------------------------------------------------------------

Nabisco is once again offering up a new cookies and milk coupon for the month of December– Save $1 on Nabisco cookies when you buy 1 package of Nabisco cookies AND one gallon of milk. This coupon can be found on the Nabisco Facebook page here thru 12/31 (or until 50,000 prints have been reached). The coupon must be redeemed by 1/14/2011.

------------------------------------------------------

Anyone looking to give a toothbrush for Christmas,
one of those fancy sonic kinds?
There are some on sale at Target til 12-4.
Sonicare Essence Electric Toothbrush on a price cut for $39.99 (down from $68.99!!)
Use the $10/1 coupon from the 11/21 SS or found here
Plus, stack with the $10/1 Philips Sonicare Toothbrush Handle Item Target store coupon found here
Pay $19.99
And then submit for the $10 rebate found in the 11/21 SS or refer a friend the rebate form here
Final cost ONLY $9.99!! *HOT* Price!

or here's another one found at Walgreens
Oral-B Vitality Power Toothbrush $10 off with in ad coupon
Buy 1 Vitality toothbrush $29.99 (based on online price)
Use the $10/1 in ad coupon
Plus, stack with the $10/1 coupon found in 11/14 RP
Final cost ONLY $9.99!

or I saw Walmart has some for
around $4.88 to $6
for the battery operated ones.
I was thinking about getting the family each one.

------------------------------------------------------------

Are you looking for a way to make use of the Buy one Olay body wash get one Olay hand and body lotion FREE (up to $7 value!) coupon found in the 11/28 PG? Well, you may want to head on over to Dollar General. Thru December 4th, Olay body wash 8.4oz is on sale for just $2. Check out how you can get a body wash AND lotion for just $1 each…

Buy 1 Olay Body Wash 8.4 oz $2
Buy 1 Olay hand and body lotion (up to $7 value)
Use the buy 1 body wash get 1 lotion FREE coupon from the 11/28 PG
Final cost only $1 each!

------------------------------------------------------------

This is what is for supper tonight:
The recipe didn't call for the cauliflower
but I'm adding in some also.
This recipe makes 12 servings
I will probably scale it to half.

I LOVE McDonald's Broccoli & Cheese soup
and that is what inspired me to make my own.

Broccoli & Cauliflower Cheese Soup

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen chopped broccoli
• 4 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 1 (1 pound) loaf processed cheese food, cubed
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 2/3 cup cornstarch (or you could use flour)
  
• 1 cup water (or you could reserve 1 can chicken broth to use instead)
  

Directions

1. In a stockpot, melt butter over medium heat. Cook onion in butter until softened. Stir in broccoli, and cover with chicken broth. Simmer until broccoli is tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Reduce heat, and stir in cheese cubes until melted. Mix in milk and garlic powder.
3. In a small bowl, stir cornstarch into water until dissolved. Stir into soup; cook, stirring frequently, until thick.

* I put the broccoli & cauliflower in the
food processor before boiling in the pot.
*I doubled the amount of cheese.
*I added half slices of white
cheddar cheese to the top of soup when serving.
*I double or even tripled the amount
of flour & water as I wanted a thicker soup.
You could also use instant mashed
potato flakes as a thickener.
Now remember I halved the recipe above
when taking these notes into consideration.

This is one of those meals that is a comfort
food that makes you warm and fuzzy on
the inside on a cold day like today.

I have kids that probably wouldn't touch
broccoli or cauliflower so by putting it
in the food processor and making it
into tiny pieces they didn't know what
it was. I was happy knowing they got
a couple servings of veggies in them!

--------------------------------------------

.
Keep track of Santa daily to see what he
is up to!
NORAD SANTA TRACKER

-----------------------------------------------------------

from hip2 save

Land O’ Frost just released a high value coupon! Go here (and look on the upper right hand side) to print a buy one get one FREE Land O’ Frost Bistro Favorites coupon! You should be able to print 2 coupons per computer.

Bistro Favorites Varieties:
Applewood Smoked Ham
Applewood Smoked Turkey Breast
Black Forest Ham
Cracked Black Pepper Beef
Honey Glazed Smoked Ham
Roast Beef
Rotisserie Seasoned Turkey Breast

This would be good to get and put in the freezer

til Christmas. Around here our Christmas dinner

consists of mostly finger foods like:

ham & cheese on buns,

potato chips,

veggie, cheese & cracker tray with dip.

***KENDRA***

If you don't need this coupon would

you send me the printed 2 coupons??? Pretty please :0)

Not sure if I can even afford a ham this year,

heck I couldn't afford to stock up on turkeys.

So maybe I could get some ham slices instead.

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Tomorrow I don't have plans of going anywhere.

Have to stay home and do bills and rebates.

Might start working on Christmas cards also.

Don't that sound like fun, ughhhh!

Maybe I'll get the bills done tonight

and get that out of the way.

My water bill went down $5.00 for the past 3 month.

My car insurance went down $125.75 for this month.

Gas is pretty good at $43 with having the heat on

set at 70-72 degrees.

Electric bill I think was around the same as last month

I want to say around $70 to $75.

But I got notice from the cable company

that starting the beginning of next year it will

go up another $3.00. Now wondering how

to get cheaper cable but I want the DVR with it.

They were saying last night on the news how

many customers each cable company was losing

each year due to people going without cable

and/or using the internet to watch programs

or using Netflix.

Our health insurance will be going up another

$18 a month. We decided to add cancer

and stroke/heart attack to our policy which

is additional costs to be able to be covered.

When you are a smoker (me) and diabetic (hubby)

you want those two things!

We are also doing the 401K also, so more expenses.

But at least we'll be covered.

Better be safe than sorry!!

Another thing I have been thinking about

is asking the doctor to give me something to

help me stop smoking. We're supposed to

discuss it my next visit on Tuesday.

If I can quit smoking I was thinking about taking

that money spent on cigarettes each month and

applying it to our house payment.

And after doing some online mortgage calculators

I figured I could have the house paid off in

another 7 years in 2017!!

You've got to set a goal somehow with trying

to quit smoking and I think this is something to think about.

That would be taking a 30 year loan down to 9 years!!

I originally wanted it paid off before retirement age

because I don't think we could afford a house

payment with our social security.

I won't have much of a retirement due to being

a stay at home mom. I've only worked about

10-11 years total. Many people have to stop

living for the moment and start thinking

about your future and how you're going to

make it then.

-----------------------------------

7:35pm

Decided that since taking down the blinds

in the bay window and using regular curtains

across the front that I could make use of

that window space to display holiday items.

Next year was thinking about doing a town

scene with buildings, cars, trees and what not.

Who knows, if I find time I may change it.

..

11-30-10

Chocolate Dipped Apples

These are unbelievably good and even better with a little bit of carmel to add to it.

* 2 tablespoons lemon juice
* 2 cups water
* 3 large apples, cored and cut into 1/2 inch wedges
* 1 cup chocolate chips
* 3 tablespoons butter or
* 1 bottle prepared hardening chocolate sauce (such as Magic Shell)

Preparation:

* 1) Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
* 2) In a large bowl, combine lemon juice and water. Place apples in lemon juice mixture. Toss to coat apples with lemon juice mixture. Set aside.
* 3) If you don’t have a microwave, skip this step and use hardening chocolate instead. Place chocolate chip and butter in a microwave safe dish. Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir well. If chocolate is not completely melted, microwave on high for 20 seconds more and stir. Repeat until chips are melted.
* 4) Place apple slices on a paper towel and pat dry with another paper towel.
* 5) If you made your own chocolate sauce, dip apple slices halfway into chocolate mixture and place on baking sheet. If you are using hardening chocolate sauce, arrange apple slices on baking sheet and drizzle with chocolate.
* 6) Refrigerate apple slices for about 1 hour or until chocolate has set.

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PEANUT BUTTER RICE KRISPIES

• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows
• - OR -
• 4 cups miniature marshmallows
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 6 cups Rice Krispies®

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter until melted. 2. Add KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day.


MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Add peanut butter, stirring until combined. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.


Note

For best results, use fresh marshmallows.
1 jar (7 oz.) marshmallow crème can be substituted for marshmallows.
Diet, reduced calorie or tub margarine is not recommended.
Store no more than two days at room temperature in airtight container. To freeze, place in layers separated by wax paper in airtight container. Freeze for up to 6 weeks. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.

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Peppermint Bark

Makes 36 pieces

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 1 pound white chocolate, chopped (do not use chips)
• 2 cups puffed rice cereal
• 1 bag (7.5 ounces) hard peppermint candies, unwrapped

Directions

1. Spray a 10-by-15-inch rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray; line with a piece of waxed paper. Crush candies (see note below).
2. Place white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in rice cereal.
3. Transfer mixture to prepared pan; with a spatula, spread to edges of pan.
4. Sprinkle with crushed candy; with a piece of waxed paper covering the entire surface, press in gently (paper prevents hands from sticking to candy and chocolate). Chill until firm, 20 to 30 minutes (no longer, as candy will begin to soften).
5. Peel waxed paper off. Break bark into 2-inch pieces. Store at room temperature in an airtight container, up to 1 week.

Read more at Marthastewart.com: Peppermint Bark - Martha Stewart Recipes

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DIY: S’mores Kits

These looked cheap and simple enough to make.
Not sure where you would get the little boxes to put them in
but I would think you could put them in some sort of
plastic wrap or bags as well.
Put them in the gift bags below.

Lunch Bag Favors

Here's a brief tutorial of how to print
on paper bags using your printer.
Cut out a decorative design along top edge of
lunch bags. Fold top over and punch two holes
parallel to one another. Insert ribbon from front to
back and tie bow to hold flap down.
. .
.
.

These are Halloween bags but you get the idea
of what you could do to make bags
for some Christmas cookies.

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.

Holiday Pretzel Treats

Salty pretzels combine with sweet chocolate for these fun treats that make a yummy gift few can resist. (In fact, you may want to make some extras for yourself!)

Ingredients

Bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels

Hershey's Kiss or Hershey's Hug

M&M's candy

Instructions

Heat the oven to 170F. Set a number of bite-size, waffle-shaped pretzels (one for each treat) in a single layer on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, then top each pretzel with an unwrapped Hershey's Kiss or Hershey's Hug.

Bake for 4 to 6 minutes (the white chocolate will melt more quickly), until the chocolates feel soft when touched with a wooden spoon. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and quickly press an M&M's candy into the center of each Kiss.

Allow the treats to cool for a few minutes, then place them in the refrigerator to set, about 10 minutes. Place handfuls of the candies in clear plastic bags and tie on colorful ribbons.

Rolo candies could be used in place
of the Hershey kisses and a pecan placed
on top instead of an M&M.

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.

Dressed in colorful candy scarves and top hats, these stylish, easy-to-make snowmen are sure to liven up any holiday gathering.

Ingredients
bag of 8-inch pretzel rods
1 cup white chocolate chips
mini chocolate chips
orange decorators' gel
fruit leather (various colors)
gummy rings
gumdrops

Instructions

1. To make a batch, melt 1 cup of white chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler.

2. One at a time, dip one end of an 8-inch pretzel rod in the melted chocolate and use a plastic spoon or knife to spread the chocolate two thirds of the way down the rod.

3. Set the pretzels on a sheet of waxed paper and press on mini chocolate chips for eyes and buttons. Use orange decorators' gel to add a carrot nose.

4. When the chocolate has hardened, stand the pretzels in a mug or glass and tie on strips of fruit leather for scarves. For each hat, stretch a gummy ring over the narrow end of a gumdrop and secure it on the pretzel rod with a dab of melted chocolate.

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Chocolate Toffee Graham Treats

Ingredients:

Yield:

22 22

22

Servings Size

• treats

treats

• 11 whole honey graham crackers, broken into squares
• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
• 1 -2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Change Measurements: US | Metric

Directions:

Prep Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 25 mins

1. 1 Preheat oven to 350*.
2. 2 Arrange graham crackers in a single layer in a 15 x 10 baking sheet.
3. 3 Combine butter and sugar in saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until butter melts; then boil 2 minutes.
4. 4 Remove from heat and stir in pecans.
5. 5 Pour mixture evenly over crackers and spread carefully to edge of pan, covering crackers completely.
6. 6 Bake for 10 minutes.
7. 7 Remove from oven and sprinkle evenly with chocolate chips; when chips melt, smooth evenly to cover top.
8. 8 Cool in pan for 5 minutes; carefully separate and transfer squares to a wax paper lined cookie sheet.
9. 9 Refrigerate until chocolate hardens.

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Wouldn't it be cute to do up some of those
lunch bags above, decorating them like
a Santa outfit and adding ribbon for the
suspender handles.
.
.

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These cookies below would work great with
an empanada maker like I picked up at the
thrift store awhile back for about .90 cents!
It had about 3-4 different sizes in the box.
I've always wanted to try it out and have
been looking for recipes for it.

I don't know how much Nutella is at Kroger
but I do know they have a Kroger brand.
I also saw Nutella at Big Lots for $3.00 a jar.
. .

Nutella Pocket Cookies

Makes 40 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened plus 2 more tablespoons, melted.

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 cup granulated sugar plus 1\4 cup for sprinkling

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups Nutella

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the 1 cup of butter, cream cheese, and 1 cup sugar until smooth, light, and fluffy. Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined. Gradually add the flour to the creamed mixture and mix well. Divide the dough into two portions; cover and refrigerate until the dough is firm and easy to handle. An hour should be good enough.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove one portion of dough from the refrigerator. On a floured surface, roll out one portion of dough until it is about 1/4-inch thick. Using a circle cookie cutter that is approximately 3 inches in diameter, cut circles out of the dough and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat this with the rest of the dough.

Place approximately 1 1/2 teaspoons of Nutella on the center of each circle.

Fold each circle in half so that the edges meet and lightly press the edges to seal.

With a fork, seal the edges more securely. Lightly brush melted butter on the tops and sprinkle with sugar.

Bake the cookies for 10 – 12 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Leave the cookies on the cookie sheet for 2 – 3 minutes before removing them to wire racks to cool.

Enjoy!

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Don't know what it is about this dreary weather
we've been having but it's been making me tired.
I've been in slow motion.

I'm ready to get out of the house tomorrow
and do a little shopping at Kroger
and the thrift store to try and boost my
energy up. Shopping in the morning's on
weekdays is great when compared to
evenings or weekends.
Currently getting a little list done up
to get a few of the basic things along with
baking things.

Thinking about making some
chocolate mint rice krispies and/or
chocolate mint covered apples
(use either andes mints or peppermint patties melted down)
& the empanada nutella cookies.