Deal of the Day!

I've always clipped coupons & shopped the sales, but lately I've become http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifven more serious about saving & stocking up. To the amusement of my family, my stockpile is growing and I'm loving it! When Kali & Jesus come over for dinner, I hand them bags and encourage them to "shop" from my pantry; in this way I feel like I'm helping them in a small way, making sure they have plenty of food on the table. *grin* It's a Mom thing!http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Anyway, I just have to share the deal I got at Publix this morning. Thanks to coupons from Kraft, Boca, Suave & Lipton along with store sales & coupons and some competitors coupons, I got all of this for $6.40! That's a savings of $51.83!



I want to mention a fabulous blogger who's recently inspired me in my quest to save dollars, Kimberly the Savvy Coupon Lady is the best! Since she's a Florida gal, she shares my dismay at the Sunshine State's "no double coupon" deals but still manages to save a ton of money while sharing her secrets with her many followers. Thank you, Kimberly!

Off to do some more coupon clipping, have a wonderful day!

xoxooxox

Rapunzel~

Thrifty Thursday: Coupon Clipping

One of my goals for 2010 is to save more money, re-vamp my budget and stick to it. One of the easiest ways for me to do this is with my grocery expenses. I'm known for my coupon clipping and savvy shopping, often shock the cashiers and other patrons with my savings at the register! This, however, requires time and energy, something I was lacking in 2009. This year, however, I vow to get back on track and I have a goal. I've decided that whatever I save in coupons/sales is going straight into my vacation account! This way, when I'm menu planning, clipping coupons and bargain shopping I have extra motivation to do so and when I'm sitting on a tropical island sipping umbrella drinks I can toast myself and my thrifty-ness!

There are a couple of really helpful websites I'd like to share in case you, too, need a bit of assistance. First up is Hot Coupon World, a wealth of information and assistance for coupon clippers! Be prepared, you can spend hours there learning & connecting with other savvy shoppers! I also use My Grocery Deals, a huge timesaver when making that shopping list. Instead of poring over multiple store ads, they are all there in one place, searchable and easily accessed. Cool, huh?

Since I'm always open to suggestions and tips, please share with me how you manage your family's food budget. Are you, too a Coupon Queen?

Our House

We've had a busy week here at the Castle, am taking some early morning quiet time to write a few lines. You see, I'm happy to report that my eldest daughter and son-in-law have moved back home for a little while. They just need some time to regroup, re-evaluate, and rejuvenate. It's been a rough first year of marriage for them, they didn't have time to catch their breaths before dealing with the death of a family member followed closely by the loss of Kevin's job and then a few months later, Kali being laid off by the School Board! Icing on the cake was the "repossession" of a family member's loaner car, leaving them a one-vehicle couple in a town that is not conducive to such! Poor kids were just completely overwhelmed and unprepared.

So, in the past week we have added 2 adults, 1 cat, 1 dog, 2 fishtanks and a 4.5 foot ball python to our home. Whew. Suffice it to say that we are filled to capacity but when Beren's girls visit every-other-weekend we're going to be overflowing! I'm not sure where we'll put everyone, lol, but somehow we'll manage. (The only good thing I can say about my ex-husband at the moment is I'm grateful that he insisted on purchasing a 4-bedroom house instead of the 3-bedroom I coveted)

The cons of this move are obvious: no adult child wants to move back with his/her parents, especially with husband and furkids in tow! K & K have been together 5 years, most of the time living together on their own, paying their own way and enjoying the independence (and privacy!) that comes along with that responsibility. I'm sure they would much rather be in their own little home with plenty of space for their "stuff" rather than crowded in with all of us.

However, we've all acknowledged the pros of the situation as well: First off, we like each other! Really like each other. A day rarely went by without Kali speaking to at least one of her sisters and certainly to me, and as you know we have family dinners, parties, etc. together every chance we get. I'm very fortunate that my grown children still (mostly) want to hang out with me...grin...and that their Significant Others blend in as well as they do. We can be a wild & rowdy bunch after all and it takes a certain type of personality to appreciate us!

Also, though 2 more humans and multiple pets do cause additional messes around the Castle, there are also 4 more working hands willing & able to cook, clean, maintain, etc. They both enjoy cooking, Kali is a great organizer and Kevin is awesome in the garden. Of course, it goes without saying that since they're both artists our home is even more beautiful and colorful than a week ago!

Though we no doubt will encounter some challenges in the next few months as we learn to live together once again, I am confident that it'll all work out and this will be a positive experience for everyone. We joke that we are starting our own little commune, a new way of living together, each contributing his or her own strengths and talents to the collective table, literally and figuratively because one of the best parts of the situation so far has been our return to dining together. With 6 chefs in the house, each of us have been assigned one night of cooking (allowing one night for pizza take-out) and so far that has worked out famously! It's exciting to see what each person comes up with, allowing us new & different cuisines than we would normally experience. Now that I'm not the only one cooking each night, I look forward to dinnertime again, a chance for us to sit around the table and share stories, laughs over a good meal and a cheap bottle of wine. Of course, due to our busy schedules we haven't been able to do this every night but even if Lily comes home late from work, for example, she knows that she'll have a plate of food lovingly set aside for her and there will be someone to sit down and enjoy it with. Rarely is my house empty anymore! *smile*

I am sure we're not the only family experiencing this right now, and I daresay that with the current uncertain economic forecast, we'll be seeing more such as ourselves. And really, despite the stress and worry, I see the potential for so much good out of this economic crisis we're experiencing. If it draws people closer, brings families together, encourages sharing whether it be of a home or a meal or whatever...it's a good thing. Our priorities have shifted, we've been reminded of what really matters. Not the brand new SUV, not the fancy new house, not the perfect decorating or spotless kitchen, the 6-figure income, expensive vacations or designer clothing. Family. Friends. Community. That's what's important. We in our family have always known that but now even more so. I am truly grateful to once again have everyone I love most in the world under one roof, happy & healthy & safe.

I am incredibly blessed.

Happiness Is...(the Week in Review)

Please forgive my absence, have not been spending much time on the computer this past week. With two extra kids in the house and Beren and myself home on vacation, it was all I could do to keep up with the minimal housework and cooking while entertaining the girls and enjoying some summer fun!

We took them to the beach....



and out sailing...





indulged in some fun food such as indoor S'mores!





spent most mornings by the pool before the afternoon storms rolled in...





and in the evenings Beren and I sometimes headed out for some grown-up entertainment....





After a nice-but-tiring week, yesterday we returned them to their Mom and then visited our favorite thrift store in that area. We scored some wonderful treasures including a brand new grill/sandwich maker for $12.99! Considering the retail price of this baby is $39.99, I'd say we got a great deal, wouldn't you?



Now, I have a little indoor grill but I've never owned a sandwich maker, and since this one didn't come with the instructions, I'm clueless about exactly how to use it. I don't even eat sandwiches very often but everything in moderation, right?

Do any of you have recipes you could share with us? I did find a Cuban sandwich recipe and since I live in South Florida where the Cuban influence is huge, we'll appreciate making these now & then. However, I don't normally eat pork, nor do my kids, so I need other suggestions. Anybody?

Thank you!

On My Hearth: Spaghetti Pie

Photo courtesy of Fun Foods on a Budget
We had a little family meeting yesterday about, among other things, the household budget and how we can keep it under control. (Given the current economic situation, I'm sure that many of you are having similar conversations, no?) We explained to the children that while there are some areas we can't control (mortgage, car insurance, etc), we can cut down on our food expenditures and electric/water usage. Beren and I encouraged everyone to turn off lights when not in use, unplug appliances, etc. and to please, please not be wasteful of food. If you put it on your plate, eat it! Throwing food away makes me absolutely nuts!

So, with that in mind I did a refrigerator/freezer inventory this morning and made a shopping list, having each family member add items that he/she wants me to pick up from the store. I also made a mental note of what leftovers we have in there which will need to be used quickly. Spying a big bowl of cooked pasta, I did a quick google search and stumbled upon what is sure to be one of my new favorite blogs, Fun Foods on a Budget. Ooh, Stephanie has some tasty-looking dishes on there, can't wait to try them all!

Though we are having a BBQ here at the castle tonight, the guests won't be arriving until 6 pm so it'll be a late dinner for the kids so I'm going to whip up this Spaghetti Pie for a nice hearty lunch. Mmm...doesn't it look so good?? I can't wait to dig my fork in!

On My Hearth: Comfort Food

As often happens, today I'm turning toward the kitchen to lift my lagging spirit. Since it's the end of the month and the food budget tight, I'm scouring my pantry and freezer, using up bits of this 'n that to make complete meals. They won't be gourmet or always super-healthy, but it'll fill our tummies and stretch our dollars just a bit further until payday. Also, we have Beren's girls with us this whole week and, well, let's just say they are not as adventurous eaters as the rest of us so I plan accordingly.

We stocked up on Velveeta when it was BOGO a while back so we'll be having mac & cheese as a side dish to turkey meatloaf (my own recipe I throw together), and green bean casserole using leftovers. I also found 3 lone cupcakes in the freezer and a couple scoops of frosting in the fridge, will let the kids fight over them. *grin*

Here's the super-easy M & C recipe; I told you it wasn't healthy but sooo yummy!

Velveeta Mac 'n' Cheese

* 2 tbsp. butter
* 1 lb. Velveeta pasteurized process cheese spread, cubed
* 1/2 c. milk
* 2 c. (7 oz.) elbow macaroni, cooked, drained

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter & milk together, add Velveeta cheese spread and stir until Velveeta is melted. Stir in macaroni; spoon into 2-quart casserole. Bake 15 minutes. Garnish as desired (I like to top mine with bread crumbs). Makes 6 servings. Prep time: 15 minutes. Cooking time: 15 minutes.

Anti-Black Friday

Southampton Shopping Spree!, originally uploaded by Emerald2810.

To continue my family's Green Christmas experiment this year, Kali posted the following blog/invite, I'll be posting pics of the big event later this evening!

There's a reason your mom still hangs on to that picture frame made of painted macaroni.

Offset your consumer footprint by creating and recycling. Save some cash by DIY. Enjoy a guilt-free escape from spending the day in crowded stores. Learn a new skill and enjoy the company of fellow artists, crafters, subersives, poor folks and agoraphobics. There is no end to the list of reasons you should show up either Friday or Sunday or both to the BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND CRAFTING SPREE!

Friday's party will be held at K's house in the City. Sunday's party will be held at M's house in the Suburbs. On both days, materials will be made available for ceramics, drawing/painting/collage, resin casting, screen printing and button making. Sunday there will also be power tools for any of your woodworking project needs.

Please bring some craft supplies and/or party supplies (food/drink) as a contribution.

Also feel free to bring all your craft stuff, bring whatever you're working on, bring something you want to demo, bring stuff you want to get rid of, bring anything that's sitting around your house!

P.S. As promised, some pics from both Black Friday Crafty Weekend Events:

On My Hearth: Newlywed Hamburger Casserole

Ok, so I'm far from being a newlywed..grin...but this dish is totally in Beren's honor! The man loves..ahem...fried, fatty food and I try so hard to encourage healthy eating. But now & then I give in and make him some stick-to-your-ribs midwestern casserole like my Mama used to make! This one is actually very close to a recipe my Aunt gave my Mom years ago, a nice hearty meal that'll put a smile on my meat lovin' man's face!

Now, to make this a bit healthier and veggie friendly, I'm going to split the recipe in two, making half of it with veggie crumbles in lieu of beef. I'm also using the 99% fat free condensed soups; yeah, it's still chock full of convenience food but it's ok now & then, right? Since I have nearly everything on hand it's also going to be a nice it's-almost-payday thrifty meal as well.


* Exported from MasterCook *

"Newlywed" Hamburger Casserole with French Fried Onions

Recipe By :BamaKathy
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:15
Categories : Beef Casseroles

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 lb ground chuck
1 medium onion -- diced
1 medium bell pepper -- diced
1 jar sliced mushrooms -- (4 ounce) drained
1 can cream of mushroom soup -- (10 3/4 ounce)
1 can French-fried onions -- (3 ounce)
1 bag egg noodles -- (8 ounce) cooked and drained
salt and pepper

In skillet, saute meat, onion, and bell pepper until vegetables are tender and meat is browned. Drain.

Combine with noodles, salt, pepper, mushrooms and mushroom soup in 2 quart casserole.

Cover and bake 25 minutes at 350 degrees.

Remove from oven, uncover, and pour french fried onions over top.

Return to oven, uncovered for five minutes.


Source:
"http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/print?id=104653"
Start to Finish Time:
"0:45"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 391 Calories; 26g Fat (61.4% calories from fat); 23g Protein; 14g Carbohydrate; 2g Dietary Fiber; 95mg Cholesterol; 340mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 3 Lean Meat; 1 Vegetable; 3 1/2 Fat.

NOTES : A friend gave me this recipe as a newlywed. Through the last thirty years, it has become a favorite of our family, our new son-in-laws, and our friends. It sounds simple, but is so tasty!

Frugal Cooking

In order to save a few dollars, I've been making sandwiches and packing everyone's lunch for the past week. You see, even though my girls are nearly grown and quite capable of doing this for themselves, they tend to wake up late and/or forget most days so they either 1) don't eat at all or 2) spend money on fast food. If I make their lunches, I can be assured that they're getting a decent meal and not wasting their hard-earned dollars on garbage. Beren often works through lunch and "forgets" to eat (can you imagine?) so he'll be famished (and grumpy) when he gets home.

So, I've been packing lunches to avoid those issues. And honestly, I don't mind! I just assemble everything after dinner when cleaning up the kitchen so that in the morning everyone's little lunch bags are lined up in the fridge, ready to grab & go.

The only thing is, 4 sandwiches a day uses up a lot of bread! And good bread is not cheap. I was discussing this with my friend Jersey who makes her own bread, inquired about how cost effective that really is. She did the math for me (I do accounting all day..groan...) and reported that it costs her about $1.00 a loaf make her own French bread. Hmm...comparing that to the $4.00 per loaf at the bakery, I say she's ahead of the game! So, I took matters into my own hands this morning and whipped up a couple loaves of my own.



With the help of my handy dandy Kitchen-Aid it really wasn't difficult, just a bit time-consuming, but well worth it to see these beauties cooling on my counter! And the taste..mm...heavenly! Mine aren't as pretty as Jersey's, will have to work on that, but I'm rather proud of them anyway!



While the dough was rising I set about making tonight's dinner. I didn't really feel like the pasta I'd previously planned, and since red & yellow bell peppers were on sale this week, I decided to make stuffed peppers in the crockpot. No real recipe involved here, just used up bits of leftovers from fridge and freezer, but the process went something like this:

Mix together about 1/2 a bag of veggie crumbles, a cup of so of cooked brown rice, about 1/2 jar of salsa, 1/2 a package of taco seasoning, a few bits of tomato, and a hunk of cheddar cheese, shredded. Stuff the peppers, pour a bit of water in the bottom of the cooker, arrange peppers inside and replace their little caps. Turn on low and voila! Fiesta Stuffed Peppers! Before serving I'll add a few more sprinkles of cheese on top...mmm...they smell so good, I can't wait for dinner tonight!

Budgeting...Time and Money

Lately I've been doing a lot of thinking about budgets, haven't we all? The economic situation is disconcerting at the least, terrifying for some, and the constant news reports do nothing to assuage my fears. What impact this recession will have on my long term financial picture is unclear but it is certainly having an affect on my day to day life. Everything costs more, from groceries to gas to my lawn service. I'm over-budget nearly every month so I've had to sit down and do some major tweaking. There are some things that I can't or won't do without - the aforementioned lawn service for one, certain beauty treatments another. (much as I embrace my witchy side, I am unwilling to go totally gray just yet). I can't control my car payment or mortgage, have already canceled optional phone features and reduced other utility bills as much as possible. So, that leaves only a couple of areas that I can affect: food and entertainment.

With that in mind, I've been examining how I spend my money which segued into another, perhaps bigger issue: where I spend my time. Discussing it with my friend Jersey, we agreed that we are both making a more conscious effort to spend both more productively, and with more attention to the impact on our heart & mind as well as body. So, I've made some decisions about where to put my dollars as well as the 24 hours I'm given in each day. When I'm spending each mindfully, I find that I make different choices, ones that feed my soul and fill more than just my belly.

For instance, instead of tossing $8.00 on fast food, how about a beautiful bouquet of flowers?

$4.00 on a fancy coffee or a fresh new magazine?

$25.00 for the latest gadget or a nice pampering pedicure?

$40.00 for a chain restaurant meal or homemade dinner at home with family & friends?

How about an hour of mindless tv vs a mind-enriching new novel?

2 hours surfing the internet or a long walk on the beach?

You get the idea, it goes on & on & on...the point is, I am trying to live my life more mindfully, spending my hard-earned dollars and gift of time where they matter most instead of tossing them aside. Because contrary to what I might have once thought, there truly is a limit to each.

New Toys!

Last week Beren and I picked up some kitchen goodies from the thrift store - needed items that I'd been putting off buying new.

Somehow I lost one of my muffin/cupcake tins and had only one, was so happy to find one in really shape and promptly whipped up a batch of banana nut muffins!



This little bowl was too cute to pass up, and even though oatmeal doesn't count as "potage," it was the perfect size for my morning meal!



I also found a tube pan and made an angel food cake for last Sunday's bbq, the first time I'd attempted one. Sorry, no pics, it got gobbled up before I could take a shot!



Kali added to my kitchen gadgetry as well, giving me one of her wedding gifts she didn't have space for. Even though it is large and cumbersome, I loved being able to steam a whole head of cauliflower and a pound of green beans all at once and not worry about overcooking. They came out crisp and perfect!



Today I'm going to use the new Crockpot Beren bought me a couple months ago, am throwing together a batch of veggie soup to clean out my vegetable drawer. I'm not sure what Hurricane Ike is doing but if we lose power I'll have a better chance of salvaging cooked foods as opposed to raw.

Christmas in July

Since most of the family was together last night, gobbling up pizza over at Mom & Dad's, I took the opportunity to present an idea: How about a frugal, earth-friendly Yule this year? I got their immediate attention so went forth with my suggestions: A $20.00 limit to spend on each person, and the gift must be either handmade by the giver or used/recycled. As all of my children are earth-friendly and avid thrift store shoppers, their little eyes lit up! Really? Yes, I said. It is absolutely ridiculous that we spent thousands of dollars last year to give each other things that we either didn't need or we could buy ourselves! It's just an excuse to have something wrapped under the tree, half the time Beren and I are working off a specific list presented to us by our children, scrambling around trying to find the exact item requested. How silly is that? The girls aren't babies anymore, no need for the must-have toy of the moment! Our youngest is 13, certainly old enough to understand the environmental impact of consumerism on the earth, and our wallets!

I told my parents that they could opt out of this agreement if they'd like, but we would really enjoy having them participate. As I told Mom, I'd much rather have something handmade by her any day.

So, we'll see how this goes, we have 5 months to get our creative juices flowing and come up with the perfect non-commercial gifts for each other! I'd love to hear thoughts & suggestions from you all!

On My Hearth: Chocolate Chip Pancakes

Beren likes to make big breakfasts on the weekends, especially when his girls are here. He normally whips up eggs & bacon, though, and we happen to be short in the egg department this week so I took over this week. This chocolate chip pancake recipe was frugal since I had all of the ingredients on hand and was a nice treat for his sweet-loving girls!



Easy Chocolate Chip Pancakes

2 cups Baking Mix (I use Bisquick)
1 cup Milk (I use 2 percent)
2 Eggs (I use Large)
Sugar
Vanilla
Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat an electric griddle or large skillet on medium heat. It does not have to be hot for this recipe, and you’ll want some cooking spray too.

Follow the directions on the baking mix package to make the pancake batter. Add sugar and vanilla to taste, which is optional. Don’t stir the batter too much, it’s okay if there are still a few lumps of dry mix in it. You want it to be thick enough to hold together in the skillet, but not so thick that the pancakes don’t cook in the middle. It should pour from the spoon but not be runny. Too thick? Add a bit more milk. Too thin? Stir in a bit more dry mix and then readjust the sugar and vanilla to taste.

When the batter is the consistency you like, sprinkle some chocolate chips on top and stir in gently. Not enough? Stir in more! Once it’s just the way you like, drip a bit into the griddle or skillet. If it immediately turns brown, the griddle is too hot, turn it down. I find that pancakes turn out fluffier and more tender if they are cooked on lower heat.

Use a small ladle or spoon to form the pancakes on the griddle. Smaller is easier to flip. Once the edges are set and bubbles are popping up on the top, use a pancake turner to flip them over. It will just take a minute to set the other side. Serve with syrup, or powdered sugar, or whatever toppings you like. Makes 8 to 10 depending on size.

Thrifty Thursday (a day late)

Dad took my Mom for some more tests this afternoon, leaving my Ohio Aunt all alone for a few hours. So, I saved my thrifting for today and toted her along with me. She is truly the Thrift Shop Queen, says that up home the only thing she doesn't buy from thrift stores is undergarments and nighties! We had a nice time, a little reprieve for her from the caretaking of Mom, and I got some good bargains:

*Two vintage Pyrex bowls and one Fire King pie plate for Kali

*One vase for my dining room table, the colors are perfect!

*A wicker basket that I plan to use for bread & rolls

*10 brightly-colored cloth napkins, they look brand new!

*3 Hawaiian-type shirts for Beren, one of them a Pierre Cardin!

Grand total: $27.00. Not bad, huh?

Ladies Who Lunch

It's a busy time at work, Quarterlies are due, so I'm working more hours than usual. I don't mind since I really like to be busy and I do get a real sense of fulfillment from my current job. I love my co-workers, we have a lot of laughs and since we are a small company, it truly is like a family. Oh, and another good reason for the increased hours - I need the extra cash for an upcoming vacation but more about that later..wink..

You know, as much as I enjoyed being home full time in my "prior life," I admit that working, even part time, gives a sense of order and structure to my life. Without that, I find myself meandering through my days, puttering around and letting the hours slip away from me. I appreciate my home more since I'm in it less, and I find that getting up and going to the office gives me more energy, gets my body and brain moving!

Anyway, since I am usually home by 1 pm I rarely have occasion to pack a lunch so it's a real treat when I get to do so. Most of the ladies at my office grab fast food or a quick sandwich, but I'm on a budget so I'll be "brown bagging" it today. I prefer it that way, especially since I get to pack my pretty little Bento box like this...



and tuck it into this fun little tote bag...



Along with a glass of homemade iced tea, doesn't this just beat Burger King any day?!

So, off to work for this little gal...see you later!

Thrifty Thursday

I did a bit of "retail therapy" as my friend Jersey calls it..grin..stopped at my fave thrift store and found some lovely treasures!

*A nice sturdy bamboo silverware caddy, perfect timing since the bottom fell out of my old one just last week! Here in the land of forever-summer we do bbq and entertain year-round so these things really take a beating.

*A fabulous straw bag, really love the faux-snake handles and details! I happen to have a pair of shoes that match perfectly, but that doesn't surprise you does it? *grin*

*A stack of blue & cream sunflower cloth napkins, again perfect for the season!

*Two boldly-printed skirts, can't wait to pair them up with colorful tanks!

*An armload of books - I rarely buy paperbacks at the thrift store because for only $1.50 I can have the hard-cover version.

Total spent: $30.00. Not bad, eh? I couldn't have purchased two new books for that sum! Have any of you read these?

*The Good Wife Strikes Back by Elizabeth Buchan
*Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
*The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn
*Multiple Choice by Claire Cook
*Coal Run by Tawni O'Dell
*Comfort me with Apples by Ruth Reichl
*True to Form by Elizabeth Berg

Now, I'm off for cocktails with my sweetie, Kali & Kevin, going to celebrate Mom's return home and many other things that we have to be grateful for.

Tropical Cuteness

I've decided to take another day off from work, am going to putter around the castle for a bit but when my fabulous cleaning lady Josee arrives I'll have to hightail it outta here lest she invite me to scrub the floors with her. *shudder* At that point I will probably run some errands including another trip to Target (do you all pronounce that store's name with a French accent like I do? I thought so, makes it much more elegant and fun, don't you think?) to return the closet organizing items I didn't need.

After that I was going to take my Mom "junkin'"as was our Wednesday morning habit years ago when I was married and worked from home. You see, Wednesdays was 50% off Senior Citizen Day at our favorite thrift store so Mom would meet me there, we'd wander around the store searching for treasures, load up our cars and then celebrate our good fortune and good buys with breakfast at Denny's next door.

Well, Mom has some extensive testing this afternoon and wants to conserve her energy so she declined my offer for a morning of junkin'. That's ok, she promised me a rain check once she starts feeling better and I fully intend to hold her to that. In the meantime, I'll share my slightly-less-thrifty but still fun finds from yesterday:



If you have been reading my blog for a bit, you'll know that Kali's wedding theme was "vintage Florida." She and Kevin looooove all things tropical and her favorite flower is the hibiscus. So, yesterday when I saw these adorable melamie dinner plates and accessories on clearance at Target I had to scoop them up! I purchased the large serving bowl, some plates and some glasses (not shown), two hand towels, 6 wash cloths and two kitchen towels, all with hibiscus flowers on them! Aren't they precious?! I just love that happy little monkey! I plan to wrap them up and have them waiting when they return from their honeymoon, a nice little "welcome home" gift for the bride and groom.

The cost: $2.08 each for the kitchen & hand towels, $1.04 for each salad plate, $5.58 for the washcloths and $5.58 for the serving bowl. While not thrift store prices that's still not a big expenditure for something that I know will put a big ol' smile on her face as it did on mine!

P.S. I took this pic with my new herbs as a background, promise I'll post more on that later..

On My Hearth: Chicken with Tomatoes and Thyme

When I made the Rosemary Chicken a few days ago I bought the family pack of drumsticks since they were cheaper; I'll be using the rest of the package tonight for this dish. Since no one in my house likes capers I'm probably going to leave them out. I have everything else on hand so no need to run to the store and waste gas, yay!


Chicken with Tomatoes and Thyme

1 lemon
28-ounce can diced tomatoes 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
8 sprigs thyme
1 tablespoon capers
4 small chicken thighs
4 small chicken drumsticks
Kosher salt and pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 1-quart resealable plastic freezer bags

Freeze It:
Slice the lemon into rounds.

In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes and their liquid, lemon, thyme, and capers. Divide them among the 4 plastic freezer bags.

Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add 1 leg and 1 thigh to each bag.

Freeze, for up to 3 months, until ready to cook.

Cook It:
Heat oven to 400° F.

Remove the bags of chicken and tomatoes from the freezer (you'll need 1 bag of chicken and tomatoes for each serving). Empty the contents of each bag into a baking dish. Drizzle with the oil, using 1 1/2 teaspoons for each serving. (For 4 servings, use 2 tablespoons oil.)

Roast until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 50 minutes.

Yield: Makes 4 servings

CALORIES 440 (57% from fat); FAT 28g (sat 6g); SUGAR 12g; PROTEIN 33g; CHOLESTEROL 141mg; SODIUM 688mg; FIBER 5g; CARBOHYDRATE 15g

Real Simple, MARCH 2008