Today is...

"Today is gone. Today was fun.
Tomorrow is another one.
Every day, from here to there.
funny things are everywhere." - Dr. Seuss

Good to the last spoonful...

This was one of the first recipes I tried on Pinterest and it was an instant hit!  You can find the original here.  I've altered it a few times due to missing ingredients, what type of chicken was on sale, etc. Below is the recipe that I now use every single time (pretty much).

First I'll start off by saying that I cook a lot of food at one time, usually 2 but sometimes 3 meals, because it works for my family. And I'm not an extreme couponer by any sense of the means but I do plan my meals based on what types of meat are on sale. If chicken cost more than beef, we eat more beef and vice versa.  I'm lazy efficient when I cook chicken - if it has bones it's boiled - if it's boneless it's cooked in the crockpot.  The number one reason I boil chicken is for the amazing, healthy and cost effective chicken broth that I get after the fact.

Chicken Broth Recipe:
1 - large stock pot
6-10 bone in, skin on chicken thighs
1 small yellow onion, roughly sliced
3 Tbs. garlic, roughly chopped or minced
2 stalks washed celery, roughly chopped
2 large pinches of kosher salt
1 Tbs pepper (white or black)
4-5 peppercorns
1 tps thyme
1 tps rosemary

Place chicken in the pot, cover with veggies, add spices and then fill pot with just enough water to cover everything.  Cook on high until everything starts to boil, then turn down to medium for about 45 minutes.

While your waiting for the chicken to cook, you can gather all your materials to make the casserole, rice and divide up the chicken broth.

Once the chicken is cooked through, using the tongs, remove the chicken and veggies and place in the medium sized bowl. I like to pull the skin off and squeeze the chicken with the tongs, to allow the heat to release faster.  The following step involves hot liquids and is best done in the sink. Place the strainer into the large bowl and poor the broth into the strainer.  You'll have to pick up the strainer to allow all the broth to pass through the holes.  Very carefully, remove the bowl from the sink and place on the counter to cool.  Warning: do not put hot broth into the storage containers as it can burn your hands, or cause the plastic to become soft and possibly leak.

While the chicken is cooling, mix up everything needed for the casserole.

Non stick cooking spray
1 three quart casserole dish
2 sleeves Ritz crackers, crushed
1 stick butter, melted
1 Tbs poppy seeds
2 Tbs garlic or use some from the boiled chicken
1 Tbs celery salt or you can use 1/4 stalk from the boiled chicken
1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbs lemon juice
2 cans cream of chicken soup (or one can chicken and one can cream of celery)

Mix up the last five ingredients and set to the side. Mix up the crackers, butter and poppy seeds - set to the side.  Stir till everything is nice and coated - set to the side. Shred 5-6 chicken thighs - more depending on number of folks eating, and add to the soup mixture. Stir until everything is evenly distributed. Spray casserole dish with non-stick spray. Pour soup chicken mixture into dish and top with cracker mixture.  Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until the crackers are slightly browned.

While the casserole is cooking, now is a great time to cook the rice and divide up the chicken broth. I like to use half broth to half water when I make rice and always double the amount of rice so we can eat on it for a couple of days.  By now, the broth is usually cool enough to separate into bowls to freeze.  Once you've divided everything out they sill need to sit, without the lids on, for another 30-45 minutes.

Photo courtesy of this blog.

The casserole is going to smell so good when it comes out, your family will want to dive in before it cools off.  We like to serve ours over rice and sometimes, sprinkle a few french fried onions over the top for an added crunch.  There are always left overs and it's just as good the next day or cold right out of the fridge. Variations that I've tried: placing the rice in the bottom of casserole dish, adding the soup chicken mixture and topping it all off with the cracker mixture; completed the previous step but omitted the cracker mixture, stored over night in the fridge - added cracker mixture the next day before baking.

Not only do you end up with a ton of yummy food, but you now have homemade chicken broth that you can add to many future recipes.

What to do with the rest of the chicken you boiled and didn't use?  That recipe is for another day.

Bon Appetite Y'all!

A Day of First

After a very, very, very long day alone with the kiddos, I was so excited to get a chance to do some couponing alone once they went to sleep and Daddy was home.  Some of the items on my list were ones that I hadn't bought in a long time (shampoo, razors and kleenex) due to my great stockpiling this time last summer when I knew we would have less money to work with this past school year.  Now my biggest hindrance is the lack of space available in the apartment.

Since Walgreens has changed their system from issuing instant store rewards to a points system, most of my drug store couponing happens at CVS.  During this trip I had one transaction total out to $0.00 - which I've never done before - and it turned out to be what they called in the couponing world "a money maker" because I received $5 in store bucks. I refer to store bucks as RR (register rewards).

Transaction #1
1 - Always liners ($6.99) +$3 RR
2 - Kotex liners (2/$7)
1 - Pert shampoo/conditioner ($3.99)
1 - Infusium shampoo ($5)
2 - Gallon milk ($3.49 each) +$2 RR
Before Coupons: $29.96

Coupons Used: 1/.50 Always; 2/$1 Kotex; 1/$2 Pert; 1/$2 Infusium; $1/Kotex and Always Store Coupon.

OOP = $24.86 + $5 RR

Transaction #2
1 - Gillette Sensitive Shave Gel ($3.79)
2 - Venus Embrace Disposable Razors ($14.99 each)
* Spend $30 on Gillette products earn $10 RR
Before Coupons: $33.77

Coupons Used: 1/$2 Gillette Shave; 1/$3 Gillette disposable razors; BOGO Gillette disposable razors (up to $11.99) - not quiet free but I only use 5 blade razors; $5 RR from Transaction #1.

OOP = $14.10 + $10 RR

Transaction #3
2 - Degree Active Motion deodorant (2/$8)
2 - Dove Go Fresh deodorant (2/$8)
* spend $15 on Dove/Degree products earn $5 RR
Before Coupons: $16

Coupons Used: 2/$3 Degree; 2/$3 Dove; $10 RR from Transaction #2.

OOP = $0.00 + $5RR

Transaction #4
1 - Gain Dish soap (.99)
2 - Puffs (.99 each)
2 - Bounty 6 pack papertowels ($5.99)
1 - Charmin Basic 12 pack bath tissue ($5.99)
Before Coupons = $20.94

Coupons Used: 1/.25 Charmin; 2/$2 Bounty; 2/$1 Puffs; $5RR from Transaction #4.

OOP = $14.82 + $5RR

Transaction #5
1 - Hefty Trashbags ($6.99)
1 - Diet Coke 2 liter (.99)
1 - Puffs Car Cup ($1.67)
Before Coupons =  $9.65

Coupons Used: 1/.55 Hefty; 1/.25 CVS Coke coupon; $5 RR from Transaction #4

OOP = $4.17

Total Value of Items: $110.32
Savings: $52.37

Wanderings through my sleep deprived mind

Things I am thankful for:

• Air conditioning at home and in the van.
• Chamomile tea with mint and jasmine...so nice at the end of a long day.
• Options: where to buy groceries, what clothes to wear, dishwasher or hand washing, and if I want ketchup or catchup.
• Kids who scream/cry "Momma, I wuv you" during nap time because they think I'll cave in to not letting them have a nap. Not gonna happen.
• A husband who has a full-time job with health and dental insurance for the whole family.
• Knowing that this body is only a temporary shell and one day I'll have a new, whole and healthy body and get to use it to praise and worship the Great I Am.
• A zoo membership that allows us access to such wonderful sights and sounds and amazing learning opportunities for the boys.

Things that frustrate me:

• Not one, but TWO flat tires on the jogging stroller.
• People who wander across a sidewalk and take no notice that they're stopping the flow of people traffic.
• Houston traffic.
• The inability to help every single homeless person begging for money/food on the street corners.
• Ironing clothes, washing and putting up dishes, and taking out the trash. ** But I am thankful that I have clothes that need ironing, dishes to wash because it means I was able to eat/drink, and stuff to throw away because it means I have stuff.
• Not having hover craft cars like everyone predicted we would have by the year 2000.
• Gasoline. Cost. So. Much. Money.
• Forgetting to brush my kids teeth at night.
• Mosquitoes. They suck. Literally and figuratively.

Yehaw

There are very few places that I can shop when both kids are with me. Mostly because there are no double shopping carts available (land yachts) or I'm afraid we would end up breaking more items than purchasing.  With that being said, I can handle some places when only a regular shopping cart is available.  Two days ago that place was Babies 'R Us.  They were having a sale on squeezy pouches and I had $15 worth of store bucks (yeah me)! 

After a couple laps around the mall for some Mommy exercise, we headed to the store. I made a beeline for the food isle, grabbed 40 pouches or various flavors and noticed store brand food was on sale: spend $35 get $5 off!  So I checked around and snatched up three bags of store brand yogurt snacks.  No trip is complete without checking out the sales and clearance rack.  I've also learned that when you find something that I like and will most likely never find two in the same size again, I grab it.  Today I found shirts featuring construction equipment which is J&T's current obsession - so two of those ended up in the cart.  I also snatched up two other fall shirts that featured animals wearing glasses - another current obsession.

During check out, the boys "help mama" unload everything and made small talk with another little boy in line behind us.  Between the sales and my store bucks, I spent $44 and ended up with 40 pouches of food and 4 long sleeved t-shirts....not too shabby!

The boys were so well behaved (for two year olds) during mama's little shopping spree that I decided to allow them to ride the mechanical horse and spider man car on our way out.  Needless to say, they each enjoyed the rides and, thankfully, we made it to the car without a melt down.

Tedder was a little excited and yelled "yehaw" the entire time.

Jack was the calm rider who enjoyed kicking the horse and saying "go horsey".

 

Thought for Today:

• Use coupons.
• Don't be afraid to take kids in public - they can smell fear.
• Remember it's the little things in life that our kids remember and cherish the most.
• Store brand squeezy pouches will be consumed just as quickly as high dollar ones.

July 11, 2013

Due to rain, our plans had to change a little but we ended up having a lot of fun today.  We went to the mall and played in the kids area, had pretzels and lemonade for a snack, rode a few of the coin operated rides and walked the full length of the mall.  Then we met Aunt Lesley and Carson at Highland Park to feed the ducks and ride the carousel.  Everyone had a blast.  After nap, Jessi and Cinna came over to play with y'all.  Tedder had fun barking and playing with Cinna while Jack enjoyed sneaking up on Papaw and having him "scare" you.

All in all, it was a great day.

I love you, Jack. I love you, Tedder.

Love, Momma

Clear Lake Park

Hi boys,

Last Saturday afternoon we went to Clear Lake Park for the very first time.  There were some other kids around but mostly just y'all on the smaller playground.  It was a beautiful day, windy with lots of sunshine. You enjoyed watching the boats out on the water, listening to the sirens of emergency vehicles that drove past, and running around.

Captain Jack

Peek-a-boo Tedder

Everyone loved the tunnel...especially Tedder

 

The steps were Tedder's favorite part.

 

Jack was singing but looks mad.

==========================================================

We made a second trip Wednesday morning for a breakfast picnic and some fun on the playground. Aside from the construction workers, we were the only people there. We enjoyed a breakfast of donut holes and milk. It was a bright, sunny day and y'all really enjoyed playing and watching the cement mixer.

Ready to play!

Counting

Beautiful day at the park.

Watching the cement mixer and construction crew.

We had the whole playground to ourselves!

June 1, 2013

Jack and Tedder,

Here's what we did today.

• Played in the back yard for little bit.
• Read Grannie's book twice.
• Wore pirate hats while playing inside.
• Tedder learned how to put his play cell phone in the pocket of his shorts.
• Watched the ice cream truck drive by.
• Skyped with Grannie Carr
• Played in the hallway of the storage building where Mommy was moving boxes in.
• Ate french fries from Wendy's.
• Played with magnets and matching bottles with lids.
• Played at Clear Creek Park and watched boats and sea gulls go by.
• Ate mixed up peanut butter and jelly for supper.
• Took a bath, brushed teeth and got ready for bed.
• Watched "shu-shus" play outside (shu-shu's are what Tedder calls squirrels and lizards).
• Talked to Grannie Davis on the phone.

Tedder @the park.

Jack @ the park.

Ohhh, let me touch your phone.

Captain Jack

Peekaboo

"Help. Phone. Pocket."

Sweet Deals at Night

For Mother's Day, I decided to get my self some much needed retail therapy with a night out stockpiling.  I had my list and coupon organizer in hand and headed off to CVS. I was a little distraught to discover their coupon machine was down - not cool, but one of the workers fixed it and out popped my wonderful coupons.  One was all jumbled up and we couldn't read what it was for but I still tried it at check out and both the cashier and I were happy to see that it was for $3 off a $10 purchase.  While most of the items on my list were never purchased for one reason or another, I still managed to score over $27 worth of items for $10.

2 - Gillette Series Shave Gel (3.99 each)
2 - Schick Extreme 4 pack disposable razors (9.49 each)
1 - Klennex, 100 ct. (on sale for .99)
Total = $27.95

I used the following coupons:
Store Coup $3 off a $10 purchase
Store Coup .25/1 Klennex
Mfg Coup 1/.55 Gillette Shave Gel
Mfg Coup BOGO Gillette Series Shave Gel
Mfg 1/$1 Schick Disposable Razors
Mfg Coup BOGO Schick Disposable Razors
Total OOP = 9.67 before tax

Plus I scored the following coupons that printed on my receipt: $1.50/1 cough drops, $2.50 off $12 deodorant purchase, $2 off $10 shampoo/conditioner purchase, $2 off $10 CVS hair or body care, and $3/2 Maybelline nail products.

Next I traveled down to Target to see what shopping without screaming toddlers was like. It was nice not pushing around the giant land yacht shopping cart or trying to dodge items because you never know when a little hand will pop out to try and grab something.  So I was able to spend a lot of time checking prices, making sure I picked up the correct item, and just enjoying the over-all calm.

Transaction #1:
1 - box Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers ($24.99)
1 - box Pampers Baby Dry Diapers ($24.99)
Total = $49.98

I used a $3/1 Huggies Coup and $1/1 Pampers Coup

Total OOP = $46.98 + $10 gift card


Transaction #2:
1 - diaper rash cream (2.49)
1 - booger wipes (2.49)
4 - Orbit Pocket Packs (.26 each = 1.04)
1 - Market Pantry Parmesan Cheese (2.69)
1 - Aluminum Foil (3.14)
1 - Lysol Spray (3.50)
1 - Clorox Wipes (2.24)
1 - Schick 5 Razor Refill (15.99)
1 - Schick Shave Gel (2.99)
1 - Venus Teen Razor (5.99)
1 - Satin Care Shave Gel (1.99)
1 - Venus Olay Razor (8.99)
2 - Bounce dryer sheets (1.97 each = 3.94)
2 - Schick Quatro Disposable Razors (9.49 each = 18.98)
1 - Pepperidge Farms Whole Grain Bread (2.79)
1 - Market Pantry Whole Wheat Bread (1.52)
1 - Schick 5 Razor (8.99)
1 - Venus Olay Razor Refill (14.79)
 Total =104.55

I used the following coupons:
Mfg Coup - Buy 1 Lysol Spray, get 1 Clorox Wipes Free
Mfg Coup Schick 1/$1 shave gel
Target Coup Schick 1/.75 shave gel
Mfg Coup Schick 1/$2 refill
Mfg Coup Schick 1/$3 razor
Target Coup Schick $5/1 refill & 1 razor
Mfg Coup Venus Buy 1 Refill get Satin Care Free
Mfg Coup Venus Buy 1 Olay Refill get Venus Olay Razor Free
Mfg Coup Venus $5/1 refill & 1 razor
Target Coup Bounce 2/$1.50
Mfg Coup Bounce 2/$1.50
Mfg Coup Schick $4/1 disposable razors
Mfg Coup Schick $3/1 disposable razors
Target Coup Schick $5/2 disposable razors
Target Coup $1/2 sandwich bread
Mfg Coup Pepperidge Farms .55/1
$10 gift card from Transaction #1
.05 off for bringing grocery bag
Total OOP = $47.86

"I don't take coupons..."

These were the words repeated time after time by the guy checking me out at CVS.  Needless to say, I continued with my 4 separate transactions.  I saved some massive dough this time - I think it's one of my best money saving trips ever.  So without further adieu, here's a break-down of everything purchased.

Transaction #1
2 - Dawn Dish Soap - 9 oz. (.99)
1 - Allegra D - 24 hour - 15 count ($17.99)
1 - gallon milk - ($3.49)

Total = $23.46
Used one $3 off Allegra D manufacture coupon, two .25/1 Dawn manufacture coupon.

OOP = $19.96 +$6 store cash earned

Transaction #2
1 - Clear Scalp Therapy Shampoo ($4.99)
1 - Hydro Silk Razor ($12.99)

Total = $17.98
Used one $4.99 off Clear Therapy Shampoo store coupon, and one $4/1 Hydro Silk manufacture coupon.

OOP = $9.73 +$5 store cash earned

Transaction #3
2 - Suave Men's Shampoo (2/$4)
2 - Suave Men's Bodywash (2/$4)
2 - Suave Natuals Bodywash (2/$6)
3 - Always Liners ($2.99 each)
2 - Gas X ($6.49 each)

Total = $35.95 (original price $37.77)
Used two .50/1 Suave Men's Shampoo manufactures coupon, one $1.50/2 Suave Men's Bodywash manufactures coupon, three $1/1 Always Liners manufactures coupon, one $2.50/2 Gas X manufacture coupon, and $6 store cash from transaction #1.

OOP = $16.56 + $3 store cash

Transaction #4
2 - Pantene 2-in-1 Shampoo (2/$6)
2 - Head & Shoulders Shampoo (2/$10)
3 - Herbal Essences Shampoo (3/$10)
2 - Olay Bodywash - 26 oz. ($5.50 each)
1 - Covergirl loose powder ($9.99)
1 - Covergirl lipstick ($6.99)

Total = $53.98 ($63.40 without store sales)
Used two $1/1 Olay manufactures coupon, one $3/2 Pantene manufactures coupon, one $3/3 Herbal Essences coupon, two $1/1 Head & Shoulders coupon, one $3/2 Covergirl coupon, and $16.50 in store cash (from the coupon machine).

OOP = $22.25 + $15 mail in rebate for spending $50 on P&G products!  So my total would really be $7.25!!!

If I had been hardcore about only buying what would get me store cash or rewards I would not have purchased the Always products or Gas-X, but both were needed and I did have coupons.

All in all, between store sales, store coupons and manufacture coupons I saved a total of $80.08 on $126.98 worth of products. I saved over 75%!

I forgot the milk in the fridge, and the Always and Gas-X products in the car.

While the hubby slept on the couch...

Since the hubby was going to be gone for 4 days I took full advantage of his cat napping to hit up CVS for a late night coupoing spree. It would have been an epic fail had the boys been with me.  Some how I only  ended up with only one receipt so I'll have to tell you about the first transaction. I purchased 4 packs of Scott toilet paper (12 rolls) and 1 pack of Scott paper towels (6 rolls).  For spending $30 I received $10 in store bucks which I used in the second transaction.

2 - Aveeno make up remover wipes - regular $8.49 each- on sale 2/$10
2 - Aveeno facial scrub - regular $7.99 each - on sale 2/$10
2 - Finish dishwasher gel pacs - regular $6.99 each - on sale 2/$8
Total Value: $46.94
Total w/ Sale Prices: $28.00

Used two $3/2 Aveeno coupons
Used two $1.25/1 Aveeno Coupons
Used $10 store bucks from earlier

Out of Pocket = $9.50!!!

Between the store sales, store rewards and coupons I was able to save: $37.44!!!

A beautiful day to coupon

CVS

Transaction #1:
1 Edge Shave Gel for $3.49

I used $1/1 manufacture coupon

Paid $2.70 + $2 rewards cash

 
Transaction #2:
1 box Kellogg's frosted mini wheats - $4.29
1 box Crunchy O's - $4.29
1 box Crispix - $4.29

Store sale 3/$9 select Kelloggs Cereal, and I used $1/3 manufacture coupon and $2 rewards cash from Transaction #1

Paid $6.00 +$2 rewards cash


Transaction #3:
2 bags Goldfish $2.49 each

Store sale 2/$4

I used the $2 rewards from Transaction #3

Paid $2.16
==============================================================

Walgreens

Huggies Snug/Dry Box Diapers - $23.99
1 box Nature Valley Oat & Honey Granola Bars - $4.29
1 box Nature Valley Granola Thin Deligts - $4.29
2 boxes Fiber One Oat & Chocolate Granola Bars - $4.29 each

Store sale 2/$4

I used 1/$1.50 Huggies Manufacture coupon, 1/$2.50 Walgreens coupon and 4/$2.00 Nature Valley Manufacture coupon

Paid $25.47

A Verse a Week

I'm challenging myself to memorize Bible verses to help me in times of need (stress, loneliness, anger, etc.).  Between Pinterest and the internet I've come up with 50 verses. During nap time, I'm going to write down each verse on an index card, stick it in my family organizer, and post it in my bathroom at the beginning of each week.  My plan is to keep all the old cards to post around the house...sort of like what Deuteronomy 6:9 instructs the Israelites to do.  

1. Isaiah 9:6
2. Isaiah 40:28
3. Genesis 1:1
4. John 3:16-17
5. Romans 3:23
6. Romans 6:23
7. Revelation 3:20
8. John 14:6
9. Ephesians 2:8,9
10. 2 Corinthians 5:17
11. Romans 8:28
12. Isaiah 40:30-31
13. Romans 8:38-39
14. Matthew 11:28-30
15. Psalm 27:1
16. Jeremiah 29:11
17. Hebrews 13:8
18. 2 Peter 3:9
19. Lamentations 3:22-23
20. 2 Corinthians 12:9
21. 2 Corinthians 4:18
22. Psalm 37:4,5
23. Proverbs 3:5,7
24. Philippians 4:13
25. Galatians 2:20
26. James 1:22
27. Colossians 3:23
28. 1 Corinthians 15:58
29. James 4:7
30. Luke 16:13
31. 1 John 4:7,8
32. Galatians 5:22-23
33. Hebrews 12:1-2
34. Acts 1:8
35. Romans 12:1-2
36. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
37. Psalm 19:14
38. Philippians 4:6,7
39. 2 Timothy 3:16
40. Psalm 119:105
41. Psalm 119:11
42. Hebrews 4:16
43. 1 John 1:9
44. James 5:16
45. 1 Corinthians 10:13
46. Micah 6:8
47. Matthew 25:40
48. Matthew 28:19-20
49. Matthew 5:16
50. Ephesians 6:12