It's been a fun few days. I got a new toy this week! For a long time now I have wanted to get a laptop so I could sit anywhere and write stories or play games or be on the Internet. Well then I discovered Apple! Mike has an iPhone that he likes and the kids like to play games on it as well as myself, and he can do the Internet and all sorts of other things from which is great. Well in still wanting to get a laptop, I decided an iPad would better suit my needs. I started looking and found a really great deal on a refurbished first generation. I absolutely love it! I've had so much fun adding new apps and being able to do anything on the Internet! I even have the scriptures now plus lots of books, lots of fun! it will be great when I travel next month.
So anyway, we were able to go on a little vacation this last weekend for spring break. Mike gets hotel points and we are able to stay in hotels for free. We decided to go to Holiday Inn express in west valley city. They have a little water park in it with a big water slide. The kids had so much fun. We came home Saturday to water in our basement, due to the excess ground water. We have been trying to dry it out since then, I hate water! Saturday was a great day for soup! We stopped at Macey's to get some produce and I decided potato leek soup sounded good. I looked up a few recipes and decided to make up my own. Here it is:
Potato Leek Soup
About 5 med potatoes chunked
3 med size leeks
10 cups chicken broth
1/2 lb. Bacon cooked and crumbled
1 tsp. Marjoram
Salt and pepper to taste
4 TBS butter
Bay leaf
In large pot melt butter. Cut leeks lengthwise twice and chop. Add the butter and sautee until limp, about 5-7 mins. Add potatoes, chicken broth and spices and cook until potatoes are tender. Add bacon. Serve hot. Can add red pepper flakes for spice.
Very easy and nice and warm for those cold spring/winter days.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Easter Shopping!
I have never really been one for Easter. I love the holiday and all that it reminds us. But I haven't been all that keen on the Easter Bunny. My children have been deprived, but I don't want them to think of it as another gift giving holiday. They have only ever gotten a few things. One year we broke down and got them 4 piece outfits from JCPenny. They looked so cute, until we got to church and decided they didn't want to keep their ties and vests on. Oh well. This year I didn't want to do anything big. I want to be able to focus on the spirit of the season and teach my kids about our Savior and help them to understand the resurrection more and what the Savior has done for us. In trying to keep with the spirit of the season, the boys all desperately need new jackets to wear to school, since it still cool out. We will be going away this weekend for spring break, so we will try to find some then. Otherwise they each have a bucket they put out and I will fill the cute robot eggs that I've had for a few years now and hide them in the living room, but they don't get much. I want to keep our family focused on Christ.
My easter steals this year will nice and fun. Walgreens advertised Color Wonder sets in their ad 2/$3. There is a $1/1 coupon in Sunday's paper. There was also a coupon for $2/1 color explosion and one other crayola coupon with it. I cut them all out because it easy enough to cut them all at the same time, and went to Walgreens. When I got there I asked someone about them and she pointed me in the right place and said that they had color explosion kits to but I had to buy two for each coupon so that it went through ok. I was fine with that, the more the better. I ended up getting 15 kits and paid $7.95 with tax! That's 3 kits for each of my kids! Then I went to Rite Aid. They had their easter candy on sale. I ended up getting 6 Hershey's centerpiece chocolate bunnies, 2 bags Reese's eggs, and 2 bags Cadbury eggs (one of my favorites!). I don't know exactly how much I ended spending, there were other things that I bought and I love the +UP Rewards, because I can roll them into transactions and get a lot of things for dirt cheap! (If you would like to learn how to shop at Rite Aid please let me know and I can teach you!)
So my Easter baskets are done, I just need to find jackets. Does anyone know where to find good, nice jackets for cheap? Please let me know.
HAPPY EASTER!!!
My easter steals this year will nice and fun. Walgreens advertised Color Wonder sets in their ad 2/$3. There is a $1/1 coupon in Sunday's paper. There was also a coupon for $2/1 color explosion and one other crayola coupon with it. I cut them all out because it easy enough to cut them all at the same time, and went to Walgreens. When I got there I asked someone about them and she pointed me in the right place and said that they had color explosion kits to but I had to buy two for each coupon so that it went through ok. I was fine with that, the more the better. I ended up getting 15 kits and paid $7.95 with tax! That's 3 kits for each of my kids! Then I went to Rite Aid. They had their easter candy on sale. I ended up getting 6 Hershey's centerpiece chocolate bunnies, 2 bags Reese's eggs, and 2 bags Cadbury eggs (one of my favorites!). I don't know exactly how much I ended spending, there were other things that I bought and I love the +UP Rewards, because I can roll them into transactions and get a lot of things for dirt cheap! (If you would like to learn how to shop at Rite Aid please let me know and I can teach you!)
So my Easter baskets are done, I just need to find jackets. Does anyone know where to find good, nice jackets for cheap? Please let me know.
HAPPY EASTER!!!
What is Luck?
Do you ever feel like you are just the most unlucky person in the world? Recently I have felt a little like that. I love to blog hop each day to find the best deals and recipes and coupons. I love this and there is always giveaways that catch my eye, so I will sign up for them. I have yet to win any type of giveaway, and there are others wth so much luck that win more than one each day! Even with Houseparty.com! People I know are always getting chosen to host parties and the one time I aparantly did get chosen, the email was sent to my junk box and I never recieved it so there were no more spots left. Grrr. I don't know what to think of all of this. I try so hard to win and to be the best at whatever I am doing and can't seem to quite hit the mark.
I have a hard time booking the classes I want because I don't want to be pushy, but I also want so much to share my knowledge of saving money with everyone, I just want to shout it from the rooftops! Let me know if you want to host a class, I could bless you or someone close to you, you never know.
On the other hand...I am more lucky than I realize! About a month ago, my daughter misplaced her cute little brown leather sandal. I thought it was in the car somewhere, but after tearing the car apart and cleaning it, found that it was not. I didn't know where else to look, so gave up and considered throwing away the lone sandal. I decided not to in the off chance that it showed up. Well, lo and behold, my sweet husband found the mate to the lone sandal behind the entertainment center. I was extatic!
I am also the lucky mom of 5 wonderful kids; the wife of the most loving, thoughful, giving and unselfish husband; the babysitter for 3 of the cutest most fun girls; the friend of some of the most amazing women I have ever met who inspire me to be a better me; the daughter of parents who have always been there for me and have taught me so much and have been such a great example to me; the daughter-in-law to such wonderful in-laws who have helped me through many hard times and have not judged but loved me for who I am; the sister and sister-in-law to the best siblings I could ask for who keep me on track and remind that I am a daughter of God who is so loved; and I'm the Young Women leader of some of the most amazing young women in the world who have the most strong testimonies and love of our Savior! I am so very lucky and blessed to have such wonderful people in life to inspire me and keep me moving forward. My thanks and love go out to all of you wherever you are. May the Lord bless you and your family, especially at this Easter season!
I have a hard time booking the classes I want because I don't want to be pushy, but I also want so much to share my knowledge of saving money with everyone, I just want to shout it from the rooftops! Let me know if you want to host a class, I could bless you or someone close to you, you never know.
On the other hand...I am more lucky than I realize! About a month ago, my daughter misplaced her cute little brown leather sandal. I thought it was in the car somewhere, but after tearing the car apart and cleaning it, found that it was not. I didn't know where else to look, so gave up and considered throwing away the lone sandal. I decided not to in the off chance that it showed up. Well, lo and behold, my sweet husband found the mate to the lone sandal behind the entertainment center. I was extatic!
I am also the lucky mom of 5 wonderful kids; the wife of the most loving, thoughful, giving and unselfish husband; the babysitter for 3 of the cutest most fun girls; the friend of some of the most amazing women I have ever met who inspire me to be a better me; the daughter of parents who have always been there for me and have taught me so much and have been such a great example to me; the daughter-in-law to such wonderful in-laws who have helped me through many hard times and have not judged but loved me for who I am; the sister and sister-in-law to the best siblings I could ask for who keep me on track and remind that I am a daughter of God who is so loved; and I'm the Young Women leader of some of the most amazing young women in the world who have the most strong testimonies and love of our Savior! I am so very lucky and blessed to have such wonderful people in life to inspire me and keep me moving forward. My thanks and love go out to all of you wherever you are. May the Lord bless you and your family, especially at this Easter season!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Taco Soup
Here is one of my own:
Taco Soup
1 lb. taco flavor ground turkey, browned and drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drained
6 cups water
onion or dehydrated onion to taste cooked with ground turkey
1-2 packets taco seasoning
1 cup wheat berries
1 can tomatoes
1/2 can tomatoes and green chilies
This one is so easy! I just put everything in a pot and simmer until combined. You can also add peppers to this if you would like. If you don't want it quite as spicy you can leave out the tomatoes and green chilies and only use 1 packet of taco seasoning. We serve this with sour cream and grated cheese and crunch up totilla chips and put in or can use them to scoop up your soup. Wheat berries are also optional, I keep some cooked up in my fridge, and they just take on the flavor of everything else. We love spicy soup. Hope you do to.
Taco Soup
1 lb. taco flavor ground turkey, browned and drained
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can corn, drained
6 cups water
onion or dehydrated onion to taste cooked with ground turkey
1-2 packets taco seasoning
1 cup wheat berries
1 can tomatoes
1/2 can tomatoes and green chilies
This one is so easy! I just put everything in a pot and simmer until combined. You can also add peppers to this if you would like. If you don't want it quite as spicy you can leave out the tomatoes and green chilies and only use 1 packet of taco seasoning. We serve this with sour cream and grated cheese and crunch up totilla chips and put in or can use them to scoop up your soup. Wheat berries are also optional, I keep some cooked up in my fridge, and they just take on the flavor of everything else. We love spicy soup. Hope you do to.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Freezer Meals
I need to start doing more freezer things. One that we like to do fairly often and that is really easy is burritos. Here is an idea for some burritos:
Chicken
Place 3-4 boneless chicken breasts in med. saucepan. Add 1/2 jar salsa and enough water to cover chicken. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until chicken is white all the way through (about 20 mins.). Remove chicken from pot and let cool until easy to handle. Shred the chicken and return to the pot. If chicken mix looks too thing, bring to a boil to reduce liquid.
Spread about 2 TBS. refried beans on a flour tortilla. Add 3-4 TBS. chicken mix down the center, sprinkle on a TBS or so of shredded cheese. Fold the sides of tortilla in a bit, then roll from the bottom. Repeat. Wrap each burrito in plasti wrap, then place all burritos in a large freezer zip-loc bag and freeze. To reheat, remove the plastic wrap and microwave on high until hot all the way through (time will vary).
Ground beef/turkey
Cook beef thoroughly and add taco seasoning (make as pakage directs). Assemble same as chicken burritos.
Burritos are very easy to make and are just like the frozen ones you buy at the store, but are much more healthy for you. And don't cost too much to make. Watch for tortillas to be $1/package or less, that is a good time to make lots of burritos! Have fun with these and get creative.
Here's another idea to make multiple meals at one time:
Purchse 4 fryer chickens or one 3 lb. bag chicken breasts. starting in the early afternoon, remove giblets from whole chickens, bake two chickens in a roasting pan at 325*, uncovered for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Or bake one thawed 3 lb. bag chicken breasts for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, covered. When they are done, de-bone and bake remaining fryer chickens. After the first two chickens have cooled, chop up about 4 cups meat for a different freezer bag and freeze for future chicken noodle soup (dinner #2) and 6 cups for future enchiladas (dinner #3).
Chicken seasoning for each chicken:
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp. thyme
2 TBS. rosemary
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
2 1/2 TBS. olive oil
Mix and rub all over chickens.
Chicken will be done when no longer pink inside and juices run clear.
Dinner #1: Baked Chicken
Chicken
Rica-a-roni
Veggies
Dinner #2: Hearty Chicken noodle soup
3 cans chicken broth
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cups chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 chopped green onion
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
4 cups water
3 cups cooked diced chicken
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 - 1/2 stick of butter
2 - 2 1/2 oz of futtuccine noodles (broken in half and cooked until tender)
Hear broth; add carrots, celery, onions and simmer until veggies are teder. Add cream chicken soup and milk. Add chicken and nooles. Add salt, pepper and butter.
This soup takes about 3 hours to simmer and thicken.
Dinner #3: Chicken Enchiladas
6 cups diced cooked chicken
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 (16 oz) sour cream
1 small can diced green chili's
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar/jack cheese
flour tortillas or corn tortillas
Mix soup, chicken, 1 1/2 cups cheese, and rest of ingredients together to make filling. Stuff into soft tortillas shells. Pour left over sauce over rolled up enchiladas. Add rest of cheese ove top. Bake at 350* for 40 minutes.
Do you have any freezer meals that you like to make? Care to share them?
Chicken
Place 3-4 boneless chicken breasts in med. saucepan. Add 1/2 jar salsa and enough water to cover chicken. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until chicken is white all the way through (about 20 mins.). Remove chicken from pot and let cool until easy to handle. Shred the chicken and return to the pot. If chicken mix looks too thing, bring to a boil to reduce liquid.
Spread about 2 TBS. refried beans on a flour tortilla. Add 3-4 TBS. chicken mix down the center, sprinkle on a TBS or so of shredded cheese. Fold the sides of tortilla in a bit, then roll from the bottom. Repeat. Wrap each burrito in plasti wrap, then place all burritos in a large freezer zip-loc bag and freeze. To reheat, remove the plastic wrap and microwave on high until hot all the way through (time will vary).
Ground beef/turkey
Cook beef thoroughly and add taco seasoning (make as pakage directs). Assemble same as chicken burritos.
Burritos are very easy to make and are just like the frozen ones you buy at the store, but are much more healthy for you. And don't cost too much to make. Watch for tortillas to be $1/package or less, that is a good time to make lots of burritos! Have fun with these and get creative.
Here's another idea to make multiple meals at one time:
Purchse 4 fryer chickens or one 3 lb. bag chicken breasts. starting in the early afternoon, remove giblets from whole chickens, bake two chickens in a roasting pan at 325*, uncovered for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Or bake one thawed 3 lb. bag chicken breasts for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, covered. When they are done, de-bone and bake remaining fryer chickens. After the first two chickens have cooled, chop up about 4 cups meat for a different freezer bag and freeze for future chicken noodle soup (dinner #2) and 6 cups for future enchiladas (dinner #3).
Chicken seasoning for each chicken:
4 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tsp. thyme
2 TBS. rosemary
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
2 1/2 TBS. olive oil
Mix and rub all over chickens.
Chicken will be done when no longer pink inside and juices run clear.
Dinner #1: Baked Chicken
Chicken
Rica-a-roni
Veggies
Dinner #2: Hearty Chicken noodle soup
3 cans chicken broth
2 cups chopped carrots
2 cups chopped celery
3/4 cup chopped onion
1 chopped green onion
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
4 cups water
3 cups cooked diced chicken
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 - 1/2 stick of butter
2 - 2 1/2 oz of futtuccine noodles (broken in half and cooked until tender)
Hear broth; add carrots, celery, onions and simmer until veggies are teder. Add cream chicken soup and milk. Add chicken and nooles. Add salt, pepper and butter.
This soup takes about 3 hours to simmer and thicken.
Dinner #3: Chicken Enchiladas
6 cups diced cooked chicken
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 (16 oz) sour cream
1 small can diced green chili's
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar/jack cheese
flour tortillas or corn tortillas
Mix soup, chicken, 1 1/2 cups cheese, and rest of ingredients together to make filling. Stuff into soft tortillas shells. Pour left over sauce over rolled up enchiladas. Add rest of cheese ove top. Bake at 350* for 40 minutes.
Do you have any freezer meals that you like to make? Care to share them?
Monday, March 28, 2011
Computer illiterate
I've decided that I realy am computer illiterate. At least when it comes to blogging. Trying to link diferent posts and put things in folders to make it easier for my readers to view things they want, like recipes only, it's kind of confusing. Does anyone have any suggestions on to make my blog more reader friendly?
Another good Smith's trip!
I finished my pasta shopping! Thanks to Smith's great sales the last couple weeks, I was able to get 60 boxes of pasta FOR FREE, plus I saved huge on other items that I bought with the sale as well. I love it when coupons and sales save me big!
Thanks to my cute neice I found out about another product on the same sale that is great price! My sister-in-law was chosen by houseparty.com to host a Philadelphia cream cheese party. (If you don't know what houseparty.com, goes check it out). So we all got a goodie bag with a $1 off 1 coupon for the new cooking cremes. I've posted a couple recipes using these, plus they come with recipes to try. So the sale is $1.99 each when you buy 10 participating items. I got 7 cooking cremes and used $1 off 1 from the party, $1 off 1 catalina that printed a couple weeks ago, and then 5 $1.50 off 1 that was in the 3/6 SS insert in the Sunday paper. So for all 7 I paid $4.43 plus tax for all.
What kind of things have you found at Smith's? Leave your comments and share with us all.
Thanks to my cute neice I found out about another product on the same sale that is great price! My sister-in-law was chosen by houseparty.com to host a Philadelphia cream cheese party. (If you don't know what houseparty.com, goes check it out). So we all got a goodie bag with a $1 off 1 coupon for the new cooking cremes. I've posted a couple recipes using these, plus they come with recipes to try. So the sale is $1.99 each when you buy 10 participating items. I got 7 cooking cremes and used $1 off 1 from the party, $1 off 1 catalina that printed a couple weeks ago, and then 5 $1.50 off 1 that was in the 3/6 SS insert in the Sunday paper. So for all 7 I paid $4.43 plus tax for all.
What kind of things have you found at Smith's? Leave your comments and share with us all.
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