I came across these coupon code abbreviations and thought I would post them as a reminder.
When searching online for coupons it is almost imperative to know the coupon lingo/abbreviations. If you have any questions regarding these abbreviations or if I left one out that you know about, leave a comment below this post and let me know!
$1/1= $1.00 off 1 product
$1/2= $1.00 off 2 products
BOGO= Buy One Get One
ECB= Extra Care Bucks (at CVS)
EXP= Expires
GC= Gift Card
GM= General Mills Coupon Insert
MIR= Mail In Rebate
OOP= Out Of Pocket
P&G= Proctor and Gamble Coupon Insert
RP= Redplum Coupon Insert
RR= Register Reward (at Walgreens)
SS= Smart Source Coupon Insert
WAGS= Walgreens
WYB= When You Buy
YMMV= Your Mileage/Manager May Vary (this means that it might work at one store and not another)
Hopefully this helps!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Cha-Ching!
Here is proof in the pudding!
I sure didn't wait long once my coupon sabbatical was over. The very next day I was perusing the cart specials at Crest and came across these flatbread crackers for 50 cents each.
Think I can't beat that? Each one of the boxes had peelies (coupon stickers) for $1 off! So, I bought every box for the price of tax only!
Of course, my picture would have been more impressive if it had ALL the boxes here - I have already given away 6 of them!
Life is too fun - especially when it involves food :)
Crisscross Apple Crowns
Not only do we love every kind of apple dessert in our family, but if they receive an "A" for presentation, then the recipe is a keeper!These are just basically mini apple pies, but much cuter!
3 Granny Smith apples, cored and cut
3 T of honey
2 T flour
2-4 t cinnamon (we like a lot of cinnamon!)
dash of salt
1 package large refrigerated biscuits
2 t melted butter
Mix the first 5 ingredients in a bowl and set aside. Roll each biscuit out to approximately a 5" circle. Scoop 1-2 tablespoons of apple mixture onto the flattened biscuit. Pull up sides and pinch edges to seal. Place seam side down in an ungreased muffin tin. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with more cinnamon (and a smidgen of sugar if you must). Cut an "X" on the top and then bake for 18-22 minutes at 350 degrees. Makes 8 "crowns".
Of course, we had to serve them with Vanilla Bean ice cream, which sort of made them only halfway healthy (is there such a thing?)
I will have to say that the next time I make these, I will make my own healthy whole-wheat pie dough. The biscuits were too doughy for me and too thick at the seam. My family happens to disagree with me, so I'll just make the change and see if they notice the next time!
Happy baking my friends!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Which One Are You?
This was passed onto us at the Home School Leadership Retreat. I felt it was worth re-typing and posting for all to read:
A daughter cried out in despair to her father about the difficulties of her life. She did not know how she could continue, and wanted to give up. It seemed that just as one problem was resolved, a new one surfaced to replace it.
Her father took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each one over high heat. After the water came to a boil, he placed fresh carrots in one, a few eggs in the second, and a tea bag in the third. He sat wordlessly for about 20 minutes. Then he removed the carrots, the eggs, and the tea to three bowls and turned to ask her, "Sweetheart, what do you see?"
"Carrots, eggs, and tea," she replied. He brought her closer and had her examine each item. She noticed that the carrots had become soft. When she broke an eggshell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she sipped the tea and smiled as she inhaled its sweet aroma. "What does this mean?" she asked.
He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity - the boiling water - but each had reacted differently. The carrot went into the circumstances of the water strong, firm and unrelenting. But after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile; its thin outer shell had protected the liquid interior. But after sitting in the boiling water, the inside had become hardened.
However, the tea leaves were unique. After 20 minutes in the water, they had changed the water - they had flavored their surroundings and created a pleasant fragrance. In fact, it took the hot water to bring out the best in the tea leaves.
He asked her, "When the heat is turned up in the circumstances of your life, which are you? A carrot that appears tough, but with pain and adversity loses its vitality and strength? An egg, which starts off with a malleable heart, but becomes unyielding and hardened, even though the appearance stays the same? Or a tea bag, which brings a pleasant aroma and flavors the circumstances for the better when the heat is on?"
I want to be a tea bag.
A daughter cried out in despair to her father about the difficulties of her life. She did not know how she could continue, and wanted to give up. It seemed that just as one problem was resolved, a new one surfaced to replace it.
Her father took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each one over high heat. After the water came to a boil, he placed fresh carrots in one, a few eggs in the second, and a tea bag in the third. He sat wordlessly for about 20 minutes. Then he removed the carrots, the eggs, and the tea to three bowls and turned to ask her, "Sweetheart, what do you see?"
"Carrots, eggs, and tea," she replied. He brought her closer and had her examine each item. She noticed that the carrots had become soft. When she broke an eggshell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she sipped the tea and smiled as she inhaled its sweet aroma. "What does this mean?" she asked.
He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity - the boiling water - but each had reacted differently. The carrot went into the circumstances of the water strong, firm and unrelenting. But after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile; its thin outer shell had protected the liquid interior. But after sitting in the boiling water, the inside had become hardened.
However, the tea leaves were unique. After 20 minutes in the water, they had changed the water - they had flavored their surroundings and created a pleasant fragrance. In fact, it took the hot water to bring out the best in the tea leaves.
He asked her, "When the heat is turned up in the circumstances of your life, which are you? A carrot that appears tough, but with pain and adversity loses its vitality and strength? An egg, which starts off with a malleable heart, but becomes unyielding and hardened, even though the appearance stays the same? Or a tea bag, which brings a pleasant aroma and flavors the circumstances for the better when the heat is on?"
I want to be a tea bag.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
California Fun!
Several people have been asking about our vacation out west, so I thought I'd post a few pictures about our fast and furious 6-day vacation to California. It was absolutely amazing...but we were wiped out!It helped tremendously that my hubby is a native of the LA area. I could never drive out there - those people are completely crazy behind the wheel!
Here are some pictures and a quick outline of our Cali trip. We stayed in Buena Park which was very convenient to hit Knotts Berry Farm the very next day - only one mile away
The Queen Mary in Long Beach was incredible - the size, the beauty and the history. Spent 6 hours touring the boat and having lunch at one of the 'fine' dining rooms!
The Santa Monica Pier was beautiful and we certainly enjoyed the 70 degree weather!
The day trip to Catalina Island was spectacular
the boat ride,
the shops, the food, our bus tour and the sub ride were memory-making events for the entire family!
We ended our vacation by spending a day in Hollywood and then visiting daddy's stomping grounds - which was quite delightful in itself!
Wouldn't EVER want to live there but it sure was fun visiting - something the kids will never forget. Thanks for letting me share our memories :)
Friday, July 30, 2010
A Tribute to My Friend
BFF!
I hear this daily...everyone says it about every friend they have! It's an over-used acronym that is now printed on t-shirts, hats, bookmarks and even key chains! However, if you truly have one of these "best friends forever" then you know how precious that person can be to you.
I happen to have one.
It's quite rare to meet this special person. The perennial in your life. Someone who will change you forever, always stand by your side, give you un-biased advice and equally share personal, never-to-be-repeated stories. Next to your marriage partner, they become your soul-mate...blood sisters, so to speak. You finish each others sentences. Talk at the same time saying the same time and then giggle like high school kids. You order the same pizza - with all the unusual ingredients that no one else will eat! You go through the same things with your kids even when you live hours apart and didn't even talk about the situations! You order the same books and never know it until you try to recommend it to each other. You both start a blog but didn't know the other one did and then one day blog about the same topic without conversing about it first!
No matter how long it has been since you have seen or talked with each other, you always pick up as though you just spoke for two hours the day before. You cry together - over silly things and serious things. You laugh till you can't even be understood on the other end of the phone.
The best part of all...her family comes to live with you for 5 weeks making it 10 people in your household and yet you get mad when they leave because they have a home to return to! It was nearly the best 5 weeks of your life - even with 20 shoes in the laundry room at any given time!!
In case you haven't gathered it by now, I am personally talking about a very special person in my life. I have even more respect and admiration for her now. She is on the journey of her life - one that will not only change her physical appearance, but her outlook on life, her activities with her family and overall improved health to enjoy her precious family.
My BFF? Denice Erway.
We met the first Sunday I attended church 13 years ago and were instantly bonded at the heart and hip. My friend is on a weight-loss journey with more determination than I have seen in anyone. She has decided to daily blog about her experiences - the successes and the disappointments. I implore you to follow her at www.deniceerway.com to share in her triumphs and possibly pass along a word of encouragement as she blogs about this long and sometimes slow process.
She has a heart of gold - loves the Lord and her family with extreme passion and is the best support group (all by herself) that I have ever found!
I hope you enjoy reading my bff's blog and can get a small taste as to why I am so blessed that the Lord sent her my way 13 years ago.
You are the bomb, Denice, and I love you dearly!
I hear this daily...everyone says it about every friend they have! It's an over-used acronym that is now printed on t-shirts, hats, bookmarks and even key chains! However, if you truly have one of these "best friends forever" then you know how precious that person can be to you.
I happen to have one.
It's quite rare to meet this special person. The perennial in your life. Someone who will change you forever, always stand by your side, give you un-biased advice and equally share personal, never-to-be-repeated stories. Next to your marriage partner, they become your soul-mate...blood sisters, so to speak. You finish each others sentences. Talk at the same time saying the same time and then giggle like high school kids. You order the same pizza - with all the unusual ingredients that no one else will eat! You go through the same things with your kids even when you live hours apart and didn't even talk about the situations! You order the same books and never know it until you try to recommend it to each other. You both start a blog but didn't know the other one did and then one day blog about the same topic without conversing about it first!
No matter how long it has been since you have seen or talked with each other, you always pick up as though you just spoke for two hours the day before. You cry together - over silly things and serious things. You laugh till you can't even be understood on the other end of the phone.
The best part of all...her family comes to live with you for 5 weeks making it 10 people in your household and yet you get mad when they leave because they have a home to return to! It was nearly the best 5 weeks of your life - even with 20 shoes in the laundry room at any given time!!
In case you haven't gathered it by now, I am personally talking about a very special person in my life. I have even more respect and admiration for her now. She is on the journey of her life - one that will not only change her physical appearance, but her outlook on life, her activities with her family and overall improved health to enjoy her precious family.
My BFF? Denice Erway.
We met the first Sunday I attended church 13 years ago and were instantly bonded at the heart and hip. My friend is on a weight-loss journey with more determination than I have seen in anyone. She has decided to daily blog about her experiences - the successes and the disappointments. I implore you to follow her at www.deniceerway.com to share in her triumphs and possibly pass along a word of encouragement as she blogs about this long and sometimes slow process.
She has a heart of gold - loves the Lord and her family with extreme passion and is the best support group (all by herself) that I have ever found!
I hope you enjoy reading my bff's blog and can get a small taste as to why I am so blessed that the Lord sent her my way 13 years ago.
You are the bomb, Denice, and I love you dearly!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Banana-Sour Cream Cake
I found this in an old recipe book yesterday and immediately felt this inner yearning to gain some weight!! I just knew I had to make it for cell groups tonight. It is about as unhealthy as they come, but was so much fun to make! (not typical for a recipe like this to don my kitchen counter!)
1 pkg yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1 cup mashed rip bananas (about 3)
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup oil
8 oz cream cheese
1 stick softened butter
16 oz (about 4 cups) powdered sugar
1 cup finely chopped walnut pieces
Beat cake mix, eggs, bananas, sour cream and oil with a mixer on low until moistened. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 for 35 minutes. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter with mixer on medium till blended. Gradually add sugar till creamy.
Remove cake from pan and carefully cut cake crosswise in half. Place 1 cake half, top-side down, on plate. Spread top with frosting. Top with remaining cake and frost top and sides. Press nuts onto sides and a few on top for looks.
Hope you have other desserts as well, because this will not last long!
1 pkg yellow cake mix3 eggs
1 cup mashed rip bananas (about 3)
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup oil
8 oz cream cheese
1 stick softened butter
16 oz (about 4 cups) powdered sugar
1 cup finely chopped walnut pieces
Beat cake mix, eggs, bananas, sour cream and oil with a mixer on low until moistened. Beat on medium for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 for 35 minutes. For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter with mixer on medium till blended. Gradually add sugar till creamy.
Remove cake from pan and carefully cut cake crosswise in half. Place 1 cake half, top-side down, on plate. Spread top with frosting. Top with remaining cake and frost top and sides. Press nuts onto sides and a few on top for looks.
Hope you have other desserts as well, because this will not last long!
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