Yesterday I bought a bushel of apples for $21 (btw, that's definitely 40+ pounds, but not totally sure how much). Today, we (mom, liz and me) turned those apples into many, many, many quarts of apple sauce. Some of said apple sauce is at this very moment being reduced to become apple butter. The apple butter will be canned tomorrow after church. ahhh.... I love working in the kitchen. Maybe pictures later this week.

What I really mean is that I don't like shopping for clothes and do-dads. I LOOOOOOOOVE shopping for DEALS.

Today I hit up:

CVS (got a rain check, and managed to get them to give me $2 back in cash since the reward bucks didn't work)
Rite Aid (used $41.49 in coupons)
Giant Foods (Total before savings: $75.69, total after? 40.33)

Stopped home for a break & to print a few more coupons, then:

Target (Spent: $6, saved: $10.55)
Walmart (Spent: $24, saved: $10)


I'm going to try to focus on the RiteAid and CVS "games" for the next month or so and only buy produce & dairy at the grocery store.

I swear I bought marshmallows last week. I CANT FIND THEM ANYWHERE!!! I really need to get my groceries etc organized.

In other news, it is now possible to walk in the 2nd bedroom.

I just finished my Easter candy. From 2008. lol. Bunny-shaped Sweet Tarts will outlast us all. :-P

Drop by any participating Tim Hortons store between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on May 21, 2009 (TODAY!!!), and enjoy a new small Iced Coffee for free. No purchase necessary. Limit one small Iced Coffee per customer. Offer valid in Canada only, at participating stores. More details here.

You can thank Money Saving Mom for the heads up.

Today I went to Target armed with many, many coupons. And I scored some serious markdowns.



Transaction #1-
Target Brand Sponges - $0.99 ($0.75 coupon)
Quaker True Delight Bars - $2.89 ($1 coupon, $1 coupon)
Crystal Light Singles - $3.99 ($1 coupon, $1 coupon)
Hunts Ketchup - $1.09 (Free coupon)
1/2 gallon Minute Maid OJ - $0.99 (clearance)
2 Kraft Shredded Cheese - $2.09 ($1 coupon, $1 off 2 coupon)

Total Out Of Pocket (OOP) - $5.29
Saved - $13.34

Transaction #2-
Target Brand Sponges - $0.99 ($0.75 coupon)
Quaker True Delight Bars - $2.89 ($1 coupon, $1 coupon)
1/2 gallon Minute Maid OJ - $0.99 (clearance)
2 Kraft Shredded Cheese - $2.09 ($1 coupon, $1 off 2 coupon)
Kashi Waffles - $2.10 ($1.50 coupon)
Coppertone SPF 30 trial - $0.99 ($1 coupon)
Act Popcorn - $2.20 (clearance)

Total Out Of Pocket (OOP) - $6.16
Saved - $13.04

Transaction #3-
Target Brand Sponges - $0.99 ($0.75 coupon)
Quaker True Delight Bars - $2.89 ($1 coupon, $1 coupon)
1/2 gallon Minute Maid OJ - $0.99 (clearance)
2 Kraft Shredded Cheese - $2.09 ($1 coupon, $1 off 2 coupon)
Kashi Waffles - $2.10 ($1.50 coupon)
Coppertone SPF 30 trial - $0.99 ($1 coupon)

Total Out Of Pocket (OOP) - $3.96
Saved - $11.04

I went to Giant on Tuesday before going over to Mike's. I gave Mike some stuff, so everything isn't pictured.

and


Transaction #1-
5 Kraft BBQ Sauce - $1 each (5 $1 coupons)
5 Wheat Thins - $2 each (5 $1 coupons)
5 Triscuits - $2 each (5 $1 coupons)
4 Ritz Crackers - $2 each (4 $1 coupons)
Wacky Mac - $1 each ($1 coupon)
2 Cool Whip Dip - $1 each ($1 off 2 coupon)
Halls Cough Drops - $1.29 each ($1 off coupon)
6 Kraft Singles - $1.69 each (3 $1 off 2 coupons)
2 Breakstone Sour Cream - $1.89 each
Instant Brown Rice - $0.89
Taco Bell Dinner Kit - $1.29
Sudafed - $1.00
2 Tylenol PM - $1.65 each

Total Out Of Pocket (OOP) - $27.36
Saved - $54.74
I also got 600 gas points which equals $0.60 off per gallon of gas!!! Definitely nice when gas just hit $2.33.

Much thanks to Kraft for some serious deals this week. I'm set for crackers until after I move! Also, cheese and OJ. The popcorn is for Mike and so are a few other things. I am still reeling over the OJ find.

(Cross-posted to my food blog, too: http://cookingfrugal.blogspot.com/2009/05/shopping-spoils.html)

today I:

- worked
- had easy mac
- voted (primary elections, lots of Judges in my area are up for re-election. V. crazy)
- Bought $85 worth of stuff for $29 (over $25 in manufacturers coupons alone)
- Went to Mike's
- Ate chinese
- Watched NCIS season finale and The Incredible Hulk (2008)
- Came home and caught up on LJ (finished now)
- Time for bed!

A lot of the coupon-bloggers I read do this sort of post after they go shopping. I love them and I thought I'd share my spoils today.

Target



Transaction #1-
Hershey Bliss Bar - $0.99 ($1 coupon)
Chex Mix - $0.84 ($1 coupon)
2 Kraft Bistro Mac & Cheese - $1.50 each (B1G1 coupon)
2 Kraft EZ Mac - $0.79 each (B1G1 coupon, $1 coupon)
Target Brand Sponges - $0.99 ($0.75 coupon)
Quaker True Delight Bars - $2.89 ($1 coupon, $1 coupon)
2 Gillette Shampoo (B1G1 coupon, $2 coupon)

Total Out Of Pocket (OOP) - $3.08
Saved - $16.77

Transaction #2 -
Hershey Bliss Bar - $0.99 ($1 coupon)
Chex Mix - $0.84 ($1 coupon)
2 Kraft Bistro Mac & Cheese - $1.50 each (B1G1 coupon)
2 Kraft EZ Mac - $0.79 each (B1G1 coupon, $1 coupon)
Target Brand Sponges - $0.99 ($0.75 coupon)
Quaker Carmel Mini-Rice Cakes - $1.49 ($1 coupon)

Total OOP - $0.64
Saved - $8.74


Giant Foods



2 Artisan Wheat Thins - $2.50 each (B1G1 coupon)
2 Triscuits - $2 each ($1 coupon, $1 doubler)
Taquitos - $5.99 ($1 coupon, $1 doubler)
Mrs. T's Pierogies - $2 ($1 coupon, $1 doubler)
Turkey Hill Ice Cream - $2.49 ($1 coupon, $1 doubler)
Spike's Salsa - $1.99 (FREE coupon)
2lb Carrots - $1.59
1/2 gallon skim milk - $1.46
2 Giant Salsa - $1 each
Hot Pockets - $2
Bulk Sunflower Seeds - $1.60
Bulk Gummi Taratulas - $0.22

Total OOP - $16.85
Saved - $22.42

Total Spent - $20.57
Saved - $47.93

at least, for hangovers.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/science/sciencenews/5118283/Bacon-sandwich-really-does-cure-a-hangover.html

Take that, bacon haters!!

Mom volunteered me to make soup for church tomorrow night. I didn't want to make what I made last time (turkey soup with rice), but I couldn't really decide what I wanted to make.

So, I've decided to make something up. So far ingredients are definitely going to include:
1 lb kidney beans
2+ cups spicy sausage, cut in quarters
Diced Tomatoes/Crushed Tomatoes/Tomato Sauce (Haven't decided how much of each)
1 cup uncooked rice
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped

Okay, now I need opinions on other possibilities:
Chopped celery
Chopped carrots
bay leaves
basil
oregano
chili powder
cumin
thyme
cloves
paprika


What do you think? What should I definitely include or definitely not include? I'm not sure if this should lean towards cajun, italian, or mexican seasoning-wise.

- first I got stood up at Wal*Mart waiting for someone from Craigslist
- Shopped at Walmart and used lots of coupons
- Finally sold my entertainment unit!
- My parents came over and brought my TV over. :-D :-D :-D
- Mom and I went to the gathering of the guilds sponsored by the Keystone Lacemaker's Guild. Lots of needlework, felting, spinning, lacemaking, and other awesome things. It was fun I might join one of the needlework guilds (there's 2 (or 3?) in the area).
- Came back home and cleaned up a bit
- Mike came over and we put together my new TV Stand (had to make a quick dash to home depot for a screw that was not included) and then we moved all the furniture around and set up the tv.
- We had pizza (made with a Pillsbury crust) in the middle of the whole process.
- Then we watched Zuthura on my TV. :-D I need to get a cable box with an HDMI connector and I'll be all set (other than still needing an upconverting-DVD/Bluray player. :P)
- I managed to get some stupid malware that surfaced this morning and I'm still having internet problems even though I removed it (completely?). Annoying.

First I made some Alleluias and Hallelujahs and put them away. No more of those until Easter!


( more alleluia-ness and pictures of my dinner )

I'm totally having crepes for dinner. I was thinking of trying my hand at making Fastnachts, but it is a little too complicated for me and would require a special trip to the store. Instead I am going to just pop over to the gas station at the end of the street for milk. yay.

Toppings I've got in the house:
Warm Vanilla Cream Sauce (homemade)
Spiced Apple Topping (homemade)
Strawberry Jam (homemade)
Peach Jam (homemade)
the end of a container of cool whip

hmmm... what else?

What is your favorite crepe topping?

Last night, Mike and I had our own little LOST premiere party. I decided earlier in the day that it would be fun to have a themed dinner to go along with the 3 hours of awesomeness that we were about to watch. So, I threw a little something together. Mike was late, so he missed the presentation, which is why I took pictures. Check it out over on flickr.

http://flickr.com/photos/29521833@N02/sets/72157612865974464/detail/

I really liked the way the episodes came together and we were sad when it was over. Can't wait for next week! I'd also like to watch them again this weekend, which I will probably do.

EDIT: In the spirit of keeping this post spoiler-free, please, no spoilers in the comments. :-) But if you wish to discuss, PM me on LJ or send me an e-mail. :-)

Poll #1320421 Carbonated Beverages Poll
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 25

What generic term to you use for "Carbonated Beverages"?

When having a "Carbonated Beverage", do you pour it into a glass or drink from the can?

I mixed these up yesterday and baked them today:

http://www.home-ec101.com/sweets-for-the-season-orange-chocolate-checker-cookies-from-meredith/

1) The dough wasn't amazingly appealing raw (which seemed weird?)

2) The smell of them baking was kinda strange, and not in a good way.

3) They taste good. But kinda mellow.

WHAT?!?

I don't know how 1+2=3 in this case. But whatever. I don't think they will become a new family tradition or anything (unless maybe I add 1 tsp of orange extract instead of the orange zest - or actually use orange zest instead of Clementine? could that be it?), but I have a feeling they will disappear pretty quickly.

Now I just have 2 more kinds of cookies to make before Christmas eve. I better get chopping (literally!!!) and mixing and baking. :-)


Also, my camera battery is dead, but after it's charged up I'll take a picture of my cookies. And probably end up with a cookie icon before the 24th. :-)

Also-also, sillyliss, I discovered my camera battery was dead when I pulled it out of my purse to take a picture of the kosher section in our local grocery store. There were a ton of boxes of candles on the shelf next to the big boxes of matzos. :-P Move to Harrisburg!!!! :-D

I don't have pictures to post like everyone else on my f-list right now, so you are going to get a text-only recap of the day.

Mike had today off, so he slept in, and then came over around 1:30. We had leftover crockpot-mac-and-cheese with hotdogs for lunch. Then we caught up on the TV shows I've been taping that we haven't had a chance to watch over the last 9 days or so (C'mas Monk & Psych episodes, an episode of Ace of Cakes where they made the Millennium Falcon, Stargate Atlantis, Clone Wars and Numb3rs).

We made Chinese for dinner. Seriously, I made egg drop soup, fried rice (which turned out a lot better than normal - more fried, less rice), AND egg rolls!! The egg rolls were a new attempt, and were pretty good, but not really like real egg rolls from a restaurant. Mike rolled the egg rolls all by himself and did a really good job. The one I did was made of fail. :-P Next time I make them (want to try the recipe from the wonton wrappers package next time), he is the official egg-roll-roller. For serious.

After dinner we watched Kung Fu Panda (netflix'd) which was pretty hilarious. Think Jack-Black-in-School-of-Rock instead of Jack-Black-in-Nacho-Libre. There were only like 2-3 jokes that I did not think were funny. Pretty good number for a 90-something minute movie.

Mike just left a bit ago and we are going to hang out on Wednesday (his next day off).

And the reality of the fact that it is Sunday and I have to go to work tomorrow is starting to set in. Blaaaaah.

Bed time.

I just made applesauce! I haven't done that since I was in elementary school. I used an entire peck of apples (10.5 pounds) and I've got 8 pints of applesauce. 7 pints are just being processed in a water bath right now for later this winter and the last pint will be dessert for Mike and I tonight. mmmmmm... warm applesauce with cinnamon. :-D

Now I have to make muffins for church tomorrow.

Also - deal of the week? I bought a turkey yesterday for $0.29 a pound! The apples I used for the applesauce were less than $0.50 a pound. YAY.

Poll #1280149 because everyone loves polls
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 14

You are eating your favorite kind of crackers while reading livejournal. As you pull one from the box, it slips through your fingers and starts to fall. You have two options:

Most people don't burn their foot while they are cooking.

That is because most people are not as talented as me. I'm canning on the one full jar of apple butter my recipe managed to net. Woo.