Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Facebook is an amazing tool!

I have been on Facebook for a little while now and have been absolutely amazed at the folks I have been able to reconnect with! And just this week my dh joined Facebook and has gotten in touch with friends going all the way back to elementary school!!! There is no way you could ever get back in touch with people from so far back in your past without the incredible tool known as Facebook. If you haven't joined yet, I recommend you try it and see what old friends you can reconnect with. But watch out! It CAN be addicting! And being able to chat with these friends in live time, too - what an amazing thing!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

This is the week to stock up on 93% lean ground beef, whole chickens and strawberries are still a good price, so stock up and freeze them for later. Also, because today is Earth Day, you can get a free reusable shopping bag for free at many different places although some require a minimum or specific item purchase.

Albertsons
Strawberries 1 lb $0.97
Donald Duck Orange Juice 64 oz. $0.99
Kellogg's Cereal 3 for $7.00 and you can get free gallon of milk and Oroweat Bread
Gallon of Milk $1.47

Bashas
Boneless London Broil Steak $1.88/lb
Shamrock Milk $1.57 gallon
18 pack eggs $1.99
Sanderson Farms Whole Chicken $0.68/lb
Fresh Green Beans $0.88/lb
Food club Ice Cream or Sherbet 56 oz. $1.99
Ramen Noodles 10 for $1.00
Food Club Tomato Sauce $0.17
Food Club Vegetables (can) $0.48

Food City
Chicken drumsticks or thighs $0.69/lb
Food City Bacon $1.29
Mangos 2/$1
Green Seedless Grapes $0.99/lb
Whole Chickens $0.79/lb
Gala Apples $0.79/lb

THURSDAY ONLY Produce Specials:
Bananas 3 lbs./$0.99
Navel Oranges 3 lbs./$0.99
Lemons 2 lbs./$1
Russet Potatoes $1.99 15 lb bag

Fresh & Easy
Chicken Leg Quarters $0.88/lb
Tri Tip Roast $2.99/lb
Activia Yogurt $1.50 each for 4 pack
Trix, Cocoa Puffs or Reese's Puffs 3 for $6
Charmin Basic Bath Tissue $5.48 12 rolls

Fry's
Assorted Pork Loin Chops $0.97/lb
Chicken drumsticks, thighs or whole fryer $0.77/lb
On the Vine Tomatoes $0.77/lb
English Cucumbers $1 each
Sliced or Whole Mushrooms $1
Blackberries 5.6 oz $1.
93% Lean Ground Beef $1.88/lb
Kroger Orange Juice 1/2 gal $1.00
Kroger Shredded or Bar Cheese 6-8 oz $1.00
Peanut Butter, Jelly or Bread $1.00 each
Popsicle 12 count $1.00
Cool Classics Novelty Ice Cream $1.00
Angel Soft Bath Tissue (4 rolls) or Scott Paper Towels (mega roll) $1
Kroger Cream Cheese or Bagels $1.00
Kellogg's Cereal 2 for $5
Apples $1.00/lb
Baby Carrots $1.00/lb

Safeway
Boneless Beef Round Steak $1.47/lb
Boneless skinless Chicken Breasts $1.77/lb
Sara Lee Mix & Match 2 for $5 (includes Jimmy Dean, Ball Park, Hillshire Farms)

48 HOUR SALE - SATURDAY & SUNDAY ONLY:
93% lean ground beef $1.97/lb
On the vine cluster tomatoes $1/lb
Wish-Bone Salad Dressing $0.99

Smart & Final
Foster Farms Chicken Thighs $0.99/lb
Henry's Chunk Cheese 2 lbs for $5
Mangos 3/$0.99
Ready Pac 3 lb Garden Salad $1.99
Boneless Beef Brisket $1.89/lb
Butter $1.79/lb

Sprouts
Pineapples $0.97 each
Organic Apples - Fuji or Golden Delicious $0.88/lb
Mangos $0.69/each
Hot House Tomatoes $0.97/lb
Navel Oranges $0.69/lb
Red or Golden Delicious Apples $0.77/lb
Skinless boneless chick breasts $1.99/lb
Yellow onions 3 lbs. for $1.
Bartlett or Bosc pears $0.99/lb
Idaho Russet Potatoes 5 lb bag 2 for $3
Colby Jack Cheese $1.99/lb
Provolone Cheese $3.99/lb

Happy shopping this week!

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Foolin' Around - Kitty Litter Cake!


Since two Wednesdays ago was April Fool's Day and I have a reputation to uphold, I scoured the internet to find another food prank that I could pull on my kids. Well, I found one but couldn't figure out how to pull it off without the kids seeing the preparations. After all, they are with me all day since we homeschool:-).

On Wednesday evenings, our church's Youth Group meets at our home and both my kids are involved with that, so I decided we would do this prank on the Youth Group instead and all be in on the prank together. So we bought our supplies and made up the Kitty Litter cake and then just left it sitting on the table near where they enter our house.

It was really funny because most of them tried to pretend they didn't notice the "kitty litter", complete with Tootsie Roll "poop", sitting there. So then I had to point it out and explain it was April Fool's Day and that was their snack. Needless to say, very few of them partook of the cake:-) But it does taste really good, if you can overcome the queasiness in your stomach:-)

Well, it was fun and I enjoyed freaking them all out! And I upheld my reputation, too. Some of the previous years I have done the Meatloaf cupcakes and the pound cake grilled cheese. My children recall these with very fond memories!

Just a note: I am very careful to never pull a prank on my kids that will upset them in any way. It has to be totally funny for all involved and not cause them to feel betrayed by their mom. So if you want to do something really fun for April Fool's Day, check into some of the food pranks or other silliness you can find on the internet. There are great ideas out there!

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

I scoured the ads again this week, and while there aren't any giant or mega sales, there are some good deals on a few items. Mangos, artichokes and skinless, boneless chicken breasts are the best overall deals this week. So take advantage and stock your freezer with chicken. Here are the best deals I found:

Albertsons
Drumsticks, thighs, leg quarters or whole fryers $0.77/lb
London Broil $1.87/lb
Milk $0.88/half gallon
California Sweet Corn 5 for $1
General Mills Breakfast Sale Buy 4 , Save $4 = $1.75 each when you buy 4
Mangos $0.88/each
Navel Oranges $0.88/lb
Carrots 2 lb bag $0.99

Bashas'
Chuck Roast $1.17/lb
Boneless, skinless chicken breast Buy one, get 2 free!!
Milk $1.57/gallon
5 lbs C & H Sugar $1.48 with in ad coupon & $10 purchase
Charmin Ultra Soft Bath Tissue $4.88 for 24 roll with in ad coupon & $10 purchase
Bounty Paper Towels white 8 roll $4.88 with in ad coupon & $10 purchase
Gala, Red Delicious or Jazz Apple $0.99/lb
Russet Potatoes 4 lb bag for $1
Santitas Chips $1

Food City
Boneless Top Sirloin Steak $1.79/lb
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $1.49/lb
Red Delicious Apples 2 lbs for $1
Green Cabbage 4 lbs for $0.99
Strawberries $0.99/lb
Hunt's Spaghetti Sauce 10 for $10
Carrots 3 lbs. for $0.99
Mexican Key Limes 2 lbs for $1
Bosc Pears $0.69/lb
Green Seedless Grapes $0.99/lb

Thursday ONLY Produce Specials at Food City:
Brown Onions 5 lbs/$1
Navel Oranges 2 lbs/$1
Garlic 2 lbs/$1

Fresh & Easy
Milk $1.57/gallon

Fry's

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $1.67/lb
Hass Avocados $0.77/each
Mangos 2 for $1 (BEST PRICE THIS WEEK!!)
Kellogg's Cereal $2.17
Kroger Deluxe Ice Cream $1.99 48 oz.
American Cheese, white or yellow $2.99/lb
Angel Soft Bath Tissue 10 for $10
Pure Honey 32 oz. $4.85
Kroger Value Foam Plates 150 count $3.59

Safeway
Kraft Macaroni & Cheese $0.49
Navel Oranges 10 lb bag $3.99
Honeysuckle White Whole Turkey Breast $0.99/lb
Strawberries $0.88/lb
General Mills Trix or Golden Grahams 3 for $5
Fuji Apples $0.98/lb
Red Seedless Grapes $1.79/lb

Smart & Final
Foster Farms Whole Chicken $0.89/lb
Hass Avocados 5 for $1
C & F Extra Fancy Long Grain Rice 10 lbs/$3.99
Red Seedless Grapes 2 lbs $2.49

Sprouts
Pecan Halves $4.99/lb
Navel Oranges $0.69/lb
Mangos $0.69/lb
Fuji or Braeburn Apples $0.77/lb
Red or Orange Bell Peppers $0.77/lb
Hass Avocados $0.77/lb
Monterey Jack Cheese $1.99/lb
Thompson Seedless Raisins $0.99/lb
Sliced or Slivered Almonds $4.99/lb
Hulled Sunflower Seeds $1.99/lb

If you like mango salsa, this is a good week for you to buy mangos!! I happen to LOVE it and here is how I make it:

Peel, seed and cut into small cubes about 3-4 mangos
Chop 4-5 green onions
Sprinkle liberally with Tajin (chile powder with lime)
Eat with tortilla chips!!!

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

There are some great buys this week, so don't miss out!

Here are the best of the best that I found in the sales ads:

Albertsons
Skinless, boneless chicken breasts of Pork Loin Roast $1.57/lb
Strawberries 4 lbs. for $3.77
5 Coke 12 packs for $12
Dreyer's Ice Cream $2.27
Hormel Spiral Ham $1.27/lb
T-Bone Steak $3.97/lb
Bottom Round Roast $1.87/lb
Pineapple $0.77/lb
Pictsweet Vegetables $0.67/16oz
8oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese or Hormel Little Sizzlers 10 for $10
Minute Maid Premium OJ, Albertson's Butter or Gold Medal Flour 2 for $3

Basha's
T-Bone Steak $3.77/lb
Eggs $0.99/dozen
Cook's Smoked Ham or Norbest Turkey $0.77/lb
Butter $0.99/lb w/in ad coupon
Hormel Bacon $1.68 w/in ad coupon
Dreyer's Ice Cream $1.88/1.5 quart w/in ad coupon
Lay's and Doritos $1.88

Food City
Moran's 73% lean ground beef $0.99/lb
Pork spare ribs $0.99/lb
Farmland boneless whole ham $0.99/lb
Red Delicious Apples 2 lbs/$1
Avocados 2 for $1
Bar S Jumbo Meat Franks $0.79
Dole OJ $1.99
Navel Oranges 3 lbs for $0.99
Green seedless grapes $0.99
Green Cabbage 4 lbs/$1

Fresh & Easy
Smithfield Ham Shank portions $0.77/lb
Eggs $0.99/dozen
Lemon Meringue Pie $3.99
Asparagus Spears $0.99/lb
Mayo (no sugar) $1.99

Fry's
T-Bone Steak $3.77/lb
Del Monte Pineapples $1.88
Mini Peeled Carrots $0.88/lb
Russet Potatoes 5 lbs /$0.67
Butter 2 lbs for $3
Gallon Milk $1.47
Pictsweet Vegetables $0.77/lb
Philadelphia Cream Cheese $0.99/8 oz
Celery $0.79
Kroger Hash Browns and Fries $1.88/22-32 oz.
Cool Whip Topping 8 oz. 10 for $10

Safeway
Shank Half Ham $0.87/lb
Spiral Sliced Ham $1.27/lb
Skinless boneless chicken breasts $1.77/lb
Lay's $1.88

Smart & Final
Eggs $0.99/dozen
Russet Potatoes 10 lbs/$1.39
Pineapples $1.99
Navel Oranges 3 lbs/$0.99

Sprouts
Whole Cashews $3.99/lb
Blackberries 5-6 oz $0.88
Bell Peppers (red, gold or orange) $0.77 each
Hot House Tomatoes $0.77/lb
Pink Lady or Jonagold Apples $0.77/lb
Green, Red or Romaine Lettuce $0.77 each
Italian Squash $0.77/lb
Avocados $0.77 each
Mild Cheddar Cheese $2.49/lb
Cantare Fresh Mozzarella Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Virginia Peanuts $1.49/lb

Again, don't forget to visit the Superstition Ranch Market on Main Street between Higley and Greenfield for the best produce prices in the valley! Strawberries were 2 lbs. for $1.00 last week and much, much more!!

HAPPY SHOPPING AND HAVE A WONDERFULLY BLESSED EASTER CELEBRATION!

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Generations of Virtue

I was very excited to receive products from Generations of Virtue since I have been looking at and hearing about their products for some time. I had plans to purchase some of their products for my children and was thrilled to be able to review Beautifully Made!

Beautifully Made! is a 3 book set and is such a great help for moms and their daughters who are just coming into womanhood. Book 1 is Approaching Womanhood and is written for you to give to or read with your daughter who is nearing the time for her first period. This book is so gently and beautifully written to explain many things to your daughter about what is happening in her body, both physically and emotionally. I don't know about you, but beginning my menses was never viewed as something to celebrate. If you are like me, then you need to have your heart reprogrammed so that you can help your daughter realize what a gift and blessing it is to be the bearer of children and what God intended for women. I really appreciate this book for its gentle manner. It focuses on the positives only and helps to ease a girl's anxiety as she approaches this passage from girlhood to womanhood.

The second book, Celebrating Womanhood, is for you to give to your daughter when she begins her first period. It has more details about what to expect, what products to use and about PMS. It also still focuses on the positive and celebrates this passage for your daughter in to womanhood. Again, it is very gently written and positive in focus.

The third book is written for you, Mom, and is entitled Wisdom from a Woman - Mother's Guide. This book contains ideas on how to celebrate this momentous occasion with your daughter and help her walk through this potentially difficult time. This biblically-focused book can help every mother explain some of the intricacies of womanhood to her precious girl.

The entire 3 book series Beautifully Made! is only $18.99 and is worth every cent to help a mom and her daughter walk through this passage from girlhood to womanhood with a positive and celebratory attitude.

You will want to take some time to check out many of their other products. They have purity rings and jewelry, books for boys, girls and parents, gift ideas and much more! Their goal is to "equip parents to empower their kids for purity in our world today." With my kids entering their teen years, you can be sure I will be turning to Generations of Virtue for more help along the way. They also have Technology Tools to help make the Internet and movies/dvds, etc. safe for your children.

Monday, April 06, 2009

Special Edition: Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

Sunday's paper arrived with inserts from several grocery stores running Easter specials this week, and some of them are for 3 days only. So I wanted to make sure you knew about them and don't miss out on these great deals!

Basha's 3 Day Sale (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday 4/5-7)
Cook's Smoked Ham or Norbest Turkeys $0.77/lb
Dole Pineapples $1.99 each
Large Eggs $0.99/dozen
Hormel Black Label Bacon $1.68 w/ in ad coupon
Dreyers Ice Cream 48 oz $1.88 w/in ad coupon
Lay's Potato Chips or Nabisco Snack Crackers $1.88
Coke 12 packs 3 for $7.00\
Angel Food Cake $3.99

Fry's
3 Days Only (Sunday through Tuesday, 4/5-7): 1/2 Gallon Milk $0.88
Sugar 4 lb for $1.27
Big K Soft Drinks 2 for $1

April 5 - 12:
Cook's Spiral Sliced Ham or Half Ham $1.17/lb
5 lb bag of Russet Potatoes $0.88
Del Monte Pineapples $1.88
Mini Peeled Carrots 1 lb $0.88
Large Eggs 2 for $3.00
Butter 2 lbs. for $3.00

Safeway: April 5-12
Smoked Whole or Shank Half Ham $0.87/lb
Spiral Sliced Ham $1.27/lb
Ritz Crackers $1.99 w/ in ad coupon
24 pack of water $2.77 w/in ad coupon
Gold Pineapple $1.99 each

And if you haven't yet heard about the Superstition Ranch Market located on Main Street between Higley and Greenfield, then you are missing out on the best produce prices in the valley!! It is worth the trip: strawberries for $0.50/lb, blackberries HUGE container for $2, potatoes 5 lbs. for $0.69 and much more!

Happy Shopping!

Sunday, April 05, 2009

Write Shop Storybuilders


If you have any trouble getting your kids to write because they can't think of what to write about, this is an excellent tool! WriteShop Storybuilders are a fantastic aid to help kids with topics to write about. It comes as an instantly available download which is a set of cards that become the starting point for creative writing projects. Your students (or you) can choose cards for the character, character traits, setting and plot. Then your student just uses their imagination to create a story based on these cards. It can be fun and silly or serious and intense, depending on how you and your children choose to use these Storybuilders. They are appropriate for all ages and can be used again and again, making them a great tool to keep handy anytime your young writers encounter "writer's block."

There are several different series of these Storybuilders, including World of People, World of Sports, World of Animals and a special mini set for Christmas. The full sets run just $7.95 and the mini set $3.95, so they are very reasonably priced and with the ebooks, you can get them right away! We received the World of People and the Christmas mini set and my kids were very interested in creating stories using these cards. Try them out with your kids to give their creative writing a boost.

Saturday, April 04, 2009

The Things My Momma Taught Me

Today would have been my mother's 69th birthday. That is, if she had not died 20 years ago. My mom was an amazing woman and left us all too soon, but I have so many wonderful memories of her. I also have a lot of unanswered questions, but those will have to remain unanswered for now because there is no one left to answer them. I encourage you to ask all the questions and learn all the family stories while you have the chance. You never know how much time you will have with your loved ones.

My mom died from breast cancer that metastacized to all the bones in her body very quickly. That year was really rough, but my mom was such a witness to so many during those last days. This poem I wrote during that tough time and wanted to share it with you in tribute of her today on this her birthday.

The Things My Momma Taught Me
by Erica Burgan

When I was young my momma taught me
All the things a momma should.

But as I grew and watched her life,
The lessons really began.

I watched my parents dedicate
Their lives to God in everything

And stand for Him and teach of Him
To others every day.

I learned that every decision,
Whether critical or small,

Was placed in God's hands,
For ours are far too small.


When I first fell in love and thought
My heart was gonna break,

My momma taught me how to love
In spite of circumstance.

And when that love had blossomed
And was nurtured by a man,

My momma taught me how
To be a woman in love.

She taught me how to "fight a good fight"
And come through more in love,

And Momma taught me how to love
When emotion isn't there.


When my daddy died,
My momma taught me how

To be strong in God, to reach out to others
When your world seems to fall apart;

To love so deeply and cherish the memories
That no one can replace.

On the brink of losing everything, my momma still gave
Of anything and everything she could.

She provided refuge for another family in need,
While all around her things were crumbling down.
And when she lost the house
That she and Daddy built,

My momma taught me how
To trust in God for everything-

To lean on Him, not earthly things,
For my security.

And still my momma always
Kept on giving of herself.


And when I ventured out in life,
Became a married woman,

My momma taught me how
To really find myself.

She taught me how to be who
I really am deep inside,

To show the world the "real" me,
No matter what the price.

She taught me and encouraged me
To follow God's leading no matter what others said,

And trust my heart when decisions
Became too hard to make.


And through adversity or calm smooth sailing,
My momma taught me how to laugh,

No matter the circumstances around us,
She always had joy in her heart.

So many silly times we spent
Giggling and laughing together -

Together - that's what really counts in this life!
The time that's spend together
Is the most precious time of all.

No matter whether good times or bad,
We were always there for each other.

Together - that's what mattered!

And much too soon the lessons
Started coming to a crescendo

As disease attacked and weakened Momma so.
But still she stood stronger
Than anyone I know,

And faithfully served and shared her God
To any who would listen.

As people came to visit
As her body lay in bed,

She touched their lives and ministered
To them - not they to her.


Not many people understood
Her strength and hope in God,

Some people even criticized her faith -
How small their God!

I know my momma's God
And He is greater than we can imagine.

He planned her life, her every hour,
He even planned her death.

As she followed His footsteps one by one by one.

Her eyes never strayed from His face
As her strength began to ebb away.

I couldn't always be by her side
In person those last days,

But it was OK for my momma and me,
Our love kept our hearts entwined.

My thoughts are never far away
From the things my momma taught me.

I use them every day I live - a living dedication,
To a lady who lived totally for God
And loved completely.


And in the final chapter of her life on earth
(only the beginning of eternity, though)

My momma taught me the greatest lesson,
The hardest lesson, of all -

My momma in her quiet, gentle, strong and loving way -
My momma taught me how to die
To live with God for eternity,

To leave behind a legacy
In family, friends and loved ones,

A banner to a single life lived wholly, totally for God!

I love you, Momma!!

Heads Up! Vision Aids

I have to be honest that when I first opened up this package I received, I had no idea what these were. It took me some time to look through the catalog and understand that Heads Up! produces and sells many different products to aid those with learning challenges and special needs. This company is a FANTASTIC resource for families with struggling learners. They have products "to accommodate various learning styles and strengths to help each child feel successful."

The Vision Aids that I received are to help with reading and are very reasonably priced (just $1.00). These frames help readers "keep their place" along a line of text, graphics, or charts.
Heads Up! Top of the Line has a blue or yellow highlighted strip along the top. And Heads Up! Double Time highlights an area large enough fo the reader to view two lines of most texts. Both of these are great for readers who are easily distracted or have difficulty maintaining their attention on what they are reading.

Heads Up! Frames come in two sizes - 4" x 4 1/2" or 4" x 9". You can use them to direct attention and focus by placing the frames over workbook pages or other written materials to be examined. They come in a variety of colors: yellow, pink, blue, red, green and orange.

Heads Up! Reader has a highlighted strip of color between two strips of grey. This helps with visual tracking and the color helps maintain attention to the printed text. These also come in a variety of colors: yellow, green, red, blue, orange, pink or clear.

Although my children have no need of these now, I sure can see how this could have helped my children when they were beginning to learn to read. My son has an astigmatism and I believe these aids could have been a great benefit to him that would have helped him to focus on the line he was reading and not be confused by the other words around it. They also often had trouble tracking from the end of one line to the beginning of the next, and these creative frames could have aided with that until their eyes became more familiar with following from one line to the next.

I encourage you that if your children have any challenges at all with learning to read, you check into these great and inexpensive tools and aids to assist you and your children. Especially if you are just teaching your little ones to read, you will be amazed at how these tools can help you and your child with focus and tracking. Go to their website and check out the many different types of products that they have to help you and your children along the learning path.

Friday, April 03, 2009

Finally Found....Mayo Without Sugar!!!

When I lived back in the East, I used to buy Duke's Mayonnaise because it was the only brand that did not have sugar in it. Well, out here in the West, they just don't carry Dukes:-( I chose the best I could find (where sugar was farther down on the ingredient list), but was never really very happy about it.

Yesterday, because they had their mayo on sale for $1.99, I looked at the Fresh & Easy mayonnaise and you know what I found????? There is NO sugar in it!!! And to top it off, it is very inexpensive, too!! Wooohoooo!!

This may seem a little thing, but eliminating extra sugar from our diet has been a main goal of mine for quite a few years and this is quite a victory for me. I feel much better about our mayo now. So, if you didn't know that your mayonnaise had sugar in it, be aware. And now you know there is another choice - Fresh & Easy mayonnaise. I don't know how many states have Fresh & Easy stores, but their deals are really good sometimes, so you might want to just check it out.

Thursday, April 02, 2009

Cadron Creek


A few years ago, my children and I discovered the joy of literature-based unit studies, beginning with Further Up & Further In from Cadron Creek. This unit study is based on the Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis and geared for 4 - 8 grades. Now we are hooked and have used literature-based unit studies ever since!

Further Up & Further In is laid out in a very simple fashion that makes it easy to use and provides great helps for teacher preparation for each section. You read a chapter of a book each day, and then there are MANY activities to choose from for each and every subject, including Bible, Crafts, Health, History, Literature and Language Arts, and Science. The only things I supplemented was Math, Spelling and Foreign Language. Otherwise, you have a very complete curriculum.

At the beginning of each unit (book), they give you an overview of what to expect during this unit, and then a weekly planning guide where they give you suggested resources to gather in advance, supplies you will need for crafts, experiments and other hands-on activities, suggested field trips, and suggested videos. They also give you worksheets that are used in that week's work. In the back of the book is an Appendix with many more resources provided that might be difficult to find on your own, or more worksheet type pages to use with the unit study.

This curriculum was so much fun for us! Reading through the Chronicles of Narnia aloud together was, in and of itself, an incredible experience for us. But to be able to use it for all of our homeschooling was just a blessing and made our year the best one ever!

Then I had the opportunity to review The Prairie Primer, another unit study by Cadron Creek based on the "Little House" series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Wow! Another fantastic literature-based unit study from a great author! This unit study is set up in much the same way as Further Up & Further In, but targeted to a little younger age group (Grades 3 - 6). This unit study covers U.S. History in the 1800's, U.S. geography, science, language, practical living, health and safety, nutrition, music and art. It also emphasizes studying the Word of God with daily Bible readings that include character and word studies.

They give you so many resources and help along the way, that I believe these unit studies are the best and easiest way to delve into the world of unit studies. If you have never tried a unit study before, I highly recommend the products from Cadron Creek as the way to "get your feet wet." They have done so much prep work for you, that you can ease into the exciting world of unit studies and have a great time doing it! And their products are so reasonably priced at just $50 for a full year of curriculum for the Prairie Primer and $56 for Further Up & Further In!!

Wednesday, April 01, 2009

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

Yesterday, I finally made it to Safeway to stock up on some of their Mega Event specials and I walked out of there with 30 items for only $23.60!!! Most of them were $0.75 and some even less because they had SmartSource coupons in a little dispenser by them! I was very happy and got stocked up on a few things that I NEVER want to pay full price for (like toilet paper).

This week, there seems to be some good deals, but you have to pay attention. Here is the rundown of what I have found:

Albertsons:
Rib Eye Roast or Steak $4.77/lb
Assorted Pork Chops Family Pack $0.97/lb
Breyers Ice Cream 1.5-1.75 qt. $1.97 (limit 2)
Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie Classics, Super Moist Cake Mix, Frost or Pillsbury Classic Brownies 10 for $10
Albertson's Cereal, Granola Bars or Fruit Snacks 10 for $10
Albertsons Large Eggs, Daisy Sour Cream (8 oz) 10 for $10
Stove Top or Potato Buds 10 for $10
Pepsi 12 Packs 4 for $8.88
Sanderson Farms Drums, Thighs or Leg Quarters $0.99/lb

Bashas:
Pork Spareribs $0.99/lb
Red Seedless Grapes $0.88/lb
Navel Oranges $0.77/lb
Coke 12 Packs 3 for $7
Challenge Butter $1.99/lb
Yoplait Yogurt $0.40 each with coupon
Bettty Crocker Cake or Brownie Mix 10 for $10
Milk $1.99 gal.

Food City:
Bone-in Country Style Pork Ribs $0.89/lb
Avocados 2 for $1
Carrots 3 lbs. for $0.99
Gala Apples $0.79/lb
Navel Oranges $0.59/lb
Mexican Key Limes 2 lbs/$1
Tilapia Fillets $2.49/lb
Longhorn Cheese - Bulk $2.99/lb

Fresh & Easy:
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.97/lb
Wild Alaska Sockeye Salmon $5.99/lb
Eggs $0.99/dozen
Nonpareil Idaho Russet Baker Potatoes 8 lb bag $1.98
Ole Carolina Hickory Smoked Sliced Bacon $1.49
Aunt Jemima Pancake Syrup $1.99
Philadelphia Cream Cheese $1.25
Bagels 6 count $1.99
Asparagus $0.99/lb
Butter $1.99/lb
Sour Cream 16 oz. $1.49
Shredded Hashbrowns 30 oz. $1.89
Mayonnaise $1.99 32 oz
Artichoke Hearts 6.5 oz. $0.98
Presto Reclosable Freezer Bags - 1 gallon 15 count $0.99

Fry's:
SPRING FLING APRIL 2nd 3pm - 11pm ONLY SPECIALS:
Fuji Apples 3 lbs $0.99
Double Layer Carrot Cake $1.99
73% lean Ground Beef $0.88/lb in 5 lb chub
Pepsi 2 liters $0.77

Cantaloupes 4 lbs. for $1
Roma Tomatoes $0.77/lb
Dole Premium Salads 10-12 oz. $1
Navel Oranges or Minneola Tangelos 2 lbs. for $1
New York Strip Steak $3.77/lb
Boneless Beef Cross Rib Roast $1.97/lb
Dole or Welch's Juice Blends $1.88
Duncan Hines Cake Mix $0.69
Pepsi 12 Packs 4 for $10
Kellogg's Cereal $2.17
Capri Sun or Fudge Shoppe Cookies $1.77

Safeway:
Boneless Beef London Broil $1.98/lb
Pork Shoulder Country Style Ribs $0.98/lb
Eating Right Baby Peeled Carrots $.1.48 for 2 lb bag
Hass Avocados $0.77 each
Clementines 5 lb box $3.88
Red Delicious Apples $0.77/lb
Oreos $1.99 with coupon in ad
Lucerne Butter $0.99/lb with in ad coupon
Quaker Life Cereal $0.99 with in ad coupon
Eggs 18count for $1.49 with in ad coupon

Smart & Final:
C & F Foods Long Grain Rice 10 lbs for $3.99
Montecito Pinto Beans 10 lbs for $5.99
Mixed Fruit 5 lb bag $2.99

Sprouts:
Seedless Grapes (Red or Green) $0.77/lb
Blackberries 2-5.6 oz clamshells for $3
Hass Avocadoes $0.77each
Gala Apples $0.88/lb
Cluster Tomatoes 2 lbs. for $3
Bell Peppers (red or green) $0.77/each
Idaho Russet Potatoes 5 lb bag 2 for $3.00
Colby Jack Cheese $2.49/lb
Raw Almonds $3.99/lb
Cross Rib Roast $1.77/lb
Feta Cheese $3.99/lb
Brazil Nuts $3.99/lb
Old Fashioned Oats 2 lbs for $1.00 (I stocked up last time they had this:-)

Don't forget the 99cent store for produce deals, too!

Be sure not to miss the Spring Fling at Fry's tomorrow - some REALLY great deals, but they will probably go fast!!

Also, your local libraries now have the Culture Pass which gives you free admission to many of the museums around the area. You just have to get there quick on Wednesdays if you want the Phoenix Zoo or Science Center!! Check it out and get some culture for FREE!!!