TOS Travel Kits Review

 
I have once again joined the TOS Crew to review homeschool curriculum and related items for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.  I was given a free copy of the ebook The Old Schoolhouse Travel Kits for the purpose of this review and found that it is a delightful book with great ideas to get you inspired to help others by putting together creative and fun Travel Kits for your friends and their children.  It is 93 pages filled with ideas and motivation for a very nominal cost of $12.45.

At first when I received this ebook,  I was a little puzzled as to the purpose of such a book.  However, after spending time reading through the ideas and looking at the beautiful photos, I began to get inspired!  If this book was just about making Travel Kits for your kids to keep them occupied during a trip, it would fall a little short in my esteem.  However, the fact that it REALLY inspires you to think of opportunities where you can bless someone else with such a myriad of ideas is really phenomenal!  Reading through this ebook made me want to think of people I could bless by making them a fun and really useful Travel Kit.  It even gives you great ideas on where to find items for very little money to include to make your Travel Kit exciting for the recipient.  They encourage you to wrap each item so that it is a continual surprise to look forward to throughout the trip, thus increasing the child's (and adult's) anticipation of the next "gift".

So what is a Travel Kit?  Well, it is a bag, or box, or basket, or whatever filled with individually wrapped "presents" for the recipient to open along their journey.  These "presents" can be anything from snacks to toys to games to books to whatever item you can think of that the recipient would enjoy.   The possibilities are practically endless!  But the inspiration to begin is the blessing of this ebook!

This made me think of all the family trips we have taken and how much quicker the time could have passed if I had made Travel Kits like these for my kids.  You can make Travel Kits that fit into any budget, any length or type of trip, any age range of recipient and any theme you would like to come up with.  I believe the strongest aspect of this ebook is that it is the spark that starts a flame of inspiration and creativity in your mind so that you can come up with all kinds of ideas and ways to bless others with this project.  You can get your kids involved in blessing others in a very fun and creative way, too.  No matter how young or old your children are, they will really get into the spirit of blessing others when you enlist their help in planning, shopping, and assembling these wonderful Travel Kits. And think of the joy of giving they will learn along the way!

I know that some of you are thinking, "I am creative.  Why would I need this book when I could come up with my own ideas?"  Yes, that is what I was thinking....until I read through this book!  I don't know if I can adequately express the blossoming inspiration that flowed through my mind as I read this book.  I thought of people I would love to bless this way and ideas of items I could include in different Travel Kits for different folks.  It made my heart brim so full of wanting to bless others with these kits!  It really inspires you to think of ways to be a blessing to others.  THAT is what makes the price of this ebook such a great bargain.  For only $12.45 (and since it is an ebook, you don't have to wait for it to arrive in the mail) you, too, can be inspired to bless your friends and family in so many different ways that they will be remembering and talking about for a very long time.

Great Sirloin Steaks for CHEAP!!!

Yesterday, I went to Basha's and bought a whole sirloin tip in a bag for $1.59/lb.  Then I went over to the butcher and asked him to cut it into thick steaks for me (yes, that is free!!).  I got 9 super HUGE steaks plus the end cuts for under $20 total!  I think I am going to marinate the steaks in something yummy and grill them next Friday when my brother and his family are visiting.  With baked potatoes and a veggie/salad, we can have an awesome steak dinner for about $25 for 8 people!!!  That sure beats eating out, even WITH a certificate from Restaurant.com (the only way I eat out:-)!

I do believe I will go and buy another one before the price goes up!!LOL

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area This Week (July 14 - 20, 2010)

This week, to find the best deals on groceries, you just need to go to Fry's!!! They have a great $5 off when you buy 10 items promotion that you can couple with coupons and get some GREAT deals!! There are so few items at good prices elsewhere, that I hate to even take the time to delineate them:-)

Albertsons

Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts $1.77/lb
Strawberries $0.99/lb
Whole Pineapples $0.99 each
Fritos & Cheetos 4/$5
Kellogg's Cereal $1.99 limit 4
Blue Bunny Ice Cream Buy 4, Save $4 = $2 each

Basha's

Pork Chops $0.99/lb
Sirloin Tip (whole in bag) $1.59/lb
Blueberries $1.27 12 oz.
Large Eggs $0.99/dozen

FRIDAY & SATURDAY ONLY

Bananas 4 lbs/$1
Rotisserie Chicken $3.99
Ground Sirloin $1.77/lb

Food City

Cantaloupes 6 lbs/$0.96
Valencia Oranges 6 lbs/$0.96
Roma Tomatoes 3 lbs/$0.98
Avocados 4/$0.99
Green Onions 5/$1
Cilantro 4/$0.99
Green Bell Peppers 4/$1
Chicken Thighs or Drums $0.88/lb
Bone-In Country Style Pork Ribs $0.99/lb
Dole OJ $1.99
Jarritos, Sangria or Sidral 1.5 liter sodas $0.79

THURSDAY ONLY:

Boneless Chicken Thigh Meat $0.99/lb

FRIDAY ONLY:

Red Delicious Apples 3 lbs/$0.99
Old Orchard Healthy Balance Cocktail $0.99

Fry's

Boneless skinless chicken breasts $1.77/lb
93% lean ground beef $1.97/lb
Red Cherries $1.37/lb
Mangos 2/$1
Top Flight 70 page Notebook $0.15
Crayola Crayons 24 ct. $0.25

WHEN YOU BUY 10, SAVE $5

Gatorade 32 oz. $0.49
Kraft Shredded or Bar Cheese 8 oz. $1.38
Philadelphia Cream Cheese $0.99
Pepsi 2 liter $0.75
Tombstone Pizza $2.49
Rice A Roni $0.49
Dole 100% Juice Blends 64 oz. $1.49
Breyers Ice Cream $1.97
Hunts Tomatoes $0.49
Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cookies $1.49
Welch's 100% Grape Juice $2.49
Simply Potatoes Hash Browns $0.99 (by the eggs!!)
Dixie Plates or Napkins $1.49
Boulder Chips $0.99

(Lots of these items have coupons!!)

Pro's Ranch Market

Romas 4 lbs/$0.99
Mangos 4/$0.99
Cantaloupes 5 lbs/$0.99
Bone-in Split Chicken Breasts $0.98/lb
Powerade $0.47
Red Delicious Apples 2 lbs/$).99
White Onions 3 lbs/$0.99

THURSDAY ONLY:

Chicken Wings $0.98/lb

FRIDAY ONLY:

Kool-Aid Kool Bursts 6 pack 2/$1
Bananas 4 lbs/$0.99
Corn Tortillas 60 ct. $1.49

Safeway

Dairy Glen Milk $1.88 gallon
Breyer's Ice Cream or Klondikes $1.99
Ziploc bags $1.49 w/in ad coupon

Sprouts

Watermelon, seeded or seedless $0.09/lb
Cluster Tomatoes $0.77/lb
Navel Oranges $0.88/lb
White or Yellow Peaches or Nectarines $0.88/lb

Happy Grocery Shopping!

How to Cook a Meal Without Melting!!

Well, it is 113 degrees here today and climbing still higher the next 2 days! Yikes! We are having company for dinner, so I HAD to cook a meal. So here is how I did it without melting (or running my oven for very long).

First, I put a whole chicken (that I got for $0.49/lb) in the crock pot over night to cook. This morning I simply unplugged it and turned it off. A little later when it was cool, I picked the meat off the chicken. Then I prepared my Enchilada Casserole which is simply layers of green enchilada sauce, tortillas, chicken and shredded cheese. Later, I will simply put it in the oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes (while I run my daughter to roller skating - I won't even be here while the oven is heating the kitchen:-). And dinner will be served with a little salad and sour cream and hot sauce to top it off.

And I made two of them so I can put one into the freezer for another day when I don't feel much like cooking.

That's how I cooked a meal without melting today!!

How about you? Do you have any tips on meals you can make without heating up your kitchen?

Blackberry Freezer Jam

I had never heard of freezer jam until lately and several blogs have posted about their freezer jam. Well, I just had to try it because my husband LOVES blackberry jam and I don't like the stuff in it. Blackberries are still REALLY cheap here, so I bought $4.00 worth (8 cups!!) and made 8 jars of blackberry freezer jam. It is SO yummy and SO easy - I can't believe I never did this before! I bought the pectin that you don't have to cook for $1.69 each (needed 2) and used a total of 2 1/2 cups of sugar for 8 cups of berries. Seems a much better ratio than some of the other pectins require.

Now the question is, how long will 8 jars last??? Probably not until next year's blackberries. Oh well, it is a great way to make the best of the harvest while it is here!

Crazy for Cantaloupe!

I don't know about where you live, but here in Phoenix cantaloupes are selling for SO cheap!! 3 cantaloupes for $0.99 or even 8 lbs. for $0.99!! I have been eating a whole one for my lunch or breakfast - they are SO yummy! But at these prices, I wanted to have some for my fruity drinks long into the fall. So I bought a bunch of cantaloupes and cut them up and froze them!! Just put them on a cookie sheet in the freezer until they are frozen, then pop them into a ziploc freezer bag and you will have yummy ripe cantaloupe for your fruit smoothies!

Baking Soda and White Vinegar Really ARE the Wonder Products!!

As you may have noticed in my previous posts, I just got a jacuzzi/spa for my backyard. Well, it was used, so came with no manual on how to care for it. So, I was reading online to find out the best chemicals and products for testing and keeping the water sparkling clean and guess what??? The best products to use for pH balance is.......drumroll, please......baking soda and vinegar!! REALLY!!! If your pH is high, you just add a little white vinegar. If it is low, you just add some baking soda. Yeah, it is that simple! You also need some chlorine, too. Dichlor is the best kind and the folks that sold us the jacuzzi gave us some with it, so we are all set for a while:-).

I am SO glad I went ahead and bought 3 of the HUGE bags of baking soda last week at Sam's. I just knew it would come in handy (besides all the OTHER cleaning uses I already have for baking soda:-). And SO much cheaper than all those pH Minus and Boost products!! Yeah for baking soda and vinegar!! AGAIN!!

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Sale

1776 was a spectacular year, and it's a smashing, save-more-money price! Grab your subscription to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine during their four-day Fourth of July sale, and check out the craziest price on July 1 only! Receive a 2-year subscription, free Homeschooling with Heart tote bag, and five FREE E-Books for just $17.76! While supplies last. U.S. and Canadian residents. July 2 through July 4 the unprecedented savings continue. The sparks are flying at TOS Magazine . . . join in the celebration and savings! Get the details here.

My Jacuzzi!!

I LOVE to lounge in a large garden tub and read a book.  However, we don't have a garden tub, so the next best thing is a jacuzzi/spa tub.  This week, my dream came true!  Here I am lounging in my jacuzzi, reading a book in MY OWN BACKYARD!!

It is so refreshing and relaxing!  Now, mind you, I DON'T have the heater on at all because it is 110+ degrees here right now and I don't know if I am going to be able to keep the temp down in my jacuzzi, but I am trying:-)  Then, when it cools down, I can crank up the heat and enjoy it, too!

Just thought I would share my wonderful blessing of relaxation!

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area This Week (June 23 -29, 2010)

Sorry about missing the last two weeks, however the deals weren't so great anyway after Memorial Day sales.  So this week there are some good deals,  you won't want to miss out!

Albertsons

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts  $1.67/lb
Strawberries 4 lb $3.88
Breyer's Ice Cream $1.88 w/in ad coupon
Crystal Geyser Water 24 pk 16.9 oz $1.99 w/in ad coupon
Yoplait Yogurt 4-6 oz. $0.38 w/in ad coupon
Gatorade 32 oz. $0.59 w/in ad coupon
Skippy Peanut Butter 15-16.3 oz. $0.99 w/in ad coupon
Post Cereal $1.47 w/in ad coupon
Freschetta Pizza $3.77 w/in ad coupon
Popsicle Ice Pops 12 ct. $0.88 w/in ad coupon
Cheez-It or Keebler Chips Deluxe Cookies $1.67 w/in ad coupon
Ground Round 5 lbs or more $1.77/lb
Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tune $0.44 w/in ad coupon
Heinz Ketchip 40 oz. $1.27 w/in ad coupon
Fritos or Cheetos 3/$5
Gold Peak Iced Tea $0.99 (green tea is my favorite:-)

Bashas

Split Chicken Breasts $0.77/lb
2 FREE 1/2 gallons of milk when you  buy 4 General Mills Cereals at $1.77 each
Powerade 2/$0.99
Maruchan Ramen 8/$0.99
Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns or Bar S Meat Franks $0.99
Angel Soft Bath Tissue (4 roll) or Brawny Paper Towel (single roll) $0.99

Food City

Peaches 3 lbs/$0.99
Valencia Oranges 4 lbs/$1
Jalapenos 2 lbs/$1
Chicken Leg Quarters $0.39/lb (10 lb bag)

Fry's

Fresh whole frying chicken  $0.49/lb (4)
93% lean ground beef $1.97
Blueberries 6 oz. $0.88
California Sweet Corn 5/$1
Buy 10, Save $3:
Coke 2 liter $0.69
Gatorade 32 oz. $0.49
Totino's Pizza Rolls $0.69
Capri Sun 10 ct. $1.47
Brown N Serve Sausage $0.69
Oscar Mayer Meat Franks $0.88
Breyers Ice Cream $1.77
Bounty 6-8 rolls or Scott 12 roll $5.99
Kraft BBQ Sauce $0.69
General Mills Cereal $1.99
Grands Biscuits $1.19
Country Time Lemonade $0.99

and MUCH more!!

Pro's Ranch Market

Bone-In Sirloin End Pork Chops $0.98/lb

THURSDAY:

Chicken legs or thighs $0.68/lb

FRIDAY:

Bar S Jumbo Franks $0.67

SUNDAY:

Lechera (sweetened condensed milk) $0.99

Safeway

80% lean ground beef $1.79/lb
Cantaloupes $0.88/each
Sweet Yellow Nectarines $0.99/lb
Fresh Express Spinach or Green & Crisp Salad $0.99
Barilla Pasata $0.99
Lucerne Cream Cheese $0.99
Lucerne Butter $1.99/lb w/in ad coupon

SATURDAY/SUNDAY ONLY:

Goldfish Crackers $0.88
Freschetta Pizza $3.99

Sprouts

Red or Green Seedless Grapes $0.69/lb
Asparagus $0.97/lb
Gala Apples $0.88/lb
Yellow Peaches or Nectarines $0.88/lb
Raw Almonds $3.99/lb
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.97/lb

Here are a couple great books that may help you with your endeavor to reduce your grocery spending:

"Pick Another Checkout Lane, Honey" is by the Krazy Coupon Lady whose blog I follow daily.

Also, The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half is another great book to assist you in reducing your spending.

And don't forget to check out Bargain Believer's blog to get more detail grocery lists of weekly deals.

And just a note, if you buy any of these books through these links, it helps me out a little, too, since I am now an affiliate for Amazon.com.  Thanks!

Happy Grocery Shopping!

Great OLD Spanish Curriculum Find

I was recently trying to find a good Spanish curriculum to use for  a co-op class that would really help the kids learn to communicate in Spanish in a short period of time.  Both of my kids are fluent in Spanish, but since they have to take 2 years of foreign language, we thought we would take this opportunity to use our fluency to help others.

Well, I was digging around at Amazon.com to see if there was anything that would help me with just that and came across an old book from the 50s entitled Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish.  I read through the description and reviews, deciding I needed to see this book for myself.  After not having any success with finding it at any libraries, I decided to purchase it.  It is very reasonably priced, especially as far as Spanish curriculum goes.

The book arrived yesterday and I have spent a great deal of time looking it over.  I have to say how impressed I am with the method and sequence of how Ms. Madrigal approaches learning to speak, read and write Spanish!  She begins by telling the student that they already know thousands of Spanish words, referring to all the words that are literally the same in both languages, plus those that are recognizable enough to figure out the meaning.  She also starts right out with a Pronunciation Key right at the beginning so that students can begin pronouncing Spanish correctly from day one.

I am very excited to use this curriculum for our co-op classes, and since it such an unknown and quite old book, I thought I would share about it with you just in case you, too, might be looking for something a little different to teach your student Spanish.

Happy Father's Day!

Even though the holiday is just an excuse for card companies to make extra money, I will not pass up the opportunity to honor and cherish the man who has enriched my life, loved me through thick and thin, and been the best dad to our children - Joe! He is the love of my life, my very best friend and has walked with me through over 30 years of my life!

Thanks, Joe, for all that you do for us! Thank you for working at a very boring and thankless job just to provide for us! Thank you for all the little things you do around our house that help to make it a wonderful home for us and our kids! Thank you for being the man of God He is calling you to be and transforming you into through this adventure of living for Him! Thank you for always being there for me, whether to just listen as I vent or to discuss the deep things of God (and everything in between)! Thanks for always supporting me in whatever new thing I come up with to do:-)! Thanks for being the kind of dad who wants to support his kids in whatever they do, and for being willing to take time out of your schedule to always make time for the kids.

I love you immensely and could NOT imagine life without you in it! Thanks for walking this road with me! Happy Father's Day!

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area This Week (June 2-8, 2010)

Well, the deals look a little slim this week, but there are a few things you might want to pick up.

Albertsons
10/$10 Sale Mix & Match:
1/2 gallon milk
18 ct. eggs
8 oz. chunk cheese
Farmer John Breakfast links
Suddenly Salad
Hefty EveryDay Plates 50 ct.
Hunt's Spaghetti Sauce or Albertson's Pasta
Albertson's Cream Cheese
Simply Potatoes Hash Browns 20 oz.
Calidad Corn Tortillas 30 ct.
Calidad Flour Tortillas 10 ct.
Butterball Thin & Crispy Turkey Bacon 6 oz.
Yoplait Greek Yogurt
Old Orchard Frozen Juice
Ro-Tel
and MUCH, MUCH more!
Write Your Own Coupon:
$2 off any 2 lbs bagged shrimp
$2 off any Johnsonville Sausage
$1 off Classic Cake
$1 off any frozen item
$1 off any cereal item
$1 off a pound of any slicing lunchmeat or cheese
$0.50 off a pound of any fresh deli salad
$0.50 off any shampoo, conditioner or hair care product

Bashas
Sanderson Farms Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts or Tenders $1.67/lb
Strawberries 16 oz. $0.99
1/2 gallon milk $0.88
Dozen eggs $0.88
Classico Pasta Sauce $1.49
Buy 4 boxes Kellogg's Cereal for $10 and get 1/2 gal. milk, sandwich bread and eggs FREE!

Food City
Beef Back Ribs $0.99
Bananas 3 lbs/$0.99
Tomatoes 3 lbs/$0.99

Fry's
Pork Sale 50% off
Kroger Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts 3 lbs bag $4.99
Cantaloupes $1 each
Hot House Grown Tomatoes on the Vine $1/lb
Milk Gallon $1.68

Fresh & Easy
F&E OJ $1.99 64 oz.

Pro's Ranch Market
Potatoes 10 lbs $0.79
Manila Mangos 5/$0.99
Jarritos Sodas 1.5 liter $0.79
Las Palmas Enchilada Sauce $1.99
THURSDAY ONLY:
Marinated Chicken Fajitas $0.98/lb
FRIDAY ONLY:
Romas 4 lbs/$0.99
Cherries $0.79/lb

Safeway
BUY 8, SAVE $4 PROMO:
Hunt's Pasta Sauce or Anthony's Pasta $0.88
2 liter Pepsi products $0.83
Tostitos Tortilla Chips $1.77
and MUCH, MUCH MORE!!
Rancher's Reserve Boneless Beef Round Steak $1.57/lb
Chicken Leg Quarters $0.69/lb
Dole Juice Blends 100% Juice $1.88 w/in ad coupon
Snyder's Flavored Pretzels $1.50

Sprouts
6 oz raspberries or 4.4 oz. blueberries $0.99
Navel Oranges $0.49/lb
Mangos $0.49
Romas $0.69/lb
Bulk Granola $2.49/lb
Peanuts $1.79/lb
Oats 2 lbs/$1
Honey 3 lbs $7.99
Vitamins 25% OFF

Happy Grocery Shopping!

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area This Week (May 26-,June 1 2010)

This week the deals are all about Memorial Day picnics: BBQ Sauce, paper plates, cups, napkins, hot dogs, buns, etc.

Albertsons
Pork Baby Back Ribs or Petite Sirloin Steaks Buy 1, Get 2 FREE ($6.99 lb)
Sweet Corn 6/$1
Dreyer's Ice Cream $1.99
Lay's Potato Chips or Nabisco Snack Crackers $1.77
Hefty Plates, Cups, Bowls 4/$5
Ground Round 5 lbs or more $1.77/lb
Kraft BBQ Sauce 2/$1
Hebrew National Beef Franks Buy 1, Get 2 FREE w/in ad coupon ($5.99)
8 piece Fried Chicken $3.99
Bulls Eye BBQ Sauce $0.75 w/in store coupon

Bashas
Kraft BBQ Sauce $0.99
Lay's Potato Chips or Nabisco Snack Crackers $1.77
4-DAY SALE:
White Corn 8/$1
80% lean Ground Beef $1.67/lb
8 piece Fried Chicken $3.99

Fresh & Easy
Mixed Grill Pack, or Quarter Pounder 80/20 Beef Patties or Chili, Citrus & Cilantro Chicken $5.99
Milk $1.68/Gallon
Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns $0.88
Hansen's Soda 6 pack 2/$4

Food City
Chicken Leg Quarters $0.39/lb 10 lb bag
Hefty Plates 50 ct. $0.99
Avocados and Green Bell Peppers 4/$1
Mangos 5/$1
WEDNESDAY ONLY:
Red Potatoes 5 lbs/$1
FRIDAY ONLY:
Watermelon $0.10/lb
Rosarita Refried Beans $0.99
Big G Cereals 2/$3

Fry's
Bar S Franks $0.58 (first 4)
Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce $0.88
Popsicles $0.88
Split Chicken Breasts or Whole Chickens $0.77/lb
Nabisco Snack Crackers $1.88
Lay's Potato Chips $1.77
Dixie or Solo Tableware 2/$4

Pro's Ranch Market
Watermelon 7 lbs/$0.99
Cherries $0.99/lb
Romas 3 lbs/$0.99
Green Onions 4/$0.99
Apricots $0.89/lb
Muenster Cheese $1.98/lb
Powerade $0.38 when you buy 15
Kraft BBQ Sauce $0.79
WEDNESDAY ONLY:
Avocados 4/$0.99
Cucumbers 6/$0.99
Oranges 5 lbs/$0.99
THURSDAY ONLY:
Boneless Chicken Tenders $0.98/lb

Safeway
93% lean Ground Beef $1.99/lb
Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts $1.88/lb
4-DAY SALE:
Johnsonville Bratwurst or Italian Sausage $2.99
Lay's Potato Chips $1.77
8 piece Fried Chicken $3.99

So stock up on your BBQ Sauce, hot dogs, potato chips and other items that are good deals this week! And have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Happy Grocery Shopping!

My Mexican Sink

Last week we were in Mexico doing some work at Hope House, our mission in San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. Hope House is a home for teen girls and single moms where they can find refuge in time of crisis, or to stay for an extended period to learn skills by which to support themselves and their children. A group came from Bedford, PA, to do some work that needed done at Hope House. They poured a concrete pad/porch for the washing machine, taped, spackled and painted the ceiling, and helped tile one of the bathrooms. It was a great week and we got even more accomplished than we had hoped.

While we were down there, we took the group to Algodones, which is a town on the border that has vendors of every sort for tourists to buy "souvenirs" from. One of the things I was interested in looking at was a Talavera sink for my Master Bathroom. Next year we are planning to remodel it and I was curious to see if they had any sinks that I would like for my bathroom. I have seen some with sunflowers or calla lillies, but the backgrounds were always blue. Blue is not my favorite color:-) So I was curious to see if I could find something with green that I would like. I had looked at these online and they were very expensive. So I thought perhaps if I found something I liked and the prices were better, then I could get it on another trip to Mexico in the future (closer to when we are planning to remodel).

Well, I found ONE sink that I really liked. I was NOT prepared to buy that day, but if you know anything about these vendors, if you like something, they will NOT let you get away if they can help it. The starting price was $180!!! There was NO way I was going to pay that much, even if I did really like the sink. He kept coming down on the price because I kept telling him I couldn't buy it today anyway. When he got down to $80, I told him I had to get my husband to talk to him. He followed me all the way to where my husband was waiting for us. By the time we got back to the sink, he had gotten his boss involved. My husband made an offer of $60 and they took it!!! So, we bought a sink. It is a very large sink and that is a really good price! I really like it and now I am hoping to remodel part of the bathroom a little sooner:-) I will just have to keep my eyes open for a good deal on a vanity or antique chest.

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area This Week (May 12-18, 2010)

This week I am also going to link to Bargain Believer's links for each store - she has a great new blog with coupon details that will help you in your shopping! So just click on the PURPLE name of each store to see more details on the deals from Bargain Believer.

Albertsons
93% lean Ground Beef $1.77/lb (5 lbs or more)
Hormel Pepperoni or Canadian Bacon $1.88

Basha's
80% lean Ground Beef $1.39/lb
Chuck Roast $1.39
Tomatoes on the Vine $0.97/lb
Green or Red Leaf or Romain Lettuce $0.97
Basha's Milk $1.68 gallon
Ocean Spray Drinks $1.99 64 oz.
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY ONLY!
Kraft Singles $1.99
Land O Frost Deli Shaved Meats 10 oz. $1.99

Food City
Cucumbers 5/$1
Valencia Oranges 5 lbs/$1
Kiwi 10/$1
Beef Back Ribs $0.88/lb

Fry's
93% lean Ground Beef $1.97/lb
Yoplait Yogurt $0.40 when you buy 10
General Mills Cereal 2/$4
Milk gallon $1.79

Pros Ranch Market
Oranges 5 lbs/$0.99
Romas 3 lbs/$0.99
White Onions 2 lbs $0.89
Cucumbers 6/$0.99
Kiwi 6/$0.99
Carrots 3-1 lb bags $0.99
Green Onions 4/$0.99
Chicken Leg Meat $0.88/lb
WEDNESDAY ONLY:
Manila Mangos 5/$0.99
Pinto Beans $0.39/lb
California Cherries $1.29/lb
10 lbs Potatoes $0.89
THURSDAY ONLY:
70% Lean Ground Beef $0.98/lb
FRIDAY ONLY:
Bananas 4 lbs/$0.99
Avocados 4/$0.99

Safeway
Cereals (General Mills, Kellogg's, Kashi, Quaker select varieties) buy 4, Save $4
Dial Liquid hand Soap $0.99
Bar S Franks $0.99
In Ad Coupons w/$10 Purchase:
Kraft Singles $1.99
Arm & Hammer Scoop Litter $5.99
Palmolive Dish Detergent 10 oz. $1.99
Yellow or White Corn 5/$1
Extra Jumbo Raw Gulf Shrimp $6.49/lb
Lucerne Shredded or Chunk Cheese $0.99/8 oz.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY ONLY:
Cheetos or Fritos $1.29
Breyer's Ice Cream $2.29
Frozen Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts $1.79/lb

Sprouts
Blackberries 6 oz. clamshell $0.88
Romas $0.88/lb
Apricots 2 lbs/$3
Mild Cheddar $1.99/lb
Organic Beef 40% off

According to Bargain Believer, you can get FREE Corn Flakes and Fruit Loops at Safeway this week using coupons and a catalina deal. But the catalina ends Friday, so don't wait too long to check it out!

Happy Grocery Shopping!

My Mom

In honor and loving memory of my mom, I thought I would share a poem that I wrote about her way back in 1989.

The Things My Momma Taught Me

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 thru 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 anything 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.

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 -
Enjoying life, God and others with all our hearts - together.
Together - that's what really counts in this life.
The time that's spent 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.

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 theme very day I live - a living dedication,
To a lady who lived totally for God and loved completely.

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

I love you, Momma! And I miss you so very much!!
Your loving daughter,
Erica

Blackberries!!!

God is so awesome - He even cares about our little desires! I LOVE blackberries and we even talked about getting some blackberry bushes and planting them at our new home. But it takes a couple years before they start producing, so it would surely be a delayed pleasure. And I have a friend in Yuma whose dad has a blackberry farm and would let the homeschool families come and pick several times in May and get to keep 10% of what they picked for helping. I have done that for several years and LOVED it, but this year it doesn't seem as though I will be able to do that.

So....God planted a little surprise (well, a really big surprise really) in our backyard long before we moved into this wonderful new home!! There is a huge blackberry bush in our backyard that is full of unripe berries!! There are going to be a bunch of berries in a few weeks! My husband discovered it while he was trimming back the overgrown vines around our outdoor fireplace to get it ready for the teen game night we are hosting tomorrow evening. He called me out there to see and I was SO excited!!! God is so amazing and cares about even the littlest things! This is a great Mother's Day present for me - directly from God!! I love Him SO very much! And I know He loves me more than I can imagine! (You, too, BTW).

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area This Week (May 5-11, 2010)

There are some good deals this week, especially if you use some of the recent coupons. I will try to note some of them for you, but I recommend that you visit Grocery Smarts to help you find exactly the right coupons to match with the deals. There is a great deal on juices at Safeway, especially with coupons. Also, a great Kellogg's deal at Albertsons with coupons and catalina. So here are the best deals as I see them:

Albertsons
Effective through 5/11/10, Albertsons will double manufacturer coupons with values up to and including .50, triple manufacturer coupons up to and including values of .33, and quadruple manufacturer coupons up to and including values of .25!
California Sweet Corn 5/$1 (limit 10)
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.77/lb
London Broil $1.77/lb
Albertsons Gallon Milk 3/$5
Simply Juice 59 oz. $1.99 (limit 2)
Breyer's Ice Cream 1.5 qt. $1.99 (limit 2)
Lay's Potato Chips $1.99

Basha's
Bashas' doubles up to 3 like coupons every day. This means that any coupon is doubled, with maximum value equaling $1.
Boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts $1.69/lb
T-Bone Steak $3.99/lb
California White Corn 4/$1
Doritos, Ruffles and Herr's Chips $1.99
Yoplait Yogurt $0.40 each when you buy 10 w/in ad coupon
Old Orchard Healthy Balance Juice $2.00
Boulder Canyon Chips $1.79
FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY ONLY:
Milk Gallon $1.68
Tomatoes on the Vine $0.97/lb
Hamburger Buns 8 ct. $0.99
80% lean ground beef $1.69/lb
Basha's Buck Coupons:
Breyer's Ice Cream 2/$5 and $1 off 2 coupon
Klondike Bars 2/$6 and $1 off 2 coupon
Ragu Pasta Sauce 2/$4 and $1 off 2 coupon
Skippy Peanut Butter 2/$4 and $1 off 2 coupon
Lipton Tea (includes 40 ct. green) 2/$5 and $1 off 2 coupon
and more....

Food City
10 lb potatoes $0.88
Key Limes 3 lbs/$0.99
Avocados 5/$1
Las Palmas Enchilada Sauce $1.89
FRIDAY ONLY:
Malto O Meal Cereal $0.99 (limit 2)
Hunt's Tomato Sauce 8 oz. 4/$1 (limit 8)
Valencia Oranges 5 lbs/$1 (limit 10 lbs)
SATURDAY ONLY:
Hot Dog or Hamburger Buns $0.89
Guerrero Flour Tortillas 10 ct. $0.99

Fry's
All Manufacturers' Coupons worth $1: .10 coupons and above = $1.00.
Fresh Chicken Sale Buy 1, Get 1 Free
Cook's Spiral or Half Ham $0.99/lb
Blackberries $1
Farmer John Bacon $1.77
Gallon Milk $1.68 (limit 2)
Pepsi 2 liter $0.84
Kroger Peanut Butter 18 oz. $0.99
Fry's Macaroni & Cheese $0.39
Kellogg's Cereal $1.97
Mini Peeled Carrots $0.88/lb

Pro's Ranch Market
Watermelon 8 lb/$0.99
Manila Mangos 4/$0.99
Avocados 4/$0.99
Cilantro 5/$0.99
Baby Carrots $0.89/lb
Cabbage 4 lbs/$0.99
Shamrock Cottage Cheese 16 oz. $0.99
WEDNESDAY ONLY:
Corn on the Cob 5/$0.99
Cantaloupe 4 lbs/$0.99
Roma Tomatoes 3 lbs/$0.99
Potatoes 10 lbs/$0.89
Oranges 6 lbs/$0.99
THURSDAY ONLY:
Sliced Cooked Ham $0.98/lb
FRIDAY ONLY:
Bananas 3 lbs/$0.99
Strawberries $0.89/lb

Safeway
Strawberries $0.88/lb
Fresh Express Spinach, Shreds or Green & Crisp Salads $0.99
Dairy Glen Milk Gallon $1.68
BUY any 5, Save $5 Juices:
Tree Top, Mott's, Capri Sun $1.49
V-Fusion, V-8, Welch's $1.99
Lucerne Large Eggs 18 ct. $1.49 w/in ad coupon
Safeway Frozen Potatoes $1.99 w/in ad coupon
Jimmy Dean Bacon or Breakfast Sausage Rolls Buy 1, get 1 Free
Safeway Peanut Butter $0.99 w/in ad coupon
Lay's Kettle Cooked Chips $1.88 w/in ad coupon
Ziploc $1.49 w/in ad coupon

Sprouts
White Corn $0.19/each
Blackberries $0.99
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs $1.99/lb
Chicken Sausage $2.99/lb
Colby Jack Cheese $1.99/lb
Chicken Tenders $1.88/lb

Happy Grocery Shopping!

When Life Gets Busy

The month of May is a rather busy month for us. Spring football practice begins for my son (and continues through the fall with only a few weeks off here and there). The band that my kids are in has their first concert the end of this month, so there are extra practices and the stresses that go along with that. We are taking a 4-5 day trip down to Mexico to work with a group that is coming from Pennsylvania to help out at Hope House (our mission work in San Luis Rio Colorado).

I had a very hard time trying to fit in a few teen homeschooling group activities like roller skating and game night, but we did get a few squeezed in. We are still running full speed with school and will be going until sometime in June or July (we take our breaks in the winter when it is nice outside, rather than during the brutal heat of summer:-).

But, still, I don't like to be "busy". I don't mind having a lot of activities and for my kids to be involved in lots of fun stuff, but I believe "busy" is more an attitude of the mind than a state of your life. I have found that so many homeschool moms are "busy, busy, busy"! Too busy to take time for relationships and relaxing with a friend over a cup of tea. Too busy to plan an evening out with a friend. Too busy to handle the pressures that come with living life.

If my 6 years in Mexico taught me only one thing (and it taught me many), it is that I NEVER want to be "busy". I always want to be flexible enough to take time for a friend. I always want to have time for a cup of tea and a good book. I always want to spend time each week with girlfriends. I always want to be able to have a casual conversation with each of my children when THEY feel like talking. It is true that I don't fill up our schedule needlessly with lots of stuff to do, but even when our calendar and schedule look "busy", I never want to feel "busy". I never want to be too busy to accept an offer of going to yard sales with a friend. I never want to say "I don't have time right now" to a friend in need when she calls. I never want to be too busy to cook from scratch and make healthy foods for my family. Sometimes that means planning ahead and even cooking ahead and freezing some casseroles or dishes, but that is ok. I never want to be too busy to sit down at least once a day with my family at the dinner table to share a meal together. Many times this has to be breakfast since my husband works most evenings, but that is ok.

I want to challenge you, especially those homeschool moms out there, to take time spend with a friend. Make sure you are not "too busy" to be there for someone, especially your family. Even when your schedule and calendar are full, make sure that your attitude is not "too busy" for the things that really matter!

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area This Week (April 28 - May 5, 2010)

Now that things have settled down a bit, I am ready to resume my grocery helps postings. So here are the best deals I see for this week:

Albertsons
Cantaloupes 10/$10
Mission Soft Taco Flour Tortillas or Tortilla Chips $0.99
Blue Bunny Ice Cream $2.50 each when you buy 4
Fritos or Cheetos 4/$5 with in ad coupon
Tony's Original Pizza $1.57 with in ad coupon
Donald Duck OJ $1.27 with in ad coupon
Kraft Mac N Cheese $0.39 with in ad coupon

Basha's
10 lb bag of Russet Potatoes $0.79
Dole Classic ICeberg Salad $0.79
Kellogg's Cereal, Fruit Snacks or Pop Tarts $1.99
Mission Soft Taco Tortillas or Tortilla Chips 10/$10
Barilla Pasta or Hunt's Pasta Sauce 10/$10
Challenge Butter $1.29 8 oz.
Milk $1.99/gal.
Hansen's Soda 6 pack $1.99

Fresh & Easy
Guerrero White Corn Tortillas 30 ct. $0.99
Las Palmas Enchilada Sauce $1.99
Sangria Senorial or Jarritos Soda $0.99

Food City
Chicken Leg Quarters 10 lb bag $0.37/lb
Cucumbers 5/$1
White Corn 5/$1
Watermelon $0.10/lb
Bartlett Pears 2 lbs/$1
Iceberg Lettuce 4/$1
Kiwi 10/$1
Lemons $0.50/lb
Boneless, Skinless chicken breasts $1.69/lb
FRIDAY ONLY:
Bananas 4 lbs/$1
Juicy Juice White Grape Juice 46 oz. $0.99
Mazola Oil 40 oz. $1.79

Fry's
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $1.77/lb
Red Seedless Grapes $0.87/lb
Freschetta Pizza $3.99
Mini Seedless Watermelons 2/$3
Gatorade 32 oz. $0.79
Kroger cheese 2/$3 (6-8 oz shredded, bar or sliced)
Mission Flour or Corn Tortillas $0.97
Green Giant Vegetables w/ sauce in box 10/$10
Kroger Cream Cheese or Bagels 10/$10
Kroger Cottage Cheese 10/$10
Kellogg's Cereal 2/$5
Yoplait Greek Yogurt 10/$10
McCormick Grill Mates Spices 4/$5

Pros Ranch Market
Bananas 3 lbs/$0.99
Tangerines 2 lbs/$0.99
Cucumbers 6/$0.99
Grapefruit 3 lbs/$0.99
Celery 2/$0.99
8 oz. Mushrooms $0.99
Green Onions 3/$0.99
Chicken drums or thighs $0.48/lb
Tilapia Fillets $1.98/lb
Bar S Franks $0.69/lb
Powerade 32 oz. $0.38
Blue Ribbon Rice 5 lbs/$1.50
WEDNESDAY ONLY:
Oranges 7 lbs/$0.99
Limes 4 lbs/$0.99
Romas Tomatoes 2 lbs/$0.99
Green Chiles 4 lbs/$0.99
THURSDAY ONLY:
Beef Shank $0.98/lb
Marinated Chicken Fajitas $1.29/lb
FRIDAY ONLY:
Avocados 6/$0.99

Safeway
Avocados 3/$1
Mangos 4/$1
Yoplait Yogurt 10/$5
SATURDAY & SUNDAY ONLY:
Whole Seedless Watermelon $2.99
Tropicana Pure Premium 89 oz. $2.99
Cheez-It Crackers $0.99 (limit 4)
Kraft Salad Dressing $0.99 (limit 3)
Papa Cantella's Italian Sausage 16 oz. $1.99
Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna 2 cans/$0.88
WITH IN-AD COUPON AND $10 PURCHASE:
A&W or Sprite $0.69
Mission Soft Taco Flour Tortillas $0.99
Sargento Shredded Cheese $1.69
Deli Counter Salsa $1.49
Kleenex Facial Tissue $0.99

Sprouts
(will be added later - online ad not working)

Well, it's a great week for Mission Tortillas and Chips!! Stock up if you like them - you can freeze the tortillas. Also, don't forget to check out Superstition Ranch Market for the best prices in produce on Main Street between Greenfield and Higley. I got artichokes last week 3/$1!! And much more!

Happy Grocery Shopping!

I'm Back!!!

Now that things have begun to settle down and I am feeling more normal (after moving, etc.), I am ready to get back to blogging. So look for the regular weekly grocery helps, as well as other posts about family life, homeschooling, cooking and frugal living.

And let me just say again - I LOVE MY NEW HOUSE!!! It is such a huge blessing and we are feeling very "at home" here!

Our New Home

Well, we are all moved and working on unpacking and settling into our new home!! I really like it and God has blessed us SO very much in so many little ways through all of this. Our home is very comfortable for us and the more time I spend here, the more I like it! I am hoping to get back on my regular posting in the next week or so, but just wanted to update you all on the fact that we have actually closed on our home, moved and are now in the unpacking process.

We are also beginning school again after about a month sabbatical, so that will be interesting:-) It is hard to get back into routines, but we are starting out slowly (like after summer break) and working into it. Perhaps I might need to add a field trip or something fun this week just to help with the transition.Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts during this time of stress, frustrations and transitions. God is faithful, as always! Why do we default to worry when He has ALWAYS taken care of us and provided for everything we have need of in our lives? He has a perfect track record - I wish I could just learn to lean on Him always and trust in Him in every little thing.

Big Baking Day

Since we are still waiting to close on our home (any day now:-), I decided to do a big baking day today to get things stocked up so I don't have to worry about it for the next week or two. So here is my lineup: 4 loaves of bread, double batch of granola cereal, breakfast burritos for the freezer, breakfast biscuits for the freezer. I am also considering pizza dough for the freezer, meatballs for the freezer and muffins (not sure what kind yet). Those extras will depend on what happens today - like whether or not we get the call to sign papers!!

I will try to remember to take some photos and post the results of this baking day, for you viewing pleasure:-) But don't hold me to it - my mind is a little random lately with all the stress.

Have a Blessed Resurrection weekend!

While we are still dealing with the frustrations of trying to close on our new home, I didn't want to neglect to wish you all a very blessed Resurrection weekend! Without the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, our faith would be useless and there would be no hope for an abundant life after this one, worshiping God forever!

Take a moment to remember just what He suffered for YOU, so that YOU may have everlasting life in relationship with the Father! It was horrible, terrible, painful - way worse than anything you can imagine. It puts the "trials" of this life in perspective, doesn't it? We get so upset about little things that really mean nothing in light of eternity, yet we let them sidetrack us from our love for the Father and His dear Son! If we could just keep our perspective and focus, the things of life would "grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace!"

He is awesome, He is worthy and He loves you more than you can imagine! Remember, Papa is especially fond of you!! (from The Shack)

HALLELUJAH! HE IS RISEN!!

Some More Woes of the Foreclosure Market

The reason I have not been posting many blog updates is that we are in the process of closing on our new home and moving. However, it has been a very long and drawn out affair since we are buying a foreclosed home. This puts us at the mercy of the selling bank, who, in this case, has dragged their feet and done many things that have caused great delays. We are down to the final details of closing, but with a title company/escrow company in another state!! This makes it all the more complicated and time-consuming.

I know it says in the Bible that God will not give us more than we are able to handle, so I trust Him to be in control of all of this, but my patience is stretched thin and my frustration level is so high I have had a dull headache for three days now. This coming weekend was our last weekend to move before running into an issue with our landlords. Now we are not going to be able to move until next week, and we have to face this issue and pray for an amicable resolve with them, since we are not going to be out until probably the 4th of April.

My husband is trying to see if he can get switch his off days at work to Wednesday/Thursday and/or Friday, but that is a very difficult thing to work out for him. So we will see!

If you are in the market for a house, please be aware that the process is completely at the mercy of the selling bank if you buy a foreclosed home. This can be a good thing in that you will probably get a great price for your house, but a bad thing if they drag their feet and cause delays like we have been experiencing. They can even choose a title company/escrow company in another state to complicate the matters even further!

We are very anxious to be in our new home and trying our best to survive these last few weeks/days/hours until we can make that a reality. God IS faithful and we trust in Him for His timing and to work it all out.

I will be back to posting more regularly in April, after the move and we get settled. Sorry for not being able to help with posting the grocery deals, but that is just more than I can handle right now. Looking forward to getting back to regular posting again soon!

Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

This week resembles last week pretty much - many of the sales are continuing. Great prices on corned beef and cabbage for your St. Patrick's Day meals.

Albertsons
Ground Round 5 lbs or more $1.77/lb
Asparagus $0.99/lb
Carrots 5 lb bag $1.99
Tomatoes, large hot house $0.99/lb
Pork Chops $0.97/lb
Quaker Sale: Buy 7, Save $3 = all items $1.57 when you buy 7

Bashas
Cabbage $0.33/lb
Whole Chickens $0.59/lb
Corned Beef Brisket Point Cut $1.27/lb
Del Monte Vegetables 13.5-15.25 oz. cans $0.59
Post Cereal $1.99
Green Giant Frozen Boxed Vegetables $1.00

Food City
Chicken Leg Quarters $0.37/lb 10 lb bag
Russet Potatoes 10 lbs bag $0.99
Doritos $1.99
1-2-3 Cooking Oil 1 liter $1.50

Fresh & Easy
80/20 ground beef $1.59/lb
F&E OJ 64 oz. 2/$3
Hunt's Pasta Sauce $0.99
Nestles Semi-Sweet Chips $1.99

Fry's
Cabbage $0.25/lb
Mini carrots 1 lb bag $0.88
Strawberries $1.50/lb
Corned Beef Brisket Point Cut $1.27/lb
Ribeye Steak $4.88/lb

Pro's Ranch Market
Chicken drumsticks or thighs $0.88/lb
1-2-3 Cooking Oil 1 liter $1.49
Monterey Jack Cheese $1.99/lb
WEDNESDAY ONLY:
10 lb Russet Potatoes $0.89
Manila Mangos 3/$0.99
FRIDAY ONLY:
Hass Avocados 5/$0.99

Safeway
Cabbage $0.25/lb
93% lean ground beef $1.99/lb
Corned Beef Point Cut $1.27/lb
Barilla Pasta $0.88
Mix & Match Sale: Buy 5 items, Save $5
Red Potatoes 5 lb bag $0.99
Minute Maid OJ $2
Frozen Food Promo: Spend $25 BEFORE coupons, get $10 coupon towards next purchase

Smart & Final
First Street Cooking Oil $1.99 48 oz.

Sprouts
Cutie Clementines 5 lb box $2.99
Asparagus $1.49/lb
Sharp Cheddar Cheese $2.50/lb
Juice Sale 20% off


Happy Grocery Shopping!

Patience is a Virtue....

I keep telling myself to be patient. Every day. Several times each day. But the waiting is getting ridiculous! We have been waiting for almost 2 weeks now to hear back from the selling bank about our house. The appraisal came in $10,000 under our offer, so we have sent an addendum to the sales contract requesting they reduce the sales price to match the appraisal. I am told this normally is a no brainer - that they are stuck with that appraisal for 6 months, so if they want to sell the house, they will accept. But due to them having a lousy real estate agent representing them and them being slow in responding, we have been waiting and waiting....

And so we proceed to pack and organize for the move, but still don't know when it will be. Such are the joys of buying a house in this crazy market....

This Week's Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

This week, and month really, is Frozen Food Month. So, if you buy frozen foods of any sort, this would be the time to stock up your freezer. And don't forget to look for coupons - there are LOTS of them right now, too. You can get some incredible deals if you coordinate your coupons and sales on frozen food. Also, generic store brands are on sale this week at alot of stores. And the meat of the week is skinless, boneless chicken breasts - as low as $1.49/lb.

Albertsons:
Petite Sirloin Steak $6.99/lb Buy 1, Get 2 FREE= $2.33/lb
Chicken Breast, Drumstick, Thighs or Leg Quarters $0.88/lb
10 for $10 Sale:
Cantaloupes
Fresh Express Garden Salad, Cole Slaw Kit or Shredded Lettuce
Albertsons Cereals
Green Giant Steamers Vegetables
Albertson's 1/2 gallon Milk
Albertson's dozen eggs
16 oz. Sour Cream
Old Orchard Frozen Juice
Crunch N Munch
Sobe, Lifewater or Aquafina FlavorSplash
and MUCH, MUCH MORE!!!
10%-15% OFF Frozen Food

Basha's
Blue Bunny Ice Cream $1.99 (w/in ad coupon)
Tombstone Pizza $1.99 (w/in ad coupon)
Top Sirloin Steak $1.97/lb
Green Asparagus $0.87/lb
Basha's Milk Gallon $1.88
Powerade 32 oz. $0.50 when you buy 15 (w/in ad coupon)
Dole Classic Iceberg Salad $0.99
General Mills Cereals $1.99

Food City
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.69/lb
Tilapia Fillets $1.99/lb
Bananas 3 lbs/$0.99
Mexican Key Limes 3 lbs/$0.99
Dole Orange Juice 64 oz. $1.99
THURSDAY ONLY:
Iceberg Lettuce 3/$0.99
Green Chiles 2 lbs/$1
Kale, Mustard, Turnip or Collard Greens 2/$1
Cilantro 4/$1
Navel Oranges $0.59/lb
Avocados 2/$1

Fry's
Gold Medal Flour 5 lb $1.77 (use coupon = $0.77)
Betty Crocker Pouch Cookies 2/$3 (use coupons = $0.70/each)
Nature Valley Granola Bars $1.88 (use coupons = $0.88)
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.49/lb frozen in 3 lb bag
Red Seedless Grapes $0.77/lb
Progresso Soups (full line!!) $0.99 (use coupons = $66 each)
Ragu Pasta Sauce $1.67 (use coupons = $1.17)
Green Giant Steamers Vegetables $1.28 (use coupons=$0.28)

Pro's Ranch Market
10 lb bag Potatoes $0.89
Bar-S Jumbo Franks $0.69
Malt-o-Meal Cereals $2/$3
Avocados 3/$0.99
Cilantro 5/$0.99
Black Beans (dried) 2 lbs/$0.99
Lentils 2 lbs/$0.99
Jalapenos 2 lbs/$0.99
Country Style Pork Ribs $0.98/lb
70% lean Ground Beef $1.29/lb
Sangria or Sidral Sodas 1.5 liter $0.89
Maruchan Instant Lunch 24 packs $5.99
WEDNESDAY SPECIALS:
Asian Pears 3 lbs/$0.99
Bananas 3 lbs/$0.99
Red Delicious Apples 3 lbs/ $0.99
Mexican Limes 3 lbs/$0.99
Oranges 5 lbs/$0.99
THURSDAY SPECIALS:
Pork Cushion Meat $0.98/lb
Bone-In Sirloin End Pork Chops $0.98/lb
FRIDAY SPECIALS:
Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs $0.68/lb
Iceberg Lettuce 4/$0.99
Pinto Beans (dried) 2 lbs/ $0.99

Sprouts
Blueberries 6 oz. 4/$5
Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs $1.49/lb
Honey Tangerines or Minneola Tangelos $0.88/lb
Hass Avocados 2/$1
Green Leaf, Red Leaf or Romaine Lettuce $0.88
Pinova or Braeburn Apples $0.88/lb
Bunched Spinach or Sweet Onions $0.88
Hansen's Natural Soda 6 pack 2/$4
Ground Meats Sale 40% off
Bulk Sale - bulk bin, bulk spices and bulk coffee items 25% off
Bolthouse Juices 32 oz. 2/$5

So those are the best deals I see this week. I got a great deal on frozen foods at Safeway today, bought $25 worth, used $6 coupons, used $10 catalina from previous purchase, paid $10.41 and got another $10 catalina to use on another great frozen food deal!! That really only $0.41 out of pocket for 11 frozen items (mostly vegetables:-).

And there are some great deals at Fry's if you use coupons. So get out there and stock up this week!!

Happy Grocery Shopping!

Another Football Win

Last evening, my son played the last of his winter season schedule footballs games and they won 18-15. It was a very close game and they won by holding the other team at the 4 yard line on the 4th down with less than a minute in play time!! Needless to say, it was a very stressful game to watch! Finger-biting, to say the least!

Cody played extremely well - was involved in quite a few tackles, as well as playing several different positions on both offense and defense. He is learning to be very versatile, and the coaches have learned that his greatest strength is the defensive line, so when things get tough, they put him in there (even though he starts as tight end on offense:-). I am very proud of him and how he has worked hard to learn many different positions. I appreciate that he puts all his effort into every game and always plays hard, doing his best for the team.

He has overcome his fall injury that sidelined him from Freshman football, and has proven to himself that he is healed. This Saturday, they begin playoffs. Don't know how far they will go (they were 3-4 in the regular season), but they have gotten better each week, so I will be there cheering them on for every game they get to play.

It is such a joy to see my son doing what he loves so much - playing football! It is nerve racking being the mom and worrying about injury, but it also does my heart good to see him pursue his passion.

This Week's Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

Not a great week for grocery deals, but there are a few. My favorite deal of the week is on Welch's 100% Grape Juice and V-8 Fusion at Safeways - I got 3 of each for $1.49 each!! THAT IS A GREAT PRICE FOR JUICE!!

Albertson's
Skinless, Boneless Chicken Breasts $1.67/lb
Pork Loin Chops $0.99/lb
Clementine Tangerines 3 lb bag $2.50
Fresh Baked Cinnamon Rolls 4 ct. 10/$10
Skippy Peanut Butter 10/$10
Albertsons Eggs 10/$10
Hunt's Spaghetti Sauce or American Beauty Pasta 10/$10
Mix & Match 10/$10 - some good deals so check it out!
In ad coupon for Kellogg's Cereal $1.75 each when you buy 4

Basha's
In ad coupon for Kellogg's Cereal 3/$5
Pork Chops $0.99/lb
Drumsticks, thighs or leg quarters $0.77/lb
Iceberg Lettuce 2/$1
Russet Potatoes 5 lb $0.79
Food Club Butter $1.99/lb
Sheet of Coupons - some ok deals

Food City
Bone-In Sirloin Cut Pork Chops $0.99/lb
Whole Chicken Fryers $0.79/lb
Roma Tomatoes 3 lbs/$0.99
Pagasa Pasta 5/$1
Green Onions 3/$0.99
73% lean ground beef $1.49/lb
THURSDAY ONLY:
Bananas 3 lbs/$0.99
Green Cabbage 4 lbs/$1
Red Delicious Apples 2 lbs/$1

Fresh & Easy
80% lean ground beef $1.49/lb
1/2 gallon F&E Orange Juice $1.99

Fry's
Fry's Canned Vegetables 2/$1
Kroger Butter $2/lb
Fresh Pork Butt $0.97/lb
Asparagus $1/lb
Kellogg's Cereal 4/$10 PLUS 2 FREE Gallons of Milk
Manwich $1
Pepperidge Farm Cookies $2
Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna 2/$1
(lots of items on their Dollar Days promo)

Pro's Ranch Market
Pork Shoulder Picnic Roast $0.78/lb
Roma Tomatoes 3 lbs/$0.99
Mazola Corn Oil 40 oz. $1.99
Special Value Tomato Sauce 8 oz. 5/$1
Malt O Meal Cereal 2/$3 (use coupons for great deal)
D'Anjou Pears 3 lbs/$0.99
Loose Potatoes 7 lbs/$0.99
Green Onions 3/$0.99
Lemons 2 lbs/$0.99
Jennie-O Turkey Franks $0.69
THURSDAY SPECIALS:
Boneless Chicken Leg Meat $0.99/lb
Bone-In Beef Shank $0.99/lb
FRIDAY SPECIALS:
70% lean ground beef $0.98/lb
Nectarines $0.79/lb

Safeway
7-Bone Chuck Pot Roast $1.47/lb
Pork Country Style Ribs $0.99/lb
BEST DEAL OF THE WEEK:
Welch's 100% Grape Juice $2.49 (in ad coupon PLUS manufacturer's $1 coupon=$1.49!!)
V-8 Fusion $2.49 (in ad coupon PLUS manufacturer's $1 coupon=$1.49!!)

Sprouts
Navel Oranges $0.19/lb
Roma Tomatoes $0.67/lb
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.97/lb
Walnut Halves & Pieces $3.99/lb
Chicken Parmesan Sausage $2.99/lb
Colby Jack, Monterrey Jack or Mild Cheddar Cheese $2.49/lb

Well, there is the best that I have seen. If you need info on where to find the coupons, let me know!

Happy Grocery Shopping!

Soup In A Pumpkin Recipe

Today, after 5 months of waiting, I finally used my pumpkin to make Soup in a Pumpkin! I really love it and have only made it a couple of times, usually for Thanksgiving. But this year, for some reason, I just never got around to it. So today, finally, I made it. I use the basic recipe from CDKitchen here, but I used a larger pumpkin and for my bread crumbs, I used pumpkin rolls left over in the freezer from Christmas. It is a very rich and creamy soup, but oh, so yummy! And on this cold day, it hits the spot.

God Made the Best Storage Containers!!

Do you know how long you can keep an uncut pumpkin? Well, I bought 2 pumpkins BEFORE Halloween and I just cut them today and they are STILL fresh as can be!!! I am so surprised! I was afraid they would have gone bad inside or dried out or something. I bought one in order to make Soup in a Pumpkin, and the other was my daughter's to carve. Well, neither of those things happened around Halloween or Thanksgiving:-) So today I decided to cut into them and see what we had. That was over 5 months!!! And they are fresh and beautiful! The seeds are still good for roasting and I am going to make Soup in a Pumpkin today. Just thought I would share how wonderful the storage containers that God made are:-) Have a wonderful day!

This Week's Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

There are some deals this week, but not tons. Lots of stores are advertising deals on fish for Lent, but, in my opinion, they are still not great prices. I am hoping that they will get better as time goes on during Lent. However, if you like tuna, several stores have it for 2/$1 or less!! That is a "stock up" price and can be FREE if you use coupons. Fry's is still running their Daytona 500 Buy 10, get $3 off promo that can snag you some good deals. So here are the best deals that I see this week:

Albertsons
Whole Fryers or Chicken Drums, Thighs or Leg Quarters $0.77/lb
Country Style Pork Ribs $0.98/lb
London Broil $1.77/lb
Broccoli $0.68/lb
Cantaloupe 10/$10
Blue Bunny Ice Cream $2
Roasts are on sale Buy 1, Get 1 FREE
Tilapia Fillets Buy 1, Get 2 FREE w/in ad coupon

Basha's
Boneless Pork Loin $1.88/lb
Dole Bananas $0.39/lb
Bumble Bee Tuna, Stokely's Vegetables or S&W Beans 2/$1
Large Eggs $1.29/dozen
Angel Soft Bath Tissue 4 oll $0.69 w/in ad coupon
Quaker Cereal, Oatmeal or Granola Bars Buy 5, Save $3=$1.39 each w/in ad coupon

Food City
Chicken Leg Quarters $0.49/lb
Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna 2/$1
Cucumbers 4/$1
Cilantro and Green Onions 4/$1
THURSDAY ONLY:
Potatoes 10 lbs $0.97

Fresh & Easy
Bagels 6 ct. $1.99

Fry's
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.67/lb
Boneless Beef Bottom Round Roast Buy 1, Get 1 FREE ($4.99/lb)
Roma Tomatoes $0.77/lb
Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna 2/$0.88
Still running Daytona 500 Buy 10, get $3 off promo:
Grands Biscuits $0.89
General Mills Cereal $1.99
Kroger American Cheese Singles $1.19
Ragu Pasta Sauce $1.29
Breyer's Ice Cream $1.99
Gatorade 32 oz. $0.69
and more......

Pro's Ranch Market
Large Raw Shrimp (26-30 ct.) $3.99/lb
Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna 2/$1
La Moderna Pasta 7 oz. 6/$1
Oranges 5 lbs/$0.99
Hass Avocados 4/$0.99
Green Cabbage 5 lbs/$0.99 (these last a long time and St. Patrick's Day is coming!)
Cilantro 5/$0.99
General Mills Cereals 5/$10

Safeway
93% lean ground beef $1.99/lb
Boneless skinless chicken breasts $1.88/lb
Fresh Express Spinach, Lettuce Trio or Green & Crisp Salads $.99
Green or Red Seedless Grapes $0.99/lb
Whole or Sliced Button Mushrooms 8 oz $0.99
Campbell's Condensed Soups 2/$1
Campbells Select Harbest Soups 10/$10 (use coupons for FREE!!)
Progresso Vegetable Classics 10/$10
Lucerne Butter $1.00 w/in ad coupon (limit 2)
Powerade 32 oz $0.60 w/ in ad coupon (limit 10)
SATURDAY & SUNDAY ONLY:
5 lbs Idaho Russet Potatoes $0.68
Nature Valley Granola Bars 2/$3 (use coupons for great deal)
Rice or Pasta Roni $0.75
Nabisco Premium Saltine Crackers $1.29
Crest or Colgate Toothpaste $0.99
Kraft Singles $1.49 w /in ad coupon
Proctor & Gamble Promo:
Buy $25 of participating P&G products, get $10 off coupon


Smart & Final
10 lb bag Russet Potatoes $1.49
Dole 100% Juice 64 oz. $1.99
10lbs First Street Long Grain Rice $3.99

Sprouts
Asparagus $0.97/lb
Large Vine Ripe Tomatoes $0.77/lb
Bulk Granola Bonanza $2.49/lb
Leaf Lettuce Red, Green or Romaine $0.88
Hot Pepper Jack or Hot Pepper Cheddar Cheese $2.99/lb
Boulder Potato Chips 2/$3 (use coupons!!)
Bone-In Chicken Breasts $0.97/lb
Oats 2 lbs/$1

Well, there you go - the best deals I see for this week.

Happy Grocery Shopping!

Watching the Olympics

The Winter Olympics are my son's favorite. He has been waiting expectantly for 2 years for these Winter Olympics. We enjoy all the downhill events, as well as snowboarding. My daughter loves figure skating and I can't help but be fascinated by curling. I know, it is a strange sport, but it is alot like playing pool and for some reason I can sit and watch a whole match (IF the USA is playing:-). I have read to learn more about the rules and the stones used. Strange, I know!

We are looking forward to watching the Flying Tomato tonight (Shawn White) do his new signature move on the half pipe. Since we are in a close time zone to the Olympics and they are airing during the day and evening, I decided we would watch the Olympics for school this week. My kids have to watch at least 3 hours of Olympic events each day and they have to select a sport to write a report about by Friday. Are you using the Winter Olympics in your homeschooling? If so, what are you doing? Would love to get more ideas - there is a second week of them after all:-)

This Week's Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

I took yesterday off for my birthday, so this is a little later than usual. This week there are alot of deals on Valentine's Day stuff, but there are still some good grocery deals to be had. Here is what I found:

Albertsons
Gallon of Milk $1.88 (limit 2)
Breyer's Ice Cream or Klondike Bars $1.99 when you buy 3
Ragu Pasta Sauce 2/$3 (Buy 2, get a free pasta)
Green Giant Vegetables and Bumble Bee Chunk Light Tuna 2/$1
Propel Fitness Water 28 oz. or Gatorade Sports 32 oz. $0.88
Ribeye Steak $3.97/lb
Red or Green Seedless Grapes $0.88/lb
Yoplait Yogurt 20/$10
Albertsons Chunk or Shredded Cheese 16 oz. $2.99

Bashas
Pork Country Style Ribs $0.89/lb
Red Seedless Grapes $0.99/lb
1/2 gallon milk $0.99
Del Monte Pasta Sauce $0.99
American Beauty or Ronzoni Smart Taste Pasta $0.99

Food City
Boneless Chicken Breasts or Thighs $1.69/lb
Medium Eggs 5 dozen $4.99
American Beauty Pasta $0.99

Fresh & Easy
T-Bone Steak $3.99/lb
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.97/lb
Vegetable Oil $2.39 48 oz.

Fry's
93% lean Ground Beef $1.88/lb
Gallon Milk $1.88
Dole Premium Classic Salads $1
Buy 10, Save $3 Sale:
Gatorade 32 oz. $0.69
Grands Biscuits or Banquet Brown N Serve sausage $0.89
General Mills Cereal $1.99
Campbell's Chunky Soup $0.99
Kroger American Cheese Slices 12 oz. $0.99
Breyer's Ice Cream or Klondike Bars $1.99
Coke 2 liters $0.89
Fresh Whole Frying Chicken $0.88/lb
Softsoap Liquid hand Soap 7.5 oz. $0.88
Kraft BBQ Sauce $0.69
Country Time Lemonade or Tang Drink Mix 6-8 qt. $1.99
Ragu Pasta Sauce $1.28

Pro's Ranch Market
Fresh Bone-In Chicken Breasts $0.98/lb
Iceberg Lettuce 4/$0.99
Jazz Apples 3lbs/$0.99
70% lean ground beef $0.98/lb THURSDAY ONLY
Bone-In Sirloin End Pork Chops $0.98/lb

Safeway
Ribeye Steaks $3.99/lb
Split Chicken Breasts $0.99/lb
Gala or Granny Smith Apples $0.88/lb
Asparagus $0.99/lb
Yoplait Yogurt 10/$5
4 DAYS SALE (Sat - Tues)
Navel Oranges 3 lbs/$1
Starbucks Coffee 12 oz. $4.99
Pepepridge Farm Cookies $1.88
Gatorade 32 oz. $0.88
Oreo Cookies $1.99 w/ in ad coupon and $10 purchase
Minute Maid OJ $1.99 w/in ad coupon and $10 purchase

Sprouts
Yellow Peaches or Nectarines $0.88/lb
New York Steak $3.99/lb
Roma Tomatoes $0.77/lb
Braeburn Apples or D'anjou Pears $0.77/lb
Cantaloupe $0.99 each
All Bulk Chocolate Candies 25% off
Roasted Mixed Nuts w/ peanuts $3.99/lb
Extra Large Eggs 2/$3
Chicken Sausages $2.99/lb

Have a Happy Valentine's Day this weekend!!

And Happy Grocery Shopping!

Birthday Blessings!

Yesterday was my birthday and I had a wonderful day spending time with my family. We had breakfast together at Denny's (free Grand Slam on your birthday, plus 20% off coupon:-). Then I had lunch with my daughter at Mimi's Cafe ($10 off $20 purchase) and dinner with my son at TGIFridays (Buy 1 entree, get 1 free). We had nice times of sharing and talking - I REALLY like my kids!!! They are teens and they are nice people, fun to be with and talk with.

I still have a free dinner at Black Angus and will share that with my hubby this weekend, I hope. I didn't have to cook all day:-) and had a nice relaxing day with my family.

This Week's Best Grocery Deals in Phoenix Area

If you are having a Super Bowl party, there are some good snack food deals this week. And Fry's is still running their Buy 10, Get $5 off promo with some great deals (I made 3 trips there last week:-) for stocking up!! Use with coupons to get many items for FREE or less than $0.50!! Check out the printable coupons over at Coupon Mom - she has great lists and helps, too! And don't forget to load your ecoupons directly to your store cards over at Shortcuts.com, Cellfire.com and eCoupons. I didn't realize that you can use ecoupons AND printable coupons on the same item. I did a "test" yesterday to check it out and went to Safeway, bought Lucky Charms for $1.88. I used $1 off printed coupon and it also took off $0.55 Cellfire coupon, so I paid $0.33 for the box of cereal!!

So here are the best deals I see for this week:

Albertsons
Pork Baby Back Ribs Buy 1, Get 2 FREE ($6.99/lb)
Fresh Express Garden Salad, Cole Slaw or Shreds $0.99
8 piece Fried Chicken $3.99
Doritos or Pace Picante Sauce or Chunky Salsa $1.99
Kraft: some deals and then use in ad $1.50 off 3 participating products coupon
Nathan's Buy 4, Save $2 ($2.49 each)

Basha's
Pork Spareribs $0.99/lb
Hass Avocados 3/$1
Roma Tomatoes 2 lbs/$1
Johnsonville Fresh Grilling Sausage 2/$5
Extra Large Cooked Shrimp $4.99/lb
80% Lean Ground Beef $1.79/lb
Hebrew National Beef Franks 2/$5
Lay's Potato Chips $1.88
Shocker Coupons:
Blue Bunny Ice Cream 1.75 qt. $1.88 (2/$25 purchase)

Food City
Boneless Beef Cross Rib Steak $1.99/lb
Bone-In Country Style Pork Ribs $0.99/lb
Red Bell Peppers 4/$1
Cucumbers 4/$1
Kellogg's Cereals - Buy 4 , Get $4 off = $7 for 4
Doritos $1.99
Nabisco Ritz or Snack Crackers $1.99

Fresh & Easy
Mixed Grill Pack $5.99 (Sausages, Beef Patties and Chicken 4lb. 11 oz)
Big Pizza 20" wide $5.99
Pantry Select Hot Dog Buns $0.88
Asparagus Spears $0.99/lb
18 ct. Farmer's Gems Large Grade AA Eggs $1.57

Fry's
Same Buy 10, Save $5 Deals as Last Week PLUS:
Navel Oranges 3 lbs/$0.99
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts $1.67/lb
Boneless Half Pork Loin $1.77/lb
Bar S Jumbo Meat Franks $0.67
Fresh Mangos 2/$1
Wholly Guacamole or Salsa $1
Doritos $1.99
Hebrew National Beef Franks 2/$5
Carvel Snickers Football Ice Cream Cake $6.99

Pro's Ranch Market
Tomatoes 3 lbs/$0.99
Boneless Beef Shoulder Clod Steak $1.88
Hass Avocados 5/$0.99
Bar-S Jumbo Franks $0.59
Special Value Salt 4/$1
Lay's Potato Chips $1.99
Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese $0.99
WEDNESDAY SPECIALS:
Iceberg Lettuce 3/$0.99
Bananas 3 lbs/$0.99
Mexican Key Limes 3 lbs/$0.99
Jalapenos 3 lbs/$0.99
Tangerines 4 lbs/$0.99
Granny Smith Apples 4 lbs/$0.99
FRIDAY SPECIALS:
Jarritos Sodas 1.5 liter $0.69
Red Delicious Apples 4 lbs/$0.99
Peaches $0.79/lb

Safeway
Boneless Beef Round Tip Roast $1.99/lb
Broccoli Crowns or Cauliflower $0.68/lb
8 lb bag Navel Oranges $2.98
Hass Avocados 3/$0.99
8 piece Fried Chicken or Roasted Chicken $3.99
Lay's Potato Chips $1.88
Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce $0.99
SUPER COUPONS (5 days only)
Oscar Mayer Meat Wieners $0.99 (limit 5)
16 oz. Pistachios $2.99 (limit 2)
Gatorade 8 pack 20 oz $3.99 (limit 8)
Heinz Ketchup 40 oz. $1.69 (limit 2)
Mission Soft Taco Flour Tortillas $0.99 (limit 10)
Safeway Artisan Garlic Bread $0.99
Pillsbury Brownie Mix $0.79 (limit 6)
Lucerne Cream Cheese $0.99 (limit 1)
3-DAY SALE:
12 Pack Pepsi or 7-UP 3/$6.99 w/ in ad coupon
Johnsonville Bratwurst or Italian Sausage $2.49 each w/ in ad coupon (limit 5)
Best Foods Mayonnaise 22-30 oz. $1.99 w/in ad coupon (limit 1)
Breyer's Ice Cream 1.5 qt. $1.99 w/in ad coupon (limit 2)

Sprouts
Red or Green Seedless Grapes $0.88/lb
Fresh Chicken Breast Tenders $1.88/lb
Vine Ripe Tomatoes $0.77/lb
Sliced Roast Beef $4.77/lb
All USDA Choice Steaks 40% off
Hansen's Soda 6 pack 2/$5
Virginia Peanuts $1.79/lb (stock up price for me!!)
Goji Berry Trail Mix $3.99/lb (my favorite!!)


Couple of other items: ACE Hardware has a 50% of one item under $30 coupon in ad, $5 off any gallon of ACE Royal Paint coupon (limit 5 gallons) and some great prices on gardening stuff.

If you haven't used coupons before, check them out with the deals this week - you can save ALOT more! For a great tutorial in how to get started, go to Krazy Koupon Lady and read her KCL 101 to learn tons about couponing. Just FYI, I don't clip coupons like crazy, I just keep all my Sunday paper inserts (write a date on front) and then wait for the sales. Sites like Grocery Smarts will list the sales and the coupons that match up. When I find items I want to buy, then I go clip or print out the applicable coupons. It is worth the 15 minutes that it takes to save lots of $$, especially when stores are running "all coupons $1" promos and stuff like that.

Happy Grocery Shopping!!

Buying a House

Well, we finally had our offer accepted on a house that we really wanted!! We are very excited, yet also overwhelmed with all the packing and moving that is coming very soon. And all the paperwork that we will have to do, too.

We finally found a house that we are very happy with, very little needs to be done to it and it has plenty of space for us. We are looking forward to being able to have lots of parties and gatherings at our house!! There is a huge family room with a very large entertainment center where all the kids can hang out and have a blast. We are hoping to buy a large sectional, game table and chairs, and maybe a foosball table for it there. There is also a living room with a fire place for the adults to hang out, as well as a large outdoor living space complete with fireplace, lanterns, and more.

It is going to be so much fun making this house ours! I have begun thinking about what I want to do for our master bedroom decor - it is time to change it out completely. I am thinking cool island retreat:-) And the kids have plans for their rooms, too.

I will keep you updated as this process moves along. We are hoping to be moving in around the middle of March. I will post pics when I get some good ones.