Menu Plan Monday: Week Of 5/20/13

May 20, 2013 By 2 Comments

 

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Have you made your menu plan yet for the week? With summer right around the corner (really!), this week is absolutely crazy for us, so we’re keeping it really simple around here. We’re actually doing a little traveling too, so here are my super penny pinched meal ideas for that as well!

 

Do you have anything yummy on your menu plan this week?  I’d love to hear what you’re having, and if you have any great recipe ideas please leave a comment to share!  Also, I could use any suggestions on how to eat frugally while on a road trip ~ leave your comments by clicking HERE.

 

 

Check out my recipes to try board on Pinterest, and see more penny-pinched recipe ideas.  This post is linked up to OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday where you can find lots more menu planning ideas! 

 

Filed Under: Meal Deals, menu planning, Recipes, recipes

How To Create Beautiful Hanging Baskets {On A Budget}

May 17, 2013 By 4 Comments

 

As I shared over the weekend, I’m a sucker for a pretty hanging basket. The problem is, they get expensive.  And other than one year when one of my favorite local nurseries had a Groupon available, my sweet penny-pinchin’-hubby just isn’t going to shell out $45 for one hanging basket. (We have two big hanging baskets on our deck, so those two alone would cost $90 ~ eek!)

 

While I’m not anywhere near figuring out just how to make a perfect hanging basket (as evidenced by a few baskets on our front porch that aren’t looking too hot right now. . . ) the ones we made out back this year are doing so well, and I’m convinced you can do this too.  Here’s what we did . . .

 

 

(Here’s one of the baskets we found at Bennett’s that was just beautiful, but with a $45 price tag ~ goodness!)

1. Find a great nursery that knows what they’re talking about. Here in the North Alabama area, we like Reseda’s and Bennett’s, because the workers all love plants, and are helpful with novice gardeners like us.

 

2. Once you’ve found a hanging basket you like, ask exactly which flowers are in it. Even though I like to think I know a thing or two about flowers, I really don’t know much, and most folks who work at better nurseries have a ton of plant knowledge. A good nursery will help you find matching plants in smaller pots so you can do it yourself.

 

3. Buy those plants! Because the nursery is starting their hanging baskets so early in the season, the baskets probably don’t need quite as many plants as you may need if you’re starting later. (Although, you don’t want too many plants or they won’t have enough room to do well!) We used five plants (there are actually ten shown below because we made two baskets.) The basket we liked included the yellow in the middle for height, and four more trailing flowers around the edges of the basket to come down once they grow.

4. Don’t forget the containers. The containers for hanging baskets can get expensive, so we re-used wire baskets from previous years, and replaced them with new coco fiber. (Ours are similar to these found on Amazon.)  The coco fiber gets pretty pricey too, so if you can get it to last two seasons, you’ll definitely save some money ~ I noticed these on Amazon are almost half what we paid at the nursery . . . I’ll do better next year!

 

5. Start planting. We used Miracle Gro Potting Soil. . .

 

And Soil Moist (this stuff is like the little crystals that you find in ~ it helps keep the soil moist especially in the heat of summer, but you’ll still need a lot of water!)  We’ve had this container for 8 years, so even though it cost us $10 initially to purchase, it’s been well worth it!

 

6. Plant your tallest plant in the middle, and plants that you want to spill over the edges around it.

Then, water faithfully and wait 3 weeks . . . or better yet, six weeks (here’s ours after just three weeks ~ I was amazed!)

My husband and I are guessing that we spent about $20 per hanging basket by the time you figure in the cost of the dirt, plants, and new coco fiber every few years.  While they’re not the most penny pinched deal ever,  it’s something we love and completely worth splurging on because we enjoy them so much! You can also check out a peek of my hubby’s (brilliant!) watering system over here ~ one of these days I’ll put together a post of how he designed it but the pictures might help.

Do you have any tips on starting pots at home? I’d love to hear them . . . I’ve been so happy with these baskets this year, and am always looking for new ideas!

 

I’d love for you to join me over on Pinterest (I love that place!)  If you have a blog and have done a little fluffing in your home, I’d love to see it, so leave your link in the comments section. Also, if there’s a craft you’ve seen on a website that you’re hoping to make, feel free to share that link as well (I’m always looking for new ideas!)

 

See more previous Friday Fluff Up projects and ideas . . . and Happy Fluffing!

 

 

Filed Under: A Penny Pinched Home, Friday Fluff Up, Penny Pinched DIY Projects

Peanut Butter Fudge Iced Brownies

May 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Ready to make the yummiest brownies ever? (I knew you were!) This recipe for peanut butter fudge iced brownies is soooo good, and since our weeknight’s have been nuts around here for making new recipes I figured you all could handle a little dessert. ;)

 

I know I know . . . aren’t you glad there’s no time for dinner? Here’s the recipe.

Print
Peanut Butter Fudge Iced Brownies

Ingredients

  • 1 or 2 prepared brownie mixes, depending on how much brownie you want underneath the yummy frosting (If you're planning to bake two, cut your oven temp down to 325, and bake about fifteen minutes longer than the box states)
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • 7 tbsp milk
  • 2 tbsp shortenning
  • 2 tbsp margarine
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Instructions

  1. Prepare brownies according to package directions and allow to cool completely before beginning icing.
  2. To make icing, combine sugar, milk, shortening, margarine & salt in heavy saucepot on stovetop.
  3. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring conatantly.
  4. After it reaches a rolling boil, continue to boil two more minutes on stove without stirring, until it reaches soft ball stage.
  5. Remove from heat, add vanilla and peanut butter.
  6. Beat until smooth, then quickly spread over completely cooled brownies. This will work in a 9x13 or 8x8 pan, you'll just have more or less frosting.
  7. ****Note: my frosting was a little on the thin side (I'm not sure that I boiled it long enough), so I let it cool in the freezer to thicken up a bit before frosting the brownies. Once it cooled it was perfect, but I was a little unsure to start!
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Brownies just begging to be frosted

 

Shortening-butter-sugar-goo mixing up on the stove


Brownies all iced and ready to go!

 

Here are a few sales that you’ll want to watch for this week on these items if you don’t have them at home: 

  • Starting Sunday at CVS, Skippy Peanut Butter is on sale 2/$5, and you’ll get $5 in ECBs back when you spend $15 (making it $1.67 after the coupon!)
  • Peter Pan Peanut Butter on sale 2/$5 at Winn Dixie or Food Lion

Thanks to Southern Plate for this great recipe!  Thanks to I Heart Publix for the coupon matchups, and check out $5 Dinner Mom for more bargain meal deals!  If you need a little more menu inspiration, go HERE. 

Filed Under: Desserts, Meal Deals, menu planning, Recipes, recipes

Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

May 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Find more penny-pinched slow cooker recipes!

 

This Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken recipe has been on my slow-cookin’ Pinterest board forever, but when my friend Mary mentioned last week that she tried it out and loved it, I knew I needed to make it at our house too! And, when I looked over what was in my pantry and fridge yesterday to make dinner, I realized this is one of those simple recipes that calls for ingredients I already had at home. (I love that.)

 

While I love coupon shopping, I absolutely hate making a second trip for things that weren’t on my list the first time around, so if I can find a meal with what I have at home I’m always so happy to try it out. This one was great for a busy weeknight meal, and having Mrs. Potts do the cooking after I spent five minutes filling her up of course makes life easier around here. Let me know what you think if you make it for dinner sometime soon!

Print
Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breast (can be frozen)
  • 1 cup salsa
  • 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • tortillas

Instructions

  1. Place chicken in the crock pot.
  2. Sprinkle taco seasoning over chicken.
  3. Mix together soup and salsa and pour over chicken.
  4. Cook on high 3-4 hours or low 6-8 hours.
  5. Shred chicken and mix in sour cream.
  6. Serve on tortillas, or you could use it as a dip with chips or even over rice.
  7. Enjoy!
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Here are a few sales that you’ll want to watch for this week on these items if you don’t have them at home: 

 

Recipe adapted from Mostly Homemade Mom.  Thanks to I Heart Publix for the coupon matchups, and check out $5 Dinner Mom for more bargain meal deals!  If you need a little more menu inspiration, go HERE. 

Filed Under: Main Dish, Meal Deals, menu planning, Recipes, recipes, Slow Cooker

Menu Plan Monday: Week Of 5/13/13

May 13, 2013 By 4 Comments

Crockpot Sloppy Joes

 

Have you made your menu plan yet for the week?  We’ve got activities every night this week, so while this is what I’m thinking, I’m not so sure how much will actually get made! (School’s almost out, surely summer will be quieter, right???)

 

Slow Cooker Mac & Cheese

Do you have anything yummy on your menu plan this week?  I’d love to hear what you’re having, and if you have any great recipe ideas please leave a comment to share!  

 

Check out my recipes to try board on Pinterest, and see more penny-pinched recipe ideas.  This post is linked up to OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday where you can find lots more menu planning ideas! 

 

Filed Under: Meal Deals, menu planning, Recipes, recipes

Dollar Tree Teacher Gift Ideas

May 10, 2013 By 9 Comments

It’s the end of the school year and you moms with school-aged kiddos know what that means . . . time to come up with simple teacher gift ideas! With three children at two different schools, the number of teachers that we give to can really add up, so I love finding Dollar Tree Teacher gift ideas to let them know we do so appreciate them. (I usually add a gift card also for their primary teachers, but my kids love having a small gift to give!)

 

So, here are three simple {penny-pinched} ideas that we’re using this year, and would also be great gifts as a thank you to other folks who help with your children. (And, if you happen to be running a VBS this year at your church, these might make nice simple thank you’s for your VBS workers too!)

 

Cute Watering Can

Here’s what I used:

  • $1 pots and tins found from the Dollar Tree = $1
  • Ribbon 50% off at Hobby Lobby = $2 (was enough for 6 tins)
  • Yellow confetti from the Dollar Tree = $1 (was enough for 6 tins)
  • Candy clearanced at Target from Easter = $2 (enough for 6 tins)
  • $1.83 for each
{I also used my Cricut with vellum to add the initials, but they would be cute even without them, or you can pickup stickers at Hobby Lobby if you don’t have a Cricut!}

 

Lemonade Fun

Here’s what I used:

  • Lemonade Glass from the Dollar Tree = $1
  • Lemonade Mixes at the Dollar Tree = $1 (would be enough for 2 glasses)
  • Yellow confetti from the Dollar Tree = $1 (would be enough for 8 glasses) 
  • Ribbon at Hobby Lobby 50% off = $1 (would be enough for 8 glasses)
  • Total = $1.75 each

 

 

You can also just wrap up a loaf of homemade bread (like this Blueberry Banana Bread that I made earlier this week), and attach some ribbon with a thank you note or gift card.

 

***NOTE: it’s difficult sharing with you specifics of what I spend on projects like this, especially if by any chance my own kid’s teachers read this stuff (I don’t think they do . . . . ) I hope that it inspires you to to find frugal ways to thank others, without sacrificing your famiy’s budget.  And, in a world where we’re often encouraged to spend too much on things we may or may not be able to afford, I want you to live abundantly on just what you have right now.  (If you know me in real life, I’m really not the cheapest girl on the planet ~ I just think you can do beautiful things even on a budget, and hope it motivates you too!)***

 

 

Do you have any other suggestions on how to thank a teacher or someone else who’s worked with your child this year? I’d love to hear them! And if you’re ever over on Pinterest, I’d love for you to join me there too . . . I love that place!

   

See previous Friday Fluff Up projects and ideas . . . and Happy Fluffing!

 

Filed Under: A Penny Pinched Home, Dollar Tree, Friday Fluff Up, Penny Pinched DIY Projects, Store Deals

Blueberry Banana Bread

May 8, 2013 By 12 Comments

Find more penny pinched recipes HERE

Homemade Blueberry Banana Bread

I made two loaves of this blueberry Banana Bread today, and oh my heavens it’s just delicious. With blueberries on sale at Publix Buy One Get One Free this week, and bananas at Aldi’s just $.33/lb. (don’t forget many Walmart stores will price match . . .) I just couldn’t wait to try it!

 

My son tried it after school for a snack and gave it rave reviews, which always makes this momma’s day. Here’s how to bake some up for your family ~ save a loaf for yourself and you could even give a loaf away as a teacher’s git.

 


Print
Blueberry Banana Bread

Ingredients

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 2 ripe bananas, mashed
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350. Grease 2 medium size loaf pans.
  2. Mix together flour, baking soda and salt.
  3. In mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  4. Add 1 egg in at a time, then add vanilla.
  5. Add in bananas and then flour mixture until thoroughly combined.
  6. Carefully fold blueberries into batter, pour into loaf pans.
  7. Bake in preheated oven 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in comes out clean.
  8. Cool on wire pans for 10 minutes, then cool thoroughly on wire racks.
  9. Enjoy!
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Recipe adapted from All Recipes.  Thanks to I Heart Publix for the coupon matchups, and check out $5 Dinner Mom for more bargain meal deals!  If you need a little more menu inspiration, go HERE. 

Filed Under: Meal Deals, menu planning, Recipes, recipes

Savory Cream Cheese Chicken Rolls

May 8, 2013 By 2 Comments

Find more penny pinched recipes HERE

 

Do you ever have those nights where you know you’ve got to scoot out the door in a hurry but have handed over a peanut butter and jelly sandwich one too many times that week? This recipe is for exactly that night.

 

 

These Cream Cheese Chicken Rolls are a super easy way to throw together dinner in a pinch, but your family will at least get a hot meal as you race out the door. And of course, since you can’t mess up a Pillsbury crescent roll these are just perfect. (You really can’t. mess. them. up.) ;)

 

They’re also are pretty versatile . . . if I make them again I think I’ll exchange the cream cheese in some of them for shredded cheddar cheese (I’m thinking my kids will like cheddar cheese better) and add some chopped broccoli. We served them with carrot sticks and apples, and headed out the door . . . but definitely beat eating a hamburger at the drive thru!

 

Here’s what how to make them at your house too . . .

 

Print
Crescent Roll Recipe: Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken Rolls

Crescent Roll Recipe: Cream Cheese Stuffed Chicken Rolls

Ingredients

  • (***Note: this makes 4 large rolls, if you need more you'll want to double the recipe)
  • 3 oz. package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tablespoon butter, softened
  • 2 cups cooked chicken (I used a large can of canned chicken)
  • 1 tbsp. minced onion
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp. milk
  • 1 package refrigerated crescent rolls
  • 1 tbsp. butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup bread crumbs

Instructions

  1. Mix together cream cheese, butter and cooked chicken with blender.
  2. Stir in minced onion, salt, pepper and milk. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
  3. Open crescent rolls and make into four squares (each square will have two rolls.)
  4. Place 1/4 chicken mixture in the center of the square and pull together corners of dough to make a pocket.
  5. Pinch corners around chicken mixture.
  6. Repeat with remaining 3 squares.
  7. Place on baking sheet, and brush with melted butter, then sprinkle bread crumbs on top.
  8. Bake at 350, for 20-25 minutes, until lightly browned.
  9. Cool and enjoy!
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Here are a few sales that you’ll want to watch for this week on these items if you don’t have them at home:

 

  • Bumble Bee Canned Chicken Breast 10 oz BOGO $3.30 at Publix, or use Kroger Boneless Chicken or Tenders 2.5- 3 lb bag $6.99 
  • 4 C Bread Crumb 8-15 oz  BOGO $1.50 at Publix 

Recipe adapted from All Recipes.  Thanks to I Heart Publix for the coupon matchups, and check out $5 Dinner Mom for more bargain meal deals!  If you need a little more menu inspiration, go HERE. 

Filed Under: Main Dish, Meal Deals, menu planning, Recipes, recipes

Menu Plan Monday: Week Of 5/6/13

May 6, 2013 By 4 Comments

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders

 

Have you made your menu plan yet for the week?  As our days seem to be getting more and more busy each day, I decided to start sticking with a very basic menu plan throughout the week that we’ll actually do. (Anyone else feel like that?)  Here’s what I’m planning. . .

 

As you can tell, I’m taking full advantage of the BOGO chicken breast on sale at Publix this week.  Do you have anything yummy on your menu plan this week?  I’d love to hear what you’re having, and if you have any great recipe ideas please leave a comment to share!

 

Check out my recipes to try board on Pinterest, and see more penny-pinched recipe ideas.  This post is linked up to OrgJunkie’s Menu Plan Monday where you can find lots more menu planning ideas! 

 

Filed Under: Meal Deals, menu planning, Recipes, recipes

Dollar Tree Organizing (Love. It.)

May 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment

 

Do you ever see those beautifully organized pictures on Pinterest but realize just how much was spent getting there? While I love me some organizing, spending way too much money to tidy things up just isn’t going to happen around here.

 

Enter the Dollar Tree.

 

This morning I ran in and they had tons of cute containers all priced for just $1 (woot!), and it’s such a great way to organize. Here’s a re-post of my favorite Dollar Tree organizing clean out . . . see what $12 can do!

 

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We’ve all seen those fabulously organized photos on Pinterest of perfectly designed crafty spots, just waiting for someone to get a little crafting inspiration.  I noticed a few more recently as I was checking out organizing ideas on Pinterest, and was slightly discouraged looking around my own (*disastrous*) crafting spot.

 

Now I’m super fortunate, and have some room up in our playroom for all my craft supplies, but it constantly gets destroyed (no matter how often I tidy it. . .) because it tends to be the junk table hidden away out of sight!  But after seeing one too many cutely organized pins on Pinterest, I decided I’d had enough.

 

As I headed into town to hunt down some cute bins, I commiserated about how much I was going to have to spend to get organized. . . until I remembered The Dollar Tree.    (WOOOOHOOO!)  Guess what I found there?  Perfect, adorable, tidy little bins for my shelves, all for (you guessed it!) A DOLLAR!  I bought everything used in this week’s project for a whopping $12 (WOW!)  So, here’s the before & after of my disaster . . .

(~gasp!~ I’m telling you what, I couldnt’ make this stuff up. . .)

 

 

 

 

 

Now, obviously I moved things around a bit . . . I’ve been wanting to put the scrapbooks that were still left on those shelves in a plastic bin downstairs (with way too many more of them), in case we ever needed to get them out in a hurry.  (I know, that sounds nuts but I’ve spent some serious hours on those books, so I hated that they were so far upstairs in case we ever had an emergency!)  I also finally took a few minutes to put all of my kids special artwork and pictures away in their Rubbermaid container that has been littering that table for way too long. :)

This post is linked to Living Well Spending Less Thrifty Thursday.  I’d love for you to join me over on Pinterest (I love that place!)  If you have a blog and have done a little fluffing in your home, I’d love to see it, so leave your link in the comments section. Also, if there’s a craft you’ve seen on a website that you’re hoping to make, feel free to share that link as well (I’m always looking for new ideas!)

Filed Under: A Penny Pinched Home, Friday Fluff Up, Uncategorized
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