Frankies corner-Decorating for the New Year

What Do You Think He's Saying With His Photos?  Would Love Your Comments And Thank You For Reading.

after christmas thrifting haul

Good Afternoon all, I went to do a preliminary look at the thrift shop before the 50% sale.  They had some Christmas items already marked at 50% and even the snow globe I've been wanting so I picked it up for a song.  Here's the pics of what I got and how much I paid.  It pays to thrift.

                                                   
                                         Only paid $2 for made in 2006 yes its made in America

                                                 Frankie had to get into the act

Total for the books and 2 videos $3.52

Be sure and check your local thrift stores for clearance on Christmas items and getting ready for the new year.

Reposting The Housing Experiment-- looking ahead for your kids

Good Evening, I was reading joy's post about looking ahead and here's one involving your kids and getting them ready to be on their own.  Basically its about how you can help them prepare to be on their own.  It's called the housing experiment and here's the link.

http://lorrainesresources.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-housing-experiment.html

frankie the yahtzee playing cat

Wasn't going to post but he was just to cute not too.  He watched the boys and I play Yahtzee.  So later when very body left the table he got into the act see following photos for Frankie's antics.

Merry Christmas and Frankie's own personal message

                                                 Merry Christmas   

                                 

                                 And 

                         Happy New Year

To my fur buds don't try to eat the pretty paper give your humans a break and maybe you'll get toys too.

Make-a-Head Mash Potatoes Too Die For?

Good early morning all,  No this is not a murder mystery recipe. They just taste so good you feel like you've died and gone to heaven.  This is another recipe requested by the boys a lot.  It used to be they only wanted instant potatoes. Until a couple of years ago, I found this in a Taste Of Home magazine and wanted to try it. It has been altered to fit my families taste. They want these potatoes all the time now. We will not be doing our regular posting this week because of the holidays.  I'm cooking dishes in advanced and thought I would share this one today. Do you cook holiday dishes a head of the holidays.  I find it prevents stress by doing some of the cooking a head of time plus the boys do some of the cooking too.   So lets get down too it.  Conor made these last night so I only have the final picture of the completed product.  Here's what you'll need for these yummy potatoes.

3 lbs. potatoes  (about nine medium sized)

1 pkg (8 oz.)  cream cheese, softened  (I only use 4 oz.)

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup butter, cubed 

1/4 cup 2 % milk

1 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. garlic powder

1/2 tsp pepper  (I just use a pinch)

6 bacon strips, chopped  (I used precooked chopped bacon bits found in the salad topping section of walmart)

1 cup (4 oz.) shredded  cheddar cheese   (we do not put cheese on ours)

3 green onions, chopped

Cook potatoes in a dutch oven or large pot.  Bring to a boil and simmer for 20-30 minutes until fork comes out clean.  Drain  and add cream cheese, sour cream and butter.  Then proceed to add milk and spices.

If you choose to cook bacon in skillet.  Cook until just crisp and remove to paper towels.  Pap down to remove grease and crumble when cool to touch.  Put potato mixture in nice greased casserole dish usually 13 inches by 9 inches.  Sprinkle potatoes with onions, bacon and cheese.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.  You don't want to put a cold pan in the oven it might crack.  Set oven to 350 degrees and cook for 40-50 minutes or heated through.  Enjoy and Have A Merry Christmas

Here's other dishes we cook for the holidays:

http://lorrainesresources.blogspot.com/2013/11/heres-pumpkin-bread-with-pics.html
http://lorrainesresources.blogspot.com/2013/06/lets-continue-party.html

frankies corner-avoiding the camera

Here's the latest pics some using pic monkey hope this helps.

Family Favourite-Chicken Milan

Good Morning all,  Finally ready to post this recipe.  Conor helped cook it yesterday, I was just to tired afterwards to post it.  Still dealing with the headache but not so bad drank the smoothie http://lorrainesresources.blogspot.com/2013/11/repost-with-pics-of-pineapple-banana.html and the headache diminished a lot so in pain check it out.  This is one of the boys most favourite foods to eat and needless to say theirs nothing left this morning.  I got this recipe from taste of home magazine many, many years ago and have altered it for my families taste.  Here's what you'll need.

8 ounces uncooked linguine
1 tablespoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided   (I just put a pinch don't like a lot of pepper)
1/4 cup all purpose flour   (I end up using more depending on how much chicken you use)
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon of salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into strips (I cut into chunks and usually use more meat).

Follow directions on linguine package and cook until done.  In small skillet saute minced garlic in 1 tablespoon of olive oil  adding parsley flakes and 1/4 tsp. pepper(I just put a pinch).  Don't over cook remove from pan and set aside in a bowl.

Next you will need two bowls.  One will be your eggs and stir them up with a fork.  In another bowl combine flour, basil, salt and remaining pepper.  Original recipe calls for you to dip in flour then egg.  I do the opposite its better that way I find.

In your skillet fry the chicken until no longer pink and nice and golden brown.  While chicken is frying drain linguine and take olive oil/garlic mixture and toss to coat.  When chicken is done place on top of linguine and your done.  A very delicious meal and a very messy kitchen but its worth it.  Enjoy and have a Merry Christmas.

CVS and Savemart--Good Deal on Frankie's Food and Meat Sale

Good Morning all, Did a little shopping yesterday morning and visited CVS and Save mart.   Did not do to bad have to get ready for the boys to be off of school for 2 weeks and needed some ground meats for casseroles.  So here's the breakdown of what I got from both stores.

First Store CVS did 2 transactions.

3 cases of the 12 pack 7 up brand of sodas  total  $21.27     after sale/coupons   O.O.P.  $12.80  

 Saved 40%

and I received $3 in ECB's

2nd Transaction

1 3 lb. bag of kit-n-kaboodle

2 cans of Friskies  

Total before sales/coupons/ecb's    $7.35              O.O.P.       $1.01    Saved   93 %

Would you believe the little nut (only weighs 7 lbs) ate 12 pack of cans in a week.

The second store Save mart here's what I got:

3 packages of ground beef

2 packages of ground turkey  (this was the pick 5/25 sale)

3 packages of chips ahoy cookies on sale for $1.99 had 3 $1/1

1 package of linguine (got the wrong noodles for chicken Milan the other day)

Total before sales/coupons/discounts    $46.03                  O.O.P.   $28.95    Saved  37%

Okay couponers just a couple of things check your save mart and cvs stores this week found tear pads and blinkes for chocolate milk and pasta

Also got an email from coke rewards double diet coke points this week. Theirs a deal for getting a coupon for 12 pack of coke for 30 points did not see a limit. But they are out of stock right now, so keep checking because combining these coupons with a CVS deal would be awesome in getting some ECB's.

My Million Dollar Wreath

Good Evening all,  I finally finished my wreath just in time for Christmas.  I really wanted to make my own this year as a way for the boys and I to really get into the holidays. This just makes the holidays more special especially being a single parent.  Sometimes you just want it to be memorable.  Do you ever wonder why we have wreaths at the holidays.  The circle of the wreath means never ending.  The evergreen aspect represents everlasting life.  The holly berries from a religious aspect represent Jesus blood.  That's the meaning of the wreath.  I love all the blogs that make their own.  So I got inspired to make mine.  If you haven't made one yet check out the NY daily news article about a Finnish florist who made a  million dollar wreath using rubies and diamonds.  Here's the link so you can check it out  http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/world-expensive-wreath-unveiled-article-1.1539725.

If that doesn't inspire you check out mine that only cost a couple of dollars using items from wal-mart, dollar tree and the local thrift store.

To make this wreath you need the wreath found at wal-mart.  You can find packages of the green pipe cleaner and the tinsel pipe cleaner at wal-mart and dollar tree.  I found the bows and the candy cane buttons at the local thrift store.  Just wrap the pipe cleaner around the wreath until filled in  and tie the ribbons on or I had glitter glue on standby to fill in any exposed areas or securing parts to the wreath.  It may not cost a lot but it makes my family feel like a million bucks.

For my other easy pipe cleaner craft check out my tree at  http://lorrainesresources.blogspot.com/2013/11/recipe-for-perfect-x-mas-plus-crafts.html

Chunky Monkey Turned into Funky Monkey

Good Evening all, Went a little crazy with the cookie recipe.  It was a basic peanut butter cookie recipe that I played with a little to much.  Here's what I used to create this interesting cookie.  

1 yellow moist cake mix

3 eggs

1 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 cups water

2 tablespoons banana extract

1 cup chocolate chips 

Add the first six ingredients.  I used a mixer because that peanut butter is really thick.  Then folded in the chocolate chips.  Used a tablespoon and put mounds on greased cookie sheet.  Cooked at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes until edges are brown.

They looked fine just an after taste could be from the chocolate or too much banana extract not sure.  If you choose to make this I would lessen the extract and the water.

CVS Trip Saved 93% on Toiletries

Good Afternoon all,  Finally made it back to CVS this week and did two transactions and did really well.  I took advantage of the Kellogg's sale  and here's what I got today.

2 Fruit Loops Cereal

1 Rice Krispies Treats

2 Pop tart packs

2 circus peanut bags

2 Hershey bag candies

Used two $1 coupons on candy and had a mess up their was supposed to be two rice krispies in this transaction but it went into the other one but the machine still took the coupon.

Total before sales/coupons/ECB's    $29.71      O.O.P.  $15.71

Here's the 2nd Transaction was able to take advantage of the Purex deal very happy.

3 Purex Laundry Soap--Did the B1G2F and was able to use the $1.50/2  and .50/1 coupons

1-18 count Scott Toilet Paper  used $.75/1 found on package

2-Mitchum Deodorant used 2 $1/1

2-VO5 Shampoo

1-JTB Liquid Dish Soap

1-Romance Body wash  used $1/1 from coupon machine

1-Rice Krispies Treats

1-Tums

I used $19 in ECB's for this transaction.  I got a $10 ECB from the CVS survey panel.  So if you have not signed up for the survey panel.  I recommend you do it because for answering a 5 minute survey I got $10 ECB.  Other ECB's came from register transactions.  So here's the total.

Before sales/ecb's/coupons  $53.42                       O.O.P   $5.19   also got $3 in ECB's

Please fellow couponers and CVS fans like my fb page would love for you to visit and I will return the favor.

Frankies Corner-Just Call Me Linus

Frankie says Walmart has cool pet stockings for under $5.  So be sure to take care of the fur kids in your life with their holiday treat.

Breakfast Banana Split

Good Morning all.  Here's another one I wanted to share with you.  I found this one years ago in an old Taste of Home magazine.  It's called a Breakfast Banana Split.  Instead of ice cream and chocolate syrup you substitute breakfast items i.e yogurt, cereal and fruit.  You can vary many ways depending on your personal preference.  You start with a banana cut down the middle.  You put your yogurt scoops instead of the ice cream, any flavor you like.  Then top it with your favourite cereal or granola and add fruit, very easy to do and very tasty. Here's some pics of mine.

Frugal Christmas Displays

Good Morning all,  I wanted to show you what I did with some of the thrift store hauls and crafts the boys and I made.  So here are a couple of displays that we did around the house.  The first one is the dining room table only problem Frankie keeps getting up there and trying to chew the little glass tree (weird cat).

The second grouping was on a little table in my living room.  Everything was either gotten for free at the end of  yard sales or very inexpensively at thrift stores hope this inspires you to be creative.  Have a great day.