New Years Day- cooking, sewing, walking and CVS

Happy New Year everyone!  

I'm hoping 2016 will be a year to be more organized and to plan ahead more.  

One thing I need to do is keep some bread in the freezer.  I make whole loaves sometimes and we serve it warm or as toast,  but for sandwiches,  we prefer homemade buns.  They are simple to make and I've blogged about them so many times.

They are bread dough but rolled and cut into circles instead of baked as loaves.

I slice them almost all the way once they cool and then I freeze them until we need a sandwich.  

Buns just stay softer and don't get crumbly like sliced homemade bread seems to.  

Above are the dozen buns I baked today.  

Our traditional New Year's Day meal is black eyed peas served with rice and stir fried cabbage

This is an easy meal to cook and it just tastes so good.  We may just have it on the first day of every month this winter.  

The little boy is a thrift store purchase from years ago.  His face and yellow curls look a lot like our little JJ.  

Of course I've made the standard resolution to exercise more.  I walked 2 miles this morning with a free video on YouTube.  Leslie Sansone has put out many walking program DVDs and she even has several full length ones available on her YouTube channel. 

Leslie Sansone walking videos on YouTube

I have a craft room chock full of supplies, many are from my mom's downsizing.  I have lots of good stuff so I am hoping to sew a little every day in 2016, even if it's just 15 minutes.  

Today,  I hemmed these 2 panels and made them into 2 generous size kitchen towels.

A heads up if you shop at CVS- these printable coupons are available on the CVS.com website with the other manufacturer coupons.  You can print each one twice and they will make for free or very low cost purchases.  I used these several months ago and was happy to see them available again.  

The first one is $2/2 Gold Emblem nuts.  CVS sells single serving nuts for $1 so with 2 of these coupons, I think I can get 4 bags free.  

The second one is $2/2 snack items. I think their popcorn and chip type snacks are $1 are bag so I may get 4 bags free. 

The last one is $1 on any Gold Emblem grocery or beverage item.  I'm not familiar with what CVS sells but I am pretty sure I can match it up with something we use for a good deal.  

Also at CVS, today is the day that quarterly bonus extracare Bucks come out.  If you have shopped there in the last 3 months, you can check your reward on the CVS app or at the scanner in the store or they may send you an email.  

I got $2 - not much but it is based on your final prices paid, not before coupons, and since I didn't spend much actual cash there,  I'm happy for the $2. 

That's the highlights from my first day of 2016.  I hope to do lots of home stuff and to blog about anything that's worth sharing.  

Happy 2016 everyone!

Ironing, Christmas clearance and CVS

Hello everyone! 

I let the ironing pile up (again!) So I spent part of an evening this week getting it all done while I binge watched YouTube.  There were 15 shirts to iron- 

6 blouses were mine and 9 shirts were my husbands.  

The ironing went fairly quick.  I still use this homemade version of spray starch,  

The jugs of liquid starch last a long time and I think I get the same results ironing with the homemade kind as I did with the much more expensive aerosol cans of starch.  

My original post about homemade spray starch HERE

I needed to go the bank today so I also stopped at Joanns fabric store.  Their Christmas was 75% off and all I bought was these 4 mugs.  They are big, maybe 18 ounces, and they are Christmasy but I plan to use them the rest of the winter.  The mugs were originally $5.99 each so at 75% off, all 4 mugs were $6.

I went to CVS one more time this week when I read about this deal on a Facebook group called Couponing at CVS.  The Eucerin and Aquaphor products are buy $20 and get $10 ExtraCareBucks.  

I also had a CVS app coupon for 30% all lotions.  

I actually got 2 tubes of the hand cream, my husband was already using one when I took the photo. 

I picked out products to get my total as close to $40 as possible.  

I used $29 in ExtraCareBucks I earned in previous purchases and that 30% off coupon.  

My total ended up just $1.17 and I got back $20 ExtraCareBucks and then 2 days, I earned $5 more in Beauty Bucks.  

This cold winter weather makes our skin dry and itchy so I am very happy to get all these high quality moisturizers for almost free.  

Happy new year to you all.  We are having a quiet evening at home and that suits us just fine.  

Decorating, CVS and Budget Planning

Hello everyone!  

We didn't put out a huge amount of Christmas decorations so they were easy to pack away today.   It always feels fresh to pack them away, doesn't it? 

Then, we put out a little white tree with snow themed decorations.  I enjoy the twinkle lights and this little tree is just right for now.  

CVS purchase this week

 

I spent a bigger than normal amount but it was less that I expected it to be.  Because the cashier overlooked the blades at first, my total is on 2 transactions.  

3 jumbo packs of Charmin toilet tissue

6 Pantene hair care items

3 Revlon color stay lipsticks

Gillette blades and a razor

And a box of 1/2 priced clearance cookies my husband picked out.

I spent $47.13 and got back $24 in ExtraCareBucks and will get back $5 BeautyBucks for the Pantene  and makeup.  I used newspaper coupons, CVS app and redbox coupons, and $10 ExtraCareBucks from previous purchases.  

ECBs for next week

A new year is starting and I just redid my home notebook where I keep track of bills, and spending and such.   Our budget is simple and last year I used some free printable monthly sheets from a blog and I was so happy to see she is offering updates ones for 2016.  I've printed the news and updated my book.  Her sheets worked great for us in 2015.  

Below is the link to these great printables.  They are free but she asks that you subscribe to her blog.  

I recommend both! 

2016 free printable budget planning worksheets

Some sweets cooked today

I'm trying to do everything simply and this is how I started our Christmas baking today.  

Double batches of oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies and one batch of that "crack" cracker toffee candy. 

  My husband tasted them all and gave them the thumbs up.  The oatmeal cookies are his favorite and he joked I could just put that container in our room (so he wouldn't have to share.....) 

But I packed them all away in containers we already had and put them in the freezer.  

I'll take them out later this week when the family gathers here.  

The cracker toffee chocolate candy is very simple to make and it makes a lot - I do recommend it if you're  still planning your holiday cooking.  Just look on Pinterest for the recipe and method-  lots of people have blogged about it.  

My brother's birthday was in the summer and I sent him this coupon.  He sent it back to me last week in my birthday card.  I happily filled his request while I cooked today and now his container of cookies is labeled and in the freezer too.  

Are you cooking this week?  I'm guessing most all my readers are! 

I'm back with a gift idea

I cook a lot but I've never had or even thought I needed a pasta pot.  But I got this one free last month from a Proctor Gamble cancer awareness refund.  

It quickly became one of favorite and go-to things in the  kitchen.  

It has a nonstick finish and the lid acts as the strainer or colander.  The lid locks on so it is so easy to drain cooked pasta or any cooked food like corn on the cob or potatoes to mash. 

Last week, I used it to cook a batch of fried rice.  

I thought I would blog about this pot in case anyone is trying to come up with a last minute gift for a cook.  

Or if someone is asking you what you would like for a gift,  this might be something to ask for. 

I did see them, in different colors, for sale on Amazon and I'm guessing about any store with a big kitchen selection also sells them.  

I had a sweet little observer while I cooked the fried rice.  

And would you believe that even though we are having winter weather and it's just a few days until Christmas,  this rose bush is still blooming?   I guess it is protected just enough being near our front door.  

This month

Hello everyone.  

I thought you all might like to see our Seven.  We were all together for lunch yesterday to celebrate my mother in law's 80th birthday.  

Life is good here, to say the least.  

One family group photo from the birthday party - it was at the clubhouse of our aunt's retirement home and was a very nice setting for a gathering. 

In the photo are my in laws, my husband and me, our 7 adult children&spouses and the 7 grands.  

My to do list and manicure from last week.....I haven't made my list for this week yet. 

The nails are Impress press on nails, with a sticker type adhesive and I really like them. 

My brother's tradition is to make fresh wreaths for us- here is this year's.  He decorates them different each year and they are always so nice. 

One of the pleasures of retirement- Grandpa and the grandchildren sharing lots of time together.  

CVS

I didn't go last week but I went yesterday. 

I used 4 $2 Tide coupons that were in a Sunday paper a few weeks ago and a $5 ECB. 

4 Tide detergent pod packs were $2.76 and I got back $5 ECB.  

Days are busy here and we have yet to find a routine with husband being retired but I think that will be happen after all the busyness of December.  

Would you all believe I have not bought or wrapped a single gift nor have I rounded up any stocking stuffers? And it takes a lot of stuffers for the 20 or so stockings that will here.  

So, this will be last blog post for 2015.  I hope to keep reading blogs and I plan to be back blogging in January.  

Merry Christmas everyone !

This week.....a list, CVS, sewing and sweet babies

It's a new week and a new month. I have lots keeping me busy and I expect you do too!
Here is my to do list - I've made a good bit of progress so far.

I have some Christmas themed washi tape and stamps but I'm waiting a bit to start any Christmas decorating.  Maybe I'll do it this weekend or even next week.  

I wasn't planning to go to CVS this week but my husband has had one of those long-lingering colds and he needed some more cough medicine.  I decided it would be much easier to stop at little CVS than either of the Super Walmarts in my town.

The Febreeze items are all buy 1 get 1 50% off.  Also I had a coupon from Sunday's paper on Febreeze- buy 1 get 1 free.  And when you spend $20 on Febreeze, you earn a $5 ECB.

I bought 6 Febreeze products, 2 packs of nail glue and 1 bottle of Robitussin(not in picture as my husband has already opened and taken a dose of it)

I used about $17 in ECB from last week.

Spent $15.09 and got back $5 ECB

I sewed 14 little bandana bibs for Charlie, our youngest grandchild.  They just need the buttons hand-Sewn on.  

Speaking of grandchildren,  I had such a good time seeing the 2 granddaughters that live an hour away.  This is 3 year old (closer to 4 years) Andie.  We like to take selfies together.

She says "Grandma, your hair is just like mine". 

Here is 4 1/2 month old Charlie and 6 month old Jackson.  They were fascinated with each other but had to be constantly watched as Jackson pulled Charlie's hair and Charlie scratched Jackson's face.

I expect these 2 cousins will be good friends just like the other 5 grands are.

Yes, Charlie is wearing little boots!  She had a headband on too but I guess she lost it while playing with Jackson.  

Have a good rest of the week everyone! 

Thanksgiving Whimsy and my to do list

My cousin and my brother posted these 2 photos on Facebook last year of these cute little csndles.  My sweet Aunt Bernice put these on the Thanksgiving table every year.  Now cousin Carla owns them and she shared 2 with my brother.  

If you can't tell from the photo, these are tiny, maybe 3 - 4 inches tall.  

How they survived all us 21 Campbell cousins, I have no idea.  

My mom crocheted the orange pumpkins. 

These plastic canvas magnets are made by me.  Aunt Bernice had a set and I guess someone made them for her.  She let me borrow hers after Thanksgiving, I used hers as a pattern and made my own. 

They always remind me of her.  

My candlestick Thanksgiving people, also made by me with plastic canvas.  

The tiny basket is a souvenir from a tractor show we attended in California and the turkey salt and pepper shakers belonged to my grandmother (and she gave them to my daughter but they like living here, right Nina?) 

And here's my weekly list, just a few days late this week.  

Now, after this stroll down memory lane,  I need to get busy! 

Camels, pecans and CVS

We are still picking pecans.  The pecan orchard is right beside a small animal park and this sweet, social camel lives there.  

We were picking near the fence and he came over to chat.  He really likes having his head patted and being talked to.  I understand he likes to give kisses on the cheek but I didn't want to be that friendly. 

In the background is more of the animal park.  I don't know what all lives there but I've heard they also have kangaroos and their monkeys can be seen in their big enclosed areas.  

The pecan trees we've been picking. 

The harvest is plenty but the workers are few........

CVS 

I did this deal Saturday so it is not available any longer but it is a deal they repeat every so often.  The Eucerin was buy $20 get $10 ExtraCareBuck.  

I used a 30% off any lotion coupon from my CVS app, $2 coupons on each item and I think $10 in ECBs.  It cost about $3 cash and I got back $10 ECB.  

All these products count toward Beauty Bucks and when I went to CVS Monday, a $5 ECB for Beauty Bucks printed for me at the red scanner.  

There were a lot of specials this week.  

Lots of items to buy and get their entire price back in ECBS.  

I spent about $8 and got back $17+ in ECBs.  Just the 2 gallons of milk would be close to $8 at other grocery stores.  I drank the Ocean Spray Pact orange flavored drink on the way home from pecan picking,  it tasted very good.  

CVS has another sale that starts Thursday and I've looked it over but I will probably skip it.  

Other Black Friday shopping is up in the air.  If I see something we want in the newspaper ads, I might do a little shopping but I won't be standing in any mobs or camping in front of any stores.  

I have not yet made a to do list for this week.  We've been busy with family and grands until this afternoon and then we spent the afternoon at the pecan orchard.  

So tomorrow, I'll do some minimal housecleaning and plan out the Thanksgiving cooking.  

Hope you are all having a good week! 

2 baby tips

I sewed up a few bandana style baby bibs last month for the grandson baby.  He is quite a prolific drooler so I looked through my fabric and cut out a bunch more last night. 

This new batch has flannel on either both or 1 side for absorbency.  

I prefer to use buttons to close bibs and the assorted buttons are all from my button jar.  

Bandana bibs sew up quickly and don't use much fabric.

There are multiple free bandana bib patterns and tutorials online.  

Tip 1 is make some bibs for the babies in your life or for shower gifts.  

We were  indoors on that day  but this 20 pounder was spending a lot of time in the stroller.  He was a little sick with teething and a cold, so he didn't  want to sleep in the swing.  He is just so big that my arms get tired if I carry him as much he would like, so when we need to move from room to room, this little umbrella stroller is perfect.  

Babies want to be close to their caregivers so even on his happy days, if I am doing laundry or straightening up our home, I roll whichever baby is here around the house in a little stroller.  

The baby likes it and my back really likes it!  

Jackson modeling a bandana bib- 

I looked through my fabric stash and cut out a stack of bandana bibs for granddaughter Charlie.  I'll get them sewed up so I can give them to her Thanksgiving. 

Silly Elizabeth in a green apron with a tutu on her head, 

Can you guess what she is?  

A flower of course!