Kroger Moonlight Madness Sale 10/30

I made a quick trip to Kroger to get some of the Moonlight Madness Sale items. It was really perfect timing on things we needed for my daughter's birthday party on Saturday. We are having hot dogs, chili, chips, cake and ice cream. I got Ballpark franks on a really good deal at Kroger several weeks ago (they are in the freezer), but I didn't have buns. I also needed chips and some Halloween candy. I was able to pick up $100 Grand bars at a good price. These will be fun to give out at Financial Peace University.

Here is my transaction:

4 pkg of hot dog buns $0.50 ea
2 bags Cheetos $1.27 ea
2 bags Fritos $1.27 ea
4 2-liter drinks $0.39 ea
4 Tombstone pizzas $1.99 ea (These will be great quick dinners after work)
4 Hunts tomato sauce $0.49 ea
...- $1/2 coupons x2 (Free)
2 bags candy $1.47 ea
...- $1 MQ x2 ($0.47 ea)
3 bags $100 Grand bars $1.47 ea
1 4-roll Cottonelle
...- $0.59 MQ --thought I had an e-coupon :-(
1 can Pinto beans $0.58
1 bag Lay's chips $2.00 (birthday girl wants for party)

Total OOP $25.45

Savings $30.65 or 55%

Maybe not the best savings, but great deals on party food!

Check out Super Savings Saturday at Money Saving Mom to see how other folks did this week.

Baby Bloomers

Here are some examples of Baby Bloomers that I have personalized and embroidered. If you are interested in purchasing any like these or with your own personalization just send me an e-mail: astitchoffaith@yahoo.com

Bloomer Sizes Available in:

Size 1 (0-6 mo) up to approx 18 lbs

Size 2 (6-12 mo) up to approx 22 lbs

Size 3 (12-18 mo) up to approx 26 lbs

Size 4 (18-24 mo) up to approx 29 lbs

Tag! You're It!

I have been tagged by Lorrie at Mommy Stays Home. I have enjoyed reading Lorrie's blog and I know you will, too. Here are the rules and I hope you will join in the fun...

• Link back to the person who tagged you and share the rules on your blog.
• Share seven facts about yourself.
• Tag seven people and list their links in your post.
• Tell those seven people they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

Here are seven things about me:

1. I have been a Registered Nurse for 22 years.
2. I am married (for 23 years) and have two kids--a son (20 y.o) and daughter (13 y.o.)
3. I love to sew, make quilts, and even do some knitting.
4. I am currently praying about a major life changing decision.
5. I can read upside-down writing.
6. I, like Lorrie, am constantly trying to think of new business ideas. I have already tried too many standard home business (direct selling) ideas. Tupperware, BeautiControl, Longaberger.....
7. I want to work more in my church and bring many more people to the Lord.

Here are the blogs I have tagged:

Loving the Moment

Anyone Can Quilt

Living Simple With a Handful of Quietness

$5 Dinners

3 Sides of Crazy

Fiddledeedee

The Adventures of a Working Mom

New Range

Ohh...soooo pretty!


I love my new Maytag Gemini Double Oven Gas Range. Can't wait for all the holiday baking!

This is definitely My Favorite Thing!

Visit Fiddledeedee and see other My Favorite Things.

Menu Plan Monday 10/27

Yeah! We got our new Maytag Gemini Gas Range yesterday. It is so beautiful! (See it HERE)
I finally get to cook in an oven again. I didn't get to a few of my planned meals last week so I am going to try again this week. Also, we decided to postpone my daughter's birthday celebrate until this coming Saturday.

Breakfasts--still using up from pantry and freezer: bagels, toaster strudel, oatmeal, cereal, eggos

Lunches--soup, sandwiches, pickles, yogurt, fruit, chips

Dinners

Monday
Pork Roast
mashed potatoes
steamed broccoli/cauliflower

Tuesday
Chicken pot pie
steamed broccoli/carrots

Wednesday
Chicken Fried Rice

Thursday
Breakfast for dinner
eggs, bacon, toast, OJ

Friday
Homemade Pizza

Saturday
Hot dogs/chili
chips
cake/ice cream

Sunday
Crockpot Teriyaki chicken wings
Rice-a-roni
steamed veggie

Check out other menu ideas at I'm an Organizing Junkie--Menu Plan Monday.

Have a great week!

Please Vote with Your Values in Mind

Georgia Quilt Show

Last Friday I went to The Georgia Quilt show.

I met a friend from work, Joni.


We had a great time shopping and looking at all the quilts.



We had fun dreaming of making quilts like these!


There were all colors and patterns.

This quilt looks like an oil painting. It's applique.

Ohhh......





Someday I want to make a two-color quilt. And a log cabin quilt.

Two birds with one stone...



Very inspiring.



And, I couldn't resist this novelty fabric. I am a sucker for novelty fabric.


Cute little kitty and dogs.

Also picked up a new pretty nail file.



Joni is standing in front of a red, black and white quilt that uses the novelty fabric I bought in the border.



After we were done, we went and had a nice lunch at Chick-fil-A. Yum!

Kroger 10/24/08

I went to Kroger today because I needed to use $4 in catalinas that were expiring today. We needed eggs and produce, and I wanted to get the free items. I also received a mailer this week from Kroger for several free items. Here is how my transaction went:

1.83 lb pears (5 pears $1/lb) $1.83
1.52 lb gala apples (4 apples $1/lb $1.52
....- $1 Kroger fresh fruit coupon (mailer) ($0.52)
2 bags fresh brocolli/carrots/cauliflower $1.39 ea (manager special)
1 bag baby carrots
...- $1 Kroger fresh veggie coupon (mailer) (FREE)
4 boxed Green Giant frozen veggies ($1 ea)
...- 2 $1 MQ, 1 $1/2 MQ . 1 $0.50 e-coupon ($0.50 for all 4)
2 Baby oils $1.89 ea
....- 2 $1 MQ (got back $2 in catalinas) (Free plus overage w/ catalinas)
2 Celestial Seasonings teas $1 ea
...- 2 $1 MQ (FREE)
4 Hunt's tomato sauce $0.49 ea
...- 2 $1/2 MQ (FREE)
1 Duncan Hines Frosting $1.59
...- $1 MQ (thought I had an e-coupon, but guess not!) ($0.59)
1 package Ground Sirloin patties $4.58 (markdown Manager's special)
1 package Kroger buns $1.29
1 20 oz. bottle Dasani water $1.39
...- Free bottle water Kroger Q (FREE)
1 2 liter Coke Zero $1.25
...- Free Coke Zero Q (FREE)
6 Naturally Preferred flavored water $1 ea
...- 3 B1G1 Q ($0.50 ea)
1 Nestle chocolate milk $1
...- $0.50 MQ (doubled) (FREE)
2 dozen Kroger large eggs $1.29 ea
...- Free Kroger eggs Q ($1.29 for both)
1 Hallmark card $3.69
....- free greeting card Q (FREE)
1 89 oz. Tropicana Orange Juice $4.49
...- $1.50 MQ ($2.99)

Minus $4 in catalinas from previous visit (Glade)


Total OOP $17.07

My receipt said $44.61 total savings or 72%!

It was really funny to watch the man behind me. He became a believer in coupons!

Check out more deals at Money Saving Mom Super Savings Saturday.

CVS 10/22/08

I went to CVS Wednesday night after a long work day because I had a $4.99 ECB that was expiring. I managed to put together two pretty good transactions.


Transaction 1



1 Powerade $1.69
1 Value Pak Gum toothbrushes $3.99
....-$0.75 MQ
1 bottle CVS vitamin D $2.99

- $4.99 ECB
- $2.99 ECB

Total OOP $0.20

Received back $1.69, $3.99, and $2.99 ECBs.

Transaction 2

1 clearanced cordless caller ID phone. $6.25
...- $5.79 ECB

Total OOP $0.49

Pretty good, and there is a $10 mail in rebate for the phone. Maybe this will be a nice moneymaker! Plus, we really needed a new phone and I have been patiently waiting for a good deal on one.

Check out more savings at The Centsible Sawyer CVS Superstars.

Also, take a look at Money Saving Mom Super Savings Saturday.

Omaha Steak Deal

Check out this deal from Omaha Steaks and Geico. I just followed the directions on Catherine Wheels and it worked perfectly. My husband can't wait for the steak burgers to arrive!

Menu Plan Monday 10/20

This week's menu has a few dishes recycled from last week--we just didn't get to them. We are definitely feeling a little overwhelmed by our busy schedule. I haven't done any grocery shopping since last Monday, and I don't have a trip planned until Friday. Plus, we still haven't had time to shop for a new oven! So, here goes, more menus from stove top, crock pot, etc.

Breakfasts
Bagels
Eggos
oatmeal
cereal/milk
OJ

Lunches
Leftovers
Sandwiches
Soup
Yogurt
Fruit/Parfait cups
Fruit

Dinners

Monday
Salad
Baked potatoes (microwave)

Tuesday
Chicken and rice
salad
veggie

Wednesday
Ragu
spaghetti noodles
salad

Thursday
Crockpot pork roast
Rice side dish
veggie

Friday
BBQ meatloaf (didn't make last week)
mashed potatoes
veggie or salad

Saturday
Crockpot teriyaki wings
rice a roni
steamed veggie

Sunday
Birthday party
grilled hotdogs
chili
chips
cake/ice cream

Be sure to check out other Menu Plan Monday ideas at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Sarah Palin on SNL

Here is a funny clip from SNL last night. If the McCain campaign would let her do more appearances like this, they just might win the election.

Don't give up on me...

Just letting everyone know, I am suffering from some kind of virus and can't stay out of bed for very long. Hope to be back soon with posts on Georgia Quilt Show and more.

In the mail....

These are the free items I have received in the mail so far this week. Not too bad....

The magazine subscription came from filling out an online survey. The other samples were from the Wal-mart website. If you haven't gotten samples from Wal-mart, give it a try. Go HERE to see what is available now.

Pork Fried Rice

Here is a recipe that I adapted from one I found in a magazine recently (don't remember which one, I was in an orthodontist office!) We tried it with our modifications and it was delicious!

1 egg, beaten
cooked pork (about 1lb raw)--I used a couple of cups chopped leftover pork roast
2 1/2 - 3 cups cooked brown rice
2 scallions (you could substitute regular onion)
1 cup frozen peas or mixed veggies
1/4 c low sodium soy sauce
2 tsp sesame oil

Coat non-stick skillet with spray. Place on medium heat. Add beaten egg and let cook undisturbed 1 minute. Using a large silicone spatula flip egg and cook additional 30 seconds. Transfer to cutting board and cut into 2" x 1/2" thin strips.

Increase skillet heat to med-high and add scallions, brown rice and veggies (peas). Cover and cook 2 minutes. Add cooked pork, egg, soy sauce, and sesame oil and heat through.

That's it! Enjoy!

Total Money Makeover Live Event!

We went to The Total Money Makeover Live Event in Birmingham, Alabama on Saturday. In the picture above is me and my hubby, Tom (left) and friends from church, George and Suzanne (right). We had a great time of fun, fellowship and learning. We all came back with renewed energy about obtaining Financial Peace!



Our pastor would like to get a Financial Peace University class started at our church by February. We are all very excited to be involved with the class, but we have a lot to learn and a lot of preparation ahead of us. It will be such a blessing to bring this practical information not only to our church, but also as an outreach ministry to the surrounding community. There are a lot of frightened people out there right now.


Click HERE to view one part of a Financial Peace University class, and HERE to find a class near you!

Menu Plan Monday 10/13

Well, we have another very busy week, and another week with no working oven. So, my menu will again consist of meals that can be cooked on the stove top, cockpot, or nesco roaster, microwave, or toaster oven.

Breakfasts
Toaster Strudel
cereal/milk
waffles
oatmeal
bagels/cream cheese
OJ
fruit

Lunches
leftovers
soup/sandwiches
yogurt
carrot sticks
pickles
chex mix
chips

Dinners

Monday
Breakfast for dinner
Eggs
bacon
toast
OJ

Tuesday
Soft tacos
w/ lettuce, tomato
onion, avacado, salsa

Wednesday
Pulled pork sandwiches
tater tots or rice dish
steamers veggie (I have many varieties in freezer)

Thursday
Spaghetti sauce
noodles
salad
fruit

Friday
Pork fried rice
fruit

Saturday
Going to wedding--no cooking.


Sunday
BBQ Meatloaf (making in nesco roaster)
Mashed potatoes
steamed veggie

Have a great week!

Be sure to visit I'm an Organizing Junkie to see more Menu Planning Monday ideas!

Dave Ramsey--Live Event

Tomorrow morning we are heading out to Birmingham, Alabama to attend The Total Money Makeover Live Event with Dave Ramsey. Check back Sunday to get an update on how it went....

Click HERE to read more about Dave and his live events.

Kroger 10/10

I went to Kroger today to use up some of my Glade catlinas that were going to expire in a couple of days. Here is what I got:

1 gallon 1% milk $3.19
1 96 oz. Tropicana OJ $4.49
...- 1 $0.75 MQ ($3.74)
6 Birds Eye Steamfresh veggies $1.47 ea
.... - 2 $1/3 MQ ($1.14 ea)
2 Glade plug-in gel warmers $1.79 ea
.... - 1 B1G1 Glade MQ ($0.90 ea) + printed $4 cat for next shopping order
1 Pineapple $2.99
2 Avacados $1 ea

Minus $20 in catalinas from previous Glade purchases

Total OOP $1.10 ($0.89 of that was tax!)

My receipt said total savings of $32.66 or 99%!

Not too bad. Might have to try and get some more Glade....

Just for Laughs

Here is one of the cutest videos I have ever seen. I laugh every time I watch it!



Gotta love Charlie! And what a well-mannered older brother Harry is--he is so polite!

My Favorite Things 10/7

My Favorite Thing for this week is my Jilbere Titanium Tools flat iron. I bought it this weekend after I got all my hair cut off. I have been wanting a flat iron for a long time, and this hair style needed it. Best of all..It was on sale!

Be sure to visit Fiddledeedee and see more of "My Favorite Things".

Publix Super Savers 10/5

Publix had some good sales this week. Did I really need to buy this stuff? You know the answer..no! I just can't seem to pass up the deals. About the only thing I really needed was the bathroom cleaning foam...but did I need 5 of them?!?

Oh well, there goes my $200 budget for October. It is Oct. 6th and I have already spent $200. That didn't take long.

Here is what I got:

1 Angelsoft 12 roll bath tissue $5.50
...- $1 MQ ($4.50)
5 Scrubbing Bubbles Bath Foam $2 ea
...- $1 MQ ($1 ea)
1 All Free & Clear $3.99
...- $1 MQ ($2.99)
2 Scrubbing Bubbles Gel Toilet Cleaner $2
...- $1 MQ ($1 ea)
4 Lender's Bagels $1 ea
...- $0.75 MQ ($0.25 ea)
1 Publix cream cheese $1.29
4 Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes $.80 ea
...- 2 $0.80 MQ & 2 $0.70 MQ (2 FREE & 2 $0.10 ea)
1 Hall's cough drops $1.67 (I think they charged me wrong)
...- $0.70 MQ ($0.97)
4 Uncle Ben's Rice $1.30 ea
...- $1/2 MQ ($0.80 ea)
4 Knorr sides $0.80 ea
...- $0.60/2 MQ ($0.50 ea)
2 Ragu Sauce $1.68 ea
...- $1/2 MQ ($1.18 ea)
2 Multigrain Cheerios $2.15 ea
...- $1 MQ ($1.15 ea)
3 Eggo waffles $1.50 ea
...- $0.55 MQ ($0.95 ea)
1 Publix coffee Penny item

Total OOP $33.08

Be sure to see other Publix Super Savers at Fiddledeedee.

Also, visit Crystal at Money Saving Mom to see Super Savings Saturday.

A visit at work

A while back we had a visitor at work. He brought the staff some chicken strips. One of the eye surgeons, Dr. H, gave him an impromptu eye exam in the hallway of the operating room!

He was given a clean bill of health and sent on his way.....

Menu Plan Monday 10/6

Well, this week my oven decided to quit working. We knew it was only a matter of time. I am actually excited to be getting a new stainless steel range. But, staying true to the Dave Ramsey philosophy, we will not be purchasing a new range until we are able to pay cash. We are almost there, but this week's meals will all have to be cooked on the stove top, crock pot, Nesco roaster or toaster oven. We will have enough in savings by this Friday to go get the range, but we have a very busy weekend. So, we may actually have two weeks of stove-top cooking.

Breakfasts
Bagels
Toaster Strudel
Eggos
Oatmeal
Cereal/Milk
Fruit
OJ

Lunches
Soup
Sandwiches
Ravioli
Chex Mix
Yogurt
Fruit
Fruit/Parfait cups

Dinners

Monday
Crock Pot Pork Chops (didn't make last week)
Rice
Veggie

Tuesday
Breakfast for Dinner
eggs
bacon
toast

Wednesday
Soup
Grilled cheese sandwiches

Thursday
I have dinner meeting, hubby cooking!
Plus an orchestra concert at school!
Shrimp Scampi Voila Meal
Or maybe McDonalds!!!! Yuck!

Friday
Colorado White Chili (didn't make last week)
Tortillas

Saturday
Out--Going to The Total Money Makeover Live Event!

Sunday
Pork Roast in crock pot (need recipe--any ideas?)
Rice
Veggie


Be sure to see other Menu Plan Monday ideas at I'm an Organizing Junkie!

Have a great week!

Ebay

I have just listed a bunch of items on e-bay. I have a little side embroidery business, and I am now gearing up for the Holiday season. Check out some of my items. They make great personalized gifts. There are also some handbags that look very similar to a famous designer bag......


Here is the link to see my items for sale:


http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/astitchoffaith01



Check it out!

Target 10/5

I went to Target after church this morning to try and find Electrasol at a good price. My 5 $2.25 coupons were expiring today. Kroger has the 20 ct box for $4.09 this week, but I thought I could do better on price. The Wal-mart closest to church has the same box for $4.30 something...they are dreaming. That price is way more than another local Wal-mart ($3.67). I was thrilled to find Target had the 20 ct box for $2.79!

Here is the transaction:

5 boxes Electrasol 20ct $2.79 ea
...-5 $2.25 MQ ($0.54 ea)
1 Muir Glen tomato paste $1.09
...$1 MQ ($0.09)
1 bag Ziplock sandwich bags $1 (at checkout)
...$0.50 Ziplock Target Q

Total before taxes $3.29!
Total OOP after taxes $4.33!

Yea, me!!

New Do

Okay, I am posting this for my friend, Nora. I used to have really long hair. I got a wild idea, and had it all cut off yesterday. Let me know what you think.....