Deals & Giveaways

  • Family Recipe: Sour Cream Banana Coffee Cake

    I received this recipe several years ago from my Aunt Vick.  Lately, I have been able to get quite a few bananas on clearance at the store and have several bags of frozen bananas in the freezer to use throughout the winter.  As I was looking for a recipe to utilize some of the bananas and I came across this one which is perfect!  If you are looking for a great alternative to banana bread for a breakfast, brunch, or snack this is one you should try.

    Sour Cream Banana Coffee Cake:

    • 1/2 cup Butter
    • 1 cup Sugar
    • 2 Eggs
    • 1 cup mashed Bananas
    • 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
    • 1/2 cup Sour Cream
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
    • 1/4 teaspoon Salt
    • 2 cups Flour
    • 1/2 cup Sugar
    • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon

    1.  Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

    2.  Add eggs and blend.

    3.  Add bananas, vanilla, and sour cream.

    4.  Add salt, baking powder, baking soda and flour.

    5.  In another bowl mix 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon.

    6.  Sprinkle 1/2 of Sugar / Cinnamon mixture over the bottom of a well greased bundt pan.  Spoon in 1/2 of the batter into the pan.  Sprinkle on remaining cinnamon mixture and cover with the rest of the batter.  Cut through with a knife to swirl it a little bit.

    7.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

    For an extra special treat you can add a simple frosting or glaze to this delicious cake!

    Photo by Little Blue Hen

  • CellularFactory: LED Color Changing Coaster (FREE Shipping)

    Cellular Factory has a LED Color Changing Coaster

    on sale for $3.99 with FREE Shipping

    Enter code:  1V4TPZ

    Code Expires:  9/28/2011

    Product Summary

    Lights up drinks, flower vases or other clear objects when placed on top of this color changing coaster. It is great for parties or as a gift for family and friends.

    FEATURES:

      • You can easily locate a drink of water or other items on your bed side table in the dark, so it can be a night light.
      • It is battery powered, no need to run an electrical cord to an outlet.
      • Easy to use, pressure sensitive on/off button
      • Color changing LED slowly alternates through a rainbow spectrum of colors.
      • Perfect for parties!

    SPECIFICATIONS:

    • Powered by: 3*AAA batteries (Not included)
    • Color: Black or White (Random Color)
    • Material: Plastic
    • Outer Diameter: 9.3cm/ 3.66in
    • Inner Diameter: 7cm/ 2.76in
    • Height: 2cm/ 0.79in
    • Net Weight:   2.82
    • Item Number:   53338-CNT-8489

  • SkyTop Orchard: $1.00 off a Bushel of Apples Coupon

    If you are looking for a great fall family activity you might want to try Apple Picking!

    SkyTop Orchard is now open for apple picking and is offering a coupon for $1.00 a bushel of Apples.

    You can pick your own apples or buy apples they have picked in their store

    What is at SkyTop Orchard:

    • Pick Your Own Apples, Peaches, Pears, and Grapes (check to see what is currently in season)
    • “Made While You Watch” Apple Cake Doughnuts
    • Hayrides
    • Pick Pumpkins, Gourds, and Fall Decorations
    • Picnic Areas
    • Barnyard Goats, Sheep, Chickens, Turkeys, Peacocks, Ducks and Geese
    • Free Apple Cider
    • Nature Trail through a Bamboo Forest
    • Orchard Pond
    • Bees working in their Beehive
    • Apple Goods, Hot Apple Cider, Caramel Apples, Fudge Apples and More
    • Honey, Jams, and Gifts
    • Kids Playground
    • Wooden cut-outs for pictures
    • And More!

    Where is SkyTop Orchard:

  • Save A Lot: Deals for the week of September 21 – 27, 2011

    The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience.   You do not need any coupons to get the Save A Lot Today prices.    Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!

    Meats and Seafood

    Ground Hamburger (80% Lean) – $2.49 per  lb

    Fresh Chicken Leg Quarters – $0.79 per lb

    Sugardale Smoked, Stadium, or Cheddar Brats (14 oz) – $1.99

    Holten Beef Patties (24 oz) – $1.99

    Farmington Pork Sausage (16 oz) – $1.99

    Oscar Mayer Ready to Serve Bacon (2.1 oz) – $2.49
    Use $0.55/1 coupon booklet from Kraft Food & Family (found at Food Lion & BiLo) Expires 12/31/11
    $1.94 each after coupon

    Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going: Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts of fresh, frozen or smoked meats and pay just $19.99 (about $2 per pound).

    Fridge and Freezer

    Buyers Best Crinkle Cut French Fries (32 oz) – $0.99

    McClary’s Cheese Singles (10.7 oz) – $0.99

    Bright & Early Orange and Grape Drinks – $1.00

    Morning Delight Cinnamon Rolls with Icing – $1.69

    Coburn Farms Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (12 oz) – $2.99

    Produce

    Jumbo Vine Ripe Tomatoes – $0.99 per lb

    Gala Apples (3 lbs) – $2.49

    Cucumbers – $0.50

    Cabbage – $0.39

    Cantaloupes – $1.49

    Navel Oranges (3 lbs) – $2.99

    Caeser Salad Kit (5.6 oz) – $2.49

    Household

    Angel Fresh Dryer Sheets – $0.99

    Glo Classic Dish Liquid (25 oz) – $0.99

    Save A Lot Today Bath Tissue (4 count) – $0.89

    Save A  Lot Today Liquid Laundry Detergent (45.4 oz) – $1.99

    Save A Lot Today Soap Scum Remover (32 oz) – $1.00

    Save A Lot Today All Purpose Pine Cleaner (32 oz) – $1.00

    Save A Lot Today All Purpose Cleaner with Bleach (32 oz) – $1.00

    Grocery

    Del Monte Spaghetti Sauce (25.6 oz) – $0.88

    Mantia’s Spaghetti or Elbow Macaroni Noodles – $0.99

    Green Giant Vegetables (14 to 15 oz) – $0.59

    Andy Capp Fries – $0.69

    Tony’s Mega Pouch (Pepperoni Pizza or Egg & Bacon) – $0.79

    Arizona Drinks (23 oz) – $0.79

    Bisquick Shake & Pour (5.1 oz) – $0.99

    Diane’s Garden Tomato Sauce (8 oz) – $0.29

    Kurtz Ketchup – $0.89

    Kurtz Wing Sauce – $1.39

    Marcum Chicken Coating Mix – $0.99

    Marcum Seasoned Bread Crumbs (11 oz) – $0.99

    O Days Mac & Cheese – $0.39

    Potatoes on the Side Scallop or Au Gratin – $0.99

    Save A Lot Today Toaster Pastries – $0.99

    McDaniel’s Enhanced Coffee Creamer (16 oz) – $1.79

    Mantia’s Crispy Crust Pizza Mix – $0.49

    Mantia’s Pizza Sauce (14 oz) – $0.99

    Wylwood Mushroom Pieces and Stems – $0.59

    Bell’s Sliced Ripe Olives – $0.79

    Sugardale Sliced Pepperoni (8 oz) – $1.99

    Grissom’s Garlic Bread Sticks (12 oz) – $1.99

    Cloverhill Strawberry Cheese Claw (4.25 oz) – $0.59

    Mrs. Freshley’s Buddy Bars or Oatmeal Creme Pies (8 count) – $1.00

    Health & Beauty

    Being Well Allergy Tablets (30 Count) – $2.49

    Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals!  Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends.

    For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here.  If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.

  • Book: “Space – The Ultimate Guide To The Universe”

    One of our girls loves planets, space and astronauts.  A family member gave her the “Space: The Ultimate Guide To The Universe” book a few years ago and it has been a huge hit!  It has been carried all over the house and gone on several road trips with us.  The book has pictures and information about space travel, astronomy, universe, solar system, stars and galaxies as well as posters of the universe and glow in the dark stars.  It has a lot of information packed in the variety of descriptions and colorful pictures.  The recommended age for the book is for 8 and up but if you have a child that loves space, astronauts, and planets then I would recommend it for them even at a younger age.  You’ll have to read it to a younger child but if they enjoy space as much as Karlie does then it will be a hit, not to mention educational!

  • Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4

    I am slowly adjusting to quieter grocery shopping trips, I miss the girls chit chat.  Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.

    Groceries from Dollar Tree and Rite Aid | Save A Lot

    Dollar Tree Groceries:

    • $1.00 at Dollar Tree for a loaf of Nature’s Own 100% Whole Wheat Bread.

    Rite Aid | Save A Lot Groceries:

    • $5.24 at Rite Aid | Save A Lot for a package of Cheese, fresh Peaches, fresh Plums and fresh Nectarines (the fruit was on sale and were great for the girls lunches).
    Groceries from BiLo

    BiLo Groceries:

    • $9.97 at BiLo for 2 gallons of Milk and 1 container of Country Crock Spread with Calcium (BiLo still has the least expensive milk on our side of town $3.49 per gallon and the Country Crock was on sale.  I used two reusable bags and BiLo gave me 10 cents off my entire purchase, every little bit helps.)
    Groceries from Ingles

    Ingles Groceries:

    • $21.60 at Ingles for 1 bag Bananas, 1 container Red Raspberries, 1 container Grape Tomatoes, 1 bag Green Grapes, 2 containers Strawberries, 2 Turkey Lunchables, 2 Chicken Lunchables, 1 Sweet Onion, 1 package Cube Steak (about 3 pounds) and 1 package 93% Lean Hamburger (Everything was marked down on clearance or on sale except the Lunchables which were $1.  The girls asked if they could have them at least a couple times a month as a special “treat” for their lunches at school, I decided to be extra nice and see how well they eat them, the ones I picked up don’t expire until Nov / Dec so we have a couple months to try them out).

    This week I spent $37.81 on groceries.  Even though I was only a little under on my budgeted amount for the week I would like to see it even lower.   This week I was able to stock up on several staple items as well as lunch bag items that we were needing.  I wish the milk prices would go down because that is a large chunk of the amount we spend on groceries each week.  Hopefully next week is an even better and we can come under budget for the week.

    It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks!  As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me.  I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too.  The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.

    Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances.  Life doesn’t always go as planned.  We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given.  Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life.  A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others.  There is so much more to life than having all the stuff.  We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.

  • Recipe: Crockpot Pearsauce

    Homemade Pearsauce

    Our neighbors were generous and gave us a bunch of delicious pears from their tree.  The girls were thrilled to have pears to eat.   It is amazing the variety of yummy treats you can make out of pears from sliced pears to smoothies and more.

    The girls LOVE applesauce so I decided to try my hand at making Pearsauce (much like Applesauce but with pears). You can do this with fresh picked pears or ones that you buy on clearance at your local grocery store.  I was thrilled at how well the recipe turn out which is perfect for lunches and as a side for meals.

    Crockpot Pearsauce:

    • 4 Pears
    • 1  tablespoon Lemon Juice (or 1 fresh squeezed Lemon)
    • 1 tablespoon Brown Sugar
    • 1/2 cup Water
    • 2 Cinnamon Sticks (or 1 tablespoon Ground Cinnamon)

    1.  Wash the pears.   Peel, core and cut your pears into cubes.

    2.  Put the pears in the crockpot.  Mix the lemon juice and water together then pour over the pears.  Sprinkle the top of the pears with Brown Sugar.  Place the cinnamon sticks on top (or sprinkle ground cinnamon)

    3.  Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.  When the pears are soft, drain any extra liquid, mash them with a potato masher, fork, or blender.

    4.  Store in an airtight container or bag in the refrigerator or freeze to enjoy at a later date.

    I tripled the recipe to fill up the crockpot since we had quite a few pears.  You can add more or less of the cinnamon based on your family’s preference.  It is a pretty easy recipe.  Love being able to leave it in the crockpot and come home to a wonderful smelling house.

    Bowl of fresh pears from our neighbors tree, thank you for sharing!

     Wash the pears

    Peel the pears

    I used a potato peeler to peel the skins off the pears.  It was really easy to get them off.

    Cut up pears

    Quarter the pears then cut them into cube like shapes.

    Crockpot full of fresh pears.

    I filled up the crockpot with sliced fresh pears.  Squeeze out the lemon juice and mix it with water then pour it over the pears in the crockpot.

    Adding the final touches before cooking.

    Sprinkle the brown sugar over the pears and add the two sticks of cinnamon (or sprinkle ground cinnamon over pears)

    Ready to Cook the Pearsauce

    Cook in a crockpot on low for 4 to 6 hours until tender then mash, blend, or mix to make into a pearsauce (or applesauce) like consistency.

    Close up of our first batch of Pearsauce

    You can make it smoother or chunkier based on your family’s preference.  The house smelled amazing when the pearsauce was cooking.  The girls had their first helping the next morning for breakfast and asked if there would be enough to eat for lunch and dinner!  I am very excited it turned out so well!  I divided this batch up – some to eat this weekend, froze a container full for later and filled up several small containers to stick in the girls and Jake’s lunches.  A big thanks to our sweet neighbors for sharing their pears with us!