Book: “The Poky Little Puppy” by Janette Sebring Lowrey
This is a fun book that the girls enjoy! The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey is one of the first original Little Golden Books. It is a cute story about a curious little puppy who is always getting into mischief. The girls love this little puppy story. If you are looking for a classic children’s book to read to your kids check this book out.
Family Recipe: Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
We recently had some extra bananas that needed to be used up. For a change of pace I decided to do a Chocolate Chip Banana Bread which was a big hit with the family. The base recipe is our family recipe – Nancy’s Banana Bread with just a few chocolate chips for an added touch. This recipe is easy to put together and tasty too.
Chocolate Chip Banana Bread:
- 2 cups Flour
- 1 tablespoon Water
- 1/2 cup shortening
- 1/4 teaspoon Salt
- 2 Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 cup Sugar
- 1 cup Chocolate Chips
- 3 Bananas, mashed
Mix all the ingredients together. Place in greased and floured bread pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour.
You can use either miniature or regular chocolate chips, feel free to use either more or less depending on your family’s preference.
I’ve got a “crush” on you!
Sweet treat for my man
I discovered these cute “pop” love notes from Darling Doodles and have been enjoying adding these love notes to my stash of ones to give to Jake! He enjoys drinking Orange Crush so when it goes on sale I try to get a little for him. This particular love note was a great one to give to my man – I’ve got a “crush” on you!
This was a surprise I had waiting for him one day after he had been away on a work trip. Always love having a little surprise waiting for him when he gets home after being away. I make sure the surprises are different and are placed in random places too which gives an extra variety. These love notes have been a great addition and been a lot of fun to use!
I’ve got a “crush” on you!
Fresh & Healthy: Lunch Box Meals
Love notes for the kids at school
One of the best parts about sending the kids to school with a lunch is you can include some special goodies or notes for them as a surprise. After using the sandwich containers a few times I discovered something really neat…..they are perfect for “love” notes. If you have smooth sandwich containers that you send to school with your kids or to work with your husband grab a dry erase marker and write a quick note for them. I will often write a little note for them and erase it before putting it in the dishwasher at the end of the day. I keep the marker on the refrigerator so I can get it easily while I am packing lunches for the family. This takes only a couple minutes and means a lot to your family. A short and sweet note can be the extra boost of love and encouragement they need throughout the day.
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of April 4 – 10, 2012
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals. 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 Beef – $2.18 lb
Boneless Pork Loin – $1.98 lb
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast – $1.98 lb
Boston Butt Roast – $1.69 lb
Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs – $0.99 lb
Matlaw’s Shrimp Ring with Sauce (10 oz) – $4.99
Hickory Springs Sliced Bacon – $2.50
Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage (16 oz) – $2.50
Chicken Leg Quarters (10 pound bag) – $6.89
Bone-In Shank Portion Ham – $1.29 lb
Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage (12 oz) – $1.99
Use $0.55/1 coupon from insert 3/25 Red Plum (Expires 5/15/12)
$1.44 each after couponPick 5 for $19.99 promo on going! Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts or types of meats, vegetables and more. Here are a few of the specials they have going on with the Pick 5 for $19.99 this week (each item approximately $3.99):
Fridge and Freezer
Mrs. Smith’s Pies (32 oz) – $2.99
Use $1.00/1 coupon from insert 3/25 Red Plum (Expires 5/5/12)
Use $0.75/1 coupon from insert 3/25 Smart Source (Expires 5/5/12)
As low as $1.99 each after couponPillsbury Grand Biscuits (16 oz) – $1.00
Use $0.30/1 coupon from insert 2/5 General Mills (Expires 4/28/12)
Use $0.30/2 coupon from insert 2/5 General Mills (Expires 4/28/12)
Use $0.40/3 coupon from insert 3/11 Smart Source (Expires 6/2/12)
Use $0.40/3 coupon from insert 4/1 Smart Source (Expires 6/23/12)
As low as $0.70 each after couponTotino Pizza Rolls (15 count) – $1.00
Blue Bonnet Spread (45 oz) – $2.49
Buyers Best Hash Brown Patties (18 count) – $1.00
Borders American Cheese Singles (12 oz) – $1.88
Banquet Brown ‘n Serve Sausage, Big Bag (39 count) – $3.49
Dannon Oikos Greek Yogurt – $1.00
Home Churned Butter Quarters (16 oz) – $1.99
Coburn Farms Cream Cheese (8 oz) – $1.00
Imperial Spread Quarters – $0.99
Morning Delight Crescent Rolls (8 oz) – $1.69
Creamy Whip Whipped Topping (8 oz) – $0.99
Coburn Farms Sour Cream (16 oz) – $1.69
Armour Fun Kit Lunchmakers – $1.99
Produce
Baking Potatoes (10 pounds) – $3.99
Onions (3 pounds) – $2.99
Navel Oranges (4 pounds) – $1.98
Libby’s Mini Corn on the Cob (4 count) – $1.00
Red Delicious Apples (5 pounds) – $2.99
Fresh Celery – $1.00
Mini Carrots (16 oz) – $1.00
Sweet Potatoes – $0.49 lb
Grocery
Domino Granulated Sugar (4 pounds) – $1.98
Use $0.40/1 coupon from insert 3/18 Red Plum (Expires 4/30/12)
Use $0.75/2 coupon from insert 3/18 Red Plum (Expires 4/30/12)
As low as $1.58 each after couponRitz Crackers (14 oz) – $1.98
Maxwell House Coffee (23 oz) – $4.98
Use $1.00/1 coupon from insert 4/1 Smart Source (Expires 5/1/12)
Use $0.60/1 coupon from insert 4/1 Smart Source (Expires 5/1/12)
As low as $3.98 each after couponCrisco Oil (48 oz) – $2.99
Betty Crocker Au Gratin or Scalloped Potatoes (8.5 oz) – $1.99
Pasta Roni or Rice-A-Roni (4 to 7 oz) – $1.00
Prego Italian Pasta Sauce (28 oz) – $1.50
Tipton Grove Applesauce – $1.99
Kraft Pudding Cups (4 count) – $1.00
Toast-em Toaster Pastries (8 count) – $1.00
Pringles Super Stacks – $1.39
Use $1.00/4 coupon from insert 3/18 Red Plum (Expires 4/30/12)
$1.14 each after couponTGI Fridays Potato Skins Snack Chips – $1.00
King’s Hawaiian Dinner Rolls (12 count) – $2.49
Use $2.00/1 printable coupon from King’s Hawaiian
$0.49 each after couponWelch’s Chillers Juice Drinks (64 oz) – $1.99
Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix – $0.49
Potatoes on the Side, Instant Mash Potatoes – $1.49
So Cheezy Shells & Cheddar or Deluxe Mac & Cheese – $1.59
Stuffing on the Side Stuffing Mix – $0.89
Betty Crocker Suddenly Pasta Salad – $1.00
Use $0.50/2 printable coupon from Betty Crocker
$0.75 each after couponLibby’s Pineapple (28 oz) – $0.99
Kaskey’s Cream of Mushroom Soup – $0.69
Wylwood Crispy Onions – $2.19
O’Day’s Mac & Cheese – $0.50
Portside Chunk Light Tuna – $0.69
Portmann’s Mayonnaise – $2.49
Ginger Evans Cake Mixes – $1.39
Ginger Evans Powdered Sugar or Light Brown Sugar – $1.79
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.
Travel & Vacation: “We Love You” Folder
Jake’s Folder of “Love” Notes
Awhile ago the girls and I made a “We Love You” folder for Jake to take with him when he travels. Even though we love the opportunities when we can go with him it is not always possible to go with him on every trip. When he goes on a trip and we cannot tag along we send our “We Love You” folder with him along with notes or drawings from each of us. Jake enjoys seeing the pictures and reading the notes while he is away. We have a blast putting something special in the folder for him.
Here are a few examples of items we have put into his “We Love You!” Folder:
Love note to Jake
Karlie’s love note to Daddy
Brina’s love note to Daddy
Drawing from Karlie
Sweet note from the girls
Note to Daddy from Karlie
Note to Daddy from Brina
I Love You note to my Handsome Man!
Fresh & Healthy: School Lunchbox Meals
School lunch goodies
The girls enjoy a variety of fruits, vegetables and other goodies in their school lunches. Along with the mix of character bags and containers their lunches usually have something different in it everyday. I have found that the tube yogurts are very nice for the girls lunches because they are easy to use (no spoon is needed, especially since somehow they manage to lose those on the way to school).
- Roast Beef and Cheese Sandwich
- Fresh Green Grapes
- Fresh Cherry Tomatoes
- Fresh Apple Peel Confetti Crisps
- Homemade Banana Bread
- Yogurt Tube
- Cars Marshmallows
- Cherry & Lemon Jello
- Pink Lemonade
Fresh fruits and vegetables for lunch
Free Audio Book: “Road to the Resurrection” by Greg Laurie
For the month of April Christian Audio is offering a free download of an audio book . This month the audio book is Road to the Resurrection by Greg Laurie.
A guidebook to the facts and circumstances surrounding the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. The listener will examine the people, places and timeline of that first Easter. But more than that, delve into the prophecies of those events, given hundreds of year prior, as well what happened after Christ rose from the dead. (information from Christian Audio)
If you have been wanting to a book to listen to throughout the day or while driving then this is a great opportunity to get a book for free when you download it from Christian Audio in April. Make sure to submit your order by April 30, 2012 to get your free audio book. Thanks Christian Audio!
Song: “Lead Me to the Cross” by Hillsong
This song reminds me of the things that I treasure in life and points me back to where my focus should really be, at the cross. I tend to hold tightly onto things in my life (my husband, children, security when money is in the bank, my time, schedule, etc….) While all those things are good things to spend my time and energy on when they become my focus I am not allowing God to work through my life. If my heart reflects the love of God then all the other “stuff” will fall into place. When I focus on serving Him then I am a better wife, Mom, and steward of my money and time. Sometimes I need a gentle reminder of the top priorities in my life. Thank you Jesus for sacrificing your life on the cross so I can live and reach out to others.
Review & Giveaway: Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler
I am thrilled to introduce you to the new Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler that I have recently received PLUS I will be giving away 1 of the Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler’s to one lucky reader (details below)!!! It includes everything you need for your waste and recycling in one container for your kitchen. Even though we have only been using it for a short time our family has enjoyed having a specific spot to put all our recycling materials. The recycled items are contained within the Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler so we don’t even have to see them until we are ready to take them to recycle. I am very excited to be giving one of these great Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recyclers to one of my readers!
Here are some of the benefits of the Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler:
- Keeps recyclables off the counter by giving them a place to live in your kitchen
- The bottom tilt out bin holds a standard 8-gallon trash bag AND features LinerLock™ bag management, so your bag stays put and does not slip
- Both the top bin and bottom bin have convenient handles when needed to transport recyclables to wherever your recycling is stored for pick-up or transport
- The 2-in-1 Recycler fits more recyclables while using 25% less floor space compared to typical divided containers
- Made with recyclable materials and is recyclable
The Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler has quickly become a hit with my family. My favorite part about this great product is that it takes up less floor space and contains all the recycled material in one spot. The recycled items are out of sight until it is time to take them and Rubbermaid has made it easy to transport the items with the handles.
Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler details:
- Two unit bin 2-in-1 Recycler
- Contain trash and recyclables all in one location or sort your recyclables
- Sleek design blends into kitchen décor
- Features LinerLock™ bag management in lower bin
- Removable lid
- Fold-away handles
- 5.8 gal sorting bin
- 7.4 gal tilt out bin with Liner Lock™ handles
- Total capacity = 13.2 gal
- Perfect for multi-stream or single stream recycling
- Suggested Retail Price is $39.99
I encourage you to check out more information on Rubbermaid’s 2-in-1 Recycler if you are interested in finding a nice solution for your recycling needs. These Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recyclers would make a great birthday or wedding gifts for family or friends! The Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler can be purchased at Rubbermaid’s website or at your local Meijer store.
Giveaway
As a way to say thank you to my readers and to share Rubbermaid’s great 2-in-1 Recycler I am hosting a giveaway!
The winner of this giveaway will receive:
- 1 Rubbermaid 2-in-1 Recycler (see picture and details above)
Here’s how to enter the giveaway:
- Sign up to follow my blog (if you haven’t done so already) and leave a comment below telling us how you follow Blessings Multiplied. You can sign up to receive Blessings Multiplied via email or like on Facebook.
- You can get a bonus entry into the drawing if you leave a separate comment below sharing your best recycling tip!
All comments must be made by Monday, April 30, 2012 at 10:00 PM EST to be entered into the drawing.
More information about Rubbermaid and the 2-in-1 Recycler can be found:
*I was given this product for free to write an informed review. The opinions expressed in this post are my own. I was not paid to write this post. A special thanks to Rubbermaid for providing this 2-in-1 Recycler to review and for the giveaway for my readers!
