Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Who Lives in a Pineapple.....

That's the song that has been stuck in my head since I made these tastey Cupcakes on Saturday morning...

This is a YUMMMMMYYY dessert, that is simple to make, with ingredients that you can find in your cabinets! You don't need a cast iron frying pan, or tons of time, and your kids can help along in the process.





Pineapple Upside- Down Cupcakes
(Recipe from Disney's Family Fun Magazine Aug 2009)


Batter:
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) of salted butter
1/2 cup milk
1 cup flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) salted butter
3/4 cup light or dark brown sugar tightly packed
6 maraschino cherries
1 20-oz can pineapple rings (I prefer FRESH Pineapple, so I buy a whole skinned pineapple)



Heat oven to 350
Place the butter and milk for the batter in a small saucepan over med. heat. Warm until the butter is melted.
Once melted, mix, and transfer to a small bowl to cool


Meanwhile, prepare the topping.
Into each cup of a 12-cup muffin pan, add 1/2 tablespoon of unmelted butter, (I don't measure 1/2 a tablespoon of butter, I just slice the 3/4 slick into 12 pads), then evenly sprinkle brown sugar over the butter. place pan in oven until the butter melts,
appx. 3 minutes





Halve each cherry, and cut the pineapple rings into quarters. Place one quarter of pineapple into each cup against the edge of the cup, and place a cherry halve, with the sliced side up (so that you see it in the pan) in the center of the pineapple/cup.
Push the cherry down to the bottom of the cup.
Place the muffin pan aside for right now.





Finish making the batter.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt and stir with a fork until blended.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar and vanilla until smooth.
Add the flour mixture, and stir until the flour is fully incorporated.(What ever that means)
Add the milk butter mixture into the large bowl, and stir into a smooth batter. (..It was runny...if runny means smooth, your good)





Pour the batter into the muffin pan, dividing it evenly among all of the cups




 Bake the cupcakes, until lightly browned, dry around the edges and pulling away from the pan a little. (About 26 minutes)

Transfer the pan to a cooling rack, and let sit for about 5 minutes. then, use a butter knife to loosen each cupcake from the edges of the pan. Place a foil lined cookie sheet over the muffin pan, and flip the cupcakes onto the sheet. Serve at room temperature.

Makes 12 cupcakes


(Note- the empty beer bottle was not mine)

All 12 Cupcakes were gone by Monday morning in my house!


Saturday, April 23, 2011

Litttle Bit of Easter

With all of the rain, and dreary-ness, and cold weather, it hasn't been very Spring like to me.


And, even though I knew which day Easter would fall on, a whole year in advance, (You know it's one of those holidays that changes dates every year), I still procrastinated decorating this year.


Two weeks ago, I found this idea


DSCN8513






 on the House of Hepworth's blog and loved the idea.


Then I saw this post at Decor Chick recently,




 that just happened to reference HoH's post.


I knew that I could find the cheese domes at Goodwill, and I already had the prefect candle stick holder...
so I took the plunge!




Here is the Before picture. (Both items were Goodwill treasures, total cost $5)


I spray painted them with VALSPAR paint, and used gorilla glue to attach the wood base to the candlestick.


I love the Aqua blue color right now, so I just knew it had to be the right choice!


Here is the final project, along with my Easter/Spring decor.











Not too bad for putting this together last night?!!





Greenhouse was purchased at Big Lots about 8 years ago for $5. The Glass jars inside are antiques. One is an old ink well for a student desk, one a blue vase,and one is from a pharmacy.


The bunny was a Gabriel Brothers find for $2.99 and the litte green bird was from Michaels for $1.99



E and I made the garland by simply putting plastic eggs on ribbon!

Happy Easter!!

Monday, April 18, 2011

Walgreens Deals 4/18

Walgreens

I made this purchase as 2 transactions,
My oop before tax was $4.90, and I have a $5RR for a future purchase, so, basically I got all of these items for FREE.(Until you add tax---BOO)


Colgate Total 2/$6 minus 2- $1/1 mfg coupon = $4.00 Received $4RR  final = Free
(2) packs of 5 Gum Sale $.99 each minus $1/2 mfg coupon = $.99
(3) Scotch Tape $1.99 each minus (3) $1/1 Scotch mfg coupon
 minus Wags B1G2Free Coupon=
        $1.01 moneymaker
Nivea Body Wash $3.79 minus $3/1 mfg coupon= $.79
Airwick Motion Air Freshener Sale $4.74 minus $4/1 mfg coupon= $.74
NasoGel $4.99 minus $1.00 Peelie= $3.99 Received $5RR final= $1.01moneymaker
(1) Russell Stover Peanut Butter Chocolate Egg $.39(Somehow this didn't make the picture, or the ride home)

Goodies in the Mailbox


Wow!! I received  ALOT of freebies in the mail today!

Oscar De La Renta Perfume Sample
Tide Laundry Soap Sample + coupon
Tide Stain Release In Wash Booster (Full Size Package)
Tasters Choice Instant Coffee 6 single packs + coupon
Glad Forceflex scented Trashbag from Walmart
Secret Scent Expressions Travel Size Deodorant
Vaseline Intensive Rescue Lotion + Coupons
Always Pads/Tampons Survival Kit + Coupons





Plus, late last week, I received my Free Celestial Tea Case, which consisted of 6 boxes of tea bags, that I won on Celestial Seasonings Facebook Page.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Rite Aid Deal and Free Samples 4/14

I read about a L'Oreal Shampoo deal at Money Saving Mom 
and decided to try to take it to the NEXT LEVEL.

The scenario that was given is the following:


Buy 2 L’Oreal Vive Pro Hair Care — on sale for $2.50 each
Use 2 $1/1 printable coupons
Stack with $1/1 any purchase Rite Aid Video Values coupon (watch video to access the coupon)
Spend $2 plus tax out of pocket, Get back $2 UP Rewards


My deal was BETTER!!
Buy 4 L’Oreal Vive Pro Hair Care — 
on sale for $2.50 each = $10
Use 2 $1/1 printable coupons
Stack with $1/1 any purchase Rite Aid Video Values coupon (watch video to access the coupon)
Stack with $2 off $10 Beauty Bonus Coupon for watching all 20 of the Rite Aid Beauty Video Values
Use $1/1 coupon clipped from the Sunday paper 
(not sure of the date)
Use a $2.00 + Up Reward that I received on Sunday from the Old Spice Body Wash deal
Total $2.00 (plus tax)
Received 2  $2 +Up Rewards
$2.00 Money Maker

Just an FYI- There are about 6 different "formulas" of the L'Oreal Vive, so you have many options
I purchased 2 shampoos in one formula, 1 in another, and 1 Conditioner.
Also, These shampoos are normally $4.99 Each, so the 
Rite Aid sale is basically like buying 1 getting 1 free!
Which really is a good deal even with out the coupons!

When I got home from work, I also had a mailbox of Freebies!
-Working Mother magazine
-2 Degree Womens Deodorant (Travel Size)
- Miracle Whip packets
-Men's Dove Bodywash & Deodorant (Travel Size)

Did you get any good deals or freebies today?



Monday, April 11, 2011

Gettin' a Discount-Great Weekend!!

Life is expensive. We are in a recession. Money is tight, and the cost of necessities are going up.

I can't believe how much the cost of
grocery and HBA items has risen.

So, I've taken the plunge....to be more thrifty, to conserve, to budget, and to use coupons.

I've always considered myself a good shopper, I use store coupons, but I've never really used coupons for
food or HBA.....until now!

And, I always thought that shopping at a Pharmacy-type store, ie Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS would break the bank on something like razors, or shampoo, for the simple explanation that they are "convenience" stores.
(I think of them as the HBA 7-11!)

I've been following blogs, watching morning talk shows, and reading tips online and in magazines about the best deals, and this weekend, I really took advantage of using coupons!

Here are a couple of pictures of my "Deals"

COASTAL CONTACTS

These are my brand new FREE
(except for shipping and insurance) prescription glasses.
They are adorable!! They retail for $330.
Coastal Contacts sells them for $128..
but I paid $17  Dollars!!

Here is the link to Coastal Contacts.
Become their fan on FaceBook
and pay attention to their updates.
From my understanding,
they offer the free glasses multiple times throughout the year.

SPANX

On Saturday, FEDEX dropped a box off on my porch.

It was from SPANX. It was my FREE SPANX thong!!
I found out about this deal from Tia's Freebies, and I was one of the limited group that got in on this deal.

The box was packaged really nice, and when I opened the box the lid read,

Get your SPANX on
1) Twirl and check yourself out
2) Jump for joy!
3) Do the Spanx wiggle and feel no jiggle.
4) Flash a friend
5) Get compliments
Now what are you waiting for?
Enjoy!
Sara and your friends at Spanx

The thong was on a hanger, wrapped in plastic and pink tissue paper, with the $22 price tag attached!

Very nice- Thanks SPANX!!

Personal note:
When I read the message from the box out loud,
E said..
"Mommy, please don't put them on in front of me!!
 OMG!!! As if !!
(I would never...
poor kid he would be scarred for life if he saw that!)

Here are some more pictures of deals that I got this weekend... Items are mixed from purchases at
 Target, Rite Aid, and Walgreens.

I'll just mention the really really good deals, but just an fyi, my total out of pocket for ALL of the pictured items, including 4 bottles of Purex laundry detergent (32 loads), another Always pantiliner pack, and another Olay Face wash was less then $20!!!

SHOP RITE

Intl' Delights Flavored Creamer, sale price 99 cents each, - (3) .50 off coupons, doubled= FREE




Here are a few explanations for some of the above items:

RITE AID

3 Air Wick Single Oil Warmers Sale .88 minus (3) Airwick $1 off = FREE

2 Soft Scrub Total Cleaner 25.4 oz Retail $4.99 each Sale 2/$5
minus 2/$1 off Softscrub mfg coupons = 2/$3
$1 UP Reward Printed at register
Total cost $1.00 each

2 Old Spice Shower Gel Sale 1/$2.99
minus mfg coupon for B1G1 Free
$2 UP Reward for each printed at register
$1 Moneymaker

6 NYC Nail polish Sale price .59each
minus 3/$1.50 off 2 =
.46 Moneymaker

3 Spic and Span Kitchen Brushes, found on Clearance for .25/each

2 M&M minis .99 each minus $1/2 mfg coupon = .99
2 Cadbury Creme Eggs .50 each minus Rite Aid Video coupon for .50/2 = $.50
Reeses Peanut Butter Eggs 2/$1 minus  Rite Aid Video coupon for .50/2= $.50

And, I have Surveys on the bottom of two receipts that will give me $3 off a future $15 purchase!!
And I have a $2 Up Coupon

WALGREENS

(4) Purex Laundry Soap $1.99ea minus (3) $1/1 mfg coupon (1) $2/1 mfg coupon= $3 out of pocket

(2) Crayola Color Explosion On the Go Sets Sale price 2/$3...when I got to the register, they ended up being on clearance for .49 each, so I got 2/$1

(2) Wrigleys 5 gum Sale .99 each minus B1G1 coupon = .99/2

Saturday
Walgreens was giving a Free Go-Go toy just for asking for it, no purchase was required.
We went to 4 stores, and ended up with a total of 10 FREE GoGo's
Our stores gave 1 per person, I've heard that some stores were giving 1 per family.
(I bought my Purex at each store that I visited, so I didn't feel bad about getting multiple free GoGos)


TARGET

(2) Olay Face Wash $4.99 each
minus 1$1/Target coupons
minus 1 $2/Olay coupon
$7.00 out of pocket
Free $5 Target Gift Card
(Total Deal $1.00 each!!)

Free items (between Target and MFG coupons)
(2) 8ct Band Aid
(1) Purex Crystals
(1) Airwick Double Oil Dispenser
(1) 5ct Zyrtec
(1) Visine (Travel Size)
(1) Degree Men's Deodorant

Deep discount Items
Carefree Pantiliners .49
(2) 4' lightbulbs for the garage clearance $1 each
(1) Treseme Hair Spray .67


Also, I went to The Children's Place on Sunday,
they were offering a 25% discount for friends and family if you printed the coupon

Thanks For the Mommas for posting this coupon!

I got the following for E for $52.00

3 solid t-shirts
1 printed t-shirt
1 v-neck sweater
3 polo shirts
1 pair of navy Chinos
1 pair of boxer shorts
1 hat


I had a VERY SUCCESSFUL Shopping Weekend!!!

I still need to stop at Walgreens before Tuesday to get the B1G1 Hot Wheels Cars
And
I need to stop at CVS for theBic Razor Deal and the Airwick Deal!

How do you think that I did????















Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Celestial Seasonings- I'm a Winner!!



I always have a box of tea bags on my desk at work,
(currently it's the Fruit Tea Sampler),
and I always have a box or two in my cabinet at home.
(Big Fan of the Green Tea and anything fruity!) 

Tea comforts me, relaxes me, and de-stresses me.

Fruit Tea SamplerAuthentic Green Tea



So, I was on Facebook, and  was referred by
and her sister in law Tia, (Tia's Super Savings and Freebies) 
 that Celestial Seasonings was hosting a give-away! 

All that you had to do was become a fan, and like their Facebook page.
 Join the page HERE and tell them that Angie sent you to their page!!
(I don't get anything for this..just want them to know that you heard about them from me!!)

So, I became a fan...why wouldn't I..I love the product..and guess what????

This was posted on their page,



"Congrats to the winners from yesterday's giveaway -- Chelsie Cortez, Oscar Lozano, Patti Kirk, and Angie Maas. Please send your mailing address and favorite teas to facebook@hain-celestial.com to claim your winnings (1 case of tea)! Thank you to everyone for your comments yesterday!"


YAY me!!!  
A late Birthday present of something that destresses me, and comforts me!!
WINNER!!!

I requested a mixed case..hopefully they can do this for me..I want to try all of the varieties..if not, I asked for this... Tropic of Strawberry...I can't wait!!
Strawberry, coconut, and Pineapple..Oh my!!

Tropic of Strawberry

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

35 IS THE NEW 25

Yesterday was my Birthday. It was a crazy day! I received singing phone calls, texts, emails, close to 150 wishes on my Facebook page, I felt very loved! I have great people in my life!


It was also Opening Day for the Orioles! I love the Orioles, and I love Baseball. This was the first year in quite a few that I didn't attend the Home Opener, but I am excited to report that it was a WINNING opening day for my home team!

I also found out an amazing opportunity for Orioles Baseball Fans...

Did you know that you can get a ticket for a FREE non-prime season Orioles home game for your Birthday??

Check out the information below or click THIS LINK

For your birthday, surround yourself with your fellow Orioles fans with our gift to you: a FREE ticket to one (1) non-prime game during the 2011 regular season to see the Orioles at the ballpark that forever changed baseball! Parents, you can also register your children and bring them to a game for their birthdays. It's our present to you and your children and it's our way of helping you create your own Orioles Magic.
Register HERE by 11:59 p.m. ET the night before the eligible game you want to attend, and orioles.com will e-mail you a voucher good for one (1) FREE Upper Reserve Ticket to see one (1) Orioles 2011 regular season non-prime home game during the applicable month listed below. (Please note that a child's voucher can only be redeemed by the parent or legal guardian who registered him/her, who must also purchase or hold a valid ticket to sit with his/her child at the same eligible game.)
All tickets are subject to availability. Please see Official Rules for eligibility requirements and other terms and conditions.
Birthday Ticket Guidelines:
  • If the birthday you register is in January, February or March and you register by 11:59 p.m. ET on April 20, the voucher you receive via e-mail can be redeemed at a non-prime game in April. If you register after 11:59 p.m. ET on April 20, the voucher you receive via e-mail can be redeemed at a non-prime game in September.
  • If the birthday you register is in April, May, June, July or August, your voucher can be redeemed at a remaining non-prime game scheduled during your birth month, unless the following circumstances apply:
    •   If the birthday you register is in April and you register (a) after your birthday month has passed or (b) after 11:59 p.m. ET on April 20, your voucher can be redeemed at a non-prime September game.
    •   If the birthday you register is in May and you register (a) after your birthday month has passed or (b) after 11:59 p.m. ET on May 25, your voucher can be redeemed at a non-prime September game.
    •   If the birthday you register is in June and you register (a) after your birthday month has passed or (b) after 11:59 p.m. ET on June 29, your voucher can be redeemed at a non-prime September game.
    •   If the birthday you register is in July and you register (a) after your birthday month has passed or (b) after 11:59 p.m. ET on July 23, your voucher can be redeemed at a non-prime September game.
    •   If the birthday you register is in August and you register (a) after your birthday month has passed or (b) after 11:59 p.m. ET on August 30, your voucher can be redeemed at a non-prime September game.
  • If the birthday you register is in October, November or December, the voucher can be redeemed at a non-prime game in September.
  • The last eligible 2011 non-prime game is scheduled on September 18, 2011, therefore all registrations must take place prior to the final deadline of 11:59 p.m. ET on September 17, 2011.
PLEASE NOTE: Be sure to check the 2011 Orioles schedule and Official Rules carefully against the cutoff dates above to know what non-prime games are scheduled each month prior to registering you or your child(ren)'s birthday!
(See FAQs for details.)
All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required for your submission.