Free popcorn!

Like them on Facebook and get a coupon for a free small popcorn!


Free AMC Popcorn

Kids eat free at IKEA this weekend

 Kids eat free at IKEA

This weekend!! Friday November 25 thru Sunday November 27. Choose between Mac & Cheese, Chicken tenders or Meatballs with a side (veggies, fries or mashed potatoes) and a drink, for free!

There is no adult purchase necessary. Kids 12 and under.

Daily Freebies and deals!

           Free dove oil hair care sample and  Woolite extra dark detergent sample-Target Samples

If you’re working on Black Friday and have a Facebook account, then Seattle’s Best wants to give youFree Coffee .Everybody else, will get a $2 coupon, not as good but still a deal!



Get Get $1 off Any American Greetings Spongebob or Dora Wrapping Paper. Use your zip code and click the “Household” category to locate this coupon.

Request your free P&G Product Coupon book! which contains $10.00 in Laundry Product Coupons! You’ll receive coupons for products such as Tide, Downy, and Bounce. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for your coupons to arrive.

Also make sure to check out eBay for daily deals and Target for in-store coupons!

Plain white Tee’s

Instead of spending obscene amounts of money on my 2yr olds clothing I’ve started looking for things I can repurpose or do myself. With little money and time– I’ve been able to pull off some super cute shirts. (Without breaking the bank) I picked up a 3 pack of plain white shirts at Marshalls for $2.99 and used scrap fabric I had at home to do the rest. I know lots of you crafty momma’s always have bits and pieces of material you’re looking to do something with. So, the next time you see some cheap solid color shirts pick em’ up and create something sweet for your pumpkin.

Total cost $1.22!!

Wiggly Party!

Amazon is offering 5 Free Wiggles songs for download, including “England Swings” with Keith Urban.

It has been far too long

So I had this grand idea that I would be able to go back to school -maintain my grades, house, kids, blog and crafting. Come to find out… it’s hard as Sh*t! Not only have my studies taken up most of my time, but I’ve also had the pleasure of fighting terrorism here on the home front via the most beautiful 2 yr old. Currently we are potty training and learning who is really in charge around the house and it sure as heck isn’t this lady! I’ve done a bit of remodeling and I’m going to try and start posting the daily freebies and deals again. I’ve also started wayyy to many projects thanks to Pinterest, so I have LOTS of fun pictures and ideas to share! Hope you all are doing awesome and I can’t wait to show you what I’ve been up to!

Recipe time - Chicken Cordon Bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu

Ingredients

• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 6 slices Swiss cheese
• 4 slices cooked ham
• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Coat a 7x11 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Pound chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thickness.
3. Sprinkle each piece of chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Place 1 cheese slice and 1 ham slice on top of each breast. Roll up each breast, and secure with a toothpick. Place in baking dish, and sprinkle chicken evenly with bread crumbs.
4. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink. Remove from oven, and place 1/2 cheese slice on top of each breast. Return to oven for 3 to 5 minutes, or until cheese has melted. Remove toothpicks, and serve immediately.

I stuffed mine rather than rolled. Still amazingly delicious!
Couscous and veggies made a great side.

A place of my own!

Until now, all my crafting has been done in various areas of our home. 
I had glitter on the floor in each room and remnants of dried hot glue on every flat surface. Although, still a work in progress. I wanted to show off my new craft-asylum, a place where glitter may float freely and scissors stay out of hands of lil’ ladies


Before

After

The repurposed frame was a cinch and under $6 to make!

The ribbon holder was only $1.71!

Sweet & simple

Never underestimate the endless possibilities of burlap. I never knew how amazing burlap was until my wedding planner suggested I use it as table cloths. Now 3yrs later I use it wherever I can! Not only is it simple but it gives a very subtle beauty in addition to most décor. 

Beatnikmomma LOVES burlap

Links for cute ways to use burlap;
Burlap and vintage tablescapes

Cute burlap napkin ring

Burlap-banners

No more rack 1 day, 8 deals

NoMoreRack is the place to find your favorite brands & hot items for up to 90% off. One hand-picked product in each of the eight categories is added everyday! The deals go fast so check in early!

No more rack - Daily Deals!

Starbucks treat receipts are back!

 

July 18th thru September 5th when you purchase a drink at Starbucks in the morning you get a stamp on your receipt valid for a $2+tax grande cold drink (after 2pm).



For more info, click here.
Treat Receipts!

French toast kabobs?? Yes, please!

Trying to satisfy the palates of young children is often a challenge. Thanks to numerous cook books and Martha Stewart, I’ve gathered loads of useful tips on how to make meal time fun and satisfying for my ladies. Today for breakfast I made French toast Kabobs. A very flashy meal with little preparation and all ingredients I had on hand. The biggest compliment to me at meal time is knowing my kids are getting a well balanced diet AND they are also enjoying it!  

Sweet like a lemon

Hello everyone…. broadcasting live from my bedroom floor! I’m a little bit of an annoying self-starter to say the least. So besides the essentials my entire house is packed (with still 3 weeks until departure) So I’ve temporarily stacked my PC on the floor for quick use. Due to my lack of ability to use my I pad for reasons beyond gmail and words with friends I sadly will be on hiatus. Whilst I’m away please remember -the P&G saver is your friend, never leave a toddler alone with a sharpie and just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean you HAVE to have it.


Until then <3
Click the link for...
Amazing Freebies

Easy fabric wreath

What you'll need:

• 12" or 14 " Styrofoam wreath
• 3 yards of your choice fabric
• Pencil or screwdriver
• Pinking shears

Directions:
With pinking shears, cut fabric into 3-inch squares.Wrap fabric around pencil or screwdriver with right side of fabric facing pencil or screwdriver.Push fabric into wreath and pull out pencil or screwdriver, leaving fabric in wreath. (if you would like, dot the end of the fabic with glue to make it REALLY hold)

*Attach bow if desired and hang on door to display

Bath time - Play time!

Spring break is upon us and It’s miserable outside here in the PNW. As my kiddos get older its becoming harder to entertain them. Usually my “go to” items are movies and crayons BUT there is only so many times I can watch Tinkerbell and The Little Mermaid OR watch my couch, table and buffet be destroyed by crayon marks. So, today we are having a “splash” party, I’ve found that a few drops of food coloring goes along way in bath water and gives me extra cool points...It also gave me a 15min timeout from chasing my lil ladies.

How do you entertain your kids on a rainy day??

On the menu!

So several times I’ve wanted to do something with BBQ sauce and I haven’t had it! If your ever in a pinch and you need some BBQ sauce - Here you go!
BBQ SAUCE:
1/2 c. ketchup
1 tbsp. prepared mustard
1 tbsp. molasses - May substitute with brown sugar and water (equal parts)
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
　
Ps- We are having BBQ chicken for dinner tonight….and once again I do not have any BBQ sauce in the cupboard! Random I know, BUT you never know when you'll need it!

GCN

I’ve been using this site for a little over a year. It’s a must for all my frugal ladies!

Grocery Coupon Network!

I always find the best rebuttals, responses or anything else clever to say 5 minutes to late. All my best ideas come to me in the shower and I’m waaayyy cooler on the internet than I am in real life.

9 days sine my last post….I’m a slacker! I’ve been so busy with upcoming bazaars and the FB fan page, I’ve completely neglected my favorite part about this operation…my blog!
Wheels are in motion at the House of Ferreira, we are planning a cross country move to NY! While preparing for the move I’ve also been helping out with some columns in my daughters school news letter, crafting my butt off, planning a baby shower and trying to host an extraordinary bon voyage party! My house is in ruins and my veins are flowing with sugar free red bull -BUT all is well. I wanted to take the time to say a quick thank you for following and keeping me busy. I love nothing more than to rant and share about my adventures and hidden treasures.
　
I’m turning 28 in a month and I’ve been thinking a lot about how much I’ve grown in the past 10yrs and how excited I am for new life adventures. I though I would offer a random slice of advice on dealing with day to day life J I scavenger the internet sometimes for quotes on how I’m feeling, a bit pathetic I know, but sometimes typing in a simple key word and putting “quotes” behind it you can get some pretty interesting returns. Whether I’m happy, sad, depressed, anxious or excited. I can always find something. For some reason it always comforts me knowing someone else has felt the same thing and verbally expressed it. Like a lyric or a poem. Most of us are cowards, we go through our entire lives being afraid of who we are or how we feel. Like it’s not okay to be ourselves, that being you could be inexcusable and you should change. Please don't - The people in my life I admire the most are full of traits that are quirky and I wouldn’t have it any other way!  　
So for today....
" Love others not for who they are but for how they make you feel"

20min craft project!

Beautiful hanging Butterfly décor -

Sweet and easy!

　
Materials needed

• 4lb test fishing line
• Large sewing needle
• Butterfly accents ( I purchased mine at Michaels)
• 2 medium size clear beads.
• Hot glue gun.

How to
Start by threading your needle with the fishing line and cut the desired amount you would like for your décor. I did 1.5 feet. After snipping off the line tie one clear bead to the end as a weight. To ensure the bead stays put add some hot glue to both ends of the bead where the line has gone through. Next, string your butterflies! You need to go through the bottom of your butterflies as you have already tied and glued the bottom. After stringing your first butterfly through, you will notice it doesn’t stay put - to attach the butterfly to the string simple put a splotch of hot glue on each side next to the fishing line. Repeat until you are satisfied with the length (make sure you leave yourself enough room at the end to tie and make the loop). Once you are done cut the needle off and tie the remaining bead to the end. This time you will need to make a loop at the top for hanging!

This is such a beautiful way to celebrate spring or fancy up a little girls room in under 20mins!!

MacGyver Momma

Think MacGyver was resourceful? You ain’t seen nothing yet! 　

　

Did you know?!?

• Sour patch kids make great lip exfoliators.
• Left over napkins from restaurants and drive-thru meals make great oil absorbing blotting Sheets.
• A child's large bouncy ball is a great substitute for a fitness ball.
• Instead of spending money on soap for your hand-washables, fill the sink with cold h20 and squeeze a dime size of shampoo and clean as normal.
• Apply 1 beaten egg white to your face, let dry and then wash off, tightens the skin.
• Soaking a garment in a bowl of milk can help remove difficult stains.
• Replace a lost earning back with a pencil eraser.
• Can’t afford Mascarpone? Cream cheese mixed with a pinch of heavy cream is a great substitute.
• Outta shaving cream? Grab your conditioner.
• If you don’t have enough time to wash your mane, rub baby powder into your roots.
• Need a quick and cheap body scrub? Epsom salt does the trick.
• Coffee grounds are wonderful odor eaters for a stinky trash can or diaper bin.
• Dawn dish soap helps get grease stains off clothes.
• Outta your expensive styling cream? Grab your hand lotion. A pea or dime size amount locks in moisture and tames fly-always.
• Rubbing a bar of soap over a jammed zipper will loosen things up.
• Need thicker lashes? Apply loose powder to those lashes before the mascara.
• Baking soda deodorizes carpets overnight. Sprinkle on carpets before bed and vacuum in the morning for freshness.
• Can’t afford fancy baby legs? Cut your husbands old tube socks at the ankle and voila!

Everyone knows most full time mommas are often very resourceful “home administrators”and are able to solve most complex problems with everyday materials we find at hand. Along with our ever-present spit and napkins I’ve assembled a list of other clever ways to use everyday items and/or extremely cheap substitutes.

Dog days!

According to the grapevine or in this case Google.
Kodi may or may not have mommy issues, but in most cases it’s just normal dog behavior. Lucky me!

I know you all will sleep easier with this information :)

Kodi Bear

If your ever in the mood for some animal entertainment- my house is the place to be!
Not only is my 10 month old German Sheppard highly confused of his species, he is also an excessive tail chaser and blanket sucker. (oh yes, I said blanket sucker) In between herding my children and bouncing his Kong off the hardwood floor, Kodi’s most favorite activities are chasing his tail and sucking his blankies. More annoying than funny, Kodi can spend hours doing both. And Like every concerned “new” mother-
 I decided to do some research. My findings, hilarious! As always I turned to my trusty pal “Google”

In addition to spending waaayyy more time than I should have reading articles about these erratically behaviors, I watched a few videos. This is my Favorite :) Like Kodi this dog too thinks he has treats stuck to his tail.

Rhea of Sunshine

The Rhea of Sunshine Bowtique is a small online boutique that offers pretties for your princess at a low price. They also offer a few items for your little man, including pacifier clips, wipe cases and snack bags.
Not only is the site owner one of my favorite people she is also an amazing crafty Momma. Kerri is a mother of two and a fearless military wife. While she is juggling the life of a Mom and a supportive wife, she is crafting up inexpensive goodies for your toots! Make sure to check out her site and FB page! If you don’t see anything that catches your eye, email her and she can custom make just about anything you need!

The Mommy Closet!

Just when you think you’re the thriftiest Momma on the block along comes Ms. Kelly and The Mommy Closet! This mother of two has all the inside scoop. Make sure to check her out her blog and her FB fan page!

Adventures in babysitting.

I LOVE being a stay at home momma. However, I didn’t realize when I left work, I wasn’t the only one who lost something. My daughters were enrolled in a small private in-home childcare center. Each day they ate healthy meals, sang songs, played games and learned knew things. I had never thought of the effects it would have on them when I left my job. The only thought I had was they were young and needed to be with me. Holy goodness was I wrong. Being a stay at home mom may look easy from the outside, but I’m here to tell you this is NOT the case. Have you ever really took into consideration what you feed your child on a daily basis? Take a peek at state nutrition requirements for a child care facility, it will amaze you. Also, are you able to stay calm and confident with each - “but mom….not fair… and I want” conversation you have with your 1-5year old? Or how about having a play date at your casa with the patience of job? Not only had I already failed as my families nutritionist by breakfast of my first day, I was also struggling to adapt to my new adventure.
　
On top of feeding and managing my little ones I was also struggling to keep house, run errands and dress myself. By lunch I was wondering what the hell I got myself into. The house that stayed clean all week while we were at work and daycare is now covered in toys, sippies and blankies. My bills and mail I organized everyday at my 11am union break where being used as coloring sheets and my fancy wardrobe was exchanged for sweatpants.
It took me over month to get a routine down. I scavenged thru parents magazines and websites, braved play dates and exchanged my hip contemporary music for a Barney and Wiggles discography. I was headed for success, But that train too came to a screeching halt. I had forgotten one little thing, where was I in all of this? And how do I get me back?
Do I run screaming my goodbye out the door the moment my husband gets home to get a little “me” time? Or maybe take Saturdays and Sundays off like I did at work? Just in case you were wondering Kennedy and Abigail do not offer personal or vacation days in their benefit packages. Nor do they care that you have not had an adequate amount of anything before they demand your attention.
I’m sure you all are thinking that I’m the worst stay at home mom ever and I should go beg for my job back BUT I’ll tell you what -Being able to see your child make tiny or even monumental milestones on a daily basis is worth every chaotic second. Being a stay at home mom isn’t the hardest nor the easiest job and I’m certain I’m not the only one who struggles. The moral of the story is, always remember your preparing your little one to become a functioning member of society. Instill good values, find programs that can teach your kids what you cannot, leave room for mistakes and take time to be the best you can be. If that means hiring a “professional” for the day - do it. You are useless to your children when you’re a miserable mean momma. Or in our house what we refer to as a “hot mess”
　“Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing up is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing” ~Phyllis Diller

Freebies!!

Updated every 24hrs this site is sure to be a hit in your household! Make sure to add your name to the mailing list to get freebie updates daily!


Shop 4 Freebies!!

Bursts of Creativity: Muffin Tin Wall Hanging

Bursts of Creativity: Muffin Tin Wall Hanging: "I spent Saturday at my favorite antique store picking up lots of good stuff. I found this small muffin tin for less than $2 and knew I had ..."

FB referral contest!!

Waste not, want not on facebook!

New friend referral contest! Who ever can get the most friend referrals will win a $10 gift card to Starbucks and a FREE coupon organizer! (contest ends 3/1/11)

Recipe time!!

No Bake Cookies

 Recipe makes 3 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup crunchy peanut butter
• 3 cups quick-cooking oats
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, milk, butter, and cocoa. Bring to a boil, and cook for 1 1/2 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in peanut butter, oats, and vanilla. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper. Let cool until hardened.

Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving-  Calories: 110 | Total Fat: 4.9g

Whimsy Whatnots!

Whimsy Whatnots

 A fun collection of whosits and whatsits galore! Whimsy Whatnots is a collaboration of alternative and unique goodies inspired by the past and present. You will find many treasures for you and your pumpkins!

Okay, so I had to "pimp" my own website at some point! I've gotten some feed back emails on my craft projects and Yes, yes I do sale my things :) Thanks for the interest and happy shopping!!

Shabby home decor for under $10

The bottom of this drawer was completely rotted out. After wiping a few debris away. I tore the bottom off. Measuring the back first I cut cardboard to fit the slot for the missing bottom. I glued the music sheet onto the cardboard and slid it into place. After it was complete I sprayed the entire thing with gold glitter.
Took me less than 10mins and I LOVE it. The sweet little bird was purchased at a vintage shop in Sumner.  I added her for some extra oomph!

To market, to market to buy some treasures!

Ruffles & Rust Spring Vintage Market!

For more info click here -
Come Junk With Us

20min craft project!

I have about 2hours a day (excluding Wednesdays and weekends) of what I like to call “crunch” time. This is time I try to get as much stuff done without interruptions. Today, instead of putting away the mountain of clothes piled on my table - I made some shabby wall art, the cost was under $6 and only took me 20mins.

With a few simple "goodwill" items and some hot glue....

I got this!

Simple, sweet and easy!



I hope this gives my crafters some inspiration!

Make sure to check out our Facebook page!!

Waste not, want not

Organize your coupons!

Keep on clipping! 



There is nothing more exhausting than fumbling through your purse trying to find recently cut coupons And dealing with your kiddos or those crazy power shoppers who storm around the store like a tornado! After several trail and error methods I found a system that works. As always my trusty 3 ring binder but now with baseball card inserts. Not only are ALL your coupons visible they are also organized. Simply use the dividers for appropriate sectioning according to your shopping trends and voila! Convenient and easy.


Other methods of great organizing!



• Recipe Box
• Accordion File Folder with dividers
• Shoe Boxes
• Envelopes
• 4x6 photo albums
• Baby Wipe Box
Tips for BIGGER savings! Shop at Stores That Double Coupons - Do your research, check out sites or simply call. Trial and error is also effective. Make sure to add coupons to in store sale items.  Learn To Spot When Generic is Better - Generic food products are often made at the same companies that produce your favorite brand-name products. Dare to compare! Plan Your Menu - Knowing what you want always saves you time and money. Shop sales - Check out the flyers! If you don’t get the paper go online, most stores are completelyup to date and even offer online savings. Save and Trade - Have friends that clip? Clip and save all coupons, even ones you wont use. Start a coupon club. Trade with other frugal friends! 　 Keep up!At the end of each month, go through your coupons and chuck expired ones. keep your squirreling(s) handy, the best place for your collection is the car, duh! That way, when you make an spontaneous trip to the store , you’ll be prepared! 　 Items to Keep handy!Keep a zipper pouch in your binder of coupon clipping essentials!!
• Small pair of scissors
• Calculator
• Pad of paper (grocery lists)
• Pens or pencils

　

The beauty of daily deal sites

I’m a huge fan of daily deal sites. Not only are they a convenient at home shopping resource, they also offer savings up to 97% off. I fell hard for babysteals.com and I’ve been an addict ever since. Between friends and adverts I’ve included at least 6 more sites into my routine that I HAVE to check on a daily basis. The beauty of these sites is that your not always going to see something that you need or want. So they aren’t really supporting anyone’s bad shopping habits. Unless you are an impulse buyer and in that case good luck to you. Your going to need it. The only down side I’ve found is that really good deals go super fast so if you don’t check it at the launch time, you may miss a great steal. Also, these sites offer such a great discount and are extremely popular, that sometimes shipping can be random. I had products delivered within days and I’ve also had to wait over 3weeks. All in all shopping steal sites has been beneficial to me and I thought you all should enjoy it too.

Here is an example of a great deal!
Yours Until Gone Deal yugster.com

Super cool baby!!

www.supercoolbaby.com

Came across this website today. I found so many cool products and website links!
I got lost for almost an hour in the archives.

Hope you all are having a wonderful day and enjoying the sun!

Valentine’s Day Tips - a new twist on tradition.

 Valentine’s Day 

 Alright ladies (and gentlemen who brave this blog) lets say you’ve just got your finances back in order after that foggy Christmas whirlwind.  You know, that one day? Usually lasts about 15 mins in your living room at 6am under a tree decked in lights. Yeah, that day. That one special day. You prepare for it all month and before you know it- not only is all your money gone, so is your ass. Cookies, chocolates and candy. Yup, that’s the stuff. 

Did you know that was only 51days ago? Yes, less than two months ago. We showered our loved ones with gifts, ate sweets and complained about our bank accounts.

Splurge no more my friends… This year while celebrating love and affection between your intimate companion take the road less traveled.  Cheap, cheeky and unexpected.


Here is a list of random acts of kindness a little less ordinary.

* Put notes at random in areas of the house you know you significant other will be. Write whatever you feel. Reasons why you love them, reminders of the past, ect…

*Instead of standing and waiting 15-20mins for a table to open up at a restaurant that is probably expensive, make dinner at home. Check out menus online. Give your spouse a list of possible dinner ideas a week before v-day and ask them to choose.

*Instead of watching “romantic” movies. Grab your spouses favorite movie enjoy it at home with the same fixings you would get a the theater. OR if you more into music grab a record of choice and enjoy over drinks or desserts.

* Make coupons to give. Who wouldn’t want a "get out of taking out the trash" card, and "play video games instead of mowing the lawn" coupon. Make them unique to your relationship and fun.

* Plan a trip to a local area that is free or cheap. Most cities and states have tones of untapped resources to discover. Do a little research and plan an exciting day or weekend.

* Create an at-home spa day

* Try to repeat your first date.

* Write a letter to your lover. Remembering fond memories, special occasions and monumental steps in your relationship. Show them you pay attention to detail and have enjoyed your time together.

Everybody poops!

The Joys of parenthood.   

"What to do when your up to your neck in pooh.." K.Clark

It seems I have a few friends going through the same trouble as I’ve been having-Loads of crap in our life…literally.  Now in my case I have a very naughty 8 month puppy who is regressing do to lack of attention. In my girlfriends Kerri’s case it’s her two year old son.  If you’re a parent or a soon to be parent potty training is always a HUGE concern. What age do you start, how do you start, are boys harder to train than girls? The lists are endless and the truth is each child is different. What works for one parent may not work for another. Be prepared to try and try again, then maybe,  try some more.

I am in NO way shape or form an expert on toilet manners and in all honesty I delegated that gnarly obstacle to my devoted husband. I am however, pretty good with index cards, research and power point presentations or blog presentation in this case.  So here is to you my toilet training compadres… The top three sites in my opinion with good, straightforward honest help.

Ask Dr. Sears.com 

Topics you will find

13 Toilet-training Tips to Know Before You Start
6 Steps to D-Day: Diaper-Free Day
Helping the Child Who Won't Go
Toilet-training in Two Days: Fast Track Tactics
Twenty More Toilet-training Tactics From the Coaches
Traveling While Training

Free printable behavior charts.com

Give them motivation. My daughters respond well to rewards and praise. Now, don’t get me wrong I’m not telling you to bribe your kids but a little extra loving goes along way. For example. I asked my 4yr old to clean her room, she threw a fit. After counting to five and composing myself as to not scream out loud            “ I SAID CLEAN YOUR ROOM NOW” 

 I remembered how badly she wanted to color.  Two minutes of compromising with coloring books I had her cleaning her room and helping with her sisters. Now, this method does not always work but it has it advantages. 

Potty Training Tips.com

Use your resources! Books, videos, friends and my favorite Google! 

 If your really desperate call your Momma, your toilet trained aren’t you. 

Stressed out?! Try this.

This winter is kicking my butt! For some reason I always seem to get more stressed around this time a year. The lack of sun here in Washington state doesn’t really help matters either. I've dedicated my morning to researching the best ways to beat stress and the winter blues. Below is a collection I’ve found of the cheapest & most realistic ways to brighten and distress our lives. However, If you are made of money the top result for casting away these problems is to vacation somewhere warm sans your pumpkins. In this instance call your travel agent ASAP and get outta town, if not see steps below.

Stress no more

1) Get a good night sleep. It is recommended that you get at least 8 hours of sleep.
2) Pace yourself. Do not try to do too much at one time.
3) Think realistically. Do not allow your emotions to get out of control.
4) Plan better. Set schedules and prioritize your tasks.
5) Take breaks. Get away from it for about 10-15 minutes.
6) Take walks. Walking is one of the best forms of exercise.
7) Call on your support. Ask others to do the work that you are weak in doing.
8) Confront problems by talking. Bring the problem out in the open.
9) Delegate. Do not try to do everything yourself, but rather, seek help from others.
10) Keep a positive attitude. Do not take life so seriously and try to laugh sometime.

Kick those winter blues
Did you know fall and winter can bring on a condition called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which affects 20 percent of the people in the United States?
1) Eat healthy: Lots of veggies, fruit, and nuts. Reduce sugar and all starchy food. 　
2) Force yourself out. Walk, go sledding,take the kids to the park. Be active and try to catch as many sunrays as possible.
3) Exercise regularly – at least 15 to 30 minutes daily. Even a brisk walk to the bus stop might suffice.
4) Meet your friends as often as possible. If you can’t meet, then talk on the phone.
5) Surround yourself with beautiful things: flowers, listen to music, candlelight
6) Start a project; something, you always wanted to do but never had time for: organize your photos, paint , try out new recipes, read this blog... 

Recipe Time, Butternut squash soup.

  This is amazing! Great for a cold day and a super easy recipe! 

Ingredients (6 servings)

• 6 tablespoons chopped onion
• 4 tablespoons margarine
• 6 cups peeled and cubed butternut squash
• 3 cups water
• 4 cubes chicken bouillon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, saute onions in margarine until tender. Add squash, water, bouillon, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Bring to boil; cook 20 minutes, or until squash is tender.
2. Puree squash and cream cheese in a blender or food processor in batches until smooth. Return to saucepan, and heat through. Do not allow to boil.

Nutritional Information 

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 397 | Total Fat: 33.4g | Cholesterol: 83mg

Best site for coupons!!

Grocery Coupon Network 

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Laundry room tips!

I’m a bit of a freak when it comes to the laundry room. I spend numerous hours of my week sorting delicate items, soggy army gear, colors, whites and kids clothes. I also have to stock up on detergent, stain remover, bleach and woolite. If any of you are like me you know these items can be expensive.  Here are a few tips to help you save time and money!

• Shampoo, is a great substitute for delicate fabric detergents. With cold water and just a pea -size amount your delicates get clean. Even though I have a “gentle cycle” on my machine most of my delicates are washed in the sink and hung dry. Skipping the machine saves water and electricity. Unless you have a full load of delicates, the sink works just as well. 

• Just because it cost more, doesn't make it better. Try using a cheaper detergent. I normally buy whatever is on sale. Many detergents are created equal. Next time your shopping check for yourself. 

• Try finding a detergent with a stain fighter in it. If you pay a few bucks extra for this you usually can skip the spot remover all together. Pouring a small amount of your stain fighting detergent on soiled spots and it works as a spot remover.

• Fabric softeners, can be tricky. Always look for coupons and store brands as they tend to be less expensive.  I keep a bottle of liquid softener as a back up to my fabric sheets in-case I run out. Nothing worse than static cling! 

Hope these help!

C.Ferreira

Mmm Mmmm Good!!

These crab filled delights are always a hit and I can't seem to ever make enough! I make them as often as I can in mass amounts in order to keep up with my husbands LARGE appetite. I prefer to deep fry them, because it gives them a little extra crunch that everyone loves. This recipe calls for baking which is healthier and less time consuming. Enjoy! 

Crab Rangoon

Ingredients

• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1 (6 ounce) can crabmeat, drained and flaked
• 2 green onions with tops, thinly sliced
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon light soy sauce
• 48 wonton wrappers

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly spray baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. Combine garlic, cream cheese, crab, green onions, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce in a bowl. To prevent wonton skins from drying, prepare only 1 or 2 rangoon at a time. Place 1 teaspoon of filling onto the center of each wonton skin. Moisten the edges with water and fold the wonton skin diagonally to form a triangle, pressing edges to seal. Moisten one of the bottom corners. Create a crown by pulling both bottom corners together and sealing. Arrange the rangoon on the baking sheet and lightly spray with cooking spray.
3. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. 

New use for cookie sheets!

Tools:

• Non-aluminum cookie sheet
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Self-adhesive shelf liner (I got mine from the Dollar Tree) 
• Empty can aka pencil holder
• Magnets - The stronger the better
• Hot glue
• Drill &/or large nail and hammer
• Jute

Measure the side of the cookie sheet you want to use and cut it an inch wider and an inch taller than the sheet itself. Stick the shelf liner to the cookie sheet - peel it off slow and smooth over the cookies sheet avoiding bubbles. Cut away the excess liner.  The pencil holder is done the same way. Cut the liner taller than the can, wrap the liner around so it overlaps a little then cut off the excess. Hot glue your heavy duty magnet to the can. Your new message board is almost done! To make holes for hanging, place the sheet in your husbands hands and point him to the garage :) If that doesn't work you may choose to drill yourself OR you can use a hammer and a large nail - make sure you put a piece of scrap wood under your sheet to save your work space. You can choose to have one or two holes. I've used jute to hang my message board because its durable enough to hold the cookie sheet.  

*The magnets that spell out kitchen in this picture I purchased at Michaels. 

Build a grocery stockpile and cut your weekly grocery bill!

I have a few friends who think I'm crazy BUT having a stockpile of my commonly used nonperishable items has saved me time and money.
Here is a quick intro on one of my money saving tips!

Getting started - make a note of frequently eaten food items for you and your family so you know what to stockpile.

Stock up - Try not to purchase items that are full price (defeats the purpose) wait for sales and coupons. Purchasing items in bulk my seem higher in price but, you wont have to buy that item again for normally 6-8 weeks. Stock piling items isn’t going to happen your next trip to the grocery store and you may also have to spend a few extra dollars while your building your stock. However, at the end of the “squirreling” process your next bill should be substantially lower.

Making it work - Only stock pile items that you and your family use frequently in regular meals. Buying 12 boxes of a random item that is on sale isn’t going to help your cause. Always rotate your items putting newer items to the back and bringing older items to the front. Always check you pile before you do any shopping to replace tapering items. Its also important to not go overboard (at this very moment I have 13 jars of peanut butter, not acceptable stockpiling) After a few months you should be ready to go. Your grocery bill should now only be spent on perishables and restock items.

Away we go!

We all have our own ways of saving money, time and our sanity. As a Paralegal turned homemaker I’ve found that I spend all my “me time” perusing the internet, magazines and my local newspaper for better and cheaper ways of doing my new job- Searching things from decorating tips, craft ideas, meals and cheap thrills for the whole fam. 
After months (8 to be exact) of storing all my goodies and new secrets to success in a three ring binder and on my PC favorites list - I thought I should do what I harp on my 18 month old to do…Share.

I’ve decided to organize all my awesomeness and let you in on my tricks of the trade.
I hope you enjoy and get as much benefit from it as I have.  

~C.Ferreira