Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Random Post: Coupon Crazy!

So, I am going to go on a little rant here about couponing. It seems as if some people perceive coupons as a ploy to get you into the store and spend money on products you don’t need. People may think it is a waste of time. People may think couponing is too much work. We are all entitled to our own opinion.

I want to explain my experience with coupons and deals on products I have gotten recently.


My Experience Couponing
I have been couponing for about 6 months now. I get about 9 Sunday papers a week (depending on how good the coupons are). I cut out the coupons we may use in the next couple months (or until the coupon expires).  After I cut the coupons, I take each coupon stack and paperclip them. Before I file them away in my coupon holder I go through the store ads and match coupons with weekly sales. I try to match as many store sales with coupons (which means extra savings!) Throughout the week, I check blogs and Web sites for more matchup deals in stores. The blogs and Web sites are my main source to finding low priced items. This week I have scored tons of free items at multiple stores.  

It has taken me awhile to get in the swing of things with coupons. Once I started couponing and realized all the deals I could get and how many items can be incredibly inexpensive, it is almost addicting. I slowed down for many weeks but very recently I was re-inspired. Over the past 6 months I’ve read books, done research online, made mistakes on transactions and learned from them. I’ve read my top stores coupon policies, many times. I’ve watched videos on YouTube.


The secret
Store sales, plus store coupons, plus manufacture coupons = major discounts on retail items. Some items may work out to be free. Some items will be majorly discounted. Some items you can even make money on. Either way when you are able to match up sales with coupons there is still some savings.


Examples of Transactions and What A Deal Looks Like

For example, at the store Walgreens. The store is having a sale on body wash for $4.00. The regular price of this body wash is $6.00. You have a store coupon for $2.00 off, and a manufacture coupon for $1.00 off (yes you can stack a store coupon with a manufacture coupon!). The body wash with coupons is now only $1.00. You already have 5 bottles at home which will last you awhile, but knowing it is only $1.00 would you buy more??


Here is how the scenario looks:
Body wash, regular price        $6.00
Store sale                             $4.00
Store coupon                       -$2.00
Manufacture coupon             -$1.00
            You pay                    $1.00
Savings                          $5.00 a bottle


So, would YOU buy more??


I would. Why? Because it is a $5 savings per bottle. It might not go on sale very often. I would rather have extra and be stocked up than run out and have to pay the $6.00 original price. It is an item I use and will continue to use. I like to be clean. I have coupons to use for added savings. Now, I might not go crazy and get 10 bottles of body wash, but perhaps get a couple more.


Another example. This is a real situation that happened to me. Walgreens is having a sale on the Tricalm Anti-Itch Cream. The original price is $9.99. It is on sale for $7.00 with a rewards card. Plus, you get $7 back in rewards to use on your next purchase. This comes out to 100% FREE.  Now, seriously do you think you will never, ever, ever use an anti-itch cream, ever? Well I took advantage of it and got me some. I could think of many scenarios where this cream would come in very handy. IT IS FREE! Why not!? Now when I need it, I have it and don’t have to run out and pay $10 for a small tube.


Here is how the scenario looks:
Tricalm Anti-Itch Cream original price         $9.99
            Sale price with rewards card          $7.00
            Rewards received                        -$7.00
                        Total                              FREE

So, people say nothing is free. Okay, maybe not completely free. My point is, I got it for a major discount and didn't have to pay full price.

Couponers vs. Hoarders
One thing I want to make clear, very clear is the difference between couponers and hoarders! Couponers' tend to have a stockpile of the items they get using coupons. People will give up their garages and fill their basements with items they got. However, it is neatly organized, dust free, and useful items they use. They just happen to have a lot of it because they got it all for free or a really super duper awesome price. Ever watched Extreme Couponers?

Now, there are hoarders who don’t ever get rid of anything, nothing, and it is very dirty. There are constantly messes, papers everywhere, sometimes food, everything is unorganzized, and can be very stinky. Ever watch Hoarders?

There is a BIG difference between the two!

There are also extreme couponers’. However someone can take a $2100 grocery bill and only pay $100 still completely baffles me. It almost seems unrealistic especially in the city I live in, but that is a whole other topic in itself.

However, I use coupons on items to get good deals on things we will need throughout our lifetime and never have to pay top retail dollar for an item, like toothpaste. I plan to use toothpaste for the rest of my life. Why pay $4.00 for a tube of toothpaste, when I can stock up and only pay $0.99 a tube for the good kind of toothpaste. That is a $3.00 savings per tube! Yes, I have a stockpile of toothpaste. *grin*

Do you Really Need it?
One may argue, it seems like you are spending more money on items you don’t really “need”. If an item goes on sale you use regularly, why wouldn’t you stock up and take advantage of those savings? Yes, it may go on sale again, but right now you also have coupons to make the savings even better. You might not have those coupons the next time. The sale might not be as good. This way you are always stocked up and never have to pay top retail dollar again.


Stockpile

I do have a small stockpile of items. Easy items where there are constantly coupons available and stores are having sales. I’m still working at this process since I’m still kind of a newbie at this. It is a lot of work. I enjoy it. I am learning something everyday. I am also saving money. Besides, it is fun.


Store Brand vs. Name Brand

I’m not very brand specific. I’m more conscious about price. People may think the generic brand or store brand is cheaper. Not necessary. If a store has a sale and you add coupons, sometimes the name brand product ends up being cheaper than the generic or store brand. Something to keep in mind.


Try New Products

Coupons give you the opportunity to try new products. I just scored FREE deodorant at Walgreens this week. I never used the brand before, I tried it, I liked it. The price was affordable: FREE!  It was on sale for $1.99. I had a $1.00 off coupon, plus I received $1 back in rewards. Even if I didn’t like it, it was still worth it because it cost me nothing to try.

It is just very satisfying knowing I don’t have to pay full retail price. It helps to watch for store sales. Even tho there are rarely (or more like never) coupons for produce, and meat, (and items similar) buying when the store has it on sale is still a savings. Every little bit helps.


More Deals I Found

The other day I saved over $100 at Target, plus received three $5 Target gift cards (a total of $15) due to promo items in the store (I stacked Target store coupons with store sales with manufacture coupons). That transaction retail price with no sales or coupons was easily over $200. Because the items I purchased were on sale, and combined them with coupons, and store promos, I paid $80. If you subtract the $15 I got in gift cards, I really only paid $65. Yes, it was for things I needed too.

I scored free items at Walgreens this week. I’ve scored free items at Target this week. I scored free items at Fred Meyer this weekend. Savings is all around you. All because of coupons and sales!


What Do You Think?

So I’m curious what your thoughts are on coupons? Do you think it is a bit crazy? Does my post make sense? Does it sound convincing to buy a Sunday newspaper and try to coupon? Do you want to know more about couponing? Do you use coupons?

I have a lot, I mean a lot, to share about coupons and what I have learned. Once you get the hang of it and are more comfortable using coupons, it really is fun, especially when you can take a $20 transaction and only have to pay $3.00! woohoo!

One thing to keep in mind, Coupons = Cash


Happy Couponing!
-Susan
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Monday, March 25, 2013

Random Post: Linen Closet Organization, Pinterest Inspiration

Since I got my office space done, my mind has been off dreaming about the next organization project I want to accomplish around our house. I have made a list of all the places in the house I need to tackle and organize. Places that were just irritating me because there was no order. The list came out really long. But, after much thought I decided to take a plunge into our linen closets. We have two linen closets in the house. One located in the master bathroom. The other linen closet is upstairs along the hallway. They each have a bi-fold door.

I am actually struggling a bit with this organization project. I have visited many stores for fun, cute baskets but have not found any that just make me jump and shout "Yes! That's perfect". So I decided to head over to my favorite site, Pinterest, for a little inspiration.






Source - unknown



Source - unknown

 








 

Source - unknown














And just for an added bonus, even tho these are not linen organization related, I wanted to include these two decor ideas. I have a few places in our house I could put these two ideas to use.





 
This would be perfect to hang in our office walk in closet, which we also use for our guest room.


Happy Organizing!

-Susan

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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Organizing: New Office Desk and Space

After using my little computer desk for many years, I was starting to outgrow the small space. Since I began my Etsy shop, continual blogging, and organization projects, my little space was just not serving the purpose I wanted it to. I definitely needed one big flat space where I could spread out with my projects. I also recently purchased a 27 inch iMac, which took up a huge chunk of my desk, as well.

Well, this is what my old office desk/space looked like.  My desk sits in front of a window. Just imagine some velvet, blackout, dark red (maroonish colored), 4 panels of long curtains draped across the window with a brass curtain rod. I really wish I had a picture. It was dark, too dark, and definitely the wrong color for me and the room. After living with it for months, I just couldn’t take the dark, drab, unpleasant look anymore.  It was almost depressing looking. 






So now you have seen my old office space: a too small desk, very unorganized and envisioned dark, drab, velvet blackout material in maroon colored curtains, with a brass curtain rod hanging in the background.

First, I went shopping for new curtains. I just couldn’t find any curtains I liked well enough, or they were more than I wanted to pay for something to just hang in front of a window. So I wandered over to the shower curtains section at Target and the selection was way more my style. I replaced the curtain bar to a silver one, got some silver shower curtain hooks, and hung up a fun bright, my kind of style shower curtain as my new window curtain. It gives our office a much happier, brighter look. Problem solved!





I had in mind what I wanted for a new desk (and how I wanted my area in our office). I looked for some inspiration, and off we went to Ikea. They had lots of options for desks I liked but as I was trying them out I found it was too wobbly, not big enough, cute but wrong style for what I really needed, or it was temporarily out of stock. Regardless, I was still determined I was going to bring home a new desk from Ikea. I was going to find something! Then my husband called me over. He saw exactly what I was looking for, exactly! I loved it! It was everything I needed, and had been envisioning for my new space.

Now, here is my new office area – new desk, new bookshelf, new iMac, new curtains, and new clear desk accessories decorated with washi tape. It is so much more functional, fun, bright and cheery, and makes me smile everytime!





A lamp and desk accessories trimmed in washi tape.


As for the bookshelf, I wanted to have some items near to my desk I use often as I didn't want them cluttering up the top of my desk. 





The top shelf are glass jars decorated with washi tape that hold extra girl and boy pencils, along with a stackable notepads and pen in the middle. 




Next shelf holds magazine holders of inspirational Paper Crafts magazines. I added the decorative paper to the spine of the magazine holder. It also contains a glass jar that holds extra post it notes.


Third shelf holds more inspirational magazines, the blue box contains recipts I log, the green canvas basket holds my camera when not in use. The blue book is my address book. 




Fourth shelf holds my newly created greeting card organizer and the white budget binder, easily accessible. 



Bottom shelf is a canvas bin that holds all my extra journals. (I love journals! It is just fun to have something pretty to write in.)



The before and after pictures of my office space. I always love these so you can see the transformation.





Happy Organizing!

-Susan




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Monday, March 18, 2013

Recipe: Peanut Butter Cup Blondies

If you love the flavor of peanut butter and chocolate, you will love these bars!

5.6 ounces all purpose flour (about 1 ¼ cups)
1 cup granulated sugar
½ teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
¼ cup butter, melted and cooled slightly
2 tablespoons 2% reduced-fat milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
4 (0.75- ounce) peanut butter cups, coarsely chopped (or 20 mini peanut butter cups)


Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife.

Combine flour and next 3 ingredients (through salt), stirring well with a whisk.

Combine peanut butter and next 4 ingredients (through eggs), stirring well.

Add peanut butter mixture to flour mixture, stir until combined.

Scrape the batter into a 9-inch square metal baking pan lightly coated with cooking spray, and arrange the peanut butter cups over batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 19 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs clinging.

Cool in pan on a wire rack.
 
Serves 20
 
These are the bars right before they go into the oven

These Peanut Butter Cup Blondies go perfect with a glass of cold milk

 
Enjoy!
 
-Susan

Recipe adapted from Cooking Light

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Saturday, March 16, 2013

Recipe: Chicken Tostadas and Avocado Dressing

These tostadas were just unbelievably good. Fresh ingredients makes all the difference here. That is all there is to it! 


Chicken Tostadas and Avocado Dressing

2 tablespoons reduced fat sour cream
2 tablespoons fat free, lower-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons canola oil
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 ripe peeled avocado

1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
4 (6-inch) flour tortillas
2 garlic gloves, minced
2 cups skinless,boneless chicken tenderloins, cut into bite size pieces
1 cup shredded romane lettuce
1/2 cup chopped tomato
1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled queso fresco


Combine the first 7 ingredients in a food processor, and process until smooth.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3/4 teaspoon oil to pan. Cook chicken until no longer pink. Remove from pan and set aside.

Add remaining oil to pan. Cook 1 tortilla 2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Repeat procedure with 2 1/4 teaspoons oil and remaining tortillas.

Saute garlic until golden brown. Add to chicken pieces and mix together.

Place 1 tortilla on each plate. Top with chicken, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes. Top with avocado dressing.

Serves 4




Recipe adapted from Cooking Light, September 2011
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Thursday, March 14, 2013

Recipe: Cheesy Meat Loaf Minis with Balsamic Vinaigrette Salad

This dinner was an absolute hit! My son had three helpings and said "This is so good I want to just eat it all up!" Now, that tells you something!  

Dinner Menu:
Cheesy Meatloaf Minis
Mashed Potatoes
Salad with Balsalmic Vinaigrette


Cheesy Meatloaf Minis

1/2 cup breadcrumbs (about 1 ounce)
cooking spray
1 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup ketchup, divided
3 ounces medium cheddar cheese, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 cup salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound ground sirloin
1 large egg, lightly beaten

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add breadcrumbs; cook 3 minutes or until toasted, stirring occasionally.

While breadcrumbs cook, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion and garlic; sauté 3 minutes. Combine onion mixture, breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup ketchup, and remaining ingredients. 

Spray three mini loaf pans and fill each pan with meatloaf mix.

Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes or until done.

Makes 6 servings





Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon minced shallots
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
Spring mix lettuce
1 tomato, chopped
Baby carrots, sliced

Combine first 6 ingredients (balsamic vinegar to salt) in a small jar and shake well.

In a serving bowl add the lettuce, tomatoes, and carrots. 

Drizzle dressing over salad.

Mix well. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 servings.




-Susan

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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Organization: Store Rewards Cards

Me being the deal catcher, reward card program perks holder, and couponer, my wallet was getting so huge with all the reward program cards I had signed up for. It was also getting a frustrating because I had multiple cards stacked together in those plastic card holder inserts. It was definitely time to clean out my wallet and get organized so I could be more efficient at checkout.

I sorted all the cards in my wallet. One pile for all my reward cards. Another pile with important cards I need and absolutely use everyday. I only put back the pile of important cards into my wallet. That instantly shrunk the size of my wallet in half. 
 
I took my pile of rewards program cards and punched a hole in the corner and put them on a key ring. I put them in alphabetical order (although the small cards I put in front for easier access because they are so small).  
 
**If you do this, be careful you don't punch a hole on any important card information, such as, card numbers, or the black strip on the back of the card.

 
 


I went from a huge thick three fold wallet down to fit everything into a pretty purple clutch wallet. It works wonders for me!

 



 
I even get compliments on how neat my organization system is for my rewards cards, when I am checking out at the store.

Happy organizing!
-Susan
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Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Recipe: Garlic and Herb Angel Hair Pasta

My children wanted to do a cooking experience and I sure wasn't gonna say no to that! Next thing I know my son is bringing me his Williams-Sonoma Fun Food 25 delicious recipes that kids can cook cookbook.  We picked out a recipe that was easy and already had all the ingredients on hand. We selected the Garlic and Herb Angel Hair pasta.  

My son boiled the water and took care of getting the pasta done. My girl stirred the garlic mix and made sure it didn't burn (very important job!). Towards the end they took turns stirring the pasta around the pan and making sure it was mixed well with the other ingredients. I added a green salad and side of hoagie rolls. My children did an awesome job!! We even saved leftovers for daddy. When he got home he ate them up and was impressed and found it absolutely delicious! We thought so too.



I came up with a list of benefits of having young children cook and helping in the kitchen.
  • It encourages them to have healthy eating habits.
  • They can see and know how the food is being prepared and know exactly what is going into the recipe.
  • It is an important skill to know how to cook.
  • They feel like they were productive and helped make a delicious meal.
  • Having a positive cooking experience can help build self-confidence.
  • Cooking makes for a great family activity/bonding.
  • Parents get to spend quality time teaching their children a life skill.
  • It is very creative and teaches them time management skills.
  • Cooking teaches children a new set of vocabulary words: preheat, stir, skillet, boil, sauté, chop, teaspoon, zest.

Garlic and Herb Angel Hair

Ingredients:
8 cloves garlic
8 sprigs fresh parsley
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
2 teaspoons salt
3/4 pound angel hair (capellini) pasta
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
ground pepper
grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Peel the garlic
Before you start, be sure an adults is nearby to help.
Put the garlic cloves on the cutting board. Place the flat part of the metal spatula over 1 garlic clove and press down hard with the heel of your palm to break and loosen the papery skin. Don't worry if you smash the garlic a little. Peel off the skin and throw it away. Repeat with other 7 cloves.

Chop garlic and herbs
Use the knife to slice the garlic cloves thinly crosswise.
Strip the parsley leaves off the stems and place them on the cutting board.
Holding the sharp knife in one hand and placing the fingers of your other hand on top of the knife, rock the knife back and forth over the parsley leaves until they are cut into small, even pieces.

Cook the garlic
Get an adult to help you now. Set the sauté pan over medium-low heat and put the oil into the pan. Heat the oil for 1 minute.
Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes (if you like your pasta spicy) and cook, stirring frequently with the wooden soon, until the garlic is just beginning to turn golden, 3-4 minutes. Remove the sauté pan from the heat.

Cook the pasta
Fill the saucepan three-quarters full with water. Place the pan over high heat and bring to a rolling boil.
When the water is boiling, add the salt.
Add the pasta to the saucepan, wait a minute, then stir and push the pasta down into the water with the wooden fork. Boil, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender but not mushy, about 6 minutes, or according to the directions on the package.



Drain the pasta
Set the colander in the sink.
As an adult to help you  now. Ladle out 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and set it aside in a liquid measuring cup.
Ask an adult to help you pour the pasta into the colander. Let the pasta drain.

Cook the flavorings
Place the sauce pan back over medium heat and add the lemon zest and parsley. Stir with the wooden spoon to combine the ingredients.

Sauteing the garlic, parsley, and lemon zest

Toss it all together
Add the pasta and 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water to th sauce pan. Toos the ingredients together with the tongs until combined, adding more of the reserved pasta water if the pasta seems dry.
Taste (careful, it's hot!) and add pepper and more salt if needed.



Serve right away. Pass the grated Parmesan cheese at the table.






Recipe taken from Williams-Sonoma Fun Food 25 delicious recipes that kids can cook


Happy Cooking with Kids!
-Susan
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Sunday, March 10, 2013

Random Post: Early to Rise

If I could have it my way I would start my day at 9:00 a.m. and go to bed around midnight. But that isn't the kind of schedule I get to have. Instead, I have a full-time job I need to be at on time and a kid to get ready in the morning. I am not exactly what you call an early riser. I hit snooze as many times as I can get away with before I have to jump out of bed, rush around the house to get myself together, make sure my son is dressed and ready and be out the door within 25 minutes. Eeks!  


In the middle of the week, I had to get out of bed at 6:00 a.m. to register my kids for another round of swimming lessons. Registration opens at 6:00 a.m. and the classes fill up fast. It is just easier to be sitting at my computer ready to hit the register button when 6:00 a.m. arrives.


Wow! It was actually really nice getting up that early for a change. My husband is an early riser and has to be up early every morning. Normally I sleep right through everything he does in the morning. I never hear his alarm. Since he is up so early, he helps me wake up earlier.


The last half of this week I have been getting up and starting my day at 6:00 a.m. After my husband leaves early in the morning, it is so quiet in the house. I am able to have a productive morning. I'm not rushed. It is a wonderful, calming feeling. That one little hour in the morning is the only hour of the day where I get to have quiet time with no interruptions. I am able to get myself ready for the day, sip on two cups of hot coffee, check email, and mark a few things off my to do list.


The night before I will take a few minutes to think about what I want to accomplish the next morning. I have my set routine I can get done in about 20 minutes. But now that I have some extra time to fill, there are plenty of things I can do until my son wakes up: unload the dishwasher, prep for dinner, clean the kitchen, work on a small project, check emails, catch up on my favorite blogs, even make my to do list for the evening or things I need to accomplish during the week, menu planning, make a list of errands I need to run, pay bills, or do a little cleaning.


Just by having that extra time in the morning makes our evenings more relaxed too. I am not cramming my evening trying to get my to do list done. I have already marked off a few items, because I completed some in the morning.


How do you make the most of your mornings? Are you an early rise or would you rather sleep in?





-Susan
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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Random Post: Ready for Spring!

I am SO ready for Spring, knowing that it is getting even closer to Summer.

We had a very mild winter this year. A teeny tiny bit of snow that lasted one day, lots of rain, and cold!

The last few days the sun has been shining here. I've taken some walks and enjoyed seeing flowers poking out of the ground and signs of Spring around our neighborhood. Even though it is still chilly, the sun is shining and it makes me happy.

Here are a few things I am very anxiously looking forward to the Spring season.
  • Bright sunshine for a few days in a row.
  • Seeing the little spring flowers poking out of the dirt.
  • Waking up to tweeting birds outside the window.

  • Sweeping away the dead winter leaves from the front lawn.
  • Cleaning out the planting beds and pots.
  • Planting happy spring flowers in the front yard.
  • Walking out the door with just a light jacket on instead of a down jacket.
  • No more wearing boots outside, instead wearing my flats, open toed shoes, and flip flops.
  • Seeing all the fun, bright Spring colors.
  • Smiling at the fresh bouquet of Spring flowers on the kitchen table.

  • Opening a window for fresh air.
  • Feeling energized for Spring cleaning.
  • Looking forward to fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Decorating with nests, eggs, bunnies, and other springy things.
  • Planning the vegetable garden.
  • Inhaling the fresh smell of Spring.
  • Taking long walks in the evening as a family.
  • Being able to sit outside on our patio in the evenings with my hubby.
  • Listening to the kids outside laughing and watching them ride their bikes and play outside, knowing they are enjoying the warmer weather.
  • Being able to hang the clothes on a clothes line to dry.
  • Shopping for Spring/Summer clothes.





What would YOU add to the list?
    -Susan
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Monday, March 4, 2013

Recipe: Strawberry Pretzel Jello

This is the perfect combination of sweet and salty. I have had a little craving for this recipe and since we rarely have dessert at our house, I decided to make it as a little treat. I mixed in some real strawberries, instead of frozen. It tasted spectacular! 

Strawberry Pretzel Jello

3 ounce strawberry Jell-O
2 cups boiling water
1 cup pretzels, crushed
1/8 cup sugar
1/2 stick butter
1/2 package (4 ounce) cream cheese
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup sugar
12 ripe fresh strawberries, finely chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine 3 ounces packet of Jell-O with 2 cups boiling water and set aside to cool to room temperature.

Crush 1 cup of pretzels in a ziploc bag, using a rolling pin.

In saucepan, over medium heat, melt 1/2 stick of butter, then add 1/8 cup sugar. Add pretzels and mix together.

Lightly press pretzel mix into the bottom of an 8 x 8 pyrex baking dish and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees, then cool to room temperature.

While pretzel mix is cooling down, beat 4 ounces of cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar on medium-low speed until well combined.

Next, add in the heavy whipping cream, and mix until well combined and smooth.

Spread mixture over cooled pretzels and spread cream cheese mixture to the edges of the dish to create a seal. You don't want the jello to leak into the pretzels. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Place fresh finely chopped strawberries evenly on top of the cream filling.

Pour Jell-O over strawberries and refrigerate until Jell-O is set.

Serves 6-8 people.



 

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