February 2011
sunday shopping 2-27-11
I didn’t do a lot of shopping this weekend. A dear friend is turning 40 later this week, so another girlfriend and I threw her a surprise birthday party yesterday. It was a blast, and she was completely shocked, which made it even more fun. It feels so good to finally be able to talk about it–the secrecy was killing me–and I will tell you all about it tomorrow. I did have to make a quick run to Publix yesterday morning for a few last minute party items. I contemplated just purchasing the soda, bread & basil I needed and calling it a day, but what fun would that be? ... read more
stockpile meals: roasted shrimp & broccoli garlic pasta
If you pay close attention to my shopping results, you have probably noticed that I buy a LOT of pasta. A ridiculous amount, really. Enough to make you envision a whole room of my house filled from floor to ceiling with nothing but (practically free) noodles. Sadly, that is not the case. My kids love noodles. They would eat them for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if I left them. They are probably just a few steps away from pasta rehab, if there is such a thing. And I gotta tell you, I’m not really a big fan of pasta. Spaghetti with red sauce has always grossed me out, even as ... read more
thursday shopping 2-24-11 (& weekly shopping linky)
I am ashamed to admit it, but sometimes I feel a little sorry for myself when I see all those fantastic Mega Event deals at Kroger or the Super Doubles at Harris Teeter, or realize that most other areas of the country have at least 5 or 6 grocery chains to choose from (and compete.) And while I’m whining, let me add that stores in Florida don’t even double coupons, for goodness sake! There, I’ve said it. I suffer from coupon envy. But really, honestly, I have nothing to complain about. Publix, where shopping truly is a pleasure, (their motto, for those of you who don’t live in the South), ... read more
7 Ways to Save on Produce
“How do I save money on produce?” This is one of my most common reader questions. As a vegetarian and as a mom, it is a question that I face every week. I save an incredible amount of money on my groceries with coupons, but I will readily admit that much of what I buy is often processed or packaged food. It is not unhealthy, per se, but it definitely needs to be supplemented with the nutrients that can only come from fruits and vegetables And while I have gotten much better at “shopping” from my stockpile and coming up with creative stockpile meals using the ingredients I have on ... read more
how to make a pillowcase dress
I did a little sewing this weekend, something I haven’t done in a very long time. It was cathartic in so many ways, and I had forgotten how much I enjoy it. I bought some fabric a few weeks ago to make a table runner. Princess saw it & asked if I was going to use it to make her a pretty dress. I told her there wasn’t enough but that I would take her to the fabric store and let her pick out her own fabric to make a dress. Now I have a confession. At the time, I had absolutely no intention of making Princess a dress. It ... read more
sunday shopping 2-20-11
I broke up my shopping trip yesterday into two separate trips. I first ran to Publix to fill a prescription and to pick up a few things. I stopped at home to drop off the groceries, planning to head right back out, but was hoodwinked by a very sweet-talking Princess into bringing the girls along. Oh will I never learn? We first stopped at the local farmer’s market (more about that later this week), then hit CVS, Jo-Ann’s (I had promised Princess she could pick out fabric for a dress), & Walgreens. By the third stop they were fighting and by the last checkout they were both crying hysterically. It ... read more
Perfect Scrambled Eggs {Recipe}
I’m a big fan of breakfast foods but I don’t normally eat breakfast. And six days out of seven, I unfortunately don’t have time to cook a big breakfast for anyone else. On Valentine’s Day I wanted to make heart-shaped waffles, but V-day fell on a Monday this year. Despite my best intentions of waking up early to cook a special breakfast for the family, it just wasn’t going to happen. And then it occurred to me. We could eat breakfast for dinner. Would you believe that in 7 years, Husband and I have never once eaten breakfast for dinner? Shocking, I know. But not only was it delicious, it ... read more
thursday shopping 2-17-11 (& weekly shopping linky)
Am I the only one who is completely psyched over Italian Days at Publix? I promised a friend I would babysit her 2 year old daughter today, (returning part of the favor I owed her for watching Trouble for 2 full days while I was at Blissdom a few weeks ago), but I couldn’t bear the thought of waiting to hit the big sale until tomorrow, or even tonight. So I did what any mildly insane extreme couponer would do. I made the trip with 2 toddlers in tow. I had so much stuff I could barely fit it in the cart. I used 78 coupons. And I made a ... read more
10 Tips for Getting More Done Every Single Day
I have a confession. The list of things I want and need to do is always much longer than the list of things I actually accomplish. I can’t do it all. I wish I could. I am constantly striving. But at the end of the day, I’m usually just a girl who drops more balls than I catch. And I’m okay with that. You may remember that my New Year’s resolution this year was to do less and enjoy more. This is such a hard concept for me. There are so many things I want to do that I have a hard time slowing down, cutting things out, and not ... read more
Valentine’s Day Brunch
A Sunday brunch just might be my very favorite type of party to throw. The mood is relaxed, the food is divine, and it is a great time to just sit and catch up with friends over a cup of coffee, mimosa, or bloody mary. Our little gathering was slightly impromptu–invitations were emailed only a few days ahead of time–but that didn’t mean it couldn’t be pretty (and budget-friendly, of course.) The Menu: Baked Pecan Streusel French Toast Breakfast Potatoes with Onions Blueberry Bran Refrigerator Muffins Minted Fruit Salad Omelets to Order Fresh Fruit & Vegetables Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar Coffee Between the 5 families, there were 13 kids ... read more
sunday shopping 2-13-11 (valentine’s day edition)
I don’t know about you, but we had a very busy weekend filled with Valentine’s day fun. Friday night our very brave friends hosted a sleepover for 10 kids under the age of 6, giving Husband and I (and 2 other couples) a very rare and precious night alone. It was perhaps the most thoughtful gift we have ever received. After debating all the possibilities, we finally decided that the best use of our “free” night would be to enjoy a relaxing evening at home. We ate fondue & snacks and drank wine at the *gasp* living room coffee table, got into our cozy clothes, & watched giant movies on ... read more
“Meaty” Vegetarian Lasagna {Recipe}
I love lasagna. Growing up, my mom never made it. I guess probably because we’re Dutch, not Italian. We ate things like Hutspot and Pannekoek and Boerenkool. In any case, I never even tried it until I was 14 or so and babysitting for one of the few non-Dutch families in my small town. It was love at first bite. As an adult, the idea of making lasagna from scratch always intimidated me. I love to cook, but in my mind it was still so “exotic.” But finally one day I found a recipe for Butternut Squash Lasagna that sounded so good, I just had to try it. (Husband ... read more
thursday shopping 2-10-11 (& weekly shopping linky)
Before I start, I have a BIG favor to ask of ALL of you! I have created a short little survey to find out a little more about my readers. This is your chance to tell me what you like (and don’t like) about LWSL, and your participation would mean the world to me. You can take the survey anonymously or, if you like, you can provide your email address at the end and be entered into a random drawing for a $20 Starbucks gift card. To take the survey, just click the button below (a window will pop up). Thank you SO much for your help! Click here to take ... read more
coupons 101: how to create a stockpile
Husband makes fun of me sometimes because I use the word “stockpile” so often. But I can’t emphasize enough the importance of having a well-stocked pantry for successful couponing. Extreme couponing without a stockpile just doesn’t work. What is a stockpile? For couponing purposes, a stockpile is your personal collection of food, toiletries, drugstore items, and other household items that have been purchased at their ROCK BOTTOM prices and then stored until needed. It is sort-of like your own personal Supercenter right in your own home. So why stockpile? In order to maximize your savings each week, you need to buy almost exclusively what is on sale. Different things go ... read more
valentine’s day craft-a-palooza
Yesterday we sat down to do some Valentine’s Day crafts. You should know by now, I’m not very crafty. I’m just a wannabe crafter. But my kids don’t seem to care. We covered the table with brown kraft paper and had ourselves a craft-a-palooza all afternoon. I wanted to make some of these adorable heart strings, but I couldn’t bear the thought of cutting up any of my books. So we settled on making stamped cards and gift tags & a glitter heart garland. Trouble played with stickers. And ate a marker. Again. Then she ate some pom poms and dumped the whole bucket of them out on the floor. ... read more
