holiday baking with Betty!

Holiday Baking with Betty!

Baking season is here and the Betty Crocker Bake Center has everything you need to create delicious goodies for your family and friends. Find exclusive savings on essential baking mixes and ingredients from brands such as Betty Crocker, Hershey’s and Ziploc® brand containers, available at Publix. Looking for new baking recipes to delight your guests this season? The Bake Center display will feature four exclusive baking recipes as well as coupons; find the Bake Center at your local Publix


brownies are a big favorite in my house and these just kick it up a notch!

This is Halloween.

I love crafting, but don't have a lot of time or space to do it.

 I saw hand and foot print art on pintrest and knew me and the boys had to make some new Halloween decorations.

 I slightly messed up the spider but hey what do you expect when trying to take a 1 year olds handprints.

 I know I will treasure these decorations forever! 

Boo berry!!!

Monsters Cereals in Special Throwback Packaging, Only Available at Target, are Back!

The Retro Monsters are back! Count Chocula, Boo Berry and Franken Berry cereals are once again hitting the shelves at Target in their retro packaging and they’ve brought Monsters snack items for you to enjoy as well. Try Count Chocula Treats, Boo Berry Fruit Roll-Ups and Franken Berry Fruit Roll-Ups in special retro packaging, found exclusively at Target.

Perfect for nostalgic cereal fans and Halloween lovers, Monsters cereals and snacks are fun for the whole family.

It is so wierd how things work out sometimes. I was watching The Goldburgs on ABC and they had the cereal Boo-Berry on the show, it instantly brought back childhood memories! The next day this shows up at my door from Platefull 

Me and the boys were more then happy to try them all out! The count Chocula Treats were by far all of our favorites, that box didnt make it a full day in my house of 4.  The count chocula cereal was the 2nd favorite. My youngest Alex (21 months) quickly decided he would just eat the marshmallows out of all three. I remember doing that as a kid as well.. LOL

You can get these throwback cereals and treats at your local Target. 

PS don't forget to cut out and use the monster masks on the back of the cereal. My boys loved them!

Disclosure:The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op. All views and opinions are honest and our own.

Publix Flavor Excursion

This Recipe looks so good. Im adding the ingredients to my shopping list this week. I think my whole family will enjoy this one.

Be on the lookout for these exclusive savings at Publix starting September 11:

In-Store Savings

Coupons available in-store, look for the Flavor Excursion display with products at your local Publix. Display will be available in most stores between 9/11 and 9/24. Savings available with coupons:
•Save $2 off Publix® Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts when you buy Any Four (4) participating products. Participating products: Progresso™ Bread Crumbs, 100% Natural Broths, Beans, KRAFT Salad Dressing (16oz), Natural Shredded Cheese (6-8oz), Hunt’s® Diced Tomatoes (14.5oz or larger).

•Save $2 off Produce (minimum $2 purchase) when you buy Any Four (4) participating products*. Participating products: Old El Paso™ Seasoning Mixes, Enchilada Sauce, Refried Beans, Taco Shells, Ro*Tel® (10oz or larger), Hunt’s® Diced Tomatoes (14.5oz or larger), KRAFT Natural Shredded Cheese (6-8oz

Coupons available in-store, look for the Flavor Excursion recipe and coupon standee display at your local Publix. Display will be available in most stores between 9/11 and 9/24. Savings available with coupons:

•Save $1.00 off Any Five (5) Ro*Tel® Tomatoes (10oz)

•Save $2.00 off Any Two (2) KRAFT Natural Chunk Cheese 7-8 oz

•Save $1.00 off Any Five (5) Hunt’s® Tomatoes 14.5oz

•Save $1.00 off Any One (1) Bisquick™ 40oz

•Save $1.00 off Any One (1) Old El Paso™ Frozen Entrée

•Save $2.00 off Any Two (2) KRAFT Natural Shredded Cheese 6-8oz

Looking for an Italian themed dessert? Try Crème Brulèe Cheesecake Bars, find the recipe and a $1.50 off any two Betty Crocker pouch Cookie Mixes coupon on the Betty Crocker display in-store.

Plus… find these items on sale this week. No coupon necessary, available at Publix:

•Green Giant Frozen Bag Steamers 11-12oz on BOGO

•Pillsbury Crescents and Pizza 3 for $6

Printable Coupons

Visit www.ReadyPlanSave.com to print your coupons. Available while supplies last.

•Save $1 when you buy FOUR Progresso™ products

•Save $1 when you buy THREE Old El Paso™ products

•Save 75¢ when you buy ONE BOX Old El Paso® Bold Nacho Cheese Flavored Stand 'N Stuff® Taco Shells OR Dinner Kit

•Save $0.50 when you buy ONE 20 OZ. OR LARGER Original Bisquick® OR Bisquick Heart Smart® Baking Mix

•Save $0.60 when you buy THREE any variety Green Giant® Seasoned Steamers™ or Valley Fresh Steamers® Frozen Vegetables.

•Save $0.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Crescent Dinner Rolls
•Save $0.40 when you buy THREE CANS any size/variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Grands!® or Grands! Jr.® Biscuits
•Save $1 when you buy any flavor or variety of Old el Paso™ Froze Entrees
Digital Coupons
Visit, https://publix.couponselectionpage.com/offers/all, to find and instantly select digital coupons. Including the following from ConAgra. Available while supplies last.
•Save $0.40 off any TWO (2) ROTEL® products

•Save $1 on any FOUR (4) Chef Boyardee® canned pasta or microwave cup

•Save $1 on any ONE (1) Orville Redenbacher’s® Gourmet® Popping Corn (6-pk or larger)

•Save $0.50 on any ONE (1) Super Snack Pack® 6 pack

 Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op.”

Progresso Chili!

Progresso is my favorite brand of soup and now they have Chili! I was happy to see two versions:

• Smokehouse Pork and Beef Chili with Beans: A spin on a homemade classic includes Andouille sausage, beef, and a secret blend of spices, all slow-cooked with tomatoes, onions, green sweet peppers and pinto and red kidney beans
• Southwest Style White Chicken Chili with Beans: A creamy blend of all-white meat chicken, white beans, green sweet peppers, tomatillos and onion

I really liked that the bottom of the pouch was clear so i could see exactly what was inside.
I tried the Chicken chili and really liked it. It tasted fresh like it was homemade, it had a little spice to it but I wouldn't call it spicy. It was super easy to prepare just pour in a bowl and microwave.

 My husband had the Pork and Beef as a late night snack and said it was very good.
 The Progresso Chili will become a staple in my house, it will be a great weekend lunch or a fast delicious dinner for a busy weeknight.

 

 You can find Progresso chili in the soup section of your local grocery store. Check out all things Progresso by clicking HERE

Disclosure: I received one or more of the products mentioned in this post to review. All opinions are mine and I was not influenced in any way.

Smashed red potatoes

My Facebook feed was filled with smashed potato recipes so I decided to give it a try on our Sunday dinner with the neighbors. Super simple just boil red potatoes until soft the use a masher to mash each potato. I didn't have a masher so I used a fork. I then drizzled them with olive oil salt pepper and 2%sharp chedder. I found some left over bacon and added that too. They were delicious! 

Free Fun for Kids

Both Lowes and Home Depot do free kid clinics. I love taking my oldest to these. It teaches them how to build things and is fun. 

The first Saturday of everymonth is Home Depots Clinic. At my Home Depot the kids get an apron, a pin, a project and cookies and a drink when they are done. I suggest wearing something you dont mind getting dirty as most of the clinics I have gone to have paint.

Last month he built a bug catcher..























Im not really sure of Lowes schedule it use to be everyother week but it seems to be more spuratic lately. These kits have been themed around popular kid movies lately. Last week was a push a go Turbo, probably one of my sons favorite things he made. Lowes you have to pre register at lowesbuildandgrow.com Next week is the taco truck from Turbo. The kit at Lowes includes an apron, iron on patch, goggles and they kit to build. No paint has ever been used at any of the clinics I have gone too. 

Watch out world

My youngest learned how to drive his brothers four wheeler! 

It's a super mom kind of day.

Let me start by saying most days I am FAR from super mom. I microwave hotdogs  or a can of Chef Boyardee for dinner more nights than I should. I often make big plans in my head at night for the next day only to do little to none of it the next day. My kids watch more TV than the experts recommend, BUT somedays I pull it all together and have a super mom kind of day. Today has been one of them so far. My oldest is attending a camp, at the Mets Spring Training facility and being coached and helped by real players and real coaches. He is absolutely loving it! Today they had a little scrimmage game and he was up to base at the plate we saw the NY Mets play from a few months ago. He was so happy to be in the dugout and on the field. I was so glad I came early to see the game before pick up.

While the oldest was at baseball camp, the youngest decided it was easier just to sit in the toybox and play than to take the toys out so I printed and planned some summer learning lessons for the oldest. No summer slide for us! I am teaching him cursive and just keeping him sharp on his known math skills and reading comprehension. Along with a few science experiments but those are more fun than learning to him!

. 

Tomorrow I plan on doing something new and fun from my Pintrest board with my youngest... Lets hope tomorrows a Super Mom kind of day too..

Mary Kay

 

I was so excited to get the Mary Kay VoxBox from Influenster! I had been to a Mary Kay party a time or two when i was in my 20's but  I wasnt really that into makeup back then. Now I feel naked if I leave the house without it. 

This is what came in the box. I will admit I have no idea what to do with Bronzing powder... Luckily I went to the Mary Kay site and found this: “For an all-over glow, apply bronzer in the shape of a ‘3’ – tracing on both sides along the hairline, under the cheekbones and along the jawlines.” – Mary Kay Global Makeup Artist Diana Carreiro

I still have not been brave enough to try it... 

When I opened the eyeliner I thought ummm NO just NO but wanted to try it. I FELL IN LOVE! The brush makes it so easy to apply a nice thin line or a thick line. It even makes a cat eye much easier. the best part it doesn't go anywhere!

My favorites of the box were the eyeliner and the lip gloss the two things I didnt think I would like much. The blush is very strong you dont have to apply much to get the desired color. the eyecolor was not the right color for me, but the product itself was creamy and easy to apply. The mascara made my lashes super long and defined.
I definitely like all the products and was impressed with the quality of Mary Kay.
Here I am with all the products on :)

 

Thanks again Influesnter and Mary Kay! 

A toddler and Pinterest

My Son Alex is almost 17 months old and wants to be entertained with something new and fun all the time. Buying him new toys every week is not happening so I started searching Pinterest. I found a great pin 100 things you can purchase from the dollar tree and use in play. I thought hell I can afford the dollar tree. The first thing that caught my eye was sensory bags so off to dollar tree we went.

 

TA DA! LMAO.
Im not thrilled with the way they turned out. The smaller one scares me because its an off name bag and it doesn't seem strong... I also dont like the blue, but who knows maybe Alex will like searching for the snakes in the blue.

I used the bigger quart size on the clear one because the plastic seemed thicker but I only had one bottle for hair-gel and it really could have used two. I taped it down to the size of a sandwich bag, the back is ugly but the front looks fun.



Alex will be up from his nap soon so we will see how he likes them. Hoping they are a hit and I can put them in his diaper bag for restaurants, dr visits, etc...


Two bags cost me under $4.00  next ones i will use the bigger quart size bags but double the amount of hairgel.

Life with a toddler.

Life with a toddler is always fun, Alex is 16 months old and I'm always searching Pinterest, reading blogs, getting books on activities to do with him. Lately he has been obsessed with breaking into the craft closet and getting the pipe cleaners out. 

I remembered this awesome idea I saw on Pinterest and Alex loved it! 

Best part was it was free and kept him happy for a good 15 minutes! I was able to unload the dishwasher in peace. 

Alex decided these shoes should be worn today for my morning chores. He slide them on my feet and cautiously watched me walk around the house. When I couldn't take it anymore I took them off, Alex was right there as soon as he found them wanting me to put my shhhhhhmoooo on 

Goodbye baseball

Today was the last day of my oldest sons baseball season, it was a long season with a lot of ups and downs. 

My son played first base and was awesome, today he made an awesome double play. This season he hit a grand slam and 3 other home runs, he works hard and practices on his own his father and I couldn't be prouder. 

Next year he moves up to kid pitch. 

Now to find a summer sport to sign my athlete up for...

Halloween in May?

I was going to type, I can't believe I have not posted a picture of the adorable costume I made. The truth though is I can believe it with two kids, and a small business life tends to get busy and thingslike my poor blog get neglected. 

Somehow in my crazy life I did finish Alex's costume and it was freaking adorable! 

I entered him into a costume contest at our favorite local resturant and he won, maybe I should have entered him in a few more 😉