Busy Moms CAN Cook

I found this simple list last week online. They are practical ways to save. What do you do to save money?


1. Stay home. The more you are out running around the more money you spend in purchases, gas, food, etc. 2. When you must go out combine errands. Gas is expensive, if you can combine your errands into a once a week trip you will save money and time.3. Pay with cash. This has been endlessly debated, but statistics show that people spend 12-18% less when paying with the green stuff, and I don’t mean American Excess.4. Eat at home. Unless you are a single person eating off the dollar menu at Wendy’s, it is hard to eat out for cheaper than what you can make
at home. Strapped for time, bulk cook on the weekends so you will have food during the week.5. When you leave a room turn out the lights. I am amazed at how many people don’t do this. (including my kids!)6. Cut your shower time in half. 7. Menu plan. Once again, this takes a few minutes at the beginning of the week and save…

Follow this link for Scone Recipes from Brenda at Old Fashioned Living.

Here are some awesome things I found this week while running around the web! Enjoy.

How to Make a Simple, Reversible Tote Bag

Cute, Printable, and Free Gift Bag Labels

Pretty, Printable Mini Notebooks

Free, Cute, Printable Postcards/Notecards

Freebies & Tutorials from Creature Comforts

The most gorgeous Family Necklace I have ever seen. . .

It seems like we always have three or four packets of instant oatmeal left in the box. It's usually the ones that no one likes! Here's a creative recipe that will help you clean out your pantry!

I can't remember where I found this one, but it sure does sound delish.

Instant Oatmeal Muffins
1 cup Self Rising Flour3/4 sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder1 egg1 stick butter, melted3 packets instant oatmeal, any flavor will do
enough boiling water to the wet ingredients and blend into a thick paste

In one bowl mix the flour, sugar and baking powder.
In another bowl gently whisk the egg and then add in the melted butter. Stir that together.
In the third bowl add enough boiling water to the 3 packets of instant oatmeal that it is a thick consistency of oatmeal.
Once the oatmeal is mixed well add it to the wet ingredients and stir them until blended. Then add the wet to the dry and mix them well. The batter will be thick.Grease a muffin pan and add the batter.
Bake 15-18 minutes on 350.
Thi…

Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit. Find out how here.How to make your own Sunscreen-- Oh if I had only seen this BEFORE we went to Florida!Fine dining isn't always so "fine." Sometimes that delicious meal is tainted by overcooked meat, still-frozen food, caterpillars nestled in the greens or other surprises that ruin a perfectly good dinner. Read this article aboutThe Etiquette of Sending Back Meals.DIY for making dryer balls from wool yarn rather than the blue plastic PVC alternative.Interesting Recipes-very frugalSave 70% off of $25 Gift Certificates when you use code SEVENTY.Pay $3 thru 7/13/09 only at Restaurant.com.Free envelope template here and here.Free Birthday Pixy Stick Project. Check it out here.Free CUTE Bookplate Template here.

Peach Streusel Crisp--a great way to use up those over-ripe peaches!9 ripe peaches1/2 cup sugar1 t. cinnamon1/4 t. vanilla2 T. flour
Topping:1 stick cold butter1 cup flour2/3 cup sugar1 t. cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350. Grease the bottom of an 8 x 8 pan or medium casserole dish. (Double recipe for a 9 x 13 pan!)Peel and pit peaches, slice, and place in a bowl. Top with sugar, flour cinnamon and vanilla. Toss to coat and set aside while preparing topping.Make streusel by cutting the butter into the flour, sugar, and cinnamon. This is easily done by hand, or use a pastry cutter, or by using two forks in a chopping motion until it has a course texture. Put peaches in the pan, top with strusel, and bake for 30 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and peaches are bubbling. Top with vanilla ice cream!

I am not sure where I got this recipe, but it's super simple and oh so wonderful!

Ingredients:
1 pkg. yellow cake mix2 cups oats1/2 cup brown sugar1 cup canola oil1 egg3/4 cup strawberry ice cream topping3/4 cup blueberries
Directions:
Mix the cake mix, brown sugar and oats together. Add the oil and the egg and mix well. Pat half of the dough into a prepared 13 x 9-inch pan. Spoon the strawberry topping over the dough, and top with the blueberries. Crumble the rest of the dough over the topping and blueberries. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

Check out this giveaway from Coupon Princess!
Do you need some cash to shop? How about this, they told me to use the Marshall's gift card myself or pay it forward. So here is your chance to win a $25 Gift Card.

Check out Frugal Girls Site. They are giving away a Jillie Willie Travel Case!

I had never heard of this site, but they have some CUTE stuff!


Have you heard of Jillie Willie? Jill Grover started Jillie Willie in the Fall of 2006. Not only is it a fun name, but it's an adorable online boutique with a wide variety of fun products! Jillie Willie sells:
Aprons {for kids & adults}BagsSlippers & ShoesGroovy GlovesAccessoriesBooks & More!

Here's a great giveaway from The Not-So Blog!


From the website of Fairytale Brownies: “Inspired by a treasured family recipe and a commitment to excellence, we created enchanting Fairytale Brownies. Our magical blend indulges your senses with fudgy chocolate goodness, taking you back to fond childhood memories.”

There's a contest running over at the Coupon Queens of Laurel Run for a gorgeous necklace. It is from a company called Kennebug and the necklace is called Mother's Love Necklace .

It is beautiful and you should go check it out!

The Old Navy T-Shirt Deal is a hoax!
Bummer.