Having a Frugal Christmas!

I don't know about everybody this year but this Christmas is going to be really tiny!  We really are in a mess since we are a sah family and the ton of my husbands overtime has been cut off for a whole year. I am relying on God and  trying to make the best of what we will have. Christmas is about God anyways how we have turned this into spending tons of money, I don't know. I would love to make some homemade gifts for family and teachers. Here are a couple of ideas that I thought I might try

Chocolate Covered Pretzels with Topping!
Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa and Homemade Marshmallows

One thing about gifts in a jar is that you can by the ingredients a little at a time so it doesn't cost so much!

Another thing for next year is swagbucks
You get swagbucks for searching the web that you can trade in for gift cards etc.

I have earned several five dollar gift cards from them and I should have been saving for this christmas. Especially since Amazon usually puts magazine subscriptions on sale for 5.00 pretty often. I have seen tons of food magazines and even southern living which all would make wonderful gifts.

If you haven't signed up and would like to I would appreciate you signing up under me!
http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/basketballmomma

I will be posting more gift ideas as Christmas gets closer!

for more frugal friday ideas please visit  http://www.lifeasmom.com/

Barefoot Contessa's Outrageous Brownies

I love to cook and bake and so I saw these brownies and knew I had to give them a try. They are not for the faint of heart or those on a diet because there is a pound of butter and about 1 cup and half of chocolate chips. They are really good but also really sweet, I wouldn't skip the walnuts because they cut some of the sweetness in the brownies!  I have had nothing but raves on the brownies.

Looking for my delicious recipes visit
Tasty Tuesday
Tempt my Tummy Tuesday

menu plan monday

Today actually feels like fall yeah!!! It never feels like fall and with the temps this summer well over 100 this is a wonderful change!  Here is my menu plan for this week!



Monday- Homemade Taco's
Tuesday- Hamburgers and fries
Wednesday- StuffedPoblano's with Refied Beans
Thursday- Grilled Fish and Veggies
Friday- not sure yet

I really need to cut down my meat, so if anyone has a good meatless recipe and would love it for you to leave a link below or just the recipe in the comment section please do!






* if you linked earlier my that linky site messed up please link again!

to find more menu pland please visit orgjunkie.com

Perrys' Plate: Easy Homemade Chicken Stock + Other Homemade Pantry Staples

looking to save money on pantry staples, check out this link. Tons of homemade pantry staple recipes!


Perrys' Plate: Easy Homemade Chicken Stock + Other Homemade Pantry Staples

Marinades made easy - latimes.com

I am sorry I haven't posted in so long but here is a link I think is worth the read. It gives you the basics of making your own marinade . It is much cheaper and better for you than the bottled
store stuff!

Marinades made easy - latimes.com


check out tasty tuesday  
for more great recipes

winner

Used Random.Org and the winner of the yoplait spa pack giveaway is #1 Renee.
Congratulations and they will be getting in touch with you soon!

Works For Me Wednesday: Eating what is in season! and Giveaway!

I love fresh fruit but it can be expensive! There is one tip to getting the best deals on your fruit and that is to eat in season. I love blueberries and cherries and right now is the time to buy. My husband bought to quart size bags of blueberries for 10.00  from a friend that raises them. I just checked the sales papers today and cherries were a 1.99 a lb and those that love cherries know that is a really good deal. So it you love fruit eat what is in season and you will spend quite a bit less.

Speaking of Blueberries we tried a new blueberry recipe the other day and it is delicious! These were so much better than the store bought muffins and were very moist!

Also check out my giveway here, right now only one entrant and it ends tonight!

for more works for me wednesday please check out http://www.wearethatfamily.com/


Beverly