Baking and Smoking

This past weekend, Josh and I both got bitten by the cooking bug.  I made three desserts, and he smoked some meats.

I made cream cheese brownies, a chocolate pecan bourbon pie, and easy fudge.  I was really surprised with the fudge.  It was a really simply recipe and still turned out very good!  The rest was pretty dang good too.

I think Josh would agree that it was good.  When I told Josh what was in the pie, he reacted with "Ya'll will cook with some bourbon, won't cha?"  Yes, sir.  That's what I good Kentucky girl does.  :)

My plate.  MMMMM.  I like whipped cream, especially on top of that pie.  

Josh also got the smoker going which was amazing.  Honestly, that smoker was the best 70 or so bucks that we've ever spent.  It's a lot of work, but Josh enjoys it so very much.  And the smell...oh my gracious the smell.  That smoke just goes through the whole apartment complex, and it is heaven.

Top rack: Boston Butt and pot full of BBQ sauce (gives the sauce a great smoky flavor)

Bottom rack: chicken

Look at that chicken.  Yummy, yummy, yummy.

It didn't last very long at all.  Devoured!

Sunday of Couponing

Our life as the Johnsons is so very exciting.  Most days when I get home from work we eat dinner, watch a DVR episode of either Matlock or Jeopardy, do a crossword and jumble from the paper, and then go to bed.  Couponing is my excitement.  :)  This is our little married life, and I love it!

On Sunday I did another round of drugstore shops.  I was pretty happy with all the stuff I got, but I probably spent a little too much up front.

Rite Aid

Here's what I got:

1 Clearasil overnight wash

1 Clearasil acne control

2 Beanos

2 Gas-X Prevention (SCR)

1 Revlon nail polish

1 Loreal mascara (SCR)

1 Loreal lipgloss

1 Covergirl lipgloss

1 Uncle Ben's Rice

1 Cheerios multigrain

1 Cinnamon Toast Crunch

1 Tampax Pearl

1 Pez dispenser (stocking stuffer)

1 Benefiber (SCR)

4 Travel size John Frieda shampoo and conditioner (SCR)

2 boxes lightbulbs

3 12-packs of Coke products (not pictured)

Total before coupons and sales: 152.66

Total after sales and coupons: 42.14

Total SCRs earned: 11.00

Total after SCR: 31.14

Percent saved: 80%

It's pretty shocking to see the total amount that this shopping trip would have cost without sales or coupons.  There is no way I would have ever wanted to pay that much for the things I bought!  But saving 80 percent, I'm up for trying some of these items.  

The biggest issue is that I ended up with only 2 +Up Rewards for my next trip.  But the real secret is to break up each trip into multiple orders.  That way, if I earn some +Up Rewards, I can just turn around and use those again.  That's actually what I did on this trip.  And, the BEST thing about this trip...I found my own money maker, without using Southern Savers!!!  The Revlon nail polish I bought was on clearance.  I paid about 1.50 and it printed a 3 dollar +UP Reward!  Wonderful.  I actually went to another Rite Aid later and bought candy bars and another nail polish.  Paid .76 cents for 4 candy bars and the nail polish and I got 4 +Up Rewards back.

A couple side notes.  I actually went back to the Rite Aid where I had issues.  I know, crazy right?  I just went on a different day, and the lady was very understanding and took all kinds of time with me.  On my second order, my +Up Rewards didn't print.  So she took the time to find all the things that should have printed +Up Rewards and then gave me that off my third order.  And while we were trying to figure things out, I did step to the side so that she could also help another customer.  There was a line, and it's just kinda the nice thing to do.  An SCR is a single check rebate.  You can get money back for buying certain items.  All you have to do is go to the Rite Aid website and log-in your receipts.  I'll be getting a check back for 11 bucks.  And it's just a regular check...no need to use it on the next purchase or anything.

Final note, this purchase put me over the 100 dollars spent at Rite Aid this month (not really, they count totals before manufacturer's coupons).  That means I qualify for a 20 dollar gift certificate because of their Holiday Rewards Program.  Pretty cool stuff!  I do have to use the entire 20 dollars in one visit.  Gracious me, we're gonna need more storage space after that trip!

CVS

No picture (I put all of this stuff away before taking a pic, silly me)

What I got:

2 Aussie hair gels

1 Wesson vegetable oil

1 Toy Story band-aid (I'm kinda excited about this, because I'm still a kid)

1 Physician's Formula eyeshadow

2 packages Hershey's Kisses (as if I hadn't bought enough already)

1 Therma-care neck wrap

Total before sales/coupons: 41.22

Total after sales/coupons: 6.30

Percent saved: 85%

Pretty good haul.  The greatest part, I started with 11.95 in ECBs, and I still have 11.00!  Wonderful stuff.  Looking over my past trips, I'm really considering buying stock in Hershey.  I mean, I buy Hershey constantly.  LOVE me some chocolate.

I hate that I didn't get a picture of the CVS trip.  There's so much text and so few pictures in this post.  How about a little bit of Christmas spirit to add another image?  The other day listening to the Christmas tv station, we heard Mele Kalikimaka!  Made me think of Miss Emma and her dance recital, so we took a picture.

Christmas decorations

We finally have our Christmas tree up and our nativity set out!  I kinda like waiting until the last minute to get everything up.  Of course, I'm also a fan of leaving everything up until at least the epiphany on January 8th, so it works to put up decorations later.  At work, we're planning to take decorations down on December 27th.  It makes me sad.  I like to see the decorations all through the Christmas season!  It helps keep me uplifted!

Now, there were some things that we set out earlier.  Some lights, stockings, and candle holders.  Here's what our set-up did look like, including two cups of hot chocolate on the coffee table.

Once we get the wood to actually start burning, the fire is pretty delightful.  No frightful weather though.

We now have our trees set-up.  I tried to do three different themes because there are three trees: one with our first Christmas ornaments, one with the ornaments I made for Josh last year, and the last one a conglomeration of everything...mainly gingerbread.

Close up of the gingerbread tree and the ornaments I painted for Josh.

Our tree!  At the top is the ornament that Josh just got me...its a heart with a poinsettia that says "Our First Christmas."  The M and the J are from the wedding shower my work gave us.  The snowman with our picture was a gift from Josh last year.  And the big one at the bottom has a bride and groom in the middle and says "We're Married" on the back.  That one was a gift from mom from Irish Acres.

And in the dining room I have set-up our nativity.  I tried to do some stacking and fabric arrangement (wanted to make Patrick proud) but I don't have many boxes, and I don't have any fabric.  But I think it still looks cute.  Jesus will be put in the manger on Christmas day (or as close to December 25th as possible since we'll be in Jacksonville).

Now our house is decorated for Christmas.  Just gotta get ourselves ready too.  :)

Last Trip to Rite Aid...at least that particular one

I really think I've gone a teeny bit crazy with this couponing thing.  I get so excited about figuring out the ways that I can save money, and before I go to the store, I'm very hyped up about finding things.  However, this last trip to Rite Aid was very disappointing.  I wanted to get three different items that would have been money makers.  Apparently, though, word gets around, and none of those items were left in the store.  Then, when I went to check out, the lady was pretty rude.  She also checked all my items and didn't understand stacking coupons.  It made me feel pretty awful, like she thought I was stealing.  She even wouldn't take a coupon I had, even though I know it would have been okay to use.  Oh well, there's plenty of stores here in Montgomery, so I'm just going to have to find another to give my business to, or shop on a day when that cashier isn't at work.

On to what I actually bought.  Overall, I still did pretty well with my savings...just not as much as I was hoping.

What I got:

1 Finish Orange Gel dishwasher fluid

2 Kellogg's cereals

2 Ghiradelli Chocolate bags

2 24-packs of Nestle bottled water (only 1 pictured)

1 Mott's apple juice

2 Halls Defense cough drops

Total before sales and coupons: 42.89

Total before coupons (sale prices) : 26.55

Total after coupons and sales: 5.65

Percent saved: 87%

Percent saved after sales: 79%

The coupon the cashier wouldn't accept from me was for 1 dollar off two 24-packs of Nestle water.  So, I would have done slightly better if she understood the stacking policy.  Still, it's okay.  I got a bunch of stuff for a little bit of money.  The regular price for the 24-pack of water was 4.49.  So you could almost say that I paid for the one package of water and then got everything else free.  :)

The other thing about this order, I now only have 3 +Up Rewards to use on my next order.  I really thought that I had more +Up Reward purchases on my list, but all of them were for items that I couldn't find at that store.  Another lesson for me, shop earlier in the week to get the really great +Up Reward deals!  I'm going to try to stop at Rite Aid tomorrow after church, the first day of their new ad.

I need to start posting this at the end of all of these, because I really should give credit where credit is due.  If you want to find great deals too, just go to www.southernsavers.com.  Jenny, the site moderator, uploads so much great information.  Whenever a new ad comes out, she lists every item that would be worth purchasing (meaning, it's a really great deal, not just a kind of good one) and she includes all the coupon matches.  You can make a shopping list right from the posts she does for the ads.  Then, find all the coupons either in the Sunday newspaper inserts or find the printables ones Jenny lists in the coupon database.  It really is great to know that I'm saving so much money for Josh and me.  And I want all of you to experience the same!  :)

Bourbon Balls

I've been looking for a while for recipes for Bourbon balls.  My sister got one that has been in the family.  My Aunt Monk (short for Monica) was apparently famous for her bourbon balls.

Aunt Monk's Bourbon Balls

1 lb. confectioner's sugar

1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts are great)

6 tablespoons Old Granddad Bourbon

1 stick butter, less 3/4"

6 squares Baker's Chocolate

Paraffin equal to 1 1/2 squares chocolate.

Finely chop nuts and pour bourbon over them.  Refrigerate overnight.  Mix nuts, sugar, and butter (use hands).  Form into balls.  Refrigerate until set.  Melt chocolate.  Dip balls in chocolate.  Return to fridge.

This weekend I made two batches.  I did change a little bit of the recipe.  I used Buffalo Trace bourbon and chopped up pecans instead of walnuts.  I also used mostly whole pecans and put those on top.  That's just the way that I like my bourbon balls.

First Batch - A Learning Process

The first batch tasted great, but it looked a little shabby.  The bourbon balls didn't set very well, so when I dipped them, they started melting.  So the chocolate had all kinds of extra sugar and pecan pieces in it, making the ones I dipped after very bumpy.  I also used about half milk chocolate, which apparently is more difficult to work with when melted.

 Second Bath Success

These looked much, much better!  I got some good tips from my sister about how to melt the chocolate, and I only used semi-sweet.  The last few I dipped (the three on the left in this pic) were still a little rough, but that was only because I didn't have much chocolate left to dip those.  Still tasted great!

I think this will definitely be a recipe I go back to every Christmas season!

Christmas on the Coosa

This past weekend, Josh and I traveled up to Elmore County.  We were looking at some houses in the Redland Road area, and then headed down to the Coosa River for some of the Christmas festivities.  There was a huge parade.  We got there about an hour late and there was still a good half hour of parade before Mr. and Mrs. Claus came by on the horse-drawn carriage.

We walked over by the courthouse where they were having a craft fair.  There was a lot of great stuff, and I found a gift for my dad.  It's a lighted wreath with shotgun shells.  I thought it might look good on dad's barn (hopefully it doesn't drive mom crazy).  It was also a  pretty good deal...and kinda makes for a fun hat.  :)

 We walked over the river, which is really very pretty.  Then we discovered there was an entire other area of crafts and food!  We each enjoyed a hot chocolate and cupcake.  Mmmm.  Then we headed down to the park for the concert by the Wetumpka City Pops.

We listened to all kinds of Christmas music, and even sang along to some of it.  At nightfall, Christmas on the Coosa got into full swing with Santa's grand entrance...water-skiing on the Coosa River!!!  Oh, the other thing that I thought was very cool, the event started with the National Anthem and a group prayer.  I love that about Alabama.  This is a very patriotic and religious state.  It's kind of refreshing to see this happen at public events without any backlash.

Following Santa was the parade of boats.  It was neat to see, but a little lackluster.  Only one boat could go down the river at a time, and then it would turn around and come back.  There was an emcee, who is a very popular name in this area of Alabama.  But there really wasn't a lot that could be done to keep the pace up.  We both got cold so we ending up leaving before the final float floated and the fireworks.

As we walked back to our car, we saw how nicely City Hall was lit up. It was such a great little town Christmas.  I had a lot of fun, and it was a nice way of feeling more at home.  It's kinda like Alabama's version of Wilmore Old-Fashioned Christmas.

Publix

Today I made a quick shopping trip to Publix.  I was very happy with the deal I got on some makeup.  Crazy, me buying makeup, but I've been wanting to try some different blush and eyeshadow.  Don't think it will last, but it was almost free.  Time for pictures.

What I Got:

Chicken Breasts

Pork Loin

Hillshire Farm Beef Smoked Sausage

The Rest of What I Got:

Bottle of clorox

2 Covergirl eyeshadows

1 Covergirl blush

4 Renuzit air freshners (apple and cinnamon, yum)

6 Yoplait yogurts

2 packages of Pillsbury crescent rolls

2 packages Kraft shredded cheese

2 half gallons of Smart Balance milk

1 bottle Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce

1 bottle Wish-bone Italian dressing

1 box Nutri-grain bars

1 box Betty Crocker cake mix and 1 can of Betty Crocker frosting

1 5 lb. box of clementines

Total before coupons/sales: 89.54

Total after coupons/sales: 50.49

Percent saved: 44%

Again, I bought everything on sale.  My savings simply from Publix sale items was 22.21.  I also saved 9.55 with manufacturer q's and 7.29 with store coupons.  I think I did alright.  I'm hoping to accumulate all the things needed to make Josh's favorite coconut cake, thus the cake mix and frosting.  I think we'll be set on milk for a while too.

I'm so tired, this probably isn't all that interesting.  But the other thing about the trip, I picked up a U-Promise card.  With this, I can upload "coupons" that I can use at Publix.  I'm still trying to understand exactly how it works.  I think you upload the coupon and then whenever I buy one of those items, the coupon amount goes directly into a Sallie Mae account.  Not sure that it will be worth a whole lot, but every penny counts!

Drugstore Shopping in Kentucky

Sorry for the lack of pictures in this post, but I didn't have time to get any pics of what I bought.  Most of it was for Christmas presents, but I still wanted to blog about my finds. 

CVS

What I Got:

3 cans of Planter's cashews

Total cost before sales/coupons: 19.47

Total cost after Extra Care Bucks: $.64

I saved 97%

I was a little disappointed in this trip.  There were a few other things that I wanted to pick up.  Crazily enough, I really wanted to try Gas-X (TMI, I know).  I had great coupons and there was supposed to be a deal where you get 10 ECBs for spending 20 bucks worth.  Apparently, the Nicholasville CVS didn't get the memo, or I had bad information, not sure which.  Oh well, probably didn't need it anyway.

I do still have more than 14 bucks in ECBs to use on my next trip, too.  So things are still working pretty well.

Rite Aid

What I Got:

2 packages of Hershey kisses

1 Discovery Kids Play tent

1 Gillete Fusion razor set

2 pairs No Nonsense pantyhose

Total before coupons/sales: 43.74

Total after coupons/sales: 14.95

Percent saved: 66%

I was much happier with this trip.  The sale price on the tent itself was 14.99, so basically I paid for just that and got the rest for free.  I also have 9 bucks in +up Rewards to use on my next trip. 

Overall, I think my trips were successful.  I am looking forward to going again this week now that I am back at home with the stores I know and like.  Plus I have my printer for any other good coupons.  :)

"Mary" Christmas in Kentucky

My sister kinda helped me with the title of this post.  She kept saying that our trip up to Kentucky was for "Mary" Christmas.  I thought it was cute, so I stole it.  :) 

We had a wonderful trip back home this past weekend.  We left on Wednesday evening and stopped in Nashville to stay the night at Hotel Preston.  It was so nice to break up that 8 hour drive!  I think we've spoiled ourselves now. 

Thursday, we got home in the afternoon, got settled in, then went to my aunt's house for Thursday night supper.  Terry is so sweet.  She made all my favorites: BBQ, peas, and brocoli with cheese.  Plus, she had some Ale-8 on hand.  Yummy!  That evening, we also did our Rite Aid and CVS trip.  More on that later.

Friday I went out with mom and Audra on a mission to find a skinny Christmas tree, a pretty nativity, and a star.  We ending up finding the tree, but not the other stuff.  I also stopped to pick up the chocolate advent calendars for Luke, Emma, and Reagan. 

When we got back, I helped put the tree up (Audra did all the decorating), and then it was time to head out.  We stopped at Graeter's (pour one out for the lost hommies) visited Red and the new bebe, went to a late lunch with Audra and Matt, and then went back down to my old high school to see Emma in her dance recital.  Honestly, she was the cutest thing ever.  She was definitely scared on stage and didn't dance, but I still think she was pretty brave to even stand up there all by herself.  I don't know many kids her age who could do that.

Afterwards, Emma's whole fan-club went to Three Suns for a little dinner.  Josh and I had to eat and run so that we could go see even more friends at Graeter's, trip 2.  That ice cream is amazing.  mmmmm.  How I will miss those stores...

Saturday was our Christmas and everything was so perfect.  We woke up to all kinds of snow.  The whole family came down to mom and dad's for brunch.  I don't think there is anyone in this world who can make a breakfast as good as my momma does.  We had two big casseroles, biscuits with sausage gravy, cinnamon rolls, and blueberry muffins.  Yum!  (I think I probably put on a few pounds this trip.)  Luke was starting to get antsy about opening gifts, so we made him go around to each adult at the table and ask if they were finished eating.  When he got to Reagan she said "yes, I'm done...see," and then opened her mouth to show Luke she wasn't eating anymore.  So stinking cute.

Then it was time for presents!  Luke practiced his surprised face and seemed to really like all the stuff he got.  Emma and Reagan are just precious and they really enjoyed their gifts too.  At some point in the hustle and bustle, I realized Josh was no longer in the room.  Then my sister had grabbed her coat and told us all to look at what was going on outside.  Josh had left and was in the process of making on of the biggest snowmen I've seen.  Most of us got on our cold weather gear and headed outside to help.  We got the snowman decorated, built a fort, had multiple snowball fights and wrestling matches, and went sledding.  It's definitely the most fun I've had with family out in the snow ever.

When we got back inside, Luke started playing with Emma's new doctor kit.  He was taking my temperature and giving me "shots."  He said, "Aunt Mary you are sick.  You have to stay here for 100 days!"  Kinda made my heart melt a little.  He even wrote a note for me to give to my boss.  Very cute lil kid.  Once we unthawed, the siblings left and we watched the UK vs. UNC game.  Wish that would have turned out differently, but at least we were competitive for the entire game.  I made a trip up to Benedictus for the open house (I just can't stay away) and we topped off the weekend with Josh's first experience at Wilmore Old-Fashioned Christmas and Mary Brooks's cookie-a-thon. 

Best trip home yet!  (Didn't really mean to get into this much detail, but it was a busy weekend!)