Summertime Favorite

When I was growing up, summertime was always special. Since Mama taught school she was able to be home with us during the summer, and living on a farm provided for lots of memorable warm-weather activities - tree climbing, corn shucking, fishing, bike riding, butter bean picking, star gazing, and the list goes on. Now those of you who know her know that my mother is good at alot of different things, but there is no denying that she can make some delicious "sweet treats." I would dare to say that her pound cake, cinnamon rolls & apple crisp could rival even the best of them. One of my favorite summertime treats though were her homeade ice cream sandwiches made of three simple ingredients - graham crackers, vanilla ice cream & peanut butter. I honestly couldn't tell you if we ever had a real name for them, but these things are just heavenly.

I've been on a couponing rampage the past few months, and it seems like everywhere I turn I've seen the ads & coupons for S'mores ingredients - graham crackers, chocolate bars & marshmallows. Something about the sight of that Honey Maid graham cracker box took me right back to my Mama's kitchen & these ice cream sandwiches. I bought the crackers a week or so ago, but last night I took the kids with me to Kroger to pick up some rock salt for one of my new summertime faves (link coming once Shash posts the recipe on her blog) - watermelon sorbet. We left with rock salt in hand along with a bag of Cheetos, White Chocolate Peanut Butter and Nutella. I now had my inspiration in hand! Much like my mother, there's no "official" recipe to follow; but I'm pretty sure one variety or the other will become one of your summertime favorites too - enjoy!

Recipe

I used 1 quart of vanilla ice cream (1 pint for each variety)
2 (of the 3) packs of Honey Maid graham crackers in the box
& about 1/3-1/2 jar of each - White Chocolate Peanut Butter & Nutella.

Mix your chosen peanut butter into vanilla ice cream with a hand mixer. Break your graham cracker in half & spread the mixture on one half, and top with the other. Repeat until all of your mixture is used. Line your sandwiches on a baking sheet & place in the freezer for about an hour to firm. Then just pop 'em in a freezer bag or container to store or gobble them all up right then & there!

Super Saving Sisters Challenge: Week 1

So I finally got my sister on the CVS bandwagon the end of last week & in her initial excitement she challenged me to a couponing duel on facebook, to which my response was "bring it." Anyone who knows me well knows that I have quite the compeitive streak when challenged.

Below is a summary of my Week 1 CVS trip at lunch today. It went down something like this...

Transaction #1
Bought:
1 John Frieda Clear Hair Luminous Color Glaze $8.00 (on sale from 9.99)
1 John Frieda Sheer Blonde Shampoo $5.00 (on sale from 6.99)

Used:
1 $2.50 off any JF product coupon
1 $2.00 off any JF product coupon (was attached to the glaze at time of purchase)

Total Due $8.50 out of pocket (saved $8.48 off regular price)
Got back $3 Extra Care Bucks for spending $15 on JF products
Plus
Got back $1 ECB for 6th use of Green Bag Tag
AND
$5 off $15 purchase coupon!!!!!

Transaction #2
Bought:
6 Dove Deodorants @ $2.50 each (reg. $3.49 each)

Used:
$5 off $15 purchase
(2) $3 off 2 Dove Deodorant coupons
(2) $2 off Dove Deodorant coupons

Total Due NOTHING.
I literally paid $.70 in tax & walked away with six free deodorants. (saved $20.94)
Now THAT smells good!
Got Back $5 ECBs for spending $15 on Dove Products

Transaction #3
Bought:
2 Coppertone Sunscreen Continuous Sprays @ $10.49 each

Used:
1 $2 off Coppertone Coupon
1 $1 off Coppertone Coupon
$5 ECBs from Dove purchase
$1 ECB from above for Green Bag Tag
$3 ECBs from JF purchase

Total Due $8.98 (saved $12.00)
Got back $10 ECBs for buying 2 Coppertone products




GRAND TOTALS:
Regular Prices (before sales, ECBs & coupons) $58.90
Total Out of Pocket expense (pre-tax) $17.48 - $10 ECBs credit = $7.48

That's a savings of 88% - beat that, sista. And I'm pretty sure that after I complete Extreme Couponing 101 on Saturday, I will be a savings Jedi!

Breakfast's Ready!

Come & get it. This is a modified Taste of Home recipe for Sausage Rolls. If quick & easy is what you're looking for, then this is the recipe for you. With just 3 ingredients & about that many steps, you can't go wrong with this family favorite on a Saturday morning or even for a special occasion! Enjoy.







Sausage Cream Cheese Breakfast Casserole

Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground pork sausage
- 1 8 oz. package cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cans crescent rolls

Step 1: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Step 2: Brown Sausage.
Step 3: Line 9x13 baking dish with 1 can of the crescent rolls.
Step 4: Drain sausage & mix with cream cheese.
Step 5: Spread sausage/cheese mixture over crescent rolls in dish.
Step 6: Layer 2nd can of rolls on top.
Step 7: Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes until golden brown.
Step 8: Serve & enjoy!

Not-so-wordless Wednesday

My baby girl made the sports page of The Union-Recorder. Grab your copy today. Photo & write-up on page 9A!

Wee Ball Season 1

Click here to view these pictures larger

Diamond Diva

For those who have only known me in my adult life, it may come as quite a surprise that I was a pretty good softball player in high school. Oh yeah, don't let the "Junior Miss" stuff fool ya. Abi gets it honest - skills, sass, style & my lucky number 3!

Bloomin' Braggs

Abi was in a particularly festive mood this morning because we will be attending JazzFest tonight to hear Terry's middle school band perform, so I took the opportunity to get a few shots of my cuties. Too bad Drew found that pappy on the way out the door...that boy!