Check it out!

My twitter friend @MargieMark has got her new site up and running.  Be sure and sign up for her newsletter:

http://margiesmark.com

Extreme Couponing!

So I just watched my first episode of Extreme Couponing last night.  I love to coupon myself and do it all the time and had been dying to watch this show.  I was disappointed at how some of these ladies would go far beyond the extreme and yet wouldn't give to charities.  I love this post by Crystal and would love it if some of those ladies would read this too.  I do know that many of them do give, I was just shocked by the ones that don't.

http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/05/what-do-i-do-with-this-stockpile.html

Thank you Crystal

Cake pops!!!

Ok so this was my very first time making cake pops.  It was so much fun.  These were for Sam and Chris's  graduation dinner party.  The school colors are blue and white.

These were so sweet and gone before I knew it.  A sure crowd pleaser.

Graduation!!!

So my son recently graduated 8th grade. *tear*  My sister in law did as well.  We had a dinner party for the two of them last night. I decided to make something I knew she'd love.

It's a jewelry box.  She loved it.  Purple is her favorite color in case you couldn't tell.  I made this from a tin that I bought on clearance after Christmas time for like $.50.  Some scrap fabric and pod podge.  This was a fun project.  The smile on her face made it a satisfying project.

 

Here is the before picture:

DAT's so Cute: Why Having a Toddler is Like Being at a Frat Party...

DAT's so Cute: Why Having a Toddler is Like Being at a Frat Party...: "Did you attend college? Well if you did, you may have attended a frat party once or twice. The reason I say frat party is because I was i..."

Peanut Butter Blondies Recipe

I made these a couple of weeks ago as I was experimenting in the kitchen.  My hubby is a huge peanut butter fan.  They turned out awesome.  @MargieMark asked me to share this recipe.  Poor thing is allergic to chocolate.  Here you go @MargieMark, I'm sharing this one just for you.

1/2 cup Butter
1/2 cup Peanut Butter
3 Eggs, beaten
1 tsp Vanilla
2 cups Brown sugar
2 cups Flour
2 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp Salt

1 small bag of Reese's Pieces

Melt butter in pot, then add peanut butter.  Stir until creamy.  Remove from heat, add eggs, vanilla, and brown sugar, mix well.  Then add flour, baking powder, and salt.  Spread in baking 9" baking dish.  Bake at 350 for 10 minutes.  Remove from oven and place Reese's Pieces on top and bake for another 10 minutes.  Remove and let cool for about 10 min.

They turn out to be a chewy yummy texture.  Goes well with vanilla ice cream.

Today's Shopping & Savings

This is what my basket looked like.  A full cart of groceries for $62.87

This is my deconstructed basket.  So this all should have come out to $155.67.  I paid $62.87.  Saving 60%!
I Thought this was a pretty good deal.  What do you think?

I want! I want! I want!

 ARTIST FEATURE + GIVEAWAY: CUORE

The winner of last week's giveaway is....#68 verdiana. Congrats lady! Lorrie will e-mail you and your Moustache Soup Mug set will be on its way!

Today I have the cutest giveaway for you guys from sweet Etsy seller, Mika, of Cuore. I fell in love with her owl pillows and I'm so happy to feature her today!

Stewart the Owl Cotton Canvas Carry All Case.  Visit here to enter:
http://julieannart.blogspot.com/2011/05/artist-feature-giveaway-cuore.html

Peanut Butter Blondie experiment

My hubby loves peanut butter, so I thought I'd play around in the kitchen for a special treat.  These are topped with Reese's pieces, with a side of vanilla ice cream.  Very good.

 

 Le Cordon Bleu of Scottsdale

This is just one of the two beautiful campuses here in AZ.  I took this shot while my hubby was helping out with a Saturday class.