Frugal Shopping: My trip to Target and Walmart

I love finding awesome deals and saving money.  The past two days we were in town (because we are in the country in the middle of nowhere now) and I got some awesome deals.  I had 12 $4 off coupons for Nivea body wash.  They were $3.99 at Target and Walmart.  I now have 12 bottles of Nivea body wash for FREE!  I also had two $3 off coupons for Nivea men's body wash.  They were $3.99 at Target.  I picked up two bottles for $.99 each. 

I was also able to stock up on razors.  I had four $3 coupons for Bic Solei razors.  Walmart had them for $3.99 so I was able to pick up four packs of razors for less than four dollars.

I found an awesome deal on Welch's grape juice.  They were marked down to $2.12.  I found some bottles that had $1 coupon and I had two.  I got 6 bottles at $1.12 each.  Sweet!!!

I am so excited that I was able to stock up on these items.  Anybody need some body wash?

Recipe: Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole

As you know, I love me some Mexican, or really Tex-Mex.  I also love a good casserole.  I have tried a couple of different recipes and they have all been good but I thought they could be better.  I have adapted this recipe from a couple and come up with what I think is some good eats.  My girls even cleaned their plates.  I think this one is a keeper.

Cheesy Beef Enchilada Casserole

1 lb ground beef

1 pkg taco seasoning

4 oz cream cheese

1 small can tomato sauce

1 cup Monterrey jack, shredded

6 flour tortillas, burrito size

2 cups cooked rice

1 can red enchilada sauce

1 can fire roasted diced tomatoes

1 bag shredded Mexican blend cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9 x 13 casserole dish.  Brown ground beef.  Drain.  Add meat back to the pan, add tomato sauce, taco seasoning and cream cheese.  Cook on medium low heat until mixture is blended and cream cheese is melted.  Warm tortillas in microwave for 20 seconds.  Add cooked rice to casserole dish.  Spoon meat mixture down the center of each tortilla.  Add Monterrey jack cheese on top of meat mixture.  Wrap tortillas and place on top of rice.  Pour diced tomatoes and juice over the top of the enchiladas.  Pour enchilada sauce over the top of the tomatoes and enchiladas making sure that the sauce and juice of the tomatoes reaches down to the rice.  Add shredded cheese over the top making sure that the tortillas are completely covered.  Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.  Allow to cool for 5 minutes.  Serve with a salad and some black beans and you have one awesome meal.

NOTE:  You can use smaller tortillas and make more enchiladas.

Linked to:

* Mommy's Kitchen Potluck Sunday

* Everyday Sisters: Sharing Sundays

Recipe: Quick S'mores

The other day when I was in Sam's, I was thumbing through the cookbooks and I came across this recipe.  I don't remember which cookbook, but it is a fabulous recipe!  My girls love s'mores....and I mean they LOVE s'mores.  These are so quick and easy and oh so delicious!

Quick S'mores

Hershey's Kisses
large marshmallows
buttery crackers (I used Ritz)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lay the crackers out on the baking sheet.  Place one unwrapped kiss on each cracker.  Cut marshmallow in half.  Place cut side of marshmallow on top of kiss.  Push down on the marshmallow until the top of the kiss pokes through.  Bake about 8 minutes or until the marshmallow is melted and slightly golden.  Cool slightly and enjoy the goodness!

The Views from My Mother's Front Porch

Now that we are living in the country we have given up our city views for country views.  It is so nice and quiet....so relaxing.  It has been adjustment not being able to run up to Target or the grocery store right quick.  My closest Target is now about an hour away.  Although it is nice that my girls can play outside and I don't have to worry as much as I did when we lived in suburbia!

Here are some pictures of the awesome views from my mom's front porch.

Recipe: Texas Gold Cake

If you love Paula Deen's Butter Gooey Cake, you will love this recipe too!  I used walnuts, but pecans also work.  Even better, it uses a cake mix so it is super easy and fast.

Texas Gold Cake

Base
1 box yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg

Filling
1 8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 box powdered sugar
1 cups chopped pecans or walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 9x13 pan.  In a mixer, add base ingredients until well mixed.  Dough will be stiff.  Pour into pan and press into the bottom.  In a mixer, add filling ingredients except for nuts.  Mix until smooth.  Pour into pan and spread covering base.  Add chopped nuts.  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.


This recipe is linked up to:

•  Mommy's Kitchen Potluck Sunday
• Make-Ahead Meals for Busy Moms: Link Up! The Theme is Cake!

Menu Plan: May 23 - May 29, 2010

Now that the days are getting longer and warmer, we will be eating more salads.  Oh, how I love spring and summer....

Sunday, May 23
Fried Chicken
Mashed Potatoes with Gravy
Collard Greens
Field Peas
Rolls

Monday, May 24
Spinach Artichoke Calzone

Tuesday, May 25
Mesa Chicken Salad

Wednesday, May 26
Cream Cheese Enchilada Casserole

Thursday, May 27
Tortellini Salad

Friday, May 28
Buffalo Chicken Salad

Saturday, May 29
Chicken Manicotti with White and Red Sauce

Home Decorating: Decorating the Girls Bedroom

Now that we are living with my mom for the time being, the girls are all sleeping in one bedroom.  My mother was gracious and kind and painted the girls room.  She made the room so cute with painted trees, bunnies, mice and fairies (pictures coming soon).  They are sleeping in a double bed until their bunk bed comes.  Our bunk bed has a full bottom and twin top.  I would love for the bed to be more awesome so I have been doing some research and have come across some cute ones.

I love this triple bunk bed.  Can you believe it is in a tour bus?  I love Miranda Lambert and I love that her bus is so cool.  And they girls that did the bus are right here in Texas not 50 miles from where I live.  Who knew???  I would love to do something like this in the girls room.

Miranda Lambert's Tour Bus

Here are some more of my favorites....

Photo from Coastal Living

Photo from Coastal Living

Photo from Coastal Living

Photo from Better Homes & Garden

Although these are not bunk beds, I love the idea of this headboard with two twin beds.

Photo from Coastal Living

If I had the space, I would so do this...

Photo from Coastal Living

Menu Plan: May 19 - 22, 2010

Wednesday, May 19
Dirty Rice with Smoked Sausage

Thursday, May 20
Grilled Chicken, Apple, Grape and Walnut Salad

Friday, May 21
BLT Sandwiches
Tater Tots

Saturday, May 22
Bleu Cheese Chicken Quesadillas

Recipe: Bread Pudding

I know what you are thinking.  Really?  Bread pudding?  I was once a dessert snob.  Why would I eat bread pudding when there are so many more choices of yumminess to have.  But, now I am so in love with this bread pudding!  A treat, every now and then, but oh, so worth the wait!  Rich, creamy delicious goodness.

This is a very rich dessert so be prepared for a nap after you enjoy!

Bread Pudding

5 eggs

3 12 oz cans evaporated milk

2 cups milk

2 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 tsp cinnamon

3 tsp vanilla

1 tsp salt

1 cup raisins, optional

1 lb bread, cut into cubes (I have used doughnuts, dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, etc.)

Sauce:

1/2 cup butter, melted

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup half and half cream

3 tbsp whisky or rum, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a very large bowl add cubed bread.  Mix remaining ingredients and pour over cubes.  Pour into a 4 quart casserole dish.  Bake for 60 minutes.  In a small saucepan, mix all of the ingredients for the sauce.  Bring to a boil and remove from heat.  Pour the sauce on top of the bread pudding once it has been removed from the oven.

 

 

All moved!

The girls and I finally are settling in and getting used to life in the country.  The girls are having so much fun getting outside every day.  They have caught (and killed) many bugs...woolly worms seem to plentiful!  While they have been playing, I have been cooking.  I have lots of new recipes to post about in the next few days and more on my list to try.  I love the lazy days of summer.....