$1 Store Halloween Wreath

Ahhh, the Dollar Tree. My mothership!  Here is a fast fun EASY wreath with everything from The Dollar Tree's 2012 Halloween collection

Supplies:
Pool Noodle
Duct Tape
Crepe streamer paper in orange and black ( 2 in a set)
2 bundles black roses
gift wrap tape

Take pool noodle and make a circle, attach clear or colored duct tape to ends.

 Wrap with orange streamer. Simple use tape to attach beginning and end pieces.

Cut black streamers into strips. Wrap around noodle using tape.

Cut flower stems about 2 inches from base of flowers and stick them into the noodle.  Remove a few spiders from the flowers and attach them to other areas of the wreath! Hang and admire your budgety talent!

Quick & Creamy Dreamy Stroganoff-ish Sauce

Hubby wanted meat balls and spaghetti sauce with dinner tonight. I had no tomato products in the house so I had to make something up.  So I flung together this Stroganoff-ish sauce. It was incredible!  I added my big ole meatballs, penne pasta and a thrifty meal was born.

Ingredients:

1 can fat free low sodium Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 cup chicken or beef broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon Sea or Kosher Salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and heat on cook until heated through. Or if making with pasta simply add all ingredients to hot pasta pot and mix with pasta. Enjoy!

So Crisp! So Cheap! Micro Popcorn NOT in a paper bag!

You've probably seen on Pinterest the idea of popping corn in the microwave in a paper bag. I tried it, loved it for the most part. But the bag can tear open and it's wasteful.  So I thought I would try a regular microwave container and voila!

Fast, healthy and easy popcorn in minutes. And is is SO crisp and fresh. I use my Pampered Chef Micro Cooker but any plastic microwave container and lid will do!

I use 1/4 cup corn kernels.  (I buy the Store brand for 39 cents a bag and get about 20 bowls of popcorn NOT BAD!)

Important! Make sure you use a lid but I would recommend NOT attaching it.  For example, the micro cooker lid snaps on but I just lay it on without snapping, in case the popcorn overflows.

Cook for about 1 minute 45 seconds to 2 minutes or more, depending on your microwave.  Take out when popping slows.  I add a splash of melted butter, a dash of Parmesan and sprinkle of sea salt and pepper!

Note: You will more than likely have a good helping of unpopped kernels.  I save these and toss them out for the squirrels.  Or you can put them in a Ziploc baggie and put them in the freezer for a no mush ice pack for kiddies boo boos!

Less than $4 Halloween Door Decor

Scrapbook paper and clothes pins! Easy Peasy. Took 30 minutes to do.

6 pieces of 12x12 patterned paper ( I used 3 double sided!  Cost: $1.80!)
White glue (I like ULTIMATE GLUE but Elmers is fine too for $1)
Scissors
Salad sized plate
30 clothes pins ($1 for 36 at Dollar Tree)
Scrap yarn
Scrap Cardboard
Paper trimmer or ruler
Black Sharpie

 1. Take one sheet of patterned paper to use as the center.  Lay salad plate on paper, trace then cut (does not have to be perfect, pins will hide imperfections. repeat with cardboad

2. Glue paper circle to cardboard.

3. Attach pins to circle, simply clip on!

4. Measure length and width of pin.  Cut 6 measured strip of 5 different patterns.(30 strips total)

5. Spread glue thinly to first pin, lay paper strip on top and smooth.  Continue with other 4 patterns and then repeat patterns until all pins are covered.

6.  Hand cut 4 triangles for banner. Hand write EEK! or any other words you like. 

7. Glue yarn under 2 pins.  Attach each triangle with thin line of glue in back of each banner.

Hang with command strips or string ribbon or yarn from back with tape!

Chicken Pesto Alfredo Casserole - Freezer Meal

I love love love this casserole!  This is my first ever freezer meal creation and it is a HIT!  I would love to claim that I created this but I got it from my  Taste Of Home Freezer Cooking book.  I highly recommend it.

(photo courtesy of TASTE OF HOME)

For original recipe click HERE -TASTE OF HOME

Ingredients

• 1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
• 6 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 4 cups (16 ounces) shredded Italian cheese blend
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 jar (15 ounces) Alfredo sauce
• 1-1/2 cups 2% milk
• 1 jar (8.1 ounces) prepared pesto
• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the chicken, cheese blend, spinach, tomatoes, Alfredo sauce, milk and pesto. Drain pasta and add to chicken mixture; toss to coat.
• Transfer to two greased 8-in. square baking dishes. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and oil; sprinkle over casseroles.
• Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months. Cover and bake the remaining casserole at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly.
• To use frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 2 casseroles (6 servings each).

Nutritional Facts1-1/3 cups equals 612 calories, 30 g fat (13 g saturated fat), 111 mg cholesterol, 829 mg sodium, 41 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 42 g protein.

Big Ole Juicy Meat Balls, I mean Meat MOUNDS

This is the easiest meatball recipe.  No rolling with your hands to make uneven meatballs, everyone comes out exactly the same size.  Because you use a cookie scoop they are not really meat'balls', more like meat'mounds'.  But they are BIG and juicy and full of flavor!

1 lb ground chuck (80% lean)

2 slices bread ( I use whole wheat)

1/4 cup milk

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon Worcesteshire sauce

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 small white onion diced

1 egg

Heat oven to 400°F. Line 13x9-inch pan with foil; spray with cooking spray. (If using a baking stone, no foil is needed.)

Pour milk into medium sized bowl. Tear bread into tiny pieces and add to milk, stirring to make sure each piece is covered.  Allow to sit for at least 5 minutes.  Drain any remaining milk.

In large bowl, mix all ingredients. Mixture will be very moist. Using a large cookie scoop, (2 tablespoon size) scoop balls of meat onto pan or stone. ( Should make 12-14 meatballs)

Bake uncovered 20- 25 minutes or until no longer pink in center. Add to spaghetti sauce, serve on a roll or eat them one by one!

Beach Vacations Meal Savings Without "Cooking"

One of the best things about vacation is relaxing.  That's the whole point - relax and have fun!  Add SAVE MONEY to that mantra and you will not only have a thrifty good time but a fatter wallet when you return home.

I know there are the tried and true I WILL EAT OUT ALL THE TIME vacationers. Epicureans, bachelors, people who don't cook, New Yorkers ;)  But you can still save and eat out at the same time WITHOUT having to dirty on pan. You don't have to "cook".  Pick on meal a day to eat out. Eat the rest of the meals at home.  Shop for or bring with you milk, sodas, cereal, oatmeal, snacks, chips, fruit, salad fixin's, bread, condiments, hot dogs, buns and lunch meats. You will only need the microwave for a few of these items.

One rule I have and encourage is to EAT AT LOCAL RESTAURANTS.   Why on Earth am I driving ten hours to the beach to eat at Applebee's or McDonald's?  It makes the eating out experience that much more special if you go local. Support the community you are putting your money into.  We have one breakfast place we look forward to every year and it tastes better than anything from that iHop could ever make.  

1. Spend the money on a great home or condo. Staying in for meals in the home you rent will be much more appealing if it has something special that you don't get at your own home. Think about what you need to make your vacation ideal.  A quiet neighborhood? A private pool? Ocean front view? A spa tub? Once you figure that out, be willing to spend more for that luxury. We spend more money than we used to on a rental home that fit our requirements.  We are at the beach. A fantastic OCEAN VIEW is on the top of our list!  We used to get houses that were 2 or 3 blocks back that had a smidge of a view but we ate out more.  We realized that bumping up the budget for our home completely heightens the entire beach experience and we stay in more to appreciate the thing we came to see...the ocean!

2.  Research the area you are heading to online.  Google the town name and "restaurants" to get a plethora of online beach websites and menu samples as soon as you decide where you are going. Find out which ones have KIDS EAT FREE or half price. Look for the restaurant on Facebook and LIKE them. Leave a comment about how much you are looking forward to coming there. Post the day before you leave that you will "see them next week." When you do show up, tell them you are a Facebook friend and enjoy the updates, you will at the very least win their hearts and get better service and may even get a discount for being so supportive. We have made great bonds with the restaurants of our favorite beach town by this simple LIKE theory.

3.  Eat out only for one meal each day.  We love to eat breakfast out so that's where a majority of our food budget goes to.  Lunch is also a great way to get good hearty local meals but are up to 50% off the dinner prices, with the same big portions.  Most vacation town restaurants have EARLY BIRD specials.  Eat early so you can go home and enjoy the sunsets.  Choose a restaurant that has some local flair and highlights the areas natural beauty.

4. Buffet all the way.  It's the obvious way to get the most fresh local variety for the least cost.  Paying $20-$30 per person may sound like a lot up front.  But think of the variety you get! A steak, a lobster tail, shrimp and crab all on one plate! Any ONE of those dishes would cost you $20-$30 at a regular restaurant. Many of these buffets offer free or low cost meals for kids as well.  Make sure you go on a day where you have a light breakfast and super light lunch!

5. Don't waste money on alcohol and sodas. Now for the tough love. Let's be honest, we all love a cocktail with dinner on vacation! But a simple glass of wine with appetizer easily turns into two or a beer with dinner turns into 3.  You can pay for a full bottle of wine or 12 pack of beer for everyone to enjoy at home for the same cost. Drinking at home makes safe sense too. Liquor your self up without having to drive anywhere. Get as loud as you want without a waitress booting your drunk buns out.

Everyone should be drinking water with eat out meals too.   A family of six that gets sodas and milk at a restaurant meal spends as much as a gallon of milk and a 12 pack of soda cans that lasts more than a few gulps. 

Now go make a no cook sandwich, sit on that deck and soak up some rays.

Simply Delish Garlicky Pasta with Toasty Breadcrumbs

Pasta is one of those NEVER PAY FULL PRICE FOR items.  Wait for it go on sale and load up.  Recently my grocery store had it on sale for buy 10 for 49cents.  And wouldn't you know that I had a 40 cents off coupon to go with them!  Ronzoni is famous for being free with coupons and sales!

This recipe is so easy and full of flavor

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup fresh or dried bread crumbs
• (Want to save money on breadcrumbs? Check out my homemade breadcrumb recipe HERE)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 3-6 garlic cloves, minced (depending on the level of vampire fighting breath you like)
• 8 ounces uncooked pasta
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (optional)
•  
• Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and let stand 5 minutes. Return pan to heat. Stir in breadcrumbs, and cook 6 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring frequently.
• Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; drain. Place pasta in a large bowl. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, breadcrumbs, basil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper; toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.

Juiciest Ever 6 Minute Pork Chops

• Seriously. Juicy. Moist. Tender. Chock full of flavor. 6 Flippin' Minutes

• This is one of those things I had to learn how to cook. I never ever made pork chops because I always dried them out. Then my good Friend The Food Network taught me how to pan sautee a boneless chop. Buy these on sale or in the big ole family size and freeze them. I find my for as low as 99 cents a pound! 
• 
  
• Ingredients
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon oil
• 4 boneless pork chops
• Salt & Black pepper
• 1/4 cup flour, on a plate or pie pan
• 
  
• Directions

Heat the butter and oil in a skillet over LOW heat. While the pan is heating, sprinkle the chops on both sides with salt and pepper, then dredge them in the flour.

A few minutes before cooking the chops, turn stove to MEDIUM HIGH. (That's number 8 for you new cooks.) When the butter stops foaming and just starts to brown, add chops to skillet. 

sizzle

THIS IS THE ESSENTIAL PART: Cook for 3 minutes.. Set your timer on this one.  Do not move them, do not peek on the other side, leave the poor little buggers alone! At 3 minutes buzzer turn chops. As soon as you turn that last chop over, immediately set your timer for 3 minutes.  Remove from pan and place on a plate tented with foil. LET THEM REST AT LEAST 5 MINUTES.  They will be a perfect golden juicy flavor bomb in your mouth!

Those Useless Bread Ends Become Tasty Breadcrumbs!

WHY ARE YOU PAYING FOR BREADCRUMBS?  

All it takes is a few simple steps to make your own. The BEST way is to save those annoying end pieces from your loaves of bread. Don't worry about mixing flavors, tossing in a few white pieces and wheat pieces are going to give your crumbs a tasty layer of flavor.  Start making a stash today.  Grab that end chunk, put it in a gallon size freezer bag, squeeze out as much of the air as possible, date it and store in the freezer. Or use any other freezer safe storage container. Add more end pieces as you come across them.

Bread Crumb Recipes

Ingredients:

4 slices bread, stale or lightly toasted. 

(Use any flavor bread you like! I use RYE, WHEAT and OATNUT too!)
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

Fresh: 

Tear bread slices into small pieces. Process in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. You can use these fresh crumbs for making meatballs, topping casseroles, or coating chicken. Store in a dated, airtight container for up to one year in the freezer.

Oven Toasted:
To make toasted breadcrumbs, spread fresh crumbs a large rimmed baking sheet. Bake in a 250° oven, stirring occasionally, until browned and dry, about 20-30 minutes.  Transfer dry crumbs into a bowl and cool.  When cooled add 1 Tblsp. olive oil and toss.  

At this point you can add any seasonings you might like.  Parsley, basil, Italian seasoning, or thyme are all wonderful choices. Also zing it up with crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of lemon juice. Store in an airtight container up to one month in pantry. (Make sure you date the container, you don't want a science experiment staring at you from the cabinet in 9 weeks.) Or store in a dated, airtight container for up to one year in the freezer.

Thrifty Pinterest Party! Stone Tile Coasters

This is probably one of the most pinned things on Pinterest, I see it all the time.  I have seen several pinners and several versions so I don't know who originality came up with it, but it wasn't me!  Best of all it it SUPER CHEAP!  We had a great time playing and of course EATING.  Try this at your next Pinterest Party.

Start with a set of natural stone bathroom tiles from a home improvement store.  The tiles are only $3.95 for a set of 9!

I love the texture and imperfections.~!

We used stamps and ink we already had on hand ( When I say WE I mean Aunt Nessie, our host) We used Technique Tuesday Clear stamps FANFARE. (Technique Tuesday is to stamping what bacon is to BLTs. LOVE them!)  We also used a Large alphabet stamp for the initials ( Sorry don't know which ones they were.)

Stamp to your hearts content with any color Staz-on ink ( MUST be Staz -on! Why? 'Cuz it STAYS ON)

 

Then seal the stamped tiles with minwax. 

DON'T FORGET~! Apply self stick felt circle to the bottom to avoid scratching the table surface. (Wouldn't that be a great gift? Coasters to save their table from water rings but they scratch the bejeebees out of your wood. Thanks friends)

No Cost and Low Cost ways to save hundreds on your Utilities

Little steps can make a big difference.  Try some of these easy tips to save BIG on those rotten utility bills!

Electric bill:

• FREE: AVOID DOING THE LAUNDRY AND COOKING: Got your attention didn't I? Here's the catch, add DURING THE DAY to that sentence.  Especially in summer months.  Using the Dryer and Oven can make your A/C work harder to keep those areas cool.  Stick clothes in the laundry first thing in the AM or after dinner.  Cooking meals in a slow cooker during the summer is a great way to save on both energy and A/C usage.
• FREE – Turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees. You can reduce your water heating costs by simply lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater. For each 10ºF reduction in water temperature, you can save between 3%–5% in energy costs.  Although some manufacturers set water heater thermostats at 140ºF, most households usually only require them set at 120ºF. Water heated at 140ºF also poses a safety hazard—scalding. However, if you have a dishwasher without a booster heater, it may require a water temperature within a range of 130ºF to 140ºF for optimum cleaning. Reducing your water temperature to 120ºF also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes. This helps your water heater last longer and operate at its maximum efficiency.
• FREE:  Clean air filters monthly for central air and individual window or wall units. Dirt and dust hinder air flow, reducing efficiency.
• FREE: Unplug those chargers! Gadgets like a cellphone charger or microwave suck energy -- and generate heat -- as long as they're attached to a power source. Standby power for appliances not in use typically accounts for 5% to 10% of residential electricity use, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Plug those gadgets into a power strip that can be turned off when not in use.
• FREE:  Program the thermostat. Give the air conditioner a break during the work day. Shifting the settings to allow higher daytime temperatures could cut the average household s electric bill by $180 a year, according to Energy Star.
• $1 - Fluorescent bulbs – GET THEM AT THE DOLLAR STORE!!! - replacing even a couple at a time can help…a lot.

•  $15 – Get outlet insulators for the INSIDE of your house.  Install them on the walls that are backed up to the exterior wall to but on the exterior walls. You can get them at Lowe’s/Home Depot . Remove your faceplates for your switches and electrical outlets on your walls that are along the interior facing walls in your house. You would be surprised how much air comes through an outlet (not to mention spiders). Outlet Insulator
• $20 – Get a dryer vent brush – home improvement store. Not only can it be used for your dryer vent, but it will clean the coils on your refrigerator. The refrigerator is the #3 power consumer in the house, right under your HVAC and Hot Water Heater.

Water Bill:

• FREE – Fill a plastic drink bottle with water and put the full bottle in your toilet tank. It “fakes” your water tank out and it only takes half as much water to refill the tank.

• FREE – Turn the water pressure down in your bathroom sinks. You use less water because less pressure is applied.

• $20 – Wrap your hot water heater in a snuggly Hot Water Heater blanket from a home improvement store. (It looks like those old aluminum blankets we would all lay on in the sun in the 80's!).  Unless your water heater's storage tank already has a high R-value of insulation (at least R-24), adding insulation to it can reduce standby heat losses by 25%–45%. This will save you around 4%–9% in water heating costs. If you don't know your water heater tank's R-value, touch it. A tank that's warm to the touch needs additional insulation. Insulating your storage water heater tank is fairly simple and inexpensive, and it will pay for itself in about a year. You can find pre-cut jackets or blankets available from around $10–$20. Choose one with an insulating value of at least R-8. Some utilities sell them at low prices, offer rebates, and even install them at a low or no cost.Water Heater Blanket
• $60 – Hot Water Heater timers. Think about it being a light timer, but for your hot water heater. f you have an electric water heater, you can save energy by installing a timer that turns it off at night when you don't use hot water and/or during your utility's peak demand times. You can install a timer yourself. However, timers aren't as cost effective or useful on gas water heaters because of their pilot lights. Water Heater Timer

Thanks to my good friend and money muse Page for her contributions!

I pork butt, 3 meals...

 I like big butts and I cannot lie...

A 7+ pound pork shoulder for 99 cents a pound. Booyah!

This a great example of how freezer cooking doesn't have to take 10 hours in a kitchen.  I prepped 3 bags of slow cooker pork dinners in 20 minutes.  Easy breezy.

I trimmed the shoulder into thirds.  Then I simply added the pork, spices and veggies to freezer bags.  Marked with my trusty Sharpie and I am free from cooking for 3 nights of my choosing.

The recipes I bagged are:

Slow Cooker Pork Carnadas
Smoky BBQ pork Sandwiches (recipe coming soon!)
Creamy Ranch Pork Chops  (recipe coming soon!)

Simply remove them from the freezer ONE DAY before you want to use them.  Place in slow cooker the next day. Voila!  Dinner is served!

Homemade Cream Of Chicken Soup

Cream of chicken soup is almost a staple in slow cookery.  But the sodium levels and fat levels may be concerning for some.  I make my own homemade version. Even though teh canned version is fairly inexpensive, I STILL save $$ by making it at home. This recipe yields about the equivalent of 2 cans worth of soup.  I know that normally you don't want to freeze milk items but I find this freezes beautifully!

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups milk
1 can chicken broth (or 1 1/2 cups homemade)
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 1/2 teaspoon parsley flakes
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
pinch of paprika

3/4 cups flour

Instructions:

In medium sized saucepan, bring chicken broth, 1/2 cup of milk and seasonings to a boil. Boil for 1-2 minutes.  In a bowl whisk together remaining 1 cup of milk and flour. Add to boiling mixture, whisking constantly until lumps are gone and mixture has thickened.  Store in refrigerator up to one week or freezer up to 6 months.

Slow Cooker Pork Caranadas

I love my Slow Cooker. Some weeks it's all I use. This week I did a minor freezer prep with a beautiful .99 cents a pound pork butt I purchased. ( Don't be grossed out, pork butt is not an actual BUTT, there is not squiggly pink tail on it, it's part of the shoulder blade)

This is my new favorite pork recipe. I am proud to say I actually created it myself!  I love to serve it over rice.

Ingredients:

2 pound pork shoulder or pork butt
1 medium onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1-4oz. can mild diced green chiles
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons Thrifty Rose's Homemade Adobo Rub:

• 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher or sea salt salt
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
• 1  teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt (optional)
• (This will create more than 2 tablespoons of rub, store remaining rub, sealed in a dated, labeled, container or plastic bag in a cool dry place for future use)

Directions:

Mix spices for Adobo Rub. Season pork with rub. In a medium sauté pan on medium-high heat, brown pork on all sides for about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.

Pour chicken broth in the crockpot, add bay leaves and onion. Place pork ontop of onions and cover. Cook low for 8 hours. After 8 hours, shred pork using two forks and combine well with the tasty juices that accumulated at the bottom. Remove bay leaves and adjust salt and pepper as needed (you will probably need to add more). Let it cook another 15-30 minutes. 

Serving Suggestion: Wrap in warmed tortillas with shredded cheese, tomatoes and avocado or simply over rice!

From Shaving Cream to Fairy Foam

Turn a plain dollar store bottle of shaving cream into fun messy play. I f you haven't experimented with shaving cream play, you are missing out SERIOUS mess-o-rific fun!  Dress it up for girls by adding a simple piece of construction paper, glittery stickers and a sharpie!

Pretend Pizza Parlor

I love pretend play.  No reason you have to spend a lot to have a good looking pretend pizza parlor. Forget those WE B TOYS kind of sets, you can get the same fun with inexpensive felt and dollar store goodies.

I bought felt sheets at the craft store for 39 cents.  The rest of the goodies came from the dollar store or my pantry.

You will need:

2 sheets red felt
1 sheet green felt
1 sheet dark red felt
1 sheet brown felt

From dollar store:
2 sliver serving trays
picnic themed napkins, table runner and plates
yellow string or yarn
paper plates

From my home I used cafe themed towels, shirt boxes for pizza delivery boxes, storage bags labeled with the 'ingredients', spatulas and empty spice jars (oregano and basil).  The nice thing about the spice jars is they still smell like the spice but there is no mess), a notebook for taking orders.

Take the lighter red felt and cut into circles, then glue each circle onto paper plates.  I cut them into fourths for serving.  Cut little circles from the darker red felt for pepperoni, cut brown felt into mushroom shapes, green felt into small strips for peppers, yellow string or yarn into cheese. Store in plastic bags and label with a sharpie. Bon Appetit!

Cloud Dough Recipe

Oooh MESSY...

This is a super fun, SUPER MESSY outdoor activity for the kids.  It's so soft, but it can form into ball shapes for mushing.  And it smells heavenly too!  Very easy and THRIFTY to make! We used it t=for pretend ice cream parlor day

For the Dough you will need: 

8 cups of Flour

1 cup of Baby Oil

I mixed this in my kitchen aid until everything was incorporated.  The I put them in plastic shoe box storage bins and let the kiddos go to town!

Thrifty & Creative 1st Birthday Gift

A sweet friends baby turned one recently and as I thought about what to get, toy or clothes of course, I thought why not give Mom and Dad a gift?  The party was a Beauty and The Beast theme.  So I made an invitation for the little one to spend a fun night with me while Mom and Dad got to do stuffy grown up stuff.

THIS is why I try to SAVE money in pennies and nickels in every aspect of my life so when I SPEND money on full price items, I don't have to worry about it or feel guilty or even worry about budget.

I purchased 2 gift cards, one for Chili's and one for movie tickets and simply printed out this invitation I made in publisher. Mounted it on a piece of card stock, added ribbon and placed in a dollar store gift bag. 

(I BEG you, why would you pay $3.99 or more on a gift bag when $1 stores have so many sizes, colors and occasions??? Promise me you will never waste money on a gift bag that is more than $1!!!)

This can be used for any party theme.  Also, you can eliminate the gift cards and simply give the gift of your time. I'm sure Mom and Dad would be very appreciative!

Princess Theme:

BE MY GUEST

Ms. (Birthday Girl) is cordially invited to a night with (Grown up giving gift)!

An evening full of princess patty cake and glittery play dough.

(While Mommy and Daddy go to a yucky grown up dinner and boring old person movie)

Any one Saturday night that Mommy and Daddy choose, at my castle or yours.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl.

Cowboy/Cowgirl Theme:

Giddy Up Li'l Pardner!

That rascally rancher (Birthday Child) is hereby called to a round up with (Grown up giving gift)!

A night full of cowboy vittles, rodeo ridin' and general cowboy/girl mischief!

(While Maw & Pop head in to town fer a yeehaw cityfolk kinda good time)

Hitch yer horse on any one Saturday night that Maw and Pop pick, at my ranch or yers)

Have a Rootin' Tootin' Birthday Cowpoke!

Space Theme:

Blast Off!

Col. (Birthday boy or Girl) is invited to reach for the stars with (Grown up giving gift)!

An evening full of moon munchies, and out of this world fun!

(While Mommy and Daddy stay grounded for an Earthy meal and training tilm )

Any one Saturday night that Commander Mommy and Special Agent Daddy choose, at my space station or yours.

Happy Birthday!

Let me know if you use other themes!

Mexican Adobo Rub Recipe

I am making Slow Cooker pork Carnatas tonight and my recipe calls for adobo rub.  Sounds intriguing!  Until I got to the store and see the adobo rub is $4.99.  Looking on the back of the bottle I see it's mostly spices I have in my pantry. And pantry cooking is free cooking in my book. So I asked my friend Google to help me find some recipes.  This is what I adapted for my own liking and taste.  Purists will no doubt not be happy with the lack of lime and tumeric but I am not a fan of either of those flavors. I think it's delish and an nice combination of spices I have not used before! (Oregano in Mexican flavors?  That's a new one for me!)

                         

Thrifty Rose's Pantry Made Adobo Rub

1 1/2 tablespoons kosher or sea salt salt
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1  teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon Lawry's Seasoned Salt (optional)

Make sure you save those empty spice bottles and tubs to reuse and make your OWN rubs and flavor mixes in. Upcycling is the ultimate Thrifty Nifty. Saves money AND the Earth!

REMEMBER! When you use this you donlt need to add SALT & PEPPER because it's already in the mix .

The Thrifty Rose On a Hunt

I am a hunter. I hunt inflated prices and shoot them down. Forget the antlers on the wall, I frame the "YOU SAVED 43%" declaration at the bottom of the receipt. Saving money while shopping should be an Olympic sport.

This blog is a record of how I save money to spend money.  That's right.  I save money on daily living so I can spend money on big ticket living. Furniture, travel, a new car.  Whatever we want! And trust that whatever big ticket way I spend will still be budgety good!