Black Friday Sale

Hey everyone!  We are having a Black Friday Sale this week in our More Sister Shop!  Click the link to check out the deals you can get for Christmas gifts this year!  The Sale Starts today and goes through Friday!

Some of our featured items are:
Christmas Decorations
Birthday Boards
Infant and Toddler Dresses
Sashay Scarves
Infant and Girl Headbands
Infant and Girl Hair Clips (use promo code SILK5 and get one of these hair clips for 50ȼ.  Must have a hairclip in your cart for the promotion.)

Thankful Tree

On Monday night we have what we call Family Home Evening.  This is a time we spend together as a family.  My husband and I come up with a lesson or thought of something that we need to teach our children, or sometimes something that we need to be reminded of.  A lot of times we spend that night playing games as a family, or watching a movie, just "family time."  

Well, this Sunday was a pretty rough day for me, I had a very negative attitude and my poor children felt the brunt end of that.  So after church I had a young lady come over and I went to Austin's office (since he was on call and not at home) and sat and talked it all out... for 3 hours.  I came to the realization that we were looking at all the negative aspects and results that come from opening a new business, instead of looking at all the positive, which is a ton!  And because of this I had a negative, grumpy attitude about EVERYTHING!  I had been seeing all of these posts on Facebook of people stating the many things they were thankful for and it gave me a great idea for Family Home Evening.  

I went outside and cut a bunch of branches off our Aspens and Willow trees (around 18"-24").  The kids were in charge of cutting some fall colored cardstock, and I cut a bunch of string.  My little son got to punch holes in the squares.  After dinner everything was ready for our lesson (which we gave while playing Dominoes).  The kids were all pretty excited because they had helped get it ready but had no idea what it was.  So while we were playing we started to talk to them about all that we have that we can be grateful for, and how we need to ALWAYS remember that, not just on Thanksgiving day.  We taught them that when we are thankful we are happy, because it helps us remember all the little things that can bring happiness to our lives.  It turned out to be such a good discussion.  After the game, during the treats, I asked the kids to each think of two things they are thankful for, and then to fill out one each day until next week.  I was so amazed with them!  One of my daughters filled out 12 papers, even my 5 year old son filled out 3.  They were so excited to think of things.  It was a very special moment for me.  It really made me realize I have little moments like these to be thankful for everyday of my life.  

Since Sunday evening I have tried so hard to have a better attitude.  Being positive is a lot harder than negative, but I can say that it is working.  I can tell that I am happier, and last night I slept better that I have for months (probably since we opened our office).  So, now my goal if to remember that...FOREVER!

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Rachel~

PS.  I think this would be a fun activity to have set up for your family on Thanksgiving Day, and be able to watch your tree grow throughout the day.  We have so much to be thankful for.  

A Time to Give Thanks

  We have all collaborated again to share our best ideas for a fantastic Thanksgiving Day.  We hope you will enjoy all of the ideas!

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Pumpkin pie is kind of a staple for Thanksgiving, right?  I LOVE pumpkin pie but I also like variations of this great pumpkin treat.  One that I found this year is a pumpkin cheesecake and it is so incredibly delicious.

2 (8 ounce) packages Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 cup White Sugar
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 Eggs
1 (9 inch) pie crust- Graham cracker or regular pie crust
1/2 Cup Pumpkin Puree
1/2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Ground Cloves
1/2 tsp Ground Nutmeg
1/2 Cup Frozen Whipped Topping

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 325° F.

2.  In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla.  Beat until smooth.  Blend in eggs one at a time.
3.  Remove 1 cup of batter and spread into the bottom of the pie crust.
4.  Add pumpkin, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg to the remaining batter and stir until blended well.  Spread this mixture over the batter in the pie crust.
5.  Bake in the oven for 45 to 60 minutes or until the center is almost set.  Allow the cheesecake to cool, then place in fridge for at least 3 hours.  (The original recipe called for 35-40 minutes, but I have made it 3 times now, and it was always closer to an hour cooking before it was completely done).
6.  Spread the cool whip over the top before serving.

Crafts for Kids

    For the past couple of years, the kids have made placemats or some cute Thanksgiving craft at school and they turned out so cute we want to share some of them!  

    This first one is a Turkey made from Pine cones, Acorns, Feathers, Googly Eyes, and Craft Foam pieces.  All you do for these is select an acorn for each pine cone.  The acorns will serve as the head, so pick the size accordingly.

   1.  You can have the turkey standing or laying down.  If it is standing, hot glue the acorn at the top, but facing forward.  If laying down, glue it at the top facing up.  

2.  Glue the googly eyes to the acorn for the face.

3.  Next, cut out a small triangle from the orange foam.  Glue it under the eyes, kind of curving it to form the beak.  You can also cut out feet with the orange foam if you want to add those.  

4.  Add feathers to the back or bottom (depending on how you have it positioned) to make the tail.  

**My son glued these to a paper plate for the display, but you can just have the turkey itself to display!

Another cute Turkey idea is with a toilet paper roll and construction paper.  

1.  First you need to make the feet so they can act as a base for the turkey.  Make it just about a 1/2" around bigger than the toilet paper roll.

2.  Make 4-6 large feathers to put around the back side of the toilet paper rolls for its tail.  Have the kids write something they are thankful for on each feather.
3.  Design a hat and beak from the construction paper and attach accordingly.
4.  You can draw on eyes or use the googly eyes for the bird.

Pilgrims and Indians

This one is another idea to be made out of toilet paper rolls and construction paper.
You will basically follow the instructions for the turkey, just adjust it to the Indian with feathers and the pilgrims in their hats.  So Cute!!!

Placemats

 We have several ideas for placemats, so take your pick, or do them all!

1.  The first option was one done at school.  They used long (11X14") construction paper, preferably 2 different colors.  You could use 8X10" sheets if you don't mind a smaller mat.

       a.  Choose your main color and cut length wise, strips about 1 inch apart all the way from one edge to  

           the other, width wise.  Leave about 2 inches at the end of the paper length wise.  (I hope all of this 

           makes sense.  Hopefully the picture will help with the visual of which directions the strips are cut and 

           weaved)

       b.  Take the second color of construction paper and cut it into 1 inch strips width wise.

       c.  Next, you will take one strip and start weaving over and under the long sheet, starting as close to the 

           2 inch margin as you can.  Continue weaving each strip until you get to the second margin.  

                ***If you get to the end and there is not enough space, just cut the margin a little wider on each 

                      side until the final strip fits. If the last strip has just a little extra room and you don't want to try 

                      to fit another strip in, simply spread the strips apart from each other a little bit.

       d.  Finally, decorate it with the child's name, pictures or drawings.  My son's teacher used some paint on 

            their hands and made a turkey out of it!  It turned out really cute.  (Laminate if you can for future
            years)

2.  The second idea was something Stacy did last year in Alabama.  Since there was no family there, we just had Thanksgiving with several of our friends and their families.  About a week before, we got all of the kids together with a bunch of old magazines.  We used 8X10" construction paper for this project.  We also had stickers and stencils, markers and crayons, and other little shapes they could add to their mat.  The kids went through and found pictures representing things they were thankful for.  

      a.  We had all of the kids glue their pictures and accessories to their paper however they wanted. 

      c.  Have them add their name somewhere on their design.  

      d.  Finally, my friend had a laminator, and if this is available, I would highly recommend it.  You can just 

           make this a one time thing though and skip the laminating!  

               ***If you want it laminated and don't have access to a laminator, one cheater way to accomplish  

                this is to use clear packing tape.  Just tape it across the paper length wise from top to bottom.  Do 

               the same thing on the back side to seal it.  USe your finger or scissors to go around all of the 

               edges one more time then cut the excess off.

3.  

Table Runner
I think a fun tradition to start would be this table runner. You buy a table runner and then have everyone in your family put their handprint in paint in a different color, add the year and voila! Something fun for the kids to pull out every year and see how much they've grown over the years. I think this is so cute!

Beadboard Turkeys

I came across these beadboard turkeys on pinterest and thought they are such a cute decoration for Thanksgiving! Here is the tutorial to make them.

We hope these fun ideas might help make a great Thanksgiving!

Love, The Sissies

 

Another Great Shopping Deal at CVS Through 11/16

I know this is a small thing to put on a WHOLE post, but it's FREE, so why not!  This for any CVS Shoppers.  Take your card up to their Coupon Center and scan it.  You will receive a coupon for a FREE bottle of CVS brand Acetaminophen, 24 count.

You can also visit CVS's website to see the other deals they have this week.

 

Enjoy!

~Stacy~

More Great Fry's Deals- Week of 11/6/13- 11/19/13 (Continued another week)

WOW! Fry's has some amazing deals again this week for anyone in the Fry's Food area! Michelle and I went shopping for the great deals today and were both very pleased! This is a GREAT time to stock up on things like Chicken Broth, Chili, Canned Green Beans or Canned Corn. So, I'll list what I got and the deals I was able to get on these items. Keep in mind, I do coupon, but I am NOT an extreme couponer so others may be able to find even more deals than I did! This week, they have 49 items that are buy 10 get $5.00 instantly at the register! They have at least 6 other deals that are 10 for $10. They have digital coupons for several of these sale items plus you can find several other printables!

For a full list of everything they have in their ad plus other match-ups, go to www.grocerysmarts.com.

Here is my haul!  I got all of this (97 items) for $58.00 saving over $130.00!  This included 2 completely FREE items and most others between 29ȼ and 49ȼ ea.  What a great way to stock your pantry!

Starting from Left to Right, here are my deals:

C&H Sugar-  $1.99 ea  

      Click this link for a 75ȼ off 2- Fry's makes that $1.00 off.  Total cost $1.59 ea

Rotel- 49ȼ each

Heinz Gravy-  79ȼ ea

    - There is a $1.00 off 4 coupon at www.qualityhealth.com (making the final cost 54ȼ ea)

    - Another coupon for $1.00 off 4 is at Fry's Digital Coupons, also making final cost 54ȼ ea! 

Kroger Peanut Butter-  $1.88 ea for 16-18 oz of Creamy or Crunchy

Carnation Evaporated Milk-  99ȼ ea

    - Here is a 50ȼ off 2 coupon.  (Fry's doubles this one to $1.00 off 2 making your final cost 49ȼ ea

    - There are also 2 coupons for 55ȼ off 2 in the SS 9/22 and 11/3.  (Final prices would also be 49ȼ ea)

Green Giant Canned Vegetables-  49ȼ ea 

Del Monte Canned Fruit- 99ȼ ea 

    - Fry's has a digital coupon of $2.00 off when you buy 10 at www.frysfood.com 

Hormel Chili-  99ȼ ea 

    - There is a 55ȼ off 2 cans at www.qualityhealth.com.  (Fry's increases this coupon to $1.00 making the   

      final price 49ȼ ea!)

    - Fry's Digital Coupons also has a 55ȼ off 2 cans, but it will just be 55ȼ off 2 making the final price 72ȼ  

     ea.  (still a good price)

Betty Crocker Cake Mixes- 99ȼ ea

    - Fry's Digital Coupons has a 75ȼ off 2 baking goods or frosting (final price 62ȼ ea)

    -Another 75ȼ off 2 coupon can be found at www.qualityhealth.com.  (Fry's will increase this coupon to 

     $1.00 making the final price 49ȼ ea!)

    - Another 75ȼ off 2 coupon is in the SS 9/29 (also making final price 49ȼ ea)

Nature Valley Granola Bars- 6 count  FREE!  

    - I received Fry's mailed coupons this week and there was a coupon for a FREE 6 ct Nature Valley 

     Granola Bars, so definitely!!!

Dole Shakers-  FREE!!!

    - Log on today (11/8/13) at Fry's Digital Coupon and download your Free Dole Shaker coupon!

Swanson Chicken or Beef Broth-29ȼ ea!   This is almost as good as free!  

    -There is a 40ȼ off 5 coupon in the SS 11/3.  (Fry's will increase this coupon to $1.00 off 5 making your final price 0.09 each!  CRAZY!!)

Stove Top Stuffing- 99ȼ ea

In addition to the items I purchased, Michelle also bought these great deals!

ALL Detergent-  $2.49 for 32-50 oz liquid

    - Click www.grocerysmarts.com for a $2.00 off 2 coupon, making your final cost $1.49

    -  RP 9/29 has a $1.00 off 1 detergent (final cost $1.49 if you can get 2 coupons)

    -  RP 11/3 has a $2.00 off 2 coupon (final cost also $1.49)

AXE Body Spray- $3.49

    - Grocery Smarts has a $2.00 off 1 coupon making your final cost $1.49

Fry's Half Gallon Milk- 88ȼ ea

American Beauty Pasta- 16 oz for 49ȼ ea

***So if you haven't made plans to shop at Fry's Food this week, check out these deals and more in their weekly ad  and see what kind of AWESOME deals you can come up with!  Hopefully these links will help a little.  It is alway fun to get a great deal and fill your pantry in the process!

~Stacy~

Brown Paper Bag Apple Pie

This is such a fun pie to help use up those apples! We had a big bag full of yellow delicous apples that I wanted to make a pie with.  And don't worry like I did the first time... the brown bag will not catch on fire in the oven, I hope.  :)

Brown Bag Apple Pie

Crust:  (don't roll out)

1 1/2 C. flour

1 1/2 tsp. sugar

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 C. oil

2 Tbsp. milk

Combine together with hands, press it down in the pie pan evenly.

Filing:

 4 C. sliced apples

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 C. sugar (maybe a little more depending on tartness of apples)

2 Tbsp. flour

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Combine all except apples.  Add apples and toss together.  Pour into unbaked shell.

Topping:

1/2 C. flour

1/2 C. butter (do not soften)

1 C. sugar

Combine with fingers until crumbly, sprinkle on pie.  Put it in a brown paper bag, roll it up and staple it together.  Bake at 350 for 1 hour and 30 minutes.  Do not open bag when cooking.  Take it out of the oven and cool for a few minutes and then cut open the bag and enjoy the pie!  

~Rachel~

Name Blocks

My youngest son wanted to get these big letters from Hobby Lobby to put on his wall, that spell his name.  His bedroom is red and white with a sports border at the top.  I came up with the idea to get various sports scrapbook papers to decoupage onto the letters to put in his room.  I think the turned out really cool and he loves them.




Here is how I made them.

1.  I first traced the letter backwards on the back of the piece of paper we were using for that letter.  Add an extra 1/4 inch around as you are tracing.  (You will need that for the edges).  The letters we chose were about 1 inch taller than the paper we were using, so I had to get creative to cover both ends.  Some of them I would add the remnants to the top and bottom, some in the middle, some to the top with a strip in the middle and so on.  I mixed it up so they wouldn't all look the same.

2.  Once you have cut out the paper and made the adjustments (if needed) you will turn both over and start adding the mod-podge to the board, then press down the paper.  I would try to do it about 1/3 at a time so I could adjust the paper as needed.  I would also make sure to mod-podge all of the edges after attaching to the board.

3.  Next you will cut the extra edge with little slits at each corner and around curved edges so you will be able to cover the width of the letters easily.

4.  Start at one end and start moving around gluing a small section of paper to the edges.  This part takes a while, so be patient.  The edges will not hold immediately.  You will have to hold it down until the glue starts sticking, and don't be surprised if you have to go back and hold some sections down again.

5.  Once you have finished all of the edges, go around all of them and the back outer edges with the mod-podge again and let it dry.

6.  Once dry, turn back over and mod-podge over all of the front.  Let it dry overnight.

7.  To attach it to the wall, you can attach picture frame hooks on the back or get some of the heavy duty Command tapes and apply to the back, leaving the little tabs hanging out the edge.  I know you can buy packages of just the sticky tabs if this is the route you want to go.

Here is a look of the final product!    My son does love them.

8.  If you are willing to be patient in getting the letters, you can use a 40% off coupon on each of them.   You can go to this Hobby Lobby website to either print the coupon or put it on your smart phone to show the cashier.  For the largest letters, this will make them about $2.56 each.  The paper goes on sale about every 2-3 weeks at 50% off, leaving each sheet at $0.25 each.

It is a really fun project and looks great in the kids rooms.

~Stacy~

Rolo Bites

The other night at my Witches Night Out party, which is so much fun by the way and all you women out there should throw one next year!  But anywho... one of my friends brought these yummy little treats that I dibbed "rolo bites".  They are the yummiest little thing with just the right amount of salty and sweet!  

You heat your oven to 350, place one Ritz cracker with one Rolo in the center, when your cookie sheet is half full put them in the oven for 3-4 minutes.  Take them out and immediately place another Ritz on top and smoosh.  :) It's a word, I use it all the time.  Cool, then enjoy.  

I am telling you...simple yumminess!

~Rachel~