Fall Wreath

 The other day we were outside winterizing our house and I had a brilliant plan to make a door wreath for my front door...out of dead weeds.  I have always loved the weed that looks similar to wheat, I call it fake wheat, and we have tons of that along our ditch bank.  So I grabbed the clippers and started gathering the "pretty weeds" .  When I got done I had a box full and went about sorting them into groups.  Then I started arranging them.  It was very pretty, but needed a little something, so I added some Indian Corn and a simple burlap bow.  I really like the way it turned out!  Even my husband, whom I did not think would like it, thought it looked nice.

This is an easy enough project that I think I can handle every fall, because I will ALWAYS have enough weeds.  :)

Happy Fall!

~Rachel~

Fry's and Albertson's Deals 10-9-13 through 10-15-13

    Michelle has been very good about keeping me up to date on good grocery deals when she see them.  She did not let  me down this week either!  I am sharing this information now because I have finally been able to go shopping the day after the sale started!  Small note, I really didn't do a huge shopping trip so there may very well be MANY other great deals out there for you.
  This is for anyone with a Fry's or Albertson's near them!

Albertson's

Powerade-  39ȼ each when you buy 15!  This comes to $5.85 total.  Be sure to use the in store (in weekly ad) coupon to get this price!

Fry's

General Mills Cereal- This includes (but is not limited to) Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Trix, Lucky Charms and Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

•  These are priced at 3/$5.00 ($1.67 ea).  On www.coupons.com and www.qualityhealth.com you can find 50ȼ off 1 coupons for Trix, Cherrios, Lucky Charms and Cinnamon Toast Crunch, making your final price just 67ȼ per box!!!
• There are also $1.00 of 2 General Mills Cereal at www.coupons.com and www.qualityhealth.com which would make them $1.17 a box and still a good deal.
• Another option is the Fry's Digital Downloads.  There are also $1.00 off 2 General Mills Cerals or 50ȼ off for Trix, Honey Nut Cheerios, and Lucky Charms.  They DO NOT double these to a dollar though so you will know you will be paying $1.17 per box.  They also DO NOT stack these coupons with the printables!!!  So, if you just want to use the printables to get the better deal, DO NOT add them to your digital coupons on the Fry's Card.
• Finally with this deal, when you buy 5, you will get an extra 10ȼ off per gallon of gas!!  And they will most likely print you a $2.00 off a purchase of 5 General Mills Cereal Catalina you can use to buy 5 more boxes (coupons permitting).

Yoplait Yogurt-

•   These are priced 20 for $10 (50ȼ ea).  40ȼ off 6 yogurts can be printed at www.coupons.com and www.qualityhealth.com.  (These will really be $1.00 off 6 at Fry's because of their double coupon program).  Final price 33ȼ each!!  
• Fry's Digital Downloads also has a 75ȼ off 6, but again, it will not add the extra 25ȼ to equal a $1.00.  (Final price 37ȼ still good).
• Also, if you purchase 15-19 of them, you will recieve $1.25 coupon to use for a future purchase (maybe the extra 5 boxes of cereal :).

Progresso Soups-

•   50ȼ off 2 soups can also be found at www.coupons.com and www.qualityhealth.com.   
• There is a $2.00 off when you buy 8 soups on Fry's Digital Downloads that can be used along side the printables.  After both of these coupons, the soups would be 50ȼ per can!  Not bad for a 2 servings per can meal!
• These are also included in the buy 5 items and get an extra 10ȼ off a gallon of gas promotion.  

Free Friday Downloads-  Don't forget to log into Digital Downloads each Friday to see what their FREE item is.  For the past 2 weeks, I had a container of Hillshire Deli meat and a kids juice drink in my digital coupons.  I also picked those up today for nothing extra! 

**Side note for any beginner couponers.  When printing from the coupon sites like www.coupons.com or even store coupons like www.target.com, you can print 2 of the same coupon from EACH computer, so if there is something you want to stock up on and you have multiple coupons, you can print 2 from EACH computer.  You CANNOT, however, just copy the coupon multiple times.  They each get their own bar codes and the stores can only accept and be paid back for 2 of the same bar code (unless a true manufacture coupon from the paper!).  

  

     So there are the deals I got!  Michelle can maybe add hers because I know she purchased a few more items than I did.  My total for 12 boxes of cereal, 8 cans of soup, 18 container of yogurt, 1 Hillshire Farm deli meat, and a Tum-E Yummies juice was $20.69!!!  I also received 435 fuel points which turns into 40ȼ off per gallon next month!  I was pretty pleased with this purchase!

      I will go back tomorrow with my $1.25 credit from the yogurts and $2.00 off 5 cereals, and purchase 5 more cereals.  This should only cost me $0.09 tomorrow with coupons and these credits!  YAY!!!

Gotta love coupons!

Stacy

Pizza Poppers

  I came across this great idea on facebook.  I tried it the other day and my family LOVED them.  My kids kept saying how great they were.  They are very simple and inexpensive.

The recipe only calls for 8 things and most you have at home already!

60 Pepperoni's
Mozzarella Cheese- 30 inch squares
3 cans- Pillsbury (or off brand) homestyle biscuits
Pizza Sauce (I just used plain spaghetti sauce)
1 Egg
Garlic Powder
Italian Seasoning
Parmesan Cheese

1.  All you do for these are to spray a 9X13" glass dish.
2.  Flatten the biscuits out on a plate, one at a time.
3.  Put a little spoonful of the pizza (or spaghetti) sauce on the biscuit.
4.  Put one pepperoni on the biscuit, a mozzarella piece, followed by another pepperoni.
5.  Fold the sides up to each other until the bottom is closed up and put it in the pan.
6.  Once all of the biscuits are in the pan, take the egg and scramble it.  Spread it over the tops of the rolls.
7.  Sprinkle the tops with the garlic powder, parmesan, and the Italian seasonings.
8.  Bake at 400 for about 15 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.

The nice thing besides the taste with these poppers is that they are only 280 calories for 3 of the pizzas.  They are pretty filling and it still leaves some room to add something else to your dinner (or lunch)!  I will post a picture soon, I will be making these again very soon!

~Stacy~

Nicholas Sparks- The Rescue

   I am so happy to have found a really good group of books to read!  I just get tired of trying books that end up having so many swear words or vivid bedroom scenes I feel like I am watching a rated R movie, which I don't do for those reasons!!!  Nicholas Sparks books have all just been really clean, easy reads!  Yes, they all have some lovey, dovey love saga, but who doesn't need one of those once in a while?  Obviously a lot do since a good majority of his books turn into movies!!

  The next great book I have read recently is 'The Rescue'.  It is another good love story about Taylor, Denise and her little boy Kyle.  They meet when Denise crashes her car, and Taylor, a volunteer fire fighter, is the one to find her and help her through the accident.  Denise's son Kyle has learning and cognitive impairments and Denise has been working since he was an infant to help him overcome these.  She is a great example of a mother and is just inspiring.  It does have a few places that will make you smile or cry (I do that a lot lately :) and more that just keep you hoping for them; Denise and Kyle, and Denise, Kyle and their relationship with Taylor.

I hope you will enjoy this as much as I did!  I would give it 5 Stars!!

~Stacy~

Peach Raspberry Jam

I love to do my canning with a friend, not only because it makes things easier, but because I love to get new recipes.  This recipe came from my friend Amanda a few years ago.  I make a batch of it every year.  My family are big strawberry jam lovers, and I am too, but every once in a while I like a change.  This is my change.  It is a wonderful jam!!  And it has more fruit in it than sugar!  Seriously!  How often does that happen, umm, NEVER!  

I can all the peaches I want to can for that year and then use the left over peaches that were a little more ripe that I like to can for this recipe.  We also have fall bearing raspberries, which is perfect for this recipe.  

Peach Raspberry Jam

5 C. sugar

4 C. peaches, peeled, sliced and mashed

1 1/3 C. raspberries

1 package (3 oz) raspberry jell-o

Blanch the peaches in boiling water for one minute, then remove the skins and pits.  Slice and place in a large pot.  Mash the peaches until they are mostly mashed with a few chunks intact. Add sugar and raspberries, stirring constantly over a medium to medium high heat.  After it has a rolling boil turn heat to lo/simmer and simmer for 25 minutes or until it is starting to thicken (medium thickness) 

Remove from heat and add jell-o, stir until disolved.

Laddle into hot jars and water bath for 15 minutes for pints and 20 for quarts.

Enjoy!

~Rachel~

Fluffiest Pancakes EVER

I used to just use the Bisquick or a store brand pancake mix, but then I found this recipe and found out how easy it was and more important, how good they were.  This recipe is MUCH better than any prepackaged pancake mix, I promise.  The are ultra fluffy and just plain good.  My kiddos love pancakes and like Percy Jackson (if you have read those books), they like their pancakes blue.  I will usually add blue food coloring to the batter to give them some fun pancakes.

For the recipe you will need this:

1 Large Egg
1 Cup Flour
3/4 Cup Milk
1 Tbsp Sugar
2 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
3 tsp. Baking Powder
1/4 tsp Salt

1.  Beat the egg.  Add the remainder of the ingredients and mix until smooth.
2.  Heat a skittle or frying pan, and add about 1/4 cup of batter.  Once batter has several bubbles in it, flip to other side, and cook until golden brown.

This recipe will make about 9- 4 inch pancakes.  Each is 100 calories!  I usually double the recipe for my family of 4 and have leftovers for the following morning.  These are also good to add blueberries to.  Just put them right in the batter.

Hope you like them!

~Stacy~

Ibotta Deals

    I have recently been able to sign up to participate in the Ibotta coupons and I am so excited!  I had seen deals before offering 75ȼ, $1.50, or even more for items I was already purchasing.  This was even AFTER manufactures coupons!  I FINALLY got it all set up a couple of weeks ago and really just in time too.  They were offering a GREAT deal on these everyday items.  I bought most of these at Target because they had store coupons + the Target Cartwheel deals.  I believe all of these but 3 items had 5% off using the Target Cartwheel so I felt like it was worth it!  I spent $64.90 total (including tax), but after completing the ibotta deals, I received $46.00 back from ibotta, deposited right into my Paypal account.  I will also receive an additional $10.00 with my first transfer to Paypal, and another $10.00 for completing 5 offers in the first 2 weeks.  So with this purchase, I will really make $1.10 on my purchase!  Pretty good huh!

    With this offer, I purchased:
        1.  12 pack Cottonelle TP
        2.  8 pack Viva Paper Towels
        3.  24 pack Scott TP
        4.  4 pack Kleenex Tissues
        5.  160 count Kleenex Tissues (free with the 4-pack + money back from ibotta)
        6.  Kleenex Hand Towels
       7.  Cottonelle Flushable Wipes
       8.  32 pack Huggies Diapers
       9.  Pack of Huggies Wipes
      10.  8 oz Softsoap
      11.  Colgate Total Advance Toothpaste
      12.  Colgate 360 Optic White Toothbrush
      13.  18 count U by Kotex Tampons
      14.  20 count Poise Pads

  To earn the money from ibotta, you have to do 3 tasks per item, like "like this on Facebook", watch a 15-30 second commercial, answer a pole question, or "Tweet" about it.  Once you have competed these tasks and purchase the item, follow the directions to snap a picture of the receipt and the item.  If you have a smart phone or ipad with internet capabilities anywhere, you can verify at the store you have the correct item.  I totally think this is worth the money savings.
  If you are interested, go to this link, sign up, and get started!  If you don't think it is worth if after trying it, you are under no obligation!
   A couple of downfalls I found are that  1.  if you are working on "deals", the store you are shopping at may not have all of the items.  I found Target had almost everything required, but Walmart, CVS, Fry's were all missing one or more of the items in each deal.  It may take a little time to get used to the requirements.  2.  Another is that I did have to return a couple of items and go to different stores because of the above reason and because once I brought the items home and scanned, I found they were incorrect and ibotta would not accept them.  (This could definitely be because I am a first timer too!) 3.  The last downfall is this is only good for "i" products (iphones, certain ipads, certain ipods), and the android market.  If you have a Blackberry like me, you are out of luck, unless you have one of these others.  They say they are looking into adding Blackberry and other markets sometime this year, but until then, just hope you have one of the others!

   Hopefully this was explanatory enough and helps!  Happy Saving!

~Stacy~

Super Easy Chicken Dinner

This is one of my favorite meals to make.  It is fast, simple, and really delicious.  It is also a really inexpensive meal.  What could be better?  I have made it in a couple of varieties, depending on my mood.  

To start, all you will need is a crock-pot and a whole chicken.  I can usually find a whole chicken for between $4-5.00.  Keep your eye out for these prices and grab a couple when you find them.  They freeze beautifully and cook as tender as ever after.

1.  To begin with, put your chicken in the crock-pot to allow 6-8 hours of cooking.  I just take it right out of the freezer and stick it in.  I would suggest closer to 8 hours if you get it directly from the freezer.  Just sprinkle the top with lemon pepper.  I will usually add between 1 1/2 to 2 cups of water even though there will be juices from the chicken.  It just helps bast it throughout the day.  

2.  If you want to add potatoes and carrots, peel them and add them along the sides.  I usually put the potatoes first so they are in the water/juice and cook better that way.  I also really like baby carrots (no peeling required!).  

   2a.  If you would rather do something like rice and gravy and corn, just leave the chicken in the      
   crock-pot by itself.

3.  Throughout the day, approximately every 2 hours, use the juice that has cooked off and pour it over the chicken, then close the lid again.  I use a turkey baster, but you can use a spoon or a cup measure just as easily.

4.  Finally, after 6-8, serve it.  It will just fall right off the bones.  I don't even pass out knives because it is so tender all you need is a fork.  It is just delicious.  If you made the potatoes and carrots, you can just serve the potatoes with sour cream, salt and pepper.  Your whole dinner is ready and it only takes about 10 minutes to prepare.

   4a.  If you chose the rice option, cook the rice and then make a gravy out of the chicken broth.  It is
   really simple.

         - Pull about 1 to 1 1/2 cup of chicken broth into a small pot and let it boil.  Mix about 1-2 tbsp of
         flour with water to make the consistency a thick water.  (Just past the paste point).  Once the broth         is boiling, add the flour water, again until boiling.  You can add just a little bit of salt and pepper           if you want.  Let it continue to boil until it is as thick as you like your gravy.
         -Serve with corn or beans and you are set!

~Stacy~

Giveaway Winner

We want to congratulate Kona  Haycock Harper for winning the Halloween Decoration Package!  If you could please respond to moresisterstuff@gmail.com and let us know where you would like them sent, we will get your decorations right to you!

Love, 

The Sissies

Last Day to Enter

  Hey Everyone!  Don't forget today is the last day to enter the drawing for the Halloween Decoration Package Giveaway!    The drawing will end at 9:00 Pacific Time tonight!  We will announce the winner on Friday!  Remember, all you have to do is:

1.  Follow us on this blog (if you already do, it's a free entry)

2.  Follow us on Pintrest

3.  Like us on Facebook.

  

If you already do these things, they are free entries!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck,

The Sissies!

Don't Forget to Enter!

  Don't forget to enter your name in for the "Halloween Decoration Package" giveaway!  There are only 3 days left to enter!  It is simple, just:

1.  Follow us on this blog (if you already do, it's a free entry)

2.  Follow us on Pintrest

3.  Like us on Facebook

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks again for all your support and looking at our stuff and good luck!  We will announce the winner 9/14/13.  Good luck!

~The Sissies~ 

Giveaway!!!

We are so excited that we have reached 100,000 views!!!  We want to celebrate by having another GIVEAWAY!  This time it is going to be a Halloween Package.   This will include 3 of our new Halloween products, a Glow in the Dark Ghost, a Trick-or-Treater, and a little pumpkin.

To be a winner, you have to: 

1.  Follow us on this blog (if you already do, it's a free entry)

2.  Follow us on Pintrest

3.  Like us on Facebook

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks again for all your support and looking at our stuff!  We will announce the winner 9/14/13.  Good luck!

~The Sissies~ 

Glow in the Dark, Halloween Ghosts

I love Halloween and I am trying every year to add cute decorations to my collection.  These are the cutest ghosts!  I am so excited to add them this year.  I know it is a little early for Halloween, but why not get prepared early.

This is a fun project to do with your kids.  For the project you will need a 3' X 36" cheesecloth pack, fabric stiffener, glow in the dark paint (in the craft section), a 2 L bottle, 2- 16oz bottles, a 3" Styrofoam ball, and E-6000 glue.

1.  First you will take the cheesecloth out and unfold it all the way out.  Next, fold it into thirds.
2.  In a medium sized bowl, mix 8 oz of fabric Stiffener, and 4 oz of the glow in the darkFill paint together in the bowl.  Crumple up the cheesecloth into a ball and stick it in the mixture.  Stir it around until the cloth is completely covered.  Let it set for 30 minutes.
3.  Take the 2-L bottle and cut 2- 1 1/2 inch ovals in the front towards the middle.  (You will attach the arms there so cut them where you think the arms would look the best).  One will be at 10" up and the other at 9".
4.  Attach the 2- 16 oz bottles into the holes and secure with hot glue.
5.  Fill the 2-L bottle about a 1/3 of the way with water.  Attach the styrofoam ball on top of the bottle.
6.  After 30 minutes, squeeze the cheesecloth out as much as you can.  Spread it out and on top of the plastic bottles.  Move the cloth around the arms and head so you can see some definition.  Also spread the bottom out so it will be able to stand on it's own once dry.  Allow to dry over night or several hours.
7.  Using black or dark card stock, cut out 2 oval eyes.  Attach on the inside of the ghosts head using E-6000 glue.
8.  Light it up or leave it under the lights for a little bit and then turn off your lights and let it glow!!!

We will also have these listed in our More Sister Stuff Shop, if you would rather just buy a finished product!

~Stacy~

Creamy Chicken Taquitos

Ok, this recipe is one of our favorites, and I got it from one of my favorite sites...Our Best Bites!  We have a revolving "Kid of the Week" schedule, and with that schedule the "kid" gets to help with the meal planning and prepping.  Last week my daughter was telling me that this year she wants to always choose to eat hot lunch on the days they are serving "Crispitos"  (my kids only get to pick 2-3 days a month they eat school lunch).  When I asked what that was she started describing Taquitos.  I said, "How about we make some this week?" "Really?  You can help me do that?"  "Of course," I respond, "I am Super Woman, remember?" Ha ha!!  I am not, I wish I were, but I am not!  But I can make taquitos with the help of Our Best Bites!  :)

Creamy Chicken Taquitos

1/3 C. (3 oz) cream cheese

1/4 C. green salsa

1 T. fresh lime juice

1/2 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. granulated garlic, or garlic powder

3 T. chopped cilantro

2 T. sliced green onions

2 C. shredded cooked chicken

1 C. grated pepper jack

corn tortillas (I use flour if that is what I have on hand)

Kosher salt

cooking spray

Heat oven to 425.  Line baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.  Heat cream cheese in microwave for 25-30 seconds, so it is soft and easy to stir.  Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic.  Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions.  Add chicken and cheese and combine well.  You can prepare up to this step ahead of time and just keep in the fridge.

Work with a few tortillas at a time and heat in the microwave until they are soft enough to roll without cracking. Usually 20-25 seconds will do.  

Place 2-3 T. of chicken mixture on the lower third of the tortilla, keeping it about a 1/2 inch from the edges.  Roll up the tortilla and place seam side down on a baking sheet, not touching each other.  Spray lightly with cooking spray or brush with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with kosher salt.  Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown.  Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.  Serve with sour cream.

This is one of those dishes that I like to make a double batch and freeze the leftovers for another meal another day.  They freeze up great! 

~Rachel~

Best Oatmeal Cookies Ever

When Heather and I were in college, we had an RA come by one night to check on our apartment and she brought us these cookies.  They were honestly the best oatmeal cookies I'd ever had.  They had chocolate chips and butterscotch chips in them.  We HAD to get the recipe from her.  A few weeks ago, I was visiting in Colorado and had the privileged of eating these DELICIOUS butterscotch  cookies at a cookie store.  They reminded me so much of the recipe I now have and I had to make them again.  Hopefully you can enjoy them as much as I did!

1 C. Butter
3 oz. Cream Cheese, softened
1 C. Shortening
3 C. Brown Sugar
2 C. Sugar
3 Eggs
1 Tbsp Vanilla
5 C. Flour
3 tsp Baking Soda
2 tsp Salt
2 1/2 C. Oats
2 C. Chocolate Chips
2 C. Butterscotch Chips

Mix butter, shortening, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and eggs in a large mixing bowl until creamy.  Add dry ingredients.  Add the chips.  Spoon onto cookie sheet and bake at 350° for 11 minutes.

~Stacy~