Life Update...

Sorry if I'm a little sporadic with posting over the next couple of weeks, we're moving and then I'll be unpacking and setting up my stockpile. I will be back soon I promise and I'll have lots of new organizing posts and some new shopping hauls as well. :)

Harris Teeter Super Doubles Haul #1

Ran to Harris Teeter because the hubby wanted pizza for dinner and I remembered I had some Digiorno Pizzaria Pizza coupons and it was Super Doubles week. Picked up a few other things that I thought might be on sale. Haven't had any time to look at ads or plan a real haul since we've been in the process of moving.  Here's my quick trip this evening.

Retail = $128.93
Paid = $13.95
Savings = 89.18%

6 DiGiorno Pizzeria Pizzas ($2/1 Printable)
5 jars Vlasic Stork pickles ($0.75/1 SS 5/19)
6 jars Farmers Market pickles ($2/1 Printable)
2 boxes Twix ice cream bars ($2/1 Printable)
4 bottles Lea & Perrin’s Worcestershire Sauce ($1/1 SS 5/19)
6 bags Steamfresh veggies ($1/2 Printable)
2 Right Guard Extreme Deodorant ($2/1 RP 6/16)

 

Semi-planned Haul... 82%

Went out to a few stores... Target, Bi-Lo, Harris Teeter and yes, Walmart (had to get Adam's medicine and I had a couple price matches I wanted to do because I didn't want to go clear across town for the sale).

Here is what I got:

6 boxes Trix (6 - $0.60/1 Printable)
6 boxes Golden Grahams (6 - $0.85/1 Printable)
8 boxes Cinnamon Toast Crunch (8 - $0.60/1 Printable*)
4 bottles Kraft BBQ Sauce (4 - $1.00/2 SS 5/19)
2 bottles Garland Jacks BBQ Sauce (1- $1.00/1 SS 5/5)
8 bags Steamfresh Veggies (4 - $0.35/1* Printable & 4 - $1.00/2 Printable)
2 Pantene Shampoo ($3/2 SS 6/2 & $3/2 eVic)
2 Pantene Conditioner ($3/2 SS 6/2 & $3/2 eVic)
12 4pk razors ($3/1 Target SS 5/? & $2/1 SS 5/?)
6 bottles sweet tea ($0.95/1* Printable)
12 2-litres Dr. Pepper ($0.75/1 SS 6/9)
3 bottles mouth wash (2 - $2/1 & $1/1 SS 5/?)
2 boxes Minute rice ($0.50/1* Printable)
2 pkgs Huggies wipes ($0.60/1* Printable)

Retail = $286.77
OOP = $53.02
Savings = 82%

* = doubled at Bi-Lo or Harris Teeter

 

Target 86% Savings (Including $0.10 razors)

Target haul...

8 pkgs Schick Hydro Razors (4pk)
     $5.69 Retail
     $3/1 TC SS 5/19
     $2/1 MC SS 5/12
     Target Cartwheel 10% off (after TC)
     Paid = $0.42/pkg or $0.10/razor ($3.36 total)

4 boxes Frutta Frozen Fruit Bars (6pk)
     $3.49 Retail
     $1/1 TC Printable
     $1/1 MC Printable
     Target Cartwheel 10% off (after TC)
     Paid = $1.24/box ($4.96 total)

Retail = $59.48 (before tax)
OOP = $8.32 (before tax)
Savings = 86%

Super Mini Bi-Lo Haul 84.8%

This haul was supposed to be MUCH bigger, but I was given incorrect information by one of the employees. The ad said General Mills cereals BOGO and in small print it said select varieties... well I asked an employee if it meant all or only some because they weren't labeled on the shelves and she told me all, well I was a little un-trusting so I got all 42 boxes first and went back up since it filled my cart anyway. NONE of them worked, finally I talked to a manager and they said they were only offering it on the 2 in the picture not all... then he proceeded to say "Don't worry you don't have to put them back" HA! like I would have done it anyway. 

Anywho that was my fun.Here's what I ended up getting:

4 - 1/2 gallons of ice cream $5.90 OSF BOGO (4 - $1/1 SS 5/12 (I think))
2 boxes Honey Nut Cheerios $3.85 each OSF BOGO (2 - $0.60/1 Printable - doubled to $1.20)
2 cups Kashi Go Lean $1.25 each OSF $1.00 ($2/2 Printable)
9 tubes of Crest toothpaste Orig $2.99 OSF $0.99 each (9 - $0.50/1 Printable - doubled to $0.99)

RETAIL = $60.67
PAID =  $9.25
Savings =84.8%

About the same percentage I would have done with the cereal, but eh, the coupons are good until mid-July so hopefully another cereal sale between now & then.

CopyKat Auntie Anne's Pretzels

I love Auntie Anne's pretzels, but the cost makes me cringe (though if I'm at the mall I usually cave since they're so nummy).. well I buckled down one day and decided I was going to figure out how they were made (it's a Superpower of mine)... I searched the net for a few soft pretzel recipes and made the first batch that sounded good... once I tasted it I compared it to an Auntie Anne's I had left over from the day before... I was able to pick out a few of the missing ingredients or which were more prominent and think my final recipe got pretty darn close. 
  
Auntie Anne's Pretzels: Copycat Recipe 

2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 tablespoons (2 packets) active dry yeast
6 tablespoons brown sugar
4 tablespoons butter, melted
4 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons fine salt

1/3 cup baking soda
3 cups warm water
Coarse salt
 8 tablespoons butter, melted in a shallow dish

Warm up the milk in the microwave or on the stove for just about one and a half minutes. It should be about 110º. If it's too hot it will kill the yeast. You should be able to comfortably keep your finger in it. Stir in the yeast and let it sit for about 3 minutes. Add the butter and sugar. Add the flour about 1 cup at a time and the add the fine salt. Kneed for about 10 minutes with a stand mixer, or by hand. Put it in a greased bowl and cover with greased cling wrap. Let rise for 1 hour in a moist, warm place until doubled in size (I stick mine on the front of the stove wrapped in a towel, don't put it at the back or it will start to bake). Preheat the oven to 450º. Punch down dough and divide into 12 lumps (I like to divide it in half, then divide each half into three, and then divide each remaining one in half again). Roll them all out as thin as you can. Combine the warm water and baking soda in a wide bowl. Form the dough into pretzel shapes, then dip in the baking soda water. Place on a greased baking sheet.. Bake for about 7-11 minutes or until browned. Dip each in the melted butter while hot and sprinkle with course salt. Serve with cheese sauce or mustard or whatever tickles your fancy. 

Cinnamon Rolls without the Can

Ingredients
Dough:

1/4-ounce package yeast
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup scalded milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter or shortening
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3 1/2 to 4 cups all-purpose flour

Filling:

1/2 cup melted butter, plus more for pan
3/4 cup sugar, plus more for pan
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins, walnuts, or pecans, optional

Glaze:

4 tablespoons butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 6 tablespoons hot water

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water and set aside. In a large bowl mix milk, sugar, melted butter, salt and egg. Add 2 cups of flour and mix until smooth. Add yeast mixture. Mix in remaining flour until dough is easy to handle. Knead dough on lightly floured surface for 5 to 10 minutes. Place in well-greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled in size, usually 1 to 1 1/2 hours.

When doubled in size, punch down dough. Roll out on a floured surface into a 15 by 9-inch rectangle. Spread melted butter all over dough. Mix sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over buttered dough. Sprinkle with walnuts, pecans, or raisins if desired. Beginning at the 15-inch side, role up dough and pinch edge together to seal. Cut into 12 to 15 slices.

Coat the bottom of baking pan with butter and sprinkle with sugar. Place cinnamon roll slices close together in the pan and let rise until dough is doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake for about 30 minutes or until nicely browned.

Meanwhile, mix butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Add hot water 1 tablespoon at a time until the glaze reaches desired consistency. Spread over slightly cooled rolls.

Sensory: Balloons

This was a neat idea I found here. I filled mine with flour, oats, rice, sugar, hair gel, popcorn kernels, shaving cream and water. They are fun to play with, I had to test them to make sure they were okay for Gwen. ;-)

You can fill them with anything you have around the house, some other ideas include coffee grounds, shampoo, pasta, and candies. 

Only $22.31 bought all this....

I walked out my door with only $24.50 in my pocket and wanted to see what all I could get... I also took my 19 month old with for an extra challenge. :o) I walked back in my door with $1.19 & $0.75 in EB rewards... Not bad for heading out without a plan. Hit up 4 stores, Harris Teeter, Publix, CVS and Bi-Lo....

Retail = $184.36
OOP (inc. tax) = $22.31
Savings = 88%

1 Pantene Shampoo ($3/1 e-Vic & $2/2 MC *doubled)
1 Pantene Conditioner ($3/1 e-Vic & $2/2 MC *doubled)
2 Windex Touch-Ups ($1.50/1 MC *doubled)
1 16 oz Cocoa Butter (Free Coupon for joining Publix Baby Club)
1 2oz Hand Sanitizer (Free Coupon for joining Publix Baby Club)
1 4pk disposible razors (Free Coupon for joining Publix Baby Club)
8 packs Stride gum (BOGO sale + BOGO Printable coupon)
1 pkg M&Ms (had to buy because my CVS total was negative)
3.1 lbs bananas ($1 off any Produce purchase for joining Publix Baby Club)
7 DiGiornio Pizzaria Pizzas (Sale = $5.50... $2/1 *doubled)
1 box Fiber One bars (Free e-Vic coupon)
10 pkgs Smoked Sausage (10/$10 Sale)
1 box Toster Strudel (Free e-Vic coupon)
2 boxes Cheese Nips (BOGO & $1/1 MC)
6 pkgs King Hawaiian Sweet Bread (10/$10 Sale & $1/1 MC)

Just remember, with planning and organization, you CAN do it all.

Sensory Squish Bag: Ocean Theme

This is so far my favorite one. A couple weeks ago while couponing I got 4 free bottles of hair gel, 2 of which were blue. Since no one uses hair gel in my house I figured out many other uses for it, and this is one. I love sitting squishing the little figures around in the 'ocean'

What you'll need*:
Blue hair gel
Ocean figurines
Baggie (I used sandwich but with enough hair gel you can use a gallon)

Fill the baggie with hair gel, about half way. Add the little figures. Squeeze as much air out as you can and then seal it tight. I added a strip of packing tape over the flaps to keep little fingers form opening it.

*All items can be found at Dollar Tree.

Just remember, with planning and organization, you CAN do it all.