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$14 Eyeglass Frames

February 14, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

Have you checked out the price of eyeglass frames lately? I hadn’t purchased new glasses for around 5 years until a month ago.  Talk about sticker shock! Even with insurance covering a good chunk of them, I still had out of pocket expenses for a nice pair of glasses.

Check out Coastal today. They are offering some of their eyeglass frames for $14! Click HERE to check them out and use the code LOVE at checkout.  I am going to go check them out now before they sell out of my favorite pairs. I have never purchased from them before but know of many people who have and were very happy with their purchases.

If you never ordered through them before they have an option to get your first pair free so check that out on the main page, which the link will also take you to.

 

Filed Under: Online shopping Tagged With: ,

Valentine’s Day Ideas: Easy Biscuits

February 13, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

This recipe comes from my cookbook Don’t Panic–More Dinner’s in the Freezer: A Second Helping of Tasty Meals You Can Make Ahead, which is one of my favorite buys.  I never actually ended up putting any in the freezer and instead of making them thick enough to roll I make drop biscuits. However, for a very simple Valentine’s Day dinner accent(or strawberry shortcake),  make them and cut them out in a heart shape before baking.

This recipe would be great to get your kids in the kitchen with you. It is never too early to learn how to cook and bake. Ok, maybe under 18 months is pushing it.

2 cup flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar (I have skipped this with no problem)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shortening
2/3 cup milk

 

Stir together dry ingredients. Cut in shortening until mixture looks like coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in milk. Stir just until dough clings together.  Knead gently on floured surface for 10-12 strokes. Do not over knead.

Roll dough 1/2 inch thick and cut. Bake in preheated oven at 450 for 10-12 minutes on un-greased baking sheet.

Also absolutely perfect for strawberry shortcake!

Want to freeze them? Wrap the cut, unbaked rolls in plastic wrap, with a layer of plastic wrap between each biscuit. Freeze in freezer bags.  Bake as per the directions above, frozen.

May be frozen 2-3 months.
Makes 10-12 biscuits.

 

Filed Under: Food & Recipes Tagged With: , ,

Valentine’s Day Ideas: Easy Truffles

February 12, 2012 by · Leave a Comment



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I have seen this basic recipe so many places over the years and have used it several times.

1 – 8 oz. package cream cheese
3 cups 10x/powdered sugar
12 oz. german chocolate, semi sweet or dark chocolate baking bars/chips
1  1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Soften the cream cheese.
Melt the chips.
Beat cream cheese in the mixer.
Slowly add sugar until smooth.
Add melted chocolate and vanilla. 
Mix well. 
Refrigerate approximately 1 hour.
Take out and roll mixture into 1 inch balls. 

Decorate with powdered sugar, cinnamon, cocoa powder, coconut, sprinkles, whatever you want.
Put each one in a mini cupcake holder for something fancy.
Eat – Melt in your moth delicious-ness.

Filed Under: Food & Recipes Tagged With: ,

Valentine’s Day Without Money

February 12, 2012 by · Leave a Comment

Some years can be tough. I know many people who have been out of work or even with a job,  struggling to make ends meet. Sometimes you have it all together but unexpected expensives blow a hole in your plans.  From experience I know it can be discouraging to face a Valentine’s Day where chocolates and jewelry, roses and fancy dinners are touted as the gift of the day and you have no money for them.

You don’t have to let the potential romance of  the day go simply because there is no money.  Look at your grocery list this week, look at your stockpile (excellent reason to have one), and get to creating. Too often it is easy to look at the holiday and see $$ signs. And keep your eyes out for some great inexpensive recipes on the blog this week.

Here are some ideas –

Movie Night

Put the kids to bed.
Pop some popcorn.
Find a movie on TV/Netflix/spend $3 or less on Redbox or Blockbuster
Grab sodas or a 2 liter at the store for $1.69
Want candy? Check out the grocery store and spend under $3
Snuggle up on the couch

1 movie – FREE-$3
Soda – FREE-$2
Candy – FREE-$3
Popcorn – FREE – $3
*1 Valentine’s Day – FREE – $11*

 

Dinner for 2

Feed the kids and put them to bed
Throw dinner in the oven/on the grill
Put a fancy tablecloth or even a flat sheet on the table
Light a few candles
Pull out a bottle of wine – FREE-$12
Make a super easy dessert from ingredients you have (or inexpensive ideas below)

Dinner – FREE
Wine – FREE – $12

*1 Valentine’s Day – FREE – $12* 

Other easy ideas

*Coupon booklets*
Favorite dinner
His/Her movie choice
Home massage
You name it….get creative

*Surprise lunch at work*

Our Valentine’s Day this year? Grilled jamaican jerk or balsamic chicken (pre-prepped in my freezer), red potatoes with butter (in my pantry), asparagus (1.99# at the grocery, on my grocery list) and a yummy dessert whipped up from stockpiled items.  Oh, can’t forget the bottle of wine we have been saving from a special trip we took the other month. We are doing this with the kids this year. After they go to bed (a little early) we are having a movie night for 2.

If the day is special to you don’t let it go because you have no money. Make the most of what you have and blow your significant other’s socks off. 

What ideas do you have for a creative and low cost Valentine’s Day?

If you don’t have a stockpile and are all out of ideas for a Valentine’s Day dinner, check out Food on the Table. They will show you what’s on sale in your grocery store  and help you make a menu based on what’s on sale then all you need to do is find a recipe you want and get the items cheaper than just going to a store, browsing and grabbing whatever selection they have.

Filed Under: Home Sweet Home, Random Tagged With: ,
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