As the year comes to a close, I just wanted to stop and wish everyone a happy holiday season. I think, especially after recent events, it's very important to push pause on our crazy lives and enjoy the little things...such as baking cookies or even your little one saying "snow" for the first time.  The twins watched my favorites Home Alone and Elf with me for the first time and I am cannot believe they are almost 4! 

I'm going to take a little break to enjoy the season, but I'll be back soon!

Thanks for reading, I appreciate every one of you!

HUGS!

Mmmm Monday: Cranberry Hootycreeks

I love this time of the year because I dust off my apron and experiment with baking.  It's especially fun this year now that I can use one of our wedding gifts, our Kitchen Aid (thanks Mom and Dad!).  It really does save a lot of time and energy when you have a nice mixer.   Our old hand mixer used to smoke on batch two or three of cookies...probably should throw that away.

This year I was a part of a Cookie Swap with other bloggers. After baking a batch of cookies, you ship a dozen off to 3 different people. It's like a secret Santa with cookies...the best kind! Also, donations are made to Cookies for Kids' Cancer and Oxo will match $100,000! What a tasty way to help those in need this holiday season!

A few years ago, I made cookie jars for gifts and this was by far our favorite variety.  It's nice to step away from plain old (but delicious!) sugar cookies.  I was going to make something with peppermint, but this recipe just kept popping into my head. 

I'm sure not too many people have tried a hootycreek, so I thought I would share!  The only hootie I've heard of is of the blowfish variety...don't lie, you loved them too.

Cranberry Hootycreeks

(Adapted from this jar cookie recipe)

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla (I always add extra for cookies)
• 1 cup oatmeal
• 1 cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup pecans
• 1 cup Craisins

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Line cookie sheets with parchment paper (or simply spray with Pam).
2. Combine flour, soda and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.
3. Cream butter and sugars with a mixer.  Add eggs and vanilla.
4. Mix in dry ingredients, slowly.  Next add oatmeal and pecans.  Finish up with Craisins and chips.
5. Drop onto cookie sheets and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until done.  (Mine tend to take 11-12 in our new oven).

ENJOY!

 

Hopefully the lucky recipients of these cookies have received their cookie box.  They are:

• Jennifer from Licious food
• Rachel from The Pescetarian and the Pig
• Ariel from PrincesssPea
   

 

 



How to use Ebates

Start saving money today! Sign up here!

I like to shop, but during the holidays I cannot stand the crowds.  Also, what's up with the grouchy people?  It's like all of the crazies come out of the woodwork to get gifts.  Not a fan at all!  It's the holiday season and I don't need strangers making me crabby with their attitudes!

I like to do my shopping from my couch.  I can find all of the deals and be comfy in my sweats!  Actually, I think I save money shopping online because I can find the best price and coupons for items...I don't have to wait for sales in the stores!

When I decide which website I'm shopping on, I head right over to Ebates.  There I can find coupon codes and get a percentage back from ordering.  If you have a better coupon code from your email or a text, you are not obligated to use ones you find on the Ebates website, which is nice. 

On the weekends, they tend to have double cash back days.  They are always adding new online stores, as well.  Recently, they have joined forces with Amazon and Groupon. 


Confused on how it works?  I get a lot of questions about it.  While on Ebates, you click on "shop now" and you are sent to the actual website you want.  After ordering, your percentage back will be applied to your account.  The only unfortunate part is that you only get your cash back 4 times a year.  I love after the holiday season though, because I get my money applied to my account in the winter when all of the good sales are going on!

If you are a new member, you get a free $10 gift card after you spend $25 or more on an order.  It's a nice little bonus!

How is your holiday shopping going?  What online shopping tips do you live by?

Disclaimer:  I was not paid for this post, I just love Ebates and wanted to share a money saving tip.  The links are referral links. 

Holiday giveaways #3!: Free month of California Wine Club!

Remember last month when I told you about my amazing delivery of wine?!  Well I was lucky enough to get 2 free months from the California Wine Club!  I can get used to getting wine delivered to my door monthly! 

This month we recieved a red and white again (Merlot and Chenin Blanc).  I'm not a huge fan of Merlot usually, but this was actually really good. Of course, I ended up drinking my wine at bedtimes (the girls, not mine...), so I didn't have any food pairings.  Whoops!  I also forgot to take pretty pics. 

All in all, I enjoyed my experience with California Wine Club.  It's nice to have a variety of wine delivered right to your door.  I tend to get stuck in a wine rut, so it's nice to try new types.  Would I pay $50 a month for this convenience?  Probably not.  I never would spend $50 on two bottles of wine!  But it would be a GREAT gift!

Now you can have a chance to try it out!  I have a $50 credit (aka ONE FREE MONTH) to giveaway to one lucky reader! Enter in the rafflecopter below!

This review was made possible by Mom Spark Media. Thoughts are my own. I received a 2 month Membership to the California Wine Club for the purpose of this review.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
 

How I roll: grocery shopping

I get a lot of questions about my grocery shopping habits.  With the little ones, I can't just run out to the store whenever I want.  Well, I can...but it's not fun.  It turns into a 3 hour event.

I have tried a few different ways of shopping.

When the twins were babies, I would do my shopping weekly.  That was nice, but I found I spent more money because I wasn't really planning too well.  At that time, I was working and we went out to eat a lot more.

Once we moved to Michigan two years ago, our shopping habbits changed once again.  Here, there are no double coupons and food is much more expensive.  I had to really reevaluate how to shop and where to find deals.  Aldi has been such a lifesaver!

After we moved into our house a year ago, we joined Costco and I have changed how I shop yet again.  I try to do one large trip a month and supplement small weekly trips for milk, fruit, and any great deals I find.  Since the girls are eating so much more food now, we really need to shop in bulk.

The day we go shopping, I have a list, coupons and everything I might need all ready to go.  This includes snacks if the girls are with me and I make sure all of the Mperks I might need are uploaded to my account.  

On my list, I make sure every item with a coupon is marked.  I used to organize my coupons in an accordion file, but I have switched to the binder method.   I'm adding a post about that later this week!

We usually make three stops: Costco, Aldi and Meijer.  I like that order because I usually have the least amount of items to buy at Meijer.  Costco covers the big bulk items, Aldi covers the stock-up pantry items, chicken and produce and whatever we have left is at Meijer.  Yes, this takes about 3 hours but I am basically done for the month!  

If the kids come, Ricky is great at keeping them moving.  They love to get their free cookie at Meijer and a hot dog at Costco.  Hey, whatever keeps them happy!

This method has been such a lifesaver!  I have found that I can plan meals easier and having a stocked pantry is such a time saver.  I will admit, by the end of some months, I have run out of a few items.  But that is what All Recipes is for!  I use the simple ingredient search and I can find new meals to make in minutes. 

How do you shop?  Did it change drastically after having kids?

 

Make sure you check out my 2 giveaways going on right now...and stop back tomorrow for another exciting one!

Holiday giveaways #2: Juppy baby walker

When Gabby first started walking a few months ago, we were estatic.  She was over a year and we thought she would never walk!  To help her along, I would hold her hands up to help her keep her balance.  I guess that is the WRONG thing to do, I learned that it actually makes her lose her balance. 

Enter the Juppy.  This is a great product for various reasons.  First of all, it's simple.  You put your baby in it and they can learn to walk, yet still have your assistance.  I would have loved this when Gabby was first entertaining the idea of walking.  Also, it's very easy to throw in your diaper bag for on-the-go.  It's nice to have a baby product that doesn't take up space for once!!

I have found it super useful in public places.  Although Gabby can walk well now, it's nice for those days when she refuses to sit in her stroller while we are running errands.  I can keep her in my area, but it's not like one of those embarrasing kid leashes. 

My back is thankful too!  I was either leaning down or carrying Gabby too much and my back was feeling it!  She is a solid little toddler!

Would you like a chance to try a Juppy for your baby?  You can win one AND get it personalized! 

Just enter on the rafflecopter below!

Don't forget to check out yesterday's giveaway also, you can win 3 free bottles of Purex!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/0a8f128/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

Holiday Giveaways: #1 Purex with Oxi

It's time to dust off the blog a bit and have some fun giveaways!  I have quite a few lined up, good luck to you all!  I want to thank everyone for being so awesome and reading all year long.

First up, 3 Free bottles of Purex.  This time of year, a few extra bottles of detergent are needed!  We tend to have more stains from cookies and other fun treats.  I'll be honest, I usually spill some punch or wine on myself too.

 

I've talked about Purex many times now, but I love how well it works for such a low price!  Plus, the crystals are SO amazing.  I ran out and got a bottle of regular fabric softener that was on clearance and it was not the same! 

 

Enter on the rafflecopter below and stay tuned for more giveaways this week!

a Rafflecopter giveaway