Krispy Kreme for pennies - How could you?

Scouring the grocery store for frugal finds is one of my passions...no...hobbies...umm,
necessities - yes, necessities.

Readers of my blog will know that one of my number one tips in shopping is Be Observant!
I always check to see what items are marked down at the bakery.
Day old deals are delightful, if you ask me.

So when we (yes, all the kids were with me) rounded the bakery aisle corner at 8:30pm, and a buggy filled with these deliciously adorned orange stickered boxes screamed....
SPECIAL
(why... yes, I am, thank you...God made me special),
my teen boys grabbed every last little box.
They were giddy...beyond thrilled at the moment that their mother was such a frugal hacker.
Let's do the math.....
12 donuts per box X 4 boxes = a whole lot more donuts than I need.
BUT PICK ME UP OFF THE FLOOR -
for $1.99 per dozen, I'm there!

Forget needing that Hot and Now sign to be on...stick these mouth melting marvels in the microwave for 10 seconds, and they are Hot and Now in your very own home for 1/5 of the original price.

So one might wonder how I am working out at the gym 4 times a week and not losing any weight?
This may have a little bit to do with it....
those babies went fast.

This was all that was left by the next morning...sick, I know!

Now I just keep one here...memorialized...
to remind me of what will be once again...but not now...NOT NOW!
(Walk away from the picture, Jen...walk away..no - not to the kitchen!)

Frugal tip: When I first found this deal back at Thanksgiving, I thought it was just a hit or miss kind of thing at our newly opened store.
The next time I went back, I specifically asked when they marked down their donuts.
I needed to make the most of these deals..for the kids...it's all about the kids.

Every night at 7:30 pm, the bakery department marks down the left overs from that day.
My down fall came when hubby found out that little fact...he was bringing them home daily. I have since put a ca bash on that treat!
I implement that same frugal tip with the meat/dairy department...I will share about those steals soon.

So go talk to your baker and eat a Krispy Kreme - think of me. :)

A Sunday Moment

The heavens declare the glories of God, the sky proclaims the works of His hands.
Ps. 19:1

(When my hubby captured this shot from our front yard, I was so amazed by His majesty and miracle of creation.)

McDonald's...free coffee for everyone! :)

This is for all of you who have been so very sad when I post great deals to places that you don't have.

Well, forget my 12 year old hamburger and thank McDonald's for giving all the early risers in the bunch free coffee ALL MONTH LONG!!

Get a Free Medium premium roast coffee or vanilla, hazelnut or regular iced coffee between 5-9 am all month in February. Valid only at participating locations. Only one item per person per visit. Offer good February 1 - 28.

P.S. I am sitting in the hotel room at Blissdom '09. It's 12:30 am and I'm looking at 8 other bloggers, 8 laptops, multiple cameras, and you all....this is just too funny!

Go enjoy some coffee ON ME!

Raising an Intentional Family

Part of my role in being an intentional family is sharing my passion with others.
Sometimes that line is blurred when I sit back and think, "with a week like I have had, how in the world can I share anything with anyone?"
And then I remember, it's not about me....it's all about Him, and the work that He continues to reveal amidst the good, bad and ugly of my balanced (or unbalanced life).

I would appreciate your prayers, and honestly, any comments/questions you have in regards to "Building a Vision for Intentionality with your Family."
My theme is on How to Leave a Lasting Legacy,
focusing on creative ways to build that into one's family tapestry.
Since I speak on this often, I am always looking for personal stories, or fresh ideas to share.

This speaking engagement in a bit more focused, since my audience will be all Children Ministry Pastors and/or Professional Preschool Directors.
It's their state wide convention, so I guess I will take my "bedlam" hat off and actually pretend that I know what I am talking about.
They don't need to know I play a dumb blond on my blog. :)

Looking forward to doing a follow up here...someday. :)
If you are looking for some once a month tradition ideas, and activities, check out my website for our annual sale on Lessons for Little Ones, and Live, Laugh, Love Club packets.
Until Jan. 31 are they 50% off, and this happens only once a year.
They are such a fabulous jumping off point for building strong family ties.
We all have the best of intentions, but these help you make the intentions reality.
Why save all your special family moments for Christmas?
Start incorporating them year round...it's so worth it!

Creative Meal Planning - part two

Eating is a reality.

How one goes about accomplishing this is their choice.
Now, I am not just talking about shoving one's face full of peanut M&M's - unfortunately, that is one of my realities, I mean actual nourishment for our bodies.

When I was single, I lived on Peanut Butter Captain Crunch - seriously, I did (but did you know that it's fat free?) :)
Now, as a mom of many, I have the health of my children on my conscience.
It's pressure, I know!
What I teach them about eating habits, and healthy living choices will stay with them...for years.

Sometimes, it seems overwhelming.
But, it's really just about....that dread "P" word....yes, having a plan, and a tiny bit of food knowledge.
So, if the reality is that we have to feed them, and it can't just be daily Mac and Cheese,
then why not make it memorable?

(New to my blog? Read Creative Meal Planning I -
intro to Kitchen Sister's Club post first.)

Am I the only one who gets caught in the 5pm - what's for dinner rut?
When I don't have a plan, I resort to the same old 3-4 meals, yes, over and over again, and the sad thing is that I TEACH meal planning classes.
That's why I'm always looking for new inspiration and accountability.
Meal swapping offers both of those.
It's a great way to try new recipes, eat healthier, fellowship, and save money at the same time.
I always go home encouraged in my role as Keeper of the Home.
I love to learn from other ladies, and hopefully, they are encouraged by me as well.

(in case you missed the first post :)
As I think back on all the Kitchen Sister Clubs/meal swaps that I have done over the years, I am getting re-energized with my prioritizes in this area.
I'm reminding myself....
It's always a blast, once we're together.
It allows me to connect with friends, and it's a blessing to have real, home made food ready at a moment's notice.

Setting a goal to do make this happen once a month dramatically improves the
quality of my life...or should I say...my family dinner hour's life.
So, if you're a friend in real life, just let me know you want to do one, and I'll get it on the calendar. :)

There are three different ways that I have done my Kitchen Sisters' Club.

1. Make all the meals at home and drop them off at friends' home.
They, in turn, do the same thing for you.
Example: I make 4 lasagnas, salad, and bread, and deliver them to 3 neighbors.
Then the next week, they do the same for me.
(We already know from my previous posts that cooking a main dish in bulk takes the same amount of time, so always multiply your recipes - always.) This option only works well if you're in close proximity to each other, so I don't do this anymore.
I know of ladies who have done this for years with the same 4 friends - now that is a blessing.

2. Host a meal making party in your home where everyone brings the ingredients for their main dish.
I typically did this with 8 ladies.
Each friend was "assigned" one main dish (her preference). She would bring all the ingredients for that entree, and we would them assemble the meal together in my kitchen.
Through much trial and error, I eventually set down some basic ground rules such as everyone has to provide 2 lbs of meat per meal, 8x10 pan etc.
For those with smaller families, they just divided the meal in half.
Lots of fun, and lots of laughter is always had by all.
Down side....my kitchen is a complete wreck when it's done.

3. Host in home/church - one person organizes, sets the menu, and buys the ingredients.
This requires more work from one person, but there is the option of taking turns in organizing it every month.
I incorporated this choice into my Homemade Gourmet business by using my Meals in Minute mixes, so it was easy for me to set up.
I had "stations" with instructions for each meal. I provided all the ingredients (except for 2 of the meals...ladies brought their choice of raw chicken or beef in ziplock bags). The guests then covered the costs of the ingredients.

If starting a Kitchen Sisters Club peeks your interest, and you have questions, I would be more than willing to do a follow up post. Just let me know in the comments.

Just think, next month you could have a freezer full of new meals.
It's as easy as picking a date, and asking 3-4 other friends to join you.
What do you have to lose?
Nothing...trust me...it's a good thing.
Now send those friends to my blog, and tell them...
"Read this...we're doing it."

(edited to add...I have had the most productive snow day baking bulk batches of goodies for the freezer. It's so stuffed, I have things in the ice maker... more to come)