Just in case you thought ...

we needed to liven things up around our homestead, we've added some blessed additions.

Six to be exact.

And they are as precious as can be. They haven't opened their eyes yet, but we can't wait for that next step. They are yellow labs - three males, and three females.

Oh, sweet baby, I know how you feel...

But, I guess to be more exact, I know how you feel, momma. Motherhood is exhausting, isn't it?

At least for awhile, this has cured my daughter's baby itch.
She could stay in their whelping box all day long.

My daughter thought for sure she was going to be a big sister, and is still waiting for a new addition.
A few months ago, I began a post sharing my "big news."
It still sits unpublished. I never finished it.
I had planned an entire lifetime in those ten days that I suspected I was pregnant.
How old would the baby be during our family reunion? How huge would I be at Christmas?
How could I get more organized with my upcoming home school year etc.
It's amazing how we can plan a lifetime in just one day, isn't it?

I don't expect that post to ever be published (just in case you're wondering), but for now, I will live vicariously through my sweet doggy.
As I type, I listen to all of them nursing.
It's precious, and yep, it's giving me that baby itch. :)

When you live in the country...

and tell your boys to start the burn pile, make sure you are aware of what is being used as kindling.

Please stop while I pause in a moment of silence...I'll get over it....

even if TRIPLE COUPONS START TOMORROW at Harris Teeter!

And if you think I don't realize that the first item on my FOR FREE list is the same coupon I'm showing with the burned bar code...I do!
Is that God's way of telling me to lay off the Pringles? ;)
What is it with our family and fire lately?

(thank you my sweet son, for risking your limbs to try and save your mom's coupons of gold. :)

*thank you all for putting up with my multiple coupon posts this week. I have been trying to address this topic since I ran out of time during my conference workshop. Now back to regularly scheduled posting.

Here are a few of the great buys at Harris Teeter this week...
Click here for a more detailed list (it got a bit long for those out of state. :)

Prices will vary
1. Pringles Potato Crisps Super Stack 6.38 oz 1.50
Use 0.50/1 5/17 PG
Final FREE
2. French's Spicy Brown or Yellow Mustard 12oz $1.69
Use .75/1 5/10 SS
Final FREE
3. Mahatma Rice 5 oz packet (buy 2) .89 each, 2 for 1.78
Use .75/2 RP 3/1 RP or 4/26 RP
Final FREE

Buy One Get One Deals
You do not need to buy two. They ring up at 1/2 price & these are based on one item)

1. Glass Plus (32-oz.), $2.79
$0.50/1 Glass Plus Product, SS 3/22
FREE after coupons!
2. Spray n’ Wash (22-oz.), $3.29
$0.50/1 Spray n’ Wash, SS 5/3
$0.75/1 Spray n’ Wash with Resolve Power printable
FREE after coupons!

Tasty Tuesday - a Bedlam Moment and Confession

The meal started off so perfectly.
There was nothing that whispered "it's grilling time" more than this warm North Carolina spring evening.
Grilled to perfection, the short dated steak kabobs my meat manager marked down for me graced our memorable meal time. I love a simple, yet beautifully presented meal (remember that irony later in my post :).
I dreamed of using my very own home grown peppers that would be ripe in another month...
Feeling an extra boost of energy at 9:00 pm, I spontaneously decided to grill ten pounds of various meats at one time, and do some bulk freezer meals in the morning.There was a bit of bedlam going on with our grill, which I should have seen as serious foreshadowing. The lamb chops had a mind of their own.

(Remember how one of my frugal tips is to get to know your meat managers, and ask them to mark down short dated items? For these, he actually tracked me down in the aisles to give me two $37 cuts of meat for $5.)
Well, since Tasty Tuesday is hosted at Balancing Beauty AND Bedlam, I feel in all honesty that full disclosure is the best policy. How boring if I just stick with the beauty aspect of meal time. :)

I realize that you will not get this at a true foodie blog, nor would Southern Living dare disclose their bedlam, but since this is my spot...reality it is.
I know that confession is good for the soul. :)
That evening, my sweet husband helped me finish the grilling. I went inside, cleaned the kitchen and went to bed.
One week later, I asked my son to put something on the grill. I was shocked because he mentioned that the propane was out, and we'd need more.
I "knew" that could not be true because we had just spent $20 to refill it.
Can anyone guess the end to my story? Can you put a name to this total bedlam moment?

My husband sheepishly admitted that he had completely forgotten about the meat on the grill, and this was the end result of my planned Tasty Tuesday post. :) He thought I would just forget about it and an inquiry would never occur.
First, I was praising the Lord that our house did not burn down.
Second, I was laughing hilariously that the meat was burned so badly that even our cats (or dogs) wouldn't touch it, and
third, the irony was not lost on me that this frugal living "expert" used $20 worth of propane on her very cheap, marked down, now completely scorched, meat.
Any one care to guess what it was?
Or better yet, this is open comment Tuesday to share your best bedlam cooking moments. Come on, we've all been there, and after the week I've had, I could use some good chuckles. :)

Now, for those of you who need true recipe inspiration besides my kabobs and charred meats, have fun searching below.

As always, please follow the simple guidelines or post will be deleted.
1. Include your post showing us your Tasty Tuesday recipe or ideas.
2. Link up below to the permalink of your post. To find out what yours is, simply click on the title of your post and grab the permalink from the address bar.
3. Link your post back to Balancing Beauty and Bedlam as a courtesy to me so everyone will know where to find more recipe inspiration.
*I received an email from the Mr. Linky company that they have been experiencing problems with the Mr. Linky disappearing. (Yes....UGH....we know that!). It will come and go, so please check back and we'll make sure to get you all linked up today.

CVS - How do I get items for free?

If you are new to any of the "Drug Store Games", please begin with CVS since I have done a quick video tutorial that will explain the basic premise of using your ECBs. (Extra Care Buck coupons). These are are printed at the end of your receipt, and usable as free money at your next CVS transaction.)

Click here and see other tips before you begin on this CVS adventure.

I did this video spontaneously last September in answer to questions that I was receiving. I will be updating it with tips I've learned this year.



I have not had to pay for toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo, ibuprofen, soap or a myriad of other household essentials by just learning how to use their gracious extra care bucks system. The small learning curve is so worth the hassle. Some weeks are better than other weeks, and this happens to be a wonderful week to begin.
Unfortunately, on any major holiday weekends, there are no coupon inserts, but that doesn't mean this isn't a great week to begin. You can get your first free toothpaste. :)
I have added the deals below.

Your first time shopping the CVS Extra Bucks system (abbreviation from now on - ECB), you will have to spend some Out of Pocket (OOP) money. After that, you will continue to "roll" your bucks for the free items, with virtually no OOP money.
I even recommend that you consider doing two transactions your first time. That way you minimize your out of pocket expense and turn around and use those bucks immediately on other "Free items." Many stores offer a machine that allows you to swipe your CVS card when you first enter. Often this spits out additional ECBs and coupons. Look to see if your store has that option. Unfortunately, the one I frequent does not, but when I am "in town," I take advantage of the stores that do.
Please note that it is a benefit for CVS that you use your CVS bucks. The CVS management is incentivized by customers using their bucks. I had some negative comments left on on my video, and after those comments occurred, I questioned the managers. They explained the benefits that stores receive by having a higher percentage of used ECBs, and said the negative comments probably came from hourly employees that just don't want the hassle.
Deals will vary as some stores DO take internet coupons, while some managers will not. Try them, and they will let you know. All the CVS deals I list always only use newspaper coupons since my store does NOT allow internet coupons.
If you are just beginning couponing, you may not get all of these items for free, but there are still wonderful "almost free" deals, and the next time you shop....they'll be free!

Here's what works well this week:
Buy 2 Neutrogena suncare products, and you'll receive $10 ECB's back.
The Neutrogena 1 oz Ultra Sheep SPF 55 is working for this deal. They are priced at $1.99, so when you buy 2 and spend $3.98 you'll get $10 in ECB's back! That's a "extra bucks money maker."

Buy Colgate Total for $2.99,
Get $2 ECBs back (Limit 1)
Use $1/1 coupon from the 5/10 Smart Source
FREE after using coupon and ECBs!

Speed Stick Pro Deodorant - $3.99/ea
Get $3.99 in ECB when you buy 1 (limit 2 - you can get TWO for free :)
Final Price = $3.99/ea but It's like getting this for FREE with ECB

Getting free things at CVS definitely Works for Me!

Restaurants.com - Eating out...Frugal Style

For months, my dad has been telling me about this restaurant website that their couples group has been using. I kept procrastinating in checking it out because I doubted that this could be "the amazing deal" he was proclaiming.
Imagine my surprise when I was listening to Focus on the Family and they did a "hot tips money moment" and this was mentioned. I quickly looked into it and couldn't believe the wonderful offers.

This is a time sensitive offer that is only good through the end of the month. They offer new deals every week, but I have yet to hear about one this excellent. You can type in your zip code to see what restaurants participate.
The restaurants vary and there are limited coupon certificates offered. Please note the minimum purchases and buy accordingly.

Does this sound too good to be true? It's not. My parents' friends have been enjoying this secret all year. (Edited to add: Click on 'comments' below to read additional tips and reviews).

I just purchased $30 in coupon certificates for $1.80. :) Once you enter your card info and commit to the purchase, they will immediately send you the certificate to print via email.
Click on banner or link below to start investigating where your next date night will take you.
Thanks, Dad.
Yes, your daughter needs to listen to you more often. THIS IS WAS AN AMAZING TIP! xoxo


Remember to type in the code "napkin" or it will be $10 (which is also a great deal, but we want the best deal. :)