Michael Buble "Crazy Love" Release

My father's passing

My father died suddenly Monday evening. I'll not be posting any new blog entries for a while.

Menu Plan Monday

I think this week we are taking a culinary trip around the world. I love ethnic cuisine so I'm going to incorporate several types in this week's plan. Please feel free to comment on the recipes and tell me what you tried or how you think they can be improved upon.

Monday
Meatloaf Muffins
Doesn't sound great but this seems to be the only way I can get the kids to eat meatloaf!
Mashed potatoes

Tuesday
Tuna Salad Sandwiches
Chips
Apple slices

Wednesday
Mexican Sausage Skillet
This is a favorite in our home. I serve this with warm buttered flour tortillas.

1 beef sausage such as Hillshire Farm
1 C. frozen corn
1 14.5 oz. can petite diced tomatoes
1 C. uncooked instant rice
1/2 C water
1 t. chili powder
1/2 t. ground cumin
1 15 oz. can pinto or black beans, rinsed and drained.
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

In skillet brown sausage. Drain off fat and set aside. Add undrained tomatoes, uncooked rice, water, chili powder and cumin to skillet. Bring to boilin; reduct heat. Simmer covered for 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. Stir in corn, beans and cooked sausage; heat through. Sprinkle with cheese; cover until cheese is slightly melted. Top with sour cream if desired.

Thursday
Jamaican Chicken Curry
I serve this with brown or jasmine rice and Naan which is an Indian bread you can buy at Wal-Mart or Giant Eagle locally.

2 T vegetable oil
3-4 pounds chicken thighs, skin removed
salt and pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 t. ground cumin
3 T. curry powder
1/2 t. dried thyme
4 carrots, thinly sliced
1 can 13.5 oz coconut milk
1/2 pkg. (5 oz.) frozen peas

In dutch oven heat oil over med-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Brown chicken 3-4 minutes per side and transfer to another plate. Reduce heat to medium. Add onion, garlic, cumin, curry powder, thyme, and 1/2 cup water (I use cream or 1/2 and 1/2) and season with salt. Cook until onion has softened, 3-5 minutes. Add carrots, coconut milk, 1/2 cup water and chicken with any accumulated juices. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover partially and cook until chicken is cooked through and carrots are tender, about 15 minutes.

Friday
Chicken Tortilla Casserole
Fresh Cantaloupe

Saturday
Barbeque Chicken
Baked Potatoes
Steamed Vegetables

Sunday
Beef with Rag Sauce
You must register with the site to visit this recipe. Registration is free.
This is a different kind of meat sauce that uses tomatoes instead of tomato sauce. I use petite diced tomatoes.
Green Salad

CVS Weekly Deals - 7/19/09 - 7/25/09

Looks like another great week for getting free back to school supplies! If you have a great deal you've found please comment and share with others. New to CVS? Read CVS 101 to learn the basics and to get started.

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday deals
$.99 Caliber or CVS/pharmacy memo book 50-80 sheets, earn $.99 ECB
Limit 2
Cost: Free after ECB!

$1.99 Caliber or CVS/pharmacy No. 2 Pencils 24ct., earn $1.99 ECB
Limit 2
Cost: Free after ECB!

$3.00 1" Vinyl Binder, earn $3.00 ECB
Limit 2
Cost: Free after ECB!

$.99 Paper Mate 1.2 pens 10 ct., earn $.99 ECB
Limit 2
Cost: Free after ECB!

$2.00 Caliber or CVS/pharmacy filler paper 150 sheets, earn $2.00 ECB
Limit 2
Cost: Free after ECB!


Weekly Deals
B1G1 Gatorade, Sobe or Izze
B1G1 Free LifeWater printable
Cost: Two free after coupon!

$9.99 Kodak Picture Movie DVD, earn $9.99 ECB
Limit 1
Cost: Free after ECB!

$.89 CVS/pharmacy Pantiliners 22 ct., earn $.89 ECB
Limit 1
Cost: Free after ECB!

$2.99 Speed Stick Pro Deodorant 2.7 oz., earn $2.00 ECB
Limit 2
$1.00 off Speed Stick, CVS Reinventing Beauty Magazine
Cost: $.99 after ECB!

$2.99 Duracell Batteries AA, AAA 4pk., C, D 2pk. or 9-volt 1pk., earn $1.00 ECB
$.75 off 4pk. or larger AA or AA or any size C, D or 9-volt batteries 06/28/09 RP
$1.00 off Duracell Batteries, P&G Year of Savings Book
Cost: $.99 - $1.24 after coupon/ECB

Spend $10.00 Band-Aid Brand Bandages 6-100 ct., J&J Red Cross products, Neosporin 0.5 oz., Neo to Go Spray 0.26 oz. or packets 10 ct., earn $5.00 ECB
Limit 5
$1.00 off J&J Red Cross product 05/17/09 RP
$1.00 off Neosporin printable
Deal Suggestion:
Purchase 11 J&J First Aid to Go kits
Use 10 $1.00 off J&J Red Cross product coupons
Cost: $9.11 Money Maker!
Note: You can purchase them on ebay if you don't have them.

B1G1 Viologie Shampoo or Conditioner 12.8 oz., psa $3.99
$1.00 off any Viologie purchase, CVS Reinventing Beauty magazine
Cost: $.99 each after 2 coupons

$2.99 Johnson's Baby powder, lotion, oil, wash , shampoo 13-15oz., oil gel 6.5oz. or Desitin 2oz.
$1 on any Desitin product
$1 on any Johnson and Johnson baby product
Johnson & Johnson baby product printable
Cost: $1.99 after coupon

$3.49 Veet
$2.00 off any Veet product, CVS Reinventing Beauty magazine
$2.00 off Veet printable
Cost: $1.49 after coupon

The Bzz on CoverGirl Lip Stain

I love getting selected to review new products for Bzz Agent. I was selected to participate in a Bzz campaign for CoverGirl Lip Stain.

I'd never tried a lip stain before so I was really excited about about trying out this product. I tried Berry Blast, one of ten colors available. The marker style applicator made it very easy to line and fill in my lips and once it dried it didn't feel like I was wearing anything.

It looked good, smelled really good and it even tasted good. Unfortunately it didn't last very long. I had to reapply it every couple of hours which made it not much different from lipstick. I would purchase CoverGirl lip stain again but since it retails for $7.29 I will only buy CoverGirl lip stain if I can get a good deal on it.

Freebie Potpourri: Week of July 13, 2009

Free Sample of Hugo Boss Cologne

Free (snail mail) coupon for full size bottle of Venom Energy drink

Coupon for dessert on your birthday from Jack in the Box

Free sample of Rachel Ray's Nutrish Dog Food

Free sample bottle of Kiss My Face aromatherapeutic anti-stress shower gel

Free sample of Vaseline Aloe Fresh lotion

Free Clinique gift

Everyone gets a free gift from Clinique and Teen Freeway!

Fill out the form.

Become a Teen Freeway fan on Facebook.

Check your e-mail on July 15th for your free gift voucher.

Menu Planning Monday

Many of you know we have a blended family. We will have the entire 6-pack here this week so I need easy to fix meals. Get your crock-pot out because it will be well used this week!

Monday
Crock Pot Pinto Beans I'm adding about 1/2 pound of cubed turkey ham to these.
Cornbread

Tuesday Breakfast for Dinner per Joshua's request
Pancakes This recipe tastes much like Bisquick but it's cheaper
Scrambled Eggs
Beef Sausage

Wednesday
Salmon Patties
Pierogies
Steamed Green Beans

Thursday
Barbeque Roast This is my recipe. The kids LOVE it. There are nevery any leftovers.

1/3 cup flour
1 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
2-3 pount roast
1/4 cup butter
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup beef broth
3/4 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chili sauce
2 T. catsup
2 T. Worcestershire sauce
2 T. minced garlic

Dredge the roast in flour and sear on both sides. Add and combine all other ingredients to the crock pot. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. The meat will start to fall apart when it's done. I always serve with mashed potatoes.

Friday
Crock Pot Chicken I can't wait to try this! Thanks to Penny Pinching Penguin

Saturday
Skillet Lasagna This is a nice twist on a traditional favorite
Green Salad