What We Did Last Night

Our neighborhing town had a family friendly Halloween Festival.  It has a Legend of Sleeping Hollow theme, including a 5K/10K  with a real Headless Horseman kicking off the race.    We thought it sounded like a lot of fun. 

Karas costume for this year is not quite ready,  so she wore her Cream the Rabbit costume from last year. 

The younger girls entered the costume contest.  I wanted Kyle to enter wearing his chameleon costume, but he decided at the last minute he did not want to.  There were easily over 50 kids in their age bracket.  He would have been the only Flying Chameleon   in the contest, but oh well.. 

I know Kara was contender with a few of the judges.  One stopped and asked several questions and then I saw her write something down with Karas number.  She was disappointed she did not win top 3, but she still had fun.   

After the contest we stopped at several Trick or Treat Stations and vendor booths with freebies.  We also ran in to a good friend of the girls how had this very orginal cosutme.  Yes she is wearing a box on her head, but her mom decorated the box so it looks like she is a life like doll.   Pretty cool!!

We also stopped at the Smore station and roasted marshmellows.. YUM!!

It was such a fun night and we look forwaward go going again next year with this years costume! 

Speaking of costumes,  Kyles Flying Chameleon was featured for another time this weekend.  He was chosen for Strut Yourself Sunday    on J and Ms Eye Candy    blog.  Be sure to check out their fun blog with great tips for living with kids. 

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We've Been Chosen!

I was just notified that my family has been chosen to be part of this panel. If you would like to see if you qualify, they are still accepting applicants. This is something the entire family can be involved in to earn rewards for doing what you already do. It will be like getting paid to shop.

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More Features

I have decided to acknowledge the wonderful blogs that feature one of my crafts once a week, since I have been so blessed in recent weeks.     My son's flying chameleon costume, has been a hit on the blogs.  It has been featured a few times this week. 

On Monday I found out it had been featured on Between U and Me in her list of Halloween costumes. 

On Tuesday I found out I had been featured on  Me and My Boys and her Tell Me Tuesday Linky Party. 

Also this week it was featured on Funky Polkadot Giraffe in her Saturday Shout Outs Halloween edition.  

I want to say a big THANK YOU to all these wonderful blogs.  Their buttons have been added to my featured page. If you have a minute, be sure to check them out and see what fun things they have to offer.  

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More Halloween Treats I Love

As you know from my previous posts, I really like cats.  When I saw these cat caramel apples from Hungry Happenings, I thought they were the coolest things.  They are really too cute to eat, but I am sure I could make myself try.  LOL!   These would be so cute to serve at your Halloween Celebrations.

I love smores, so when I saw this recipe for smores in the shape of owls, I knew that I had to pass it along.  These are so adorable!   You can find them on the blog Craft Buds. It's a new blog to me, but looks like a really fun site.

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Kroger Deals

I stopped at Kroger last night and picked up a few great deals.    Here is what I found

Digorno Pizza and Wingz  normally $9.19, on sale for $5.99.  I also used a $1.25 coupon, so the final price was $4.74.  almost 50% off! I would have bought more than one, but there is not enough room in my freezer.\

Milk on sale for $2.49

Distilled water for the turtle .87

Sobe Lifewater, normally $1.59 on sale for .89. There is also a $1 off 5 coupon that expires today.  I could not find mine at the time, but with the coupon, these would have been 69 each.

Kroger brand pop on sale $2.25 (I had also pay a $1.20 deposit since I live in Mi)

Wanchi Ferry Dinner nornally $7.49, on sale for $5.49. I had a $1 coupon making it $4.49.  This is so good! My kids love it!

2 bags of Wonka candy normally, $3.35 on sale for $1.99.  I had a $1 off 2 coupon, making them $1.49 each

Healthy Life Bread, normally $1.29, on sale for $1. I had a .35 coupon that doubled, making it only .30

2 Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls normally  $1.69, on sale for $1.25. I had two .30 coupons that doubled, making them .65 each

2 bags of Kettle Cooked chips normally $2.99, on sale for $2.50.  I had two $1 off coupons, making them $1.50 each.

I saved $7.15 in coupons, $14.25 in sales, and spent $28.07

I returned the pasta to Meijer and got at $9.56 credit, so my final total for Meijer was $62.88,  Total spent for groceries this week $90.95

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Sunday Paper Coupons

It's almost time for the Sunday paper again. Check out what coupons you can expect this week and see if you need to pick up any extra newpapers before Sunday morning.

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How to Make a Fox Costume.. Part 2

Today we started making the pants.  I did not have a pattern to go by, so I used a pair of Kara's pants as a general guide and then cut a few inches on each side.  This worked, but not perfectly.  The legs were a little on the tight side, and I made the waist way too big. 

I started by stittching the center seam on the front band back pieces.  Once I did that,  I placed the fur sides together then stitched up the inseams and outer seams.

I then had Kara try them one.  The legs looked pretty good  but..  

the waist is HUGE!! I am in the process of making a casing so I can sew in a piece of elastic. 

I had her try on both pieces together, and we are about halfway there.. I still need to add the white fur bellly,make a tail, and  attach  some ears to a headband. .  I need to add the elastic to the waist and trim the bottom of the legs. 
I was hoping to have it done by Saturday afternoon (Oct 22)  so she could wear it to the neighboring towns festival.  I am not sure if that will happen but it looks like I will be done by Halloween.. 

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Frugal Gift Idea #4

I was very happy with my Canvas People order last month, and I think I might be making some for Christmas gifts for the grandparents this year.     8 x 10s are free, just pay cost of shipping, or you can upgrade with a small payment for a bigger canvas.  I got my 11 x 14 canvas shipped for about $20.  Definitely well worth it.  

I used a Halloween picture for my last canvas, and it is currently sitting on the mantle.  I LOVE it!

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Meijer Deals

Meijer has a so-so sale  this week.  There were things I had to get for the kids lunches this week, and some I did not have coupons for but still needed.  

Cat food..  $4.79.  I had a $1 coupon, making it $3.79.  I am a bit bummed, I accidently left my pet food coupons at home or I would have paid a lot less.  I try not to pay more than $3 for a bag of cat food.
2 2 liters of Dr. Pepper for $1 each
2 Sierra Mist on sale for $1.33. I had a $1 off 2 coupon, making them .83 each
Gallon of Milk $2.50
Meijer chips, reg $2.99 on sale for $2 (needed for lunchboxes)
Krunchers chips, reg. $3.79 on sale for $2.50.  I used $1 coupon, final price $1.50
Count Chocula on sale for $2.50.  (they were out of this at Target)
24 pk of waffles for kids breakfast on sale for $3.50
Hot Pockets on sale for $2.  I used $1 off 2 coupon, final price $1.50
Tyson Chicken Nuggets, reg $5.99, on sale for $3.99.  I used $1 coupon, final price $2.99
2 Weight Watcher Meals, reg 3.99 on sale for $2.50.  I used $1 off 2 coupon, final price $2 each
Coles Breadsticks, reg $2.59, on sale for $1.67.  I used.50 coupon that doubled, final price .67
Hamster food on sale for $2.59
2 boxes Betty Crocker Gushers, reg $2.49 on sale for $2.  I used $1 off 2 coupon, final price $1.50
2 bags candy bars, reg $3.29 on sale for $2.50.  I used $1 off 2 coupon, final price $2 a bag
Haribo gummy candy, reg $1.09, on sale for .99.  I used .30 coupon that doubled, final price .39
2 packs UP2U gum on sale .99.  I had two coupons that redeemed at .99, final price FREE
Meijer String Cheese, reg $4.39, on sale for $3
Meijer Shred Cheese 12 oz, reg $4.19, on sale for $3
Oscar Mayer bacon, reg $3.49 on sale for $2
Oscar Mayer lunch meat, reg $3.69 on sale for $2.50
2 Philly Cooking Cream, reg $2.99 each on sale for $2.  I used $1 coupon, final price $1 each
Aunt Milles bread, reg $1.99, on sale for $1.29
Argo baking power, reg $1.69, on sale for $1.39.  I used .30 coupon that doubled, final price .79
Argo corn starch, reg $1.69, on sale for $1.39. I used .30 coupon that doubled, final price .79
bananas on sale .54 a lb
avacado 4 pack on sale for $1.99
grapes on sale for .99 a lb

Now I have not listed the Barilla Plus Pasta because I am taking it back.  There were signs in front of the Barilla Plus that it was on sale for .99.  I had a Meijer Meal Box coupon for $1 off 4.   When I got home and looked at the reciept I was not happy.  Not only did the 4 boxes ring up for FULL PRICE of $2.39 EACH, the  Meijer coupon did not come off.  I paid $9.56 for pasta that should have rung up only $2.96.  I have enough pasta in my stockpile that I do not need to pay almost $10 for pasta. 

I spent $72.44 today, but after returning the pasta it will be $62.80.  I used $14.78 in coupons and saved $26.11 in sales.   Like I mentioned this was a so-so sale week, but we did need many of the items I bought.  Packing lunches for the kids is getting really hard with very little bread, lunch meat and chips

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Target Deals

I did a small trip to Target this week because I wanted to do the Transformer deal.   

Like Transformers on Facebook here, and print a $5 coupon. Since it is a bricks coupon, you can print it twice.  Dark of the Moon Transformers are on sale for $6.99, after coupon only $1.99

Franken Berry cereal.. (we love these cereals, I wish they were available all year!) on clearance for $2.26

Sally Hansen nail polish $1.99.  I would have gotten it free, but I took two Target coupons.. Oops.. I paid .99.. (and still have another Target coupon to use) 

Extra 3 pks on sale for $1.89.  I used a $1 off 2 coupon.  The Target coupon I had was for single packs of Extra, so I did not use it at this time.   I got each 3 pack for $1.39 each or all 6 packs for .46 each.  

I spent a total of $10.39 and saved $12.50 in coupons on this visit. 

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Frugal Gift Idea #3

I just heard of a great deal if you have a child who loves Transformers.  Currently this week some Transformers Dark of the Moon toys are aon sale for $6.99 at Target.   If you like Transformers on Facebook  found here, you can print a $5 off a Transformers Dark of the Moon coupon.  These would make great stocking stuffers or small gifts for only $1.99


UPDATE

I found several Dark of the Moon at the $6.99 price. Regularly they are $7.99, I spent $3.98 TOTAL FOR BOTH!

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Jack O Lantern Cheese Ball

I found this quick and easy Jack O Lantern Cheeseball on the Snackpicks.com site. It only has a couple of ingredients and will serve a hungry crowd.  

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Eatting Out with Kids on a Budget

Eatting out can be expensive. Families with children often find that eatting out breaks the monthly budget. That does not always have to be the case. Many chain restaraunts are now offering, coupons, reward programs and special promotions, that make eatting out much more affordable.


TGI FRIDAYS
TGI Fridays offers many ways to save money while eatting in their restaurant. Coupons can often be found in the coupon magazines sent in the mail, and on their website and facebook page. In addtion to the coupons, they offer a wonderful reward program called Give Me More Stripes. Every dollar you spend earns points, and those points quickly turn into coupons for free food at your next visit. Also many times when paying the bill you will be offered a code to fill out an online survey. Those surveys are worth the 5 minutes it takes to fill out, because it is worth $8 off an appetizers at your next visit. They are having a current promotion where if you wear a costume to the restaurant on the days of Oct 29-31, you will receive a free appetizer while supplies last.  More information on the Give Me More Stripes program can be found at http://www.tgifridays.com/home/welcome.aspx.


IHOP

IHOP is another family friendly restaurant with many ways to save money. Buy 1 Get 1 free meal coupons are in the monthly coupon magazines. They also often have Kids Eat Free promotions. If you join their reward promotion called, Pancake Revolution, you will receive coupons for free meals at sign up, your birthday, and your sign up anniversary. Their current promotion is kids 12 and younger can receive free scary face pancakes on Oct 28th, from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. More information on the Pancake Revolution and free pancake promotion can be found at http://www.ihop.com//

RED ROBIN
Red Robin has a new reward program called Red Royalty. You can sign up for this program on their website, or pick up a card at the restaurant. When you register your card online you will receive a free burger on your birthday, and a free appetizer the 2 weeks after registration.  More information on the Red Robin reward program can be found at www.RedRobin.com



CHILIS
Chilis will give you a coupon for a free Chips and Queso appetizer when you sign up for their e-club.  They also have many Kids Eat Free days throughout the year.  More information on the free chips and queso and their eclub can be found on the Chilis website, which can be linked through the banner.  

BENNIGANS
Bennigans also has an eclub with free item coupons at sign up. I received a free Brownie Bottom Pie.   Bennigans have a kids eat free with a purchase of an adult entrees days at well. Call your local Bennigans to find out the days of their promotions.  More information on the eclub can be found at www.Bennigans.com







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Dollar Store Candy Jars

I love these little jars that I recently found at the dollar store.  I used some for Kara's Beach Bash Birthday dessert table, when I recently saw some more I thought they would make great Halloween treat jars.     I filled them with orange suckers, gummy worms and chocolate eyeballs. 

They have a square on each side that I felt would be great to decorate.  I enjoy painting, so I painted a picture on each one.  

I have not sealed them yet, but if you do not seal the paint, it can scratch if you plan on using them from year to year. 

I also painted the word BOO on the opposite of the jars.  Now it looks festive on both sides of the treat jars. This craft could easily be adapted for other holidays suchs as Christmas or Easter.  I already have some ideas for my Christmas jars.   

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M & M Pumpkin Cake

This cake is perfect for the M & M lovers in your life.  I found this on FamilyCircle.com.  It would be the perfect addition to your Halloween party. 

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