Monday, December 27, 2010
Posted by The Sneaky Mommy at 9:35 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
And the winners are...
Thank you for all of your amazing Thrifty Tips! I will be doing some posts in the future to share those amazing tips from all of you! What brilliant readers and friends!
Here are the winners...randomly picked by Cody who threw out some numbers:
Posted by The Sneaky Mommy at 7:00 AM 2 comments Links to this post
Monday, December 20, 2010
Blueberry Pancakes!!!
Saturday morning, the kids were up bright and early.
Well, 8:30 felt bright and early.
My body was hoping for 9:00, but I'll take it!
I actually took it quite cheerfully because I had one thing in mind: BLUEBERRY PANCAKES! Don't they just say HAPPY SATURDAY MORNING!?!
I found a great new recipe from epicurious awhile back. I loved its light fluffy pancakes, but hated to give up our usual healthy whole-wheat pancakes. So, I substituted half of the flour with whole wheat flour, and we think they actually turned out even better! Give them a try! You'll be sure to have a Happy Saturday Morning!
Blueberry Pancakes
1 c. cake flour + 2 Tablespoons (I substituted 1 c. unbleached flour + 2 T. cornstarch)
1 c. whole wheat flour
1/4 c. sugar (agave nectar, applesauce or honey work great as substitutes)
1 T. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt (optional)
2 c. milk
2 large eggs
3 T. melted butter
blueberries
Whisk dry ingredients together in large bowl. Whisk milk and eggs together in another bowl.
Gradually add milk and egg mixture to dry ingredients. Mix in 3 T. melted butter.
Blueberries can be gently added to the batter now or sprinkled on pancakes while cooking.
Serve with maple syrup! (and a big glass of milk!)
Posted by The Sneaky Mommy at 7:34 AM 7 comments Links to this post
Labels: Blueberries, pancakes
Friday, December 17, 2010
Christmas Goody Redone
I have several friends who are just amazing at repurposing, upcycling, and reusing items to become beautiful fashion pieces or home accessories.
Me...not so much.
I love what they do.
I see the beautiful results.
But I don't have the vision.
At best, on an extraordinarily good day with my crafty mom in town, I might be a wimpy copycat.
I love the talent that ends people up on blogs and Etsy with a screen full of amazing creations.
Now, give me something foody, spark an idea for recreation, and I'm all over that like white on rice. (Cody's most favorite phrase)
A sweet gal at church thrust a box of leftover salted nut rolls toward me and said, "I've heard these are great cut up and dipped in chocolate."
Was that a challenge?
A dare to try it?
Okay. Game on.
Unfortunately, while the culinary lightbulb flicked on in my mind, the small babe in my belly did a nauseous turn and dared me to try them without losing my lunch.
So, these treats, my friends, were a pure labor of love. There was absolutely no way one would be making it's way to my lips.
I didn't think just plain chocolate was too very exciting, so I decided to mix equal parts of chocolate and butterscotch chips for a Scotcheroo effect.
After hanging out to dry on wax paper, a platter was loaded and taken to church.
They must have been tasty...almost 90 little nutty dippers were consumed!
Upcycled candy bar success!
Posted by The Sneaky Mommy at 9:49 AM 2 comments Links to this post
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Thrifty Thursday!
Thrifty Tip #52: In honor of one year of finding and sharing ways to live a more thrifty, frugal life with great bargains and deals, a giveaway is in order!
However, since this little blog generates no income, and I'm on a pretty thrifty budget, it's going to be a few little giveaways. Okay?
Posted by The Sneaky Mommy at 3:20 PM 21 comments Links to this post
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Heavenly Hot Cocoa
Last spring, I found some "carrot shaped" baggies on clearance, so I snagged them with Christmas Cocoa in mind!
We combined all the ingredients in a large bowl and then measured out 1/3 c. into our bags. To make them look more crisp and pretty, we slipped the bag into another bag and topped it with marshmallows. A label for directions finished our little project.
Posted by The Sneaky Mommy at 1:23 PM 9 comments Links to this post
Labels: Chocolate
Monday, December 13, 2010
All I Want for Christmas...
~
Posted by The Sneaky Mommy at 11:23 PM 2 comments Links to this post
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Thrifty Thursday!
Thrifty Tip #51: Skip the holiday shopping frenzy, and make homemade Christmas gifts.
Whether you're a crafter or a baker, boundless ideas exist for gifts that will suit all your friends and family!
This creative friend has been turning out the cutest little homemade gifts! What I wouldn't give to be her niece...that owl purse! Too cute!
This sweet friend made the most yummy assortment of goodies to be delivered and shared. Her chocolate mint brownie pops are going to earn her major brownie points!
As always, Martha Stewart as some great ideas in her Santa's Workshop.
Posted by The Sneaky Mommy at 11:45 AM 1 comments Links to this post
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
The Biggest Announcement Ever on This Blog!
Posted by The Sneaky Mommy at 9:59 AM 33 comments Links to this post
Friday, December 3, 2010
Crystal Snowflakes
Posted by The Sneaky Mommy at 10:17 AM 9 comments Links to this post
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Thrifty Thursday!
Thrifty Tip #50: With the news reporting that food prices could spike more than 20% in next year, you'll want to check out these ways to save on your grocery budget:
*Use coupons. Coupons are like free money! Don't be afraid to check out mobile coupons that load right up on your phone. The average person that uses coupons saves around $500 a year!
*Buy generic store brands. 70% of people who try the store brand become loyalists to the store brand. We love Target's Market Pantry at our house!
*Loyalty Cards have store savings automatically loaded on them--many times personalized savings are added as well or mailed to you. Unfortunately, I do not know of any stores in the Des Moines area that offer loyalty cards. Do you?
*Shop your pantry first. Don't go to the store without making a list first. Check what you have at home and use it. Only buy what you need.
*Beware of impulse shopping. Americans buy 2/3 of all purchases based on impulse. (Isn't that crazy!)
*Avoid samples. (Can't believe I'm using this one!) Research shows trying samples gets your mouth salivating and increases your desire to purchase more things in general at the grocery store.
*These tips are courtesy of the Today Show. Thanks Ann Curry and Jean Chatzky!
Posted by The Sneaky Mommy at 7:00 AM 3 comments Links to this post