my shopping brag bag [2]

february was slow. i didn't find a lot of bargains this month. it's either i have the coupons but the item was out of stock or the coupons expired when a deal comes up. oh well, i just move on & keep "hunting" for sales.

from target:

huggies pull-ups - $5.49 {after $2/1 mc* & $2/1 tpc**}

2 up & up single roll paper towel - free {after $1/1 tpc}

*mc - manufacturer's coupon

**tpc - target printable coupon

girl's winter boots - paid $2.74 {orig $17.99}

from macy's:

girl's hello kitty dress - paid $6.98 {orig $62}

junior's knitted top - paid $4.78 {orig $29.99}

junior's knitted top - paid $2.38 {orig $27.99}

junior's cardigan - paid $4.78 {orig $29.99}

checkout my brags from previous months

|january|

milk popsicle

she ate her first popsicle last summer at 19 months old. [not the store bought one but my very own homemade popsicle]. back then, she took a few bites & mostly played around with it. now at 27 months, i reintroduced the popsicle to her.

i searched the web for a milk popsicle recipe but didn't find one. so i made my own concoction.

i used frozen blueberries & raspberries, 100% grape juice & whole milk. i bought the popsicle mold from target's summer clearance.

place fruits in the mold. [add as little or as many as you want.] then pour milk & juice. [ratio can be variable, for this one i wanted more milk than juice.]

freeze for a couple of hours. to remove the popsicle, run the mold under warm water for a few seconds.

[warning: this popsicle is not sweet but my girl likes it. =)]

applesauce oatmeal pancakes

my applesauce pancakes went through a much healthier revamp. i modified the original recipe that i read from mr. breakfast.

ingredients:

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup old-fashioned oats

3 tbsp wheat germ

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

dash of cinnamon & nutmeg (optional)

1/2 cup skim milk & 1/4 cup skim milk

3/4 cup applesauce

1 egg, slightly beaten

1/2 tsp vanilla (optional)

1 tbsp olive oil

1. soak oats in half a cup milk for 30 minutes.

2. in a bowl, mix flour, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon & nutmeg. set aside.

3. in another bowl, stir egg, applesauce, 1/4 cup skim milk, vanilla, olive oil & oats.

4. fold the wet mixture into the dry mixture. blend well.

5. pour batter in a pan & cook at medium-high heat. ready to serve when it's golden brown.

for me, it's easier to cook in the electric griddle at 300F. also, i don't like adding sugar in the mix. instead, avery & i love red raspberry spread with our pancakes [maple syrup with fruits is also great].

DIY - brown paper gift wrap

i love using brown paper for wrapping gifts. since it is plain, it gives me a wide range of room to spruce up.

here's two birthday gifts for a friend's six year old girl. one is a brown paper bag adorned with pink decorative ribbon. the other is embellished with a flower cut-out using construction paper & button.

cooking for two

tonight's dinner was by far the easiest & quickest to prepare. when i'm out & about with avery [& doing errands], this recipe comes in handy.

i start cooking before we leave the house. and by the time we get home, it's ready! serve over salad greens & couscous with veggies for a healthy meal.

adapted from money saving mom.

this made my day

thanks to kristin of couponing to disney for the shoutout in your blog today.

DIY - homemade oatmeal body scrub

another reason why i'm not a winter fan - dry, rough, itchy skin. moisturizing with lotion or cream seems to be the quick fix but honestly it's not [for me & my little girl's case]. so it's time to find some alternative.

after a few online searches, my problem was solved - oatmeal body scrub!

pour half a cup of oatmeal inside an old clean sock.

tie a knot & cut the excess sock.

it's best to use the oatmeal scrub after rinsing with soap. dip it in warm water & constantly squeeze or wring while scrubbing all over the body. the water will be milky but not sticky at all. soak for about 10-15 minutes & then rinse with water.

(optional & messy) i take out whatever is left of the oatmeal & do a final body scrub before rinsing.

my simple, inexpensive & effective solution for dry skin. she gets the oatmeal scrub every two days & her skin stays soft & smooth all the time. [i use 1 cup for my weekly scrub].

my dearest little girl (26 mos)

"where did daddy go; where you going; what happened; what's that; what you doing?"

and there goes curious avery. you're going on & on & on - nonstop. you've mastered counting one to ten & singing your alphabets. these days you pick up words or phrases pretty quick. when you're amused, you say "hahaha, funny!" when you're finished with a chore, you say "yey, we did it!" that little mind absorbs a lot. you're a very inquisitive & observant girl. keep it up! mom & dad are so proud of you.

chillin with mom. plenty of hugs & tickles everyday.

look at your hand inside daddy's sleeve.

still no luck & progress with potty training.

windows movie maker

i just finished creating a video from the photos of our get together last summer. yes, it's better late than never. i hope my friends will enjoy it.

pittsfield 2011

cooking for two

at least once or twice a month, i cook pasta with shrimp in white sauce. it's one of my "no muss, no fuss" dinners ready to serve in 30 minutes.

directions:

1. in a pan, saute onions & garlic with butter. add shrimp & mushrooms & cook for 3 minutes. season with salt & pepper.

2. stir in cream of mushroom, parmesan cheese, heavy cream & skim milk (pour more milk for a thinner sauce). sprinkle parsley, basil & oregano. cook until heated through. [for a healthy kick, i add veggies like carrots or broccoli].

3. meanwhile in a pot, cook pasta by following package directions. [after draining the pasta, i drizzle a little bit of olive oil].

dinner served. enjoy with warm crusty garlic bread. heaven!

and look at my little critic...she can't stop saying yummy, good & delicious while eating her "nonools".