Have you ever seen the little red box inside your local CVS Drugstore? Well, I had never paid much attention until yesterday – in fact, I am not sure I had ever seen it! And, come to find out, not all of our local stores have them. If you have one, don’t overlook it! You just stick your ExtraCare Card (bar code up) under the machine which scans the card and prints out coupons. I got three coupons and one was for $5 off a $40 purchase!
I just happened to be in the store for a coupon/sale combo on Preference Hair Color by L’oreal (Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone!). It was on sale for $6.88 per box and I used $2/1 coupon in last Sundays paper and then used the $5/$40 purchase! I got haircolor for a year way less than one visit to a salon would have cost!
Another great deal at CVS: Renpure Organics Shampoo and Conditioner – ”Try Me Free” hangtag. This is normally prices at $6.99 and is on sale this week for $4.99. But, with the rebate it is free! Just be sure to save the receipt to send in for the rebate!
Whole wheat pancakes tend to be heavy but the following recipe is not! Making your own, rather than using a store bought mix, is both economical and healthier. Whether you use fresh ground or store bought flour, this is a great recipe!
We buy enough whole wheat berries in bulk to last for one year and store them in 5-gal buckets with oxygen absorbers. As needed, we grind the wheat berries to make flour and use it fresh. This way we have the nutritional benefits of fresh ground flour and the economical savings of buying at a reduced price of bulk purchasing direct from the grower.
We have whole wheat pancakes every morning during the week. No, we are not in a rut and we do have variety! Periodically, chopped nuts are included. On Fridays, we have raisins in our pancakes and on Saturdays we add chocolate chips! (On Sundays we have eggs and biscuits!)
This recipe works great with fresh ground or store bought flour and can also be used for waffles.
Whole Wheat Pancakes/Waffles 
2 eggs
3 c. whole wheat flour – heaping
2 oz oil
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 Tbsp vanilla
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 – 1/8 tsp cinnamon
2 – 3 c. milk (may substitute 8 oz powdered milk and 2 – 3 c. water)
***Optional ingredients: chopped nuts, raisins, chocolate chips
Preheat griddle.
Mix dry ingredients together.
Add eggs, oil and milk – stir until combined adding enough milk to make a thin batter. (If making waffles, add enough milk to make a thicker batter.)
Pour batter onto heated griddle and cook until browned turning once for a lighter pancake.
Serve hot with syrup, honey or jelly.
Earlier, I gave detailed instructions on Coupon Organization using a Case-It binder. While I still love this method, it has become a bit unpractical. With John and the family now doing a paper route, we are able to get the inserts from any unsold Sunday papers. Since an increased number of papers are placed in the stores along the route on Sundays, the number of returns are also increased. This means that often we have 20 – 30 inserts waiting for us on Monday morning. Yesterdays returns, for example, numbered 39! Yes, you read it right, 39 inserts! It is great if a wonderful sale comes along, with which I can combine coupons, thus making for free or almost free products. I love stockpiling! 
I am currently experimenting with merely stacking the inserts according to type (Red Plum, Smart Source, P&G) and writing the date of issue on the top copy. I have piles of coupons under a chair in our bedroom so they are out of the way. It is not too difficult to go through the stacks to find appropriate coupons but does take time. To help with this, I have made a list of the coupons included in each insert along with the expiration date.
The main disadvantage of this method is that I no longer have my supply of coupons with me at the store to easily search through. However, with the vineyard work increasing and our family gardening beginning, I will not be doing much shopping. So, I do not foresee this being a problem. The main advantage is, much time is saved in cutting out all of those coupons. I was using my Case-It for a couple of coupons per pocket and a shoe box in which I placed the remaining copies (like copies clipped together) in alphabetical order. Now, I am simply making use of previously unused space under a chair and out of the way!
On a side note: I am also saving the Sunday comics to use as wrapping paper – combined with inexpensive bright ribbon, they make really cute packages!
I’ll keep you updated as to any further changes.
This Giveaway is Now Closed! Thank you all for participating.
Congratulations: #41 Hannah!
Aprons: Necessity? Monotonous? Fun? Sassy? 
What adjectives come to mind when you think of aprons? If your answer was either of the first two, then it is time to redefine yourself! No longer do they need to be just a means of maintaining your personal cleanliness. Now, they can be stylish and functional!
Flirty Aprons is a company which began with its first mall location opening in March of 2008. With one look at their styles, colors, fabrics and attention to details, you understand why the company has experienced rapid growth since its opening.
All aprons come with a 30 day money back guarantee and are made from 100% cotton fabric which is machine washable. While focusing on up-to- date fashion in ladies’ aprons, Flirty Aprons also has selections for children and men.
I have really enjoyed my Flirty Apron in Chic Pink (pictured). After wearing and washing, I am pleased to report that it has indeed maintained its color and held its shape beautifully. Do I cook better? Probably not, but I sure feel better while cooking!
You May Purchase It! Regular priced aprons range from $29.95 – $39.95 at Flirty Aprons.com.
You May Win It! I am pleased to offer one Dimes2Vines readers a “Flirty Aprons” apron of their choice! This giveaway will end on May 8, 2010 at 11:59pm CST and is open to all US residents. The winner will be selected by random.org, posted here and notified by email. The winner will have 48 hrs to respond or another winner will be selected. Please be sure to leave contact information.
***Please remember to leave a comment for each of the following entries.
***If you already follow Dimes2Vines via RSS, Email, Twitter and/or Facebook - Leave a comment letting me know as your entry.
Mandatory Entry: Visit Flirty Aprons and leave a comment letting me know which is your favorite apron.
Extra Entries:
**Follow Dimes2Vines via RSS feed or email.
**Follow Dimes2Vines on Twitter.
**Tweet about this Giveaway and leave a link.
**Follow Dimes2Vines on Facebook.
**Mention this Giveaway on Facebook.
** Enter my other giveaway.
**Comment on a non-giveaway post and leave a comment here telling which one.
The prize will be shipped direct from the sponsor of the giveaway. Dimes2Vines is not responsible for shipping or lost/damaged prizes.
I received a Flirty Apron for review but no other compensation was received. The opinions expressed are my own. A special thanks to the Flirty Aprons for this opportunity.
Stella & Dot is coming out with a new line especially for little girls!
All pieces from the little girls line will come packaged in a beautiful keepsake tin. My children love to have their very own, special place to keep treasures – these are going to make adorable gifts!
Here are some pictures of the basement slab being poured. We ended up having 5 cement trucks come – which was very exciting for our little boys, the big ones too actually! OK, we were all excited about it!
Because the trucks were coming from 50 miles away, the slab was worked in sections. As the concrete was poured it was spread out over the plastic.
After spreading the concrete, it was leveled.
Once leveled, the men used a wire mesh tamper to cause the stones in the concrete mix to sink. This helps give a smoother surface to the finished slab.
After the surface had become dry enough, a whirlybird was used to finish the concrete to a smooth surface.
Needless to say, with a family our size, we had plenty of supervisors!
Here is the slab almost completed and we are waiting on one more truck!
Once sufficiently dried and the surface finished with the whirlybird, the slab was covered with plastic. This prevents the concrete from drying to quickly and allows it to cure slowly giving a stronger slab.
The walls will be next!
This Giveaway is Now Closed! Thank you all for participating.
Congratulations: #35 Hannah!
Are you a coffee lover? I certainly am! Whether it is a full bodied, dark roasted or a flavored coffee, I enjoy drinking a cup throughout my day.
Community Coffee is a brand which is “steeped in tradition”. Founded by the Saurage family, it is the largest family-owned retail coffee brand in the US. Over 90 years ago, Henry Norman “Cap” Saurage brewed his popular coffee in a small country store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He named it “Community” in honor of his loyal friends and customers. Eventually turning his attention from the country store to coffee, the company has grown to be known as the State Coffee of Louisiana.
I was pleased to have the opportunity to review Community Coffee’s Handwoven Mother’s Day Gift Basket. This limited edition, handwoven gourmet gift basket included a 12 oz. Private Reserve® House Blend ground coffee, a 34 oz. Chambord French Press, along with a Community® Coffee signature coffee scoop. Everything came nested in a one-of-a-kind basket made from Hiraca Palm, indigenous to the Colombian region.
The coffee was delicious and there is nothing that brings out the flavor of coffee better that being prepared in a French Press coffee maker. We use a French Press coffee maker all the time and have for about a year now. If you have not tried it, you should. This gift basket would make a wonderful gift for your Mother or yourself! (The cups and saucers pictured are not included!)
You May Purchase It! The Handwoven Mother’s Day Basket may be purchased at Community Coffee for $44.95.
You May Win It! I am pleased to offer one Dimes2Vines readers a Community Coffee Mother’s Day Gift Basket. This giveaway will end on May 1, 2010 at 11:59pm CST and is open to all US residents. The winner will be selected by random.org, posted here and notified by email. The winner will have 48 hrs to respond or another winner will be selected. Please be sure to leave contact information.
***Please remember to leave a comment for each of the following entries.
***If you already follow Dimes2Vines via RSS, Email, Twitter and/or Facebook - Leave a comment letting me know as your entry.
Mandatory Entry: Leave a comment letting me know what is your favorite product at Community Coffee.com.
Extra Entries:
**Follow Dimes2Vines via RSS feed or email.
**Follow Dimes2Vines on Twitter.
**Tweet about this Giveaway and leave a link.
**Follow Dimes2Vines on Facebook.
**Mention this Giveaway on Facebook.
** Enter my other giveaway.
**Comment on a non-giveaway post and leave a comment here telling which one.
The prize will be shipped direct from the sponsor of the giveaway. Dimes2Vines is not responsible for shipping or lost/damaged prizes.
I received a Mother’s Day Gift Basket for review but no other compensation was received. The opinions expressed are my own.
We are almost ready to pour the concrete for the slab of the basement! John designed and put in the plumbing, which will be under the slab, after these pictures were taken. It is amazing how much money he saves us by being so handy – God has certainly blessed him with talent!
Now, all we are waiting for is the weather. We are very thankful for the rain – it is great for the grapes, as well as, for the other farmers in the area. Hopefully, tomorrow (if the road is not to soupy for the cement truck to maneuver) or Monday we will be able to pour!
Without anything to give perspective, it really looks small. But, realizing that it is actually larger than the house we are renting, helps me gain some perspective.
As mentioned in New House we had picked out a spot for our new house – Now we have officially broken ground! Until our house in Alabama sells (or our grapes are in full production), we plan to build the basement and live in it. It will actually be larger than the rental house we are in now! After a few plan modifications, I think we have a very workable, comfortable living space designed.
After several unsuccessful attempts to have someone do the slab for us (digging out, forming and then the concrete work), we decided that John would do it himself. I had a backhoe lined up to be delivered Monday. But then, last Thursday, in our mailbox was a card advertising concrete work. After calling the number, the man came out on Friday and looked the site over. On Saturday, he called with an estimate and on Monday, he started. He was actually not much more expensive than we could have done it ourselves. I checked all the prices – backhoe rental, concrete and then there was the wood to form the slab, rebar, nails, plastic…. and most of all time!
This is my favorite lasagna recipe. Please keep in mind, with a large family I multiply recipes for large crowds! The basic ingredient quantities are given along with variations that I have used successfully.
Spinach Filling
2 lbs Ricotta Cheese ( may substitute cottage cheese, I now use our homemade ricotta)
2 – 10 oz pkgs frozen chopped spinach
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
Combine all ingredients in bowl.
Tomato Sauce
I use frozen tomato sauce from last years garden and add Italian spices. For a meat option, brown 1 lb ground beef or turkey meat and add to tomato sauce.
Assembly
In a 13 x 9 pan, starting with a bit of tomato sauce in the bottom to prevent sticking, layer: 
- Lasagna Noodles (Eggplant slices may be substituted and work great!)
- Spinach Filling
- Tomato Sauce
- Mozzarella Cheese (I now use our homemade cheese)
End with Mozzarella Cheese. Bake at 350F for 1 hour.
Variation: Since our eggplant did so well last year, I peeled it, sliced it and froze it. Now, I use eggplant slices instead of lasagna noodles.
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Grab My Dime! 
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About Me 
God has amazingly blessed me, Dina-Marie, with a wonderful husband and 10 beautiful children. Moving from our "secure" life in Alabama to the "exciting" life of starting a vineyard in west Texas has been challenging to say the least. I have had the opportunity to take a crash course in frugal living and become a real farm girl - complete with milk cow and chickens. I have learned the importance of health from the inside out, "traditional" cooking and cod liver oil!
I hope to encourage you to make the most of where you are and what you have. |
