Bird Nest Cupcake Recipe

I wanted to share this fun recipe my friend Cyndi worked up over Easter weekend. I think you could make these as a fun spring treat. Take them to your next gathering and WOW your audience!

How cute are these??:

Below is the nest recipe. Use nests to decorate cupcakes or serve on dessert plate.
Makes 10 small, 8 medium, 5 large nests.
1 cup Chocolate chips
1 Tablespoon Shortening
1 5 oz can Chow mein noodles
1 bag Candy-coated chocolate eggs
　
Line a baking sheet with waxed paper, foil, or parchment paper.

Place chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave-safe cup or bowl. Heat on 50% power for 1 minute. Stir, and repeat in 30 second increments, until chocolate chips are melted and consistency is smooth.

Place chow mein noodles in large mixing bowl. Pour chocolate mixture over noodles. Use two forks to mix until noodles are fully coated. Drop by forkfuls onto prepared baking sheet, forming a nest shape with your fingers.

Allow to dry at room temperature, or expedite by refrigerating until firm. Add candy-coated eggs to complete. Candy coating will crack from heat if placed in nest prior to chocolate cooling to room temperature.

Easter Bunny Game

I have been trying to think of a way to make Easter a little more exciting for my 7 year old. Every year the "bunny" gets a little more elaborate and to be honest, I am the bunny is running out of ideas!

We recently discussed buying our son a trampoline. It will be incorporated into our son's Easter surprise. If you are not planning on purchasing a trampoline, you can still use this idea to help your child find their Easter basket.

Here is what the "bunny" has in store:

Step 1) Fill 10-12 eggs with candy treats and individual letters to spell out a word clue. you can even buy the pre-filled eggs and just add as many letters as needed. You do not need to number the eggs for this game, unless you need help tracking them all.

I am going to use the letters: J-U-M-P

You can use a word that helps your child discover the location of their basket like:

B-A-T-H-T-U-B

G-A-R-A-G-E

T-O-Y-B-O-X

Or since it is Easter after all, you can always use J-E-S-U-S!

Fill the first egg with a riddle to help your child understand the game they are about to play.

Below is the riddle I came up with:

Hippity Hoppity Easter Joy

I've got a riddle Easter boy!

The letters you find will form a clue

to a special treat I left for you.

Step 2) Hide the eggs inside or outside depending on the weather, if its inside you can do this the night before.

Place an empty collection basket near your child's door or bed to get them started.

Ideas for contents:

• The riddle to start them off
• Egg #1
• Bunny ears and a white puffy tail so your children can hop like bunnies as they follow the tracks...

Step 3) Use bunny tracks (google for photo examples) to create a path to each egg. I printed mine on plain white paper, but you can see from the examples you can buy them, make them out of felt, or create your own design using PowerPoint. If you have more than one child - use different colored bunny tracks :)

The final bunny tracks should lead your child to their surprise. Or make them guess with the word clue.

Happy hunting...

THE DAY SPROUTS PUT ME OVER THE EDGE

First off, I want to acknowledge my lack of posts. I want to make sure each post is meaningful and purposeful. Each post should have some usefulness. I don't want to be too random.

That said here is a random story about my week:

My week started off pretty well at CVS over the weekend (see CVS Game post); I was in high spirits. That is until Monday night.

I started a new EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) treatment to help me "heal" from my past and move towards a better future. In other words together my therapist and I dig up and rip WIDE open all the wounds I have buried DEEP DEEP down in a dark space with a pad lock and bull dogs with rabies viciously guarding the entrance. Sounds like fun doesn't it.

The next few days were a black hole of annoyance.

Surprise, surprise a fight with my husband followed over much of nothing. This ultimately meant an apology actualized by him doing the dishes and watching our son. While basking in the glory of a clean kitchen, I celebrated by treating myself to Jimmy John's sans child and husband.

Now Jimmy John's is an excellent eating establishment. It's clean, fast and they have super yummy bread - which is critical in the sandwich making business. 

I ordered the Beach Club, my favorite. Why you ask? Well, because it has avocado and alfalfa sprouts that add fresh flavor and a nice crunchy texture.

For those of you who are not familiar with JJ's the Beach Club is "fresh baked turkey breast, provolone cheese, avocado spread, sliced cucumber, sprouts, lettuce, tomato, and mayo".

YUM!!

While eating my sandwich I realized there were barely any avocado and NO sprouts. I was crushed. How could they do this to me? I was depending on those sprouts for the enjoyment of my entire sandwich.

I called the store immediately to ask if they perhaps made a mistake. Instead I was informed the store doesn't carry sprouts anymore and they are only allowed to put one teaspoon of avocado spread on the Beach Club. WhAT?!

I paid extra $ for 3 cucumber slices, 3 slices of provolone cheese and a teaspoon of avocado spread… ARG! Why didn't you tell me that when I ordered, how could this happen? I then tearfully complained about the lack of avocado on the phone with the young female cashier who I am sure thought I was losing it entirely. She offered a polite "I'm sorry" and hung up. Fast forward to me emailing the manager from JJ's website.

And there you have it. I made it through Monday, Tuesday, EVEN Wednesday but mess up my JJ's and the wrath of my entirely not stable enough condition will come crashing down on you... thus how sprouts put me over the edge.

If I was cool like hyperboleandahalf.com this post would be full of pictures of me grimacing and a sandwich that is entirely devoid of quality and me with incredible pouty eyes seeking justice for my lack of sandwich satisfaction. But I’m not, and I can't draw.... So just picture it yourself.

The CVS Game

This weekend I had amazing success playing the CVS Game. Armed with $5 in CVS Extra Care Bucks (ECBs), several CVS coupons, a few cents off coupons and lots of good in-store deals;

I took CVS by storm and claimed victory!

People ask me all the time how to play the CVS Game and it's a bit elaborate. I suggest going over to MoneySavingMom.com to read her tutorial. That along with an established player are what got me started. Here are just a few quick tips:

Anytime you enter a CVS store scan your CVS card before you shop at the CVS Rewards Coupon Center.

photo provided by CVS Caremark

You get excellent coupons like the ones used below. I often receive 2-3 coupons at a time. Some expire the same day, that is why I suggest picking them up before you shop. 

If you don't have one already, pick up a green tag. They are $1 at the register. Every time you shop at CVS bring your own bag and earn $0.25 toward a $1 reward. This goes for prescription refills too. You can use it once per day. I have earned $13 using this method in just a few short months.

Check out all the FREE things I "bought" for $0.62 (tax):

You can still claim these deals and here's how:

Snickers Egg and/or Milky Way Bunny - priced 2/$1.50
Use $1.50/2 Mars products (AllYou Magazine)
Use $0.25/2 CVS coupon - the cashier was reluctant to do this, but in the end she gave way.
= FREE + $0.25 overage

Mitchum Advanced Deodorant - priced $1.99
Use $1/1 coupon (smartsource) 
Use $1/1 CVS coupon.
= FREE

The Jellybeans were delicious shear luck!!
Starburst original Jellybeans 14oz - priced at $2.49
Use $2.00/1 CVS coupon 
= $0.49 - overage from the Mars CVS coupon =  $0.24


I also purchased over 130 name brand "feminine hygiene" products ($10) and two Clean and Clear face washes ($6) using various in store ECB offers, previously earned ECBs and cents off coupons...

In total I spent ~ $17 on $50 in product.

Julia 1 CVS 0

Get Organized in 5 Easy Steps

February is coming to an end and you know what that means? It's almost spring cleaning time! If you're like me you're making mental to do lists in your head right now...

1. wash windows
2. have the carpets cleaned
3. clean sky lights and avoid falling off the ladder

But why wait for all that spring cleanliness? Get started now with this easy philosophy on organization:

The 5S Philosophy

The 5S's are a quick way to remember all the steps to organizing and sustaining organization. 5S is simple, quick and will SAVE YOUR SANITY. Best of all it is a small continuous improvement, not an overhaul. 5S takes you one step closer to a cleaner, more sane environment.

Start with one small space; it could be your purse, the medicine cabinet or the toy box. Once you have mastered the toy box you may feel ready to move on to the laundry room or your office, but don't start there, always start small.

1. Sort - Take everything out of the space you are working on. If it's your purse, simple dump it out on the table. Separate your stuff making piles of like items. Throw away items you don’t need anymore. Make piles for items that should go somewhere else and piles to return to the space you are 5S-ing.

2. Straighten - Keep items you want in designated places. This is where we start putting things back. In a purse, where will you place your cell phone, keys, wallet? Is it all dumped in the center pocket, or do you have side pockets to place small items? If you utilize the smaller pockets you will always know where items should be.

If you are organizing a desk space; literally TAPE outline where the stapler and tape dispensor belong. You can even outline where your morning coffee cup usually rests - or add a glued/ taped down coaster. Tape outlines help keep items in designated spaces. The outline will help you recognize if something is missing or out of place. And when the kids are asked to put something away, they know right where it goes!

Labels can be used to straighten toy boxes, cabinets, or other spaces. Like a tape outline a lable designates where an item belongs.

3. Shine - Make it sparkle. Clean your purse, work area, desk, toy box, etc. Cleaning should be a regular process not something that happens only when the mess has piled up.

4. Standardize - Use this same process for like spaces. If one bathroom closet is organized with labeled bins, the other bathroom closet should be too. Keeping things organized in a similar manner helps you know where things are, reduces stress and keeps you from memorizing too many organization methods.

5. Sustain - Complete this process regularly to keep spaces organized and clean. I 5S my purse nightly to remove items added that day and keep things I need the next day. It's that easy!

6. Sanity - You will feel less anxious when everything has a place and lives there. I promise.

BOGO FREE Entree at Qdoba TODAY 2/14 Only

Did you forget to make reservations to that fancy restaurant your sweetie wanted to go to? Are you single, going out with girlfriends just before stuffing your faces with chocolates and rom-coms back at home?! Maybe you couldn't find a babysitter? Did you protest Dave Ramsey in the month of January and now are severely being punished for it with TWO months of racked up bills, savings and debt snowball? No? Just me then... 


Well do you like to keep things on the down-low with your love bug?  Or maybe you are just cheap/ frugal/ don't really know if this person is the one for you? Maybe you met your date at the bachelor after party...


No matter what your situation is Qdoba has a great deal for YOU! Today only, KISS your dining partner in front of a crowded Mexican cafe and you will receive a free second entree with the purchase of a first. That's not too bad....

Visit Qdoba.com for more details.

Free ebook: Mom's Dining Out Deals

I LOVE eating out, and I am always trying to find ways to fit it into our budget without getting too carried away. In this ebook Melissa Batai gives helpful advise of cutting your dining expenses by "25-50% everytime with 70 [helpful] strategies."

Blog or post on twitter/ facebook before 7am Febrary 14th about Mom's Dining Out Deals and you can recieve a free copy of this ebook!

Leave a comment at Momsplans.com with a link to your blog, twitter or facebook posting where you shared that the ebook is now available.

Super Cheap Super Bowl Snacks

The Super Bowl was pretty exciting this year. The game was close and the half time show was great. Being in Indianapolis, I was excited to be a part of all that football action. 

To celebrate the game our family decided to stay home and watch it together. As most people, I decided to make "super bowl" snacks.

In my usual fashion the fancy football feast was on a budget! Before heading out to the store I looked at ingredients already in the house and made a menu based on items I had on hand.

Super Cheap Super Bowl Menu:

Pita Pizza Footballs
Wings
Nachos
A (rare) Special Bakery Treat

Other than the olives I already had everything I needed on hand to make Pita Pizzas:

Pita Pizza is a great kid friendly recipe. My son decorated his pizza just the way he wanted with his two favorite ingredients (olives and pepperoni). The Salad Pockets were perfect for the football theme. I divided them in half which made for a crispier crust and they sort of looked like footballs:

I typically find the deli wings on manager's special at my local Kroger ($1.79 for 12). I heated them in the oven along with the pita pizzas at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

I already had Velveeta cheese for nachos. If you don't have this item it was the most expensive on the menu - nearly $5 for 16 oz! It is not something I normally buy, but was purchased for another special recipe earlier in the week.

I picked up 2 cans of Hormel Chili on sale at Kroger for $0.91 per can - $0.55/2 coupon = $0.63 per can.

Kroger Chips are usually priced at $1/ bag, I purchased 2. I think they taste the same as Tostios which can run $3 a bag or more!

It is really easy to make the nachos - another family recipe a child could help with. Layer chips, Velveeta cheese slices, and chili on a microwavable plate. You can also make this in individual size portions if desired. 

Microwave for 2-3 minutes. Add sour creme, diced tomato, lettuce, and olives:

Normally I would not buy goods from the bakery because they are just too expensive to justify. As a treat, I told my son we could pick something out for our Super Bowl Party. My preferred Kroger often has bakery items on manager's special. We found this chocolate cake on sale for $4.

Everything turned out great, took less than 30 minutes to put together, and everything was super easy to make! I put out a few other items at my son's request...

Valentine's Day Game Plan

Valentine's Day is coming up and for those who are lucky to have someone special in your life it can be a great reminder to celebrate your love for one another. For those still looking for love, it can be found in the oddest of places. I met my husband online, that's right I said online - Plenty of Fish no less! I know people who have met their loves in school, social circles, even speed dating has come up in a conversation or two with a single friend of mine.

One thing I have learned as an avid Bachelor fan is love cannot be found on reality TV. But love can be found at the behind the scene cast parties (not really, but hey these people seem to be hooking up left and right)....

So if you have it in you here is your Valentine's Day game plan:

1. Sign up online for the Bachelor
2. Go on FABULOUS dates in far off lands (the real reason I watch this show - the dates)
3. Ride that emotional roller coaster rose ceremony after rose ceremony and...
4. Ta* Da* instant access to hundreds of still single mostly attractive people!

And now you are wondering: Is she really giving this advise? Those who know me surely know I am far too conservative to advise people on finding love on this train wreck of a show. But if you keep your wits about you and keep your clothes on, why not?! It's just one more carnival ride.

But really this post is about stats. Want to know where you stand on your chances of being selected as a contestant? Do you work in sales or marketing? Do your hobbies include modeling, acting, singing or dancing? Then c'mon down! You have just been selected to be a contestant on the world's worst game show:

Numbers based on 182 contestants participating from 2006-2012.

I do not actually advise ANYONE in their right mind to participate in the Bachelor activities, but if you think about it, it does widely expand your social circle...

Walmart Online Photo Deal [Expired]

Expires 2-29-2012

At Walmart.Com you can print this coupon redeemable towards a 11x14 or 12x12 faux canvas from Walmart Photo. Prices start at $19.95, making the total $10.95 after coupon. Free in-store pick up after 1 hour processing time.

This will make a great Valentine's Day gift, birthday, or home decoration.



Welcome!

Life isn't a straight path, it doesn't start where we planned and it certainly doesn't go where we anticipate. We are all on a journey that is less like a hike and more like a Tilt-A-Whirl ride.

Life has its way of spinning us in circles while costing us every last ticket we had. But it's a choice. We choose to ride, get dizzy, fall over and go on again. And why not! Where's the fun in sitting out?

This blog is intended to help us all find the humor in life while discussing topics like how to earn tickets, spend them wisely and allow God to guide our ride choices. I hope you join me for this ride and become inspired to give life a new perspective.