Scrapblog

While cruising through the blogosphere today, I came across the most awesomest digital scrapbooking site. (yes, you can use my new word!) I read about it on Trina's blog Fabulously Frugalicious. I'm a big time scrapbooker but I haven't gotten into digital scrapbooking. Mainly because of my fascination with cutting paper.

The site is called Scrapblog and they have pre-made layouts that you can upload your photos to or you can start from scratch. From that point, you have several options...you can save it as a .jpg on your computer or you can upload it to a photo printing site. You can also make digital scrapbooks and have Scrapblog print them for you.

I made the picture you see here in about 10 minutes and it was the first time I had been to the site. Thats my Mr. Hoover and one of his many friends. Mr. Hoover is half dachshund, half love!

Help with AutoCAD 3D

As you know, I'm an interior designer...the largest part of my job is creating construction documents. In an effort to broaden my skills and grow, I am trying to learn how to use 3D in AutoCAD Architecture 2008. If you know of a good web site where I can find tutorials or you know of an inexpensive class going on here in the south, would please leave a comment? Your help is greatly appreciated!

Decorating Tip

This look came together over the course of a year. Not that I'm proud of that but hey, some things take time. I got the 11x14 frames on clearance at Target for $12 each. The prints were purchased from Art.com.

The finials were bought at Hobby Lobby on clearance for around $15 for all of them. The big scroll iron thingy was bought at Kirkland's on clearance and with an extra 25% off and I estimate I paid about $6 for it. Finally, the star in the middle is actually our Christmas tree topper but we keep it up year round because it gives us that warm fuzzy feeling.

When it comes to decorating your space, don't get rushed or feel like you have to immediately live in a show house. As you pick up things here and there, it will all come together. It takes time to make your house feel like home.

Publix Savings

So how much do I love coupons? The regular price of the groceries you see in this picture was $96.65 but after coupons and advertised sales my total was only $54.96 - a savings of $41.69!!

One of the highlights was being able to use my $2.00 off of Vaseline Lotion that printed on the bottom of a CVS receipt. I scored a bottle of Vaseline Cocoa Butter lotion that normally retails for $8.00 for $1.50 because it was also on sale at Publix this week. I also got some Head & Shoulders shampoo on clearance for $2.00!

Another key to my savings success is reading http://www.fiddledeedeeblog.blogspot.com/ weekly Publix post with coupon matchups. Every Thursday she posts the latest and greatest Publix sale with printable and non-printable coupon matchups.

Also, you can check out my post here on keeping those coupons organized.

Take Menu Planning to the Next Level!

Lots of people would agree that planning a menu is a great way to save money. How else do you know what to buy at the grocery store? The greatest advantage to me is stress free weeknights. No more wondering whats for dinner on the drive home from work.

While I was Christmas shopping this year, I popped into the calendar store and low and behold, they had a calendar exclusively for menu planning! And of course, it was 50% off! It has large squares for writing in menu items and it has post it note style tabs for marking recipes in cookbooks and it has stickers for keeping track of special events like birthdays and dinner parties. And best of all, it has magnets on the back so you can keep it on your fridge.

Don't worry, I found one for you on the web for 50% off too. Click here to order your own.

Here is a useful tip for your menu planning - throughout the month, make a double match of a recipe and then freeze the leftovers. Write down those leftovers on a day during the last week of the month. Continue until you have the last week of the month filled up. Now you have built in an entire week off from cooking and grocery shopping every month!! Who wouldn't love that?

Money Saving Resources for Groceries

Hello again!

Sign up at Betty Crocker for tons of recipes and print $29 in coupons!

Check out the Whole Deal from Whole Foods to see whats on sale and check out their money saving recipes. Also, if you have a Whole Foods in your area, stop by and pick up their new coupon booklet with $30 in coupons for organic and natural foods.

Take a look at this money saving recipe for Three Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake from Kraft Foods. Also sign up for their free Kraft Food and Family Magazine while your there. They are loaded with quick and easy recipes. Its my go-to magazine when I'm menu planning.

As always, you can print coupons from my widget to the right. Each month they are re-loaded with brand new coupons. Give a try and let me know what you think.

Buttermilk Biscuits!!

Living in Alabama, I'm no stranger to eating buttermilk biscuits. However, up until recently I never was very good at making my own. That is until I found this recipe from Southern Plate. This recipe is foolproof. They are so light and fluffy, you will be making them every weekend just like I have been. Now if only I could find a way to remove the calories...oh, who am I kidding, thats what makes them good!

Buttermilk Biscuits

1/2 c. cold butter
2-1/4 c. self rising soft wheat flour (she recommends White Lilly)
1-1/4 c. buttermilk (or whole milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice added)
flour for dusting

1. Cut butter with a sharp knife or pastry blender into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Sprinkle butter slices over flour in large bowl. Toss butter with flour. Cut butter into flour with a pastry blender until crumbly and mixture resembles small peas. Cover and chill 10 minutes. Add buttermilk, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.

2. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead 3 or 4 times, gradually adding additional flour as needed. With floured hands, press or pat dough into a 3/4 inch thick rectangle (about 9x5 inches). Sprinkle top of dough with additional flour. Fold dough over onto itself in 3 sections, starting with 1 short end. (Fold dough rectangle as if folding a letter size piece of paper.) Repeat entire process 2 more times, beginning with pressing into a 3/4 inch thick dough rectangle (about 9x5 inches).

3. Press or pat dough to 1/2 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface; cut with a 2-inch round cutter, and place, side by side, on a parchement paper-lined or lightly greased jelly roll pan. (Dough rounds should touch)

4. Bake at 450 degrees for 13 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven; brush with 2 Tbsp. melted butter.

Enjoy!!!!

I like to try to make a few extra on weekends. This saves us from going through the drive-thru on weekday mornings.