2011 in Review...

Java over a Never Growing old is taking today off for New Years so I thought I would share some of my favorite posts with you from 2011.

In January I went with a friend of mine to Minneapolis so she could have some medical tests run and found some great information on hotel shopping that I passes along in Hotel Happiness, I also found a new blogger friend Meg Hart and her great book Housecat Confidential, a view of life from a cats perspective, that I posted in my Sunday's media madness.  If you get a chance you can check out Meg's new blog at Hart Stories, she is a terrific writer and I highly recommend her book and her blog.

In February I started getting a little antsy to play in my garden and a friend sent me some info on hay bale gardening that I passed along because it is easy and inexpensive and a great way to have a garden quick in an area that may not have an easy place to plant stuff.  You can check that out at Hey! Hay! Hay! Garden the easy way...

March brought two awards that I received, one for the Cherry on Top award and one for the Incredibly Sweet blog award, both required me to share some information about me which was fun, with the Cherry on Top one I also shared a favorite picture of my grandmother.

In April I shared a great recipe for my favorite Easter treat, Hot Cross Buns together with a little history on them.  I also started doing posts called Saturday Sojourn that were a lot of fun for me and included tips on saving while traveling.  One of my favorites was the one I did for Saint Paul, MN since we were heading there ourselves for a short vacation. 

May brought the release of a book from a series that I love by Jess Loury so I was able to do a little review of the book Octoberfest to share with my readers, May also marks Memorial Day and I was able to thank our armed services folks and post two great old pictures of my grandfather and my dad looking very dapper in their uniforms from WWII.

In June I had two great guest bloggers while I was on vacation for my 25th anniversary, the first was Alexis from from Simply Beautiful Veg.  and her great post on ways to organize, including a great pocketed organizer project you can make yourself.  My other guest poster was Nina from The Adventures ArtsyNina.  She did a wonderful post on making a Pallet Kitchen Cookbook Shelf, a very cool and extremely inexpensive project.

In July I stopped doing the Saturday Sojourn's and replaced them with Silly Saturday, my first one I loved because it emphasises simplicity.  I also love this time of year when all the fruits and veggies are getting ripe and took the opportunity to share a wonderful no bake blueberry cheesecake for everyone.

August was a great month for my Media Madness section for me, I found a couple of great apps, Uno and Conde Nast Traveller Magazine, that I love and use all the time.  The other was for the book The Help, which was wonderful and I would recommend to anyone looking for a good read.

September was a moth of highs and lows, the low being the sadness that came with the 9/11 memorial ceremonies I watched that day, the high was going on vacation to Chicago with two of my best girl friends and being able to share a bit of what we did and how we saved a ton of cash along the way.

The October posts were where two of my favorites are, one is one of my many favorite pictures, this one was of a small grey tree frog in our backyard that I used on the Thursday's picture perfect deal, the other was one of my favorite Silly Saturday's featuring a great photo shopped scene.

November was all about sharing my favorite things, including a list of movies, a great app called Flipboard and a recipe I always make for Rosy Fruit Salad, a wonderful frozen concoction that is from the 1950s.

December was all about relaxing and getting ready for the holidays and vacation, but in between that I was able to post one of my favorite ever pictures of my dog Tucker loving the first snowfall from last year.  Java also posted a wonderful Meet Me On Monday with 15 questions to tide us over until after New Year's, and being a good bit Irish, I couldn't end the year without and Irish Christmas Blessing to all my readers.

Thank you to all my readers for reading last year, I am looking forward to 2012!

C.Q.

Friday's freebie...

Its never too early to start your organization for next year with a new calender.  You can pick up a really nice new calender from Betty Crocker that is full of wonderful recipes just for signing up for one of their news letters.  The Betty Crocker news letter is full of cooking tips and reader suggestions, the Dinner Made Easy news letter has recipe ideas that you can have done in 30 minutes or less and the Bisquick news letter is full of recipes made with Bisquick, everything from appetizers to desert.

Hope you all have had a great week so far!

C.Q.

Monday's value meal...

Its nice to be able to turn on the slow cooker and do your days work and come back and have dinner all ready to go. Today I found a nice slow cooker recipe for pork that won't heat up your house.

SLOW COOKED PORK TENDERLOIN

1 (2 pound) pork tenderloin
1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup mix
1 cup water
3/4 cup red wine
3 tablespoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons soy sauce
freshly ground black pepper to taste

Place pork tenderloin in a slow cooker with the contents of the soup packet. Pour water, wine, and soy sauce over the top, turning the pork to coat. Carefully spread garlic over the pork, leaving as much on top of the roast during cooking as possible. Sprinkle with pepper, cover, and cook on low setting for 4 hours. Serve with cooking liquid on the side as au jus.

---Main course---

$1.00 off any HORMEL® ALWAYS TENDER® product. Any variety. (Sign up at their web site for printable coupons.)

---Salad---

$0.55 off one package of Tanimura & Antle Artisan® Lettuce
$1.00 off any Two Litehouse® Products

---Beverage---

$1.25 off and 8 or 12 pack of LaCroix Sparkling Water (the coupon is at the bottom of the page)

---Dessert---

Cookie ice cream Sunday:

$1.00 off Starbucks ice cream
with
Save $.55 off any Pillsbury® Big Deluxe® Special Edition Cookie

I hope you are all having a good start to your week!

C.Q.

Monday's value meal...

Today the coupons offered were not geared as much towards making a full meal, however, when life gives you lemons....

I have decided to give you some fun ideas for a summertime simple yet gourmet picnic, whether at the park, the local beach or your own little oasis in the back yard. This would be a great idea for the romantic at heart as well as the foodies out there.

VICHYSSOISE (COLD POTATO SOUP)

2 leeks
1 sm. onion, sliced
2 tbsp. butter
3 sm. potatoes, peeled and sliced (2 1/2 c.)
2 c. chicken broth
1 tsp. salt
1 c. whipping cream
Snipped chives

Remove tops of leeks; slice leeks (2/3 cup). In 2-quart saucepan, cook leeks and onion in butter until vegetables are tender, but not brown. Stir in sliced potatoes, chicken broth and salt. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes or until potatoes are very tender.
Place half of the mixture in blender container or food processor. Cover and blend until mixture is smooth. Pour into bowl. Repeat with remaining mixture. Return all mixture to saucepan. Stir in milk. Season to taste with additional salt and white pepper. Bring to boiling, stirring frequently. Cool. Stir in whipping cream. Cover and chill thoroughly before serving. 4-6 servings.

---Main course---

There are no coupons for the items in this main course, however these items are inexpensive at the grocery store or better still, the local farmers market or Co-op where you can support your local community of growers.

---Salad---

$0.55 off one package of Tanimura & Antle Artisan® Lettuce
$1.00 off any Two Litehouse® Products
OR
$1.00 off any 3lb or larger Reser's Deli Salad
OR
$.50 off when you buy two any flavor Betty Crocker® Suddenly Salad® Mixes

---Bread---

Cheese of your choice with crackers and grapes is always a good choice:

$1.50 off the purchase of any two WASA Crisp Crackers

---Beverage---

Try a sparkling water with a hint of fruit juice or a little fruit drink cocktail mixer:

$1.25 off and 8 or 12 pack of LaCroix Sparkling Water (the coupon is at the bottom of the page)
WITH
$1.00 Off One Trop50® 59 oz product
OR
$1.00 off three cans of frozen BACARDI® MIXERS any flavor

---Dessert---

Dipping strawberries in melted chocolate and letting them cool is an easy treat:

$1.00 off any DOVE® PROMISES® Silky Smooth Chocolate Bag (8.5 oz. - 9.5 oz.)

I hope you are all having a great start to the new week!

C.Q.

Sunday's media madness...

Do you get cravings for your favorite take out or remember fondly the best pie you ever had at your favorite restaurant? Well if so then the man of your dreams goes by the name Todd Wilbur. Over the years he has written a slew of books, all recreating restaurants top secret recipes. Of all his books I chose to write about Top Secret Restaurant Recipes: Creating Kitchen Clones from America's Favorite Restaurant Chains 1, 2 and 3 just to keep it a little less confusing.

Top Secret Restaurant Recipes: Creating Kitchen Clones from America's Favorite Restaurant Chains, the first in the trilogy includes great food from Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad, Chi-Chi's Fried Ice Cream, IHOP's Cheese Blintz to Tony Roma's wonderful World Famous Ribs. I was able to find this book at its lowest price for a new copy at The Book Depository for $9.99 with free shipping. the lowest price I found for a used copy was with Buy.com, base price $1.01 + shipping of $3.99 and tax of .39 cents, making the total cost only $5.39.

Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 2: More Amazing Clones of Famous Dishes from America's Favorite Restaurant Chains, the next book in the series includes foods like The Cheesecake Factory's Original Cheesecake, Denny's Fabulous French Toast, Lone Star's Lone Star Chili and The Olive Garden's Lemon Cream Cake (a personal favorite of mine and my husband). I found the lowest price for a new copy of this book at The Book Depository, the base price is $10.49 and they ship free world wide. The lowest price for a used copy was from Once Sold Tales for $5.50 with free shipping.

The final book in the series, Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 3: The Secret Formulas for Duplicating Your Favorite Restaurant Dishes at Home, is set to be released on September 28, 2010. The latest installment promises recipes for Olive Garden's Bread sticks, Cracker Barrel's Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake, Outback Steakhouse's Outback Rack and On the Border's Mexican Mojito. The lowest price for pre-order that I was able to find was with Amazon for $10.80, but only if you have enough in your order to reach the $25 requirement for free shipping, if you just want the book then it is lowest at The Book Depository for $12.00 with free shipping.

If you are looking for a specific recipe or have an idea for a recipe that should be included be sure to check out Todd Wilbur's web site, Top Secret Recipes. You will find all sorts of information and recipes you can print and try right away, this weeks big reveal is Wendy's Frosty.

Have a fantastic Sunday everyone!

C.Q.

Monday's value meal

After a busy weekend its time to settle back and relax a little. With the weather still warm why not make a grilled chicken burger with a deli salad to keep it easy. For dessert indulge a little in a frozen fruit smoothie. There are many fruits and vegetables on sale at your local super market this time of year so be sure to check the weekly fliers. I have seen a lot of coupons for "first pound free with $10 purchase", remember, that doesn't mean you need to get more that the one pound. Also be sure to check your local farmers market if you have one, you will get top quality produce and support local growers.

Grilled Chicken Burgers

1 onion, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cup fresh sliced mushrooms
1 tomato, seeded and chopped
2 carrots, chopped
2 pounds ground chicken
1 egg
1/2 cup fresh bread crumbs
1 tablespoon Old Bay ™ Seasoning
kosher salt to taste
black pepper to taste

1.Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil grate.
2.Lightly spray a saute pan with cooking or oil spray over medium heat. Saute the onion with the garlic first, then the bell pepper, then the mushrooms, tomatoes and carrots, all to desired tenderness. Set aside and allow all vegetables to cool completely.
3.In a large bowl, combine the chicken and vegetables. Add the egg, bread crumbs and seasonings to taste. Mix all together well and form into 8 patties.
4.Grill over medium heat for 5 to 6 minutes per side, or to desired doneness. Add cheese if desired.

---Main Course---

$1.00 on Golden Plump ANY package of Recipe Ready™ Ground Chicken
$0.55 off Aunt Millie's Hawaiian Hamburger Buns
$1.00 off Frontier Spices or Pepper Grinder (it is near the bottom of the page)
$0.55 on any one package of any Lorraine® cheese product

---Salad---

$1.00 off any 3lb or larger Reser's Deli Salad

---Beverage/Dessert---

$1.00 off any two Chiquita Smoothies
or
$1.00 off any flavor Yoplait® Frozen Smoothie

Have a great week everyone!

C.Q.

Happy 4th of July...

Its the first major holiday of the summer season and things are in full swing for 4th of July celebrations everywhere. Because its on a Sunday this year it seems like a lot of folks are planning on a two day celebration, and why not? It is, after all our nations birthday, and who doesn't like birthday parties? Whether you're planning on having an outdoor picnic or BBQ, going to a parade or just watching the fireworks this weekend, I have tried to put together some fun ideas.

Planning and outdoor family gathering? If you hare having young kids you can print off some cute pages for them to color in, if you hare having kids who are a little older here are some 4th of July word searches, you could even offer a small prize for the first one to finish theirs. 4th of July, signers of the Declaration of Independence, and the original 13 colonies. There are printing instructions near the bottom of the page for each puzzle.

Wow your guests with a great looking red white and blue Patriotic Drink, a fresh fruit flag, or Uncle Sam ice cream cones. For a new twist on your main course you could Mix up the tried and true BBQ chicken or burgers with Barbecue-Glazed Salmon or Spice Rubbed Pork Tenderloin.

If you are planning on going out to see the fireworks consider taking your camera with you. Kodak has some great advice on how to get the most from your fireworks photography.

If you are planning on staying home this weekend why not dress up your computer a little with free wallpaper or screen savers and check out some of the great sales being offered.

If you are sharing your 4th of July with a family pet remember that most animals will try to get away from loud noises. Trying to escape can mean broken windows, torn fences, chewed doors or dog crates, and result in lacerations, foot pad injuries, teeth and mouth injuries or worse as they try to run from the disturbingly loud noises. It doesn't matter if the fears are "rational" or not. It should be noted that scolding a frightened animal is not effective will only intensify the fears. It's best to keep your pet in a "safe room" like a basement or room with covered or no windows and some items to help ease the anxiety. Its important to note too that loud noises to us are deafening to your pet and can cause permanent hearing loss for them. Here are some steps to help your furry friend through the evening.

Here is a fun fact to share with your friends and family; On 4th of July 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed only by two people, John Hancock and Charles Thomson. Have a fun and safe weekend everyone!

C.Q.

Monday's value meal...

As the temperature gets warmer cooking should get easier, today's meal is a simple marinated chicken on the grill with salad, bread and a dessert we all know and love.

First, marinate your chicken overnight in a ceramic covered dish in the refrigerator, that way they are ready for the BBQ when you are. While the chicken is cooking toss your salad or dish up the side salad of your choice, put some chips in a bowl and your all set for an outdoor evening. Just service with iced tea or iced coffee and for Dessert how about good old fashioned Rice Krispy Bars.

Original Rice Krispie Treats

3 Tablespoons Butter

1 Package (10 oz or about 40) regular marshmallows OR 4 Cups of miniature marshmallows

6 Cups Kellogg's Rice Krispies

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat.

2. Add KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.

3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day.

MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

---Main course---

$1.00 off any Golden Plump package of All Natural™ Chicken

$0.50 off any one LAWRY’S® Marinade

$1.00 off when you buy any 1 Kikkoman sauce or glaze

Buy Any Kikkoman Sauce (10oz or larger) Get a FREE 10 Oz Ponzu (Max value $3.00)

---Sides---

$0.55 off the of one package of Tanimura & Antle Artisan® Lettuce

$1.00 off any Two Litehouse® Salad Dressing Products

$.50 off when you buy TWO any flavor Betty Crocker® Suddenly Salad® Mix

$1.00 off when you buy TWO 4 oz or Larger Bags of T.G.I. Friday's® Chips or Snacks

---Beverage---

$1.00 off the purchase of any 1 bag of Dunkin’ Donuts® coffee 11 oz or larger

$0.50 off the purchase of 1 package of Tetley Tea when you join their email list

---Dessert---

$1.25 off any 3 packages of Kellogg’s® Cereals (10 oz. or Larger, Any Flavor, Mix or Match)

OR

$1.00 off any 2 packages of Kellogg’s® Cereals (10 oz. or Larger, Any Flavor, Mix or Match)

Have a great week everyone!

C.Q.

Penny wise picnic in the park...

Our sun is finally starting to come back after over two weeks of rainy days so I am thinking about having some fun with a picnic lunch. Its something we love to do on nice bright days. Whether its a local city park, a state park or a national park, there is always something fun to do. While city parks are free, State parks and National parks charge a fee if you don't have an annual pass, check the links for information in your area. When visiting any park remember the "Leave No Trace" rule to Protect our Parks and their Wildlife: Help keep our Parks safe and clean. Protect wildlife by remembering not to feed them and always clean up after your visit. The future of the parks and their wildlife is in our hands.

When packing a lunch, the cooler or picnic basket is an important part, make sure it is well insulated so you don't have any health issues later in the day, nothing spoils your day worse than spoiled food. If you like the more traditional baskets check out PicnicBaskets.com or Picnic Trip (they are currently having a sale), both offer insulated baskets with all the plates, glasses, napkins and serving wear built right in the container for easy storage. That being said, the prices at both stores reflect the price of convenience. If you shop around at local garage sales, Freecycle or on eBay you can find a nice soft sided cooler like the Coleman 30 can soft sided cooler which is the perfect size for two. If you plan on picnicking more than a couple times during the season it is worth looking at garage sales and second hand stores for some silver wear that won't leave you heartbroken if you loss or accidentally toss it in the garbage. Another good investment is some Corelle plates that won't break. You can check on eBay or WalMart has a nice 16 piece set for four for only $25.00, if you choose to have it shipped then they will charge an additional $2.39. Finally, don't forget the blanket, my best advice is to find a King size heavy blanket at a local thrift store and have it cleaned, there is no need to buy a "specialty" picnic blanket. Now that your all set, check out some great inspired sandwich ideas to pack up and take with you for the day at Recipie Zaar. Don't forget your drinks of choice and extra water for Fido or Fifi and your ready for a great day outdoors.

Once your all set to head out its time to think of things to do, if you have younger kids try measuring out a 1' x 1' area for each of them and giving them a pad of paper and a couple of wild plant and bug identification books and let them be explorers in miniature. Set each child up in a different area and let them compare with eachother what they have that's different in their section from the other kids. If you have really young kids bring along some soapy water and a bubble wand. You can even make rainbow bubbles! Check out the Creative Kids site for neat ideas and tips. For older kids bring along a Frisbee or a football to toss around. If you plan on doing any hiking or fishing its a good idea to bring an extra pair of socks in case your feet get wet. And no matter if it just you or you and the whole family, be sure to bring along a camera for the unexpected nature shots and special family moments.

Let me know about some of your fun picnic memories with friends and family!

Have a wonderful weekend.

C.Q.

Monday's value meal

SMOKED SAUSAGE WITH RED BEANS AND RICE

1 lb. pkg. smoked sausage, cut in chunks

1 med. sized onion

1 med. sized green pepper

1 stalk of celery

1 lb. pkg. dried red kidney beans

2 c. uncooked rice

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Garlic powder to taste

Directions:

In a 2-quart saucepan, add 1 1/2 quart of water, add beans, onions, celery, and green pepper. Let this mixture simmer for two (2) hours or until beans are just about done (beans should be soft but not mushy). Add smoked sausage and seasonings. Continue to simmer for another 1/2 hour or so. After you have added the sausage and seasonings, you may want to start to prepare the rice. Follow the directions on preparation on the side or back panel of box (rice box). If you use regular rice not (UNCLE BEN'S®) after the rice has cooked, pour the rice into a colander and rinse with cold water. Add about 2 cups of water in the pot you cooked the rice in. Place colander over the water. Bring water to a boil; this allows the rice to steam. Serve beans and sausage over rice. Traditionally served with cornbread but you can serve with whatever you like.

---Main Dish---

$1 off any TWO (2) packages of Hillshire Farm® Smoked Sausage

$0.75 off any two (2) Uncle Bens products of your choice

---Salad---

$0.55 off one (1) package of Tanimura & Antle Artisan® Lettuce

50¢ off one (1) Newman's Own® Salad Dressing, Pasta Sauce or Salsa

---Bread---

$.030 off two any size/variety Refrigerated Pillsbury® Grands!® Biscuits

---Desert---

$0.50 off any LUIGI’S® Real Italian Ice

I apologize for the lateness of today's blog, I am trying to get my house in order and the vegetables planted before I leave for vacation and I have a VERY busy week before I leave. I hope everyone has had a great Monday.

C.Q.

Monday's value meal

Pan-Roasted Turkey Cutlets with Orange Gremolata:

***Every week I get an email from William-Sonoma with new recipes and cooking gadgets, I found this recipe a while back and liked how easy it is.

Boneless turkey cutlets are regularly stocked in the poultry section of supermarkets. Here, they are dipped in beaten egg, coated with bread crumbs, then browned on the stove top before they are quickly finished in a hot oven. The sauce is inspired by the gremolata of Northern Italy, a mixture of parsley, lemon zest and garlic traditionally used on osso buco. Lemon juice and zest may be substituted for the orange juice and zest.

Ingredients:
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1 egg
2 tsp. Dijon mustard
2 1/2 cups fine dried bread crumbs
4 turkey cutlets, each 4 to 6 oz. and 1/2 inch thick
2 Tbs. unsalted butter
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

For the sauce:
Grated zest of 1 orange
Juice of 1 orange (about 1/3 cup)
3 Tbs. finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 large garlic clove, finely minced
2 Tbs. brandy
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Directions:
Preheat an oven to 400°F. Place the flour on a plate and season with salt and pepper. In a pie pan, whisk together the egg, mustard, and a little salt and pepper. Place the bread crumbs on another plate. Coat each cutlet on both sides with the seasoned flour, then dip both sides in the egg mixture and then finally in the bread crumbs, coating evenly on both sides each time. In a large, heavy ovenproof fry pan over high heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. When it is very hot, add the cutlets and sauté until the crumbs are crisp and golden, about 2 minutes. Turn the cutlets over and transfer the pan to the oven. Roast until the cutlets are firm to the touch and the bread crumbs are nicely browned, about 5 minutes. Transfer the cutlets to a warmed platter or warmed individual plates.To make the sauce, place the pan over medium-high heat and add the orange zest and juice, parsley, garlic and brandy. Cook, stirring, until slightly reduced, 2 to 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon an equal amount of the sauce over each cutlet. Serve immediately. Serves 4.

Serve with a spinach salad with sliced black olives and oil and vinegar dressing or you can use the left over orange in with the spinach, warm bread sticks and steamed vegetables.

----Main dish----

$0.50 off any ONE (1) McCormick® Seasoning Blend, Spice, Herb, Extract or Food Color

$0.55 on any ONE (1) Morton® Season-All® product 8 oz. or larger

$1.00 off Honeysuckle Turkey, one package of scallopini, cutlets or tenderloins

$0.50 off one package of any LAND O LAKES® Spreadable Butter Products

----Salad----

$1.00 off Lindsay Olivesone package

$1.00 on any Filippo Berio Olive Oil

$0.50 on any size or variety of Pompeian Red Wine, Pomegranate or Balsamic Vinegar

----Bread----

$0.40 on any TWO Pillsbury® Italian Meal Breads - Includes any Loaves, Bread sticks, Dinner Rolls, and Pizza Crust

----Vegetables----

$0.50 off on Green Giant vegetables (its at the bottom of the Green Giant page)

Hope you all enjoy this meal and have a great start to your week.

C.Q.

Monday's value meal...

Coffee marinated grilled steak:


***This recipie comes from a series of mystery books I very much enjoy by Cleo Coyle that are based on a woman who owns a coffee house, you can check the books at the Coffee House Mystery Site.***

You will need -

Steaks for grilling (top round or flank are most economical)
Cold coffee
Salt & Pepper
Worcestershire sauce (optional)
Scallions or shallots (optional)
Steak dry rub (optional)

If you want to tenderize the meat pound the steak out with the spike side of a meat hammer. Prick the meat with a fork to allow for the marinade to get into the meat and tenderize it further. Place your steaks in a glass or plastic container and pour enough cold coffee over them to cover. You can use any kind of coffee. Just save the last dregs of your coffee pot for a few days (store in fridge) and you should have enough for the marinade. Add a tablespoon of salt, a dash of pepper, and (optional) a couple of diced scallions or shallots along with a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Cover the container with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 1 to 3 hours. No longer. Pull the steaks out of the container and discard the liquid. Do not rinse. Just apply a favorite dry rub if desired. There are many dry steak rubs available in your grocery aisle. Cook your coffee-marinated steaks on a charcoal or gas grill, or broil the meat in the oven.

Serve with frozen vetetables, a tossed green salad and ice cream for dessert.

Coupons for this recipie:

------Main dish------

$1.00 off Caribou Coffee on ONE (1) 12-oz bag of Caribou Coffee (Whole Bean or Ground)
$.55 off any Morton® Season-All® product 8 oz. or larger
$1.00 off one bottle of Lea & Perrins® Thick Classic® Worcestershire Sauce (this one needs to be requested via their web site)

------Miscl.------

Save $2.00 off AmeriGas® Cylinder Exchange or Purchase for your grill

------Vegatables------

$.50 off Green Giant Steamers or baged vegetables

-----Salad------

Save 50¢ on any one (1) Newman's Own® product
$1.00 off any Two (2) Litehouse® Products

------Dessert------

$1.00 off any TWO (2) pints of Starbucks® Ice Cream: Available in Coffee and Coffee-Free Flavors

Shopping tip ~ If you make a list and stick to it you really will save on your grocery bill.

Bon Appetit!

C.Q.

Wearin' and savin' O' the Green

Beannachtam na feile padraig! or Happy St. Patrick's day! Being part Irish myself St. Patrick's day means a lot to me, I remember the stories of Irish history my dad used to tell me, people living through a famine on nothing but potatoes and some of them immigrating to the U.S. where they were considered less than second class citizens but still managed to work their way up. Maybe its that fierce tenacity that has helped me through the years when things have been difficult. Whether your Irish or not, St. Patrick's day give us all a reason to celebrate. Test your knowledge on Irish trivia and see how well you know the Emerald Isle and its history.

In honor of the day, Jelly Belly is offering a 10% discount on all their green products if you use the coupon code GREEN and Sees Candy has several St. Patrick's gifts under $10.00, although its over the $10 mark, the Irish potato candies are one of the most clever things I have ever seen!

Making a traditional Irish dinner to celebrate? Since St. Patrick's falls in the middle of the week this year and a lot of folks have to work, here is a recipe for the slow cooker version of Corned beef and cabbage. Irish stew is also a traditional favorite, whichever you decide on don't forget the Irish soda bread to mop up your gravy. If your feeling gourmet then give this recipe for Baileys Irish Cream mousse pie, or if you want something a little easier there are the pale green St. Patrick's day cupcakes or the yummy Guinness and Bailey's Irish cupcakes. What ever you decide to make remember to check for coupons at Red Plumb, Smart Source, Coupons.com and Cool Savings.

If your looking for a St. Patrick's Day gift Teleflora has green floral bouquets and is offering $10 off your order through 12/31/2010 using coupon code PSGG10D. The symbols of the Emerald Isle are the Claddagh, shamrock, Celtic knot and harp, all of these can be found in the jewelry section of Irishop.com. They are currently offering a free dolphin trinity knot pendant with any order over $90.00, just click on the banner at the top of the page to add it to your cart.

Looking to decorate your computer a little? You can find free Irish screen savers and wallpaper at A Bit of Blarney. They also have free e-cards to send to the Irish folks on your list. You can find more free e-cards at 123Greetings.

"May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and a smooth road all the way to your door."

Have a great weekend!

C.Q.

Brown bag a buck or two...

These days it seems like everyone is trying to save money at lunchtime by going to the fast food places. While it may save you a dime or two, it will cost you plenty in the long run if it becomes a habit. We all know its less expensive to bring your own lunch to work, but it gets boring pretty quick as you run out of ideas for lunch meat and peanut butter. Today I thought I would give you some ideas for mixing things up and trying something new as well as some coupons to make your lunch money go further.

First up, how about some fun ideas for sandwiches? Ever think of a waffle as bread? The Kraft food kitchens has a really nice idea for a Waffle apple-wich using waffles, Smoked ham, cheese, apple and syrup. If you want to make this for work, don't slice the apple until your going to eat so it stays fresh. To really mix up your lunch try sharing sandwiches with your whole family. If its you and your spouse make different sandwiches for each of you then take 1/2 of yours and 1/2 of theirs, if you have kids share with them too by cutting the sandwiches into smaller portions, quarters or even eighths, its a great way to have different flavors at meal time. A Back Forest beef sandwich is good for leftover flank steak and a way to give it a whole new taste, everyone in the office will want one!

Want to have a refined lunch break or a picnic when the weather gets better? Try making some tea sandwiches. These are typically sandwiches that are made with thinner sliced bread with no crust and cut into wedges. My all time favorite is cucumber and cream cheese (which I now make as a regular sandwich during the summer with cucumbers from my garden). Whats Cooking America has a great selection of tea sandwiches as well as other tea time goodies that can be made ahead of time and assembled into a lunch that would make the Queen jealous. You can make tea at home for your Thermos and either have it hot or cold with your lunch.

Having a Monday from you know where? Maybe a lunch brake to somewhere exotic is the ticket to a renewed look on the day. Make ahead Dolmas can give you a taste of the Greek Isles, chilled Gazpacho soup can take you away to Spain for a bit, for a French inspired lunch try a cheese board of all the classics on French bread, for a bit of the Tropics theres avocado and pineapple salad, or for a bit Japanese culture try your hand at making a California Roll to bring to work.

Wednesday getting you giddy and looking forward to the end of the week? Try a fun whimsical lunch to keep your floating through the day. How about a cheese and soft pretzel sandwich? A cherry chicken sandwich on a croissant will definatly keep you smiling for the rest of the day, and who didn't like peanut butter growing up? Whether you like creamy or extra crunchy there are a million ways you can still enjoy it as an adult, my personal favorite is PB, bacon and lettuce, you can find a ton of ideas at cdkitchen.

To stretch your grocery dollar be sure to check for coupons at CoolSavings, Red Plum, SmartSource and Coupons.com before you shop.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend so far!

C.Q.

Snacking on cash...

I was in the grocery store the other day and about fell over when I saw the price potato chips have risen to and got to thinking about the 2 most popular snack foods, chips and popcorn. A box of Old Dutch potato chips was on SALE for a whopping $3.48 and Orville Rednbacher's microwave popcorn was also $3.48 on sale. In the Orville Rednbacher's package there are 3 bags of popcorn, that makes each one $1.16 when in comparison you could by a 30oz jar of the same popcorn for popping for about $5.00 with no coupon. Breaking down the cost for the jar with 7.5 servings the popcorn the cost is about .65 cents and there are no carcinogens in it. You can make the popcorn as per the instruction on the jar which takes really no more time than microwave popcorn, you can also microwave on the fly in a bowl with a plate over it and just put a thin layer of kernels in the bottom of the bowl and microwave away, or you can make your own microwave popcorn to bring to work and have the best and freshest popcorn in the office.

Fresh Microwave Popcorn:

1/2 cup unpopped popcorn
2 to 3 tablespoons melted butter
Popcorn salt or table salt, to taste
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese or other cheese sprinkle
(optional)

Pour the popcorn in the paper bag and fold the top of the bag over twice to close. (Each fold should be 1/2 inch deep; the kernels need room to pop.) Seal the bag with two small staples (no more, no less), making sure to place the staples at least 2 to 3 inches apart.

Put the bag in the microwave and cook on high power for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the pops are 5 seconds apart.

Remove the bag from the oven and open it carefully, avoiding the steam. Pour the popcorn into a bowl and drizzle it with butter, then toss with salt and cheese, if desired.

That brings me to the potato chips. A 5 pound bag of potatoes at my local market is $2.98, already less then the box of chips, but lets keep going... of that I only need about 5 potatoes or about 1/2 the bag, so my equivalent cost is $1.49 for a box of homemade wonderful tasting no preservative chips. You can also substitute sweet potatoes for an extra gourmet touch.


Classic Homemade Potato Chips Recipe:

4-6 white potatoes
water
vegetable oil (for deep frying)
salt

Wash and scrub the skins of your potatoes well. Remove potato skins. Using a paring knife or food processor, cut thin round or oval slices. Remove any bad spots. Fill a large bowl with cold tap water and soak your slices in the water for 30 minutes. Remove slices from water and pat them dry with paper towels. Turn your deep fryer on and set the temperature at 350 degrees. When the oil has reached the desired temperature, place a handful of slices into the frying basket and drop down into the oil. Deep fry your slices until they are crisp and lightly browned. This usually takes 2-4 minutes. Remove the basket from the oil and let drain over the deep fryer for 2-3 minutes. Line a large plate with 3-5 thick paper towels. Pour the chips onto the plate and use a separate paper towel to blot off excess oil. Season with salt if desired.

**If you like your potato chips seasoned with Old Bay or any other spices, place some the spice in an old salt shaker. Shake the desired amount on the chips. Wait 1 minute, flip the chips over and season the other side.

There are a ton of different recipes on line for a lot of the snacks we like to purchase in the grocery stores, its worth the time to find some that sound good and try, they are healthier and far less expensive, they can also provide something fun the whole family can help put together on the weekends to have on hand.

Hope this gets you all thinking.

C.Q.

Saving dough…

Its that time of year again, time to get out the mixing bowls and baking sheets and start on our holiday cookies. Whether your in a cookie exchange or just making goodies for your family you can always find a way to make your dough go further.

Nestle has a holiday recipe guide available for free while supplies last at their web site, as well as free e-cards.

A few Christmas’ ago….OK so maybe its more like 10.…my neices made something they called puppy chow and brought it to a potluck at my sister-in-laws. Sure looked like dog food but it tasted wonderful and its so easy to make and share.

Chex Puppy Chow:

9 cups Chex cereal, (any kind works)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Put the semisweet chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter into a 1 quart microwavable safe bowl. Microwave uncovered on high for 1 minute. Stir until everything is melted. If stirring doesn't melt everything, place in the microwave on high for 15-30 seconds. Be sure to stir until it's well mixed and smooth. After it's well mixed, add vanilla. Pour Chex cereal into a large bowl. Pour the chocolate, peanut butter, and butter mixture over the Chex cereal. Use a spatula and mix until all the Chex are covered in the mixture. Toss like a salad to coat entirely. Pour the powdered sugar into a large zip lock bag (2 gallon). Add the Chex. Shake until all the Chex are well coated. While all the Chex are in the bag, clean out the original bowl so no chocolate residue is left inside. Dry the bowl. Add mixture from bag and place into the bowl. If the Chex are not fully coated with powdered sugar, add more powdered sugar to bowl and cover with cling wrap. Shake until well coated. To make for gifts put the mix in glass jars with festive labels.

Coupons for this recipe:
$1.00 off 2 boxes of Chex at the Betty Crocker web site.
Nestle Toll House chocolate chip coupon at the Nestle web site.

Not the baking type? Not a problem! King Arthur Flour has great mixes available, they even have a mix for dog biscuits so you can be Fido’s hero too! They currently have a great deal going, 15% off when you buy 5 mixes, no coupon code needed. These mixes also make great gifts for someone who loves to bake but has limited time.

Don’t even want to bother with mixes? That’s not a problem either. Pillsbury has coupons for their pre-made cookies, just heat and eat. The best part is you can decorate them any way you want and make them look homemade.

Remember, the cost of homemade is a lot less than store bought, on the average a dozen sugar cookies cost you only .95 cents when made at home, that same dozen jumps to $1.45 per dozen if you use a pre-made refrigerated dough and jumps again to a whopping $4.25 per dozen from a bakery.

If your planning on doing your baking over the weekend be sure to check your local grocers ads for savings on the things you will need. You can check out the Sunday paper inserts early at SundaySaver.com.

Hope everyone is having a great week so far!

C.Q.

Halloween family fun:

M&M Mars Haunted Mansion has fun free games for the kids and recipe ideas for fun treats. You can also register for their sweepstakes, there is a link for one free entry and there are additional entries on each bag of M&M or Mars candy. Check it out at http://tiny.cc/ZEICQ.


Pogo features free games and now has options to dress up your Pogo mini avatar in spooky outfits and just for Halloween you can get in on the fun of playing Spooky Slots, who knows you may even win the progressive jackpot! They also have a sweepstakes with Spooky Slots, not part of the regular progressive jackpot, if you play between October 12 and October 31, 2009 you are entered each time you load the game. If you don’t have a free Pogo account you can get one at http://www.pogo.com/.


Send a free e-card to a friend, relative or co-worker for Halloween, tons to chose from for all ages at http://tiny.cc/NYgbG. Got a great picture of your pumpkin patch you would like to give to your friends? Why not send it as a free post card? At Hippopost you can upload your picture and they will make it into a post card and mail it for you free of charge, up to two a day: http://www.hippopost.com/. You can even liven up your email with free stationary from http://tiny.cc/jRp3d. You can also find screen savers, wallpaper and active desktops to spice up your computer screen.


Once you have the pumpkin gutted and carved don’t throw away those seeds! Here is a simple recipe for oven toasted pumpkin seed, just remember to keep an eye on them so they don’t burn. http://tiny.cc/vFKBI. Almost everyone has fond memories of Chex mix, this is a fantastic recipe for a Halloween version. http://tiny.cc/SdSet. Here is a coupon for $1 off any two boxes of big G cereal which includes Chex: http://tiny.cc/CR1XR.


Want to spice up your phone for fright night? Here is a site with free ring tones for your phone as well as some cool music you can put on a CD and play at your Halloween mixer. http://tiny.cc/XJpak. If your in the mood to watch a spooky movie to get you in the spirit Hulu has dedicated an entire section of their site to the season, check out the Huluween section at: http://www.hulu.com/spotlight/huluween to find a free move to keep you up at night.


Not able to get out to the local haunted house this year,? Check out this one on line for free at: http://tiny.cc/439BH this one is not very scary but I would go through it before you let your little ones watch, every child has a different fear level. This is the link to the Bone Garden’s virtual haunted Inn: http://www.bonegarden.com/.


Have a wonderful day!
C.Q.