Freebie Friday

Here is a round up of all things FREE available this week online:

25 FREE 4x6 prints from Walgreens- use code PRINTNOW at check out and pick up at store to pay $0!
Scion Care Package for Military members
Victoria's Secret- FREE panties with any purchase TODAY only
Kids Emergen-C sample- Facebook click on "sample" at the top
Gas X strips sample

Ebooks:
Sophie and the Rising Sun
Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes
Princess Callie and the Totally Amazing Talking Tiara

New Year New Me.....with a goal in mind

Earlier in 2011 I started on a journey to lose weight. Over the course of the last year I've lost 30 pounds and managed to keep off! I also participated in my first 5K race. I came in dead last. I mean L A S T! My husband finished the race and the came back and walked half of it with me to the finish line. It was my worst moment and my proudest all at the same time. I finished a 5k race!

So now on to this year's plan. I just signed up to participate in the Couch to 5K program with Run N Tri. For $65 I'll be participating in an 8 week program written by a USAT certified trainer and led by Lisa McComb a certified fitness guru (my hubby met Lisa while on his own road to losing weight. You can read about it here). Anyway, after 8 weeks of training, specifically tailored to my needs, I should be RUNNING not walking a 5K.  Now, I won't come in first. In fact I may come in dead last again, but I'll have run it this time which means things will only be getting better.

Now the real reason behind all of this? E and I will be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary this summer. We are planning on doing a vow renewal ceremony and having a small reception afterwards. Kind of having a wedding that we never had (but way more low key and informal) since we ran off and got married ( I was pregnant and we thought it was the right thing to do...see we are all flawed!). Little did we know 10 years and two kids later things would be better now than they were then and God would be putting us on a road to ministry! I'm still unnerved by the thought that God would use me, a terribly flawed person, to spread the message of His love. Anyway.....my ADD is kicking in.....I want to look better now than I did 10 years ago!

As we prepare for celebrating 10 years, I'll also be participating in the 31 days tp Pray for your Spouse Challenge. What better way can I show him that I love him more than being committed to praying for him daily?

Are you setting some goals for the new year? Want to join me in learning how to run? Check out Run N Tri's facebook page for more information. You must register by Jan. 2nd. There are scheduled runs in Gulfport on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I know I won't be able to make it to all three every week so I plan to run here in Ocean Springs with a few other people.

Thankful

Thankful. The dictionary defines "thankful" as expressing gratitude for a benefit that's been received. I'm thankful that I wake up each morning, but many times I forget to say thanks to God for allowing it. I simply get up and go about my daily business, breakfast, changing diapers, keeping the littlest one from overthrowing the ruling party (her parents), homeschooling, lunch, cleaning, changing more diapers, keeping the oldest one from being killed my the youngest one, more diapers, dinner and I'm done. By the end of the day I'm not very thankful for anything other than my husband walking in the door so I can tag out long enough to go to the bathroom without an audience.

Even though these days are crazy, I'm thankful for them. Without my wildly peculiar and zany children my days would be boring. I'm thankful, not as much as I should be, that God blessed Eric and I with these two girls when modern medicine said "no".  I see friends struggling with infertility, miscarriages and failed adoptions; strangers in the news who have lost children to tragic events  and it snaps me back to reality in how truly blessed I am. I love my kids and can't imagine life without them!

I know how much I love my children and would do anything in my power to keep them from harm. Can you imagine what God felt like when he sent his only son as a baby to eventually die on the cross so that WE could be forgiven for our sins? I'm more thankful for this one act than anything else in my life! Without this one act, I'm nothing! I'm a sinner separated from God. A merciful God who loves me and only wants good for me. There WILL be bumps along this road of life. Hardships and failures of unspeakable measure. I hope that I can face these events and my daily crazy days when I think that I'm going to snap if the 2 year old climbs on top of her sister one more time with the knowledge and thankfulness that even on my worst day I'm loved and I'm forgiven!

When was the last time you were thankful for something? I'd love for you to share.

Back to the Basics

As ya'll know (if you've been following HOC very long) I stepped away a few months ago for personal reasons. We are still waiting on the right doors to open. I'm ready to continue to blogging and have missed it something terribly!

There will be some changes here on HOC. There will still be couponing info and frugal finds but you'll be seeing a lot more homeschooling, life, homemaking, cooking etc. this time around...at least that is the plan!

I hope you'll stick around to see what the new year of HOC holds!

A weekend of crafting!

I've been crafting up a storm this weekend! Several different projects, some still in the works.

#1 No Sew T-shirt Ruffle Scarf with rosettes

I used an old t-shirt and the bottoms of some little stretchy pants that we had cut off. Cut up your material into circles about the size of a dinner plate. I used about 5 circles of each color. Make sure there are no seams in your circles. Then cut around those circles in a spiral pattern (see below).

Stretch it out and tug just a little to make the edges curl. Layer up your strands. I used another long skinny piece of the black material to tie the strands together and left some hanging loose. With the ends I rolled them up to make rosettes (adding a third rosette with the turquoise). Stitch down to the strands to keep the rosette shape. Ta da! One ruffled rosette tshirt scarf!

#2 Ribbon Christmas Tree Shirt

So easy! Green grosgrain ribbon 1 3/4 in. wide. I cut 10 strips (9 about 4 inches long and 1 about 2 1/2 inches long) and a red grosgrain ribbon 1/2 in. wide made into a bow (sorry didn't measure this one!).

Use a little Alene's tacky glue and glue the folded ends of your ribbon together.  Place on shirt in a tiered fashion (4, 3, 2, 1) with the shortest ribbon on top. I tacked it down with a little glue and then the next day stitched it down. Top with your red ribbon bow.  As my girls would say...easy peasy!


I have a few more projects in the works that are not complete yet. I'll post them as soon as I get done! Happy Crafty!

Coupon Class Oct. 6th

There are still spots available for the next Saving Cents with Coupons workshop this Thursday, Oct. 6th! If you are interested you can email me at thehouseofcollums @ gmail.com

I sent out messages tonight to those preregistered. If you did not receive an email confirmation from me and you thought you registered please let me know ASAP.

Coupon Classes

Despite the lack of posting here on HOC, Saving Cents with Coupons Workshops still continue! 
You can still also order binders (email me for details).


Here is the most up to date schedule:


Admission is $10 a person. Fee covers printing costs and a portion of proceeds benefit local ministries. RSVP is required. Class size is limited. Location: Hancock Bank Downtown Biloxi.

Thursday, October 6th 6:30 pm
Thursday, October 27th 6:30 pm
Saturday, November 5th 10 am

Go here to sign up.

Private classes are also taught. Email me for details: thehouseofcollums@gmail.com

Lack of Posting

I love coupons! I love this blog and I've become friends with so many of you that follow HOC, that's why it pains me to type this out right now.


Things have been going on in my life presently, spiritually, that have lead me to a decision that hurts, but at the same time I feel is the right thing to do. I am feeling the need to cut some things out of my life in order to put my focus fully on God and my family. At the top of this list is HOC. Keeping up the blog, Facebook and Twitter has become to much for me. Add on top of that the close to 20 couponing classes I'm teaching each month, homeschooling my kids, leading our homeschool group AND our community group at church plus every day Mom/Wife duties and I'm exhausted! Something has to give! 


My husband, Eric, and I are about to embark on some mission trips and feel I need to dedicate my time to studying God's word more closely in preparation for the road ahead. This decision has been weighing heavily on my mind and heart, because I hate to let anyone down by not following through. I hope that ya'll will understand my decision and pray for my family as God leads us into unknown territory. 



Couponing classes and the current giveaway will continue as scheduled. If you would like to schedule a class you can reach me at thehouseofcollums at gmail dot com. 


You can check out the Blog Roll tab at the top to see my favorite blogs for couponing and all things frugal. 

Coupons,Ad Match ups and a Giveaway- all rolled into one!

The house is quiet for right this minute so I thought I would try to type up a few things really quickly while I have a spare minute! Thanks to all of you who have left kind comments and sent emails. Everyone here at House of Collums is doing great we are just REALLY busy for the next few weeks and it's interfering with my blog time! So PLEASE stick around, I haven't abandoned you, just other things in life come before this blog.


So here's what is happening this week:

GIVEAWAY:


Up for grabs this week through Sept. 15th- A HUGE basket full of all kinds of Avon products! Valued at $25. 


Here is what you will get- 

Basket will have Therapeutic Cracked Heel Relief Cream, Antibacterial Mini Hand Gel, Avon 

Care Lip Balm, Silicone Glove Protective Hand Cream, there choice of Spritz and Go Perfume, 

Skin Softener, and Body Powder. Lip Gloss and Nail Polish.

Here's how to enter:

1.  Leave a comment saying that you are a follower of House of Collums through Google  

     Friend Connect (look to the right -----> )

2. Check out Jessica's website and leave a comment about an Avon Product you love or 

    would like to try.


3. Earn a DOUBLE entry by becoming a follower of Jessica's Blog- Mom Interrupted. Recipes, 
    ramblings and more!

You can also head over here to check out Jessica's Avon website. Order from Jessica and she 

will include a

FREE gift with every order!

Winner will be announced on Friday, Sept. 16th. Prize will be mailed be giveaway sponsor to your address.

Coupons
$1/1 Biore Skincare-Facebook
$.50/1 Boogie Wipes-Facebook
$1/2 Skippy Peanut Butter- at the bottom of the page
$1/1 Got 2 Be Fat-tastic hair product-Facebook


Freebies
FREE Cheese Quesadilla @ Denny's
FREE Call from a Disney Princess Character
Playtex Sport Sample
Homeless By God's Design by James and Janie O'Keefe- ebook
Splenda Essentials sample- Facebook


Ad Match Ups
Rouses-Thanks Mommy's Money Saving Madness!
Winn Dixie- Thanks Winn Dixie on a Dime!
Publix-Thanks I Heart Publix!

Another Week of Deals: Drug Stores, Target and Kroger

Going to make this short and sweet today with the weather acting up I don't want our computer to get zapped! So click on the name of the store to see the full ad match up! 


Rite Aid
Target
Walgreens
CVS
Kroger

NEW Open Coupon Class Dates-reserve your seat now! Space is limited!

I'm excited to announce some new dates for Coupon Workshops! Space is limited these classes so reserve your spot today!

Go here to register

Dates:
Friday, Sept. 9th 6:30 pm
Thursday, Oct. 6th 6:30 pm
Thursday, Oct. 27th 6:30 pm
Saturday, Nov. 5th. 10 am


Location:
Hancock Bank, Downtown Biloxi


Cost:
$10 per person (cash or check at the door)


Each person receives a booklet to keep as a reference guide. Door prizes!

Go here to register

Coupons and Coffee

Mornin! I got out in this yucky weather and drove the hubby to work so I could have the car today, only to realize half way there that as nasty as the weather is suppose to be ALL weekend, there is no way I'm going out to do anything with three kids in tow! Oh well, got a Tato Nut and a coffee out of the trip so that's worth it! :)


Tonight's coupon class at the Vancleave Library is CANCELLED due to weather.


I am seriously looking for some qualified help here on HOC. I needed an assistant blogger. Pay is $0, because I don't make anything to pay you! But, if you want to blog but don't have time for all the upkeep, like to find deals or just want to get involved let me know. I'm looking for 2 maybe three people to take over specific topics and be responsible for posting them each week. If you are interested let me know by sending an email to thehouseofcollums at gmail dot com


Here is today's round up. I'm just not seeing a lot of new stuff outside of the regular coupon sites.


Coupons
$.75/2 Chiquita Bites-Facebook
$1/1 Trix cereal


Freebies
50 Free 4x6 photos from Winkflash-pay $.99 shipping use code 50FREE at checkout
Shout Wipes Sample
Prilosec sample
Gather Together P&G booklet
Head and Shoulders Sample
Dove Go Fresh Sample + coupon!

Thrifty Thursday: Christmas on a Budget

It's NEVER to early to start thinking about Christmas presents, especially if you are on a budget! Be on the look out for a post each week from now until Christmas with a Christmas on a Budget Gift Idea!


I saw this idea on Pinterest (click here and you can follow me) and knew it would make a perfect Christmas gift for the budget minded. DIY Coasters that you can make to match each persons decor or personality!

4x4 tiles (about $.16 cents each)

Scrapbook paper of your choice cut to 4x4 squares

Mod Podge 

Clear Spray Paint
Felt pads


Attach paper to the top of tiles with mod podge. Allow to dry. Spray with Clear spray paint; dry again and then attach felt pads to the bottom.





Stack up 4 and tie with a pretty ribbon to make a great gift at Christmas or any time of the year!

Coupons and Coffee

Mornin! We are still recovering from the two pulled teeth yesterday. She asked for ice cream this morning for breakfast :) My thoughts reverted to Bill Cosby and "dad is great he brings us chocolate cake" justifying feeding  the kids chocolate cake because it has milk, eggs and flour in it. Needless to say, she had waffles instead. Don't think that was any better than ice cream!





Pinecone Research is looking for participants between 18-24 years old! Get paid $3 a survey! And you will only get surveys you qualify for!


Not a lot to report on this morning, since it's the beginning of the month all the new coupons are on the coupon sites.


Coupons.com, SmartSource.com and RedPlum.com

Another Week of Deals: Grocery Stores

A day late, sorry! Just can't seem to stay on task this week. As always I post the best deals I see, but make sure to check out the full match up by clicking on the name*. 
*Except Rouses...because no one that I have found does a full match up!


Publix- Thanks I Heart Publix!
Lloyd’s Meats in Original BBQ Sauce BOGO $5.49
-$1/1 Lloyd’s Barbecue Product Printable
Kellogg’s Eggos  BOGO $2.79
-Eligible for Kellogg’s MIR-$2 off Milk, any gallon WYB two (2) Kellogg’s Eggo Frozen Products Happy New School Year Booklet 
Bic Multi-Purpose Lighter 1 ct or 5 ct Lighter, BOGO $3.49
-$1/1 Bic Multi-Purpose Lighter or Multi-Position Lighter, any (DND5) – 08-28-11 SS Insert (exp 10/31/2011)
Lawry’s 30 Minute Marinade 12 oz, BOGO $3.15
-$1 off Meat or poulty when you buy any two (2) Lawry’s Marinades hangtag (exp 12/31/2011)
-$1/1 Lawry’s Marinade, any (DND) hangtag (exp 12/31/2011)
Kraft Dressing 14 to 16 oz, BOGO $3.39
-$1/2 Kraft Dressing, any 14oz or larger WYB this Kraft Barbecue Sauce 18 oz – found on Kraft Barbecue Sauce peelie (exp 1/31/2012)
-$1/2 Kraft Dressings 8/28/2011 SS Insert (exp 9/25/2011)
-B2G1 Kraft Salad Dressings TARGET coupon Target.com (exp 9/10/2011)
Kraft Barbecue Sauce 16.25 to 18 oz, BOGO $1.33                                                                    Newman’s Own Pasta Suace 15 to 24 oz, BOGO $2.69


-$1/2 Newman’s Own Products (IE) Rolling  Printable (FF)


Winn Dixie- Thanks Winn Dixie on a Dime
Kraft Cheese Shredded or Crumbles or Chunk BOGO $4.19
-$1/2 Kraft Shredded Cheese With A Touch Of Philadelphia– Facebook Coupon (no longer available)
Duncan Hines Brownie Mix, Double Fudge or Walnut BOGO $2.99
-B2G1 Duncan Hines Premium Cake Mix or Brownie Mix Free WYB Duncan Hines Products  6/5 SS
Lawry’s Marinade, 12 oz, or Moore’s Marinade or Wing Sauce, 16 oz, BOGO $3.29
-$1 meat wyb 2 Lawry’s Marinade hangtag 
-$1/1 Lawry’s Marinade hangtag 
Isabel's Way Organic Cereal BOGO $2.99
Kellogg's Fruit Snacks $1.99
-$1.50 on bread wyb 2 Kellogg's Fruit Snacks
Wonder Bread Hot Dog or Hambuger Buns $2.39
Oscar Mayer Selects Hot Dogs $5.49 BOGO
Kraft BBQ Sauce $.99
Country Time and Kool Aid cannisters BOGO $4.49
-$2/1 wyb 2 Kraft BBQ sauces peelie
Deal Scenario:
6- Duncan Hines Cake Mix $2.99 BOGO
2- Lawry's Marinade $3.29 BOGO 
2- Kelloggs Fruit Snacks $1.99
2-Wonder Bread (hot dog and hamburger) $2.39 BOGO
2-OM Hot Dogs $5.49 BOGO
1- 4 pack hamburger patties $2.99
4- Kraft BBQ Sauce $.99
2- Country Time Lemonade $4.49 BOGO
2-Isabel's Way Cereal $2.99 BOGO
-(2)B2G1 Duncan Hines Premium Cake Mix or Brownie Mix Free WYB Duncan Hines Products  6/5 SS

-$1 meat wyb 2 Lawry’s Marinade hangtag 
-(2)$1/1 Lawry’s Marinade hangtag 

-(2)$2/1 wyb 2 Kraft BBQ sauces peelie

OOP: $25.57

What you end up with:  breakfast, dinners, snack and dessert with drinks for at least two days PLUS the makings for other future meals

Rouses-full ad

Velveeta 32 oz. $4.99
Del Monte Ketchup $.88

Kraft BBQ Sauce $.57

-$2/1 Country Time or Kool Aid wyb 2 Kraft BBQ sauces peelie
Country Time/Kool Aid cannisters 2/$5
Deal Scenario:
4- Kraft BBQ sauce $.57
2-Country Time or Kool Aid cannisters 2/$5
-(2) $2/1 Country Time/ Kool Aid peelies
OOP: $3.28 for all 6 items!

Coupons and Coffee

Seems like the posts are coming later each morning. I went for my 3 mile walk again this morning. It was HOT and humid! But it felt good to be out and exercising. Think I may start stashing my coupon savings away for a bike!


Hubby left about an hour ago with the oldest to get teeth pulled and start the process of getting braces. She was so nervous and I don't blame her.  So keep her in your prayers for nerves and the pain afterwards.


Here is today's round up. Thanks to Hip2Save, Money Saving Mom, Confessions of a Homeschooler, Jessica's Coupons


**Don't forget it's the last day of the month! Print those coupons before they reset tomorrow!
Coupons
$1/1 Earthbound Farms-take survey to print coupon
$1/1 Scotch Brand Scissors
$.50/1 Old Orchard juice
$.75/3 Gerber Little Graduates meals
$1/3 Beech Nut baby food
$2/16 Beech Nut baby food
$2/2 Tazo Tea
$.55/1 GUM Go betweens soft picks


Freebies
Puppy preschool printable pack
FREE Ba'Noodle Buddy Buddy
Eucerin Sample-Facebook
AT&T Cellphone users-  text YES to 11113020  to possible earn 1,000 free rollover minutes. They did a promotion similar to this back in February.
Alphabet Coloring Pages
Rachel Ray Dog Food Sample
Home and Life Management files

Crockpot Creole Daube

I LOVE to cook! Cooking in any form is one of my favorite past times. I am always trying out new recipes I find online or in cookbooks(you should see my collection) or come up with on my own. Testing them on my family and unsuspecting guests! (I know, how nice of me right!?)  There have been major flops and failures like the instant oatmeal muffins a few weeks ago (yuck!).  Then there are the ones that you hit out of the park that go on to the regular rotation of meals. Creole Daube is one of those recipes. 

I've heard of Daube before. According to Deep South Dish daube was a staple in the Point Cadet area here on the Mississippi Gulf Coast but has waned in popularity over the last generation or so. I did a little research on Daube, a French term, with the recipe (or something similar) being brought to this area by French settlers in the 1700's when Mississippi was part of the Louisiana Territory.

I also enjoy trying out foods that are indigenous to the area. I have a dislike of chain restaurants(thanks to the hubby), where no matter what city I'm in the dishes from restaurants like Applebee's will always taste the same. Over the last 10 years it was the hubby's influence that changed my opinion of chain restaurants and encouraged me to look locally for the mom & pop places that will serve food you can find no where else.


So with all that said, when I found the recipe on Deep South Dish I had to try it! Now, I'm not one to follow recipes exactly as written. Isn't that considered a mark of a true chef? I sure hope so! Otherwise I'm just screwing these recipes up. Below you will find MY recipe for Crockpot Creole Daube. If you would like to see the recipe it's based on check out Deep South Dish.

Creole Daube
-will feed a family of 6 easily! We ate half and I froze the rest.

1- small/medium roast (a cheap cut is fine)
1 large onions, chunked
1 large green bell pepper, cut into stripes
2 T. minced garlic
1 large can whole tomatoes (I used San Marzano style), chop up as you pull them out.
1 small can of tomato sauce
1 pinch of sugar1 cup water
2 beef bullion cubes
Splash of Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste1/2 teaspoon Tony Cachere's 

You ready for the really difficult directions? I'm not sure you can handle this....................

Put EVERYTHING in the crockpot at the same time and cook on low for 6 hours or until the roast is falling apart. Pull out the roast and shred up. Serve over cooked spaghetti noodles, garlic bread and maybe a salad. 

Printable version

Tasty Tuesday: Lemon Garlic Chicken and Sticky Coconut Chicken

We are a house of chicken eaters, so I love trying new flavors and ways to cook up chicken. I saw this recipe a few weeks ago on Money Saving Mom and knew I had to try it. While checking out the recipe I found another recipe that looked yummy, Sticky Coconut Chicken.


My plan was to grill about 6 chicken breasts in the lemon/garlic marinade, but decided I would divide it between the two and same some for later.


Lemon Garlic Chicken- from Mel's Kitchen

Juice of 1 lemon, approximately 3 tablespoons
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon minced garlic, about 2 medium cloves
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pound chicken breasts 

Combine all marinade ingredients. Place chicken in a ziploc bag and pour marinade over chicken. Seal bag and place in fridge overnight. Grill (or cook in frying pan). Serve with sides of your choice or cut into bite sized pieces and add to desired recipe (I’ll be sharing a few with you soon). Note: If you cut your chicken into smaller, bite-sized pieces and then marinate it, you can get away with only letting it marinate for 5 or 6 hours instead of overnight.

Serving with roasted parmesan red potatoes and green beans.

Sticky Coconut Chicken-original recipe from Mel's Kitchen. I changed my version just slightly based on what I had on hand.

3 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 cup canned coconut milk
1 Tbsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. fresh ground pepper
1/2 tsp. roasted red chili paste
Mix all ingredients together and marinate chicken for at least 1 hour or longer. Grill on barbecue.

Glaze:
3/4 cup rice vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. soy sauce
pinch roasted red chili paste

While the chicken is grilling, bring above ingredients to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until mixture is reduced and thickened, about 8-10 minutes. Be patient because it takes a little while. But once it starts getting really thick, immediately take it off the heat! Glaze both sides of chicken the last few minutes of grilling and serve chicken over rice.

Serving with stir fry noodles and veggies. 

Coupons and Coffee

Mornin! I'm dragging this morning for some reason and just can't seem to get motivated. Maybe a shower and actually get out of my pj's will do the trick!


Don't forget it's the end of the month. New coupons will reset on sites like coupons.com, smartsource.com and redplum.com. So make sure to print any of them you want NOW before they are gone!


Here is today's round up. Thanks to Money Saving Mom, Hip2Save, Deal Seeking Mom, 


Coupons
BOGO Smoothie King Lean Smoothie
$1/2 any Apple & Eve 64oz. Bottle and/or 8-pack juice boxes (fill out form)
$2/1 Cetaphil Product (excludes cleansing bar and travel size) – “like” on Facebook
$0.55/1 Fruitables 8-pack juice boxes or 64oz. bottle (fill out form)
$1/1 Cinnabon Cream of Wheat (“like” on Facebook)
$0.50/1  Murray’s Chicken Products

$2/1 Duck brand Double Draft Seal
$2/2 rolls of Easy Liner brand shelf liner
$0.50/1 any Duck brand packaging tape
$3/1 Clorox ToiletWand StarterKit
$10 worth of Dryel coupons
$5 Alli
$3/2 any Clearasil Products (“like” on Facebook)
$10/$10 Liz Claiborne purchase @ JCPenny- instore only

Freebies

All You Magazine - FREE 1 yr. subscription!
FREE Chick Fil A Breakfast- still PLENTY of openings locally!
$5 Movie Credit @ Amazon- must have a twitter account