Weirdest ..... Soup ....... EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have been battling this new found allergy thing. I was great for a few days and now I am going downhill! I have tried 3 different allergy meds and none seem to relieve more than 37%. UGH! So, I am taking matters into my own hands! I am unclogging my nose on my own .... Well, with the help of a weird soup! ..... A month ago, I bought 30 cans of Progresso. I LOVE SOUP! They were next to nothing at Publix so I stocked up. Now I am left with Clam Chowder ... Totally not in the mood for that! .... Time to get creative ..... Before I tell you the weirdness that I created, let me give you a little background ..... When I was younger, my dad would mix just about any and everything. He would put it all in his "Jethro bowl" and then crush up Doritos and throw some ranch dressing on it.... Now (with that disclaimer) here is what I made ..... I boiled some water and threw some chicken bouillon in it. Then I tossed in some brussel sprouts, onions, creamed corn, and diced tomatoes with chiles..... My original plan was onions, carrots and corn .... When I went to Publix today (to get my free produce .... gotta love coupons) I looked at the beautiful 89 cents carrots! BUT there was the guy in the way!!! So I grabbed my lettuce, squash, zucchini and onion and I FORGOT to get my carrots :( AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I improvised and found some frozen brussel sprouts in my freezer! Hot diggity dog! ...... Oh yeah! I tossed in some money makin' Mueller's pasta, too! ..... As with all soup, I put a dollop of sour cream in it (I guess that is like my ranch dressing?!?!?!?!?)! Note to all: I had an unstuffed nose by the fourth bite! Wooooo Hooooooo! Mission Accomplished! ..... After I stirred in the sour cream, I had the great idea to take a picture and post a blog about it! Rock on "Brussel corny stinky chile creamy etc soup!"

PHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wowzers! I haven't blogged in ages!!!! I have been sick! I know, me??? Sick?!?!?!?! Bahahhahaha!!! Well, After a week, I diagnosed myself with allergies! Yes, allergies! Why pay my doctor to tell me what I could research on my own? Normally, I go to his office and tell him what I have and what I need (because I am a walking medical anomaly and have really weird things happen) .... So I decided, by process of elimination, that I have allergies! I am super bummed and yet super excited! Tomorrow, I am going to get money makin' Allegra at CVS!!!!! Woot woot! Here's my plan ....

Allegra Allergy (5 ct.), $6.99
Get $6.99 ECBs (Limit 1)  

Soooooo ..... I am going to use this .....$2/1 Allegra, Allegra-D or Children’s Item, exp. 3-26 (SS 03/06/11)

I will spend $4.99 out of pocket and get $6.99 in Extra Care Bucks!

I normally don't coupon anywhere but Publix! BUT, I need these meds so I am going to give CVS a chance :)

Here's how my week went ...... 

I hacked all week ... Off and on ..... Then I got these super cute feathers in my hair (thanks to Brittney, a wonderful stylist)! 

I watch my niece a lot so I took the three, crazy kids to the pool in my hood!

 

While the kiddos enjoyed the Florida winter weather (bahahhahahaha) I crocheted! Well, I got a super weird crochet sunburn :( I am an advocate for sunscreen and I can't stand burns .... Somehow, I managed to get one, a weird one!

I finished a couple of hats!!!!!!!!

And I got some shopping done!!!

Publix ..... Spent $18.35 and SAVED $105.67!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I stopped at Kohl's because I had a $10 off $10 or more ( I actually have two so I am going back tomorrow)! I had groceries in the car so I had to hurry and I grabbed some jammies for Emmy! She can now blend in and get lost in her room!

 Spent $4.28 SAVED $24.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Candies sleepwear) 





Oh yeah .... I had 2, 50% off at Joann's and they expired today! EEK! I bought some much needed cake stuff, on the way to the Pub (lix that is)!

 

 


Spent $6.03 SAVED $5.65!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOOT WOOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WalMart paid me to have a not so horrible experience! Wahooooo!

First, going to give a shout out to Clippin' With Carie. I got the idea from her site. I don't frequent WalMart. I can't stand to coupon there. I avoid the place at all costs.

That being said .............

I walked out of the store with $7.94 more than I went in with!

• I bought (1) Secret Clinical Deodorant (travel size) $2.47 each

          Used (1) $2/1 Coupons (2/27 P&G)               *These are in the travel size area*

• I bought (8) U by Kotex Liners (18 ct) $1.24 each

          Used (4) $2.50/2 Coupon (2/13 SS)                *In the girly products area*

• I bought (4) Millstone French Vanilla Coffee Packs (1.75 oz) $1.64 each

          Used (4) $2/1 Coupons (2/13 RP)                     *On the coffee aisle*

• I bought (2) Purex 3-in-1 Laundy Sheets (Travel size 2pk) $.97 each

         Used (2) $3/1 Coupons (2/20 RP)                        *In the travel size area*

• I bought (4) Gain Dryer Sheets (40 ct) $1.87 each

          Used (4) $3/1 Coupons (2/13 RP)           *Down the laundry aisle, in the grocery area*

I did walk the line of cashiers and picked a winner. Younger girl, looked happy (unlike some of the other cashiers that appeared like they just left a funeral and were going to another funeral when they got off of work). From the beginning, I told her that I was doing some crazy couponing. I cracked some jokes and was super friendly. Also, she asked me about my shirt .... Yeah, I was rockin' a Swagbucks shirt!  ..... She scanned my products, scanned my coupons. It automatically sent an alert for CSM approval. They didn't even come to her aisle! She said that the CSM's have palms and can okay the sale from their location! Kind of neat! 

Now, does this mean I am going to be a frequent WalMart shopper .... NO! I still can't get over the massive amount of people, forever long lines, nobody around when I need help finding a product and a million other reasons! When I can make money, I will be there :)

Phew!

So I haven't "blogged" in a few days .... Odd! I am just starting and I am already getting behind! When I was in elementary school, I wrote a book "100 Procrastinations." I wrote the book because apparently, I procrastinate (per my parents). Problem .... I didn't finish the book .... Yeah ..... I should get an award for an unfinished procrastination book!


Today feels like a Friday!!!!
 
I just finished making a cake. A really awesome cake. A cake like no other. A cake that I have never tried before. A cake that makes you say, "WHOA!" ...... Sit on the edge of your seat because I can't post it until tomorrow evening .... As it is a surprise cake for someone :)  I had to make two. The first one looked too much like a chicken leg. With my husband's "expertise" in this particular cake category, he advised me to the proper look of it. Interesting ..... Well, I was putting on the final touches and I got the brown gel coloring out with a toothpick. I normally do a cool, little spin while tossing things in the garbage can. Well, this evening was like every other. Toothpick in the gel, gel coloring in the bowl, little spin and toss ..... OOOOPSSS!!!! I accidentally dropped the FULL bottle of brown gel coloring on the kitchen floor, dining room carpet and rug :( Husband to the rescue!!!!!! So glad that he has mad cleaning skills!!!!!!






Couponing ..... Right now I am in birthday mode. I just finished a birthday cake and my daughter has a party coming up .... I am crocheting ..... And I am raising money for a mission trip to Africa ..... So, I am putting couponing on the back burner until next week. I have a wonderful friend, Sarah Carver, that taught me. I was VERY skeptical and thought she was a nut. Well, she is nutty :) BUT, it works! I love it!!!!!! I will put together some basic couponing information to put on here :)


Also, kudos to me ... I vacuumed today! Hoodie hoooooo!

On a serious note .....

Please read this and share this .......

http://www.gofundme.com/brenda-mission-trip

How to get a FREE dinner!!!! Homemade chicken pot pie!!!!!!

Have you ever wondered how to get a FREE, homemade, delicious chicken pot pie for dinner?!?!?!?!!?!!?   

  Duh ......

\

Have your mom make you one ; ) 

What will I call dinner?!?!?!!?!?!?

Really Odd Chicken with Pasta a la Creamy 

Yeah, that sounds good!

I made my own chicken broth for the first time ever and I don't know how to use it .... So ....

I got two pots of boiling homemade chicken broth on the stove. I boiled penne rigate pasta in one pot and the chicken in the other .... (Is that what I am supposed to do????)

I heated up a pan of EVOO and a few cloves of garlic ... Then I put the chicken in that pan .... cooked it .... and ..... YUMMMMMERS!

After the noodles were done, I drained them and mixed two large spoonfuls of cream cheese, two spoonfuls of sour cream and poured a tad bit of milk in with the pasta. I put S & P in the pasta, also some basil and Italian seasonings .... Remember, I don't know how to cook so if these things don't go together, it's okay!

I cut up some fresh carrots and put a little butter in a skillet, with some honey and a scoop of Sugar in the Raw .... Mixed 'em all together and here is the final product! .....

Saturday!

Yesterday was fun. After my pictures in other peoples yards, I went home and cooked "Interesting BBQ Pork Skillet" and then got my party gear on (tropical themed party) and went on my merry way to a PartyLite party in a retirement community. I sure did feel at home. Even though I was the youngest by more than 30 years, I loved it! The company was great, the snacks were wonderful and the chatting was superb! The hostess was a doll and so welcoming and sweet :)

On my way to the shin-dig, I stopped at a friend's house to drop off a little hat I crocheted for her baby boy.

(See, I can fit in with older people, I crochet)

On the way home, I had a wonderful chat with my cousin. She's pretty cool. It must be because she is related to me?!?!?!?!?!?

Now, we are to Saturday!

My darn animals wake up before the sun! What in the world?!?!?!?!?!!?? After I took Phoebe potty and changed my facebook status, I feel asleep ... UNTIL 10:50!!!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!! My hubster let me sleep in! He rocks!

Anywho, 7 pm rolled around, still in my pj's and AHHHHHHHHHHHH! I have a lot of coupons expiring today!!!!!! Tossed on some clothes and ran to the Pub (lix that is) :) My hair looked like a ton of EVOO was poured on it! Bahahahahaha! I had a decent shopping trip and felt wild! I bought a scratch off! And won $2! I only spent $1 so I am taking my winnings and running! BOO-YAH!

Here's my trip!

$239.85 worth of groceries for .............. $74.33!!!!!!



Not a very good week but the next couple of weeks I should only have to spend no more than $20! Stocking up is great!



Supper From Yesterday!

Interesting BBQ Pork Skillet

Here's how I made it....

• Skinny, boneless chops        I used 6          
• Fettuccine                              1/2 box
• Jar of alfredo                         1/2 jar
• S & P                                       I use a grinder thing .... About 10 cranks
• EVOO                                     A few swirls around the pan
• BBQ sauce                             About 4 glugs
• Italian dressing                     Yep, 4 glugs with this one, too!
• Onions                                    One good slice
• Veggies                                   Any you like

Heat up two pans .... Well, I have to heat up two pans because my hubster doesn't like onions so I cook my onions in a different pan :) Yeah, I am a nice wife!

Boil water for your noodles

Heat up your EVOO and put your chops in the pan. Heat chops on each side for about 1 minutes.

Mix together Italian dressing and BBQ sauce

Pour mixture on chops, cover and simmer until you think they are done

Use a little EVOO to cook up your onions

Drain your pasta and pour sauce on it ... Put some S & P on your pasta

Serve with your favorite veggies

Viola! Interesting BBQ Pork Skillet!



Fantastic Friday's Funny Fumbles!

This blog thing is fun!

So today was great. I am off work (from my amazing part time job) on Friday's ..... I got Emma off to school and then .... yep .... nap time! Woooo Hoooo! 

I was responsible for making green eggs for Emma's class. I am very last minute ... With everything! I think I had about 8 minutes to make them and of course, I had to snag a quick picture! Only 4 minutes late to class, but, hey, that's pretty good! .... Here's the final product!

After the fun with her class, Grayden and I ran to Target to snag up some invites for Emma's party next week. I am so happy that I found zebra print with hot pink!!!!

 
 Now, I only photographed the top portion .... I don't want weird people in computer world knowing any details! Yeah, I am pretty smart sometimes! 


The next weird adventure of the day was kind of odd. You see, there are a ton of gorgeous trees and bushes and other interesting plants in bloom right now. It is almost 80 in Florida, in winter! ...... Seeing how my yard is infested with chinchbugs and my wonderful husband trimmed our bushes AFTER they were in bloom .... Next year, hopefully he'll trim them BEFORE they bloom .... So, I decided to be a weirdo (and hopefully not get arrested) and drive around town and take pictures of other peoples bushes and trees! Here are some .....

DINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This Evening's Interesting Dinner!

Homemade Sloppy Joe Personal Pie (with a side salad)

Now that you know a little about me, you know that I can't cook, nor follow directions .... I improvise, A LOT! 

 Here is how I made this creation ......

• French Style Green Beans
• Carrots
• Corn
• Hamburger meat
• Tomato sauce
• Sugar in the Raw                       *a few scoops
• Sweet BBQ sauce                      *pour a little in
• Powdered mustard                   *dashes
• Milk                                             *poured in a tad
• Chili powder                               *four shakes
• Can of Pillsbury reduced fat wheat rolls
• Teenie bit of melted butter  
• Worcestershire sauce                *7 shakes   

****please note****

There was a recipe and I only had 5 ingredients. So I improvised. I like to get a little creative

Here's how you make this masterpiece!

1. Brown the meat ..... Drain the meat
2. Cut up and cook your veggies (I LOVE Pampered Chef and their awesome knives)
3. Mix veggies and all ingredients together (except butter and biscuits)
4. Put concoction in cute little dishes that can go in the oven (I used a mixture of Pyrex and Pampered Chef)
5. Place biscuits (I halved mine) on top
6. WAIT I FORGOT .... I added some cheddar cheese on top of the concoction, in the cute little dish, under the biscuit)! 
7. Then put it in the preheated, 400 degree oven for awhile ... until you smell it start cooking good!
8. Before it smells burnt, get your basting brush (I like my Pampered Chef one from Angie) and put your butter on the biscuits
9. Pop it back in for 5 minutes 
10. VOILA!!!!!!!!!!

                   

My First Post

Howdy! For those of you that know me, I babble ..... a lot!

This evening, we were eating our family dinner and I popped out, "Hey, I'm going to start a blog!" Hubby and I explained to the kids what a blog was and then we started a family discussion as to what it should be called. My 4 year old son, Grayden, came up with titles like ...... "Brenda's Healthy Cooking" "Brenda's Babbling Head" ..... "Brenda's Babbling Eyeballs" **** We stopped him after that one! .......... My almost 8 year old, Emma, came up with titles like ...... "Brenda's Starbucks" ...... "Skybucks" ...... "Brenda Babbles" ..... So we all easily agreed upon "Babbling Brenda's Blog" 

One might ask, "What is the goal of this crazy woman and her blog?" Well, I am very weird, my husband is a quiet, funny, computer guy, my daughter is in her own world of preciousness .... and my son, well, he thinks he is Batman and a karate master all in one! ...... I can't cook. I can't follow directions (actually, I don't usually read directions). I don't like to clean. One thing I can do is bake a cake! And decorate! ...... I like to coupon (only at Publix) ..... I have started crocheting (again, I can't follow directions or even watch and entire tutorial, so I wing my stuff) ...... I decided that I will put out in computer world all of my adventures!

Hope you enjoy!