Redbox Code 09.22.08

Posted on September 22, 2008 by Amy

Today’s free code for a Redbox movie is CR654D. This code is good for one free movie and you can use it until midnight tonight. Enjoy a free family movie together!

Side Notes:

- If you want to rent more than one movie for free, bring more than one credit/debit card. You can use the same promotional code, you just will need different cards to charge it to. The charge will be zero as long as you return your movie on time for the next day.

- When entering in your free movie code, you need to enter it FIRST before picking the movie. On the very first screen, click the, “Rent with Promo.” Enter in the above code and then make your selection- the amount should then total zero.

Here is an updated list of new releases:

Baby Mama
The darlings of Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update are reunited. Amy Poehler and Tina Fey star in this comedy about a straightlaced and squeaky clean career woman (Fey) who, after discovering she’s infertile, hires a surrogate (Poehler) who turns out to be crass and downright crazy.

Forbidden Kingdom
It’s every kung fu obsessed teen’s dream come true (or it should be): get recruited by a band of martial artists in China and trusted on a deadly mission (in this case to rescue a character named The Monkey King). Action heroes Jet Li and Jackie Chan star.

Barbie & the Diamond Castle
This animated feature might, at first, seem like Barbie and her close friends singing songs and enjoying the meaning of true friendship. Soon, though, they find themselves having to save the Diamond Castle – and music itself! – from the evil muse Lydia!

Payback
Returning from last week, it’s a new release exclusive to redbox! When a cop-killer escapes prison after ten years, he goes straight after the family of the man who put him away – the partner of the cop he murdered. Christopher Atkins and Costas Mandylor star in this fast paced thriller.

Then She Found Me
This movie picks up in the aftermath of some pretty tough times for the main character. Her husband has left her. Her adoptive mother dies. As if that weren’t adjustment enough, her biological mother suddenly enters her life. Helen Hunt gives a great directorial debut, starring Bette Midler, Colin Firth and Matthew Broderick.

What Happens In Vegas
Forget how the saying goes — it doesn’t always stay in Vegas. Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz play young opposites who start a night in Sin City as total strangers and wake up as newlyweds. After Ashton hits big on the slots, a judge (Dennis Miller) orders them to honor their wedding vows for six months.

Company is Coming: Fast Peanut Butter Cookies

Posted on September 22, 2008 by Amy

There are very few nights where we don’t have a guest sitting at our dinner table. Although I put a lot of thought into our main dishes, I have to say, dessert sometimes gets the short end of the stick when I am entertaining.

I happened upon this recipe for peanut butter cookies that will make a regular appearance for busy weeknight invitations though! The recipe yields between two to three dozen (depending on the size of your scoops) and is made from items out of your pantry. Best of all, you can get all the ingredients at Aldi, which is a bonus in my book!

Be sure to keep the cooking time to the ten to twelve minutes and don’t let the lighter color fool you. I had some burnt cookies in my first batch because I left them in the oven too long. Let them cool as instructed and then place them on a pretty plate for serving. Then you need to complete the most difficult step of all…Try to graciously accept the compliments without giving away your cooking secrets (which I never can do myself!).

I piled these on one of my trays with a carafe of decaf coffee, mugs, creamers, and and special coffee syrups. It was the perfect way to end an evening and I look forward to serving these again and again!

Elaine’s Peanut Butter Cookies (Courtesy of AllRecipes.com)

1 (18.25 ounce) package yellow cake mix
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 tablespoons water

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. Pour the cake mix into a large bowl. Make a well in the center, and add peanut butter, oil, eggs, and water. Mix until well blended. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten slightly using a fork dipped in water.

3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven. Let cookies set on cookie sheet for 2 to 3 minutes before carefully removing from the cookie sheet to cool on wire racks.

I am curious, what is your go-to dessert dish when you are having company? I would love some new desserts to add to our dinner table!

Putting My Hat Into the Martha Ring

Posted on September 20, 2008 by Amy

Oh, how I love Martha Stewart! Martha is running a contest for bloggers (on her own blog) where she will be highlighting a few of her favorite blogs and bloggers can submit their blogs for consideration. The bloggers that are chosen will be reviewed on Martha’s personal blog!

If you are looking for information on how to start a blog, you should visit her entry and see the tips for blogging that they have compiled there. They did a fantastic episode on blogging and invited some blog-celebrities to share about their blogging experiences.

I am making a wish that we are chosen for her list! Good luck to all the entries!

Freebie Friday: September 19, 2008

Posted on September 19, 2008 by Amy

A big thanks to my friend Heather, from Freebies 4 Mom, for all of her help with our Freebie Friday this week. We are thankful that Heather is back to blogging and that her family is safe and sound after Hurricane Ike. Please head over to Freebies 4 Mom and show her some love- she totally deserves it!

Exciting news- Disneyland is giving a free pass to admit you into their park on your birthday for ’09! You can register yourself (and your children)! Visit their site for the full scoop!

Health & Beauty

$1 Donation to Susan G. Komen for the Cure (made by Purina)
Crest Whitening Expressions (Walmart sample)
Huggies GoodNites (Walmart sample)

Food

Kashi Oatmeal Dark Chocolate Cookie
Bear Naked Granola
Land O’Lakes Holiday Classics with a Twist recipe brochure
Seattle’s Best Coffee

Entertainment

Rogue Magazine (from P&G;)
Automobile Magazine
Maxim Magazine (1 free issue)

Home & Garden

Nature’s Bounty Reusable Tote
Mr. Clean Mini Magic Eraser
Gorilla Glue
Pledge Multi-Surface Wipes (Walmart sample)
Playmobil Calendar (for Grades 1-3 teachers)

Pets

9Lives
Greenies

Mark Your Calendars

September – Starbucks Free coffee Mondays for teachers K-12
September – Walgreens Take Care Health Tour
September 20 – Carvel Customer Appreciation Day – free ice cream 12 to 5
September 20 - Doll crafts @ Michaels
September 25 – Coldstone Creamery Ice Cream Social (donations benefit Make-a-Wish)

September 27 – National Museum Day
September 27 – Geoffrey’s Birthday @ ToysRUs
September 27 – Lowe’s Kids – Make a fire truck
October 4 – Home Depot Kids (make a whistle fire truck 9 am to noon)

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Enter today to win a 10th Anniversary Harry Potter prize pack. We are giving away beautiful boxed sets of the Harry Potter series and the new anniversary editions of, “Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone” Please do not enter here, only entries over here will qualify. Good luck, everyone!

Notebook Experiments: Can I Make Homemade Breadsticks?

Posted on September 18, 2008 by Amy

Experiment: Can I whip up a batch of homemade breadsticks?

Experiment Taken From: Notebook Entry 08.21.08

Materials Needed: Please see Chocolate On My Cranium for the full instructions on ideas for completing this task. I followed her instructions and just used my stand mixer for this project. I also added my own additions of a 1/4 tsp garlic powder, a 1/4 tsp of Italian seasoning mix, and a handful of Parmesan cheese for sprinkling on top. For a fast dipping sauce, I used a jar of Aldi’s spaghetti sauce.

Results: This is the first time that I have ever tried to make homemade breadsticks, but I really needed some type of bread for dinner and this recipe looked fast and easy. I was doubly inspired to try this because Heather, from Freebies 4 Mom, had attempted making these and I read through all of the suggestions on her comment thread before making them.

I added 1/4 cup of extra flour to make sure that the dough was sticky, but not too sticky. I let the stand mixer do all the work for me and plopped all of the ingredients in the mixer after the yeast, sugar, and water had proofed. Within five minutes, the dough was nicely incorporated.

I poured the butter onto a rimmed cookie sheet and then scooped the dough with a spatula onto the sheet. I flipped it, covering both sides in butter and then sprinkled my addition of Parmesan cheese.

I covered the whole cookie sheet with plastic wrap and popped it in my fridge until our dinner hour. About a half hour before our dinner, I pulled it out of the fridge and let it rest on the counter while our oven preheated.

I slid a big tray of my favorite baked ziti into the oven and then popped in the breadsticks for the last twenty minutes at 350 degrees. It needed a few extra minutes more than the required cooking time, but I think that was because they had been refrigerated.

Conclusion: These breadsticks were amazing and a great way to get a large batch of bread on the table while being creative with your pantry ingredients. Next time I will add a little bit more salt to add more flavor, but other than that, I thought they were perfect. I can see us making these over and over again in our house and I want to thank Chocolate On My Cranium for a wonderful new side dish we can add to our table!
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I am so excited to open our Notebook Experiments up to everyone and I hope that you will be able to participate this week or in weeks to come! I will be posting this each Thursday so please mark your calendars if you plan to participate. You can post your entries at any time throughout the week and then leave your entry in the links below.

We have this handy banner that you are more than welcome to use, but it is not a requirement! It is just something you can add to add a little sparkle to your entry.

Rules for Participation:

1. Choose anything from any of our notebook entries (past or present) to do with your family. We have hundreds of bookmarked links of crafts, ways to save money, and organizing ideas.
2. Complete an experiment from the notebook and share about it on your blog or website. We would love to see pictures of what you accomplished or a detailed description of how your projects turned out. Please include a link to this entry, a link to the original posting of the entry (at the original crafster’s blog), and (to help us relocate the project) the date or link of the notebook entry where you found it. You can use the same formatting as our entries or you can just include that information in your post in your own unique way!
3. Post a link below. Please include your name or blog name & a fast description of your project. Example- MomAdvice (WHO bread)

I can’t wait to see what you create and what you find inspiring!

Amy’s Notebook 09.18.08

Posted on September 18, 2008 by Amy

These baked apples look delicious (@ little momma & co.)

I love this idea for creating your own crazy yarn (@ Craftzine)

This scarf made from thrifted goodies is so beautiful (@ Wise Craft)

I want to make some of these day of the week folders (@ design sponge)

I love this little round-up of bookmark ideas (@ Skip to My Lou)

These popcorn balls look like a fun fall treat (@ elsie marley)

These child’s art smocks would be very handy for messy crafts in our house (@ zakka life)

I want to make clothespin dolls with my daughter someday (@ plumpudding)

I love this memory jar idea (@ ohdeedoh)

These custom silhouette t-shirt would make a fabulous gift or fashion statement (@ Inhabitots)

This purse made from a sweater makes me want to get acquainted with my sewing machine (@ cindygert)

We aren’t in Netflix anymore, but I am loving this Netflix origami (@ swiss miss)

I am loving these baby shower decorations (@ Thompson Family-Life)

This fresh apple cake with caramel glaze looks sinful (@ Wise Craft)

These felted pictures look like a fun craft for the advanced crafters (@ One Crafty Mumma)

I love these ideas for freezing potatoes (@ Organizing Connection)

Vapor rub on pantiliners hack- only inventive parents could think of this (@ Parent Hacks)

Loved looking through the Knitty Fall ’08 patterns (@ Knitty)

I adore this fence with alternating board lengths (@ shelterrific)

This is a great recipe round-up of homemade pet treats (@ The Kitchn)

I love these tips for making good bread (@ Smitten Kitchen)

This creamy parmesan orzo looks delicious (@ Cheap Healthy Good)

These butterfly cupcakes are so sweet (@ My Wooden Spoon)

Play It Again, Momma: Vanilla Scented Granola

Posted on September 17, 2008 by Amy

Just in time for the busy school year, here is a snack that is healthy and can be used for breakfast or for snacks. Watch out though, this stuff is highly addictive!

I am easing my family into eating granola and I found this recipe that I thought would fit the bill perfectly. The only item that they could consider “weird” are the slivered almonds. No dried fruits, no coconut, no weird foods…no reason to complain!

I will gradually be adding some other elements into this recipe, but if you have a picky family, this granola recipe might be a great place to start. I bought a large container of vanilla yogurt and made little yogurt cups for the kids with this homemade granola sprinkled on top. They gobbled it up and I found them both licking their bowls. I would say this one was a hit!

Vanilla Scented Granola Courtesy of Bon Appetit Magazine

Cooking spray
4 cups rolled oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons sugar
4 teaspoons vanilla extract

Position rack to middle of oven and preheat to 300 degrees. Lightly spray large baking sheet with nonstick spray. Mix next 5 ingredients in large bowl. Combine oil, honey and sugar in small saucepan; bring to simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour hot liquid over oat mixture; stir well. Using hands, toss mixture until thoroughly mixed. Spread granola on prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes (but check after 20). Transfer sheet to rack; cool granola completely. (Can be made two weeks ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.) Makes approximately 8 cups.

Side Note: If you prefer granola clumps, do not stir during baking and allow the granola to cool. You can then break the granola apart into pieces.

Celebrating Financial Milestones as a Family

Posted on September 16, 2008 by Amy

This morning on WSBT, I discuss some ways that you can celebrate your financial milestones as a family. This topic is near and dear to my heart because I think it is so important to teach and share your financial victories and shortcomings in ways that your children can understand.

Here are two of our links to our past celebrations:

Debt-Free Party
Cars Party

We are now working on paying off our student loan debt so we can achieve our American Dream. I hope that all of this will inspire other families to start their own celebrations with their children!

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We are offering two exciting giveaways on our blog- don’t forget to put in your entry!

Last week, I provided a list of 35 Ways to Save on Your Grocery Budget that I hope will be really helpful for families. I want to add a #36 though that I know would make your day… how about free toilet paper and paper towels for an entire year from Scott’s? Head over right now and put in your entry at The MotherLoot today. Please do not enter here, only entries over here will qualify. The contest is open until Tuesday night and then I will draw our winner!

And our brand new giveaway has just begun! Enter today to win a 10th Anniversary Harry Potter prize pack. We are giving away beautiful boxed sets of the Harry Potter series and the new anniversary editions of, “Harry Potter & the Sorcerer’s Stone” Please do not enter here, only entries over here will qualify. The contest is open until October 13th and then I will draw our winner! The contest is open until Tuesday night and then I will draw our winners!

Good luck, everyone!

Mommy Time Management: Making My Plans Work

Posted on September 16, 2008 by Amy

We did a really great series on self-care awhile back (you can scroll through my Mommy Time Management category for all of the discussions and related talks on implementing self-care in your life) and I just wanted to check in with each of you and see how your self-care is going. I know that I have found it is easy to care myself during the summer, but when our new school year starts, I suddenly seem to lose myself again. I am wondering if you are feeling the same way?

My self-care has really come from trial and error and discovering what type of person I am. Here is what I am discovering.

1. I am not a morning person. I have tried being a morning person and I just can’t do it. My workout attempts to wake up early left me feeling horrible the rest of the day and getting a jump on the day usually means I am tapping into the time when I feel less creative. Therefore, I am not pushing being a morning person and am instead concentrating on utilizing the times when I feel best…which is the evening. I will no longer apologize for not being a morning person and will understand that maybe I will come to a stage in my life where mornings work better for me, but for now I am content on being groggy in the morning and enjoying the first bit of laziness while I can.

2. I am not a gym person. I tried the gym with my kids and it did not work. My daughter is at a stage in her life where she is shy and scared when I am away from her. I don’t know how long this stage will last, but dragging one whining kid and one crying kid to the gym so I could work out left me feeling stressed and guilty. We decided to, instead, put our tax refund check towards a good treadmill that we could use while caring for our children at home. My husband is now able to run and train for his races in the winter seasons and I am able to squeeze in a workout when it is convenient for me. I am working out more often and I feel better than I did before.

3. My self-care needs to be convenient for it to work. A treadmill in the basement…not convenient. A treadmill that is near my workspace so it is ready and waiting for me. Yup, that works. Call me lazy, but self-care will only work for me if it is convenient. This means that I have to make those things available to me and group items in such a way that I will actually use them. My foot soak goodies are all together waiting for the night when I can soak my feet. My library books sit in a basket in my living room where I can grab one and read them. My craft supplies are ready for me to spend an evening working on what makes me most happy. Keeping stocked on my self-care items helps me to actually care for myself when I need it most.

4. I need to put myself on a self-care schedule. I have made a commitment to myself to do one nice thing for myself for one hour a day. It is not an hour where I am watching my favorite show while I fold the laundry, pick up the kid’s toys, and sign papers. No, the only multitasking that will be occurring is if I am watching my television show while soaking my feet. As a mom, I get in the habit of making it about everyone else, even during the time that I should be caring for myself. One hour of total and carefree time devoted to myself is just what I need. The world will still spin, our house will still function, and I will be feeling better about myself in the process.

How do you care for yourself? Do you find it more difficult as the school year and activities begin? How do you make this a priority… or do you?

(Photo Source: David Joyce)

Redbox Code 09.15.08

Posted on September 15, 2008 by Amy

Today’s free code for a Redbox movie is 2THS48. This code is good for one free movie and you can use it until midnight tonight. Enjoy a free family movie together!