Frugal Mommy, I am! I am!

Yes, The Domestic Diva has the couponing bug! But I love it! If you are looking to get started on your own couponing adventure, I urge you to check out some of my favorite sites! Grab a Sunday’s paper and a pair of scissors and start saving money! Don’t just look like a Diva when you shop. Look like a Diva and keep money in your pocket!

Want to live the high life at half the prices? Go to Our Coupon Adventures and start now!

Are you like me, a frugal mommy? Then you need to go to Money Saving Mom for all types of deals, advice, and great ideas!

Believe me, REAL MEN COUPON! But, Diva or man, check out Greg’s COUPON SITE that offers info AND VIDEOS on scoring great deals with coupons. 

As always, please share what you know with me and I’ll do the same!

Looking for the free coupons from IG? Email at sunnydaysllc@gmail.com with COUPONS as the subject.

Early Rise Challenge

If you’re reading this, God has given us all a very precious resource–TIME. Just like in the parable of the talents, I believe that no matter what we do, or don’t do, with God’s gifts, we will have to answer for it. Why would I want to waste anything from my Heavenly Father?! I have committed to making a better effort to utilize my time more wisely. When it’s gone, no one can ever get it back.

As a relatively new wife (almost 2 years), a new mom (9 months old), and full-time 4th grade teacher, time is spread out pretty thin for me on most days. However, there is always a way to get things accomplished by budgeting time! I remember an exercise assigned to every freshman in the School of Business and Industry (SBI) at Florida A&M University. We each had to keep a journal, accounting for EVERY MINUTE of every day for an entire week. I remember thinking how crazy the assignment was until it was finished and I read back over my entries. I had wasted so many minutes that equated to hours throughout my days, that I was simply astonished! We often say, “I don’t have enough time.” Sometimes is may be that we just failed to properly budget our time!

So, I am taking the early rise challenge. Not because I rise late, but because I tend to rise early and waste that hour in the morning when I could be doing so much! Today, even though it’s a Saturday, I rose at

What time did you rise today?

 

Waking this early is “PRIME TIME” because my daughter Reagan is still sleep and the house is quiet. I found several things that I can do during this time that are more difficult during the day:

- In Depth Bible Studies

- Mini Workout Session

- Blogging and Working on my cookbook

- Coupon for the week

So today, I studied from Matthew and 1 Corinthians, and really gleaned from the texts! I was able to do a little Zumba on the Wii, and blog about it all to you fine people! I also plan to clip/print my coupons and align them with deals that may be ending today and bake a coffee cake for my dear husband.

I hope you can find a way to better budget your time and accomplish some goals that you may have put on the back burner!

Be Blessed!

Just Some Food Photos!

I love baking! I love cooking! And I love showing others my creations! It’s been AWHILE, so how about you catch up through photos! Enjoy, as your mouth begins to water……….

Simple Blueberry scones with a lemon curd glaze!

The fastest week night meal over rice! Forget Chinese take-out tonight!

I LOVE making homemade cinnamon rolls for my family!! Fun to make, fun to eat!

Pasta is my BFF!

Portable red velvet cupcakes!!

With a cherry on top!

My version of Nashville’s hot chicken!

Pound cake!!! Louisiana Crunch Cake!

Eat Your Heart Out Santa!

A collection of my holiday cookies!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!! At least for me, it is! The Christmas season just lends itself to baking!! There are so many variations on cookies and pies and bars that one can indulge in! Lately, I’ve been baking cookies for any and everyone–just to try out new ideas! I absolutely love giving friends and family pretty packaged containers of sweet treats made with love! For those of you who are thinking it will take too long, let me direct you to a simple basic sugar cookie mix at Sweet Sugar Belles blog.  Use the  basic recipe as a blank slate. Flavor the dough according to your preference, cut out various shapes, and become an artist and decorate your cookies as you please. Here are some ideas:

– Orange Glaze and roasted  macadamia nuts

– Maple icing and bacon

– Stained glass effect with crushed hard candies

– Outlined and royal icing filled

– White chocolate and crushed peppermint

Basic Sugar Cookie Recipe from Sweet Sugar Belle! Check  out her blog–it’s awesome!

Ingredients

• 1 c. {two sticks} of REAL unsalted BUTTER, softened
• 1 1/2 c. confectioner’s sugar
• 1 egg
• 2-3 tsp flavoring {pick what you like, I prefer almond}
• 2 1/2-2 3/4 c. all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt

Instructions

1. Cream together softened butter and confectioner’s sugar. Crack the egg into a separate bowl, and add the flavoring. I use emulsions, but extract also works well. Add that to the butter sugar mixture and mix until the egg is thoroughly incorporated. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then add little by little to the mixture. I can tell the dough is ready when most of it sticks to the paddle. When I touch it, it has a little give, but does not stick to my fingers.
2. Roll out on parchment to about 1/4 an inch thick, use flour for dusting as necessary. Then, cut and bake at 400 degrees for 7-8 minutes. This version makes 2-2 1/2 dozen, doubled, it makes 4-5 dozen.

And Biscuits for All!

Any Southern girl or kitchen diva worth her salt had better be able to whip a batch of homemade biscuits–flaky, buttery, and delicious! I decided to whip a batch myself for Sunday morning breakfast before worship service. Some were eaten with smooth, creamy, sweet butter and orange marmalade and others eaten with slices of smoky Virginia ham nestled in between! Let me know if you’d like the recipe! These biscuits are also great topped with fresh strawberries, glaze, and whipped cream!

 

Platter of fresh, hot biscuits!

 

Flaky biscuit filled with smoky Virginia ham!

Sometimes, you just need to roll some meat balls in your hands!

I’m talking homemade meatballs, chock full of veal, pork, chuck, parmesean cheese, onion, parsley, and garlic! My hubby knows how much I love Italian food! (When Giada is on Food Network, leave me alone!!) It’s getting cooler out and although a big bowl of soup is great, a platter of meatballs atop hills of spaghetti and tomato sauce is right up my alley!

Spaghetti and Meatballs topped with a homemade Parmesan crisp!

1 lb ground beef

1 lb ground veal

1/2 pound ground Italian sausage

2 slices white bread, broken into small 1/2 inch pieces (or you can use any stale bread

2 garlic cloves chopped

2 eggs
1 teaspoon fresh basil

1 pinch red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons fresh parsley chopped
1/4-1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

½ teaspoon lemon zest
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon olive oil

½ cup beef stock

Directions:

Mix all ingredients gently in a large bowl until well combined, clean fingers work best. Be careful not to overmix!

Roll meatballs about the size of ping pong balls.

Place in shallow baking dish and cover with beef stock. Cover pan in foil and bake for 20 minutes. Add to your favorite sauce and top spaghetti!!

No need to cross the border–Mexican is at your fingertips!

My family and I enjoy Mexican meals–especially when they’re made at home! It may not be entirely authentic  but it surely is authentically delicious! We like to take our time and make some real South of the border tasting enchiladas, but sometimes we find ourselves just taking the easy route, but without sacrificing a bit of flavor!

 

1 1/2 lb. ground beef
1 med. onion, minced
1 (15 oz.) can refried beans
1 sm. cans chopped green chilies (drained)
1 ½ cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
1 lg. can ripe olives, sliced (drain & save a few for garnish)
1 lb. Jack cheese, grated
1 lb. Queso cheese, grated
3 dozen flour or corn tortillas

2 cans enchilada sauce

 

Brown ground beef and onions; drain. Add next 5 ingredients plus 1 cup prepared sauce. Simmer 15 minutes. Let cool before rolling enchiladas.

Steps for rolling enchiladas:

2. Dip tortillas in your heated prepared sauce.

3. Lay the tortilla out in your baking dish, which you have put a small amount of the sauce and covered the bottom.

4. Spoon 3-4 tablespoons filling down the center of tortilla. Roll tortilla around filling and place flat side down in baking dish. Shove to one edge and continue process, placing enchiladas side by side.

5. Pour enough sauce over the enchiladas to moisten well. A 9 x 13 inch pan will hold around 1 dozen to 1 1/2 dozen.

6. Sprinkle with 1/2 of mixed Jack and Cheddar grated cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

 Ole’!!