Pennies In My Pocket Blog: Toys

Showing posts with label Toys. Show all posts

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Yawn...Can't. Stay. Up. Late. Anymore. & Slow Cooking Thursday...yuuummm!

OK, so my blog posts are fewer lately. I've been trying to get to bed earlier...which is a big struggle for me. I'm a night owl by nature, but as I'm aging, it gets harder and harder to function the next day. I used to work on my blog at midnight and now that time slot has poofed out of my schedule. I am amazed at how well some of you bloggers do with staying consistent with your posts. Maybe I need to hire some of you to work on mine!

Here are some deals lofting around the net...

Easter basket fillers ...
Easter Savings in Toys & Games - Starting at less than $10!

Blu-ray sale with over 300 Blu-ray as Low as $13.99 from now until March 22, 2009 while supplies last. And, save up to $60 off James Bond on Blu-ray.

For those of you who haven't hopped on the Blu-ray bus yet...
Save on hundreds of DVDs as low as $6.49

Savings on Conair ...
$10 Instant Savings on Conair when you spend $49 or more on eligible Conair products sold by Amazon.com. Use the following promotional code when you check out: CONARMR9. Offer valid through March 31, 2009. See rules and restrictions. Most with FREE shipping available.

Grocery Deals at Amazon ...
- $10 Off Starbucks Coffee and Truffles - Use the following promotional code when you check out: SBUXCFNC. Exp 3/31/09
- Annie's Homegrown: Save up to 45%
- Save Between 20% and 50% on Pet Food

Apple Glazed Pork Roast

I found this seriously-so-fabulous-people-will-think-you-spent-all-day-on-it recipe in my crock pot recipe book that came with my slow cooker.

INGREDIENTS
3 - 4 lb pork roast (I always get a 2.5 lb roast)
4 - 6 apples, cored and quartered (I use Fuji because of the sweetness)
1/2 cup apple juice
5 Tablespoons of brown sugar
2 Tablespoons of ground ginger
Salt & Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
1. Rub roast with desired amount of salt & pepper.
2. Place apple quarters in bottom of slow cooker, place roast on top.
3. Combine apple juice, brown sugar and ginger then spoon over top of roast, moistening well.
4. Cook on low for 10-12 hours. (My crock pot only takes around 6 hours on low and 4 hours on high.)

This dish is FABULOUS!! I serve with red potatoes and green beans.

Head over to Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for more Slow Cooking recipes and to participate in Slow Cooking Thursday!

Question of the Day
How late do you stay up at night?

Friday, December 19, 2008

Frugal Christmas & the Friday Sale

WINNERS FROM YESTERDAY: Here are the 3 randomly chosen winners of the Restaurant.com gift certificates from yesterday...CONGRATS! I'll be contacting you. :)
1. cindysherritt
2. Steph
3. Mari

Winners...please email me your full name, the state you live in and the email address you'd like me to email the certificate to. I'll be contacting you in case you don't see the blog this morning. :)

ENTER AGAIN THIS ENTIRE WEEKEND for another chance to win one of THREE $10 gift certificates to Restaurant.com! I'm switching it up for the weekend. Just leave as many comment entries as you want on this post (any comment) today, Saturday and Sunday (by Sunday, midnight PST) as well as a way for me to contact you. I'll pick 3 winners and post them on Monday. GOOD LUCK! I'll be doing more of this, so come back!

That's right...enter as MANY times as you want on THIS post until Sunday night. I'm taking the weekend off from blogging so I thought I'd make this one fun. ;-)

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One thing I'm finding while I blog browse is that people are thinking a lot more about being frugal this Christmas. I have to tell you that I'm refreshed by this. We (my hubby and I) have never been ones to go all crazy over Christmas gifts...I just don't feel like it's right. The season is not about presents, it's about the birth of our Savior.

Growing up, we always had very simple Christmases. I never felt deprived. Several times, while visiting friends homes, I realized that some people go absolutely bonkers over Christmas. I had a childhood friend who received at least 40 (not exaggerating) gifts and then proceeded to complain that she didn't get three things on her list. Sad.

I just don't like seeing people become materialistic monsters this time of year. I believe one of the good things that has come out of this country's recession is that people are going back to the simple way. People are focusing on spending TIME not money on their loved ones. I love that. Time. When money runs out, you can always earn more, but when time runs out...it's out for good. Spend time on your loved ones.

Here are a few FRUGAL CHRISTMAS IDEAS I've come up with on how to spend more time with your loved ones this season...

1. Read the Christmas story.

2. Turn up the Christmas music and dance with your kids.

3. Play in the snow or if you don't have snow, sled down a hill anyways!

4. Pray at dinner for the people you've sent Christmas cards to. Let the children say prayers for their friends.

5. Attend a Christmas pageant in your community. Most churches have them. Look one up and take your family.

6. Turn on your fireplace, pop popcorn in it and then have a slumber party! We used to do this when we were kids and it was a BLAST!

7. Help your kids string popcorn and then wrap it around the tree.

8. Bake as a family and give the goodies as gifts! Who doesn't like homemade goodies? And its very frugal. Family Fun has some great recipes. (See recipe for wine cake below...its what I'm making for my neighbors. It's SO good.)

9. Drive around looking at Christmas lights.

10. Have a Christmas potluck! Invite friends over for a simple dinner and let them bring their favorite Christmas dish!

11. Make some Christmas decorations with your family. Here are some ideas from Family Fun.

12. Read about the history of Christmas, Santa and how other countries celebrate Christmas. click here

13. Track Santa on Christmas Eve. click here

14. Throw a simple White Elephant party. The gift can have a price limit ($5 or less) or something that is around the house. Here are the rules for a White Elephant party.

15. Instead of going nuts on the Christmas gifts, talk to your extended family and either agree to get gifts for the kids only or if that doesn't work, put a price limit on gifts. I've always thought that a Christmas drawing is great. Pick a name out of the hat and get that person a gift instead of the entire family...works great in large families.

16. Wrap and recycle ... use brown paper bags that you've received from the grocery store and wrap your gifts with them! Go for a pine cone hunt with your kids (our neighborhood park has tons on the ground) and decorate the gifts with them! You can dip the tips of the pine cones in glue and then glitter. Pretty. Let the kids color on the wrapping...how cute. :)

17. Go through photos of your children with them. Let them pick out their favorite recent picture of themselves and then frame it for the grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc. Great frugal gift that they will love!

18. Set the stage for a homemade play...Let the kids loose in your closet to dress up for a Christmas play! Give them ideas for a theme and then let their imagination flow. They can perform for the whole family. (My mom and her sisters did this when she was a kid.)

19. Find out where the locals are going. There are many public places that hold special events and Christmas festivals for free.

20. Go to a Christmas Eve service.

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Here's the recipe I mentioned that I'm baking for the neighbors. It's fabulous and SUPER easy to make...

Wine Cake
(makes 4 small cakes)
INGREDIENTS
1 Box of French Vanilla Cake Mix
1 Package of Instant Lemon Pudding (3 oz or so)
4 Eggs
3/4 cup Vegetable Oil
3/4 cup Cream Sherry (Dessert wine section of the grocery store)
1 tsp nutmeg

DIRECTIONS
Mix all ingredients well. Pour equal amounts of mixture into four 8"x3" or 9"x4" loaf pans. Cook for 45 minutes at 350. It will look a little brown when ready. Be sure to check center to make sure it's done. Let it cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

I double the recipe to make 8 cakes. I have lots of great neighbors. :)

Variation: You can also "flour" the pan after it's been greased with cocoa powder or a cinnamon sugar mixture for a textured crust. This will eliminate that "white stuff" on the outside of your baked cake which makes for a prettier cake.

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I'm going to do a really fast peek at the FRIDAY SALE. It's late and I'm tired, but help yourself to more if you want to browse around...click here.

Fancy coffee...
Bodum Chambord 8-Cup Press with Bonus Pavina Thermal Glasses
List Price: $80.00
Today's Sale Price: $19.99 - 75% off
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Whole lotta fab dishes...
Circulon Infinite Circulon 10-Piece Cookware Set
List Price: $550.00
Today's Sale Price: $209.99 - 62% off
FREE Super Saver Shipping

We have a set just like this and it's AWESOME! Great gift for the wine lover...
Pinzon Matte Chrome-Plated Corkscrew and Foil Cutter Set
List Price: $60.00
Today's Sale Price: $14.99 - 75% off
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

OK these get the CUTEST little boots award!!
Chill Chasers by Buster Brown Toddler Lil' Summit Boot
List Price: $39.95
Today's Sale Price: $19.90 - 50% off
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Don't forget...80% off Savings on $25 Gift Certificates. $2 when you use code SANTA - Ends Sunday, 12/22/08

Question of the WEEKEND
Do you have a frugal tip for Christmas?
Do share. :) Oh and remember...you can leave as many comment entries this weekend as you want for the giveaway!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

SNOW & Slow Cooking Thursday

WINNERS FROM YESTERDAY: Here are the 3 randomly chosen winners of the Restaurant.com gift certificates from yesterday...CONGRATS! I'll be contacting you in a few minutes. :)
1. The Queen in Residence
2. mine, by magpie
3. Imperfect

Winners...please email me your full name, the state you live in and the email address you'd like me to email the certificate to. I'll be contacting you in case you don't see the blog this morning. :)

Don't forget...80% off Savings on $25 Gift Certificates. $2 when you use code SANTA - Ends Sunday, 12/22/08

ENTER AGAIN TODAY for another chance to win one of THREE $10 gift certificates to Restaurant.com! Just leave a comment on this post (any comment) today by midnight PST as well as a way for me to contact you. I'll pick 3 winners and post them tomorrow. GOOD LUCK! I'll be doing more of this, so come back!

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So, it's been snowing off and on this week. I live somewhere that it doesn't usually snow...we're LOVING it! I feel like a kid just staring out the back door going, "Look Pumpkin Doodles! It's SNOWING! It's SNOWING!" Of course, Pumpkin Doodles gets excited, but not nearly as much as her silly mom. The photo was taken on my camera phone before the snow got really piled up. I'm horrible at downloading photos off my real camera. lol

I'm one of those crazy moms who likes to be cooped up in cold weather like this. I've been helping the little one build forts and coloring pictures for daddy (from printables online...I'm posting some of them.) Luckily, she loves to sit in her highchair to watch me bake Christmas goodies, too. I should be tackling my Christmas cards that just got in, but I'm not. I'm thinking the weekend will be reserved for that and hot cocoa. :)

FREE Printables for a cold day indoors...
Alphabet Coloring Pages
Alphabet Animal Coloring Pages
Learning Worksheets (Alphabet, Telling Time, Senses, Measurements, etc.)

DEAL TIME!

Sale on boots to keep those toes warm...
Sale on Boots - under $100

WOW! Some really good discounts on...
Cookware - 50% off or more

Discounts on toys for boys...
Toys for boys on sale - up to 75% off!

Discounts on toys for girls...
Toys for girls - up to 75% off!

Arts & Craft deals...
Up to 75% off on Arts & Craft toys!

If you need something pretty or personalized or pretty and personalized and need to get it somewhere by Christmas...
Free Shipping Upgrade on All Orders! Order by December 20th and get it in time for Christmas!

Sale on all sorts of Christmas items and you can personalize them, too...still time to get them by Christmas...
PersonalizationMall.com - Sale on Christmas gifts

One my favorite gifts to receive...POPCORN!
--Send Holiday Gifts under $35 - Order one today only at thepopcornfactory.com!
--Save 10% off $50+ or 20% off $100+ on any Holiday order - use code WS10 or WS20 and lock in the best deal of the season, offer expires 12.22.08

Sending Flowers?
--1-800-FLOWERS -FREE SHIPPING or NO SERVICE CHARGE- Limited time offer! code FRSHP29 Expires 12.21.08
--1-800-FLOWERS - Upgrade our best selling Centerpiece FREE, get a medium for the price of a small, only $39.99 Expires 12.24.08

Beauty gifts...
--Gifts Under $25 at Beauty.com.
--Limited Edition Holiday Gifts at Beauty.com. - several on sale.

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
I found this fabulously-yummy-great-for-cold-days recipe at allrecipes.com ...

INGREDIENTS

1 onion, chopped
1 (16 ounce) can chili beans
1 (15 ounce) can black beans
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle beer
2 (10 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
3 whole skinless, boneless chicken breasts
shredded Cheddar cheese (optional)
sour cream (optional)
crushed tortilla chips (optional)

*I add 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp cumin and sub a can of chicken broth for the beer.

DIRECTIONS
1. Place the onion, chili beans, black beans, corn, tomato sauce, beer, and diced tomatoes in a slow cooker. Add taco seasoning, and stir to blend. Lay chicken breasts on top of the mixture, pressing down slightly until just covered by the other ingredients. Set slow cooker for low heat, cover, and cook for 5 hours.

2. Remove chicken breasts from the soup, and allow to cool long enough to be handled. Stir the shredded chicken back into the soup, and continue cooking for 2 hours. Serve topped with shredded Cheddar cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and crushed tortilla chips, if desired.

Head over to Diary of a Stay at Home Mom for more Slow Cooking recipes and to participate in Slow Cooking Thursday!

Question of the Day
What's your favorite cold weather day meal?

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

~~WINNERS~~Lands' End & Restaurant.com and Deals all over the place!

Restaurant.com Winners:
WINNERS FROM YESTERDAY: Here are the 3 randomly chosen winners of the Restaurant.com gift certificates from yesterday...CONGRATS! I'll be contacting you in a few minutes. :)
1. Michelle
2. CrYsTAL
3. Eudea-Mamia

BY THE WAY...80% off Savings on $25 Gift Certificates. $2 when you use code SANTA - Ends Sunday, 12/22/08

ENTER AGAIN TODAY for another chance to win one of THREE $10 gift certificates to Restaurant.com! Just leave a comment on this post (any comment) today by midnight PST as well as a way for me to contact you. I'll pick 3 winners and post them tomorrow. GOOD LUCK! I'll be doing more of this, so come back!

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Lands' End Winner:

I'm excited to annouce the randomly selected winner of the Lands' End giveaway!! Thank you all for entering. I have verified all 'extra entries', took out any entries that were not valid (didn't follow the rules) and any multiple comments. Thank goodness for Excel spreadsheets! :-)

~*~PLEASE NOTICE~*~
The winner will have until Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008 11:59pm PST to claim the prize by emailing his/her full name as well as mailing info (to receive the prize). I will contact the winner via email and/or blog comment if such info is provided. If the winner does not respond by the given date, the first alternate (I won't email the alternates) to email his/her info will receive the prize!

Drum roll please ....

WINNER:

Cassie who said...
Hi! I found your blog from a blog that led to a blog, that led to a blog...that led me here! I love the Angel Down Vest! Oh and the color they feature, whew!I would choose the bag in the coral pink! I'm running off to blog about this, I'll be back!

*UPDATE: Cassie has claimed her prize!*

ALTERNATES:

Knit Purl Gurl who said...
I'd love to win the Lighthouse Wheeled Duffle Bag! I'm also traveling back home to see our family so this would come in heandy indeed! If I could have anything on the Land's End site, it have to be the practical Leeward Wool Tote. It's beautiful, wool (knitters have an affinity for wool), and practical! Extra Credit:I already have your button in my sidebar!
MBB Founder and Editor Denene Millner who said...
Lucky you with the Lands' End hook up! I've had my eye on the Kids' Snow Sport 4-in-1 Jacket... the white with the fly orange trim. Quite sporty, funky, and fresh--like my girls! And you had me at creme brulee... LOVE the sweater. I'd look particularly cute in it in red... (though V-neck works better for my shape...) Great contest!
gmistudio who said...
Land's End has to many beautiful things, but i love the Women's Angel Boots love it, love it. i would love to win the redwheeled duffle bag. Thank you for the giveaway!
Anonymous/Jean who said...
1. I need a new pair of boots, so love the Land's End Angel Down Women's Boots. 2. If I won this fantastic giveawy, I would choose the Wheeled Duffle Bag in Dusk Black. Thanks for the giveaway! Jean
Lianna Knight who said...
Great giveaway!!! I have also have a link to your blog on my blog... http://bethouaknight.blogspot.com I would love the wheeled duffel bag. If I could choose anything from Land's End right now... I like the women's fleece swing coat...too cute! Lianna Knight

Click here to view upcoming giveaways hosted by Pennies In My Pocket. Subscribe to receive updates.

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Since this post is filled with winners, I'm going to list some deals without babbling too much. ;-) Here are a few things I found while window shopping...

I'm such a fan of Masterpiece Theatre...
ShopPBS.org: Free 3-Day Shipping on orders of $50 or more through 12.18.08

Need more toys under your tree?
--eToys: Riding Toys Sale Up to 50% Off Select Items (Ends 12.22)
--eToys: Leapfrog Systems Up to 50% Off Select Items (Ends 12.22)
--eToys: Holiday Essentials 50-75% Off Select Items. (Ends 12.22)

--eToys: Save Up To 80% off Select Items! (Limited Time Offer!)

I want to know how to cook EVERYTHING! I keep hearing this is a great cookbook...
How to Cook Everything (Hardcover)
List Price: $35.00
Sale Price: $21.00 - 40% off
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

Fun game for the kiddos...
Cat in the Hat - I Can Do That! - Game
List Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $7.99 - 60% off
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping

For the future scientist...
Planet Toys Planet Earth Digital Microscope Kit
List Price: $49.99
Sale Price: $14.99 - 70% off