SOS Mom Saver: Frost Cakes Like a Pro!

We've all been there.  We're having a birthday party for our child and really want a professional-looking cake...without the professional price.  You KNOW it can be done.  Johnny's mom made his cake and it looked FANTASTIC!  She's obviously a professional baker in her spare time.  Except she's not.  She just knows how to make cakes look GOOD!

How?  With a few tricks and secrets.

The first rule of decorating a cake is to wait until the cake is completely cooled.  You will destroy the cake if you don't.  I usually cover mine & let it cool for a couple of hours.  Whether you're using home-made or store-bought icing, you want to use it at room temperature.

Once your cake and frosting are ready, you'll frost your cake.  This first layer of frosting is called "masking" or "crumb-coating" the cake.  You'll put a very thin layer on (just enough to gather up all of the cake crumbs into this first layer of frosting).  Then, you freeze or refrigerate the cake.   You can see a fantastic example in the video below (because where else do we learn new things but on YouTube):



How long you freeze or refrigerate the cake (and which method you use) is up for debate.  Some freeze it for 10 minutes, some for a couple of hours.  Yet others say you only need to put the cake in the fridge for 10 minutes to an hour.  The point here is to get the masking layer of icing to fully harden before applying your top (and final) layer of icing.  On the video, she says to put it in the fridge for 30minutes to an hour.  I say find what works best for your area and fridge/freezer and go from there.

We live in Vegas where ice melts instantly upon contact with room temperature and eggs cook before you've even cracked them open into the pan.  As a result, I freeze my cake for a full 2 hours before applying my final layer of frosting.

You'll also notice at the end of the video that she gives you tips on how to smooth the icing over the top edges.  You should do this regardless of how you want the final product to look.  It makes for a smoother, more even top layer.  (You can also use that technique to smooth the edges when putting on your final layer of icing.)

The video below shows one of my favorite methods for smoothing a cake frosted with buttercream icing.



It is so smooth that it resembles the ultra-smooth fondant used on many wedding cakes but without the hassle, nasty taste, and extra cost.  In the video, she shows you how to smooth the icing.  You can use a plain sheet of copy paper, a paper towel (with or without a pattern...your choice), or wax paper.  Each will produce a slightly different effect, but each is just as effective at smoothing a cake.  In the video, she uses what's called a "fondant" smoother (which you can get at any craft store or in the craft section of Wal-Mart).  If you don't have or don't want to get a fondant smoother, you can just use your hand.

You will amaze yourself at how good your next cake looks if you follow these methods.

Find more cake-decorating tips on YouTube!  It's where I've learned all of my "magic"!



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SOS Mom Saver: Freebies!!!!

Today, I've got a MASSIVE deal round up for you!  I'll round it out by telling you how to get FREE tickets to see Toy Story 3 (or any other Disney film).

If you need help with the abbreviations I use below, check out my Coupon Definitions.

First, we'll start at Walgreens where they're giving us free shampoo, contact lens cleaning solution, body wash, and tampons.  Then, we'll head on over to CVS where we can get free toothpaste, cereal, and protein bars.  And last, but most certainly not least...we'll talk Toy Story tickets! Here are the details:

Walgreens:

• Herbal Essences Shampoo (6-14oz): $2.99- ($1) 5/16/10 RP - ($2) RR = FREE + $.01
• Rephresh Brilliant ph Tampons (18ct): $5.99 - ($1) ip
• Gillette Body Wash (10-18oz): $4.49 - (b1g1f) 5/16/10 RP & 6/6/10 PG - ($4.50) RR = TWO FREE + $.01
• Old Spice Body Wash (10-18oz): $4.49 - (b1g1f) 5/2/10 PG & 4/18/10 RP - ($4.50) RR = TWO FREE + $.01
• You can also utilize the (b1 body wash, g1 deodorant) 6/6/10 to get a free body wash and a free deodorant + $.01
• You can also utilize the (b1 body wash, g1 body spray) 5/2/10 PG to get a free body wash and a free body spray + $.01
• Bausch  and Lomb Re-Nu Solution (12oz, sensitive): $7.49 - ($2) 6/6/10 SS - ($7.50) RR = FREE + $2.01  
• $1 coupons can be found in the 3/7/10 SS & the 12/31/09 SS
• Those with a Safeway, Vons, or Dominicks can find coupon booklets in the HBA isle that contain $2 coupons off the Renu solution.
• You can also find $2 off printable coupons as well as $1 off coupons at Coupons.com. 

CVS:

• Colgate Total Advanced or Enamel Strength Toothpaste: $2.99 - ($1) 6/6/10 SS - ($2) ECB = FREE + $.01 (Lt. 2)
• Post Cereals (24oz, various): $1.88 - ($2) ip = FREE (Lt. 4)
• Powerbar Pure & Simple Energy bar: $.99 - ($.99) ECB = FREE (Lt. 3)

Free Toy Story 3 Tickets:

• There are a couple of ways to get the free tickets.  The easiest is simply to go into any store (Wal-Mart, Target, Vons/Dominicks/Safeway, Albertson's/Jewel, Smiths/Kroger/Dillons, etc.) and buy Kellogg's cereals that have a Toy Story character on the front of the box.  These boxes give you a code that counts towards free concession cash or free movie tickets.  3 boxes/codes give you $5 concession cash.  6 boxes/codes give you a free ticket.
• However...the deal can get better!  Safeway stores (includes Safeway, Vons, & Dominicks) has a deal starting tomorrow.  For every 4 boxes of Kellogg's cereals you buy, you get a free gallon of milk.  Many cereals are on sale right now for $2.50 (& might get lower to coincide with the Catalina deal).  
• So...you'd spend $10 on 4 boxes, get a free gallon of milk, and get $5 concession cash.
• Or...you could spend $30 on 12 boxes (purchased in 3 separate transactions with 4 boxes each).  You'd get 12 boxes of cereal, 3 gallons of milk, and $20 in concession cash or 2 free tickets.  
• If you would have already purchased the cereal and were already planning on going to see the movie, then this is a fantastic way to save money on both!

As always, for more deals and info on using coupons I highly recommend you check out Savings Angel.


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Zero Tolerance = Zero Common Sense

Seriously? Seriously?  Have we really become a nation that operates without using our brains?  Without using common sense?

A boy made a hat honoring the military and wore it to school.  They do not have an anti-hat policy so he was safe.  They do, however, have a zero common sense tolerance policy.  The boy was informed that his hat (which included toy soldiers with guns) was in violation of their zero tolerance policy...because it had guns...on the plastic toy soldiers.

See the hat for yourself:



What do you think?  Did the school go to far?



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It's the Simple Things. Like an Orange.

We spent our first month in Vegas in a hotel.  We're not talking a glitz and glam hotel.  We're talking about an extended stay that was close to but not on the strip...as in...in the hood.  That's what we get for reserving a hotel without having ever been to the town.

Because of where we were, we got a first-hand look at the "real" Vegas.  Not the tourist Vegas, but the, "Oh my gosh are THIS many people really homeless" Vegas.  It was a harsh reality that was very different from the secluded, clean suburbs we had always lived in.

I think I'll forever have etched in my mind what happened our second week here.  I was getting off the highway & was stopped on the exit ramp at a light.  A frail, old man had a sign up asking for food.  I won't give money, but I'll gladly give food.  I had a bag of oranges in the front seat.  I rolled down my window and held them out.  The old man came up and took those oranges.

His response is what I'll never forget.  He had this look of astonishment on his face.  He said, "Wow! Oranges! Thank you SO MUCH!! I can't remember the last time I had an orange...and to get a whole bag!  Thank you!  God bless you!"

I've seen that same man twice since.  I've given him more oranges as well as apples and bananas.  I don't say this to brag.  That's not it at all.  I typically don't talk about what I do for others.  The Bible talks about just doing it...and letting your reward be on heaven not here on earth.

But this man.  This one man.  He opened my eyes.  Because he was so excited about oranges.  I mean seriously.  Oranges.  When was the last time YOU had an orange?  Did you ever think that it might be your last?  Could you ever even imagine being SO EXCITED that someone gave you...an orange?

I've been told that we're not supposed to give to the people who are asking for food or money.  They're drug addicts, alcoholics.  They won't use what I give them wisely.

Honestly, I don't see how someone could misuse food.

Even so, God doesn't tell me to only help them if I believe they're worthy of my help.  He says to help.  To feed them.  Period.  Just...feed them.  It's not up to me to judge whether or not they're worthy of the food.  It's not up to me to say whether they deserve my help.  I'm just to help them.  Because God said to.

But, but, but...I don't have the money.  I have to feed my family.  I can't be concerned with those who won't help themselves.  Again...there's that "God said" thing.  Beyond that...this is a huge reason that I coupon.  I will get any food that is free or almost free whether we'll use it or not.  What we can't use, I donate either directly to someone who can use it or to a food bank, homeless shelter, or place like the Ronald McDonald House.

And since meeting this man, I get some extra fruits and easy veggies (like baby carrots).  It costs me very little, but is a HUGE blessing to those who haven't had fresh fruits or veggies in years.  Can you imagine?  I can't.

And that's why you'll find fruits and veggies in my car.



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Why Arizona Felt They Needed to Take Action Themselves

People don't get what it's like for people in Arizona.  They hear about the new law and they cry "racist" without having any idea about what it's really like right now for those in Arizona.

Clearly, though, Mr. Obama does.  He recognizes that there is not only a problem in Arizona, but that the problem is hugely out-of-control.  It is SO out-of-control, that Mr. Obama felt it necessary to actually put up signs warning AMERICANS that it is unsafe to go on AMERICAN soil.  This, after he ignored requests from Arizona representatives for help.  They asked for American military help to defend American soil and were denied.  And now Americans can't even go on their own land.



Something needs to be done! We will lose control of our nation if we do not take action!



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SOS Mom Saver: Freebies!!!

I've talked before about how to get your groceries for free.  I never pay for toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, razors, shaving lotion/gel/cream, dental floss, cough drops, or many over-the-counter meds...just to name a few.  There are also many items which I will only get if they are very cheap if not free.  In recent months, I've gotten cream cheese, bagels, mustard, mayo, ketchup, pizza, cookies, crackers, chips, fresh produce, frozen veggies, juice, cereal, organic milk, cat food, dog food, and many other items for free.   I've also gotten movie cash, gas cards, free money (literally...I purchased a gift card and they gave me $30 as a thank you), batteries, copy paper, pens, and other items for free.  (And I haven't even been "fully" couponing like I usually do. I've only been shopping an average of once a month.)

That's not all of it, though!  I've also gotten a steam mop, a lawn mower, a TON of plastic hangars (we left ours in Michigan), Abeka and other expensive curriculum sets (we homeschool), a complete Spanish curriculum set, bookshelves, a couch and loveseat, garden tools, expensive gluten-free foods (someone did a gluten-free challenge then didn't need the products anymore), bikes for the kids, supplies for craft and sewing projects, canning jars, canning supplies...among other things.

How?

Freecycle and the "Free" section on Craigslist. (That's the Craigslist link for the Vegas area.  To find your area, just click your city on the list to the right.  If your city isn't listed, click on the closest large city.  You'll find people will post listings for small towns up to 1 1/2 hours away from big cities.)

For Craigslist, you have to physically go on their site and look through the "frees" section to find what's being offered.  You can also post your own "wanted" request in the free section as well.  You won't typically find as good a response here as you will on Freecycle.

For Freecycle, you'll sign up for the list closest to or in your city.  They recommend but don't require that you post an offer before you post your first "wanted" request on Freecycle.

You can offer or ask for literally anything other than pets on Freecycle.  Granted, I wouldn't expect to get a BMW convertible for free unless you're wanting an old one that needs work (although I've seen a request for a brand new, rare Porsche before...not on the Vegas list).

Why use a place like Freecycle or Craigslist to get free items?  Why not?  Why pay for something when you can get it for free?  Why not be the best steward you can of what you've been given by saving money where you can?  That leaves you more money for giving to others. It also allows you to give unused or unneeded items directly to those in need.



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Does God Only Call Us To Do What's Easy?

I know we all want God to make things easy for us.  We all wish that He would only ask us to do things that are comfortable, convenient, easy.

But He doesn't.

And whether we realize it or not, we are better for it.

Many of us would never leave the comfort of our easy, convenient bubbles if God didn't require us to do so.  What do we learn in our bubble?  Nothing.  How do we grow in our bubble?  We don't.  We MUST leave our bubble in order to grow the way God desires us to grow.

Don't get me wrong.  Leaving your bubble doesn't always mean literally going somewhere.  Sometimes, God wants you to spend your money that you think you don't have to help someone else.  Sometimes He wants you to make a phone call to someone who is hurting even though you'd rather watch American Idol...and don't have DVR.  Sometimes, He does call you to literally leave and go somewhere or do something.

The path to following God isn't a wide one.  There aren't many that take it.  Those that do soon find out that the road is sometimes rocky.  Sometimes, there are bumps in the road.  While we're walking on the road, a bird might come and poop on us.  Those struggles, those trials, that crap...it doesn't mean that God didn't really call us to do what we're doing.  It just means that life is sometimes hard because we live in a sinful world.  Even when you're doing what God has called you to do.



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SOS Mom Saver: Uses for Vinegar

It seems like there's a chemical out there for anything.  Don't you ever wonder what our ancestors did, though?  Most of them didn't have access to the thousands (or more) chemicals that our out there today.  Those that did have access likely didn't have the money.

They still managed to function!  What did they do?

They used simple products that they already had on hand or could easily obtain.  These products often had multiple (as in many, many, many, many) uses.

One such product is vinegar.  Vinegar has been a staple at our house for many years.  At under $3 for 2 gallons, it's a fantastic price. Plus, it's a natural food product (not food-based, but ACTUAL food) that is harmless.  Many of the ingredients below require a spray bottle.  You can get them at Dollar Tree as well as several other places for as little as $1 each.

A quick internet search will reveal "1001 uses for vinegar".  I've highlighted some of our favorite uses below:

• Mosquito Repellent:  I'm told this won't be of use to us here in Vegas, but it was a life-saver back in Michigan and Oklahoma.  It's as simple as it sounds.  Dump vinegar into a spray bottle (full-strength), and spray on your body.  You will have a lovely, fragrant vinegar smell...but only until the vinegar dries at which point it is completely odorless.
• Dishwasher Rinse-Aid:  Pour 1/4 cup of full-strength vinegar into the rinse-aid container on your dishwasher.  It is just as (or more) effective as the expensive, chemical-laden rinse-aids.
• Liquid Fabric Softener:  Pour full-strength vinegar into the washer when you would normally add fabric-softener.  This is also a great way to help get odors out of your clothes.  And no, they will NOT smell like vinegar once dry!  You can also add full-strength vinegar to some of the automatic fabric-softener balls.  It will release at the proper time just as with "regular" fabric softener.  A bonus here is that while chemical-laden, store-bought fabric-softeners will lessen absorption on your towels, vinegar will NOT.  It will give them a soft feel without making them less absorbent.
• Dryer Fabric Softener:  To use vinegar as a fabric softener in your dryer instead, just dip a washcloth or dishcloth into full-strength vinegar, squeeze it out, and throw it in the dryer with your other wet clothes.  To make this easy, keep an old baby wipes box full of vinegar.  Open it, dip the wash cloth, squeeze it out & toss it in!  Your clothes will not smell like vinegar once dry.
• Clean Your Windows:  Guess what one of the main ingredients is in most over-the-counter, chemical-laden window cleaners is...vinegar!  So why not do it yourself and skip all of the chemicals?  The mixture ratio varies here from as little as 2tbs of vinegar in 1 gallon of water to 1/2 vinegar, 1/2 water.  I personally fill our spray bottles (which aren't even close to a full gallon) about 1/4 of the way with vinegar & fill the rest with water.  It's best to use old newspapers to wipe your windows down, but if (like me) you don't have them, cloth is fine...I just wipe with a dry cloth after cleaning the window to make sure there are no streaks!
• Clean Your Counters and Walls:  Any non-wood surface including bathroom counters, sinks, bathtubs, outside of toilets, etc can be cleaned with vinegar.  You can even get stains off the walls with vinegar.  For most of these purposes, I use a solution labeled "General Cleaning" which consists of 1/2 vinegar & 1/2 water in a spray bottle
• Clean Your Kitchen Counters:  I use a different mixture on my kitchen counters where we sometimes (though rarely) handle raw meat and eggs, I use a mixture of 3/4 spray bottle with vinegar then fill half of the rest with lemon juice & the other half with water.  It's a strong solution, but I want to make sure my kitchen counters are properly disinfected.  I clearly label this one "Kitchen" so everyone knows which mix to use in the kitchen.
• Mop Your Floors:  I use my "General Cleaning" solution for this as well.  In fact, I use the same spray bottle that I use for everything else.  We spray it on the floor then mop!  Again, that's 1/2 vinegar, 1/2 water in a spray bottle.
• Clean Your Carpets:  You can get most stains out of the carpet with vinegar.  I use my "General Cleaning" solution (1/2 vinegar/1/2 water in a spray bottle) for this as well.  Spray on, blot with a damp cloth, repeat until stain is gone.
• Wash Produce:  Many will use a solution similar to my "General Cleaning" solution for this, but I use full-strength vinegar in a spray bottle if I'm cleaning non-organic produce.  In fact, I soak my fruits & veggies (not berries) in a vinegar solution then scrub & rinse them.
• Kill Weeds:  During the hottest part of the day, spray your weeds with vinegar.  The sun will react with the vinegar and will kill the weed.  Warning!!!!!  This will kill EVERYTHING that it comes into contact with so if you don't want it burned by the vinegar/sun reaction, make sure it doesn't get sprayed!

Do you use vinegar for any purpose other than cooking?  What do you use it for?  I'll add your suggestions to this post so people have more great ideas to choose from!

Happy Birthday, Sweet Boy

8 years ago today, God brought you into our lives.  We are so thankful beyond words that He blessed us with you.

You're my precious monkey.  I know someone you love told you that it was an insult for me to call you my monkey.  Far from it!  You're my monkey because you're so full of energy.  You love to climb.  You love to go.  That's just who you are.  And we love you that way.  You're our monkey.  You're my monkey.

You used to be my blondie too, but your hair started turning brown this year.  We knew it would happen.  I'm not quite sure I was ready for it yet!  It's amazing to me how much you continue to grow.

You have a such a sweet spirit, and such a pure heart for God.  I love to see the young man you're becoming.  You always want to do what's right.  I'm so proud of you!

Happy birthday, sweet boy.  I love you.

Mommy


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Let Children Be Children!

Have you ever realized you're watching something and you have no idea why?  It's like you stumbled upon a train wreck.  You didn't want to stop and gawk, but you couldn't help it.  It was so...destructive...so messed up...that you couldn't turn away.

I realized last night while watching the trash that is "Toddlers and Tiaras" that this had happened to me.  Why was I watching this show?  There was nothing wholesome in it.  It was not building me or anyone else up.  Why was I wasting my time on this?  Yet I didn't stop.  I sat there with my mouth open (mostly because I was yelling at the TV) gawking.

I know this is probably not news to the rest of you.  It is to me.  Remember, we spent 2 years without any cable or satellite service.

When did we, as a society, decide that it was okay to turn little girls into strippers?  When did we go from having them on stage in a cute, frilly dress to spray tans, more make-up than Tammy Fae Baker, fake hair, and outfits and dances that would put many strippers to shame?

Did we forget that these are precious children?  They are sweet blessings from God.  How could anyone even THINK of turning them into this?  I don't get it.  I just don't get it.

Please, moms, let your children be children!  Just let them be the kids that God created them to be!


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Mom Saver: Get Paid for Taking Your Own Bags to the Store!

Just about every store has their own re-usable bag that they sell.  Did you know, though, that some stores will actually PAY YOU to use a re-usable bag?

It's true!  What's more, you don't have to use THAT store's bag in order to get paid!  You can bring in a cloth bag from another store, one you made yourself, one you got at a thrift store.  Literally, ANY cloth bag!

FYI:  My BEST find on cloth bags (and I mean GOOD, REAL cloth bags) has been at the thrift store where they were selling them for a quarter each!  You can also find them at garage sales & on sale at your store.  Look for the REAL cloth bags over the cheaper versions most stores sell.  You can wash the cheaper versions, but ultimately, they won't last as long as real cloth (which pretty much lasts forever).

Here is a list of the stores that will reimburse you in some way for bringing cloth bags:

• CVS:  While CVS has the best reimbursement rate, it does involve a little more than just bringing in a bag.  You have to buy their "bag tag" for $1 (ask at the front if you can't find it).  From then on out, every time you use a cloth bag have them scan the tag (up to 1 scan per transaction).  After 3 scans, you get a $1 ECB.  The 1st 3 scans pay for your bag tag.  Every transaction after that is a money-maker (assuming you already had the cloth bags.)  That equals out to about $.33 per transaction which is actually really good if you typically only leave CVS with 1 bag (like me).  You can use any bag from any source and still get the credit.
• Target:  They will pay you $.05 for every cloth bag used in your transaction with no limit.  They scan a bar code that they have taped to their register to give you the credit.  If they haven't scanned it yet, I remind them before I pay.  You can use any bag from any source and still get the credit.
• Kroger Stores (Smiths, Kroger, & Dillon's are confirmed participants. Some of the other Kroger chain stores such as Fred Meyer, Tom Thumb, Ralph's, etc. may or may not be participating.):  The listed Kroger chain stores will give you 5 reward points on their reward card for every reusable bag that you use in a transaction with no limit.  They have to scan a bar code at the register (or at the front kiosk for self-scans).  If they haven't scanned it yet, I remind them before I pay.  You can use any bag from any source and still get the credit.
• Whole Foods:  Again, you'll get $.05 for every bag you use in a transaction with no limit.  Just as with the others, they'll need to manually input the number of bags that you used so be sure to remind them before you pay. You can use any bag from any source and still get the credit.
• Trader Joes: They don't offer a credit per bag, but there is a weekly drawing for a $10 gift card that you can enter if you use cloth bags.  You have to go up to the desk at the front & enter after you've paid.  It's not as good as getting paid every time, but it's better than nothing if you're going to shop there anyway.
  

(Please note, this list is NOT exhaustive.  I'd love you to help me add to my list.  If there's a store in your area that gives a credit or pays you for bringing your own cloth bags, please let me know.) 


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