Frugal Date - Wine Wednesdsay

My husband and I have a standing date each Wednesday.

We call it "Wine Wednesday".

With 4 kids it's impossible to meet for a date to share conversation and wine. We have a local wine bar we love so we recreate it at home.

At 5:30 sharp the kids head to the living room. We make them a batch of popcorn and put in a favorite movie. They look forward to a mid week treat. My husband and I relax in the study for our date.

Each week we pick out a new wine to try. I take a trip to a specialty grocer and pick out a coordinating cheese to try. I make a fancy cheese and fruit tray to share.

We have a glass, talk and just reconnect. So much of our daily life we pass each other by. This day we both look forward to. I think alone time with your spouse is key to a lasting and fruitful marriage.

For dinner I make a casserole and throw in the oven early and pull out for us to enjoy around 7:00.

Our wine dates at home cost at most $20 (we get the cheap wines). Our favorite wine bar runs $75 for the same experience.

It's truly frugal and fabulous!

(If your not a wine drinker how about lemonade and a fruit tray. The key is quiet time to talk and relax.)

Iced In and Cozy

We were hit with some bad winter weather. It reminded me of one of my favorite doomsday movies The Day After Tomorrow ... the part where New York is flooded by the wave then a few hours later it all turns to ice. Well that's what happened on a much smaller scale in my area. We had strong thunderstorms, freezing rain, sleet and snow all within a few hours.

I think maybe Mr. Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys Owner) has some bad karma because the Super Bowl is close by and all kinds of activities and tourist activities are being effected by the ice storm. Plus it's 10 degrees and it hasn't been this cold in 15 or so years. The roads are like ice rinks.

Tomorrow we will be on day #3 of no school and home bound. We're going to sleep late, hang out, stay in our PJ's and enjoy this time together. After all how often am I forced to stay at home with no plans?

Look at my 2 little girls. What sweet sisters. I have a feeling they will be partners in crime around here. I see it now.... the two little one's running around with princess dresses and light sabers chasing Will.

Since I'm snowed in I've caught up on some online shopping. I'm still loving Zulily. I bought the girls Easter dresses today. I'm dreaming of warm weather and flowers.

Something else I've been dreaming about......

Isn't this the most wonderful backyard play area? Too bad it's only $8K.

Of course, we're looking at one on a much smaller scale. I remember the days of playing outside for hours during the summer. I think it's a lost past time. That's where children become creative and have just plain ole' fun!

When summer time comes we will put the Wii on vacation for some nice outside activities.

I'm Back, Lots to Share!

The open house was a huge success! The new business is going incredible, such a blessing. For those wondering, my husband went into private practice. http://www.theruddcompany.com/ Understand why I'm self proclaimed Frugal Jen? We put into practice effective money management.

I think things are finally going to get back to a new "normal" for us.

To save money for the open house I made my own flower arrangements. Tom Thumb has a great floral department. I got all the flowers for $14! We rented some cocktail tables. I put the little arrangements on a small round mirror. Simple elegant look.

We put the food in the conference room. I had 2 fruit and cheese trays made from Market Street. They did a great job and it took a huge load off me.

We got the rest of the goodies at Costco; meatballs (seasoned with 1 12 oz jar of gravy and 1 packet of onion soup mix), taquitos, hummus and crackers, cream puffs and the best brownies ever.
The new double crock pot was wonderful. I didn't know you could keep things warm (like taquitos) and they stay crispy after you bake them.


So proud of you Josh! I love you! Cheers :)
I realized after this photo I need another haircut and I want bangs again.

Gotta Have Gadget!

I interrupt my bloggy break to show you the greatest thing to hit a crock pot!! I saw it at Wally-World and fell in love. Seriously, it was sent down from heaven when I was about to gag from the price to rent a nice warming tray for the open house.

It looks nice and it's super functional!!!

It was on sale for $60.

Did you know it was going to cost me $75 to rent 2 warming trays?

I am going to do a warm dip on one side and meatballs on the other side.

The very best part is.... I get to keep it at home!!

We enjoy entertaining, this will be put to lots of use. So.... my IRL (In Real Life) friends my new gadget will be signature item for parties. I will have my queso on one side and spinach dip on the other.

In other news....

I do have a confession..... I ordered fruit and cheese trays because I didn't want to make them myself.

Not at Wally-World or Kroger but, Market Street. The swanky grocery store.

Did you know their trays are much, much nicer and cheaper than Tom Thumb and Kroger?

So I guess I scored a little bit of frugal in my decision.

Sometimes it sounds great to do everything yourself but in reality you have to put your time in as a variable.

Little Miss Turns 2!

I am taking the next couple days off from blogging. Little Miss turns two and we are busy preparing for her party... lots of cleaning and baking. I look forward to posting my frugal party next week. Our theme is Garden Party. Praying the rain will hold off until after the party.

Here's a couple photos of my little miss.

I just love this girl so much... I also love and adore my other 2 children :) It amazes me how God made mothers to have an endless amount of love for her children. Being a mother is the greatest blessing.

Thrifty Thursday

Custom cakes from bakery's can be really expensive. A 1/4 sheet cake at Target runs $22 with a custom design. At our birthday parties we need at least a half a sheet. So what is our cost savings tip? Cupcakes!

My mom bought this fabulous cupcake tower (on sale for $10). I've used it so many times. I even put muffins for showers and corn bread cupcakes for entertaining.

I've found so many sites for cute cupcakes. Check them out http://www.wilton.com/ and http://www.bettycrocker.com/

Total cost for my cupcake tower $2!! I watch the grocery ad's and purchase the mixes when they are on sale for $1. Then when it is party time I pull the mixes out of the pantry.

Extra tip I substitute applesauce for oil. Keeps the cake moist and saves the calories!