Under the coffee table?

I've been looking for a rug for at least a year. I've found some fabulous one's in Ballard Designs and Pottery Barn.

Yes... one problem. I am not about to shell out a ton of money on a rug that my kids will drop pizza on.

I've thought why do I need a rug? Selfish reasons, let me share....

1. Every time the kids jump on the couch (when I am not looking) they pull the sectional apart. Then I spend 30 minutes putting it back together. It just slides on the wood floor.

2. Will hides gummy packets and snacks he shouldn't be eating under the coffee table.

3. I just want a rug.

We went to Lowe's for air filters and I found a bound carpet frieze carpet remnant on clearance.

Best part it was only $40.

Compared to the similar carpet look rugs for $150 or more.

Notice the wrappers under the coffee table when we moved it??

Now here it is all nice and cozy under my coffee table. The color of the photo doesn't show well. But it matches the light wall color perfectly!
On Saturday night we moved the coffee table and all laid on the new carpet while we watched a movie. Oh how I've missed carpet in the living room.

Menu Monday

Monday: Peanut Butter Sandwiches and Chips on the go. We are skipping the weekly grilled cheese sandwich too similar to the paninis for tomorrow.

Tuesday: Grilled Panini's - shredded pepper turkey from deli, red and green pepper slices, mushrooms (for hubby not me), provolone cheese, avocados and bacon. Just a dash of Italian dressing. All put together and melted on the George Foreman grill (love this gadget). Served with a side of Pasta Salad.

Wednesday: Spaghetti and Meatballs

Thursday: Chicken and Rice - I have some cooked shredded chicken from the freezer I will throw in the skillet with a bit of EVOO and season with Kickin Chicken seasoning. 2 cups of cooked rice, 1 can of cream of chicken soup, 1/2 a can of chicken broth mix with chicken. Top casserole with mozzarella cheese and bake. The seasoned chicken makes the dish flavorful and a bit spicy. Served with a side salad.

Friday: Make your own pizza's back!

A friend gave me a packet full of new recipes. I am going to pick a new one each week to make... starting next week. She's an instructor at my gym and is in amazing shape. So the recipes are good but also healthy.

Also hoping the weather here in North Texas changes cold so I can make some yummy crockpot recipes (side note: did you know crockpot comes up on spell check as wrong but suggested spelling is crack pot????)

Freebie Friday

Free Bowling at Main Event. We visited the location in Grapevine. What a blast! I am now patiently waiting for some laser tag coupons.

Me and my girls enjoying our family time. The boys were busy playing video games.

Sign up for Mimi's Cafe email club and get a coupon for a free breakfast up to $10 value. I love free food!!

Join See Here and get 100 free photos printed. This is Fuji films photo site.

I've decided to only list freebies I've used myself. So they are 100% real and frugal fabulous!

Gifty Games

My friend Jenny found a great Christmas gift for well.... cheap.

Let me share what she did.

Toys R Us Hasbro Games

• Buy 7 for $3.99 each
• Use the Hasbro Rebate form and get $14 back
• Also qualify for a $10 Toys R Us gift card
• Total Cost 56 cents a game!

Way to be frugal Jenny! Thank you for sharing.

Christmas Cards Already?

Can you believe Christmas is around the corner? It seems like I was just writing about our Christmas cards for last year.

We usually send out the cards the first week in December. In order to get them on time I order at least a week before Thanksgiving.

This year I used Kodak Gallery and a card template it was super easy. Get your coupon for $15 . Just sign up and they will email you a code.

I only ordered 10 to start I am silly like that. I wanted to make sure they looked good before I ordered 175. We've got an outragously long list we include some of my husband's client friends.

Procrastination Project... DONE!

I've been talking and thinking about recovering my dining room cushions for .... well years. I finally did it!

Take a look, nice clean cushions. The kids haven't had at them yet.

When we first got them they were nice and white and clean.

Well that didn't last for long once we actually started using the dining room for Sunday night dinners.

The chairs became stained then I tried to clean them and they looked worse.

I found some fabric at Garden Ridge or (Garbage Ridge according to Will). They now have fabric remnants for $5.99.

I got 3 yards total in my fabric bolt all for $5.99 total!

Here is one chair recovered and the before.

So glad it's done. Now I just need some nice wood floors in the dining room....

Just Praying For Stellan Today

I am not doing my normal Menu Monday because I would like you to stop what y0u are doing and say a little prayer for Stellan. If you don't know his story visit his mom Mckmama's website.

Their family is in great need of prayers today.

I cannot imagine what she must be going through. Today hug your children a little tighter and forget about the crazy world.

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.

Off this week!

I am taking a bloggy break this week. We've got a big week for the business. We are having a client open house. Instead of hiring a cater I am doing it all myself.

What is your favorite appetizer at open houses or holiday parties? I am trying to decide the menu.