Wasteless Wednesday:Car Makeover

I have 3 children and I drive a mini-van. No, I do not wear "mom jeans". I try to be an stylish mom, yes skeptics it's possible in a mini-van.

OK, so my car is not always clean. The kids have a hard time cleaning their room so the car is no exception.

Fast and cheap tips:

• We do a once a week clean out when we get gas. While I am at the pump everyone pitches in to pick up papers, cups and trash.
• Once a month I get the household vacuum out and attack the car. I usually find lots of broken gold fish and cheerios.
• When I need a wash I go to the $5 drive thru washes. It's cheap without the vacuum and scent. The kids enjoy staying in the car as we go in.

Bow Contest Winner

Congrats to Mommy of Multiples you are the winner of the Halloween Bows! Looks like your girls can share the bows.

Please send me your address to jenrudd@sbcglobal.net

Thank you to Chasity at Doodle Bug Bows for the great giveaway!

Texas State Fair Deals

When I think of the Texas State Fair I think yummy fried foods and Big Tex!

This photo was taken at the fair a few years ago. Can you tell Will was a little hot and tired?
The dates of the 2009 fair are: September 25 to October 18



If you don't have coupons the fair prices add up really fast.



Dr Pepper $3 Tuesdays: Every Tuesday, bring an empty Dr Pepper can and enter for $3.



Dr Pepper $5 after 5 pm: Bring an empty Dr Pepper can to any State Fair admission gate after 5 p.m. and enter for $5.


Kroger “Three for $1″ each Wednesday: Admission is $1 for each visitor bringing 3 cans of food for area food banks.


Coca-Cola $4 Thursday: Bring an empty 20 oz. bottle of a Coca-Cola product and enter the Fair for $4 admission.


FREE Thursdays for Senior Citizens: Senior Citizens 60 years and older get in to the State Fair FREE each Thursday.


FREE Thursday admission with a Cinemark Theater ticket stub.


Any Day—McDonald’s offers $4 off General Admission: You can pick these up at McD's they are on the liners and at the counter. We picked up some of these yesterday at Will's party.


Visit the official state fair site

Menu Monday

Our meals on the go were a big hit last week! The kids enjoyed their own meal containers. They were more excited about these meals than driving through McDonald's.

Monday- to-go-meals in the car. Chicken tenders (big Tyson bag) and chips.



Tuesday- Grilled Burgers (getting hubby to cook)



Wednesday- Sadler's Brisket, Tator Tots and Steamed Veggies (we didn't eat it last week)



Thursday- Take out pizza from Little Cesar's only $5 each! They have replaced my wal-mart frozen pizza's.



Friday- My parents are watching the kids so Josh and I get some dinner together!



Doing my best to provide fast and somewhat healthy meals. I've got some great crock-pot recipes but my mind lapsed when I made my grocery list and went to the store.



Guess what they are building an Aldi (spelling?) in my town. I have NO idea what it is other than a grocery store. I just see tons of deals on other frugal blogs. Any more info ladies?

Free Food & Target Blow out!

I love free food! Especially spicy stuff. Check it out, free Sweet Fire Chicken from Panda Express today.

I was at Target today shopping for Will's birthday. Looking for a transformer he HAS to have. They have like 100 different one's. Of course he wants the hard to find cement mixer. Luckily they had 1 left!

Plus, I found all school supplies 75% off! I picked up a nice backpack for $3. I am saving it for next year.

More deals:

• 30% off college bedding (twin beds) most sets were $16


• 90% off summer outdoor


• 50% off most children's summer clothing


• 70% off some great summer shoes

Halloween Bow Giveaway

I've got some great friends who make bows. As a mom of a little girl, you can never have too many bows!

I was contacted by Chasity one of my readers about a bow giveaway. Her bow company is Doodle Bug Bows. What a small word, we go to the same church and have mutual friends! I look forward to meeting her in person soon.

She donates 100% of her bow profits to a charity. Love this, she changes the charity every month!

The winner gets this fabulous bow plus,

This set of two piggies.

To enter the contest simply leave a comment.

To get an extra entry:

• Become a follower, then a leave another comment
• Post the giveaway on your blog, then leave another comment
  

The contest end's Monday, September 28th.

Free Chipotle!

Oh my how I love Chipotle! I get the veggie burrito. Let me share my heavenly meal: black beans, rice, corn salsa, cheese, lettuce a little sour cream and guacamole on the side. I crave this ALL the time.

Let me tell you I haven't been in months. Why, because my kids complain. But now I don't care if they complain because on Sunday's they are FREE!

Fingers crossed they will get the Chipotle fever like mommy!

Menu Monday

First of all I have to show off a photo of my girls. These girls have such a special relationship. Kate is 10 years older than Madeline but they adore each other.

My BFF Adrien took these photos the other day when we were visiting.Good news! This week I plan to eat. Last week was crazy hectic and I had a bit of a food breakdown. We ate out 5 times. Yes 5 times and it was wonderful! This week I am prepared.

I am trying more easy partially pre-cooked meals. Yes I know that is bad for my cholesterol but I need meals FAST, really fast!

Monday: Meals in the car. I purchased Ziploc containers with dividers. Little wrap sandwiches with tortilla's around chicken nuggets. Side of fruit and chips.

Tuesday: Nacho's with Oscar Meyer pre-cooked southwest chicken. Super easy and good! Keeps me away from Chili's Classic Nachos I just make my own.

Wednesday: Chicken Stir Fry. I am trying out a Wanchai Ferry dinner kit, I had a coupon. We got the Kung Pao chicken. All you add is the chicken. This saves me from stopping at Pei Wei.

Thursday: Brisket and Tator Tots. I purchased the package of Sadler's BBQ Brisket. We love this stuff we're from Texas Yall!

Friday: Pizza Night. We are starting our new religious education small group at our house. We will pick up Little Cesar's Pizza $5 each for a large.

Next week I plan to make some crock pot meals. Calling all crock pot recipes!!! Please send them my way!

Favorite Recipe - Mexican Lasagna

I am a little late posting my "Go-To" recipe from Kelly's Korner. Better late than never right? Somehow that is becoming my new motto.

This is a recipe I made up, enjoy!

I live in Texas and we LOVE our mexican food.

Jen's Tex- Mex Lasagna

Here is how it's done:

What you need:

2 cans of red enchilada sauce (I use Old El Paso brand)

1 package of flour tortilla's

1 pound ground beef

1 small can of corn

1 can of black beans

1 package of shredded cheddar cheese

Optional: diced red and green peppers

Cook and drain the ground beef

Return beef to skillet add corn, black beans, and peppers (I usually add garlic powder and ground cumin to season)

In a 9 X 13 glass cooking pan add a little enchilada sauce

Start layer with tortilla's torn in big pieces

Layer 2 beef mixture

Layer 3 top with cheese

Layer 4 top with tortilla's

Layer 5 top with enchilada sauce

Continue layers until you run out of space or meat. Top the very top with tortilla's and enchilada sauce and top with cheese

Cover with foil and Bake 375 for 35 minutes or until bubbly. I use a convection oven so cooking temps vary.

Enjoy! We serve with chips and guacamole. This freezes really yum! I usually make a double batch and put on in the freezer.

Thrifty Thursday - Christmas gifts already?

It is never to early to prepare Christmas gifts... especially free ones.


Brandi (a friend who is an exceptional photographer and in high demand in the DFW area) forwarded me this great deal for a free photo book. PERFECT family gift! Had to do a little shout out for B4 Photography!

We did photo books last year for the grandparents it was a huge hit!