Publix Weekly Deals and Coupons for 4/30-5/6

Some great deals again this week with several items that you can get for FREE! I have added green highlights to any item you can get for free or almost free. GO GREEN :)

Publix will allow you to use 1 manufacturer AND 1 store coupon (this includes competitor store coupons) on every item you buy.

When an item is 3/$5 or such, you don't have to buy 3 to get the sale price.

Remember, you can use 2 coupons on BOGO items!!
Sunday Paper Insert Code:
SS - Smart Source
RP - Red Plum
GM - General Mills
P&G - Proctor & Gamble
KL - Kellogg's
V - Vlassis
UN - Unilever

If you want multiple coupons of bogo items for this week, be sure to order your coupons today from


Yellow Corn (8/$2)

Uncle Ben's 5 lb. bag of rice (bogo @ $6.99/2)
Use 2 $.75/1 from RP 4/5 or $1/2 printable or buy them from ebay
Makes them $2.75 - $3 a bag

Old El Paso Dinner Kits (bogo @ $3.03/2)
Use $1/2 from ebay or outside of package AND
FREE Seasoning packet wyb 2 Old El Paso products from recent on-package peelies AND
$1 off refried beans wyb 2 Old El Paso products from recent on-package peelies
Makes them $1.01 a package and FREE Seasoning and Refried Beans!!

Pace Salsa (bogo @ $2.79/2)
Use $1/1 or $.75/2 from ebay or SS 4/26
Makes them $.40 - $1.02 a jar

FREE Publix Milk wyb 3 GM Cereals (w/ coupon in paper) - Cereals on sale for $9.98/3 (b2g1) are Honey Nut Cheerios, Lucky Charms, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Reese's Puffs or Cookie Crisp.
Cheerios are $1.99 a box.
Use $1/1 printable or $1/3 from SS 4/5 or $1/1 or $1/2 from ebay AND
$1.50 off bananas wyb 2 GM products from ebay AND
FREE re-usable Publix bag wyb 2 GM products from recent peelies or SS 3/15
Makes them $1.00 - $3 a box and FREE Milk and FREE bananas and FREE reusable bag!!

Kellogg's Cereal (bogo @ $4.09/2 - includes Special K, Raisin Bran, All Bran)
Use $1/1 printable or from RP 4/5 or from ebay
Makes them $1.04 a box

Back to Nature Granola (bogo @ $3.59/2)
Use $1/1 from peelie next to display (I think these may be in the newest Organic Booklet put out by Publix - let me know if you see them) or $1/1 printable
Makes them $.79 a bag

Ground Chuck ($2.69/lb.)

Pork Chops ($1.79/lb.)

Tomato on the Vine ($1.49/lb.)

Tropicana Juice (2/$5)
Use $1/1 or $1/2 from RP 3/15 or buy them on ebay or printable
Makes them $1.50 - $2 each

T. Marzetti Dressing (bogo @ $3.99/2)
Sign up to receive offers here.
Use $1/1 from ebay or $.50/1 printable
Makes them $1 - $1.50 each

Northland Juice (bogo @ $3.89/2)
Use 2 $.50/1 from SS 1/25 or $1/1 printable (after signing up) or $1/2 from ebay
Makes them $.95 - $1.45 each

Orville Popcorn (bogo @ $3.29/2)
Use $1/1 or $.40/1 or $.55/1 from ebay or $.40/1 from SS 4/19 or $1/1 from recent spitters
Makes them $.65 - $1.25 a box

Keebler Cookies (bogo @ $4.09/2)
Use 2 $.55/1 from RP 4/5 or from ebay AND
$1 off bananas wyb 1 box of Keebler Vanilla Wafers from ebay AND
$1 off water wyb 2 boxes of Keebler products from ebay AND
$.75 off milk wyb 1 box Keebler cookies from ebay
Makes them $1.50 a box and FREE bananas, $$ off water and milk!!

Dentyne or Trident Gum (bogo @ $3.29/2)
Use $1/1 or $.75/1 from SS 3/8 or from ebay
Makes them $.65 - $.90 each

Tostitos Tortilla Chips (bogo @ $4.99/2)
Use $1 wyb chips and dip (on sale for $3) or $.55/1 from ebay
Makes them $1.90 a bag

Breakstone Sour Cream ($1.03/2)
Use $1/2 or $.55/1 from ebay (expired yesterday. If your Publix will take them a few days late, you should still be ok)
Makes them FREE - $.01 each!!

Dannon Danimals (bogo @ $2.49/2)
Use $1/1 from SS 3/1 or buy from ebay
Makes them $.25 each!!

Smart Balance Spread (bogo @ $3.09/2)
Use $1/2 printable or from ebay or from RP 2/1 or 4/5 or $1/1 from RP 4/19 AND
FREE Milk wyb Smart Balance Spread from RP 3/8 or ebay AND
FREE Butter Sticks wyb Smart Balance Spread from RP 3/1 or ebay OR
$1 off Smart Balance Milk printable AND
$1 off Smart Balance Butter Sticks printable
Makes them $1.04 a tub and FREE Milk and FREE Butter Sticks

Kashi Entree (50% off)
Use $2/1 from ebay or Kashi Frozen foods booklet
Price not listed, but should be good deal.

Publix Milk ($2.89/gallon)

Quaker Instant Oatmeal ($1.99)
Use $1/1 or $1/2 from ebay or $1/2 from RP 2/8 AND
$.55/1 Food Lion Printable
Makes them $.45 - $.95 a box


More BOGO Deals w/ NO Coupons:
Chachies Fresh Salsa ($2.99/2)
Pillsbury Cake ($1.69/2)
Sun-Maid Dried Fruit ($2.50/2)

Coke 2 lt. (bogo)
Entenmann's Donuts ($4.29/2)

Klondike Ice Cream Bar ($4.11/2)
Farm Rich French Toast ($3.29/2)

Winn-Dixie Deals and Coupons for 4/29-5/5

Kellogg's Cereal (bogo @ $4.99/2 - includes Special K w/ Berries, Rice Krispies, Special K, Frosted Flakes, Raisin Bran)
Use $1/1 from RP 4/5 or $1/1 printable
Makes them $1.50 a box

Old El Paso Products (buy 6 and receive a $3 off next purchase of beef or chicken catalina) Thanks Thrifty Florida Mama
-Seasoning Packets - $1
-Green Chilis - $1
-18 Count Taco Shells - $1.50
-Heat and Serve Flavored Rice - $1
-Refried Beans - $1.25
Some taco shell boxes have $1/2 peelies or you can buy them from ebay
There are also some FREE seasoning packet coupons wyb 2 Old El Paso products and
$1 off refried beans wyb 2 Old El Paso products
You should be able to make some really great deals with this.

Kraft Mayo (bogo @ $3.99/2)
Use 2 $1/1 from SS 4/26 or buy them from ebay
Makes them $1 each

Bumble Bee Prim Fillet 4 pk (bogo @ $7.99/2)
Use 2 $1/1 from SS 2/22 or buy from ebay
Makes them $3 a 4 pk.

Oscar Mayer Beef Franks (4/$10)
Use $1/1 from ebay
Makes them $1.50 a pack

FREE gallon of milk wyb 3 Malt-O-Meal cereals (on sale for $2.99)
Use 2 $.50/1 printable
Makes them $2.50 a bag and FREE milk

Mission Tortillas ($2 each)
Use $1/1 printable
Makes them $1 each

Rice Chex Cereals (2/$5)
Use $.50/1 printable
Makes them $2 a box

More BOGO Deals w/ NO Coupons:
Prestige Ice Cream ($4.79/2)
Lay's Chips ($3.99/2)
Mott's Apple Juice (bogo - price not listed)
Crystal Light ($4.99/2)
Arnold Bread ($2.89/2)

Grocery Deals

Don't worry, I will be writing the grocery deals for this week. I will have to be 1 day late. I am still on the road trying to get home. I will work on the deals first thing in the morning.

Tonight, I'm just gonna be loving on my kiddos!

On The Road Again

We left from Nebraska approximately 14 hours ago. The GPS is showing that we still have another 13. I'm hoping the calculations are a little off, because that would put us home a bit later than I was planning.

I would really like to get home in time to spend some time with my kids before bedtime. I know I could just let them stay up late tonight, but I don't know if that will be possible. I hear I'm going to be receiving some very exhausted children. They have been worn out every day. Yesterday, they spent the day at the beach with aunt Jaime and aunt Jessica. I imagine that by the time we get there tonight, they are going to be ready to sleep for 2 days straight.

As much as I wish my kids could've gone on this trip with me, it was just not possible. But, I am so thankful that I have family I can leave my kids with and not have to worry about them. Between Jaime (sister-in-law), Jessica (friend, but like family), Chris (brother) and my grandma, my kids have been spoiled and taken well care of. I know even when I miss them and they miss me, they are in good hands.

Thanks to all of you who loved on my kids while I was gone. You gave me peace of mind and allowed me to truly enjoy the time I had to spend with family far away. I am blessed in so many ways!!

We will get home as fast as we can.

Missing My Kids

We have been gone 4 days now and we won't be home for 2 more.

I love coming to visit my family out here. In fact, I've always looked forward to trips to the Midwest all my life. I still do. But, I sure wish my kids could've come with me. It's been strange seeing all my cousin's kids and not having mine here.

Apparently, my little man is the one having the hardest time with us gone. He is the only one who has called us consistently at bed time so that daddy can say bed time prayers and mommy can give hugs and kisses on the phone. Until today, that has seemed to be enough.

Today however, he is missing us! I talked to him earlier and he tried not to cry for most of the phone call. Then, when he thought I was about to get off the phone, he broke down. He cried the most pitiful cry I've ever heard. He didn't want to tell me why, but I knew. So, we talked for a while longer and we played some games on the phone. He brightened up a little and by the end of our call, it was dinner time. He was ok getting off the phone and I told him he can call me anytime he wants.

All of sudden, 2 days seems like a long time :(

Jordan,
I can't wait to get home and get all the kisses you refuse to give to anyone else.

Sydney,
I haven't heard a burp like yours since I've been gone. Who thought you could miss that?

Avery,
I need some good snuggle time when I get there.

Morgan,
I'm sure you are holding down the fort and taking care of all your siblings. Don't worry, I'll take over when I get home :) Hey, don't roll your eyes!!

Most of all, I can't wait to give all my kids some great big hugs. I also look forward to bringing them all out this way to get to know this family that is just the best!

Sweet Boy

So, I am getting ready to leave for Nebraska yesterday and my little Jordan walks into the room. I ask him if he is ready to go stay with Abbie for a few days. He looks at me and
answers, "Ummm... kinda no."
I ask, "Why?"
He says (with the most pitiful eyes you can imagine), "Because, then I won't get to give you hugs and kisses before I go to bed."

OH, Melt my heart!! Is that boy sweet or what? I told him that I was going to be gone for 5 days so he could go ahead and give me 5 goodnight hugs and kisses right now. He thought that was acceptable.

Avery is also a little apprehensive about us leaving. When we went on the cruise, she was the one who cried for us and missed us the most. She has already told me she doesn't want me to go. I love being wanted :)

Sydney seems to be pretty indifferent to the whole thing and Morgan, well... she has been helping us pack our bags. She said she wants us to leave. Isn't that heart-warming? She looks forward to any opportunity to go anywhere. Even when she was a baby, she would cry when we would pick her up after being gone all weekend because she didn't want to leave grandmas.

Isn't it funny to see how differently God created each child?

Publix Weekly Deals and Coupons for 4/23-4/29

There are lots of great deals this week with several items that you can get for FREE! I have added green highlights to any item you can get for free or almost free. You don't want to miss out this week!!

Publix will allow you to use 1 manufacturer AND 1 store coupon (this includes competitor store coupons) on every item you buy.

When an item is 3/$5 or such, you don't have to buy 3 to get the sale price.

Remember, you can use 2 coupons on BOGO items!!
Sunday Paper Insert Code:
SS - Smart Source
RP - Red Plum
GM - General Mills
P&G - Proctor & Gamble
KL - Kellogg's
V - Vlassis
UN - Unilever

If you want multiple coupons of bogo items for this week, be sure to order your coupons today from


Publix Milk ($2.89/gallon)

Cheerios ($1.99)
Use $1/1 printable or $1/3 from SS 4/5 or $.75/1 from SS 4/19 or $1/2 from ebay and sign up for 4 $1/1 cheerios coupons here. AND
$1.50 off bananas wyb 2 GM cereal from ebay AND
FREE reusable Publix bag wyb 2 GM cereal from SS 3/15 or peelie on outside of cereals
Makes them $1 - $1.66 a box and FREE Bananas and FREE reusable bag!!

Quaker Instant Oatmeal ($1.99)
Use $1/1 or $1/2 from ebay or $1/2 from RP 2/8 AND
$.55/1 Food Lion Printable
Makes them $.45 - $.95 a box

Publix Ice Cream (2/$5)

Publix American Cheese (2/$3)

Publix Family Size Frozen Veggies ($1.69)

Marie Callender's Entrees (bogo @ $3.59/2)
Use $1/1 or $.75/1 from ebay or SS 3/29 or $.75/1 printable or sign up for 1 FREE entree here (thanks Southern Savers)
Makes them both FREE - $1.04 each

Cheez-It Crackers (bogo @ $4.09/2)
Use $1/2 from ebay or recent peelies
Makes them $1.54 a box

Florida Sweet Corn (8/$2)

Del Monte Sunfresh or Orchard Select Fruit (bogo @ $3.99/2)
Use 2 $1/1 printable
Makes them $1 each

Post Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal (bogo @ $4.09/2)
Use $1/1 or $1/2 from ebay or SS 3/29 and 4/5
Makes them $1.04 - $1.54 a box

Quaker Cereal (bogo @ $4.63/2 - includes Cap 'n Crunch, Life or Squares)
Use $1/1 printable or $1/1 printable
Makes them $1.31 a box

Pasta or Rice a Roni (bogo @ $1.75/2)
Use $1/4 from RP 3/8 or buy from ebay
Makes them $.62 a box

Ocean Spray Juice (bogo @ $4.09/2)
Use 2 $1/1 or $.55/1 from ebay or RP 4/19 or $1/1 printable
Makes them $1.04 - $1.49 each

Campbell Select Harvest Soup (4/$6)
Use $.50/2 from ebay or SS 2/8
Makes them $1.25 a can

Kellogg's Pop-Tarts (bogo @ $2.45/2)
Use 2 $1/1 or $.55/1 from ebay or RP 4/5
Makes them $.22 - $.67 a box

Chock Full O Nuts Coffee ($5.99)
Use $1/1 from ebay
Makes them $4.99

Starkist Chunk White, Premium Albacore Tuna Pouches (bogo @ $3.29/2)
Use $1.50/3 AND
B3G1 FREE from ebay or RP 3/29
Makes them $.32 each wyb 12

Wish-Bone Dressing (bogo @ $2.87/2)
Use $1.25/2 from RP 3/15 or $1.25/2 or 2 $1/1 from ebay or 2 $.75/1 printable AND
FREE bagged salad wyb 2 wish-bone dressing from ebay
Makes them $.43 - $.68 each and FREE salad

Skippy PB (bogo @ $2.43/2)
Use $.40/1 from UN 4/5 or $1/2 from ebay
Makes them $.71 - $.81 each

Hunt's Ketchup (bogo @ $1.75/2)
Use $1/2 from ebay
Makes them $.37 each

Blue Diamond Almonds (bogo @ $3.19/2)
Use $1/2 or 2 $.50/1 SS 3/22 or from ebay or $.50/1 printable
Makes them $1.10 each

Nabisco Snacks (bogo @ $3.07/2 - includes Teddy Grahams, Ritz Bits, Kraft Mac n Cheese Crackers)
Use $1/2 from SS 3/1 or ebay AND
$1/1 Target Printable
Makes them $.03 each

Yoplait Go-Gurt (bogo @ $3.09/2)
Use $1/2 printable or $1/2 printable or $1.50/1 printable or $1.50/1 printable
Makes them $.04 - $1.04 each

Kraft Easy Mac ($3.49/2)
Use $1/2 Target Printable
Makes them $1.25 each

Starkist Seasations Fish Fillet (bogo @ $5.99/2)
Use $3/1 from RP 3/8 or ebay
Makes both FREE!!

Green Giant Valley Fresh Frozen Veggies (50% off)
Use $.50/1 from SS 4/5 or printable or from ebay
Not sure final price, but should be great deal

Weight Watchers Smart Ones Entrees (50% off)
Use $2/8 printable or $1/5 printable
Not sure final price, but should be a pretty good deal

Jose Ole Taquitos (bogo @ $5.49/2)
Use 2 $.75/1 from recent dispenser or ebay or $1/1 printable
Makes them $1.75 - $2 each

Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner (bogo @ $3.29/2)
Use $1/1 or $.75/1 from SS 3/29 AND
$2/2 from SC Johnson flyer at Publix
Makes them both FREE and overage!!

More BOGO w/ NO Coupons:
Margaritaville Shrimp ($6.99/2)
Campari Tomatoes ($4.99/2)
Ghiradelli Brownie Mix (2/$4)

Entenmann's Little Bites ($4.29/2)
Snickers To Go ($4.29/2)
WISE Chips ($2.99/2)

Winn-Dixie Deals and Coupons for 4/22-4/28

FREE Gallon of Winn-Dixie milk wyb 3 Kellogg's Cereal (Kellogg's Cereal on sale 3/$9 - Jumbo Krispies, Corn Pops, Apple Jacks, Froot Loops, Honey Smacks, Cocoa Krispies)
Use $1/1 from RP 4/5 or buy them on ebay
Makes them $2 a box and a FREE gallon of milk

Smart Ones Dinners (bogo @ $3.59/2)
Use $2/8 printable or $1/5 printable
Makes them $1.55 - $1.60 each

Post Cereal (bogo @ $4.79/2 - includes Honey Bunches of Oats, Family-Size Fruity Pebbles, Family-Size Honeycomb and Family-Size Honey Bunches of Oats)
Use $1/2 from SS 3/29 or buy them from ebay
Makes them $1.90 a box

Sara Lee White Bread (bogo @ $2.69/2)
Use $2 off any diet soda from recent peelie or buy from ebay
Makes them $1.35 each and FREE soda

More BOGO deals w/ No Coupons:
Pepperidge Farm Garlic Loaf ($3.39/2)
Organic Honey ($5.99/2)
Nature's Own Bagels ($3.69/2)
Nilla Wafers ($3.99/2)
Dole Salad Kits ($4.79/2)


10/$10
Green Giant Boil-in-bag Frozen Veggies
Use 2 $.50/1 from SS 4/5 or buy them on ebay or $.50/1 printable
Makes them $.50 each

Del Monte Canned Fruit
Hunt's Pasta Sauce

Standing in the Presence of Jesus

This is where my grandpa is today. He passed away during the night last night. I spent some time this morning just imagining what he is seeing and experiencing right now. He is free from his earthly body and is now singing praises to his God and King.
As much as I love the sound of our family getting together to sing, I know the sounds he is hearing now is more incredible than anything we can imagine.

Grandpa, I'm going to miss you! I love you! Thank you for the heritage you have passed on. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being an example of a godly, loving and caring man. I can't wait to see you again one day!

My Grandpa

My grandpa is in his last days. He has been sick for a while and decided that if anything else major came up, he was going to quit doing dialysis. He stopped this on Saturday and was told he was looking at a week at the most.
Today, we got word that he probably won't make it through the night. The whole thing is very bitter sweet. I have no doubt where my grandpa is about to go. He loves the Lord and has passed down a very rich heritage in my family. He has 23 grandchildren and 40 + great-grandchildren. He has been married for over 65 years to the same woman!
He has been such a testimony to so many!
We have lived on the other side of the country from my grandparents since I was a little girl. It was amazing to me how that didn't seem to make a bit of difference in the way my grandparents loved me and I them. The thing I looked forward to the most growing up were those trips out to Nebraska and Colorado to see my family.
I am so thankful for the impact my grandfather has made in my life and every person he knows.
In a couple of days we will mourn his death and we will all miss him dearly! But, we will also celebrate, knowing he is going somewhere far better than this world. He will not be hooked up to any machines or need any medicine to keep him healthy. He will be standing in the presence of our Lord and all his glory!

Keeping the Spiders Out!!

When we brought free soil for our garden and started to put it down, we noticed something. Actually, we noticed a lot of something's. There were lots of small wolf spiders in our dirt. Now, I have grown up in Florida and I am very familiar with this nasty little species. In fact, I found one in our current house about a year ago that was approximately the size of my hand (no exaggeration). I also grew up in a house that had a constant problem with these guys.

So, when we first saw the inch-sized spiders, I thought "Oh, these aren't that bad. They're tiny". Then, I remembered that I canceled our pest control service when Cory lost his job. The wheels started turning and realized how easy it would be for these small spiders to look for a new home in MY home and grow to become big spiders and make lots of baby spiders.

So, I started to research. I don't want to use a lot of chemical pesticides close to my organic garden. So, I was looking for some of those home remedies. Well, I found a consistent answer and I am going to give it a try. Apparently, spiders taste with their feet. And, they hate the taste of citrus and essential oils (lavender was the one I kept coming across). So, I headed to the store and bought 2 bottles of lavender, some lavender pouches and 1 32 ounce bottle of lemon juice. I am going to spray both of these around the outside of my house and hopefully keep my 8 legged friends in the garden.

Speaking of, I really don't mind having them in the garden. I have read that they are actually quite helpful. They eat many of the bugs that might harm your plants and they aerate the soil. But, as much as I read that they are also helpful to have in your home, I am NOT interested. I don't care if they eat bugs inside. Honestly, I wouldn't care if they cleaned my house. I don't want them inside.

We have already applied the lemon juice outside. Before I did that, I saw 2 small spiders INSIDE in the same day. Since I put the lemon juice down, I haven't seen another one. I will still add the lavender and see how things go. I hope this works. I love finding cheap, natural ways to treat things.

Starting our Journal

We headed out to the garden today to start our garden journal. For today, we just measured each kind of plant and wrote down the height. In the future, we will also include any details we see (flowers or buds, bugs, wilting, etc...)

Here is Sydney measuring one of the green bean plants (4 1/2 '')

Recording her findings on our chart

Jordan measuring Beef Steak Tomato Plant 3 (12'')
The Celebrity tomatoes came in at 3'', the BS 1 was 8'', BS 2 was 24'' and BS 4 was 11''

Jordan recording his numbers

Morgan measuring squash (3''). She also measured the cantaloupe, which is only 1'' right now.

Avery measuring bell peppers (7 1/2'')

Everything is Planted

We spent most of the day today in dirt and manure. Btw, we were able to get both of those things for free through some great hook-ups. With 4 beds (4' x 8'), those donations saved us $100's of dollars.
Here is a picture facing the back of the house with all the beds finished. To see how we built these beds, check here.After filling the beds about 3/4 full of dirt and 1/4 full of manure (mixing the 2 together), we planting everything and then put shredded paper on top as mulch. This is a great, free way to mulch your garden. We took old phone books and newspaper and went to town. Actually, we even used some full pieces when we ran out of the shredded stuff.
I am planning to keep a weekly account of how the garden is doing.
Tomorrow, I am going out with the kids and we are going to start a garden journal. We will measure all the plants and record their growth every Sunday.
I will putting updates here. This may be more detail than you want, but I had a hard time finding detail when I was researching what to do. I hope this is helpful to somebody. Either way, I look forward to seeing how things progress.

This is Bed # 1.
Here we have 9 Cantaloupe plants. We are probably going to build some type of cage or cover to keep raccoons away. We have lost every pineapple to those critters in the past.

This is a close up picture of our cantaloupe plant. These are the smallest of all the plants we bought. Bed #2.
The first 2 rows are bush green beans (18 of them). The back 2 rows are green bell pepper (9 of them) and 1 tomato plant.Cl0se up of bell peppersClose up of green beans (these look like they already have tiny pods on them)Bed #3
This is all squash. We have 9 plants and, from what I hear, we will have more squash than we know what to do with.Close up of squashBed #4
This bed is all tomatoes. The 2 rows on the left (8 plants) are Bonnie Celebrity. The 4 on the right are Big Beef.We bought different sizes to see how well each does.
These are the small baby ones.These are the fairly mature ones.
The kids worked really hard during the first part of the day. Then, we pulled out the slip and slide and them have fun while the grown-ups finished up.

Building the Raised Beds for the Garden

We have officially started the garden! Look how things are coming.
The guys built our own raised beds. (They are so handy!)

Jordan decided to join the men and help. Isn't he cute?

Working Hard

The Finished Product (we put newspaper and paper bags down as mulch on the bottom -
this helps the weeds out!)

Here's all the kids helping. They loved playing in the dirt!

We are going to be planting tomatoes, green beans, crookneck squash, green bell peppers and cantaloupe. I will update tomorrow when it's all planted.

I'm Published

I don't know if you've heard of huliq news. It is a news site that relies on citizen's news reports. I wrote an article about how to help your budget in the crappy economy. Take a look here and tell me what you think :)

Winn-Dixie Deals and Coupons 4/15-4/21

Red Seedless Grapes ($.99/lb.)

Fresh Green Beans ($.99/lb.)

GM Cheerios or Trix ($1.99)
Use $1/3 from SS 3/8 or 4/5 or $1/2 printable or buy $3/3 or $1/2 from ebay
Makes them $.99 - $1.66 a box

Winn-Dixie Milk (FREE wyb 4 GM products on sale 4/$10 are Betty Crocker Fruit by the Foot or Fruit Roll-Ups, Fruit Gushers, Shapers, GM Fiber One Bars, Total, Cookie Crisp, Lucky Charms, Frosted Cheerios)
Use $1/2 printable cheerios or
buy $3/3 or $1/2 from ebay
$1/2 Fruit Snacks from SS 3/15 AND
FREE reusable bag wyb 2 GM or BC products from SS 3/15
Makes them $1.00 - $1.50 each, FREE Milk and a FREE reusable bag!!

Yoplait Yogurt ($5/10)
$1 OFF at register wyb 10
Use $.40/6 from SS 3/22 or $1/8 printable
Makes them $.30 each

Hormel Chili (price not listed - BOGO)
Use $.55/2 from SS 3/15 or buy them on ebay

Eight O Clock Coffee (bogo @ $5.19/2)
Use $1/2 from recent spitters or SS 3/1 or buy them on ebay
Makes them $2.10 a bag

Juicy Juice (bogo @ $3.99/2)
Use $1/2 printable
Makes them $1.50 each

More BOGO Deals w/ NO Coupons:
Kraft Mac n Cheese ($3.09/2)
Valley Fresh Canned Chicken ($2.09/2)
Merita Bread (bogo - price not listed)
Thomas English Muffins ($3.99/2)
Lawry's Marinade and Mt. Olive Pickles ($2.79/2)
Cole's Garlic Bread ($1.99/2 - send in for FREE usuable bag wyb 3 here)

Celebrating Passover

No, we have not converted to Judaism. But, I do love the rich tradition and history behind some of the Jewish Holidays. There are so many ways that Christians can adapt these Holidays that Jesus celebrated while he lived on Earth to fit their family in fun and unique ways.
This is the first year we have celebrated the Passover and we held a Seder with our friends and family on the first night (Wednesday).

After much research, we put together a menu, a haggadah and plan for the evening. We got some books from the library to help the kids understand the meaning better. We spent the evening remembering what God did in the land of Egypt to save his people and then again how He was the ultimate sacrifice and saved us all.

Here are some pictures from the night. The kids did great and learned a lot.

Grandpa was the leader. Here he is reading from our haggadah

Sydney and Abbie are following along (and Abbie is asking one of the scripted questions)Everyone washed their handsAvery and Jordan getting their hands washedThe older kids did a great job of reading along and paying attentionJordan and daddy (Jordan is asking one of the scripted questions)

Celebrating Easter

The Saturday before Easter, we colored eggs. Each kid got 6 hard-boiled eggs (yes, we will eat them all! My kids like those better than the candy). Here is everyone set to go. They had a fun time and they are getting more and more creative as they get older. I was very impressed by some of those eggs :)
We had a great Easter that we spent with my family. We went to church on Sunday morning (very early by the way, because Cory and I were both in the choir), had lunch at my parents house (with some out of town extended family) and then had the crazy egg hunt.

We had a total of 11 kids hunting. So, we decided to split the hunt into older (5-9 years old) and younger (baby - 4).

Here are the little kids running out to hunt

A couple of years ago, I decided to start writing the initials of my kids on "their" eggs. When they go hunting, they can only pick up the eggs that belong to them.

There were 2 reasons for this:
1) This eliminates the problem of 1 kid with 30 eggs and another with 2.
2) I like to do more trinket toys (trash) than candy. If I know who is going to pick up the egg, I can be more specific about what I put in it.

This system has worked really well over the years. Now, we just have to write the full names though because we had 4 J's and 2 A's.

The kids have gotten very good about not spoiling the surprise for someone else if they find theirs. This year, daddy made some kids really have to work for their eggs. He hid Morgan's in particular in very odd and hard to find spots.

Do you see that egg clipped to the leaf?

I know it seems like all we did for Easter is eggs and hunt's, but we did talk about the true celebration for the day as well. It's just not as fun to take pictures of that. Don't worry, they know why we are celebrating :)