A Cookie Cutter Diva's Life

Our visit home to Oklahoma to see family this last week was a great one. Didn't get to see as many family members as I had hoped to see. I couldn't get a hold of a lot of the family and was very dissapointed in a lot of the family members who couldn't even take time to call and try to catch up with us while in town or even stop by. Especially given the fact that instead of us running all around town trying to visit all of the family this time I was at my moms just about the entire time so we were very easy to catch!
I've got to call the dr when they open back up from the holiday because I think my thyroid may be back off. I thought I was just over done from the trip at first but I slept most of my trip there and feel bad for it but it was also nice to get the chacne to get to catch up on the sleep and have the opportunity to do so with my mom helping. I slept around a full 8 hours every evening and then napped every day 3-4 hours and was still exhausted every day!!!
I was really excited to get to catch up with my old friend Sara who I haven't seen the last few trips and was long over due! I miss seeing and talking to her so much and her little boy is a cutie!
I also got to see one of my besties Misty while I was in town! I hoped to see her more but both of us had pretty off schedules between me being a lazy bum and her busy schedule lol Maybe that's why she divorced me? muuaaah j/k!








I got to see Bryan's parents a few times and a visit with Grandma Cleata and Bill as well as my brother Travis and sister in law.

The kids didn't want to go much of anywhere with the heat and just enjoyed the luxury of hanging out in my parents pool every day for hours at a time haha

I decided to come back early because Bryan was really wanting me to come home and was kinda down with some things going on. So I dropped the boys with my ex mother in law for her to keep a few days while in town visiting so they could see that side of the family and I'm going to meet up with her tomorrow half way between to get them back. They are really enjoying that and getting to get some time at the lake!

Yesterday I saved $48 and spent $62 at HEB for the few groceries I needed to get for this pay check.

My savings and deals today!!

Free Chickfila Chicken Sandwhich Coupon after completing receipt survey!

First stop Toys R Us!
3 back packs - $12.99 ea
3 lunch boxes - FREE
4 boxes of crayons - B1G1 FREE
4 boxes of markers - B1G1 FREE
4 expo marker packs - B1G1 FREE
1 Large popcicle - $.25
2 Pepsis - $.25

Saved $49 and spent $62!!

Took back crayons and markers I previously bought with school supplies
the other day and got $11 back for those. Came out to be about the same in
price BUT I came out with extra supplies with the free ones to use at home!

2nd Stop Target!!

Transaction #1

2 Tide Stain Release - $8.99 sale, $3 off coupon on ea, $5 target card = $3.49ea
2 Shick Womens Razors - $6.49 sale, b1g1 coupon, $1 coupon, $5 target card = $.25ea

Transaction #2 (applied the 2 Target cards issued above to 2nd transaction)

2 Aveno Baby - $4.49ea, $1 off coupon x2 = $3.49ea
2 Gerber Grad Meals - $1.79, $1 off coupon x2 = $.79ea
3 Venus Shavers - $4.99 sale, $2.00 off coupon x3 = $2.99ea
2 Oral B Kids Electric Toothebrushes - $5.09 sale, $3 off coupon, $2 off coup = $2.50ea
1 Notebook - $.99
2 Yoplait Gogurts - 2 for $4.50, $.75 off coupon x2 = $1.75ea
1 2pk Playtex Sippy Cups - $4.89, $1 off coupon, $2 off coupon = $1.89

Total Saved $55 and spent $38


3rd Stop Wallgreens!!

Transaction #1

1 Gillette Fusion Razor - $9.99, $4.00 off copon, $5 Register Reward = .$99
1 Glide Floss - $2.99, $.75 off coupon, $1 Register Reward = $1.25


Transaction #2 (applied register rewards from above)

2 Oral B Toothe Brushes - 2 for $2 sale, $2 off coupon = FREE
1 Crest Toothepaste - $2.99 sale, $2 off coupon = $.99
4 Sausage Link Packs - $.99ea sale
6 Ajax - $.33ea sale
1 Herbal Essence Shampoo - $3.00 sale, $3 off coupon = FREE

Total Saved $28 and spent $18

We made a trip back home to Oklahoma to visit family on Sunday for about a week! Arrived safely and my childs way of amusing himself on the 5hr trip was drawing a muschace and beard and making funny faces at people along the way lol

We've been enjoying the visit so far and I've been catching up on some much needed sleep! I needed a break from everything going on in normal life from medical appointments and other stresses and just to recoop and see family.

The kids have been swimming in my parents pool every day and loving that they have a big pool right out the door to enjoy!

Haven't figured out what to do for the 4th of July just yet since there are fire bans but trying to plan out something hopefully exciting for the kids!

If you're into online groups you should check out two groups I run! The Coupon Mafia Moms and Cookie Cutter Divas Recipe Swapping in my links on the right!

Got boys some new shoes since theirs were starting to get really used looking lol $40 shoes on sale for 19.99 at sears and had a 15% off coupon and as long as they still fit I can replace them for the brand new ones if they get to worn down before school starts with the kids advantage program!

Saved $12 at CVS, got 2 laundry detergants, hand cream and toothepaste for $8

My absolute best find for me was Aidan's been begging for a flat guitar and I made a deal with him if he did his chores for 2wks with out being asked or reminded he could get it. Norl I see them for $17, they had them for $14 at wallgreens and 50% so I lucked out!

So I saved $57 at wallgreens and spent $19 at wallgreens! 4 cans of pringles, 2 hair color boxes, flat band guitar, 4 chicken broths, 5 diet pepsi 12pks, batteries, 3 packs envelopes, shaver refills

this last weekend we spent the weekend having a few little "free" adventures and using up some coupons!

on Friday we went to Chucky Cheese and spent about 2 hours playing completely free after our free token coupons!

on Saturday we went to chickfila to play for a bit and I got lunch and the kids ice cream for free!

for dinner tonight!!

Beef Enchiladas

1lb beef
2 cans enchilada sauce
1 1/2 c shredded cheese
1 package flour tortillas
1 small can nacho cheese

Heat oven to 375

Cook beef and drain.
Stir in 3/4c of enchilada sauce and 1c cheese.
Spoon enchilada filling in tortilla; roll up and place seam side down. Pour reminaing enchilada sauce and cheese over top.
Drizzle with queso.



Easy Mexican Fried Rice

Learn how to make authentic Mexican Rice (also known as Spanish Rice) just like the kind you find in restaurants. It's so easy to make and people love it. Just take a look at the 25 (or more) reviews. Even if you don't have all of the ingredients on hand, their are plenty of substitutions listed after the instructions.
You can also view each step of this recipe with this picture tutorial Step-By-Step Spanish Rice

You can also try one of these easy Mexican main dishes to go with this delicious rice, Easy Enchiladas or Chile Rellenos

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutesIngredients:
•2 tablespoons oil
•1/4 of a medium onion*
•1 1/2 cups rice
•3 cloves finely chopped garlic *
•2 1/2 cups chicken broth
•1 cup plain tomato sauce*
•4 heaping tablespoons of finely chopped parsley (optional)
Preparation:
In a medium sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add in the fresh onion. Saute for 1-2 minutes until softened. Add dry rice and cook with the onions for about 5 minutes or until rice becomes a golden brown color. Add in the garlic to the rice and saute for one more minute.
Add in broth and tomato sauce (add slowly into the rice, not directly onto hot pan!) And then add in the parsley if you're using it. Stir it up and bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling, turn the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for 20 minutes and fluff with a fork.

recipe I'm trying tonight! Another really inexpensive recipe (even more if you are on wic and can use wic foods!)

White Chili

2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 cup onion, chopped
For a variation, add:

1 pound lean ground turkey OR chopped chicken
Heat vegetable oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add onion and turkey. Cook until meat is browned throughout.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp cumin
6 cups chicken broth OR prepared bouillon
1 can (15-16 oz.) corn OR 1 package (10 oz.) frozen corn
1 can (15-16 oz. white beans, drained (such as cannellini, great northern or navy - use 2 cans if not using meat)
1/2 cup wild or brown rice, dry
For a variation, add:

1 green pepper, diced
Add garlic powder, cumin, broth, corn, beans, rice and green pepper to pan. Mix well.

Cook just below boiling for 30-40 minutes, until rice is tender.

Servings: 6