mamasaysmine

I made these Spinach Balls last night and they were pretty darn good.  Other than green jello & the disgusting usual corned beef & cabbage, it’s surprisingly difficult to come up with creative green food.  Or maybe that’s just me. 

I got this recipe from some parenting magazine… maybe Family Fun?… in their “Ball of the Month” section.  Use your imagination to make a joke out of that one, folks.

Spinach Balls (makes 50) (and they aren’t kidding)

Ingredients: 2 (10 oz.) packages frozen chopped spinach, thawed
4 eggs
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 large onion, finely chopped
2 cups Pepperidge Farm Herb Seasoned Stuffing Mix (I used a generic because it was cheaper)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
10 Tbsp melted butter (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons)

Directions:

1. Heat the oven to 350.
2. Squeeze the water out of the spinach through a colander in the sink until the spinach is just about dry.
3. Beat the eggs in a large bowl, then dump spinach & the rest of the ingredients in and mix.
4. Cover bowl & refrigerate until the mixture holds together, about an hour.
5. Shape into roughly 1-inch balls and bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet until just browned and crispy, 30 to 35 minutes.
6. Sprinkle with a little more salt if desired.

These aren’t pretty, but they’re darn good, mamas.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

I’ve been feeling the need to re-focus this blog back to you, mamas.  Sure, saving money is important, and can help fund time for yourself (pedicures, anyone??), not to mention keep you in house and home, but there’s more to life than clipping coupons. 

At least I hope there is.

This week, I’m giving away a $10 iTunes gift card.  Not familiar with iTunes?  It’s awesome.  You can buy songs or albums, then listen to them on your computer or load them onto your iPod.  

Here’s the deal:  you have to promise to only download music for yourself.  Nothing by the Wiggles, nothing involving the Disney Princesses.  Just music for yourself.  Promise?  Great. 

To enter, leave a comment telling me (and everyone else) what you’re going to do this week that’s just for you. My answer? Tonight is Girl’s Night Out with my mama friends, and Thursday I’m volunteering for one of the community groups I belong to. I need some adult time with my gal pals, and some time away from parenting in general, and I can’t wait.

Giveaway ends at midnight, Sunday, March 22.

Congrats to Susan (heartreasure@) - the winner of over $120 in coupons!

Don’t worry if you didn’t win - I’ll be doing another coupon giveaway later today.

Also, make sure you get to Victoria’s Secret today to get your free PINK lotion (blogged it here) - I got mine already and it smells great! 

Check out Deal Seeking Mom’s post here on how to get a free Victoria’s Secret PINK tote (when you join the PINK nation by March 10).

Plus, go here and print out a coupon for a free sample of PINK energizing lotion. Quick, this coupon expires March 2.

Victoria’s Secret does a great job with freebies and deals, so I really recommend joining their mailing list.

Enjoy, mamas!

Seems that several of you want more info on couponing.  While I’m not the gal to go to, I can put you on the right track.

First, coupons.com.  Easy and accessible online coupons.  

Second, the previously mentioned Money Saving Mom.  If there’s an internet printable for an item, she’s found it for you and linked to it.  Again, perfect for the lazy among us.  (I count myself in this company)  One thing that I love about Money Saving Mom’s coupon matchups is that she lists the advert (either P&G or SS, I can’t for the life of me remember what those stand for right now) that each of the paper coupons came from.  The one thing that drives me nuts is that my paper doesn’t always have the same coupon inserts.  This, of course, is not her fault.  :)

Third, I just found a great new blog, thanks to Baby Cheapskate - Coupon Cravings.  Looks to be another great site for saving money, including great links internet printables. She has a list here of 20 Frugal Moms to Follow on Twitter (if you’re into that kind of thing) - I’ve checked out all of these blogs at one time or another, and they’re all great. For those of you who are just starting out, browse for a bit and then pick a few to follow regularly. Following 20+ deal sites can be a bit overwhelming to start out.

And finally, a little tip from a coupon slacker:  find an organizational system that works for you.  

Here’s what I do:

First, I clip all coupons.  I’ve been burned so many times by not getting rebates plus overages on items because I had thrown away a coupon.

I have my coupons organized by expiration date in two separate mini files (about $3 at Office Depot) - one file for food items and one for non-food items.  I had to do this to control the sheer volume.

Third, when I’m making my list, I put a little “c” next to items I have a coupon for and note any special sizes etc. that the coupon applies to.  (example:  cheerios, c, 14+ oz)

Plus, I write my lists on old envelopes and put the coupons in the envelope for each store.  Again, I just need to control the clutter.

Hope this helps, mamas! 

Speaking of coupons… 

Real Simple (seriously, one of my favorite magazines) is giving away a free receipt organizer when your purchase Kenmore appliances (I guess a free organizer can’t hurt if you’ve already shelled out for a new fridge), Smart Ones, Over the Moon milk, or Triscuits.  Just go here and fill out the form.  You purchase must be made before March 22 and postmarked by April 6, so get crackin’, mamas.

Quiznos is giving away a free sub to the first million people who register here.

Kudos to my husband’s co-worker for the tasty tip! 

If you happen to

1.  Be a total procrastinator

2. Have the ways & means to pick something up from Tiffany & Co this Valentine’s Day

Then you’re in luck.  Free shipping through noon, EST, Friday, February 13.

While you’re out, will you pick these up for me?  Thanks. 

There are times when being a blogger, especially a mama blogger, will break your heart.

However, during the worst times, I’m always heartened by the amount of prayers which are mobilized from blog to blog

Click here to read Cynthiaa’s story and keep her and her angel Aiden in your prayers.  Here are some photos from our balloon release yesterday. 

Sigh.  Just when I have tamed the shopping beast, Brooklyn Industries throws a meaty bone my way.Free ground shipping on orders of $40 or more with code  SPRINGSHIP and a free reusable shopping bag with orders of $30 or more.  Yum. (free shipping through midnight, February 16)

My pick?  This fabulous dress.  However, it’s still out of my price range, so I have to go with this fabulous Holiday H Bag at only $26.  Feel free to fill in the rest of the order yourselves.