4th Annual Aquarium Trip

It does not seem possible that this is our 4th trip with the kids to Monterey Bay Aquarium. They love it every time we go. Little man's favorite exhibit was the sea turtles and little missie liked anything her brother liked. We went in the afternoon on Sunday and in the morning on Monday which was a lot slower and more enjoyable.

We also hit Dennis the Menace park twice and went to Casa De Fruta and Gilroy outlets. We wanted to take the kids to Gilroy Gardens too, but little man was not feeling 100% so we thought it was best if we came home early.

The kids are riding the little cars at the Gilroy outlets to keep them content. I purchased a red dutch oven for my birthday. I am very excited about finally getting one!

The sea turtles were pretty neat. The kids spent a lot of time looking at them.

Little missie liked her picture taken (finally). Little man of course kept turning from the camera. I just can't get them both.

Little man just loves seeing all the fish. His 2nd favorite is the hammer head sharks.

I think this is a cute picture of little missie and her dad.

We had a good time and it went to fast like always. Hopefully next year we can go to Gilroy Gardens.

Free or Money Making Deal

At Walgreens Dove shampoo and conditioner is buy one get $4.00 back in register rewards. In the paper there has been Dove coupons and there was a $2.00 off Dove shampoo or conditioner print lately (no longer active).

You buy 1 Dove shampoo, use 1 coupon (we used $2.00 off coupon) pay $2.00 and get $4.00 in register rewards. Do this 2 times and you pay $4.00 out of pocket but get back $8.00 in register rewards.

Scrubbing Bubbles Extend-A-Clean normally sells for $9.99. It is on sale for $7.99 plus you get a $2.00 register reward back. Go HERE to print a $5.00 off coupon. You will get this for .99 cents. This can go towards the SC Johnson rebate (buy 3 items get $5.00 back).

Out of pocket hubby spent $5.00, but we have $10.00 in register rewards for our next shopping trip and I will be adding the Scrubbing Bubbles to my rebate form!

Who says you can't save money on food.....

I had some coupons that were going to expire today, so off to Foods Co. and CVS I went. They are in the same parking lot so it is very convenient to hit both stores. All that you see in the picture I got for $12.73!


Here is the breakdown:

Foods Co.

8 boxes of Smart Taste pasta .98 cents and I had (8) .75 cents off coupons. I spent $1.84 on 8 boxes of my favorite pasta!

1 package of bacon, on sale for $2.50 and I had a $1.00 off coupon.

1 package of sausage, cost $1.25 and I had a .75 cent off coupon.

1 pack Taquitos and I had a $1.00 off coupon.

1 200 calorie pack pizza and had a $1.50 of coupon.

Lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro and cheese I bought without a coupon, but at Foods Co. it was a lot cheaper.

CVS

2 loaves bread on sale for 2/$5.00. I had a $5.00 EB from a previous purchase. I paid .58 cents total.

1 Windex multi-surface. It was on sale for $2.50, I had a coupon and a $2.00 EB so I only paid .22 cents. SC Johnson has a rebate too, if you buy 3 of their products you get $5.00 back. Just type in SC Johnson rebate. I already printed it and do not have the address with me at the moment.

Luckily hubby likes a good sale too and shopping, so he does help me by going to a couple stores. Today he will be going to Walgreens for me. Dove shampoo has a $4.00 register rewards which makes it free plus I have 2 $2.00 off coupons for Dove.

Planters Trail Mix .50 cents a bag!

Walgreens has Planters Trail Mix on sale right now for $1.99. In Walgreens March coupon book they have a coupon for $1.00 off two bags. If you go on Facebook and become a fan of Mr. Peanut you can print a $1.00 off coupon. If you and your hubby each have a FB account, you can print off 1 coupon from each account. I bought 4 bags of Trail Mix for $2.00. That added up to a $9.00 savings!

Last week I got 2 bags for free, so really I have bought 6 bags for $2.00! We are a big nut house...LOL!

They have all sorts of varieties:
Sweet and Salty
Fruit and Nuts
Nuts and Chocolate
Nuts and Seeds and more

I've been in the mood for....

Avocados!

Today for lunch I made an avocado omelet with cheeses, light sour cream and salsa. It was soooo good.

It is so easy to make:

2 eggs
2 tbsp half and half
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup shredded cheese
1/2 avocado

Use a small non-stick pan and spray it with Pam. Beat your eggs with half and half and salt and pepper. Preheat your pan over medium to medium low heat, then add your eggs. You want to take a spatula and scrape the sides down and turn the pan so the top runny portion of the egg goes to the sides of the pan. Once the eggs have set up, gently flip the eggs over using a spatula. Add your cheese and avocado and fold over. Cook for about 1 more minute until the cheese starts to melt. Plate and top with desired toppings.

Today's Lunch and Dinner

Earlier today I made the family dinner since I have school tonight. I made homemade mac and cheese with bacon and mushrooms. I also added some onion and ancho chili powder and let me tell you...mmmmm...mmmmm...good. I have posted this recipe before without the bacon and mushrooms, but if you do not see it I can re post it, just leave me a comment.

For lunch I made this sandwich with some of the leftover mushrooms. I placed them on toasted 12 grain bread and topped it with cheese and melted the cheese in the oven. I then used half an avocado and placed on the sandwich and that was the best tasting sandwich I have ever made. I can't wait to make it again. So simple, nothing else but sauteed mushrooms, melted cheese and avocado.

Here is the mac and cheese for tonight's dinner.

This was the taste I took.

Cajun Shrimp and Rice

Here is a quick recipe you can throw together. Short on time, cook the rice the night before or in the morning.

1 tbsp unsalted butter
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp cajun seasoning
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Salt and pepper to taste
4 plum tomatoes
2 bunches scallions chopped
3 cups cooked white rice
3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1. Heat butter olive oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium heat about 1 minute. Add the cajun seasoning and shrimp and cook, stirring until the shrimp begin to curl, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Add the tomatoes and scallions to the skillet and cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add the rice and 1/4 cup water and continue to cook until the rice is warmed through and the shrimp are opaque, about 3 more minutes. Stir in parsley and serve with lemon.