Been Super Busy

This week has been extremely full and action packed with school, coupon class, and a cake!  Then we had Funfest at SES today and a sweet friend over to try hubby's new Chorizo Burger! 

I am gearing up for March as we speak.  I have a baby shower cake, a birthday cake, and 2 orders of birthday cupcakes (for a very sweet little boy).  Then we already have 2 coupon classes booked (if you are wanting to have a coupon class with your friends, get with me ASAP).  Also let me know if you would like to order cakes or cupcakes for birthdays, showers, and GRADUATION!  I'll even have some Easter cupcakes if you would like to order those (they will only be made if ordered, I try to make sure your desserts are super fresh).

Last night was an experiment for both myself and Amy Franks.  We did a combined coupon class/ 31 party and it worked out beautiful!  Everybody learned how to save money and then bought some really awesome stuff from 31.  If you are interested in a combined party we will all work together to make that happen!

I'm also getting psyched for a freezer cooking day.  With such a hectic schedule I want to make sure we don't run out for fast food and waste our money (except on  occasion).  I will be making my list and I will post it later.

Tonigh's menu was Chorizo Burgers, Jr's Baked Beans, and Melissa's Cupcakes for dessert!

I'm not sure if I can post those recipes but if you would like them I'll check and post if necessary.

I hope everybody has a wonderful week!

A Time to Every Purpose, Under Heaven

Words-adapted from The Bible, book of Ecclesiastes
Music-Pete Seeger

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to build up,a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones, a time to gather stones together

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing

To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven

A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late

Lyric Freak

When I was a child the season was to play and learn.

As a young adult the season was to learn and work.

As a mother of 3 beautiful children and wife, my season is to love and provide.

Originally I believed provide meant simply going to work and working as hard and well as I could at my job and bring home a paycheck.  Now it's more than that.  As most of you know, I lost my job last January and haven't found work yet.  I began reassessing what it was I was going to "provide for my family".  I learned how to coupon.  It has been a huge saving grace.  I have learned how to get free tooth paste, tooth brushes, hair cair, body wash and so much more.  In fact, this week I got 3 toothpastes and made $4.50!!!   How awesome is that.

Then once I obtained a nice size stockpile, I reassessed my situation and figured out where I could buckle down more.  To bring in a little food money, I give coupon classes.  I make my own laundry soap and dishwasher detergent.  I am recycling.  And this summer, I have a huge garden planned, started a few seeds last night.  This will be a productive summer.  And while I need money to pay the bills, I'm learning to live without it more and more.  ***NOTE, if one of the 20 applications I have in this week goes thru and gets me a job I would be ecstatic.

Now you ask, well when you get at job you'll go right back to your old ways.  That is where I would have to proclaim WRONG!!!!  I have a great system for my coupons that I can easily keep up with while working a full-time job and finishing my educations.  My garden plans are already in motion and there is no stopping them.  I look forward to the SEASON of paying off my debts....all of which I had very good intentions of paying, yet due to circumstances beyond my control, I've failed miserably.  Alas, I will rise, and be a better person for it, in preperation for the seasons to come.

Blue Ribbon Muffins aka Walnut Pie Muffins

2 weeks ago my 11 yearold, Paige, entered a 4-H contest for muffins.  She searched the internet for ideas after looking thru my many cookbooks.  She finally found one that she wanted to try, Pecan Pie Muffins by Paula Deen.  Well, unfortunately for Paige we didn't have pecans, had all other ingredients, then I remembered some walnuts we had.  She decided to substitute them for the trial versions, I promised to go buy pecans before the big day.

The first batch she made I sat in the livingroom and she did it all in the kitchen, I only helped with pulling them from the oven (she was willing to do it, I know how bad it hurts to be burned tho).  Can we say pure HEAVEN?????  Loved them so very much!!!

I had to keep the recipe a secret before the big day.  Low and behold she won a BLUE RIBBON!!!  I was so very proud of her!  Still am as I sit here typing this.


I promised many people the recipe, and subsequently forgot to send it.  So I thought I would put in the blog to send to everyone and for future reference.

Just remember we used walnuts, feel free to substitue pecans.  When I slow up on dieting, I plan on doing a Derby Pie twist on them and I'll let you know how that turns out.....but it'll be awhile before that happens.

WALNUT PIE MUFFINS

1 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup plain flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
2 eggs beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cups melted real butter

Heat over to 350 degrees.
Mix all ingredients well.
Put in a muffin tin (we sprayed with bakers spray).
Bake 15 minutes. 
Serves 10-12

Let us know if you try them and how they turned out!  I look forward to hearing from you!

GIVEAWAY EXTENDED...ANOTHER OPTION TO ENTER!

The Fold N Go GIVEAWAY sponsored by Amy Franks 31 is being delayed.  I am moving the date back to February 28th.  This gives everybody only 17 more days to get involved!  But first things first.  You must be a follower of my blog.  You can do all the other steps, but if you forget to follow my blog, you can't win.  If you are unsure on how to "FOLLOW" here are some instructions to help.  However being a follower does not give you a chance to win.  Follow the instructions below for that!

Amy Franks has been so wonderful to donate a  Fold N Go Organizer $20.00 great for Couponing, taking to church for little ones, holding a Nook or a Kindle, Crochet needles, possibilities are endless!!!!


  Be a follower of this blog.
1. To be entered in the drawing, email Amy amy@amyfranks31.com and enter FOLD N GO in the subject line.This will give her an opportunity to send you an updated Spring/Summer Catalog.
2. Let me know in the comments of this blog that you emailed her.
3. "Like" Thirty One Gifts by Amy on Facebook and tag me in a comment letting her know how you found out about her.
4. Blog about this giveaway and let me know by posting a link back to this blog and leaving it in the comments.
5. SHARE THIS GIVEAWAY ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE!!!

This is 5 easy ways you can enter!!! No obligation to buy!!!

There will be one other way to increase your chances of winning.  I'll explain that during the catalog show.

If anything is unclear. Please let me know! I want everyone to have a fair shot of winning!!! GOOD LUCK!

Coupon Classes - Win a Coupon Binder!!!

As most of you know, I love to give coupon classes.  I have recently decided to start doing drawings for a free coupon binder in any class that has more than 15 people in attendance. 

What is a Coupon Class

My coupon class lasts anywhere from 2-3 hours long.  I go over: Where to get coupons, How to organize, How to maximize your coupon use, Stockpiling, and a few other money saving tidbits.  These classes are usually hosted by someone, who may or maynot provide refreshements (I mean really, how can you eat at a time like this, lol!)  The charge is $10 per person.  I give you a handout, which basically overviews everything I go over, coupons if I am able to get any extra, and sample of Homemade Laundry Detergent.

I am able to give classes anytime on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.  The other days of the week are limited, but not completely blocked out. 

If you or someone you knows would like for me to give a class, I will happily drive to Hohenwald, Spring Hill, Lawrenceburg, or anywhere in between.  If you live in another direction, say Florence, AL or Nashville,  I would consider it on a Saturday as long as you had a crowd of 20 and my family and I could spend the rest of the day in the city.

I do have openings for the rest of February.

I would love to be able to show you and your friends how to coupon!

What I Have "Won" With Swagbucks

Lots of people have asked me why I chose to use Swagbucks for all my searching needs.  My constant reply is the FREE stuffs! 

There are so many ways you can earn your Swagbucks.  Some of the ways you can win include:  searching, swagbucks tv, special offers, games, trusted surveys, daily deals, daily polls, and so much more!  There is quite a bit you can do within minutes.  For example, I take a moment to answer the daily poll, and that is worth 1 Swag Buck.  I've down loaded the Swagbucks toolbar and everyday you use it, you get 1 Swag Buck.  It is so nice to use the toolbar too, you don't have to go to the Swagbucks homepage everytime to search.

A few weeks ago an offer came thru that if you bought a $20 Amazon gift card (for only $10) you also received 200+ Swag Bucks.  Woohoo!  That's almost halfway to another $5 Amazon gift card!  What a deal!

Now I only do the daily polls and search.  But as you can see there are other things you can do to earn those Swag Bucks.   Even though I am very minimalistic, I still earn a $5 Amazon gift card every 2 weeks, not shabby for searching the web....and if you are reading this, then you probably already search the web anyway.

So back on track, what do I receive???

To date, I have earned $65 in Amazon gift cards.  I've purchased a DVD on Deer processing for my daughter, a Vegetable Gardening for Dummies for me, and a pair of $32 Liberty overalls for my husband that he DESPERATELY was in need of!  Everything arrived quickly and was in great condition!  And the best part, FREE!

You can purchase other items with your Swag Bucks.  My suggestion?  Get started using the widget to your right (that black box).  Once you are signed up, Search the site see all the goodies they have to offer in the Swag Store.  Good Luck!!!!

Please let me know how you do!  I love to hear/receive comments!

Fold N Go Giveway

Ok ya'll. We only have a little over a week left for the giveaway and I'm only seeing one entry!  You have multiple chances to win!!! Please read this post and get your entries in!  I want everyone to have a chance!  Ready, Set, Go!!!!