Menu Plan Monday: Week of January 2, 2012

Happy New Year!  We had one more day off from school or work today, but real life will be back in full swing on Tuesday, January 3rd.

No more making fun things like these reindeer pops:

Thanks to my new found addiction love of a little something called Pinterest, I've found a bunch of cool new recipe ideas I am looking forward to testing.  You can see my new finds when you take a peek at my "pins" and "boards".  Let me know if you are on it so that I can follow you.

Our first week of 2012 will include the following...

• MONDAY: Pizza Night Out after errands and gym time
• TUESDAY: Beef tenderloin roast, potatoes and veggies
• WEDNESDAY: Slow Cooker Chicken & Dumplings
• THURSDAY:  Skillet Lasagna, salad, garlic bread
• FRIDAY:  Leftover buffet
• SATURDAY:  Dinner Out
• SUNDAY:  Turkey Dinner with the fixings (use leftover meat for lunch sandwiches/Tuesday dinner)

Check out the many more menu examples and planning resources from Laura at I'm an Organizing Junkie.  What are your favorite recipes?  I'd love to add them to my list of options each week. 

Top Six DIY/Home Projects On My 2012 Goal List

I've been really inspired by the 2011 wrap up and 2012 goal posts I've been seeing this week.  Recognizing that it's easy to make and then ignore these types of goals, I knew it would be important to share my list so that you all can keep me honest and I can keep you up to date on my progress. 

That said, here's the top six home/DIY projects on my list:

1. Build and implement these useful-looking "laundry basket dressers" in our laundry area, and perhaps the bedrooms.  We need a better system than we have now, and as most of the clean clothes seem to stay in baskets vs. the actual dressers...this option seems more functional and efficient for our busy family.
2. Use up my old supply of scrapbooking materials to create some cool gifts for others.  Maybe it will be simple, awesome items like this reusable to-do list frame; maybe I'll actually try to scrapbook again; or I'll donate some killer gift baskets to silent auctions, scout troops and school teachers.
3. Photo a day.  For 366 days.  (yes, 2012 is a leap year!)  Seriously.  Upload to web album at least once per week.
4. Create a chalkboard wall calendar a la Martha Stewart.  It might not be for a full month, but a one week or two week option would be a really great addition for our home. Or build a "mother board unit" that can serve as the command center. My goal here is really to find something that can serve as a visual reminder of the stuff the whole family should be preparing for.  This one is totally rad, and includes a menu board, magnetic chore charts and more!
5. More wall art.  This would be to help support goal #3 and maybe even goal #2.  I'm really fond of this mosaic with a template, so that's a likely model I'll try.  I may even develop a mini version to personalize my office a bit more.  Another cool idea: photo covered monogram.
6. Cook at least one meal in the slow cooker each week.  Yum.  The key here is that by having this goal, I am more likely to be menu planning and grocery shopping.  This is good for our budget, our bodies, and our time together as a family!

Do you have any projects for 2012 that you are looking forward to?

Redbox Discount Codes Available - "12 Days of Deals"

Redbox is near the end of their "12 Days of Deals" promotion, but there is still time to get discounts on movies or games before Santa drops off your gifts under the tree.  I sent a text and received a code for $1 off a rental before 11:59 PM CT on 12/24/11.  Code must be used at the machine, not online.  I'm planning on finding a Blu-Ray to rent while I am out doing errands tonight.





Going online I was able to check out the inventory for one of the Redbox machines at a local grocery store so that I could reserve a couple of movies for the kids to watch as a motivator for finishing up chores early before we host a holiday get together with family this weekend.  I have to run into town for some groceries tonight anyway, so it's an easy way to complete two errands in one trip!


What are your favorite movies to watch during the holidays?

Check Your Sunday Paper for $5 off $50 purchase at #Hannaford #UpperValley

Quick note:  If you still have your newspaper from Sunday, 12/18/11, be sure to check for a $5 off any grocery purchase of $50 or more at Hannaford.  It was part of a nearly full page ad - look for the "Christmas Dinner for 8 for less than $20!" on the top of ad, the coupon is below the fold.  Valid 12/14/11 - 12/24/11, and total after all discounts applied must be $50 or more.

My local newspaper, the Valley News, can be found on Mondays and Tuesdays at the Lebanon Co-Op Store in Centerra Park.  Not sure if they also carry it in the Hanover and White River Junction stores as well.  You will find the coupon on page B3.  The $2 for the newspaper will be more than doubled if you use that coupon! 

Thanks to The Thieving Bear blog, you can also see some of the best deals to consider at Hannaford this week.  I'll sure be checking it out to make my list.  Hannaford also has a coupon page that you might want to check out for printable coupon matches.  Frugal fa-la-la.

Happy holidays!

Share Your Favorite Deal Blogs - Win $10 LL Bean Gift Card and Goodie Box (Ends 12/10/11)

There are so many great blogs out there, and I just can't keep track of them all.  I'd love to know who your personal favorites are so that I can keep my reading list up to date.  This isn't part of a sponsored campaign or anything, I really just would appreciate your input!  I'll be sharing your responses in a future blog post series. 

To sweeten the pot, one lucky reader will receive a $10 LL Bean gift card (Exp. 2/14/12) and a priority mail shipping box full of surprises!  I'll also be sending a little something special to all of the bloggers mentioned to thank them for their work.

Below you will find the form to fill out to enter the contest.  The blogs need not be fully dedicated to the category you list them for, it can just be a topic that you feel they consistently do a good job covering with sales, coupons/match ups, and hot deals. You don't need to fill in all the stores/categories below.  I just ask that you add at least one blog suggestion in order to be entered into the contest.

You must include your name and email address (twitter handle is optional), and then there are spaces to list the URL and blog name of your favorite in the following categories:

• CVS
• Walgreens
• Rite Aid
• Shaws
• Price Chopper
• Hannaford
• BJ's Wholesale
• Walmart
• Co-Op, Healthy, or Organic Deals
• Amazon - including subscribe and save, Amazon Mom, etc
• Overall Deals and Savings
• "Other" - your choice

CONTEST ENDS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10th, so that the package can be mailed to the winner on Monday, December 12th.  Please share with your friends and followers so that we have a good sample size.  Happy holidays, and I look forward to your responses!