Beautiful Weather in the NW (sometimes...)

M and her daddy (and me too...but I am the picture taker right now:) have been enjoying the out-of-doors lots lately. M is starting to really warm up to the idea of the playground now. She can play in our backyard (which is tiny tiny) with minimal supervision for hours. I can't wait to find a sprinkler and a few yard toys at some garage saling soon.

In other family doings, we took a birth refresher course at our local hospital today. It was a good time to "refocus" on the fact that we'll be a family of 4 in a few weeks!

Tips for free/cheap Easter Ham

Around this time of year ham gets cheap. Stores often carry ham for less than $1/lb, but often a limited amount. I would pay that for a ham, but there are some ways to be on the lookout for an even better deal (or if you're lucky-free ham!)

Image from Hatfield Meats

First, if the store is out of the sale ham, don't just get a raincheck (although those are great too) but ask if there is some other cut of ham you could sub for the same price! That's what happened to me yesterday. I got a ham that was a better cut on sale for $1.49/lb, but they gave it to me for the cheaper cut price: $0.97/lb!

Next lookout for deals like the one going on at Albertson's, where you buy $25 of certain products and you get $10 worth of free meat. The participating products in this particular deal where things I would buy anyway at the right price (plus they matched up with a number of coupons!) so I actually spent about $15 on those products and got the ham and some marked down sausage for free!

Finally, see if there are any rebates available that would make the deal sweeter. This wasn't the case for me, but often name brand hams will have a rebate deal advertised in the meat section. Keep your eyes peeled!

For more frugal tips, visit life as a mom!

Safeway NW Deals for the Week of 4/8/09

Thanks to Hot Coupon World, here is the link to this week's ad.

Be on the lookout for tags for the Living Well, Feeling Great Promo which is on again this year (spend $30 on participating products, get $10 off your next order). Scroll down on the page after you click to see it here.

Hot tip from Family Hope Ministries: Ronzoni Bistro Pasta Meals are BOGO free this week and there were coupons for BOGO free in last weeks (or possibly the previous weeks?) inserts, so combine both to get free Ronzoni Bistro! Thanks Marie!

Great Deals this week


Ham $0.99/lb

Fresh Express Salad Blend $1.98 each

Fresh Strawberries $4.88 for 4lbs

Safeway Select Ice Cream 2/$5

Folgers Coffee $5.99
Use $0.25/1 from 04-05 RP
Final Price $5.74!

Super Coupons (don't see any min. purchase this time!)

Pepsi Fridge Packs 3/$7.98

(in Sunday's insert)
Best Foods Mayo $2.00

Nabisco Snack Crackers $1.99

Starbucks Coffee $5.99 for 12 oz.

Safeway Refresh Water $2.99

Coupon Deals

Nabisco Snack Crackers, 7-10 oz $1.69
Use $1.00/2 coupon from 03-15 S
Final Price $1.19

Oroweat Bagels and Breads, selected sizes $2.50
Use $1.50/1 coupon from 03-15 S
Final Price $1.00

Ball Park Meat Franks, 16 oz $2.50
Use $1.00/2 coupon from 03-15 RP
Final Price $2.00

Lays Kettle Potato Chips, 9 oz $2.50
Use $1.00/2 coupon from 04-05 S1
Final Price $2.00

Betty Crocker Specialty Potatoes, 4.6-7.2 oz BOGO, $0.75
Use $0.25/1 coupon from 04-05 S1
Final Price $0.50

Colgate Toothpaste, 4-8.2 oz $1.29
Use 0.75/1 coupon from 03-29 S
Final Price $0.54

Dole Canned Pineapple, 15-20 oz $1.00
Use $0.55/2 coupon from 03-29 S
Final Price $0.73

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, 8-10 ct -- Buy 2 Get 3 Free $1.79
Use $0.75/2 coupon from 03-08 RP
Final Price $1.42

See here for a meal idea using Safeway Sale Items this week (for under $5)!

What other deals or match-ups do you see?

For more shopping deals visit BeCentsable!

Bargain Meal of the Week (Safeway NW) 4/9/09

Each week at $5 Dinners there is a huge gathering of bargain meals using ingredients at one particular store. Lots of stores are represented! I cover Safeway (the NW region)! Click on the menu items for a few recipe ideas when needed.

Here is the ad

This week's bargain meal:

Easter Dinner (a little healthier and cheaper than the typical fare):
~Serves 4~
Slow Cooker Ham
Baked Sweet Potatoes with Ginger and Honey
Garlic Green Beans
Strawberries over french vanilla ice cream

Shopping List/Prices

Safeway Shank Half or Whole Ham $0.99/lb (use 2 lbs $1.98)
Strawberries (4lbs for $4.88) use 1/2 lb $0.61
Sweet Potatoes/Yams 2lbs for $1.98
Green Beans (package on sale for $2.50, use 1/2 package $1.25
Safeway Select Icecream on sale for $2.50, use 1/4 container for $0.65
Misc. Ingredients for recipes (brown sugar, cheese, oil etc.) $1.00

Total: $7.47 (okay this is way over $5, but its a special occasion!)

34 Weeks Preggo and Happy 1 1/2 years M!

To say life just got busy for us is an understatement. I'll share why in a few days, but for now you'll just have to trust me:)

But...today is a Happy half birthday for my little girlie! 1 1/2 years old! She has about 20 words that we recognize her saying, including one "phrase" which is "all done"! She likes to say that at the doctor when she's not enjoying herself:) She finally has a diagnosis for her rash-whether correct or not, its the closest in the pictures I was shown to what hers looks like "annular erythema" which is a non-serious skin conditions babies/toddlers get, although it is rare. No treatment really, and apparently (if this is really what it is!) she will probably just grow out of it within a year. Her constant runny nose and digestive issues are still a mystery. She loves her baby doll and playing in her kitchen. She will bring things to mommy/daddy when we ask (the broom, a diaper, her shoes, etc.) and likes to "help". She does NOT like to come in from outside and will generally have a tantrum when its time to come in--but I am glad she likes playing outside even so! She likes to cuddle on her terms and her favorite food is probably dry cereal. She loves pasta and fruit too. We love you M girl!





And...my 34 week pregnant self. Baby is about 5+lbs now and 17 inches according to "Planning Family". She's a strong kicker and gets her feet stuck in my ribs all the time:) I am feeling relatively well--just trying to get enough exercise and not eat all the sugar in the house all the time! Still no signs of pre-eclamspia/PIH! I have my first appt with the VBAC folks at the Seattle hospital I'll deliver at next week. So exciting! Daniel and I are taking a birth class at the local hospital this weekend. We did most of a Bradley series with M, but it didnt' go well--another story for another time if you are curious. What else? I'm drinking 1-2 cups of Red Raspberry leaf tea and reconsidering the idea of a doula. Our only holdout (except for the money...its around $400-500) is the idea that it might be a bit much to have both a midwife and a doula around at that time (since they won't know eachother before hand it will be hard to know if they will work well together). I am just concerned that it might be too intense for Daniel to be "on" for the whole time without someone else thinking of new positions etc. for me to try. We'll see.

Here is a not-super flattering pic of our family, but the most current one right now.

My belly! So.much.belly.

Love me some bargains week of 4/5/09

I just went for the real bargains/freebies at a few stores this week. I went to Fred Meyer for free Quaker snacks (12 bags) and cheap cabbage, Safeway for free dressing and $0.25 Ronzoni Pasta, and Wal-mart to use up my expiring coupons for Johnson's buddies, Southbeach bars, cracker snacks, baby wipes, almost free tuna, feminine products, and a few things we needed (matches, coffee filters, cheap natural applesauce, and tortilla chips).

Total about $21 for everything pictured above.

Visit Grocery Cart Challenge and Money Saving Mom for more shopping trip savings!

Not all was bad last week...

Last week was generally hard. M was getting over a sickness and I wasn't sure if that caused her almost constant tantrums or if it was a new unwelcome phase. By Saturday though, she was back to something close to "normal". Whatever that is:) But here are some highlights from our week that I meant to post last week.

M's new stool from her WA gramie--its allowed her a new view on life. She can now look out the front window by herself and see the garbage truck pass by, neighborhood kitties, and wave to our neighbors. Too much fun!

Getting all animated about an ABC book!


Split Pea Soup in the crockpot. I altered our meal plan when the leftover ham from my parents' early Easter meal wasn't enough for a second go round, but the ham bone made for a delicous, healthy and easy meal.

My red raspberry leaf tea! The taste is suprisingly pleasant even in the loose leaf form so I am drinking several cups a day now. Hoping for a happy VBAC in another month and a half!