Tobins' Tastes: February 2013

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Weekly Shopping Totals Link Up: 20 Bottles of FREE Body Wash & No Food!

 

As you can tell from the photo above, grocery shopping did not happen for me today : ) We have a crazy week and a wedding this weekend so with all the events I really didn't need anything from today's new Publix ad. I am hoping to go on Monday and grab a few things but if I don't we will be just fine with everything we have in our fridge, freezer and pantry. 

Since we only have one month until our Zaycon chicken order arrives, we are really going to have to get creative in the next few weeks to find ways to eat our way to room in our deep freezer. My plan is to empty both freezers out next week and create a meal plan to use up a good portion of what we have on hand. I have no idea how much room forty! pounds of chicken will take up but I want to err on the side of caution. 

The only Publix shopping I did this week was to pick up twenty bottles of FREE Dove Men+Care body wash. Twenty may seem excessive (and I definitely had an internal conversation with myself about the purchase) but Justin uses tons of body wash due to his often dirty job and we have plenty of male family members who gladly raid our stockpile too. 

I just couldn't pass up the chance to stock up on really nice body wash for free. I made sure to hit the sale on the last day the manufacturer coupon was good and I also made sure to leave over ten bottles on the shelf with a variety of scents just in case anyone else was still looking to grab the deal. 

We did hit up our local farmers' market on Saturday and spent about $10 on produce and a loaf of fresh bread so our total spending for the week was only $10! It has been nice to spend some time eating down our stockpile and saving our grocery cash for wedding related travel expenses. 

Breakdown of Sunday's Publix trip:
Bought 20 bottles of Dove Men+Care Body Wash
  • Retails for $4.99 each, on sale for $3.49 each
  • Used twenty $2 off coupons from the 1/27 RP
  • Stacked with twenty $1 off Publix Green Advantage Flyer coupons
  • Made them .49 cents each
  • Used two $5/$30 Winn Dixie coupons (in two transactions of ten bottles each)
  • Made them all FREE! 
 How did you do this week? Inspire me (and everyone else) with your amazing savings and deals this week. Please link up directly to your specific post. Do not link up to your blog's home page, giveaways, or etsy shops please. You can also "like" Couponing & Cooking on Facebook too! I would love it if you would link back to this post or grab my button from the sidebar : )

Click below to link up your posts!



    Monday, February 25, 2013

    {Almost} Vegan Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes


    This is one of my earliest blog recipe posts but I have been wanting to repost it forever with new pictures. I made these cupcakes at least once a month if not more because they are so easy and everyone loves them : )

    I know what you are thinking, "What is a vegan cupcake and why would you want to bake one?" A few years ago I would have thought the same thing. Then my aunt (who is vegan) gave me the cookbook Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World: 75 Dairy-Free Recipes for Cupcakes that Rule


    This cookbook is filled with amazing recipes that also happen to be vegan. This means that they have no eggs or dairy (read: butter) in them yet somehow they are still amazing. 


    The best recipe in my opinion, and that of my family and coworkers, is the Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes. I call them almost vegan because I don't always use almond milk instead of regular milk. I also do not pair them with a vegan icing although the one in the book looks amazing too.



    I pair these cupcakes with an icing recipe from Martha Stewart's Cupcakes. You can make this recipe using a regular cupcake pan or in mini version. Here are the recipes!




    Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes


    • 1 cup canned pumpkin
    • 1⁄3 cup oil
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 1/4 cup almond or soy milk
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 cup chocolate chips
    1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line muffin pan with cupcake liners.
    2. In a medium bowl, stir together pumpkin, oil, sugar, soy milk, and vanilla. Sift in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt. Stir together with a fork— don’t use a handheld mixer, as it will make the batter gummy. Once well combined, fold in the chocolate chips.



    3. Fill liners two-thirds full. Bake for 22 to 24 minutes (10-12 minutes if making the minis). Transfer to a wire rack and let fully cool before icing.




    Martha Stewart's Brown-Sugar Cream Cheese Frosting


    • 1 stick of butter at room temperature
    • 8 oz (1 package) of cream cheese at room temperature
    • 1 cup of firmly packed brown sugar
    1. Beat all 3 ingredients on medium-high with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
    2. Best use immediately but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
    3. Ice cupcakes only when they are completely cooled for best results.

    Sunday, February 24, 2013

    Mealtime Monday Recipe Link Up & Features {#43}

    Couponing and Cooking

    Happy last Monday of February! I cannot believe that March (and Spring Break!) is right around the corner. I cannot believe that we hit 113 link ups last week! I had such a hard time narrowing down the features because everything you all make looks delicious!

    Please make sure to not just link up but to also visit your fellow bloggers and show them some love. I am really trying to make sure that I take the time to check out other posts when I visit link parties so hopefully you will too :)

    Have a great week and onto the features!

    Dessert Nachos ~ Cinnamon & Sugar sprinkled tortillas piled with dessert toppings! #missiontortillas #recipe #dessert www.julieseatsandtreats.com 

     

     

     


    You can also check out my Pinterest board for Mealtime Monday Features where I will be pinning the original links to the items featured here each week as well as my Facebook page which will have even more features too!
    If you were featured you can feel free to grab a button from my sidebar.
    As I teacher, I enforce rules all day so I am going to call these my suggestions.



    I would love it if:

    • You would link back to this post/blog. You can do so by grabbing my button (upper right hand corner), linking back to this post in your post, or by adding this blog to your list of places you link up to/party at on your Link Parties page. The more people who link up the better it is for all of us : )
    • Please follow this blog through GFC, Linky Friends or Blog Lovin.
    • As an added bonus you can become our Facebook friend too!
    • Please only post directly to your recipe link. No giveaways, etsy shops or anything not family friendly.
    • Please do not link up to posts you have already linked up to before. Also, the recipe needs to be something you made with photos of your own and should give credit where credit is due : )
    • Pretty please visit at least two new blogs and show them some love.
    • By linking up you give me permision to use these photos (with proper link backs) in my features and on my Facebook page
    • Come back next Monday and link up!

    Ready, set, make me hungry!
     

    Thursday, February 21, 2013

    Weekly Shopping Totals Link Up: Saved 69% at Publix- Stocking Up On Snacks


    My Publix trip was a little frustrating today. To start it off, I thought that my coupon trades would be in the mailbox today when I got home from work but they had yet to show up. I was really looking forward to getting some very cheap Dove Men's Body Wash and maybe even some moneymaking Poise items but I guess I will just have to run back to the store early next week and hope to grab the deals. 

    Once I got to the store, I found that alot of items on my list were not priced as advertised in more store or were out of stock (FREE Cascadian Farms Granola Bars). I really struggled in not buying any frozen items but I am so proud of myself for resisting those aisles completely. 

    We are doing well in our clean out the freezer challenge and in the last week or so we have eaten/cooked/used: a nine pound ham, 3 pounds of chicken, a box of puff pastry, a tub of butter got moved to the fridge, a tub of cool whip got moved to the fridge, a few pieces of frozen bread, some frozen veggies, and a package of frozen Butoni pasta. It seems like alot but I feel like we have barely made a dent. We are going to have to get much more serious about it before our Zaycon chicken arrives at the end of March. 

    We don't usually have too many snacks in the house but this week I did take advantage of a few good deals to stock up on some snack items to have on hand over the next few weeks. Other than the super deals, I really just grabbed our usual weekly salad and Greek yogurt and not much else. I will be set on baking M&M's for awhile too : ) 

    I managed to hit $65 before coupons so I used two $5/$30 Winn Dixie coupons. I spent $11 earlier this week but even so I managed to stay under $50 for the week.

    Breakdown of today's Publix trip:
    Total retail value: $110.23
    Total spent: $34.67
    Total saved: $75.56
    Percent saved: 69%

    What I got with sale/coupon match ups:
    • 2 bottles of Sunlight Dish Soap, retails for $1.39 each, on sale for $1 each
    • 2 boxes of Velveeta Skillets (to donate), retails for $2.99 each, on sale BOGO ($1.49 each)
      • Used two $1.50 off coupons from Kraft First Taste account
      • Made them both FREE
    •  6 Dannon Okios Greek Yogurts, retails for $1.25 each, on sale for $1 each
      • Used two $1/3 coupons from the 1/27 SS
      • Made them .67 cents each
    •  2 bags of Baked Lays Snacks, $3.99 each
    • 4 "large" bags of M&M's, retails for $5.27 each, on sale BOGO ($2.63 each)
    • 1 bag of Rold Gold Pretzels, retails for $3.29, on sale for $2.50
      • Used a FREE product coupon WYB two Baked Lays products from the Green Make It Italian Publix flyer
      • Made it FREE
    •  2 bags of Planters Trail Mix, retails for $2.49 each, on sale for $2 each
      • Used two $1 off coupons from the 1/27 SS
      • Made them $1 a bag
    •  1 pint of Publix strawberries, retails for $5.09, on sale for $1.67
    • 2 boxes of Alka Seltzer Plus, retails for $5.29
      • Used two $2 off coupons from the 1/27 SS
      • Stacked with two $2 off coupons from the Publix Green Ad. Flyer
      • Made them $1.29 a box
    •  2 bottles of Wishbone Dressing, retails for $2.97 each, on sale BOGO ($1.48 each)
      • Used two .70 cents off coupons from the 1/27 RP
      • Made them .78 cents each
    •  2 Pam Cooking Sprays, retails for $3.35 each, on sale BOGO, made them $1.68 each
    • 2 boxes of Krusteaz Cookie Mix, $2.19 each, on sale BOGO ($1.09 each)
    • 2 bags of Fresh Express Baby Spinach, retails for $4.09 each, on sale BOGO, $2.04 each
    • 2 tubs of Digiorno Shredded Cheese, retails for $4.99 each, on sale BOGO ($2.49 each)
    • 1 carton of Egg Beaters Egg Whites, retails for $2.79 each, on sale for $1.67
      
    How did you do this week? Inspire me (and everyone else) with your amazing savings and deals this week. Please link up directly to your specific post. Do not link up to your blog's home page, giveaways, or etsy shops please. You can also "like" Couponing & Cooking on Facebook too! I would love it if you would link back to this post or grab my button from the sidebar : )

    Click below to link up your posts!
     


      Tuesday, February 19, 2013

      Saved 75% At Publix: Free Organic Granola Bars, Yogurt, & Dish Soap


      I needed a few things for some baking treats so I decided to grab a couple good deals at Publix and use a $5/$30 while I was there. It is a totally random assortment of things and if you didn't know I had a stockpile you would probably be very concerned about my eating habits. 

      After my 94% savings ($130) trip on Thursday, I was happy to save 75% today. It was nice to get a few "fun" items and I definitely just bought the ravioli because I wanted it for dinner.  I don't think there is much for me in Thursday's upcoming ad but I have only given it a quick glance. I imagine I will stick to some of the Green Advantage Flyer deals this week as well as salad, milk and fresh items. 

      Breakdown of Monday's Publix trip:
      Total retail value: $46.35
      Total spent: $11.72
      Total saved: $34.63
      Percent saved: 75% 

      Breakdown of what I got with sale/coupon match ups:
      •  4 boxes of Cascadian Farms Organic Granola Bars, retails for $3.99 each, on sale for $1.99 each
        • Used two $1 off coupons
        • Used two .75 cents off coupons
        • Stacked with two $2/2 Publix coupons from the Green Italian Days Sale Flyer in store
        • Made two boxes FREE and two boxes .25 cents each
      •  3 bottles of Sunlight Dish Soap, retails for $1.39 each, on sale for $1 each
        • Used three $1 off coupons from the 2/17 RP
        • Made them all FREE
      •  2 Muller Yogurts, retails for $1.25, on sale for $1 each
      •  2 bags of Riceworks Rice Crisps, retails for $2.89 each, on sale for $1.45 each
      • 1 packages of Mission Tortillas, $2.69 
      • 1 bag of Publix Shredded Cheddar Cheese, retails for $3.79, on sale for $2.50
        • Used a $1 off Publix Cheese WYB a Mission product from Game Day Favorites in store flyer
        • Made it $1.50 
      •  1 package of Mint Oreos, retails for $4.29, on sale for $3.00
        • Used a $1 off coupon from the 2/10 SS
        • Made them $2.00
      •  Butoni Ravioli, $4.19
      • Marshmallow Fluff, $2.99
      Make sure you check bag on Thursday for my full weekly shopping totals post and link up!

      Monday, February 18, 2013

      Lucky Leprechaun Bark


      I have a small obsession with all things St. Patrick's Day. As a life long Notre Dame fan, our family has always been into shamrocks, kelly green and leprechauns. Hairbows, glitter, dishes, sprinkles, cookie cutters, clothes, cupcake liners, beer glasses, straws, you name it, if it has a shamrock on it, I own it.

      I never feel bad buying St. Patrick's Day themed items since I know that I will be able to reuse/rewear them for Notre Dame game watches and events throughout the year. This year Notre Dame gave me one more reason to make Irish themed desserts; a National Championship Bowl Game. The outcome may not have been too great but let me tell you, my desserts where.


      My family is your typical, psychotic obsessed Notre Dame football family. I am a third generation graduate with my dad, my paternal grandfather, two siblings, four uncles, six cousins and tons of family friends who attended as well.

      Since we have family in Miami, we had a huge family Pig Roast the Sunday before the National Championship with over a hundred people in attendance. My aunt put me in charge of desserts (obvious choice) and I knew that they had to be as intensely Irish as my insane family is. I ended up making Dark Chocolate Shamrock Bites, Shamrock Sugar Cookies, and this yummy Lucky Leprechaun Bark.


      Sadly, it wasn't lucky enough for us to win but it was the perfect combo of mint and chocolate. And the left overs definitely made for some great "depression" snacking after our loss.

      I started with my simple recipe for homemade peppermint bark but dyed the white chocolate part light green. Instead of topping it with crushed candy canes, I used Andes Mint Baking Chips, crushed mint M&M's, and green colored sugar. I didn't add any mint extract to the chocolate but it was minty enough without it.


      I love how easy it was to make and you can bet I will be making it again on March 17th. And for a few football games in the fall. Any maybe a few times in between because my family leprechauns like mint and chocolate all year round.


      Lucky Leprechaun Bark
      • 1 pound good melting chocolate ( bars, chips, melts)
      • 1 pound good melting white chocolate
      • Green food coloring
      • 1 cup of crushed Mint M&M's
      • 1 cup of Andes Mint Baking Chips
      • Green colored sugar
       1.) Using whatever method you prefer, melt your chocolate and pour/spread it evenly on a baking sheet lined with a silpat or wax paper.

      2.) Let that layer sit while you melt your white chocolate. Once the white chocolate is melted stir in green food coloring until it reaches your desired shade of green.

      3.) Pour/spread the white chocolate over the regular chocolate layer.

      4.) Top with crushed mint M&M's, Andes Mint Baking Chips, and sprinkle with green sugar.

      5.) Refrigerate until completely set. Break into bite sized pieces and enjoy.

      Make sure you stop by this week's Mealtime Monday and link up any amazing recipes you have been working on lately.

      ***Depending on the day this post may be linked up to any of these fabulous linky parties.***

      Do you host a weekly party? If so, make sure to visit my party page and add yours so we all can join in the fun!


      Sunday, February 17, 2013

      Mealtime Monday Recipe Link Up & Features {#42}

      Couponing and Cooking


      The best part about this Mealtime Monday? I don't have work tomorrow! I have had a very busy weekend out of town celebrating my sister's bachelorette party so I am keeping it short and sweet tonight.

      Can't wait to see your delicious recipe posts! Here are the features from last week:


       

      Gooey Chewy Pretzel Bars #sweetandsalty #cakemix
      You can also check out my Pinterest board for Mealtime Monday Features where I will be pinning the original links to the items featured here each week as well as my Facebook page which will have even more features too!
      If you were featured you can feel free to grab a button from my sidebar.
      As I teacher, I enforce rules all day so I am going to call these my suggestions.



      I would love it if:

      • You would link back to this post/blog. You can do so by grabbing my button (upper right hand corner), linking back to this post in your post, or by adding this blog to your list of places you link up to/party at on your Link Parties page. The more people who link up the better it is for all of us : )
      • Please follow this blog through GFC, Linky Friends or Blog Lovin.
      • As an added bonus you can become our Facebook friend too!
      • Please only post directly to your recipe link. No giveaways, etsy shops or anything not family friendly.
      • Please do not link up to posts you have already linked up to before. Also, the recipe needs to be something you made with photos of your own and should give credit where credit is due : )
      • Pretty please visit at least two new blogs and show them some love.
      • By linking up you give me permision to use these photos (with proper link backs) in my features and on my Facebook page
      • Come back next Monday and link up!

      Ready, set, make me hungry!
       

      Friday, February 15, 2013

      Weekly Shopping Totals Link Up: Saved 94% on $140 Worth at Publix


      I have not had a grocery shopping trip like this one in forever. I was so excited when I made my shopping list and I went to the store yesterday with my fingers crossed to actually find all the deals and moneymakers I was looking for. I spent under $9 for over $140 worth of stuff.

      Love that for under $10 I got lots of Greek yogurt, tons of money making Nutri Grain bars, some veggie pasta, body wash, beans, dish soap and so much more. I split my trip up into two transactions so I could use two $5/$30 Winn Dixie coupons too.

      I was shocked to find that my store had everything single thing in store and all my coupons and prices matched up perfectly. I was able to find an amazing cashier and I was literally in and out in 45 minutes or less. I am so proud of myself for sticking to my "find the bottom of the deep freezer" challenge/commitment and I bought nothing that goes in the freezer. Have to make room for our Zaycon chicken order

      We are really working  hard to "clean out" our freezer, pantry and fridge so I really only got the super deals plus some fresh stuff like eggs, yogurt, salad and some fruit.

      With the craziness of our very busy wedding season kicking off I have yet to make it to Target or CVS in the last few weeks but I am going to try really hard to make it there next week. Since I only spent $9 yesterday I have plenty of grocery budget cash left to spent elsewhere: ) 

      Breakdown of Thursday's Publix trip: 
      Total retail value: $141.30
      Total spent: $8.56
      Total saved: $132.74
      Percent saved: 94%

      What I got with sale/coupon match ups:
      • 12 boxes of Nutri Grain Bars (6 regular, 6 Fruit Crunch), retails for $3.59 each, on sale BOGO ($1.79 each)
        • Used six B1G1 FREE Publix coupons from the green Game Day Savings in store flyer
        • Stacked with four $1/3 man. coupons
        • Made them all FREE plus a $4 MONEYMAKER total 
      • 3 Poise Products, retails for $3.49 each
        • Used three $3 off coupons from the 2/10 SS
        • Stacked with three $3 off Publix Green Advantage Flyer in store coupons
        • Made them all FREE plus a $7.53 MONEYMAKER total
      • 6 bottles of Sunlight Dish Soap, retails for $1.39 each , on sale for $1 each
      • 6 cans of Progresso Beans, retails for $1.23 each, on sale for .67 each
        • Used two $1/4 in store Italian Days Publix coupons (two of my progresso products were broth)
        • Made them .36 cents each
      • 1 tube of Colgate Optic White Toothpaste, retails for $4.39, on sale for $3 
      • 4 bottles of Dove Men Care Body Wash, retails for $4.99 each, on sale for $3.49 each
        • Used four $2 off coupons from the 1/27 RP
        • Used four $1 off Publix coupons from the Green Ad. Flyer
        • Made them .49 cents each
      • 4 boxes of Mueller's Hidden Veggie Pasta, retails for $1.59 each, on sale BOGO (.79 cents each)
        • Used four .55 cents off coupons from the man. website
        • Made them .24 each
      • 5 Dannon Okios Greek Yogurt, retails for $1.20 each
        • Used a $1/5 blinkie coupon
        • Made them $1 each
      • 6 Voskos Greek Yogurts, retails for $1.25 each, on sale for $1 each 
        • Used two $1/3 coupons from the Publix Get A Jump On Health booklet
        • Made them .67 cents each
      • 1 dozen Publix eggs, $1.99
      • 2 cartons of Progresso Chicken Broth, retails for $2.59 each on sale BOGO $1.29 each
      • 2 bags of Fresh Express Salad, retails for $4.09 each, on sale BOGO ($2.04 each)
      • 2 apples, retails for $2.41, on sale for $1.48 total
      • 1 pint of strawberries, retails for $5.09, on sale for $2

      How did you do this week? Inspire me (and everyone else) with your amazing savings and deals this week. Please link up directly to your specific post. Do not link up to your blog's home page, giveaways, or etsy shops please. You can also "like" Couponing & Cooking on Facebook too! I would love it if you would link back to this post or grab my button from the sidebar : )

      Click below to link up your posts!

      Monday, February 11, 2013

      White Chocolate Macadamia Magic Bars

                                                                                      Pin It  

      My sister and I teach at the same school. I taught there for two years and then she came to work there at the beginning of my third year. I actually got married the summer before she came to work at my school and so I came back for the next school year with my new married name and she became the new Ms. C. Everyone knows we are sisters. Well at least I thought everyone knew.


      One of my freshman students was using a pair of my scissors in class the other day. He came up to my desk and said, "Why do you have Ms. C's scissors in your room?" I explained to him that they had been labeled before I got married and so they still had my maiden name on them.

      He looked at me like I was crazy and then asked why Ms. C and I had the same last name. "Uhh, because they are related!" screamed other student. The original student's jaw dropped and he was like, "Whaaaaa? She is your sister?!?" He was mindblown and it took him the remainder of the class to get over the fact that we were related.


      That's how I felt when I realized that there were other kinds of magic bars other than the original Magic Cookie Bars. I came to this realization slowly. I noticed another blog had a variation of the tried true favorite. Then another. Then it became clear that these "magic bars" were a full on culinary trend. I felt like an idiot.


      How did I really think that my mom's Magic Cookie Bars were only a family thing? Apparently you can pour condensed milk on anything and call them magic bars. Which is perfect for me because I am always looking for reasons to pour condensed milk on things. Like these White Chocolate Macadamia Magic Bars.


      Justin has been requesting that bake something white chocolate macadamia nutty for his fire station for about three months. I don't really have any good recipes for the cookies so I had been stalling. We were walking through Publix awhile ago and Justin saw the Pillsbury break and bake version and told me that I could just make those for his station.


      The scratch baker in me was conflicted. I didn't just want to bring break and bake to the station (yummy as they are!). So I needed to do something more.


      So I disguised them. I used the break and bake cookie dough for the crust of the magic bars, topped it with more white chocolate chips, crushed macadamia nuts and dumped an entire can of condensed milk on top. Bake for 25 minutes and you have heaven in a 9x13 pan. All without dirtying a single mixing bowl.


      Which means that instead of washing dishes you can google more magic bar recipes. Because apparently there are one million versions of them. Or you could just check out the recipes below from some of my favorite bloggy friends. Which would give you more time to eat said magic bars. We're all about efficiency here. And calories. And condensed milk. But they're the same thing, right?


      White Chocolate Macadamia Magic Bars
      • 2 packages of Pillsbury White Chocolate Macadamia Nut cookie dough
      • 1 bag of white chocolate chips
      • 3/4 cup of crushed macadamia nuts
      • 1 can of condensed milk
      1.) Line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper and lightly spray it with cooking spray. Place the break and bake cookie dough in the pan until the whole pan bottom is covered. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.

      2.) Remove the half cooked dough from the oven. Sprinkle with white chocolate chips, then crushed macadamia nuts, then pour the condensed milk over the entire thing.

      3.) Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until the condensed milk just starts to brown. Let them cool completely before trying to cut. Share with friends so they will love you forever.

      Looking for more Magic Bar recipes? Check out these delicious variations from my friends:
      Cookies & Cream Magic Bars from Crazy for Crust
      Peanut Butter Pretzel Magic Bars from Sweet Twist of Blogging
      Lemon Magic Bars from Inside BruCrew Life
      Hazelnut Magic Bars from Lemons for Lulu
      Chocolate Cherry Magic Bars from What's Cooking, Love ?
      Magic Turtle Bars from Chocolate, Chocolate and More

      Sunday, February 10, 2013

      Mealtime Monday Recipe Link Up & Features {#41}


      Couponing and Cooking


      Is it really Monday again? The weeks are flying by and I cannot believe that February is almost over. I am excited for this week to start so I can get to end of it. Not only is it Valentine's Day but it is also my younger sister's bachelorette weekend too!

      Justin and I never do anything crazy for Valentines. We have a tradition that was born out of our early years together when we both usually had to work late and we couldn't really afford to go out anywhere fancy. Every Valentine's Day (or whatever day we would end up celebrating it due to our long distance schedules), Justin and I stay in together and have a tapas style dinner.

      We have so much fun making appetizers, picking out a nice cheese and crackers and drinking wine at home that we actually prefer it to going out. I am excited to share what we make this year with you on the blog.

      Last week's party was amazing and I am loving all the Valentines recipes you have all been sharing. Since my menu isn't finalized for Thursday yet, I invite you to also share your Valentines Day treats and recipes from this year and years past too. Can't wait to see all your yummy ideas!

      Last week's features:





      You can also check out my Pinterest board for Mealtime Monday Features where I will be pinning the original links to the items featured here each week as well as my Facebook page which will have even more features too!
      If you were featured you can feel free to grab a button from my sidebar.
      As I teacher, I enforce rules all day so I am going to call these my suggestions.



      I would love it if:

      • You would link back to this post/blog. You can do so by grabbing my button (upper right hand corner), linking back to this post in your post, or by adding this blog to your list of places you link up to/party at on your Link Parties page. The more people who link up the better it is for all of us : )
      • Please follow this blog through GFC, Linky Friends or Blog Lovin.
      • As an added bonus you can become our Facebook friend too!
      • Please only post directly to your recipe link. No giveaways, etsy shops or anything not family friendly.
      • Please do not link up to posts you have already linked up to before. Also, the recipe needs to be something you made with photos of your own and should give credit where credit is due : )
      • Pretty please visit at least two new blogs and show them some love.
      • By linking up you give me permision to use these photos (with proper link backs) in my features and on my Facebook page
      • Come back next Monday and link up!

      Ready, set, make me hungry!
       

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