Having A Fun (And Frugal) Thanksgiving Weekend

I've been having a great Thanksgiving week. I guess it all started Monday night when I gave in and bought Twilight . The first novel in the way too popular Stephanie Meyer series. I say "gave in" because, well lets face it, I'm in my 30's so I've already done the whole vampire thing back in the 90's with Anne Rice. Plus, Stephanie Meyer's books have way too many screaming tween and teen fans (mostly due to the movies, I'm sure). Anyway, I couldn't put Twilight down once I stared reading it in the store. I loved it! Which is saying a lot. I love to read but I am very picky at the same time.

I finished reading Wednesday afternoon while cooking our Thanksgiving dinner. My husband worked on Thanksgiving Day, so we planned ahead for dinner on Wednesday. By the way, I used the Slow Cooker Turkey Recipe (2 ingredients plus 8 hours) and it came out awesome! We had just a few sides and a pecan pie, since it was just the 4 of us. It was so relaxing to hang out together without any stress to clean or have dinner ready at a certain time.

On Thanksgiving Day we lounged around in our pajamas (well 3 of us did, hubby was off to work), watched the Macy's parade and ate leftovers. I'll have to say the best compliment I've ever received on my cooking is when my son asked for turkey and sweet potatoes for breakfast! Anyway, then we headed out to my in-laws. The kids got to play with all their cousins. It was lots of fun and the weather was so beautiful. Then, we drove by my parents and visited them for a bit. We are so thankful to have so much of our family, living so close. :)

Friday...well, I'm not a Black Friday shopper. At all. The whole getting up really early and fighting large crowds to save a few bucks does not appeal to me. I'm more of a sleep in and shop on the Internet at my leisure type. I'm already done shopping for my kids via the internet, free shipping on everything (Santa and I shopped Toys R Us and Amazon). So yesterday, since I was afraid to go out with the crowds just for a new book (New Moon...second in the Twilight series). I stayed home again and blogged. It was so nice to devote a few hours to it, I had lots of fun. And, I opened a new checking account that will pay me a $121 bonus! More on that at the end of this post.

Today, I had to get out and get the next book. First I dropped of eBay stuff at the Post Office (yay!). Then, I picked up my free 8x10 Walgreens collage (expired offer-saved $3.99) and got a free Redbox (promo code: DVDONME, I used a new debit card- saved $1). Finally I got to Target and got the book. Last, I planned a trip to Chick-Fil-A. I saved $2.89 there using a coupon. The kids got to play while I started to read. It's already sucked me in and now I'm wondering what I'm doing blogging right now, I need to be reading!

Also, I need to say how much I love the new Wylie Target. I forgot to use a few coupons (guess I was giddy about the new book) and ran back in after loading the car. The lady at customer service was SO nice about it. They love couponers at the Wylie location! Oh and a deal alert, they have 1 lb. cartons of strawberries for $.99!!!

I mentioned I opened a new account that will pay me a $121 bonus. It's an ING Direct Electic Ornage checking account. I've been an ING saving account holder since 2003, and it's the best savings account I've ever had. So, yesterday when ING had a Black Froday offer for their checking account, I jumped on teh offer. Read yesterday's ING post for all the scoop. Here's the best part, the offer was extended for today! I have no idea when it expires exactl, so please hurry if $121 in free money sounds good to you! It's a "Black Friday" deal so it won't last long.

Okay, I'm off to post a few more things and then stick my nose back in New Moon. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and remember all that you're thankful for!

Holiday Cookie Ideas With Only 3 Ingredients From Pillsbury

If you know me well, you know I hate to cook. I can cook, and I mean from scratch. I was the nerd in high school with 100% in Home Economics. I was even in FHA! Lord, that was embarrassing (for them, not me) to admit. Honestly, I'm actually a pretty good cook if a actually get off my butt and do it. But, I hate it! All that standing, and prepping, and stirring only to spend a few minutes eating. Then there's the clean-up. Have I mentioned I hate to clean too? I'm a neat freak and like to pick up, but I don't like to actually clean. You know, soap, water, elbow grease, etc? Anyway, when the holidays arrive I start to stress. I think I should be baking or something, you know, be domestic and stuff? Creating holiday memories for the children. Well...

I found this cute website over the weekend. It's nothing mind blowing, but Pillsbury has put together some cookie ideas that have only 3 ingredients. That's my kind of baking and clean-up!

Pillsbury® Holiday Cookies 3 Ingredients to Wow!

Pictured is the Christmas Tree Sandwich Cookies. Here's how easy they are:

INGREDIENTS
1 package (13 oz) Pillsbury® Ready To Bake!® SHAPE® Christmas tree sugar cookies
3/4 cup vanilla frosting (from 1-1b container frosting)
Candy sprinkles

DIRECTIONS
1.Heat oven to 350°F. Bake cookies as directed on package. Cool completely, about 15 minutes.
2. For each sandwich cookie, spread 1 tablespoon frosting on bottom of 1 cookie. Top with second cookie, bottom side down; press together gently. Sprinkle around outer edge of frosting with candy sprinkles. Store loosely covered.

Sounds so easy, and perfect for the kiddos to help with. Older kids could help with the baking and everyone including real little ones, can frost, assemble or add sprinkles. It sounds messy but fun!

Here's a $1.00 Pillsbury Refrig. Cookie Dough printable coupon to get you started.

Fall Is Here, Time To Get Out the Crock Pot!

Fall is by far my favorite season! I love the crisp air, the approaching holidays, and the fact that it's once again hot cocoa and sweater weather. It's also the perfect time to get out the crock pot and make cooking easy again. Since I hate to cook and love easy, I wanted to share these very easy slow cooker recipes.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast - 4 ingredients plus 8 hours in a slow cooker!

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast - 3 ingredients plus 8 hours in a slow cooker!

I have actually posted the turkey recipe before, it's what I made for Thanksgiving Dinner last year. It was SO easy and VERY moist...yummy!!

Both recipes & the picture are from All Recipes.