Thanksgiving is only a week away.  I know, I can hardly believe it.  To save you some time, I’ve been searching around for great resources for you.  There’s a wide variety to choose from.  Enjoy!

For the kids:

Thankful tree
Thanksgiving coloring pages
Thanksgiving place mat
Planning Thanksgiving for the Kids
Thanksgiving turkey banner craft
Thanksgiving Children’s Activities
Thanksgiving Party Games and Activities for Kids
Thanksgiving word scramble
Fall and Thanksgiving songs
Thanksgiving place mat Craft for Kids
Thankful pumpkins
Rustic vests
Pumpkin song
Thanksgiving baby bibs

Decorating and Entertaining:

Thanksgiving scripture place cards
Pumpkin Serving Dishes
Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving Dinner
5 Ways to Save Money on Entertaining
Easy Gourd and Candle Fall Centerpieces
Fall Party Centerpiece Ideas with Gourds
Apple …read more

Stock (meat or veggie) is a huge money saver because you can use fresh or frozen stock for so many things and make it out of items you already have laying around, including leftovers. Of course before you can do anything with stock, first you’ll need a good stock recipe. Here are some stock recipe ideas…

Fresh chicken stock
Turkey stock
Asian flavored stock
Really great vegetable broth
Fish stock

Now that you’ve found your favorite stock recipe, you can do all sorts of awesome things with it such as…

Use it in soup – yeah, you knew this one. Toss any leftovers meats, some noodles, some …read more

Last night I tried a great soup from Family Fun Magazine.  It was a great lasagna soup.  It took about an hour from start to finish but it was souper easy! No pun intended.  Both Turkey Butt and Little Man loved it.  Turkey Butt’s job was putting the cheese mixture on the bottom of the bowl and then putting the mozzarella on top.  She loved it.  I had never chopped herbs before.  I had alwasy used dried herbs but I have a fantastic small processor and use it for everything.  It made quick work of both the onions and the …read more

I jsut went and bought the ingredients for my rice casserole this morning.  When I totalled it up, I spent less around $2.70 for all the ingredients for my rice casserole, which will easily feed a family of 6.  I thought I would share it with you in case you are tight on funds this year and need an idea or two to save money and yet eat well.

1 can Beef Consume – $.99
1 can French Onion – $.99
1/2 cup butter – $.40 (the original recipe called for 1 stick of butter but I try to cut it in half)
1 …read more

If you’re looking to go light this Thanksgiving, or even if you want to justify that extra piece of pecan pie, then try these recipes courtesy of Cooking Light.
Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese, Bacon, and Balsamic-Fig Dressing
Roast Turkey with Onion and Cranberry Chutney
Wild Rice Pilaf with Sausage, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Celery
Brussels Sprouts with Currants and Pine Nuts
Gratin of Cauliflower with Gruyère
Bakery Dinner Rolls
Pear Pie with Streusel Topping and Caramel Sauce
photo by Becky Luigart-Stayner, courtesy of Cooking Light

I love cruising around recipes.  Yesterday, I found a great Baked Chicken Amandine recipe.  It was super easy and cheap.  The almonds were probably the most expensive thing.  Check back tomorrow to find a few quick tips on chicken.  BTW, even my 15 month old Little Man asks for seconds.  I just have to make sure he gets no almonds as he still doesn’t have but 2 teeth.

I had told you a while back that by making out a menu for the week and sticking to it, you can save a lot of money.  Tonight we had Mexican Shrimp Bisque and it was wonderful.  But I will say that there are a few adjustments that I would recommend for a family of 4.

You don’t even need the shrimp to make it great!  Shrimp was on sale last week so we had it in the freezer.
You will have to double the recipe as it barely makes enough for 6 normal size bowls and chances are, someone is going …read more

I love deviled eggs.  I also love variations.  So when I came across this recipe, i tried it and loved it!  Hope you enjoy.
Ingredients needed:

12 eggs
1/2 cup mayonnaise
4 slices bacon
2 tablespoons finely shredded Cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon mustard
1/4 tsp pepper
paprika to sprinkle

Directions:

Place eggs in a saucepan, and cover with cold water.
Bring water to a boil and immediately remove from heat.
Cover, and let eggs stand in hot water for 10 to 12 minutes.
Remove from hot water, and cool.
To cool more quickly, rinse eggs under cold running water.
Meanwhile, place bacon in a large, deep skillet.
Cook over medium-high heat until evenly brown.
Alternatively, wrap bacon …read more

This month’s Lifestyles’ Carnival theme is picnics. I thought I would share with you my pasta salad recipe. Personally, I don’t like the taste of the boxed pasta salad mixes and this one is always well received.
You’ll need:
1 box of garden rotini noodles
1 bottle zesty Italian salad dressing
1 small can of sliced olives, drained
handful of fresh chopped mushrooms
2-3 diced roma tomatoes*
1 cucumber – peeled and chopped
chopped deli ham (optional)
shredded cheese
Fill a large pot with water and bring water to a boil. Add box of noodles. Boil about 10 minutes, until noodles become tender. Drain and allow to cool. In a …read more

I think when most people think of the slow cooker and the things that we cook in it, they think winter.  I know that was my first thought before I learned that the slow cooker can be my best friend.  I have learned that you can cook almost anything in your slow cooker and it really saves lots of time.  On those busy summer days when you want to be at the pool but you feel like you need to cook instead, pull out your slow cooker.  Several of my friends say that this way of cooking is not for …read more