Grab Bag Sale

The $15 grab bag sale at OUAC only comes 2x/yr and is usually worth your time, if you are willing to put in the effort.

I made it to OUAC at 10 til and was far from the first one there, but everyone was sitting in their cars to wait because of the cold. Last winter, I was 6 mo pregnant and waiting outside the doors in a big crowd, freezing because I didn't want to wear my coat inside.

I had my game plan laid out ahead of time. I started with the boys 12-18 mo, hoping for pajamas and sweatpants. I found neither But, I did manage to stuff two bags full of clothes for the kids. My tip is to pick up a basket and throw everything you think you want in it. Then, find yourself a quiet corner somewhere and sort "yes" and "maybe items. Take all the "yes" items off hangers, fold and roll them into tight little tubes which you stick down into the bags. If you have any room left, decide which "maybe"s to add.

36 items for $32.10


Buddy:
1 one-piece summer outfit
1 long-sleeve collared shit
2 short-sleeve collared shirts
2 long-sleeve tees
5 short-sleeve tees
2 casual shorts
2 denim shorts
2 jeans
2 cords
1 sweatpants
2 fleece pullovers
1 dressy sweater
1 lined denim jacket
1 windbreaker

Bear:
1 sundress
2 skirts
1 jeans
1 tee
1 tank

T:
2 skirts
1 windbreaker pants
1 bermuda shorts
1 tee

All day long! Put as many clearance items as possible in one bag for just $15. Yes - Only $15!!! Saturday, January 30th 10:00am to 8:00pm Selection may vary by store. *Product and prices may vary by store. Not valid with any other coupon or discount Offer not valid on previous purchases. Offer valid only at the store(s) listed below.

86th & Ditch 846-7011 71st and Binford 842-0533 U.S. 31 South 888-7013

Chicken Nuggets

Yesterday while picking up 3 value packs of chicken for $1.58/lb before my raincheck expire, I found a 21 oz box of Kellogg's cornflake crumbs in the marked down bin for $1.99. Score!

So, for dinner tonight, we had chicken nuggets, tator tots ($1.88/bag on sale) and broccoli and cheese ($.66/box).

No pics because, quite frankly, this can get messy.

2.5-3 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
2-3 c cornflake crumbs (unless you find a great deal on the crumbs, get regular cereal and toss it in the food processor until it has the texture of bread crumbs)
2 eggs
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp grill seasoning (I personally like McCormick's salt-free chicken grill seasoning)

Beat eggs, garlic powder, and grill seasoning in a large bowl. Cube chicken breasts (approx 3/4 in cubes) and add to bowl. Stir to coat chicken well with egg. In a ziplock bag or on a plate, coat small batches of chicken with cornflake crumbs. Place each chicken nugget on a greased baking sheet. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15 min or until the inside of your largest/thickest nugget is white. You can also freeze them. Lay them on a baking sheet and place in freezer for 2-3 hours. Once they are frozen, place them into your freezer bag or storage container and promptly return to the freezer. This will help prevent them from sticking when you pull them out of the freezer to bake. To bake them from freezing, you will want a 375 degree oven for 20-25 min.

My batch of chicken nuggets cost me about $5.25. For almost 3 lbs of chicken nuggets!

So, supper for 3 was approx $3.45

Brought to You By the Number 3

Happy Birthday Bear, I can't believe you are THREE!


Bear decided she wanted an Elmo cake. She's been talking about it for weeks. So, I let her help make it. I didn't manage to snap a picture of her crushing the egg in her fist over the bowl because it caught me by surprise. This cake should be crunch-free.

I started with mixing up one box of cake mix per package directions. Bear chose the funfetti kind. I filled one muffin cup and 2 cake rounds. Remember to bake the cupcake for the recommended time on the box and then leave in the cake pans for the additional time needed.

I used cream cheese frosting because I don't like any other kind. When the kids are old enough, I'll let them choose, but for now we use what I want. I only put a small amount on the bottom layer because I am always afraid to run out on the top.
I used food coloring gel (cool stuff) to dye about a tablespoon of frosting yellow. I cut the top off the cupcake and frosted it. If you like cake, feel free to indulge in the bottom half.

It took me a good teaspoon maybe 1 1/2 red food coloring to get an acceptable red. So, instead of enjoying hand cramps, go ahead an really dump it in instead of going a squirt at a time. You'll want the bottom half to be smooth, but don't waste your time for the rest.

Place the cupcake on top of your frosted 2-layer cake. Approximately mid cake.

I used black gel frosting to draw the mouth. Then LIGHTLY use a fork to fluff up the frosting to create "fur". Be careful around the nose and mouth not to disturb the frosting.
The easy part! Place two large marshmallows end up, above the nose. Push them down in the frosting so they stick.

Use a couple dots of the leftover black frosting to stick brown M&Ms on top of the marshmallows. Then hide it until you're ready so no one steals his eyes!

Bakery Outlets

If you haven't yet, I encourage you to check out your local bakery outlet store.

I've been going to and Entenmann's store, although I am a big fan of the Aunt Millie's outlets too. Sometimes I can find good quality bread on sale for $.50/loaf. In November, I picked up a hug bag of individually portioned pretzels for $1.

Today, I stopped in to pick up some bread. I purchased 3 loaves of good whole wheat bread, 4 bags of croutons, and 1 crumb topped cheese coffeecake. Total: $4.75.

Pretzels

Today we tried our hand at pretzels. They are a fabulous and cheap snack, though they do take a bit of time. So, if you have a couple hours and some patience, go for it! Besides, by the time you get to the mall and make it through the crowds, you could be eating a whole dozen on your couch instead.

First, heat 1 1/2 c water to 110 F. Then, dissolve 2 1/2 tsp yeast (or 1 packet) and 1 T brown sugar. Let this sit 5 min until it's nice and frothy.
Meanwhile, measure 4 1/4 c unbleached flour and 1 tsp salt to a bowl. Pour your yeast mixture over it, and mix just until it will form a ball.
Turn the dough onto a well floured surface and need until smooth, approx 7-8 min. If you're not accustomed to kneading dough, enlist some help. Place ball of dough into a greased bowl. Turn dough/grease top. Cover and place in a warm location for approx 1 hr.

(I can't find this photo. I have cute retro yellow/lime checkered and striped retro towels, oh well.)


Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and divide into 12 equal amounts. I divide it in 1/2, then 1/3, then 1/2 again. They're almost equal.
Next, roll these little balls into long ropes.

Feel free to enlist help for this as well. The little folk will think you are the greatest.

Then twist/tie the ropes into pretzel shapes. Don't worry what they look like. We clearly didn't!
Some of them ended up more like the little balls we started with than pretzels.

Now boil a pot with 6 c water and 1/2 c baking soda. Place each pretzel in the water for approx 10 seconds. Look at that beautiful steam.

Drain as much water as you can, and place each pretzel on a greased baking sheet.
Bake in a 425 F oven for approx 7-8 min, until a beautiful golden brown color.
Paint them with a little melted butter.

Then salt them. Hurry! Before the butter dries. But please use Kosher salt. If you don't you'll regret it. Unless you don't have any and you really want to make pretzels anyway.


Wow, look at my hands. Yes, it is a cold Indiana winter, but I do put on lotion at least a dozen times a day. Anyway, you could sprinkle your pretzel with cinnamon sugar instead. I personally am a traditionalist and like some salt and a good quality mustard.


Bear urges you to go the sugar route.