Ecomom: Up to $80 Off + Free Shipping = 5 Melissa and Doug Puzzles Only $30.95 Shipped

Update #2: You can actually score a $40 to Ecomom.com for just $20 from Plum District! Stay tuned as I am currently cooking up a post with more details!

UPDATE: Thanks to reader, Leslie, check out this tip she left in the comments:
If you sign up for their newsletter, they will email you a $5 off coupon that is good for 48 hours. I was able to use it along with this deal to score $50 of Christmas present for only $25 shipped. Awesome!

Through Sunday, 11/25, Ecomom.com is offering up $20 off a $50 purchase, $40 off a $100 purchase, or $80 off orders of $200. There is no coupon code needed, the discount will automatically be applied to your cart. Plus, score FREE Shipping on orders over $50 BEFORE the automatic discount is applied. That means you can score $50 worth of products for a low $30 shipped!

As an idea, I added 5 Melissa and Doug puzzles to my cart for a total of $50.95. After the automatic discount and FREE shipping, the final cost came to just $30.95, making them just $6.19 each shipped right to your door! These would make great Christmas or birthday gifts!
Melissa and Doug  Vehicles Peg Puzzle $7.99
Melissa and Doug Beep Beep Jigsaw Puzzle $9.99
Melissa and Doug Tow Truck Magnetic Puzzle Game $9.99
Melissa and Doug Puzzle Cards $12.99
Melissa and Doug Pirate Adventure Puzzle $9.99
As a price comparison, you would currently pay $48.75 for these same items on Amazon.com.

Come back to let us know if you spot any other deals that would go great with the automatic discount!

(Thanks,Hip2Save.com!)

Discover Magazine: $4.99 Per Year!

This is such a great price on a magazine that is usually quite expensive! I wasn't familiar with it, but it's received some great reviews on Amazon -- at a much higher price. What a great magazine for children and/or adults interested in the sciences.

• One Year Subscription only $4.99 (up to 2 years) with code DEALSEEKINGMOM

About Discover Magazine: Discover the latest science and technology news. Each issue features general interest science news, articles, and current events on today's hot topics like technology, space, environment, health, and more. This magazine subscription will help you keep up with today's fast changing world.
This offer expires at midnight EST tonight  11/17.

thanks DEALSEEKINGMOM

Pampers Gifts to Grow: New 5 Point Code

Yay! There’s another new Pampers Gifts to Grow code available! In addition to the code NOVWIN12NLSPNMR which will score you 10 more point (valid through 11/30). You can also use code HAPPYHOLIDAYS12 to score another 5 points! Sweet! (Thanks, Free Stuff Times & Victoria!)


* If you’re new to the pampers Gifts to Grow program, then go on over here to sign up (you’ll score 100 points just for joining)! The Pampers Gifts to Grow Program rewards you every time you purchase Pampers diapers, training pants and wipes! Once you’ve become a member, you can start collecting points. Just find the Gifts to Grow code inside each package and enter the code online to accumulate points, then redeem your points for rewards! They’ve got lots of great rewards including various gift cards to different stores + lots more!

Slow Cooker French Onion Soup

This fantastic French onion soup makes a hearty meal. Start the soup in the morning and come home to a no-fuss dinner.

• PREP TIME 15 Min
• TOTAL TIME 5 Hr 50 Min
• SERVINGS 8

 

Reynolds™ Slow Cooker Liners

Soup

3large onions, sliced (3 cups)

3tablespoons margarine or butter, melted

3tablespoons all-purpose flour

1tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1teaspoon sugar

1/4teaspoon pepper

4cans (14 1/2 ounces each) ready-to-serve beef broth

Cheesy Broiled French Bread

8slices French bread, 1 inch thick

3/4cup shredded mozzarella cheese (3 ounces)

2tablespoons grated or shredded Parmesan cheese

• 1 Place Reynolds™ Slow Cooker Liners inside a 5- to 6 1/2 -qt slow cooker bowl. Make sure that liner fits snugly against the bottom and sides of bowl and pull the top of the liner over rim of bowl.
• 2 In lined slow cooker, mix onions and margarine.
• 3 Cover and cook on high heat setting 30 to 35 minutes or until onions begin to slightly brown around edges.
• 4 Mix flour, Worcestershire sauce, sugar and pepper. Stir flour mixture and broth into onions. Cover and cook on low heat setting 7 to 9 hours (or high heat setting 3 to 4 hours) or until onions are very tender.
• 5 Prepare Cheesy Broiled French Bread. Place 1 slice bread on top of each bowl of soup. Serve immediately.

Holiday Potpourri

Halloween Appetizers

Ingredients

• 4 (6-inch) pitas, each cut into 8 wedges
• Cooking spray $
• 2 tablespoons tahini (sesame-seed paste)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon olive oil $
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin $
• 1 garlic clove, chopped $
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1 tablespoon pumpkinseed kernels, toasted (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. Place pita wedges on baking sheets; coat with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 6 minutes or until toasted.
3. Place tahini and next 7 ingredients (through garlic) in a food processor, and process until smooth. Add parsley; pulse until blended. Spoon hummus into a serving bowl; sprinkle with pumpkinseed kernels, if desired. Serve with pita wedges.

Twice Baked Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

Twice Baked Cheesy Potatoes Recipe

On Sunday I headed to ShopRite bright and early thinking I would beat the rush and boy was I wrong!  The lines were so long, but I was thankful I was able to get some last minute supplies like water and of course I wanted to test some deals for the week before we get stormed in for a few days.  I was thrilled that the Kraft Fresh Take Money Maker deal for Sunday, 10/28 only worked for me!  I scored 4 Kraft Fresh Takes for FREE, plus made $2.00.  Love that!
I haven’t tried this Twice Baked Cheesy Potatoes Recipe yet, however I’m thinking I will totally give it a try this week.  They just look so yummy!  Definitely some good ole comfort food
Enjoy!

Twice Baked Cheesy Potatoes Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 6 baking potatoes baked (about 2 lbs)
• 1-1/2 cups sour cream
• 4 green onions, chopped
• chives for garnish
• 1 pkg.  (6 oz.) FRESH TAKE Cheddar Jack & Bacon Recipe Cheese Breadcrumb Mix, mixed together

Directions:

1. HEAT oven to 375ºF.
2. CUT potatoes lengthwise in half; scoop out centers into large bowl, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells. Place shells on baking sheet.
3. ADD sour cream, onions and 3/4 cup cheese mixture to potato flesh; mix well. Spoon into shells; top with remaining cheese mixture.
4. BAKE 25 min. or until heated through.

Owl Craft for preschoolers

I love to craft, and most know that the reason why I save money at the grocery store is so I can spend money on crafting- it's my addiction and I love it, so when I saw this amazingly cute owl in the Family Fun Magazine C and I had to make it with Little E trying to eat the cup cake wrapper (he's 9 months.) They turned out supper cute! Go here for the instructions, also found in October's issue of Family Fun Magazine.

C loved making these owls, my only notes for this craft that i did a bit differently are: for the ruffles/feathers I attached them with tape- not tacky glue to messy and you can't see the tape. for the eyes we used some stickers but you can use goggle eyes for those if don't have stickers for eyes (I don't know where you get them at- we got some from a friend. (Thanks SD)) 

Pumpkin Pie Shake

Do you like Pumpkin Pie? Do you like milkshakes? Well, if so, you are gonna love this super easy and super delicious pumpkin pie shake recipe. This shake literally tastes like a piece of pumpkin pie… a cold and creamy piece! I made these shakes for the family last weekend and they were a huge hit!

Ingredients
2 cups vanilla ice cream (any kind you like!)
1 cup milk
2/3 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon pumpkin-pie spice
Toppings
frozen whipped topping, thawed
Pumpkin-pie spice
Directions:
Combine first 5 ingredients in a blender; process until smooth. Pour ice cream mixture into 4 glasses. Top each with whipped topping and sprinkle with the additional pumpkin-pie spice, if desired.

Candy Corn Bark

Candy Corn Bark

15 min. 20 small servings.

10-12 oreos (I like the Halloween or the double stuff kind the best)

3/4 to a 1 cup crushed pretzels (any work well, I used the little ones)

12 oz white chocolate chips, or white almond bark

1 bag of Candy Corn

Crush up the Oreos and the pretzels while your melting your chocolate (I use the microwave and melt the white chocolate in 30 seconds intervals. Then mix the ingredients together saving some of the candy corn for a garnish at the top of the bark. Spread the mixture onto parchment paper in a 8x8 pan (I use a Pampered Chef Medium Bar pan that has been in the freezer to speed up the setting process.) Put on some candy corn and sprinkles at this time to make it look festive. Once the Bark is set break apart into small pieces.

20 Creative Ways to Decorate with Pumpkins!

It’s pumpkin season…and pumpkins can be used for many different decorating ideas throughout the fall season in more ways than you would think! If you love pumpkins but are bored with the traditional carving and lighting them, why not give one of these ideas a try!
All of these ideas are embedded into this post from Pinterest, so be sure to click on the picture(s) below that you like to repin the image to your Pinterest account so that people following you on Pinterest can go to the original source with the instructions!  :)
#1. White and Jute Pumpkins

Source: thriftyandchic.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#2. Mumkins!

Source: lowescreativeideas.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#3. Thankful Pumpkins!

Source: swelldesigner.blogspot.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#4. Sweater Pumpkins

Source: hoosierhomemade.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#5. Staircase Pumpkins!

Source: casasugar.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#6. Pumpkin Candy Containers!

Source: allureeventconsulting.blogspot.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#7. Cinderella Pumpkins!

Source: isntthatcharming.blogspot.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#8. Monogrammed Pumpkins!

Source: mom4real.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#9. Designer Pumpkins!

Source: sweetpaulmag-digital.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#10. Nailhead Pumpkins!

Source: strictlysimplestyle.blogspot.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#11. Stocking Pumpkins!

Source: greenmoxie.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#12. Pumpkin Candlesticks!

Source: bhg.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#13. Pumpkin Owls!

Source: bhg.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#14. Mickey Pumpkins!

Source: blog.thecelebrationshoppe.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#15. Pumpkin Soup Tureen!

Source: countryliving.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#16. Pumpkin Mantle Decorations!

Source: blog.atlantahomesmag.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#17. Pumpkin Pedestals!

Source: maddycakesmuse.blogspot.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#18. Pumpkin Place Cards!

Source: 2bsquaredesign.blogspot.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#19. Pumpkin Candle Holders

Source: twigandthistle.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

#20. Pumpkin Coolers!

Source: marthastewart.com via Rachel @ on Pinterest

BONUS: Decorating A Pumpkin With Duct Tape!

Christmas versatile cookie dough

Save some time this holiday season by using the versatile cookie dough recipe found HERE. You can use it to make SIX different kinds of cookies.

Now's the time to start collecting baking coupons

I love October, in fact it's my 3rd favorite month- next to December and May. I love October for the beautiful colors the cooler nights, and of course all the creativity that Halloween brings.

One of the other fantastic things that this Beautiful month brings is coupons, Yep I have a system for the month of October, and it's pretty simple, Stock up on Coupons- save your money and spend in November and December!  It might sound extreme as I don't really grocery shop much in the month of October ( every one is gearing up for November and December and sales are not that impressive to me.) So I print, and collect coupons to use them in the coming months and stock pile lots of baking goods and other things that our family uses for the coming year.

Here are some of my favorite ways to collect coupons, as most of you know we have all the coupon saving blogs that we love on our website, I like to scour those websites and print to my heart's content. I even get family and friends to print these coupons for me if they are a great deal. Please leave a comment on this post if you want to more information on some of the good websites to print coupons and I will post back.

The other tricks that I have up my sleeve are simple but seem to be very effective. I contact the Manufacture to get coupons, I love contacting the manufacturer for coupons, last year I emailed the company that makes the Andie's mints and they sent me a bogo coupon just for saying that I love your product and asked if they had some coupons! Simple and it saved be about $3. I will also ask vendors at our local Iowa Falls Hy-Vee if they have coupons to give, usually Nabisco has decent ones that I like to use when they have a good sale.

To start I have a generic letter that I have saved on my computer and plug in product name into the letter I copy and paste the letter to their comment section under the contact us tab and see what happens. It truly is a great way to save some money on products that you will use.

So if you can hold off on buying baking good products for a couple more weeks you will be very happy you did as you can get most things at least 50%-75% off.  One of the best deals of the season will be chocolate chips and other baking chips, which reminds me I need to use some up so I can buy some more baking chips for next year.

Good luck collecting coupons - or Stock Piling coupons so you can build your stock pile.

- Lisa

Peanut Butter Pie Recipe

Peanut Butter Pie

• Graham Cracker Pie Crust (store bought or homemade)
• 2/3 cup Peanut Butter (crunchy or creamy, whatever you prefer)
• 1 cup Powdered Sugar
• 1/4 cup Milk
• 8oz. Extra Creamy Cool Whip
• 8oz, Cream Cheese

Beat all ingredients together until smooth (about 1 minute). Spoon into crust. Chill for at least 6 hours before serving. This pie can also be frozen. Thaw at least 15 minutes prior to serving.

Pumpkin Cookies/ Bread/ Muffins

 . This recipe is more cake-like, so the cookies are lighter and moist.

 Pumpkin Cookies

 

 

1/2 C butter, softened
1 egg
3/4 C honey, liquid or softened
1 C pumpkin (homemade, well-mashed or blended or from a can)
2 1/4 C flour (I use whole white wheat flour)
2 tsp baking powder (non-aluminum)
1 tsp ground allspice
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/3 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 C walnuts, chopped (optional)
1/3 C raisins

Cream the first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl. Mix the first 5 dry ingredients in a separate bowl and then combine with the wet stuff to make a thick dough. Gently stir in chips, nuts and raisins.

Drop by teaspoons onto a non-aluminum cookie sheet an inch or 2  apart.

Bake at 350 for 11-13 minutes.If they squish when you squeeze them then you know they’re not done.

Let cool for 5 minutes before eating or moving them. I usually triple this batch so I can use a 24 oz can of pumpkin. This makes enough cookies to share with the neighbors.

 Pumpkin Cookies Triple Batch

1 1/2 C butter, softened
3 eggs
2 1/4 C honey, liquid or softened
3 C pumpkin (homemade, well-mashed or blended or from a 24 oz can)
6 3/4 C flour (I use whole white wheat flour)
2 TB baking powder (non-aluminum)
1 TB ground allspice
2 TB ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp sea salt
1 C semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 C walnuts, chopped (optional)
1 C raisins

Perfect Pumpkin Bread and Muffins

5 C white wheat flour (hard white or whole wheat pastry works great)
3 C sugar (I use evaporated cane juice, which is a whole food)
1 TB baking soda
1 ½ tsp baking powder (no aluminum)
2 ½ TB pumpkin pie spice
¾ tsp salt
6 eggs
3 C pumpkin (a large can or home cooked & pureed)
2 cubes butter, melted (1 cup)
½ C applesauce
9 oz chocolate Chips
2 C walnuts, chopped (Optional)

Mix dry ingredients. Mix eggs, pumpkin, butter and applesauce. Combine all. Fold in chips and nuts. Pour into greased pans or muffin papers. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. They may seem a bit undercooked when they come out of the oven. The bread needs to stay in for 40-45 min (it depends on how much batter you have left from the muffins).

Some in stones, and some in tins with paper cups

I