Frugalista

This Christmas we are doing all homemade gifts; to be frugal and to be creative (win-win right?)

I went out to good-ole Joo-Ann Etc this morning to use a coupon I had (that was going to expire on Monday) - oh yeah...and it's the Friday after Thanksgiving!

Ethan and I went out this morning - coupon and list in tow - and got shopping. Since it is Black Friday in the retail world we hit the JACKPOT! All the things I needed for my gifts were on sale plus coupon went on top of that...score!

After waiting in our checkout line for over 40 minutes it was our turn to see the damage...

$30 bucks...ok we can do that...the bottom of the receipt made the morning trip well worth it....

SAVINGS: $66.71

For real? Oh yeah.

Sincerely,
your local Frugalista

Thanksgiving Cranberry Goodness...

Happy Thanksgiving!

We went to my grandparents for dinner and we each brought something to share - my contribution: orange-cranberry relish. yummmmmm. It was absolutely delish atop the turkey - now I want 3rds! (1st for lunch, then 2nd for dinner) I got the idea to jazz up your normal cranberry sauce from Rachael Ray - thanks Rach!

Here's how I did it:
12 oz bag of fresh whole cranberries
1 C water
1 C sugar
zest of 1 orange

boil sugar and water in a pot
add fresh cranberries and bring back to boil
reduce heat and boil lightly for about 10 minutes (or until cranberries pop)
move to a glass dish and cool to room temperature
(after cooled) stir in the zest of one orange
EAT EAT AND EAT SOME MORE!

I put my relish on my turkey, mashed potatoes, and anything else on my fork. It was the perfect combo of cranberry and orange....oh.so.good.

This was my first time working with fresh cranberries; a little intimidated -yes...but it was worth it! Yummy yummy in my tummy:)

Can you tell we're related?

Now that Judah's getting older (he'll be 1 next month!) I can really see the resemblance between my boys. Similar face shape, those big blue eyes, cute little noses, and on and on. Also, now that Judah's getting older and more mobile and interactive you can only imagine what my days look like; Ethan and Judah love to play together and make each other laugh. The other day they created their own version of hide-n-seek. One would go in the kitchen and the other in the bathroom...then they would call for each other (ie: ahhhhhhheeeee) and both run into the hallway; squeal in delight and turn around back to their 'hiding' places! way to cute and way to fun. AND awesome that they were entertaining each other! I can only imagine what it will be like in a few short months....lovely crazy! I LOVE IT.

Long Time No Blog....

Wow how time flies! I just looked and my last post is from July...and now Thanksgiving is in 2 days! You think I was a little busy?? I hope to make more time to blog now that we have a desktop computer. And I know there are like 3 people that read this - but I find it helpful to document little things and to record fun memories of our crazy life!

New things in the Mancuso house:
-desktop computer!
-potty trained Ethan!
-tooth-y Judah!
-Cooking crazed mommy!
-Goofy than ever daddy!
(not that we *me and Joe* were not cooking crazed or goofy before...I just wanted the list to be bigger than 3!)

Soooo, what I hope to do is sit down every few days; type out something new/exciting in our life; and repeat. I actually have a list of things I want to write about: ranging from new recipes to potty training to funny interactions from my boys...now to find time right? I'll check back in 4 months and see how I'm doing! (ha ha my last post was 4 months ago...witty eh?)

I wish I were an Octopus...

This morning, while changing a poopy diaper, I found myself laughing at my lack of hands but resourcefulness of the few I have....let me paint a picture for you:

Ethan declared that he had a 'poopy diaper' and wanted it changed; so we get the changing pad out, get the wipes and plop him down to get moving. Diaper's off - (Oh and it was major mess...) - I have his legs up with one hand (no problem right?) - then Judah sees us....here comes trouble. Have I mentioned that Judah's on the move now? and he's fast. So, for some reason, Judah thought this poopy diaper was very interesting and wanted to get it.....Judah rushes over to the production - thank goodness for my left leg! I ward him away from the poopy mess with my leg (while holding Ethan's legs up away from the poopy mess and cleaning his bottom with one hand) whew. THEN - Judah thought maybe he could get to the poopy if he started to TICKLE me by sucking on my ankle! All that did was make me squirm and giggle...which Ethan found hilarious so he started to squirm and giggle - with his legs held in the air with one arm and poopy's still on his bottom. Are you getting this funny picture? Judah sucking my ankle; I'm trying to keep Judah away from the messy diaper; giggly like mad; holding a squirmy/giggle 2 year old's legs up out of his diaper and trying to clean his bottom with my remaining hand. HA. I laugh just reliving it. I wish I were an octopus.... or I can just laugh at the craziness that happens because I'm NOT:)

Buddies!

Ethan and Judah are starting to interact more and more each day - it's so much fun to see! Ethan loves to play with his little brother...

Here's Ethan giving Judah a 'hug' - both boys were giggling and giggling! Since this, Ethan has been into giving Judah hugs on the floor - Judah gets this huge SMILE when he gets attention from his big brother:)
The other day, Judah decided he wanted to sit up. He's not super stable with his sitting but he sure does enjoy it! My two boys sat across from each other and played with the 'tool bench' for a good long time. I think Ethan was excited to have Judah sitting and playing 'with' him.

Ethan and Judah; my two little cuties; who are turning into two little buddies!

Lemonade Cheesecake Pie

For the 4th of July I tried out a new recipe I found in my Food&Family magazine....and it was soooo good. Joe and I consumed the entire pie within 24 hours (Ethan did get a little slice)

Lemonade Cheesecake Pie
1 pkg. (8 oz) Cream Cheese, softened
1/2 Cup thawed frozen lemonade concentrate
1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust
1 1/2 Cups sliced fresh strawberries
2 Tbsp. sugar

Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Gradually add concentrate, beating well after each addition. Whisk in 2 cups of Cool Whip; spoon into crust.
Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm. Meanwhile, toss berries with sugar. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Pipe or spoon remaining Cool Whip around edge of pie just before spooning. Top with berry mixture.