Head on over to Common Sense with Money to enter another great giveaway for one of two $30 Wal Mart Gift cards. Enter by commenting on how you celebrate in the New Year. Giveaway ends 12/31 so head on over now.

Can you believe it? Not only is the year coming to a close but the end of the month means new coupons, as always. Here's what you have to look forward to from Cellfire. Be sure to log in on the right-hand toolbar to download your coupons to your store loyalty card. It's amazingly easy and a Super Cool Idea!

These coupons are available to be saved until 1/11/2010 and redeemed until 1/25/09.

For Safeway Customers Only save through 1/31)

BC Cookie Mix/Frosting Save $1 - Save $1.00 on TWO when you buy any flavor 17.5 OZ OR LARGER Betty Crocker® Cookie Mix AND ONE TUB any flavor/variety Betty Crocker® Frosting.

BC SuperMoist Cake Mix Save $1 - Save $1.00 when you buy TWO any flavor/variety Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® Cake Mixes.


BC Box Brownie Mix Save $.50 - Save $0.50 when you buy any flavor Betty Crocker® Box Brownie Mix.

Select GladWare® Save $.50 - Save $0.50 when purchasing any of the following GladWare® containers- GladWare Big Bowl®, Entree, Deep Dish and Tall Entrees Storage Container.


For Kroger and ShopRite Customers

Scotch Fur Fighter Save $4 - Save $4 on a Scotch(tm) Fur Fighter(tm) Hair Remover Starter Kit.


For Kroger and Safeway Customers

Any Biore Save $1 - Save $1.00 when purchasing Biore products.

Any Curel Save $1 - Save $1.00 when purchasing Curel, 13oz or larger.

Jergens Lotions Save $1 - Save $1.00 when purchasing full size Jergens (excluding Jergens Natural Glow).

Root Awakening Save $2 - Save $2.00 when purchasing any Root Awakening product, 6 oz - 8.45 oz)

Purina® Dry Cat Food Save $1 - Save $1.00 on any one (1) package of Purina® brand Dry Cat Food, any size, any variety.

Purina® Dry Dog Food Save $1 - Save $1.00 on any one (1) package of Purina® brand Dry Dog Food, any size, any variety.

Purina® Dog/Cat Treats Save $1 - Save $1.00 on two (2) packages of Purina® brand Dog Snacks and/or Cat Treats, any size, any variety.

Toll House® Dough Save $.55 - Save $0.55 when you purchase any (1) variety of Nestle® Toll House® Refrigerated Cookie Dough.

Toll House® Morsels Save $.50 - Save $0.50 when you purchase any (1) variety of Nestle® Toll House® Morsels

PB Rolled Pie Crusts Save $.50 - Save $.50 when you buy TWO packages of Pillsbury® Rolled Refrigerated Pie Crusts.

Green Giant® vege's Save $.50 -Save $.50 when you buy TWO any variety Green Giant® Frozen Boxed Vegetables.

PB Sweet Rolls Save $.40 - Save $.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Sweet Rolls OR Grands!® Sweet Rolls.

Pillsbury® Crescents Save $.50 - Save $.50 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Crescent Dinner Rolls.

PB Refrig Grands! Save $.30 -Save $.30 when you buy TWO any size/variety Refrigerated Pillsbury® Grands!® Biscuits.

PB Cookie Dough Save $1 - Save $1.00 when you buy TWO PACKAGES any variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Cookie Dough.

Progresso® Soups Save $.50 - Save $.50 when you buy TWO any flavor Progresso® Soups.

BC Fruit Snacks Save $.50 - Save $.50 on TWO BOXES Betty Crocker® Fruit by the Foot®, Fruit Gushers®, Fruit Roll-Ups® OR Fruit Roll-Ups® Fruit Stickerz® Fruit Flavored Snacks.

NV Granola Bars Save $.40 - Save $.40 when you buy ONE BOX any flavor/variety Nature Valley® Granola Bars.

Fiber One® Chewy Bar Save $.40 - Save $.40 when you buy ONE BOX any flavor Fiber One® Chewy Bars.

Cheerios® Cereal Save $.55 - Save $.55 when you buy Original Cheerios® cereal (the one in the yellow box).

Trix® Cereal Save $.55 - Save $.55 when you buy Trix® cereal.

BC Potatoes Save $.40 - Save $.40 when you buy any flavor Box or Pouch Betty Crocker® Potatoes (Except Potato Buds®).

BC Fruit Shapes Save $.40 - Save $.40 when you buy ONE BOX any variety Betty Crocker® Fruit Flavored Shapes.

BC Warm Delights Save $.50 -Save $0.50 when you buy ONE any flavor Betty Crocker® Warm Delights® Bowls OR Betty Crocker® Warm Delights® Minis Bowl

PB Holiday Cookies Save $.75 - Save $.75 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Refrigerated Holiday Cookies.

Progresso® Broth Save $.50 - Save $.50 when you buy ONE any variety Progresso® Broth.

PB Savorings® Save $.55 - Save $.55 when you buy any flavor/variety Pillsbury® Savorings® products.

BC Frosting Save $.50 - Save $.50 when you buy ONE TUB any flavor/variety Betty Crocker® Frosting.

First off I should say that even though Comfort and Joy are toddlers they do a pretty good job of eating. But they are toddlers.

Secondly, much of our amusement features around the renaming that Comfort have given to many of her favorite foods. Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Coffee Cake [from Once a Month Mom] has been abbreviated to Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cake. Parmesan cheese is 'cheesy sprinkles'. Ravioli is 'cheese hats'. Sausage is 'meat circles'.

It got DH and I to thinking that it resembled, in some ways, a short order restaurant. Then my mind began to think about the menu at Toddler Cafe. Of course, there would be pasta and chicken nuggets and dip. Dips would vary based on the item being dipped. If it's waffles - the dip is syrup. If it's nuggets - the dip could be 'yellow' [honey mustard], 'red' [ketchup], or 'white' [Ranch]. Same would hold true for veggies, except I doubt if anyone wants to use syrup, Ick.

Breakfast items that work well at our house:

• Eggs
• Meat Circles
• Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cake
• Waffles and Dip
• Cereal - Tiger Cereal or Daddy Cereal [Translation: Frosted Flakes or Mini-Wheats]
• Cereal Bar [Translation: Pop-Tart]
• Blueberry Muffins
• Cheese Danish

Lunch and Dinner Items:

• Pasta with Cheesy Sprinkles
• Chicken with Dip [Yellow Dip especially]
• Cheese Hats with Cheesy Sprinkles
• Cheesy Pizza
• Cheese Quesadilla

By now, you've noticed that my kids love cheese. They do take after their mom. In fairness, they do enjoy fruit and veggies too but these items don't have cute names - except for broccoli - which is referred to as 'trees' and generally eaten raw and plain.

I also kinda like that Comfort has adopted my mispronunciation of 'syrup'. Both of us only give it one syllable and even though her striking accent isn't mine, some of her speech patterns undoubtedly are. And as our Adventure Girls get older, and Joy begins talking more, I kind of hope that they don't leave too much of this behind. It's true that no server at a restaurant will ever figure out what they mean when they order cheese hats but it's still part of their background and part of what makes them unique. And personally, I think that's a Cool Idea.

Erin at $5 Dinners is doing a great giveaway to promote the publishing of her new cookbooks. She's giving away 10 copies everyday! Just sign up and you get a chance. It's that easy and that Cool!

What a year! Thanks for sticking around for the ride. I've had fun and learned a lot and I hope you have, too.

Merry Christmas - which might be the Coolest Idea ever.

Mrs. Moneysaver has another giveaway that you'll want to run over and comment on to get your name in the virtual hat for. She has $25 gift cards to Marshall's/ TJMaxx - and we all know how far we can stretch that much money at one of those stores! The giveaway ends on 12/26 so you've got some time and this is one Cool Idea!

We have a ton of snow on the ground. More than this part of Virginia has seen in over a decade and I can tell you that I didn't have to rush out to the grocery with everyone else on the planet.

Why? Because my freezers were full and I've been stockpiling.

Even though I haven't done a weekly grocery trip for anything other than perishables and baking items in almost a month we still have plenty in the pantry to get us through. I hope. Stay tuned an see how it goes.

This assumes that we keep power, too. If we don't then it won't matter how much I have in the freezer or stockpiled because I can't cook it anyway:) But mostly I know that we have enough food even if it doesn't all go together to make perfectly beautiful meals. Oh and we have toilet paper and diapers and milk and, I can bake bread, and all those other things that people run to the store for.

But still I'd like the snow to stop falling now. It's beautiful but we don't need anymore right now. Everything in moderation is a Cool Idea!

Are you still looking for the perfect gift for someone special in your life? Do you have someone that is difficult to shop for? Restaurant.com has certificates 80% until 12/25! Use discount code SANTA for this great deal. Get dinner of the month or dollar certificates - this applies to everything!! So, for a $25 certificate you only pay $2! Yep, it's a great deal.

Check out each restaurant's policy but usually certificates are good for a year so there's plenty of time to stock up and enjoy which is always a Cool Idea!

Jenn at Frugal Upstate is hosting a great giveaway. She has a $30 Wal Mart Gift Card to help make the holidays easier especially when it comes to putting meals together. Have you seen Wal Mart's $20 Meal Deal? Check out her post and enter right away. The giveaway ends on 12/19!

First of all, there's news that PGesavers coupons will not be downloadable to Kroger-family store loyalty cards after December 31st. Personally, I find this sad. However, as many of us know, there are always good P&G coupons in the paper.

Secondly, here's the Cellfire coupon update! These coupons are available for saving now through December 31st and must be redeemed by 1/11/2010 (unless otherwise noted) at all Safeway and Kroger banner stores. Nearly $30 in savings!!!

BC Cookie Mix/Frosting Save $1 / Save $1.00 on TWO when you buy any flavor 17.5 OZ OR LARGER Betty Crocker® Cookie Mix AND ONE TUB any flavor/variety Betty Crocker® Frosting. (Safeway Only) (Redeem by 1/1/2010)

BC SuperMoist Cake Mix Save $1 / Save $1.00 when you buy TWO any flavor/variety Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® Cake Mixes. (Safeway Only) (Redeem by 1/1/2010)

BC Box Brownie Mix Save $.50 / Save $0.50 when you buy any flavor Betty Crocker® Box Brownie Mix. (Safeway Only) (Redeem by 1/1/2010)


Scotch Fur Fighter Save $4 / Save $4 on a Scotch(tm) Fur Fighter(tm) Hair Remover Starter Kit.(Kroger/Shoprite Only)

Select GladWare® Save $.50 / Save $0.50 when purchasing any of the following GladWare® containers- GladWare Big Bowl®, Entree, Deep Dish and Tall Entrees Storage Container. (Safeway Only) (Redeem by 1/1/2010)

Any Biore Save $1 / Save $1.00 when purchasing Biore products.

Any Curel Save $1 / Save $1.00 when purchasing Curel, 13 oz. or larger.

Jergens Lotions Save $1 / Save $1.00 when purchasing full size Jergens (excluding Jergens Natural Glow).

Root Awakening Save $2 /Save $2.00 when purchasing any Root Awakening product, 6 oz - 8.45 oz)

Purina® Dry Cat Food Save $1 / Save $1.00 on any one (1) package of Purina® brand Dry Cat Food, any size, any variety.

Purina® Dry Dog Food Save $1 / Save $1.00 on any one (1) package of Purina® brand Dry Dog Food, any size, any variety.

Purina® Dog/Cat Treats Save $1 / Save $1.00 on two (2) packages of Purina® brand Dog Snacks and/or Cat Treats, any size, any variety.

HOT POCKETS Save $.55 /Save $.55 when purchasing 1 box of HOT POCKETS® brand BREAKFAST sandwiches.

Toll House® Dough Save $.55 / Save $0.55 when you purchase any (1) variety of Nestle® Toll House® Refrigerated Cookie Dough.

Toll House® Morsels Save $.50 /Save $0.50 when you purchase any (1) variety of Nestle® Toll House® Morsels

Huggies® Diapers Save $3 / Save $3.00 on any two packages of Huggies® Diapers.

Cottonelle® Save $.25 /Save $.25 on any ONE (1) 4-pack or Larger COTTONELLE® Toilet Paper.

PB Rolled Pie Crusts Save $.50 / Save $.50 when you buy TWO packages of Pillsbury® Rolled Refrigerated Pie Crusts.

Green Giant® vege's Save $.50 / Save $.50 when you buy TWO any variety Green Giant® Frozen Boxed Vegetables.

PB Sweet Rolls Save $.40 / Save $.40 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Sweet Rolls OR Grands!® Sweet Rolls.

Pillsbury® Crescents Save $.50 / Save $.50 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Crescent Dinner Rolls.

PB Refrig'd Grands! Save $.30 /Save $.30 when you buy TWO any size/variety Refrigerated Pillsbury® Grands!® Biscuits.

PB Cookie Dough Save $1 / Save $1.00 when you buy TWO PACKAGES any variety Pillsbury® Refrigerated Cookie Dough.

Progresso® Soups Save $.50 / Save $.50 when you buy TWO any flavor Progresso® Soups.

BC Fruit Snacks Save $.50 / Save $.50 on TWO BOXES Betty Crocker® Fruit by the Foot®, Fruit Gushers®, Fruit Roll-Ups® OR Fruit Roll-Ups® Fruit Stickerz® Fruit Flavored Snacks.

NV Granola Bars Save $.40 / Save $.40 when you buy ONE BOX any flavor/variety Nature Valley® Granola Bars.


Fiber One® Chewy Bar Save $.40 /Save $.40 when you buy ONE BOX any flavor Fiber One® Chewy Bars.

Cheerios® Cereal Save $.55 / Save $.55 when you buy Original Cheerios® cereal (the one in the yellow box).

Trix® Cereal Save $.55 / Save $.55 when you buy Trix® cereal.

BC Potatoes Save $.40 / Save $.40 when you buy any flavor Box or Pouch Betty Crocker® Potatoes (Except Potato Buds®).

BC Fruit Shapes Save $.40 / Save $.40 when you buy ONE BOX any variety Betty Crocker® Fruit Flavored Shapes.

BC Warm Delights Save $.50 / Save $0.50 when you buy ONE any flavor Betty Crocker® Warm Delights® Bowls OR Betty Crocker® Warm Delights® Minis Bowls.

PB Holiday Cookies Save $.75 / Save $.75 when you buy any TWO Pillsbury® Refrigerated Holiday Cookies.

Progresso® Broth Save $.50 / Save $.50 when you buy ONE any variety Progresso® Broth.

PB Savorings® Save $.55 / Save $.55 when you buy any flavor/variety Pillsbury® Savorings® products.

BC Frosting Save $.50 / Save $.50 when you buy ONE TUB any flavor/variety Betty Crocker® Frosting.

It's been a while since I've CVS'd and this week I made a good deal. Here's what I did.

I had a $5 in Extra Bucks and knew that we were out of Advil. Now, I'm not fussy about the brand of my Advil. I'll pop any brand of pain reliever in my mouth as long as it works. The CVS brand of ibuprofen looked good to me and the 100 count box was B1G1 for $5.99 - this is good at my CVS until 12/19. Just in case you need help making sure you buy them in a set - they even have them wrapped together - you know, for the holidays.

But I also got another nice deal. My contact solution, which is normally $9.99, gave me $9.99 in Extra Bucks. So, essentially it was free. Of course, this just gets me to go back to CVS but it's next to my Kroger and I haven't done weekly grocery shopping in a couple of weeks so odds are that I'll be there soon.

So, there we are. I got 200 tablets of ibuprofen for almost free using the Extra Bucks that I walked in the store with and I got my contact lens solution for free using the Extra Bucks I walked out of the store with. All in all it was definitely a Cool Idea to run to CVS today!

There are some fantastic deals on magazine subscriptions over at Amazon right now. You can get O, The Oprah Magazine (1-year) for $5 for a 1 Year Subscription! How's that for a great gift for a friend, or your mom, or maybe even a nice stocking stuffer for yourself?!?!?!

Also, Parents (1-year) is $9.97 for a 1 Year Subscription and you'll receive $5 off when you subscribe so it's even less expensive and isn't that definitely a Cool Idea!

Today is my first holiday party of the season and that means I've made my first batch of fudge. I love making fudge because it looks and tastes like I did a lot more work than I did - and isn't that a great return on investment!

Personally, I suck at making traditional fudge recipes. I know people who do it and God Bless Them for keeping the tradition alive because I can't do it. However, I don't use marshmallow fluff either - probably because I've never in my life eaten this stuff and I'm a little afriad of it, if you want to know the truth. Or mabe I'm afriad I'll like it:)

I use Eagle Brand Condensed Milk. This stuff is amazing. I don't know how it works and I don't need to - because I'm female - but it does. And this recipe is super easy. In case you don't have this recipe memorized yet here it is.

I use a double boiler but I think you can do this in the microwave, too. Pour a can of Eagle Brand Condensed Milk in with 2 Cups of chips [I use semi-sweet] and let them melt. Add a dash of salt [about 1/8 tsp.] Stir the chips until they're melted then remove from heat and add 1 tsp vanilla and stir that in. Pour the melted chocolate into your prepared pan.

Here's how I prepare the pan - I use my brownie pan - a regular 8x8 hard square pan which I line with foil and also spray with vegetable spray. Once you have the fudge in the pan put it in the fridge to set. I do it overnight. In the morning, I turn the pan upside down on a cutting board, strip off the foil - which is nice and easy because of the spray - and cut the fudge to whatever size I need.

There you go. Super easy. Always a nice treat and definitely a Cool Idea!

Run over to $5 Dinners and get in the cue for a great giveaway. Erin is giving away a $100 Visa Gift Card and some great stuff from Carnation Evaporated Milk. Head over to $5 Dinners to enter. Giveaway ends on 12/15. And while you're there, check out the new cookbook that's coming out. Personally, I'm hoping that's in my stocking this year!

Another great giveway that would make the holiday so much easier is from Mercedes at Common Sense with Money. She has two $30 WalMart Gift Cards so that you can buy a wonderful holiday meal. The mouthwatering details on her site. The giveaway ends on 12/15.

And just in case these aren't Cool enough for you, Mercedes has another giveaway, too. She's offering a $100 Visa Gift Card from Carnation as well. This giveaway ends 12/13 so don't be slow.

I have shoe issues. First of all I require that they fit. I know. Picky, picky.

Next, I require that they be comfortable. Thirdly, I'd like them to be classic or cute. Sometimes I score shoes that are both, but that's rare and mostly those are summer shoes.

My winter shoes - and I use the term loosely - have been old sneakers or Crocs that I wear with thick socks, but this winter has started out like a bear and my feet are already cold. Sneakers that 'breathe' are not your friend when it's 30-40 degrees and the wind is whiping through the trees. Neither are my Crocs. Cute as they are, they are not keeping my feet warm even inside the house.

So, I went shoe shopping. This is not easy. Not as hard as it is for my friend Hope, I'll link back to our cross-post about summer shoe shopping later, but winter shoe shopping is a different kettle of fish for me. Why? Because socks are involved. And the toes of the shoes are enclosed.

This makes a huge difference in how shoes fit for me. I have wide toes. Not wide feet but I like to spread my toes out so I need a wide toe box and this cuts out most shoes made for women unless you buy the 'comfort' varieties. Or my beloved Birks. Yep, I have a bunch of those, too.

I also need good support because I had foot surgery almost a decade ago and I don't wish to go through that again. So, now my requirements are growing - the shoe needs to fit, be comfortable, have a wide toe box, and provide good support - preferably with some squishy-ness under the 'palm' of the foot.

Yes, I am a high maintanenace shoe shopper. I won't just buy any old shoe because I saw it on televison and it looked cute on so-and-so's foot. It has to work on my foot. Thankfully, I've found a shoe that works on my foot and learned something that tons of people in the world already knew.

Dansko Women's Professional Pro Cabrio Leather Clog is one of the most comfortable shoes ever made. Yep, I've joined the ranks of suburban moms and professional chefs and nurses and bought a pair. I fully expect them to last the rest of my life and keep my feet warm and hopefully I won't hurt myself as I learn to wear something taller than a sneaker again because, holy shmokies - these are a Cool Idea!

I think I need to update my Blog Roll but in the meantime you still need to head over to to Mrs. Moneysaver [formerly Frugal in Virginia] because Dana is hosting the most marvelous giveaway - a carseat from Britax! We are a huge believer in Britax but, as you know, if you've priced them - they are pricey. Personally, I don't think there's anything I'd rather spend money on than the safety of Comfort and Joy but realities are realities and I know that it's not possible for everyone to afford a Britax. So, if you are in need of a new carseat or if you know someone who is - run over and enter. The giveaway ends 12/8.

Not that November and NaNo wasn't real life for me but now I need to actually make sure that all the rest of the pieces of our lives are picked up, too. So, I've begun to notice things around me a bit better.

Like the fact that it's the beginning of the month and the coupons have reset. Did you catch that, too:) Yep, the coupons.com and cellfire coupons are available and there are some great deals. Personally I'm grabbing more pie crusts and the diapers. Once a Month Mom has some great pie and cinnamon roll recipes with the pie crust and the diapers are self-explanatory.

Also, I'm off to Old Navy today to buy Comfort some long-sleeved shirts. Apparently while I was writing 70K words it turned cold here in Virginia and she only has long-sleeved shirts from last year and they are getting a bit tight. I noticed yesterday that Deal Seeking Mom had some great tips for shopping at Old Navy. Don't forget to head on over there and learn what you can.

And to add a bit of fun to your life, head over to Tia's Saving Cents and learn how you can download a copy of the UP soundtrack. Our whole family loved that movie and you can bet that Comfort and Joy are getting that on DVD for Christmas.