Polka Dots n' Pinky Swears

Wishing You...

2011-12-22T11:10:00.000-08:00

Hello my lovely followers!

I know {{and apologize}} that I've been MIA the past..ohh sayyy..YEAR!!,
but its because I got rid of my internet when I got my smartphone, and Blogger just isn't as fun & exciting on here as it was my desktop!! :/ If someone knows the "trick" pul-eeeze tell me 'cause I shore do miss it!!

So..I've said all that to say: I'm wanting to "Thank You" for being such a loyal follower during this time, and hopefully I can get my desktop up & going again soon!! I hope you all have a VERY. MERRY. CHRISTMAS.!!

<3

Going to Dollar General?

2010-09-30T13:26:00.000-07:00

Now through October 2, you can use this coupon to get $5 off a $25 purchase at Dollar General! ☺

Walgreens Freebie!

2010-09-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

Walgreens is offering a FREE 8x10 photo collage today (9/30) & tomorrow (10/1) only so HURRY! I created a "beach" themed collage from when we went on vacation with my mom & stepdad. I'm going to frame it in a nice frame and give it to them as a Christmas gift! To get this freebie, enter code FBCOLL at checkout. Choose "pick up in store" and shipping will be free, too! ;)

(if you don't have a Walgreens nearby, shipping is only 99¢)

Land's End: Awesome Deal!

2010-09-29T07:13:00.000-07:00

Land's End has these cute Women's Mary Jane Trekker Shoes marked down from $39.50 to only $5.99! Get FREE SHIPPING as well with code ELSTONWEAVE and pin 5299! The only size they have left is a size 5. If you wear a 5 (or know someone who does--great Christmas gift!) grab these babies before their gone! That's a steal right there! ☺

*a women's size 5 is equivalent to a youth's size 3

Similac Formula Recall!!

2010-09-23T14:08:00.000-07:00

Hi folks! ☺ Long time, no talk! LOL

I'm so sorry I've neglected my blog the past

few weeks, but in between having a sick kiddo

and my computer crashing on me, it's been

quite hectic around here!

I've missed ya'll!! :-'(

I wanted to pass along some IMPORTANT

info if you have a baby in the house! I do, but

thankfully I use Nestle Good Start formula (I'm

not saying it's better, only that I don't have to

worry about this recall! ;)

News headline this morning:

SIMILAC RECALLS CERTAIN INFANT

FORMULAS THAT DIDN'T MEET QUALITY

STANDARDS! (possibility of beetles and/or

beetle larvae in formula!!! ...yuk!)

You can go here to find out if any you have

is part of the recall!

5 Question Friday.

2010-09-03T08:23:00.000-07:00

1. What do you do when you have time to yourself? Blog! ☺ I've always heard people say they spent most of their time on their blogs, and when I started mine I was SO excited to have one of my own! & WOW! I'm always looking for things to blog about now! :) I take every minute I have NOT on the computer to spend with my 3 little angels either playing games or cooking! :)

2. When you look out your kitchen window, what do you see? My backyard, where the grass is so high it looks like a cornfield! LOL It's terrible! I also see my kid's Slip-n-Slide, which reminds me of just how much I'm gonna hate to see Summer go. :(

3. Who/What would you want to be reincarnated as? That's a hard one! I think I would love to come back as a butterfly. Their gorgeous, loved by kids, and just look so tranquil flying around everywhere!

4. What is your biggest pet peeve about other people's kids? I hate to see kid's who weren't raised with manners. I know it's not really the kid's fault, but it's so bad seeing a child that talks rude to adults, or takes everything for granted w/out being thankful for it.

5. Regular or Diet soda? I'm not a big soda fan (unless it's Sprite!) but it HAS to be regular! Diet, to me, tastes like regular soda that's been shaken up & has sat open for about a week! F-L-A-T! LOL

FRIIIIIDAAAYY! :)

2010-09-03T07:32:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I'm welcoming the weekend with a smile! :) After a busy week of running kids everywhere from Girl Scouts to Chorus, I'm ready to R.E.L.A.X! Here's a few blog hops goin' on today...

Pink♥Green

2010-09-02T09:51:00.000-07:00

I ABSOLUTLEY {LOVE} THESE TWO TOGETHER.

Thirsty Thursday.

2010-09-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

Being it's Thirsty Thursday, you know I have to post a "favorite beverage" recipe! One of my absolute FaVoRiTeS is a good ole' cuppa hot chocolate! {don't forget the mini marshmallows!}

Creamy Hot Chocolate
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 (14-ounce) can Sweetened Condensed Milk (not evaporated milk)
6 1/2 cups hot water
Mini Marshmallows

In a large saucepan, combine sweetened condensed milk, cocoa, vanilla and salt; mix well. Over medium heat, slowly stir in water; heat through, stirring occasionally. DO NOT BOIL. Top with marshmallows, if desired.

& just in case your in the mood for some blog hoppin'...

Wednesday Blog Hoppin'...

2010-09-01T06:20:00.001-07:00

Happy Wednesday ladies! :) Hope everyone has a GrEaT hump day and if you get a minute, there's some blog hoppin' going on over here!

HaPpY TuEsDaY!

2010-08-31T07:31:00.000-07:00

Hope you all have a WoNdErFuL Tuesday and if you get a chance to prop your feet up for a minute, browse these wonderful blogs & make a couple new friends! :) I would love for you to follow me while your here, too! ☺

Bath & Body Works Coupon!

2010-08-31T07:03:00.000-07:00

Bath & Body Works is offering a FREE full-size Signature Collection product (your choice) with any $10 purchase! This coupon is good in stores or online! I love these deals! They make great stocking stuffers, too! ;)

Menu Monday

2010-08-30T09:09:00.000-07:00

It's M.O.N.D.A.Y!

I always find it difficult to get back in the groove of cleaning, cooking, doing homework, (did I mention cleaning?) after such a relaxing weekend! One thing I do try to do however, that keeps me halfway sane, is make a weekly menu plan on Sunday night (for the following week) so that I at least have that part taken care of! No more standing at the fridge at 5:00 pm wondering "what's for dinner tonight?".

So...here's my menu for this week! ☺

Would love to hear what your family will be eating this week! :)

Cheap Christmas Gifts?

2010-08-28T05:20:00.000-07:00

I ran across this great deal in an email this morning, and thought being Christmas was just around the corner, it was too good of a deal to pass up! Right now, Deep Discount has select kid's movies buy one, get one free PLUS free shipping!! How much better could it get?! ;)

Just use code KIDSBOGO at checkout to get your discount!

Are You A Magazine Lover?

2010-08-26T11:35:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but I have like 5 magazine subscriptions going on! I absolutely ♥ my magazines! ☺ I love getting a break from everything, and just kicking back with a nice hot cup of coffee and a good magazine! The $$ can add up, though! Especially if your buying from the magazine stand instead of subscribing! So I love scoring a cheap subscription!

One of my favorite magazines that I subscribe to is Ladies Home Journal!

AND...

It's on sale today for $2.99/year! Yes, you heard right! (& you can get up to 4 years at that price!) That is DIRT cheap! All you have to do is click on the pic above, and use coupon code: JOURNAL to get your discount! ;)

Happy Reading!

Real Food Wednesday!

2010-08-25T13:25:00.001-07:00

Happy Wednesday lovlies! ;)
For Real Food Wednesday, I'm wanting to post a healthy shake you can mix up for your kids (yes.. you can have some, too!) to sneak a little more fruits into their diet! Unlike cookies and soda's, when they come back for seconds you'll be happy to give them more! ☺

Very Berry Shake

2 cups sliced banana
1 cup quartered strawberries
1/4 cup orange juice
3 cups vanilla ice cream/frozen yogurt

Place first 3 ingredients in blender container.
Blend until smooth.
Add ice cream.
Blend until smooth.

Recipe ♥ Swap

2010-08-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

I have 2 favorites...
1.cooking
2.eating

So you know when I saw that 'ACUs and ABCs' was having a recipe swap, I was in heaven! ☺

Here is one of my favorite recipes to contribute:

To-Die-For Crockpot Roast

1 beef roast, any kind
1 envelope Hidden Valley Ranch salad dressing
1 envelope brown gravy mix
1 envelope italian dressing mix
1/2 cup warm water

Place roast in crockpot. Mix all 3 envelopes & sprinkle
over roast. Pour water into bottom of crockpot. Cover &
cook on low for 6-7 hours.

Making Friends Monday!

2010-08-23T09:49:00.000-07:00

It's Monday allllready?? The weekend just flew by!

Thought it should be time for............

AND...I got an email this morning with the question, "What is your 5 most favorite smells?", so thought I would answer them on this post, so you can learn a little more about THIS friend! ;)

1. Clean Clothes - I love to just hold a fresh-outta-the-dryer towel against my face and take in that WoNdErFuL smell! I use Snuggle liquid softener PLUS fabric softener sheets, so it's smelling terrific by the time they're outta that dryer! ☺

2. Babies - I love the smell of a baby! When all 3 of mine were born, I can remember sitting for HOURS holding them while they slept, just smelling that baby scent! There's nothing like it.

3. Magazines - Have you ever just cracked open a new magazine and smelled the pages? LOL There's something about those crisp, newly-printed pages that I could just sit and smell forever!

4. Coffee Perculating - When the coffee first starts to perculate in the pot and fills the house with that good aroma...yummm....can't wait for that first cup!

5. Pine-Sol - I could use Pine-Sol to clean EVERYTHING! The smell of a Pine-Sol-mopped floor is the BEST. It just speaks C-L-E-A-N.

Thirsty Thursday Blog Hop...

2010-08-19T10:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Thirsty Thursday Blog Hop!

And since it's "Thirsty" Thursday, I saw fitting to share a favorite
lemonade recipe! ☺ So pull up a seat, & have yourself a drink! ;)

Lemonade
2 cups sugar
2 cups fresh lemon juice
1 cup hot water
1 gallon cold water
1 lemon, sliced

In a one gallon container, place sugar and hot water, and stir until sugar dissolves. Add lemon juice and water to render one gallon. Stir well until well mixed. Pour lemonade over a glass of ice, squeeze slice of lemon on top, and garnish with a sprig of mint.

Enjoy These Last Days of Summer...

2010-08-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

As I posted earlier, it almost feels like Fall is trying to creep into these last days of Summer! It's dropped about 10* in the past few days with this rainy weather! I got the following recipe in an email I recieved this morning, and it looked so good I wanted to share it with yall!

Grab the kid's and make up a pitcher of this before ole' Fall creeps up on us! It'll be the perfect drink to enjoy these last days of Summer!

Now go grab that watermelon & start cutting! ;)

Watermelon Cooler

8 cups (1/2-inch) watermelon cubes
1 1/2 cups ginger ale
1/3 cup water
1 (6-oz.) can frozen limeade concentrate

1. Place watermelon cubes in a single layer in an extra-large zip-top plastic freezer bag, and freeze 8 hours. Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes.

2. Process half each of watermelon, ginger ale, water, and limeade concentrate in a blender until smooth; pour mixture into a pitcher. Repeat procedure with remaining half of ingredients; stir into pitcher, and serve immediately.

(Hint - if you are in a hurry, you can use the melon in its freshest state and skip the freezing step. We made some both ways and they were delicious both ways…the frozen is just more like a slush.)

That Wasn't Enough?

2010-08-18T09:53:00.000-07:00

Just in case you need more...

'cause if your like me, I could sit and browse blogs for DAYS! ;)

Wednesday Already?

2010-08-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

Looks like it's time for Welcome Wednesday again! Whew..this week has flown by! It seems this SUMMER has flown by! The kids are back in school, and it feels like a touch of fall is already in the air here! It's been pretty rainy lately, but sure has cooled off a good bit!

So...to help get through this mid-week slump, sit back with a glass of sweet tea and meet a few new bloggy friends or link up to get more followers to your own blog!

Happy Wednesday lovelies! ☺

A Quick Note To Say...

2010-08-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Tuesday (I know! Friday will be here soon enough! LOL) and if your out and about, swing over to Hobby Lobby (LOTS of cool stuff!) and use this coupon to get 40% off an item! You can shop online, too! ☺

Fun Follow Friday =)

2010-08-13T08:51:00.000-07:00

TGIF! Let's celebrate by taking a little time to meet some new bloggy friends! ;)
It would be great for you to follow me while your here! ☺

Have a WoNdErFuL weekend!!

Weekly Blog Hop

2010-08-12T07:25:00.000-07:00

Browse some great blogs & meet some new friends =)

Calling All Bug Lovers!

2010-08-11T12:49:00.001-07:00

If your kids love catching bugs (namely lightning bugs!) as much as mine do, they'll love to go to Lowe's this Saturday, August 14 @ 10:00 am to build this bug box:

They ask that you pre-register for these workshops & their currently giving a coupon for a FREE Jr. Frosty @ Wendy's for those that attend a summer workshop! Find out more & pre-register here.

WeLcOmE Wednesday.

2010-08-11T10:24:00.000-07:00

Have a minute to check out a few blogs and meet new friends?

Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday & would love for you to follow while your here ;)

Got Peaches?

2010-08-11T09:13:00.000-07:00

I'm a HUGE fan of Paula Deen and just recently I tried her Peach Ice Cream. I TELL YOU WHAT! It was a real treat! It had a wonderful flavor and almost a 'butter-pecan' hint to it! The little chunks of peaches were h-e-a-v-e-n-l-y! This is an absolute must try for you peach lovers out there!

Paula's Peach Ice Cream

3 large egg yolks
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 large ripe peaches, peeled, halved, pitted, and cut into bite-size chunks

In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks and sugar.

In a large saucepan, bring the cream and milk to a simmer over low heat. Whisking constantly, slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture until combined; return the combined mixture to the saucepan. Cook over low heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until the custard has thickened enough to coat the back of the spoon, stirring constantly. Immediately strain the custard into a bowl. Set the bowl in a larger bowl filled with ice water to cool, stirring occasionally.

Stir the lemon juice and vanilla into the cooled custard. Freeze in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions, adding the peach chunks halfway through the churning process.

Tuesday Tag-Along :)

2010-08-10T08:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Tuesday Tag-Along! Grab a cup of coffee, prop your feet up & go check out some great blogs!

Would love to have you as a follower while your here, too! ;)

HaPpY TuEsDaY! ☺

Old Navy Back-to-School Deal!

2010-08-10T06:17:00.000-07:00

Even though I don't shop at Old Navy that much, I absolutely LOVE their sales! When they mark down prices, they mark DOWN prices! ;)

Here was a back-to-school deal that caught my eye! Now until Aug.19, when you buy a backpack for $10, you get a lunch kit FREE! More details here.

Meet Me Monday!

2010-08-09T11:34:00.000-07:00

I'm participating in my first Blog Hop! ☺

Hope you take the time to follow me while your here!

Happy Monday! =)

WoW! I've Done It!

2010-08-07T04:57:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I've finally got a BLOG!!
I wasn't quite sure where to start with my 1st post, but this
picture seemed to say it all! I'm so excited I can hardly stand
myself! Thanks to all the wonderful ladies that helped me along
the way (I know I was FULL of questions!) but your advice &
help truely paid off! I actually know a thing or two about blogging
now! ;)

I've created this blog to be pretty much randomness, but will
include ways to save $$ (deals, coupons, etc.), on-a-budget
kid-friendly dinner recipes, & just ramblings about anything else
I can find in my day-to-day mommyhood. so...

WeLcOmE.

Hope you'll enjoy! ♥