How to make Nutter Butter Truffles

Time for another sweet recipe that makes a quick and perfect gift!

I had one of those "hmmm, would that work?" moments at the store Monday.  I planned to make chocolate covered Nutter Butters for my friend Renea who LOVES those.  But Ingles (not my favorite store, but the closest that day), didn't have any.  Not one package!! What to do? 

I looked around and found the bags of mini Oreos and other cookies.  There, I found teeny tiny Nutter Butters.  The label said there were 80 mini cookies.  Good golly, would that have taken FOREVER to dip 80 mini cookies!  I  looked at the Oreos and got an idea...I make oreo truffles, why not try them with the mini Nutter Butters?  Well folks, a little experimenting later, here is a great new recipe that Renea loved and my kids too - these are in my recipe box now!

Ingredients: 

1 bag of mini Nutter Butters
3/4 block of cream cheese (I used 1/3 less fat version)
2 TBS peanut butter, divided
1 tsp cinnamon sugar
6 squares white almond bark, melted

Crush the cookies in a food processor or blender.

Mix in cream cheese, cinnamon sugar & 1 TBSP of peanut butter.  Form into balls (I got about 3 dozen small ones from this), and chill for 30 minutes.  Melt bark in microwave, add in remaining peanut butter, stir well. 
Dip each truffle into the bark, swirl to coat completely.

Chill until set.  Yum, yum, yum!!

I made a second batch today for my friend Deb with the real deal - yes, I  finally found a package of regular sized Nutter Butters at a different store.  I used 1/2 of the pkg, plus the same ingredients above - but swapped the white chocolate bar with about 10 squares of Baker's semi sweet chocolate.  I also dipped some of the whole cookies in the chocolate - delicious!! This batch did get sprinkles - they really popped on the chocolate!  I didn't think the white bark batch would look as cute, so they were not sprinkled!

 Isn't that bag adorable?  At Dollar Tree earlier this week, I found these hanging with the treat bags and such.  I wish I had grabbed more!! It had two trays, two bags, two ties and two tags - for $1!

Merry CHRISTmas, y'all!! xoxo

How to organize your pantry!

About a month ago I found this organizer on pinterest.   I decided that Amy from Then She Made is a genius!! I have a cabinet-style pantry in the kitchen and it can get heavy on the cans - so I loved her idea of repurposing a carton from a 12 pack of soda into a can holder!  She used scrapbooking papers, which looks gorgeous, but I had a different idea.

You know I'm a chalkboard spray paint addict, right?!  See where this is going? First, I cut a small rectangle on the back of the top - to reload the cans. 

Then I gave each container a light coat of CB paint all over (I went a little heavier on the top - not so much on the sides, since noone will see them).  The front of each container got 3 coats of CB paint.  After they dried, I brought them inside and emptied my shelves, lol!

you can see the logo through the one coat of paint this got.  I don't care - it will be front-side out in my pantry, so no one will see it!  Cut a rectangle on the top back to drop more cans in as you buy them...

Next time I'll write on the front of them while empty, standing them on their ends.  It's alot harder to write on them from the front side when they are full! I have one for my soups (but my larger cans of soup don't fit in these), one for tomatoes (crushed, puree, small cans of sauce), and one for fruits.  I'll add more for veggies as I gather more of the cartons!   This project took less than 30 minutes and used items I already had on hand, so it was easy-peasy and super cheap!  If you try my version or Amy's please link back with a picture - I love to see what other crafty mamas out there make!

These fit my third pantry shelf perfectly and I think there is room for one more!

And while I'm at it - I am going to show off some of my recycled pantry helpers I got at Goodwill & cheap containers from Dollar Tree!   My Goodwill store has a whole aisle of kitchen helpers & gadgets, which often includes little wire shelves, plastic bins, lazy susans and more.  I stock up whenever I find them!

I've donated to D's school, my husband's food drive, plus taken things to my Nana so I have let my stockpile get low.  I'll be restocking it soon so I took advantage of my almost-empty pantry shelves to move things around today to organize a bit.  I pulled out two of my Goodwill three-tier shelves and a lazy susan (all 3 cost me under $5) and put them to work!   Double click on the pics for up close look...

This shelf holds items for baking.  Three tier shelf in back corner holds smaller baking ingredients, plus extracts and an extra salt grinder.  The container holding my cornmeal mix is from the dollar store - they come in a three pack and I love them!!

Next shelf down holds large soup cans, pasta sauces, olives, dressings, canned pasta, baby food purees (I add these to everything to give us extra veggies!) , bread crumbs and olive oil .  It also keeps my large mason jar that holds all of my cupcake liners! (It's too tall for my baking shelf, so I keep it on the one below). The lazy susan lets me find pizza sauce, dressings, canned chicken or condiments easily. 

Being organized doesn't have to cost a fortune, and you can recycle/repurpose a variety of things or use items from the thrift store or Goodwill to keep them out of the landfill!  I'm back on my Flylady routines starting this week, so getting my pantry back together ROCKS!

How to decorate with sea shells

Sorry for the delay in posting new things! My daughter is doing great after her wisdom teeth were removed, but we did have a few rough days.  Getting back to our routine now... here is some frugal crafty goodness!

So, we arrived home from our beach getaway with SO MANY SHELLS! The kids each found bags of them, and I did too!  This is just a small selection of the shells we brought home!!

When we arrived home, I boiled them on the stove with a little bleach to kill any nasty germs that might have hitched a ride with them.  Then we spent a few days letting them dry out again. 

First, I put some on my mantle in one of my Williams-Sonoma knock off Hurricanes.   My Dad gave David a lovely model sailboat which I borrowed for the family room this summer, so my mantle was looking very beachy.  But I wanted to do something a little more unique, so I hit google for a bit!  My favorite idea was from this site -Becca painted her seashells with silver-y spray paint to look like their much more expensive Pottery Barn cousins...

So I decided to go that route.  Simple but elegant, showcasing the nooks & crannies of each shell with the gorgeous paint.   I followed her directions and looked for Krylon Chrome spray paint (she tested a few colors & found this to be the perfect color).

David & I hit up two stores on Sunday morning before we finally found that color, but it was Rust-o-leum brand.  (worked just fine, btw!)  Once home, David & I sorted the shells to find the ones we were willing to paint from our stash. (We're still planning a dollar store trip to get some more shells exclusively to paint!)    (ps ~ if you don't have a handle/sprayer thingie for your spray paint, you need to run get one - it makes it so much easier to get an even coat on anything you spray paint, and no more painted fingertips! I got mine for under $3 on Amazon.com) Here is the first batch of shells ~ I spraypainted each side, with about 15 minutes drying time, then turned them over and sprayed again!  Look for imperfect shells when you are choosing your shells to paint  (those with barnacles, holes, etc), they look so cool painted!

Aren't they lovely? I want to get more Starfish (and a couple sand dollars & sea biscuits) from Michael's to paint - LOVE how the textures really show up with the coat of paint! It's not as shiny as the shells because the starfish is so porous, but I really love the final result.

Right now they are hanging out inside one of my made-over Goodwill cheese domes - this one is painted Antique White. I tried taking a picture of these under the glass, but it didn't cooperate, so here ya' go!!

A few of these are destined to become pins or rings, too.  They are just too pretty to keep on display - they need to be worn and admired! : )  I'll post pics from that project soon, too!

Organizing Your Coupons

Almost every time I shop, someone stops me to look at my coupon box! So I thought it was about time to share my coupon box here so I can refer fellow shoppers right to my blog! : )

I start with these supplies:

photo storage box from Michael's (but don't forget to buy it on sale, or with one of their 40% off coupons from the paper or email!) Will cost under $3 this way.  I buy two at a time, I replace mine every 3 months or so - they get a lot of wear!!  Plus, I like to change up my box for a new color/pattern - I get bored!!

1 box of small envelopes from the dollar store (you'll replace these once or twice a year probably)

4 or 5 vinyl pocket folders from Walmart, various colors.  (when they go on sale later this summer for back to school, plan to buy a bunch for cheap!!) You can use 3x5 index cards until then - that's what I started with, but you have to replace them often - that's why I love the plastic ones I made!

I traced a 3x5 index card onto every available inch of the vinyl folders.  Cut them all out, set aside.

Open the flaps on envelopes, cut them off. 

Place a plastic (or index card) divider vertically in each envelope.  Label  (using a sharpie) with categories you want to use. (see list below of my categories for inspiration!)

Place envelopes in the box and fill those suckers up with all of your coupons!!

When I cut my coupons, I open all the inserts, then layer like insert pages together, so I am only cutting each coupon once.  Then when you file them in the envelopes, they'll be together.  

Go through your coupons once a month (end of month is best) to clear out the expired coupons, plus you'll remind yourself of what you have to use!

Here are my coupon categories ~ personalize this list to work for your family!

Air Freshener/Candles

Baking

Beverages

Bread & Rolls

Biscuit/Cookie Dough

Boxed Meals/International Foods

Breakfast Baking

Candy/Gum

Cereal/Grits/Oatmeal

Cheese & Eggs

Cleaning - Bath

Cleaning

Cleaning - Floor

Crackers/Cookies

Deli & Meats

Eye & Ear Care

Feminine Products

Frozen Breads/Breakfast

Frozen Appetizers/Entrees

Frozen Fruit/Ice Cream/Dessert

Frozen Pizza

Frozen Veggies

Fruits - Canned, Snacks, Dried

Granola Bars, Protein/Diet Bars

Hair Care

Home Items - Bug Repellent, Light Bulbs, Office Supplies

Jellies/Peanut Butter/Ice Cream Toppings

Laundry

Make-Up

Medicine - Cold, Flu, Allergy

Medicine - Kids

Medicine - Misc (1st aid, stomach, etc)

Medicine - Pain

Milk & Dairy

Milks (canned, boxed),oils, syrups (corn, waffle, etc)

Paper Goods

Pasta & Rice

Personal Care - Body

Personal Care - Face

Produce

Razors

Salad Dressings, Croutons, Pickles, Olives

Sauces, Seasonings, Marinades

Soap, Body Wash, Deodorant

Snacks - Chips, Nuts, Popcorn

Soup, Canned Chili, Tuna

Toothpaste/Toothbrushes

Veggies - Canned

Vitamins & Supplements

Yogurt

I also have store envelopes behind the category envelopes  - In these envelopes I keep store coupons, rainchecks, etc

CVS

Walgreens

Publix

Kroger

Target

Michaels/Hobby Lobby

Local Stores/Deals

Restaurants 

In the side of the box next to the envelopes I keep some small coupon books - my P & G one, a Target one, and the current Wags store booklet.

I carry my coupon box into the store every time I shop - you never know what you'll find on clearance to match up with your coupons! Sit in the cart seat sideways - it fits perfectly! I prefer this to the binder system, but everyone has their way of organizing - use what works for you!

How to make an Easter Wreath for under $10

Good morning y'all!  Are you seeing signs of Spring outside yet?  Here in Georgia, it's cold and windy again with rain coming back tomorrow, then 70 degree temps this weekend!! Crazy weather this year, but time marches on, so I'm decorating for Spring & Easter!

A few weeks ago, I was at Michaels and saw the most darling wreath.  It was covered in yellow feathers then dotted with Easter eggs and really, really cute.   The frugal decorator in me knew I could make it for less than the $30 price tag Michaels wanted...so I went on a scavenger hunt.  It took two trips to do it cheaply!
I bought 3 Craft Boas (they are next to the costume boas, wrapped on cards and cost $1.99 each), 3 picks of small glitter Easter eggs (99 cents each).  I went twice so I could use 2 of the 40% off coupons on 2 of the boas.

At home I found a wreath form (styrofoam) I bought at Dollar Tree a while back, and I cut a length of sheer pink ribbon.  I wrapped the boas (2 hot pink, 1 light pink) around and around the wreath.  I glued the ends down.  Then I cut the eggs so that each had about 1 1/2" of pick left to stick in the wreath.  Once it was done, I tied the ribbon around the top of the wreath and hung it on my wreath hanger.  Voila!!! Instant Easter decor and it's all the things I love about Easter decorating: bright, glittery and FUN!  Even better, it was very inexpensive - even with tax, I believe it was about $9 for everything! I absolutely love it.  I think it looks adorable with my teal front door!

What's hanging on your door this Spring?  Share a link ~ I want to see!!



   

Dollar Store Decorating ~ Valentine's Day Dessert Stand

I was at Dollar Tree last week scoping out some Valentine's Day decor and getting my usual things: salt & pepper grinders, pop-up foil sheets, drink mixes to add to bottled water, and batteries for the Wii remote.  While I was there, a solid black plate caught my eye. (can y'all believe I forgot to take a pic of the plate before I wrote all over it?!)  I had just purchased a gold paint pen at Michael's, and I knew I could jazz this plate up!  A few minutes later, I spied this candlestick holder on the candle aisle and I knew they were meant to be together!  It's gold with black splatters - perfect for what I had in mind now!

At home I wrote one of my favorite quotes  "Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much" around the plate with the gold metallic paint pen.  At the bottom I added a bunch of doodled flowers and hearts.  Then I grabbed the brush-on super glue and here's the final result!

Plate  $1
Candlestick Holder $1
Glue $1
Paint Pen $1.99 before 40% off coupon at Michaels
Total spent:  under $5 for a super-cute dessert stand! It's going to get a lot of use here!!

Linking up with:
 Made by You Monday

Another super-easy Dollar Tree craft

I wanted a jar for the pumpkin candies I bought at CVS a few weeks ago, so I looked at Goodwill. Nothing! Then at Dollar Tree, I found a smaller vase, and grabbed a candle stick holder ~ voila! I wish I'd found something with a lid, but this works for now. We aren't eating the candies, they are just there for a pop of orange on the left side of the mantle.

I used Dollar Tree super glue to attach the vase to the center of the candle stick holder. It's a great shape, and I love how it looks with those candies. Already thinking of Christmas, when I can fill it with mini glass balls, or red and green skittles or m & m's!

Using Metallic Glaze for crafting

I bought this glaze at Michael's with a 40% off coupon. Isn't it beautiful? I want rub it onto my black kitchen cabinets after I distress them a bit. But before I could even start that project, I started seeing other little things I could do with it!

I got this little white glazed pumpkin at Dollar Tree ~ it's cute, but it didn't look like I'd hoped in my foyer.



So yesterday I used a foam brush and gave it a quick coat all over, then sponged on a second coat. I like it alot!! Still needs some touching up along the bottom, but it works much better in my foyer now!!



I'm sure I'll be buying a couple more jars of this stuff before it's all said and done! The color is Renaissance Brown. I see lots of possibilities!

Dollar Store Hurricanes vs $118 Williams Sonoma Hurricanes...

So many awesome bloggers out there have been making the knock-off Williams Sonoma Hurricanes, so when I saw the pieces you need to make them just sitting there at Dollar Tree, I had to get 'em!!

Just in case you haven't seen these before, let me tell you what you need to make them. For each hurricane you'll need a glass vase with a curved top/lip, a glass candlestick holder, and one of the plain white, skinny jar candles - all are easy to find at Dollar Tree. Oh, and get some good adhesive while you are there too....

Center & glue the bottom of the vase to the top of the candlestick holder, and let them bond together. Then add the white candle in the jar into the vase. You can add other decorative items if you'd like.

I made two - one is for my bathroom to sit next to the tub.  It's filled with shells and a candle.

The other is sitting on the table by the front door. I deconstructed a floral pick that I already had, made of berries & wooden prim stars, and used those to fill the hurricane.



I really love how this one turned out - it's just perfect for Fall. These hurricanes will work well for lots of holidays - for example, Christmas I could accessorize the white candle inside with greenery & red berries, or maybe some cinnamon sticks?

This was SUCH an easy project - anyone can do it, and you'll save bunches of money off the original from Williams Sonoma! (Although truthfully, even if I had $118 to spend on decorating a table, I would NEVER spend it on a hurricane lamp/candle!)

When the dollar store is a deal...

I love the dollar store. Especially Dollar Tree. We have a great one nearby, and I go about once every two weeks. I used to go without a list - I'd have a few things in mind to pick up, but impulse buys were always picked up too! Now I make a list ~ I keep a running one between trips. Some of the best buys for us at the dollar store:

spices like garlic powder, Italian seasoning, sea salt grinders, pepper grinders, cinnamon sugar

drink mixes (like Crystal light - but different brands)

bottled water 6 & sometimes 12 packs

dishwasher powder detergent - works as well as what I spent $4 or more on at the grocery store!

rolls of blue painter's tape

packing tape

journals

ziploc style bags for lunches or the freezer

gift bags and tissue paper for gifts

party decorations - our store has at least 4-6 themed sets of plates, tablecloths, hats, favors, and more - including princess, army, cars, toy story, etc!

going the day after holidays for 50 cent giftwrap, ornaments, Halloween decor and more!

The biggest tip I can give you - make a list and stick with it - otherwise you'll go in for 3 or 4 items and come out having spent $20 or more!!

What's your favorite thing to buy at the Dollar Store?