Christmas fever

It is so hard to be budget conscious at Christmas for me. I always try the three presents rule but always end up doing a bigger Christmas. It seems like there are so many needs of my children especially at this time of year. So, might I suggest a few ideas to get into the Christmas spirit without going overboard or over budget...
1. Set your price limit and DON'T deviate!
2. My kids love getting there very own box of cereal for Christmas so, consider cheaper fun alternatives that will quickly become your quirky traditions.
3. Keep it simple...
4. We are trying secret service this year. Everyone drew names to do service for, until Christmas.
5. You are never too old for a pair of pajama pants.
6. Not everyone needs a gift, some of the best gifts are a kind letter to a family member or the sharing of a holiday memory.
7. Go caroling and christmas light watching (I love to hear the oohs and ahhs over light shows in the neighborhood).
8. Remember what we are celebrating and why we are celebrating. It's not about Santa and presents..put some real meaning into Christmas.
9. Come up with easy traditions that can be carried out for the next 50 years like, a special food, game or getting new pajamas on Christmas Eve.
10. Know that no matter what Christmas is a time to enjoy not stress over, relax, have a glass of hot chocolate and share a secret smile when you see another shopper who is harried and stressed out looking.

Grandma Irene's Sugar Titans

I know it has been a long time since I have blogged but I hope you are sticking with me. I have decided to add my Grandma's sugar cookies. Grandma isn't doing well these days and can't even speak. This makes me so sad but I am glad this recipe will live on through me and my kids. This is a great Christmas tradition to make sugar cookies with your kids. They can help you in so many ways. Adding sprinkles, helping to roll out, helping to cut them out with cookie cutters are great ways to include your little ones. My Grandma made these every Christmas! I loved them especially the Christmas Trees...
Grandma Irene's Sugar Cookies
1 C Butter
1 1/2 C powdered Sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 C flour
1 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp cream of tarter
1/4 tsp salt
Cream butter and gradually add sugar until fluffy. add egg and vanilla beat well. add dry ingredients blending until creamed. divide and chill several hours. roll out in 1/2" thick. bake 6 min at 400 degrees. then make a powdered sugar frosting.

Good luck!!!

California here we come...

John and I are on our way to California on Thursday. We are so excited but we get into this rut of starting to worry right before leaving. We are flying to Long Beach then picking up our rental. then, on to Disneyland!! Everyone assures us that we will have a great time without the kids there. We will see. Then, Friday morning we will go to San Diego temple for a wedding then back to Disney. Saturday we will swim in the pool, go to santa Monica Pier and then the wedding reception at 6pm. On Sunday morning, we will be flying back home. I am just hoping I didn't cram too much fun in our relaxing get away.
Our wonderful friends, the whitakers and dastrups, are going to be holding down the fort while we are gone. I am glad that most of the kids will be in school for 2 of the 3 days we will be gone. Now, I just need to get to work finishing the meals, laundry, and the various cleaning I feel like I have to do.
I took my science test today and it was a train wreck!! I get the score in the morning. We will see...
Everyone is hanging in there. We had a fun movie afternoon since there was no school today. We watched Monsters Vs. Aliens, ate popcorn and red vines. It was so fun. Well, on to dinner and a great Family Night. I love Mondays and the opportunity that we have to be taught from each other. Family Home Evening, ROCKS! Hope your week will prove to be as fun as ours.

Halloween Fun

Pinching Your Pennies Halloween Fun List

Cornbelly's
Thanksgiving Point
3003 North Thanksgiving Way
Lehi, UT 84043
Exit 284 from I-15
www.cornbellys.com

Utah's original corn maze. We hope you'll come visit us this fall at Utah's most popular Halloween destination. You're sure to be lost, laughin' and lovin' it in our new design for our world-famous maze. With more than 20 fall and haunted attractions, Cornbelly's is proud to once again offer plenty of farmtastic fun for the whole family!

Open September 25 to October 31, 2009
Monday-Thursday: 4-10pm
Friday-Saturday: 10am to 11pm
Sunday: closed
Haunting begins at 8pm on Friday, Saturday and Monday nights beginning October 2 plus Oct. 15 and every night Oct. 26-30.
We will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on the UEA and Fall Break dates of October 1,2, 15, 16.

Cornbelly's Bargain Pass (includes ALL activities at Cornbelly's except haunted attractions on Mon/Fri/Sat)
Adults - $10.95 + Tax
Children age 2 and under are free!

Haunted Combo (includes ALL activities at Cornbelly's, including haunted attractions on Mon/Fri/Sat)
Adults - $15.95 + Tax
Children age 2 and under are free!
Season Pass - ALL Activities, Multiple Times - $25 + Tax
There are additional charges for gemstone mining, pumpkin purchases, pumpkin blasters, corn cannons, laser tag and paintball.

Print a coupon at this link.

Special offer! $3.93 admission, valid 9/25- from 4pm-10pm and 9/26 from 10am-11pm. Requires printable coupon from kbull93.com.

Green Canyon Farms corn maze
2850 N. 200 E. Logan UT 84321
435-770-7547
www.greencanyonfarms.com

Almost 17 acres... the largest corn maze in Cache Valley.
Over 13 football fields! Paths are over 4 feet wide! // deploy if (typeof(theTemplate) != 'undefined' && theTemplate.hasFlashNavigation == "true") { try { if (window == window.top || parent.document.location.href.indexOf("main.html") == -1) { document.body.style.backgroundColor='#' +theTemplate.contentBGColor ; document.location.replace( __path_prefix__ + "/main.html?src=" + jencode(document.location.pathname + document.location.search)); } else { document.body.style.backgroundColor='#' +theTemplate.contentBGColor ; } } catch( AccessViolation ) { // cannot access http parent from https iframe and vice versa } }
Make sure you look for our "Corny Cash" hidden through out our maze. If you find it , bring it to the ticket office or concession stand and redeem the "Corny Cash" for your reward!
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Adults $6.00
Children (3-11) $4.00

1.00 off coupons at this link.

(However on Monday's it's "Buck Off" night. No need to print off a coupon, everyone will get in for a buck off.)

Hours:
M-Thurs. 5:00-11:00
Fri. 5:00-12:00
Sat. 2:00-12:00
Will be open Oct. 1 from 2:00-11:00 and Oct. 2 from 2:00-12:00
The Haunted Maze starts @ dark Oct. 2nd and every Friday and Saturday in Oct.

American West Heritage Center
4025 S. Hwy 89-91
Wellsville, UT 84339
(435) 245-6050
www.awhc.org

Welcome to Utah's biggest Fall Festival! We're more than just a Corn Maze. We have more activities than you can shake a stick at!

• Eight Acre Corn Maze, depicting the Headless Horseman this year.
• Train rides on our NEW TRAIN!
• Hay Jump--all the kids' favorite.
• Pirate Fort Maze for kids. Please do not shiver our timbers.
• Blackout Maze. A maze in complete blackness. No lights, please.
• Super Slide

Dates: Sept. 19 – Oct. 31
Times: Mondays-Thursdays 10 am – 10 pm; Friday & Saturdays 10 am – 11 pm

General Admission: $6 (general price for all ages 3 and older)

Ride Pass: $1 per ride (unlimited rides per pass, but pass holder must go to end of line each time –if there’s a line) (available 6 pm – 10 pm nightly)

Includes:

• Pumpkin Patch Express
• The Spooky Express Train Rides
• Cowboy Carousel (Pony Rides Saturday afternoons)
  

Haunted Hollow: $6 (under 6 years of age not recommended) (Runs Oct. 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 30 from 7 pm – 9:30 pm)

Combo Pass: $10 (general price for all ages 3 and older)

American Fork Haunted Forest
American Fork exit 276
turn towards Utah Lake - 1/4 mile

The Haunted Forest isn't like any other haunted attraction because it takes place in a REAL forest- with all the creepy, natural ambiance to go with it. There aren't any walls to protect you from the horrors that lurk in the trees, and no roof to keep out the howling October winds. Most indoor haunts take place in 30,000 square foot buildings; the Haunted Forest spans over 220,000 square feet of pure terror!

• Haunted Forest : $15.00
• Psycho Manor Insane Asylum: $15.00
• TERROR TICKET: Psycho Manor & Haunted Forest & Haunted Mansion Show Combined $20.00

Kids 6 and under FREE

TICKET PRICES LISTED ARE FOR CASH PURCHASE ONLY!
THERE IS A $1.00 PER TICKET FEE FOR CREDIT CARD PURCHASED TICKETS

Times Open: Weekdays - 7:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays 7:30 p.m. until 12:00 Midnight

2.00 off with coupon at this link http://hauntedutah.com/forest_coupons.html. Not valid Friday or Saturday, or with any other offer.



Dont forget about Night Terrors...and Hee Haw Farms! Located in Pleasant Grove...best scare for your money!



Black Island Farms
3178 South 3000 W Syracuse, Utah
More info and coupons available at this link.
801.774.MAZE (6293)

4 MAiZEs — 24 Acres of Fun — The largest cornfield maze in Utah! (Our largest maze this season is honoring Twilight-New Moon.)

Black Island Farms tickets includes admission to the Courtyard and all of its attractions, including Kiddie Corral, plus the Cornfield MAiZE. Some activities have additional fees, such as Pumpkin Bounce ($1 entry ticket), Corn Cannon ($1) and PaintBall Shoot ($1 per cup of balls)

Cornfield MAiZE
Open September 18 to October 31, 2009. Monday-Thursday 4-10pm. Friday 4pm-midnight. Saturday 10am-midnight. Sunday 1pm - 5pm.
Open 10am to midnight on Thursday and Friday of UEA weekend.
Adults (over age 12) $10 Children (age 3-12) $8 Age 2 and under are free.

Farm Hayrides
We have four tractors constantly working, taking folks on our popular hayrides around the farm.
The trail takes you under a bridge that connects two cornfield MAiZEs and out to the Pumpkin Patch.
Adults (over age 12) $8 Children (age 3-12) $5 Age 2 and under are free.


Get a Combo!
This includes the MAiZE and a hayride
Adults (over age 12) $15 Children (age 3-12) $10

Nightmare Acres
The haunted MAiZE is open Thursday from 7pm til 10pm
Friday and Saturday from 7pm til Midnight
Open Thursday and Friday of UEA weekend also with the hours of 7pm til Midnight
Admission $15 per person (all ages) — Combo with regular MAiZE $20 per person (all ages)
Not recommended for children under age 12



More info at this link
½ mile south of the Wellsville Burger King on Highway 89/91- east side Look for the Giant Scarecrow!
Parking: all along north side of dirt road (perpendicular).

We Feature:
* 2 Awesome Corn Mazes!
* Haunted Hay Ride/ Haunted Barn
* Spooky River Trail
* Jungle Grass Maze
* Concessions

Prices
* Mazes only: Kids 3-12 $4 - Students w/ID $5 - Adults $6 - Family $25*
* All Mazes and Spooky Barn Ride: -Kids 3-12 $5 - Students w/ID $7 - Adults $8 - Family $30*
* All Mazes and Haunted River Trail: -Students w/ID $8 - Adults $9
* All Mazes, Spooky Barn Ride & Haunted River Trail: - Students w/ID $10 - Adults $12
* Under 3 yrs.- Free

Hours: Mon.-Thurs. 5-10 p.m. Friday & Saturday 5-11 p.m.



Hogle Zoo: Boo at the Zoo

2600 East Sunnyside
Salt Lake City, Utah 84108
(801) 582-1631
More info at this link

Saturday, October 24, 2009
Times: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Kids 12 and younger can come in costume to trick-or-treat at various candy booths set up throughout zoo grounds. Trick-or-Treat bags will be provided (while supplies last), or bring your own and join us for one of the biggest events at the Zoo!

Parking is limited. Please carpool and do not park in designated no parking areas.




Gardner Village 1100 West 7800 South • West Jordan • Just 12 miles south of downtown Salt Lake City • 801.566.0917 More info at this link

Breakfast with a Witch
Let your little witches and warlocks enjoy Breakfast with a Witch! Receive a bewitching welcome as you enter the Witchapalooza Dining Hall at The Gathering Place. Enjoy a delicious buffet of fresh fruit, frighteningly fluffy scrambled eggs, haunted hash browns, bewitching bacon, paranormal pancakes, Frankenstein’s French Toast, and of course your favorite bubbling beverage of hot cocoa, coffee or orange juice. As you dine, our whimsical witches will entertain with wonders and cackles. They’ll mingle with you signing autograph sheets, taking pictures and casting spells. The price is $10 per person and will be held on October 1, 2, 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 from 9 am to 11 am.



Witchapalooza
Enjoy an evening of dinner, music and bewitching fun as the Witchapalooza Dinner Theater returns to The Gathering Place.
Our beloved Weston the Warlock and his crazy cackling witches are back for another year of memories, music and fun as he seeks to find his true love. Enjoy traveling through the decades with colorful costumes, witty dialogue and an extraordinary musical score. Add to the mix a delicious dinner, and you have the makings of an ideal outing for the whole family.

Creamy potato soup

Okay, This is a recipe we are creating for dinner tonight. I have looked at other recipes and am combining what sounds good to me and my family. I got the idea when I was at the grocery store today. You can buy potato soup (you just add water) in a bag. I thought, if they can make it that way can I use my leftover mashed potatoes and add them too a soup base. I am thinking the answer is yes! Add that with a quick loaf of Amish White bread (which is the recipe below and SO EASY and foolproof to make) and tadah! a nice easy meal that i don't have to hover over. So, here goes the idea:
5 cups of water
2 TB of chicken or beef broth powder
1 pkg of Bacon (cooked and diced)
1 onion
1 the whole stalk celery (diced)
Leftover mashed potatoes ( am also going to add a couple of diced potatoes)
salt and pepper to taste
Chives, cheese and sour cream (to garnish)
1 Cornstarch slurry ( that is a great inexpensive way to thicken a soup with out the mess of flour)
I am going to saute the onion and celery first then bring the water to a boil and then add in all the ingredients and simmer for about 30 minutes. Just to bring the temperature to the right point for the cornsatrch to thicken it and to warm up and cook potatoes. I will let you know how this ends up working. I am guessing this will be about 5-7 servings. Cross your fingers.

Amish White Bread Recipe

I am going to try this today and see what happens I will let you know how easy it truly is

Amish White Bread

2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45
degrees C)
1/3 - 2/3 cup white sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour

In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9x5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.Makes 2 loaves

Dinner Time

Okay, this is what I do. In planning my meals for a large family I think about cost, taste, and ease. My food budget is considerably lower than most. The Duggar family who has 20 (and I a mere 17), food budget is around $3000.00 a month. Mine isn't that much even when I add in food storage items. Our food budget hovers between $700 and $900 depending on the meal plan. I am generally around the $700 mark without coupons! I am just learning about coupons and if they are worth my time. My friends say they are so, I am going to try it. YIKES!
Anyway, the things you have to stay away from are pre-packaged foods. You will spend so much on ready to eat meals. I reserve those for a special day (like Friday's at our house) or on days I am extremely busy. I try to think, " can I make this at home for less?" before I buy. Some days though a store bought Twinkie really hits the spot.
I start with making freezer rolls. I am the first to admit ( who has time?) but I also can't stand to buy the frozen store kind when I can do it. I plan for 1 month of meals then, how many rolls we will need at each meal. I make 3 kinds of rolls, regular dinner rolls, cinnamon and freezer cresent rolls. I also try and pre make cookie dough and freeze it and any thing like that I can do ahead. In a few hours, I can make enough rolls for a full month for my family. It sure is a busy day but, the rewards are great when my kids tell me how cool it is to have homemade rolls on a week night.
I can do it and so can you. probably one batch of my rolls will feed your family for a month of Sundays. Watch for the recipes for the dinner rolls and cresents.

Introduction

I have a family of 17 and I wanted to create a blog that explore the ins and outs of a large family as well as budgeting ideas, menu helps, cost effective meals, deals and discounts things that really help a large or small family save a few dollars. This will be a work in progress as I attend school, have my family, scouts and a myriad of other responsibilities and at times I am overwhelmed so this blog will take the back burner. I hope you check back often though to catch the latest tips and ideas. Thanks for viewing already!