Bargains!

Found some great bargains for online coupons...unfortunately they expired today or I'd post the links for you! Will try to be more on the ball next time & share :o) I had a $20 off $30 Microsoft accesories coupon for Staples so got a new wireless keyboard that actually types all of the letters I hit on the keyboard :o) Also printed coupons for JCPenny's for $10 off $25 purchase, which my husband, daughter, and I were all able to use, so our family saved $30 on leggings for DD to wear under dresses, red towels for the kitchen that you can't see through, and purple towels for the bathroom that don't have pink spots on them! LOL We also started car shopping...I am in love with a pilot...he he he...a Honda Pilot that is! We test drove one today and it was really nice! Also looked at a Honda Ridgeline Pickup, but didn't have time to test drive it. They both have some really nice features...I have especially miss having anti-lock brakes & traction control, so will be glad to have those features back...and if we get heated seats, a sunroof, and DVD player in the deal...hey...sounds good to me! Hopefully we can find a good deal before the '94 Saturn with 200,000 + miles bites the dust completely.

DD & I also went to an ENDOW retreat today.http://http://endowonline.org/. It is a really neat faith-study program. I am going to pray about becoming a facilitator so I can conduct the study programs in my area. ENDOW stands for "Educating on the Nature and Dignity of Women"...something greatly needed today! The programs study different Catholic Church documents, saints, and the Bible and help women to realize and embrace their dignity and vocation as women!

Blessings!

Feast of the Annunciation

March 25 (tomorrow) is the Solemnity of the Annunciation, when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary and asked her to be the Mother of Jesus. Mary's "yes" changed history and salvation! Since the Annunciation is a Solemnity, we do not have to abstain from meat tomorrow...of course an extra sacrifice never hurts :o) But we are supposed to celebrate Solemnities! Pray the 1st Joyful Mystery together. Bake a blue cake (wouldn't this be great for any feast of Mary???) http://http//www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/royal-blue-velvet-cake/bce7c4e4-8c6a-49cd-ac3f-9fe629722d9c. An angel food cake would also be appropriate, frost with light blue frosting. Make an angel craft. Draw the word "YES" with bubble letters and let your children decorate inside the letters. Pray the Angelus. Play a game of Mary Memory. Tell Mary "thank you" for saying yes...and practice saying "yes" to what God asks of you..."let it be done to me." God bless you!

One Thing I Am Doing for Lent!

I have decided that the girls & I are each going to 'get rid of' 40 things during Lent this year. I know some people do 40 bags, but that thought alone is overwhelming to me...especially since I am working full time outside the home right now. So I think we will concentrate on 40 things. I am starting tomorrow by donating some pictures and office supplies that I no longer use/need to Mary's Choice http://www.maryschoice.org/. So I will be ahead of the game by at least 4 things :o)

I think we will also start praying 5 decades of the Rosary each night. We have been pretty consistent about 2 or 3 decades per night, so it's time to step it up!

Blessed Lent to you!

Mini Cookie Dough Brownies

I haven't even made the brownies yet, and these are ruining my diet! If you love cookie dough, you've GOT to try these! Hurry...Lent starts next week :o)

You need to make the mini cookie dough balls first & freeze them for at least an hour.

Fudgy Saucepan Brownies:
1-12 oz pkg semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c butter
1 c white sugar
1 1/4 c flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 large eggs, beaten
mini cookie dough balls, frozen (recipe below)

Preheat oven to 350. Grease 13x9 pan. Melt chocolate chips and butter in medium saucepan over low heat, stirring frequently and till smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in sugar, flour, vanilla, baking powder, salt & eggs. Mix till combined. Pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle top with frozen cookie dough balls. Pat down with hand. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or till center is set.

Mini Cookie Dough Balls:
(I doubled the recipe so I could use the whole can of sweetened condensed milk. I am going to put the dough balls I don't need in a baggie & leave them in the freezer till I make these brownies again...if I don't eat them all first! I also added mini chocolate chips...YUM)

1/4 c butter
6 T brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 c + 2 T sweetened condensed milk (half of 14 oz. can)
mini chocolate chips, to taste, if desired

Combine all ingredients in medium mixing bowl till smooth (I used the mixer). Using fingertips and palms of hands, make miniture (less than 1/2") balls out of cookie dough. Place on a waxed paper lined baking sheet. Freeze at least one hour before baking in the brownies.

Thank you to www.dreamingofwhitechocolate.com for this awesome recipe!!!