What a year it has been!

Well, well, good-bye to 2010!  This year on 4 Hats and Frugal has been so wonderful that I kind of don't want to say toodles to the old gal, but 2011 is pushing it's way into the picture.

We had quite a fun year, didn't we? I thoroughly enjoyed the comments and e-mails from all of you and I thank you so much for taking in my frugal tips, experiences and fallbacks. Also, thanks for loving, or tolerating, my rants, raves, and randomness when it came to stories about my kin. I love 'em to death and love complaining about them even more!

Thanks for being there through the pregnancy. It was so comforting to know that my "bloggie friends" would let this chubby preggo talk, or type, about how chubby and preggo I was getting. You rock.

And because you all rock, I promise to have some cool things in store for you in 2011. 4 Hats and Frugal will be growing quite a bit in the coming year, and I want to make sure that my readers are well taken care of. Here's a hint on one big change: if you haven't followed 4 Hats on facebook or twitter yet, hop to it! It WILL pay off for you in the end. That's all I have to say about that.

Without further ado, here are the posts from the past year that got you all riled up(or at least got the most hits of the year):

Oh Baby! Frugal baby shower tips
Open your big, frugal mouth
Lazy days of summer: Cooking frugally when you don't want to cook at all
Coin raffle- perfect for any party!
The deal on nuts...
Mirroring the preschool- twice the education

And here are a few of my personal faves:
Growth spurts
A lesson from "True Life"
The life of a "Yes Man"...
Winter grilling.....and keeping it cheap

I hope you all have a wonderful New Year's Eve and Day!

Easy cinnamon rolls

I call this recipe "easy" because the base of it is plain old yellow cake mix. You gotta love something that seems decadent but is made from a box mix. It makes 24 rolls, so it's perfect for a big family on Christmas morning, Easter morning, or just a regular weekend breakfast for a family of 12!


Easy cinnamon rolls

1 package yellow cake mix
2 packages active dry yeast
2 cups warm water
5 cups all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 pinch nutmeg

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix and the yeast.
Stir in the warm water and mix well.
Next, stir in as much of the flour as you can(depending on humidity, you may not get it all in there).
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead in the rest of the flour until it makes a smooth and elastic dough. This should take about 3 or 4 minutes.
Place dough in a lightly greased bowl and let rise for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
Once it fully rises, punch down the dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and divide into two halves.
Cover the halves and let rest for about 10 minutes. While waiting, grease 2 13x9x2 inch pans.
Roll each half into a 14x10 rectangle. Brush the melted butter over the dough.
In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg; sprinkle over the dough.
Roll up into a jelly roll, starting from the long side. Seal the seams and slice each roll into 12 equal pieces.
Place the pieces in the pans, cover and let rise one more time until the double, about 30 minutes. About 20 minutes in, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Let them cool slightly and then remove them from the pans. If desired, drizzle with powdered sugar icing or cream cheese icing. Serve warm.

Meal Plan Monday!

Oh snow! We have quite a winter wonderland outside right now. It wasn't fun driving in it yesterday on our way back from Ohio. Luckily we reached the garden state right when the blizzard hit, so we were only stuck in it for a few hours. My poor husband had to get up this morning and actually drive into work(it's been 2 hours and he said he's still not there!) so we'll be without him today and possibly tonight and tomorrow morning. Needless to say, I'm looking to make some easy meals, possibly ones with lots of leftovers.

Monday: Turkey and dumplings with green beans
Tuesday: Leftovers
Wednesday: Lasagna
Thursday: leftovers
Friday: New Year's eve! we'll have a late lunch and then a late dinner at my parents' house
Saturday: Pizza from our favorite pizza place
Sunday: Back over to my parents' house for dinner

Dessert of the week: Chocolate peppermint cookies

ShopRite Deals 12/26 to 1/1

Honest tea- 1.25
use .50/1 printable coupon doubled- .25

Hefty twist tie baggies- .99
use 1.00/2 coupon from 11/7RP- .49 each

Superpretzel products- 1.99
use .75/1 coupon from october All You magazine doubled- .49

Beech nut stage 3 baby food jars- 6 for 4.00(must buy 6)
buy 12, use 2.00/12 coupon from 8/1SS(expires 12/31!)- .50 each

Buitoni pasta- 1.99
use 1.00/1 coupon from 10/10SS- .99

Chinet casuals plates- 1.99
use 1.00/1 printable coupon(sign up required)- .99

Coffee Mate (32oz)- 2.50
use .75/1 printable coupon doubled- 1.00

Marcal small steps napkins- 1.59
use 1.00/2 coupon from 11/14SS- 1.09 each

Comstock cherry pie filling- 2.29
use .55/1 coupon from 11/7SS doubled- 1.19

Snuggle fabric softener liquid or dryer sheets- 2.99
use .75/1 coupon from 12/5RP doubled- 1.49

Farm Rich frozen snacks- 2.99
use .75/1 printable coupon doubled- 1.49

Other Deals
Bananas- .49/lb
Split chicken breasts- .99/lb
Chicken drunsticks or thighs- .99/lb
4lb florida oranges- 2.49

Happy Holidays to you all!

From our family to yours, we hope you have a wonderful time today and tomorrow. Remember to enjoy each other!

Honeycomb

This quick candy is so easy to make but when you give it as a hostess or holiday gift, the recipient can't help but feel special. This started off as a Nigella Lawson recipe, but I had to change some measurements and tweak it to our tastes. You will need a candy thermometer to make this, so be prepared. Also, you want to make sure that the baking soda and vanilla are on deck before you even start. I do love that it does look just like honeycomb in the middle once you crack it. How awesome!


Honeycomb

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
9x13 piece of aluminum foil, lightly greased


Place the sugar and and corn syrup in a saucepan and stir together.
Put the pan over medium heat. Let the mixture bubble for about 5 minutes. You're looking to see the mixture look like bubbling maple syrup. After 5 minutes, place the candy thermometer in the mixture. Once the syrup reaches 290 degrees, turn off heat.
Immediately shake in baking soda and pour in vanilla. Stir until mixture foams into a light brown froth.
Quickly pour froth onto foil and spread out. If you want thin pieces, spread it close to the edges. For thicker pieces, just let the candy spread out on it's own.
Once it cools, fold up the sides of the foil and hit the candy in the middle to break into pieces. Enjoy!

Meal Plan Monday!

This is another "short" week for this cooking mama! Since the holiday is at the end of this week, and I JUST decided to take Sonny out of school a day early so we can get to Ohio before Christmas Eve, I have less meals to think about (but more packing to do!). I think quick, easy meals are in order, including a dessert to use up some cream cheese and a rogue apple that's still in the fridge. Plus, this week, I have to make some homemade marshmallows and honeycomb(recipe coming tomorrow!) for the In-laws and a few friends, so I need to keep life a bit easy for me!

Monday: appetizer night! Faux crab cakes, franks in quilts and crudite!
Tuesday: Sliced turkey with gravy, brown rice and carrots
Wednesday: Baked ravioli
Thursday to Sunday: Off to great-grandmother's house we go! Happy Holidays!

Dessert of the week: Caramel apple cheesecake bites

Crayola gift pack winner!

The winner of the gift pack, as chosen by random.org is....

entry number 8! Congratulations April!

I've contacted April via e-mail and she has 48 hours to reply. If she doesn't, another winner will be announced. Thanks to everyone who entered! I have some great announcements when it comes to the giveaways for next year, so stay tuned for that!

ShopRite Deals 12/19 to 12/25

Coffee mate creamer- 1.24
use .75/1 printable coupon doubled- FREE

Land O Lakes fresh buttery spread- .99
use .55/1 printable coupon doubled- FREE

Ronzoni healthy harvest whole grain pasta- 3 for 4.00(must buy 3)
use 3 1.00/1 coupons from 10/10SS- 3 for 1.00

Birdseye steamfresh veggies- .99
use .50/2 coupon from 12/12SS doubled- .49 each

Superpretzel products- 1.99
use .75/1 coupon from october All You magazine doubled- .49

Hungry Jack pancake mix- 1.99
use .55/1 coupon from 11/7RP doubled- .89

Cracker barrel cheese cubes- 1.99
use 1.00/1 coupon from 12/5SS- .99

Langers juice cocktails- 1.49
use 1.00/2 coupon from 11/14SS- .99 each

Nabisco wheat thins crunch stix- 2 for 4.00(must buy 2)
use 2 1.00/1 printable coupons- 1.00 each

Ziploc slider bags- 1.69
use 1.00/2 coupon from 11/14 or 12/12SS- 1.19 each

Comstock cherry pie filling- 2.29
use .55/1 coupon from 11/7SS doubled- 1.19

Sorrento mozzarella- 1.99
use 1.00/2 coupon from 9/26SS- 1.49 each

Tyson boxed products- 2.49
use 1.00/1 coupon from 10/10SS- 1.49


Era laundry detergent- 4 for 12.00
use 4 1.00/1 coupons from 11/28PG- 4 for 8.00
also, get back 2.00 catalina for buying 4- 4 for 6.00, or 1.50 after coupons and catalina

Johnsonville bratwurst- 2.99
use .55/1 printable coupon doubled- 1.89

Silk soy milk- 2.99
use .55/1 printable coupon doubled- 1.89
_________
9lives dry cat food- 3.99
use 1.00/1 coupon from 10/24RP, 12/12RP or November All You magazine- 2.99

Deal Idea:
Buy one bag dry cat food
Buy 2 4 packs of wet food
use the 1.00/1 dry food coupon
use 1.00/2 wet food 4 pk coupon from Nov. All You mag
Total: 1.99 or 3 items or .66 each
_______
Other deals
Tuttorosso tomato sauce- 4 for 1.00
Avocados- .99 each
Harvest pride brown and serve rolls- .99
Cook's shank half smoked ham- .99/lb
Split chicken breasts- .99/lb
2.5lb package cleaned calamari- 9.99( about 3.99 a pound)

Still searching for a last minute holiday gift?

Check out this gift I whipped up last year. It only took 15 minutes to make and about 10 bucks out of my pocket but it looks priceless!

Also, don't forget to enter the Crayola holiday giveaway! Today is the last day...

Cranberry almond cake

I forgot where I found this recipe last year, but I made it for my friends and they loved it. I loved it because it got rid of the whole berry cranberry sauce I got by accident around Thanksgiving. This year, I got the cranberry sauce again, but only to make this awesome recipe.

Cranberry Almond cake


1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs, room temp.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
1 can whole cranberry sauce, divided into 3rds
1/2 cup sliced almonds

In a large bowl, cream butter(or margarine) and sugar for about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine the flour baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
After sugar and butter are creamed, add in eggs one at a time. Make sure the eggs are fully incorporated.
Add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, alternating between sour cream. Start with the flour and end with the flour.
Mix a 3rd of the cranberry sauce into the cake batter. Spread half of the batter into a greased bundt pan and top with another 3rd of the cranberry sauce. Repeat layers and then top with the almonds.
Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes, or until a butter knife or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Leave in the pan for 10 minutes and then move to a wire rack to completely cool.

*You can add a powdered sugar glaze to the top of the cake, but I would taste it first to see if it's already sweet enough for you. We thought it was too sweet with the glaze last year, so we did it without glaze this year.

Giveaway: A Crayola Holiday!

I love Crayola. I mean, I really do. I was one of those kids that could sit and color for HOURS with a break for a quick snack. I remember one Christmas where a friend of my Mom's got me a whole crayola set with different types and sizes of markers and crayons and lots of coloring books. It was the one gift I used all year.

That's why I'm so happy to let Sonny Boy play with the new crayola products that have recently come out. They looked so cool that I wanted to have my own set, or at least spend time with my kiddo while messing up his toys! Thanks to MyBlogSpark and Crayola, the boy and I got to try out some of those new activities.  They sent us the Glow Explosion spin magic, Mess free color wonder sound studio(totally awesome!), Model magic presto dots, and a 64 count box of crayons. We attacked the box after school yesterday, and played for so long that we had to rush through homework and dinner before bedtime came. Playing was more important than eating. That's big.

Well, now I want to give one of you lucky readers a chance to get the same package! To enter the giveaway, visit crayola's story studio and have some fun! Use the code PRY4DBJJ to try it out for 48 hours and tell me what you think. (If you can't access it for some reason, you can still enter the giveaway.)

This giveaway will be open until Friday, December 17th at 11:59pm. Remember to leave your (junk) e-mail in your entry so I can contact you if you win. One entry per person. Good luck!

Meal Plan Monday!

We are still working on some turkey but I don't want to go overboard with it this week. We'll only have 1 meal that features it. Also, the cold is sticking, so we'll be having a soup this week along with a ground beef meal. I have to keep hubby well fed for dinner in the winter because this is the time of year he wakes up at night and searches around for snacks if dinner wasn't substantial enough. Not great if he plans on keeping off the 50 pounds he lost this year.

Monday: Senate bean soup and beer bread
Tuesday: Salisbury steak with rice and carrots
Wednesday: Turkey alfredo with spinach
Thursday: lazy mom's paella with shrimp
Friday: Calzones
Saturday: leftovers
Sunday: Birthday dinner for my Mom!

Dessert of the week: Christmas cookies!
homemade baby food of the week: apple puree and carrots

A few links for the holiday season....

As if you didn't get enough links from me on Friday, I wanted to share 2 more that have really caught my eye lately.

Check out 50 Free and Frugal ideas for holiday family bonding. We've done a few of these already this month and it's a great list.

Also, if you are thinking of attaining more income at the start of the New Year, check out this list of 233 legitimate ways to make money. You may want to bookmark this site because the authors plan on adding to the list periodically.

I hope you all are enjoying this month and having a great time with your families!

ShopRite Deals 12/12 to 12/18

Sorry this posted so late! I had it set to post on the wrong date. Oops!

Maruchen yakisoba- .99
use .50/1 coupon from 10/10SS doubled- FREE

Bumble bee tuna pouch- 1.00
use .55/1 coupon from 9/12SS doubled- FREE

Texas toast croutons- .99
use .50/1 coupon from 11/14SS doubled- FREE

Ronzoni quick cook pasta- .88
use .55/1 coupon from 10/3SS doubled- FREE

Wet ones wipes- 1.24
use .75/1 printable coupon doubled- FREE

Muir glen tomato sauce- .99
use 1.00/1 printable coupon- FREE

Butterball turkey bacon- 1.50
use .75/1 coupon from 10/31SS doubled(DND5)- FREE

Breakstone sour cream- .99
use .55/1 printable coupon doubled- FREE

Colgate toothpaste- .77
use .35/1 coupon from 12/5SS doubled- .07

Pillsbury brownie mix- .88
use .40/1 coupon from 9/26 or 11/7RP doubled- .08

Coffee mate creamer- 1.24
use .55/1 printable coupon doubled- .14

Red pack tomatoes- .67
use 1.00/3 coupon from 9/26SS- .33 each

Swiss miss cocoa- 1.00
use .50/2 coupon from 11/14SS doubled- .50 each

Wish bone salad dressing- 1.77
use .50/1 printable coupon doubled- .77

Mt. Olive pickles- 1.84
use 1.00/1 coupon from 10/31SS- .84

Keebler pie crust- 1.49
use 1.00/2 coupon from 11/7SS- .99 each
also, use .50/2 cellfire coupon-  .74 each

Friskies dry cat food- 2.39
use 1.00/1 coupon from 9/12RP- 1.39

Langers cranberry juice- 2.00
use 1.00/2 from 11/14SS- 1.50 each

Other Deals
Top Round london broil twin pack- 1.79/lb

Holiday goodies! (A few links you may like)

If you are a regular reader of mine, you may remember that every holiday season I make a point of going crazy with the holiday treats. Two years ago, I worked on some great platters but didn't do all that I wanted for the season. Last year, I made a wonderful list and got most of it done.

This year, I'm doing some tried and true recipes, but I have a few more up my sleeves. I'm hoping to share 3 new recipes with you all next week. And don't worry, they are super easy so you can whip them up a few days before the holiday or even save them for your New Year's celebrations. As a reminder, here are our favorite holiday recipes that I already have posted on the site:

Cut out sugar cookies
peanut butter cookies
ritz cookies
Easy ginger snaps
Stupid easy peanut brittle
Homemade marshmallows 

I'm adding apple granola bread to the list this year, since we happen to have oatmeal packets in the house.

We usually make the chocolate frosting brownies, but this year, I've got something a little more decadent in mind. Are you curious yet?

Winter grilling...and keeping it cheap

One of the things that kind of stinks about living in the "land of 4 seasons" is that once the dead of winter hits, you're less likely to take your keister outside and get down on the grill.  We've unfortunately haven't had the chance to grill like "homeowners" do, so we love to take advantage of our trusty grill pan, in summer and winter.

A grill pan is one of the best investments you can make in the kitchen.  As an apartment dweller, it's great because it requires much less space than storing a grill, and if you aren't allowed to grill at your place, this will be the only way you can get that flavor and not have to crash every cook out you hear about.  I was able to get our grill pan (which doubled as a griddle on the other side) for around 8 dollars after coupon. It has gotten lots of uses out of it, whether it's to get grill marks on our london broils( I thow it right under the broiler after I grill each side) or to grill some marinated chicken breasts for a wonderful grilled chicken salad.

To up the ante on grilling indoors, you have to invest in some liquid smoke. This stuff is like gold to those that love the taste of charcoal on their grilled items, and because it's concentrated, a little goes a long way. When it comes to being frugal, but attaining the "luxury" of grilling in the winter, liquid smoke provides a cheap way to take you back to summer time with every bite.

Meal Plan Monday!

I'm so late getting this up because we finally had our own "thanksgiving feast" tonight. We ate, had dessert, crashed on the couch and ate some more. Then everyone, but me, went to bed lol! Here's what we are having this week:

Monday: Turkey dinner with all the trimmings
Tuesday: Bubble and squeak
Wednesday: Roasted carrot and ginger soup with biscuits
Thursday: Turkey hash
Friday: pizza quesadillas with dipping sauce
Saturday and Sunday: mama's off to military duty again!

Dessert of the Week: cinnamon rugelah bites(recipe coming soon!)

ShopRite Deals 12/5 to 12/11

Solo cups and plates- 1.99
use .75/1 printable coupon doubled- .49
buy 4, use 4 printable coupons doubled and get a 3.00 catalina- 1.04 money maker!

Wet ones wipes- 1.24
use .75/1 printable coupon doubled- FREE

international delight creamers- .99
use .55/1 coupon from 11/7SS doubled- FREE
or use printable coupon here

Bestlife spread- 1.99
use 1.00/1 coupon from 10/17RP- .99

Chips Ahoy with reese's or heath- 1.99
use 1.00/1 coupon from July All You magazine- .99

Chock full o' nuts coffee- 2.49
use .75/1 from 10/31SS doubled- .99

Airwick ribbon candles- 3.99
use 3.00/1 coupon from 11/14SS- .99

Superpretzel- 1.99
use .50/1 coupon from 10/17RP doubled- .99

Glade relaxing moments spray- 2 for 4.00(must buy 2)
use 1.00/1 coupon from 12/5RP- 1.00

9 lives wet cat food 4 pack- 4 for 5.00
use 1.00/3 coupon from 10/24RP- 1.00 each

Oscar Mayer bacon- 2.50
use .75/1 coupon from 10/31SS doubled- 1.00

Ball park franks- 1.99
use .75/2 coupon from 10/24RP doubled- 1.24 each

Ritz crackers- 1.99
use 1.00/2 coupon from 11/14SS- 1.49 each

Edy's ice cream- 2.50
use 1.00/1 coupon from October All You- 1.50(some people got 1.00/2)

Nestle tollhouse cookie dough- 2.50
use 1.00/1 printable coupon - 1.50

Silk almond milk- 2 for 5.00
use 2.00/2 coupon from 10/17SS- 1.50 each

Nestle pure life 24 pack- 2 for 7.00(must buy 2)
use 1.00/2 coupon from 10/31RP- 3.00 each
_____________
Theraflu- 4.49
use 2.00/1 coupon from 10/17RP- 2.49


Deal Idea:
Buy Theraflu products- 8.98
use 2 2.00/1 coupons
pay 4.98 and get back 3.00 catalina! .99 each after catalina and coupons!
_____________
Rayovac batteries- 2.99
use 1.00/1 coupon from 10/31SS- 1.99

Deal Idea:
Buy 2 packs rayovac-5.98
use 2 1.00/1 coupons
use 5.00/1 store coupon earned last week
A 1.02 money maker!
_______________
4 day price break(Wednesday to Saturday)
Barilla whole grain pasta- .88
use 1.00/2 printable coupon- .38 each

Betty crocker helper meals- .89
use .75/3 coupon from 10/3GM or 11/7SS doubled- .39 each
______________
Other deals
Perdue chicken drumsticks or thighs- .99/lb
80% lean ground beef- 1.99/lb

Don't forget to check out the quote of the day!

Since we love quotable Wednesday so much, I figured we should be able to enjoy a new quote everyday! I found this great site called Brainy Quote, that will add a new quote to your blog, facebook, twitter, etc everyday without you having to do the work of finding great quotes to share. If you look on the sidebar above my lovely followers, you will see the Quote of the Day. How fun!