Another CVS post

If you've read my blog much at all, you know I get great deals at CVS.

Seems the more I shop there, they more incentives they offer me to shop there even more. 

I got 3 emails from CVS this week, notifications of a total of $12 in Extra Care Bucks and a coupon. These can be used on just about anything.

I don't have access to many major retailers or the time to go to every store. So for me, focusing on CVS deals does add up to big savings. 

First day of Twenty Fifteen

Happy New Year to everyone! 

This little statue was bought years ago at a thrift store. 

He was handmade by someone who left his legs bare. In the front, he is fine. But his backside, well, my children all giggle about it.  So I just keep his back turned where it doesn't show. 

A southern tradition we follow is eating black eyed peas and cabbage on January 1. I'll cook the peas with a little diced onion and ham and we will eat them on top of a bed of rice. 

The cabbage gets sautéed in a little butter with some onion just until tender, then seasoned with salt and pepper and a tiny sprinkle of sugar.  Sugar on vegetables is Southern too but not something I do except for this cabbage dish.

Dessert will be a cherry pie- it's not traditional to New Years but my husband has been wanting one. 

Apparently I am a rusty pie baker as I didn't cut the vent holes nearly big enough. 

Yes, there is a big mess in the bottom of the oven where the pie bubbled over. 

Thankfully we have a self cleaning oven and I will run than cycle later. 

I used canned tart cherries - the label says they are healthy (healthy before they get cooked in sugar and a crust anyway)  and 

I used the recipe on the back of the can. 

Happy 2015 everyone! 

Do you have New Years traditions?

Christmas highlights

We enjoyed a very sweet Christmas program at church, our grandson played the little drummer boy for the second year in a row. 

Great grandchildren and great grand parents had some very special visiting.

Lots and lots of presents!

Presents everywhere!

A very light snowfall

Waffles and pancakes for several breakfasts- especially good with real maple syrup from my brother 

A sweet funny photo from my brothers girlfriend - this is her pet Daisy modeling a Santa hat. I think it is cute as can be. 

My brother's dog, Boomer - he is not usually allowed on the furniture but he was especially tired and I am a big softy. 

I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas celebrations. 

Sons....

My sons are 14 months apart but obviously have very different personalities.

They did both learn to make stuff and do stuff when they were growing up. And here is proof. 

I think these photos from this week are just hilarious.

One son is wearing a camouflage Santa hat and ornaments in his beard. 

The other is at an ugly sweater party and they are wearing shirts they embellished with fabric and iron on adhesive from me and bows and tiny ornaments from their grandmother.

Vote if you want but I must say my comments are not always working.

Do you prefer the super handyman redneck son's decorations or the attorney son who usually looks like he stepped out of GQ with the bows and teddy bears on his shirt? 

Both are funny as can be!

Sorry for covering up the cute young woman's face but I don't know her and she may not approve having her photo blogged. 

Another weeks to do list

Monday's to do list - it's doesn't look too daunting. I have today to myself so I am expecting to get all of today's things done and may get a few of the others done too.  I am guessing most everyone reading this also has a lot to do this week and next week too! 

I've already taken out the trash, walked and have the laundry started.

You know I have a CVS deal to show.  I've been using Ponds cold cream and moisturizer for a long time, maybe 15 years. Ponds is made in th USA, simple, reasonably priced and just keeps my face soft.

Last week, these large jars of Ponds were buy 1 get 1 50% off.  I had $1 coupons on each, a $5 off $15 scanner coupon for face cleansers, a $4 ECB that came by email and I used a $10 ECB and about $3 on a CVS gift card.  I spent no cash at all. 

I didn't earn any ECBs on this purchase but the before deal cost of the Ponds will be added to my beauty rewards ($5 ECB earned for every $50 in beauty purchases and CVS tracks them on your CVS card)   The CVS deals in the next few weeks don't interest me much so I was happy to spend my ECBs and get enough Ponds to last me a long time. 

My husband uses the Ponds moisturizer on his face in the winter too.

My latest CVS deal 

My brother has been making beautiful fresh wreaths for us for years.  You all know that I am lousy photographer and the colors don't show up right but this years is bright colors, red and blue and green and even has a set of battery operated twinkle lights. 

I really like it and the lights are a fun surprise. 

I better stop this post here, and get busy if I plan to check off those tasks today. 

I hope all of you get lots done today. 

I'll be back later to show another spectacular wreath that is very different from the green one and was made by brother's girlfriend.