Garlic in the Ground, Tomatoes out of the Ground and Tulip Bulbs Planted

Before the rains invaded the Pacific Northwest...I got 50 cloves of garlic in the ground!  I love the garlic I grew last year and look forward to having some to share next year. 

 

Silverskin Garlic ~ Silver Rose

 

 

I ignored my tomatoes, I didn't water them, they were trampled on while our house was being painted and yet...they still grew for me.  Granted, had they been treated with a bit more love and respect, I would have had a much larger yield ~ but I was pleasantly surprised.  I had enough to can some salsa and put several gallon sized freezer bags full of fresh tomatoes into the freezer to use later to make pizza sauce.

 

My first attempt at canning salsa turned out well. I used my own grown tomatoes, onions, garlic and jalapeno's for this salsa.  My goal is to make enough next year that I won't

have to buy salsa for an entire year.  Baby steps!

 

 

 

How do you get your hubby to help you garden?...buy him a gardening bit to put on his cordless drill.  It was amazing how enthusiastic he got when I showed him that new toy!

 

 

This drill bit made fast work of my 68 tulip bulbs!

 

 

My first attempt at braiding garlic...isn't it beautiful!??





Double Coupons @ Albertsons

Tonight I used the last of my double coupons at Albertsons.  I always dread going...but when I get in my car and realized I paid a faction of the full retail price...I am always glad I took the time to coupon. 

Today I was able to get 10 cans of soup for 15 cents a piece by utilizing a sale, a double coupon and a $2.50 register reward (catalina) I earned.  Normally a can costs $1.29 so it feels good to only pay 15 cents for each can.  I predict a winter full of sloppy joes (using tomato soup).  I was also really excited to get Secret deoderant for only 19 cents a piece!  To think that at one time I would have been happy to pay $2.19 for one. 

Here's what I got tonight:

10 cans of soup, 3 Fuze drinks, 4 boxes of cocoa, 3 Pam sprays, 2 bags of chocolate chips and 4 units of deoderant.  Full Retail ~ $60.22.  I paid ~ $16.01...a savings of 73%.  These are things I needed and was thrilled with the savings.

Rumor is that Albertsons will be having double coupons again next week.  I am hoping to get some great deals on holiday baking supplies.

I'm baaacckk...

I cannot believe that I have not blogged since the first week of July.  It has been a busy life...too busy really.  I didn't get enough time to enjoy gardening and I certainly didn't have time to coupon...which is reflected in an out of control grocery budget.  To be honest, I think I burned out on couponing for a bit but after getting low on items and having to pay full price...I realized that I don't want to pay full price if I don't have to.  Hence...I have gotten more motivated to coupon.  I will spend over my monthly budget this month but that is because I am trying to stock up on some needed items.  I should be back on track next month.

Here are my deals this past week:

Target:

2 boxes of pasta and 4 jars of Ragu pasta sauce. 
Retail:  $11.64.  Paid: $2.29  ~  81% Savings!


Walgreens:

3 boxes of kleenex (I did this same transactaion 2 times for a total of 6 boxes)
Retail:  $4.43  Paid:  $2.71  ~  39% Savings.  Not a super savings but we were seriously low on kleenex after my favorite youngest daughter caught a nasty cold and went through an alarming amount of this stuff!


Ace Hardware:

I loved this deal.  I was able to get this toilet paper for $1.00 (plus SST)!  The had a coupon, plus I was able to use a $5.00 loyalty card reward they sent me!  Score!
Retail:  $10.08  Paid:  $1.09  ~  90% Savings!


Albertsons (sorry for the blurry pic):

Doiuble coupons are out!  1 bag of Tostitos and 2 tubes of toothpaste.
Retail:   $10.01  Paid:  $1.04  ~  90% Savings


Albertsons:

1 shampoo and 2 toothpaste.
Retail:  $11.11  Paid:  $1.34  ~  88% Savings


Albertsons:

1 Shampoo and 2 laundry detergent.
Retail:  $18.23  Paid:  $6.04  ~  67% Savings!


Feels good to be back in the game again.  :)