Here is a new Pampers Gifts to Grow Code worth 10 points.  It expires on 12/31/11.
FAC1211PPXHKHND

My feedburner feed did not go through today to my subscribers so I want to make sure that everyone sees this in tomorrow's feed.  I have a new giveaway for an ALDI $25 gift card.  Easy rafflecopter entry.  

Today my 4 year old and I made Sugar Cookies to share with neighbors and his preschool teachers.  He reminded me that we have to save some for Santa too.  He loved rolling out the dough and cutting out the cookies.  

My Meijer store had a large selection of Pee Wee Pillow Pets and they were on clearance for $6.49.  My 2 year old was with me and had to have this little elephant so he is tucked away to make another appearance on Christmas morning.  They also had Pillow Pet backbacks half price for around $12.  

I recently had the opportunity to attend the Grand Opening at my local ALDI.  I had fun learning about one of my favorite grocery stores and trying some of their products.  I was given a tour of the store and lots of great information.  

The new store is bigger and has higher ceilings which helps provide a more enjoyable shopping experience.  I was impressed with layout of the store and found it easier to maneuver.  I also thought the produce was exceptional offering a wide variety at incredible prices.  

ALDI is challenging customers to "Switch & Save".  By shopping at ALDI, most customers can save up to 50%.  Some of my favorite finds were avocadoes for $0.49 each, 4 lb. bags of oranges for $0.99 and pineapples for $0.99.  The quality and the price cannot be beat.  

If you have never shopped at ALDI, there are a few things you should know before going.  Bring a quarter to rent your shopping cart.  You will get your quarter back when you return your cart.  This helps keep cost down and saves the customer money.  ALDI accepts cash, some debit cards, and EBT cards.  Bring your own shopping bags or you can buy bags at the checkout.  I keep some reusable bags in my purse.  

You can enter to win a $25 ALDI Gift Card!  Use the rafflecopter form below.

Contest is over.  692 entries were received.  I removed the rafflecopter widget from this post because it invalidated my feed with feedburner.

This is the easiest side dish and it is one of our favorites.  Our 4 year old even loves it.  

Trim the thick ends off of the asparagus then toss with olive oil.  (You can actually just snap the thick ends off.)  Salt and pepper and cook in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until tender. 

There is a new ALDI store opening in my area and I was invited to attend the Media Preview Switch and Save Sampling Event and ribbon cutting tomorrow morning.  I am so excited!  Aldi has also offered a $25 gift card that I will be giving away to one of my readers soon.  If you have never shopped at ALDI, you should give it a try.  ALDI offers high quality groceries at very reasonable prices.  






Here is some more information on ALDI and the new store opening.

Select Assortment Discount Grocer ALDI Opens New Champaign Store December 15, 2011
ALDI Challenges Shoppers to “Switch & Save” this Holiday Season

Champaign, Ill. – Dec. 5, 2011 – Beginning Thursday, Dec. 15, 2011, ALDI will offer grocery shoppers a smarter alternative as the select assortment discount grocer opens its new Champaign store, located at 801 W. Interstate Drive. Just in time for the holiday season, ALDI provides shoppers the opportunity to switch from national brands to high-quality ALDI exclusive brands, and save up to 50 percent. 

Known for its premium ALDI exclusive brands, ALDI offers high-quality grocery items at unbeatable prices. There’s no better time to “Switch & Save” with ALDI, where customers can get all the holiday essentials for less, including everything from appetizers to main courses, side dishes and desserts, making holiday meals and family gatherings a success. 

The Champaign store showcases the “new look” of ALDI. With higher ceilings, improved natural lighting and environmentally friendly building materials – such as recycled materials, energy-saving refrigeration and light bulbs – the store will offer customers a more enjoyable shopping experience.

Shoppers can fulfill the majority of their grocery shopping needs at ALDI, where they’ll find more than 1,400 of the most frequently purchased grocery items sold under ALDI exclusive brands for up to 50 percent less than traditional supermarkets. ALDI conducts rigorous testing to ensure its exclusive brands meet or exceed the national brands on taste and quality. Further, during the holiday season, ALDI stores carry an additional lineup of more than 100 seasonal items.

“Between gifts and gatherings, holiday expenses stack up. With the “Switch & Save” challenge, ALDI makes it easy for shoppers to save with our everyday low prices and not have to compromise on quality,” said Heather Moore, vice president, ALDI Dwight division. “We have been a part of the Champaign community since 1990 and we are pleased to bring the newest location to the area to help more people stretch their dollars even further.” 

Below is a list of clear savings customers can make this holiday season buying ALDI exclusive brands:

ALDI PRODUCTS/PRICE COMPETITOR PRODUCTS/PRICE1 SAVINGS 
Stonemill Essentials Italian Seasoning 
(1.35 oz) $0.99 McCormick Italian Seasoning 
(0.75 oz) $3.89 86%*
Stonemill Essentials Pure Vanilla Extract $1.99 McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract $4.65 57%
Bake House Creations Crescent Rolls $0.99 Pillsbury Crescent Rolls $1.98 50%
Landshut Riesling $4.99 Schmitt Söhne Riesling $8.99 45%
Stonemill Minced Garlic $1.99 Spice World Organic Garlic $3.52 43%
Carlini Extra Virgin Olive Oil $3.49 Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil $6.07 43%
edenVale Brie Cheese Round $2.99 President Brie Cheese Round $4.48 33%
Appleton Spiral Sliced Ham $1.69 Cook’s Spiral Sliced Natural Juice Ham $2.38 29%
Little Salad Bar Spring Mix Salad $1.99 Fresh Express Spring Mix Salad $2.73 27%
Savoritz Entertainment Crackers $1.49 Dare Entertainment Crackers $1.98 25%
Baker's Corner Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread $1.49 Pillsbury Cinnamon Swirl Quick Bread $1.98 25%
Belmont Deep Dish Apple Pie $4.99 Mrs. Smith's Deep Dish Apple Pie $6.51 23%
Happy Farms Deli Style Cheese Balls $2.29 Kaukauna Cheese Ball $2.98 23%
Nature's Nectar Sparkling Juice Cocktail $2.49 Welch's Sparkling Juice Cocktail $2.97 16%
*Comparison based on converted per ounce size

ALDI stands behind the quality of its private label products with a Double Guarantee. If for any reason a customer is not 100 percent satisfied with a product, ALDI will gladly replace the product AND refund the customer’s money.

A model of efficiency, ALDI eliminates overhead costs by offering smart, efficient practices, such as a cart rental system, through which shoppers insert a quarter to release a cart and receive the quarter back upon the cart’s return. Other cost-saving practices include a smaller store footprint, open carton displays and encouragement of customers to bring their own shopping bags.

ALDI also saves shoppers money by keeping stores open during prime shopping times. The Champaign location will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. ALDI accepts cash, debit and EBT cards.

A recent consumer survey conducted by Market Force Information, Inc., the world’s leading customer intelligence solutions company2, revealed that the availability of good, private-label products is high on consumers’ priority list. Thirty-eight percent of consumers revealed that this is a determining factor when selecting a grocer. 

The survey also revealed that ALDI is the nation’s low-price grocery leader, according to consumers, ranking first amongst the top 10 grocers offering low prices, ahead of competitors such as Walmart, Costco, Kroger, Meijer and Safeway.

About ALDI Inc.
A leader in the grocery retailing industry since 1976, ALDI is committed to bringing customers the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices. The company’s exclusive brands meet or beat the national name brands on taste and quality. With more than 1,100 U.S. stores located in 31 states, primarily from Kansas to the East Coast, ALDI continues to expand, most recently in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area and South Florida. ALDI applies smart and efficient operational and business practices to save more than 20 million monthly customers up to 50 percent on their grocery bills. ALDI sells more than 1,400 of the most frequently purchased grocery and household items in a simple and easy-to-navigate shopping environment. For more information about ALDI, visit www.aldi.us.

1The competitor’s price is based upon an average of prices for comparable brand name products at leading national competitors in the area where ALDI has stores during the period of 9/17/11 to 9/20/11. Savings at individual stores may vary.
2Consumers view ALDI as the affordable price leader among top grocers, according to Market Force Research. Study conducted among more than 6,000 consumers across the US and Canada in March 2011.

If you type Crocs in the search bar at Zulily you will see many styles for men, women, and children at huge discounts.  These pink crockbands are $9.99.  It's a good time to stock up for next summer.  

Disclosure:  The above links are my referral links.

For a fun Christmas treat make rice krispie treats and tint them green with food coloring then use a cookie cutter to cut them out in the shape of trees.  I made a dozen Christmas trees from a 9 X 13 pan.  

Ingredients:

1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)
1 10 oz.pkg. regular marshmallows or 3 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
green food coloring
sprinkles

In a large saucepan, melt butter over low heat.  Add the marshmallows and continue to stir until the marshmallows have completely melted. Add a few drops green food coloring.  Remove from heat.  Stir in Rice Krispies cereal coating it well with the melted marshmallow mixture.

Using a spatula, press the mixture into a 9 X 13 pan which has been buttered or sprayed with non-stick spray.  Sprinkle with Christmas sprinkles.  

Cut with a Christmas tree cookie cutter and set on wax paper or a buttered dish.

The squirrels have been eating our decoarative pumpkins all fall.  My husband moved the pumpkins to make way for Christmas lights.  He couldn't throw them out since the squirrels have been enjoying them so much so he set them by a tree.  Here is one of our fat, happy squirrels enjoying his pumpkin.