Add 10 points to your Gifts to Grow account when you use the following code:

FAC1011PR46DYHD (10 pts)

Thanks Common Sense with Money

Create personalized cards today only, 10/31st, at Cardstore.com for just 79 cents each plus free shipping.  No coupon code necessary.

Get a free sample of GoodNites Underwear from Sam's Club.  You do need to enter your Sam's Club membership number.

Here is a Free Huggies Enjoy the Ride Rewards Code:

CCTJZ-GPNNM-JBPGB

I just banked 5 points with this code.

Thanks Coupon Geek.

There are some great sales going on at Old Navy this weekend.  I went today and got some awesome deals.  All clearance was an additional 30% off and I used the printable 25% off coupon.  This coupon is good through Sunday 10/30th.  

Incredible deals! I paid $1 to $3 each for shirts for myself, my husband  and the kids.  I bought pants for $3 to $4 for the kids.  I bought packages of two pairs of athletic socks for my husband for $0.51 each.  I paid around $0.75 each for kids shorts for next summer.  I bought myself a great pair of jeans for around $12.  I was super excited to find these.  I still have some baby weight to lose, but these jeans look and feel fabulous!  

The best part was that I was almost shopping by myself.  I pushed a sleeping baby around the store in the stroller while my husband watched football at home with the big boys.  

WEEKEND OF TREATS! Only IN STORES!
Friday, 10/28- Sunday, 10/30

SCARE UP SOME SERIOUS SAVINGS
...JUST IN TIME FOR HALLOWEEN!

 •  SUPERFAN NATION BOGO!
      In Stores Only: Buy ANY licensed sports tee, Get ONE FREE!
      Mix & match for the whole family!

 •  ALL Halloween Costumes NOW $5!
      In Stores Only!

 •  PLUS, Take an EXTRA 25% OFF EVERYTHING!*
      Including Licensed Sports Tees, New Arrivals & Outerwear
      In Stores & Online!

To redeem 25% off online: use code ONSAVE25 at checkout

The fine print:

*Not Valid on Gift Cards or Online Purchases of Everyday
Steals Merchandise

Superfan Nation BOGO: Applies to regularly priced merchandise only.
Not valid on clearance. While supplies last. Second item must be of
equal or lesser value. Discount taken at register, and is allocated
across items. No adjustments on previous purchases. May not be
combined with Gap Inc. employee discount.

$5 Halloween Costumes: Valid through 10/30/11. While supplies last.

25% Off: Offer valid at Old Navy stores in the U.S. (including Puerto
Rico) and oldnavy.com on Old Navy merchandise only from 10/24/11
through 10/30/11 (online until at 11:59 pm ET). Offer not valid on
international purchases. Not valid on gift cards or online purchases
of Old Navy Everyday Steals merchandise. Qualifying amount applies to
merchandise only, not value of gift cards purchased, packaging,
applicable taxes or shipping & handling charges. Not valid for cash
or cash equivalent. Coupon is good for one time use and must be
surrendered at time of purchase. No adjustments on previous
purchases. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts
including Gap Inc. employee discount. Gap Inc. is not responsible for
lost or stolen coupons. Limit one coupon per customer
per transaction.

There are always lots of great deals on Zulily.  Yesterday I bought my oldest new snow boots for less than half of their retail price.  Today, there is a new collection of kid's winter coats at up to 80% off retail.  This coat is $22.99 instead of $64.  This deal collection runs until 11/1st at 6:00 am.  Many styles often sell out before the end of a sale.  

Disclosure:  The links above are my referral links.

On Tuesday, November 1st  FedEx is giving away 30,000 $25.00 American Express gift cards from the FedEx Facebook page starting at Noon CT. FedEx wants to encourage you to support small businesses in your area by putting $1 Million worth into consumers pockets.  Thanks Freebies for Mom.

These cookies are delicious and perfect for this time of year.  I didn't have caramel baking bits, so I substituted chopped caramels.  When hot, the cookies tend to stick to the cooling rack so I put parchment paper on my cooling rack as well as my baking sheet.  This recipe was adapted from Adventures in the Kitchen.

Oatmeal Caramel Apple Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
3 cups old fashioned oats
6 oz Kraft caramel baking bits (I substituted 3/4 cup chopped caramels)
1 1/2 cups honey crisp apples peeled and chopped

1.  In a bowl combine the flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.

2.  Place the butter and sugars in a stand mixer and beat 2-3 minutes.

3.  Add vanilla, then eggs and mix for 2-3 minutes more. Scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl with a spatula.

4.  Pour in the flour mixture, then the oats and combine just until blended.  Mix in the apples and caramel baking bits with a wooden spoon.

5.  Place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

6.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Scoop dough onto the baking sheet leaving 1 1/2 inches between dough as the cookies will spread.

Bake for 12-15 minutes.  Let the cookies cool for 1 minute on the cookie sheet before moving to a cooling rack.  

I bought this deal on Eversave today and paid $20 for $50 worth of products from Abe's Market.  If you buy today, 10/27/11, and use promo code 'SPOOKY' you get an additional $5 savings which makes the deal $20 instead of $25.  When you spend more than $49, you get free shipping so if you spend the whole $50 voucher you will get your order shipped for free.  Otherwise, it is a flat shipping rate of $3.99.  

Limited Quantity: Half off all-natural home supplies, baby products and more at Abe's Market

Use promo code 'SPOOKY' for an additional $5.00 savings


Disclosure:  The above links are my referral links.

Cuban Black Beans

This is one of my favorite recipes that I have been making for a long time.  I have served this for company many times and it always gets rave reviews.  It is exceptional with fresh squeezed lime juice.



Serves: 6 to 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes (includes 2 ½ hours baking time)  This recipe is adapted slightly from America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook

Serve these beans with plain white rice, sour cream, hot sauce, lime wedges and chopped tomatoes.  

Ingredients:

2 ounces bacon (2 slices), chopped fine
2 onions, chopped medium
1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and chopped medium
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt
6 garlic cloves minced
2 teaspoons minced fresh oregano or ¾ teaspoon dried
6 cups water
1 pound dried black beans (2 cups), picked over and rinsed
2 bay leaves
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
½ pound chorizo sausage, quartered lengthwise and sliced ½ inch thick (you can also remove the casing and crumble it or use smoked sausage)
¼ cup minced fresh cilantro, optional (I omit the cilantro b/c we don't like it)
Pepper

1. Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 300 degrees. Cook the bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until crisp, about 8 minutes. Stir in the onions, bell pepper, cumin, and 1 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook until the vegetables are softened, about 8 minutes.
2. Stir in the garlic and oregano and cook until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Stir in the water, scraping up the browned bits. Stir in the beans, bay leaves, red pepper flakes, and baking soda. Bring to a boil. Cover and transfer to the oven. Bake stirring every 30 minutes, until the beans are tender, 2 to 2 ½ hours.
3. Remove the lid and stir in the sausage. Continue to bake, uncovered, until the liquid has thickened, about 30 minutes.
4. Discard the bay leaves. Let the beans sit for 10 minutes. Stir in the cilantro and season with salt and pepper to taste.

To Make Ahead

After cooking, the beans can be cooled to room temperature and refrigerated, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for up to 4 days. Reheat over medium-low heat before serving.

From the America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook Copyright © 2006.  Published by America’s Test Kitchen.  All Rights Reserved.