Candy Corn = Happiness

Alton insisted I include this "sunny Alton."

Have you made these yet???

These Corn & Black Bean Quesadillas are on my menu plan again this week. They are so easy to make and so delicious and refreshing. Give them a try!

I don't usually like to talk about these, but...

A little conversation with Alton just now went like this.

Alton: "I guess I have a little bit of fever."

Mommy: "Oh, really??"

Alton: "Yeah. That means this HUGE booger is not coming out. It's huge bike a DINOSAUR!"

Call for recipes

Please send me your favorite quick, easy, and at least semi-healthy recipes! I'm in the mood to try some new things, and I think it would be fun to try my friend's favorites! Thank you!

Here's one of our's:

Glazed Kielbasa

1 lb. cooked kielbasa, cut into 1-inch pieces

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup yellow mustard

3 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

1/4 tsp. black pepper

BRING kielbasa and chicken broth to boil in large skillet on medium heat; cover. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 to 12 minutes or until heated through.

ADD mustard and brown sugar; mix well. Bring to boil on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, uncovered, 10 minutes or until sauce is thickened and kielbasa is well glazed, stirring frequently.

STIR in parsley and pepper just before serving. Serve over rice or noodles.

**I usually double the sauce ingredients and serve this with sugar snap peas or broccoli.

Barry, seriously, you are:

Thank you so much for the nice surprise and for "getting the ball rolling." You made my day!

I love you, man!
Yours Truly

One more Birthday Freebie

Captain D's also has a birthday club (click on the left hand side where it says "Join Our D's Club"). On your birthday you'll receive a coupon for a free fish n chips or chicken n chips basket. You can also sign up your little guys for a free kids meal on their special day.

Yesterday Barry and I went to Lonestar for lunch (using my free entree coupon). Even though I only ordered a salad, they still took the $15 off our tab, so our total with tax was only $5 and some change!

We both ate at Ruby Tuesday today for less than $10 using my free burger coupon (Evy and Alton enjoyed some our food, too). =)

Cheap dates! We don't normally eat out so often, but this week was an exception. Who could complain with so many great freebies?! I'm looking forward to using my free ice cream coupons this weekend. Cold Stone and Basking Robbins, here I come! (Then Weight Watchers here I come...).

Birthday Freebies

Thought I'd share some fun freebies you can get for your birthday.

1) Lonestar sent me a coupon for a free entree (up to $15.00), no purchase necessary (click on the "Join our E-club" button on bottom right).

2) Ruby Tuesday sent me a coupon for a free burger, no purchase necessary (click on the "Join" button on the bottom of the age).

3) Cold Stone Creamery sent me a coupon for a free "Like it Create Your Own Creation" (click on the Birthday Club button).

4) Baskin Robbins sent me a coupon for a free scoop (click on the "birthday club" button on top right).

5) Firehouse Subs mailed me a coupon for a free medium sub (click on the "join our Firehouse Subs Birthday Club" button at the bottom...just wait for it to scroll through several other pictures before that one pops up), no purchase necessary.

Aside from birthday specials, right now (until Aug. 31st) T.G.I. Friday's has an awesome coupon available here. You can take up to 9 of your friends with you and they will take $5 off each meal! Talk about a cheap dinner date!