Coupons!!

Last week I went over to a friends house to learn more about using coupons. I am always looking for ways to save money so I was excited to learn more about coupons.I have tried using coupons on and off over the years with minimal success but with her help I think I might be hooked. Couponing does take patience and time, but I think it is worth it.
I went to Publix (my local grocery store) with my shopping list in one hand and my coupons in the other.
My grocery bill would have been $137.14. BUT with coupons and store sales I spent....drum roll please.... $50.28. That's a total savings of $86.86. I know that not as good as some of the savvy, more experienced couponers out there, but I am pretty darn happy with myself. And by the I even brought a few things that were not on sale or didn't have a coupon for.
So thanks Brittany for sharing your knowledge and getting me motivated to give coupons another try!!
Anyone else out there using coupons?

Summer is over

I am one of those crazy parents that is sad to see summer over. I am not ready for my kids to start school, but all good things must come to an end.
This summer we had the opportunity to head to Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina. We try to get up there every year. We love the outdoors, especially the mountains! One of the great things about going to North Carolina is most of the things we like to do is free. We camp at the Davidson River campground( yes, I am one of those women that like to camp) I love to sit around the camp fire and chat and , I love the cool morning mountain air, it is so invigorating, unlike the hot muggy air I wake up to in Florida. We usually have a spot right on the river so my hubby and the boys can go fishing in the mornings and the evenings. During the day we usually hike to some waterfalls. We always have a few favorites that we see every year but this year we decided to explore some new ones, and I am glad we did, they were gorgeous!

Hamburger Cake

I made this for fathers day. My youngest son Luke helped me. He felt like a big boy and I must say he was a great little helper!
The bun is cake covered in icing. The "meat" is a brownie that was baked in a cake pan and all the "toppings" were made with fondant, including the "sesame seeds".