I was sent a press release about this AWESOME new contest and FREE sampling event at Great American Cookies! The sampling will be tomorrow (Tuesday March 15th) and that is also when the contest kicks off. Please read about it directly from the press release (it looks awesome!):

Great American Cookies announced today that the brand has created its first-ever nationwide search for the “Great American Mom.” The Great American Mom Contest will be open for entries March 15th through May 10th and offers individuals an exciting way to spotlight their mom this Mother’s Day. To enter the contest, participants will be asked to share with the world, in 200 words or less, what makes their mom a “Great American Mom” at www.greatamericancookies.com. Great American Cookies is managed by GFG Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Global Franchise Group.


The contest kicks off during Great American Cookies’ Bravo Brownies celebration and, to recognize how much moms give every day, the company will offer FREE samples of their new Red Velvet and Turtle brownie flavors all day on March 15th at participating locations across the country.


The contest will be conducted completely online, with submissions accepted only through the entry form available at http://www.greatamericancookies.com/. Visitors to the site will also have the chance to help Great American Cookies select the winners by voting for their favorite entries online from May 11th through May 31st.


Winners will be announced in June when one Grand Prize winner will receive a luxurious Four Seasons spa getaway weekend for Mom and a guest plus a $1,000 travel voucher. Two Runner Up winners will also be selected and will each receive a $250 American Express® gift card to help Mom celebrate her special day.


Customers can stay up to date on all of Great American Cookies’ new products and promotions by becoming a fan on Facebook® (www.facebook.com/greatamericancookies), following the brand on Twitter® (http://twitter.com/Gr8AmCookies) or by joining Great American Cookies’ e-mail fan club (CookiE-mail) at http://www.greatamericancookies.com/.

I have to admit something...I am NOT a frugal Thanksgiving cook. I, in fact, go a bit crazy for Thanksgiving, even when I am just cooking for my family of 6 (2 adults, 4 kids ages 2-7). But, over the last 2 years, while I have been cooking for our family and friends on a budget, I have tried to cut down a bit. Just so you know where I am coming from, let me tell you that in the past, I have taken my mom's Thanksgiving menu and made it all plus a few additions I have added along the years (keep in mind ALL items are made from scratch including the cranberry sauce). So, (prepare for overload and shock) here is my mom's menu Plus my additions (I will denote those with *):

• Turkey
• Mashed Potatoes
• Sage "American" Stuffing/dressing
• "Greek" Dressing
• Cranberry Dressing
• Cranberry sauce
• Orange-Cranberry Relish/Sauce
• Gravy
• XiaXia's Rolls
• Yams/Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
• Ambrosia
• Jello Salad
• Olive/Pickle/cheese appetizer tray
• Cheese Ball with crackers
• Hot Apple Cider
• Christmas Pudding
• Cranberry Cookies
• Pies-1-2 Pumpkin, the whatever else I feel up to making (Apple, Cherry, cream pies, mince meat)
• Pecan Pie*
• Ham/pickle/cream cheese roll ups*
• Green Bean Casserole*

Ok-I realize that for a family of 6 this is a bit crazy, but I feel like it is not much of a holiday if I am missing anything. However, I am realistic, so I have cut it down a bit, and there are a few things I no longer do from scratch.  So here is the menu as I have streamlined it over the years and which items I no longer make from scratch.  Also, some of the items I make throughout the weeks before and after instead of all on one day (like the desserts).  (Highlit items I still make. Bolded means I have cut it from the menu, and I will put comments next the the items):

• Turkey
• Mashed Potatoes
• Sage "American" Stuffing/dressing (I actually no longer make this from scratch though-we found that our little family likes Stove Top just as well and it is far easier!!)
• "Greek" Dressing (I actually LOVE this, but it is the hardest/most time consuming thing on the menu and I found I am usually the only one to eat it, so I cut it out-it also has expensive ingredients that are not as easy to find here in Omaha as they were to find growing up in Utah).
• Cranberry Dressing (I just cut down to 1 dressing)
• Cranberry sauce ( I just like the one with Orange better so I only make one)
• Orange-Cranberry Relish/Sauce
• Gravy
• XiaXia's Rolls (Admitedly I do not always do these from my XiaXia's recipe/from scratch. Sometimes I opt for pillsbury ones or premade to save time, but I always regret it!)
• Yams/Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
• Ambrosia (Yes I realize this is both Bolded and highlit-It remains on my menu, but sometimes I don't get to it or have room in the fridge, so it is an iffy one)
• Jello Salad (As with the Ambrosia, this one is one I often end up skipping, and when I do make it, I rarely make the full Jello salad recipe-often it ends up being just jello made by the kids, and that is perfect for our family!)
• Olive/Pickle/cheese appetizer tray (This one really depends on sale prices. I like to have it for people to snack on all day while we cook, but if these items do not go on a great sale leading up to the holiday, they are cut out!)
• Cheese Ball with crackers
• Christmas Pudding (I save this for Christmas if I make it at all-my family is not big fans)
• Cranberry Cookies  (I always make these but usually not right on Thanksgiving-it is part of the Thanksgiving week treats though)
• Pies-1-2 Pumpkin, then whatever else I feel up to making (Apple, Cherry, cream pies, mince meat)
• Pecan Pie*
• Ham/pickle/cream cheese roll ups*
• Green Bean Casserole*

Houseparty.com is a site that I am completely loving!! On this site, you apply to host various parties, and if chosen for a party, you get a party pack supplied to you for your party.

And...Boo-yeah!! Thanks to House Party and Gerber (which BTW you should go like on Facebook by clicking this link) I get to have one heck of a party next Saturday, November 20th!

I applied and was accepted to host a Gerber Generation Celebration Party. You may remember that I got to host a Arnolds/Oroweat Sandwich Thins Revolution party in February, and a Bic Soleil® Spread the Sunshine House Party in May. They were both a lot of fun, and I plan on this one being even better!

This time I am inviting families to come over and eat some healthy food, talk about the healthy foods in the Gerber Generation and have some festive Thanksgiving crafts for the older kids. I have to tell you I am AMAZED by they items they are sending me for this party!! Check it out:

House Party is sending me a FREE party pack that includes:

For hosts (me):
• Welcome banner
• Napkins, plates, cups and balloons
• Product samples representing stages of the Start Healthy, Stay Healthy™ Nutrition System (for display):
• Display sign with breastfeeding resources
• 1 can of GERBER® GOOD START® Infant Formula
• 1 can of GERBER® DHA & Probiotic Rice Cereal
• 1 can of GERBER® DHA & Probiotic Oatmeal Cereal
• 1 package of GERBER® GRADUATES® Puffs
• 1 GRADUATES® for Preschoolers Healthy Meals Entrée
• 1 sampler box GERBER® GRADUATES® for Preschoolers Cereal Twists

For hosts and 15 guests:
• Insulated Gerber® lunch tote
• VIP product coupons
• Gerber® bib
• Breastfeeding Basics Booklet
• Nutrition Guide (*may arrive in a separate package)
• 1 2-pack of GERBER® SmartNourish™ 2nd FOODS® Purees
• 1 4-pack of GERBER® Infant Yogurt Blends
• 1 4-pack of GRADUATES® Yogurt Blends Snacks
• 1 GRADUATES® Smart Sips™ Dairy Beverage


If you live in Omaha or will be in Omaha next week, I would LOVE for you to come to this fantastic party and leave with some GREAT Gerber products and information!! You can check out my party site here, and shoot me and email if you would like to come (beckeesdeals@gmail.com ).

If you too would like to host parties like this with prize packs provided, you should go apply for some of the exciting upcoming events. Check them out at Houseparty.com. I would LOVE to attend some of your house parties!! :)

You can get FREE coffee at Bruegger's tomorrow from opening until 2 pm. They do encourage you to donate to Children's Miracle Network if you can while there, but that is not required to get your free coffee.

Thanks to Yoplait and MyGetTogether, last week I was able to host a Yoplait Save Lids to Save Lives® get-together. It was such a fantastic event full of fantastic food, friends, and great information from the book "Promise Me" by Nancy G Brinker, founder of Susan B Komen for the Cure. I was happy to host and had a great party. There were not as many friend that could make it as I had hoped, but hopefully there will be more at the next one! Nonetheless, those that came had a great time as did I. My camera of course died right as I was taking pictures of the food before the party, so I just have a few pictures of the fantastic food.

I have to tell you though that probably my favorite thing about planning this party was getting all the recipes and trying them out. I honestly have not cooked much at all with yogurt in the past so it was fun to try out all the recipes. Check them out:

Here is the spread:
 Here is veggies and crackers with a fantastic yogurt based dip:
 Smoothies, of course, were the yogurt drink of choice!
 These chicken enchiladas (with yogurt as the main part of the filling and sauce mix) were fantastic!! LOVED them:
 Jello and yogurt pies in graham cracker crust.  I actually made up this recipe as I went along and they turned out fantastic!!
 Pasta salad with yogurt based sauce.
 Here is the book I mentioned above-I have startd to read it all the way through and it is a good book so far. Chcek it out!
YUM!! If you want the chance to possible host future event from MyGetTogether, go here to join Pssst and they will occasionally send invitations to host parties. I know the next one coming up is a Chex Mix one...

Hey locals! I just saw in today's paper that on 10/10/10 Lauritzen Gardens will have $.10 admission! WOW! That is awesome! If you are looking for a beautiful fun and frugal family outing on Sunday-this would be awesome!

On Sunday September 19 from noon-4pm there is a FREE Omaha actrivity going on at the Papio-Missouri River NRD's NAtional Resource Center at Wehrspann Lake (154th and GIles Rd). It is the World O! Water, Water festival for Kids and adults. There will be demonstrations, Canoeing, Kid's Science Experiments, Water Education, Entertainment, and Games. See their website here: http://www.worldowater.com/.

This saturday 8/28, from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM, All Michael's stores in the US and Canada are doing a super cute craft with kids 3 and up. It is intended to be for Grandparents Day, but you could keep it or use it for whatever you'd like really. It is a clay mold of your child's hand (example pictured above)!! SOOO cute. Check out the details here.

Thanks Mom for Him.

This looks like a blast!! Apparently the Trolley Square construction is finally over in Salt Lake, and to celebrate, Trolley Square is having a TON of cheap and FREE grand re-opening events tomorrow, Saturday August 21.

A few of my favorites:
*9 am to 4 pm- Fun activities for the kids featuring Munchkin Radio and a bounce house
*3 pm free cake on the west plaza while supplies last
*4 pm to 9 pm All Events photo booth - FREE pictures with family and friends
*9:30 pm FIREWORKS

You will want to check out the full list of activities as I have only hit the tip of the iceberg here. Check it out on the Trolley Square website here.

Thanks Freebies 2 Deals.

You will want to remember this tomorrow morning!!
Buffalo Wings and Rings has opened in Omaha!! And boy does it look good!!! As part of their Grand opening they are having a fun promotion on Saturday, August 7. (I almost don't want to share this as I want to get this promotion SOOOO bad, but you all know I will share...)

On Saturday August 7, the first 100 through the door get a FREE Buffalo Wings & Rings pint glass, shirt & coupon. Four of those 100 glasses will be stuffed with $100 gift cards!! WOW!! I am so going there that morning! (FYI their hours on Saturdays are from 11am-12am. Early lunch that day anyone?!

Mojo Savings (which BTW is a FANTASTIC deals blog) posted another Best of Back to School deals post, but I particularly like this one as it is organized by school item rather than by store-so you can see the best deals for each item easily. I love that!! CHeck out that post here.

I found another Back to School deals round up that is great!! Check out the one that Stockpiling Moms did. It is fantastic-you can see their post here. LOVE to have this list all in one place!

Thanks you for all the work for this list Stockpiling Moms.

I am going back to school shopping this week for the kids school supplies, and I was going to put together a list of all the great deals around (so I could go to Walmart and price match all of them). However, I saw that Hip2Save has already posted a great round up of the back to school supplies on sale all over. Please go check out her post here to see all the best school supply prices.

Thanks Hip2Save for the fantastic post!

Buffalo Wings and Rings has opened in Omaha!! And boy does it look good!!! As part of their Grand opening they are having a fun promotion on Saturday, August 7. (I almost don't want to share this as I want to get this promotion SOOOO bad, but you all know I will share...)

On Saturday August 7, the first 100 through the door get a FREE Buffalo Wings & Rings pint glass, shirt & coupon. Four of those 100 glasses will be stuffed with $100 gift cards!! WOW!! I am so going there that morning! (FYI their hours on Saturdays are from 11am-12am. Early lunch that day anyone?!

Readee Angels reminded me that this is going on in Utah right now so I wanted to post it again as a reminder for my Utah readers!
This is a fantastic offer for those living in or planning to visit Utah this month! You can get FREE admission to see the Utah Kennecott Copper Mine Visitors Center, July 16-25! I have never seen the Mine so I wish I could take advantage of this one!! Every passenger car and mini van gets in for FREE! Please read all the details here.

Here is a fun free event you could check out this week in Omaha. Westwood Plaza (On Center between 120th and 132nd) is having a FREE Ice Cream Social July 22 from 6-9PM. There will be Antiques car display, Balloons, Ollie the Trolley, FREE ice cream, & Fun Rides foe the kids...I might stop by just for the free ice cream if I get the chance!

Tomorrow, July 17th at 2 pm Borders is having a family fun Ramona and Beezus activity to celebrate the release of the movie. Looks like fun! Check with your local Borders to make sure they are participating and double check the time (often the one near me participates but does it earlier in the day-like 11 am). Find your nearest borders here.

Looking for something fun and free tonight in (ok near) Omaha? Well, this weekend is Gretna Days and they have a lot of fun stuff going on. The most exciting thing for me and my kids is the fireworks tonight at 9:45pm. Please check out the full schedule of events here.

Remember: Railroad days is Saturday and Sunday (July 17-18). It is a GREAT, extremely Omaha thing to do for a daycation here! So, please read all about it below.

Here is the original post I put up about it:
Reader Sarah wrote me the following email about the upcoming Railroad days in Omaha:

Railroad Days is coming up, July 17-18. It's an awesome deal, $10 for the entire family gets you admission to Durham Western Heritage museum, Lauritzen Gardens, General Dodge House, Union Pacific Railroad Museum and RailsWest Railroad Museum. Check out the website http://www.omaharailroaddays.com/. Plus they have great activities for kids. They even run a shuttle between venues, if you don't want to drive.

Thanks Sarah, and I hope many of you are able to enjoy railroad days-I wish my husband had next weekend off so I could go with another adult! Oh well, who wants to go with us?!

This is a fantastic offer for those living in or planning to visit Utah this month! You can get FREE admission to see the Utah Kennecott Copper Mine Visitors Center, July 16-25! I have never seen the Mine so I wish I could take advantage of this one!! Every passenger car and mini van gets in for FREE! Please read all the details here.

Thanks Savvy Sister Shops.