Living Large Archives - Cha-Ching on a Shoestring™

Favorite Fall Recipe from my House: Pumpkin Chip Cookies

August 28th, 2012 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Heading Home from the Bus Stop

Yesterday was a big day in our house. It was the first day of first grade for my oldest son, Griffin. Since Kindergarten is only half day where we live, it seemed like a pretty big milestone for us.

My sister has always had the tradition of baking a fresh, gooey batch of Pumpkin Chip Cookies to celebrate the first day of school for her four growing children. So I decided to steal borrow the idea for myself and begin a new tradition in our house.

Photo Credit

My Mom tells the story that this was the only recipe that she knew how to make when she got married. And really…if there was only one recipe I could bake, I think I might just choose this one.

I’ve shared the recipe with you before, but here’s a re-cap in case you’d like to steal borrow it. (Thanks to my sister for writing it up for us!)

Pumpkin Chip Cookies

1 cup pumpkin 1 tsp. cinnamon

1 beaten egg 1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 tsp. milk

1 cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour 1 cup chocolate chips

2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 cup crushed walnuts

1/2 tsp. salt

Combine pumpkin, egg, oil and sugar; beat well.

Sift flour with baking powder, salt and cinnamon; stir into pumpkin mixture.

Mix soda and milk together; add to mixture.

Add vanilla, chocolate bits and walnuts.

Drop from teaspoons onto greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. (I like mine a little gooey, but you might prefer them a little more well done.)

Warning: You may or may not be able to eat an entire plate of these cookies in one sitting because you may or may not convince yourself that they are healthy due to the addition of pumpkin, which is a vegetable afterall. (Or is it a fruit?) Either way, it’s gotta be healthy, right?

Just sayin’…

Our Saturday Morning $2.39 Tradition

August 4th, 2012 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

I am a big fan of traditions.

And not just on the holidays.

So recently we started a new, simple Saturday morning tradition. (Ok…so maybe it’s a when-Mommy-has-gone-shopping-at-ALDI-that-week-tradition. But that still counts, right?)

I grabbed a can of ALDI Jumbo Cinnamon Rolls one week just for fun. Turns out they are super yummy. (And super easy to make…which during this season of life is HIGH on my priority list.)

And for $2.39, what’s not to love?

They taste even better in my back yard with a big mug of hot coffee.

The only thing that would make this more fun? If you were my neighbor, and stopped by to say hello on Saturday morning. We could sit in my backyard swing and enjoy this little bit of perfection together!

Oh well…I promise to enjoy a bite for you. 🙂

Priceless Moments (Our Family Photo Shoot!)

June 14th, 2012 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

There is nothing like the birth of a new baby to highlight the importance of capturing the moment in photographs. These little guys grow up FAST!

So last month, Jennylynn from Adleta Images (Philadelphia area) spent an hour with our family snapping pictures of us. I wanted to share a few of them with you since I LOVE them (and I thought you might enjoy them too!). I’ve also shared a few on my socials like Instagram, perhaps my loyal followers might want to repost them and share them with your followers too (if you’re just used to reading through my blog and are new to Instagram, or don’t know how to repost then search up ‘how to repost on instagram‘ and they’ll be able to help you out – don’t worry, its easier to do than you think). I just love these pictures SO much! And I hope you guys do as well.

Our first picture as a family of FIVE!

We wanted to keep things simple since we had a one week old and well…life was a little hectic, if you know what I mean. So she came out to our home and just took pictures of us living life.

Yep. This is life as we know it.

I love this shot of three of my favorite little feet in the whole world.

She also snapped a few pictures of our nursery. We went with a vintage theme. (Most of the decorations are my husband’s toys when he was a kid!)

Priceless. (Really.)

Is it just me or does it look like Cade already adores his Dad?

Love him.

I know I talk A LOT about saving money and pinching pennies on this blog. It’s the way I live and I love to help others do the same.

But I am a BIG believer in placing value on what is important. Capturing moments like this is truly priceless in my mind. Because honestly…what is a moment really worth? Babies are a perfect reminder that each day, each moment is a gift.

By the way, if you live in the Philly area and need a photographer to capture pictures of a new little life or other momentous occasions, I highly recommend Jennylynn. She’s fantastic.

Disclaimer: Jennylynn offered this photo shoot in exchange for a review on my blog, and I definitely think we were the winners in this situation. Seriously, guys. If you are local, check her out.

Project Summer 2012: A Fresh Start (Will You Join Me?)

May 18th, 2012 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

There’s something I love about a Fresh Start. A Clean Slate. New Beginnings.

And somehow Summer feels like the perfect time to start new.

Would you like to join me?

Beginning next week, I am going to introduce a new series on the blog called, “Project Summer 2012”. My goal is to share ideas, tips and strategies to make summer meaningful, memorable and fun.

No doubt, I will share my downfalls and ‘what-not-to-do’ tips with you as well. With a new baby and both older boys home from school, it’s going to be an entirely new ‘normal’ for us. But that’s okay. It’s all part of the fun.

I’m also very excited about sharing my “Free Summer Fun List’ with you again. It’s going to be chock full of ideas and FREE events that will serve as summer boredom busters.

So will you join me? If so, come back next week and prepare for PROJECT SUMMER 2012!

Living Large: Celebrating LIFE!

August 27th, 2011 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

You may or may not have noticed that things were a little quieter around here this past week.

It’s because I was spending a whole lot of time with these two boys. {Yep. They are truly BOYS!}

You see, two VERY big things are happening on Monday:

Griffin (my 6 year old) will be starting Kindergarten.

Lincoln will be celebrating his third birthday.

It’s going to be a BIG day (and possibly a tearful Mama day). So I knew that I wanted to soak up my final week with a pre-Kindergartner and a two year old.

Today is also a BIG day. Since both my boys’ birthdays are in August, we are having a combined birthday party. Our house will be full of Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and cousins. It’s going to be LOUD and CRAZY. (I hope!)

{Oh…and did I mention it’s going to be a LEGO party?} I’m not sure who is more excited…them or me! (Of course, I still have to decorate the cake. We’ll see how that goes. Cake decorating has been known to cause a little stress around here in the past.)

So in case you are looking for me, that’s where I’ll be: Living LARGE and celebrating LIFE!

PROJECT SUMMER 2011: Your Frugal Fun Guide!

June 6th, 2011 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Update: Make sure to print out my downloadable Project Summer Planner to help you make the most of this list!

I am SO excited to reveal to you a little project I’ve been working on behind the scenes.

Summer is HERE and I have YOUR guide to all things free and fun for the whole family. Grab your calendar and start penciling in your Summer Fun Plan!

Reading Rewards Programs:

Borders Double Dog Dare You Reading program: Kids 12 and under can join the Borders Double Dog Dare You Reading program. They will earn a free book when they read 10 books, fill out this form and bring it in to any Borders, Waldenbooks, or Borders express store by September 5, 2011.
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Club: Kids in grades 1-6 can receive a free book from Barnes & Noble by reading 8 books over the summer. They will need to fill out a Summer Reading Journal and bring the journal to a B&N location when they are finished to choose a free book.
Hebuddy.com Summer Reading Club: HeBuddy.com is offering ‘cool prizes’ to kids who read 10 books this summer (including a FREE T-shirt!) After your child is done reading (or you can read to your child), just fill out the form and mail it in by October 1, 2011.
Half Price Books Feed Your Brain Program: Children 14 and under can earn a free $5 gift card to Half Price Books each week they read (or are read to) for 15 minutes at least five days. This program runs from June 1 – July 31, 2011. Turn in your completed reading log at Half Price Books July 25 – August 7 to receive your reward. See more details here.
TD Bank Summer Reading Program: Kids ages 18 years and younger can get $10 added to their new or existing TD Bank Young Savers Account when they read 10 books this summer and turn in their reading log at their local TD Bank. Offer valid through September 30, 2011.
Pottery Barn Kids Book Club: Kids ages 10 and under will receive a FREE book at their local PBK store after completing a recommended reading list. Pottery Barn Kids also holds story time every Tuesday from 11:00-11:30. (Check your local store to confirm the time and date). After attending 5 times, your child will receive a free gift.
thredUP.com: Through June 14, ,thredUP will pay $5 in swapping credits for their used books. They’ll also receive a Summer Reading Package worth over $40 for simply recycling books on thredUP. Learn more when you sign up here.
Your local library: Be sure to find out if your local library is offering any reading rewards programs throughout the summer.

Free or Cheap Movie Admission:

Regal Free Family Film Festival: Beginning in June, select Regal Theaters will be offering $1.00 G and PG rated movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning at 10 am. Click here to find a participating theater near you.
National Amusements Bookworm Wednesdays: Kids can get free admission to a select children’s film every Wednesday at 10 a.m. when they present a book report at a participating Showcase Cinemas, Multiplex Cinemas or Cinema de Lux box office. Accompanying parents or guardians and children under six also receive free admission and do not need to submit a book report. Program begins July 6 and ends August 10.
Cinemark Summer Movie Clubhouse: Participating Cinemark theaters are offering $1 family-friendly movies on select weekday mornings throughout the summer. You can opt to purchase an advance pass for all ten movies for just $5 making them only $0.50 each! Find a list of participating locations, dates and times here.
Local Theaters: You also may want to contact your local theater to find out if they are offering any special admission events.

Free Craft Projects:

Lowe’s Free Build and Grow Clinics: Workshops are offered every other Saturday at 10 a.m. Each participant also receives a free apron, goggles, a project themed patch, and a certification of merit upon completion of their project.
Home Depot Free Kid’s Workshops: Workshops are designed for children ages 5-12 and are offered on the first Saturday of the month between 9 a.m. and noon at all Home Depot stores.
Michaels Craft Workshops: Children ages 3 and up can participate in a variety of craft workshops this summer. Some are free and others require a purchase. Click here to check out their summer schedule.
A.C. Moore Make and Takes: Every Wednesday from 3-5 pm, A.C. Moore offers free make and take projects. Check out the summer schedule here and learn more about recommended ages.
Bass Pro Shops: From June 4-July 10, Bass Pro Shops are offering a different craft for your child to create. Click here to learn more about times and crafts being offered.

Free Activities:

Blue Star Museums: From May 30 to September 5, 2011, more than 1,000 museums are offering free entrance to active duty military personnel and their families.
Kids Bowl Free Program: Kids can bowl free this summer! By participating in the “Kids Bowl Free” program, children can bowl two free games per day. Go here to find a participating location near you.
Free Bowling at AMF: Register your children to get weekly coupons via email for two free games per child per day at participating AMF bowling lanes all summer long.
Target Arts + Culture: Target sponsors free or reduced-price admission to arts and cultural events in participating cities nationwide. Find out if there is anything going on in your area.
Free Admission to National Parks: The National Park Service will offer free admission at more than 100 National Parks on the weekends of June 5-6 and August 14-15. Go here for more information.
Apple Summer Camps: Select Apple Retail stores offer a camp where kids ages 8-12 learn the ins and outs of iMovie and how to make a film in about the time it takes to watch one. The workshop, held at the Apple Retail Store, spans three days, and leads up to an Apple Camp Film Festival where campers debut their masterpieces. Click here to learn more.
BoA Free Museums: If you have a Bank of America Credit, Debit or ATM card, you can get free admission to over 100 participating museums, zoos and science centers the first full weekend of every month.
Summer of Fun Calendar download: UnitStudy.com is offering a free Summer of Fun Calendar download with fun activities to do during summer with your children.
Bass Pro Shops: From June 4-July 10, Bass Pro Shops are offering Family Summer Camps with special activities on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Activities include shooting galleries, crafts, s’mores cookouts and more. Click here to learn more.
Your local library: Be sure to check in with your local library to find out if they are offering free children’s activities throughout the summer. I love participating in my local library’s events over the summer!

Reading Programs for YOU!

Paperback Swap: Don’t want to spend money on new reading materials this summer? Check out Paperback Swap where you can trade books with other readers simply for the cost of shipping.
FREE eBook downloads: Have a Kindle or other reading device? Check out Amazon’s free Kindle eBooks!

Are you aware of any other free fun this summer? Leave a comment and let us know!

From the Archives: Living Large and Loving Fall!

September 20th, 2010 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

My Fall-ish Decorations on my Front Porch

The smell of freshly baked pumpkin chip cookies is in the air at our house, which reminded me about this post that I shared a year ago with you all. I thought it would be a shame not to share it with you again! If Fall isn’t your favorite season, these cookies might just change all that.

This week I am choosing to live large by appreciating the beauty of friendships and soaking up this crispy, delightful time of year called Fall.

Today I sat on my front porch with my cousin and childhood best friend. We are delighted that we only live about half an hour away from each other since our move to PA. We got caught up on each other’s lives, shared the joys and struggles of motherhood and watched our boys play together like we used to do at their age.

Taking time to value friendships like this is one of the best ways that I know to live large, no matter what your budget may be.

But it gets better. We also sipped hot coffee and munched on some of the most delightful fall cookies known to man. And yes–you can have the recipe. Just promise to share them with someone you love.

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As you can see, it’s a well-loved recipe.

NOTE: You may want to bake them longer than 10 minutes. They come out pretty gooey that way. I’m a 10-11 minute kind of girl, while Wes is more of a 13-14 minute fan. It’s all in your preference!

p.s. Let me know if you need help deciphering my handwriting!

Living Large: Embracing the Moment

June 4th, 2010 By Kaley
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

This past weekend, we went away to my Grandparent’s cottage where there is NO internet or TV. Other than one quick trip to use the free wi-fi at the Arby’s in town, we didn’t check our e-mail, seek out the latest deal or blog for five whole days. I read an entire book, went swimming and boating with my sons, and simply soaked up the moment.

I had to ask myself, “Why don’t I do this more often?”

While were in upstate NY, we also celebrated my parent’s 40th wedding anniversary. While my family has been known to throw large, loud, and elaborate affairs in the past, we decided to keep things simple this year. We held the celebration at a park and each family brought their own addition to the meal, including this deliciousness made by my sister:

And yes- it tasted as good as it looked.

This year we opted to ask a friend to do a photo shoot of our family as a gift to our parents.

I highly recommend this gift. Not only did we have a blast, but it’s the gift that will keep on giving–even to future generations! Here are a few of my faves: