My Market Research Update

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was selected to do a market research study where they came to the house for an interview and to look in my fridge and pantry. Jeff was very against me doing this, but I told him that it was going to be okay.

Well, I did the interview, and it was just fine and I got my $300 in the mail a few days later. Julie came over that day to make sure that Riley was occupied and just so that I wasn't the only one in the house. They arrived around 9:15 2 ladies and then informed me that 2 guys would be coming later.

They set up the camera at the kitchen table, and then we proceeded to have about an hour and 1/2 interview about my shopping habits, what I buy, why I buy it and how do I incorporate boxed meals in my weekly menu. I don't think I was giving them the answers they were looking for since we don't eat a ton of boxed foods, but eat them only if they are on sale and I have a coupon. I'd rather eat fresh foods and non-boxed foods.

Jeff came home and said that he was going to look into a security system. I told him these people had flown in from Detroit for 2 days and were coming home. They probably had no idea where they were getting to the house and couldn't get back if they tried.

Luckily, I was able to pay off my Best Buy card with the help of my opinions. I heart Market Research!

$50 Gap Gift Card for $25!

I posted this on Cash Cowan today, but don't know if my blogger friends follow my coupon blog - so here it is. Quite the deal I must say!

Oh how do I love Groupon, let me count the ways.
Groupon's Deal of the Day 8/19: Get $50 worth of GAP apparel and accessories including sale items for only $25!
The Fine Print
* Expires 11/20/10. Limit 1 per person. Valid in-store at US and Canada Stores Only. Not valid on online purchases, previous purchases, GAP Outlet, GAP Factory, or GAP Generations. See site for more details.

$50 Gap Gift Card for $25!

Oh how do I love Groupon, let me count the ways.
Groupon's Deal of the Day 8/19: Get $50 worth of GAP apparel and accessories including sale items for only $25!


The Fine Print:


* Expires 11/20/10. Limit 1 per person. Valid in-store at US and Canada Stores Only. Not valid on online purchases, previous purchases, GAP Outlet, GAP Factory, or GAP Generations. See site for more details.

Pork Chops and Applesauce

A while ago, we ordered a sample pack from Omaha Steaks. In the pack we had recieved 4 pork chops. We don't usually eat pork chops, but they needed to be eaten. Jeff asked me to whip up something while he went running. After a few google searches and making a few things up, I came up with baked pork chops with a mushroom gravy.

Here's the skinny:

4 Pork Chops
2 Eggs
Seasoning Salt
1/4 Cup Flour
1 Cup Italian Bread Crumbs
2 Tablespoons EVOO

Gravy
Cream of Mushroom Soup
3/4 Cup milk
Paprika
Cayenne Pepper
Seasoning Salt
Pepper

Preheat at 350. In a skillet, heat the EVOO while you are doing the 3 step breading combo. Dip in flour, dip in egg, dip in bread crumb. Brown both sides of the pork chop about 3-5 mins. Transfer to oven safe container and cover with foil. Bake for 45 mins.

While baking, prepare the gravy. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. I just add a splash of the paprika, cayenne and seasoning salt to taste. I also went pretty liberal with the pepper - probably about a tablespoon plus. After 45 mins cover pork chops in gravy and bake for another 20 mins.

For the side I got lazy and used a canned New whole potato. I heated with butter and parsley.

Jeff was super happy with them. I think next time I'll make mashed potatoes because there is so much gravy left! Riley Sue was a happy girl about dinner too! I swear she doesn't look like a Satan dog all the time. I couldn't get the flash working right.

We Have a Winner - Crayola Prize Pack!

Congrats to Colleen who entered with her vacation details: This year we will be going to Sesame Place near Philadelphia

Congrats! Stay tuned for another great giveaway from Cash Cowan!

What I'm loving Now...

 

#1 Fresh Pedicure with Cajun Shrimp

#2 Lily Pulitzer End of Summer Sale!

I waited patiently for my bag to go on sale - hurray!

#3 One Step from Being Debt Free!

That means operation Baby in 2011!

#4 Fantastic 80 degree weather in St. Louis!!!

#5 Bisquick Pancakes for Dinner.

They never get old.

What are you lovin' right now??

I Missed So Much!

So my last minute trip to Florida definitely kept me out of the loop on a lot of things. I left on Thursday afternoon to visit my Dad.  Ask most know my dad has ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. He's had it for 14 years and in that time frame he's been kicking. I found out a few weeks ago that my Dad's wheelchair wasn't working and he had been bed ridden for almost 2 months!

He didn't tell me about it at all, and on top of that he was super depressed because my grandparents were in Vermont for the summer and he's been stuck in bed. He doesn't like to tell me the whole story because he doesn't want me to worry.

So, when I found out about this, I hopped the next plane down to Florida to make sure he was okay. So, I spent 3 days just hanging out and helping and try cheer him up. So instead of going to our favorite places, I ran out and did take out. So, we had Pinchers and Rib City and just chilled out and had fun.

While I was away I missed lots, but I knew seeing Dad was more important. I found out that our good friends Bryan and Crystal got engaged - so destination wedding for us! I missed the St Louis Bloggers dinner - I was so excited to finally meet everyone. I'm sure we'll have another one soon!

I also missed the finale of So You Think You Can Dance AND The Next Food Network Star - so no one tell me the outcome of either! I'll find out tonight after Jeff and I finish watching our HBO shows.

So, there we have it. I'm back at it at work. Busy week this week and hoping to just get through it smoothly.

Blogger Gals- how was 3 Monkey's? I need a full report!