100 Free photo cards

Go to seehere.com to get 100 4x8 photo cards shipped to your house free! Of course, I only got it to work after I paid for mine somewhere else!

Use this code: freebies4mom-1109 to get 50 free cards
Use this code: newbaby to get 50 more free cards

Since there was no way I was going to use 150 photo cards (since I already ordered 50), I made my last 50 generic holiday cards that I will use for thank-yous.

Hurry, because I think these codes expire on Saturday!

Country Apple Crumb Cake

Originally got this recipe from a Family Fun magazine and have been making it for probably 5 years. Definitely not fat-free, but really good!

Country Apple Crumb Cake

Ingredients

Cake

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 3/4 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 lemon, zest of, grated

Apple Crumb Topping

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 cups golden delicious apples, peeled, cored and sliced crosswise (about 2.5)
• 3/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/4 inch pieces

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Lightly butter a 9 inch square pan and dust with flour (you can also use nonstick spray).

3. For the topping, melt 1 tbsp butter in a skillet. Add the apple slices and saute over medium high heat for 2 minutes (stir often). Move the slices to a plate and allow to cool while preparing the cake.

4. For the cake, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl; set aside.

5. With an electric mixer, cream the butter (1/2 cup) and cream cheese in a large bowl.

6. Gradually add in the sugar, 1/2 cup at a time.

7. Add in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

8. Add the flour, a third at a time, blending well after each addition.

9. Add the vanilla and lemon zest.

10. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth it with a spoon.

11. To finish the topping, combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl.

12. Rub the butter into the dry ingredients until you have uniform crumbs.

13. Sprinkle half of the crumbs over the batter, then add the apple slices.

14. Top with the apples with the remaining crumbs.

15. Bake the cake on the center rack for 50-60 minutes. When the cake is done,it will pull away from the sides and the top will be golden brown.

16. Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack.

Deals around GR this week

Walgreens~Haven't stopped in here lately, but this week I got two small cans of French fried onions for $1 and two bottles of Welch's sparkling grape juice for $1. Spent less than 2 bucks in the store! My cashier was impressed! Unfortunately, the Welch's coupon is no longer available. I have found that if there is the slightest chance you will use a printable coupon, print it right away before it runs out. Heads up for Walgreens next week: Go to coffeemate.com and print their $1 off coupons to get cream for 25 cents each after buy one get one free sale.

Meijers~Used my coupon I got in the mail for a free Herbal Essences shampoo, bought 5 Stovetop stuffings and got $2 off my next order, bought I Can't Believe It's Not Butter for 69 cents after $1 off printable coupon, Glade candles for $1 after sale and coupon. Pretty good week for me at Meijer.

Also, finally ordered my Christmas cards this morning! I was trying to get the 50 free cards here, but finally gave up because I couldn't get the order to go through, or even get my finished card to save! So I got some ones I liked a lot better, but had to pay for! :-)

Easy Caramel Latte Cake

Recently read some light inspirational fiction, Pièce de Résistance by Sandra Byrd, and came across this amazing cake recipe. From the moment it was mentioned in the book, I was salivating for a piece of this cake. Although this book isn't one I would add to my library (not that it was offensive, just not much to it), this recipe is definitely one I will use over and over again! Chris liked it so much he had two pieces after dinner tonight!

From the Bakery of Lexi Stuart: Easy Caramel Latte Cake

CAKE:
1 18.25 ounce package yellow
or golden butter cake mix
1 small package French vanilla instant pudding mix
1 cup full-fat sour cream
1/2 cup brewed espresso
1/2 stick butter, softened
4 large eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Have all ingredients at room temperature. Grease and fl our a 9x13 pan, or spray with nonstick cooking spray. Combine all cake ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Slowly beat for 30 seconds to incorporate, then beat on high for 2 minutes. Pour into pan and bake for about 35 minutes, or until just set in the middle. Cool cake in pan for 25 minutes. Cake is heavy, and will pull away from the sides of the pan. Spread 2/3 cup of caramel over the cake top.

LAYER:
1 jar of high-quality caramel

TOPPING:
2 cups whipping cream
1 cup powdered sugar
1 T vanilla

Place all ingredients in cool bowl and mix on high until cream holds soft
peaks. When cake is completely cool, spread topping over caramel,
or serve slices of cake with topping mounded on top.

I used two round pans instead of a 9x13 and baked them for about 30 minutes. Since I have no clue how to make expresso, I just used strong coffee (I couldn't really taste any coffee in the cake so maybe I'll make even stronger coffee next time). Also, I thought the topping was too sweet so I may cut some of the sugar next time I make it. You MUST make this cake! Absolutely delicious.

Remember Our Veterans

Teriyaki Pork Roast

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup unsweetened apple juice
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 boneless pork loin roast (about 3 pounds), halved
• 7-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons cold water

Directions

• In a greased 3-qt. slow cooker, combine the first seven ingredients. Add roast and turn to coat. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until a thermometer inserted into the roast reads 160°.
• Remove roast and keep warm. In a small saucepan, combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir in cooking juices. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with roast. Yield: 8 servings.

Taste of Home recipe

We had this for dinner tonight and it was really good! I don't think it really tastes like teriyaki, but the meat is very tender and moist. The sauce is sort of a sweet gravy, not right for potatoes but delicious over the meat. I use the leftovers to make pork barbecue and that turns out great too. The best part is, its a cheap meal, especially since pork is only $1.49/lb this week at Meijer.