If you like to make french toast, try mini french toast.  It is just like regular french toast, but mini.  There are several ways to make mini french toast and they are all very tasty.  Last weekend I prepared mini french toast by cutting a regular slice of bread into 4 sections.  The french toast pieces were small enough for dunking, dipping and eating in two bites.  My kids loved them and I did as well. I like to top my mini french toast with cinnamon and real maple syrup.

Below I have listed 3 recipes for mini french toast, give them a try and let me know what you think!

P.S. Don’t forget to add a dash of sugar to your egg mixture to make your mini french toast extra golden brown.

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I was grocery shopping the other day at Stop and Shop in Orleans.  When I was checking out the cashier asked me if I wanted to cash in my points for a 10% reward coupon.  I had no idea what she was talking about, she then explained to me about this new program for the holidays.  I obviously accepted the 10% coupon and I now have it in my wallet for the next time I go shopping.  It is exciting when you save money for doing something you have to do anyways. More info below….

• AC Moore 40% Off Coupons
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It is that time of year again here in the Northeast, time to start a fire in a wood stove, fireplace or even in the backyard.  We have a wood stove in our home which we have used for the past 2 winters and it has saved us hundreds of dollars.  We would keep a fire going all day and turn the heat down during the day and turn the heat up at night.  Doing this really did save us from buying hundreds of gallons of oil and is a great idea for anyone who has the time.  My husband would chop wood when he had time and stack it on the deck so it was near the door.  We got our wood for free by going to family land and cutting down tree’s that were dead and in need of cutting.  Ask some of your friends and family if they have any dead trees they need to get rid of in their backyard, you may be surprised at how much wood you can get for little work and for free.  Even if you have to buy wood, it will still cost less money than buying oil or gas all winter.

When building a fire in a fireplace or in an outside fire pit you will need to start the fire with something.  Some of the best fire starters are free.  You can use lint from your dryer, pine cones, shingles, newspaper, junk mail and more.  You can buy fire starter blocks from the local supermarket or garden store, but they really are not as good as a free fire starter and they certainly cost more money.

If you plan on having some fires this winter, make some hot cocoa, curl up in a nice warm blanket and watch some TV or read a nice book.  Doing this is one of the best things you can do this winter, you will be so comfy and relaxed.

Here are some neat ideas for starting your fires this winter: ( FYI: Lint is very flammable.)

Walk around your yard and collect pine cones to use as fire starters this fall.  Send the kids out to collect the pine cones too.

Wrap your pine cones with lint or dip them in recycled candle wax and then use as fire starter.

Place lint in the center of a toilet paper roll and use as fire starter.

Place pine cones into an egg carton to use as fire starter.

Use leftover shingles, or old shingles as fire starter.

Use very dry bark as a fire starter.

• Frugal Firestarter
• Start Grilling!