Best Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies-They Hold Together!

I try to avoid wheat in my diet as much as possible. One of the ways that I do this is Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix. It is hands-down the best gluten-free mix on the market. And, it is EXTREMELY versatile. This is a costly product at the supermarket. But, I've discovered that it is available through Amazon on their Subscribe and Save program which makes it much more reasonably priced.

This cookie recipe came from their website. It is the best gluten-free version that I have tried. The cookies actually hold together! Life as Mom is hosting a recipe swap today that focuses on food allergies and special diets, check it out!

Peanut Butter Cookies

1 stick butter
1/2 c. crunchy peanut butter
1 c. brown sugar (not packed)
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. Pamela's Baking & Pancake mix

Cream together butter and peanut butter. Mix in sugar, egg and vanilla, then add baking mix and combine. Spoon tablespoons of dough onto a lightly greased cookie sheet and flatten with a fork using a crisscross pattern. Bake in a preheated oven for 17-20 minutes. Edges should be light brown. Cool completely before removing from pan with spatula. Yield :20 cookies

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 4

Today is pretty simple. I sent a card to a friend. It is nice to get mail that isn't asking you for money:)

If you don't know what this challenge is all about, read A Season of Giving.

Deals and Steals-Toys R Us and The Children's Place

I just got home from an incredible bargain hunt and had to share my loot with you.
Toys R Us is having a sale on Hasbro Games this week. Many classic games like Candy Land, Memory, and Don't Spill the Beans are on sale for $3.99. If you purchase $25 in Hasbro games, you receive a gift card for $10. But wait, there's more! There is a tear-pad in the store for rebates on these games as well. All of the classic games that are $3.99 have a $2 rebate available. I just purchased 7 games for $29.68(including tax), received a $10 gift card, and have a rebate form for $14 back. This brings the total cost of the games to $5.68, or $.81 each!
Rules-
1-You can only receive a rebate for one of each game on the form
(1 Memory, 1 Cootie, etc.)
2-Character Games are not included except for Memory.
3-The $10 gift card is not usable until 6 hours after you make the purchase. This way they make sure you have to make a second trip to use it. And, it expires Dec. 31. Thanks to Chief Family Officer for posting this deal! My gift closet is refilling quickly!

Also, I just stopped by The Children's Place to do an exchange. They gave me a great coupon book for the rest of the season. On the back it states "Buy $40 in gift cards and receive a $10 gift coupon." The gift coupon is valid through Dec. 31.

This promotion runs from Nov 17 thru Christmas Eve. Need winter clothes for the kiddos? Buy the gift cards, receive $50 in value back, it's like getting a 20% discount on your purchase. It does not state whether a percent-off coupon can be used in conjunction with the $10 gift coupon, but if so, stack the deal. And, I know the sales in-store are just going to get better as we get closer to the holidays. There is an opportunity here for an amazing deal.

A Few Of My Favorite Things-Gift Closets

About ten years ago a mentor recommended that I start a gift closet. Or more specifically, a designated space in my home where I would keep a stash of gifts. What a wonderful friend! I cannot tell you how many times this has saved me when I needed a last-minute hostess or birthday gift.

Basically, I just look for things on sale and stockpile when I find a great deal. (Also the way I buy most of my groceries.) Some of my favorite gift closet finds are bath products, scented candles, books, unique photo frames, cool mugs (tea, cocoa or coffee added at presentation time), gift cards, gender-neutral baby items, and toys in the age-range of my boys for birthday party invites.

As our family increases, I learn more and more how necessary it is to be prepared. Last-minute scrambles just make my blood pressure go up and my nerves shorten. I also tend to spend a lot more if I wait to the last minute. My gift closet gives me the time to hunt a bargain and allows me to be just a little more prepared.

I am very excited that our remodeling project is going to allow me to have an entire closet designated for this purpose...I am going to be SO organized >insert contented sigh here< once this little project is complete. I will be sure to post photos.

I also keep a gift binder that reminds me of the gifts that I have given in the past. I will blog about this on another day.

Giving Thru Christmas Challenge-Day 3

I spent some time at my oldest boy's school today. There are several opportunities to give through our elementary school each year via food, coat and toy drives. Right now they are collecting toys for children who are hospitalized with long-term illness. So, I dropped off a new, unwrapped toy for this worthy cause. (Found a great deal on a classic game!)

Before I go any further with these posts I want to explain that I'm not trying to "toot my own horn" by sharing the ways that we find to give each day. Rather, my purpose is two-fold: to keep me accountable to doing something every day, and to share ideas that some of you may be able to use.

So far, these have been pretty simple ideas. I hope to get a little more creative as the season moves forward.

If you aren't familiar with the challenge, read A Season of Giving.