I can't quite believe it, but I FINALLY put all of the Christmas decorations away today. One corner of our living room has been stacked (more like strewn) with my nativity collection, snowman collection, ornament box, wrapping "stuff", etc. It has been hanging out there, staring at me, calling to me to just put it away for weeks now. I avoided it like the plague. I'm really not sure why. I'd like to think that it was because I was longing to hold on to the joy that the holiday season brought us this year, and I choose to ignore the notion that I might have just been plain lazy about it all. That being said, I must admit I do feel a little bit of accomplishment - wow! Is that all it takes these days?
Do you have something that you know you should just go ahead and do but haven't? Well take it from me, just do it. Get it out of your hair so you don't have to dread it anymore. You'll feel much better.
Cheers!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Menu Plan (January 11)
Well, I made it through last week, although Friday night's meal moved to Saturday night, and we strayed from the plan on Friday night. Both Big B and I gave in to our burger cravings...'nuff said about that.
So, on to this weeks menu.
Monday - Chopped "Steak" with Sauteed Onions and Brown Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, & Green Beans
Tuesday - Baked Chicken Spaghetti
Wednesday - Leftovers - Big B's night out
Thursday - Chicken Quesadillas w/ Mexican Rice
Friday - Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein
What's on your menu this week?
So, on to this weeks menu.
Monday - Chopped "Steak" with Sauteed Onions and Brown Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, & Green Beans
Tuesday - Baked Chicken Spaghetti
Wednesday - Leftovers - Big B's night out
Thursday - Chicken Quesadillas w/ Mexican Rice
Friday - Beef and Broccoli Lo Mein
What's on your menu this week?
It Only Takes a Spark to Get a Fire Going
Yesterday I got a little nudge...one little inkling that the plans and dreams which occasionally swirl about between all the commuting, working, meeting deadlines, commuting some more, making dinner, giving baths, cleaning kitchens, doing laundry, worrying about finances and loving my peeps, might just actually materialize one day.
You see, I needed to get out for a few...a little "me time" if you will. I started driving around my little country town - my sweet, quiet, a little rough around the edges, too far from the city where I work town. It was snowing (ok, flurrying), the fields were covered as far as the eye could see, and there was quiet. Just me and the jazz station. Ahhhhh....
On the edge of town there is a consignment house that I have passed many times, it was just never the "right" time to stop in. But yesterday was different, so I decided to stop in and see what was up. I walk in, and the most pleasant woman (Beth the owner) was behind the counter.
The great thing about the consignment house is that it's just that...a house. Each room has different items, and there are even "kitcheny" things in the kitchen. But to me, the greatest thing was the sense of community I felt when I walked in. A woman in town who runs her own business, supporting other women in our town. There are items from women who create jewelry, women who make the most deliciously scented homemade hand sanitizers and lotions and really unique artwork, in addition to the usual consignment type clothing items.
The curious me started asking Beth how the business came to be, how business is considering the pace of our town, etc. The more we talked the more encouraged I became that one day I will have my own photography business. I started divulging to Beth that "when I grow up" I want to make pictures for a living. As I browsed the racks of gently used shoes, I heard a voice coming from the other room. "Hey Dee..." "Yes ma'am?" "I have an idea!" "Oh yeah?" "Do you take pictures of just people or other things" "A little bit of everything, actually." "Why don't you bring me a few of your pictures. I'll hang them around here...that way people will see them and you can get your stuff and your name out there." "Really, are you serious?" "Yes, totally!" From there, we continued to talk for about thirty more minutes about stuff as I continued to browse throughout the house - and I was VERY excited about my new opportunity. (I bought Little A's valentine's gifts too! Supporting the local small business!!)
As I brought my purchases to the counter, Beth gave me papers explaining the consigning policies. Then she said "Dee S, I'm going to remember you...you're fun!" And with that, a dream just got a little bit closer to becoming a reality.
You see, I needed to get out for a few...a little "me time" if you will. I started driving around my little country town - my sweet, quiet, a little rough around the edges, too far from the city where I work town. It was snowing (ok, flurrying), the fields were covered as far as the eye could see, and there was quiet. Just me and the jazz station. Ahhhhh....
On the edge of town there is a consignment house that I have passed many times, it was just never the "right" time to stop in. But yesterday was different, so I decided to stop in and see what was up. I walk in, and the most pleasant woman (Beth the owner) was behind the counter.
The great thing about the consignment house is that it's just that...a house. Each room has different items, and there are even "kitcheny" things in the kitchen. But to me, the greatest thing was the sense of community I felt when I walked in. A woman in town who runs her own business, supporting other women in our town. There are items from women who create jewelry, women who make the most deliciously scented homemade hand sanitizers and lotions and really unique artwork, in addition to the usual consignment type clothing items.
The curious me started asking Beth how the business came to be, how business is considering the pace of our town, etc. The more we talked the more encouraged I became that one day I will have my own photography business. I started divulging to Beth that "when I grow up" I want to make pictures for a living. As I browsed the racks of gently used shoes, I heard a voice coming from the other room. "Hey Dee..." "Yes ma'am?" "I have an idea!" "Oh yeah?" "Do you take pictures of just people or other things" "A little bit of everything, actually." "Why don't you bring me a few of your pictures. I'll hang them around here...that way people will see them and you can get your stuff and your name out there." "Really, are you serious?" "Yes, totally!" From there, we continued to talk for about thirty more minutes about stuff as I continued to browse throughout the house - and I was VERY excited about my new opportunity. (I bought Little A's valentine's gifts too! Supporting the local small business!!)
As I brought my purchases to the counter, Beth gave me papers explaining the consigning policies. Then she said "Dee S, I'm going to remember you...you're fun!" And with that, a dream just got a little bit closer to becoming a reality.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Menu Plan (January 4)
I never in a million years thought that planning a week of meals from my own pantry (and fridge and freezer) would be this difficult. I mean, for those of you who know me, I LOVE to cook. Never mind the fact that my job revolves around an industrial kitchen for crying out loud. So, WHY, I ask you, is this so darn difficult?
It's because I am forcing myself to take the time and actually plan what we will do. I know that in the long run this is going to make things so much easier - especially considering that one hour commute I have to take each evening.
I am only posting dinners for now. With that commute, breakfast is usually a bowl of cereal right before leaving or a grilled cheese sandwich in the car. Lunches for Big B are usually leftovers or a sandwich. I usually am able to grab a bite at work (perk of the job).
So, deep breath in...here goes!
Sunday - Scalloped Potatoes with Ham, Green Beans
Monday - Spaghetti and Meatballs
Tuesday - Crockpot Chili
Wednesday - Voila Package (Big B will be playing drums, so no need to really cook!)
Thursday - Navy Beans and Corn Bread
Friday - Tex Mex Rice and Beans
Whew - done. I can't believe looking back at this list that it took me so long to come up with it - how silly is that? But it's great to know that I can rest easy this week when I get home each night. I might even make a few of these dishes a little early and not have to worry about it at all!
Hope you all have a fantastic week! Cheers!
It's because I am forcing myself to take the time and actually plan what we will do. I know that in the long run this is going to make things so much easier - especially considering that one hour commute I have to take each evening.
I am only posting dinners for now. With that commute, breakfast is usually a bowl of cereal right before leaving or a grilled cheese sandwich in the car. Lunches for Big B are usually leftovers or a sandwich. I usually am able to grab a bite at work (perk of the job).
So, deep breath in...here goes!
Sunday - Scalloped Potatoes with Ham, Green Beans
Monday - Spaghetti and Meatballs
Tuesday - Crockpot Chili
Wednesday - Voila Package (Big B will be playing drums, so no need to really cook!)
Thursday - Navy Beans and Corn Bread
Friday - Tex Mex Rice and Beans
Whew - done. I can't believe looking back at this list that it took me so long to come up with it - how silly is that? But it's great to know that I can rest easy this week when I get home each night. I might even make a few of these dishes a little early and not have to worry about it at all!
Hope you all have a fantastic week! Cheers!
Saturday, January 2, 2010
I Love a Good Challenge!
One of the blogs I follow regularly, Money Saving Mom, is hosting an "Eat From the Pantry Challenge" for the month of January, and I have decided to give it a try.
As I posted earlier, one of my own goals is to only spend $75 per month on groceries. Well, this weekend I went to the grocery, grabbed some really great deals and spent $77.47 (darn tax!) I purchased a ton of stuff that will hopefully last us the month. I will have to buy more milk, as that is pretty much all Little A will drink. I have lots of spaghetti noodles, so if you have any great recipes that call for noodles (other than traditional spaghetti) I would love for you to share them with me.
So there is a peek in my pantry. I'm going to give the ol' meal planning a try, so I'll be sure to update you as we go along. I really believe that planning out our meals on paper will be a huge help - especially since I never get home until after 6:00 each night. Look out crock pot and pressure cooker, I think we're about to become close friends!
A Little Goal Setting
Last night I started thinking about my first blog post of 2010, and reflecting on 2009 immediately came to mind. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I don't want to focus on the past. Now I am all about learning from our past wins and losses, but I am ready to get started MOVING FORWARD!
With that, here is a list of goals I've made for 2010...
1 - Only spend $75 per month on groceries and food. Yes, that's right 7-5.
3 - Sit down with Big B (at least) once per week to discuss our budget.
4 - Take the debit cards out of our wallets and use only cash. This one scares the dickens out of me, but I know we can do it.
5 - Find a church that Big B, Little A, and I all love and attend regularly.
6 - Menu plan either for the week or for the month (not sure which is going to be more doable at this point, and I need to figure out my $75 a month approach. I really haven't decided if I will try a once a month grocery trip, or shop the deals each week. It's just so time consuming to go each week.)
7 - Find a "me" activity outside the house. Big B is a drummer in a band, and he gets out once a week with the guys. I really need to find something for me, too.
Ok - that's it for now. I've never actually set goals like this for myself and my family, and I have never, ever put them out there for the world to see - can you say accountability?
I must say that I am truly looking forward to all that 2010 has to offer. I am more determined than ever to get out of debt and to begin living the life I know I was meant to live. My prayer is that each of you reading this has a happy and healthy 2010.
Cheers!
With that, here is a list of goals I've made for 2010...
1 - Only spend $75 per month on groceries and food. Yes, that's right 7-5.
2 - Before the beginning of each month, spend all of our money on paper before we actually SPEND all of our money.
3 - Sit down with Big B (at least) once per week to discuss our budget.
4 - Take the debit cards out of our wallets and use only cash. This one scares the dickens out of me, but I know we can do it.
5 - Find a church that Big B, Little A, and I all love and attend regularly.
6 - Menu plan either for the week or for the month (not sure which is going to be more doable at this point, and I need to figure out my $75 a month approach. I really haven't decided if I will try a once a month grocery trip, or shop the deals each week. It's just so time consuming to go each week.)
7 - Find a "me" activity outside the house. Big B is a drummer in a band, and he gets out once a week with the guys. I really need to find something for me, too.
Ok - that's it for now. I've never actually set goals like this for myself and my family, and I have never, ever put them out there for the world to see - can you say accountability?
I must say that I am truly looking forward to all that 2010 has to offer. I am more determined than ever to get out of debt and to begin living the life I know I was meant to live. My prayer is that each of you reading this has a happy and healthy 2010.
Cheers!
Monday, December 28, 2009
My Thrifty Thanksgiving Success!
DISCLAIMER - I started writing this post a LONG LONG time ago. And as you have probably learned, life has a tendency of keeping me away from posting with any sort of regular schedule. I can't stand to let things go, so I am here now to finish and post. Thank you for hanging in there!
I did it...I did it....I did it!!!! My $30 goal was a cinch. Keep in mind that my $30 consisted of things I had to go and purchase specifically for this dinner...I didn't include items that were already in my pantry (i.e. butter, oil, salt, etc). I'll break it down for you. (I wish I still had my receipts, because I would take a picture of them with the wonderful new camera I received from my "Fairy Godmother" this week. Wink wink, you know who you are!)
Turkey
-12 lb. Turkey = $4.76 (on sale for .40 cents per lb at WalMart)
-Herbes de Provence (gift from my Aunt Debbye = free!)
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- (approx) 3.5 lbs. sweet potatoes = .83 (on sale for .25 cents per lb)
-olive oil, salt, pepper = already in the cabinet; no extra out of pocket expense
Homemade Garlic Mashed Potatoes
-5 lbs. Yukon Gold Potatoes = 2.99 (Aldi)
-Half and Half = 1.79 (Aldi)
-Butter = 1.49 (Aldi - I seriously couldn't believe a lb. of butter was this cheap!)
-3 bulbs garlic = .79 (Aldi)
Gravy
-2 cans chicken stock = 2 x .49 (Aldi)
-Flour = already in the cabinet; no extra out of pocket expense
Corn Casserole
-creamed corn = .69 (Aldi)
-regular corn = .69 (Aldi)
-jiffy corn bread mix = .42 (Food Lion special)
-butter = on hand, no extra out of pocket expense
-8 oz. sour cream - .89 (Food Lion special)
Ham & Broccoli Casserole
1 package frozen broccoli florets - (already in freezer - woo hoo!)
1 package shredded cheddar cheese - 2.00
Dry Mustard - all of these were on hand
Milk
Flour
Salt
Pepper
Roasted Brussels Sprouts (no one else really ate these but me, so I didn't have to get too many!)
1 lb. - on sale for 1.99 lb. at Publix
olive oil - all of these were on hand
salt
pepper
Cranberry Sauce - .79 (Aldi)
Pecan Tarts - I have to brag a little. I found this recipe in the Cooking Light Holiday Cookbook and they are incredible. The crust is made with cream cheese. I will post the recipe because they are incredibly easy and will be sure to impress! The only two items I had to purchase to make these amazing little tasties were
Karo Syrup - 2.99
Cream Cheese - .79 (Aldi - best price I found all season)
I lucked out and was able to score some free pecans from work!
And my grand total for extra out of pocket expenses for a Thanksgiving meal for 5 adults and one child was....drum roll please.....$24.88. Our tax rate is pretty high, 9.25%, which put me at $27.18!!!
With a little planning and putting to good use what you already have on hand, it definitely can be done!
I did it...I did it....I did it!!!! My $30 goal was a cinch. Keep in mind that my $30 consisted of things I had to go and purchase specifically for this dinner...I didn't include items that were already in my pantry (i.e. butter, oil, salt, etc). I'll break it down for you. (I wish I still had my receipts, because I would take a picture of them with the wonderful new camera I received from my "Fairy Godmother" this week. Wink wink, you know who you are!)
Turkey
-12 lb. Turkey = $4.76 (on sale for .40 cents per lb at WalMart)
-Herbes de Provence (gift from my Aunt Debbye = free!)
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- (approx) 3.5 lbs. sweet potatoes = .83 (on sale for .25 cents per lb)
-olive oil, salt, pepper = already in the cabinet; no extra out of pocket expense
Homemade Garlic Mashed Potatoes
-5 lbs. Yukon Gold Potatoes = 2.99 (Aldi)
-Half and Half = 1.79 (Aldi)
-Butter = 1.49 (Aldi - I seriously couldn't believe a lb. of butter was this cheap!)
-3 bulbs garlic = .79 (Aldi)
Gravy
-2 cans chicken stock = 2 x .49 (Aldi)
-Flour = already in the cabinet; no extra out of pocket expense
Corn Casserole
-creamed corn = .69 (Aldi)
-regular corn = .69 (Aldi)
-jiffy corn bread mix = .42 (Food Lion special)
-butter = on hand, no extra out of pocket expense
-8 oz. sour cream - .89 (Food Lion special)
Ham & Broccoli Casserole
1 package frozen broccoli florets - (already in freezer - woo hoo!)
1 package shredded cheddar cheese - 2.00
Dry Mustard - all of these were on hand
Milk
Flour
Salt
Pepper
Roasted Brussels Sprouts (no one else really ate these but me, so I didn't have to get too many!)
1 lb. - on sale for 1.99 lb. at Publix
olive oil - all of these were on hand
salt
pepper
Cranberry Sauce - .79 (Aldi)
Pecan Tarts - I have to brag a little. I found this recipe in the Cooking Light Holiday Cookbook and they are incredible. The crust is made with cream cheese. I will post the recipe because they are incredibly easy and will be sure to impress! The only two items I had to purchase to make these amazing little tasties were
Karo Syrup - 2.99
Cream Cheese - .79 (Aldi - best price I found all season)
I lucked out and was able to score some free pecans from work!
And my grand total for extra out of pocket expenses for a Thanksgiving meal for 5 adults and one child was....drum roll please.....$24.88. Our tax rate is pretty high, 9.25%, which put me at $27.18!!!
With a little planning and putting to good use what you already have on hand, it definitely can be done!
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