A day full of errands. I try to get them all done at one time, so I don't have to go around town every day. I also got to see three friends (separately) today. It was Family Home Evening tonight, which is always pleasant. It was a good day.
What's for Dinner:
Mexican Haystacks: a creation of mine...essentially, rice, black beans, corn, then anything you want to put on top...chopped peppers, salsa, sour cream, avacados, black olives, green onions, etc. Always a hit, and a different take on beans and rice.
Saving Success:
*Combined errands to save gas and wear and tear on the van.
*Menu planned and stuck assiduously to grocery list. Came in under budget...yay!
*Used 50% off coupon at Joann's, getting a yard of fabric I needed (I really did actually need it) for $2.50.
*Inexpensive dinner, drank water.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Sunday, May 31, 2015
The Sabbath is a Delight!
It was a beautiful Sabbath Day. We enjoyed our Stake Conference, then came home to a peaceful, quiet day. For Sunday Night at the Movies, Gideon picked "Napoleon Dynomite" and we had ice cream sundaes for our treat. Simple Happiness!
What's for Dinner
Creamy Chicken (in the crock pot) over rice, green beans and canned pears. A classic
Saving Success
*Didn't have the sour cream I needed for my creamy chicken. I do not shop on the Sabbath, but really wanted creamy chicken, so I substituted a can of evaporated milk from the pantry. It was a darker color, but still tasty.
*Made home-made hot fudge sauce for our treat. One stick of butter, one cup of chocolate chips and one can of sweetened condensed milk. Delicious over ice cream.
What's for Dinner
Creamy Chicken (in the crock pot) over rice, green beans and canned pears. A classic
Saving Success
*Didn't have the sour cream I needed for my creamy chicken. I do not shop on the Sabbath, but really wanted creamy chicken, so I substituted a can of evaporated milk from the pantry. It was a darker color, but still tasty.
*Made home-made hot fudge sauce for our treat. One stick of butter, one cup of chocolate chips and one can of sweetened condensed milk. Delicious over ice cream.
Saturday, May 30, 2015
Sunshine!
After a week of much needed rain, it was lovely to see the sun this morning. Spent some time outside weeding, which was beautiful. Gideon is 13 today! So fun! The ribs last night were a big hit. I'm so glad he was happy with everything. It is Stake Conference weekend, which is always an uplifting time.
What's for Dinner
Leftover night! YAY
Saving Success
*We got our cash out of the credit union. We do much better financially when we use cash rather than a debit card. It helps us to see real money...and when it's gone, it's gone!
*Had the impulse to go buy tons of flowers for the yard, but decided to wait it out a few days to decide what I really want and need.
*Leftovers!
What's for Dinner
Leftover night! YAY
Saving Success
*We got our cash out of the credit union. We do much better financially when we use cash rather than a debit card. It helps us to see real money...and when it's gone, it's gone!
*Had the impulse to go buy tons of flowers for the yard, but decided to wait it out a few days to decide what I really want and need.
*Leftovers!
Friday, May 29, 2015
Friday!
Today was the last day of getting up at 5:40 am to drive Christy to Seminary. I'm so grateful for the good, kind, dedicated individuals who teach Early Morning Seminary. It's all I can do to drive my kid two minutes from my house! I got to hold a beautiful new baby yesterday, which was spectacular. Today we are celebrating Gid's 13th birthday a day early, due to conflicts tomorrow...thus the fancy dinner tonight. He is an incredible young man and such a blessing in my life.
What's for Dinner:
yesterday: Stove Top Hotdish....I brown a chopped onion with 1/2 a pound of hamburger. I add 3/4 c of uncooked rice and about 1/4 c angel hair pasta, broken into 1" pieces. When coated, add 2 cups of water, a tablespoon or more of bouillon and a can of drained peas. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. YUM.
Spinach Salad with cucumber, green onion and croutons
Tonight: Gideon's Birthday Dinner of Choice!!! BBQ ribs, creamy coleslaw, corn, vanilla ice cream
Saving Success:
*making the ribs and eating at home will save us at least $50 and will be more relaxed and fun.
*last night I REALLY didn't want to make dinner, especially what was planned on the menu, but instead of getting a take out pizza, I figured out something easier and tasty from home.
*We stayed within our $50 per kid birthday budget. Not easy with teenagers.
*I'm starting to plan ahead for Christmas so I can begin making things and watching for sales. Ron and I need to decide on a budget soon, but I'm brainstorming now.
*I had a couple things to get at the store (bananas, bread, apple juice, paper towels). I only took a $20 bill so I wouldn't get carried away. It was $14 so "yay, me!"
What's for Dinner:
yesterday: Stove Top Hotdish....I brown a chopped onion with 1/2 a pound of hamburger. I add 3/4 c of uncooked rice and about 1/4 c angel hair pasta, broken into 1" pieces. When coated, add 2 cups of water, a tablespoon or more of bouillon and a can of drained peas. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. YUM.
Spinach Salad with cucumber, green onion and croutons
Tonight: Gideon's Birthday Dinner of Choice!!! BBQ ribs, creamy coleslaw, corn, vanilla ice cream
Saving Success:
*making the ribs and eating at home will save us at least $50 and will be more relaxed and fun.
*last night I REALLY didn't want to make dinner, especially what was planned on the menu, but instead of getting a take out pizza, I figured out something easier and tasty from home.
*We stayed within our $50 per kid birthday budget. Not easy with teenagers.
*I'm starting to plan ahead for Christmas so I can begin making things and watching for sales. Ron and I need to decide on a budget soon, but I'm brainstorming now.
*I had a couple things to get at the store (bananas, bread, apple juice, paper towels). I only took a $20 bill so I wouldn't get carried away. It was $14 so "yay, me!"
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Back to Basics
Our whirlwind weekend of having all of our children home to celebrate my husband's 50th birthday was perfect and wonderful but over. Now it's back to the basics of our simple, thrifty life. It was amazing having our adult children home. What fabulous people they are. Parenting is hard sometimes, but so rewarding when the children are grown and turn out to be people you would be friends with even if they didn't belong to you. This is the true joy of my life. I believe only two things last forever, faith and family. I'm so grateful for both in my life.
What's for Dinner:
Catching up...
Sunday (Ron's birthday dinner): Trash Bag Taco Salad (from Taste of Home...I cut recipe by a third and substituted black beans for the ground beef to make it cheaper and healthier).
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/-trash-bag--taco-salad
Monday: Baked refried bean and cheese burritos. After baked, added lettuce, salsa and sour cream.
Tuesday: Veggie stir fry with cashews and white/brown rice mix.
Today: Potato Soup and Universal Muffins (from Tightwad Gazette)
http://baskersfunfoods.blogspot.com/2009/02/universal-muffins.html
Saving Success:
Now that the big birthday surprise is over, I've picked another thing to save for: our vacation to Utah this summer. Having a goal always helps me do better. A few things I've done so far this week to save are:
* made a menu for the week based on simple, healthy foods and what we have in our pantry.
* grocery shopped with a list, only bought what was needed.
* cooked all meals from scratch
*turned off A/C when humidity and dew point lowered (Christy has asthma so when it's humid we turn on the A/C so she can breathe more easily...money very well spent).
*finished birthday shopping for Gid and stayed under budget with thoughtful gifts.
*trying to stay home more and drive less
*working on making dishcloths for the Relief Society Auction. Simple and inexpensive but hopefully, nice.
today:
*ground wheat for this week's baking
*made waffles for the freezer for Christy's breakfasts. MUCH less expensive and healthier than E'ggos.
*Began to alter the dress my dad bought me for mother's day so it fits better.
What's for Dinner:
Catching up...
Sunday (Ron's birthday dinner): Trash Bag Taco Salad (from Taste of Home...I cut recipe by a third and substituted black beans for the ground beef to make it cheaper and healthier).
http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/-trash-bag--taco-salad
Monday: Baked refried bean and cheese burritos. After baked, added lettuce, salsa and sour cream.
Tuesday: Veggie stir fry with cashews and white/brown rice mix.
Today: Potato Soup and Universal Muffins (from Tightwad Gazette)
http://baskersfunfoods.blogspot.com/2009/02/universal-muffins.html
Saving Success:
Now that the big birthday surprise is over, I've picked another thing to save for: our vacation to Utah this summer. Having a goal always helps me do better. A few things I've done so far this week to save are:
* made a menu for the week based on simple, healthy foods and what we have in our pantry.
* grocery shopped with a list, only bought what was needed.
* cooked all meals from scratch
*turned off A/C when humidity and dew point lowered (Christy has asthma so when it's humid we turn on the A/C so she can breathe more easily...money very well spent).
*finished birthday shopping for Gid and stayed under budget with thoughtful gifts.
*trying to stay home more and drive less
*working on making dishcloths for the Relief Society Auction. Simple and inexpensive but hopefully, nice.
today:
*ground wheat for this week's baking
*made waffles for the freezer for Christy's breakfasts. MUCH less expensive and healthier than E'ggos.
*Began to alter the dress my dad bought me for mother's day so it fits better.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Simple Pleasures
Today was a sweet day. I went visiting teaching this morning. I love the sisters at church, and I love the visiting teaching program as it allows me to spend time with sisters I might not get to know otherwise. Came home and worked on my Relief Society lesson for Sunday. I'm feeling blessed to have more and more days that don't feel rushed.
What's for dinner:
Baked beans over cornbread waffles. Literally, just poor cornbread batter in a waffle iron. Excited to try this.
Saving Success:
Didn't go to the store today. Finished a pair of mittens for the homeless shelter and made blanket squares with the left over yarn for a scrap afghan. Gave the sister I visit teach a pot holder and dishcloth I knitted. Total cost $3 for a lovely handmade gift.
What's for dinner:
Baked beans over cornbread waffles. Literally, just poor cornbread batter in a waffle iron. Excited to try this.
Saving Success:
Didn't go to the store today. Finished a pair of mittens for the homeless shelter and made blanket squares with the left over yarn for a scrap afghan. Gave the sister I visit teach a pot holder and dishcloth I knitted. Total cost $3 for a lovely handmade gift.
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Spring
Late in May and I'm still anticipating Spring. Ron tilled the garden beds for the young women at church to plant for a summer project (I'm grateful). But it's still so chilly, I don't think they should plant for awhile. I love watching the new little plants take shape and cling to life. It renews my faith in all living things. Hopefully as I cling to life, my roots grow deeper and I easily withstand the wind and rain and summer heat that comes to me.
What's for Dinner:
Mama's Marinara with angel hair pasta, freshly grated parm, steamed green beans and carrots, french bread and butter. A quick and easy scratch meal that is perfect for the Varsity pole vaulter headed to the Conference Meet tomorrow!
Saving Success:
Purchased a cone of crochet cotton-706 yards for $7 for Christmas presents. The small skein (56 yards) is $1.50 so I saved $13 buying "in bulk." Had lunch at a friend's home, so a free meal out. Bought day old french bread for $1 for dinner tonight and we will get two meals out of it.
What's for Dinner:
Mama's Marinara with angel hair pasta, freshly grated parm, steamed green beans and carrots, french bread and butter. A quick and easy scratch meal that is perfect for the Varsity pole vaulter headed to the Conference Meet tomorrow!
Saving Success:
Purchased a cone of crochet cotton-706 yards for $7 for Christmas presents. The small skein (56 yards) is $1.50 so I saved $13 buying "in bulk." Had lunch at a friend's home, so a free meal out. Bought day old french bread for $1 for dinner tonight and we will get two meals out of it.
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