Finishing the Hop Scotch Area

I finished the hop scotch area , added a tic-tac-toe board and then made a track with tunnels for the boy's hot wheels. Tonight I need to clean up the remaining area and finish mulching.

Backyard Hop Scoth Play Area

The front yard is currently in maintenance mode so I am working on the backyard with most of that being the boy's play area.

I am ALMOST finished with this project. I got through number 7 set last night so I am hoping that I can finish setting them tonight and get the mulch down.

2nd Week of July

This week we have Clark's birthday to celebrate! I am also super excited as I will be picking up the first CSA basket on Saturday.

Sunday:
Breakfast: cinnamon toast
Lunch: Rosa's to celebrate a friend and Clark's birthdays
Dinner: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Gnocchi from the Jo Cooks blog with garlic toast

Monday:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Salad, pb&j sandwich, and watermelon
Dinner: Clark requested chicken and corn on the cob

Tuesday:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Met friend at Wendy's for lunch
Dinner: Friend treated Chick-Fil-A for Clark's birthday

Wednesday:
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch:Ramen noodles and Watermelon
Dinner: Korean BBQ Short Ribs from the My Korean Kitchen blog with steamed rice.  Review of this one is complex. I will not buy the ribs from Winco anymore. I have given them many chances but they just can not seem to cut them even. Some were really fat, some paper thin and some nothing but bones. That truly affected how the marinate tasted. Phillip was not a fan of the marinate as it was slightly sweet . I will likely never make these again.

Thursday: 
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Pizza with friends
Dinner:  Hamburgers with Dr Pepper Baked Beans from Sugar and Soul Co blog.  These beans were just bad, there is nothing I can say that will redeem them. The sauce actually seemed to form a hard coating of the beans that made them harder than dried beans. Phillip was also not crazy about the taste of the sauce.

Friday: 
Breakfast: Cereal
Lunch: Greek with friends
Dinner: One Pan Garlic Herb Chicken and Asparagus from the Creme de la Crumb. After 2 failed new recipes this week I am happy to report this one was a resounding success. Phillip asked about the seasoning and said that it was really good. Clark asked for a second helping. I enjoyed the meal but also how insanely easy this was to pull off!

Saturday:
Breakfast: Biscuit
Lunch: Sandwich
Dinner: Omelet

 

More on the front yard

Yard projects are on going this year. I am honestly hoping that once September gets here and we seed some native grass that we are done with all the big projects and will just be in maintenance mode.

I had some help putting in another curb side bed in the front as well as planting along our front walk since no grass will grow there. 

Books starting July 1st!!!

I am not going back to my last post and updating the books I have read as it is just too many. I am however starting over from July 1st and posting on a more regular basis.

I finished Into the Fire by Jeaninene Frost on audio book yesterday afternoon and immediately started In the Great Green Room by Amy Gray which I may finish by tomorrow. 

In print I am reading Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon. It is a young adult book and goes fast when I have the time to sit and read it which has not been much lately.

First Week of July Menu

I originally was only going to be off work on the 4th but my sitter went on vacation so I had off the 3rd also!

This week's plan:

Sunday:
Breakfast: cinnamon toast
Lunch: potluck at church
Dinner: Fried rice using leftover rice and the remaining fajita steak from the freezer

Monday:
Breakfast: cinnamon rolls
Lunch: McDonald's
Dinner: Grilled cheese

Tuesday:
Breakfast: Bacon, eggs and warmed up leftover pancakes
Lunch: honestly can not remember.....
Dinner: Crock-Pot BBQ ribs from The Rising Spoon blog, roasted potatoes and leftover cream peas

Wednesday:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: treated to Flautas by friend
Dinner: Bacon Asparagus Pasta  from Gimme Some Oven

Thursday:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: Chicken
Dinner: BBQ Pork with Cheesy Grits from Kevin is Cooking. The review on this one is I loved the cheese grits and could not believe I had not made them at home before. The boys thought they were spicy so when I make them again I will leave out the Cayenne. Phillip was not crazy about the redo of the ribs. Maybe with pulled pork next time but this will definitely happen again.

 Friday:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch:Chinese food with friends
Dinner: Ranch Cheddar Chicken from the Damn Delicious blog and corn on the cob 

Saturday:
Breakfast: Biscuits
Lunch: Cookout with family
Dinner: Naan Pepperoni Pizzas

July Groceries Thus Far

I joined a CSA and prepaid for the 10 week share which comes with delivery every other week. I am excited since my first pick up is next weekend!! I will split the cost up and add the month's portion in my grocery total so for this month I will pick up on the 15th and the 29th which totals $48 which was the total cost of the share/ the number of pickups*the pickups this month.

Farmer's Market trip to stock us up until the share comes in. I also know it is pea season and I want to put some up as well as eat them since I am trying to feed us more seasonally but know we are not huge fans of root veggies that are prevalent in the winter.

This was $41 worth of produce, locally made gouda and some locally made beef jerky

I shared with Grandma since she needs produce in small amounts. She shelled herself some peas with the help of the boys and took 90% of the tomatoes which worked out since I bought them with her in mind.

I cut into the gouda once home and had to stop myself from eating the whole wedge it was soo good. The cantaloupe was cut up for potluck and the leftovers have come to lunch with me. The watermelon was amazing and Clark was eating it as fast as I could cut it up. He and I have been snacking on it.

On to the staples for the month:

Winco Trip #1:
2 boxes Rice Chex     $1.96
Little Debbie Brownies    $1.88
2 boxes Handi-Snax    $7.66
2 boxes Tea Bags    $3.16
1 loaf Velveeta  $5.98
1 box gnocchi   $2.70
1 pkg diapers    $6.97
4 bars soap  $1.46
1 box dishwasher detergent   $4.48
1 pkg dishwasher cleaner   $3.89
1 pkg dishwasher tabs   $2.98
2 bottles soy sauce  $3.26
3 pkgs biscuits  $3.84
1 box yogurt tubes   $2.61
4 bags frozen veggies   $3.96
1 pkg baby back ribs   $5.37
4 pkgs sliced cheese  $9.92
1 lb sliced ham lunch meat  $4.88
1 pkg pepperoni    $2.76
3 lbs shredded cheese   $3.98
 1 gallon milk   $.98
1 lb ricotta cheese   $2.80
1 lb shredded mozarella  $1.88
2 pkgs ribs   $16.38
1 box ice cream sandwiches   $3.06
1 lb bacon  $3.98
1 pkg breakfast sausage   $2.98
1 jar peanut butter   $1.68
1 pint chocolate milk   $1.48
1 jar Nutella   $3.48
2 bars soap   $1.15
1 jar Parmesan cheese    $2.18
~3/4lbs dog biscuits   $.26
2 kids toothbrushes   $5.26
~1/4 lb dental chews    $1.08
3 Gallons Apple juice    $10.44
6 bottles Powerade   $2.88
1 can diced tomatoes   $.58
2 pkgs sea salt   $3.66
1 Dublin Root Beer    $1.28
2 bottles cranberry juice  $3.76
1 box Kosher salt   $2.44
4 (6) packs of Dr. Pepper   $5.78
1 Watermelon   $2.98
6 ears of corn   $.60
1 box fruit snacks    $3.68
~1/4 lbs cinnamon gummy bears   $.40
~1/2lbs fruit snacks   $.94
1 pkg variety crackers  $1.98
~1&1/4lbs peaches     $1.17
~1&1/4 lbs nectarines  $1.14
~1/16lb ginger root   $.14
~1/2 lb pasta shells   $.45
~1/2lbs penne pasta  $.41
~3lbs sugar    $1.90
~1&1/4lbs spaghetti noodles  $.87
~2&1/4 lbs baking soda    $1.67
~1&1/4lbs white rice   $.48
~3/4lbs raw sugar    $.70
1 bag spinach   $1.78
2 pkgs Naan    $4.16
1 gallon vinegar    $2.29
1 variety pack chips   $6.98
1 bag chips   $1.08

Total::::: $183.53


Target Grocery Trip:
2 jars cherry jelly   $5.30
1 jar Nutella   $2.36
3 jars marinara   $3.51
1 pkg granola  $2.79
8 cases soda   $17.76

Total::::: $ 31.72


Sprouts Trip:
~2lbs asparagus       $1.99
~2&1/4lbs  grapes    $4.18
1 head of lettuce  $2.99
~1&3/4lbs apples     $1.60
1 jar paprika   $2.99
 ~1&1/4lbs whole cashews   $8.67
~2lbs bacon   $6.96
~2lbs ground beef    $5.81
1 loaf apple cinnamon messy bread    $3.99
1 pkg  choc chip muffins   $2.99
1 loaf garlic bread  $1.99
1 gallon liquid soap   $9.74

Total:::::  $49.58

Winco Trip:
1 box ice cream sandwiches   $3.36
1 box ice cream cones    $3.06
1 gallon milk   $.98
3 salads    $5.94
2 pkgs skirt steak   $9.91
1 pkg marshmallows   $1.15
2 cans bean dip   $5.00
1 pkg brownies   $1.88
1 honey bun  $.88
~1/4lb corn grits   $.40

Total:::: $32.56

Subtotal which I hope is the total:::: $386.39

Broken Record

I feel like a broken record sometimes. Life got in the way again and once I was out of the habit of blogging I had a hard time coming back. I was actually afraid for a couple of weeks to open the page. I am here again for as long as I have time to put life in print.

I will start posting grocery and farmer's market/CSA information again next week as it will be July already.

2nd Week of April

Sun Apr 9th:
Dinner: Mac-n-cheese for Phillip and I. The boys requested grilled cheese again.

Mon Apr 10th:
Breakfast: biscuit
Lunch: Friend treated to BBQ
Dinner:meatloaf with mashed sweet potatoes

Tue Apr 11th:
Breakfast: donuts
Lunch:

April Groceries

I am going through with the Pantry Challenge again this month because I spent way too much last month on groceries. Below will hopefully be the only visits to the grocery store this month other than milk! I did buy Easter stuff while at Target but I am not going to list those items or include in the grocery total.

Winco:
Lots of batteries (Energizer were on sale for $1.00 a pack )   $32.00
q-tips     $1.70
bar soap   $1.46
pantiliners    $2.62
2 soothing baby bath washes  $11.60
1 regular baby bath wash  $3.65
1 dishwasher detergent  $2.99
1 rinse aid  $3.76
1 pkg feminine napkins  $3.88
4 cans beans   $2.24
2 (6) packs RC Cola   $3.56
5 gallons apple juice $14.90
1 gallon vinegar  $2.38
1 gallon milk  $.98
2 (8) pks Powerade $8.36
1 (12)pk winecoolers  $9.98
1 Dublin Root Beer $1.28
1 loaf Italian Bread  $.88
 1 bottle soy sauce $.95
1 can bean dip $2.50
 1 pkg Parmesan cheese  $1.98
1 pkg fruit snacks   $1.48
2 pkg raisins   $2.74
1 pkg crackers   $1.98
1 box handi snacks  $4.68
1 pkg cheese sticks   $2.98
1 pkg bacon pieces  $2.78
~1/4lb roast beef   $1.84
2 cans biscuits   $2.56
1 pkg frozen broccoli   $1.01
1 pkg pepper crusted salami    $3.78
2 pkgs shredded cheese   $1.96
1 box Earl Grey cheese   $1.98
1lb fresh spinach   $3.48
1 box bouillon   $.84
1 box popcorn   $.95
1pkg frozen mixed vegetables $1.01
1 pkg frozen peas  $.98
~1/2 lb ham   $2.75
1 pkg sweet corn  $.98
1 pkg smoked sausage  $2.18
1 pkg chips   $2.48
~1/8 lb ginger root
1 pkg bread crumbs  $.93
~1/4lb cinnamon bunnies  $.45
~1/2lb gummi bears   $.76
~1/4lb pasta  $.27
~2lbs sugar  $1.16
~2&1/4lbs bananas  $.87
1 bag chips  $2.50

Total: $162.77


Target:
Case of diapers   $21.99
5 boxes pasta   $3.83
1 jar pasta sauce $1.51
2 jars pasta sauce $3.54
1 box yogurt   $2.58
2 pkgs sliced cheese  $3.78
1 bag dog food   $23.99

Total: $61.22



Sprouts:

1 canteloupe      $.98
2 (2lb) bags of clementines   $3.49
1 mini watermelon  $1.98
~3/4lbs opal apples  $.83
~1&1/2lbs russet potatoes  $.72
~1/2lb taffy  $1.68
~1/2lb trail mix   $1.75
~4 lbs bacon  $11.15

Total:  $22.61


Subtotal::: $246.60

March Grocery Total!!!!!

I have no idea what this total is yet and I am a bit worried to find out. We received our income tax check in March and I was a little loose at the grocery store.


Winco:  
2 (1/2) gallon apple juice       $3.70
1 Dublin Root Beer      $1.28
1 Hubert Lemonade      $1.28
1 pkg popsicles    $.58
~1/4 lb cinnamon bunnies   $.30
~3 lbs bananas      $1.14
2 pkgs strawberries   $3.96
~1/3 lb jelly beans   $2.17
1 pkg popcorn  $1.98

Total:  $16.15


Sprouts:
~1lb asparagus   $1.07
2lb bag clementines $1.98
~1 lb golden nugget tangerines  $1.41
~1lb green beans    $.92
 ~2lbs pink lady apples    $1.63
6 ears corn     $2.00
~1&1/2 lbs sweet potatoes   $1.31
2 bags chips  $3.00
~1/8lb gummi bears  $.30
~1/4lb trail mix   $1.52
pkg bacon   $2.14
pkg ground beef  $5.91
2 pork roasts  $4.91
1 rump roast $6.70
1 loaf French bread   $.99

Total: $33.81

Kroger:
~1lb russet potatoes   $.96
1pkg graham crackers  $1.20
1 pkg dip $.75
1 pint plain yogurt  $1.99
1 bottle hoison sauce  $.89

Total: $5.79

Sprouts:
~2lbs asparagus   $3.94
2 pints blackberries $3.00
2lbs clementines   $1.98
2 heads garlic  $.67
~2&1/4lbs pink lady apples  $1.98
5 ears corn   $1.67
2 bags potato chips  $3.00
1 bag ginger snaps  $1.99
~1/2 lbs gummi bears  $1.15

Total: $19.38

Kroger:
1pkg Grands cinnamon rolls   $1.00
1 pint Greek yogurt  $ 1.49
1 pint blackberries  $.99
1 pkg bacon  $3.99
2 bouquets roses $5.98

Total: $13.94


Grand Total for March::::::   $335.50!!!!!!!!!!!!

Books Feb 28th Through Apr 5th

Audio Books for this time period started with Crime Beat: A Decade of Covering Cops and Killers . I love true crime but I really could not wait for this one to be over. The book is basically a reprinting of newspaper and magazine articles that the author published over the years. After this one I went back to having my heartstrings pulled with storycorps. Listening Is An Act of Love: A Celebration of American Life from the Storycorps Project is an amazing listen. It may be just because I am a fan of the project and think everyone has a story to tell but I love these books.  I threw in a young adult book after this one. The Lost Hero was a decent follow up to the Percy Jackson series. After finishing this one I went back to the true crime genre. Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery covers a case I had heard about on various crime programs. This book really added nothing to the case and the going back and forth between victims was extremely confusing. I immediately jumped into That Used to be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World We Invented and How We Can Come Back. There were some points in this book that I agreed with and some I did not. What really interests me is what the authors think of the current political climate where the opposite of nearly every suggestions they have made has happened.  I finished listening to that one last night and started The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine which I have not had time to form an opinion on yet.

Kindle books have been active just because I have needed something mindless to read. Dragon Actually was the first and it was just so so even for a romance novel.  Next up in quick succession were The Beast of Clan Kincaid and The Rebel of Clan Kincaid and I will admit to skimming these. They just could not hold my interest which says a lot since I love Scottish themed romance novels.


Print books bounced around. I was still reading Becoming China's Bitch when it was due so I am currently waiting on it to return to the library.  Ties that Bind: Stories of Love and Gratitude From the First 10 Years of Storycorps is a really worth the read. After finishing this one I started back on Abominable Science!: Origins of the Yeti, Nessie and Other Famous Cryptids which is another slow going book. It is heavy on words and I am not moving through it at any reasonable pace.

First Week of April

I was all set to make a meal plan and then life happened. I ended up in the ER with a sick 2 year old and have not recouped the lost sleep yet so I have been totally winging easy dinners so far this week other than Sunday when I was still feeling good about the week.


Sun Apr 2nd:
Dinner: I wanted soup on Sunday as a slight cold front came through and I used that and being home with a coughing child as an excuse. Scrolling through pinterest Minestrone soup jumped off the page at me so I combined this recipe and this recipe to make my own version. I did not have any zucchini so I just used more of the other veggies and since I did not have canned beans so I put them in at beginning. 

It is probably my own fault for altering the recipes but I was disappointed. However since I made a crockpot full this is my lunch all week!


I did bake some Nutella Banana Bread which as always was awesome.

Mon Apr 3rd:
Breakfast: Nutella Banana Bread
Lunch: Soup and Sandwich
Dinner: spaghetti and French Bread

Tue Apr 4th:
Breakfast: Donuts with the boys after a night spent in the ER
Lunch: Chick-Fil-A on the go
Dinner: Smoked sausage and sweet potato fries

Wed Apr 5th:
Breakfast: Nutella Banana Bread
Lunch: Flautas out with a coworker
Dinner:Baked spaghetti using the leftover noodles and sauce with added spinach and cheese.

Thur Apr 6th:
Breakfast: Nutella Banana Bread
Lunch: Sandwich with cheese stick, clementine and a few chips
Dinner: Bacon, scrambled eggs and biscuits

Fri Apr 7th:
Breakfast: donuts
Lunch: Tacos with friends
Dinner: Grilled Cheese

Sat Apr 8th:
Dinner: Ham, baked potatoes and Crispy Parmesan Asparagus Sticks from  the How Sweet It Is blog.