Meals From the Last Couple of Weeks.

We have had a lot of our go to staples the past week and a half. Sometimes these just happen because I do not have to think hard about them and I generally have all the stuff at the house to make them.

May 7th: dinner was what my leftover group call Crack Pork Chops. I think all of us were traumatized by over cooked dry pork chops growing up. This recipe was a wind fall for all of us as it comes out good every time! So Ranch House Crock Pot Pork Chops and rice were dinner.

May 8th: I used the leftover rice, the rest of the leftover smoked roast, a couple of ears of corn taken off the cob, some carrots, mushrooms, some snow peas out of the freezer, 2 eggs and a few mushrooms to make a fried rice. Of course my veggies are not the same as those in the recipe and I used Teriyaki sauce but this is the template I followed for this fried rice dinner. It was especially good and yielded no leftovers to put up.

May 9th:

I used these clearance ingredients to make pizza. It was some of the best homemade pizza I have made. Phillip liked the whole wheat crust and said the sauce tasted really good. I only used half the jar of sauce and will freeze the rest if I do not use it over the next couple of days.


May 10th: This was Mother's Day and we had lunch/dinner at Grandma's house with Phillip's family.

May 11th: For the life of me I can not recall what we had,.....it will come to me at an odd moment.

May 12th: Tuesday, Phillip was taking a final and was not home. I picked up the kids from the sitter and bought some beans and flour tortillas from Logan's favorite place, Rosa's .

May 13th: Dinner took a little bit but was worth it. I had some spinach I wanted to use (bought on clearance) so I made stuffed shells. I used some ricotta cheese, 1 egg, the rest of the large shells, some shredded mozarella, spinach and the rest of the ground turkey. Served with some homemade garlic bread using some sliced bread that was getting a bit stale. I wanted to get a picture but just did not before we ate it.

May 14th: Last night I used some "fajita" marinated chicken I bought on clearance to make fajitas. This used up all of a head of lettuce I had on hand, some cheese I shredded from a block, sour cream I also had purchased on clearance and the rest of the refried beans from Tuesday night.

Not sure if you can tell from the picture but it was 4 large chicken breasts so I have a ton left over. I am going to freeze some of it now that it is cooked and use the rest in different dishes this week. I am not sure if I have any tortilla chips but if I do nachos is an option. My mind is not totally made up yet on what dishes I am going to make.

Current Books

I have finished a couple and started back into some that were half read previously.

Listening to The Battle of the Labyrinth which is in the Percy Jackson series. It is good, I am a bit sad that this is the next to last one in the series. I know something huge is going to happen in the last one and I am not sure I am prepared for it.

I am also finishing up Tim Gunn: The Natty Professor, I really like Tim and I like this book. It is a fast read and although there are some passages to make you think the book itself is not overly deep.

Still reading Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life.

Quick post of the books from the weekend!

I finished the introduction to the recipe book Budget Bytes and looked through at the recipes. I was just not impressed. There was nothing that jumped out at me and said I need to own this book.

I am still listening to Occult America in the car, nearly finished. It has been interesting in parts and some parts I have almost tuned out.

The book  I just started reading at bedtime is Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life. It has been a good read so far but I am not that far into it.

This book is still in process, Bet the Farm. I am still liking this one, it is something I have been interested in for quite some time. The return to farming has been something I enjoy.

This Morning and Mother's Day Surprises

Last night we had Ranch House Crock Pot Pork Chops for dinner served over steamed white rice. This is always a tasty meal and this night was no different. The leftover rice and smoked roast will probably go into a fried rice recipe tonight.

It was a busy night trying to get the boys baths and ready for bed while trying to clean up the dog's throw up, mop the kitchen floor, list some items on Amazon and clean out Logan's train drawer. It mostly happened and we made it through. Clark woke up at 1:30am and stayed awake until 3:30am which I thought was going to make today a snooze fest but I have held up soo far.

The exciting thing I wanted to show off is what Logan's class gave to their moms/grandmas this morning.

This is actually his hand traced and cut out. They also handed these to us!

I almost cried! It was soo special to get these from Logan.

May 7th books

I finished the book by David Rakoff last night and read a book to Logan I purchased at his school's book fair. It was on his favorite subject....Trains! I read a little of the history behind how the next book came about which not surprising was through a blog! I seem to unwittingly pick up books all the time from bloggers, maybe it is the whole I tried this for a year thing that fascinates me. The current book I am reading at night is Budget Bytes by Beth Moncel. This book fits in with my budgeting concerns and after I get through the history will be a fast read. If I like the recipes I will put it on my to buy list. At work I am trying to finish up Bet the Farm.

I am trying to think of a better way to link the books in case those who may read this do not have a goodreads account. I love goodreads as it helps me keep up with where I am in a book in case one of the kiddos takes my bookmark out. It also suggests books to me which can be addictive.

Wednesday Night and Yet Another Trip to the Store

On the way home from work last night I had to stop to get some meds for Logan. His allergies are really bothering him right now and the night before was a cough fest through the night. A trip through Target got me the meds I needed and the quickest trip I think I have ever made to their store. I used the gift card so there was nothing out of pocket.  Once home and a few snuggles from the kids I started into the fridge, freezer and cabinet until it hit me that we still had some leftover smoked roast Phillip had made for the church's potluck on Sunday. I used the leftovers and some fresh mushrooms that I had on hand to make this Beef Stroganoff recipe. This is the easiest recipe and tastes wonderful.

This is the beginning of the process, the rest went very quickly. I used penne noodles since I also had those on hand. The smoked roast gives it such good flavor.

It was a completely rare night in that both kids slept through the night but I still did not. I find myself waking up at the times they normally get up listening for them. I know this will wear off as Clark starts sleeping all night on a regular basis. Forever more I think I will  have to listen for Logan when he does get up to go to the bathroom. He actually sleep walks and has been known to go the bathroom in random spots.

Before bedtime I started a cake to bring into work for my coworker/boss/work mom's birthday today.  I waited to let it cool for 30 minutes and it did not stick to the pan but totally fell apart. I could not have saved it even with tons of frosting so this morning I just went by Target and purchased a cake.
I actually took a picture of the cake this morning but my phone card is still deleting stuff randomly.

May 6th Books I am Reading

    I know as if I do not have enough going on I am going to start putting the books I am reading and listening to on here.  Books have always been a huge part of my life and I would love to share them with everyone. There have been some strange and bad ones lately but a few gems. I generally have several going at one time as I read during lunch at work most days, listen to an audio book in the car driving back and forth to work, read to the kids in the evening and usually have one I read before bed.
Currently I am almost finished with Don't Get Too Comfortable by David Rakoff and about mid way through Occult America in the car.

Don't Get Too Comfortable is a fast read and has some amusing points. Occult America has been informative for me which is something I like in a book.

More Stuff and Totals

Monday, Monday, it is the day that has a bad reputation. It is not my favorite day as it is always hard to get back to work knowing I did not accomplish everything I wanted over the weekend. This Monday was not out of the ordinary and since the kids were home with Phillip I completed a couple of trades after work. I needed 2 rolls of tp for the trades so I swung into Kroger on my way. This is what I ended up purchasing

Kroger Purchase:
1 large bottle of juice
1 pkg toilet paper
2 cans of refried beans (Logan's favorite)
$3.26

I used 1 roll of toilet paper at each trade which worked out to 14 cents a roll as I had a coupon on the package. The trades netted me a can of formula and about a half a package of diapers. Dinner was pigs in a blanket with ranch style beans. It is quick and one of the boy's favorites.

Tuesday started with having to reroute my morning and being late to work. I had to drop Logan first and then take the tiny one to the sitter. The work day was not all that unusual but then after work I ran by Target to get some stuff for a birthday party and some bread for sandwiches.

Target Purchase:
1 can formula
2 loaves bread
1 box cake mix
1 can frosting
1 Ricotta cheese
2 pkgs shredded cheese
1 pkg hand soap
$16.33 SNAP

I will be reimbursed for the hand soap as I picked it up for a coworker. Dinner was another of the gifted steaks that I grilled out, sweet potato fries that I cooked on the grill after tossing with a little olive oil and sprinkling with curry, and corn on the cob. I have 3 ears of corn, a few ribs of celery, some apples and a head of lettuce left from all the produce I purchased last month.

These trips to the store put my monthly totals at

$65.29 SNAP
$79.90 Cash

I am not counting the cash back from the apps or reimbursement yet. I will as soon as I actually have the cash in hand. 

Updates From the Weekend

I managed to locate the Kroger receipt!
Kroger Purchase:
1 Little Debbie Snack Cake (Oatmeal Creme Pies to be specific)
1 Juicy Fruit Taffy ( Free item from Kroger downloads)
3 Kool-Aid Juice boxes
1 Milk
2 blocks cheese
1 pkg sliced colby jack
bananas
2 packages chocolate donuts
1 pkg bacon bits
1 pkg diapers
1 pkg ice cream sandwiches
1 pkg baby wipes
1 pkg feminine napkins
2 pkg dishwasher detergent
1 pkg toilet paper
1 women's deodorant
2 men's deodorant
1 generic Velveeta
4 large bottles of juice
2 containers oatmeal
1 box generic Bisquick
1 box tea bags
1 jar spaghetti sauce
4 boxes fruit snacks
$48.96 SNAP
$23.75 Cash

I went home and used several of the rebate apps I have loaded on my phone to get money back. I got $7.95 back on Ibotta, $.25 on Checkout 51 and $1.50 on SavingsCart. I also uploaded the receipts to receipt hog for points.

When I was checking out and now that I am typing the list I feel the need to justify the purchases which I should not. Why should I feel obligated to say the purchases cover 2 snack days at Logan's school? These are the items I chose or Logan chose to get us through  all the breakfasts, lunches and dinners for the month along with his turn at snack day.

Going Back to Thursday, the Ant Invasion and May Beginning Totals

Thursday was the start of  4 days of nonsense that I do not want to repeat. Got up on Thursday for work, a day I needed to be in early for a meeting. The first thing to not work out was the fact I discovered ants in the glasses/bottles cabinet. They were the small "sugar" ants and I could not place where they were coming in but knew it was not the usual spot near the sink. I started pulling stuff out but decided to abandon the job for a later time. Next thing to go wrong was trying to iron pants for the day only to discover a strange greasy spot on EVERY pair that I was going to wear. After a frantic wardrobe change and Phillip telling me I do not have time to deal with the ants I get out the door. The routine is to take the tiny one to the sitter first and then Logan to school. I can then jump on the highway and head to work. This time when dropping off the tiny one the sitter closed the door and told me she needed to tell me something. I admit selfishly I started to panic thinking she was going to quit on us after almost 6 years. The news was not that but it was some bad health news for her husband. She will be flying back and forth to Atlanta while he gets treatment. I of course could not tell her I was in a hurry while she gave me this news so the only choice was too really hurry Logan to school and then race to work. The meeting had started but I had not missed anything once I arrived at work. Phillip went on another interview which we are praying leads to employment and then he headed home to deal with ants. He thinks he found where they were coming in and took care of the issue, he also took all the stuff out of the cabinets and started running them through the dishwasher, wiping the cabinets down and putting the stuff back.

Dinner was a not so fabulous affair, so uneventful I can not remember what it was.

Friday was payday, jumping for joy! I went ahead and paid the bills and made out my budget for the month. This month there is no choice but to stick to the budget. On the way home I went by Sprouts to take advantage of their 72 hour sale.
Since our SNAP is not loaded until the 3rd this purchase came out of the month's cash. After this I went home, unloaded and put these items up. The boys and I then loaded up to go to Target for some formula and other items I had coupons for.  Between the coupons, WIC and a gift card I had from previous purchases we got out of there for nothing. The total was $1.58 before the gift card. Pictures are going to have to become habit but at this point they are not so I will just list the purchases.
Sprouts Purchase:
6 containers of blackberries
1 watermelon
3 bags of  chips
1/2 pound of bulk great northern beans
8 chicken thighs
$19.13

Target Purchase:
1 can Similac
2 packages of Horizon peanut butter sandwich crackers
2 Hotwheels which Logan was going to pay for out of his money
2 packages of dog treats
nothing out of pocket

While in Target I noticed a couple of other sale items that I could print coupons for so we decided to come back once that was taken care of.

The downside on Friday was Phillip had decided to replace the filters on our microwave vent a hood since we had some and they were in need. He was able to get the facing off with no issue as we have been very careful with it. We purchased it as a floor model 9 years ago and one of the clips was broken which is why we got such a deal on it. Getting it off turned out not to be the issue, as he was washing it the other clip broke so there was no way to put it back on. The cheapest he was able to find one online or locally was $30.00 so that is what we did. It arrived Saturday and was installed yesterday. The whole situation just upsets me not only because of the unexpected expense but just the fact that nothing is made to last anymore and since most of our items are about the same age they seem to be going out in concert now. We have already replaced parts on the dryer, dishwasher and the oven. Now the washing machine needs some work as well as the ice maker on the fridge, this was just the icing for me. 

Saturday I tried to put all this out of my mind and just get stuff taken care of. The tiny one decided that 5:30am was a good time to get up so we played until 7:00am when everyone else got up. I did manage to get us out of the house a little after 9:00am so I could get by the post office before it was busy to mail off some items I sold. We then went by the library and put some stuff in the dropbox. After this we headed toward the church. Phillip was there weedeating and had hoped to take Logan with him to visit Loralee but we did not hear from her before he left. I went ahead and took Logan to play and dry my pants! I managed to drop a cup on tea in my lap while in the car. Luckily it was not sweet so the sugar did not make me sticky, just needed a little bit of Mr. Sun as Logan says to dry out. I stopped at the dealership also to report my mileage to Hyundai as part of a class action lawsuit. They reimburse all Hyundai owners from certain years for misrepresenting the MPG on the cars. If I am on that side of town I stop in and this was one of those days.

After leaving to head back to our side of town the tiny one and I stopped at JoAnn's to get some supplies for my Etsy sale. He fell asleep after leaving the store so I managed to get business taken care of at the library in silence. Once again stuff I had turned in was not checked in and was just put back on the shelves. I talked to the librarian I know this time and I think she has addressed the issue now so hopefully this does not keep happening. Clark was still asleep when we got home so I started work on my Etsy sale but found Phillip was going to have to go to the junk yard to get a couple more buckles for me. This meant I could lay down and rest a bit which I happily did. I really did not get to sleep but resting was nice.

Clark was really happy after his nap and he played great while I cleaned up their room. He of course wants to be nosy and open the drawers that hold his brother's toys but he is not tall enough to see in. It will not be long and I will hear more "MAMA, he is touching my stuff"

Phillip came home without Logan as they convinced him that he needed more play time with his friend. Once it was time to meet Logan we all piled into the car and headed to the meeting spot. We were all disappointed to see the field of bluebonnets had been mowed down. Phillip decided we should stop by Target on the way home since we would be passing it and take care of getting the items I had coupons on while the gift card sale was still going on. Sooo Target saw us come through again. This time it took a little pestering to get the deals that were advertised. They were in the process of changing out the signs for the new ad cycle. I wanted to be sure what I had planned was still viable so I asked an employee working near the baby stuff. She scanned the diapers for me and said yes the buy 2 get a $10.00 gift card was still valid. We picked up the 2 we wanted and along with another can of formula and some q-tips headed to check out. The cashier said that they did not ring up with the gift card promo and asked me about 4 times if I wanted him to check on the promo.  This required me to repeat myself 4 times that yes I wanted him to check on it. He eventually got another employee who scanned the diapers with her PDA and said yes I should get the gift card. Persistence pays off!
Target Purchase:
1 can Similac
2 boxes 96 count diapers
1 box q-tips
$34.04

After all the running around on Saturday I did not want to go home and cook so I took some money out of my lunch budget and we had dinner at Rosa's. It was a nice, quick family dinner.  The small bit of info I had forgot while out Saturday was that Sunday was potluck at church so I had to make a blackberry cobbler once home. Phillip had smoked a roast the day before so he was covered. Once home Clark got his bath while Logan played for a little bit. Then Logan got in the tub while I got the cobbler in the oven. Logan was out and getting ready for bed and Clark was asleep by the time I pulled the cobbler out of the oven.

Sunday morning the kids slept until 7:30am which was still earlier than we had to get going. We played for a little bit and then Phillip made cinnamon sugar toast for breakfast. After church we enjoyed potluck and then headed home. Both kids were asleep when we got home so we laid down also. It lasted about an hour which was glorious. I wanted to finish my grocery shopping now that SNAP was available. The kids and I loaded up and headed to the store while Phillip took his math final online. The Kroger receipt is not in front of me so I can not give an itemized list or SNAP totals right now. Some of the items I had gone for were not available so I will be out again before the end of the month which is fine. Several of the items I purchased had additional rebate offers on some of the apps I use so I will break those down also.

Needless to say the weekend felt a bit hodgepodge. I am hoping this week settles down a little and I have a feeling with more rain moving in it will. Tonight I need to take care of my monthly calendar so I do not miss anything or have to prepare at the last minute like the blackberry cobbler.

The Wednesday Menu and Volcano Experiment

Last night was out of the norm, we had an awesome friend come over to clip Turbo's nails for me. I owe her another trade item for it but it saved me the anxiety of doing it myself so it was worth it!

Dinner was not photographed sadly. We had chicken thighs cooked in olive oil, fresh squeezed lemon and garlic pepper served over rice. I had put the chicken thighs in the crockpot yesterday morning before I headed to work and so that portion was ready when I got home. I really need to invest in a programmable crockpot. Phillip switched it to warm but it was still a touch on the dry side.

After dinner and baths Logan wanted to try an experiment he heard about, making a volcano.

I had not made one in a long time but it was fun, really the fun was seeing how excited Logan was. We are going to make another one tonight I think unless he has come up with another experiment he wants to test.

Tuesday Night Dinner Equals Brinner

Last night was semi uneventful. I did have to run by the library to confirm a book I turned in was on the shelf. They had it listed as overdue but once I found it on the shelf they took the fine off my account. We did need some milk so I went by Kroger and found some on clearance. I got a half gallon and a quart for $1.69 and 4 heads of "specialty" lettuce for $.50. After Kroger I picked up the kids from the sitter and we went home to have dinner. The fridge and the freezer were stared into and a decision made. I fixed bacon, scrambled eggs and french toast.

 Not the prettiest picture but it was really delicious. I had my french toast with homemade apple butter made earlier this year with apples from Bountiful Baskets .

You might notice a trend with my pictures, cast iron. I have a cast iron addiction and try to pick it up whenever I can at a good price. My mom has also passed a lot of hers on to me which has not made my sisters happy. The pans above are one of my mom's skillets and a skillet pan my mother in law found at a thrift store.

Pinterest Recipe Overload!

I am trying to come up with something for dinner tonight, which involves scanning my pinterest board and possibly recipe books when I get home. Sometimes I am overwhelmed as I currently have 723 recipes on my Food I Want to Try board and tons of recipes in books at home. Sigh, I will come up with something and continue to drool over recipes and add them to my board with the plans of making them one day.