Monday, March 5, 2018

Third Week of February



Sunday: The boys requested spaghetti and meatballs for dinner so that is what we had.

Monday: Chicken Pot Pie from Footeprints using leftover chicken, end of some frozen peas and corn.  I did not check on it in time and it was a bit brown.


Tuesday: Dinner out with my honey!



Wednesday: Pork Roast from the crock pot, steamed broccoli with cheese, and sweet potato fries.

Thursday: Instead of taquitos we had tacos. I did not get a picture of the food but got a picture of the one in the family who loves tacos.  Used the leftover pork up .



Friday:  Forgot the picture until I was almost done. Bacon, pancakes and scrambled eggs.


Saturday: 5 Ingredient Bacon Asparagus Pasta from Gimme Some Oven.  I used chicken stock instead of the wine and leftover bacon. 

Friday, March 2, 2018

Second Week of February



Sunday: Used leftovers to make tacos tonight. Clark wants me to take a picture of his food now when I take a picture of mine.


Monday: Mongolian Beef from Dinner Then Dessert with steamed rice . This was tasty but I hate frying in the house so it will not be in regular rotation.

Tuesday: 20-Minute Skillet Tuscan Tortellini from Chew Out LoudLot soupier than the recipe appears, also it was not as flavorful as I hoped. The few minutes everything is in the pan together is just not enough for the flavors to meld.


Wednesday: Pizza as I forgot we had an appt to get our taxes done. 

Thursday: Wild Mushroom with Beef Stew from Girl and the Kitchen with egg noodles. 
 
Friday: Roasted Chicken with Crispy Garlic Ranch Potatoes from The Real Food Dietician. I did not get a picture of dinner this night. We liked both of these items although I could have easily just used a packet of ranch on the potatoes rather than essentially making it from scratch.

Saturday: Black Pepper Chicken and Asparagus Stir Fry from Savory Spice rack with noodles. I thought it was way too tangy but Phillip liked it. I still think if I make it again I will cut the vinegar.


Grocery Total for Feb


Hoping to stay out of the stores for the rest of the month as I know I am over budget already. I  did the pantry challenge for 2 months and pretty much depleted everything so my list was long.

First Stop was

Sprouts:

3 pints blackberries: $2.64
~1&3/4lbs russet potatoes  $1.36
~1&1/2lbs small apples  $1.55

2 cases of Think Thin bars   $17.98

~1lb white cheddar cheese   $2.33

~3/4lbs whole cashews   $5.27

~2lbs bacon ends  $4.20
~3lbs ground beef  $9.36

4 muffins   $3.29
1 loaf garlic bread  $2.49

total:: $50.32


The Weekend Produce Pick Ups

Bountiful Baskets::


This was $49.55, I traded the cauliflower, bell peppers and green onions for some Kind bars.


The Farmer's Market::


This was $53.50 at the farmer's market.

Lettuce:  $4.00
Whole chicken: $22.50
2 lbs ground water buffalo: $17.00
Carrots: $4.00
2 bars of goat's milk soap: $6.00


To finish the weekend off I went grocery shopping during the super bowl. It was amazing as the store was nearly empty.












Winco Trip:

2 (6) packs of Pepsi   $3.96
1 (6) pack of ginger ale  $1.98
1 gallon hand soap refill  $3.88
4 gallons apple juice   $13.42
2 gallons milk  $3.48
1 gallon chocolate milk  $1.50
1 bottle kids bubble bath  $3.24
1 pk cotton balls  $1.43
5 sticks deodorant  $12.66
2 boxes of fruit snacks  $2.98
1 box cereal   $1.98
2 packs mandarin oranges $4.42
2 boxes granola bars  $3.96
4 boxes of cheese and crackers  $7.52
1 box snack cakes  $1.58
1 box toast and peanut butter crackers  $1.86
1 can refried beans  $.68
5 cans beans (various varieties)  $2.85
2 pkgs of snack sized boxes raisins  $3.16
2 jars  pasta sauce  $2.56
4 pkgs fruit leather   $1.76
2 cans tomatoes  $1.12
2 cans tomato sauce $.50
1 jar Nutella  $2.98
1 gallon vinegar  $2.28
3 pkgs ramen noodles  $.54
2 bottles W-sauce  $2.22
1 jar pickles  $1.94
2 pkgs snacking cheese $5.96
1 pkg mini pepperoni  $2.98
2 cans biscuits  $3.72
1 pkg yogurt tubes  $2.25
3 pkgs cheese sticks  $8.94
1 pkg sliced turkey breast  $2.68
1 pkg greek yogurt tubes  $2.56
2 yogurt jars  $2.68
1 pkg frozen broccoli  $1.14
1 pkg frozen corn  $1.13
2 pkgs shredded cheese  $2.56
1 pkg unsalted butter $2.34
1 pkg whipped cream cheese  $3.38
~1/2 lb sliced ham  $2.07
~1 lb sliced cheese  $3.22
1 box popcorn  $1.72
3 pkgs crescent rolls  $5.34
1 pkg fresh spinach  $1.78
1 lb bacon  $3.98
~1/2 lb onion   $.30
1 pkg OJ  $1.74
~1/2 lb sliced turkey  $2.74
1 (10) pack sugar free powerade  $5.58
~3 lbs bird food/squirrel    $1.33
1 can bean dip    $1.88
~3/4lbs penne    $.53
~1/4 lb suckers   $.69
~2 lbs pinto beans  $1.17
~1/4 lb garlic powder  $1.33
~3/4lb tortellini  $2.03
2 boxes band aids  $3.22
~3/4 lb pasta shells  $.86
~1/8lb dog chews  $.86
~1/4lb cinnamon candy  $.48
~1/8lb loose leaf tea   $2.06
~1/2lb gummy bears  $.58
~1/2lb gummy worms $.48
~1/2 lb grits   $.75
~1&1/4 lbs cashews  $9.52
~1/4 lb dried bananas  $.65
~1&1/2 lbs rice  $1.75
~1&3/4 lbs corn meal  $1.38
2 (8) packs powerade  $7.96
1 case dr pepper  $2.98
3 bags Fritos   $5.64
~2lb beef chuck roast   $6.14
~2lb pork roast   $4.21
~3lbs beef stew meat   $6.75
~2&1/4 bananas   $1.15
2 loaves bread   $1.72
1 pkg tortillas  $.98
2 pkgs mini donuts  $3.66
2 bags chips   $2.56
1 box taco shells  $1.28
1 pkg tostada shells  $.98
1 bag tortilla chips  $.98

Total ::     $234.40



Mrs. Baird's Day Old :

2 loaves bread   $1.50
1 loaf Artisan bread  $1.19
1 pkg donuts  $1.29
3 pkgs bagels  $5.00
 1 pkg hamburger buns  Free

Total::  $8.98



Kroger:

2 pkgs sliced ham  $3.98
2 pkgs sliced turkey  $3.98
2 cheese snacks $1.18
1lb bacon  $3.49
 1 snapple   $1.00
2 bottles deodorant  $5.18
2 pkgs starburst  $1.00
1 pkg peanut butter cups  $1.25
1 pkg donuts   $2.49

Total::   $23.74


Winco Trip #2::

1 lb strawberries   $1.98
1 bottle Dublin Root Beer  $1.28
~2lbs bananas   $.75
~1 lb asparagus  $1.00
1 pkg gum   $2.15

Total:  $7.16


Winco Trip #3:

~2 lbs bananas   $.83
~1lb asparagus  $.92
1 lb strawberries  $.98
1 gallon milk   $1.50
1 can refried beans  $.68
1 pkg cheese  $1.28

Total:  $6.19

Kroger Trip #2

1 dozen eggs  $1.79
1 head lettuce  $1.29
1 pkg tea bags  $2.97
1 pkg hair gel  $5.99
1 fruit deli tray  $9.99
1 bunch tulips  $4.99

Total:: $27.93


Grand Total for the month::  $461.77  WAYYYYYY Over budget!!!









Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Meals the First Full Week of February


I contributed to Bountiful Baskets and went to the farmer's market this past weekend so I have a ton of produce to work with. I will post the pictures here but break down the purchases on the grocery total post.




I did trade the cauliflower, bell peppers and green onions for some Kind Bars.




Sunday: Frito Pie using up a can of chili that was hanging out in the cabinet

Monday: Phillip is sick and wanted just steamed rice so I made that for him and the boys and I had sandwiches and fresh salad

Tuesday: Ground buffalo tacos with Mexican fried rice from Premeditated Leftovers. Tiny one was happy to get a chip taco as he calls them. I cut the rice recipe in half to make use of leftover steamed rice. I also used a partial can of rotel rather than tomatoes and green chilies individually. I will use the rest of the rotel and corn in the taco soup later this week.



Wednesday: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork from A Mind Full Mom , mashed sweet potatoes, sauteed mushrooms and a leftover bread stick.

Thursday: We had Crock Pot Honey Sesame Chicken Lettuce Wraps from Domestic Superhero only I used the pulled pork from the night before and cooked on the stove top.




Friday: Taco soup using leftover ground buffalo, rotel and rest of corn. I also had a partial envelope of ranch dip mix from making ranch potatoes.
 Saturday: I was going to make corndogs but Phillip went by Winco today and they were sampling a marinade with sirloin steak so it came home with him and became dinner. Parmesan crusted asparagus and garlic toast. I am in love with the new Sara Lee Artisan breads for garlic toast.

Friday, February 2, 2018

Books Jan 11th Through Feb 2nd


I have been trying to race through a few audio books because as generally happens to me all the books I was wait listed for have come available at the same time. I made the decision when that happened to go shortest to longest so I could get through as many as possible before I had to request them again. First up was Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data,and What the Internet Reveals About Who We Really Are. This book is being ripped to shreds by readers and I can understand that. He really does not go far for source material or have independent studies but it was a quick and interesting read nonetheless.  I keep saying I am not going to continue the Stephanie Plum series as I feel the plot is stale but here I was checking out the audio book for Hardcore: Twenty-Four.  It was nothing new other than Diesel was back.  A quick listen that lead into A is For Alibi. This is one I had in the stack next to my bed needing to get to when I noticed it was available in audio. I went for the audio and moved the print book out of my stack. The first thought I had when I started this was people were going to think I just jumped on the bandwagon because Sue Grafton passed away recently. Really this book has been by my bed for ages and I have just never gotten to it. I started with the mystery stack so I am not off to the races.

There was only one print book that I finished during this time span and it was one of the last books I am allowing myself from the library. Away With Words: An Irreverent Tour Through the World of Pun Competitions was not what I thought it would be but I still thought it was interesting. I love a good pun and this book showed that I am not alone in this.

During this time I also completed a Kindle book from a self published author. Forbidden Temptations is a decent read that does not require a ton of thought on my part which is sometimes nice since I read and listen to a lot of heavy books.


Thursday, January 25, 2018

Additional Clean Out

Cleaning out one area leads to another and another. I cleaned out and organized our linen closet as the boys got new bedding for Christmas. I then worked on my spice cabinet which was out of control and then my cookbooks.


The linen closet was actually the first project after Christmas that I undertook.



All the spices came out of the cabinet then were sorted by use. The right hand stack are the spices I use on a regular basis and then the middle stack occasionally and the left stack rarely.


This was a hard sort as I love cookbooks. I have a limited space for them so I narrowed it down to just the amount that would fit in that space. The others will be listed on Amazon so hopefully someone else can enjoy them.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Tackling Projects

In going through the project boxes I decided that the first one of the year that I am going to complete is a scrap quilt. There are several boxes of fabric that I have intended for years to use in a quilt. In addition to this fabric I decided a quilt would be a good way to use material from the boys old clothes that I am having a hard time parting with and are stained. This year is different in that instead of just boxing up the project and saying I will get to it I actually have started disassembling the boys clothes and cutting the triangles.


In addition to tackling this I am also back to making the belts and have orders for 3 so far!
Supplies
Finished Belt


Monday, January 22, 2018

Closet Clean Out


As part of my resolution to minimize our possessions I tackled my closet. There were a ton of items that I just did not like or did not fit anymore. I cleaned them out and sorted by size and condition. The t-shirts that had holes in them were sacked up for one of the farmers at the farmer's market to make sacks out of and then I listed a ton of them on my trade site and offer up.


All of the clothes from my closet
items that are seeking a new home


Next project is my dresser drawers, I think I will tackle those 1 at a time until the project is completed. Seeing an end in site is calming.

More Resolution Progress


#4 on the list also ties in with #1. I want to clean up the huge amount of books next to the bed. For me this means finally reading them and then either passing them on or putting them on the bookshelf as a permanent member of the house. Clark was super excited to help with this clean up and sorting.







I sorted them by genre and will start to tackle them as soon as I finish the last couple I checked out from the library. I really think I want to start with mystery first and then go from there.

These are the books that you will see show up on my reading log posts with some audios from the library thrown in!

Friday, January 19, 2018

Tackling The Resolutions


I really went full throttle tackling resolutions this year, at least #1 so far.  The #1 goal is to minimize our possessions, this really started as a way for me to limit the time I would need to spend cleaning up stuff.  It has continued because it is so calming to not have stuff coming out of every nook and cranny in the house. It helps the boys because all of their toys have a home and they know where they are. Of course we are not finished so not all of their toys have a home or fit where they should. I am letting them thin their own items as they want rather than just throwing their stuff away. In the past the pictures I am about to post would embarrass me but in the pursuit of truth on social media and honesty about what my world really looks like I am going to post them.


This is the original pile of stuff I culled from the house to get rid of. I had already started sorting this when I took this picture.


I sorted and hauled off 2 trunk loads to a thrift shop, gave 2 boxes to a charity offering beds to children in domestic violence situations. I sold some back to a local book store and dropped a bunch at a friend's who works with the homeless. I still have a bag of formals I want to donate to a charity helping with prom dresses for those who can not afford them and some work clothes from days when I had to wear business formal I want to donate to a charity getting people back into the workforce. There is a bag going to the farmer's market with me tomorrow I hope of old t-shirts with holes. One of the farmer's at the market turns them into reusable sacks for the produce. I have a sack that is going to the western wear resale shop and a ton went onto the trade page and offer up.

After tackling that stack I went after my project tower!


Each box represented a project I meant to get to but just had not yet. I started resorting and culling projects I was never going to get to.


This is the stack now. Most of the remaining boxes are paperwork and pictures that I need to deal with an will take more time. By the end of this year I want this all dealt with. I am not delusional thinking that I can get rid of all of these boxes but I want to pare it down to a "reasonable" amount. 







Resolutions for 2018


For 2018 I am working on the following:
1.) Minimizing our possessions
2.) Spend more time present with friends and family
3.) Finish the backyard and spend a huge amount of time out there with the boys.
4.) Read the stack of books next to my bed
5.) Hike more
6.) Bike ride a lot with the boys now that I have a helmet.

Friday, January 12, 2018

New Year on the Grocery Front

I usually have some grand plan on New Years but this time I am shying away from grandness. I am just working on minimizing our possessions and streamlining our routines. I want to spend as much time as possible outdoors this year.

As for our grocery bill I am still shooting for $300 a month with most of that being spent at the farmer's market. It has been great now that we are a regular at the market. The farmers save us back items and really share information with the kids. If I do not have Clark with me the farmer we buy carrots from and the cheese guy always ask me about him.  I am planning on putting in a garden again this year but with a simpler lifestyle I think I can spend more time tending it.

With all of this being said I will start posting pics and totals again Feb 1st!

Thursday, January 11, 2018

New Year New Books! Jan 1st through Jan 11th


I am starting over on the book list. This year I am going to finish the last couple of library books I have checked out and other than audio I am determined to not start any more library books. I am going to tackle and hopefully finish ( at least mostly) this stack next to my bed.


They are divided by genre and I am trying to decide if I want to tackle one genre at a time or read one from each genre until I finish each category.



This year started with Sleep No More by PD James on audio. This one was a quick listen and I enjoyed most of the short stories. I have added this author to my need to read list so once the stack by the bed is complete I can check out more. Next up was The Child by Fiona Barton which I hurried to listen to as I was wait listed for months. I found the writing great but similar to The Widow. I figured out what happened before the big reveal and was happy I turned out to be correct.


In print I finished reading  Connection Parenting: Parenting through Connection Instead of Coercion, Through Love Instead of Fear by Pam Leo. At first I was not getting anything out of what the author was saying. As the chapters progressed I feel like I picked up some information that will help me parent the boys better.