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.
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!
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!
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.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Second Week of November
We were tied up this past Saturday getting Santa pictures, purchasing a car and going to a friend's birthday party so I did not make it to the farmer's market. This menu is based on what was still at the house.
Sunday:
Breakfast: donuts
Lunch: Rosa's Tortilla factory with family and friends
Dinner: Beef Stroganoff made with leftover fajita steak served with garlic toast
Monday:
Breakfast: Biscuit
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sandwich and blackberries
Dinner: Pork stir fry using leftover pork chops
Tuesday:
Breakfast: Biscuit
Lunch: Thanksgiving dinner at work
Dinner: Pigs in a blanket
Wednesday:
Breakfast: Donut
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sandwich with blackberries and pineapple
Dinner:Pulled pork tacos
Thursday:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch:Pizza with friend
Dinner: Leftover pork roast, roasted potatoes and cinnamon apples
Friday:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: roast beef sandwich
Dinner: spaghetti
Saturday:
Breakfast: cinnamon rolls
Lunch: McDonalds
Dinner: Homemade and mac-n-cheese
Sunday:
Breakfast: donuts
Lunch: Rosa's Tortilla factory with family and friends
Dinner: Beef Stroganoff made with leftover fajita steak served with garlic toast
Monday:
Breakfast: Biscuit
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sandwich and blackberries
Dinner: Pork stir fry using leftover pork chops
Tuesday:
Breakfast: Biscuit
Lunch: Thanksgiving dinner at work
Dinner: Pigs in a blanket
Wednesday:
Breakfast: Donut
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sandwich with blackberries and pineapple
Dinner:Pulled pork tacos
Thursday:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch:Pizza with friend
Dinner: Leftover pork roast, roasted potatoes and cinnamon apples
Friday:
Breakfast: cereal
Lunch: roast beef sandwich
Dinner: spaghetti
Saturday:
Breakfast: cinnamon rolls
Lunch: McDonalds
Dinner: Homemade and mac-n-cheese
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
First Full Week of November
I still have a hard time making decisions on a menu when I have a lot of options. I hashed out one on Sunday night that is varied and makes use of a lot of the produce I picked up over the weekend.
These pickups plus doing our monthly grocery shopping means the fridge looks like normal again and not a barren waste land.
I did not buy a bunch of cool-whip. A lady at our church made a batch of coleslaw for me because she knows I love hers. It was a bit more than I was expecting to take home.
This is the menu I came up with for this week.
Sunday:
Breakfast: cinnamon rolls
Lunch: Potluck at church so lots of goodness
Dinner: fajitas
Monday:
Breakfast: leftover donut
Lunch: salami and cheese and a pear
Dinner: Herb crusted Pork Chops from Eat Yourself Skinny along with baked potatoes and coleslaw. These were yummy although I will confess to sabotaging the low fat portion of this recipe. I was cooking bacon to have on our potatoes so I used the bacon grease already in the pan instead of olive oil. It may be why my breading came out much darker than the picture. Phillip grabbed a chop out of the pan that was thinner than the others so he said it had good flavor but was a bit dry.
Tuesday:
Breakfast: leftover donut
Lunch: peanut butter and jelly, chips
Dinner: BBQ Ranch Grilled Chicken by Plain Chicken, roasted carrots with ranch seasoning and steamed corn. This one was really good and will likely be on the menu again.
Wednesday:
Breakfast: leftover donut followed by a muffin
Lunch: peanut butter and jelly, chips and blackberries
Dinner:Chicken Gnocchi soup with hot chocolate and garlic bread
Thursday:
Breakfast: Biscuit
Lunch: Club sandwich and sweet potato fries with a friend
Dinner: Shrimp with grits from The weekend gourmet . Made this to use up leftover corn and bacon. I will not make it again. There is way to much grease in the grits. The butter is literally standing in the pan
Friday:
Breakfast: Biscuit
Lunch: Thanksgiving feast at work
Dinner:Slow Cooker Korean ribs from It is a Keeper with steamed rice and green beans.
Saturday:
Breakfast: Biscuits
Lunch: Burger out with the family
Dinner: Pizza at friend's birthday party
These pickups plus doing our monthly grocery shopping means the fridge looks like normal again and not a barren waste land.
I did not buy a bunch of cool-whip. A lady at our church made a batch of coleslaw for me because she knows I love hers. It was a bit more than I was expecting to take home.
This is the menu I came up with for this week.
Sunday:
Breakfast: cinnamon rolls
Lunch: Potluck at church so lots of goodness
Dinner: fajitas
Monday:
Breakfast: leftover donut
Lunch: salami and cheese and a pear
Dinner: Herb crusted Pork Chops from Eat Yourself Skinny along with baked potatoes and coleslaw. These were yummy although I will confess to sabotaging the low fat portion of this recipe. I was cooking bacon to have on our potatoes so I used the bacon grease already in the pan instead of olive oil. It may be why my breading came out much darker than the picture. Phillip grabbed a chop out of the pan that was thinner than the others so he said it had good flavor but was a bit dry.
Tuesday:
Breakfast: leftover donut
Lunch: peanut butter and jelly, chips
Dinner: BBQ Ranch Grilled Chicken by Plain Chicken, roasted carrots with ranch seasoning and steamed corn. This one was really good and will likely be on the menu again.
Wednesday:
Breakfast: leftover donut followed by a muffin
Lunch: peanut butter and jelly, chips and blackberries
Dinner:Chicken Gnocchi soup with hot chocolate and garlic bread
Thursday:
Breakfast: Biscuit
Lunch: Club sandwich and sweet potato fries with a friend
Dinner: Shrimp with grits from The weekend gourmet . Made this to use up leftover corn and bacon. I will not make it again. There is way to much grease in the grits. The butter is literally standing in the pan
Friday:
Breakfast: Biscuit
Lunch: Thanksgiving feast at work
Dinner:Slow Cooker Korean ribs from It is a Keeper with steamed rice and green beans.
Saturday:
Breakfast: Biscuits
Lunch: Burger out with the family
Dinner: Pizza at friend's birthday party
Monday, November 6, 2017
November Groceries
I picked up some amazing fruits and veggies this weekend from both bountiful baskets co-op, the farmer's market and a few from the grocery store.
Bountiful Basket: $18.50
I gave grandma the collard greens, kiwi and beets as I knew we would not eat them. A couple of onions and the cilantro are going to be traded this week for some eggs.
Farmer's market:
Whole chicken: $22.50
Gouda cheese: $8.00
Green beans: $4.00
Carrots: $3.00
Lettuce: $2.00
Total: $39.50
Winco Trip #1:
1 pkg fresh meatballs $2.98
1 pkg shredded cheese $1.75
1 can biscuits $1.58
1 gallon milk $.95
~1&1/2 lbs grapes $2.07
~1&3/4lbs bananas $.75
2 Pez dispensers $1.28
2 Reese's pumpkins $.74
1 bag candy corn $.89
1 bag reese's pieces $1.74
1 bag chocolate raisins $1.49
2 cans wasp spray $8.62
2 bags Doritos $2.96
1 bag ships $1.09
1 pkg dishwasher detergent $2.99
Total: $33.34
Sprouts Trip #1:
4 qts blackberries: $3.52
~2 lbs pears $1.67
1 head garlic $.34
~1lb apples $1.38
~1&1/4 lbs sweet potatoes $1.07
1 pkg noodles $1.69
~1/4 lb chocolate almonds $.81
~1/4 lb taffy $1.44 ( gift for my sister)
~2 lbs ground beef $5.85
1 pkg bacon $4.85
1 pkg bacon ends $2.09
1 pkg pork chops $3.63
1 pkg muffins $3.29
Total: $31.81
Target Trip #1
1 bag DOTS $.80
1 bag Reese's $2.39
1 pkg chicken tenders $2.99
1 pkg Shrimp $6.39
1 loaf French bread $1.49
1 pkg lunch meat $2.49
Total: $16.55
Winco Trip #2
1 can beans $.57
2 jars marinara $3.76
1 jar Nutella $4.78
1 can black beans $.55
1 can pinto beans $.57
1 can diced tomatoes $.54
1 can kidney beans $.55
2 cans tomato sauce $.52
1 can tomato paste $.43
1 gallon milk $.95
1 tub butter $1.27
1 pkg frozen broccoli $1.26
1 pkg frozen corn $.88
1 pkg fish sticks $2.98
1 box ice cream sandwich $3.17
1 box ice cream cones $3.43
1 pkg salami and cheese $2.18
1 container ricotta cheese $2.38
1 yogurt $1.34
1 pint whipping cream $3.38
1 pkg crescent rolls $1.78
2 pks biscuits $3.38
2 pkgs cinnamon rolls $3.56
2 pork roasts $4.77
1 pkg shredded cheese $1.75
1 pkg shredded parmesan $2.23
1 pkg fajita beef $4.98
1 pkg sliced munster cheese $4.73
1 pkg salted butter sticks $2.36
1 pkg sausage $2.8
1 pkg unsalted butter sticks $2.36
1 pkg turkey lunch meat $1.76
1 pkg ham lunch meat $2.59
1 pkg cheese sticks $2.48
1 pkg meatballs $2.98
1 pkg peanut butter crackers $1.91
1 box saltines $1.08
1 box snack cakes $1.77
1 box granola bars $2.28
1 box snack cakes $1.58
2 pkgs mandarin oranges $2.46
1 box granola bars $2.28
5 gallons apple juice $12.40
1 pkg cheese and cracker snacks $4.68
1 (2) liter ginger ale $.58
1 (2) liter cola $.58
3 (8) pks pwerade $14.25
1 Dublin soda $1.28
~2 lbs squirrel food 4.91
4lbs sugar $1.49
~1/4lb walnuts $1.43
1 bottle ranch dressing $.98
~1/2 pound grits $.65
~3/4lbs pasta shells $.71
~3/4 lb pasta spaghetti $.66
~3/4 lb pasta penne $.58
1 dental chew dog bone $.86
~1/4 lb cinnamon $.72
~1&3/4 lbs rice $1.08
2 bags Doritos $2.96
1&1/2 lbs baking potatoes $.64
~1/4 lb ginger root $.43
~2&1/2 lbs bird seed $.92
1 pkg nipples $2.29
1 pkg dishwasher detergent $2.99
1 pkg cookies $.98
1 donut $.58
~1&1/4 lbs raw sugar $.99
~3/4lbs elbow macaroni $.58
~1&1/2 lbs gold potatoes $1.22
Total: $152.74
Bountiful Basket: $18.50
I gave grandma the collard greens, kiwi and beets as I knew we would not eat them. A couple of onions and the cilantro are going to be traded this week for some eggs.
Farmer's market:
Whole chicken: $22.50
Gouda cheese: $8.00
Green beans: $4.00
Carrots: $3.00
Lettuce: $2.00
Total: $39.50
1 pkg fresh meatballs $2.98
1 pkg shredded cheese $1.75
1 can biscuits $1.58
1 gallon milk $.95
~1&1/2 lbs grapes $2.07
~1&3/4lbs bananas $.75
2 Pez dispensers $1.28
2 Reese's pumpkins $.74
1 bag candy corn $.89
1 bag reese's pieces $1.74
1 bag chocolate raisins $1.49
2 cans wasp spray $8.62
2 bags Doritos $2.96
1 bag ships $1.09
1 pkg dishwasher detergent $2.99
Total: $33.34
Sprouts Trip #1:
4 qts blackberries: $3.52
~2 lbs pears $1.67
1 head garlic $.34
~1lb apples $1.38
~1&1/4 lbs sweet potatoes $1.07
1 pkg noodles $1.69
~1/4 lb chocolate almonds $.81
~1/4 lb taffy $1.44 ( gift for my sister)
~2 lbs ground beef $5.85
1 pkg bacon $4.85
1 pkg bacon ends $2.09
1 pkg pork chops $3.63
1 pkg muffins $3.29
Total: $31.81
Target Trip #1
1 bag DOTS $.80
1 bag Reese's $2.39
1 pkg chicken tenders $2.99
1 pkg Shrimp $6.39
1 loaf French bread $1.49
1 pkg lunch meat $2.49
Total: $16.55
Winco Trip #2
1 can beans $.57
2 jars marinara $3.76
1 jar Nutella $4.78
1 can black beans $.55
1 can pinto beans $.57
1 can diced tomatoes $.54
1 can kidney beans $.55
2 cans tomato sauce $.52
1 can tomato paste $.43
1 gallon milk $.95
1 tub butter $1.27
1 pkg frozen broccoli $1.26
1 pkg frozen corn $.88
1 pkg fish sticks $2.98
1 box ice cream sandwich $3.17
1 box ice cream cones $3.43
1 pkg salami and cheese $2.18
1 container ricotta cheese $2.38
1 yogurt $1.34
1 pint whipping cream $3.38
1 pkg crescent rolls $1.78
2 pks biscuits $3.38
2 pkgs cinnamon rolls $3.56
2 pork roasts $4.77
1 pkg shredded cheese $1.75
1 pkg shredded parmesan $2.23
1 pkg fajita beef $4.98
1 pkg sliced munster cheese $4.73
1 pkg salted butter sticks $2.36
1 pkg sausage $2.8
1 pkg unsalted butter sticks $2.36
1 pkg turkey lunch meat $1.76
1 pkg ham lunch meat $2.59
1 pkg cheese sticks $2.48
1 pkg meatballs $2.98
1 pkg peanut butter crackers $1.91
1 box saltines $1.08
1 box snack cakes $1.77
1 box granola bars $2.28
1 box snack cakes $1.58
2 pkgs mandarin oranges $2.46
1 box granola bars $2.28
5 gallons apple juice $12.40
1 pkg cheese and cracker snacks $4.68
1 (2) liter ginger ale $.58
1 (2) liter cola $.58
3 (8) pks pwerade $14.25
1 Dublin soda $1.28
~2 lbs squirrel food 4.91
4lbs sugar $1.49
~1/4lb walnuts $1.43
1 bottle ranch dressing $.98
~1/2 pound grits $.65
~3/4lbs pasta shells $.71
~3/4 lb pasta spaghetti $.66
~3/4 lb pasta penne $.58
1 dental chew dog bone $.86
~1/4 lb cinnamon $.72
~1&3/4 lbs rice $1.08
2 bags Doritos $2.96
1&1/2 lbs baking potatoes $.64
~1/4 lb ginger root $.43
~2&1/2 lbs bird seed $.92
1 pkg nipples $2.29
1 pkg dishwasher detergent $2.99
1 pkg cookies $.98
1 donut $.58
~1&1/4 lbs raw sugar $.99
~3/4lbs elbow macaroni $.58
~1&1/2 lbs gold potatoes $1.22
Total: $152.74
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)










































