Now and Then Book Review

Now and Then (Spenser) by Robert B. Parker was the next book in the series.  I actually had it sitting on my book shelf because my mother had given it to me.  I was super excited because I was totally out of the books from the library and didn't have anymore spaces to get out any more books because my son had checked out almost all of the books to get to our total limit of 50 books.  I have to find a few books to return in order to get a few more books out to continue reading!!

In this book, Spenser is hired by Dennis, an FBI agent, to find out if Jordan, his wife, is cheating on him.  Seems like this should be an easy enough case but it goes badly very quickly when Spenser confirms that she is cheating with Dr. Perry Alderman.  Both the husband and wife are found killed to make it look like the husband shot the wife and then took his own life.  The plan was changed by Vinnie Morris who shot and killed the man who killed Jordan.  The police and the FBI were investigating the murders and trying to figure out what happened but were only coming up with dead ends.  Spenser helped the police and FBI through his research even though he no longer had any clients.  Spenser was going to stay on it until he found out who killed his former clients because he always takes everything personally.  I hope that you pick this one up and see all of the crazy things that happen and what leads to the discovery of the guilty parties!!

I highly recommend the Spenser series and all of the other series from Robert Parker.  They have the best characters and the greatest stories.  I hope that you pick up this book at your local library or bookstore soon!

I thought that this one was really good and I finished it super fast (partly because it was paperback which I tend to do better with because I can carry it everywhere and read more at night).  I was thinking that I my other two books were coming in on the library reserve but I guess I changed my mind or ran out of time when I was on the computer because when they weren't in, I checked and I never released the hold on my books.  Ooops!!!  I think that I was going to stop and get them off the shelf when I was there but got caught up with my little guy and didn't make it to the big people book section.  I tend to put all the books that I want on hold so that I can pick them up when I am at the library with the little guy.  It makes sure that I get books and don't have to make a special mommy trip just to get some books to read.  If you want to read(and don't have a chance to because you have kids), I highly recommending finding out about your library reserve program.  I can pick out my books right from the comfort of my couch and pick them up in a few days.  Of course this takes planning but I think that it is really good to end up with a steady supply of great books!!!  It is like my netflix with books!!!!  Do you use your library reserve??

Menu Plan Monday 6/17

Monday- Chicken Paninis
Tuesday- House Autry breaded chicken fingers
Wednesday- Chicken Fajitas with spicy saffron rice
Thursday- Chicken Italian Chicken with chicken rice
Friday- Frozen Pizza
Saturday- Leftovers/ ????
Sunday- Leftovers/???

I came up with so many meals to fill in the blanks and all of them were chicken so I am holding out until I find something perfect to put in the place.  I am hoping to look through the cookbooks and see what else there is to find.  Any ideas of things that you pull together out of your pantry and freezer?  Remembering that this is mission clean out the freezer!! 

We might just end up with more grilled chicken but my father is coming into town and I don't know when he is going to be here so I am leaving the weekend a little loose so that I can make something for four people (or get take out on Saturday after a busy day).  Hope you have a great week planned!!

My Giant Shopping Trip

I had my $10 monthly Giant community credit, a pile of gift cards, and a coupon for $5 off $30.  I had some gift cards left from the recipe contest that I won!!  I also just got two $10 ones from something in May that I did on their website (still not sure which ones).  I was determined to get some good deals with the time that I had while my son was in class at My Gym.

We were out of pizza cheese, ketchup and blue cheese salad dressing.  We were running low on vinegar, butter and spaghetti.  In addition, there was a good deal on lunch meat and cereal that I couldn't pass up.  I added in the pineapple to make sure that I was at the needed total to use the coupon.

I did the first transaction while my son was in class and I didn't spend any money out of pocket but here are my totals.

Total Original Cost  $79.00
Total Savings  $57.99
Total Gift Cards Used $21.78 (includes tax)

Then, I went back to My Gym with my son for open play.  We went to Giant with our friends after class and I got four more boxes of cereal.  I saved the ones that my son would be excited about.  I also got a catalina from the Dole purchase for $0.50 which I used on this transaction.  It didn't work on right so the cashier took it off and put it in as cash.  It usually takes at least three people to decide to do that at my Giant so I was super glad that I didn't have any fight at this Giant and it makes me want to do all my shopping there!!!

Total Original Cost $13.81
Total Savings $11.80
Total Gift Cards Used $2.14 (includes tax)

The great news is that I still have a gift card left which has $9.45 on it!!  I am super excited to save that and use next month with my credit to get towards the money to use my new $5 off of $30 purchase.  I am going to be trying to figure out the best time to use that to get lots more groceries.

In this transaction, I also got a $0.40 per gallon gas credit for buying 6 packages of cheese.  Because my fill up at empty was only 13 gallons, it was only $5.20 difference but ever bit helps so I got to fill up my gas at a little better price and save a little more money getting the groceries that we already needed.

Nearly $100 of groceries for nothing out of pocket is a great win in my book!!!  I love being part of the Giant online community and I am really glad that I was given the offer because the credit towards groceries and the gift card promotions are making a big difference in my monthly grocery spending!!!

Weekly Goals 6/16

It was supposed to be a slow week but it didn't turn out that way.  We were super busy and all over the place with all our activities.  I even had to run out on Saturday night to get milk.  We just had one of those weeks that it seemed we were in the wrong place at the wrong time but I did try to make everything work out so that we were busy and we even got a nap a few times which was super nice for Mommy!!  I hope that you had a great week.

Family Goals

• Spend time with family- We had a great week together and got to see Aunt Kim and Uncle Steve for a yummy steak dinner.
• Play N Learn- Going all the way to Chantilly is always a challenge but we got a haircut and stopped at Pottery Barn on the way and then had tons of fun playing with friends and then went to Aldi's
• Playdate with friends- We had a friend come over in the morning and play and then we went to My Gym and then we went to another friends house!  We had a fun and busy day :)
• We went to a playdate at a new friends house and had a great time with new friends and new toys.
• My Gym and 2-3 free plays- We went to My Gym lots this week and even had a trip to get ice cream at Spartan's before one.  This is our last week of classes before summer camp.

Personal Goals

• Cut coupons- I cut two out of three inserts so at least I made progress.  I was hoping that I could get them done but I didn't get anything done on Saturday like I had hoped because we were busy distracting Dylan from bothering the neighbors.
• Get coupons on Friday- I checked at two places and they didn't have them so my husband stopped and got them for me.  I was super excited that we didn't have to go out on Saturday morning and try to find them.
• Try a new recipe!!! - I made new biscuits.  They didn't turn out super great but they didn't turn out badly so I guess I will try them again and make them a little thicker.  They were really yummy with
• Shut off computer 6 nights to save energy- I shut it off a few times when we left the house and every night.  The computer was acting a little strange but usually much better after a rest :)
• Finish reading Rough Weather by Robert Parker- Read it and posted review
• Start reading The Professional by Robert Parker- Read it and posted review

Home Management Goals

• Clean dishes, counters and floors at least 5 days of the week- The never ending task of keeping the kitchen clean was tough this week but I did it.  I cleaned the counters every day and I didn't clean the floor every day but at least 5 days :)
• Clean dishes one night and not wait until the morning- We cleaned all the dishes during the week once (which I don't remember which day) and then we did them all on Saturday night with a few cleanings through the day and the dishwasher being run.  It makes a difference if the dishwasher is empty and the dirty dishes go right into it because the kitchen stays a little cleaner instead of piling up on the counter.

Blog Goals

• Post one post everyday (schedule 7 posts so that can spend more time with family)- Posted most of the week and I didn't get on the blog for most of the week so now I have to make sure that we are all set for next week :)
• Review book reviews completed during the week (if done)- Done 
• Work on a few posts to work ahead for the coming week- I still have 9 posts up and I have to go back and see what other things I need to post for next week because I am super behind!
• Post Weekly Goals, Menu Plan Monday, and Thrifty Thursday Tip- Done

Family Goals

• Spend time with family including Grandpa coming to visit
• By the Sea Storytime
• Preschool Storytime
• Storytime at Pottery Barn
• Sing Along with Liz
• Puppet Show
• Lee District Spray park
• Birthday party at My Gym
• One Man Band Music group

Personal Goals

• Cut coupons
• Get coupons on Friday
• Shut off computer 6 nights to save energy
• Start reading Painted Ladies and then an organization book

Home Management Goals

• Clean dishes, counters and floors at least 5 days of the week
• Clean dishes one night and not wait until the morning

Blog Goals

• Post one post everyday (schedule 7 posts so that can spend more time with family)
• Review book reviews completed during the week (if done)
• Work on a few posts to work ahead for the coming week
• Post Weekly Goals, Menu Plan Monday, and Thrifty Thursday Tip

Grilled Roast Beef Sandwiches

I used to work a restaurant where my favorite meal on the menu was a roast beef sandwich with melted provolone and a grilled roll with a horseradish mustard.  Of course, normally I couldn't afford restaurant food every day but this was way back in the day and we got our lunch for free.  Since this was my first restaurant job, I was a little frightened of the cook (if you ever have worked in a restaurant you might understand my hesitation).  Luckily, he was the nicest cook in the world and taught me how to make my own lunch on the grill!  I made the same thing every time I worked and probably should have payed more attention to the recipe for the horseradish mustard.  After years of looking for a replacement, I found this one at Wegmans.

Of course, the restaurant is long out of business and it has been 20 years since I have had one made at the restaurant but I quickly learned to make them easily at home.  I usually get roast beef from the deli counter but I had a great coupon so I got this container for $0.50 after coupon at Harris Teeter super doubles ($0.17 for each sandwich).  I pulled out some of my homemade rolls from the freezer.  The most expensive item was the provolone cheese because the package was on sale for $3 but there were 12 slices and I only used 1 per sandwich ($0.25 for each sandwich).

If you would like to make these at your house, first butter both sides of the bun.  Sometimes it is easier to separate them in order to move them on the griddle.

Then, you put them on a griddle to brown them.

After they are browned, set them aside.  I usually put them directly on the plates that we are going to eat unless I still have out the cutting board or another plate.  Don't those look pretty??

Next I cook the roast beef on the griddle.  When they are cooked around the edges, I flip them over to brown in the other side.  This part happens quickly so it was hard to get a picture.  Then when there are a few together, I put a slice of the provolone cheese and cover with another few slices on the top.  The cheese melts in between the layers to make it super yummy.

Then I take it off the griddle and put it on the prepared rolls.

I top mine with the horseradish mustard but my husband prefers ketchup (yuck)!! 

I thought that I had a picture of the finished sandwiches but it turns out that we ate them too quickly.  They are super easy to cook up and perfect on a busy night to get dinner on the table in a few minutes.  I hope that you try these yummy sandwiches for your family!!!  I can't wait to make them again soon since I have more roast beef and provolone cheese waiting in the refrigerator.

A Turn in the Road Book Review

A Turn in the Road (Blossom Street) by Debbie Macomber was the next in the Blossom Street series which I was really excited to pick up.  I was glad to find out that it was about Bethanne and her family because it seems like it has been a long time since she was mentioned in one of the other books.

 

In this book, Bethanne decides that she is going to leave her thriving business to go on a three week vacation with her ex-mother-in-law, Ruth, so that she doesn't have to drive across the country alone.  When she comes up with this great idea, her daughter, Annie, decides that she wants to come too!  They leave Washington state to drive all the way to Florida for Ruth's 50th high school reunion.  This trip has been an adventure that Ruth has been planning for years and her husband's work always got in the way and the trip was cancelled.  Now that Ruth's husband has passed, she is determine to do this trip, even if it means that she has to travel alone but luckily she now has two people driving with her to keep her company.  As the trip goes on, the women learn that it isn't just seeing some long lost friends but she is also looking to reconnect with her long lost high school love.  The trip brings them to a bunch of different adventures along the way including the first stop where they all help out one of Ruth's oldest friends run a diner during the busiest time.  It was an amazing book and I took an emotional journey with the characters and I suggest you pick it up to find out all the adventures yourself!

Check out this book and all the other Blossom Street novels at your local library or bookstore.  I think that they are great summer reads that have you getting to know the characters and looking forward to the next time they are in a book!!  I am super sad to be on the last book in the series but I am hoping that there are a lot more to come (and fast before I finish the Cedar Cove novels)!!

 

Thrifty Thursday: Summer Reading programs

I can't saw enough about joining summer reading programs with your kids.  We are currently doing the Pottery Barn reading program which has had us reading a lot of books that we normally wouldn't read like Fancy Nancy and some other fairy and princess books.  Most of the books were interesting even if they weren't books that my son would normally pick.  It is always good to expand your child's reading horizons.  We also had four of the books already in our book collection and only two of them had come off the shelf previously.  We started with these four books and after we read each one, my son used a check mark to check each one off the list.

 

He was super excited to read the books and check books off the list.  In case you would like to read some of the book on the list, check out more details on the Pottery Barn website here.  If you read the books on their list, your child gets to pick out a free book to take home with them.  If you don't have the books at your house, a quick trip to the library will get a few other of the books you are looking to read.  I stopped in and picked some up at one local library.  Then, we read those at home.  I reserved a few others that were new and harder to find.  We went to the library to get those and we found all of the rest of the books (minus one) and read them while we were still at the library.  We have one book left to go as soon as it comes in off of reserve.  Your child will learn to set goals, mark off lists, and the joy of finishing and getting rewarded.  In addition, there is no cost for you!!!

We hope to be done by the time the summer reading programs starts at the local library.  We are going to sign up for that one next!  They set a goal of a number of books to read and after the child reads those books (or has them read to them), you bring in the list or put them in online.  Then you go to the library and the child gets a coupon book to get free and reduced things for them to do all summer.  They also got a bee with their name written on it to put up at the library.  My son was so excited by his bee that he pointed it out every time we went to the library after it was put up.  He also checked to make sure all of the bees were attached properly to the walls and no other friends pulled them down!  He noticed the different names up at different library which he thought was interesting but he really owned the one at his library.  In addition, we got to have a free ice cream cone from McDonalds, got a free bag at a thrift store (which came with a $10 free coupon and a free book), as well as some other coupons that we used at the Nature Centers and parks through the summer to get small little gifts like magnifying glass, stickers, and other toys.  It gave us a reason to make it out to all of the parks through the summer because we knew that there was another little treat in store.  It was a reminder all summer how important reading is for us!!!

I hope that you check out some of you local reading programs this summer and see what fun and free things that you can do with your kids!!!  I promise that it will be rewarding for both of you to read lots of new books!!!  They will have treats to remember their adventure through the year and it will bring back all the great memories of the books that you read together.