Menu Plan Monday 8/31

Pasta with Homemade Sauce and Garlic bread
Grilled Chicken with Jasmine Rice and Salt Potatoes
Chili with corn chips and corn bread (hash browns for my son)
House Autry Fried Chicken with mac and cheese and/or mashed potatoes
Sandwiches and Car Picnic Dinner
Pizza Hut Pizza
???

Last week went pretty well and we just switched Tuesday and Saturday because I didn't get things done on Thursday to get dinner on the table.  Luckily, there was leftovers and everything so that we could get dinner quickly after being at the pool.

This is our last week with the pool so I know that I need dinners that are easy enough to cook after we go to the pool so that we can eat before it gets too late.  I can't believe that summer is almost over and things going to get even more busy with expected full day virtual schooling.  We are taking the weekend to go see family so that we can drop off some of the things that we have in our house that have been here since the beginning of the year since we have been stuck at home for so long.

We have been working through the different things in the fridge and freezer through the last month but there is still a lot left.  I need to work on the menu plan for September with the inventory that I already took.  I got some of the things into the month but I am still thinking that I need to move things around a little to fit them all in.  We are going to have our first two soup and sandwich dinners to pretend that the weather is getting cooler and because they are easier to start in the morning and have ready for dinner.  Here is hoping that school makes the day easier and not harder to get dinner on the table because I know that it is going to make it harder to go grocery shopping.  How are you dealing with going back to school and how is it affecting meals?

A Dazzle of Diamonds Book Review

I was excited to read Dazzle of Diamonds (Georgia Coast Romance) by Liz Johnson even though it was the third book in the series and I prefer starting at the beginning.  I thought the cover and description had me hooked and ready to find out more.  It was worth starting in the middle of the series so that I could get to read this one.

Penelope Hunter loves her job as the events manager at one of Savannah's premier historic venues--until her ex-fiancé walks into her office with his new bride-to-be. To make matters worse, a scheming social matriarch is intent on seeing Penelope fired, especially if she insists on being seen with Tucker Westbrook.

Since returning from serving two tours in the Middle East, Tucker has built a thriving security company. His work is nearly as stabilizing as his friendship with Penelope, who has been by his side since childhood. But when the lone candidate for county sheriff goads him, Tucker loses his cool and ends up on the ballot--and on the receiving end of a smear campaign claiming the Westbrooks were traitors to the South.

To clear his name, Tucker and Penelope must join forces to find the truth behind a 150-year-old lost treasure. But the more time they spend together, the closer she comes to losing her job--and falling helplessly in love.

Penelope, also called PJ, was working in her dream job as an event planner.  She is trying to make the best times for other people's lives and worried about being fired.  Tucker is her best friend and working on becoming sheriff because he thinks that he can do a better job then the other candidate.  Both PJ and Tucker work together when the smear campaign starts making Tucker's family seem like traitors of the South which is ruining both Penelope's job and Tucker's chances at election.  There is a great mystery that no one in the past has solved but they have the best family history to work to find the answers to whether there are traitors in the past.  During this time, Penelope is dealing with her ex-finance coming into her venue with his new fiance to get married.  While Tucker is dealing with people who want the future sheriff to have a date for all of the campaign events.  They decide that they can pretend to date since they are best friends.  It turns out that makes both of them stop and think and everything changes.  You have to pick up the book to find out for yourself what happens with the treasure hunt, sheriff election, event planner job and most important between Tucker and Penelope.  I thought it was a great setting and amazing characters.  I can totally see this book turning into a movie because it is filled with everything you need to keep you turning pages.  I hope that you check it out and see for yourself!

**I got this book for my review but all opinions here are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.

Twisted Twenty-Six Book Review

I love this series and it makes me laugh every time I read them.  Twisted Twenty-Six (Stephanie Plum) by Janet Evanovich was no different.  My father complains because they are repeats of the previous books but there are always new fun and shenanigans which have you wondering what is going to happen next.  Although this one has a murder plot, it is not super action packed with disasters.  Stephanie Plum is always doing something crazy and this book is no different!

This isn't just another case. This is family.  How far will Stephanie Plum go to protect the one person who means the most to her? The stakes have never been higher in this #1 New York Times bestseller from Janet Evanovich.  Grandma Mazur has decided to get married again - this time to a local gangster named Jimmy Rosolli. If Stephanie has her doubts about this marriage, she doesn't have to worry for long, because the groom drops dead of a heart attack 45 minutes after saying, "I do." 

A sad day for Grandma Mazur turns into something far more dangerous when Jimmy's former "business partners" are convinced that his new widow is keeping the keys to a financial windfall all to herself. But the one thing these wise guys didn't count on was the widow's bounty hunter granddaughter, who'll do anything to save her.

Stephanie isn't to blame in this book but her grandmother.  Grandma Mazur got married to a mobster who died shortly after marriage and he was the holder of the keys.  No one knew exactly what this meant but people were out to kill Grandma because they thought she had the keys.  There are many attempts by different groups and it is comical to follow Stephanie on her search for the keys.  Although she is trying her best to save her grandmother's life, she is horrible at finding things and only gets herself into more trouble.  You have to pick up the book to find out what happens for yourself.  I hope that you check out this series and all of the great books starting at one and working through until this one which is the 26th book in the series.  Super easy to follow along because they are all numbered with which book goes in order.  It used to be fun to go to the library and have my son help pick out the number.  See how everything is educational!!  I hope that you enjoy this book and the rest of the series.

Menu Plan Monday 8/24

Pasta with Sausage Sauce and Garlic bread
Grilled Greek Chicken with Jasmine Rice and Salt Potatoes
Tacos Rice with corn bread (hash browns for my son)
Spicy Honey Mustard Chicken with mac and cheese
Homemade Pizza (Pepperoni and Garlic Chicken Pizza)
Breakfast for Dinner or Leftovers with stuff from the freezer
Chicken Fries, Chicken Wraps and homemade french fries

I can't believe how quickly the month has gone.  I am working on the meal plan for September and getting ready for our next shopping trip.  I am hoping it won't be too hard with school starting and virtual learning but I guess we will see what happens.  Lots of transitions and changes ahead but looking forward to colder weather and some soups soon :)

Christmas on Main Street Book Review

I was trying to read the Shelter Bay series in order but every source said that it was a different book next.  Christmas on Main Street by JoAnn Ross, Susan Donovan, LuAnn McLane, and Alexis Morgan was supposed to be the next book because there was a short story in the book.  Plus since I couldn't pass up a Christmas book, I was ready to read it.

‘Tis the season to fall in love in this heartwarming collection of four small town Christmas romance stories.

In “Christmas in Shelter Bay,” New York Times bestselling author JoAnn Ross returns to Shelter Bay, where Kelli has long tried to keep her feelings for her friend Cole a secret. But when the local matchmakers conspire to send them to a secluded lakeside cabin, the two friends soon discover that a little love will keep them warm.

TV producer Nathaniel Ravelle knows the Bayberry Island mermaid legend is a joke— how could a statue grant a wish for true love? But when a Christmas Nor’easter lands him in close quarters with local Annie Parker, they see magic at work in matters of the heart in New York Times bestselling author Susan Donovan’s “A Seaside Christmas.”

In LuAnn McLane’s “Mistletoe on Main Street,” Clint isn’t sure how to rekindle his romance with high school sweetheart Ava—until his father bows out of playing Santa at the annual Cricket Creek holiday parade and Clint gets the chance to make this Christmas one to remember.

And in Alexis Morgan’s “The Christmas Gift”, business is booming at Bridey Roke’s pastry shop. Everyone in town stops in to sample her holiday treats.  But in her spare moments, she’s perfecting a special recipe to charm the handsome new neighbor—who has his own surprise gift for her come Christmas Eve!

The first book was the Christmas in Shelter Bay which was about Kelli and Cole.  I know that I have read about them in another book and they were totally together in that book so I don't think that I got the books in order but I was glad to get this missing piece of the puzzle.  Kelli and Cole have been lifetime family friends and although Kelli has had a long time crush, Cole didn't want to see her like that because she has always been the girl next door.  Their family pushes them into going to the secluded cabin where they discover that there are sparks between them.  Christmas is going to be different this year!

The second book was Seaside Christmas where Nathaniel Ravelle comes to Bayberry Island to learn about the mermaid legend.  Although on his way into town, the big storm hits and he falls in front of a shop on the way to the Bed and Breakfast he was supposed to stay.  Annie Parker hears the noise and goes outside to pull him inside.  There are no doctors in the small town so she follows all the instructions on what she is supposed to do to warm him up and make sure that he doesn't get frost bite in addition to the concussion.  When we wakes up naked in Annie's bed, he is very confused on what happened.  They quickly get him seen by a doctor but he is supposed to have round the clock care so he stays at Annie's and they get to know each other and retell the stories of the town.  It is a great seaside Christmas tale that has me wanting to pick up the rest of the series.

The third book was Mistletoe on Main Street where Ava runs a local toy story and is working hard during the Christmas season to keep the shelves stocked and also to be a part of the Christmas festivities in town.  She always plays Mrs. Claus but this year instead of the normal Mr. Claus, she finds her ex-boyfriend sitting in who has been gone from the small town for a long time.  Although she wants to not have any feelings, there is a spark that she can't ignore.  Clint decided with his father's suggestion, to send her gifts and things until she softened up and accepted his apology.  Their relationship picked up right where it left off and they were quickly inseparable until Clint disappeared and no one knew where he went.  The great thing about being close with someone for so long is that they know you better then family so Ava set out on the adventure to find Clint before Christmas.

The fourth book was the Christmas Gift which was a great story of Bridey who runs the pastry shop in the small town and is working towards making all her customers feel like family through her smile and ease of talking.  Although she meets Seth and feels just a little bit more interest, she is focused on making new recipes and building her new business. Seth is an artist who escaped to the small town in order to get inspiration back but feels nothing for the wood that he is supposed to work with until he decides that he has to offer to rebuild Bridey's kitchen shelves.  They work together daily and become good friends until their friendship blossoms into something more.  

This was a great book series although they were all just a little too short.  I love a long story but I know that I will be looking for a lot of these series to add to my reading list soon.  Have you read any of them??  I am going to have to find them at the library and see where I can start.  Although I have a huge pile of books that I have to get through first!!

Menu Plan Monday 8/17

Penne Pasta and Shells with sausage sauce with garlic bread
Grilled Greek Chicken with Jasmine Rice
 French Dip Sloppy Joes with mac and cheese
Chicken Tacos with corn bread (hash browns for my son)
Homemade Pizza (Pepperoni and Garlic Chicken Pizza)
Breakfast for Dinner or Fried Rice with egg rolls
Chicken Fries, Chicken Wraps and homemade french fries

I am getting really into this super easy meal plan and doing a pretty good job at it.  I might have forgotten to take out meat but it was still defrosted enough before dinner so we were still able to have the planned meal.  On the pizza day, I dismissed the timer on making the pizza dough and I almost forgot but I got in the bread machine to make the dough so it was done just before dinner time.  I used the leftover dough the next morning to make fried doughnuts for breakfast which was nice for all of us.  I think that moving it to Friday was a good move and gets us ready for school starting.

I had the whole meal plan made for the month and it has felt good to be set and there seems to be a lot of free time because I don't have to run to the store for deals and other things.  I have enjoyed it and spent the time with some different learning opportunities for my son. We just finished learning about the skeleton and bones which was interesting.  We are going to try the Holocaust next.

On the monthly grocery shopping front, I thought that I was doing really well after starting this process with my list and getting everything until I went downstairs.  There were only three Cran Grapes on the shelf.  I thought we were almost out of it and I was thinking that I really messed up and they were drinking tons!!  My husband said that he found the ones from the month that my son "helped" but he left it on the floor.  LOL!!!  I really should have looked around but I didn't even think to look.  I was going to say that they needed to slow down and drink water but I guess we are plenty fine now.  I even started thinking that I was going to have to start writing the date on that they couldn't touch the juice before.  Super excited that I was wrong and we don't have to manage the food more then just grabbing what we need from the pantry.  We are running low on potatoes and lettuce but everything else so I might need to get those and a few more items at the store since I never made it to Harris Teeter on shopping day. My son has also finished most of the ice cream in the house so we might get a little if there is some on sale.  There is still room in the budget for those things so we should be okay with a quick trip at the end of the month.

Castaway Cove Book Review

I am finally back to my pile of Shelter Bay novels after taking a break to wait for the rest of them to come in from the library.  Castaway Cove: A Shelter Bay Novel by JoAnn Ross was the next in the series which says that it is 6th.  I was excited to get back and find out what was happening in this cute small town since the last book that I read.  I was a little confused on the order of the books but I thought that this was next to read.

They’ve never met. But they’re destined for each other.... Single dad Mac Culhane has traveled to some of the world’s most dangerous war zones, but now he and his young daughter have settled in Shelter Bay, where he’s become the late-night DJ for the local radio station. The last thing he expects is to connect over the airwaves with a caller....

After a painful divorce, Annie Shepherd opened up a scrapbook store in town and started volunteering with local senior citizens. Although she loves her work, dreams of the family she longs for keep her up late, listening to Mac Culhane’s voice on the radio.  When Mac and Annie finally meet in person, the attraction between them is instantaneous. But Annie isn’t ready to lay her heart on the line, and neither is Mac. Fortunately, no one in Shelter Bay is about to let a perfect match escape the magic of true love....

I was so happy to get back to this series.  Shelter Bay is a super cute small coastal town and I was happy to meet Annie Shepherd and Mac Culhane.  I was excited to find out what was going to happen to these two people.  Annie was immediately a question mark because she keeps herself hidden and doesn't want to plan for the future.  You know that there is a mystery there that will uncovered if I am just patient.  Mac is working to rebuild his life after he came back injured from oversees to have his wife leave him with her young child.  Mac decided to move to his home town to live close to his father or grandfather so that he could raise his child around family.  I was waiting as patiently as I could to find out what was going on with Annie and why she was avoiding relationships.  Make sure you pick up the book and find out the secrets and what happens.  I hope that you check out this book and the rest of the series and enjoy it.  I know that you will enjoy the journey.

Back in the Game Book Review

I picked up a book from my library pile to read next which just happened to be the first book in the series....well, I had to look up which one was the first but I had all three so I was excited to start at the beginning.  Back in the Game: A Stardust, Texas Novel by Lori Wilde is the first book in the series in Stardust, Texas.  I was ready to get started in this fun new series.

New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde welcomes you to Stardust, Texas . . . where dreams come true and love is always right around the corner. Wanted: ghostwriter. Must be female, a baseball fan, and have a great pair of legs. Ex-pitcher Rowdy Blanton never saw a woman he couldn't conquer or a team he couldn't beat. And now that he's off the field he's ready to tell all about when he played the field. So he chooses Breeanne Carlyle to do the job—she's got the requirements, but more important, there's something about her that makes him want to be a better man. Convinced there's more to Rowdy than a good fastball, a wicked smile, and a tight pair of pants, Breeanne can't help but be tempted. After all, it's boring always being the good girl, and Rowdy dares her to be just a little bad. The stakes are high, but win or lose, this time Breeanne's breaking all the rules playing the game of love.

Breeanne Carlyle is starting to live her life after spending years getting surgeries and recovering from health issues. She has decided to start writing as her career and is working at her family bookstore while she gets started.  She goes on an interview to be a ghostwriter for Rowdy Blanton, a famous womanizer and baseball player.  Breeanne shows up for the interview and there are a few other women there that are throwing themselves at Rowdy for the chance to write his book.  He is put off by the attention and wants them to leave so he tells them that Breeanne is his girlfriend.  She doesn't know what is going on but she plays along and he kisses her and that tells the others to go away.  Breeanne gets a chance at her interview and answers many baseball questions and she passes the test.  Rowdy decides that she should write the book and also decides that he is strangely attracted to this quiet woman.  They grow close sharing stories while trying to write Rowdy's book but a lot of things happen that make both of their lives difficult.  You have to pick up the book to find out what happens because it is crazy!  I was pulling for Breeanne the entire time and started to pull for Rowdy too as he unfolds as a character.  I hope that you enjoy the fun small town of Stardust, Texas and the great characters.  Check out this book and the rest of the series to find out what is going on in Stardust.  I know that you will enjoy this first in the series and stay tuned for reviews of the other books soon.

Sisters by Choice Book Review

I had a bunch of books on reserve at the library and all of them started to come in at the same time.  Sisters by Choice: A Novel (Blackberry Island) by Susan Mallery was on that I could read before it was due back to the library.  I had to return a bunch because they didn't have any renewals but I was glad to get a chance to read this one because it was the forth in the series which I had already read.

Cousins by chance, sisters by choice…

After her cat toy empire goes up in flames, Sophie Lane returns to Blackberry Island, determined to rebuild. Until small-town life reveals a big problem: she can’t grow unless she learns to let go. If Sophie relaxes her grip even a little, she might lose everything. Or she might finally be free to reach for the happiness and love that have eluded her for so long.

Kristine has become defined by her relationship to others. She’s a wife, a mom. As much as she adores her husband and sons, she wants something for herself—a sweet little bakery just off the waterfront. She knew changing the rules wouldn’t be easy, but she never imagined she might have to choose between her marriage and her dreams.

Like the mainland on the horizon, Heather’s goals seem beyond her grasp. Every time she manages to save for college, her mother has another crisis. Can she break free, or will she be trapped in this tiny life forever?

Sophie Lane was forced to start over when her business went up in flames.  She asked everyone at he company if they wanted to relocate with her and she had no takers.  She was starting over and hiring all of the employees from the small town where she grew up.  She decided that it was a chance to start her life over and make things better.  Sophie has her family around to help her start over and the small town of Blackberry Island.  Kristine is her cousin and she is trying to be the best mom and wife but working on her dream of starting her business selling her bakery items.  Kristine worked hard to do this from home to make sure that she was there for her family but has decided to pursue her dream of having a store when the local bakery becomes available for rent.  Heather is trying to leave for college but keeps getting pulled back into the drama with her mother.  She is dealing with her grandmother selling the house that she has lived all her life and trying to find another place to stay that she can afford to pay with the few part time jobs that she has.  All of the family is at a cross roads and trying to make a decision to move forward and start a good life.  I hope that you check out this book and the rest of the series. I know that you will enjoy them as much as I did.  The great characters and great small town are wonderful to visit with the book.

Menu Plan Monday 8/10

Pasta with garlic bread
Grilled Worchestershire Chicken with Jasmine Rice
Tacos with corn bread (hash browns for my son)
House Autry Fried Chicken with mac and cheese
Homemade Pizza (Pepperoni and Garlic Chicken Pizza)
Breakfast for Dinner or Leftovers with stuff from the freezer
Chicken Fries, Chicken Wraps and homemade french fries

 Last week was actually totally according to plan except we ended up having a birthday celebration with my son's friend where they bought pizza so we didn't make homemade pizza last week.  Now we will be without homemade pizza for two weeks so I know that everyone will be excited to see this meal to appear back on the menu.  I think that this week might actually also go with the plan so I might just have this monthly meal plan down with the monthly shopping.  It took me a little while to get into the monthly shopping but I think that I might be getting it right up until the menu changes with the season and the weather.  I wonder what September menu changes will bring?? 

July Month End Budget Shopping and Eating Out

I wasn't sure how this month was going to go because we had vacation planned for the end so I left a little flexibility in case we needed groceries or more eating out while on vacation.  I have been over budget for May and June so I thought it was going to be the new way.  Couponing is hard to impossible to do now but I am doing my best at once a month grocery shopping where I get the majority of my groceries.  Although with the way that everything started, my shopping trip was at the end of the month and vacation was at the same time.  I was interested in seeing how this month went.

Below are all the shopping trips.  I was only out a few times this month but I got all of the things that we needed for the month.  I just didn't get much to stock up for the following month.  Check out the pictures and the totals of everything that I got for the month.

Aldi $29.74

I went to Aldi to get a few things that I thought we were going to need to make it through the month.  I got a few things that we needed like milk, lunch meat and new Jasmine rice.  My son has decided that he doesn't like either of the rices that we had before so we decided to try this kind and we are super excited to report that he likes it.  My son also declared that he would like apple juice so I got him some and he loved it.  I couldn't find the ice cream my son wanted so I got ice pops and cookies and cream.  I got a few things that were on the list for vacation like the cheese, lettuce, oil and a new garlic salt to take with us.  I also grabbed some more margarine to last a little longer.  I bought edamame and bananas because my husband has been enjoying them.

Target $1.68

I got gift cards to get a bunch of things to order online for pick up.  With the vitamins, I needed to add the Tums to get a $5 gift card back.  I wanted the coconut for the granola.  We needed more sunblock because we were running low on ours. It was a great experience for the Target pickup but we couldn't get everything online.  We had to go into the store to get a new swimsuit for my son but we found one that he liked when we sent him pictures.

Harris Teeter $19.54

I got lots of cereal that were all good deals with sales and coupons.  My son's favorite chips are the Sour Cream and Onion Pringles which were on sale for $0.97 so I got him four which brought cheers when he saw them.  I got a bunch of Kool Aid which should last us through the rest of the summer since the sale was ending and it was about half price.  I was excited to get the new Ortega powder that has 4 packages in the container and it was on sale too.  My favorite taco seasoning for ground beef tacos!!  I have tons and tons of Old El Paso but I don't prefer that on beef so excited to have the option back in the pantry.

Harris Teeter $9.13

There was a Turkey Hill ice cream sale so I grabbed four because I thought that was the limit...only I got home to find out that it was 5.  Oops!  There was a sale on Capri Sun for $2 and an evic coupon for $1 off so it was $1 and these are my son's favorite so I got them for vacation. I also wrote a quick message to Turkey Hill on their website and I got a bunch of coupons so I am super excited to say that next time I need to get ice cream, I will have lots of coupons to use.

Weiss $1.99

I went to the store on vacation because I forgot to pack emergency pads which I woke up needing the first morning of vacation!!   Downloaded the app and a coupon so that they were only $2 after the coupon for just about anything on the shelf.  Yeah for fast thinking even though I had poor packing.

Total Retail $159.76

Total Saving $97.68

Total Rebates $3.55

Total OOP $58.53

I had a very low spending month which was a huge change from the past few months.  The great thing is that we have tons of things in the house but I am always guessing on the things that I need to stock up on because they are going to be out of stock the next time I go to the store.  This month I didn't get a lot of stocking up done so I know that I am going to have a lot of things on the list for August so stay tuned to see how I do with once a month shopping next month.  I hope to be under budget again but I can't imagine that I can do it two months in a row.

Eating Out or Take Out

We got one pizza at Pizza Hut at the beginning of the month and used points to get free bread sticks and our summer reading Book It program individual pan pizza.  It was super tasty and we really enjoyed it.  I mostly enjoyed the fact that I didn't have to cook.  It was lot of food and we got to try the hand tossed and pan pizza together.  My son said he preferred the hand tossed.  Spent $10.59 out of our $40 budget so I was well under budget too with lots of leftovers to eat the next day.

Menu Plan Monday 8/3

Pasta with garlic bread
Grilled Sweet Chili Chicken with Jasmine Rice
Salsa Sloppy Joes with mac and cheese
Chicken Tacos with corn bread (hash browns for my son)
Homemade Pizza (Pepperoni and Garlic Chicken Pizza)
Fried Rice with egg rolls and edamame
Chicken Fries, Chicken Wraps and homemade french fries

Last week was our vacation and we had a list of the lunches and dinners we were going to have knowing that we might switch a dinner to a lunch if we had different time available.  We had a great meal plan that worked out to lots of yummy meals and we used up most of the things on the menu between lunch and dinner and eating our leftovers as planned.  I did make two loaves of peasant bread to make into Cheesy Ranch Bacon Bread which is a vacation favorite so we had it twice.  We had the leftovers when we came home.  Ready to get back to my normal kitchen and all my kitchen stocks to make meals with but keeping it pretty simple this week.

I need to make rolls and go grocery shopping to get stocked back up on things.  I am trying to get organized so that I am ready to go shopping.  I already have the monthly meal plan together so I know that I have the main things in the house that we need for the month so I just need to grab a few other things that we need like milk, cheese and produce.  I hope that I have the list together to go in the next few days.