Monday, October 29, 2012

Menu Plan Monday 10/29


Monday- Sloppy Chicken Joes
Tuesday- Tacos
Wednesday- Frozen Pizza before Trick or Treating
Thursday- Olive Oil Spaghetti
Friday- Steak and mashed potatoes
Saturday- leftovers/??
Sunday- Soup and Sandwiches/Whole Chicken

Trying to clean out the freezer so that I have enough room for a turkey for Thanksgiving and Christmas!!! I hope that I will magically get it clean enough so that I can defrost and have a clean freezer but it isn't looking good because we are packed to the gills with lots of things that don't make meals.  More creative meals coming in the next few weeks to use up some of the freezer stuff!!!

Happy November everyone!  I should have been expecting this but I guess we were more focused on the end of the month and Halloween in this house :)  It is a big holiday for us and with a little one, it takes on a whole different meaning and list of things to do!!

Storm Update:  I am changing the menu a little because we are getting the brunt of the storm tonight so instead of standing out at the grill in 60 mile in hour winds, we are going to have an inside meal tonight with hopes of finishing more in the freezer.  I think that the whole week's plan goes out the window if we loose power but I am crossing my fingers and hoping for the best.  I hope that everyone else keeps their power through the storm!!!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Two more trips to Harris Teeter... It pays to be prepared!

I went to Harris Teeter with the little man in tow to get Triscuits with my Free Triscuit coupon which got in the mail recently (I think that I requested it from Facebook).  I was super happy to see that Harris Teeter had them on sale Buy one, Get one so that I could get two with my handy dandy coupon.  I also had some coupons left for the Gerber products so I grabbed those since they were on surprise sale!!  I didn't have things prepared for a big shopping trip and the little man was not really in for any longer in the store so we left and he fell asleep in the car so I guess leaving was good timing.

Total OOP $0.60
Total Savings $13.10

I got the nifty Evic specials on my card and there was a Saturday only deal so I turned around to go back to Harris Teeter to get milk for $2.47.  There is a threat that we are going to loose power with the coming storms so I was having a hard time deciding whether I wanted to buy one milk or two but I got two just in case.

I also went with the hope that without the little man in tow, I would get more deals and I really did.  I got three cases toilet paper which were nearly the last left because of the coming storm and there were only a few on an end cap.  After much thought, I used my rain check since it was for $5.99 which was $1 less than the current sale price and I had a $0.55 printable coupon that was expiring on 10/30.  After all was said and done, they were $4.89 (or $0.40 per roll).  Can you believe that Cottonelle normally goes for over $11 (which is almost $1.00 per roll !!!).  I used to try to get toilet paper for $0.25 per roll but I think that those days are gone :(

I got some stuff for free which is always a great deal!!  I used the Nivea rain check that I have been holding on to forever to get six lipglosses for free after coupon.  I got the Wholly Salsa for free after printable coupon.

I got some other great coupon and Evic deals with Pringles for $0.97 which was $0.22 each after coupon.  The Hillshire Farms Turkey was on sale for $1.97 and there were no coupons which made me super sad.  I grabbed the Mazola Spray which was $0.89 each after sale and coupon.


I really wanted to get the Kleenex but they were out of almost all of the boxes... assuming since there was a limit of 2 boxes at $0.97, that the shelves were cleaned out in storm preparation too!!  UGH!  I did get a rain check and I hope that I can get a good deal on them before the coupon that I have expires in November.

They were also out of the baby food that I wanted to get so I still have one coupon left which I need to redeem soon!!!  Here is hoping for one more trip to Harris Teeter before the storm hits the east coast.

Total OOP $26.25
Total Savings $33.77 +$8.94 (Nivea raincheck)+ $16.50 (Cottonelle raincheck)= $59.84

I linked up at some great sites so you should check them out to see their deals too!!  I love to see how other people do with shopping trips :)

Pounds 4 Pennies
Frugal Follies
Nanny to Mommy
Couponing Couple
Homemaking Mom
Couponing Away Debt

Weekly Goals 10/28

It was another long week with both of the parents sick and a little guy with a ton of energy.  I am hoping that this lingering cough is going to take a vacation so that I can get some stuff done and get ahead.  It is already getting to the end of October and I haven't even thought about the holidays yet.  Of course, many people think that this isn't a bad thing but it is very unlike me.  I know we are having Thanksgiving and Christmas here but that is as far as the planning has gotten.   First step, get better... second step, plan the holidays!!!  I hope that you had a great week and have a great plan for next week.

This Week:

Family Goals
  • Spend time with my family- We had a great weekend and enjoyed our evening dinners.
  • Get to Preschool on time- We had a pretty easy week getting to school... sadly the construction is on the way home so it takes a million times longer to get home.
  • Storytime at library- Getting the little man out of the house for storytime is the new fight but he has such a good time when we get there and he has made a new storytime friend so he even sits on the carpet by his little friend.
  • Playdate at our house with friends- We had our friends over to play and my little guy was so eager to have people over that he was dressed and ready to play at about 8 am... sadly, friends weren't here then so there was a little disppointment, until everyone got here.  He was a wild man when everyone left and I wasn't enough entertainment to get through the crazy of the afternoon.
Personal Goals
  • Cut coupons- I actually got this done early!!!  I figured while I was still cutting last weeks that I should get ahead and push through this weeks!!  Super glad that I did.
  • Get coupons at library on Friday- I went on Friday and they hadn't gotten the paper yet.  My husband went on his way home and didn't see any either.  The boys went on Saturday morning when the library opens while I cook lots and they had some so I luckily got my papers.
  • Get last minute things for Halloween party- I bought chili sauce at the store on Monday while grabbing a few other deals.  I got some crackers and other stuff at Harris Teeter on Friday.  I don't know what else will pop up but I know that it will so I am prepared to head back to the store again before the party..
  • Take stuff to Salvation Army- Done!  They wouldn't take the shower curtain rod.. weird right?
  • Doctor's appointment- Done and it took less time then I thought so I had time to do everything else on my to do for my "free" morning.
  • Dentist appointment- I was glad to be over with these appointments until the new year.  My mouth needs a break.
  • Shut off computer 6 nights to save energy- I shut off the computer all but one night that I forgot.
  • Pick a new book to read- I am reading The Nanny Diaries: A Novel by Emma Mclaughlin and Nicola Kraus which I just finished...review coming soon.  I have a few books that I got from my neighbor that I am going to read next.
Home Management Goals
  • Clean dishes, counters and floors at least 5 days of the weekThis seems to be the challenge of the week but I more or less got it done.  It is impossible to be sick and motivate myself to get the kitchen clean every day.  I have done my best and cleaned it up as much as possible.  Here is hoping that I feel better next week and so does the kitchen :)
  • Clean dishes one night and not wait until the morning- I did the dishes on Wednesday night so that there wouldn't be anything in the sink when I had to start getting ready for our playdate.  It was nice to get one thing checked off and out of the way since I knew I had to finish laundry and a few other things in the morning.  I had plenty of time before people came over by planning ahead :)
Blog Goals
  • Post one post everyday- Done
  • Make a new recipe and post- I made a few recipes this week and posted at least two
  • Schedule at least 7 posts so that can spend more time with family- Done
  • Review book reviews completed during the week- Done
  • Work on a few posts to work ahead for the coming week- Done
  • Post Weekly Goals, Menu Plan Monday, and Thrifty Thursday Tip- Done
This Week:

Family Goals
  • Spend time with my family
  • Halloween party
  • Get to Preschool on time
  • Music class
  • Storytime at the library
Personal Goals
  • Cut coupons
  • Get coupons at library on Friday
  • Shut off computer 6 nights to save energy
  • Read books
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
  • Make a new recipe and post
  • Schedule at least 7 posts so that can spend more time with family
  • Review book reviews completed during the week
  • Work on a few posts to work ahead for the coming week
  • Post Weekly Goals, Menu Plan Monday, and Thrifty Thursday Tip

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Sourdough Tomato Amish Friendship Bread

This sounded like such an interesting recipe (and the added benefit that it uses 2 cups of the Amish starter and I am starting to get overwhelmed and I end up with something that isn't a dessert or breakfast bread)!! 

I don't ever have tomato juice so my first step was to google how to make tomato juice from scratch :)  Check out this recipe in case you don't have tomato juice either!!  I used a can of tomato paste which I got for free a little while back on a stock up.  I mixed one can of the tomato paste with four cans full of water.  I only needed 1 1/2 cups for this recipe so I sealed the rest to store in the fridge.  I have enough to make another loaf if this one is super yummy!


First I mixed the starter, tomato juice, and sugar in a bowl.


Then I added in the spices.  I decided to try Mrs. Dash's seasoning since I don't always use the mixed ones.  Plus, I thought it might be a good addition to the flavor.


I mixed in the seasoning per the recipe to the liquid ingredients.


Then, I mixed in my Kitchen Aid mixer with the dough hook.  Adding one cup of flour at a time.  The beginning seemed so slow but I added in the flour quickly as soon as the previous one was mixed in.  The dough formed very quickly on the dough hook.  I took it out and worked in the last cup by hand on the counter.  It was a lot of strength to work that bread over and over.  It is my first attempt at making a bread without the bread machine.  I thought that I would try it and see how it worked since I have never done it before! 

I kneaded lots and then put it in a greased bowl and covered the bread dough with oil.  I covered the bowl with a towel and let it rise.  I was less than patient because it wasn't rising but the 12 hour suggestion would be at 11 pm but I let it sit until the next day.  It still didn't rise so I put it in the oven to proof.  Still nothing so I put it in the oven that was preheating for dinner.  I figured at this point that I wasn't getting anymore so I formed it into two loaves and baked.



It turned out to be tasty but it never got the fluffy texture from the rising.  I was sad that my first attempt at bread by hand didn't work but I think that it had more to do with the recipe, then the cook... I hope!!  I would not recommend this recipe but I wanted to let you know that you should keep using the Amish starter for the quick bread recipes.

Sourdough Tomato Amish Friendship Bread

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
Servings: 16
Yield: 2 loaves

Ingredients
2 cups Amish Friendship Bread Starter
1 1/2 cups warm tomato or V8 juice
2 teaspoons sugar
7 cups flour
2 teaspoons Italian seasonings (optional)
Grated cheese (optional)

Directions
  1. In a large bowl, mix together the starter, tomato juice and sugar. Add optional ingredients.
  2. Add in 1 cup of flour at a time and stir well to develop the gluten.
  3. When the dough is stiff, turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic. Add the last 1 cup of flour as you go.
  4. Add to a greased bowl and lightly grease the top.
  5. Cover with a towel and place in a draft free area over night or for 12 hours.
  6. Punch down dough and divide into two.
  7. Form into rounds and place each on a baking sheet that has been sprinkled generously with cornmeal.
  8. Let rise for 1-2 hours, covered with a towel.
  9. Preheat oven to 350° F (177° C).
  10. Rub tops of loaves lightly with flour and slash with a sharp knife.
  11. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until the bottom is lightly browned.
Kitchen Notes
It works best to use a stand mixer and dough hook to mix the dough up to the kneading. For a soft crust, cool bread under a clean dish towel. For a harder, European type crust, let cool without a dish towel.

Friday, October 26, 2012

That Summer Place Book Review

My mother gave me a book years ago (I say five, she says less than that) and I finally got to reading some of the books that I had in a pile at the house.  Well, my piles moved because I got rid of my old night stands by the bed and got a "new" lawyers bookcase from my grandmother.  I have always wanted one because I love the glass fronts and it just looks so neat to me!!  We are super lucky that my grandmother gave us her antique one and I moved books from different piles so that they are all in one place now.  When I was done with the library books, I grabbed one off the shelf and it happened to be That Summer Place: Old Things\Private Paradise\Island Time by Jill Barnett, Debbie Macomber and Susan Wiggs.

This is probably not something that I would pick out at the library but it was a good book.  It was broken down into three mini-books written by each of the three authors.  The great thing about it was they were writing about the same place over different times.  It was a summer house called Rainshadow Lodge, outside Seattle.  I would like to put a disclaimer that they are all a little bit steamy love stories so if that isn't your thing, you can move on now. 

The first story was called Old Things and it was my favorite story about Catherine revisiting a childhood vacation spot with her kids.  She reconnects with her kids and her old teenage boyfriend.  Private Paradise is about Beth who is staying at the summer house with her son but her friends are supposed to be joining and it turns out she is going to spend a month with a stranger and his daughter.  The third story called Island Time what was about Mitch and Rosie who were working on a project to build a new marina on the island and they spent a month at the idyllic summer house.  Following through the stories left me wanting a little more of the story with each set of stories but I enjoyed the relaxing summer place and it makes you wish that you had a place like that to share with your family.

It is a nice light read that I would suggest picking up if you are at your local library or bookstore.  Have you read any other books by these authors?  I guess I will have to check them out and see if I like some of their other books too (after I get rid of the pile of books that are now neatly arranged on my new bookshelf).

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Liebster Award Part 1

Guess what?  I was nominated for an award!!  Can you believe it?  Another blogger, Nanny to Mommy, liked my blog and nominated me for the Liebster award.  I didn't have a clue what is was (and since I assumed it was a blogging thing and I am new to this blogging world).  I saw her new post and there are questions for me to answer and I have to pass it on so that everyone can find out all of my favorite blogs!  First to the rules:

Liebster: (der) n. sweetheart, beloved person, darling

- Rules -

- Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
- Answer the questions that the nominator set for you, plus create 11 questions for the people you've nominated to answer.
- Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
- Go to their page and tell them.
- No tag backs.

About myself:

1.  I have a 3 1/2 year old son.
2.  I am married to my best friend and the most wonderful man that I have ever met.
3.  I am a stay at home mom.
4.  I like to bake and try new recipes but cooking is a chore.
5.  I like to read and sometimes loose track of time when reading.
6.  I love to watch movies but I don't really like to go to the movie theater :)
7.  I dislike doing dishes (a lot) but seem to keep making them!!
8.  I don't iron!!  If something is wrinkled, it goes back in the laundry or waits for my mom to iron it because she wouldn't want to be seen in public with someone in wrinkled clothes.
9.  I am not allowed to vacuum anymore because I cut open my foot on the vacuum (years ago) which is nice because I don't like vacuuming so my husband does all the vacuuming.
10.  I love ice tea!!! I drink a lot of ice tea and might be a little addicted :)
11.  I drive a blue car because I was too stubborn to get leather seats and get the gray car that I wanted.  I am the worst decision maker ever and it might take me another 10 years to buy a car.

Answers to questions:

1. Do you have any nicknames? Where did they come from?

My son calls me Momma and Mommy- Does that count?  My husband makes up lots of names but it is usually based on whatever I am doing right then.  Currently his calling me Cookin' Momma Cook Off but it will probably fall off when I stop cooking so much :)

2. What is your favorite eyeshadow color to wear?

I don't wear eye shadow nearly ever but I have a container of gray when it is a really special occasion which is about 10 years old and looks brand new.

3. How many times in your life have you moved and where to?

I have moved a few times since I was born starting in Syracuse, NY where I was born.  We moved from an apartment to my parents first house in Syracuse (which they still own).  Then we moved to Auburn (outside of Syracuse) before kindergarten.  We left there when I was in the second grade and moved to Webster and lived in a townhome until our house was built in Gananda.  We lived in Gananda until I was in 9th grade and then we made the big move to Maryland.  (Running total 4 moves in NY)

Starting in my "adult" life, it is much easier to say that I moved a lot through college but I won't count the times that I stayed at my parents house but only when I rented from someone else over the summer.  I counted 10 moves between the Eastern Shore of MD and VA and I have been in my current house for 10 years!!  That brings me to a total of 14 moves with a hope that we are going to move in the next few years to another house in VA but you aren't going to catch me with over 15 moves so it better be the best house ever!!

4. Have you ever done any martial arts or do you want to?

Nope.  I had friends who did when I was younger and I would sit on the side of class and watch them but I never had the want to do it myself.

5. What is one of the first memories you have from childhood?

I don't know if it is the memory from childhood or stories put together with pictures but I remember playing in my kitchen with pots and pans but I think that is mostly from the pictures and my mom's stories.  Without pictures, I remember the trauma of going to kindergarten and the teachers pulling my hand apart from my best friend and spending the first day under the desk until they put me back in the class that I was supposed to be in.

 
6. If you could go to any year, when would you go to and why?

My first thought was right now because I love enjoying time with my son.  But I might go back to when I was still working and kick myself in the pants to quit my job sooner.  I had so many reasons why I shouldn't quit but it was the best decision for my family but hindsight is 20/20.

7. What was your favorite subject in school?

In elementary/junior high, I loved Home Ec because I had the best teacher ever.  Then, I liked math because I had another great teacher.  In college, it was psychology because of the great teacher and interesting subject matter.  I don't want to slight my accounting teacher in college because she was great but I looked at the other things that I needed for that major and I didn't have enough time to take them all.  I think that I am a sucker for a good teacher and it might have even changed my major in college!!
8. What is your favorite kind of scent?

Baking bread and cinnamon!  YUM!

9. If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would you chose?

This might be the hardest one because I am horrible with eating the same thing two days in a row.  Right now I am leaning towards Baked Potato soup but that would be tough in the summer months so I might go with chicken if I can prepare it different ways :)

10. What would your preferred weapon be for the Zombie Apocalypse?

I don't know if I could pick this without multiple choice.  I know how to kill vampires and werewolves but I don't know what to use against Zombies so I think that I would pick a good hiding spot!

11. What kind of pet is your favorite?
On that I am not allergic to and that doesn't shed (including snake skins)... I guess fish if the only thing left.

I wanted to get this part posted since it has taken me so long to get to it but I did not nominate anyone else or make questions up for them so stay tuned for post number 2 when I get it done!  Thanks again for the nomination!!!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Mexican (Spanish) Rice with Rotel Grilled Chicken

I decided to try something different and I pulled up a ton of recipes on Mexican (Spanish) Rice off the internet.  I mixed a few different recipes to make a kid friendly and tasty rice creation.  I pulled out all of the ingredients to get ready.  The broth was a little frozen so it took a few times of microwaving to defrost it.


I put the oil and the rice in the pan to cook.  It starts to turn white quickly but it takes a little longer to actually start to brown so make sure you wait for the color.


I used the microplaner to add the garlic to the dish and stirred quickly.  I added the tomato sauce and the chicken broth and it looked really soupy but I had faith that it was going to turn out okay.  I added the spices and brought this to a boil.  I put the lid of the container and let it simmer for 20 minutes.


I marinated chicken in Rotel tomatoes and then put them on the grill.  See the yummy grill marks already on the chicken.


Then, top the rice with chicken and cheddar cheese.  The cheese melts nicely and adds a great flavor to the rice and chicken.  The flavors nicely compliment each other and make for a yummy dinner.  If I were to make it again, I would make the rice a little spicer with some additional spices.  I hope that you try this new recipe and let me know how you like it for your family. 


Below is the recipe that I made but feel free to adjust based on your families favorite flavors.  Some suggestions are 1/4 of onion, 1/4 of green pepper, cumin, and additional seasonings. Make sure you add the veggies at the beginning to cook before adding the dry rice but add any additional seasonings with the liquids.  

Easy Mexican (Spanish) Rice

Ingredients:

·                        2 tablespoons oil
·                        1 1/2 cups rice
·                        3 cloves finely chopped garlic (I used microplaner)
·                        2 1/2 cups chicken broth
·                        1 cup plain tomato sauce
·                        1 tsp onion powder
·                        1 tsp chili powder

Directions:
In a medium sauce pan, heat oil over medium heat. Add dry rice and cook for about 5 minutes or until rice becomes a golden brown color. Lower heat to low and add in the garlic to the rice and saute for one more minute.
Add in broth and tomato sauce. Add onion powder and chili powder.  Stir it up and bring to a boil. Once it starts boiling, turn the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for 20 minutes and fluff with a fork. Make sure you don't cook past when the liquid is absorbed.