Menu Plan Monday 12/25 Christmas Edition

Monday-Christmas Dinner: Turkey with gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and rolls
Tuesday- Pasta
Wednesday- ??
Thursday- Spicy Honey Mustard Chicken with mac and cheese
Friday- Leftover Night to recreate items in the fridge
Saturday- Barber Chicken with white rice
Sunday-  ??

Last week was a little off but we had dinner at home and made it through.  Monday we did my son's favorite dinner of Chicken fries, Buffalo Chicken and french fries.  Tuesday was Pasta which I am totally over eating but my son loves and we have enough in the pantry for like a year.  Wednesday was taco night which was tasty!!  Thursday we did Chicken Marsala with Orecchiette pasta.  On Friday we went to a friends house but my son and I ate before we left.  On Saturday we did the leftovers that we didn't eat on Friday.  Sunday was Lasagna as planned with rolls and salad so we had easy clean up.  We had company on Wednesday and Thursday but I must have known because I planned for things that could have been bigger for more people.

We have company this week and I am not sure how many people I will have on any given day so hoping that we can add more to the meals as needed for the crowd that I have.  I have plenty of food as long as I have a clue what to start with then I should be able to get it made for dinner.  I hope that you have a yummy week!!

Merry and Bright Book Review

I was at the library and another book jumped off the new release section and came home with me.  The 14 Day New Release Section is great because you know the books are really new so it should be something you haven't read before because they are brand new to the library and not a year old so I was hopeful that I hadn't read this Christmas story. Merry and Bright: A Novel by Debbie Macomber was luckily a new book and I got to read it shortly after I got it so that I could get it returned by the 14 day deadline....sadly, this is my 4th book from there recently so I know that I am going to be against the clock with many of them.

Merry Knight is pretty busy these days. She’s taking care of her family, baking cookies, decorating for the holidays, and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs of her stressed and by-the-book boss at the consulting firm where she temps. Her own social life is the last thing she has in mind, much less a man. Without her knowledge, Merry’s well-meaning mom and brother create an online dating profile for her—minus her photo—and the matches start rolling in. Initially, Merry is incredulous, but she reluctantly decides to give it a whirl.

Soon Merry finds herself chatting with a charming stranger, a man with similar interests and an unmistakably kind soul. Their online exchanges become the brightest part of her day. But meeting face-to-face is altogether different, and her special friend is the last person Merry expects—or desires. Still, sometimes hearts can see what our eyes cannot. In this satisfying seasonal tale, unanticipated love is only a click away.

This was a fun Christmas book that was super interesting to read about the life of Merry Knight and Jayson Bright.  Merry works part time for Jayson's company because she is saving up for finishing her special education college degree.  Merry was born on December 26th and enjoys the holidays and all the holiday time with her family baking cookies, putting together puzzles and more.  Jayson lives his life fully involved in the company with no personal life to speak of until his cousin comes back and tells him that he met a women from his past and he is getting married.  Jayson decides to check out this online dating thing and finds someone who he has a connection with but they only talk online.  Merry's family is worried that she is so busy that she isn't looking towards the future so they sign her up for a dating service and she instantly connects with Jay.  There are interesting things happening in work and outside for both of these fun people quickly and all around the holidays.  There is a great romance starting for both of them between their online romance and an office romance.  Jayson thinks that it is crazy that he could be feeling this much for both ladies when he never thought that he would be a person to settle down and have a family because of his own upbringing.  Make sure you pick up the book to find out which ones he chooses.  I think that you will love the ups and downs of this quick holiday read.  Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!

The House of Unexpected Sisters Book Review

I was at the library to get some newspapers and I saw something on the new release display.  I went over quickly and grabbed the book hoping that I hadn't read it before because I never know!  The House of Unexpected Sisters: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (18) (No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency… by Alexander McCall Smith was indeed the next book in the series that I was waiting for.  I found the title and the cover confusing so I was ready to jump right in!

Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi are approached by their part-time colleague, Mr. Polopetsi, with a troubling story: a woman, accused of being rude to a valued customer, has been wrongly dismissed from her job at an office furniture store. Never one to let an act of injustice go unanswered, Mma Ramotswe begins to investigate, but soon discovers unexpected information that causes her to reluctantly change her views about the case.

Other surprises await our intrepid proprietress in the course of her inquiries. Mma Ramotswe is puzzled when she happens to hear of a local nurse named Mingie Ramotswe. She thought she knew everybody by the name of Ramotswe, and that they were all related. Who is this mystery lady? Then, she is alerted by Mma Potokwani that an unpleasant figure from her past has recently been spotted in town. Mma Ramotswe does her best to avoid the man, but it seems that he may have returned to Botswana specifically to seek her out. What could he want from her?

With the generosity and good humor that guide all her endeavors, Mma Ramotswe will untangle these questions for herself and for her loved ones, ultimately bringing to light important truths about friendship and family—both the one you’re born with and the one you choose.

Another great story with Mma Ramotswe leading the charge to make sure that the right things are done and this is a case that she isn't even being paid for.  She puts Mma Makutsi in charge of the investigation because she wants to do another investigation because they disagree on the truth.  Mma Ramotswe is distracted when she learns that she might have other family from a newspaper article so she decides to investigate her own mystery on the side.  The two investigations quickly put Mma Ramotswe in a bad mood which she is never in because she always looks at the positive side of things.  It was tough to read because it really did change the tone of the book quickly when she got upset but many of us can relate to that fog that comes over us when we are being negative.  Make sure you pick up this book to see how things turn around for Mma Ramotswe because I think that you will be happy with all the hard work on both investigations and learning the truth about everything.  I hope that you check out this book and the other great books in the Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.  I have loved all of them with the great writing from the author and the wonderful characters, they always leave me happy that I picked them up and sad that they are done!  Hoping for the next one in the series soon.

Menu Plan Monday 12/18

Monday-Chicken Fries, Buffalo Chicken with homemade fries
Tuesday- Pasta
Wednesday- Tacos
Thursday- Some Chicken (don't know what yet)
Friday- Leftover Night to recreate items in the fridge
Saturday- Chicken fries and leftovers
Sunday- Lasagna with shareable bread

Last week was a little mixed up from our normal week but we did Lasagna on Monday because we had company for dinner and it was super easy to throw in the oven.  Then we did my son's favorite meal on Tuesday which made him happy.  I made Philly Cheese Steak Pasta on Wednesday which was quick and easy.  Thursday was really busy trying to get ready for basketball with lots of homework and other things going on so I got fried rice and egg rolls for my husband and white rice and chicken for my son.  We did leftovers on Friday where I turned leftover Chinese rice and Johnsonville Chicken into Buffalo Fried Rice for my husband and Pasta for my son.  We did Barber Chicken with white rice on Saturday night which is quick and easy.  We had a late lunch after a busy day out running errands so we had a small dinner of pasta instead of meatball sliders. 

I don't know about this weeks plan but we have company coming in next week so we are making sure that my son has his favorite dinner before company comes so we have some flexibility when they are here because the plan always seems to change.  We also have a week of my son being off school this week and next so we have lots of plans to keep us busy so just have to make sure that I get things prepped for dinner before it is time to get things on the table.  I hope that you have a yummy week that isn't too crazy before the holidays!!

Seeds of Hope Book Review

I was excited to get to read another book by this author because I have enjoyed her books.  I didn't know a lot about the book or the series but was excited to find out.  Seeds of Hope (Harvest of Hope) by Barbara Cameron was next in my reading pile so I was excited to get back to some Amish fiction after not having read many recently.

A heartwarming tale of discovering love right in front of you

Miriam Troyer has had a secret crush on Mark Byler since she was a teenager, but she knows they can never have a relationship: Mark is a big-city attorney and an Englischer. Her Amish community is too far removed from all he knows--and she loves her quiet way of life.  Mark has always loved his visits to his grandfather's farm, but he's convinced the Amish life isn't for him. There's so much of the world to see and experience, and the excitement of his successful law practice can't be matched by the slow pace of life found back home in the country.  But when things go wrong and his firm distances itself from him to try to save themselves, Mark finds himself back at his grandfather's farm. Could life in this simple world be worth living after all? Especially when the teenager he remembers has grown into a woman that could be his future. Suddenly, these two people whose lives seem so far apart may get a chance to really see each other for the first time.

Miriam is very into her family and being a school teacher which she works really hard to help with her brothers and sisters as well as teaching them constantly.  She has been friends for years with Mark who is not only English but a lawyer from a big city.  He comes to this small Amish community to visit his grandfather every summer and they became fast friends.  Miriam has been fighting a crush on him for a very long time when he shows back up in her small town.  She knows that he is going to go back to his fast paced lifestyle and leave farming and her behind but she still spends lots of time with her friend.  Their lives are so different but they are both drawn to spend more time together until Miriam says no!!  There are a lot of ups and downs in this book but you have to pick it up to find out what happens for yourself.  I hope that you enjoy this book as much as I have. It was a great read with wonderful characters and great writing.  I enjoyed the back and forth relationship between Mark and Miriam as well as how outspoken Miriam is throughout the book.  I hope that you enjoy these and other things about this great book when you read it!

**I was provided a copy of the book to read for my review but all opinions here are honest and my own.

Middle of the Month Budget Update for December

I hope that you have a great month because ours is actually off to a great start.  I can't believe that we are half way through the month but I know that I have totally stocked cupboards, fridges and freezers.  The bright spot is that I have only spent half of my monthly $160 budget so that means that the end of the month has all the flexibility to stock up on the best deals and get anything else that we might need.  I am hoping to get lots with the rest of my budget to stretch everything into the new year but here is what I got so far this month!!!

Harris Teeter $6.30

I got six boxes of pasta, four packages of biscuits, 2 tubes of Crest, 3 packages of Coleman Sausage, and 6 Yakisoba Noodles for free.  I paid $0.24 each for the raviolis.  The Johnsville Flame Grilled Chicken was shelf priced at $5.99 each so it was $11.98 less $6.00 of doubled coupons so it was $5.98 for the two bags.  I got back a $2 catalina which I got to use on my next transaction.  I also got to turn in the receipt for $3 back from Ibotta.

Harris Teeter $1.31

I got some free pasta, Coleman sausage, and Yakisoba Noodles.  I got the Johnsons and Johnsons Body Wash for $0.99 each. The Finish Dishwasher Detergent was $2.79 after sale and coupon.  I used my catalina from the previous transaction and it doubled so this was super cheap.

Harris Teeter $4.31

I got free Mueller's pasta, Barilla Ready Pasta, Naked Juice, Crest Toothpaste, Yakisoba Noodles, and Welch's Fruit Rolls.  The four boxes of cereal was my only purchase.  My evic price on the Welch's Fruit Rolls didn't come off so I had to go to customer service and they gave me the difference off and nothing free :(

Harris Teeter $0.44

My husband did this one and got everything free except tax.  The cashier was pretty impressed with his transaction and that there was a man standing there were coupons.

Aldi $23.53

I went to Aldi and used my first $5 off $30 purchase from the new Aldi opening but I had to return some disgusting potatoes that I got right before Thanksgiving so they gave me an addition $3.06 cash back and a new bag of potatoes.  My son sat in the cart and added all of the items that I was going to get and kept me on track so that I had almost exactly $30 in my cart.

Harris Teeter $6.52

I bought a bunch of things at the store including free Barilla Ready Pasta, 2 Pillsbury Biscuits, 2 Mueller's Pasta, Naked Pressed Juice, Crest Toothpaste, 6 Yakisoba Noodles, and Fleischman Yeast.  I got four bags of Rosina Meatballs for $0.50 each.  I got the Cheese Ravioli for $0.24.  The Johnson and Johnson Body Wash are $0.99 each.  The tomatoes were $0.50 each after sale and coupon for the large cans.

Harris Teeter $6.20 + 2.28= $8.48

 I did one transaction with the Johnsonville Chicken which was $6.20 and the Ibotta was back in my rebates so I got $3 back.  The second transaction included free Barilla Ready Pasta, Crest toothpaste, Luck's Beans, Yakisoba Noodles, Tetley Tea, and Glutino Lemon Cookies from clearance bin.  I bought the Quaker Oatmeal for $0.97 each and the Advil for $0.99 each so I thought that I had enough to use my $2 catalina but I didn't so I asked the cashier to hold one so I went to grab the Finish for $2.79 so I could use the catalina which doubled.  I put in the rebate for $2 for the Advil on Ibotta.

Wegman's $17.66

I went to get the ground beef because we haven't had any in a month and the bags of flour for $0.99 each.

Wegman's $2.03

Two more bags of flour to stock up.

Wegman's $2.03

Two more bags of flour to stock up.  Not a double picture :)

Aldi $4.28

My husband was out of turkey and my son was out of garlic salt so I went to grab these two things.  I was trying to decide if I should buy $30 worth of stuff to get my $5 off but I decided to skip it.

Harris Teeter $0.09

I had some printable coupons that made these free after coupon so this was tax only.

Harris Teeter $0.06

I got a bunch of coupons in the newest inserts for $0.75 yeast and they were on sale for $1.50 at Harris Teeter making them free so this was tax only.

Harris Teeter $0.12

Super excited to find the new Try and Tell so I picked out this soap which I knew my son would love.  I got two more boxes of tissues because I had two more coupons to make them free and three more yeast.  Everything was free and I only paid tax.

Harris Teeter $0.06

More free yeast!!

Harris Teeter $0.06

Yup, I got more!

Harris Teeter $0.06

And again!

Wegman's $2.03

Back to get some more flour at Wegman's for my stock up for the winter.

Wegman's $2.09

I found the yeast was shelf priced at $1.29 so I grabbed three and two more flours so I was excited to get some more for free.

Wegman's $2.09 

Yup, did it again!!

Total Retail $483.37

Total Savings $399.84

Total OOP $83.53 

I don't think that I did as great on making a lot of things at home because I was at the store a lot over the last few weeks but with all these supplies, I am bound to get better.  I made rolls and cinnamon rolls mostly but we enjoyed the things that I did make like the lasagna the other night for dinner.  I am hoping that all this preparation means that I will be out of the store for a little bit but you just never can tell!!!  Also now that it is cold, hoping for lots of baking to heat up the house and our stomaches.

Hope that you are having a good month and can't wait to hear about it!!

Second Chance Girl Book Review

I was still getting books off my reserve list at the library.  Second Chance Girl: A Modern Fairy Tale Romance (Happily Inc) by Susan Mallery was the next book to arrive on my reserve shelf.  I was excited to get to read another book set in Happily Inc so soon after reading the other book.

Mathias Mitchell's easy smile hides a world of hurt. After the worst kind of family betrayal, he moves to Happily Inc., California—the wedding destination town supplies a steady stream of bridesmaids, perfect for his “no promises, no pain” lifestyle. Yet he can't stop watching for his beautiful, elusive neighbor on the animal preserve behind their homes.

Gamekeeper Carol Lund knows she's not special enough to attract an alpha male like Mathias, so his offer to help her adopt a herd for her lonely giraffe is surprising—and his determined seduction, even more so. But just as she finally welcomes him into her bed, his careless actions crush her heart. Will she give him a second chance to prove she'll always come first in his heart?

Mathias is the artist in the family of artists where he is considered to be wasting his talent making plates and bowls.  Although many people think that his work with glass is amazing, he is dealing with a lot of things in his personal and professional life.  He has spent a long time in his new home only having quick relationships with bridesmaids because he knows that they are quickly leaving and there is no commitment.  The lifestyle is quickly catching up with him but he has learned to rely on his neighbor Carol who runs the wildlife area next to his house.  He is quickly brought more into her life when he decides to help her find a herd for her giraffe.  They become close friends and it quickly turns to more but you have to pick up the book what happens because it goes wrong quickly.  I hope that you enjoy the book as much as I did!  I know that both of these Happily Inc books are calling for a next book in the series and I can't wait to read it when it comes out!!