Life continues to be going in fast forward.  I sure miss connecting and reading everyone’s blogs.    Hopefully soon I will have a few minutes to myself.   Until then….here is a quick bullet point of happenings in our home.

• Josh received a promotion at the college.  He will be the Share Point Administrator, an ITS2 position, as soon as his replacement is hired.  We are very proud of him.   He is still living in his townhome with friends.  I still miss him, but he does stop by at least weekly to see me.  I just love that boy!
• Erik turned 16 on Sept. 26th!  I can hardly believe it.  He seems to be doing very well at his new school.  We went to open house and met all his teachers.  He seemed to enjoy showing us around. 
• Tommy is keeping us so very busy with soccer practice, soccer games, swimming lessons and Boy Scouts each week!!   Not to mention school, homework and piano lessons. 
• On Sept 15th, my BIL, Steve moved in with us.   This was unexpected so it took some rearranging and coordinations to make it happen.   I think we are doing well and have adjusted to an additional member in the household.  Steve is actually pretty helpful around the house.
• I missed 2 days of work last week due to a sinus infection.  ARGH!! No time to be sick!   My Dr gave me antibiotics and I seem to be on the mend. 
• I am volunteering at Tommy’s school about 2 x a month.  Families have to do so many hours of volunteer work or pay additional tuition.  
• My real life book club is going crazy.   Alot of controversy which I really am uncomfortable with.  We did add 5 new members.   Seems a bit Jr. High like to me.   
• I am working on a very exciting project at work with the Sheriffs department.  It was recently written up in the paper, which I was unhappy about as it increased the pressure on us to get the program up and running.  I am afraid it has become somewhat political.  It is an election year for Cty commissioners. 
• Hubby is busy at work and with our busy life.  
• This weekend we are going to the Water Park of America to celebrate Erik’s 16th Birthday.
• Next week we are having a new cooktop installed in the kitchen.
• Baby our Chihuahua is having surgery (spaded) next week. 
• Next Month we have Tommy’s Birthday (Age 7) and Erik will be confirmed. 

Well those are the highlights from the last few weeks!!!   I hope all is well with you all.  I am going to try to stop by and get caught up very soon!!

Jen C

Life continues to be going in fast forward.  I sure miss connecting and reading everyone’s blogs.    Hopefully soon I will have a few minutes to myself.   Until then….here is a quick bullet point of happenings in our home.

• Josh received a promotion at the college.  He will be the Share Point Administrator, an ITS2 position, as soon as his replacement is hired.  We are very proud of him.   He is still living in his townhome with friends.  I still miss him, but he does stop by at least weekly to see me.  I just love that boy!
• Erik turned 16 on Sept. 26th!  I can hardly believe it.  He seems to be doing very well at his new school.  We went to open house and met all his teachers.  He seemed to enjoy showing us around. 
• Tommy is keeping us so very busy with soccer practice, soccer games, swimming lessons and Boy Scouts each week!!   Not to mention school, homework and piano lessons. 
• On Sept 15th, my BIL, Steve moved in with us.   This was unexpected so it took some rearranging and coordinations to make it happen.   I think we are doing well and have adjusted to an additional member in the household.  Steve is actually pretty helpful around the house.
• I missed 2 days of work last week due to a sinus infection.  ARGH!! No time to be sick!   My Dr gave me antibiotics and I seem to be on the mend. 
• I am volunteering at Tommy’s school about 2 x a month.  Families have to do so many hours of volunteer work or pay additional tuition.  
• My real life book club is going crazy.   Alot of controversy which I really am uncomfortable with.  We did add 5 new members.   Seems a bit Jr. High like to me.   
• I am working on a very exciting project at work with the Sheriffs department.  It was recently written up in the paper, which I was unhappy about as it increased the pressure on us to get the program up and running.  I am afraid it has become somewhat political.  It is an election year for Cty commissioners. 
• Hubby is busy at work and with our busy life.  
• This weekend we are going to the Water Park of America to celebrate Erik’s 16th Birthday.
• Next week we are having a new cooktop installed in the kitchen.
• Baby our Chihuahua is having surgery (spaded) next week. 
• Next Month we have Tommy’s Birthday (Age 7) and Erik will be confirmed. 

Well those are the highlights from the last few weeks!!!   I hope all is well with you all.  I am going to try to stop by and get caught up very soon!!

Jen C

Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

 In a runt on what to cook???  Head over to Laura’s site I’m an Organizing Junkie and see what the many participates on Menu Plan Monday are having this week!!

Menu Planning September 27th – Oct 11th

Sat – 27th – Favorite Meatloaf– Mashed Potatoes – Veggie

Sun – 28th – Baby Back Ribs – Macaroni Salad – Vegetable

The ribs are very easy to do– just place boneless country spare ribs in the crockpot with salt and pepper (no liquid) and cook on low all day. Then, about an hour before you want to eat, drain all the fat and liquid out of the crockpot, and add in your favorite BBQ sauce. (We like a store brand thick and spicy sauce.) Simmer another hour on low, then enjoy!

Macaroni Salad -(no real recipe – I just throw it together)

2 cups Elbow Macaroni, cooked
Thawed Peas to your liking
1/2 cup or so Cheddar Cheese Cubed
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup mayo (approximately)

Combine the first 5 ingredients into a large bowl.  Stir in enough mayo to coat.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Mon – 29th:  Dad’s Choice (AKA McDonald’s)

Tues – 30th:   Frozen Pizzas x 3

Wed – 1:   Spaghetti and Meatballs

Thurs – 2:      Chicken Breasts – Parmesan Noodles – Vegetable

Fri – 3:  Taco Bar

Sat – 4:  Eat At Hotel to Celebrate Erik’s Birthday

Sun – 5:  Crock – Chicken and Rice Casserole – (Crock 6-7 on low) – Vegetable

Chicken and Rice Casserole

1 cup long grain rice, uncooked
3 cups water
2 tsp chicken bouillon granules (or 3 low sodium cubes)
10 ¾ ounce cream of chicken soup (I like fat free)
2 cups cooked chopped chicken
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tsp onion salt
1 cup grated low fat cheddar
16 ounce bag frozen broccoli (sometimes I use fresh)

Combine all ingredients except broccoli in slow cooker. One hour before end of cooking time, stir in broccoli. Cook for a total of 3-4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low.

Mon – 6:   Dad’s Choice (AKA McDonald’s)

Tues – 7:  Goulash x 2

1 lb ground beef
½ green bell pepper chopped
1 medium onion chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 can tomato soup
1 can water
1 cup cheese
½ cup rice or elbow macaroni

Brown beef and drain the fat. Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper to taste. Add soup, water and soy sauce. Put lid on a simmer for 20 minutes. Then add a little more water and either rice or macaroni. Simmer with lid for 15 minutes, stir. Add cheese to the top. Take off stove and keep lid on until cheese melts. Serve with bread and vegetables. Serves 4.

Wed – 8:  Slow-Cooker Chili & Corn Bread

Thurs – 9: Breakfast – French Toast, Sausage and Eggs

Fri – 10:  Make Your Own Sandwiches

Sat – 11: Teriyaki Chicken/Rice (crockpot) and Veggie

I am still alive….I Promise.  Life is busy!   I will check in soon!

I thought I did really well on Grocery Shopping.  I guess I could have done much better, but I saw a number of things that were a good deal, but not on the list.   I still ended significantly under budget.  YEAH!!

Aldi –  $64.45

Festival – $30.25

TOTAL – $94.70 for at least two weeks of groceries.  That is less than $50.00 a week so that is really good. 

Additional Items from Aldi:

• 10 lb Russet Potatoes – I was only going to buy a few potatoes, but this was a good deal.  So I am going to change my menu a bit.  I will use my cubed ham to make Scalloped Potatoes and Ham.   – 2.99
• Enchilada Sauce – 2/ 1.19 for a big bottle.  I will use this to make enchiladas with the frozen seasoned meat.  $2.38
• Rotisserie Chickens – 1/2 off meat as close to sell date.  I will freeze then for future use!   I bought 4 @ 2.75 each.  – $11.00
• Uncle Ben Rice – 2 @ 1.19 = 2.38 (quick side dish to have on hand)
• Colgate Toothpaste – peroxide and baking soda kind i like – never seen it at Aldi before so I bought 2 @ 2.29 – $4.58.
• Kraft Easy Mac – Box for Erik to make for after school – 6 servings for $1.99
• Wine Coolers – my monthly treat!! – the four bottles will last me about a month – $3.99

Not real outrageous purchases, but it is an extra $29.31 at Aldi.   I am going to start keeping track of how much extra I spend that is not on the list. 

Extra At Festival:

• Kemps Ice Cream – Gallon Pails – 2 @ $5.49 = $10.98
• Hershey Syrup for Ice Cream – 1.29
• Pear Applesauce – Off the Clearance Shelf – 6 x .20 = 1.20
• Pears – Fresh Fruit for Snacks – 3 for 1.61 (on Sale)

Extra items not on the list at Festival- $15.08 -Total Extra Spent was $44.39

YIKES!!  That was almost 1/2 of what I spent.   I hope this will help me to think before I add something extra to the cart.  It all really does add up!  Way more than I thought!!!

 Tonight for supper I make Honey Roasted Pork Loin, it was really good.  Hubby said it was just like eating at a restaurant.  I also make corn on the cob and rice.  

QUESTION:

Does anyone have any idea how you keep squirrels from eating your corn???    We only had 3 meals of corn from our garden as the squirrel kept eating it.   And it was SOOOOO good!!!

Hope you are having a great weekend. 

Jen C

In a runt on what to cook???  Head over to Laura’s site I’m an Organizing Junkie and see what the many participates on Menu Plan Monday are having this week!!

Menu Planning September 14th – 28th

Sunday – Honey Roasted Pork Loin (Bake 375 – 60 mins) – Pasta – Veggie – **GOOD ADD TO WEBSITE**

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Monday -Dad’s Choice (AKA McDonald’s)

Tuesday –  Speedy Taco Soup (10/14) – (Simmer 15 mins)–**GOOD ADD TO WEBSITE**

Wednesday –      Hot Dogs & Macaroni and Cheese– MADE

Thursday –        Pork Chops with Famous Dave Sauce – Steak Fries – Beans– MADE

Friday –     Steak Sandwich **GOOD ADD TO WEBSITE**– Artichoke Dip and Chips  – (Bake 30 mins)– MADE

Saturday – Chicken and Rice Casserole – (Crock 6-7 on low) – Vegetable

Chicken and Rice Casserole

1 cup long grain rice, uncooked
3 cups water
2 tsp chicken bouillon granules (or 3 low sodium cubes)
10 ¾ ounce cream of chicken soup (I like fat free)
2 cups cooked chopped chicken
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 tsp onion salt
1 cup grated low fat cheddar
16 ounce bag frozen broccoli (sometimes I use fresh)

Combine all ingredients except broccoli in slow cooker. One hour before end of cooking time, stir in broccoli. Cook for a total of 3-4 hours on high or 6-7 hours on low.

Sunday –    CROCK POT ROTISSERIE CHICKEN (4-6 hours) – Rice – Vegetable – MADE

Monday – Dad’s Choice – MADE

Tuesday – Scalloped Potatoes and Ham – MADE

Wednesday –     Chicken Breasts – Parmesan Noodles – Vegetable

Thursday – Goulash

1 lb ground beef
½ green bell pepper chopped
1 medium onion chopped
2 cloves garlic chopped
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 can tomato soup
1 can water
1 cup cheese
½ cup rice or elbow macaroni

Brown beef and drain the fat. Add bell pepper, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper to taste. Add soup, water and soy sauce. Put lid on a simmer for 20 minutes. Then add a little more water and either rice or macaroni. Simmer with lid for 15 minutes, stir. Add cheese to the top. Take off stove and keep lid on until cheese melts. Serve with bread and vegetables. Serves 4.

Friday – Fish Fillet Sandwiches – Chips

Saturday – Favorite Meatloaf– Mashed Potatoes – Veggie

Sunday (Grocery Day) – Baby Back Ribs – Macaroni Salad – Vegetable

The ribs are very easy to do– just place boneless country spare ribs in the crockpot with salt and pepper (no liquid) and cook on low all day. Then, about an hour before you want to eat, drain all the fat and liquid out of the crockpot, and add in your favorite BBQ sauce. (We like a store brand thick and spicy sauce.) Simmer another hour on low, then enjoy!

Macaroni Salad -(no real recipe – I just throw it together)

2 cups Elbow Macaroni, cooked
Thawed Peas to your liking
1/2 cup or so Cheddar Cheese Cubed
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 cup mayo (approximately)

Combine the first 5 ingredients into a large bowl.  Stir in enough mayo to coat.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  Cover and chill until ready to serve.

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BREAKFAST

• Pumpkin Muffins – http://www.recipezaar.com/12521
• Cereal Squares – http://www.recipezaar.com/147297
• Apple Pie Muffins – http://www.recipezaar.com/57629
• Banana Bread – http://www.mrbreakfast.com/superdisplay.asp?recipeid=437
• Chocolate Chip muffins – http://www.mrbreakfast.com/superdisplay.asp?recipeid=239
• Pancakes
• Cheesy Eggs & Toast
• Oatmeal
• Waffles
• Cream of Wheat

Check out my post on my steps to meal planning.  I used to spend over 150.00 on grocery a week.  I am well below that and my family is eating better as I count less on convenience food.  If you haven’t tried planning meals….give it a try.  You don’t need to plan new or exciting meals, simple plan what you will make based or your family’s normal meals.  

I just went grocery shopping this weekend and as from my post about the shopping trip you can see I still have some room to improve my shopping.  It is hard….especially if I go shopping even the least bit hungry. 

Good Luck!!

1.   I take a notebook and go to the freezer and write down all the meat I have for meals. 

Currently in our freezer:
Fish Fillets
Hot Dogs – 2

Steak (3 petite)
Seasoned Enchilada Meat – 1
Seasoned Cubed Steak – 1
Hamburger – 1lb pack – 1
Hamburger – 2 lb pack -1

Cooked Cubed Chicken – 2 cup bags – 7
Filled Chicken Breasts – 2
Whole Chicken – 2
Drumsticks – 1 bag
Turkey

Cubed Ham – 1
Pork Loin -BBQ – 1
Bacon – 1
Pork Country Ribs – 1
BBQ Back Ribs -1
Pork Chops -1

2.  Now I make my menu utilizing the meat on hand.   I make a list of what to make with each item.   I look if there were meals from the last 2 weeks of menu’s that I didn’t make and reschedule those meals.   I plan on purchasing groceries again on Sept. 28th so I need to plan 14 meals.

When I need inspiration I go to some of the following websites:

Organizing Junkie – Host of Menu Plan Monday – last week there were over 300 particpants.  Review their menus and get some ideas!

Grocery Cart Challenge – Great Blog for Frugal Menu Ideas – Menu Plan Monday Particpant

Our Online Cookbook – Find family favorites that require the ingredients I have. 

Menus4Moms – Great site with menus for every week.   I use this one alot!!  (site not currently loading)

3.  Next I make my menu and assign a day for each meal.  I need easy meals for Tuesday and Wednesdays as we have to be somewhere after supper.  I plan a kid friendly recipe for Friday Night as we usually do Family Movie Night.

4.  I then go through each recipe and see if I have all the ingredients.  I add any needed items to my shopping list.  I try to buy as much as I can at Aldi.   Any items that aren’t available at Aldi, I look for coupons for. 

5.  I put my list on my clipboard and head off to get my groceries.  I also start shopping at Aldi.  Whatever wasn’t available at Aldi I purchase at Festival or Cub Foods. 

Happy Menu Planning…..

I almost slept through the night!   I am still tired waking up, but at least I have gotten some sleep.   I want to get alot done around the house this weekend.   I am going to shower and get ready for soccer.  I will work on menu until it is time for soccer. 

In an effort to save some money, I am going to do a pantry challenge this week.  I am going to make a 2 week menu, but try to use up most of the meat in our freezer.   That does mean that the next shoping time I will need alot of meat, but that is ok.  I will save the left over money.  I just have to make sure there is left over. 

Time to shower and get ready for soccer.  It is cold and wet…soccer should be fun

Jen C