One of my favorite sites is ChaChing on a Shoestring. She posts all of the great weekly and daily deals floating around the web. I have signed up to her email, twitter and facebook so I don't miss anything! You can check out her site using the link in this blog or click the button on the right side of the page.
Right now you can sign up for a chance to win a 3 month subscription to E-Mealz. I have been reading about them and would really like to try it out.
So go ahead...Check out all of the links and see if you can save your family some more money!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Garden Update
My garden is my sanctuary. I love it there. It is quiet. It is peaceful. It is beautiful to watch. I look at it in awe every year as a seed that I planted turns into a plant, produces flowers and then fruit. It's amazing. I think that if I ever lose the magic in seeing a plant burst through the ground I will hang up my garden hoe and find a new hobby.
Some one asked me yesterday what I had planted and I was amazed when I wrote it all down. I have Tomatoes, Okra, Purple hull peas, Green Beans, Squash, Zucchini, and Pattypan Squash, Cucumbers, Lipstick Peppers, Jalapeno Peppers, Watermelon, Cantelope, Eggplant, Sweet Potatoes, Red Potatoes, Lettuce, Cilantro, mint, parsley, pineapple sage, basil, lavendar, chives, leeks
In fruits in have figs, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries (well, those that the chickens didn't eat), apples, peaches, plums, and pears.
If everything grows well we will have a lot of food in the pantry this fall! If I can ever afford a fence in the back yard I will buy a cow and I wouldn't have to go to the grocery store at all. Wouldn't that be great?!
My newest project is honey bees. I spent about an hour working on the brood boxes today. Our bees come in May 22. I can't wait! We won't have any honey this year but we will next year. I will keep you updated on the progress.
Some one asked me yesterday what I had planted and I was amazed when I wrote it all down. I have Tomatoes, Okra, Purple hull peas, Green Beans, Squash, Zucchini, and Pattypan Squash, Cucumbers, Lipstick Peppers, Jalapeno Peppers, Watermelon, Cantelope, Eggplant, Sweet Potatoes, Red Potatoes, Lettuce, Cilantro, mint, parsley, pineapple sage, basil, lavendar, chives, leeks
In fruits in have figs, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries (well, those that the chickens didn't eat), apples, peaches, plums, and pears.
If everything grows well we will have a lot of food in the pantry this fall! If I can ever afford a fence in the back yard I will buy a cow and I wouldn't have to go to the grocery store at all. Wouldn't that be great?!
My newest project is honey bees. I spent about an hour working on the brood boxes today. Our bees come in May 22. I can't wait! We won't have any honey this year but we will next year. I will keep you updated on the progress.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Monthly Planning
Do you take any thought of what happened this past month and what you would like to see change during the next month? I really have not been much of a planner. I just take each day as it comes and then wait for the next one. I am learning that by making a conscious decision to “pay attention” that I feel I have more control over my life and I am able to make small changes that impact us in big ways.
This entire blog started because I realized I had no idea how much money we spent a month on food and I really didn’t do anything to save any money in that area. So, I began paying attention. I started keeping receipts and learning how much money we were spending. I learned to use coupons and maximize sales and now our food budget is under $200 a month for a family of 4.
I have also started menu planning. Now this is not something I am consistent with so one of my goals is to do this every week. This is a priority because when I get busy and tired I just give in and say ok…we can go out and eat while we are in town. This is counterproductive! By menu planning, I have everything I need for the week already at the house and I don’t have to look around and try to come up with something appetizing. I’ve done it in advance! I can even use slow days around the house as time to prepare some of the foods in advance.
Want to know my biggest goal for May? Exercise! Yep, that dirty word. We were doing so good at the beginning of the year. We were eating healthy and exercising. The whole family was feeling better and was excited about our progress and then the rug was pulled out from under us. We (and by we, I mean me) are just now beginning to deal with the deaths in the family this year and I guess move forward. The first step in moving forward is taking care of ourselves. So Monday our new treadmill arrives. I have warned the family that with the arrival of the treadmill comes the arrival of our healthy lifestyle.
What is the biggest change you would like to see in your house this month? Take a moment to think about it and determine a way to change it! Talk about it with your family and get them on board with you. You will see how good it feels to be actively accomplishing something rather than be pulled along by life!
This entire blog started because I realized I had no idea how much money we spent a month on food and I really didn’t do anything to save any money in that area. So, I began paying attention. I started keeping receipts and learning how much money we were spending. I learned to use coupons and maximize sales and now our food budget is under $200 a month for a family of 4.
I have also started menu planning. Now this is not something I am consistent with so one of my goals is to do this every week. This is a priority because when I get busy and tired I just give in and say ok…we can go out and eat while we are in town. This is counterproductive! By menu planning, I have everything I need for the week already at the house and I don’t have to look around and try to come up with something appetizing. I’ve done it in advance! I can even use slow days around the house as time to prepare some of the foods in advance.
Want to know my biggest goal for May? Exercise! Yep, that dirty word. We were doing so good at the beginning of the year. We were eating healthy and exercising. The whole family was feeling better and was excited about our progress and then the rug was pulled out from under us. We (and by we, I mean me) are just now beginning to deal with the deaths in the family this year and I guess move forward. The first step in moving forward is taking care of ourselves. So Monday our new treadmill arrives. I have warned the family that with the arrival of the treadmill comes the arrival of our healthy lifestyle.
What is the biggest change you would like to see in your house this month? Take a moment to think about it and determine a way to change it! Talk about it with your family and get them on board with you. You will see how good it feels to be actively accomplishing something rather than be pulled along by life!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Rain Days
Ok, so we all know it's coming, right? The forecast says rain beginning today (Friday) and ending Monday. They are predicting 5-8 inches of rain, hail, and possibly tornadoes. So, how are you going to spend your weekend?
This morning I ran to town to do all of my errands so I don't have to get out again until this is over. I'll be honest, I have every intention of sitting down, reading my magazines that I never have a chance to open, and then taking a long, well-deserved nap! After that, well, that's when the work begins again.
I have done a quick inventory of my freezer and pantry. In the freezer I have flounder, crab meat, and chicken breast strips. I am going to create next week's menu around these items and extras that are in the pantry. I am already planning on Chicken Cacciatore. I will have to look around and see what I want to do with the flounder and crab meat. I have lots of frozen veggies that will fill out the rest of the menu.
Just so you know...my grocery budget for this month was $149! That is really great considering I really did not do much with coupons. My savings for the month was only 30%. This just goes to show you that you can still feed your family well on a budget even if you don't have time to devote to coupons.
Next month I am planning on getting back to the coupons and see how much I can save!
The next blog...MONTHLY PLANNING!
This morning I ran to town to do all of my errands so I don't have to get out again until this is over. I'll be honest, I have every intention of sitting down, reading my magazines that I never have a chance to open, and then taking a long, well-deserved nap! After that, well, that's when the work begins again.
I have done a quick inventory of my freezer and pantry. In the freezer I have flounder, crab meat, and chicken breast strips. I am going to create next week's menu around these items and extras that are in the pantry. I am already planning on Chicken Cacciatore. I will have to look around and see what I want to do with the flounder and crab meat. I have lots of frozen veggies that will fill out the rest of the menu.
Just so you know...my grocery budget for this month was $149! That is really great considering I really did not do much with coupons. My savings for the month was only 30%. This just goes to show you that you can still feed your family well on a budget even if you don't have time to devote to coupons.
Next month I am planning on getting back to the coupons and see how much I can save!
The next blog...MONTHLY PLANNING!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Updates and Recipes
It has been a little while since I have written so I will give you a brief update.
I have put many hours of work into preparing the garden this year. I finally got everything planted and decided to use this black erosion control plastic stuff in between the rows to try to cut down on weeds since I have 3 gardens going. I hammered all of the posts in the ground and ran wire for my green beans last week. Everything was looking great and starting to grow and then....the storms hit! I watched all of my hard work blow around and tangle on posts, break tomato plants, and tie in knots. I have been able to clean up a little bit but there are parts of the garden that is like quick sand to step in. I guess it will dry out in time for rain again this weekend.
I spent the weekend making jelly out of the strawberries we bought from a local farm. I ended up with 40 jars when I was all finished. I used the rest of the strawberries today in Strawberries and Cream Bread. Here is the recipe:
Strawberries and Cream Bread
1 3/4 c. flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/2 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs, room temp (or straight from the chicken! I sent the boys to the yard)
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 t. vanilla
1 1/4 c. strawberries, chopped
Combine first 5 ingredients and set aside. In mixer, cream butter. Gradually add sugar. Beat until light then add brown sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add sour cream and vanilla. Add flour until just moistened. Fold in strawberries. Pour into greased 8 x 4.5 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Let stand in pan for about 15 minutes.
I have put many hours of work into preparing the garden this year. I finally got everything planted and decided to use this black erosion control plastic stuff in between the rows to try to cut down on weeds since I have 3 gardens going. I hammered all of the posts in the ground and ran wire for my green beans last week. Everything was looking great and starting to grow and then....the storms hit! I watched all of my hard work blow around and tangle on posts, break tomato plants, and tie in knots. I have been able to clean up a little bit but there are parts of the garden that is like quick sand to step in. I guess it will dry out in time for rain again this weekend.
I spent the weekend making jelly out of the strawberries we bought from a local farm. I ended up with 40 jars when I was all finished. I used the rest of the strawberries today in Strawberries and Cream Bread. Here is the recipe:
Strawberries and Cream Bread
1 3/4 c. flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1/4 t. cinnamon
1/2 c. butter, softened
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar
2 eggs, room temp (or straight from the chicken! I sent the boys to the yard)
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 t. vanilla
1 1/4 c. strawberries, chopped
Combine first 5 ingredients and set aside. In mixer, cream butter. Gradually add sugar. Beat until light then add brown sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add sour cream and vanilla. Add flour until just moistened. Fold in strawberries. Pour into greased 8 x 4.5 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Let stand in pan for about 15 minutes.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Unable to Function
Have you ever had so much you need to do but you just cannot find the motivation to do any of it? That's kind of where I have been since February....going through the motions every day but not really doing anything that I'm supposed to....including this blog. I sit down to do it and just do not feel like talking. I have my coupons neatly in a stack (I have even cut them out now) but I just don't care enough to sort them...much less shop with them. My house needs to be cleaned but I've just done enough to scratch the surface.
I guess I have accomplished one thing. The garden is planted! Actually, I have several garden areas and they are all planted and I'm waiting, impatiently, for things to start sprouting. I love being outside and hate coming in. I have enjoyed playing with the chickens, tilling the garden, planting the seeds, even weeding but I seem to shut down as soon as I come inside.
I guess this is a side effect of losing Grandmother, my dog, my neighbor. Maybe it is a huge case of spring fever? Whatever it is, I hope it passes soon. I have a lot to do!
I guess I have accomplished one thing. The garden is planted! Actually, I have several garden areas and they are all planted and I'm waiting, impatiently, for things to start sprouting. I love being outside and hate coming in. I have enjoyed playing with the chickens, tilling the garden, planting the seeds, even weeding but I seem to shut down as soon as I come inside.
I guess this is a side effect of losing Grandmother, my dog, my neighbor. Maybe it is a huge case of spring fever? Whatever it is, I hope it passes soon. I have a lot to do!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
What's New
As I am sure you can tell from the lack of blogging, I have been really busy lately. This week we said goodbye to my parent's elderly neighbor. We've known her for 20 years now. Her son came and got her to move her to an assisted living facility in NC. It was really hard seeing her go. I usually see or talk to her every other week. The boys have known her all of their lives.
Our beloved little dog Prancer also died this week. She was 6.5 years old. She was diagnosed last October with fluid around her heart. They were able to drain the fluid but told us if it came back that she probably wouldn't live. Well, it came back. She died in my lap on the way to the vet Monday. It has been very, very sad. You know, I'm not a cryer but I cry every time I think of her and every time I come in the house. She was such a huge part of our family to be such a little dog.
I have been busy trying to get my garden in before the rain this weekend. I got the last of it tilled and planted today. I just have a few small things to do then I can relax for a little bit.
I have not had time to buy groceries or sort my coupons in several weeks. It just is not a priority right now. We are still eating out of the pantry and freezer for most meals. I am also trying to use up some of my canned goods to get ready for this year's canning.
I will probably host another canning class at my house in a few weeks. I just need time to recuperate from this week and get things back in order then I will come up with a date.
Our beloved little dog Prancer also died this week. She was 6.5 years old. She was diagnosed last October with fluid around her heart. They were able to drain the fluid but told us if it came back that she probably wouldn't live. Well, it came back. She died in my lap on the way to the vet Monday. It has been very, very sad. You know, I'm not a cryer but I cry every time I think of her and every time I come in the house. She was such a huge part of our family to be such a little dog.
I have been busy trying to get my garden in before the rain this weekend. I got the last of it tilled and planted today. I just have a few small things to do then I can relax for a little bit.
I have not had time to buy groceries or sort my coupons in several weeks. It just is not a priority right now. We are still eating out of the pantry and freezer for most meals. I am also trying to use up some of my canned goods to get ready for this year's canning.
I will probably host another canning class at my house in a few weeks. I just need time to recuperate from this week and get things back in order then I will come up with a date.
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