Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.
~Albert Einstein
Monday, January 19, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Frugal Friday...
I have always tried to be frugal where I can... clip coupons, turn lights off when I'm not in a room, keep the heat low... little things like that. In these economic times, every little bit helps and I thought it would be good idea to share a frugal tip every Friday.
One of the most important tips (or advice) I can offer is to plan your meals and do your grocery shopping with a list... The later being the most important! There was a time when I used to go grocery shopping without a list and I would just "wing it". I would purchase duplicates of things I already had at home... sometimes not buying what I may have needed to make a specific meal or recipe. It was a disaster!
But then, I started making a list of what I needed... and then, I started paying more attention to the grocery store sales circulars... and then, I would try to match up coupons I had with items that were on sale (for even more savings).
And, now, I plan the dinner menu for the entire week, by going through the circulars (and coupons). So, I not only shop with a shopping list, but I actually have a plan! LOL I try to make at least one or two new recipes each week (because eating the same things all the time is boring!).
Here's what I do... First, I try to get an idea of what we'd like to have for dinner the coming week. I check what I have on hand (from my small stockpile that I've managed to build) as far as meats, dry goods, etc. Then, I check the sales circulars to see what is on sale, go through my coupons, plan the menu and then I start my shopping list (combining ingredients I may need for new recipes, together with staples or necessary items I need)
I also shop at 3 different grocery stores to try to get the best deal. (They are all local so there is no money wasted in gas).
This was my dinner menu for this week... In addition to what I needed to make each meal (what I didn't already have at home), I also purchased some staples/necessary items and few extras...
Total spent: $56.00 (that was with a few coupons totaling $1.10):
Sunday
Salisbury steak, noodles, peas
Monday
Chicken stir fry over rice
Tuesday
Chicken Francaise over linguini (*new recipe)
Wednesday
Leftovers
Thursday
Steak, twice baked potatoes, carrots (We didn't have this on Thursday night because it was too cold outside to grill... Instead, I had a smoked sausage in the freezer and made a meal from that. I will move this meal to next week or the week after)
Friday
Breakfast - Pancakes & sausage
Dessert: Apple Crisp (*new recipe )
Saturday
Chicken croquettes, mashed potatoes, corn (*new recipe)
By making a shopping list (and sticking to it), planning the weekly menu, comparing grocery stores sales circulars, I've been able to save money each week... like I said before, every little bit helps!
One of the most important tips (or advice) I can offer is to plan your meals and do your grocery shopping with a list... The later being the most important! There was a time when I used to go grocery shopping without a list and I would just "wing it". I would purchase duplicates of things I already had at home... sometimes not buying what I may have needed to make a specific meal or recipe. It was a disaster!
But then, I started making a list of what I needed... and then, I started paying more attention to the grocery store sales circulars... and then, I would try to match up coupons I had with items that were on sale (for even more savings).
And, now, I plan the dinner menu for the entire week, by going through the circulars (and coupons). So, I not only shop with a shopping list, but I actually have a plan! LOL I try to make at least one or two new recipes each week (because eating the same things all the time is boring!).
Here's what I do... First, I try to get an idea of what we'd like to have for dinner the coming week. I check what I have on hand (from my small stockpile that I've managed to build) as far as meats, dry goods, etc. Then, I check the sales circulars to see what is on sale, go through my coupons, plan the menu and then I start my shopping list (combining ingredients I may need for new recipes, together with staples or necessary items I need)
I also shop at 3 different grocery stores to try to get the best deal. (They are all local so there is no money wasted in gas).
This was my dinner menu for this week... In addition to what I needed to make each meal (what I didn't already have at home), I also purchased some staples/necessary items and few extras...
Total spent: $56.00 (that was with a few coupons totaling $1.10):
Sunday
Salisbury steak, noodles, peas
Monday
Chicken stir fry over rice
Tuesday
Chicken Francaise over linguini (*new recipe)
Wednesday
Leftovers
Thursday
Steak, twice baked potatoes, carrots (We didn't have this on Thursday night because it was too cold outside to grill... Instead, I had a smoked sausage in the freezer and made a meal from that. I will move this meal to next week or the week after)
Friday
Breakfast - Pancakes & sausage
Dessert: Apple Crisp (*new recipe )
Saturday
Chicken croquettes, mashed potatoes, corn (*new recipe)
By making a shopping list (and sticking to it), planning the weekly menu, comparing grocery stores sales circulars, I've been able to save money each week... like I said before, every little bit helps!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Tasty Tuesday - Recipe time!!
This is a recipe from Pampered Chef
Taco Ring:
Ingredients:
1 lb ground beef
1 small onion (diced)
1 package taco seasoning mix
2 (8 oz.) packages of Crescent rolls
1 cup shredded cheddar
Toppings
1/4 cup of chopped black olives
2 tomatoes (chopped)
Bag of shredded lettuce
1 large green or red pepper (optional)
Salsa and/or sour cream
Brown the ground beef, drain excess fat. Mix in the package of taco seasoning and onion. Set aside.
On a large pizza stone or baking pan, separate the crescent roll triangles and assemble them in a circular pattern with the small edge of the triangle inward towards the center. (You want to create a donut shape with a small hole in the middle)
Place meat on the crescent roll towards the "hole" to form a ring. Sprinkle shredded cheese over top of meat.
Then take the outer corners of the crescent rolls, lift them up over the meat, press and seal on the inside edge of the crescent roll (when finished this will look like a big donut or ring)
Bake at 350* for 15-20 minutes. Carefully slide onto large plate.
Then fill the "center" of ring (on the serving plate) with your "toppings: shredded lettuce, tomatoes, olives, peppers. You could put small dollops of sour cream "dotting" the ring... or just throw the toppings into individuals serving bowls and everyone fixes their own taco ring...
Simple... Delicious... Enjoy!Landscaping 101...
Over Memorial Day weekend of last year, we finally decided to spruce up our front yard. I will tell you that I am not the kind of girl who likes to become one with the dirt and grass and bugs and all that. (And, now you know why I don't have a garden LOL)
Anyway... something needed to be done with the eyesore in my front yard. My husband did most of the work and I mainly supervised, planned the area in question and shopped for the items! (those are very important jobs)
This is what the area we landscaped looked like when we first purchased our home a few years ago:
(Click on picture for full size image)
And THIS is what it looked like after we finished:
(Click on picture for full size image)
Nice improvement, huh?
We did add some landscaping lights along the backside of the pavers, as well as another Hosta plant in the front (left).
I couldn't be more thrilled with the results!
Anyway... something needed to be done with the eyesore in my front yard. My husband did most of the work and I mainly supervised, planned the area in question and shopped for the items! (those are very important jobs)
This is what the area we landscaped looked like when we first purchased our home a few years ago:
(Click on picture for full size image)
And THIS is what it looked like after we finished:
(Click on picture for full size image)
Nice improvement, huh?
We did add some landscaping lights along the backside of the pavers, as well as another Hosta plant in the front (left).
I couldn't be more thrilled with the results!
A brand new year...
Boy does time fly! I knew I hadn't blogged in quite some time, but didn't realize it was so long ago... Needless to say, this past summer kept me busy and before I knew it, the holidays were upon us.
I have many new things to share as I hope to become a more faithful blogger in this new year.
I have many new things to share as I hope to become a more faithful blogger in this new year.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Garage Sale Finds...
'Tis the season for Garage Sales... This morning my husband and I headed out early to find our treasurers:
Spent just over $20... Some shelves (we'll paint those), two purses,(one is a Prada, could be a fake, I don't know... but I feel so snobby LOL) a few books, computer games, and two plaques in the Cafe theme style that match my kitchen!! I was so excited to find those!!
You know what they say... One man's junk is another man's treasure.
I'm exhausted and I'm going to play with my new purses...
Spent just over $20... Some shelves (we'll paint those), two purses,(one is a Prada, could be a fake, I don't know... but I feel so snobby LOL) a few books, computer games, and two plaques in the Cafe theme style that match my kitchen!! I was so excited to find those!!
You know what they say... One man's junk is another man's treasure.
I'm exhausted and I'm going to play with my new purses...
Friday, May 2, 2008
Fun survey... 41 things you didn't know about me!
I "borrowed" this from Deep Fried Apple Pie's blog and thought this would be fun:
Who's next!? :)
1. What kind of soap is in your bathtub right now? Dial liquid soap by the sink… Softsoap’s Pure Cashmere (for me) in the shower.
2. Do you have any watermelon in your refrigerator? No…and I would love some!
3. What would you change about your living room? Carpet and window treatments (soon!!)
4. Are the dishes in your dishwasher clean or dirty? Dishwasher is empty
5. What is in your fridge? The usual… milk, butter, some leftovers, condiments, etc., etc.
6. White or wheat bread? White
7. What is on top of your refrigerator? A tray that holds some potatoes and onions, my husband’s cooler.
8. What color or design is on your shower curtain? The hall bathroom is a square pattern in blues, light blues with a touch of purple. The master bathroom is a crème colored curtain with bamboo (Asian décor)
9. How many plants are in your home? 5
10. Is your bed made right now? Yes and no… It’s made, but my dog likes to fluff the comforter, so part of the bed is a little messed up.
11. Comet or Soft Scrub? Soft scrub
12. Is your closet organized? Pretty much
13. Can you describe your flashlight? Big, black, heavy.
14. Do you drink out of glass or plastic more at home? Combination of both
15. Do you have iced tea made in a pitcher right now? No
16. If you have garage, is it cluttered? Nope… just cleaned and organized it a few weeks ago.
17. Curtains or blinds? Blinds
18. How many pillows do you sleep with? One
19. Do you sleep with any lights on at night? Sometimes the light from the tv
20. How often do you vacuum? At least once a week
21. Standard toothbrush or electric? Both
22. What color is your toothbrush? Standard toothbrush is white and purple… electric one is white.
23. Do you have welcome mat on your front porch? Yes, but it’s plain (no words). I have an outdoor frog figurine by the front door that has a small “Welcome” sign in the frog’s hand.
24. What is in your oven right now? Just the oven racks
25. Is there anything under your bed? Nope
26. Chore you hate the most? Folding laundry
27. What retro items are in your home? Hmmm… I don’t know if I would call some items retro… I have a side table/lamp table in the living room that belonged to my grandmother… It’s over 50 years old.
28. Do you have separate room you use an an office? Yes… my home office
29. How many mirrors are in your home? 3 (one in each bathroom, one in the stairwell)
30. Do you have any hidden emergency money around your home? You always need to have a stash!
31. What color are your walls? Which room! Office is a greenish color, guest room is beige/brown, living room is a dark sand color, master bedroom is red, master bathroom is yellow/goldish, kitchen and family room are still white
32. What does your home smell like right now? Dinner (we had chicken)
33. Favorite candle scent? Strawberry and I love Sand & Sun by Yankee Candle
34. What kind of pickles are in your refrigerator right now? None.
35. Ever been on your roof? I haven’t, but my husband has.
36. Do you own a stereo? No
37. How many TV’s do you have? 4
38. How many phones? 3 in house, 2 cell phones
39. Do you have a housekeeper? I wish!!
40. What style do you decorate in? Different styles. My living room is a Southwestern style… my guest room is done up in an Old World Map style, master bedroom and master bathroom are an Asian décor.
Who's next!? :)
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