Frugal Friday--Shopping at Home

It has come to my attention that the sagging shelves in my freezer have had enough.  I've been finding so many 'deals' over the last few weeks that I need to stop buying and let my usage catch up a little more.  

It's not that I haven't been cooking, but I've been in 'stock up' mode more than usual.  

The pantry isn't in quite as overloaded.  I know there are some good snack foods in there because J hasn't mentioned this in a while, but he's been know to say that there is nothing in there but ingredients.  

So I thought I would encourage everyone to take stock of their pantry and find those odd little bits of ingredients you know the can of artichoke hearts that you picked up because you were going to have people over and wanted to make spinach artichoke dip for; but didn't.  

The tiny jar of pimentos that you picked up for.... for.... who knows why you picked that up, but maybe you could find a recipe that used those now.  Of course they are pickled peppers so they aren't likely to go bad, but how many pecks of peppers can a gal pick?

You know the odd shaped pasta that never seems to get used?  Next Tuesday might be a good day to work that in to supper.  

Perhaps you haven't done a freezer inventory in a while and have no idea what is really in there.  

See if you can plan an entire week of your cooking, even if you only cook once or twice a week, surviving only on what you can concoct from what you already have on hand.  

By shopping at home you'll spend nothing for an entire week and have the ultimate frugal week.

I think I'm signed up.... 

...Except that we're almost out of milk.  People get a little cranky around here when the plastic cow goes dry.  

Weekly Menu 2/2+

Saturday		pizza salad
Sunday		bbq little smokies tater skins chex mix brownies
Monday		sloppy joes broccoli rice casserole
Tuesday		baked chicken rice green beans
Wednesday		sausage squash soup butter dips
Thursday		chicken alfredo pasta spinach
Friday		chili avocado-corn salad

Grocery Deals 1/30+

Sprouts     avocados .33 (vs $1 Randalls), green bell peppers .49, red/gold/orange peppers .99, roma .99/lb, sweet potatoes .99/lb, acorn/butternut squash .99/lb, oranges .49/lb (vs .99 Randalls), apples .99/lb, strawberries $2, chicken tenders 1.99/lb

Randalls    93% lean ground beef 2.99/lb, roast 2.99/lb, NY strip 4.99 (w/bone), 5.99/lb (boneless), strawberries $2/lb, bluebell 3.79, brownie mix .99, cake mix .99, poptarts 1.49,

Friday/Saturday/Sunday $5 deli ready to bake pizza

HEB            grapefruit .33, oranges .49/lb, apples .98/lb, asparagus 2.47/lb, potatoes 3.00/5#, chicken breast $1/lb, fajitas 1.97/lb, beef fajitas 2.97/lb, digiorno pizza $4

Poultry Update

We've been lucky to have a number of great weather days.  I know many people have been living with crazy single digit  and teen conditions, but here it's been pleasant and warm.  

So the chicks have been able to get out and stretch their legs for about an hour every day.  

I think it is really helping them to grow.  

And we are learning more too.  

For example, we were keeping it too warm in the coop and they weren't producing adult feathers.  I think it would make processing easier, but apparently that won't help J in the showing stage.  So we turned off the heat lamps.  

Now we don't have nearly neked chickens.  That's a good thing.  23 still growing strong.  

Laundry Room Part 2

Just wanted to share a picture of my Monday project last week.

I'm lovin the blue...

Week 2

Hard to believe, but the chicks are two weeks old today.  

Weekly Menu 1/26+

Saturday		turkey burgers sweet potato fries fruit
Sunday		pork roast rice spinach cantaloupe
Monday		beef & barley soup peanut butter mug cake
Tuesday		ranch chicken baked potatoes broccoli
Wednesday		beanie weenies potato chips carrots
Thursday		meatballs potatoes peas
Friday		chicken fried rice egg rolls oranges

Grocery Deals 1/22+

HEB            cantaloupe .98, blackberries 1.50, pineapple 2.77, whole chicken .67/lb., beef roast 2.97/lb., pork ribeye roast 1.97/lb.

  

Randalls   chicken breasts 1.99/lb., beef roast 2.99/lb., sirloin steak 3.99/lb., barilla pasta .99, brownie mix .99, graham crackers 1.99 *with coupon

Sprouts     blackberries 1.50, strawberries 1.50, oranges .88/lb. (vs.99 HEB), tomatoes .88/lb., red bell peppers .33 (vs .98 HEB), green peppers .50 (yep green is more),  orange/yellow peppers .88, cabbage .50, onion .50/lb (vs .67 HEB)cucumbers .50, green beans .99/lb., avocados .99, pears .99/lb., apples .99/lb., grapefruit .50, boneless thighs 1.99/lb.,

Tip Tuesday--Gloves

I don't have to hand wash too many dishes, but every once in a while I do need to do some hand-washing and I am not a fan of how my dish soap leaves my hands feeling.  My name is not Madge and I don't use Palmolive.  So I bought a handy dandy pair of gloves.

#31

The last few days have been a lovely break from the cold (OK, cooler if you are outside of Texas) temperatures.  

Thursday J took the chicks out of the coop, and put them through their paces.

First around obstacle #1 a random piece of wood.

go chickie go... 

Then he decided a race was in order, but the video is not cooperating in uploading.  You'll just have to trust me that it was cute.

Some could not be torn away from the feed trough, even though there were curious moments. 

And then there is poor #31.  You can see her on the end.

Her poor little legs are not quite able to hold her up.  

We think the daily exercise is helping.  

By Sunday afternoon there was talk about maybe ending her misery, but then almost as if she knew what the discussion was about, she gimped across the garden where they all frolicked and played for about three hours while I worked on getting things ready for spring.  

I've contacted Shriner's, but they have not yet returned my call.  

Frugal Friday--Save the Towels

I sometimes get personal here and today is going to be one of those days.  Have your towels ever gotten that funk?  I mean that stinky moldy smell that just won't go away no matter how many times you wash the towel?  

I hope it's never happened to you, but I have a feeling I'm not alone.  

I'm happy to report I have found the solution.  

One Week Old

From this: 

to this... 

Weekly Menu 1/19+

Saturday		mexican black bean lasagna lemon bars
Sunday		chicken fajitas
Monday		broccoli cheese soup
Tuesday		panko chicken strips tomatoes peas
Wednesday		chili mac corn cantaloupe
Thursday		ham salad wraps
Friday		cowboy pie carrot sticks broccoli salad grapes with vanilla yogurt

Grocery Deals 1/16+

Sprouts:    Gluten free jubilee 1/16-23; 25% off, apples .77/lb., oranges .77/lb., onions .50/lb., cabbage .50/lb., red/green peppers .33, cucumbers .50, green onions .50, avocados .99, lettuce .99, green beans .99/lb., celery .99, spinach .99

HEB              strawberries 1.97/lb, grapefruit .25, cantaloupe 1.77, apples .67/lb, potatoes 2.98/10#, pork roast $1/lb, pork or chicken fajitas 1.97/lb,

Randalls      pork roast 1.29/lb, *with coupon: goldfish $1

Man Down

Well it's not an actual man.  It's not even a human.  I'm sad to report that we have lost our first chick.  

Tip Tuesday--Laundry Room Redo

Nothing like the New Year to get you fired up about reorganizing some of the spaces that have perhaps gotten away from you over time. 

I've heard that Spiffy Sue had her home office redone by a diligent daughter.  And that it looks wonderful.  

Breaking News... We Have Wing Feathers

In case you missed the arrival of these cute little guys

you can catch up here.

Weekly Menu 1/12+

Saturday		filet-o-fish peas & carrots cupcakes
Sunday		chicken w/ florentine sauce corn fruit n' yogurt pie
Monday		chicken chili
Tuesday		beef stroganoff rice
Wednesday		chicken parmesan buttered noodles zucchini
Thursday		onion beef muffin cups broccoli ez chocolate mousse
Friday		sausage wraps mac & cheese

Grocery Deals 1/9+

Sprouts   oranges .69/lb, blueberries 1.98/pt,  green bell peppers .50, cucumbers .50, onions .50/lb, cabbage .50/lb, lettuce .99, zucchini .99/lb, celery .99, roma tomatoes .99/lb, avocados .99, red/yellow/red bell peppers .99

HEB          potatoes 2.98/10# (vs .50 Sprouts), cauliflower .87, green beans 1,27.lb, apples .67/lb (vs .99 Sprouts), blackberries .98(vs 1.50 Sprouts), grapefruit .25, lemons .20, pork loin 1.97/lb, beef fajitas 2.97/lb, beef roast 2.97/lb, ribeye steak 5.97/lb

Randalls   boneless chicken 1.97/lb, ribeye 5.99/lb, 93% lean ground beef 2.99/lb,

*with coupon: pilsbury cake mix .99, milk ½ gallon 1.25 (or full gallon at $3)

J's New Peeps

Well they are finally here.  We picked them up this afternoon.  

J's new peeps have arrived.  

Tip Tuesday--Christmas Cleanup

I hope everyone has had a great Christmas season.  We had LOTS of fun and a few adventures too.  

A visit to the Capitol: 

Frugal Friday--Baby Gift

Two weeks ago we had a baby shower in the office for one of the girls.  As far as I know she hasn't had the baby yet, but then again he is not due until 1/13/13.  I know she is ready though. :)

Weekly Menu 1/5+ (100 weeks!)

Saturday		smothered pork chops mashed potatoes broccoli
Sunday		lasagna garlic bread
Monday		easy chicken tacos salad
Tuesday		salmon patties green beans coleslaw
Wednesday		ham & cheddar loaf spinach
Thursday		baked chicken pesto pasta squash
Friday		jambalaya rice

Grocery Deals 1/2+

Sprouts    blueberries 1.25  (6oz), blackberries 1.25, grapefruit .33 (vs .69 Randalls), oranges .99/lb, avocados .99, lettuce .99, red/yellow/orange peppers .99, green peppers .33, apples .99/lb, squash .99/lb, tomatoes .99/lb

HEB          blueberries 2.98 (pt), strawberries 2.48/lb, cherries 2.98/lb (vs 4.99 Randalls), pineapple, 2.88, grapefruit 1.97/5#, apples .98/lb, red bell peppers .98, pork chops 1.97/lb, boneless chicken 1.97/lb

Randalls   sirloin steak 3.99/lb, NY strip 4.99/lb*, roast 2.99/lb, 90% lean ground beef 2.99/lb,

*can download a coupon for $1off/lb so steak becomes 3.99/lb