Hiatus Notice

Hi, just wanted to let you know I'm taking a hiatus from this blog due to some medical issues.  If you want to check it out, you are welcome over at ASCancerFree.blogspot.com

No need to unsubscribe here, if I don't post anything you won't receive anymore messages until I return.

Thanks!

Grocery Deals 4/9+

Sprouts     watermelon $4,  oranges .98/lb., pineapple 2.50, avocado .68, cucumbers .50, lettuce .98, green beans .98/lb., celery .98, corn .25/ea (vs .33 Randalls)

 

HEB           grapefruit .33 (vs .50 Sprouts), strawberries $3/2# (vs 2.50/lb. Sprouts & Randalls), mushrooms 1.50, tomatoes .77/lb., (vs .99 Sprouts 1.99 Randalls) whole chicken .88/lb., chicken fajitas 1.97/lb.,

 

Randalls   90% ground beef 2.99/lb., Friday only: 8pc fried chicken $5

Grocery Deals 4/2+

HEB:           cantaloupe .99 (vs $2 Sprouts), avocado .50 (vs. .68 Sprouts), chicken breast $1/lb, boneless fajita breasts 1.97/lb, HEB sliced bread 1.48

Sprouts:        strawberries 1.67/lb (vs 2.50 Randalls), grapefruit .33, pineapple 2.50, apples .99/lb, red bell peppers .50, cucumbers .50, cluster tomatoes .98/lb, broccoli .99/lb, celery .99, legs/thighs .99/lb

Randalls:     NY strip 4.99/lb, boneless chicken (frozen)1.99/lb, spaghetti sauce 1.39
                   Friday only: Rotisserie chicken $5

Grocery Deals 3/26+

Sprouts:    seedless watermelon $3, pineapple 2.50, oranges .50/lb. (vs .98 HEB), grapefruit .50, avocado .68, lettuce .98, cucumbers .50, cluster tomatoes .98/lb., green beans .98/lb., asparagus 1.98/lb.,

 

HEB:            strawberries 1.47/lb. (vs $2 Sprouts), apples .98/lb., cluster tomatoes .97/lb., potatoes 1.97/5#, sirloin steak 3.97/lb., chicken fajitas 1.97/lb., boneless chicken 1.99/lb., HEB ice cream 3.50,

 

Randalls:     chicken breast/leg/thigh $1/lb., strawberries 1.50/lb.

Friday only: coffeemate $2.50

 

LIME prices are increasing (restaurant case price was $19 six months ago, now $90) and are in short supply caused by a cluster of variables, so I fyou find limes at a good price, stock up, squeeze them and freeze them.  One being most limes come from an area of Mexico that recently had their drug lord arrested (my opinion is that has caused people to not bother and pick the fruit as it ripens with the area being unstable), demand has increased in China and the US, the greening fungus though on a lime, how can you tell????

Ahhh... Goose Down

There is nothing like a super soft goose down pillow, comforter or vest.  When I was in KC this winter, and the temperatures were at zero, the geese were sitting on the frozen pond without a care in the world warm as could be, thanks to their down feathers.

Grocery Deals 3/21+

Sprouts:    cantaloupe .98 (vs. 2.50 Randalls), strawberries 2.50/lb., grapefruit .33, pineapple 2.50, oranges .98/lb., grapes 1.98/lb., cluster tomatoes .98/lb.(vs 1.27 HEB), avocados .68 (vs 1.25 Randalls), asparagus 1.98/lb., apples .98/lb., broccoli .98/lb., lettuce .98,  red bell peppers .50 (vs .98 HEB), oats .69/lb.,

HEB:         cantaloupe .99 (vs 2.50 Randalls), cauliflower .99, legs/thighs $1/lb, boneless chicken 1.99/lb, beef fajitas 2.97/lb,

Randalls:  boneless chicken 1.99/lb, with coupon: cake mix or brownie mix .99
Friday only:  strawberries $5/2#

Arlan's has two locations (Cameron/290 and Airport/Oak Springs), neighbor K recently found them to not be stinky like they were when they were Foodland, with a nice produce section and good prices, so we'll follow along with them for a little while too.
chicken legs .69/lb, boneless chicken 1.89/lb, avocados .50, green grapes 1.99/lb, small apples .33 each, small oranges .30 each.

Tip Tuesday--Folding Fitted Sheets

Last week I posted about my safety pin trick for fitted sheets.

Since then I've had at least one person confess that they were interested in my methodology because her daughter in law asked her how to do it when she first married.  Certainly, you never want to let your daughter in law down.  I might point out that the first DIL in question also didn't learn from her mom either.

Grocery Deals 3/12+

HEB:        grapefruit .33, tangelos .67/lb, asparagus 1.67/lb, avocados $1, squash .98/lb, apples .98/lb, leaf lettuce 1.50, whole chicken .88/lb, boneless chicken 1.97/lb

Randalls:  strawberries $4/2#, corned beef 2.77/lb (point cut), flat cut 3.29/lb (vs 3.47 HEB), cabbage .39/lb
Friday only:  potatoes 15#/$5

Sprouts:   Their website is being redesigned, and the ad did not pull up via email or on the web today.  So I'm not sure what is on sale over there.  If any of the pictures were correct, asparagus could be on sale, but there were no prices for the few pictures I could see.

Tip Tuesday--Fitted Sheets

Ever try and figure out which end of a fitted sheet goes 'up top'?  Do you resort to the trial and error method?  Putting two corners on and when it's time for the third realize that the sheets need to rotate 90 degrees?  Ugh.  I know my life is full of complications.

A few years ago, I realized I was tired of that method and put a safety pin on the side of the sheet that goes right by my head.

When I fold the sheet I make sure that is the corner right on top so I can easily find it and put it on it's spot and get those sheets on the bed pronto.

I like fresh sheets on the bed, I'm just not a fan of changing the sheets.  This makes it just a smidgen easier.

Anyone need a lesson on folding fitted sheets? Shout it out.  I have a proven method.

Grocery Deals 3/5+

Sprouts:   blueberries 1.98, strawberries 2.50, grapefruit .33 (vs .50 Randalls or .99/lb. HEB), oranges .98/lb., red bell peppers .49, lettuce .98, tomatoes 1.48/lb., broccoli .98/lb., brussels sprouts .98/lb., grape tomatoes $2

 

HEB:      strawberries 1.50/lb. (vs 2.50 Sprouts), apples .98/lb., clementines $4/5# cauliflower $1.50 (vs. $2 Sprouts), red or gold potatoes 2.88/5#, chicken breast $1/lb., boneless chicken 1.99/lb. (vs $3 Randalls),

 

Randalls:   whole chicken .79/lb., asparagus .99/lb.

Friday only:  NY strip steak $5/lb., cake or brownie mix $1

Weekly Menu 2/22+

I've rambled on a lot over the last 3.5 years.  Welcome to my Post #508!  I meant to catch it right on 500, but must have gotten distracted.  Here we are for Weekly Menu #147.

Grocery Deals 2/19+

Sprouts:    strawberries 1.67/lb., blueberries 1.67/6oz, grapefruit .33, oranges .88/lb., apples .98/lb., avocados .68, squash .98, lettuce .98, celery, .98, green beans .98/lb., broccoli .98/lb., boneless chicken 1.99/lb., cheddar $3/lb.

HEB:          blackberries .88 (6oz vs 1.67 Sprouts), oranges .77/lb, apples .98/lb, cabbage .38/lb, asparagus 1.88/lb, broccoli .98/lb, boneless breast fajitas 1.97/lb, legs/thighs $1/lb

Randalls:     boneless roast 2.99/lb

Pigs and Vacation

I've already mentioned that we needed pig trainers.

Turns out we also needed a pig baby-sitter.  

Easter Bunny Again??

In late December we added six more hens to our dwindling flock of three hens, a drake mallard and a male goose (gander).   As is typical, the new hens hung out in the coop for a few days before venturing out into the wide free range that we offer here.

Wouldn't you know it, there was a hawk waiting for these fresh new birds to come out and stretch their legs a bit. No sooner had they come a few steps out of the coop, then L happened to be outside to see a hawk nab one.  Thankfully, the hawk didn't come back for more the next day.  Understandably, the other hens were a little on the skittish side.  They have adjusted and have made friends with the other fowl.

When K was watching the pigs I encouraged her to take as many eggs as they produced.  Unfortunately, they were only producing one egg per day, among the eight of them, but K gave them a pep talk and they started making three a day!  Clearly the new gals had not started laying yet.

It's February now and we've been wondering where our fresh supply of eggs are.  Despite our unintended feeding of the wildlife we do intend to get something out of our investment.  Please don't ask to see the business case and ROI for these birds, it won't make sense.

Then on Saturday I found the mother lode.  Right out in the flower bed there was this nest full of eggs...

I was nervous to pick one up because I've seen snakes in this area during the warmer months and while it was probably still too cold at 60 degrees I didn't want tempt fate.

I have a completely irrational fear of snakes and that they are lurking (yes, snakes can lurk because it is my irrational fear) everywhere outside.  I expect to find them teeming in any section of tall grass.  I'm a lot of fun around here in the summer months; talk about skittish.

After several minutes, I did finally bend down and pick up one egg.  It was very heavy and felt a bit leathery... like a snake egg.  I do know that rattlesnakes are in the viper family and they are one of the few snakes that don't come from eggs, but rational thinking is a little strained for me when it comes to this topic.

Using my solid logic, I was afraid that I had a snake egg, anaconda perhaps, in my hand.  What I didn't want was a skillet full of snakes when I started cracking these bad boys open the next time I'm making breakfast.  Yes, that was EXACTLY what I thought about.

I decided the only smart thing to do was to drop one and prove to myself that it was a real chicken egg.  I dropped it, and nothing.  I picked it up and tried again, from shoulder height this time; still nothing.  I went and found L who was also outside and dropped it a few more times.  I was getting really freaked at this point.  Finally, I just cracked it on a fence post and BOOM, it's a regular egg.

I gathered the other 15, water tested them (they all passed) and rinsed them off and then tried to put them in egg cartons. They didn't exactly fit.

The brown eggs are regular large eggs.  The white ones are clearly super jumbo sized eggs.

I texted a picture to J who showed them to c and he and his 'big cheese' smile are confident they are dinosaur eggs.

He is even wearing a shirt that supports his theory.

e is a little less worried about it all.

She is content with peas and carrots for the moment.

As I sat down to write this post it dawned on me that the eggs are white.  All of our chickens are 'brown' with brown ears so they should be laying brown eggs.  The only bird we have that is white is the white gander.

Hello, Ripley's????  More to come.

Weekly Menu 2/15+

We had another snow day last week Friday (our third) and then another delayed start on Tuesday (our third).

Grocery Deals 2/12+

Sprouts:   cuties 2.48/3#, tomatoes .98/lb, asparagus 1.98/lb, celery .98, broccoli .98, lettuce .98, avocados .68, cucumbers .48, bell peppers .48, chicken tenders 1.99/lb

HEB:          strawberries 1.88/lb (vs. 2.99 Sprouts and Randalls), tangelos .88/lb, cantaloupe 1.77, apples .99/lb, kale .97, grapefruit .33, kiwi .33, cauliflower 1.78, NY strips 5.97/lb, pork butt pork roast 1.47/lb, whole chicken .88/lb, pork chops 1.97/lb

Randalls:    ribeye 5.99/lb, NY strip 4.99/lb, boneless chicken 1.99/lb

Grocery Deals 2/4+

Sprouts     Strawberries 1.88/lb. (vs 3.49 Randalls), apples .98/lb., grapefruit .48, lettuce .98 (vs .99 Randalls), celery .98, , red bell peppers .98, Monterrey jack cheese 2.99/lb.

HEB:         oranges .99/lb, pears .97/lb, asparagus 1.47/lb. (vs 1.88 Sprouts or 1.99 Randalls)potatoes 2.98/5#, chicken breasts $1/lb, fajita chicken 1.97/lb, pork loin 1.97/lb

Randalls:    oranges .99/lb, apples .99/lb, hams .79/lb (uncooked)
Friday only: rotisserie chicken $5,  

Weekly Menu 2/6+

Last week I intended to wow everyone with all the great foods we ate on the cruise, but unfortunately I couldn't seem to get the blogspot website to cooperate with my laptop while I was traveling.

Tip Tuesday--Drop Everything

If you happen to be secretly wanting to go through your spouse's closet to clear some clutter; continue to resist.  However, when they give an inch, feel free to push for the full mile.

Life in the PIT--Pigs In Training

Over Christmas break it became obvious that we were behind the curve on getting our pigs to behave the way they were supposed to outside of the pen.  These are supposed to be domestic pigs, but somehow they were quickly on their way to turning feral after being with us for just a few short week.  Likely the fastest known case ever.  

Weighty Matters

J and L were very clear that as cute as the little chickens were last year they had no interest in repeating that project for 4H again.

Of course that means another learning curve for the new project; pigs.  Here they are in October weighing in around 50 pounds.

They are a lot bigger than that now.  

The larger one is on track to be overweight by the show, so he is on a diet.

The smaller one is on track to be right at the correct weight so we are working on how to feed her and keep him out of her food.  

Oh you might be wondering how we actually weigh these animals.  No, we don't pick them up and do subtraction using the bathroom scale.  We load them up in the trailer,

 haul them into town, unload them at the show barn, down the chute, up on the scale and then hope I remember to write down the weight.  

and then make best efforts to do the whole thing in reverse without them running off all around the county.    

So far we've been successful doing this; three times.  

If you had told me I'd be concerned, tracking and trending the weights of pigs just a year ago I just would have laughed you off the map, but alas, I have a spreadsheet.  I have succumbed.  

Grocery Deals 1/15+

Sprouts:     strawberries 1.88/lb (vs $2.50 Randalls), oranges .68/lb, pears .98/lb, apples .98/lb, tomatoes .98/lb, cucumbers .48, squash .98/lb, green beans .98/lb, lettuce .98, boneless thighs 1.99/lb,

Fri-Sat-Sunday only: boneless chicken 1.69/lb

HEB:        blueberries $3 pt (vs 6oz at Sprouts and Randalls $2), oranges .67/lb, cauliflower 1.25, cabbage .25/lb, pears .98/lb, apples .98/lb, avocado .33 (vs $1 Randalls), mushrooms 1.58, whole chicken .88/lb, beef roast 2.97/lb, chicken fajitas 1.97/lb,

Randalls:   NY strip steak $5/lb

Weekly Menu 1/18+

I hardly think what I'll describe here could realistically be called a 'weekly' menu, but I'll go with the consistent title.

Frugal Friday--Canned Tomatoes

Back in November I met up with the homeschooling mom's group and shared with them my money saving ways on groceries.  I almost always learn something new from an audience member when I'm out to speak and share on that very topic.  This time was no exception.  I only wish I could remember the lady's name who shared it.  She was sitting on the front row, which narrows it down a bit.  :)  I'll call her Pam, but am confident that was not her name.

Weekly Menu 1/11+

I did a wonderful amount of cooking over the almost two weeks I was on vacation for Christmas holidays.

Monday night, I pulled a meal from the freezer that just needed to be heated up thanks to my meal swap group.  I saved all of those meals while I was off knowing I would appreciate them more when I was back at work.

Grocery Deals 1/8+

Sprouts:    blackberries .88, mangos .33, oranges .88/lb., apples .98/lb., cucumbers .48, green bell peppers .48, celery .98, lettuce .98, grape tomatoes 1.50, squash .88/lb., red/yellow/orange peppers .88, bulk oats .69/lb., boneless chicken 1.99/lb.,

 

HEB:       blueberries 1.97/pt (vs $3/6oz Randalls), grapefruit .25 9vs .99 Randalls), apples .98/lb., oranges .67/lb. 9vs. .99 Randalls), carrots .47, green peppers .47, green beans .97/lb., chicken breasts $1/lb., pork loin 1.97/lb., beef roast 2.97/lb., beef fajitas 2.97/lb., boneless chicken 1.99/lb.

 

Randalls:  whole chicken .79/lb., cross rib roast 2.99/lb., apples .99/lb.,

Friday only:    ribeye steak $5/lb.

Weekly Ads 1/1+

Sprouts    oranges .88/lb, apples .98/lb, pears .98/lb, avocados .33, lettuce .98, cucumbers .48, green bell peppers .48, tomatoes .98/lb

HEB         strawberries 1.77/lb, pears .98/lb, mandarins $4/5#, grapefruit .20 (vs. .25 Sprouts), red/yellow/orange peppers .88, sirloin steak 3.97/lb, chicken/pork fajitas 1.97/lb, beef roast 2.97/lb, pork chops 1.97/lb, boneless chicken 1.97/lb

Randalls did not have an updated ad today on their website.