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.