Aug 8, 2013 |
Usually I like to write longer, thought-out posts. But tonight, there’s just a few little things that I want to share, so I thought I’d put them together in a short nonsensical collection of what my day has been.
Yesterday’s blog post My Housing Project: A New Leaf was very well received, and I thank each and every one of you who liked, linked, clicked, commented, Pinned, tweeted and otherwise shared. It’s my most popular post since Winco shared Too Hot to Cook (June’s Meal Plan) two months ago.
I woke up early this morning to make sure it posted and that I had time to spread the word to Shell’s link up and other social media sites. As I was hummingly “working”, there was a Bible verse in the back of my mind. In that confirming, most overwhelmingly see-look-I-know-you way that God has, I later checked my emails and discovered this was today’s Bible verse as shared by Air1, the Christian radio station I listen to and receive daily emails from.
Philippians 4:6
What a beautiful confirmation that my Blog post was perfectly timed. I have God-bumps just recalling how He orchestrated this message to be heard and affirmed.
[By the way, if you missed today’s other blog post, my eBook, A Study on the Ten Commandments, is free for Kindle download today and tomorrow.]
After work, Dot and I decided to go to the Dollar Movies. We now have a new favorite Worst Movie Ever. It was so bad, it was fantastic. And we thought nothing could be worse than Avatar. And for four years, nothing was. Until now. It was a huge disappointment because we’ve been so enamored with both the actor and the director for years. But there’s just some things not worth the hype.
When we came home, I immediately went to water the shrubs. I was greeted by this little fellow, whom I affectionately now call Fred.
Fred the Lizard
After a few attempts, he let me hold him and Dot got this great photo of us:
A Lizard in the Hand
Do me a favor? This is already one of my more popular photos on Instagram, and I’d love to see my phone explode with notifications and bump it up. Would you care to help me out? If you have an Instagram account, just click here to “like” my photo. Thanks!
I haven’t done my monthly newsletter or a Meal Plan for August yet. The meal plan delay is because rather than grocery shopping, we’re saving our pennies and clearing out the freezer and pantry. I haven’t bought fast food in two weeks. Although tomorrow is pay day so I’m betting there’s a Starbucks in my very near future. That excites me because it’s also almost time for my fall favorite, Pumpkin Spice Latte. Last year, Dot introduced me to the Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino. And Instagram. And photo filters. This was my first filtered photo (say that five times fast!).
Starbuck’s Pumpkin Spice Creme Frappuccino
I’m already in holiday mode. I’ve been in conversations with a few sponsors to see what goodies I might be able to offer for this year’s blog giveaways. I’m pretty much driving Dot and Obadiah (my coworker) a tad crazy with the holiday chatter.
But you appreciate my efforts, don’t you?
At least, once some delicious new recipes get posted, I’m sure you will.
Speaking of recipes, here’s a special shout-out to Kat and her blog, Kat eats. She found my Potato Chip Casserole recipe via Pinterest and shared the recipe, and my blog link, on her Blog post. Check out her delicious recipe photos and how she changed it up by clicking here. The Potato Chip Casserole pin is pretty popular lately, but Kat is the first to give me original credit, so Awesome Sauce to her! Thanks for keeping it authentic, Kat, and as I often like to say, happy eating!
The weather has been cooling down and it’s barely 90 degrees during the day, which means I haven’t turned the air on for 36 hours. Sleeping with a nice breeze and cooling temperatures have made the cats all snuggly, of course. And sleepy. I posted this adorable video of our furfamily on Vine last week.
Do you Vine? I’m getting the hang of video making, but I’m still a newbie. So if you have any tips, follow me on Vine and Instagram and let me know!
And now we’ve come to the end of this post. Because I just emptied a can of Raid on the fireplace wall in pursuit of a fast-moving spider that I finally squished with the Teddy Bear Stool. Seriously. Where’s Team One when you need them?!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 29, 2012 |
I received a gift card for Christmas. I’m so very excited. Some people think gift cards are impersonal. I think gift cards are Potential. I plan to use this one for my January grocery budget.
The Unemployment Cookbook by Molly Jo Realy
I’m on a mission to save money and still feed my family well. I’m taking a page from my Cookbook, and starting with the recipe that started it all: Slow Cooker Ratatouille.
For just around $10, I’ll get the vegetables I need. I always keep olive oil and seasonings in the pantry.
Jan. 1: The Ratatouille will feed myself and Dot for two dinners.
Jan. 3: Drain the liquids and put half of the remaining seasoned vegetables on top a pizza crust. I always keep a frozen crust, so I’ll only need sauce and shredded cheese, about $7. This will feed us two dinners.
Jan. 5: Add the rest of the Ratatouille to my Baked Frittata. I usually keep eggs and milk in the house, but when I need to buy them, it costs close to $6 for both. I’ll already have shredded cheese from the pizza. The Frittata will feed us brunch and dinner for Saturday, and breakfast leftovers on Sunday.
Frittata
Jan. 6: My Slow Cooker Turkey Chili. I’ll need to buy just one pound of ground turkey, two cans of beans, and three cans of vegetables, near $8. I keep spices and onions in my pantry. This will feed us for three dinners, and I can take a serving for lunch.
Jan. 9: Potato Chip Casserole. I’ll need to buy the chips and chicken, approximately $5. I always keep milk and cream soups in my fridge and pantry. This goes fast, usually allowing for just one dinner and lunch leftovers.
Jan. 10: Texas Hash. I have all the ingredients except ground beef, average $4.I usually also need a green pepper. But I’ll have an extra pepper from the Ratatouille ingredients. I’ll use my FoodSaver to keep it fresh until I need it. Texas Hash will feed us at least three dinners.
And there I’ve scheduled 12 days of dinners for less than $40.00. Feeding two, sometimes three, adults. That’s less than $1.50 per person per meal.
For breakfasts, one box of Malt-o-Meal ($4), two boxes of instant oatmeal ($2 each), and a few yogurts (10 at $0.50 each). $13 total for a month of breakfasts.
I’m going to try new Bento lunch ideas (send some thoughts my way, Rachel!). Dot is on winter break for the month, so I’ll have some sandwich fixin’s for her, too. Each Bento averages $2. Lunches for the month should run us close to $50.
And that’s my Mojo Meal Plan for the first part of January, and then some. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Dec 12, 2011 |
One of my favorite channels is, of course, the Food Network. And my favorite shows are “Food Network Challenge” and “Cupcake Wars”. I love seeing how other chefs create tastes and presentations.
I never intended this Blog to have a focus on recipes. I always thought it would be just me. Getting through life. And sharing my ridiculous stories with whoever cared to read them. But when some of those stories began in my kitchen, I noticed something. You paid attention.
I love cooking. I love baking. Creating. Decorating. And you like hearing about me setting off the fire alarm with my blackened salmon or spilling the chili all over my foot … okay, I haven’t shared those stories with you yet, but I will…
My point is, my writing and cooking don’t have to be mutually exclusive. And You figured that out before I did. So thank you.
My life-long friend Lisa sent me a great Christmas gift: two boxes of food for my pantry. How amazing is she?! And as I opened the boxes I started singing to myself. Loudly. Lisa lives in Florida. It’s been 30 years since we’ve seen each other. But we’re still friends. And she knew what she was doing when she sent this to me. Because this gift is more than just food. It’s the chance for me to create a menu and play with my food. And then write about it.
With the ingredients she sent me, I’m going to plan out some great meals for January. And I’ll post them here. Some will be old recipes. Some will be trial and error. I’ll share them all with you here: the good, the bad, the tasteless.
[Except the homemade cookies. We’re gonna eat those like yesterday!]
IN THE FOOD BOX:
Canned Mandarin Oranges
Canned Pineapple Chunks
Boxed Peanut Butter Cookie Mix
Boxed Sugar Cookie Mix
Packaged Peanut Butter Cookie Mix
Packaged Sugar Cookie Mix
Packaged Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix
1 Jar – Peanut Butter
Boxed Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Bag Stuffing Mix
2 Cans – Pot Roast Soup
1 Can – Diced Tomatoes
3 Cans – Tomato Paste
2 Cans – Meatless Chili
2 Boxes – Onion Soup Mix
Dried Beans – Pinto
Dried Beans – Great Northern
Dried Beans – Navy
Dried Beans – Green Split Pea
I’m looking forward to my own little Food Challenge. I have no idea what I’ll create. But I’m pretty sure I’ll have fun creating it!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Eat!
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
