Makin' bread

I was at my favorite recycle shop and came across some canape bread forms. New, still in the package, a whopping $2 is all would be needed to take them home. Knowing that the reason they probably were in the store, still unopened, would be the same reason I had donated so much to Goodwill myself. Cute ideas, good intentions, but after about 4 years one realizes after having to move said purchase again for the 40th time (still in box, unopened) that they will NEVER actually make them. I debated whether or not this would be the case with me. I did a quick search on my handy phone and found it had gotten good reviews for ease of use (comes out of the pan). So, I purchased and brought home. Not wanting these to end back up at the store; unopened, I brought them out today to bake some bread. Note that if I did NOT have my handy Kitchen Aid my hunny gave me for Christmas, I would not even have thought twice about this. But with a switch of the knob, it mixes and kneads it all for me! I followed the recipe on back and and put them in the oven. Surprise! 2 out of 3 bread loaves came out loverly. (I didn't divide it up evenly and the heart was disformed). It came out easy and the kids got a kick out of the shaped bread. So if any of the bread makes it to tomorrow (deformed heart is gone already), we will have star and flower chicken sandwiches for lunch:)

Cookin' Day

So in an effort to reduce food spending (the weekends when hubby is home is the worse!) around here, I pulled out my menu planner and pencil for some serious planning. Our current budget is $440 a month for groceries and since I usually don't go shopping until the weekends he is home, it's chaos and daily (aka expensive) shopping which blows budget big time. So yesterday I got the bright idea to do my shopping on the weekends he works. Oh, my gosh! What a difference! (Did I mention I didn't have to bring anybody with me??) I spent a little over 200 this week (I went over by $18). Although I had cash, I swiped that old debit card when I went over. There were some things I could have done without until next shopping day, so next time I won't bring card.
Here's my dinners for the next two weeks:
Mini burgers/ potatoes / baked beans
baked spinach mostocolli/salad
pork loin/spinach marie/carrots
beans and cornbread (2)
chili
chicken and rice/salad
lasagna/mixed veggies
bbq/sweet potatoes/green beans
taco salad / yellow rice
sloppy joes / sweet potatoes
creamy chicken and broccoli
Shepard's pie

Most meals will make enough for leftovers for lunch, so that helped quite a bit toward the other meals. About $4o of it went to diapers, paper towels, etc.
Then came the fun part--I think:)
Today I made chili, sloppy joes, cooked up the hamburger and chicken for the other meals, made chicken broth, tomato soup for Shepard's pie ( I was out, it came out ok!) In all it took about 4 1/2 hrs....and I had extra hamburger and chicken for future meal or two. I felt like they must have with the loaves and fishies! I have to admit I found myself fretting over what seemed to be a small amount of food after shopping. The verse that says not to worry about what you will eat or wear came to mind. So I quickly found the thankful side of it and as always, I'm taken care of:)
BTW--my feet hurt!!

No Posts

Posting has been far and few between this past week. Sick kids, traveling (with sick kids) and other whatnot has kept me busy and away from the computer. I'm now home, minus 2 kids, and it's quiet around here! I've been able to sleep in every day until at least 9am, dinner has been easy, went out to dinner last night & hubby cooked on grill tonight, and the next 2 nights are just me and 1 1/2 kids. Of course with it being so quiet, I should have gotten lots more done (house wise). Well, we did kid wise! My daughter and I have made puppets, read stories, went to see Kung Fu Panda, & general laying around. I feel like such a bum! I do miss my boys though. I know they are having a good time at Gma's and Papa's, and I'm happy for them. Looking forward to the weekend when we head down and pick them up. Wonder if they miss us any?!?