2011 winding down.

With only about 25 hours left to 2011, I thought I would take some time and reflect on the previous year and contemplate the coming one.

I did not stick to a grocery budget as well as I would have liked last year.  I blame it on working full time, going to school full time and some other family events going on, but lets be honest, that is just an excuse.

I plan to get back to a set grocery budget and then STICK to IT!  I recently looked at what the government's USDA website listed for a monthly grocery budget for a family of 4 and on their thrifty plan, they think I should be spending $637.50 for food.  I know I have not done that, even in my worst months.

Now, when I include "J" my total would be $757.15 a month.  YIKES!  I know I can easily do a nice array of meals for $400.00 a month!  I believe that is what I will work towards as a monthly budget.

January will be a goal of $400.00.  I will post as the month goes along to see how I am doing.

Already a change in menu

Ha ha ha...

Did not get the beans in the crockpot, so I fried up slices of ham and served that with mashed potatoes, stuffing and corn.  (Yes, I know....no green veggie. I will do better)

This looks very interesting!

I have been wanting to learn about foraging more for food..... I have always been fascinated with acorns.

Pickled Acorns

Menu Monday

Monday:  Chicken and Dumplings

Tuesday:  Ham and bean soup with cornbread

Wednesday:  Salad night (needed after the past week!)

Thursday:  French Onion Soup in slowcooker

Friday:  Either leftovers or homemade pizza

Saturday:  Anniversary, so out to eat. :-D

Sunday:  New Year's Day traditional Rib roast with all the fixin's!

It Was a Success!

OMGoodness.......... it was an overwhelming success.  I had to print the recipe off five times and sent it to two people. LOL

I plan to bake another one tomorrow morning for the family.  So..... another ooey gooey goodness.

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Sounds good, doesn't it?  I hope so!

I have been baking since almost 5:30 this morning.... it better be good! LOL

Cinnamon Roll Cake

Cake:

3 cups flour

¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 ½ cups milk
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 cup (1 stick) real butter, melted

Topping:
1 cup (2 sticks) real butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
3/4 cup chopped pecans, (optional) (always measure the nuts first then chop them)

Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
5 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation: Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
1. In an electric or stand mixer mix the flour, salt, sugar, baking powder, milk, eggs and vanilla. Once combined well, slowly stir in the 1/2 cup melted butter. Pour batter into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix the 2 sticks of softened butter, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and pecans until well combined. Drop evenly over cake batter by the tablespoonfuls and use a knife to marble/swirl through the cake.
3. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out nearly clean from center. You want to make sure it's done. I like most things underdone but cake is not one of them.
4. Place powdered sugar, milk and vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth. Drizzle over warm cake. Serve warm or at room temperature. 

I believe I got this from recipes.com, but I am not 100% sure.

Menu Monday

Monday:  Tacos

Tuesday:  Jam Chicken

Wednesday:  Chili

Thursday:  French Onion Soup (slow cooker)

Friday:  ??

Saturday:  Not sure, might have to be an eating out night.

Sunday:  Ham and all the fixings

Blogging and other things

This blog is practically new, but I am not really new to blogging.  I previously blogged for over 5 years under the name of "One Frugal Mom."

I decided to change because I felt it no longer fit who I was anymore.  I will at times repost things from that time in my life, but for the most part I am no longer "one frugal mom," but am much, much more. :-)

Menu planning

I had a menu planned for this week.  Seriously, I really did.  Unfortunately, I have only fixed what was planned for Sunday. LOL

But that is the thing about menus, they should be flexible!  Things happen and you need to be able to "go with the flow."

We have two school performances this week, so things sometimes get hectic.  I hope this will be the menu for the rest of the week:

Today:  Salad

Wednesday:  Fiesta Chicken over rice

Thursday:  French Onion Chicken

Friday:  Homemade pizza

Saturday:  Chili w/cornbread

Shipping costs!!!

Shipping costs are ridiculous!!!

It is cheaper to drive things than it is to ship them!

That is all..... I just needed to vent!

Weekly Menu

Today:  Sub sandwiches, made at home.

Monday:  Beef and Broccoli over rice

Tuesday:  Salad

Wednesday:  French Onion Soup in the crockpot

Thursday:  Jam Chicken over rice

Friday:  Homemade pizza

Saturday:  Leftovers or ???

Tiredness....

I have just been so busy lately.  I am always tired.  Of course, it seems that it is just because I have a lot on my plate lately and it is making me mentally and physically tired.

I will try and re-organize (sp?) things to help, but it might just have to be this way for awhile.  Oh well, just 12 more days until Winter break. :-)