Weekend Happenings

This has been a not-so-great weekend for me. I felt rough and didn't get much accomplished. Meals were very simple. Sat for breakfast we ate sausage links and french toast sticks. Lunch was a fend for yourself so everyone ate something different. I don't even think I ate. Supper was black-eye peas, squash casserole, and cornbread muffins.  Today consisted of the rest of the sausage links and chocolate-chip banana bread for breakfast. Turnip green soup & cornbread muffins for lunch. Then we picked up supper from Jack's on our way home from grocery shopping.

Speaking of grocery shopping... we went 45 minutes away from our home to hit up a United Grocery Outlet. It is a discount grocery store and always a hit or miss. They also have a IGA (PriceLess) store in the same town and a huge Dollar Tree. Here is what we got.

Dollar Tree:
fabric softner
stain lifter
powered laundry detergent for Hubs uniforms
2 jugs of apple juice
peppermint tea bags
pecan spin cakes
nekote pb cookies
Nipcheese crackers
lemon cookies
bottle of dried chopped onions
2 packs of starlight mints
2 jugs of the shelf stable milk

Total - $16.35

United Grocery Store:
2 cans of sliced apples - .89 each
jar of brown gravy - .79
Uploaded Lunchable - $1.
case of 6 Del Monte fruit cups - $3.00 (these are the ones you keep in the fridge)
2 Bacon Club Wraps - 2/$1
3 packs of gummy candy - 3/$1
4 packages of pudding mixes - 2/$1
3 boxes of jello mixes - 3/$1
elbow macaroni noodles - $.69
another regular Lunchable with drink - $1
bag of apples $2.99

and something that rang up $1.79 and $1.00 but I couldn't find anything else that we brought in that had those costs so I think I was charged for something I didn't get!

Total: $21.84

Our last stop was at IGA (PriceLess). We did get a bag of cat litter for our cats that will have to be put up in our shop tomorrow when we get snow in our area!!! We don't want to freeze our mice-catching felines.  The lowest cost we could find was $1.61 a bag. Which probable wont be the best smelling  stuff but hopefully it will keep us from having a mess to clean up later.

chicken finger tenders - 6.98
2 Banquet turkey pot pies - .88 each
bag of frozen onion/pepper seasonings - .91
Ballpark beef franks - 1.58
garden salad mix - 1.56
2 cans of buttermilk biscuits - .88 each
2 cans of spaghetti o's - .67 each
2 cans of cream of chicken soup - .54 each
can of vegetable soup - .54
can of pear halves - .98
2 cans of mandarin oranges - .88 each
Rice a Roni Mexican rice - .88
store brand of cheez it crackers - 1.27
1 gal of milk - 2.98
peanut butter - 1.42
pancake syrup - 1.28
saltine crackers - .75
3 bags of Doritos chips - 2.30 each

Total - $44.61

Today we spent an overall total of $82.80 which pretty much wipes out our grocery/household budget for the month. I do believe we have enough of everything to get us until Hubs gets paid during the first week of Feb.  Especially with us having the possibility of being snowed in after Monday for a couple of days. I know I am very excited as much as the kids at school will be.  I hate that I didn't get any photos today but all of my energy is wiped out. We have a flu epidemic in our local area that has closed all the school systems except for the one I work at (of course!). I am really hoping that I am not coming down with something. Maybe I am just wore out from the lack of sleep I have had this weekend.

Tight Budget

We are under tight budget strings for the next few weeks. There was some unexpected things that came up that has put us in a bind. Plus... we have started looking for a prom dress for my oldest daughter. Key word: looking!!!

Yikes, everything is coming up and we are not prepared for it. When I took the job at the school lunchroom I took a huge pay cut. Would I change it? Heck no because school hours rock!  We haven't adjusted fully to the lower pay days. Tax season couldn't be coming around at a better time! Not that we are expecting a whole lot of a return but just enough to kick our budget back into gear. Until then, purse strings are double knotted!  Like this week.. it took all of Hub's check to pay bills. We have exactly $92.63 to get groceries and household products (including cat food) for the next two weeks. Meal planning and snack making in what on the schedule this weekend.

So to finish off this blog post I am going to share what we ate tonight for supper. I had planned on being simple with a hot dog and chips. My oldest son wanted chili dogs which I didn't have pre-made or even a can in the pantry.

I fried up about 4-6 ounces of ground beef. It was originally a hamburger patty that I had froze but thought hey, this will work.

After draining the grease off, I added a pack of chili seasonings, pintos, and tomato sauce. It had a very strong chili taste which is normally good but this was a small pan.

Now you learn a thing or two working in a school lunchroom. We don't boil hot dogs, we bake them!! Line a baking sheet with foil and then put down a piece of parchment paper. Bake for about 8-10 minutes to give them almost a grilled taste. I think I like them better this way instead of frying them. Grilled hot dogs are my favorite!!!

Ta Da... add some cheddar cheese and supper is done!!

What Did We Eat

Today has been a rough one. I didn't sleep great last night so all I wanted to do is stay in bed all day. I could have since I was alone most of the day. But returning to work tomorrow after a 3-day weekend, I had to get some things done.

Breakfast was a couple of  apple cider doughnuts and a cup of coffee. We found these at Aldi back in the fall and every time we went, we grabbed a pack and put it in the freezer. Sadly when we pulled it our Saturday night for yesterday's breakfast, we realized that it was the last pack. These were wonderful!! 

For lunch, I finished off the rest of the chicken and veggies I cooked in the crockpot Saturday. We didn't have any rolls so I just ate a slice of bread with it.

Tonight for supper was a ham & cheese quiche served with hash brown patties. The recipe I use make two quiches which is great because none of the kids like spinach in it. I love it because it enhances the flavor!

Nothing for dessert tonight but I did eat a few cherry jelly heart candies from the Dollar Tree earlier today. Although it seems different on the past few blog posts, we don't generally eat a lot of sweets. There are times we just get on a kick and will have something sweet a few days in a row and then we are good for a while. Popsicles and ice cream is huge commodity in the freezer around summer time which is about the only time we eat sweet something several times a week.

Another Grocery Haul and What We Ate Today

Yes, we went to the grocery store again for the 2nd time in the past few days. This time it was to Walmart because I forgot a few things when I went Thursday.  First, let me start the day off with what I put out for everyone to choose for breakfast.

I laid out some pumpkin bagels with pumpkin spice cream cheese spread which me and my husband ate. There was one Duncan Hines blueberry muffin mix left, a whole pack of apple cider donuts and chocolate (Aldi brand) pop tarts. The kids chose a pop tart. 

After church is when we went to Walmart. This was a small haul and I will share prices down below. 

Since it was just me and Hubs... we enjoyed Taco Bell's $5. boxes for lunch. Sorry no picture!

Supper was a sub sandwich using the last of the deli ham and deli chicken. Pepper jack cheese made these super great! Onion rings was the side dish.

Dessert was the cupcake we found on the clearance bakery rack at Walmart. I split it with Hubs. I think he drank tea with his but I fixed a cup of chocolate hazelnut latte drink mix to go with mine. I am trying to use the last bit of the drink mix up since I have had it for a while now. If you go looking for it, I believe I got it at Walmart but not sure. It has been around for a long time.


Walmart Haul:
applesauce - $1.84
kraft singles - $2.98
2 cans of spaghetti rings - $.84 each
brown sugar deli ham - $2.74
Oscar Mayer roast beef deli meat - $3.48
Stack Attack chips - $1.00
breakfast sandwiches - $3.98
mints - $1.64
Extra gum - $1.00
Yoplait Go Gurt - $2.42
2 bags of Lays chips - $2.50 each
jumbo cupcake - $1.78

Total: $30.87

Like I said, I forgot sandwich meat and chips for the guys to pack in their lunches for work. Applesauce and go-gurts for the lovely son who had stitches and having to take antibiotics. They really upset his stomach to the point we may have to call the doc back to see if we can change. He has never been sick with antibiotics before.

Me and the girls have a three day weekend. So tomorrow... I will be able to share another full day of meals before we head back to school. After that we will be eating breakfast and lunch at school. Maybe I need to share what the guys pack for their lunches?! What do you think?

What we ate today

I did not get a picture of our breakfast because I was rushing three people out the door for work. We had biscuits and gravy though!

For lunch, me and my youngest ate leftover mac & cheese. I also fried up some hot dogs for myself.

For a late afternoon snack, I had a cup of coffee and a Little Debbie Fudge Round.

And dinner was a meal prepared in the crock pot. Chicken thighs with potatoes and carrots. I forgot to add in a chopped onion so I sprinkled some dehydrated ones in as well. For the seasonings, I used garlic-pepper seasoning and Lawry's seasoning salt. Leftover coleslaw was also served but it missed the picture taking process. Dessert was a strawberry shortcake.

I am thinking tomorrow may be a potato soup kind of day. It has rained all day and is supposed to turn super cold. But... my upright freezer seemed to be acting up this morning when I pulled the cool whip out. It may be going out so I may pull out the chili or turnip green soup that is in there. I have been meaning to empty the upright to give it a good cleaning but there is quite a bit still in there. Hopefully it will hold up until I can get it switched to the chest freezer!

Grocery Haul

It has been one long and crazy week! I am past ready for this 3-day weekend coming up. I did manage to go to the grocery store yesterday. Not a big haul but definitely not the cheapest ever. I got no meat and the total was still over  $75

Yikes! This month isn't going to end up saving us much money like I wanted too. In fact, I had to take my son to a walk-in clinic today for some stitches. Not fun!!!  So here is what I groceries I got.

 ALDI:
10 lb russet potatoes - $3.49
2 cans of tomato sauce - $.29 each
orange juice - $1.99
2 cartons of strawberries - $1.49 each
carrots - $.89
garlic salt - $.95
bag of classic coleslaw - $1.29
sliced coby-jack cheese - $1.99
quick oats - $2.39
mini muffins - $2.29
2 gal of whole milk - $1.69 each
buttermilk - $1.59
2 cans of pork and beans - $.49 each
sour cream - $.99
crinkle fries - $1.65
Hint of lime tortilla chips - $1.49  (my favorite!)
tea bags - $1.39
3 dozen eggs - $.86 each
2.84 lbs of bananas - $1.25
cooking spray - $1.49
half & half - $1.95
store brand pop tarts - $1.85
coconut creme coffee creamer - $2.29  Didn't need it but they were out last time!
sandwich crackers - $.99
2 boxes of sausage links - $.99 each
french toast sticks - $2.59
2 rising crust pizzas - $2.69 each
2 packs of breakfast rounds (orange-cranberry flavored) - $2.99
2 loaves of bread - $.85 each
Not for us... cat food - $8.49
TOTAL: $76.47

The orange-cranberry breakfast rounds are new. I love this flavor combination so I thought it would be a great breakfast toasted with a little butter and served with some bacon or even the sausage links. I LOVE breakfast foods but I have got to where I am not a breakfast person. Maybe because I wait until I get to school and eat breakfast after we serve the kids. Give me a cup of coffee and I am good to go for a few hours!

We still have plenty of meat in the freezer so I won't be spending any more money this week on grocery.

Sunday Evening Grocery Shopping

This is another grocery haul on the smaller side. We still spent about the same amount because we had to stock back up on snacks. Why? Well... because tomorrow we return to school after a very pleasant few weeks off. I am so ready to make a trip to Sam's club but it will have to wait a while longer.  We didn't get any meat/veggies except for some deli meat because I am still trying to use up what we already have here.  Also not in the picture is the pizzas I put in the freezer on my way indoors. So what did we get tonight?

ALDI:
3 rising crust pizzas - $2.69 each
chicken taquitos - $3.79
frozen breakfast biscuits- $3.89
more chocolate caramel coffee creamer - $2.29
Almond milk coffee creamer because they didn't have coconut creme - $1.79
2 gal of milk - $1.68 each
chewy granola bars - $1.15
2 boxes of fruit & grain bars (blueberry, strawberry) - $1.39 each
2 boxes of garlic breadsticks - $1.79 each
smoked turkey deli meat - $2.49
otter pops (popsicles made with coconut water) $.99
Raisin bran cereal - $2.19
Rice squares (rice chex) - $1.79
creamy peanut butter - $1.79
2 yogurt cups - $.39 each
2 greek yogurt cups - $.69 each
artificial sweetener - $4.19
sliced cheddar cheese - $1.99
baking soda - $.49
2 coffee inspired granola bars (NEW) - $1.99 each
flour torillas - $.99
burrito tortillas - $1.29
vegetable shortening - $2.89
Italian breadcrumbs - $.89
can of black beans - $.69
box of trail mix (individual packs) - $3.79
saltine crackers - $.99
peanut butter sandwich crackers - $.99
sour cream - $.99

TOTAL:  $74.70

The coffee inspired granola bars look amazing!!! One was a french vanilla flavor and the other was a chocolate mocha flavored. I am sure that these will be tried very soon!

What We Ate Today

I ate a late breakfast around 10:35 today.  It wasn't that I slept in because I was up by 6:30ish. I have already drank 1 cup of coffee. I fixed a fried bologna biscuit, sliced cheddar cheese (which did end up in a 2nd biscuit), and a whole navel orange. I ate the other half as I was fixing breakfast. I made myself a homemade iced coffee. We have a single brew coffee maker that uses regular k-cups. To me... those k-cups are very strong flavored coffee. But they make great iced coffee! I brewed my coffee and filled my cup up with ice. Poured a little more than half of the coffee in my cup, poured in some regular whole milk, and then topped it off with some coconut creme flavored coffee creamer. Yum!

2:48pm
Late lunch of cup of noodles with some crackers. Sweet tea not pictured.

4:50pm
Took oldest daughter to work at her new job. Smelled fast food which made me very hungry. All the way home, I got a big craving for something sweet so I decided to make a pineapple upside down cake. It has been forever since I made one and forgot that you are supposed to melt butter in the pan before putting the brown sugar and pineapple slices. Oops... I am sure it will turn out just find though! Next time I will check a recipe.

7:50pm

Lemon pepper flounder fillet

Squash-zucchini casserole

Supper time!! I am hungry and ready for bed.  I did eat a piece of cake while I was waiting on supper. It turned out just like if I had made it the correct way! Honestly, it was not as a big of a piece as it looks. It was about the size of a pineapple slice. Oh, I could have ate even more but didnt want to go overboard, lol. This is one of my favorite cakes!!

Fresh Produce and a little more.

Today has been a busy day. We attended the funeral visitation of a precious lady who gained her heavenly wings. So sad heartbroken for the family but we all know she is where she longed to be. After we left the funeral home, we ran by Walmart for some fresh produce. Almost made a stop by Dollar General for a few things.  I only have a photo of what we got at Walmart.

We got: more coffee creamer

frozen biscuits

frozen breakfast biscuits

2 frozen breakfast bowls

18 eggs

gala apples

bananas

cucumbers

grape tomatoes

milk

2 cans of store brand spaghetti o's

lemons

chocolate bundt cake for myself

TOTAL : $38.89

The toilet paper was part of what we got at Dollar General. We also got a few bags of potato chips, peppermint candy, toothpaste, clog drainer, 2 small candy bars, and 3 toys that were part of the buy 1, get 2 free deal for a gift to a little girl at church.  The total cost from Dollar General was $25.56.

I want to keep my spending totals lower this year. We have set a budget of $250 a month for groceries and household products. Already by day 2 of January, we have spent $64.45.  Not looking good!