...apparently, I killed the microwave.
I'm still not really sure what happened. I was using it more than normal Monday heating up some baked beans and potato casserole. I had cycled through 2 sessions of 15 minutes. I turned it on once more for 15 minutes and went outside to check the grill. When I came back in just a few minutes later, it wasn't running and the display panel would not light up or beep.
I tried unplugging and also allowing it to cool off but is still won't work. I guess I'm buying a new microwave. I think we've only had this one for a year or so.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Monday, May 30, 2011
Shopping and menu
DH went with me to the grocery store Sunday afternoon. We were undecided about what to have for dinner and I was looking for some inspiration. My total grocery bill was $135 - much higher than normal but it did include almost $35 in meat products. I stocked up on some Sweet Baby Ray's bbq sauce and some Bush's Baked beans (both on buy one get one free but no coupons).
This is a weird week to plan for with having a three day weekend and family over for BBQ.
Saturday - Chicken Fingers and Mashed Potatoes
Sunday - Steaks (top sirloin) and Jambalaya style rice
Monday - Grilled Chicken with BBQ sauce, potatoes, baked beans and three bean salad
Tuesday - Salad (may substitute leftovers)
Wednesday - Sweet and Sour Chicken OR substitute leftovers
Thursday - Soft Tacos with Spanish Rice
Friday - TBD
This is a weird week to plan for with having a three day weekend and family over for BBQ.
Saturday - Chicken Fingers and Mashed Potatoes
Sunday - Steaks (top sirloin) and Jambalaya style rice
Monday - Grilled Chicken with BBQ sauce, potatoes, baked beans and three bean salad
Tuesday - Salad (may substitute leftovers)
Wednesday - Sweet and Sour Chicken OR substitute leftovers
Thursday - Soft Tacos with Spanish Rice
Friday - TBD
Monday, May 23, 2011
Menu Monday - Freezer Week Two
After taking a week off, we're back on Freezer Week.
Saturday - Chicken Fingers and Mashed Potatoes
Sunday - Roast with Potatoes, Carrots and Onions
Monday - Manwich, Tots and Corn on the Cob
Tuesday - Leftover Roast
Wednesday - Salad
Thursday - Spaghetti with Sausage and Peppers
Friday - TBD
Saturday - Chicken Fingers and Mashed Potatoes
Sunday - Roast with Potatoes, Carrots and Onions
Monday - Manwich, Tots and Corn on the Cob
Tuesday - Leftover Roast
Wednesday - Salad
Thursday - Spaghetti with Sausage and Peppers
Friday - TBD
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Update and tummy troubles....
In my last post, I mentioned continuing freezer week for a second week. That was my plan.
Saturday, I took a quick trip to Publix and spent about $40 on some essentials. Meat, vegetables, etc. We made fresh hamburgers on the grill for dinner Saturday night and planned to utilize that Chicken Enchilada Casserole for Sunday night. I had the darn thing cooked and we sat down to eat. Unfortunately, the tortillas had absorbed too much of the enchilada sauce and it was mostly mush. (Not appetizing!) We bailed on that plan - it doesn't happen often but as the standby, we picked up a couple of $5 pizzas. They were delicious.
As an additional unfortunate event, DH and I both came down with some intense tummy troubles by Sunday night/Monday morning. (This was not attributable to either the pizza or the Enchilada Casserole. Our research has eliminated all but a midday snack at a local restaurant.) This blew the menu for the whole week.
Monday's dinner was some chicken soup from Chick-fil-a and, by Tuesday, I was looking for a tummy friendly meal. I stopped at Publix and picked up a slice of ham and some mac and cheese (yes, the blue box stuff). Tonight (Wednesday) we had plain spaghetti with tomato sauce. Tomorrow night, we'll probably pick up something after the little girls graduate from pre-K. And then Friday, is Friday - otherwise known as TBD.
I may try to pick Freezer week back up for next week.
Saturday, I took a quick trip to Publix and spent about $40 on some essentials. Meat, vegetables, etc. We made fresh hamburgers on the grill for dinner Saturday night and planned to utilize that Chicken Enchilada Casserole for Sunday night. I had the darn thing cooked and we sat down to eat. Unfortunately, the tortillas had absorbed too much of the enchilada sauce and it was mostly mush. (Not appetizing!) We bailed on that plan - it doesn't happen often but as the standby, we picked up a couple of $5 pizzas. They were delicious.
As an additional unfortunate event, DH and I both came down with some intense tummy troubles by Sunday night/Monday morning. (This was not attributable to either the pizza or the Enchilada Casserole. Our research has eliminated all but a midday snack at a local restaurant.) This blew the menu for the whole week.
Monday's dinner was some chicken soup from Chick-fil-a and, by Tuesday, I was looking for a tummy friendly meal. I stopped at Publix and picked up a slice of ham and some mac and cheese (yes, the blue box stuff). Tonight (Wednesday) we had plain spaghetti with tomato sauce. Tomorrow night, we'll probably pick up something after the little girls graduate from pre-K. And then Friday, is Friday - otherwise known as TBD.
I may try to pick Freezer week back up for next week.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
How's that Freezer Week going?
I'm happy to report that Freezer Week is proceeding as planned, if not better. So far, I've been able to use two packages of frozen chicken and one box of egg rolls. We had enough chicken and dumplings to roll it over to tonight for a second meal thus eliminating the need to cook a frozen roast this week.
The ham fried rice was really good as well. I used the small pieces of leftover ham from Easter. I still have some large chunks that will work well as meat for beans or peas. I'd really like to finish this ham next week to open up even more room in the freezer.
When I pulled the egg rolls from the freezer last night, I noticed that I have a large box of sweet and sour chicken we purchased from BJs Wholesale. I knew it was there but I forgot all about that. I'm seriously considering making this a two week event. I love the fact that my shopping trip was less than $40.
I am also considering a second trip to Publix. They are currently offering (through Wednesday in our area) a $50 BP gas card for only $40 with a $25 grocery purchase. I think I can come up with $25 in deals to make this happen.
The ham fried rice was really good as well. I used the small pieces of leftover ham from Easter. I still have some large chunks that will work well as meat for beans or peas. I'd really like to finish this ham next week to open up even more room in the freezer.
When I pulled the egg rolls from the freezer last night, I noticed that I have a large box of sweet and sour chicken we purchased from BJs Wholesale. I knew it was there but I forgot all about that. I'm seriously considering making this a two week event. I love the fact that my shopping trip was less than $40.
I am also considering a second trip to Publix. They are currently offering (through Wednesday in our area) a $50 BP gas card for only $40 with a $25 grocery purchase. I think I can come up with $25 in deals to make this happen.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Shopping, Menu and Theme for the Week....
Seriously, my freezers (both the full size upright and the side-by-side in the kitchen) are slap-full. I pulled at least a dozen very old half bags of things out Friday night from the upstairs unit. This week, we will make a gallant effort to utilize some items from the freezer and make some real headway on making room.(
As a result, my shopping was limited to what I would need to complete the week's meals. I spent about $36, no coupons. (I think I saved $1.22.) I bought some deli meat, wheat bread, milk, cream, produce and a bag of black eyed peas. That's it - REALLY. Now for the menu.
Sunday - Chicken and Dumplings. (Two packages of chicken breasts from the freezer, carrots and celery from the fridge and a new tube of biscuits.)
Menu Monday
Monday - Ham Fried Rice and Egg Rolls (Ham pieces in the freezer along with a box of egg rolls.) Add some fresh vegetables (carrots, broccoli) for the fried rice.
Tuesday - Leftover Chicken and Dumplings. (No waste. Add some broth and noodles if necessary.)
Wednesday - Salad (No freezer components but now that spring is here, we try to have at least one salad meal a week. Fresh lettuce, cukes and tomatoes. Add deli turkey and cheese from the fridge.
Thursday - Chicken Enchilada Casserole (I made this for last Thursday but the little ones were sick so I stashed it in the freezer for safe keeping. Add some shredded lettuce and tomatoes along with some extra enchilada sauce and sour creme.)
Friday - Several choices: Black-eyed peas, leftover enchilada, red beans and rice, pizza, pasta.
As a result, my shopping was limited to what I would need to complete the week's meals. I spent about $36, no coupons. (I think I saved $1.22.) I bought some deli meat, wheat bread, milk, cream, produce and a bag of black eyed peas. That's it - REALLY. Now for the menu.
Sunday - Chicken and Dumplings. (Two packages of chicken breasts from the freezer, carrots and celery from the fridge and a new tube of biscuits.)
Menu Monday
Monday - Ham Fried Rice and Egg Rolls (Ham pieces in the freezer along with a box of egg rolls.) Add some fresh vegetables (carrots, broccoli) for the fried rice.
Tuesday - Leftover Chicken and Dumplings. (No waste. Add some broth and noodles if necessary.)
Wednesday - Salad (No freezer components but now that spring is here, we try to have at least one salad meal a week. Fresh lettuce, cukes and tomatoes. Add deli turkey and cheese from the fridge.
Thursday - Chicken Enchilada Casserole (I made this for last Thursday but the little ones were sick so I stashed it in the freezer for safe keeping. Add some shredded lettuce and tomatoes along with some extra enchilada sauce and sour creme.)
Friday - Several choices: Black-eyed peas, leftover enchilada, red beans and rice, pizza, pasta.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Spring Cleaning Begins
This past weekend marked the beginning of "Spring Cleaning."
First up was some lawn maintenance (mowing, edging, etc.)
Next, I pressured washed the back deck and started planting my vegetable plants. So far, I have four tomatoes, four jalapeno, one banana, one bell and several cucumber plants. I also have two herb bowls with basil, rosemary, cilantro, oregano and chives. I had a little one who wanted to dig in the dirt while I planted. I still want to get a couple of more plants, maybe a zucchini and I'm thinking about a citronella plant. I noticed that the mosquitoes are already munching away and they tend to get worse as the summer continues.
I hope to get the front porch scrubbed down next weekend. My porch furniture desperately needs to be bleached clean and sit in the sunshine a while.
As the weather gets hotter, I will move to the indoor spring/summer cleaning.
There is much to be done.
First up was some lawn maintenance (mowing, edging, etc.)
Next, I pressured washed the back deck and started planting my vegetable plants. So far, I have four tomatoes, four jalapeno, one banana, one bell and several cucumber plants. I also have two herb bowls with basil, rosemary, cilantro, oregano and chives. I had a little one who wanted to dig in the dirt while I planted. I still want to get a couple of more plants, maybe a zucchini and I'm thinking about a citronella plant. I noticed that the mosquitoes are already munching away and they tend to get worse as the summer continues.
I hope to get the front porch scrubbed down next weekend. My porch furniture desperately needs to be bleached clean and sit in the sunshine a while.
As the weather gets hotter, I will move to the indoor spring/summer cleaning.
There is much to be done.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Flashback!
I ran across a grocery receipt just the other day from 2003. It was interesting to compare the then prices to the now prices. I realize that it's been 8 years but it is amazing how some items have exponentially increased in price and some stay about the same.
Campbell's Beef Boullion was .99 now 1.50
Publix canned green beans was .59 now .89
Rotel was .73 now 1.50
hair color was 8.99 now 8.99
baking potatoes (per pound) was .59 now 1.99
Publix kidney beans was .50 now .80
Publix tomato paste was .45 now .65
Round Chunks was 6.60 now 6.81
Hunts tomatoes was .89 now 1.50
Publix canned corn was .54 now .75
I've estimated the now prices based on regular (not sale) prices.
Campbell's Beef Boullion was .99 now 1.50
Publix canned green beans was .59 now .89
Rotel was .73 now 1.50
hair color was 8.99 now 8.99
baking potatoes (per pound) was .59 now 1.99
Publix kidney beans was .50 now .80
Publix tomato paste was .45 now .65
Round Chunks was 6.60 now 6.81
Hunts tomatoes was .89 now 1.50
Publix canned corn was .54 now .75
I've estimated the now prices based on regular (not sale) prices.
Menu Monday
Sunday - Hamburger Steaks, Baked Potatoes
Monday - Vegetable Beef Soup and Hot Bread
Tuesday - Salad Bar
Wednesday - Leftover soup
Thursday - Chicken Enchilada Casserole
(Cinco de Mayo)
Friday - Homemade Pizza
Monday - Vegetable Beef Soup and Hot Bread
Tuesday - Salad Bar
Wednesday - Leftover soup
Thursday - Chicken Enchilada Casserole
(Cinco de Mayo)
Friday - Homemade Pizza
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Stop the presses!
This may come as a shock, but during today's grocery store trip, I used.....wait for it.....NO COUPONS. You heard me right, no coupons.
My OOP was about $75 and I saved $10 just with sale prices. Mostly, I purchased meat and produce with a few items (Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce and Ragu Pizza Sauce). I did pick up a small chunk of cheese, two bread products, and a couple of cans of tomatoes.
Not really a bad trip, just coupon-less.
My OOP was about $75 and I saved $10 just with sale prices. Mostly, I purchased meat and produce with a few items (Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce and Ragu Pizza Sauce). I did pick up a small chunk of cheese, two bread products, and a couple of cans of tomatoes.
Not really a bad trip, just coupon-less.
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