Menu 2-27/3-4-12

Anybody know what today is?? Well...in this house today is Daytona 500!
Big Daddy is grilling LOTS of food...

I am working on PW's Crash Hot Potatoes

I just stopped by to drop the menu off for this week. It's such a pretty day here in East TN!!

Monday:
Cereal w/Fresh Fruit
Bento/Faijtas
Bourbon Street Chicken and Rice

Tuesday:
Avocado,Tomato and Turkey Bacon
Bento/Salad
Shepherds Pie (Sissys request)

Wednesday:
Ham,Biscuits and Scrambled Eggs
Bento/Quesadillas
Taco Salad

Thursday:
Oatmeal
Bento/Sandwiches
Pancakes,Eggs,Turkey Bacon (Sissys request)

Friday:
Yogurt w/Granola
Sweet Potato Taco Pocket
YOYO

Saturday:
Freezer Meal
YOYO
Philly Cheese Steak Sloppy Joes w/Fries

Sunday:
Biscuits and Gravy w/Eggs and Sausage
YOYO
Baked Ham w/Taters,Peas, and Rolls

Menu 2-13/2-19-12

 Happy(Early) Valentines Day! Big Daddy has to work so I got some sweet surprise roses early!  I love that man! :-)  

We have a few things going on here and there but pretty normal week...

Monday:
Cereal w/Fresh Fruit
Bento/Tuna Salad and Crackers
BBQ Chicken w/Roasted Veggies

Tuesday:
Oatmeal
School Lunch for Field Trip/Sandwiches
Sweet Country Skillet

Wednesday:
Freezer Meal
Bento/Freezer Meal
Grilled Hamburgers w/Fries and Grilled Mixed Veggies

Thursday:
Yogurt w/Granola
Bento/Fajitas
Schnitzel w/Taters and Peas

Friday:
Cereal w/Fresh Fruit
Chicken Sausage w/Mixed Veggies
Pantry Meal

Saturday:
Jelly Biscuits
?
Stromboli

Sunday:
Scrambled Eggs,Turkey Bacon and Toast
YOYO
Cook Out for DAYTONA 500!!

Menu Plan for 1-30/2-5-12

Here is the menu for this week.We will play it by ear after Thursday, because Sissy has an Oral procedure on Friday.
If your interested in knowing more about how I plan our menus please go HERE.
Also, you can look back through my older Menus by going HERE.

Monday:
Cereal w/Fruit
Bento/Tuna Salad w/Cracker
PW Chicken Spaghetti w/Green Beans

Tuesday:
Hard Boiled Eggs,Avocado,Tomato and Turkey Bacon
Bento/Salad
Shepherds Pie

Wednesday:
BLT
Bento/Chicken Nachos
?

Thursday:
Yogurt w/Granola and Fruit
Bento/L.O.
Taco Salad w/All the Fixins

Friday:
Jelly Toast
Sandwiches?
Pantry Meal

Saturday:
Giant Breakfast Cookies
?
Pantry Meal

Sunday:
Breakfast Burritos
?
Beef and Broccoli w/Fortune Cookies

SUPER SHOPPING!!

My local Food Lion is going out of business and today everything in store was 50% off. We were there bright and early! :o) 
I bought more than I normally would but for these prices I had to stock up!

Here is what all your looking at:

4 Huggies Slip On Diapers
  Used 4- $1 coupons
 Paid $4.25 each
( I have paid lower but needed diapers)

2 Pull Ups
 Used 2- $2 coupons
Paid $3.39 each

I am hoping all those diapers will last me until I can get Brother potty trained!

Always
 Used $2 coupon
Paid .49 cents

4 Old Spice
 Used  4-$2 coupons
Paid  .12 cents each

12 Ramen
Paid .15 cents each

4 Gerber Cereal Bars
Paid $1.50 each

2 Gerber Crunchies
Paid $1.15 each

3 Clean&Clear
 Used 3- $2 coupons
Paid .99 cents each

5 Chunky Soups
 Used .50/4 coupon
Paid $1 each

4 Tide Detergent
 Used 4-$2 coupons
Paid $2.20 each

4 All Detergent
 Used 4-$1 coupons
Paid $1.95 each

3 Surf Detergent
 Used 3-$1 coupons
Paid $2.20 each 

2 Pizza Crust
Paid $2 each

2 Pace Salsa
 Used .50/2 coupon
Paid $1.69 each

5 Ketchup
Paid .90 cents each
(Only kind Hubby likes!)

Worchestershire Sauce
Paid $1.63

2 Febreeze Candles
Paid $1.75 each

4 Pepperonies
 Used 2   .50/2 coupons
Paid $1.74 each

Valentine M&Ms
 Used $1 coupon
Paid .84 cents

2 Taco Seasoning
Paid $1.65 each

Beef Jerky
Paid  $2.64

Sandwich Cutter
Paid $1.64

2 Mozzerella Cheese
Paid $1.62

2 Relish
 Used 2  .50/1 coupons
Paid .38 cents each

Cocoa Powder
Paid $1.84

2 Vinegar
Paid .75 cents each

Olive Oil
Paid $3.19

2 Coconut Pies
Paid $4 each
(Hubbys favorite, and the ONLY thing he got) HA HA

2 Windex Multi-Surface
 Used $1/2 coupon
Paid .40 cents each

Bissel Carpet Cleaner
 Used 2-$1 coupons
Paid $1.49 each

Lysol Wipes
 Used $1/1 & $1/2 coupons
Paid $1.45  & $1.95

2 Downy Unstopables
 Used 2-$1 coupons
Paid $2.50 each

Original Total: $398.26
With 50% SALE      $199.13
After Coupons/Final Price  $145.13
SAVED $253.13!!(64%)

Sunday Shopping 1-22-12

Finally found a few good deals in the last week or so, I thought I would share with you all!

Y'all remember to go to SouthernSavers and check out all the deals to pair your coupons up with.

Both trips are from Kroger

Kettle Chips: $3.00
 Used FREE coupon I received from company :-)
 FREE

Sierra Mist: $1.25
 Used FREE Catalina coupon
 FREE

My First Dictionary- $1.00
  I bought this for Sissy as one of her "Treats" for making ALL A's on her Report Card

PoweraidZero $1.00
 Used .50/1 Catalina coupon that doubled to $1
 FREE

Brawny Paper towels: $1
 Used 2 $1 coupons from Facebook
 FREE

Ovaltine: $4.19
 Used $1 Catalina coupon
 Paid $3.19
(I don't think this was a great price but, I was out)

4 UP2U Gum: $1
 Used 4 $1 coupons
 FREE

Skinny Cow Clusters: .65Cents
 Used FREE Catalina coupon
 FREE

3 Gerber Cereal Bars: $2.69
 Used $1/3 coupon
 Paid $2.35each

Paid:$11.43
Tax:$2.15
SAVED: $20.69(69%)

Tostitos Chips: On Mega Event $2.49
 Used $1.75/3 coupon
 Paid $1.90 each

Kleenex Cool Touch: On Mega Event .99cents
 Used 5 .50/1 that doubled
 FREE
(These are normally $1.49)

4 Pepperidge Farm Cracker Crisps: On Mega Event $2.39
 Used 4 .50/1 coupon that doubled
 Paid $1.39
(These are regular $3.49)

2 No Yolks Noodles $1.75
 Used 2 .40/1 coupons that doubled to .80
 Paid .95cents each

5 Velveeta Shells: On Mega Event .49cents
( I don't like buying these...they were fillers to get the Mega deals!)

2 Goldfish: On Mega Event .99cents

Heinz Ketchup: On Mega Event $1.63

8 Ziploc Bags: $1.84
 Used 4 $1.50/2 coupons
 Paid $1.08 each

2 Ziploc Steam Bags: $1.84
 Used 2 $1.50/2 coupons
 Paid $1.08 each

Paid:$34.32
Tax:$4.02
SAVED:$57.76(65%)

About 30 minutes after I got home today I received a message from a friend saying there was a $5/$30 order at Kroger coupon in the local paper. ARGHH! I never buy that paper b/c I get the big paper to get all the coupons! Oh well...I am still VERY happy with the savings I did get!! I think I did pretty good!

I also went to WALMART the other day and got some great deals...forgot a picture  :-(
My Subtotal was $66.47 and I paid $33.47 so I saved 50%

A few that I can remember were

Cortaid Spray: On Clearance for $5
 Used $3/1 coupon
 Paid $2

Bic Permanent Markers: Price Matched $1
 Used $1 coupon
 FREE

Always Pads: Price Matched to Food City $3
 Used $2 coupons
 Paid $1 each

Hoping that the sales keep coming in  :o)

Menu 1-23/1-29-12

That is what we are having for dinner tonight! Low Country Grill  YUM!!!

Monday:
Cereal w/Fresh Fruit
Bento/L.O.
French Toast,Turkey Bacon and Eggs
(Request from my girl! )

Tuesday:
Yogurt and Granola
Bento/ ?
Tuna Casserole w/Corn

Wednesday:
Jelly Biscuits w/Eggs
Bento/BLT
Grilled Chicken Salad

Thursday:
Cereal w/Fresh Fruit
Bento/L.O.
Schnitzel, Mashed Potatoes and Peas

Friday:
Muffins
Bento/Sandwiches w/Fresh Fruit
Pantry Meal

Saturday:
Scrambled Eggs,Turkey Bacon and Toast
Eat Out
Chicken Spaghetti w/Green Beans

Sunday:
CLEAN
      OUT
         FRIDGE

2012 Goals

Well, I haven't added any more goals to my list in a few days so, I think I am done. I have a long list...however I like to have specific goals, so it takes me awhile to think of everything I want to do! :o)
I decided this year to break them up in different categories. Today I will print this and frame it and hang on the wall in my bedroom so I can mark everything off as I go and be accountable! Hopefully I will follow through and share updates through out the year!

House:

• Basement Clean/Organized- This happened in 2011, however, my Father-In-Law gave Big Daddy about 2 truck loads of Nascar items so they are taking up his side of the basement. My side got bombarded with toys and other "crap" after Christmas! This will be done soon b/c I can not get to my stockpile, and that my friends is VERY frustrating!
• Garden- I have been talking about this for a few years now but I really want to buckle down and do this! When I was younger we had a huge garden every year and I hated working in it...but loved the food! We live on a hill and its very rocky so we may have to do some raised beds.
• Clean Windows- Obviously I don't do this enough for it to make the big goal list  HA HA

Finances:

• Maintain $1,000.00 Emergency Fund-This isn't savings, this is the "Oh crap I need new tires,washer,glasses,etc... money." 
• Add to "Family $"
• Pay down 50% of our debt- We do not have any credit cards, but we do have a few things here and there that we need to work on.

Marriage:

• Date Night once a month...at least. Movies,Dinner,etc...
• SHOW Hubby I love him more often- After 10 years together he knows I love him but I need to make more of an effort to show him I do, and to let him know how much I appreciate him working so hard, so I can stay home with Brother!
• 1 Weekend Get-away

Family:

• Family Vacation
• Take kids to the park and play/Picnics
• Sissy 2nd Swimming Lesson
• Sissy Bowling
• Visit the Titanic Museum
• Family Pictures
• Brother potty trained
• 2 weeks no processed foods
• Craft Projects
• Spend focused time with each kid every day doing what they want to do
• More crafty with Sissy's Bento/Including notes
• Pumpkin Patch/Corn Maze
• Christmas 2012- Buy through out the year
• Shadaracks Light Show
• Opryland Christmas

Personal:

• Sleep Schedule- I have to get more sleep so I can have productive days!!
• Start my day by getting dressed- Seems simple enough right? But no, there are many days where Brother and I do not get dressed until it is time to go get Sissy from school.
• Make a "To Do" list every day- At east 5 things...Laundry,Change Beds,Blinds,etc...
• Exercise/Lose Weight- Hope I can still do this with a bum knee  :-(
• Read 12 books- Want more but at least 12!
• Contact with Friends more- Need to put more effort into this as well!
• Girls Night- Hopefully a couple!!
• Cut TV/Computer time in half
• 5 Pinterest projects
• Be positive/No yelling- I yell...a lot...I come by it honest but still need to tone it down...
• 2010/2011 photos printed and put in books
• Blog More/Make Blog schedule
• Get Blog Button
• Make at least 3 recipes from the Ball Canning Cookbook- Strawberry Jam(with YaYa), Salsa, and Can Tomatoes
• Take more Pictures of my kids while they are kids....
• Have more Fun/Laugh more/Smile more- These things are very important!

Menu 1-9/1-15-11

It is a Gloomy/Rainy day here in East Tennessee which = LAZY!  :o)

Brother and I got up around 6, the other two got up around 8. Quick trip to Kroger for some fresh produce and my papers(coupons). We also found lots of toys marked down to 70% off while we were there, so we got a bunch to go in donation box.

Lunch and a nap rounded out the first part of the day and now we are just hanging out...waiting on dinner! Ha Ha 
Speaking of dinner...Here is what we will be having next week!

Monday:
Cereal w/Fresh Fruit
Bento/Sandwich w/Crackers and Apple
Baked Chicken w/Salsa Pasta "N" Beans (New)

Tuesday
Muffins w/Fresh Fruit
Bento/Beef and Cabbage Soup
PWs Pot Roast w/Mashed Potatoes

Wednesday:
Fiesta Scrambled Eggs w/Turkey Bacon and Toast
School/Grilled Cheese
Pork Chops w/Smashed Red Potatoes and Zucchini

Thursday:
Cereal w/Fresh Fruit
Bento/L.O.
Baked Spaghetti w/Green beans and Toast

Friday:
Oatmeal w/Fresh Fruit
L.O.
Fajita Frittata

Saturday:
French Toast w/Turkey Bacon
Quesadillas w/Raw Veggies
Pantry Meal

Sunday:
Biscuits and Gravy w/Sausage and Eggs
YOYO
Pantry Meal

Updated 2011 Goal List

 Last year around this time I made a goal list. Something to keep me accountable through out the year! I got this idea from Wendy over at Wendolonia
I did pretty good, I got 50% completed! It's not exactly what I wanted but, I am not going to dwell on it...I am currently working on a new 2012 goal list to be posted soon!

Here is an update version of my 2011 goal list!

1. Play outside more with kids
*Have done this more than I did but would like to get in A LOT more time!

2. Figure out the blogging world
 * I seem to be doing OK with this!
   
3. Be more crafty with Sissy's bento.
 * I really want to do better with this, I got lots of new bento from my Hubby for Christmas!
  
4. Pack Hubby's lunch more often
 * He was not interested in this...I am going to keep trying though!

5.Work on Sissy's and Brothers baby books and picture albums
 * I am such a procrastinator with this...they are currently spread out in my bedroom floor! Hope to get these done this week!!
 
6. Clean and organize basement
 * This happened at one point in 2011, it is currently a wreck again!!
   
7. Exercise more
 * I got a treadmill, need to put more effort into this!
 
8. Lose 35 pounds
 *This is now lose 60lbs!! I gained SO much weight when I quit smoking.

9.Stop eating after 10pm
 * Really need to work on this, my sleeping varies so much though...
 
10. Call my brothers more often 
 * I have talked to them more!

11.Get recipes on blog
 *Seem to be doing OK with this, there are currently 51 in my recipe folder
   
12.Go out with Hubby at least once a month
*We got to go shop and go out to eat a few times! THANK YOU YAYA AND PAPA!

13.Have a weekend trip with Hubby
   *We went to Savannah!!
 
14.Take kids to the Zoo
* We went on a field trip!

15.Decorate house more (with yard sale and flea market finds)
*I have got a few things here and there.

16.Take Sissy to Santa Land

17.Take Sissy to Children's Museum

18.Take kids to Chattanooga Aquarium

19. Take kids to park and have picnics

20.Get work paperwork more organized
 * My "work" organization now consists of my menus,recipes,kids stuff, house etc...

21.Read more
*Got Kindle for Christmas and new books!

22.Take more pictures
* Got a new camera for Christmas!

23.Make better budget on weekly groceries

24.Family Vacation at the beach

25.Go to Farmers Market more often

26.Get quote have on remodel.
    *This has been put on hold since we only have 1 income right now.


27.Put more money in savings
   * I think we did pretty good for what we could do.

28.Clear clutter in house

29.Use more coupons
 * I did very well with this in 2011 and have a great stockpile to show for it!

30.Clean/detail car once a month

31.Donate food to local Food Bank more often
*About every 2 weeks!

32.Try at least 4 new recipes every month
* Sometimes its 3 in ONE week! :-)

33.Take Sissy to movies
*She got to go see 3-4 movies this year!

34.Have more Girls Night Out
* I didn't get ANY of these....

Top Recipes of 2011 and Some of my favorites!

I started this blog 1-11-11 more as a help for my friends than anything and it has turned into a hobby that I love to do! I have added many recipes since the beginning and have got almost 13,000 hits on the site. I hope to continue adding new recipes,bento,coupon shopping trips,family life and anything else that comes about! :o)

 I wanted to share with y'all the top 4 recipes of 2011. These are the most viewed recipes on by blog.

1. Better than Restaurant Beef and Broccoli   

This is the most popular recipe on my blog! If you don't try anything else on here try this! It is so good!

2. The best Southwest Chicken Salad

3. Breakfast Casserole

4.Chicken Nachos

I also wanted to share a couple that aren't the most "popular" but ones I love!

1.Shepherds Pie

2. Amazing Lasagna

3.Chocolate No Bake Cookies

4. Low Country Grill