A trip to Marc's

  Since it appears that my 'celebration' of President's Day involves spreading a few dead presidents around town I decided to take advantage of the time off and pick up a few small household and grocery items. I have $217 left of my food budget and $8 left in the household budget (did not include the new faucet, that is a home repairs budget item) and was in need of few things. I did pick up and pay for new sponges for the school cafeteria but will be reimbursed the $3.78 from petty cash. I spent a total of $42.46.

Grocery expenditures: $28.75.. I came home with a bag of spinach, four large red bell peppers, a bag of broccoli slaw, a bag of field greens, a pint of grape tomatoes, 4 cans of corn, a pint of half and half, a bottle of red wine vinegar, a bottle of white balsamic vinegar, a case of lemon flavored sparkling water, two bottles of plain seltzer water, and two cans of Arnold Palmer Lite.
Household expenditures: $13.71 (over budget here) and came home with a new dustpan, two packs of sponges for the cafeteria, two rolls of shelf liner for under the sink, a shower curtain liner to replace the torn and tattered one currently hung at the top of the cellar steps, two new green reusable shopping bags, and a two pack of Yardley oatmeal and almond soap (hoping it will help the mid winter dry itching ).

A necessary fix...

Last week while my middle son was away for work I noticed a drip under the kitchen sink (quick solution was a container to catch the water) and that the water pressure in my kitchen faucet was significantly lower. By Friday it was down to a slow trickle. After discussing the issue with the GF and my son via text message we determined that the faucet was the culprit. The water pressure everywhere else in the house was fine. Middle son returned home over the weekend and after checking out a few things he was in complete agreement about the faucet.
The leak issue was a loosened fitting and about 20 seconds with a wrench fixed that all up. Being off of work today for President's Day son and I headed up to Home Depot to price and choose a new faucet. I knew I wanted a name brand that was reliable, a gooseneck style since the sink is shallow and I want to be able to get big pots under the faucet, and I wanted to stay within a budget amount of $150. It was amazing to me the variety of styles, finishes, and prices. All the way from a sticker shocking price of $400 down to the budget, no name, basic faucet priced at $79. Our search was narrowed down by style and after debating finish for a few minutes we then moved on to price. We ended up with a Glacier Bay (same company as the last toilet we purchased and have been very happy with) gooseneck faucet in a brushed nickle finish. Single handle, with a hidden sprayer in the neck of the faucet. Totally cool. And just within my budget with a sale price of $148.
Twenty minutes of work (emptying the cabinet under the sink, removing the old faucet and fittings, installing the new stuff) and we were in business with full force on the water pressure!!

And it looks darn good too.

Sunday Supper: Herb Roasted Loin of Pork and potatoes

It was another wonderful relaxing Sunday this week. The area where my GF lives got hit by a significant amount of snow and temperatures were quite cold so we agreed to stay in the entire day. Helped do some laundry, baked some brownies, watched  a bit of tv (bowling tournament on ESPN and last night's premier episode of Amazing Race), and had a delicious dinner.
This is one of my favorite recipes for pork roast. It is so easy to prepare it almost makes itself. I paired it up with GF's favorite veggie, corn.
  Herb Roasted Loin of Pork and Potatoes

1 boneless loin of pork
3-6 potatoes (depending on how many mouths there are to feed)
2 tbl. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, pressed + 2 additional cloves pressed and kept separate
1/2 tsp dried thyme leaves
1/2 tsp dried marjoram leaves
1 tbl fresh parsley chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Combine garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, marjoram and parsley in a small bowl. Rub all over the roast, pressing herb mixture firmly onto the pork.
Place seasoned pork in a roasting pan. Cut potatoes into 1 inch cubes, toss with olive oil and additional garlic cloves. Spoon potatoes around the roast.
In a preheated 350 degree oven roast uncovered until the pork reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees. Cover pork with foil and allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

The week's financial picture 2/10-2/17

It is that time again to go over my finances for the week. It wasn't too bad of a week overall, I had a couple of rather large expenses that I had planned ahead for and I still had three days where I didn't spend a single dime.

Sunday 2/10: Dress Barn: $61.92 I purchased a Navy blue faux wrap dress for the wedding we attended on the 16th as well as a cute pair of earrings. Famous Footwear: Navy blue patent leather sling backs to go with the dress: $42.69. I will be able to get double duty (at least) out of this ensemble since I plan on wearing it to my granddaughter's First Communion in April and then using it as a regular dress addition to my closet. It is plain and simple and versatile.
Le Gourmet Chef: I purchased six new kitchen towels, desperately needed since most of my current towels have been relegated to the 'cleaning rags' status. These were on sale $6.73

Monday 2/11: $32.22 for gasoline

Tuesday 2/12: $18 for bowling

Wednesday: 2/13: $6 for Valentine cards for my Valentine.

Thursday 2/14: $0

Friday 2/15: $0

Saturday 2/16: $ 372.92 for a roundtrip airline ticket to Kansas (plus travel insurance) for my granddaughter's First Communion in April. I've been saving up for this for the last month so while it is a large expense I don't feel badly about it. Especially since their next military posting is two years in Korea and I won't see them again before they leave, being with family for this special occasion is well worth that cost and more.

Sunday: $0

Lenten Meals: Mom's Macaroni and Cheese

Today is Ash Wednesday and in this traditional Catholic  household that means keeping the Lenten rules of fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday and no meat today or on each Friday during the season.
Lent is of course more than just the dietary restrictions. It is a time of prayer, reflection, and change within ourselves manifested by outward works of self denial,charity and kindness. A wonderful Mass this morning has nourished my soul. Tonight's traditional family meal will nourish my body.
Every Ash Wednesday and Good Friday of my entire life I have eaten my mom's baked macaroni and cheese for dinner and this year is no exception. My eldest son and daughterinlaw are joining myself and the teens (middle son is out of town for work). Growing up this dish was my son's favorite meal and regularly requested as his birthday dinner. This year I am going to do something different on the sides, I am pulling out a package of faux crab from the freezer and putting together some "crab"cakes as well as a salad. Son and Daughterinlaw are seafood eaters so I am taking this opportunity to make these as well. Teens won't touch the stuff .
This is definately not diet food but it sure is worth the extra calories twice a year.
Mom's Macaroni and Cheese: (8-10 main dish servings)

2 lb. box uncooked elbow macaroni
2 1/2 lbs. colby cheese (or you can  use a mixture of colby and cheddar)
1/2 stick butter, cut into small chunks
salt and pepper, to taste
Milk (1%, 2% or whole, skim just does not work in this recipe)

Cook macaroni according to package directions, drain and pour into a deep 13x9 baking dish. Cut cheese into small chunks, add to elbow macaroni along with the butter chunks. Stir up to incorporate cheese and butter amongst the macaroni. Pour enough milk over the entire casserole until all the macaroni/cheese is covered. Place in a preheated 375 degree oven ( I recommend covering the oven shelf with aluminum foil to catch any overflow) and bake 1-1 1/2 hours until all milk is absorbed and you have a nice golden brown crust on top. Serve hot.

A lovely Sunday and Chicken Marsala

I am having the most lovely Sunday with the GF. This morning he splurged and we went to breakfast at a local restaurant where a relative of mine works. We had a delicious meal (pot roast hash for GF, veggie omlet for me) and the relative got a nice tip. A win-win for us all.
After this we took a nice little Sunday drive looking at several properties that are for sale and which have peaked his interest. After this we rode over to a local outdoor 'mall'. Next weekend the GF and I have a wedding to attend. We have gone to about a million weddings in the last couple of years and all of my dressy dresses have made an appearance at one time or another at these. I was feeling it was time to treat myself to a new dress and set aside $60 for this. I am planning a trip in April to attend a granddaughter's First Communion so I wanted to get something that would serve both purposes. My favorite dressy midpriced store is Dress Barn and I never fail to find something I love there. Today was no exception. I came home with the navy blue cap sleeved faux wrap dress pictured here and under budget as well at $50 . My birthday is in a couple of weeks so GF had me pick out a couple of things that I liked that he could gift me with. I chose a multi-colored Jones sportswear rayon jacket in navy, royal blue, black and silver. I will wear this with the dress for the wedding with a pair of navy peeptoe slingback patten leather dress shoes, the Pandora bracelet he gave me last year and some pretty blue stoned jewelry my assistant at work gave me for Christmas. I also chose a drape necked coral short sleeved blouse with a coral and teal scarf that I will wear (with jeans) to a fundraiser we are attending on my birthday!
GF also wanted to get something new for this wedding and he came home with some new black dress slacks, a blue&black micro pinstriped shirt and a new tie that has all the colors of my jacket in it! With a navy sportscoat he already owns he will clean up very nicely.
We love to browse this particular shopping area and since it was fairly mild (in the mid 40s) we did some window shopping and a nice hour spent walking. I came across a really good sale on kitchen towels at a kitchen store and picked up 6 new ones for home for only $6. In addition to this I replaced my sunglasses that had gotten broken and picked up a pair of sun 'readers' in anticipation of warmer weather meaning reading outside on the patio in a couple of months. Both of the pairs of glasses were 30% off so I took advantage of the sale prices. It wasn't a frugal afternoon for either of us but we had a great time.
GF chose the menu for dinner tonight and although it wasn't on my menu plans we had everything on hand at his house to make this. Chicken Marsala, Rice a roni rice pilaf and a salad with poppyseed dressing on for dinner tonight.
     
Chicken Marsala:
4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded thin
1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning blend
2 tbl olive oil
1 tbl. butter
1 pint mushrooms, sliced
1/2 tsp garlic, pressed
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup marsala

Mix flour and Italian seasoning together and dredge pounded chicken breasts in the flour. Set aside. In a large skillet heat olive oil and butter together. Add garlic and mushrooms and saute until mushrooms are golden. Remove mushrooms and set aside. Add chicken to pan drippings and cook until golden brown on each side (about 10-15 minutes). Put cooked mushrooms back in the pan, add chicken broth and marsala wine and simmer gently about 15-20 minutes.  Serve chicken with pan sauce and mushrooms spooned over the top.

Cookie Baking

This week I spent two separate afternoons conducting a special Bake and Take class with some of the children from my school's aftercare group. The AC director and myself decided to limit the number of participants to 9, the right amount to fit into the kitchen and to keep an eye on. It was first come, first served, and we chose Monday and Wednesday to do this. I decided on doing cookies for this first outing and settled on my family's favorite recipe for cutouts. I purchase the ingredients (all at Aldi), 9 cookie cutters and billed the AC group for reimbursement. The AC director also agreed to a flat fee for my time so that little bit extra will come in handy!!
I have to say I had an absolute blast and would've done this for free. I had a nice mixture of kids on Monday, three kindergartners, a first grader, a third grader, and three 4th graders for this first session. Lots of hands to measure, mix, roll, cut out, and get those cookies on the extra big tray! I also did a small bit on keeping our hands clean and gave them a tour of the kitchen (a huge hit since most of these kids buy hot lunch and were pretty excited to see where that comes from). The AC director purchased already made frosting and sprinkles and once the cookies were out of the oven they got to let their creativity run free and decorate.
Apparently this group had so much fun that by Wednesday the AC director was overwhelmed with requests. We took the first 9 children and the rest were promised spots in future classes. We will be doing this each month until school ends alternating cookies with cupcakes.
Here is the Cut out Cookie recipe that we used:

Cut Out Cookies:

3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 sticks butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar

Mix flour, baking soda and baking powder together with a whisk in the bowl of a stand mixer. Cut butter into small chunks and add to flour mixture. Mix on low until butter is cut into flour as if making pie dough. In a second small bowl lightly beat eggs and sugar together. Add egg mixture to the flour mixture and mix on low until a ball of dough forms.
Roll, cut with favorite cookie cutters and place on tray. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 5-8 minutes until bottoms are lightly golden. Cool completely before frosting and decorating.
You can also lightly brush unbaked cookies with a beaten egg white then decorate with colored sugars before baking if you prefer not to frost them.

Weekly financial review 2/1-2/9

Wanting to keep the monthly expenditures together this is going to be an 8 day review instead of the usual 7 day week.
I had a major surprise this week in that my federal tax return hit my account a mere five days after I filed, an unheard of event in my experience so I was able to acheive one important goal and meet one important obligation that I had planned some of this money for. Not wanting to be without a financial goal to work towards I have set myself some new ones.
With some of my tax return I was able to pay off a small personal loan that was costing me $170 a month in payments. My new goal is to take this money and put it directly into my savings account each month. I would like to have saved enough for a new set of tires (anticpating needing those next fall) before school ends. I'm also saving to fly to Kansas to attend a granddaughter's First Communion in April.
Friday 2/1: Payday!! I paid  bills, mortgage, car payment, car insurance, homeowner's insurance, DirectTv, natural gas bill ($182 not bad since the furnace, hot water tank, and stove are all gas), electric bill ($60...I read my meter and submited the reading online this month instead of letting the electric company estimate me at over $100...right after I did so a meter reader showed up on the street, sat in the truck for 10 minutes and then drove away without reading a single meter on my street..no wonder 9 out of 12 bills are estimates), quarterly water and sewer bill, and internet.
Other than bill paying I spent $0.
Saturday 2/2: Walgreen's $16.15 for a 3 pack of reading glasses
Sunday 2/3: Kohl's used a Christmas gift card to purchase a new shirt and spent $36.75 on a new pair of jeans that are going to be returned because (happy dance) they are too big!! That will teach me to try on stuff before I buy it.
Monday 2/4: $0
Tuesday 2/5: Discovered my tax return had hit my account so I paid my yearly property taxes, paid off personal loan and transfered the remainder into my savings account.
Grocery shopping: See separate posting
Bowling: $18
Wednesday 2/6: Gas station to fill up SUV: $45.18 Out to dinner after a visit to a sick relative in the hospital for 4 of us: $60.35
Thursday 2/7: $0
Friday 2/8: $30 haircut plus tip; Sally Beauty Supply for special hair products for my au naturel white/silver hair: $33
Saturday 2/9: Worked my cleaning gig this morning and paid my cell phone bill with most of what I earned in cash. I anticipate spending the remainder of $30 for an anniversary card and $25 gift card for my sister who is celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary tonight.

This was an expensive week and I feel like I am hemoraghing money. Next week should be much tighter

Stocking up:February Grocery Shopping

Last month I did the pantry challenge and spent a couple hundred under my normal food budget. This month I needed to do some stocking up of the pantry and the freezer.
Money left from January food budget: $203.89
February Food budget: $350
Total available for food : $553.89
February Nonfood budget: $100

I left work a bit early today to compensate for staying late yesterday (and again tomorrow, I'm doing a cookie baking class with a group of aftercare kids!) and immediately began my grocery shopping.
My first stop was at Gordon Food Service where I had to pick up a case of syrup cups for work as well as some supplies for home. I spent $90.99 and purchased:
1 reusable thermal shopping bag
2 lbs. frozen cut green beans
2 lbs. frozen peas
2 lbs. frozen stir fry vegetables
1 lb. can of malted milk powder
1 jar chicken base
1 jar beef base
1 box Sweet Dreams herb tea
1 box English breakfast tea
1 box Darjeeling tea
a 3 box package of Nantucket blend Keurig cups
4 lb. bag of small seashell pasta
2.8 lb. bag farfalle pasta
2.8 lb. bag penne pasta
3 lb. bag of Amish style egg noodles

The next place I went was BJ's Wholesale Club: I spent a total of $201.93, $73.60 on nonfood items (laundry detergent, fabric softener, Comet cleanser, toilet paper and paper towels) and the remainder of $128.33 on:
5 lbs. ground beef, a 2 pack of london broil, one roasting chicken, a 4 pck of pork tenderloin, a package of short ribs, 2 lb. bag frozen uncooked shrimp, a 2.5 oz package fresh basil, a 48 oz bag of dried cranberries, a large wedge of imported parmesano-reggiano cheese, and a gallon of organic 1% milk.

The final stop on my shopping trip was Aldi. I spent a total of $137.26, $18.60 on nonfood items (toothpaste, trash bags, 2 cloth shopping bags,and AA batteries) and the rest $118.66 had me taking home:
2 lb box spaghetti
2 lb. box elbow macaroni
1 lb. box linguine
1 lb box fettucine
1 box frozen potato and cheese pierogies
1 bag crispy chicken strips
1 bag cheese ravioli
2 bottle ruby red grapefruit juice
2 bottles apple juice
1 bottle 100% cranberry juice
1 bottle 100% grape juice
1 pint green grapes
1 can Arizona ice tea
1 bunch bananas
3 lbs. granny smith apples
1 large canister old fashioned oatmeal
1 lb. baby carrots
2 lbs. carrots
1 bunch celery
1 pint mushrooms
4 pck. mini cucumbers
1 pint grape tomatoes
1 bag spring mix
1 bag fresh spinach
2 cans cream corn
4 cans diced tomatoes
2 cans mandarin oranges
2 cans cream of celery soup
1 jar mild salsa
1 jar nacho cheese
4 bottles steak sauce (my kids put this on everything)
5 lbs. russet potatoes
1 jar coffee creamer
1 box beef 'rice a roni'
1 box chicken 'rice a roni'
1 box parmesan couscous
1 pck. string cheese
2 blocks NY sharp cheddar cheese
1 block colby cheese
1 bag shredded mozzarella cheese
1 pack. sliced provolone cheese
2 boxes mac and cheese (kid lunches)
1 bag garlic croutons
1 pint lowfat cottage cheese
1 quart lowfat sour cream
6 lowfat fruit greek yogurts
1 summer sausage
1 bottle chocolate syrup
1 6 pck. chocolate pudding (kid treat)
2 bags dried cherries
1 container caramel apple dip
1 dozen eggs
1 loaf bread
4 bags assorted potato chips

Food money:$553.89
Minus today -$337.98
Food money left: $215.91

Nonfood budget: $100
Minus today:-$92.20
Money left: $7.80

Sunday Morning Breakfast

I adore the slow and gentle pace of a Sunday morning. It is a time to catch up on reading (blogs!) and small chores. I also reserve Sunday mornings for a cooked breakfast.
Today's choice was (organic, uncured) bacon and made from scratch pancakes with a nice hot cup of coffee (a Kona blend that GF prefers that I doctor up with a sprinkle of cinnamon and a splash of coffee creamer) on the side. If there is one kitchen appliance that gets used almost as much as my slow cooker and my KA mixer it is my electric skillet. I love this nonstick pan, it is perfect for all kinds of meals (I used it just last night for Pork chops with an Apple cider sauce) but especially for pancakes and bacon.

I started out by getting the bacon in the pan. My favorite bacon is pretty pricey, an organic uncured bacon from Beeler's Pure Pork Products. Unfortunately this is not their product. It is organic and it is uncured but not having time to get to the one and only source of Beeler's in my area I picked up this package at the wholesale club. It tastes good but it is not Beeler's. One thing I love about the Beeler bacon besides the flavor is that it doesn't curl up in the pan when you cook it and it has a greater lean meat to fat ratio than this does.
The next step while the bacon cooked was to mix up my pancake batter. This is my favorite recipe for both pancakes and with a tweak (separating out the egg whites and beating them until stiff then folding in at the end of mixing) for waffles as well.
Basic Pancakes (makes 12)
1 cup flour
1 tbl. sugar
2 tbl. melted butter
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup milk
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until smooth. Drop by tablespoonfuls into a heated nonstick skillet. When surface is covered with small air bubbles, flip and cook until golden brown on the second side.

 As soon as the bacon was done I removed it to a paper covered towel to absorb the grease, poured the grease off into a small container to go in the refrigerator and  washed and dried and reheated the skillet. It was time to make the pancakes!

 

All in all a delicious breakfast that would've cost us about $6 at the local diner we enjoy but which cost about $3 ( I figured it to be $2.50 for bacon for 4,  25 cents for the pancake ingredients used, and  25 cents for the cup of joe) to have at home!