This last Saturday was my mother-in-law's birthday and we wanted to do something special for her. We were thinking it would be cheaper to just do dinner at home, but in the end (thanks to small town prices), all we saved was the gas money and some stress on my part with keeping two toddlers and a baby happy in a restaurant for an hour.
The menu for grandma's birthday party:
Steaks
Baked Potatoes
Broccoli
Birthday Cake
Dinner Rolls
The shopping trip.
I did this in town since hubby decided last minute to stay home.
Cream cheese 8 oz 2.19
Broccoli cuts (frozen) 1.69
Powdered Sugar (2) 1.69 each 3.38
Ball Tip Steak (not the best, but it's what they had) 3 steaks for 19.83
Top Sirloin Steak (for daddy and grandma-I had to mix and match what I bought) two steaks for 22.44
Baker Potatoes .59/lb at 2.32 lbs 1.37
We were also running low on a few things, so had to buy some stock up items..
Coconut 1.65
Pretzel snacks 1.19
candy (I'm a sucker lol) .24
Deli meat 4.00
Hot Dogs 2.00
Total of this trip was 63.56
Two days later I realized I forgot the rolls...so back we go
Grands Biscuits 1.99
Cinnamon Rolls 2.45
Rootbeer .99
Nut roll (told ya, I'm a sucker) 1.00
because of store policy I had to get enough to be over $5 to run a debit card....
Total 6.82
So I spent $70.82
But we were ready to have a good little party with yummy food.
Triple Clicks
Monday, August 18, 2014
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Homemade Taquitos
Years ago Taco Johns came out with an awesome (what I'm assuming) Tex-Mex food. Taquitos. Oh my goodness those things were yummy. :D
I fed them to my youngest when she was little, the perfect taco food for a toddler once they cool off.
So since i bought corn tortillas for the littles when we have taco night, i decided to use some leftover taco meat and some refried beans and make my own.
I looked and looked for a recipe, and every recipe I found had shredded steak meat. I can't afford steak, let alone steak to just shred and use in other meals. So I used other ingredients.
I got about 3 cups of coconut oil going in a small pan for frying, mixed a can of refried beans and about a cup of leftover taco meat. In hindsight, I should have heated them, but I didn't.
Once the coconut oil started bubbling, I started warming up corn tortillas on another burner. I have a gas stove, so I just put them straight on the burner until they got bubbly. Getting them warm helps them not to break. I scooped a little of my filling into the tortilla, rolled and held it together with a toothpick.
You want to do this in batches of two, they keep each other together. the instructions I found said this, but I didn't listen-I should have. Put the ends so they face each other and run a couple toothpicks through. (Sorry, I completely forgot to take pictures until the end.)
You fry until the shells are hard. Put on a paper towel to drain the oil and done. It only took about 20 minutes to fry up about 2 dozen. If I wasn't avoiding cheese, I would have melted some cheese to dip. Salsa or guacamole would work great, too.
The kids didn't much like them, but they are pretty good, and easy to eat with a grumpy baby (which I have right now).
I fed them to my youngest when she was little, the perfect taco food for a toddler once they cool off.
So since i bought corn tortillas for the littles when we have taco night, i decided to use some leftover taco meat and some refried beans and make my own.
I looked and looked for a recipe, and every recipe I found had shredded steak meat. I can't afford steak, let alone steak to just shred and use in other meals. So I used other ingredients.
I got about 3 cups of coconut oil going in a small pan for frying, mixed a can of refried beans and about a cup of leftover taco meat. In hindsight, I should have heated them, but I didn't.
Once the coconut oil started bubbling, I started warming up corn tortillas on another burner. I have a gas stove, so I just put them straight on the burner until they got bubbly. Getting them warm helps them not to break. I scooped a little of my filling into the tortilla, rolled and held it together with a toothpick.
You want to do this in batches of two, they keep each other together. the instructions I found said this, but I didn't listen-I should have. Put the ends so they face each other and run a couple toothpicks through. (Sorry, I completely forgot to take pictures until the end.)
You fry until the shells are hard. Put on a paper towel to drain the oil and done. It only took about 20 minutes to fry up about 2 dozen. If I wasn't avoiding cheese, I would have melted some cheese to dip. Salsa or guacamole would work great, too.
The kids didn't much like them, but they are pretty good, and easy to eat with a grumpy baby (which I have right now).
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Shopping Trip July 31
Well....apparently I need to reset the algorithms on my spreadsheet because they aren't working right. :/
We went to Sam's and HyVee this time. The kids were actually good, so that was a nice treat for mommy.
Sam's Club
Dog Food 50lb 17.98
Beef Patties 19.88
Quaker Oats 7.98
French Fries 6.98
Flour Tortillas 2 at 2.67 each 5.34
Vinegar 2 at 3.68 each 7.36
Puppy Pads 15.38
Velveeta 12.20
Flour 4.69
Deli Meat Ham 6.98
Deli Meat Turkey 6.98
Deli Meat Roast Beef 9.98
Canola Oil 8.48
Bacon (4 lbs precooked) 11.74
Chicken Breast 11.74 and 12.20
Granola Bars 7.93
Corn Tortillas 3.57
Spinach Ravioli 9.98
Hamburger Buns 2.38
Combos 7.68
Whole dill Pickles 2 at 4.62 each 9.62
Alfredo Sauce three pack 5.38
Chips 50 pack 11.98
Total of 235.51
HyVee
Sour Cream 8 oz 1.38
Sour Cream 2 pounds 3.59
Lunch Pail Cookies 3.99 (+ .10 gas rewards)
Cottage Cheese 16 oz 1.49
Sweet Cream Butter Quarters 4 at 2 for $6 12.00 (+.04 gas rewards)
Yogurt 40 at .29 each 11.60
Fettucine Pasta 2.39
Toilet Paper 6 pack 3.29
Cinnamon Spice Tea 2 at 1.99 each 3.98
Spicy Brown Mustard 1.49
Refried Beans 3 at .99 each 2.97
Nutty Bars 2 at 2 for 7.00 7.00
Orowheat Pocket Things 7 at 2.99 20.93
Q-Tips 2.48
Hot Dogs 2 at 1.19 2.38
Egg Roll Wraps 3.29
Total of 89.31
Grand Total of $324.82
I told you my algorithms needed reworked. My spreadsheet told me I would come in $6 under. Well. We have enough food to last a month and probably then some.
And we'll save $0.14 off per gallon of gas next time we get gas. That's always a plus. On the other hand, I realized why I shouldn't talk and count at the same time-I got more yogurt than I intended. :/ Oops.
We went to Sam's and HyVee this time. The kids were actually good, so that was a nice treat for mommy.
Sam's Club
Dog Food 50lb 17.98
Beef Patties 19.88
Quaker Oats 7.98
French Fries 6.98
Flour Tortillas 2 at 2.67 each 5.34
Vinegar 2 at 3.68 each 7.36
Puppy Pads 15.38
Velveeta 12.20
Flour 4.69
Deli Meat Ham 6.98
Deli Meat Turkey 6.98
Deli Meat Roast Beef 9.98
Canola Oil 8.48
Bacon (4 lbs precooked) 11.74
Chicken Breast 11.74 and 12.20
Granola Bars 7.93
Corn Tortillas 3.57
Spinach Ravioli 9.98
Hamburger Buns 2.38
Combos 7.68
Whole dill Pickles 2 at 4.62 each 9.62
Alfredo Sauce three pack 5.38
Chips 50 pack 11.98
Total of 235.51
HyVee
Sour Cream 8 oz 1.38
Sour Cream 2 pounds 3.59
Lunch Pail Cookies 3.99 (+ .10 gas rewards)
Cottage Cheese 16 oz 1.49
Sweet Cream Butter Quarters 4 at 2 for $6 12.00 (+.04 gas rewards)
Yogurt 40 at .29 each 11.60
Fettucine Pasta 2.39
Toilet Paper 6 pack 3.29
Cinnamon Spice Tea 2 at 1.99 each 3.98
Spicy Brown Mustard 1.49
Refried Beans 3 at .99 each 2.97
Nutty Bars 2 at 2 for 7.00 7.00
Orowheat Pocket Things 7 at 2.99 20.93
Q-Tips 2.48
Hot Dogs 2 at 1.19 2.38
Egg Roll Wraps 3.29
Total of 89.31
Grand Total of $324.82
I told you my algorithms needed reworked. My spreadsheet told me I would come in $6 under. Well. We have enough food to last a month and probably then some.
And we'll save $0.14 off per gallon of gas next time we get gas. That's always a plus. On the other hand, I realized why I shouldn't talk and count at the same time-I got more yogurt than I intended. :/ Oops.
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Ads are out! Shopping Trip for Jul 31
After last month and the terror of my four year old, I'm getting a little intimidated about taking him shopping again. So yes, I'm completely dreading tomorrow an the inevitable three hours of shopping. On the plus note for my sanity (though not my budget), the sales aren't great unless you are buying school supplies.
I'm just shopping at HyVee, Sam's and Dollar Tree this month. Here are the ads for the rest. Happy Ad Shopping!
Sunshine Food Stores
Fareway Food Stores
Hy-Vee
We have also been changing how we are eating. Trying to take out, if not eliminate, the majority of the tomato sauce/cheese combos. Husband has not been feeling well, having some stomach issues we, nor the doctor, are just not sure of what's going on.
My meal plan this month includes a chicken taco bake, lasagna, burritos, sesame seed chicken, tacos, ravioli with alfredo sauce, chicken alfredo, egg rolls, and meat loaf.
I'm using something new to help get my months and meals planned out. I was in the process of looking for refill pages for my planner I used many years ago and found free calendar pages from an awesome blogger on Pinterest. I printed these off and put them in my household folder. These are just for 2014, so only four months more, but you can find them here at I Heart Nap time blog.
I'm just shopping at HyVee, Sam's and Dollar Tree this month. Here are the ads for the rest. Happy Ad Shopping!
Sunshine Food Stores
Fareway Food Stores
Hy-Vee
We have also been changing how we are eating. Trying to take out, if not eliminate, the majority of the tomato sauce/cheese combos. Husband has not been feeling well, having some stomach issues we, nor the doctor, are just not sure of what's going on.
My meal plan this month includes a chicken taco bake, lasagna, burritos, sesame seed chicken, tacos, ravioli with alfredo sauce, chicken alfredo, egg rolls, and meat loaf.
I'm using something new to help get my months and meals planned out. I was in the process of looking for refill pages for my planner I used many years ago and found free calendar pages from an awesome blogger on Pinterest. I printed these off and put them in my household folder. These are just for 2014, so only four months more, but you can find them here at I Heart Nap time blog.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Preschool Planning
I decided we are taking the jump this year.
Andrew is trying to write letters on his own, he can recognize most letters and numbers and other milestones. I am gathering plans and getting ideas together to get things printed off and ready for preschool.
I plan on doing two to three days of school a week. If we don't get that many, we don't. If we get more, we do. He's only four, so we are still early and don't have to buckle down.
We will do a letter a week or every two weeks, that part we will play by ear. I have collections of free printables for letters, letter books and bible stories and coloring pages to go along with. You can find most of those on my Pinterest boards. I'm working on getting all the preschool pins consolidated into one board, but haven't gotten there yet except with new pins.
I plan on doing blog posts for the different because a lot of my resources I have gotten from many wonderful bloggers who are kind enough to share their worksheets and I want to give them credit as I share, this will be done much easier if I do a week by week blog of what we are working on. I also have a preschool activity workbook that you can pick up at pretty much any major retail for around $15. I'm honestly not sure where mine came from, but it's here and unused.
We will do a Bible story with each letter, a coloring page to hold Andrew and Eva's attention while I read the story. Letter work will include learning letters, names and fun activities. Numbers will include the same along with shapes and colors. I will also print off worksheets to help him learn how to write his name, phone number, address-the repetition will also help him learn it.
My greatest resource for art supplies will be Dollar Tree. They have a great variety of everything-including containers to keep it all in, so when I get my supply list together and I have checked my craft cupboard to see what I already have, it's off the Dollar Tree we go.
Andrew is trying to write letters on his own, he can recognize most letters and numbers and other milestones. I am gathering plans and getting ideas together to get things printed off and ready for preschool.
I plan on doing two to three days of school a week. If we don't get that many, we don't. If we get more, we do. He's only four, so we are still early and don't have to buckle down.
We will do a letter a week or every two weeks, that part we will play by ear. I have collections of free printables for letters, letter books and bible stories and coloring pages to go along with. You can find most of those on my Pinterest boards. I'm working on getting all the preschool pins consolidated into one board, but haven't gotten there yet except with new pins.
I plan on doing blog posts for the different because a lot of my resources I have gotten from many wonderful bloggers who are kind enough to share their worksheets and I want to give them credit as I share, this will be done much easier if I do a week by week blog of what we are working on. I also have a preschool activity workbook that you can pick up at pretty much any major retail for around $15. I'm honestly not sure where mine came from, but it's here and unused.
We will do a Bible story with each letter, a coloring page to hold Andrew and Eva's attention while I read the story. Letter work will include learning letters, names and fun activities. Numbers will include the same along with shapes and colors. I will also print off worksheets to help him learn how to write his name, phone number, address-the repetition will also help him learn it.
My greatest resource for art supplies will be Dollar Tree. They have a great variety of everything-including containers to keep it all in, so when I get my supply list together and I have checked my craft cupboard to see what I already have, it's off the Dollar Tree we go.
Monday, July 21, 2014
Shopping Trip July 17
So I started making my shopping list..and hubby kept adding to it... So it's his fault! LOL
In all fairness, we did get some good sales, so yes, I went over.. And at the two week mark I'm going back to shopping for a month.
Fareway Food Stores
Red Grapes 2.24 lb at .99 a lb 2.22
Green Grapes 1.51 lb at .99 a lb 1.49
Hormel Little Sizzler Sausages 4 for $5 5.00
Oscar Meyer Bacon two at 5.79 each 11.58
Nutty Bar 3.89
Yogurt .50 each 14 7.00
Sweet Cream Butter 2 at 3.99 each 7.98
Spaghetti Sauce 1.49
White Grape Juice 3 at 3.29 each 9.87
Apple Cider Vinegar .99
Parmesan Cheese 2.99
Ground Beef at 1.99 a lb One tube of about 10 lb was 19.97, one tube was 20.04
Pepperoni 3.29
refried beans 2 at 1.69 each 3.38
Total of 107.25
Bakery Outlet
6 loaves of bread .75 each
3 packages of hamburger buns 1.15 each
Total of 7.95
Dollar Tree
Paper Towels 3.00
hot Tamales 1.00
Chocolate Covered Raisins 1.00
Whoppers 1.00
Spaghetti Noodles 1.00
Coffe Filters 1.00
Tortillas 2.00
Animal Crackers 2.00
Total 12.72
Total for the Day was 127.92
Total for the month was 375.88
And that is why we decided to go back to once a month-although, in my defense, hubby added yogurt and we got some meat sales.
Happy shopping!
In all fairness, we did get some good sales, so yes, I went over.. And at the two week mark I'm going back to shopping for a month.
Fareway Food Stores
Red Grapes 2.24 lb at .99 a lb 2.22
Green Grapes 1.51 lb at .99 a lb 1.49
Hormel Little Sizzler Sausages 4 for $5 5.00
Oscar Meyer Bacon two at 5.79 each 11.58
Nutty Bar 3.89
Yogurt .50 each 14 7.00
Sweet Cream Butter 2 at 3.99 each 7.98
Spaghetti Sauce 1.49
White Grape Juice 3 at 3.29 each 9.87
Apple Cider Vinegar .99
Parmesan Cheese 2.99
Ground Beef at 1.99 a lb One tube of about 10 lb was 19.97, one tube was 20.04
Pepperoni 3.29
refried beans 2 at 1.69 each 3.38
Total of 107.25
Bakery Outlet
6 loaves of bread .75 each
3 packages of hamburger buns 1.15 each
Total of 7.95
Dollar Tree
Paper Towels 3.00
hot Tamales 1.00
Chocolate Covered Raisins 1.00
Whoppers 1.00
Spaghetti Noodles 1.00
Coffe Filters 1.00
Tortillas 2.00
Animal Crackers 2.00
Total 12.72
Total for the Day was 127.92
Total for the month was 375.88
And that is why we decided to go back to once a month-although, in my defense, hubby added yogurt and we got some meat sales.
Happy shopping!
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Ads are out! Shopping Trip July 17
Ads are out and I'm loving these sales!
Normally I would just stay in town and save the gas, but since I went shopping on a holiday I couldn't go to the bakery outlet. So we are in need of bread.
I have three stores on the list this week-the bakery outlet, Fareway Foods and Dollar Tree.
Fareway had some awesome sales on ground beef-$1.99 a pound with the coupon in the ad-so make sure you grab that ad on your way in the door!
Here's the ad links. Have Fun!
HyVee
Fareway Foods
Sunshine Foods
Normally I would just stay in town and save the gas, but since I went shopping on a holiday I couldn't go to the bakery outlet. So we are in need of bread.
I have three stores on the list this week-the bakery outlet, Fareway Foods and Dollar Tree.
Fareway had some awesome sales on ground beef-$1.99 a pound with the coupon in the ad-so make sure you grab that ad on your way in the door!
Here's the ad links. Have Fun!
HyVee
Fareway Foods
Sunshine Foods
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