So Long 2008 and Welcome 2009!!

I am super excited for tonight. We're having a small kid friendly new year get together with my Dad, Step-Mom, my brother Frankie (8) and my sister Karlee (5). We're going to rent a nice movie, and feast, feast, feast.. FEAST! Oh who-pudding and rare who- roast beast...lol. Not really, we're going to have a big list of goodies though. Sloppy Joe, taco dip, chips and french onion, chips and salsa, soft pretzels, mozzarella sticks, pizza rolls, crackers and cheese, and port wine cheese, and lastly bbq lil smokies. Also punch and some pop. I am excited to eat and hang out! Happy New Year everyone!

Goals for January

So I thought it'd be nice to post my goals for each month of the year, and hopefully enjoy checking off my list before the following month comes along. A new year would be the perfect time to start, and lucky me, the new year is a few short days away!

• Eat out only 2 times a month.--We have already went for Lunch once this month..
  

• Clean up all Christmas related things, and neatly pack them away in the Christmas tote. I got this done!! Little Bear went to grandma's over night so I figured it was the best time to get it done and over with. I also went out to the antique place and got a cute snowman for on the tree with Little Bear's name on it and a Santa Claus sign that says Merry Christmas for 4.50 total to pack up for next year, along with some half off window clings and candy jars from the Dollar Tree. I even threw away some stuff!! :)

• Organize the storage closet. Toss any un-needed junk.

• Clean out living room closet and get rid of baby clothes, since we are done with having children.

• Eat healthier, and find more healthy desserts rather than chocolate cake with peanut butter icing.

• Go threw clothes and make room for some upgrades.-- I went threw all Little Bear's clothes and toss some stained up ones, and packed the others up for a friend's little boy who is a year younger.

• Get both desk clutter free, including the drawers.-- I do have one desk done and a drawer of the other done. And all the Christmas decorations off.

• Work on a monthly budget so we can get something saved.

• Clean out the freezer and deep freeze and organize. Wash out entire fridge.-- I did neatly pack up 14 packs of pork chops, they were boneless @ 1.49 a pound, can't beat that around here!!
  

So those are a few of my goals, I'll cross them off as I go, and add more if I can think of some.

Menu Plan Monday

So I do my plan Sunday :) For me Sunday begins a new week, and we usually do leftover somethings with Sunday dinner on Monday.

Sunday- Roast in the crock pot, with just some diced onions and seasonings. I'll make up some scalloped potatoes since we're tired of mashed since the holidays.. and some corn and peas.

Monday- Shepard's pie, with smashed potatoes on top, they are mixed with cheese, and yummy-ness so Mr. Bear won't mind much.

Tuesday- Leftovers night, there will likely be shepard's pie, veggies, meatloaf from Sat. and stuff like that.. it's also trash night so we'll eat up stuff before it needs to go out.

Wednesday- jumbalya from a box and kielbasa tossed in and some steamed corn.

Thursday- Pork loin in the crock pot with saurkraut, and some mashed potatoes, I'll likely cook up some hot dogs too for Anthony, and snacking later! LET'S GO PENN STATE!!! Hopefully will ring in the new year with some good luck! YUM I can't wait for some kraut!

Friday- Meatball subs with mozz. sprinkled on top, and mozz. stix.

Saturday- Grilled Cheese, Tomato soup, and any leftovers you'd like..

Sunday- Chicken Stuffing bake with some corn, and maybe some biscuits or mashed..

Monday- Chili (already in the freezer) with noodles, making it chili mac, and some either french bread or garlic toast.

Tuesday- Salmon cakes with rice a roni shells, and some veggies, finally!

Wednesday- Sloppy Joes, with mac and cheese. If there's any fries or tots hanging out in the freezer they'll get cooked up too.

I planned up for awhile just so I can get some stuff used up..

Hope every one had a great holiday, we did, and little bear made out like a bandit, he was a very good boy this year! I had mounds and mounds of card board to break down and get rid of, I couldn't stand the clutter. I had a hall way in our apartment we had been using as storage for coolers, extra chairs for the table, the air compresser, and I found new places to stash them all, now little bear can use that area to play, I'll have to take some pictures of it, I should have take a before and after.

And I hope every one has a great 2009!

Family Favorite is Christmas dinner with Family

Sunday- I was supposed to make a ham and fixings but instead I went with Deer steaks fried in onions and butter with seasonings, homemade potato wedges, and broccoli with cheese. It was a great dinner.

Monday- C.O.R.N. so we can have room for holiday goodies.

Tuesday- Hot dogs, mac and cheese, and baked beans. Easy peasy for dinner so clean up is a sinch before the holidays.

Wednesday- Christmas eve with Mr. Bear's Grandma. Ham, Turkey, mashed and sweet potatoes, sloppy joes, green bean casserole, gravy, corn..stuffing.. goodies..

Thursday- Dinner with my Dad in the afternoon, then snacks in the evening with Mr. Bear's Mother. I'll take cocktail weeners.

Friday- Leftovers or something good I hope. We might still be visiting family, we're pulled every direction because both of our parents are divorced, and we still have grandparents.

Saturday- Soups On!! Tomato soup and Grilled cheese.

Sunday- ? Take out maybe or something I need to scheme up!

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Menu Plan Monday

So I'm early this week :)

Monday- Chicken and biscuits (this will be left over chicken from Sunday)

Tuesday- Spaghetti and garlic bread

Wednesday- Community dinner, Beef stew

Thursday- Pancakes, sasuage, and fruit

Friday- Roast beef sammies, fries or noodles and green beans

Saturday- SOUPS ON! Chicken noodle soup with grilled cheese

Sunday- Baked ham, scalloped potatoes, stuffing, and peas

Recipe Review from last week:

Cola Chicken- I used a half of a can of chicken, 3 breast, a handful of brown sugar, some ketch up and bbq sauce. Cut the breast into strip and simmered them in the sauce. We all ate it and thought it was good, just fancy bbq flavored chicken. We'll have it again, rating *** 3 stars.

Veggie beef soup- Good, and great leftovers. Next time I won't add diced tomatoes, instead just tomato juice. *** 3 stars too.

Sticky Chicken is up for review tonight, I'll update later on it :)

This is what I want for Christmas

I must say I've been a good girl this year :)
This is what I want Santa to leave me..
Pyrex dishes with lids and a calico kitten. I know the kitten will likely come after Christmas.

What's on your list?

Menu Plan Monday

Ok so it is Tuesday.. but I've got it all done for the whole month, that has to count for something right?

So here goes-

Monday- Soft and Crunchy Tacos with the fixin's

Tuesday- Cheese burgers with lettuce and tomatoes, with homemade pasta salad.

Wednesday- French Toast with bacon and fruit cocktail

Thursday- Cola Chicken (new recipe), with mac and cheese, and baked beans

Friday-pan fried kielbasa with bbq sauce, and baked potato casserole (new recipe)

Saturday- I decided to hop on the Soup's on Saturday wagon so we can eat the soup all week for lunch too, so we're having Veggie beef soup with crackers (new recipe)

Sunday- Mimi's Sticky Chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn. (new recipe also, but I will be cooking this chicken at 350* instead of the suggested 250*)

I have the rest of the month, but you'll just have to come back next monday to see it :)

Likely I'll make some fudge and chocolate chip cookies this week.

Merry Christmas 2008

Here is my little man with Santa.
Happy Holidays everyone.

Menu Plan Monday

Sunday- Hot roast beef sammies, french fries, gravy, and peas. Pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing for dessert.

Monday- We'll have left over roast beef over noodles and/or some sausage, egg, and cheese muffins. Kinda like McMuffins, but home made. Leftover pumpkin cake.

Tuesday- Cheese stuffed ravioli, meaty sauce, green beans, and rolls. SO and DS love this. I will likely make Peanut butter blossoms too.

Wednesday- Bubble pizza, I hope this turns out well. I will also make some candid yams, and deviled eggs for Thursday.

Thursday- Thanksgiving Dinner with my family, we might stop in to the MIL's too. Pretty traditional dinner fare.

Friday- I hope we score some leftovers and we'll eat at those, or salmon cakes, fried taters, and baked beans. I keep planning this and we skip it because SO whines, but I love it.

Saturday- Community Thanksgiving dinner with SO's grandparents. Leftovers.

Sunday- Country Chicken bake, with biscuits. * new recipe, if it is good I'll post the recipe later*

Monday- Chinese beef and broccoli with rice *also new, and I'll rate later*

Tuesday- Beef Pasta Hamburger helper, veggies, and bread. I'll likely go shopping this day if I can get out.

Snacks- oranges, bananas, yogurt, carrots & celery with homemade ranch dip, and baked goodies.
Hope you all have great weeks! Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

Easy as pie Pumpkin Cake

This was a method recipe that I altered for us.

It was simply a yellow box cake mix, and 15 oz. of solid pack pumpkin. I got the cake mix for a buck and the pumpkin for about 1.60. Your to just mix them together and make muffins, but I wanted a cake, so I mixed it and as the one recipe I saw suggested I added one egg, and a few splashes of orange juice.

Now that it is cooled I will make a simple cream cheese icing. The cream cheese was a buck too, and I have the other stuff on hand, I suppose the recipe if you already have orange juice could cost around 5 bucks! My kinda dessert if you ask me, and my 3 year old got to help. Will post some pictures later.

I love simple desserts since groceries already cost so much. Take care.

Menu plan Monday

Well it's Sunday but I am early for once so that is good! I am trying to use up what we have laying in the freezer since I am short on money this week. So here it goes...

26th Sunday- Roast in the crock pot with random spices, sweet potatoes, carrots, and celery. Italian bread
27th Monday- Leftover roast into Shepard's pie
28th Tuesday- Brown sugar chicken, baked potatoes with broccoli and cheese.
29th Wednesday- Steak on the grill (I hope), alfredo noodles, and salad.
30th Thursday- Tuna mac with peas and buttered bread.
31st Friday- HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Lasagna Hamburger helper and green beans
1st Saturday- Sloppy joes, onion rings, and corn
2nd Sunday- Roasted chicken breast with carrots, celery, and potatoes tossed in, with some stuffing.
3rd Monday- Chili and corn bread at MIL's
4th Tuesday- Mild Italian Sausage Sammies, with Mozz. sticks
5th Wednesday- Chicken legs, broccoli, and rice
6th Thursday- Ham, scalloped potatoes, and green beans.
7th Friday- Crabby patties OR shopping day TBD.

Wow November is creeping up on us already! Hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween!

Menu Plan Monday

Mon-ham, mac and cheese, rice, and broccoli
Tues- Pulled Pork at MIL's and mac salad.
Wed.-Pork chops, sweet potatoes, and noodles
Thurs-Pepperoni, ham, and cheese, in cressent rolls. *it was to be pizza but I had coupons for cressent rolls and they were on sale*
Fri-Cube steaks, alfredo noodles, and peas
Sat-Sweet and Spicy Kielbasa, onion roasted potatoes, and corn
Sun-Chicken and rice casserole
Mon- Peachy Turkey breast @ MIL's
Tuesday- Cheese ravioli and meat sauce w/ garlic toast

Happy October ya'll!! I can't believe my birthday came and went already! *sigh*

Ahh, it's almost September.

I love fall, I love it much more than winter and summer. Tomorrow is my first day of fall. September is such a beautiful month, and at this time next year I will almost ready to wed my darling Chris. We are at the moment planning a Sept. 19th, 2009 wedding, so this month I will have to get all the stuff done such as checking out the reception hall, and getting a pastor. Tonight or tomorrow I will start digging out my fall decorations, if I do it any sooner Chris will think I have lost it :-) He is super excited for Football season. I am hoping to take our little one to a home game for our high school we both attended, after all its where I first laid eyes on him. At the time I was just a silly little underclassmen and he was a hot senior :-) But who knew he'd be mine a few short years later? That is a story for a different day. This morning the sun is sunny, and my munchkin is still in bed at almost 10:30am..weird. He loves to sleep in, and I do love that about him. I am wanting to take him to a corn maze, pumpkin patch, and other fun fall festivities..this will be the perfect year for it since he is finally 3 he can talk much much better, and explore the world we adventurous eyes. I love taking him new places and having him tell me about them. He went to an Altoona Curve game with Daddy, and Pappy a few weeks ago and when he came home I could tell by the look on his face he had an amazing time. He told me how they hit the ball with the bat, and ran after it, while the other guy was running the bases. They even let the kiddos run the bases themselves after the game is over. He got himself a collector ball when he first entered the stadium then he got a foul ball from a girl who must have found him adorable (how couldn't she). This year Anthony will be about to pick out his own pumpkin, and really get his hands in carving it with his Daddy. Last year he kinda just watching and messed in the pumpkin guts. Oh yes, now I am thinking of a wonderful roasted pumpkin seed recipe, I'll have to look...yummo. I might even do a small pumpkin party for a few of my girlfriends' little ones..it could be fun. I was thinking we could paint little pumpkins, and eat some yummy snacks. And my friend's little ones happen to be Anthony's pals. He can host his on lil get together. Ok enough ramblings for the morning, I need to hop in the shower before my sleepy head awakes. Happy Harvest.



I would just like to express my condolences to the people suffering the effects of the hurrican season. I will keep you in my prayers.

Menu Plan Monday

Monday- Sloppy Joes, Fries, and Corn

Tuesday- Subs from WM, macaroni salad, chips, and cupcakes-picnic with my little brother who is turning 12, its an hour drive out to my mother's farm.

Wednesday-BBQ chops, fried taters, and baked beans

Thursday- Cheese burger biscuit bake with peas

Friday-Honey BBQ chicken wings, macaroni and cheese, and carrots with dip.

Saturday- Chili Mac and Cheese with Corn Bread

Sunday- Steak with peppers and onions, baked taters, and green beans.

*I am also going to attempt to make some zucchini bread this week :-)

*Menu Plan Monday*

Monday- Since I am cleaning the kitchen top to bottom we're getting take out. Hubs is at work and Anthony is with his Mimi for the night. So likely Stromboli and chef salad.

Tuesday-We'll be at my Mother in Laws house because she is making Chris dinner for his birthday this week (8/8). She is making Burgers on the grill with pasta salad.

Wednesday- If we don't get at Mimi's house (we're staying there so Chris can do some work for his Grandfather) I'll be making Salmon Cakes, Mac and Cheese, and Peas.

Thursday- Chili Mac and Cheese, I got this recipe from the Pillsburg Cook Book

Friday- Chris' birthday! Grilled Steak, Loaded Potatoes, and a salad likely. Also Chocolate Cake with Peanutbutter icing. Those are a few of his request.

Saturday- Spaghetti and Meatballs with Garlic toast.

Sunday- BBQ chops on the grill with some veggies and lipton noodles.

Here is little Anthony's plate, he wanted Mama to take a picture of his too :-)
This was a yummy dinner we had awhile back, I took a picture and never got the chance to upload it. It is bbq roast with home made bbq sauce on it, sweet glazed baby carrots, cheesy scalloped potatoes, and some fresh corn on the cob. Hope you enjoy the picture, we sure enjoyed our dinner.

My First coupon hunting and saving.

I just recently hopped on the coupon train. Why I waited this long I have no clue. So I went to a store here that doubles even 1.00 off coupons. This is what I managed to get for 20 dollars. It wouldn't have been that great, if I didn't already use all these things..

• Lysol 2.64$-sale 2.00$-paid 1.00
• Dawn simple pleasures 3.43$-sale 2.50-paid .50cents
• Vanity Fair plates 2.43-no sale- paid .43cents
• Oust spray3.19$-no sale- paid 1.19
• Whiskas cat treats x4 5.56$-no sale - paid 1.56
• softsoap bdwash 3.69$-sale 3.50-paid 1.50
• Suave bdwash x2 4.50- sale -3.78 paid 1.89
  
• Comet bthroom cleaner 1.86-sale 1.66-paid .96 cents
• Diapers-6.78-6.78-6.78
• Spdstick DO. 3.65-no sale-paid 1.65
• Colgate 3.45-sale 2.99-paid -.99cents
• Huggies handsoap 2.89- sale 2.50- paid .50cents
• Skintimate shave gel 2.19-no sale- paid 1.09
  

Meau Plan Monday

• Salmon Cakes, taters, and corn
• Pizza with hamburger and peppers on it
• Roast with noodles and any veggies hanging out in the fridge.
• Lo roast into shepard's pie
• bbq chops on the grill, lipton noodles and peas
• Hot dogs on the grill, chili sauce, and mac and cheese..might throw in fries.
• Pork chop grill packets with fresh green beans and rice in a foil pack on the grill
• Spaghetti with meatballs, and garlic toast
• Ham steaks with roasted potatoes, veggies, and stuffing
• Cheesy keilbasa pasta
• Chili mac and cheese

These are in no special order..I haven't figured that part out yet. I do know we're trying to eat up what we have in the pantry before we move, if we decide to move. :-)

Here is last night's dinner...
BBQ shredded up chicken breast on a potato roll using Sweet Baby Ray's sauce with some spices.
Corn on the cob, I found at walmart @ 10 for 1.
And a baked tater with butter, salt, and pepper!
We also had a small side salad..
It was delish!

Busy, and Lazy.

I have been busy and a bit lazy and not really keeping up with my site, which saddens me since I am really excited and loving the idea. I think I only have one reader anyways, and that is my step-mom :-)
So I have been cooking and semi-meal planning...just a few days ahead of time, shame on me, and my grocery budget. We recently started to go to this place in a few towns over called "The Country Store" it's a surplus and odds and ends place. They have some decent deals some of the boxed stuff is a few months expired but with the things we bought it was cheaper than our regular store. We found Virginia Baked Ham for $3.49 a pound, provolone cheese, and cheddar jack cheese, all for the same price which is an awesome price. We got a lot of nutragrain bars, and cereal bars in dented boxes for $1.50 a box, which they are usually $2.50 at the cheapest a box here. Our favorite find there was loaves of still fresh bread and name brand for .67 cents a loaf..what a deal! We also got potato rolls for $1.50 and brown sugar and cinnamon bread for the same. We ended up buying 36 dollars worth of odds and ends walking out with a whole shopping cart full of stuff..where does that ever happen? I think we got 6 loaves of bread in total, and the cheapest decent bread here at home is $1.27 a loaf.
In the same trip we ventured out to Sam's Club, a whole sale store in our local.. they have a membership fee of $40 dollars a year, so I have been hesitant about buying a membership for our small family since there are only 3 of us. We did have one a few years ago and only went out 2 times, so it was hardly worth it. I did get some great finds there, real cheap boneless pork loins, cut how you want them for free, so I purchased 2. I got 180 loads worth of Gain soap powder for less than 10 dollars, I am hoping to stretch that a year. I got the usual toilet paper, and a few other things. I saw great buys but had a budget of $60 dollars for the time being. I wanted to add that they have a sample set up almost all the time and I tried Chicken salad on a club cracker and it was one of the best salads I have ever had. Now I wish I had bought the club crackers at the surplus store for a buck! It was simple enough too, they used real mayo, canned chicken (I will use chicken breast), parsley flakes, garlic and onion powder, it was crazy good. I also tried for the first time some Pesto, and I must admit I was a wee bit skeptical from the way it looked, but it was great too, it was all organic which is a mega plus now days. It was on a tomato slice with a slice of fresh mozzarella cheese, which I had never had before either. I couldn't convince Chris to try it though. So anyways. I will start blogging my food adventures more, I thought I would even include some restaurants when I try them out. Thanks for reading.. :)

~Vikki~

Easy Crockpot Roast

Menu Planning Makes a Difference.

I didn't always menu plan, in fact at one point I thought it would only be a waste of time. But now days I got a bit wiser, menu planning really does make a difference. I write down the plan on a dry erase board in the kitchen, I also include what leftovers can be eaten for lunch "left over buffet" and my shopping list. I always know what is for dinner by planning it out, it has made it less stressful for me and our grocery budget. I plan our meals with what we have, and what is on sale in our local fliers. I usually do the planning on Thursdays or Fridays since that is when the new sales come out. If there is a good sale on stuff for in the pantry I will stock up, often just buying meats, fresh produce, and milk. I am not a great chef, I just love to cook, and plan ahead. This is my plan for the following couple days.

Friday- Take out, we got pizza, steak salad, and onion rings- often on pay day we'll get take out.

Saturday- BBQ chicken bites, Corn, l.o. baked beans, and baked taters.
All this I already had on hand. I chop up the chicken *on sale this week for 1.89lb.*into bite sized cubes, cook it in BBQ sauce *hunts 1$ bottle*, I had the corn in the freezer and I use my veggie steamer to cook it, add some butter and pepper. The potatoes we already had since they were on sale a few weeks ago bogo for 5lb bags they were under 4 dollars. Lastly we had baked beans a few days ago, and I wanted to get them eaten, I think they are pricey we like Bushes baked beans and I got them on sale for $1.25.

Sunday- CP roast, with veggies, and Italian bread.
We got the roast the other night they are sirloin tip roast, they were bogo, I got two roast for 10 dollars. I add cubed potatoes, and veggies, often leftovers from the fridge. I will be posting a tutorial on it later.

Monday- Leftover roast made into Sheppard's pie, I haven't done this before, so we'll see how it goes. I'll be posting a tutorial on this also.

Tuesday- CP salsa chicken on torts. I'll likely post a tutorial on this one too.
I stocked up on salsa, and torts when they were on sale. 1.99 for the salsa, and 1.00 for a 12 pack of torts. We'll likely put lettuce on them with sour cream and cheddar cheese.

Wednesday- Steak hoagies and I am thinking home fries.
I've had the sliced steak in the freezer after a bogo sale, I haven't tried making my own fries yet, so we'll see how they go.

Thursday- Frozen pizza, and cheesy bread
Simple day, nothing fancy.

Friday- Spaghetti and meatballs, with Italian bread
Noodles are fairly cheap if I go to the big chain market they can be 1$ for Barilla pasta, or if I make it to our little store sometimes .65 cents for an off brand. I buy pre-made frozen meatballs for 5.49 on sale, we usually make spaghetti with the bag 2 times, and meatball subs once. I am horrible at making them homemade. Lastly I stock up on Rinaldi pasta sauce when it is 1$ a jar, we love the tomato basil, and 3 cheese blend. We'd love to make our own someday, right now we live in an apartment with no grass for a garden.

Just getting started.

Finally I found what I was looking for. I have been wanting to do a blog on my recipes, tips, ideas, and just things I love. Thanks to a generous lady, I was pointed in this direction. I am super excited to get things up and running. Bare with me right now, I am new to this.