FRUGAL LIVING IN COLUMBUS,OHIO
Frugal living is a lifestyle
that involves careful
planning and spending
as well as avoiding
waste. It's not about
being cheap; it's
really about being
practical and making
the most of available
resources through
various methods of
saving money, reusing
existing items instead
of buying new ones,
and finding bargains
and good deals.
The premise is that
a person shouldn't
pay more for something
if he or she doesn't
have to.
Going to yard sales this morning. Afterwards will be working on 3 cookie recipes. Contest is open through tomorrow so time is running out!
Dewaine is supposed to be coming home from the hospital today, yeah! He keeps telling everyone that in about 5 days he will be back over here to finish up our fence! Can you believe that??? I can't, especially after seeing pictures of him after the accident. I think he should take it slow and easy for awhile. I just can't picture him picking up 40 to 80 pound bags of cement or fence panels or digging more post holes with some fractured ribs!!
12:11PM
Just back from yard sales. It sucked today.
We went to McDonalds for breakfast and use two buy 1 get 1 free sandwich coupons. Then got the $1.00 large soft drinks. The drinks still have the free coupons on the for smoothies or frapes!
From yard sales I got:
X Large travel cup with lid .50 cents
women's wallet/change purse .5 cents
Toby Keith CD $1.00
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2:00PM
Just finished making and putting my first round of "cookies" in the oven. Now I'm sitting back and waiting.
Did get word that Tony's bonus should be on his next paycheck. That's good to know so I can breathe a little easier!
Crap, I gotta go out and take pics of the Trans Am. Tony's brother was wanting to see it and says he was interested in it. Not holding my breath on this because he's probably more talk than action.
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Yesterday I pushed our bed over to the wall more and took out my bedside table. Now I have about 6 inches between the wall and bed. Last night I was missing a table to put a remote or my drink on so came up with this idea. I had an extra little wooden shelf that I put about mattress level. Works perfect for that small space! The shelf even has a groove in it where people would prop picture frames up on it. If I had reading material I could set it upright and that groove could keep my book/magazine from sliding off.
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2:30PM
My "cookies"
And since I have already entered the recipe I can now share it with everyone.
Caramel Apple Empanadas makes 21 empanadas
1 package Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix 5 ounces cream cheese 21 ounce can of apple pie filling 1/4 cup caramel syrup 1 large egg 2 Tablespoons sugar 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In large bowl add sugar cookie mix. Cut in cream cheese until thoroughly combined. If preferred you could use a food processor instead to combine cookie mix and cream cheese.
Take 1 1/2 Tablespoon dough and roll into a ball. Place on lightly floured surface and using palm of hand flatten into a 4 1/2 inch circle. Carefully, using a spatula, move to a cookie sheet. Do remaining dough the same way.
Spoon 1 teaspoon apple pie filling into the center of the dough circles.
Spoon 1/2 teaspoon of caramel sauce on top of each one. Using a pastry brush or fingertips, dip in water, and run along edges of dough circles. Carefully fold dough over into half circles and gently press edges together.
In a small bowl whisk together egg and 1 teaspoon of water. Brush each top of the empanadas with the egg wash.
In another small bowl combine sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over top the egg wash on each empanada.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 to 17 minutes or until golden brown.
Provide tips or variation ideas for making this recipe:
You could replace the apple pie filling with other fruit pie fillings. Instead of the egg wash and cinnamon sugar, you could glaze them with a combination of 1 cup confectioner's sugar and 1-2 Tablespoon milk once they are baked. Either way, they are delicious. Can serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Share your inspiration for this recipe:
My family loves apples. I wanted to create a smaller apple pie type cookie that wasn't so messy for my kids to eat. They are easier to pack in lunches, and eat when on the go, when compared to a traditional apple pie. My kids are hard to please and when they gave my recipe thumbs up I knew I should enter it in the Betty Crocker Cookie Contest!
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6:55PM
Kendra just sent some pics of Dewaine. This is him leaving the hospital today.
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9:30PM
Just finished up the yard. Got the back yard mowed and Tony weed whipped everything. Then we proceeded to the front yard and I trimmed 11 bushes. Can't wait to see what the bushes look like out on the corner since I was trimming them in the dark, LOL!
Well gonna go and try to get the feeling back in my arms and hands. That bush trimmer has numbed everything!
Well it isn't looking like today will go as planned. We were planning on having Tony and his friend work on getting cement around the posts this evening. Now they are requiring all employees to have mandatory overtime today. So who knows.
I am currently working on our bedroom wiping it out. I am hanging those one shelves I originally had in the kitchen, in the bedroom. That way Tony has a place to put all his car nick knacks. Not fun at all getting them even and spaced just right. Took out a night stand in there and pushed the bed over more to give us a little more room to maneuver around the closet area. I don't think they designed these bedroom with a queen or king size bed in mind. I think a king bed would take up that whole bedroom! A lil squishy but tolerable with a queen bed.
12:30PM
Tony and Randy came over to check out the fence. All I can say is that Dewaine and myslelf were on the same page. He understood what I was wanting to do. I'm about ready to google some do-it- yourself videos and me and Tony can just wing it with what Dewaine has told me so far about fencing. Dewaine probably thought I was a bother watching him do what he's done so far but I was learning as he did it. So maybe between me and Tony we can do the fence/gate and posts across the drive way.
1:10PM
Just got done mowing the front and side yards. Whew it's warming up, but I think it's just me sweating. I would have mowed it earlier like I wanted but Tony had the key on his key chain. Good thing he stopped by today on his lunch hour so I could unlock the shed to get the mower.
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5:20PM
Working on pulling supper outta the crock. Put a deer tenderloin, a can of tomato sauce, 2 packets of brown gravy and some onion seasoning in there and have had it cooking on high for about 5 hours.
Neighbor kids have been in and out and in the yard most of the day. Had a teenager kid ask me if we owned guns because there is a Rifle Association sticker on our screen door outback. My answer was, that's for burglers to find out. I left the question up in the air. We have nothing more than BB guns, baseball bats and a ferocious dog (LOL) but with a sticker like that on the door it will make you wonder. Hey it was a cheap form of security. I think I got an advertisement in the mail wanting us to sign up for the Rifle Association. Don't know why or how we got it but inside was a sticker.
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I forgot to mention this from yesterday, We stopped in McDonald's to get a large pop for a buck. On each cup was a coupon for a free smoothie or frape!!
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Called Kendra at 7PM Dewaine just got back to his room from recovery. The novicaine in his face was starting to wear off and he was feeling a little pain. But it all sounds like it went well. Now will start the healing process. Not sure when he will be able to come home from OSU. So far he's been in there 3 days.
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GARAGE SALES TOMORROW
Great sale - tons of girls clothing, toys, ceiling fan, paint, household goods and more! Don't miss this one - Friday 8:30-5 and Saturday 8:30-? 241 E.North Broadway, 43214 -----------------
Part of the neighborhood sale at Shadow Wood Farm Colony and Hempstead, next to Inniswoods Park Fri and Sat 30 & 31st
Tons of books, games, shoes, baseball and football cleats!! Wrestling shoes - headgear Clothes DVD's Coca-Cola misc Antique baby rocker Lots of cute country decor Curio cabinet Much, much more!!!! ------------------
HUGE Multi-Family Garage Sale! This FRIDAY, JULY 30th, 9am-4pm. 175 E. College Ave in Uptown Westerville (just east of State Street.) You can park on the opposite side of the street from the house. -------------------
5150 Smothers Road Westerville, OH 43082
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Neighborhood Garage Sale Shadow Wood Farm Colony Drive off Hempstead Road, just south of Inniswood Metro Gardens Westerville 43081
Friday and Saturday July 30 and 31 (Some houses will only be participating one of the two days.) 9am-3pm
saturday North Linden Neighborhood Rummage (behind Northern Lights Shopping Center) Sat. July 31st (raindate Aug. 7th). 8a.m. to 5p.m. Too many items to list. Too many families to mention. Stop by 3493 Kenlawn St. to pick up a map of the streets included in the sale.
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25 83F ERRIS PARK DRIVE SOUTH, OFF FERRIS BETWEEN CLEVEND AND WESTERVILLE ROADS. JULY 30 AND JULY 31 9 TO 5
It's taken me a few, with everything going on and all, to think of the perfect recipe for the cookie contest. Nothing like cramming for a cookie contest at the last minute. I got the idea from another past contest recipe that took third place. So why not run with the idea and see if it could do it again in another form.
10:25AM
Just back from Kroger. All I can say is I'm thankful for 25mph speed limits. Because Hop Along Cassidy, I mean the Explorer, was lucky to do that speed limit! It's going downhill and I'm not sure I want to put the money in it to fix it. I sometimes smell antifreeze which could mean the heater core is getting ready to go out and it needs a speed sensor. When your speedometer needle bounces all over it has a hard time figuring out your speed and when it should shift gears. I'm guessing we were in about 1st or 2nd gear on our trip to the store. If I went any faster it acted as if it threw itself in neutral.
So you can see how bad I've got it for getting these recipes made for the contest that we hobbled along to the grocery store and back. I could really, really use $5,000 right about now along with selling off a few other cars to get me a good running Explorer.
While at Kroger I found 4 loaves of whole wheat grains wheat bread for .50 cents a loaf! And I had a hankerin' for some tortilla chips and salsa, so got some of those also. Thanks Kendra, LOL!, got me all worked up for some homemade salsa and chips that unfortunately never made it over here with Dewaine yesterday. _______________________________
10:30AM
Why does it take so long for this Ibuprofen to kick in??? For the past two days I haven't been getting around too well due to the muscles in the back of my legs aching. And when you walk with a limp it throws everything else outta wack so now my back and hips hurt. Can't win!
I'm gonna go work on my next recipe for the contest. Got my fingers crossed on this one!! It has exactly 7 ingredients and should be really easy to make!
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My horoscope from yesterday:
Confidence and inner harmony prevail. You can move forward with creative projects and express yourself more easily and comfortably now. Your efforts are well received at this time.
Hmmmm this sounds like when I wasn't going to accept being the Downy contest winner due to not wanting to fly. But I was able to work it out that we can drive there instead and still attend. I was able to get all my paperwork done yesterday and sent out. It should be on their desk in their office right about now!
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We do have a backup person that is coming over starting tomorrow to help with getting the rest of our fence up.
I went outside today to soak up some sun and check out what we have going with the fence. Our neighbor who lives directly behind us, and has probably lived there for many years, thinks he can do whatever he wants back there. For starters we have a grass alley way behind the houses. That is city property. It does not belong to any houses around here. It is for any access to telephone poles that may be back there. Right after we moved in the backyard neighbor made himself known. Not in a friendly way either. I decided to mow half of the alley way behind our house. He came out and told me he mows that, not us. The people before us didn't mow it. Well, I am not the people before, I am the people now, so he needs to get over that! He got tired of people driving through the alley way and put up a hitching post, oops I mean fence to block them from doing so. He did a half assed job on his fence for starters. Then he put his fence half way into the alley. Then where our yard was, decided he would put down these huge rocks to help block it even more. He said he was making a flower bed. Flower bed my ass, it looks horrible and ain't no flower ever lived in there. What pisses me off is that three quarters of these rocks he put down is in OUR YARD, and the other quarter is in the alley way, blocking off alley way access. Then a couple weeks ago I noticed dead grass around the rocks. He came into our yard once again and must have sprayed weed killer and killed the grass around the rocks. The funny part is that he put up this half asses fence and boulders in the yard and people are still driving through the alley way. Instead of coming straight up to the road at the end of the alley, they are now driving up between his house and his neighbor's house! LMFAO!! But I am still pissed he has this crap in our yard and thinks he can do what he wants outside his property line!! I'm really considering rolling these huge rocks into his yard. Then maybe putting up a half fence to let him know where he needs to stay out of!!
Here you can plainly see where he dumped all this crap in OUR yard!! He did it to keep people from driving in the alley. The only problem is that he HAS NO BUSINESS IN OUR YARD!! He knew at one time we were gonna put a fence up. His comment was that we should attach our fence to his! I DON'T THINK SO!! So now I fear he will one day go out and put up a fence and attach it to ours!! If that happens then I will call the township he lives in or the city. Half the alley to the left is township and half the alley to the right is city. But I am not gonna be fined for blockage of an alley way. Our fence runs to our property line unlike his which goes into the alley. Here is the mess load of large rocks he dumped on OUR property without OUR permission. This looks hideous and does not look like a flower bed to me as he claims. You can see the top of the sewer grate. That runs down the exact middle of the alley. Here is a direct view of the alley way behind the houses. You see how a section of his fence goes into the alley. He did not have permission to do this. This IS NOT his property!! Our grass he killed with weed killer.
Here's a picture that I drew on to show where I would like to put up a little fence to keep the neighbor out. Doesn't have to be a privacy fence but at least some kind of dividing line to keep him out.
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4:10PM
For those who are wondering about Dewaine who was in the car accident yesterday, Kendra says she will send me pictures of the truck and of Dewaine. I just spoke to her and he will be having surgery tomorrow I am assuming on his face for his nose and cheek damage.
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9:00PM
Just returned home from Tony's dad's birthday party. It was pretty humid outside! Everyone had a nice time. They had a cookout, lots of food and cake and ice cream. Everyone's tummy got full and then some.
Kendra sent me an email and some photos of Dewaine and his truck from yesterday.
Here's her email:
To all my family and friends. Thanks for all the well wishes and prayers. As many of you know my daughter is recovering from surgery on her jaw and then yesterday my husband was in a 4 car accident. He is having surgery Thursday. He has 5 broken ribs, 3 broken bones in nose, his cartilage in his nose is mush, his left eye socket needs rebuilt along the bottom edge of his eye and above his skull is fractured on the left side and had stitches in his nose. He is dam lucky to be alive
It's one of those mornings I could have stayed in bed a few hours more. Back of my legs are still hurting. Hoping some Ibuprofen will help.
This afternoon we are going to Lowes to get some cement for the fence posts. Then I need to stop in Walmart to pick up a photo. I guess I got there too late last night to be able to get it then.
Gonna start breakfast of strawberry banana yogurt with some warm chocolate muffins from the oven. Then I'm gonna get started on one of the recipes for the cookie contest.
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10AM
Got my cookies in the oven. Now the wait begins to see if they turn out.
It's not easy coming up with your own recipe. You have to write down exact measurements of everything and the details on how to make it.
You can get ideas from other recipes but are not allowed to use someone elses recipe.
I, myself, try to make something completely different than past winners. I take note of what has been made. I'm sure everyone is tired of regular cookies and the ordinary bar cookies.
10:15AM
I keep sneaking peeks in the oven. So far it is looking good, and smelling good :0) Being a new recipe I have to keep watch to see how long it cooks for because I have no idea and have to keep checking.
It gets tricky, you can only use 7 ingredients and one of those 7 has to be the packet of cookie mix. I have managed to keep it at 6 and that didn't include a little water, don't know if they count water as an ingredient.
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10:40AM
And here is the end result. Some dusted with powdered sugar and some without.
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11AM
Just because I have nothing else better to do at this time.
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10PM
I have not had any internet or phone since 11AM today.
My friend was supposed to of been here around 1:00 to 1:30PM today to start cementing our fence posts. When he hadn't made it by 2:00PM I knew something was up. He is a very prompt person and sometimes even shows up early to work. And I know if he is running behind he would call me. At 2PM I called his phone and he didn't answer. I called his wife telling her it wasn't like him to not be here. She hung up and was going to try to get hold of him. It wasn't 5 minutes later that someone had called me back saying he had been in a serious accident about a mile from my house (was on the way to my house) and was rushed to OSU. It's not been a very fun day playing phone tag with everyone to keep updated of what his condition was. He was wearing his seat belt but his S-10 pickup was so totaled that they had to pull him out through the back window. If I get this wrong Kendra, please forgive me, as it's hard to keep up with everything at the moment. But here are his problems, broken cheek bone, badly broken nose with a nose bleed they cannot get stopped, they actually found his eye glasses embedded in the front windshield that he was wearing, he has 8-9, maybe more broken ribs, a concussion and something about air pockets in his forehead, I didn't understand that part completely. You know how it is when people are very stressed and talk fast. Now think about how I feel considering he was on his way to my house to do fence work for us when this happened! So yeah I feel guilty at the moment. Because if he wasn't doing this for us he wouldn't be in the condition he is in. He is a very nice guy and works his ass off to help others. He didn't deserve this today at all!!!!!! Now I hear he has to have surgeries to repair his face and bones. Kendra is supposed to sometime get pictures of the truck and of him to show me as I cannot get down to the hospital to see him. And I am sure I would only be in the way. Maybe when he starts to recover somewhat and gets the attention he needs now. This person, Dewaine, was the one I showed the other day that was on Wall-To-Wall sports on Sunday.
They say bad luck comes in three's and I believe it. First an uncle of mine recently was admitted to the hospital for blood clots and breathing difficulties, next Tony's uncle has been in the hospital for the last couple of weeks in a coma, and now my friend was admitted to the hospital from an accident.
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On the good side of today, I guess you could call it that after what everyone's been through, but not as important, I did get my paperwork sent Fed Ex today to Proctor and Gamble for the contest. So I guess we will be going to that when they set a date. I had never dealt with Fed Ex before. I called and they came out to my home to pick up the envelope I had to send. It should get to them by tomorrow morning to one of their offices in Nebraska.
This evening we stopped in Big Lots. Had to find Tony's dad a birthday present for tomorrow. Found him some solar yard lights. They were $15 but had a mark down price of $11 on them. Not sure why because I checked the contents of the box and it all seemed to be there. Then they had their 30% off lawn and garden items, so that made it about $7. So I ended up getting them for half price of what they originally were. Also got him a set of moving men type sliders you put under furniture to be able to move it around easier, for $4. Those things are great! I have 2 sets!! While there I got the kids two 10 packs of glue sticks for a $1.00 each and a double package of 2 scissors for $1.25. I splurged and got something. Feel guilty sometimes getting myself something but it was something the whole family and neighbors could enjoy. I got 2 packages of window flower box brackets, each $2.50. I think it would make the house look nice with a couple window flower boxes. I have some flower boxes I am not currently using that I could use for this project. I could paint them white to match the trim on the house.
If you ever need to exercise your leg muscles all you need to do is weed a garden. The backs of my legs hurt so bad this morning. And I'm sure giving the dog a bath yesterday didn't help with squatting over the bathtub sides.
Now if I could figure out how to get rid of what the kids call either bat flaps or chicken wings, the skin that hangs on the underside of your arms, then I be set.
Christmas in July. I'm gonna scream if I see one more Christmas thing on TV. HSN was selling Christmas trees, they had Christmas cartoons on yesterday and now they have something Christmas on the news. Give it a break already. When I think about Christmas all I see are dollar signs!
Well I need to make some breakfast for a hollering kid. Then work on getting the salmon in the crock. Will be glad to get that thing outta the fridge because fish can get stinky. Will probably stink up the house while it's cooking. Think I'll cut up some candles and throw them in my potpourri crock to help mask the scent.
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9:55AM
Just got done with my salmon fillets. I marinated them overnight in some Italian dressing, a little lemon juice and soy sauce. Today I breaded them with Italian bread crumbs. I placed them on buttered aluminum foil then topped with orange zest and dill. I crumpled up some aluminum foil and placed it in the bottom of the crock then added a little water in the bottom. I then placed the salmon foil packets on top. The crock is on medium heat.
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Here's an idea I had. Some stores are starting to have Summer clearances so that means those lawn and garden items will start getting marked down. I was thinking about trying to find some cheap solar lights. (should have gotten some when I saw them at Dollar Tree but figured they didn't work too good for a buck). I can have Tony drill holes into the center tops of the fence posts and insert the stake of a simple yard solar light into them to illuminate the tops of the fencing in the yard. To get an actual cap solar light for a fence post would run about $15 to $20 each! I know at the moment Big Lots has solar lights for 30% off.
Oh and if the power ever goes out you could grab a couple solar lights to use indoors instead of candles!
Just a thought I had.
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10:35AM
What to do, what to do!
Just got a phone call from Proctor & Gamble.
I was actually supposed to of had my paperwork sent to them last week if I was to go through with the contest. I didn't turn it it pretty much for fear of having to fly on a plane. People with anxiety or panic attacks would have a hard time with this. I explained to the lady on the phone that I won't fly on a plane. And she said that they would probably cover the expense of driving if we chose that route. I have another 2 days extension on my paperwork if I chose to go.
So driving expense would possibly be paid for. I think any expense we would have to come up with would be for meals.
So now I'm sitting here wondering what to do. I'd have to get a babysitter for the kids for two days. And I don't have a date for when the trip would be. Still need to send them a photo. Think I'll use the one from Facebook. They say they need one to use for publicity all around the WORLD! Oh yeah that makes me wanna puke! Well at least it would just be a picture and not my actual self!
Too many thoughts going through my head!!
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11:30AM
Today's garden goodies.
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11:45AM
Well I woke up not feeling too bad and in a half way decent mood. Tony's getting rid of the pager today so that's a good thing. Now I don't feel like doing much of anything! Maybe I'll try to go clean the bathroom or something not too hard. Guess it's the place to be when you feel like crap or made to feel like crap. In some people's eyes you cannot seem to say or do anything right! No it's not anyone in this household. And here I was all excited about the contest and possibly going to do that. Didn't take long for someone to ruin that moment.
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2:30PM
Just discovered that Betty Crocker's cookie contest is going on NOW through July 31st!!! AHHHH when did this happen???
It's only from July 5th to July 31st. Wowzer the entry time has gotten a whole lot shorter than what it used to be.
You would think if you were a member of their website they would send you something in your email about it!!
I have ONLY 6 days to enter anything!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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4:30PM
Took Salmon out of crock. I made salmon fillets once awhile ago and they were horrible. Not sure how I fixed them or if I even marinated them. I'm slowly learning how to make fresh fish. Tired of the boxed kind. I sampled a little today from the ones made in the crock pot and I give it thumbs up!! Very good!
Here it is all put together. I served it with sweet Italian buns, cut in half and grilled with butter and garlic. Melted some velveeta and sour cream french onion dip in microwave and spread it on top of bread. Topped with a Tuscan blend seasoning.
For the pasta I used a box of parmesan hamburger helper (just the pasta and mix no hamburger), boiled the pasta, drained. Then added butter, a little milk, parmesan mix from Helper box and a couple squirts of Italian dressing.
This was not at all from a recipe. Just something I threw together as usual with ingredients I have in the cupboard or fridge.
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Tony has to work late tonight due to a property inspection tomorrow. I still need to run to Kroger to get a few things to start cookie baking. So much for not using the oven. At least the humidity level is not like it was.
I have one, possibly two, recipes I want to create. Who knows what to expect with last minute entries. The one that became a finalist before was one of the last ones I entered a couple years ago.
Yesterday at 8am it was already 84 degrees. This morning it is 77 and feels like 77. What a difference when compared to yesterday. When the sun was setting it seemed like kids came outside to play. It was still very hot out. I had junior high age kids playing basketball here and they were sweating up a storm. I took out a gallon of water from the cooler and some cups for them. My $12 thrift store water cooler has been the greatest thing this Summer! We don't buy water for it. Instead we just refill it with tap water. Our truck driver neighbor had a little birthday party for his one girl last night at most neighborhood kids, including ours, went and had cake and ice cream. The only problem I had with it was that he waited all day and ended up having kids over at 9PM!! I think that's a tad late to be having a kids party don't ya think?!
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Sorry Kendra & Dewaine, I ended up falling asleep last night before Wall to Wall Sports came on. BUT I did dvr it so I wouldn't miss it.
Oh yeah gotta have some pics of y'all lookin' like a deer caught in headlights! LOL! Hey that's better than everyone telling me I looked like Blair Witch when I was on 10TV, LMAO!! But hey it was like 20 below outside and I was having a cap on my head! They zoomed in so close you could see the pores on my face, ahhhh!
OK I better be nice, I still have the rest of my fence to be done, LOL! Y'all got more guts than I do to go on tv!
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$3:40PM
Just home from Kroger. Tony had to pick up a prescription. They had lots of sample ladies there today :0) While there I got the following:
2 packages 2 pound chicken breasts $1.44 each
Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade Cups .19 cents
Sweet Italian bread .49 cents
Sweet Italian sub buns $1.49
4 Mentos gums $2.00 for 4
2 gallons milk .99 cents each
Saw regular bread for .39 cents but didn't get any.
Then we stopped by Speedway on the way home and got 2 free 40 ounce slushies.
On the way home the truck started acting up. Tony thinks it's a fowled out spark plug. So there's more money to spend to buy spark plugs and hopefully that fixes the problem. Bought a bottle of Gumout to put in the tank. I'm sick of spending money on stuff. If they made things they way they used to we would have to kerplunk money into things to get them repaired or replaced!! Now a days things are made cheaper with a higher price tag on them!! Years ago things were made to last. Not now. They figured out how they can make money off ya.
Don't know what was going on around 315 & Henderson Rd today. Saw the helicopter flying REALLY low around where the bike path is and just North of it along Olentangy River. I thought it was landing. Normally you don't see the helicopter in that area.
I think for awhile I'm gonna cut back on grocery shopping as long as money keeps flying out of this house for one thing or another. So unless it's dirt cheap or something we really need, that's when I'll get it.
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Today I spent cleaning the dining room and vacuuming the floor. Then went out and weeded out the garden. I was a little behind with that. But it looks good now and you can see the veggies now, lol.
Tony putting in $40+ worth of spark plugs in the truck. Did not fix the problem of running rough.
I will keep this at the bottom of the page so when you check back be sure to scroll up.
More jar and convenient mixes recipes:
CRISP IN A JAR
Note: I would let the jars thaw some and come somewhat to room temperature before putting in a hot oven!
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Homemade Baking Mix (AKA Bisquick)
Ingredients
5 ½ cups sifted flour 1 tsp baking soda 3 tbsp baking powder 1 cup shortening
Mix all ingredients well until crumbly. Store in an air tight container.
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Homemade Italian Dressing Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
1 ½ tsp garlic powder 1 tbsp onion powder 2 tbsp ground oregano 1 tbsp dried parsley 1 tbsp granulated sugar 2 tbsp salt (adjust to your own personal preference) 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp ground basil ¼ tsp ground thyme ½ tsp dried celery flakes
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. To prepare the dressing: Mix two tablespoons of the mix with ¼ cup vinegar, 2 tablespoons of water, and ½ to 2/3 cup olive oil or canola oil.
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Homemade Chocolate Syrup
Ingredients
½ cup cocoa 1 cup water 2 cups sugar 1/8 tsp salt ¼ tsp vanilla
Mix the cocoa & the water in a saucepan. Heat and stir to dissolve the cocoa. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve. Boil three minutes. Add the salt & the vanilla. Pour into a sterilized pint jar, and store covered in the refrigerator.
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Homemade Pancake Syrup
Ingredients
3 cups granulated sugar 1 ½ cups water 3 tbsp molasses 1 tsp vanilla 2 tsp butter flavoring 1 tsp maple extract
Bring all of the ingredients to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Turn off burner, but leave pot on burner until the bubbling stops.
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Homemade Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
Ingredients
1 ½ cups chicken broth ½ tsp poultry seasoning ¼ tsp onion powder ¼ tsp garlic powder 1/8 tsp salt ¼ tsp parsley Dash of paprika 1 ½ cups milk ¾ cup flour
In a medium-sized saucepan, boil chicken broth, ½ cup of the milk, and the seasonings for a minute or two. In a bowl, whisk together the remaining one cup of milk and flour. Add to boiling mixture and continue whisking briskly until the mixture boils and thickens.
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Homemade Rice Seasoning Mix
Ingredients
¾ cup chicken bouillon granules ½ cup dried parsley 1 tbsp. basil 1 tbsp dill weed 2 tbsp, dried onion flakes 1 tsp seasoning salt 2 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning 1 cup almonds, coarsely chopped (optional)
Mix together and store in an airtight container. When preparing rice, combine 1 cup rice, 2 cups water, and three tablespoons of the seasoning. Bring your water to a boil and add rice & seasoning. Reduce to simmer and cook for eighteen minutes.
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Homemade Pumpkin Pie Seasoning Mix (submitted by Marva)
Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until evenly distributed. Put about 1 1/3 cups into three 1-pint containers and label as "Chicken Flavored Rice Mix". Store in a cool, dry place and use within 6 to 8 months. Makes about 4 cups of mix.
To use: Mix 1 1/3 cups Chicken Flavored Rice Mix with 2 cups cold water and 1 Tbsp. butter or margarine in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover pan and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15 to 25 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender. 4 to 6 servings
Preparation: Combine all ingredients and mix well. Store in airtight container in a cool, dry place. Makes the equivalent of 8 packages purchased Sloppy Joe seasoning mix. 3 Tbsp. Sloppy Joe Mix equals one package purchased mix.
Sloppy Joes
Brown 1 lb. lean ground beef in a large skillet; drain fat. Add 3 Tbsp. Sloppy Joe Mix, 1/2 cup water, and 1 cup ketchup or crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover pan, and simmer 5-10 minutes until thickened.
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Convenience Taco Seasoning Mix
1/3 cup instant minced onion 1 tablespoon crushed dried red pepper 3 tablespoons salt 1 tablespoon instant minced garlic 1 tablespoon curry powder 3 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon cornstarch 2 teaspoons oregano
Combine all ingredients. Store in a jar and cover tightly. To use, measure 2 tablespoons to equal a package. Makes 8 packages or 1 cup mix.
Tacos Brown 1 pound lean hamburger in skillet. Drain excess fat. Add 1 package taco mix and 3/4 cup water; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes or until liquid is reduced. Stir. Place about 2 tablespoons meat mixture into each taco shell. Top the meat with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped tomatoes and finely shredded lettuce. Makes 8 to 10 tacos
Combine and place in an airtight container; store in a cool place. Use in place of salt to season food.
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Basic Pancake Batter 2 cups flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons sugar 1 egg 1/2 cup dry milk plus 1-1/4 cups water or 1-1/2 cups fluid milk 3 tablespoons margarine
Thoroughly mix flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, dry milk (if used) and margarine. Store the mix in a jar or other airtight container. Label with directions. Make only as many batches as you will use within 3 months.
When ready to make a batch of pancakes, empty one batch of mix into bowl. Add an egg and water or milk and combine well. Follow recipe directions for cooking.
It may be simpler to make and store several single batches individually. But it is also possible to multiply the dry ingredients to make a quantity of mix to be stored in a large container. The only difference in using this approach is that you must figure how much mix to measure out when you want a single batch of pancakes. To do this, add together all the cups, all the tablespoons and all the teaspoons to dry ingredients and fat in the original recipe for a single batch and then convert the answer you get into cups of dry mix.
2 cups four + 1/2 cup dry milk = 2-1/2 cups (or 2 cups and 8 tablespoons)
Total = 2 cups + 14 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon (or 3 cups minus 2 tablespoons)
As in this recipe, you are likely to come out with a sum that does not make an even 1/4, 1/3 or 1/2 cup. Estimate your figures to the nearest tablespoon. In this case, to make a single batch of pancakes, you would measure out 3 cups of the mix less 2 tablespoons.
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Cappuccino Mix
* 1 1/3 cups instant coffee, with or without caffeine * 1 1/2 cups plain powdered coffee creamer * 2 cups hot chocolate mix, reg. or sugar-free * 1 cup sugar or sugar substitute * 1 tsp. ground cinnamon * 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
Directions:
Mix well and store in air-tight container.
To use, mix 3 teaspoons per cup of boiling water
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Homemade Baking Powder
* 1/4 tsp. baking soda * 1/4 tsp. cornstarch * 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
Directions:
Mix well. This makes one teaspoon of baking powder. Recipe can be doubled or tripled
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Homemade Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Drink Mix
* 2 cups instant non-fat dry milk * 1/2 cup cocoa, unsweetened * artificial sweetner to equal 1 cup (sweet n low-24 packets) * 1/4 tsp. salt * 3 /4 cup dry non-dairy creamer
Directions Mix all ingredients and store in airtight container. To make cup of hot chocolate, mix 1 /4 cup dry mix with one cup boiling water. You can add some spices like cinnamon or vanilla flavor, etc., if desired.
Note: Adding the non dairy creamer was my idea. The original is copied from a package of instant dry milk powder. Only difference is I add non dairy creamer. They do not. Name of company manufacturer is not available. I got the instant milk from a food pantry. Many times names are not available. Being diabetic, I could not afford to buy the mix in the store.
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White Sauce, Gravy or Soup Mix
* 4 cups instant dry milk * 1 cup flour * 1 cup margarine, softened
Directions Mix dry milk and flour until thoroughly blended. With pastry blender, cut in margarine until like fine meal. Store in lightly closed container in refrigerator. To make white sauce or gravy: Combine 2/3 cup mix with each cup of water or broth. Heat while stirring until mixture boils. Season as desired. Serve over meat or vegetables. Grated cheese may be added after mixture thickens. Note: Creamed dried beef can be made in a few minutes with this recipe.
Directions Combine all ingredients mixing well. Place in a ziplock bag. Use within 6 months. Makes 2 Tbsp. Vegetable Dip Ingredients
* 1 Tbsp. lemon juice * 1 cup mayonnaise * 1 cup sour cream * 1 package vegetable dip mix (recipe above)
Directions Combine all ingredients. Chill at least 1 hour before serving. Makes 2 cups.
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Homemade Chocolate Pudding Mix Ingredients:
* 3/4 cup powdered milk * 7/8 cup cornstarch, 1 cup minus 2 Tbsp. * 1 1/2 cup sugar * 3/4 cup cocoa powder * 1/4 tsp. salt, rounded
Directions:
Combine all the dry ingredients and store in an airtight container. The mix fits in a quart jar. To prepare:
Add 2/3 cup mix to a saucepan. Add 2 cups milk and stir until blended. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer while stirring constantly until thickened. Cool and serve.
Combine all the dry ingredients and store in an airtight container. The mix fits in a quart jar. To prepare:
Add 1/2 cup mix to a saucepan. Add 2 cups milk and stir until blended. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer while stirring constantly until thickened. Remove from heat and add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Cool and serve.
Variations: Leave out the nutmeg and substitute your choice of extract: Almond, Banana, Lemon, Maple or Pineapple or other flavor that you like.
Serving Size : 32
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Instant Oatmeal Packets
Check the cereal aisle for more flavor ideas. The possibilities are endless! Ingredients
Put 1/2 cup oats in a blender and whirl at high speed until powdery; reserve in a small bowl and repeat procedure with an additional 1/2 cup oats. If you're using a food processor, powder the 1 cup of oats in one motion. Into each sandwich bag put 1/4 cup un-powdered oats, 2 tablespoons powdered oats, and a scant 1/4 teaspoon salt. Store in a box or airtight container.
To serve: Empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup boiling water; stir and let stand for 2 minutes. For thicker oatmeal, use less water; for thinner, use more water. (I microwave for 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 minutes or until done on high)
Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. sugar, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, and 2 Tbsp. chopped dried apples.
Cinnamon-Spice Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. sugar, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon, and a scant 1/8 tsp. nutmeg.
Fruit and Cream: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. dry milk and 2 Tbsp. dried fruit or fresh fruit after cooking or jam.
Oatmeal with Raisins and Brown Sugar: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. packed brown sugar and 1 Tbsp. raisins.
Sweetened Oatmeal: To each packet add 1 Tbsp. sugar
Wheat Germ Oatmeal: To each packet add 2 Tbsp. any kind of wheat germ
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Make Your Own Cake Mix
* 8 cups all-purpose flour * 6 cups granulated sugar * 1/4 cup baking powder * 1 1/2 tsp. salt * 1 lb. can vegetable shortening (2 1/4 cups)
Directions
In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in shortening with 2 knives or pastry blender until the consistency of corn meal. Mix well and put in an airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place or in the refrigerator, if you have the space. Use within 10 to 12 weeks. Makes about 16 cups Plain Cake:
Stir ingredients for plain cake until well blended. Pour into 8-inch square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 25 to 30 minutes. For a 9 x 13-inch pan or layer cakes, double the ingredients.
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Making Mock Condensed Milk (like Eagle Brand)
With the holidays coming sooner than we think, it is time to make those delicious recipes that call for Eagle Brand condensed milk. But it is really expensive to buy. So make your own with this simple recipe. I guarantee it works as well as the real thing!
Mock Condensed Milk
Mix together in your blender: 2 1/4 cups Milk Powder, 1/4 cup warm water, and 3/4 cup granulated sugar. Pour into covered container and refrigerate until cold and thick. This amount is equal to 1 can Eagle Brand.
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Creamsicle Drink Mix
1 part orange-flavored instant drink mix (Tang) 1 part powdered milk 2 parts instant vanilla pudding
To use, stir 2 tablespoons of Creamsicle Drink Mix into 1 cup of cold water.
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Gatorade Sport Drink Mixes
10 tbs. sugar (5/8 cups or 120 grams) 3/4 tsp Morton Lite salt (4.2 grams) 1 package of unsweetened Coolade mix for flavor (ie ... Koolaid or similar store brand) Water to make 2 liters
The recipe will give a total of 124 grams of solute which in 2 liters water gives a total of 6.2% concentration. For an 8 oz serving this gives: 14.2 grams carbohydrate (6%) 53 calories 103 mg Sodium 121 mg Potassium
You'll notice that the amount of potassium is quite a bit higher than Gatorade, but the rest is pretty close. If you wanted to reduce the potassium, another option would be to use 1/2 tsp. each of regular salt and the Morton Lite Salt. This would change it to: 104mg sodium 40mg potassium
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Brown Sugar
2 tablespoon molasses 1 cup granulated sugar
Add molasses to sugar and stir with a fork. Store brown sugar in an airtight container to keep it soft.
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Ketchup Yield: 2 1/2 cups
1 (12 ounce) can tomato paste 1/2 cup vinegar 1/2 cup water 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon oregano 1/8 teaspoon cumin 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon mustard
Combine ingredients and store in refrigerator.
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Heinz Ketchup
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste 1/2 cup light corn syrup 1/2 cup white vinegar 1/4 cup water 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon onion powder 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Whisk until smooth. When mixture comes to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often. Remove pan from heat and cover until cool. Chill and store in a covered container.
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Confectioners' Sugar
1 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Blend sugar on highest speed of blender for two minutes. Add cornstarch to keep from packing. Store in an airtight container.
Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight jar or container. Use in favorite pickle recipes. Yield: 1/3 Cup
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Homemade tortilla chips
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Cut each tortilla you want to bake into 8 triangles. Spread the triangles on a foil-covered baking tray, making sure none of the triangles touch or overlap with each other. Spray the triangles lightly with olive or vegetable oil, then salt to taste. Bake for 15 minutes, rotating the pan once half-way through baking, then let sit for 5 minutes so the chips can harden before serving.
Two tortillas make 16 chips, or one serving. You can bake your homemade tortilla chips fresh, or do a large batch at once, and store them in an airtight container. If you bake chips as you go, be sure to store unused tortillas in an airtight container as well. The homemade tortilla chips will keep for 4-5 days.
Doing the math
For families who are used to buying one bag of tortilla chips weekly, switching from that $4 bag to this simple $1 recipe can save them up to $156 a year on their grocery bills. Plus, your homemade tortilla chips are healthier for you, without all the added preservatives that keep chips fresh on the grocery shelf. And there's hardly any broken chips to contend with!
84 degrees out already. The heat index today is supposed to be somewhere between 100 to 110.
My internet and home phone is not working or runs REALLY slow. Don't know what the problem is. I don't know if it is the cable company or the modems.
I think I will work on getting my one wooden shelf hung in the kitchen today. With Tony having the pager on call and them running the guys at work like crazy working over some, it has been delayed. Might get some laundry done also. It should take no time today to dry clothes on the line. But first I have to wait for some ibuprofen to kick in as my back is stiff this morning again. Need to have time to work out the kinks.
I've got the air condition set on 76-77. You would think that wouldn't feel nice in here but once you step outside in what feels like 100+, then step back inside, it feels great!
I might make some zucchini bread sometime soon in the crock. I still have a lot leftover of the huge zucchini that my friend gave me. Don't want to waste it!
Well I'm off here to get the kitchen tidied up and go tear wires and modems apart to see if I can figure out why we don't have internet or phone. I have no clue when it comes to this stuff so ain't looking forward to it!!
Kitchen, slowly but surely coming together.
Remember what it looked like before? This has got to make my life easier having more shelves!
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12:00PM
According to the weather channel it is 90 degrees out and feel like 100!!! It's only noon so we'll see how hot it will get this afternoon. Whew!
Tucked inside a darkened house today to stay cool. Told the kids not to go outside today and play. Jonathan thought he would just go outside and play in the shade. Let's just say that didn't last too long!
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With my internet being down and getting behind with posts I wanted to show pics of the car coming home yesterday.
This is a project car and is in no way perfect. I think the first thing we will work on is getting a wiring harness and try to rewire the whole electrical system. Doesn't that sound like fun??? It looks like someone rewired something and many wires are running everywhere under the hood. Some connected and some not. I'd feel safer if we put in all new!
Me and Jonathan gave it a bath soon after it's arrival. Needed to get the grime off the paint. One step in helping preserve it. The other is having a roof over it. Keeps out most weather and sun which can cause dry rot.
This car will be a project the whole family can come together and do. This teaches the kids how to work together. They learn to work on cars in the process and how to take care of them. Then one day it can belong to them and is something they can look forward to if they help take care of it.
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2:00PM
Just returned from Tony's work. All I got to say is that it is FREAKIN' hot out there!! Tony asked if I wanted to stop at a few yard sales on the way back home. I said just keep going home! I don't know why it is, but it seems like there is more yard sales the hotter it is.
Weather channel says 92 degrees but the heat index is 102!!!!!
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3:00PM
Pulled some things out of the freezer to start thawing out. Here's a few things I will be making in the next couple of days:
1. Cheeseburger Potato Soup * I don't have sour cream or onions but I do have French Onion dip that I will use in place of those two things.
Here's a tip for picky eaters that I found in it's reviews:
I use my food process to chop the onions, carrots and celery small to hide them from picky eaters. I don't thicken with the butter and flour, I just use instant potato flakes which uses less fat and is easier. Flavor is the same.
It's a great recipe for freezing
2. Chicken Cordon Bleu Not sure how I am making this. I have swiss cheese, bacon and chicken leg quarters.
3. Maple Crock Pot Salmon
INGREDIENTS
* 4 Fresh Atlantic Salmon portions * 1/4 cup maple syrup * 1 clove garlic, minced * 1/4 tsp. garlic salt * 1/8 tsp. ground pepper
DIRECTIONS
1. Mix the maple syrup, garlic, garlic salt, and pepper. 2. Place salmon portions in a shallow dish, and coat with the maple syrup mixture. Cover the dish, and marinate salmon portions in the refrigerator 30 minutes, turning over at 15 minutes. 3. Drain the salmon steaks and discard used marinade. 4. Wrap in tin foil packets 5. Put into crock pot. See recipe from yesterday for Crock Pot Fish
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4:40PM
Supper in the making for tomorrow.
Crock #1 Got chicken leg quarters skinned then wrapped in bacon put in the crock pot. I used little round tins saved from pot pies in the bottom of the crock pot to put the chicken on.
Crock #2 Got a chocolate zucchini bread in another crock.
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From: Examiner.com
Almost KFC Coleslaw
This is the best coleslaw we have ever had. The flavors blend and intensify with time, so if possible, make this the day before you plan on eating it.
Ingredients:
8 cups very finely chopped green cabbage (1 head) 1/4 cup shredded carrot (1 medium carrot) 1/2 cup mayonnaise OR 1/2 cup sour cream 1/3 cup granulated white sugar 1/4 cup milk 1/4 cup buttermilk* 2-1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1-1/2 Tbsp. white vinegar 1/2 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper
Directions:
Be sure that the cabbage and carrots are chopped up into very fine pieces. Place in a large bowl. In a mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise or sour cream, sugar, milk, buttermilk, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper; beat until smooth. Pour over cabbage mixture and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving. Rachael's Recipe Notes: For a buttermilk substitution, mix 1/2 tsp. white vinegar and enough milk to make 1/4 cup. Let stand for 5 minutes before using. I use a commercial slaw mixture instead of cutting up cabbage and carrots myself. It saved me a bit of time, but feel free to start from scratch. Also, I replaced the salt with celery salt.
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Almost KFC chicken
Ingredients:
16 pieces of chicken (4 legs, 4 thighs, 4 wings, 4 breasts), skin on, bone in (I prefer 8 chicken breast halves, boneless & skinless) 2 envelopes Italian Salad Dressing Mix , divided 2 Tbsp. hot pepper sauce (like Frank's) 1-1/2 to 2 cups all-purpose flour 3-1/2 to 4 cups oil, divided
Directions:
Place chicken in shallow baking dish. Sprinkle with 2 Tbsp. of the salad dressing mix and hot pepper sauce; turn to coat. Cover. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours to marinate. Mix flour and remaining salad dressing mix in plastic bag. Shake 1 chicken piece at a time to coat. Heat 2 cups of oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add 8 pieces of chicken; brown on all sides. Reduce heat to low; cover and cook 20 to 30 minutes, turning occasionally, until cooked through. Drain on paper towels. Repeat from oil step through cooking step with remaining chicken. YIELD: 16 pieces (depending on appetites 4 to 8 servings)
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It's been several months since my family and I have been to KFC (formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken). The last time we went we spent close to $50 for 4 people for dinner. OUCH! $50 for chicken, biscuits, mashed potatoes, gravy and coleslaw? $50 is about half my grocery budget for one week. I vowed never again! Not only did it cost us an outrageous amount of money, but none of us felt very well after wards.
If only I had just taken a little extra time in my menu planning that week, we could have had our own version (aka Copycat version) of KFC for about $10, and not felt poorly (or poor!) afterward.
Round out your at home KFC experience with Almost KFC coleslaw and Almost KFC chicken.
Almost KFC Buttermilk Biscuits
Ingredients:
3 cups self-rising*** 2 Tbsp. baking powder 3/4 cup buttermilk**** 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup vegetable shortening
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375*F. In a large bowl blend together the flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in the shortening using two knives or a pastry tool. Add milk and mix well. Turn out onto a floured surface (mix a bit of baking powder with the flour). Knead a bit to pick up the flour until dough is slightly stiff. Roll or pat out into a 9x5 rectangle and use a 3-inch round cookie cutter (or water glass) to cut biscuits out. Place in an 8x8-inch round cake pan or 8x8-inch square baking dish (the biscuits will touch) that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for about 12-15 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Makes about 12
Rachael's Recipe Notes:
***If you don't have self-rising flour, use all-purpose flour with an extra 1 Tbsp. of baking powder and an extra 1 tsp. of baking soda. ****You can use 3/4 cup regular milk with 1 Tbsp. of white vinegar in place of the buttermilk.
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Just got notice that my friends will be on Wall To Wall Sports tonight so be sure to check it out!! This is their second time on there!
Join Dom Tiberi and Dan Fronczak for Wall to Wall Sports, Saturdays and Sundays at 11:35 p.m. only on 10TV.
Would you like to sign up to be on Wall to Wall Sports?
With the temps being so hot out I have spent my afternoon/evening cleaning my kitchen top to bottom. Doesn't look like my same kitchen. I'm sure you would agree Kendra/Dewaine, I know you saw what it looked like when I had it wiped out the other day weeding and wiping it out, LOL! You couldn't see the floor or countertops. But that's how I clean. It gets messy before it gets a total cleaning.
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I tried some of my crock pot chicken, YUMMY! It does taste a little like a rotisserie chicken.
To make it Cordon Bleu I melted some swiss cheese on top then poured a lil bacon ranch dressing on top. Everyone loved it! Jonathan said, Man this stuff is GOOOOD!" This recipe will be a keeper for sure! Normally Cordon Bleu is chicken breast stuffed with swiss cheese and bacon. Can't afford chicken breast around here so used chicken leg quarters instead. Tasted just as good!
And here's my Chocolate Zucchini Bread I didn't have oil so used some cinnamon applesauce in it's place. I didn't add sugar and instead used a large box of sugar-free pudding. I sprinkled some brown sugar on top along with some semi- sweet chocolate chips. I did all this to reduce sugar and fat.
Both kids ate it and liked it. I did not dare tell them it had zucchini in it or they probably wouldn't have touched it with a 10 foot pole.
I almost screwed up and asked them if they tried the zucchini bread. Christopher was like, IT HAS ZUCCHINI IN IT! I said, I meant to say chocolate pudding cake not zucchini bread. LOL
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I ran across this website for a book called DINNER IS IN THE JAR. Of course I don't have money to buy the book and I cannot locate it at the library. But it is an idea to think about doing. I'm sure I could google something and find some jar mixes. If I do I'll be sure to keep a list of recipe that I find :0)
My name is Sherry, 39yrs old, from Columbus, Ohio. I am married, a SAHM, and have 3 children ages 9, 10 and 20.
I have been frugal/thrifty all my life.
I would like to share on this blog how we get by day to day on one income with a family of 5 with a dog and a cat. You will also hear about my everyday gripes about daily life and the cost of living. Hubby says my favorite saying is, "and that is another thing that pisses me off!"
