Eating from the pantry challenge

I saw this and took a look. Now that I think about it, I can totally do this. I have a full upright freeze and two half freezers that are full.

In order to do this, I have to be organized. Luckily I just went to Sam's yesterday, so I do have some snacks.

My budget for 5 is $80 a week. So I want to cut that down to $30 a week. That would save me $200 for the month, I can handle that. We're behind since my job isn't bringing in any money, so our extra will go towards catching up on bills. My shopping will be limited to milk, eggs, dairy, produce, and baking products for snacks.

I totally think I can do this and look forward to the challenge!

Monday on Tuesday

I was just plain lazy yesterday and didn't post this. This week is a mellow week for the family. We don't do much for NYE. We are going to my mom's for dinner and then we have some options but not sure what we'll end up doing. Right now I'm leaning towards skating and fireworks over a lake in Evergreen, coming home and going to a neighbors to play games and have breakfast at midnight. We have friends in a band that are playing that night, but don't know if a bar is where I want to be. Something low key I think is in the works.

NYD is a fun family day for us. While most people are nursing hangovers, quitting smoking, starting diets and just trying to change they're lives, we're in our pj's watching college football and movies eating junk food. I had to stock up on jalepeno poppers, pizza rolls, wontons, cheese sticks, chips and dip, etc. We have to have some black eyed peas at some point. It's a great lazy family day.

Here's our weekly menu:

Breakfast:
I broke down and bought cereal
Smoothies
Blueberry muffins
egg sandwiches

Dinner
Monday: Baked Ziti, garlic bread
Tuesday: Oven baked Frittata, salad
Wednesday: leftovers, I have to work
Thursday: Dinner at Granny's
Friday: Junk Food day
Saturday: Twice Baked Potatoes with spinach
Sunday: Leftovers, I have to work the Bronco game.

I'll post some of the recipes this week since I'm trying a new recipe book.

For more menu ideas visit Orgjunkie.

Menu Plan Monday

I don't know if I'm excited about Christmas or not. I'm still not even sure if I'm done. I haven't had a chance to pull everything out and take an inventory. The second I close the door, my kids are knocking away wondering what we're doing.

I am pretty thankful that all our entertaining is over for now. Two weeks of hosting parties took a lot out of my, and my bank account. But that's over. With that being said, I'm having a cheap-eats week.

Breakfasts:
pancakes
blueberry muffins
peanut butter toast
Overnight french toast on Christmas morning.

Lunches:
Chicken nuggets
peanut butter sandwiches
leftover pasta

Dinner:

Monday - Grilled Cheese, tomato soup, salad and orange wedges
Tuesday - Hamburgers and french fries
Wednesday - Ham sandwiches, salad and orange wedges
Thursday - Spaghetti and garlic-cheese bread. A Christmas Eve tradition.
Friday - Turkey, stuffing, veggies and my mom's famous sweet potatoes
Saturday - Left overs
Sunday - Left overs

Friday Musings

Happy Friday! Friday really has never meant anything to me since I generally work on Friday's. It's on of the busiest days of the week in my business.

Today I'm off to find a new job. It's really slowed down where I work and I need to find something that doesn't have an "off-season." So wish me luck.

I've also decided to quit daycare. It was a hard decision, but one that needed to be made. Since school is getting tougher and tougher, I'm needing to have more time to study. I've been getting way too stressed with watching the kids and trying to get anything done. I put an end to it and it's finishing up at the end of the month! Woo-hoo! Now I need to find that job that will make up for the money I'm losing out on.

That's my day in a nutshell. I need to read more for school and write a few papers.

Have a great day!!

Thirsty Thursday

So I'm currently a bartender by trade. I consider that my part time job. My full time job(s) being a mom, wife and student.

My plan is to introduce people who would not normally be able to figure out something new to serve at a party, new drink recipes. All of the recipes will be able to convert to however you have use for it, i.e. shot or drink.

Today's selection is one I learned last night, a Florida Apple.


Florida Apple (a take on a Washington Apple)

1 1/4 oz orange vodka
3/4 oz Apple Pucker, or other apple schnapps
3 oz cranberry juice

For shot:
Pour ingredients in shaker tin with ice, shake to mix. Strain to glass.

For drink:
Pour first 2 ingredients in high ball ( 4-6 oz glass) over ice. Fill to top with cranberry juice.

This could be made in big batches for parties. Just remember the ratio of 2:1 vodka:apple schnapps and 2:3 ration of booze:juice.

Calgon Thursday

It's Thursday. I hate Thursday's. I run a small daycare in my house, mostly made up of kids of friends of mine. Lately, I've felt stressed about this and need a change. I can't take care of these children, study, take care of my children and house at the same time. I'm just not sure how to tell them this. It's not easy to do.

I need more time. Any suggestions?

New at this

This is my very first blog entry. I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to with this. I know it will be a sound-off for my crazy life, a way to try to organize a little bit better, and hopefully get some input on what I'm doing right or wrong. I can take constructive criticism, as long as it's not mean hearted.

Bear with my while I get this set up to look as cool as some of the other blogs I've seen while putting my own creative spin on it.