SYD’S APPLE TORTE

1 cup sugar
1 cup flour
1 egg
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. Cinnamon

½ tsp. nutmeg

¼ cup butter

½ chopped walnuts (optional)
2-1/2 cup sliced apples

Mix all together and pour into a greased 8 x 8 pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 50-60 minutes.   (I double this recipe and bake in 9x13 pan)

FROSTING:

¼ cup butter
½ cup sugar
½ cup brown sugar
½ cup cream

Mix all frosting ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil, stirring for 5 minutes.   The frosting makes enough for a 9x13 pan in my opinion as I don’t like so much frosting. 

I have been taking it easy all day.  I must say I am a bit bored.  I plan on writing some more household articles.  I did my one about grocery shopping today.   So maybe tomorrow I will be writing about budgeting.  Something to do.........

Hubby did wonderful getting groceries.  He bought everything on my list and a few things he wanted and only spent 95.00 for two weeks of food.   I am going to use the money saved to pay extra towards our debts.   I was able to pay off one credit card with the savings.   I now only have one credit card with any balance on it.  It currently has only my laptop on it.   It has been so great that my hubby has been so committed to paying off all our debts.   After this last credit card we will only have major loans left to chip away at.  They will take years to pay off, but we are committed to continue paying extra. 

Our expenses greatly increase in the summer.  Since my stepson lives with us in the summer we incur an additional $400.00 a month in daycare expenses for him.  It is worth it to make sure he has appropriate supervision.   So obviously over the summer months we have no extra money to do much or pay extra on our debts.  It is sort of odd that we pay child support all school year and he has little to no daycare expense.  Once summer comes he needs full time daycare and it falls on us with no assistance.  

Many people are amazed when I share that my budget for groceries each pay period is $150.00 for my family of 5.   My hubby also really has no idea how I menu plan or run the household.  This came to my attention since I have been unable to a lot of things.  I need to get my household routine, tips and processes online so he will have access to them.  So I thought I would share with all of you as well. 

I have my Menu Planing/ Grocery Tips partially done.  I hope you will find it helpful. 

I Finally got my Menu and Grocery List done for my hubby.  He will be getting groceries for me tomorrow night.  

PASTA VEGETABLE SALAD

Plan ahead…..needs to chill

1-1/2 cups uncooked tricolor spiral pasta
½ cup fresh broccoli florets
½ cup cauliflowerets
½ cup chopped cucumber
½ cup chopped celery
1/3 cup sliced carrot
¼ cup chopped tomato
¼ to 1/3 cup ranch salad dressing

Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water.  Place in a large bowl; add vegetables.  Drizzle with salad dressing, toss to coat.  Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.  Yield:  4 servings.

QUICK COOKING – March/April 2004

LEMON HERB CHICKEN

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves ( 4 ounces each)
¼ cup chicken broth
¾ teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
½ to 1 teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Flatten chicken to 3/8-inch thickness; place in skillet.  Add broth; bring to a boil over medium heat.  Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes; Turn chicken; sprinkle with seasonings.  Cook 3-5 minutes longer or until juices run clear. YIELD: 4 servings

Quick Cooking – Mar/April 2004

GARLIC MASHED POTATOES

5 large potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch cubes
15 garlic cloves, peeled and halved
2 teaspoons salt, divided
½ cup butter or margarine, softened
½ cup whipping cream

Place potatoes, garlic and 1 teaspoon salt in a large saucepan; add enough water to cover.  Bring to a boil; reduce heat.  Cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes; drain.  Transfer potatoes and garlic to a mixing bowl; mash.  Add butter, cream and remaining salt; beat until smooth.  YIELD:  6 Servings

March/April 2004 – Quick Cooking

SItting down to rest a bit after finishing my shower.  Wow do I get tuckered out.  The insurance company called and totalled my truck.  They aren't really offering us enough to replace it.  We are not accepting their initial offer and will be sending in some supporting documentation of all the extra features we had on the truck, plus all the recent repairs we put into it, including the tabs.  They did say I was suppose to go buy a new carseat for Tommy and they will reimburse me for it.  So I suppose I will be shopping for a new car seat at some point, maybe I will feel up to it this weekend.  I took the boys for haircuts last night and that was a bit much.   

I have been surfing the internet looking for a new vehicle, but can't find one as nice as mine that I can afford.  DRATS!   I will keep looking.  I love being able to shop from the couch, then I call the  dealer and ask if it is still on the lot or not.  I can't be walking all over the place looking for a vehicle.

I am going to head to work here shortly and get some stuff to work on the rest of the week.  I also have a chiropractor appointment tonight, which I am not looking forward to. 

Have to tell you something so funny.  Since I am not able to stand long, lift or anything.  Hubby and my oldest have been needing to do the chores I normally do.   And trust me they aren't doing it anything like me, the house is a pit!  Last night my hubby is doing the dishes, which he hasn't done since the accident.   I told him he has to do some laundry too as I have to do two loads of laundry a day to keep up.   He comes in and tells me "we need a schedule!".  I said, I do have one, It shows you want needs to be done each night.   He meant we needed a schedule of rotating the chores.  Now that he has been me for a few days he thinks I do too much.  He wants to rotate dishes and laundry, between him, Josh and I..  LOL!!!   I had to laugh...hmm...haven't I been easily doing all these things myslef for years.  Hmmm...sorry honey it isn't so easy being me!    He is trying though.   

Josh made a great supper last night, I will have to share the recipes.  We are having the leftover tonight.

Later!  Time to drive to work.

Well I showered and dressed and made it to the rental car place.   I dropped off the library books that were overdue from Friday.   I was hoping to make it to work to pick up a few things, but doesn't look like that will be happening.  I have muscle spasms and a headache so I think I will take a flexerill and lay back down on the couch.   Enough for one day.   Later!

Feeling the same today.  Sore and stiff.  I am renting a car today and will be going to my office to pick up some work to do at home.   I was suppose to be at a conference on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, but I can't sit for that.   So I will jsut get caught up with paperwork at home.  

That is all I have to do today.   Tomorrow back to the chiropractor.   I am not looking forward to taht.  OUCH!  Since I am heading out of the house today, no meds.  I will take some alleve and deal with it.   The muscle relaxants put me to sleep.

Off to shower my SIL will be here soon to take me to get a rental car.