Grocery Shopping and Sam's Club Expenses for February:

Sam's Club - 194.73

Aldi - $242.78

Festival - 61.39

$498.90/ 4 = $124/ Week 

I am a bit over budget this month, but I am ok with that.  We ate mostly out of the pantry last month  and spent around $80 per week all of last month.   We were out of so much and had more things than normally needed at Sam's.   I am sure next month will be lower again since things are all restocked again.  

I still prefer shopping for the month at a time.  It really is a time saver and money saver for me.   Check out our monthly Menu to see what we will be eating in February and get some inspiration for your own menu! 

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!!

Things I have to get done this weekend......

Menu/Grocery List /Buy Groceries for the month - DONE

Taxes – Collect Info - DONE

Finish Monkey Suit - DONE

Update records for MPTP account

Reconcile Household account - DONE

Last week, I had my hubby and children go grocery shopping for me as I had a Dr appointment I had forgotten about.   I had my list all ready so I was able to send them off to shop for me with a plan.   They did a great job!   Hubby even spent $27.63 on some nice steaks for my birthday and still was within budget!  

Grocery Total from 1/18/10

Aldi - 55.12

Festival - 16.70

Sam's Club - 79.21

Total Spent:  151.02 / 2 = 75.51 per week to feed 6-7 people each day

I have been making sure that my meal planning has focused on using meat I already had on hand.  This has been a real money saving Technic.  

 I have mixed up a casserole for supper tonight and now it is time to ge to work. 

Have a great day!

Luckily for me, a friend notified me that last night someone was on my facebook account.   They had hacked into my account and were chatting with my friends and asking them for money because I was stranded in London and had been mugged.  It makes me so mad to have someone do that to me.   So for now my facebook account is suspended until the security of my site can be restored.  

Thanks for annoying me and ruining my day.....cybercriminal!

Cool Ideas:

Great way to Meal plan for 2 months etc....

Quick Seasoned Rice
serves 4, can be doubled

2 cups chicken broth
1 cup long grain white rice
1 teaspoon Essence of Emeril, or other favorite seasoning blend
1 teaspoon dried parsley

In medium stockpot bring chicken broth to boil. Stir in rice, seasoning, and parsley. Reduce to simmer and cover. Cook, covered, for 20 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with fork and serve.

Another week is upon us.  Time to menu plan.  I have not been motivated enough to menu plan for a month at a time lately.  I am feeling a great deal of stress from work and working late many nights.  So many meals this week are casseroles that I can put together the night before and just call and have one of the children put it in the oven to cook.  This saves me a lot of stress when I get home! 

The pantry challenge went very well.  Our canned goods are getting bare, but we have plenty of meat for another couple of weeks.   I tried to menu plan around meat we had on hand. 

Monday - 18 - Mom's Birthday.....NO COOKING FOR ME!

Tuesday - 19 * - Pork Chops and Rice

Wed -20 * - Spaghetti and Meatballs

Thurs -21 * - Easy Pot Roast

Friday-22 - Tacos

Tacos For A Crowd (crockpot)
2-1/2 lbs. lean ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cans (10 oz) stewed tomatoes
2-3 cans (8 oz) tomato sauce
2 pkgs. taco mix
Salt and pepper to taste
3 dozen taco shells

Brown meat, drain and add onion. Combine stewed tomatoes, tomato
sauce, taco mix and salt and pepper in a crockpot. Add meat
mixture. Cook on high for 1-1/2 hours continue cooking for 2 hours
on medium or the low setting. Serve with shredded lettuce, diced
tomatoes, onions, olives, cheese and sour cream on browned shells

Saturday-23 -
Lunch: Pizza Rolls/ Salad
Supper: Chicken Tetrazzini

1 - (8oz) box spaghetti noodles
2 cups - cooked and chopped chicken breasts
½ cup - shredded zucchini
½ - cup shredded carrots
½ - cup chopped onion
3 - tablespoons butter
1 - tablespoon of minced garlic
1 - can cream of chicken soup
½ - cup sour cream
½ cup milk or heavy cream
½ - cup parmesan cheese
salt and pepper to taste

While the noodles are boiling, melt butter on a low heat in a frying pan. Add garlic, onion, zucchini and carrots. Saute for about 3 minutes. Add soup, sour cream, milk, cheese and chicken. Stir over low heat, until noodles are done boiling. Drain noodles and add to the mixture. Toss well and serve immediately.

Sunday-24 -
Lunch:  Grilled Cheese/ Soup
Supper: Baked Ham/ Mashed Potatoes /Glazed Carrots

Monday-25 * Easy Chicken & Rice Casserole
Chicken breasts
1 cup rice
1 can your choice cream of … soup
1 packet Italian seasoning mix
2 cups boiling water
Salt & pepper, or your favorite seasonings

Mix soup, rice and Italian Seasoning with 2 cups boiling water. 

Pour into a 9 x 13 baking pan, place Chicken on top and sprnkle with paprika. 

Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Put in oven at 350.

Tuesday-26 * Country Ham and Cheese Macaroni Casserole
http://thematzats.blogspot.com/2010/01/country-ham-and-macaroni-casserole.html

1 lb. smoked cooked ham, chopped
1 large onion, diced
1 lb. elbow macaroni
2 c. shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese (80z)
1 c. sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 c. margarine, melted
1 c dry, plain bread crumbs

Boil noodles according to package instructions along with diced onion, until noodles are done. Drain. Meanwhile, mix together rest of ingredients and add salt and pepper to taste. Mix in cooked noodles/onion and add to oven safe casserole dish (greased). Pour bread crumbs evenly over noodles and then pour melted butter over the crumbs.

Bake for 30-45 minutes at 375 degrees or until cheese is well melted.

Wednesday-27- Beef Enchiladas - Spanish Rice
http://thematzats.blogspot.com/2008/03/easy-chicken-enchiladas.html

Ingredients

2 cups cooked, ground beef
2 10 oz cans Enchilada Sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (I use Kraft 2% milk cheddar)
1 12 ct. pkg. flour tortillas

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Heat chicken, 3/4 cup enchilada sauce, and 1 cup cheese in skillet until warmed through and cheese is melted.

2. Spoon enchilada filling onto tortillas; roll up and place seam-side down in lightly greased 13x9x2 baking dish.

3. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over top; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes.

Thursday-28 * Meatloaf/boxed noodles/Veggie

Friday-29 - Hamburgers and Fries

Saturday -30 -
Lunch: Frozen Pizza
Supper:  Clean out the Fridge

Sunday - 31 - GROCERY DAY
Lunch: Mac and Cheese
Supper:  Crispy Fried Chicken/ Mashed Potates/ Corn

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Laura at Organizing Junkie. and particpate in Menu Plan Monday.

Wishing you all a wonderful week!!!

It has been a good holiday season for our family.   We were lucky to be able to be with much of our family and enjoyed our time with them greatly.   Our hearts ache for our family and friends that were faced with tragedy this holiday season.

Our second event of the holiday season is Coyan Christmas!   We have the entire Coyan family to our home to celebrate the holidays together.   We are blessed to be able to be with family for the holidays each year. 

Paul's Mom and Dad.  

Julie (SIL) and Dale (BIL)

My nieces - Kristen and Lisa

A new guest to Coyan Christmas, Chrissi (Bob's GF) and my nephew Bob.

Joe introduced his GF, Jennifer to us as well this holiday season. 

Cousins hanging out in Josh's room.

My Sister in Laws - what blessings to me.

****************************************************************

Christmas Eve - what a blessing to have all our children with us for Christmas Eve. 

Our Tree and Gifts..

My Boys....

The Appetizer Buffet..

The boys love sparkling juice!

Kaleb (nephew) and Steve (BIL) celebrated Christmas with us!

Erik

Goofy boys with full tummies!

All my Boys....what a blessing!

Blessing - brothers spending time together!

Blessing - a wonderful hubby to cook with!

Learned how to make Pork Crown Roast!

Son and Dad spending some time together.

Though this might look like a usual Holiday season at our house, I am especially thankful this year for the blessings of family!   This year over the Christmas break many people around us experienced tragedy and loss.   One of Tommy's school mates, lost her father and one of the children from Tommy's soccer team also lost his father over Christmas.   A friend of mine lost his granddaughter at the age of 3-1/2 to the battle with leukemia.   My hearts go out to each of those families.    My thoughts and prayers have been with them throughout this holiday season. 

Hug those close to you and remember how blessed you are!!

I am very happy to report that hubby and I stayed within our budget for grocery shopping for the next two weeks.  We had so much food here at home, that we knew we needed to just eat out of our pantry/freezer for a few weeks before going to buy groceries. 

I was reading on MSheriff's blog about the challenge she was participating in, Eat From The Pantry Challenge.  I decided that in an effort to get back on budget a bit and recover from the holidays, I too would particpate in this challenge.

I had $29.40 left in our grocery budget.  After church this morning we headed out to wisely spend our $29.40.   Our first stop was at Sam's Club.  We bought pop-tarts for my BIL's lunches and French Bread.   I counted the food for my BIL as well as we provide all his food for his lunches as part of his room and board.   His food items are not things I would normally buy.  We spent a total of $9.76 at Sam's.

Next, we headed to Aldi to purchase the rest of our groceries for the next two weeks.   We spent a total of $17.61 at Aldi's.  

 Our grand total for groceries for the next two weeks was $27.37, WOW!!   $2.03 under budget.   I can't believe we did it. 

You might be saying to yourself, how much could they have bought for less than $30.00??   More than you would think really.....gotta love Aldi!

Is your pantry or freezer overfull with food??   I challenge you to join me and plan you next week of meals from your pantry!   It is a great way to get back on budget for the new year!!

Happy Savings!!!

I was reading on MSheriff's blog about the challenge she was participating in, Eat From The Pantry Challenge.  I decided that in an effort to get back on budget a bit and recover from the holidays, I too would particpate in this challenge.

Hubby and I discussed it and we decided that we would try to eat from our pantry for the next week instead of getting groceries.  We are starting with the goal of making 1 week, but will try to make it for two weeks.  This will certainly help us to get back on budget for the new year.    

WEEK # 1 

SUNDAY - Lunch:  Grilled Cheese/Soup
Supper:  Turkey/Stuffing/Veggie

MONDAY - Old Fashoined Turkey Spaghetti

TUESDAY - French Toast and Bacon

WEDNESDAY- Easy Pot Roast

THURSDAY - Tater Tot Hotdish

Duggar Family Tater Tot Dish
1 lb ground turkey cooked, seasoned, drained
2lb bags tater tots
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can evaporated milk
1 can cream of chicken
Brown meat & place in large cass. dish.
Cover with tater tots. Mix soup & milk together.
Pour over top. Bake at 350 for 1 Hour.
(One of Daddy’s Favorites!) Makes 1- 9”X13” pans

Add Mixed Veggies to meat before doing rest of recipe

FRIDAY - Hamburgers and Chips

SATURDAY - Pork Chops and Rice

WEEK # 2

SUNDAY -Steak/ Baked Potatoes/ Veggie

 MONDAY - Easy Chicken & Rice Casserole
Chicken breasts
1 cup rice
1 can your choice cream of … soup
1 packet Italian seasoning mix
2 cups boiling water
Salt & pepper, or your favorite seasonings

Mix soup, rice and Italian Seasoning with 2 cups boiling water. 

Pour into a 9 x 13 baking pan, place Chicken on top and sprnkle with paprika. 

Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes. Put in oven at 350.

TUESDAY -

EASY CHEESEBURGER PIE

• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
• 1 can diced green chilis (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
• 1/2 cup Bisquick® mix
• 1 cup milk
• 2 eggs

Heat oven to 400°F. Grease 9-inch pie plate. Cook beef and onion until beef is brown; drain. Spread in pie plate; sprinkle with salt, chilis, and cheese. Stir in remaining ingredients until blended. Pour into pie plate. Bake about 25 minutes or until bubbly.

MENUSFORMOMS.COM

WEDNESDAY - Chicken Tortilla Soup /Biscuits

Six-Can Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 15-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained (substitute yellow hominy)
2 14.5-ounce cans regular chicken broth (or 3 cups homemade chicken stock)
1 10-ounce can chunk chicken (or 1 1/2 cups leftover chicken)
1 15-ounce can black beans
1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, drained

Pour corn, chicken broth, chunk chicken, beans and tomatoes with peppers into a large saucepan or stock pot. Simmer over medium heat until chicken is heated through. Serve over tortilla chips, and top with shredded Cheddar cheese. Serves: 6.

THURSDAY - Chicken or Turkey Tetazzini

FRIDAY - French Bread Pizza

SATURDAY -

Baked Ravioli

       2 Tbsp. olive oil

       1 (28 oz.) jar spaghetti sauce, any flavor

       24 pieces frozen Four Cheese Ravioli

       1/2 cup grated Romano or Parmesan* cheese

       2 cups meatballs, chopped (from freezer)

       5 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese

       sautéed peppers and onions, thawed (from freezer or see notes above.)

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spread olive oil in an 8"x10" baking pan and spread about 5 oz. of the spaghetti sauce around. Layer with 1/2 of the ravioli, 1/2 of the Romano or Parmesan Cheese, 1/2 of the meatballs and peppers and onions, and 2 oz. of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers, saving 1 oz. of mozzarella cheese for the top. Tent the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour 15 minutes

A Peek into our Pantry/Freezer - as you can see we have alot of things to plan our meals from for the next two weeks!!

               Pantry Shelf - Basement                                          Basement Freezer

Basement Fridge                                                         Upstairs Fridge

Upstairs Freezer

I plan on picking up a couple of things at the store on Tuesday before heading back to work.  I have $29.40 left on gift cards so want to keep my grocery budget for the next two weeks within that!   Wish me luck as this will really help us to get back on budget for the new year!

For more Menu Planning inspiration stop by and visit Tina at Mommy's Kitchen  or Laura at Organizing Junkie.

*Update:  Check out our blog entry about our grocery shopping trip today to see if we were able to stay within budget!

I have been reflecting the last few days on the things I would like to improve in 2010.  I must say I am very content with my life.  Of course, there are always things I would like to improve, but overall I am very blessed.  I wake up each day trying to be a better wife, mother and person.  I was looking back at the previous year's blogs about goals and can really see all the work I have done.   It feels good to know I am making progress.  

My priorities for 2010 remain the same......God, Husband, Children, Home

GOD – SPIRITUAL LIFE

So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Goal for 2010:   Time Daily with God’s Word / Our Daily Bread - Daily Devotional

PHYSICAL LIFE  (TAKE CARE OF SELF)

Medically, I have had a good year, with little illness.  But, honestly this is still the area I need to work on the most in my life.  I rarely take time for myself and I spread myself pretty thin a lot of the time.

Goals for 2010:

·Continue to go to the Community Center 2 - 3 times a week to run 

·Establish a better sleep pattern – up by 6:30 am each morning/in bed by 10:00.

·Take medication daily to maintain health.

·Make and Take lunch to work daily

HOME LIFE  - MARRIAGE, CHILDREN and HOMEMAKING

This year I am going to focus on maintaining the progress I have made with Homemaking.  I have a good system and routines in place, but I just fall off the wagon far more often than I would like to and find it so discouraging.

She watches over the ways of her household.- Proverbs 31:27

Goals for 2010:

·Complete Bedtime and Morning Routine Daily

·Complete chores daily from the Motivated Moms Planner

·Wash dishes every evening.

Remember: Be generous with praise – cautious with criticism.

Motherhood is a privilege, and our children our crowning glory. -(1 Timothy 2:15)

FINANCIAL LIFE- (FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY)

We have done very well with living within our means in 2009.Christmas was paid for in cash and no debt was accumulated.  I want to continue this journey with a long-term goal of living Debt Free.

• Continue Weekly Budget and Debt Repayment Program (Debtproofliving.com)
• Pay extra towards debt each month.

SOCIAL LIFE (EXTENDED FAMILY/FRIENDS)

As I think of this area of my life, I know this is an area that I don’t prioritize.  Partly this is due to my personality.  I am more of an introvert and a bit uncomfortable in social settings, so I avoid them.   I just love being at home with hubby and the kids.  Recently, I noticed this same thing with my son.  He would rather be at home hanging out with us, then going out and experiencing new social experiences.  I can SO relate to that!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That is a run down of my priorities for 2010.  I would not be successful if I was to think I could accomplish goals in every area of my life.  So this year I will focus mostly on my spiritual, physical, financial life and homemaking.  You might think that it would be easier to just make a list of goals.  I think my thinking of each area individually is helpful in really examining what I want to work on.

What are your goals/priorities for 2010????

Wishing you much happiness and success in 2010!