Frugal In Florida

After a rainy, flooding, dreary weekend (which really put a cramp on my Halloween Party plans Saturday evening) I am looking forward to Monday ... which of course, means Menu Plan Monday in this house! I did the big shop on Wednesday last week and did another run to the store on Saturday morning ... spent a little bit too much money (saved a lot too) but at least now we are set for quite some time on food ... Sonny Boy played at 5pm this evening and they all headed back to Orlando at about 8pm ... a little too late for my own comfort but they insist on doing it that way. As I sit here (9pm Sunday), I'm totally drawing a blank as to what I should do for dinners this week. I've got SO many options to choose from yet nothing is grabbing my attention. I suppose I am just lazy at the moment and the brain is taking a break =D. So here's what I'm throwing out there and hope to stick with it. Sunday - um, lack of motivation here. Grilled cheese sandwiches and Halloween ...

It seems to be hard to catch up. At least harder than I remember it. Money wise, that is. Yeah, chore wise too. I'm not sure how THAT happened. Back to the subject at hand. It's Friday, two days after Wednesday, which means I've missed the WFMW linkup and it's time to link up with Frugal Friday ... I've missed a few of them lately just because TIME seems to be getting out of hand lately too ... Wow, no wonder I've felt slightly off ... Money, chores, time, work, kids, animals, and oh, the Hubby. What about me?? Ahem. You probably already know about my love of lists . For everything. From chores, to bill paying, to errands, to suggest MEALS! As I was waiting for Sonny Boy's bus to arrive (yes, he took a Greyhound on a Thursday for $37 from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale, said it was way better than the student bus program), I grabbed my handy dandy little book and pen and started to write out a list of meal ideas based on what I have in house ...

I've tried really really really hard to go to Costco with a list and a specific amount of money dedicated to just that trip. Trust me, it isn't easy. But for the most part, I do ok. So my list this time around has been accumulating for, oh, about 3 to 4 weeks. And of course, we had the little coupon book which is probably what really prompted my list. I stuck with the list pretty darn well. A few things I said no thanks on as yes, like everything else, the prices have gone up. The carnation instant breakfast is now $9.99 a box (30) and granted, that's still 1/3 less than the store, it was not justifiable in this trip (I think I paid somewhere around $7 last time?) And of course, as you wander walk the aisles looking for that item on your list, you spot other things, like the basmati rice, in a 2 serving bowl, that's ready in TWO MINUTES! Um, yeah. 6 pk for $7.99. And I got 2. My cashier's name was Kia. I had a very difficult time not having fun with her a...

I've been in Orlando visiting Sonny Boy for the past 3 days, doing Halloween Horror Nights, taking the kids to Aldis (the one girl was like "Oh, is that where you get the really good chips??" Yes Bri, it is) ... we got everyone fairly stocked up on food for a few weeks I think. Then I walked the whole campus of UCF several times over, walked the apartment complex and marveled at all the different types of students that are around. Saw lots of wildlife, and no, not just college kids =D Spent a lot of money, but glad I went. Had a blast at Universal, can't wait to do THAT again! But I'm back and ready to get back in the groove of things and prepare for my upcoming 2012 challenge ... Sunday - breaded chicken tenders from the freezer. Made some homemade honey mustard dressing for dipping (as this is baking, Hubby is asking if I'm sure I don't want to just go out .... NO!) Monday - Chef Salad Tuesday - Starkist and rice ... I have 4 boxes of those ...

I'm trying REAL hard to post more pics of the foods I make, just to show you, yes, we made it and we ate it :) And also, because we DO eat with our eyes, right? Anyways ... this is an old recipe that I had pulled from our local newspaper several years back, under a headline reading: How To Use Up Your Hurricane Supplies. Since the three main ingredients are usual staples, it's easy for me to make and easy to improvise for those items you don't have. Pantry Salad (aka chicken, black beans and corn salad) 1 can of chicken breast, drained and flaked (I've used 2 in the past for a more meaty filling) 1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained 1 can of corn, rinsed and drained 1 tbs cumin juice of 2 limes (I LOVE that handheld gadget!) 1/4 oil (olive, canola, whatever) salt and pepper red or orange bell pepper, diced 4 scallions, chopped fine (optional if you have) 1 can diced tomatoes, drained jalapenos, sliced, to your preference AND: avaca...

Have I ever mentioned how HUBBY is a freaky neat freak? I mean, as in, NO clutter, NO piles, etc. Everything is in it's place. Sometimes, lately, he's been a little absent minded and 'forgets' where he put something. It's comical except that he gets REAL irritated with that as everything has it's place. (I know it's the medication he recently started, and I'm sure I need to say something to him about it, but for now, faintly amusing)... Back to the story ... I, however, can be a total and complete slob. Make piles. Make lists. Put the list on the piles. When the pile gets too tall, that's when I would prefer to deal with it. Which is stupid because it's more work at that point. So when I went to pick up my purse one morning, I must have just had a moment because I stopped, scolded myself and asked, OUT LOUD: Just when did THIS become acceptable? There, on the floor, under the beautiful table, was my purse, the exercise mat, the ...

I have a love hate relationship with Pinterest lately. Do you have any idea how many NEW blogs I've found that are dedicated to cooking?? AAAAAHHHHH If I continue, I could be the size of my house, which is NOT small. So anyways. Today's feature recipe is brought to you by Savory Sweet Life and is an easier chicken marsala recipe. I, of course, double it because: a) we love leftovers and b) if it's really good and we don't have any leftovers, there will be repercussions and c) we love leftovers ... So here's MY version: 4 chicken breast ... these are from Penn Dutch and they are like GIGANTIC whole breast. That sounded borderline xrated but seriously, these must be some large chickens 1 cup Marsala wine 1/2 cup chicken broth (I used bouillon granules) 1/2 cup white wine (dry) 6 tbs olive oil (originally states 1/2 cup oil but I used butter too) 6 tbs butter 1 lb sliced mushrooms flour for dredging salt and pepper Notice a few things I chang...