Not Your Typical Success Story

... but for US it is!

After nearly 3 years of having only a dorm-size fridge (4 cubic feet, no freezer) we bought a fridge... IN CASH! (success)

~ Backstory: We originally bought a Samsung from Lowes. It was a bottom freezer, all the bells and whistles a Domestic Goddess would want. It cost nearly $1000 three years ago. It lasted all of 13 months! We had the repairmen here 4 times before it was finally carted away and we bought a dorm fridge to "hold us over" until we found one we liked.

We still don't have a credit card... as tempting as it was to get one, we knew as soon as we had a Home Depot CC we would find things that need fixing around the house. (success)

And, we didn't have to touch the"Emergency Fund" at all to buy it! (success)

We got it on sale AND will get a $50 rebate from Energy Star (success)


It's not pretty... but it's paid for!!!!
MY FRIDGE --- FINALLY!!!!

Our 2010 Vacation on the Cheap

Elvis and I debated for months about a family vacation. We went over what we thought was our "needs" list and realized it was mostly wants. What we NEED is time together, as a family.

We started listing off places to go that didn't require a plane. It had to be fun, it had to be worth the money!

We booked a cabin in the White Mountains of NH for 6 days/5 nights. I have activities planned for most of those days, and some "hanging around the campground" time too...

This cabin is MUCH better than the one we had the last vacation... this one has INDOOR PLUMBING!

So... here is our vacation on the cheapish... (prices are totals for 2 adults and 1 child)

Country Bumpkins Campground & Cabins - $353.98 (incl. taxes)

Elvis and I plan on getting a 1-day fishing license. I think they are $15 each. Diva doesn't need one since she will only be 10. $30 is well worth the cost of a full day of fishing fun. I don't know who loves it more! We'd rather pay for one than get caught fishing out of state without one!

Since there is a full kitchen, I plan on making breakfast and dinner at home everyday, we will only be eating lunch out twice. I am going to bring the non-perishables from home and I already looked up the local grocery store for the perishables. We would need to eat if we were home.

So, other than some firewood and bait, we will be spending the money on...

Clark's Trading Post - $54 (bear shows, circus, train rides, guided tours, museums, etc)

Hobo Railroad - $36.00 + lunch
~Hobo Picnic Lunch - $10/each - Sandwich on bulky, choc. chip cookie & drink (Old Man and Diva only... I'm not a sandwich person)

Hobo Hills Mini-Golf - $24.00

 

A Love Never-ending

Tonight Elvis and I watched The Notebook. The movie was wonderful! More than wonderful. 

It is what we all hope and dream for... to love and to be loved; honestly.

I won't give away the movie in the event you haven't seen it. Even if you have watched it before - watch it again. Watch it with open eyes and with someone you love. 

The movie made me cry. It also made me think about life, and love. I have been lucky to share my life with Diva and Elvis. Diva will always be my daughter and there is no replacing a love for a child just as there is no substitute for real love between two hearts.

One day Diva will be grown with a family of her own, a heart-love of her own. These things I wish on her. I had never experienced unconditional love until the moment I first laid eyes on her laying there sleeping. There is no manual, and I know I have made mistakes but I try to be the best Momma to her that I know how to be.

I loved Shrugs, but it was not a complete love. I will always love her for the person he is, the father to Diva and a very close friend.

I know with my whole heart that Elvis is the one I was meant to be with. When I am presented with emotional scenarios, it is him I think about. He is the one I want to spend the rest of my life with, wherever it leads us. 

What we have may not be perfect, but it is real.

Random Memories & A Snow Free Weekend

This is the anniversary of the blizzard of '78, and there is one heck of a blizzard hitting this weekend, but it won't be here!

Yes, I remember 'The Blizzard of '78'. I remember walking uphill, both ways, lugging my sled behind me after a blizzard to the grocery store with my Mom. Sounds like something our parents would say - but unfortunately for me, it's the truth. 

I was young, real young. Fine! I was 6 - go ahead, do the math, I know you want to. We lived near the beach, so we got hit pretty hard. My bedroom was on the second floor and I remember the snow drifts being so high they nearly came to my window. My poor Granpa's bedroom was on the first floor and he couldn't see out at all until my brother and I dug a tunnel. Kids playing in the snow - safe. Kids sitting in a tunnel 15 feet under the snow - the 70's!

Time to take off the bell-bottoms and get back to the now.

Diva and I went to the grocery store as planned. I stuck to my list, and if anyone has ever -ever- shopped with a child with you knows what a feat that is! Okay fine, I bought her a 25-cent cheese-stick. We both made our best guesses as to how much the total would come up to without going over. Hers - $40. Mine - $50. I technically won my personal challenge because I know I will need to buy more milk this week. I give her this victory though because she is 9 - and we were only going by what was in the cart at the time.

Total for this weeks shopping - $45.05 (milk will be an additional $1.49) Keep in mind, I do have a stockpile and I didn't have to buy every ingredient for this weeks meals.

Dinner tonight will be Nacho Squares and veggies.

Nacho Squares

8 oz. ground meat (use whatever kind you prefer)
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
15 oz. tomato sauce
1 can (8 oz.) red kidney beans, drained and slightly mashed
1 T. taco seasoning
2/3 cup shredded cheese
1 can crescent rolls

Preheat oven to 415*

In large skillet sprayed with non-stick spray, brown the meat, green pepper and onion. Add the tomato sauce, kidney beans and taco seasoning. Mix well to combine, Lower heat and simmer, stirring occasionally. 

Meanwhile pat rolls into an ungreased 10x15" baking sheet. Gently press dough to cover bottom of the pan, being sure to seal perforations. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly browned. 

Spread hot meat mixture over crust and continue baking for 10 minutes. Evenly sprinkle cheese over to and continue to baking 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Let it cool before cutting.

My Stockpile, My Meal Planner and My Best Grocery Guess

Why wait until you have to live on rice and beans before you take a good look at your kitchen and come up with a budget?

There are a few easy things you can do that can help not only keep your kitchen kingdom organized, it can organize your spending!

Stockpiling - Finding the best deals on the non-perishable things and then buying not one or two, but as many as you feel comfortable buying at the super deal price. I am not saying run out and stockpile everything on sale, but a few items here and there, things you use anyways. A 20 pound bag of rice for $10.00 may be a great buy for me, but if the only time you eat rice is when it is accompanied by Kung Pao Chicken, you may want to pass. Don't limit it to just groceries, I admit it - I have a toilet paper stash!

Meal Planning - Plan what you will be making for a week, or a month, or a year if you really want to be that ambitious! No need to go out and purchase anything special, any calendar will do. Mine is the Google calendar. I had been slacking when it came to a meal planner. Had. It's something I have been trying to stay ahead of once again. Now that I am back to making out my meal planner, I spend less time and money at the grocery store.

Now that I can put the chalkboard away, back to me.

I am going to make a 'best guess' when it comes to how much I will spend to feed my family of three for a week. I do have some things already on hand, basic staples - flour, sugar, spices, veggies and rice. After planning out the week, I am going to say I will spend $50.00 - total.

Happy Birthday -- to ME!

Yes, a bit unorthodox, but it's my birthday and I can do what I want! 

I woke up to the Diva serenading me. It was cute. Before you ask, I am only as old as I look and it BETTER be younger than I really am!!! I've gotten past the need for birthday celebrations, or so I thought. I knew Diva and Elvis wouldn't be home today so we had 'birthday ice cream' on Tuesday, the last day of the week I know we will all be home at a reasonable time to do something, but somehow it wasn't the same.

Today I woke up and decided to make this my day. I whipped up a cake and even had orange juice pancakes for brunch (nothing fancy, pancakes with oj instead of water). My little birthday gift to myself. 

I could have made a regular cake, but not today! I dug deep for this one.

Domestic Goddess' Applesauce Birthday Cake

1 cup sugar
1 T butter
1 cup applesauce
2 cups flour
2//3 cups raisins
1 t baking soda
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t cloves
1/4 t salt
1/4 t nutmeg

Sift together the soda, spices, salt and flour. Cream the butter, add sugar, applesauce, dry ingredients and raisins. Put the mix in a spring-pan. Bake in a moderate oven (350*F) for about 40 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean.

Don't be afraid of making risotto

Stand tall, grab your skillet and let's get cooking!

Yes, you can make risotto too. It's so simple and is a nice change of pace. If you don't have a box of risotto rice at home - and who really does - use regular long grain rice (sorry, not instant). You're cooking in Your Kitchen, not Hells Kitchen, get creative and enjoy.

This is a recipe for an easy cheese risotto - you can change it around by adding things such as different spices or vegetables. Other than the cheese, don't omit anything I have in my recipe, or it won't be risotto anymore.

Cheese Risotto
2 tablespoons butter
1 1/3 cups uncooked long-grain rice
4 cups water
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3/4 cup grated cheese

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat (*), then add the rice. Cook and stir for a few minutes to toast rice. Stir in water, and season with chicken bouillon and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low. Cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat, keep covered, and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in the cheese.

(*) if you want to add 1/3 cup vegetables (ie: onion or mushrooms) now is the time to do it

The Not-So-Domestic Goddess Bread

I love the smell of bread baking... but, I don't always have time to prep it. 

(I know, I heard you gasp, you can't believe it either!)

This is a super simple bread recipe and it's less than 2 hours from pantry to table. No fancy ingredients. No expensive equipment.

The Not-So-Domestic Goddess Bread

3 cups flour

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 tablespoon salt

2 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast

1 2/3 cups warm water

~ Mix all the dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add the water.

~ Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan. 

~ Cover the dough with a tea towel and let rise for an hour.

~ Bake in a 400F oven for about 45 minutes. 

That's it!!

Easy Bagel Pudding

I made this tonight with left over blueberry bagels and it came out SO good that I had to share it. Yes it has calories. No, I don't know how many... Quit looking at me like that!!!!

5 regular-sized bagels (torn into bite-size pieces)
2 cups milk
3/4 cup sugar, more if you like it sweet
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
3 large eggs, beaten

optional - fruits (like blueberries)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F
Generously, butter 9 x9 inch glass baking dish

Place torn bagels in large mixing bowl; pour milk over and let absorb for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt butter and let it cool. When cooled, mix with beaten eggs and remaining ingredients.

Combine with bagel mixture (add any fruit you had now)

Pour into prepared baking dish; place in center of oven. Bake uncovered for about 35-40 minutes or until knife inserted in center come out clean.

I've been keeping myself busy. I crocheted a few things... a few 'bowls' and a bunch of tawashis. I also made a hat for Diva and Elvis wanted one too, so now I am making him a
Balaclava.

Pictures of everything to follow, but I thought I'd share.

Elvis' Balaclava

Size G (4.25 mm)

2 skeins Vanna's Choice (if you use a chunkier yarn, use a bigger hook. Elvis loved the blue/white look of the yarn I had in my stash)

Directions:
Worked in BACK LOOPS ONLY - all stitches are HDC

~1: chain 3, 8 hdc in the third ch from the hook
~2: 2 hdc in each stitch around (16)
~3: *1 hdc, 2 hdc in next stitch* x8 (24)
~4: *2 hdc, 2 hdc in next stitch* x8 (32)
~5: *3 hdc, 2 hdc in next stitch* x8 (40)
~6: *4 hdc, 2 hdc in next stitch* x8 (48)
~7: *5 hdc, 2 hdc in next stitch* x8 (56)
~8: *6 hdc, 2 hdc in next stitch* x8 (64)
~9: *7 hdc, 2 hdc in next stitch* x8 (72)
~10: *8 hdc, 2 hdc in next stitch* x8 (80)
~11: *9 hdc, 2 hdc in next stitch* x8 (88)

Work over 88 sts until piece measures 8 inches (or until comes to eyebrows)

Chain 26 ,skip 24 sts, continue working around until piece measures 10 more inches (or until bottom of neck). Fasten off and weave in ends.

Sweet and Savory Stew

Watching the snow fall, I decided that I am going to make this versatile stew on Monday night. I like it because there is little prep and I can already imagine the wonderful aroma filling my house. Pop it in the crock pot and you're good to go. I am going to use turkey and squash this time, but any meat and veggie will work.

This is an adapted version of a recipe printed in Family Circle

1/3 cup flour
2 teaspoons paprika
2 pounds 'meat' trimmed, cut in 1" cubes and blotted dry
1 tablespoon & 1 teaspoon olive oil
1 scallion bundle (or 1 large onion) chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
1 1/4 cup broth
1 pound veggies, peeled and diced
1 tablespoon brown sugar

* 3 cups cooked rice (side dish)

~ Combine flour and 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika in a large resealable bag. Add meat to bag in two batches, shake to coat with flour, then remove from bag. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook meat for 5 minutes, turning occasionally, or until browned. Place meat in slow cooker.

~ Reduce heat to medium, add 1 teaspoon olive oil. Add scallion and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each paprika, salt, pepper and cinnamon. Cook 4 minutes. Stir in tomato paste, cook 2 minutes. Place in slow cooker. Add tomatoes and broth to skillet, bring to a boil, pour into slow cooker.

~ Cover, cook for 5 hours on high or 7 hours on low.

~ When there is 1 1/2 hours cook time remaining add veggies.

~ Stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon each paprika, salt, pepper, cinnamon and brown sugar just before serving.

~ Serve over rice.

Merry Christmas and Joyous Yule

My gift to you is a story about a little girl who woke up to nothing under the Christmas tree --

She never noticed there was nothing, and I mean NOTHING under the tree except a pair of mittens and hat for her and her brother, wrapped in red paper and green ribbons from their mother.

What she did notice was the beautiful tree, the music and her Mom crying. She didn't understand why her mother was crying because it was Christmas and she didn't think she (or her brother) had done anything wrong to make her mother cry.

The mother, recently divorced had depended on the father to keep to his promise and buy all the presents that year as the mother was suddenly a single mom to 2 small children and had spent what savings she had to enroll in business school so she could get a job and keep a roof over their heads.

None of that mattered to the little girl, all that mattered to her was that her mother was crying.

The next year, the mother was determined not to have nothing but a skirt under the tree. She scrimped and saved and Santa bought EVERYTHING the little girl and boy wanted.

That year it was the little girl who cried. The mother was the one confused... the children got everything they ever said they wanted that year. The mother asked why the little girl was crying because Santa got her everything she wanted.

The little girl looked at her mother and said... "Santa got me presents, but you didn't get me anything. Why didn't you get me mittens and a hat this year?"

The mother had given Santa all the credit... and all that went through the daughters head was, her mother had forgotten about her.

That night, the little girl understood that her mother WAS Santa. That her mother had been the one to do everything, and she understood now why the mother didn't have a winter coat. Living in New England, a good winter coat is a NEED. She understood why her mother had gone without a LOT that year.

The little girl curled up with her mother that night and told her that she loved her and she promised not to tell her baby brother the 'secret' and wanted her mother to bring back some of the things, so her mother could have a winter coat.

What's For Dinner?

I've been trying to figure out what to make for the 25th. Diva will be with Shrugs and the Outlaws until noon and Elvis is working and we have NO idea when he will be home. As of right now there are only a few jobs scheduled, but that can change that day.

The Outlaws have also invited us all to come over around 5 or so. I know it's just because they want to spend more time with Diva, I can't fault them for that... I don't know if we will go or not yet. Shrugs passed the invite, but I haven't heard from either Outlaw about it.

Whatever I make has to be somewhat easy to make because I don't want to spend all my time in the kitchen. Of course, I asked what they wanted... Diva wants cheeseburgers, Elvis doesn't know what he wants, but wants something 'fancier than burgers'.

FINE !!!

Poor Man's Turkey Wellington

1 pound ground turkey
1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
2 tablespoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 large egg
2 tablespoons water
Mashed Potatoes
3/4 cup diced smoked Gouda
1 cup grated sharp cheddar
2 sheets puff pastry

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In a large skillet, cook the turkey, stirring, over high heat until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add the onions, garlic, crushed red pepper and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and cook, stirring, until the onions are soft and lightly caramelized, about 7 minutes. Add the tomato paste and heavy cream and cook until the cream is evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and spread on a plate to cool.

In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the thyme, Worcestershire and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until most of the liquid has evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and spread on a plate to cool.

In a small bowl, beat the egg and water to make an egg wash.

On a lightly floured surface, 1 at a time, roll the puff pastry sheets to an 1/8-inch thickness, about 11 inches square. Cut each sheet into 2 rectangles. Spread 1/4 of the cooled mashed potatoes along the lower third of the pastry, leaving a 1-inch border on 3 sides. Top with the turkey, then sprinkle the Gouda cubes over the top. Brush the sides with egg wash and fold the pastry over the filling to completely enclose. Press to seal the edges and with the tines of a fork, press to seal tightly. Transfer to a large baking sheet and paint with the egg wash. Cut 5 small steam vents in the top of the pastry. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

Bake until starting to turn golden brown, 15 to 16 minutes. Sprinkle the top with the cheese and bake until the pastry is golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 4 minutes.

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large serving platter, slice and serve hot.

I'm Hooked

Okay, not really, but I thought it was a cute title...

I've been working on Diva's blanket. It's Spring Green and Boston Rose (so far).

I still need to buy more yarn, I forgot how little you get when you crochet and the frugalista in me is screaming "Next time KNIT because it goes farther!"

I think another 2 skeins should do it, but, I am still prepared to force myself BACK to the yarn department if I need another 2 skeins after that (hehehe)

Update: I have added another 2 skeins of Deco (fancy way of saying white) and it still looks too short. I have another skein of Spring Green but I bought the last one. I will have to try to track down another one, or just order it online.

Starting Yule Gifts for 2010

Yes, you read that correctly -- I am going to start working on the gifts for next Yule.

I decided that 2010 will be a COMPLETELY home-made holiday. If I didn't make it, I'm not giving it. I have a small list of people we give to every year and none of them need anything !!!

As I find the projects, I will post them here. I have so many skeins of yarn and totes of fabric just sitting here, begging to be made in to something that someone can love. The hardest part is thinking of tokens that the recipients will appreciate.

On the list are 4 kids (age at holiday)- Diva (10), Pepsi (9), Ballerina (4), Dribbles (2)
Adults - Elvis, Shrugs, Out-laws, GodMother, GodFather, UnkiAunt, Mimi

Autumn Harvest Soup

I was in a rather good mood today. The weather was a beautiful 76, not a cloud in sight.

Then just one little breeze brushed my face and I realized this was the eve of the Autumn Equinox.

Living in New England, the coming of fall is more than just a season change, it is a life change. Our shorts are replaced with pants, tank tops are worn under a sweater and nourishment is heartier.

In celebration of welcome I made what I call "Autumn Harvest Soup". This is my own creation, feel free to change it to suit your personal tastes.

Ingredients

1 small sugar pumpkin
1 small butternut squash
4 apples
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
3 tbs brown sugar
4 tbs butter
1 pint cream
1/2 c water

Preheat oven to 350

Cut the pumpkin, squash and apples in small cubes. Add the pumpkin,squash and water to a 9x13 pan. Sprinkle with pumpkin spice and bake for about 90 minutes or until soft.

After baking, add butter and brown sugar to a soup pot and heat slightly until the sugar starts to melt. Add all ingredients but cream. Mash everything together and let simmer on very low for about another hour. If the soup is too chunky for you, toss it in the blender. Add cream before serving, mix well.

**** I like to taste the tarty goodness, but once in a while, I will add 1 cup of sugar to the pot and caramelize before adding the rest of the ingredients and omitting the cream to make more of a sweet dessert, great over vanilla ice cream!