Check out Frugal and Fabulous on how to enter to win this pretty necklace! But hurry, entries close tonight at 5pm!! Sorry I didn't post sooner!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Thursday Supper - Crockpot Pulled Pork Sandwiches
We haven't eaten yet, but this meal will be yummy, yummy, yummy. I could smell the meat outside the door when I came home from work. This was SO easy...I had to share. You will need:
Pork chops (3-4lbs. should be plenty. I used 7 chops)
Stock (3-4 cups)
Onion (I used about 1/2)
Cider vinegar (little over 1/3 cup)
Worcestershire sauce (about 1/3 cup)
Minced garlic (few tablespoons)
Bulkie rolls
seasonings (I used Italian, salt, pepper, basil)
(as usual..amounts are to taste. I don't think you could mess this up.)
I had the assorted pack of chops from Shaws that I bought earlier in the week...3+ pounds for under $6! Good deal. Anyway, since the chops were assorted, some were sitll on the bone, so I just cut it off. Place chops in crock pot. Slice onion and add to crockpot. Add stock (to cover pork chops), vinegar, worcestershire, minced garlic and seasonings. Cook on low for...about 8 hours.
Shred chops one by one. Really, they should just about shred themselves...so tender! I dumped the juices thru a strainer and added the onions and some of minced garlic "leftovers" to the shredded pork pile.
Next, put shredded pork mixture back into crockpot and add a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce. I used Wegman's (*sniff*) Memphis flavor. Mix together and cook on low for another hour or so. If this wasn't already tender enough....! Now, it just melts in the mouth. (Of course I sampled it!)
I got a free 5lb bag of potatoes a few weeks ago from Shaw's, and there were 3 left that were on the verge of extinction. I decided to make some homemade french fries to use them up! Dump a little veggie oil in a skillet, and voila! Insta-fryer.
Ok, so honey is on his way home, fries are frying up nicely, and I'm charging the camera battery. Will post a pic of the "finished product" later!
**Update: The pork was AMAZING!**
Pork chops (3-4lbs. should be plenty. I used 7 chops)
Stock (3-4 cups)
Onion (I used about 1/2)
Cider vinegar (little over 1/3 cup)
Worcestershire sauce (about 1/3 cup)
Minced garlic (few tablespoons)
Bulkie rolls
seasonings (I used Italian, salt, pepper, basil)
(as usual..amounts are to taste. I don't think you could mess this up.)
I had the assorted pack of chops from Shaws that I bought earlier in the week...3+ pounds for under $6! Good deal. Anyway, since the chops were assorted, some were sitll on the bone, so I just cut it off. Place chops in crock pot. Slice onion and add to crockpot. Add stock (to cover pork chops), vinegar, worcestershire, minced garlic and seasonings. Cook on low for...about 8 hours.
Shred chops one by one. Really, they should just about shred themselves...so tender! I dumped the juices thru a strainer and added the onions and some of minced garlic "leftovers" to the shredded pork pile.
Next, put shredded pork mixture back into crockpot and add a bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce. I used Wegman's (*sniff*) Memphis flavor. Mix together and cook on low for another hour or so. If this wasn't already tender enough....! Now, it just melts in the mouth. (Of course I sampled it!)
I got a free 5lb bag of potatoes a few weeks ago from Shaw's, and there were 3 left that were on the verge of extinction. I decided to make some homemade french fries to use them up! Dump a little veggie oil in a skillet, and voila! Insta-fryer.
Ok, so honey is on his way home, fries are frying up nicely, and I'm charging the camera battery. Will post a pic of the "finished product" later!
**Update: The pork was AMAZING!**
Friday, February 13, 2009
Freebie (or close to it!) Friday
I did not do much grocery shopping or otherwise this week, but there were some promo's that I could not pass up! I did 3 transactions at 2 different grocery stores, but each one ended in getting a catalina (coupon) for $10 off your next purchase! Over 2 deals at Stop & Shop I spent $22.32 and had a $10 coupon left over to spend later. Here's what I got:
3 Crest Pro-Health toothpaste
2 Satin Care shave gel
4 Kids Crest toothpaste
4 Oral-B Stages toothbrush (kids)
2 Oral-B toothbrush (adult)
1 family size Herbal Essence shampoo
1 family size Herbal Essence conditioner
4 Lunchables
2 Brown-n-Serve sausages
Loaf of Italian bread
So today, I needed to get some things for Valentine's dinner and just some staples we needed. There was also a deal at Shaw's that I wanted to do, because it would give me another $10 catalina. I am SUPER happy about this grocery trip. I only spent $40.56!! and got the $10 off next purchase coupon that I will use next week when I go!
2 3Lb bags kitty food
1 box Keebler Club crackers
2 Betty Crocker Cake mix
2 Betty Crocker frosting
1 Jell-O No Bake cheesecake
2 Crystal Light
4 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
2 bottles soda
1 bottle Hunts ketchup
2 Over the Moon milk
1 bag Quaker ranch rice snacks
4 cans Del Monte diced tomatoes
2 Home Life fire starters (I'll explain that in a minute)
3 Pillsbury Grands
2 bags Kraft shredded cheese
1 wedge Parmesan cheese
bunch of asparagus
14 Yoplait yogurt
1.5 Lbs. scallops
The thing with the HomeLife fire starters is this: Shaw's periodically puts out a store coupon booklet. These are good because you can stack these coupons with MF (manufacturer's) coupons. Anyway, when I see these books, I grab like 4-5. This time around, there is a coupon in it for $3 off the fire starters. Any of them. Well, the ones I bought cost..... $.59!!! So, for spending $1.18 on these and using the $3/1 coupon gives me an extra $4.81 profit towards my grocery bill!! :o) YAY!
How did you do grocery shopping this week?
3 Crest Pro-Health toothpaste2 Satin Care shave gel
4 Kids Crest toothpaste
4 Oral-B Stages toothbrush (kids)
2 Oral-B toothbrush (adult)
1 family size Herbal Essence shampoo
1 family size Herbal Essence conditioner
4 Lunchables
2 Brown-n-Serve sausages
Loaf of Italian bread
So today, I needed to get some things for Valentine's dinner and just some staples we needed. There was also a deal at Shaw's that I wanted to do, because it would give me another $10 catalina. I am SUPER happy about this grocery trip. I only spent $40.56!! and got the $10 off next purchase coupon that I will use next week when I go!
2 3Lb bags kitty food1 box Keebler Club crackers
2 Betty Crocker Cake mix
2 Betty Crocker frosting
1 Jell-O No Bake cheesecake
2 Crystal Light
4 Betty Crocker Warm Delights
2 bottles soda
1 bottle Hunts ketchup
2 Over the Moon milk
1 bag Quaker ranch rice snacks
4 cans Del Monte diced tomatoes
2 Home Life fire starters (I'll explain that in a minute)
3 Pillsbury Grands
2 bags Kraft shredded cheese
1 wedge Parmesan cheese
bunch of asparagus
14 Yoplait yogurt
1.5 Lbs. scallops
The thing with the HomeLife fire starters is this: Shaw's periodically puts out a store coupon booklet. These are good because you can stack these coupons with MF (manufacturer's) coupons. Anyway, when I see these books, I grab like 4-5. This time around, there is a coupon in it for $3 off the fire starters. Any of them. Well, the ones I bought cost..... $.59!!! So, for spending $1.18 on these and using the $3/1 coupon gives me an extra $4.81 profit towards my grocery bill!! :o) YAY!
How did you do grocery shopping this week?
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Sickness & Supper
I've been sick. With a Pandemic. :o) Seriously, it's been the never-ending illness since last Thursday! Both the hubby and I had "it"...he's feeling pretty much normal and I finally went to the Dr. today. The only reason I went was because it's been a week, and I was starting to wonder about strep, because of a sore throat. I actually had a fever when they took my temp, but no strep. Yay! Just a flu strain that doesn't make you pukey. Oh, and a sinus/cold thing. I'm a mess!! But I was told the usual...get plenty of rest, Vitamin C, Sudafed, etc. It will probably work itself out in another couple weeks. YIKES!!! I think I'm single-handedly keeping the tea industry in business right now!
Moving past the self-pity, menu-planning kind of fell by the wayside this week...because of the malaria. I had some ideas, but nothing concrete. It's worked out okay...just for this week. :o) Tonight, I made a take on a Rachael Ray Shepherd's Pie recipe. I'll just give you my version. It is really easy and fast. You might even say it was "DELISH!".
Mashed potatoes (If you have a ton of free Betty Crocker boxed ones, use those. Or just make your favorite type of mashed. Any will do.)
1 Lb. ground turkey (or beef, whatever you prefer)
1 Tbsp. EVOO
1 onion, chopped
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 c. beef or chicken stock/broth
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (just eyeball the amount)
Corn (frozen or canned. I used 11oz can of Niblets, drained)
Paprika
Fresh parsley
Preheat skillet over med-high heat. Add EVOO to hot pan with turkey. Season with salt and pepper. If you're using a fattier meat, drain or scoop out most of the fat. Once mostly browned, add onion to meat and cook about 5 more minutes, stirring frequently. In a second smaller skillet, cook butter and flour together, over medium heat, for about 2 minutes. Whisk in broth and Worcestershire sauce. Thicken gravy for about 1 minute. Add gravy to meat and onion. Stir in corn.
Preheat the broiler to high. Fill a casserole dish (I used 8x8 glass) with meat & vegetable mixture. Spoon mashed potatoes over meat evenly. Top potatoes w/paprika and broil. Heat until potatoes evenly browned. Top with chopped parsley.
The thing I like about this, besides the ease and taste, is that you can add/substitute other veggies (peas, carrots, etc.) and also adjust the size of the dish pretty easily. Enjoy!!
Moving past the self-pity, menu-planning kind of fell by the wayside this week...because of the malaria. I had some ideas, but nothing concrete. It's worked out okay...just for this week. :o) Tonight, I made a take on a Rachael Ray Shepherd's Pie recipe. I'll just give you my version. It is really easy and fast. You might even say it was "DELISH!".
Mashed potatoes (If you have a ton of free Betty Crocker boxed ones, use those. Or just make your favorite type of mashed. Any will do.)
1 Lb. ground turkey (or beef, whatever you prefer)
1 Tbsp. EVOO
1 onion, chopped
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 c. beef or chicken stock/broth
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce (just eyeball the amount)
Corn (frozen or canned. I used 11oz can of Niblets, drained)
Paprika
Fresh parsley
Preheat skillet over med-high heat. Add EVOO to hot pan with turkey. Season with salt and pepper. If you're using a fattier meat, drain or scoop out most of the fat. Once mostly browned, add onion to meat and cook about 5 more minutes, stirring frequently. In a second smaller skillet, cook butter and flour together, over medium heat, for about 2 minutes. Whisk in broth and Worcestershire sauce. Thicken gravy for about 1 minute. Add gravy to meat and onion. Stir in corn.
Preheat the broiler to high. Fill a casserole dish (I used 8x8 glass) with meat & vegetable mixture. Spoon mashed potatoes over meat evenly. Top potatoes w/paprika and broil. Heat until potatoes evenly browned. Top with chopped parsley.
The thing I like about this, besides the ease and taste, is that you can add/substitute other veggies (peas, carrots, etc.) and also adjust the size of the dish pretty easily. Enjoy!!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
I *heart* My Crockpot
Bible Study starts a little early tonight, because we are having a potluck dinner and then a meeting! YAY! I love potlucks...brings me back to my good 'ole Baptist roots. :o)
Anywho, during Christmas I joined a "Secret Santa" (*ahem* no such thing!) at work and I got THE BEST GIFT EEEEEVEEEEEER!! Well, from a work function anyway. It is...wait for it...a 500+ page cookbook full of crockpot recipes!! I'm talkin' everything from breakfast, to casseroles, to dressings, you name it, it's in there. It even tells you what size/shape crockpot is best for each recipe. So, now I have to go out and buy 10 more crockpots of various shapes and sizes!
Since I am currently working, sometimes it's nice to be able to throw a bunch of stuff into the cooker, forget about it, and have a yummy, no-stress meal ready and waiting at the end of the day! Especially when I need to have something ready to go for evenings such as this...and it's still relatively (technically?) homemade. So...today, I wicked *heart* my crockpot. :o) This is what I made for church tonight:
Anywho, during Christmas I joined a "Secret Santa" (*ahem* no such thing!) at work and I got THE BEST GIFT EEEEEVEEEEEER!! Well, from a work function anyway. It is...wait for it...a 500+ page cookbook full of crockpot recipes!! I'm talkin' everything from breakfast, to casseroles, to dressings, you name it, it's in there. It even tells you what size/shape crockpot is best for each recipe. So, now I have to go out and buy 10 more crockpots of various shapes and sizes!
Since I am currently working, sometimes it's nice to be able to throw a bunch of stuff into the cooker, forget about it, and have a yummy, no-stress meal ready and waiting at the end of the day! Especially when I need to have something ready to go for evenings such as this...and it's still relatively (technically?) homemade. So...today, I wicked *heart* my crockpot. :o) This is what I made for church tonight:
Old-Fashioned "One-Pot" Bean Dinner
(as always...tweaked to perfection!)
(as always...tweaked to perfection!)
8oz to 1 Lb lean ground beef (I used about 1 1/2 lbs.)
1/2 pound sliced bacon or turkey bacon, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 medium sized onion, finely chopped
1/2 pound sliced bacon or turkey bacon, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 medium sized onion, finely chopped
2 31-oz cans port and beans (or if you're like me, 16oz can Touch of Honey beans, 16oz can Maple beans, 28 oz can Homestyle beans. I know...it doesn't add up to 31 oz. Close enough)
1 16-oz can red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 15.5 oz can lima beans, drained (Instead, I used can of Cannelini beans, rinsed & drained)
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tbsp liquid smoke flavoring (????? OPTIONAL!)
3 tbsp cider vinegar
Cook ground beef over medium-high heat until browned; drain fat and transfer meat to slow cooker. In the same skillet, cook the bacon & onion over medium heat, stirring until limp. (about 6-8 minutes). Bacon should be slightly undercooked; drain the fat. Transfer bacon/onion to slow cooker and add rest of ingredients. Stir to combine. Cook on LOW for 6-9 hours, or until hot & bubbly.
I could smell this outside our door when I got home. I cannot wait to eat it!! I think tonight's potluck will be a "TOOT"!! :o)
Cook ground beef over medium-high heat until browned; drain fat and transfer meat to slow cooker. In the same skillet, cook the bacon & onion over medium heat, stirring until limp. (about 6-8 minutes). Bacon should be slightly undercooked; drain the fat. Transfer bacon/onion to slow cooker and add rest of ingredients. Stir to combine. Cook on LOW for 6-9 hours, or until hot & bubbly.
I could smell this outside our door when I got home. I cannot wait to eat it!! I think tonight's potluck will be a "TOOT"!! :o)
Monday, January 19, 2009
Faith & Football
We watch football in our house. My husband is a loyal, devoted, die-hard Patriots fan. Remember them? In the 2007 season they were unstoppable...THE team...and went undefeated until the Superbowl. Where they lost. Miserably. That was the same year Bill Belichick was caught cheating...on the field and on his wife. And the same year Tom Brady left his pregnant girlfriend for a model. In the beginning of the 2008 season, Tom Brady gets injured, dashing any hopes of a repeat of 2007's success. Not to mention all the other injuries occurring throughout the season. My husband, the loyal, devoted, die-hard Patriots fan at one point says something like this: "You have to wonder if God has a hand in all of this and is judging this team for their pride and sin?" Hmmmm....
Fast forward to 2009, NFC Championship, Arizona Cardinals vs. Baltimore Ravens. The Arizona Cardinals weren't even supposed to be there, now they are competing for a spot in the Superbowl?! How about that quarterback, Kurt Warner? Plucked from arena football to play for the Rams (winning them a Superbowl), the Giants, and currently, the Arizona Cardinals. He's a Christian, right?, I previously asked my husband. Yes, indeed he is. We've all heard the sports players "thank God" when they get a big win or catch a pass, but how many of them actually know what that means? Or live out their faith in Jesus Christ? Kurt Warner does! After the '99 Rams Superbowl win, an interviewer says to him, "Kurt, first things first--tell me about the final touchdown pass to Isaac." Warner's response? "Well, first things first, I've got to thank my Lord and Savior up above--thank You, Jesus!" He has since founded the First Things First ministry.
Last night, with about 2 minutes left in the game, I asked Aaron, "Do you think it's total coincidence that this team is about to win this football game? I sure don't." I think it's entirely possible that the Lord is blessing this team because of one man's faith and committment to Him. At the ceremony immediately following the game, with white & red confetti streaming from the sky, thousands and thousands of fans cheering in jubilation, Terry Bradshaw begins to interview the Arizona quarterback, and this is what he says:
I was moved to tears to hear this man giving sincere praise and credit to our Lord! What a testimony.
The cardinals have (surprisingly!) secured their spot in this years Superbowl. They will face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are experienced, tough, and have a stellar defense. I asked my husband if he thought Arizona had a shot. Of course they do, but it won't be easy...citing the superiority of the Steelers defense.
We have yet to see if the Arizona Cardinals will win it or not, but I do know that to get all the glory, my God has moved MUCH bigger things than an NFL lineman.
Fast forward to 2009, NFC Championship, Arizona Cardinals vs. Baltimore Ravens. The Arizona Cardinals weren't even supposed to be there, now they are competing for a spot in the Superbowl?! How about that quarterback, Kurt Warner? Plucked from arena football to play for the Rams (winning them a Superbowl), the Giants, and currently, the Arizona Cardinals. He's a Christian, right?, I previously asked my husband. Yes, indeed he is. We've all heard the sports players "thank God" when they get a big win or catch a pass, but how many of them actually know what that means? Or live out their faith in Jesus Christ? Kurt Warner does! After the '99 Rams Superbowl win, an interviewer says to him, "Kurt, first things first--tell me about the final touchdown pass to Isaac." Warner's response? "Well, first things first, I've got to thank my Lord and Savior up above--thank You, Jesus!" He has since founded the First Things First ministry.
Last night, with about 2 minutes left in the game, I asked Aaron, "Do you think it's total coincidence that this team is about to win this football game? I sure don't." I think it's entirely possible that the Lord is blessing this team because of one man's faith and committment to Him. At the ceremony immediately following the game, with white & red confetti streaming from the sky, thousands and thousands of fans cheering in jubilation, Terry Bradshaw begins to interview the Arizona quarterback, and this is what he says:
I was moved to tears to hear this man giving sincere praise and credit to our Lord! What a testimony.
The cardinals have (surprisingly!) secured their spot in this years Superbowl. They will face off against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are experienced, tough, and have a stellar defense. I asked my husband if he thought Arizona had a shot. Of course they do, but it won't be easy...citing the superiority of the Steelers defense.
We have yet to see if the Arizona Cardinals will win it or not, but I do know that to get all the glory, my God has moved MUCH bigger things than an NFL lineman.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
CVS Today
I robbed CVS again today! START THE CAR!!! :o) I got 3 more boxes of crackers and 2 boxes of Absolutely Divine cookies for FREE (after coupons!) & got $3 ecb's back!! I'm going back tomorrow for more, I think. I need to get some more of the 6-pack water...apparently a shipment comes in tomorrow. The boxes of Absolutely Divine cookies are on sale 2/$5 and I have 2 more $1/1 coupons (I had 2 I used earlier, too), so that makes it $3 and I'll use another $3 CVS coupon making those free! This has been a great week to get my ecb stash back up...for free!
Forgot to tell a little story from yesterday. When I went to the one CVS to get my water, the girl at the counter was trying to convince me to take a cart. I'm like "Nooooo. I'm fine!" It's only 2 6-packs of water, you know. So, yeah. I was walked out, made it halfway across the parking lot, and totally ate dirt!! :o) Serves me right...it really hurt (went face first onto my knee), but I have to admit, it's kind of funny.
Forgot to tell a little story from yesterday. When I went to the one CVS to get my water, the girl at the counter was trying to convince me to take a cart. I'm like "Nooooo. I'm fine!" It's only 2 6-packs of water, you know. So, yeah. I was walked out, made it halfway across the parking lot, and totally ate dirt!! :o) Serves me right...it really hurt (went face first onto my knee), but I have to admit, it's kind of funny.
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