Preservation mode

Today I have only a few things on my To Do list... that is preserve.  I have zucchini and kale that needs to be "handled".  I have been trying to think of ways that I would most likely use the zucchini and kale after they are "preserved"  and I choose two ways.  First is bread.  I have a fabulous recipe for banana zucchini bread that I love and it works with spelt flour.  This recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups of shredded zucchini.  My goal today is to make four loafs which would take 3 cups (or 1 zucchini) and freeze them.  I am also going to shred two zucchini's and freeze them so I can make bread in the future.
As for the kale... blanch and freeze... not much else I can do with it, but at least I know I will use it in smoothies, spaghetti sauce, and more!

Off to preserving!

Good morning Monday

Good morning!  My daughter and I were up and running early this morning for our music class that we had loads of fun at.

I just saw this recipe, and with my overwhelming amount of kale I thought I'd try it!!!
One Pot Kale & Quinoa

So I will deviate from my meal plan because I have all these ingredients already!  Would love to see some of your yummy new recipes!

Sunday Shopping Trip

So I do not have my receipts in front of me but all in all it was a good day.
I wanna say my best deal was Ray's... a rather expensive store, but they had mailed me good coupons so I used them!!! 
A 2lb block of Tillamook cheese, laundry soap (32 loads HE), and two rolls of paper towels for under $7.00.
My second best trip was Safeway.  They had their buy 8 mix and match sale.  If you buy 8 you get .50 off each item.
I got 8 cans of black olives (each .69)
Tullys coffee with $1.50 coupon - $5.00
Free ice cream
Organic kidney and chili beans
 and more... total under $20.00 save $27.00

Then I did Fred Meyers - Costco - and Whole Foods.  

Sundays are consumed with me and stores!   Did you get anything good today??  I am in the market for tennis shoes... for our whole family.. if you see any deals please pass them on!!

Cas

Sunday Shopping Trip

I am watching a movie working on my shopping trip tomorrow... all I need is my Sunday morning adds!  I am on a very small budget this week so it is like a challenge to get my needs into that number!  I am working on an excel spreadsheet of 6 different stores and the deals matched with my coupons. 
Here is a few....

If you are local you may have gotten mailed coupons from Ray's - This week you can get Tillamock cheese 2lb for $3.99.
Albertsons has Seattle best coffee for $6.99 - pair that with the $1.50 off coupon and it's a deal!
They also have Newman's own pasta sauce for $2.79 - paired with $1/2 coupon from their website
Safeway has Olives .79 when you buy 8 or more.  They have a deal going this week when you buy 8 of their products including their organic brand you get .50 off each product.  Tully's coffee $6.49.  Then Philli cream cheese tubs b1g1 use coupon of $1/2.
WholeFoods has Pears at .99 a lb.  and Applegate turkey on sale.

Now... to make my menu plan and shopping list... some nights I wish there was "easy" button to get it all done.

Reports on my outcome tomorrow to come!

Delicious Kale Salad

A friend of mine recently gave me this recipe, and with the amount of kale I have in my garden I was GAME to try it!  And it is DELICIOUS!!!

A bunch of Kale
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
An apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
Raisins (Cherries... anything that sounds yummy)
Pine nuts (or what you have)

Take the bunch of kale de vein it, and tear or chop it to bit size pieces.  Put in a bowl, and sprinkle the salt over the kale.  Massage - yes I said massage - for 2 - 3 minutes and watch the magic!  The kale will reduce and get moist.  Add the rest of the ingredients, toss, and enjoy!  I don't know the measurements of the raisins and pine nuts... to taste!!

Good morning

Morning!  I would love to here from you all to get some delicious recipes you have found...  I get bored with the same ol stuff and I am in a search for new recipes.  Got any you wanna share?  What about a roast recipe?  I have one defrosting in the fridge to cook this weekend and would love to try something new.  Maybe zucchini? 

I hope you all have a great day, I am going to be working on some deals and coupons today and I will post some this afternoon.

Have a great day!

Up and Running

So it has been a while since I have been consistent at making post to this blog that I so enjoy.  Well... I am back in business.  I found a great deal on a computer to replace the computer that crashed on me... which will allow me to be up and running again.

So what is new??  Well... 35 spaghetti squash in my garden ... 10 pumpkin... and several other!  I have had the opportunity this summer to start a garden that far surpassed my expectations.  Including enough kale to feed half of Bend!  Lets just say I am eating a lot of squash and kale these days!

This summer I have made strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry jam.

Next steps???  I need to find a GREAT way to preserve some of this squash!

My grocery budget is lower than ever which means that I have had to SAVE a lot with coupons, meal planning, and more.

I am going to revamp the looks of the blog and make it easy to access for good and healthy recipes, devotions, and other great sites to help you light your fire!

Night!

Time for change

I have been through a lot this year...moving...watching kids full time...watching kids part time... family in town for over a month...and so on.   And before you know it it is SEPTEMBER!!  I have no idea how time passed so quickly.
My blogging slowed down when my laptop crashed.  It has proven to be difficult to always get to the desktop to post when I have the time to post.
Well... I was able to fix that problem and will be back on action in a week!!  I am so excited!!  I have tons of yummy recipes to share with you, news on the garden, couponing tips and more.

So my request... bare with me one more week so I can get rolling again!

Enjoy your evening and let's remember those in 911 ten years ago.  God bless them.

Getting back to basics

So I just got finished reviewing my summers grocery bills.... and to say the least I have gotten lazy.  I havens to get back to the basics of grocery shopping and using my coupons.  As I was reviewing my bills I was noticing a few mistakes that have really hit me hard. 
The number one mistake I have made over the past few months is the "random" grocery store trips.  I know I had company over the summer so I was more lax than I should have been...  but I have to stop those mid week trips!
The second mistake is going to too many stores!  All though the price of one or two items maybe cheaper at another store, when I get there I don't just buy that one item... its another $50. 
So... time to revamp!  I will start posting my trips..the cost..and the coupons starting tomorrow.  Writing it down holds me accountable to myself!  Here we go!

Garlic, carrot, and potato harvest

I put my child to bed at a decent time tonight so I could do some of the "tending" my garden desperately needed.  In the midst of weeding (which was the initial plan of the evening) and being attack in my own backyard by mosquito's... I switched my purpose from weeding to harvesting!
I harvested more garlic than I can count... found some potatoes that were ready... and had a few carrots come up as a casualty!  I was amazed...I know I am a new gardener but not one thing I harvested tonight did I actually plant!  Everything was a return from last years crop.
I am off to clean and store my vegetables...  tonight I didn't even get through a quarter of the garden!  What will tomorrow bring!

Here are some pictures of todays harvest.

P.S.  earlier today I harvested about two lints of raspberries and a pint of strawberries!