The Memorial Day/ patriotic birthday cake was a huge success and so light and refreshing for the hot, humid weather yesterdayy here in Richmond, VA!
We had a great weekend with family and friends. Love the summer when we can spend time on the deck, grill out and eat, drink and be merry! I baked banana bread yesterday (one loaf was originally intended for the freezer, but ended up going home with my daughter and son-in-law). Fair enough, as my daughter helped out with last minute cookout prep:-)
Today I'm fixing Broccoli, Chicken, Rice casseroles - one will be for dinner tonight and three will go in the freezer. I'm going to make pepperoni pizza pockets and brownies this afternoon as well so I don't have to worry about cooking/baking the rest of the week.
We have enough potato salad, corn on the cob and deviled eggs leftover to provide supplements to our dinners and lunches this week, so it should be a light cooking/meal prep week, unless I decide to really go crazy and cook ven more meals ahead--which I just may because I love having dinner ready to pop in the oven or microwave after work.
It's been a relaxing and fun Memorial Day weekend for us. My Dad visiting from Seattle was a special treat. We missed Mom so much and hope she's up to travelling again soon.
We honor and thank all those who serve - and their families - so that we continue to enjoy the freedoms only possible in America, the greatest country in the world.
Regardless of your political affiliations, today we are all one and I'm so grateful for my life, for my family and my country.
I pray you and yours have enjoyed this Memorial Day weekend and have paused for at least a moment to remember those who have served and especially those currently on active duty around the world.
Just be frugal,
Mary
Why Be Frugal?I consider frugality an art form and a religious conviction. I learned about paying cash for purchases, recycling and reusing just about everything and being generous to friends and those in need from my parents.
My faith instructs me all things are gifted by God and so I am compelled to be a good steward of my gifts. [The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to man. Psalm 115:16]
Monday, May 28, 2012
Thursday, May 24, 2012
Happy Memorial Day
I spent 2 hours at Kroger this morning! I used all but two coupons, then used one I found that someone had opted not to use: 2 rolls of Heavy Duty Reynolds wrap - on sale and then with the coupon, it was CHEAP. I usually don't buy national brands of wraps, but this deal made it quite a bit cheaper than the store/generic brands. Happy dance:-)
I bought 10 pounds of chicken leg quarters ($.69/lb), 4 packs of Ball Park franks, 4/$5. These two plus my found bargain were the best deals of the day, but I saved almost 30% on my total so I was pretty pleased.
I bought the few ingredients I lacked for all the recipes I plan to cook tomorrow, and lots of items for our birthday (my 24 yr old son)/Memorial Day cookout with family (including my Dad who will be visiting from Seattle!
Our birthday/Memorial Day menu:
Turkey burgers, sirloin burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, deviled eggs, watermelon, corn on the cob, tossed salad. Birthday cake will be a patriotic yellow cake mix, whipped topping with blueberries and sliced strawberries (flag).
Eggs just finished boiling. One frozen and one "make from storebought whole-wheat crust" pizza are in the oven for dinner - we'll have leftover zucchini and some frozen brussel sprouts. I'll boil potatoes tonight. Tomorrow, I'll work on the potato salad, deviled eggs and freezer recipes:
Brownies,
Pizza Pockets
Banana Bread
Chicken Brocolli Rice Casserole
using recipes I found at moneysavingmom as part of her 4 Weeks to Fill Your Freezer series.
What are you fixing for Memorial Day?
Just be frugal,
Mary
I bought 10 pounds of chicken leg quarters ($.69/lb), 4 packs of Ball Park franks, 4/$5. These two plus my found bargain were the best deals of the day, but I saved almost 30% on my total so I was pretty pleased.
I bought the few ingredients I lacked for all the recipes I plan to cook tomorrow, and lots of items for our birthday (my 24 yr old son)/Memorial Day cookout with family (including my Dad who will be visiting from Seattle!
Our birthday/Memorial Day menu:
Turkey burgers, sirloin burgers, hot dogs, potato salad, deviled eggs, watermelon, corn on the cob, tossed salad. Birthday cake will be a patriotic yellow cake mix, whipped topping with blueberries and sliced strawberries (flag).
 |
| Click HERE for recipe. |
Brownies,
Pizza Pockets
Banana Bread
Chicken Brocolli Rice Casserole
using recipes I found at moneysavingmom as part of her 4 Weeks to Fill Your Freezer series.
What are you fixing for Memorial Day?
Just be frugal,
Mary
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
A weekend of filling up my freezer!
Dinner tonight: Garlic chicken and rolls from the freezer, zucchini squash. Yum. Tomorrow: massive couponing/ stockpiling/ gearing up for freezer cooking!
I'll be using lots of the recipes I found at Money Saving Mom and her series:
Check back for updates over the next 3 days!
Just be frugal!
Mary
I'll be using lots of the recipes I found at Money Saving Mom and her series:
Check back for updates over the next 3 days!
Just be frugal!
Mary
Monday, May 21, 2012
Freezer + planning ahead equals frugal - and smart!
Latest adventures in frugal living: This weekend we decided to abstain from eating out for the next 3 months. It will be quite challenging for us, but we're going to give it a shot and are looking forward to the money we'll save. We want to purchase several new appliances - not just want! We're holding our breath that everything will keep working for a while! We really DO want to pay cash whenever possible as well.
My husband and I also were not thrilled with the detailed reports we received at our most recent annual physicals so we examined ways to be healthier. One of things we've changed in our diets is that we're avoiding processed lunch meat and other highly processed foods (like Lean Cuisines, Smart Ones, etc. and other frozen ready made meals and snacks). The sodium content in most of them is so high and we realized we can make our own frozen dinners/ lunches from scratch for a lot less. What I'm really excited about is that my husband has really "bought in" to our new lifestyle! He's just as committed as I am and that will make a huge difference!
Tonight I assembled Ham biscuits, wrapped in packs of two and stored in the plastic bag the rolls were packed in - in the freezer--bought Hawaiian dinner rolls at 1/2 price last night ($1.79) & used part of 1/4 Spiral sliced ham I bought on sale and with a coupon. I wrapped them in plastic and stuck them back in plastic bag the rolls were packed in.
Then I assembled Ham sandwiches - spiral sliced ham and Sandwich Thins (purchased on sale with a coupon) and in the freezer.
Finally, I cut up canteloupe and Strawberries and stuck them in rubbermaid containers - ready for snacking.
This weekend I made breakfast sandwiches with English Muffins (on sale--BOGO), Canadian Bacon, Egg, Cheese) and when I calculated the cost it was less than $1 each:-)
Tomorrow night I have a class and my husband and son have everning activities as well. I will pack a sandwich and some fruit for my dinner. They guys will have leftover smoked sausages on buns and some salad (which I'm getting ready to mix up now).
What are some lifestyle changes you've made lately for your physical or financial well-being?
Just be frugal,
Mary
My husband and I also were not thrilled with the detailed reports we received at our most recent annual physicals so we examined ways to be healthier. One of things we've changed in our diets is that we're avoiding processed lunch meat and other highly processed foods (like Lean Cuisines, Smart Ones, etc. and other frozen ready made meals and snacks). The sodium content in most of them is so high and we realized we can make our own frozen dinners/ lunches from scratch for a lot less. What I'm really excited about is that my husband has really "bought in" to our new lifestyle! He's just as committed as I am and that will make a huge difference!
Tonight I assembled Ham biscuits, wrapped in packs of two and stored in the plastic bag the rolls were packed in - in the freezer--bought Hawaiian dinner rolls at 1/2 price last night ($1.79) & used part of 1/4 Spiral sliced ham I bought on sale and with a coupon. I wrapped them in plastic and stuck them back in plastic bag the rolls were packed in.
Then I assembled Ham sandwiches - spiral sliced ham and Sandwich Thins (purchased on sale with a coupon) and in the freezer.
Finally, I cut up canteloupe and Strawberries and stuck them in rubbermaid containers - ready for snacking.
This weekend I made breakfast sandwiches with English Muffins (on sale--BOGO), Canadian Bacon, Egg, Cheese) and when I calculated the cost it was less than $1 each:-)
Tomorrow night I have a class and my husband and son have everning activities as well. I will pack a sandwich and some fruit for my dinner. They guys will have leftover smoked sausages on buns and some salad (which I'm getting ready to mix up now).
What are some lifestyle changes you've made lately for your physical or financial well-being?
Just be frugal,
Mary
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Redeem Box Tops for Education Online!
Did you know that you can sign up to redeem Box Tops online? You select the school and they will receive all of your online Box Top earnings.
Plus there is an “Earn” section where if you shop online through their website using a discount coupon (benefits you too!), there are over 175 different retailers that will donate Box Tops to your designated school after your purchase. They have big name retailers like Target, 1-800-Flowers and Lowe’s. Even Southwest Airlines.
This post was shared from Box Tops for Education is an easy way to help your school- written by deal-finder Josephine and posted at More With Less Today.
Plus there is an “Earn” section where if you shop online through their website using a discount coupon (benefits you too!), there are over 175 different retailers that will donate Box Tops to your designated school after your purchase. They have big name retailers like Target, 1-800-Flowers and Lowe’s. Even Southwest Airlines.
This post was shared from Box Tops for Education is an easy way to help your school- written by deal-finder Josephine and posted at More With Less Today.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Free Park Admission! Free Camping!
Spend the night of Friday, May 11 at a Kampgrounds of America site and stay Saturday night for free!
Visit koa.com for details about KOA's annual Come Kamp and Care with Us Weekend. The promotion benefits its Care Camps for childrenwith cancer.
Love the outdoors?
Visit a National Park for free on these days in 2012:
June 9
Get Outdoors Day
September 29
National Public Lands Day
November 10-12
Veterans Day weekend
On these fee-free days, many state parks also offer free admission.
Visit http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm to find details about parks in your state.
Just be frugal,
Mary
Visit koa.com for details about KOA's annual Come Kamp and Care with Us Weekend. The promotion benefits its Care Camps for childrenwith cancer.
Love the outdoors?
Visit a National Park for free on these days in 2012:
Get Outdoors Day
National Public Lands Day
Veterans Day weekend
On these fee-free days, many state parks also offer free admission.
Visit http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm to find details about parks in your state.
Just be frugal,
Mary
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Free College Course Online
My dad told me about openculture.com several years ago and the course offerings available are phenomenal! This site is definitely work checking out:
http://www.openculture.com/freeonlinecourses
Open culture.com makes available over 400 free online courses from the world’s leading universities. Users can download audio & video courses straight to your computer or mp3 player.
Open Culture was founded in 2006. Dan Colman, the lead editor, is the Director and Associate Dean of Stanford’s Continuing Studies Program.
This morning I heard about a new initiative, edX. Here is an excerpt from the edX website, http://www.edxonline.org/.
EdX is a joint partnership between The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University to offer online learning to millions of people around the world. EdX will offer Harvard and MIT classes online for free. Through this partnership, the institutions aim to extend their collective reach to build a global community of online learners and to improve education for everyone.
The gentleman who shared this information on CNN made an excellent point that while these courses are not for credit, participants will receive a certificate of completion. Those certificates can be added to a resume and may give someone out of work, or looking to change careers, an edge.
Free is good. Free education is priceless!
Just be frugal,
Mary
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