Tuesday, February 24, 2009

  {Menu Plan Monday and GCC Roundup}

So I didn't get a chance to post my menu yesterday, so I thought I would post it today with my grocery round up! :)

Menu this week:
Monday: We had chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes with corn (HEALTHY!!! LOL)
Tuesday: SHROVE TUESDAY! We had pancake dinner!! With bacon and strawberries
Wednesday: Dutchess Soup and rolls
Thursday: Baked Spaghetti (I didn't get to make it last week) with salad and bread
Friday: Bible Study Night, I'm taking turkey chili and cornbread again, it was a HUGE hit last week!
Saturday: (Celebrating my sister and BIL's wedding anniversary) Turkey and corn pudding with green beans. Cake for dessert.
Sunday: turkey Panini's with sweet potato fries.


Now for my shopping today:



Sun Harvest:
Celery $.77
Spinach $.47
Cilantro $.33
Fuji Apples $.63
Cameo Apples $.62
Red Grapes $1.54
3 Lg Potatoes $.83

Store Total: $5.19 w/tax



New Flower Farmers Market:
3 hearts Romaine $.99
10 grapefruit $1.00
Hot House Tomatoes $.85
Baby Carrots $.99
Bananas $1.71

Store Total: $5.89 w/tax



Walmart:
Rolls $2.50
Pretzels $1.18
Swt. Pot. Fries $2.68
Deli Turkey $3.01
Paper Towels $1.86
Bacon $1.88
Corn bread mix (for the corn pudding) $.44
Tea Bags $1.00
Cake Mix $.88
Oatmeal $1.18
2 Pringles $1.90
3 doz. Eggs $3.84
2 loaves Bread $1.76
5lb sugar $1.76
Coffee $2.22
Vegetable Oil $1.94
Juice Boxes $1.82
Creamed Corn $.57
Canned Corn $.57
Pam Spray $1.46
Baking Powder $.81
20 Tortillas $1.36
Tomato Sauce $.46
Granola Bars $2.00
Frosting $1.26
Green Beans $1.14
Chili Seasoning $.32
Mayo $1.57
Ground Turkey $1.38
Q-Tips $1.34
Nasal Spray $1.98
Excedrin Migraine $.94
Excedrin Back and Body $2.97 (a new must have for my job!)
Deodorant $0.94
Greeting Card $.44

Store Total: 55.94 w/tax


Sams:
2 Gallons of milk $4.78

Store Total: 5.17

GRAND TOTAL for the week: $72.19
a little over, but still not bad! :)

To see more Menu Plan Monday's Click here: http://orgjunkie.com/
To see more GCC Roundups, click here: http://grocerycartchallenge.blogspot.com/

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Monday, February 23, 2009

  {Im NOT DEAD!!}

...Just busy! CRAZY busy!! I never thought having 2 jobs, being a mom, having a life, cooking dinner, blogging, networking, etc. would be so hard all at once?!?!?! lol But I will have a menu plan Monday up today, hopefully a shopping trip tomorrow! I also have a furniture makeover that I wanted to share and a few recipes!! So stick with me during this transition!! Talk to you all soon!!!!

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Wednesday, February 18, 2009

  {I've been working on the...ULTA!}


Some of you wanted to know how my new job was doing,so just a little update....Today was my first "real" day of work and I LOVE IT! It was so much fun getting to meet all the girls, learning the registers and all that goodness!

Now I'm just excited to use my employee discount! LOL

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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

  {Grocery Cart Roundup: Feb 16th}

This is so exciting! I have wanted to join Gayle for the longest time on her Grocery Shopping Roundup, but never took the time to do it! I don't know how often I will post, however, I hope to do it pretty often! :)

Here are all my goodies!
regular stores:


farmers market:




Here is what I purchased this week:


Walmart:
Sandwich Bread: $0.88
Rolls: $2.50
18 eggs: $2.12
French Bread: $1.43
HI-C boxes: $1.82
Chicken Nuggets: $3.97
Coffee Creamer: $2.58
Saltines: $1.06
Breakfast Sausage: $0.98
Half and Half: $0.97
1lb Ground Turkey: $1.38
2 pkg. Hot Dogs: $1.40
Instant potato flakes: $2.28
Beef Broth: $1.48
Rotel $0.79
Cream of Mushroom soup: $1.12
Green Olives $1.38
Tomato Sauce $0.46
Egg noodles: $1.44
Chili Seasoning: $0.32
Deli-black forest ham: $2.49
Deli-roast beef: $2.78




Farmers Market:
3 pints strawberries: $2.64 (.88ea)
3 pineapples: $2.64 (.88ea)
Edamame: $1.99
iceberg: $0.77
Romain $0.77
bananas: $2.00
blue cheese: $1.71
tomatoes $0.65
onions: $0.71
tangelos: $1.53
red grapes: $1.63




Sams:
2 gallons of milk: $5.24




H-E-B:
small water bottles: $1.59
butter: $0.75
margarine sticks: $0.59
foil: $0.99
Deli-Provolone: $1.15
Deli-Munster: $1.56

Weekly Total: $64.54

To check out other grocery cart roundups, check out The Grocery Cart Challenge!

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Monday, February 16, 2009

  {Menu Plan Monday: Feb 16}


Wow! Monday already? Lagan had the day off, so it was really nice to be able to go shopping and not worry about what time she got out of school. I made a visit to a new farmers market today and was SOOOO excited to see the AMAZING deals I scored there!

In addition to my Menu Plan Monday, I am going to be sharing my grocery buys for the list on Gayle's Shopping Roundup! So look for that post next! :)

Monday: Tetrizini (I will have this recipe up soon!) with iceberg wedge salad with homemade Russian dressing, tomato wedges, and bread

Tuesday: Brown Rice and Lentil Casserole with green beans and rolls

Wednesday: Pancakes and Sausage

Thursday: Baked Spaghetti with garlic bread

Friday: Bible Study Night, I am taking turkey chili

Saturday: Bean Burritos with homemade refried beans (I will share this recipe asap too!!) with chips and homemade salsa.

Sunday: Sweetish Meatballs with rolls, romaine salad and blue cheese

To see More Menu Plan's check out Menu Plan Monday on the Organizing Junkie!

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Saturday, February 14, 2009

  {Anti-Valentines Day?}


So I wasn't going to do a Valentines day post, because, well...Valentines isn't really a holiday for me since I'm single. But then I saw this little photo on another blog for Anti-Valentines day, and I thought it was pretty darn funny!

So Happy Anti-Valentines Day to all the Single Ladies out there! :) lol Maybe next year we will get to celebrate too! hehe

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Friday, February 13, 2009

  {Job Report...}

All is not quiet on the western front, because I just got a call from the place I had an interview with on Monday and...

I GOT THE JOB!!!!

I am so excited! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to everyone who prayed for me to get this job! It is going to be an amazing opportunity for me to work in an industry that I LOVE and get to learn new techniques!
So I know some of you are DYING to know where I have a new job?
But first, the reason I didn't share the company was because I didn't want to jinx it or anything. But now I think I can share!!


ITS ULTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I freakin' love this store! Its like THE BEST! I get to be around make up and hair care all day long, its like total heaven to me!

I have training on Sunday and start work next week!
Wish me luck!! I'm going to need it! hehe :)

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

  {Notice anything missing?}


Lagan officially has a lisp and a whistle when she talks! :) She lost both of her front teeth last week and raked in $11 bucks for it! I guess the tooth fairy didn't realize we are in a recession! lol

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  {Sitting in Suspense}


I'm waiting anticipation now.....
I think my interview yesterday went really well. I am hoping to get a call by next week! This is like a total dream job for me, and it would be able to use a lot of my talents! I just keep praying! :)

Also, for my outfit that I wore, I am getting ready to put it up on the Cheap Fashion Blog! :)

but for now.......I am sitting in suspense! I will let you know if I hear anything soon!!!

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Tuesday, February 10, 2009

  {Bad News, Good News}


Hey Everyone!

Today's post is exciting and a downer at the same time! (Isn't that always the way!!)

First the bad news....Last night when I was cooking dinner, I drained a pot of pasta into the sink. I guess I tilted the pan the wrong way, and boiling hot water ran down my hand causing a pretty bad burn on my index finger on my right hand! This is bad because I am right handed and couldn't eat, write, type, basically do anything last night! So I put some ice on it for a while and decided to what I always do when I get burned (which, being a former chef, it's pretty often!), I put some aloe on it and put my finger in front of a portable fan, then fall asleep! It works every time!!
So I woke up this morning with a VERY sore finger, that still burns a little, so I know it must have been pretty bad :( But I am hoping I can put on my make up today because it will be VERY IMPORTANT.........

Which leads me to the GOOD NEWS!!!
I have an interview today at my number one job pick! I am SOOOOOOOO EXCITED!!! I prepared all day yesterday after I found out! If you could, say a little prayer for me around 1:00pm (CST) for me today that I get this job! It would mean a lot to me!!! :)
So I will be back later today to let you all know how to interview went!!! See you real soon...

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Thursday, February 5, 2009

  {Mega Cinnamon Rolls}


Hey Everyone! I am so sorry I haven't blogged in a few days! Who knew that looking for a job and then working full time took up your entire day?!?! lol But I REALLY want to thank each and every one of you that is praying for me and the others out there looking for a job right now. I have applied to about 40 jobs! Let's hope I get ONE!!!

But in the mean time, since I am still working from home right now, I decided for dinner last night to make Cinnamon Rolls! Now down here in the south, we call these Sweet Rolls, but some people call them cinnamon rolls, cinnamon buns, hot buns, harvest rolls, etc.

The recipe is really super easy to follow and produces a nice solid sweet roll. Now this is a new recipe, so I am still tweaking it. Read the review after the photo to see what we all thought! :)

JUMBO CINNAMON ROLLS
(makes about 15-18 large rolls)

(this recipe can be made three ways....in the bread machine, in your stand mixer {the method I chose}, or in the food processor)

What you need to make them:
1 cup milk (heated approximately 1 minute in microwave)
1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F.)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature and beaten
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
5 cups bread flour
3 teaspoons instant active dry yeast

Cinnamon Filling
1/2 cup butter, melted or softened
1 cup firmly-packed brown sugar
4 to 5 tablespoons ground cinnamon
3/4 to 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)
Soften the butter; set aside. In a bowl, combine brown sugar and cinnamon; stir in chopped nuts

Butter Frosting
2 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar
1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon lemon juice
In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon until well mixed and creamy. Refrigerate frosting until ready to use and then bring to room temperature before spreading.

HOW TO MAKE THEM:
Method 1: BREAD MACHINE
Add all the ingredients, except the Cinnamon Filling and the Butter Frosting, in the bread pan of bread machine. Process according to manufacturer's instructions for a dough setting. When the bread machine has completed the dough cycle, remove dough from pan and turn out onto a lightly oiled surface. (I use a nonstick cooking spray). Form dough into an oval, cover with a plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes.

METHOD 2: STAND MIXER
In a large bowl or in the bowl of a 5 quart stand mixer, combine all the ingredients in the order given except the Cinnamon Filling and the Butter Frosting. Using a dough hook, mix everything together until a soft dough forms. Turn the dough out onto a lightly oiled surface (I use a nonstick cooking spray), and knead until elastic, approximately 10 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes.

METHOD 3: FOOD PROCESSOR
Food Processor Method: Put dry mixture in processing bowl with steel blade. While motor is running, add liquid ingredients, butter, and egg. Process until mixed. Continue processing, adding remaining flour until dough forms a soft ball. Turn the dough out onto a lightly oiled surface (I use a nonstick cooking spray), and knead until elastic, approximately 10 minutes. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes.


NEXT....
1. Butter a 9x13x2-inch baking pan; set aside.

2. After dough has rested, roll and stretch the dough into approximately a 15x24-inch rectangle.

3. Brush the softened butter over the top of the dough with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle Cinnamon Filling over the butter on the prepared dough.

4. Starting with long edge, roll up dough; pinch seams to seal. NOTE: Rolling the log too tightly will result in cinnamon rolls whose centers pop up above the rest of them as they bake.

5. With a knife, lightly mark roll into 1 1/2-inch section. Use a sharp knife (I like to use a serrated knife and saw very gently) or slide a 12-inch piece of dental floss or heavy thread underneath. By bringing the ends of the floss up and criss-crossing them at the top of each mark, you can cut through the roll by pulling the strings in opposite directions. Place cut side up in prepared pan, flattening them only slightly. The unbaked cinnamon rolls should not touch each other before rising and baking. Do not pack the unbaked cinnamon rolls together.

6. Cover and let rise in a warm place for approximately 45 to 60 minutes or until doubled in size (after rising, rolls should be touching each other and the sides of the pan).

7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Baked in a regular oven approximately 20 to 25 minutes in a regular oven until they are a light golden brown.

8. Top with frosting and ENJOY!
Here are how mine turned out:

BEFORE FROSTING:


AFTER FROSTING:


REVIEW:
So I thought these were really good! I think the outside over baked just a little, they were a little hard, but the flavor was really good. I am going to keep searching, because I like a light, fluffy sweet roll and these are a little more dense and sticky! :)
All around TWO thumbs up!

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Sunday, February 1, 2009

  {Needing some Prayer}

Hey Everyone!

First off, I want you to watch this music video. This song has CHANGED my life. I used to pray for myself and my family and our prosperity, but now, in my time of need, God has put it on my heart that when I care for others, they reach their hands out to me. Once you have watched it...THEN read the message below! :)







So this weekend I went to San Antonio for a conference. I wish I could tell you it was an awesome conference full of amazing bloggers and I got to learn all kinds of great crafty stuff...but that's not the case!

I went to an amazing seminar, don't get me wrong. And I learned some really great "projects", but I wasn't there because I really wanted to, I was there because I NEEDED to be! I went to go see Dave Ramsey. I have messed up BIG time when it comes to money. And to be candid....I am bringing in WAY less a month than what the bills add up to! I try as hard as I can to live on a very strict budget, we have taken out things that we don't need. I don't go shopping anymore, we cut our food budget...if you haven't noticed, there haven't been any craft projects on this blog in a while. I just simply can't afford it. BUT....it's not the death of the blog...OH NO! It is the start to something entirely new.

I have decided to go back and get another full time job, so I am hitting the pavement full on this week. I will be learning to balance this blog, a new job, plus my graphic design! It should be a whole new adventure! Hence the merge of Gourmet Momma with PDB.

And to tell you the truth, I am really excited! I am pumped about getting to go back to work. (well...I have a FEW hesitations, but not many!)

But the best part about it is, I am getting out of debt so I can give Lagan a brighter future. Because as it stands now, she doesn't have one. She wont be able to go to college, she wont be able to get a car when she is 16, etc. I want her to do those things and not pay for it, literally, for the rest of her life!

So here is where I am asking you all for your help. Please pray that God will direct me and use me in a way that will impact my life and the lives of those around me in a positive way. That I be put in a position that I really like so I have good work ethic and that I am able to get out of this HUGE cloud of debt I have hovering over me.
And also, please pray for everyone out there that is job seeking in this terrible economy.

However, I am not worried about the economy or a bad job market, or a slow hiring process. People that say it doesn't look good.....They don't know MY GOD!!! :)

I love you all and thank you SOOO much for your prayers!

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