A Week Of New Recipes

It's always a struggle to figure out what to make for dinner and what to buy at the grocery store.  If I go to the store without a list, I just feel lost and to make a list without knowing what I am going to be cooking just seems reckless to me.  Those are the days you end up with cookies, chips and a random tub of guacamole when you don't even like guacamole.

In order to keep our grocery budget in check, I usually sit down every Saturday or Sunday and make a list of dinner for the week.  My list consists of five to nine different recipes that are either new or old standbys.  Then I take those recipes and write down everything in them that I don't already have in my cupboards.  This also helps me know when my staples are running low.  After I write own the needed ingredients, I will go through the sales ad for my grocery store.  For me, I only shop at Safeway, I have my favorite checker and I really like their new Just For U program which I can put coupons directly onto my club card.  After I check the ad, I assign the recipes each a day of the week, trying to alternate proteins and ease of preparation dependent upon what we have going on that day.

Last week, I had a pretty free schedule so I decided to make five new recipes, enjoy!

Monday:  Cheesy Chicken Casserole

We really liked this recipe.  I used rotisserie chicken leftovers and left out the peas.  My picky eater of a husband even liked this and said next time the peas would actually be ok.  This will probably be on our menu about once a month.  It was so simple.

Tuesday:  Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

This was pretty good.  We left out the onion.  I have adored Golden Mushroom soup since I discovered it about a year ago.  It is my favorite condensed soup to use.  I prefer my regular old Beef Stroganoff to this but I would make it again.

Wednesday:  Skinny Coconut Shrimp

I had a horrible day this day so I think my bad attitude tainted the recipe.  I bought the wrong shrimp, I waited too long to make it and we didn't eat until almost 8, which is really late for us.  I should have taken more time with this recipe and I think it would have been delicious.  I got irritated with breading each shrimp.  As it was we both liked it and I will make it again.

Thursday:  Swedish Meatballs

This recipe was a jumping off point for me, I kinda went out on my own.  I left out the allspice, celery and onion in the meatballs.  I did follow the meatball cooking instructions though and I thought it gave them a really great texture and flavor.  I enjoyed this recipe and was a little peeved we only had enough leftovers for one of us to take for lunch the next day, so next time I will make a slightly larger batch.

Friday:  Wing It!
We had some cat issues this week and we had to go to the vet on Friday.  We were supposed to try a baked Sweet and Sour Chicken but didn't have time for it so we picked up KFC.  That's what I love about having a plan, it can always change and its no big deal.  That recipe is now on for next week.

I am off to make my menu and see what I can make before payday/grocery day.  Have a great week and thanks for reading.

Halloween Pinwheel Craft

These pinwheels were so easy.
You will need:
Scissors, a dowel or skewer, a double-sided square of paper (any size you want), a small bead and push pin.

Here are some really great instructions for making a pinwheel:
http://www.leslietryon.com/3dcolorcutout/makepinw/makepinwheel.html

I used 6" x 6" paper.  I just took a 12 x 12 piece of scrapbook paper and cut it into 4 squares.
Fold the paper on the diagonal both ways

On each fold, cut about 2/3rds of the way down

Fold over every other corner to the center

Push the pin through each of the 4 corners and directly into the middle of the paper.  Place a bead between the paper and the dowel and push the pin into the dowel to secure it.  I suggest using an extra long push pin.

Halloween Paper Decorations

I got the inspiration for the project from HERE via Pinterest.

The instructions are very basic.  Just cut scrapbook paper of your choosing into strips.  My circles used 2-4 strips of 12" paper.  Depending how big and full you want them.

Basically just accordion fold them, then glue them end to end until you have a full circle.  Then take that circle and glue the center together and hold until mostly dry.

Then I just glued a small embellishment on the front and a stick to the back.  This one is just a circle of paper with a witchy sticker on it.

I got lucky and found some really cute scary embellishments at Michael's on clearance.  Here are some more I put together (the ghost is my favorite but don't tell the others):

I have a few more Halloween crafts I will be posting in the next couple weeks.

Ultimate Comfort Food: Tater Tot Casserole

My favorite dish as a kid was Tater Tot Casserole.  Someone always made it for family functions.  I hadn't had it in a very long time so I decided to throw it together and share it with you.

1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 can Green Beans

1 can Corn

1 bag Tater Tots

1 lb Ground Beef

1 cup Shredded Cheese

Brown the beef, drain and cool.  In a bowl, mix everything but the tater tots and pour into a greased casserole dish.

Layer the tater tots on top

Top with the shredded cheese and cook for 45 minutes to an hour at 350.