Molasses Cookies

I wanted a soft molasses cookie and this is it :O) Molasses Cookie Recipe they say to bake them 8 mins however the first sheet was too gooey inside the cookie still so I bumped it to 10 mins
and the 3rd sheet to 11 mins so I will see which turns out best. I just wanted a quick cookie for snacking and I love Archway Molasses cookies this it better and I can roll them in sugar before baking to get that sugar effect

Crockpot Baked Acorn Squash

I was surfing this morning the Stephanie O'Dea 365 slow cooker website I really love her site it gives me lots of ideas to try my crockpot before I turn on the oven...I typed in her search bar for Acorn Squash and found this recipe idea. I decided to leave mine whole I used brown sugar/Spray Butter/Cinnamon Sugar

Yard Sale Deal

I hit a yard sale and found this nice very clean waffle marker yes I have a waffle marker however mine produces huge roundish style and I was looking for an easier size waffle to work w/ for quick freezing the roundish ones take up to much room in the freezer and I can probably get 4 to play flat in a gallon size freezer Ziplock bag :O).

Crockpot Baked Potatoes

This is the quickest way to get lots of potatoes done with out having to turn on the oven. No need to sit and wrap them all in foil just line the crock-pot for quick clean up. The crock-pot steams them in their own moisture it will take only 4 -5 hours on high. I do this when I get home from work at 1 PM they are ready for dinner at 5 PM. Plus I have the next nights dinner side dish already completed. You could do this for Potato Bar night at your house if you like this idea ( Chili/ Cheese/Onions/Broccoli etc)

Biscuits

I wanted to find a quick recipe for muffins style biscuits that I would not mess up so I did this while everyone as still sleeping incase they turned out bad I could just drop them in the trash before they got up :O) The recipe went together quickly I have attached a link to the recipe so you can try it.
I only had regular flour so I used this conversion (As a substitute for 1 cup of self-rising flour, place 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a measuring cup. Add all-purpose flour to measure 1 cup) I loved this recipe I plan to spice it up next time w/ herbs & garlic for Cheesey Garlic Biscuits for serve w/ Spaghetti Dinners.

Arizona Retention Canal

Recently Phoenix, Arizona and the state of Arizona was under 4 days of no-stop rain which is unheard of here. They stopped airplanes coming into Sky Harbor airport/closed major freeways heading north as well as East & West to leave the state due to rain/winds/snow/ice danger this is a local park in Peoria, AZ this is a picture of the water Retention (over flow) from up north flowing down here. This area usually only contains a trickle of water.

Bread

Decided to try this recipe after several people on my fave website All Recipe .com suggested it. I have attached the link for you guys in-case you wish to give it a try....Beer Batter Recipe of the family only 2 liked it and I was no one of them I am sure I will be trying this again for the family w/ spaghetti dinner like I did tonight.

Trailer Park New Lake

Never had so much rain before it rained for 4 days straight and we got a new lake :O) in the complex now

Menu Jan 23- Jan 31

1/23 Sat Spaghetti w/ Turkey Italian Sausage w/ Beer Batter Bread
1/24 Sun Leftovers
1/25 Mon Beef pieces and Turkey Burgers w/ Cheese Broccoli Potatoes
1/26 Tue Fix it yourself
1/27 Wed Leftover T-Burgers w/ Cheese Broccoli Potatoes and Chili
1/28 Thu Taco Salad Stuff
1/29 Fri Fix it your self
1/30 Sat Swedish Turkey Meatballs over noodles or w/ rice
1/31 Sun Chicken Enchilada Chili

Crochet Dish Rags

I found this pattern & find to be simple for me. I can make them up quick for use around the house I am trying to get rid of sponges & have found these scrub just was well and I can reuse/bleach wash these for use repeatly :O) I think they would be great gifts as well w/ a few Kitchen Crochet Towels..:O)

Crochet Full Size Wash Rags

First Time using this pattern so I was a little off or I over stretch my yarn when I did it so it is a little crooked but I am not picky :O) I like this cloth however I prefer a small size as I like nothing bigger then a sponge size to wash with so the created the white mini rags in my next post...

Homemade Quick Zucchini Brownies

Zucchini Brownie Recipe from Allrecipes.com

The recipe goes together quickly I shredded the zucchini in my food processor & froze the remaining 2 cups shredded zucchini for quick use later in this recipe & contains no eggs & I substituted applesauce in place of the oil called for to make it healthier.

I didn't make the frosting as my daughter is not big on frosting. This recipe will provide a quick dessert in a lunch this week.

Leftovers Quick Soup

The original recipe is from Allrecipe.com however I modify it based on what ingredients I have in the house which makes a great quick meal w/ crackers or a side salad.

This time I used:
2 cans of fire roasted canned diced tomatoes w/ jalapenos
2 (1 cup) bags of pre-cooked black beans that I had in the freezer
1.5 cups of water I could use broth but decided to just use water
1.5 cup of Taco Sauce ( El Pato salsa de jalapeno) I always have this on hand
10-12 cocktail onions got a jar to use up since I don't eat them I diced to mince up
1 green pepper diced up
2 cups of shredded chicken that I precooked yesterday in the crockpot
2-3 tsp of ground cumin

Mixed this all together on stove top due to already using the crock-pot for something else. I let this simmer for 1.5 hour. This was great loved it. Plus this soup you can make w/ whatever you have on hand.

Crochet Flower Dish Rags

Recently I decide to crochet more/master reading patterns/even creating a few items for use not just to give away to others. I mostly do this to keep busy
while at work I work a job were I sit around waiting for 2-4 hours at a time and reading it getting boring :O)

Bulk Cooking or Bulk Storage for January

1. Corn Bread- I made 6 batches this week already to have on hand for snacking
2. Waffles- 2 weeks ago I made 30 and we have 2 left will need to make more this weekend to freeze for Breakfast .
3. Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
4. Shredded Zucchini for Brownies later in the month
   

Budget for January

Foods/Paper Products/Cleaning/Soaps/etc Not Bill Related Totals

My goal w/ posting is to help me STOP buying things that are NOT needed just WANTED so this will help me to budget better.

1 st week of January total Total :$ 142.25

Fry's-$46.67
Dollar Stores-$23.88
Cash Back at Fry's for quick purchases $20.00
Fry's 21.70
Walmart$ 20.00
Walgreens $10.00 for a battery


2nd Week of January $40.09

Fry's $20.00
Fry's $2.71 for lunch forgot lunch at home.
Fry's $7.96
Walmart $9.42

3rd and 4th Week of January $ 205.45

Fry's $ 4.77
Fry's $6.07
Pet Market $3.67
Fry's $ 17.15
Fry's $7.90
Walmart $ 17.12
99 Store $36.87
Fry's 24.79
Fry's 9.20
Fry's 68.88
Fry's 3.80
99 Cent store $13.16
Walmart $ 17.12
99 cent Store $36.87
Fry's $5.97
Fresh & Easy $.98
Farmers market $4.00

I spent more then planned however this was to stretch 3 weeks..

Clearance Deals Month of January

This post will cover the month of clearance deal I discover over the next 4 weeks. I will edit and update this post to keep everything together to assist others in reviewing it.

Trip 1

20 fresh hamburgers for price total $4.99 total $9.98 original price total $23.98 saved $14.00 they came in a large family size packages I will repackage into single use for quick meals.

6 Classic Seasoned Dressing priced $.49 total $2.94 original price total $.99 saved $3.06 each box comes w/ 2 (6oz bags of stuffing mix) I will be able to use this to make meatloaf stretch more in place of the crackers.

4 packages of Xmas Store Brand Oreo's priced $.99 total $3.96 original price total $9.96 saved $5.97 ( I will open 1 pack each week for the next 4 weeks)

After purchasing my order I received a Free coupon for 20ct package of Tampon regular price $2.99

Total Spent $16.88 Saved Total $33.01

Trip 2

Onion Rolls -price total $1.29 original price total $2.49 saved $1.20

Biscuits price total $1.29 original price total $2.49 saved $1.20

Cinnamon Rolls price total $1.49 original price total $3.99 saved $2.50

7 Oscar Myers Lunchables 5 for DD Lunches & 2 for me price total $1.00 each original price total $2.50 saved $10.50

After purchasing my order I received another Free coupon for 20ct package of Tampon regular price $2.99

Total Spent $ 11.70 saved $ 15.40

Trip 3

2 gallons of milk price total $1.50 each original price total $2.50 each saved $2.00
4 packages of Jenni-o Turkey Burgers price total $1.80 each original price total $5.99 each saved $16.76
1 package of Jenni-o Italian Turkey Links for price total $1.99 each original price total $5.99 each saved $4.00
Next store
6 packages of Jenni-o Turkey Burgers price total $1.49 each original price total $5.99 each saved $27.00

Total Spent $21.13 saved $ 28.63

4th Trip

Fry's weekly ad I was able to purchase a 3lb bag of frozen chicken breast $4.88 regular price $9.99 saved $5.11

5th Trip to Fry's

After purchasing my order I received another Free coupon for 20ct package of Tampon regular price $4.99 by Tampax .

6th Trip to Fry's 1-21-2010

2 boxes of instant pudding for .25 cents each regular price $.50 each saved $.50 cents
3 boxes of Smart Start Cereal $1.49 regular price $3.19 saved $5.11
1 container of Crescent Rolls $2.19 regular price $4.79 saved $2.60

Cornbread

Grandma's Buttermilk Cornbread from Allrecipes.com website

This is the type of cornbread that is sweet not gritty like the Jiffy box most people like. I made a 8 x 8 pan it turned out thick in size and it was gone quickly as well as requested to be made again for dinner tonight. I made this to go w/ Chili Cheese Baked Potatoes for a quick meal I don't carry buttermilk in the house so I used 1 cup of regular milk minus 2 tbsp and replaced the 2 tbsp w/ lemon juice ( this will sour the milk ) which can be used in the recipe the same way the buttermilk is.

Crockpot Recipe

Crockpot Baked Potatoes

Potatoes ( how ever many you wish to make at one time)
Oil
Crockpot
Kosher Salt

Grease Crock-pot w/ oil. Wash potatoes & poke some holes in them.
Drop potatoes into prepared Crock-pot drizzle oil of the potatoes and if you wish to use salt add it now .Turn on high if you wish them done in 3-4 hours if you want it done later turn on low heat for 6-8 hours.

Verdict:
Quick , Easy and tastes just like baked potatoes just not dried out :O). Thinking this would be great for a large get together or baked potato bar themed party.

Menu until the Jan 2 to Jan 22

Sat-2 step Broccoli & Chicken w/ White Rice
Sun-Leftover Shredded BBQ Chicken
Mon-Jambalaya & Leftovers
Tue-Tuna Noodle Casserole & Leftover Jambalaya
Wed- Baked Potatoes w/ Cheese & Chili along w/ Homemade Cornbread
Thu-Leftovers
Fri-French Bread Pizza
Sat- Meatloaf w/ Baked Potatoes
Sun- Dinner at the Neighbors
Mon-Leftover Meat Loaf & Baked Potatoes w/ cheese
Tue- Onion Roll Mini Pizzas to use up the leftover Pizza stuff from Friday
Wed-Burgers w/ Diced baked potatoes and cheese
Thu-BBQ Shredded Chicken Sandwiches
Fri-Pork Loin w/ Stuffing and Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
Sat- Leftovers
Sun- Taco Salad w/ Mexican Rice
Mon-Leftovers
Tue-Burgers w/ Potatoes and Cheese Sauce
Wed-Make it yourself
Thur-Burgers w/ Potatoes and Cheese Sauce
Fri- Meatloaf w/ Mac & Cheese

Happy New Year !!! Let's Talk Beans

This is how I started the New Year w/ 2 pound of Crockpot Red Beans & 2 pounds Crockpot Black Beans to store in the freezer for quick meal use.
I didn't use any spice just plain water & beans that way I can spice them as needed.