Crochet Water Bottle Carrier

I wanted to try my hand at a new crochet project that would keep me busy at work so here it is.... What do you think??

Saying

Edited do to content language :O)

“Whatever you give a woman, she will make it greater. If you give her sperm, she’ll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she’ll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she’ll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she’ll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So if you give her any crepe, be ready to receive a ton of shiitakes.”

June's Budget Menu

Jun 1-Meatloaf
Jun 2-Leftover Meatloaf
Jun 3-Hamburger Helper Chicken Lo Mein-Salad-corn on cob-Crescent Rolls
Jun 4-Garlic Chicken-Corn on cob- Baked Potato-Crescent Rolls
Jun 5-?
Jun 6-Chicken Taco Salad
Jun 7-Dog Food Dip
Jun 8-Garlic Chicken-Corn on cob
Jun 9-Turkey Tender Loin-Baked Potatoes
Jun 10-Leftover Chicken & Turkey w/ potatoes & corn on cob
Jun 11-What-ever Night
Jun 12-Pizza (B-Day Party Dinner)
Jun 13- Spaghetti w/ meatballs w/ Crescent Rolls
Jun 14- Garlic Chicken-Corn on cob
Jun 15- Taco Salad
Jun 16- Turkey Burgers
Jun 17- Leftover Taco Salad &/or Turkey Burger
Jun 18- Homemade Pizza
Jun 19-??
Jun 20-Garlic Orzo Broccoli Chicken Skillet & Corn on Cob
Jun 21-Garlic Orzo Broccoli Chicken Skillet & Corn on Cob
Jun 22-Honey Mustard Potatoes/Corn on Cob/Meatloaf
Jun 23-Leftover Meatloaf
Jun 24-Turkey Burger & corn on cob and french fries
Jun 25- Leftovers Turkey Burger w/ green onions & corn on cob
Jun 26-Meatball Sub sandwich
Jun 27-Garlic Chicken & Corn on the cob
Jun 28- Tacos w/ Mexican Rice
Jun 29-Leftovers
Jun 30-

May Spending...$132.61

Safeway $5.80- Tortillas & Salad Dressing
Walmart $40.95 had a few unexpected items I had to purchase
Walmart $5.26 Lunch meat-Carrots
Family Dollar $25.00-Storage bags/Paper products/Soaps
Sprouts $ 16.45 bought fruits/veggies/Cashew butter
Dollar Store $22.53
Walmart $13.71
Oriental Market $2.91-Chili Sauce & Sesame seeds


I don't even want to guess what I spend this past 31 days..:O) I forgot to keep all my receipts but I am getting alot better on a few things..

May Menu

Sat 1-Hamburgers & Potato Rings
Sun 2- Tuna Noodle & Canned Veggies
Mon 3-Lettuce Wrap Tacos & Mexican Rice & Refried beans
Tue 4- Fix it yourself night
Wed 5-Shredded Chicken Enchiladas & Mexican Rice & Refried beans
Thu 6-???
Fri 7-Chicken Salad
Sat 8-Meatloaf w/ Mashed potatoes & corn on cob
Sun-9- Leftovers from the 8th
Mon10- Southwestern Egg rolls & Chicken Sausage Cheese Dip
Tue 11-Leftovers
Wed 12-Sesame Noodles
Thur 13-Lasagna w/ breadsticks
Fri 14-Leftover Lasagna w/ bread sticks
Sat 15-Taco Salad
Sun 16-T-Burgers w/ Tator Tots
Mon 17-Fix it yourself
Tue 18-Salads
Wed 19-Wild Rice Casserole
Thur 20-Leftovers
Fri 21-Graduation Dinner out
Sat 22-Fix it your self
Sun 23-Lunch Meat/Cream Cheese Spread & Crackers
Mon 24- Lamb/Sweet Potatoes/Salad/ Veggie at the neighbors
Tue 25-Baked Potatoes/Broccoli and Cheese w/ Salad
Wed 26 Shredded Chicken Enchiladas w/ Mexican Rice & Salad
Thur 27 Meatloaf w/ Sweet Potatoes & Salad
Fri 28 Leftover Meatloaf w/ Sweet Potatoes & Salad & Corn Cob
Sat 29 Chicken/Salad/Sweet Potatoes/Corn on Cob
Sun 30 Fix it yourself
Mon-31 Meatloaf

May Spending

I will try to keep track of my budget better this month I must stop shopping randomly by doing a few things.

1. Cash only (Debit Card only to pull out the weekly spending allowance)
2. Change Bucket that I will count at the end of the month that will go into the bank & the end of the month so I can start saving $$
3. Must use what is in the house until then except for Milk/Bread/Fresh Fruits & Veggies/Household products budgeting no more then $60.00

Wishing me Luck!!!!

Grocery Deal

I have been using a bakery outlet here locally which I have been finding great deals on new products that I would not normally be able to purchase at regular store due to price. Sometime they have deal items & I stock up on those.. I have been purchasing only clearance items and freezing them I go shopping weekly however since my family for the next month or longer is only 2 people I will only need to shop there maybe once a month & freeze the products since we are not big bread eaters.

The bagels run me cost me $1.50 at the regular store $3.99+
The sandwich thins cost me $2.00 at the regular store $3.99+

Bulk Cooking

This is my new fave menu item that we tired this week LOVE it this can be baked or
deep fried however I prefer baked 400*F for approximately 15mins or until golden brown using one won-ton wrap only I did try a double wrap but the inside wrap didn't cook well. I used spray butter to assist w/ that golden look as well.
I am sharing the place I got the recipe w/ you I used only half the recipe since it was for only 2 people I end up w/ 20 won-ton wrap fully stuffed well and we ate 12 over 2 nights and frozen the rest for another meal
Southwestern-Egg-Roll Recipe

Bulk Cooking Steps 4-5

Step 4

Making homemade breakfast/Lunch Burritos to save money using the following ingredients priced around $12.19 however if you have the some of the ingredients on hand or you purchase them cheaper you get a better deal. As well if you are able to purchase any of the items and get more then one use for it like the leftover Hashbrowns could be use for dinner one night as side dish.

• Frozen Hashbrowns (on hand but $1.00 at store)
  
• Frozen Diced Peppers & Onions (on hand but $1.00 at store)
• 2 shredded chicken breast (3lbs for $6.90 used in several meals crockpot cooked)
• Broccoli Slaw (on hand but $1.00-$2.00 at store)
• Cheese (on hand but $1.50 at store)
• Tortillas ($4.69 for 26 fresh tortillas but can purchase tortillas for $1.00)

Step 5

Final product I was able to get 16 burritos. I wrapped 2 per ziplock for quick meals at work. This allows me to keep them frozen when I take them to work and nuke only as needed so some days I may have 2 due to I start work VERY early & some day I may only have one w/ sides to go with it yet I know every day what is in my meal & it's already pre-made so no guess work or extra spending..

The average burrito here in Phoenix, AZ is about $3.00-$5.00 so I am really saving $$

Bulk Cooking Steps 1-3

1st Step

In getting lots of meals made is to cook bulk chicken in the crockpot it takes about 4-6 hours on low and you don't have to babysit it which lets me work on other parts of meal preps.

Step 2

Get your cheese shredded if need be I purchase it pre-shredded to save time & less pain in my food processor :O) I also purchase my tortillas shells in bulk to save $$

Step 3

If you have food you need to quick nuke get that done so all the steps are completed prior to assembling time as this make assembling really quick..

April Budget

The household will be changing for the next one month or longer there will only be myself & my daughter.I have posted my household food inventory as well as my new menu for the next 16 days. The menu has the food items and the days will vary on what we will eat I planned for 20 days with leftovers & changes life that may happen in 2 weeks.I will also be bulk cooking my lunches & snacks today so I won't be tempted to purchase crap.
This is the items I had to purchase and the price it cost me total $187.50

Walmart $19.44

• 2 (1 pound packages) of ground turkey on sale $1.90 each
• 3lb bag of chicken breast $6.48
• 1 can of Refried Beans $1.32
• 2 packages of Wonton wraps $2.78 each
• 2 limes for 44 each
• 1 container of fruit juice $1.00

Fry's $13.42

• 4 packages of cream cheese $1.00 each
• 4 packages of sliced cheese on sale 99 cents each
• 2 can of tomato sauce .27 each
• 2 bags of corn chips $1.00 each
• 1 gallon milk $1.68
• 1 PB for $1.00

Food City $6.68

• 24 fresh made Tortillas $4.69
  
• 4 Fresh Made Taco Salad Shells $1.99

Fresh & Easy $8.93

• Broccoli Slaw Mix $1.99
• Dried Cranberries $2.35
• 2 bags of Lettuce .98 each
• 1 container of soft Tofu .98 each
• 1 dozen eggs $1.49

Grocery Outlet $15.51

• 1 box of Cracker .99 each
• 1 box Cereal $1.79
• 1 box Cereal $1.59
• 1 box Cereal $1.99
• 1 Pancake Syrup $1.79
• 1 Cheese & Salsa Dip $1.49
• 1 Mayo $1.99
• 1 crushed pineapple $.89
• Lunchable .99 each
• 1 bag of Potato Rounds
• 4 mini orange cups .25 each

Trader Joe's $5.58

• Sliced almonds $2.49
• Apricots $2.99

Walmart $14.44

• Bottle of Soda $1.00
• 2 cans Blackeyed Peas .66 each
• Bottle garlic powder .50 each
• 2 (3 lb containers ) ground turkey meat $5.68 each

Bakery Outlet $8.64 this will last over 3 weeks plus giving my mom 8 rolls

• 2 bags of bagel thins $1.50 each
• 2 bags of white bread 99 each but got one free
  
• 1 bag of multi thins $.99 each
• 1 bag of tortillas .99 each
• 1 Bag of Bun thins for sandwiches 16 rolls $2.00

Lee Lee Oriental Market $1.79

• 2 green onions .39 each
• 1 cilantro .49 each
• 1 bag of curry powder .69 each
  

Dollar Tree $12.54

• Shasta Soda $4.00
• Swiss Roll $1.00
• Mouth Rinse $1.00
• Soap Savers $1.00
  
• Cool Whip $1.00
• 2 batteries $2.00
• Cookies $1.00

Walmart $6.45

• Yogurt X4 for DD
  
• Shredded Cheese $2.12
• Bakery Item $ 1.80

Fry's $38.72

• 5 packs of chicken breast tenders
• 2 bags of cheese $4.99 each
• Manwhich $1.00
• 10 Cans of Haas Green Chili & Tomatoes
• 2 yogurt 50 cents each

Walmart $22.13

• 2 jugs of milk $1.68 each
  
• ice cream $2.50
  
• 4 bakery naan bread $1.50 each
• Strawberries $1.00
• 2 boxes of Freezer bags $2.18
• Yogurt
• 2 cans refried beans for emergency dinner
  

Dollar Store $5.21 & 4.26

• Gum
• Oil Bottle mine broke everywhere & caused a great mess
• Kitchen Scissors
• New Can opener
• Crunch & Munch
• Croutons
• Garlic Powder
• 2 non- food items
  

Walmart Emergency :O) $12.70

• 2 packs of Tortillas $2.00 right in the middle of wrapping burritos & the shells were yucky..
  
• Shower Head :O) was a must $12.70 this came from my food budget

Green Onions

THIS BATCH WAS STARTED A LITTLE LATER AND IS CURRENTLY DOING WELL I BEEN BUSY W/ PERSONAL LIFE & I AM BEHIND IN POSTING. AS YOU CAN SEE THIS BATCH LOOKS TALLER/BIGGER ONLY BECAUSE I ONLY CUT THEM DOWN LEAVING ALOT OF GREEN & ROOTS.

Garden

MY GREEN ONIONS WE PLANTED ON 3-25-10 ARE ALMOST READY TO START CUTTING THEY GROW PRETTY QUICKLY FROM LITTLE WHITE ROOTS W/ VERY LITTLE GREEN PART ON THE SINCE I ACCIDENTALLY CUT THEM TOO SHORT WHEN I WAS DICING THEM UP FOR DINNER BEFORE I GOT THE IDEA TO PLANT THE ROOTS & SEE IF THEY WOULD GROW...WHICH WOULD SAVE ME $$$ USUALLY .39 CENTS A BUNCH OR $1.00 A BAG AT THE DOLLAR STORE.

Arizona in Bloom

Shower Remodel

The Shower really needed to be cleaned up by putting up new shower walls due to the bead board being (Wet/Flaky/Buckling/Mold issues under the original metal pieces) so first we purchase pre-fabed shower surround for only $60.00 which was a great price to replace an issue however may shower head was above the surround so we had to put up plastic bead board$32.00 a sheet it is so nice now :O) very white & crisp..

Then the plumbing broke (handles) $60++ so we had to replace them.

Then we used the neighbors outside water ( Hose area) broke their turn off main value so we replaced that as well for $85 had to call a plumber due to concerns that something else would go wrong..

Finally it was time to take a shower 2 days later wait for the liquid nail & sealant to dry...Hung the shower curtain bar tooo high..so I have to buy a get this a $10 shower curtain now since the cheap ones are too SHORT...Just shoot me :O)