Frugal February Results

Well, it is time to let everyone know what my final grocery tally for Mrs. P's Frugal February is. Drum roll please....$331.65. I am really happy with that amount. I usually allow a budget of $400.00 per month, so in that regard, I did well. I tried to stay at $300.00 or less for Mrs. P's challenge. I didn't quite make that goal.

I learned a few things from this challenge. One of the things I learned is to make a weekly menu instead of a two-week menu. I found when I tried to shop for two weeks, I wouldn't buy bread items or fresh fruit or vegetables for the second week. This meant I would end up in the grocery store again and that would spell disaster! So I am going to continue with my once a week menu planning and shopping.

I also noticed, after scouring my bank account, that I only earned $.02 in interest over the month! That kind of pisses me off.

So anyway, here is the menu for this week.

Monday - Pasta Primavera

Tuesday - Szechuan Shrimp

Wednesday - Mac & Cheese, green beans

Thursday - Grilled Salmon, couscous and a vegetable

Friday - Stromboli

Saturday - Pigs in a Blanket

Sunday - Pork Schnitzel, Creamy Corn

I am hoping Mrs. P will make this a regular feature of her wonderful blog. I have enjoyed the challenge. Mrs. P, do your linky thing so we can all see what everyone else did!

Hope you all have a great day - I played hookie from work and am cleaning house!! Then off to sew!


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Quick Post

I have had a nice and relaxing weekend. So sorry it is over.

I spent a good part of Saturday quilting the scrappy quilt that I am making for a family friend. I am about half finished and hope to have it ready for binding in the next couple of days. My plan is to have it finished and mailed by her 90th birthday, which is mid-March. I will post photos when finished.

Here is a photo of one of the dresses I want to make for The Baby. It will be made out of linen and I think it will flow very nice.



Big and I went to see the new Jennifer Anniston/Adam Sandler movie, "Just Go With It." It was so funny and it was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

My fingers are sore from calculating my final total in Mrs. P's Frugal February challenge! I have planned my menu for next week already. Wow, I can't believe I am so on top of things.

Well, I will heading off to bed soon, so I will sign off. Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!


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Hexi Swap

About a month ago, I decided to join a Hexagon Swap. I received my first Hexi the other day. I was so excited! Sorry it took me so long to post. I love the post card she sent, it cracked me up!



My swap partner requested Cream petals and Red, Taupe or brown Civil War fabrics for the center. I didn't own any Civil War fabric. So, of course, I had to go shopping!



I like the way it turned out. What do you think?


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Frugal February

I had a lovely and expensive trip to the Dentist today and am in a little pain because of it. I decided to take a pain pill, which is something I usually don't do. This post will be short and sweet. I am sure the pill will begin to hit me pretty soon and I will be more incoherent than normal!

I went to the grocery store today and managed to spend about $52.00. The groceries bought today will last till the 28th of February. My total for the month of Feb. so far is at about $280.00. If I can stay away from the stores, I will beat my goal of $300.00 for the month! I thought I had gone way over budget, so I was happily surprised!

Here is this weeks menu:

Monday - Pasta with homemade spaghetti sauce

Tuesday - Big had eggs and sausage and I had malt-o-meal. We were supposed to have fish, but because of my dentist visit, I needed soft food.

Wednesday - Vegetables with couscous

Thursday - Southwestern Cod and leeks

Friday - Patty Melts, homemade fries

Saturday - Whatever we can dig up (I left my menu in the car and it is snowing, so I don't want to get it.)

Sunday - Beef Tacos (these will be more like fajitas - not ground beef)

I know this doesn't sound too exciting. As I said earlier, I left the menu in the car and I don't want to go and get it! Most of the recipes are new, so I am excited! I will post about the meals as the week goes on.

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I'm a Slacker!

Well, I am not really a slacker. I have been busy with work and a few other things. I have also had some health issues. I have been experiencing some severe joint pain and have not been wanting to get on the computer. I have an appointment with a Doctor this Thursday and hope to find out what is going on then.

In the mean time, here is a little something for you all.





Aren't they cute? I just fell in love with them.

The Baby was home for the weekend and I was able to get a photo of her in her new sweater. She was not prepared for the photo and was disappointed that she had a long shirt under the sweater. She also wanted a skinny belt to go with it.



I think my February Frugalness went to hell in a hand basket. I didn't make a menu last week and found myself running to the store more than I would have liked. I will post a menu tomorrow and will let everyone know where I am at in regards to my budget.

I spent a good bundle of cash at Joann Fabrics over the weekend. They were having a sale on their clearance fabrics. Most of the fabrics are for clothing. I will post about them tomorrow!

Well, I am off to finish up my Patrica Cornwell book and to get some Hexagons sewn. Hope you had a good weekend!

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Happy Valentines Day!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentines Day! Share your love with everyone today, even if it is just with a smile!

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A Different Kind of Finish

I have another finish for 2011. It is not a quilt. I will claim it as a finish none the less.

While surfing blogs, I came across Grograin and was inspired by her month of embellished knits. I decided to "re-create" a sweater for The Baby.

So, about a month ago I went to our local Goodwill store and found a few sweaters I thought I could work with. I liked the look of this one and thought it had possibilities. It is a Tommy Hilfiger and I like the clean lines on it. Note the cigarette burn at the bottom. Sorry the photo is sideways - I don't know how to turn it around.



I used some lace and a couple of light weight fabrics for the ruffles.



Here is what I ended up with. I am hoping The Baby will like it.



I know this is not a great photo. The Baby is due home this weekend and I will have her pose with it on. I am sure it will look much better. I will try to get a close up of the ruffles.

On to more pressing matters....Thanksgiving Dinner in a Dish.




Make stuffing (I use two boxes of Stove Top) and put it in a baking dish. Press it against the sides.



Put left over turkey or chicken in the dish.



Layer corn on top. I used frozen, but you could use canned.



Pour a jar of turkey gravy on top. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 minutes or until hot all the way through.



Mind you, I don't normally cook this way. This is an easy dinner to make when you are tired, but want more that potato chips and dip for dinner. Hope you enjoy.

Hope you are having a great weekend. I plan on basting "Krys'" scrappy quilt and getting some of the quilting done.

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