The Pantry Challenge is a challenge to eat from my refrigerator, freezer, pantry, and food storage as much as possible in the month of January. It doesn't mean not going to the grocery store!
It DOES mean using up things I bought too much of or kind of wish I hadn't bought at all because I don't know what to do with it. It means giving my food budget a little break. It means emptying my freezer a little so I can do a freezer meal cooking day near the end of the month. It means using up some things in my pantry so I can better see what I have in there.
Anyone want to join me?
Monday, December 31, 2012
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Hmmm . . .
I decided to look back on my camera disk to find a picture or two I had never posted. To my surprise I found dozens of pictures like these:
No wonder I had so many pictures on my camera. And I sure need to give them some picture-taking tips.
No wonder I had so many pictures on my camera. And I sure need to give them some picture-taking tips.
Meal Plan Sunday
Monday: Jose Ole' taquitos and mini tacos, rice, cream cheese/salsa dip with crackers and veggies
Tuesday: Chinese food (Sunbird)
Wednesday: Stouffer's lasagne, peas
Thursday: Progresso Recipe Starters homemade macaroni and cheese, cooked carrots
Friday: Pizza
Tuesday: Chinese food (Sunbird)
Wednesday: Stouffer's lasagne, peas
Thursday: Progresso Recipe Starters homemade macaroni and cheese, cooked carrots
Friday: Pizza
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Saturday, December 29, 2012
Happy birthday, Mom!
My mom celebrated her birthday this week. She's north of 75 and glad for each birthday that comes along.
Happy birthday, Mom, sure do love you!
Friday, December 28, 2012
The Kindle is getting full!
This is my picture for the day. Elizabeth's Kindle has been a huge hit. And my email account is taking a big hit too. Every time she downloads another free game or app, I get an email. I have probably deleted 35 such emails. I hope she slows down because she can only play so many games!
Being the good mother that I am, I downloaded the Bible, Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the words to the LDS hymns and children's songs. In addition, I got all of the Friend magazine articles from 2012 for her. I also downloaded the Primary teacher's manual so she can follow along with the lessons and tap to read the scriptures as they go. I hope the teacher appreciates that. ;-)
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Your dentist lets you play with his Christmas trees, doesn't he?
This is the week most of us visit the dentist. While Elizabeth was being seen, Sophia made a tall Eiffel-type tower out of Mega Blox and put a fir tree atop to indicate it was at its highest point. Well, that might not have been the original purpose, but AFTER I explained that tradition to her, she agreed the tree could represent that. LOL

The smart office ladies just nodded and ignored her use of the counter decorations.
The smart office ladies just nodded and ignored her use of the counter decorations.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Not a Christmas gift, but also exciting
It's been a good week for Elizabeth. She has been saving her money for months and was able to buy a Kindle Fire today.
She was thinking about an iTouch all along, but at the last minute we got the idea that a Kindle Fire might be a better size for her. It is lovely and just right for her. I'm pleased she had the self-control to focus on a big goal and accomplish her goal.
She was thinking about an iTouch all along, but at the last minute we got the idea that a Kindle Fire might be a better size for her. It is lovely and just right for her. I'm pleased she had the self-control to focus on a big goal and accomplish her goal.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Elizabeth was delighted with her gift
. . . and I'll bet you didn't think this is what she would be delighted about:
She has been a Spiderman fan(atic) for years and this year she asked for a Spiderman action figure and I figured I'd better give in before she's too old. So my ten year old daughter received a Spiderman action figure. It talks and shoots things too. In addition to other gifts, she also received two Spiderman comic books/graphic novels.
The children received more books, things to make, and outdoor items than in the past. They were pretty happy with the gifts they opened.
My favorite intangible gift was a two hour chat with Kevin who is on his mission in Brazil. He looked great and had a little trouble with his English. :-)
Our dinner was delicious:
She has been a Spiderman fan(atic) for years and this year she asked for a Spiderman action figure and I figured I'd better give in before she's too old. So my ten year old daughter received a Spiderman action figure. It talks and shoots things too. In addition to other gifts, she also received two Spiderman comic books/graphic novels.
The children received more books, things to make, and outdoor items than in the past. They were pretty happy with the gifts they opened.
My favorite intangible gift was a two hour chat with Kevin who is on his mission in Brazil. He looked great and had a little trouble with his English. :-)
Our dinner was delicious:
Salad of Winter Fruits with Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette
Slow Cooked Ham
Buttered Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Warm Cinnamon Apples
Fluffy Raspberry Fruit Salad
Hot Rolls
Butter
Cherry Pie
Dutch Apple Pie
Whipped Cream
Monday, December 24, 2012
Christmas Eve
Today the girls had a cookie baking party hosted by . . . me. I invited a couple families of school-aged children to bring their favorite cookie recipe and come over. Luckily I thought to make a batch of cookie dough for spritz cookies so they would have some cookies to shape and decorate as soon as they got here. Those are the green ones in the picture.
We also made some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (the guests were amazed at the huge container of chocolate chips I have--it's about 5 pounds) and some lemon cookies (minus the lemon because I didn't have any, but plus lime juice and orange zest).
I made a pot of hot chocolate and piled a plate with cookies. We ate those, then the kids played outside, then took plates of cookies home with them. My girls thought it was very fun. You can see the cookies on the plate Caroline made for Santa.
Dh took ds to the airport in the big city. He's going to spend Christmas with his mother and sisters.
I took the girls and went to Costco. I know, I know. But it wasn't as crazy as I thought it was going to be. The main thing I needed was some tamales for dinner tonight. I picked up a few other things as well (huh--just try not to). The girls tried some fun food samples and had a good time.
When dh got home, he took the girls to Best Buy. Elizabeth has been saving money for a number of months and has enough to buy an iTouch or a Kindle Fire or something like that. She's leaning toward the Kindle, and today is the day for the purchase.
Tonight we'll enjoy a delicious tamale dinner (I know it'll be delicious because the tamales were being sampled at Costco ;-) ), then dh and I will negotiate about going to the late night church service at the Catholic church in our neighborhood. Last year a man sitting near us fainted and the paramedics worked on him in the aisle during most of the service. Maybe it would be a little less "interesting" this year.
Merry Christmas!
We also made some oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (the guests were amazed at the huge container of chocolate chips I have--it's about 5 pounds) and some lemon cookies (minus the lemon because I didn't have any, but plus lime juice and orange zest).
I made a pot of hot chocolate and piled a plate with cookies. We ate those, then the kids played outside, then took plates of cookies home with them. My girls thought it was very fun. You can see the cookies on the plate Caroline made for Santa.
Dh took ds to the airport in the big city. He's going to spend Christmas with his mother and sisters.
I took the girls and went to Costco. I know, I know. But it wasn't as crazy as I thought it was going to be. The main thing I needed was some tamales for dinner tonight. I picked up a few other things as well (huh--just try not to). The girls tried some fun food samples and had a good time.
When dh got home, he took the girls to Best Buy. Elizabeth has been saving money for a number of months and has enough to buy an iTouch or a Kindle Fire or something like that. She's leaning toward the Kindle, and today is the day for the purchase.
Tonight we'll enjoy a delicious tamale dinner (I know it'll be delicious because the tamales were being sampled at Costco ;-) ), then dh and I will negotiate about going to the late night church service at the Catholic church in our neighborhood. Last year a man sitting near us fainted and the paramedics worked on him in the aisle during most of the service. Maybe it would be a little less "interesting" this year.
Merry Christmas!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Meal Plan Sunday
Monday: tamales, rice
Tuesday (Christmas): ham, potatoes, Cool Whip salad, rolls, pie
Wednesday: Ham and Cheese Stuff'n Puff (silly name, but it looks tasty)
Thursday: Stouffer's meatloaf, potatoes, vegetables
Friday: Pizza--ham and pineapple
Tuesday (Christmas): ham, potatoes, Cool Whip salad, rolls, pie
Wednesday: Ham and Cheese Stuff'n Puff (silly name, but it looks tasty)
Thursday: Stouffer's meatloaf, potatoes, vegetables
Friday: Pizza--ham and pineapple
Labels:
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