This Week on the Dining Table.....Nov. 24th to Nov. 30th

 The "Have a Twinkie Christmas" Edition.........

I snapped a shot of this display in Walmart last week.  Ginormous boxes of Twinkies in Christmas themed boxes.  These have to be the largest boxes of Twinkies I've ever seen!

I don't think most people would be happy to open this as a present on 

Christmas morning.

Would you?

I wonder how many of these will be bought?

Personally, I didn't eat these as a kid(well, maybe a couple)but I was never a fan.  I preferred the little fruit pies Hostess made.

Onward to the meal planning!

Here is what was planned for last week.....

1. Sunday--Beef Pie

2. Monday--Cheddar Broccoli Soup, Biscuits

3. Tuesday--something Leftover

4. Wednesday--something Leftover

5. Thursday--probably Ham in some iteration, Green Beans

6. Friday--Leftovers? with Roasted Broccoli

7. Saturday--more Leftovers

And here's what actually happened....

1. Sunday--Beef Pie

2. Monday--Didn't feel like cooking so we fended for ourselves(Hubs wanted Taco Bell for lunch so I didn't feel the need to eat much of anything after that)

3. Tuesday--Cheddar Broccoli Soup, Biscuits

4. Wednesday--Ham, Teriyaki Green Beans

5. Thursday--Rotisserie Chicken, Roasted Broccoli w/Balsamic Vinegar

6. Friday--Leftovers(Pork Stir-Fry)

7. Saturday--Leftovers(Beef Pie)

Pretty much most of what was planned happened.  I made the Beef Pie(which provided leftovers)and the Soup, though the soup happened a day later due to a scrumptious(eye roll)Taco Bell lunch on Monday.

What got taken out of the freezer last week....

*  1 lb. Ground Beef

*  a bag of Broccoli(went into the soup)+ some fresh Broccoli

What got put into the freezer last week....

*  a Ham Bone

                   

Last week we spent $109.87 grocery shopping.

Total shopping comes to $357.69 for November.  There are 5 shopping days left in November.  We are taking our last donation for the year to the food bank today so other than some Brussel Sprouts and maybe some Sweet Potatoes I am done shopping for the month.

Rebate monies earned this month so far.....

I've earned $245.25 on Ibotta in November.

I've earned $30.91 on Checkout51 in November.

I've earned $84.13 on Aisle, etc. in November. 

I've earned $15.58 on TaDa in November.

I've earned 35,652 points on Fetch from food shopping in November.

I've earned 15,074 points from food shopping on Shop Kick in November.($60.29)

I've earned 20,290 points on My Points in November.(not sure what the conversion rate is here)

I've earned 1,259 from food shopping on Swag Bucks in November.($12.59)

That is $360.29 in rebates(not counting Shop Kick/Fetch/MyPoints/Swag Bucks/TaDa/The Insiders were I earn gift cards)on $357.69 of grocery spending so in reality it's negative $2.60 in food spending after the rebate apps I count. I now separate out the Food Bank donations and don't count those in the grocery spending(but I do count any rebates on those items) so it's a win/win--the food bank gets a large donation of goods and I get a lower grocery bill.

My savings percentage for the last week was 40.00% and the monthly savings total for November comes in at 42.15% spent.

Leftovers going into this week.....Beef Pie, Ham, a Piece of Pork Tenderloin, Ham, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Ham, Roasted Broccoli, Ham, Green Beans, Some Rotisserie Chicken, Ham.

Here is this week's food plan.....

1. Sunday--Leftovers(Ham and Green Beans)

2. Monday--Leftovers

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--Leftovers

5. Thursday--Turkey, Stuffing, Brussel Sprouts, Sweet Potatoes, Cranberry Sauce, Rolls, Rutabaga(if I can find one that is bigger than the size of a tennis ball), Pie

6. Friday--New Leftovers

7. Saturday--New Leftovers

Other than Thanksgiving, we are all about the leftovers this week.  I've got meatballs and sauce in the freezer if we get tired of same old, same old.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week? 

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Can We Talk About the Weather Again?!?" Edition--

 Last Tuesday I woke up and put Chester out to do his "business" and saw this on the deck furniture/grill.....

Evidence that it had snowed overnight lightly.
Then it proceeded to snow all. day. long.  On April 17th!  And it happened again on April 19th and some of it stuck to the ground too.
Ugh.
Then this weekend we had two days in the high 50's and this week looks like no 30's or 40's weather(at least during the day)and we may hit 60F. Woohoo!
This Winter weather just hasn't wanted to let us out of it's grasp this year.

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

This is what was planned--

1. Sunday--Rigatoni and Mushroom Ragu

2. Monday--Fish, Squash Sauté, Corn Casserole

3. Tuesday--Homemade Pizza, Salad

4. Wednesday--Meatloaf, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Brussels Sprouts

5. Thursday--Leftovers

6. Friday--?

7. Saturday--?

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Rigatoni and Mushroom Ragu

2. Monday--Fish, Squash Sauté, Corn Casserole

3. Tuesday--Homemade Pizza

4. Wednesday--Hamburgers, leftover Squash Sauté

5. Thursday--Meatloaf, Baked Sweet Potato Fries, Sugar Snap Peas

6. Friday--Leftovers(I had a BLT)

7. Saturday--Chicken Thighs, Stuffing, Carrots

Last week saw 6 nights of home cooked dinners, 1 night of leftovers/fend for yourself, 0 nights of Take-Out or Eating Out.

4 small grocery trips(2 x Weis and Bread Outlet plus items I bought at Big Lots during the 20% off sale I forgot to add that week)brought the shopping to $80.52 for the week and brought April's food spending total to $273.42.   The "regular" shopping was $50 and the Big Lots forgotten foods were $30.

I've got $126.58 left in the food budget for April and 8 days left in my shopping month.

My savings percentages last week was 53.95% and April's monthly savings total so far is at 58.42%.

Leftovers going into this week....... chicken thighs(I made an XL batch so we had leftovers for this week), stuffing, sugar snap peas, a lot of meatloaf, a lot of rigatoni and a little sauce.

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--leftover BBQ made into a Taco Ring thing

2. Monday--Take-out(getting it at Lunch prices, reheating for dinner)

3. Tuesday--Baked Rigatoni(using leftover pasta), Salad

4. Wednesday--Tacos(using leftover meatloaf)

5. Thursday--Leftovers

6. Friday--Leftovers

7. Saturday--Fish, Coleslaw, Mystery Veg(because I don't know what it is yet)

This week will see 4 new meals cooked, 2 nights of leftovers/FFY and 1 nights of Take-out/Eat-Out.
I am using 3 food items of leftovers from previous weeks to make new recipes this week.

What needs buying for this menu?  Salad Greens and Cheese.  We are getting a tad low on cheddar and mozz.  We also haven't had salads for awhile due to the romaine e-coli scare around here....the lettuce shelves have been a bit bare.  I also need to pick up some cabbage to make coleslaw and the produce drawer is getting quite empty(aside from tomatoes and sweet potatoes).

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Is it Spring yet?" Edition--

Another Nor'easter is heading this way mid week so we'll get substantial snow again.  I hope this is the end of the Snow Season for us this year.  I could use some sunshine about now.  It sure would perk my spirits up.  8-)

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning!

1. Sunday--Chicken and Dumplings

2. Monday--Fish, Taters of some sort, Broccoli

3. Tuesday--Chicken Fajitas

4. Wednesday--Leftovers or Soup

5. Thursday--Leftovers or Soup

6. Friday--maybe Pizza and Salad if everyone is better

7. Saturday--?

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Chicken and Dumplings

2. Monday--Fish, Cole Slaw

3. Tuesday--Chicken Fajitas

4. Wednesday--Leftovers or FFY

5. Thursday--Leftovers or FFY

6. Friday--Fend For Yourself

7. Saturday--Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches, Asparagus

Last week saw 4 nights of home cooked dinners, 3 nights of leftovers/fend for yourself, 0 night of take-out and 0 nights of Eating out.  Most nights it was just Daughter and myself for dinner as Hubs was out of town. Sunday as all 3 of us here were sick I dug my last whole chicken out of the chest freezer and made Chicken and Dumplings.  That was just the ticket!
I had the energy most days to just cook dinners but that was about it.  More antibiotics now and I am hoping that takes care of my sicknesses. bleh.  

1 trip to Shursave for tomatoes and lettuce by Daughter brought the shopping last week to $4.  That brings March's food spending total to $4.  There are 27 days left in my shopping month.  

My savings percentages last week was 20% and the monthly savings so far ends up at 20%(without Rite-Aid trips added in).

Leftovers going into this week.......fajita filling and Chicken and Dumplings.

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Fend for Yourself/Leftovers

2. Monday--Leftover Fajitas, Spanish Rice

3. Tuesday--Beef Teriyaki, Broccoli, Rice

4. Wednesday--Halushki, Kielbasi on Rolls

5. Thursday--Stroganoff, Rice

6. Friday--Leftovers

7. Saturday--Birthday meal out for CB

This week will see4  new meals cooked, 2 nights of leftovers and 1 night of Take-out/Eat-Out.
I need to buy mushrooms, cabbage, milk and OJ this week.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

It's the "Strange Dinner Combination" Edition--

On Thursday I fixed an assortment of foods people usually don't eat at the same meal.
First I had a crab meat and a container of half n' half I bought before Xmas to use up so I made a crab bisque soup.....

Then I doctored up a can of black eyed peas with onions, garlic and salt cured ham pieces so they were edible.  We hadn't had our New Year's BEPS yet so this ticked off that requirement....yes, in the South it is de rigeur to eat BEPS at the new year for good luck..........

And I was going to purchase a pre-made Broccoli Cheese Gratin that I saw Weis had on clearance after the Holidays for $4.99 to serve on Thursday since College Boy is fond of this food.  When I went to the store to buy it, they were all gone so I came home and took a bag of frozen broccoli, toasted some Panko crumbs, grated some cheese and used half of the roux/crab soup base(before adding seafood stock to it and the crab and seasonings)and used that as a cheese sauce base to make my own broccoli casserole, no preservatives added version of that dish...........

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week.......

1. Sunday--Chicken Parmesan, Brussels Sprouts
2. Monday--Steak Sandwiches(using leftover Prime Rib)
3. Tuesday--Haddock Loins(fish), Mixed Veggies, Cole Slaw
4. Wednesday--Beef Stew w/Beer(using leftover Prime Rib)
5. Thursday--Lasagna, Salad
6. Friday--Fried Shrimp, Cole Slaw, Steak Fries, Corn
7. Saturday--Leftovers

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Chicken Parmesan, Brussels Sprouts
2. Monday--Steak Sandwiches(using leftover Prime Rib)
3. Tuesday--Beef Stew w/Beer(using leftover Prime Rib), leftover dinner rolls
4. Wednesday--Pepper and Onions Sausages on Rolls, Tossed Salad
5. Thursday--Crab Soup, Black Eyed Peas, Broccoli Cheese Gratin
6. Friday--Leftovers or Fend for Yourself(I had a can of soup)
7. Saturday--Spaghetti with Meatballs and Sausage in Sauce, Tossed Salad, Garlic Bread

6 meals cooked at home(4 new meals and 2 using up leftovers in new dishes)and 1 night of boring old leftover leftovers. 8-)
Everything planned was served, except for no Lasagna or Fried Shrimp as I had a container of crab meat to use up and I bought UTOF(Use Today Or Freezer)Pepper and Onions Sausages last week which we used some of those.

I had to do something with all that ground beef I bought last Monday so I made a batch of 74 meatballs up, baked and used 27 with 1/3 of the large package of Italian sausage gotten for .91¢ lb. last Monday at Weis to make a Spaghetti dinner on Saturday instead of having that this coming week. The fish moved to Sunday dinner(which technically is This week).

As for my grocery spending last week......$135.03 and that's counting the CVS spending.  This includes 4 trips to Weis, 1 to local grocery in town South of here and 1 item bought at local Shursave market. A goodly portion($50.08)of this spending was for food/tp to send back to school with College Boy this coming weekend.  I have $164.97 left in the January food budget to spend.  This week will see very low spending on groceries but more spending for CB's needs.

Leftovers going into this week......beef stew, crab soup, broccoli black eyed peas, spaghetti, meatballs and Italian sausage.

Here is this week's "food plan"--

1. Sunday--Cod Loins(fish), Cole Slaw, Mandarin Blend Veggies
2. Monday--Leftovers
3. Tuesday--Chicken TBA, Veggies TBA(not sure exactly what dishes yet)
4. Wednesday--Chili(from freezeer)(I'll have leftovers or soup)
5. Thursday--Turkey Roulade and Stuffing(from freezer), Butternut Squash
6. Friday--Fried Shrimp(from freezer), Cole Slaw, Steak Fries, Corn
7. Saturday--Leftovers or Take-Out

This week will see 3 new meals cooked and 4 meals of leftovers.

What I need to buy for this menu?  Potatoes.
I also need eggs and onions this week and to pick up some more items for CB to take back to school.
There is also 1 Deal I want to do at Weis which will net me 4 jugs of bleach and a mega pack of bacon for $5 OOP.

$20 should cover my needs as I will buy a 10 lb. bag of onions and 2 dozen eggs on sale and a small bag of potatoes(as we don't eat that much taters)and do that 1 Deal.  CB's needs will run about $50.

After College Boy leaves next weekend my food spending should calm down a lot.  While I have been using some of what is already in the freezer we will buckle down into freezer-mode even more.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

It's the "My son is going to kill Me for posting this Photo" Edition-- 

Since I have no photos from this past weekend to share, here is one of my eldest son right after his wisdom teeth removal surgery last Friday.  His girlfriend sent this to me with the caption, "He has a mouth full of gauze and woke up after surgery talking up a storm but I can't understand anything he is saying!" lol
I guess he enjoyed the "happy drugs".....

 

Onward to the meal planning!

 

Here's what was planned last week.......
 

1. Sunday--Chinese take-out(what Hubs wanted for Father's Day)
2. Monday--Leftover Chinese take-out
3. Tuesday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice, Tossed Salad
4. Wednesday--Cauliflower soup, BBQ Chicken legs, Potato Salad
5. Thursday--Chicken Chiles Casserole
6. Friday--Beef Enchiladas, Corn
7. Saturday--Leftovers

 

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Chinese take-out(what Hubs wanted for Father's Day)
2. Monday--Leftover Chinese take-out
3. Tuesday--Subway sandwiches
4. Wednesday--Beef Stroganoff, Rice
5. Thursday--BBQ Chicken legs, Potato Salad, Cabbage Sauted
6. Friday--chicken and Green Chiles Casserole, California Medley Veggies
7. Saturday--Leftovers

Everything as planned except no Enchiladas and Subway sammiches instead.  The Cauliflower soup WAS made but not served at dinner as it's been a lunch "go-to" last week for me and CB.

As for my grocery spending last week.....I blew the budget out of the water!!
I spent 209.54$ on $529.11 of reg. retail food(counting the check I wrote for a trip to Surplus Outlet last weekend that gets included on this week's tally and 8 trips to Weis(PMITA)Markets to boot.

The food spending is up to $602.03 for June and we have 2 days to go but I am finished spending money on food/toiletries for the month. 
Heck, I had better be finished!! lolz

Leftovers going into this week--beef stroganoff and rice, enchilada sauce, potato salad, chicken chiles casserole, medley veggies and cauliflower soup.  The leftover chicken legs will be thrown into the freezer and saved for the July 4th festivities.
 

Here is this week's food plan--

1. Sunday--Beef Enchiladas(leftover sauce), Corn Casserole
2. Monday--Salmon, Potato Salad(leftover), Cauliflower(freezer)
3. Tuesday--Burgers and/or Dogs on Rolls, Zucchini, homemade Pickles
4. Wednesday--Leftovers
5. Thursday--FFY(Fend For Yourself) or BFD(Breakfast for Dinner)
6. Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--July 4th Cook-out(the usual suspects...lol)

What I need to buy for this menu?.....Rolls/Buns for the cook-out, maybe some chips, corn and fresh fruit too.  I've got the rest of the week's meals covered.

I used a mix of some of these frozen Steak-Umm hamburger patties and a lb. of seasoned ground pork for the Enchilada filling and made 2 large pans(12 pieces)on Sunday.  There are 9 pieces left so the Hubs and College Boy will most likely eat off this off and on this week for leftovers.  I don't care for them so I'll just figure something out for myself each night---a BLT, a big salad with nuts, tuna sammich, a big bowl of veggies, stuff like that.

The grocery ads aren't too interesting this week here, except for the usual July 4th picnic stuff like soda, hamburger, rolls, hot dogs, bakery cakes/etc., and corn on the cob.  Nothing really to stock-up on this week.  I'll run out later in the week(Wednesday)after the July food budget kicks in.
The only thing I am in dire need of is onions and I plan on getting a BIG bag(20ish lbs.)at the restaurant supply store this week to put into my ersatz root cellar.
With the $ spent on lots of onions and the picnic stuff I hope to keep this week under $50.
 

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?    

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten that week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week? 

Sluggy