This Week on the Dining Table

It's the "Musical Sunday" Edition......

Hubs and I got to see College Boy perform Sunday evening with his punk band from school.  There was an impromptu concert held at an informal venue(aka someone's old barn)about 45 minutes northwest of here.  The weather was stellar so we drove over for it and got to chat with CB too and bring him some essential supplies to get him through the last 20 days of school.

I'll upload the 2 videos I made later for your listening pleasure.


Moving on......

Onward to the meal planning!

Here's what was planned last week--

1. Sunday--Ravioli(freezer)in Mushroom/Meat Sauce, Salad, Garlic Bread
2. Monday--Leftover Meatloaf, leftover asparagus, leftover beets
3. Tuesday--Sloppy Joes made with beef/turkey, using homemade low-salt sauce, Rolls, Sugar Snap Peas(freezer)
4. Wednesday--Leftover Beef Bourguignon, Cuke and Tomato Salad
5. Thursday--Kielbasa(freezer) on Rolls, Collard Greens(freezer)
6. Friday--Leftovers
7. Saturday--Leftovers or FFY(Fend For Yourself)

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Ravioli(freezer)in Mushroom/Meat Sauce, Salad, Garlic Bread
2. Monday--Leftover Meatloaf, leftover asparagus, leftover beets
3. Tuesday--Sloppy Joes made with beef/turkey, using homemade low-salt sauce, Rolls, Sugar Snap Peas(freezer)
4. Wednesday--Leftover Beef Bourguignon, Cuke and Tomato Salad
5. Thursday--Leftover Ravioli w/Mushroom/Meat Sauce
6. Friday--Pork Tenderloin sandwiches, CA medley veggie mix
7. Saturday--Kielbasa on Rolls with Onions and Peppers, Sauted Cabbage

7 meals cooked at home.
4 new meals, 3 nights of leftovers, and 0 nights of Eating Out.
Mostly kept to the plan but not necessarily in the order planned.

As for my grocery spending..... I spent a total of $44.78 last week.
I have spent $175.02 in all for April so far and have $74.98 left of my food budget with 12 days to go.

Leftovers going into this week.......Mushroom/Meat Sauce, Sloppy Joe Meat, Sauted Cabbage and 1/2 helping of CA Veggie Mix.

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

1. Sunday--Eating Out
2. Monday--Tempura Shrimp, Cole Slaw
3. Tuesday--Rigatoni in Meat/Mushroom Sauce
4. Wednesday--BBQ Chicken, Leftover Cabbage
5. Thursday--French Onion Soup Gratineé
6. Friday--Leftover Sloppy Joes or Taco Salad
7. Saturday--?

This week will see 4 new meals cooked and 1 meal of leftovers(re-purposed into new dishes or not) and 1 meals Out and 1 meal of  "I haven't a clue yet". lolz

What I need to buy for this menu.....Got the World's Largest Head of Cabbage last week so don't need that, BBQ chicken half and shrimp is in the freezer.  I have a large bag of onions so will do our favorite French Onion Soup(low sodium, not that dark brown sodium soup crap you get in restaurants), use up the Leftover Sloppy Jo meat and Meat Sauce I had last week.  Haven't a clue about Saturday's dinner yet.....depends on what if anything is left and/or what I pick up in the store this week or what I pluck out of the freezer.  Other than looking for meat markdowns I don't have any plans at the grocery store this week so far.  Maybe will buy milk, maybe not.

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 "I Am SOOOOO Over This" Edition ........

We got another 5 inches over the last 24 hours.  This isn't boding well for March. bleh.

 

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

1.  Beef Taco Salad
2.  Salmon, grilled asparagus, yellow squash casserole

3.  Ham & Bean Soup/Asparagus Leek Soup, Bread

4.  Pumpkin Ravioli w/Sauce, Salad(use leftover Alfredo sauce)
5.  Leftovers(Chicken w/Zuke, rice)

6.  Leftovers(Chicken Fajitas or Beef tacos)
7.  Leftovers(Chicken Stir-fry)

 

And this is what actually happened--

1.  Beef Taco Salad
2.  Salmon, grilled asparagus, yellow squash casserole

3.  Ham & Bean Soup/Asparagus Leek Soup, Bread

4.  Pumpkin Ravioli w/Sauce, Salad(use leftover Alfredo sauce)
5.  Leftovers(Chicken w/Zuke, rice)

6.  Leftovers(Chicken Fajitas or Beef tacos)
7.  Leftovers(Chicken Stir-fry)

Everything went as planned for some reason I can't fathom why! lolz
Well except I didn't make the squash casserole so that moves to the coming week.


Last week I made 2 trips to grocery stores(but am holding back 1 trip's spending until March) and I spent  $7.74 OOP on $13.96 worth of reg. retail groceries.  I had 2 transactions at Rite-Aid(but am holding back on 1 done after I closed out the books on Feb.)and spend $.23 OOP on $14.87 worth of toiletries, so $7.97 total spending last week.


My spending for February on food/toiletries was posted on Sunday so go have a look if interested.


Leftovers going into this week are asparagus/leek soup and ham/bean soup.

Here is the plan for this week.........

1.  Beef Stroganoff, rice, veggie
2.  Salmon, Squash casserole

3.  Pasta with meat sauce, salad or soup

4.  Pork filet or Country Fried Steak(diners choice), Steak fries, leftover squash casserole
5.  Pizza, Salad

6.  Leftovers or Soup & fresh bread
7.  Ginger garlic duck & veggie stir-fry, rice

 

 

What I need to buy for this menu......not a thing.  The meat for the stroganoff is cubes of beef roast that we didn't eat for Christmas and has been sitting in the freezer.  The duck breasts are from that great deal at Wegman's a year ago December that are still lurking in the freezer too.
The ready made pizza is from the Snack +Ups Promo from Rite-Aid at the end of Jan. before the Super Bowl that we didn't eat yet.  It's taking up valuable real estate in the freezer so it's getting used NOW!
The salmon, pork filets and the ground beef for the pasta sauce I bought last week when it was super cheap with instant discount stickers on the packages.  I also bought the 2 bags of fresh stir-fry veggies last week on discount too that are being eaten with the duck breasts.
Unless there is an awesome deal I won't be shopping this week except too use the last of my $10 Catalinas I earned the week before last.

 

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

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Christmas is Right Around the Corner & I am Feeling Silly" Edition......

 

 

 

 

 

Onward to the meal planning!

What was planned last week--

1.  Turkey Day Leftovers
2.  Fish, Leftover Coleslaw, Collards

3.  Chicken Parm, Salad, Spaghetti(for Hubs)

4.  Meatloaf, leftover Man & Cheese, leftover Collards
5.  Quiche, Tossed Salad

6.  Pork Chops, Sugar Snap Peas, Sweet Potato leftovers
7.  Leftovers or Fend for Yourself Night

 

And this is what actually happened--

1.  Turkey Day Leftovers
2.  Fish, Leftover Coleslaw, Collards

3.  Chicken Parm, Salad, Spaghetti(for Hubs)

4.  Meatloaf, leftover Man & Cheese, leftover Collards
5.  Quiche, Tossed Salad

6.  Broccoli stuffed Chicken Breast, Sugar Snap Peas
7.  Leftovers or Fend for Yourself Night

The Pork chops didn't happen(still thawing in the fridge on Saturday)so that moves to this week.
 

Last week I made 6 trips to 5 different markets and spent a whopping $138.64 on $229.23 worth of groceries.  I cherry picked the good deals at each store.

I bought canned green chiles(because fresh is not an option here)on sale and got $3 in free chicken or beef, so I paid .84¢ for this chicken.....

 

 

I also earned this $10 Catalina Q at Weis.....

I'll use this plus $5 on a Weis gift card(from a Cat Deal a few months ago that didn't work right so they gave me a gift card)to buy our Christmas dinner meat.  Well I'll probably get a Rib Roast so it won't cover that but it will help pay a portion of it.

 

I also did 10 transactions at Rite-Aid, where I spent $4.95 total on $404.47 worth of items there for the week.

Going into this week, in leftovers we have........1 or 2 pieces of quiche, meatloaf, collards, 2 pieces of chicken parm and some sugar snap peas.

I took the last of the turkey from Thanksgiving plus stock I made and constructed a Turkey Noodle Soup on Sunday.......

This is what is leftover of that soup.  I still have a large container of stock which I put into the freezer for later.

With College Boy home I need to cook more food for the next 5 weeks.  I never know when he'll dine with us so we may be eating many many leftovers in the coming weeks. lolz

Here is the plan for this week.........

1.  Pork Chops, Braised Cabbage, Mashed Potatoes(for Hubs and son)
2.  Tacos

3.  Meatball Subs, Veggie TBD

4.  Leftovers or Hamburgers
5.  Chinese Chicken(using my .84¢ chicken) w/Ginger Stir-Fry

6.  Leftovers
7.  Leftovers or Fend for Yourself Night
 

 

What I need to buy for this menu.........nothing, not even sub rolls after College Boy came home from visiting his old work(the bakery)and brought all this home.....

Rolls and more rolls! lolz
Plus a loaf of raisin bread.

I think I'll have to fit in more sandwiches for dinner somewhere now.  8-)

I am up to $232.22 in food spending for December halfway through the month.  This week should be a light spending week with just a few loss leaders to buy.....peanut butter, tomatoes, cereal and frozen veggies.
 

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

This Week on the Dining Table

The "I hate the Post Office" Edition---


When I sell stuff or have a giveaway, I almost always print my own postage labels from home and have my carrier pick-up the packages when they deliver my mail.
I had 2 packages set out for a requested and confirmed pick-up on Saturday and no one ever picked them up.
This often happens on Saturdays since my regular carrier doesn't work that day and the sub is an idiot and never checks for their pick-ups(or just doesn't bother checking because they want to do the bare minimum).

Then on Sunday I get an email that my confirmed pick-up was completed!
WTF?!?
Um, NO....it wasn't!
Scathing email returned to the USPS but I doubt they will even respond and I KNOW nothing will come of it.
Sort of a "no one is held accountable" type thing....just like our government and politicians.  8-(

Enough of that grousing.....
Onward to the meal planning!

What was planned last week--
1.  Grilled Salmon, Butternut Squash & Apples

2.  Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms, leftover Corn Casserole

3.  Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Rice

4.  Hot Dogs on Rolls with Chili or Chili over a Baked Potato, Collard Greens
5.  Grilled Meatloaf leftover, leftover sides

6.  Broccoli Soup, Homemade Bread
7.  Spaghetti, Meatballs and Sauce, leftover sides or Tossed Salad

 

And this is what actually happened--

1.  Grilled Salmon, Butternut Squash & Apples

2.  Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms, leftover Corn Casserole

3.  Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Rice

4.  Hot Dogs on Rolls with Chili or Chili over a Baked Potato, Collard Greens
5.  Grilled Meatloaf leftover, leftover sides

6.  Leftovers
7.  Leftovers of Fend for Yourself Night
 

The plan was kept to except the spaghetti and soup never happened because we had too many leftovers to use up.
    

Last week I made 3 trips to 3 different market and spent $45.81 on $83.10 worth of groceries and did 2 transactions at Rite-Aid where I spent .98¢ total there for the week.
$315.25 spent(including Rite-Aid)for the month so I am over my $300 budget for October.  I  will stay out of the grocery stores until Saturday(Nov.1st)when my November food budget kicks in in order to not rack up any more charges in October.  I WILL be spending a bit at Rite-Aid this week(under $2 cash total OOP probably)to roll my +Up Rewards.  Hey, I am over by $15 already, another $2 isn't going to hurt me much, right? ;-)

Funny thing is when my food budget was $400 a month(when we were feeding 3 or 4 people)I most always went over a bit.
Now that it's $300 a month I still go over a little bit.
Maybe I'm just a rebel and can't quite go with having a limit. lol

Going into this week, in leftovers we have.........stuffed cabbage rolls, cabbage roll filling, collard greens, squash and apples with pecans side dish, the broccoli for making soup and 2lbs. of ground beef I cooked off.
I have flour tortillas and hard corn tortillas here and stuff to make enchilada sauce and cheese plus frozen veggies.
Let's see if I can go without running to the store for anything this week.

Here is the plan for this week.........

1.  Leftovers

2.  Enchiladas with green chilles, Corn

3.  Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

4.  Tacos
5.  Pork Chops, something veggie in the freezer, squash apple pecan side dish

6.  Broccoli Soup, Homemade Bread
7.  Leftovers or a Pizza


What I need to buy this week........not going to go to the store, until Saturday.  I made a list of items I'd like to get at the grocery stores but I'll hold off and redo the list on Friday, and try to cut it down and do the actual shopping on Saturday so the charges go on November's food bill.
I can make this menu without going to the store.
 

   

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?
How much did you spend on food so far in October?

 

Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "I Wish I was Still at the Shore" Edition---

 

Ok, so this isn't a picture of the beach.
It's a photo of one aisle of a MASSIVE liquor store we hit on the way down there.
It's part of our annual trip through DE to MD to stock up on booze and the beach.
Has it really been over a week since I was in this store?
sad face......

Onward to the meal planning!

What was planned last week--

1.  Eating Out

2.  Eating Out

3.  Eating Out

4.  Eating Out
5.  Chili

6.  Meatloaf, butternut squash(use my tomatoes in sauce for the meatloaf)
7.  Pork Chops, Red Cabbage w/Apples

 

And this is what actually happened for all 3 meals each day--

1.  Breakfast at home, Go Brit!, Ocean City Brewing $8 Sandwich Night

2.  Denny's, Coins Pub, Domino's in the room

3.  Eggs and Toast in the room, Abi's Diner, Evolution Brewing Public House

4.  Eggs and Toast in the room, leftovers in the room, JR's House of Ribs
5.  Eggs and Toast in the room, Touch of Italy, Leftovers from lunch at home

6.  Oatmeal, Leftovers, Meatloaf and Brussels Sprouts
7.  Pumpkin Pancakes, Tossed Salad and JD Chicken Strips, TV dinners (blech)

  

The plan was kept to pretty much.  Who wouldn't when most days it was Eating Out?! lolz

When we went grocery shopping on Saturday Weis had Hungry Man TV dinners for $1.87 each.  I didn't feel like cooking that night so we bought a couple and had them for dinner.
Even at the bargain basement price of $1.87 it was sad. lolz
I was reminded why I don't buy/eat TV dinners hardly ever.
    

Last week I made trips to 2 different markets down in MD and 2 trips to the grocery stores on Saturday back at home and spent $112.62 on $170.17 worth of groceries and did 2 transactions at Rite-Aid where I spent .94¢ total there for the week.
$2268.46 down(including Rite-Aid spending)and $31.54 left in my October food budget with 11 days left in the month.

Going into this week, in leftovers we have.........chili, corn casserole and half of a small meatloaf I baked off before we went to OC, plus a container of that Marsala sauce.

Here is the plan for this week.........

1.  Grilled Salmon, Butternut Squash & Apples

2.  Chicken Marsala with Mushrooms, leftover Corn Casserole

3.  Stuffed Cabbage Rolls with Rice

4.  Hot Dogs on Rolls with Chili or Chili over a Baked Potato, Collard Greens
5.  Grilled Meatloaf leftover, leftover sides

6.  Broccoli Soup, Homemade Bread
7.  Spaghetti, Meatballs and Sauce, leftover sides or Tossed Salad

Food Waste--a couple of brownies.  Yes, we let sweets go bad. Amazing I know! lolz

What I need to buy this week.......mushrooms and salad greens.

There are also a few items on special this week I want to pick up--salt, frozen veggies, canned pumpkin, cider, sugar, egg noodles and 1/2 & 1/2.  Maybe ground beef since it's on special for $2.99.
I already picked up facial tissues and Gatorade during the weekend on sale so I don't need those this week.

If I get all this I'll use up the rest of my $300 food allotment for October with a few more days left in the month.
I might be able to squeak out not grocery shopping until November 1st anyway.

   

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?
How much did you spend on food so far in October?

 

Sluggy

Food Spending August Week 4 & Meal Planning Week 4+

Ok, so this photo doesn't have anything to do with cooking.  Though it is a reminder to slow down in life and enjoy the ride. ;-)

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And here is the "meal plan" that actually happened last week.....

Sunday--Son's belated Birthday dinner out-Steak

Monday--Pulled Pork BBQ sandwiches, Cole Slaw, Birthday Cake

Tuesday--Lime Citrus Chicken Quesadillas, beans

Wednesday--Leftovers

Thursday--Chinese take-out

Friday--burgers, green beans(from garden)

Saturday--Leftovers again

 

 

The weekly food spending was $79.30.  I stocked up on 100% juices again, butter, ravioli at rock bottom prices.  The needs were milk, cabbage(for coleslaw), 1 onion, small packet of ground beef, rolls, lunchmeat, deli cheese and 2 kinds of fruit.  The family's wants were crackers, ice cream, frozen fries, whack biscuits and Kraft mac and chemical cheese--all on sale.

I have $2.72 left of my $400 food budget for August and 5 days left in the month.  That's enough for 1 half gallon of milk.  I may be going over slightly for the month if anything comes up this week.

Going into the new week I have the following leftovers to use up.......2 portions of the lime citrus chicken, 1 portion of barbecue pork(after Sunday's dinner), half a bowl of coleslaw, 1 portion of green beans.  I am figuring on using the chicken on Friday when it's only 2 of us at home.

***********************

This week's menu.....

Sunday--Barbecue Pork Sandwiches, Coleslaw

Monday--Taco Bell-after music lesson

Tuesday--Dinner Out-30th Anniversary Date night

Wednesday--Pork Chops, Saffron Rice, Broccoli

Thursday--Alfredo Primavera

Friday--Chicken Tacos(using leftover chicken)

Saturday--Leftovers 

 

 

What I need to buy this week to serve this menu?.....rolls, some fresh veggies(for the primavera).

Basically 3 of my meals are based on leftovers and 2 are Eating Out, so only 2 new meals cooked this week.  This makes it an easy week for me in the kitchen, what with getting 2 students back in school and not running the oven since it's hot and muggy again here.

So what are you cooking at your house this week?

Sluggy

Food Spending July Week 4 & Meal Planning August Week 1

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And here is the "meal plan" that actually happened last week.....

Sunday--Dinner out at Ruby Tuesdays

Monday--Grilled  Squash, Hot Dogs

Tuesday--Green Beans, Chinese take-out

Wednesday--Leftover Chinese

Thursday--Corned Beef and Cabbage

Friday--Fend for Yourself(Hubs had Beanie Weenies, I had a Grilled Cheese sandwich & a salad)

Saturday--Leftovers(I was the only one home for dinner.)

I only really "cooked" 2 full meals(green beans don't count on Tues.lol).  We stretched out the take-out to 2 dinners and we just scrounged in the pantry/fridge since it was too hot to cook.  I bought some salad greens and melons had a few salads and ate fruit. 

The weekly food spending was $94.05 done in a trip each to Weis, Walmsrt and the local Shursave Market.  I had a $5 off $50 Q for Weis so I spent enough to use that.  I stocked up on cream cheese andMtn. Dew(#2 Son is home!lol).  I also got dog food, single serve fruit cups for Hubs lunch, bagels, juice, produce, yogurt and lunchmeat.  I picked up a box of those BelVita Breakfast biscuits for $1.50 after Q/sale to try them.  Maybe I can convince #2 Son to eat them before Band Camp if I say they are cookies.lol  I used $11 in Qs(including the $5 off $50 one)at Weis and got 10 gas points.  I also received a $5 OYNO Catalina Q which I'll use on one of the Catalina Deals this week.

The regular retail value for all food bought was $144.01 so I had a 34.70% savings rate. 

As I reset my July Food Budget to $300, I now have $64.92 left to spend on food/toiletries this month.  1 shopping day left in July.  If I stay out of the stores tomorrow,(except Rite-Aid) I'll make this no problem.

Going into the new week I have the following leftovers to use up......small chunk of corned beef, 1 helping of cabbage, a 1/4 of a head of raw cabbage and 1 yellow squash.

***********************

This week's menu.....back to the grind.....lol

Sunday--BBQ Chicken, Collard Greens

Monday--Hamburger Helper type casserole, Pickles

Tuesday--Fried Fish, Yellow Squash, Coleslaw

Wednesday--Chicken Parmesan, Mixed Veggies

Thursday--BLT Sandwiches

Friday--Chinese take-out, Teriyaki Green Beans

Saturday--Tacos or Taco Salad

I have collards, squash and green beans to use from the garden this week.   The leftover raw cabbage will be made into coleslaw.  The leftover corned beef will make a sandwich or two for lunches.

I am trying very hard to NOT turn on the oven this week.  Everything will be cooked on the stovetop or in the microwave.  When it's this hot out I really don't want to eat hot food much, and really not wanting meat much either.  I'd live on cold sammies(ok, maybe a grilled cheese thrown into the mix now and again), fruit and salads if I had my druthers.....and once Hubs retires and the kids are gone, I'll get a chance to do just that. ;-)

What I need to buy this week to serve this menu?.....breaded chicken(it's on sale and I have Qs), a tomato, bread, lettuce.  Also more lunchmeat, fruit and milk. 

I'll wait until Wed. to shop since that's the first of August and my food budget resets to $300.  With #2 Son home again, I am considering adding back another $50 to the food kitty.   $50 should be enough to shop for this meal plan, unless Daughter runs out of something.

Stock-up opportunities are not known yet for this week.  Weis is running a bunch of Catalina Deals this week, including one for dog food(which we need).

So what's on deck for your menu this week?

Sluggy