This Week In My Home: Looking Well to the Ways of This Household

Hello there...I have quite the challenge before me this week.  I haven't properly shopped for groceries in two pay periods.  It wasn't meant to be a pantry challenge month but it turned into one.  I had that big unplanned family gathering one weekend that I knew recquired extra cash so I saved a good portion of that pay period's grocery funds.  Then we went off to visit another portion of our family last week during the time I'd have shopped for groceries.  I figured I'd take time out this past week to run to the grocery but hadn't counted on being sidelined...or spending the last of my funds on cold meds either.

So as of right now the items that top my list are GONE: onions, potatoes, celery, cabbage, fruits, catsup.  I can't name the last time I ran out of catsup!  Paper towel (not a great tragedy as we seldom use these.  The roll we just finished up had been in the paper holder for nearly two months).  Q-tips, all sizes of storage bags, applesauce, white rice, dried minced onion... Oh the list is long and it's short pay period coming this week, so I'll have to trim it down.  I'd thought to ask John for extra money which we'd have to take from our savings but in the end I decided no.  I purchased the mandatory 'affordable' healthcare that I couldn't afford and need to figure out where that monthly amount is coming from.  I don't need to 'borrow' to buy extra groceries.  I will likely end up cutting down on groceries yet again in order to help thing along.  And here I'd thought I was doing so good to finally crunch it down to $350 a month, (which includes our good meat purchases).  No need like 'must' is there, to make you work a bit harder and pinch a bit tighter?



So planning meals is definitely on my list this week and keeping my eye on the budget even more than usual. Not a lot of last week's plans got put into place so you might see a repeat...if I think I want them or have the ingredients to prepare this week.   I'll start this week's meal plan with today's meal.  We indulged in KFC yesterday as our valentine to ourselves.  I planned to pay for it from my allowance, but John refused and said it would come from checking.  I'm not counting it as grocery funds since it was a 'gift' to us.  John's working today but I cooked for myself.  I have one other day this week when he is working as well, so a short meal plan of just four or five menus.

Kid's Favorite Casserole, Pineapple Slices
This was made up of substitutes today.  My last onion had a big bad spot on it.  I was able to salvage just enough of it towards the root end to season the meat with.  The meat was ground chuck that was leftover mid-week which I'd meant to use up right away, only what started out as a mild cold suddenly became a rather nasty chest cold.  I used french cut canned green beans (original recipe calls for kitchen cut) and I had no potatoes so topped with  tater tots instead of the usual mashed potatoes.  Textures changed this dish entirely but the flavor was still good and yummy.  Although I had only about 1/3 of a pound of ground beef and used just 1/2 can each of the green beans and tomato soup the recipe called for, there was enough to serve two generously.  I'm full and there are leftovers...will keep in mind this even more frugal version of the original recipe.

Baked Turkey Breast, Stuffing, Squash Casserole, Green Peas
I am struggling to think of meals I can make the first part of this week that don't call for any onion at all, lol.  I've always relied heavily on that root vegetable as seasoning and this having to think about it is hard.  The stuffing is boxed mix which needs to  used prior to Passover (April) and the Squash Casserole will be made with frozen cooked squash (onion already in it) and topped with crackers which also need to be used before Passover.  I may add a green salad, simply for the benefit of having one.  The bulk of this roast will be sliced for sandwiches and part of it refrozen.

Spaghetti and Meatballs, Italian Cut Green Beans, Salad, Garlic Bread
I'll use canned sauce and pre-made frozen meatballs (I seasoned them with a bit of onion) for the main dish.

Leftovers Day
I have two leftovers in the fridge at the moment and I'm sure there will be more two days into the week ahead.  I expect we will get out to do our shopping finally and I'll need all the thought and creative thinking and entertainment funds this week to acomplish it all.  No need to eat out when we've food right here at home.

Bbq Chuck Roast, Corn on Cob, Butter Beans and Carrot Raisin Salad
I bought a big bag of carrots with the plan of making a carrot cake...which I've yet to get made.  Good thing as Carrot Raisin Salad is a nice side dish when a raw vegetable salad is wanted but ingredients are otherwise lacking.  The rest of the vegetables are from the freezer.

In My Home This Week:

I won't even bother to review what I didn't do this past week.  What is needed this week:
Finish the living room bookshelves (I said last week I had two shelves.  I should have said two bookcases to go.  

Pantry/Freezer Inventory

Grocery shopping/Errands

Flea Market to do booth work.  I am so woefully behind on this!  I'm just trusting it is God's timing as when I first set out to go to the booth the owner was ill and the store was closed, then we were out of town, and finally I've been ailing.  Fingers crossed that this week will at least see me in with a few fresh items!

And there I shall leave it.  Anything else is gravy, that something extra that isn't really planned but just may be added at the last minute if time permits.