August Recipe Challenge: Crock pot Cranberry Chicken

I've had this recipe in my recipe files, pinned to Pinterest, etc.  For years.  Seriously years.  As I was going through my Pinterest file the other day I decided it was now or never time.  I have Cranberry sauce about to expire (though I expect, as acidic as it is, it will be good for a while yet) on my pantry shelf.  I had a bottle of Catalina type dressing in the fridge.  I had chicken.  I'd just purchased onion soup mix.  It was a "Go" on all points.

I admit I was slack this morning. I waited until 9:30 to start this dish.  My chicken breasts were frozen solid.  I forgot the cranberry sauce about to expire in the pantry and hunted all through the fridge for cranberry sauce I thought I had leftover.  In the end, I grabbed a container of homemade cranberry relish from the freezer to use and I'll explain why.  I wanted to make just enough for two.

Weekly Menu and Job Plan: August 10 - 16

John and I had a lovely time Saturday evening at Katie's wedding.  It was very simple, very understated, very sweet and tastefully done.  It felt just the way she wanted it to be: a small intimate group of family and friends without a lot of fussiness or expense.  Katie's gowns were purchased years ago when she dreamed of her wedding day.  They were beautiful still.  She had the long one for the service and then changed into a shorter dress for mingling and meal after.  There's a photo she wanted most especially with Matt's parents and us that is so sweet it made me cry when I saw it the first time.   I can wish all those things we always wish: that I weighed less or had adjusted my clothing better etc, but you know that moment was sweet and it was captured beautifully.  I promise I'll share a bit more as the week goes on.  I'm still playing catch-up this week!

My Frugal Week: August 2 - 8

Saturday:  We ate leftovers today for our dinner. All I needed do was make a green salad.

John and I decided to look at our options with our cell phone bill.  We cut it by $8 a month.

Washed a full load of clothes.

Washed a full load of dishes.


Sunday:  John worked.  I made him breakfast and packed his lunch.

I had the last banana muffin for my breakfast with a smear of cream cheese.

Kept electric usage low.  I didn't run lights nor have the tv on until mid evening.

Questions and Answers and Comments, Oh My! July In Review

Another month gone by!  Can you believe it?  Nor can I.  But there's glory in this month.  For one it's full of summer goodness with fruits and vegetables galore.  And it's just a short time now until Autumn.  I do love the progression of seasons.  Already the goldenrod is standing up tall and the ragweed has started to bloom (Achoo!).

First the July Q&A post netted a few comments.  Sarah, I do so understand feeling lonely in a church.  I can excuse it away in the vast church we're attending at present.  When there are 1000 or more people in a Sunday service, you hardly expect to be noticed at all.  The last synagogue we attended was friendly and nice, but there was never an intimacy there. I've about made up my mind I really should go out and visit some church or another or several here and there on these Sundays when John is working.

August Challenge: Recipe #1 Buttered Peaches with Ravioli

For August, I've challenged myself to try some of those recipes I've pulled or pinned.  This one, from Better Homes and Gardens Magazines was pulled just this summer.  I had the majority of the needed ingredients on hand and what I didn't I felt I had reasonable substitutes for.

Menu and Weekly Job Plans: August 4-9

Now doesn't that look like a perfect summer day?  I do love a good picnic, but I've no idea when we'll get to have another.  I must wait for a bit until things settle down around us.  In the meantime, we'll maybe get a meal on the patio or back porch if the pleasant weather holds.

John's already mentioned a favorite meal he'd like to have, I tried a new recipe today while I was on my own and that just leaves me a few more to plan.

Buttered Peaches and Ravioli, Green Salad, Crusty Bread
Yep, that's a brand new recipe.  I'll share that one here shortly along with my review of it.

Tuna Pasta Salad, Saltines,  Peach Dumpling
A cool and easy meal, full of good vegetables and refreshing.  I find a warm dessert is always nice following a cold meal.

My Frugal Week/Living Well

Saturday:  We were each on our own for breakfast this morning, but there was plenty to choose from.  I indulged in bakery croissants.  I put some of them in the freezer for future treats.

I made a favorite salad for lunch today using leftover cooked chicken and cheese ravioli.  This recipe has handled substitutions well.  I've yet to make the recipe exactly as written.  It calls for tortellini but I had ravioli on hand.  I'd just used the last of the green onions so used a chopped Vidalia onion.  I didn't have Parmesan cheese but plenty of Asiago.  The only substitution I won't make?  Subbing for the fresh lemon juice.  I believe that one ingredient is absolutely key to the flavor of this dish.



I had a bit of food waste today: 2 slices of coconut cream pie.  I should have covered it and didn't.  Shame on me.

Set aside a freshly washed plastic container we'd bought bulk cashews in.  I'll use to store the whole wheat flour I just bought.

Sunday:  John worked today.  I did the usual: packed his lunch and made him breakfast.

Washed a smaller load of clothes, hung all to dry on the line.

Fed the geranium another special bit of liquid: tea.  I brewed tea yesterday and covered the bags with water and let them sit overnight.  Granny taught me to use tea as a fertilizer for geraniums.  She said her grandmother used to do the same and she always had blooms on her geraniums.

Cleaned the coffee pot and maker really well today.

Shopped at home for coffee in the pantry and refilled the decaf and regular coffee canisters.  Also brought out confectioner's sugar.