Last week we had a “no spend” week. This week was totally different. Monkey Boy, turned 21 and so we all went out to celebrate at our favorite little Mexican restaurant downtown. After everyone was seated I got up to go wash my hands and slipped our waitress a set of Curious George candles and asked if she could put the candles in some deep fried ice cream after we had finished or meal. {Last year I made him a Monkey Cake and brought it to his work.}
Well, not only did she do that but all waitresses surprised him with a sombrero and sang happy birthday to him while we all giggled in our seats. Poor Monkey Boy, he was so embarrassed. We’ve never done that to him before so I think it was a bit of a shock.
Mexican Restaurant $74
Mexican food is sooooo filling. Seriously. The food is crazy delicious but I practically had to roll myself out of the car when we got home.
Costco $81.24
I don’t know how anyone can resist the Costco pumpkin pie for $5.99. Yes you can make one at home for less, but still, there is something so magical about opening the fridge and having it stare back at you all week. 😉
I actually went to Costco in search of a few blocks of Yancy’s cheese but they must not have them in yet because I didn’t see any. Usually Costco gets Yancy’s cheese in around the holidays so I’ll have to check back in a few weeks. I also stocked up on milk because the stores around here seem really crowded lately and I figured if I bought a 2+ week supply I might not have to go to the store this week.
Croissants stuffed with ham and Dubliner cheese. And pie.
The Girl, she likes her cheese, that’s for sure.
Big salad. I’m out of pickled beets. 🙁
Roasted butternut squash with Aidells sausage.
Quiche with leftover squash and sausage with a little cheese, onion, carrots and broccoli added in as well.
Usually if I’m craving quiche I’ll make it on a Sunday and then pop the leftovers in the freezer for a quick meal later in the week. I’ve been doing this for years now and it’s been really nice to have something simple {and healthy} to have on hand when I don’t feel like cooking.
Almond cake. I’m thinking this would be a good “coffee/tea cake” type treat to make ahead of time and tuck away in the freezer during the holidays when friends pop by. Anyone want the recipe?
And a giant pot of slow cooker 13 bean soup. An absolute must have for this time of year.
Albertsons $19.02
Peanut Butter $5, Bread $0.67, Saltines $0.97, Chunky Soup $0.97, Black Beans $0.49.
It was a good week with a nice balance of homemade meals, treats {like the salami and cheese} and a night out.
How about YOU? Did you buy anything exciting this week? Are you waiting for Costco to get any sort of special food in for the holidays?
~Mavis
Total Spent Last Week $174.26
Total Spent in January on Groceries $202.99
Total Spent in February on Groceries $143.94
Total Spent in March on Groceries $183.35
Total Spent in April on Groceries $205.67
Total Spent on Groceries in May $248.60
Total Spent on Groceries in June $147.47
Total Spent on Groceries in July $293.63
Total Spent on Groceries in August $117.29
Total Spent on Groceries in September $172.91
Total Spent on Groceries in October $157.08
*********
Total Spent in January on Take Out, Date Nights, and Bakery Treats $42.19
Total Spent in February on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $118.45
Total Spent in March on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $25.29
Total Spent in April on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $62.50
Total Spent in May on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $54.52
Total Spent in June on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $119.15
Total Spent in July on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $12.45
Total Spent in July on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $0
Total Spent in August on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $212.67
Total Spent in September on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $132.50
Total Spent in October on Take Out, Date Nights and Bakery Treats $74
Go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.
Dawn says
Yes, I want the almond cake recipe. It looks delicious!
Ani says
Ditto
Emily Brower says
Me too please.
Leigh says
Yes, almond cake recipe please!!!
Kathy says
I’d love the recipe, please (almond cake). Thanks
Lauralli says
I have 3 sons who all loved Curious George, so this makes me smile big! I love it! And, yes, of course, we want the cake recipe–and your review of it!
TS says
The stores are much busier. It’s all the growth we have had lately.
Robyn says
I’m a big fan of the cheese selection at Costco over the holiday season! I stock up- it keeps well and I love loves my cheese!
Rita says
Happy Birthday to Monkey Boy! Hope he will forgive you:) That almond cake looks delish!
Julie P says
Children get used to their parents shocking/embarrassing them, I’m still doing it to Tom 29 and Charlie 27,I think secretly they would be disappointed if I didn’t. The foods looked good, we rarely eat Mexican out having little choice where we live. Glad you had a lovely evening and that Monkey Boy got his cake and candles.
Always keen for a cake recipe and I love almonds, it looks delicious.
Diana says
Do you make your own quiche base? If so, recipe please!
Leanna says
Yes, please on almond cake.
Lisa L says
Winco had their milk at regular price for $1.97/gallon yesterday.
Mavis, do you still have your chickens? I see you are buying eggs (I know they probably aren’t laying much anyway). Haven’t seen any posts about them lately.
Michelle says
I made 15 bean soup yesterday… Definitely a fall staple at my house! I had so much free time, I baked homemade bread to go with it
Trish says
Almond cake – yes please!
Marcia says
Funny, I did my big Costco run last week too. I stared at that salami. Picked it up. Put it back. I wanted salami. But I didn’t want THAT MUCH salami, you know?
The only thing that saves me from the Costco pumpkin pies and such is that I gave up wheat/ gluten. I feel much better now. I miss sandwiches. This weekend, I made mini-pumpkin pies with an almond meal crust. They are delicious!
But so much work. My hubby said “yeah, I saw you try and pull those things out of the muffin tins.” I said “Dude, I roasted a freaking pumpkin yesterday!!”
RobinSoCal says
You deserve a gold star, roasting your pumpkin. Husbands do not understand (mine never does) most of the time what it takes to cook from scratch. I make my own almond milk. I save all the almond meal, freeze it or dehydrate it to make baked goods. It’s a two for one deal. Hats off to you Marcia!
Jean says
Almond cake, please!
Angela says
Please post the Almond cake recipe
Jamie Scheer says
Mavis, I’ve been a long time reader over the years. Life got busy so I haven’t read much lately but I’m recently back at it. I read your posts about $250.00 a month for your food budget. I see you post the totals and pictures of your purchases. But, for the life of me, I can’t figure out how to replicate that. And, that doesn’t make sense….I have a family of 6 and usually spend between $1,000-$1,200 per month. If I could get it down to $750 I would be trilled! What am I missing? I need a paradigm shift.
Mavis Butterfield says
Budgets are funny. I have a friend with a family of 6 and they spend $800 a month and eat all sorts of crazy good homemade meals, almost never go out {maybe twice a year}. I have another friend with a family of 4 that spends $1200 a month on just groceries {plus eats out a lot}. The family of 4 doesn’t really buy organic or specialty products, they just buy a lot of food. And it is mind boggling to me.
The easy answer is this: We eat a lot of really, REALLY simple foods. And none of us are heavy eaters. We eat normal portion sizes, are not grazers and I cook with a lot of beans, rice and eggs. It’s really just that simple.
Jamie Scheer says
Thank you. I’ve been pondering on your reply…beans, rice and eggs…all things we like and eat. I will have to think about incorporating them more. Have you ever thought about doing a post of: what I ate for a week? Breakfast, lunch and dinner what you actually made and ate, fed your family. Or, maybe even just the dinners? Still trying to wrap my mind around this! Thanks for your great blog!