This has not been the “normal” week just because it’s Spring break. I did some cooking earlier but we have only eaten one prepared meal. So I have most of next week already done….sweet! I spent $140 at Costco (remember I only go every other week now). I forgot to take that picture again! Sorry.
This is what I bought though: 25pd bag of flour, diet Dr. P for HB hubby, water, baked chicken, frozen chicken breast, saltines for HB boy, Nutella and Nugo bars for HB girl, greek yogurt, bread, fresh corn and frozen blueberries.
HB boy also wanted Dungeness crab but I told him it wasn’t on the list and if he REALLY wanted it he could buy it with his own money… he gave me the $20. I did pay the $0.61. It was for two crabs and he is eating one now as I write. I think he will grow up to be a chef, professional baseball player, ;), or a lawyer. I swear he could do them all.
At FM I spent $64.43. I wasn’t able to go earlier in the morning so there wasn’t much at all that I wanted in the clearance bins. That’s a tactic I could use to avoid that temptation, but I missed the hunt. I did use two FM ecoupons and I did find can beans on sale two for a dollar. So I stocked up on those. I got my FM freebie from last week; a LaraBar, never had one. I didn’t realize that you can get it any day of the week if you LOAD it on Friday. However, I forgot to load this week’s Jello gummies. So I will have to sit that one out.
This week I am making muffins, blueberry for HB boy and banana chocolate chip for HB girl. A roast, I just browned this one with olive oil after dreading in flour and seasonings. Cooked in crock pot without the liquids etc. and served with buttermilk mashed potatoes and peas.
I also prepared a yogurt, garlic and lime marinated. I used chicken thighs I had in freezer and marinated for 8 hours. I haven’t cook them yet. I froze for later and will serve with saffron (yellow) rice and sugar snap peas.
I had to make a dish or two for our boys scout troop’s pot luck merit badge ceremony. HB boy wanted to make corn bread (yummy) and I wanted to make a grilled corn salad I found in a Weight Watchers cook book years ago. It is very good and easy. You just grill with a little olive oil the fresh corn, red peppers and onion. Cut all up, toss with fresh cilantro or basil. hot or cold it wonderful.
As you can see we won’t be taking this dish though… This is my normal cook mode, burn baby burn. It was so chard that I couldn’t even give it to the chickens. That cost me about $8. Oops! Now I might have to break down and get that other dish at the grocery store unless I can get creative with what other stuff I have …”.stomping feet and whining” because I wanted that dish!
Oh boy!!! hold onto your knickers …. it’s time to reveal the new chicken pen! Tada! So exciting ! You will notice that the gate is not completed. Chino the Handyman has agreed to barter with me a build a gate. I offered him some money (I insisted) and 3 dozen fresh eggs. He can have a lifetime supply if he wants!
As you can tell, I am not a precise type of builder. And though I can get away with that type of “eyeballing build” with the pen, the gate is another matter. HB Hubby and boy helped so much I couldn’t have gotten up all that chicken wire without them! And I am sooo glad we got a head start because the weather this Spring break has been the pitts!!!!
The girls love it and we have started to introduce the babies during the days that are decent. Fun times! I am disappointed to announce though that one of our new little girls turned out to be a boy. He went to a nice family several miles away who has tons of land. Now he can frolic and cock-a-doodle-do as much as he wants!
So what HAVE we been doing this Spring break besides chicken pen building, cooking and grocery shopping? Well we took a little one night family trip to the Eastern side of the state, kid sleepovers and playdates, baseball , house chores (never ending, that one!) and a little shopping for HB girl. She needed a new bathing suit and wanted some high waist jeans. Remember those from the Farrah Fawcett days? I can’t believe they are back. I didn’t wear them well back then but HB girl looks cute in them now.
I also purchased a bed for our travel kennel for the adorable black lab you have been seeing. He participates with HB girl in 4H and we use that a lot during 4H shows. It was $24.99 and HB pup will be a lot more comfortable with a new pad. A small price to pay for his aging bones.
Whew what a week but have really enjoyed the time off!!!!
Until next week, Mrs. Hillbilly
Earlene says
Is there a covering over the chicken pen?? If I had chickens I would need a covering as the eagles or hawks would figure “hey I have a free meal down there!” and I would have no chickens. We live in the country and have bear, coyotes, bobcats, raccoon and eagles hanging around some where near!
Mrs HB says
Yes it’s a netting , had it in the last one and girls were safe for two years
Janet says
I do love your dog. It is great that your daughter shows him. 4-H is a great program.
Marie says
Your chicken pen rocks! Agree with Earlene, we did not cover our coop during our first attempt and soon learned that it was a big mistake. We even ran chicken wire underneath our pen so the raccoons and other critters that were “attempting entry” could no longer achieve their goal in the rebuild. Fresh eggs are just too tasty.
Congratulations on raising a son who is willing to spend his own money to satisfy his own taste buds!
AlysonRR says
We joke about “Chicken Alcatraz” being a necessity in our rural area (very near you) – looks like you nailed it, once you have a gate 😉