The first part of the week was pretty boring with dinners like beans and rice, soup and eating random things out of the cupboard. Do you ever do that? Have a few days go by where all you really eat are bits of miscellaneous food here and there, never really sitting down to eat? Everything that goes into your mouth is just in passing?
The HH was at it again after our big stock up trip to the grocery store. He made the most amazing peanut stir fry dish {I’ll share the recipe soon} as well as tried out a new recipe for Irish brown bread. There are was also Brunswick Stew, a big salad and of course pickety bits for the big game {which was pretty much a snooze fest up until the last few minutes}.
Big salads… even out of season…. are the best!
Oh! All you French toast lovers out there. You must get your hands on a loaf of Panera’s cinnamon raisin bread. It makes THE BEST French toast. We went through an entire loaf in 2 days it was so good. I can’t wait to go back and get another loaf with the gift card my parents sent me for Christmas.
Market Basket $89.25
$14 was on salmon alone! Sheesh that stuff is expensive. Other needfuls on this stock up trip were ingredients for the Irish brown bread recipe, white chocolate for the white chocolate coconut cake I have requested the HH make for me for Valentine’s day, cheese, assorted dairy and meat.
Also, I want you to know the bottle of Mrs. Buttersworth’s is NOT mine. I gave the HH a list of things I needed and Mrs. Buttersworth’s syrup was not on my list {c’mon now, there is NO COMPARISON to real maple syrup}. But then again neither was Good and Plenty or tomatoes on a foam plate wrapped in plastic wrap. All I can do is make the list people….
Market Basket $46.20
My trip {yes I left the house} to Market Basket for the things I forgot to put on the list. And yes, Friotos were on there. 😉 I was going to make a Frito pie to include with our Superbowl snacks but didn’t realize the game started at 6:30 and well, a platter of pickety bits AND a frito pie was just too much too eat that late in the day. Oh well, I guess I’ll make it for linner this week instead. Also, $5 for a tiny jar of mace? That’s crazy!
ALDI $27.15
A girls gotta have her pita crackers! And those chocolate covered biscuits…. Yum Yum Yum. Oh, and also, the chickens are on strike so we are buying eggs. {Then again, if the temps were ZERO, I probably wouldn’t be in the mood to lay either}.
Last nights dinner. I’m not sure if it qualifies as a WOWIE ZOWIE party platter, but it was good.
Random things I found while wandering around the grocery store that I felt the urge to photograph and tell you about rather than stand in a long line at the checkout with the HH and stare at a row of candy bars.
Personally, I use clothes pins, but hey these Ladybug chip clips were super cute!
Would you pay $53.20 a pound for blueberries? WOWZA.
$1.29 a pound for red peppers. Now THAT IS A DEAL! Isn’t a bag of 6 peppers like $5.99 at Costco? Buy them at Market Basket, they’re way cheaper!
What about $8.99 for the grossest flavor of Lip Smackers on the planet? Seriously, what does M&M flavored lip balm taste like anyway? According to the reviews online, every single tube is exactly the same flavor. Boooooring.
Maple syrup in a spray bottle? I don’t know…. has anyone tried it? Can you tell us what it tastes like? Curious minds want to know. The reviews on Amazon for their regular maple syrup are excellent, but I can’t think of a reason why anyone would buy maple syrup in a spray can. Then again, people buy spray cheese so what do I know.
February, it’s here and it’s a short month. Pretty soon the ground will be thawed and it will be time to plant! Wahooooooo. Spring, it’s almost here. 🙂
Have a great Monday everyone,
~Mavis
Total Spent This Week $162.60
- Total Spent on Groceries in February $162.60
- Total Spent in January on Groceries $41.19
- Total Spent So Far on Groceries in 2019 $203.79
You can go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.
Also, today only Amazon is offering up to 50% off laundry essentials. Below are just a couple of the deals… But you can GO HERE for today’s full offering.
- Bounce Fabric Softener and Dryer Sheets, Outdoor Fresh, 240 Count $5.24 shipped with $1.00 off coupon
- OxiClean High Def Clean Sparkling Fresh Laundry Detergent Paks, 47 Count $6.36 shipped with subscribe and save
- Arm & Hammer 2-IN-1 Laundry Detergent Power Paks, 97 Count $6.39 with $1.00 off coupon
- Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin Perfume and Dye Free He Liquid Laundry Detergent 3 Piece Easy-Pour Pouch $8.74 with $1.00 off coupon
- OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover, 7.22 Lbs $9.67
- Gain Botanicals Plant Based Laundry Detergent, White Tea & Lavender, 50 Loads, 80 Ounces 2 Count $11.04 shipped
- Lysol Laundry Sanitizer Additive, Crisp Linen, 2X90oz $12.72 shipped
- Tide PODS Ultra Oxi 4 in 1 HE Turbo Laundry Detergent Pacs, 61 Count Tub $13.97 shipped with $3.00 off coupon
- Ecover Laundry Detergent, Lavender Field, 93 Ounce (Pack 4) $42.81 shipped
P.S. I went in to check on Lucy and the HH… and they are both still in bed. What a life! Mondays…. they can be rough. 😉
Brenda says
I love your picky bits platters!
Jenn from Ma says
I had to google mace….what do you use it for? Curious minds want to know 😉
Mavis Butterfield says
Cookies! 🙂
ann in E. oregon says
Will there be a recipe?? 🙂
Tisha says
Spray maple syrup seems to like a product used to get even distribution of maple flavor without consuming a large amount of carbs, as 1/4 cup of syrup is 52 g of carbs. While I think real maple syrup is absolutely wonderful, I just cannot justify that much sugar (especially since it is rare I would put just 1/4 cup or 3 tbsp of syrup on my pancakes). I have not used the product but it could be a good idea. It seems akin to those oil misters that were popular a few years ago.
Margaret Hudgins says
1/4 cup = 4 tbl, not 3.
Diane says
I’ve been thinking of you all morning. We have SNOW!!!! in the PNW! There’s about 6 inches at my parent’s home, and it is still coming down. Of course, everyone is freaking out since it has been awhile since we have had this much at one time. My dogs are loving it big time and so am I. Have a great week.
Mavis Butterfield says
Diane, I would love it if you would send me some pictures. I’d love to share them on the blog tomorrow. 🙂 You can email photos to:
onehundreddollars a month@gmail .com {Spaces removed}
Katie says
Is the pasta dish in the first photo the peanut stir fry you mentioned? If so, I eagerly await that recipe.
I’ve added cinnamon raisin bread from Panera to my to-do list. We like to make “special breakfast” on the weekends and french toast with that bread sounds (and looks) delicious!
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, the top photo is the peanut dish! 🙂
Wendy Lato says
The Everett, Washington area has received 10 inches of snow!!! A true snow event with more coming. Sorry you are missing it.
Mavis Butterfield says
Send me some pictures Wendy, I’d love to share them on the blog tomorrow. 🙂
onehundreddollars a month@gmail .com {Spaces removed}
Karen says
Yes, I live in Everett too. I’m a retired teacher, but seeing that all the schools are closed reminds me how I still love Snow Days! Must cook soup today and bake bread, plus sit by the fire and read. It’s still coming down!
Joann says
Sounds lovely!
Teri says
That french toast looks so yummy. HaHa about the Mrs. Butterworth syrup! What are the dips you fix with your picky bits?
Mavis Butterfield says
Hummus, salmon and dill. Yum Yum Yum.
LaToya says
I bought a set of lip balms at Target – the soda set – Coke, Sprite, Fanta Orange … it’s fun to put on under lipstick … keeps my lips from getting dry … and I feel like I’m in 6th grade again – LOL!
I’m a French toast LOVER. I’ll have to get some of that Panera bread.
The best French toast though is made with King’s Hawaiian Coconut Macadamia Nut Sliced Bread. LIFE CHANGING.
Also, no snow in Meridian, Idaho.
Jessica says
Um… where does one find King’s Hawaiian Coconut Macadamia Nut bread?????? This is an urgent matter….
LaToya says
On their website. But ONLY when they have a free shipping promo. They often have promos like buy this product and get free shipping on your entire order. That’s when I shop. It’s … so … good. Like I can make myself cry thinking of how delicious it is – LOL!
Jessica says
I looked and saw nothing!!!!
Rita says
I found it on their website. It’s $16 for 2 one pound loaves. Shipping is free at $30. HTH.
Mavis Butterfield says
I have never seen that bread before! Now I need to find it.
Teckla says
The math is “slightly” off in your blueberry photo. Ha! Ha! That should be $5.32 per pound, which is still more than enough. Somebody goofed when labeling the package!
Mary says
Insane as the price is, it’s correct – the package is 1.2 oz, not 12 oz (has to enlarge it to double check!).
Teri says
I guess because it’s freeze dried? Still insane!
Mel says
I make cinnamon swirl bread, and we recently got a bigger mixer so I could make multiple loaves at once and freeze. It’s our bread of choice for French toast and French toast casserole. I make individual casseroles in a muffin pan because it cooks faster, and I’m impatient. Last time we were out of maple syrup, so I made orange syrup instead.
For the spray syrup, maybe to lightly glaze things like squash cubes after roasting? You’d think you could just pour a little less and toss though.
C Sirca says
For chip bags I use those large black binder clips from dollar tree. I’ll keep clothes pins in mind in case I ever run out, that’s a good idea!
Heather says
58 cents a dozen for eggs at Aldi’s last time I went. No snow in KS til later in the week. I grew up on imitation maple syrup, so the real stuff tastes funky on homemade waffles. I use real maple syrup in recipes, but nostalgic for my mom’s syrup, sometimes. I enjoy the new format of your posts and less Amazon. I need less stuff and more living.
Sarah says
I think your chickens are just being lazy. I am in WI and we had a few days of -24 and with windchill it was about -50. My girls still laid. I don’t heat their coop either. Just have it wrapped with shower curtains.
Candy C. says
M & M lip balm..why think about it. It would taste like chocolate ..with a thin candy shell
JoAnn says
Mavis
You make the best looking platters!
You need to share the dips in the picture too…please.
Pa. We are defrosting..up close to 50’s today..crazy from last week..my daughter wanted to open the windows ..thinking spring i guess.
Marybeth says
My son works at a Panera and they can bring home leftovers. He brought home the cinnamon raisin bread a few weeks ago for the first time. I made french toast with it. It was so good. He said it usually sells out so we were lucky to get it. First time in a year and a half of him working there so it must be good.
Mavis Butterfield says
We loved it too! I can’t wait to get another loaf.
Idaho Girl says
Mavis, you did spend $53.20 per pound on the blueberries!!!
$53.20/16 ounces = $3.325/oz
$3.325 * 1.20 oz = $3.99!!!
Mavis Butterfield says
I didn’t BUY them… just snapped a picture of the crazy price. 🙂
Patty P says
I had to buy eggs this week too…only two eggs a day, and we use AT LEAST four a day (I have two in the morning, the dog gets one in the morning and one at night with his meals), so I was running down my stash quickly! We have been trying lots of new recipes and trying to use up some of the random ingredients that I have on hand….has made for some interesting dinners. 😉
Gina Seaton says
Hey Mavis!
Life has been a hectic mess for me this past year since my dad died and I haven’t been able to follow your blog for a long time. I really have missed it, your humor, tips and FOOD ideas! The noodle dish popped right up today and I sat down and had a read. Thank you for still being here and being the same Mavis as always!
Gina
Mavis Butterfield says
Gina, I am sorry to hear about your Dad. And I am glad you were able to pick up the blog again. 🙂
Kate says
Mavis, I’ve just started reading your blog, and I enjoy it…..but, I have to say I’m shocked anyone buys herbs and spices in little jars, for like $5! However, the fact that you are not the one doing the buying may compensate for that price.
Perhaps your designated grocery buyer could be enticed into finding a store with a section of bulk foods, which does require spooning spices into little plastic bags, but I love to see that I’ve paid like 22 cents for plenty of basil or tarragon, or even mace, if I could find it.
Actually, mace is ground from the rather pretty shell that surrounds nutmeg when it’s harvested….so, it could be that nutmeg would be a good substitute. On the other hand, I have a rule that I have to make a recipe the first time as written, as a sort of act of good faith. After that, if it’s pretty good, I feel free to improvise. Another possibility for saving money is to check out an ethnic food store, or that section of your usual store.
I’m glad I found your blog, and I’ll be back. (BTW, I’m surprised that some of your readers seem to be surprised by the snow here in the wonderful PNW. I live in Portland, and have many fond memories of struggling through fairly gigantic drifts now and then.)
Mavis Butterfield says
I used to buy my bulk spices at Winco when we lived in the PNW. I need to find a store that carries bulk spices here.
ann in E. oregon says
I’ll bet you have a local food co-op near you where you can buy spices in bulk. I buy all my spices in small quantities (at my local co-op), in order to have VERY fresh spices available for cooking or baking. I have actually discovered that I often have to cut back from what the recipe calls for because the spices are so much stronger when I buy them at the co-op, especially baking spices like ginger and cinnamon. 🙂 Hoping to see you share your mace cookies. I haven’t baked with mace, but have recently discovered cardamom! Now I’m on a quest to discover how many ways I can enjoy cardamom in my baking! 🙂
Danielle says
Does your hubby work from home? How do you stay sane?!?
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes he does. I love it!!! It took a few months getting used to having him around ALL THE TIME…. 🙂 But I love it now.
Danielle says
Haha well congrats! Everyday can be a party
LauraArnett says
Mavis you really need to start giving us recipes with your pics- maybe even little video how-to-make on some of the advanced recipes! You got us all hungry!!!! You can keep HH in the frame like always and let him be a “Julia Child” for your followers:)
Pat says
And to think that I assumed that I was the only person on the planet who uses clothes pins for bag clips!