Pickety bits. I could live off of them. The alehouse cheddar from ALDI? Crazy good! The hot pepper jelly spread… Bueno. Pretzel crackers? Excellent.
Beef stew, without the beef but with beef broth instead.
A simple midweek quiche. Carrots, onions, spinach all sauteed in a little butter with some chopped up slices of ham thrown in at the last minute. Spoon it all into the bottom of a unbaked crust. Mix 7 eggs, 1/2 cup cheese and 2 tablespoons of milk, add a little salt and pepper, pour over sauteed ham and vegetables, bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until the center is set. Cool, serve, and freeze the extras. 🙂
King Arthur Flour’s lemon bar mix. Wowie zowie this was a winner and I plan on picking up another box {or two} on my next stock up trip. Yes, I could buy some lemons and make it from scratch but sometimes being able to pull a boxed mix out of the cupboard after working in the garden all day, is just the ticket.
Also, in case you didn’t know, lemon bars freeze like a dream. Really, they do. So make a batch, remove two bars from the pan and layer the rest of the bars in the freezer between sheets of parchment paper. The cool thing? Lemon bars won’t freeze solid, you when you have a craving for one, just pull a bar from the freezer, put it on a plate and it will be ready to eat in 10 minutes. If you can wait that long.
I made a batch of Mrs. HB’s favorite Quinoa salad recipe and then texted her to tell her about it. She got a new job. So much for early retirement and a summer of puttering around the backyard in her jammies watering plants and pulling weeds. 😉
She said she missed me and then went on to tell me that she wanted to buy the chicken pillow I just made and I promptly told her that no, she couldn’t have it and it wouldn’t go with her decor and that she already has too much stuff in her house.
“But I waaaaant it!” Too BAD I told her.
And anyway, when my “big ticket item” for my secret holiday project finally gets here I am going to need her to be my guinea pig and test something out and that TRUST ME, you’ll like it more than the chicken pillow and it will be made with love and you will be reminded of me every time you see it.
And then she sent me a picture of her chicken Honey {who she thinks has congestive heart failure} all snuggled up on the couch.
She’s a nut. But even though we are 3,000 miles apart and she makes me crazy, she is still my nut and I miss the random and totally wandering conversations/arguments we used to have all the time.
Taco Tuesday.
Our local country store $9.98
Just doing my bit to help the local economy. 😉 I am patiently waiting for the local country store to get in a new shipment of Gelato Fiasco. Granted, I could just drive to the big box grocery store and stock up on some other flavors, but what would be the fun in that? Anticipation is so much more fun.
Also, Mrs. C, if you are reading this, I had the HH drive me to Rococo Ice cream for a scoop {like you suggested} in Kennebunkport but after circling the block about 80 million times and him not being able to find a parking space, we went home. And although I could go on and on about this, I won’t. 😉 Because you know, husbands. And clearly this is a mission for The Girl and I to take on. Because you know, we would just park like 5 blocks away and walk to the ice cream shop.
And last but not least… Saturday night beans {I used this recipe}. It’s a New England tradition. And HELLO, I just found my new favorite Irish brown bread recipe to go with them {anyone want the recipe?} If only I had some strawberry jam to go with the leftovers! Note to self: Make a ridiculous amount of jam this summer.
How about YOU? Did your person make you crazy this week too? Are you anticipating berry season as much as I am? Have you figured out why you show up here everyday and read this nonsense?
Ahhh Monday. Here we go!
~Mavis
Total Spent this week: $9.98
- Total Spent in May on Groceries $213.31 <- Included a stock up trip to King Arthur Flour
- Total Spent in April on Groceries $169.98
- Total Spent in March on Groceries $306.75 <– Apartment life, moving across the country and settling into a new house
- Total Spent in February on Groceries $259.81 < Living in an apartment and buying a lot of ready-made meals
- Total Spent in January on Groceries $240.15 <– Packing mode and not cooking from scratch as much
Go HERE to read more Shopping Trip Stories.
Jessica says
I have a box of that lemon bar mix on my shelf.. snagged it at my favorite salvage discount grocery! Poor box with the crushed corner.. I cannot wait to try it!!!
Mona says
Mavis-
Did you bring your meyer lemon tree with you?
Mavis Butterfield says
Nope. 🙁
Mrs. C. says
Oh, Mavis, you and the girl have to go! The good news is that they have opened up a couple of other places, including that fish shack that you and the HH went to! So many good flavors….
Deborah says
I’ve never used a Mix for lemon bars. I love anything lemon. LOL these look really awesome. I’ll look for the recipe for lemon bars from scratch and send it when, if I can find it.
Deborah says
Lemon bars
Ingredients
36 servings 126 cals
1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup white sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour 4 eggs 1 1/2 cups white sugar 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 lemons, juiced
Directions
Prep 15 m Cook40 m Ready In55 m
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a medium bowl, blend together softened butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 9×13 inch pan.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and golden. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/4 cup flour. Whisk in the eggs and lemon juice. Pour over the baked crust.
Bake for an additional 20 minutes in the preheated oven. The bars will firm up as they cool. For a festive tray, make another pan using limes instead of lemons and adding a drop of green food coloring to give a very pale green. After both pans have cooled, cut into uniform 2 inch squares and arrange in a checker board fashion.
Footnotes
Tip
Aluminum foil can be used to keep food moist, cook it evenly, and make clean-up easier.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving: 126 calories; 5.8 g fat; 17.8 g carbohydrates; 1.6 g protein; 34 mg cholesterol; 44 mg sodium.
Sharon R. says
Yes, please share the brown bread recipe!
Marcia says
I love these updates. I love picky bits. The part about Mrs HAs failed retirement was funny. And the pillow.
Alice says
Would you mind letting us know the brand of the pepper jelly? I always buy the one at Costco ( it’s only there during the holidays) I haven’t found any to buy otherwise.
Mavis Butterfield says
Specially Selected Premium Red Pepper Fruit Spread imported from Germany. That’s what is on the label. I suspect it’s just ALDI’s private label brand.
Teresa says
Pepper Jelly is SUPER easy to make. Do it when your garden is full of sweet(bell) peppers and hot peppers, if you planted any. If not a bag from the farmers market will do just fine. It takes liquid pectin. I strain mine but some recipes have the pepper chunks in it. Both are delicious. Good on a roast beef sandwich too.
Alice says
Thank you. I don’t have a garden this year and we don’t have an ALDis store. (we do have Trader Joe’s though). I think I might pick some up at the farmer’s market and try it.
Brianna says
Why I show up here everyday and read this nonsense? Mostly to learn something new and to be entertained. It is my morning escape with a cup of coffee. Some people read the news in the morning, but I like to start the day without the stress and reading your blog has never really stressed me out. It offers variety and predictable weekly highlights I look forward to (weekly goals, odds and ends from the web). I also like that you aren’t pushing products with a hot deal today only. It also allows me to be nosey and ponder without really being that way, I seriously find it interesting to see what someone else might buy at the grocery store, or to have a peak in their pantry, or to see what things they might eat for dinner, or to see what hobbies they might do or how they do them. Maybe I need to get out more? After all, my 8 year old wrote on my Mother’s Day card that my favorite hobby was “staying home a lot.” Perspectives of a mom from a kids view.
Sandy says
LOL! “staying home a lot”! This is a life goal for me! I once had a friend who was asked what her hobbies were. There was a long silence and her daughter piped up “does watching movies count?” We were on the floor laughing!
Shari Harniss says
My sweet husband will tell you my motto is “Please, don’t make me leave the house!” I adore staying home. Not too many people get it, but, that just makes it more special to me.
And, no, I’m not ‘afraid’ to leave the house. Just don’t wanna unless I HAVE to!
Laura says
When my son (now a college sophomore) was little someone asked him what his mom did.He replied, “She drives.” I thought that was pretty darn funny. And accurate! lol.
Mavis Butterfield says
AWESOME!
Mrs. C. says
As for parking, I end up parking a block or two away, on a side street where parking is permitted. Once, however, my HH lurked in the car while I ran it and got us some deliciousness!
lynne says
Having moved last fall, we are enjoying, as you are, seeing what blooms and blossoms in the yard. thankful that the previous owners were perennial gardeners, as I am NOT a flower person = low maintenance. We have plum trees and crabapple trees – jellies here we come!! We planted blueberries and black currants, so those won’t be productive this year. Blackberries grow abundantly wild around our property – YES! Loving your enthusiasm in your blogs and happy for you and the fam! LynneinWI
Alison says
I show up every day to read this nonsense because you give me a laugh and I learn a lot from you! I really look forward to your posts each day. Thanks for the update on Mrs. HB. I’m glad she is doing well.
Leslie says
OK I’m wrong about what I thought the big secret is. But now I have a new theory! Ha!
Cait says
Mavis, you’ve gotta dive into our New England cheeses! So many many good ones, and another local economy to support 😉
Gina says
Something about Mrs. HB’s chicken all cozy on the couch,potentially with congestive heart failure, juxtaposed next to a picture of chicken tacos for taco Tuesday is killing me. 😉 (Honestly, since I have a feather PHOBIA, just the picture of the chicken on the couch makes my stomach hurt a little – but I am glad he is enjoying some TLC.
Just saying.. LOL
Gina
FarmGirl says
I come here every day for the same reason I have came here every day for the last several years to escape life and the news for a few minutes a day. The news is depressing and each side is at the others throat. You are NOT political and it is wonderful!! We all have our own opinions about things, but you don’t even really offer opinions either. You do a wonderful job of offering observations about gardening and life without all of the onesidedness (I know it’s not a word. LOL!!) You are upbeat and fun. You are informative and helpful. It is truly an escape to read through your blog each morning. I love it and encourage my family members and others to check out the blog as well. You have dreams and aspirations (which not a lot of people in my community seem to have). You inspire me to chase my dreams and set goals, etc. You are cognizant of life being short and yearn as many of us do to slow down and invest in our communities and each other. THANK YOU for what you do!! You make a difference each day and you probably don’t realize it.
Jenn says
Well the other day I referred to you as my online friend… and my kids were quick to point out that we are not friends, we have never even met. But for me I like to think otherwise, I enjoy popping in to see what my online friend Mavis is up too. Been here a long time, since the coupon/stockpile days, we have went through my bachelors and masters degree as a non- traditional student so we have both blossomed through the years. And as I take care of my declining father, you offer an escape from daily struggles. I am thankful for you my friend.
chickengrandma says
I log in on this site every day to see what a
“kindred spirit “is doing. You have so much energy. I can’t get done half of what you do. We are living a similar life. A while ago you stated that you are a homemaker and love it, Me too!! HH and I are retired (except for an occasional special project) After HH got disabled I had to work for a while. I love to read your goals ( I am a goal maker too). And how your suppers are very casual. Now that I am mostly retired, I thought I needed to make a BIG meal everyday. But you gave me permission to make it casual sometimes. Thanks for what you do.
Michelle says
My favorite blog by far and Kindred spirits . Would love an update on how Monkey boy is doing since you’ve moved away. We’re in California and moving to the east coast when retirement comes . Our daughter will be staying on the west coast.
Kimmy says
This is the best nonsense on the Internet! I’ve never had chickens, but isn’t it weird to keep one on the couch?
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, yes it is.
Sheri says
You’re such an inspiration! I’m living vicariously through you until I can have my dream yard in the country. Can you pass along the Irish brown bread recipe please? Thanks!
Lisa says
Please, please, please share your Irish Brown Bread recipe! I went to Ireland in April and haven’t found one recipe yet that comes close to the Heaven on Earth I had when I was there!
Torry says
I come here because it is like talking over the fence with a dear neighbor! (What nonsense?! )
Dana says
This blog is oftentimes the highlight of my day. I work full-time in politics and take care of my own family along with my parents. I don’t even sneak a peak during the day, even when I’m tempted. I save it for the evening and it helps me wind down. I so enjoy your stories of country life and simple living. Sundays and Mondays are my favorite! Thanks for letting us in on the life of Mavis!
Cheryl says
Is that snacky plate for just one person or do you share? When I mentioned to my dh that we should try that once in a while, he laughed. I’m going to try one in the next couple of weeks, need to buy some meats and cheeses.
Teresa Young says
I’m so excited – we will be visiting the King Arthur store next month, and we love lemon bars, so I will definitely be picking up a box or 3 of that.
And I think, should you ever decide to change the name of your blog from One Hundred Dollars a Month, Kimmy’s “Best Nonsense on the Internet” fits!
Debbie - MountainMama says
YES I’d love the recipe for the Irish Brown Bread – my parents are both from Ireland and we grew up eating it but I’ve never been able to make it myself!!!
Carrie says
This nonsense is the only blog I read regularly. As others have said, its nice to take a break from our world and see what our friend Mavis is up to. We (you, me and other readers) enjoy some of the same hobbies that none of my real life friends do. I love that you are goal driven and it has pushed me to make my own goals. I also love seeing other folk’s gardens and chicken coops and pantries. It’s like a tour of gardens across the country! Thank you for what you do! And I have to say if you ever think about taking some of the blog off your plate it wouldn’t hurt my feelings to discontinue the daily deal posts. I really like how your blog has evolved into something more simplistic and nixing that makes sense. I love everything else though and I too went from extreme couponing to a more simple, real food, grocery buyer. Keep up the good work! You are an inspiration to many!