Last week started off on a high note as the HH received 2 birthday care packages from his mother. Both boxes contained food. Which, at this stage in our lives, is pretty much the best kind of gift we could receive. Because really, what else do you gift people our age?
A 16 ounce tube of Bavarian mustard though…. from QVC, now we’re talking. Not only is it great on pretzel bites, but think about all those Saturday night beans and weenies it will go great with.
Care packages filled with food, whether your an adult or a kid at summer camp are just one of life’s little pleasures. I don’t know about you, but I think they make the hum drum of ordinary life a little more exciting. And especially last week, when the meals were nothing spectacular {pasta, soup, soft tacos, fried rice, leftovers}.
Even though I didn’t hit any home runs in the dinner department last week, I did get some serious baking time in. These blueberry ricotta scones were so tasty, I wolfed down 3 right out of the oven.
I also tried out a King Arthur Flour fudge brownie recipe. Those were good too even if I did get the butter too hot and they didn’t turn out quite like the picture on their website.
JJ’s Apple Crumb pie. It’s in the top 5 of my all time favorite homemade desserts that’s for sure. And on a side note, if anyone is looking for a working vacation in Puerto Rico this summer, JJ is looking for volunteers to help build a house in Puerto Rico. The MDS will even cover your airfare.
And then there was the new biscotti recipe I tested. I think it’s been well documented here that I could pretty much live off of sweets and tea and well, I can’t think of a more comforting afternoon pick me up than biscotti and tea. This recipe was a total winner and I’ll be sharing it on the blog soon.
It was a S-L-O-W week around here, and the only purchase I made was at the end of someone’s driveway for a dozen eggs. Some weeks are a non stop a thrill a minute, and others, well you suddenly look up and it’s 2pm and you’re still in your jammie pants and you have to decide if it’s really worth it to get properly dressed or not.
Life, it has a funny way of slowing you down just when you need it. 😉 Have a wonderful Monday everyone,
~Mavis
Total Spent this week: $3.50
- Total Spent in May on Groceries $216.50 <- 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.
Leslie says
King Arthur’s gluten free brownie mix is good too!
Carolina says
Well, Mavis, I won’t be making the apple crumb pie. But I WILL be signing up for the JJ work project in Puerto Rico this summer. I speak Spanish fluently, and I have been on many trips like this over the last 30 years. Thanks for the mentioning the opportunity!!! But first I have to jet off to Paris (you asked a few day ago if anyone was doing that). Yep, I am. But not for a fun time. My brother and I are going to have a last family reunion with his identical twin brother who has cancer. And you know how that goes…
Nancy D says
Carolina:
A great big hug to you! I lost my brother to cancer last year. I’m so glad your family has this opportunity to gather together during this time. Savor each moment. Life and family ties are so precious.
Mavis Butterfield says
Enjoy your reunion. Cancer sucks and I’m glad you are able to make the trip. Hugs to you.
Laura says
Hope you have a beautiful reunion with family. You’ll always have Paris…lost my mother to cancer in February and we managed to get 6 of her 7 siblings here in Seattle to see her before she went. It was a very moving time for all of us. Hope you are all able to find whatever joy you can during these times. Sending you peace, love and heartfelt prayers for a wonderful visit together.
Jennifer Jo says
Thanks for the shout-out!!!
Also, those brownies might not look like the King Arthur photo, but they still look dangerously good!
Susan says
I’m with you on the food for gifts! My favorite.
I give food for gifts, too. Or a Trader Joe, Fred Meyer, Burgerville, etc gift card.
Helen in Meridian says
Oh, Burgerville USA, inconveniently located to 48 states. I miss their fresh peach milkshakes.
Mavis Butterfield says
Have you tried the shakes at 5 Guys? Their strawberry shake is fantastic!
Lissa says
Curious for your opinion on the King Arthur flour. Do you find it different from a regular grocery store brand? Worth the expense? I usually buy it…but at the grocery.
Pie looked really yummy.
James Rancourt says
Lissa, I live in New England and King Arthur flour is a quality and trusted brand. I have found that the extra cost over the store brand is well worth the price for quality baked goods…I have also used Gold Medal flour but find that to be about the same quality as store brand. 🙂
Holly says
Lissa….I live just a few minutes from King Arthur and find their flour to be superior. I love browsing in the store and have taken several of their classes. I am so grateful to have them up the road. Try the flour with some of your favorite recipes and you will see why it’s worth paying a little more.
Teri says
Happy Birthday to your HH! Does he like living there as much as you do? And how bout the girl? Does she like it too? Hope so. Would love to volunteer in Puerto Rico — seems like a fantastic experience!
Juli Nimitz says
I LOVE KAF! Only use their flour. I can get their Bread Flour and Whole Wheat at the grocery but order other specialty flours from them. I, too, have questioned the expense, but time after time, I am disappointed if I use anything else. I also like that they are big supporters of American growers and frequently write about them.
The recipes on their website are great. I am known as a great baker in my neighborhood, but it’s really King Arthur, not me.
Sara says
The “Ultimate Chewy Brownies” recipe on KAF is my favorite. They are so fudgy!
Angela says
I love to bake! I live in Michigan. Anyone know where I can get King Arthur Flour here? I really would like to try it.
nancy grimsley says
Angela….They sell King Arthur flour at Meijer and also in bulk at some of the Amish stores in mid Michigan. I buy the bread flour and do think it is better. My daughter only bakes with King Arthur flours and swears by it. Keep cool today…This heat is killing me!
Debbie - MountainMama says
You have inspired me to budget no more than $200/month for groceries – in May I came in under that, for the first time in a long, long time! I’m curious….when you say groceries are you just counting food/drinks? Or do you also count all toiletries, paper goods, cleaning products, dog food, etc? I tend to order that stuff separately as our mountain top grocery charges wayyyyy too much for those things. I guess the real challenge would be able to get to $200/month for EVERYTHING household related, product wise….hmmmm.
Mavis Butterfield says
I do not count count all toiletries, paper goods, cleaning products, dog food, etc. because they are not food items. The only paper goods we buy is t.p. and other than shampoo, conditioner soap, detergent, do not buy cleaning products.
Laura says
Mavis, I would love to see you do a bakeoff between Bob’s Red Mill flours and King Arthur. Out here, BRM is easy to come by lots of flour varieties so I would love to know if they are comparable to KA. What do you think?