Last week the UPS guy dropped off a package from QVC. I always get excited when I see packages from QVC because I know it’s from my mother in law. I mean really, what could be more exhilarating than knowing someone had to hurry to the phone and place an order before the QVC countdown timer ran out?
There could be live monkeys in the box, a lifetime supply of toilet paper, a 10,000 bag assortment of tea bags…. it wouldn’t matter. For me, it’s really not what’s in the box, it’s those few moments of not knowing what’s in the box as I carry it inside that I like the best.
A few weeks ago my mother in law sent us Bavarian pretzels and a pound of mustard sauce from QVC. Last week it was 4 pounds of BBQ ribs. Mrs. HB if you are reading this, I fully believe with ALL MY HEART, 10 years from now you will be a QVC shopper as well. 😉 That is, if you aren’t already.
Chicken Bowl: Rice, chicken, beans, corn, salsa, cheese, sour cream and guacamole.
Pickety Bits: Salami, Asiago cheese, sun dried tomato Gouda cheese, cashews, dried figs, prunes, hummus, dried cranberries, chocolate covered almonds, ALDI thin mints, Pita chips and ALDI club crackers.
Chicken Salad on No Knead Bread: Costco canned chicken, mayo, mustard, chopped dill pickles, chopped apple, dried cranberries and salt and pepper.
ALDI Lasagna and Garlic Bread: It has a very sausage like flavor to it. The HH loves it. I like it enough, but I think lasagna should be made with ground beef, not pork. Or at least not as much pork.
Fig Biscotti: My all time favorite homemade biscotti recipe {but without the hazelnuts and using five spice powder instead of anise}. Perfect for dunking in your morning cuppa.
Ribs and Potatoes seasoned with armadillo rub. I don’t know why it’s called armadillo rub, but it is. Which is really kind of a strange name for a seasoning if you ask me. But what do I know, I’m just a girl, reaching into the spice drawer, looking for a little seasoning to throw on some potatoes. I try not to question the free products that end up in our home too much.
Split Pea and Ham Soup. Because apparently that’s what I make for dinner when I have 3 slices of sliced lunch meat in the fridge and it’s 85 degrees outside. And yes, I did sprinkle that pepper on top of the soup to add a little flair.
Fritatta: Bacon, broccoli, chives, cheese, eggs and milk.
Meal time was pretty simple this week and the only thing I bought was a gallon of milk from the country store which was $3.99 a gallon! Holy canolies man.
How about YOU? Did you buy, make or eat anything super tasty this past week? Do you like getting mystery packages in the mail as much as I do?
~Mavis
Total Spent this week: $3.99 for 1 gallon of 2% milk at the Country Store
- Total Spent in June $165.48 <- Attempting once a month grocery shopping
- 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.
Katelyn says
Welcome to east coast milk prices! And despite that price, the farmers can’t make a living – so much to fix in this country!
Mama Cook says
Oh! My mom sends from QVC (or HSN). Once we received a cheesecake that didn’t need refrigeration!!! Ummmmm…… It sure looked pretty!
Mavis Butterfield says
Hilarious!
Deborah says
I have a fig tree and IF the birds let me have some, I want to dehydrate some. I’m not a fan of fig preserves though.
Mavis Butterfield says
The fig biscotti is really good! If you like that sort of thing you should give it a try.
Laura says
I find that I have to get them the DAY they are ripe. A day late and they are lost to the birds. It is my annual ambition to beat the birds to my figs! Lol.
UpstateNYer says
QVC and HSN have websites. Just add a .com to the name. You don’t need to sit and watch hours of tv. Unless that is your form of entertainment. 😉
Pamela says
also apps…
Mavis Butterfield says
Ahhh well that would makes more sense.
Jenny says
Milk prices were 88 cent per half gallon this weekend in southwest Wisconsin.
Helen in Meridian says
Maybe you could use some of that armadillo rub in the cake and gray frosting next time you make an armadillo cake ala Steel Magnolias.
Mavis Butterfield says
You’re a nut Helen!! I wonder how much red food coloring I’d need though, aren’t armadillo cakes supposed to red velvet inside?
Carrie says
I used up my allotted food money earlier than usual so meals were a little interesting late last week. I was gifted a squash (mine aren’t even flowering yet) which was great! I grilled some chicken and tossed the sliced squash and bell pepper strips with Italian dressing and grilled in a basket. Served with extra buttery rice. It was a great meal and something I normally wouldn’t think about making.
Emily C says
Do you buy the Costco canned chicken very often? It seems so expensive for what it is – maybe because I’m feeding 7 people are every meal.
I typically will have my boys debone and shred a few rotisserie chickens to freeze, but do like to have the canned chicken on hand for various meals.
The $10 expense for an occasional item really makes me pause though!
Mavis Butterfield says
I like it because it tastes good and it’s easy and quick protein. I’d say I buy a pack of it once a year. If I was a single working person though who didn’t cook, I’d probably buy it all the time for the convenience factor.
Gee says
Well, if you really want to get into canning, Mavis, you can can (ha ha!) your own. When you get a box from Zaycon, or stock up on a sale, just pressure can it. It saves room in the freezer, and it’s always ready. I’ve been doing it for four or five years now, and I won’t be without it. Well, except when my granddaughter “steals” some to take home for HER easy meal. 🙂
Lace Faerie says
Yep, we do the same thing. Fastest way to make a a pasta dish with protein!
I also can Z’s ground beef that I’ve browned and added picante sauce and seasoning salt for instant taco dinners.
Mrs.HB says
I am not ,nor will ever be , a QVC shopper . Strange that you mention QVC …. I ran into a friend that was returning some stuff from QVC and self proclaimed that she has a problem with ordering . I just can’t imagine sitting there all the time waiting to see what’s next and buy stuff I never thought I needed or wanted . Never figured that one out . And yes I am reading all the time ! I miss you and have to live varcaiouly though your blog .
Sad 🙁
Mavis Butterfield says
The runner came today. Thank you! Now I have a matching set from you. I have it at the front door. 🙂 You are one of my secret testers whether you want to be or not {trust me, YOU DO}. Miss you too. Even though you make me nuts. When are you coming to visit?
Mama Cook says
Love!!!!!!
Tara Salladay says
Corky’s BBQ is THE BEST! I grew up in Memphis (Corky’s HQ) and that’s where I went every year for my birthday and where I took all my out-of-town visitors (along with Graceland, of course!). Now that I am in Ohio, I only get Corky’s once a year when my dad sends it for Christmas. I just can’t bring myself to order it from QVC – I feel like it won’t be the same. I hope you enjoyed it!!
Marybeth says
That is really nice of your MIL. My in laws came over the other day and brought strawberries that they had picked. Gotta love free food.
Mavis Butterfield says
I love free food! 🙂
Heidi P says
True confession time….. I became hooked to QVC/HSN a couple years ago. It became my obsession when I was bedridden and Christmas was coming. I didn’t want my 4 children to not have any gifts so I began watching and ordering. I’ve very rarely ordered a food item. Seems kinda gross to me. I do not watch hours on end. If I’m channel surfing I’ll stop for a minute or two. Sometimes its great entertainment as they are selling something really hideous and I’m in shock at how many people are buying it. I’ll do the math and wonder “why can’t I come up with something hideous that THOUSANDS of people will buy?”.
I love a good chicken salad. Mine is similar to yours but I add a dash of cinnamon and slivered almonds. YUM! (sans the pickles and apples)
Also, I was wondering if this was a nod to the movie Notting Hill? “I’m just a girl, reaching into the spice drawer, looking for a little seasoning to throw on some potatoes.” Remember when Julia Roberts character says “I’m just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her” Ha Ha Ha Okay not the same but kinda. You do love your brit films:)
Rebecca in MD says
I WISH I had a relative that would send me free food……..
Last week’s dinners:
1. Chicken Tikka Masala – new to us recipe – not a hit at our house
2. Chilli
3. Hamburgers and homemade macaroni salad
4. Homemade pizza – a weekly favorite
5. Marinated grilled chicken served on flatbread with tomato, onion, and cucumber salad, fresh Tzatziki sauce
6. Greek pasta salad (Rotini tri-colored pasta, tomato, onion, cucumber, feta cheese, kalamata olives, and fresh vinaigrette
7. Crab cakes, steamed broccoli, homemade potato salad – – – fabulous price on jumbo lump crab meat at Costco
Mavis Butterfield says
Chili! I need to make that. Thanks for the idea Rebecca in MD.