It finally feels like things are slowing down around here. The weather has definitely cooled down, and other than hanging the Christmas lobsters and giant wreaths on the house and barn, all our outdoor projects for the year are OVER.
And that feels SO GOOD I can hardly stand it.
Simple meals, cozy vibes and a whole lot of down time are what I’m hoping for this winter. And so far, I think we’re off to a good start.
Mealtime last week was pretty low key. I made a batch of our favorite 8 can chicken taco soup {1 for the meal, 2 for the freezer}. I didn’t have any fresh chicken so I just used some Costco canned chicken breast instead. Man that stuff comes in handy!
I also made some quesadillas and added in a few Trader Joe’s hot and sweet jalapenos.
Those things are delicious! I should have bought more when I did my big stock up trip a few weeks ago. Hopefully I’ll be able to make it last until the end of the year.
There was also a trip to the Vampire’s office last week too so since Chick-Fil-A was nearby, we grabbed lunch there. It was lovely! Their strawberry shakes are the best.
I did spy a banana pudding milkshake on the menu but I didn’t want to chance it. Has anyone tried one? Are they good? Better than a strawberry shake?
There were also pickety bits… With brie.
And some spinach raviolis {from Costco} tossed in pesto.
And then on Sunday we went to a craft fair {it was cool, I’ll tell you about it tomorrow} and bought a turkey sandwich to share. I think the greens were pea sprouts!
They were pretty tasty. I might have to grow some just to put on sandwiches this winter.
For breakfast this past week we pretty much had toast or steel cut oats. I prefer steel cut oats to regular oats. Steel cut oats may take longer to make, but I like the texture better. That little pop when you chew them. I like it. 😉
The highlight of the week was buying a gallon of milk. The price {for the good stuff} was $6.29 again this week.
I didn’t consume a lot of vegetables so I’m really going to work on that this week. We still have plenty of veg in the freezer, plus fresh Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, potatoes, a few carrots and apples.
It was a good week. Here’s to slowing down and simple meals.
~Mavis
P.S. What have you been eating lately? Anything good? Are you seeing any awesome Thanksgiving stock up deals yet? Do tell.
Total spent this past week on groceries $ 6.29
November Groceries $12.58
October Groceries: $1,375.30
September Groceries: $246.41
August Groceries: $115.71
July Groceries: $401.88
June Groceries: $484.69
May Groceries: $267.13
April Groceries: $135.90
March Groceries: $235.99
February Groceries: $282.90
January Groceries: $167.55
Katelyn says
It will be really interesting to watch the price of milk in the next few months. Upwards of 80% of dairy processing employees in the US, regardless of geography, are immigrants. There are not masses of American citizens waiting to take those jobs.
Andrea says
Happy Monday Mavis!
I spied Lucy’s dedicated plate of “pickity bits” in your posted photo. Lucy is such a ‘character’ in your posts.
I love how your pickity bits were cool long before the charcuterie craze!
Lana says
The banana pudding milkshake makes me shudder. The peach milkshake is really disappointing so I wonder about the banana one. I’ll stick with the tried and true.
Thanksgiving deals have not shown up and I am wondering if they will. Thankfully there is a turkey breast n the freezer which is all we need this year.
Jennifer G says
Noticed several things marked down in WM yesterday, turkeys, hams, Stove Top & cream of mushroom. Have a ham & turkey in the freezer so don’t need either.
suzanne says
I know you plan on growing and canning your own cowboy candy next season but it may be worthwhile for you to buy jalapeños and make some. We put them on salads, cheese and crackers, burgers, chili, nachos, sandwiches, pizza, eggs, cornbread and more. My HH is addicted so he’ll make a few jars and just pop them in the fridge. They last forever. I use less sugar than the standard recipe when I can them and you can’t tell.
Lucy’s adorable with the grays sneaking in but you already know that.
Annette says
Yes!!! Get the banana shake!
Sue says
DH loved the banana pudding shake. I had a sip, and it sure wasn’t awful.
I’ve been making smoked turkey leg & bean soup, beef barbacoa, roasted chicken, marinated turkey tenderloin, and Big Salads. I need to make a pot of vegetable soup this week. Tonight is chicken taquitos with sides of Serious Bean Co. beans and roasted zucchini/onions/red peppers.
Christmas lobsters?!? Can Not Wait.
Dawn says
I don’t have time to cook as much as I used to. Saturday is the one day a week both my kids are home for dinner so I try to spend the day cooking so we can have family dinner. Recently, I’ve done some dutch oven no-knead bread, lasagna, Sunday gravy, chicken noodle soup, pot roast, chicken pot pie, apple cider donut cake and chocolate tres leches cake. I’m planning a big pot of minestrone soup and Beef Barley Skillet for this weekend, both will be great for freezing and eating for lunch during the week.
Mavis, the next time you’re in Saco check out Vic & Whit’s. I had the most delicious curried chicken sandwich there (years ago) and I still haven’t forgotten it. I moved from Maine 10 years ago and don’t get back there much so I don’t know if it is still on the menu but if it is I recommend it.
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Dawn, I will put it on our list. I LOVE chicken curry!
Catherine says
If you have an InstaPot steel cut oats cook in about 5 minutes once it comes up to pressure. I make 4 servings at a time and store in the fridge and then microwave for 1 minute when I’m ready to eat. 1 cup steel cut oats, dash of salt, 2 1/2 cups water. Mix and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Let the steam release naturally for about 10 minutes. Store in the fridge until ready to use.
SueD says
I make a week’s worth of steel cut oats, and store them in the fridge. I have some small pots from IKEA that hold a serving. To heat, I nuke one in the microwave, and add a bit of butter.
Holley says
My husband LOVES that banana pudding milkshake at CFA. Sometimes that’s all he gets!
KCB says
My husband loves the banana pudding milkshake at CFL. I have not tried one. Our daughter in law bought him some real banana pudding this morning.
Tiffany F says
I haven’t tried the banana pudding milkshake. Like you. I’ve been wondering about it.
I totally agree with steel cut oats. I would not eat oatmeal, bleh, till I had steel cut. I do the overnightversion, but I’m going to try the instant pot version that someone else mentioned.
Wendy G says
Thanksgiving deals:
*Kerry Gold on sale at Sam’s Club. $2.96/8oz. Bought my years worth saving $26 over the Aldi brand. (Almost never happens)
*Aldi’s green beans on sale for $0.63 per can. Bought 24. That won’t last a year, but will get me through the winter.
*Aldi’s cream of mushroom soup. Bought 15. This gets me through cooking for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
*Favorite brand of frozen broccoli on sale at Kroger. Bought 8 bags, saving $8. This is what I need for Thanksgiving and Christmas, with some extra left over.
*Was looking at the Wright’s bacon that was on 5 digital deal-$6.99 for 24 oz. The meat guy stopped me and said he has a better deal and showed me the same brand, 40 oz for $6.38. I bought 9 packages. This is my favorite bacon. I eat approximately 1-1.5 pounds of bacon per week. $54.00 savings (over Sam’s Club price) and will last me 4-5 months.
Wow. I had not thought about how blessed I was the past week. God is good.
I need to stock up on cheeses, but haven’t seen good deals yet.
I am blessed in that I don’t buy meat or eggs, my son is a farm and I get all from him.