9-27-12

1:15pm


Got supper made. 
I made potato & sausage pot pies.
This is my own recipe.

Top- completed pot pies before baking.
Bottom left- pot pie without topping.
Bottom right- pot pie crust.

Cut up 3-4 potatoes with skins into small cube pieces
and put into a pan of water and boil til tender.
Drain.

In a skillet fry up a pound of maple sausage with
1/2 a small onion and some chopped celery.  Drain.
Add in 2 packets of sausage flavored country
gravy and 4 cups water.  Stir over medium
heat til gravy thickens.
Stir in potatoes and some canned peas.

In a medium sized bowl mix together-
1 1/2 cups flour
4 tablespoon milk 
1/2 teaspoon salt
and about 1/3 cup oil

Press this no roll pie crust into mini
pie pans and bake 350 degrees about 5-8 minutes.
Just enough to make a little crispy to hold
the filling.  This makes enough for 4 mini pot pie crusts.
There is enough pot pie filling leftover that you will
need to triple or quadruple the pie crust recipe
and make in different batches each time.

Spoon sausage, potato & gravy mixture
into pie crusts.

In a small bowl add a tablespoon of melted
butter, dry stuffing mix and parmesan cheese.
Mix together and sprinkle over top of
pot pies.

Bake 350 degrees until everything is
warmed through and topping is crispy.


4:00pm


I made 5 more pot pies in a jumbo muffin tin.

 
I still had enough filling leftover to make
another 4-5 pot pies but decided to put
it back for some potato soup another day.


----------------------------


Kids got their interim report cards today.
All seems to be going well.
One child did so well on his OAA test
that they gave him a $25 Target gift card!!
AND his bus driver gave him $1.00 for
his good report card. 


Working now on trying to find some yard sales for
me and mom to go to tomorrow.
As far as I can tell it's not supposed to rain.
I made $20 this week so have a little money
to go to sales with.  The neighbor gave me
$20 gas money for the month for taking
her grandchild to and from the bus stop.

9-26-12

7:20am

I was awakened around 1-2:00am this morning

with thunder and lightning.  I jumped out of bed

and ran outside to grab a comforter off the clothesline

before it got soaking wet.

Been trying to slowly get some blankets

washed up and dried outside before colder weather and Winter.

Was checking out Weather.com this morning

and saw that they are predicting a mild

October, November & December for Ohians due to

a weak El Nino and the North Atlantic Oscillation.

Wonder what January through March has in store

for us since those are the harshest Winter months for us.

Last year I don't think we shoveled snow once

at our home.  The only time we got out the shovel

was to remove ice from the driveway. 

My neighbor keeps saying we're in for a rough

Winter.  Me, I think (hoping) we're due for a milder one.

-------------------------------------------------

Why does it feel like everyone calls

me when I want to lay down and take a nap???

Mom called twice, Tony once,

a wrong number and the neighbor called once

all in about an hour to an hour and a half's time

after laying down today.

Ughhhhh!

 --------------------------------------

3:30 to 4:30pm

Supper tonight- Lasagna Roll Ups.

 This is a recipe I used by combining a couple

of recipes together.

Boil lasagna noodles ($2.00) until they are about half done.

Spread noodles on a cookie sheet to dry off some. 

In a skillet fry up and drain a pound of 

either pork, hamburger, deer burger or turkey.

I'm using a Bob Evans maple sausage (free).

Mix in a large can or jar of spaghetti sauce (.89 cents).

I like to add a little splenda (.05 cents) and other seasonings

like Italian, garlic, onion (.05 cents) and so on to the sauce as well.

You could also stir in some parmesan cheese (.25 cents).

I'm using 1.5 cans because I have one leftover

from another meal.

Spoon some of this sauce into the bottom

of a casserole dish.

Combine together-

You could also do this in a food processor instead

of by hand.

1 pkg cream cheese, softened ($1.50)

 1 container cottage cheese ($2.00)

1 cup mozarella cheese (.99 cents)

1 egg (.15 cents)

Spread a thin, but generous layer of

cheese over each lasagna noodle.

Carefully roll up and place seam side 

down in the casserole dish.

Spoon remaining sauce over rolls and

top with 1 cup mozarella cheese (.99 cents).

I had extra cheese filling so spooned it over

top the lasagna rolls before spooning

the sauce over top.

Before and after sauce.

Got one in the oven and one wrapped up

in foil for the freezer.

Will serve with a regular salad.

(none for me though)

and bread and butter.

This will make 16 lasagna roll ups.

That's enough for us to have two meals

with some leftover for a couple lunches for Tony.

-------------------------------------------


4:45pm


Well I think I have figured out how to make it rain.
All you have to do is hang some comforters
on the clothesline to dry!
I hung two of them up about an hour
ago and are now noticing it getting dark outside.
Ughhhh!

9-25-12

7:15am

This morning wasn't too bad temperature wise.

It was 50 degrees compared to yesterday's 40.

Could see some flashes of lightning off in the

distance so once I got back home from the 

bus stop I removed my comforters

I had hanging on the clothesline since last night.

They were pretty much dry.

Was thinking about making up some cream filled cookies.

Jonathan has requested a cookie with a filling

so this is what I found that looked simple.

 They are called Melting Moments because

they literally "melt" in your mouth.  It is the corn starch

in the recipe that makes this cookie so tender.

I don't have raspberries for the filling so will just make

the recipe without them.  OR I could add a little

raspberry flavored dry jello mix instead.

MELTING MOMENTS

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup icing sugar, sifted
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup flour
1/2 cup cornstarch

For Raspberry filling:
1/4 unsalted butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence
3/4 cup pure icing sugar, sifted
6 small frozen raspberries, thawed


DIRECTIONS

In a mixing bowl, beat butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Sift flour and cornstarch over butter mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon until just combined and a soft dough forms. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

Shape into 1/2-inch balls. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Using a fork dipped in flour, lightly flatten each ball until 1/2-inch thick. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until light golden. Cool on tray for 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile, make raspberry filling: Using a whisk, beat butter in a bowl until light and creamy. Add vanilla. Whisk to combine. Add icing sugar. Whisk until well combined. Stir in raspberries.

Lay out half the cookies and spread with a small amount of filling. Sandwich together with an uniced cookie. Serve dusted with icing sugar.

Some people will press a fork into the tops

of the cookies before baking kinda like

a peanut butter cookie.

 

 ----------------------


 This was actually posted on Tee Jaye's Country Place's
Facebook page today!

Bacon, pork shortage 'now unavoidable,' industry group says

The article says there will be a worldwide shortage

of pork next year due to the drought 

which hurt the soybean and corn crops this year.

Time to stock up on pork products NOW.

If I have the extra money I will usually buy an extra

ham each year and put one back for the following

Christmas dinner.  I do the same with turkeys.

Unfortunately I do not

have an extra ham or turkey put back for this year

due to a money shortage last year at Christmas time.

So if you see a sale on pork be sure to pick

up a few extras.

9:20am

Got half the cookies done.

Will give these to the boys for an after school snack today.

I decided to use peanut butter

mixed with powdered sugar for the filling.

It was a lot easier for me.

Needs the powdered sugar topping

or rolled in powdered sugar.

I tasted one without it and it was bland!

3:15pm


Body's feeling achy.  Popped a few Tylenol.
I'm going to chalk it up to rain (sprinkles) and cool weather
and try not to think about the Crohn's.

Supper tonight is Chicken Mac.

Boil up elbow macaroni in some
homemade chicken broth and water
then add in a packet of sausage flavored
country gravy mix and some chopped up leftover chicken.
You could also throw in some peas and carrots.
My kids don't like peas but will eat them if I mix
them in casseroles and dishes like this.
Sprinkle with a little salt and parmesan cheese
serve with bread and butter and call it a meal.
I'm all about simple, quick and easy today.

This past weekend we went to Meijers to grocery shop.
While there I picked up 5 pound bags of potatoes
for $1.00 each, bought 15 pounds.
10 pound bags have been running around $3 or more.
Mom has also told me that Aldis has
10 pound bags of potatoes for $2.00.

If you happen to go to Speedway gas stations
be on the lookout for .50 cents off 2 candy bar
coupons on displays.  I think it's for Payday,
Butterfinger or Nestle Crunch.
Snatch some up and use at Kroger.
Those candy bars are 2 for $1.00.
Use the coupon to make it FREE! 
I got 2 butterfingers and 2 crunch bars for free yesterday.

9-24-12

7:40am

With Fall now being here I need to worry about

getting the flower garden prepped for Winter.

I planted 14? rose bushes this year. 

They did not grow or bloom since it was so

late that I planted them that I have my fingers

crossed for next year.  

When visiting Innis Woods Park there were lots

of volunteers taking care of the plants.

One man pruning the roses said to me

that one secret he had heard about growing

better roses was to use alfalfa meal and kelp.

I have also used epsom salts, banana peels, 

tea bags and egg shells in their soil.

This Fall I plan to run my rabbit style wire

fencing along the back fence where

the rose bushes are.

Once the leaves start falling I plan

to put them in the fenced area over top the rose bushes

to protect them from the harsh Winter.

And I will also put the containers

of Hydrangeas in there as well. 

Here is an example below.

It was a little chilly in here this morning.

While the truck's temperature gauge

said it was 40 degrees out at 6:30 this morning

the house temperature was 68 degrees.

Still have yet to turn the furnace on.

Maybe I'll fire up the oven to make

some cookies to heat the house some :0)

Everyone seems to be doing better around here with colds

and taking Zicam fast dissolve tablets.

Christopher's was wiped out in just 2 days,

mine in about 3 

(just the runny & stuffy nose, still have the major coughing)

and Tony started getting watery eyes and

a runny nose Saturday and popped a couple tablets

that same day, every three hours and 

by Sunday it was cleared up.

It sucks this time of year with back to 

school germs and the cooler temperatures.

3:30pm

Getting ready to make supper.

Tonight we're having Little Smokies in Blankets.

-1 pkg little smokie cheese sausages

-1 can biscuits cut into quarters

Wrap a piece of biscuit around each sausage and bake

til golden brown.  Serve with ketchup or ranch dressing.

Easy peasy.

Then while making supper I went ahead

and made breakfast for the next two days.

Sausage, egg and cheddar cheese tortilla roll ups

with leftover cream cheese and salsa spread.

9-23-12

12:15pm

Went down to the flea market this morning

in search of a cheap leaf blower.

Didn't find one but found a couple other deals.

6 boxes of Wheat Thins .50 cents each.

These usually run $2.50 to $3.00 a box regularly. 

So it was like getting six boxes for the price of one.

Jonathan found a small toolbox with

deep well sockets, regular sockets,

2 spark plug sockets,

swivel socket, extension and wratchet

for .25 cents!

Tony spotted a Stanley tool box for $4.00

that he wanted for work.

I offered $3 and the seller accepted.

Jonathan has been wanting a real bow.

Seller had $5 but took $3.00 for it.

Really good deal!

I saw another person selling another

bow similar to this and they wanted $20.

Found two Firebird cars at the last table

before we left.  .50 cents each.

The one New York Firebird is on Ebay for $6.00.

My problem with going to the flea market is

that I usually find the biggest or heaviest item

to buy as soon as I get there.

I saw this changing table for $5.00.

I thought it was a pretty good deal

considering I've been seeing them at yard

sales for about $15 to $20+.

I still hesitated though and started to walk away.

The guy yells to me saying he'd take $3.00

that he didn't want to have to pack

it back up in his truck and take it home.

I said ok to $3 and lugged it back to our truck.

I know, what in the world do I want a changing

table for?  Well I've been wanting one to make

a rolling office out of.  One that I can put wheels

on and be able to roll in and out of my coat closet.

I want to make something similar to the one below.

I'll remove the second shelf to be able

to put in hanging files.

Then I'd cut out some holes in the top to set

cups in to hold office supplies like scissors,

pencils, pens.  Then use the other side of

the top shelf to put my printer and paper on.

1:25pm

I hate laundry day.  I plan on getting

a bunch of blankets washed up also considering

the cooler weather is moving in.

And providing it's not raining outside

I'm going to hang all blankets and comforters

outside to dry to save a little money and 

make it go much quicker than using a dryer.


6:50pm


Went to Meijer to do some grocery shopping
for this week.  Spent $38 on groceries.


This week's menu so far-

1.  Tuna and noodle casserole

2.  Crockpot Lettuce Wraps
(I'm gonna add rice to the meat mix
to stretch it even further)

3.  Chicken Mac

4.  Lil Smokies wrapped in biscuits

5.  Lasagna Roll Ups

6.  Potato soup


Breakfasts

1.  Doughnuts

2.  Chocolate Chip Waffles

3.  Sausage & Egg Burritos
Snacks

1.  Toffee Cracker Cookies

2.  Celery & Peanut Butter

3.  Apples Slices with caramel dip 


7:50pm


Whelp two more loads of clothing laundry left
in the washer and dryer.  
This week I'll work on getting the blankets
washed and line dried.  Didn't have the time to do it today.

Back to normal tomorrow.  Vacation time is over with.
Time to batten down the pocket book
and watch the pennies again. 
Got another month and a week before
Tony gets another bonus then comes 
all the holidays, then another two months after
that til tax time.  Always counting the days it seems.

Back in January of this year I opened up 
a saving's account.  The bank puts $25 out of each
paycheck into the savings and the rest into the checking.
I know it's not much but I did that so 
come holiday time we'd have a little money
set aside for some expenses we may have with the holidays
like food for Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas dinner and gifts.

 


We have a frost advisory tonight.
Freeze warnings to the counties East of us.
40 degrees for a low overnight.
Brr in the morning.
Got the kids pants and long sleeve shirts
laid out for school tomorrow.
Still have not turned the furnace on.
I crack open a few windows
during the day and before the sun sets
I close up everything to hold any heat in overnight.

9-22-12

5:40pm

Around 11:00am we went to Hoover

to take some nature hikes and treasure hunting

as I like to call it.

It was pretty windy out there.

They said we could have wind gusts up to 45 mph today.

The first place we stopped was about midway down the reservoir 

where there's an abandoned road.

From there we went to Galena to

another abandoned road with a bridge.

This isn't a place with nice paved

bike and walk paths.  You rough it climbing

over trees, rocks, through the mud, water and weeds.

This is the kind of nature walks I like,

off the beaten path.

Next we walked to the farthest point

in the photo above.

Would have like to of made it over

to the boardwalk but another flowing

waterway prevented us from doing so. 

Normally in the Spring through mid Summer

this is all under water.  You wouldn't even be able

to get to the bridge on foot.

 Check out this gem Christopher found,

an 11 point buck!

Probably would never find another one of these

again on our nature hikes.

Jonathan found a fishing pole with reel.

More than likely is was an unattended pole

that got pulled into the water by a fish.

We did find a bunch of bobbers, sinkers

and lures today as well.

 On our return trip back to the truck getting

ready to go to the boardwalk guess what we found?

A woolly worm!

And guess what?  He was ALL BLACK!!!

Not good!  It means a bad Winter.

Heading back to the truck.

Under the boardwalk.  People usually fish off

the boardwalk when the water is up.

This is usually all full of water up underneath

the boardwalk!

The ground was a little dry from the drought.

But, we did get a few raindrops while here

at the boardwalk.  The clouds started looking a little dark.

Jonathan found an Android 4 cell phone

someone must of lost over the boardwalk

when there was water below.

Stopped by Red Bank before returning home.

Rain clouds moving in.

Sunbury and Smothers Rds.

These are the bottles we found today.

The two brown bottles are root beer and Faygo bottles.

I don't think the brown root beer bottle second

to the left is a newer bottle so may toss it.

The greenish bottle without a lid I think

is a Coke bottle.

The other clear glass bottle with lid

I found out is made by a company called

Hazel Atlas and that's about as far as I've gotten with it. 

And of course the small jar is a Heinz baby food jar.

8:30-9:00pm


Got a hankering for something sweet
so made up something that was quick, easy
and with was ingredients I had on hand.

Soda Cracker Toffee Cookies

Cover a cookie sheet with aluminum foil.
Line a single layer of saltine crackers over pan.
I used about 1 1/4 sleeves of crackers. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1 cup butter
1 cup dark or light brown sugar

Bring to boil in pan and boil for 4-5 minutes.

Pour over top of crackers.
Place cookie sheet in oven
and bake 4-5 minutes.
Remove from and turn off oven.

In a bowl mix together
1 small package of fudge pudding mix,
2 tablespoons melted butter,
1/4 cup milk,
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Put dollops of this pudding fudge on
top of crackers.  Return to oven.
The oven will still be warm.
After a couple minutes of being in the oven
the pudding will soften.
Remove and spread pudding fudge with a spoon or knife
evenly over crackers.

Allow to cool completely then place in fridge
for the fudge topping and toffee to harden.

Break crackers apart and enjoy!

Usually this recipe calls for putting
chocolate chips on top the baked toffee crackers
and spread around.  I didn't have any chips
of any kind so that is why I am trying
the pudding fudge instead.
And of course the pudding fudge calls
for a cooked pudding and I only had the instant
kind.  So let's hope it works.

Sometimes you may have all the ingredients
on hand while other times you will have
to try and makes substitutions with
what you do have.