Hello Friends!! Today I have another weekly grocery haul for you. This is what we bought for the second week of June. We ended up spending $107.77. We came in under budget, which made up for my going two dollars over last week. Below is the cost breakdown and the full video, where you can see what we bought and what we ate this past week. I've included my menu plan for this week in the video as well, so be sure to check it out.
We've been having so much fun lately with our homeschool group. We've meet up a few times to swim and it has been such a fun addition to our summer. We truly love our homeschool friends and will miss them so much after we move. We are just soaking up as much time as we can get with them, creating as many memories as we can. God has truly blessed us with some amazing friends these past few years.
I managed to pull out my camera during our day of swimming and not only get some pictures taken, but capture a bit of video as well. The boys were all about splash and jump competitions. I also taught all the kids how to play sardines in the water. Have you all played that before? It was a game we played as a kid. It was really neat seeing them learn and enjoy a new game. Our little group is just too fun!
Evening friends!! This Saturday has been a full one. Keagan had a teen activity at the library this afternoon, while Miss Priss and I went out to run a few errands. I just about have everything needed for my upcoming home birth. Libby and I finished off my check list while we were out. Sheets needed to be bought and few other odds and ends. I honestly can not believe that in just a few short weeks I will be laboring at home and finally get to meet my baby girl. It is definitely an event we are counting down to and one that I am excited to finally feel prepared for. My list has been checked twice and I think I am all set to go. Now to just wash all those cute baby clothes before Miss Tallia comes, but that will be for another day. It is in the high 110's here today. Definitely not a day I want to be outside hanging clothes on the line, no matter how cute and adorable they are ;)
Instead I decided to hop on the laptop and share a yummy recipe with you all. This is a go to weekend breakfast recipe for us. We've actually had this for the past four weekends straight. We just can't seem to get enough. This recipe is for Simple French Toast and the name literally says it all. It is easy peasy and can be finished in less than 15 minutes. Quicker than running down to your local golden arches for breakfast.....plus homemade french toast is way better than Mickey D's :)
{Simple French Toast}
6 slices of bread
2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
Beat everything, but the bread, in a medium size mixing bowl. Dip bread slices into egg mixture, soaking both sides. Place bread on a hot griddle. Cook on both sides until golden brown. Serve hot.
{Maple Syrup}
1 cup sugar 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup water 1 tsp maple flavoring 1/2 tsp vanilla 2 tbl butter
Bring sugars and water to a boil stirring constantly. Cook and stir for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and add maple flavoring, vanilla, and butter, stirring to combine and to melt butter.
Morning friends! Last night I got all my grocery hauls and menu plans for June uploaded and edited, so over the next few weeks you will get to see what we bought, what we ate, and how we saved in the month of June. I hope that it provides a little bit of encouragement for you in your own grocery shopping and money saving journey. I've also included a price breakdown below for you, so you can see what the prices are in the Vegas area.
For this particular haul, we planned our weekly trip to Winco. For those of you that don't know, we have switched to weekly shopping as we gear up for our move out of state come early August. Our freezer chest is prepped and ready for the move, so I am only dealing with my fridge/freezer combo. We are still trying to use stuff up in our pantry and have made quite a dent in our food storage, which is helping save us money as well each week.
At Winco you bag your own groceries, so I had my two red heads with me to help with that. I am so thankful for their help. It has really been a HUGE blessing as my pregnant belly gets larger.
While shopping, we were able to take advantage of some great savings. One of the best deals we saw was for eggs. 5 dozen eggs for under $3 friends. I couldn't believe it! I had to resist the temptation to stock up, as we have no where to put any extra stock right now. I did share this on instagram though and it seems like quite a few of you were able to go and take advantage of that deal.
Our monthly grocery budget is $600. I have broken that down into four weeks, which means our weekly grocery budget is $150. Anything leftover at the end of the week rolls over to the following week. Any money left over at the end of the month goes into savings. This is money that we are then putting towards our move and restocking of food storage once we are settled in our new place.
This week at Winco we spent $152.84.
{Winco Grocery Haul}
Sherbet $5.66
Grandma Cookie $.89 x3 (treat at checkout)
Pudding cups $2.38 x2
Honeybuzzer cereal $4.76
bananas 5.13 lbs @ $.48/lb -- $2.46
provolone cheese $3.94
deli ham $3.68 x2
1 lb. mushrooms $2.98
chex cereal $3.98
green onion $,48 x2 -- $.96
water bottle $1.62 x3
eggs 5 dozen $2.48
Ricotta cheese $2.47
yoplait yogurt $.49 x8
butter $4.36
ice cream sandwiches plain $3.10
ice cream sandwiches Neapolitan $3.38
orange juice concentrate $1.33 x2
string cheese $1.98 x2
shredded cheese $5.98
cream cheese $$1.23 x2
granola bars $4.24
Red Barron pizza $2.98
almond milk $2.98
heavy cream $2.00
corn tortilla $1.28
sliced swiss cheese $4.77
baby carrots 2 lbs. $1.88
instant oatmeal $1.64
honey baked beans $1.88
peanut butter $2.04
refried beans $.98 x2
gala apples 3 lbs. $3.98
salad kit $2.48
mini sweet peppers $3.98
head lettuce $.98
grape tomatoes $6.98
tomatoes on the vine 2.02 lbs @ $.98/lb -- $1.98
corn on the cob $.20 each x4 -- $.80
cucumber $.48 each x3
strawberries $1.68 x2
blueberries $3.98
cantaloupe $1.78
avocados $1.48
French bread $.88
cookies $1.78 x2
hoagies $2.06
watermelon $2.58
white bread $.98 x2
Bagels $.98 x2
Total Spent: $152.84
To see our full haul and menu plan, check out the video below :)
This past week I received an email from Savers, letting me know that all dresses were to be 30% off. I'm on their mailing list, so I never miss out on any updates relating to sales. The kids and I made the trip to the store to see what goodies would be out. We were able to find a pair of shorts for hubby, a shirt for Keagan, a few dresses for Miss Tallia, and a few other goodies. Boy is it fun buying for little girls! The dresses are just too stinkin cute! Check out my video to hear the details on everything we got and how much we saved :)
Oh my gosh friends...I was editing these pictures and it happened...that tugging feeling you have when your heart gets the feels. Know what I am talking about? I'm not sure if it's pregnancy or the fact we are gearing up to move out of state, but seeing these pictures made me a bit misty. Last week I met up with my sister-in-laws, so all the cousins could have some fun in the pool. We spent a good three hours eating pizza and fruit and swimming in the pool. It was so neat to see who's swimming now, who's able to dive for things, etc. These little munchkins are growing up friends. Why do they have to do it so fast? Auntie can't keep up ;)
I've made a little personal goal this summer to get out and do something fun each week this summer. With adding a new baby in August and moving to a new state, I know our "normal" is going to change, so I am trying to revel in the right now.
This week we have a fun family day trip planned and hopefully a romp or two in the pool. It should be a good week friends :) What's on your summer bucket list?
Back in August of last year, and then in October I shared about how I had started doing devotional time with my kiddos in the evening. We have created a nightly habit of reading together one on one and it has become such a treasured part of my day. Sometimes I find myself exhausted and counting down the time till bedtime (just keeping it real friends), but something happens during our devotional time. It doesn't matter what child I am reading with, a sense of calm and peace comes over me. The stresses of the day slip away and I am able to relax and enjoy the one on one time with my kids. I am able to sit and listen....really listen to my kids hearts. They have taken this one on one time to ask deep questions and share concerns that they have. I know that we are creating a habit that will become an even huger blessing as my children get older. I know that as they grow and mature, so will the concerns and problems they have. We're creating a pattern....a habit....where hopefully they will feel comfortable coming to Mom with anything that is on their hearts.
Last week I was reading with Keagan in his room. Oh this sweet tender hearted boy of mine. He is such a teddy bear. He thinks deep and always has such profound questions for me. He really helps strengthen my own testimony. On this particular night, we talked about how we all go through hard times, but it is in those hard times that we can step back and see the Lord helping us. My sweet boy asked me if I had ever experienced this. I immediately thought of something I had shared here on the blog two years ago. This was a time when I was walking through a lot of grief. It was a darker time for me. I was dealing with the death of my brother and a recent miscarriage. I was definitely feeling low.
I shared with him this picture and my testimony of how even when I was going through such a dark time and was hurting so much, I was given comfort in knowing that my Savior was walking it all with me. He carried me when I was too weak. We talked about the picture and the oxen and how that yoke can be customized to help each part of the duo carry the load that they are capable. It was such a neat thing to see his eyes light up....to see that he understood. It is in these moments that I am reminded of exactly why the Lord has leads us to do certain things. I was reminded that night how truly important that devotional time is with my kiddos.
I love sharing my testimony and my trials. It is this little mamas way of missionary work. I may not be able to go out knocking door to door, but I can share a little bit about my life and what I am going through. I am thankful for motherhood. It is one of the hardest things I have ever done, but it is also the most rewarding. :)
Happy weekend friends!! It is Saturday afternoon in my neck of the woods and we have been packing machines this morning. I've been organizing and cleaning as we go and we have accumulated quite a giveaway pile today. I'm planning on the kids and I making a run to the thrift store later to unload all those goodies. Our local Savers gives you a coupon every time you donate, so I am looking forward to having a coupon to use in the next few weeks for whatever last minute baby things I need to snag.
Since the kids and I worked so hard this morning, we are all taking a little break and having some down time. Libby is watching some drawing tutorials, Keagan is doing a little Minecraft, and I am here finishing up some blog stuff.
Today's recipe post is one that you have been waiting on for the past few weeks. Two weeks ago I shared a picture of my crockpot enchiladas on instagram. As promised in that post, I am finally sharing my recipe video tutorial. These little beauties are so dang good! I am so excited for you to be able to add them to your own family's recipes. Quick, easy, and oh so good. Mmmmmm! That's my food love language :)
For this recipe you need a few ingredients. The amounts are not super exact, since you can tweak these to fit your family size and crock-pot size. Use my ingredient amounts as a starting off point for your family. Also add or omit whatever works best with your family. That's what I love about enchiladas. You can really make them so many ways and still come out with some delicious.
{Crock-pot Enchiladas}
8-9 flour tortillas (taco size)
black beans 1-2 cans
1 can nacho cheese sauce (15 oz)
2 cans refried beans (16 oz)
1 can red enchilada sauce (10 oz)
1 can cream of chicken soup (10.75 oz)
3 green onions, chopped
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
In a medium size bowl, combine your cream of chicken soup and red enchilada sauce. Use a whisk or immersion blender to combine. Set aside.
To start making your enchiladas, layer a spoonful of nacho cheese sauce, spoonful of refried beans, spoonful of black beans, and sprinkle a little bit of cheese. Next roll up your tortilla and place in the crock-pot. Continue till you have a row of enchiladas. Then pour some of your enchilada sauce over the tortillas. Continue making layers of enchiladas and topping them with sauce until you fill your crock-pot. When you get to the top, use the rest of your sauce and pour over tortillas. Top with cheese, olives, and green onions. Cover with lid and allow to cook on low for about 6 hours.
Top with fresh veggies and sour cream for serving.
Evening friends! We just got back from doing our weekly grocery shopping (I totally filmed our haul for you. More on that next week) and I now have a few moments to sit down at the laptop, so I thought I would get a post/video up for you all to enjoy this evening. Today I wanted to focus a little bit on homeschool and how we organize our homeschool binders. I wanted to make sure I got this video made before these binders get packed away, in anticipation for our big move to Arizona.
This is our first year using homeschool binders. It is something I had read about on a few different homeschooling blogs and I thought it was such a neat way to journal what your kids do during the year. I totally wished I had started this when my kids were younger. It'd be really cool to look back and see what they did each grade year.
So this year, I went to Big Lots and purchased two huge binders. I also printed out two quotes for them to use as covers to their binders. These were words or phrases I wanted them to focus on throughout this year. As parents, Hubby and I talk and pray about our goals for the kids. We do this throughout the year, but specifically at the beginning of a new school year. We always come up with individual goals and some goals that we'd like to achieve as a family. One goal we had for each of our kiddos was to be able to search for knowledge. We didn't want them just spitting back words and facts they had memorized, but we wanted them to develop a thirst for knowledge and discovery. We really focused on taking time to answer questions and research different topics. Anytime we read a book and we come to a word that is new or we are only kind of sure what the meaning is, we look it up.
We then talk about the word and how we can use it in different ways. At the beginning of the year, they were a little hesitant to this approach. I honestly think they felt it just took extra time when all they really wanted to do was move onto the next page to read. Now they have learned to like it. They will now ask me to look up all kinds of words or they will look them up themselves. When we are in our daily conversations with each other, I find them using brand new words and using them correctly. That is a mama win friends. I love it when the light bulbs go off and things start to click. This has been a simple way to incorporate vocabulary into our every day, without needing worksheets or curriculum. I also showed my kids that when they read ebooks on their Amazon Kindles, they can highlight words to figure out the meanings. This has been very helpful for them.
Hubby and I have also made sure there was plenty of time for them to research things throughout the day, using different tools. We have DK Encyclopedias on many topics. From Sea creatures to Dinosaurs to the Solar System. This year we invested in about 6 books for our kids. These books sit on a shelf in our living room. I often find my kids pulling one out to look up an animal species that popped into their head or a science term. I love seeing them looking and seeking answers on their own. To me that is what homeschooling is all about. I plan to add a few more to our collection each year.
As we have gone throughout this past school year, we have added our final drafts of writing assignments, art pieces, etc to the binders. I date them and laminate them, then they get put into the binders in chronological order.
For each unit study we have done, there are projects to go with. If any projects are too big to fit into the binders, we take pictures and I have the kids journal about what they did. I plan to do this a lot more next year. I also want them to start journaling about field trips and other activities we do. It is a great way to incorporate writing into our everyday and into more subjects. Writing doesn't have to only be for English :)
I also have the kids add any other papers or projects that are important to them. Libby has added a lot of her artwork. She is a budding artist this year. It has been her obsession. :)
This day has been good to us friends. This morning I left the dishes in the sink and ventured out with my red heads. We spent our morning at the library, picking out new books. Libby has finally decided to give Goosebumps a try. She has loved the movie and episodes on Netflix. Keagan breezed through these books a few years ago. It has been really neat to hear them talk about the books together, as Keagan encourages her and shares his favorites. I love when I get to see those sweet moments between siblings. We also signed up for our library's summer reading challenge. This year they will get to earn tickets to The Shark Reef. Have any of you locals been? It is seriously so much fun! This has been the prize the last few years and it is one that we really look forward. Their goal is to earn their tickets before Miss Tallia makes her debut, so we can go as a family before our big move. My red heads are BIG readers, so I think their chances are really good. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. This mama really loves seeing all the different sea life at the Reef. It is always a fun day.
Today was also full of A LOT of art. This obsession with art today was totally child led. Both of my kiddos checked out books on drawing at the library. Keagan is a doodler. He found a few books, sharing tips on making doodles of insects, which is totally right up his alley. His favorites are by Ralph Masiello. If you saw this boy's school notebooks or worksheets, you would be greeted with all kinds of little creatures and robots. I love finding all his doodles. In fact, he has even taken to doodling on our moving boxes. It is like little scenes played out on each box. Today he spent a good hour on the couch, drawing beetles and caterpillars. Miss Libby has really gotten into drawing people. I believe it is called Manga art. Every time she finishes a piece, she has me take a picture and send it to her daddy.
The rest of our afternoon was spent doing a science experiment from our Kitchen Science Lab book, building with legos, and making a few messes here and there.
Oh and we were given a HUGE box of baby girl clothes this morning from a dear friend at church. We have been so blessed this pregnancy. More than half of our baby things have been handed down to us. Being given these new to us goodies has been amazing. I am overwhelmed by the love and kindness from those around us. The Lord has certainly provided for us.
This evening we stuck to the menu plan and had baked manicotti. It had been a while since I had made this. It takes a little bit more prep time, but it is so worth it. I simply follow the instructions on the back of the pasta box. Yum!
and now it is time to read scriptures and put those not-so-little red heads to bed.
Evening friends!! The kids are in bed, the dishes have been cleaned, and I am finally grabbing a few moments to sit down at the computer and get my post up for the day. I love having this time in the evening. First of all, it is quite. My house is never this quiet during the day (can all you mamas relate?) We are a loud, active family. Once those littles are in bed though, all things go still. All I hear is the hum of our swamp cooler and the jingle of Watson's bell, as he lays next to me. I also get to fill sweet Tallia kicking up a storm. This is her time. The time when I have slowed down, which means she can speed up and get out a whole lot of energy. I don't think I'll ever tire of feeling her sweet wiggles and kicks. It makes my heart very happy to know this sweet bundle is getting bigger and stronger each day. Less than 8 weeks and we get to meet this little chickadee. Can you tell were counting down? :)
Today I thought we would talk about our pantry must haves. I know we all have those items that we just gotta have in our pantry. For me those items are rice and spaghetti. When I have a good stock of these two items, I know I can make a plethora of recipes for my family. When money is tight, I never fret because I know these little gems are waiting for me in my pantry....waiting to be made into a yummy recipe that will fill my family's tummy.
I made a quick little video today talking about my two pantry must haves. Check out the video and don't forget to leave your own comment sharing your family's personal pantry must haves.
Let's encourage and inspire each other this evening friends!
Evening lovelies! I wanted to hop on here this evening and share a new fun recipe and video tutorial with you. Recently we made homemade pop-tarts. These are one of my kids favorite treats. They are super easy to make and only take a few ingredients. I hope you guys get a chance to make these little lovelies. Your family will thank you! :)
Homemade Toaster Pastries
2 refrigerated pie crusts (or go homemade)
1 large egg, beaten with 1 tbl of water
6 tbl of filling of your choice
powdered sugar for sprinkling on top or icing :)
Prepare your crust according to package directions. Preheat oven to 375'. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll your first pie crust out and using a pizza cutter, cut it into a rectangle. Cut the rectangle into 6 smaller rectangles. Gently separate the rectangles from the counter and lay them on the prepared baking sheet (about 2 inches apart). With a pastry brush, paint each rectangle with the beaten egg. You will have some egg mixture left over. Set it aside for later. Next, scoop 1 tablespoon of filling on each rectangle in a thin line down the center. Roll out the second pie crust and repeat the steps to create six rectangles. Lay the new batch of rectangles over the rectangles with filling and seal by pressing a fork around the perimeter of the rectangle. Using the pastry brush, paint the tops of each pastry with egg wash and poke several times with a fork. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden. Cool on a wire rack for at least 20 minutes before dusting with powdered sugar or icing. This recipe makes 6 pastries.
*Store in a covered container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Icing
2 tbl butter
2 cups powdered sugar
2-3 tbl milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
Melt two tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan or in the microwave. Remove from heat. Whisk in powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Add more milk to reach desired consistency. Drizzle or pipe over pop-tarts. Add sprinkles for more fun!
To freeze: freeze unbaked in single layers on parchment paper-lined baking sheet and transfer to a freezer-safe container with layers of parchment (bake when ready to serve)
Sweet Filling Ideas: Jam, Nuetella, cinnamon and sugar
Savory Filling Ideas: Pesto and ricotta- tomato sauce, pepperoni and cheese
Over Memorial Day weekend, we were able to get together with my Hubby's side of the family and celebrate my sweet niece's birthday. We all drove out to Palm Springs Oasis and spent the day swimming in the river there, eating lots of yummy food, and having a blast as a family.
Thankfully we hadn't hit the 100+ degree weather we're having this week. It was in the high 80's and the park had a lot of shade. I did manage to go down the river once myself, but being 7 months pregnant and sitting in an inner tube was super uncomfortable. I ended up sitting on the side lines, watching all the cute kiddos travel down the river, run back up the hill, and start again. I definitely want to take our family back here again in the future. It was seriously so fun!
I also have been trying to take more family videos. For some reason I thought I had captured a lot more of our day, but I ended up only snagging about one minute worth of my family going down the river. It's a start though and hopefully next time I'll be more conscious of breaking out the camera and capturing a few more memories. Our family is growing and expanding. I don't want us to miss out on any of these fun moments.
