Head on over to www.budgetbytes.com and check it out!
I have to say, when my husband showed me this website and said it looked like a good way to curb extra spending in the grocery category, I rolled my eyes at him. I feel like local grocery prices can vary so much, especially with in and out of season produce, local meat and dairy markets, etc. etc. that saying "this meal only costs $$ per serving" is kind of a gamble.
That being said, I browsed the recipes with him and many of them look pretty tasty. Even if the cost effectiveness of the meal is negated by local grocery price factors, or simply what we have available in the kitchen at the moment, the meals are pretty easy to make and are tasty. We've made a few recipes from their blog so far in the last few weeks. Tonight I made One Pot Chili Pasta, without the diced tomatoes and macaroni noodles (subbed in diced green chiles and egg noodles, because that's what we had in the pantry instead), and it was delicious. Simple to make, few directions, and the least amount of ingredients for the best amount of flavor. It's a good thing we both like the recipes, as I'm sure my husband will use this for his weekly dinner once school starts up again in the fall.
(Side note: I delegate a meal -or two, if it's that kind of week- to my husband every week, as a way I can feel like I have "extra time off" during the school year. He's great with a recipe! I recommend this strategy to all couples; the non-cooking individual should do some of the cooking every now and then. It builds up kitchen skills and also gives the cooking individual a break, but it also makes sure both parties are involved in the process of providing for each other. At least, that's how I see it. My hubs sees it as an adventure each week, although at first it was definitely more of a chore and I had to help quite a bit. Time and patience and a good source for recipes will cure that!)
Monday, July 6, 2015
Sunday, July 5, 2015
A Little Patriotism
At 7:00pm (Eastern) on FOX is the FIFA Women's World Cup Final game, between Japan and the USA! I really think we've got a shot, the way this team has been playing the last few games, and I think the level of play will be fairly high! Here's some Women's World cup team statistics, information, and hype for you as the daily whatever. Enjoy! And Go USA!
News
- USA TODAY: United States vs. Japan, 2015 Women's World Cup final (there is an autoplaying videa, FYI)
Stats/Roster
- FIFA: "33.3 - Japan have scored 33.3 per cent of their goals in the first quarter of an hour of their games in Canada and a further 33 per cent in the last 15 minutes. By contrast, the Americans have notched a third of their efforts between the 45th and 60th minutes and another third between the 60th and 75th – two periods in which the Asians have drawn blanks."
Images
Source: ussoccer.com
Source: ussoccer.com
Source: ussoccer.com
Monday, June 29, 2015
Species Being
Post, Part 1: This gif of a dog getting a crazy birthday surprise! Had to share that today.
Post, Part 2: Some philosophy
I have a sore throat today, so I'm ending my day with my home-remedy for sore throats: Whiskey tea. The recipe is easy- put Jack Daniels in your lemon tea. Boom. As I sit and sip my tea, I'm reflecting on my day. Today made me remember some readings I did in college. I was a Sociology major and obviously we read a lot of Marx, Weber, etc. I remember, while reading a series of selections written by Karl Marx, that there was one philosophy of his that really resonated with me: the idea of "species being" or, what it really means to be a human. I think that reading was paired with several readings about labor and social classes, etc., but what I really took away from that particular set of readings is that being human is really about what you DO with your human-ness.
Before I get too crazy over here, I'll just paraphrase: I interpreted the readings to mean that we feel human when we do things that make us feel human. To each their own, here, because some people feel the need to create; others feel a need to serve, some to think and expand their thinking, some to love and be engrossed in social activity, and still others feel myriad other needs in order to feel human. I am a "create" person- I really like producing things which make me feel my time was well spent. I specifically enjoy producing things that give off positive aesthetic vibes, such as baked goods and useful crafts (hence the darn quilt I've been trying to finish forever...). I feel VALUE in the time spent on those activities, and the finished products give me something to feel positive about. I also feel human in service, which is why I teach, but that's for another day.
The point of this post is really that I am VERY much enjoying my summer schedule, where I can impact a child's education...for a half day, and then go home and craft. Or nap. Or blog. Or whatever I put on my to-do list in the morning. It's been a rather immensely relaxing 2 weeks off school so far, and I'm making the most of it!
Here's to being human! *clinks whiskey tea cup with empty water glass nearby*
Post, Part 2: Some philosophy
I have a sore throat today, so I'm ending my day with my home-remedy for sore throats: Whiskey tea. The recipe is easy- put Jack Daniels in your lemon tea. Boom. As I sit and sip my tea, I'm reflecting on my day. Today made me remember some readings I did in college. I was a Sociology major and obviously we read a lot of Marx, Weber, etc. I remember, while reading a series of selections written by Karl Marx, that there was one philosophy of his that really resonated with me: the idea of "species being" or, what it really means to be a human. I think that reading was paired with several readings about labor and social classes, etc., but what I really took away from that particular set of readings is that being human is really about what you DO with your human-ness.
Before I get too crazy over here, I'll just paraphrase: I interpreted the readings to mean that we feel human when we do things that make us feel human. To each their own, here, because some people feel the need to create; others feel a need to serve, some to think and expand their thinking, some to love and be engrossed in social activity, and still others feel myriad other needs in order to feel human. I am a "create" person- I really like producing things which make me feel my time was well spent. I specifically enjoy producing things that give off positive aesthetic vibes, such as baked goods and useful crafts (hence the darn quilt I've been trying to finish forever...). I feel VALUE in the time spent on those activities, and the finished products give me something to feel positive about. I also feel human in service, which is why I teach, but that's for another day.
The point of this post is really that I am VERY much enjoying my summer schedule, where I can impact a child's education...for a half day, and then go home and craft. Or nap. Or blog. Or whatever I put on my to-do list in the morning. It's been a rather immensely relaxing 2 weeks off school so far, and I'm making the most of it!
Here's to being human! *clinks whiskey tea cup with empty water glass nearby*
Sunday, June 28, 2015
Getting There
Today's activity brought to you by Pinterest, where I'm inspired to DO things in my "spare time":
-I have a terrible headache. Whatever, I'll just make these shortbread cookies. (Baking challenge: Unusual ingredient)
-I still have to finish the ties on my t-shirt quilt so I can post about that. Whatever, I'll just start a new project: family Birthday calendar! (I'll post a finished picture of mine. That image is just my inspiration)
-Birthday calendar reminds me my brother's birthday is this week. So. I wonder if Pinterest has a solution for that too...
-I have a terrible headache. Whatever, I'll just make these shortbread cookies. (Baking challenge: Unusual ingredient)
-I still have to finish the ties on my t-shirt quilt so I can post about that. Whatever, I'll just start a new project: family Birthday calendar! (I'll post a finished picture of mine. That image is just my inspiration)
-Birthday calendar reminds me my brother's birthday is this week. So. I wonder if Pinterest has a solution for that too...
Thursday, June 25, 2015
A Blog Title!
So I've changed the name of the blog! Finally!
I think I may stick with this one. Changing the name, changing the direction a little bit too. I realized that I'm not posting because I keep thinking I need mountains of content to post. I need stories, pictures, full length narratives or recipes or ideas...and then I don't post because it will take so long to get that all typed, edited, and just right. So, until I have more time/stories/full length narratives, or take this blog anywhere serious, I'm going to change direction and make it my goal to just post SOMETHING daily. Whatever stands out. A link, a photo, a story, maybe a longer post now and then. Who knows.
Today's thought to share: My entry into a local brewery's baking contest to promote a new chocolate stout
I think I may stick with this one. Changing the name, changing the direction a little bit too. I realized that I'm not posting because I keep thinking I need mountains of content to post. I need stories, pictures, full length narratives or recipes or ideas...and then I don't post because it will take so long to get that all typed, edited, and just right. So, until I have more time/stories/full length narratives, or take this blog anywhere serious, I'm going to change direction and make it my goal to just post SOMETHING daily. Whatever stands out. A link, a photo, a story, maybe a longer post now and then. Who knows.
Today's thought to share: My entry into a local brewery's baking contest to promote a new chocolate stout
You're looking at a prize winning setup there. :)
Here's the process/recipe I followed:
Step 1- Make the caramels. I used this recipe, http://
Note: it makes a WHOLE pan...a lot of caramels. You could wrap them and save them for later! Or give as gifts. Or eat them, with the leftover chocolate from Step 5. Mmmm.
Step 2- Make the brownies. You can use a box! I used this recipe: http://moneysavingmom.com/
Step 3- When everything has cooled, cut the caramel into squares, slightly smaller than 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch. I rolled them into balls after cutting, then you can see if they are too big to wrap brownie around.
Step 4- I used forks to smash up the brownies in a bowl, kind of like you would do with cake if you were making cake pops. You should end up with a bowl full of small crumbs. Grab a small amount to just fill the center of your palm and place the caramel in the center, mushing the brownie around it into a ball shape. Place on parchment paper and refrigerate or freeze for at least 30 minutes .
Step 5- I melted 1 bag of Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate chips in a double boiler with 1.5 tablespoons of shortening and dipped the brownie ball in. When they were cooling I sprinkled course sea salt on top! You can leave them to set or you can put them in the fridge another 20 minutes to set.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
A Series of Lists
I completely blame hockey playoffs!! The Caps made it to the end of the 2nd round and that meant every other day for a month I was watching a hockey game in my spare (ha) time. Making it to the 3rd round would have been history in the making and I wanted to be along for every minute of every game.
Things that suffered on account of time spent hockey during the playoffs:
- keeping up with baking challenges
- grading student papers
- social relationships
- level of house cleanliness
- any and all exercise
- maybe personal hygiene (but only on the weekends...)
I also blame the end of the school year! We've got 2 weeks left until summer break. So much to do, so little time. Last week I was at school every day until 6 or 6:30, which means I'm fried when I get home. Any blog post I'd have written would have been utter gibberish last week. And the week before. Come to think of it, this might also be gibberish...
Things that continue to suffer because it's the end of the school year:
- keeping up with baking challenges
- social relationships
- level of house cleanliness
- most exercise
- maybe personal hygiene (but only on the weekends...)
I'm keeping this short:
- in the hopes that I write another one soon
- to try and reclaim some sort of exercise regimen (I'm supposed to meet people to play soccer in 40 minutes)
- to build suspense...
Here are some posts I hope to write about in the upcoming weeks:
- I'm competing in a local baking competition for a brewery! It's really nothing major, just for fun, but I'm fairly competitive so I'm obviously playing to win (the keg)
- My summer job is pretty cool, and I'm being trained in something new this year so I hope to describe that a bit
- I need to do some painting this summer and want to share those
- Summer adventures in general!!
- I WILL finish that d%&$ t-shirt quilt I've been working on for 2 years now (actually). I plan to share my process as a moderate sewer who tried to get way too fancy, and how it all turns out
Stay tuned! I promise I won't be so delinquent now that hockey playoffs are over.
Things that suffered on account of time spent hockey during the playoffs:
 |
| Hockey memes are okay [source] |
- grading student papers
- social relationships
- level of house cleanliness
- any and all exercise
- maybe personal hygiene (but only on the weekends...)
I also blame the end of the school year! We've got 2 weeks left until summer break. So much to do, so little time. Last week I was at school every day until 6 or 6:30, which means I'm fried when I get home. Any blog post I'd have written would have been utter gibberish last week. And the week before. Come to think of it, this might also be gibberish...
 |
| Teacher memes are great [source] |
Things that continue to suffer because it's the end of the school year:
- keeping up with baking challenges
- social relationships
- level of house cleanliness
- most exercise
- maybe personal hygiene (but only on the weekends...)
I'm keeping this short:
- in the hopes that I write another one soon
- to try and reclaim some sort of exercise regimen (I'm supposed to meet people to play soccer in 40 minutes)
- to build suspense...
Here are some posts I hope to write about in the upcoming weeks:
- I'm competing in a local baking competition for a brewery! It's really nothing major, just for fun, but I'm fairly competitive so I'm obviously playing to win (the keg)
- My summer job is pretty cool, and I'm being trained in something new this year so I hope to describe that a bit
- I need to do some painting this summer and want to share those
- Summer adventures in general!!
- I WILL finish that d%&$ t-shirt quilt I've been working on for 2 years now (actually). I plan to share my process as a moderate sewer who tried to get way too fancy, and how it all turns out
Stay tuned! I promise I won't be so delinquent now that hockey playoffs are over.
Tuesday, April 28, 2015
One Month Later...
Whelp. I knew it would happen. This is why I have never really been a "blogger!" Life gets in the way people!
Top 10 things that have contributed to the large gap between posts:
I started to try and type an actual post but all of those things in the above list (particularly #1 and #5) have made me what we (in college) call "cracked out." I'm so tired but I'm giddy but mostly tired but also not in a bad mood just really really really REALLY in need of bedtime happening soon. And I don't write as well. But it's more entertaining, from what I hear.
So, to make it up to you, here's some lovely pictures to show what I've been up to:
--> Going to Williamsburg, VA to visit the ol' collegiate stomping grounds/spend time with friends who are moving halfway across the country in a few weeks. We had an enjoyable time wandering campus on my spring break, and pointing and laughing at the students who had classes/exams. We didn't actually do that. We just talked about doing that.
<-- Enjoying the pleasant spring (less so enjoying the pollen that accumulates everywhere) by taking some walks and hanging out on the back patio*.
*This is actually not from my back patio.
<-- Baking lots of things for Easter and in general. Easter was entertaining because I got my cousins to show my mom how to video chat me, and she took pictures of me (on her computer) video chatting with them, on her camera.
--> Spending time with friends on nice evenings! This is a picture of one of the games at our favorite local hangout. We call it "Barcade" because we never remember the real name. They have a bunch of old school video games and you can play any of them for 25 cents. It definitely brings back old memories!
<-- My Easter Peep wreath from my grandma. She made this for me one year as a Christmas gift, and it is awesome! She also got me the peep basket and cover. Last week, my mom gave me some greeting cards and the front is a peep with the phrase "Inside, we're all the same." Can you tell my family likes Peeps? It's actually part of an Easter tradition I started where we roast the peeps like marshmallows.
Okay I think we need to end there today. I have some interesting baking challenges coming up and a few pre-summer crafts/activities I want to accomplish. Which means I'll be rearin' to go with material and clearly should not take another month to post. Clearly. Obviously. (Donuts?)
Top 10 things that have contributed to the large gap between posts:
1. Work. Last week I was at school every day until 6:30 or 7. Possibly the week before as well. Ew. Gross. Ugh.
2. HOCKEY PLAYOFFS. I'm a bit of a fanatic. Let's go Caps!! (obligatory #CAPSLOCK @washcaps)
3. Our outdoor soccer league is finally getting to regular schedule (rain kept us from playing the first several weeks)
4. Weekends away/with visitors. Springtime apparently = ALL the visits.
5. More work. Writing IEPs, doing transition meetings, lesson planning...not enough time in the day!
6. Procrastination
7. Third Rock from the Sun is on Netflix! Game of Thrones is back!
8. We decided we are going to move this summer! Which led to apartment hunting and..
9. Cleaning out closets/stuff around the house (still need to work on this)
10. Warmer weather has meant we've been outside a lot more! At the outdoor bars, taking a walk, grilling dinner, etc.
I started to try and type an actual post but all of those things in the above list (particularly #1 and #5) have made me what we (in college) call "cracked out." I'm so tired but I'm giddy but mostly tired but also not in a bad mood just really really really REALLY in need of bedtime happening soon. And I don't write as well. But it's more entertaining, from what I hear.
So, to make it up to you, here's some lovely pictures to show what I've been up to:
*This is actually not from my back patio.
<-- Baking lots of things for Easter and in general. Easter was entertaining because I got my cousins to show my mom how to video chat me, and she took pictures of me (on her computer) video chatting with them, on her camera.
--> Spending time with friends on nice evenings! This is a picture of one of the games at our favorite local hangout. We call it "Barcade" because we never remember the real name. They have a bunch of old school video games and you can play any of them for 25 cents. It definitely brings back old memories!<-- My Easter Peep wreath from my grandma. She made this for me one year as a Christmas gift, and it is awesome! She also got me the peep basket and cover. Last week, my mom gave me some greeting cards and the front is a peep with the phrase "Inside, we're all the same." Can you tell my family likes Peeps? It's actually part of an Easter tradition I started where we roast the peeps like marshmallows.
DONUTS. DONUTS. I MADE THESE. TASTE SO GOOD. DONUTS.
Okay I think we need to end there today. I have some interesting baking challenges coming up and a few pre-summer crafts/activities I want to accomplish. Which means I'll be rearin' to go with material and clearly should not take another month to post. Clearly. Obviously. (Donuts?)
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