Tasty Tuesday

Yesterday I missed Mondays Menus, so I thought I would share a little plan ahead meal preparation that I did last week. While I was out of town a few weeks ago my sweet husband did a little cooking for himself, and needless to say I was impressed! He didn't quite get to the Lasagna he wanted to make so here's what I did when I got back home.

He had purchased this size Ricotta cheese. Actually enough to make 3 pans of Lasagna!

First I made this pan for our meal and some leftovers for later in the week.

Then I made this pan to freeze.

I also put together some stuffed shells with the Ricotta, spinach and grated cheese for another meal. I make a homemade spaghetti sauce from once a month cooking and it makes a lot of sauce! I had enough for these three meals and a couple of bags left for just plain spaghetti. I love it when I am running short on time and can pull something out of the freezer for dinner.

Tonight we will be having chicken salad with leftover baked chicken from Sunday's lunch. Now head on over to Jen's and see what else is cooking for Tasty Tuesday. Jackie

Thrift Store Thursday

I am joining Holly today for Thrift Store Thursday, and sharing one of my favorite finds. It was not all purchased at the thrift store, but a major portion was due to me being at the thrift store. I'll explain. I have wanted some off white/white dishes for quite some time because they are so versatile, but not wanting to spend a lot. When we unpacked my daughters kitchen in her new house she gave me these.

Needless to say she had oodles of dishes. She purchased these at the church yard sale and gave them to me. I was excited because I could use the bowls to mix with some plates that I had purchased for $1 ea. at another yard sale.

then the other day I stopped at our thrift store and found this

Teapot $1.29 exact match to the other dishes.

At the same time I overheard a lady talking about an estate sale that had lots of stuff! I headed right over, and trust me the LOTS of stuff was gone, but tucked in a closet was more of this

Now I have all of this for about 16.00

6 plates, 8 pasta/serving bowls, 12 cereal bowls, 8 fruit bowls, 6 bread & butter plates, 6 cups and saucers, l Lg teapot, 1 SM teapot, 2 sugar, 1 creamer, 1 platter, 1 covered casserole. I will be on the look out to add to this to make a complete set. I was amazed at finding the two things on the same day. Nothing like that ever happens to me. Thrift store shopping has allowed me to have some fun little extras without breaking the bank. Have a great day! Jackie

Monday Menus

Monday: Breakfast Casserole, Muffins

Tuesday: Vegetable Soup, Cornbread

Wednesday- Church, Leftovers

Thursday- Chicken Casserole, Salad

Friday- Hamburgers/Hot dogs, Coleslaw, Baked Beans

Saturday- Grilled Chicken, Baked Potatoes, Salad

Sunday-Sandwiches, Pasta Salad

Have a great week! Jackie

Frugal Friday

This was going to be my Thankful Thursday post, but I never quite got around to posting yesterday, so it fits for a Frugal Friday post. In support of Tiffany over at Songbirdtiff
I want to be encouraging in the frugal lifestyle that she and her husband have chosen. She talks about the many ways she is being frugal or has been frugal. It has allowed her to be able to work part-time, along with the peace of mind that comes by not looking around and seeing what you are still paying for.


You are looking at one of the major ways that we have chosen to be frugal. I am thankful that the two cars we now have are still running after all these years. I drive this 1994 Nissan Quest, that's right, 1994! and my husband drives a 1993 Ford Explorer. I have never had a desire to spend so much on a new car. Call me cheap! These cars have served us well. I know eventually we will have to update. This choice has helped with me being able to stay at home with my children when they were little, and now only work part-time(or less) substitute teaching. I am able to go when my kids need me to be there.

I asked a friend of ours who has done all of the work on our vehicles, "When is it time to say you have put enough money into older cars and get rid of them?" and his reply was as long as it is cheaper to repair than to buy new, it is worth it to stick with what you've got. We just replaced the radiator on my husbands car at the cost of about $200(he changed it himself) and that is much cheaper than one car payment.

Purchasing a newer car, not only means a possible car payment, but higher insurance premiums and higher cost of tags and taxes. The most we have had to spend in a year was about $1200 for a new transmission for my husbands Explorer, which was still cheaper than buying something newer. So you tell me. What do you think? How have you chosen to go against the flow and be frugal? Have a great weekend! Jackie

WFMW- Fun Recycling!

Do you recycle? I thought I would share a fun way that I have started recycling my magazines. I used to accumulate piles of old magazines saving them for garage sales until I got tired of the accumulation, not to mention they are heavy to move around. Most of my subscriptions have come from supporting children at school selling them for fund raisers. I have let most of them expire with the exception of a couple. One of my favorite magazines was cancelled and now they have replaced it with Family Circle and those come at least twice a month. I really wanted to share these because purchasing magazines at the store can be very costly, so this is what I have come up with:

Once or twice a month I collect all of the old magazines. One of my BF I know does not often purchase magazines. I have started bundling them up with a ribbon tied around them and delivering them to her. She is delighted! I feel so much better by just giving them away to someone I know is enjoying them all over.

What are some fun ways that you recycle?

Head over to WE Are THAT Family for more WFMW posts. Jackie

Lisa Leonard Designs Giveaway

Don't miss this chance to win a $50 gift certificate for Lisa Leonard's Handmade Designs. Hurry on over to ASPTL for all of the details. Her jewelry is wonderful ! You will be wanting one even if you don't win. Jackie

Monday Menus

I am back to a somewhat regular routine here, for a while anyway. I spent four days last week at my son's getting his place clean and ready for the renters that were coming in on Wednesday. Now it is time to spring clean here, and get back to some advance meal preparations. Here is what is on the menu this week. We will be definitely be keeping it simple since I want to get to the spring cleaning.

Monday- Red Beans and Rice w/ Salad
Tuesday- Chicken & Dumplings w/ Green Beans and Jello Fruit Salad
Wednesday- Leftovers
Thursday- Lasagna w/ Salad
Friday- Leftovers
Saturday- Breakfast
Sunday- Sandwiches w/ Pasta Salad

Hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Easter! Jackie

Spring Decorating

I am so thankful that God is adding some touches of spring beauty here and there.

He does a much better job than I can any day!

Don't you just love a fresh touch of green?

And these make a beautiful arrangement!

Have a wonderful and blessed Easter weekend! I will be spending some more time reflecting on so much more that He has done for me! Jackie

Thankful Thursday

I am very thankful for the spring rains we have been getting! There's just nothing like putting on this..........to walk out in the backyard
to try to coax these two to come out and potty when you know they both HAVE TO,

but this one hates the rain so much she doesn't want to, and this one likes to frolic and play and be a little ADD at times.
You then come home to put this back on,

attach the two little ones to these, and walk them in the rain around the neighborhood,

so you can come back and do this again.

Then you pray for at least a little break in the rain before bedtime.

Have a blessed evening, and I am truly thankful for the rain!

Jackie