Crafting Bug - Part 3

Hmmm....Is anyone getting the idea that I have spent way too much time crafting recently?  I promise I have done some housework and cooked for my husband.  I just took some time for myself.

One thing I have wanted to do for years was learn how to crochet.  Warren tried to teach me, but he was not the most patient teacher.  I looked at books but could not get the hang of it.  Earlier this month I decided to check out YouTube.  After watching a few videos I decided that this one from AllFreeCrochet and Naztazia was the most helpful.  My first two attempts were sad, but then I started to get the hang of it.  The last three dish rags look more like they should.

I think it looks like it should anyway.  I welcome any input.  I am still working with the single crochet stitch.  I want to do a few more dishrags before watching the second video and learning more stitches.  I know it will take much more practice.  This is the best I have ever done though.  It feels good to progress from just wishing I could do something to actually doing it.

Crafting Bug - Part 2

In July for my birthday, I received a Hobby Lobby gift card which I finally got around to using.  Among the items I bought was a Sizzix Texture Boutique for embossing.  I used some other gift cards buy a few of the embossing folders and decided to try it out.  I love how the embossing dresses up the cards.
I thought these two would be nice for either wedding or anniversary cards.

This is a birthday card option.  On the inside it has "Birthdays are good for you.  The more you have the longer you live!"

I am having fun playing around with different designs.  I have a couple more embossing folders on the way to me.  I can see more card making in my future. 

Crafting Bug

Recently I have been bitten by the crafting bug.  All I want to do is work on fun projects.  That is not exactly good for the housework I need to do.  Winter has that effect on me.  I decided to take advantage and work on some stuff. 

First up is burp cloths for my sister-in-law who is expecting her first child.  My SIL loves ladybugs.  When I was ordering fabric from Joann's in November, I saw some adorable ladybug material and knew I had to buy.  The baby shower is just a couple of weeks away so I figured I had better get them done. 

The colors are bright and cheery.  I am only halfway done with them and plan to finish this week.  I hope my SIL will be pleased.

Menu Plan and Grocery Spending

First up the menu plan...again this will be a mix of meals that we did not eat last week and a few new ones.

Workday Meals
I have deli meat as well as several homemade frozen options that can be prepared quickly.  These include the French bread pizza mentioned yesterday as well as homemade pocket sandwiches.

Non-Workday Meals
Brunswick Stew
Cubed Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Butterbeans
Chimichangas
Waffles, Turkey Bacon, and Fruit
Crab Egg Salad Sandwiches
Leftovers - This may be a clean out the refrigerator type meal.

Now for the spending...I started off with $60 to last me two weeks.  One dollar of it was in quarters which went into my paper for coupons money jar.  That left me $59 and a bit of change in my wallet. 

First stop was Harvey's.  I have pictures this week!!

The cheese and sugar were stock up items due to the sales.  The goldfish were a good bargain for the snack cabinet.  I needed the ketchup for the as yet unmade Brunswick stew.  Sour cream and bacon bits rounded out my purchases.  I spent $21.95 on these items.

Second stock was Save-a-Lot. 

The milk is for yogurt making later this week.  The chips are for snacking and along with sandwiches.  I decided to stock up on butter since I was down to my last pound. Tortillas are for chimichangas.  The mac and cheese was an impulse purchase because I was hungry.  It was lunch along with a salad when I arrived home.  My total here was $16.19. 

I have $21 left for next week.  I should be able to stick to it unless there are some great sales. 

Freezer Cooking - French Bread Pizzas

I decided to combine my menu and shopping trip into one post for Thursday.  Today I am sharing some homemade freezer cooking.  Convenience foods are great except for the preservatives and expense.  I am not one to refuse them completely.  If I can make my own, I will gladly do so. 

I had a small loaf of homemade French bread and needed to use it up.  I decided to make French bread pizzas.  I sliced the bread in half and then in smaller pieces.  I mixed up my own sauce to spread on top.  Next I chopped up turkey pepperoni.  In the fridge I had mushrooms and bell pepper which I chopped and added.

Then I topped each one with mozzarella cheese and put them into the freezer.

Once frozen I wrapped each individually.  They bake in a toaster oven for 15-20 minutes. 

Yard Sale Find

I cannot take credit for this find.  My dad is actually the one who found and bought it.  I needed ~ well mostly wanted ~ a large tube pan.  I planned to use it for making homemade monkey bread.  The one I have with a non-removable bottom is only 2 inches tall.  I needed one twice that tall.  Finding a pan of that size with a non-removable bottom was harder than I expected.  I found one online for $18 and kept putting off buying it.  My dad called me Saturday and he had found this.....

Aside from a ding or two, it is in very good shape.  It is exactly the same size as the one I was considering buying.  The best part is that he only paid $1 for it!!!  I was extremely happy with his bargain shopping.  I am thinking I should give him a copy of my kitchen wish list. 

Grocery Spending

I did a big shop with week with the husband along to help out.  I needed to pick up church supplies so I needed a second person to push a shopping cart.  He added a few things to our cart that I would not have bought.  Still the damage was not too bad and the overage can be spread out over the next two week.  Also I had not done a Big Shop since the week before Thanksgiving.  

Harvey's  - $17.68
Pickles (B1G1)
Mayonnaise (B1G1)
Toilet paper

CVS - $2.24
Washcloths (Operation Christmas Child)
Chips (DH's impulse purchase)
Bath pouf/sponge

Wal-Mart - $100.53
I will not list everything here.  A good potion was items for Warren's lunches at work.  For future meals I bought canned crab, tuna, and frozen shrimp poppers.  I had coupons for some items that needed to be used.  Those included herbal tea, coffee creamer, and chocolate milk powder.  I should be able to wait six weeks before my next big shop. 

I went about $40 over budget this week.  I will spread that out over the next two weeks.  Sometimes the budget requires some juggling.  As long as it works out in the end, then I am happy.