busy, busy, busy

It's funny that my blog is titled "Searching 4 Simplicity," yet this summer has been busy, busy, busy.  I've had anything but the "simple life."  Between laundry, cleaning, cooking, baseball, baseball, and more baseball, it seems that I've not had much down time.  I'm not complaining, though.  I've enjoyed every minute of it.

Looking ahead, it may just get busier.  More baseball, Vacation Bible School, swimming lessons for both boys, doctor appointments, eye doctor appointments, and hair cuts fill the calendar.  Before I know it, I'll be back to work.  :(

My to-do list isn't getting any shorter, either.  I think I've added more to it than I've crossed off.  Guess that just means I need to get busy (and get off the computer)!

dinner for the week of 6/25

Monday: french toast bake (stolen from Pinterest, recipe here) and sausage links

Tuesday: swiss steak and baked potato in the crock pot (I will use home grown tomatoes from last year's garden that I froze--yummy!)  Easy meal--baseball tourney at 6:30pm!

Wednesday: chicken club ring (recipe from Pampered Chef, All The Best cookbook) and corn on the cob (again, from last year's garden!)

Thursday: enchiladas from the freezer (possible baseball game, if not, then practice)

Friday: meatballs and cheesy potatoes (the meatballs are made and in the freezer)

This week I am trying to use up some things we have in the freezer.  I am not grocery shopping this week except for milk and bread.  :)  

grocery savings

Here's the breakdown on my savings today: My cost $39.57 (this includes tax).  Cost before coupons and sales $61.67.

Dolly Madison: 

bag of donut gems and loaf of texas toast: $1.59 total cost @ Dolly

Dillons: 

3 boxes of Kellogg's cereal $1.00 coupon, plus part of their buy 5 get $5.00 back= $1.45 per box!

box of Cheez-Its and box of Rice Krispie treats, no coupon, but part of their buy 5 get $5.00 back=$3.68 for both boxes

2 cans of Lay's Stax, no coupon, but part of 10 for $10=$1.00/can

2 bottles of Ken's dressing, part of 10 for $10, plus coupon for $1.00 off 2=50 cents each!!!

$12.43 total cost @ Dillons

Walmart:

Cutter citronella candle, 97 cents, plus $1.00 coupon=MADE 3 cents!!!

2 boxes of Pebbles cereal, $2.48 each, $1.00/2 coupon=$1.98/box

M&M's snack mix, $2.48 plus $1.00 coupon=$1.48

V8 energy drink 6 pack, $3.98 plus $1.00 coupon=$2.98

Aqua fresh kids' toothpaste, $1.88 plus $1.00 coupon=88 cents

Capri Sun Big Glup drinks, 88 cents each, plus $1.00/2=38 cents each!!!

Belvita bars (box), $2.98, plus $1.00 coupon=$1.98

Belvita bars (individual), 88 cents each, BOGO coupon=44 cents each

Clif bars, 75 cents-98 cents each (some were on clearance!), plus $1.00/6 coupon=66 cents each!

I also paid full price for the pistachios, 2 bags @ $1.78 each

AND. . . the little one had to have a cup of popcorn chicken for $2.50

$25.55 total cost @ Walmart

Not too shabby for a "beginner!"  Saving money this way does take time.  I spent an hour last night planning what I was going to purchase by using The Krazy Coupon Lady, and then printing and clipping coupons just for today's trip!  But it is definitely worth it!!!

patience

Why is it so difficult to be patient?  We definitely live in time where society has come to expect things immediately.  Right now, I want a juicy, ripe, red tomato off my plants.  Can't come soon enough.  I am so ready.  I'd also like the tires we need for our car to go on sale.  Like a really good sale.  And the new baseball glove Tanner needs. . . could that go on clearance right now, too?  While I'm at it, I'd really like the car to be fixed and running properly.  I don't want to wait until next Tuesday when we take it in to the mechanic.  And the grass out front that we can't get to grow?  Could some just magically appear?   Oh, and that last 30 pounds I'd like to lose?  It can just disappear.  These are just a few things on my mind right now.  I'm really not asking much, am I?

sausage & cheddar quiche

This recipe for sausage & cheddar quiche is adapted from a recipe I found at allrecipes.com.  The original called for bacon and swiss. . . I had neither, so just threw in the sausage and cheddar.  Sometimes, I also throw in some chopped jalapenos, if I'm feeling like some extra heat.  

1 Pillsbury pie crust (in the refrigerated section)

1/2 pound browned sausage

4 eggs

1 cup half & half

shredded cheddar cheese to taste (about 1 cup)

salt & pepper to taste

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Place pie crust in pie pan and crimp edges.  Mix the browned sausage and cheddar together and place in the bottom of the pie crust.  Beat the eggs and add the half & half.  Also, add the salt & pepper, and jalapenos if you want.  Pour this mixture over the sausage and cheddar.  Bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.  Then, reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 35 minutes or until top is brown and the quiche is firm.  I use a crust shield to keep the crust from getting too dark.  Enjoy!  

dinner for the week of 6/18

Monday: PBJ sandwiches (early baseball game)
Tuesday: sausage & cheddar quiche (find the recipe here)
Wednesday: beef roast, potatoes, & carrots (crock pot)
Thursday: mexican chicken (found on Pinterest, click here for the recipe)
Friday: cheesesteak sloppy joes (found on Pinterest, click here for the recipe)  We LOVE these!

Weekend: eat out (baseball tourney)

that feeling that something isn't quite right

Do you ever have that feeling--you can't put your finger on it--but deep down in your gut you just know that something isn't right?  It just hit me today when I woke up.  Not sure why.  Overall, I had a great day.  They boys and I went to Topeka to get Tanner some new baseball pants and other gear.  Made a stop at Target and Sam's, then grabbed them some McDonald's for the ride home.  Did a load of laundry and relaxed this afternoon.  Delivered some Scentsy.  Went to Neosho Rapids for a ballgame--and they won!  Yay boys!  Then to a friend's house afterwards to visit and let the kids play.  GREAT DAY.  So, why do I have that feeling?  Who knows.  But I sure hope it goes away, quickly.