menu for the week with what's on sale, 25 Aug. to 31 Aug.

Forgive me, I've had a time converting back to school in session for the kids. And the week before I spent the week doing jury duty and making cookies for my son's Eagle Court of Honor. If you are a family of two, there are some things that you can't cut down on with this grocery list, but the good news is that it may last you for two weeks instead of one. Just change about the dinner ideas a little, freeze the leftover spaghetti and pot roast and you are good to go.

Here it is:
$76.25

Breakfast
1-Yogurt, toast, juice
2-Oatmeal, raspberries
3-Oatmeal
4-Oatmeal, peaches
5-Eggs, toast, sausage
6-Oatmeal, yogurt
7-French toast

Lunch
1-PB&J sandwich, orange sections
2-Bologna sandwich, crackers
3-PB&J sandwich, crackers, lemonade
4-PB&J sandwich, strawberries
5-Bologna sandwich, snack pack pudding cup
6-Ramen Noodles, goldfish crackers
7-Ramen noodles, carrots if any are left

Dinner
1-Chicken tacos, cheese, sour cream, taco sauce, lettuce if desired
2-Banquet meat pies, have allowed for four
3-Spaghetti and salad
4-Polynesian chicken salad, cantaloupe wedge and roll
see recipe under "salads" at side
5-Mac & cheese with hot dog coins, roll
6-Pot Roast, mashed potatoes, baby carrots, steamed broccoli
7-Leftovers, soda pop

Dessert and snacks
Yellow cake plain or with strawberries and whipped cream
Brownies
Strawberries and cream
Popcorn

Albertson's
boneless skinless chicken breasts, 4 lbs. aprox. $7
Albertson's lg. egg, .79 with coup from ad, limit 2, buy 2
Russet potatoes, 10# bag, $1.99 with coup from ad
Maruchan ramen, .10 with coup from ad, limit 24, buy 4 at .40
Kraft Mac & cheese, .69 with coup from ad, limit 4, buy 2
Armour sizle and serve sausage, .88 with coup from ad, limit 4, buy 1
Bar S jumbo meat franks, .77
Raspberries, .99
Bar S Bologna, .97
Banquet Pot Pies, .69, buy 4 at $2.76
Triscuits or wheat thins crackers, $1.99
mini carrots, $1

Bashas'
Chuck roast, $1.77 lb, buy 3 lbs. at $5.31
Strawberries, .99, buy 2
Whipped cream in a can, $1.99
Betty Crocker brownie mix, $1
Food Club popcorn, $1
Bashas milk, 1/2 gal, 10/$10, buy 4 at $4
Del Monte spaghetti sauce, $1
Dole pineapple, $1
dole mandarin oranges, $1
Old Orchard juice, $1
Pepsi, .89
Dinner rolls, 12 count, $1.99

Fry's
Kroger sour cream, $1
Kroger lemonade, $1
Kroger Peanut butter, 10/$10, buy 1
Kroger grape jelly, 10/$10, buy 1
Fry's sandwich bread, 10/$10, buy 3
Sanck Pack pudding, 10/$10, buy 1
Goldfish crackers, 10/$10, buy 1
Kroger salad dressing 10/$10, buy 1
Ortega taco shells, $1.49
Ortega taco sauce, $1.49
Kroger shredded cheese, 2/$3
Nabisco snack crackers, $1.99
green onions, 2/$1, buy 1

Safeway
Lucerne yogurt, 10/$4, buy 10, buy one vanilla flavored for the chicken salad
Betty Crocker cake mix, .99
Safeway Pasta, .89

Sprouts
Cantaloupe, 3/$1, buy 1
Peaches, .88 lb, buy 2 lbs. at $1.76
Roma tomatoes, .88 lb.
Valencia oranges, .88 lb., buy 4 lbs at $3.52
Cauliflower or broccoli, .88 lb.
Oats, .69 lb, buy 4 lbs. at $2.76
Lettuce, I've allowed for $1

Items not on the grocery list:
Mayonnaise
mustard
herbs, spices
sugar
oil
butter

Edible transfers

It's really blurry. But it's the Boy Scout logo on an edible transfer. I just had to share this with you. I made sugar cookies for my son's Eagle Court of Honor and put these transfers on some of the cookies. It's the first time that I'd ever worked with this before. They peeled off like a sticker and then I put them on the newly frosted cookie and they kind of become one with the frosting and melt into it. the cookies looked great but unfortunately I didn't take a picture of one before they all got eaten.

What's for dinner?

I have no idea what to do for dinner tonight. We've eaten stuffed pork chops all week long that were leftover from Sunday's dinner. Also keilbasa with Rice A Roni and meat loaf. And Shepherd's Pie. And a big green salad last night with nothing eggciting but hard boiled eggs on it and for the adventurous among us, dried cranberries and onion/raspberry vinaigrette. Nothing sounds good to me today. The family would probably be happy with Pizza tonight but the wicked truth is, and call me crazy, I get tired of pizza. I would not fare well being a teen in this day and age. Seems like that is the menu for every party. I guess that I could go to Fry's and buy 4 lunchables and 4 Powerades on the "8" sale and call it dinner for a grand total of $3.88. I could. I probably won't though. What are you planning for dinner?

Menu with what's on sale for the week of 11 Aug. to 17 Aug.

Busy week with getting back into the swing of school. Also a few disappointments from last week have been wiped away by a really good surprise this week. Funny how you can struggle with something thinking it is a good thing and when it just doesn't work out and something else slides into place almost effortlessly...life is funny.

So...food sales this week. Fry's has a really good buy 8 items sale, get $4 off this week. If you have kids in swim or football or cross country, go get some Powerade for .38 each this week to have on hand for buddy bags or for dehydration prevention. I'm not sure how many 8's you can do in one transaction. I did two today.

$72.81

Breakfast
1-Breakfast tacos. Flour tortillas with scrambled egg, cheese, cooked crumble sausage.
2-Banana Pancakes, Sunny D
3-Oatmeal
4-Peaches, yogurt
5-Pancakes, syrup, Sunny D
6-Oatmeal
7-Oatmeal

Lunch
1-PB&J sandwich, carrots and celery, Capri Sun drink
2-PB&J sandwich, grapes, Capri Sun drink
3-Lunchmeat sandwich, grapes
4-PB&J sandwich, carrots, apple
5-Lunchmeat sandwich, carrots, fruit bowl
6-PB&J sandwich, wheat thins, yogurt
7-Egg salad sandwich, wheat thins, whatever fruit is leftover

Dinner
1-Eggplant/Zucchini parmesan, green salad. See recipe at side under "Vegetarian". Use a can of stewed tomatoes blended in the blender with herbs for the marinara or buy a jar of Ragu spaghetti sauce and add the price into the total. If you don't buy the stewed tomatoes, then adjust the "8" list
2-Tacos, watermelon
3-London Broil, corn on the cob
4-Chicken, grilled or baked, mashed potatoes, chilled canned peaches
5-Chicken noodle soup made with carrots, celery, canned broth, some onion, pasta/macaroni and leftover chicken from idea #4
6-Green salad with cumcumber, tomatoes, leftover steak or chicken if there is any, hardboiled egg wedges, Kaiser rolls
7-Breakfast for dinner, Waffles, syrup and sausage links, Sunny D

Albertson's
London Broil, $1.97 lb., buy 2 lbs. at $3.94
Seedless grapes, .77 lb. buy 2 lbs. at $1.54
Albertson's large eggs, .88, buy 2 doz.
Farmer John breakfast links, 10/$10, buy 2
Don Pancho tortillas, 10/$10, buy 1
La Moderna pasta, 5/$1, buy 1 at .20
Kaiser Rolls, $1.99, 6 count

Bashas'
Bashas' milk, $1.67 gal, buy 2 at $3.34
Chicken drums, thighs, leg 1/4's, .77 lb., buy 3 lbs. at $2.31
California peaches, .59 lb., buy 3 lbs. at $1.77
Tillamook cheese, $1.77, buy 2 pkgs., make one mozzarella for the Eggplant/Zucchini Parmesan
Food Club lunch meat, $2.99
Krusteaz Pancake mix, 2/$4, buy 1
Food Club syrup, 2/$4, buy 1
Dole bananas, .48 lbs, buy 5 lbs. at $2.40
Celery, .99 each
Taco seasoning, I've allowed for $1.00

Fry's
Buy "8" list
1-Del Monte sliced peaches, .79
2-Del Monte stewed or diced tomatoes, .79 (whir in the blender and add italian herbs to it)
3-Betty crocker Pouch Potatoes, .49
4-Betty Crocker Pouch Potatoes, .49
5-Sunny D
6-Sunny D
7-Capri Sun drinks, $1.27
8-Old El Paso taco shells, .99

Super lean ground beef, $1.77 lb. in 2 lb. chub, $3.54
Mini watermelon, $1
Kroger yogurt, .40, buy 8, $3.20
Kroger fruit bowls, $1.67
Chicken broth, I'ved allowed .99, buy 4
Kroger Value bread, .88, buy 4
Onion, I've allowed $1
Cottage cheese, I've allowed $1.50 (in place of ricotta for the Zucchini/Eggplant Parmesan

Safeway
Wheat thins, 2/$4, buy 1
Zucchini, .99 lb.

Sprouts
Cucumbers, .49 each
Sweet corn, 4/$1, buy 4
Fuji apples, .88 lb., buy 3 at $2.64
Iceberg lettuce, .88 each, buy 2 at $1.76
Baby carrots, .88
Roma tomatoes, .69 lb., buy 2 lbs. at $1.76
Eggplant, .88 each
Oats, 2 lbs./$1, buy 4 lbs. at $2.00

Items not on grocery list:
Butter
Mayo
Parmesan
oil
salad dressing
herbs and seasonings
Italian herbs
fresh herbs
pickle relish

Summer Punch Slush

Also known as the Wedding reception punch, this slush is wonderful in the hot summer days in Phoenix or...anywhere. So refreshing and cool. I myself, have made this for a couple of weddings, and it's always a hit. It's still blistering hot out, 114 this afternoon at 4:50p.m., so make this for your family, they will love you for it.

Summer Punch Slush
from Margie M.

One 12 oz. can frozen orange juice concentrate
One 12 oz. can frozen lemonade concentrate
4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring
2 teaspoons almond flavoring (I have made this without the almond flavoring and we still liked it a lot)
20 cups water

Mix well to dissolve sugar. Freeze in one large tupperware-type container or in several gallon size zip-lock baggies placed in the large Tupperware container. Set out about an hour before serving to partially thaw. Smash it up and add a cold 7-Up type pop to make into a smooth slush. I use a potato masher to smash it up smooth.

Have one or two 2-liter bottles of ice-cold pop on hand. You probably won't use but one.

Summer Punch
Makes one gallon

This is the same punch but in unfrozen state and without the fizz of the pop. Or you could add some pop if you wanted to.

1 small can frozen orange juice concentrate
1 small can frozen lemonade concentrate
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon almond flavoring
1 teasponn vanilla flavoring

Mix well to dissolve sugar. Pour into a gallon container and fill to top with water. Refrigerate until well chilled so the flavors blend. Shake or stir before pouring.

Menu with what's on sale for the week of 4 Aug. to 10 Aug.

OK, so a little late again. There have been some good deals to be had this week so I hope that you are reading your grocery ads. I got a pork loin at Bashas' on Sat. for around $13 and am going this morning for the .99 Cranberry juice. In a couple of weeks when it gets closer to the national norm of school opening, there will be good prices on peanut butter, granola bars, canned soup.

$79.23

Breakfast
1-Oatmeal, apple juice
2-Brakfast taco with tortilla, eggs, cheese, sausage
3-Oatmeal, banana
4-Oatmeal, fresh pineapple chunks
5-Oatmeal
6-French toast
7-Oatmeal

Lunch
1-Bologna sandwich, brownie
2-PB&J sandwich, cantaloupe chunks
3-Ramen noodles, brownie
4-PB&J sandwich, strawberries
5-Bologna sandwich, watermelon chunks
6-Ramen noodles
7-Chicken wrap, pepper strips

Dinner
1-Spaghetti Alfredo, green salad, crusty bread
2-Marinated Top sirloin on the grill. Corn on the cob, steamed broccoli
3-Hamburger stroganoff, applesauce. See recipes under ground beef for Hamburger Strogonoff recipe
4-Taco soup. If leftover corn on the cob, strip the niblets off of the cob and use that in the soup. See recipes under soup for recipe for Taco soup. Sour cream, shredded cheese as toppers.
5-Hot dogs with buns, potato salad
6-Chicken Polynesian salad with cantaloupe wedges. See recipe under Salads.
7-Cheese Omelets, crusty bread

Desserts:
Banana cupcakes
Brownies

Grocery list:
Albertson's
Sweet corn, 5/$1, buy 5
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, $1.67 lb., buy 3 lbs. at $5.01
Bar S franks, 10/$10, buy 1
Bar S bologna, 10/$10, buy 1
Don Pancho tortillas, 10/$10, buy 1
English cucumbers, 10/$10, buy 1
Tillamook cheese, $3.99 with coupon from Wed. ad
Pillsbury brownie, .88 with coupon from Wed. ad
Dole Pineapple, .87 with coupon from Wed. ad
Resers Potato salad, .99 lb with coupon from Wed. ad

Bashas'
Red or green grapes, .77 lb, buy 2 lbs.
Bashas milk, $1.67 gal., $3.34
Mini watermelon, $1.99
Ragu Pasta sauce, .99
Food Club pasta, .99
Food Club applesauce, 2/$3
Bashas sour cream, $1.29, buy 2
Dole bananas, .48 lb., buy 10 lbs.
Green bell peppers, 2/$1, buy 1
Eggs, I've allowed for $1.29/doz., buy 2
Top Sirloin, $1.99 lb., buy 2 lbs. at $3.98
Cream cheese, I've allowed for .99

Fry's
Del Monte gold pineapple, $1
Maruchan Ramen noodles, 6/$1
Fry's vegetables, 5/$3, buy one can of corn at .60. Don't buy corn if you plan to use the leftover corn on the cob for the taco soup
Fry's tomato sauce, 2/.88, buy 2
Fry's canned tomatoes, .77, buy 2
Fry's black beans, .77, buy 1
Langer's apple juice, .99
Kroger Value Peanut butter, $1.49
Kroger Value bread, .88, buy 4
Hot dog buns, I've allowed for $1.50
Vanilla yogurt, .75
Onion, I've allowed for $1
Mushrooms, I've allowed for $2
noodles, I've allowed for $2
scallions, I've allowed for .50

Safeway
Ground beef, $1.29 lb., min. 5lb. purchase, $6.45

Sprouts
Strawberries, .88
Jumbo cantaloupe, .88
Broccoli crowns, .88 lb., buy 2
Romaine lettuce, .88
French bread, $1.29, buy 2
Oats, .69 lb., buy 4 lbs.

Items not on grocery list:
condiments
mayo
parsley
mandarin oranges
butter
leavenings
flour
oil
powdered sugar
sugar
molasses
wine

Banana Cupcakes

Every time I say "Banana Cupcakes" in my head the lyrics to that "Makin Banana Pancakes" song that my daughter loves rattles around in my head for about five minutes before they leave again. If you ever crave banana bread, these cupcakes are for you. I made these Saturday night. I also made more yesterday after church. Very easy recipe that is goof proof. I also made these without eggs using an egg substitute and they turned out fine. I have to tell you that I am a mix girl. Used to be that making cakes and muffins from scratch didn't work well for me. I don't think that my baking skills have drastically improved, I think that you need the right recipe. The frosting recipe with this calls for 2 T. of molasses. I thought that sounded like too much for my taste, so I only put 1 T. in and that was plenty for me. If you don't like a burnt sugar taste, or the deep taste of molasses, leave it out, these will be great with a cream cheese frosting. I would leave out the milk possibly if leaving out the molasses. Or use vanilla or buttercream frosting. Or eat them without frosting.



Gina's Banana Cupcakes
recipe courtesy of The Neelys
from Downhome Cookin with the Neelys

Ingredients
Batter:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
2 large ripe bananas, peeled, and mashed
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, (reserve some for garnish) I left out the nuts altogether

Molasses Frosting:
2 tablespoons whole milk (I used skim)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 tablespoons butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons molasses (I used 1 tablespoon)
2 to 3 cups powdered sugar

Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 1 (12 cup) muffin pan with paper cupcake liners. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, add the butter and the sugar. Beat with a hand-eld mixer until combined. Add the sour cream and the vanilla extract. Slowly beat in the eggs, 1 at a time. Incorporate the dry mixture and wet mixtures together until thoroughly combined. (I, however, dumped in the wet ingredients with the leavenings, mixed them, then dumped in the flour and mixed) Add the banans and walnuts, being careful not to over mix. Using an ice cream scoop, fill each cupcake liner 3/4 way full. Bake in the preheated oven until the tops turn golden-brown and when a toothpick, inserted in the middle of the cupcake, comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove the cupcakes from the oven to a wire rack and let cool before frosting.

Frosting:
In a large bowl, add the butter and cream cheese. Beat together until incorporated. Add the molasses and mix well. Stir in the vanilla extract, milk and powdered sugar.

Heavily frost the cupcakes and garnish with reserved shopped walnuts.

The egg substitute I used was:
2 T. water, 1 T. veg. oil, 1/2 tsp. baking powder for each egg called for.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins

These are so good. I even used an egg substitute (1 T. oil, 2 T. water, 1/2 tsp. baking powder) and they were great, maybe not as light or tender if a real egg had been used but they were wonderful.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
from Cindy B.

1 1/2 C flour
1/2 C. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 C. milk
1/2 C. canned pumpkin
1 egg
1/2 chocolate chips

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease bottom of muffin pans or use paper liners. Mix all ingredients just until flour is moistened. Batter should be lumpy.

Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Sprinkle sugar on top of batter. Bake about 18-20 minutes for full size muffins, or 10-12 minutes for mini muffins.

Cheap movies

The most exciting part about the trip to Idaho was going to the cheap movies. My niece took Sonny boy and my daughter to see the fourth Shrek movie the last night we were there. My kids are old but they were excited to get away from the parents and oldie moldies so they jumped at the chance to go see Shrek with my 20 something niece. Turns out that they have this great movie theater in Boise. I don't even know the name of it. They show movies that have been around for a little while. You can buy a ticket, and get your choice of two concession items like a medium drink and a small popcorn for $4. Wow. We need one of those here, don't we?