WIS, WWA | also some kittens
What I Spent
First, how about a kitten picture?
The cat rescue we volunteer at has opened back up again, with social distancing measures, and we had a lot of kittens this week!
Kittens are so so cute, but every time Zoe and I take care of them, we remember why we like our older cat.
She's so much better for snuggling. Kittens only want to snuggle for a second and then they want to run! climb! play!
So, grocery shopping: after not doing an actual shopping trip for weeks, I went out and bought ALL OF THE GROCERIES.
I spent $285 on my shopping extravaganza.
What We Ate
Saturday
I made Swiss mushroom chicken, roasted baby potatoes, and some kind of produce that escapes my memory.
Sunday
I made grilled pizzas (one without cheese for Sonia), and the weather was so nice, we ate them out on the deck.
Monday
We had grilled ham and cheese sandwiches, fruit salad, sliced cucumbers, and sautéed asparagus.
Tuesday
I made shrimp pasta, sautéed asparagus, and fruit salad.
For Zoe, I made cheese tortellini because of her shrimp allergy.
Wednesday
I could not find my motivation pills anywhere, so we got fast food for dinner.
Thursday
I found maybe half of a motivation pill, so I made BLTs for dinner.
Those are so easy, they can be made on half a motivation pill. 😉
Friday
I think we are possibly having a socially distant gathering with Mr. FG's parents tomorrow, and if that's the case, we'll do our date night tonight.
Saturday: Luckily, the corona restrictions have been relaxed, so we spend the day outside in small groups of friends. Later we visited my sister for BBQ. We had very delicious lamb sausages.
Sunday: We wanted to have lunch at our favorite Greek fast food restaunt in my home town. Unfortunately, it was still closed. So we ordered Asian noodles for dinner.
Monday: Bread with cheese and ham, tomatoes and pickleds
Tuesday: tarte flambee (French „pizza“) with sour creme, onions and mushrooms instead of bacon
Wednesday: gigantes plakis, Greek white beans baked in tomato sauce
Thursday: As I was working longer, I bought Thai soup.
Friday: roasting vegetables and potatoes
Not a dinner report from me but....
Kittens! The tuxedo is especially adorable!
Thank you. I needed a kitten pic this morning.
Need to find some other items to cook, getting tired of all these things! and with a few picky eaters in the house, makes it even harder!
Saturday- I usual take out night, but we went to my MIL- Chicken cutlet, homemade mac and cheese. cake
Sunday- we were going to do our take out, but invited over to mom/dad bbq- hamburgers, hot dogs, Chicken, mac cheese (for the kids) moms baked beans,(yum) angel food cake w/whip cream and berries, blueberry pie, chocolate cake. (today was shopping, ShopRite, BJ's)(I brought the hamburgers/ angel food cake w/berries. chocolate cake.
Monday- so we did take out tonight from a local Pizza place, sandwiches, chicken cutlet, ziti. easy button!
Tuesday- DH/DS had taco's, DD and I had chicken salad sandwiches. (left over chicken from moms)
Wednesday- Chicken cutlet, (and I cleaned out the fridge) left over ziti, left over mac cheeses (from mil) had some fried eggplant in freezer, and some sauce in the fridge, so made a small eggplant parm. Now the fridge is nice and empty!
Thursday- breakfast for dinner, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, pork roll, toast.
Friday- not sure yet, need to figure it out quickly!
Sunday- Backyard gathering..Husbands grandfather brought hamburger patties and buns. We (I made) contributed.. cheesy potato casserole and home baked(boxed) angel food cakes, sliced strawberries and homemade whipped cream.
Monday- pulled pork sandwiches, leftover macaroni and cheese from the weekend, No recall if a veggie was eaten...
Tuesday- was supposed to be taco night.. But the husband decided to start tearing out and replacing the dining room floor... so.. I ordered pizza as it was b1g1free night.. had to go pick that up and also grabbed the chicken deal from another place...Lots of leftovers which was just fine!
Weds- taco night!
Thursday- I had to take a re certification for 1str aid so husband and kids ate hot dogs or toaco leftovers!
Friday- need to pull something from the freezer... but trying to plan Fathers Day grill out for Saturday due to predicted storms on Sunday.. So trying to plan grill/cooking accordingly!
Saturday: Leftover pork with barbecue sauce, garlic bread, Grandma Brown's baked beans--thanks to my husband's recent road trip to New York, we are now stocked up--frozen peas, cucumber spears
Sunday: Antelope with garlic scape pesto and cream, fried potatoes, frozen peas
Monday: Antelope fajitas, frozen green beans
Tuesday: Barbecue pulled chicken sandwiches, fried potatoes, coleslaw, neighbor-provided Oreos I used to bribe my children to do a thorough pick-up of the living room
Wednesday: Frozen vegan tamales my parents brought us, antelope taco meat, frozen green beans
Thursday: Breakfast sausage patties, pasta with basil pesto, carrot sticks with ranch dressing
Friday: It's ELK TIME! I took out one of the three remaining large bags of elk last night. I think I'll make elk bites tonight, to have with garlic bread since I need to make bread today, and leftover coleslaw. I'll probably make the remainder of the bag into elk chili, since it's going to be cool enough to simmer it all day without making the kitchen unbearably hot, and then we can have that tomorrow.
You are getting SO CLOSE to the end of the elk. Woohoo!!
I'm impressed with your "elk creativity!"
Wow, antelope, elk and vegan all in one week! This is why I LOVE your reports!
Saturday: Shrimp Tacos, Veggies, Rice and Beans
Sunday: Leftovers from previous week and Salad
Monday: Veggie Burgers with Salad
Tuesday: Ham/Cheese Quiche and Salad
Wed: Salmon, Rice and Salad
Thursday: Shrimp Pasta with Salad
Friday: Not sure... but BLTs sound good (since we're fresh out of motivation here too).
Excessive use of salad is the result of an abundance of lettuce fromthe garden. Next year, I need to stagger planting better :).
Saturday: I don't think we did much for dinner but my wife is working mandatory OT so I took my daughter over to see her grandma and great grandma and we all went out to a fish place for a big lunch. I think for dinner we just had something small.
Sunday: Mostly a mismash of various things without much of a plan. Salads were had but that's all I remember.
Monday: Barbecued chicken with rice and salads.
Tuesday: Breakfast for dinner.
Wednesday: Cleaned out the fridge of leftovers. This is becoming our Wednesday norm as Thursday is our garbage collection day now.
Thursday: BLT's using the leftover bacon from Tuesday.
Friday: We were going to have a frozen pizza but now I'm not so sure as we have more time than we were expecting. We'll see.
We both had BLTs last night! 🙂
I'm very confused. I've never heard of "leftover" bacon!
LOL. Me too. No such thing at our house. We are everything is better with bacon people.
I hide some cooked bacon in the freezer to add to pizza.
I need some of your motivation pills- extra strength. This Texas heat has me doing whatever is easiest.
Alot of frozen meals, salads and fresh fruit.
Monday we finished the lasagna I had frozen.
Tuesday we had grilled veggies with turkey bacon and fries.
Wednesday we had a veggie stir fry with lots of sauce.
Yesterday was pizza night with a side of spinach.
Tonight the tentative plan is ramen bowls because noodles always sound good to me!
Monday was roast turkey with salad and fruit. Tuesday was shrimp tacos and margaritas at a local cantina with a friend because Taco Tuesday, and this particular restaurant is a favorite, needs support and is managing social distancing well.
Wednesday was breakfast omelette for dinner, and Thursday was another salad.
This evening will be a homemade turkey burger followed by fruit.
Like the other Linda from Texas I’m also feeling the heat, and my motivation to cook has left - probably until September!
Monday-Italian shrimp, rice, broccoli and cheese
Tuesday- sloppy joes, potato salad, deviled eggs
Wednesday- pizza, fruit, veggies
Thursday- baked mac & cheese, garlic bread, fruit
Friday-I’m planning on frying some chicken and using up the rest of the leftovers.
I need to get your Tuesday meal on our menu plan!
My week. Trying to live up to DH's creativity, but need some of those motivation pills.
Sunday - honey garlic chicken with leftover sides
Monday - leftovers
Tuesday - pierogies with baked beans and salad
Wednesday - ravioli with radish/carrot/apple slaw and salad
Thursday - pork chops with couscous, roasted vegetables, and apple slices
Friday - probably soup/salad/sandwich night
Monday-Beef and yellow pepper stir-fry with rice & quinoa and raw veggies
Tuesday-Spaghetti with meat sauce and raw veggies
Wednesday-Grilled chicken, pesto pasta and broccoli
Thursday-Butter chicken with rice and peas
Friday-Moose stew & salad is on the menu tonight
It was a busy week at our house. It's the week I work with APAC, so I tend to have late calls, which gets in the way of dinner prep.
Friday - we drove from California to Oregon, & I'd prepped taco meat & stashed it in the cooler. We had tacos when we arrived
Saturday - we had salmon & rice
Sunday - grilled chicken + salad
Monday - it was my husband's birthday. We had steak, crab cakes, peach/mozzarella salad, & cake
Tuesday - leftover crab cakes & mozzarella salad
Wednesday - leftover salmon & rice
Thursday - used up the remaining leftovers (crab cakes, salmon, a few meatballs from one of the kids who doesn't like salmon)
Friday - I think we'll try for takeout tonight
What is peach mozzarella salad??
My motivation Rx has expired, I guess. But I am planning on buying all of the food today. This week:
Monday - Pinto Bean Soup, corn muffins
Tuesday - Pork Rib Chops, Copper Pennies, salad
Wednesday - Crockpot Brisket and Onions, broccolini
Thursday - Overnight Mac and Cheese, leftover brisket, green beans
Friday - Turkey Sloppy Joes, avocado and chips, skillet squash
Saturday - Pineapple BBQ Chicken Foil Packets
Sunday - Hubby want to make fajitas
Sunday - Cinnamon roll waffles with bacon for brunch; Dinner is normally On-Your-Own on Sundays
Monday - Veggie Tikka Masala from pouches, paratha bread, and brown rice
Tuesday - Pasta marinara, bagged chopped Caesar salad, and garlic knots
Wednesday - Soup and grilled cheese
Thursday - Sweet Chili Thai veggie burgers, chips, and multi-colored carrots
Friday - We're getting take out for lunch from a company that in honor of Juneteenth is donating 50% of sales to further technology education focused on people of color; Dinner will be frozen pizzas and a bagged chopped salad during Forced Family Fun movie night
Saturday - Husband's birthday: Cinnamon rolls from a favorite bakery, scrambled cheesy eggs, and bacon for breakfast; his choice for take out late lunch/early dinner and he's requested chocolate chip and mini m&M candy cookies for his "cake"
Cinnamon roll waffles sound amazing!
I love the Juneteenth lunch you are having today.
Literally just cinnamon rolls I put in the waffle maker - super easy but now it's our new favorite way to eat them 🙂 And they cook faster!
Ha. My dad used to use the phrase Forced Family Fun allll the time. Perhaps inevitable during the years he had three teenagers in the house . . .
It sounds like you have the pizza situation figured out for Sonia but I thought I'd share that when I was vegan, I used to put fried onions on my pizza. It sounds weird but it gives that crunchy/chewy/salty texture of slightly burnt cheese that I love on pizza. Random, I know...
That actually makes a lot of sense!
Saturday: kids invited themselves to dinner again so it was burgers and dogs on the grill with chips. My daughter joked that “Nana’s Diner” has been impacted by the virus because there use to be more snacks and desserts. I told her snacks and desserts require reservations.
Sunday: the beef stroganoff on rice that I had planned for Saturday plus I don’t know what else
Monday: left over stroganoff and fruit cocktail. Hubs is weak in the veg department
Tuesday : baked salmon, baked potatoes, and stewed tomatoes. Hubs cooked.
Wednesday: BLT’s
Thursday : repeat of Tuesday but carrots instead of tomatoes
Tonight? Not quite sure yet. There’s a mishmash of things in the fridge that need to be eaten so I’ll try to incorporate some of those. It’s a work day around the property instead of a work day at the office so I’ll probably be tired and lazy.
Groceries we’re about $60 including strawberries for jam and 12 lbs of sale chicken for the freezer.
Have a great weekend everyone!
My brother-in-law loves to get out an kayak. I've used canoes, but never a kayak. I'll bet it's peaceful.
Our dentist had a cancellation and we were able to get my husband in, but it was in the middle of the day, so I missed a full day of work for an hour and a half dental appointment for him. Working an hour from home and having all of our doctors at least an hour from our home - some in opposite directions from my work - can get really tiresome. But I cooked that night!
We had:
Tuna salad full of shredded carrot, celery and onion, plus we always add in a few grapes or raisins. We also had homegrown cherry tomatoes, homegrown "spinach" leaves and crackers, although I skipped the tomatoes and crackers.
Pork chops with beets, English peas.
Ribs, with fried corn and chopped salad.
Burgers, bunless for me, with plaintain fries
Sausage, shredded cabbage saute, and homegrown squash cooked with onion.
It's another two-week shopping trip today, so tonight will be simple, that's for sure. I wish it would cool off here -- our highs this weekend are predicted to be 93 and 94.
If you're used to canoes, kayaks take some adjustment! It feels like you're sitting *in* the water instead of *on* the water, and depending on the kayak, it's a lot more "roll-y" than a canoe. My dad has built several canoes and kayaks - my sister prefers her kayak, I prefer my canoe. My brother also has a kayak, but he likes both. I found kayaks difficult due to the inherent instability - which is also what makes them more maneuverable!
"Motivation pills" Ha! Love it.
Saturday - We were supposed to have grilled chicken, but since I completely failed at getting the (whole) chicken out of the freezer in time, we made the burgers I'd scheduled for Monday, and paired them with baked beans and crudite (fancy way of saying I cut up some cucumbers, peppers, carrots, and celery!). Also, apparently my 11- and 8-year-olds were feeling beef-deprived, as the 11-year-old ate 2 burgers, and the 8-year-old ate 2.5 burgers. These weren't normal burgers - my husband did the shopping and accidentally bought "pub burgers", which I think were either 1/3lb or 1/2lb each!
Sunday - We were supposed to have ravioli and a salad kit, but the weather was absolutely ideal for grilling, the chicken was finally thawed, and I didn't want to heat up the kitchen with a bit honkin' pot of water. So we had grilled chicken and spinach salad. And ice cream because it was Sunday - Sundaes on Sunday!
Monday - Ravioli and salad kit. Needed a quick meal after a crazy work day.
Tuesday - LO night
Wednesday - Kid-prepared "snack dinner" - deli meats, cut up veggies and fruit, plus crackers = Mom doesn't have to cook!
Thursday - my 11-year-old turned 12!! Hot dogs and potato chips, with a dirt cake for dessert. Plus assorted veggies, potato salad, and old-looking baby cucumbers turned into refrigerator pickles
Friday - pizza! I think I might try grilling the pizza this week, as it's HOT HOT HOT outside right now.
Motivation Pills! I'm pretty sure my motivation comes in the form of coffee, caffeinated or decaf.
Saturday-pizza for kids take out date night for us (Pakistani food!)
Sunday-leftovers and berries/cream
Monday-chicken and salad and green beans and tortellini
Tuesday-Ginger scallion chicken soup from ATK
Wednesday-bean/rotel/cheese tostadas from ATK
Thursday-chicken with peanut sauce lettuce wraps as inspired by a chain restaurant
Tonight-Jerk pork tenderloin but with jalapenos instead of habeneros. And possibly tiramisu to celebrate rain, of which we have not had nearly enough in the last few months
I spent $22.65.
Saturday - veggie fried rice and fruit
Sunday - chili mac and fruit
Monday - leftover fried rice and fruit
Tuesday - pizza and fruit
Wednesday - leftover chili mac
Thursday - the last of the fried rice and fruit
Friday - probably going to make bean and cheese quesadillas
I had to smile at your lack of motivation pills! We grilled on Tuesday and managed with a few minor additions (mashed potatoes instead of potato salad) to have left overs for 2 other dinners! Win for me. It has helped as I am now back to work. Tonight is homemade pizza from the freezer, so another easy dinner for me. I better find my motivation pills soon. The refrigerator is looking bare.
Today I'm feeling worn out (aka slightly overwhelmed) from all of the cooking, cleaning, laundry, and food prep in my life. I need to find a motivation pill!
Saturday - Chicken pot pies, pineapple
Sunday - Grilled pizza. We used to only do pizza on the grill once or twice a summer, but are starting to do it every week now. It's especially fun to make a double batch and give everyone individual pizzas.
Monday - Rice and bean burritos with fruit. (These are the rice and bean burritos we were supposed to have last Friday, but my husband surprised me with a date night!! Our first kid-free anything in 3 months. We went to a local fancy burger place with outdoor seating. So nice!!)
Tuesday - Hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, cucumbers with hummus, and fruit
Wednesday - Sheet pan meal on the grill, watermelon, Aldi's version of Cool Ranch Doritos
Thursday - Crunchwraps, strawberries, blueberries
Friday - I've already scrapped Plan A and am moving to Plan B: Grill chicken leg quarters (marked down at Aldi this morning), probably broccoli and cheese on the side, with watermelon, and grapes
There were two nights inspired by Ruby's post from two weeks ago - roast pork sandwiches with pickles and caramelized onions and homemade BBQ sauce - oh, my goodness were they yummy! Thank you, Ruby!
The rest of the week consisted of:
Homemade pizza
Rice patties(rice, cheese, bacon) x 2
Taco bowls
Leftover night
You are welcome! We had more pork this week - country ribs cooked in the slow cooker - but it's been rather hot and there have been a lot of nights of sandwiches or fruit and cheese plates.
Sunday and Monday- lasagna and homemade garlic bread with homemade ice cream cake for my birthday
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday- chicken saltimbocca with pasta
Friday- Jamaican jerk pork with rice and beans
Happy Birthday!
Saturday: neighbor cleaning out his freezer offered us a bison roast from last fall's hunt. It appeared a little freezer burned so I soaked it in a spicy marinating sauce for two days and then slow cooked it. Pretty yummy. Plus, first salad from our garden--pak choi, scallions, five cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. More yummy-ness. Apples sautéed in butter and cinnamon and a bit of brown sugar for dessert.
Sunday: Egg/sausage/cheese strata that used up a bag of bread cubes that I made from stale bread months ago. Fruit salad.
Monday/Tuesday: the rest of the bison roast, which the dog shared with us when I left the plate I was fixing unguarded so he ate up a human's share. My fault for leaving it at his snout level. More fruit salad.
Wednesday: I made the navy bean recipe someone posted weeks ago (called Marita beans, I think?). Husband raved about it. This is the first time in 37 years of marriage that I cooked beans, which I loathe. I ate a baked potato. Green salad. Melon for dessert.
Thursday: same as Wednesday. Froze the rest of the navy beans because two days was all the bean smell I could tolerate.
Friday: Fillet 'o Fish from McDonalds.
Leftover chicken souvlaki and beef shish kebabs lasted us a few days from a family gathering last Friday- we also had pita bread and a couple of salads from the gathering.
Crispy chicken thighs, Italian white beans, glazed carrots and watermelon
Grilled boneless pork chops, roasted broccoli, chopped sunflower salad, and baguette with dipping sauce.
Tonight we are having roast turkey breast, cranberry sauce, baked sweet potatoes, and Caesar salad- the leftover turkey will make great lunches for the weekend.
Beth, what's sunflower salad?
Monday: Kielbasa, zucchini, and rice with homemade yum yum sauce
Tuesday: Date night @ Chili’s (husband’s choice). My choice was a stop into Walgreens for Tums (pregnancy+ awesome blossom is not a great mix) 😛
Wednesday: Butter chicken, rice, naan, and roasted zucchini
Thursday: Cast iron crispy chicken thighs, rice pilaf, roasted asparagus
Friday: BLTs with lettuce and tomatoes from the garden, plus avocado slices because yum
Our state is slowly opening up. Our son is participating in a very limited and short baseball season. The extroverted boy is finally excited to see people other than us!
Monday: We had something.. maybe pork?
Tuesday: Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti noodles
Wednesday: Baseball game! Picnic packed and eaten on the other side of the county prior to the game.
Thursday: Johnny Marzetti casserole
Friday: Take out- supporting the local restaurants
I am getting better at meal planning & buying only what I really need for breakfast/lunch/dinner snacks -which are usually fruit x 2 serves/day & a nut bar.
Mon: B-porridge L-avo & tuna sandwich D- grilled lamb chop & steamed vegies
Tue: B Porridge L- Baked bean toastie w spinach & cheese D- leftover Spag meatballs w peppers & olives from freezer
Wed: B- Oat brits w milk L- bakery pizza $4.50 D- Ramen noodles w vegies
Thu: B- a naughty drive thru hot choc & 2 hash browns L- thick lentil vegie soup D- same as Tues
Fri: B- Oat brits L- Chicken & vegie soup D- lasagne at sis'
Sat: B- fruit toast L- forgot to eat (not unusual for me on a bust sat) so nutella sandwich at 4pm lol then home cooked fish & chips with salad with family
oops that should read on a busy sat, I don't know why but I 'm not that hungry on Saturdays & often forget to eat lunch until mid afternnon
How do you make a baked bean toasties with spinach and cheese? I love spinach and am always looking for different ways to use it!
Hi Bonnie, it's one of my favourite lunches; I usually have it once a week as its easy tasty & filling. In a sandwich press I top a slice wholemeal multigrain bread with a slice of tasty cheese & a handful of baby spinach & then pour a small can (130g) of baked beans over the top then put another slice of bread on top & toast - I use baking paper folded around the whole thing which keeps the press clean & I use it to lift the toastie on to a plate. Sometimes I add thin slices of zucchini under the spinach. I know its not frugal to use the paper but it means I can cook this at work without a mess. I also now add a handful of baby spinach to my plate before serving lasagne - the heat from the lasagne wilts it nicely - my sis aught me to add a punnet of cherry tomatoes on top of lasagne before cooking to add some veg & we drizzle chilli infused olive oil on top to serve. I also make microwave ramen noodles & stir some spinach in at the end, & you can add it to risotto.
btw I don't use any butter - the beans are very saucy & the baking paper makes the bread brown without it - I do love butter on some things but I don't use it in toasties anymore
WWS: $32 for fish delivery & meat
Saturday: Čevapčići, lepinja, kajmak & ajvar; shopska salad (all homemade)
Sunday: homemade pizza (Neopolitan pizza dough recipe from serious eats)
Monday: leftovers
Tuesday: Thai red curry with tofu, broccoli, red peppers, carrots, rice
Wednesday: Salmon "Buddhaeque" bowl, with quinoa, zucchini, cucumber, etc. etc. cilantro-yogurt dressing
Thursday: leftovers
Friday: Bánh Tôm over lettuce with carrots. Ippudo cucumbers with red peppers
Your menu inspired a hunt for all of the new foods to me. Ajvar may need to be added to my list of foods to experiment!
Came across this and thought of you and your daughter!
https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/17-bookstore-cats-worth-road-tripping-for