Menu 9/4-9/10

This week is so awesome. I have everything I need except maybe a pack of hamburger buns. Of course I have the regular milk and bread on my list but this week I’m looking for deals to spend my money on. I love weeks like this…I think I’m on a role!

Weekly Menu

Sunday 9/4
Sloppy Joes

Monday 9/5 – plan a cookout it is Labor Day(have everyone bring their meat for the grill and a side or dessert)
Hamburgers

Tuesday 9/6
Waffles & Sausage (remember breakfast each week saves your budget)

Wednesday 9/7
Cheeseburger Mac

Thursday 9/8
Italian Roast & Potatoes

Friday 9/9
Fried Rice (use left over roast)

Saturday 9/10
Chicken Tenders

This week is a simple menu. Remember having a change in schedules, like kids not being in school or a holiday can really turn you routine up side down. So make it simple and not worry yourself. If you have some extra time make a special dessert or cooka meal and freeze it for a crazy day you can't get it all done.

8/28-9/3/11 Weekly Menu

I had planned on getting this on here at 6:30 am but well life happens and it just didn’t happen…no need for excuses.

So I picked my menu from my pantry. I hardly have any items to get from the grocery store. This week would be a good week for me to use my budget for groceries to stock up on pantry and freezer items. I will only need to get the following from the store this week:

Bread (weekly staple)
Milk (weekly staple)
Sour Cream (menu needed)
Butter (monthly staple)

I haven't had time to review my sales ads so I don't know what esle I will be adding...hopefully some great deals.

It really helps to stock up when things are on sale. I figure I will spend no more that $10 at the store this week unless I find some great deals. Try to utilize what you have on hand and rotate your inventory so you don’t end up with out of date items. Remember the rule of thumb is that it will be on sale every 6 week on the average. So just plan for no more than 2 months unless you have the room.

Weekly Menu

Sunday 8/28
Potato Soup

Monday 8/29
Panini Burgers

Tuesday 8/30
Tuna Casserole

Wednesday 8/31
Omelets & Toast

Thursday 9/1
Pizza or Calzones

Friday 9/2
Crock Pot Chicken & Veggies

Saturday 9/3
Chicken Parmesan Spaghetti

Saying goodbye to an era...

So anyone that knows me and has visit our house since Cameron was born...knows that there has always been a bathroom decorated in Winnie the Pooh. Cameron will be 13 years old this coming October and well I guess is was time to move on. Over the years I've asked him if he wanted to redecorate his bathroom and he said no. Even last year when he started Middle School I told him he might not want friends to come over and see a bathroom decorated in Winnie the Pooh. He said he didn't care. So finally with my encouragement we are saying goodbye to and era of Winnie the Pooh and a new era has started...the frogs. Last weekend we redone the bathroom and it really looks empty. Long gone are the Pooh hamper and step stool, which gives them more space. So long to all the friends...Piglet, Eeyore, Rabbit, Owl, Tigger and yes goodbye buddy Pooh. I guess this is the bathroom all grown up...well at least on the next step up. Just a little sad reminder that the kids are growing up everyday and well so is everything around us. I'm looking forward to what adventures in froggie land we might have and I hope he hops around with us for a long time to come....

I just love that rug...look at froggie's eyes.

The new colors are such a big change.

Wonder how long this will stay clean.

We still need a shelf and few things for the wall but I think we made a good choice.

Fun to be had...

So I was thinking maybe some of you don't know what's going on in the Chattanooga area that might be a little entertaining. You might be suprised at all the free things our area has to offer. I went to the visitor center and look at what is happening this weekend: (if you want to read more about any activity go to www.chattanoogafun.com and get more detailed information)

Friday, August 19, 2011


National Softball Association (NSA) 3rd Annual Black American World Series ()
Summit of Softball Complex
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Devlink 2011 Technical Conference ($)
Chattanooga Convention Center
8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
The Devlink Technical Conference is an event for professionals who want to stay up to date on current and emerging technologies. The conference features content for software developers, database admin ...

Bob the Builder: Project: Build It ($)
Creative Discovery Museum
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Children and families work together creating an eco-friendly community. Use work tools, "drive" building vehicles, design a blueprint, and create landscaping while interacting with life-size 3-D char ...

Rock City Raptors Birds of Prey Shows ($)
Rock City Gardens
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Come experience this amazing birds of prey show in Rock Citys Critter Classroom! Back for its 7th year, come and see hawks soaring in the sky above Rock City. Enjoy this rare opportunity to witness th ...

Fresh on Fridays/All local food, flowers, fruit (FREE)
Miller Plaza
11:00 AM - 2:00 AM
Fresh On Fridays highlights fresh made offerings from local restaurants, food trucks, artisans and farmers participants include Southern Burger Company, Famous Naters World Famous, Good Dog, Link 41, ...

Nightfall Concert Series (Fridays, May-Sept.) (FREE)
Chattanooga Presents
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Held at Miller Plaza, this series brings around 2,500 people every Friday night and features international, national and regional talent. Enjoy food, beverages and great music of all genres. Check web ...

Chattanooga Lookouts baseball home games - Aug. ($)
Chattanooga Lookouts AT&T Field
7:15 PM - 9:15 AM The Chattanooga Lookouts are a Double-A Affiliate team for the LA Dodgers. Individual game tickets are available for all home games. At prices ranging from just $2 - $8, Lookouts Baseball is the most ...

Music On The Mountain: Best of Nashville/1 hour from Chattanooga ($)
Jim Oliver's Smoke House
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Aug. 5 Jason Link & Lance Pool with Jonathan Knight
Aug. 12 Flat River Band and Kaylin Karr
Aug. 13 Shawn Mayer and Little Tree
Aug. 19 Clay Canfield and Jeff Pyatt
Aug. 20 ...

Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors by Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga ($)
St Andrews Center
7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
This is your classic tale of mistaken identity! In Shakespeare's shortest comedy, we meet two sets of twins who were separated at birth and relish in the chaos that ensues when they unknowingly come t ...

Saturday, August 20, 2011


National Softball Association (NSA) 3rd Annual Black American World Series ()
Summit of Softball Complex
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Summer Music Weekends ($)
Rock City Gardens
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
May 28-Sept 5 Sat/Sun/Holidays 8:30 am-8 pm
Enjoy some toe-tapping music and barbeque with a view at Lover's Leap during Summer Music Weekends. Memorial Day-Labor Day and Holidays. ...

Chattanooga Mud Run (FREE TO WATCH)
Greenway Farms
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
August 20 9 am - 3 pm
Jumping over hurdles, sliding head first into a pit of mud and sprinting to be the first across the finish line! Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga hosts Chatta ...

Chattanooga River Market (Saturdays, March 19-Sept.24) (FREE)
Chattanooga Market
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Chattanooga River Market is held weekly on Ross's Landing in the Tennessee Aquarium plaza and will include live music from local and touring artists, arts & crafts vendors and more. Like all of th ...

Bob the Builder: Project: Build It ($)
Creative Discovery Museum
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Children and families work together creating an eco-friendly community. Use work tools, "drive" building vehicles, design a blueprint, and create landscaping while interacting with life-size 3-D char ...

Rock City Raptors Birds of Prey Shows ($)
Rock City Gardens
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Come experience this amazing birds of prey show in Rock Citys Critter Classroom! Back for its 7th year, come and see hawks soaring in the sky above Rock City. Enjoy this rare opportunity to witness th ...

Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors by Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga ($)
St Andrews Center
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
This is your classic tale of mistaken identity! In Shakespeare's shortest comedy, we meet two sets of twins who were separated at birth and relish in the chaos that ensues when they unknowingly come t ...

Artist Talk Back & Demonstration by Contemporary Jazz recording Artist Eric Essix (FREE)
Chattanoogan Hotel/Foundry Lounge
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Prior to the Bessie Smith Heritage Festival, make plans to meet contemporary jazz recording artist and guitarist, Eric Essix. Essix's music is frequently heard on Music Choice and other jazz televisio ...

Bessie Smith Heritage Festival With Headliner Grammy Award-Winner Chrisette Michele ($)
Bessie Smith Cultural Center
5:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Summer may be coming to a close but there's no reason to be "blue." Instead, get on your dancing shoes and celebrate the summer's end Bessie Smith style at the 4th annual Bessie Smith Heritage Festiva ...

Riverfront Nights Music Series (FREE)
Riverfront Nights
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM
This Free music series is held downtown on the Chattanooga riverfront. Enjoy food, drinks and great music every week. Free & fee-based boat parking available. ...

Chattanooga Lookouts baseball home games - Aug. ($)
Chattanooga Lookouts AT&T Field
7:15 PM - 9:15 AM
The Chattanooga Lookouts are a Double-A Affiliate team for the LA Dodgers. Individual game tickets are available for all home games. At prices ranging from just $2 - $8, Lookouts Baseball is the most ...

Music On The Mountain: Best of Nashville/1 hour from Chattanooga ($)
Jim Oliver's Smoke House
7:30 PM - 10:30 PM
Aug. 5 Jason Link & Lance Pool with Jonathan Knight
Aug. 12 Flat River Band and Kaylin Karr
Aug. 13 Shawn Mayer and Little Tree
Aug. 19 Clay Canfield and Jeff Pyatt
Aug. 20 ...


Sunday, August 21, 2011


National Softball Association (NSA) 3rd Annual Black American World Series ()
Summit of Softball Complex
8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Summer Music Weekends ($)
Rock City Gardens
8:30 AM - 8:00 PM
May 28-Sept 5 Sat/Sun/Holidays 8:30 am-8 pm
Enjoy some toe-tapping music and barbeque with a view at Lover's Leap during Summer Music Weekends. Memorial Day-Labor Day and Holidays. ...

Chattanooga Market (Sundays, May 1-Dec 4) (FREE)
First Tennessee Pavilion
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Celebrating our 10 year anniversary as a local hot spot for tourists and locals alike, the Chattanooga Market is geared up for another successful season with a full events calendar and overabundance o ...

Rock City Raptors Birds of Prey Shows ($)
Rock City Gardens
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Come experience this amazing birds of prey show in Rock Citys Critter Classroom! Back for its 7th year, come and see hawks soaring in the sky above Rock City. Enjoy this rare opportunity to witness th ...

Bob the Builder: Project: Build It ($)
Creative Discovery Museum
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Children and families work together creating an eco-friendly community. Use work tools, "drive" building vehicles, design a blueprint, and create landscaping while interacting with life-size 3-D char ...

Lake Winnepesaukah hosts WinniSTAR Talent Search ($)
Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Dancers, singers, magicians, comedians, and guests of all talents are encouraged to step into the spotlight at Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park! The 2011 Lake Winnie Talent Search is the chance for ...

Shakespeare's The Comedy of Errors by Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga ($)
St Andrews Center
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
This is your classic tale of mistaken identity! In Shakespeare's shortest comedy, we meet two sets of twins who were separated at birth and relish in the chaos that ensues when they unknowingly come t ...

Blueberry Topped Pancakes

So tonight is our breakfast night on the menu. It's always fun for the family to have breakfast at dinner. Pancakes and Turkey Bacon was what I had planned and then I happen to think I had peaches and blueberries and well as you can see the blueberries won. So I decided to make a compote for the top and Cameron requested whipped cream and I just happen to have some cool whip in the fridge that was still good (I always have one in the freezer just in case I need it and all I have to do is thaw it). As you can see the pancakes turned out yummy and we are all stuffed.

Blueberry Compote

1 bag of frozen blueberries (you can use fresh 1 pint)
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 tbsp cornstarch

Just put blueberries, sugar and water in a pan on high and bring to a boil. Let boil for a few minutes and then mix your cornstarch with a small amount of water until blended and add to pot while stirring. Put on simmer until ready to serve if you want you let cool and place in fridge.

This works for all types of fruits and makes a quick topping at a moments notice. You may want to keep a pound cake in the freezer along with some fruit or berries for a quick company dessert or a last minute family snack. Hope you enjoy!

Tip on freezing

Well I was all about learning to can my fresh veggies this year but I have stumbled across a much easier and less expensive way to save them. I've always been told that using frozen veggies was just like picking them from your garden so when I read that some people just freeze everything they grow it made sense. I froze corn last year and I was told I had to shuck them and boil it and then dry and bag, same with green beans...so that was why I decide to learn to can. Luckily I figured out the alternative before I purchased all that canning equipment. This year I just invested in gallon freezer bags.

The best thing we added to our appliances was an upright freezer (I remember the digging through my granny's chest freezer and I know I probably won't risk falling in like I did when I was a kid, but upright is easier to see all you have stored up). This allows us to stock up on meat sales, especially helpful when Kevin is laid off through the winter months. So if you have the space and can afford a freezer it will pay off over time.

The two things I've got readily available in my freezer from my garden this year is tomatoes and bell peppers. With the peppers I just cut tops of, seeded them, rinsed and let dry. I put them in a freezer bag and straight in the freezer. My tomatoes rinsed and let dry, then in the freezer bag and in the freezer. If you have trouble getting the air out you can use a straw to suck out all the air and then seal that corner...I'm not lucky enough to own one of those expensive sealers you see on T.V. but this works just fine.

When you take the peppers out they thaw fast so I cut them while froze the size I want them, strips or diced. When you take the tomatoes out, just set out to thaw and the peeling with come right off and they are ready to use any way you want them. One thing I like about this is I can take out just what I plan to use and everything is as fresh as when I put it in. I'm still researching all of this and will keep you posted. Please feel free to comment on your experience and ideas.

Frozen Tomatoes and Bell Peppers

Weekly Menu 8/21-27/11

This week is going to be easy on me. As usual I have some pre-made items that will save me some time. I love making double batches and freezing so that I have quick access with a homemade flavor when I need it. I’m really making life easy for myself this week and my grocery bill just basically will be:

milk
bread
dry or canned red beans
hot dog buns
squash (my garden quit on this item)

I really like to keep my pantry stocked with grab items and so I never run out of stuff like ketchup. I’ll try to come up with a staple pantry and hopefully it will help you. If you do a monthly pantry budget and a weekly budget you will find your grocery budget will go a lot further. I hope you enjoy this week’s menu and it makes your life easier. I’d love to hear from you, feel free to comment below.


Weekly Menu

Sunday 8/21
Hot Dogs
Baked Beans

Monday 8/22
Chili Cheese Fries (left over chili from freezer, made before click on link below)
http://tennesseefamily.blogspot.com/2010/01/spicy-black-bean-chili.html

Tuesday 8/23
Tacos
Spanish Rice

Wednesday 8/24
Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage (made this before, click on link below to my livestrong recipe box)
http://www.livestrong.com/recipes/red-beans-rice-w-cajun-sausage/

Thursday 8/25
Leftovers or Soup and Sandwich

Friday 8/26
Breakfast Sandwiches (remember breakfast for 1 dinner a week will save on your grocery bill)

Saturday 8/27
Chicken Squash Pasta (made this before, click on link below)
http://tennesseefamily.blogspot.com/2011/07/yummy-chicken-squash-pasta.html

Deals - Redbox Movie/Game 8/15-24/11

Click on the link for the next 10 days of deals with Redbox. Nothing like renting a movie or game for $0.10 - $1.00. The link gives you all the details and what a great way to have family movie or game night with hardly any expense. Hope you enjoy my Tuesday Deal of the Week...

http://www.redbox.com/10-days-of-deals

Weekly Menu 8/14-20/11

Decide to start posting some helpful things. Perhaps it will inspire you to create your own menu or just use mine as a quick help. I will start posting this on Wednesday for the next week to follow since the grocery sales ads hit on Wednesday and you can plan and adjust the upcomming weeks menu to suit sales or your panty and families need.

This last week was easy shopping for me. Here's what we are eating this week.

Sunday August 14th
Chicago Style Pizza (made a few weeks ago and just had to defrost and bake) see recipe below

Monday August 15th
Quesadilla Burgers & Chips (bought tortillas for 2 meals this week to save) see recipe below

Tuesday August 16th
Chicken Fried Steak & Gravy (purchased already breaded chicken in bulk for time and savings)
Mashed Potatoes
Peas
Biscuits

Wednesday August 17th
Beef Stroganof Helper
Salad

Thursday August 18th
Pancakes (having breakfast once a week can really save on your grocery budget)
Bacon

Friday August 19th
Chicken Fajitas (using tortillas from Monday)

Saturday August 20th
Southwest Chicken - see below for recipe
Roasted Potatoes
Salad (leftover from Wednesday)


RECIPES FOR THIS WEEKS MENU

Chicago Style Pizza
1 can Jumbo Biscuit (8ct)
Pizza Sauce
Cheese
Toppings

Roll out biscuits and lay in pie pan (4 biscuits per pan, cut to adjust and press seams together), add toppings (I use ground turkey, italian sausage and pepperoni), I cook my toppings first except pepperoni of course, top with cheese and then pizza sauce, bake according to biscuit directions. (I make a double batch and freeze 2, bake, freeze them in the pie pan and then pop them out of the pie pan and slip into a ziploc bag and remove all air, when it comes time to warm them up just pull them out of the freezer and place back in pie pan and thaw and bake to warm through-makes for a quick no mess meal on a busy day)


Quesadilla Burgers
Flour Tortillas (small)
Hamburger Patties (I try to keep premade patties in the freezer for quick access and no mess)
Shredded Cheese
Salsa

Cook hamburgers, spray fry pan with non-stick spray, layer in torilla, cheese, salsa, cooked pattie, cheese and top with another tortilla, cook until browned and flip, make sure all is melted and serve, great on the grill...why dirty the kitchen.


Southwest Chicken
Chicken Breast for each person
Pepper Jack Cheese Slices
BBQ Sauce

Grill Chicken Breast until done, spread BBQ sauce on top and lay a slice of Pepper Jack Cheese on top until melted and then ready to serve.

I made homeade pizza sauce...can you believe it!

Well the tomato plants are really doing great this year and I'm getting into something other than my family famous fajitas, southern tomato mayo sandwich and salsa. I decided to try my hand at a tomato sauce and since tonight was pizza night it was the perfect time. I think this would be great with spaghetti or any pasta dish. It would compliment chicken, steak, shrimp...I'm just so pleased at how it turned out and everyone in the family liked it. I will definitely make this often even if I have to used good canned tomatoes in the off season. So without further delay...

2 onions, chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
olive oil
tomatoes on hand (I had 3 large ones)
Italian Seasoning
1 tbsp sugar
salt and pepper

I put some olive oil in my pan and sauteed my onions with salt and pepper until translucent and then added my garlic and Italian Seasoning. While this was going on I cored my tomatoes and removed about half the skin...most of the tomatoes were so ripe the skin was thin so it really didn't require it and it cooks down so I don't think it is necessary, then I diced them up and added them to my pan and brought to a boil and added my sugar. I let it boil for about 10 minutes and then turned it to medium low to simmer and reduce.

I'm so proud of myself...this was a first. I will never (well never say never) by tomato sauce again. I will try to always make mine and I'm sure it will make me famous. I forgot to take a picture but since it will be a regular recipe I'll get one on here soon. You know what this has to be good for any diet...

Day 2 Homeschooling

Well I have to say I overslept this morning...I had to just hit that snooze. So finally 7:15 am I dragged my butt out of bed and got Cameron moving. He didn't seem quite as enthusiastic as yesterday morning. Slowly went through the motions of all the assignment and decided to show his little attitude when it came time for Math. Now with short-term memory loss math has never been easy for Cameron and he also has a LD for math. I had to just set him straight and remind him that he is rewarded for good attitude and finishing his work daily by playing video games and if he didn't improve then he would loose this privilege and possibly permanently through the week. Well all of a sudden the dark turned to light. So we finished this day on a good note. All assignments done and he did a good job. I know things are rough with his issues but consistency is the ticket and a little tough love never hurts.

Day 1 Homeschooling

Well we started out with a good day. After a 7 am wake up call, followed by breakfast and chores Cameron was all set to start his day at 8 am. He seemed very calm and eager to get the day going. First subject was Bible, followed by Reading, Spelling and Vocabulary. These subjects seemed to flow by quickly and with very few questions. Next we tackled Math...the dreaded subject. I'm amazed at how well he did. I think he just took his time at his own pace, only had two questions and conquered today's assignment. Next was Science and he already had a microscope experiment. The ability to add interactive things seemed to be to his liking. Finally he finished with Social Studies and English. I think all in all for a first day of homeschooling he did fantastic. There seemed to be no stress factor and of course the incentive of playing video games (with a time limit of course) when all is finished was a good nudge in the right direction. I asked him how his day was going and he said good. So with fingers crossed, tomorrows assignments are ready and we will just call this a great day of school.