Meal Planning

Living on a fairly tight budget, I have learned the importance of weekly meal planning.  I've had a lot of folks tell me they don't have time to cook or plan meals.  I tell them I don't have time NOT to plan out our meals. Since meal planning seems to be somewhat of an enigma for folks I thought I would share my fairly simple meal planning strategy.

 I don't have a computer based spread sheet or anything that high tech.  Although I may do that one day.  for now, I use a tablet that I purchased from the dollar bin at Michaels Craft store a while ago.

It lists the days of the week and I write in what we are having for dinner that night.  I don't worry about breakfast or lunch.  We usually grab breakfast on our own and I try and keep things like cereal, breakfast bars, and bananas on hand for that.  Lunch is usually sandwiches or leftovers from the previous night's dinner.  I also list and nights we won't be eating at home (like our anniversary dinner) and those nights we need to eat the leftovers.  In addition, I write down where the recipe is locate - cookbook and page number- so that I don't forget where I found the recipe.  After I make my meal plan for the week I make up my grocery list.

I typically try to use what I have on hand when planning the dinner menu.  This is to keep food I have in the fridge from going bad.  I've also been attempting to try a new recipe each week.  I have a tendency to collect recipes and then never try them to see if they are any good.  So in order to try and pare down my collection I've been trying some new things in an effort to purge out the ones that aren't very good.  I'm also trying to prepare one vegetarian meal each week.  The Hubs is a serious carnivore so I have to use my creativity.

Below is my grocery list for the week.  I only buy what is on the list.  This is critical for keeping costs down.  I do allow some wiggle room for things that are on sale that we use regularly but for the most part I am list driven.

I also only grocery shop with cash.  This eliminates the temptation to overspend on groceries.  We attended Dave Ramsay's Financial Peace University this past winter and he suggested the envelope system that is based on only using cash.  We have found this to be very helpful.

I hope this has been helpful to some of you.  I really encourage to to try a couple of weeks of meal planning. Let me know how it works for you!

4th of July Fireworks

Lots of excitement here at Wilted Acres since my last post.  So let me fill all of you in on what's been happening...

On Thursday, the Hubs and I were preparing to celebrate the 4th and our anniversary.  Yep, we got married on the 4th of July four years ago. (No, it wasn't a red white and blue wedding.)

Anywho, we had made arrangements for Babycakes to go hang out with her Grammy so we could go to dinner that evening.  But before we started our anniversary celebration, we wanted to start with our Independence Day festivities.  We started by having Babycakes "help" Daddy hang the flag outside.

After that, plans changed significantly.  I received "the call"  I had been waiting for.  My "baby" sister (I can call her that since there are 7 years between us!) was in labor and my services as assistant coach were needed.  I was soooooo excited!!!  So I hopped into the car and headed 40 minutes north to the hospital while the hubs took over all parenting duties while I was helping my sister and her husband.

After Babycakes got up from her nap, she and Daddy decided to head on up to the hospital to get some Mommy loves.

I can't even tell you how much I love this picture of her.  Quintessential Babycakes right there.

Let me tell you what a trooper my baby sister is.  She went 16 hours before she asked for any sort of pain relief.  16 hours!!!  As soon as I showed up I was begging for drugs. But I digress.  At around 10:30 she had dilated to 10 centimeters so she  was ready to push.  Unfortunately, the baby's heart rate decreased each time she pushed so she had an emergency Cesarean section to get baby out.  I was sad I couldn't be there when my beautiful niece came into the world but am thrilled that she made it here safely.  And that's what's important!

So without further adieu I present my beautiful niece, Ellie who will be known from this point on as "Firecracker" since she was born on the 4th of July!

Isn't she just the cutest?  Just to make sure she knew me, I went by yesterday afternoon to formally introduce myself as her favorite auntie (from Virginia that is!)  :-)

I'm so glad that she is here so that Babycakes can begin a life of memories with her new cousin, Firecracker.

Hope everyone had a great 4th as well!

Hiatus Over!

I'm back from an unplanned hiatus from my blog.  After all of the emotions I experienced from the event I shared in my last post I just felt I needed some time to spend with my family and to regroup.  I didn't make a conscious decision to take a break from my blog, it just sort of happened.  So my apologies.  I'd also like to thank everyone for their kind words via the comments section and private messages sent to me.  Y'all are the best!  :-)

Anywho, lots of summertime fun has been going on here at Wilted Acres.  While I haven't finished any fabulous craft projects or cooked up anything super-delicious in the kitchen I have been busy making memories with the Hubs and my sweet Babycakes!

Just a few short days after finishing up the school year, we loaded up and headed to the beach for a week with some friends.

Here's Babycakes hanging out on the front porch waiting for everyone to arrive so we can leave.

We went to the beach in Delaware, which was a first for me.  I usually head south to the beach but was pleasantly surprised by 1. how close it was to home and 2. how nice it was!  We rented a condo for the week and it had a pool which was a huge hit with the little one...

Because Delaware doesn't have sales tax AND we were close to a TON of outlets, we even did a little shopping at the Yankee Candle Outlet...

and a super cute, kid-friendly, locally owned bookstore. (That gray blur is the Hubs trying to keep up with the little one!)

Since it was a beach trip we did make it to the beach.  Unfortunately, Babycakes was not a fan.

No sand on these little toes.  She did NOT want that stuff on her feet, her hands, or anywhere near her!  So unlike her beach lovin' Mama!  The sand is my favorite part!  We tried two different days and two different beaches.  Here she is with her Daddy on the second beach disaster visit.

Don't get me wrong.  It's not like she was screaming bloody murder or begging to leave.  She just did not want to sit (or stand) in the sand.  She was perfectly content to sit in my lap or her Daddy's lap.  Especially if we had food.  Girl LOVES to eat.

She also went for a test drive while we were out and about one day...

She also got to visit with some kitties one day while we were out and about.  Other than shoe shopping I think this was one of her favorite parts of the trip.  And I am not joking about the shoe shopping.  The kid was in the Stride Rite outlet store for almost an hour trying on all of the shoes.  

There was also a wonderful park we were able to find in our travels that she loved.  We went there a couple of times during our stay.  So much to do!

 By mid-day, my little girl was tired.  So we made sure there was plenty of time for naps.  Mama joined her most days!

Before leaving, we had to make sure we cleaned up.  Here is Babycakes "helping" her Daddy vacuum before we head out.

So that's one week of my summer thus far. We also went to spend some time with my Dad and Step-mom last week and opened up the "pool" here over the weekend (this consisted of Mommy blowing up a giant zebra pool and filling it with the garden hose).  I did spend some time working on my dissertation proposal yesterday and plan on working on it again tomorrow.  Other than that, it's been a low-key summer so far.  I could get used to this!

The Unexpected

The past couple of weeks have been a roller coaster of emotions.  You see, a couple of weeks ago the Hubs and I found out I was pregnant.  This was not something we had planned on timing wise, but we had discussed a second child.  After recovering from the initial shock and got used to the idea, we were thrilled that Babycakes would become a BIG sister.  We told our family, our friends, and our co-workers.  Even though I wasn't very far along, I am a believer in the power of prayer and wanted the Lord's hand in this pregnancy.

Then, last Wednesday, I started having some problems.  Without going into the details, I checked with a nurse who had worked in OB/GYN for several years and learned what I was experiencing is normal.  So I wasn't all that concerned. 

On Thursday, my symptoms had worsened.  After talking with my mom I went ahead and made an appointment with my doctor.  That night I started bleeding and cramping.  I knew, without seeing the doctor, what was happening.

On Friday morning I went to the appointment with the Hubs.  My first pregnancy test came back negative but when they ran a blood test, it was positive.  The doctor wanted to make certain that what I was experiencing really was a miscarriage and he did give us some hope that I might still be pregnant.  But in my heart, I knew I had lost the baby. 

So yesterday, I went back to the lab for another blood draw.  Today, what I knew had happened, was confirmed.  The doctor called it a "blighted ovum" or an anembryonic pregnancy.  Whatever you call is we lost Babycakes' little brother or sister.  There are no memorial services for such a thing, no cards at Hallmark (that I'm aware of), so little can be done for an event that is so sad.  We will try again, but not immediately as so many people will expect us to do.  I need time to recover from this.  As a 40 year old woman I know I am quickly running out of time to have more children.  So often people tell me that I'm running out of time.  I know this better than anyone.  Please don't tell a woman she is "running out of time" to have babies.  We know this.  Sometimes things don't go the way we have planned.  I trust that these events are in the Lord's hands and He is doing what is best for all.  Even if it hurts me now.

I share this personal story for a couple of reasons.  Many of you who read my blog are close family and friends.  I can't bear to call/e-mail/text everyone and share this sad news.  I've also learned that there are many women out there who have suffered through miscarriages in silence.  I'm not sure why this topic is not more openly discussed.  Maybe folks are afraid of saying the wrong thing to a grieving mother-to-be.  Maybe women are embarrassed.  I just know that writing this post has been heartfelt as well as cleansing. 
So while you may have been looking for a lighthearted post, I'm sorry I couldn't deliver that this time.  But I wanted to document this sad part of my journey in life.  Maybe one day Babycakes will go back and read this post and know the loss I felt.  Or maybe it will help another woman coping with a similar loss. 

Thank you for reading this.  If you don't mind, I'll just ask one more thing of you.  Please pray for our family as well as other families who have suffered a miscarriage.  It is a loss I know I will recover from but only with strength from God.

 

Summer Fun!

It's almost here!  Summerrrrrr!!!!!  Only two more teacher workdays and I am free for the summer!  The students' last day was Friday and I must say, while I am sad to see some of them leave for the high school, I am not sad to see summer vacation come a little bit closer.  I even had a countdown in my classroom that I used to count down the days with the kids.

I made this with an old Mary Engelbreit desk calendar I had a couple of years ago and it sums up the recharging that must occur over the summer for me to be ready to go in the fall.

The boxes are packed...

Piles of "what stays at school" and "what comes home" are separated.

My little classroom looks so naked at this time of year.  :-(

The computers were still on the table from the endless state testing we had to do.  Three weeks of that stuff.  I was so fried.  I really don't know how the kids take it.  It's awful.

My desk is a giant pile of mess.  I can hardly stand it!

Anywho, the next two days I will spend at work cleaning things up and getting stuff ready for the break.  It's hard to stay motivated when the end is in sight!

But I digress from my original purpose of this post and that is Summer Fun.

Each Saturday from around April through October Babycakes and I have a standing date to go to the Farmer's Market in town.  She loves to go and listen to the live music and visit with all of the local folks.  It also gives me the opportunity to purchase local produce for our meals in the upcoming week.  Yesterday was no different.  She dolled herself up and was ready to roll!

After our trip to the Farmer's Market and naps for Mama and Baby, we went to my cousin's high school graduation celebration.  We are so proud of her and she is one of Babycakes' biggest fans.  While there, Babycakes got to spend some time playing with a couple more of her cousins.  (No exaggeration, I have 32 first cousins.  This does not include their spouses, children or grandchildren.  There are a lot of freakin' cousins in my life! :-)  )   I love having such a large family.  There are always things for kids to do in a large family.  Like toddler cornhole...

I also come from a long line of farmers so there were goats and chickens to play with as well thanks to my (you guessed it!) cousin, Terry.

Let me tell you, Babycakes slept very well last night!

Today was a little more low key.  We went to church (skipped Sunday School because Mama needed a little extra sleep this morning!) then came home and had lunch before Babycakes took her nap.  After nap time was over we headed out to get haircuts and visit the kitties at the pet store next to where we got our haircuts.  (That's her reward for sitting still while getting a haircut.)

On our way home we decided to take Babycakes to the park.  This kid seriously loves a good slide and she was not disappointed today!

 I love the look of pure bliss on her face.  There is nothing better.  Except maybe having her sit still long enough to get a picture with her Mama!

I hope everyone had a great weekend.  I'm looking forward to the slower pace of summertime so I have more time to post some adventures on the blog.  Have a great week!

Misc. Ramblings

Almost 2 weeks have passed since my last post.  Eeek!  This time of year has got to be the worst for teachers.  Without going into the woes I will simply state that June 7th can not get here fast enough!
Enough of that - I'm trying to escape ignore forget that is going on at work during the time I am at home each day.  Especially since I have some fun stuff to blog about today!

While many folks were spending their Memorial Day weekend cooking out or hitting the pool, the Hubs and I were getting our summer garden ready.  In the past, we (read, the Hubs) have tilled the garden and sown seeds or put plants directly into the ground. And while this method has worked okay for us it is not optimal.  The weeds would get out. of. control.  I mean, when I had my appendix removed last summer, I thought I was going to have to get a machete just to get to the base of all the weeds.  It was terrible.  With the thought of pulling weeds after having my appendix out still fresh in my mind I begged for suggested a raised bed for our vegetables this year.  The Hubs relented and helped me being my raised bed dream to reality!

Being the dork that I am, I took pictures so I could share.  I should have taken before pics but, alas, I thought about that after we were finished.  (Okay, so I just now thought about it.  Don't judge, it's been a tough couple of weeks!)

First, the Hubs used a tiller to loosen up the soil.  He had done this once before to turn over the weeds so they would die.  This time I got to pull out all of the rocks!

We used 2x6 pressure treated lumber for our bed to help slow down the weathering process.

 After we lined them up, the Hubs screwed in coated decking screws.  He only did one at the top of each corner to start so we could move and adjust as needed for squareness. 

Once we had the frame level and square, the hubs put 2 more screws in each of the corners (for a total of 3 in each corner).  Looks good so far!

Next came my favorite part.  The DIRT!  (Excuse me, soil.  Sorry Honey!)

We did a layer of topsoil, a layer of humus, and another layer of topsoil.  We used a rake to level it all out. 

I haven't taken pictures of the garden since I out plants in it but trust me, they look pretty good!  I'm looking forward to a summer full of fresh produce as well as some extra tomatoes that I can use to put up spaghetti sauce for the winter.  I made some last year and it was really good.  It was a sad day when we pulled the last can out of the storage room and ate it.

So that's what we did this weekend.  But this post wouldn't be complete without some Babycakes...

Have a great week!

What's Up at Wilted Acres?

I am so sorry I have not been better about posting to my blog.  This time of year is insane for special education teachers.  "IEP Season."  Kind of like deer season but not really.  It's when we are up to our eyeballs in paperwork and meetings.  Throw in some state mandated testing, warm weather, and hormonal middle schoolers and it is a recipe for disaster  margaritas evenings spent in a warm bath.  I've also been trying desperately to get caught up on writing my dissertation proposal since Babycakes was sick almost every other week (if not every week) this past winter/spring.  Can a Mama ever get a break???

Anywho, I have been trying to take pictures of some things with the thought that I would post them on here.  Since my relaxing bath is running as I type, I will post a few pics so you all don't think I've fallen off the face of the earth...

Recently, we had to purchase a new mower "sub-compact garden tractor" (that's for you,Hubs! ;-)  )  Babycakes LOVES this thing.  We have a little trailer that we use for miscellaneous yard work projects (a necessity with 2 acres) that is now used for the primary purpose of entertaining the little one.

These pictures were taken over a period of time.  The first one was in early April and the last two (with the pink hat) were taken at the end of April.  Babycakes is all about hats right now.  We will be in the store and she will point out to me anyone wearing a hat.  It's pretty cute.

Besides taking pictures of this beautiful girl, I've also been working on a couple of gardening projects.  A couple of weeks ago I saw the cutest little teacups with Johnny-Jump-Ups in them.  I was drawn to them immediately and soon realized I had a teacup exactly like the one in the store at home in my cabinet.  Trying to be a frugalista I decided to try and replicate the look for less than the $7 or $8 the store wanted for them.  I decided to keep my eye out for Johnny-Jump-Ups in the gardening areas of our local shops but didn't see any.  I had actually put it in the back of my mind until I was pulling weeds in my rose bed and saw this...

The little purple flowers hiding in the weeds are the Johnny-Jump-Ups I was looking for!  They were hiding in my weeds  rose garden the entire time! :-)  So I gathered up some supplies and set to work. First I grabbed a couple of teacups out of the cupboard.  The one on the left I bought about 10 years ago at Ross or Marshall's.  The one on the right was a yard sale or thrift store purchase from many years ago. 

Next I put some rocks in the bottom of the teacups to help with drainage (this keeps the water from pooling on the roots, thus creating the dreaded root rot).

Next, I grabbed my trusty garden trowel and weed fork (not sure what the thing is really called but it looks like a giant fork with two tines that I use to pull weeds) and got busy digging up my weeds  plants

I separated the big clump into to smaller clumps so I would have one plant for each teacup.  I used some potting soil to fill in the teacups. 


The final product...

Not bad for a "free" gardening project!  AND I'm happy to report that they are still alive in their new home on my kitchen window sill!

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